impressive procession, cultural cs reviews arrangements...

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019 (PAGE 10) DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU

Div Com reviews progress on workstaken up in convergence mode

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 12: DivisionalCommissioner Jammu, SanjeevVerma today chaired a high levelmeeting of DeputyCommissioners to reviewprogress on works taken up forexecution in the convergencemode.

The meeting was attended byDG RDD, Rehana Batul,Director Horticulture, R KSrangal, Director Sericulture,Gulzar Ahmed, DirectorAgriculutre, H K Razdan, ACDJammu, Aijaz Qasser and seniorfunctionaries of concerneddepartment besides all DCs ofJammu division attended themeeting through video confer-encing.

The Div Com directed theDCs to develop Vermicompostunits in all blocks of theirrespective districts. He alsopassed directions for develop-ment of ponds in all the districts.He directed the DCs to providevacant Government land todepartments for plantation.

DC Poonch informed thatthey have identified land forplantation and the process of pitdigging is in progress bySericulture Department. He alsoapprised the Div Com of theland identified for developmentof play grounds in the district.

DC Reasi informed that loca-

tions for plantation have beenidentified and land has beenhanded over to departments forplantation.

All the DCs apprised the DivCom of status of executed worksin the convergence mode.

The Div Com stressed on theplantation of fruit, mulberrytrees and other plants in all thedistricts. He directed the depart-ments to hold joint meetings ofAgriculture, Sericulture andHorticulture to develop interdepartment coordination for thepurpose.

He asked DCs of Jammu,Samba and Kathua to identifyland for bamboo plantation intheir respective districts in viewof the potential and scope inthese areas. He directed ACDsof all the districts to facilitatedepartments for plantation andother developmental activities.

Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Verma chairing a meetingon Saturday.

Dr K C Sharma gets ASISocial Services Award

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 12: Dr K CSharma, Surgeon Specialist,Udhampur, has beenhonoured with "ASISocial ServiceAward 2018" duringthe annual confer-ence of Associationof Surgeons of India,held recently atChennai.

The award, consisting ofcitation, certificate and shieldmemento, was presented byGovernor Banwarilal Purohitand Chief Minister EdappadiK Palaniswami of Tamil Nadu,in the presence of ASI presi-dent Dr Dilip Gode and allExecutive members and partic-ipant Surgeons from all over

the country in the conferenceDr K C Sharma completed

his MBBS in 1965 from GMC,Srinagar and MS (General

Surgery) from MAMCollege, New Delhi. Hehas served all along inremotest rural areas ofJ&K extending fromLadakh to Lakhanpurand Poonch to Doda. Heis also doing many

social services for the poor andneedy people. He has devel-oped many new Innovations insurgery with minimumresources

Jammu & Kashmir Statechapter has instituted Dr K CSharma Oration every year tothe eminent Surgeon fromIndia in recognition of his con-tribution.

CS reviews arrangements for training of Sarpanches from Jan 15

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Jan 12: ChiefSecretary, B V RSubrahmanyam chaired a meet-ing through video conferencetoday with Secretary, RuralDevelopment and PanchayatiRaj, Sheetal Nanda, DirectorGeneral DevelopmentDepartment Jammu RehanaBatul, Director Panchayati Raj,Director Rural DevelopmentDepartment Kashmir, QaziSarwar and all DeputyCommissioners for reviewingthe arrangements for trainings tothe elected Sarpanches of J&Kto be imparted at all districtheadquarters from 15th Januaryto 7th February 2019.

He reviewed in detail thearrangements regarding thetraining venues and also board-ing and lodging facilities forSarpanches. He directed allDeputy Commissioners toaccord all seriousness to thetrainings and personally inaugu-rate the trainings. He said thatsuch training programmes

would go a long way in buildingcapacities of the elected repre-sentatives and help them tochalk out their roles and respon-sibilities and enable them to dis-charge their duties more effi-ciently.

While complimenting theefforts of the DeputyCommissioners in makingPanchayat elections successful,the Chief Secretary reiteratedthe importance of Panchayatsand directed the DCs to ensurethe system takes roots in thestate. He also directed the DCsto ensure all Panchayats haveworking space, bank accountsand frontline workers nominatedby all departments.

