Precious Kashmir

Peaceful LoC, Better Ties

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04/03/2021

How many bunkers did government succeed to build along the Line of Control and border with Pakistan for the residents in last several years? The answer is not sufficient. Even if bunkers were built for all, there is no guarantee about continuity of life when hell fire begins to rain on restive LoC or borders unexpectedly.

From last one week, thousands of people living along the LoC and international border are relieved after the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan decided on a ceasefire. The truce, always welcomed by people living or manning along the LoC or IB, was announced on February 24. The sudden joint announcement surprised people and political commentators alike. As always, nothing happens without a reason in the world of bilateral ties. Apparent rationale and the speculation suggest that New Delhi has been forced to engage with Islamabad by the prolonged tensions along the LAC with China. Pakistan on the other side is also embroiled in internal affairs amid changing world order. On top of it, there is also the long arm of the United States of America; under a new president. The world’s super power could well be pushing for an easing of the peevish ties between the nations so that it can devote its energies in a bid to ensure peace in the region as well as counter China.

The ceasefire means new lease of life for the people living along what is sometimes also referred to as zero line. Hostilities, apart from claiming life and property, also force many families to migrate, leaving everything behind for survival. While the ceasefire rejuvenates hopes of the displaced families to return to their hearth and home, the thaw should bring tangible political results. The neighbours need to fall back on diplomacy to break the ice in all these years. Perhaps it will do both countries well to renounce optics and concentrate on a means that will ensure peace and solution to the issues between them. Some political commentators demand that the nations need to fall back on the framework provided by former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf and former BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had agreed that negotiations on peace must be supported by a scaffold of three principal pledges: Pakistan’s assurance not to support cross-border militancy; India’s willingness to adopt a supple stance on Kashmir and the renewal of a series of confidence-building measures. It is hoped that peace prevails on the restive zero line and eventually lead to breaking ice in the ties between these nations.

Social media and future generation

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Precious Kashmir

04/03/2021

By: Rayees Ahmad Kumar

With the advancement of science and technology, every aspect of human life has seen a drastic change. It not only has made our lives quite easier and comfortable but also has compelled us to face some challenges.

Invention of aeroplane, computer, mobile phone and other diagnostic machines used for varied medical investigations of man are the biggest blessings from science for mankind. In the era of computer age and the tremendous advancements in information technology, we are almost independent on manpower because the routine daily business is done now through digital mode.

However, with appearance of mobile phones in our daily lives, though it has made our lives more than enough easier and comfortable, our nears and dears studying and dwelling in intercontinental lands seem no longer far away from us due to this great scientific gift but at the same time it has put us to tough tests.

Our older generation is making the good use of it by enquiring about well being of their loved ones through voice calling and sometimes enjoy music of their taste or watch the morally upright videos through internet.

But the mobile phones in hands of our young and future generation has given rise to number of issues. Instead of making judicious and positive use of mobile phones, they are degrading themselves morally and ethically by unnecessarily indulging in different practices on different social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Istagram , Watsapp and YouTube etc.

From morning to evenings till late night our young generation remains busy on social media. It has not only distanced them from their parents and siblings but has also impedimented in shaping their personality in right directions.

Making Watsapp groups among the peers and then sharing nuisance things and chatting even during night times has deteriorated their physical health as well as downgraded them morally.

Uploading unethical vedio items on YouTube and making short vedios on Tiktok app has now become a new norm of our young generation. They keep themselves over busy on these social sites without considering its repercussions. Our future generation has become much addicted to social media now.

Of all the social networking sites Mark Zukerberg’s Facebook is much popular and most used platform to express one’s feelings, share knowledge, experience and to communicate with fellow beings. Islamic renowned scholars have made it a good platform to invite nonbelievers to the right path. Mission of Dawah has been much easier with the emergence of Facebook. But the most disappointing fact is that, our youth is misusing this site and sharing unethical items.

We need to think about the degrading morality of our young generation and take extra care while fetching mobile phones in their hands. Instead of making them social media addicts we must try to make them responsible citizens of the society. Parents, Teacher, Preachers and civil society groups must come forward at an earliest to safeguard the future of our young generation by giving them the lessons about judicious and positive use of mobile phones and social media otherwise the days are not far when in our future generation we will be having more beasts than humans.

Author is a columnist, fiction writer and teaches at Govt Secondary School Anderwan Ganderbal.

