Precious Kashmir

Proactive Approach Needed

Edit
Oped

06/04/2021

On Monday, Jammu and Kashmir reported 442 more covid-19 cases while two more precious lives were lost. In last 20 days alone, 5623 fresh covid-19 cases have been added to the rising tally. Among them, 1129 were travelers. In other words, 20% of the cases were imported. The first wave which peaked last year was blamed to extraneous factors while a mutant strain of the virus that is said to more infectious is probably driving the second even as authorities refuse to buy it and continue to blame the complacency to covid-19 behavior for the contemporary spread.

The tourist arrival continues to go largely unchecked and in last few days two tourists have already died while several others are admitted o hospitals. Astonishingly, as per the report, both these tourists had tested negative at airport which put into question the efficiency of the test done on arrival via air. If reports are believed, those coming via road are not subjected to any tests. In other words, the virus is given free run and as days proceed, the cases will only increase.

In such a scenario, the more community transmission should not come as a surprise as the confirmed cases surely would have come in contact with many people before their infection status was confirmed.

It is not only the restrictions that make work, life, play, travel safe for people that are well within the government’s remit but ensuring tests of at least those coming here or at least making latest negative RTPCR test mandatory to be carried for entry as other states or UT have done are well within the domain of the administration. There is still no action on restricting the use of public transport of the overcrowding capacity nor are any steps been taken to control the jostling at some of the gardens here or crowded markets. This seems necessary, and if anything, it is already too delayed. There is need to be proactive and take measures which will stem the spread. Wait and watch policy could prove detrimental; something the place like J&K can hardly afford to bear in view of the health infrastructure and manpower it possesses to deal with any demanding situation. There is need to test, track and isolate infected to arrest a raging wave that is threatening to go out of control if steps are not taken especially when caution remains pivotal to saving livelihood also.

Laxity Towards Heavier Toll

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

05/04/2021

In last 19 days, Jammu and Kashmir has seen an addition of nearly 5200 covid-19 cases. Also 32 people have succumbed to the virus, crossing a dubious milestone of 2000 deaths during the course of the time. Jammu and Kashmir is not an exception. Most states and UTs in India are in the middle of another big surge in the infections. In J&K, the government announced temporary closure of schools for two weeks upto 9^th class and for one week for students of 10-12th standard.

The decision seems to be in right earnest but pales into insignificance when government has allowed huge crowds at places especially Tulip garden. More importance is given to attract crowds to the place rather than warning people about the perils of complacency. The government order, announcing the temporary closure of schools, also read that there shall be a ceiling of 200 persons on all kinds of “social and customary gatherings, functions, subject to strict adherence of COVID protocol already prevalent in this connection.”

As former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah correctly said the “contrast with the hands-off approach to the crowds of visitors at the tulip garden is too stark to be ignored.”

It is important that both the local government and people are responsible for the situation. Covid-19 vaccination began in mid January but all 78 days since have been inadequately utilized. People, for their part, have been reckless to say the least, giving a deaf ear to the warnings. Markets are crowded and people are jostling for space in gardens. Beyond doubt, the vaccination must expand and eligible citizens must take the jab. The government also needs to create more awareness to mitigate any apprehensions about the vaccine. It must also be clearly brought to the public notice that there is no substitute for Covid-appropriate behaviour. People are unwilling to exercise caution and the administration must put some restrictions in place to jolt them a bit based on data and science. Hard lockdowns are not the answer for now but cannot be ruled out. The situation demands proactive approach rather than being continuously reactive. The government by only banking on vaccination or medical infrastructure is doing no good when people are not ready to accept the reality. The Jammu and Kashmir runs the risk of going down path of some states which are now finding hard to control the curve. While administration understandably seems cautious because of the economic implications of restrictions but an unchecked public health crisis will end up taking a much heavier toll.

