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August 07 | 2013 | 28 Ramzan 1434 AH | PAGeS 12 |
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VOL nO: 3 | ISSUe nO: 193 | 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
Soldiers killed in Poonch Sector
2 die, 2 injured in Bear attacks in valley Srinagar August 06, 2013: Two persons were mauled to death while two others recived injuries in different bear attacks across the valley.A bear attacked and killed Abdul Sattar Bhat son of Ghulam Mohammad resident of Watoo, Tangmarg at Kawnar, Gulmarg, in the jurisdiction of Police station Gulmarg. The body of deceased was handed over to his relatives for last rites. Meanwhile, a 13 years old Kushboo daughter of Abdul Hamid Khan resident of Tangwari, Kreeri was attacked by a leopard at Tangwari and was seriously injured. The injured girl was shifted to Sub district Hospital Kreeri where she succumbed to her injuries. In another incident, Ghulam Rasool Sheikh son of Abdul Razaq resident of Sutharan, was attacked and critically injured by a bear at Sutharan in the jurisdiction of police station Khag. The injured was shifted to JVC Srinagar for treatment. In another incident, Ghulam Mohammad Magray of Abdul Gani resident of Keygam was attacked by a bear at his village in the jurisdiction of police station Kupwara and was critically injured. The injured was shifted to Sub District hospital for treatment.
1 dies in slab collapse in Ganderbal Srinagar August 06: One person died while another was injured when the concrete slab of Pathwar Khana collapsed in Safapora area of Ganderbal. Two person came under the concrete slab that collapsed while being laid during the constructing the Patwar Khana at Pother Mohallah, Safapora. Both the injured were shifted to the hospital for treatment. Among the injured 40 years old Rouf Ahmad Bhat succumbed to injuries while another injured Mohammad Ashraf Bhat is being treated at SKIMS Soura. Police station Safapora has registered a case in this regard.
2 injured in road mishaps Srinagar August 06: Two person were injured in two separate road accidents in the valley. A Maruti car bearing registration number JK01C/0876 hit and injured a pedestrian, Mohammad Gafoor resident of Paranagunj, Bihar at Peerbagh, in the jurisdiction of Police station Budgam. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment. Budgam Police has registered a case in this regard. Meanwhile, a Load carrier bearing registration number Jk15/0486 hit and injured sa pedestrian Ghulam Mohammad Ganai son of Jami Ganai resident of Bagat, Kanipora near JVC hospital. The injured was shifted to SKIMS, Soura for treatment. Parimpora Police has registered a case in this regard.
Boy drowns in Srinagar Srinagar August 06: A 19 years old Mudasir Ahsan son of Ahsan-ul-Haq resident of Ompora, Budgam was drowned in Nallah Dachigam near Theed bridge, in the jurisdiction of Police station Harwan. The body of the boy was fished out from the nallah.
Bung cultivation destroyed in Shopian Srinagar August 06: Shopian Police destroyed illicit bung cultivation spread over 20 Kanals of land on river bank at Tigibagh, Herikah of Koka Mohallah, in the jurisdiction of Police station Zainapora, Shopian yesterday.
earlier reports suggest PBAT hand Antony confirms the involvement of 20 heavily armed militants
Srinagar August 06: Though Army Tuesday claimed that Pakistan Boarder Action Team killed its five soldiers including a Non-Commissioned Officer during the wee hours in Poonch Sector. However, Pakistan has refuted the claims that its troopers did not open fire on any Indian post. The Defence Minister A.K.Antony also confirmed that the attack was handiwork of 20 heavily armed militants who crossed to this side of the control line and ambushed the soldiers. Giving details about the incident, Udhampur based Army spokesperson Colonel Kalia told CNS that scores of Army personnel belonging to Pakistan Boarder Action Team including heavily armed militants opened fire on the 21 Bihar Regiment at Saral post in Poonch Sector killing five soldiers on spot. “The deceased Army personnel were
identified as Naik Prem Nath Singh, Lance Naik Shambu Sharan, Naik Maney, soldiers Vijay Kumar and Raghunandan Prasad,” he said adding that soon after killing the soldiers PBAT personnel retreated within a blink. Army sources told CNS that a
patrol of Indian Army comprising of one Non Commissioned Officer and five other Ranks was ambushed by a Pak Border Action Team close to the Line of Control in Punch Sector of Jammu and Kashmir early morning on Tuesday. In the ensuing gun fight, five Indian soldiers were
Stone Pelters out on the streets during Shab-e-Qadr
Clashes between police and pelters continued throughout night Srinagar August 06: Panic gripped in Nowhatta and Khanyar during ‘Qadr’ night when violent protests erupted in these areas. Scores of youth appeared in front of police station Nowhatta and randomly pelted stones on the station and the policemen deployed there. Police used tear smoke shells and pallet guns to disperse the youth. Youth also resort-
ed to stone-pelting in Khanyar area of Srinagar when people were busy in offering prayers during Shab-i-Qadr. Superintendent of Police City North Tahir Saleem told CNS that youth attacked police station Nowhatta and continuously pelted stones on police and CRPF personnel for 4 hours. “We have not arrested anyone so far. The protestors were dispersed finally and there
is calm in the area now,” he said. Eyewitnesses told CNS that around 11 PM scores of youth attacked the Nowhatta Police station with stones. Police, they said, responded with pallet guns and intercepted the youth in small alleys, triggering violent clashes. On the eve of Shab-eQadr, large contingent of police and CRPF personnel were deployed in and See Stone Pelters on Pg. 11
killed. Army claimed that Indian post was attacked to pave way for the militants to cross this side of Kashmir. “The ambush was carried out by approximately 20 heavily armed militants along with soldiers of Pak Army,” Indian Defense spokesperson said. Army said that, “this action is a likely consequence of frustrations of the militant organizations and Pak Army due to successful elimination of 19 hardcore militants in the recent months of July and August along the Line of Control and in the hinterland of J&K.” “The effective counter infiltration grid on the Line of Control has ensured 17 infiltration bids foiled this year resulting in killing of a total of 13 hardcore Pak trained militants. The numbers of such attempts have doubled this year in comparison to the corresponding period of 2012. See Killed on Pg. 11
Kunanposhpora boy tops Common entrance Test
Credits hard work for rare distinction Srinagar, August 06: The much-awaited Common Entrance Test (CET) has been declared and the topper from remote Kupwara village in north Kashmir is on cloud nine. “I am very happy and elated,” Haroon Rashid, the boy from remote Kunanposhpora village in frontier Kupwara who topped this year’s CET, told KNS. Scoring 207 marks out of 225 in the professional entrance, Haroon says that he was not surprised in achieving the rare feat. “To be honest, I was expecting it,” Haroon said, attributing his success to hard work, family and the tutors. “I worked hard and I owe my success to my parents and my tuition teachers in Parraypora Srinagar.” Haroon Rashid son of Abdul Rashid Bhat had completed his 11th and 12th class studies from S P Higher Secondary School Srinagar and got “individual coaching” in Physics, Chemistry and Biology from tutors in Parraypora here. Haroon says that it was his
first crack at the professional entrance and is thankful to all those who guided him. “My parents and teachers at school or higher secondary level would always encourage me to set bigger goals and work hard. I think the hard work has paid off,” said Haroon. Having achieved the “first target”, Haroon now wants to devote his whole attention and energy to become a professional in medicine. “I want to be a doctor. A real professional so that I could serve my home land in manner they expect me to,” he added. Bhat family does not have Haroon’s success only reason to celebrate. Incidentally, his elder sister Rukaya Rashid has also cracked the CET this year. “She has been selected for BDS,” Haroon said. Besides the elder sister, Haroon has a little sister and a brother. Asked about his view on cancellation of the CET exams in June following a goof-up by the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE), Haroon See entrance on Pg. 11
Mehbooba alleges scarcity of essential commodities
Blames the Government for total administrative mess Srinagar, August 06: Dubbing the present government as a misfortune for the State, opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today said the people of Jammu and Kashmir seem to have become the victims of the ungoverned rage let loose on them by the National Conference (NC)Congress coalition. “There is a complete chaos all around with acute scarcity of rations hitting almost every part of the state, power position de-
teriorating day by day, drinking water supply becoming scarce, treasuries running dry, pensioners being denied pension, contractors crying for payments, daily-wagers and consolidated workers pleading for their wages, people being made hostage on roads for hours together due to horrific traffic jams and so on and so forth,” PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said
in a statement to KNS. Lashing out at the State Government for pushing the people into an ‘anarchic and distressing’ situation, she said the present government seems to have no regard even for religious occasions of great significance like Eid so that it could have ensured basic minimum necessities like rations, drinking water, power supply, pension and
wages for its workers for the upcoming festival. Mehbooba said the Government’s formal arrival in J&K in 2009 has brought with it worst kind of atrocious miseries for the people. “While the people have lost hope of any significant developmental initiative being accomplished by this government, the tragedy is that it is not able to even ask the administration to ensure at least respectable supply of rations, water, power and other such See Mehbooba on Pg. 11
People loosing patience of erratic dAK terms CM’s statement Tanvir turns astrologer Predicts that PDP will not power, water supply as irresponsible survive beyond 2014 Massive reports over scar- People alleged that PDD Srinagar August 06: hurt the sentiments of peocity of water were reported is acting on its own and is ple of state,” Dr Nisar said Says he Srinagar, August 06: pointed man dismissed Pesky power cuts, con- from Chanapora and Sara- indulging in unscheduled in a statement to KNS. elected governments power cuts. People raised tinuous non-availability ibal areas of Srinagar. not surprised with Chief Minister Omar and imposed goverbehaves as “Itheam of electricity, rations and “It’s not in happening in slogans against PDD, PHE CM’s statement because Abdullah’s Political nor’s rule by a mere ex- drinking water forced old city only but same situ- and CAPD departments such irresponsible stateSecretary Tuesday ecutive order,” Sadiq people to come on roads ation prevails in uptown of demanding action against a dictator ments from him are a norm said that leadership said in a statement to at various places in old the city. There is shortage the higher ups of these dein past as in Shopian murof inkpot party (PDP) have always indulged in politics of trickery and used all dubious machinations to create political turmoil and un-stability in the state adding that judging through peoples’ mood they will not survive beyond 2014. “People have not forgotten how flouting all rules their patron through their own ap-
KNS While addressing student and youth delegation from the valley he said, “They (PDP) are the same people who have all along weakened and diluted the special status the state enjoys under Article 370 and today their leaders go around and have the audacity to talk about vision and See Tanvir on Pg. 11
city. People in Zainakadal alleged that there is scarcity of rations at depots while the residents of Syed Hamidpora, Nawab Bazar protested against the unscheduled power cuts and non-availability of drinking water. Residents of Nowpora, Eidgah, Sakidafar and Safakadal and its adjoining areas assembled outside mosques after prayers and staged demonstrations.