MCD bypolls: AAP wins 4 out of 5 wards, BJP draws a blank

National

United News Of India

04/03/2021

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday emerged victorious on four out of five municipal wards in the Capital elections to which were held on February 28.
While the Congress could win one ward in the MCD bypolls in Delhi, the BJP which is ruling the three MCDs in the city failed to score any victory. The results of the bypolls were announced on Wednesday.
The MCD bypolls witnessed over 50 per cent voter turn out. AAP emerged victorious on four wards — Kalyanpuri, Rohin-C, Trilokpuri and Shalimar Bagh North. The civic polls in Delhi are due next year.
AAP National convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal congratulated the AAP volunteers and the newly-elected councilors on sweeping victory in the MCD by-polls.
Mr Kejriwal also tweeted, “The people of Delhi once again voted in the name of work. Congratulations to all. The public has been perturbed by the 15-year BJP’s misrule in the MCD. People are now desperate to form the Aam Aadmi Party government in the MCD as well.”
Mr Kejriwal, while addressing the party volunteers at the party headquarters said, “The people of Delhi have chosen AAP with 4 seats, and have defeated BJP with 0 seats. I want to congratulate the people of Delhi and AAP volunteers who worked hard for this victory. The results show that the people of Delhi have shown faith and trust in the work done by the Aam Aadmi Party. The people have given their approval of the good work done by us. This shows that the people of Delhi are very happy with the work done by AAP.”
The Chief Minister said: “In the 2015 elections, we got 67 out of 70 seats, and in 2020, we got 62 out of 70 seats. After 6 years, the people of Delhi have shown their faith in us and they want us to continue the way we are working. That the BJP has got 0 seats shows that on one hand, the people are very happy with the work done by AAP in the last 6 years, and on the other hand, people are extremely disappointed with the BJP.’
“If someone asks the people of the country about the achievements of AAP, people from states such as Punjab, Goa, Delhi, UP, and many other states, they will tell you how we have improved schools, hospitals, electricity, water, roads, and many other works. If someone asks what the BJP has done in the MCD in the last 15 years, they cannot count even a single task fulfilled. They have only done corruption, made Delhi dirtier with garbage,” he added.
Reacting to the MCD bypolls results, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in a tweet in Hindi said, ‘Congratulations to the Aam Aadmi Party workers on winning 4 out of 5 seats in the MCD by-election. The people of Delhi are now fed up by the BJP’s rule and in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections next year, the people of Delhi will bring Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s honest and working politics.’
AAP’s Dhirender Kumar registered a win at the Kalyanpuri ward by a margin of 7,043 votes while the party’s nominee Ram Chander won Rohini C ward by defeating BJP’s candidate Rakesh Goyal by a margin of 2,985 votes. AAP candidate Vijay Kumar bagged Trilokpuri ward by defeating BJP’s candidate Om Prakash by a margin of 4,986 votes.
AAP candidate Sunita Mishra won Shalimar Bagh Northward by defeating BJP’s candidate Surbhi Jaju by a margin of 2,705 votes.
Congress candidate Chaudhary Zubair Ahmad registered a win at Chauhan Bangar ward by defeating AAP candidate Mohammad Ishraq Khan by a margin of 10,642 votes.

Protect Wildlife

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Precious Kashmir

03/03/2021

Since 2014, March 3 is celebrated as world wildlife day to raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in its resolution, decided to proclaim the day as annual wildlife day to reaffirm the intrinsic value of wildlife and its various contributions, including ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic, to sustainable development and human well-being. This day highlights the need to conserve and protect the wildlife which faces many and varied threats, primarily caused by human activities. Among others, it is about habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflict or climate change.

Over the years, there has been an increase in man-animal conflicts, leading to the loss or injury to the precious life. Also, importantly, the rising incidents of man-animal confrontation allude to disturbances caused in wildlife. This year a leopard was even spotted in Bagh-e-Mehtab area of Srinagar. Also, in January this year, animal organs including eight leopard hides, four musk deer pods and 38 bear gallbladders were found in possession of a man arrested in Anantnag. It points out poaching and calls for the need to strengthen the available means with necessary checks and balances to arrest the threat to the wildlife.

Destruction of forests sends wild animals closer to humans. There were reports when the covid-19 pandemic started that the animals carry virus along with them. The biodiversity in forests harmlessly retains dangerous viruses and other pathogens among a vast pool of wild animals, away from people.

This aspect underscores the value of maintaining viable ecosystems, and eliminating the entry of the wild animals from entering human surroundings.

There has been reckless exploitation of the environment over the years. Both officials at the helm of affairs and people are responsible. The growing man-animal conflicts serve as a dire warning to all the concerned that there should be no hasty permissions for projects in already enfeebled forests. There is ample evidence that environmental protection confers health protection and forests should be left undisturbed.

