Precious Kashmir

Int’l anti-corruption day: CBI organizes ‘Investiture Ceremony’

Front

10/12/2020

NSA Ajit Doval presents President’s Police Medals to 34 CBI officers
New Delhi, Dec 9: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Wednesday organized an ‘Investiture ceremony’ in New Delhi, coinciding with the occasion of ‘International Anti Corruption Day’. Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor presided over the event and was also graced by Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Union Home Secretary.

Speaking on the occasion, Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor emphasized the importance of rooting out corruption as a strategic priority. He highlighted the important role of anti-corruption agencies in doing a larger service to the nation by combating corruption.

He mentioned how in this economically globalized world have given rise to new frontiers in crime, especially economic crimes and the need to tackle them with increased international cooperation. He congratulated the medal winners and urged them to strive for improved professional competence in investigation to face future challenges.

Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Union Home Secretary and Rishi Kumar Shukla, Director, CBI released a ‘Handbook on Investigation Abroad’, which is meant to aid investigators in effectively utilizing formal and informal assistance channels for collection of foreign located evidence and criminal intelligence.

Speaking on the occasion, Rishi Kumar Shukla, Director, CBI mentioned that credibility of the CBI is a consequence of consistent excellent work done by the organization since its inception. He said apart from its role as a premier investigative agency, the CBI is carrying out key responsibilities with regard to preventive vigilance. He also detailed the coordination role being played by CBI by connecting all law enforcement agencies in India with international police cooperation networks.

Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor presented the President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Service to 34 CBI officers – Rajiv Dwivedi, AIGP(Policy-II), CBI, New Delhi; Suman Kumar, ASP, AC-VI, CBI, New Delhi; Desh Deepak, SP, AC-I, CBI, New Delhi(Now Retired); Ghanshyam Rai, SP, EO-I, CBI, New Delhi (Now Retired ); A.J. Ramalingam, ASP, ACB, CBI, Chennai; N.M. Singh, JD, SC Zone, CBI, New Delhi; Sanjay Kewal Krishan Sareen, SP, ACB, CBI, Gandhinagar; S. Balasubramony, SP, CBI(on attachment with Directorate of Anti-Corruption, Jammu); Harish Chander Sharma, SP, EO-I, CBI, New Delhi (Now Retired ); Vijay Kumar Shukla, ASP, SC-II, CBI, New Delhi; Krishnaswamy Kumaresan, DSP, EOB, CBI, Mumbai; Samir Kumar Karmakar, Constable, BS&FB, CBI, Kolkata; Devendra Singh, SP, SCB, CBI, Lucknow; Kishan Singh Negi, ASP, SC-III, CBI, New Delhi; Nandkumar Nair, SP, SCB, CBI, Mumbai; Partha Mukherjee, AIGP(Policy-I), CBI, New Delhi; Prabhanjan Chakroborty, ASP, AC-V, CBI, New Delhi; Sundaravel Murugavel, ASP, ACB, CBI, Chennai; Joel Sunil Emmanuel, ASP, CBI Academy, Ghaziabad(U.P); Roshan Lal Yadav, DSP, AC-I, CBI, New Delhi; V. Kavidas, SI, CBI(HQ), New Delhi; Harpal Singh Virk, HC, ACB, CBI, New Delhi; Santosh Kumar, ASP, SC-III, CBI, New Delhi; Bijay Kumar Pradhan, ASP, SC-I, CBI, New Delhi; Jaya Narayan Rana, SP, EO-VII, CBI, Bhubaneshwar; Mahesh Kumar Puri, ASP, SCB, CBI, Chandigarh; Mahesh Kumar, ASP, ACB, CBI, Jammu; Pan Singh Bisht, HC, AC-II, CBI, New Delhi; Prashant Kumar Pande, SP, ACB CBI, Jabalpur; Ravi Gambhir, SP, AC-VI/SIT, CBI, New Delhi; Sanjay Kumar, Inspector, AC-II, CBI, New Delhi; B. Satish Prabhu, Inspector, ACB, CBI, Hyderabad; Kusum Pal Singh, SI, ACB, CBI, New Delhi & Krishan Pal Singh, HC, EO-II, CBI, New Delhi.

