Top News of J&KJAMMU, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2021

RNI No. JKENG/ 2010/39369 Regd. No. JK- 435e-paper: www.topnewsjk.in

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BRIEFLY

SUNNY LEONE MOVES KERALA HC SEEKING ANTICIPATORY BAIL

Biden Admin ‘welcomes India’s emergence as

leading global power’

Kuldeep Yadav’s childhood coach questions Indian team

selection

Ghulam Nabi Azad to be nominated as Rajya Sabha member from Kerala?

JAMMU, Feb 10 (Agen-cies): Congress is likely to bring Ghulam Nabi Azad back to the Rajya Sabha.

As per reports emerg-ing, Azad could be nominated from Kerala in April when three members from Kerala will retire.

Sources told agency that Congress does not want leader of stature of Ghulam Nabi Azad to stay away from picture and also he could play a substantial role when elections will be held in J&K.

Polictal experts while speaking to agency said that Azad is one of the tallest Muslim Leader in J&K and Congress knows how important the reach of Azad is for the party.

Two persons arrested with brown-sugar like substance in north Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Feb 10 (Agencies): Two persons were held with 15 grams of brown sugar like sub-stances from Kawapara area of border town Karnah in north Kash-mir’s Kupwara district on Tuesday evening, said police.

A case Under NDPS act has been registered in police station Tangdar.

Intruder killed on LoC in Uri

URI, Feb 10 (Agencies): An intruder was killed by government forces at Dulanja post near LoC in Uri area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district in wee hours on Wednesday.

A senior police officer said that in night hours one intruder was killed at LoC on PaK side near forword post Dulanja Uri by security forces.

The officer further said that the body along with weapon is visible,

JAMMU, Feb 10 (Agen-cies): In a big political development that shook the Panthers Party, a two time legislator Bal-want Singh Mankotia has resigned from the basic membership of one of the oldest political party of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mankotia, a resident of

Udhampur, had made his entry in the J&K legislative assembly twice and was presently president of the Panthers party.

Mankotia took to social media site Facebook and uploaded a video, announcing resignation from the party.

“I am doing this in per-sonal capacity. I resign from all the chairs as well as membership of the party,” he said.

A veteran political leader of Jammu province, Manko-tia also appealed Panthers party patron Bhim Singh to let party chairman Harsh Dev Singh to carry forth all the tasks of the party as he is capable to do so.

Balwant Singh Mankotia resigns from Panthers party

SRINAGAR, Feb 10 (Agencies): The government on Wednesday ordered the constitution of District Level Single Window Committee(s) for each district of Jammu and Kash-mir for facilitating the execution of mining leases of e-auction for project proponents where clearance/NOC applications have not been received or are under process.

The ten-member committee is headed by the respective Deputy Commissioner and its members include Additional Deputy Com-missioner (Convener), Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Division-al Forest Officer, Executive Engi-neer, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti Department, District Mineral Officer, District Officer Pollution Control Board, Assistant Director

Fisheries and Wildlife Warden.The committee has been tasked to

issue necessary clearance on behalf of all concerned agencies within 30 days which may extend to 45 days in exceptional circumstances for rea-sons to be recorded in writing.

Its terms of reference also include placing the matter before the con-cerned Divisional Commissioner in case of any delay for resolution.

“The Additional Deputy Commis-sioner shall be the Nodal Officer for receiving Clearance/NOC appli-cations at a single point,” it said, adding, “The Committee shall be serviced by Directorate of Geology and Mining J&K, which shall clearly indicate the nature of clearance /information to be sought from each stakeholder department”.

Govt forms district panels, sets deadline for mining leases through e-auction

SRINAGAR, Feb 10 (Agencies): Fresh traf-fic from Jammu to Sri-nagar was on Wednesday allowed to ply on 270-km-long national highway, which connects Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, after clearing stranded vehicles till late last evening.

However, only stranded trucks and load carriers — carrying essential com-modities and other items — will be allowed to move towards Kashmir on the highway.

“Hundreds of vehicles left Jammu for Kashmir on Wednesday morning as

fresh traffic was allowed to ply on the national high-way after clearing the vehi-cles, which were stranded on the road for several hours on Tuesday due to landslides, till late last eve-ning,” a traffic police offi-cial said.

He said traffic on the highway was suspended on Tuesday afternoon due to fresh landslides at Marog in Ramban dis-trict. However, he said the National Highway Author-ity of India (NHAI) has already pressed into service sophisticated machines and cleared the landslides. “The vehicles, stranded at vari-

ous places on the national highway, were cleared till late last evening,” he added.

Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) will have to cross Nagrota (Jammu) between 0600 hrs and 1100 hrs on Wednesday. “The LMVs will have to cross Jakheni (Udhampur) between 0700 hrs and 1200 hrs,” he said, adding that no vehicles will be allowed before and after cut off timing.

He said only stranded Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) in Udhampur will be allowed to move towards Kashmir.

Fresh traffic allowed on Jammu-Srinagar national highway

No civilian aware of move to abrogate Article 370: govt to RS

NEW DELHI, Feb 10 (Agencies): The government on Wednesday denied that civilians, including a journalist, were privy to information related to the abrogation of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

The Central government got the approval of Parliament on August 5, 2019 for the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.

No sir, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy told the Rajya Sabha when asked whether civilians, including a journalist, were privy to knowledge about the abrogation of Article 370 prior to the information being shared with Par-liament on August 5, 2019.

AN-32 Kargil courier cancelled due to snowfall at Kargil

SRINAGAR, Feb 10 (Agencies): The Indian Air Force (AIF) AN 32 courier service on Wednesday has been cancelled due to fresh snowfall this morning at Kargil in the border district of Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh.

Chief Coordinator, AN-32 Kargil Courier Service, AamirAli said that due to fresh snowfall early this morning at border district the courier service between Kargil and Jammu were cancelled.

”We had planned two AN 32 courier service between Kargil and Jammu for today”, he said, adding that due to snowfall both the sorties have been cancelled.

He said fresh dates will be announced later.

The IAF is operating AN 32 courier service during winter for the passen-gers of Kargil, which remained cut off due to closure of the Srinagar-Leh national highway due to accu-mulation of snow at Zojlla pass and other places since January I, 2021.

On February 8, AN-32 Kargil Cou-rier airlifted 54 passengers, includ-ing 4 infants, in two sorties from Kargil to Jammu.

Similarly, 26 passengers were air-lifted from

SRINAGAR, Feb 10 (Agencies): The minimum temperatures remained below sub-zero level and dropped slightly in most parts of the Kashmir Valley, the weatherman said on Wednesday.

A meteorological depart-ment official said that the mercury settled at minus 1.6°C against the previous nights minus 1.2°C and normal of 0.2°C for this time of the year. The tem-perature this season, espe-cially last month, consis-tently remained far below normal. On January 31, the mercury plunged to minus

8.8°C, the coldest January night recorded in Srinagar after 30 years.

Qazigund, the gateway town of J&K, recorded a low of minus 3.8°C against minus 4.3°C on the previ-ous night while the mer-cury settled at minus 4.0°C in the world-famous tourist resort of Pahalgam against 2.2°C on the previous night. Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.5°C against minus 2.5°C on the previ-ous night, he said.

The mercury also settled at minus 1.8°C in Kupwara

Mercury drops slightly in Kashmir

BJP won chairperson post, while independent won vice chairperson post in Reasi

REASI, Feb 10 (Agen-cies): Saraf Singh Nag of BJP wins the chairperson post of DDC Reasi by secur-ing 9 votes out of 14. Whereas Sajra Qadri independent candidate from Gulabgarh won the vice chairperson post through toss. As per the information, BJP candidate Abdul Rashid and Indepen-dent candidate Sajra Qadri got 7 -7 votes and later on through toss she was declared won.

SRINAGAR, Feb 10 (Agencies): The PAGD can-didates were elected chair-persons and vice-chair-persons in Ganderbal and Pulwama districts today.

The PDP candidate Syed Bari Andrabi was elected as chairperson of District Development Council (DDC) of Pulwama while Mukhtar Bandh (NC) has been elected as vice chair-

man.National Conference (NC)

candidate Nuzhat Ishfaq was elected as the chair-person of DDC Ganderbal, while Bilal Ahmad Sheikh of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was elected as vice chairman DDC Gan-derbal.

Bari got 9 votes and his rival Javed Rahim Bhat 4.

PAGD gets chairpersons, vice-chairpersons Ganderbal, Pulwama

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: District Con-

gress Committee Jammu Urban, on Wednesday, held a demon-stration at Shaheedi Chowk, here against the BJP government to protest the incessant hike in petrol, diesel and gas prices across the country.

The protest was organized by DCC Jammu (U) and led by former Minister and Vice Presi-dent JKPCC Raman Bhalla; former Minister Yogesh Sawh-ney- General Secretary JKPCC & In-charge District President Jammu (U), Th. Manmohan Singh, General Secretary JKPCC

and JKPCC Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma.

Senior leaders accompanied by other leaders and workers held strong protest amidst raising slogans and carrying placards against price hike of petrol and diesel.

Bhalla attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central gov-ernment over the rise of petrol and diesel price, alleged that excise duty on diesel has been hiked by 820 per cent and 258 per cent on petrol in the last six years.

The party has demanded an explanation of how exactly has the government spent Rs 20 lakh

crore that it “collected by mul-tiple hikes in excise duty on both petrol and diesel” in last six years.

Excise duty is a form of tax imposed on goods for their production, licensing and sale. Former Minister said, “today, in Jammu, the petrol prices have reached an all-time high of Rs 88.70 a litre. Diesel has reached Rs 75.88 litre and what is more shocking is the fact that during the Congress’ regime, when UPA left power in May 2014, the inter-national crude oil prices were 108 dollars per barrel. It has come down to all most half, which is 55.52

DCC holds demonstration against incessant hike in petro products

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JAMMU, Feb 10 (Agen-cies): The Jammu and Kash-mir Police on Wednesday booked a former Finance department official for being allegedly involved in misappropriating pension funds to the tune of over Rs 25 lakh, an official said.

The case against ex-head cashier of Reasi Treasury Thakur Dass was regis-tered following a writ-ten communication from Deputy Director (Central), Accounts and Treasur-ies, Finance department, Mohammad Iqbal Ganaie, a

spokesperson of the Crime Branch, Jammu, said.

The complainant alleged Dass, who was entrusted with the payment of pen-sions to the rightful claim-ants and have domain over the government exchequer, deliberately and

45 Fresh Covid-19 Cases, One Death

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: Nine

travelers were among 45 fresh covid-19 cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir, taking the total infection count to 125052. Also, one more person died due to the virus, taking the death toll to 1945—722 in Jammu and 1223 in Kashmir.

Among the new cases, they said, six were from Jammu Division and 39 from Kashmir Valley.

Giving the district-wise details, Srinagar

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Former J&K officer booked for ‘misappropriating’ Rs 25 lakh pension money

JAMMU, Feb 10 (Agen-cies): Lt Governor Manoj Sinha hands over a cheque of Rs 250 crore to J&K Bank as second installment of 5% Interest Subvention under Economic Package. Around 3.41 lakh small

and big businessmen and business establishments have availed the benefits of Interest Subvention.

LG further said that we will continue to release the Interest Subvention part as and when we receive the

request, says the Lt Gov-ernor. An amount to the tune of Rs 264 cr has been disbursed as financial assistance to 16,800 youth identified to become entre-preneurs under Back To Village and My Town My Pride programmes.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha hands over a cheque of Rs 250 Crore to J&K Bank

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2 Top News of J&K

Jammu, Wednesday, February 10, 2021OBITUARIES

TENTH DAY KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow, we inform the sad demise of our beloved Sh Janki Nath Sapru S/o Late Sh Ragho Ram Sapru on 4 Feb. 2021 original resident of 118/1 Karafalli Mohalla, Srinagar at present Flat No.702 JM Park Sapphire, Vaishali Ghaziabad UP.Tenth Day Kriya will be performed on Friday, 12 Feb. 2021 at Murad Nagar Ghaziabad UP at 9 am.GRIEF STRICKENMoti Lal Sapru & Shanta Sapru -Brother & BhabiDr Ashok Sapru and Girja Sapru -Son & Daughter-in-lawP.L Sapru and Reeta Sapru -Son & Daughter-in-lawM.K Nazir -Son-in-lawBimla Koul & Subash Koul -Daughter & Son-in-lawPinky Raina & S.K Raina -Daughter & Son-in-lawSushma Bhan and Satish Bhan -Daughter & Son-in-lawGrand Children: Abhay, Bhavik, Mithila, Rahul, Sanchit, Ananya and Preksha

MOURNING FROM IN-LAWS SIDEWith profound grief and sorrow, we inform the sad and sudden demise of our beloved and respected broth-er-inlaw Sh. Chuni Lal Kuchroo of Baramulla at present JalVayu Vihar, Greater Noida on February 13, 2021 leaving us behind heart broken and dismayed. Mourning from in-laws side will be observed at 35/7 Anand Nagar, Bohri, Jammu.GRIEF STRICKEN:Smt. & Sh. C. L. TickooSmt. & Sh. B. L. TickooSmt. & Sh. AnupamTickooSmt. Sarlaji TickooSmt. & Sh. Sunil TickooSmt. Soni Lata & Sh. Ratan Lal Pandita.Smt. Lovelyji & Sh. Ravinder Raina.

TENTH DAY/KRIYA/UTHALAWith profound grief and sorrow, we inform the sad demise of our beloved Sh Ganesh Gupta S/o Lt. Sh. Chuni Lal Gupta R/o H.No 439 Mazdoor Basti Resham Ghar Colony, Jammu.TENTH DAY will be performed on 08-02- 2021(Monday) at 10:00 AM at Mata Sherawali Mandir, Krishna Nagar Near Peer Baba.KRIYA will be performed on 11-02-2021 (Thursday) at 12 Noon at our residence.GRIEF STRICKENSmt. Sheela Devi (Mother)Smt. Anita Gupta W/o Late Sh. Parshotamlal Gupta (Bhabhi)Smt. Arti Gupta & Sh. Bhodhraj Gupta (Bhabhi and Brother)Sh. Atul Gupta (Nephew)

SH JANKI NATH SAPRU

SH CHUNI LAL KUCHROO

SHRADHANJALIFour years have passed on 4th February, 2021 when our beloved Smt Bimla Ji (Behanji) left her mortal frame, for “Vikunta”. Late Bimla Ji was a pious soul and a great Karmayogi, having received spiritual initiation from an illumi-nated Saint, Mahatma Devi Giri Jee Maharaj of Pathri-Hardwar. Her noble qualities of head and heart, her grace and warmth, sincerity of purpose and patience makes her live longer even after her passing away from this world. The vibrant feelings are still in our hearts that her blessings are out-pouring from her eternal home to invigorate all of us.FONDLY REMEMBERED BY:Sh Chaman Lal Kaloo -HusbandSon-in-law & DaughterSh Surainder Kmr Agha and NimmiSon & Daughter-in-lawSh Romesh Kaloo and KusumSon-in-law & DaughterSh Anil Chaku and SwarnGrand Son-in-law & Grand DaughterSh Neel Jee Jadia and PriyankaGrand Children: Anushah, Sadhvi and Saksham

SMT BIMLA JIKALOO

BHOG & ANTIM ARDASWith profound grief and sorrow, we inform the sad demise of our beloved S. Surjit Singh S/o Late Nihang Saspal Singh R/o Babliana, Jammu, on 03-02-2021.Aarambh Shri Akhand Path Sahib will be performed on 10-02-2021 at 09:00 AM, at their Residence (Babli-ana, Jammu)Bhog Shri Akhand Path Sahib will be performed on 12-02-2021, 09:00 AM, at their Residence (Babliana, Jammu)Antim Ardas will be performed at Gurdwara Digiana Ashram on 12-02-2021 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.GRIEF STRICKENSdrn. Basant Kour- WifeS. Balbir Singh & Sdrn. Jasbir Kour- Brother & BhabiS. Inderjeet Singh & Sdrn. Amit Kour- Brother & BhabiS. Parvinder Singh & Sdrn. Pawandeep Kour- Son & Daughter-in-lawS. Pardeep Singh & Sdrn. Amardeep Kour- Son & Daughter-in-lawS. Gurpreet Singh & Sdrn. Gagandeep Kour- Son & Daughter-in-law

S. SURJIT SINGH

SH GANESH GUPTA

FIFTH DAYWith profound grief and sorrow, we inform the saddemise of our beloved son-in-law Er. Romesh Chander Arora (A.E) S/o Late Sh. Gridhari Lal Arora R/o H.No. 107 Sec A Subash Nagar. Fifth day will be performed on dt 13-02-21 (Wednesday) at 11:00 am at Hari Temple RehariColony.GRIEF STRICKENSh. Prem Prakash Uppal & Smt. Sudarshan (Father-in-law)Sh. Sandeep Uppal & Smt. Renu (Brother-in-law)Sh. Vikas Uppal & Smt. Ritu (Brother-in-law)Sh. Deepak Uppal & Smt. Kiran (Brother-in law)Uppal & Arora Family

ER. ROMESHCHANDER

ARORA

10TH DAY KRIYATo have to loose some one close to your heart is really painful. Otherwise too, loss of a human life is always irreparable. In grief we are to inform that our mother - Smt. Raj Dulari Rawal W/o Shri Rattan Lal Rawal originally resident of ChinkralMohalla, Habbakadal, Srinagar (at pres-ent 201, Rawal Niwas - Janipur Colony, Jammu) left the mortal frame on 2nd February, 2021 to merge into Pan-chmahaboota.10th Day Kriya will be performed at Akhnoor Ghat, Akhnoor on 11th February, 2021 at 9 am. In view of Covid scenario restrictions, condolences over tele-phone would be welcome.IN GRIEF:Rattan Lal Rawal (Husband)Nenoo Rawal & Satish Rawal - Daughter in Law & SonNeelam Rawal & Anil Rawal - Daughter in L aw & SonDaughter & Son in LawDaizy Rawal & Mr Paramveer SinghRawal’s, Gurtoo’s, Dhar’s, Kaul’s, Chaku’s, Nagri’s & Chowdhary’sShiv, Arjun, Pooja & Shankar - Grand Children

SMT. RAJ DULARIRAWAL

13TH DAY KRIYA/RASAMPAGRIWith profound grief and sorrow, we regret to inform the sad and sudden demise of our beloved Sh. Joginder Singh Ji Chandel R/o Shiva Colony near SBI Bank, Dayalachak.13TH DAY KRIYA / RASAMPAGRI shall be performed on 12th Feb., 2021, Friday at our residence Day-alachack from 12 noon onwards.Grief StrickenChandel ParivaarSmt. Shardha Devi- WifeMr. Bhanu Partap Singh- SonDaughters & Sons-in-lawsMrs. Renu & Mr. Ritesh AndotraMrs. Vandana & Mr. PradeepMrs. Meenakshi and Mr. AjayBrothers & Sisters-in-LawsSmt Vimla and Sh. Darbar Singh ChandelSmt Santosh and Sh. Dalbir Singh ChandelSmt Pritama & Sh. Kuldeep Singh ChandelSmt Reena & Sh. Dhruv Singh ChandelSmt Babita & Sh. Shayam Singh Chandel

SH. JOGINDER SINGH JI CHANDEL

TENTH DAY/KRIYAThe soul is never born, it never dies having come into being once, it never ceases to be. Unborn, eternal, abid-ing and primeval, it does not perish when the body is slain. With profound grief & sorrow we regret to inform thesad & untimely demise of our beloved Sh. Jangbir Singh Dadh-wal (Sr. Manager Production of M/s SudhirPower Ltd.) S/o Sh. Shiv Singh Dadhwal, who left for the heavenly abode on 01.02.2021.TENTH DAY shall be performed on Thursday, 11/02/2021 at 10:00 A.M. at Ram Mandir,Sector-D, Sainik Colony, Jammu.KRIYA shall be performed on Sunday, 14/02/2021 at our residence H.No. 687-E, Sainik Colony, Jammu from 10 AM onwards.GRIEF STRICKEN:-Sh. Shiv Singh Dadhwal & Smt. Kamlesh Dadhwal – Father & MotherSmt. Kirti Jamwal – WifeSh. Paramdev Singh & Smt Monika- Brother & Sister-in-lawAnisha Dadhwal -DaughterSaisha and Adrika -Nieces

