Mehbooba appeals for protecting children’s innocence, education
Children’s innocence gives us lot many lessons about simplicity of life: Noble Laureate Kailash Sathyarthi
Srinagar, Oct 9 : Terming children as the treasure for future, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today appealed all sections of society to play their role in protecting their childhood which unfortunately gets disrupted due to uncertainties or political turmoils.
Addressing a function on raising awareness about child abuse here today, the Chief Minister said the issues of the children of Jammu & Kashmir are bigger than their counterparts elsewhere. She said children here unfortunately have become victims of violence and uncertainty, thus robbing them of their innocent childhood.
The function was organised by J&K State Commission for Women in collaboration with Kailash Sathyarthi Foundation.
Mehbooba Mufti appealed parents and teachers equally to treat children with care, share their time with them and listen to their issues. She appreciated the organizers for holding the function which she said would raise the level of awareness among people regarding child abuse, which often gets unnoticed. She asked for raising voice against the crimes of child abuse by bringing them to fore.
Lauding the role and contribution of Kailash Sathyarthi, the Chief Minister hoped that his experiences would be beneficial to the children and Government of the State. She hoped that the Noble Laureate would help the children of the State in carrying on with their education without any disruption or difficulty.
Mehbooba Mufti hoped that more such initiatives are taken for raising awareness level among children. She asked the Women’s Commission chairperson to convene such awareness camps across the State as well.
In his passionate speech, Noble Laureate and child rights activist, Kailash Sathyarthi appealed for protecting the rights of the children, in particular their childhood and their education. He said an injury to a kid sends pain through the entire humanity. He said the innocence of the children gives us lot many lessons about the simplicity of life and appealed all sections of people to protect their innocence.
Chairman, Zee Media Ltd., Dr. Subhash Chandra also spoke on the occasion and pledged his support to the cause.
Earlier in her welcome address, Chairperson, State Commission for Women, Nayeema Ahmad Mehjoor gave an overview of the status of children in the State. She said despite a very favourable drop our rate among students technology interventions in children’s lives have posed new challenges. For this, she said, the child protection mechanism needs to be strengthened.
The participants on the occasion took a pledge to work for preventing child abuse in the society.
Child rights activists, senior officers and students from several schools were present on the occasion.
Later, the Chief Minister flagged off the next leg of Bharat yatra by Kailash Sathyarthi Foundation. The yatra aimed at spreading awareness about child abuse, was started from Kanyakumari on September 11 and so far it has covered 11 thousand Kilometres and is expected to conclude at the national capital onOctober 16.
Braid Chopping:
Shutdown affects life in Kashmir
Srinagar, Oct 9 : Normal life was disrupted in Kashmir Valley on Monday due to shutdown and restrictions against unabated inscrutable braid chopping incidents.
Authorities had imposed restrictions in parts of old Srinagar city to maintain law and order.
Reports said that shops and other business establishments remained closed in Srinagar and other districts of the Valley while public transport is off the roads.
Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) had called for a shutdown against the unabated braid-chopping incidents in the Valley, calling them as an attack on the “dignity of women”.
Shutdown was also observed in other parts of Kashmir including Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla.
Authorities had deployed large number of security personnel in restive areas to prevent protests against braid chopping incidents.
Scores of braid chopping incidents have been reported across Kashmir Valley triggering panic among populace. The victims have told their families and police that unknown persons cut their hair after knocking them unconscious with some spray.
The police have formed Special Investigation Teams to probe the incidents. However, so far the police and the authorities have been clueless.
The police have announced a reward of Rs six lakh for credible information leading to arrest of any person behind braid chopping incidents. So far, no arrests have been made.
At several places, vigilante mobs have thrashed innocents mistaking them for braid choppers.
Meanwhile, members of civil society Tral, held a protest against these incidents.
Members of Citizen Council Tral, led by its Chairman Farooq Trali and scores of activists joined the protest from Khankah-e-Faiz Panah Tral. The civil society members shouted slogans against the braid chopping incidents.
They were demanding authorities to nab the culprits behind these heinous crimes.
