Precious Kashmir

Army soldier shoots self dead in Uri

Front

24/03/2022

By: Zaffer Iqbal

Uri: An army man shot himself dead with his service rifle in Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday afternoon, official sources said.

Identifying the deceased army man as one Vikram Kumar Yadav (22) of Unit 21 Kumaon, they said that the incident took place at Mike post in Uri sector along LoC.

“The army man was shifted to Brigade hospital Uri and later referred to SDH Uri for legal formalities”, they further said.

Confirming the incident, a police official said that a case has been registered in this regard for necessary investigations. (GNS)

First time in J&K, laser intervention in Pulmonology started at CD hospital

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

24/03/2022

First time in J&K, laser intervention in Pulmonology started at CD hospital

Srinagar: In a first of its kind in Jammu and Kashmir, the department of Pulmonary Medicine, Government Medical College Srinagar, has added facility of laser to the armamentarium of interventional pulmonology.

“Laser is a useful tool for interventional pulmonologist. It is helpful in management of various respiratory diseases like central airway obstruction (malignant or benign) and haemoptysis (coughing of blood) of varying aetiologies (causes,” a senior doctor at GMC here told GNS. The facility is set up at the CD hospital here.

Prior to this, a large number of patients had to be referred to higher centres outside J&K for management of such respiratory diseases.

Officials said that the procedure was performed by experienced interventional pulmonologists headed by Professor Naveed Nazir Shah using ND-YAG Lumax 1320 nn laser with the support of an anaesthesia team headed by Professor Rukhsana Najeeb.

“Two cases were performed today. First one was performed under general anaesthesia using rigid bronchoscopy and second one under conscious sedation using flexible bronchoscopy,” Professor Dr Naveed Nazir Shah when contacted told GNS. “We are highly thankful to Professor Samia Rashid principal GMC Srinagar and Medical Superintendent Dr Saleem Tak for their efforts in starting this facility,” he said.

The leading pulmonologist of the Valley, he said that addition of Laser will definitely improve the patient care and reduces the economic burden to the patient. (GNS)

PIB workshop highlights role of developmental journalism

Jammu & Kashmir

United News Of India

24/03/2022

Kupwara: Aimed at highlighting the role of media to bring awareness among people about different government sponsored schemes and to inculcate a sense of developmental journalism, Press Information Bureau (PIB) Srinagar organized a one-day Media Workshop on Wednesday at Conference Hall DC Office Kupwara.

The workshop focussed on sensitization and capacity building of journalists from Kupwara and Handwara about various Centrally Sponsored Schemes and the role of media in developmental journalism.

The programme was conducted in collaboration with district administration and included about 50 eminent media persons and other administrative officers. Media persons hailed the efforts of PIB for organising such a program.

In his inaugural address Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ghulam Nabi Bhat laying emphasis on fact checking before reportage said that journalism has historically changed the perspective of people. He said that there is a need for constructive criticism to bring sociological transformation. “Negative news spreads at an alarming rate, so it is mandatory for a journalist to check facts properly before reporting,” he added.

Addressing the participants Deputy Director, Press Information Bureau, Ghulam Abbas highlighted the role of PIB and presented a detailed overview about aims and objectives of the workshop. He stressed upon the media fraternity to highlight developmental initiates on priority basis. “Government has schemes and initiatives for all walks of life and it is the responsibility of the media to highlight these initiatives for maximum utilisation,” he said. Mr Abbas congratulated the media fraternity and district administration for working in sync towards the development of the frontier district.

Speaking on the occasion, Media and Communications Officer PIB Srinagar, Majid Pandit said that media acts as a direct link between society and administration and there is an urgent need to strengthen this link. Emphasizing on the need for developmental reporting, he said that the media should play an active role in bringing about awareness for the holistic development of the society.

On the occasion News Editor, All India Radio Ishfaq Shah spoke about the impact of mass media to ensure development through communication. News Editor Doordashan Kendra Srinagar, Shabir Dar spoke about the need for developing synergy between administration and people during challenging times.

Chief Education Officer, Kupwara A. Hamid Fani presented a detailed overview of the educational scenario of the District. Senior Journalist Syed Ishfaq spoke about developmental communication through vernacular media to reach out to the grassroots. Media and Communications Officer PIB Srinagar, Muzafar Wani briefed the participants about media ethics to maintain the standards of objectivity.

