Home Blog Page 3531

Shah on Channi’s demand for probe against Kejriwal: ‘Will personally look into it’

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday assured Punjab Chief Minister Charanjeet Singh Channi that he would “personally” look into the allegations levelled against Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal of allegedly conniving with separatist elements.

“On this subject, I want to assure you that none will be allowed to mess with the unity and integrity of the country,” the Home Minister said without naming anyone.

Shah said that it is a matter of serious concern that a political party is in contact with anti-national, separatist and proscribed organisations.

Earlier, Channi had informed Shah in a letter that banned organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) is exhorting the electorate of Punjab to vote for the Aam Aadmi Party in the February 20 Assembly elections.

“It is understood that this is a very serious issue of compromising the security and integrity of the country, and thus needs to be thoroughly investigated. I would urge upon you to immediately get this matter investigated for taking appropriate action in this regard,” Channi wrote in the letter.

Responding to the letter, Shah said, “Such an act of keeping in touch with a separatist organisation and taking its help for the elections is a very serious issue for the country’s unity. It is shameful that such people are joining hands with terrorists to come to power.”

Under pressure, we executed all our plans, says Rohit Sharma

Kolkata: India captain Rohit Sharma was pleased with the execution of plans in a high-pressure situation during their defence of 186 against the West Indies in the second T20I on Friday.

A century-run stand between Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell threatened to snatch the match away from India. But Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel kept their calm to defend 29 runs off the last two overs to give India a narrow eight-run victory, thereby sealing the series as well.

“Always a fear when you are playing against these guys. In the end it was a phenomenal finish. We knew it would be a little tough. We were very well prepared. Under pressure, we executed all our plans. It was very critical given the point of time,” said Sharma in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Sharma was all praise for senior pacer Kumar, who gave away just four singles and took out Pooran in the match-defining 19th over. “It was very critical at that point when Bhuvneshwar bowled. That’s where experience comes into play. Bhuvi has been doing it for many years and we believe in him a lot.”

Sharma was also pleased with Virat Kohli’s fluent 52 in the first innings total of 186. “It was a very important innings from Virat. The way he started off, took the pressure of me as well. We didn’t start well in the first two overs, then he came in and started playing those shots which was very pleasing to the eye.”

Apart from Kohli’s 52, India had a blazing 76-run partnership from Rishabh Pant and Venkatesh Iyer which played a huge part in posting a challenging total. “Great finish from Pant and Iyer as well. Very happy to see how he (Iyer) has progressed. To see such maturity is very pleasing. He backs his skills and that is what every captain wants. In the end, he wanted to bowl one over as well. We need such characters in our team.”

Sharma signed off by saying that becoming better in batting and fielding will be a key ahead of the final match on Sunday. “We were a bit sloppy on the field. A little disappointed with that. The game would have been different had we taken those catches.”

Mother Tongue

International Mother Language Day is celebrated on February 21. It is observed every year to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

According to the United Nations, languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals’. UNESCO believes education, based on the first language or mother tongue, must begin from the early years as early childhood care and education is the foundation of learning.

Languages, with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and the planet.

Yet, due to globalization processes, they are increasingly under threat, or disappearing altogether, the UN underlines.

When languages fade, so does the world’s rich tapestry of cultural diversity. Opportunities, traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking and expression — valuable resources for ensuring a better future — are also lost, the UN notes.

Multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages which transmit and preserve traditional knowledge and cultures in a sustainable way.

In our context, the ‘mother languages’ are often ignored and sometimes actively repressed.

The first words a baby hears from its mother is in the language of the mother. As the scenario changes and children shift to using other languages and conveniently forget the mother tongue, one does not realise that it is not good. The biggest threat is posed by the current educational systems that actually refuse to use mother tongues as mediums of instruction or even to offer them as elective subjects.

Experts say first and foremost a child understands his mother tongue and hence when instructed in that language itself, his transition to school education is smooth and easy. If a student is made to learn in a foreign language, the child will not only have to learn to read and write in that language but also learn that language itself, this approach burdens students with learning two incredibly complex concepts at the same time. Even UNESCO has recommended that classes be taught in the community’s mother tongue during the early years of primary school.

Also some primary school teachers find it difficult to express themselves in Urdu or English and hence are not able to transfer as much knowledge as they would like to, thus creating a knowledge deficit.