of rations and drinking water and now again the power situation is worsening in Kashmir,” a trader told CNS. Reports said that people at different places in old city including Zaina Kadal, Malarata, Syed Hamidpora, Shri Bhat, Hawal and its adjacent areas staged protest against the government for failing to deliver goods during the holy month of Ramadhan.
partments. “All the helpline numbers issued by these departments are out of order and if sometimes someone responds, he expresses inability and puts down the phone,” a resident from Syed Hamidpora told CNS. “PDD is resorting 12 to 18 hours unscheduled power cuts,” said a local Irshad Ahmed of Rainawari. Traders from these See Patience on Pg. 11
Srinagar, August 06:
President Doctors Association Kashmir Dr Nisar-ulHassan Tuesday termed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement that “there is no new report of spurious drugs”, as unfortunate and a blatant lie. “This statement on part of head of the state is shameful and at the same time painful. Such provocative and irresponsible statement has
der and rape case, 2010 killings or recent Gool killings. We are given to understand by these statements that he is cherishing the miseries and sufferings of oppressed people of state and advocating the agenda of crusaders. How can a CM pose so naive and uninformed? He is deliberately doing it to shield the culprits to safeguard his chair and political allies,” he said. See dAK on Pg. 11
Rhetoric won’t work – do something practical Mr. Chief Minister Shahana Srinagar, August 06: Certainly youths are the torch bearers of peace, prosperity and development of any nation. They are the wheels of its journey towards a bright and secured future and can make or unmake any society. The assertions of chief minister asking the youths of the state to take up the challenges with vigour and rule the roast can be taken as rhetoric of a politician unless and until opportunities are provided and their sailing is made smooth. How can a frustrated, disillusioned and desperate youth take up the responsibilities of leading the society to a better future when his own future is uncertain, bleak and at stake. The chief minister should first provide a canvas for young generation
to contribute and prove their abilities and only then expects good dividends from them. This small state confronted with the law and order situation for the last over two decades, has to spend most of its resources for maintaining law and order. With very meager resources the state has not and cannot provide employment to its seven lakh educated unemployed youths amongst whom a reasonable number are skilled and semi-skilled. But it is a matter of concern that whatever the employment opportunities are available, the bureaucratic hurdles, redtapism, endless delays by recruiting agencies, stays by courts corruption and other hurdles, do not allow these opportunities to be availed by the deserving ones. Three years back, the state Finance Minister while deliver-
ing the Budget speech, announced that over forty thousand daily wagers will be engaged in different departments through a proper mechanism who will be later absorbed according to the requirements of the various Govt. Offices. However, this decision never saw light of the day and God knows better, whether anybody was employed or not. For the last two years CM himself had announced several times that over eighty thousand posts in state govt. will be filled on fast-track basis, but despite several meetings, announcements, deliberations with public representatives, nothing concrete has emerged so far. The much publicized Sher-e-Kashmir Employment Guarantee Scheme could have provided self-employment to thousands of educated youths, but again
the bureaucratic hurdles, harassment caused by the concerned banks has resulted in its failure and disappointment and frustration in the intending loanees. As J&K is a non-industrial state, hence the whole dependence on employment is mostly on govt. sector. But, if the state govt. would seriously take the initiatives, the youth of this state will turn its back to the govt. services. What they need is proper guidance initial push-ups, provision of vocational trainings and also sincerity on the part of Indian Industry to rise above regional and communal bias. No-doubt, there have been initiatives for the past couples of years and on the recommendations of Ranga Rajan Committee, a number of multinational companies have come forward for training the J&K youth and
ultimately absorbing the. This initiative needs further push-up, so that other private sector, big concerns also join the venture and rope up more and more youths. There are central organizations where the presence of Kashmiris is almost nil. Though for the last three years we are seeing Kashmiri boys and girls excelling in civil services competitions, the central govt. needs to give a proper representation to Kashmiri youths in Armed Forces, Para-military organizations, Intelligence Bureau, CBI and newly created NIA. This will help in providing them employment, making them to feel a part of national mainstream, provide them their due representation and ultimately result in minimizing the chances of these youths being misled See Rhetoric on Pg. 11
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11 From Front Page........
Daily
Wednesday, 07 August 2013
Killed.........
Pak Army’s desperation is also evident in the substantial increase in the number of Cease Fire Violations this year. There have been 57 Cease Fire Violations this year which is almost 80% more than the violations last year,” Army said. Senior superintendent of Police (SSP) Poonch, Shamsher Hussain told reporters in Jammu that the attackers took the advantage of dense vegetation. “The soldiers were believed to have been on a regular patrol along the LoC in Chakandabad area of Poonch and were passing through a vulnerable (unfenced LoC) sector of some 300 meters between Cheeta and Begum posts when they were ambushed," he said. "Some local civilians reported to police that they heard some firing at approximately 0200 hrs," the SSP said.
Entrance.........
said, “It was disturbing to be honest.” “Even though I had feared well in the two papers before they were cancelled, it was disturbing.” Earlier, the BOPEE declared the results of the Common Entrance Test-2013, conducted on July 27 and 28. While Haroon top ranked in the exam, Hafsa Muzaffar Gundroo and Babar Mohmad followed him in PCB (Physics, Chemistry and Bialogy list) at rank two and three with 199.6 marks each. In Physics, Chemistry and Maths, Shomik Raina son of Satish Kumar Raina top ranked with 185 marks in PCM (Physic, Chemistry and Maths).
Stone Pelters........
around Nowhatta area. However, youth emerged suddenly and attacked police station Nowhatta. An eyewitness said that police and CRPF personnel used Pallet guns and deployed police men in civvies to arrest the protesting youth. During the clashes, various protestors and policemen received injuries, however no one was arrested after clashes. “The clashes triggered chaos in the area. Police fired teargas shells to quell the protests. The clashes continued from 11 PM to 3 AM,” an eyewitness said. A police official said these youth had come over from different places of the city and process has been started to identify them. Meanwhile, youth also pelted stones on CRPF and policemen in Khanyar area who were deployed there in wake of Shab-i-Qadr. However, police charged the protestors with canes and dispersed them. However, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani Tuesday expressed his deep concern over the incidents of stone pelting last night and intimidation of the local Muslim population in Chenab Valley. “Miscreants involved in such incidents are known and there are no doubts that members of Village Defence Committees are involved in these incidents,” he said in a statement to KNS. While demanding dissolution of VDCs Geelani appealed people in Jammu province to demonstrate and protest on Eid ul Fitr prayers against the highhandedness of members of these committees. He blamed VDC members for their mischievous behaviour and alleged that they were terrorizing the local Muslims and have created turmoil like situation in Chenab valley. “Since these committees are directly under the influence of Sangh forces and their main aim is to compel local Muslims to vacate and make it an area free from Muslim community,” he said. While commenting over the role played by local administration he claimed that several officers appointed to key positions are affiliated to sectarian ideology and do not listen to the Muslims or redress their grievances. “Instead of providing relief to effected Muslim community they feel satisfaction and joy and extend every possible support to these sectarian elements for that they think that they are doing the good job,” he said. “There is nothing denying the fact that some sections are hell-bent to isolate the Chenab Valley, Poonch and Rajori from their brethren in valley. However, now no more distances exist between Chenab and Kashmir valleys,” Geelani said. “People in valley share pain and we stand with them and understand their agonies they face.” The Hurriyat (G) chairman reaffirmed his faith and announced that they won’t allow repeating the history and episode of 1947. While blaming RSS and Sangh Parivar, Geelani said that are trying to create differences between the two communities. In his appeal to Muslim community of Jammu province he stressed to demonstrate and protest after Eid prayers against the ‘excesses perpetrated by communal elements and stressed to put pressure on administration for immediate dissolution and disarm the committee and take action against those VDC members involved in stone pelting murder, rape and extortion.’ Meanwhile, Geelani while praying for those killed in 2013 including Shaheed Mohammad Afzal Guru, martyrs of Markundal Sumbal, Gool massacre and all those mujaheddin said, “While celebrating the Eid we should take care of their families and remember the services rendered by these martyrs.”
Mehbooba........
facilities to the people,” she said and asked the Chief Minister to wake up from the slumber and do some justice with the high office he is holding. Reminding Omar Abdullah of the promises made by him during electioneering to 2008 assembly polls, the PDP president said the people want to know where is the muchparroted Truth and Reconciliation Commission on human rights violations, ‘where have the one lakh jobs that were to be given in the first three months of the new government gone, what happened to the promise of one job to each family, where is the stipend for the educated unemployed youth, what happened to the commitment of bringing down educational qualification for recruitment of police constables to middle pass and last but not least there is also no word from the Government about removing the electricity meters, slashing the power tariff, making electricity available round-the-clock and subsidizing the LPG and rations promised by NC during electioneering.’ She said the people have already started running out of patience with this ‘non-starter’ Government as their miseries are multiplying with each passing day. “Ironically, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has kept himself too
busy in making hilarious noises on issues that mostly fall out of his domain,” she said and added that the Chief Minister seems to be is resorting to such histrionics only to hide his countless failures on the home turf.
Tanvir........
agenda.” “Their president and her party has always been responsible for subverting the democratic process and creating political situations,” he alleged. Castigating PDP President, the CM’s Political Secretary alleged, “What is her contribution towards the state except for praising her father. The real responsibility lies with her father and party patron whose lust for publicity saw him playing with the future of the youth when he was the CM.” “Today those shedding crocodile tears on the future of the youth should have come forward when their party leaders were busy in laying foundation stones in an attempt to gain publicity and public applause,” he added. Asking them to clarify their old intriguer’s recent assertion of a ‘Mysterious Solution’ Tanvir asked, “What is stopping them from unfolding their ‘solution’ and presenting it to the people.” If the magical solution is so good they should rise above political considerations for the good of the people,” he said sarcastically “Since they are very close to BJP is the solution if any in agreement with them?” Tanvir asked adding “Inkpot and Saffron party have almost one agenda to mislead the people on the name of region and religion and solution. Both the parties are hand-in-glove behind the curtain,” “After giving up on Self Rule it is so amusing to hear them talk about some ‘unexplained solution’ and are so lame to think that people will be again hoodwinked by their dirty machinations,” he said. “If at all good sense has prevailed in them and their anti state polices are over they can come out and explain they position,” Tanvir said adding “Otherwise all this hogwash of theirs is another guilt induced nonsense.”
