Precious Kashmir

KU organises webinar to mark 143rd birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal (RA)

City

13/11/2020

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Nov 12: The University of Kashmir organised an international-level webinar to commemorate 143rd birth anniversary of great philosopher and poet Allama Iqbal (RA).

Registrar Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir inaugurated the day-long webinar titled ‘Contemporary Relevance of Iqbal’s Poetry’, organised by the varsity’s Iqbal Institute of Culture and Philosophy (IICP).

In his address, Mir congratulated the IICP for organising the webinar on an important theme concerning the meaningfulness of Iqbal’s thought and message in the present times. Iqbal’s poetry and philosophy, he said, offer a serious approach to addressing a range of critical problems and issues that people are faced up with.

“Iqbal’s concept of social order, based on Tawhid, equality, love and selfhood (khudi), is one of his great achievements,” he said.

Dr Taqi Hassan Abedi, scientist and expert in Iqbal Studies from USA, delivered a keynote address and deliberated on the various important aspects of Iqbal’s poetry. He also dwelt on Iqbal’s deep attachment to the holy Qur’an, the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the valid knowledge traditions “which make him not only the poet of the present, but of the future as well”.

Prof Altaf Hussian Ahangar, former Professor of Law at IIU Malaysia was the guest speaker on the occasion and presented a paper on Iqbal’s concept of ‘Ijma’, highlighting minutely Iqbal’s keen efforts to reinterpret the basic sources of the Islamic law, particularly ‘Ijma’ in light of new challenges of the age.

Prof Shohab Anayat Malik, Head, Department of Urdu, University of Jammu presided over the webinar and lauded the IICP for organising the important webinar to discuss the universal values of Iqbal’s poetry.

“It is a good tribute to Iqbal as well as the world of Urdu literature,” he said.

2 drug peddlers arrested in Srinagar: Police

City

Precious Kashmir

13/11/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 12: Acting tough against the drug dealings, Police in Srinagar have arrested two drug peddlers and recovered contraband substance from their possession.
Officers while patrolling at Malkha Chowk Nowhatta signalled a person riding a bike bearing registration No JK01U-8310 to stop. He tried to escape from the spot but was tactfully nabbed by the patrolling party. He has been identified as Mohd Sharief Dar resident of Miskeen Bagh Riyaza Taing Khanyar Srinagar. During checking, officers were able to recover 225gms of Charas concealed in polythene from his possession” a police spokesman said.
Similarly, officers at a checkpoint established at Khwaja Bazar Chowk intercepted one passenger auto bearing registration No JK01G-4383 driven by Fayaz Ahmad Lone resident of Bota Kadal Lalbazar Srinagar. During checking, officers were able to recover 185 banned tablets/capsules from his possession.
The spokesman said both drug peddlers have been arrested and shifted to PS Nowhatta where they remain in custody. The vehicles used in the commission of crime have also been seized.
Accordingly, case vide FIR numbers 52/2020 and 53/2020 under relevant sections of law have been registered in Police Station Nowhatta and investigation has been initiated.

CUK’s SoE celebrates National Educational Day

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

13/11/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Ganderbal, Nov 12: School of Education (SoE), Central University of Kashmir (CUK) celebrated National Education Day at varsity’s Green campus here.
Addressing the participants, Vice Chancellor Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir highlighted the contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad towards education in general and higher education in particular. He said the foundation of the present education system was laid by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, adding, the Maulana tailored the education to the needs of Indian people as the education had suffered badly under British rule. He said that the reason Maulana Azad is celebrated today is that his contribution towards the revival of the education system is immense.
During the first session, Prof. S Irfan Habib, former Maulana Azad Chair, NIEPA in his keynote address on the theme “Maulana Azad in the Definitive Decade of 1950’s”, stressed upon the egalitarian Islamic principle which is based on the equality and intrinsic dignity of all human beings. He said every child has a right to education for developing his/her faculties and stressed that the objective cannot be realized unless we come out of narrow mindedness which has been the hindrance. He also emphasized education for women, provision of universal basic education, adult education, social education, education opportunities for all. Prof. Habib emphasized that if any citizen is left behind in education for that the society needs to be blamed and not the individual. Prof. Habib added that Maulana highly recommended the role of culture, art and music and thus believed that education has to train our faculties towards the appreciation of beauty and it was evident when he established various academies related to art and culture in India.
Dean, School of Education Dr. Syed Zahoor Geelani welcomed the guests in both sessions while Arokia Mary and Dr. Gawher conducted proceedings.

