Zabarwan Times E-Paper English 07 August 2014

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THURSDAY 07 August | 2014 | 10 Shawal, 1435 AH | PAGES 12 |

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Dev. of backward areas focus of Govt’s planning framework: Rather

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Largely Circulated, No. 1 Bilingual Daily of J&K

Pulwama, August 06: The loot of green gold goes unabated as ‘fearless’ jungle smugglers with alleged support of local forest officials smuggle and chop hundreds of trees in south Kashmir forests.

“The jungle smugglers, who pay money to local forest officials, resort to loot in broad day light in the forest compartment numbers 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 in Numblan block of Pulwama district,” locals told GNS, adding no one is stopping these smugglers.

“If this loot continues, the day is not far, when there would be no forests,” they said.

The situation is no different in the forests of neighbouring Shopian district. “The forests in Chota Gardar, Bada Gardar, Gard Khud and Sangarwani in Keller are also being looted by smugglers while forest officials are watching like mute spectators,” sources said.

A local, Nazir Ahmad Khan, told GNS that due to ‘corruption’ of forest department employees, the smugglers are ‘fearless’ and resort to ‘loot’.

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Policeman thrashed, arrested after ‘molestation bid’ in Old City

Srinagar, August 05: A policeman on Monday was thrashed and stripped by people in Old City area of summer capital here after he allegedly tried to molest a girl in a passenger bus.

Witnesses told GNS that a policeman identified as Nirmal Kumar of 12 Battalion of Armed Police was roughed up by people at Gojwara. “The policeman was caught molesting a girl in the bus that he had boarded from Lal Chowk,” they said.

The policeman, after being roughed up by people, was stripped, witnesses said.

Meanwhile, the police swung into action and arrested the cop.

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Police arrest gambler, seize 2 vehicles in Pulwama

Srinagar, Aug 6: Police on Wednesday arrested a gambler and seized two vehicles during a raid at Muran area of Pulwama in south Kashmir, a police official said.

He told GNS that Aftab Ahmad Ittoo son of Mohammad Ramzan of Muran was arrested while gambling in a public place in the area.

The other gamblers managed to escape, however, police team recovered some stake money from the gambling site besides a pack of cards, he said.

The official further said that two vehicles Sumo bearing registration See Police On PG 11..

Edit Page Old generation deserves love & affection The whole society is going through such an inhuman phase that even the devils are ashamed of what is happening around us. Every religion teaches as to how one should treat his old parents who bring him up and spend whole of their life in grooming him and providing every comfort he desires. But as soon as the children grow and start earning with that they start to ill-treat their parents and sometimes make the atmosphere of the house so hostile that the parents themselves prefer to leave and wander on the roads till they die on the road side, in a mosque or in a hospital.

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WEATHER FORECAST FOR NEXT 24 HRS: Light Rain would occur at a few places over the state.

FORECAST OF SRINAGAR: Possibility of thunderstorm inthe afternoon. Maximum & Minimum temperatures will be around 30°C & 23°C respectively.

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SUNSET ON(THURSDAY) SUNRISE ON (FRIDAY)

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33.9 C 19.9 0C 07:29 PM 05:47 AM

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Former NC MP Revolts

‘Loot’ of green gold goes unabated in south Kashmir

National level Mega water sports championship to be held in Srinagar

Rahul slams ‘partial’ Lok Sabha Speaker, says only one man’s voice heard in Parliament

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Says show door to Farooq, Omar to save NC

15 hospital projects, 270 bridges completed in last 5 years Omar inaugurates 200-bedded Addl Block at LD Hospital

Alleges father, son duo has destroyed party

Srinagar, Aug 6: Stating that the ruling national conference could only be saved from ‘disaster’ if NC president Dr Farroq and chief minister Omar Abdullah are shown the door, NC veteran and former parliament member Abdul Rashid Shaheen Wednesday stirred hornet’s nest, stating that Sheikh Nazir and Begum Khalida Shah are the ‘true’ and ‘sincere’ successors of NC founder Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah.

Shaheen while slamming the policies of national conference told KNS over phone that the aim with which late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had es-

tablished the party has been eroded now by Dr Farooq and Omar Abdullah.

“During the tenure of Omar as the chief minister of the state, not only the people of Jammu and Kashmir were humiliated and disrespected but also the NC veterans and workers who have been worked with the party since decades.”

Shaheen stated further that due to the wrong policies exhibited by NC, he leaving the party and shall make a formal announcement about the same in coming days.

“It is not only me who is leaving the party; there are senior NC workers in hundreds who are waiting in the queue.

They too are disgruntled by the present wave of anarchy that has engulfed the party of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.

The father son duo is undermining all ethoses and is not willing to learn from the blunders they have committed.”

Shaheen who earlier was considered as one of the senior voice of the national conference stated that the main reason behind the debacle of the party during LS polls was the ‘wrong’ approach adopted by Dr Farooq and Omar. “I will not ever shake hands with them.

They have rubbished and rebuked the dreams of Sher-e-Kashmir. They have destroyed the principles of NC and have disgruntled the workers have sacrificed a lot for the party See Revolts On PG 11..

Mufti believes credibility best achievement of PDP Says people in general have faith in party Jammu, Aug 6: Patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that his party has earned credibility of the people through its convictions and commitments.

He said that with the support and cooperation of the people, PDP wants to change the present ineffective and inept system.

Interacting with prominent citizens of Jammu here this morning, Mufti said that agenda of his party was to fulfil wishes and aspirations of all sections of the society. He promised that PDP, in its vision document, would accommodate aspirations of all regions and sub-regions of the State.

The interaction was organised by PDP candidate for Jammu East, Bharat Chowdhary in which prominent citizens including businessmen participated.

Reiterating to present an exclusive vision document for Jammu

region, Mufti said that Jammu will never be a Pathankot.

“It is my desire to remove trust deficit among different regions of the State”, he said and expressed satisfaction that PDP has emerged as a strong force in the whole State as people have faith on the trusted leadership of this party.

Mufti said that aim of his party was not only to attain power but to uphold dignity and honour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“One of the biggest achievement of PDP is that people of Jammu and Kashmir have accepted this party as alternative of National Conference”, he said, adding, “it is not the question whether we are in the government or not, it is our achievement that we have won hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”.

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Srinagar, Aug 6 : Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Wednesday inaugurated yet another healthcare facility at Srinagar which is third in a row in as many days. He inaugurated CT scan, Doppler and other modern facilities at Baramulla District Hospital the other day and on Tuesday he declared open Beerwa Sub-District Hospital while today the Chief Minister dedicated 200-bedded Additional Block at Lal Ded Hospital to the people.

The project estimating over Rs. 40 crore was started in 2008-09 and has been completed in all respects.

The civil work involved over Rs. 31 crores, STP Rs. 4.17 crores; central heating system Rs. 1.83 crores, water supply Rs. 1.22 crores and other hospital items Rs. 1.74 crores.

The additional facility at L D Hospital will give boost to healthcare service and cater to the increased treatment needs in the hospital.

On the occasion the Chief Minis-

Congress leader allegedly assault lady doctor on duty Police take cognizance, registers case against both Baramulla, August 6: Police registered a case against the son of deceased Ikhwani leader and congress leader for assaulting a lady doctor on duty at Sub-District Hospital Hajin in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

A lady doctor (name withheld) at Sub-District Hospital Hajin told CNS that on Tuesday night at around 11:30 pm when she was on night duty, a man entered into the hospital and directed her to accompany him to see his ailing mother.

Eyewitnesses told CNS that Congress leader Imtiyaz Parrey lost his state of mind when a lady doctor on night duty at Sub District Hospital Hajin refused to accompany him during late hours to see his mother.

Hospital staff said that Parrey not only abused the lady doctor but also slapped her and threatened her of dire consequences.

“The man who later identi-

fied himself as the Congress leader Imtiyaz Parrey of Sonawari Sumbal threatened me of dire consequences when I refused to accompany during late hours. I asked one of my subordinates to accompany Imtiyaz to see his ailing mother but the Congress leader not only abused me but assaulted me physically,” the lady doctor said.

