Vol 10●No 11●Pages 16●JULY 15, 2017

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म त U N IR IV M ER H SITY OF KAS MERCMEDIA EDUCATION TIMES RESEARCH CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR

ALMONDS PRODUCTION HITS A NEW LOW

Students ferried in overloaded Robbers prowl at Sufism: A healing talent Illahi Bagh vehicles; authorities unmoved P16 P4 P9 ﻮر य ﯽ اﻟﻨ गम ﻟ ोत ﺖ ا  ﻤ ٰ ा ﻠ

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म त U R NI I VE HM RSI AS Vol 10●No 11●Pages 16●July 15, 2017 TY OF K 2

JKSJA organizes One Day Conference on ‘Cyber Law’ SMC organized workshop on v B. M Hussain He further said that the country is ushering into an era solid waste management of digitalization, wherein everything is put in the cyber : & Kashmir State Judicial space vis-à-vis communication, banking, commerce, Academy (JKSJA) organized one day Conference on trading, storage of data, etc, which inherently provides ‘Cyber Law’ for Sub-Judges and Munsiffs of Kashmir criminals ample opportunity to penetrate and commit province, here today. offences like theft, defamation, intimidation among Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge, High Court of Jammu others. and Kashmir inaugurated the Conference. He commended the State Judicial Academy for The conference hosted eminent Resource Persons organizing conference on Cyber Law which is very including District & Sessions Judge, East District, important for the judiciary as no lawyer or Judge today Kakardooma Courts, Delhi, Talwant Singh and can afford not to know about electronic evidence. Deputy Director, Data Security Council of , ‘Detection of cyber crimes, their proper investigation Venkatesh Murthy K, who shared a plethora of and active prosecution are the new challenges of the knowledge on the subject with the participants along day and equally important is the challenge of effective with special anecdotes from their personal experience adjudication’, Justice Kumar added in cyber law. The conference deliberated in detail on the importance Sub-Judges and Munsiffs from District Srinagar, of Cyber Law for Judicial officers, Emerging Threat v Imran Ali Buth , , , , , Landscape of Cyber Crimes, Information Technology , , Bandipora and Act 2008 and Admissibility of Digital Evidence Srinagar: In a two day workshop organized by Srinagar participated in the workshop. besides Search and Seizure of Digital Evidence. Municipal Corporation at SKICC Srinagar, experts from During the welcome address, Justice Sanjeev Kumar, There were brainstorming sessions in which Judicial outside states stressed upon modern scientific techniques highlighting the importance of Cyber Law for Judicial Officers interacted with the Resource Persons and for adept solid waste management in the Srinagar city. The Officers, said that the advent of cyber space has sought clarification on different issues relating to issues of inappropriate solid waste management which revolutionized communication networks, but with appreciation of Electronic Evidence. hampers the overall fragile Eco-system of the valley were its susceptibility to misuse, there is a need to equip Director, J&K State Judicial Academy Abdul Rashid highlighted and discussed in detail. ourselves with cyber laws. Malik introduced the programme by highlighting Explaining the methods at workshop, Rajesh Babu an “We need to take necessary measures to prevent its objective behind organizing the Conference on Cyber expert said, “Biological treatment method which involves misuse, regulate its use, monitoring its operations, Law and moderated the sessions. He welcomed the using of micro-organisms to decompose the biodegradable and provide proper deterrence to prevent recurrence Dignitaries and the Judicial Officers and concluded components of waste would be useful, also sanitary landfills of such offences”, Justice Kumar said. the programme with the vote of thanks. can facilitate in controlling disposal of waste on land.” Pointing out that the seventy percent of waste generated here is untreated, Sunil Kumar, a Nagpur based scientist said, “this untreated waste finds its way into water bodies which eventually leads to contamination and eutrophication.” He FOUR YEARS ON SPORTS POLO GROUND said that scientific methods include incineration, recycling, thermal treatment, and gasification can be used for solid AWAITS COMPLETION waste management. “Incineration has several advantages including waste At that time, it was announced volume reduction, cutback on transportation costs and that the indoor sports hall will reduction of greenhouse gas emissions”, Kumar added. be completed within six months Experts emphasized the role of local governance to ensure but the Jammu and Kashmir appropriate solid waste management practices in all the State (JKSSC) Sports Council cities and towns of the state. has failed to complete the work Appreciating the efforts of Srinagar Municipal Corporation on the Indoor Sports Hall. for organizing such events, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal The Indoor sports hall was Singh, said that the authorities must sensitize the general approved at a cost of 1.82 crore public about the importance of implementation of Solid and it have facilities for playing Waste Management Rules. many indoor games. Speaking at the occasion, SMC Commissioner Dr. Shafqat As per people, the inability Khan told that the workshop aims to highlight globally of concerned authorities to adopted standard practices of solid waste management, complete the work on Indoor and to educate concerned stakeholders about the ways and Sports hall have impacted the means to tackle waste in scientific manner. condition of whole Polo Ground Srinagar Municipal Corporation at present has only one Waseem Ahmad as well. dumping site at Syedpora Achan which comprises of 540 "The building material for the indoor sports hall is kanals of land where the waste is being dumped. Srinagar: Started in 2013, multi-purpose Indoor spread all over the Polo Ground which is very pathetic. The exiting site of dumping waste is said to be improved sports hall at polo ground, Srinagar awaits completion Polo Ground was once one of the beautiful playgrounds and modernized into scientific engineered landfill site with for Four years. of the valley but now it is in shambles," Basit, a Football financial and technical guidance from Asian Development The foundation stone of the indoor sports hall was player said Bank (ADB), the official website of Srinagar Municipal laid by then Minister for Medical Education, Youth Despite repeated attempts no one in the JKSSC was Corporation shows. services and sports, Taj Mohi-ud-din on 2013 and the available for the comments about the Indoor Sports work was started soon after that. hall. ﻮر य ﯽ اﻟﻨ गम ﻟ ोत ﺖ ا  ﻤ ٰ ा ﻠ

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म त U N IR IVE M RS ASH Vol 10●No 11●Pages 16●July 15, 2017 ITY OF K 3 Crafting Hands: a flashing opportunity to avail

v Munawar Hussain per kilogram, we accumulate the discarded paper in the design outline is drawn. Charcoal powder or simply quantity; the first phase starts with immersing it into a white-powder, depending on the surface color, put in a cotton SRINAGAR: The is bestowed with beauty, tub containing water and keep it there for few days. After cloth is then rubbed on the trace paper after positioning it on not only of having infinite natural bounties but also gifted moistened, we grind the slackened paper normally in a the object”, explained artist Fida Hussain. with exceptional skills. Handicrafts of Kashmir are famous stone-mortar with wooden-pestle”. Shabir Ahmad – a After getting the design outline on the object, the Naqash throughout the world, whether we talk about Pashmina Sakht-kar describing his work. brings life to the object. shawls, carpets of varied designs, or papier-mâché products, The other materials like straw of rice plant and copper Preserving the work culture; an alternative to tackle all attain a special fame. sulfate are then mixed with grinded paper to make a pulp unemployment Retaining the opulence of art, it is quite fascinating to easy to apply on a mold. With the increasing bleak job market in the state, the youth observe the process how papier-mâché products are shaped After completing the layering of pulp over the mold, it is left could ponder upon other available sources and opportunities initially. Before reaching the hands of the Naqash, artifacts for few days to dry up. whereas, the government needs to create such apparatus, are molded, shaped, and smoothened, for that exquisite There is wide range of objects made in papier-mâché craft. to counsel the unemployed youth, provide them accessible stroke of the brush, which has down the centuries remained “Since I came to this field, I made a number of objects tools and resources to find other means of job. the epitome of Kashmiri craft. But the most alluring part depending on the taste of customers. It includes Samovars, “There are possibilities to create abundance of opportunities is, using the discarded paper adeptly to make decorative flower vases, boxes of varied shapes and sizes, balls and bells, if these crafts be taught to earn livelihood in the valley. It artifacts, inspiring to bring soul in dead things, reuse them to pen holders and so on”, Said Shabir Ahmad, while showing would not only cater unemployment but also preserve our recreate their essence in completely different and delightful the objects he made. cultural heritage”, said Shabir Ahmad. style. Finally, the object reaches to the painter, locally called as “These crafts should be inserted in school-curriculum to Sakht-kar, who makes the products from paper pulp, Naqash, to get decorated with multiple designs. make the students familiar at their early stage of life. Like goes to publication houses to gather and stockpile “Using a trace paper, we sketch out the design on it and then sports, they can adopt it as co-curricular activities and the discarded paper. “After paying minimal charges pierce it with a needle to make minute holes, exactly as per choose the one with own inclination”, said Fida Hussain.