SH. JANGBIR

SINGH DADHWAL

BHOG & ANTIM ARDASWITH PROFOUND GRIEF AND SORROW, WE REGRET TO INFORM THE SAD AND UNTIMELY DEMISE OF OUR BELOVED S.GURBACHAN SINGH S/O LATE S. KARTAR SINGH R/O CHOPRASHOP, UDHAMPUR ON 04-02-2021.ARAMBH SHREE AKHAND PATH : WEDNESDAY 10-02-2021 AT 10.00 AM AT OUR RESIDENCE.BHOG SHREE AKHAND PATH: FRIDAY 12-02-2021 AT 10.00 AM AT OUR RESI-DENCE.KIRTAN & ANTIM ARDAS: 12.02.2021 FROM 10.30 TO 12.30 PM ATMES GURUDWARA CHOPRA, SHOP OPP. PETROL PUMP UDHAMPUR FOLLOWED BY GURU KA LANGER.GRIEF STRICKENSdn. Satwant Kour -WifeS. Surjeet Singh & Sdn. Pritam Kour -Brother & BhabhiSons & Daughters-in-lawS. Harbinder Singh & Sdn. Parmjeet KourS. Ravinder Singh & Sdn. Harmeet KourDaughter & Son-in-lawSdn. Jaspreet Kour & S. Didar SinghBrothers-in-lawS. Janak Singh Dutta (Omara Wale) & Sdn. Gurdeep KourS. Kuldeep Singh & Sdn. Parmjeet KourS. Balbir Singh

MASVAR/VAHARVARNoble Soul Never Dies

‘Things end but memories last forever’

One year has passed since you left us for heavenly abode, a noble human being, a great father with a heart full of love, wisdom, generos-ity and kindness. We feel your eter-nal presence and fragrance around us always. We pray to God to give peace to your noble soul. You will remain in hearts for rest of our lives.Masvar/Vaharvar of our beloved father Sh. Bansi Lal Bambroo S/o Lt. Sh. Kant Ram Bambroo of Lev-dora, Quazigund, Kashmir shall be performed on 9th Feb and 10th Feb 2021 at House No. - 156, Pandit Mohalla, Gangyal, Jammu.DEEPLY MISSED AND REMEMBERED BY:Bambroo Family of Levdora, Quazigund

TENTH DAY KRIYAWith profound grief and deep sorrow, we would like to inform the sad and untimely demise of Dr. Autar Krishen Tickoo, originally from Motiyar, Rain-awari, Srinagar, presently staying at TMC Colony, Mandala, Mumbai-400088 on the night of 6th February 2021.Tenth Day Kriya will be performed at SIWA Saayujyam, Plot 20 Sector 14, Kopar Khairne, Navi Mumbai 400709 on 15th February 2021 at 0900 Hrs.GRIEF STRICKEN:Smt. Rajni Tickoo WifeSarthak Tickoo SonSakshi Tickoo DaughterDhars’, Bhats’ and Rainas’

S. GURBACHAN

SINGH

SH. BANSI LAL

BAMBROO

DR. AUTAR KRISHEN TICKOO

OBITUARY/TENTH DAY KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow, we inform our beloved father Karamyogi Sh. N.N.Pandita (Bob Ji) S/o Lt. Sh. Kailash Pandita originally hailing from PonzwaVerinag, Anantnag at present 29-A, Sec-2,Govind Nagar, Talab Tillo Camp Road attained Nirvana on 8th Feb, 2021.Tenth Day Kriya will be performed at Akhnoor on 16th Feb, 2021 and Assembly will be held at Muthi Ghat at 11.30 AM.GRIEF STRICKENSons & Daughters-in-lawSh. Ravi Ji Pandita & Kiran Ji Sh. Chaman Lal Pandita & Bindu Ji Sh. Bansi Lal Pandita & Sunita Ji Daughters & Sons-in-lawSmt. Raj Dulari W/o Sh. S.N. Koul (Hardutooru) Smt. Pran Pyari W/o Lt. R.L. Pandita (Batgund) Smt. Bita Ji W/o I.J. Pandita (Levedora) Grand Children and Great Grand Children

KARAMYOGI SH. N.N.

PANDITA (BOB JI)

OBITUARY/10TH DAY KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow, we inform about the sad demise of our beloved mother Smt Uma Shori Dhar W/o Late Sh Vish Nath Dhar R/o 145/D Lane No.2 Sector No. One, Durga Nagar, Bantalab, Jammu. The 10th Day Kriya will be per-formed on Tuesday 16th Feb. 2021 at Akhnoor Ghat. The ASSEMBLY shall be held at our residence at11 AM.GRIEF STRICKENDaughter-in-law & SonSmt Asha Ji DharSmt Rama Ji DharSmt Parika Ji and Sh Ramesh DharDaughter and Son-in-lawSmt Shama Ji and Sh B.L KoulSmt Sarla Ji and Sh Ashok Kumar RainaSh Parveen ShaliSmt Veena Ji and Sh M.K BhatSmt Priya Ji and Sh Ashwani SarafSamast Parivar of Bhat’s(Malun Side)

SMT UMA SHORI

DHAR

TENTH DAY/KRIYA

With profound grief and sorrow, we inform the sad demise of our beloved Sh. Gian Chand S/o Late Sh. Mast Ram R/o W.No.2 House no.25 Indra Nagar Opposite ICICI Bank Udhampur.Tenth Day will be performed on 12-02-2021 ( Friday)at 11:00 am at our residence.Kriya will be performed on 13-02-2021 (Saturday) at 12 Noon at Devika Ghat.GRIEF STRICKEN:-Smt. Darshana Devi (Wife)(Bhabhis and Brothers)Smt. Chanchala Devi & Sh. Jai KrishanSmt. Sheela Devi & Sh. Parkash ChandSmt. Shreshta W/o Lt. Sh. Kartar Chand (Bhabhi)(Daughter and Son-in-Law)Smt. Payal Sharma & Sh. Vinod Kumar

TENTH DAY KRIYA

With profound grief and sorrow, we inform the sad and untimely demise of our beloved mother Smt. Shama Pandita W/o Sh. Badri Nath Pandita originally resident of Mirhama, Kulgam (Kmr) at present H.No.1164, B, New Amritsar on 07-02-2021. TENTH DAY will be performed on 16-02-2021 (Tuesday) at Beas Amritsar at 9:00 AM.GRIEF STRICKENSh. Badri Nath Pandita - HusbandDaughter & Son-in-lawSmt Arti Bhat & Sh. Ravinder Kr BhatSon & Daughter-in-lawSh. Sanjay Pandita & Smt Anju PanditaSon & Daughter-in-lawSh. Sunil Pandita & Smt Nimi PanditaAND ALL NEARS & DEARS

SH. GIAN CHAND

SMT. SHAMA PANDITA

TENTH DAY/KRIYA/UTHALAWith profound grief and sorrow, we inform the sad demise of our beloved father Lt. Sh Ram Raj Rathore (Advocate) S/o Lt. Dr Brij Lal Rathore, R/o Gulab Vihar, Sec-D Extn. Sainik Colony, Jammu on 01-02-2021.TENTH DAY will be performed on 10-02-2021 (Wednesday) at 0900 am at our residence.KRIYA will be performed on 13-02-2021 (Saturday) at 1130 am at our residence.UTHALA will be performed on 17-02-2021 (Wednesday) between 0400 pm at 0500 pm at Ram Mandir, Sec-D, Sainik Colony, Jammu.GRIEF STRICKENDaughters and Sons-in-lawSmt Dalima & Sh Susheetal AbrolMs Rashmi RathoreDaughter’s Parent-in-lawSmt Padma & Sqn Ldr O P Abrol (Retd)Sisters-in-law & BrothersSmt Manorma W/o Lt. Prof J R Rathore (Chm JKBOSE, Retd)Smt Indira & Wg. Cdr T R RathoreSmt Neelam W/o Lt. Sh B R Rathore (Xen Retd)Smt Vinay & Sh K R Rathore (AEE Elc, Retd)Smt Vina W/o Lt. Sh Swarnveer RathoreSmt Anita W/o Lt. Sh Mahaveer RathoreNephews & Daughters-in-lawSmt Gayatri & Sh Arvind Kotwal (KAS)Smt Kazal & Sh Ashwani KotwalSmt Kamini W/o Lt. Sh Prasanjeet RathoreSmt Kheroon & Sh Pankul RathoreSmt Monicka & Sh Prikshit Rathore

OBITUARYThis is to inform all that thespian and Padmashree Awardees Shri Bani Kaul S/o Late Shri Radha Krishan Kaul passed away peacefully after a prolonged illness on 06-02- 2021 at 8.46 in the morning.The 10th Day Kriya will be performed on Monday, the 15th February, 2021 at Bha-wana Road Ghat, Sector 18, Rohini (Near DTC Bus Depot). Kriya will be performed between 08:00 am and 10 am. The ensu-ing assembly and prayer meeting will be held from 3:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. at theCom-munity Hall in Satisar Apartments,Sector7, Plot No. 6, Dwarka, New Delhi 110075Kaul Parivar

LT. SH RAM RAJ RATHORE

(ADVOCATE)

Shri Bani Kaul

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: Princi-

pal Secretary, Skill Devel-opment Department, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, today said that ITI cours-es are being upgraded as per industrial demand for better job opportunities to skilled youth in Jammu and Kashmir.

Principal Secretary said this while chairing a review meeting held here in this

regard.Mission Director, Skill

Development Mission, Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah; Director, Skill Develop-ment, Sajad Hussain Ganie and representatives of industries across JK UT participated in the meeting.

It was informed in the meeting that at present 52 Government and 34 Pri-vate ITIs are training about 13000 youth in engineer-

ing trades (Architecture, Draftsman, Turner, Instru-ment Mechanic, Mechanic Motor Vehicle), Non engi-neering trades (Com-puter, data entry, Comput-er Hardware and Network-ing, Desktop Publishing, digital photography, dress making, fashion design-ing). Besides, short term courses offered in these ITIs include Electrician, Mobile Phone Hardware Repair, Web Developer, Automotive Service Tech-nician Level 4, Handloom Weaver (Carpets), DTH Set Top Box Installation, CA Store Technician, squash, juice, pickle Processing,

Fruit Processing, Travel Consultant, Beekeeping, Tractor Operator, Hair Stylist, Solar Panel Techni-cian and field engineering.

It was also informed that Job oriented courses like textiles designing, accoun-tancy, nursing, mechtron-ics, textile designing and vegetable dye printing are also being introduced. Besides, three month courses have also been started recently in Elec-trician (Domestic), Field Technician, Office Assis-tant, Plumbing, Mobile Phone Repair, Air Con-ditioner Repair, tailoring, Front Office Associate,

Travel Consultant, Auto-matic Service Technician and Pulp processing for 707 students in 24 ITIs under PMKVY 3.

The industries represen-tatives gave their sugges-tions regarding introduc-tion of several new courses having great market value.

Dr Samoon said that due to evolving changes in technology in the past few years industries require added manpower to cater to this change. He also appreciated the role of industries in Jammu for placement of about 1500 ITI/Polytechnic pass outs in recent months.

3STATE Top News of J&KJammu, Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: Con-

venor BJP Training Cell, J&K, Parneesh Mahajan on Wednesday termed the Union Budget 2021 as the foundation stone for the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ as he hailed the Central Government and Finance Minister Nirmala Sithara-man for giving the country a visionary budget for the prosperous future of the country.

“The Finance Minis-ter Nirmala Sitharaman deserves all the laurels for preparing the Budget 2021 with a foresight and a vision for the Atmanirbhar Bharat of the future. The budget is comprehensive and takes care of every section of the society be it farmers, small business-men, or the middle class,” said Mahajan in a state-ment issued here today.

Mahajan said that the budget will strengthen the farming sector and will also increase farmers’

income.“This Budget has special

focus on strengthening the agriculture sector, and boosting farmers’ income besides providing for easier loans for farmers. The government has enhanced agriculture credit target to Rs 16.5 lakh crore this year, even as it has provisions for further strengthening APMC mandis through Agri Infrastructure Fund, and integrating 1000 more Mandis to E-NAM,” said Mahajan.

Mahajan also lauded the budget for the incen-tives for start-ups and tax exemption for senior citi-

zens.“With this Budget, the

nation is moving towards development through employment opportuni-ties, encouraging entre-preneurship and startups. The time is gone when the youth run only after gov-ernment jobs. They are becoming job-creators and hence incentives for start-ups including extension in tax holidays by one year, in this budget will pro-vide them with the much needed boost,” he said.

The senior BJP leader lauded the Finance Minis-ter for Union Budget and hoped that it will strength-en the economy of India.

“The Union Budget will prove to be a milestone in upgrading India’s econo-my and will ensure devel-opment of all sections of society. Not only has the finance minister managed to give impetus to the econ-omy through this budget but also prepared the coun-try for the future as well,” Mahajan said.

Top News ReportKISHTWAR, Feb 10:

Senior leaders among Tarik Hussain Keen, Suresh Kumar and Santosh Bhan-dari met Advisor Baseer Ahmad Khan in civil sec-retariat Jammu.

The delegation briefed Advisor about several complexities that are being faced by the public of Jammu and Kashmir in general and District Kisht-

war in particular. The delegation also

discussed wide ranging problems of people like employment, developmen-tal work, health and infra-structure.

The delegation raised the issue of infrastructure like roads, streets, road lamp-ing and public buildings that are being underdevel-oped or in poor condition. It also discussed the issue

of languishing power and civil projects in Kishtwar.

The BJP led deputation stressed about the poor health related infrastruc-ture in district Kishtwar and urged Advisor for its augmentation.

The BJP leaders demand-ed early release of MGN-REGA and material relat-ed funds including those pending funds of FY17, FY18 to the accounts of poor job card holders. Many other relevant issues related to public well-being were also brought in the notice of honourable Advi-sor.

The BJP leaders’ delega-tion to Advisor shows con-cern of these leaders for the betterment of the general public of district Kishtwar who are undermined and ignored by the government every time.

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: President, Mission

Statehood, Sunil Dimple today along with the large number of traders, transporters, led a strong protest against the Union Budget 2021-22.

Addressing the protestors, Dimple described the union budget presented in the Parliament, is directional less, anti poor people, farmers and anti traders.

Dimple said the gas pipe line Project for J&K announced is a Hoax & a Jumla.

This “gas pipeline Project” has already been announced five times in the previ-ous Union Budgets but failed to take off, he alleged.

Dimple alleged the petrol, diesel prices also increased at the time when in the international market the prices of petrol and diesel are very low between Rs 15 to 18 per letter.

Jetinder Gupta, Anil Mahjan, Thoru Ram, Vijay Gupta, Ashok Khana, Deepu, Vijay Gupta, Dev Raj and Mukesh Kumar were also present in the protest.

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: A single

case of coronavirus infec-tions in Major city of Aus-tralia led to lockdown to prevent spreading of infec-tions in that country. The authorities in our Country vis a vis Union Territory of J&K has ordered open-ing of schools but parents concerned are much wor-ried of safety of children amid COVID-19 Pandemic according to a report by Google.

While many aspects of everyday life have moved on line, right from buying groceries to paying Bills, edutech has seen one of the strongest adoption in the country.

Google, in a blogpost on Tuesday, said it had con-

ducted recent research alongside its Trust Research team in Asia-Pacific (Australia, Hon-gkong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philip-pines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam) and Latin America, Argi-netine, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico). The research found that parents with children attending school online were more con-cerned about safety than one whose children attend-ed school in person, said Vijay Sharma chairman Team Mask Force (TMF) as per media reports.

About 72% of Indian par-ents surveyed expressed increased concern about on line safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Sharma added. So much so PM Narender Modi has been attending various programs in the country through webnair.

TMF Chairman appealed to Administration that both online vis a vis in person choice be given to students/official to work from home till such time vaccination programme is being carried out.

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: “Misaal Jammu”

launched from Govt. Boys Higher Second-ary School, Gandhi Nagar, followed by Art and Skill Development programmes in Gandhi Nagar, Nai Basti and other parts of Jammu.

Artist Rouble Nagi who is the founder of “Rouble Nagi Art Foundation” and “Misaal Mumbai/India” initiative would be present at the launch of Misaal Jammu.

Rouble Nagi who is a Social Worker and Artist said that the main motive behind the initiative is educating and empowering people through art.

“Misaal Kashmir” was launched in December,2020 from Pattan and Hand-wara.

She said they have conducted several camps related to youth empowerment, employment workshops and the commu-nity conducts workshops for women.

Rouble Nagi said their main aim is to make people self-reliant and aatmnirb-

har. Women empowerment, creation of job opportunities for youth, and effective waste management, she said.

“Our aim is to provide quality education and improve employment for youth at our centers,” she said.

Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF) is a not-for-profit organization set up with the vision to make sure that all children get an education that helps them become caring, responsible, and productive citizens.

As a concrete step towards realizing this vision, RNAF has various programs that aim at providing quality education for underprivileged children by introduc-ing low cost and sustainable educational models.

“Misaal Mumbai” is an initiative by social activist Rouble Nagi. It started in 2018, after Paint Dharavi in 2016” she said.

“The main aim is to connect to people through Art, bring a positive change in their mindset. Educating through art about the importance of children Educa-tion, empowering,” Nagi added.

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: Making qual-

ity higher education accessible to all citizens in India, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, ranked the 4th Best Overall University in India in NIRF 2020 Rankings, has announced the launch of its online full-degree programs in alignment with the New Education Policy.

The programmes offered include BBA, MBA, BCA, MCA, MCA in Artificial Intelligence, and MCA in Cyber security.

A six-week certificate program on Mahabharata is also offered. Branded as Amrita AHEAD, the programs are fully recognized by the UGC and equivalent to the University’s on-campus degrees. Said Dr. P. Venkat Rangan, Vice-Chancellor, Amrita Vishwa Vidy-

apeetham: “The Amrita AHEAD online programs help solve the problem of equity and accessibil-ity in higher education. Students from anywhere can now get a full degree from Amrita Vishwa Vidy-apeetham that is ranked the best overall university in India. They can study from the comfort of their homes at their own pace in a world-class learning environment that includes faculty from India and abroad. The online degrees are equivalent to our on-campus degrees, offering the same aca-demic and career opportunities to our online students as available to students studying at our physical campus.”

Added Dr. Krishnashree Achu-than, Dean, Post-Graduate Pro-grams, Amrita Vishwa Vidy-

apeetham: “A unique feature of Amrita Ahead degrees is semes-ter-long internships even at an under-graduate level to make the learning of students relevant to the industry. They can also pursue dual degrees with some of the best international universi-ties and benefit from international exchange and placement opportu-nities through our more than 200 global affiliations. The courses have been co-developed with the industry and taught by national and international faculty that equips students to address real-life applications. To ensure that these programs are future-ready and closely aligned with the needs of the industry, Amrita has multiple collaborations with MNCs such as Microsoft, Cisco, Amazon AWS,

and Fortinet.” Students of Amrita AHEAD

online programs would benefit from course mentors, industry projects, interactive sessions with industry experts, multiple indus-try certifications, and the Univer-sity’s career assistance program with a placement record of more than 95 percent. Through an award-winning online platform, learners can take advantage of the recorded lectures, discussion forums, and live interactive ses-sions to clear doubts with experi-enced faculty and mentors. Inno-vative teaching practices provide experiential learning, allowing freshers and working profession-als ‘anytime access’ and flexibility with personalized mentorship and interactivity.

Senior BJP leaders meet Advisor Baseer Khan

Encourage online culture to avoid spreading coronavirus: TMF

Budget 2021 foundation stone for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’: Parneesh

Rouble Nagi Art Foundation launches Misaal Jammu

Dimple leads protest against the Union Budget

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham launches UGC-approved online full degree progs

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: People

from OBC Community were facing difficulties in getting OBC Certificates , So Couple Of days ago they approached Braham Jyot Satti ( President BJP OBC Morcha JK-UT ) .

Braham Jyot listened to their problems and on his directions BJP OBC Morcha organized vari-ous camp for OBC Certifi-cates in different cities of Jammu .

Today Sunil Prajapa-ti (Secretary BJP OBC Morcha JK-UT ) and Kewal Verma ( District President BJP OBC Morcha Jammu West) organised distribu-tion drive for OBC Certifi-cates at Panjtirthi, Rajpura, Shakti Nagar, Gura Bakshi Nagar, Patoli, Bharat Nagar, Kabir Colony, Talab Tillo, Shaheedi Chowk and

adjoining areas of Jammu West and Jammu East.

Sunny Sodhi (District Vice President BJP OBC Morcha Jammu West), Somnath Vicky (District Vice President BJP OBC Morcha Jammu West), Gulshan Prajapati ( District Secretary BJP OBC Morcha ), Amit Mehra (Mandal President Talab Tillo) were present in the programme.

In the program they vis-

ited residences of People belongs to OBC Communi-ty and Handed-Over their OBC certificates . People were very happy and raised slogans in favour of OBC Morcha .

People said that it is hap-pening first time when someone came to their home and gave Provide documents to them. They extend their blessings to OBC Morcha.

