Zabarwan Times E Paper English 05 July

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July 05 | 2013 | 25 Shaban 1434 AH | PAGES 12 |

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VOL NO: 3 | iSSUE NO: 161 | rS: 2/- (Air SUrCHArGE FOr JAMMU /DELHi/LEH 50 PAiSA)

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

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http://www.zabarwantimes.com

Youth arrested for raping minor Jammu, July 04: A youth was arrested from Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district for allegedly raping a Class X girl student, filming the crime and posting it on the internet.

"We have arrested Sajjad Khan from Thanamandi area for rape and circulation of pornographic material," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajouri, Mubassir Latifi said.

"The victim was raped and the accused had taken her pictures and video clip and spread them through the Internet," he said.

Swiss Ambassador calls on CM Srinagar, July 04: Ambassador of Switzerland in India Dr. Linus Von Castelmur called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here on Thursday evening and discussed various matters of mutual interest with him.

Matters pertaining to new Tourism development initiatives put in place by the State Government to rope in high end tourists from across the globe also came up for discussion in the meeting.

The Chief Minister apprised the visiting Diplomat about the huge Tourist potential of Jammu and Kashmir and its diversity in the three different regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Matters relating to general development of the State and welfare of the people also came up in the meeting.

93 Dy SPs promoted as Addl SPs Srinagar, July 04: The Jammu and Kashmir Government today approved promotion of 93 Deputy Superintendents to J&K Police to the rank of Additional SPs. According to sources the decision was today taken in a high level meeting held at the Civil Secretariat here which was chaired by the Home Secretary Suresh Kumar. The meeting was also attended by senior officers of police and civil administration. Director General of Police Ashok Prasad and Director General Prisons, K Rajendra were also present during the meeting.

According to sources, the orders were issued after the Chief Minister approved the list of proposed Dy SPs for promotion to the rank of Additional SPs. “The meeting also took stock of overall situation prevailing in the state and took a review of measures in place for maintenance of peace and order in the state”, the sources said.

CCC call on CM Srinagar, July 04: Jammu and Kashmir Contractors Central Coordination Committee led by Farooq Ahmad called on Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah here on Thursday and presented him a memorandum of demands.

Minister for R&B, Abdul Majid Wani and Legislator Nasir Aslam Wani were also present in the meeting.

The Chief Minister gave patient hearing to the deputation and said that their genuine demands would be given due consideration.

The deputation raised the issue of abolishing of W.D.C bill system and double taxation.

They also demanded review in e-tendering pattern and agreements being signed by the Works Department and the contractors. Matters pertaining to release of liabilities were also discussed in the meeting besides other issues.

Power shutdown on July 06, 08 & 10 Srinagar, July 04: According to Power Controller, Power Development Department, Kashmir, in order to replace rotten wooden poles and carry out the branch cutting in the corridor, 33 KV line Pampore-BK Pora See Power on Pg. 11

Antony in Beijing

China warns India against 'new trouble'

Beijing, July 04:

An outspoken Chinese general known for his nationalist views warned India on Thursday against stirring up "new trouble" in a longrunning border dispute, just as defence minister AK Antony was set to visit Beijing.

"The Indian side should not provoke new problems and increase military deployment at the border areas and stir up new trouble," Major General Luo Yuan told reporters.

Luo, the deputy-director general of the world military research department at a People's Liberation Army academy, described himself at a briefing as a "reasonable hardliner".

He made waves last year with

comments questioning the legitimacy of Japanese sovereignty over the Ryukyu Islands, a chain that includes Okinawa and hosts numerous United States military bases.

"India is the only country in the world that says that it is developing its military power because of China's military threat," said Luo, who was wearing a business suit.

"So I believe that India should be very cautious in what it does and what it says."

A high-altitude border dispute between the nuclear-armed giants in the Himalayas has simmered for decades but intensified in May over troop movements in the region.

New Delhi alleged Chinese troops intruded nearly 20 kilometres (12

miles) into Indian territory.

A three-week standoff ensued and was resolved after talks between local military leaders and a withdrawal of troops from both sides.

The border situation was now generally "under control" following a visit to India in May by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Luo said.

His comments came as A K Antony was due to arrive in China late Thursday for three days of talks, the first such trip in seven years.

Antony's visit, on which he is accompanied by top military commanders, coincides with a trip to China by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Pakistan, India's nuclear-armed neighbour and arch-rival, is a longstanding close ally of Beijing. Chinese officials describe their relationship with Islamabad as one between "all weather friends".

Bandipora residents petition Minister

NHPC, HCC tunnels produce poisonous water Agriculture, Floriculture and Horticulture, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi chaired a public Darbar on June 6 this year at Bandipore, where the people of the Bandipora District complained against HCC and NHPCC alleging that the Poisonous and polluted water is coming out of the tunnels which are under construction by the companies.

They said the tunnels under construction are not only polluting the environment but have also played havoc in the area due to which the water has been rendered unfit

Srinagar, July 04: The people of Bandipore have alleged that the under construction tunnels by Hindustan Construction Company and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation(NHPC) produce poisonous and polluted water that has damaged crops worth lakhs while as the environment and the local population of the area face a serious threat.

According to documents available with KNS, the minister of State for PHE, Irrigation, Flood Control,

SVO raids PHE office Handwara

Srinagar, July 04:

Sleuths of State Vigilance Organization (SVO) Thursday conducted a raid at the office of PHE Division Handwara following complaints of alleged misappropriation of works and seized some records pertaining to the releasing of funds.

According to reports SVO sleuths during their raid seized all important records of the PHE office. A Vigilance official on See SVO on Pg. 11

Expressing abject dismay at the Chief Minister’s disowning the case related to the killing of two youth in Markandal near Sonawari, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Thursday said Omar Abdullah couldn’t claim to be the Chief Minister and yet wash his hands off innocent blood spilled in the state.

In a statement issued here, PDP chief spokesperson, Naeem Akhtar said the Chief Minister has taken the unusual mix of his arrogance and incompetence to the next level after having ex-

Dead body of missing girl found in well

After two weeks, police recovered the dead body of two years old girl from a well in North Kashmir’s Pattan town.

The girl had gone missing two weeks back while returning to her house from the neighbourhood.

Police sources said that the dead body of baby girl Zeenat Ashraf daughter of Mohammad Ashraf Rather who had gone missing some two weeks back was found in well in decomposed manner. The well be-

Direct Hajj flights from Srinagar to begin from September 2013 Srinagar, July 04: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who is also Chairman of the State Hajj Committee on Thursday announced about Rs. 50 lakh grant to the Hajj Committee for providing free influenza vaccination to the Hajjis performing Hajj-2013.

Reviewing the arrangements for Hajj-2013 at a meeting of the reconstituted Hajj Committee here, the Chief Minister said that all Hajjis performing Hajj this year should be given free influenza vaccination. The State Health Department would make necessary arrangements in this regard.

It may be mentioned that Government of India had recommended for vaccinating Hajj aspirants against influenza. The cost of each doze of influenza vaccine is over Rs. 600 and it was to be borne by the Hajjis

longs to one Abdul Rahim Shah.

The father of the deceased told CNS that Zeenat has been murdered as blood stained clothes were found near the well. “I appeal the police to bring the killers to justice,” he said.

Station House Officer Pattan said that they are seeking the expert opinion and waiting for the post mortem report. “We have registered an FIR vide 156/2013 under section 363 and started the investigation into the matter,” he said.

themselves. Now, by the announcement of the Chief Minister it will be free of cost to Hajjis.

Minister for Hajj and Auqaf, Peerzada Mohammad Sayed who is Vice Chair-

man of the Hajj Committee was also present in the meeting besides Members of the Committee which included Legislators Khalid Najeeb Suharwordy, Ali Mohammad Dar, Jhangir Mir, Dr. Shehnaz Ganai and Moulana Akhzar Hussain,

Driver is a ‘doctor’ in ailing health department Srinagar, July 04: The Department of Health in Kashmir Valley is a comedy of errors. While a driver in Gousia Hospital in Khanyar Srinagar with the consent and permission of Medical Superintendent is being allowed to conduct different important tests of patients, the conspicuous absence of a lady doctor from Public Health Centre, Brein Nishat force compounders to take care of pregnant women.

Scores of attendants and patients Thursday alleged that a blue-eyed driver of Medical Superintendent Gousia Hospital has been

assigned the job to conduct different tests. “The ambulance driver Hilal Ahmed due to unknown reasons conducts important tests and it is irony that Medical Superintendent allows him to do so despite the fact that the said driver is a layman,” one of the patients Mehraj Ahmed said.

“I had gone there for thyroid test and was puzzled to see that the said driver has been entrusted this important job,” he said adding that they have already brought the matter into the notice of Directorate Health Services.

When contacted Medical Superintendent Gousia

CM can't wash hands off innocent killings: PDP

Handwara, July 04:

Pattan, July 04:

for human consumption as well as for irrigation purpose.

“Hindustan Construction Company and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation(NHPC) turned deaf ear to the problems of the people the problems by the construction of this tunnel was required to be solved by the said agencies but the HCC and NHPC has failed to do so”, they said.

After Mantrigam people reported that the poisonous and polluted water comes out of tunnels. The minster then took a very See NHPC on Pg. 11

Omar grants Rs. 50 lakh for free vaccination of Hajjis

pressed his helplessness, in April this year, on the floor of the house over a similar incident in Baramulla.

“By arrogantly asking the newsmen to inquire from army about the status of investigation into the killing of Sonawari youth, Omar Abdullah has not just conveyed his abdication of responsibility, but has insulted the chair he is occupying,” Akhtar said.

Referring to the news report that many government organisations in the state were headless, Akhtar said the state government could in view of CM’s outright abdication of his duties also be declared as

headless.

“The CM’s position in J&K can easily be declared as vacant till it is held by Omar Abdullah,” Akhtar observed. He said the Chief Minister should instead of pleading helplessness have set example of probity by taking action against those involved it cold blooded killings over last 5 years and cannot claim impunity under AFSPA. PDP chief spokesperson said the shifting stands on the revocation of AFSPA have reduced the chief minister’s position to a mockery of the system in which we operate.

See PDP on Pg. 11

Hospital, Dr Shaheen said that he has already shifted the said employee. “He is a helper and soon after Director Health Services shot a letter in this regard, I shifted him immediately. He is not conducting any kinds of tests,” Dr Shaheen said.

Meanwhile, locals from Brein Nishat are fuming over the continuous absence of Lady Doctor Nahida Shams from Public Health Centre. Locals have alleged that the said Lady Doctor has been treating the PHC as her fiefdom and she appears at will making pregnant women of the area suffer.

See Driver on Pg. 11

Advocate Abdul Gani Dar, Haji Nisar Ali, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, Peerzada Ghulam Jeelani, Feroz Ahmad, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretary Revenue, Vinod Koul and Executive Officer, Hajj Committee, Feroz Ahmad Lone.

The Chief Minister while receiving the PowerPoint presentation made by CEO Hajj Committee, Fayaz Ahmad Lone on various aspects of arrangements put in place for smooth conduct of Hajj-2013, underscored the need for ensuring all facilities to the Hajj aspirants.

He gave directions for befitting facilities for transportation, stay, departure and arrival of the Hajjis.

