Out of 720 score 695 points
Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Oct 16: In the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) exams, a teenage boy from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has made his parents and entire Kashmir proud by securing over 96 percent points.
Khan Basit Bilal (18) son of Bilal Ahmad Khan, of Narwah Village of Ratnipora, Pulwama has secured 695 points out of 720.
While talking to KNO, Khan Basit gave credit of his success to Allah and his parents besides teachers while adding that any dream can come true if one works hard. “I was expecting that I will qualify NEET. However, I had never thought I will qualify it with such a percentage. Entire credit goes to teachers of Mission E Coaching Centre who showed me the right track as to how NEET can be cracked,” Basit said.
He added that he studied from day one as he was aware that points matter in NEET. “I am very happy at the moment and whatever position I will get in my life, my sole motive will be to serve people,” he said.
“Children get involved in evil and odd things because their parents don’t spend time with them and there remains a gap which forces them to take harsh steps.”
Basit’s father Bilal Ahmad Khan said that his son has made entire Kashmir proud.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Oct 16: Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board (SSB) has cautioned the job aspirants about a fake notice being circulated on social media platform regarding downloading of Admit Cards for the OMR Based Objective Type Written Test Examination for the posts of Panchayat Accounts Assistant, saying that it is misleading and  an act of some unscrupulous elements.

The Board has advised the candidates to check official website of the Board www.jkssb.nic.in for authentic / verified updates / information.

It said that a Fake Notice has been circulated on the Social Media, regarding downloading of Admit Cards for the OMR Based Objective Type Written Test Examination for the posts of Panchayat Accounts Assistant under endorsement no. SSB/Secy/Sel/2020/4969-73 dated:12.10.2020 which has caused unnecessary annoyance and anxiety to the aspirants and also amounts to misusing the name and authority of the J&K Service Selection Board, for ulterior motives by unscrupulous elements.

In this context,  it is clarified that no such notice has been issued by the J&K Services Selection Board and the said notice in circulation on social media is fake. The matter has already been referred to the Cyber Cell of J&K Police for detailed investigation and booking of the unscrupulous element under law.

It is the endeavor of J&K Services Selection Board to hold the examinations at earliest possible opportunity and finalize the selection processes in shortest possible time, keeping in view the essence of Accelerated Recruitment Drive. All the necessary preparations are underway and respective District Administrations are extending valuable cooperation in the efforts being made by the Board. However, there are lots of activities already going on the ground level which are engaging the attention of Administration. Therefore, a holistic view is to be taken to ensure secure, smooth and above all fair and transparent examination. It is reiterated that the J&K Services Selection Board shall hold all examinations in a time bound manner and release selection lists without any undue delay. The final dates in this regard shall be notified in due course.

Further, the job aspirants are hereby cautioned against the activities of the unscrupulous elements, who are misleading the gullible candidates using various deceptive means and by spreading misinformation.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 16: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole today chaired a meeting of concerned officers to finalize arrangements for the Eid-Milad-un- Nabi(SAW), starting from today across Kashmir.
He on the occasion stressed on strict adherence to Covid-19 protocol and directed all Deputy Commissioners (DC’s) to issue necessary advisory so that people participating in religious gatherings use sanitizers, face masks, personal prayer mats, maintain social distancing and follow other Covid-19 related SOPs strictly to contain the spread of virus.
At the outset, the meeting was informed that large gatherings shall be held at Assar-i-Sharief Hazratbal, Jenab Sahab Soura, Assar-I-Sharief Kalashpora, Aham Sharief Bandipora, Kabamarg, Anantnag and Peth Makhama Beerwah Budgam, while small gatherings shall be held at other Khanqahs and shrines in all districts during the 12- day Urs celebration.
The Div Com directed concerned to ensure devotees enter religious places only after proper temperature check, use of face mask and hand sanitizer at entry points.
He said that with the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, additional fool-proof sanitation arrangements have to be made at all locations.
Stressing on proper maintenance of sanitation, SMC and ULB authorities were directed to conduct fumigation of Dargah premises twice a day besides, advance deployment of sanitation material, mobile toilets, suckers, septic tanks and additional sweepers are deployed at Hazratbal for daily cleaning of inner and outer premises of Dargah.
Calling upon for fool-proof security arrangements to be put in place, the Div Com instructed concerned to install an additional eight number of CCTVs at Dargah Sharief.

