Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 30: Psychological cum Career Counselling and Placement Cell of the college organized One-Day International webinar at Amar Singh College, Srinagar under Manodarpan, an initiative by MHRD, Govt. of India as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
The theme of the webinar was “Mental Health and career counselling”. The webinar acquainted the participants with two important aspects of counselling viz-a-viz Mental Health and Career Counselling: both being indispensable for leading a modern life.
Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, J&K, Talat Parvez Rohella was the Chief Patron of the programme.
Prof. Bashir Ahmad Rather, Principal of the college, in his address formally welcomed the participants, dignitaries and the Resource Persons and informed that the college is contemplating to conduct more such online workshops and webinars.
The programme comprised two Technical sessions and was coordinated by the members of Manodarpan Initiative, Dr. Ulfat Jaan, Dr. Syed Mutahar Aaqib and Dr. Parvaize Ahmad Dar.
The webinar was followed by a healthy interactive session which was moderated by Dr. Parvaize Ahmad Dar. The rapporteur for the proceedings of the programme was Dr. Shamas un Nisa. The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Syed Mutahar Aaqib which was followed by the distribution of e-certificates to the participants.
One day Intl webinar on ‘mental health’ organized by A S College
Covid-19 Mental Health Threat
Recently, UK’s leading psychiatrist and the president of the Royal College, Dr Adrian James, warned that the novel coronavirus crisis poses the greatest threat to mental health since the World War II.
He might have said it in the context of the United Kingdom but the warning or the basement is not out of place as far this part of the globe including Jammu and Kashmir is concerned.
The covid-19 pandemic, unfortunately, added a toll on mental health. In fact, the mental health issues in the context of the pandemic are more complex and challenging, experts say. Soon after the covid-19 pandemic started, there were reports about people suffering from increased stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, denial, anger, and fear due to varied reasons including due to isolation, loss of loved ones, economic uncertainty and the fear of contracting the disease.
As per an expert, nearly half of patients do not have any history of mental illness and despite the lifting of lockdowns; the number of cases remained largely the same.
without any doubt, the lives got disrupted, livelihoods of the people hit, or even destroyed due to the covid-19. The pandemic has surely aggravated the situation, leaving those having such issues to struggle with the symptoms and disabilities that result from what is basically and undeniable a disease which to a large extent is curable. What makes the challenge more difficult is stereotypes and prejudice such people face purely as a result of misconceptions about mental illness. As a result, people with mental illness are robbed of the opportunities that define a quality life—good jobs, satisfactory health care, and association with a diverse group of people.
The people having mental illness not only face the public stigma which is the reaction that the general population has towards them but also self-stigma which is defined as the prejudice which they turn against themselves.
Unless services are available, addressing the mental issues would remain distant.
Let alone Jammu and Kashmir, all states and UTs across India spends little on mental health care. Against World Health Organization norms, the mental health personnel remains paltry, to say the least.
There are structural shortcomings that need finances and infrastructure to overcome. There are also immediate needs that are to be addressed on various fronts within a reasonable dispatch.
There is also a requirement of developing need-based interventions with proper risk communication strategies.
Message In MHA Order On Covid-19
The Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the COVID-19 ‘guidelines for surveillance’ till January 31, 2021. It comes at a time when the vaccine is just about to be rolled out for the already identified priority category.
The underlining principle has been spelled out in the order itself: “While there has been a continuous decline in the active and new COVID-19 cases, there is need to maintain surveillance, containment and caution, keeping in view the surge in cases globally, and emergence of a new variant of the virus in the United Kingdom (UK).”
The virus continues to rage in some countries with daily infections and deaths scaling fresh peaks in Europe and the U.S. Of late, Jammu and Kashmir has seen a drop in the number of daily infections even as almost 1800 cases have been added to the tally in the last one week. Across India also, there has been a drop in the daily cases but the virus is far from overcome. Based on serosurveys, many virologists believe that one-third of the population had already been exposed to the virus in September when infection peaked in India. In other words, half of the “herd immunity” level required to end the spread had already been reached by mid-September.
The argument behind herd immunity is that the degree of exposure will protect those who are not immune to the disease. For example, if 80% of a population is immune to a virus, four out of every five people who encounter someone with the disease won’t get sick and won’t spread the disease any further. IgG antibodies against the virus usually develop two weeks after the infection and should be perceived as diagnostic of COVID-19, the experts say. However, there is a word of caution which seems to be underlined in the MHA order. The new variant can even infect those who have successfully defeated the earlier variant. While the caseloads have reduced and the vaccine is around the corner, the dangers in contemporary times continue to lurk, more so because of the new variant found abroad. There is no need to panic but at the same time guard cannot be lowered. In March people might be ignorant about the virus but a lot has been known since about the pathogen. People are now acquainted with how it spreads from person to person and that two-fifths of infected people can be asymptomatic. Also, importantly the virus is more life-threatening for the elderly and people with comorbidities. The standard safety measures like wearing mask, hand hygiene and absence of crowding must stay put.