Meanwhile, Police said a five-year-old was critically injured after “miscreants” pelted stones on vehicles near Pahoo bridge in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.
“As has been reported that today in the morning some miscreants blocked Pulwama-Srinagar road at Pahoo bridge following the shutdown call by Joint Resistance Leadership,” said a spokesman.
He said the “miscreants” pelted stones on the private as well as commercial vehicles plying on the road.
“A minor boy Sifti Hyder, son of Reyaz Ahmad Malik, resident of Gangoo Pulwama, about 5-year old, travelling in a sumo vehicle, was seriously injured after he was hit by a stone, pelted by miscreants, on his head,” said the spokesman.
The injured was shifted to District Hospital Pulwama for treatment where from he was referred to SMHS Hospital Srinagar in critical condition for further treatment.
“Subsequently a police party rushed to the spot and chased away the miscreants. Pulwama police has registered a case FIR number 344/2017 under section 307, 148, 149, 336, 427 RPC in this regard and investigation has been taken up.”
Clashes and protests against braid chopping incidents were reported in different parts of Kashmir Valley. Reports said that police used tear-smoke shells to disperse protesters in Batamaloo area of Srinagar city. A large number of people mostly women had gathered in Batamaloo raising slogans against braid chopping incidents.
Witnesses said that agitating youth pelted stones on the government forces who responded with tear-smoke shelling.
PCI releases report on Media Scenario in JK
Justice Prasad chairs first ever Full Council meeting in Srinagar
Srinagar, Oct 9 : The Press Council of India (PCI) today approved the report of the Sub-Committee on media and media scenario in Jammu and Kashmir at the full Council convened here today. The report was released at a Press Conference addressed by the PCI Chairman Justice C K Prasad at the Media Complex here this evening.
This is for the first time in recent history that the PCI held its full council meeting in Srinagar.
The meeting was chaired by PCI Chairman Justice C K Prasad. The PCI Members who attended today's meeting include Mr S N Sinha, (President, Indian Journalists Union), Mr Prakash Dubey (Group Editor Dainik Bhaskar), Mr Prabhat Kumar, Mr Apoorbha Kumar, Mr Bipin Newar, Mr Rajiv Ranjan Nag, Mr K D Chandola, Dr Suman Gupta, Dr K Sreenivasrao, Mr C K Nayak, Mr Prajanand Chaudhri, Mr Sondeep Shankar, Mr K Amarnath and Mr Gurinder Singh.
Ms Vibha Bhargava, Secretary PCI, Ms Poonam Sibal, Deputy Secretary PCI and other PCI officials were also present at the meeting.
Pertinently, a 3-Member PCI Sub-Committee headed by Mr S N Sinha visited Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh earlier this year to discuss the issues facing the media in the State.
Following the extensive visit of the PCI Sub-Committee to all the regions of the State and wide-ranging deliberations with the stakeholders, the full Council is now convening its annual meeting in Srinagar to dwell on detail on the issues confronting the media.
This will be the last full council meeting of the present Press Council before the new Council is constituted towards the end of this year.
The PCI Chairman lauded the extraordinary arrangements made by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of J&K and the personal efforts of the Director Information, Mr Muneer-ul-Islam in painstakingly facilitating the visits of the Sub-Committee to the various parts of the State and successfully organizing the full Council meeting today.
The PCI also appreciated the decision of J&K Government for forming a Media Advisory Committee (MAC) following the recommendations of the PCI Sub-Committee to look into the issues confronting the media in the State.
Meanwhile, several delegations of media owners, editors and working journalists called on the PCI delegation here this afternoon and apprised them of the issues confronting the media in the State. These included Kashmir Editors Guild, J&K Joint Forum of Newspaper Editors, Kashmir Working Journalists Association, TV Journalists Association Kashmir, J&K News Agencies Association, Video-Journalists Association, Photojournalists Association and others.
Nobel Laureate refuses to take position on use of pellet guns in Kashmir
Srinagar, Oct 9 : Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi who is in Kashmir Monday refused to talk about the use of pellet guns in Kashmir Valley.