HSS Kothibagh, Tony Blair WILDLIFE ENCROACHMENTS Foundation organize workshop ON RISE IN KASHMIR growing man-animal conflict in the rural areas of south Kashmir. Earlier on Saturday, a minor boy was attacked and dragged away from the village by a leopard from outside his house in Banderpora village of . His body was recovered the next morning. Monday’s incident took place v Saba Gul He added that it is a great initiative and at about 3:15 in the afternoon. Directorate will always extend its support and “My mother, wife and my SRINAGAR: Tony Blair Foundation, an cooperation to Tony Blair Faith Foundation daughter had gone to their international NGO based in London, in so that teaching community and the students orchard on the outskirts of the collaboration with Directorate of School get an learning exchange platform with their village when a bear attacked Education Kashmir and College of Education counterparts across the globe. them,” Reyaz Ahmad Bhat, today held one day workshop at Higher Director School Education said that Shaheena’s husband told media Secondary School Kothibagh Srinagar. Generation Global helps the students and men at the Tony Blair faith foundation runs a program teachers to overcome prejudices about hospital. called Generation Global which helps different cultures, beliefs, values and Fatima and Shaheena were the students and teachers of different religions. rushed to hospital where nationalities to have a conversation on diverse Sandyha Gupta the Education Consultant Fatima was declared brought issues through Skype and internet. This Asia for Tony Blair Faith Foundation said Ali Mohd dead. “Fatima had a gash in her throat organization runs a program of empowering that teachers from the valley have shown proving fatal for her. Shaheena has the students and teachers by providing them an overwhelming response regarding this Kulgam: A 75-year-old woman was injury to her head and is stable after latest skills through Generation Global in program. mauled to death by a bear while her stitches and treatment,” said Medical almost 20 countries of the world. In order to rope-in maximum number of 40-year-old daughter-in-law was Superintendent of the Kulgam district The workshop was inaugurated by the teachers and students for the program, critically injured in the attack that took hospital, Dr R D Kasana. He said that Director School Education Kashmir Dr. G.N. Director School Education advised Principal place south Kashmir Kulgam district Shaheena’s daughter Hina too had some Itoo addressing the teachers and experts; he SIE to coordinate with the Tony Blair Faith Monday afternoon. scratches but she has been sent home said that Tony Blair Faith Foundation is doing Foundation. He assured the participating The slain was identified as Fatima after first aid. a commendable job by providing the teachers teachers that all the ICT labs at district Begum and her injured daughter-in-law Residents of the area have alleged that and students of the valley a platform to share head quarters would be upgraded so that the as Shaheena Bano, both residents of the Wildlife department has been their views with students and teachers of programs of such nature are conducted in Ladgov village in Kulgam district. ignoring their repeated pleas to prevent other parts of the world. hassle free manner. The incident is seen as an indicator of wild animal attacks in the villages. ﻮر य ﯽ اﻟﻨ गम ﻟ ोत ﺖ ا  MEDIA EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR ﻤ ٰ ा ﻠ

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Students ferried in overloaded vehicles; authorities unmoved

There is always“HOPE” v Showqat Wani and activities in daily life (ADL). The NGO conducts Community Based SRINAGAR: Hope Disability Centre, Rehabilitation (CBR) in its outreach an undertaking of She Hope Society programmes,” said Ajid Shafi, v Saba Khan cab. for Women Entrepreneurs, is an consultant of Hope Disability Centre “Often, my children complain that they feel NGO in Jammu and Kashmir since at Wayil Ganderbal. ANANTNAG: Against Supreme Court’s nausea,” she said. “A cab fit for eight children 2001 working for rehabilitation of Livelihood programmes, especially directions, many schools in Kashmir Valley is made to carry 14. Even the traffic police is physically challenged people and for women and their empowerment, ferry their students in overloaded vehicles, not taking any action against these schools.” women empowerment. are conducted through awareness, risking their lives and comfort. The Private School Association of Kashmir Started from one-room unit education, counselling, skill training The Supreme Court of India last year directed President, G N Var, refused to accept that the at Wayil in central Kashmir’s for employment, creation of self- the transporters to ensure safety of school private schools indulge in the unsafe practice. providing physical help groups, and micro-loan scheme children. “The traffic police is there to act against the rehabilitation and special education facilitation. In Kashmir, however, students, especially violators, but we don’t see anything like this to mere 5 children with physical Besides, it carries out programmes minors, continue to be ferried in jam-packed happening here,” he said. disabilities,16 years before, Hope has and workshops on health awareness, vehicles, which are also considered unsafe. Traffic Police SSP, Srinagar, Sargun Shukla, now expanded across Jammu and advocacy and access to human rights, “I can’t bear my children being ferried like said they were taking action against the Kashmir for carrying out social work. child development and disaster risk cattle in a compact vehicle. Although we violators. Today, Hope is a fully grown and reduction management. made a representation to the school, it seems “We can only fine them. But if we keep on rehabilitation centre, providing While talking to MERC Times, Ab they are least bothered about the safety of our ceasing these vehicles, the minors will bear prosthesis and orthotic support to Rahman Bhat from Rapora Lar, children,” said Nisar Ahmad, a parent. the brunt; they can’t make it to their homes persons whose limbs were amputated Ganderbal said, “Few days earlier, He said many parents have, of late, alone and by foot,” she said, appealing the either of accidents, armed conflict or I survived a mortal injury as an axe discontinued utilising schools’ transport parents to raise voice against the authorities. congenial diseases. accidentally hit my face and hands. services. “You can see many parents Joint Director School Education, Mehboob “Hope also provides physiotherapy, Being a laborer by profession I ferry their children on bikes or hire auto- Hussain, said the parents should approach occupationalhearing and speech couldn’t afford the treatment. It was rickshaws,” Ahmad said. them with their complaints. therapy, mobility aids, corrective the Physiotherapy Centre at Wayil Nelofar, a resident of Wanbal, said her “We will take action against the schools,” he surgeries, equipment and aids to Ganderbal where Doctors assisted me children often complain of suffocation in the said. persons with hearing impairment to get through this situation.”

Non-functional ATM’s aggravate residents v Fehmeeda Rashid it is hard to fulfill our daily customary needs,” a local GANDERBAL:: Cash-dispensing machines said. inGanderbal often remain out of service, giving tough “We need money to buy basic commodities and times to the people. medicine. Who keeps reserve cash these days? ” Saba “Sorry I am temporarily out of service” is the message Zehra a local said. on ATM screens that keeps on irking the bank Many customers alleged that the bank authorities customers. when asked about the problems cited “poor link “What is the fun of a facility that fails you when connectivity”. you need it the most,” questioned Bashir Ahmad However, a local questioned, “If poor link connectivity adding that it was not for the first time that he had to is the reason for malfunctioning of ATMs, then why confrontsuch a problem. “In fact the ill-working of the this problem is confined to Ganderbal alone. We have ATMs of the bank has become a routine now,” he said. seen ATMs outside working round the clock without Another customer Suhail Ahmad said, “it is surprising any glitches.” that ATMs in the commercial hub of Ganderbal are While speaking to MERC Times, a senior official of the either not working or are out of cash very often.” bank said the problem arises because “the ATMs are “On Sundays banks are closed, the only source to get outsourced to a vendor which takes time to load the cash is ATM machines but given their inoperativeness cash.” ﻮر य ﯽ اﻟﻨ गम ﻟ ोत ﺖ ا  MEDIA EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR ﻤ ٰ ा ﻠ

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म त U R UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR NI I Vol 10●No 11●Pages 16●July 15, 2017 V M ER H SITY OF KAS Vol 8 | No 12 | OCTOBER 30, 2015 5

ANNUAL ALOHA COMPETITION Film Appreciation Course concludes at Media HELD AT KUPWARA Department, Kashmir University nice to be among such a beautiful group v Asim Rajah. of students. I would like students to be in touch as I found them bright and fun loving. SRINAGAR: The five day film appreciation Director National Film Archive of India course conducted by Film and Television (NFAI) Prakash Magdum informed, “It is Institute of India (FTII) in collaboration the only organization under government with Media Education Research Centre, of India which is actively working for Kashmir University concluded at Media preserving of films in India and we have Auditorium, Kashmir University on preserved 30 silent films.” Friday. He further added that we have also During the course,Media Students preserved three films from Kashmir, v Iqra Akhoon Reham and Mr Qasim Ahmad who were trained in different nuances of which includes Kashmir’s first silent film were the chief guests on the occasion. film appreciation and cinema. Many “Mainz Raat” directed by Jagjiram Pal in KUPWARAL: 6th Annual Alloha The teachers and staff members of International and National movies were 1964. The other two films are Shayar-e- District Level Competition, Abascus Alloha including Israr ul Haq, Miss screened at the Media House which Kashmir Mahjoor directed by Prabhat and Mental Arithmetic competition Gul Bahar, Miss Gazala Akhtar, Miss included 2016 Lotus National Award Mukherjee in 1972 and Babaji directed by was held here at Town Hall Kupwara. Shazia Kousar, Mr Zubair Ahmad winning movie “Kasav” directed by Joyti Sarup in 2001. Aloha, which has been engaged in and Mr Bilal Wani coordinated the Sumitra Bhave. Coordinator MERC Faruq Masudi, while exploring the untapped energies event successfully. Director Sumitra Bhave while sharing her concluding the session said, “I would like and talent of the young students for It was due to the positive and experience said, “Films are not meant for to thank faculty of FTII and MERC for so many years now organized this proactive efforts of the teachers audience and awards, but to explore our conducting this workshop smoothly. And, event. and staff members of Alloha that life. We can come out of depression by going in near future FTII in collaboration with The event started with competition the competition and program ran deep into life as everybody wants love and MERC will be conducting seminars for ‘Abascus’ in which a huge number successfully. The teachers also held compassion, but we are losing it. And, that the preparation of entrance examination of students from different and far- relevant Counselling sessions for is why we are in the present situation of of FTII. The film appreciation course was flung areas of District Kupwara the student in order to encourage dwelling mental illness”. beneficial to students as it provided new participated enthusiastically. At the them so that the inner talent in them Actress Irawati Harshe while sharing insights and perspective to the film as an end of the competition the successful gets explored and channelized in a her experience said, “Losing the source art form.” students were encouraged with positive manner. of connection with each other is the root He further said that film is a strong medium felicitation and prizes.. Pertinently, Aloha also launched cause of depression.” for Kashmiris to present their stories to the The program concluded with an ‘kupwara polythene drive’, and She further added that people in Kashmir world and course like these by FTII will impressive Prize distribution educated the participants to are very loving and interactive; it was hone their talent. ceremony. The Prize distribution stop using polythene and save ceremony was presided by Dr Ishfaq environment. Fruit trucks stranded on highway traders fraternity dejected Tengpora inhabitants demand v Bint-ul Huda Kashmir.” Srinagar: More than 40 fruit trucks “Cherry and Plums (Alu-Bukhaar) are carrying plums and cherry are stranded on very tender and soft in its making, so it’s shifting of dumping site the national highway due to one way traffic the main problem that we are undergoing schedule for the ongoing Amarnath yatra. this time due to one-way traffic,” Bashir Junaid Manzoor area made silent over this issue,” said Kashmir fruit trade fraternities and said Bashir Ahmed (name changed),a exporters were very upset with the move While talking to Ajaz Ahmad SSP SRINAGAR: Heaps of garbage collected traffic police cop. as they were complaining that the trucks highway said “we have neutralized all the from adjacent areas is dumped near “Though we went to concerned carrying the fruits have a short span of life traffic from to Ramsoo, and did Tengpora,Byepass,causing immense officials several times, but they time. everything support and reached the spot inconvenience to the residents, hardly pay heed to the common President New Kashmir Fruit Association where trucks were stranded for some time." commuters and shopkeepers of the people and their sufferings,” said a Bashir Ahmad Bashir said "from Kashmir “Commuters were stuck in a serpentine area. Huge mounds of garbage are local Shopkeeper. valley we are exporting fruits like Plums traffic jam on Thursday the strategic 300- collected from the nearby areas and “We are trying our level best to (Alu-Bukhaar) and Cherry, only fruits km Srinagar-Jammu highway, due to bad dumped along the roadside. make our city clean, for that we need this time we are that are exporting from weather." Locals said that garbage piles attract cooperation from the society as well. Kashmir from last month to other states, The trucks and others cars were not stray dogs and that is another matter We have installed dustbins in almost eventually when this pilgrimage started stranded amid Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage. of concern. They are reluctant to every area of the Srinagar city, people and our trucks were halted for hours." It was due to bad weather, the harsh rain move out especially children as still throwgarbage, on the roads, now He added “Each and every day we are facing fall on the upper area of the highway.” Ajaz they may fall prey to dog bite as they whom will you blame! trouble, fruits should reach immediately to said cannot outrun them. As far as Tengpora Bye pass is Fruit Mandi in time, if these trucks will He added, “Congestion started due to “I am not able to perform my duty concerned,we will soon install few not reach on the spot, the fruits are rotten rainfall and stone shooting, created a way properly in such a stinky atmosphere. more dustbins in the area and will and have to dispose later to waste bin, these for one side traffic movement and blockage, I have to block my nose with a shift the dumping site to some other fruits can’t be kept in a container for more for taking consideration and clearing the mask to stand near the place.I don’t place,” said Manzoor Ahmad Paaray, time, its taste and quality get decreased, roads, the one-way traffic smoothed the understand why inhabitants of this the Chief Sanitation Officer . the big trouble for the fruit fraternity of people coming to Kashmir valley.” MEDIA EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR ﻮر य ﯽ اﻟﻨ गम ﻟ ोत ﺖ ا  ﻤ ٰ ा ﻠ

