Mumbai: Indian skier Anchal Thakur on Friday won her second international medal in alpine skiing at the FIS Alpine Ski Competition in Kolasin in Montenegro, keeping alive her hopes of qualifying for the next year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Aanchal won third place in the giant slalom section of the FIS Alpine Ski Competition on Friday.
Aanchal had earlier scripted history by winning India’s first international medal in skiing (slalom) in the 2018 Alpine Ejder 3200 Cup, which was held in Turkey.
In the 2012 Youth Winter Olympics she took part in the Alpine skiing – Girl’s Slalom and Girl’s Giant Slalom events.
Aanchal, whose brother Himanshu represented India at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, in a race to complete the qualification norms for the Winter Olympics to be held in February 2022.
To give herself the best possible shot at qualification, Aanchal Thakur has moved to Austria to train.
Aanchal, who needs a prolonged stay in Austria to improve her chances of qualification, has recently started a crowdfunding campaign to fund her preparation in Europe. “We are trying hard to qualify for the upcoming Winter Olympics Feb 2022. We need your help,” she said in a message on Twitter in September 2021.
Recently, she told the Olympic Channel that she got a good response for the initial appeal but needs a lot more. She is still hopeful that sponsors and other people will come forward to help her.
The latest medal will boost her confidence in her attempt to qualify for the Winter Olympics.
Skier Aanchal wins bronze in Montenegro
Winter tourism
In recent weeks, tourists have flocked in significant numbers to famous resorts like Gulmarg in Kashmir Valley.
According to figures shared by officials, tourist arrivals into Kashmir in November 2021 were way higher than the 6,327 arrivals recorded in 2020 and 12,086 in 2019. The figure this November was even higher than the figure for the same month prior to abrogation of Article 370, with 33,720 tourist arrivals having been recorded in the Valley in 2018, 1.12 lakh in 2017, 23,569 in 2016 and 64,778 in 2015.
The tourism department has taken several measures to ensure that the fear of the Covid-19 contagion doesn’t scare away the visitors. As per government data, so far most of the Valley’s tourism service providers have been vaccinated and are safe to welcome travellers from far and wide. Over the last several months, the Government has also been in the process of identifying new tourist destinations to accommodate more tourists and offer them more places to visit.
The administration has now been doing its best to push tourism recovery. In J&K budget 2021-2022, Rs 1,000 crore shall be taken up for development of tourism infrastructure. Officials said the budget
for tourism and culture was Rs 283 crore in 2020-2021 it is Rs 780 crore this financial year. Various plans have been formulated recently.
The plan needed to be formulated at an earliest and stakeholders should be involved in preparations for a better outcome. There is also a need to develop various tourist circuits while putting special focus on winter tourism, adventure tourism, trekking activities, pilgrimage sites, water sports and other popular ventures.
The recovery in the tourism sector is nascent. Low wage workers like ponywallas, tourist guides, cab drivers, hotel staff and boatmen etc need continuous support.
The winter and the snow at tourist resorts have generated renewed hope. Tourism has picked up and it will help in part amid continuing ban on international travel. Snowfalls that would soon become the order of the day will give further fillip to the arrivals. One benefit of a snow-bound winter has been that there is a sudden bump in the arrival of tourists and efforts should be made to keep flow flowing. Snow is a novelty for many and efforts should be made to attract more and more such people.
PM Modi reviews Covid-19, Omicron situation
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting on Thursday to review the Covid-19 situation in the country.
The meeting was attended by top officials from the Health Ministry, Home Ministry and other ministries and departments.
The meeting comes amid a spike in cases of the new variant of Covid-19, Omicron.
The number of Omicron cases in India crossed 300 on Thursday.
Maharashtra, which has the highest Omicron infection tally, reported 23 new cases on Thursday, taking the total number up to 88.
In Tamil Nadu, 33 new Omicron cases were reported, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian announced on Thursday, 12 new case were detected in Karnataka, including a 9-year-old girl tested positive in Mysuru and in Kerala, five more people tested positive for Omicron.