COVID-19 second wave: Schools shut, parks and gardens still open

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

05/04/2021

COVID-19 second wave: Schools shut, parks and gardens still open

Srinagar: The second wave of COVID-19 has sent the alarm bells ringing. Schools turning into infection hotspots led to administration shutting down educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.
An observer while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Shutting down schools is a first step. If the COVID cases keep on mounting the government would have to take harsh steps to contain the virus.”
He said, “The schooling in COVID times turned out to be a dangerous experiment as many students and staffers tested positive for the pestilence.”
Besides closing down the schools the government has issued instructions that number of people in the gatherings should not exceed 200. “We may see more restrictions being imposed in coming days as the cases are increasing at a rapid pace. Places which can turn into the hub of infection need to be closed down. People have to follow the COVID sops and take steps to remain safe. The pandemic is not over yet and it has raised its ugly head again,” the observer added.
He said, “It’s unfortunate that people are violating COVID-19 norms and seem least bothered. Minibuses are overloaded, markets remain crowded. Despite administration imposing fine on the people found without masks, many people can be seen with their faces open. People should realize that they have to follow the COVID sops for their own safety and not for anyone else.”
A video of Tulip Garden went viral on social media on Sunday. Hundreds of people had assembled in the famous garden on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar and social distancing norms were violated completely. “It looked more like a COVID festival and it seemed that people were extending an invitation to virus to visit their homes,” said an analyst.
He said, “The government has taken a bold decision by closing down the schools. It needs to take a similar decision vis-à-vis parks and gardens. After educational institutions these places can turn into new COVID hotspots.”
A medico said, “When the COVID arrived last year we were unaware about its nature and character. But after one year we know how to fight it. People should not shy away from getting vaccinated. They need to come forward as developing herd immunity is must to tackle the pestilence. We survived the first wave, we will face this second wave too but people and administration will have to cooperate and realize that prevention is better than cure.”

Pahalgam ‘rabbit girl’ proves no legacy is as rich as honesty

Anchor stories

Ahmed Shabir

05/04/2021

Pahalgam ‘rabbit girl’ proves no legacy is as rich as honesty

Pahalgam: No legacy is so rich as honesty. A poor girl from Pahalgam belonging to a tribal community proved it by returning the golden ring costing about Rs two lakhs to a tourist from Rajasthan.

Rubeena, known as the ‘rabbit girl’ of Pahalgam earned all appreciations and praises on social media for her honesty. Besides the girl’s honesty also earned her Rs 5000 reward from the Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA).
On Saturday, according to locals and tourist officials, a tourist from Rajasthan lost his golden ring at the picturesque Baisaran meadow. The tourist and some local guides looked all around the green pasture but failed to locate the same.

Left hopeless and disappointed, the tourist decided to cut short his tour and started preparations to return to his native place.

As the girl came to know about the tourist losing a costly golden ring she also started looking for it. Rubeena after a lot of search for the ring finally found it.

She went home and informed her ailing father, Abdul Majid Awan about it and expressed willingness to return the ring to the tourist.
Proud of her daughter, Awan managed to contact the officials with the help of some locals who located the tourist immediately. The girl finally returned the ring to the tourist who gave Rs 500 to her as reward.

The poor girl earned the praise from not only from the tourist but also the social media users.

Chief Executive Officer, PDA, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani said, impressed by the honesty of the girl, also announced the reward of Rs 5000 for the girl.

Rubeena struggles to ensure the survival of her family. With her ailing father unable to work, she leaves her house early in the morning with her rabbit in her lap and goes to different spots witnessing the tourist rush. Rubeena convinces tourists to take photo with her rabbit for which she charges Rs 10 to Rs 20.

“This rabbit is the source of our livelihood,” the girl said.

Amid surge in COVID cases PM reviews situation

Front

Indo Asian News Service

05/04/2021

Amid surge in COVID cases PM reviews situation

New Delhi: Taking note of the alarming rate of growth of Covid-19 cases and deaths in the country with 10 states contributing more than 91 per cent of cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chairing a high-level meeting on Sunday, directed that the “mission-mode” approach be continued in states and districts reporting high cases.