It was stated in the meeting that for the Hajj-2013 State Government has been allotted 8819 seats and no See Omar on Pg. 11

Gunmen disarm MLA’s brother Srinagar, July 04: Unknown gunmen Wednesday night snatched service revolver from Abdul Gani Bandh brother of MLA Pulwama, Muhammad Khalil Bandh, at Pinglena village in the south Kashmir district of Pulwama.

According to police sources, Abdul Gani Bandh, an Assistant Sub Inspector in Police department, who has been on duty with his legislator brother as personal security officer for last nine years was travelling from Srinagar to Pulwama on Wednesday night when unknown gunmen intercepted his Santro car at Pinglena village. After frisking and checking the car, the See Gunmen on Pg. 11

Yatra no threat to environment: SASB Srinagar, July 04: Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) Thursday denounced the apprehensions that the arrival of Amarnath Yatris in large numbers would pose Uthrakhand like threat to Kashmir.

In a hurriedly called press conference at Raj Bhavan Srinagar, Chief Executive Officer, SASB, Navin Choudhri said no Uthrakhand like calamity would occur in Kahsmir Valley as the Amarnath Yatra is being organized on scientific

lines and all the concerns relating to environment is being taken care off.

He said that SASB is not even allowing ‘Sadhus’ to arrive in Valley without registration. “We have so far sent back at least 15, 000 Yatris who had arrived here without registration. I appeal all these Yatris enter into Valley only the completion of all the formalities,” Navin Choudhri said adding that so far 80,000 Yatris have visited the Amarnath Cave.

He asked yatris to follow See Yatra on Pg. 11

Valley facing infrastructural crisis as tourists flood Kashmir Zabarwan News Bureau Srinagar, July 04: Kashmir valley has been facing a unique infrastructural crisis in the last two tourist seasons. After peace started settling in Kashmir Valley post 2010 unrest, the tourist influx is growing. Compared to 10.02 million tourists in 2010, the officials at Tourism Department say that 12.24 million tourists visited J&K in 2011. The major improvement was the number of foreigners which gradually swelled from 46,000 in 2010 to 68,000 in 2011. In 2012, the record was broken again when the number of tourists touched almost 14 lakh, with 12,75000 domestic and the rest foreigners, making it the

most successful year in the tourism history of the state.

According to official estimates, four to five thousand tourists ar-

rive every day in Kashmir. Add to it the number of pilgrims visiting Kashmir every day. An aggressive campaign by the state government in consultation with the union tourism ministry not only assured the return of tourists but also of Bollywood.

This is too much of a good thing.

The tourism infrastructure cannot handle the tourists arriving in scenic valley. There just aren’t enough hotels to accommodate this influx.

“The existing occupancy in Srinagar is eighty percent, but in hill stations like Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam, it is almost full,” Talat Parveez, Director of Jammu and Kashmir’s Tourism See Crisis on Pg. 11

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11 Friday, 05 July 2013 From Front Page........

Omar...........

reduction has been made on the allotment due to the persuasion of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah at the Central level. In fact, this year the State Government received more 71 seats as against the last year’s quota of 8748. Besides this the private operators will have their separate quota.

The meeting was informed that the selection of Hajj aspirants have been conducted by drawing of lots for the 21693 persons who had applied for Hajj-2013. As many as 1991 Hajj aspirants have been selected under Category A, 2512 under Category B and 4316 under General Category.

The Category A is for Hajjis with 70 years and above age and the B Category is for Hajj aspirants applying for 4thtime in a row.

The Chief Minister was also briefed about the arrangements made at Srinagar Hajj House for the stay of the Hajjis. It was stated that the Hajj flights starting in September 2013 will fly directly from Srinagar Airport to Saudi Arabia and vice-versa.

The proceedings of the meeting started with the recitation of Quran by Moulana Akhzar Hussain after which participants were provided holy Abi-Zumzum.

Earlier, the Members of the reconstituted Hajj Committee re-elected Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and Minister for Hajj and Auqaf, Peerzada Mohammad Sayed as the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the State Hajj Committee unanimously.

NHPC...........

serious view against the HCC and NHPC authorities asked them to take immediate necessary steps to safe guard the interest of general public, reveal documents.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation, and Flood Control told news agency KNS, that he has taken a strong note of the complaint against the NHPC and HCC. “We have asked them to take immediate corrective steps.

No agency will be spared if they show indifference towards the problems of general public,” he said.

Driver...........

“We have already brought the matter into the notice of the Director Health and appealed him to transfer the said Doctor immediately from the Centre,” they said.

A top official from the Health Department said that action would be certainly initiated in both the cases.

Gunmen..........

gunmen snatched the service revolver of the cop and fled from the spot, the sources added.

Meanwhile, an FIR has been lodged in the case at Police Station Pulwama under No 179/2013 under section 341, 392. Police has begun investigations into the case.

Yatra...........

regulation in their own interest and directed district administration to ensure that no unregistered yatri takes pilgrimage to the cave shrine.

“Every day 15000 yatris – 7,500 from Pahalgam route and an equal number of pilgrims are taking Baltal route to perform the darshan,” he said adding that so far two Yatri’s died naturally during the Yatra.

PDP.........

He said the latest observation of chief minister “I won’t talk about AFSPA right now” indicates that he (CM) has finally given up on it as “life’s mission.”

Akhtar said the CM had announced revocation of AFSPA “within two or three days” on October 21st, 2011 in the aftermath of Haji Yousuf’s death in suspicious circumstances that had related it to the goings on in the Abdullah family. He said after that the chief minister has been regularly diluting his stand on this important issue which was initially brought up by him to divert attention from the controversy arising from Haji Yousuf’s death.

“It is now obvious from his (CM’s) Wednesday’s remarks that he has related the issue of fundamental rights to events that can generally be attributed to the disastrous governance that Omar has presided over during last five years,” Akhtar said adding “he continued to raise AFSPA as slogan to cover his failure on every front and has apparently dumped it for good now.”

Reiterating PDP’s stance on the draconian laws like AFSPA, Akhtar said their revocation was a prerequisite to any progress on the political resolution of J&K problem.

He said the PDP would continue its struggle with the support of people for the restoration of civil liberties and fundamental rights in the state as were available to people in rest of the country.

He said strengthening of democratic and civil institutions without interference from security forces was inescapable for ensuring rule of law in the state.

SVO..........

condition of anonymity told CNS that besides seizure of some official records, the SVO sleuths have also zeroed on some officials.

There are allegations that officials have misappropriated the funds meant for different works. When contacted, Executive Engineer PHE Division Handwara, Mohammad Afzal Rather told CNS that SVO sleuths sought office record from him as they had to verify something. “It was not a raid but they had approached us for seeking records,” he said.

Crisis..........

department says. But most of the tourists complain about not finding right accommodation for the prices that they would pay in other tourist destinations. With management of the largely privatised hotel industry being beyond the government’s control, prices are skyrocketing. Now even budget hotels have started doubling their rates. Flight costs have also tripled.

“Going to Singapore and finding a budget hotel is easier than in Kashmir. It would take same amount to travel to South East Asia as it does from Delhi to Kashmir,” Akash Soni, a businessman from Mumbai said.

The problem is more than two decades of violent conflict in Kashmir Valley have crippled the infrastructure as very few tourists came to the Valley at that time when foreign embassies in New Delhi were issuing travel advisories to

Daily their citizens against travelling to Kashmir after the killing of the five foreign tourists.

Over the years of violence, the infrastructure has crumbled and most of the hotels were occupied by paramilitary forces. Over the last three years, more than 130 rooms have been vacated by paramilitary forces in Srinagar city alone and work has been going on these hotels to resume their business.

The scarcity of rooms is felt more acutely in smaller towns like Gulmarg, which was accorded the best ‘All Seasons Destination of the World’ last year by Pacific Asia Travel Writers Association (PATWA) at ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show. This famous ski resort has a capacity of around 1400 rooms while more than ten thousand people visit Gulmarg everyday at the peak of tourism season.

Pahalgam, another famous holiday resort in South Kashmir, also a route for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, has more than fifteen hundred rooms but the hotels can’t accommodate millions of pilgrims who stay on the banks in tents.

With the growing demand, Class-A hotels have already doubled the rates, charging anywhere from Rs 15,000 to Rs 18,000 per night. Kashmir-based private business houses have also started to jump into the hotel industry but only movers and shakers in the political circles of the state get permission for that. They are booked to capacity as well.

The blame for crippled tourism infrastructure has also to be shared by the state government which has not given permission for any construction and repair works in happening tourist places like Boulevard and Pahalgam since 2009.

Adding to the existing difficulties are more than 3000 Jammu based government employees whom the state government has to provide more than 120 hotels every year as part of the annual darbar move when the state’s administrative capital moves from Jammu to Srinagar.

These hotels are occupied for six months in Srinagar when the tourist session is at its peak.

The last two years have also seen an unexpected influx of tourist from South East Asia particularly Chinese tourists arriving in droves in Kashmir. Almost eighty percent of the foreign tourists come from these regions after we conducted road shows in South East Asia.

Power..........

shall be affected on July 06, 08 and 10, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 05 p.m.

The power supply to the areas fed from these lines shall remain affected on the said dates and time.

Ramzan Arrangements reviewed at Anantnag Anantnag, July 04: In view of ensuing Ramzan the District Development Commissioner Anantnag, Dr. Farooq Ahmed Lone today chaired a high-level meeting with all concerned District Officers to review the arrangements being put in during the holy month.

The DDC exhorted upon the officers to ensure availability of essentials besides intensifying market checking to curb black marketing, hoarding and profiteering in the markets.

He also stressed upon the municipal authority for ensuring cleanliness and sanitation around the mosques especially around the Holy Shrines of Khrim sirhama, Seer Hamdaan and Kabamarag.DDC impressed upon the officers of PDD to ensure uninterrupted power supply besides directed officers of CAPD for ensuring supply of essential commodities like rice, sugar, K. Oil, LPG displaying the list of quantity of these essentials for the information of the

general public.

While taking stock of street lights respective m u n i c i p a l councils/committees were asked to maintain and repair the non functional street lights in the district.

Chief Medical Officers was asked to arrange medical teams for medicare facilities during the Holy month on special occasions. DDC stressed upon the PHE officers to ensure potable drinking water facility besides pressing water tankers into service where ever necessary. It was also stressed in the meeting that the hassle free traffic system should be ensured during the month.

The Deputy Registrar cooperatives Anantnag informed in the meeting that the department shall give a rebate of 3% on every item at super-bazaar besides Rs.3 per KG on poultry birds.Besides all District officers, SP, representatives of traders association of Anantnag and civil society members also attended the meeting.

Rs 8cr project prioritized for Chatapal tourist Resort: G. A. Mir Says Tourism elevation prosperity of State

Srinagar, July 04: Chatapal known as mini Pahalgam would be developed a tourist destination, revealed Tourism Minister Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Mir today during his visit to several tourism spots of Shangus, Anantnag including Achabal, Wangam, Watersoo, Chirpora, Metvoo and Chatapal areas.

The Tourism Minister Said that in this regard the State government has prioritized a project report of Rs 8 crore for central funding adding once the approval is received from Union Ministry for Tourism, the necessary development and tourist related infrastructure work would be started.

The Tourism Minister said that pristine glory of pilgrim site Nagdani would be also restored and it would be brought on tourism map of the Country. He said in this regard a detailed project has also been mooted to the Centre for approval of funds.