Acute water scarcity triggers protest in Sopore

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

13/11/2020

Peerzada Waseem
Sopore, Nov 12: Scores of residents from Bagh-e-Rehmat area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday staged a protest against Jal Shakti department for ‘failing’ to provide adequate water supply to them.
The protesters assembled at Iqbal Market and blocked Sopore Byepass road, which affected the traffic movement for several hours.
The protesters said that they are facing a water shortage from the past two months, adding that the department was forcing them to consume filthy water.
They said that their area in the entire town is worst affected due to non- availability of adequate water supply. Shakeela Begum, one of the protesters said they approached the concerned officials many times but nothing has been done in this regard. “We are being forced to consume contaminated water, which has affected our health,” he said.
Meanwhile, officials from Jal Shakti department said that the pipeline was damaged by R&B department during construction of a drainage system, which has led to the shortage of water in the area.
He said the grievances of the people will be resolved soon as the department will come up with a separate water supply line towards the locality. (KNO)

Higher Retail Inflation

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Precious Kashmir

13/11/2020

The rising food prices have pushed the retail inflation up to 7.61% in October, which is said to be above the comfort level of the Reserve Bank. It was 62% in October 2019.

According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released by the government, inflation stood at 7.27% in September 2020. The rise in general inflation was mainly on account of elevated food prices which refuse to fall.

As per the data, the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) rose to 11.07% in October, up from 10.68% in the previous month of September. This sudden spurt in food inflation is blamed to vegetable prices followed by pulses and sugar.

In past, the government took a number of measures to deal with the problem of abrupt increase in prices of pulses and among others approved creation of buffer stock through procurement at Minimum Support Price and at market price through Price Stabilization Fund. On the supply-side, weather-related variables are attributed for unanticipated food inflation. There are other factors involved that decides the prices in contemporary markets across the globe. Among others, malpractices remain one of the factors which greatly affect the pricing. Artificial dearth, hoarding, and monopoly can cause price hike to the disadvantage of the common people. The other contributing agents include cartels. The last person severely affected by these factors is the common consumer. While the concept of liberal trade and free marketing needs encouragement, it never means that the consumers are exploited. Unfortunately, there is an unhindered accumulation of huge capital in the hands of a few manufacturers, pushing the interests of a common customer into jeopardy. The prices are fixed without any regard to the impact it has on the common consumer. The government needs to come forward and streamline the markets especially in controlling factors that are associated with pure malpractices by some unscrupulous people. It also needs to face local challenges with a lot more authority than it is showing presently. At all levels, the government is responsible for safeguarding the interest of the common people. There is a full-fledged department, tasked with the duty of managing the prices of essentials. However, there are complaints the concerned officials are not taking action against the errant which only encourages the former at the peril of a consumer. The government needs to step up efforts to give relief to the common consumer.