During his colloquy with journalists here in Kashmir capital Srinagar, Satyarthi refused to take a position on the use of pellet guns when a reporter wanted to know his perception in this regard.
“I am not a politician so won’t indulge in political debates.” However Kailash said he would like to meet the victims in Kashmir.
Kailash Satyarthi who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for waging a peaceful struggle to protect children from being exploited as labour urged upon the children to focus on the education. “Stay away from violence and I assure you safety and protection. Together we can make this world beautiful,” he said and added that children should not be used to achieve goals.
Satyarthi is on a Bharat Yatra to spread awareness about crimes against children.
He was born in Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh. After completing an electrical engineering degree, he worked as a teacher. In 1980, he left teaching and founded Bachpan Bachao Andolan, which has freed thousands of children from slave-like conditions.
Army pays tribute to soldier killed in search operation
Budgam, Oct 9 : A soldier from 53 Rashtriya Rifles was killed when militants reportedly fired upon a search party on Saturday night in Drang area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Sources said that Army was conducting search operation in Drang village when militants reportedly fired upon a soldier. The soldier whom police identified as Subedar Rajkumar of 53 Rashtriya Rifles stationed at Drang was shifted to JVC hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
The soldier according to doctors died due to blood loss.
Another source said that Army man was killed due to accidental fire, however, Srinagar based Defense Spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia said the soldier was killed in cross-fire.
“A patrol party of a local army camp came under fire in Drang village. The fire was returned. However, one army man was killed in cross-fire,” he said.
Meanwhile, Army paid tribute to the departed soldier.
In a solemn ceremony at BB Cantt, Lt Gen JS Sandhu, Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks, paid homage to the slain soldier on behalf of country. In a show of solidarity, representatives from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the slain soldier.
The 47 year old slain soldier had joined Army in 1990 and hailed from Village Khanni in Himachal Pradesh. He is survived by his wife Toshi Devi and two sons.
The mortal remains of the slain soldier were flown for last rites to his native place, where he would be laid to rest with full military honours.
Kashmir:
Jaish operational chief killed in Rafiabad gunfight, says police
Barmulla, Oct 9 : Police on Monday said that operational chief of Jaish-e-Muhammad militant outfit Khalid was killed in a gunfight with forces in Ladoora village of Rafiabad in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
An official said that Khalid sustained bullet injury in his leg during a brief gunfight that ensued after forces cordoned off the area.
“He couldn’t flee because of the injury and died due to blood loss after taking refuge in a school building,” he said.
Kashmir Police chief Muneer Khan said that Khalid was the operational chief of Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit.
“He was the brain behind recent Fidayeen attacks,” said Khan.
Pillion rider dies in road accident
Pulwama, Oct 9 : A pillion rider and a motorcyclist was seriously injured when the motorcycle they were riding collided with a Cart in Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district late last evening, police said on Monday.
Two persons Firdous Ahmad son of Ghulam Nabi resident of Beighpora Awantipora and Javid Ahmad Bhat son of Ghulam Ahmad resident of Banderpora Awantipora were seriously injured when their motorcycle they were riding collided with a Cart near Padgampora Awantipora.
The injured were immediately taken to Sub District hospital Pampore in critical conditions where the Pillion rider Javaid Ahmad succumbed to his injuries.
Police said that the condition of injured motorcyclist Firdous Ahmed is critical.
On her second day at Budgam, Mehbooba visits Charar-e-Sharief
Directs release of Rs 2 cr for completing shopping complex; Also visits Imambara, Budgam
Srinagar, Oct 9 : On the second day of her Budgam visit, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti visited Charar i Sharief and paid her respects at the shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Noor ud Din Wali (R.A.).
The Chief Minister, who is also the chairperson of the Wakf Board, reviewed the pace of developmental and beautification works at the shrine and directed expeditious completion of the same.
Mehbooba Mufti directed release of Rs. Two crore for completion of works on the under construction shopping complex in the town. The demand for early completion of shopping complex had come up yesterday from people during the public grievance redressal camp of the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister also directed completion of other beautification works, drainage system, approach road to Kumar basti, developing public convenience facilities in the town etc. She asked for adoption of an integrated approach by all concerned agencies for early completion of these works.
