02 49.5 % Voter Turnout in Second Phase

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News Digest DDC Polls Kashmir: Tarigami Challenges Mughal Road Reopens 34.8% After 9 Days New J&K Land Laws Poonch: The Mughal road, con- Srinagar 33.8 % necting Shopian and Poonch 49.5 % Voter Turnout Budgam 43.9 % districts, reopened after 9 days In Apex Court closure due to snowfall along the Kupwara 58.6 % thoroughfare, officials said on Baramulla 30.2 % New Delhi: Veteran CPI-M leader He said the laws of the erstwhile Tuesday. Bandipora 70.8 % Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami has state government on land were “Subject to fair weather and In Second Phase approached the Supreme Court aimed at protecting the large swathes good road condition (only down- Ganderbal 49.1 % challenging an October order of of farm land that provided life blood ward traffic) load carriers carry- KO Photo: Abid Bhat Anantnag 30.9 % the Union Home Ministry which to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, ing fresh fruits/vegetables shall Srinagar: A 49.5 percent turnout Shopian 17.2 % allows people from across the from commercialisation. be allowed from Herpora (Shop- was recorded in the second phase country to buy land in Jammu and “This crucial aspect has not been ian) from 1100 hrs to 1500 hours of polling in District Development Pulwama 8.6 % Kashmir including that meant for considered by the respondents towards Poonch,” a police officer Council (DDC) elections in Jammu agriculture purposes. (MHA) while issuing the notifica- told news agency GNS. and Kashmir which passed off Moving a writ petition, he sought tion,” the petition said. “No vehicle shall be allowed peacefully on Tuesday. the apex court’s intervention and a after cut off timing. Moreover, Jammu region witnessed 65.54 stay on the order till his petition is no passenger vehicle or pedes- percent voting, while Kashmir valley Jammu: heard. trian shall be allowed on Mughal recorded an average of 33.34 percent 65.5% The petition moved under Article Road,” he added. turnout, state election commissioner 32 (violation of fundamental rights) K K Sharma told reporters here. submitted that the October notifica- CASO Launched Bandipora district recorded the Kishtwar 61.6 % tion “is illegal” as it is issued in pur- highest turnout in Kashmir at 69.66 Rajouri 60.2 % suance to the August 2019 reorgan- In Sopore percent which was the third-highest isation of Jammu and Kashmir which Srinagar: Government forces in the union territory. Poonch 75.1 % has been challenged by several peo- on Tuesday launched a cordon A turnout of 51.76 was recorded Udhampur 62.5 % ple and that the top court is aware of and search operation (CASO) in in the first phase on November 28-- Doda 64.8 % the matter. Sopore town of north Kashmir’s 64.2 percent in the Jammu division It said that home ministry has Baramulla district. and 40.65 percent in the Kashmir Kathua 60.1 % amended sections of the JK Land According to reports, special division. Ramban 66.2 % Revenue Act, 1996 which pertains to operations group (SOG) of police, Reasi 69.2 % management of agricultural land and army’s 22 RR and 179 CRPF on Tues- the JK Development Act, 1970 which day evening cordoned off Model Tral Boycotts Samba 66.4 % deals with zonal development plans Town -B locality of Sopore and Ballot Box determining land use for buildings, conducted house to house search- roads housing recreation, industry, es following inputs about the Tral: Residents of Tral in business, markets, schools, hospitals presence of militants in the area. south Kashmir’s Pulwama ‘Voting To Keep ECI Will Take Final Call On and public and private open spaces. Searches were going on in the area district on Tuesday stayed BJP Away’ Pointing out the amendments in when last reports came in. away from ballot box owing Assembly Polls: Sharma the Act, the petition said that while In an 111-page notification in Hindi to the lack of development Unlike the voters at other plac- the fresh laws prohibits the sale of ag- and English, the home ministry made 7 Officials Suspended in the area from the last es, the electors at one of the Srinagar: The Election limited to holding polls to urban ricultural land to a non-agriculturist, several changes to the land laws, in- seven decades. More On P2 polling booths in Amira Kadal Commission of India will take a fi- local bodies and panchayati Raj but it “authorises the government or cluding the most important amend- In Budgam constituency here had turned nal call on holding the first assem- institutions. an officer appointed by it to grant per- ment in the Jammu and Kashmir Budgam: District Panchayat up at the booth to “ensure that bly polls after the reorganisation “We held deliberations with mission to an agriculturist to alienate Development Act that deals with dis- Election Officer (DPEO) Budgam, The election is significant as it is their votes will keep the BJP of Jammu and Kashmir as a union the law and order machinery the land to a non-agriculturist by way posal of land with the Centre omitting Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza on Tues- the first major democratic exercise candidate away.” More On P2 territory, state election commis- and other agencies involved in of sale, gift, exchange or mortgage or the phrase “permanent resident of the day placed seven officials under since the Centre abrogated Article sioner K K Sharma said on Tuesday. holding the elections for District for such agreement on such condi- state” from Section 17 of the law. suspension for dereliction of Elec- 370 that gave special status to J-K “It will not be appropriate for Development Councils before tions as may be prescribed”. Before the repeal of Article 370 tion duties till further orders. and bifurcated the state into two me to comment on it. The Election deciding on it. Tarigami pleaded that the change and Article 35-A in August last year, The officials in question had union territories in August year. Commission (of India) will take a “I am sure a similar process of land use can’t be left at the “ca- non-residents could not buy any failed to report on poll duties Poonch recorded the highest turn- PDP Leader ‘Detained’ final decision on assembly elec- will be followed for holding as- price of bureaucracy more so at the immovable property in Jammu and scheduled for Phase 2nd at Beer- out of 75 percent on Tuesday, while Briefly By Police tions,” Sharma told reporters here. sembly elections but the Election lower rung of district collectors” and Kashmir. The latest changes have wah, Budgam. Pulwama retained its position at the He was replying to a question Commission will decide on it,” he said the checks and balances avail- paved the way for non-residents to Meanwhile, the said officials bottom, as in the first phase, with just A People’s Democratic Party whether the situation was con- said. The last assembly elections able in the repealed laws need rein- buy land in the union territory. have been directed to remain at- 8.67 percent people casting their votes. (PDP) leader on Tuesday was ducive in Jammu and Kashmir in Jammu and Kashmir were held troducing in them. The notifications evoked angry tached in the office of Additional Out of the 280 constituencies in allegedly detained by police for holding the elections to the in November-December, 2014, The four-time MLA from Kulgam reactions from mainstream political Deputy Commissioner Budgam Jammu and Kashmir, 43 went to when the municipal elec- legislative assembly of the union which led to the formation of the pleaded that these amendments will parties in Jammu and Kashmir who till further orders. polls in the second phase with 25 tions were in progress in this territory PDP-BJP government in the erst- “seriously change the land use pat- termed the move an attempt by the in Kashmir and 18 in the Jammu capital city. More On P2 Sharma said as state election while state for the first and the tern and will destroy the food secu- Centre to “put Jammu and Kashmir Man Ends Life division. More On P2 commissioner, his mandate was last time. More On P2 rity of Jammu and Kashmir”. up for sale”.—PTI In Srinagar Srinagar: A man on Tuesday allegedly ended his life by hanging himself to death in Shalimar area Youth Shot 8 More Corona Deaths In Govt Forms Committees To BSF Officer of this capital city. The 50-year-old man identified At By Gunmen J&K, Toll Crosses 1700 Mark Implement Forest Rights Act Killed In as Bashir Ahmad son of Ghulam Mohammed of Banigam Shali- In Srinagar Observer Monitoring Desk to the constitution of UT Level Pak Firing mar, allegedly hanged himself Srinagar:A 24-year-old youth 454 More Monitoring Committee, Sub- Jammu: A sub-inspector of the to death at his home on Tuesday on Tuesday was critically injured Srinagar: At least eight more Divisional Committee and District Border Security Force (BSF) was morning, news agency KDC re- after unknown gunmen fired people succumbed to corona- Test Positive Level Committee(s) for implemen- killed on Tuesday in a cross-border ported. Meanwhile, Police have upon him in Soura area of this virus in Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir tation of Forest Rights Act, 2006 in firing along the Line of Control (LoC) taken cognizance of the incident capital city. on Tuesday, taking the death reported on Tuesday 454 fresh the Union Territory of Jammu and in Poonch district of Jammu and and have set investigations into Unidentified militants fired toll due to virus in the Union cases of novel coronavirus, in- Kashmir.” Kashmir, officials said. motion. upon a man identified as Nadif Territory past 1700-mark. cluding thirteen travelers, taking The UT Level Committee, as per “The Pakistan army resorted to Khan son of Muhammad Hanief In Jammu division, five more the total number of people infect- the order, will have a total strength unprovoked ceasefire violation in House, Shops Gutted Khan of Bilal colony Soura, leav- people died of Covid-19 while ed by the virus in Union Territory of eight persons with Chief Rajouri sector on the LoC again, in ing him critically injured, a senior three others lost their battle with to 110678. Secretary J&K as its Chairperson. which BSF Sub-Inspector Paotinsat In Bandipora Blaze police officer told news agency the deadli infection in Kashmir While Kashmir division re- The District Level Committee Guite, who was deployed at Forward Bandipora: A residential house GNS. The injured youth, he said Valley, officials said Tuesday. ported 237 new cases of Covid-19, will have a constitution of four per- Defence Location, was killed,” a besides at least two shops were was immediately rushed to Among the victims from the remaining 217 were detected Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor- sons with Deputy Commissioner statement issued by the BSF said. completely gutted even as con- SKIMS for treatment. Jammu division an 82-year- in Jammu division, officials said led dispensation on Tuesday ac- as Chairperson, the order reads. The incident took place at Tarkundi siderable damage dealt to two Medical Superintendent SKIMS old man from Udhampur, an Tuesday. Giving district wise de- corded sanction into constitution The Sub-divisional committee(s) area of Mendhar in Poonch district. other shops in a blaze incident in Dr. Farooq Jan said that the youth 86-year-old from Trikuta Nagar tails, they said, Srinagar reported of committees on various levels for will also have a total strength of It said the BSF has retaliated strongly Hajin area of Bandipora district has firearm injury and his condi- Jammu, a 52-year-old from man 118, Baramulla 18, Budgam 45, implementation of Forests Rights four persons which, as per the and effectively on Pakistan army posts. on Tuesday. tion was serious. from R S Pura and a 44-year-old Pulwama 9, Kupwara 10, Anantnag Act (2006) in Jammu and Kashmir. order, will be headed by Sub- The mortal remains of the de- According to eyewitnesses, Meanwhile, the area has been man and a 35-year-old from 10, Bandipora 13, Ganderbal An order in this regard reads Divisional Level Officer of Revenue ceased would be sent by air to the fire which broke out from a cordoned off to nab the attackers. Kathua. More On P2 6, Kulgam More On P2 that “Sanction is hereby accorded Department (SDM/ADC). Maphoukuki village in More On P2 provision store and spread in no time resulting in damage to at least three other shops besides a residential house at Rekhi Hajin area in the district. The raging fire was brought under control after hectic efforts ‘It’s Becoming Harder Day By Day’: Campus Life Outside Kashmir made by Fire and Emergency department, however by then the Romaan Arora about his journey, he says that his fam- city space, and huge skyscrapers. fire had already razed a residen- ily wanted him to pursue B.Tech from Speaking about the people of the city, he tial house and two shops belong- Chandigarh, but he never agreed, keep- claims that the residents there don’t in- ing to Ghulam Mohuiddin Ganaie t’s another cold morning of the ing his family’s low income in mind. terfere in each other’s affairs. As a result to ashes, they said. winter season, and a group of young People here are Yet, in the second step of the Prime of which, there is no reason to fight. Two other shops belonging to I Kashmiris is busy discussing their Minister Special Scholarship Scheme, he “Even after the Pulwama attack of Bashir Ahmad Ganaie also suf- holiday plans with each other in the IT filled with a huge finally got the opportunity to complete 2019, there was a complete sense of fered considerable damage in the hub of India. amount of anger for higher studies. peace and calmness in Bengaluru,” he incident, they added. When con- One of them,Junaid Nazeer, is a third- Kashmiris, as they Coming to Bengaluru, the first thing says. However, he remembers one in- tacted a police official told GNS year student of Bachelor of Engineering Junaidnoticed was the highly developed picture Representation cident in Haryana, where a shopkeeper that the cause of the fire could (BE) from Visvesvaraya Technological hold us responsible denied him entry for being a Kashmiri. not be immediately ascertained. University (VTU). for the killings of Every rally was marked with hate speeches At this point, Abdul Wahid Peer, “A case in this regard has been Junaid plans to go to his homeland, their soldiers.” against Kashmiris, and there were incidents of Junaid’s senior and a resident of North taken up and further investiga- once the official announcement regard- Kashmir’s Handwara, jumps into the tions are underway to enquire ing the vacations is made. Speaking violence against Kashmiri students and workers.” conversation. More On P2 into the cause of mishap”, the official said. Wednesday | 02.12.2020 C 2 M