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म त Vol 10●No 11●Pages 16●July 15, 2017 U N IR IV M ER H SITY OF KAS 6 OFF-ROAD MTB CHAMPIONSHIP CONCLUDES v Sheikh Saman as Tajamul of Celestial Buds The two-day event saw around 350 events are part of their culture and bagged second place and Junaid also of riders hailing from different schools daily activities. They do it because they SRINAGAR: First Off-Road MTB Celestial Buds finished third. and clubs of Kashmir participating in love to do and develop same mentality championship organized by Sheikh-ul- In the Under-17 category Fazal Wani of it. The championship was supported among their youth from very early age. Aalam Sports Development Association Burn hall cruised to win while as Zaid by J&K bank, J&K Tourism, Amblin, We need to develop same concept here Budgam (SSDA) in collaboration with Hameed of Burn Hall and Faheem of Youth Services and Sports Department by conducting more and more such J&K State Sports Council concluded at Candid Higher Secondary finished Budgam and Spring Buds Educational events.” Polo Ground here on 6 August. second and third respectively. In the Trust Ompora. Students from RP School, Burn Hall, Last day of the event saw competition for senior category Rameez emerged Speaking on the occasion, Mahmood Kashmir Harvard, Tyndale Biscoe, the title with semifinals and finals held winner while as Waheed of Celestial Ahmad Shah, Director Tourism said, Celestial Buds, Spring Buds Ompora, in under-14, 17 and seniors categories. Buds and Parvaiz from Amar Singh “I am impressed with the idea which Minto Circle, Candid Higher Secondary In Under-14 category, Abhaydeep Singh College finished second and third is unique in our part of the world. In School and Modern Era participated in of Burn Hall emerged winner while respectively. European countries these type of student categories.

Kupwara Boy Wins Baramulla Hospital lacks basic Gold Medal facilities

v Tahir Bhat v Syed Irshad forced to visit Srinagar hospitals, adding to their woes. SRINAGAR: Faheem Rashid Malik, 23, a resident of SRINAGAR: Authorities are calming that they “We are running three theaters a day and Kalmoona village of Kupwara brought laurels to his are taking immense steps to revolutionize the there is availability of only one anesthetic. state by winning gold medal in North India Jeet Kune- health system in Jammu and Kashmir, but the How can one expect that hospital will run Do (kung fu) championship that was held at Sehranpur ground reality is starkly opposite to it. round the clock as per the expectations of (Uttarakhand). The Jeet Kune-Do competition was The district hospital in Baramulla is grappling common people,” said a doctor. organized by Schools Games Federation of India in with heavy rush of patients, low ratio of doctors “By spending corers of rupees on the new association with Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. and paramedics and has almost crippled the hospital building, nothing has changed here. “I participated through Uttarakhand Jeet Kune-Do health care system of hospital. Infrastructure cannot help if there is dearth Association Academy that was founded by Fareed “The staff in 100-bed old hospital equals to of doctors. Patients were being referred to Khan, my coach,” Malik said. that of new 200-bed hospital, this low ratio Srinagar hospital in past citing non availability Faheem won the gold in senior category of 55-60 of staff is the root cause of all problems,” a of doctors and same practice is even now. kg weight and was declared best player in the U-24 patient said. So what has changed?,” questions Ramzan category in the championship, that had participation The new hospital had raised the expectations Malik, a local. from eight states. of people of Baramulla who thought that When contacted,Chief Medical Officer Jeet Kune–Do, abbreviated JKD, is an electric and after the completion of new hospital Baramulla said, “I have already requested hybrid philosophy of martial arts heavily influenced building their health issues would be duly higher authorities to address the issue. They by the personal philosophy and experiences of martial addressed. However, the new hospital has assured that they will look into the issue with artist Bruce Lee. only one anesthetic available, with the result great attention and they will take all possible Lee founded the system on July 9, 1969, and is referred patientsadmitted for surgeries after 4pm are steps to solve these problems.” as “non–classical”. “I was interesting in martial arts from my childhood, but here in Kashmir I did not found any way to fulfill my aim of becoming the champion of martial arts,” Malik said. Dilapidated roads Malik is son of a government employee, Abdul Rashid Malik. Though his father manages the family, it is his brother funding his studies and passion. Malik is all irk Rainawari residents praise for his brother Jaffer Rashid, a banker. “It is because of his encouragement that I came close Tanzeela Qazi corporation was responsible for the poor condition to the dreams of my childhood,” Malik said. “I have of roads. dedicated the gold medal to my brother.” Roads are damaged everywhere in the areas of Another resident said that the workers, who dug When Faheem decided to pursue his studied in Rainawari especially puj mohalla, Main shah roads to provide drinking water connection to the Dehradun, it was his brother who took it upon himself sahib, Nadiyar, Kalwal Mohalla, Jogi lankar and newly constructed houses, had never closed them to finance him. Their father is a class fourth employee. Kralyaar. properly. It had further damaged the roads. We find “It is my responsibility to help my brother as my father The condition of the roads is becoming bad to it extremely difficult to drive in certain areas due to has to bare the expenses of my other siblings,” said worse. Also, the roads have become unfit for the poor condition of roads. Jaffer. “Faheem’s hard work and passion for Kung Fu smooth ride within a few months of formation With concerned officials and authorities paying has finally paid off.” apparently due to poor quality. little attention to carry out repair and maintenance Faheem’s family is proud of the achievements of their Bashir Ahmad Dar, resident of Miya shah sahid works the roads have suffered extensive damage. son. They hope he will, one day, become an international Rainawari said that they had failed to withstand The chief engineer (Road repairs) said that the champion. He wants to represent J&K, his home state, even a single rain. Since then, No repair or problem will be solved at the earliest and we don’t in a national level championship. maintenance work was taken up lamenting that the want people to suffer anymore. ﻮر य ﯽ اﻟﻨ गम ﻟ ोत ﺖ ا  ﻤ ٰ ा ﻠ

