Precious Kashmir

Rajouri: 5 years on, conference hall at Budhal awaits completion

Anchor stories

22/12/2021

Rajouri: 5 years on, conference hall at Budhal awaits completion

By: Sayed Zahid

Rajouri: Five years have passed since the work on Conference hall in Budhal was started, the authorities, however failed to complete the project since then.

Sources informed Precious Kashmir that the work on the conference hall in Budhal was started five years ago but has not been completed yet.

“Even after spending millions of rupees, the conference hall is in shambles. The conference hall is still in dilapidated and in poor condition,” they said.

The locals said that the tall claims about the development in J&K has fallen flat as the project worth hefty amount has been kept in abeyance.

“With no process being taken forward for its construction, the foundation of the conference hall is getting weaker. Due to the rain, the roof has got damaged is about to collapse,” the locals said.

There is an urgent need for a conference hall in the locality. Whenever a program has to be held in Budhal, it is either being organized at different places even sometimes at houses of political leaders or the people, they said.

“I don’t know why this conference hall is not being completed despite spending millions of rupees. We appeal the Jammu and Kashmir’s administration led by Lieutenant Governor’s administration and district administration Rajouri to complete this conference hall at earliest,” they appealed.

Omicron Cases In Jammu

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Oped

Precious Kashmir

22/12/2021

Three cases of omicron variant of covid-19 stand confirmed in Jammu. While identified already, the cases had no international travel history. This is cause of worry for all. At the same time, the government’s response thus far has been far swift compared to earlier this year when the Delta variant began to make its presence felt.

Not only J&K, there are indications that all governments across the country have learnt valuable lessons in preparedness from the nearly two-year-long confrontation with the pathogen.

Despite measures the variant has dispersed to many states and UTs. Some of the alarm is understandable. But given the data about the variant doesn’t yet convey the magnitude of the threat it poses, the best recourse would be to remain unflinching about Covid protocols while the scientists and medical experts do their job.

Health officials have confirmed a number of infections from the Omicron variant in India, around fortnight after the World Health Organization designated it as a variant of concern (VOC). The extent of the transmission is still evolving. So far only three cases have been confirmed in J&K or Ladakh. There is no room for complexity either, considering what has been seen in South Africa, where the variant seems to be spreading rapidly.

It is also true that there is little known about how significant a threat Omicron poses besides being readily transmissible. It is not known if this variant leads to more severe, or milder, illness and it will take weeks before one of the most crucial questions is answered: How does it affect people who have had a past infection, vaccine shots, or both?

United States health officials said that while the omicron variant is rapidly spreading, early indications suggest it may be less dangerous than delta, which continues to drive a surge of hospitalizations globally.

It is also true that undue alarm will only serve to create a distraction at a time when the focus needs to be on scientific evidence but there is need for covid-19 appropriate behavior as been rightly asked to be adhered to by the officials given the fact that WHO has said that measures that work again delta variant work against omicron also.

So, while authorities have done well to bolster surveillance at airports, they must also make sure that there is no let-up in the general levels of testing and contact tracing.

COVID-19: J&K reports 104 fresh cases, one death

Front

Nadeem Nadu

22/12/2021

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 104 fresh covid-19 cases while as one person succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Tuesday.

26 of the fresh cases were reported from Jammu Division and 78 from Kashmir, taking the overall tally to 340036.

There one death reported from Jammu division due to the virus during the last 24 hours, they said. So far 4513 persons—2194 in Jammu and 2319 in Kashmir—have died due to the virus, they said.

Giving district wise details of the fresh cases, the officials said that Srinagar reported 40 cases, Baramulla 4, Budgam 0, Pulwama 2, Kupwara 15, Anantnag 3, Bandipora 4, Ganderbal 9, Kulgam 1, Shopian 0, Jammu 18, Udhampur 0, Rajouri 3, Doda 3, Kathua 1, Samba 0, Kishtwar 1, Poonch 0, Ramban 0 and Reasi 0.

Moreover, 139 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time, 29 from Jammu Division and 110 from Kashmir, they said.