news Y K from front page Shah Faesal Saddened By Shoras Tussle

Srinagar: A day after former JNU of the terror accused persons, directly with which I am not even remotely to join politics in Kashmir from Budgam (101), Pulwama (86), Kupwara (83), leader Shehla Rashid’s father accused or indirectly, not to speak of seeking associated. I will be glad to go before (former MLA) Engineer Rashid and 49.5 % Voter ... Anantnag (79), Doda (56), Bandipora (51), Kulgam her daughter of taking Rs 3 crore their support or benefitting from @JKP NIA CBI ED and assist in the (businessman) Zahoor Watali (both Voting was held in 43 DDC constituencies including (51), Rajouri (49), Udhampur (50), Ganderbal (38), for joining politics, ex-Jammu and them.” investigation if required,” the former of whom were arrested last year by 25 in Kashmir and 18 in the Jammu region in the first Shopian (37), Kathua (39), Samba (30), Poonch Kashmir Peoples Movement (JKPM) He said, “In the US also, in 2018, JKPM President said in another Tweet. the National Investigation Agency for phase. (22), Ramban (18), Kishtwar(18), and Reasi (9). President Shah Feasal on Tuesday I have been very careful with my Faesal was reacting to serious their alleged involvement in terror “The voting for the second phase of DDC elections —With GNS inputs said that his name was being dragged actions and utterances and never said allegations leveled by Abdul Rashid funding case),” Shora had claimed on passed off peacefully with no incident reported from into family dispute and that he was anything prejudicial to the security Shora, the estranged father of student Monday. anywhere in the union territory. open for any probe. and integrity of the country. Having activist Shehla Rashid, demanding Shehla joined politics and became The overall voting percentage for the second phase ECI Will Take ... Taking to micro-blogging website been in the IAS, I am fully aware of that a probe be initiated into her a founding member of JK Political was 48.62 per cent,” Sharma said. Twitter, the former IAS topper said the redlines and am very clear about NGOs and also accused her of having Movement floated by IAS topper On the dip in poll percentage in the valley, Sharma The coalition government fell in June 2018 after the “As far as my name has been dragged where I stand.” taken a huge amount of money for turned politician Shah Faesal. said it was for the people to vote. BJP pulled out and withdrew support, leading to the into the family dispute of a former “While I know the perils of public joining politics in Kashmir valley, a However, she later announced her “We have been appealing to people to vote in the imposition of the governor’s rule. colleague, I want to make it clear that life, I feel extremely sad to see my charge denied by her. “dissociation with the electoral DDC polls as these are very important in electing the President’s rule was imposed in Jammu and I have neither met nor consulted any name being dragged into something “She had taken Rs three crore mainstream in Kashmir” last year. decision-making body at the district level. We have Kashmir in January 2019 and extended in July last run awareness campaigns in this regard but in the year as elections were not conducted in the state. end, it is the people who have to vote, “ he said. The Centre nullified Article 370 and reorganised Giving details, Sharma said 1.45 lakh people Jammu and Kashmir into union territories -- Jammu Pak Bride Contesting BJP Will Not Tolerate including 62,117 women turned up to cast their votes and Kashmir, and Ladakh -- on August 5, 2019. in the valley. In Jammu, 1.27 lakh male voters and 1.13 While the Ladakh union territory does not have lakh female voters exercised their franchise. a legislature in the new set up, Jammu and Kashmir DDC Polls From Kupwara Pak’s ‘Policy Of has been provided with a legislative assembly but the elections have not been held even after a passage of Kupwara: A Pakistan administered of the general masses for her. Bloodshed’: Raina Tral Boycotts ... more than a year. Kashmir (PaK) resident is among nearly “Women who along with their The residents from Rathsuna, Shairafabad, Nowdal, a dozen contestants in north Kashmir’s husbands and children under the Jammu: Stern action will be him entry into their Srinagar Midoora, Pinglish said that casting votes in the past Kupwara district contesting the ongoing rehabilitation scheme 2010 have come taken against leaders who have house on November 17 in re- has brought them no relief, “thus they have decided BSF Officer ... District Development Council (DDC), here with peaceful massage and all of “bled” Jammu and Kashmir at sponse to a complaint filed by to boycott the polls this time.” Imphal, where his last rites will be performed with elections from Drugmulla constituency. us are in regular contact and the figure the behest of Pakistan, Jammu the family against him for al- “We used to vote for our basic amenities but our full state honours, the statement said. Somaya Latif, a resident of is nearly 350 across the valley. Only and Kashmir BJP president leged domestic violence. demands were never met, so we decided to stay away On November 13, 11 people, including four Army Muzaffarabad, in PaK, moved to this side 75 are residing in Kupwara who are Ravinder Raina said on Tuesday. Raina alleged, Hurriyat from polls,” residents of Nuristan Tral said. personnel and a BSF officer, were killed in different of the LoC after the government of the maintaining a close contact with each We will not tolerate Pakistan’s Conference, Tukde Tukde gang’s A local resident Muzamil Ahmad said that in the ceasefire violations in north Kashmir, while four Army erstwhile state led by Omar Abdullah other,” she said. policy of bloodshed . Anyone Shehla Rashid, (former MLA) last two decades, several political parties promised to personnel were killed in firing by Pakistani troops in initiated a rehabilitation policy for all the Somaya said that there have been no whether a terrorist, separatist, Engineer Rashid and (business- provide better road connectivity, electricity but it all different sectors along the LoC in the twin districts of people who crossed over the border back discussion about the decision to contest politician or Tukde Tukde gang man) Zahoor Watali and some proved a hoax on the ground. Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region on November 21, in the 90s. She had married a Kashmiri the DDC election with Pakistani brides leaders like Shehla Rashid will other political leaders have been “These political parties just want a vote from us, 26 and 27. youth in Muzaffarabad, who instead of living across the valley or Kupwara be dealt with sternly, Raina said running their ‘shop of death’ in and after we vote in their favour, they don’t keep their picking arms, choose to live a normal life. district adding that if they get to know in a statement. Jammu and Kashmir over the promise,” he said. Somaya is contesting the ongoing “I’m sure they’ll be happy with the The BJP leader’s remarks past 30 years. Pertinently, in eight booths of Tral, not a single vote It’s Becoming ... District Development Council decision and hope that there is someone came a day after Abdul Rashid “They have bled Kashmir was casted. Abdul, who came to V.T.U because of his cousin (DDC) election from the Drugmulla who can at least represent and talk for Shora, the estranged father of at the behest of Pakistan from However, an official said that 15.2 per cent votes studying there, claims that in his entire 4 years of constituency that will witness a nail us.” student activist Shehla Rashid, whom they are taking money were cast in Tral block. study, he hasn’t witnessed any sort of discrimination hitting contest between 11 candidates. “My contribution would be to work levelled serious allegations and their hand is behind the Of 3977 votes, 2236 votes were cast by men while against any Kashmiri, in his varsity. Somaya said that she belongs to for the Pakistani brides who have come against her, demanding that a killing of innocent people. 1741 votes were cast by women, an official said. “See, no one wants to leave his homeland in the Muzaffarabad and is contesting the DDC from across the border and living here probe be initiated into her NGOs He said they are not leaders Karmulla village recorded the highest number first place, but I had to come here for meaningful election after the people encouraged and also for the local people,” she said, and also accused her of having or well-wishers of the people of of votes with 59.80 per cent. Around eight booths higher education and a promising career, which is not her and they’ve moved from Pakistan to adding “I’m very sure about the support taken a huge amount of money Jammu and Kashmir. witnessed zero per cent voting. there in Kashmir. In the initial stages of moving here this side with a peaceful message for the from the general masses and a women for joining politics in Kashmir, a They stand exposed today. All to Bengaluru, I was concerned. But to my surprise, masses. would never intend to disrupt the peace charge denied by her. such people who are involved in the atmosphere was quite peaceful; people don’t care She said the decision to contest of a family and similarly to that the peace Shehla termed her father’s treason against the country or 454 More Test ... who you are and what you do.” isn’t self-centric rather several people across the nation won’t be disrupted.” statement absolutely disgusting make an attempt to bleed J&K 3, Shopian 5, Jammu 95, Rajouri 25, Udhampur 25, However, Abdul strongly reiteratesthe pointmade approached and encouraged her to Notably, the Drugmulla constituency and baseless and said this was will be dealt with sternly, Raina Doda 13, Kathua 20, Poonch 3, Samba 7, Kishtwar 6, by his junior and further claims that North Indians contest the election. “I’ve been working comprising several areas, is going for his reaction after a court barred said. Ramban 9 and Reasi 14. don’t like Kashmiris. in a scheme under the government titled polls on December 07 with 11candidates Moreover, they said, 503 more patients have “I have seen and felt it personally. There is a big ‘SRLM’ during which the fieldwork has in the fray. recovered and were discharged from various difference between the treatment we receive in evoked a huge response and I am well Meanwhile, District Election Officer hospitals— 230 from Jammu Division and 273 from North and South Indian states. I haven’t faced any aware of the sufferings of the common (DEO), said that only a single candidate BJP Is ‘Disruptionist, Kashmir Valley. discrimination here in Bengaluru, but unfortunately, masses,” she said. Somaya Latif from across the border is in it’s there in northern states.” Hoping that the people will vote in the poll fray across the district. Though Abdul and his junior Junaid agree and her favor, she said that she is pretty sure Pertinently, in the panchayat elections Deeply Communal’ Voting To Keep ... disagree on some points, still both of them jointlysay that she will secure the election and she held last year, at least two Pakistani A group of voters at the polling booth established at that revealing their Kashmiri identity outside of has already won because the members brides took part in the election that Party: Soz Government Girls Higher Secondary School Amira Kashmir, does bring them a huge sort of discomfort of “our SRLM group are doing great job included one from Langate and the Kadal said that they have no expectations from any of and insecurity in the first place. and this family has ensured the support another from Khumriyal—(KNO) Srinagar: Coming down heav- going to subside in future. the candidates contesting the polls today. To understand the experience of other Kashmiri ily on senior BJP leader and MoS “A vast majority of the state “We are just casting our vote today to keep BJP students, and to check the claim ofAbdul and Junaid, Jitendra Singh over his remarks have resolved to fight for their away, who always took steps against the aspirations we talk to Sukaina Ashraf,a third-year nursing that Kashmir has gained peace rights in spite of the odds in of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” a woman, student at Aman Bhalla Nursing Institute, Pathankot CS Chairs Maiden Meeting and development after Article their way. There is, however, a donning green traditional Pheran and wearing white (Punjab). 370 abrogation, senior Congress little danger that a small (neg- mask, said. Sukaina, who hails from Nowgam in Srinagar, leader Saifuddin Soz on Tuesday ligible) number of Kashmiris She said it is not the first time she is casting the says that though her family was worried about her Of UT Steering Committee said that the handful of people will somehow believe the pro- ballots, but this time “I am not expecting anything security, yet all of them were convinced of her plans who have joined BJP in Kashmir, paganda of small timers in the from any of the candidates as we have seen false to study nursing in Punjab. ON COVID Vaccination must understand that this party BJP, who are trying to mislead and fake promises by the leaders so far. I am here to The first thing she noticed after coming to is the most “disruptionist and the people of Kashmir by say- ensure the BJP candidate will not win.” Pathankot was the unnecessary stares of people. But Reviews arrangements for COVID-19 deeply communal and sectarian ing that the Statehood would The other voters, accompanying her, echoed similar she was already prepared for such an experience, so group” in India. be restored, early. Statehood or views, saying that “we believe it is not good either to it didn’t cause her any serious problem. vaccine roll-out, identification of vaccinators, In a statement issued to me- No-Statehood, Kashmiris want cast the vote due to the situation and killings we have However, Sukaina clearly remembers the news and prioritization of beneficiaries dia, the former Union Minister restoration of Article 370 of the witnessed so far, but this time, it was necessary to of the Pulwama attack in her college, and how it said that Singh was only brag- Constitution of India,” Soz said. come out and cast vote to ensure that the party who unfolded a huge set of disturbance and insecurity for JAMMU: The Chief Secretary, B V R requirements for organizing dedicat- ging his ignorance that Kashmir The senior Congress leader is taking anti-people decision will be shown doors.” her. Subrahmanyam on Tuesday chaired ed COVID-vaccination drives and to had gained peace and develop- also said that the real significant “We don’t want anyone to do fake promises this “I was at the hospital duty when the news of the maiden meeting of the UT Steering further ensure that they do not comment after the abrogation of thing is restoration of the state’s time. We are not casting ballots to ensure anyone’s Pulwama attack reached us. I clearly remember how Committee to monitor the roll-out of promise the existing arrangements Article 370. autonomy enshrined in Article win. But, this vote is only against the anti-people the staff members and the patients shouted at us COVID-19 vaccination. The Committee for COVID-19 testing and routine im- “This is a blatant lie and extreme 370 of the Constitution. decisions like abrogation of Article 370 taken by the and said:‘Get these Kashmiri terrorists out of here reviewed the arrangements being made munization drives. The Department falsehood. The people of Kashmir “It may mean a struggle for BJP led government. We don’t want to realize our and shoot them indeed!’ Most of my female friends to ensure hassle-free and time-bound was advised to engage additional vac- have already rejected this false- Kashmiris, but it is the struggle mistake in the future for not casting ballots. We have started crying at that moment. We all felt isolated delivery of COVID-vaccines across the cinators among MBBS/BDS doctors/ hood with contempt,” Soz said. worth fighting,” he said got a chance to protest the anti-people decision of BJP and helpless. It was a horrific incident.” Union Territory. interns, staff nurses, auxiliary nursing The reality, he said was that the He said political leaders and by casting the vote today against their candidate, Everything changed after the Pulwama attack for Administrative Secretaries of the de- midwives, pharmacists, and retired people of the J&K, especially the should keep fighting for a cause we have done our job and fulfilled our responsibility,” her. partments of Health & Medical Education, persons, besides training potential people of Kashmir are extreme- and also fight for the aspirations Shaista (name changed), donning grey traditional “Everyone changed their behavior with us in a Home, Social Welfare, Housing & Urban vaccinators. ly angry after the abrogation of of the people of Jammu and Pheran said outside the polling booth. negative manner,” she recalls.“They treated and Development, Information, Transport, The Department was further asked Article 370 and this anger is not Kashmir. The other voters, also present there said that every looked at us in such a way as if we the students were Rural Development, Tribal Affairs, be- to develop a robust database to assess leader and candidate they have chosen so far has responsible for the attack. We weren’t allowed to go sides Mission Director, National Health auxiliary requirements such as addi- deceived them by failing to fulfill their promises. outside of the campus for one month. We felt as if we Mission (NHM) and officers from the tional cold chain equipment, hub cutters “This election is meant for the development, which have been caged.” Army, CRPF and Northern Railways par- and waste bags for bio-medical waste Water Scarcity Sparks has never taken place in Jammu and Kashmir. What Today, she doesn’t feel safe revealing her ticipated in the meeting. management and prepare plans for cold is the fun of supporting the candidates now? But as a identity to anyone outside of Kashmir, especially The meeting was informed that var- chain installation sites, dry storage sites responsible society member, you have to do your bit after the kind of things she went through, post the ious COVID-19 vaccines are currently for vaccines and syringes, and facilities Protest In Nowshera to protest and tell those at the helm that the decision Pulwama attack. Sharing the same story of anguish, in the third phase of clinical trials and for transportation of vaccines at district you have taken on August 05, 2019 didn’t suit the Mohammad Zeeshan, a final year arts student from will be shortly available for usage. As and block levels, Srinagar: The residents of talking to news agency Kashmir aspirations of people here,” a male voter said. Delhi University, remains watchful about his conduct such, the Health & Medical Education To effectively deliver the vaccines Nowshera area of central Kashmir’s Dot Com-(KDC) said that they Pertinently, the second phase of ongoing eight- outside the valley. Department was asked to do the prepa- at the grass-root level, Chief Secretary Srinagar district on Tuesday held a are facing acute water short- phased elections concluded on Tuesday across Jammu Zeeshan hails from Srinagar and has spent most of ratory planning beforehand, and com- impressed upon greater coordination protest against the water scarcity in age for almost two years and and Kashmir. The counting will be held on December his academic life in Delhi. pile the database of potential vaccina- between the frontline workers of var- their area and blocked the traffic for the concerned department has 22. “Day by dayit is becoming harder and harder for tors, prioritized groups of beneficiaries ious departments including health, many hours. completely failed to address a Kashmiri to get accepted here in Delhi,” Zeeshan to be administered the vaccine in its social welfare, school education, rural The residents (mostly la- their issues. says.“People here are filled with a huge amount of initial stages starting from healthcare development, and housing and urban dies) of Nowshera area of “I called the concerned officials PDP Leader ... anger for Kashmiris, as they hold us responsible for workers both in government and pri- development. the city, assembled at the several times, once a team of Jal- PDP leader Rouf Bhat was allegedly detained by police the killings of their soldiers.” His family remains quite vate establishments, frontline workers The Chief Secretary also emphasized main road and staged a mas- Shakti visited the area but since at the Shergari police station for over an hour before worried about him, and repeatedly asks him to not including armed forces, home guards, the need of evolving a multi-sectoral sive protest demonstration then they don’t bother to answer being let off, news agency KDC reported. However, the reveal his identity to others. police, volunteers, municipal workers, response to the roll-out of the COVID-19 against the Jal-Shakti depart- our calls. We have been forced to reasons behind detaining the PDP leader could not be “I remember my first semester in DU when I went etc, the prioritized age group of persons vaccine by involving NGOs, NCC, and ment for not providing the lo- come on roads, “She said. known. to attend a seminar at St. Stephen’s College. There above the age of 50 years, and persons other volunteers, besides maintaining cality adequate water supply, They appealed to the Meanwhile, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti reacted was a blind student who was asking for people to with co-morbidities. open and transparent communication resulting into the halt-age of Administration to look into their sharply to the alleged detention of her party leader. assist him to reach the cafeteria, and no one was The H&ME Department was asked through a proactive IEC strategy to curb the traffic for some time. genuine problems and redress “PDPs @RoufBhat has been detained again on the paying any attention to him. Hence, I went to him to work out the human resource misinformation and rumors. One of the protesters while them as soon as possible. (KDC) day municipal election is being held in Srinagar. GOI and offered him help, to which he agreed and asked by subverting democracy reminds me of the cycle for my name. The moment I told him my name, his of rigged elections in the past, which is one of the facial expressions changed from a smile to a state of reasons J&K is in turmoil. How long will @ECISVEEP shock and discomfort. Then he immediately took a ignore such malpractices?.” Mehbooba posted on her step back and asked me to go after claiming that he In Times Of 2-G Internet, KU Students Demand Twitter page can reach the cafeteria on his own. I was hurt to my “In 2002 BJP’s Vajpayee ji promised & ensured free core, yet I moved on.” & fair elections in J&K. And in 2020 the very same BJP Another thing happened when he was in the Recommencement Of Regular Offline Classes is going all out to ensure every election here from second semester. This time, the Pulwama attack. municipal to DDC is manipulated & rigged,’’ she said “People were angry, and rallies were held where Srinagar, Dec 01 (KNO): In the Observer (KNO) that they feel they He said that the students also compensated in any way,” another in her tweet. inflammatory slogans were being raised all across backdrop of low speed inter- have wasted the previous semes- suffered huge academic losses in student said. Delhi,” he recalls.“Every rally was marked with hate net, the Postgraduate students ter wherein they couldn’t follow 2019 as well following the abroga- Officials at KU told KNO that speeches against Kashmiris, and there were incidents of University of Kashmir (KU) on the online lectures in view of low tion of Article-370. no new guidelines were issued 8 More Corona ... of violence against Kashmiri students and workers.” Tuesday appealed the admin- speed internet. “Last year also we barely had by the authorities to reopen the In his own college group, a hyper-toxic nationalist istration to recommence with One of the students said, “In started to commence with a fresh establishment. Those who succumbed to the virus in Valley include started calling every Kashmiri a traitor and militant regular offline classes saying that my previous semester, I hardly semester, curfew was imposed “As of now, we have not re- two residents of Srinagar and one from Anantnag. and asked for a heavy assault policy against they could not learn anything attended 30 percent of the online and all educational institutes ceived any order or any new With these deaths, the total fatality count in the Kashmiris, Zeeshan says. through online lectures in previ- classes even the lectures I attend- were closed following the abro- guidelines to reopen the universi- C Valley has reached 1107 and 595 in the Jammu “No one came forward to counter him,” ous semester. ed online via 2G internet services, gation of Article-370. In this ac- ty. We are just following the gov- M region. the J&K has reported 100 deaths in around recalls.“These back to back moments made me feel The students informed the I couldn’t understand anything as ademic semester, we had a lot of ernment directions,” the official Y

