Precious Kashmir

Sports best medium to keep youngsters away from drug abuse: Alok Kumar

City

14/07/2021

Srinagar: Principal Secretary Sports, J&K government, Alok Kumar on Tuesday said that sports are the best medium to engage youth and keep them away from drug abuse and other anti-social activities.

Talking to media persons on the side-lines of a formal inaugural ceremony of JKFA professional league 2021 at Synthetic Turf TRC Srinagar, Kumar said that when youth will remain in the sports field, they would not get any time to engage themselves in any other activity but sports.

“By remaining in the sports field they will understand the importance of being fit and they will automatically remain away from other anti-social activities including drug abuse. They will spend their time in coaching, playing and training only, which will be ultimately good for their health,” he said.

He also said that there is a lot of craze for football in Jammu and Kashmir and the government was doing everything to promote this sport and provide a platform to youngsters.

Kumar said that this is the season’s first football professional league and both day and night matches will be played. “I would also request the tournament organisers and players to keep themselves away from infection in view of Covid-19.”

Meanwhile, secretary sports council, Nuzhat Gull said that this is the professional league event where associate clubs of Jammu and Kashmir football association will take part.

She said that sports is a mission for fit Jammu and Kashmir and fit India and everyone is requested to participate in this and take forward this slogan for a healthy lifestyle.

Nuzhat also said that this is for the first time that a league match tournament is being organised at such a level.

Notably, Jammu and Kashmir football association is organising professional league 2021 on Synthetic Turf at TRC ground in Srinagar and the tournament will be held under flood lights. (KNO)

SC defers hearing on pleas against cancellation of UPSC chance due to non-submission of educational proof

National

United News Of India

14/07/2021

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred the hearing of pleas filed by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) aspirants, whose candidatures had been cancelled due to non-submission of educational qualification proof on the specified date.

A led by Justice AM Khanwilkar adjourned the matter for six weeks, stating the parties were yet to reach an amicable decision and were in the process.

The petitioners stated that their candidatures have been cancelled amid the Covid-19 situation citing Civil Services Examination Rules, 2020, in which proof of educational qualification needs to be submitted.

During the last hearing, UPSC submitted that Covid-19 pandemic situation cannot be an excuse for not submitting the certificates on time.

Also, the recruitment exam body had said that the eligibility relaxation cannot be given to different candidates on different grounds as it would be contrary to the tenets of Article 14 and Article 16.

PM Modi interacts with Indian athletes’ contingent bound for Tokyo Olympics

Sports

United News Of India

14/07/2021

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted with the Indian athletes’ contingent bound for upcoming Tokyo Olympics via video conference.

The interaction by the Prime Minister was an endeavour to motivate the athletes ahead of their participation at the games.

In an informal interaction, the Prime Minister motivated the athletes and thanked their families for their sacrifice.

Talking to Deepika Kumari (Archery), the PM congratulated her for the gold in the World Championship. He mentioned that her journey began with plucking mangoes through archery and enquired about her journey as a sportsperson.

The Prime Minister lauded Pravin Jadhav (Archery) for staying on the path despite difficult circumstances. He also interacted with his family and praised their efforts.

Talking to Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw), PM inquired about the athlete’s experience with the Indian Army and also his recovery from injury. He asked the athlete to give his best without getting bogged down by the weight of expectation.

Apart from Deepika, Pravin and Neeraj, PM Modi also interacted with Mary Kom (Boxing), PV Sindhu (Badminton), Elavenil Valarivan (Shooting), Saurabh Chaudhary (Shooting), veteran player Sharath Kamal (Table Tennis), Manika Batra (Table Tennis), Vinesh Phogat (Wrestling), Sajan Prakash (Swimming) Manpreet Singh (Hockey), Saina Mirza (Tennis).

While addressing the Indian athletes, the Prime Minister regretted the fact that he could not host the athletes due to the pandemic. He remarked that the pandemic has changed their practice and even the year of the Olympics.

He recalled his Mann ki Baat address when he exhorted the citizens to cheer for their sportspersons in the Olympics. He noted the popularity of the #Cheer4India. He said that the whole country is behind them and the blessings of all the countrymen are with them.

He informed that people can login to the NaMo app and cheer for their sportspersons where special provisions have been made for the purpose.

“These wishes of 135 crore Indians are the blessings of the country for all of you before entering the field of sports,” said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister also noted the changes that have been brought in the recent years to support the sportspersons. He said that efforts were made for the players to have better training camps and better equipment.