Tamil Nadu’s total tally now is 32, Karnataka has 31 cases, and Kerala has 29 cases altogether.
According to data released by the Health Ministry on Thursday morning, there were 236 Omicron cases. The fresh infections reported today take the tally up to 309.
So far, 104 patients have been discharged following their recovery from the virus according to health ministry.
As per the available data, Maharashtra has reported the highest number of Omicron cases at 65, followed by Delhi (64).
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan meanwhile on Thursday reviewed the public health preparedness of the States for fighting Covid-19 and the Omicron variant along with progress of vaccination with Health Secretaries and NHM MDs of States and UTs on Thursday. Center has advised States and UTs to not let their guard down and maintain their preparedness for fighting Covid-19 and Omicron.
As per the bulletin, the country’s overall caseload rose to 3,47,65,976 with the detection of 7,495 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, while 434 fatalities pushed the death toll to 4,78,759.
The recoveries tally rose to 3,42,08,926 as 6,960 people reovered from the disease in the last 24 hours. Active cases stood at 78,291. (UNI)
713 killed in 5,036 road accidents across J&K in last 11 months
By: Aabid Hameed
Srinagar: Just a day after the Lieuetant Governor Manoj Sinha termed the loss of lives in road accidents as worrisome; it has come to the fore that a total of 713 people have been killed in the accidents across Jammu and Kashmir in the last 11 months of the ongoing year—2021.
According to details available with Precious Kashmir, 6,447 persons have also sustained injuries in 5,036 road accidents across Jammu and Kashmir from January-November 2021.
An official said that 5,036 accidents were reported in Jammu and Kashmir from January to November in 2021, in which 713 persons were killed and 6447 were injured.
He said that in the last 11 months, 589 fatal and 4,447 non-fatal accidents were reported across the Union Territory, adding that 3,278 accidents were reported in Jammu division in which 521 persons were killed and 4,241 injured.
Giving district wise details, he said that 102 persons were killed and 1,175 injured in Jammu district while 76 persons were killed and 536 got injured in Kathua and 63 persons lost lives in Ramban district where 313 people got also injured.
In Kashmir, 1758 accidents were reported in which 192 persons were killed and 2,206 injured. 36 persons were killed and 333 injured in Srinagar. 25 persons lost lives in Kulgam district where 140 people were also injured.
In Anantnag district, 21 people died while 340 were injured during the last 11 months.
As compared to previous years, the figures are showing decline in the number of deaths occurring in road accidents.
In 2017, 926 were killed and 7419 were injured. Similarly, in 2018, 984 people were killed and 7845 sustained injured.
In 2019, a total of 996 persons were killed while 7532 were injured. In 2020, 728 people were killed while as 5894 got injured.
These figures reveal that the deaths occurring due to road accidents are declining, but the Jammu and Kashmir traffic police department blamed negligent driving on tricky and winding mountainous roads for fatalities.
However, the locals pointed out that the paucity of public transport options has led to a surge in vehicle ownership, increasing the odds of accidents.
“Over speeding has turned out be the main cause of traffic accidents across J&K. Most drivers met with the accident for not obeying the traffic rules,” a traffic officer said.
He said that the poor condition of roads and presence of sharp curves on some hilly roads also play a role, adding that as drug menace is increasing, many drivers drive vehicles after consuming the drugs, which is also among the causes behind the road accidents.
He added that there is a need to open driving schools, where aspiring drivers must be trained well.
Notably, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting on Road Safety here at Civil Secretariat. “Deaths due to road accident are indeed a cause of worry. The Government is making continuous efforts to make the public aware of road safety and is committed to enforce the rules and necessary interventions & facilities,” the Lt Governor said.