‘New COVID strain can trigger another wave of uncertainty’
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 29: The reports about new COVID-19 strain reaching India have put the administration across the country on high alert.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued fresh guidelines for the States and Union Territories to prevent situation from taking an ugly turn.
In Kashmir administration has also sounded an alarm as no one wants to take any chances. From January 1, 2021, the administration has decided to impose Rs 500/ as fine on the people who are found without face masks.
According to the experts the new COVID strain can re-infect the people who have already recovered. “Those who have got Covid-19 could get sick again with the new variant,” said Flu expert and DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan.
He said, “A new mutated Covid strain has surfaced in the United Kingdom and is spreading to other countries. The new variant has multiple mutations in the spike protein of the virus and the most troubling is deletion mutation which makes it spread more easily.”
An official said, “The alert being sounded by the experts cannot be taken lightly. We have to put all the measures in place to ensure that new strain doesn’t enter the union territory.”
He said, “Keeping COVID at bay during winters is a difficult task. We can’t lower the guard and have to remain prepared to face any eventuality.”
A medico said, “The new COVID strain is being considered dangerous as the scientists and experts are unaware about how this new virus will behave. The COVID-19 curve has flattened to some extent but the threat continues to prevail. The emergence of the new strain can complicate the issues and create new problems.”
He said, “As its we don’t have much space to accommodate new patients. And if we get caught in a situation which we witnessed during the peak of COVID it can lead to a catastrophe.”
The medico said, “It’s unfortunate that people are taking COVID lightly and are not taking enough precautions. The concept of wearing masks and social distancing have disappeared. People are attending wedding functions and parties without any restrictions.”
He said, “We have to remember that precaution is better than cure and we have to remain extra cautious. The COVID vaccine is likely to be rolled out soon and the immunization drive can help us to fight the virus more vigorously. But we have to be patient and extra cautious.”
Any serious conflict with India not good for China at global front: IAF Chief
New Delhi, Dec 29: Amidst the ongoing border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on Tuesday said that any “serious conflict” with India is not good for Beijing at the global front.
Speaking during a webinar on ‘National Security Challenges and Air Power’ here, ACM Bhadauria said, “Any serious India-China conflict is not good for China at the global front. If Chinese aspirations are global then it doesn’t suit their grand plan. What could be possible Chinese objectives for their action in the north?… It’s important that we recognise what they have really achieved.”
He also said that there is a heavy deployment of Chinese troops along the LAC, adding they have a large presence of radars, surface to air missiles and surface to surface missiles.
“Their deployment has been strong. We have taken all actions required to be taken,” he said.
The IAF chief further said that the evolving “uncertainties and instability” at the global geopolitical front has provided China with an opportunity to demonstrate its growing power and indirectly it has also brought to fore the inadequate contribution of major powers to global security.
Calling Pakistan China’s pawn, the IAF chief said, “Pakistan has increasingly become a pawn in Chinese policy, under an increasing CPEC related debt trap there will be further military dependencies in future. US exit from Afghanistan has opened increased options for China in the region both directly and through Pakistan.”
The IAF chief said that the low-cost and easy availability of simple disruptive technologies such as drones with small state and non-state actors have made China more “lethal, agile and capable of generating disproportionate effects”.
India and China are engaged into a border standoff in eastern Ladakh at multiple points for over seven months.
The border tension between the two countries flared up manifold in June when troops of both sides engaged in a violent face-off in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh, in which 20 Indian soldiers were martyred and several others injured.
The two sides have held several rounds of military and diplomatic level talks in the past few months to end the deadlock but failed to achieve any major breakthrough.
Want to make India a superpower: Rajnath Singh
New Delhi, Dec 28: Stating that the youths have ability to face any challenge, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India has the potential to become a superpower and it needs significant achievements in the fields of education, health and industry.
Speaking at the virtual convocation ceremony of IIM-Ranchi, Mr Singh said, “We want to make India a superpower. To make the country a superpower, we need even bigger achievements in the fields of education, health and industry, etc. The potential in these areas is within our country. It is not yet fully utilised.”
“When we talk about making India a superpower, then we also have to take care of the development potential in all the states of the country,” he added.