So far 334056 patients have recovered, leaving active case tally at 1327—332 in Jammu and 995 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 50 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said.

They also informed that 64343 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

Education only tool to transform society: G N Var

City

Precious Kashmir

22/12/2021

Education only tool to transform society: G N Var

Asks private schools to work for compensation of learning loss of students

Srinagar: Private Schools’ Association Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) President, G N Var on Tuesday said that the association will leave no stone unturned to compensate the learning gaps created by the Covid pandemic and resultant closure of schools for last more than two and a half years.

Private schools should focus on quality education and ensure that no student is deprived of education for any reason, Var said while chairing a meeting of school owners of Pampore Zone held at Satisar Educational Institute Tulbagh Pampore.

The meeting was called in order to apprise the school owners about the recent achievements at various levels and also to send a message to the private schools that quality education should be the top priority while working for compensating the learning losses that happened due to continuous closure of schools.

Speaking on the occasion, Var said that education is the only tool that can transform a society and prepare future leaders of a nation.

He stressed upon the school owners to retain their students by providing them conducive teaching learning atmosphere and an education that can make parents satisfy.

“We have to prepare our students to face the challenges of 21st century,” he said.

On the occasion, private school owners who have done commendable work during the Covid pandemic and have struggled hard in order to keep the flame of education lit were felicitated by president PSAJK.

Secretary PSAJK, G N Shakir, its Coordinator Abdul Majid Bhat, Co coordinator Tahir Ahmad also attended the meeting.

EJAC congratulates JKPEECC, JKEEU, Govt

City

Precious Kashmir

22/12/2021

Srinagar: The Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) on Tuesday expressed satisfaction after the protest called by JKPEECC culminated on a happy note.

“Our congratulations are to all the employees in general and the leadership in particular for making the protest a grand success. Our special congratulations to convenors of both Jammu and Kashmir especially to Munshi Majid Ali and Nasir Ahmad Bhat, President Electrical Employees Union (EEU), his entire team and the employees of electric department for leading at forefront,” EJAC said in a statement.

“We also extend congratulations to the administration for handling the situation and settling the issues amicably,” EJAC said

The EJAC said that it is hopeful that government will fulfill its promise and commitment made with the leaders of the JKPEECC at the earliest without compelling the employees to adopt the agitation path. It should not be an eye wash, EJAC said and hoped that all the decisions taken shall be materialized in a time bound manner.

Senior Trade Union leader and President EJAC, Fayaz Ahmad Shabnam said that the struggle made on sincere basis with sincere efforts brings fruit. He also said that the government will honor its decisions in the larger interests of employees and the public good.

He thanked his entire leadership and the unions /associations affiliated with EJAC for their outstanding support to the cause of the protesting electric employees. He hoped that EJAC shall always support the cause of employees whenever & wherever required as we believe in unity and common good.

We are also thankful to print, social and electronic media for their outstanding support in projecting our point of view through their media houses & channels.

Ensure distribution of textbooks from Class 1 to 8 through schools: MoE asks SED

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

22/12/2021

Ensure distribution of textbooks from Class 1 to 8 through schools: MoE asks SED

By: Bhat Imran

Srinagar: The Ministry of Education (MoE) has asked the School Education Department to ensure distribution of textbooks from Class I to VIII are through the school to every elementary level school going child, in the beginning of the academic session 2021-22.

The MoE for Government of India (GoI) in an annual project board meeting has said, “All the states and UTs will ensure that relevant textbooks (Covering Class I to VIII) are printed and distributed through the school (if required, then at the doorstep) to every elementary level school going child, in the beginning of the academic session 2021-22”.

The MoE has also said that the system for distribution of textbooks for students of secondary and senior secondary level may also be overseen by States and UTs to ensure their timely distribution.

Besides the MoE has also said that with the present COVID wave, that is more virulent and faster spreading, an urgent need was felt to plan for the challenges ahead and prepare to make progress for the sake of students, parents, community and all stakeholders involved in this pursuit.