He advised players to give their best and asked the countrymen to ‘Cheer4India’.

Anurag Thakur, Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports; Nisith Pramanik, MoS Youth Affairs and Sports and Kiren Rijiju, Law Minister were also present on the occasion.

During the interaction, Anurag Thakur thanked every official including coaching staff and support staff for doing hard work with our athletes. “Sports Ministry hasn’t left any stone unturned to support athletes. From TOPS to various other programs, we’ve supported our athletes,” Thakur said.

The minister said that from 22 States, 126 athletes will represent 130-crore Indians in 18 sports disciplines in Tokyo Olympics. “I feel that under your (PM) leadership, our players will be able to give their best in the Tokyo Olympics,” he said.

Vaccination Imperative

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Oped

Precious Kashmir

13/07/2021

Every individual must be a Covid warrior if the pandemic is to be defeated. The battle against ravaging virus can be won by fighting it together. Triumph may be declared once herd immunity reaches, which should set in adequately but may take time. In contemporary times, vaccination is the key in fight against the pathogen.

As per the figures revealed by the J&K government on Monday, 98.12 percent vaccination has been achieved in above 45 years with 12 districts achieving cent percent target in Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar and Kupwara are two districts with around 80 per cent achievement. The summer capital has achieved 82.73% progress and frontier Kupwara 70.21 per cent respectively. Other districts have higher figures to show.

In the overall Indian context though, there has been a decline in average daily vaccination against the virus since June 21, when the new phase of universalisation of COVID-19 vaccination commenced, according to the government data.

As per data available on the CoWIN platform, an average of 61.14 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered daily in the week from June 21-27 which dropped to 41.92 lakh doses daily in the subsequent week from June 28-July 4.

In the week from July 5 to July 11, the daily average vaccine doses number further dipped to 34.32 lakh doses. Among states, however, a mixed trend has emerged.

The vaccination may not be legally mandatory and therefore an individual can choose not to take the jab. However unless it is on medical advice, not to take the vaccine would be self-defeating in light of the views held by the experts.

There is a need to expedite the vaccination in eligible groups and should be the core focus for the government.

At present, universal vaccination is the only way to save lives and prevent future waves, revive economic growth, ensure children return to schools, resume social interactions and overcome the pandemic. It is also imperative that eligible citizens, those above the age of 45 and those falling in the 18-44 age group, must take both vaccine jabs and encourage others as well.

Not getting vaccinated would not only risk one’s life but also prevent returning to normal. The administration needs to continue campaigns to persuade more and more people to take the jab at an earliest and ensure availability also. While it is true that it is difficult to change someone’s mind when they have already reached a conclusion, researchers and research evidence need to inform views among members of the public as they are being formed.

J&K Govt, DEA to carry out assessment of likely savings from WB-funded project

Anchor stories

Ibni Maqbool

13/07/2021

J&K Govt, DEA to carry out assessment of likely savings from WB-funded project

Strengthening disaster management mechanism

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar, July 11: The Government of Jammu & Kashmir and Union Finance Ministry would finalise an assessment in March next year about the funds which would remain unutilised from the World Bank’s Rs 1500 crore project for reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by 2014 floods and strengthening the disaster management mechanism in the Union Territory.

Documents accessed by The Precious Kashmir lay bare that as per its agreed action plan with the Bank, the Project Implementation Unit of Jhelum -Tawi Flood Recovery Project- and the Department of Economic Affairs(DEA) of Union Finance Ministry would carry out an assessment about unutilized funds of the project before requesting the multilateral financial institution to cancel them.”

“ GoJK and DEA to finalize an assessment by March 31, 2022 of the likely savings under the credit (the funds that would potentially remain unutilized by December 31, 2022) factoring in the implementation progress, contract variations and exchange rate variations,” read the document.

According to the document, J&K government would submit a request through DEA for cancellation of the identified savings under the credit by April 15, 2022.

The action plan also reveals that J&K government would share, by July 15, 2021, an updated status of cumulative number and value of contracts awarded as of June 30,2021.

“No new contracts to be procured and/or awarded thereafter for financing under the credit,” the document states.

The agreed action plan between PIU and World Bank also states that at least 60 percent of the awarded contracts shall be physically completed by May 31, 2022.

As already reported by this newspaper, the World Bank has extended the deadline of the project by one more year.

