Zabarwan Times E-Paper English 08 August

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August 08 | 2013 | 29 ramzan 1434 Ah | PAGES 12 |

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VOL NO: 3 | ISSuE NO: 194 | 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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Court issues warrant to ex-bank employee Srinagar, August 07: Baramulla Court has issued an arrest warrant against one Nazir Ahmad Malik of Saripara Budan, Rafiabad for fraudulently misappropriating huge amount of Rs.2523270/-. Nazir, an ex-employee of the J&K Bank had fraudulently embezzled the money while being in the services of the bank. The Bank had terminated Nazir from the services of the bank following an internal enquiry into the matter. Subsequently, bank moved the court to seek action against the fraudster and recover the embezzled money.

Further, the court has restrained the sale/ transfer of property that includes his house and landed property. ”The nonapplicant is restrained from transferring/ alienating/ creating third party in the property described in the plaint/application till further orders”, reads the order issued by Principal District Judge Baramulla.

Poppy Straw recovered Srinagar, August 07: Qazigund police recovered 28 Kgs of poppy straw from a truck, besides, arrested two brothers for misappropriation of Government cement.

Five bags around 28 Kgs of Poppy straw were recovered from a truck bearing registration number JK14A/8755. The truck was intercepted on receiving a tip off at Ujroo on National Highway. However, the driver of the truck Bashir Ahmad Sofi son of Abdul Rehman Sofi fled away from the spot. Qazigund Police has registered a case FIR number 168/13 under section 8/15 NDPS act and a manhunt has been launched to arrest the truck driver.

Meanwhile, Qazigund police arrested two brothers for misappropriation of Government cement. 25 bags of government supply cement was recovered at Sadoora from two brothers, Nisar Ahmad Mir and Showket Ahmad Mir sons of Ghulam Ahmad Mir resident of Sadoora.

Both the accused have been arrested.

A case FIR number 163/13 under section 409,411 was registered in Police station Qazigund against the two brothers.

7 injured in road mishaps Srinagar August 07: Seven persons were injured in different road accidents across the valley.

Five persons were injured when a Matador bearing registration number JK05/329, they were travelling in skidded off the road at Ussan crossing, in the jurisdiction of Police station Kunzer. All the injured were shifted to JVC, Bemina for treatment. Kunzar Police has registered a case in this regard.

Meanwhile, a motorcyclist Waheed Ahmad Mantoo son of Mohammad Yousuf resident of Panzmullah, Salia was injured when a Tata Sumo bearing registration number Jk03/5015 hit him near Brad, in the jurisdiction of Police station Ashmuqam, Anantnag.

The injured was shifted to Bone and Joint Hospital, Srinagar for treatment. Ashmuqam police has registered a case in this regard. In another accident, a Maruti car bearing registration number Jk04B met with an accident near Hill view colony Rangraith, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Budgam, resulting in injuries to the driver of the car. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment.

Lok Adalat held at Anantnag Anantnag, August 07: A Lok Adalat was organized at ADR Centre in District Court Complex, Anantnag under the Chairmanship of Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Anantnag, Mr. Abdul Rashid Malik here today.

As many as 12 cases of different nature were taken up during See Lok Adalat on Pg. 11

Violation of LoC will not be tolerated: Govt New Delhi, August 07: Under attack from the opposition over the killing of soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch sector, the government on Wednesday said that violation of the Line of Control will not be tolerated.

Both Houses of Parliament witnessed uproarius scenes over contradictory statements by Defence Minister A K Antony and

a very clear statement in the House. Now the Army chief has gone to the spot and whatever information he will get that will be conveyed to the nation.

"Violation of the LoC will not be allowed at any cost," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla said outside Parliament House.

Asked about BJP's demand for an apology from Antony over the contradictory statements on

Antony meets PM, briefs him on situation on LoC New Delhi, August 07: Amid the raging controversy over his statement on the Poonch killings, Defence Minister A K Antony on Wednesday briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the situation on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir where five troops were killed in an ambush.

Antony met Singh against the backdrop of controversy over his statement regarding Indian soldiers killed along LoC. See Antony on Pg. 11 the Army on the incident.

"The Defence Minister has made

border incident, Shukla said, "I do not agree with it.

"In their (NDA) time, Parliament was attacked. What did they do?" Shukla asked and added, "BJP was trying to get political advantage out of it."

However, BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said, "This is not NDA vs UPA. The issue here is what has happened on the border is not being told to Parliament.

Actually the Defence Minister has provided an alibi to Pakistan government and that's the issue."

Attacking the opposition for demanding an apology from Antony, Congress leader Renuka Choudhury said ,"It has reached the level of absurdity in public life.

The Defence Minister has categorically clarified that he had certain facts on Tuesday which he articulated.

"He said the Army chief is seized of the matter and further information is being gathered and he would share that with you.

In the meantime, for BJP to talk like that to spread insecurity in the country and say that we have given a clean chit to Paki-

JCC calls for protests, strike on August 22, 23

To support DAK’s stir against Spurious Drugs Srinagar, August 07: Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an amalgam of various employees unions, on Wednesday called for protest demonstrations and strike on 22 and 23 August to protest the failure of the government to fulfill their demands.

Addressing reporters here, JCC leaders including Abdul Qayoom Wani and Rouf Ahmad Bhat also threaten to intensify their protests if government continued to main-

Govt forms expert committee on shifting sheep farm from Dachigam Srinagar, August 07: Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday constituted a seven-member expert committee to examine in totality the issues involved in shifting of Sheep Breeding and Research Farm from Dachigam National Park here.

Headed by Commissioner Secretary to Government, Forest Department, the committee has been asked to submit its report to the government within a month.

On the day, employees of civil secretariat led by Rouf Ahmad Bhat will stage protests inside the premises the secretariat.

In Jammu, he said, employees led by JCC leader Gafoor Dar will stage protests outside the office of Divisional Commissioner Jammu.

“On August 23, there will be a complete strike in all government offices including Civil Secretariat and Public Sector Undertakings,” Wani, who also heads EJAC (Q), said.

See JCC on Pg. 11

tain what they termed as criminal silence.

“We have decided employees of all the three regions will stage protest demonstrations in all the three regions—Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh,” Qayoom Wani said, according to a KNS reporter.

He said that on the day (August 22), thousands of employees will assemble at SK Park here and “we will march peacefully towards the residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.”

To be serviced by the Forest Department, the other members of the committee include Secretary to Government Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Chief Wild Life Warden, Director, Sheep Husbandry, Representative of SKUAST Kashmir (at-least professor ranked), Environmental Scientists from University of Kashmir and a representative of National Wild Life Board.

Official sources told KNS that a formal See Committee on Pg. 11

stan is nothing short of slanderous talk."

She said, "I am a daughter of a soldier and I do not think sol-

Army Chief pays floral tributes to slain jawans Jammu, August 07: As the last journey of the five jawans martyred in the Pakistani attack in Poonch began from here, Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh today laid wreaths on their bodies.

Soon after his arrival from New Delhi, Gen Singh laid wreaths on the coffins draped in the tricolour at the Technical Airport in Jammu, Defence Spokesman See Army Chief on Pg. 11 diers want to hear things like this. They fight for the country at the borders. We are deeply concerned over those killings and we are proud of our jawans."

Srinagar, August 08: As Eid-ul- fitr is round the corner Markets on Wednesday witnessed a heavy rush of shoppers with people laying their hands on everything that came in their way.

Shoppers complained of increase in prices of essential commodities. How-

Srinagar, August 07: In wake of the killing of five Indian army soldiers and injuries to two Pakistan’s rangers in last two days along the Line of Control, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Wednesday said that flare-up has potential to harm improving ties between India and Pakistan.

Addressing a gathering at the Historical Bazaar Masjid at Bohri Kadal Masjid, Mirwaiz stressed upon both countries to demilitarize the borders and ensure the safety of Kashmiris living along the LoC on both sides of the divided Kashmir.

He said that killing of Indian or Pakistani soldiers during border tension has always remained a cause of concern.

“Kashmiris have repeatedly stressed upon both the nation to solve Kashmir to stop the wastage of lives on both sides of LOC,” he said, according to KNS. Mirwaiz said a conducive atmosphere was needed to

solve the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Till basic issue of Kashmir is not solved, all other steps to stabilize the relations would prove to be a futile exercise,” he said, adding, “Improving trade relations, water, sir creek, and siachen issues can’t be solved till creation of a favourable atmosphere.”

Mirwaiz said lasting solution of Kashmir issue would create a conducive atmosphere for addressing other problems existing between the two countries.

Stating that Kashmiris are the worst victims of tense relations between the two neighbours, Mirwaiz expressed desire that Indi and Pakistan would show political prudence and would take appropriate measures to normalize their relations.

Expressing serious concern over the reports that four herb collectors, labeled as militants, were killed by the army along LoC in Machil See Mirwaiz on Pg. 11

Entrepreneurship development answer to unemployment: CM Srinagar, August 07: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Wednesday highlighted the handholding of youth in their pursuit to generate self-employment and be part in the prestigious entrepreneurship development programme in the State as one of the most stupendous tasks adding that entrepreneurship development is the right answer to unemployment crisis.

Omar Abdullah described generation of some 2 lakh job opportunities for youth under various initiatives

of the Sher-i-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for Youth (SKEWPY) and impressed upon the concerned departments to redouble their efforts in realising the goal of generating employment for five lakh youth in five years.

The Chief Minister was taking stock of the SKEWPY and its various initiatives under implementation in the State to help comprehensive employment generation and welfare of the youth besides enhancing their skill and

Hustle bustle in markets ahead of Eid-ul-fitr

Shoppers complain of increase in prices

LoC flare-up can worsen Indo-Pak ties: Mirwaiz

ever the Minster of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, (CAPD) Chowdray Mohammad Ramzan claimed that checking squads conducted market inspections to curb inflating rates of commodities.

According to KNS, on Wednesday different markets across the valley were flooded with shoppers. The busy markets of Residency Road, MA Road, and other small and big markets in Srinagar witnessed a huge rush of customers. In most of the markets, people were seen busy buying bakery, confectionary, dress material, kids wear

and grocery. But the soaring prices of commodities left many customers high and dry.

Many shoppers, who spoke to KNS¸ complained that price of vegetables, fruits, and other items have been ‘arbitrarily increased’ manifold by traders in view of Eid.“The CAPD Department is doing nothing to curb this problem.

