Dowry payments in India have been persistent and largely stable over the past few decades, a World Bank study, published last week, has found.
Researchers looked at 40,000 marriages that took place in rural India between 1960 and 2008, the most recent source of dowry data.
They found that dowry was paid in 95% of the marriages even though it’s been illegal in India since 1961.
The practice continues to thrive and leaves women vulnerable to domestic violence and even death, notwithstanding the fact that it is described as a social evil.
They also found the average net dowry (difference between the value of gifts given by the bride’s family to the groom or his family and those given by the groom’s family to the bride’s family) had been remarkably stable over time, with some inflation before 1975 and after 2000.
A lot has changed in India between 2008 and now. But researchers say the trends or patterns of dowry payments were not likely to be too different today in the absence of any ‘dramatic changes or structural breaks in marriage markets, laws, human capital of men and women and women’s labour market outcomes’.
In such a scenario, there is a pressing need to challenge the ills prevailing in the society which continue to threaten the woman because all sorts of tragedies befall daughters-in-law from kitchen fires, suicides and mysterious ailments. Marriage and money continue to be tied together. The fact that dowry has been illegal since 1961 means little. The vast majority of families, from the urban elite to other sections, still pay some form of dowry. The deaths remain an ominuous ignominy across India. Jammu and Kashmir is no exception. Various forms of crimes against women exist.
According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for IPC cases, a woman becomes a victim of dowry death roughly every one hour. Additionally, she becomes a victim of cruelty by her husband or in-laws every four minutes. As per law, women who die within seven years of marriage must be autopsied. There is also a need for awareness as the official figures of dowry deaths remain just the tip of the iceberg. The grim aspect remains when it becomes so entrenched that no one thinks it to be worth talking about. The women still being forced to take extreme steps for dowry in contemporary times should enrage one and all. There is a need to address the demand. Simplicity in marriages is the need of the hour.
Dowry ‘Largely Stable’
J&K close to my heart, well-being of citizens my foremost duty: LG
Advises students to look at challenges as opportunities, focus on bigger goals
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Monday inaugurated the Induction of the 12th Batch (PG Programme in Management) of Indian Institute of Management – IIM, Rohtak through virtual mode.
While addressing the students, the Lt Governor shared his past experiences and also passed on suggestions to the students for overcoming the future challenges of management.
Speaking on the various critical aspects of modern management, the Lt Governor advised the students to look at challenges as opportunities and focus on bigger goal, pay attention to every minute detail, besides aiming higher with purpose.
Terming Youth Innovation as hope for the future of India, the Lt Governor stated that students of today are the leaders of tomorrow and they are going to be the vehicles of change for the nation.
It is time that youth identify change-makers in them and takes the country to new heights through innovation and creative solutions to the most difficult of problems, said the Lt Governor.
Prime Minister, on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of Digital India mission, spoke about Youth Innovation for the future of this country, he added.
Drawing similarities between management and good governance which is inclusive & responsive, the Lt Governor observed that as the Lt Governor of J&K, my role is to manage the UT as a constitutional authority. Strategic Planning principles of management like Goal-setting, Situational analysis, Strategy formulation, Strategy implementation, Evaluation and Control – all being critical parts of governance process, we are replicating in J&K.
Jammu and Kashmir is close to my heart because every step for development can affect real change to millions of people, besides transforming lives for the better. The well-being of all the citizens is my first & foremost duty and mission, said the Lt Governor.
“We are building a future on the promise and potential of the youth of Jammu & Kashmir, thus creating better prospects for our younger generation”, remarked the Lt Governor.
By working day and night actively with a solution-oriented approach, over 150 new initiatives and reforms have been introduced in a short period of time, providing plenty of opportunities for all. A solid platform has been laid for the young entrepreneurs including extending financial assistance to them at Panchayats, besides engaging youth with the various stakeholders and putting all their resources together for a common purpose, he added.
The Lt Governor also underscored the reformative measures taken by the administration like Back to Village, My Town My Pride, Jan Abhiyan programs, Block Diwas, JK-IGRAMS, LG Mulaqaat, for making the governance process more transparent and participatory.
Engaging, Informing, and Empathising with the people, we have created enabling environments across governance, services and delivery, besides empowering and celebrating the uniqueness which is enshrined in the very fabric of Jammu & Kashmir, said the Lt Governor.