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Water crisis hits village Bakura SESSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL water shortage in our village and we CONSERVATION HELD AT NIGEEN approached the PHE division Ganderbal, conservation of environment. The event they assured us for was also aimed at displaying the tourism the quick action and potential of J&K state”, said an event started to send the organizer water tankers for While speaking on the event, patron NLCO sometime which was Dr. Kaloo said “As sponsors of the event that not solution for our was held at one of reputed universities,we problem. wanted to host the delegates and enlighten v Farhad Khan Another elderly person speaking everyone about what is being done in the field to MERC TIMES said that govt of conservation of environment by different GANDERBAL: Water shortage has laid the corner stone of water organizations in Kashmir”. hits Ganderbal’s village Bakura treatment plant in Bakura back Chairman NLCO, Manzoor Ahmed and it’s adjacent areas, and people in 2008- 2009 but has not been Wangnoo said, “Due to tireless work of are protesting against the PHE completed till this date. LAWDA and dedication of our volunteers Ganderbal for the negligence of the When contacted, PHE executive v Auqib Salam we have been able to make Nigeen Lake officials. Ganderbal, he said that we were polythene free and steps are afoot to ensure The protesters blocked the Batpora approached by the people about SRINAGAR: Various stakeholders it remains pollution free in future.” Nagbal link to protest against the the problem earlier also and we working to protect the famous Nigeen “I can say with authority that Nigeen Lake officials. sent a team for the field inspection Lake in Srinagar in a function organised by is probably the only water body in Kashmir Mushtaq Ahmad War told the to take the action and look at their Nigeen Lake Conversation Organization that is polythene free”. Wangnoo added. reporter that there has been the problem. revealed that due to continuous awareness Highlighting the potential of Tourism in campaigns, they have been able to keep the J&K, Director Tourism Mehmood Ahmad lake the polythene free. As further steps are Shah discussed about the unique USP’s of Sharanz waterfall in “afoot to ensure it remains pollution free in J&K as a tourist destination. He enlightened future.” the audience with unique feature of flora and North Kashmir craves for The campaign was organized by Nigeen fauna of J&K state. Lake Conservation Organization (NLCO) “It is important for us to let the foreign government attention in collaboration with J&K tourism at Nigeen delegates know about the tourism potential club Srinagar. of J&K state and the things that we have to “Aim of the event was to make the delegates offer as a tourist destination so that they can aware about the work of NLCO towards the promote us back home,” Mehmood said. MASHEK a steps towards better future v Faila Khan Asif bilal opine that this unexplored tourist destination if maintained properly ANANTNAG Scores of Youths from South North Kashmir: The Sharanz can to a greater extent boost the Kashmir’s have started waterfall on 'Ningli' stream economy of the area. the initiative, Mashek - Write your dreams, near Baba Reshi Shrine here in “This waterfall (Sranz) is one of the to reach out to under privileged children North Kashmir area is craving for most beautiful spots in area; this is who are deprived of basic right of education, government attention. not less than Aharbal waterfall in health and hygiene. Located in the lap of green Anantnag. Authorities should take The initiative encourages people from picturesque area on the Nallah Ningli steps to maintain this tourist spot," various fields to start contributing with old near Nagbal Baba Reshi, the water said a local visitor Mohammad Arif. books, stationery and money, so it reaches to “We have volunteers from all districts; we fall is at a distance of about 5 Kms “If the waterfall is utilized properly, it less fortunate people. have collection and distribution events. from Baba Reshi Shrine, the waterfall can produce electricity for the nearby Co-Founder of Mashek initiative, Tammana It just feels good to be a part of something has remained a spot of attraction for areas, besides will help in boosting Mukhtar said “It all started earlier this year so positive,” said Sadia Khan, one of the the tourists visiting and the economy of the area through with the basic aim of providing education, it volunteers. Tourism spots. different means," said Ajaz Ahmad a was a rough ride at start but within months Faiza Khan, one of the contributors said that The famous waterfall has teacher. the number of volunteers and contributors i got in touch Mashek, through social media; the potential of producing People demand that the whole area increased, all thanks to social media I had spare books and then contributed Hydroelectricity and can turn around the Shranz waterfall should especially Kashmir Dial’s Facebook page,” around 50 books, and stationery. into famous tourist destination be developed and be put on the tourist she said. Mashek initiative recently collaborated if government could wake up for map. "If the area around the waterfall The response from people was with Vertical Amble Mountaineering Club, development, locals said. is developed and put on the tourist overwhelming, people were ready to and reached the hilly regions of Aru Valley, However due to lack of basic facilities map, it will provide employment contribute and we started collecting books, , and provided people with food in the area the visiting tourists opportunities for the unemployed stationery, bags and other stuff. She further supplements there. They also provided free face immense hardships. Locals youth of the area", Ahmad said. added. tuitions in recent summer vacations. ﻮر य ﯽ اﻟﻨ गम ﻟ ोत ﺖ ا  ﻤ ٰ ा MEDIA EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR ﻠ

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v Malik Nisar “The hard-truth is that sports-based martial arts do not prepare you for the realities of violence v Syed Jesarat unbearable noise as JCB’s and BARAMULLA : Ashfaq , a resident of in the 21st century especially, when your life is on other machines run throughout the Rangwar, Baramulla, started training martial arts the line. That’s the reason I decided to train and SRINAGAR: In brazen violation of day. with his cousin brother, who used to teach Kung teach my students the realistic aspect of combat the rules and regulations, education Pertinently, there are two fu, when he was barely six years old. and martial arts,” explains Ashfaq. department of Khag a have allowed government run middle schools Twenty years down the line, Ashfaq, who now “To me, Kashmiri martial artists along with a contractor to occupy two rooms functioning at the construction works as a journalist and a content writer, also medals need a realistic approach to martial arts, of a government run school for site”. runs “Kashmir Combative- The Fight Academy” a skill set to defend their honour, life and loved accommodating labourers working However, according to an official where hundreds of youth are trained in combative ones in the conflict zone of Kashmir,” he added. on the construction of a girl’s hostel it was only after the consultation of sports. “I have been training in KC since 2011.We in Khag Education Zone of the the local representatives that two “Along with running the academy, I completed are trained here like soldiers. The thing that district. abandoned rooms were allocated my masters in Convergent Journalism from differentiates KC academy from other martial art Mushtaq Ahmed, whose son to the contractor. The allocation of the Central University of Kashmir. Since my academies in other parts of India is the focus on studies in the school said that the two rooms hasn’t created any space childhood I had a passion for martial arts and the reality-based combat,” said Danish Manzoor, students have been forced to take dearth at the school. see 18 years have passed and I am still in this field a student of Kashmir Combatives- The Fight classes in the scorching heat. “Two When contacted Chief now from competitive mode to coaching mode,” Academy. rooms have been occupied by a Education Officer (CEO) Budgam says Ashfaq. Another student, MusharifQayoom, 11, private constructor among which Abdul Rouf Shahmiri said, He holds a black belt degree in martial arts and has grabbed 13-time gold medals at different one is being used by the laborers “The matter will be taken up has won dozens of medals in the sports version platforms of combat sports. “There is no martial and the other for dumping of the with concerned ZEO. I have no of martial arts both at state and national level. art academy in the valley. I used to see martial construction material,” he said. information about this issue. But it However, the laurels failed to provide him with arts on TV and got impressed by it...we take it as a A teacher preferring anonymity will take up the matter with zonal a sense of fulfilment and he decided to focus on part of real life situations not only the game,” said said “The construction work causes authorities. training people instead of chasing medals. Musharif.

LOW WAGES HALT CARPET MANUFACTURING

v Mehvish Mumtaz benefits without providing for the basic needs to the people, who basically do the main job. SRINAGAR: Carpet manufacturing that However, Jammu and Kashmir Directorate once fetched Kashmir money and fame is of Handicrafts claims that government has losing its artisan base fast, as the weavers does taken a number of steps to revive carpet weaving not want their next generation to go for a ‘low- and support the weavers. paying backbreaking job’. Reyaz Ahmad, Publicity and Exhibition The Carpet Industry in Kashmir is facing Officer (PEO) of the directorate said that Craft a number of issues including the competition Development Institute (CDI) and Indian in international market, cheap machine-made Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) is in carpets in the name of Kashmir carpets, lack process to revive this dying craft and is providing of innovation and new design but the main free training to artisans. setback is due to disinterests of the weaver. “Directorate is playing a vital role in “There is a severe shortage of skilled carpet promoting handicrafts products in rural as well weavers these days. The craft is dying. The as in urban areas by providing financial and new generation has no interest in this craft. technical assistance to unemployed youth and There was a time when we used to export working for long hours? At least, I will not allow my children artisans of the state for setting up micro and our carpets to the whole world and it made us famous in to become weavers. I have suffered all my life and I don’t small units in industrial sectors under various schemes”, the world but I see a bleak future for this craft now,” said want them to suffer like me,” said Naseer Ahmad Baba, who PEO said. “We have established around 550 training 60-year-old weaver. became a carpet weaver, when he was barely 15-years old. centers in every district and around 8500 persons are “Why should our young generation be involved in this These weavers blame that they are living a life of misery, trained through these centers annually. We are providing when it doesn’t even fetch us even two meals a day despite where as the middlemen and traders will keep reaping them mechanized looms free of cost,” He added.

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v Musaib Mehraj Zahoor Ahmad. “This is 21st robbery in our SRINAGAR: DSeven people’s area this year, earlier thieves looted cash and valuables worth managed to escape with cash rupees three lakh from the and jewellery worth rupees 30 readymade garment shop in the lakh from another household of Rangpora area of Illahi Bagh Ghulam Mohammad”, Ahmad Srinagar. added. Robbers “At about 2 am when we were “A month back outsiders from slept I heard some noise from Kashmir who work here were prowl at outside and suddenly a person also looted in whom the thieves standing at one place caught escaped with six mobile phones, my eyes. I opened the door to 8000 rupees cash and clothes,” Illahi Bagh catch him, he tried to escape but they said. I overpowered him and caught “We are facing these him,” said Zahoor Ahmad, Owner people out of which six managed to hardships every time and no one of the shop. escape. has come forward to our rescue, we have Accused person has been taken into “This has become a routine in this area, talked to the authorities as well but there custody by the Zakura Police station and every now and then there is a robbery in is no response from them,” locals further FIR has been lodged against all seven our area and nothing has been done,” said added.