Secretary, RuralDevelopment, Sheetal Nanda,on the occasion, briefed the par-ticipants about the course mod-ule and other arrangements doneby the Department for the train-ings. She urged the DCs toensure the sarpanches attend thetrainings without fail as theywould lead them towards thedesired goal of self reliance.

Impressive procession, culturalevents mark Lohri celebrations

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 12: On the eveof Lohri Festival, various func-tions were organized acrossJammu region, besides a proces-sion from Mubarak Mandi to

Shri Raghunath Temple.To celebrate the Festival,

Dogra Swabhimaan Sangathan(DSS) organized a simple andimpressive function in whichfamilies and friends of all theoffice bearers, members of cen-tral working committees, CWCand frontal organizations partic-ipated.

Choudhary Lal Singh alongwith his family including hiswife Ex-MLA Kanta Andotragreeted all the members of theDSS in particular and the wholeDogra community in general.The program started with theburning wood crackles and dis-tributing 'Gur' and peanuts to allthe office bearers.

While addressing the gather-ing, Lal Singh said that this fes-tival symbolizes that the seedsthat lay dormant for the want ofheat, now sprout forthwith.Similarly this year is going to bethe year of Dogras and all sortsof maltreatment and discrimina-tion will come to an end and anew era: an era of prosperity,justice for all, and above all,equal opportunities both to theweaker and the stronger shall be

there. He also greeted the veter-ans on the eve of Veterans Day,falling on 14 Jan, and wishedthem and their families' happi-ness and good health.

In its efforts to revive the

disappearing Dogra culturalethos, Team Jammu along withJammu Heritiage Society andJammu Dogra Warriors todayorganized impressive Lohri pro-cession to educate the youngergeneration about age old tradi-tions of Jammu region.

Team Jammu along withother organizations and with theinvolvement of youth, elderlyand prominent people organizeda Lohri procession, that startedfrom historical Mubarak Mandicomplex-seat of erstwhile Dograrulers and culminated at theworld famous Shri RaghunathTemple before passing throughdifferent routes of the cityincluding Chowk Chabutra, JainBazar, Link Road, PuraniMandi, Center Basic SchoolRoad, Old Hospital Road, SuperBazaar, City Chowk, KanakMandi and Rajinder Bazar.

In Dogra attires, hundreds ofyouth, children and elderly, whoparticipated in the procession,reminded the elders ofMaharaja's days when suchdresses were wore by one andall. Route of the procession wasespecially decorated with

buntings, flowers and banners. Various shopkeeper associa-

tions, from Mubarak Mandi toRaghunath Bazar had set upstalls of water, juice, fruits anddry fruits to welcome the partic-ipants who were beating dholsand singing traditional Dogrisongs. People welcomed theprocession including Nat Manchartists and school children per-forming Dhandiya at severalplaces by showering flowerpetals.

The historical event wasorganized to revive the old tradi-tion when erstwhile Dogra rulersused to celebrate Lohri in simi-lar way by taking out a proces-sion from Mubarak Mandi.Memory of Maharaja HariSingh's time was refreshed in themind of elderly people of thewalled city when Lohri proces-sion passed through their locali-ties.

While culminating the pro-cession outside Shri Raghunathji Temple by lighting firewoodand jointly performing 'Argg'with recitation of 'GayatriMantra" by one and all, thespeakers including, Chairman ofTeam Jammu, Zorawar SinghJamwal, president, JammuHeritage Society, BhuvneshwarGandtora, chairman, JammuDogra Warriors, Varun Magotraand cultural wing head of TeamJammu and noted Dogri poet,Thakura Randheer SinghRaipuria, stated that aim oftoday's event is to educateyounger generation about ourcultural festivals like Lohri.

Folk group dancers includ-ing Dhani Ram from Dansal andRaj Kumar from Bajalta exhibit-ed spell bound performancesthat earned applauses from cityresidents and even tourists fromKashmir valley and other statesof the country. A 'Chhaja' mak-ing competition was also organ-ized on the occasion.

Convener of VishavKashmiri Samaj and formerCommissioner, JMC, KiranWattal along with number of KPyouths and elderly also partici-pated in the event and wishedpeople on the eve of Lohri.