Reviewing the pandemic situation and vaccination programme across the country, he exhorted all states to take required stringent measures with comprehensive restrictions in places so that the collective gains of Covid management in the country in the last 15 months are not squandered.

It was emphasised that the reasons for the sharper rise in cases could be mainly attributed to the severe decline in compliance of Covid-appropriate behaviour, primarily in terms of use of masks and maintaining ‘2 Gaj ki Doori’, pandemic fatigue and lack of effective implementation of containment measures at the field level.

Although the exact contribution of mutant strains to the escalation of cases in some states remains speculative, the measures to control the pandemic remain the same and hence, implementation of various protocols for Covid-19 management are all the more critical in those areas.

The Prime Minister stressed on the need for awareness of the community witnessing high surge to curb the spread. “Public involvement is paramount and there is a need to continue Jan Bhagidari and Jan Andolan for Covid-19 management.”

He mentioned that the five-fold strategy of Testing, Tracing, Treatment, Covid appropriate behaviour, and Vaccination, if implemented with utmost seriousness and commitment, would be effective in curbing the spread of the pandemic.

In the review meeting, it was decided to hold a special campaign for Covid appropriate behaviour with emphasis on 100 per cent mask usage, personal hygiene and sanitation at public places, workplaces and health facilities. The campaign will be organised from April 6 to 14.

The Prime Minister highlighted the need to enforce Covid appropriate behaviour in the coming days and ensure the availability of beds, testing facilities and timely hospitalisation.

He called for avoiding mortality under all circumstances by ramping up healthcare infrastructure, availability of oxygen, ventilators besides required logistics, and ensuring that clinical management protocols are followed across all hospitals as well as for those in-home care.

He directed that central teams consisting of public health specialists and clinicians be sent to Maharashtra in view of high case load and deaths, and likewise to Punjab and Chhattisgarh because of the disproportionate number of deaths being reported there.

The Prime Minister especially highlighted the need to ensure effective implementation of containment measures, besides the involvement of community volunteers in active case search and management of containment zones.

Maharashtra, Punjab and Chhattisgarh are of serious concern with their highest contribution in Covid cases. As of date, Maharashtra has contributed 57 per cent of total cases in the last 14 days and 47 per cent of deaths during the same period.

In Maharashtra, the total number of new cases per day has touched 47,913 which is more than double its earlier peak. Punjab has contributed 4.5 per cent of the total number of cases in the country in the last 14 days. However, it has contributed 16.3 per cent of the total number of death, which is a matter of serious concern.

Similarly, though Chhattisgarh has only contributed 4.3 per cent of total cases in the country over the last 14 days, its contribution in total death has exceeded 7 per cent during the same period. The 10 high burden states and UTs are contributing 91.4 per cent of total cases and 90.9 per cent of total deaths in the country.

The meeting was held at a time when India recorded 93,249 new cases in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day spike since September 2020, taking the total tally to 1,24,85,509.

It was suggested that daily analysis of vaccination performance should be shared with states and UTs as feedback for corrective actions.

The meeting was informed that vaccine manufacturers are ramping up their production capacity and are also in discussion with other domestic and offshore companies to augment it. The focus was to make all efforts to secure adequate quantities of vaccines to meet the rising domestic requirements as well as to meet the genuine needs of other countries in the spirit of “Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam”.

The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary to PM, the Cabinet Secretary, the Home Secretary, the Chairperson of the Empowered group on Vaccine Administration, the Health Secretary, the Pharmaceuticals Secretary, the Biotechnology Secretary, the AYUSH Secretary, the DG ICMR, the Principal Scientific Advisor to Govt, and Member NITI Aayog, besides other officials.

Covid-19: J&K reports 573 new cases, 3 deaths

Front

Precious Kashmir

05/04/2021

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Sunday informed that 573 new positive cases of novel Corona virus (122 from Jammu division and 451 from Kashmir division), have been reported thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 1,33,012.

Also three deaths have been reported, 01 from Jammu Division and 02 from Kashmir Division.

