Jammu, Jan 17: Dr Masud Ahmed Chaudhary, on Sunday was conferred with the “Fakhr-e-Qaum-wa-Millat” –a lifetime achievement award here at a function.
The award instituted by the Gurjardesh Charitable Trust was given away to Dr Masud Chaudhary by former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Chaudhary is well known for his contributions in awakening of Gujjar community and establishment of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University.
Several former Ministers, former legislators, notable citizens of society, political leaders and former colleagues of Chaudhary from the Police department were among those who attended the event.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and former Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra also spoke on the occasion.
While Azad joined the gather via video link, Vohra had sent a pre-recorded audio for the occasion.
Azad and Vohra recalled their personal association with Chaudhary and described him as an extraordinary leader in which whichever role he took.
On this occasion a biographical account, in the shape of an Urdu book, on the life and contributions Dr Masud Chaudhary was also released.
The book explores the life of Chaudhary and his contributions in Police department, in service of the Gujjar community and as an institution builder.
Chaudhary retired as Additional Director General of Police in 2004 and soon after that he was appointed as founder Vice Chancellor of the Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri where he spent two tenures.
Masud Chaudhary conferred with lifetime contribution award in Jammu
Covid-19 Vaccine: Misinformation Dangerous
Misinformation could prove disastrous and there is no dearth of examples of it especially during Covid-19 pandemic. Hundreds of people died in Iran after consuming toxic methanol, mistakenly believing that it could cure them of the covid-19. The scale of misinformation during the pandemic has been such that it prompted the World Health Organisation to coin the term “infodemic”.
Humans are curious and innovative species and want to understand the world around them and stay up to date on the challenges they face and how to overcome them. The pandemic in the contemporary world, having anxious and fearful populace, took the deluge of misinformation to incredible levels.
The COVID vaccines start rolling out from January 16 and on expected lines, scaremongering is likely to soar as well.
India has approved two vaccines in emergency-use mode — Covishield by the Serum Institute of India, and Covaxin by Bharat Biotech Ltd. While it still is unclear who gets which vaccine, there are more doses of Covishield available at present than Covaxin, nearly five to one, and it could take some time before the millions prioritised get one of their doses.
Covaxin belongs to a league of injections that has been approved sans establishing its efficacy— the extent to which vaccination protects from the virus. There have been differences among scientists such as on the best testing strategy, treatment, extent of infection, but none more divisive than on the approval of Covaxin.
Earlier this week, Jammu and Kashmir received the first batch of Covid-19 vaccine—1,46,500 of Covishield doses. While data on Covaxin is relatively vague, the opposite can be said about Covishield. On comparative analysis, the latter seems to be on higher pedestal than the former. However, there is already large-scale hesitancy, encompassing delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccine, among the people including the healthcare workers.
While the need has been felt for enough people to get vaccinated against Covid in order to stop the pandemic, the vaccine hesitancy poses a serious problem, and factors attributing to it need to be addressed.
It is not the case that the misinformation cannot be countered. It can be answered with consistent and transparent sharing of science-based information about the vaccines in a language easily accessible to common people. there is no doubt people have a right to know what’s in the vaccine, how it will be administered, how it will work in the body, and what reactions or side-effects if any they can expect, and how would those be addressed. The answer is with the government and should be shared timely.
Ahead of DDC chairmen polls, PAGD leaders stay away
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Jan 15: With just few days left for electing the chairpersons of District Development Council (DDC) Boards focus has once again shifted on who will head these boards.
Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has won 110 seats and if all goes well the amalgam comprising of National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Conference and other parties, is likely to head the DDC boards in 13 districts while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that emerged has single largest party by winning 78 DDC constituencies will head the boards in six districts. In Srinagar district independents hold the key.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Since the day DDC election results have been declared speculations are rife that the candidates who had contested on the PAGD tickets are planning to shift their loyalties and many have already moved on. If this is true, then the results of the elections held for posts of DDC chairmen through secret ballot can spring a surprise.”