BJP OBC Morcha distributes OBC Certificates

Top News ReportSRINAGAR, Feb 10:

J&K Bank’s Financial Literature Credit Coun-selling (FLCC) center Budgam conducted vari-ous awareness camps in Soibugh and B.K Pora blocks of Budgam Dis-trict as part of ongoing Financial Literacy Week under the theme “Devel-oping Credit Discipline and Encourage Avail-ing Credit from Formal Financial Institutions as per Requirement”.

During the course of camps, the people were encouraged to avail facili-ties from formal financial

institutes and made aware about benefits of develop-ing credit discipline. The participants were edu-cated about importance of having financial and digital literacy vis-à-vis various social security schemes. The organisers pressed for availing vari-ous employment generat-ing schemes, Kisan Credit Card and other financial inclusion products. Ques-tion/answer sessions were also conducted in the camps.

Besides Facilitator FLCC Budgam, Heads of Busi-ness Units Khomeini Chowk and B.K.Pora were also present.

JK Bank conducts Financial Literacy

camps in Budgam areas

ITI courses being upgraded as per industrial demands in JK: Dr Samoon

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: Com-

missioner Secretary, Labour & Employment Department, Saurabh Bhagat today chaired a meeting to finalize the Jammu & Kashmir Rules for Labour Codes at Civil Secretariat here.

Speaking during the meeting, the Commission-er Secretary said that the codes have been drafted in a manner which will help in overall upliftment of the workforce in entire Jammu and Kashmir.

Saurabh Bhagat further maintained that with the implementation of these codes, labour sector in the region would come at par

with the rest of the coun-try and will increase the wages among workforce. He added that this will also improve ease of doing business in J&K.

The Commissioner Sec-retary said that the codes would devolve more powers to implementing agencies to penalise private institutions and others job providers who underpay their workers and employ-ees. The new codes also mandate gratuity even if a worker has been employed for one day only.

On the occasion, Saurabh Bhagat hailed that Jammu & Kashmir is first to for-mulate and notify these draft rules than rest of the country, adding that J&K

has been given the powers to draft its own version of the national policy.

Pertinently, the Central Government has combined 29 existing labour laws and reorganised them into four codes; Code on Wages, 2019; Industrial Relations Code, 2020; Social Security Code, 2020 and Occupa-tional Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

Numerous highlights of these codes include fixa-tion of a nationwide mini-mum wage by the Centre, bonus calculation and pay-ment, payment of gratuity on pro rata basis, prohibi-tion of lay-offs and social security for formal and informal workers.

New Labour Laws to be implemented in J&K soon: Saurabh Bhagat

4 OP-ED Top News of J&K

Jammu, Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Drugs are chemicals that affect the body and brain. Different drugs can have different effects. Some effects

of drugs include health consequences that are long-lasting and even permanent. It can even continue after a person has stopped taking the substance. There are a few ways a person can take drugs, includ-ing injection, inhalation and ingestion. The effects of the drug on the body can depend on the way in which the abused drug is delivered. For example, the injections of drugs directly into the bloodstream have an immediate impact, while ingestion has a delayed effect. But all drugs of abuse affect the brain. It cause large amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate our emotions, motivation and feel-ings of pleasure, to flood the brain, caus-ing a “high.” Eventually, drugs can change how the brain works and interfere with a person’s ability to make choices, leading to intense cravings and compulsive drug use. Over time, this behavior can turn into a substance dependency, drug and alcohol addiction. Drug abuse is clinically known as substance use disorder, drug abuse or addiction is caused by the habitual taking of addictive substances. Uses of drugs include alcohol, marijuana, hallucinogens and opi-oids. The National Institute on Drug Addic-tion (NIDA) states, “Addiction is defined as a chronic relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences”. More deaths, illnesses and disabilities stem from substance abuse than from any other preventable health condition. Today, one in four deaths is attributable to illicit drug use. People who live with substance dependence have a higher risk of all bad outcomes including unintentional injuries, accidents, risk of domestic violence, medi-cal problems, and death. The impact of drug abuse and dependence can be far-reach-ing, affecting almost every organ in the human body. Although initial drug use may be voluntary, drugs have been shown to alter brain chemistry, which interferes with an individual’s ability to make decisions and can lead to compulsive craving, seeking and use. This then becomes a substance dependency. All drugs of abuse - nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, and others - effect the brain’s “reward” circuit, which is part of the limbic system. Drugs hijack this “reward” system, causing unusually large amounts of dopamine to flood the system. This flood of dopamine is what causes the “high” or euphoria associated with drug abuse. The behavioral problems are Paranoia, Aggressiveness, Hallucinations, Addic-tion, Impaired Judgment, Impulsiveness and Loss of Self-Control. Nearly 4 percent of pregnant women in the India use illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, Ecstasy, amphetamines and heroin. Illicit drugs may pose various risks for pregnant women and their babies. Some of drugs can cause a baby to be born too small or too soon, or to have withdrawal symptoms, birth defects or learning and behavioral problems. Drug and alcohol abuse not only has negative effects on health but can also have legal consequences that deal with for the rest of life. The ways of prevent drug use are Abstinence, Live a Healthy, Well-balanced Life, Learn Coping Mechanisms, Learn to handle Peer Pressure, Education, engage in mindfulness activities, Use medication only as prescribed and Seek help.

EDITORIAL

DRUG ARE ENEMY OF LIFE

HITLER AND XI

PRAFULL GORADIA

Not so long ago, General Chi Haotian of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of

China said, “Only countries like the United States, Canada and Australia have the vast land to serve our need for MASS COLONIZATION”. Evidently, he forgot to think of Siberia, which is comparably vast and scarcely popu-lated, and more convenient to capture because of its neighbouring location. The general’s words “for mass coloni-zation” in the German language would be lebensraum or living space. Inci-dentally, a search for lebensraum was Adolf Hitler’s excuse for conquering Europe. This was set out in detail by Hitler in his notorious autobiography Mein Kampf.

Xi Jinping, China’s president for life, does not appear to have written his biography, but his will to dominate the world is nevertheless as eloquent as any spelt out in Mein Kampf. The question is that many a country is anx-ious to stop Xi from going ahead with feeding his greed, but how many are willing to actually act? All of Europe knew of the danger Hitler posed; but many wanted “peace in our time” in the words of then British Prime Minis-ter Neville Chamberlain. This was after he and French Prime Minister Édouard Daladier met Hitler at Munich in 1938, along with Italian Duce Benito Mus-solini. Neither prime minister had a conscience about surrendering to Hitler one of the three regions of what is today the Czech Republic. They endorsed his gobbling up of Sudetenland, leaving behind only Moravia and Bohemia; which also were unilaterally gobbled up by the Nazis within six months.

Uncannily, Xinjiang as well as Tibet were grabbed by China with compa-rable lack of conscience on the morrow of Mao Zedong’s successful revolution in 1949, ten years after Hitler’s misap-propriations. On both occasions, the rest of the world watched with cool indifference. How many more million kilometres does the yellow giant wish

to trample upon?Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933

and committed suicide in 1945, in all 12 years, whereas Xi Jinping, at age 67, may have a good number of years to go. Fortunately, the US has shown it is not oblivious to the Chinese threat. It has appointed a special coordinator to talk directly to the representative of the Tibetan government in exile, a post that had been vacant for long. Robert Destro, the new American special coor-dinator for Tibet’s issues, will directly talk to the Tibetan people through its governmentin- exile headquartered in Dharmasala, in Himachal Pradesh in India. This is an opportune US initia-tive which His Holiness the Dalai Lama should respond to with vigour. First, he should be free to publicly tell the young citizens of Tibet to come over to Mcleod Ganj. If they like, he would guaran-tee their employment, perhaps as his bodyguards and in other echelons of his government in exile. He should not be shy of taking American help. The combination of American readiness, India being far better equipped than before, and above all, China having antagonized many a country is a potent one. It would be unfortunate for the people of Tibet if the Dalai Lama does not get into an initiative mode. Oppor-tunity does not materialize every day, which he well knows. Napoleon once defined destiny as “catching luck while it is flying”. Above all, he should imme-diately nominate his successor.

In all probability, the world could have been in a happier situation had President Richard Nixon and his Sec-retary of State Henry Kissinger not shown haste to go to Beijing to pay their respects to Mao Zedong in 1972. Their reasoning was that the Soviet Iron Curtain was impenetrable where-as the Chinese Bamboo Curtain was easier to enter.

So, they entered the Red world and opened the gates of the free world for China to exploit any or every economy. Never mind that between Mao’s con-servatism, Deng Xiao Ping’s enterprise and Xi Jinping’s aggressiveness, there

isn’t much difference. It would now appear that the World Trade Organiza-tion (WTO) was promoted unwittingly for the sake of Chinese exports. It is difficult to think of a country that has benefitted, over a period, by import-ing Chinese materials. Yes, in the short run, China helped its clients to reduce their costs of production, but given a few years, they became help-lessly dependent. Take for instance, an item like the toothbrush. For the nylon bristles, every manufacturer is dependent on the yellow giant. There are Western manufacturers of nylon bristles in India, but they too have to depend on China for the import of some of the raw materials. Why were the Chinese costs of production, across the board, lower than the world’s? The new entrepreneur was leased land for practically no rent. To build the factory, the banks lent him term loans, often at rates as low as one per cent per annum. He was seldom harassed for neglect-ing repayment of the loan. So long as he produced hard currency exports to the tune of say 75 per cent of his pro-duction, such an exercise amounted to converting the renminbi, the Chinese currency, into the dollar.

The smaller entrepreneurs did not have to go out of China to look for markets. Public sector agencies identi-fied which country imports what and consumes which products. Most such Chinese manufacturers operated their export business with the help of Eng-lish-speaking Chinese agents. This is the package which enabled the Chinese to supply even Ganesh murtis at prices lower than that of any other supplier. With the foreign exchange thus earned and accumulated, China extends loans to smaller countries, whether Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Kenya or other countries in Africa.

If any borrower happens not to abide by the terms of repayment, its national assets, given as collateral security, are taken over; for example, Hambantota port near Galle in Sri Lanka.

Even as this is being written, there are reports of thousands of Chinese

citizens fleeing Hong Kong, out of fear of the next wave of crackdowns by China. The exodus is mainly to the UK. “The Hong Kong we knew no longer exists” is the common refrain. The Trump administration imposed sanctions against China for what was identified as China’s covert war on the US. It can now be said that the Covid-19 pandemic, which has devastated the world, has been unleashed on the world by China ~ it is being termed the Wuhan virus with good reason. Global outrage against China, which was initially muted, is now becoming more vocal.

For India particularly, China’s bel-licosity and aggression on the Ladakh border is a reminder that all displays of bonhomie notwithstanding, the neighbour is not going to change its attitude. China views India as a rival to be cut down to size. The fact that India has, under Narendra Modi, shed its timidity and is ready to stare the dragon in the eye is even more infuri-ating. China’s support for Pakistan, a known sponsor of jihadi terrorism has been to keep India on the boil. Hitler in 1939 spoke of the non-aggression pact and referred to Germany’s friend-ship with Poland as “one of the calming phenomena of European political life.” That ‘calm’ could not last even eight months. China under Mao similarly spoke of friendship and amity with India. Its premier Chou En Lai signed the Panchsheel Treaty in 1954, only to stab India in the back in 1962. Earlier in 1959, China invaded Tibet and has been illegally occupying it ever since, not to mention the unrelenting genocide of Tibetans and ceaseless attempts to wipe out Tibet’s culture.

Its northeastern province of Xinji-ang, home to the Muslim Uiygur com-munity who do not see themselves as Chinese is the target of the commu-nist state’s brutal repression and slow genocide, which has intensified after Xi came to power. Any “businessas- usual” approach to China therefore, is like the appeasement of Hitler in the run up to WWII.

THE WORLD COULD HAVE BEEN IN A HAPPIER SITUATION HAD PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON AND HIS SECRETARY OF STATE HENRY KISSINGER NOT SHOWN HASTE TO GO TO BEIJING TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO MAO ZEDONG IN 1972. THEIR REASONING WAS THAT THE SOVIET IRON CURTAIN WAS IMPENETRABLE WHEREAS THE CHINESE BAMBOO CURTAIN WAS EASIER TO ENTER

By Barkha Dutt

As India sought to stand against pro-paganda on farm

protests, it appeared to be teaching the world a class on propaganda. And not very smartly at that

There is a reason that truth is so much more dra-matic than fiction could ever hope to. This week has offered a ringside view to the theatre of the absurd. To watch our nation, the world largest democracy, be hysterically rattled by a clutch of tweets on the farm protests, has been utterly embarrassing.

That we have such little self-confidence and such narrow shoulders that we could not shrug off a woke, possibly even surface-level intervention by Rihanna, the international pop sensa-tion, says way more about us than it does about her or even about what can often be the western world’s ori-entalist, saviour complex.

So, it doesn’t really matter whether Rihanna’s Umbrella cover for India’s farmers was rooted in any real understanding of the new farm law legislation. Or if Greta Thunberg’s “toolkit” for activism was somewhat formulaic and superficial. Or whether Rupi Kaur, the minimal-ist poet from Canada, did a short quick verse on a complex issue. Or whether Meena Harris, niece of the United States (US) Vice-President Kamala Harris, was clambering on a liberal bandwagon because it was

the trendy cause celebre of the time.

None of this is the point.In this case, it barely

matters whether you sup-port the farm protests or not. Or which side of the divide you are on about the options before the police after the fracas on Repub-lic Day.Governments should be responding to other governments, if at all. And unless Rihanna is now a republic, the stodgy, fuming intervention by the ministry of external affairs was unnecessary. It catapulted the issue into the global headlines. As Hannah Ellis Petersen, South Asia correspondent for The Guardian, told me,

“If the government had not responded, Rihanna’s tweet would have been just one line in my piece.”

Even more cringeworthy was the coordinated celeb-rity endorsement from India’s most iconic cricket-ing and Bollywood stars, as if patriotism and stand-ing with India are now the same as peddling soap or soda. Yes, that is what we reduced Indian pride to, as we saw the silly spectacle of similarly worded tweets lambasting outside inter-ference in internal matters. This came from many of the same folks who freely commented on the George Floyd murder in the US and the Black Lives Matter

movement because it was fashionable to do so. The obvious absence of spon-taneity in this orchestrated chorus only makes it strike a false note. And this from folks who never take a public position on any contentious issue in India, ever. Worst of all, the same people who want “foreign-ers” to mind their own business are now parsing the US state department statement on the farm laws and latching onto the bits that strengthen the govern-ment’s stand. How can we play this out both ways — resist foreign commentary, but selectively hold on to it as well?

Since their tweets, post-

ers of Meena Harris, Greta Thunberg and Rihanna have been burnt. Our tele-vision channels have lived up to their reputation for dangerous mindlessness by running character assassi-nation campaigns. The police have registered a case, like they don’t have the actual issue of the farm protests in the real world to deal with.

And the full force of vile, ugly misogyny has been unleashed against these and other women, in lan-guage that is both vile and violent. Some of us live with this every day on Twitter and are almost numbed by this bootcamp version of coarse sexism.

But as Meena Harris tweets passionately about not being intimidated — and rightly so — what was just a kerfuffle is becoming a full-blown diplomatic fracas.

In any case, if you build barricades of cement, snap internet lines, place iron rods, nails and spikes at the sites where a major-ity of farmers have been protesting peacefully, it is inevitably going to get global attention. This is where the government’s attention should have been instead of going all churlish and petty over a handful of tweets. There are com-plex questions that could have been posed to Greta Thunberg, as the excellent economist Shruti Rajagopa-lan did, in seeking to know why the climate activist backed crops that used up so much water. There are many fair counters to the broad strokes in which India’s police have been painted, especially given that close to 400 police per-sonnel have been injured.

We do not have to be trapped in the simple-minded binaries of the western world.

But when we respond in this manner, we have just gone and proven their point. As we sought to stand against propaganda, we end up looking like we are teaching the class on propaganda.

And not very smartly at that.

Barkha Dutt is an award-winning journalist and author

How not to respond to Greta, Meena, Rihanna

5NATIONALTop News of J&KJammu, Wednesday, February 10, 2021

NEW DELHI, Feb 10 (Agencies): India’s tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 1,08,58,371 with 11,067 new infections, while fresh fatalities remained below 100 for the fifth consecu-tive day, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday.

The death toll increased to 1,55,252 with 94 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,05,61,608 pushing the national COVID-19 recov-ery rate to 97.27 per cent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.43 per cent.

The total COVID-19 active cases remained below 2 lakh.

There are 1,41,511 active cases of coronavirus infec-tions in the country which comprises 1.30 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.

India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh

on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and sur-passed the one-crore mark on December 19.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, 20,33,24,655 samples have been tested up to February 9 with 7,36,903 samples being tested on Tuesday.

The 94 new fatalities include 35 from Maharash-tra, 19 from Kerala, 8 from Punjab and 6 from West Bengal.

A total of 1,55,252 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 51,360 from Maharashtra followed by 12,391 from Tamil Nadu, 12,241 from Karnataka, 10,882 from Delhi, 10,215 from West Bengal, 8,691 from Uttar Pradesh and 7,160 from Andhra Pradesh.

The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidi-ties.

“Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research,” the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to fur-ther verification and recon-ciliation.

NEW DELHI,Feb 10 (Agencies): A Delhi court will today pass its verdict in the criminal defama-tion case brought against journalist Priya Ramani by editor-turned-politician MJ Akbar. Akbar had filed the case against Ramani in October 2018 citing an article she had written for The Vogue the previ-ous year and a subsequent tweet of October 2018 in which she had alleged that the former editor of Asian Age newspaper had sexu-

ally harassed her during a job interview in 1994.

Akbar, who was a Union Minister of State at the time Ramani levelled the alle-gation, had resigned from the Council of Ministers days after he moved court against Ramani. Akbar had denied the allegations and called them a conspiracy to tarnish his reputation even as nearly two dozen other women journalists stood up in Ramani’s sup-port; many of them also recounted similar instanc-

es of sexual harassment by the former Union Minister.

Ramani’s allegations had come at a time when the #MeToo campaign by women across the world speaking up against sexual harassment they had faced had just begun to gain momentum in India. How-ever, soon after the defa-mation trial began against Ramani, the #MeToo cam-paign in India gradually began to ebb.

The judgement in Akbar’s case today, if it goes in Ramani’s favour could have the potential to trig-ger a second wave of the global campaign of call-ing out alleged sexual predators within India. However, if the court does find Ramani’s allegations defamatory, it could essen-tially bring the movement - already dormant for the past two years - to a com-plete halt.

18 Indian sailors stuck in China to return on Feb 14: Govt

NEW DELHI, Feb 10 (Agencies): The stuck crew will sign off from Japan on Wednesday and will be reunited with their families on reaching India.

“Our 18 stranded seafarers of MV Anas-tasia stuck in China are coming to India. The crew will sign off from Japan today and will reach India on February 14,” Ports Shipping and Water-ways Minister Manda-viya told agency.

The Minister said they will be reunited with their families soon.

Mandaviya appre-ciated the efforts of Indian embassy in China and the Medi-terranean Ship Com-pany for arranging the repatriation.

Cargo vessel MV Anastasia was stuck off the coast of China since September 2020, an official said.

Earlier, as many as 23 seafarers of Ship MV Jag Anand were stuck in China had reached India on Janu-ary 14.

JAIPUR, Feb 10 (Agencies): Digital app with online monitor-ing, unique IDs and cumbersome audits comprise a three-tier system to monitor the donations being made for the construction of the proposed Ram Temple in Ayod-hya.

Abhishek Agrawal, a chartered accountant who is leading a team of depositors besides training members engaged in the collection drive, gave this information.

He added that as the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is conducting a mass contact and contribution campaign for the construction of the grand temple in Ayodhya, the volunteers of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) engaged in fund collection are following a comprehensive three-tier arrangement to maintain and monitor the transparency of the donations.

It may be noted that the mass con-tact and contribution campaign, which commenced on January 15, shall continue till February 27. As a first step, three categories of coupons have been created under three different denominations - Rs 10, Rs 100 and Rs 1,000. The account is monitored on a daily basis and Permanent Account Numbers (PAN) of those donat-ing Rs 2,000 or above are also being collected.

Those individuals donating funds under these categories have

been getting duly signed receipts by the fund collector. The name, address and mobile number of people donating these amounts are also being saved. The person col-lecting the funds submits complete information of the donor to his leader (referred to as depositor), who is provided with each detail of receipt book, coupon book and funds collected.

It is mandatory for the depositors to get themselves registered in a web application. He is also given a unique ID. The depositor then uploads the details on his mobile application. Later on, the donors also receive a thank-you message.

In the second step, this informa-tion is saved on a digital app and the amount is then deposited in any of the three banks which have a tie-up with the Ram Temple Trust. The banks are State Bank of

India, Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda.

The depositor will have to reg-ister with the web application on his mobile phone and select one bank out of the three. Further, the entire summary detail of the amount collected is filled in a form which is then connected with the final receipt.

