Precious Kashmir

Pleasant weather in Kashmir, night temperature dips

Front

26/04/2021

Srinagar: The weather remained pleasant for the second successive day on Sunday as bright sunshine greeted people in the summer capital, Srinagar, and other parts of Kashmir valley, where the mercury during the night dipped and settled several degrees below normal.

A Met department spokesperson told UNI that the weather mainly remains dry during the next 24 hours in Kashmir. “No large change in weather conditions is expected as skies would remain clear till May 3 in the valley,” he added.

After witnessing below normal night temperature, people woke up to a sunny Sunday morning in Srinagar, where strike restrictions remained imposed as part of the 34-hour-long ‘corona curfew’ announced by administration amid the unabated rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Union Territory of J&K. The weather remained pleasant throughout the day due to sunshine though the streets remained deserted due to ‘Corona curfew’ in the city, which is recorded the major chunk of COVID-19 cases during the last fortnight. Against 5.4 degrees recorded on Saturday, the night temperature in Srinagar dipped and settled at 4.8 degrees, which is about 4 degrees below normal.

The spokesperson said the skies would be mainly clear during the next 24 hours in Srinagar, where the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 24 degrees and 6 degrees, respectively.

The weather remained pleasant at the world-famous ski rest of Gulmarg, which was on Sunday deserted for the first time, due to the restrictions, since November, when the tourist arrival picked up following early snowfall. “Tourists have confined themselves to their respective hotels even as the mountains and roads in the ski resort, which received fresh snowfall early this week, were deserted. All the shops and other business establishments are also closed,” an official said.

However, he said the tourists who have bookings in other resorts or have air tickets to leave for their respective states are allowed to move out of the ski resort. The night temperature at the ski resort improved about 5 degrees from Saturday and settled at 1.6 degrees, which is still about 2 degrees below normal.

Despite improvement, the world-famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, was the only place in the valley where the night temperature settled below normal. Against minus 1.6 degrees recorded on Saturday, the night temperature in the resort settled at minus 0.1 degrees, which is about 4 degrees below normal. However, the weather turned pleasant due to the bright sunshine in the resort, which gave a deserted look due to the restrictions.

The mercury at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kokernag settled at 3.4 degree, 2.7 degree, and 4.1 degrees, respectively.

‘Sunday market’ in Srinagar shut due to ‘Corona curfew’

City

United News Of India

26/04/2021

Srinagar: The famous Sunday market in the heart of the summer capital, Srinagar, was closed following 34-hour-long ‘corona curfew’ implemented by administration amid unabated rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Union Territory of J&K.

All the roads and market places, including Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, Srinagar, have been sealed with authorities seeking cooperation from the public to curtail the spread of COVID-19 by strictly adhering to the 34-hour-long curfew.

Hundreds of vendors used to sell different items, including sweaters and other warm clothes, blankets, utensils, shawls and carpets, in the market. The 3-km-long Sunday market from Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) to Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), including Lal Chowk was deserted as vendors were not allowed to put up their stalls in the market in the city.

With just few weeks left of Eid-ul-Fitr, the market used to attract thousands of customers from different parts of the Valley. Business worth crores of rupees was done every week in the market in which goods, ranging from a hairpin to carpets, were sold on economical rates.

The COVID-19 cases have risen unabated in Kashmir valley, particularly the summer capital, Srinagar, which has recorded the major chunk of positive cases during the last about a fortnight. As many as 2030 new positive cases of novel Corona virus, including 834 from Jammu division and 1196 from Kashmir division, were reported on Saturday. Fifteen people, including eight from Kashmir and seven from Jammu, lost their lives to the virus on Saturday.

Last year, the Sunday market remained closed for over eight months in view of COVID induced lockdown.

Covid hits AMU hard, 8 deaths in a week

National

Indo Asian News Service

26/04/2021

Aligarh (UP): In the past seven days, the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has lost three faculty members and five retired professors to Covid.

Thirty faculty and staff members have tested positive and have been admitted to AMU’s Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, as have 12 consultants, 20 resident doctors and some paramedical staff members of the medical college.

AMU officials said noted critic and senior faculty member at the department of Urdu, Prof Maula Bakhsh Ansari, 58, faculty member of the Sunni theology section, Prof Ehsanullah Fahad, 50, and in-charge of leather and footwear technology section at University Polytechnic AMU and Saeed Uzzaman, 51, were serving faculty members who have passed away in the past two days.

