By: Vishal Bharti

Jammu: First time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, the doors of Legislative Assembly in the Civil Secretariat, were thrown open for the Bollywood to shoot Huma Qureshi starrer Web Series ‘Maharani’.

The clearance from the government authorities to shoot a scene of the upcoming web series shows the seriousness of the administration in giving a boost to the film industry and inviting Bollywood to beautiful Jammu and Kashmir.

Although the recently launched music album ‘Tujhe Bhoolna To Chaha’ of Jubin Nautiyal by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha have shown picturesque Kashmir valley with snow clad mountains and at the same time, the shoot at Civil Secretariat and historic ‘Prince of Wales College’ locally known as GGM Science College have shown rich potential in catering the industry.

“For the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, a film was shot in the state assembly. This proves how serious the Government of Jammu and Kashmir is to make it a hub for shooting of films as part of its promise to extend full support to Bollywood,” an artist said.

As per the scene shot inside the Assembly Hall on April 4, … Suddenly, the Jammu and Kashmir assembly begins. Agitating MLAs of the Opposition came face to face. The Speaker repeatedly urged them to maintain the dignity of the House and listen to the Chief Minister (played by Huma Qureshi) and when the MLAs did not agree, they were marshaled out.

The shooting of ‘Maharani’ web series is being shot in Jammu City in which Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi is playing the role of Chief Minister.

The webs series is being directed by Jolly LLB fame Subhash Kapoor and features 100 local actors.

“Of course, scenes from the film ‘Maharani’ are being shot in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, but they were recreated for the Bihar Legislative Assembly,” a local artist told UNI.

Director Subhash Kapoor was also in Jammu a few days ago along with actress Huma Qureshi, Soham Shah, Amit Syal and Vineet Kumar for the shooting of the ‘Maharani’, web series.

Besides, the Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, GGM Science College, Circuit House and other beautiful locations of Jammu will be featured in the film.

The web series is being produced for Sony Live.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha headed administration is making all efforts to bring back Bollywood to the scenic region.

Moreover, the government is also planning to come up with a ‘Film City’ like facility, which is a part of proposed policy, to cater to the film industry in future.

Jammu: The members of Kailakh Jyotish Avim Vedic Sansthan Trust and SS Jain Sabha Tuesday called on Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha here at Raj Bhavan.

A delegation of Kailakh Jyotish Avim Vedic Sansthan Trust, led by its President, Mahant Rohit Shastri projected various issues pertaining to the promotion and preservation of Sanskrit language.

Meanwhile, the Lt Governor felicitated Prof. Madan Mohan Jha, a distinguished scholar of Sanskrit with “Kailakh Sanskrit Rattan Puraskar 2021” which was awarded by Kailakh Jyotish Avim Vedic Sansthan Trust for outstanding work in promoting Devvani Sanskrit.

The Lt Governor congratulated Prof. Madan Mohan Jha, who is also the Director of Central Sanskrit University, Ranbir Campus Jammu and appreciated his endeavours for promotion of Sanskrit language through his books, besides creating a number of Android applications connecting Devvani Sanskrit with technology.

The Lt Governor observed that language is a cultural identity and collective efforts are required on the part of every stakeholder for its preservation and promotion.

Adv. Pawan Khajuria and Rakesh Gandotra- members of the Trust were also present on the occasion.

Later, a delegation of SS Jain Sabha, Jammu led by its General Secretary, Sandeep Jain called on the Lt Governor and apprised him of their concerning issues and demands.

They also briefed the Lt Governor about their future plan for setting up of an educational institute to impart value based education as per ancient traditions of Gurukul.

The Lt Governor, while interacting with the members of the delegation assured that all issues projected by them would be taken up meticulously for early redressal and genuine demands would be looked into earnestly.

By: Nasir Azam

Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir has inked 456 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with different companies to bring in investment worth Rs 23,152 crore.

Documents reveal that 456 MoUs amounting to Rs 23,152.17 crore have been signed by the J&K administration with potential investors since the creation of UT.

J&K came into existence on October 31, 2019 when the erstwhile state of J&K was dismembered into two UTs.