The meeting was informed that no night players shall be held this year, while the holy relic shall be displayed outside Dargah Hazratbal only due to Covid-19 situation.
He instructed DCs to ensure availability of Masks and Hand sanitizers at all places.
PDD authorities were directed to ensure uninterrupted power supply, availability of Gen- sets at all locations as backup in case of power breakage, besides installation of high mast lights at all required spots.
Similarly PHE department was directed to ensure hassle-free drinking water supply and arrange water tankers during Urs days.
FCS&CA authorities were instructed to ensure timely supply of ration and availability of LPG and essential commodities in these areas.
Calling upon intensified daily market checking, the Div Com directed DCs to constitute district wise joint market checking teams to ensure no sale of sub-standard food items and implementation of government rate list.
He instructed concerned to ensure strict action is taken including registering of FIRs against the offenders.
Health authorities were directed to deploy a team of doctors and paramedics staff along with ambulances at all religious places.
He said that the facility of RAT testing shall be also established for people volunteering for testing at major locations.
Traffic and Transport departments were instructed to ensure proper route plan and facilities for parking of vehicles.
The Div Com instructed concerned to ensure installation of PAS and coverage at all required places.
He said Fire Tenders shall remain deployed in sufficient numbers to tackle any exigency situation. He further stressed the surface leveling of all inner and outer roads leading to shrines where large gatherings are held and immediate address to all potholes.
The Div Com instructed DCs to visit all locations where people shall throng in large numbers to ensure all arrangements are in place for devotees.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Secretary Waqf Board, Chief Engineers of Jal Shakti and PDD, Director FCS&CA, SSP Traffic Rural, SP Headquarter, Conservator Forests, Joint Director Information, JD F&ES and other concerned officers.
Meanwhile, DCs and SSP also attended the meeting through video conferencing.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday assured the daughters of the country that the government will decide the right age for marriage as soon as the concerned committee gives its report.

“Discussion is underway to decide the right age for marriage of our daughters. From across the country, daughters have written to me asking why the concerned committee has not given its decision yet. I assure you that as soon as the report comes, the government will act on it,” Prime Minister Modi said during an event to release a commemorative coin of ₹ 75 denomination to mark the 75th Anniversary of India’s long-standing relation with the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

He also spoke about the steps taken by his government towards the maintenance of the health and hygiene of women.

“We are taking appropriate actions for our daughters” well-being. Through Jal Jeevan Mission, work is going on to provide water to every household. We are providing sanitary pad for Re 1 each,” he said.

The central government on September 22 had said that a task force has been constituted to examine the correlation of the age of marriage and motherhood.

COVID-19 kills 7 more in J&K, 697 test positive
Death toll mounts to 1368, total cases 86745
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Oct: Jammu and Kashmir reported seven more COVID-19 deaths and 697 positive cases in last 24 hours, officials said on Friday.
They said that fatality count in J&K has mounted to 1368, while 86754 persons have tested positive for the virus in the Union Territory since the outbreak of pandemic in March this year.

Officials said that among the victims who died today, five belonged to Jammu division and two others to Kashmir—one from Srinagar and other from Baramulla.
Regarding Srinagar, official sources told GNS that the victim was a 66-year-old woman from Pir Bagh Hyderpora who was admitted to SKIMS Soura October 6 with bilateral community acquired pneumonia.
Last night, they said, a 60-year-old man from Pattan Baramulla died at the tertiary care hospital, eighteen days after he was admitted.
Among others the deaths from Jammu include a 49-year-old from Bishnah, an 86-year-old from Gandhi Nagar, an 85-year-old man from Agar Jittu Reasi, a 64-year-old woman form Doda from Doda, they said.
With these deaths, the fatality count has reached to 918 in the Valley and 445 in Jammu.
Srinagar district with 328 deaths tops the list followed by Jammu (236), Baramulla (134), Budgam (90), Pulwama (76), Kupwara (72), Anantnag (70), Kulgam (43), Bandipora(42), Rajouri (45), Doda (40), Shopian (33), Ganderbal (30), Kathua (29), Udhampur (25), Samba (24), Poonch (22), Ramban (11), Kishtwar(11) and Reasi (6).

697 new cases in J&K, total 86754
Meanwhile, forty travelers and three doctors were among 697 new COVID-19 cases that were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in last 24 hours, taking the total tally to 86754.
Among the fresh cases, officials said that 312 were reported from Jammu Division and 385 from Kashmir.
Giving district wise details, they said, Srinagar reported 155 cases, Budgam 28, Baramulla 40, Pulwama 19, Kupwara 33, Anantnag 45, Bandipora 21, Ganderbal 23, Kulgam 21, Shopian 0, Jammu 121, Rajouri 21, Udhampur 4, Doda 30, Kathua 14, Poonch 44, Samba 19, Kishtwar 31, Ramban 8 and Reasi 20.