COVID-19: People violate norms, admin in no mood to interfere

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

12/11/2020

COVID-19: People violate norms, admin in no mood to interfere

Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Nov 11: Despite the prevailing COVID-19 threat, people in Kashmir seem to have forgotten the norms and are behaving as if the pandemic is over.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The masks have disappeared so has the social distancing. People seem to be least bothered about the fact that COVID-19 is very much present within the community. Everyday people are testing positive and there has been no let up in the casualties. Hospitals are crowded and the situation continues to be grim.”
He said, “The worst part is that the administration too seems to have turned a blind eye towards the COVID-19 threat. Since the day lockdown has been lifted, the administration has shrugged off the responsibility. No attempt is being made by the administration to implement the COVID-19 protocol.”
A medico said, “Experts have warned that the virus can become active in the winter season and the cases can increase. We have to be extra cautious if we want to keep the COVID-19 at bay. The COVID vaccines are in the final trial phases but it will still take time for the protective shields to reach the people.”
It’s in place to mention here that Pfizer recently stated that its vaccine is 90% effective and trials have been successful. “We are aware of the fact that the vaccines are not that far away but all of us should bear in mind that a huge population has to be vaccinated and it will take time for the entire process to get completed. Till then masks, social distancing and sanitizers can serve as vaccines,” the medico added.
He said, “The capacity of the hospitals in Kashmir is limited and if the flow of patients increases in winter it can lead to a catastrophic situation. We can run out of the ventilators and the oxygen supply. People need to bear in mind that precaution is better than cure. According to the recent observations out of 10 COVID positive patients, at least one needs a ventilator support. This number can increase in winters as during the cold season there is an increase in the number of patients having respiratory problems.”
The medico said, “Another factor which we have to bear in mind is that the patients with underlying conditions already have a compromised immunity and they are the most vulnerable class of people. If we have to remain safe we will have to restrict our activities till the winter ends and the vaccine comes. It’s just a matter of a few months before things will fall in place and the pestilence will be almost over. Patience is the key.”

Ladakh Standoff: India, China formulate cool-off plan

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Precious Kashmir

12/11/2020

Ladakh Standoff: India, China formulate cool-off plan

New Delhi, Nov 11: India and China have readied a three-phase plan for disengagement in eastern Ladakh where the two sides have been in a stand-off since May this year, senior government sources have said.
However, there is no signature or agreement on the plan’s implementation as yet, the sources said.
No time period has been agreed upon within which to implement the plan; neither is the extent to which it will happen decided between the two sides.

The disengagement includes the Chinese and Indian forces pulling back armour – tanks and armoured personnel carriers from close to the Line of Actual Control. The Chinese would return to the Finger 8 region on the North Bank of the Pangong Lake, vacating their existing positions. India, in turn, would return to its pre-existing position prior to when the tension began.
India would move back forces on the South Bank of Pangong where India dominates the heights to positions before the tension began.
India’s been watchful ever since the Galwan valley clash in June this year in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives, as did many Chinese soldiers, including a commanding officer.
The Indian security establishment, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, and Air Force chief RKS Bhadauria, had responded with strong military measures like occupying the dominating heights along the southern and northern bank of Pangong Lake on the LAC.

While China mobilised its troops in a massive deployment along the LAC, India moved close to 60,000 troops for forward deployments, besides bringing in reserve divisions. (Agencies)

COVID-19 claims 10 more lives, cases cross 1 lakh mark in JK

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Nadeem Nadu

12/11/2020

COVID-19 claims 10 more lives, cases cross 1 lakh mark in JK

Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar, Nov 11: Jammu and Kashmir reported ten more COVID-19 deaths, while 507 more people tested positive for the virus across the Union Territory on Wednesday, officials said.
They said that fatality count has risen to 1561 and 100351 people have tested positive for the pestilence in J&K till date.
Among those who succumbed to the virus on Wednesday include six from Kashmir and four from Jammu region.
Regarding deaths from Kashmir officials said that three were from Srinagar, two from Baramulla and one from Kupwara.
Among others the victims include a 67-year-old man from Alamgari Bazar Hawal who was admitted to SMHS hospital with bilateral community acquired pneumonia on October 24 and died this morning, they said.
A 60-year-old man from Lakhriyarbal Nawa Kadal also died at SMHS hospital, four days after he was admitted to the hospital with bilateral CAP, they said.
A 58-year-old man from Safa Kadal Srinagar died at SKIMS Soura, they said. “He was admitted on October 17 and died this afternoon,” they said.
Regarding the deaths from Jammu region, they said two were from winter capital of J&K and one each from Udhampur and Doda districts.
Srinagar district with 385 deaths tops the list followed by Jammu (273), Baramulla (153), Budgam (94), Pulwama (84), Kupwara (76), Anantnag (76), Rajouri (48), Kulgam (48), Bandipora(48), Doda (49), Shopian (35), Ganderbal (35), Udhampur (33), Kathua (33), Samba (25), Poonch (23), Ramban (18), Kishtwar(15), and Reasi (8). (GNS)