Researches show that mother tongue is vital in framing the thinking and emotions of people. Efforts need to be made to protect the mother tongue. Government and people have a duty to play and shall be realized for overall benefits.

Dynasts think only about their families: PM

Fatehpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an all out attack on the opposition parties and said that dynastic politicians start thinking from their family and it ends on the family itself and a state as big as Uttar Pradesh cannot be run with such a frivolous thinking.

Addressing an election rally here, Modi said, “Dynastic politicians start thinking from their family and it ends on the family itself. A big state like UP cannot be run with such a frivolous thinking. This is the reason UP is saying this again – BJP will surely come back and Yogi will surely come back.”

He said the dynastic politicians, who have kept the poor in the same state, have now lost their sleep. “They feel that their vote bank is slipping. You have destroyed the country for the sake of vote bank. Do good for the countrymen, they are generous,” he added.

The Prime Minister said that such people were opposing the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’. “They want to keep India dependent on other nations. But the country does not want to remain reliant anymore. We must be proud of the things made here.

“The problem of dynastic politicians is that if the poor, backward, Dalits and tribals of the country get resources and become empowered, their politics will lose ground. The ‘cut-commission’ mafia that existed, will be ruined by the Atmanirbhar campaign,” he added. He said the people used to say that the government changes every time in UP, but the state has changed the old theory.

“People used to say that the government in UP was formed only once and it changed a second time. Some people were dreaming that it has to change anyway. But now, UP has changed. UP supported us in 2014, 2017 and 2019. So, UP has already abolished the old theory. Therefore, BJP will emerge victorious in 2022 again. This, I can see in your enthusiasm,” he said. Without taking the name of Samajwadi Party, the PM termed it as anti-poor and anti-minorities.

“When the Central government framed the law against Triple Talaq, then the entire family stood against it. They are so engrossed in their personal interests that they cannot even think of doing good to the people who vote for them. Such people can never be trusted,” he said.

“I got a chance to visit several places in the first and second phase and have done a few programmes in the third phase as well and I am witnessing the support for BJP is increasing with every phase. All ‘Vaads’ and all disputes on one side and ‘Rashtravaad’ is on one side. People of UP have decided to celebrate Holi 10 days in advance on March 10,” he added.

Modi said that dynastic politicians have problems even with the vaccination drive launched to secure the people from Novel Coronavirus.

“Such a big service, a pious work, humanitarian work to save the human lives in real sense, but these dynastic politicians are saying that it is BJP’s vaccines. Only two people are afraid of this vaccine. One corona and second these anti-vaccine people. Now, when a record vaccination has been done, they are saying why the government is spending so much on it. Dynastic politicians have problems with the vaccine and with Modi and Yogi as well,” he said. He said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the only concern of the government is that not a single mother, child or family has to sleep empty stomach.

“The double-engine government is providing free ration for the last two year, even though the bigger nations failed to make so many arrangements for their citizens. India did what many rich and prosperous nations failed to do,” he added. Modi said that they even had problems when he spoke about constructing toilets for the women.

“When I said from Lal Qila that to remove the agony of the mothers and sisters of the country, they said what type of PM is he who is talking about toilets from Lal Qila. Neither they have seen poverty nor they have seen the problem of the poor. Then I decided to let them criticise or humiliate me, but I will launch a campaign for the mothers and sisters of the country. Today toilets have been constructed in every village and every house,” he said.

He said that they are raising questions on the free ration scheme for the poor. “I have come here to caution you from such elements. They will play games to mislead you,” he said.

Modi said, “Bundelkhand has been famous for its toys, handlooms, handicrafts and for its rich tradition. The handicraft of our tribal brothers and sisters is the best in the world. Our government has started a special scheme to promote artisans and toy makers in the country,” he said.

He said that the people of Fatehpur can never forget how they were oppressed during the previous regimes. “Grabbing government land was common here. Illegal mining mafia had ruined this entire area. The Yogi government is treating these mafia,” he said. The PM said that the BJP government realised the problems of the farmers in this region.

“The double engine government has completed so many projects including Bansagar, Arjun Sahayak and Saryu Canal National Project. Farmers of Bundelkhand have been demanding to link Kane and Betwa rivers for decades and the double engine government has taken up the task to complete it. In the next 10 years with a cost of Rs 44,000 crore it will be ensured that water reaches each and every farm in Bundelkhand,” he said.