13 days, the officials said. how vulnerable I will become, the moment I reveal news agency—Kashmir News the video lectures were buffering.” academic loss that was not even said—(KNO) K Srinagar district with 418 deaths tops the my identity. Hence, to this day, I prefer to remain list followed by Jammu (302), Baramulla (163), silent on many things and issues.” Wednesday| 02-12-2020 3 LMD recovers 4.25 lacs fine, books 174 Cabinet Secretary reviews arrangements DIAL-EMMA • TRAFFIC POLICE : 9419993745, 01998-266686 erring traders • PCR: 0194-2452092,2455883 SRINAGAR The field executives • PDD: 0194-2450213 of Legal Metrology Department for COVID-19 vaccine roll-out • FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES : (LMD) have recovered a penal sum 2479488,2452222,2452155 of Rs. 4.25 lacs from the erring trad- • Vaccine to be provided in a time-bound, hassle-free manner through UIP distribution network • CAPD: 18001807011 ers and booked 174 others during • SMC HEALTH OFFICER: 9469409081 2699 market inspections conducted • ‘CO-WIN’ portal/app being developed for coordination between all stakeholders AIRPORTS in the month of November, 2020. These erring traders were SHIEK UL ALAM AIRPORT: 01942303311 fined and booked for violating Le- JAMMU : The Cabinet Secretary, respective databases to prioritize cal infrastructure, the States/UTs and retired persons for organizing gal Metrology Laws. In addition to Rajiv Gauba, while chairing a high- various groups of people based on were asked to develop a multi-level COVID-vaccination drives. RAILWAYS this, over 8000 commercial weights level meeting, asked all the States their exposure to the disease, start- coordination mechanism through It was also informed that to fa- • SRINAGAR: 0194-2103259 and measures were standardized and Union Territories to prepare and ing from healthcare workers both in State/District/Block level Com- cilitate coordination between gov- • ANANTNAG: 01932-228243 in the Inspectorate Laborato- maintain a database of the prioritized government and private establish- mittees which will be mandated to ernment authorities, vaccinating • BARAMULLA: 0194-102029 ries for which a stamping fee of group of people to receive the COV- ments, frontline workers including monitor and coordinate the smooth agencies, and the general public, a • BIJBHERA: 01932-228243 Rs. 4.87 lacs was also collected. ID-19 vaccine during the initial stages. armed forces, home guards, police, delivery of the COVID vaccine. This digital platform for COVID-19 vacci- • PAMPORE: 01933-294132 Besides these, the department also Chief Secretary, B V R Subrah- volunteers, municipal workers, etc, includes arrangements for site readi- nation delivery named ‘CO-WIN’ is • PATTAN: 01954-293507 received 133 public complaints manyam, and Director General of the prioritized age group of persons ness for installation of the additional also being developed. The said portal • QAZIGUND: 01951-296153 related to non-transfer of subsidy Police, Dilbag Singh along with Chief above the age of 50 years, and persons cold chain equipment, plans for cold will be supplemented with a mobile amount on cooking-gas, short- Secretaries of all the States/UTs par- with co-morbidities. chain, and dry storage space for application to facilitate beneficiaries HIGHWAY STATUS weighment, use of non-standard ticipated in the meeting. It was informed that in India, vaccines and syringes, facilities for in getting registered; receive SMS • Sgr-Jammu highway - ( Open ) weights and measures etc. Financial Commissioner, Health & vaccines are being administered transportation of vaccines at all lev- alerts regarding the vaccination, and • Mughal Road - (Open) Meanwhile, the department Medical Education Department, Princi- against 12 preventable diseases un- els of State/UT, and procurement of an electronic QR based vaccination • Srinagar- Leh- (Open) has informed consumers to pal Secretary, Home, and MD, National der the prestigious ‘Universal Immu- ancillary items like hub cutters and certificate carrying all the vaccine- register their genuine complaints Health Mission, were also present. nization Programme’ (UIP), which waste bags for bio-medical waste related information. on toll free number: 1800-180-7114 While reviewing the public is one of the largest immunization management. The Cabinet Secretary urged in case any unscrupulous com- health response to COVID-19, Cabi- programmes in the world. Therefore, The Cabinet Secretary said that States/UTs to ensure a multi-sectoral mercial establishment indulges in net Secretary informed that at pres- with a strong network of 28,947 chain efforts should also be directed to response to the roll-out of the CO- PRAYERS short-weighment/short-measure- ent, 3 companies are frontrunners in points for storage and distribution minimize the impact of COVID-vacci- VID-19 vaccine by involving all the ment/over-charging on packed developing COVID-19 vaccines in In- of vaccines, COVID-19 vaccine dis- nation on routine immunization and government departments, NGOs, FAJR 5: 50 products/use of false weight dia- which are currently in the third tribution too will be carried out in a advised States/UTs to identify poten- NCC, and other volunteers, besides or measure offers for sale any phase of clinical trials and will be hassle-free and time-bound manner. tial vaccinators among MBBS/BDS maintaining an open and transpar- ZUHR 12: 17 packed product without label/ shortly available for usage. As such, To further ease the COVID vac- doctors/interns, staff nurses, auxil- ent communication with the public HIJRI smudging of MRP. he asked the States/UTs to develop cine-related burden on existing medi- iary nursing midwives, pharmacists, to curb misinformation and rumors. CALENDAR ASR 3:45 16 Rabi-us-Sani Magrib 5:26 Div Com reviews status Advisor Baseer Khan chairs review meeting 1442 ISHA 6:49 of work process on major of Handicrafts, Handloom department, JKI road projects in Kashmir Pitches for strengthening of base level of deptts This Day In History

Stresses on speedy shifting, JAMMU, DECEMBER 01: Advisor level of the department and take mea- casing their products in view of the • 1790 - Austrian army occupies Brussels. to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ah- sures for uplifting the economic con- pandemic. He further asked them to • 1804 - Napoleon Bonaparte is crowned Emperor of France realignment of public utilities mad Khan, today chaired a meeting ditions of artisans. He said that en- explore possibilities for convergence in Paris. of Handicrafts and Handloom depart- deavour of the department should be with the National Rural Livelihood • 1805 - Napoleon defeats Russians & Austrians at ment besides Jammu Kashmir Indus- to initiate adequate steps for helping Mission for providing an immediate Austerlitz. tries to get first hand feedback about artisans in increasing their produc- platform to artisans. He asked for • 1840 - William Henry Harrison elected the 9th President of functioning of the departments. tion and showcasing their products. working out strategies to give a fillip the United States of America. Regarding Handicrafts and Han- Advisor directed the officers to to economic activities of the artisans • 1899 - US & Germany agree to divide Samoa be- dloom department, Advisor directed explore possibilities for virtual op- and look for avenues which liberates tween them. the officers to strengthen the base portunities for the artisans for show- them from economic distress. • 1914 - Austria army occupies Belgrade Serbia. • 1927 - Paleoanthropologist Davidson Black announces to the Geological Society of China that • the ancient human fossils from Zhoukoudian, China are a new species which he has • named ‘Sinanthropus pekinensis’ (now known as ‘Homo erectus’). • 1942 - World’s 1st self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction occurs in Chicagi Pile-1 (world’s 1st • nuclear reactor) at the University of Chicago, overseen by Enrico Fermi. SRINAGAR, DECEMBER utilities including Transmis- • 1952 - First human birth televised to public (KOA-TV Den- 01: The Divisional Commis- sion towers, HT, LT lines, Bus ver, Colo). sioner Kashmir, Pandurang Stops, public conveniences and • 1961 - Fidel Castro declares he’s a Marxist & will lead K Pole today chaired a meet- other coming under Semi Ring Cuba to Communism. ing of officers to take stock Road construction and other • 1968 - US President Richard Nixon names Henry Kissinger of work process about vari- road projects. security advisor. ous ongoing road projects in He directed concerned • 1969 - Boeing 747 jumbo jet 1st public preview (Seattle to Kashmir. DCs and HoDs to ensure all NYC). The meeting, among oth- required details regarding • 1971 - Soviet Mars 3 is first to soft land on Mars. ers was attended by DC Sri- shifting of all public utili- • 1971 - United Arab Emirates (Trucial States) declares inde- nagar, DC Kulgam, ADCs and ties including water supply pendence from UK. ACRs from other districts, schemes , irrigation schemes • 1971 - Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujeira, Sharjah & Umm ak representatives from RAMKY, and others coming under the • Qiwain form United Arab Emirates. BRO, Beacon and other con- road construction is completed • 1971 - Zayid bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan of Abu Dhabi becomes cerned agencies and depart- and submitted at war footing President of UAE. ments through videoconfer- to facilitate smooth and swift • 1974 - Soyuz 16 launched into Earth orbit for 6 days encing. work process. • 1976 - Fidel Castro becomes President of Cuba, replacing CE PWD, CE Transmis- He instructed concerned Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado. sion, Conservator Forests to submit mutation of ac- • 1981 - Spanish government requests membership of Kashmir, AC Central and quired and handed over land NATO. other concerned officers also besides timely disbursement • 1982 - 1st permanent artificial heart successfully implant- attended the meeting. of funds as compensation to ed (U of Utah) in retired dentist Barney At the outset, the Div Com the land owners whose land is • Clark; lived 112 days with Jarvic-7 heart. took a detailed reviews of the acquired under semi ring road pace and progress made on and other projects. the development of ongoing The Div Com stressed that road projects including Semi speedy construction work is From KO Archives Ring Road, Srinagar- Baram- carried on all road projects, mula- Uri Kamanpost Road, besides instruction were given Srinagar- Sonamarg- Gumri for work on land acquisition, Pak go-ahead to Hurriyat Road, Srinagar- Qazigund- Ban- demarcation, release of com- ihal Road, Srinagar- Pulwama- pensation, shifting of public for talks with India Shopian- Kulgam NH 444 and utilities, construction of bridg- Uri- Poonch road project. es and culverts, alignments AGENCIES During the meeting, and realignments works, the Div Com stressed on the smoothening of sharp turns, speedy completion of estimate removal of illegal structures SLAMABAD: In a significant move of far-reaching import, work and instructed con- and roadside encroachments Islamabad today proposed the Hurriyat Conference hold cerned to submit details on and related works on these talks with India and Pakistan separately to pave the way charges to be spent on shift- projects is ensured on fast for three way talks and announced that it’s armed, forces Iwould observe “maximum restraint” along the Line of Control ing and realignment of public track basis in every district. (LoC) with immediate effect. “With immediate effect Pakistan armed forces deployed along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir will observe maximum restraint in order to strengthen and stabilize the cease-fire,” foreign secretary Inam ul Haq announced at a press conference here. Haq proposed that APHC should hold talks with India and Pakistan separately to pave the way for three way talks .Haq extended invitation to the Hurriyat executive committee to visit Pakistan during the month of Ramadhan to prepare the ground for three way negotiations and urged India to do the same to settle the Kashmir issue peacefully in accordance with the will of the people of Kashmir. Haq urged Indian government to allow APHC leaders to visit Pakistan for consultations. Haq reiterated Pakistan’s com- mitment to respect and support the Kashmiri’s inherent right of self-determination. Haq said Pakistan “does not exercise any control” on militant groups fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir, when asked if Islamabad would ask them to curb their activities. India should also hold consultative talks with the APHC,so that the dispute could be resolved “in accordance with the will of the people of state,” he said. “We are not asking APHC to work as a mediator. Its executive committee should meet both governments to discuss ways to initiate a process of dialogue”. To add credibility to its claim for a peaceful settlement the Indian government should end “repression’ in Jammu and Kashmir, release all detainees and respect the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people, he said. (Kashmir Observer, 02 December, 2000)

Srinagar, Apr 23, KNT: The exploitation of private school teachers is continuing unabated in Kashmir valley as most of the schools have not paid salaries to the teaching staff since August 2019. With COVID-19 positive cases emerging every day all over the Valley, the resumption of normal life appears bleak in the near future. And, teacher community employed in private schools has been badly affected. "It was the month of March when we were expecting the salaries to be released but now, given the coronavirus pandemic, we have no hope either. Our struggle has gotten worse, to say the least," Manzoor Dar, a private school teacher from Shopian told KNT. He added, "As we are observing that the administration is taking various KashmirKashmir Observer Observer 44Friday,Friday, 01 01 February, February, 2013 2013 OPINIONOPINION

