Precious Kashmir

People start preparations for harsh winters in Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir

08/12/2020

Irfan Ahmad

Srinagar, Dec 8: As Kashmir has started experiencing intense cold and wet weather;,people have started preparations for the coming weeks of intense cold.

For last few days, the upper reaches received moderate to heavy snowfall while plans received rainfall resulting in dip in temperatures in the valley. During nights, the temperature has remained below freezing point in the valley.

Kashmiris have started using traditional ‘Kangri’ and wearing ‘Pheran’.

Kangri is a fire pot that is kept inside ‘Pheran’, a traditional long flowing tweed over-garment, to keep the freezing winter away.

As Kashmir witnesses frequent power cuts during winters, locals use Kangri, a cheap and effective way to keep warm.

Kaisar Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Beerwah Budgam said due to poor electric supply they use the Kangri on a daily basis. With its potability, they can take it anywhere.

“The recent snowfall has brought the temperature down. To keep ourselves warm, we use Kangri as it is cheaper than oil, gas and heaters,” Kaisar said.

The price of Kangri varies. An ordinary firepot is sold between Rs 200 to Rs 250. The price could go up depending on the art work and material used.

Use of Kangris has its own set of problems. Doctors warn that excessive use and heat of Kangris could lead to skin cancer. (KINS)

Self taught artist Sahil makes huge mark in field of art

Jammu & Kashmir

Tasaduq Hussain

08/12/2020

Tasaduq Hussain
Srinagar, Dec 8: Sahil Imtiyaz Mir, a self-taught artist from Srinagar has made a huge mark in the field of art by making incredible sculptures without any professional training.
A young artist from Srinagar, Mir over the years has made several portraits and later shifted to sculpturing.
Mir, a businessman by profession got several offers from different established companies but he continued with his passion to achieve new heights in the art field.
Mir said that he had the passion for portraits and sculpturing from his youth days.
“I won several awards of appreciation for my work. It encouraged me to do more good work,” he said.
Mir said after coming into the limelight, he started receiving many orders from people.
“Post Aug-05 lockdown the orders stopped in absence of communication, so I started to work on my projects,” he said.
Sahil said that in the COVID-19 lockdown he worked on a human sculpture with a water fountain.
“I completed the sculpture in a record time, no one has by far managed to prepare anything like this across the J&K,” Mir said.
“Over the last couple of months, I’ve received several job offers but I believe that an artist should be free, it is only then they can explore new things,” he said—(KNO)

Army Chief Naravane leaves for 6-day Saudi, UAE visit

National

Agencies

08/12/2020

New Delhi, Dec 8: Army Chief General MM Naravane on Tuesday left on a six-day tour of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, in a rare visit reflecting India’s growing strategic ties with the two influential Gulf nations.
The visit comes in the midst of fast-paced developments in the Gulf region including normalisation of Israel’s relations with several Arab countries as well as situation arising out of the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear weapons scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.
It is for the first time that an Indian Army chief is visiting the two Gulf nations, officials said
The Army chief’s first destination will be the United Arab Emirates where he will meet senior military officials and discuss avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.
“General MM Naravane, the Chief of Army Staff has proceeded on a visit to the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from December 9 to 14,” the Army said in a statement.
According to the official schedule, the Army Chief will visit Saudi Arabia from December 13 to 14.
“He will take forward the excellent defence cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India through multiple meetings with senior functionaries of the security establishment and exchange views on various defence related issues,” the Army said.
It said General Maravane will visit the headquarters of Royal Saudi land force, the Joint force command headquarters and King Abdul Aziz Military Academy.
The Army chief is also scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia’s National Defence University and address the students and faculty at the institution.
It is learnt that Saudi Arabia is keen to collaborate with India on joint production of defence equipment.
Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth largest trade partner after China, the US and Japan, and a major source of energy. India imports around 18 per cent of its crude oil requirement from the country.
Saudi Arabia is also a major source of LPG for India.

FSD seizes cigarettes worth Rs 42.5k in Srinagar

City

Precious Kashmir

08/12/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 8: A team of Food Safety Department (FSD) today raided a shop at Koker Bazar and seized Cigarettes worth Rs. 42,500 that were being sold clandestinely and in violation of Cigarette & other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003.
The raid was conducted following specific inputs about it, by a team of Food Safety Officers headed by Assistant Commissioner (AC) Food Safety, Srinagar.
This whole consignment of cigarettes was found without pictorial and statutory warning and there is every apprehension that they might be containing higher amounts of Tar and Nicotine, the Assistant Commissioner said.
The FSD has directed the shopkeepers not to distribute or sell any pack of cigarettes in violation of COTPA, adding that the failure of which shall warrant strict action.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Food and Drugs Administration Shakeel u Rehman has requested people in general and young generation in particular not to fall prey to smoking as it adversely impacts their health.