Kashmir braces up for mega New Year celebrations
Thousands of tourists expected to throng Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg next week
By: Zehra Shafi
Srinagar: Thousands of tourists—both domestic as well as the foreign are expected to converge at the world famous destinations in Kashmir to celebrate the New Year, despite bone-chilling cold and the looming threat of Omicron–a new variant of Coronavirus, spreading rapidly across the globe.
Over a hundred hotels—luxury and budget class, are nearing cent percent occupancy at Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg as people from different States of India and abroad are expected to reach these hill stations to celebrate the New Year with their friends and families.
While the hotels have organized some events for the visitors, the tourism department has also come up with a series of shows and competitions to make the New Year celebrations more memorable.
The huge rush on the New Year has brought smiles on the faces of people associated with the tourism industry, who bore the brunt of frequent lockdowns due to one reason or another since 2019.
“We are expecting a good number of tourists to reach Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Srinagar on New Year eve. The information we are receiving from the hoteliers is that their bookings are excellent in both Gulmarg and Pahalgam hill stations. Sonamarg too is getting good queries from the tourists,” Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Sarmad Hafeez told Precious Kashmir.
He said that all facilities are available for tourists in Gulmarg and Pahalgam while hoteliers in Sonamarg have also made adequate arrangements, including heating, to receive tourists.
“Besides, we are also planning festivals during the winter, starting with the one-week Christmas and New Year festival in Gulmarg, followed by a snow carnival. In Pahalgam and Sonamarg also, we are planning a series of festivals and events,” he said.
Kashmir provides a unique winter experience. It is the most beautiful winter destination in the country. The snow, the kind of ambience and the overall environment, is unmatched,” he added.
The Khyber Himalayan Resorts & SPA, which has been voted favourite boutique Hotel – India at the 2021 Condé Nast Traveller, India, Readers’ Travel Awards last week, has also reached 100 percent occupancy.
All the 80 rooms in deluxe and luxury categories, besides the 5 cottages have been booked by the tourists from India and abroad.
“The hotel is booked 100 per cent. We are also planning events for in-house guests on New Year eve,” Anuradha Kapoor from the PR and media information department told Precious Kashmir.
J&K Hoteliers Club Chairman Mushtaq Chaya also expressed satisfaction over the bookings ahead of New Year celebrations.
“The bookings in Gulmarg are pretty good. Pahalgam and Srinagar will also have a good number of tourists in the coming days,” Chaya said, adding that he was hopeful the occupancy will reach cent percent in Gulmarg after December 25.
Pertinently, the tourism department last week notified rates for the year 2021-22 and 2022-2023 for various services being offered to the tourists by registered tourist traders at various destinations across the Valley.
Nadeem Wahid, a Srinagar-based tour operator, said that queries from tourists are pouring in for Pahalgam and Sonamarg hill stations as all the hotels and guest houses at the world famous ski-resort of Gulmarg remain “sold out” on New Year.
“Now, Pahalgam is emerging as the second favorite New Year destination for the tourists. We receive dozens of queries everyday from travellers who want to visit Pahalgam next week,” he said.
He further added that the brisk business in winter season has given hope to the tourism players to recover the losses suffered in summer due to Coronavirus imposed lockdown.
“If the winter season goes well, we will be able to compensate for some of the losses we suffered due to various reasons, especially lockdowns during the last three years. Fingers crossed, hopes are high,” Wahid said with a smile on his face.
Follow 5-fold strategy: Centre to States
New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday advised states and UTs to not let their guard down and maintain their preparedness in fight against Covid pandemic and to follow five-fold strategy in view of the new variant Omicron.
The states have been asked to put in place the local containment measures by the District and local administration when either the test positivity increases beyond 10 per cent or occupancy of oxygenated beds increases beyond 40 per cent.
“Based on the local situation and population characteristics such as density and others and keeping in mind the higher transmissibility of Omicron, States/UTs can undertake containment measures and impose restrictions even before these thresholds are reached”, the Health Ministry has said.