Increasing the budgetary allocation to over 1 lakh crores rupees must be seen as a holistic approach focusing on the Human Development Index and an investment in the future of Jammu & Kashmir bringing sustained peace and opportunity in the UT, maintained the Lt Governor.
Strengthening democratic institutions is my topmost priority. The newly elected DDC representatives are empowered, they come from the ground up and are truly committed to growth and development. District development plan which has been finalized with the active involvement of DDC members has made the system more people-centric, he continued.
On the future framework of the development and growth of J&K, the Lt Government said that the UT Government is planning to generate 3500 megawatt electricity, introducing reforms through Land laws, organising more structured apple farming through high-density plantation, bringing industry reforms through the new industrial policy, attracting 20 thousand crores rupees in investment and creating 5 lakh jobs.
I want young business minds to look at J&K as a great business opportunity that offers abundant raw material for Agro & Food Processing, strategic location which is truly blessed by nature in its abundance, home to handloom and handicrafts, responsive governance, minimum government, timely policy reforms & rapid single window clearances and Industrial Infrastructure, remarked the Lt Governor.
The new Industry policy of J&K is one of the finest Industrial policies of the country which is comprehensive and holistic in its approach to create a predictable and stable business environment while facilitating innovation and investments, said the Lt Governor.
Citing WEF reports, the Lt Governor underlined the importance to put dedicated focus on skilling the younger generation as per the market demand and called upon on the innovators and the academicians to take on the challenge of skilling and educating youth for the jobs of tomorrow, up-grading traditional model of education. Let’s work together to make a better future for all of us, added the Lt Governor.
With sizeable fund allocation of Rs 200 crores, part of which we will allocate towards building a Centre of Excellence supported by one of the national institutions of eminence providing dedicated platform for the youth in digital economy, public policy, culture, media and governance, he added.
The Lt Governor made a special mention of Bhartendu Verma, a bright student of IIM Ahmadabad, who interned with J&K government and within a short span of three months created a platform ‘HAUSLA for women entrepreneurs in the UT.
The Lt Governor also recalled his days as the Telecom Minister and the reforms brought in through progressive policy framework, overcoming major challenges, that enable innovations for connecting rural and urban India.
While speaking on the J&K Government’s approach for effective Covid management, the Lt Governor stated that the Government with its mantra of ‘Stronger and Healthier J&K’ through 10-point strategy forming “J&K Model’, ensuring dedicated workforce and expanded outreach, has dealt with the Covid Pandemic with solution based approaches successfully.
Aimed at conducting a universal Vaccination Drive in J&K, the Government has involved diverse collaborators, partnered with influencers and religious leaders for community education and confidence-building. In order to prioritize the allocation, the UT immunization department prepared a data-enabled solution for the targeted group, said the Lt Governor.
While concluding his address, the Lt Governor wished the students very best for this academic year, and invited them to travel, intern, be fellows, work with the J&K Government, and experience the warmth & beauty of Jammu & Kashmir.
Put people first, technology second, and process third, and lead with empathy, be more humane and be clear & your authentic self. The sky is the limit for all of you, the Lt Governor advised the Students.
The Lt Governor also congratulated the faculty members and Director, IIM Rohtak Prof. Dheeraj Sharma on the occasion.
Sinha rolls out “LG’s Sustainable Development Fellowship”
Selected graduates to get a fellowship of Rs. 60,000 per month
SRINAGAR: With the aim of transforming the overall delivery structure of government programmes and making it more efficient, transparent, and robust, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today rolled out the “Lieutenant Governor’s Sustainable Development Fellowship (LGSDF)” for the engineering, management and other graduates of the Union Territory of J&K.
The programme, which shall be funded by the J&K Government and implemented in collaboration with IIT, Jammu, will focus on providing immediate catalytic support to improve government service delivery, removing gaps in policy implementation, and generating valuable insights for policymakers and implementing agencies.
LGSDF is providing a unique and exciting opportunity for young professionals from Premier Institutes of UT to work towards promoting outreach, transparency, efficiency, and improving delivery of various Government Programmes, besides providing a fulfilling experience to the scholars through extensive work in the field followed by use of analytical tools/brainstorming to come up with solutions under the guidance of IIT Jammu task force.
The objective of the programme is to provide an institutional platform for research related to enhancing delivery of Government Programmes for the graduates from Premier Institutes like IIT Jammu, IIM Jammu, NIT Srinagar, and other institutes who wish to pursue a career in development sector and have an attitude of “giving back” to the society.