It’s in place to mention here that a few days ago cracks within the PAGD had become clearly visible after a senior leader of Peoples Conference, Imran Ansari, wrote a letter to PC chairman Sajad Gani Lone. Ansari in his letter questioned the decision of his leader to join the PAGD and accused the National Conference leadership of fielding proxy candidates in the recently held DDC polls. Vice-president of the PAGD, Mehbooba Mufti, tried to put a lid over the controversy by claiming that “All is Well” within the amalgam. “Amidst all the unnecessary speculation about PAGD, I’d like make a few things absolutely clear. The purpose of this grand alliance is not for petty electoral gains. It exists for a much larger cause & purpose i.e. to restore J&Ks special status,” Mehbooba had written on the twitter.
She had claimed that attempts were being made to “discredit” PAGD amongst the masses.
An observer said, “The PAGD top leaders are claiming that everything is alright but since the day DDC election results have been declared they have not met even once. If all is well within the PAGD then these leaders should meet and finalize the arrangement to head the DDC boards. There were rumours that the NC is demanding Lion’s share as it has won more than 65 DDC constituencies.”
He said, “It’s high time for these parties to put the speculations to rest and announce who are the candidates for DDC chairmen and their party affiliations.”
Don’t test patience of Indian Army: General Narvane cautions adversaries
>Sacrifice of Galwan bravehearts won’t go in vain
400 militants waiting to sneak into this side
New Delhi, Jan 15: Paying tributes to 20 Indian soldiers who were martyred in a border skirmish with Chinese troops in Galwan valley, Indian Army Chief Gen MM Naravane on Friday said that their sacrifice will not go in vain.
Addressing the 73rd Army Day parade here in Delhi, Gen Naravane said, ‘You all are aware of ongoing tension with China on northern borders. Regarding conspiracy to unilaterally change status quo on borders, a befitting reply was given. I want to assure the country that sacrifice of bravehearts of Galwan will not go in vain.”
In an indirect reference to China and Pakistan, the Army Chief cautioned them not to test Indian Army’s patience.
‘We are committed to finding the resolution of our disputes through discussions and political efforts but no one should commit the mistake of testing our patience,’ he said.
On militancy, the top Army Commander said that the more than 200 militants were killed in last one year. “Around 400 militants have been waiting at the launchpads near the border to sneak into Indian territory whereas number of ceasefire violations went up by 44 per cent last year,’ he added.
Briefing about the security situation in the north east region, the top Army General said that the scenario has improved a lot, and with the proactive operations, over 600 militants have surrendered along with their arms and ammunition.
Talking about the modernisation of the Army, he said that keeping in mind the future challenges and striking capabilities, the Force has procured arms and ammunition worth Rs 5,000 crore under emergency and fast track schemes, and under capital procurement, the Army has inked the deals worth Rs 3,000 crore this year.
He also informed that the Army has roped in top educational institutions like IITs and it has been working on Artificial Intelligence, block chain, quantum computing, unmanned systems, directed energy weapons and swarm drones.
General Naravane also informed that under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the Army has identified 29 projects worth Rs 32,000 crore under its modernisation plan, while involving private sectors MSMEs, the Indian Army has been playing an important role in Atmanirbhar Bharat, which will help in promoting Swadeshi technologies and reduce dependence on imports.
Talking about the most challenging time of Covid-19 pandemic , the Army Chief said that Indian Army established 12 quarantine facilities and took care of Indians evacuated from abroad. Across 113 military hospitals 13,000 beds were dedicated for defence personnel and civilians, he added.
5000 truce violations, 221 militants killed in 2020: Army
Jammu, Jan 15: Pakistan troops violated the ceasefire more than 5,000 times along borders in 2020 across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
As per official data issued on Army Day, Pakistan in 2020 violated the ceasefire by starting unprovoked firing along the Line of Control and the International Border as many as 5,246 times as compared to 2019 in which the ceasefire violations figure was 3,824 times.
“In 2020, the ceasefire violation was much higher compared to 2019,” an Army official here said.
He said Pakistan has been initiating unprovoked firing along the border especially after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 by the Government of India.