The states have been advised to follow the five-fold strategy of Containment, Testing & Surveillance, Clinical Management, Covid Safe Behavior and Vaccination.
On Containment, the states have been advised to impose night curfews and ensure strict regulation of large gatherings, especially ahead of the forthcoming festivities. The states need to keep strict watch on number of Delta and Omicron cases in all districts, and case positivity on a day-on-day and week-on-week basis.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan reviewed the public health preparedness of the states for fighting Covid-19 and said that any restriction must be enforced for minimum of 14 days. As syndromes of Omicron variant closely mimic common cold with a higher rate of transmissibility and doubling time, syndromic approach for Covid containment can be employed, said Bhushan.
The states have also been informed that the existing National Clinical Management Protocol remains unchanged for Omicron. They were advised to increase bed capacity, ensure logistics like ambulances and enforce mechanism for seamless shifting of patients. “Utilise funds sanctioned under Emergency Covid Response Package (ECRP-II) to ensure that the requisite capacity of health systems is developed at/near hotspots to respond to any emergency”, said ministry to the states.
On the front of Covid Safe Behaviour, states have been asked to ensure advance engagement and information so that there is no misinformation or panic. The states have been asked to ensure 100 per cent coverage of left out first and second dose eligible beneficiaries in an accelerated manner and give special focus to those districts where the first and second dose coverage is less than the national average. (IANS)
Any laxity shall be viewed seriously: Div Com Kmr to CMOs
Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir Thursday took a serious note of the failure of ongoing repeat RtPcr testing on 8th day of International travelers, who were put on home quarantine in their respective districts.
It was observed that the laid guidelines/instructions for conducting repeat RtPcr testing on 8th day of arrival of International travelers are not being followed strictly. As such it was emphasised upon all the Chief Medical Officers to ensure that these repeat testing of all the international travelers is carried on 8th day of arrival positively.
Any laxity in this regard shall be viewed seriously and the concerned Chief Medical officer shall be personally responsible for any delays in this matter.
Strengthen values of brotherhood, peace: LG to people
Inaugurates reopening ceremony of historic 100-yr-old Church in Sgr
Jammu/Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday inaugurated the reopening ceremony of historic St Luke’s Church in Srinagar that has been fully renovated, conserved and opened for the public to offer prayers.
Addressing the gathering through virtual mode, the Lt Governor said that the lost glory of the oldest Church in Srinagar has been restored today.
“Reopening of St Luke’s Church in Srinagar after restoration is a historic occasion to celebrate and imbibe Lord Christ’s message of sacrifice, service, redemption, love and compassion”, observed the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor said that the St Luke’s Church is a unique symbol of J&K’s composite culture, which was built in 1896 on the southwest slope of Shri Shankaracharya Hill.
The Lt Governor congratulated the citizens of J&K, especially the Christian community and all the artisans involved in the renovation and conservation, besides the officials associated with the Smart City program. The restoration and conservation work of St Luke’s Church has been carried out under the ‘Smart City Project’. The up-gradation of the surrounding landscape has also been attended to including access to the Church, lighting and the allied components. The inside of the Church has also been redone with construction of Alter, wooden flooring, seating, window panes, access gate and porch.
India is home to diverse religions and cultures for centuries. But, despite much diversity, we are living in unity without any discrimination, observed the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor urged the people to inculcate the spirit of social harmony and strengthen the values of brotherhood, peace and selfless service.
St. Luke’s message of peace and harmony to all human beings is more relevant today than ever before. Today, while facing the challenges of Covid pandemic, the whole world is realizing that no nation or society can survive in isolation. Our dependence on each other, our connect with each other has increased substantially, the Lt Governor said.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor remembered Dr. Arthur Neve, and threw light on his life. Dr. Arthur served the people of J&K for three decades, by establishing this Church as well as saving many lives as a doctor, he added.
The Lt Governor also extended his warm wishes to the people for the upcoming Christmas festival.