Under the programme, every year 10 scholars/graduates from IIT Jammu, IIM Jammu, NIT Srinagar, and other National Institutes shall be selected, who would have requisite work experience and have qualified GATE, MAT, NET examinations.
Initially, the tenure of fellowship will be for 2 years, which shall be further extendable by 3 years. The rate of fellowship shall be Rs. 60,000/- per month. The field travel and other incidentals will be reimbursed as per the adopted policy.
The Programme shall be monitored by the three-member committee consisting of the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor, and Director, IIT Jammu. The deliverables and accountability of the projects shall be clearly defined and evolved. The committee shall identify specific departmental projects and delivery targets for each specified area for the scholars under the scheme.
The applications shall be invited through online mode once a year through advertisement in Leading Newspapers and Employment News from the candidates fulfilling the eligibility conditions under the scheme.
Technology integral part of our fight against Covid: PM
‘Vaccination best hope to defeat pandemic’
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that technology has been an integral part of India’s fight against Covid 19 and CoWIN portal paved the way for world biggest vaccination drive.
Speaking at the CoWIN Global Conclave, he said that India is committed to share its experience, expertise and resources with the global community in fighting this pandemic.
Noting that Indian civilization considers the whole world as one family, PM Modi said that this pandemic has made many people realize the fundamental truth of this philosophy and “That’s why, our technology platform for Covid vaccination – the platform we call CoWIN – is being prepared to be made open source.”
“Right from the beginning of this pandemic, India has been committed to sharing our experiences, expertise and resources with the global community. Despite our constraints, we have tried to share as much as possible with the world. We remain eager to learn from global practices,” Modi said.
He also said that vaccination is the best hope for humanity to emerge successful from the pandemic and right from the beginning, India decided to adopt a completely digital approach while planning our vaccination strategy.
“This open-source end-to-end encrypted technology has made it possible to administer 350 million doses of the Covid vaccine. A few days ago we vaccinated nine million people on a single day without carrying any paper to prove their vaccine status,” Modi said.
Conveying his sincere condolences for all the lives lost to the pandemic in all the countries, he said that there was no parallel to such a pandemic in about hundred years and the experience has shown that no nation can solve a challenge like this in isolation.
About 50 countries, including Canada, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama and Uganda, have shown interest in adopting CoWIN, a digital platform, to run their vaccination drive.
CoWIN has been the backbone of India’s vaccination drive.
National Health Authority CEO Dr R S Sharma has said that India is ready to share the open-source software for free. (UNI)
Covid-19: 6 die as 274 test positive in J&K
By: Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 274 new covid-19 cases while six more persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Monday.
They said 113 of the fresh cases were reported from Jammu Division and 161 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total count to 3172450.
Regarding the fatalities, they said, four were reported from Jammu division and two from Kashmir Valley, taking the fatality count to 4343.
Providing the district-wide details, the officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 53 cases, Baramulla 10, Budgam 12, Pulwama 19, Kupwara 16, Anantnag 19, Bandipora 6, Ganderbal 12, Kulgam 12, Shopian 2, Jammu 4, Udhampur 0, Rajouri 8, Doda 6, Kathua 2, Samba 2, Kishtwar 4, Poonch 10, Ramban 5 and Reasi 72.
Moreover, they said, 461 more COVID-19 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours—177 from Jammu Division and 284 from Kashmir. So far 309133 patients have recovered, leaving active cases at 3774—1665 in Jammu and 2109 in Kashmir.
There was one new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today and thus the cumulative number of confirmed cases rose to 30 in J&K.
A number of these cases were confirmed at diagnostic labouratories of CD hospital here and GMC Anantnag.