The claims of having constituted market checking squads seem to have fallen flat because the traders have increased prices of commodities arbitrarily,” said Shabir Ahmad, a customer at Lal Chowk.

See Markets on Pg. 11

capacity building to get absorbed in the modern job market within and outside the State, at a high level meeting he chaired here today.

According to KNS, Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Planning and Development, Ajay Sadhotra, Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Economic Advisor to Government, Jalil Ahmad Khan, Principal Secretary Planning and Development, Principal Secretary Fi-

nance, B. B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretaries, Surav Bhagat, B. A. Runiyal and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the fillip received by Seed Capital scheme by the strict monitoring by Jammu and Kashmir Bank top brass in getting EDI sponsored cases cleared on fast track and disbursing the loan component for establishment of industrial units by the youth in a time bound manner.

He asked the Entrepreneurship Development Institute See CM on Pg. 11

Soz appeals for early morning and late night flights Srinagar, August 07: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief and former Member Parliament Saifuddin Soz on Wednesday asked Defence Ministry no to hesitate in operating evening flights from Srinagar.

Soz met Minister of Civil Aviation, Ajit Singh, Hon'ble in New Delhi and urged him to take urgent measures to start early morning and late evening flights to and fro Srinagar.

“I emphasized the fact that since the Defence Ministry

has granted the much-needed permission for operating evening flights, the Ministry of Civil Aviation should not now hesitate to operate its flights in the evening to and fro Srinagar,” Soz was quoted as saying in a statement issued to KNS here.

“I also told the Minister that people of Jammu & Kashmir have been seeking this facility for long, especially from the time ILS (instrumental landing system) was installed at Srinagar airport, two years ago.”

The Minister, Soz said, See Soz on Pg. 11

Govt committed to socio-economic development of rural pockets: Tara Chand Jammu, August 07: Underlining commitment of the government for socio-economic development of rural pockets, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today said remote and border belts are getting focused attention and work on the roadmap to upgrade infrastructure in these belts is going on at fast pace. He said exemplary development initiatives have been taken and focused attention is being paid to equip these areas with all required basic infrastructure.

“Encouraging support from the central government in funding different

projects in the state has resulted in lauching of mega infrastructure de-

velopment projects in all regions and sub-regions See Tara Chand on Pg. 11

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Antony..........

Antony has come under severe attack for the statement, with Opposition saying it amounted to giving an escape route to Pakistan which has always been in a denial mode on involvement of its army personnel in any act against India. He sought to defend his statement, saying it was made on the basis of information received at that time.

Making a suo motu statement in both the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, Antony had said an Indian Army patrol, comprising one junior commissioned officer and five other ranks, was "ambushed on our side" of the LoC in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Army Chief..........

S N Acharya said. Besides him, senior Army officers of Northern Army theatre GOC-in-C Lt Gen Sanjeev Chachra, GOC, 16 Coprs Lt Gen D S Hooda, GOC, Tiger Division, Maj Gen Ashwani Kumar and Air Officer Commanding Air commodore P E Patagia also laid wreaths bidding adieu to the martyrs. After placing the wreaths, the Army Chief and other officers stood in silence for sometime as a mark of respect to the soldiers. The bugle played the last post and a contingent of the Army presented salute on the occasion. "They would be flown around 3.45 PM today from Jammu to Delhi", a senior Army officer said.

The bodies would be later flown from Delhi to Patna and Pune in Air Force aircraft, he said, adding while four bodies would be flown to Patna and one would be taken to Pune. In a provocative attack, a group of 20 heavily armed men led

by Pakistani troops entered 450 metres into the Indian territory in the Poonch sector in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday and ambushed a patrol killing five Indian soldiers. The five jawans martyred were 35-year-old Naik Prem Nath of Chappra (Bihar), 29-year-old Lance Naik Shambhu Saran of Bhojpur (Bihar), 27-year-old Sepoy Vijay Kumar Rai of Patna (Bihar), 23-year-old Sepoy Ragunandan of Chhapra (Bihar) and 36-year-old Naik Pundalik Mane of Kolhapur (Maharashtra).

Mirwaiz..........

sector during a “fake encounter”, Mirwaiz demanded an immediate impartial inquiry into the incident.

Mirwaiz also appealed people to observe Eid with modesty as Kashmir including many countries in the Islamic phase were going through a critical phase in history.

CM..........

(EDI) to enhance its target from 1,500 units to 3,000 units this financial year for which government would provide required seed capital to the entrepreneurs. EDI had expressed its capacity to achieve additional 1,500 units for the current year for which more seed capital were required.

The Chief Minister was apprised that under the Seed Capital Fund scheme as against 302 units established in 2009-10, the figure last year touched to 1,307 as compared to the target of 1,000 units fixed for the fiscal. It was stated that EDI has fixed the target of achieving 1,554 units this year and has the capacity to go upto 3,000 units. The Chief Minister told EDI to move forward in this direction and necessary finances required for this would be made available.

The Chief Minister on enquiring about the status of unemployment allowance being paid to youth under Voluntary Service Allowance Scheme (VSA), was informed that about 15,000 youth have been covered under the scheme and more than Rs. 50 crore have been paid to them under the VSA initiative of SKEWPY during the last year. It was stated that in the year 2010-11 over Rs. 24.72 crore and in the year 2011-12 Rs. 36.17 crore have been provided to the youth under VSA The Chief Minister was told that the new scheme namely Youth Start-up Loan Scheme launched under his directions during 2012-13, more than 100 entrepreneurs have been provided Rs. 5.40 crore as easy loan last year and this year the target of assisting 250 entrepreneurs has been fixed.

These entrepreneurs will be provided loans worth Rs. 20 crores.

The Chief Minister was told that 10 District Employment Counselling Centres (DECC) have been completed at Baramulla, Shopian, Reasi, Doda, Ramban, Kulgam, Budgam, Bandipora, Leh and Kargil and two Centres one each in Samba and Ganderbal have been already inaugurated. The Chief Minister asked the Employment Department to make these centres functional within one month’s period.

Omar Abdullah also received status report on the DECCs under construction in Pulwama, Kupwara, Kathua, Udhampur, Kishtwar and Poonch. He was told that these centres would be completed by the end of current financial year.

JCC.........

Qayoom Wani also threatened to intensify the strike and protests if government continued to offer could shoulder to their “genuine” demands.

JCC is demanding enhancement in the retirement age from 58 to 60 years, regularisation for the daily rated workers, casual labourers and need based workers engaged after 1994, removal of pay anomaly of clerical cadre (prerevised Rs 6500-10500) and budgetary support for public sector.

Meanwhile, JCC also announced to support the call of agitation by Doctors Association Kashmir against Spurious Drugs.

Committee.........

order was issued today and as per it, the chairman has been given liberty to co-opt any expert(s) or stakeholders including the representatives of the retired Directors of Sheep Husbandry during the deliberations of the meeting(s) for arriving at conclusions.

As per the terms of reference, the committee has been tasked to see whether the Sheep Breeding Farm can be allowed to continue in the Dachigam National Park on agreed terms and conditions. It has been also tasked to see whether the National Board for Wild Life would be willing to relax the conditions of shifting of the sheep breeding farm from Dachigam, in lieu of de-notification of National Salim Ali Park. And lastly, the committee has been given liberty to examine or consider any issue which it may feel

Daily

proper.

The 100 hectare-sheep breeding farm, comprising 800-odd sheep, is a bone of contention between the wildlife protection department and the sheep husbandry department. The sheep farm is located adjacent to the Dachigam Wildlife Park, the last bastion for Hangul, the rare Kashmiri Red Deer. The Wildlife authorities and some local animal rights NGOs have been lobbying for its removal under the garb of implementing the Wildlife Protection Act, claiming the farm is a source for biotic interference to the Hangul’s habitat.

However, the Sheep Husbandry and a group of veterinary scientists have opposed the shifting of the breeding farm which exists since 1961.

Markets..........

The rush of people triggered frequent traffic jams at various places especially across the Dalgate-Batmaloo stretch where most of the people happily emptied their pockets to buy their favorite items.

Imparting a colorful touch to the shopping frenzy, children accompanied by their parents were seen engrossed in choosing their favorite toys, colorful dresses and footwear. Meanwhile, the shoppers rush is giving a tough time to the men in blue in maintaining the traffic and ensuring smooth flow vehicles along the Exchange and Residency roads here. “It took me 45 minutes to reach Jahangir Chowk from Dalgate,” said Jasim Rasool of Nishat. Pertinently hundreds of vendors have occupied footpaths along the Amira Kadal and Residency road leaving virtually no space for the pedestrians and too many vehicles passing through too little times means the bridge remains choked throughout the day.

When contacted the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD) Minster Chowdary Mohammad Ramazan, told KNS that they deputed many checking squad to Srinagar markets and other markets in the valley today and recovered thousands of Rupees from erring traders for violating rate lists. “I urge the people that if they find any trader or shopkeeper selling commodities at higher prices, they should contact us. We will take action against them,” he said. “It is very sad that we hardly receive any complaints when authorities conduct market checks. That time nobody complains about soaring prices.”

Soz.........

assured him that he would initiate action shortly and keep him informed.

“The Minister further said that other airlines would also follow suit,” Soz said, adding, “The Minister agreed with me that it is a profitable proposition for various airlines as the flights can operate to and fro Srinagar, packed to capacity.” Soz also expressed confidence that the evening flights to and fro Srinagar would be operated soon, the statement added.

Tara Chand..........

of the state, thus ensuring equitable development,” he added.

He was addressing the largely attended monthly public meeting at Khour.

The monthly meeting attended by scores of people and panchayati raj functionaries has assumed significance as on spot instructions are given for speedy redressal of grievances projected by the people.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Akhnoor Mr. N.S.Jamwal and various officers from revenue, rural development, civil administration and engineers of different line departments attended the meeting.

Giving detail of various projects launched for development of the area on modern lines, Tara Chand said the Khour block is among top in the country with regard to connectivity by road links as every village has been interlinked with more than one road and three mega rural development projects have already started in the area. Special cluster model village projects at Pargwal, Pallanwala and Sainth have been undertaken for over all development of the villages falling under them, he added.

He said all those associated with the should gear up their activities so that the works get completed within stipulated time frame and strict vigil should be kept on the execution to ensure zero pilferage.

“Once completed these projects will not only address modern infrastructure needs of the people but will also go a long way in improving development profile of these areas,” he said.

He said in education sector two new colleges have started operating in the area and where ever required the status of schools have been upgraded as per the requirements of the students, adding that due care is being given to open new schools so that every child gets an opportunity to study near his home.