She said that Imtiyaz Perray stooped so low that, “he slapped me and pulled my hair. I wept and in a fit of rage, hit him with my chapel,” she told CNS adding that it was a nightmare for her to confront an ‘obnoxious’ male member during the late hours.

The lady doctor added that she informed Station House Officer Hajin on phone but Parrey soon after that went to police station and complained against me. “I am not feeling safe and want justice. I feel that SHO Hajin

ter visited various blocks in the hospital, enquired the welfare of patients and ascertained feedback about the treatment being provided to them.

The Chief Minister said that health sector has been flagged as one of the most important sectors, as such, received concentrated attention for improvement, expansion and consolidation during the last over five and a half years. He said attention has been paid to upgrade the medicare facilities at district, sub-district and other hospitals in the rural areas so that pressure in Srinagar hospitals is reduced.

Omar Abdullah said that Sheri-Kashmir had a great vision for making Jammu and Kashmir a modern State in respect of healthcare facilities. He said the establishment of Lal Ded Hospital and SKIMS was part of this vision of the late leader.

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Mufti not a judge of ‘political wisdom’ of voters PDP creation of agencies: NC Srinagar, Aug 6 : National Conference has lashed out at PDP Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for suggesting that those who don’t vote for PDP allegedly lack ‘political wisdom’. Terming this as a blatant insult to the autonomous decision making right of every single Kashmiri to choose what he deems in the best interests of the State without being judged, abused and harangued for his choice, National Conference has said that Mufti’s statement reflects his self-seeking and overly partisan perspective on politics and socio-economic change in a State that has suffered turmoil and strife.

According to a statement issued to KNS, National Conference Spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu said that every single election is important and celebrates the right of the individual voter to endorse or reject candidates free

is supporting Parrey as the police has also registered a case against me as well. I fail to understand what I did to the assailant and for what a case has been registered against me,” the lady doctor said adding that under rules a lady can’t venture out from the hospital during night duty. Meanwhile, Imtiyaz Parrey alleged that the said lady doctor refused to treat his mother. “She taunted me for being the son of the Ikhwani and said that she doesn’t treat Ikhwani’s,” Parrey told CNS. However, the lady doctor refuted these allegations.

“We have registered an FIR (83/2014) and a counter FIR (84/2014) in this regard in police station Sumbal,” a police official said.

Chief Medical Officer Bandipora G.M.Dar told CNS that no doctor can move out of hospital premises during duty hours.

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of any pressures or influences and Mufti Sayeed’s 'fatwa' was disrespectful to the democratic right of a common Kashmiri. The NC Spokesman said “Mufti Sahab has a self-certified tendency to be overly-moral in setting the alleged ‘standards of political wisdom’ from time to time. As hypocritical and patronizing as that might be, it would not be out of line to ask Mufti Mohammad Sayeed where his morality was when Kashmir was at the ‘crossroads of a historic moment’ in 1990 – a time that merited empathy and compassion for the people of this land as opposed to the barbaric, iron-fist brutality that was unleashed on them by Mufti Sahab as the then Home Minister of India. Where was Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s sense of moral perspective when he signed a pact with the RSS and VHP to send See NC On PG 11..

Molestation case

Inspector arrested, probe on

Srinagar, August 06: A police officer on Wednesday was arrested after he ‘molested’ a 13-year old girl in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

The father of the girl told GNS over phone that Inspector Aijaz Ahmad Shah came to his house along with several guests on Tuesday and told him to prepare tea. “He used to come to our house and on Tuesday, he came with several guests.

The officer said to prepare tea and maize bread. I asked my daughters and wife to do so and I left home for some work,” Ghulam Nabi (name changed) who hails from Dessu in Daksum area of Kokernag, told GNS. “While I left the home, the officer, who was drunk, took advantage of my absence and molested my daughter in one of the rooms of my house. Her clothes were also torn off by the officer,” See Probe On PG 11..

Missing Palhallan youth found dead along with ‘snatched rifle’

Srinagar, August 06: A missing youth from Palhallan was found dead in a house in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district along with a snatched rifle, police said Wednesday.

A police official told GNS that acting on a tip-off, police’s Special Operation Group (SOG), army’s 29 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 176 Battalion Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) cordoned off Suraipora village of Kreeri in the district. “While the cordon was being laid, few gunshots were heard from a house,” the official said, adding: “The police party approached the house and recovered the body of Mudasir Ahmad Sofi.”

The house belonged to Ghulam Muhammad Mir, sources said.

The police official said an INSAS rifle was recovered near the deceased along with some used cartridges. “Initial in-

vestigation revealed that the rifle belonged to the policeman who was attacked in Pattan with an axe few days back.”

An Indian Reserve Police (IRP) personal identified as Firdous Ahmad Baba was attacked with an axe in main market Pattan on Saturday late afternoon.

The police said Mudasir was behind the rifle snatching. “This militant had snatched rifle of a Policeman in Pattan few days back,” it said.

Police sources said the youth was missing from Ist August, a day before the Pattan incident, and his family had lodged the missing report at Pattan police station.

Official sources said one needs to have proper training to handle INSAS rifle and it is quite possible that the youth may have died due to accidental fire. “But, other angles can’t be ruled out,” they said.

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Hurriyat (M) leader meets Pak High Commission

Patwari caught red-handed while accepting bribe

Says Indo-Pak Foreign Secy level talks a welcome step

Srinagar, Aug 6: Vigilance Organization (VO) Kashmir caught red handed a patwari while accepting bribe in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday.

A vigilance official told GNS that it arrested a Ghulam Rasool Shah Patwari Halqa Lethpora Pampore, while demanding and accepting bribe from the complainant.

“The squad was supervised by Majid Malik SP (BKB) Vigilance Organization”.

“A complainant approached with Vigilance Organisation Kashmir alleging therein that Patwari Halqa Lethpora, Pampore is demanding an amount of Rs 2000 as illegal gratification for making the entries in the revenue records,” the official said.

He said that accordingly a case FIR No.32/2014 u/s 5(2) J&K P.C. Act 2006 r/w 161 RPC has been registered at P/S VOK and investigations taken up. (GNS)

Srinagar, Aug 6: Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (H) chairman and senior Hurriyat (M) leader Javaid Ahmad Mir visited the Pakistan High commission at New Delhi last evening where he had a brief conversation with the diplomats regarding the present prevailing situation of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement issued to GNS, JKLF spokesman said, that on the occasion Javaid Ahmad Mir welcomed the propose dialogue process between India Pakistan Foreign secretaries to be held on 22 August at Islamabad Pakistan. He insisted Pak diplomats to include Kashmir leadership for the result oriented dialogue process for the settlement of burning and sensitive issue called Kashmir issue..

On the occasion Pakistan diplomats assured Mir that besides the Government the common people of the Pakistan are in favour of the Kashmir’s right to self-determination.

They said that the support of Pakistan particularly on the

Political basis will remain continue till this long pending issue will not be solved as per the aspiration of people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mir during his conversation with the Pak diplomats expressed hope that ahead of the proposed meeting, India will release all the political detainees; will stop day to day human rights violations, unlawful arrests and Lawlessness for the successful talks.

He said despite the three bloody wars between India and Pakistan International Communities have adopted the criminal silence over the issue.

Mir while mooting the situation of Middle East countries said the fire of brutality has now reached there; it is time for the World organizations to come forwards to stop such brutalities against the innocent people of these counties.

He said such disasters can also prevail in South Asia if the lingering Kashmir issue will not be issued as See Hurriyat On PG 11..

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Srinagar, Thursday 07 August 2014

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Revolt in the past.” He stated that only Sheikh Nazir, NC’s former general secretary and Khalida Shah, daughter of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah are the true and sincere successors of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.

(KNS)

CM He said that Sheikh Sahib wanted to provide all latest health facilities to the people of the State within the State so that they need not go outside for specialized treatment. He said that the government is keenly pursuing this goal.

The Chief Minister said that besides creating new infrastructure and modernizing the equipment equal attention is being paid to place qualified doctors and para-medics in the health institutions to make delivery more effective and prompt.

