Unfurls national flag in Srinagar, takes salute
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 26: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan, today unfurled the Tricolor and took salute at the march-past during Republic Day celebration at S.K stadium, Srinagar.
Later, Advisor inspected the parade on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Advisor said that Jammu and Kashmir is marching fast towards rapid growth and development and the Government of India is leaving no stone unturned to make the UT progressive and prosperous.
“On this great occasion, I would like to highlight some major achievements of government like recently launched healthcare scheme Sehat under which each individual will get Rs. 5 lakh cover as health benefit across the country,” asserted the Advisor. He also made a mention of other healthcare measures like establishment of new medical colleges and BSC nursing colleges in the UT,” said Advisor.
He said that the J&K administration exhibiting great courage and prompt response fought the unseen war against Covid-19 pandemic. He praised all Deputy Commissioners, health functionaries, doctors, para-medical staff, other concerned departments for fighting the pandemic together.
He said as the 70 percent of population is dependent on agriculture and its allied sectors, all efforts are afoot to ensure target of doubling the income of farmers is achieved in the UT.
The Advisor said that the facility of Elevated Rail System is also expected to be launched in the UT by ending 2024. Besides, every household shall be provided with tap water facility by 2022 in J&K. He also deliberated on several revolutionary measures launched in the power sector.
The Advisor said that successful conduct of first ever DDC polls is another achievement which shall provide people an opportunity to be part of the development initiatives in their areas at the grass root level.
Appreciating security forces for their selfless services, Advisor said that “Our security forces are alert and have been successfully foiling all attempts of miscreants and dealing up professionally to maintain peace and tranquility in the UT.”
The Advisor also deliberated on progress and achievements made under PMGSY, Digital India Record, PMAY, MGNREGA, projects for up gradation of transmission lines, development of sports infrastructure, promotion of handicrafts and hand loom sectors and other areas of development.

Advisor paid rich tributes to the martyrs who laid their lives for the cause of the country.

Organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, (JKAACL), a variety of cultural programmes was also presented by both male and female artists on the occasion.
Meanwhile, a special yoga training session was demonstrated by young yoga trainees, who received appreciation for their skilful performances.
Later, Advisor also felicitated the participants with certificates and trophies.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and various senior civil administration and police officers were present on the occasion.

New Delhi, Jan 26: India’s military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress were on display during the 72nd Republic Day celebrations here at the majestic Rajpath on Tuesday, which was largely curtailed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Republic Day Parade ceremony commenced with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial.

PM Modi led the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries headed to the saluting dais at Rajpath to witness the parade.
As per tradition, the National Flag was unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute.
The parade commenced with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute.
The parade commenced at 1000 hrs from Vijay Chowk and ended at the National Stadium, covering a distance of 3.3 km, instead of normal 8.2 km, owing to the COVID-19 protocol.
Owing to the COVID protocols, the size of marching squads participating in the parade was reduced.
This year, only around 25,000 spectators were allowed to witness the parade as compared to the average 1.15 lakh people each year.
Children below the age of 15 years and the elders with co-morbidities were not permitted to witness the parade.
The parade was commanded by Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra, Ati Vishisth Seva medal, General Officer Commanding Delhi Area. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area was the Parade, Second-in-Command.
The proud winners of the highest gallantry awards were followed which included the winners of the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashok Chakra. Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers and Subedar Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles and Ashok Chakra winner Lieutenant Colonel D Sreeram Kumar followed the Deputy Parade Commander on Jeeps.
The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous act of bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy. The Ashok Chakra is awarded for similar acts of valour and self-sacrifice but, other than, in the face of the enemy.
The 122-member proud contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising of soldiers of the Bangladesh Army, sailors of the Bangladesh Navy and Air Warriors of the Bangladesh Air Force lead the contingent march on the Rajpath. The Bangladesh contingent carried the legacy of legendary Muktijoddhas of Bangladesh, who fought against oppression and mass atrocities and liberated Bangladesh in 1971.
The first domestic contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers was 61 Cavalry led by Captain Deepanshu Sheoran.
The 61 Cavalry is the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world. It was raised on August 1, 1953 with the amalgamation of six state forces’ cavalry units.
The Indian Army was represented by a Mounted Column of 61 Cavalry, seven mechanised columns, six marching contingents and fly-past by Rudra and Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters of the Army Aviation.
Indigenously-developed Main Battle Tank of the Indian Army, T-90 Bhishma, Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) Ballway Machine Pikate (BMP II)-, Brahmos Weapon System, Pinaka Bridge Laying tanks T-72, Samvijay Electronic Warfare System and Schilka Weapon system were the main
attraction in the mechanised columns.