Pvt schools hold classes amid pandemic, parents fume

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

07/12/2020

Pvt schools hold classes amid pandemic, parents fume

Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 7: The private schools in Srinagar are once again in news for the wrong reasons.
According to the parents, many private schools are asking guardians to drop and pick their wards from these institutions daily. “Parents who are resisting the diktat are being told in clear terms that if they fail to get their ward to the school, his name will be taken off the rolls,” said, Farooq Ahmed, whose son studies in a prominent private school near HMT on city outskirts.
It may be recalled that recently the government announced that all the educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir will remain closed till December 31. “Despite clear cut instructions from the government a few private schools have started offline classes. Students have been asked to come without uniform. These schools are not running their buses, instead they are asking the students to reach on their own,” Farooq Ahmed added.
Another parent said, “A few private schools have started offline classes just to hoodwink the students and parents. Managements of these private schools want the students to clear all their dues before the new academic session starts. That’s the reason that students are being asked to attend the school even during the pandemic.”
He said, “If these private schools are so keen on making the students attend the classes then they should restart their buses and tell the government that they are opening the schools on their own risk and responsibility. Asking parents to run after their children is being too unfair.”
A principal of a private school said, “The private institutions are not forcing anyone to come forward and attend the classes. Students of higher classes are being provided guidance on the voluntary basis. I believe there is nothing wrong in doing so.”
He said, “In Kashmir private schools are being watched by everyone. Media waits for a chance to take a dig at these institutions that are playing a vital role in shaping the future of younger generation. I don’t think that anyone should have any objection about these institutions imparting education to children of the higher classes within the school premises on the voluntary basis.”
The principal said, “We are not compelling the parents to bring their wards to schools. It’s a voluntary exercise. We should support it rather than criticizing the move.”
A parent said, “Despite schools remaining closed we have been paying all the dues on time. These schools should focus on online classes till the COVID vaccine comes. The schools can become COVID-19 hotspots if precautions are not taken.”

DDC Elections: 4th phase records 51% polling

Front

Precious Kashmir

07/12/2020

DDC Elections: 4th phase records 51% polling

Jammu division witnesses 69.31 percent voting, Kashmir 32%

Jammu, Dec 7: State Election Commissioner, K.K Sharma, on Monday said that the fourth phase of District Development Council elections was conducted successfully in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir registering 50.08 per cent voter turnout.

The SEC while addressing a news conference here said that a large number of people came out to cast their votes during fourth phase of District Development Council Elections 2020. Long queues were seen right from morning despite severe cold conditions in Kashmir Division and hilly areas of Jammu Division, he added.

Polling has been peaceful in the poll going 34 constituencies of DDC including 17 in Kashmir division and 17 in Jammu division. A total of 364527 voters (including 195206 males and 169321 females) voted to choose their representatives in their respective councils, the SEC said. He also informed that polling was held in 1916 polling stations including 1129 from Kashmir division and 787 from Jammu division.

SEC also informed that out of 364527 voters, 119733 were from Kashmir division including 65522 males and 54211 females whereas 244794 were from Jammu division including 129684 males and 115110 females.

SEC further informed that Jammu division recorded an average voter turnout of 69.31% with Poonch District recording the highest percentage of 75.42% followed by Doda district with 75.03%. The lowest turnout in Jammu division was in Udhampur district which recorded 59.90%. The Kashmir Division recorded 31.95 % average voter turnout with Ganderbal district recording the highest polling at 56.28 % followed by Baramulla District at 47.43% and Bandipora with around 45.22% polling.

Giving district wise details, SEC informed that in Kashmir Division the polling percentage recorded in Kupwara was 44.35%, Budgam 38.04%, Anantnag 27.04, Kulgam 8.73%, Pulwama 6.70% and 1.96% polling was registered in Shopian.

Similarly, in Jammu division poll percentage of 71.97% was recorded in Samba, 71.80% in Jammu, 71.22% in Rajouri, 70.32% in Kishtwar, 67.39% in Ramban, 62.67% in Reasi and 61.23% in Kathua.