A number of these cases were confirmed at SKIMS Soura’s diagnostic laboratory and includes male (52) from Kurhama Ganderbal, male (75) from Warpora Ganderbal, male (60) from Saloora Ganderbal, female (48) from Dobipora Ganderbal, female (21) from Akhal Ganderbal, female (50) from Tangpora Budgam, female (42) from Bk Pora Budgam, male (54) from Bagi Mehtab Budgam, female (49) from Chadoora Budgam, male (54) from Bk Pora Budgam, female (31) from Bk Pora Budgam, female (50) from Bk Pora Budgam, male (16) from Chrari Shareef Budgam, male (70) from Harinoo Budgam, male (24) from 29 Bn Crpf Rawalpora Sgr, male (25) 25 Bn Crpf Dpl Budgam

male (60) from Buchpora Sgr, male (60) from Ellahibagh Sgr, male (16) from Ellahibagh Sgr, male (20) from Ellahibagh Sgr, male (75) from Buchpora Sgr, male (19) from Nowshera Sgr, female (56) from Zakura Sgr, male (50) from Soura Sgr, male (62) from Ellahibagh Sgr, male (21) from Nowshera Baramulla, female (75) from Alamgiri Bazar Sgr, female (26) from Ahmed Nagar Sgr, female (50) from Sgr, female (60) from Hyderpora Sgr, male (50) from Ganderbal, female (62) from Buchpora Sgr, male (65) from Buchpora Sgr, male (65) from Muslimabad Bandipora, male (60) from Chandoosa Baramulla, male (80) from Baramulla, male (70) from Allochibagh Sgr, female (44) from Barzula Sgr, female (32) from Kalaroos Kup, male (75) from Gund Jahangir Bandipora, female (68) from Buchpora Sgr, female (70) (Na) from Fatehkadal Sgr, male (72) from Natipora Sgr, male (27) from Budgam, male (70) from Kalmunna Kupwara.
Moreover, they said 838 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals— 381 from Jammu Division and 457 from Kashmir Valley. (GNS)

New Delhi, Oct 16: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday tested positive for Covid-19.

Azad, also the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, is in home quarantine. He has advised people who came in contact with him in last few days to follow the Covid protocol.

In a tweet, the senior Congress leader said,’’ I have tested positive for COVID-19. I am in home quarantine. Those who came in contact with me in last few days may kindly follow the protocol.’’

Azad is the latest among several Congress leader to have tested positive for Covid, the earlier being AICC leader Ahmed Patel, veteran congressman Motilal Vora and AICC spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

New Delhi, Oct 16: Pfizer Inc said on Friday it may file for authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine it is developing with German partner BioNTech in late November, making it unlikely a vaccine will be available before US elections as President Donald Trump has promised.
The regulatory filing for the vaccine could come as soon as safety data is available, possibly in the third week of November, Pfizer said, lifting the company’s shares and the broader US stock market.
The timeline now allows for a possible US authorization of a coronavirus vaccine this year, a key step in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more than a million people and ravaged the global economy.
The US Food and Drug Administration said earlier this month it wants at least two months of safety data on half of the trial participants before authorizing emergency use of any experimental coronavirus vaccine.
While the White House cleared the guidance, Trump has called the new rules a ‘political hit job’ as they undercut hopes of getting a vaccine before voters go to polls on November 3.
Based on current trial enrollment and dosing in a late-stage trial, Pfizer expects to have that safety data in the third week of November, Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla said in an open letter posted on the company’s website.
Bourla noted in the letter that the filing depended on several other factors, including initial data on effectiveness that may or may not be available by late October.
He said the company plans to share efficacy data with the public as soon as practical.

New Delhi, Oct 15: The number of positive cases due to Novel Coronavirus crossed the mark of 73 lakh on Thursday, as the country registered fresh 67,708 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the overall tally to 73,07,098, while the death toll reached 1,11,266 after 680 more people succumbed to the deadly virus in the past 24 hours.

According to the Union Health Ministry, 81,514 COVID patients were cured/discharged during the same time-frame, taking the total number of recoveries to 63,83,441 and recovery rate to 87.36 per cent.

The country is currently home to 8,12,390 active cases of the contagion.