World Film Festival Concludes KU sports ground in shambles At Tagore Hall

v Nazima Rashid International category. The films awarded in ‘Jury special mention’ SRINAGAR. : The five days ‘Kashmir include both the nationals, One is Kintsukuroi World Film Festival’ (KWFF) concluded at (Fiction) and another is Waenji Gaash Tagore Hall here on Wednesday. Organized (Documentary). by Actors Creative Theatre (ACT), a Non- Chairman ACT Mushtaque Ahmad Khan profit organization in collaboration with its said ,” I am thankful to all those who made it v Rafia Manzoor unleveled surface and tall weed plants different sponsors, the festival also screened the possible.” “All the five days went good. I am in this ground”, said a group of varsity international movies. thankful to all my friends and especially to my SRINAGAR: Kashmir University students. The auditorium witnessed huge rush of mother , its because of her blessings ,all this was students suffer as the playground “Along with our studies we students from Media Education Research possible,” Khan further said. “The presence of besides Maulana Rumi gate remains wanted to take part in sports but the Centre (MERC), University of Kashmir. Director FTII and the bollywood actor Rajat in shambles. authorities have maintained it at a Students from Central University, colleges, Kapoor gave me a clear idea now that my event With sports season setting in, snail’s pace. Now the summer is at its higher secondary schools and movie lovers were has been completed successfully,” he added. the authority’s negligence has led peak and it will be very difficult for also present there. Besides screening of films, the young artists to the maintenance of University us play or take part in other physical Meanwhile, three films were screened in were given a chance to learn about film direction. playground at a snail’s pace. The activities”, they said. afternoon. The films include Gul directed by The five days film workshop was conducted by students have complained about the However the authorities have Gul Reyaz, Lissa Aisha directed by Asthma Canon Indian and Film and Television Institute lack of maintenance of playground claimed that the main reason Bseiso and Kabuliwala directed by Tapan Sinha. (FTII). that hurdle’s them from taking part in behind grounds negligence was Around twenty One films were screened in “ I have Talked to Vice Chancellor Kashmir any sports activities. the interference of outsiders in the seven different languages that include , University Dr. Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi about The authorities seem to be in no University playgrounds. , English, Kashmiri, Bengali, Bhojpuri and conducting Short Courses On Film Making at mood to maintain the playground. Nisar Ahmad, Director Physical Spanish. Kashmir University. He has given us surety, so Their negligence led to the Education University of Kashmir The guest of honor on the occasion was we might conduct the courses after 22 July. We transformation of ground from said, “The thing that led us to neglect bollywood actor Rajat Kapoor while the chief want Kashmiri Students to Come forward and lush green grass to tall weed plants this ground was the interference of guest was Bhupendra Kainthola, Director FTII. Showcase their talent and passion in Film Making” resulting in keeping players away from outsiders. They come here and start The movies that won the awards in different said Bhupendra Kainthola, Director FTII. playing. playing despite some restrictions.” categories include Bokul (Fiction), Shepherds The film festival received overwhelmed “The ground is not in such a “We have started to maintain other of Paradise (Documentary) in national category, response from the audiences especially condition to take part in any physical grounds as well and after one month Velvet Revolution, Mirror, In Between are in students. activity. We can only witness garbage, every ground will be ready”, he added.

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TIMBER SMUGGLING CONTINUES IN BUDGAM Similar reports have been received from Sukhnag range where the forest area across Zogu, Pathalan, Shalekein, KadleBal, BearanDakan, Pan khalDael and Lade Modan have witnessed timber smuggling. Reports said the timber smugglers have also damaged many green trees in S3 compartment of Raithan Range and in forests near Tangnar, Hapat tar, and upper ranges of Dodpathri locations. “Around 80 cubic feet of illicit forest timber was seized and a few horses confiscated in this forest range over past one month. At least four FIRs against nine timber smugglers have been lodged at Khan Sahab police station,” Range Officer RaithanParvaiz Ahmad Parray told MERC Times. When contacted Chief Conservator v RAHIL HUSSAIN the smugglers has been on rise in thick forest, there has seen some illegal activity Forest Nisar Ahmad Darzi said the forest forest ranges in upper belts of Pir Panjal in recent weeks. department was always ready to nab the BUDGAM: Notwithstanding its tall Mountains. “It is dangerous for us to go on night timbre smugglers. “Our employees have claims on forest protection, the state “The smuggler movement starts during patrolling,” some of the forest officials curbed attempts at timber smuggling,” government has been unable to check the night hours”, said a delegation of told MERC Times. he said. the deforestation of green gold by timber locals from Budgam. There has been reportedly unabated “A number of FIRs have been filed smugglers in central Kashmir’s Budgam As per reports timber and coal prepared deforestation at various locations thick besides seizures made of hundreds of district. in the forest is transported to lower areas with tree line in all the three forest ranges cubic feet of timber in the district,” Darzi According to the reports the movement of on horses as the dusk falls. In Nilnag of Dodhganga, Sukhnag and Raithan. added.

Sufi musical evening enthrals Shamsipora-Vehil road audiences in shambles v SADIA MIR Syeed Bilal

SRINAGAR: With an aim to highlight the link SHOPIAN:: The residents of Shamsipora, Vehil and adjoining areas of between Iran and Kashmir in respect of music staged protest against the deplorable condition of Vehil- and Sufism an event on traditional Sufi music in Nehama road. honour of music artists from Iran was organised The proteste road alleged that government has not been paying heed to by the Department of Information and Public their repeated pleas as the road is in shambles and taking a heavy toll on the Relations (DIPR) in collaboration with ‘Beeline commuters. Services’ - a Kashmir based advertising, travel Residents of Shamsipora said that the road in the area is rutted and dotted and MICE company, with potholes. “Due to the bad condition of the road, the transporters avoid On the occasion, Iran’s famous poet, Dr Mustafa plying on the road compelling villagers to walk by foot to reach respective Rehmandost spoke about the similarities destinations,” a local resident said. between Iranian and Kashmiri culture. According to locals of Nehama, the road was macadamized and repaired “Iran has had a very long association with a long time back. “Due to the terrible condition of road, the seven to Kashmir owing to the commonalities between more holdings but also revive the true essence ten-minute journey of eight kilometers from Vehil to Nehama takes 40 religion, culture, art, music etc and in the of ,” said Mirza Ghazanfar, the minutes,” Aqib Ganie, a 12th class student said. present scenario, there is a need to strengthen event organiser while outlining the aim of The residents alleged that they have brought the issue into the notice of these ties even more,” he remarked. holding the event. the concerned department, however, the officials have turned deaf ear to Performances were also held by popular He went on to say that there is untapped tourism their pleas. Kashmiri Sufi singers Ustaad Mushtaq Ahmad potential in Kashmir and the visiting guests will “Employees and students of the area fail to make to their work places and Saaznawaz and Ustaad Munir Ahmad Mir, who prove to be the ambassadors of the tourism rich educational institutions in time as the public transport barely plies on this enchanted the audience with their soulful Sufi Valley in their country, besides establishing an dilapidated road,” Bashir Ahmad, a government employee from the area renditions of the poetry of Hafez Shirazi and age old traditional and cultural link between said. Amir Khusru, the legendary Iranian mystics. Kashmir and Iran. The officials said that there was no chance of immediate repairs of the road. “Holding such events bridges the gaps between Speakers said that organizing this “welcome” “Work on Shamsipora-Vehil road will start after the approval of funds from the societies and brings them closer besides event will send a good message across Iran ministry,” Executive Engineer, Roads and buildings department Ghulam promoting religious tourism. Such events not and beyond, about the tremendous tourism Mohammad Bhat said. He further said, that they have already submitted only give a big boost to our economy with far potential that J&K is blessed with. proposal of the academization of the road to the concerned authorities.

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JKAAC organizes ‘Culture on Cruise’ town without on the Banks of Dal Lake garbage dumping site Jammu and Kashmir’s famous artists including v TAJAMUL Manzoor Ahmad Shah and Rashid Jehangir, v SHAH TAWQEER which enthralled the audiences. SRINAGAR An enthralling Cultural programme Secretary JKAACL, Dr Aziz Hajini, thanked SOPORE: The failure of administration to arrange a garbage was held as part of ‘weekly cultural programme the people for their overwhelming response dumping facility in Sopore has evoked widespread resentment series ‘titled “Culture on Cruise”, on the banks towards this initiative and showing their among the locals as heaps of domestic and market are lying of Dal Lake Srinagar. interest in knowing and preserving the culture scattered across the town. The event was organized by J&K Academy and heritage of State. “In absence of solid waste management facility, the garbage of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) He said that such events provide people mounds are common scene here with residents alleging that in association with Tourism Department from all walks of life an opportunity to come Municipal Council is doing nothing to address the problem. Kashmir. together and celebrate their culture, heritage The solid waste including plastic bags, polythene and hospital The programme saw performances from and diversity. garbage is being thrown on the roads and also into the drains leading to their blockade”, said Mushataq Ahmad Mounds of garbage are spotted near bus stand, Degree College, Government Girls Higher Secondary, and Super Bazar Model Town and along Jhelum banks here, Ahmad Kashmiri women footballers added “It is difficult for us to walk due to the foul smell emanating selected in PIFA from the garbage heaps. Living at places surrounded with filth Useeba Bashir increases the health risk,” said a local resident. .“Apart from biodegradable waste from the households, SRINAGAR: Two Kashmiri women footballers a large quantity of non-biodegradable garbage including achieved a historic feat by getting selected in polythene and medical waste is dumped in the open, increasing Premier Indian Football Academy (PIFA). the risk of disease outbreak,” residents added”, said Showket 20 years old Nadia Nighat hails from a student Rambagh area of Srinagar and 22 years old He added that with the population growth and increased Afshan Ashiq from have been selected commercial and industrial activities; the problem of waste in the trials conducted by Premier India Football disposal is becoming tougher Academy in Srinagar. More than 25 Kashmiri “Tons of garbage is produced daily, which needs scientific girls participated in these trials. treatment. Although authorities dump garbage at many places Nadia Nighat is a National football player and then cover it with earth to avoid stench, but there is no and the first female football coach of Kashmir. permanent garbage disposal system in the town,” they further Besides, she runs her own football academy in said. Srinagar where she trains both boys and girls. Locals are peeved as the garbage piles that have helped “For the last 13 years I am playing football at “My family’s support for the game hasalways increase canine population which is posing threat to people different levels and with each passing day I am been overwhelmed.This is just another especially students and elderly persons. doing more and more hard work. This selection milestone in my football carrier; my main goal is Official sources said that there is no land available where is the outcome of that hard work. Getting still far away from me. I want to become the best garbage from the town could be dumped. selected in PIFA is one of the best achievements female footballer ever.” She said. “In Sopore, there is no garbage collection, segregation of my life so far.” Nadia said. Pertinent to mention, PIFA is a football club and disposal system in place and people have demanded While as Afshan Ashiq considers selection as based in Mumbai having international alliances effective removal of the garbage and urged government to take a result of hard work and good familial support. with many football academies in UK and Europe immediate steps in that regard”, said an official.