On the eve of Christmas, when we remember Jesus Christ, let us also reiterate our strong resolve to follow the path of truth, non-violence and universal brotherhood. Every person should sincerely play their part in promoting harmony in society, the Lt Governor said.
Special prayers were recited to mark the day, while a documentary on the history and restoration of the church was also showcased on the occasion.
The Christian community of Srinagar has expressed happiness at the government’s initiative to renovate and reopen the Church ahead of Christmas.
St Luke’s Church is a single-storey building constructed on a cruciform plan. The Church follows the Gothic Style of Architecture which is distinct from the other important monuments dotted in the landscape of Srinagar. Attached to the porch, there is a bell tower which is three-story in height, mounted by a high pitched CGI roof with dormer gables on each side.
Before the restoration works, the Church was lying in a dilapidated condition, with the structural members suffering major damage. The CGI roofing was completely damaged, the rainwater intrusion from the roof aggravated the decay of important components.
Initially, the structural integrity of the Church was analyzed by experts and the envisaged vision was to restore the Church in its original shape and character keeping intact the Architectural glory of the Church.
Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor SMC; Athar Aamir Khan, Commissioner, SMC and CEO Srinagar Smart City; besides Chief Priest of St. Luke’s Church, Father Eric, people from all walks of life were present to witness the re-opening of the Church.
Witness Protection Scheme comes into force in J&K
Home deptt issues notification
By: Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar: The Witness Protection Scheme unveiled by the Government of India in 2018 has come into force in Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory.
The J&K’s Home department has issued a notification to declare that the scheme has come into force in the UT.
“In exercise of powers conferred by sub-clause (b) of clause (1) of Witness Protection Scheme-2018, the Lieutenant Governor is pleased to notify 5th December 2018 as the date on which the said scheme shall be deemed to have come into force in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” reads the notification, a copy of which is in possession of The Precious Kashmir. The notification was issued by the Home department on Thursday (December 23).
The scheme provides for protection of witnesses based on the threat assessment and suggests measures like concealment of identity of witnesses, their relocation, installation of security devices at the residence of witnesses, usage of specially designed court rooms, etc. for their protection.
The scheme provides for three categories of witness as per threat perception.
The scheme also provides for setting up a witness protection fund by the J&K government and it has to make annual budgetary allocation for the same.
The Scheme calls for preparation of a ‘threat analysis report’ of the witness by the police, when he/ she applies for protection.
The ‘threat analysis report’ will categorize the level of threat perception and shall suggest the specific witness protection measures which deserve to be taken in the matter.
As per the scheme, the witness protection order passed by the competent authority will be implemented by the witness protection cell of the UT.
Major roads closed as Kashmir parts experience fresh snowfall
Srinagar: Srinagar-Ladakh and the historical Mughal road connecting Shopian district in south Kashmir to Rajouri district of Jammu were closed for vehicular traffic following a fresh snowfall, a traffic police official said here on Thursday.
However, the Srinagar-Jammu national highway was open for vehicular traffic. Light motor vehicles were playing from both sides while heavy vehicles which were allowed on Thursday from Srinagar-Jammu were later suspended in the afternoon, he added.
He said Srinagar-Ladakh road was closed as a precautionary measure following fresh snowfall at Sonamarg, Zojila pass, Captain More and Drass on the highway. About 2-3 inches of snow has accumulated on the highway.
A Meteorological Department office said it was still snowing on the highway till the last report came in.
The historical Mughal Road connecting Shopian district of south Kashmir with Rajouri was also closed for vehicular traffic following snowfall at Bafliaz and Peer Ki Gali, the official said and added about 3-4 inches of snow has accumulated on the road so far.
Meanwhile, Sadhna pass, Kupwara-Keran roads in frontier north Kashmir district were also closed for vehicular traffic due to fresh snowfall, While Furkain and Z-Gali in Bandipora and Gurez road were closed as a precautionary measure following accumulation of about 10 cm of snow on the road, the traffic official said. (UNI)