Praveen Sinha, Additional Director, CBI gave the Vote of Thanks. The event was also joined virtually by all the CBI branches across the country.

Govt stops private schools from charging transport charges

Front

Precious Kashmir

10/12/2020

Bhat Imran
Srinagar, Dec 9: The government has barred private schools of Jammu and Kashmir from collecting the transport fee of the lockdown period till further orders.
In this regard, the Committee for Fixation and Regulation of Fee of Private Schools (FFRC) said the matter needs a serious consideration to take any decision.
The news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) has learnt that the chairperson of the Committee Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar in an order has directed private schools of Jammu and Kashmir not to charge any transport fee till further orders.
Attar said, “The issue raised is of considerable public importance and it needs serious consideration.”
He also said that the concerns of all the stakeholders have to be taken care of.
“The Government is in the process of nominating members of the Committee for FFRC,” reads the order.
It further reads that after the members are nominated, the Committee will consider the issue rose by educational institutions and will pass appropriate orders.
“Till such time the Committee takes a decision that the schools shall not charge any fee on account of transport fee,” Attar said.

Avalanche warning issued in Kashmir

Front

Precious Kashmir

10/12/2020

Srinagar, Dec 9: The Disaster Management Authority on Wednesday issued a High Danger (orange alert) avalanche warning for higher reaches of Bandipora district particularly Gurez Tehsil.

“Medium Danger (yellow alert) avalanche warning for higher reaches of Poonch, Kishtwar, Kupwara, Ganderbal and Kargil districts and low level (yellow alert) avalanche warning for upper reaches of Ramban, Anantnag, Kulgam , Baramulla and Leh,” the authority said in a statement. “The people living in these areas have been cautioned not to venture in the Avalanche prone areas for the next 24 hours.”

After losing everything in fire, 52-year-old artist finds hope in art

Front

Tasaduq Hussain

10/12/2020

Tasaduq Hussain

Srinagar, Dec 09: A 52-year-old man from Srinagar has taken portrait making as an earning source after he quit the papier-mâché nearly half a decade ago.

Shabir Ahmad Malik, a resident of Habbakadal shifted to Bemina Hamdania Colony after their three-storey house turned into ashes and all the belongings were destroyed in a fire.

Malik worked as a papier-mache worker for nearly 35 years and moved to portrait making some 5 years back. He took it as a source of income to make the ends meet.

Malik said that the decision to shift from paiper-mache was to fulfil his desire and passion, and moreover, the profession also addresses his financial requirement.

“For the past 35 years, I was dealing with a papier-mâché and later shifted to portrait making and took this profession as a sole source of income,” he said.

Without any guidance, Malik with crave for learning has become a popular figure in his area.

“People appreciate my work and it has kept me going all these years,” he said.

Sania Malik, daughter of, Shabir Malik said a huge variety of artwork of his father was gutted in a fire in their previous home at Habbakadal.

The situation has now forced them to live in a shed at Bemina Srinagar.

“We lost everything in the fire but that didn’t stop my father from continuing with the portrait making,” Sania said

“My father has never uploaded his artwork on the internet but for the last two weeks, I’ve volunteered to do that only to make his art visible to the world and give him the amount of respect and honour he deserves,” Sania said—(KNO)

Police recovers contraband in Uri

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Precious Kashmir

10/12/2020

Zaffar Uri
Baramulla, Dec 9: Police on Wednesday claimed to have recovered contraband drugs at Uri area of north-Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday.
A police statement read thatin its continuous efforts of eradicating drug menace from society, Uri Police Station recovered narcotic substances during night checking.
“A naka was established by police in Uri after inputs at Gingal upon which two persons were apprehended from a vehicle (KWID Renault) bearing Registration number JK-05J 3359,” it said.
The statement said driver of the intercepted vehicle tried to flee the spot, however was caught and during interrogation deposed himself as Mohammed Hanief Quershi son of Mohammed Azam Qureshi residence Paranpilla besides another on-board associate as Jahangir Ahmad Khan (alais Pappu) son of Mohammad Hussain Khan residence Mohura.
During search of vehicle a packet containing Heroine like substance about 1 Kg was recovered, the statement reads.
Accused persons were arrested and further investigations initiated in this regard under FIR number 172/20 under sections 8/21 & 29 NDPS Act at Police station Uri, the statement reads further. (GNS)