On the occasion, he expressed grief over the Kushinagar incident and said, “Last night a marriage function was being held in Kushinagar during which an incident occurred and several people lost their lives. I express my sympathy for the families of the victims. All help is being extended to them by the administration,” he said. (UNI)

Poor performance in Class 10th exams: Staff of twin Schools in Anantnag suspended

Investigation taken up to ascertain reasons behind zero % results

By: Aabid Hameed

Srinagar: A day after the Class 10 results were announced in Kashmir division, the government has taken a cognizance of poor performance at two schools in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district where not even a single student has managed to qualify the examination.

Official sources told Precious Kashmir that from Government High School Wantrag in Mattan education zone; only nine candidates appeared in Class 10th exams. However, not a single student has qualified the board examination.

They said that the same government school witnessed 0% pass percentage last year also, when 23 students appeared in the examination, and all of them failed to qualify even after 50% syllabus relaxation was given by the authorities due to the then COVID-19 lockdown.

Similarly, one more institute namely High School Poru Kalnag Anantnag has also witnessed zero percent results as all the students who appeared in the 10th class examination couldn’t manage to qualify.

Meanwhile, parents of the students enrolled in these schools have demanded strict action against the staff deployed there.

An official said that the staffs of both the schools have been placed under suspension and further investigation in this regard has been taken up.

“Just after the declaration of the results of class 10 Annual Regular Examination, November 2021, the staff members of High School Wantrag Zone Mattan who were associated with the academics of Secondary classes including Headmaster have been placed under suspension,” he said.

“The reasons for poor results of the school are being ascertained and the remedial measures shall be initiated in order to improve the academic performance of the school,” he added.

“Further, one more school of the district viz. High School Poru Kalnag has also recorded zero percent result in the said examination and similar action has been initiated against the staff of the school,” he further added.

Born blind, Tahzeeba secures 90 % marks in Class 10 exams

By: Ahmad Shabir

Anantnag: Five months after her birth, parents of Tahzeeba Hilal observed that their daughter was not following the objects properly. They got worried and sought consultation of the doctor.

After examination and thorough investigations, doctors diagnosed that her retina was not functioning and made it clear to her parents that she won’t be able to see.

Worried about their daughter, her parents took her to almost all the major eye hospitals of the country. However, they returned disappointed from everywhere.

After realizing that their daughter has to live with the blindness, the helpless and hopeless parents decided not to at least deprive her from education.

Tahzeeba was admitted in a local school where she studied upto class 5th. During the years of her primary schooling, her parents ensured that she does not face any harm going to school and back home.

Though there was no Brail method or specially trained teachers for blind students available in the school, Tahzeeba studied and learnt through oral teaching only.

Since she was facing many difficulties in learning in the absence of Brail method, her parents shifted her to Zeba Apa Institute of inclusive education (ZAIIE) Bijbehara where specially-abled children are imparted education by the trained teachers.

At ZAIIE, Tahzeeba learnt Brail system and completed her elementary education.

For secondary education, she was admitted in a private higher secondary school Awantipora. Now that Tahzeeba had learnt to study through Brail method, her difficulties eased to learn and memorise lessons in class 9 and 10.

On Wednesday, Tahzeeba passed her class 10 exam with 90 percent marks filling the hearts of her parents with joy. She secured 450 marks out of 500.

Tahzeeba wants to crack UPSC and serve the society in administrative field.

“I have never let my spirit and passion for studies die due to my blindness. Since my aim to crack IAS, I have decided to choose arts subjects. I am hopeful about my dream come true,” Tahzeeba told Precious Kashmir.

Besides her passion for higher studies, Tahzeeba also has joined a seminary to memorise Quran.

“It will be a one year course to memorise Quran and after that my entire focus will be on the realisation of my dream that is to qualify UPSC,” Tahzeeba said.

Tahzeeba is also teaching many blind students through online mode.

“I have also decided to help and support other blind students as nobody else can understand their plight misery better than me. Now that I am trained in Brail system and I don’t want other students with blindness to face the same difficulties in their learning as I faced in the initial years of my schooling. I am teaching at least 15 students online using Brail method,” Tahzeeba said.

A resident of Awantipora, Tahzeeba father, Hilal Ahmad works at Islamic University of Science and Technology.