Minister for Health, Taj Mohi-ud-Din and Minister of State for Health and Medical Education, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi were present on the occasion.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected rehabilitation work of Zero Bridge Srinagar under execution at a cost of over Rs. 6.41 crores. The length of bridge is 154 metres, the number of spans are nine and carriage way is two-lane. It is being rehabilitated as the heritage bridge of Srinagar city.

Omar Abdullah also took stock of the pace of work on new bridge under construction over River Jehlum connecting Residency Road at GPO to Rajbagh Road near Convent School. The bridge was started in October 2012 and is estimated to cost Rs. 12.37 crores.

The length of the bridge is 118 metres and it has three spans. The bridge is likely to be completed by April 2015.

Legislator Nasir Aslam Wani was accompanying the Chief Minister. During the last over five and a half years more than a dozen bridges have been constructed in Srinagar and some are under execution. Over 270 bridges have been completed in the State during the same period. (KNS)

Probe he said, adding after she raised alarm, the other people rushed to the spot but the officer managed to escape.

Meanwhile, the police today said they arrested the officer and registered a case under FIR no. 93/2014 under section 343; 354,323 RPC. The police said the arrest came after ‘some locals alleged him of attempting to molest a girl’ at Dessu, Kokernag. “The arrested person is working in police department and was on a personal visit to the place,” the police said, Padding he was on his personal visit. “Police have started the investigation in this regard.” (GNS)

Mufti He said that it was all due to the good governance of the PDP led government that people have faith on this party. “Three year was a small period but we had tried our best to come up to the expectations of the people”, he said and expressed satisfaction that people of Jammu and Kashmir have appreciated work of the PDP led regime.

He said it was all due to the pro-people policies of the party that PDP has emerged as strong alternative in the state within a short span of time. “Policies and programmes of PDP are formulated by incorporating wishes and aspirations of all sections, all regions and sub-regions of the state,” he said and reminded the gathering that PDP led regime has set an example of good governance.

“Attaining power is not only agenda of our party. My desire is to make Jammu and Kashmir as Island of peace with the support and cooperation of the people,” he said and added that with the power of the people of the he want to change destiny of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a statement issued to KNS, reiterating that policies and programmes of his party are formulated to address aspirations of all regions and sub-regions of the State, Mufti said that his party had proved how to treat all sections of the society equally by providing equal opportunities of growth and development to all individuals.

Later addressing a function at Sunjwan area, which was organised by Rashid Choudhary, Mufti said, “PDP led regime has set an example of good governance and carved out a path of equitable development in the State”.

“During our short tenure in the government, PDP led regime had taken every possible effort to deliver good governance to the people”, he said and added that initiatives taken by the PDP led regime had yielded very encouraging results because faith of the people in the democratic institutions was restored and the commoner got the taste of good governance.

PDP patron, while highlighting achievements of his government, reminded the gathering that after formation of PDP led government various projects were started for the development of Jammu region.

Sardar Rangil Singh, Yash Pal Sharma, Ved Mahajan, Shanti Devi, Hamid Choudhary, Rashid Malik, Hussain Ali Waffa, Jagjeet Singh Jagga, Arshad Malik, Firdous Tak, Surjeet Kour, Ashok Jogi, Ram Swaroop Gupta, Nicodimus, Nita Sharma, Chander Sheikhar and others addressed the meetings. During a meeting at Sunjawan, Talib Hussain, Mohammed Mushtaq Malik and Mohammad Akram Choudhary joined PDP. (KNS)

NC Jagmohan to Kashmir to lord over some of the most heinous massacres this Valley has seen? Why did Mufti Mohammad Sayeed fail to see the ‘plethora of problems’ in J&K when he ordered one bullet to be reciprocated with hundred bullets, when he ordered shoot-at-sight orders and when he pioneered the systemic custodial killings of Kashmiris as the Home Minister of India in the BJP supported VP Singh Government?”

The NC Spokesman said that it was painfully ironic that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed – the biggest Machiavellian asset of covert intelligence agencies in Kashmir was demanding a “renewed beginning towards the resolution of the Kashmir Issue by engaging with all stakeholders”. This is the same Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who ensured the targeted murder of every single stakeholder in the militant leadership despite the fact that there was a ceasefire in place. “Mufti Sahab brought these young men on the negotiation table

Zabarwan Times and out of hideouts on the pretext of negotiations and peace talks and sent ambush and encounter teams to shoot them dead at night. Where was Mufti Sayeed’s concern for ‘engaging with stakeholders’ when he killed these militant commanders in cold blood while a cease-fire in effect? There should be no doubt in the minds of the youth of Kashmir that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is the fountainhead of every single constitution, legal, illegal, political and military conspiracy hatched against the integrity, dignity and constitutional sub-sovereignty of this State right from the late 1950s when he started his political career. As aptly stated by Senior Journalist Praveen Swami in his summing up of Mufti’s political career – Mufti Sayeed is a ‘Man of many parts and many parties’”, the NC Spokesman said.

Ridiculing Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s self-praise and his attempts to claim the moral high ground, the NC Spokesman said that Mufti Sayeed has insulted hundreds and thousands of Kashmiris who oppose him and PDP by saying that this opposition was a result of lack of ‘political wisdom’ and lack of ‘emancipation’ in these voters. “This recurring habit of Mufti Sahab to threaten, judge and trivialize the rights of the people of J&K is unsurprising. As a Minister in the Sadiq Government, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed put his wholehearted support behind the erosion of Article 370 and the considerable repeal of a constitutionally guaranteed special status to the State. Was this State not at the ‘crossroads of a historic moment’ when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was party-hopping and putting his weight behind every crony, pliant leader and stooge who conspired against the Internal Autonomy of J&K while Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was incarcerated for standing up for the political aspirations of his people? These facts are not hidden from the people and not in the least from the youth of this State – who are informed, intelligent and responsible and know their history very well”, the NC Spokesman added.

“We all know what Mufti Sahab means when he talks about ‘overhauling the system of governance’. This ‘overhauling’ by Mufti Sayeed was witnessed prominently on four separate occasions in the past. The first instance was when Mufti Sayeed helped in eroding Article 370 and became a Minister in a State Cabinet that destroyed the special status of the State. The second instance was when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed became the dreaded Home Minister of India in 1990 and helped intelligence agencies in ‘overhauling’ the ‘system of governance’ by invoking Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) and Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the J&K. The third instance was when in 1996, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed received crores of rupees from intelligence agencies to float a coalition of political individuals from various backgrounds to dilute the regional political voice of J&K. The fourth instance was in 2002 when Mufti Sayeed robbed the politics of J&K of a regional character and became a puppet Chief Minister in an agency patronized and conceived government despite the fact that National Conference had emerged as the single largest party even in 2002. Unfortunately for Mufti Sayeed and fortunately for the people of this State, he won’t be allowed a fifth opportunity to wreak havoc in J&K”, the NC Spokesman said.

The NC Spokesman said that the last five and a half years have seen unprecedented socio-economic change and development in J&K as testified by facts and figures. “The Omar Abdullah Government has taken J&K towards economic self-reliance by adding more than 1,500 Megawatts to the State’s power portfolio and laying the edifice for the addition of another 9,000 Megawatts without a spec of an allegation of corruption as opposed to Mufti Sayeed’s criminal failure to make J&K self-reliant in power. The average Kashmiri’s income has risen. The State’s GDP has grown.

There are thousands of new industrial workshops, hotels and factories in J&K today. There are hundreds of new bridges, thousands of new schools, hundreds of new hospitals and dispensaries and thousands of kilometers of new roads in J&K today. There has been a 71% reduction in violence and more passports have been issued by the Omar Abdullah Government on a yearly average than Mufti Sayeed’s Government did in any two years of its tenure combined. This is Change.

What Mufti Sayeed is talking about – this Machiavellian ‘overhauling’ – that’s the bidding of agencies he is an expert at”, the NC Spokesman added while saying that PDP’s drama of seeking a “decisive mandate” as a pre-condition to represent their political aspirations was a cruel joke with the people of this State. “PDP has been created to suppress the political aspirations of the people of J&K – not to highlight them. Mufti Sayeed is no less than a proclaimed offender who has repeatedly been found involved in hatching conspiracies against the Kashmir Issue in various capacities.

