Month: March 2016

‘Vehicle-free’ Apsara Road abuzz with fun activities

Editor

It was a super entertaining Sunday for people from all walks of life, especially children, today during the “Big Street” event organised by the Rotary Club, Jammu Tawi, and 92.7 Big FM at Apsara Road, Gandhi Nagar, here. There was no movement of vehicles on the road. The event was conducted to create awareness among Jammu residents about benefits of walking and cycling and to give pollution-free atmosphere. The whole Apsara market was abuzz with different activities like yoga, Zumba dance, tug-of-war, cycling, street football, skating, selfie corner, singing and…

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Valley Pandits trying to keep tradition alive

Editor

On the eve of Shivaratri today, the non-migrants Pandits said they were struggling to keep their age-old traditions alive and continued to face neglect from the successive governments. “On Herath (Shivaratri), Kashmir used to bustle with activities (before migration) but now we are struggling to keep our traditions alive. When we offer the nightlong prayers tonight, we will especially pray for the resolution of our demands as we have always been ignored by the Centre and the state,” said Chunni Lal, president, Hindu Welfare Society Kashmir. After the migration of…

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JK Tourism gets best destination awards at IITM

Editor

J&K has highest 2106 high-altitude lakes in India: Shah Owing to its extensive promotional tourism campaign, J&K tourism department has been conferred with “Best Promoted Destination” and “Best Decorated Stall” awards at the concluding function of 3-day Indian International Trade Mart (IITM) at Hotel Grand Hayat, Kolkata. The IITM organizers appreciated the efforts of J&K tourism department for its promotional campaigns not only in IITM but through other platforms at national and international level. During the 3-day IITM, the department organized “J&K Evening” where over 200 travel agents besides media…

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Mahashivratri and unchanging traditions of Kashmiri Pandits

Editor

Some rituals associated with the way displaced Pandits celebrate ‘Shivratri’ have changed after their exodus from the Valley about 26 years ago. However, one thing that has not been forgotten and continues till date is the tradition of mocking the last Afghan Governor Jabbar Khan, who ruled Kashmir during the 18th century. A day after the nightlong ‘Mahashivratri’ prayers is called “salaam”. It a Persian word used to greet people in many Muslim countries and as per tradition, members of the Muslim community used to visit Pandits and greet them…

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No love for spinning wheel in Kashmir

Editor

‘Pashmina spinning fetches low returns due to exploitation, government apathy’   Kashmiri women who in the past spun Pashmina during their pastime and made good money have lost love for the job owing to low returns. The spinning wheels have now been relegated to the attics. “Three to four days of strenuous work to spin Pashmina fetches just Rs 70,” says 72-year-old Halima from Nawakadal area of downtown in Srinagar. “In the 1980s, 10 gram pashmina (phamb puer) cost Rs 30 but now it costs Rs 150. However, the price…

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100 doctors sacked for unauthorised absence

Editor

100 doctors were on Friday sacked by the Jammu and Kashmir government for remaining absent from their duties unauthorisedly. “The government today ordered termination of services of 100 doctors for remaining absence from their duties unauthorisedly,” an official spokesman said. According to the order issued by the Health and Medical Education Department, the terminated doctors include Medical Officers Syed Asif Iqbal, Sheraz Ahmad Rather, Naveed Wani, Sumaira Maqbool and Saba Afaq.

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Vigilance books municipal official for fake degree

Editor

The State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) has registered a case against an Executive Officer of the Bandipora Municipal Committee for acquiring a “fake” degree. Shakeel Ahmad Shah of Gundpora, Bandipora, presently posted as in charge Executive Officer, Municipal Council, Bandipora and Hajin, reportedly acquired a fake diploma degree to secure an entry in the department of urban local bodies, Kashmir. An SVO spokesperson said verification was conducted by its sleuths after the allegations that the officer possessed a fake diploma certificate of sanitary inspector. “During verification, it was revealed that the…

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Ration card roasted in Bollywood masala goes undetected

Editor

A fictitious consumer has filed popular phrases and songs from Bollywood movies in the details for his ration card for getting subsidised ration under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). “Allah Duhai Hai”, a father of five, is named the head of a family in Baramulla town of the north Kashmir district, which, surprisingly, has four members over 100 years of age. The 120-year-old head of the family is the son of “A Karle Pyaar Ve” and has three children — two daughters and a son, all aged 100 years.…

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Ready to vacate land in state; Army

Editor

In a significant development, the Army today said it was ready to vacate certain pockets of land under its possession in different parts of the state in compliance with the decisions taken in the Civil Military Liaison Conference (CMLC) meetings. The Army’s statement has come two days after Governor NN Vohra, while holding discussions on the internal security situation and vacation of lands by the Army, decided to hold a meeting shortly “to review the return of certain pockets of lands held by the Army, as agreed to in the…

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Religious fervour missing in Habbakadal

Editor

Once humming with festivities on the occasion of various Hindu festivals, the Habbakadal area of the old city on the banks of the Jhelum sans religious fervour ahead of Herath (Shivratri), that is scheduled to be celebrated on Sunday. Thanks to the migration of a majority of Pandits from the Valley with the eruption of militancy in early 1990, the festivities have lost that grandeur and ceased to continue at the same pace. At present, there are only 2,764 Pandits in 630 families living at 192 places across the Valley.…

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