The Minister said that Shagus area has a distinct place in tourism activities and government would take all necessary steps to tap it, so that the avenues of employment are also explored. He also assessed tourism potential of its different areas and assured the people of the area that concerned authorities would be deputed to survey the areas for

creation of required tourist infrastructure.

Addressing public meetings during the tour, the Tourism Minister said tourism is the backbone of States’ economy and its expansion was the priority of the government. He said tourism means the prosperity of the Whole State. “We should cash Tourism and its related activities for accelerating the development of the areas and also providing the much needed job opportunities to the youth ”, he asserted and appealed all to contribute positively and not link tourism with politics and conflicts for the larger interests of the State.

The Minister said that nowadays tourism is also interlinked with promotion of other potential sectors like Agriculture, Horticulture, Handicrafts and Handlooms besides Adventure, Pilgrim and Border tourism and it was the responsibility of all of us to bring complete peace and normalcy in the State for providing congenial atmosphere for not only tourism boom but other trade and commerce activities in the State. “The government would encourage private stakeholders for investment under tourism sector for creation of varied infrastructure facilities, for the purpose besides

remain vigilant while performing their duties and not to compromise in any situation with security related issues keeping in view the present security scenario. On the occasion, the Mr. Singh heard the grievances of the officers and officials and issued instructions for redressal on spot.

Earlier, Mr. Ashok Kumar Sharma briefed the ADGP about the security arrangements and deployment of personnel at the airport. He also informed about the security arrangements made for arrival and departure of Yatries and other steps taken.

ensuring lacerative advance incentives up to Rs 1crore”,he added.

The Minister said Government is abreast with the problems of the people and every effort would be undertaken to redress their grievances.

Mir said provision of responsive, accou ntabl e and trans parent Governance is one of the top priorities of the Government adding that landmark laws including RTI, PSGA and Vigilance Commission have been enacted by the present Government for this purpose.

“Enactment of these laws is sequel to Government efforts to provide corruption free governance to the people” he added and asked the people to avail benefits of these laws.

He said 69 services have been brought under the ambit of PSGA. The Minister assured the people that all their genuine demand and developmental needs would be got mitigated from concerned quarter well in time. He directed the Sectoral Officers to ensure their field visits frequently in remote areas for on the spot redressal of people’s problems and developmental needs. Senior Officers of several Departments including Tourism Department were accompanying the minister.

Khanday Chairs KGC meet

Lok Adalat at Directs pacing up of course development projects Magam settles 58 cases Srinagar, July 04: The relaying of fairways, Matters pertaining to

Executive Committee greens, tees and improving m e m b e r s h i p , f u n d s , meeting of the heritage the drainage of the course. upkeep of courses also Kashmir Golf Club was The meeting was told that came up for discussion in held Thursday afternoon tenders in this regard have the meeting. The meeting under the Chairmanship of already been floated and was attended by Principal C h i e f S e c r e t a r y out of the 6 bids received 5 S e c r e t a r y t o C h i e f Mohammad Iqbal Khanday. have been found techni- Minister B. B. Vyas, The Committee held cally qualifying.

Commissioner Secretary detailed deliberations on The Executive Committee Tourism Atal Dulloo, measures for the revival of decided that re-auctioning Director Tourism Talat the Club and took various of poplar trees at the golf Parvez, Members, Ali decisions for improving course will be carried out Mohammad Watali, S. R. S the overall functioning of in the coming days. It also Madni, Upenderjit Singh the Club. The Chief appointed Shabir Ahmad Bali and other members Secretary directed for Bhat as Joint Secretary of were present in the pacing up of the project for the Club. meeting.

Dharambir chairs AC meet

S r i n a g a r, J u l y 0 4 : Committee on Assurance of Legislative Council met here today under the chairmanship of Dharambir Singh Oberoi and discussed the issues related to the Committee.

Besides legislators Javed Ahmad Rana and Syed Asgar Ali, Additional Secretary of the Council Secretariat, Mr. Mohammad Maqbool was also present on the occasion.

The Committee reviewed the assurances given on the floor of House during budget session of March 2013 and the assurances pertaining to its previous session.

Pulwama, July 04: Pampore police led by Station House officer (SHO) Rashid Akbar during a Naka on Thursday morning intercepted a Santro Car bearing registration number JK01R-7426 on national highway near Kadlabal, Pampore.

Sources told that during the search of the Vehicle few bottles of wine and beer were recovered from the Car. Police arrested all the three occupants of the Car and a case FIR No. 70/2013 U/S 50 was registered against them in Police station, Pampore.

The arrested persons have

Budgam, July 04: A Lok Adalat was organized under the Chairmanship of Chairman, Tehsil Legal Services Committee, Magam, Mr. Mansoor Ahmad Lone at Munsiff Court, Magam.

As many as 180 cases of different nature were taken up during the Lok Adalat, out of which 58 cases were settled amicably. The Advocates, large number of litigants and respectable persons of the area were also present on the occasion.

Art of Living reaches out for relief work in Uttarakhand

Provides immediate trauma-relief to the evacuees Dehradun: In an initiative to provide immediate material and trauma relief to the evacuees of the calamitystruck Uttarakhand, The Art of Living volunteers in Dehradun and North India under the aegis of Volunteer For A Better India (VBI) have been working with the paramilitary forces, the IAF and disaster management teams. Ever since heavy floods lashed the area and resulted in heavy loss of lives, volunteers of the organization have set up relief camps in Guptkashi, Dharasu, Harsil, Rudraprayag, Gauchar Rishikesh and Jolly Grant airport. Volunteers trekked and reached out to remotest of villages like

ADGP security reviews security arrangements of Jammu Airport Wine seized, 3 arrested Jammu, July 04: In order staff on frisking duty to

to ensure adequate security arrangements at Airport Jammu and to know about grievances of the staff deployed there, the Additional Director General of Police Security (ADGP), Mr. V. K. Singh held a durbar at the airport the other day. The durbar was attended by the jawans and officers deployed at the airport.

Addressing the durbar, Mr. Singh briefed the jawans and officers to work professionally and without compromising the norms laid down by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). He further directed all the

ZABARWAN TIMES

been identified as Mohammad Ashraf Bhat son of Abdul Rasheed , Javaid Ahmad Nengroo son of Ali Mohd and Mehda Bhat son of Sulla Bhal all residents of Prichoo in Pulwama.

Meanwhile Kakapora Police led by SHO Manzoor Ahmad arrested a cyclist Abdul Hameed Sheikh Son of Gulam Mohammad resident of Kadlabal, Pampore along with 14 Kg Fukki near Kakapora,Pulwama.

Police sources said that a case FIR NO 178/2013 U/S 15 NDPS act has been registered at police station Kakapora in this regard.

Chandrapura, Medula, Sili, Agastya Muni, Vijaynagar, Ukhimth, Neily, Kund and Arkund to provide relief material, food, medical aid and trauma relief to the inhabitants in distress. Door to door relief material was distributed in homes who lost an earning member.

Team of 250 volunteers including doctors are constantly providing trauma relief, medical aid, food,

assisting in rescue operations and clearing the debris.

100 truck loads of relief material which came in from various parts of the country has reached areas which had not seen food for few days.

Apart from providing material relief, trauma relief workshop at Dharasu and Harsil have reached out to hundreds of people and have helped them be calm and has provided solace.

Office of the Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Anantnag

NOTICE Where as an application has been received from one Shri Riyaz Ahmad Beigh S/o Gh. Rasool Beigh R/o Damdullah Ang. owner of vehicle number JK03B-0799 for cancellation of hire purchase agreement with M/s P.N.B B/o Mattan Adda Ang. and HPA agreement with Satwari Investment Jammu. Now, it is therefore, notified for general information that objections, if any to the proposed cancellation/endorsement of hire purchase agreement shall be filed in writing in the office of the Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Anantnag within a period of 7 days from the date of publication of this notice.

No: ARTO/Ang/2731 Sd/- Asstt. Regional Transport Officer Dated: 03-07-2013 Anantnag RNS Office of the Assistant Regional Transport Officer Anantnag

NOTICE Whereas a joint application has been received by this office from Mr. Javid Ahmad Katoo S/o Gh. Mohd. Katoo R/o Khudwani Kulgam (Party No. Ist) as Transferor, (Seller) owner of the vehicle Tata Sumo bearing Regd. No. JK03B-0737 (Commercial/Non-Commercial) covering under R/P No.1767/MC/RTA/Ang and Mr. Shabeer Ahmad Khan S/o Maqbool Khan R/o Kanjiullar Kulgam (Party No. 2nd) as Transferee (Purchaser) requesting for transfer of R/C and R/P of the above noted vehicle from Party No. Ist to 2nd and cancellation of hire purchase agreement with M/s State Bank of India Qaimoh. Before the case is disposed off on its merits anybody having objection regarding the proposed transfer may file his objection within 7 days from the publication of this notice to the office of the undersigned. No, representation/Objection shall be entertained after stipulated period.

No: ARTO/Ang/13/2729 Sd/- Assistant Regional Transport Officer Dated: 03-07-2013 Anantnag RNS

Owner, Printer, Publisher & Editor-n-Chief: Suhail Malik, RNI No: JKBIL/2011/39764, Email: zabarwantimes@gmail.com Published from: Govt. Quarters (M-13) Magarmal Bagh Srinagar -190001, J&K, Printed at: Sangarmal Offset Press Humhama Sheikhpora Tele/Fax: 2478370 Cell No: 09999964750, 9796787844

NEWS

Daily ZABARWAN TIMES

Srinagar |friday

130 million-ton Coal Block for J&K: Omar Tangmarg, July 04: Equating self-reliance in power production with financial autonomy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday said that the bright future of Jammu and Kashmir, possessing tremendous hydro energy potential, is in optimum utilization of water resources for power generation.

“My target is to make Jammu and Kashmir power surplus State and strengthen its economy to such a level where from it need not to plead for Central assistance time and again for every development work”, he said maintaining that his government has already laid edifice for this stupendous goal and various projects with generation capacity of 9,000 MWs are presently under implementation.

Omar Abdullah disclosed that after his persuasion at the Union Government level, the Centre has allotted 130 million-ton Coal Block for Jammu and Kashmir which would enable the State to generate 1000 MWs of power for a period of over 25 to 30 years.

“I may not be in a position to sell this achievement during 2014 elections as the work on establishment of Thermal Power Project may take some time but I am satisfied that my

government has made a remarkable dent in the power generation sector to bring welfare and financial autonomy to the State”, he said and asserted that the economic autonomy is as important as that of political one.

The Chief Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has sustained con-

stant and irrevocable loss due to Indus Water Treaty in which the two neighbours (India and Pakistan) distributed rivers. He said that all the three rivers of Jammu and Kashmir were given to Pakistan without having any care for the future of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Production of green energy from

water resources is not only one of the cheapest form of power generation but it is also environment friendly”, he said maintaining that the holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir and the welfare of its people is in the power development, as such, the government, he said, has flagged power

sector as one of the most important sectors in the State’s Policy Planning.

He said that under a multi-pronged approach development of power sector has been focused taking care of all aspects of production, distribution and transmission.