Mufti Sayeed is seeking political power to destroy J&K’s political stature – and the youth especially are conscious to this”, Mattu said.

“Mufti’s talk of transparency is perhaps the most ironic and ludicrous highlight of his statement prepared by recently recruited philosophers whose philosophies and elitist, academic jargon changes with the changing weather. Mufti Sayeed turned J&K into the ‘Most Corrupt State’ in the country within two years of coming to power. He destroyed the institutions of transparency and ensured that the tools to fight corruption were either made ineffective or completely thrown out of the arsenal. He gave his Ministers a license to engage in loot and plunder and there are numerous cases in Vigilance Department and State Accountability Commission that validate this. The coming Assembly Elections will show Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that the people of J&K possess the appropriate political wisdom to differentiate between collaborators of agencies and those who have given blood and life to uphold the dignity of J&K”, Mattu added. (KNS)

Missing A senior police official told GNS they are investigating the matter. “See, we are not claiming that we killed him. We can’t say how he died. We have launched investigations,” he said.

A source in police’s counter-insurgency wing claimed that the youth was mentally unfit and committed suicide. But, the locals of Palhallan rubbished the claims and said the youth was ‘absolutely fit’. “His elder brother is mentally unwell while another brother is also ill, but Mudasir was all right,” Muhammad Ismail, a local, told GNS. Mudasir is a resident of neighbouring Palhallan village. Sources said Mudasir’s father was a militant Commander associated with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and was killed in year 1992.

Meanwhile, as the news of youth’s death spread in Palhallan, the shopkeepers downed their shutters and vehicular movement got affected. The situation in the area became tense with people coming out on the streets.

The locals of Palhallan allege that the youth was killed in custody. “We are also saying and the people at Kreeri also say that it is a custodial killing,” they alleged. Eyewitnesses said hundreds of people partic-

ipated in the funeral of the youth and amid pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the youth was buried in the martyrs’ graveyard.

The family of the slain youth was a student of Ist year at Pattan college and had no militant connections in the past. “Mudasir was missing from past few days and that is what we know,” his uncle, Ghulam Muhammad Sofi, told GNS over phone. (GNS)

Congress “It is obligatory for the attendant to bring the patient into the hospital. I have directed Block Medical Officer to constitute a committee to ascertain the facts,” he said. (CNS)

Hurriyat per the aspirations of people residing here.

Commenting over the recent statement of OIC, Javaid Ahmad Mir said peace can only prevail in Kashmir after the Kashmir issue will be addressed via the aspiration of people of Kashmir.(GNS)

Loot “We appeal government to take strict action against these smugglers and corrupt employees so that forests could be saved,” he said.

The Range Officer Pulwama, Nawab Khan told GNS that he had already sent a team to the forests and suspended an employee namely Gulzar Ahmad. “Rest, no such things are going on,” he added. (GNS)

City “A case under FIR number 80/2014 under sections 294, 341, 323 at Nowhatta police station,” police sources said.

Police have started investigations in this regard, they added. (GNS)

Police number JK13-8121 and Santro (JK03- 3529) was seized from the spot.

A case FIR NO 60/2014 under section 13 Gambling Act was registered in this regard and investigation has been started. (GNS)

03 extortionists posing as policemen held identified as Abdul Vehicle and a toy later Jabbar Lone son of Rehmatullah, Reyaz Ahmad pistol seized Shah son of Ghulam MoSrinagar, August 6: Police on Wednesday arrested three extortionists impersonating as policemen and recovered a toy pistol from them at Pushroo, Achabal area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district.

On a tip off, a police party of police station Achabal arrested three extortionists in Pushroo village while two managed to escape, a police official told GNS. "The group was roaming in the area in police uniform with a toy pistol in a vehicle bearing registration number JK14 -4949 and extorting money from the locals".

The extortionists were

hammad and Mushtaq Wani residents of Chenani Udhampur.

However, Javid Ahmad Lone son of Shamus ud din lone resident of Bastey, Chenani and Tippu resident of Larkipora managed their escape from the spot, the official said.

The vehicle was also seized by the police.

Achabal police has registered a case FIR number 78/2014 under section 419,393, 171/RPC and investigation has been taken up. Man hunt to nab the absconding extortionists has been launched, the official added. (GNS)

Tral observes shutdown Demands removal of CRPF bunker Tral, August 6: Amid protest a complete shutdown was observed in South Kashmir’s Tral town for the second consecutive day against the presence of CRPF bunker near bus stand which according to traders and locals is the source of nuisance for them.

All business establishments remained closed while the traffic was off the roads. The locals as well as traders demanded that the security picket of 185 Central Reserve Police

Force should be removed from the town at an earliest.

“The CRPF have occupied 2 kanals of land illegally that belongs to Municipal Committee Tral.

This bunker is the source of trouble as it frequently comes under attack.

Youth gets often provoked and attack it with stones, as a result we are forced to down the shutters. We have incurred huge losses because of the presence of this security bunker.

Karra raises PM’s scholarship issue in Rajya Sabha Srinagar, Aug 6: Tariq Hameed Karra, Member Parliament in the Lok Sabha today made this statement during Zero Hour regarding Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme for J&K. According to this statement issued: “Madam Speaker, taking advantage of the Zero Hour, I would like to bring the attention of this august House to a very grave situation perpetrated by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) whereby this unilateral order of withholding the fee amount sanctioned for at least 5000 students of Jammu & Kashmir studying in various colleges in India under the Prime Ministers Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS), has jeopardized their career.

Madam, you would be remembering that 2010 witnessed deadliest unrest in Kashmir when the State Govt. in chair did not hesitate to gun down around 120 unarmed young boys. And in order to evaluate the causes and reasons for such unrest, an Expert Group was constituted by the Prime Minister on 18 August 2010. The Expert Group had suggested facilitating higher/ technical education for young boys and girls from Kashmir with financial assistance under PMSSS. The

objective of this scheme was to provide tuition fee, hostel fee, cost of books and other incidental charges to students belonging to Jammu & Kashmir who, after passing Class XII or equivalent examination, secure admission in Government colleges/institutions and other select institutions outside the State. The scheme was launched with much fanfare in 2011. In the first year, only 38 students availed the benefit but in 2012-13 at least 5000 students were admitted to various colleges of India.

Madam due to withholding of PMSSS to these students, the parents in an effort to save the career of their children are applying for loans on higher interest rates while some of them have sold their ancestral properties. Unilaterally with-holding of PMSSS has forced most of these students to leave their studies midway and return to their home. One student has told me that her parents sent him for nursing course under PMSSS. The course otherwise was unaffordable for him. However, the scheme has proved a damp squib and she is forced to rethink on continuing his studies as he has no source of income to pay the college fee.

She told me that her father is a laborer earning Rs 200 a day. “He often remains ill and there is no other source of income for us.

How can I deposit lakhs of rupees in college as a fee now,” she told me.

Madam, colleges entertained students from J&K on the pretext that they would get fee and other expenses reimbursed from the MHRD under PMSSS. As the MHRD has not released the sanctioned amount, colleges are forcing the aggrieved students to either deposit fee or leave college.

Under the PMSSS, many low profile colleges, in blatant violation of rules, had enrolled scores of students from Kashmir for various courses to “usurp” the scholarship money. “These colleges preferred to enroll Kashmiri students under PMSSS after various local NGOs approached them with the assurance that Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) would pay their fees.

It is as such requested that Ministry of Human Resource Development may take the call and release the withheld fees for all such students as per the stated policy so as to save career of thousands of Kashmiri students. (KNS)

Rescuers Race to Save Lives as Quake Toll Nears 600 Rescuers are risking their lives as they work to open roads, and prevent the threat of secondary disasters in mountainous areas of southwest China's Yunnan.

The death toll has risen sharply to 589.

Local quake relief officials say the jump in numbers was due to rescuers arriving in places where they had previously been unable to contact anybody.

CRI's correspondent in the epicenter Shen Shi says the fragile structure of local houses is a major reason of the heavy death toll.

