Jammu, Dec 24: Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), Mains is being held in 13 Languages including Urdu Language for the next session (2021).
As per the exam conducting authority, National Testing agency the JEE mains 2021 would be held in 13 languages including Hindi, English Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi Odia, Bengali, Assamese, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu & Urdu as per the New Education Policy of India .
The NAT has also released the examination schedule according to which the Session-I exam would be held from February 23 to Feb 26, 2021, the Session-II from March 15 to March 18, 2021, Session-III from April 27 to April 30, 2021 and Session-IV from May 24 to May 28, 2021.

Jammu, Dec 24: Jammu and Kashmir’s Higher Education Department today announced winter vacations for the Government Degree Colleges falling in winter and summer zones.
As per an order issued here today, Government Degree Colleges in Kashmir Valley and winter zones of Jammu Division would close on December 28, 2020 and open on February 14, 2021, while those falling on Summer Zone of Jammu Division would close on December 26, 2020, and open on January 4, 2021.

Srinagar, Dec 24: Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) on Thursday said that the alliance was stronger than when it was formed, saying that it is here to stay and nobody should have a doubt on the future of the group.
“We are here to stay and nobody should have any doubt about it,” PAGD president Farooq Abdullah told reporters during a joint press conference of the alliance leaders, who meet here for the first time after the results of the District Development Council (DDC) election.
Hitting out at the administration over detentions of political leaders, the PAGD leadership demanded for their release immediately.

The PAGD members on Thursday met at the Gupkar residence of Dr Abdullah and discussed further course of action.  “We want to express gratitude to the people of Jammu and Kashmir who voted for me and also to those who didn’t vote for us. Gratitude for coming out in large numbers to vote and repose faith in democracy,” PAGD spokesperson Sajad Lone, who is the chairman of People Conference (PC), told reporters.

He said now the people of J&K, after upheavals, have reposed faith in democracy of this country, the onus lies with the administration to reciprocate that respect and faith in democracy.

“There are disturbing reports about interference in democracy where the government of the day is acting in a partisan manner by directly or indirectly supporting moves by some people… to attract votes of Independent DDC member by confining them. I think they should resist from this and not humiliate this great verdict of the people of J&K,” he said.

He said history is full of examples that those who try to humiliate verdict of the people end up in disaster. “We need to respect this verdict and the people of J&K. Under no circumstance should the democracy be tinkered with,” he said.

“The other new trend is preventive detentions… what is the logic behind it as the elections have ended. It has been one of the most peaceful elections in the last three decades and this should have ended with something good. It ending with detentions is totally antithetical to the way elections were held in terms of lack of violence. One fails to understand that when elections were held so peacefully what is the need for detentions? And they should be release immediately,” he added.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 24: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has extended warm greetings to the people of J&K on the auspicious occasion of Christmas. He also prayed for peace and prosperity in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
In his message, the Lt Governor observed that Christmas is a day to remember the pious teachings of Jesus Christ. He said that the message of peace and compassion preached by Jesus Christ is as valid today as it was thousand years ago.
“I pray that we all try to emulate his life lessons, wisdom and be loving and compassionate towards one another and work selflessly for the betterment of the society”, said the Lt Governor.

Advisor Bhatnagar
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar in his message said that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Lord Jesus Christ and this festival reaffirms our faith in the values of compassion and forgiveness taught by Lord Jesus for the enlightenment of humanity.
“Let us all imbibe the Jesus Christ’s teachings of love, compassion and humanity on this holy festival and commit ourselves to the welfare of our nation and society”, Advisor Bhatnagar added.
The Advisor also prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir.

Advisor Baseer Khan
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan in a message expressed hope that the festival would usher peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir besides being a harbinger of communal harmony and brotherhood.
He said that the region has a long standing history of celebrating the festivals irrespective of their religious beliefs.
The Advisor said that the message of peace, love and compassion as preached by Jesus Christ are more relevant in present era and we should religiously follow those.