Patience.........
localities said even though the marketplaces were metered, they were being subjected to erratic power cuts. PDD authorities said situation would not improve unless consumers cooperate to save energy. During the holy month of Ramadhan, the power situation in Kashmir has remained grim forcing people in different districts to stage anti-government and antiPDD demonstrations. Situation was alike in metered and unmetered areas, both in rural and urban Kashmir. People in Baramulla, Pulwama, Budgam , Handwara Lakipora, Dar pora and other districts complained of severe and pesky power cuts. “We are witnessing cuts after every hour. The power plays hide and seek during evening and night,” said Showkat Ahmed of Jawaharnagar. People are complaining that apart from electricity, there is scarcity of rations and most of the areas san drinking water.
DAK..........
The DAK president claimed that Chief Minister is dictorial prince living in palatial houses and is insensitive to the sufferings of people. “What more CM needs when the recent analytical reports of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization revealed 27 more drugs spurious? When his own colleagues and parliamentarians are issuing statements about graveness of the issue and admit that this is a deep rooted conspiracy and needs to be probed to the bottom. This contradiction of statements between CM and his colleagues exposes the confused govt, but the Brunt falls on people of Kashmir who are killed by fake drugs in a planned way,” he said. “The doctors are in a fix what to write and people do not want to take any medicine because of fear of being fake. People go to hospitals with a hope to get treated instead get poison in the form of fake drugs. I am in a state of shock and my heart bleeds to see that even life saving drugs are fake,” Dr Nisar said. “Drugs used for severe infections, GI bleeding, emergency obstetric care, sever anaphylaxis have been found spurious. This is intolerable and unacceptable to any conscience citizen. People of nation want answers for hundreds of deaths of children from state and union government instead of acting heavy on perpetrators are trying to sabotage the ongoing sacred moment against fake drugs by harassing and arresting people involved in this mission thus proving beyond doubt that it is a state backed phenomenon. Government is trying to cover up the issue and shield the culprits. They are trying to hush up the matter and by their inaction the souls of people of state are wounded.” The DAK is in a process of sensitizing the people of state against this state backed conspiracy. “People of state should acknowledge and realize this conspiracy. People should react and wake up now and join hands with DAK in this sacrosanct battle. DAK will hold state wide agitation against spurious drugs after Eid along with J&K High Court Bar Association, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Chamber of Commerce, RTI Activist Moment, Employees Joint Action Committee and civil society bodies,” Dr Nisar added.
Rhetoric..........
and exploited. Here the Chief Minister can play an important role by impressing upon central govt. to give Kashmiri youth their due representation. He can convince the central leadership to initiate special drive of recruitment as was done in 1991. The Chief Minister should give a little bit of attention towards the development of basic infrastructure in tourism sector which has a high potential of employment generation. He should also improve the conditions of depleted roads specially leading for tourists resort so that movement for the tourists becomes comfortable and tourist trade picks up and more categories of youth are benefited. He should immediately order a revamp the Sher-e Kashmir employment guarantee programme & remove the bottle neck to make it really a beneficial scheme. If Mr. Omar is really serious about making the youth torch bearers, he has still over one and a half year left to perform and accomplish his vision.
India Pakistan must solve Kashmir issue amicably: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Srinagar August 06: Humanitarian and spiritual leader of India, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who is in Kashmir Tuesday said that India and Pakistan should come forward and resolve Kashmir issue in an amicable way. “Both Pakistan and India should sit across the table and resolve all the disputes including Kashmir issue amicably,” Sri Sri told CNS adding that Hurriyat leaders should also shown keenness in meaningful dialogue. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said he personally believe that Kashmir issue could be resolved only through dialogue. “It would be good if both the countries come forward and have a purposeful dialogue on all the issues. Separatist leaders of Kashmir should
also take initiative and should go for dialogue,” he said. Refusing to comment on contentious AFSPA and Gool killings, Sri Sri said that consensus over the revocation of AFSPA is possible only when militancy in Valley would vanish. He termed it as unfortunate that educated youth o f Va l l e y a r e s t i l l unemployed and wander from pillar to post in search of jobs. “It is heartening to see unemployed youth of Kashmir Valley wandering from pillar to post in search of jobs. Government must take some initiatives to redress their problems,” he said. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also addressed CRPF cadets and Officers at Recruitment Training Centre Humhama.
Vested interests trying to malign me: Saroori Jammu, August 06: Senior Congress Leader and former Minister G M Saroori Tuesday accused vested i nterests for maligning his image. “Vested interests initially tried to implicate me falsely and when I came clear under the ambit of laws, they again tried to harm me in one or the other way, as they are well aware that I am not a yes man and do not fall under influences,” the MLA Inderwal said while addressing a press conference here at his residence in Kishtwar. “I am representing the people irrespective of their caste, creed, and religion and people have reposed faith in me all the time,” he said, adding, “I cannot dodge them. I exposed all those whose policies, and agenda which is anti people and bereft their basic rights. I have stood all the time for their welfare and will do the same in future. People
judge the things via performances not by false and airy promises.” “To gag my voice for the poor and innocents they are trying to use various machineries and tactics to falsely implicate me and started a propaganda to malign my image which I will never allow to do them at any cost because the voices are true, clear, and for the benefit of whole society irrespective of any cast and creed. For their utter frustration the people are aware and well versed and knowledgeable and have the power and will to thwart their mollified anti people intentions at any cost,” he said, adding, “I am not afraid of such people, whose anti people approach has harm the society and the truth has itself exposed their ill intentioned designs. They think they will gag my true, genuine, pro-people voice-then they are living in fool paradise.
ZABARWAN TIMES
J&K has to prosper as single entity: Rana Udhampur, August 06: Coming down heavily on the protagonists of trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference Provincial President Devender Singh Rana on Tuesday described the voices being raised in this regard as anti-national. “Jammu and Kashmir has to shine, prosper and progress as a single entity”, he declared while addressing National Conference workers at Jaganoo, here, this afternoon. The Provincial President referred to the great role of his party in maintaining unity of the State by ensuring equitable development and assuaging the socio-economic and cultural aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. He castigated those demanding separate statehood for Jammu and said this speaks of their myopic political understanding and divisive mindset. Such tendencies are needed to be curbed and nipped in
the bud, he said, adding that the secular and democratic people of the State will have to play their useful and crucial role in this regard. “Unity in diversity has been great strength of culturally and linguistically diverse Jammu and Kashmir, which the proud people have demonstrated unequivocally during most testing times”, Mr Rana said. He cautioned the elements inimical to the State’s unity and its plurality, saying they stand exposed a n d m a rg i n a l i s e d f o r pursuing anti-people agenda with political short sightedness. “The people have rejected these forces with the contempt they deserved”, he maintained. In a veiled reference to the bonhomie of frustrated political entities like Peoples Democratic Party, Bharatiya Janata Party and the Panthers Party, Mr Rana said they make a common cause when it comes to dividing the people for furthering their nefarious agenda.
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New Kisan Ghar, BR-2 Shalimar Bagh Delhi-110088
N.IT No: 01-JDHPM of 2013 Dated: 31-07-2013
For and on behalf of Government of Jammu & Kashmir sealed tenders affixed with a, revenue stamp of Rs. 5/- are invited from interested parties/ Cooks for running of Kitchen of New Kisan Ghar Jammu & Kashmir Government at BR-2, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi - 110088. The rates shall be quoted for Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner (Vegetarian & Non Vegetarian items) & Sweet Dishes shown in the annexure to NIT which can be held from the office of undersigned along with tender form. 1. The tender forms can be had from the office of the Joint Director Horticulture Planning & Marketing, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Accounts Officer, Horticulture (P&M), Rajbagh -Srinagar up to 14th August 2013 during working hours against the payment of Rs. 200/- as tender form charges in cash or in the shape of DD pledged to Area Marketing Officer, J&K Govt. Delhi payable at Delhi. The tenders addressed to the Joint Director, Horticulture (P&M), Delhi will be received in this office by or before 20th of August 2013 upto 2:00 PM. In case of the last date so fixed for receipt of the tender happens to be holiday due to any reason, the next working day will be the last date for receipt of the tenders. The tenders shall be opened on 27th of August 2013 or any other subsequent date convenient to the undersigned at 2.30 PM in presence of the tenderers or their authorized representatives who may wish to be present in the office of the undersigned. 2. The tenderers are required to deposit Earnest Money of Rs. 5000=00 in the shape of CDR pledged to the Area Marketing Officer, J&K Govt. Delhi. Tenders without EMD shall not be considered and will be rejected out rightly. The Earnest Money will be refunded to the unsuccessful tenderers. 3. The tenderers should furnish experience certificate of cooking not less than 2 years from Hospitality and Protocol department/Tourism Department/J&K TDC,ITDC/Circuit House Srinagar/Jammu J&K House ,Delhi/Kisan Ghar Delhi/Jammu. 4. The rates offered as lowest will be accepted however these rates shall not exceed the rates already prevailing in J&K House at Chankyapuri & Prithviraj Road, New Delhi the copy of which can be had also with the tender form on all working days from 10.00 AM to 3.00 PM. 5. The undersigned will have full powers to reject or accept any tender without assigning any reason thereof and without any legal obligation. 6. 15% discount shall be for the staff and employees of Horticulture (P&M) Department, posted at Delhi. 7. The successful tenderer shall have to provide his own utensils, crockery and other required infrastructure in the Kitchen besides shall be wholly and solly responsible for maintaining hygiene in the Kitchen. 8. The minimum bid amount for utilization of Kitchen, Dinning Hall, Electricity and Water facility will be Rs. 4.00 Lac, per annum, which the successful tenderer have to deposit in full on receiving the contract letter from the undersigned and before taking the change of Kitchen. 9. No residential facility shall be provided to the tenderer or any of his service staff. 10. The tenderer shall, have to ensure the preparation of traditional Kashmiri Dishes and Kashmiri Wazwan including preparation of seasonal vegetables/Dals. 11. Tenderer shall have to keep 02 No of expert Cooks besides 03 No. of service boys, in dinning hall at least. 12. In case of any dispute between the tenderers or service staff with occupants, Joint Director, Delhi shall act as arbitrator and his decision shall be final, Joint Director, Delhi shall be authorized to terminate this arrangement without any notice. 13. Service shall be available round the clock with timing fixed as under;Bed Tea 06.00 to 07.30 am Breakfast 07.30 to 10.00 am Lunch 12.30 to 02.30 pm Evening Tea 04.30 to 06.00 pm . Dinner 08.00 to 11.00 pm Sd/- S.L Hangloo DIPJK: 5717 Joint Director, Horticulture Planning & Marketing
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Daily ZABARWAN TIMES
Amarnathji Shrine Board meets
Srinagar |wedneSday
Reviews all aspects of ongoing Amarnathji Yatra; expresses satisfaction at continuing efforts for improved Yatra management SRINAGAR, AUGUST 6 – The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board met here under the chairmanship of N. N. Vohra, Governor, who is Chairman of the Board. The half day meeting undertook itemwise review of all aspects of the ongoing Yatra and expressed satisfaction over the tremendous improvements brought about in the management of the pilgrimage under the Governor’s sustained direction. The Board also lauded the
The Board was informed that till last evening 3,20,968 pilgrims had secured Advance Registration for undertaking the pilgrimage while 99,203 Yatris had availed On-spot Registration facility and, further, that upto 5th August evening, 3,45,037 pilgrims had performed Darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine, which included 43,114 Yatris who traveled by the Helicopter services from Baltal and Pahalgam upto Pan-
The Board Members appreciated the technological interventions being made for effective monitoring of Yatra movements. In this context, CEO was advised to take timely measures that the registration system for Yatra 2014 does not have any subsisting loophole. The Board appreciated the initiatives taken for hosting all Yatra related information on the Board’s website for the benefit of the pilgrims.