To celebrate the LohriFestival, JKAACL sub-officeKathua organized a unique pro-gramme at the historical Fort ofSamba. Vikas Gupta, AdditionalDeputy Commissioner Sambawas the chief guest whereas DrKoushal Kumar, SeniorSuperintendent of Police, Sambawas the guest of honour on theoccasion.

The programme started withthe vibrant singing of C S Kattalwho made everyone spellboundwith his singing. This was fol-lowed by the mesmerizing per-formances of Prem Singh,Mohinder Kumar and SoniaDogra & Party who gave theperformances of Dogri Folkdance, Jagarna and Dogri Folk.The major attraction of the pro-gramme was the performance ofHern by Rajkumar and party &Suhaag by Suman Lata andParty.

Advisor emphasises on creation of ample & gainfulemployment opportunities for women folk

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 12: Laudingthe role of Women’sDevelopment Corporationtowards promotion of the inter-ests of women folk in the Statewith focus on underprivilegedsegments, Advisor to GovernorKhurshid Ahmed Ganai todayemphasized on the need on creat-ing ample and gainful employ-ment opportunities for womenenabling them to live a dignifiedlife.

“Raising their living standardwill enable them to contributetowards growth and developmentof the society with added vigorand energy” he added.

The Advisor, who is also theChairman of Jammu andKashmir Women’s DevelopmentCorporation (JKWDC) wasspeaking at the 24th meeting ofBoard of Directors of theCorporation, here today.

Principal Secretary Finance,Navin Choudhary, SecretarySocial Welfare Dr Farooq AhmadLone, Director General PlanningDevelopment and MonitoringDepartment Shahzada BilalAhmad, Managing Director,JKWDC Naheed Soz and othermembers of BoD including Prof.Yasmeen Ashai, Dr. Kavita Suriand Muslim Jan were present atthe meeting.

The meeting was informedthat the Corporation is imple-menting a number of develop-mental schemes for socio-eco-nomic uplift of women with spe-cial focus on those living BelowPoverty Line (BPL) and also forthe qualified women entrepre-neurs.

After detailed deliberations,several important decisions weretaken by the Board for bettermanagement of the affairs of theCorporation.

The board meeting approvedproposals including implementa-tion of 7th Pay Commission forthe staff, brand name for theproducts of JKWDC, proposalfor purchase of land for construc-tion of office complex at Jammu,etc.

The Chairman asked JKWDCfor identification and promotionof more women entrepreneurs,organizing awareness camps andidentifying women for activitieswhich make them more empow-ered. He stressed on giving prior-ity to far-off and uncovered areasso that women living there can bebenefited by the schemes ofJKWDC.

The Chairman also directedJKWDC to participate inNational and state level exhibi-tions, trade fairs to display and

sell the products of the womenbeneficiaries.

The Board membersobserved that there is huge scopeof employment opportunities forwomen under JKWDC schemesand for this purpose a well knitstrategy shall be framed to

reach out to the socially and eco-nomically backward women fortheir socio-economic uplift .

Later, the Advisor KhurshidAhmed Ganai along with Boardmembers released the“Calendar” of JKWDC for theyear 2019-20.

Advisor Khurshid Ganai chairing a meeting on Saturday.

Nat Manch artists performing Dhandiya during Lohri pro-cession in Jammu. -Excelsior/Rakesh

MVM holds programme on ‘Role of media’ to pay tributes to Maharishi

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 12: MaharishiVidhya Mandir (MVM) Jammucelebrated 102nd birth anniver-sary of Maharishi Mahesh Yogihere today. The day was desig-nated as the "Age ofEnlightened Day". On thisoccasion, S K Sharma,Additional Income TaxCommissioner, was the chiefguest while some media per-sonalities were among theguest of honour.

The Additional Income TaxCommissioner, S K Sharma,while delivering his lecture as achief guest, stressed on moralvalues, which, he said, areimportant for a journey, calledlife. In a very simple way, henarrated the values of life to thestudents. Delivering his lecturein Dogri language on therequest of students, Sharmasaid, "we should be thankful tothe Almighty that we are bornin India. This country is a hugesource of learning of moral val-ues. Indian culture and tradi-tions have taught many lessonsto the world."