The CD cases include female (56) from Kathidarwaza, male (8) and female (38) from Bota Kadal, female (55) from Nowshera, female (70) from Kargil, male (30) from Alamgiri Bazar, male (10) from Kangan Pul, female (10) from Muran Pul, male (50) from Koil Pul, female (40) from Murran Pul, male (30) from Panzgam Pul, male (49) from Gulzarpora Pul, female (30) from Tahab Pul, two males (12, 15) and two females (16, 14) from Lurgam, female (24) from Dadsara, female (43) from Wuyan Pul, male (40) from Tikkin Pul, female (18) from Wanpora, female (28) from Khonmoh, male (55) from NA, female (40) from Khandas, female (14) from Achgoza Pul, female (11) from Sonabanger Pul, male (76) and female (65) from Buchpora, female (20) from Narwara, male (16) from Dangerpora, male (NA) from Nawakadal, male (48) from Alochibagh, female (16) and male (12) from Batmaloo, female (4) from Pulwama, female (28) from Awantipora, male (27) from Wanihama, female (28) from Ishber Nishat, male (27) from Elahibagh, male (21) from Nishat, female (23) from Asar Colony, three females (30, 26, 60) from Rangpora, female (47) from Zakura, male (8) from Rainawari, two males (60, 25) from Fatehkadal, female (25) from Nawakadal, female (32) from Khanyar, two males (17, 14) and female (42) from Nowshera, female (48) from Sonwar, male (70) from Soura, male (46) from Bohrikadal and male (24) from Zoonimar.
The GMC Anantnag cases include male (30) from Damhall Ang, female (38) from Nagrs Qazigund and male (56) from Sirhama Bijbehara. (GNS)
India records lowest single-day spike since March
New Delhi: India’s total tally of Covid-19 cases surged to 30,584,872 on Monday after 39,796 new infections were reported in a day — lowest single-day rise since March 19, Union Health Ministry data said.
The death count increased to 402,758 with 723 new fatalities, the data showed.
There are 4,82,071 active cases at present while 42,352 people were discharged since Sunday, pushing the overall recoveries to 2,97,00,430. India’s recovery rate presently stands at 97.11 per cent.
Statewise, Kerala reported 11,551 new infections, followed by Maharashtra (9,336), Tamil Nadu (3,867), Andhra Pradesh (3,175), Karnataka (1,564), Delhi (94) and West Bengal (1,297).The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (6,098,177), Kerala (2,973,135), Karnataka (2,853,643), Tamil Nadu (2,296,287), and Andhra Pradesh (1,902,923).
On the vaccination front, a total of 14,81,583 people were administered the vaccine in the past 24 hrs. With this, the vaccination tally has increased to 35,28,92,046.
With fewer number of covid-19 cases, public institutions in the states and union territories like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir are opening from today.
Covid-19 has accounted for 184,549,082 confirmed cases and 3,993,074 deaths across nearly 200 countries ever since it was first reported in China in 2019. The US remains the worst-hit country with 34,592,372 cases, followed by India, Brazil, France and Russia. (UNI)
Delimitation Commission’s 4-day visit begins today
Srinagar: The Delimitation Commission headed by Justice (Retd) Ranjana Prakash Desai is arriving in Jammu and Kashmir on a 4-day visit on July 6 for firsthand information and input concerning the redrawing boundaries of assembly constituencies in the J&K.
The decision in this regard was taken by the Delimitation Commission under the Chairpersonship of the former Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai in the presence of Sushil Chandra, Chief Election Commissioner last week.
“The Delimitation Commission has decided to visit the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir from 6th July, 2021 (Tuesday) to 9th July, 2021 (Friday),” reads the statement issued after the meeting by the Commision last week, first after the APM chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“During this period, the Commission will interact with political parties, public representatives and Union Territory administration officials including District Election Officers/ Deputy Commissioners of 20 districts of the Union Territory to gather first hand information and input concerning the on-going process of delimitation as mandated under the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019,” reads the statement.
The Delimitation Commission was constituted in March 2020 and its term was extended by another year in March 2021 in view of the ongoing pandemic. Third Member of the Commission is the State Election Commissioner of Jammu & Kashmir. The Commission also has five Associate Members nominated by the Speaker, Lok Sabha.
The Commission already had series of meetings related to data and map of the Districts and Constituencies related to census 2011.
However, the Commission’s meeting in February was attended by just two members — Dr Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore Sharma of the BJP. National Conference MPs—Farooq Abdullah, Mohammad Akbar Lone and Hasnain Masoodi had refused to participate, stating that the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019 was “palpably unconstitutional” and no decisions should be taken until the Supreme Court decides on its constitutional validity.
“A number of representations have also been received on various aspects concerning delimitation from civil societies and members of public from the Union Territory,” the statement had said, adding, “The Commission has already taken note of all such suggestions and directed that these may be deliberated further in the context of ground realities concerning delimitation.”