Surendra in ‘The Hindu’ BAB in ‘ TheSundayVIEWPOINT VIEWPOINTSrinagar Times’ Observer KKASHMIRASHMIR OOBSERVERBSERVER SRINAGAR,SRINAGAR, Friday, Friday, February February 01, 01, 2013 2013 AA LONGLONG WAYWAY TOTO GOGO Think Send your write ups and feedback at undone whatever little may have cated for the Observer Group else- he would like to remain Indian, but I NILOOFAR QURESHI undone whatever little may have cated for the Observer Group else- he would like to remain Indian, but I Opinion, Analysis, Essays [email protected] QURESHI beenbeen achievedachieved byby thethe CBMs.CBMs. wherewhere in in difficult Wednesday|02-12-2020difficult economic economic times. times. willwill request request the the government government of of India India However,However, despitedespite bothboth sidessides re-re- However,However, asas expected,expected, thisthis (to)(to) please please provide provide him him security.” security.” Striking at Roots Not content with his ‘request’ to Striking at Roots FORFOR THOSE THOSE WHO WHO HAD HAD iteratingiterating that that the the bilateral bilateral ties ties had had not not ‘noble’‘noble’ proposition proposition with with fiscal fiscal import import Not content with his ‘request’ to been derailed, the recent turn of failed to cut any ice as the issue un- thethe Government Government of of India, India, Malik Malik went went OCIETAL TRENDS guided by the political elite have shorn PLACEDPLACED THEIR THEIR BETS BETS ON ON been derailed, the recent turn of failed to cut any ice as the issue un- OCIETAL TRENDS guidedKASHMIR by the political elite have shorn ‘AMAN KI ASHA’, 2013 HAS eventsevents suggestsuggest otherwise.otherwise. NewNew derder discussiondiscussion waswas anan openopen debatedebate onon to to appeal appeal to to the the Indian Indian public public that, that, thethe teaching teaching profession profession of of its its status status and and sanctity, sanctity, turning turning it it ‘AMAN KI ASHA’, 2013 HAS Delhi,Delhi, suddenly suddenly like like a a bolt bolt out out of of the the onon peacekeepingpeacekeeping andand notnot onon auster-auster- “I“I wouldwould likelike toto requestrequest allall IndianIndian CERTAINLY BROUGHT blue,blue, raked raked up up the the ityity measures.measures. brothersbrothers andand sisterssisters andand allall thosethose intointo just just another another vocation vocation with with little little to to distinguish distinguish it it from, from, CERTAINLY BROUGHT BADBAD NEWS. NEWS. BUT BUT AREN’T AREN’TIndianissueissue ofof thethe rel-rel-MadrassasWhyWhy NewNew DelhiDelhi WhyWhy –NewNew Awhowho are are talkingtalking inin aa negativenegative wayway say,say, hawking hawking garments garments on on the the streets. streets. The The adventurous, adventurous, glam- glam- evanceevance ofof thethe UNUN DelhiDelhi decideddecided toto aboutabout Shah Shah Rukh, Rukh, they they should should know know THEY THEMSELVES TO BE decideddecided toto deviatedeviate fromfrom orousSorousS and andPrinted challenging challenging & Published enterprise enterprise by Sajjad of of kindling, kindling, Haider illuminating onilluminating behalf of theand and en- en- THEY THEMSELVES TO BE MilitaryMilitary Observer Observer deviatedeviate fromfrom itsits hehe is is a a movie movie star." star." Kashmir Observer LLP BLAMEDBLAMED FOR FOR EXPECTING EXPECTING GroupGroup itsits age-oldage-old policypolicy ofof age-oldage-old policypolicy ofof WhileWhile NewNew DelhiDelhi maymay bebe an-an- lighteninglightening tendertender youngyoung mindsminds hashas becomebecome aa lack-lustrelack-lustre andand (UNMOGIP) on ‘letting the sleep- noyed at Malik’s ‘request’, the Published from: # 5- Boulevard, Srinagar-190001 THE IMPOSSIBLE? (UNMOGIP) on ‘letting‘letting thethe sleepingsleeping ‘letting the sleep- noyed at Malik’s ‘request’, the uninspiringuninspiring activity activity devoid devoid of of its its sorely-needed sorely-needed spirit, spirit, mainly mainly bebe- THE IMPOSSIBLE?Needthethe LoC LoC forin in Jammu Jammu Reorientationinging dogsdogs lie’lie’ toto peoplepeople of of India India will will perhaps perhaps remain remain Printed at: KT Press Pvt. Ltd, Rangreth Ind Area, Srinagar. and Kashmir. dogsdogs lie’lie’ toto bringbring upup thethe bring up the ever grateful to the Pakistani Inte- causecause successive successive leaderships leaderships (if (if they they deserve deserve that that name) name) have have been been and Kashmir. bring up the ever grateful to the Pakistani Inte- RNI Registration No: 69503/98 XPECTINGXPECTING THATTHAT thethe DeclaringDeclaring thatthat UNMOGIPUNMOGIP issueissue andand UNMOGIPUNMOGIP issueissue riorrior MinisterMinister forfor enlighteningenlightening themthem too occupied with other, more lucrative, concerns to bother about venom of hatred infused “UNMOGIP’s role and the timing it with the fact that Shahrukh Khan is too occupiedPostal with Registration other, more No-L/159/KO/SK/2014-16 lucrative, concerns to bother about If venomthe ofIndian hatred infused madrassas“UNMOGIP’s could role reorientthe timing itthemselves, chose and theit timingmay it silencewith the fact their that Shahrukh Khan is whatwhat is is the the corner-stone corner-stone of of the the well-being well-being of of a a people. people. This This has has had had intointo their their people people over over the the hashas beenbeen over-over- the timing it chose chosechose toto dodo so,so, “a“a movie movie star!” star!” Editor-in-Chief : Sajjad Haider yearsyears byby thethe leadersleaders onon takentaken byby thethe toto dodo so,so, defiesdefies defiesdefies compre-compre- CanCan bilateralbilateral tiesties betweenbetween IndiaIndia aa direct direct bearing bearing on on the the condition condition of of schools schools and and their their performance. performance. criticsboth sides besides could easily influencingShimla Agreement the government to supporthension. these So, and initiatives. Pakistan improve if Pakistan Legal Counsel: Tasaduq Khwaja both sides could easily Shimla Agreement comprehension.comprehension. So,So, hension. So, and Pakistan improve if Pakistan ByBy an an ironic ironic twist twist of of circumstance, circumstance, the the teaching teaching profession profession has has andEandE quicklyquickly bebe remediedremedied merelymerely byby ofof 19721972 betweenbetween whilewhile nothingnothing agreesagrees that that the the UNMOGIP UNMOGIP is is not not re- re- Switchboard: (0194) 2106304 came out of this quired any longer in J&K and India thethe antidoteantidote ofof ‘Confidence‘Confidence Build-Build- IndiaIndia andand Paki-Paki-held inwhilewhile 2008, deliberated nothingnothing over camecame the outneeds,out requirecame- outwhat of modernthis quirededucational any techniqueslonger in J&K and manage and India- beenbeen for for long,Editorial: long, the the last last resort resort of of the the capable capable and and the the destination destination of of ing Measures’ (CBMs) while they stan, signed by debate, old reciprocates by providing Shahrukh (0194) 2502327 ing Measures’ (CBMs) while they stan, signed byments and ofaspirationsof thisthis debate,debate, of madrassa oldold teachers anddebate, stu- ment are,old howreciprocates lesson plans by could providing help them Shahrukh im- choicechoice for for those those who who are are unable unable to to fit fit in in anywhere anywhere else. else. When When the the themselvesthemselves continue continue to to foster foster an an en- en- thethe HeadsHeads ofof thethe woundswounds werewere re-re- KhanKhan ‘Z’ ‘Z’ category category security? security? Email editorial: [email protected] dents, howwounds modern were educationists reopened could supplement prove their pedagogy skills, how by learning about screeningscreening process process for for entry entry into into this this field field - - on on which which the the entire entire social social vironmentvironment of of mutual mutual mistrust! mistrust! twotwo governmentsgovernmentstheir inputswounds and how were a better reopened cohesive programmeopenedopened the psychologicalandand Though Thoughstate of theirthe the recent recentstudents exchanges exchanges they could bebe- edifice rests - should have been highly stringent, it had largely be- TheThe reactionreaction ofof NewNew DelhiDelhi andand andand ratifiedratified bybycould beand tailor-madeand normalisationnormalisation for the Madrassa ofof audience.normalisationnormalisationfocus more ofof ontweentween students New New individually. Delhi Delhi and and IslamabadThe Islamabad madrassa may may edifice restsKO - shouldVIEW have been highly stringent, it had largely be- IslamabadIslamabad to to the the recent recent incidents incidents on on theirtheir respectiverespective The MILAP programme for Madrassa teachersthethe bilateralbilateral teachers tiesties lack bringbasicbring skillsa a whiff whiff in ofsubjects of humour humour like into into mathemat our our lives, lives,- comecome a a hit- hit- and-trial and-trial exercise exercise with with the the barest barest minimum minimum regard regard for for thethe LoCLoC servesserves asas aa grimgrim reminderreminder parliaments,”parliaments,” thethefocused firstthe theon identifying bilateralbilateral the ties tiesareas which neededbetweenbetween ics andNewNew sciencethethe subjects dismal dismal and future future they of of are the the eager bilateral bilateral to learn rela- rela- talent,talent, skill skill and and temperament. temperament. thatthat thethe basicbasic philosophyphilosophy ofof ‘build-‘build- IndianIndian representa- representa-interventionbetweenbetween from modern New New educationists Delhi Delhi andDelhiDelhi sec- these.and andThe introductiontions,tions, whichwhich of thecomputersthe presentpresent was ‘line‘line an of ofeye en-en- India, Pak deadlock inging bridges’ bridges’ through through CBM CBMAsad initiatives initiativesMirza tivetive suggestedsuggested itsitsondly, how to evolve the correct training forIslamabadIslamabad the opener hashas for bothgagement’gagement’ the students portends,portends, and teachers isis disquietingdisquieting and they HavingHaving been been active active partners partners in in ruining ruining the the state-run state-run school school sys- sys- byby increasing increasing ‘people ‘people to to people’ people’ con- con- termination.termination. participants.andand The IslamabadIslamabad same set of principles hashas also appliedtakentaken yetyetwere anotheranother really anxiousandand sendssends to get shiversshivers their hands downdown on thethe the spine. spine.latest tem,tem, the the ruling ruling classes classeshe Shanghai now now abdicate abdicate Cooperation all all responsibility responsibility Organisation by by dumping dumping tacttact is is flawed. flawed. AsAs expected,expected,to Madrassatakentaken students yetyet another programme.another bodybody bodybody blow.blow.technology and forItIt ismadrassa is high high time time teachers that that leaders leaders it was reallyof of both both Islamabad too countries stop behaving like school- thethe educational educational sector (SCO)sector into intoheads the the private privateof government lap. lap. This This is is seen meetingseen in in the the was lavish lavish Flawed,Flawed, not nothe because firstbecause institute the the concept conceptof Islamic MadrassaPakistanPakistan edu stronglystrongly- Basedblow.blow. on the IslamabadIslamabad initial consultations tootoo with reIslamabad- an eye openertoo countriesto know how stop they behaving could use like comput school-- held on Monday without the Prime Min- inin itselfitself isis wrong,wrong,cation wasbutbut atbecausebecause the estate thethe of Hazratdenounceddenounced Zaid bin New Newligious scholars and Madrassa administrators,seemsseems totoers bebe in itch-itch- teachingchildrenchildren subjects and andlike remedyHadithremedy and thethe the serious seriousHoly supportsupport to to fashionable fashionable and and prohibitively prohibitively expensive expensive private private schools schools leadersleaders themselves themselvesArkam don’t don’tnear seema seem hill calledto to be be SafaDelhi’sDelhi’s in Makkah, contention contention one of seemstheseems key strategiestoto bebe itchingitching to improve forfor the qualityinging forfor aQu’ran.a chancechance Meanwhile,‘foot-in-the-‘foot-in-the- the students mouth’mouth’ groups disease,disease, all across whichwhich and the mushroomingister ofNarendra lesser copycats Modi who and are his making Pakistani a finan- interestedinterested inin settingwheresetting Prophet anan exampleexample Muhammad byby bywasby saying sayingthe teach thatthat- nonoof education offered in Madrassas was designedtoto ‘take‘take on’Indiaon’ New Newwere eagerseemsseems to to toimprove have have afflicted afflicted their personal them. them. Till Till and this this and the mushrooming of lesser copycats who are making a finan- Ter and the students were some of his followers. After to develop anew,a chancechance and strengthen toto ‘take‘take existing tools and communications skills and learn subjects like time Tcounterpart Imran Khan attending it. The sum- displayingdisplaying confidence confidence in in each each other. other. bilateralbilateral agree-agree- Delhi.Delhi. JustJust aa dayday happens,happens, ‘Aman ‘Aman ki ki Asha’ Asha’ will will remain remain cialcial killingkillingmit ininis thetheheld absenceabsence every ofyearof aa dependabledependable at the level andand of affordableprimeaffordable minis publicpublic- Though,Though,Hijrah bothboth (migration) countriescountries to Madina areare nownow the Madrassamentment between betweenof ‘Suf- thetheskills to equipon’on’ Madrassa NewNew Delhi.TeachersDelhi. to enhanceafterafter the thethe management, Jamaat-Jamaat- a aEnglish distantdistant speaking dreamdream and andand writing bilateralbilateral skills. rela-rela- structure.structure.ters It It isand is nothing nothing deals short mainlyshort of of a awith scandal scandal the that that trade parents parents and economicshould should avoid avoid showingshowingfah’ somewassome established sanitysanity inin on theirtheir the east deal-deal- side oftwo twothe Al-Masjid nationsnations hadhadoverall quality of the teaching-learning practicesud-Dawaud-Dawa Chief,Chief,Most of thesetionstions training willwill becomebecome programmes anotheranother were ‘comedy‘comedy of 15 ings, an-Nabawi.the damage The done curriculum to the pre-included“overtaken understand or- affected” the role or Hafiz Saeed offered ‘asylum’ to circus’! sendingagenda their wards of theto government SCO. However, schools onearlier account this of themonth latter’s ings, the damage done to the pre- “overtaken or affected” the role or Hafiz Saeed offered ‘asylum’ to circus’! sending their wards to government schools on account of the latter’s cariouscariousing bilateral bilateral of The Holy relationship relationship Qur’an, Hadith,between between fara’iz,legalitylegality tajweed, of of thege the- UNMOGIP. UNMOGIP. BollywoodBollywood star star Sharukh Sharukh Khan, Khan, Paki- Paki- dismaldismal PM record,record, Modi, andand Khan preferprefer and seedyseedy Chinese andand crowdedcrowded President privateprivate Xi optionsJinpingoptions no no thethe twotwonealogy, byby irresponsibleirresponsible treatises of first statementsstatements aid, etc. NewNew DelhiDelhi initiatedinitiated thethe stanistani Interior Interior Minister Minister Rehman Rehman Malik Malik had joined the virtual SCO summit, chaired by likelike “there“there cancan bebe nono businessbusiness asas UNMOGIPUNMOGIP debate debate under under the the garb garb of of tootoo joinedjoined inin byby sayingsaying thatthat thoughthough NILOOFARNILOOFAR QURESHI QURESHI is is based based in in New New Delhi Delhi and and mattermatter how how mercenary mercenary they they are. are. Madrassas in India-current challenges Russia. This meeting was chaired by India and usual”usual” andand “war“war mongering”mongering” hashas betterbetter spendingspending ofof resourcesresources allo-allo- SharukhSharukh Khan Khan “is “is a a born born Indian Indian and and cancan be be reached reached at: at: niloofar niloofar.qur.qureshi@[email protected] StudentsStudents clearedcleared byby thethe state-runstate-run schoolschool systemsystem inin KashmirKashmir Ever since their emergence, the Madrassas in often barelyVice makePresident the grade M Venkaiah in rudimentary Naidu literacy, represented particularly the in India have persisted with a curriculum that has often barelycountry. make On the Pakistan grade in rudimentary side was the literacy, meeting particularly was atin seen few changes. The fact that literally, lakhs of ruralrural and andtended remote remote by areas. areas.its Parliamentary This This is is sought sought to to Secretary be be cloaked cloaked for by by theForeign the perfor- perfor- Muslim children acquire their primary, and perhaps their only formal education, in these Madras- mancemance Affairs ofof aa handfulhandful Andleeb ofof privateprivate Abbas. schools,schools, withwith nono thoughtthought forfor thethe TiredTired ofof Thinking?Thinking? ComeCome toto aa ConclusionConclusion sas where only literature and Islamic studies with colossalcolossal amounts amountsIn his address,spent spent on on withoutrunning running a naminga vast vast network network Pakistan, of of under-per- under-per- Naidu a cursory knowledge of social sciences thrownIf he were in, a cricketer — which I rather of marks, remember.” of total freedom to pursue the pathways of KEVIN MARTIN If he were a cricketer — which I rather of marks, remember.” of total freedom to pursue the pathways of formingforminghighlighted institutions. institutions. HowsoeverIndia’s Howsoever core sound sound concern the the system system of cross-border may may appear appear on on KEVINare M taught,ARTIN should be a matter of concerndoubtdoubt sincenot since only he he possessed possessed not not one one jot jot of of cricket cricket ThisThis generally generally got got the the ashen-faced ashen-faced ones ones one’sone’s own own mind, mind, frolic frolic in in the the fields fields of of an an idyl- idyl- terrorism calling it the biggest challenge for coun- to their parents but also to anybody concernedvocabularyvocabulary within in his his speech speech — — but but if if he he were were a a movingmoving a a few few feet feet forward forward in in a a determined determined liclic nature nature and and dream dream of of writing writing lines lines that that paper,paper, onon thethe groundground itit isis asas ricketyrickety andand run-downrun-down asas thethe schoolschool education in any manner. The format of education tries. In his response, Pakistani parliamentary ‘IN‘IN CONCLUSION’CONCLUSION’ was was a a favourite favourite cricketercricketer Mr Mr P P would would have have been been categorised categorised efforteffort to to overcome overcome their their resisting resisting wills. wills. rhymedrhymed and and described described life life in in a a more more natural natural houseshouses spread spread all all over over rural rural Kashmir Kashmir chronically chronically starved starved of of staff staff and and phrase ofimparted a teacher toof minethe students — a man of of scien-Madrassasas an ought all rounder. to be This is because he was three Chemistry periods were about tables way — a way that had nothing to do with Secretary for Foreign Affairs condemned terror- phrasemodified of a teacher keeping of mine —in aview man theof scien- shiftingas demandsan all rounder. of This is because he was three Chemistry periods were about tables way — a way that had nothing to do with proper equipment. Reports of under-manned schools, particularly tific qualification; a man who looked at you science teachers rolled into one. He taught with cryptic symbols and water that changed science? properism equipment. in all its Reports forms of and under-manned manifestations, schools, including particularly tific qualification;the job market a man – whoa concern looked atthat you can scienceno longer teachers be rolled into one. He taught with cryptic symbols and water that changed science? atat the the primary primary level, level, are are a a routine routine feature feature such such areas, areas, while while insti- insti- andand perceived perceivedunder-played. atoms atoms and and And molecules. molecules. this is Mr Mr perfectly P, P, let’s let’s Physics,possiblePhysics, Chemistry Chemistry with- and and when when the the frogs frogs were were colourcolour magically magically with with the the introduction introduction of of dif- dif- AA young young man man dreaming dreaming is is how how I Icome come to to state terrorism inflicted upon people living under call him, for he very well may still be alive plentiful he was found in the ferent powders. I once remem- view my school reports of that day and age tutestutes inin thethe citycity appearappear toto burstingbursting atat thethe seamsseams withwith needlessneedless call him,out for an he erosion very well of the may cultural still be and alive religiousplentiful identity. he was found in the ferent powders. I once remem- view my school reports of that day and age foreign occupation in disputed territories. monitoringmonitoring Developingthe the masses masses that thatsuitable passed passed throughanswers through forBiologyBiology today’s rooms rooms di giving -giving lessons lessons LIFE IN A berber naively naively being being drawn drawn into into whenwhen I Iglance glance at at them them occasionally occasionally these these staff,staff, Schools SchoolsAs in inhappens far-flung far-flung areas inareas the function function multilateral at at the the sweet sweet meetings discretion discretion at- of of hishis hands. hands.lemmas requires an examination of ontheon dissection dissectionessentials which which non-bi- non-bi- LIFE IN A takingtaking a a deep deep sniff sniff from from a a daysdays yellowing yellowing in in a a plastic plastic sleeve. sleeve. Mr Mr P P obvi- obvi- theirtheir often oftentended lone lone by teachers, teachers, India and and and Pakistan, instances instances of theyof just just indirectly one one or or two two take tutors tutors ItIt was ofwas education. the the Sixties, Sixties, ofEducation of course. course. The The involves Hippie Hippie transferenceology-inclinedology-inclined to ones ones like like my- my- CLASSROOMCLASSROOM OF OF bottlebottle of of chlorine chlorine that that nearly nearly ouslyously had had a a kind kind heart heart too too for for his his marks marks potshots at each other. India always brings up ter- MovementMovementothers, was was winkingof winking knowledge naughtily naughtily and from from values out- out- accumulatedselfself found found hard hard by to to stomach, stomach, THE SIXTIES tooktook my my sinuses sinuses for for a a walk walk awardedawarded to to me me in in their their own own scientific scientific way way handlinghandling multiple multiple classes classes and and hundreds hundreds of of students students are are common. common. mankind. Even though schools and especiallyteachers have the drawing of THE SIXTIES right out of my body. reflect a kindness. rorism sponsored from across the border and Paki- sideside classroom classroom windows, windows, “Come “Come out out and and taste taste especially the drawing of right out of my body. reflect a kindness. TheThe standards standards of of such such schools schools and and the the education education they they impart impart can can thethe freedom!” freedom!”been part of the process of educationblood bloodfor hundreds or or the the severing severing of of flesh flesh in in order order to to peer peer PhysicsPhysics was was about about equations, equations, balance balance IfIf the the dissecting dissecting of of a a frog frog taught taught me me any- any- stan makes counter accusations and also seeks to Theor band even Uriah thousands Heep did of indeed years, sing, it is theat spiritthe undercoating of en- and the insides. and sticking pins in paper while trying to thing it pointed me in the direction of veg- wellwell be be imagined. imagined. Thequiry band that Uriah has Heep enriched did indeed mankind sing, withat knowledge.the undercoating and the insides. and sticking pins in paper while