The lectures were followed by interactive sessions in which participants put forward their comments and observations with the experts. Media persons expressed their intentions for more such programs in future.

NCC organises blood donation camp

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

24/03/2022

Srinagar: A blood donation camp was on Wednesday organized by 1 J&K Naval Unit NCC, Srinagar in collaboration with JLNM Hospital, Srinagar.

The camp was conducted at Islamia College, Srinagar. 30 cadets from Amar Singh College, SP College and Islamia College participated in the drive.

60 donars, including Group Commander NCC, Group Srinagar, Brig Ravinder Singh Dahiya, donated blood in the drive conducted between today.

‘SMC’s revenue generation shows significant dip since 2018’

City

Precious Kashmir

24/03/2022

‘SMC’s revenue generation shows significant dip since 2018’

By: Bhat Imran

Srinagar: In the previous fiscal, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) witnessed a fall in revenue generation by 44 percent—thus raising a question on the functioning of the organization.

Besides, the fiscal year 2019-2020, the Corporation has also recorded a dip in revenue generation by 35 percent in 2018-19 in comparison with the financial year 2020-21.

According to the official documents, SMC in the past two years has witnessed a dip in revenue generation by 44.36 percent (2019-20) and 35.4 percent (2018-19) respectively in comparison with the previous fiscal.

The figures reveal that in the financial year 2018-19, SMC has generated Rs 204,468,004 followed by Rs 237,391,883 in the fiscal 2019-20.

However, in the financial year the Corporation has generated only Rs 132,100,480 in the 2020-2021.

This information was revealed by the SMC Public Information Officer (PIO) in a reply to the queries of the Right to Information (RTI) application filed by the activist M M Shuja.

The PIO in a reply to the details regarding the land in procession of SMC in Srinagar City together with relevant orders of the Government by virtue of which the land has been placed at the disposal of SMC said, “There were 2700 Kanals of land in procession of SMC in Srinagar city.” (KNO)

Mass marriage brings 31 couples together forever in Sgr

City

Precious Kashmir

24/03/2022

By: Mubashir Aalam Wani

Srinagar: At least 31 couples tied a knot on Wednesday in a simple mass marriage function held at Babademb area of Srinagar City.

According to a local news gathering agency, the couples from different districts tied the knot in a mass marriage function, organised by ‘The Helping Hand’s foundation, a local NGO.

President of NGO, ‘Helping Hands foundation’, Umer Ahmad told KNO that “as per the latest survey held in J&K, almost 35000 females and 45000 males are overage now but as per our survey, almost 75000 males are now overage, who can’t afford marriage because of unemployment and financial issues.”

He further said that this year they have a set target of 150 mass marriages after two months. He added that they get donations through social media by putting a list of goods needed for marriages.

“I have visited many world countries, but I am proud to say that Kashmiris always remain at the forefront to help the destitute and poor,” he said.

For the mass marriage, he said that the couples register themselves with the organization and after verifying their credentials and other details; the council starts arrangements for their marriage.

The NGO is providing everything for the bride and grooms excluding the jewellery.

Notably, earlier in January, the NGO held a mass marriage function in which 20 couples tied the knot.

“I request all the people to take part in the mass marriages so that the poor people could heave a sigh of relief,” Umer said. (KNO)

Fully resume schools

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

24/03/2022

There is a significant decline in the number of Covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir. Importantly schools have resumed. However there are still some institutions which have restricted the number of students to half on a particular day. Some schools have devised a mechanism of having half of students for three consecutive days and the other half for subsequent three days. Such disturbing mechanisms should now be done away with.

It is important in view of the decision by the Centre to end all Covid-19 curbs across the country from March 31 in view of the continuous dip in infections. Importantly, schools and colleges can resume offline classes without any restrictions. There will be no restrictions on attendance in shopping malls, gyms, sports complexes, bars, restaurants, movie theatres and religious places. Offices, both government and private, can resume without any capacity restrictions. Public transport can also operate without any cap on seating.