“The cabinet has specially sanctioned provision for ALC areas to engage RET’s for local schools so that education needs can be addressed besides giving employment opportunities to the local educated youths,” he added.

He said projects for up gradation of power infrastructure by way of new transformers, poles, cable is already underway and the Kaleeth Grid Station would be a boon for power sector in the area.

Stressing on availing benefits through schemes like SKEWPY, the Deputy Chief Minister said that need of the hour is to look beyond government sector for employment and develop those skills which have good market potential, adding that an entrepreneur not only becomes a role model for the society but also contributes in strengthening economy of the state besides providing employment opportunities to many others.

He said under the programme Voluntary Service allowance (VSA) is allowed to youth to promote sense of voluntary service among them, adding that provision for monthly assistance has been linked with qualification and special provision has been kept for additional Rs 50 for women under each gradation.

He called upon Panchayati Raj functionaries to ensure maximum participation in the series of registration cum awareness camps organised for ensuring large scale participation of people in different schemes of Labor, social welfare, agriculture, rural development and other allied departments, adding that aim of such

camps is to make people aware of different initiatives of the government so that benefit reaches to all.

Underscoring on the need to develop Khour town at par with other major towns, Tara Chand said under urban development sector drainage system, street lights, house to homeless and other projects have been undertaken in the town, adding that an ambitious project for overall development of the town is also under active consideration of the government.

He said under IAY houses to homeless of the area have been sanctioned and instructions have also been issued to the authorities to work out details of left over cases for consideration on priority basis.

Lok Adalat..........

the Lok Adalat, out of which one case were settled amicably and a compensation of Rs. 1.50 lakh was awarded.

The next Lok Adalat relating to references arising out of the Land Acquisition Act will be held on August 17, 2013 at Dak Bungalow, Anantnag. One more Lok Adalat will be held on August 24, 2013 in the ADR Centre at Anantnag.

The litigants interested to settle their cases amicably shall apply the concerned courts before schedule date.

Social welfare schemes reviewed at Anantnag Anantnag, August 07: The have been distributed District Development among 21612 beneficiaCommissioner, Anantnag ries in the district. today stressed for early It was also given out that distribution of all the an amount of Rs. 19.77 s c h o l a r s h i p s t o t h e lakhs is being distributed students especially to among 650 beneficiaries Scheduled Tribe and Other on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr B a c k w a r d C l a s s e s under Rehabilitation of category in the district. Militancy Victim Scheme.

T h e D i s t r i c t D e v . Pre-m a t r i c m i n o r i t y Commissioner while scholarship amounting to taking review of the Rs. 347.58 lakhs has different schemes and been distributed among programme run through 23718 students of the Social Welfare department district covering more also stressed for maintain- than 1500 educational ing transparency at every institutions. The District step during the implemen- D e v. C o m m i s s i o n e r tation of various welfare stressed for coverage of schemes. the more and more It was given out in the b e n e f i c i a r i e s u n d e r meeting that as many as different schemes so that 7938 beneficiaries under the benefits of the different National Social Assistance programmes are availed Programme and an amount by the needy. of Rs. 88.68 lakhs have Among others, Additional been released in their District Development f a v o u r w h i l e u n d e r Commissioner and Chief Integrated Social Security Planning Officer were Scheme Rs. 252.14 lakhs present in the meeting.

Haq chairs Subordinate Legislation Committee meeting Srinagar, August 07: A meeting of the members of Committee on Subordinate Legislation of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly was today held under the Chairmanship of MLA, Abdul Haq and reviewed various Rules & Regulations and Police Act. Mr. Rafi Ahmed Mir, Zahoor Ahmed Mir, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, Er Abdul Rashid and Indu Pawar attended the meeting.

The Committee discussed threadbare various provision of the Police Act and put forth their valuable suggestions to improve further smooth functioning of the police department.

The meeting also discussed recruitment policy of SPO’s and their legal right covers,

working of VDC,s and Defence Labour laws and the welfare measures taken by the Government.

Earlier, Principal Secretary, Home, Mr. Suresh Kumar briefed the Committee about various activities and measures taken by the Government for the welfare of the Police personnel.Among others, Director General Prison, Mr. K. Rajendra Kumar, Additional, DG, PHQ, Mr. P. L Gupta, Director General, Fire and Emergency, Dr G. A. Bhat, DIG, Prison, Dr. M. Sultan lone, Director, JK FSL, Mr. Inayat U Khan, Director, Defend Labour, PRO Department, Additional Secretary, Legislative Assembly, Mr. M R Singh and other senior officers of Police and Assembly Secretariat were present in the meeting.

Naresh chairs DRSC meet, reviews functioning of cooperative deptt

Jammu, August 07: To take stock of functioning and progress of Cooperative department, a meeting of Departmental Related Standing Committee (DRSC-IV)of J&K Legislative Council was held under the Chairmanship of Mr. Naresh Kumar Gupta here today. Legislators, Mr. Jugal Kishore Sharma, Mr. Ajat Shatru Singh and Rani Gargi Bloeria were present in the meeting.

Threadbare discussion was held on physical and financial achievements of

the department and the implementation of various flagship programmes.

The Legislators were also apprised of the status of societies registered with the department, number of sick units and the initiatives taken for their revival. Taking a review of various financial institutions, the members stressed the need to improve the services by reaching out to larger customer base by adopting new technology in the sphere of banking.

ZABARWAN TIMES Baig chairs PAC meeting Srinagar, August 07: A meters which have not been meeting of the Public covered so far so that the A c c o u n t s C o m m i t t e e illegal connections and (PAC) of Jammu and power theft can be curbed.

K a s h m i r L e g i s l a t i v e Earlier, the authority Assembly was held here t h r o u g h p o w e r p o i n t t o d a y u n d e r t h e presentation highlighted the Chairmanship of MLA, Mr. p e r f o r m a n c e o f t h e Muzaffar Hussain Baig to department and the projects examine the reply of Power completed till date by the Development Department d e p a r t m e n t i n c l u d i n g in the light of Audit Paras of P o w e r T r a n s m i s s i o n CAG’s Report for the year Infrastructure, Planning and 2011-12.

Development, Intra-State M r . B a l w a n t S i n g h transmission, Transmission M a n k o t i a , H a k i m Network and its growth etc.

MohammdYaseen, Mr. The meeting was also Showkat Hussain Ganai and informed about the pace of Mr. Mohammad Ashraf various projects and the Ganai attended the meeting. present status of the power Stressing for streamlining scenario in the State. the functioning of PDD and Among others, Principal ensuring accountability at Accountant General, J&K all levels, the Committee AG’s Office Dr S. C. resolved that the depart- Pandey, Commissioner/ ment should take appropri- Secretary, PDD Mr. A. K. ate measures to upgrade the Mehta, Chief Engineer power infrastructures in Systems and Operations order to meet the require- (S&O) Sheikh Gul Ayaz, ments of the consumers in Dev. Commissioner Power the State. The Committee Mr. Asgar Ali Majaz, Chief also stressed for brining Engineer System and reforms in the department to operation, Jammu Mr. Ajay improve the overall power Gupta, Chief Engineer PDD scenario as a long run Kashmir Mr. Muzaffar s t r a t e g y. T h e P u b l i c M a t t o o , A d d i t i o n a l A c c o u n t s C o m m i t t e e Secretary, Assembly Mr. M. d i r e c t e d t h e P o w e r R. Singh and other senior Development Department officer and official of PDD authorities to cover all those and Assembly Secretarial u n - c o v e r e d a r e a s b y were also attended the installing of electricity meeting.

Sarpanch in league with ZEO swindles government money Budgam, August 07: A Sarpanch in league with Zonal Education Officer allegedly embezzled Rs one Lakh on the pretext of constructing a ‘Drinking Water Toilet Facility (DWTF) at Badran Zone of Magam town in Central Kashmir.

According to reports, the Sarpanch of Badran zone of Khag Beerwah, Gulzar Ahmed Beigh was assigned the job of construction of

DWTF at Government Middle School Girls Badran.

Local’s alleged that showing the construction work only on papers, the said Sarpanch in league with ZEO of Magam drew Rs one lakh from the exchequer and distributed between themselves.

Chief Education Officer Budgam Nazir Ahmed told CNS that he has constituted a 4-member inquiry committee to probe the allegations.

BNA

11 Thursday, 08 August 2013 From Front Page........

Office of the Regional Transport Office Kashmir NOTICE

Whereas a joint application has been received from Shri Mohd. Ismail Gujree S/o Ramzan Gujree R/o New Colony Sopore Distt. Baramulla (as Transferor) and Shri. Ghulam Hussain Gujree S/o Mohd. Kamal R/o Pattan A/p Batamaloo Sgr. (as Transferee) for transfer of Big Bus Carriage route permit No. 226/KPS/WA Covering vehicle No. JK02A-3397. Now, Therefore, it is notified for general information that objections, if any to the proposed transfer of the said route permit/vehicle shall be filed in writing in the office of the Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir within a period of seven days from the date of publication of this notice. Seller and Purchaser identified by the authorised representative of M/s W.B.S Batamaloo namely Mr. Khurshid Ahmad.

No: JK RTOK 4339 Sd/- Regional Transport Officer Dated: 07-08-2013 Kashmir

Office of the Regional Transport Office Kashmir NOTICE

Whereas a joint application has been received from Shri Abdul Ahad Magray S/o Mohammad Magray R/o Syedpora Hamchi Ganderbal (as Transferor) and Shri. Nazir Ahmad Khan S/o Mohammad Ramzan R/o Gawkadal Sgr. (as Transferee) for transfer of Auto (P) Carriage route permit No. 5157-STAR Covering vehicle No. JK01C-1508. Now, Therefore, it is notified for general information that objections, if any to the proposed transfer of the said route permit/vehicle shall be filed in writing in the office of the Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir within a period of seven days from the date of publication of this notice. Seller and Purchaser identified by the authorised rep resentative of M/s S.T.W Co. namely Mr. Bagh Hussain.

No: JK RTOK 4347 Sd/- Regional Transport Officer Dated: 07-08-2013 Kashmir

Office of the Regional Transport Office Kashmir NOTICE

Whereas a joint application has been received from Shri Irshad Ahmad Bhat S/o Abdul Aziz Bhat R/o Batwara Sgr. (as Transferor) and Shri.