If poaching is one aspect of the conservation challenge, the other side of the story is the fast encroachments that threaten endanger animals and the environment.

There is a need to promote conservation encompassing survival of all as well as diversity of the ecosystem. There is a need to create awareness, as also the action aimed at preventing people from causing disturbances to the wildlife.

Azad makes his presence felt, out to challenge Rahul Gandhi

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

03/03/2021

Azad makes his presence felt, out to challenge Rahul Gandhi

Srinagar: Senior Congress leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, has been hogging headlines for different reasons during the past few days.
When he was about to complete his tenure in Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised him. He (PM Modi) described Azad as an exemplary politician. Recently, Azad reciprocated PM Modi’s gesture by praising him for not forgetting his routes.
Azad, who is in Jammu presently, recently met his loyalists in the summer capital. After that meeting, supporters of the veteran leader claimed that Azad has the capability to become the next chief of All India Congress Committee.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “PM Modi and Azad praising each other seem to have not gone well with the Congress leadership. The party could have easily nominated Azad to Rajya Sabha again from Gujarat but it didn’t. It seems the Congress leadership has made it clear to Azad that he has been sidelined and for time being he may have to sit at the fence,”
The analyst said, “The Congress high command seems to have forgotten that Azad is not among those leaders who will sit at the fence and act as a spectator. He cannot remain silent for a longtime.”
It’s in place to mention here that the group of 23 leaders that had written to the AICC chief last year to seek change in party’s leadership stands pushed to the wall from that very day. Most of the leaders of the group, including Azad were stripped of their party posts, and every attempt was made to turn them insignificant.
An observer said, “After Azad completed his term in the Rajya Sabha group of 23 leaders seems to have become active. It appears that the group wants to make its presence felt and is getting ready to take on Gandhis head on.”
He said, “Rahul Gandhi not emerging as a strong leader is helping the veterans to up the ante. This group has remained silent for a longtime but now it wants to break the shackles. The leaders in this group have remained loyal to Congress Party all throughout their lives. But they have been pushed to the wall at the fag ends of their political careers. Many people believe this is being done to ensure that Rahul Gandhi doesn’t face any competition and he remains the undisputed king of the party.”

Azad divides J&K Cong

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Precious Kashmir

03/03/2021

Jammu: A few hours after a section of Congress workers burnt an effigy of Ghulam Nabi Azad here on Tuesday and accused him of conspiring against the party at the behest of the BJP, another group of their colleagues came out in Azad’s support, bringing a rift within the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the party to the fore.

Congress workers, led by former general secretary of the party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit and District Development Council (DDC) member Mohammad Shahnawaz Choudhary, burnt Azad’s effigy outside the Press Club in the afternoon and accused him of conspiring against the party at the behest of the BJP to weaken it for “personal gains”.

A few hours later, another group of Congress workers, led by JMC councillor Gaurav Chopra, staged a protest against Choudhary and said “a person who fought the recently held DDC polls against the party mandate is not a Congressman and is working on the directions of the BJP and the RSS to weaken the Congress”.

The protest against Azad came days after a rally addressed by some “G-23” leaders, ostensibly to felicitate the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister on his retirement from the Rajya Sabha. It was seen as a show of strength to convey a message to the Congress leadership.

The group of 23 leaders wrote to interim party president Sonia Gandhi in August last year, urging her to ensure a “full-time” and “visible” leadership. The group has since come to be known as the “G-23”.

Chief spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress Ravinder Sharma said the party had no prior knowledge of the two protests in the city and will do whatever necessary in its interest.

Raising slogans in support of Azad, Chopra said, “Azad is a Congressman by heart and does not need a certificate from anyone. He strongly raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament to disapprove of the August 5, 2019 development (when the Centre revoked the erstwhile state’s special status and bifurcated it into Union territories) and his long innings in the service of the nation drew praises even from the prime minister.”

Demanding the ouster of all those who took part in the protest against Azad from the party, he said, “It is understood who is pulling his (Choudhary’s) strings.”

Chopra said the G-23 leaders, who spoke at a private function here on Saturday, called for the strengthening of the party.

Earlier, the Choudhary-led group shouted slogans against Azad and demanded his ouster from the party.

“The Congress has always put him (Azad) on the top and when the party needed his experience at a time of crisis, he came to Jammu and Kashmir and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who deprived us of statehood. It is clear that he is working at the behest of the BJP to weaken the party for his personal gains,” Choudhary, a former Jammu and Kashmir Youth Congress president, told reporters.

Choudhary, who won the DDC polls from the Surankot-A constituency of Poonch as an Independent, accused Azad of conspiring against the Congress leadership.