Further, he said that counting of votes for Sarpanch and Panch constituencies which went to poll in the 4th phase is being conducted immediately after the close of poll and results shall be declared.

Jammu division
Poonch: 75.42%
Doda: 75.03%
Udhampur: 59.90%.

Samba: 71.97%

Jammu: 71.80%

Rajouri: 71.22%

Kishtwar : 70.32%

Ramban: 67.39%

Reasi: 62.67%
Kathua: and 61.23%

Kashmir division
Ganderbal: 56.28 %
Baramulla: 47.43%
Bandipora: 45.22%

Kupwara was 44.35%
Budgam 38.04%
Anantnag 27.04
Kulgam 8.73%
Pulwama 6.70%
Shopian: 1.96%

Similarly, in Jammu division poll percentage of 71.97% was recorded in Samba, 71.80% in Jammu, 71.22% in Rajouri, 70.32% in Kishtwar, 67.39% in Ramban, 62.67% in Reasi and 61.23% in Kathua.

LG Sinha e-inaugurates skill development centre at Baramulla

Front

Precious Kashmir

07/12/2020

LG Sinha e-inaugurates skill development centre at Baramulla

‘Initiative will bring qualitative improvement in the field of technical education in J&K, besides employment generation’

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 7: To strengthen industry-academia partnership and to bring qualitative improvements in Technical Education, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, today e-inaugurated Centre for Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training (CIIIT) established at a cost of Rs 181.57 crore at Government Polytechnic College, Baramulla.

Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Sh RR Bhatnagar, Chief Secretary, Sh BVR Subrahmanyam; Principal Secretary to the Government, Skill Development Department, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon were present on the occasion, while Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr GN Itoo, Director Skill Development Department, Sh Sajad Hussain, Principal CIIIT, Baramulla, Sh Manzoor Ahmad, Vice President Tata Technologies, Sh Sushil Kumar, besides large number of students participated in the e-inauguration through video conferencing.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated the team and said that establishing of CIIIT in Baramulla will be a milestone in the history of J&K. He said that the move is aimed at providing world level skill training to the students of Engineering Colleges, Polytechnic Colleges and ITIs besides, the unemployed Engineering Degree/Diploma holders and Engineering Graduates who are employed but in need for career enhancement through up-gradation of latest technological skills.

The Lt Governor said that in the face of fast-changing global economy, the youth of Jammu & Kashmir need relevant training, reskilling and up-scaling of their existing skills-set. Only with training in recent technological trends can our youth be equipped to secure jobs in this world, he added.

He said this Centre for Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training will not only focus on innovative design, entrepreneurship development but will also enhance the employability rate amongst the youth, while strengthening Industry-Academic partnership. He further said that this Centre and another upcoming Centre at Jammu will also provide modern engineering tools required for product design, development and manufacturing.

The Lieutenant Governor said the CIIIT Baramulla is offering 9 competency centres starting from Innovation, Incubation, Product Life-cycle Management Centre to digital manufacturing centre and these are vital areas to produce design engineers, product engineers who will get ample opportunity in Automotive Industry, Aerospace Industry, Manufacturing Industry, Electronics, Oil and Gas and Heavy Industry Sectors.

While sharing his views with the students who participated in the event through video conferencing, the Lieutenant Governor said, Last week during the IIT World Summit 2020, I had highlighted the challenges to be faced by the post-Covid world. He said new opportunities will emerge along with these challenges. In such a scenario, we would need to reorient our energies and talents to not just stay relevant, but become a dominant force in the world, he added. He said B Tech and M Tech pass outs would be given three-month training in industrial robotics and with the training, they would be ready to be employed in automotive and manufacturing industry.

He further said that during the lockdown period, young minds from many ITIs of the country had worked on innovative designs to help our front line workers. He said ITI Cuttack had created a service robot and hands-free sample collection robot. Another institute from Mumbai had designed a pedal based hands-free sanitising system which was later installed in government offices and police stations. I’m sure youth from Baramulla would also come up with similar ideas very soon, he added.

The Lieutenant Governor also said that as all of us are aware that Banks, post offices and many other service organizations have made significant progress on digitising their operations and effective penetration of digital technology is ready to offer new opportunities for our talent pool. This digital revolution needs to be leveraged to deliver new inventions and innovative products for the post-Covid market, he further added.

He observed that the Information Technology enabled Services is another area which can be tapped by our youngsters with the help of these centres (CIIITs). He also mentioned Electric vehicle industry as another sunrise industry where the demand is likely to be of very high order and proper environment will ensure talents from Jammu Kashmir contribute towards growth of this sector. He further said that India is already emerging as a global hub for sourcing of auto components and 4-5 Certificates proposed to be offered by the CIIIT Baramulla will be of great help to youngsters interested in this industry.