These efforts help in a foolproof audit of funds without any mis-take. In fact, a high profile team of CAs is monitoring the entire system. After the CA makes a com-plete audit, the information is sent to the temple trust.

Even in the first step, each team collecting funds is monitored by a collector who keeps an eye on how much fund is being collected daily, and passes on the informa-tion regarding cash and cheque to the depositor and gets a receipt

against the same.The depositor updates the same

information on the digital app and gets the amount deposited in the bank. The deposit slip will have to be deposited in the district office where the amount is deposited and the receipt is matched with the app details to maintain a three-layered transparency arrangement which is monitored daily on district, zonal and regional level before the information is shared at the central level.

The account on the app is secret and hence the money goes direct-ly into the account of the trust, Agrawal informed. Those who want to donate directly to the bank can do the same as account numbers of the respective banks are shared, said Agrawal.

It may be noted that the total fund for construction of Ram Janmab-hoomi temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya has crossed Rs 600 crore in 20 days, as per the trustees of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

People from every walk of life are making contributions, according to the Ram Temple Trust. The Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra trust was set up in accordance with the Supreme Court verdict for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. As the trust lacked human resources, it requested the VHP to cooperate in this campaign which was accepted by the latter.

Priyanka Gandhi to attend kisan mahapanchayat in UP

NEW DELHI, Feb 10 (Agencies): Amid the ongoing farmers protest at the Delhi borders, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is set to attend kisan mahapanchayat in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district on Wednesday.

She will also offer prayers at Shakumb-hra Devi Temple before attending the programme.

The Congress leader is also expected to also conduct a dialogue with farmers in Bijnor and Muzaffarnagar districts on February 13.

Congress had ear-lier extended its full support to the call for ‘chakka jam’ from farmers for three hours last week.

The grand old party and the other oppo-sition parties have raised their concern against the new farm laws.

SAHARANPUR, Feb 10 (Agencies): Ahead of kisan mahapanchayat, Section 144 was imposed in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur dis-trict on Wednesday (Feb-ruary 10), due to various reasons including upcom-ing festivities, COVID-19 pandemic and law and order.

District Magistrate of Saharanpur issued an order citing various rea-sons including upcoming festivities, the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and the possibility of violence by the anti-social elements in the state.

The move comes ahead of the Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s visit to attend kisan mahapanchayat. “Today I will be in Saha-ranpur to listen, under-stand, share my feelings with the farmers and sup-port their struggle. The BJP government will have to withdraw the black agri-culture law,” Priyanka Vadra tweeted (in Hindi).

She was heading towards

Saharanpur to attend kisan mahapanchayat and was also scheduled to offer prayers at Shakumb-hari Devi Temple before attending the programme. The Congress leader is also expected to also conduct a dialogue with farmers in Bijnor and Muzaffarnagar districts on February 13.

Congress had earlier extended its full support to the call for ‘chakka jam’ from farmers for three hours last week. The grand old party and the other opposition parties have raised their concern against the new farm laws.

Farmers have been pro-testing at different borders of the national capital since November 26 last year against the three newly enacted farm laws: Farm-ers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

NEW DELHI, Feb 10 (Agencies): Another wanted in the Red Fort vio-lence case Ikbal Singh was arrested by the Northern Range of Special Cell from Punjab’s Hoshiayarpur on Tuesday night.

He was declared as one of the wanted in the Lal Quila case of January 26 and an award of Rs 50,000 had been announced for him.

Singh, 45, hails from Ludhiana and was part of key accused Punjabi actor-cum-activist Deep Sidhu’s group that breached the security at Red Fort during Republic Day tractor rally and created ruckus. Their videos went viral on social media where he was pur-portedly heard threatening cops on duty and inciting protesters to go on a ram-page.

Meanwhile, on Sunday the Special Task Force made arrest accused Sukhdev Singh, who was also carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 was held from Chandigarh after giving the forces a 100 km chase.

While Sidhu was arrested by a team of Delhi Police’s Special Cell from Karnal in Haryana on Monday.

According to reports, Delhi police was trying to trace the accused for the past ten days.

As per authorities, as many as 38 FIRs have been filed and over 126 people have been arrested in rela-tion to the Republic Day’s Red Fort violence. Thou-sands of farmers broke barriers, clashed with the police and entered the Red Fort on the Republic Day during the tractor march. Some hoisted a religious flag on an empty mast at the Red Fort creating a huge furore.

Additionally, the police have collected over 70 pic-tures of the potential sus-pects and are digging for more information on them.

The pol i ce had announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for informa-tion of Deep Sidhu, Jugraj Singh, Gurjot Singh and Gurjant Singh.

KALAIKUNDA, Feb 10 (Agencies): Alleging that the Mamata Banerjee dis-pensation has not done anything for the welfare of the farmers and tribals in West Bengal, BJP presi-dent JP Nadda said on Wednesday (February 10) that his party will ensure all-round advancement of the people of the state if voted to power.

He said that those who won the elections in the name of ‘Ma, Mati, Manush’, are now engaged in “dictatorship, appease-ment and strongarm tac-tics”.

“The Mamata Baner-jee government has done nothing for the welfare of farmers and the tribals,” Nadda said while attend-ing a ‘cha chakra’ (tea ses-sion) at a village here in the West Midnapore district.

Claiming that wrongs done to the poor people of the state will not continue for long, he said “in the coming elections Mamata Banerjee has to go and the lotus will bloom”.

Maintaining that the people of the state have been deprived of the Ayushman Bharat health-care scheme and the farm-

ers are not getting benefits of PM-Kisan, he said that these will be made avail-able once the BJP forms government in the state.

“On one side there is Nar-endra Modi who wants the advancement of Bengal and on the other is Mamata Banerjee who is trying to stop all development proj-ects,” the BJP president alleged, addressing a large number of people who joined the tea session.

Nadda was accompanied by BJP state president Dilip Ghosh, who is also the local MP, and another party MP Sukanta Majumdar.

He claimed that the lotus (BJP symbol) will ensure

the blooming of the state through development, asserting that the BJP will win the upcoming assem-bly elections in West Bengal.

Nadda said that the prime minister, during his visit to the state on Sunday (February 7), dedicated the nation’s oil, gas and road projects worth more than Rs 4,700 crore.

He said that Rs 25,000 crore has been allotted to the state in the Union Budget for road construc-tion and upgradation by the Modi government.

“We will ensure all-round development of West Bengal,” Nadda added.

DEHRADUN, Feb 10 (Agencies): In the after-math of the devastating floods that wreaked havoc in Chamoli district in Utta-rakhand on Sunday, the state government has said that its officials will be col-lecting DNA samples of the unattended recovered bodies.

“Till 7:30 PM on Tues-day, 32 bodies have been recovered, while 174 are yet to be traced. The DNA samples will be kept safe and on the basis of that, the bodies will be identified,” the state government said in a statement.

About 600 rescue work-ers are involved in the operation, two days after the sudden flood in the Alaknanda river system in Chamoli district that was possibly triggered by an avalanche or glacier burst.

In Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Centre is working in close coordination with the Uttarakhand govern-ment. “Rescue operation to evacuate these people is going on a war-footing and all-out efforts are being made for searching miss-ing persons,’’ he said.

Of the 32 bodies, 25 have been identified, while 7 remain unattended. The rescue operation is under-way to trace 174 more people, the state govern-ment said. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said, “Multi-agency operation is on at multiple sites of the state to trace the missing persons. From the Kedarnath disas-ter of 2013, the experience that we have gathered is that the DNA samples of the bodies` have to be kept safe for their identification in the future.”

The Uttarakhand govern-ment said that at the Tapo-van Vishnugad hydroelec-tric project, rescuers have dug in and moved about 100 metres into a blocked tunnel in an effort to reach the persons feared trapped inside.

During the relief and rescue operations, 12 NTPC employees were rescued safely, while six others who sustained inju-ries have also been saved by the rescuers. Mean-while, the state govern-ment has reported that there is no danger of down-stream flooding and the

rise in water level has been contained, adding that the Centre and the state gov-ernment are keeping a strict vigil on the situation.

The Chief Minister reviewed the relief and rescue operations in the disaster-hit Lata village on Tuesday. He also inquired about the joint operation by other agencies, includ-ing the NDRF and the ITBP in the Tapovan tunnel.

One column of the Engi-neering Task Force (ETF) of the Army along with rescue equipment has also been deployed in the area. The Army men along with ETF personnel opened the tunnel mouth at Tapovan. Besides, a team of scien-tists flown to Dehradun on Sunday night also visited the spot.

A state control room at Haridwar has been set up to coordinate with Uttara-khand government about the rescue and relief opera-tions. The missing people include those working at NTPC’s 480 MW Tapovan-Vishnugad project and the 13.2 MW Rishiganga Hydel Project and villagers whose homes nearby were washed away.

CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 (Agencies): Relying on the literature on Muslim marriages and various judgments by courts, the Punjab and Haryana high court has held that a Muslim girl who is less than 18 years old and has attained puberty is at liberty to marry anyone as per Muslim Personal Law.

Referring to Article 195 from the book ‘Principles of Mohammedan Law,’ by Sir Dinshah Fardunji Mulla, the HC observed that a Muslim girl on attaining the age of puberty was competent to enter into a contract of marriage with a person of her choice.

Explaining “capacity for marriage” under the Muslim Personal Law, Article195 from Mulla’s book defines, “Every Mohomedan (Muslim) of sound mind, who has attained puberty, may enter into a contract of marriage. Lunatics and minors who have not attained puberty may be validly contracted in marriage by their respec-tive guardians. A marriage of a Mohomedan who is (of) sound mind and has attained puberty is void if it is brought about without his consent.”

“Puberty is presumed, in the absence of evidence, on completion of the age of fifteen years,” according to the book. Justice Alka Sarin passed this order while hear-ing a petition filed by a Muslim couple from Punjab. In this case, the petitioners - a 36-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl - had solemnized their marriage on January 21, 2021, as per Muslim rites and ceremonies. It was the first marriage for both of them. They had sought directions for protection of their life and liberty from their relatives, who are against the relationship.

The petitioners contended that in Muslim law, puber-ty and majority are one and the same and that there is a presumption that a person attains majority at the age of15 years. They also contended that a Muslim boy or Muslim girl who has attained puberty is at liberty to marry anyone he or she likes and the guardian has no right to interfere. The petitioners pleaded that their life and liberty are in danger from their relatives and they had also submitted a plea to the Mohali SSP to protect their life and liberty.

Ram temple trust deploys ‘3-tier system’ to monitor transparency as donations cross Rs 600 crore mark

Section 144 imposed in this UP district ahead of

kisan mahapanchayat

India records 11,067 new Covid cases, 94 deaths

Delhi Court verdict in mj akbar’s defamation case against Priya Ramani Today

Mamata did nothing for tribals, farmers of Bengal: JP Nadda

Government to collect DNA samples for identification 32 bodies recovered, 174 still missing

Red Fort violence: Another ‘most wanted’ Ikbal Singh arrested from Punjab

Muslim girl can marry anyone by law on attaining puberty:

Punjab and Haryana HC

6 ENTERTAINMENT Top News of J&K

Jammu, Wednesday, February 10, 2021

SUNNY LEONE MOVES KERALA HC SEEKING ANTICIPATORY BAIL

Bollywood actor Sunny Leone on Tuesday moved

the Kerala High court seeking anticipatory bail in a cheating complaint filed by an event management firm which alleged she had failed to appear for theirValentine Day event here in 2019 after accept-ing payment of around Rs 29 lakh.

The petition is likely to come up on Wednesday.

The petitioners-- Leone

alias Karenjt Kaur Vohra along with her husband Daniel Weber, and anoth-er person-- submitted they were innocent, ready to cooperate with the inves-tigation and no manner of criminality can be attrib-uted against them.

It was also submit-ted that”if arrested and remanded, it will cause irreparableloss and injury” to them.

Leone, who was ques-tioned by Kochi crime

branch officials on Febru-ary 3 at Thiruvanantha-puram, said it was only then she realised that an FIR had been registered against them undervarious sections of IPC including 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) .

They submitted they have fully cooperated with the officers and apprised them of the facts and circumstances, handed over documents substan-tiatingthe transactions that

transpired between them and the complainant.

It was also submitted that the complainant, Shiyas, had demanded Rs two crore as compen-sation from them, tried to “exploit and cheat the petitioners by compel-ling them to participatein shows prepared by him without paying the agreed consideration”.

While the event man-agement organisers main-tained that the former ‘Big Boss’ contestant had not turned up for their func-tion, Leone said she had come twice and the event was not held.

Though the function had to be postponed several times, it was finally sched-uled to be held at Adlux International Convention Centre at Angamally near Kochi. The’Ragini MMS 2’ star reportedly stated that the programme had been rescheduled several times by the organisers and it was not due to her inconvenience and a bal-ance amount of Rs 12 lakh was still due to her.

Actor Rishi Kapoor thought h is younger brother

Rajiv Kapoor was the most talented among the film-maker-actor siblings of the Kapoor cinema clan but he could never realise his true potential.

Rajiv Kapoor, who passed away Tuesday afternoon in Mumbai following a heart attack, was also a gifted pianist, had a knack for music and was a skilled film editor, believed the late brother of Rajiv Kapoor.

Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor were the three sons of the legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor and grandsons of actor Prithviraj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor’s other children include daughters Ritu

Nanda and Rima Jain.Rishi Kapoor, who passed

away in April 2020, had made these admissions about Rajiv Kapoor in his autobiography “Khul-lam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored”, co-authored by Meena Iyer and pub-lished by Harper Collins in 2017. In the book, Rishi Kapoor revealed that he was closer to Randhir Kapoor, who was five years older to him, than Rajiv Kapoor, the youngest of the five siblings. Rishi Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor shared an “uneasy relationship” that they were able bridge even over time, it says.

“I worry a lot about Chimpu (Rajiv’s nickname) and feel sad that he has never been able to realize his true potential. He is the

most talented of us and has an uncanny ear for music. He plays the piano superb-ly without ever learning it,” Rishi Kapoor said in the book.

In an acting career span-ning less than a decade, Rajiv Kapoor made his debut in “Ek Jaan Hain Hum” (1983) and starred in the blockbuster “Ram Teri Ganga Maili” (1985).

He went on to feature in films like “Aasmaan”, “Lover Boy”, “Zabar-dast” and “Hum To Chale Pardes”. Rajiv Kapoor’s last film as a leading man was 1990’s “Zimmedaar”.

A lesser known face from the famous film family, he then made a switch to production and direction. His first production was “Henna” (1991), directed

by Randhir Kapoor.In 1996, Rajiv Kapoor

made his feature directorial debut with “Prem Granth”, starring Rishi Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit Nene. He had also produced Rishi Kapoor’s directorial debut, the 1999 romance drama “Aa Ab Laut Chalen”.

In his autobiography, Rishi Kapoor also praised Rajiv Kapoor’s film edit-ing skills, something he realised during the making of “Aa Ab Laut Chalein”, produced under the fam-ily’s RK Films banner.

“He did a commendable job as editor on my film ‘Aa Ab Laut Chalen’ (1999) and could have been the best in the field, if only he had applied himself better,” Rishi Kapoor said in the book.

Blackbuck case: Salman apologises for ‘mistakenly’ submitting false affidavit

Actor Salman Khan, on Tues-day, apologised

for ‘mistakenly’ submit-ting a false affidavit in the Jodhpur session court in 2003, during his hearing in a case related to the poach-ing of two blackbucks in Jodhpur in 1998. The final verdict in the case will be pronounced on Thursday.

A trial court in 2018 had convicted Salman and awarded five-year impris-

onment to him for the killing of two black bucks during the shooting of the film Hum Saath Saath Hain in October 1998. His co-actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre were acquitted.

Salman appeared before the Jodhpur session court for the hearing of his appeal against the convic-tion through video confer-encing, the Times of India stated in a report. During

the hearing, his lawyer Hastimal Saraswat said, “The affidavit was mis-takenly given on August 8, 2003, as Salman had for-gotten that his licence was given for renewal because he was too busy. There-fore, he mentioned that the licence had gone missing in the court.”

Salman was arrested in 1998 for hunting two blackbucks near Jodhpur. A case under Arms Act was

registered against him and the court had asked him to submit his arms licence.

The actor, however, gave an affidavit in the court in 2003, saying that he had lost the licence. He also lodged an FIR at the Bandra police station in Mumbai in this connection. However, the court later came to know that his licence had been submitted for renewal.

Kriti Sanon to reunite with Tiger Shroff for Vikas Bahl’s ‘Ganapath’

Mohanlal’s daughter turns author; book to hit stands on Valentine’s Day

Working on series a more satisfying experience as opposed to films says Ranvir Shorey

RISHI THOUGHT RAJIV WAS MOST TALENTED AMONG KAPOOR SIBLINGS: BOOK

New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) Actor Ranvir Shorey, the star of cult movies such as “Lakshya”, “Khosla Ka Ghosla” and “Mithya”, says he has always aimed to strike a balance in his career by playing “a bouquet of characters”.

Shorey, who reprised his role of Kalpesh Patel on the second season of the Eros Now sitcom comedy “Metro Park”, believes streaming platforms have come as a boon for actors in exploring a character.

“For an actor, a series is a better proposition because you get more time to flesh out your character. Although a series might be more work, it is definitely more satisfying as opposed to a film or a short film,” the 48-year-old actor told PTI in an interview.

Asked whether dark stories have found more space on the OTT plat-forms, Shorey said such content may attract more attention but all kinds of stories are being explored in the medium.

“Frankly it’s a great time... there are different kinds of stories being told whether they are comedies,

thrillers, action or dramas... A lot of good stories are being created and we should look at this time as a boon for storytelling.

“Personally, I have always tried to maintain a balance... never to be seen only in violent, abusive films or only having the clean image of goody two-shoes characters. I’ve always tried to create a blend in my career because I always want to play the bouquet of characters. That’s what I would like my career to be.”

“Metro Park”, a sitcom drama about an Indian Gujarati family living in Metro Park, an Indian-American majority neigbourhood in New Jersey, United States, was a suc-cess that gave the actors an opportu-nity to explore the second season in a “bigger, better, grander and crazier” way, he said.

“It was the first thing that we shot after the lockdown ended. Everybody was scared and we had the whole department called the COVID-19 compliance department which was very strictly looking at whether the rules were being followed or not.

“The shoot was done in a bio bubble scene. I have shot two three things since then here in India and obviously things have changed. This is just one more added pressure (to work with),” the actor added.

Shorey said he was attract-ed to “Metro Park” as he wanted to play a Gujarati character.

“I had played a Gujarati guy in ‘Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd’, in which the story and the character get cut short suddenly early in the film. I always wondered... I guess I would have liked to explore the character a little bit more. When I was offered this show, it was a big attraction for me,” he said.

The actor believes the conflicts that the family deals with as immi-grants is a story that resonates with many.

“’Sarabhai vs Sarabhai’ was also a sitcom with a Gujarati family but this gives a more international feel... This is a sitcom that can be viewed by anyone because the themes and conflicts are universal...

“Most of the people who live in the US are immigrants so they under-stand the struggle to retain your cul-tural identity and assimilate in the new culture as well.”

Also starring Purbi Joshi, Omi Vaidya, Vega Tamotia, Pitobash Trip-athy, Sarita Joshi and Milind Soman, “Metro Park 2” started streaming from January 29.

Shorey will next be seen in “Mum-baikaar”, a film directed by Santosh Sivan. The movie also features Vijay Sethupathi, Sanjay Mishra, and Vikrant Massey.

Malayalam super-star Mohanlal daughter Vis-

maya Mohanlal will soon make her debut as an author with her upcom-ing poetry book, ‘Grains of Stardust’.

The book, published by Penguin Random House India, will hit the stands on Valentine’s Day—Feb-ruary 14. It is a collection of her painting and poetry, encompassing ideas of love, art and creativity.

“’Grains of Stardust’ came together unexpectedly. I didn’t sit down with the intention to write a poetry book. As you’ll see when you read them, they are very simply written. They are poems that I sometimes typed out on my phone waiting for the subway or while I was listening to a beat that I liked, or words

that came to me when I was looking at a painting or at nature,” Vismaya, an artist whose interests lie in the realms of fine art, poetry and performance, told PTI.

“I wrote a lot of them when I was younger and it was only when I looked through some old sketch-

books that I got the idea from my brother to put some of them together and make a little artsy book,” she added.

The book’s foreword is written by Mohanlal.

“Offering a unique expression of thought reflecting feeling more

than meaning, ‘Grains of Stardust’ is a synesthetic stream of consciousness that does not distinguish between journey and des-tination, but meanders unchecked upon the river of human emotion,” writes the 60-year-old actor.