Inaugurating Drungi Micro Hydro

Zabarwan Times is available at

Power Project of 3x3.33 MW capacity on Ferozpur Nallah in Tangmarg launched under IPP mode by a local company, the Chief Minister said that Hydel Power Projects with 9,000 MW capacity have been targeted for execution during 12th and 13th Five Year Plans under the State, Centre and IPP sectors and this initiative would help the State to generate more power than is needed locally.

Omar Abdullah said that since the day he took over as Chief Minister of the State, he has focused on the indigenous generation of power utilizing the maximum of 20,000 MWs generation capacity available in the State.

He said a New Hydel Policy has been notified in 2011 and a Power Company also constituted to give considerable fillip to the power generation in the State.

“My target is to realize the dream of people of the State to relish 24 hour power supply and also export the surplus to other States of the Country”, he said and called upon the local entrepreneurs to come forward like Mr. Nazir and Mr. Mudassir (owners of Drungi Micro Hydel Power Project) and take up the projects reserved for locals under the New Hydel Policy. He said Jammu and Kashmir Bank have

Lone News Agency Kangan Khan News Agency Ganderbal Gulzar News Agency Soura Zahid Book Depot Chadoora Tariq News Agency Hawal Bashir News Agency Nowhatta Muzaffar Ali News Agency Alamgari Bazar Budshah News Agency Lal Chowk Abdullah News Agency Lal Chowk Sikendar News Agency Lal Chowk Gupkari News Agency Lal Chowk Raina News Agency Gund Kangan Khan News Agency Regal Chowk Rashid News Agency Dalgate Sheikh News Agency Hyderpora Hilal News Agency Budgam Lone News Agency Tangmarg Bhat News Agency Chadoora Srinagar, July 04: Bhat News Agency Magam Zargar News Srinagar, July 04: by provided an opportunity prehensive E-Health, E-Agency Profes- Kunzar The Minister for Rural Desharing Beerwah and learning from sional Audit in J&K, UseAgency of local Sumbal Dar NewsforAgency Bashir News velopment and Panchayati Raj, The Jammu and Kashmir each other and broaden the resources for health system, Reshi News Agency Safapora Saleem News Agency Pattan Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar has State has begged 3 awards for horizon to take the National strengthening & improvement asked the youth to follow the Basharat Rural NewsHealth Agency Bandipora Reyaz News Agency Pampore best indicators in categories Mission forward in organizing the Nursing teachings of Islam for living a Altaf News Agency Pulwama News Agency Qazigund of population stabilization, with enhanced enthusiasm. cadre inJavaid Odisha, Chhattisgarh outpatient services and Jeelani indoor News The event Baramulla was inauguRural Medical Corps,Agency TransfersSopore Agency G.M News and surgical services Shah in theNews rated on 3rd Kupwara July, 2013 by J&K and postings Karnataka, In- Handwara Agency SultaninNews Agency Country.

Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah centives for difficult areas in Langate Sheikh News The announcement Younis in this News whichAgency was attended

by MinisHimachal Pradesh, MCIAgency Com- Islamabad Agency Islamabad News Agency Tral regard was made today Reshi

by Ad- News ter of State Health, Shabir AhpulsoryThree Rural Way Posting: Bridgditional Secretary & Mission mad Khan; J&KTral Chief Secretary, ing HR Gaps in News primaryAgency health Bijbehara Turray News Agency Badru Director, NRHM, MoH & FW, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey; care. Best practices in Malaria Rahi News Agency Kulgam Malik News Agency Arwani GoI, Mrs Anuradha Gupta at Union Health Secretary, Ka- control, Best practices in RNRah News Agency Shaheen News Agency Kargil the concluding day of National shev Desi Byepass Raju; Additional TCP, E-Governance in Health,

National Summit concludes at SKICC

Summit on ‘Best Practices and Innovations in Public Healthcare’ held at SKICC. The National Summit was organized by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), in which senior officers from MoH &FW, Government of India, World Health Organization, UNFPA, Principal/ Commissioner Secretaries Health and Mission Directors from various States.

During the summit States across India presented their best practices and innovations in Public healthcare and there-

Secretary & Mission Director, NRHM GoI, Anuradha Gupta; Commissioner Secretary Health & Medical Education, Shaleen Kabra.

The inaugural function was followed by technical sessions for two days in which best practices presented by States included topics on Child health, JSSK Implementation, Postpartum IUCD, Maternal death review, Convergence in Urban Planning, Ensuring free drugs and diagnostics in public facilities, Improving infrastructure availability and quality, Com-

Sagar asks youth to follow the teachings of Islam

Tele-ophthalmology, Mobile based payments, emergency response and patient transport systems with greater efficiency, ASHA programmes, etc.

In the concluding session today the Additional Secretary & Mission Director, NRHM, MoH&FW, GoI declared State awards for best health indicators in categories of child survival, infant survival, newborn survival, population stabilization, safe delivery, indoor & surgical services, out-patient services, malaria control & TB control.

contented and dignified life.

The Minister was speaking at a Seerat Conference organised at the Government

Ganderbal plan approved at Rs. 70.52 cr

Ganderbal, July 04:

The District Development Board Ganderbal today approved a plan outlay of Rs. 70.52 crore for the financial year of 201314.

The District Development Board meeting was chaired by the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar here this afternoon.

The Minister for Forest, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone, MLC, Sheikh Ghulam, Rasool, District Development commissioner Ganderbal, Mr. Sarmad Hafeez and various divisional heads of different Departments were also present in DDB. The meeting was told that during the last fiscal under health sector, out of Rs. 2.22 crore allocation 100% expenditure has been made, similarly in R&B an amount of Rs. 14.70 crore has been released with 100% expenditure and six schemes have been completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.69 crore.

It was also given out that under PHE sector Rs. 1.99 crore has been spent during the previous financial year and during the current it proposed to take up the work on Arhama Water supply scheme at an estimated cost of Rs. 2.21 crore. Similarly, under irrigation sector for the current financial year two schemes with Sheerpatri and lift irrigation scheme of Washkoora has been proposed with an estimated cost of Rs. 5.50crore.

Under MGNREGA an expenditure of Rs.30.46 crore has been registered.

An amount of Rs. 3.21 crore has been made under IAY for constructing 644 new houses and upgrading 568 existing once. Under UMEED 2000 women have been mobilized to be brought under the scheme to framing of self-help groups.

Similarly, under self-employment sector an expenditure of Rs. 2.44 crore has been made and under social welfare Rs. 1.65 crore has been spent.

It was also given out in the meeting that an expenditure of Rs. 3.43 crore has been made under Education sector, un-

der SSA an amount of Rs. 9.21 crore has been spent and Rs. 43.75 lakh have also been spent under RMSA. Mr. Sagar directed the officers to ensure the maximum and judicious utilization of funds, so that the people get benefitted from the various welfare programmes being initiated by the government for the welfare of the people. He said that the government is committed for overall sustained development of the State.

The Minister said that the government has already put in place a comprehensive development programme for ensuring the overall and sustained development of the district, so that it comes up as model districts of the state.

He said that instructions have already been passed down the line to speed up the execution of various developmental schemes.Main Altaf, Mr. Akbar lone and sheikh Ghulam Rasool also projected various demands of public importance and called for speeding up the execution of the developmental initiatives of the Government .

Niaz Chairs PUC Meeting at Leh Leh, July 04: The Committee on Public Undertakings headed by Chairman Mohammad Sharif Niaz today convened a meeting with CEC, LAHDC, Rigzin Spalbar.

The meeting was also attended by DC Leh, Simrandeep Singh and other officers of District Administration.

Taking up the major issue concerning the entire district, the CEC brought into the notice of the committee the problem of electricity in Leh district, despite surplus generation of power. He further stressed on two important points for the committee to consider for recommendation to urgently address the issue of power in the district; first, to seek immediate approval of Rs.10 crore project submitted to the state and

second, to make the newly constructed two sub transmission divisions operational at the earliest to harness the power supply from Alchi hydel power plant effectively.

He also expressed great hope that the committee after personally seeing the ground reality will seriously take up the matter and find ways for its early redressal.

Likewise, MLC Norbu Gyaltsan highlighted the problem of transmission and distribution of power in the district urged on recommending the possibility of supply of surplus electricity generated by Alchi hydel power plant to army in the district and to have a proper management system for the execution of power distribution. He also urged them on providing the remaining 30,000 electricity

been asked to provide finances to the local entrepreneurs in this regard liberally. He said investment in power sector will always be a gainful economic activity for entrepreneurs and he wants that locals should venture in this sector.

The Chief Minister said that water resources and natural beauty are the two advantages of Jammu and Kashmir. “While tourism initiative can improve the economy of people and generate various job oriented activities but it cannot make the good of the financial deficit of the State whose total annual income is just over 7,000 crores and expenditure on salaries of government employees alone is Rs. 13,500 crore. He said the government is not receiving any tax from tourism sector and this sector is also not as vibrant as that of power sector which can revolutionize our economy”, he said and referred to the major hydro electro projects like Retle, Baghlihar-II and various others under execution in the State particularly in Chenab Valley.Referring to the tourism activities in Gulmarg, the Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction over the reports of uncalled for pressure tactics employed by the pony-wallas on tourists for pony riding.

Higher Secondary School Nowhatta. Several prominent religious Scholars, Academicians and people from different walks of life were present on the occasion. Students from different schools of the

area participated in the conference.

Mr. Sagar said that the teachings of Islam have be-

come more relevant in today’s context and people especially the youth should follow them for living a disciplined and contending life. He said that the religion preaches compassion tolerance, which is much needed in the present times.

The Minister also complemented the organisers for holding such types of seminars and maintained that the younger generation comes to know the importance of the religious teachings as well as history, which goes a long way imbibing high moral ethical values in them.

The Conference was also addressed by several religious scholars who threw lights on the life and the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and asked the people especially the students to follow these.ater prizes were distributed among the winning contestants.

National seminar on Muslim Response to Modern Education Srinagar, July 04: Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports, Mr. Taj Mohi ud din today asked scholars to probe the decline of pursuit of knowledge and intellect among Muslim community even as he said Islam does not bar seeking attainment of knowledge, more so in science and technology.

Addressing the valedictory function of a two day national seminar-“Muslim Response to Morden Education: Approaches and Prospects” at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, the Minister said Islam has made it mandatory upon its followers to seek knowledge and wisdom, whatever may be the cost. He asked the students to adhere to this principle and contribute

positively in the development of human society.

Mr. Taj said that the modern education does not stop Muslims to practice their religion as well. There is perfect harmony between Islam and modern education, he remarked. We need to change the approach towards the modern system of education, he added.

He said that J&K State has fully adopted the modern education system and people here have excelled in every field.

Vice Chancellor Central University Kashmir Prof Abdul Wahid Qureshi and Vice Chancellor, IUST, Prof A R Trag also spoke at the valedictory function.

The two day seminar was organized by the Islamic Studies Department of the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora.

OFFICE OF THE DEAN, FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES & TECHNOLOGY

University of Kashmir Srinagar

meter for Leh district, which the people of the district has been demanding for as they are more than willing to pay electric bills based on meter readings.

The councilors of the area also put forth their problems related to power and the councilors of Nubra, Lingshet and Khaltsi and also submitted their memorandum highlighting their demands to the committee.

Considering the graveness of the power issue in the district, Chairman on behalf of the committee gave assurance to take up the issue for recommendation not only at committee level but also at personal level.