“Prof Ansari had been admitted to a private hospital and died within a few days on Wednesday. He had not been tested for Covid-19, but he had symptoms of the disease,” said former director of the Urdu Academy AMU, Rahat Abrar.

Ansari had been working on six projects of books on stylistics, critical studies and cultural studies. They are yet to be published.

Fahad, meanwhile, had been admitted to AMU’s medical college for Covid-19 treatment. “After his report came negative, he was moved to the non-Covid ward. But he died two days later of post-Covid complications,” medical college principal Prof Shahid Ali Siddiqui said.

A day later, Uzzaman passed away. “His Covid-19 test report was negative but he had symptoms like fever and cough. He died in Meerut, where he had gone to attend his mother’s cremation,” principal of University Polytechnic Prof Arshad Umar said.

Five retired faculty members have also died with Covid-19-related complications in the past one week.

They are Prof Rizwan Husain, 84 (English), Prof Vakeel Jafari, 90 (physics), Prof Humayun Murad, 80 (zoology), Prof Saeeduz Zafar, 75 (former chairperson of the department of psychology), and Prof Iqbal Ali, 70 (former principal, University Polytechnic AMU).

“Rizwan died of a cardiac arrest but had been in isolation at home after his daughter-in-law tested positive. His wife and son, too, have been infected,” Husain’s brother-in-law Prof Syed Ali Nadeem Rezavi, also a faculty member at AMU, said.

On Monday, Jafari passed away. “My father was in Delhi at the time. He had fever and congestion,” his son Rehan Jafari said.

Two days later, on Wednesday, Murad died with similar complications. “He had been admitted to a private hospital with fever and weakness. When his condition started deteriorating, he was referred to the (AMU) medical college, where he tested positive for Covid-19. He died within two days of admission,” former media adviser of AMU Jaseem Mohammad said.

Iqbal, on the other hand, died a day later in Kanpur. “He had been admitted to the hospital with a complaint of fever and throat ulcer. He passed away within a day,” a senior faculty member at the University Polytechnic said.

DC Sgr launches dedicated helpline for students

City

Precious Kashmir

26/04/2021

By: Ubaid Bhat

Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Aijaz Assad Sunday launched a dedicated student helpline – aimed to provide instant grievance redressal to the student community in the district.

The students belonging to Srinagar district can avail the benefits of the helpline on the numbers 0194-3574337 and 0194-3574338 or can email any of their grievances [email protected].

Any of the genuine grievances can be registered on the helpline services, an official privy to the development said, adding that the students can also seek appointments for psychological counseling amid the prevailing pandemic times.

It is pertinent to mention here that all the educational institutions continue to remain shut for offline classwork nonetheless continuous surge in COVID-related cases sending the administration and student community alike into a tizzy about possible restoration of the physical-teaching any time soon. (GNS)

Secretary TAD outlines new initiatives, dev, edu projects

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

26/04/2021

Jammu: Administrative Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department and Chief Executive Officer Mission Youth, J&K , Dr Shahid Choudhary discussed roadmap for fast tracking developmental projects and new initiatives by the department. Projects were reviewed in a meeting of officers held today.

Deliberations were held on establishment of Model Residential Schools in tribal areas, creation of posts and filling vacancies to strengthen the department for efficient functioning, developing portal for scholarship disbursement and real-time online monitoring, e-office, new projects , educational plan and Forest Rights Act implementation.

The department intends to operate and make functional 4 Model Residential Schools in make-shift facilities and filling up of posts has been taken up with National Testing Agency for which notification has been issued. Meanwhile apart from fast-tracking work on buildings of these schools the department is exploring more areas to be covered with residential schools and hostels this year.

Shahid asked the department to develop a portal for enrolment of students and disbursement of scholarships in a timely and transparent manner. The student details will be registered on the portal and authenticated by institutions to reduce the delays. Department will frame and notify rules in this context. He also appealed the student community to avail the doctoral and research fellowships including the overseas scholarship of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt of India.

The department is working on proposal for creation of new posts including for administrative units and hostels , recruitment to fill vacancies and other arrangements to fill the shortage of professional manpower. Sixteen posts have been referred to Service Selection Board meanwhile the department has taken up proposal for filling up of the posts of District Tribal Welfare Officers and upgradation of Tribal Welfare Officers posts , it was informed.

