Srinagar: Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) on Wednesday conducted more than 40,400 Covd-19 tests across Kashmir hospitals which is the highest single day figure during the two years of pandemic in the region.

A spokesperson Directorate of Health Services Kashmir said that 40,400 tests in a single day is the record testing achieved so far in the past two years of the pandemic in the valley.

Giving further details the spokesperson said today a total of 11,273 RT-PCR tests were conducted while a total of 29,163 rapid antigens tests (RAT) were conducted throughout the day.

Director Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather has congratulated healthcare workers and said that they have proved their commitment and dedication.

He said that they have taken keen interest in the testing saying that testing is the only way forward to detect the disease and will help in mitigation of Covid-19.

The director said health experts have been asking people to go for testing so that cases are detected early and properly isolated and surveillance measures and their contacts can be traced for the contamination.

He said the role of the health department in this regard has been appreciated by all. The testing facilities have been kept available in all hospitals and vital places.

Puducherry: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually inaugurated the 25th National Youth Festival as part of the Swami Vivekananda birth anniversary at Puducherry. He called upon the youths to adopt the new mantra of India, Compete and Conquer, and asked them to win battles to build a stronger India.

Narendra Modi asked the youths to write about unsung heroes of the freedom movement who did not get due recognition despite extreme sacrifices.

He said that the participation of youths in large numbers in the vaccination drive against Covid-19 was clear proof of their will to win and a sense of responsibility among them. The PM said that the performance in the Olympics and Paralympics where the participants won medals was a clear example of the will of the youth of the country.

He said that Puducherry is a beautiful example of ‘Shresht Bharat Ek Bharat’ (Best India, United India) and the youth will have a lot to learn from here.

Modi said that India’s demography is young and the mind of the country is also young. The National Youth Festival also coincides with the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Aurobindo and the 100th death anniversary of Poet Subramania Bharathi, both associated closely with Puducherry.

He called upon the youths to be Vocal for Local as it can solve many problems like unemployment, bring honour to the poor and help in economic development and empowerment.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated a technology centre of the MSME ministry established at Puducherry with an investment of Rs 122 crore. He inaugurated the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Manimandapam, an auditorium with an open air theatre, constructed by the Puducherry administration at a cost of Rs 23 crore.

Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Dr Tamilisai Sounderrajan, Chief Minister N . Rangasami and Union Minister for Youth and Sports affairs, Anurag Singh Thakur, and others were present at the occasion. (IANS)

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, Wednesday greeted the people on the eve of Lohri (which falls on 13th January, 2022) and Makar Sankranti (which falls on 14th January, 2022).

In a message, the Lt Governor said, these festivals are a strong symbol of our shared ethos and culture.

“Lohri, the harvest festival, celebrated across the country, brings the promise of growth, prosperity and fosters a spirit of sharing in our lives. It is also a joyous occasion to salute the indomitable spirit of our farmers and to recognize their invaluable contribution in nation-building. Sankranti indicates the beginning of the auspicious period of the year”, observed the Lt Governor.

“May these festivals bring prosperity, happiness and joy for all”, the Lt Governor said.

New Delhi: As many as 350-400 militants are present at the launchpads and training camps in the other side of Kashmir, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Manoj Mukund Naravane, said on Wednesday.

Addressing Indian Army’s annual press conference, the COAS said that the threat at the Line of Control (LoC) from Pakistan has not receded by any means.

“The threat cannot be ignored,” said the army chief.

Along the LoC with Pakistan, after a heightened situation for a prolonged period, the DGMOs’ understanding in February last year was aimed at achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace, he said.

“Resultantly, the situation has witnessed marked improvement,” said the officer, but with a caution.

“However, increase in concentration of militants in launch pads across the LoC and repeated infiltration attempts have once again exposed their (Pakistan’s) nefarious intents,” the Indian Army chief said.

“We, on our part, have resolved to show ‘Zero Tolerance’ to militancy, and commit ourselves to extract dire costs, should that be forced upon us,” he said.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the ‘Whole of Government’ approach has led to progressive improvement in the security situation, he said.

Efforts to give an indigenous hue to militancy, by setting up a facade of proxy militant ‘Tanzeems’, have failed miserably, he said, adding that inimical elements have re-energised their attempts at disrupting peace in the Valley by targeting minorities and non-locals.

“However, we have been able to counter these challenges,” he said.