Lt Governor Sinha also said that we are soon going to have a historic Industrial policy and a large number of big businesses are showing interest in setting up manufacturing plants in Jammu Kashmir. With modern skill centres like CIIITs, we will be able to provide required skilled manpower. He further said that Skill Development is an important enabler for capacity building and by developing proficient technocrats catering to the needs of industry, we can strengthen India’s position in major emerging market economies.

Earlier, Principal Secretary, Skill Development Department, Dr Samoon gave first hand appraisal about the project to the Lieutenant Governor through a PowerPoint presentation. He said this project is an industry-led consortium as a joint venture between the Government of J&K and Tata Technologies to facilitate innovation and skill development of students, industry professionals for skill development and creating entrepreneurship.

On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor was informed that at present 178 students have enrolled in the Centre in different professional/skill development courses. However, annual intake capacity in CIIIT Baramulla would be increased upto 1400 to provide benefit to maximum aspirants.

Armed Forces Flag Day observed at Raj Bhavan

Front

Precious Kashmir

07/12/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 7: On the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Monday paid rich tributes to the valiant personnel of Armed Forces and saluted the valor and indomitable spirit of the Defence Forces & their families on the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day.
To mark the day, a team of ESM and Veer Naris along with Director Sainik Welfare Department met the Lt Governor and joined the Armed Forces Flag Day celebration here at the Raj Bhavan.

Director Sainik Welfare Department, Brig. (Rtd.) Gurmeet Singh Shan pinned a token Flag on the self of the Lt Governor on the occasion.

The Lt Governor observed that the nation remembers the brave-hearts of the Indian Armed Forces who always remain at the forefront to serve the nation and have made supreme sacrifices while safeguarding and protecting the territorial integrity of India.

He urged the fellow citizens to express their solidarity with the Armed Forces and show gratitude towards the soldiers and veterans for the sacrifices made by them, during the course of their duty.

Lauding the Army personnel for their dedicated and committed services to providing safe and secure environment for the people, the Lt Governor said that in J&K, the Army is playing a crucial role in combating militancy; besides rendering valuable service to help civilians in distress in times of natural calamities, especially those who are living along the borders and remote areas.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor made contribution towards the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund and conveyed his best wishes to all serving and retired Defence personnel and their families.

He appealed to the people of J&K to generously contribute to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund as a token of remembrance and expression of gratitude to brave soldiers & their family members.

Director Sainik Welfare Department briefed the Lt Governor about various initiatives launched by the Board for the welfare of war widows and families of ex-Servicemen and serving Armed Forces personnel.

The Lt Governor urged the Sainik Welfare Department to continue their sustained efforts towards welfare of the ex-Servicemen and their family members.

The veterans present on the occasion included Hony Capt Bana Singh, PVC; Col SR Choudhary (Retd), Hav Rashid Ahmad (Retd), SM besides Smt Neelam Kumari, wife of the Late Hav Tilak Raj, VrC.

Director Sainik Welfare was also accompanied by Col SR Choudhary (Retd), ZSWO Samba and Pawan Kumar Anand, Wel Org, Sainik Welfare Department.

Govt schools record 40,000 fresh admissions in 2-weeks

Front

Precious Kashmir

07/12/2020

Bhat Imran

Srinagar, Dec 7: The School Education Department on Monday said that it has registered at least 40,000 fresh admissions for the academic year 2020-21 in government schools of Kashmir.

Director of the department from Kashmir region, Mohammad Younis Malik said, “in order to review the ongoing educational survey cum enrolment drive, a series of meetings and interaction sessions with Zonal Education Officers (ZEO’s) and Heads of Schools (HOS’s) of Kashmir division were held.”

DSEK told KNO that an increase of more than 40,000 students in government schools during a short period of two weeks is a big achievement but it needs to be taken to a logical conclusion so that fruitful results are achieved out of the campaign.

Malik expressed satisfaction over the increasing number of children being enrolled in government schools with a good number of children shifting from the private sector to the government education system.

During various interaction teachers and educational administrators down sessions, Director School Education hailed the efforts below for completing the previous academic sessions successfully despite many odds and un-favorable situations.

He said that it was not easy to run the previous sessions smoothly owing to the closure of schools due to pandemic situations after the emergence of COVID-19 around the globe.