Srinagar, Jan 26: Mobile internet services of all cellular companies were suspended in Kashmir valley for several hours for security reasons on Tuesday, when Republic Day was celebrated across the country.
However, broadband and fix-line internet were working normally in the valley, where high speed internet services remained suspended since August 5, 2019, when the Centre abrogated Article 370 and Article 35 A.
Official sources said that mobile internet of all cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigham Limited (BSNL), were suspended as a precautionary measure on Tuesday morning in Kashmir. “The services were later restored in the evening after RD celebrations were over in the district and tehsil headquarters in the valley, including Srinagar, where the main function was held at S K Cricket Stadium,” they said.
Suspension of internet and mobile phone services on Republic Day and Independence Day have been part of the security drill in Kashmir since 2005, when militants were detonating Improvised Explosive Device (IED) using mobile phone.
But, from some time now only mobile internet services have been snapped in the valley on Republic Day as the main function of the Union Territory is held in Jammu, which is the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar Jan 26: On the occasion of 72nd Republic-Day celebrations, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole hosted ‘At Home’ at Shere-e-Kashmir International Convention, Centre (SKICC), here Tuesday.
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmed Khan was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
Mayor Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Junaid Azim Mattoo; IGP, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar; Vice Chancellors of University of Kashmir, SKUAST, Central University Kashmir; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary; Vice Chairperson, KVIB, Dr Hinna Bhat, DDC Chairpersons, SSPs, PRIs and BDC Chairpersons, corporates besides other senior officers attended the function.
The ‘At Home’ was also attended by young entrepreneurs, progressive farmers and serving and retired senior Civil, Police, officers and prominent citizens from all walks of life.
Later, the Advisor accompanied by Div Com and IGP interacted with the guests.

Srinagar, Jan 26: The Republic Day passed off peacefully across J&K and there was no untoward incident reported anywhere in Kashmir, police officials said on Tuesday.
However, the authorities had snapped the mobile internet services across Kashmir during midnight that were later restored at 6 pm. Officials said that main function was held in Jammu’s Moulana Azad Stadium where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha unfurled the tri-colour and took salute of the parade. The LG also took part in the cultural show. “There were elaborate security arrangements in Jammu. The day passed off peacefully,” an official said.
Similarly, amid heighted security cover, all functions with regard to R-day passed off peacefully in Srinagar and elsewhere. In Srinagar, the main function was held in SK Cricket Stadium, where security arrangements were heightened to prevent any untoward incident.
A police official said that the day passed off smoothly and there was no untoward reported from any part or any district of Kashmir. (KNO)

Gulmarg freezes at minus 11.5 C

Srinagar, Jan 26: There was some respite from chilly weather conditions as the mercury during the night improved and settled above normal at most places in Kashmir valley, where a fresh spell of snow is predicted from Sunday.
Meanwhile, bright sunshine greeted people in the afternoon in the summer capital, Srinagar, and other parts of Kashmir valley though ice cold winds from snow-clad mountains continued.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI that the weather will remain dry till January 30 in the valley. “Open skies during the night could result in further dip in the mercury though day temperature is expected to improve,” he said.
He said a fresh Western Disturbance (WD), which originated from the Arabian Sea and is approaching the region though Afghanistan and Pakistan, will hit the region on January 31. “Under the influence of this WD, snow could occur at some places in Kashmir,” he added.
World famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, was the coldest place in the valley even as the mercury remained constant since Monday at minus 11.5 degree, which is 3 degree below normal. Gulmarg was the only place in the valley where the maximum temperature recorded on Monday was below freezing point.
Meanwhile, the resort, which is known for its ski slopes and quality of snow, is abuzz with local, national and international tourists. “All the hotels in the resort are booked and people associated with tourism are very happy as they are doing brisk business after suffering huge losses in 2019 and 2020,” a hotelier from Gulmarg told UNI over the phone.
He said the tourist influx started to pickup since Christmas even as the ski resort received early snowfall. “All the ski slopes have been thrown open for tourists and other adventure sports lovers,” he said, adding all the hotels are booked till March.
Barring Gulmarg and tourist resort of Kukernag, the night temperature in rest of the places in the valley settled above normal. Against minus 8.4 degree recorded on Monday, the night temperature at Kukernag settled at minus 9 degree, which is over 5 degree below normal.