Talking about Siachen, Naravane said that Siachen occurred because of Pakistan’s unilateral attempts. Explaining how there can be disengagement, the officer said that the Indian Army is not averse to demilitarisation of the Siachen glacier.

“But a precondition is acceptance of the Actual Ground Position Line by Pakistan,” he said. (IANS)

New Delhi: The creation of Theatre Commands is necessary to win wars in future, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said on Wednesday adding that the “Indian Army is carrying out its deliberations in consultation with other Services and it stands fully committed to jointness and synergy among the three Services.”

Army Chief was responding to a query on how the Army intended to move forward on creation of Theatre Commands following the tragic demise of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat in a chopper crash.

“There will have to be much greater synergy among the Services. The need for Theatre Commands has to be there in order to win wars in future. We will keep working in that direction. We are carrying out internal deliberations in Indian Army. Views of all other Services are taken on what should be the way forward. We will send our recommendations,” said Gen Naravane interacting virtually with defence journalists ahead of Army Day on Jan 15.

He further added that India will choose a model as per the threats and challenges it faces and will not be guided by models of other countries.

“Every country has its own set of threats or challenges. Whatever structures we arrive at will be India specific and we will not be, in any manner, force fit any other model. We will adopt something for assured victory,” he said.

Army Chief said that “force restructuring for enhanced operational effectiveness and resultant structural optimisation through creation of Integrated Battle Groups is progressing well and that IBGs in select formations, along the western front and northern borders, will soon come to fruition.”

Earlier Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while paying tributes to Gen Bipin Rawat, said that integration of the armed forces to enhance their effectiveness and reshape the conduct of future operations will progress seamlessly, and achieving the target of jointness will be a top priority for the government.

Gen Rawat was aggressively pursuing the integration in the armed forces by initiating several studies on creation of Theatre Commands and their structure. The new CDS will have to carry forward the agenda of creating Theatre Commands and bringing jointness within the defence forces. (UNI)

New Delhi: India is more than adequately prepared to deal with any military ramifications that the new Chinese Land Border Law might bring, Indian Army Chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane said on Wednesday.

“Any Border Law which is not legally tenable and which is not in agreement with the agreements we have had in the past, obviously cannot be binding on us,” said Army Chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane on the new Chinese Land Border Law.

Gen Naravane was responding to a question whether the new Chinese border law would impact the military situation between the two countries.

“As far as military ramifications are concerned, we are still looking into that aspect, but should there be any military ramifications… likely fallout in the military domain as I have said that, with whatever steps that we have taken and the rebalancing that we have carried out, any such fallout, I think we are more than adequately prepared to deal with it,” said Army Chief during a virtual interaction with defence correspondents ahead of Army Day on January 15.

He said our Ministry of External Affairs has made it abundantly clear that “this law has no bearing on our bilateral relations and we don’t accept it as such.”

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopted the China’s first dedicated law titled ‘Land Borders Law’ on October 23 last year. The new Chinese law which came into effect from January 1 this year, lays down provisions for border protection and integration of border areas.

As per the new law, China is required to install boundary markers on all of its land borders in order to clearly designate the border. Experts feel that the new law has the potential to affect resolution of the ongoing India China military standoff, can add more complexities and contribute to worsen the military situation along the Indo-China border. (UNI)

By: Sheikh Danish

Srinagar: Expressing concern over the incurring losses, the Kashmiri fruit growers Wednesday appealed to the Government of India (GoI) to ban the import of Iranian apples in the Indian market.

Addressing a press conference President of Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Dealer’s Association and New Kashmir Fruit Association Bashir Ahmad Bashir said the supply of Iranian apples in India has severely damaged the rates of Kashmir produce apples in the market.

“The demand of Kashmiri apples in Mandi’s are less owing to the availability of Iranian apples,” he said.

Bashir said the rates of apples have declined to Rs 1200 per box to Rs 600 in the past few days in the Mandi’s.

“The production cost of one apple box is Rs 600, moreover the transport charges costs Rs 300 per box,” he said. “The GST has increased from 12 percent to 18 percent. Now, how can a grower sell his production at such low rates? ”

Bashir said that despite repeated requests, the GoI has not paid any heed to the matter, leaving the apple growers in lurch.

“We met the Union Agriculture Minister but he didn’t take any action to stop the supply. Then we wrote to the Prime Minister, LG office, but to no avail,” he said.