Deepak Khajuria, a seniorjournalist presently workingwith The News Now, spoke onthe topic of "Media's influenceon the society". Khajuria said,can influence society in a nega-tive as well as in positive way.Citing certain examples, hereferred to the values as well asmerits and demerits of socialmedia platforms. He discussedthe role of digital media in thepresent era in steering the soci-ety.

Avdesh Chouhan, a seniorjournalist from Dainik Jagran,said that the media of the day isplaying an outstanding role increating and shaping publicopinion for strengthening thesociety. He said that media issword arm of democracy.

Balram Saini from PunjabKesri spoke on the topic "Roleof media in digital India". Toan extent, he said, digital mediais a common platform for peo-ple to raise their voice and uti-lize their freedom of speech.

The Principal, Rita Sharma,in her speech, said that the daywas dedicated to MaharishiMahesh Yogi.

Addl Income Tax Commissioner and others paying tributes toMaharishi Mahesh Yogi during a programme on Saturday.

JKEDI discusses StartupPolicy with BBIA

Excelsior CorrespondentJAMMU, Jan 12: In the

ongoing endeavour to promoteinnovation-based startups in theState under the J&K StartupPolicy - 2018, the Jammu &Kashmir EntrepreneurshipDevelopment Institute (JKEDI)today held a meeting with BariBrahmna Industrial Association(BBIA) here.

Dr. M.I Parray, DirectorJKEDI, Tufail Mattoo,Executive Director JKEDI, Dr.Majid Manzoor Khan, ChiefFaculty JKEDI, Lalit Mahajan,President BBIA, SureshMahajan, Senior Vice-PresidentBBIA, Vivek Singhal, SecretaryBBIA, Ritesh Mahajan,Secretary Association ofIndustries, Samba and otherconcerned attended the meeting.

The meeting was conductedto provide detailed insight intothe J&K Startup Policy and theincentives/benefits available tothe registered Startups offeredunder the policy.

A threadbare discussion wasconducted with respect to vari-ous aspects of the Startup Policylike Incubation Facilities,Assistance for Product Research&Development/Marketing/Publicity, Funding Facilities, EnergyAssistance, Tax Benefits as wellas Infrastructure Support and theimportance of having a synergicrelationship between JKEDI andindustrial fraternity of J&K tocreate the first of its kindinvestors network namelyJammu & Kashmir AngelNetwork (JKAN) and Jammuand Kashmir Venture CapitalNetwork (JKVCN).

The meeting resolved thatthere is an urgent need to facili-tate the creation of innovation-based Startups in the State which

in today’s world are consideredas the drivers of economic andsocial solidity.

JKEDI has been designatedas State Nodal Agency for theimplementation of the J&KStartup Policy-2018 which wasrolled out in September 2018 bythe Government.

The meeting was one amongthe various endeavours taken upby the Institute for the success-ful and effective implementationof the policy.

Tributes paid to martyrMangal Singh

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Jan 12: Formerminister and DCC Kathua, pres-ident Dr ManoharLal Sharma andseveral otherCongress func-tionaries andlocals today paidhomage toShaheed MangalSingh at his homeplace villageLadoli, inP a n c h a y a tMangloor.

Mangal Singhhad sacrificed hislife for the nation while fightingthe terrorist at Shah Post, in dis-trict Poonch on Janaury 12,2002. Dr Sharma said MangalSingh is now a role model formany youth of the area and heset true example of honesty, ded-ication and love for his countryby sacrificing his life.

He further a nation shouldnever forget its martyrs and alsowar veterans and stated that itsour duty to remember and hon-

our the supreme sacrificesmade by them. He thanked thewar veterans present during thefunction and said people shouldfeel proud and blessed that suchgreat people are within us whoserved country in tough timesand made the Dogras proud. Hepointed out that Kathua districthas history of serving indefence and making sacrificesfor the nation.

During the function peoplemade demand of renaming thelink road after the martyr towhich Dr Sharma said that hewill take up their demand withthe Govt. He said families ofmartyrs didn't get adequatefinancial help from the StateGovt as compared to compensa-tion to other states. He request-ed the Governor to provide ade-quate compensation/ ex- gratiato the family of the martyr.