Actor Kriti Sanon has been roped in as a leading lady for Tiger Shroff-starrer Ganapath, the makers announced on

Wednesday.The action-packed thriller, to be directed by

Vikas Bahl, will mark Sanon’s reunion with Shroff, who co-starred with her in their Bollywood debut movie Heropanti in 2014.

The 30-year-old actor said she is thrilled to re-unite with Shroff after a gap of seven years. “I am thrilled to be directed by Vikas in a space that is so new to me. I’ve been wanting to explore the genre of action since a while now and I’m super excited to do so on such a massive scale with Pooja Enter-tainment. I’m glad to be starting my journey with such a cool character,” Sanon said in a statement.

Bahl said Sanon is the right choice for the female lead as she has a “riveting screen presence”.

“I am confident she will make a perfect action heroine. I am excited and looking forward to working with the two wonderful artists,” the filmmaker said.

Ganapath will be produced by Jackky Bhagnani of Pooja Entertainment in association with Good Co. Expressing hope, Bhagnani said the film will turn out to be great with with Shroff and Sanon coming together for it.

“We are very excited to have Kriti aboard as our leading lady. With Tiger and Kriti together, the screen is likely to catch the right kind of fire. Mark my words she is going to blow everyone’s mind in her new action avatar,” he said.

The project is currently in pre-production stage and will go on the floors soon. It will be released in 2022.

7Top News of J&KJammu, Wednesday, February 10, 2021 INTERNATIONAL

WASHINGTON, Feb 10 (Agencies): “India is one of the most important partners in the Indo-Pacific region to us. We welcome India’s emergence as a leading global power and its role as a net security pro-vider in the region,” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference.

Earlier in the day, he said, Secretary of State Tony Blinken spoke with his Indian counterpart, Exter-nal Affairs Minister S Jais-hankar, for the second time in less than a fortnight.

During the call, the two leaders reaffirm the strength of the US-India partnership and discussed issues of mutual concern, including the situation in Myanmar.

Blinken expressed con-cern over the military coup and the importance of rule of law and the democratic process in Myanmar.

They also discussed regional developments, including the value of US-India cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.

“Both sides look forward to expanded regional coop-eration, including through the Quad, and to address the challenges of COVID and climate change,” Price said.

Responding to a question,

Price said the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is both broad as well as multi-faceted.

“We’ll continue to engage at the highest levels of our government to deepen cooperation on many fronts, and we are confi-dent that the strong and upward trajectory of our partnership will, in fact, continue,” he told report-ers.

India and the US, he said, cooperate on a wide range of diplomatic and security issues, including defence, non-proliferation, regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, counterterrorism, peacekeeping, the envi-ronment, health, education, technology, agriculture, space and oceans.

“We also work closely in international organisations, and we welcome India join-ing the Security Council in

last month of this year for a two-year term,” Price said.

The United States, he noted, also remains India’s largest and most important trading partner, with total bilateral trade increasing to $146 billion in 2019.

US companies, of course, are a large source of India’s foreign direct investment, he said.

Price also highlighted the people-to-people ties which he said are broad and important.

“Across this country, nearly four million Indian Americans call the United States home, contributing in their communities and proudly serving their coun-try in uniform,” he said.

Biden Admin views Quad as having essential momen-tum and important poten-tial: Official

The Quad is a key exam-ple of the United States and its closest partners, includ-

ing India, pulling together for the good of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, the Biden Administration said on Tuesday.

The Quad, or the Quadri-lateral Security Dialogue, is an informal grouping of four countries -- Australia, India, Japan and the United States.

“What I would say gen-erally is that the Quad is a key example of the United States and our closest part-ners, including, in this case, India, pulling together for the good of a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference.

\”We view the Quad as having essential momen-tum and important poten-tial, and that’s why we’re going to build on it by deepening cooperation on areas of traditional focus -- and that includes mari-time security -- while also working closely with Quad partners to confront some of the defining issues of our time,” he said.

It includes the COVID-19 pandemic, climate and ‘democratic resilience as well’, he said.

Price was responding to a question on news reports that the Biden Administra-tion is working on a Quad summit.

WASHINGTON, Feb 10 (Agencies): The United States is closely monitor-ing the situation along the India-China border, a senior official said on Tuesday and expressed concerns over Beijing’s pat-tern of ongoing attempts to intimidate its neighbours.

“We are closely monitor-ing the situation. We note the ongoing talks between the governments of India and China, and we con-tinue to support direct dialogue and a peaceful resolution of those border disputes,” State Depart-ment Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference.

Indian and Chinese

troops have been locked in a bitter border standoff in eastern Ladakh since early May last year.

In the ninth round of mili-tary talks last month, India and China agreed to push for an early disengagement of troops and resolved to continue ‘effective efforts’ to stabilise and control the situation in eastern Ladakh.

Responding to ques-tions, Price said, “We are concerned by Beijing’s pat-tern of ongoing attempts to intimidate its neighbours. As always, we’ll stand with friends, we’ll stand with partners, we’ll stand with allies to advance our shared prosperity, security,

and values in, in this case, the Indo-Pacific.”

The spokesperson also said that the United States regularly engages with the Indian government on the two countries’ shared commitment to democratic values.

“What I can say -- and this applies not only to India but to every partner of ours across the board -- we are committed to sup-porting democratic values, including a free and open civil society and the strong rule of law,” Price said.

Asked if the ongo-ing farmer agitation and human rights issues came up during the recent con-versations that the top offi-cials of the Biden Adminis-tration has had with their Indian counterparts, he said, “We regularly engage with the Government of India...on our shared com-mitment to democratic values.

“We believe it’s the bedrock for the US-India relationship. It is actually in keeping, as you know, with India’s own demo-cratic values, its pluralistic values, and its history of tolerance.”

WASHINGTON, Feb 10 (Agencies): Six Republi-can Senators joined their Democratic colleagues in the United States Senate on Tuesday to vote that the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump is constitutional.

The Senate confirmed the constitutionality of Trump’s impeachment trial by 56-44 votes fol-lowing presentation from both sides -- House impeachment managers and lawyers represent-ing the former president -- paving the way for the historic impeachment trial of the 45th President of the United States who left office on January 20.

From Wednesday onwards, each of the two sides -- the House impeach-ment managers and Trump lawyers -- would have up to 16 hours to present their case before the 100-member Senate for them to vote on the impeachment of Trump days later.

Both the Republicans and the Democrats have 50 members each. To impeach Trump, the Senate needs to vote the House impeach-ment motion by 67 votes.

On Tuesday, six Repub-

licans supported the Dem-ocrats in their effort to impeach Trump. Now they need the support of at least another 11 Republicans to do that. Given the current situation that seems to be unlikely, political analysts said, noting that the entire process is most likely to end up in the acquittal of the former president.

Trump is the first presi-dent in the American his-tory to be impeached twice. He is also the first presi-dent ever to have faced impeachment trial after he left the office of presidency.

Republican Senators who voted along with the Democrats were Susan Col-lins, Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney, Ben Sasse, Bill Cassidy and Pat Toomey. Trump’s impeachment trial is slated to begin Wednes-day noon.

Earlier, the House impeachment managers started the debate on the constitutionality of the impeachment by showing footage of the Capitol Hill riots on January 6, which is the main basis of the charge sheet against him.

The Democrats plan to use a lot of video footage from the attack on the US

Capitol by supporters of Trump to make their case.

“If that’s not an impeach-able offense, then there is no such thing. And if the President’s arguments for a January exception are upheld, then even if every-one agrees that if he’s cul-pable for these events, even if the evidence proves, as we think this definitely does, that the President incited a violent insurrec-tion on the day Congress met to finalise the presi-dential election, he would have you believe there is absolutely nothing the Senate can do about it -- no trial, no facts.

“He wants you to decide that the Senate is power-less at that point. That can’t be right,” Lead House Impeachment Manager Jamie Raskin argued.

Trump’s attorneys David Schoen and Bruce Castor argued that impeaching a former president when he is a private citizen is unconstitutional, and that in doing so they warned the Democrats were setting a wrong precedent.

Media reports said that Trump was dissatisfied with the defense by his lawyers.

White House Press Sec-retary Jen Psaki said Presi-dent Joe Biden is going to wait for the Senate to deter-mine the outcome of this impeachment trial.

“His view is that his role should be currently focused on addressing the needs of the Ameri-can people, putting people back to work, addressing the pandemic,” she said in response to a question.

Biden himself refrained from speaking on the impeachment.

“...I tell people that I have a job. My job is to keep people. We have already lost over 4,50,000 people (due to the coronavirus pandemic) and we could lose a whole lot more if we don’t act and act decisively.

“A lot of people, as I have said before, children are going to bed hungry. A lot of families are food inse-cure. They are in trouble. That’s my job.

“The Senate has their job and they are about to begin it and I am sure they are going to conduct themselves well. That’s all I am going to say about impeachment,” Biden told reporters at the White House.

WASHINGTON, Feb 10 (Agen-cies): The leader of the Democratic team prosecuting Donald Trump’s impeachment trial welled up in tears on Tuesday as he recalled his 24-year-old daughter and son-in-law hiding in fear in the U.S. Capitol during the rampage by the former president’s supporters.

U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin, now in his third two-year term repre-senting parts of Maryland and a con-stitutional law expert, was defending the legality of considering impeach-ment charges against a former presi-dent.

When he invited his family to wit-ness the Jan. 6 joint session of Con-gress to certify Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential election victory, Raskin, 58, was also mourning the Dec. 31 death of his 25-year-old son.

He said his daughter had asked whether they would be safe visiting on Jan. 6, after hearing of plans by

thousands of Trump supporters to descend on Washington to try to stop the normally routine proceeding.

“I told them, of course it should be safe. This is the Capitol,” Raskin said as he wrapped up his opening argu-ment.

But when the mob breached the Capitol, in a violent assault that left a Capitol Police officer and four other people dead, his daughter Tabitha

and other family members were left to huddle in an office off the floor of the House of Representatives.

Raskin said when he finally was reunited with his daughter and son-in-law, he apologized to them and promised things would be better on their next visit.

“And you know what she said? She said, ‘Dad, I don’t want to come back to the Capitol,’” the congress-man recalled.

With the Senate’s 100 members pausing from their note taking and fiddling with papers on their desks, they locked onto Raskin as he spoke tearfully of his daughter’s fear.

At times barely able to speak, he wrapped up his opening statement to the Senate, saying, “Of all the terrible things I saw ... that one hit me the hardest. That and watching someone use an American flag pole, the flag still on it, to spear and pummel one of our police officers.”

WASHINGTON, Feb 10 (Agencies): Indian-Ameri-cans’ policy views are more liberal on issues affecting the United States and more conservative on issues affecting India, it said.

Regarding contentious issues such as the equal protection of religious minorities, immigration, and affirmative action, Indian-Americans hold relatively more conserva-tive views of Indian poli-cies than of US policies, according to the survey results.

Indian Americans, in other words, believe that white supremacy is a great-er threat to minorities in the United States, a country where they are a minority, than Hindu majoritarian-ism is to minorities in India, a country where Hindus are in the majority, the report said.

Seventy per cent of Hindus agree or strongly agree that white suprema-cy is a threat to minorities in the United States, com-pared to 79 per cent of non-Hindus.

Regarding Hindu majori-tarianism in India, howev-er, the data point to a much sharper divide: only 40 per cent of Hindus agree that Hindu majoritarianism is a threat to minorities, com-pared to 67 per cent of non-Hindus, it said.

Noting that Indian-Americans are divided about India’s current tra-jectory, the survey said that respondents are nearly evenly split as to whether India is currently on the right track or headed down

the wrong track. On India’s top three

challenges, government corruption (18 per cent) ranked the highest fol-lowed by the economy (15 per cent). Foreign policy issues—exemplified by China and terrorism—are found in either the middle or bottom tier of the rank-ings.

Among the Indian Amer-icans, a majority either strongly or somewhat sup-port an all-India National Register of Citizens 55 per cent and the 2019 Citizen-ship Amendment Act (51 per cent), the report high-lighted.

However, they are more opposed than not to two other issues: the use of police force against peace-ful protesters (65 per cent oppose) and government crackdowns on the media (69 per cent oppose).

On the other issue of caste-based affirmative action in higher education admissions, the commu-nity is divided-with 47 per cent supporting this mea-sure and 53 per cent oppos-ing it, it said.

Indian Americans are the second-largest immigrant group in the United States. There are 4.2 million people of Indian origin residing in the United States, accord-ing to 2018 data.

Meanwhile, the Bharati-ya Janata Party (BJP) is the most popular political party among Indian-Amer-icans, the survey said.

“One-third of respon-dents favour the ruling BJP while just 12 per cent identify with the Congress Party,” it said.

However, two in five Indian Americans do not identify with an Indian political party-suggesting an arms-length relation-ship to everyday politics in India, it added. Indian-Americans hold broadly favourable views of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi, the survey said.

Nearly half of all Indian-Americans approve of Modi’s performance as prime minister.

“This support is great-est among Republicans, Hindus, people in the engi-neering profession, those

not born in the United States, and those who hail from North and West India,” the survey results said.

Further, the Indian-Americans, who have raised their political profile in the country, are broadly supportive of the US-India relationship, the survey results concluded.

A plurality of Indian-Americans believe that current levels of US sup-port for India are adequate, while a large majority hold unfavourable opinions of China.

However, Indian-Ameri-cans are divided about US efforts to strengthen India’s military as a check against China.

Foreign-born Indian-Americans and those who identify as Republicans are more supportive of the US efforts to support India militarily than their US-born and Democratic counterparts.

Authors of the report are Sumitra Badrinathan from University of Penn-sylvania, Devesh Kapur from Johns Hopkins-SAIS and Milan Vaishnav from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

According to a UN report in January, India has the largest diaspora popula-tion in the world with 18 million people from the country living outside their homeland in 2020. The UAE, the US and Saudi Arabia host the largest number of migrants from India.

US closely monitoring situation along Sino-India border: Official

Biden Admin ‘welcomes India’s emergence as leading global power’

“Dad, I don’t want to come back to capitol,” democrat tearfully recalls

6 Republican Senators join Dems in support of Trump’s impeachment

Indian-Americans are more liberal towards issues in US, conservative in India: Survey

Covid origins still a mystery as WHO-China probe ends

WUHAN, Feb 10 (Agen-cies): A much-anticipated inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandem-ic wrapped up its mission in China on Tuesday with no breakthrough discov-ery, as investigators ruled out a theory that Covid-19 came from a lab while failing to identify which animal may have passed it to humans.

It remains unclear which species first transmitted Covid-19 to humans, said Liang Wan-nian, who headed up the Chinese contingent of an inquiry carried out jointly with World Health Orga-nization experts.

The WHO mission -- which China repeatedly delayed -- was dogged by fears of a whitewash, with the US demanding a “robust” probe into the origins of the pandemic in late 2019, and China firing back with a warn-ing not to “politicise” the investigation.

During the closely monitored mission, which included a visit to an exhibition celebrating China’s recovery, report-ers were largely kept at arm’s length from the experts.

YANGON, Feb 10 (Agencies): Myanmar’s military raided the Yangon headquarters of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party late on Tuesday, as the United States joined the UN in “strongly” con-demning violence against protesters demanding a return to democracy.

The latest assault on Myanmar’s civilian leadership came as anger at last week’s coup and the detention of Suu Kyi by the generals has driven hundreds of thousands of people into the streets, defying a junta ban on ral-lies.

“The military dictator raided and destroyed NLD headquarters at around 9:30 pm,” the National League for Democracy announced on Facebook, without giving any fur-ther details.

The raid came after demonstrations erupted for a fourth straight day with police using water cannon in several cities, firing rubber bullets at pro-testers in the capital Naypyidaw and deploying tear gas in Mandalay.

The rallies came despite a warn-ing from the junta that it would take action against demonstrations that threatened stability, and a new ban on gatherings of more than five people.

The United States, which has led global censure of the coup, renewed its call for freedom of expression in Myanmar — and for the generals to step down. “We strongly condemn violence against demonstrators,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters, adding that people in Myanmar “have rights to peaceful assembly.”

“We repeat our calls for the military to relinquish power, restore demo-cratically elected government, release those detained and lift all telecom-munication restrictions and to refrain from violence,” he said. Price has pre-viously said US requests to speak to Suu Kyi had been denied.

The United Nations also voiced its “strong concern” over the violence. “The use of disproportionate force against demonstrators is unaccept-able,” said Ola Almgren, the UN resi-dent coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in Myanmar.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc could impose fresh sanctions on Myanmar’s military, but warned any punish-ment should not hit the population. In Naypyidaw, the remote capital by the previous military regime, police fired projectiles at protesters after ear-

lier blasting them with water cannon. In Mandalay, the country’s second-biggest city, police fired tear gas to disperse protesters.

Earlier this week, the protests by hundreds of thousands appeared to have rattled the military, with junta chief General Min Aung Hlaing making a televised speech on Monday to justify seizing power, citing election fraud claims.

He promised things would be dif-ferent from the army’s previous reign which ended in 2011. The military also announced a curfew and a ban on protest gatherings.

Fresh demonstrations erupted in Yangon, including near the NLD’s headquarters, with protesters car-rying placards calling for Suu Kyi’s freedom and declaring “No dictator-ship”.

The NLD won national elections in November by a landslide, but the military never accepted the results. It has announced a one-year state of emergency and promised to hold fresh elections after that.

New Zealand became the first for-eign government to take concrete public action, announcing the sus-pension of high-level military and political contacts with Myanmar.

Myanmar military raids Suu Kyi’s party offices, UN slams violence

8 SPORTS / ADVT Top News of J&K

Jammu, Wednesday, February 10, 2021

MELBOURNE, Feb 10 (Agencies): After an eventful second day, the Australian Open resumed its action on Wednesday with several second-round clashes featuring big-money names like Serena Williams, Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka and Bianca Andreescu.

SERENA SEES OFF STO-JANOVIC

Serena Williams over-came a spirited Nina Stojanovic 6-3 6-0 on a sun-drenched Rod Laver Arena to reach the third round of the Australian Open for the 19th time on Wednesday.

The American, again sporting her distinc-tive one-legged leotard, needed to find her best game at times in the first set against a Serbian 15 years her junior who was playing in her fourth Grand Slam. “She pushed me really hard and played well throughout the match,” the 39-year-old said. “I wasn’t thinking so much in the second set.”

VENUS MAKES PAIN-FUL EXIT AFTER ROLL-ING ANKLE

Venus Williams refused to give up after suffering an injury against Italian Sara Errani and fought through pain before bowing out of the Austra-lian Open second round with a 6-1 6-0 defeat on Wednesday.

The 40-year-old Ameri-can, a seven-times Grand

Slam winner and twice finalist at Melbourne Park, started the match with a taped left knee and twist-ed her right ankle trying to play an approach shot while trailing 1-5 in the opening set.

ANDREESCU’S COME-BACK CUT SHORT BY HSIEH

Bianca Andreescu’s comeback after a 15-month absence from tennis ended abruptly in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday with the Canadian eighth seed crumbling to a 6-3 6-2 defeat to Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei in the opening match at Rod Laver Arena.

CIRSTEA SENDS KVI-TOVA CRASHING OUT

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was sent packing from the Australian Open on Wednesday after a 6-4 1-6 6-1 second-round defeat by Romanian Sorana Cirstea.

OSAKA MARCHES INTO THIRD ROUND

Naomi Osaka marched confidently into the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday, overpowering Caroline

Garcia 6-2 6-3 with a rock-solid performance at the Rod Laver Arena.

The Japanese third seed fired six aces at her French opponent in the first set and four in the second. Garcia was unable to muster up a single break point over the contest.

The U.S. Open champion, whose last defeat in a WTA tournament was to Coco Gauff in the third round at Melbourne Park last year, will next face Ons Jabeur.

S A B A L E N K A ADVANCES WITH WIN OVER KASATKINA

Seventh seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus ground down classy Rus-sian Daria Kasatkina 7-6(5) 6-3 in the early match at Margaret Court Arena.

HALEP SURVIVES HUGE SCARE TO ADVANCE

Romanian second seed Simona Halep won five consecutive games to come back from the brink to defeat local hope Ajla Tomljanovic 4-6 6-4 7-5 in an error-strewn match to advance to the third round of the Australian Open.

Australian Open 2021: Serena, Thiem, Djokovic progress, Andreescu knocked out

India skipper Virat Kohli was on Wednesday pushed to the fifth spot by his English counterpart Joe Root, who rose two rungs to third in the latest ICC Test rankings for batsmen, even as Jasprit Bumrah and R Ashwin moved up in the bowlers’ chart.

Kohli, who had scores of 11 and 72 in the opening Test against England, has 852 points and down one spot in the latest chart issued on Wednesday. Veteran spinner Ashwin and pacer Bumrah have jumped a rung each to be seventh and eighth respectively.