trying to thing it pointed me in the direction of veg- highlight the situation in Kashmir. This acrimoni- plaintively, Free Me, which may well have “One has to have a stomach for these trace angles of reflection and refraction etarianism and a kindness to all animals great TheThe situation situation has has been been allowed allowed to to drift drift for for far far too too long long in in the the plaintively,We learn Free Me,through which reading, may well experience have by“One watch has -to have a stomach for these trace angles of reflection and refraction etarianism and a kindness to all animals great ous exchange is a routine spectacle at United Na- beenbeen the theing anthem anthem others of of andmany many by a a classroom observingclassroom bound bound the worldthings,”things,” in general. Mr Mr P P would would instruct, instruct, directing directing his his throughthrough a a thick thick glass glass slab. slab. andand small. small. Science Science provided provided me me with with an an inin- hopehope that thattions with with where time time the the growing, growing,mutually engineered engineered antagonistic preference preference positions for for pri- pri- schoolboyschoolboyInculcating of of that that time. time. a spirit of scientific enquirywordswords at atin the the stu ones ones- who’d who’d gone gone a a whiter whiter shade shade MostMost things things in in Mr Mr P’s P’s class class started started out out as as sightsight into into laterality. laterality. That That is, is, you you could could be be vatevate schools schoolsare ritualistically would would phase phase the the rehearsed government government at varioussystem system out out meetings. of of existence. existence. ItIt was dentswas also also will still still theperhaps the Years Years of beof Collusion Collusionthe best — — mannerofof pale pale of and propeland generally generally- stood stoodIt in in theis the backa back matter rows rows premisespremises of beforesatisfaction before gradually gradually working working to their their note way way seated seatedthat in in of the the late, lap lap of of sciencesome science and and be be totally totally at at It remains to The be seenSCO howmeeting well measureshas witnessed taken inthe desperation, reiteration like betweenbetweenling teacher teacher them and andon parentthe parent path to to ensureof ensure learning. at at all all atat the the dissecting dissecting table table so so they theyMadrassas, missed missed a a good good havethroughthrough realised a a series series of ofthe reasoning reasoning significance stages stages to to a a finely finely of moderneaseease contemplating contemplating education, poetry. poetry. and have It remains to be seen how well measures taken in desperation, like cost that JohnnyEven putthough his head this down may peered be the generaldeal of what agree was- going on. drawn conclusion. Science didn’t care because ultimately it of this spectacle. If anything, it also underlines the cost that Johnny put his head down peered deal of what was goingintroduced on. teachingdrawn science, conclusion. English and Computer skillsScience in didn’ttheir care curricula. because ultimately For it recruitmentsrecruitments scrounged scrounged in in haste, haste, are are able able to to turn turn the the tide tide for for soci- soci- intointo the thement, laboratory laboratory it is amicroscope microscopefact that inand and India averted averted in particular,PREPARINGPREPARING when TO TO- FACE FACE LIFE: LIFE: “Life “Life is is going going to to DisputeDispute that, that, he’d he’d say, say, pointing pointing to to a a seemsseems everything everything is is relative. relative. There There is is no no end, end, ety,ety, particularly particularlylingering low-income, low-income, estrangement rural rural and andbetween agrarian agrarian the classes classes neighbours for for whom whom hishis gaze gazeever from from an the theattempt classroom classroom is made windows. windows. to institute The The toss tossany things thingsprofound at at you you that thatexample are are a a lot lot harder harder the to to take, twotake, largestsolvedsolved equation equation Madrassas on on the the blackboard. blackboard. in India, Of Of course, course, Darul noUloom-Deobandno conclusion conclusion to to be be drawn drawn becauseand because like like some some change, a resistance begins to act from its very in- state-runstate-runthat schools schools has further were were the the deepened mainstay mainstay sinceof of hope. hope. New Delhi’s with- worldworld outside outside can can wait, wait, a a good good education education soso get get used used to to it. it. In In any anyNadwa-tul case, case, you you have have toUlema-Lucknow to do do it it whowho could? could? Especially Especially have who who braced could could who who themselves had had his his wisewise toperson person be oncethe once said, harbingersaid, “A “A conclusion conclusion of is is the the drawal of Article 370 in August last year. Situation couldn’t.ception. The critics flinch at the visionyourself of a Madras come exam- time. It carries a good deal head wrapped around other notions — those place where you got tired of thinking.” couldn’t.sa system where modern education wouldyourself jettison come exam time.change It carries and a good have deal introducedhead wrapped around English other language notions — those teachingplace where and you computer got tired of thinking.”skills can be expected to improve if the leaders of the two religious knowledge and make education “worldly” as part of their curriculum countries deem it in their core interest to engage. and “impersonal”. OTHEROTHER OPINIONOPINION NONO HOLDSHOLDS BARREDBARRED ...... And if not then we can only hope that the current It is a matter of satisfaction to note...... that of late, climate of distrust and antagonism doesn’t lead to fur- some Madrassas, have realised the significance of within their Madrassas. The CBM programme to 21 days duration, and if during such a short du- modern education, and have introduced teaching was designed based on a “professional develop- ration, using intensive intervention, outlook of the ther escalation of tensions. The intermittent exchange science, English and Computer skills in their cur- ment/coaching model”. This was intended to help participants could be changed and skills and topics DiscriminationDiscriminationof fire along Line of Control and the lingering AgainstAgainst turmoil CricketersCricketersricula. For example the two largest Madrassas in address the gaps in teaching-learning practices. beneficial to them could be taught to better their India, Darul Uloom-Deoband and Nadwa-tul Ulema- The CBM programme was offered to Madrassa skills and personality, then this module could be HEHE PAKISTAN PAKISTANin Kashmir women’s women’s cricket cricket that team’s team’s recently visit visit ThiskilledThis discrimination discrimination five soldiers is is undoubtedly undoubtedly over two unfair unfair eterseters will will be be able able to to stay stay in in Mumbai Mumbai in in the the days has created a fraught situation with a potential to Lucknow have braced themselves to be the har- Teachers and Students across India, and so far, used to supplement their usual Madrassa teaching TTtoto India India for for the the World World Cup Cup has has turned turned into into andand puts puts our our team team at at a a significant significant disadvan- disadvan- currentcurrentbinger climate climate of if if wechange we reach reach and the the havefinal. final. introduced English lan- has been organised in New Delhi, Aligarh, Mum- and such courses should be organised to help shape aa security security and andfurther logistical logistical nightmare.worsen nightmare. the First, First, bilateral the the tage.tage. ties. The The Moreteam team has hasso, been been when conciliatory conciliatory due to about about TheThe ICC ICCguage also also needs teachingneeds to to consider consider and computer if if India India should should skills as part of their bai, Hyderabad, Pune and Guwahati. their future. teamteam could could not suspendednot go go to to Mumbai, Mumbai, talks, where where the twoits its countriesitsits treatment treatment lack but but the the International diplomaticInternational Cricket Cricket bebe allowed allowedcurriculum. to to hold hold Butmulti-nation multi-nation both have tourna- tourna- not been able to bring The training topics for teachers ranged from In addition, if the madrassas administration matchesmatches were weretools originally originally to scheduled,manage scheduled, after theafter the fallout.the CouncilCouncil It is(ICC) (ICC) therefore should should take take important note note of of this. this. mentsments at aboutat a a time time any when when noticeable it it can’t can’t guarantee guarantee improvement safety safety in the quality of Indian culture and religions, besides an introduc- is ready to adapt this module along with the essen- education they impart to their students. tion to constitutional & other legal rights of mi- tial religious content, they could take the wind out ShivShiv Sena Sena started startedthat issuing issuingthe two its its usual usualcountries threats threats getInternational Internationalback to the teams teams dialogue have have refused refused and to to visit visit ofof all all players. players. against visiting Pakistani teams. Pakistan over justified security fears. It seems, It is now Ittoo is late often to arguedreschedule that the if modernWorld education is so norities and human rights. Introduction to differ- of sails of the madrassa critics, that madrassas are against visitingwork Pakistani towards teams. resolution ofPakistan their over longstanding justified security issues fears. It seems, It is now too late to reschedule the World Now,Now, hotels hotels at at the the alternative alternative venue venue of of however,however, that that if if we we simply simply put put international international CupCup and andsensational, our our pulling pulling outwhy out of ofhasn’t the the tournament tournament it brought any notable im- ent teaching methods. Role and responsibilities of not ready to change with times. Further, we should provement to education in the few Madrassas that an effective teacher, Lesson planning: Principles understand that Islam is not static but a dynamic CuttackCuttack andandfor a durableneighbouringneighbouring peace incitycity the teamsregion.teams at at clubhouses clubhouses in in stadiums stadiums and and refuse refuse inin protest protest will will only only heighten heighten tensions. tensions. We We The only hope for a redeeming difference lies have adopted it? In reality, in spite of modern educa- and Process. Concept, importance and types of religion and we can change the various inputs need- BhubaneshwarBhubaneshwar have have refused refused lodging lodging to to our our toto let let them them go go anywhere anywhere else, else, the the security security shouldshould tionmake make being clear clear imparted,that that we we are are thousands only only playing playing of Madrassas don’t teaching aids for language teaching, particularly ed for its dissemination, keeping intact the funda- playersplayers out out of of infear. fear. a summit meeting betweenproblemproblem wouldthe would prime apparently apparently ministers be be solved. solved. underunder duress haveduress a andwell-formulatedand that that such such conditions conditions curriculum, are are and/or couldn’t English, Sciences, and elementary Mathematics. mental principles. This strategy would not only be OurOur cricketers cricketersof now nowthe have havetwo to to playcountries. play this this all-im- all-im- TheyNoNo owe country, country, it ofto of course, course,the peoples would would accept accept of such such unacceptableunacceptableimplement if if any any ofit of oureven our sportspersons sportspersons if they wanted tour tour to, as they don’t Besides understanding the socio-economic and ed- beneficial but also could be a game changer for the portantportant tournament tournamenttheir under respectiveunder virtual virtual house house countries ar- ar- conditionsconditions to resume to to play play cricket acricket long-stalled in in Pakistan. Pakistan. Yet, Yet, our our IndiaIndia again. again.have Instead sufficientlyInstead of of appeasing appeasing trained the theand anti- anti- proficient staff in ucational background of the students, child and ed- community. rest, with their accommodation being pro- women cricketers are expected to put up with Pakistan extremists, the Indian government rest, with theirdialogue accommodation to forge being a way pro- forwardwomen cricketers and renew are expected hope to putfor up with Pakistanthese extremists, disciplines. the Indian government ucational psychology, understanding the student- videdvided at at the the clubhouse clubhouse of of the the stadium stadium in in thisthis in in India. India. Additionally, Additionally, the the final final of of the the mustmust ensure ensure the the safety safety and and comfort comfort of of our our teacher communication process and formulating Confidence building measures by the government a reconciliation and the resolution of their long- whichwhich all all their their matches matches will will be be played. played. Every Every tournamenttournament isis supposedsupposed toto bebe heldheld inin players.players.MILAP Programme responses based on these inputs. Focus on spoken The MILAP Programme was designed to re- otherother team team will willfestering be be staying staying in issues.in five-star five-star hotels. hotels. Mumbai.Mumbai. India India needs needs to to explain explain how how our our crick- crick- During the-EXPRESS-EXPRESS last ten yearsTRIBUNE TRIBUNE or so, Madrassa Edu- and written English, besides an introduction to the semble the key elements from the CBM-sessions cation in India has been a subject of interest, de- use of computers and Internet, was a key compo- and focussed on training the teachers on secular bate and prominence both in the educational and nent of the training. curriculum and pedagogical issues. The objective of OTHER OPINON AllAll letters lettersresearch intended intended circles, for for in publication publicationmedia and must ofmust course include include the the civilthe writer’s writer’s name name and and address, address, even even if if a a pseudonym pseudonym is is used. used.the Letters Letters MILAP are are module edite editedd wasas as clarity, clarity,to develop space space Madrassa/Mak- and accuracyand political of expression discourse. require. Based on Our different publishing research a letter Lessons does not learnt mean and waywe agreeforward with everything or even anythingtab teachers’ in it. understanding -EDITOR of new educational and OBSERVEROBSERVER MAILMAIL and accuracystudies and of expression the demand require. for Capacity Our publishing Building aof letter doesTo gaugenot mean the weefficacy agree of with these everything training orpro even- pedagogicalanything in techniques it. -EDITOR and assimilate them in Ma- Madrassa in India, an NGO of Delhi-Minorities Ini- grammes, a feedback survey was conducted by an drassa environment. And to a certain extent it at- Is the economy turning? tiative for Learning, Advancement and Partnership external consultant after every programme and tained its objective very well. Kashmir’sKashmir’she latest GDP numbersFateFate are not issurprising.is JustJust Many high Consequential! Consequential!(MILAP- www.milapindia.org) started a Capacity finally collated on an all-IndiaHailHail basis. Based KiranKiran on the Central BediBedi bodies like the Ministry of Minority Af- frequency indicators had signalled improvement. But the Building Programme for Madrassa Teachers and survey findings and feedback from the organisers of fairs and Maulana Azad National Foundation could DEARDEAR EDITOR, EDITOR, pandemic-induced challengeofof mistrust. mistrust. is far Could fromCould over.you you also alsoSome tell tell econ us us whowho countries,countries,Students, one one wanting wantingwhich tolater to and and became the the knowntherethere as is isMILAP something something these that that Training seems seems to toCourses inDEARDEAR 11 Indian EDITOR, EDITOR, cities, it could be entrusted killingstokillings carry forwardand and heinous heinous such successful crimes crimes pro- I Iwould would like like to to comment commentomists have on on the thepointed outbeheadedbeheaded that the and andsecond mutilated mutilated quarter the the had bodies bodies the of of otherother avoiding Programme.avoiding its its role role in in Kashmir. Kashmir. inviteinvite and and incite incite the bethe surmisedelements elements that to to there is a hugeAproposApropos demand news, news, from ‘AFSPA both‘AFSPA Immu- Immu-grammes, whosecommittedcommitted results have by by its beenits army army quantified and and such such and Tfortunate confluence of pent-up demand (due to the lockdown) and The Capacity Building of Madrassas Pro- Madrassa teachers and students to learn and be ac- documented well. letter,letter, written written by by one one Shoaib Shoaib Bhat, Bhat, thethe Indian Indian soldiers? soldiers? This This should should not not ItIt is is not not in in the the interest interest of of any any of of Kashmir.Kashmir. It It is is part part of of the the history history of of the the nitynity For For Forces’ Forces’ Sex Sex Crimes Crimes Must Must allall other other agencies agencies that that too too with with Kashmir Observer,advance Jan production 22, titled, "Who for the festivehave season. happened These in anytailwinds case. might gramme (CBM) was based on inputs from madrassa quainted with other subjectsEnd’, (modern Kashmir subjects) Observer not, January the help of Indian puppets of Kashmir Observer,dissipate Jan going 22, titled, forward. "Who Therehave is also happened the question in any of case.the slowly twotwo countries countriesteachers, India Indiaadministrators, and and Pakistan Pakistan religious to to sub-continent.sub-continent.scholars and taught in madrassas. End’, Kashmir Observer, January the help of AsadIndian Mirza puppets is a political of isis Responsible Responsiblebut For For steadily LoC LoC Killings?" Killings?" building I demandI squeezeUNUN roles rolesdue into in Kashmira Kashmir continuing has has been weakbeen- indulgeindulgeeducationists. in in any any misadventure misadventure The two-day here here consultative or or WeworkshopWe need need to to overcome overcomeThe itMadrassa it for for our our teachers28,28, I lackI want want any to to ideasay say that aboutthat we we the the KashmiriKashmiricommentator origin. origin. based in New Delhi. mustmust say say to to Shoaib nessShoaib in that,labour that, you you markets seem seem toand to costminimisedminimised cutting by post post firms. 1971 1971 An for forHT India. India.analysis It It is is anywhere.anywhere. eternaleternal peace. peace. Unfortunately, Unfortunately, peoplepeople of of Kashmir Kashmir appreciate appreciate -M.-M. R. R. BABA BABA knowknow a a lot. lot. of 2,400 companies shows that theirjustjust symbolic symbolicprofits went now. now. up in the Septem- NoNo one one should should man man Kargil Kargil or or other other Kashmir'sKashmir's fate fate is is just just consequential! consequential! whatwhat Dr.Kiran Dr.Kiran Bedi Bedi said said but but who who Via:Via: emailemail IfIf it it is is true, true,ber there therequarter should should despite be be sales going down.ItIt seems seemsThis has that that been the the achieved United United Nations Nationsvia a higherhigher reaches, reaches, the the rough rough terrain terrain and and Shoaib,Shoaib, keep keep writing writing and and stay stay safe. safe. hashas to to initiate initiate the the action. action. cut in costs including salaries. The most worrying part of the GDP OBSERVER All letters intended for publication must include the writer’s name and XX investigationinvestigationnumbers, and and appropriate appropriate however, action action is the pro-cyclicalhashas not not turnplayed played in any governmentany role role in in this thisspend sector sector- allall this this is is in in the the extreme extreme frigid frigid cold cold KhudaKhudaaddress, Hafez! Hafez! even if a pseudonym is used. LettersItIt is is India India are who editedwho has has as to toclarity, take take the the X X MAIL MAIL YOUR YOUR LETTERS LETTERS takentaken against againsting. those those There who who has provoked provoked been a deteriorationforfor a a long onlong this time. time. front In In comparedmy my view, view, it toit is isthe more more andand hostile hostile environment. environment. The The military military spaceand accuracy of expression-VORSHAL-VORSHAL require.action,action, Our but but publishing this this country country a letter is is never never does P.O.P.O. Box Box # # 337, 337, GPO, GPO, Srinagar-190 Srinagar-190 001 001 peacepeace and and created createdfirst quarter. this this environment environment While the Centreaa haspolitical political announced point point on onmany part part schemesof of both both these tothese onon both both sides sides should shouldMAIL be be minimised minimised but but not mean we agree withVia:Via: everything emailemail readyorready even to to anything bother bother for forin it.innocent innocent -EDITOR email:email: edit [email protected]@[email protected] cushion the pandemic’s impact, a fall in government spending shows that the actual fiscal support has not been commensurate. This needs to change. There is also a big-picture message in the latest GDP numbers. Stringent and Effective Laws for Provocative Trollers India’s economic challenge in a post-Covid world is not going to be a restoration of positive growth rates. That is more a question of lobal systems of intercon- unexpected attacks, overwhelmed by trolls are common in daily life where Stringent and effective laws need when (December or March quarter) rather than if. The real ques- nected network is an entirely volumes of abuse, getting attention bigoted or elitist people troll others. to be imposed to discourage and stop tion is whether the economy can regain a high growth trajectory unexplored set of human by frustrating them and to discredit State sponsored trolling are common trolling. We should make people aware which gave way to a long deceleration phase even before the pan- behaviour. Open internet them wherever possible. to attack a person who dares to criti- of digital crimes and conduct various demic struck. This will require a vision and strategy for growth Gis a platform for trollers to thrive and People hide behind the screens cize a regime or their political policies. programmes in schools, colleges for and ensuring that there is no permanent damage from the disrup- achieve their goals. It means a deliber- with the purpose of abusing others People remain unsafe and undergo social welfare and start counselling of tion. The government has unleashed critical second generation re- ate offensive or provocative post with whilst maintaining good behaviour in trauma in day to day life because of people to make safe our digital world. forms, which could unleash hitherto unexploited growth possibili- the aim of upsetting someone. real life and abusive in digital space. trolling. Some oppose online censor- We should ignore the prevalent trollers ties. However, these possibilities will only materialise if there is a Trollers spend a credible amount Lack of patience results in inflicting ship, taking advantages of the anonym- and also report to the police about their strong domestic demand. That should be the priority now. of energy on targeting someone about pain and differences in opinions. Cor- ity of the internet. Malevolent people repeated offences. his language, colour, religion, think- recting other behavioural attitudes by torture and exhort by trolling. It en- ... Hindustan Times ing actions and felt reactions. Femi- trolling is seen as a part of social jus- courages chain of anti-social crimes Muneer Shamee nist are frequently trolled by their tice. Political or religious motivated and aggression. [email protected]