the pilgrims, 40 Medical Centres with doctors, paramedics, equipments and medicines have been established in the Yatra area this year as against 22 last year. As regards the casualties suffered by pilgrims within the Yatra area during the ongoing pilgrimage, the CEO informed that as on 5th August, 13 pilgrims had lost their lives, 12 due to medical reasons and one on account of accident.As suggested by H. H. Sri Sri
07 .8.2013
HOROSCOPE Aries
March 21-April 19
Stop your pondering over something and do it, Aries. This is a day to be spontaneous and adventurous. Although this may feel a bit foreign and against your usual grounded nature, it would be a good idea to take this time to do something on a whim and see where it takes you. Don’t be afraid of the unknown. The future is an exciting concept because it’s unknown. Embrace it.
Taurus April 20-May 20
This may be a climactic day for you, Taurus, especially when it comes to your emotions. You could find that people try to wield some sort of power over you. Maybe they’re trying to throw their weight around to get you to do something. Don’t be manipulated. Stand up for yourself and be strong.
Gemini
Zabarwan Times is available at
May 21-June 21
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 Bhat News Agency Magam Zargar News Agency Kunzar Dar News Agency Beerwah Bashir News Agency Sumbal Reshi News Agency Safapora Saleem News Agency Pattan Basharat News Agency Bandipora Reyaz News Agency Pampore Altaf News Agency Pulwama Javaid News Agency Qazigund Jeelani News Agency G.Mappreciation News Agency continuing initiatives being taken by the Board Baramulla jtarni. Members expressed of theSopore In this context, the Chairman asked the CEO to for the environmental Shah protection the YatraKupwara close coordination between theNews State Agency Govern- Handwara take immediate steps for formulating a vernacuNewsofAgency Sultan area.Those present in the meeting included the Langate ment and the Board which ensured thatAgency no Ya- Islamabad lar version of the Board’s website which should Younis News Agency Sheikh News Board Members, H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Pt. tri without Compulsory Health Certificate and a contain all required information for the benefit Reshi News Agency Islamabad Three Way News Agency Tral Bhajan Sopori, Justice (Retd) G. D. Sharma, Dr. valid Yatra Permit is being allowed to proceed to of all interested persons and parties. News Agency News Agency Bijbehara (Prof.) Ved Kumari Ghai,Turray Ms. Sunita Narain and Tral cross the Access ControlBadru Gates at Chandanwari The Board was informed that weather status Vijay Dhar. Besides, Navin Choudhary, Chief and Domel.The Board noted with highAgency satisfac- Arwani is reviewed several times a day for which 6 AdRahiK. News Agency Kulgam Malik News Executive Officer of theRah Board, andAgency Preet Pal tion the initiative taken to install CCTV Cameras vance Weather Systems have been installed at News Byepass Shaheen News Agency Kargil Singh, Additional CEO, attended the meeting. at Access Control Gates at Chandanwari and Baltal, Nunwan, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, PanThe Board was very happy to note that for this year’s Yatra the registration of pilgrims was commenced as early as 18th March and, further, the network of registration outlets was increased to 422 Bank branches across the country, against only 276 counters during Yatra 2012. It was also noted that counters had also been set up at Jammu and Srinagar for facilitating the On-spot Registration of pilgrims.
Domel linking them up directly with the Raj Bhavan via Internet, which has provided the Governor and CEO to monitor movements of Yatris on real-time basis every day. The Governor informed Members that, for the Yatra 2014, efforts shall be timely made to also put in place a system through which the counting of Yatris crossing the Access Control Gates at Chandanwari and Domel could be done automatically.
Cheryai Kagha, Katra to be developed as major tourist spot
jtarni and Holy Cave to provide timely warnings. With IMD’s help a mechanism has also been put in place under which SMS are sent after every three hours to the all concerned authorities involved in the Yatra management to inform them about the weather forecasts, which has very significantly contributed to regulating the Yatra movement. With a view to provide best possible medical care services to
Instead of turning all your burning questions inward today, Gemini, you might want to consider broadcasting them outward. Engage in discussions and extend your queries to the group. You may usually try to solve all the world’s problems on your own, but once in a while you should stop and consider other points of view in order to enrich your perspective.
Cancer June 22-July 22
The day ahead will be trying for you, Cancer. You will have a fire raging inside. You may have a speech to deliver or a private performance to put on for your loved ones. In any case, you will have to prove yourself, and you will spare no energy in the attempt. You will be completely drained by the end of the day. Plan to rest.
Ravi Shankar, the Board decided to bring out an easy to read booklet, in Hindi and English languages, to enable better understanding of the Shri Amarnathji pilgrimage. The CEO made a detailed item-wise presentation on each of the important aspects of Yatra 2013, bringing out the initiatives taken for bringing about all round improvements in the logistics and other arrangements to facilitate the Yatris. He said that 5 Mountain Rescue Teams had been deployed during the ongoing Yatra to facilitate the pilgrims in the event of emergent situations and their number will be further raised to 6 next year. He stated that a comprehensive SOP has been adopted for Disaster Management and the Do’s and Don’ts issued by the Shrine Board have been adequately publicized through various media modes.
Companies Bill introduced in Rajya The much-awaited Companies Bill, which aims at protecting the interest of employees and small investors,
The proposed legislation would ensure setting up of special courts for speedy trial and stronger steps
KATRA, AUGUST, 07: On the directions of Union Secretary Tourism, Parvez Dewan, a high level team headed by Director Tourism Jammu, Saujanya Sharma, visited the ancient tourist spot, 14 km east of Katra, popularly known as Cheryai Kagha to assess the potential and development requirements of the destination for further submission of a detailed report to the Union Tourism Ministry. The team was comprised of Additional Chief Conservator of Forests, Ravi Kumar Kesar, Former Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Member Public Service Commission, R L Bharti, President Hotel & Restaurant Association Katra Shyam Lal Kesar, Chief Warden Civil Defence, Sr. Vice President Hotel & Restaurant Association Katra, Rakesh Wazir, Padamshree, S.P.Verma besides engineering team of the department headed by Deputy Director Maintenance and Works Javed. It is worthwhile to mention here that Union Secretary Tourism, Parvez Dewan, in his endeavour to promote tourism industry in J&K directed Commissioner Secretary Tourism J & K Atul Dulloo for sending a detailed report along with estimate and plans so that a project on the lines of Cheshma Awami being raised in Bren (Kashmir) is also developed in Cheryai Kagha with 100% funding from the union Ministry of Tourism. It is pertinent to mention here that Cheryai Kagha is a famous ancient spot of 15th century developed by then ruler and all the remains of ancient times in the form of old art structures, water bodies, temples are still there which reminds us of the beautiful work done during that period. This tourist spot is surrounded by beautiful old trees of chinars, mangoes and other species which when developed would attract a huge tourist influx visiting Goddess Vaishno Devi and Shiv Khori Cave. Also, the expected train service in the area would further add to the convenience of the tourists in reaching here comfortably with affordable charges as the destination is located enroute Katra to Patnitop and Kashmir.
was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday amid din. Moving the bill for consideration and passage, Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot said the legislation is progressive and forward looking. Discussion on the Companies Bill, 2012, will take place on Wednesday. The Bill was moved amidst uproar created by some Andhra MPs protesting against creation of Telengana state. Lok Sabha had passed the legislation in December 2012. The new legislation, which would replace the nearly 50-year-old Companies Act, would encourage companies to undertake social welfare voluntarily instead of imposing the same.
HC orders criminal case to be filed against TNCA A file photo of the I stand at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk in Chennai, which was sealed by the Chennai Corporation following a court order. The Hindu A file photo of the I stand at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk in Chennai, which was sealed by the Chennai Corporation following a court order. The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed Chennai Police to register a criminal case against the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association here for allegedly suppressing facts to secure stability certificate to its stands to host IPL matches, which it had declared earlier as weak
and old.Justice K.B.K. Vasuki passed the order on a criminal petition filed by J. Mohanraj, General Secretary, ‘Jabamani Janatha Party’ and also direct-
ed police to register the case against TNCA office bearers. The petitioner submitted that TNCA had adopted different stands at different times on the issue of stability of the
stadium since 2009.TNCA obtained stability certificate from the Public Works Department (PWD) to conduct a Test match in 2009 and submitted another letter to the Collector seeking permission to demolish the entire stadium and rebuild it on the ground that it was old and weak. In 2010 it obtained Stability Certificate to conduct IPL Matches from PWD concealing its previous letter to the Collector, he contended.The petitioner further submitted that he filed a complaint to the Commissioner of Police on January 7, 2011, seeking action against TNCA which, he alleged, was cheating the Government and endangering lives of thousands of public.
for transparent corporate governance practices and curb corporate misdoings. The new law would require companies that meet certain set of criteria, to spend at least two per cent of their average profits in the last three years towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. In case, entities are unable to comply with the CSR rules, they would be needed to give explanations. Otherwise, they would face action, including penalty. The amended legislation also limits the number of companies an auditor can serve to 20 besides bringing more clarity on criminal liability of auditors.