Govt braces up to reopen schools in Kashmir

Div Com Pole directs for strict implementation of CAB

Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Thursday directed the concerned Officers to ensure strict implementation of Covid-19 Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) to prevent spread of virus while schools and colleges are re-opened.

The Div Com passed on the directions while chairing a meeting regarding reopening of schools and colleges in Kashmir division. He stressed for framing of uniform check list for every educational institution regarding covid containment measures within their institutions and also maintain highest level of sanitation all the time to ensure reopening of these institutions in a very secure environment for the students as well as teachers.

The meeting was attended by Director School Education, Director Health Services Kashmir, Director Colleges, Principals and Heads of Institutions, Incharcge Divisional Covid Control Room, Kashmir and other concerned officers.

The Div Com said before opening of school, the concerned administration of the institution shall inspect these institutions physically and ascertain about the preparedness and planning before throwing these institutions open for our children.

He said that in physical aspects of check list must include cleaning of grounds, classrooms, availability of clean water and reparation of washrooms. He instructed all the institution heads to designate a nodal officer who will be supervising the Covid specific activities in these institutions.

He also directed to all ZEOs to submit their interim report about the readiness of these institutions found from check list to the concerned CEOs of their districts for allowing offline education before February 28, 2022.

Besides, he said that every class room shall possess list of Do’s and Dont’s of Covid Appropriate Behaviour and Covid specific Pamphlets  in their classrooms besides soaps/ sanitizers must be available for handwashing purpose and also  proper disposal of masks should be taken care as per scientific methods of disposal.

Div Com also directed for frequent inspection of educational institutions by teams of school health public experts of Directorate of Health Services Kashmir.

Moreover, Div Com also directed the Head of Institutions, particularly higher secondaries and colleges to monitor activities of students so that no students shall indulge in irresponsible activities in these institutions.

In this regard, he stressed on holding parent and teacher meetings on a regular basis to keep students away from irresponsible activities and drugs abuse menace which has been noticed from quite `sometime.

England to roll out Covid vax for kids in April

London: After several delays, health regulators in England have approved a low-dose Covid vaccine for children aged between five and 11 in April.

According to scientists on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the move would help protect the “very small” number of children who become seriously ill with Covid, BBC reported.

About six million children in the UK in the age group between five and 11 will be offered the jab.

However, the rollout will be “non-urgent”, Health Secretary Sajid Javid was quoted as saying with an emphasis on parental choice.

“The NHS will prepare to extend this non-urgent offer to all children during April so parents can, if they want, take up the offer to increase protection against potential future waves of Covid-19 as we learn to live with this virus,” Javid said.

While the vaccine had received regulatory approval only in December, it will be rolled out in April.

The roll out was delayed due to a disagreement with the UK government, which says it is “reviewing the JCVI’s advice as part of wider decision-making”.

Javid emphasised that children are at low risk from Covid and that the “priority remains for the NHS to offer vaccines and boosters to adults and vulnerable young people and to catch-up with other childhood immunisation programmes”.

Two 10 microgram doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, with at least 12 weeks between each dose, would be administered to those whose parents decide to take up the offer, the report said.

Due to low risk of infection severity in children, the JCVI scientists have been weighing up the evidence for immunising five to 11-year-olds.

They concluded vaccination should go ahead to prevent a “very small number of children from serious illness and hospitalisation” in a future wave of Covid, the report said.

“We’re offering this to five to 11-year-olds now in order to future-proof their defences against a future wave of infection,” Prof Wei Shen Lim, from the JCVI, was quoted as saying.

Lim suggested that parents consider getting their children vaccinated during school holidays to minimise disruption to their education from any flu-like side effects of the jab.

The full guidelines also claim that fewer than two children would develop inflamed heart muscle (myocarditis) out of every million vaccinated.

However, it estimates vaccinating one million children would prevent: 98 hospitalisations if the next wave was more severe like previous variants; and 17 hospitalisations if the next wave was relatively mild, like Omicron, the report said.

The Pfizer vaccine for kids — which contains just a third of the adult dose — has already been used widely in other countries. The US alone has given it to eight million children in this age group. (IANS)

CS reviews functioning of Geology and Mining department

Directs roll out of e-Market place & Mine Surveillance System

Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Thursday chaired a meeting to review the functioning and progress of the Geology and Mining Department. The meeting was held to discuss the mining activities towards generating employment opportunities and preparing future plan of operations.