After witnessing an improvement of about 3 degree from Monday, people in the summer capital woke up to a chilly and foggy Tuesday morning. However, as the day progressed, sun came out late in the morning, resulting in improvement in the temperature though ice cold winds continued. The mercury at Srinagar improved and settled at minus 2.4 degree. World-famous Dal Lake and other water-bodies remained partly frozen in Srinagar, where the maximum temperature recorded on Monday was a degree below normal.

The night temperature at world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, improved about 5 degree from Monday and settled at minus 7.1 degree, which is slightly above normal.
The mercury at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir improved and settled at 2.8 degree and 1.4 degree, respectively. The night temperature at these places was above normal.

Srinagar, Jan 26: Traffic will ply from Srinagar towards Jammu on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Tuesday, the officials said.
“Tomorrow (January 27) subject to fair weather and better road condition only one way traffic shall be allowed from Srinagar towards Jammu including Banihal-Ramban (local traffic) on Jammu-Srinagar NHW,” traffic officials said, adding, “No vehicle including live stock/fresh perishable shall be allowed in the opposite direction . TCU Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic.” (GNS)

Jammu, Jan 26: The Government on Tuesday informed that 74 new positive cases of novel Corona virus (COVID-19), 23 from Jammu division and 51 from Kashmir division, were reported today, thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 124157. Also one COVID-19 death was reported in Kashmir Division.

Moreover, 54 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals including 21 from Jammu Division and 33 from Kashmir Division.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 124157 positive cases, 1103 are Active Positive, 121124 have recovered and 1930 have died; 719 in Jammu division and 1211 in Kashmir division.
The bulletin further said that out of 4444236 test results available, 4320079 samples have been tested as negative till 26th January, 2021.
Till date 1089360 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 34929 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 1103 in isolation and 96611 in home surveillance. Besides, 954787 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 26077 positive cases (including 37 cases reported today) with 285 Active Positive, 25338 recovered (including 18 cases recovered today), 454 deaths; Baramulla has 8088 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 47 Active Positive, 7868 recovered (including 06 cases recovered today), 173 deaths; Budgam reported 7754 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 51 active positive cases, 7586 recovered (including 04 cases recovered today), 117 deaths; Pulwama has 5703 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 63 Active Positive, 5552 recovered and 88 deaths; Kupwara has 5646 positive cases (including 01 cases reported today) with 36 Active Positive, 5515 recoveries (including 04 cases recovered today), 95 deaths; Anantnag district has 4881 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 51 Active Positive, 4746 recovered, 84 deaths; Bandipora has 4687 positive cases with 22 Active Positive and 4604 recoveries (including 01 cases recovered today), 61 deaths; Ganderbal has 4598 positive cases (including 01 cases reported today) with 69 Active Positive, 4483 recoveries and 46 deaths; Kulgam has 2690 positive cases (including 01 cases reported today) with 31 Active Positive, 2605 recoveries and 54 deaths while as Shopian has 2564 positive cases (including 01 cases reported today) with 34 active positive cases, 2491 recoveries and 39 deaths.

Similarly, Jammu has 24909 positive cases (including 20 cases reported today) with 267 active positive cases, 24272 recoveries (including 15 cases recovered today), 370 deaths; Udhampur has 4196 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) 25 active positive cases, 4114 recovered and 57 deaths; Rajouri has 3867 positive cases with 05 active positive, 3807 recoveries and 55 deaths; Doda has 3428 positive cases with 03 Active positive, 3361 recovered and 64 deaths; Kathua has 3253 positive cases with 03 active positive cases, 3199 recovered (including 02 cases recovered today) and 51 deaths; Kishtwar has 2731 positive cases with 01 Active Positive, 2708 recoveries; 22 deaths; Samba has 2826 positive cases with 75 active positive cases, 2711 recoveries and 40 deaths; Poonch has 2490 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 28 active positive, 2438 recoveries (including 03 cases recovered today) and 24 deaths; Ramban has 2131 positive cases with 02 active positive, 2108 recoveries and 21 deaths while Reasi has 1638 positive (including 01 cases reported today) with 05 active positive cases, 1618 recoveries and 15 deaths.
According to the bulletin, among the total 124157 positive cases in J&K, 11574 have been reported as travelers while 112583 as others.
The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.