DGP, Dilbag Singh
Director General of Police, J&K Dilbag Singh in his message said that the Jesus Christ gave to the world great virtues of humility , humanity, compassion and tolerance . He said that the noble teachings of the Jesus Christ should guide our endeavours to preserve the unity and secular outlook of our country. He said on this Christmas, may the people of J&K find peace and prosperity in every sphere of their life.

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Dec 24: A scientist from Srinagar presently working as Professor in the Department of Civil engineering at King Saud University has brought laurels to Kashmir as he has earned a very rare honour of figuring in top 2 per cent scientists in the world.
Professor Mohammad Iqbal Khan a resident of Khan Mohalla, Chanapora, Srinagar an alumnus of NIT Srinagar and IIT Delhi who has earned his PhD degree in Structural Engineering from the University of Sheffield United Kingdom has been listed among two per cent scientists by Stanford University, one of the world’s most prestigious Institutions based on the international evaluation of their research work.
Dr Khan is faculty of University of Nottingham, UK, currently, working as Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at King Saud University. He is an Adjunct Professor, at Department of Civil, Architecture and Environmental Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, USA and enrolled as visiting Professor at numerous universities in Canada, China and Germany.
Concurrently, Prof Khan currently holds many key positions in vital state-run R&D establishments viz. Managing Director, Center of Excellence for Concrete Research and Testing (CoE-CRT); Director, Laboratories of Structural Engineering Division in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Prof Khan is actively engaged in research in structural engineering and construction materials. His primary research interests are developing blast and impact-resistant materials; structural behaviour of concrete-filled tubes; nano- and micro-mechanics of composite materials; fibre-reinforced composites; sustainability and environmental impact; prediction modelling; and application of artificial intelligence. He has published well over 200 research publications, holds 21 international patent inventions, prepared four books related to modern paradigms in construction and concrete technology (published by Springer and Elsevier), and supervised over 40 research scholars.
Innovativeness and industrial applicability of his inventions’ prototypes have been acknowledged internationally and fetched him four Gold and two Silver commemorations at international technology conventions.
He is a proud recipient of eight International Excellence and Distinguished awards for bringing new innovative technologies and practices in structural and concrete engineering. He serves as editor/associate editor of six highly reputed international journals. He has delivered over 30 invited lectures/seminars, over 25 conference lectures in various countries including USA, UK, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Singapore, Malaysia, Netherlands, Hong Kong, China, etc.

He has served as the principal investigator for numerous research projects in the Kingdom and internationally and attracted above 10 million US dollar grant for funding his academic research. Over the years, Prof. Khan has rendered consultancy services to multiple construction/structures industry research projects in KSA, Germany, Canada, UK and USA.
While talking to KNO Prof Khan said that the higher education setup within Jammu and Kashmir seems to concentrate moreover, graduation rates while ignoring danger signs that the skills and competencies attained by students in the colleges may be declining.
“Merely increasing the levels of educational attainment will accomplish little if students do not learn something of lasting value,” he said.
When asked about if he will get a chance to streamline higher and technological educational frontier in J&K, Khan said that it would be a matter of honour and pride for him.
“If I can contribute towards improving the quality of education and research of institutions of higher learning of my motherland, during the last phase of my academic and research career. It will be an honour,” he said.
Khan said during the years 2017 and 2015, he was contacted and offered executive roles in academics and administration within an emerging regional university and a newly established IIT, respectively but due to some personal reasons and prior commitments, he could not take up any full-time role by then.
“However, currently, I am available to render services in establishing and streamlining the research pathways within and facilitate outreach collaboration,” he said.
“I can contribute in developing mechanisms for the quality assurance of engineering and technological education in line with international standards and its implementation process to achieve the graduate attributes, skill and competence of engineering graduates,” Khan said.
Prof Khan is an internationally acknowledged specialist in Accreditation and Quality Assurance in engineering education. He provides tenured consultancy and evaluatory services to Ministry of Education, KSA and Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), USA to ascertain institutions/programs meet the anticipated quality standards of the profession for which they prepare graduates.