While chairing the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed the officers to prepare a future plan for mining operations spelling out the details about the number of people the department will generate employment for and the kind of economic activity the department is going to add.

To ensure uniformity of rates of minor minerals across the districts of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Secretary directed that the number of mineral blocks identified for mining operations should be uniformly distributed across the districts.

The Chief Secretary also emphasized the availability of various minor minerals at reasonable prices and directed the Mining Department to submit a comparative rate sheet. He also said that the mine surveillance system and e-marketplace should be rolled out on priority within the shortest time frame.

A detailed presentation was provided highlighting the achievements of the departments and the major interventions that have been introduced and the projects that are in the pipeline.

It was given out that e-Marketplace (On-Line Web Portal) for the consumers shall be provided enabling them to purchase minor minerals (online) at the rates notified by the Government in a particular District. The portal shall provide District wise/block-wise details of vendors along with rates notified by the District Rate Fixation Committee.

It was given out that the Department on one hand shall provide online services to the consumers and simultaneously keep a check on the quantity of material (minor mineral) being extracted and sold and would reconcile the total quantity consumed by the contractor per month or annum -viz-a-viz royalty charged.

Regarding the identification of mineral blocks, it was given out that 74 new minor mineral blocks of limestone, gypsum marble etc have been identified during 2021-22 and have been sent to the concerned DCs for single-window clearance.

For curbing the illegal mining activity, this Department has initiated a slew of measures. It said that the Government has constituted a multi-disciplinary District Level Task Force Cell under the chairmanship of concerned Deputy Commissioners to check and curb the illegal extraction of minor minerals.

It also said that the Department is conducting regular checks and seizures and 5082 carriers have been seized for illegal transportation and realized fine to the tune of Rs 13,76 cr from the violators during the year 2021-22 (by January, 2022). Following the guidelines of MOEF&CC, the process of android based mobile application integrated with an online portal aided with online weighbridges for tracking of transportation of minor minerals has been initiated.

Regarding the construction of Hi-Tech Mineral Check Posts with CCTV camera, it was given out that out of a total of 50 and 60 posts in Jammu and Kashmir respectively, 11 each have been completed and are fully operational in both the divisions.

In pursuance of NGT guidelines, the Department has already introduced Transport permits/challans printed with security features like unique bar code, fugitive ink background, invisible ink mark, and watermark.

Div Com Kashmir reviews preparation, directs officers for advance planning

‘Influx of Amarnath pilgrims may be higher this year’

Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Thursday chaired a meeting to review the preparation of concerned departments regarding forthcoming annual Shri Amarnathji yatra, here.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner’s of Srinagar, Anantnag, Bandipora and Ganderbal;  Additional CEO, SASB; Directors of  RDD, ULB, FCS&CA, Tourism, Health Services, Animal Husbandry, DMRRR&R and IMD Kashmir;  representatives  of  PWD, KPDCL, PHE, I&FC, BRO Kashmir, RTO Kashmir, JD Information, Fire & Emergency Kashmir;  Chief Executive Officer, PDA &SDA, Commandant, SDRF and NDRF, Regional Director Social Forestry of Kashmir, Deputy Labour Commissioner Kashmir and other officers.

On the occasion, Div Com said that during the current year, the influx of Yatris may be higher as the yatra could not happen smoothly in previous couple of years due to Covid Pandemic.

He directed all the departments to prepare and project enhanced plan by fifty percent. In this regard, he also enjoined all the officers to increase the capacity of camping sites, parking places and service facilities including health, drinking water, toilet and other facilities.

Emphasizing on the registration of all pony wallas, labours, the Pole directed concerned officers for hiring pony wallas from other districts to cater to the demand.

The Div Com directed PWD for widening of roads at critical junctions, culverts and reparation of damages caused by cloudbursts to physical infrastructure near holy cave during the previous year.

He also directed for advance planning and coordinated synergy to cater all the requirements of Yatris, so that no shortfall shall be projected during Yatra.

Stressing on early execution of works, the Div Com directed all the departments to start execution of work from the first week of April, as the snow fall was less during this winter and complete all the works and preparation by May 15.

Moreover, Div Com directed for establishing oxygen  booths, covid testing facilities for Yatris.