Moreover, 189 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals including 39 from Jammu Division and 150 from Kashmir Division.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 1,33,012 positive cases, 3,955 are Active Positive, 1,27,049 have recovered and 2008 have died; 741 in Jammu division and 1267 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 62,11,099 test results available, 60,78,087 samples have been tested as negative till April 4, 2021.

Till date 15,40,680 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 48,489 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 3,955 in isolation and 1,21,219 in home surveillance. Besides, 1365009 persons have completed their surveillance period.

LG visit SKIMS, enquires about Farooq’s health

Front

Precious Kashmir

05/04/2021

Srinagar: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday visited S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, and enquired about the health of National Conference (NC) president and sitting Member of Parliament (MP) Farooq Abdullah, who tested positive for CVOID-19 earlier this week.

Dr Abdullah, who is a former chief minister, was admitted to SKIMS on Saturday following the advice of doctors.

Sinha said that he met the former chief minister and Dr Farooq’s son Omar Abdullah at SKIMS on Sunday. “I enquired about Farooq Sahab’s health and instructed the doctors to provide the best treatment,” the LG wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.

“I pray for his long and healthy life,” he added.

Farooq Abdullah had taken the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at SKIMS in Srinagar last month.

Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases during the last couple of week. Amid a spike in COVID cases, Jammu and Kashmir government last week classified Srinagar as an orange zone while all other districts have been declared as green zones, whereas Lakhanpur was declared as a containment zone and Jawahar Tunnel area on either side as Red zones. As many as 501 new positive cases of novel Coronavirus, including 393 from Kashmir division and 108 from Jammu division, were reported on Saturday, when two persons died due to COVID-19 in the UT.

Covid-19: J&K schools closed

Front

Precious Kashmir

05/04/2021

Srinagar: The authorities have ordered closure of all schools, including Higher Secondary Schools (HSSs), from Monday in view of rise in COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir.

The class work for classes’ upto 9th standard has been suspended for two weeks while classes 10th, 11th and 12th have been closed for one week from Monday, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday.

He said all gatherings for social and customary functions will be restricted to 200 only and after following due COVID Standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Sinha said in view of rising trend in COVID-19 cases in J&K and likelihood of young children getting infected and transmitting infection in large numbers, all classes upto 9th standard will be closed for two weeks from Monday till 18 April 21.

He said classes 10, 11 and 12 will also be closed for one week in all schools from Monday till April 11, 2021 in entire Jammu and Kashmir. “All gatherings for social and customary functions will be restricted to 200 only and after following due COVID SOPs,” he added.

Over a dozen schools were closed in Kashmir valley following staffers and students testing positive for COVID-19 since High and HSSs reopened last month after more than a year due to Coronavirus restrictions.

Amid a spike in COVID cases, Jammu and Kashmir government last week classified Srinagar as an orange zone while all other districts have been declared as green zones, whereas Lakhanpur was declared as a containment zone and Jawahar Tunnel area on either side as Red zones. As many as 501 new positive cases of novel Coronavirus, including 393 from Kashmir division and 108 from Jammu division, were reported on Saturday, when two persons died due to COVID-19 in the UT.

Start online classes: CEO directs schools

Front

Precious Kashmir

05/04/2021

Srinagar: Chief Education Officer Srinagar has asked the heads of institutions to start online classes after Govt decided to close down schools for couple of weeks.

The order issued by CEO Srinagar which lies with KNS reads,
“Consequent upon the temporary closure of schools vide Government Order No. 13 – JK ( DMRRR ) of 2021 , 91 – Edu of 2021 Dated : 04-04-2021 and to safeguard the academic career of the students , it is impressed upon all the heads of institutions to start Online Classes for classes 1-12 w.e.f. 05-04-2021.”
All the teachers / masters / lecturers are required to submit the attendance of their respective online classes through CEO SRINAGAR APP on daily basis , he wrote. (KNS)

LG salutes sacrifices of security forces

Front

Precious Kashmir

05/04/2021

Says, JKP personnel, civilians in protecting territorial integrity, fighting militancy

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today honoured the Next of the Kin of slain security forces personnel in a programme organized by Global Strategic Policy Foundation Pune (GSPFP), an NGO, here at the SKICC.

Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha was the Chief Guest on the occasion, while Arif Mohammed Khan, Governor of Kerala, presided over the function.

During the event, NoKs of slain security personnel, including Lance Naik, Ashoka Chakra, Nazir Ahmad Wani; SI, Sageer Ahmad Pathan; SGCT, Mohammad Yousuf, Kirti Chakra; Major, Sushil Aima; Ashoka Chakra, Naib Subedar, Chuni Lal and Shurya Chakra, Abdul Hamid Chara were felicitated.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor paid glowing tributes to the sacrifices of security forces, police personals and civilians in protecting the territorial integrity and fighting militancy in J&K.

“I bow to the martyrs who displayed indomitable courage and bravery while protecting the dignity of the nation, and salute the sacrifices and patience of the family members of our gallant security personnel”, the LG said.

The Lt Governor noted that the supreme sacrifice made by all the security personnel and the fortitude of their family members is a great source of inspiration and a guiding light for our new generation.

“The family members of India’s brave-hearts are the living example of patriotism and sacrifice, and we have to take inspiration from them and move forward together for building a new Jammu and Kashmir,” the Lt Governor added.

The Lt Governor urged the people, especially the young generation to discharge their duties with full responsibility to create a peaceful society and pay a befitting tribute to the sacrifices of our martyrs, he added.

“Let us all tread the path of peace & fulfil our martyrs’ dream of a peaceful, prosperous and developed Jammu & Kashmir”, said the LG.

The Lt Governor observed that the sacrifice, patience and courage of women like Mehjabeen Akhtar, wife of Ashok Chakra recipient Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani cannot be expressed in words.

The stories of valour of brave hearts like Brigadier Rajinder Singh, Maqbool Sherwani, Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani and heroes of Kargil and Siachen, Chuni Lal, Abdul Hameed, Sageer Ahmad Pathan, Mohammad Yusuf, is our real heritage which will continue to inspire the generations to come, he added.

The Lt Governor also remembered Major Sushil Aima honoured with Kirti Chakra, who died in line of duty in Poonch sector while combating militants at the age of 32 years.

Speaking on the present developmental scenario of J&K. the Lt Governor observed that since 5th August 2019, J&K has been fully integrated into the mainstream of the nation. For the last seven decades, the common people, farmers, youth of J&K have been kept away from prosperity and development.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a new dawn of development, observed the Lt Governor

The rights of weaker sections are being safeguarded. For the first time since independence, forest dwellers are being given their rights, besides the rights of youth, children, women and senior citizens are being ensured, he added.

Highlighting the efforts of the government to create a just and equitable society, the Lt Governor maintained that the benefits of reservation are being extended to the disadvantaged sections.

For the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, a sweeper’s son or daughter can see the dream of pursuing any professional course in the UT and subsequently rise to the highest echelons of power. Now, even a farmer irrespective of land holding can do high density plantation, added the Lt Governor.

Many generations spent their lives strangling their dreams despite receiving higher education. Decades later, there is a moment when the youth are dreaming of better tomorrow, the Lt Governor maintained.

Speaking on the initiatives taken by the Government for providing better livelihood opportunities to the youth, the Lt Governor said that more than 18,000 young boys and girls from far flung villages have been provided with the financial support under Back to Village programme to fulfil their dreams and today they have become entrepreneurs.

A workshop on Youth Engagement and Outreach in the UT was organized on 31st October last year, which was attended by top Industry Heads and Policy Analysts from across the country. The outreach programme was aimed to create opportunities and infrastructure for engaging around 75% of the youth in the next 5 years. A few days ago, Mission Youth in collaboration with Bombay Stock Exchange has initiated a skill development training programme in banking and financial services. Two CIIIT centers have been set up in Baramulla and Jammu in collaboration with Tata Technologies, he added.