Root, who helped his team to a memorable 227-run victory in Chennai that kept England in con-tention for the ICC World Test Championship final, has reached 883 rating points. It is his highest position since September 2017 after a fabulous run in the sub-continent saw him accumulate 684 runs in three Tests, two of which were in Sri Lanka. Ahead of Kohli for the first time since November 2017, Root is now 36 points behind top-ranked Kane Williamson and trails Steve Smith by only eight points. With Marnus Labuschagne also in the mix, competition for the top five slots is intense with all of them above 850 rating points. For India, Rishabh Pant’s knock of 91 in the first innings has helped him

become the first full-time wicket-keeper from his country to reach 700 rating points as he retained the 13th position among batsmen.

Opener Shubman Gill progressed seven places to 40th position while all-rounder Washington Sundar is 81st after moving up two slots. Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem too has gained two places to reach 85th position among bowlers.

Opener Dom Sibley is another England batsman to gain in the latest rankings update, his knocks of 87 and 16 helping him rise 11 places to 35th, while their players

also made the way up in the bowl-ing rankings presently led by Aus-tralia fast bowler Pat Cummins.

Formerly top-ranked James Anderson is up to third from sixth and only four points behind compatriot Stuart Broad, a fellow-member of the 500-wicket club.

Anderson is at his highest rank-ing since the start of the ICC World Test Championship while spinners Jack Leach and Dominic Bess are both at career-best rating points, moving up to 37th and 41st posi-tions, respectively.

West Indies batsman Kyle

Mayers, whose scores of 40 and 210 not out helped script an epic win in the first Test against Bangla-desh in Chittagong, has entered the rankings in 70th position with 448 rating points.

It is the best by a West Indian batsman on debut and the second-best ever on debut after RE Foster, who was on 449 rating points back in 1903 after scoring 287 on debut for England against Australia in Sydney. Others to gain for the West Indies include captain Kraigg Brathwaite (up eight places to 53rd) among batsmen and the spin pair of Jomel Warrican (up 14 places to 62nd) and Rahkeem Cornwall (up six places to 65th).

For Bangladesh, captain Momi-nul Haque’s 10th Test century has lifted him eight places to 33rd. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has gained four slots to reach 30th position among batsmen while off-spinner Mehidy Hasan has pro-gressed from 28th to 24th position.

Pakistan completing a 2-0 sweep over South Africa is followed with good news from the rankings per-spective as well, especially with regard to fast bowling.

Player of the series Mohammad Rizwan has attained a career-best 16th place after scores of 26 and 115 helped him make a leap of 19 places in the list.

NEW DELHI, Feb 10 (Agencies): Kuldeep Yadav’s childhood coach Kapil Pandey questioned the logic behind the left arm spinner’s continuing non-selection in the Indian team. In the 1st Test vs England in Chennai, India played three spinners — Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar and Shahbaz Nadeem — with Kuldeep not selected in the playing XI.

Ravindra Jadeja’s injury and India’s reliance on spinners at home seemed to have paved the way for Kuldeep’s return to the Indian Test team. He had picked a 6-wicket haul in his last Test for India against Australia in Sydney 2 years ago.

“Kuldeep Yadav is continuously travelling with them, suffering, yet they are not giving him a chance.

There goes a proverb as ‘Ghar ki murgi daal barabar’ so you are not trying to understanding him, you are not looking

at his numbers, you are treating him like a normal cricketer,” Pandey told SportsKeeda.

“If he slightly underper-forms even in one match, they sideline him. On the other hand, rest of the players are given so many chances. You are includ-ing the player who is not in the team, who hasn’t got preparation. Where is the greatness of the captain and coach? The player who has been regularly practic-ing with the team is not getting a chance.

“In this series, the coach and captain played Wash-ington Sundar because they felt he will partner Ravichandran Ashwin better. Only they know the reason behind this selec-tion. Virat Kohli can dissect this logic, head coach Ravi Shastri also can explain it,” Pandey added.

The 26-year-old has fallen out of favour in recent times, having made a sole appearance in the Can-berra ODI during India’s recent tour of Australia.

NEW DELHI, Feb 10 (Agencies): India bats-man Shreyas Iyer, who had missed Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as he was recover-ing from a shoulder injury, was on Wednesday named as captain of the Mumbai team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy beginning on Febru-ary 20. The Mumbai Cricket Association announced a 22-member squad for the domestic 50-over champion-ships. India opener Prithvi Shaw was made vice-captain of the Mumbai team.

In the batting department, the squad has the likes of India all-rounder Shivam Dube, limited overs spe-cialist Suryakumar Yadav, young opener Yashaswi Sarfaraz Khan and Akhil Herwadkar, along with expe-rienced wicket-keeper bats-man Aditya Tare.

The bowling attack, to be led by experienced pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, has

Tushar Deshpande and Aakash Parkar, and spin-ners Shams Mulani and Atharva Ankolekar. Domes-tic giants Mumbai has been placed in the Elite Group D, alongside Delhi, Maha-rashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Puducherry. Mumbai will play all their matches in Jaipur. Mumbai on Tuesday named former India off-spinner Ramesh Powar as its head coach for the tournament.

Squad: Shreyas Iyer (cap-tain), Prithvi Shaw (vice-captain), Yashaswi Jaiswal, Akhil Herwadkar, Suryaku-mar Yadav, Sarfaraz Khan, Chinmay Sutar, Aditya Tare, Hardik Tamore, Shivam Dube, Aakash Parkar, Atif Attarwala, Shams Mulani, Atharva Ankolekar, Sairaj Patil, Sujit Nayak, Tanush Kotian, Prashant Solanki, Dhawal Kulkarni, Tushar Deshpande, Siddharth Raut and Mohit Awasthi.

Kuldeep Yadav’s childhood coach questions Indian team selection

MELBOURNE, Feb 10 (Agencies): India endured a second successive disap-pointing result at the Aus-tralian Open with Rohan Bopanna and Ben McLach-lan bowing out after a close opening-round defeat to Ji Sung Nam and Min-Kyu Song in the men’s doubles event, here on Wednesday.

Bopanna and his Japanese partner lost 4-6 6-7(0) to the Korean wild card pair in one hour and 17 minutes.

Not having enough court time due to hard quaran-tine seemed to have an effect on Bopanna’s sharp-ness. McLachlan, on his part, struggled to negotiate volleys and that hurt them.

Bopanna had spent 14 days in his room and came out only on Janu-ary 30, jumping into the tune-up event, only to lose his opening round with Frederik Nielsen.

The Indian did not get enough competition time

to be ready for the season’s first major.

Bopanna lost his serve in the opening set and that initial break stayed with the Korean players, who executed their plan with precision to take the first set. It was expected to be an easy match for the Indo-Japanese pair but the good chemistry of the lower-ranked Koreans, who played to their strength, made it tough for them.

Bopanna and McLach-

lan struggled with returns as Song and Nam easily smashed volley winners to stay ahead.

Failing to put away a volley in the tie-breaker, McLachlan banged his racquet on the court out of frustration, narrowly escaping injury as his rac-quet bounced off the court to hit him on the head.

A forehand error from the Japanese ended their cam-paign when Nam served for the match.

Australian Open: Bopanna-McLachlan pair goes down fighting in men’s doubles

MELBOURNE, Feb 10 (Agencies): Bianca Andreescu’s comeback after a 15-month absence ended abruptly in the Aus-tralian Open second round on Wednesday with a 6-3 6-2 defeat to the wily Hsieh Su-wei but the Canadian leaves Melbourne Park glad her “fighting spirit” is alive. Former U.S. Open champion Andreescu savoured an emotional first-up win against lucky loser Mihaela Buzarnescu on Monday but hit a brick wall in the form of Taiwan-ese giantkiller Hsieh in the early match at Rod Laver Arena. “I got off the court and I was looking at my coach, and I said I’m just disappointed that today that was my all because I know I gave my all today and to me I think that was the most disappoint-ing part,” 20-year-old Andreescu told reporters.

“I didn’t put expectations on myself. There’s always unconscious expectations for sure, but verbal expec-tations, not really. “So I’m just going to take this as a learning curve and bounce back for the next tourna-ment.” Andreescu, who stunned the tennis world by beating Serena Williams for the 2019 title at Flush-ing Meadows, attacked Hsieh with her usual gusto but the Taiwanese, double-handed on both side, was brilliant in defence and confounded the Canadian with an array of drop-shots and angled winners.

With no apparent ‘Plan B’, eighth seed Andrees-cu doubled down on the power game and the unforced errors piled up as she slumped to a 5-2 deficit in the second set and then bowed out meekly with a double-fault on match point. Prior to Australia,

Andreescu had not played since the 2019 WTA Finals in Shenzhen and was one of 72 players unable to train during their 14-day hard quarantine in Mel-bourne. Adding to the chal-lenges, her coach Sylvain Bruneau tested positive for COVID-19 after landing in Australia last month.

Yet there were no excuses from Andreescu, unlike a number of players who blamed inadequate prepa-rations for their exits. “I know that my preparation was the best preparation that I think I’ve ever had,” said Andreescu. “So I feel confident with that.

“I think now it’s just get-ting back into play, and it’s good to know that I still have that fighting spirit in me. “I’m able to give it my all on the court. I think you see that more in the first match than this match, but also being healthy.

Bianca Andreescu looks ahead with hope after Australian Open exit

ICC Test Rankings: Virat Kohli down to 5th, Joe Root up to 3rd after Chennai Test

Shreyas Iyer to lead Mumbai in Vijay Hazare trophy, Prithvi Shaw named vice-captain

9Top News of J&KJammu, Wednesday, February 10, 2021 STATE / CONTD....

Former J&K officer booked for ‘misappropri-ating’ Rs 25 lakh pension

moneyfraudulently credited Rs 24,85,340 into an account of his daughter-in-law, Madhu Rani, and also transferred Rs 31,775 into his per-sonal account by misusing his official posi-tion, he said.

“The omission and commission on the part of Dass prima facie constitute an offence punishable under relevant sections of law. Accordingly, a formal criminal case was regis-tered for in-depth investigation,” the spokes-person added.

45 Fresh Covid-19 Cases, One Death

reported 23 cases, Baramulla 2, Budgam 4, Pulwama 1, Kupwara 1, Anantnag 2, Bandipora 1, Ganderbal 3, Kulgam 1, Shopian 1, Jammu 5, Udhampur 0, Rajouri 0, Doda 1, Kathua 0, Samba 0, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 0, Ramban 0 and Reasi 0.

Moreover, they said, 32 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals—five from Jammu Division and 27 from Kash-mir Valley.

Fresh traffic allowed on Jammu-Srinagar national

highway

Security forces have been advised not to ply against traffic plan in view of traffic conges-tion on the highway and narrowness of bailey bridge at Kela morh, where main concrete bridge was damaged after a retaining wall collapsed on January 10 evening.

The baily bridge was installed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) after National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) said it will take time to repair the damage. “Working on the retaining wall was going on, but it was not immediately clear when the work will be completed,” he added.

Frequent closure of the highway since its expansion has been a major cause of concern for the people living in Kashmir valley, where suspension of traffic results in increase in the rates of essential commodities by many folds.

The historic 86-km-long Mughal road, con-necting Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region with Shopian in south Kashmir and Anant-nag-Sampthan-Kishtwar road remained closed since last week of December last year due to accumulation of snow and slippery conditions. “The national highway, the only road linking Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh with Kashmir, has been closed since January 1 for winter months,” he said.

Mercury drops slightly in Kashmir

against minus 1.6°C on the previous night while Gulmarg, the world-famous skiing resort, recorded a low of minus 4.0°C against minus 3.5°C earlier night, he said.

The weatherman has forecast mainly dry weather over the plains of J&K in the next week.

“Mainly dry weather is expected on the plains of J&K,” the weatherman said.

DCC holds demonstration against incessant hike in

petro productsdollar per barrel.

He alleged that the central government has earned more than Rs 20 lakh crore from this “additional” excise tax and if the “Central government reduces the additional excise, withdraws the additional excise, which it has changed in the last six years, the petrol prices will fall down to Rs 61.92 and diesel price will fall down to Rs 47.51.”

Commenting upon the price in LPG, he said, “As far as the LPG is concerned, I would like to remind you that during our time we used to give 12 cylinders as subsidized for LPG that almost stands withdrawn. At the moment, the LPG in the open market is around Rs 775 per cylinder, whereas LPG in the open market without subsidy during our time again as I have said 12 cylinders per year, the subsi-dized rate were much lower.

Bhalla attacked the BJP government at the Centre for allegedly engaging in “extortion from the people” and “profiteering” at a time of Covid-19 crisis.

Sawhney said the spiraling prices of essen-tial commodities has badly affected the middle classes and the poor families, which refuse to stabilize despite concern shown and promises made by the government. While alleging BJP for hypocrisy over the inflation, he said that when the party was in opposi-tion, its front line leaders wasted no time to lodge series of protests at every nook and corner of the country against the price rise of essential commodities but now when the party came in power for the last 6 years, the inflation rate had peaked all time high and broken all records with none of its leaders uttering a word over the soaring prices. Seek-ing urgent measures to ensure no more job loss because of the pandemic situation, said

that unemployment and inflation, which are all time high in India, have pushed people to the verge of starvation where poor are attempting suicides.

JKPCC Chief Spokesman Ravinder Sharma urged upon the administration of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to pay urgent atten-tion as the public is suffering badly. He said that the BJP’s claim of providing ‘pro-people’ governance stand exposed as Central Gov-ernment has failed miserably to address the issues affecting the general public. He cas-tigated the BJP government, saying that the common man is going through the worst suf-ferings under the current dispensation, which has sold its soul to few businessmen, ignoring the agonies of the countrymen. He said that the country is presently going through a state of crisis.

“The graph of the inflation is on a constant rise, the fuel prices have touched the sky, and tens of lakhs of the farmers across the coun-try are protesting for the last two and a half months for repeal of three farm laws aiming to snatch their right over their own lands. The victims of these three issues are the common men, the countrymen who are the true sons of the soil,” said Sharma.“The BJP claims that theirs is a government of the people, for the people. I ask them to explain how it could be a public friendly government when the common man is suffering from these issues for so long now,” he asked.

Prominent leader who took part in the protest include Krishan Lal Gupta, Sanjeev Panda, Thomas Khokhar, Madan Lal Malagar, Ramakant Khajuria, Corporators Dwarka Choudhary, Rajinder Singh Jamwal, Ritu Choudhary, Bano Mahajan & Sobat Ali, Uttam Singh Chib, Pawan Dev Singh, Varind-er Manhas, Vinod Kohli, Rajesh Sharma Amrit Bali, Jatinder Singh Chib, Maichal Wazir, Mandeep Singh, Yudvir Singh, Surinder Singh Dutt, Kulbushan Sharma, Raj Kumar Meenia, Ajay Kumar, Vijay Sharma, Kewal Krishan Joigi, Yash Pal Sangral, H.S. Bagi,

Chander Sheikhar Sharma, Ram Magotra, S. Gurmit Singh, Ravi Singh, Rakesh Sharma, Raj Kumar Sodi, Sanjay Kumar, Anil Kumar, Rishu Kumar, Vijay Singh Chib, Sat Pal Spolia, Sandeep Dogra, Dewan Chand, Pradeep Bhalla, Vijay Khajuria, Vijay Choudhary, Surinder Sodi, Suresh Sharma, Vijay Sharma, Baldev Singh Wazir, Teja Singh, Jatin Vash-isht, Gagan Bral, Harvinder Kour, Paras Ram Balouria, Madan Amna, Balwinder Singh Rinku, Barinder Pratap Singh and J.J Singh.

PAGD gets chairpersons,

vice-chairpersons Ganderbal, PulwamaNuzhat polled 9 votes while her rival Tas-meena polled 5.

AN-32 Kargil courier cancelled due to snowfall at Kargil

Jammu to Kargil in one sortie, he said.The only road connecting Ladakh with

Kashmir valley will reopen in late March or April.

Intruder killed on LoC in Uri

however more clarity will come after we retrieve the body.

Meanwhile Police URI has rushed towards the incident site to ascertain fur-ther details.

FROM PAGE 1

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: Renault

India has commenced the mass production of its brand new compact SUV Renault KIGER at its world-leading manufac-turing facility in Chennai.

Dispatches have also started to Renault’s net-work of more than 500 dealerships across India. Renault KIGER is the latest in the line of revo-

lutionary products to be first launched in India, fol-lowed by other markets.

Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO & Managing Director – Renault India Operations; Biju Balen-dran, Managing Director & CEO – RNAIPL; Krish-nan Sundararajan, Man-aging Director – RNTBCI and Silvio Roca, DMD - RNAIPL with Renault KIGER as it rolls out from the Assembly line.

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: Capri

Global Capital Ltd (CGCL), a diversified NBFC in the MSME and Affordable Housing sector, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020. MSME portfolio contin-ues to dominate with 55% of the AUM at Rs 22,369 mn. Home Loan business-es showed a promising growth of 16% y-o-y with an AUM of Rs 10,034 mn.

The consolidated net worth of the company stood at Rs. 16,886 mn. Aggregate disbursements in Q3 FY21 stood at Rs 3,792 mn as against Rs 2,967 mn in Q3 FY20, with a growth of 28%. CGCL has active relationships with over 25,000 busi-nesses and families ending Q3 FY21 across several states in India ranging from retail outlets to small manufacturing units, trad-ers to private schools and individuals. The Company continues focussing on Tier 3 & 4 cities.

The well-established and in-depth knowledge of micro markets has helped CGCL to maintain good asset quality and keep the loan book granular. This was due to higher provi-sioning for the conserva-tive approach adopted by the company to insu-late from any perceivable future shocks related to bad debts.

Despite the prevailing tough market conditions, business responsiveness significantly improved month on month, the com-pany focused on manag-ing risk with a calibrated approach towards growth and maintained strong liquidity and capital adequacy. The Company achieved a growth of 12% in MSME and 16% hous-ing loan portfolio during the 9MFY21.

The collection efficiency has also improved month after month resulting in over 85% of customers paying monthly EMI reg-ularly.

Commenting on the

outcome, Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director, Capri Global Capital Ltd. explained, “The market is under consolidation and the pandemic has given us the opportunity to acceler-ate our growth by looking for other strategic invest-ment avenues. Addition-ally, it has led us to review our cost structures and adopt effective cost control measures that will remain viable over the long run. We are working towards the adoption of technologi-cal initiatives and strength-ening manpower to help the company be ready for future growth, conscious-ly evaluating risks with strong solvency and focus-ing to grow our presence in Tier-III and Tier-IV cities of India. As we continue to navigate towards new normal, our recent per-formance has significantly shown our financial pru-dence, our business excel-lence, the benefits of our diversified products, and our knowledge of micro-markets.”

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: Known in the industry

for its innovative and student-friendly initiatives, Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), the pioneer in test pre-paratory services for aspiring doctors and engineers with more than 215 centers across the country, has launched a unique instant scholarship -- the instant Admis-sion Cum Scholarship Test Exam (iACST).

The specially crafted test enables talented and deserving students from Class 7-11 to gain up to 90% scholarship from the safety of their home, online as per their convenience. With the gradual reopening of schools and institutes post-COVID, stu-dents are eager to go back to classrooms. iACST will give them an opportunity to start their journey early post a 60-minute test, enabling them to take the first step towards achieving their goals of becoming doctors and engineers. The scholarship enables students from different social and financial backgrounds to take advantage of quality teaching at Aakash.

The test will allow students to take the exam online and provide them with details of the scholarship earned immedi-ately. With iACST, students can even take instant admission and prepare under the expert guidance of the Aakash Faculty.

For more information log on to https://iacst.aakash.ac.in/iacstexam.

The scholarship will be for admission to Medical, Engineering & Foundation

Courses for both the Classroom and Hybrid learning programs. Class 12th Passed Students have an option to opt for Special Repeater Courses. Students can opt for any time between 10 AM and 6 PM on the selected exam day. 2020 was yet another year when Aakash Institute produced excellent results for both JEE and NEET.

Aakashian Chirag Falor from Delhi became the National Topper by securing AIR 01 in the JEE Advanced 2020 competi-tive examination, while the top 3 ranks in NEET 2020 were also secured by Aakashi-ans (Soyeb Aftab AIR 01, Akanksha Singh AIR 02, and Snikhita T AIR 03), exemplify-ing the excellent academic training pro-vided at Aakash.

Commenting on the launch of iACST, Aakash Chaudhry, Managing Director, Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), said, “AESL is introducing the online instant Admission Cum Scholar-ship Test (iACST) for the convenience and comfort of thousands of talented students. COVID–19 and the following lockdown made us work on a tailor-made offer-ing that is more convenient and digitally accessible for the students. This will give the students the opportunity to take the test from the comfort of their home and get instant results and admission. We are offering up to 90% scholarships for deserv-ing candidates. I am sure the students will take the best advantage of the opportu-nity.”