Tariq Ahmad Beigh S/o Abdul Rashid Beigh R/o Sumkachabal Sgr. (as Transferee) for transfer of Taxi Carriage route permit No. 154-MC Covering vehicle No. JK01G-3129.

Now, Therefore, it is notified for general information that objections, if any to the proposed transfer of the said route permit/vehicle shall be filed in writing in the office of the Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir within a period of seven days from the date of publication of this notice. Seller and Purchaser identified by the authorised representative of M/s S.T.W Co. namely Mr. Bagh Hussain.

No: JK RTOK 4342 Sd/- Regional Transport Officer Dated: 07-08-2013 Kashmir

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

NEWS

Daily ZABARWAN TIMES

Srinagar |thurSday

Mushtaq presents Rs. 128.88 crore dividend cheques to CM

Omar appreciated J&K Bank’s performance Hopes Bank would move extra-mile in fulfilling CSR

Vyas and President J&K Bank, Abdul Rauf Bhat were present on the occasion among others.

The Chief Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir Bank has a great role in socioeconomic development and entrepreneurship

owns over 53% of Bank’s shares and is the majority shareholder. In its Platinum Jubilee year the Bank approved special dividend of 500% to its shareholders.

In his initial remarks, Chairman J&K

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 07 Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Wednesday appreciated Jammu and Kashmir Bank for its performance despite adverse business environment and expressed the hope that the Bank would achieve new highs in the years to come.

“Your performance has been commendable despite adverse business environment and we expect more from you. We would like you to continue your improvement. You are peoples’ Bank and your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is stupendous”, he told the Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Bank and its top level officers at the presentation of handing over of dividend cheques to the Chief Minister for the State Government by the Bank.

Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather, Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Chairman J&K Bank, Mushtaq Ahmad, Economic Advisor to the Government, Jalil Ahmad Khan, Principal Secretary Finance, B. B.

development in the State and impressed upon the Bank to move extra-mile in this direction as also in the direction of fulfilling its CSRs. Chairman J&K Bank, Mushtaq Ahmad presented two cheques for Rs. 128.88 crores to the Chief Minister on account of Platinum Jubilee Dividend to the State Government for the financial year 2012-13. The State Government

Bank revealed that the State Government has received Rs. 584.31 crores as dividend since the inception of Bank so far adding that out of this amount, over Rs. 282 crores has been received by the Government during last three years.

Mushtaq Ahmad said that the business of the Bank has increased from Rs. 63564 crores as on 30thSeptember 2010 to Rs. 104143

Zabarwan Times is available at

Lone News Agency Kangan Khan News Agency Ganderbal Gulzar News Agency Soura Zahid Book Depot Chadoora Tariq News Agency Hawal Bashir News Agency Nowhatta Muzaffar Ali News Agency Alamgari Bazar Budshah News Agency Lal Chowk Abdullah News Agency Lal Chowk Sikendar News Agency Lal Chowk Gupkari News Agency Lal Chowk Raina News Agency Gund Kangan Khan News Agency Regal Chowk Rashid News Agency Dalgate Sheikh News Agency Hyderpora Hilal News Agency Budgam Lone News Agency Tangmarg Bhat News Agency Chadoora SRINAGAR, AUGUST,Bhat 07- News Agency so that the nimaz is conducted smoothly. traffic police authorities to ensure smooth Magam Zargar News Agency Kunzar Sagar also visited Hazratbal Shrine and plying of public and private transport and Dar News Agency Beerwah Bashir News Agency Sumbal Minister for Rural Development and took stock of measures being taken for the ensure that the traffic is regulated in a Reshi NewsSagar Agencysmooth Safapora News Agency Pattanwithout any congestion.

Panchayati Raj, Ali Mohammad conduct of Eid nimazSaleem at the historproper manner Wednesday conducted Basharat an extensive tourAgency ical place.

He directed the officers of differThe Pampore Minister also directed the officers News Bandipora Reyaz News Agency of Srinagar city and reviewed arrangedepartments to work in aJavaid coordinated of health department to put in place variAltaf the News Agencyent Pulwama News Agency Qazigund ments being made for ensuring the ous medical camps en-route the shrine Jeelani News Agency Baramulla G.M News Agency Sopore smooth conduct of Eid-ul-Fitr fesand also asked the SMC authorities Shah News Agency Kupwara Sultan News Agency Handwara tivities. to ensure proper cleanliness in and The Minister was accompanied around the shrine. He also directed Younis News Agency Langate Sheikh News Agency Islamabad

by Commissioner Srinagar Municithe PHE, PDD Reshi News Agency Islamabad Three Way News Agency Tralto ensure un-interrupted pal Corporation, Dr. G. N. Qasba and supply of water and power supply to Turray News Agency Tral Badru News Agency Bijbehara senior officers of various departthe shrine and its catchment areas esRahiPolice, News Agency Kulgam Malik News Agency Arwani ments like PDD, PHE, R&B, pecially during the prayer times.

Health and District Administration.

Rah News Agency Byepass Shaheen News AgencySagar Kargilalso conducted surprise

Sagar tours city, reviews Eid arrangements

While inspecting the arrangements being made for offering of Eid prayers at Polo Ground, the Minister directed the SMC Commissioner to make elaborate arrangements for ensuring cleanliness and other related things for the general convenience of the devotees. He also directed the police authorities to put in place a fool proof security mechanism

manner to ensure that the devotees do not face any inconvenience. He also asked the

DDC approves plan for 192 programmes REASI, AUGUST 07-The district administration, Reasi, Wednesday finalised plan for holding Joint Awareness programmes across the district by various departments.

The district has been divided into 5 zones with 10 officers designated as coordinators at block/Niabat level. In the next 8 months, 192 awareness programmes, demonstration camps, displays and fairs will be organised involving an expenditure of Rs.22 lakh. Awareness about SKWPY, PMEGP, RTI, PSGA, RTE, Child Rights and Labour laws will form an integral part of these programmes apart from Centrally and State Sponsored Schemes.

Chairing a meeting of district officers, convened to finalise launch of mass awareness programme, District Development Commissioner, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, directed the departments to organise programmes at panchayat and block level through inter-departmental coordination.

Assistant Commissioner Development has been appointed as District Nodal Officer for organising multi sectoral awareness programmes and publication of documents related to various schemes for distribution among people.

The meeting approved month-wise calendar of programmes to be organised in urban and rural areas across district.

The departments of Rural Development, DRDA, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Employment, Fisheries, Health, Education, Social Welfare, Labour, Sheep Husbandry, ST/ SC Corporation, Industries, JKEDI, Social Welfare, DUDA and Tourism will collaborate for providing awareness on one platform.

During the meeting, specific programmes have been earmarked for participation of MLAs/MLCs, DDC and district officers. In this regard, the District Coordination committee, headed

by DDC, will review the performance and impact of every programme at the end of month.The schemes related to livelihood, social security, health and education sector, tourism, self-employment, food production and processing besides loan and subsdies will receive special attention. The Tehsildars and BDOs have been assigned charge holding programmes in Pouni, Katra, Reasi and Arnas while SDM will be incharge of programme for Mahore.

checks of various CAPD depots and directed the concerned officers to ensure the availability of food grains and other essential items like LPG, K.Oil for the general convenience of the people.

The Minister also visited Zainakadal area and directed the officers to ensure the proper rehabilitation of the shopkeepers whose properties have been acquired within the shortest possible time.

A meeting of District level officers was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, M.Y. Zargar here Wednesday. During the meeting, arrangements with regard to celebrations of Independence Day were reviewed.

The officers on this occasion were asked to keep close coordination with each other and ensure better arrangements for the said function.

The Deputy Commissioner directed for special attention to be given towards availability of drinking water, illumination of government offices, sanitation, parade and security arrangements etc.Among others, S.P. Bandipora besides Additional Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner Revenue and

the officers from District administration attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, on the instructions of District Development Commissioner, Kupwara, a meeting of officers of Police, Security forces, civil administration was held at District Police Lines Kupwara to review the preparedness and arrangements for Independence Day celebrations.The meeting was chaired by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, officers of R&B, PHE, Youth Services and Sports, Education, DRDA, Forest Protection Force, Police and Information were presented on the occasion.

It was decided that the function shall start at District Police Lines by Shahnai Wadan and the chief guest will hoist the national flag at 9 a.m. followed by inspec-

Govt committed to providing basic amenities to people on priority: Gul SRINAGAR, AUGUST 07: Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Mubarak Gul Wednesday reiterated that Government is commitment for the prosperity and development of the State besides, providing basic amenities to the people.

He said number of welfare and developmental schemes have already been completed and various schemes and projects in this regard are being implemented.

This was stated by the Speaker while interacting with the various deputations from Noorbagh and other areas who called him here Wednesday at his official residence.The deputationists put forth their individual and

collective problems which include construction of culverts, renovation of lanes and drains, augmentation of water supply schemes, distribution of ration, Sugar, k. oil, LPG Gas and issuance of timber on concessional rates.

While responding to various issues put forth by the people, Gul directed the officers of concerned department for their redressal on the spot and assured the people that their other issues will also be looked into gradually.

Regarding injured Jan Mohammad Khandey of Noorbagh who is undergoing treatment in SKIMS, Soura, Speaker assured the deputation that every possible help will be provided to the injured person.

Hassle-free ration provided to the people during the Holy month: Ramzan

Directs to intensify market checking, tighten noose around black marketers and profiteers SRINAGAR, AUGUST 07:

The Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan Wednesday said that adequate buffer stock of food grains and essential commodities including cooking gas and Kerosene Oil is available in the State adding that efforts have been made to provide hassle-free ration to the people during the Holy month of Ramadan including the eve of Eid-ulFitr. However, the Minister said that the complaints received from various Districts in respect of supply and distribution of LPG would be redressed before Eid on priority.

The Minister said this while chairing a high level joint meeting of officers of CA&PD Department and LPG Dealers convened to take stock of the

I-Day arrangements reviewed at Bandipora, Kupwara BANDIPORA, AUGUST 07:

crore as on March 31, 2013 thereby registering a growth of 64%. He said the annual profits have more than doubled to Rs. 1055 crore as against Rs. 512 crore in March 2010.

The Chairman J&K Bank said the Bank has added 165 business units since October 2010 raising the number of branches to 6694. He said business branches have been opened in the far-flung, remote and un-bankable areas. He said ATM network has also been extended by adding 373 teller machines taking their total number to 682 from 309 in October 2010.