On women empowerment, the Lt Governor observed that the abilities of women and the merit of their great leadership have a rich history. He saluted the women of the Women’s Self-Defense Corps, who during the tribal invasion in 1947, by creating the world’s first woman guerrilla force, gave a message that Jammu and Kashmir was much ahead in the direction of women empowerment.

The true tribute to the sacrifice and bravery of the women here will only be paid when we are able to create a suitable environment for them to fulfil their dreams, he maintained.

We are moving towards creating an ecosystem of women entrepreneurs and returning economic freedom, the freedom of earning to the women folks of the UT through planned programs like the Tejaswini scheme, launched on the occasion of International Women’s Day, said the Lt Governor.

Underscoring the revolutionary measures taken for the prosperity and development of J&K, the Lt Governor observed that the Central Government has approved an unprecedented Rs 28,400 crore New Industrial development scheme for Jammu and Kashmir, which would attract huge investment of Rs 25,000-30,000 crore, besides providing employment avenues and opportunities to around 5 lakh youth.

Recalling his interaction with the media persons in the recently held Press Conference, the Lt Governor said that the minimum requirement of a civil society was not fulfilled in seven decades. Corruption had devastated Jammu and Kashmir. Even today, 973 villages remain unconnected with the road.

Terming the Rs 1,08,621 Cr Budget approved by the Central Government for J&K as historic, the Lt Governor observed that the quantum jump in the allocation of Budget in all sectors itself speaks about the strong resolve of the Prime Minister towards the development of J&K.

We have made the working of the government completely transparent and accountable. It is being ensured that the work is being done on ground and the money is utilized for the welfare of the people without discrimination, he added.

Now, the development process in J&K has been accelerated. In the coming two and half years, the population living in the villages will be connected with all the basic amenities. The Power sector has witnessed a paradigm shift. Metro projects in Jammu and Srinagar cities will be completed by 2023, he maintained.

Speaking on the growth potential of the UT, the Lt Governor observed that Jammu and Kashmir has endless possibilities. We are trying our best to create a prosperous environment for the people with these infinite possibilities, added the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor observed that the celebrations of ongoing Azaadi ka Amrut Mahotsav holds the spirit of freedom movement and expresses gratitude to the martyrs. This feeling should be reflected in our national thinking, philosophy, religion, thought process, and development efforts, he added.

The Lt Governor also spoke on the Black Day observed on 22 October in J&K, where a two-day National Symposium and Exhibition on the “Memories of 22 October 1947”in collaboration with the National Museum of History, Art, Conservation and Museology was organized in Srinagar to educate the young generation of Jammu and Kashmir about the sacrifices of our brave-hearts.

The Lt Governor also paid tributes to the security personnel who laid down their lives in Chhattisgarh while fighting Maoists.

The Lt Governor concluded his speech by reciting renowned Poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s poem- Sipahi.

Arif Mohammad Khan, Governor of Kerala, in his address, said that Kashmir has remained home to diverse religious and cultural influences which have deeply enriched its pluralistic ethos and violence has no place in any civilized society and peaceful co-existence is the best means to resolve problems.

He also hailed the initiatives taken by the Jammu and Kashmir administration in the recent past to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the people.

Speaking on the occasion, wife of Ashoka Chakra Awardee, Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, Mehjabeen Akhtar said that for a soldier, there is nothing greater than his country.

“I am extremely proud of my husband’s martyrdom as he gave his life for this country and my children are also proud of their father. He used to tell me that he wants to die on the battleground while fighting for his nation as for him nothing came above this country,” Mehjbeen said. He has done a lot for this country and his nation is also proud of him, she added.

Earlier, Vice Admiral (Retd) Anup Singh, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), Lt. Gen. Sanjay Kulkarni (Retd) also spoke and expressed their views on the occasion.

Family members of slain security personnel, besides Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir; Mohammad Aijaz, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; Dr. Anant Bhagwat, President, GSPFP; Manoj Goyal, Secretary, GSPFP and other prominent citizens attended the felicitation ceremony.

1...4,2684,2694,270...5,102 Page 4,269 of 5,102