On this occasion, SubedarMajor, Jagjeet Singh from 15JAK Rifles along with his teampaid floral tributes to theShaheed Mangal Singh. Thefunction concluded with singingof National Anthem and homageto two Army personnel and aporter who attained martyrdomyesterday while fighting terroristat Nowshera and Sunderbanisectors.

Subhash Gupta (Ex MLC),Prem Kumar (Ex MLA),Dharam Singh, Capt Gian SinghPathania, Capt Manohar Singh,Karam Chand Khajuria, DalbirSethi, Sarpanches KulbhushanSingh and family members ofShaheed Mangal Singh and oth-ers were also present.

Cong leaders and others paying tributesmartyr Mangal Singh at Mangloor in Kathuaon Saturday.

‘Prepare, submit actionplan for LS elections’

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 12: The Legal,Human Rights & RTIDepartment of All IndiaCongress Committee held ameeting here today with all StateChairmen of the Legal, Human

Right and RTI Department ofrespective Pradesh CongressCommittees at party headquar-ters, New Delhi.

The meeting was headed byNational Chairman of Legal,Human Rights & RTIDepartment, Vivek Tankha (MP)and was administered by theNational Secretary Legal,

Human Rights & RTIDepartment AICC, VipulMaheahwari.

It was attended by AhmadPatel MP, Abhishek ManuSinghvi MP and Chairmen ofdifferent States across the coun-

try. All the StateChairmen submit-ted the workreport to thedepartment.

In the meetingTankha asked allthe Chairmen toprepare and sub-mit the actionplan for the LokSabha elections2019 and stressed

that lawyers arethe opinion makers

of the society and should playthe vital role in opinion makingagainst the present government.

Vipul Maheshwari in hisaddress stressed to complete theorganizational structure and getready for the combat role in themajor fight against the allegedfascist Government in cominggeneral elections.

Senior Congress leaders during a meetingat New Delhi.

BJP’s exit from Jammu willlead to ‘Achhe Din’: Harsh

Excelsior Correspondent

MARH, Jan 12: Former min-ister and NPP chairman Harsh DevSingh today said that the partywhich rose to power on the slo-gans of empowerment of Jammuand 'Achhe Din' winning 25 seatsin the State Assembly and bothseats of Parliament gave theshocker of their lifetimes to itselectorates by its cowardly surren-ders and compromises on almostall Jammu related issues during its3½ years rule.

Addressing public meeting atGho Manasan in Marh constituen-cy today, Harsh Dev said that notonly did the tall promises made inthe Election manifesto by the BJPrecede into the oblivion but Jammuregion was pushed to terminaldecline only to appease theKashmir centric forces. He said thatwhile our already negligible sharein services and developmentdeclined to lowest level, the Dograpride received the severest dentsduring the said rule. The nightmar-ish experiences of BJP rule willcontinue to haunt the people ofJammu for years, said Singh.

"The educated youth ofJammu who were assured of jobsand gainful employment weremade to languish on the roads.Their share particularly in statelevel services reached an all timelow. In several select lists issued

by PSC and SSB the youth ofJammu region got hardly 4-5%share. The last few years wit-nessed these youth engaged inspree of protests outside recruit-ment agencies with none to evenlisten to their grievances. The lead-ers in whom they reposed theirfaith, abandoned them and tooksides with their Kashmir basedmasters. The people of Jammuregion had to resort to protest anddemonstrations to get a few hun-dred posts of SPOs. And while thehighly educated youth of Jammuregion were ignored and givenstep motherly treatment, the BJPrule witnessed announcements ofdoles and schemes for stone-pel-ters and surrendered militants",said Singh.

"What happened to tall sloganson Tawi Artificial Lake projectwhich came to a grinding halt dur-ing BJP regime? What's theprogress on Mubarak MandiHeritage project which appears tohave been put in cold storage afterBJP ascended to power? And whathappened to BJP slogans of con-struction of flyovers, developmentof Jammu as Smart City, beautifi-cation of historical RaghunathBazaar, launching of metro inJammu city, promotion of tourismbesides delimitation of Assemblyconstituencies, and so on, " ques-tioned Harsh Dev.