Mehbooba Mufti also directed the local administration to make all necessary arrangements for the coming annual urs which is being observed next week.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister visited Imambara, Budgam and also directed early completion of works there. She directed that all the commitments made in this regard be fulfilled at the earliest.
Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura and officers of district administration accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.
News Agencies Association meets PCI Chairman
Srinagar, Oct 9 : News Agencies Association of Jammu and Kashmir Monday met Press Council of India Chairman and highlighted the problems faced by the news agencies.
A delegation of News Agencies Association of Jammu and Kashmir was led by Rasheed Rahi.
The delegation raised several issues and alleged that government has been neglecting and underestimating the role of local news agencies while much concern and priority are being shown and given to the national news agencies.
The delegation demanded that government should give do everything possible to groom the local news agencies.
Chairman Press Council of India Justice CK Prasad assured the delegation that he will raise the issue with concerned quarters and will try his best to address the problems faced by the news agencies in Jammu and Kashmir.
Braid chopping incidents aimed at to create disturbances in Valley: JD(U)
Srinagar, Oct 9 : Janata Dal (United) State Party President G.M Shaheen has strongly condemned the Braid Chopping incidents and described these as an attempt to create fear psychosis and frustration among the people in Kashmir.
In a statement to CNS, Shaheen said that some unknown elements are cutting the braids of women and young girls and want to trigger clashes within the society and create fear among women and young girls.
“From several weeks many parts of valley have been witnessing the braid chopping of teen girls in Kashmir which has left women folk in chaos and confusion. In this atmosphere, women and especially young girls are scared of coming out their homes. Even men are hesitating to come out in early morning and night as they feel more such attacks can happen in their absence,” he said.
He also questioned the Government as to why it has not been able to identify those culprits.
He stated that Braid Copping is a very serious matter and Government must take measures to contain such shameful activities. “It is right time for the government to act before fire engulfs whole Valley,” he said and added that these acts are aimed at to disturb the peace in Valley.
Construction of Mini- Secretariat historic measure for Srinagar’s future: PDP
Srinagar, Oct 9 : The ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party on Monday termed the Chief Minister’s decision of constructing mini-secretariat as a historic measure for the future of state’s summer capital- Srinagar. The party says such a measure would make governance more people friendly and services hassle free.
While addressing the party workers here, PDP’s Srinagar district president and MLC Mohammad Khurshid Alam says the government has yet again proved that Srinagar’s development is among its core agendas and that its development has been prioritised since the very inception of the coalition in Jammu and Kashmir.
Alam stated that the construction of the mini- secretariat in Srinagar would place all the public offices of the summer capital under one roof and people could heave a sigh of relief from moving from pillar to post in getting their issues addressed. The PDP leader says such a decision would go a long way in making governance more effective and pro-people. “The decision taken by the Chief Minister was the much awaited one by the people of Srinagar and other districts. It will ensure more effective governance on ground,” Alam said.
He added that the opposition parties at present have been rattled by the scores of pro-people measures being taken by the present government and same has also unmasked the farce claims these parties had been making to hoodwink people. “Our report card will be visible to one and all. We don’t believe in politics where only dreams are shown and reality turns contrary to claims. Our developmental agenda for Srinagar will be visible to the masses and making governance more and more people friendly has always been this government’s top most priority,” Alam said while addressing the workers.
He added that the hard work of the Chief Minister for Srinagar’s overall development has begun yielding results and works are now being executed on double shifts to ensure no deadline is missed. “These are the traits of the great leader that the change becomes visible on ground and more and more relief is provided to the people.”
Dr. Subhash Chandra inaugurates bureau office of Zee Salaam in Srinagar
Srinagar, Oct 9 : Dr. Subhash Chandra Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Chairman, Essel Group & Zee Media accompanied by Jagdish Chandra, CEO Zee Regional Channels today inaugurates bureau office of Zee Salaam, Urdu News channel at Rajbagh in Srinagar.