Amid sloganeering in support of Rahul Gandhi, he said they took to the streets to give vent to their anger.

“It is the Congress that groomed him (Azad) over the decades, sent him to the Rajya Sabha repeatedly and made him the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

“When the Congress is facing a crisis and he should have used his experience to strengthen the party, he comes to Jammu and Kashmir with a select group of G-23 leaders and showers praises on Prime Minister Modi to weaken the party for his personal interests,” he said.

At a function here on Sunday, Azad praised Modi, saying he speaks frankly about his past as a tea-seller and does not try to hide his background from the world.

“I admire several things about a number of leaders…. I am from a village and I am proud of it. A big leader, our prime minister, says he is from a village, he used to sell tea. We may have political differences but at least, he does not hide his reality,” he had said.

Choudhary said Azad stayed away from the DDC poll campaigning and invited a select group of G-23 leaders to a function organised by the Gandhi Global Family, which is headed by himself.

“Congress workers are not fools. He enjoyed the benefits when the Congress was in power and when the time came for him to pay back to the party, he is conspiring against it,” he alleged.

Senior vice president of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress and former minister Raman Bhalla expressed displeasure over the protests and said the party would take note of the developments.

“We are proud of his (Azad’s) speeches in Parliament, especially after the abrogation of Article 370,” he said, adding that every Congress worker supports the leadership of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

Azad must clarify his remarks praising PM: JKPCC chief

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Precious Kashmir

03/03/2021

New Delhi: After members of the Congress burnt an effigy of senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad to protest against his “anti-party activities” and for “praising” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president (JKPCC) Ghulam Ahmad Mir said that former Rajya Sabha MP must justify his February 28 remarks hailing the PM.

“What happened on February 27 should not have happened. But there still was hope that Azad Sahab was speaking for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. However, he dashed all the hopes by praising PM Modi on February 28,” Mir said while speaking to ANI.

“He must clarify the context of his speech by coming in front of public. He confused the people of Jammu and Kashmir with his February 27 and February 28 speech. I myself want him to clarify this statements,” he said.

This comes as Azad praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G-23 event in Jammu and Kashmir on February 28, saying that he speaks frankly about his past as a tea-seller and never tried to hide his background from the world.

On February 27, he had organised ‘Shanti Sammelan’ event in Jammu.

Mir, however, called Azad a man of organisation. “So, didn’t he remember that Jammu and Kashmir already has a Pradesh Congress Committee while organising an event? Didn’t he think that representations of Sonia Ji, Rahul Ji, and PCC were required there?” he asked while cornering the senior party leader.

JKPCC further said that he was in New Delhi for a routine meet and had not spoken to party high command about Ghulam Nabi Azad yet.

Azad is the senior-most member among the 23 leaders, who had expressed dissent with the functioning of the Congress party and had written a letter to Sonia Gandhi in August last year (ANI)

Govt working to ensure equitable, balanced development of all areas of JK: Sinha

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Precious Kashmir

03/03/2021

DDC chairperson, ex-legislator, others call on Lt Governor

Jammu: DDC Chairperson, former Legislator, and public delegation from Rajouri area Tuesday called on Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha here at Raj Bhavan.

Former Legislator Ishfaq Jabbar accompanied by Nuzhat Ishfaq, DDC Chairperson, Ganderbal today met the Lt Governor and apprised him of various developmental issues of Ganderbal area pertaining to upgradation of education and health facilities, execution of new 93 MW Hydropower project; establishment of Women Degree College and extension of Power bill amnesty scheme.

They also demanded engaging more local population in ongoing developmental projects in Ganderbal and adjoining areas.

The Lt Governor, while interacting with the former Legislator and DDC Chairperson, observed that the Government is working on the principle of holistic development and empowering the people of J&K.

He assured them that the genuine issues and demands projected by them would be taken up for examination and their early redressal. The Lt Governor further urged them to continue their sustained endeavours for the advancement of public welfare.

Meanwhile, a public delegation from Rajouri led by Political Activist Sh. Guftar Ahmed Chowdhary also called on the Lt Governor and submitted a memorandum of demands regarding the strengthening of road network, augmentation of water and power supply, upgradation of education facilities, opening of Bank Branches in un-served rural areas, besides sanctioning of Tribal Community hall, Medical Dispensary, Anganwadi centres, outdoor Sports Stadium at Kotranka, upgradation of Tourism infrastructure and development of small scale industrial units in rural areas.

The Lt Governor gave a patient hearing to all the issues and demands put forth by the members of the delegation.