ORTY-eight years after the 1971 war, which led to the in- dependence of Bangladesh, each country involved in the conflict has institutionalised a distinct memory of the events of that year. In Bangladesh, the war is remem- Fbered as the Bengali people's struggle against an oppressive Pakistan army. In India and Pakistan, the war is often remembered as the Opinion,Think! Analysis, Essays Wednesday|02-12-2020 Covid-19: Viral Shedding or Re-Infection?

ver recent weeks and months, we’ve heard of several COVID cases in which people have tested positive after previously clearing the virus. OScientists are hopeful being infected with CO- Lara Herrero VID-19 confers immunity for a length of time. But Eugene Madzokere some of these instances have raised concerns about reinfection. Although rare, it seems to be possible. The other thing which could be at play in many of these cases is “prolonged viral shedding”. Both phenomena are probably more common than we realise. But it’s important to understand the differences between the two. In the absence of Become a monthly donor and support indepen- targeted antiviral dent media today. What is viral shedding? drugs, shedding can’t When you’re sick with a virus, the cells in your be stopped. But, by body hosting the infection release infectious virus particles, which you then shed into the environ- sticking to COVID- ment. This process is called viral shedding. For SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes CO- safe guidelines such VID-19, shedding primarily occurs when we talk, cough, sneeze, or even exhale. SARS-CoV-2 can be as keeping an shed in a person’s stool, too. Research shows shedding of infectious SARS- adequate distance CoV-2 begins before a person starts displaying symptoms, and peaks at or just after symptom on- from others, wearing set (usually four to six days after infection). a face mask, and Shedding can continue for several weeks after a person’s symptoms have resolved — there’s no practising hand standard time frame. Research has identified shedding of infectious hygiene, we can SARS-CoV-2 virus particles from up to eight days after symptom onset in hospitalised patients, to up minimise the risks to 70 days after diagnosis in an immunocompro- from a person mised person. Not all shedding is equal unknowingly In the above cases, the viral particles being shedding infectious shed are infectious, which is what we as virolo- gists consider viral shedding to mean. But dur- virus. ing COVID-19, the definition of shedding has been broadened to include the shedding of viral genetic material (RNA). suggests the risk of reinfection may be lower in the Although RNA constitutes fragments of the vi- Why do some people shed for longer? first 90 days after initial infection. rus, these aren’t necessarily infectious fragments. There’s no evidence to suggest people who shed Some studies on COVID-19, both published Studies measuring the shedding of viral ge- SARS-CoV-2 genetic material for a long time in their and not yet formally published in a peer-reviewed netic material from the respiratory tract have re- faeces have been sicker with COVID-19. Though some journal, suggest immunity may last for several ported shedding typically lasts around 17 days. research has found prolonged shedding in the respi- months. But we need more evidence on this topic, Shedding of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material can ratory tract can be linked to more severe disease. which we will accumulate as time passes. persist for more than 80 days in the upper respira- We don’t fully understand the factors that Where a person does test positive several tory tract, and over 120 days in the stool. make a person a “long shedder”, but research into weeks or months after they’ve recovered, the dif- Where people have recovered and then later this is ongoing. Certain groups have been associ- ficulty is confirming reinfection. That’s because test positive again — or return a “weak positive” ated with prolonged SARS-CoV-2 shedding, includ- this requires genetic testing of both infections to result — the test has picked up viral genetic mate- ing males, children, older adults, and people with determine whether they are in fact different. rial. We don’t know whether the virus is infectious compromised immune systems. Given this is time consuming and the technology at this point. There’s also speculation factors such as the amount isn’t widely accessible, it’s highly likely there are of SARS-CoV-2 which caused the infection (the viral more than 26 cases of reinfection around the world. So, how can you tell? dose), and possibly the viral strain, may play a role. Currently there’s no simple way to determine In the absence of targeted antiviral drugs, shed- Shedding, reinfection and community spread whether a person is shedding infectious virus, or ding can’t be stopped. But, by sticking to COVID-safe While the virus appears to be under good con- how much. guidelines such as keeping an adequate distance trol in Australia, prolonged viral shedding and re- The “gold standard” method used to diagnose from others, wearing a face mask, and practising infection are probably two of the most important COVID-19 is the PCR test. PCR tests detect viral hand hygiene, we can minimise the risks from a per- drivers of SARS-CoV-2 community transmission genetic material (RNA in the case of SARS-CoV-2) son unknowingly shedding infectious virus. around the world. from a patient’s swabbed samples. Understanding how and for how long people But they can’t determine whether the virus Long viral shedding versus reinfection can shed SARS-CoV-2, and which factors increase is alive or dead, or, in other words, if the virus Reports of reinfection — in the sense of a new the risk of viral shedding or reinfection, can help is infectious. infection, rather than prolonged or intermittent us to improve surveillance and reduce the rate at The level of infectious SARS-CoV-2 can only be shedding of the same one — have been limited to which the virus spreads. determined using infectivity methods (called as- date. One source collating confirmed reinfection says). These are common in research laboratories, cases indicates there have been just 26 worldwide. By Arrangements with but are not used as diagnostic tests. Evidence we have from other coronaviruses The Conversation Have I Already Had Coronavirus? How Would I Know And What Should I Do? Covid-19 symptoms, when they occur, vary widely and undertesting means many people have probably been unwittingly infected