Tally crosses 1 lakh mark with 507 new cases in J&K

Meanwhile, 35 travelers were among 507new COVID-19 cases were reported in last 24 hours as the total tally crossed one lakh mark in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday.

Among the new cases, 181 were reported from Jammu and 326 from Kashmir division, taking total the number to 100351.

Giving district wise details, officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 140 cases, Baramulla 40, Budgam 31, Pulwama 11, Kupwara 32, Anantnag 14, Bandipora 8, Ganderbal 44, Kulgam 4, Shopian 2, Jammu 94, Rajouri 8, Udhampur 20, Doda 13, Kathua 12, Poonch 3, Samba 3, Kishtwar 19, Ramban 5 and Reasi 4.

A number of these cases were confirmed at CD and SKIMS diagnostic laboratories and include among others nine army and CRPF soldiers besides eight minors.

The CD cases include five males (34, 24, 33, 43, 30) from BB Cantt, male (40) from Pulwama, male (40) from Zakura, male (63) from Yangarhar Zachaldara, female (08) from Drugmulla, male (35) from Uadipora Langate, male (30) from Sopore, male (50) from Hayan, male (69) from Trehgam, male (34) from Gugloosa, female (30) from Trehgam, male (29) from Zirhama, male (50) from Kababmarg, three males (32, 39, 54) from Trehgam, female (60) from Habakadal, male (32) from Batamaloo, male (60) from Dalgate, two males (72, 09) and two females (13, 30) from Batamaloo Srg, male (22) from Khanyar, female (24) from Ratnipora Shopian, male (36) from Bemina Srg, female (21) from Zakura, male (45) from Barzulla, female (24) from Maloora, male (41) from Alochibagh, male (31) from Qamarabad, male (25) from Rawalpora, female (NA) from Gupkar Road, male (28) from Rainawari, male (32) from Eidgah, female (50) from Aali Kadal, male (56) from Dargah, male (35) from Bengal, male (40) from HMT, female (60) from Habakadal, female (35) from HMT, two females (48, 42) from Gupkar Road, male (34) from Karan Nagar, female (20) from Banihal, male (50) from Athwajan, female (59) from Srinagar, female (60) from Lal Bazar, female (65) from Kulgam, male (65) from Nawabazar, male (28) from Soiteng, male (65) from Athwajan, female (68) from Soura, female (90) from Chanapora, male (25) from NA, male (30) from Bran, female (29) from Nishat Bran, three males (29, 50, 22) from NA, female (05) from HMT, male (75) from Sopore, female (30) from Lethpora, female (35) from Wanpora, male (85) from Zasoo, male (25) from Gulzarpora, male (30) from Chewakalan Pulwama, male (35) from Zadoora Pulwama, male (37) from Karan Nagar, female (75) from Bandipora, two females (56, 28) from Habakadal, female (25) and male (44) from Indra Nagar Srg, male (70) from Khanda.