Peer reviews implementation of NRLM at Basohli Kathua: Commissioner/Secretary Rural Development, Farooq Ahmed Peer held an interactive session with the Community Mobilisers and Women activists and reviewed the implementation of National Rural Livelihood Mission at Basohli near here . MLA Basohli, Jagdish Raj Spolia, District Development Commissioner, Kathua, Jatinder K Singh, Director Rural Development, Shafiq Ahmed Raina and other officers of Rural Development were present on the occasion. During the course of interaction with a group of 45 women activists and community mobilizes, Mr Peer lauded their spirit and devotion and exhorted upon them to disseminate the awareness amongst the masses about different schemes and programmes especially designed to uplift their economic position as well as to achieve the status of self reliant. He also called upon them to sensitize more men and women folks to achieve the real motive of the scheme which is aimed at to improve the socio-economic status of the rural people.
Court frames charges against BJP leader for defaming Sheila Dikshit A Delhi court today framed criminal defamation charges against ex-Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta in a complaint filed by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit A Delhi court today framed criminal defamation charges against exDelhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta in a complaint filed by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. “...charge under section 500 IPC (defamation) is framed against the accused (Gupta) to which he pleads not guilty and claims trial,” Metropolitan Magistrate Namrita Aggarwal said. The court directed Diskhit to appear before it on October 28 to record her evidence against Gupta. The order of the court came on a complaint filed by Diskhit against Gupta alleging
that the BJP leader had used “uncivilised” language against her in the run up to the MCD polls last year while accusing
her of helping and conniving with power companies. The court had on July 1 found that prima facie an offence of defamation is made
out against Gupta. In the court today, Gupta pleaded not guilty to the charge and said, “I am feeling humiliated. If you (court) go through the interview, nowhere have I used any defamatory word against the Chief Minister. If I am guilty, put me in jail right away.” Meanwhile,thecounsel for Diskhit moved an exemption application which was opposed by Gupta’s counsel Ajay Burman saying the date of hearing was already in her knowledge and, therefore, there was no ground for her to seek exemption.“I am being harassed as the Chief Minister gets exemption whenever she wants without citing proper reasons while I have to give minor details for seeking an exemption.
Leo
July 23-August 22 Try not to weigh everything down. Don’t pick things apart to the point that all that’s left are the tiny details of the situation, Leo. Deal with it as a whole. Mental and emotional issues are apt to be of greater concern to you. You shouldn’t try to dissect them. That will only create more issues than you started with.
Virgo
August 23-September 22
As you work to keep things in balance today, Virgo, remember that one of the key things is to have fun. Happiness is an extremely important element of the cosmic equation, especially on a day like this. The more upbeat you can be regarding a certain situation, the easier it will be to tackle it. A smile can get you through just about any door you wish to enter.
Libra
September 23-October 23
Don’t get too emotional about a situation today, Libra. You could feel a sinking feeling, but if you go that route you may end up in a pit of emotional quicksand that’s hard to escape. Make sure you have a friend to talk to so you’re prepared for whatever you might encounter on your emotional journey.
Scorpio
October 24-November 21
This is a terrific day for you, Scorpio. You should easily feel its power coming together in an upbeat, positive way. Others are apt to fall into place by your side as they realize the wisdom in your way of doing things. Remain confident and positive. Your adventuresome spirit is ready, so push away from the dock.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Your normal steady pace usually wins the race, Sagittarius, but today you might need to take some shortcuts. Jump on opportunities that seem to come out of nowhere, but don’t feel like you need to commit to anything now. Take your chances and see where luck takes you. There’s an adventurous spirit in the air urging you to take an unexpected gamble.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
Don’t deny your emotions today, Capricorn. They will be of great use to you. There’s an intensity about your feelings that’s helping you stay strong in just about every situation. Opportunities lie within groups of people. Shared enthusiasm for a task makes the job go more quickly. Join others in the pursuit of prosperity.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
Indecisiveness may plague you today, Aquarius. Be careful that you don’t avoid doing something simply because you don’t know which way to go. To cure your restlessness, you should think about going on a short trip. Travel will most certainly help alleviate any worries about a certain situation. The answer you seek will come more easily.
Pisces
February 19-March 20
Take things to the limit today, Pisces, and then go beyond. This is one of those days in which people may go to extremes, especially emotionally. You have the right to push the boundaries and see how far you can go. There’s no need to delay. If you’re going to do something, do it now. There’s an intense surge of power that should be there to help you along your way.
Editorial/Opinion The Daily
Zabarwan Times Wednesday, 07 August 2013
A Welcome Gesture
T
he recent announcement of Molvi Umar Farooq Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) regarding the proposed letter to the Prime minister of India & Pakistan for initiation of a meaningful dialogue to solve the vexed Kashmir problem is a welcome gesture. Though it cannot be taken as a change of mind, it is certainly a step forward in bringing lasting peace to the Sub-content. Now the question arises will other separatist leaders particularly Syed Ali Shah Geelani follow the suit as he has so far been adamant saying that the talks with centre have always been futile and result less. Though in the past also, talks were held at different levels, however that was only an exercise to understand each other’s view point. Never so far have serious talks been held aimed to reach a consensus and never have these talks been sustained in the shape of a continuous dialogue. It is because of ad-hoc and half hearted attempts that the uncertainty in this part continued so far. There are no two opinions about the fact that violence cannot bring solutions to problems like Kashmir but can only make the things more complex and complicated. The negotiations with sincerity between all stake holders, India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir can help in carving out an acceptable solution according to the aspirations of the people of J&K. Before such dialogue is initiated, both India and Pakistan need to be flexible in their stances and keep in mind that the animosities between the two countries mainly because of Kashmir issue have only resulted in the wastage of their economic resources which could otherwise have been used for the overall development of the people. The arms race, the cold war and after two earlier wars the Kargil incursion drained out bulk of their resources besides loss of precious human lives. It seems that the leadership of both the countries have realized this aspect and are now seemingly making all out efforts to come to the negotiating table. Now they should react positively to the statement of Umer Farooq and rope up other separatist leaders also for a meaningful dialogue process. Perhaps the time is ripe and the changing political atmosphere should be given a way and encashed for a bright, peaceful and friendly future for the two countries as well as the people of J&K. On one hand the efforts to establish contact and initiate a meaningful dialogue are going on, but on the other hand Pakistan and its forces are not doing good by resorting to killings of Indian soldiers and firing on the control line. These acts will further strain the relations and the dialogue process will get a big jolt which in no way will be in the best interests of the two countries.
Daily
ZABARWAN TIMES 9
Wednesday, 07 August 2013
Services on Track: Over Two Crore Women Beneficiaries Registered with MCTS
Motherhood is a divine feeling, a wonderful experience, but it brings with itself tremendous responsibilities which call for proper care for both mother and the child. For a healthy mother and child, it must be ensured that required medical care is provided to pregnant woman and full immunization course is administered to the child. It is with this spirit in the mind that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) in December 2009. The focus in MCTS is on the Beneficiary Based Monitoring of the delivery of services to ensure that all pregnant women and all new born receive ‘full’ maternal and child health services. The MCTS utilizes Information Technology and seeks to capture details of every pregnancy in the country in a centralised data base. It is a generic system which aims to provide information of different health services received at the individual level, by monitoring all service deliveries that an individual benefits from. MCTS Coverage The MCTS database primarily comprises of · All new Pregnancies detected/ registered from 1st December, 2009 at the first point of contact of the pregnant mother with the health facility/health provider. · All Births occurring from 1st December, 2009. Unique Identification Number The record of each mother and child is tracked through a 16 digit unique identification number. The 16 digit unique number contains state code, district code, Block PHC/CHC Code, Health Sub-Centre Code, Pregnant Woman code, child code and the serial number given to each mother/child. Advantages The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare endeavoured to have a central data repository for quick reference of validated data for all pregnancies and births in India. Such a Central Database seeks to facilitate grassroots level health functionaries like ANM, ASHA, Anganwadi workers etc. in performance of their duties by enabling more effective transformation and utilization of information. It is envisaged to implement a Beneficiary Centred Approach so as to ensure delivery of maternal and child health services from conception till 42 days after delivery in the case of pregnant
I
women and up to five years of age in the case of children so as to ensure that all pregnant women and all new born receive full maternal and immunization services. Further, MCTS would enable roll-out of targeted health programs and schemes, for controlling of external cost and time spill-over and ensure tracking of full immunisation course for all children. It shall also lead to validation of information collected from each block /district/ state at the central level, for figuring out authenticated situation at respective functional levels. Furthermore, efficient need-based planning of allocation and management of health resources can be done at groundlevel. For example a fair idea about drug stock and inventory can be made once number of pregnancies have been recorded at a particular level. Thus, it leads to improved supply chain management of vaccines and drugs .Also, MCTS can provide vital clues for making improvements in the system for better service delivery. The bottlenecks at the implementation level which hinder effective implementation of Government initiatives can be known and provide valuable inputs for public policy implementation. Not only this, MCTS is expected to facilitate qualitative improvement in the delivery of services to pregnant women and children of the country and thus facilitates an accelerated reduction in maternal, infant and child mortality. Architecture of MCTS The operationalization of the MCTS is achieved by clear cut role allocation at different levels viz. village level, Sub Centre level, PHC level, CHC level, District level, State Level and the National Level. Village Level Identification of pregnant women and new born is done at the Village level. The Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has been given the responsibility of informing the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) about the details of the pregnant women and new born in the village every month. Sub Centre Level The delivery of maternal and child health services according to the agreed service delivery protocol is done at the sub centre level. At the Sub Centre level the ANM is responsible for Contacting all pregnant women reported by ASHA and preparation
of the Pregnant Woman Card( One copy to be retained by the ANM and the other given to the pregnant woman). Services are delivered according to the agreed service delivery schedule and the ANM updates the Maternal Health Card. The ANM Contacts parents of all new born and prepares the Child Health Card. The above data is entered into a Central Database at Primary Health Centre /Community Health Centre where internet facility is available. This registers pregnant women and the details of services due (example ANC or antenatal care) to the woman along with the dates are captured in the database. The name and contact details of associated ASHA worker/ANM are also entered into the database .In fact, two distinct fields in the data base viz. Services administered and Services overdue help in monitoring and tracking service delivery at field level. Primary Health Centre (PHC) The Medical Officer at PHC is responsible for organizing training of ASHAs in the identification of pregnant women and children below five years of age; organizing fortnightly/monthly meeting to review the records maintained by ANM with a view to improve the quality of the record; visiting all villages in the PHC at least once in a month to supervise the activities of ASHA and to provide her necessary support; on the spot verification of the data entered in MCTS using a standard sample design. Finally, the Medical Officer also identifies gaps in the context of providing ‘full’ maternal and child health services to all pregnant women and all new born recorded in MCTS. Community Health Centre( CHC) The Block Program Manager at the CHC is responsible uploading the data on pregnant women and new born in the MCTS software and generating reports related to the implementation of MCTS at the PHC level within the CHC. He is also responsible for tabulation and analysis of the verification data available through the cross checking of the records entered in the MCTS system. District Level MCTS performance review is done at the district level to fill up the gaps in the health care delivery institutions within the district in the context of delivering ‘full’ services to all pregnant women and all new born. State Level Monthly reports of the implementation of MCTS for all districts within the state are
generated and state level monthly meetings are organized to review the implementation of MCTS at the district level and identify and address bottlenecks and constraints in implementing MCTS. National Level MCTS cell is responsible for monitoring and analysis of the progress of MCTS in terms of data entry status, identification of low reporting States/districts and identification of districts/facilities not reporting. The Quality of data reporting is known through data of performance of state and district indicators and cross analysis of data and services provided. This helps in identification of abnormalities and and discrepancies in MCTS data. Also National level meetings are organized to review the implementation of MCTS at the state/UT level and to identify and address the bottlenecks and constraints in implementing MCTS. Besides, the MCTS Cell also prepares Quarterly Research Note using the data available through MCTS. Thus, the states can take action at their own end to ensure that services reach those for whom they are meant. This is possible since the contact details of all beneficiaries to whom services are overdue along with the associated ANM/ASHA are available at the click of a mouse. As on 1 May, 2012, a total of 2,07,55,732 women have been registered with the Mother and Child Tracking System. The Central Government on its part regularly intimates Mission Directors of NRHM in states on the progress made and gaps which remain in provision of services to beneficiaries. In addition, a call centre has been established in the Ministry of H&FW to directly contact pregnant women and parents of the new born registered under the system to verify the services that they have received. A TollFree facility which provides information to beneficiaries registered with the MCTS server has also been started. At present the data of MCTS is available only through private login to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and various State Governments. Although, a full fledged MCTS portal is expected to be launched so that the data is available in Public Domain. In a nut shell, MCTS not only facilitates closer monitoring and regular check-ups of pregnant women and reduces avoidable complications but aids strategic decision-making and need based allocation of resources also.