The Commission expects that all stakeholders will cooperate in this endeavour and will provide valuable suggestions so that the task of delimitation is completed timely, the statement had added.
During the all-party meeting on June 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sought the participation of leaders from J&K in the delimitation exercise. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who along with NSA Ajit Doval was present in the meeting, later made delimitation and elections as “important milestones” for the restoration of the statehood to J&K. While National Conference who has three associate members in the commission previous stayed away from the exercise, the party’s vice president and former Chief Minister hinted that NC may participate in exercise provided Centre accepts proposal mooted by Congress senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad at APM, calling for delimitation to be followed by return of full statehood before elections in the J&K. (GNS)
Not elections, Statehood is priority: PAGD
Srinagar: People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) on Monday said that assembly election must be held only after restoration of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued by the alliance after its first meet after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s all-party meeting on Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi on June 24, the PAGD said the “struggle for undoing” the 5 August 2019 changes will “continue as long as it takes while striving to achieve this objective as early as possible.”
The PAGD met on Sunday evening under the chairmanship of Dr Farooq Abdullah at his residence in Srinagar. All the leaders of the alliance, including People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, and its chief spokesperson M Y Tarigami, were present at the meeting. Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi, Javed Mustafa Mir and Muzaffar Ahmed Shah were also present.
“The PAGD reiterated its commitment to fight together to reverse the unconstitutional and unacceptable changes foisted on the people of J&K on 5th August 2019 using all constitutional, legal and political means at its disposal,” spokesman of the conglomerate, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami said, adding, “PAGD’s struggle for undoing these changes will continue as long as it takes while striving to achieve this objective as early as possible.”
All the members of the PAGD, he said, expressed their disappointed at the outcome of the Delhi meeting especially at the absence of any substantial Confidence Building Measures such as releasing political and other prisoners from jails and taking concrete steps to end the “siege and atmosphere of suppression that has choked J&K since 2019.”
“This would have initiated the much needed process of reaching out to the people of J&K who are the biggest stakeholders and sufferers of the J&K problem,” the PAGD said.
As far as restoration of statehood is concerned, the PAGD said it has been BJPs commitment on the floor of the Parliament and they must honour their word. “So any assembly election must be held only after restoration of full statehood for J&K. To this end the PAGD has decided to reach out to other political parties in J&K with a view to take a common position on the issue,” he added.
India capable to counter any mischievous move of Pak: Rajnath
Kanpur: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, reacting to the recent drone attack at Jammu airforce station, said that India was capable of retaliating Pakistan’s mischievous moves and its technology.
He said India was currently working on a high-tech device for monitoring drone attacks and strict monitoring would be done at the borders.
On being asked if there was a need for a third surgical strike, he said the Indian Army was fully alert and the borders of the country were fully secure.
Taking a dig indirectly at the opposition parties, Singh, while talking to reporters here on Monday, said some people were doing politics of fear, adding that they would never succeed in their nefarious designs.
Allaying all doubts over Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement on “Hindu-Muslim DNA”, Singh said the BJP believed in Saath, Sabka Vikas. He said the BJP never talked in terms of Hindu or Muslims. He, however, warned that all those indulging in “conversions” would not be spared.
Lauding the outcome of the district panchayat chairperson polls, he said it was a clear indication that the people of the state have full faith in the UP government and the Bharatiya Janata Party and there was no doubt that the party would retain power with a thumping majority in the next Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Rajnath Singh was addressing media persons at Shyam Nagar on Monday where he had come to take part in a condolence meeting. (UNI)
A G Mir appointed IG ITBP
Srinagar: Additional Director General Of J&K Police (ADGP) Law and Order, Abdul Gani Mir (IPS AGMUT: 94), has been appointed as Inspector General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police on a deputation basis, officials said.
They said Under Secretary to the Government of India, Raman Kumar, conveyed the approval of competent authority for appointment of Abdul Gani Mir, IPS (AGMUT: 94) to the post of IG, ITBP (Level-14 In the pay matrix) on deputation basis for an Initial period of 5 years from the date of joining the post or until further orders, whichever emit takes place earlier to Under Secretary MHA, Rakesh Kumar Singh.
“It is requested to relieve Abdul Gani Mir, IPS (AGMUT: 94) immediately to enable him to take up his new assignment at the Centre,” an office memorandum reads. (GNS)