The meeting was also attended by EC Health, EC Agri, EC CAPD, EC Tourism, councilors, SP Leh, CMO Leh and district officers.

Result Notification No.02

In continuation to this office notification No:F(DFAST/Adm-PDGIT & PGDCA)KU/13 Dated: 03-06-2013 candidates bearing following form Nos have been provisionally selected for admission to Post Graduate Diploma in computer applications(PGDCA), Session -2013 in the Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology: a). Open Merit: Form Nos: 51884,51953,52031,52022,51979,51850,51839,51962,51809,51833,51843. b). Reserved Categories: (RBA) 51883,51911.(NCC) 51904.

Note: 1. The admission of the candidates shall be strictly provisional, subject to the verification of their original documents/certificates by the concerned Head of the Department at the time of their admission; 2. The candidates who have obtained qualifying degrees from Universities/Institutions other than the University of Kashmir shall obtain clearance from the Academic Section before grant of their admission to a programme; 3. The candidates shall submit an affidavit to the effect that: a) They are not working in any Govt./Semi Govt./Private Institutions. The In-services candidates shall produce relieving order/NOC from their employers. b) They have not migrated from this University and are not enrolled with any other course in this University or any other University/ Institution.

The candidates selected on provisional basis can obtain their admission form from the official website of University of Kashmir (www. kashmiruniversity.ac.in) and shall complete their admission formalities latest by 10 thJuly,2013(4:00 P.M) failing which their right to admission shall be forfeited and resultant vacancy(ies) shall be filled up from the waiting list.

No:F(DFAST/Adm-PGDCA)KU/13 /ET-173 (Prof.M.Y Shah) Dated: 04-07-2013 Dean Faculty of Applied Sciences &Technology

05 .7.2013

HOROSCOPE Aries

March 21-April 19 Your family life will give you a lot of work today.

Some of your relatives may express a desire for independence and some might even try to rebel. If you don’t want to lose your cool, Aries, you should try to step away from all the excitement. It shouldn’t be too difficult for you to succeed.

Taurus April 20-May 20

You aren’t the kind of person who likes to lead an ordinary life. You aren’t afraid of the unknown. You like to open up to new worlds and cultures. You sometimes feel willing to change your whole life. Taurus, to your great satisfaction, today you will probably experience unusual events that could lead your life in new directions.

Gemini May 21-June 21

You shouldn’t try to stay alone today, Gemini. Once in a while you need to spend some time alone to ponder your life, to dream and wish for better things to come.

But today you could meet someone who will take you places you aren’t accustomed to going. Try to stay available in order to seize this opportunity.

Cancer June 22-July 22

Today you’ve decided to change things around you, Cancer. You’re about to make radical changes to your life. You feel that you’re almost invulnerable, that nothing can resist you. You’re going to go beyond your boundaries even if it means that you might be forgetting your friends for a while. Carpe diem.

Leo

July 23-August 22 Leo, you will have the opportunity to set the record straight with some of your relatives. Sometimes some of them take advantage of your kindness, and you serve without even a thought for yourself. The day will may be stressful and you may be irritable. Try to use the day to your advantage and get your life back in order.

Virgo

August 23-September 22

Your philanthropic side is fading. You’re used to thinking about others before thinking about yourself, but today, things are about to change. Indeed, you fascinate those around you. You’ve found a new freedom.

It seems that you’re liberated from your old self and totally fulfilled.

Libra

September 23-October 23 Haven’t you wondered how it would feel to be omniscient, Libra? Well, today you’re about to have this experience. You will have the energy of ten. People will come to you and ask for your guidance. You will easily find the solutions to their problems. Today the world belongs to you.

Scorpio

October 24-November 21 Today could provide an interesting opportunity to show your assets in a professional setting. People will be impressed by your personality and may even offer you a new job or exciting business proposal. You won’t be able to turn down the proposition and you will feel totally free and satisfied.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21

Today you may have to commit to some values close to your heart, Sagittarius. As a child, you were aware of the role you had to play in society. You were greatly concerned about others. Today you will probably be asking yourself if you should get involved and make decisions in the general interest.

Capricorn December 22-January 19

You may feel your life is full of uninteresting people.

You think they’re all alike and fit perfectly within a conservative society. You don’t want to be like them and would prefer to meet unusual individuals, people who differ from the crowd. They aren’t too far away. You just need to make an effort to look for them.

Aquarius January 20-February 18

You might think you’re the most intelligent person in the world. You hover over the notions that bind us.

You’re transformed into an artist who’s able to have great ideas. Remember that geniuses always think big.

Today you’re one of them. Your ideas could help others.

Pisces

February 19-March 20 Everybody knows that you’re very strong willed.

You’ve always had a very active disposition. You have the ability to surmount all obstacles and soak up all the energy that comes to your aid. It seems that today your strength could be reinforced by some people you meet or by your group of friends, Pisces.

Editorial/Opinion The Daily

Zabarwan Times Friday, 05 July 2013

No is not an option

C

hief Minister Omar Abdullah is right in saying the two incidents have put Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) back in focus. Killing of eight Army jawans in a militant attack in Srinagar and the subsequent killings of two youths at the hands of Army in Bandipora has brought the supporters and opposers of AFSPA face to face. People supporting continuation of AFSPA suggest that the Act cannot be revoked as long as such attacks take place. On the other hand, people believe that Bandipora like incidents would continue as long as AFSPA is there.

Following the killing of two youth, the Bandipora district in general and Hajin area in particular is simmering with anger. The state government has apparently enforced peace in the region by strictly imposing curfew and heavily deploying police and CRPF in these areas. But the fact remains that under this fake calm, the lava of anger is brewing up and whenever the curfew and restrictions are lifted, it would come out. People cannot forget the brutal killings innocent people just like that. Hopes of peace settling in the valley have been shattered once again. The reckless and arrogant attitude of the men in Khakee has pricked the peace balloon. Such acts of violence at the hands of men in uniform are blowing to pieces the efforts of the civil government, which is claiming to be trying very hard to create an atmosphere of tranquility in the state. No doubt Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has many a times expressed his resentment over such killings, but the CM himself too knows that we have a huge pile of such cases behind us. There are hundreds of such cases where the Inquiry Officers in their reports straightaway found men in uniform guilty of killing innocent people but can he point out a case where even a single forces’ officer has been prosecuted for his crime.

There are hundreds of cases lying before the Home Ministry seeking prosecution of guilty officers. But the permission for prosecution is being denied to safeguard the `national interest’ to boost the morale of security forces in Kashmir. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made a good impression by taking some unconventional steps while governing Jammu and Kashmir but to check the recurrence of such incidents, he will have to talk tough and act strong. Independent inquiries into killings have been a very old trick to camouflage the killings in Kashmir. The young CM needs to do much more than firing paper missiles. Revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) should be the first step because this act has given numerous powers to the security forces and they are exploiting these to the hilt. It is the prime duty of the Chief Minister to safeguard the life and property of those very people who have made him the youngest Chief Minister of the state.

If he fails to do so, he has no right to stick to power. Making hollow slogans and statements in press conferences and public rallies are not going to change ground realities. Men in Khakee need to be made accountable for their deeds. Be it the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, BSF and even army. Omar must understand that people cannot be taken for granted anymore and they want words turned into deeds. They want perpetrators of such heinous crimes brought to the book.

Omar is supposed to be a different Chief Minister than his predecessors and people have attached too many hopes with him. Let this balloon of hope does not burst. Omar should strongly take up the issue with New Delhi and make it understand that such incidents are only adding fuel to the fury and widening the wedge between New Delhi and Kashmir. If he is serious about punishing the guilty in such innocent killings, then he should take action against the killers behind the brutal murder of innocent civilians.

I

Daily

ZABARWAN TIMES 9 Friday, 05 July 2013

Tree Cover of India

ndia is endowed with a rich and diverse forest vegetation. The forests of the country vary. India is the second most populous and seventh largest country in the world having a population of over one billion with 1.8% of world’s forest cover. It is, however, important to differentiate between the forest cover and the tree cover, i.e., Trees Outside Forests (TOF).

There exists a significant tree cover wealth outside the conventional forest area, most of which is less than one hectare in extent. They include small patches of trees in plantations, and woodlands, or scattered trees on farms, homestead and urban areas or trees along linear features such as roads, canals, bunds etc. They constitute significant areas. Trees Outside Forests (TOF) are considered an alternative but significant source of fuel, fodder and timber. They give economic stability, support development and also provide environmental relief to the local people. With the improvement in satellite data resolution and with adoption of digital image processing, it is possible to assess forest cover patches as small as one hectare that are termed as tree cover. The tree cover estimate comprises tree patches outside the recorded forest area which are not captured by remote sensing satellites during forest cover assessment. This area is less than the minimum mappable area (1 ha) and comprises blocks and linear patches having areas up to 0.1 ha and scattered trees. All areas more than 1 ha in extent and having a tree canopy density of 10% and above are included under forest cover. However, there are many small patches of trees less than 1.0 ha in extent, such as trees in small scale plantations,

woodlots, or scattered trees on farms, homesteads and urban areas, or trees along linear features, such as roads, canals, bunds, etc. not being captured by satellite sensors under forest cover due to technological limitations. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) started estimating the tree cover in the country in the year 2001 to have a complete picture of the forest and tree cover to compare it with the national goal of 33% forest and tree cover.

Methodology of Tree Cover Assessment Trees outside forest areas are fragmented, scattered and there is no accurate knowledge of their geo-locations. They

the present estimate because against the inventory data of 60 districts, the data of additional 60 districts inventory during 2003-2005, i.e. data of a total of 120 districts comprising 10,145 sample plots has been used to estimate the tree cover of the country. The assessment of tree cover of a district has two components. One component consists of areas identified from satellite data under block and linear forms. The high resolution satellite imageries map tree blocks (patches between 1 and 0.1 ha) and linear plantations in the rural areas. The actual area covered by such patches is computed

With the improvement in satellite data resolution and with adoption of digital

image processing, it is possible to assess

forest cover patches as small as one hectare that are termed as tree cover.

have a low density and their assessment by conventional methods becomes costly and time-consuming. In 2001, the FSI developed a methodology using high resolution satellite imageries (5.8m) for identification and classification of TOF resources. Appropriate sampling is then done and field inventory conducted for assessment of TOF which is used for estimation of tree cover. Based on this method, the first estimate of TOF and tree cover was published in ‘SFR 2003’, which was based on the inventory of 60 districts. There has been improvement in

from the classified digital map using GIS methods. The second component is the computed area from scattered trees growing in rural and urban strata, which are not mapped/identified even with high-resolution satellite data (5.8m) currently used. For computing area of tree cover from scattered trees, an exercise was conducted in 2001 to establish relationship between diameter (DBH) and tree crown of different species growing in different physiographic zones. This relation was used to derive the number of trees of a species in making

1 ha area with 70% density. To estimate the area of tree cover under scattered trees in rural and urban strata, adequate numbers of sample plots are laid and numbers of trees occurring in the sample plots are enumerated by diameter, class and species. This helps in estimating the number of trees per ha in scattered and urban strata. Using the number of trees by diameter and species constituting 1 ha area as published, the tree cover under scattered stratum is estimated. The entire Culturable Non-Forest (CNF) area of the district excluding block and linear patches already assessed is taken for estimating the tree cover under scattered stratum. The area under urban stratum is taken from Census data. The total tree cover for the selected district is obtained by aggregating the area of tree cover under block and linear strata, and computed area from scattered trees in rural and urban strata. On the basis of the tree cover of sampled districts, the tree cover for the physiographic zone is estimated. Adding tree cover estimate for all the physiographic zones provides the estimated tree cover of the country.