Pertinently Zee Salaam has started one hour’s special news beltline with focus on Jammu & Kashmir Affairs being telecasted at 7pm to 8pm. On the occasion Dr. Subhash Chandra said that the negativity about the Kashmir should be avoided rather positive stories should be given due space in media.
Among others Syed Tajamul Zee Salaam Bureau Chief Jammu Kashmir, Khalid Hussain Zee News Correspondent was also present on the occasion.
Besides one hour news bulletin with special focus on Jammu & Kashmir, the channel is also amid to telecast special programs in Kashmiri language to promote Kashmiri language and culture.
Dr. Subhash Chandra was on two days visit to Kashmir. He also hosted India’s popular motivational youth Show at SSM College of Engineering & Technology on Sunday. Huge number of students who participated in the DSC show interacts with the Chandra. During this next episode of the show, Dr. Chandra shared his views on ‘Choosing the Right Career Path’ and ‘How to Make or Break a Habit’. The inspirational change-maker from Kashmir were also invited on the show. The episodes shot in Kashmir will be telecast on Zee Media’s channels on November 11th and 18th respectively.
Advising the youth on ‘Choosing the Right Career Path’, Dr. Subhash Chandra said, “Finding the right career path is quite a difficult choice if you analyse its impact on your life. It could be a decision that you will have to live with for the rest of your life. But there are different approaches to looking at this decision. Some argue that your chances of success are very high when you make your passion your career. While others argue that career has nothing to do with passion – there are numerous factors which contribute to a successful career and passion is merely one of them. However, if you follow your heart and intuition while making this decision, they will lead you on the path to success.”
Sharing his views on ‘How to Make or Break a Habit’, Dr. Chandra added, “Often, when we do something for the first time, we face a lot of difficulty. But as we do it more often, it become easier, and finally, with sufficient practice, it becomes a habit. We end up doing it semi-mechanically, or with hardly any consciousness at all. The insight is that your habits are what you choose them to be. Once that choice occurs and becomes automatic, it’s not only real, it starts to seem inevitable. Change might not be fast and it isn’t always easy. But with time and effort, almost any habit can be formed or reshaped.”
7th Pay Commission will remove anomalies in JK: Dr Drabu
‘Stipend of GMC doctors/ Registrars to be brought at par with SKIMS counterparts’
Srinagar, Oct 9 : Outlining the system of addressing pay anomaly in various cadres of state employees, Minister for Finance and Labour & Employment, Dr Haseeb Drabu today said the new system will greatly simplify the system of administration.
“We will use the opportunity of 7th Pay Commission to do a major clean-up of the pay anomaly in the cadres of the state administration. Initially, the cadres will be rationalized followed by equalization and then equation through fixation of grades,” Dr Drabu said.
The Finance Minister was speaking during a meeting of the Pay Anomaly Committee which was also attended by Chief Secretary B B Vyas, Principal Secretary, Finance, Navin Choudhary and Principal Secretary, Home, R K Goyal among other officers.
During the meeting, Dr Drabu was told that there are 108 grades in pay scale of employees of Jammu and Kashmir government as against 18 cadres in central government, which poses a significant challenge to the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission.
“Certain pay scales have emerged over the years which have no correspondence at central level. They will require a substantial application of mind during the process of rationalization and equalization,” Dr Drabu said.
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister also approved the long-pending demand of young doctors who are hired on temporary basis as junior residents and registrars at Government Medical Colleges and Government Dental Colleges at Jammu and Srinagar.
Dr Drabu said the anomaly in stipend given to the doctors at Government Medical Colleges and Dental Colleges, and their counterparts who work at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science and affiliated hospitals will be removed.
“Our government is sensitive to the plight of professionals working in the medical profession and keeping in view the guidelines of Medical Council of India, their stipend will be brought at par with their counterparts in SKIMS,” the Finance Minister said.
The meeting was also attended by Pawan Kotwal, Commissioner Secretary Health, Principal JVMC, Dr Riyaz Unto, Joint Director Codes, R S Bali and other officers of the Finance and Health and Medical Education.
FROM : CNS