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: Divisional

Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma on Wednesday called the meeting of Dharmarth Trust Employees Association repre-sentatives and Dharmarth Trust management in which president of trust Ajay Gandotra and Sec-retary Gopal Parth Shastri and President of the association, Vivek Bandral, Rajender Shastri (working President), Sanjeev Kumar (vice president), Sunit Sharma (General Secretary) and Jagjit Singh (Cashier) partici-pated.

Divisional Commissioner Jammu intervene to settle and resolved the issues between Dharmarth Trust management and employees but employees association rejected all offers

made by trust management and alleged that employees of trust demanding removal of pres-ent management and constitute of shrine board for all temples under Dharmarth Trust and merge the same with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine Board by the

UT government then they come on talk/negotiation with new management of trust otherwise agitation will continue.

Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Verma heard both the parties and also requested the striking employees the Shivaratri

festival coming and they should co-operate to celebrate the same and employees representatives assured to Divisional commis-sioner they ready to celebrate Shi-varatri and also join in this func-tion inspite of agitation which is our moral duty.

The Pujaris confirmed Division-al Commissioner Jammu that all temples open for daily pooja Arti morning and evening.

Meanwhile, the ongoing pro-test entered 72th day and chain hunger strike entered in 45th day in support of their demands to constitute a shrine board for all temples under Dharmarth Trust. Those who sat on hunger strike today include Pritam Lal, Trib-hawan, Ravinder Singh, Subash, Sachin Kumar, Gopal, Faquir Chand, Ashok Kumar and Kali Dass.

Top News ReportJAMMU / BATALA, Feb

10: Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Min-ister Kavinder Gupta today showered accolades on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for according grace-laden teary-eyed farewell to Ghulam Nabi Azad, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, a day earlier.

The senior BJP leader said that the humility and camaraderie which Prime Minister Narendra Modi showcased in the Rajya Sabha on the occasion of farewell of four members including Congress leader G.N Azad has proved yet again that he is a seasoned politician and true states-man who knows very well all the contours of political life and can skillfully dis-tinguish and draw a line separating envious politi-cal compulsions from per-sonal relations.

Kavinder was campaign-ing in Wards 30 and 31 of Punjab’s Batala town in connection with the ongo-ing MCD poll campaign.

Garnering support for local candidates of the party, he appealed to

the people of Batala and adjoining areas to whole-heartedly ensure the vic-tory of BJP for the overall development and uplift-ment of the people of Punjab.

The former Deputy Chief Minister also said that during Azad’s tenure as CM of J&K, very often political disagreements used to come up but being full of composure and a high-spirited leader, there is not even a single instance when things have turned ugly. He made it clear that it is time for all who are in politics or those who intend to enter this world to take a cue from PM Modi’s sagac-ity which he has shown on Tuesday inside the Parlia-ment House. He said that

such a persona of Indian leaders makes the country-men to feel proud of India.

On the occasion, Kavin-der also congratulated PM Modi for putting India on the world stage as a leading voice. In the end, he vocif-erously said that whatever the country has achieved in the last few years whether it is fortification of coun-try’s defence, fight against corruption or combating Coronavirus, all this has happened just because of PM Modi. “Surely Modiji Hain Toh Mumkin Hai”, he added.

Among those who accompanied the senior BJP leader included Vijay Verma, Kanchan Chohan, Baldev Mitter Suri and Pahul Verma Vice Presi-dent District.

Top News ReportBILLAWAR, Feb 10: Former Min-

ister & President DCC Kathua, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma today while conducting public meeting at Day-alachak, Billawar criticized NDA Govt at center for failing to listen to crores of agitating farmers in the country.

Indian farmers have been protest-ing since August, expressing anger over new agriculture laws that will change the rules around the sale,

pricing and storage of crops from the country’s agricultural regions.

Manohar said this farmers are representing 130 crore people of the country and said it feels immense pain when these farmers are outraged by terming them as anti-nationals by BJP leaders and also slammed remarks made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lead-ers on farmers’ protest, calling it “most unfortunate and condem-nable. The government must find an amicable solution and address

the grievances of farmers sym-pathetically instead of blaming gangs, anti-national elements for these protests. He also urged the LT governor administration to look in to matter of agitating Rehber e Khel teachers and other adhoc employees.

In last he said that the BJP gov-ernment at the Centre cannot suppress the voice of the farmers. Until the demands of the farmers are met, the Congress workers will continue with their protests in sup-

port of farmers. Also present were Senior con-

gress leader D S Bindu, Brijesh-war Singh Indu, Kulbushan Singh Sarpanch, Kulbir Singh Pathania, Anil Sharma, Surinder Singh, Karam Chand Khajuria, Kamal Singh, Madan Lal Sharma, Kul-bushan Sharma, Krishan Sapolia, Mohinder Paul Sharma,Rashpal Singh, Kundan Lal Sharma, Pawan Sharma, Banarsi Dass, Swarn Singh, Dilbir Singh Sethy and Tara-mani Verma.

Delegations of DTEA, Dharmarth Trust Management call on Div Com Jammu, talk fails

Hailing Azad ceremoniously proved PM Modi to be seasoned politician, true statesman: Kavinder

AESL announces 90 pc scholarship through iACST

Govt should agree on genuine demands of farmers: Manohar

Renault India commences mass production of Renault KIGER

Capri Global Capital Limited records 82% growth in disbursals in Q3 FY21

Top News ReportSRINAGAR, Feb 10: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor,

Baseer Ahmad Khan, will convene a public hearing at Grievance Cell, Church Lane, Srinagar on February 12 (Friday) from 10:30 am onwards.

The public deputations and individuals, who want to bring their grievances and demands into the notice of Government, can meet the Advisor at the said venue.

It is further informed that the deputations, delegations, individuals or other people who want to meet the Advi-sor have to seek a prior appointment from his office on following phone numbers 7006223781, 9419000800.

All such people who will be visiting the venue are requested to follow all health care guidelines and pro-tocols and the deputations should not exceed more than three members in view of the corona pandemic.

Advisor Baseer Khan to hear public grievances at Sgr on Feb 12

10 STATE/ ADVT Top News of J&K

Jammu, Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: Nation’s

apex trade body, Federa-tion of All India Vyapar Mandal (FAIVM) has thanked Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sith-araman for her assurance during her budget speech for simplification in GST compliances which are primarily based on vari-ous suggestions given to Finance Minister from time to time.

In its letter sent to Finance Minister, FAIVM also thanked her for We are also thankful to you against our demand of imposition of 5% levy on foreign E commerce companies, you have impost 2% levy with date back.

V K Bansal, National Gen-eral Secretary of FAIVM told that42 months Jour-ney, GST has witnessed many changes in law and rules. All the practical difficulties being faced by small, and medium

assesses have given enough reason to have a re look on GST entirely. This has been echoed by 15th Finance Commission of India during its recent remark and emphasis for restructuring of GST.

Jayendra Tanna, National President of FAIVM said that small traders and retailers are finding it dif-ficult to observe various compliances imposed by recent changes. We always believe simplification of taxes make better compli-ance.

Sanjay Bansal, President – J&K (Federation of All

India Vyapar Mandal) said that their organisation is only one in India which is pushing for GST reforms since GST was roll out. We are only organisation which has suggested single point GST which is smart and thin taxation system to ensure no tax evasion.

He further mentioned that traders and retail-ers never go to the way, which normally other seg-ment adopts to push their demand. We never call for any street demonstration or Bharat Bandh etc. Our organisation never takes a path of Confrontation rather we believe in nego-tiations and discussions. That is why we sought a meeting from Finance Min-ister to put our suggestion on simplification on GST.

Tanna emphasised that GST should have different compliance parameters for small traders as small companies enjoy lower compliance burden under Companies Act.

Top News ReportLEH, Feb 10: The first meeting

of Ladakh Disaster Management Authority (LDMA) was convened under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh/ Chairman LDMA, R K Mathur at Raj Niwas here today.

The meeting was attended by Jamyang Tsering Namgial, MP Ladakh; Tashi Gyalson, CEC, LAHDC, Leh; Feroz Ahmad Khan, CEC, LAHDC, Kargil; Umang Narula, Advisor to LG Ladakh,; S S Khandare, ADG Police, Ladakh; A K Sahu, Commissioner/ Sec-retary Irrigation and Flood Con-trol Department, Ladakh; Saugat Biswas, Divisional Commissioner Ladakh/ Administrative Secre-tary Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Department; Sachin Kumar, DC Leh; Baseer-ul-Haq Choudhary, DC Kargil, SPs of Leh and Kargil and Nodal Officer, NSRMP-NDMA, UT Ladakh.

Addressing the meeting, the Lt. Governor pointed out that NDMA guides at the national level in terms of thinking, planning and funding to undertake any kind of disaster risk management pro-gramme in Ladakh. He exhorted to engage various Government of India agencies in disaster manage-ment planning for Ladakh ensur-ing regular interactions to study disaster-related aspect through-out the year. He stressed on the need to strengthen the ability of the Met Department and suggested to draft information Proforma to ensure a strong database of disas-ter-related information and updat-ing it on regular intervals. The Lt.

Governor asserted that handling of any disaster is the responsibil-ity of every individual and entire Ladakh needs to contribute to the risk reduction of natural as well as man-made disasters. He exhorted to initiate preparations to decen-tralize by providing emergency stocks, equipment, volunteers and training at habitation level to ensure immediate response to any disaster that hits any village.

As immediate measures, LG Mathur exhorted to strengthen the administrative buildings in Ladakh on priority by making them earth-quake and fire resistant along with the deployment of satellite phones. He said that the governing author-ity/ officials should be available as first responders in a functional position at the time of any disaster. He stressed on the need to station the helicopters in Ladakh and the capacity of the helipads should be made to handle bigger aircraft like M-17 or Chinook and to have addi-tional airstrips for relief, rescue and evacuation purposes. He suggested the Police Department

to use drones to keep constant monitoring and ensuring analysis of imagery on daily basis. Access to medical services and extensive training to paramedics in handling disaster victims, immediate setting up of Emergency Operation Centre and measures to address the pos-sibility of drought was pointed out by the LG.

During the meeting, a detailed presentation was given by the DCs of Leh and Kargil and the Nodal Officer about the powers and func-tions of Ladakh Disaster Manage-ment Authority highlighted the history of disasters in Ladakh, rescue operations, training, and possible threats with required actions and requirements in both Leh and Kargil and disaster pre-paredness measures taken at UT level.

MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgial raised the need to ensure immediate evacuation and provid-ing shelter in case of any disaster. He stressed on the need to sensi-tize people at village level and to provide them with emergency con-

tact numbers. CEC, LAHDC, Leh Tashi Gylson stressed to conduct a comprehensive seismic survey and work on disaster indicators. To ensure better communication, he suggested for community radio at the village cluster level, internet and DSPT connection in all villages. Sharing his views, CEC, LAHDC, Kargil, Feroz Khan pointed out the need to upgrade the fire station in Kargil, timely sanction of the relief fund, the risk of snow avalanche and drought and to impart training on disaster management.

Umang Narula, Advisor to LG stressed on the need to have a comprehensive disaster plan for Ladakh in order to cater to pos-sible contingency and disasters. He impressed on the use of tech-nology like drones, satellite, etc. to improve communication networks and community-level involvement through training, mock drill to enable them to manage disaster as first responders.

The meeting deliberated on the importance of training to SDRF, NCC cadets, students, volunteers, community people on disaster management, procurement of essential and specialized equip-ment and machinery, conduct of mock drills, retrofitting of criti-cal buildings, the establishment of Emergency Operation Centre, setting up of community radio system, enhance prediction capa-bility and weather station and water conservation plans. The meeting also raised the importance of ensuring constant communica-tion among SDRF, Army, Airforce, Para Military, HIMANK, BRO and NDRF on disaster risk reduction and mitigations plans.

Top News ReportKISHTWAR, Feb 10: Army organised Communal Har-

mony Meet with community leaders and opinion makers at Kundal in Kishtwar. Around 12 locals participated with a aim to foster and reinforce the spirit of peace and communal harmony in the Kishtwar district.

Top News ReportREASI, Feb 10: In the

first instance of elections of DDC, Independent can-didate Adv. Sajra Qadir from Gulabgarh constitu-ency elected as the DDC Vice-Chairman of Reasi district. Interestingly she won the Vice-Chairman-ship through a lucky draw as both the candidates who were fighting for Vice-Chairmanship received 7 votes each. It was indeed a dramatic moment and one can easily see the big upsurge. Adv. Sajra Qadir won the election as an Independent Candidate with 3230 votes from Gula-bgarh.

Young and dynamic girl from Reasi district Advo-cate Sajra Qadir started her humble journey in the month of November when she took a decision to contest election from Gulabgarh constituency as an Independent candidate. She visited every nook of the Gulabgarh constitu-ency where she listened the grievances of the folks of the Shadole, Rang-lai, Khour, Lar, Paghiala, Baransal, Hergam, Gulab-garh, Kaindora,Vandara, Painaad, Dewal, Dewal Dogga, Birmidaar, Nehoch, Shibraas and Badder. She assured all support to the folks of block Gulabgarh with a request to stand tall

with her. She said nothing is possible without proper support. The people were in awe of young Sajra Qadir who assured them development in the region.

It is pertinent to share that Adv. Sajra Qadir is a law graduate from Jammu University and has actively worked as a theatre artist for over 15 years before she got married in a remote vil-lage of Reasi.

Born in the remote village Kundra of district Reasi in year 1989, Sajra Qadir start-ed her theatre career as a child artist from children’s theatre workshop organ-ised by Jammu and Kash-mir Academy of Art, Cul-ture and Languages and further acted in more than seventy plays includes ‘Ghumayee’, ‘Bawa-Jitto’, ‘Aap Hamare Hain Kaun’, ‘Mere Hisse Ki Dhoop Kahan Hai’, ‘Choona Hai Aasman’, ‘Mind Games’, ‘Kauva Chala Hans Ki Chaal’, ‘Baba Ji Ki Jai Ho’, ‘Bichoo’ besides many others which were per-formed under the banner of Natrang.

Having over 15 years experience in the field of theatre, Sajra’s highly acclaimed performance has been as the lead actress in Balwant Thakur’s Dogri play ‘Suno Eh Kahani’ which has beautifully brought front the social

cause of child marriage and has received accolades from theatre experts. Her performances as Jojan in the longest living contem-porary theatre play of India ‘Bawa Jitto has made her more popular when she performed in the Aghar Jitto Mela. This doesn’t stop here she has been a part of almost 35 National Theatre Festivals which were organised by the prestigious organisations of India which include National School of Drama, Indian Council For Cultur-al Relations, Sangeet Natak Akademi etc.

Daughter of a well-known poet of Urdu and Dogri Abdul Qadir Kun-dria, Sajra has received National Scholarship in the year 2011 for two years from the Ministry of Cul-ture, Government of India for folk and traditional and indigenous arts.

Sharing her views, she shares “I believe that the-atre makes a person disci-plined, punctual, regular and most of all a socially aware and responsible human being. And a person having all these qualities can set herself in any field with a huge scope” and today if I have achieved this position is because of my active participation in theatre in association with Natrang which shaped me into a better person, Sajra concludes.

LG Mathur chairs the first meeting of Ladakh Disaster Management Authority

FAIVM thanks Nirmala Sitharaman for simplification in GST compliances

Top News ReportKUPWARA, Feb 10: 28

RR india Army organized National Deworming Day Every year February 10 is observed as the National Deworming Day (NDD).

The day aims at eradicat-ing intestinal worms also referred to as Soil-Trans-mitted Helminths (STH), among children within the age bracket of 1-19 years.

In continuation with its efforts to spread awareness

and empower everyone in the remote area Lolab Army Camp Gujjarpatti with civil adm observed *’National Deworming Day’* in which Dr Capt Soni Yadav, RMO 28 RR delivered a detailed lec-ture on Intestinal worms, it’s effects and impact on society. The crowd was forthcoming in asking their doubts and gaining aware-ness about the worms and it’s prevention. The event also saw *distribution of deworming tablets* to the kids of the school.

The event was well appre-ciated by all as it was most educative and informative for the entire society.

28 RR holds awareness cum medicine distribution camp

Top News ReportDODA, Feb 10: Indian Army con-

ducted Traffic Awareness Drive at Doda.

Doda district is plagued by fre-quent traffic accidents, which lead to loss of precious lives. Most of the accidents are caused due to poor traffic awareness and limited knowledge of traffic rules.

The awareness drive focused to target the two wheeler and four wheeler drivers in specific, as well as public in general, by spreading awareness on road safety and traf-fic rules.

15 Taxi/ Bus drivers, 20 two wheeler drivers and 35 Civilians

were educated on good habits about safe driving & traffic disci-pline in presence of 03 Police per-sons.

Drivers were sensitized on severe effects of alcohol and drug abuse on safe driving.

They were also educated on importance of preventive mainte-nance of vehicles and road worthi-ness. On the spot sensitization of four & two wheeler drivers plying on the road was conducted by the soldiers with various informa-tive and motivational pamphlets. Drivers Association Doda and local administration whole heartedly appreciated the efforts by Army in spreading traffic awareness.

Army conducts Traffic Awareness Drive

Army organises communal harmony meet

Adv. Sajra elected as DDC Vice Chairman from Reasi

Top News ReportKISHTWAR, Feb 10: To reduce hardships of people

living in far flung areas of Kishtwar district, Army organ-ised a Medical & Veterinary Camp for the local populace at Passarkot (Singpor) area of Kishtwar. In all, 523 people along with 218 livestock from the villages of remote area benefited from the camp.

Medical and veterinary camp held

Top News ReportKATHUA, Feb 10: District Development

Commissioner Kathua, Om Prakash today convened weekly public outreach pro-gramme here at PWD rest House Billawar.

Additional SP Kathua, Ramnish Gupta; ADC Billawar Sandesh Kumar Sharma and other concerned officers were also present.

The People hailing from different areas of Billawar and adjoining Blocks apprised the DDC about their issues, grievances

and demands.The DDC assured the deputations and

individuals that their issues and demands will be duly registered and taken up with concerned departments, while he resolved many issues on the spot.

The DDC said the Block Diwas initiative has been devised to ensure governance redress of the people at their doorsteps, who otherwise have to cover long dis-tances to apprise the same to the admin-istration.

Weekly Block Diwas: DDC chairs Public outreach programme at Billawar

11STATE Top News of J&KJammu, Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Top News ReportKUPWARA, Feb 10: District

Development Commissioner (DDC), Kupwara, Imam Din on Wednesday urged upon the offi-cers and field functionaries of the district to play pro active role in resolving the problems of the people at ground level.

The DDC was addressing a joint meeting of district officers and public representatives at Environ-mental Hall, Handwara. The DDC was accorded a warm reception on his maiden visit to Handwara Sub Division.

Speaking at the occasion, the DDC said that the Government has already devised a mechanism in the form of Block Divas which is meant to address the problems of the people at block level, adding that the District Administration have intensified the efforts to reach the people and resolve their issues

at ground level. Earlier, the ADC Handwara

briefed the DDC about the admin-istrative profile of the Handwara sub division.

Meanwhile, the elected represen-tatives of different constituencies and blocks spoke at the occasion

and put forth various developmen-tal issues and problems of their concern areas before the chair.

The issues raised include erratic power supply, non availability of potable water and irrigation, maintenance of inner link roads, augmentation of medical facilities

in NTPHCs and PHCs of the sub division Handwara.

The DDC heard the representa-tives patiently and assured them for proper and timely resolution to their genuine demands. The DDC issued on spot directions to the concerned officers for taking note of the problems of the people and resolving them on priority.

Replying a query about unhoused school buildings, the DDC said that the administration will conduct safety audit of all school buildings across the district to ensure safety of the children.

ADDC Kupwara, Mohammad Ashraf Bhat; ADC Handwara, Nazir Ahmad Lone; ACD, Mehraj-u-Din Shah, CMO, CEO, District and Sectoral Officers, DDC Chair-man; President, MC Handwara; besides, ULB, DDC & BDC mem-bers and PRIs participated in the day long public Darbar.

Top News ReportKATRA, Feb 10: ICICI

Bank conducted an Online Campus Recruitment Pro-cess for the management students of the Batch 2019-21 of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.

B. K. Bhatia, Placement Officer, informed that 24 MBA students of SMVDU applied for the ICICI Bank Campus Drive through a rigorous selection process, comprising an online test

and group discussion/interviews rounds.

The ICICI Bank has selected 08 students for the Job Offer; 07 through Online Campus Process and one student for her better performance during internship through Pre-Placement Offer.

Bhatia further informed that Campus Placement Drives for Engineering stu-dents by companies, such as Infosys, Wipro, Cog-

nizant, TCS, TA Digital, Orange etc. have already been initiated much before the passing out year i.e. 2021, and the campus selec-tion process is still going on.