Tree Cover in the Country The total tree cover of the country has been estimated to be 91,663 km², which constitutes 2.79 per cent of the country’s geographic area. The tree cover constitutes the largest area in Maharashtra (8.978 km²) followed by Rajasthan (8,379 km²), Uttar Pradesh (8,203 km²) and Andhra Pradesh (7,640 km²). Considering the percentage of geographic area under tree cover, the highest rank goes to Lakshadweep (13.33%) followed by Pondicherry (8.66%), Daman & Diu (7.76%) , Goa (7.24%), Delhi (7.20%), Kerala and Dadra & Nagar Haveli (5.66%).

Protecting health from climate change

A

ccording to the bulk of scientific opinion, the world is getting warmer. Most scientists are convinced that increasing concentrations of green warming house gases in the atmosphere are at least partly to blame for the global warming.

WHO estimated that climate change directly or indirectly contributes to about 77,000 deaths annually in Asia and the Pacific about half of the world total attributed to climate change. Among the potential effects of global warming would be the appearance of mosquitoes where they were previously absent, with the accompanying threat of malaria and dengue fever. Some regions might be at risk of reduced rainfall, causing a shortage of fresh water and the resultant danger of water borne diseases. Millions of people could be at risk of malnutrition and hunger if arable land becomes unworkable.

The increasing frequency of summer heat waves in temporate zones, e.g., Europe in 2003 and Asia in 2004 and typhoon, hurricanes and floods throughout the world are signs of changing weather and climate patterns. In August 2003, Europe suffered its worst heat wave in recent memory. In France, temperature peaked at about 40oC. Unprepared for this kind of heat, many people – mostly the sick and elderly succumbed. In all, nearly 15,000 deaths in France that summer were attributed to the high temperatures; across Europe, the scorching weather may have claimed as many as 35,000 lives.

Developed countries share 15% of world population and 50% of carbondioxide emission. Temperature increase by 3-4o C would cause displacement of 330 million people due to floods, malaria infection for 220-400 million people due to flood, extinction of 20-30% of all the land species.

Issues for the Health Sector Health hazards from climate change are diverse and global in nature. The hazards range from the risks of extreme weather events to changes in the dynamics of infectious diseases. The health impact of climate change will be disproportionately greater in vulnerable populations which include the very young, elderly, medically infirm, poor and isolated populations.

Climate-sensitive diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria and protein energy malnutrition already cause more than 3 million deaths globally. Even these numbers do not reflect the devastating indirect health impacts anticipated from the effect that climate change will have on food crops and the availability of fresh water in large areas of the world. According to the most recent projects of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global man temperature would increase by 1.4oC to

5.8oC between 1990 and 2100.

Climate Change and Human Health Climate change is a significant and emerging threat to public health and changes the way we must look at protecting vulnerable populations. The IPCC confirmed that there is overwhelming evidence that humans are affecting the global climate and highlighted a wide range of implications for human health. Climate variability and changes cause death and disease through natural disasters, such as heat waves, floods and draughts. In addition, many important diseases are highly sensitive to changing temperatures and precipitation. These include common vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue; as well as other major killers such as malnutrition and diarrhoea. The impacts of climate on human health will not be evenly distributed around the world. Developing country populations, particularly in small islands, states, arid and

succumb in cold weather and because blizzards and extreme cold create dangerous conditions in which accidental deaths are more likely.

Extreme Events and Disasters Some of the health effects of weather related disasters, in addition to the immediate death and injury to people and damage to property, include : increase in psychological stress, depression and feelings of isolation amongst people affected by natural disasters; decrease in nutrition due to poor agricultural yields, caused for example, by prolonged draught problems and food distribution; increase in disease transmission due to a breakdown in sewerage and garbage services. For example, cholera is one disease that thrives in such situations, particularly when flooding causes the contamination of drinking water by sewerage systems.

Apart from the ecological and agricultural impacts, the availability of water may be

The health impact of climate change will be disproportionately greater in

vulnerable populations which include the

very young, elderly, medically infirm, poor and isolated populations. Climate-sensitive diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria and

protein energy malnutrition already cause more than 3 million deaths globally.

high mountain zones and densely populated coastal areas, are considered to be particularly vulnerable.

Heat Waves and Cold Snaps Perhaps the most obvious impact of global warming will be the direct effect - a warmer planet will experience more extreme heat waves. It is difficult to predict the future effect on mortality levels, because as heat waves become more frequent, we can expect societies to adjust – technologically, behaviourally and physiologically.

Technological adaptations such as the installation of collective air conditioners and the construction of heat-minimizing houses will happen more quickly among the rich, so heat waves are likely to have a disproportionate effect in less-developed countries and in the poorer segments of rich countries. Northern countries with severe winters have a high mortality rate in winter because more sick and elderly people

reduced, with implications for human health. More frequent draught conditions would increase the risk of bush fires, which can kill people, release large quantities of particulate matter that can cause respiratory problems and degrade water catchments.

Infectious Diseases Many infectious diseases are dependent on vector organisms, which are sensitive to environmental factors and therefore will be affected by global warming. Biological modeling under various climate scenarios suggested a widening of the potential transmission zone of some disease causing pathogens and their vectors, such as mosquitoes.

Food and water borne diseases are also susceptible to climate change. Foodpoisoning bacteria grow best when the ambient temperature is in the range of 3537oC. Scientists speculate that if temperatures rise under global warming, the

incidence of diseases caused by foodpoisoning and by the contamination of drinking and swimming water could increase dramatically.

Rising Sea Levels Scientists predict that sea levels will rise as the global temperature rises, due to the melting of land-based ice in the polar regions and glaciers and the thermal expansion of the oceans. According to the most recent projects, sea levels would rise between 9 and 88 cms by the year 2100. A rise of this magnitude would have disastrous consequences for people living on low-lying islands, such as the Maldives group in the Indian ocean and many South-Pacific Islands.

Higher sea level leads to coastal flooding and an increase in frequency of extreme high water levels from storm surges.

Related problems are the contamination of coastal fresh water supplies with encroaching sea water and the degradation of fishing and agricultural areas.

Warmer, the Sicker Considerable uncertainty remains about how the climate may change and how such changes might affect human health. It seems likely, however, that people living in tropical and sub-tropical areas will be most affected.

Affluent countries and soial groups will best adapt to climate change by reducing the impacts of natural disasters such as flooding, fire and draught, by maintaining high quality health and emergency infrastructures and by installing technologies that help ward off the worst climatic affects.

Action Needs Developed countries should cut their carbon emissions at least by 80% by the year 2050, with 20-30% cuts by 2030, if the earth is to be saved from a complete environmental catastrophe, says the Human Development Report (HDR). The report also calls for 20% cuts in carbon emissions by fast growing economies like India and China. The cost of this process would be only 1.6% of Global GDP. Through increased collaboration, the global community will be better prepared to cope with climate-related health challenges world wide. A few examples of such collaborative actions are: strengthening surveillance and control of infectious diseases, ensuring safer use of diminishing water supplies and coordinating health action in emergencies.

The health impacts of climate change will be difficult to reverse in a few years or decades.

Yet, these possible impacts can be avoided or controlled. For example, controlling vectors, reducing pollution from transport and efficient land use and water management are tested measures that can help. The risk to human and ecological well-being is too great and prevention will be far better and easier than cure.

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

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ZABARWANTIMES ZABARWAN TIMES FRIDAY | 05 JULY 2013

How to keep anxiety in check

Control your anxiety before it gets out of hand with these minor tweaks to your life Anxiety is something we all experience from time to time — from tension before an exam or interview to feeling butterflies in our stomachs on a first date. And a little anxiety can actually be useful. Feeling nervous can get the adrenalin pumping and make you more alert. But it's when short-term anxiety becomes a more long-term condition that problems start.Chronic anxiety can be crippling and may lead to an inability to concentrate, constant nausea, palpitations and insomnia. It can also cause other conditions such as depression and even agoraphobia. The important thing to remember about controlling anxiety is quickly conquering it before it gets out of hand — which means managing your stress well.

Choose low GI foods Your brain needs a steady supply of glucose to enable it to function properly. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can affect the brain, leading to mood swings, anxiety and even panic attacks.

So try to eat foods that have a low GI

(glycaemic index) such as multigrain bread, brown rice, sweet potatoes, carrots and bananas.

Increase vitamin B intake An adequate intake of this vitamin is essential for a healthy nervous system.

All B vitamins are involved in the control of tryptophan, an amino acid used to make the chemical serotonin, that helps regulate mood.

A balanced diet containing meat, fish, eggs, dairy and green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds should supply enough Vitamin B. But if you are not getting enough, take Vitamin B supplements.

Limit your alcohol intake If you are stressed, anxious or depressed, it may be tempting to drown your sorrows with a stiff drink as alcohol can initially make you feel calmer. A recent study suggested people suffering from anxiety were likely to drink heavily. But if you suffer from anxietyrelated disorders, including depression, you should consider limiting your alcohol intake as it affects anxietyreducing neurotransmitters. Also, once the alcohol wears off, you may be left feeling more anxious because alcohol has a depressant effect.

Keep a stress diary

Over the next few weeks, note which situations, times, places and people make you stressed. Once you have identified these, think about each one and ask yourself 'Can I avoid it?'.

For example, if you find that driving to work is stressful, perhaps you can avoid it by finishing work a bit earlier or later, or by car-sharing with a colleague.

Slow down Many of us are living our lives at a faster pace, perhaps juggling a fulltime job with a relationship, family commitments and a social life. As a result, we feel a constant sense of urgency in our daily lives.

This endless feeling of pressure fuels our impatience when we have to wait in a queue or traffic jam, or when the bus or train is late. Instead of stressing about delays, see them as opportunities for welcome thinking or reading.

Drink plenty of water Your brain needs sufficient water to function properly. Even mild dehydration can affect mental well-being.

Symptoms of dehydration include restlessness and irritability.

Avoid these foods to avoid constipation

Constipation is an uncomfortable condition. Previously, we covered the foods that you must eat on a regular basis to tackle constipation.

On the other side of the healthy-unhealthy food spectrum, there are also some popular foods that you should avoid if you want to stay away from constipation. We give you 5 foods to exclude from your diet.

Processed food: Whether it is frozen foods or burgers and pizzas, it is going to make your mornings hard to get through, literally. When food is preserved and ready to eat, vital nutrients are drained out, plus the ingredients used are cheap. For example, all purpose flour or maida is used practically in all pizzas, breads and instant noodles.

Bottomline: Processed food has less fiber hence they linger in your system causing discomfort.

Bakery goodies: Nankhatais, kharis and tea biscuits are rich in sugar and

fat. They may go well with tea and coffee, but lack fiber. But there's a solution to these good old treats, increase your fiber intake, and balance it out.

Bottomline: Sugar may go straight to your thigh, but it can also be the cause of constipation.

Red Meat without supplementing meals with vegetables: If you consume pork or beef regularly, without veggies on the side, you may have already experienced constipation.