He said that with its focus on the overall development of the State, the Bank addresses the issue of finance and employment in a big way and is the sole financer for the State Government’s flagship schemes of Sher-i-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for Youth (SKEWPY). He said J&K Bank has so far financed 1784 units under initiative which involves an amount of Rs. 120.12 crore.

He said that 410 Kissan Credit Cards have been issued by the Bank till June 30, 2013 across the State involving Credit disbursement of Rs. 2146 crore. He said Bank has also distributed 24000 Artisan Cards and disbursed Rs. 141 crore among various categories of artisans.

tion of parade, march past presented by the JKP, JKAP, IRP, CRPF, Forest Protection Force besides contingents of school children and police band.

The arrangements in respect of security, cultural programmes, seating arrangements, prizes for participants, besides drinking water, power, refreshment arrangements were finalized.It was decided that August 11 and 13, 2013 would be the rehearsal days to be held at District Police Lines Kupwara and the government installation would be illuminated onAugust 14, 2013 evening.The concerned officers were urged to work with more zeal, coordination and dedication, the Committees constituted were asked to select the programmes for successful function.

supply and distribution position of essential commodities, LPG and K. Oil here Wednesday.The Minister said that the LPG is being provided in the city and major towns of the Valley through Home Delivery System which has remained a successful exercise. However, he directed the authorities to ensure home delivery of gas in the rural areas without further delay as the last date fixed for starting the same has already expired. He issued instruction to the authorities to ensure that there should be no complaint in this regard in future.It was informed in the meeting that regular dealership for new gas agencies should be set up on merit basis. It was also given out in the meeting that setting up of new gas agencies under RGGVY dealership scheme is in process for which 47 Block of the State have already been identified for which 176 application have been received.

The draw of lots for setting of these agencies would be held in October this year, the meeting was informed.

The Minister stressed for intensifying the market checking in view of Eid-ulFitr and tighten noose around black marketers and profiteers to prevent the consumers from being cheated on Eid day. He said that Mobile Checking squads comprising one senior officers of CA&PD Department, Crime Branch and Legal Metrology Department will keep close vigil on the markets round the clock.

Ensure availability of essentials: Malhotra to district administration

JAMMU, JULY 7: Chairman, Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra, who is on Jammu tour,has instructed district administration Jammu to ensure availability of essentials including cooking gas, mutton and poultry products in connection with Eid festival, particularly in Muslim dominated areas.

Malhotra asked the authorities of CA&PD department to mobilize and intensify the market checking squads in order to keep check on profiteers and black marketers. He directed Jammu Municipal Corporation to launch a massive cleanliness drive in and around the areas where Eid congregations are expected to take place.

The Chairman asked the authorities of Power Development and Public Health Engineering Departments to take preemptive measures for making round the clock availability of power and water supply to the people during festival days

Taj hands over three ambulances, one critical care ambulance to GMC JAMMU, AUGUST 07Minister for Medical Education, Technical Education, Youth Services and Sports, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Wednesday handed over three ambulances and one critical care ambulance to Government Medical College, Jammu.

Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Shalen Kabra, Principal, GMC, Jammu, Medical Superintendent, Ravinder Rattan Pal besides HODs of various departments were present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the government is committed to upgrade health infrastructure in the State so that all advanced healthcare facilities are provided to the people within the state. He said that work on shifting of various departments to Super Speciality Hospital is in progress and

units like Cardiology, Urology, Neurology, Neuro Surgery, Endocrinology and others are expected to be made fully functional.The Minister expressed gratitude to the Center for increasing the number of seats for MBBS in the GMC, Jammu.

He said that the MCI will soon visit the State for inspection of infrastructure and related facilities to be made available to the students in the GMC. Later, the Minister convened a meeting with Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education, Principal Medical College, Administration officer, HODs of various departments and discussed various issues regarding up gradation of infrastructural facilities at Government Medical College Jammu in view of increased MBBSseats from 100 to 150. He also inspected the condition of various departments including lecture halls and laboratories

and issued necessary directions for upgradation of the same at the earliest.

The Minister also inspected Oxygen concentrated plant in the hospital and was informed that the capacity of plant is less as compared to present requirement.

Meanwhile, the Minister also inspected AMT School, Government Medical College Jammu and directed the authorities for early repair of the AMT School. He also visited Sir Col R. N. Chopra Nursing Home, Government Medical College Hospital and directed the functionaries for early repair and renovation of the same. He was informed that the Multi-Theatre has also been made functional in Chopra Nursing Home.Later, the Minister inaugurated Residential Accommodation for Para Medical Staff at Psychiatrist Disease Hospital Jammu.

08 .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 May 21-June 21

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.

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 Thursday, 08 August 2013

SMS EID

G

one are the days when Eid celebrations were in fact instrumentalities and means of family reunion togetherness and a bond of cementing and strengthening the social ties. These celebrations would last for days together, friends, relations and people from other communities would visit each other and share the happiness of the Eid festivity. In our state, it was also a leading factor of Kashmiriyat and communal amity. The celebrations would consist of musical events, Kashmiri dance (Rouf) by women folk, village fairs, sports competitions like Kabbadi, Volleyball and last but not the least enjoying a variety of Kashmiri cuisine after Eid prayers. No Eid was complete unless people visited each other’s house and spend some time with their nears and dears, friends and neighbors. The married girls and their husbands would be invited on Eid and exchange of gifts would be a routine matter. Now God knows where that love, affection, friendly atmosphere, hospitality, traditions and customs have vanished.

Gradually we have lost our roots, our social fabric and our rich past.

Now the time has reached to such a point when paying a visit to each other’s house on Eid day has become a forgotten past, even giving a twinkle is rare and we are confined to send one SMS of greetings to all the numbers stored in our mobile phone. After this, we feel to have fulfilled our responsibilities and accomplished our mission.

Those brothers who used to care, wait eagerly and impatiently for Eid to come so that they would bestow all their love and affection on their sisters have turned so unconcerned, emotionless and stone-hearted that they even forget to send this SMS to their sisters. World may have changed, progress and prosperity may have flourished our lives, traditions and customs may have been forgotten, but God has created humans with a throbbing heart and blessed him with love affection and emotions. How can our prosperity snatch these blessings of God from us? How can we forget human relationship? How can we shed away our responsibilities towards society, and how can we behave like insane social animals, and roll down our long cherished human values. Let us come alive, feel the warmth of our relations, let us forget SMS culture and revive our age old traditions to celebrate our Eid in its true spirit.

Daily

ZABARWAN TIMES 9

Thursday, 08 August 2013

ICE Core and Lakes in Antarctica T

he Antarctic Continent is the coldest region on the earth. Most of the land here is buried underneath masses of ice and snow.

Indian scientists are studying the ice core to unravel history of geographical features of the continent and to learn various aspects of climate change due to environmental variations, volcanic activity, signs of life etc. Two main studies being done are Ice Core Study and Lake’s Study.

Ice Core Studies Locked up in its ice sheet at Antarctic is a record of the history of life and environment for the last several hundreds to thousands of years. Ice cores recovered from polar ice sheets in general offers the best possibility of reconstructing the past atmospheric composition. Several ice cores have been drilled from the ice sheets covering Greenland and Antarctica over the years. Records of past volcanic eruptions and accumulation rates of ice, climatic and environmental changes, atmospheric and nuclear fallout, and solar and terrestrial variability for several thousands of years have been derived from ice cores. Considering potential of ice core for environmental and the lack of data from the DML, India has made its foray into Antarctic ice core research by carrying out shallow drilling.

Ice Core Laboratory The Ice Core Laboratory set up at National Centre for Antarctic and Oceanography Research (NCAOR) for the exclusive archival, processing and analysis of ice cores, is the first of its kind in the whole country and was dedicated to the Nation in January 2005.

The major facilities established at the Ice Core Laboratory include: Archival facilities, Processing facilities and Analytical facilities. The Archival facility consists of two large freezer rooms with temperatures of -20˚C for scientific archival of ice cores obtained from Antarctica. In these rooms, high grade Stainless Steel storage racks have been fabricated for properly stacking ice core storage cases. Ice cores are stored in custom-made highly insulative storage cases made of Expanded Poly Propylene (EPP) to protect the ice cores from transient fluctuations in tempera-

ture. The Processing facility has been setup in -15˚C room fitted with specialized pinewood and SS work tables. For sub-sampling and slicing the ice cores for various analytical measurements, custom-made precision band-sawmachines have been fitted on top of the work tables. In order to remove the contaminants from the ice core surface, microtome blades are used to remove the outer layers. Further processing and clean chemistry analyses are done in a dedicated Class 100 Clean room facility.

Some of the analytical instrumentation facilities available at the Ice Core Laboratory include are - A Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass

NCAOR and Geological Survey of India (GSI), drilling program in Antarctica has progressed well. Cores of 65 m, 75m and 55 m have been retrieved from the continental ice and ice shelf respectively.

Additionally, in order to obtain information on the modern environmental signatures in the Antarctic snow, large number of surface snow samples are collected and studied. The major ion analysis of the ice core from DML region in Antarctica has revealed the existence of several volcanic events. Few are known such as Krakatau (1883), Tambora (1815), and Huaynaputina (1600) eruptions but the eruption of (1809) is unknown. Agung (1963) and Krakatau

Antarctic continent along with its

surrounding ocean influences the climate

not just in

the high latitudes but across

the entire planet. The Polar Regions are the first to be affected by changes in climate, both in terms of rapidity and intensity.

Spectrometer (ICP-MS) facility equipped with an XII Series Thermo ICP-MS with collision cell technology (CCT) facility for high-sensitivity, ultratrace elemental studies; Ion Chromatograph facility equipped with a modular, reagent-free Ion Chromatograph integrated with electrochemical suppressors for analyzing trace level impurities of major ions in the ice cores; Stable Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS) facility equipped with a GV Isoprime system for high sensitivity analysis of the stable isotopes in dual inlet and continuous mode. In addition to the above, the laboratory also has various analytical facilities like Electrical Conductivity Measurement (ECM) facility, ultra-pure water purification system, acid purification system, to name a few.

Under a collaborative project between

(1883) eruptions have harboured microbial cells, which suggests that volcanic ash particles could provide a significant micro-niche for microbes and nanobes in the accreted ice. Highresolution (sampling resolution: 9 samples in year) studies on the stable isotopes of Oxygen and Hydrogen from an ice core (IND-25/B5) recovered from the DML were used to understand environmental variations in this region.

Results from the study have been published in national and international journals and presented at various conferences.