Danielle Renwick the hospital or who are healthcare workers. We’re not weeks after symptoms are resolved. It’s hard to know about the wide spectrum of symptoms, and the fact doing widespread testing that South Korea and some if that’s actual live virus, which is still able to infect that people can be asymptomatic and still be shedding ovid-19 symptoms vary widely, and undert- European countries have done to get a sense of how somebody, or if that’s just dead virus that the body is the virus. esting in many countries means that many many people are asymptomatic or have such minimal shedding. people may have already had the coronavi- symptoms that they attribute it to allergies or some- If I think I may have had it, do I have an ethical obligation rus without having received a positive diag- thing else. Should someone behave differently if they think, but don’t to tell people I came in contact with? Even if it may in fact Cnosis. Is it possible to find out, and how should you know for certain, that they have already had it? just have been a cold? behave if you think you may have been infected? Are people who are asymptomatic also contagious? Buchholz: I would, absolutely. I’m in New York, Hillmann: A significant proportion of people who Dr David Buchholz: We all have to be role models. and it was definitely in the community before we Is there any way to know whether someone has had Co- are totally asymptomatic are contagious for some If we’re all in it together, we all should be doing social knew it. So, yeah, any family members and close vid-19 in the past? portion of time. We just don’t know [for how long] at distancing. friends, maybe somebody you work next to, I think I would just alert them, especially if it was in the last 14 Dr William Hillmann: Antibody tests are being days. If it’s been more than 14 days, they would have developed but are not in widespread clinical use yet. Keep doing all of those things that we all should be doing gotten sick by now if they had significant exposure. The antibody testing would allow us to check blood Hillmann: It’s up to every individual about what samples for antibodies against coronavirus to tell at this point: social distancing and hand hygiene. they feel is right. That being said, with the surge in whether somebody has had it. I, and I think many infections that we’re seeing in places like New York, others, are anxiously awaiting for those to become Universal mask-wearing in public is a reasonable if you were symptomatic at one point but were not available. tested, and you were in close contact with somebody, recommendation based on what we know about the wide I think you should tell them. Could I have had it and been asymptomatic? Hillmann: Coronavirus is actually quite a signifi- spectrum of symptoms, and the fact that people can be If I’ve had it, can I get it again? cant spectrum of symptoms, from people who are en- Buchholz: There’s not been any evidence that tirely asymptomatic and would have no idea that they asymptomatic and still be shedding the virus. anyone’s gotten it more than once. Someone with a have it to people with very mild, cold-like symptoms normal immune system that can react to the virus – runny nose, congestion, sore throat – to people with and get better should have immunity for quite some more flu-like symptoms – high fevers, muscle aches, this point, because we don’t have the kind of testing Hillmann: Since there’s no real way to know time, at least a year, if not lifelong. shortness of breath and cough. Loss of smell and taste available to screen for asymptomatic infections. at this point who might have had it, unless you’re There have been reports out of China suggesting are also symptoms. All the way up to people with se- When people are symptomatic, they’re conta- symptomatic, you get a swab and are definitively di- people are testing positive for Covid-19 a second time. vere illness, who we’re seeing in the hospital with re- gious. A day or two before they become symptomatic, agnosed with it, I would just act as if you hadn’t had Most scientists think it is an issue around the inaccu- spiratory failure, requiring ICU care. they’re likely contagious as well. A virus builds up it. Keep doing all of those things that we all should racy of the testing and not that people are having two It’s impossible right now to say what the true and starts to shed, and then after symptoms resolve, be doing at this point: social distancing and hand hy- separate cases of the disease. prevalence of the disease in the US is since we are people can still be contagious for a couple of days. giene. I think universal mask-wearing in public is a still prioritizing testing for people who are sick or in We have some evidence of viral shed even a couple of reasonable recommendation based on what we know The Guardian C

Life & Times Wednesday | 02.12.2020 6 M Y K Women at higher risk of heart attack death than men: Study

he research was published today in this group, 34.3 per cent were women and the hospital by a cardiovascular specialist: receiving the best care, particularly wom- the American Heart Association’s 65.7 per cent were men. 72.8 per cent versus 84 per cent for men. en, and where interventions can address T flagship journal Circulation. - A total of 20,327 patients experienced - Regardless of whether their heart at- oversights. Previous research looking at sex differ- STEMI, the more severe heart attack; among tacks were the severe or less severe type, “Close enough is not good enough,” ences in heart health has often focused on this group, 26.5 per cent were women and fewer women were prescribed medica- said Kaul, who is also the Sex and Gender a recurrent heart attack or death. However, 73.5 per cent were men. tions such as beta-blockers or cholesterol- Science Chair from the Canadian Institutes the differences in vulnerability to heart fail- - The development of heart failure either lowering drugs. Women also had slightly of Health Research. “There are gaps across ure between men and women after heart in the hospital or after discharge remained lower rates of revascularization procedures diagnosis, access, quality of care, and fol- attack remain unclear. higher for women than men for both types to restore blood flow, such as surgical low-up for all patients, so we need to be To study this gap, researchers analyzed of heart attack, even after adjusting for cer- angioplasty. vigilant, pay attention to our own biases, data on more than 45,000 patients (30.8 tain confounders. “Identifying when and how women may and to those most vulnerable to ensure that per cent women) hospitalized for a first - Women had a higher unadjusted rate be at higher risk for heart failure after a we have done everything possible in pro- heart attack between 2002-2016 in Alberta, of death in the hospital than men in both heart attack can help providers develop viding the best treatment.” –Agencies Canada. They focused on two types of a the STEMI (9.4 per cent vs. 4.5 per cent) more effective approaches for prevention,” heart attack: a severe, life-threatening heart and NSTEMI (4.7 per cent vs, 2.9 per cent) said lead study author Justin A. Ezekowitz, attack called ST-segment elevation myocar- groups. However, the gap narrowed con- M.B.B.Ch., M.Sc., a cardiologist and co- dial infarction (STEMI), and a less severe siderably for NSTEMI after confounder director of the Canadian VIGOUR Centre type called Non-STEMI or NSTEMI, the adjustments. at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, latter of which is more common. Patients - Women were more likely to be an aver- Alberta, Canada. “Better adherence to re- were followed for an average of 6.2 years. age of 10 years older than men at the time ducing cholesterol, controlling high blood Women were older and faced a variety of their heart attack, usually an average age pressure, getting more exercise, eating a Women face a 20 per cent increased of complications and more risk factors that of 72 years versus 61 for the men. healthy diet and stopping smoking, com- may have put them at a greater risk for - Women also had more complicated bined with recognition of these problems risk of developing heart failure or heart failure after a heart attack. medical histories at the time of their heart earlier in life would save thousands of lives attacks, including high blood pressure, of women -- and men.” dying within five years after their first In addition to the elevated risk for heart diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and chronic ob- Based on these findings, study co-au- failure among women, researchers found: structive pulmonary disease, risk factors thor Padma Kaul, PhD, co-director of the severe heart attack compared to men, - A total of 24,737 patients had a less se- that may contribute to heart failure. Canadian VIGOUR Centre, said the next according to new research. vere form of heart attack (NSTEMI); among - Women were seen less frequently in step is to further examine if all patients are

Early Intervention Mobile App Brings Hope and Services to Children with Plastic pollution Disabilities and their Parents from fishing nets threatening Ganges wildlife, study finds lastic pollution from discarded fishing gear in the P Ganges River poses a threat to wildlife such as the critically endangered three-striped roofed turtle and the endangered Ganges river dolphin, according to an international team including researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India. In the study, published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, surveys along the length of the river, from the mouth in Bangladesh to the Himalayas in India, show levels of waste fishing gear are highest near to the sea. The researchers noted that

ccording to a recent UNESCO developmental delays and disabili- MIT- Solve’s Early Childhood report, in India, 72 per cent ties. The program was implemented Development prize in New York, They combined existing in- The findings offer hope for A of 5-year old with disabilities in eight rural locations (blocks) USA, Spindle’s Most Inspiring Digital formation on entanglements of solutions based on “circu- have never attended any education- in the Districts of Tirunelveli and Innovation in Netherlands, World similar species worldwide with lar economy” where waste is al institution. Parents of children Tenkasi (population 3.1 million), Cerebral Palsy Day’s Major award in the new data on levels of waste dramatically reduced by re- with disabilities face higher physical State of Tamil Nadu (population 78 Medical/Therapeutics in Australia, fishing gear in the Ganges to es- using materials, according to and financial demands and stress million) in South India. Zero Project’s Inclusive Education timate which species are most Professor Heather Koldewey, levels, than other parents, because “My child has improvements Award presented at the United at risk. from the Zoological Society of of difficulties in getting qualified which means she can go to school Nations in Vienna, Austria, Nipman “There is no system for fish- London (ZSL). therapists, time required for tak- and integrate in society,” says one Foundation - Microsoft Equal ers to recycle their nets. Most “A high proportion of the ing the child to the therapy centres, of the parent. The program provides Opportunities Awards 2019 in India fishers told us they mend and fishing gear we found was made physical burden, social stigma, dis- access to early intervention services and the Vodafone Mobile for Good repurpose nets if they can, but of nylon 6, which is valuable and crimination in the community and/ in children’s own homes or nearby Award in India. if they can’t do that the nets are can be used to make products or within families, and the cost of centres, using the award-winning “It is our vision that no child often discarded in the river,” including carpets and clothing,” such services. mobile Village Based Rehabilitation should be denied of schooling expe- fishing nets all made of plastic species,” Nelms said. said Nelms. Koldeway said. Two recent studies conducted in - Early Intervention mobile app rience because of Disability,” says the were the most common type of The researchers used a list of “Many held the view that the “Collection and recycling of rural India gives hope to millions of (mVBR-EI) developed by Amar Seva Secretary of Amar Seva Sangam and gear found. 21 river species of “conserva- river ‘cleans it away’, so one use- nylon 6 has strong potential as preschool children and their care- Sangam. The app helps connect the Principal Investigator Sankara Interviews with local fishers tion concern” identified by the ful step would be to raise aware- a solution because it would cut givers by showing that providing Community Rehabilitation Workers Raman Srinivasan. An essential showed high rates of fishing Wildlife Institute of India in ness of the real environmental plastic pollution and provide an access to early intervention services to rehabilitation specialists and re- component of the program was edu- equipment being discarded in Uttarakhand. impacts,” she said. income,” she added. - PTI improves school enrollment and in- cords all assessments, therapy goals cation, training and support for the the river driven by short gear tegration for children with disabili- and plans, prescribed interventions, caregivers of the children receiving lifespans and lack of appropri- ties and reduces caregiver burden caregiver measures, developmen- therapy in the program, developing ate disposal systems, they said. and increases family empowerment. tal progress, school enrolment and care plans to prepare children for “The Ganges River supports Amar Seva Sangam, a not-for- access to government services. school enrolment and working with some of the world’s largest in- profit, non-governmental organi- Rehabilitation specialists support local schools on integrating children land fisheries, but no research zation in South India, developed the Community Rehabilitation with disabilities into the classroom has been done to assess plastic and implemented a family-centred, Workers and parents through joint setting. Care plans focused on train- pollution from this industry, community-based early interven- visits, phone calls, text messaging, ing caregivers on integrating thera- and its impacts on wildlife,” said tion rehabilitation programme and live video conferencing. This peutic activities into their child’s Sarah Nelms from the University called the mobile Village Based connection and data monitoring activities of daily living, fostering of Exeter in the UK. Rehabilitation - Early Intervention allows high quality therapy to be positive attitudes, increasing knowl- “Ingesting plastic can harm (mVBR-EI) to improve identifica- provided in a child’s own home or edge of their child’s disability, and wildlife, but our threat assess- tion and access to early intervention nearby village centres. increasing confidence in caring for ment focussed on entangle- therapy services for families with The app and program have re- their child, to improve their child’s ment, which is known to injure children under the age of six with ceived global recognition including functional abilities. – Agencies and kill a wide range of marine

Study finds Divorce impacts physical and mental health negatively

esearchers have been examining So, how can the findings help people The study published in the open-access the mental and physical effects of to navigate divorce with their health in- journal Frontiers in Psychology, suggests R divorce but may have missed an op- The mental and physical health of tact? Targeted interventions early dur- portunity to accurately characterize these divorcees was significantly worse than ing the process may be key. "We need that understanding these mental and effects, until now. Divorce is often a pro- evidence-based interventions that can the comparative background population physical health effects could assist tracted process, with many countries re- help divorcees immediately the following quiring a separation period before couples immediately the following divorce" divorce," said Hald. "These might include researchers in designing interventions that can apply for divorce. However, a long sep- face-to-face or digital interventions that help divorcees to get back on their feet aration may allow psychological wounds are designed to reduce the specific ad- to heal, and assessing divorcees after such on 1,856 very recent divorcees, who com- partner, and even having more previous verse mental and physical health effects of and avoid long-term repercussions. a period may underestimate their impact. pleted questionnaires about their back- divorces was associated with better men- divorce. Not only would this be beneficial "Previous studies have not investigated ground, health, and their divorce. tal health. Among women, earning more for divorcees, but it could also save money the effects of divorce without exten- Unsurprisingly, the study showed that money, having a new partner, and having by countering the negative impacts of sive separation periods occurring before a recent divorce takes an emotional and fewer previous divorces were associated divorce on work-place productivity, sick the divorce," said Prof Gert Hald, of the physical toll. "The mental and physi- with better physical health, while initiat- days, doctor visits and the use of health University of Copenhagen in Denmark. cal health of divorcees was significantly ing the divorce and having a new partner care facilities." "We were able to study divorcees who worse than the comparative background predicted better mental health. In another recent study, the research- had been granted a so-called 'immediate' population immediately the following di- However, one factor had a big influence ers developed an online digital solution divorce in Denmark and on average, these vorce," said Sander. on the divorcees -- conflict. "Across gen- called 'Cooperation After Divorce' that divorcees obtained a divorce within 5 days However, some interesting trends der, higher levels of divorce conflict were helps divorcees to significantly reduce C of filing for it." emerged from the data. For instance, found to predict worse mental health, such adverse mental and physical health M