Farmers’ protest: Deadlock continues

National

United News Of India

10/12/2020

Govt says sensitive to issue of farmers; Farmers say Govt arrogant

New Delhi, Dec 9: Leaders of striking farmers on Wednesday described the government as ”insincere and arrogant” about resolving their demands even as the government maintained that it was ”sensitive” to them and their issue.
The farmers who have already rejected the government’s proposals for amendments in the three farm laws, threatened to intensify their agitation if the government did not accept their demands.
The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) said in a statement “Modi government is insincere and arrogant about resolving farmers demands. All farmers bodies reject old proposals dressed up as new.” The AIKSCC and other farmer organisations reiterated their demand for repeal of the farm laws and said protests would continue with more farmers joining the agitation. District-level dharnas would be held in all states, it said.
“AIKSCC joins farmers organisations in denouncing and rejecting the new proposal of the insincere and arrogant” central government, the statement said and called upon other farmer organisations to organise sit-ins in all districts and state capitals jointly with other supporting organisations.
The statement further said, “Bharat Bandh on December 8 had proved beyond doubt all-India footprint of the popular farmers protests.”
At a press conference held after the meeting of the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, while responding to a question on the status of the interaction with the protesting farmers and the latest proposals sent to them by the Government, said, ”The Government is sensitive to the issues of farmers and so far five rounds of talks have been held.”
Javadekar said ”it is work in progress and its running commentary” cannot be done.
The farmers, who have been agitating for the past 14 days demanding repeal of the three new farm laws, said they would not withdraw their agitation until their demands were met.

In jail for 7 years, Sopore youth completes LLB

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

10/12/2020

Peerzada Waseeem
Sopore, Dec 9: A 26- year- old youth from, who is languishing in jail for seven years, has completed his LLB degree from the department of Law in the University of Kashmir.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Feroz Ahamd Dar, a resident of Alsafa Colony Sopore, was arrested on 18 April 2013 and is currently languishing in central jail Srinagar.
However, despite all odds, Feroz didn’t give up on his studies. He initially passed his B.SC from central jail Baramulla in 2016 and simultaneously completed his Diploma in Human Rights from IGNOU.
His father Bashir Ahamd Dar said Feroz was arrested in 2013 in a militant related case and the family tried their best to get him bail.
“I was a class IV employee. After my retirement, I spend all my savings in his case to get him released, but to no avail,” Dar said. “But we are happy that he completed his LLB, though inside we are broken.”
Dar said that Feroz’s mother is a heart patient and belonging to a middle-class family, they are facing many severe financial crunch from the last seven years.
Meanwhile, the family members of Feroz Ahamd have appealed the LG, Manoj Sinha, and police department to show some mercy on their son and release him keeping in view his good behaviour—(KNO)

Pulwama boys shine in NEET, secure admissions in top medical college

Jammu & Kashmir

Jahangeer Ganaie

10/12/2020

Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Dec 9: Two youth from Pulwama has brought laurels to Kashmir by securing over 85 per cent points in the prestigious NEET examination, thus getting admission in top medical college.
Sahil Maqbool a resident of Mitrigam Pulwama and Syed Raif Hamid from Midoora Tral have secured 627 and 639 point out of 720 in the NEET examination 2020.
The duo said their hard work and the proper guidance in Hope classes in Parrypora is the reason for their success.
“After passing the 10th class examination, I joined Hope classes Parrypora where teachers are providing a very competitive environment and individual attention is being given to every student,” Suhail Maqbool said.
After an impressive scores in NEET, Maqbool has got the admission in GMC Srinagar and want to be an endocrinologist.
Syed Raif Hamid also echoed the same voice and attributed his success to teachers of Hope classes Parrypora.
He said that teachers there provide a very friendly environment and the regular classes and mock testing helped him a lot in qualifying the NEET.
“Even during the shutdown, our teachers continue to guide us, it helped me a lot in clearing the examination,” Hamid said—(KNO)