“Hence, taking a holistic view, the Department has prepared a comprehensive COVID Response document consolidating all the previous guidelines and intervention to mitigate the impact of the pandemic,” the MoE said.

The guidelines were issued earlier in 2021 and it delineates detailed action plans and timelines for all stakeholders involved in access, retention, Continuous Learning Capacity Building and stakeholder engagement. (KNO)

Corporator SMC, VC SKUAST-K call on LG Sinha

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

22/12/2021

Jammu: A delegation led by Muhammad Aaqib Renzushah, Corporator ward-03, Brein, Srinagar Tuesday called on Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, at Raj Bhavan.

The Corporator apprised the Lt Governor regarding the functioning of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, besides presenting the demand of best facilities of sports for the youth of his constituency. The members of the delegation also put forth the demand for deferral of the Prosecuting Officer (Mains) exam.

The Lt Governor impressed upon the young Corporator to continue his efforts for raising the issues of public importance. He assured the members of the delegation that their demand would be looked into by concerned authorities for appropriate action on merit.

Meanwhile, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir also called on the Lt Governor and apprised him of the functioning of the Agriculture University.

The Lt Governor asked the Vice-Chancellor to endeavour for taking the University to higher echelons of success in academics, innovation, and research activities.

He impressed upon him to lay special focus on taking the research activities from Labs to the field for providing best scientific methods to the farmers for increasing their production and income.

Two minors die after falling into water-filled pit in Gagal Lolab

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

22/12/2021

By: Jahangir Lolabi

Srinagar: Two minors died after falling into a water-filled pit in Chakdar Mohalla Gagal in Lolab in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Tuesday afternoon.

Reports said that two children Mustafa Ahmad Bhadana, son of Mohammad Qasim and Sumaiya Akhter, daughter of Abdul Kareem – both aged 6 – fell into a deep pit dug by a local contractor – to store water.

The minor duo was evacuated and rushed to Sub-district Hospital Kupwara where both of them were reportedly declared as brought dead on arrival.

The families of victims however alleged the doctors at SDH Kupwara of negligence and raised slogans against district administration and medical authorities. The families claimed that both the children were ‘alive when brought to the health facility’.

“Both of them were still breathing when we brought them to the hospital”, the family members said, adding there was a single doctor available at the hospital who just kept on shrugging the children for half an hour. “That is all he did”, they said.

The medical authorities however contested the claims, saying both the children were brought dead at the hospital.

A police official confirming the incident said that investigations have been initiated into the matter.

Meanwhile when contacted Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Imam-ud-Din said that an enquiry has been ordered into the matter. “SDM Lolab has been made enquiry officer to reveal the facts into the incident”, he said adding once the probe is over it will be made public accordingly. (GNS)

NEP will nurture young generation’s talent: Kovind

National

Indo Asian News Service

22/12/2021

NEP will nurture young generation’s talent: Kovind

Thiruvananthapuram: President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday said the task of the government while promoting education is to help create the right environment in which the “young minds will be fired with creativity”.

“The National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020 is a well-planned roadmap to develop an eco-system that will nurture the talent of our young generation. The NEP aims to prepare them for the world of tomorrow, while also equipping them with the best of our own traditions,” said Kovind.

The President said this while speaking at the 5th convocation of the Central University of Kerala at Kasargode, located about 500 km from the state capital.

He went on to add that he has had the occasion to discuss the implementation of the NEP with vice-chancellors of central universities and directors of other educational institutions.

“The consensus is that this reorientation of our educational policy was long needed, and that it has the potential to turn India into a hub of knowledge. I believe that the most outstanding feature of the NEP is that it aims to promote both inclusion and excellence. Through its varied curricula, NEP promotes liberal as well as professional education, because each stream of knowledge has a role to play in society and in nation-building,” said the President.

He further added the NEP can become instrumental for India to harness and reap the demographic dividend.

“When the younger generation is provided with skills and knowledge required for success in the world of the 21st century, they can do miracles. The 21st century is described as knowledge century. Knowledge power will determine the place of a nation in the global community,” added Kovind.