NABARD vis-a-vis socio-economic emancipation of Farmers

Muneem Farooq based applications, linkage with the credit and govt. has expended Rs 5.54 crore till June 2017. creating mass awareness about the marketing and The minister said climate resilient aggregation JAMMU: NABARD (National Bank For Rural management of their farms on entrepreneurial lines. project in block Bhalwal in Jammu and Surisyar and Agriculture Development) being the apex “The awareness and sensitization of farmers block in Budgam at a project cost of Rs.22.5 lakh. He development bank of India which essentially deals holds key to better implementation of the welfare said that the ambit of this project would be extended with the prosperity and integrated rural development schemes and called upon the Agriculture department to the other parts of the state to realize the objective has significantly aided the locale of Kashmir. and concerned agencies to reach out to the farmers of enhanced resilience of agriculture crops, livestock On its 36th Foundation day, Minister for by organizing regular awareness programmes,” the and fisheries through development and application Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Hanjura on Wednesday minister opined. of improved production and management called for better synergy among the stakeholders The Minister said that works are apace on the technologies. to ensure the envisioned goal of advancement of implementation of different projects taken up under “The implementation of the schemes like Pradhan agriculture sector with socio-economic emancipation NABRAD funding which include development of seed Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Pradhan of farmers is achieved. multiplication farm and Potato seed multiplication Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana (PMFBY), National While outlining the state of agriculture sector in the farm at Bakore, Gool and Sanasar, respectively. Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC), state he said NABARD can play very important role Pertinently, around 50 percent of Rs 10.20 crore Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) Scheme and focus on in uplifting the economic condition of the farmers project cost sanctioned under Rural Infrastructure integrated farming will make the farming sector of the state through enhancement of technology Development Fund(RIDF) by NABRAD, the state more lucrative,” minister added. ﻮر य ﯽ اﻟﻨ गम ﻟ ोत ﺖ ا  MEDIA EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR ﻤ ٰ ा ﻠ

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Water crisis emerges in Almonds production Anantnag hits a new low

v Danish Pathan v Wajahat Shabir

ANANTNAG: Many areas in Anantnag district of SRINAGAR: There has been a sharp decline in almond south Kashmir are facing water crisis following a dry production in the Valley in the last few years as growers, summer which has led to visible depletion of water fearing loses, have been shifting towards cultivating apples. level in several water resources. Mohiudin Yatoo, an almond grower from Central Kashmir’s What is leading to worsening of the crisis, officials area, blamed inclement weather in the summers say, is non-judicious use of water by the people for the drastic fall in production. “From past three years, including car washes, irrigating ‘orchards and Valley witnessed inclement weather from March and April kitchen gardens’ and other avoidable practices. that drastically affected the production of almonds in The affected areas include Pushwara, Kashmir as majority of growers use an indigenous variety Khandipahari, Harnag and several other places in which blooms early,” he said, adding that this year the and around main town Anantnag. production has doubled in comparison to the last few years Besides, the rural areas including dozens of Experts at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture and villages in belt (AhlanGadol, Larnoo, Science blame climate change as one of the major factors for Nowgam, ) have also been affected by the switch over. As per official data available till 2011, land scarcity of drinkablewater. used for almond production has reduced to 7,107 hectares The residents of these areas are facing acute from 16,418 hectares and production has come down to 6360 shortage of water for more than a month now. metric tons from 16, 537 metric tons. “We have to get water from the sources, around is known for its high-quality almond our village, which is not fit for human consumption produce, but the recent shift towards apple cultivation has “We are working on different varieties like Shalimar, but we do not have any alternative,” a resident of exposed the government’s indifference towards growers. Makhdoom and Waris. These varieties are late bloomers, Kokernag said. “Now every almond grower thinks that growing almonds likely in the month of April, as weather remains conditionally The officials at the Public Health Engineering brings misfortune and government is least bothered,’’ says good in April as compared to March,’’ he said, adding that (PHE) department acknowledge that the water Mohammad Shafi, another grower who had recently started they are also working on selection program and there are sources have been depleted, in wake of a dry summer. planting apple saplings in his almond orchard. chances that SKUAST_K may be able to get a new variety in “At this point in time the gauge reading of Jhelum It is now common knowledge among orchard owners that coming years. at Sangam should have been somewhere around 7 to “doing almond business is to embrace misfortune”. “The new variety could be a game changer in almond 8 ft. but its only 2.85 ft.,” a senior official said. Mohammad Hussain, another grower from Central production as almonds will start blooming late as compared He said that same was the case with another Kashmir, complained that despite the technological to indigenous varieties.” major water source, Lidder River. advancements in agriculture, the same variety of almonds Director Horticulture, Kashmir, Rafiq Ahmed Hakeem “The gauge reading on Lidder is 0.54 ft. which are being grown in Kashmir from many decades. “Nobody is said that inclement weather is the main cause in decline of should have been at least 0.8 ft. at this time of the showing any concern about Valley’s almond growers, despite, almond land and production in the Valley. year,” the official said. Superintendent Engineer the almonds produce in Kashmir are rich in taste,” he said. “Kashmir is heaven for apple cultivation and is more (SE) of the Hydraulics wing in PHE, Shah Nawaz “The state government has failed to monitor dry fruit profitable then almond production. So, farmers prefer Ahmad said that the department was taking a series production and it is harsh to see the condition of dry fruit profitable market which lies in the apple cultivation, which of measures to ensure people did not suffer. production declining at immense pace. Also, we are using the is also a big reason of farmers shifting from almond to apple “Apart from providing ‘water on wheels’ we have same old indigenous varieties in almond production,’’ says cultivation. formed a task force to check non-judicious usage of Mohammad Shaban, another grower. Hakeem said that varieties like Californian almond are of water, which remains a major concern at this time of Shiekh Muzuffar, Directorate of Extension Education good quality and are bigger in size. water crisis,” the SE said. at Sher-e-Kashmir University, said the almonds are self “Nowadays, people prefer Californian almond as He said that the task force will keep a check on pollinated and it is during the third week of March every year, compared to local production, which are smaller in size.’’ non-judicious use of water. almonds starts to bloom and it lasts to 10 to 15 days. He, however, said that despite all these odds, government “People tend to waste a lot of water by washing “Form last three years we faced inclement weather is working on addressing this issue. “In coming years we may cars and watering their gardens and kitchen between the months of March and April that resulted in the import varieties from different countries, which will surely gardens. No matter how small their gardens are decline in almond production and this quantum decrease improve our almond production. And, more importantly, the watering process puts an avoidable pressure on forced growers to opt for apple cultivation,” he said. the horticulture department has identified various nurseries water sources,” he said. He said that they have produced different varieties which where work on new varieties will take place in coming time,” bloom in the late season. he said. Spot registration for artisans held at Chadooora

v Kaiser Majeed Large number of artisans form adjacent camp. People appreciated such innovative efforts habitations participated in the camp to obtain of Director Handicrafts and emphasized that such Budgam: A day long on spot registration-cum- registrations which is prerequisite for availing camps should be organized in future also. awareness camp was organized by Department of benefits under various central/state sponsored Assistant Director Handicrafts Budgam Handicrafts here at Nagam Chadoora for providing schemes. reiterated that Director Handicrafts had conveyed on the spot registrations to eligible artisans of The Department had put in all the necessary unambiguous instructions to facilitate registrations different crafts. arrangements for successful culmination of the of the artisans at their doorsteps. ﻮر य ﯽ اﻟﻨ गम ﻟ ोत ﺖ ا  MEDIA EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR ﻤ ٰ ा ﻠ