"Some villagers told me that most of the houses here are made of wood and mud, which are of low quake-resistance level. But some new houses are constructed with steel and concrete, most of which did not collapse in this earthquake. "Some 10-thousand troops and hundreds of volunteers have rushed to the quake-hit zone to clear roads and dig out survivors from the debris.

Road workers have built up a 30-meter-long steel bridge,

which connects the epicenter of Longtoushan Township to the outside areas.

Meanwhile a traffic control has been imposed in the town today, aiming to give priority to rescuers into the worst-hit area.

CRI reporter Shen Shi. "There is a traffic control on the road connecting Ludian County and Lontoushan township. Civilian vehicles without an official pass are not allowed to get into the epicenter. Landslides are seen at the quakehit area, which has blocked the roads, so some relief materials are still on their way."

Two more military helicopters from the Chengdu Military Area Command have joined the other six in the air drop mission in Ludian.

Except for carrying relief supplies including food and bottled water to four neighborhoods at the epicenter, the aircrafts also help to transfer injured people for treatment.

Over three hundred heavily injured people have been transferred out of Longtoushan,

where there are only 3 clinics to treat slight injuries.

Ma Junbo is head of the Hospital of Provincial Armed Police.

"The medical team from our hospital arrived at the Longtoushan middle school in the morning of August 4th. Then we set up a temporary clinic here. We have 10 rooms and 40 beds. We also brought medicine and medical equipment worth 200-thousand yuan."

Secondary disasters are also frequent in the quake hit zone.

At least 55 people have been buried and 49 are missing in a fresh landslide in Longtoushan today.A total of 20 trucks were also buried in the landslide.

Risks also loom over a growing barrier lake that has led to the evacuation of 42-hundred residents living on the lower reaches of the Niulan River.

More than 60 soldiers were trapped by a sudden flood at the lake Tuesday afternoon, they were rescued later.The armed police is planning to explode banks on the barrier lake tonight to discharge floods.

Owner , Printer & Publisher: Suhail Malik Editor -in-Chief: Bashir Malik Editor: Shahana Malik Legal Advisor: Syed Riyaz Hussain RNI NO. JKBII/2011/39764, Email: zabarwantimes@gmail.com Publised at Govt. Quarters , M-13 Magarmal Bagh Srinagar-190001 J&K, Printed at:- Sangarmal Offset Press Humhama Sheikhpora Tele/Fax: 2478370 Cell No. 09999964750, 9796 787844

NEWS

Daily ZABARWAN TIMES

Dev. of backward areas focus of Govt’s planning framework: Rather

Announces Rs.3.85 cr. water supply scheme for Kanir village

KANIR (CHADOORA) AUGUST 6: The Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather today announced a new drinking water supply scheme for Kaneera in tehsil chadoora to be constructed at a cost of Rs.3.85cr. The water supply scheme scheduled to be commissioned by the end of next year will provide drinking water facility to more than 5000 souls comprising five mohalas of Kani- 5 kms from Kanir adding that 6 be left unturned to come up to ra including Dangarpora, Mir inches dia pipe line will be laid the expectations of the people for this purpose.Addressing a especially those belonging to the Mohala, Syedpora and Patrigam.

The scheme envisages mammoth public gathering at poor and underprivileged secKanirKangan village in tehsil chadoora the society, who have construction of one Lone lakh News gallonAgency Khan tions News of Agency Ganderbal Mr. Rather said that the devel- pinned high hopes with the prescapacity modern filtration plant Gulzar News Agency Soura Zahid Book Depot Chadoora and a 25000 gallon capacity ser- opment of backward and remote ent govt. led by Chief Minister Tariq News Agency BashirMr. News Agency Nowhatta areasHawal is the thrust area of the Omar Abdullah.

He said the vice reservoir. He said the source present Govt’s planning framepurpose touring Ali News Agency Alamgari Bazar Budshah NewsofAgency Laldifferent Chowk arfor the water supply Muzaffar scheme will adding that no stone will eas along senior be tapped from Doodganga about Abdullah Newswork, Agency Lal Chowk Sikendar Newswith Agency Lalofficers Chowkand

Zabarwan Times is available at

Gupkari News Agency Lal Chowk Khan News Agency Regal Chowk Sheikh News Agency Hyderpora Lone News Agency Tangmarg Bhat News Agency Magam Dar News Agency Beerwah Reshi News Agency Safapora Basharat News Agency Bandipora SRINAGAR, AUGUST Mr. Gul said that the Altaf News Agency Pulwama 6: The Speaker, Jammu concerned departments Jeelani News Agency Baramulla and Kashmir Legislative have already been given Shah News Agency Kupwara Assembly, Mr. Mubarak directions to speed up the Gul today launchedYounis mac- News paceAgency of all Langate ongoing projadamization work ects undertaken ReshiofNews Agency Islamabadunder Noorbagh road. The total News various sectors Turray Agency Tral in the Eiroad length of 6.5 km is be- dgah area and ensure their Rahi Newscompletion Agency Kulgam ing constructed at an estiin a time bound Rah News Agency mated cost of Rs. 2.11 lakh. manner. Byepass He said that ef-

engineers is to bring the administration at the doorsteps of the people to redress their genuine grievances on the spot.Responding to the demands of the people, Mr. Rather ordered fencing of Park near Jamia Masjid at Kanir village besides up gradation and of the link road in Herpora Mohalla. He said that existing park

Raina News Agency Gund Kangan Rashid News Agency Dalgate Hilal News Agency Budgam Bhat News Agency Chadoora Zargar News Agency Kunzar Bashir News Agency Sumbal Saleem News Agency Pattan Congress vice-president Rahul GanReyaz News Agency Pampore link, inner and main roads dhi on Wednesday slammed the Lok and Javaid submitNews the Agency same toQazigund Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan over G.M Newsquarters, Agency Sopore the concerned so a discussion on rising cases of commuSultan News Agency that the funds could be ar-Handwara nal violence in the country and said the ranged for the purpose.

Sheikh News Agency Islamabad Modi government does not allow disOn the occasion, several Three Way News Agencycussion Tral in Parliament where “only one deputations met the Speak-Bijbehara man’s voice is heard.”

Badru News Agency er en-route and appraised Malik their Newsindividual Agency ArwaniAn aggressive Gandhi joined protesthim about ing members of Parliament in the Well News Agency Kargil and Shaheen collective problems of the House as they demanded a debate

at Kanir is being developed on the pattern of famous mughal gardens and asked the engineers of PDD to immediately restore power supply to the park, so that visitors to the park do not face inconvenience while visiting the park.Mr. Rather asked the people to come forward in a big way to avail the benefits of the scheme launched by the present government for providing financial assistance of Rs. 30000 to facilitate marriage of each orphan girl belonging to a BPL family, who has attained the marriageable age and has passed matriculation. Worthwhile to mention that a provision of Rs. 3 crore have been provided in the current year’s budget for this purpose.

Describing peace and unity as key to speedy development and socio-economic transformation, Mr. Rather cautioned the people against some opportunist politicians who for the sake of petty vested interests try to divide the people and disintegrate the society. He asked the people to differentiate between their friends and foes and vote for genuine candidates in the coming assembly elections.

Speaker launches macadam- Rahul slams ‘partial’Lok Sabha Speaker, says ization work of Noorbagh road only one man’s voice heard in Parliament

The Speaker directed the executing agency Roads and Buildings to speed up the pace of work on this road and ensure its completion within a stipulated time frame.

He said the construction work on Nallahmar road is apace adding that the Government’s focused attention is to upgrade all road connectivity in the Eidgah Constituency.

forts are afoot to improve the living standard of the people of the area. He said sufficient funds have been earmarked for different works during the current financial year but need is to monitor these works.The Speaker asked the R&B department to survey the Eidgah area and prepare comprehensive project reports about the upgradation and renovation of all

VC of OBC Board calls on CM

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 06 – Vice Chairman State Advisory Board for the Welfare and Development of Other Backward Classes, Kuldeep Raj Sharma called on Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah here on Wednesday.

In his meeting with the Chief Minister, the Vice Chairman of the Board discussed various matters relating to the welfare of other backward classes. He presented a memorandum of demands to the Chief Minister which included the demands for enhancement of reservation for OBCs, enhancement of income slab, release of funds for Sub-Plan and funds for the construction of two hostels one each at Srinagar and Jammu.