SKIMS cases
The Budgam cases include female (50) from Bonion Chadoora, male (58) from Wagam Chadoora, female (30) and male (47) from Colony, male (35) from Trajabal, female (50) from Check Abandar, male (40) from Branwar, female (30) from Dalipora, female (40) and male (26) from Wangwas, female (40) from Main Stop Kanipora, male (30) from Charli Pora Nowgam, two males (46, 07) from Sector C Lane A Gulshan Nagar, four females (74, 85, 35, 22) and three males (44, 07, 02) from Sir Syed Abad Colony Bemina, male (35) from Muslim Abad Dangerpora, male (22) from Kadeem Masjid Lasjan, male (48) from Gulshan Nagar Nowgam, male (22) from Hussaini Colony Chattergam, male (45) from Gousia Colony Kanipora, female (21) from Moominabad Colony Kanipora, female (05) from Bona Gam Kanihama, male (40) from Ari Bagh Kanipora, male (35) and female (32) from Near Petrol Pump Kanipora, two males (28, 27) from Jakli Rangreth, male (42) from Rawalpora, female (50) from Ompora, female (55) from Baghat Budgam.

The Srinagar cases include male (40) from HMT, two females (13, 40) from Indra Nagar, male (42) from Saraibal, male (30) from Buchpora, female (38) from A G Bazar, male (40) from Shalimar, male (60) from Elahibagh, female (63) and male (63) from Hawal, male (32) from Buchpora, male (14) from Qamarwari, female (25) from HMT, male (NA, 0) and female (35) from Rawalpora, female (32) from Safakadal, male (42) from Soura, male (25) from Mukhdoom Sahib, male (40) from Gulabagh, female (62) from Rainawari, two females (29, 55) from Soura, female (35) from Buchpora, female (80) from Bemina, male (42) from Humhama, male (50) from Nishat, female (41) from Batamaloo, male (28) from Hyderpora, male (63) from Elahibagh, male (67) from Hawal, female (54) from Hyderpora, female (38) from Lal Bazar, male (64) from Buchpora, male (40) from Batwara, female (44) from 90 feet Road, male (44) from Awanta Bawan, female (75) from Kawdara, male (NA) from Umerabad HMT Srinagar.

The Kulgam cases include female (10) from Chamgund Kulgam.

The Shopian cases include male (21) from Shopian.
The Baramulla cases include female (23) from Baramulla, female (28) from Bonyar, female (18) from Sopore, male (60) from Fatehpora Baramulla.

The Ganderbal cases include female (70) from Manigam, female (50) from Kangan, male (30) from Chattergul, male (18) from Watalbagh, male (52) from Saloora, female (50) from Malbagh, male (40) from Prang, male (45) from Gutlibagh, male (15) from Pandach, female (75) from Sonamarg, male (50) from Kurhama Ganderbal. The Bandipora cases include male (70) from Hajin Bandipora.

The CRPF cases include male (37) from 43 Bn Crpf DPL Budgam, two males (38, 31) from 61 Bn Crpf Shivpora Srinagar, male (49) from 18 Bn Crpf Kulgam. (GNS)

Keeping Pfizer vaccine at minus 70 degree Celsius tough: AIIMS chief

Front

Agencies

12/11/2020

New Delhi, Nov 11: Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi (AIIMS), Delhi on Wednesday said the results of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine phase III trials are very encouraging but preserving it at very low temperatures, -70 degree C, will be a challenge for India and other nations, especially in rural areas.
Speaking to ANI, Guleria said, “The challenge with the Pfizer vaccine is that it has to be kept at a very low temperature, -70 degree Centigrade. That for low and middle-income countries would be a big challenge to maintain the cold chain, because having a vaccine to be kept at low temperatures especially going to smaller towns, rural India is going to be a challenge. This vaccine has a lot of potential but we will need to see as other vaccines also come out. Very encouraging news in the vaccine research field for all vaccine candidates in phase-III trials.”
Guleria said although the claims made by Pfizer need to be reviewed by experts but the announcement was a very promising sign for the other vaccines being made.
“The data, which Pfizer has released, although not reviewed by experts, is very encouraging. In the phase-III trials, more than 40,000 patients were vaccinated, some got the vaccine, some got placebo, and they followed them up to see how many of them got COVID-19. It showed high efficacy, almost 90 per cent. The data needs to be looked at more carefully. It’s encouraging not only for the Pfizer vaccine but also for other vaccines being made by different companies,” he said.
The AIIMS Director further elaborated, “It suggests that whatever vaccines we are making have a potential of giving good immunogenicity and good protection as far as COVID-19 is concerned.”
Speaking about the challenges in the vaccine efficiency and duration, for which it will provide protection, Guleria said, “One we have to follow up to find out how long does it (immunity) lasts 3 months, 6 months, one year or more. The data also needs to be looked at how much protective value it gives as far as individuals are concerned.”
“Did it protect from mild infections, moderate and severe infections. Some vaccines will be able to give us total protection, others may protect such that one gets a mild infection, but not severe infection. Both have a utility, but if you have mild infection you are still infectious and you may still spread the infection. So an ideal situation will be a vaccine, which gives you total protection so that you don’t get the infection at all,” he added.
Earlier, the coronavirus vaccine developed by drug giant American Pfizer and German biotechnology firm BioNTech was more than 90 per cent effective at protecting people from infection as compared to placebo saline shot, according to an analysis.
The analysis was conducted by an independent data monitoring committee that met Sunday.