The Rs 1500 crore project was sanctioned in 2015 after a team of WB visited the State’s flood-affected areas to carry out a multi-sectoral assessment report of the damages and needs.

Puhal village on Srinagar outskirts without potable water for 2 yrs

Anchor stories

Amjad Hussain

13/07/2021

Puhal village on Srinagar outskirts without potable water for 2 yrs

By: Amjad Hussain

Srinagar: At a time, when government is aiming to benefit thousands of households across the country under Prime Minister’s ‘Har Ghar Nal Yojna’ (tap water to every household) scheme, Puhal a small hamlet situated at Brein area in Srinagar outskirts is without potable water since 2019.

Residents of Aara Mohalla, Puhal Brein told Precious Kashmir that the acute water scarcity has compounded their problems prompting them to install portable electric motors to get drinking water.
An elderly woman said since they cannot afford to buy a water motor, her physically challenged husband moves to the other localities to fetch water.
She said the village has been facing acute shortage of water since 2019; however no steps have been taken so far to mitigate the problems og people for the past two years.

“Have pity on us; we don’t have water for ablution not to talk of washing and bathing. My physically challenged husband fetches water from the other village. We have reminded the concerned department many times but our repeated pleas have fallen flat on deaf ears,” she added.
Mohammad Asraf Bhat another local said people, including females, walk on foot for miles to fetch water.

He said the villagers collect water in buckets and pots for drinking, washing and other household requirements as they have been deprived of the basic necessity for the past two years.

“We are suffering seriously, we appeal to the government to provide water supply to this small village so that the locals living here heave a sigh of relief. We too are humans who ought to have basic necessities of life, if not then we will shift from here,” said he.

Mohammad Shafi Rather said the water scarcity has affected everyone equally but few households are the worst hit.

“Water lines in our village run dry most of the time. Most people here use electric motors to get water while those who can’t afford the motors fetch it from other localities,” said Altaf Ahmad.

When contacted Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti Department, Mohammad Iftikhar Wani said he will look into the matter and address the issue confronting villagers.

Dr Abid Rasheed reviews progress of Jal Jeevan Mission in Kashmir division

No Covid death in J&K after 4 months

Front

Nadeem Nadu

13/07/2021

Nadeem Nadu

Kupwara: Jammu and Kashmir reported 155 fresh covid-19 cases, lowest daily count in nearly 16 weeks, even as no death was reported due to the virus during the last 24 hours, officials said on Monday.

They said that it was for the first time in almost 16 weeks that no fatality has been reported by the virus in Jammu and Kashmir.

Regarding the fresh cases, they said, 42 of the fresh infections were reported from Jammu Division and 113 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall case tally to 318848.

Providing the district-wide details, the officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 33 cases, Baramulla 7, Budgam 10, Pulwama 7, Kupwara 12, Anantnag 11, Bandipora 8, Ganderbal 9, Kulgam 14, Shopian 2, Jammu 12, Udhampur 1, Rajouri 2, Doda 11, Kathua 0, Samba 2, Kishtwar 2, Poonch 4, Ramban 2 and Reasi 6.

A number of the cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of CD and GMC Anantnag, they said.

The CD cases include male (59) from Danpora Brain, male (12) from Satoora, female (32) from Nehama, two females (50, 24) from Namlabal, male (43) from Khrew, two males (23, 22) and female (40) from Nawabazar, female (28) from Hazratbal, female (46) from Hawal, male (61) from Alochibagh, male (28) from Jawahar Nagar, male (25) from Bemina and female (50) from Srinagar.

The GMC Anantnag cases include female (20) from Gawas Kapran and female (38) from Yakadburu Kapran.

Moreover, they said, 448 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—228 from Jammu Division and 220 from Kashmir Valley. So far 311782 people have recovered while 4357 people have succumbed to the virus, leaving active cases at 2709 in J&K—1226 in Jammu and 1483 in the Valley.

There was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today and thus the cumulative number of confirmed cases remained 31 in J&K. (GNS)

India reports 37,154 cases, 724 deaths

Front

United News Of India

13/07/2021

New Delhi: India recorded 37,154 new Covid-19 cases during the past 24 hours, pushing the country’s caseload to 3,08,74,376, while the death toll soared to 4,08,764 with 724 more fatalities, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

The active cases declined by 3,219 to stand at 4,50,899. It is now 1.46 per cent of the total caseload.