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v Shabir Parray custody. “We almost had caught all of them but because of the SRINAGAR: The growing incidents of theft in darkness they managed to escape,” He added. Rangpora, Elahibagh have become a cause of concern A group of non-local laborers working in the area said for the residents. that many of their valuable things were stolen in past The residents of the area are living in constant fear. few months. In a recent incident valuables worth thousands were “We lost around six mobile phones, clothes, and Rs robbed from a garment shop at Rangpora, Elahibagh. 2,000 cash,” said Mohammad Wasim Khan who hails “We are living in constant fear because of the from Bihar. increasing number of robbery cases,” said Sajidah, a In March this year, the thieves decamped with Rs 35 local resident. lakhs from the residence of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, Locals told MERC Times that a boutique was looted a local. in the area by some unidentified thieves. “Later, we approached the police station Zakura in “At around 2 am, they barged inside our house and this regard. But nothing happened so far,” Bhat said. took away the goods worth3 lakhs that include the The residents have appealed thePolice Department ready-made clothes and other items,” said Zahoor to address these growing incidents of robbery. Ahmad who runs New Taj Boutique. Superintendent of Police , Peerzada “It is not for first time that the incident has happened. It Naveed said that they are working to sort out the issue. is happening frequently. But nobody among the authorities “These incidents are in my notice and we are working Adnan Hilal is bothering to look into the matter,” Ahmad said. on it,” SP said. However, he claimed that they have captured a thief He asked people to cooperate with the police and Srinagar: Physical education department won the final yesterday on the spot who is now lying in the police bring the incidents of thefts into their notice. of Inter-department football tournament organised by Physical Education & Sports at University of Kashmir More then 13 departments from Kashmir University had participated in the Tournament. The final match of the tournament was played on Friday between Department of Physical Education & Sports (MP. Kashmiri Wushu Coach Shines Ed) and Business School. v Bisma Farooq “It takes so much of hard work dedication and energy The match reached an intense climax as both teams failed to reach on national or international level,” Asif added. to score in the allotted time and match was decided by tie Srinagar: Struggle from home to making carrier in He said that lot of people helped him in his life to reach breaker. Wushu, Asif Hussain, a mentor, guide, and a coach has the success levels. “I am thankful to Mr. Mohammad The defending champions Department of Physical made a remarkable impact in the field of Wushu. Maqsood, Mr. Kuldeep Handoo, Mr. Aijaz Hassan, Mr. Education & Sports (M.P.Ed) kept their cool during tie “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Umer, Mr. Sikandar, Mr. Nazir Ahmad and Mr. Nasir breaker and finally retained their title. They defeated their Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, Hussain. These people helped me in my every thick and arch rivals by 4-3 in a tie breaker. Prof. suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and thin,” he said. Nisar Ahmad Rather, a veteran sports official was the chief passionate concern of dedicated individuals”. “Hard work and luck equally matters. Sometimes Guest on the occasion and distributed prizes and trophies “It was never an easy task to reach the heights of luck favors and sometimes not. I always kept my hopes on the closing ceremony. success in Wushu,” Asif Hussain Mir, 25 year old Wushu tight and worked harder for my goal,” Asif said. "I assure that Directorate will conduct 15 days Coaching player. Asif received award of honor from district Wushu Camp for the students of PG who will later represent “Every sports person needs to struggle in one or association Srinagar and recently, on September 9, Asif University of Kashmir at Inter-College level" said Nisar other way, in order to achieve the goals of success,” Asif was awarded with outstanding sports person in Wushu Ahmed Rather while concluding the final ceremony said. in an award ceremony organized by Kashmir Harvard "I appreciate the participation of all the department's & In year 2016, Asif participated in south Asian games School. young talent in the Tournament" said Sajid Yousuf Dar, the test event, where he got silver medal. The event was held “My inspiration is my coach, though he is not between coach of university football team at Shillong. This was his one of the biggest achievements us now but he always taught me to work hard and win,” Tauseef Ahmad Bhat, Assistant Director, Assistant Prof in his Wushu carrier so far. Asif added. Dr. Surjeet Singh, Assistant Prof Dr. Jigmat Dachen, Asif started playing Wushu back when he was in 6th Asif also said that his family is equally responsible for Senior Coach Harbinder Singh, Surjeet Kour, Muneer standard. Wushu or Kicking, punching and throwing his success in this field. “My parents always supported Aalam Volleyball Coach and Dr. Inam were also present on has always been a passion for him. “It has always been me. At first, there were some problems but later on they the occasion. The tournament was conducted under the my passion; I used to practice in late hours, due to which understood my passion for Wushu and supported me,” supervision of only international football coach of J&K my parents were always concerned for me,” Asif added. he further added. Sajid Yousuf Dar. ﻮر य ﯽ اﻟﻨ गम ﻟ ोत ﺖ ا  MEDIA EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR ﻤ ٰ ा ﻠ

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Commercialization of Agricultural land Dilapidated road irks rolls up in Kashmir Vehil residents v Shahzad Ashiq Nabi lone. “So, they determine the use of the land due to URI: Cultivable land in J&K continues to shrink. which the problem has come up of mushroom It may not pose an immediate problem for the growth of constructions in the agricultural people of the region but it surely will hurt the lands,” he added . people in future time. Farmers fear that this growing trend of private The decrease is mainly attributed to diversion builders to purchase farmland for building of cultivable land for non-agricultural purposes, residential colonies would lead to a devastating including construction and other development food crisis in that Kashmir Valley in the coming v Syeed Bilal activities. years. According to economic survey, out of JK’s Latest data from the agriculture ministry total land area of 24.16 lakh hectares, 10 lakh SHOPIAN: The residents of Shamsipora, Vehil and adjoining shows that as many as 20 states reported hectares were under agriculture production areas of Shopian district on Saturday protested against the decrease in cultivable land to the extent of during 1995-96. It has been reduced to just deplorable condition of Vehil-Nehama road, which connects 30 1090,000 hectares in four years from 2007-08 around 5 lakh hectares in 2016, the survey states. villages with Kulgam and Shopian District headquarters. to 2010-16 Jammu and Kashmir is one of them . “We should not forget that man started from The deplorable condition of Vehil-Nehama road is troubling It may not pose an immediate problem for agriculture and agriculture is the backbone the local residents who ridiculed the official lethargy and step- the nation’s food security but its long-term of every growing economy of the world. motherly treatment to the area. effect could be disastrous with the country Urbanization is fatal no doubt,” said Aaliya Residents of Shamsipora said that the road in the area is rutted needing more and more food grains to support Irshad a research scholar in the department of and dotted with potholes. its growing population. Under NRRP (natural food and technology. “Due to the bad condition of the road, the transporters avoid resources regional plan), states were advised The government needs to take serious steps plying their vehicles on road compelling villagers to walk by foot that acquisition of agricultural land for non- for revival of primary sector as more than to reach respective destinations,” a local resident said. agricultural use should be kept to the minimum, thirty lakh people, in J&K state, are involved According to locals of Nehama, the road was macadamized and multi-cropped land should be avoided to in agricultural and allied activities. The repaired a long time back. the extent possible for such purposes and government should also take measures to check “The terrible condition of road is a reason that seven to ten- acquisition of irrigated land, if unavoidable, may out the level of urbanization; our fertile land minute journey from Vehil to Nehama takes 40 minutes,” Aqib be kept to the minimum. being converted into construction purpose and Ganie, a 12th class student from the area, said. Though the law prevents the use of should ban all the unregistered factories and The residents alleged that they have brought the issue into the agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes, industries (brick kilns and stone crushers), that notice of the concerned officials time and again, however, they the allotment of the land for construction comes are damaging agricultural land. have turned deaf ear to their pleas. under the jurisdiction of the town planning Furthermore, a lot more needs to be done The officials said that there is no provision of immediate authorities. to improve the income levels of the farmers in repairs to the road. “Work on Vehil-Nihama road will start after “Whenever land is used other than agriculture the state as the per capita income of the state is the approval of funds from ministry,” Executive Engineer, Roads purposes, for that government permission among the lowest in the region. And, if we grow and buildings department said. He further added, that they have has to be taken. But our towns, cities have also continuously losing our agricultural production, already submitted proposal of the macadamizing the road to the expanded and master plans are always being then there will be a huge question mark on our concerned authorities. developed,” said Agriculture Minister Gulam survival. Denied wages for months, private security guards deep in debt

v Nadeem we are given salary after five-six months, which is dues at school and today he has been shown the not justifiable,” he said adding that even on Eid-ul- door,” he said, adding that the situation is really ANANTNAG: Private security personnel deputed Fitr they were not given the salary, “now, another bad. for the security at various health institutions in Eid is coming and we stand deprived of our salary.” When this reported contacted the officials of the Srinagar are aghast as for last six months their The security at the hospital is provided by a security company, they too seemed to be helpless, wages have not been released, some have plunged private security agency known as Iqra Securities, struggling to get their dues released from the deep in debt, with what are they getting from the apart from Mental Diseases Hospital, Rainawari, Health Department. officials is only indifference. the agency is providing security at GB Panth Muhammad Anwar, Managing Director of the Muhammad Ashraf Khan, hailing from Beerwah Hospital, Sonwar as well. The employees there as company, while talking to Merc Times said that and who is deputed for the security at the entrance well are complaining of the same. the company is trying hard to get the salary of their of Mental Diseases Institute, Rainawari said that Some among the security employees said that employees released from the government. with what meagre amount he is being given as they have been forced to borrow money from The MD of the company said that many a times salary, he was feeding his family, but from last many their friends and relatives to make their ends we have released their salaries on our own, keeping months he has not been given a penny, giving him a meet and have plunged deep in debt, “I have been in mind that the employees should not suffer, “but tough time. continuously borrowing money from people, as right now we cannot do anything, however, we “Our basic salary is 4600 and in hand we 4000, I will have to feed my family, can’t let them die,” are in touch with the government, and hopefully but from last around six months we have been says a private security personnel, wishing not to be before Eid they will get their dues.” deprived for our salary,” he said. named. The concerned Medical Superintendents out Ashraf is working as a private security personnel While this reported was taking to him, his son rightly said that they have got nothing to do with it from last three years and according to him he never passed by, he was quick to add “see my son, he has and it is the matter between the company and the got his salary on time. “This has been the routine, to return from his school as I have not been pay his health department.

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Negligence of TOURISM DEPARTMENT HUTS CRY state govt hits OFFICIAL APATHY KGVB scheme v Mua’zzam Payeen was declared as tourist village A local resident wishing anonymity following which the work on the said that all that these huts are left Srinagar: In the year 2013, Tourism construction of these tourist huts for now is illegal activities including Department constructed some began. A good amount of money was dugs. “These huts have turned into Tourist huts at Saderkoot Payeen, a spent on the construction of these a junkie’s hub. Due to no upkeep by tourist village in Bandipora district. wooden huts among which was a the concerned department, these huts However today, four years later, boat club, a canteen and a guest are thronged by revelers at evening the huts have turned into ruins, house for tourists. But now due to the time,” He said. courtesy official negligence and lack absence of watch and ward and due A Local said that these huts have of maintenance. to lack of maintenance, these huts lie been rendered useless and they are Three wooden huts were abandoned. located inside dense willow nursery constructed for tourists within the The tourist flow to the village was along the banks of the Wullar Lake Wullar catchment area but the irony expected to increase manifold with away from the main road. “There is of the situation spells out that the huts the construction of these tourist no approach road for these huts. We were never put to use. huts and it was also expected that appeal the authorities to look into the During the inauguration of the water sports activities would be matter,” he said. Wullar Conservation Project by started in the Wullar Lake. However, An official from the Tourism the then Chief Minister Mr. Omar unfortunately none of these ideas department could not be contacted for v SABEEHA SHAHEEN Abdullah in the year 2011, Saderkoot could take a practical shape. comments.