Meanwhile in 2020, 221 militants were killed as compared to 152 in 2019.
In 2020, security forces apprehended 47 militants, as compared to 43 in 2019.
Moreover,11 militants surrendered in 2020 as compared to 3 in 2019.
An Army official further said that the Army in 2020 and 2019, foiled infiltration bids a total of ten times, adding that assessed militants strength in 2020 was 274, which was 421 in 2019.
Moreover, the official said the strength of the militants at the various launching pads, in 2020, was between 294 to 336 as compared to between 520 and 556 in 2019.
Northern Command handling triple challenges: Lt Gen Joshi
Jammu, Jan 15: Northern Command Army Commander Lt Gen Yogesh Kumar Joshi on Friday said that in Northern Command, Army is contending with triple challenges.
Speaking on the occasion of the Army Day, Lt Gen Joshi during media interaction said that in Northern Command, we are contending with triple challenges.
“First we have the western adversary that is Pakistan which has not relented from using militancy as an instrument of state policy,” said the Army Commander.
Earlier he also paid a tribute to the brave hearts of the Indian Army by laying a wreath at the Dhruva War Memorial. Later in the day he also launched the biggest musical talent hunt event of UT of J&K called “Shaurya”.
The Army Day is celebrated in recognition of Field Marshal KM Cariappa (then Lt Gen) taking over as first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India on 15 Jan 1949.
The Army Day marks the day to salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country and its citizens.
Secondly, the Army Commander said, “we have northern borders where we have seen the Chinese belligerence on the LAC where it has tried to alter the status quo which has been contested with resolve and courage by the Indian Army.”
And thirdly, the internal situation in J&K which is stable and under control but has the propensity to flare up at any time. There is also a collusive factor with threat ranging from supplying of weapons to sharing of operational practices and so on, he added.
The Army Commander also brought out the complex, volatile, uncertain and ambiguous conflict paradigm in the Northern Command.
“Relentless operations on the LC backed with a robust multi-agency grid in the hinterland has forced the deep state in Pakistan to recalibrate its approach to handle this situation,” he said adding that the terrorist network across is trying hard to abet recruitment by extensive use of social media.
“The recent DDC elections have conveyed the resolve and will of the Awaam to shun separatism and embrace democracy. The abrogation of Article 370 and improvement in governance has been a major game-changer and helped in restoring the faith of the common people in the institutions of the Government,” he added.
Indian Army has played its designated role of creating an ecosystem of safety and normalcy during COVID. “Op Sadbhavna” has been pivotal in providing avenues of employment and education to the youth, said the Army Commander.
Lt Gen Joshi further said that the challenge in Eastern Ladakh has been further complicated by vagaries of weather and terrain. The Indian Army has displayed immense grit and determination to match the Chinese belligerence and giving them a befitting reply.
The Army Commander said that we Northern Command is now perched at a position of operational advantage and are negotiating with the PLA from a position of equivalence.
While inaugurating the launch of the musical talent hunt “Shaurya”, the Army Commander lauded the efforts of “Mausqui Studios”, who along with active support of the Northern Command Army, have conceptualized and organized musical talent hunt programme.
Renowned Bollywood celebrities and legends like Sukhwinder Singh and Dilshaad Shabbir Shaikh have promoted the talent hunt and provided an opportunity at the doorsteps of the youth of J&K to help them explore new vistas in the music industry.
Over 2000 talented youth of Jammu & Kashmir joined the online audition which was spread over seven days. This was followed up by offline audition for four days, two days each form Jammu and Srinagar.
Finally, ten talented youth comprising vocalists and instrumentalists have been selected to form the J&K Band. This Band will be groomed before they showcase their talent on Jan 18, 2021, in Srinagar. While the entire Band will share the stage with famous singer Sukhwinder Singh, the top three will be performing with him.
Post this performance, the Band members will be travelling to Mumbai for training and grooming and undertaking contractual performances.