The past 24 hours saw 39,649 people recovering from the deadly virus, taking the total recovery count to 3,00,14,713, which is 97.22 per cent of the case tally. The fatality rate stood at 1.32 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that a total of 43,23,17,813 lakh samples have been tested so far for coronavirus. Of this, 14,32,343 were tested in the past day.

On the vaccination front, 37,73,52,501 people have been administered Covid-19 vaccines, with 12,35,287 being inoculated in the past 24 hours.

Anantnag achieves 100% vaccination of over 45 years age group

Front

Precious Kashmir

13/07/2021

Anantnag: The district Anantnag on Sunday achieved the milestone of cent percent Covid vaccination of above 45-year age group with 221743 beneficiaries in this category having received at least first dose of the vaccine.

Calling the achievement a big feat for the district, the Deputy Commissioner Dr. Piyush Singla pressed for continuing the immunisation programme with full momentum for achieving the desired results. He informed that massive awareness campaigns were launched to address the vaccine hesitancy besides inoculations were carried out both at designated sites and remote and far off places by dedicated vaccination teams.

Giving details, the DC said that more than 3.46 doses stand administered to various categories of beneficiaries cumulatively and complemented the health care and front-line workers in this regard.

Dr. Singla hailed the general public for their cooperation and appealed to them to participate in vaccination drives with the same energy.

He also appreciated the senior officers of Health, Civil and Police Administration, Tehsildars, BDOs, Officials from Municipalities, Revenue, Education and other departments, BLOs, PRIs, ULB members and other stakeholders for mobilizing and vaccinating the people at their doorsteps.

Pertinent to mention here, the vaccination programme in the district is overseen and monitored by DC himself along with senior officers from administration and health viz ADCs, DPO, SDMs, ACD, ACR, CMO, Dy. CMO, BMOs and others. The strategies, which are in tune with the scientific standards and protocols, are devised at the micro level and all aspects associated with the process are taken into consideration.

Elaborating on the accomplishment, the Deputy CMO, Dr. M. Y. Zagoo said that 15 percent of above 45 people have been inoculated with the 2nd dose as well while the others will receive the same in due course of time as per the guidelines.

He informed that 215 vaccination sites manned with technical and support staff were established to achieve the target adding that all these sites are still active and working.

Meanwhile, the public expressed satisfaction over the efforts of the administration and concerned departments for successfully immunising a large chunk of population and bringing the overall Covid situation under control in the district.

ISIS ‘Voice Of Hind’ case: NIA arrests 3 Anantnag youth

Front

Precious Kashmir

13/07/2021

Srinagar: National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday said that three persons were arrested by it Anantnag’s south Kashmir in connection with a case regarding “ISIS voice of hind case”.

According a statement issued by the agency on Monday, three accused persons identified as Umar Nisar son of Nisar Ahmed Bhat of Magray Mohalla Achabal, Tanveer Ahmad Bhat son of Gull Mohammad Bhat of Gori Mohalla Achabal and Rameez Ahmad Lone son of Javeid Ahmad Lone of Chak Achabal were arrested yesterday.

The case, NIA said, was registered on 29 June 2021 under sections 124A, 153A, &153B of IPC and sections 17, 18, 18B, 38, 39 &40 of UA(P) Act 1967 in connection with the conspiracy of the ISIS to “radicalize and recruit impressionable youth in India to wage violent jihad against the Indian State.

“ISIS terrorists operating from various conflict zones along with ISIS cadres in India, by assuming pseudo- online identities, have created a network wherein ISIS related propaganda material is disseminated for radicalizing and recruiting members to the fold of ISIS,” the NIA said. In this connection an India-Centric online propaganda magazine ‘the Voice of Hind’ (VOH) was published on monthly basis with an aim to incite and radicalize impressionable youth, the agency said.

“NIA had earlier conducted searches at the premises of the arrested accused and recovered large number of incriminating documents, multiple digital devices and T-shirts with ISIS logo,” the agency said, adding, “Preliminary examination of the seized material and examination of the accused persons revealed that they are active cadres of ISIS and have been using the cyberspace to propagate inciting material by the online magazine (VOH),” reads the statement as per GNS, adding, “Examination of the arrested accused led to searches on 12.07.2021 at 02 more locations in Anantnag district in which a number of digital devices and other materials have been seized.”

Investigation in the case continues, the NIA added.

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