Book exhibition at Kargil, more than 1000 books on display KARGIL, AUGUST 6- The National Book Trust, India in collaboration with LAHDC, District Administration, District Youth and Sports Department, Kargil organised book exhibition which was was inaugurated by Advocate Mohammad Amir, Acting Chairman, LAHDC Kargil yesterday at Indoor Stadium Kargil.

This book exhibition will continue upto 10th August 2014.

More than 1000 titles in Urdu, English, Hindi and Kahsmiri Languages are display here. Book lovers can avail 10% discount on all Books for all age groups and all topics are available.

including repairs and renovation of lanes and drains.

The Speaker gave them patient hearing and assured them that their genuine demands would be looked.

Interacting with these deputations, the Speaker said that the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is keen to provide adequate drinking water.

on the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill.

“We are not being allowed to speak in Parliament. We are asking for discussion. There is a mentality in the government that discussion is not acceptable.

Everybody feels it, their party feels it, we feel it, everybody feels it,” Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament.

“There is a mood in Parliament that only one man’s voice counts for anything in this country,” he said after Congress members stormed the Well of the House demanding a discussion on grow-

National level Mega water sports championship to be held in Srinagar International standard sports infra across State on anvil: Bhalla SRINAGAR, AUGUST 06:- Reiterating that efforts are on for promoting sports culture and activities in the state, the Minister for Housing, Horticulture, Culture and Youth Services & Sport, Mr. Raman Bhalla has said that development of sports infrastructure is among top priorities of the government and projects are underway to provide international standard infrastructure.

This was stated by the Minister while chairing a meeting to discuss the matters related to the promotion of water sports activities in the State held here today.

Member J&K Legislative Assembly and President J&K Kayaking and Canoeing Association(J&KKCA), Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Commissioner/ Secretary Youth Services and Sports, Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Secretary J&K State Sports Council(J&KSSC), Mr. Dilip Thusu , Joint Director, Kashmir, Mr. J.B Singh Bali, Chief Sports Officers, Sports Officer Kashmir, Prof B.A Shah, National Referee Kayaking and Canoeing, members of J&KKAC and other officers were also present in the meeting.

The meeting was told that J&KSSC is organizing a 3-day national level water sports event “Open national Dragran Boat Race Championship” in world famous Dal Lake in Srinagar from August 31 to September 02, 2014. As many as 200 participants from all over the India shall exhibit their talent by participating in the championship.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Bhalla highlighted the impor-

Rather gives final touch to arrangements for URS of Syed Ali Aali Balkhi (R.A), Pakherpora SRINAGAR, AUGUST 6:- The Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Mr.Ab Rahim Rather this morning chaired a joint meeting of the officers of J&K Waqf Board, Police senior officers and engineers of the district administration Budgam and the concerned authorities of traffic and transport departments to give final touches to the arrangements for the Annual Urs of Hazrat Syed Ali Aali Balkhi(RA),Pakherpoa.

The fortnight Urs celebrations will commence from Friday, August 08, 2014 and culminate on August 22, the Friday following .The Shab Khawani (night prayers) will be held on Sunday, August 10 whereas the Poshak Bandi (laying of Chaddar on sanctum sanctorum will be performed on Friday ,August 8,2014).

Mr. Rather asked the concerned officers to make foolproof arrangements in their respective

ing incidents of communal tension.

Read: Time for Congress to introspect, says Jaitley “We are raising a point, we are asking for discussion... The Speaker, I mean...It is completely one-sided, partiality. That’s what we are raising,” Gandhi said.

Reacting to a reporter’s comment that he was raising his voice for the first time and leading from the front, Gandhi said, “I have raised my voice many times in Parliament.”

Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12pm on Wednesday following a ruckus created by the opposition parties over communal riots in Uttar Pradesh.

Raising slogans and demanding the introduction of the bill against communal violence, the Congress sought a debate on the issue.

Amid the din, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) countered Gandhi’s charges and called his comments unparliamentary.

fields to ensure that no pilgrim visiting Pakherpora for paying obeisance at the shrine of the revered saint do not face any kind of in convenience .The transport department was directed to press into service adequate number of commercial vehicles for carrying devotees to and fro Pakherpora from both central District Budgam and Pulwama District on South Kashmir side.

The Minister asked the traffic police to deploy men and machinery on all important routes leading to Pakherpora especially during Urs days to control traffic movement. He asked the Assistant Director CA&PD department to provide additional quota of ration to the consumers of Pakherpora to meet their requirements in view of the rush of pilgrim guests visiting Pakherpora and adjacent areas during the Urs days.

Mr. Rather directed PDD and PHE departments to ensure un-

interrupted power and water supply, besides keeping Tanker service available round the clock at Pakherpora whereas the Yousmarg Development Authority and J&K Wakf Board will jointly ensure cleanliness especially in and around the shrine complex. Additional Safai Karamcharis will be deployed in Pakherpora for this purpose. The Minister asked the engineers of PMGSY to complete black topping of path holes within two days on roads leading to Pakherpora. Mr. Rather announced that the Wakf board will deploy one ambulance on permanent basis at Pakherpora shortly for convenience of the people.

The Chief Medical Officer Budgam assured to establish adequate number of First aid Booths enroute Pakherpora adding that 24x7 Medicare facilities will be kept available at the Primary Health Centre, Pakherpora.

tance of water sports activities in promoting tourism industry and said nature has bestowed J&K with enormous and enchanting natural beauty including abundant water resources, which provide the necessary venue for holding water sports activities.The Minister said by holding and hosting such national level sports events, the participants from outside the State can easily carry forward the message that is also an ideal place for water sports activities and for holding national and international water sports events.Mr. Bhalla said that our State is rich in talent and youth have great talent in all kind of sports activities and government is making all out efforts for providing better sports infrastructure on modern lines, so that youth of State are able to exhibit their talent with vigour and zeal besides prove their mettle in national and international level sports events and continue with the spirit of excellence.

Governor releases “Nanotechnology-Science of Small” Srinagar, August 6: Mr. N.N. Vohra, Governor, released a book titled “Nanotechnology-Science of Small” here at the Raj Bhavan today. This book has been written jointly by Dr. Shah Mohammad Ashraf, Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology and Dr. K.A. Shah, Head, Department of Physics, Govt. Women College, Anantnag. The book provides an overview of the fundamental principles of nanotechnology and explores the engineering of functional systems at the molecular level. It also discusses various scientific and technological revolutions of the past and explains difference between macro-scale and nano-scale phenomena.

Dr. Rajat Gupta, Director, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar, and several senior NIT Professors, including Prof. M.F. Wani, Prof. G.A. Harmain, Prof. Seemin Rubab, Dr. P.A. Ganie; and Dr. B.A. Mir were present on the occasion.

The Governor complimented the authors of the book for bringing out a lucidly written informative guide on the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology and hoped that it would be of significant value for students, teachers and others who are interested in this field. He wished high success to the authors in all their future endeavours.

SRINAGAR | THURSDAY

07. 08 .2014

HOROSCOPE Aries

March 21-April 19

Don’t discount your ability to be extremely resourceful if you need to be, Aries. If you don’t have everything you need or all of the required information, take time to think. Who can you ask? What places can you access? Who might know where you can find what you need? Rather than panic because the pieces aren’t all there, instead make a list of contacts and go for it. Trust in yourself.

Taurus April 20-May 20

Try not to let today’s blues get you down, Taurus. While it’s true that some days can seem to drag on, the busier you are the faster time will pass. Get down to finishing any work still before you and then make plans for tonight. If there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, not only will things seem to speed up but you’ll feel better knowing it’s coming.

Gemini May 21-June 21

Dare to be different, Gemini. It can be so easy to fall into a drill.

Sleeping at the same time, eating at the same time, wearing the same style, and going about work the same way day after day. Before you know it, you feel like you’re in a rut. The only way to get away from this is to make a decision to break free by doing something unique. Try a new haircut. Wear colors that are unusual for you. If the need is there, consider a new career. Pursue expansion.