Antarctic Lake Studies The chilling temperature, lack of sunlight, little rainfall, inferior soil quality and lack of moisture account for scanty flora and fauna in lakes of Antarctica. But fur seals, blue whales, orcas and penguins are found on the periphery of the so called land mass near

sea shore. The lakes thus do not have rich flora and fauna, but their study helps to unravel marine influence at some point of time.

Antarctic continent along with its surrounding ocean influences the climate not just in the high latitudes but across the entire planet. The Polar Regions are the first to be affected by changes in climate, both in terms of rapidity and intensity. Among the various proxies that archive the information on palaeoclimate, the Antarctic lake sediments play a pivotal role in palaeoclimate investigations. The sediment cores retrieved from the lakes have been used for sedimentological, mineralogical, geochemical and biological studies to decipher the climatic changes that have occurred in the immediate past in Antarctica at different timescale.

A preliminary bathymetric map, estimation of the distribution, thickness and stratigraphy of the sediments underlying the lake etc., were obtained to aid in locating the suitable coring sites and conducting the overall basin analysis.

Acoustic techniques such as echo sounding for the depth variation in Priyadarshini Lake have revealed a maximum depth of 5.9m in the northeastern part of surveyed area of lake. Lake sediment studies on the samples collected from marginal Antarctic lake in the Vestfold Hills of eastern Antarctic region have shown that both agglutinated and calcareous types of foraminifera tests are present in the 24 cm long sediment core.

The presence of the foraminifera and grain size variation in low shelf water body clearly reflect marine influence in the form of periodic marine incursions that must have acted to change faunal composition in the past. As a part of multidisciplinary collaborative work on palaeoclimate, five sediment cores have been subjected to various investigations.

Core logging, grain size analyses, mineral magnetic observations, geochemistry, sedimentological and AMS dates (32,655 years BP) of the cores have yielded significant results. Multiproxy biological data (pollen, diatom, other alga) generated from sediments has been used for paleoclimatic reconstruction over polar region.

Tagore-The Poet, Songwriter, Philosopher, Artist and Educator R

abindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was the youngest son of Debendranath Tagore, a leader of the Brahmo Samaj. Rabindranath Tagore was born in Calcutta into a wealthy and prominent family. His grandfather had established a huge financial empire for himself. Tagore received his early education first from tutors and then at a variety of schools. Among them were Bengal Academy where he studied history and culture. and then University College, London, where he studied law but left a year later for unlikeness of the weather.

In his mature years, in addition to his manysided literary activities, he managed the family estates, a project which brought him into close touch with people and increased his interest in social reforms. He also started an experimental school at Shantiniketan where he tried his Upanishadic ideals of education.

Tagore had early success as a writer in his native Bengal. With translations of some of his poems he became rapidly known in the West. In fact his fame attained luminous height, taking him across continents on lecture tours and tours of friendship. For the world he became the voice of India’s spiritual heritage, and for India, especially for Bengal, he became a great living institution.

Although Tagore wrote successfully in all literary genres, he was first of all a poet.

Among his fifty and odd volumes of poetry are Manasi (1890) [The Ideal One], Sonar Tari (1894) [The Golden Boat], Gitanjali (1910) [Song Offerings], Gitimalya (1914) [Wreath of Songs], and Balaka (1916) [The Flight of Cranes]. The English renderings of his poetry, include The Gardener (1913), Fruit-Gathering (1916), and The Fugitive (1921), Gitanjali: Song Offerings (1912), became the most acclaimed of them, contains poems from other works besides its namesake. Tagore’s reputation as a writer was established in the United States and in England after the publication of Gitanjali: Song Offerings, about divine

and human love. The poems were 1900 he wrote seven volumes of poetry, translated into English by the author including Sonar TarI (The Golden Boat), himself.

1894 and Khanika, 1900 and Nashtanir, Tagore’s major plays are Raja (1910) [The (The Broken Nest) 1901, published first King of the Dark Chamber], Dakghar serially. This was a highly productive (1912) [The Post Office], Achalayatan period in Tagore’s life, and earned him the (1912) [The Immovable], Muktadhara rather misleading epitaph ‘The Bengali (1922) [The Waterfall], and Raktakaravi Shelley.’

(1926) [Red Oleanders]. He is the author of The Greatest writer in modern Indian several volumes of short stories and a literature, Bengali poet, novelist and an number of novels, among them Gora early advocate of Independence for India, (1910), Ghare-Baire (1916) [The Home Tagaore won the Nobel Prize for Literature and the World], and Yogayog (1929) in 1913 for his collection of well-known [Crosscurrents]. Besides these, he wrote poems Gitanjali (Song Offerings). Two musical dramas, dance dramas, essays of years later he was awarded the knighthood, all types, travel diaries, and two autobiog- but he surrendered it in 1919 as a protest raphies, one in his middle years and the against the massacre in Amritsar. Tagore’s other shortly before his death in 1941. influence over Gandhi and the founders of

Indian Literature. ‘Punishment’, a much anthologized work, was set in a rural village.

It describes the oppression of women through the tragedy of the low-caste Rui family. His major theme was humanity’s search for God and truth.

Between 1916 and 1941, Tagore published 21 collections of songs and poems and held lecture tours across Europe, America, China, Japan and Indonesia. In 1924, he inaugurated the Viswa Bharati University at Santiniketan, an All India Centre for culture.

Tagore was keenly aware of India’s sociopolitical condition under British rule. He supported the Swadeshi movement and had been deeply influenced by the religious renaissance of 19th century India.

Tragically, between 1902 and 1907, Tagore lost his wife, son and daughter. But out of his pain emerged some of his most Tagore had early success as a writer in his tender work, including Gitanjali, published in 1910. Tagore remained a true native Bengal. With translations of some of patriot, supporting the national movement and writing the lyrics of the “Jana Gana his poems he became rapidly known in the Mana”, which is India’s national anthem.

Tagore’s works are classics, renowned for their lyrical beauty and spiritual poiWest. In fact his fame attained luminous gnancy. He is remembered for his literary genius and Santiniketan remains a height, taking him across continents on flourishing institute. In Tagore’s own words, “The world speaks to me in colours, lecture tours and tours of friendship. my soul answers in music”. His profound symbolism, abetted by the free-flowing Tagore also left numerous drawings and modern India was enormous, but his nature of his verse, creates a universe of paintings, and songs for which he wrote the reputation in the West as a mystic has haunting beauty that expresses God’s music himself. perhaps mislead his Western readers to infinite love and humanity’s deep A dedicated educator, Tagore established a ignore his role as a reformer and critic of compassion for all things beautiful. school (1901) in his estate, Santiniketan, in colonialism. At the age of 70 Tagore took Known as “Gurudev,” poet Rabindranath Bengal, to teach a blend of Eastern and up painting. He was also a composer, Tagore was a proud inheritor of India’s Western philosophies. In 1921 his school settings hundreds of poems to music. spiritual heritage, to which he gave voice in was expanded into an international Many of his poems are actually songs, and his inimitable language. He was one of our university, Visva-Bharati. He also traveled inseparable from their music. Tagore’s noblest patriots and was always keen to and lectured throughout the world. Visva- ‘Our Golden Bengal’ became the national promote the welfare of his countrymen, Bharati, which was dedicated to emerging anthem of Bangladesh. His written educationally, economically and politically.

Western and Indian philosophy and production, still not completely collected, He was a colossus who made an outstanding fills nearly 30 substantial volumes. Tagore contribution to the development of painting, education became a university in 1921.

In 1890 Tagore moved to East Bengal (now remained a well-known and popular author music, dance and drama. He triumphantly Bangladesh), where he collected local in the West until the end of the 1920s. toured many countries of the world carrying legends and folklore. Between 1893 and Tagore’s short stories influenced deeply the message of renascent India.

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 THURSDAY | 08 AUG 2013

Exposure to pesticide behind childhood cough

Children exposed to the widely used pesticide additive piperonyl butoxide (PBO) in the womb have heightened risk of noninfectious cough at ages 5 and 6, a new study has found.

The findings support the premise that the children's respiratory system is susceptible to damage from toxic exposures during the prenatal period. A common symptom, childhood cough can disrupt normal daytime activities and interrupt sleep for both child and parent.

Researchers at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH) at the Mailman School of Public Health and of Columbia University Medical Center conducted the study.

Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) is an organic compound used to bolster the effects of pyrethroid pesticides.

Pyrethroids are the most commonly used pesticides for both professional pest control and non-professional residential use, according to a 2011 study by Mailman School researchers.

Exposure to one pyrethroid, a variation of permethrin, was linked with increased risk for cough by

age 5 in a 2009 study by Rachel Miller, MD. In the current study, Dr. Miller and colleagues sought to build on these findings by exploring the effects of subsequent exposure during childhood, looking specifically at the effects of PBO exposure.

Researchers looked at 224 mother-child pairs enrolled in the CCCEH birth cohort study of environmental exposures, examining measures of PBO and pyrethroid in personal air monitors worn by the mothers during pregnancy.

Air samples also were collected from the home over the course of two weeks when children were between 5 and 6 years old.

Questionnaires were used to evaluate respiratory outcomes.

Researchers found that children exposed to PBO during pregnancy had increased odds of reporting cough unrelated to cold or flu. Exposures to PBO during childhood were not a factor.

There was no observed association between prenatal or childhood permethrin exposure and cough,

something the researchers say may be explained by the fact that PBO is much easier to measure in air samples than permethrin.

There was also no association with PBO or permethrin exposure and other respiratory outcomes like wheeze or asthma.

While it is unclear whether the effect is due mainly to PBO itself or residential pyrethroids of which PBO is an indicator, it is important to remember, said Dr. Miller, that "these exposures may be a factor in a very common problem for children—cough.

Personal care items cause asthma in kids

Researchers have found that children exposed to diethyl phthalate (DEP) and butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP)—phthalate chemicals commonly found in personal care and plastic products—have elevated risk of asthma-related airway inflammation.

Of the 244 children aged 5 to 9 in the study, all had detectable levels of phthalates in their urine although these varied over a wide range.

Higher levels of both phthalates were associated with higher levels of nitric oxide in exhaled breath, a biological marker of airway inflammation.

The association between BBzP exposure and airway inflammation was especially strong among children who had recently reported wheeze, a common symptom of asthma, according to the researchers at Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH) at the Mailman School of Public Health.