There have been significant learning losses and at the cost of repetition, schools have remained closed in Jammu and Kashmir, more than in any part of India or globe. While the pandemic forced the closure of educational institutions in mid-March in 2020 when the virus was declared a pandemic around the world, the schools, colleges and universities had reopened after seven-month closure in the wake of the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019.

Even when reopened, attendance at educational institutions remained voluntary as the guidelines by the government of India then specified that parents can decide what their wards should do. Most parents gave consent and school resumption seemed uninterrupted until covid-19 announced an unpleasant return.

Since then though, the situation has improved considerably. Schools have now reopened. The excessive caution is now harming students and as such efforts must be done to reopen the schools fully. This is the message by the centre also.

The government has rightly emphasized that vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the Covid pandemic. The government needs to create awareness and boost confidence among the people, especially among the parents of the eligible children, to get vaccinated. A significant portion of the population in J&K is still without vaccination. And they remain most vulnerable. There is a need to ensure that more and more people take the vaccine. All efforts shall be made by authorities to urge people to take the jabs and maintain guard against the pathogen.

Shakib to return home from S Africa on March 24 due to family emergency

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

24/03/2022

Shakib to return home from S Africa on March 24 due to family emergency

Dhaka: All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is currently with Bangladesh team in South Africa, will leave the country on March 24 to be with his family members back home, a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official said on Wednesday.

Notably, several members of Shakib’s family, including his children, are in hospital due to various illnesses.

As per BCB’s chief selector Minhajul Abedin, though the all-rounder is returning back to home but the board is not ruling him out from the upcoming two-match Test series.

“Yes, he is returning home tomorrow (March 24). We are not ruling him out of the Test series yet considering he will take a decision after assessing the condition of his family members,” Minhajul told Cricbuzz.

It has been learnt that Shakib is unlikely to take part in the two-match series opener in Durban, but there is a chance that he will make it for the second Test, slated to start from April 8.

Despite the BCB offering him the chance to return home due to the family emergency, the veteran cricketer had earlier decided to stay back and play the crucial third ODI against South Africa. Shakib’s mother Shirin Reza has been admitted to hospital in Dhaka due to a heart infection. His daughter Errum Hasan was admitted due to pneumonia while his son Eyzah Al Hasan also got admitted to a hospital with fever.

Over Rs 70k cr worth investment proposals received in one year: LG

Front

Precious Kashmir

23/03/2022

Over Rs 70k cr worth investment proposals received in one year: LG

Addresses Gulf Countries’ Investment Summit at Sgr
‘J&K ready to strengthen its economic partnership with UAE’

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday addressed the Gulf Countries’ Investment Summit at SKICC, Srinagar which is aimed at providing a platform for the foreign business delegates to explore a host of investment opportunities in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor highlighted the scope for J&K and GCC companies’ economic cooperation to make J&K UT, paradise on earth, as the most beautiful investment destination in the world.

The Lt Governor said that the visit of CEOs of top companies, entrepreneurs, start-up representatives, exporters in J&K is an expression of confidence of the industry leaders in the potential for business cooperation between J&K and Gulf countries.

Since 2014, India’s relationship with Gulf countries has undergone a massive evolution which is being translated into a vibrant, revitalized economic partnership with J&K that will not only diversify our export basket but will also create a conducive environment for the expansion of the existing trade, the Lt Governor observed.

We have worked with a coherent framework in the last two years to harness immense natural resources, economic potential of J&K, said the Lt Governor.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister NarendraModi and Home Minister Amit Shah, we have also worked out a blueprint to unlock investment flows from compliance and restrictions. Over Rs 70,000 Crores worth investment proposals have been received within a year, he added.

We promise to provide global standard end-to-end facilities for the businesses, skilled workforce, transparent and hassle-free regulatory mechanism, and creation of necessary infrastructure wherever required, the Lt Governor said.

“Since my Dubai Expo visit earlier in January this year, many foreign companies from UAE have announced long-term plans for J&K. We are ready to take the relationship to a qualitatively new level and strengthen our economic partnership”, he added.

Talking about the fast-paced socio-economic transformations taking place in J&K, the Lt Governor said that the government embarked on several major initiatives in developing physical and social infrastructure and some of these initiatives are the biggest ever since the country’s independence in 1947.