Cancer June 22-July 22

If your lifestyle is considerably different than that of others, resist feeling self-conscience about it today, Cancer. Try to remember that you chose the life you have for specific reasons. Even if you’ve come to a point where you’re considering a change, there’s no need to feel badly, ashamed, or embarrassed about where you are now. Everyone has to make his or her own way. If this conforms to the norm, that’s fine. If it doesn’t, that’s fine, too.

Leo

July 23-August 22 An enhanced feeling of determination could motivate you today, Leo. Finish the things that aren’t complete and make some plans for this evening. Don’t hesitate to take on something that feels complicated or big. Chances are you’ll be able to handle most anything and it will feel great when it’s finished. Enjoy your day by making the most of opportunity.

Virgo

August 23-September 22

Feeling the effects of today’s energies, Virgo? Take heart if this is the case, because the end of the tunnel isn’t as far away as it seems. Do your best to take things one step at a time and see about making some plans for a little fun this evening. Get together with friends or take in a movie. Help yourself feel better by staying busy and focused and follow up with some recreation. Before you know it, the aspect will pass and you’ll be back to normal.

Libra

September 23-October 23 Consider making some plans for a vacation or short getaway, Libra. Looking forward to something fun can make even the toughest of days far easier to handle. You’ll be amazed how much you can manage when there’s an end in plain sight. Your entire attitude can lighten. So take the bull by the horns and create an incentive for yourself. Do something special to reward the hard work you do day after day.

Scorpio

October 24-November 21 Don’t judge someone if he or she has a different lifestyle than what you consider to be OK, Scorpio. You probably lean toward the traditional, yet not everyone feels this way about relationships, working, or lifestyle. While it may seem impossible to understand and even frighten you, try not to be too harsh on those you deem odd. You’d be better off using that energy to keep your own life on track.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21

Friends seeking advice or a shoulder to cry on could be plentiful today, Sagittarius. You’re one of best people to give them the support and care they need. Just be sure that you don’t give so much to others that you don’t have anything left for yourself. True friendship is about sharing and the exchange of problems and help. Running yourself down will leave you in a place where you aren’t going to be much help to anyone.

Capricorn December 22-January 19

Getting through today shouldn’t pose too big a problem for you, Capricorn. You may feel a huge second wind that can give you the drive and determination to see your chores and projects through. Make some plans for this evening, such as getting together with friends or taking in an event that really intrigues you.

Until then, go about your tasks bit by bit. You’ll get things finished before you know it.

Aquarius January 20-February 18

Working within boundaries and restrictions could really get to you today, Aquarius. Yours is an independent spirit and your best achievements are often born of doing things your own way. Yet like it or not, we all have to follow guidelines and rules. Do your best to follow suit and finish what needs to be done. Afterward, you may find more freedom to act independently without consequences. Exercise patience and diligence as needed today.

Pisces

February 19-March 20 Chances are that you’ll feel upbeat and positive today, Pisces.

Consider sharing this energy with those around you who are feeling less than content. Your attitude can have a profound effect on friends, partners, spouses, and children. Even neighbors and extended family can pick up on your spirit without you even realizing it. Share your optimism with everyone you can today. If you see someone hurt or angry.

EDITORIAL / OPINION Editorial/Opinion The Daily Quote of the day

Telling the truth and making someone Zabarwan Times cry is better than telling a lie and making someone smile....

Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Isolation-The silent killer Old generation

T

here is one love Punjabi sayingdeserves & “God may not even leave a tree alone” It is a fact that lone affection trees in desert dry up soon

T

he inwhole society than the one's dense forest.

If it is is the going through such case of a tree then how can a man live all inhuman alone as byan nature he is a socialphase animal. that even the devils During lifetime we experience probare ashamed of what lems at one stage or the other. Those are is happening around us. Evthe critical moments, we need supportery religion teaches as to how ing system to share and one should treat hisadversities old parents emotional joint spend family who bringcrisis. him The up and system of used to tackle kind of whole their life insuch grooming problems smoothly.every Man was not him and very providing comleft to the gust of as violent winds fort heface desires.

But soon as which would snatch away all his treathe children grow and start sures of emotions with they it. But start in modern earning with that to times, the nuclear family system has ill-treat their parents and someleft everybody in lurch.

The working times make the atmosphere of couple has to go through a strenuous the house so hostile that the routine in order to run the prefer family. They parents themselves to becomeand machines to coup withroads the fast leave wander on the andthey lonelydie lives to give proper till onunable the road side, in care to their There children aattention mosqueand or in a hospital. which they need most.when Consequently, are several cases police had to give too advertisements in the children adjust themselves the mediatofor identification according thethe present environment of bodies these unfortuandthe remain aloofof which makes them an nate who Being die helplessIslandparents in themselves. depressed, ly.

The social, moral and ethithey do not move out, mix with friends cal degradation has cost us very or play outdoor games.

Instead they dearly so has the lust for materishut themselves within the four walls of alistic fortunes the house.

With thedone. adventWe of forget technolthat the holy Quran once ogy, they confine themselves to and comagain preaches that the service puters and play games using few butof the parents tons.

They cannot particularly attain the thrill in and their old age, is one of the dearspirit of outdoor games. Face to face est acts which Almighty interaction is must God for healthy growth and Prophet Mohammed(peace of children. But today the children be upon him) every world huengrossed in theirwants own fantasy man to do. There are some soeither sleep for hours together or love to cial problems also which result live in confined area which they name in throwing of the old parents comfort zone. houses This kindinofutter life style out of their dis-is making them depressed and lazy. regard to the teachings of Social our connectivity gives us strength to face religion.

Though there are some any kind of adverse situation as friendorganizations who voluntarily ship care bondsofare thicker the but relatake some oldthan people tions.

Studies have proved that the that is not enough as the cases cancer patients having friends, like this are increasing day peer by group or relations, survive for a longer day. Within the house too the period than the one's have not children indulge in who the harassfriendsofortheir relations, feel dim, dejected, ment parents and even cursethe suffer from ifunwanted, they docrib notand leave house delusion, and die soon. they livehallucination a life which worse Thesehell. days No minor children or adolesthan law or authority cents are suffering from adopted isolacan enforce the love, respect tion the which have created care themand thethey spirit of taking of old The people.

It is one’s conselves. old generation too are also science should be sensifacing thewhich same problem.

During the tive enough to know the duties last two decades, tremendous changes towards parents and the retook place which forced young generaspect the theyfor deserve tion toand move outlove of valley earning from every body in the society their livelihood. The old parents were including their own children left alone in sprawling bungalows with for whom they sacrifice their pain beyond expression. But they own comforts luxuries.

Our survived with theand support of neighbourreligion says that the heaven lies hood or friends and relations.

For social in the very there feet of a mother, so connectivity, ought to be nearby we should not miss any opporpublic libraries, recreation clubs, parks tunity tohomes servewhere her and her or the old thesegive old people the love, affection and can sit together and feel therespect bonds of she deserves so that God friendship. However lack of will such be merciful on us on the doom’s facilities leave them to live in isolation day. and die in isolation.

Daily

DailyZabarwan ZABARWANTimes TIMES

Srinagar, Thursday 07 August 2014

Wednesday, 27 February 2013

9

Education for Girl Child: A Springboard to National Progress T

he global community and the world bodies like the United Nations time and again underline the need to focus on urgent national and international steps to be taken for ensuring education for the girl child.

Hundreds of millions of young children, mostly girls, throughout the world are often deprived of education along with other essential needs like adequate food, clothing and health care. Going by these yardsticks, the development of a Nation is truly measured by many indicators and among them literacy levels especially of women and girl children are vital. The literacy drive among the girl child would work as a catalyst for social uplift and thereby ensure National progress.

Keeping this as the desired endeavour , eradication of illiteracy and bringing the girl child into the realm of education has been a major National concern for last so many decades. Here, it would be only relevant to point to a publication by the Directorate of Adult Education, a few years back wherein a compendium ‘Literacy in India’ carried a cover page showing a young village girl holding the slate inscribed on it the words, “ab mein likh sakti hoon (Now I can write)”. The picture-story only rightly emphasizes on the importance of education for girl child and how gender inequity in literacy drive continues to remain a serious challenge.