While interacting with the media, the Army Commander awarded “Certificates of Appreciation” to the outstanding media personnel, who have served the public interest in a fair, accurate and unbiased manner, especially during COVID times, bringing out the best form of truth but yet holding the national interest namely Pradeep Dutta, Times Now, Ajay Bachloo, ABP News, Vishal Bharti, UNI, News, PTI and Channi Anand, AP.
The Army Commander commended all ranks of Northern Command for their dedication and devotion to duty in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
He brought out that the success of the Indian Army is due to its gallant and brave soldiers who have minimal requirements but will achieve victory every time even at the cost of their lives. He said it is never about the weapon but the man behind it who wins the battle.
Kashmir continues to freeze, dense fog in Srinagar
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 15: The deep freeze in Kashmir Valley is not showing any signs of relenting even as a thick layer of fog engulfed Srinagar on Friday.
A Meteorological Department said that Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded the minimum temperature of minus 7.6°C, an increase of nearly one degrees from the previous night’s minus 8.4°C, the coldest temperature recorded after 25 years.
On January 13, Srinagar had recorded a low of minus 7.8°C, which was same as recorded eight years ago on 14 January 2012. In 1991, the Srinagar witnessed a low of minus 11.8°C while the lowest ever temperature was recorded on 31 January 1893 when the mercury had gone down to minus 14.4 degrees Celsius. There are reports that Dal Lake and other water bodies here have frozen further. Social media was abuzz with pictures and videos of some boys and youth walking or playing on the Dal Lake even as authorities have warned against such “risky adventure.” Also, a thick layer of fog engulfed many areas in the Valley, including Srinagar, causing traffic disruptions.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperatures continued far below than the normal in other parts of the Valley, settling at minus 8.6°C in Pahalgam against minus 11.1°C on the previous night in the world-famous health resort. Qazigund, the gateway town of J&K, recorded a low of minus 8.3°C against 10.0°C on the previous night. Kokernag recorded a low of minus 8.4°C against minus 10.3°C on the earlier night.
Against minus 6.7°C on the previous night in Kupwara, the mercury settled at minus 5.7°C in the north Kashmir district, the official said.
Gulmarg, the world-famous skiing resort, recorded a low of minus 5.7°C against minus 7.0°C on the earlier night, the official said. Leh recorded a low of minus 11.6°C against previous night’s minus 14.0°C, Kargil recorded minus 17.6°C against minus 19.6°C on the night earlier while Drass was coldest at minus 25.3°C.
Kashmir is in the middle Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day winter period which commenced on December 21 and ends on January 31. The period is considered the harshest of the winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum.
The cold wave, however, continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day-long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold). Already, Kashmir Valley received heavy snowfall earlier this month, disrupting normal life.
The Weatherman has forecast “mainly dry weather with morning fog /mist at isolated places of Kashmir
Valley and plains of Jammu division.” in the next 24 hours and “no significant change till January 20.
Highway remains closed on 5th day
Trial run on Bailey bridge today
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Jan 15: The Jammu-Srinagar, the only road link connecting Kashmir with rest of the country, remained closed for traffic on the fifth running day on Friday.
The 260-kilomter thoroughfare was closed at 6:20 p.m. on January 10 after retaining wall of key bridge collapsed suddenly.
“Jammu-Srinagar highway shall remain closed due to sudden collapse of retaining wall of a bridge near Kela Morh, Ramban, repairing work is going on. However, Jammu-Doda-Kishtwar, Jammu-Ramban, Gool Sangaldan, Magerkot- Banihal, and Banihal-Qazigund stretches are through for local traffic,” a traffic department official told GNS, adding, “People are requested to take their journey accordingly.”
While there is no optional carriageway available nearby, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has almost completed the construction of a Bailey Bridge to restore the traffic on the highway. Officials said the make-shift bridge would undergo trial run on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Ramban, Nazim Zai Khan and Chief Engineer BRO, Brigadier IK Jaggi inspected progress of construction work of Bailey bridge besides repair work of damaged concrete bridge, here at Kela Morh.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Harbans Lal; Project Director, NHIA, Parshotam Kumar; ASP, Rajni Sharma and several other officers of BRO and the construction agencies were present on the occasion.