Professor, R.K. Sinha, Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, congratulated all the MBA students placed in the ICICI Bank, and advised them to be sincere and hardwork-ing during their services with the ICICI Bank.

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: ICICI Prudential Life

Insurance has launched a new goal-based savings product – ‘ICICI Pru Guaranteed Income for Tomorrow’ (GIFT), which pro-vides guaranteed income to policyhold-ers to help them achieve their long-term financial goals.

This non-participating savings product can enable customers to eliminate the uncertainty of future income streams to a large extent. The life cover provides financial security to the family, which is essential for a robust financial plan.

The three variants of this goal-based sav-ings product are Income: The policyholder can opt to receive the maturity benefit in the form of Guaranteed Income for a period of 5, 7, or 10 years. For instance, this option can be ideal for customers planning their child’s education where the flexible premium payment and income period options help to align the income with edu-cational goals.

Early income: This variant offers a unique feature, which enables customers to start receiving income from the second year of the policy, known as Guaranteed Early Income. The Guaranteed Early Income option eliminates the need for customers to wait until the maturity of the policy to receive regular income. This option enables customers to receive benefits while

their savings continue to grow.Single pay lump sum: In this variant,

customers need to pay the premium only once at the time of purchase and choose the policy tenure after which they would like to receive the Guaranteed lump sum benefit. Customers will also enjoy the added benefits of guaranteed returns coupled with life cover.

Another unique aspect of ‘ICICI Pru Guaranteed Income for Tomorrow’ is the “Save The Date” feature. Customers can use this feature to make milestones in their personal lives extra special. For instance, they can choose to start receiving income on special dates such as their wedding anniversary, the birthday of a spouse, etc.

Commenting on the launch, Amit Palta, Chief Distribution Officer, ICICI Pruden-tial Life Insurance, said; “We recently celebrated our 20th anniversary and the launch of ‘ICICI Pru Guaranteed Income for Tomorrow’ (GIFT) couldn’t have been timed better. This versatile long-term sav-ings product offers a multitude of benefits to customers. It not only takes care of the diverse income needs of customers but also offers them a route to build wealth. This feature-rich product is designed to offer smoothened returns and provides customers the flexibility to start receiving the benefits as early as the second year, enabling them to develop a robust finan-cial plan.”

Top News ReportGANDERBAL, Feb

10: Ruheena Shahzad expressed happiness for taking oath by BJP Nation-al Spokesperson Shahn-awaz Hussain as a Indus-try Minister of Bihar. She said that Shahnawaz is a great leader and people of

Bihar want such leadership like him.

Ruheena congratulat-ed Shahnawaz for been inducted as industry min-ister in bihar cabinet and hope that he will work to take Bihar to greater heights of progress and development.

Top News ReportBARAMULLA, Feb 10:

To revitalise the official functioning in various departments across district Baramulla, on instructions of Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Aijaz Asad Agriculture Department today organised demon-stration camps at several places in the district. The first kind of its activities was carried out today wherein senior function-aries of the agriculture department conducted field visits in their respec-tive areas.

At Nowshera Uri, inspec-tion of Poly Green House (PGH) was conducted by the officials and various vegetable varieties and other important plants were checked by the con-

cerned experts. During the inspection, other agri-cultural centres through-out the district were also inspected in order to assess the current condition and the farmers were given valuable suggestions on the spot for improving the production and productiv-ity of agricultural produce in the district.

Chief Agriculture Officer Baramulla, Mohammad Yousuf Shah convened a special meeting in his office chamber and took stock of the physical and financial achievements of various centrally spon-sored schemes especially the physical achievement of PM-Kisan scheme at ground level. The meet-ing was informed that the Department of Agricul-ture and Department of

Botany, Govt Degree Col-lege Baramulla has signed a MoU for promoting aca-demic skills and research cooperation between the two institutions.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said that such activities are being carried out on a daily basis in order to revitalize and redefine the role of various gov-ernment departments so that the desired output is achieved. He emphasised that there is a need to bring vibrancy by strengthening the accountability of gov-ernment functionaries.

Meanwhile, the DC also emphasised upon the con-cerned officials to gear up and mobilize all the avail-able resources in view of the upcoming agricultural season.

DDC Kupwara URGES officers to play pro active role at ground level

Agriculture Deptt Baramulla conducts demonstration camps at 15 places

ICICI Bank Recruits 08 MBA Students from SMVDU, Katra

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance launches new savings product

Ruheena Shahzad congratulates Shahnawaz

Top News ReportKISHTWAR, Feb 10:

Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Ashok Sharma today flagged-off 3rd Carvan of 10 boys students for 15 days Skiing course at Gulmarg from DC complex Kishtwar.

Speaking on the occa-sion, DC Kishtwar asked the students to learn the course with full dedication besides impressed upon them to take all precaution-ary measures of COVID-19 pandemic during the entire course work.

He also directed DYSSO Kishtwar to organise a workshop for other stu-dents who are unable to

participate in this Skiing camp and the students who have been trained at Gulmarg shall be guest facility in these workshops and shall share their expe-riences with other students , so that they will also come forward for participating in this adventure game.

He also assured to explore the possibility of organising such events in Kishtwar so that our stu-dents are trained at their door steps.

Deputy Commissioner also appreciated the role of Director General Youth Services & Sports Dr Saleem -ur-Rehman for his keen interest in promotion

of local talent.DYSSO Kishtwar Kharati

Lal Sharma, in his welcome address said that students from different zones of Kishtwar have been select-ed for this course and full boarding and lodging facilities at the venue and enroute shall be ensured by the department.

He also informed that the 1st and 2nd skiing course contingents of boys and girls of 20 Students each have already completed the course at Gulmarg.

Others who present on the occasion were Ram Saroop, Javed Iqbal Sheikh, Suman Kant, Kawal Kris-han and Ayaz Ahmed.

Top News ReportKUPWARA, Feb 10:

A meeting was held in the area of Sogam Lolab under the leadership of President EJCC Employees Association Kashmir, Aijaz Ahmad Khan and many employees joined.

In addition to the EJCC President, Nayab Presi-dent Abdul Quyyum Baig, General Secretary Faroz Ahmad Najar, Spokes-person Abdul Quyyum

Galaha, Kupwara district President Gulzar Sogami, TSO Mohd Shafi Mir, Tos Ehsan Haq Khan. Secre-tary Tauseef Ahmad Wani, General secretary Rafiq Ahmed Dar, Aijaz Ah Mir, kaiser Ahmad Pir, Gohar Ahmad Khan FP shop president and many other employees also participat-ed in the said meeting.

President EJCC Ajaz Ahmad Khan convinced that we will work with union forever.

Top News ReportRAMBAN, Feb 10: Army

organised a Pre Recruit-ment Training capsule for the youth of Banihal in district Ramban, from 18 January 2021 to 09 Febru-ary 2021.

The objective of Pre

recruitment training cap-sule was to motivate and prepare the youth for Army recruitment rally scheduled to be held at Jorawar Stadium in Sun-juwan Military station on 17 February for Ramban district.

A total of 24 local young-sters from Banihal region attended this capsule which consisted of physi-cal and written tests. With a higher trainer-trainee ratio, the capsule aimed at providing quality training, to prepare the youth as per the standards expected out of a soldier.

Special emphasis was laid on the procedure for the conduct of rally, syl-labus, selection param-eters and expected physi-cal standards. All the 24 youth completed the train-ing successfully and will shortly be proceeding for recruitment to Jammu with confidence and blessings of their elders and instructors.

DC Kishtwar flags of 3rd Snow Skiing contingent to Gulmarg

Top News ReportKISHTWAR, Feb 10: Indian Army in collaboration with

‘Project Himayat’ organised a Career Counselling cum registration camp on “Emergency Medical Technician Course” at Navapachchi, Kishtwar.

The camp which was organised at Navapachchi for the first time was aimed at registration of youth from far flung areas and career counselling for opportunities available in various sectors. A total of 80 youth of the area participated in the camp.

Top News ReportRAMNAGAR, Feb 10:

DDC Ramnagar, Jattu Ram Bhardwaj today conducted tour to his Territorial con-stituency and thanks the general public for giving their grand support in DDC election.

Jattu Ram assured the people that he will always remain indebted to his people for supporting him.

In the meeting public of the concerned area put forth the demands before the Jattu Ram that Main road Katwalt should be linked with PMGSY road upper Katwalt, Ayurvedic Dispensary should be provided adequate staff which is hanging worse without the availability of staff, Chowki-Katwalt road should be rectified, another allopathic dispen-

sary should be opened in this locality.

Prominent among them who were pres-ent on the occasion are Romesh CHANDER sarpanch,Charan Dass panch,Dina nath,Hen Raj,Girdhari lal, Kul-deep Kumar,Parkash,shiv R a m , p r i t a m R a m Dass,Suram Chand ,Gopal Dass Shanker dass Badri nath etc.

Top News Report

POONCH, Feb 10: With an aim to spread awareness about development and quality of life on Indian side of Line of Control, the local Army unit organised awareness lecture at Hilla Mohalla, District Poonch.

The youth and local populace were informed about the various scheme and funds allotted to the border areas for the bet-terment and inspiring the quality of life of people. Development in border area has been a focus area for the Govt of India. Vari-ous type of Border Area Development Programmes has been implemented by Govt in this direction with an aim to fill critical gaps in provision of essential social and economic infrastruc-ture in the area of own side of Line of Control to ensure equitable development in the areas. The progress are generally from sectors such as education, health, roads,

bridge, water supply, over head bunkers, class on computers, coaching class for students. In education constructions of PS, MS building additional class rooms, play field, both room toilets and laboratory blocks.

In health construction of PHC building and sub cen-ters for rural development, construction of community center, link road, bunkers for power creation of sub-station, electrified villages, engine of pump sets for PHC upgradation of water storage system, installation

hand pumps. The lecture covered various facets of better development & solidity of life.

The locals were made aware about the value of assets and the utilization of same. The event was well received by the villagers and it was impactful in spreading the important messages. It was encour-aging to see the participa-tion of the villagers from various spectrums of life and age groups. A total 45 students include teachers were attended the event.

EJCC Employees Associate organization holds meeting

Army organises career counselling camp

DDC Ramnagar listens to public issues

Army hold Pre recruitment training capsule at Banihal

Army awareness workshop on development, quality

Top News ReportGULMARG, Feb 10: Deputy Com-

missioner, Baramulla Mohammad Aijaz Asad and Director Tourism Kashmir Dr G N Itoo today chaired a meeting of con-cerned officers here to take stock of vari-ous arrangements put in place for holding winter games under Khelo-India sports initiative.

The meeting was attended by SSP Baramulla, Abdul Qayoom, CEO GDA, Inamul Haq Siddiqui, Secretary J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gul, President, Winter Sports Association, President, Hoteliers Club among other concerned functionaries.

On the occasion, the DC took a compre-hensive review of various aspects per-taining to the event wherein he directed various authorities for adopting a coor-

dinated approach for making the event a grand success. He emphasized making all necessary arrangements including health necessities, accommodation, lodging and other facilities, well in advance and in a hassle free manner.

Director, Tourism, Kashmir gave a detailed briefing about various arrange-ments made by the Tourism Department and said that there is a need to harness the potential endowed in the tourism sector during the sporting event. He said that tourism plays a key role in our economy adding that various avenues are being explored to maximize the desired output in this sector.

The meeting held a threadbare discus-sion on the facilities, accommodation and other logistic arrangements for the coming event.

DC Baramulla, Dir Tourism review arrangements for Khelo-India Winter Games at Gulmarg

Top News of J&K Jammu, Mon- day, August 24, 2020 Top News of J&K Jammu, Mon- day, August 24, 2020

12 STATE / ADVT Top News of J&KJammu, Wednesday, February 10, 2021

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Top News Report

KATRA, Feb 10: Human Genetics Research Group at School of Biotechnol-ogy at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, has launched online portal (www.jkdna.in), based on the research carried out by the research group along with the collaborators for online open access.

The web portal highlight-ed as “Project JK-DNA” provides an online open access resource with the goal of aggregating and harmonizing both Human Exome and Genome sequencing data from population of J&K through its genome sequencing projects (Next Generation Sequencing), published resources or public datas-ets, and making summary data available for the use of wider scientific com-munity especially medical researchers in J&K, India and abroad.

HGRG SMVDU has plans to pool NGS datasets, gen-erated with collaborators from Institute of Human Genetics and School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu for better and higher genomic resolu-tion. The project is pow-ered through a J&K startup Biodroid Innovations Pvt ltd and the product series Key2genes.HGRG is work-ing in the area Human Evolutionary Genetics, Rare Undiagnosed Genet-

ic Disorders and Com-plex Genetic disorders in Human population of Jammu and Kashmir.

The group has received research grants from vari-ous Govt of India Fund-ing agencies: Department of Science and Technology (SERB); University Grant Commission, Council of Scientific and Indus-trial Research and well as National Geographic Soci-ety, USA. Recently, HGRG SMVDU has also signed an MoU with Centre for Advanced Research and Diagnostics (CARD), Sri Guru Ram Das Univer-sity of Health Sciences (SGRDUS) for collabora-tive research initiatives in domain of human medical genetics as well as estab-lished an agreement with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital for carrying out R&D, in developing diag-nostic tools and academic research for the benefit of mankind, in association with SMVDU Technol-ogy Business Incubation Centre.

As informed by Dr. Swarkar Sharma, coor-dinator and project lead, the portal will also feature various scientific outcomes in the domain, from the region, and for the aware-ness of common masses will host various resourc-es and articles in common languages.

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: Deputy

Mayor Jammu Municipal Corporation, Advocate Purnima Sharma along with Vinay Gupta (Jammu District President BJP) and Sushma Gupta (Senior Leader BJP and Social Activist) distributed essen-tial ration supplies among the sanitation workers of Ward No 54.

Speaking on the occa-sion, Purnima said that sanitation workers are the front line warriors and have always tried provide Jammu a healthy envi-ronment. Without them and their efforts, the City of Temples can never be clean, so today in order to encourage them and to boost their morale, we are

distributing essential food supplies among them, she added.

After distribution, Adv. Purnima Sharma on the demands of the locals con-ducted inspection of lane adjoining Kapoor Furni-ture in Ward No 7.

During the inspection, it

was noted that the lane and drains were in bad condition due to which it was hard for the locals to pass through it.

Directions by the Deputy Mayor were given to the concerned JE to look into the matter so that the gen-eral public may not suffer.

Dy Mayor distributes ration among sanitation workers

Initiative of Human Genetics Research Group, SMVDU

Top News ReportKATRA, Feb 10: The natural Cave of Shri

Mata Vaishno Devi has been opened for Darshans for the devotees since Makar Sankranti, as per practice in vogue, and since then a large number of pilgrims have performed Darshans via the natural Cave, by strictly following the social distancing norms and other precautionary measures with regard to COVID-19.

It is pertinent to mention that every year the natural Cave is opened for pilgrims on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankran-ti amidst chanting of Vedic Mantras and performing other rituals.

Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said that usually pilgrims are allowed from the natural Cave when the daily Yatra is below the 10,000 mark. In this context, the SDM Bhawan has been authorised to

regulate the darshans through the natural Cave considering the rush of pilgrims at Bhawan so that there is no waiting and to avoid any inconvenience to the pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the Yatra to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is pro-gressing smoothly and since 1st January this year over 5.17 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum.

It is pertinent to mention that the Shrine Board has recently launched many new pilgrim-centric initiatives like online darshan, home delivery of Pooja Prasad, ‘Mata Vaishno Devi Mobile App’, Call Centre etc. The Mobile App is of immense help to the devotees across the globe to have the live darshans of Maa Vaishno Devi’s Pindi Roop every day during morn-ing and evening Aarti, besides availing various other facilities made available by the Shrine Board through this medium.

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: General

Secretary Panthers Trade Union, Neeraj Dewan along with his supporters and party workers held a protest at Transport Nagar Narwal against the price hike of petrol, diesel and LPG.

He said that in today’s time of corona the people were expecting that the Govt will give some schemes through the latest budget to improve the mis-eries of the common man, but the Govt fails to do so, instead by rise of the prices of daily needs item they added to the miseries of common man.

The hike of prices of petrol and diesel indirectly

results in the price hike of all other things relating to our household, business, health, education.

Even then the Govt. is not paying any attention to words the increase of the price of daily need things. They don’t even bother about of the sufferings of common man and this will not be tolerated any more.

The Govt. must have to come with a policy on the issue of price and how to control these prices.

In the period of covid the unemployment is at its peak the people struggling to earn bread for them and their family and it is the moral duty of our Govt. to take some effective mea-sures so that the prices can be controlled so that people

can have a sigh of relief. This can be done only

if the Govt. should work on the ground level and not just in papers. He that the Govt should with-draw the price hike in petrol, diesel and LPG and frame a policy to control the uncontrolled the rise of daily need things. He was accompanied by Jag-dish Singh Distt President PTU, Didar Singh, Parm-jeet Singh, Devinder Singh and Surjeet Singh.

Top News ReportRAJOURI, Feb 10: BJP State Gen-

eral Secretary and former MLC Vibodh Gupta today visited old bus stand Rajouri and took stock of various developmental works going on in the area.

During this trip Vibodh Gupta was accompanied by BJP District President Rajinder Gupta and Pres-ident Municipal Council Rajouri Mohd. Arif.

During his interaction with the Transporters shopkeepers of the area, Vibodh listen to various issues being faced by the trading community of the area.

In his address to the gather-ing, Vibodh highlighted various

developmental projects going on in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.

While informing about the ongo-ing work on the double laning of the Jammu Poonch National Highway, Vibodh informed that currently work on this project is in full swing and this road proj-ect will be completed soon. Once this project will be completed this will give a huge boost to the eco-nomic activity in the region. While referring to the various tourism promotion initiatives for Rajouri and Poonch Vibodh said that for tourism promotion also good roads and better connectivity is must. Present double laning of Jammu

Poonch highway is a step towards this direction.

While reacting to the various demands of the trading commu-nity, Vibodh said that black top-ping of the old bus stand will be done soon and he will take up this matter with the concerned authorities on priority. He also highlighted the fact that Old Bus Stand Rajouri is a heritage area of the city and its proper maintenance and face lifting will go a long way in making Rajouri town a model town of Jammu & Kashmir.

While referring to the vision and mission of PM Narinder Modi, Vibodh said that the present Cen-tral Government is fully com-

mitted to the overall growth and development of all neglected areas of UT. On this occasion, Vibodh highlighted the fact that presently developmental projects are visible on the ground and one can wit-ness this everywhere. This he said is the result of BJP’s commitment for holistic and inclusive develop-ment.

Later, Naresh Bakshi thanked Vibodh Gupta for taking time out of his busy schedule and for lis-tening to the genuine demands of the trading community of the old bus stand Rajouri. He appreciated Vibodh efforts for regularly visit-ing them and for regular follow-up on their demands.

Top News ReportPOONCH, Feb 10: Indian Army

organised a lecture cum interactive session on ‘Honesty, Sincerity and Moral Values at village Kasba.

The event was conducted at the PAWA Primary School, Kasba with a healthy attendance of 52 youth, who were enthusiastically involved in the interaction with the Armed Forces. They were motivat-ed and guided towards character building and leading a life with high Morality.

The session proved fruitful in assisting the young minds in ana-

lysing their role towards uplift- ment of the society as a whole.

Conduct of such programmes by Indian Army in remote villages ahead of border fence (AIOS) of Poonch District (Jammu and Kash-mir) strengthens the bond between the Forces and Awam and brings out the feeling of oneness of the local populace with the Indian Army.

Also such events hold special value and go a long way in devel-oping goodwill amongst local pop-ulace and in laying the foundation of a patriotic and motivated next generation, living with dignity and pride.

Pilgrims having Darshan via natural Cave: CEO Shrine Board

BJP committed to holistic and inclusive development of J&K : Vibodh

Army organizes lecture on ‘honesty, sincerity and moral values’

Top News ReportJAMMU, Feb 10: Bus

Stand Shopkeepers Asso-ciation expressed gratitude

to former MLA Rajesh Gupta for receiving their keys of shops from JDA Department.

Madhu Khajuria Presi-

dent of the Association said we gave thanks to the Rajesh Gupta who stands with them at day and night.

Rajesh said he is always ready for the development of my constituency.

He said the parking proj-ect of Bus Stand is ready to serve the Jammuites and from this project the eco-nomical growth will raise and we also get free from conjunction of traffic in city due to non availability of parking slots.

Office bearers present on the occasion were Madhu Sharma, Vishal Mahajan, Gulshan Mahajan, Ravin-der Baru, Satish Uppal, Ravinder Manas and Sonu Gupta.

Panthers Trade Union holds protest against price hike of petro products

Bus Stand Shopkeepers Association hails former MLA Rajesh Gupta