Make it a habit to accompany this precious chunk of meat with salad, cooked vegetables, and whole grain cereal; something that is rich in fiber.

Bottomline: Guess how long it takes to digest meat? No, you're wrong, it takes 90 hours to partially digest meat.

Caffeine: So no one can give up coffee, black tea and colas. They give you the much needed buzz to start

your day and keep you going through strenuous meetings, commutes, and just about everything else. Unhealthy dependency aside, caffeine dehydrates the human body and dehydration is one of the main causes of constipation.

Bottomline: If you're addicted to caffeine, it's better to cut down and supplement it with food rich in fiber.

Oily food: Chips and fast foods are tempting, even for those who are determined to eat healthy. But the more oily and salty your food is, the higher your chances of developing some digestive health issues as you cross over from your 20s to the 30s.

Foods that are deep fried and soaked in oil like French fries slows down the digestive process.

Bottomline: Fight your cravings and every time you feel tempted to order a round of French fries make sure you drink enough water and eat enough veggies before or after.

Celebrate health with tomatoes Smoking may lead to Indulge in tomatoes as they have great health value Tomatoes are now hot-favourites thanks to the much-talked about Tomato Festival in Spain as shown in the movie Zindagi Milegi Na Dobaara. But take a break from your favorite actors soaking in the ‘tomato fun.’ It’s time to know the health benefits of this rich easily available vegetable.

Anti-oxidant: Tomatoes contain a lot of vitamins A and C, mostly because of beta-carotene, and these vitamins act as an anti-oxidant, working to neutralize dangerous free radicals in the blood stream. Free radicals in the body can be flushed out with high levels of Lycopene, and the tomato is so amply loaded with this vital anti-oxidant that it actually derives its rich redness from the nutrient. These dangerous free radicals can cause cell damage. Also, remember that cooking destroys much of vitamin C, so stick to raw tomatoes for these benefits. So, do remember

to carry a tomato-cucumber sandwich in your tiffin box.

Vision: Because of all that vitamin A, tomatoes are also an excellent food to help improve your vision. This also means tomatoes can help your eyes be better about night blindness.

Cancer: Various studies have shown that because of all that lycopene in tomatoes, the red fruit helps to lessen the chances of prostate cancer in men, and also reduces the chance of stomach cancer and colorectal cancer. Lycopene is considered somewhat of a natural miracle anti-oxidant that may help to stop the growth of cancer cells. And, interestingly enough, cooked tomatoes produce more lycopene than do raw tomatoes, so enjoy that tomato soup!

Heart troubles: Due to potassium and vitamin B, tomatoes help to lower blood pressure and to lower high cholesterol levels.

This, in turn, could help prevent

ovarian cancer

strokes, heart attack and other potentially life-threatening heart problems.

Skin care: Because of high amounts of lycopene, tomatoes are excellent for skin care. Make sure the inside of the tomato skins are against your skin, and let this be there for at least 10 minutes. Then wash off. You face will be cleaner and give a

Stretch your way to fitness

shiny look.

Hair: Remember all that vitamin A in tomatoes? Well, it’s good for keepi n g y o u r h a i r strong and shiny, and its also good for your eyes, teeth, skin and bones.

Bones: Tomatoes have a fair amount of vitamin K and calcium, both of which help to strengthen

demographic and personal characteristics which were taken into account, including body-mass index, use of alcohol, use of oral contraceptives and menopausal hormone therapy.

Binns said more research was needed to understand how smoking stimulated the creation of mucinoid tumours, but stressed the first step in prevention was for women to quit cigarettes.

"While giving up smoking is the best advice, we did find evidence that drinking green tea, breastfeeding, eating fruit and vegetables, getting regular exercise and avoiding obesity were also beneficial," he said.

How diabetes links to leg and feet problems Diabetes can invite complications if proper personal care, fitness and diet are not followed.

Today, we take a look at serious repercussions of diabetes on leg problems. Legs, especially the feet, receive far less blood compared to other parts of the body, and for diabetics this could spell foot trouble. Dr. Sanjeev Bhambani, Diabetes and Endocrinologist at Moolchand Medcity gives you a step-by-step rundown on this grave issue.

How is diabetes linked to feet and leg problems?

Dr. Sanjeev says, "Foot problems in diabetics result from poor circulation, nerve damage and decreased resistance to infection. High blood sugar level over a long period may affect blood vessels and nerves. There are various conditions that affect people with diabetes that may result in leg and foot problems."

Willingly or cribbing, all of us tend to squeeze in some exercise in our daily routine.

But we are lazy enough to skip the most important part of it- stretches.

According to studies, stretches are vital in our daily workout and equally important if not more, than the actual exercise. Harbouring a capacity to leave one unfit for exercise if avoided continually, stretches prove extremely beneficial for our good health. If done properly, stretches are known to reduce muscle soreness to a large extent. They affect the body's flexibility which plays an important role in deciding our strength and stamina. They also affect our swiftness or speed level. While it is necessary to do a whole body stretch, individual muscle stretches loosen up every muscle that has been worked upon. Quadriceps, hamstring, calves, biceps, triceps, all need their share of stretch. Stretching should be a gradual process and should not be done in a hurry. If done too quickly, they can cause the muscle to contract. To avoid this, one can include stretches in-between the training after the exercise of each muscle group instead of keeping it as the final act. When the sweet burning sensation while stretching is a pleasurable experience you know you are on the right track. The tightening of muscles during exercise also affects the mobility of the joints and stretching helps in relieving them. The correct holding time of a stretch is the key to achieve the required effect. An average time of 30 seconds, is what is recommended by doctors. But in case of discomfort, one has to immediately stop pushing oneself out of limits. Another important benefit is that stretches prolong one's exercise age. As stretches play a major role in saving one from injuries, they reduce the rate of degeneration of muscles and hence keep one fit to exercise for long. So, do your stretches properly and be fitter

Scientists have for the first time linked smoking with ovarian cancer - the second most commonly diagnosed gynaecological cancer in Australia with a five-year survival rate of only 40 per cent.

Andy Lee and Colin Binns, both professors from the Curtin University's School of Public Health, took part as members of the Collaborative Group on Epidemiological Studies of Ovarian Cancer based at Oxford University and funded by UK Cancer research.

Their work involved the completion of two studies in China, which were fed into a pool of data totalling 28,114 women with, and 94,942 women without, ovarian cancer, the journal Lancet Oncology reported.

"Previously there was only a weak link between smoking and ovarian cancer, coming from a paper in 2009. This new analysis firmly establishes that relationship for one particular type of ovarian cancer, mucinoid tumours, which account for about 15 percent of the total of all ovarian cancers," Binns said, according to a university statement.

Outcomes were consistent along 13 socio-

Diabetic neuropathy

"Diabetes causes damage to the nerves in the feet and legs. Generally, injuries remain unnoticed and cause sharp pain in the feet commonly known as diabetic foot," says the Doctor.

Peripheral vascular disease

"Elevated blood sugar levels over time affect the circulation and blood flow. This may cause ulcer and gangrene."

How about the link between morbid obesity and diabetes?

This is a question that has several obese people worried; Dr. Sanjeev makes the link between obesity and diabetes: "Obesity is defined as having a BMI greater than 27 (as per Indian

body structure). Approximately two-thirds of adults with Type 2 diabetes are obese. Diabetics are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, and obesity further increases this risk. Obesity also increases other diabetes complications including endstage kidney disease. Other complications may include sleep apnea syndrome, arthritis and fatty liver disease."

Some stats on the cases of diabetes and limb amputations...

The picture is unflattering; here's what the diabetologist reveals, "All over the world in every 30 seconds, a leg is lost to due to diabetes. 15% of the total diabetic population develops foot ulcers. All over, 85% of all diabetes-related amputations are preceded by foot ulcers. Thus it is advisable that patients should daily inspect their feet and consult the doctor as soon as they find an ulcer or an infection in the foot."

What are the signs of tissue and skin damage?

He says, "In diabetic patients blood glucose is high and body loses fluid. Due to insufficient fluid skin gets dry. Dry skin tends to crack or split more easily and wounds heal more slowly in diabetics. Thus skin conditions should be treated as soon they're noticed, to prevent them."

He breaks it down further, "There are various signs of tissue and skin damage, which can be categorized as: Dry skin is one of the most common symptoms among diabetes due to loss of body fluid and

frequent urination.

Itchy skin could be another prior symptom which can be triggered by poor blood flow.

Itching can be confined to one spot or may occur in many parts of the body especially in lower legs and feet.

Digital sclerosis due to excess production of collagen among Type 1 diabetic patient results in waxy, tight skin on toes, fingers and hands. Dryness, burning, numbness and skin ulcers could be due to neuropathy when nerves are damaged. Patient suffers from pain in the lower extremities, burning and numbness. As a result, nerves in the legs and feet may not release sweat which is required to keep skin soft and moist."

At what stage must one consult a specialist?

"One should immediately consult a specialist if he/she experiences any of the following symptoms: - Changes in skin color - Swelling in the foot or ankle - Pain in the legs - Open sores on the feet that are slow to heal or are draining - Toenails with fungus infection - Corns or calluses - Dry cracks in the skin

NATION

7 SRINAGAR Friday, July 05, 2013

DAILY ZABARWAN TIMES

AK Antony rejects commerce minisLK Advani vetoes Narendra Modi’s plan ter’s proposal to increase FDI in defence to bring Yeddyurappa back to BJP

Just as dust settled over the controversy on Narendra Modi’s elevation as the BJP’s campaign panel chief, fresh differences have emerged between the Gujarat chief minister and party patriarch L.K. Advani.

This time the issue is about the return of former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa into the party.

Sources told Headlines Today that Modi and his camp have been favour re-induction of Yeddyurappa since they feel his party’s (KJP) 10 per cent vote share in Karnataka can swing the BJP’s fortunes in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Sources said BJP’s Karnataka in-charge Thawar Chand Gehlot is also in favour of Yeddyurappa’s return to the party.

Moreover, Modi also has the backing of Yeddyurappa’s supporters.

However, the Advani camp is opposed to the tainted leader’s return to the BJP. Party sources said Advani is strongly opposed to Yeddyurappa’s return and would prefer a loss in the election to a tainted politics.

According to sources, Advani feels Yeddyurappa’s return would

hurt its plank on corruption and that he wants to rebuild the party’s Karnataka unit with fresh faces.

However, sources indicated that Modi was likely to call for Yeddyurappa’s return despite Advani’s veto.

This is not the first face-off between Modi and Advani. The two locked horns over Sanjay Joshi’s removal, then over the venue for

Advani’s Jan Swabhiman Yatra and the most recent one was the face-off over Modi’s elevation to the top the post of BJP’s poll panel chief.

Yeddyurappa had to resign as Karnataka chief minister in July 2011 after the Lokayukta report on illegal mining indicted him following which a spate of corruption and land de-notification cases were

Congress won’t engineer defection by BJP MLAs in Goa: Digvijay Singh

PANAJI: Amid reports of some Goa BJP MLAs being disgruntled with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh has said his party would not back any move to destabilise the BJP-led state government. He, however, said the party was not averse to the Parrikar government falling on its own. “We will not engineer any defection, but if Parrikar government falls on its own, then we are not to be blamed,” Singh was quoted as having told Congress legislators during a closed-door meeting, a senior party leader said on condition of anonymity.