More Light Needed

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Precious Kashmir

09/12/2020

Described as a ‘shot in the arm for the entire nation’ by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, United Kingdom on December 8 started a mass vaccination programme with a 90-year-old Margaret Keenan becoming the first to get the Pfizer/BioNTech jab. Given the statements by top administrators, it won’t be long before such a drive kick starts in Jammu and Kashmir. Seen as a panacea, the success of the vaccine drive will actually define how the future pans out. In this context, it is important to understand that to cure any disease either or both of two important perspectives—knowledge and wisdom—are important. In medicine, they complement and supplement each other in a manner that is not often seen in any other field. The knowledge makes the treatments easy and predictable. However, unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic revealed this handicap in a more lethal way. The availability of the vaccine has surely ignited hope and this scenario needs to see the vaccines in more light. The sooner a vaccine is available, the better it is for everyone. However, pushing through an ineffective or unsafe vaccine is worse than not having one. This aspect needed to be looked at by the central regularity. There is also a need to create awareness as misinformation could erode trust.
Currently, there are around 250 vaccines under various stages of development/evaluation with at least three of them— the Moderna, the AstraZeneca and the Pfizer—ready to be administered but awaiting regulatory clearances in almost all countries. While Britain has started Pfizer vaccine for use, the company has sought the Indian regulator’s nod for emergency-use authorisation for its mRNA vial.
For Covid-19, a break in the transmission is more important than the momentary immunity which these vaccines are supposed to provide. Also how many doses will be needed for acquiring immunity is still not clear. Also, for how long does the immunity last after vaccination is still in the realm of foggy knowledge, especially when many patients’ post-COVID infection failed to show any antibodies against the virus.
Lack of transparency about vaccine safety and efficacy does no good in gaining people’s confidence and willingness to get vaccinated.
The gains from vaccine campaigns like that of polio are well documented. Every single individual is susceptible to misinformation. There is a need to listen to experts first before forming opinions. It becomes incumbent on the government to create awareness to dispel any doubts to ensure the success of the vaccine.

Govt employees facing heat for violating MCC

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

09/12/2020

Govt employees facing heat for violating MCC

Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 8: During the past few days the Jammu and Kashmir administration has acted tough against the employees who have violated Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
On Tuesday district administration Kupwara placed two employees under suspension for ‘violating’ MCC, enforced in view of ongoing District Development Council elections.
One of the employees was suspended on the allegations about his participation in election related activities. Another was suspended for taking part in the campaigning for a DDC candidate.
An official while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “These are not the isolated cases. Since the DDC elections have commenced many employees have faced the music for violating the MCC.”
He said that the directions for the government employees are clear that they cannot cross the line. “The government employees cannot indulge in any sort of election activity. The administration has acted against the employees against whom complaints have been received,” the official added.
A politician while referring to the ongoing campaign during the DDC polls, said, “This is not for the first time that the government officials are taking part in the electoral process. It used to happen in the past as well and this time also its happening. But this time around the administration is taking a serious note of such complaints and is acting swiftly against the officials, who are violating the norms.”
An observer said that the ongoing DDC polls have generated a lot of enthusiasm and people are coming forward to support their candidates. “Basically these are grass root elections and the candidates are one among the crowd that’s why we are seeing everyone campaigning for his/her candidate. But the government employees should bear in mind that they have to follow the norms and they cannot cross the line,” he added.
An official said, “Only those employees are getting caught for the MCC violation against whom the complaints are surfacing. The ones who are not getting noticed are carrying on with their practices.”
He said, “In Jammu region many complaints of the MCC violation have surfaced during the past one month. There also employees are facing the action.”
The official said that after J&K’s transition into a union territory rules have become more stringent. “Otherwise employees indulging in election campaigning was routine in the erstwhile J&K state. On many occasions the government employees used to make all the arrangements for the political rallies and no action was taken against them. Now, the rules of the game have changed and the employees are facing the heat,” the official added.

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