Cabinet Secy reviews public health response to COVID-19

Front

Precious Kashmir

12/11/2020

Cabinet Secy reviews public health response to COVID-19

Applauds efforts of J&K Govt in augmenting medical infrastructure
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Oct 11: The Cabinet Secretary, Rajiv Gauba, today chaired a high level meeting to take stock of public health response to the COVID- 19 pandemic during the ongoing season of festivities. The Union Home Secretary, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, officers from Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and NITI AYOG were present in the meeting.

The Chief Secretary, J&K, B V R Subrahmanyam along with Chief Secretaries of various States and Union Territories including Karnataka, Kerela, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Manipur, and Delhi participated in the meeting.
The Cabinet Secretary asked all the States and Union Territories to dedicatedly work on the testing and early hospitalization of COVID patients, besides, undertaking a robust containment/red zone surveillance strategy to ensure that the case fatality in each State/UT remains below 1%.
While reviewing the public health response to COVID-19, the Cabinet Secretary informed that currently 8 States/ UTs are having approximately 62% active cases with subsequent 61% COVID related deaths. He laid emphasis on the need to proactively identify the critical cases and provide prompt medical intervention to check this trend.
The Cabinet Secretary reiterated the need of effective containment strategy and adequate testing facilities for early detection of COVID cases so as to minimise its spread in the community. “This can be further reinforced by perimeter control, active house to house surveillance, contact tracing and timely testing”, he added.
Speaking on the measures to be undertaken to lower ‘Case Fertility Rate’ below 1%, Cabinet Secretary emphasised on tracing and testing all close contacts of new positive cases with 72 hours of detection, in addition to regularly monitoring the patients under home isolation through tele-calling and home visits. He maintained that RTPCR testing capacities must be ramped up which can augmented with Rapid Antigen Tests in containment zones and healthcare institutions.
Moreover, for efficient containment efforts- aggressive surveillance, contact tracing, and early identification of emerging COVID hotspots; use of Arogya Setu App and Itihas data was endorsed.
Further, efforts of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to augment the medical infrastructure including isolation beds with oxygen support, ICU beds, ventilators and oxygen production/ supply capacity were applauded by the Cabinet Secretary.
The Chief Secretary, J&K, informed that to maintain low fatality rate, strategic efforts are in place for timely hospitalisation of vulnerable patients especially children, old aged and patients with co-morbidity.
He said that COVID trajectory is being closely monitored with special focus on spread of infection through travellers, primary and secondary contacts, especially after resumption of religious pilgrimage. “J&K is still conducting universal testing of all visitors travelling by air, road and railways”, he added.
Regarding the targeted testing in vulnerable clusters, the Chief Secretary informed that the Government has recently launched a ‘sweeping’ strategy, wherein universal testing is carried out to identify patients and the process is repeated regularly to sweep clean the area.

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