Shifting to Kerala, he said the state being a leading one in the area of learning and education, the Central government has recommended names of three cities from the entire country for being listed in Unesco’s Global Network of Learning.

“Out of them two cities are from Kerala. These two cities are Thrissur and Nilambur. Being part of this Global Network supports the achievement of the sustainable development goals, especially the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting life-long learning opportunities for all,” said Kovind.

Earlier on Tuesday, the President arrived at the Kannur airport for a three-day trip to Kerala. He was received by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan among others.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was absent as he is presently undergoing his routine medical check up at a leading hospital at Chennai.

Kovind is expected to attend a function at the Kochi Naval base on Wednesday, and after that he will reach the state capital.

On Thursday, he is scheduled to take part at a programme in the state capital and will return to Delhi on Thursday. (IANS)

Jr national hockey: Delhi, Bihar, J&K register crucial wins

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

22/12/2021

Jr national hockey: Delhi, Bihar, J&K register crucial wins

Kovilpatti (Tamil Nadu): Delhi Hockey and Hockey Bihar scored big wins to secure their places in the quarter-finals of the 11th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship here on Tuesday. Delhi Hockey outplayed Hockey Gujarat 14-1 while Hockey Bihar defeated Assam Hockey 6-1 to reach the last-eight stage.

Hockey Jammu & Kashmir and Hockey Jharkhand bagged crucial wins, while Manipur Hockey drew against Le Puducherry Hockey in other matches on the sixth day of the competition on Tuesday.

In Pool F, Hockey Jammu & Kashmir edged out Hockey Himachal 3–1 with Zahid Shabir (5′), Captain Gagandeep Singh (20′), and Arun Preet Singh (34′) scoring for them. Captain Mohit Sharma (11′) pulled one goal back for Hockey Himachal.

In Pool G, Delhi Hockey made it three wins out of three with a 14–1 win over Hockey Gujarat. Nitin (30′, 37′, 54′), Rahul (23′, 52′), Sahil Kumar (46′, 52′), Govind Singh Bisht (7′), Ganesh (17′), Nand Kishor (18′), Zainul Samar (21′), Manmeet Singh (23′), Abhinandan (46′) and Captain Rohit (49′) together racked up the goals for Delhi Hockey. Vikas Yadav (9′) got on the score sheet for Hockey Gujarat.

In the second match in Pool G, Manipur Hockey and Le Puducherry Hockey split ten goals between themselves to draw 5–5. Khangembam Somikant Singh (26′, 43′), Waribam Nirajkumar Singh (56′, 59′) and Gurumayum Dingku Sharma (21′) scored for Manipur Hockey, while T. Manikkavasagan (36′, 43′, 49′), J. Jayaprathap (5′), and Captain Suriya S (29′) scored for Le Puducherry Hockey.

In Pool H, Hockey Jharkhand defeated Goans Hockey 11–1. Aseem Aind (8′, 56′), Budu Mundu (42′, 51′), captain Ashim Tirkey (8′), Manohar Mundu (18′), Prem Kerketta (28′), Flabius Tirkey (34′), Wilsan Lakra (45′), David Minz (50′) and Abhishek Guria (52′) notched the goals for Hockey Jharkhand. Captain Sahil Chari (4′) scored for Goans Hockey.

In the second Pool H encounter, Hockey Bihar defeated Assam Hockey 6–1. Rohit Lama (32′, 46′) bagged a brace for Hockey Bihar, while captain Sachin Dungdung (6′), Sanchit Horo (25′), Subal Kerketta (41′), and Turtan Minz (55′) all chimed in with one goal each. Neck Ali (42′) pulled one goal back for Assam Hockey in the third quarter.

This completed the league proceedings, setting up the quarter-final lineup which will have Hockey Chandigarh taking on Hockey Punjab; Hockey Haryana facing Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu; Uttar Pradesh Hockey taking on Delhi Hockey and Hockey Association of Odisha playing Hockey Bihar on Wednesday.

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