“If Modi cries for Make in India, then why are we importing goods from outside when we have our own production,” he said. “PM Modi should uphold its own slogan”.

Bashir said that the horticulture industry is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir, and the government must make sure to safeguard this sector.

“This is the only sector that has survived in all these years of turmoil. Around 70 to 80 percent of the population are associated with this industry and are earning their livelihood from it,” he said.

Bashir said that, as per their information, many people have dumped the Iranian apples at the ports of Mumbai and Chennai, which they later sell at low rates in the Indian Mandi’s as compared to Kashmiri apples.

“We have come to know that in Iran, one kg of apples cost Rs 20. So, these people import the apples and then dump them in CA stores here, “he said. “There should be tax imposed on it.”

“We appeal Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene into the matter and ban the import of Iranian apples in the market,” Bashir said. (KNO)

3 Army men, 2 civilians injured: IGP Kashmir

Srinagar: A policeman and a Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militant were killed while as three Army men and two civilians were also injured in an ongoing encounter in Pariwan area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday.

Quoting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, the Kashmir Police Zone wrote on Twitter, “One police personnel SgCt Rohit Chhib attained martyrdom, 03 Army soldiers got injured. 02 civilians also got minor injuries. 01 militant of militant outfit JeM killed. Operation continues.”

Earlier a joint team of Police, army and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in the area.

As the joint team of Police approached towards suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces triggering off a gunfight. (GNS)

Srinagar: Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Lt Gen Y K Joshi on Wednesday lauded the troops for their motivation and selfless service in the toughest terrain and under inclement climatic conditions along the Line of Control.

Lt Gen Joshi along with Srinagar based Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen D P Pandey visited forward areas on LoC and hinterland where they interacted with the soldiers.

“..He lauded the troops for their motivation & selfless service in the toughest terrain & climatic conditions,” a tweet by the Northern Command said.

Lt Gen Joshi was also briefed by Chinar Corps Commander on the security situation at the Srinagar headquarters of 15 Corps. He also released a book.

“Lt Gen YK Joshi #ArmyCdrNC visited HQ #ChinarCorps where he was briefed by #ChinarCorps Cdr on the security situation. A book titled “Abridged version of history of Kashmir” was also released,” Chinar Corps of Army said in a tweet.

The visit of the Northern Commander comes at a time when security forces have stepped up operations against the militants in Kashmir’s hinterland. This month 13 militants including a suspected Pakistani infiltrator have been killed in Kashmir in January.

Except for a recent violation in frontier Kupwara district where the Army foiled a Border Action Team (BAT) Action, the Indian and Pakistani Army have been holding the ceasefire since February 2021. (UNI)

Srinagar: Amid the recent surge in Covid positive cases and Omicron threat, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Wednesday chaired a virtual meeting regarding containment of Covid and preparation for tackling third wave of Covid-19 with Deputy Commissioner and Senior Health Officers of HME.

The meeting was attended by Director SKIMS, all DCs with CMOs, Principal GMC, CEO, J&K ERA; MD, National Health Mission; Principals of SKIMS Bemina, GMC Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla; Director Health Services Kashmir; GM J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Kashmir; Incharge Divisional Covid Control Room Kashmir; Epidemiologist, DCCRK; MS SKIMS, SMHS, JVC, Bone & Joint Hospital, Kashmir Nursing Home, JLNM; Assistant Director, Immunization and Family Welfare Kashmir and other officers.

During the meeting, Divisional Commissioner enjoined on DCs to prioritize containment of Covid and focus on tackling surge of cases.

He directed them to visit health institutions along with CMOs to boost morale of the medical and paramedical staff which would motivate them to manage patients and Covid properly.

He directed DCs to constitute teams who would distribute Covid kits to the Covid positive patients at home. He also stressed on delay in elective surgeries in view of surge in cases so the health care system is not constrained.

He also directed to reactivate Panchayat Covid Care Centres established during the second phase which would help in enhancing the capability of district administrations to manage third wave. He further stressed on restoration of all the equipment used during the 2nd wave without wasting any additional time.

Meanwhile, Div Com said that during the current phase of Covid 19 pandemic, symptoms are mild in nature and so the home isolation cases shall be more while volume of hospitalization would be minimum. However, he directed all to be prepared for any exigency.

He further directed for the engagement of staff of other departments for non-medical purposes including distribution of testing kits, assisting control rooms and managing containment zones.