Srinagar, Dec 24: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday issued a list of holidays for the upcoming year—2021 in the Union Territory.
The order in this regard, has mentioned holidays in two annexures including holidays to be observed across UT & Provincial holidays, local holidays and restricted holidays.
The note given below in the order, reads that all the Muslim holidays are subject to appearance of moon.
“The holidays listed in Annexure-“A” & ‘B” to this order shall be observed in the Government offices and educational institutions of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir during the calendar year-2021,” the government order issued by Additional Secretary to the Government, Rohit Sharma, under number 1159-JK(GAD) of 2020, dated 24-12-2020, reads.
The 27 holidays to be observed across UT include Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s birthday, Republic Day, Mahashivratri, Shab-i-Miraj, Nauroz, 1st Navratra, Baisakhi, Birthday of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Ramanavami, Juma-tul-Vida, Shab-e-Qadr, Eid-ul-Fitr, Buddha Purnima, Guru Hargobind Ji’s Birthday, Eid-ul-Azha, Independence day, Ashoora, Janmashtami, Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday, Mahanavami, Dussehra, Eid-i-Milad-u-Nabi (SAW), Friday following Eid-i-Milad-u-Nabi (SAW), Accession Day, Diwali, guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Birthday, Christmas Day.
According to the list, there are four provincial holidays for Kashmir province and three for Jammu province while eight local holidays in Jammu districts and four restricted holidays. (KNO)

Srinagar, Dec 24: Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Thursday ordered that courts will continue to function through virtual mode till January 15, 2021.
In an order, Registrar General J&K High Court, Jawad Ahmed, said: “After taking feedback with regard to the prevailing situation due to the spread of COVID-19 infection and also the latest SOPs and Guidelines of the Government in vogue, by virtue of the Full Court Resolution dated 31.05.2020, the High Court Order No. 456/GS dated 12.10.2020, read with Order No. 529 dated 02.11.2020, is extended up to January 15, 2021.”—(KNO)

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 24: Jammu and Kashmir High Court Judge, Chairman Juvenile Justice Committee (JJC) High Court of J&K and Member National Legal Services Authority of India, Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey Thursday stressed for revival of value based system in our society to prevent our children from getting into the substance abuse.
He said this during one day awareness programme on Drug de-addiction, legal literacy through schools and Women and Child rights organised as per the plan of action formulated by the National Legal Services Authority (NLSA) of India and under the directions and guidance of Justice Magrey by Directorate of School Education Kashmir at Girls Higher Secondary School Kothibagh here.
Justice Magrey was the Chief Guest on the occasion while Secretary Juvenile Justice Committee and Principal District and Sessions Judge Abdul Rashid Malik, Director School Education Kashmir, M Younis Malik, S.P City (East) Sheema Nabi Qasba, Associate Professor Psychiatry, SKIMS Medical College Bemina Dr Majid, Panel lawyer Advocate Bisma Khan were present on the occasion.
The Chairman JJC said that despite Kashmir being a place of saints and sufis why our children have engaged into drug abuse and one of the main reasons for it is turning back to the values that we would have inherited from our elders.

Stressing for revival of value based systems in our society, he said revival of values among ourselves is the sole remedy that can prevent our societal setup from further degradation which include drug addiction among youth, exploitation of women and children besides other social evils.

Divulging into the details, Justice Magrey said that our mission is that our children which are our future should be saved from drug abuse and for this we have organised awareness programme starting from education department itself with the reason that after parents, children receive education from schools and teachers play an important role in molding their future.

He called the teachers important pillars of the system and told them that their strength, dedication, commitment, loyalty, discipline will shape their future and complimented them that they are already in the process but more is required.