The development of the power sector, trade, horticulture, rural infrastructure, roads and air links, medical education and health services, Industrial Training Institutes, Information Technology and storage facilities for the produce are the diverse areas that have been addressed, the Lt Governor added.

The Lt Governor said that the sector-specific Industrial Estates and Industrial Parks are being promoted in a focused manner, besides launching a Single Window Portal as the one-stop solution for attaining all the approvals and permissions in a time bound manner.

‘So far about 130 services are active on our single-window portal. We have also coordinated with various departments towards minimizing regulatory compliance burden over the businesses by eradicating redundant compliances, streamlining the processes for ease of doing business in the UT’, he added.

We are committed to protecting and promoting economic growth, and exploiting the opportunities through “Make in India” and other initiatives of the central government, and open for commercial tie-ups with the business organizations that are looking for stable, reliable, and trusted partners to expand trade, the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor said that J&K offers an abundant demographic dividend, amazingly easy interface with the government, specific industrial land bank, sector-specific policy, ever-growing public infrastructure, reforms furthering ease of doing business, a host of tax benefits, and most importantly a secure environment to facilitate new investments in the UT.

I welcome the business delegates in J&K’s journey of economic growth and to move together towards creating a more prosperous and vibrant UT, benefitting all sections of our society, said the Lt Governor.

The CEO of Century Financial, BalKrishen, a native of Jammu’s Doda region, who headed the delegation of businessmen said that the delegation has visited J&K with a clear mindset for investments.

He termed the visit of business delegates from the Gulf a huge step towards growth and development of UT, and said that it will lay a strong foundation for a better and prosperous future where dreams and aspirations transform into reality.

He called for a joint effort between government and businessmen to create opportunities for the welfare of people in J&K and lauded the UT Government for providing the people with the right opportunities and Ease of Doing Business. He also urged the delegates to seriously consider the local talent from J&K.

RanjanPrakash Thakur, Principal Secretary to Government, Industries & Commerce Department spoke about the growing conducive atmosphere for investments in J&K. To instill confidence in the investors, we have addressed most of the concerns with respect to investment policy, he added.

Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO), AnkitaKar gave a detailed presentation on Investment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir highlighting the investment plans, focus sectors, policy support and ease of doing business.

Meanwhile, BST Organics Pvt Ltd, Pashmkaar, Sarveshwar Group, Sky Robo Drones Pvt Ltd, ESPA Learn Pvt Ltd, Fastbeetle, Orchardly, JKTDC, ReemAutomotives, Peaks Group of Companies, other entrepreneurs and startups showcased their products, and pitched their ideas to the investors for investment and answered their queries during the interactive session.

Women entrepreneurs, who are being provided assistance in the form of capacity building, access to credit, and market linkages under the “Hausla- inspiring her growth” programme also pitched their models for further investment. These included- Ecokash, Masha and SEED solutions.

The Investment Summit was attended by CEOs of top UAE and Hong Kong Companies; Women Entrepreneurs, Start-up representatives and Exporters.

Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor, Pandurang K. Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; SarmadHafeez, Secretary to the Government, Tourism department, besides senior Government Officials were also present on the occasion.

5900 smart meter households in Sgr to get 24×7 quality power supply: LG

Front

Precious Kashmir

23/03/2022

‘Committed to ensure regular electricity to every household’

Srinagar: After Jammu, 5900 households of Srinagar equipped with smart meters and connected to 3 feeders in Srinagar will get 24×7 quality power supply, announced Lieutenant Governor ManojSinha during a Press Conference at Srinagar.

We are committed to quality and reliable power supply to every household. I urge people to install smart meters and support the government’s efforts in bringing reforms in the power sector, said the Lt Governor.

Feeders – Peerbagh 02, Rawalpora F-05 and Rawalpora F-04 in Srinagar will now get round the clock quality power supply without any scheduled curtailment.

Pertinently, on March 21, the Lt Governor had announced zero scheduled power curtailment to 6603 households in the areas of Jammu where smart meters have been installed.

While interacting with the media persons, the Lt Governor reiterated the government’s commitment to generating 3400 MW power in the next four years, making J&K UT self-sufficient in the power sector.

He said that no serious efforts were made to exploit the power generation potential in the past. However, power generation being targeted for the next four years will be equal to the cumulative capacity installed during the last 7 decades, added the Lt Governor.

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