"While many factors contribute to childhood asthma, our study shows that exposure to phthalates may play a significant role," said Allan Just, PhD, first author on the new CCCEH study and current

postdoctoral researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Dr. Just and co-investigators looked at children enrolled in the CCCEH Mothers and Newborns study. All live in Northern Manhattan and the South Bronx where asthma prevalence is high. Exposure to phthalates was measured through a urine test, and the level of nitric oxide in the child's exhaled breath was quantified as a marker of airway inflammation.

The study is the first to use exhaled nitric oxide in a

study of phthalate exposure in children. By using the biomarker in exhaled breath, the researchers overcame a significant hurdle.

"Many asthma patients only have asthma exacerbations a few times a year, making it difficult to discern short-term associations between environmental exposures and the disease," explained Matthew Perzanowski, PhD, senior author and Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the Mailman School.

"To solve this problem, we used nitric oxide, which has been shown to be a reliable marker of airway inflammation in response to known asthma triggers like vehicle emissions," he said.Phthalates are used widely in consumer products, including plastics, vinyl flooring, and personal care products, making exposure ubiquitous in the United States and other developed nations.

Phthalates enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and absorption through the skin.

percent respectively, compared with less than 0.5 percent among smokeless coal users of both sexes.

These risks are almost as high as those reported for heavy smokers in Western countries, ranging between 20 percent and 26 percent.

Lung cancer deaths were also associated with the average number of hours that a smoky coal user spent at home and the age at which participants started cooking. The researchers say that their findings have important implications for public health in this region of China and suggest that the use of less carcinogenic types of coal or other fuels can translate into a substantial reduction of lung cancer risk. As this chemical and physical composition of coal differs widely in different geographical locations, additional research is needed on the carcinogenicity of various types of coal, they added.

Scientists now have an explanation for why green tea is good for the brain -- it lies in the chemical properties that affect the production of brain cells, improving memory and spatial learning.

"Green tea is a popular beverage across the world," said Yun Bai, professor from the Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.

"There has been plenty of scientific attention on its use in helping prevent cardiovascular diseases, but now there is emerging evidence that its chemical properties may impact cellular mechanisms in the brain."

Yun's team focused on the organic chemical EGCG, (epigallocatechin-3 gallate) a key property of green tea. While EGCG is a known antioxidant, the team believed it can also have a beneficial effect against age-related degenerative diseases, the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research

reports."We proposed that EGCG can improve cognitive function by impacting the generation of neuron cells, a process known as neurogenesis," said Yun. "We focused our research on the hippocampus, the part of the brain which processes information from short-term to longterm memory."

The team found that ECGC boosts the production of neural progenitor cells, which like stem cells can adapt, or differentiate, into various types of cells. The team then used lab mice to discover if this increased cell production gave an advantage to memory or spatial learning, according to a Medical University statement."We ran tests on two groups of mice, one which had imbibed ECGC and a control group (without ECGC)," said Yun. "First the mice were trained for three days to find a visible platform in their maze. Then they were trained for seven days to find a hidden platform."

Best purple foods for good health There has been so much talk on having a rainbow of foods on your plate - a group of 'colours' of certain fruit signifying certain benefits.

Of these purple foods are perhaps most significant as it is a fact that darker the food, the higher the antioxidant level. Antioxidants can prevent cell damage, and keep one looking younger. Here are more reasons to stock up on purple-hued foods today.

Benefits galore: As per data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES), in a survey on eating and health, it was seen that adults who eat purple and blue fruits and vegetables are less likely to be overweight. They have a reduced risk for both high blood pressure and low HDL cholesterol. It was believed that anthocyanins, or compounds that give purple foods their colour, were responsible for this. Purple foods have a pigment called anthocyanin. This is a strong and antioxidant, which is said to reduce the risk of cancer.

What they are: Eggplant, Purple grapes, figs, plums, dark cherries, raisins, purple cabbage are all candidates.

Get cooking!

Here are some quick-fix recipes...

Plums: Take fresh plums, and put them in a grill with the skin on. Grill and sprinkle a little cinnamon powder on them. You

can also stick a clove in each of them and rest them awhile, then remove cloves and eat.

Purple cabbage: Take purple cabbage, slice it up. Drizzle some balsamic vinegar or light sweet onion dressing over them.

Enjoy!

Figs: To make a healthy salad, just chop fresh figs along with shredded rocket leaves, feta cheese and add toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts on them. Serve.

Plums: This fruit is best had on its own.

However, it can also be enjoyed in desserts and savouries. To make poached plums, place plums in a baking dish, add a little sugar and lemon juice and toss them gently so they get coated. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove and have with cream or just like that.

The use of "smoky coal" for household cooking and heating was found to be associated with a substantial increase in the lifetime risk of developing lung cancer, according to a study from China. This represents one of the strongest effects of environmental pollution reported for cancer risk in any population, the researchers said. It also underlines the importance of taking action to minimise exposure to the most hazardous types of fuel. About half the world's population uses coal and other solid fuels for cooking and heating, often in simple stoves that are unvented.

Exposure to certain types of solid fuel smoke is associated with several diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory infections, and lung cancer. However, the relationship between smoky coal use and lung cancer is not

Replace ghee with canola or olive oil When a recipe calls for ghee or butter, substitute it with canola or olive oil for better health.

Both these oils can help you to shed weight and reduce liver fat, lipids and triglycerides, says a study.

The study conducted by the Diabetes Foundation (India) (DFI) and the National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC) has found that consuming olive or canola oil can help in decreasing weight, waist circumference and reduce liver fat, lipids and triglycerides. A group of 90 people were part of the study for three years from June 2007 to 2010. They were divided into three groups and asked to use one type of cooking oil — olive, canola or any other oil. "After a period of six months itself, we found that those who used olive or canola significantly reduced there weight, liver fat and triglycerides," said Seema Gulati, head of nutrition research group at N-DOC.

The group which used olive oil significantly reduced the body weight, waist circumference and liver fat. As for the 30 people who used canola oil, they reported a decrease in waist circumference and a significantly improved insulin and blood glucose. The group which

used other oils, except the soybean or sunflower oil — which have a high content of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) — as cooking medium had not showed any significant changes.

"If the different traditional Indian oils used across the country are replaced by olive or

canola oil, it can lead to multiple health benefits," said Anoop Misra, director and head of department of diabetes and metabolic diseases at a leading hospital. he said that the study has important implications for Indians who are at heightened risk for diabetes and heart disease

fully understood.

So an international team of researchers compared deaths from lung cancer between lifelong users of "smoky coal" and "smokeless coal" for household cooking and heating in Xuanwei County, Yunnan Provine, China, where lung cancer rates are particularly elevated. In total, over 37,000 individuals were followed over a 20year period (1976-96) during which time more than 2,000 deaths from lung cancer were recorded. After taking account of other possible risk factors including tobacco use, lung cancer cases and deaths were substantially higher among users of smoky (i.e. bituminous) coal for home cooking and heating than users of smokeless (i.e. anthracitic) coal. In absolute terms, the risk of lung cancer death before 70 years of age for men and women using smoky coal was 18 percent and 20

Books are tonic for the brain

Reading is not just another leisurely activity or a way of brushing up your literacy skills and factual knowledge - it acts as a tonic for the brain too.

Neuroscientist Susan Greenfield suggests that reading helps to expand attention spans in kids.

"Stories have a beginning, a middle and an end - a structure that encourages our brains to think in sequence, to link cause, effect and significance," she says.

"It is essential to learn this skill as a small child, while the brain has more plasticity, which is why it's so important for parents to read to their children. The more we do it, the better we get at it," Greenfield added.

Reading can enrich our relationships by increasing our understanding of other cultures and helping us learn to empathise, the Daily Mail reports.

"In a computer game, you might have to rescue a princess, but you don't care about her, you just want to win," explains Greenfield.

"But a princess in a book has a past, present and future, she has connections and motivations. We can relate to her. We see the world through her eyes."

John Stein, emeritus professor of neuroscience at Magdalen College, Oxford, says reading is far from a passive activity. "Reading exercises the whole brain," he explains. Read-

ing stories to children will help their brains develop the ability to analyse the cause, effect and significance of events In 2009, a brain-imaging study in the US showed that reading about landscapes, sounds, smells and tastes, activates brain areas tied to these experiences in real life, creating new neural pathways.

Simply stated, our brains simulate real experiences, which doesn't happen when you're watching TV or playing computer games.

In 2009, University of Sussex researchers showed how six minutes of reading can slash stress levels by more than two-thirds, more than listening to music or going out for a walk.

NATION

7 SRINAGAR Thursday, 08 August,2013

Rahul Gandhi mocks the poor, says poverty is just a state of mind

First, Congress leaders Raj Babbar and Rasheed Masood mocked the poor by their Rs.12 and Rs.5 for a meal remarks. Now, it’s none other than the Gandhi scion who has come out with his own, bizarre definition of poverty.

Speaking at a function in Allahabad on Monday, Rahul Gandhi stirred the hornet’s nest by dismissing poverty as just a state of mind.

Hailing the role of self-help groups in advancement of marginalised section of society, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said they

provide the poor with “self-confidence to overcome poverty”.

The Congress leader made this comment while participating in a discourse on ‘Culture, Deepening Democracy and Most Marginalised Communities’, organised by noted social scientist Badri Narayan.

“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,” Narayan quoted Gandhi as having said at the event which was organised at the GB Pant Social Science Institute on the outskirts of the city.

“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,” he said.

In this context, Gandhi cited the example of a poor woman in Amethi, who redeemed her selfesteem by getting associated with self-help group Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas Pariyojana.

The Congress vice president, who was ac-

companied by the party’s national general secretary Madhusudan Mistry, also interacted with people from remote villages of Allahabad and other neighbouring districts.He assured them “my one and only political aim is that I want to tune my ears to the voice of the poor and the marginalised”.Earlier, while inaugurating a branch of city-based Kamla Nehru Memorial Hospital in the district’s trans-Yamuna region, Gandhi expressed concern over “increasing money-mindedness” among medical practitioners and urged doctors to take a keen interest in serving in rural areas.Meanwhile, the visit of Gandhi here, the first after he was elevated as the Congress vice president, was marked by protests from supporters of the BJP at a number of places.Activists of BJP’s youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and the Congress students’ wing NSUI came to blows near the GB Pant Institute.BJYM activists had been raising slogans against the UPA government at the Centre and were attacked by NSUI activists when some of them tried to jump in front of Gandhi’s vehicle waving black flags, police said, adding that two persons have been rounded up in this connection.