SRINAGAR: The centrally sponsored scheme Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) has hit a road block as the J&K government failed to complete the construction of the buildings over Vital road projects hit as govt the past more than six years. As per the official document, 47 KGBVs were unable to acquire land running as day school till last year, however, the number this year has come down to seven. v Hayat Manan which has resulted in the stalling of these projects”, sources “State should make efforts to convert these reveal. seven KGBVs also to the residential KGBVs and Srinagar: Major road projects in Srinagar are Of these road projects, many have been conceived should complete the work by the end of March reporting no progress, as the state government decades ago but have reported no progress. 2018,” reads the minutes of the Project Approval struggles to meet the land acquisition costs due to In one instance the widening of the Khanyar to Zadibal Board (PAB) meeting convened by MHRD on the paucity of funds. was conceived in the year 1976. Due to the delay, the cost of March 10 this year. Currently, the three main road widening the project has increased from Rs 50 crore to over 100 crore. However, the state government has cited projects including Qamarwari- Shalteng, Khanyar- “The entire area for road widening was demarcated security reasons for failure in conversion of the Zadibal and Dalgate to Zakura are in limbo, with and majority of the land acquisition cases were cleared. KGBVs to the residential schools. “Insufficient the government yet to clear scores of the land But now when it has been delayed for a long time the state accommodation, lack of boundary wall and acquisition cases. government is perhaps facing difficulties to bear the cost”, security issues hampers converting non- As per the sources, the state government was revealed a source. residential KGBVs to residential,” reads the PAB releasing a meager amount of Rs 15 crore per annum Similarly, the widening of Qamarwari- Shalteng, which minutes. against Rs 282 crores of overall land acquisition was started in the year 2010 is yet to see completion. KGBV scheme was introduced by the GoI to cost. The authorities initially set July 2012 as deadline for the provide educational facilities for girls belonging “Every year, the state government only releases project, which it missed. to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Rs 15 crore, which covers a very less number of Though a major road portion has been covered under Backward Classes, minority communities and beneficiaries. The main reason behind the delaying road widening plan but it is yet to see overall completion. families below the poverty line in Educationally of these projects is the failure of the government Another road project, Syed Meerak Shah Road from Backward Blocks (EBB). to complete the land acquisition process on time. Dalgate to Zakura, has met the same fate, as it has been in Moreover, around 37 posts are lying vacant in Currently the government is in a state of how to do limbo for the last seven years. the operational KGBV, hampering the functioning it”, source said. At an estimated cost of Rs 336.24 crore, the project was of the schools. “2453 seats are lying vacant in “The total cost of these projects is gradually aimed to ensure smooth traffic movement through old city operational KGBVs. State should create an burdening the exchequer as the cost of land is to Hazratbal shrine. awareness program by involving representatives increasing every year. Had the government cleared “The state government has paid for the land acquisition in from local authority and community at large and the land acquisition cases, the project might have areas like Khanyar. However, due to some unknown reasons see to it that maximum seats are filled by the end been near to completion”, sources said. the project has not been executed by the authorities. The of June 2017,” read PAB minutes. As per the reports, the Centre might have assisted areas often witnesses’ pesky traffic jams and local have been As per the figures, 33 posts of wardens, 44 in the completion of these projects had the state raising the concern to the government repeatedly,” Sajad Accountants, 27 watchmen, 19 Peons, 15 Head government completed land acquisition cases. Ahmad a resident of Khanyar said. Cooks and 69 Assistant Cooks are lying vacant “We have scores of cases here when a beneficiary The Chief Engineer Roads and Building department, in all operational KGBV schools. “State must has raised objection over the cost paid by the Abdul Hamid Sheikh, said the state government was looking expedite process for filling up of all vacant posts.” government. Many cases are pending in the courts, into these vital road projects. ﻮر य اﻟﻨ गम ﯽ त MEDIA EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR اﻟ ो ﺖ  ﻤ ٰ ा ﻠ

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म त U Vol 10●No 11●Pages 16●July 15, 2017 N IR IV M ER H SITY OF KAS 16 North Kashmir football event conclude SUFISM: A

v Sajad Bashir The winning team honored with the cash prize of 10000 thousand and uniform. Whereas the also-ran HEALING SRINAGAR: The final of football tournament held team honored with cash prize of 8000, uniform. in north Kashmir’s concludedon Umer Majeed of (Rangwar Baramula) declared TALENT Wednesday. player of the tournament. Jammu and Kashmir students welfare The chief guests of the tournament was SSP organization in collaboration with 46RR [Sikh Imtiyaz Husain and commanding officer (CO) of BN] Baramulla, under the title of “little and muti- 46RR. talented football tournament under-sixteen 2017” The chief guest SSP Baramulla Imtiyaz Husain organized the tournament on 1 august and continues while speaking on the occasion advised players till yesterday. “make your care and interest to your studies and 16 teams from three distracts of north Kashmir sports do not get involved in social evils build your (Bandipora, Kapwara, and Baramulla) voluntarily future I am always available for all of you any time participated in the tournament. The tournaments anywhere,” Said imtiyaz Hussain. were held in age group of under-14 and 17 years. Jammu and Kashmir students welfare association The finals of tournament played between Singpora is a volunteer organization with a slogan of “learn reds academy versus Soccer academy. In which for yesterday live for today hope for tomorrow” Singpora Reds academy leads soccer academy by 3 presently they have 2200 members for all over the points and emerges winning team. state. Entrepreneurship coming up as new ‘Job’ alternatives

v Saher Iqbal He however acknowledges that trends are changing. “During our time, starting business meant owning SRINAGAR: If you are passionate about doing a retail shop. But now, trend is changing. Almost something on your own, are a risk taker, and can’t every week in newspaper, I read about some youth Naveed wani handle a boss, well then, entrepreneurship may entrepreneur,” he said. just be the right thing for you. In simple terms, The training is mandatory to receive support SRINAGAR: The valley of Kashmir is nowadays seen entrepreneurship is about selling a product or an idea, from EDI. An independent consulting firm, the more inclined towards the age old Sufism, as the but then it is also about innovating. Silk Route Consulting Group, is also trying to make young generation of Kashmir is seen singing different Like what new you have to offer, about packaging and it easier for intending entrepreneurs to make the Sufi songs in their own style. repackaging products and ideas, and having knowledge right moves. Set up by two friends, Ejaz Ayoub and “The Sufi poetry suffered a serious decline due to of your target market. It also is about your leadership Sameer Gojwari, the Silk Route organizes workshops the advent of Bollywood and western music,” said Ali quality and how you can manage your business and let it where experts provide insights on various aspects of Saffudin, a media student and the popular Kashmiri survive in difficult times. Off late, many educated youth entrepreneurship. singer. are showing an interest in entrepreneurship. This includes information ranging from legal He also added that the new trend of presenting Fiza Khurshid, studying in the final year of her requirements, to creating connections and networking, Kashmiri songs is a big and a positive change in graduation, aspires to start her own food outlet. She to finding capital support for your venture. “We started expressing the Kashmiri culture through a different says that time is not far when “our egoistic generation” with a workshop attended by 10 people only which has prism. will prefer to start their own ventures than bear a grown now to 250 participants. Experts from J&K Bank, “We find peace and comfort while listening to the boss. “Government jobs these days are very few. I am legal advisors and young entrepreneurs are invited to Sufi poetry in a different style,” said Farhat Uzair, passionate about fulfilling my dreams, so I would like to provide basic information and help,” said Ejaz. a Kashmir university student. “The valley is going spend my golden years in them only, rather than look for According to Ejaz, Technology is the biggest through violence since a long time and in these any other job,” Fiza said. advantage of this generation. One can sell online conditions, listening to Sufi songs creates a feeling of Parents in Kashmir have been more career-sensitive depending on nature of the business and doesn’t need to peace and rejuvenation”, he added. about their children, partly due to the conflict and invest in a big space also. Moreover, a senior professor Mr. Nasir Mirza ,who insecurity. They find government jobs more secure than Silk route’s efforts are bearing fruit in the shape of holds good on the Sufi literature told MERC TIMES businesses. Phamb.com, a recently launched pashmina selling that the Sufism was introduced to world through one Iftikhar Ahmed Malik, a government employee who e-portal, Nexcare.in which will be an online pharmacy of the prominent preachers of 13th century named as wishes his son to become an IAS officer says that every and booking portal for doctors, and Panunshop. Com, Moulana Jalllalu din Rumi. parent wants to see his child’s future secure. “Here which will be selling Kashmiri art online. He also told that the young Kashmiri’s presenting hartals are a routine, halting the business activities. Another service offered by Silk Route is e-mentoring, Sufi poetry through singing and other ways is really People are forced to opt for a job even if it pays peanuts, where participants are mentored by successful appreciable and such engagement provides healing rather than think for venture establishment,” Malik said. businessmen living abroad through Skype. touch to the sufferings of Kashmiri youth.

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त Wajahat Shabir, Munawar Hussain. U Students Editorial Team: N IR IV M ER H SITY OF KAS e-mail: [email protected] | website: www.mercs.uok.edu.in