Antimicrobial Resistance-No Action Today, No Cure Tomorrow
n 1674, Anton van Leeuwen hoek, could see bacteria through a microscope. Louis Pasteur, in 1865, founded the science of microbiology, and proved that most infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms. This became known as the 'germ theory' of disease. Alexander Fleming, discovered the mould, penicillin in 1928, which could kill many germs that caused infections. Fleming's discovery saved the lives of millions of people during the course of time. Without this drug many soldiers during World War II would have died from infections of the wounds. The discovery of penicillin led to the discovery of a whole lot of other antibiotics such as streptomycin. It was a great step forward in the history of medicine. We live in an era of medical breakthroughs with new wonder drugs available to treat conditions that a few decades ago would have proved fatal. Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of a microorganism to survive when exposed to antimicrobial drugs. Genes can transfer this ability from one microorganism to another. Antimicrobial resistance and its global spread threaten the continued effectiveness of many medicines used today, while at the same time it risks jeopardizing important advances being made against major infectious killers. When the organisms become resistant to most antimicrobials, they are often referred to as 'Superbugs'. At first all microorganisms were affected by sulfanilamide, and it was tagged a 'wonder drug'. Soon it become apparent that any microorganism capable of producing para-amino-benzoic acid (PBA) on its own could produce enough PBA to displace the sulfanilamide by the old law of
mass action and proceed with synthesis. Later, after sulfanilamide had been around long enough, some microorganisms adapted to using it as their substrate and could remove it from solution. As a result sulfanilamide lost it punch. About this time the fungi-produced antibiotics made their debut. Penicillin was extremely effective against many pathogenic bacteria. It was found that penicillin prevented the passage
effectiveness. The most important aspect lead to the further emergence of resistant of antibiotics is that the presence of large bacteria and genes that threaten human quantities of antibiotics in use stimulates health. At present, 0.4 million resistant bacteria which not only are resistant but infections are estimated to occur every year can degrade the antibiotic as a source of in the European Union, leading to about 25 food. Last year, the spread of the resistant thousand deaths. Without new and bacteria in India, Pakistan and U.K. 'NDM- effective antibiotics but with increasing 1', or New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase, resistance, society could return to the was first identified in a Swedish patient condition of a pre-antibiotic era, when a who had returned from New Delhi. Experts simple lung infection could kill a child, or when doctors could not fight meningitis. Multi-drug tuberculosis is an other Alexander Fleming, discovered the mould, example of this emerging health threat. Integrated monitoring of antibiotic consumption, prescriber and consumer penicillin in 1928, which could kill many education and regulation of use in communities and hospitals have shown germs that caused infections. Fleming's that it is possible to contain antimicrobial re sistance. However, even in wellregulated systems, such as those in discovery saved the lives of millions of Europe, resistance in some pathogens continue to increase unabated and people during the course of time. problems remain in the use of antibiotics in animal food production can lead to the further emergence of resistant bacteria Without this drug many soldiers during and genes that threaten human health. WHO's Patient Safety Programme, the World War II would have died from 2001 initiative, provided a start for some countries in tackling the problem. One of infections of the wounds. the challenges government face is enforcing laws banning over-the-counter of glutamic acid into the cell. Those were concerned about the fact that the sales of antibiotics. This is particularly bacteria which could synthesize their own enzyme was found in one of the most difficult in low-to-middle income glutamic acid were unaffected by penicil- commonly encountered bacteria in the countries where there are often no doctors lin. Like sulfanilamide the presence of human population, Escheridia coli, and to prescribe medicines but people need to penicillin in large quantities stimulated the that at least one in 10 of strains containing get the drug somehow. Children in Africa, growth of bacteria which could metabolize this enzyme appeared to be resistant to all Asia and Latin America suffering from penicillin. Streptomycin was even more known antibiotics. The overuse, misuse pneumonia, meningitis or blood stream effective than penicillin. It reacted best and underuse of antibacterial drugs have infections are often given old drugs under basic pH by blocking the entry of led to an increase in and the emergence of rendered ineffective by resistance since pyruvate into the citric acid cycle. There resistance to these drugs. The food they are the only available treatment are other antibiotics of varying degrees of industry's increased use of antibiotics can options.
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 WEDNESDAY | 07 AUG 2013
Best foods for stamina
You need tons of energy to cope with your hectic lifestyle, especially if you are into sports. Here's a list of foods that give you enough stamina to keep you active throughout the day.While certain foods in your diet can actually reduce stamina, healthy foods help to build up your stamina and increase your energy levels, especially if you're interested in sports and athletics. As a sportsperson, you need foods that are designed to not only give you energy but also keep you feeling full all day long. Says nutritionist Smruti Gokhale, "Nutrients like complex carbs, proteins, fibre and vitamin C is crucial for those who are into sports. These nutrients keep you active and feeling energetic."
Essential nutrients
Complex carbs: When you are talking about building stamina, you just cannot miss out on complex carbs. Carbs are the main source of fuel for your body and brain. Says Priya Kathpal, nutritionist, "Carbs are the food that the body uses to get glucose, which provides energy. Complex carbs are present in foods like bread, pasta and rice, which unlike simple carbs, keep you feeling energetic all day long."
Vitamin C: Vitamin C helps
strengthen your immune system and protects you from infections like cold and cough, which sap your energy. Also, when you are outdoors, you are more susceptible to
stamina and also to improve your RBC count. Green leafy veggies are rich in fibre and digest slowly while maintaining your blood-glucose level. Bananas: Bananas are a particularly good energy source and these are best eaten a few hours before you intend to exert yourself. Along with being great sources of carbs, they are also effective because they trigger the release of 'dopamine' — a chemical that builds your concentration and focus.
Peanut butter: Peanuts are bacterial infections which hamper your health. Thus ensure that you consume foods and fruits rich in vitamin C.
Proteins:
Protein is an important nutrient for the growth, development and repair of muscle and body tissues. Protein has a higher metabolic rate than fat, so an individual can burn more calories. It is also said to increase satiety, which prevents a person from overeating. Healthy sources of protein include lean chicken, fish, eggs and nuts. Iron: Lack of iron in your diet can cause loss of stamina. You can get iron from meat, beans, nuts and some vegetables such as broccoli and spinach. Consult your doctor about taking iron supplements.
Foods that build stamina
Oatmeal: Oatmeal is an unprocessed carb, which gets digested slowly and hence keeps you feeling full for a longer period of time. Says Kathpal, "A power-packed cereal, oatmeal provides sustained energy for hours. Due to high content of complex carbs, it breaks down slowly in your body and keeps the blood sugar at optimum level."
Beans: Rich in mineral and iron
which helps your body to generate RBCs (Red Blood Cells) that carry oxygen to the muscles when you are exercising and also builds stamina.
Coffee: Coffee is known to be an instant energy provider. It is known to help fight against fatigue, as it triggers the central nervous system. Coffee keeps you energised and active throughout the day.
Green leafy vegetables: Packed with micronutrients, it is essential for building
said to contain Omega 3 fatty acids that helps in reducing pain, boost heart health and develop your brain. Peanut butter is also excellent for building stamina. It is high in calories and digests slowly. Consume peanut butter in combination with complex carbs. Lean meat, fish, chicken and eggs: Says Gokhale, "Rich in protein, these foods are important for growth and development, muscle building and repair. Meat takes a longer time to digest and thus keeps you feeling full and active all day long."
Red grapes: Red grapes contains 'resveratol' which provides increased energy. These grapes contain a very small amount of sugar, which gives you instant energy and helps build stamina.
Beetroot juice: Consuming a glass of beetroot juice before exercising will make your body work for long hours without feeling exhausted. Beetroot is rich in vitamin A and C — both help in building stamina and reducing fatigue.