After the imposition of Governor’s rule in June 2018 when Jammu & Kashmir was still a state, the administration started making efforts to attract investments in different sectors.

It planned to hold maiden flagship business event – J&K Global Investors Summit, but it was postponed due to COVID-19.

The local administration has also undertaken reforms undertaken to build an investor-friendly ecosystem in the Union Territory.

The Centre has also unveiled a new scheme to bring about radical transformation in the existing industrial ecosystem of J&K which will enable it to compete with other States/ UTs of the country. The scheme is for the duration of 2021-22 to 2036-37 with financial outlay of Rs. 28,400 crore.

The scheme aims to give fresh thrust to industry and services led development of J&K with emphasis on job creation, skill development and sustainable development by attracting new investment and nurturing the existing one.

It is worthwhile to mention that the administration has also identified 14 focus sectors for investment in the UT—(KNO)

Jammu: In view of the expected increase in the number of pilgrims during Amarnath yatra, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor, Nitishwar Kumar Tuesday reviewed the preparedness for augmenting the logistics and facilities for the pilgrims, at Raj Bhavan here.

The meeting was attended by  P K Pole, Divisional  Commissioner Kashmir; M Raju, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department;  Dr. Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sarmad Hafeez, Administrative Secretary, Tourism Department; Deputy Commissioners of Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Ramban, Anantnag, Srinagar, Kulgam, Bandipora, and Ganderbal in person and through video conferencing.

During the meeting, the Principal Secretary sought details about the preparedness put in place for enhancing the capacity for accommodating the expected high number of pilgrims in this year’s yatra. It is estimated that close to six lakh pilgrims could visit the Holy Cave for paying obeisance to Lord Shiva.

Directions were also issued along with the timelines to start the works at the earliest for increasing the number of holding capacity district wise along with proper sanitation and drinking water facilities for the pilgrims.

All the Deputy Commissioners were asked to project the additional financial requirement through proper channel so that the work could be completed in the stipulated time frame.

The Principal Secretary directed the concerned Deputy Commissioners to explore the possibilities of pre-fabricated, pre-engineered structures of high quality to be used for construction of toilets along the National Highway and at accommodation sites for the pilgrims.

The meeting also discussed the provision of RFID cards for pilgrims and service providers for extending the best possible services to the pilgrims during the yatra.

Inspects ongoing works at New Paediatric Hospital, Bemina

Srinagar: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar Tuesday visited district Budgam and reviewed the pace of works on several ongoing developmental projects there.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, Shabaz Ahmad Mirza; Chief Engineer, R&B, Kashmir, SSP Budgam, senior officers of allied departments and other concerned officials.

Reviewing the pace of work on several key developmental projects during the visit, Advisor Bhatnagar impressed upon the officers to work in synergy with each other to remove any difficulties coming in the way of progress of works.

Asking the executing agencies to expedite the pace of work on these projects, the Advisor stressed upon the officers for constant monitoring of these projects so that tangible results are achieved on the ground.

He directed the officers concerned to remove all the bottlenecks, if any, through coordinated approach with the Central as well as local agencies of J&K, so that the projects are completed within fixed timelines.

Bhatnagar also discussed the condition of the road network and the plan of action for the coming year during the meeting. He also physically inspected some of the road resurfacing work done last year and emphasised on the pot hole free project and the correct selections of road segments for resurfacing for the upcoming season.

He exhorted upon the officers to ensure quality and timely completion of all the projects being executed in the district.

Meanwhile, Bhatnagar also inspected the ongoing works at 500-bedded New Paediatric Hospital at Bemina, Srinagar.

The hospital is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 116.25 crore and the execution work is being carried out by Public Works Department (R&B).

During the visit, Bhatnagar went round the hospital complex and inspected all the infrastructural works going on there besides other allied infrastructure.

On the occasion, Superintending Engineer R&B presented a detailed outlay of hospital building before the Advisor. He informed the Advisor that the hospital is a G+4 structure equipped with all kinds of modern facilities.

Bhatnagar directed the executing agency to expedite the pace of ongoing works at the hospital so that it can be dedicated to public for service delivery. He impressed upon them to handover the building at the earliest so that medical equipment procurements and other allied works could be done simultaneously.