He observed that the UT Government is working round the clock for ensuring equitable and balanced development of all the areas of Jammu and Kashmir. He assured them that all their genuine issues would be looked into earnestly for their early redressal.

Coronavirus Pandemic: Covid vaccination drive for public starts

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Jahangeer Ganaie

03/03/2021

People can register through Android app, Aarogya Setu app: DG FW

Srinagar: The health officials Tuesday said around 70 percent health care workers and 60 percent front line workers have received jabs of Covid vaccines and now the vaccination drive for general public has been started and masses need to cooperate as everyone will be covered.

Director General of Family Welfare Dr Saleem Ur Rehman and State Immunisation Officer Dr Qazi Haroon, while addressing a press conference in Srinagar said that people must cooperate and in this phase senior citizens aged more than 60 years and those in the age group of 45-59 years with comorbidities are being covered.

He said people have the option to either take their vaccine shots from a government facility or opt for a private hospital for which “we have already identified 34 private hospitals and their list will be published soon.”

The ceiling on price of vaccine will be Rs 250 including Rs 100 hospital charges for giving shot to the patient.

He said in order to register for Covid-19 vaccination, people have options like online advance self-registration for Covid-19 vaccination can be done by downloading Android mobile app and through the Aarogya Setu app.

These apps will show all government and private hospitals that are serving as Covid-19 vaccination centres (CVCs), he said, adding that the apps will also show details of date and time of the available vaccination schedules.

“People who are eligible for vaccination in this phase will be able to choose the CVC of their choice and book an appointment for vaccination,” he said, adding that “in case you want to opt for on-site registration, you can walk into any identified vaccination centres and get yourself registered and vaccinated.”

He said that all people, irrespective of how they have registered for the vaccination, will have to carry any one of the including Aadhaar Card, Electoral Photo Identity Card, Photo ID card specified at the time of registration in case of online registration (if not Aadhaar or EPIC), Certificate of co-morbidity for citizens in age group of 45 years to 59 years (signed by a registered medical practitioner), he said.

The comorbidity certificate can either be uploaded on the apps by the beneficiary while self-registering or a hard copy of it can be carried by the person to the Covid-19 vaccination centre, he said.

Officials said that anyone above 60 whether having comorbidity or not will get vaccine, however people aged between 45-59 years are eligible for Covid-19 vaccination only if they have the comorbidities like Heart failure with hospital admission in past one year, Post cardiac transplant/ Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), Significant Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF, Moderate or Severe Valvular Heart Disease, Congenital heart disease with severe PAH or Idiopathic PAH, Coronary Artery Disease with past CABG/ PTCA/ MI and Hypertension/ Diabetes on treatment, Angina and Hypertension/ Diabetes treatment, CT/MRI documented stroke and Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment, Pulmonary artery hypertension and Hypertension/ Diabetes on treatment, Diabetes (10 years or with complication) and Hypertension on treatment, Kidney/Liver/Hematopoietic stem cell transplant: Recipient/ On wait-list, End stage Kidney Disease on haemodialysis/ CAPD, Current prolonged use of oral corticosteroids/ immunosuppressant medications, Decompensated cirrhosis, Severe respiratory disease with hospitalisations in last two years/ FEVI, Lymphoma/ Leukaemia/ Myeloma, Diagnosis of any solid cancer on or after July 1, 2020 or currently on any cancer therapy, Sickle Cell Disease/ Bone marrow failure/ Aplastic Anemia/ Thalassemia Major, Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases/ HIV infection and Persons with disabilities due to Intellectual disabilities/ Muscular Dystrophy/ Acid attack with involvement of respiratory system/ Persons with disabilities having high support needs/ Multiple disabilities including deaf-blindness.

Saleem said that we have vaccinated thousands of people so far and there was no case of any severe side effect so far and people must come forward without any fear and get vaccinated to beat this deadly pandemic—(KNO)

Coronavirus: JK records 85 new cases, no death

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Precious Kashmir

03/03/2021

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Government on recorded 85 new positive cases of novel Coronavirus.

Of the 85 new cases, 12 were from Jammu division and 73 from Kashmir division. With the fresh cases, total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir has risen to 1,26,589.

Moreover, 94 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals including 25 from Jammu Division and 69 from Kashmir Division.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), out of 1,26,589 positive cases, 820 are Active Positive, 1,23,811 have recovered and 1,958 have died; 725 in Jammu division and 1233 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 5,25,3071test results available, 5126482 samples have been tested as negative till March 2.

Till date 13,25,778 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 33,525 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 820 in isolation and 1,09,500 in home surveillance.

Besides, 11,79,975 persons have completed their surveillance period.

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