NPP leader Harsh Dev Singh addressing public meeting onSaturday.

National Youth Day celebratedwith enthusiasm, zeal

Excelsior CorrespondentJAMMU, Jan 12: National

Youth Day was celebrated withenthusiasm and zeal to commemo-rate the birth anniversary of SwamiVivekananda.

National Youth Day was cele-brated with great enthusiasm bythe Ramakrishna Mission ofJammu and local school children atthe Mission premises atUdheywala, here today.

The celebration was inaugurat-ed by the chief guest SanjeevVerma, Divisional CommissionerJammu along with guest of honourProf Vishwa Raksha, HODSociology, Jammu University andSwami Nirantarananda Maharaj,Secretary of the RamakrishnaMission's Jammu Ashram. SunitaThusoo Managing Director of the7 SEAS International EducationGandhi Nagar was also present onthe occasion.

National Youth Day was cele-brated at Vivekananda Auditoriumby conducting lectures, culturalprograms, drama, musical play andvarious other performances by thelocal students. Approximately 450persons including students, devo-tees and local people gathered forthe celebration.

Various items including violinplay by Suresh, Kathak Dance byRumika Kumari, Group Dances bycoaching centre students, recitationby Ketan Kashyap, speeches onvarious topics on youth andSwamiji's vision by SakshiSharma, Arti, Sunita Thussu,Pradeep Ghordi and Manik Slathia,etc were presented on the occasion.

The play "Shaheed Bhagat Singh"by Vishal and his group made theenvironment nationalistic andemotionally charged.

In the end, vote of thanks waspresented by Kuldeep Khajuria.

All J&K Youth Federation(AJKYF) paid rich tributes toSwami Vivekanand on his 156thbirth anniversary on the occasionof National Youth Day in the pres-ence of Arjun Sharma, Convener,AJKYF here today.

Prominent among those whoparticipated were Sanjay Sandhu,Haroon Rashid, Nakul Sharma,Fazal-ul-Haq Choudhary, ShahNawaz Khaki, Sahil Jamwal, ErAnkit Sharma, Rahul Dev Singh,Er Akshay Raina, Advocate SSKhajuria, Shatmanyu Sharma,Abheet Sangotra, Ankush Sharma,Swarit Mahajan, Kamal Verma,Bilal Ahmed, Sohail Raiyaz,Sharaz Akhter and Durga DeepSingh.

Swami Vivekananda Jayantiwas celebrated at Bawa KailakhDev Mandir, Thather Bantalab.Member Human Rights commis-sion Chander Mohan Sharma wasthe chief guest, while CorporatorKuldeep Singh Chib, AdvocateAdarsh Bhagat, Sarpanch Ashok,Ex-MLABharat Bhushan, Er PalviVerma, Sarpanch Mishriwala,Kishore Sharma Sarpanch Nagrotaand many others were present onthe occasion. The function washosted by Shakti Dutt Sharma,Vice President Vishav HinduParishad. In the end, CommitteePresident Ram Pal Seth presentedvote of thanks.

Pathania serves legal notice to PDD for defaming him as defaulter

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 12: FormerMLA R S Pathania has served alegal notice upon theCommissioner/Secretary PowerDevelopment Department seek-ing compensation of Rs 20 lakhas damages for defaming him asdefaulter on account of electricityarrears.

The legal notice has beenserved through Advocate AjazIqbal Parihar in response to thedisconnection notice published innewspaper and revealing R SPathania’s name as a defaulterbesides showing wrong amountto be recovered from him.

Explaining that the bill

amounting to Rs 15,40,303 ismostly on account usage of earli-er allottees and the interest there-of, the legal notices further saysthat not even a single Dasti noticewas issued to Pathania by PDDbefore publishing his name asdefaulter, which has tarnishedimage of former MLA in the eyesof public.

“It is accordingly called uponyou to pay a compensation of Rs20 lakh to my client (R SPathania) as damages for defam-ing him on account of wrongfulact of your department failingwhich, I will initiate legal pro-ceedings against you in the appro-priate court of law,” the legalnotice reads.