10 foods that protect your heart Heart disease is one of the most feared ailment and a side effect of sedentary lifestyle. You can control the effects of your lifestyle by eating the right food. It’s quite often difficult to change your lifestyle drastically in this competitive world. But you can surely change a little bit of eating and ensure you are protecting your heart. Here’s a list of food that can help you protect your heart. 1. Black beans: Black beans are packed with folate, antioxidants, magnesium which are good for lowering blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. This in turn keeps your heart in safe zone. But if you are planning to use tinned beans, please drain the liquid and wash them before use to reduce the sodium content. 2. Salmon and tuna:
These two fish are rich in antioxidants and omega-3, two important candidates who help heart. 3. Walnuts: A handful of them a day helps lower your cholesterol and reduce inflammation in the arteries. Replace them as mid-meal snacks instead of chips etc. 4. Oranges: They contain cholesterolfighting pectin. The fruit is also rich in potassium that helps control blood pressure. Antioxidant hesperidin also helps lower blood pressure. 5. Carrots: Though sweet, they are good to control diabetes, which increases heart attack risk. They also help fight bad cholesterol. 6. Sweet potatoes: They are rich in vitamin A, fi-
ber and lycopene making them a healthy substitute for the white brethren. 7. Oats: Oats in all forms help your heart by lowering bad cholesterol. 8. Flaxseeds: Fiber, phytochemicals called lignans, and ALA these three ingredients in these small seeds make them a powerhouse of health. Sure protector of heart if had spoonful in pow-
dered form everyday in cereals or salads. 9. Chilli powder: Difficult to believe, but these Indian tasty spice actually protects heart and body from diabetes with its ability to spike up the natural insulin levels in the body. 10. Coffee: It can keep away type 2 diabetes, but people having high blood pressure should be cautious as it can have a counter effect.
within TCGA, Broad senior associate member, and professor of pathology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. "This provides many new therapeutic opportunities for squamous cell carcinoma that would be suitable for clinical trials," he noted. The first targeted treatments for lung adenocarcinoma, erlotinib (Tarceva) and gefitinib (Iressa), were aimed at mutations in the EGFR gene. Unfortunately, and like other drugs being tested in clinical trials that target several other genes altered in lung adenocarcinoma, they do not help patients with squamous cell carcinoma. The TCGA effort, a multicenter consortium funded by the National Institutes of Health, is the first comprehensive genomic characterization of this lung cancer subtype. As in the three previous TCGA reports on the brain cancer glioblastoma, on ovarian cancer, and on colorectal cancer, the scientists used multiple large-scale approaches to highlight key molecular defects. They sequenced the
protein-coding segments of the genomes of 178 squamous cell carcinoma tumors, along with normal tissue from the same patients. The researchers also sequenced the whole genomes of 19 tumor and normal tissue pairs. They mapped a diverse catalog of genomic alterations, including the rearrangements of chromosomes and other structural changes in regions of the genome that might not encode proteins but could control nearby genes involved in cancer development. The comprehensive study confirmed some previously identified genomic alterations. For example, the TP53 gene was altered in 90 percent of the tumours and the CDKN2A gene was inactivated in 72 percent of tumours. These genes normally prevent cancer, but when they are switched off, tumours can grow unimpeded. CDKN2A may be susceptible to a kinase inhibitor, presenting an opportunity for clinical trials. Overall the researchers identified mutations or amplifications in three families of tyrosine kinases, which are enzymes that act like power switches for many cellular
30mins of daily exercise enough to get into shape (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images) Thirty minutes of daily exercise provide an equally effective loss of weight and body mass as 60 minutes, researchers at the University of Copenhagen have shown. For thirteen weeks, a research team at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences followed 60 heavy but healthy - Danish men in their efforts to get into better shape. Half of the men were set to exercise for an hour a day, wearing a heart-rate monitor and calorie counter, while the second group only had to sweat for 30 minutes. Research results show that 30 minutes of exercise hard enough to produce a sweat is enough to turn the tide on an unhealthy body mass index. On average, the men who
exercised 30 minutes a day lost 3.6 kilo in three months, while those who exercised for a whole hour only lost 2.7 kg. The reduction in body mass was about 4 kg for both groups, reports Mads Rosenkilde, PhD student, Department of Biomedical Sciences. Moreover 30 minutes of exercise training provide an extra bonus. Participants exercising 30 minutes per day burned more calories than they should relative to the training program we set for them. In fact we can see that exercising for a whole hour instead of a half does
not provide any additional loss in either body weight or fat. The men who exercised the most lost too little relative to the energy they burned by running, biking or rowing. 30 minutes of concentrated exercise give equally good results on the scale, explained Mads Rosenkilde. Mads Rosenkilde postulates that some of the explanation for the surprising results is that 30 minutes of exercise is so doable that participants in the study had the desire and energy for even more physical activity after their daily exercise session.
Sleep disorders signal Alzheimer’s disease A pattern of disturbed sleep could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease, suggest scientists. Working on a mouse model, researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, found that when the first signs of Alzheimer’s plaques appear in the brain, the normal sleep-wake cycle is significantly disrupted. “If sleep abnormalities begin this early in the course of human Alzheimer’s disease, those changes could provide us with an easily detectable sign of pathology,” said senior study author David M. Holtzman, professor and head of neurology at Washington, the journal Science Translational Medicine reported. “As we start to treat Alzheimer’s patients before the onset of dementia, the presence or absence of sleep problems may be a rapid indicator of whether the new treatments are succeeding,” added Holtzman.Holtzman’s lab was among the first to link sleep problems and Alzheimer’s through studies of sleep in mice genetically altered to develop Alzheimer’s plaques as they age, according to a university statement. In a 2009 study, he showed that brain
New hope for people with fatal lung cancer Scientists have discovered new potential targets for treating squamous cell lung cancer, which causes approximately 400,000 deaths per year worldwide. Squamous cell lung cancer kills more people each year than breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer, ranking second only to lung adenocarcinoma in the number of deaths it causes. But unlike the most common form of lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma has no treatments aimed at the specific genetic alterations that drive it. Now The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network, led in part by scientists at the Broad Institute, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School, has identified many potential therapeutic targets based on the large number and variety of DNA alterations they discovered in most of the tumours they studied. "This study clearly shows that squamous cell carcinoma, like lung adenocarcinoma, is a cancer with diverse genomic causes, many of which are potentially susceptible to drug inhibition," said Matthew Meyerson, co-leader of the project
Exercise for 30 mins daily, lose weight
functions. Frequently altered in cancer, they are already being investigated as therapeutic targets in other cancers. The researchers also found genomic alterations in signalling pathways that could present important opportunities for treatment. In another striking finding, the researchers discovered mutations in the HLA-A gene that hampered its function in tumours. HLA genes direct the arm of the immune system that discriminates between its own tissues and foreign invaders. This is the first cancer in which these mutations have been found, but they are likely to occur in other cancers, Meyerson said. "To our knowledge, this is the first example of a tumour that has a genomic mechanism for evading an immune response. This may be important in understanding the immune response to squamous cell carcinoma and also in envisioning how immuneregulatory therapy might be used for this disease," he said. While much works needs to be done, the scientists see many opportunities.
levels of a primary component of the plaques naturally rise when healthy young mice are awake and drop after they go to sleep. Depriving the mice of sleep disrupted this cycle and accelerated the development of brain plaques. A similar rising and falling of the plaque component, a protein called amyloid beta, was later detected in the cerebro-
spinal fluid of healthy humans studied by co-author Randall Bateman, professor of neurology at Washington University.The new research, led by Jee Hoon Roh, neurologist and postdoctoral fellow in Holtzman’s lab, shows that when the first indicators of brain plaques appear, the natural fluctuations in amyloid beta levels stop in both mice and humans.
Future-focused smokers likelier to quit Smokers who value the future are more likely to stop smoking, new research has found. In order to make this discovery Drs. Heather Brown and Jean Adams of Newcastle University (UK) tapped into eight years of data from a large Australian database. The Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia (HILDA) survey collects data on economic and subjective well-being, work, and family dynamics every year from over 7,000 Australian households. Brown and Adams identified 1,817 participants who were smokers at the start of the survey (2001) and analysed their planning regarding their saving and spending to measure their future orientation. People whose spending and saving plans looked ahead by more than three months were categorized as having a longer time horizon, while those whose financial plans looked no more than a week ahead had a shorter time horizon. The researchers then looked at how many
of those 2001 smokers had quit or tried to quit by 2008. Seventy-six percent of quitters were long-time-horizon planners, compared with 66 percent of those who continued to smoke. Researchers in other fields have found similar associations: newly diagnosed diabetics who are futurefocused are more likely to make healthy changes to their diet and exercise habits, and cocaine users who discount the future are less likely subsequently to stop using the drug.“It is possible that helping smokers to think about the future a bit more might be a useful way to help them quit,” said co-author Jean Adams.
7 SRINAGAR Wednesday, 07 August,2013 Kashmir Thunder Wednesday 07.
08 . 2013
NATION
SC moved against IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal’s suspension
Rahul, poverty may just be a state of mind, but will empty words fill tummies? Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has said what we needed to know: “Poverty is a state of mind.” Let us now look at that statement a little closely. Even a dubious statement like this has to be looked at, for you never know there might be some element of truth to it. Or was he referring to the new statehood demands when he said “state”. Hard to tell but let’s proceed with the examination. The poor are seldom heard. People, who are voicing outrage at this statement are the middle class who think they are poor, including the Logger, but the poor man/ woman is worse off. For, they don’t have the option to decry this hollow remark. They don’t have time to worry about Rahul Gandhi. They are busy looking for the next meal. When one is poor, there is no state of mind. The mind is only filled with the growling stomach that wants to be fed and the other members of the family and their respective tummies that need to be so adroitly filled with the Rs.27 (in rural areas) and the Rs.32something (in urban areas) to ensure that some paise get something else the next day. Rahul Gandhi said this in Allahabad yesterday, “I understand the weaknesses of our system. I will try my best to help the people but unless and until the voice of the marginalised comes out from within, nothing can be done.”
Maybe the hungry poor should hold microphones to their emaciated tummies for their meagre grumbles to be heard at the national level. If Rahul Gandhi knows the weaknesses of the system, why doesn’t he just fix it? The Logger’s sure he said that he knows the system several times earlier. But all the poor get is talk and, that too, a trifle unsettling chatter. Returning to his speech at Allahabad yesterday, he said, “Poverty is just a state of mind. It does not mean the scarcity of food, money or material things. If one possesses self-confidence, then one can overcome poverty.” There are a few who have not let their poverty hold them back but most of these are people abroad. There are many poor peas-
ants who have left the shores of India to prosper, of course after extraordinary labour and toil in the UK and the US, but the poor in India remain. Sure, self-confidence won’t harm anyone. Maybe the hungry poor will take to crime with their new experiments with self-confidence. But this again, as the Logger knows, is imaginary. The poor have been beaten enough to even retort. It is to be remembered that Gandhi’s party colleague Raj Babbar took back his statement that he could get a “full plate of rice and dal for Rs.12 in Mumbai even now” after widespread condemnation. Words make for better eatables compared to what one gets for Rs.12, Babbar seems to have found out. And they come free of cost. Is it time Rahul Gandhi went to the old hand excuse of “I was misquoted” or eat humble pie and take those words back like Raj Babbar? The veteran actor did not complain of indigestion afterwards, did he? But what’s to be feared even more is his next remark, “My one and only political aim is that I want to tune my ears to the voice of the poor and the marginalised.” Okay, Rahul, the poor are a votebank but you can’t win them over by saying poverty’s a state of mind, you know. You need to do something. Just do it, like the iconic Nike line.
