LG delivers valedictory address at 8th Indian Social Work Congress at Visva-Bharati University

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha delivered his valedictory address through a Video message at 8th Indian Social Work Congress jointly organized by National Association of Professional Social Workers in India (NAPSWI), International Consortium for Social Development-AsiaPacific (ICSDAP) & Department of Social Work, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor observed that deliberations held during 8th India Social Work Congress on the theme “Social Cohesion, Collective Responsibility and Social Work Profession” will prove to be important for society and administration.

The global health crisis that we are going through today has brought families, people, groups and countries together to fight this pandemic and created a new chapter of social cohesion and collective responsibility, he added.

The concept of social cohesion and collective responsibility is the soul of our country; it is this creative movement that sowed the seeds of reformism in our country. Social work and the spirit of selfless service have been in our traditions and culture since ancient times, the Lt Governor maintained.

Terming social service as a part of life, the Lt Governor observed that through service to others, we can transform the life and society around us. Be it cleaning in Swatch Bharat Abhiyaan, becoming voice of the weak, caring for patients or supporting the marginalized groups, it all happens with the sense of service and social responsibility towards others”, the Lt Governor maintained.

Congratulating the Vice Chancellor of Visva Bharati University, and President NAPSWI, for organizing the three day-long event, the Lt Governor said that Vishwa Bharati’s motto, ‘The whole world is a house’, inspires us to understand and live the philosophy of life expounded by venerable Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore for which he performed rigorous penance and hardwork throughout his life. The tapobhoomi on which this program is being held is known for the works done for Village improvement, rural development, and the rise of our villages.

The Lt Governor called upon the professionals of all social works, to work together on literacy, health, sanitation, poverty, malnutrition, population, child labour, t women empowerment, corruption, and drug abuse and wherever policy intervention is needed.

Social service is the real prayer and worship. The more you get absorbed in serving others, the closer you come to yourself. Strive with a goal-oriented approach for balanced, inclusive and sustainable development in every corner of the country along with socio-economic progress of all individuals, said the Lt Governor while addressing the young students.

Speaking on the contribution of great social reformers, Sinha said there have been many great social reformers in our country who influenced the philosophy of welfare and development in this country. Who can forget Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s reforms, including women’s education and widow marriage. Even today, there are problems in our society, which can be faced with social cohesion and collective responsibility, added the Lt Governor.

Throwing light on the great works of Rabindranath Tagore, Lt Governor said that the way Gurudev has taught for consciousness of the new generation and their deeds. “Gurudev had shown the way for moral and spiritual philosophy, social problems, and necessary reforms in the society. His contribution to the rich cultural wealth of the country and with it enlightened consciousness and community development work can never be forgotten. He also did unprecedented work to solve the problems of farmers”.

 Srinagar: Snow clearance operation was going on war-footing to restore traffic to the border town of Machil and adjoining villages, which remained cutoff for the fifth successive day due to accumulation of snow, in north Kashmir district of Kupwara.

Bandipora-Gurez road also remained closed due to accumulation of several feet of snow, following which dozens of remote villages and far flung areas remained cut off from tehsil and district headquarter in Bandipora since January 1.

However, traffic was plying normally on two main roads — Kupwara-Keran and Kupwara-Karnah – following clearance of snow earlier this week.

“Traffic remained suspended to several far-flung and remote villages, including Machil, due to accumulation of several feet of snow,” an official of Police Control Room (PCR), Kupwara, told UNI. 

He said snow clearance operation was going on war footing to restores traffic to these areas. “Vehicular traffic will be allowed only after clearance of the road and getting a green signal from officials deployed on the ground,” he said.

He said one-way traffic was plying on Kupwara-Keran road though the vehicles are currently plying only till Munden, which is few kms from the main town. “The snow clearance operation to restore traffic till Keran town was also going on war footing,” he added.

People in Gurez continued to suffer as the border town remained cutoff from rest of Kashmir valley since January 1. “Razdan pass, connecting Gurez, Neeru and dozens of other areas near LoC with district headquarters Bandipora, which is already covered over several feet of snow, received fresh snowfall last week,” an official of Police Control Room (PCR), Bandipora, told UNI.

He said the road is expected to reopen in April as Radzan pass is under several feet of snow and the area is avalanche prone.

Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary reviewed the measures in place for detecting cases and prevention of Avian Influenza / Bird Flu, in a meeting of departments convened to further strengthen the response mechanism.

A detailed presentation was made by Dr Salim Khan, Head, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar about the prevalence, signs and symptoms , risk factors, reporting mechanism, control and containment among other measures.

Dr Rabanie Tariq of SPM department presented on public awareness campaign and Information Education Communication for public outreach.

Dr Mohammad Ashraf, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer briefed the meeting about daily surveillance and monitoring efforts, containment measures and sampling of suspect cases as well as special measures in migratory bird habitat areas undertaken in coordination with wildlife department.

District Disaster Management Officer Ishfaq Khan briefed that an amount of Rs 10 Lakh has been approved to augment the efforts of departments for containment, surveillance and prevention measures as well as awareness.

Municipal Veterinary Health Officer Dr Javed shred about sanitisation efforts and preparedness.

The meeting discussed about emergency response mechanism in case of detection of cases or outbreak , robust preventive mechanism, public awareness, compensation mechanism and capacity building of poultry farmers. It was decided that a workshop of poultry farmers will be organised to spread awareness about preventive measures and bio security measures both on-farm and processing.

Presently departmental teams are conducting surveillance and daily reports including tests conducted are shared with District Disaster Management Authority. Meanwhile Institute of Animal Health and Biological Products, Zakura is conducting thorough testing and screening. Till date no case of bird flu has been detected in domestic poultry however few cases were reported in wild / migratory birds in the district. (GNS)