There were reports that a

section of BJP MLAs unhappy with Parrikar’s functioning was in touch with their Congress counterparts and independent legislators to explore the possibility of bringing down the Parrikar government.

“Singh told the legislators not to be the part of any (such) political activity. The high command is not supporting any defections in Goa right now,”

Fake websites use IAF logo to seek donations for Uttarakhand

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police about fraudulent websites and Facebook pages where money is being sought on its behalf in the name of relief fund for calamity-hit Uttarakhand.

According to the IAF, which won accolades for doing a commendable job during the recently concluded massive rescue operation in Uttarakhand while fighting against all odds to bring back thousands stuck in inaccessible hills and relief operation thereafter, criminal elements have been trying to cash in on the goodwill its humane action generated.

The IAF has said in its complaint that some websites have used its logo to look authentic and have put up bank account numbers asking people to donate generously for the victims.

A case under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Information Technology Act has been registered. Police were also trying to track the IP addresses of the computers used to circulate the message online. They were suspecting involvement of a gang of cyber experts in the crime.

The IAF and the police have also urged people to be wary of such websites.

NEW DELHI — India’s ruling party said Thursday a vast new food scheme for the poor was a “game-changer” to fight endemic malnutrition, but analysts expressed concern about the programme’s implementation and cost.The cabinet issued an executive order late Wednesday introducing the National Food Security Bill, which is expected to be approved by the president later Thursday and be a votewinning measure ahead of elections next year.

The populist programme -- which the government says will add 230 billion rupees ($3.8 billion) per year to the country’s existing 900-billion-rupee food subsidy bill -- will offer subsidised grains to an estimated 810 million people.It has been pushed strongly by the head of the ruling Congress party, Sonia Gandhi, who has insisted on honouring a 2009 election pledge despite concerns about the impact on government finances and food prices.

“It is going to be a game-changer in terms of poverty eradication,” senior Congress lead-

filed against him. Yeddyurappa quit the BJP in December 2012 and floated his Karnataka Janatha Paksha (KJP).

The BJP was swept away by the anti-incumbency as the Congress secured 121 seats in assembly election earlier this year. Though the KJP secured only six seats, its 10 per cent vote share ensured the decimation of the BJP.

the country, decisions can be made to allow higher FDI on a case-tocase basis with the approval of the cabinet committee on security.

“The deliberated view of the defence ministry, therefore, remains that the FDI cap in the defence manufacturing sector should remain at 26 per cent,” he wrote.

The commerce ministry wants global majors in the defence sector to join hands with both PSUs as well as private sector units to produce weapons in India. Anand

Sharma has been trying hard for an increase in the FDI limit for the defence sector to 74 per cent from the current 26 per cent, while the four-member committee headed by economic affair secretary Arvind Mayaram has proposed increasing the limit to 49 per cent.

The department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) has suggested that the FDI limit be raised to 74% and the proposal is under consideration of the government.

India pitches for conciliatory dialogue in Egypt

the leader told PTI today.

The BJP, however, has denied its MLAs were disgruntled with Parrikar and were hobnobbing with the Opposition to pull down the government. “The reports that our legislators are grouping with the Opposition is a rumour... it has no basis,” BJP Goa unit president Vinay Tendulkar said. Independent legislator Vijay Sardesai, who claims to have attended several such meetings, said a group within the BJP had taken the lead to destabilise the government.

He said the move could not fructify as “Congress is not the best possible alternative to form the government.”

NEW DELHI: Asking all political forces to abjure violence and exercise restraint, India today strongly pitched for a conciliatory dialogue to address the present situation in Egypt, which yesterday witnessed the ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi by that country’s Army.

Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry also said Indian mission in Cairo was in active and regular contact with all sections of the Indian community with the objective of ensuring their welfare. There are 3000 Indian nationals and about 50 Indian companies in Egypt.

“We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in Egypt. As the world’s largest democracy, India was amongst the first countries to welcome the 25th January revolution and the promise of genuine democracy in a

large and important country like Egypt with which we have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly ties,” the spokesperson said here.

Earlier today, Justice Adly Mahmoud Mansour, head of Egypt’s Constitutional Court, was sworn in as interim leader of the troubled nation, hours after the powerful army removed Morsi after series of protests.

“India urges all political forces to abjure violence, exercise restraint, respect democratic principles and the rule of law and engage in a conciliatory dialogue to address the present situation,” the spokesperson said.

Last night, the army ousted Morsi, who took office a year ago as the country’s first democratically elected president after days of mass rallies across the country demanding removal of the Islamist leader belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar shares stage with Congress’ Kapil Sibal in Patna

Patna: Much bonhomie told the story of changed political equations as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar shared stage with Union Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal of the Congress last evening.

The two leaders were laying the foundation for a technology institute in rural Patna. Mr Kumar praised Mr Sibal for being a “learned advocate” as he sought his assistance to get special status for Bihar “to help it overcome backwardness.”The Bihar Chief Minister’s special status demand is old.

But the warm vibes with Congressmen is new. Mr Kumar’s party, the Janata Dal (United) severed its 17-year-old ties with the BJP last month over the elevation of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the party’s election campaign committee chief.But days before they separated, and when it was already apparent that the partnership was at breakpoint, Mr Kumar had courted the BJP’s criticism by escorting visiting Finance Minister P Chid-

er Tom Vadukkan told AFP. “If basic needs like hunger are not met, you can’t talk about (economic) development.”

Despite two decades of strong economic growth, India still struggles to feed its population adequately, with a major survey last year showing that 42 percent of children under five were underweight.

The food measure, which will offer five kilograms (11 pounds) per person per month for as little as one rupee per kilo, is considered key to the Congress-led coalition’s fortunes in the national elections due in 2014.“If it wins us votes, then that is an after-thought,” Vadukkan, also a party spokesman, claimed.

“Naturally anything good that you do gains you popularity.”India’s opposition parties

Defence minster AK Antony has rejected a proposal to increase foreign direct investment in the defence sector. Replying to commence and industry minister Anand Sharma’s proposal to raise the FDI limit in the defence sector to 74 per cent from the 26 per cent, Antony maintained that the move would stymie the growth of the domestic industry.

In an official communication to the commerce minister, Antony said, “In the field of defence, we can not afford to be dependent on foreign companies and vulnerable to policies of their countries of the origin.”

The defence minister added that “We are importing weapon systems for our immediately requirements and till we develop our own systems. Allowing foreign companies to set up their manufacturing facility here will be a retrograde step as it will stymie the growth of indigenous design and development — and our dependence on foreign countries will get perpetuated.” At present, India imports around 70% of its defence equipment.

However, he also has made it clear that wherever FDI beyond 26 per cent is likely to result in access to state-of-the-art technology into

ambaram to the Congress headquarters in Patna.

That gesture had sparked much speculation about new political alignments before the 2014 general elections.

Today the BJP’s former ally seemed to side with the Congress in its reaction to the CBI’s politically controversial chargesheet in the Ishrat Jahan case.

Mr Kumar’s party colleague Shivanand Tiwari said, “One thing is very clear that the Ishrat encounter was fake and she had nothing to do with terrorism.”

The CBI has accused seven Gujarat policemen of murdering 19-year-old Ishrat Jahan and three others nine years ago. The blight on the Gujarat administration comes as Mr Modi is within finishing line of getting his party’s prime ministerial nomination.

It is that possibility that compelled Mr Kumar to break ties with the BJP; Mr Kumar accuses Mr Modi of not having done enough to prevent the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat in which hundreds of Muslims were killed.

have rounded on the government for ramming through a controversial programme without a parliamentary debate, but the executive order is only temporary and must be converted into law.

It will be introduced later this month or in August in the next session of parliament, which has been stalled for much of the last two years due to repeated protests by the opposition.

“It is just a political gimmick in a hurry,” the leader of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rajnath Singh, told reporters on Thursday.Critics of the food programme say that India can ill-afford such a costly subsidy burden at a time of slowing economic growth and when

Jharkhand: Soren to meet Sonia, Cong prepares common minimum programme

New Delhi: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren will meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday evening as the two parties are likely to form a coalition government in Jharkhand.

Soren also met Congress leader BK Hariprasad on Thursday.

Earlier on Wednesday the Congress President had held consultations with senior party leaders on Jharkhand’s political situation.

Congress sources said that unlike the last time, a strong common minimum programme will be chalked out which will give the government a blueprint to work.

credit ratings agencies are eyeing the country’s large deficit.“India’s current macroeconomic position does not provide the space to implement this policy,” Sonal Varma, an economist with Nomura Securities, told AFP.Economic growth is at a decade-low of 5.0 percent, the government is running large fiscal and current account deficits, and the rupee has slumped to a historic low against the dollar.Indians classed as below the poverty line already receive subsidised kerosene, cooking gas, fertilisers and wheat through what is the world’s biggest public distribution system.

But the chaotic welfare programmes are notoriously inefficient and riddled with corruption. Many of the 360 million people who currently receive subsidised grains complain about the poor quality.

A study by the national Planning Commission in 2005 showed that an estimated 58 percent of grains purchased by the government failed to meet their intended targets.

The party wants to ensure that the new government emphasizes on social welfare schemes, which would hopefully earn the party some votes in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

The Congress is trying trying to ensure that there is a strong common minimum programme and a strong mechanism to monitor it.

The Congress wants to make sure that it does not have to face flak and embarrassment like the last time when it supported the JMM from outside. The party wants that the programme should not be only on paper

Apart from focusing on social welfare schemes, Naxal problem is also being factored in. The party is also deciding on the allocation of different ministries as well.

A formal announcement on the CongressJMM alliance is likely by Thursday evening. The Cabinet will revoke the President’s rule and the alliance will stakes claim to form the government in the state soon. Sources said a new government would be in place by the July 10.

Congress Legislature Party leader Rajendra Singh said JMM is forming the government in the state and we are supporting it. “We met Lalu Prasad Yadav, he agreed to support JMM and Congress unconditionally,” he said.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said the NDA has been imploding and BJP is splintering, “The UPA is consolidating and becoming more cohesive and that is playing out in reality for everyone to see,” he said.

Aircraft carrier Gorshkov to begin final acceptance trials

NEW DELHI: The long-delayed aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov will begin its final acceptance trials in Russia today as the Indian Navy prepares to induct the warship, rechristened INS Vikramaditya, by the end of this year. The final acceptance trials of the Admiral Gorshkov, which are expected to last three months, are scheduled to begin with the officials of Indian Navy on-board the carrier, Navy sources said here.

The warship was slated to be handed over to India in 2008 but after seeing several cost and time overruns, the Russian side last year informed India that it would be able to hand it over to the Indian Navy by the end of 2013.

Along with the warship-overseeing team, the Navy has sent specialised officers to look after the trials,

sources said.

There will be parameter checks during the trials before the force gives its approval for the warship to be ready for induction, they said.

India had signed the contract for the 44,500-tonne Kiev Class Gorshkov in 2004 for USD 934 million but the Russian side kept increasing the price of the warship and ultimately, it was finalised at USD 2.33 billion.

India has signed contracts with Russia for procuring 45 MiG-29 naval combat aircraft for being deployed on the aircraft carrier and started taking deliveries of the planes much before the due date of the arrival of the warship. The aircraft carrier would be based by the Navy off the coast of Karwar in Karnataka and it has already started preparing the base for stationing the ship.

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