After taking stock of the progress of the work, the deputy commissioner informed that construction of Bailey bridge is nearing completion and the trial run would be conducted on Saturday before opening it for traffic.
He said that the construction of the Bailey bridge is going on round the clock and substantial part of the bridge launching work was completed by Friday morning. He said that the perishable supplies have been transshipped and sent to their destinations.
The Chief Engineer BRO informed that the work is in progress as per plan. “BRO has put all the resources available for completing the bridge. Work is going on at war footing as all men and machinery have been put to use. Hopefully, by tomorrow (Saturday) evening the Bailey bridge will be completed and ready for traffic,” he informed. Sources in the administration told GNS that successful launching or otherwise of the bridge will be known after the trial run expected anytime in the afternoon on January 16.
Meanwhile, Civil QRT Ramban, Banihal, Ramsu and other organizations are helping the pedestrians to by-pass the damaged portion at Kela Morh safely, officials said.
Assess snowfall losses in your respective districts, DCs told
Owais Gul
Srinagar, Jan 15: The government on Friday said that respective Deputy Commissioners (DCs) have been directed to assess the losses caused to the people in recent heavy snowfall while the district administration Srinagar is all set to hold a meeting in this regard on coming Monday.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P K Pole told KNO that quick response relief has already been provided to the families who got affected in the recent snowfall.
However, he said that the final assessment of losses will be done by the respective DCs.
Pertinently, two persons including a CRPF officer and a woman from north Kashmir’s Kupwara district were killed in the heavy snowfall while nearly 70 structures including residential houses got damaged as well.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told KNO that Rs 45 lakhs have already been disbursed among the affected people while a meeting has been scheduled in this regard on coming Monday.
He said the concerned Tehsildars will furnish the details of their respective areas following which the compensation will be given to the affected people accordingly.
Kashmir received heavy snowfall for three consecutive day from January 03-05, causing huge losses to the people here as the houses, sheds, shops, workshops, schools and other structures go damaged.
India’s Covid vaccination drive to start today
New Delhi, Jan 15: In what will be the biggest inoculation drive in the world, India is gearing up to begin vaccinating its population against the ongoing coronavirus. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the rollout of Covid-19 vaccination programme on January 16.
PM Modi will also launch the Co-WIN (COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network) App, a digital platform created for real-time monitoring of COVID-19 vaccine delivery and distribution.
Who will get the vaccine first?
Around three lakh healthcare workers will get vaccine shots on the first day of the massive nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive, a senior official said.
Each vaccination session will cater to a maximum of 100 beneficiaries.
According to the guidelines issued to the shortlisted vaccination centres, healthcare workers (those registered in Co-WIN to be vaccinated) on the launch shall include not only doctors, nurses but also nursing orderlies, safai karamcharis, ambulance drivers, and would be from a mixed age group, including above 50 years.
How many vaccination centres will be there?
Around 2,934 inoculation centres have been set up. The Delhi government has designated 75 hospitals where the inoculation of Covid vaccines would be initiated from January 16 onwards.
Who is next in line?
Population above 50 years of age and those with co-morbidities. This category is further divided into those above 60 and those between 50-60 years.
After the priority vaccination is over, the remaining population will be inoculated in a staggered manner.
How can one register for the vaccine?
The latest electoral roll for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be used to identify senior citizens in the later phases. It will require Aadhaar numbers to authenticate vaccine beneficiaries and send text messages – in at least 12 languages – with details of vaccination date and time.
It will include uploading a government photo identity or Aadhaar for registration and identification. A date, time and venue will be allocated for the subsequent inoculation. No on-the-spot registration will be allowed.
If there is a problem with the data, the individual can approach the district or block officer to register themselves. There will be three registration options – self, individual (an official will help in uploading data) and bulk upload.
What is the vaccination process?
Registered participants will assemble at the prescribed venue on the appointed day. After the vaccine is administered, they will be kept in an observation room for 30 minutes to check for any adverse reactions.
A five-member vaccination team will overlook the process. Two doses of vaccines, 28 days apart, need to be taken by an individual to complete the vaccination schedule.