In view of specific requirements of targeted beneficiary groups the departments is developing a template for standard DPRs to be formulated for Cluster Tribal Model Villages and Milk Villages under supervision of District Development Commissioners with active involvement of PRIs.

The meeting also discussed the requirements to facilitate the nomadic migratory population with health , education and welfare schemes among others apart from providing logistics support. It also deliberated on key focus on education and livelihood opportunities as well as skill development projects for the community. Employment linked skill development courses for students are under formulation. Identification of areas for establishment of residential hostels for both boys and girl students will be prioritised by the department in current year to give boost to educational quest of students.

The department is also considering institution of awards for meritorious members of community in various fields viz Education, Research, Medicine, Social Service, Entrepreneurship, Women Empowerment, Girl Child Education and other initiatives, to encourage voluntary services and recognise outstanding efforts for socio-economic development of community.

100 passengers airlifted between Kargil, Jammu, Srinagar

Jammu & Kashmir

United News Of India

26/04/2021

Srinagar: About 100 passengers were airlifted between Kargil, Srinagar and Jammu on Saturday as the highway, connecting Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh, remained closed since January Ist, 2021 due to accumulation of snowfall and avalanches.

However, the Beacon project personnel are working round the clock on war footing to clear the snow on the highway, particularly at Zojila pass, to put through the strategically important road for traffic.

After cancelation of air sorties for two days due to bad weather, authorities operated AN 32 Kargil courier service yesterday to airlift passengers following improvement in the weather.

Chief Coordinator Kargil Courier Service Er Aamir Ali said 17 passengers were airlifted from Kargil to Srinagar while 39 from Srinagar to Kargil.

Similarly 36 passengers were airlifted from Jammu to Kargil, he said adding 7 passengers from Kargil to Jammu and 1 passenger from Kargil to Chandigarh, in two aircrafts of AN32 Kargil Courier Service.

3 persons arrested, 8 vehicles seized for illegal mining, transportation: Police

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

26/04/2021

Srinagar: Police have arrested three persons and seized eight vehicles involved in illegal extraction and transportation of raw materials illegally extracted in Budgam and Bandipora.

A police spokesman said in officers from Police Post Humhama arrested three persons and seized three tippers involved in extraction and transportation of raw materials illegally extracted from Nallah/streams at Galvanpora in Budgam. The

accused persons have been identified as Basharat Ahmad Ganie son of Ghulam Mohammad Ganie, Shabir Ahmad Bhat son of Mohammad Maqbool both residents of Sadsoo Kalan and Mohammad Hussain Mir son of Bashir Ahmed resident of Rakh Shalina. They have been shifted to police station where they remain in custody.

“Accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 98/2021 under relevant sections of law stands registered in Police Station Budgam and investigation has been initiated,” the spokesman said.

He said in Bandipora, a police party of Police Post Ajas along with teams of Mining and Geology Department seized 5 tippers bearing registration numbers JK01N-1440, JK03C-6470, JK13-7644, JK03C-7930 and JK15-1861. The said vehicles were used in transportation of minerals illegally extracted in the jurisdiction of Police Post Ajas. In this connection legal proceedings under IPC and MMRD Acts against the violators has been initiated and further investigation has been taken up.

“Police requests the people not to indulge in illegal mining activities from any Nallah as it is the violation of Government rules. Persons found indulging in illegal mining activities shall be dealt as per law. Community members are requested to share information regarding the crimes in their neighbourhood with the local police units,” the spokesman said.

IPL 2021: Jadeja’s all-round show leads CSK to 69 run win over RCB

Sports

United News Of India

26/04/2021

Mumbai: Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round show (69 and 3 wickets) led Chennai Super Kings to 69 run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 19th match of the IPL 2021, here on Sunday.

CSK scored 191 for four in 20 overs after skipper MS Dhoni opted to bat on winning the toss.

Jadeja smashed 62 off 28 balls, including 37 runs in the innings’ final over with the help of five sixes and a four off purple cap holder Harshal Patel’s bowling.

Apart from Jadeja, CSK openers Faf du Plessis (50 off 41 balls) and and Ruturaj Gaikwad (33) also made valuable contributions with the bat.

Harshal was the most successful bowler for RCB with figures of 3/51.

In reply, RCB were restricted to 122 for 9 in 20 overs.

For RCB, Devdutt Padikkal top-scored with a blazing 34 off just 15 balls while Glenn Maxwell scored 22 off 15 balls during his short stay at the crease.

For CSK, Jadeja also shone with the ball and finished with excellent figures of 3/13 including taking the big wickets of AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell while veteran South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir (2/16) picked up two wickets.

Oxygen And Vaccines Availability

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

24/04/2021

On Friday, the Chief Secretary of J&K chaired a high-level meeting to review COVID-19 response. Among others and importantly too, he reviewed availability of medical oxygen. The government, as per the official handout, has approved the establishment of 36 oxygen generation plants to make J&K “self-sufficient in catering to the rising demand of oxygen.”

The Chief Secretary as per the communiqué also directed the deputy commissioners to ensure the “early establishment and functioning” of these plants under their respective jurisdictions.

The decision assumes significance as many parts of India including the national capital are literally gasping for the medical oxygen in order to save lives amid surge in covid-19 numbers. In fact, some hospitals in New Delhi had moved the High Court, which directed the central government to supply oxygen at “any cost.”

The second wave is proving to be more ferocious and brutal in spread and fatality. It is important that required health facilities are kept available in Jammu and Kashmir given the fact that patients and their families elsewhere in the J&K’s neighborhood are desperately looking for hospital beds, medicines and oxygen.

While the J & K government has taken a good step towards oxygen supply, the administration should also focus on availability of cylinders for home supplies as the situation may demand in the immediate future. It needs to also plug gaps regarding the problems of wastage and leakages in hospital pipelines that supply oxygen.

It needs to focus on vaccination also and ensure that all health workers, front line workers, and eligible citizens are vaccinated. The next phase of the vaccination for the 18-45 age group opens from May 1 and is expected to cover, as per official estimates, around 65 lakh people. The government needs to ensure success even as hesitancy remains. There is need for greater coordination among frontline workers of various departments including health, social welfare, school education, rural development, and housing and urban development for the success of the vaccine which according to some experts is a magic tool against the ravaging virus.

The purpose of vaccination is crucial and that is to achieve herd immunity in a population by ensuring threshold coverage so that the entire population is protected.

The government also needs to address the issue of black marketing of drugs considered to be vital in the fight against covid-19 and take serious action against unscrupulous people who tend to take advantage in such situations.

COVID-19 resurgence puts breaks on political activities in Kashmir

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

24/04/2021

COVID-19 resurgence puts breaks on political activities in Kashmir

By: Afaq Bhat
Srinagar: The resurgence of COVID-19 has led to the political activities coming to a halt once again.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “During the past few days political activities in J&K have come to a standstill. The politicians have gone into an isolation to save themselves from getting infected. No political gatherings are taking place and offices of different political parties, especially in Kashmir, are closed.”
It’s in place to mention here that National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah and his son, Omar Abdullah, had tested positive for the COVID-19. “The political activities in the NC camp had come to a halt soon after that. Both the leaders have recuperated but they haven’t become active yet,” the analyst added.
The Peoples Conference led by Sajad Gani Lone had created ripples in the political arena of the Valley just a few days before the second COVID-19 wave intensified. Top leaders, including Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, Basharat Bukhari and others from North Kashmir had joined the Peoples Conference with a promise that “big developments” would take place in coming days. But the PC has also gone silent. Muzaffar Hussain Beigh and his wife Safina Beigh too had tested positive for the virus but they too have fought the virus and have recovered.
An observer said, “Before the second cave surfaced, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti was in all sorts of trouble. She had to face the questioning from Enforcement Directorate sleuths, passport was denied to her and most of her close aides deserted the party. She too has gone silent.”
He said, “It seems that the COVID-19 curve may not get flattened soon and for time being the politicians can stay aloof as they have not been left with much to do.”
“To keep themselves afloat the political parties are issuing statements asking the government to provide facilities to the people and remain alert. Roles of political parties in J&K have been curtailed to a great extent. In the given situation these parties cannot do much. The emerging situation is a very difficult one. Everyone seems to be helpless as the COVID-19 has taken the centre stage,” the observer added.
A politician said, “There is a bleak possibility about the political activities getting revived in near future. Political leaders will have to wait till the second wave subsides. Assembly elections won’t be held till the delimitation process gets completed. There is no other choice other than to wait and watch.”

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