Pranab hails Food Bill as ‘significant milestone’

Describing the government’s food security measure as a “significant milestone” in the country’s agricultural and social history, the President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday expressed hope that the current session of Parliament will endorse the bill replacing the ordinance.

“The year 2013 marks a significant milestone in our agriculture and social history.

Last month the national food security ordinance was promulgated and on Wednesday the bill to replace the ordinance has been introduced in the Lok Sabha. I am sure that this session of Parliament will endorse the bill. This initiative is believed to be the world’s largest social protection measure against hunger” the President said.

He was addressing a function organised here to mark the 25th anniversary of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF).

Mr. Mukherjee praised the initiative which aimed at making availability of food at an affordable cost, a legal

day.

The official said the Consulate-General of India in Jaffna has been providing them with basic necessities and medical attention whenever required.

The ongoing agitation against bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh has hit banking transactions worth Rs 10,000 crore in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.

Many ATMs located in the region ran dry as many banks could not refill cash amid protests.

“As per rough estimates Rs 10,000 crore worth transactions were affected during the past one week. Approximately, all banks put together there are 3,000 ATMs and 4,000 branches in coastal and Rayalaseema regions catering to public needs,” B S Rambabu, Andhra Pradesh Bank Employees Federation General Secretary said.

According to him, there are 6,000 branches with 80,000 employees across Andhra Pradesh.

When contacted, a senior official of State Bank of India admitted that there was disruption to ATM services in these

two regions.

“Some places we are not able to put cash in ATMs due to security reasons.

However, we make sure that cash is placed whenever is possible. Sometimes, we do that in early mornings for the convenience of our customers,” the SBI official said.

Reports said that long queues were witnessed in front of ATMs in many cities as people withdrew money from their salary accounts. But most of the ATMs located near SBI branches have cash mostly, the SBI official said.

According to data available, SBI has nearly 1,200 ATMs in the state barring Telangana.

On an average in a day, each ATM has 300 transactions with withdrawals in the range of Rs 6-7 lakhs, he said.

Banking services were affected during pro-Telangana agitations previously also.

UP Minister downplays LIU report on Nagpal, says inquiry is on

Seeking to downplay the LIU report that suspended IAS officer Durga Sakthi Nagpal was not present during demolition of a wall of a mosque in Gautam Budh Nagar, a UP minister on Wednesday said inquiry was going on and the truth would come out soon. "An inquiry is being conducted and the truth will come out soon," UP Minister Brahma Shanker Tripathi told reporters in Lucknow.

The Local Intelligence Unit report sent to UP government had claimed that wall of under-construction mosque was demolished in Gautam Budh Nagar in presence of Circle Officer/ SDM Jewar and that Nagpal, SDM (Sadar), was not present at the spot. Both Jewar and Sadar fall under G B Nagar.

28-year-old Nagpal, who led the crackdown on sand mining mafia in her district, was suspended on July 27 ostensibly for ordering demolition of the wall allegedly without following the due process. The District Magistrate, GB Nagar had stated in his report to the state government that Nagpal had not got the wall of any religious place demolished.

UP Minister downplays LIU report on Nagpal, says inquiry is on UP Minister downplays LIU report on Nagpal, says inquiry is on

The LIU report had said that on July 27, members of the Muslim community were getting a new mosque constructed in Kadalpur village in Raghupura area of G B Nagar. "The administration is saying that the action has been taken as no permission has been sought for construction of the mosque," the report had said. SDM (Jewar) Bachhu Singh, however, had said Kadalpur village does not come under his area.

The LIU had sent its report to the DIG, Intelligence and forwarded it to the DGP and Home department at about 5:10 PM on July 27 apprising them of the situation in the village. On the same day, Nagpal was suspended by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav cit-

Justice R A Mehta refuses to take charge as Gujarat Lokayukta

GANDHINAGAR: Despite the Supreme Court clearing his appointment as the Lokayukta of Gujarat, Justice (Retd) R A Mehta in a letter to Gujarat governor Kamala Beniwal has said he will not take charge.

The Narendra Modi-led Gujarat government had fiercely fought the governor's decision to appoint Mehta as Lokayukta but was eventually overruled by the Supreme Court.

Justice Mehta in his letter to the governor said he had decided not to accept the post because of the damage to his credibility by the Gujarat government and possible non-cooperation from the government while performing his duties.

Wile speaking to TOI, Justice Mehta confirmed this news and said,"I frankly admit that I will not be able to fulfill the public duty, public

need and high public expectations from the Lokayukta in the circumstances."

"How can I take up the responsibility and become the Lokayukta when my objectivity and credibility are not accepted by the government and by the public functionaries whose conduct the Lokayukta may have to investigate? Findings and recommendations - for or against a public functionary - will always be under question so I have decided to withdraw my consent for the post," he said.In his letter, Justice Mehta wrote, "The highest courts in the state and in the country have upheld the appointment and repeatedly negatived all contentions including that of bias against my appointment as the Lokayukta.

Rs 45 crore of public money is said to have been spent by the Gujarat government in this litigation. Humongously disproportionate figure by any standard.""I may be called hyper-sensitive, touchy, timid, shirking and what not. Some may even allege that I have been won over, purchased, threatened and what not. I have very great respect for their views. I have been seriously considering it all along, but I could not persuade myself to accept the office of Lokayukta," he added.

In conclusion, Justice Mehta wrote,"I humbly withdraw my consent for the appointment as the Gujarat Lokayukta and decline to assume the office. Kindly accept my request and relieve me.''

right to over two third’s of the country’s population.

“Every Indian can be proud of this transition from the days of the Bengal famine of 1943 in which over three million people died, to the implementation of the right to food with our own home grown food”, he said.

The president, however, said that the rights based approach to food can be sustained only if we pay greater attention to farmers and farming.

“The national commission on farmers, chaired by Prof M.S. Swaminathan has given valuable recommendations for converting the green revolution into an ever-green revolution, resulting in higher productivity in perpetuity without associated ecological harm,” Mr. Mukherjee said.

Noting that Eastern India has large untapped production potential, he said, “The future of our food security system will depend upon the progress we make in assist-

Telangana stir affects banking operations in coastal AP, Rayalaseema

India serves démarche on Sri Lanka over jailed fishermen

Sri Lankan High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam was summoned to the South Block on Wednesday and a formal démarche made against the large number of Indian fishermen languishing in Sri Lankan custody for periods up to two months.

The démarche reflected India’s exasperation over the absence of any movement on the release of the fishermen despite several high-level interventions.

It was also pointed out that the delay in their release not only deprives them of their livelihood but also causes anxiety to their family members. Currently there are 114 Indian fishermen and 21 fishing boats in Sri Lankan custody.

An official source pointed out that the demarche follows the issue being previously raised with Sri Lankan Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa during his visit to New Delhi in July and

by National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon during his Sri Lanka visit the same month. And while the démarche was being served in New Delhi, Indian High Commissioner Yash Sinha raised the matter formally with the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry in Colombo on Wednes-

DAILY ZABARWAN TIMES

ing her lack of foresight in demolishing the wall of a religious place.

Opposition parties, however, have alleged that Nagpal was suspended following pressure from sand mining mafia operating in the state.

AAP leader Santosh Koli dies, Arvind Kejriwal says 'sacrifice won't go in vain'

Koli was seriously injured on June 30 when a speeding car rammed into a motorcycle on which she was riding pillion.

Thirty-seven days after she was injured in a road accident, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Santosh Koli, who was to contest the Delhi assembly polls later this year, died in a Gurgaon hospital.

She was 28.

Confirming the news, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: "Santosh passes away. May her soul rest in peace. We all resolve that we will not let her sacrifice go in vain. We have to take her struggle forward.

Koli was seriously injured on June 30 when a speeding car rammed into a motorcycle on which she was riding pillion.

She was rused to a hospital in critical condition. The accident had occurred near the Kaush-

Bihar BJP leader seeks resignation of Uttarakhand CM Bihar BJP leader Ashwani Chaube on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and registration of a case against him for mismanagement of rescue work among stranded pilgrims during the floods in the mountain state two months ago.

"Bahuguna is solely responsible for the death of thousands of pilgrims due to insensitive and callous handling of rescue works after the tragedy struck Uttarakhand on June 17," Chaube, who was himself on pilgrimage in the mountain state with his family at the time, told reporters.

Chaube said the Uttarakhand government should not have allowed pilgrims to proceed to the higher reaches following weather forecasts suggesting heavy rains. Instead it launched expeditious rescue works to save stranded pilgrims after the tragedy struck.

Bihar BJP leader seeks resignation of Uttarakhand CM Bihar BJP leader seeks resignation of Uttarakhand CM "Thousands of pilgrims who otherwise perished in the natural calamity would have been alive on Wednesday if the state government would have acted in time...the Uttarkhand Chief Minister should be booked under section 302 of the IPC for the death of thousands of people due

to his insensitive handling of rescue works."

The BJP leader alleged that Uttarakhand government also denied compensation to the kin of victims by not issuing death certificate for those whose bodies have not been found till date.

Chaube, a former health minister in the Nitish Kumar government till June when NDA split, said the Uttarakhand tragedy had been a harrowing personal tragedy for him as six of his relatives and security guards perished in the flash flood in Kedarnath valley.

He and his wife along with other family members had survived by taking refuge in the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath temple for days. Chaube said he will sit on a day-long dharna at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on August 12 to highlight the Uttarakhand and Bihar government's insensitive handling of the tragedy.

ambi Metro station, which is under the jurisdiction of the Link Road police station in Ghaziabad.

Birmingham man Vishar Jain jailed for stamping on boy's head

A computer engineer from Birmingham has been jailed for nine years for an attack in which he stamped on the head of his partner's fouryear-old son.

Vishar Jain also repeatedly punched and kicked the boy in front of his mother and threw him on to a wooden floor, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

Jain, 44, of Parker Street, Edgbaston, admitted wounding with intent over the attack in March.

The boy had a fractured skull and broken collarbone.

'Sustained attack':He also suffered cuts to his mouth and bruising during the attack in Weoley Castle.

Speaking after Tuesday's court hearing, a West Midlands Police spokesman said the reason for the assault was not known.

The child's mother was also beaten when she tried to intervene and suffered facial bruising and eye injuries.

Det Con Hayley Bubb said: "We will never know why Jain decided to viciously beat this little boy.

"This was an unprovoked and sustained attack on a defenceless child, which he has never explained.

"Although he has recovered well physically from his injuries, emotionally it will take a long time for him to get over the attack."