Stressing for making positive use of technology, Justice Magrey said that our students should make productive use of social media to the extent for making one a great scientist, famous doctor, educationist, bureaucrats and academicians who have earned name and fame in the world besides taking support from teachers, talented people around them rather than feeling shy.

He said the constitution has given rights to children, it has guaranteed rights of women equally to men and it has given strength to the system to save children from drug abuse. There are laws but implementation is wanted and legal literacy is an important aspect of it.

Justice Magrey said that Legal literacy is important for our children as they don’t know their rights, rights of women, fundamental rights of the citizens, and the only objective of keeping these legal literacy clubs in educational institutions is that our experts will teach them there and these children will decimate the same among others.

To curb this menace, Chairman JJC said that law enforcing agencies can get together and prevent our children from getting into drug abuse as they did in other cases.

Meanwhile, the inaugural address was presented by Director School Education, M Younis Malik. He termed the model societies as a turning point for shaping the future of our students.

Secretary Juvenile Justice Committee and Principal District and Sessions Judge Abdul Rashid Malik, S.P City (East) Sheema Nabi Qasba, Associate Professor Psychiatry, SKIMS Medical College Bemina Dr Majid, Panel lawyer Advocate Bisma Khan also presented their valuable comments during the proceedings of the programme.

On the occasion the students of the GHSS Kothibagh presented a Skit on drug addiction.

Principal GHSS Kothibagh, Prof Nusrat Bukhari presented vote of thanks to the guest for their august presence.

Among others, Dy. CEOs, Principals, HeadMasters, Headmistresses, students participated in the programme—(KNO)

Srinagar, Dec 24: The government on Thursday constituted a five-member committee for instituting best teacher award in schools, colleges and universities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

In an order the government accorded sanction to constitute the 5-member committee for instituting the best teacher award across Jammu and Kashmir.
“Sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of a Committee for examining the proposal regarding instituting Best Teacher Awards for Teachers/teaching faculty in Schools/Colleges/Universities in the UT of J&K,” the order states.
As per the order, Principal Secretary to the Government Housing and Urban Development Department, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Administrative Secretary to the Government, School Education Department and Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department shall be its members while Principal Secretary to the Government, Information Department shall be its member convenor.
The committee has been asked to submit its final views and recommendations by or before 15 January.

Srinagar, Dec 24: As Kashmir is expecting a wet spell on December 27 and 28, the overnight temperature rose slightly across the Valley, officials said on Thursday.

A MeT official told GNS that mercury settled in Srinagar at minus 3.8 °C against minus 5.0 °C on previous night. While the mercury increased by more than a degree, it was below two degrees Celsius for this time of the year in Srinagar, where people endured second coldest night at minus 6.6 °C in a decade on last Saturday.

The temperature also remained below or equal to normal overnight in other parts of the Valley with Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort recording a low of minus 5.6 °C. The minimum temperature is normal for Gulmarg for this time of the year and as per the MeT department moderate snow is expected there on December 27 followed by a light spell on the next day. Pahalgam, the famous tourist destination in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 5.2 °C. Qazigund recorded minus 3.4 °C (a degree below the normal), Kupwara minus 3.8 °C (one degree below normal) and Kokernag minus 3.0 °C (one degree below normal).

Kashmir is in the middle Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day winter period which commenced on December 21 and ends on January 31. The period is considered the harshest of the winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum.

The cold wave, however, continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day-long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).

The weatherman has forecast mainly dry weather over Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh for next two days till December 27.

“The weather is going be dry in next 24 hours,” the MeT official said. While snowfall is expected, mainly on upper reaches, on December 27, the forecast for Srinagar has one or two spells of rain or thundershowers store on the day (Sunday).

Due to harsh weather conditions, people are facing a lot of problems. The water supply has been disrupted with frozen taps becoming a common sight now. The frequent power cuts, scheduled or unscheduled, only amplify the cold and add to the discomfort of the people. Some portions of the Dal Lake were also frozen due to the cold wave.