During his address he talked about India’s glorious history including major discoveries by ancient scientists like Aryabhata ahead of their western counterparts.
Talking about country’s rich contribution in the field of scientific research in the classical age of Indian mathematics and astronomy and noted that “Aryabhata confirmed the round shape of the Earth and its rotation on its axis about 1,000 years before famous German astronomer Copernicus did.”
The defence minister said the youth of the country has the ability to face any challenge and can turn them into opportunities with the help of “invention, innovation and ideas”.
Encouraging students to play a key role in making of a ‘New India’, he said modern education should not deter them from taking inspiration from the country’s glorious history, adding it set new standards of knowledge and discovery for centuries in the fields of physics, social science, spiritual knowledge and economics.
“Modern education should not be a hurdle in taking inspiration from your glorious past. Just like studying science does not mean that you do not believe in God,” Mr Singh said.
Urging students to work towards nation-building, the defence minister cited the contributions of renowned ancient Indian scientists and said, “no success is final and no failure is fatal.”
“India has been a witness to a long tradition of scientists from Aryabhata, Varahamihir, Brahmagupta, Bodhayan, Charak, Sushruta, Nagarjuna to Sawai Jai Singh,” said Singh.
“Before Isaac Newton, Brahmagupta had confirmed the law of gravitational force. It is a different matter that Western scientists got credit for all these discoveries for some reason,” he said.
The defence minister said the list of India’s achievements in science is very long, at the same time added that the country was not behind in other fields like economics, history, political science and public administration.
“Today, when we are all working for the creation of New India, it is important for all of us to understand our heritage,” he said.
Gunfight breaks out in Srinagar outskirts
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 29: A gunfight broke out between militants and security forces in Lawaypora Hokarsar area in Srinagar outskirts on Tuesday evening.
Reports said that a joint team of Police, Army’s 2 RR and CRPF launched a joint cordon-and-search operation in the area amid specific information about the presence of the militants.
As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off an gunfight. A senior police officer confirmed the exchange of fire.
“Essential traffic coming from Baramulla, Sopore, Gulmarg towards Srinagar is diverted via Magam- Budgam to Srinagar and vice versa in view of a security situation, inconvenience is regretted,” police said in a tweet. (GNS)
Ganderbal grenade attack: Injured CRPF ASI succumbs
Srinagar, Dec 29: An Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), who was critically injured in a grenade attack by militants last week in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, succumbed on Tuesday.
With his, the death toll of security forces in the grenade attack by militants has risen to two.
Official sources said that three personnel were injured when militants hurled a grenade towards a CRPF bunker at Towheed Chowk Dadarhama in Ganderbal on December 23. “The injured were immediately taken to a local hospital from where they were referred to a S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura,” they said.
They said after battling for his life for over six days, ASI Nitra Pal Singh succumbed. Earlier, CRPF constable Mritun Joy succumbed at SKIMS on December 24.
2020: 18 soldiers killed in 58 ceasefire violations along LoC in north Kashmir
Tasaduq Hussain
Srinagar, Dec 29: With the record-breaking of over 4000 ceasefire violations between India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir, the northern belt of Kashmir witnessed the killing of 18 armed forces with 58 instances that damaged property worth crores besides leaving several civilians handicapped for life.
India shares a 3,323-km-long border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the International Border (IB) and 740 km of the Line of Control (LoC) that falls in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the figures available with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), north Kashmir alone witnessed 53 instances of ceasefire violations during which 18 army men including BSF troopers and 10 civilians including the youngest victim were killed besides 126 residential houses got damaged including schools and religious seminaries while 28 civilians received injuries.
Bandipora
Giving the details officials in Bandipora said that in the ensuing year 2020, the Gurez sector alone witnessed nine ceasefire violation instances in which two security personnel guarding the forward areas were killed.
They said that the ceasefire violations in the Gurez sector this year left five forces personnel and civilians injured. Besides, fatalities and injuries, 31 houses were partially damaged, one Horse and Donkey also got killed.
Apart from this, a Government High school, religious seminary (Madrassa), and a ration store got partially damaged, they said.
Baramulla
In the border district Baramulla, the officials said that in the 28 instances of ceasefire violation a total of four security forces and five civilians were killed while two security personnel and 14 civilians received injuries.
They said that though the figure of ceasefire violations was low as compared with the 42 instances in 2019 the damage it caused is more than witnessed in past and led to more casualties and damage to the civilian population including the livestock.
“In 2019 only 42 CFV instances were reported in which 10 civilian and only security personnel received injuries and two each civilian and security personnel’s were killed”, they said.