Misuse of beacons on cars ‘menace to society’, says Supreme Court New Delhi: Terming it as a ‘menace to society’, the Supreme Court today came down heavily on the misuse of beacon lights and multi-tone horns or sirens by vehicles on public roads. “No one apart from High ranking dignitaries, ambulance, police and military should be using them,” a Supreme Court bench of justices GS Singhvi and V Gopala Gowda said. “All unauthorised use of beacon on vehicles and multi-tone horn should be dealt with heavy hand and exemplary fine should be imposed on violators,” the top court said. The Supreme Court also asked all the state governments to come up with a solution by working out possible administrative or legislative steps on the misuse of beacons and sirens. “We can pass a one line order to re-
move beacons. We want them to realise that all citizens are at par before the constitution,” the top court said. The top court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by an Uttar Pradesh resident on the misuse of red beacons. The Uttar Pradesh government, in
its reply, said between April and June, 500 hooters (high-volume horns) and 150 red beacons have been removed from cars, in an on-going beacon removal drive. Earlier, the Supreme Court bench had said that red beacons had become a status symbol and that police personnel, who are put on duty for giving security cover to VIPs, should be deployed for better purposes like making the roads safe for women. It had also directed the Centre and all the states for giving the list of persons being protected either by the central government or by the state administration. The top court bench had said that it would consider forming a new mechanism for assessing security threat to people on the basis of which protection is given to them.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla told the House that Antony will make a statement at 3.30 PM to which BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu reacted strongly saying it should be at the earliest. As members from TDP were shouting in the Well against bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien adjourned the House for 15 minutes. When the House resumed at 12:35, Jaitley suggested if the Chairman agrees, a discussion on the issue can take place before the minister gets a statement to which Shukla readily agreed saying "we have no objection..." JD(U) MP Shivanand Tewari was the first member in the House to raise objection to it saying "this will be an entirely wrong process." He said the discussion would take place on
Fodder scam: SC reserves order on Lalu's plea to transfer trial court judge The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its order on RJD chief Lalu Yadav’s plea seeking transfer of the trial court judge hearing the case against him in the fodder scam in Jharkhand. A bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam, which had on July 9 ordered an interim stay on the passing of judgement in the case and issued notice to the state of Jharkhand and CBI, reserved the order. The RJD’s plea faced stiff opposition from senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, appearing for JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan, who submitted that it would be a “travesty of justice” if the judge is transferred at the fag end of the trial. Bhushan submitted that it would give a wrong impression to the entire country if the judge is transferred and raised question on RJD supremo’s petition seeking transfer of the judge who has been hearing the case since 2011. The “whole country is watching and it would send a wrong impression that criminal cases involving important politicians will go on and on,” Bhushan said, adding that “the transfer of judge would shake the faith of people in judicial system”. The CBI,
which is the prosecuting agency in the fodder scam, objected intervention of Ranjan in the case, saying that he is a politician and the political battle cannot be allowed in the court.Fodder scam: SC reserves order on Lalu’s plea to transfer trial court judgeFodder scam: SC resrves order on Lalu’s plea to transfer trial court judge Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani, appearing for the RJD chief, also objected to Bhushan’s plea saying the intervention by third party in a criminal case should not be allowed. The bench, after hearing all the parties, reserved its order and also queried from the CBI and Lalu Prasad’s counsel on how long will it take for completion of trial if the judge is transferred at this stage. Solicitor General Mohan Prasaran replied that CBI will take 30-40 days to complete its proceedings and Jethmalani said that the defence proceedings will take around 10 days. The bench was hearing a petition filed by Lalu Prasad alleging that the trial court judge P K Singh is biased against him as he is a relative of P K Shahi.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court was on Tuesday petitioned for a stay of the suspension and consequent action against Gautam Buddh Nagar sub-divisional magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal by the UP government. In his public interest litigation, petitioner Manohar Lal Sharma cited the September 29, 2009 order of the apex court directing all collec-
tors and officers of all states that no unauthorised construction shall be carried out or permitted in the name of temple, church, mosque or gurdwara, etc on public streets, public parks or other public places. The UP government had placed Nagpal under suspension July 27 for allegedly ordering the demolition of a wall reportedly belonging to a religious structure.
Assam: People demand four separate state, protests continue Guwahati: The Telangana decision has given rise to demands for smaller states in Assam. The situation continues to remain tense and normal life has been thrown out of gear in the state as different organisations raise demand for four separate states - a state for the Bodos, one for the Karbis, one for the Dimasas and one for the Koch Rajbongshis. “Bodoland demand is a very ancient, very genuine and many decades old demand. It is very much justified, legitimate and democratic right of the Bodo people of Assam,” said Bodoland People’s Front MP SK Bwiswmuthiary. The All Bodo Students Union has given call for a 48 hour bandh in Kokrajhar. “No Bodoland, no rest” is the slogan the students union wants to revive. Assam: People demand four
Reflection of JD-U, BJP's changed political equations NEW DELHI: In a clear reflection of changed political equations, JD(U) today vehemently opposed BJP's bid to seek an early discussion in Rajya Sabha on the issue of firing by Pakistani forces on Indian soldiers. As there was no unanimity among the Opposition over the issue, Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley, withdrew his proposal to discuss the incident before a statement by Defence Minister A K Antony. This is first Parliament session after JD(U) walked out of NDA on June 16 snapping the 17-years-old alliance with BJP in protest of Narendra Modi's elevation in that party. Members from Congress and LJP also supported the JD(U). The issue of the killing of Indian soldiers by Pakistani forces led to an uproar in Upper House during Zero Hour with BJP seeking a reply from Government immediately.
DAILY ZABARWAN TIMES
facts given by the government as so far whatever has come in public domain is based on media reports. Tewari continued to protest even as Shukla expressed government's readiness to accept Jaitley's proposal.
separate state, protests continue Many government buildings have been burnt down and two deaths have been reported in Karbi Anglong. Karbi Anglong has been the worst hit with violence and arson. Many government buildings have been burnt down and two deaths have been reported in this district. The order by the government to shoot at sight orders still remains. “We demand separate state and will continue our protest till the demand is met,” said Longpi Ingti Anglong, President, Karbi Students Association. Meanwhile, a 12 hour bandh continues in Dima Hasao hill dis-
trict. A 32-member political team with demands of Dimasa and Karbi Anglong states have reached Delhi. In lower Assam, the All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Students Union has given a 36 hour bandh and a hunger strike call. They are demanding a separate Kamtapur state.
I have not made any statements supporting food security Bill, clarifies Karunanidhi Joining issue with his arch rival and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa over her criticism on the Food Security Bill, DMK president M Karunanidhi on Tuesday indicated he had not made any explicit statement on the matter. "Is there any iota of truth in Jayalalithaa's statement that I had expressed support for the Food Security Bill? When did I issue such statements? Can Jayalalithaa point out at such reports?" he asked in a statement. He said the Chief Minister herself had admitted that his party had expressed its opposition to the Bill when it was tabled in the Lok Sabha and also cited reports in this regard. Jayalalithaa had on Monday slammed the DMK for its alleged double standards on the Bill, charging the DMK chief with "betraying" Tamil Nadu on the matter. She had said that party MP TKS Elangovan had said why should DMK oppose the ordinance when it is intended to benefit the poor and general public and alleged
that this exposed Karunanidhi's true self. Karunanidhi said that during his media interaction last month, he had only said the pros and cons of the Ordinance has to be looked at and that his party MPs would express DMK's views in Parliament. "Have I spoken about the Food Security Bill after that or written about it? Did party MPs extend their support to the Bill?" he said in a statement. Referring to Jayalalithaa citing Elangovan's remarks, he asked if the MP was the sole representative of DMK or if he was the parliamentary party leader. Karunanidhi said Elangovan had also spoken highly of the universal PDS in the state. The DMK patriarch, however, pulled up his junior colleague, saying he did not accept the "unilateral" media interview given by Elangovan and urged all partymen to maintain caution while speaking to them, or else such remarks could be used by someone to suit their needs.
Court rejects IPS officer PP Pandey's bail plea in Ishrat Jahan encounter case A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Tuesday rejected the anticipatory bail application of ADGP P.P. Pandey, paving the way for his arrest in the 2004 fake encounter case of Ishrat Jahan and three others. Special CBI judge Gita Gopi rejected the anticipatory bail application of Pandey, who had gone underground for a few months after his name surfaced in the encounter case. The court had declared him proclaimed absconder then. The special court in Gujarat, where the encounter took place was hearing his application on the directions of the Gujarat High Court which had restrained CBI from arresting the senior IPS officer till August 6. The 1982-batch IPS officer was Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Ahmedabad, when Mumbai-based Ishrat, her friend Javed Shaikh, alias Pranesh Pillai, and their associates Amjad Ali Rana and Zeeshan Johar were gunned down
by Crime Branch sleuths on June 15, 2004 on the city outskirts. Ishrat Jahan, Javed Shaikh, Amjadali Akbarali Rana and Zeeshan Johar were killed in an encounter. The CBI had named seven Gujarat police officers including Pandey in the chargesheet filed last month in the case. The chargesheet had termed the encounter to be fake and had also held that it was a joint operation between Gujarat Police and Intelligence Bureau. Earlier, Pandey's lawyer Nirupam Nanavati had argued that CBI has been chasing Pandey and wanted to send him behind the bars by hook or by crook. CBI's branding of his client as a proclaimed absconder (in the chargesheet of Ishrat case) was totally illegal as Pandey appeared before
the concerned court as per the orders of the Supreme Court, Nanavati had said. "It is not an error or mistake. It is a deliberate design so as to deprive Pandey of any discretionary order from seeking justice," he said. "CBI does not want to humiliate only my client (alone) but they want to humiliate the entire police brass of Gujarat", he added.