In 1988, the Government of India undertook the National Literacy Mission.

With a new sense of urgency, it gave upon itself and the Nation the seriousness and emphasis. In adult education with a fixed goal, clear time frame and well-defined target group. Today over 98 per cent of the districts in India have been covered under literacy campaigns and life long learning opportunities were being made available in more than 200 districts. The

National Literacy Mission had endeavoured to ensure functional literacy for all adult non-literates in the country.

By the turn of 2001 there was an indication that overall literacy rate had shot up substantially. The census of 2001 brought out certain facts those ought to be analyzed in totality and objectively.

Although female literacy in India now stands at 54 per cent and is much higher than female literacy in Afghanistan, Pakistan or Bangladesh, it trails male literacy in India (76 per cent) by over 20

‘‘

the oft-repeated statement, one needs to say that a mere legislation cannot ensure achieving the desired result. Urbanisation in recent times has flooded a large number of cities, district towns and the metropolis with huge army of migrant workers. The education of the children of this workforce, especially the lower middle class and the poorer sections, often get neglected for practical reasons.

The drop out rate is high among the female children throwing in added challenges. In general sense also, the

Hundreds of millions of young children, mostly girls,

throughout the world are

often deprived of education along with

other essential needs like adequate food, clothing and health care.

percentage points. It is in this context that there is great expectations from the Right to Education Act passed by the Government last year. Thanks to the new Act, all children aged 6-14 now have the constitutional right to receive a good quality education. The Plan rightly also includes proposals to upgrade existing schools and open new ones; train thousands of new teachers for a mandated 1:30 teacher-pupil ratio, and institute a 25 per cent reservation in private schools for minority students. But having said so there are several hurdles. Just to point out

studies have shown that among the poorer section, the poverty levels create a situation by which economic concerns remain at the centre of every activity for such families resulting in undermining the process of learning for the girl child.

But amid new challenges, one should not miss the sight of certain commendable achievements. Among the performing states, Kerala showed a female literacy rate of 88 per cent as against male (94 per cent), Mizoram 86 per cent as against the male literacy rate of 91 per cent and Lakshadweep 82 per cent (female

literacy) and 93 per cent of male literacy.

Moreover, the campaigns like Education for street children has yielded positive results in cities like Mumbai. In the much-talked Total Literacy Campaign, in Mumbai around 76,000 volunteers set out at work. Moreover, apart from high influx and multi-linguality of the mega city, the pre-occupation of the learners posed other difficulties. The learners often had to travel a long distance and thus often showed the hurriedness to give up, yet the initiatives have yielded dividends. In some states, the literacy campaign linking to thrift activity and credit groups through the ‘Didi Bank Scheme’ also played a significant role. Female education and the literacy drive have given the girl child the much-needed respect she has been striving. The real success story has been that it has mobilized people to think and to express themselves. The demand for a closer involvement between literacy and skill development training has also emerged. But with everything said, it can be only emphasized that in days and months to come, the partnerships of literacy with professional and technical bodies as well as industry would have to be strengthened. All said and done, it ought to be admitted that nation building is a Herculean task and undertaking education and literacy drive among girls is a vital step. Future, they say belongs to dreamers, and there is a lot of merit in encouraging the women folk especially the girl child to dream about earning respect in the family and the society. Education for the girl child would therefore be a strong catalyst in ensuring what the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh emphasizes achieving the inclusive growth and development.

CRIS: Creating Successful Information Systems for Indian Railways

T

he year 1986 marked a watershed in the fledgling efforts of Indian Railways to harness Information Technology for the benefit of the citizens of India. In a far-sighted move, the Ministry of Railways created an autonomous society under its aegis named the Centre for Railway Information Systems (better known as CRIS). CRIS is now twenty-four years old. From humble beginnings this organization has become a major landmark in the IT map of the country. It has helped the Indian Railways to retain their primacy in the adoption of information technology and continue to do pioneering work in this area.

Wide Ranging Impact The number of transactions being handled by the IT systems on the Indian Railways today speaks volumes of their quality and capabilities. The Indian Railways run about 11000 trains each day, freight and passenger included. · Daily a million passengers reserve their berths and seats through the Passenger Reservation System. · Close to fourteen million passengers are catered to daily by the Unreserved Ticketing System and that number is increasing rapidly. · The Freight Operations Information System, the first application developed

by CRIS, continues to grow and provide value added services for freight customers. Today the Epayment facility within this application accounts for nearly 50% of the revenues from freight (annual freight revenue is about Rs. 70,000 crore / Rs. 700 billion). · All the 67 divisions of Indian Railways have computerized control offices thus capturing movements of every train across every station in the Control Office Application. · The Crew Management System is used daily by 30000 crew members to sign on and sign off from their work places. · The Integrated Coaching Management System helps manage over 40,000 passenger coaching

vehicles.

These IT applications are critical to directly meet the requirements of passenger and freight business. There are many other applications on the anvil that have a greater emphasis on improving asset management and efficiency.

Innovative Organizational Design CRIS functions as an autonomous organization of the Indian Railways. It draws its human resources from the Railways as well as from India’s large pool of skilled IT professionals. One of the key elements for the success of IT projects in Railways has been the knowledge continuum created by a

managing the Railways prior to joining number of projects being sanctioned CRIS, the applications managed by and assigned to CRIS for execution CRIS never remain stagnant. In jumped and pilot projects began to be addition, CRIS is able to provide the implemented. By this time CRIS had continuous high-quality support that grown well beyond what had been large and critical IT systems require, initially envisaged. Cutting edge IT without the hazards of a lock-in solutions were explored and develrelationship with an external service oped. The success of the pilot projects provider. In terms of organisational led to a certain impatience to see these design it brings in alignment of implemented all over the country. For incentives between the principal speedy implementation, CRIS brought organization (the Railways) and the in more resources and domain knowlagent organisation (CRIS), while edge experts to participate in this quiet providing room for innovation and revolution. growth.

Central Role Technology Leader The visionary approach of the Ministry In the initial years, the late eighties and of Railways has led to a happy situation where most critical activities of core Railway operations are managed One of the key elements for the success of IT through IT-enabled systems.

However, IT is a dynamic area. projects in Railways has been the knowledge Customers expect greater convenience as more and more intelligent devices penetrate every section of society. This continuum created by a specialized requires an energetic and dynamic IT organization that can constantly stay organization such as CRIS within the overall abreast and transform state-of-the-art technologies into effective solutions for customers. CRIS is well-poised to umbrella of the Railways. CRIS combines take on this role and further transform working of the Railways. domain knowledge experts and technology the Information gathering and basic analysis is computer assisted. Decision professionals to create a unique blend of support elements are also being provided. The key challenge today for the Railways lies in this area, in skills and capabilities. creating such systems that enable a specialized organization such as CRIS early nineties, the focus was on the two complete transformation of key within the overall umbrella of the major applications PRS and FOIS. A organizational processes. It is an Railways. CRIS combines domain significant moment in the history of appropriate time for the Indian knowledge experts and technology CRIS was when both these projects Railways and CRIS to develop a long professionals to create a unique blend became completely in-house projects. term vision for sustained IT developof skills and capabilities. The result of The organisation gained tremendous ment, as IT applications are now at the this innovative organisational design is confidence as a result of this responsi- very heart of the Railway business. responsiveness to user requirements, bility and the success of these projects Today, CRIS finds itself on the which is crucial to successful imple- (like the new reservation logic devel- threshold of a new era of IT-driven mentation of IT projects. The special oped within CONCERT) totally organizational transformation, coupled relationship between the user on the changed the perception of what CRIS with the use of IT to provide far quicker one hand and the software developer could do. The demands and expecta- and more convenient services to the and IT service provider on the other, tions of Railways’ customers rose customers of the Indian Railways. enables CRIS to effectively cater to the significantly by the beginning of the These goals only make the organization changing set of user requirements and twenty-first century, as it became more resolute in its efforts to produce expectations. Since domain experts evident that the potential for effective and manage high-quality information have had extensive experience of use of IT usage was huge. Suddenly the systems for the Indian Railways.

Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer.

Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer