Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has extended his greetings to the people on the eve of birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.

In his message, the Lt Governor observed that Dr. Ambedkar is the epitome of selfless service who dedicated his entire life for upholding the values of social justice and equality, and securing rights of the deprived sections of the society.

Remembering the immense contribution of the father of Indian constitution, the Lt Governor said that the virtues of liberty, equality and fraternity were held supreme by Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar and his values still guide us.

“I urge the people, especially the younger generation, to take inspiration from the life of Baba Saheb Bhimrao and dedicate themselves towards the service of humanity. Let us all take a pledge to perform our fundamental duties with greater responsibility and work together in creating an ideal society which is fair, just, and without discrimination, where balanced representation of all the sections lead to holistic development”, said the Lt Governor.

Katra: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, visited the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji today on the auspicious occasion of the commencement of Navratras and paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum.

He prayed for sustained peace, progress and prosperity in Jammu & Kashmir and welfare of its people.

During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor was accompanied by Sh. BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary and Sh. Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

While reviewing the ongoing infrastructural development projects in the Shrine area, the Lieutenant Governor directed the CEO Shrine Board for ensuring expeditious completion of all the development works for further augmentation of the facilities for the visiting pilgrims.

The CEO briefed the Lt Governor in regard to the special arrangements which have been made by the Shrine Board for the pilgrims visiting the holy Shrine during the ongoing Navratras.

Srinagar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday said that migrant Kashmiri Pandits have started to return of the valley even as many of them could be seen participating in religious rituals in Srinagar temples after many decades.

‘During my frequent visits to temples in Srinagar, apart from Kashmiri Pandits living in the Valley, I have seen increase in the number of KPs, who had migrated to other states in nineties, in Srinagar temples. They have started to come in large number to perform religious rituals, including Hawans, in the temples,’ J&K BJP General Secretary (Org) Ashok Kumar Koul told reporters on the sidelines of Navreh celebrations at Shital Nath temple in Kral Khud, Srinagar.

Koul said after his interactions with the migrant KPs, he feels that the process of their return has started. ‘As far as the security is concerns, those living in Kashmir are feeling safe and security. So the atmosphere is conducive for the smooth return of KPs to their roots. There is no security concern as of now as the situation has improved significantly on the ground,’ he said.

Answering a question about the encroachment and renovation of Srinagar temples, Koul alleged,’The government and blue-eyed people are involved in encroachment of temples in the valley. The current administration should work on it and ensure that the encroachment is removed at the earliest,’ he added.

Srinagar: Authorities on Tuesday ordered the closure of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in view of the new orders for maintenance/repairing of the road.

“Tomorrow on 14-04-2021, No vehicular movement shall be allowed from either side on Jammu-Srinagar NHW between Udhampur and Jawahar Tunnel in view of maintenance/repairing of the road,” a police press release said.

In its earlier order R&B had stated the Srinagar Jammu National Highway used to be closed for vehicular movement on every Friday of the week, however, the order was later modified in this month and dry day on NHW was changed from Friday to Wednesday for the month of April and May.

The modified under order number PW(R&B)/Plan/NH-44/67/2020, dated 08-04-2021 reads, “It has now been decided that all Wednesday falling on 14th, 21st, & 28th of April and 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th of May would be a dry day on NH-44.”

This would be the first Wednesday as ‘Dry Day’ on Srinagar Jammu Highway for repairs and maintenance.

Srinagar: An explosive material was found during Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in orchards of Pulwama village in southern district of Kashmir.

A top police officer told KNO that an explosive material was found during search operation in orchards of Kamrazipora area of Pulwama district.

Officials said the explosive material was found by joint team of forces including Pulwama police and Army’s 53 RR.

They said that few batteries and other explosive material was found, adding that investigation in this regard has been started.

Srinagar: The twin festivals of Baisakhi—the festival of harvest and Navratri—the festival celebrated on New Year as per Hindu calendar, were celebrated with traditional enthusiasm and religious fervour on Tuesday by Sikh and Hindu community respectively across the Valley.

According to KNO the temples and gurdwaras were decorated almost at every place in Srinagar and elsewhere today while religious events like hawan, bhajan, kirtans and other related events were also organised.

As the festivals were celebrated amid the ongoing pandemic, the caretakers of the religious places had taken adequate measures to ensure that the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) are followed in letter and spirit.

Colorful Baisakhi fairs were organized at several places with people going to shopping, eating and recreational sprees.

For the Sikh community, the biggest function was held at Chatti Pathshahi Kathi Darwaza Rainawari in Old City here while Hawans and Pujas were also organized in many temples here including Sheetal Nath, Ganpatyar and others.

The people from both the communities woke up early in the morning and visited Gurdwaras and Temples. The members from Muslim community were also seen present during these religious events.

Pertinently, the administration had taken elaborated measures for the smooth celebrations of the festivals.

The concerned departments as per the officials were asked to ensure all basic arrangements are put in place for the devotees.

They were also directed for ensuring hassle-free traffic and parking arrangements and uninterrupted supply of electricity and drinking water. The departments were also directed to ensure proper sanitation at the venues.

Authorities had also made adequate transport facility on the occasion for the devotees traveling to Shital Nath and Shrika Temples.

At Chatti Padshahi Gurudwara, the concerned department was asked to provide required food-grains to the Gurudwara Langar offering free food to devotees on the occasion.

A medical camp was also set up with a dedicated ambulance and paramedic staff at the Gurudwara in addition to facility of thermal scanning on Baisakhi festival at the venue.

Delegates participate in golf tournament at Royals Springs Golf Course

Srinagar: A golf tournament was organised on Tuesday here at Royal Springs Golf Course as part of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India’s mega 3-day tourism event – “Tapping Tourism Potential of Kashmir – another day in paradise.

Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Union Tourism Secretary, Arvind Singh, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism GoI, Rupinder Brar, Secretary Tourism, J&K, Sarmad Hafeez besides his excellencies

Ambassadors of Vietnam, Georgia, Kenya were present at the tee-off function who also participated in the tournament.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Secretary Tourism said Kashmir is blessed with beautiful golf courses and has huge potential for mega professional golf tournaments.

He said the golfers have evinced the interest to be part of future golf tournaments here which shows that this place has huge potential to attract golfers.

He said the government of India is laying special emphasis on JK’s tourism and is striving to revive it.

“We received a huge response from the travellers to Kashmir and the trend is likely to continue in the summers also. We are expecting good domestic flow to Kashmir,” he said.

He also stressed on promoting unexplored places where not many travellers visit for holidays.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism GoI,  Rupinder Brar, this 18-hole golf course is next level and the golfer is smitten by its beauty as he plays here.

She said they will be collaborating with the JK for many such initiatives and including the golf tournaments in future to portray it as one of the prime golf destinations in the country. While expressing satisfaction with the successful conduct of the 3-day event, Rupinder Brar said they have taken positive feedback from the conference and the experts and they would accordingly be devising the plan to lift Kashmir’s tourism sector to another level.

She said the government of India is also making a good investment in infrastructure development and exploring new destinations to make JK a complete tourist destination.

Secretary Tourism, J&K, Sh. Sarmad Hafeez said the JK as a whole is golfers’ paradise as most courses are located in scenic places in the lap of nature.

Stating that Kashmir has a lot of potential in golf tourism as a niche product, the secretary of tourism said this golf tournament was the initiative aiming to invite golfers and showcase them on our greens so that they can organise more such tournaments and attract golfers here.

He said the successful conclusion of the event organised by the union ministry will go a long way in realising and exploring the full potential of Kashmir tourism.

He said a visit to J&K is a great experience all year round and all four seasons have something unique to offer for which department is promoting each session with various events.

By: Anzer Ayoob

Thathri: A 20-year-old motorcyclist was killed after being hit by a vehicle in Thathri town of Doda district on Tuesday.

An official said the motorcyclist was on way from Thathri to Doda when he was hit by an Alto car, resulting in his on spot death.

He identified the boy as Gupteshwar Singh (20) son of Dil Chand, a resident of Nagni Kuthyara.

The official said police have registered a case FIR number 35/2021 under 279 and 304A IPC at Police Station Thathri—(KNO)