About the houses, an official said that over 36 houses got damaged in the ensuing year of which 30 of the houses were damaged in the recent intense cross-border shelling on November 17.
Defence sources said that multiple militant hideouts were busted and a weapon drop was also fouled during which a huge amount of arms and ammunition besides war like store was recovered.
Kupwara
Officials in Kupwara said a total number of ceasefire violations in the ensuing year has risen to 16 in which five civilians and 12 forces personnel were killed while two troops and nine civilians injured besides 59 houses were damaged. Only 11 ceasefire violation instances were reported in 2019 last year.
“With the heightened surveillance, intelligence, and active troopers two major infiltration bids were foiled in Kupwara district at Machil and Keran sector. Also in a separate operation two militants were killed in the Nowgam sector on 11 July,” officials said.
On November 13, Army claimed to have caused substantial damage to Pakistan army’s infrastructure and casualties across the LoC while retaliating the unprovoked ceasefire violation that left three army men dead and three injured.
In Kupwara, officials said that 12 army men and a BSF trooper were killed during the unprovoked ceasefire violations.
“In March, five heavily armed militants were killed by the army braving the heaps of snow and tough terrain. Three militants were gunned down in the Machil sector last month include the two major foiled infiltration bids in the ensuing year in Kupwara,” officials said.
Defence sources said that a quadcopter was also shot down by active troops close to the fence earlier this year.
Women soldiers on forward areas
Amid the rising narcotic and ammunition supply for the first time, women soldiers have been deployed in selected forward areas to keep a watch on suspects and to plug the entry of narcotics and ammunition into this side close to the forward areas.
Construction of community bunkers
The year also witnessed the construction of community bunkers close to the forward areas gaining pace which include a total of 140 to be constructed in the three border districts with 50 in Uri, 30 in Gurez, and 50 in the Tangdhar sector. (KNO)
Div Com reviews Republic Day arrangements
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 28: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today chaired a meeting of officers to review the arrangements for the ensuing Republic Day- 2021 celebration.
It was informed that in Kashmir the main function shall be held at SK Stadium, Sonwar in Srinagar, where the chief guest shall unfurl the National Flag.
At the outset, officers were sensitized about their role and responsibility and instructed to ensure all arrangements are put in advance for smooth conduct of celebrations in all districts.
Stressing on fool-proof arrangements, the Div Com said that there shall be no relaxations to any loopholes or mistakes at any venue.
The Div Com instructed Director Education to ensure participation of students in various online competitions like painting and other programmes as students can’t participate in parade and cultural events due to Covid-19.
Joint Director, YSS department was instructed to demonstrate training of indoor exercises particularly Yoga for immune maintaining during the function.
The Div Com instructed that among other invitees, literary persons, sports persons, progressive farmers and covid warriors shall also be invited to facilitate them during the function.
He emphasized on making proper eating arrangements for all invitees including Judicial Officers and parking facility for their vehicles.
He emphasized on publicity of developmental works through hoarding.
The Div Com stressed on making fool-proof security arrangements to ensure hassle-free celebrations of Republic Day functions.
While as the Health department was instructed to deploy a team of doctors and paramedics for testing and thermal checking of participants from beginning of rehearsal activities of function.
To ensure strict adherence to laid down guidelines and precautions, the Div Com emphasized on conducting antigen testing of all participating in march past parades for their safe participation in full day rehearsal and final day functions.
Meanwhile, contingents including of J&K Police, Armed, CRPF, Lady Contingents, Home Guard, Fire & Emergency Services and Forest Protection Force shall participate in the march past and make band arrangements as per the past practices.
Div Com emphasized concerned to make advanced arrangements to tackle any situation in case there is snowfall or any weather challenges.
Similarly instructions were given to the concerned to ensure organizing cultural performances at all major venues during the celebrations.
Besides security arrangements, traffic, security passes, seating arrangements, decoration, Shahaivadan, commentators, illumination of offices, PAS, Power and water supply, sanitation, medicare facilities, invitation cards, cultural activities were discussed threadbare and concerned were given strict instructions to ensure all related arrangements are made properly and in advance for smooth conduct of functions in all districts.
Among others, the meeting was attended by DIG BSF, CRPF, Director, Health, H&P, Floriculture, RTO Kashmir, Chief Engineers from R&B, PHE and SEs from various engineering wings, JD Information & PR Kashmir, JD YSS and representatives from concerned departments.
DCs, SSPs, SSP Security, SSP Traffic and other concerned also attended the meeting through video- conferencing.