Malik said that our teachers have succeeded in building confidence among the children which is obvious when students are found writing in their examinations with much confidence.

He added that our teacher, counselors have reached out to more than 2.5 lac students during the lockdown period and pandemic situation in order to counsel them regarding mental stress, academic issues and COVID-19 related queries.

Stressing upon the need to work with new enthusiasm, Malik said, “We should always keep three divine principles of including Authority, Responsibility and Accountability in consideration while performing our duties whatsoever capacity we are in.”

He advised the stakeholders to take every campaign and every initiative to its logical conclusion and ensure that the students and parents should repose faith in our system.

Malik said that department should use the pandemic situation as an opportunity to deliver its best by utilizing the potential of human resource.

COVID-19: 9 more die, 280 test positive in J&K

Front

Jahangeer Ganaie

07/12/2020

Total cases 113,568, death toll mounts to 1,755

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Dec 7: Jammu and Kashmir on Monday recorded nine deaths due to COVID-19 taking the death toll to 1,755 in the Union Territory while as 280 positive cases were reported taking the tally of positive cases to 113,568 in J&K.

Of the exact number of 113,568 cases, 67,365 are from Kashmir and 46,203 from Jammu division. Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that among 280 new cases, 107 belong to Kashmir division while as 166 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division have reached to 67,365 including 63,670 recoveries and 1,130 deaths while as total number of positive cases in Jammu division have reached to 46,203 including 43,088 recoveries and 625 deaths.

The officials said that total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 5,055 including 2,565 from Kashmir division and 2,490 from Jammu division.

With 386 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached to 106,758 which is 94.003 percent of the total cases.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 63 from Srinagar, 06 from Baramulla, 15 from Budgam, 01 from Kupwara, 16 from Pulwama, 03 from Anantnag, 00 from Bandipora, 05 from Ganderbal, 02 from Kulgam and 03 from Shopian in Kashmir division while as 166 from Jammu division include 75 from Jammu, 29 from Udhampur, 34 from Rajouri, 12 from Doda, 09 from Kathua, 12 from Kishtwar, 09 from Samba, 00 from Poonch, 03 from Ramban and 11 from Reasi,” officials disclosed.

Notably, in the last 24 hours nine persons who were tested positive for COVID-19 have died, among them four belong to Kashmir division and five to Jammu division.

As per media bulletin, patients who have died include two from Baramulla and each from Ganderbal and Kulgam in Kashmir division and two from Jammu and one each from Udhampur, Kishtiwar and Reasi in Jammu division.

As per officials figures, 23,751 positive cases including 427 deaths and 22,142 recoveries are from Srinagar, 7,605 including 165 deaths and 7,256 recoveries are from Baramulla, 7,129 including 6,745 recoveries and 103 deaths are from Budgam, 5,270 including 4,971 recoveries and 85 deaths are from Kupwara, 5,207 including 86 deaths and 4,953 recoveries are from Pulwama, 4,620 including 4,425 recoveries and 80 deaths are from Anantnag, 4,492 cases including 4,315 and 55 deaths are from Bandipora, 4,286 including 4,090 recoveries and 40 deaths are from Ganderbal, 2,614 including 2,499 recoveries and 52 deaths are from Kulgam and 2,391 including 2,274 recoveries and 37 deaths are from Shopian.

In Jammu division, 21,504 including 20,372 recoveries and 318 deaths are from Jammu district, 3,836 including 3,342 recoveries and 52 deaths are from Udhampur, 3,608 including 3,348 recoveries and 50 deaths are from Rajouri, 3,229 including 2,996 recoveries and 57 deaths are from Doda, 2,911 including 2,758 recoveries and 42 deaths are from Kathua, 2,602 including 2,344 recoveries and 21 deaths are from Kishtwar, 2,569 including 2,296 recoveries and 33 deaths are from Samba, 2,410 including 2,346 recoveries and 22 deaths are from Poonch, 1,995 including 1,875 recoveries and 20 deaths are from Ramban and 1,539 including 1,411 recoveries and 10 deaths are from Reasi.

As per the daily information bulletin, 808,500 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 20,814 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 5,055 persons are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 751,381 persons have completed surveillance period and 29,495 persons are under home surveillance besides that so far results of 3,194,883 samples are available.

Out of 3,194,883 the number of samples tested negative stands at 3,081,315 while as 113,568 have tested positive, among them 5,055 persons are active, 106,758persons have recovered and 1,755 persons have died—(KNO)

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