This allowed Hald and colleagues, in- among men, earning more and being even when accounting for other socio- effects. The results of this latest study will Y

cluding Dr Soren Sander of the University younger predicted better physical health, demographic variables and divorce char- help them to refine such approaches in the K of Copenhagen, to obtain 'real-time' data while having more children, having a new acteristics," said Sander. future. -Agencies NEWS Wednesday| 02-12-2020 7 BioNTech/Pfizer Apply For EU Iran's Parliament Approval Of Covid-19 Vaccine advances bill to stop Agencies screening the BioNTech/Pfiz- er vaccine. nuclear inspections Frankfurt am Main, Germa- "We have known since the ny: Germany's BioNTech and beginning of this journey that Agencies ian applications. It would also its US partner Pfizer said on patients are waiting, and we commission new centrifuges Tuesday they had applied for stand ready to ship Covid-19 Tehran- Iran's Parliament on at nuclear facilities at Natanz EU regulatory approval for vaccine doses as soon as poten- Tuesday advanced a bill that and the underground Fordo their Covid-19 vaccine, raising tial authorisations will allow would end UN inspections of its site. hopes that the first jabs could us," Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla nuclear facilities and require The bill would require an- be administered in December. said. the government to boost its ura- other parliamentary vote to The two companies said A fellow frontrunner in nium enrichment if European pass, as well as approval by the they had submitted an applica- the global vaccine race, US bio- signatories to the 2015 nuclear Guardian Council, a constitution to the European Medicines tech company Moderna, said deal do not provide relief from tional watchdog. Agency (EMA) on Monday on Monday that it had sought oil and banking sanctions. The bill was first tabled emergency regulatory approv- The vote to debate the in parliament in August but al for its Covid-19 shot in both bill, which would need to pas gained new momentum after the United States and Europe. through several other stages the killing of Mohsen Fakhriza- The Moderna and Pfizer/ before becoming law, was a deh, who headed a programme BioNTech vaccines are both show of defiance after the kill- that Israel and the West have based on a new technology ing of a prominent Iranian nu- alleged was a military opera- that uses mRNA (messenger clear scientist last month. tion looking at the feasibility ribonucleic acid) to deliver genetic material to the body that Pandemic to fan surge in makes human cells create a seeking "Conditional Market- protein from the virus. ing Authorisation (CMA)" for This trains the immune sys- humanitarian needs in 2021: UN their vaccine. tem to be ready to attack if it en- The move comes after counters the novel coronavirus. large-scale tests showed their But Moderna's vaccine can Agencies planet," said UN humanitar- proportionately hard by rising vaccine was 95 percent effec- be kept in long term storage at ian chief Mark Lowcock, who food prices, falling incomes, tive against Covid-19 and trig- minus 20 degrees Celsius (mi- Geneva- The UN humanitar- heads OCHA. interrupted vaccination pro- gered no serious side effects. nus four degrees Fahrenheit) ian office says needs for as- For the first time since the grams and school closures. If approved by the Amster- while Pfizer's requires minus sistance have ballooned to 1990s, extreme poverty is go- The overview, which is dam-based EMA, the vaccine 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 unprecedented levels this year ing to increase, life expectancy billed as one of the most com- could potentially be rolled out degrees Fahrenheit). because of COVID-19, project- will fall, the annual death toll prehensive looks of the world's "in Europe before the end of The two vaccines have ing that a staggering 235 mil- from HIV, tuberculosis and humanitarian needs, has put to- 2020", the companies said in a been developed at breathtak- lion people will require help malaria is set to double, he gether nearly three dozen indi- statement. ing speed as part of an unprece- in 2021. said. We fear a near doubling vidual response plans for a total Pfizer and BioNTech al- dented effort to end a pandemic This comes as a result of in the number of people facing of 56 vulnerable countries. The official IRNA news of building a nuclear weapon. ready filed for emergency use that has infected more than 62 the coronavirus pandemic and starvation. Lowcock said the biggest agency said 251 lawmakers in The International Atomic authorisation with the US million people worldwide and global challenges including Lowcock told a UN brief- problem is in Yemen where the 290-seat chamber voted in Energy Agency says that struc- Food and Drug Administration killed more than 1.4 million. conflicts, forced migration and ing in New York on the over- there is danger of a large-scale favor, after which many began tured programme ended in on November 20. Pfizer and BioNTech have the impact of global warming. view that he thinks the UN famine now, saying a prime chanting Death to America! 2003. US intelligence agencies If US regulators give previously said they expect to The UN Office for the Coor- appeal will probably raise a reason is lack of funding from and Death to Israel! concurred with that assess- the green light, Americans manufacture up to 50 million dination of Humanitarian Af- record 20 billion by the end of Gulf countries that were major The bill would give Euro- ment in a 2007 report. could start getting vaccinated doses of their vaccine globally fairs, or OCHA, expects a 40% the year -- 2 billion more than donors in the past which has pean countries three months Israel insists Iran still around mid-December. this year, and up to 1.3 billion increase in the number of peo- last year. But he said the gap led to cuts in aid and the clos- to ease sanctions on Iran's key maintains the ambition of UK regulators are also doses by the end of 2021. ple in need of such assistance between needs and funding is ing of clinics. oil and gas sector, and to re- developing nuclear weapons, in 2021 compared to this year growing and the UN is look- He said the biggest finan- store its access to the interna- pointing to Tehran's ballistic a sign that pain, suffering and ing to new players coming on cial request is for the Syr- tional banking system. The US missile program and research torment brought by the coro- the scene in 2021, including ian crisis and its spillover to imposed crippling sanctions into other technologies. navirus outbreak and other US President-elect Joe Biden's neighbouring countries where on Iran after President Donald Iran long has maintained 'China Gave Covid Vaccine problems could get worse even new administration. millions of Syrians have fled Trump unilaterally withdrew that its nuclear programme is if hopes of a vaccine are rising. The UN aims to reach to escape the more than nine- from the nuclear agreement, for peaceful purposes. Candidate To Kim Jong UN' OCHA made the projections about two-thirds of those in year conflict. triggering a series of escala- Iran has blamed Fakhriza- in its latest annual Global Hu- need, with the Red Cross and OCHA said other countries tions between the two sides. deh's killing on Israel, which Agencies developing a coronavirus vac- manitarian Overview on Tues- other humanitarian organiza- in need include Afghanistan, The bill would have au- has long waged a covert war cine, including Sinovac Bio- day, saying its hopes to reach tions trying to meet the rest, Congo, Haiti, Nigeria, South thorities resume enriching against Tehran and its proxies Seoul: China has provided tech Ltd, CanSinoBio and Sino- 160 million of those people in Lowcock explained. Sudan, Ukraine and Venezu- uranium to 20%, which is be- in the region. Israeli officials North Korean leader Kim Jong phram Group. need will cost 35 billion. That's UN Secretary-General An- ela. Newcomers to this year's low the threshold needed for have declined to comment on Un and his family with an ex- Sinophram says its candi- more than twice the record 17 tonio Guterres said humani- list are Mozambique, where nuclear weapons but higher the killing, and no one has perimental coronavirus vac- date has been used by nearly billion that donors have provid- tarian aid budgets are now extremist activity has in- than that required for civil- claimed responsibility. cine, a US analyst said on Tues- one million people in China, ed for the international humani- facing dire shortfalls as the im- creased in the north, Pakistan day, citing two unidentified although none of the firms tarian response so far this year pact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Zimbabwe. Japanese intelligence sources. was known to have publicly and a target figure that is almost continues to worsen, and said Lowcock said it's not the Harry Kazianis, a North Ko- launched Phase 3 clinical tri- certain to go unmet. extreme poverty has risen for pandemic, but its economic im- Taliban-Afghan Government rea expert at the Center for the als of their experimental CO- The picture we're paint- the first time in more than a pact that's having the greatest National Interest think tank in VID-19 drugs. ing this year is the bleakest generation. effect on humanitarian needs. Some experts doubted that and darkest perspective on hu- The lives of people in ev- These all hit the poorest Agreement Marred By Kim would use an experimen- manitarian needs we've ever ery nation and corner of the people in the poorest countries tal vaccine set out, and that's because the world have been upended by hardest of all, he said. For the Document's Wording "Even if a Chinese vaccine pandemic has reaped carnage the impact of the pandemic, he poorest, the hangover from had already been approved, no across the most fragile and said. Those already living on a the pandemic will be long and Agencies drug is perfect and he would vulnerable countries on the knife's edge are being hit dis- hard." (AP) not take that risk when he has Kabul/Islamabad: A breakthrough on an initial agreement numerous shelters which can reached between Taliban and government negotiators has ensure almost complete isola- been held up at the last minute after the insurgent group tion," said Choi Jung-hun, an balked at the document's preamble because it mentioned the infectious disease expert who Saudi officially allows UAE-bound Afghan government by name. defected from North Korea to Teams representing the Taliban and the Afghan govern- the South in 2012. ment have been negotiating in the Qatari capital since Septem- Washington, said the Kims and Mark Barry, an East Asia Israeli fights to cross airspace ber to reach a consensus on the modalities of peace talks, mov- several senior North Korean of- analyst and associate editor of ing forward to help end decades of war in Afghanistan. ficials had been vaccinated. the International Journal on Agencies suade Saudi Arabia to allow by UAE's aviation authority "The negotiating teams have so far agreed on all 21 articles It was unclear which com- World Peace, said Kim would use of its airspace and Kush- "which includes the desire to that provide guiding principles for the negotiations," Afghan pany had supplied its drug candi- prefer proven European vac- Riyadh: Saudi Arabia agreed ner stepped in. allow flights coming to and President Ashraf Ghani's spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said in a date to the Kims and whether it cines to one supplied by Beijing. on Monday to let Israeli air- “We were able to recon- departing from the United statement on Monday. "At this time, they continue to debate had proven to be safe, he added. "The risk is too great. But liners cross its airspace en cile the issue,” the official Arab Emirates to all coun- the preamble, in which some issues need further clarification". "Kim Jong Un and mul- he's happy to get Chinese per- route to the United Arab told Reuters. tries to pass through the Government and diplomatic sources told Reuters that tiple other high-ranking of- sonal protective equipment," Emirates after talks between The agreement was ham- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's when it came to signing the document in November, which ficials within the Kim family Barry said on Twitter. Saudi officials and White mered out just hours before airspace". was to include references to the "Islamic Republic of Afghani- and leadership network have North Korea has not con- House senior adviser Jared Israel’s first commercial This will help the route stan" - the official name of the Afghan government, - the Tali- been vaccinated for coronavi- firmed any coronavirus in- Kushner, a senior Trump ad- flight to the UAE was planned of Israeli flights to UAE — ban backed off. rus within the last two to three fections, but South Korea's ministration official said. on Tuesday morning. The Is- to start from this month on- The Taliban refuse to refer to the Afghan negotiating team weeks thanks to a vaccine can- National Intelligence Service Kushner and Middle East rair flight was at risk of being wards — shorten by half. as representatives of the Afghan government, as they contest didate supplied by the Chinese (NIS) has said an outbreak envoys Avi Berkowitz and canceled with no overflight The permit was only valid the legitimacy of Ghani's election. government," Kazianis wrote there cannot be ruled out as Brian Hook raised the issue agreement. for the UAE and Israeli com- "(The government and Taliban) prepared to sign the agree- in an article for online outlet the country had trade and shortly after they arrived in An announcement by panies will not be allowed ment," a diplomat in Kabul familiar with process told Reuters, 19FortyFive. people-to-people exchanges Saudi Arabia for talks. Ac- Saudi Arabia's official news to use the Saudi Arabian adding that the chief Afghan government negotiator was to Citing US medical scientist with China - the source of the cording to the Israeli i24news, agency said that the king- airspace for flights to other sign the agreement as "chief negotiator for the Islamic Repub- Peter J. Hotez, he said at least pandemic - before shutting the the Tel Aviv administration dom's civil aviation author- countries, said Israel's local lic of Afghanistan". three Chinese companies were border in late January. asked Washington to per- ity had approved a request media report.

NEWS MAKERS Azerbaijan fully reclaims lands Thousands flee as activity in Lanka's highest court Indonesian volcanoes increases rejects petitions from around Nagorno-Karabakh Muslims against COVID-19 akarta: Indonesian authorities not raise Semeru’s alert status, which aku- Azerbaijan on are closely monitoring several already was at the third-highest level cremations Tuesday completed volcanoes after sensors picked since it began erupting in May. reclaiming terri- up increased activity in recent Villagers and tourists were ad- olombo, Dec 1: Sri Lanka's Supreme tory ceded by Arme- Jweeks, prompting the evacuation of vised to stay 4 kilometres (2.4 miles) Court on Tuesday dismissed peti- Bnia under a Russia-brokered thousands of people. from the crater, the agency said. tions filed by members of the Muslim peace deal that ended six Hot ash tumbled as far as 3,000 Tuesday’s eruption came two days community against the government's weeks of fierce fighting over meters (9,800 feet) down the slopes of after Mount Ili Lewotolok shot out col- Cregulation that makes cremations mandatory Nagorno-Karabakh. Mount Semeru early Tuesday, trigger- umns of hot clouds as high as 4,000 me- for COVID-related deaths. Azerbaijani President Il- ing panic among villagers, said Rad- ters (13,100 feet) into the sky. Some 12 petitioners had challenged ham Aliyev hailed the resto- itya Jati, the National Disaster Miti- More than 4,600 people were evac- the official gazette issued in April, ration of control over the ar- gation Agency spokesman. uated from the slopes of the mountain, claiming it impinged on the fundamental eas as a historic achievement. Falling ash and sulfur blanketed located on Lembata island in East rights of the island nation's 9 per cent We all lived with one several villages around its slopes. Nusa Tenggara province. Muslim minority. dream and now we fulfilled The 3,676-meter (12,060-feet) moun- The volcanology agency raised When the pandemic broke out in the it," Aliyev said in an address tain in Lumajang district is the high- Ili Lewotolok’s alert to the second- country, the Ministry of Health revised its to the nation. We won a vic- est volcano on Indonesia’s most dense- highest level on Sunday after sensors guidelines on March 31, ordering cremations tory on the battlefield and on der the control of ethnic Ar- In 44 days of heavy fighting ly island of Java. picked up increased activity. only for persons who succumbed to or were the political arena, and that menian forces backed by Ar- that began on September 27, the Jati said authorities were still try- The 1,423-metre (4,660-foot) mountain suspected to have died of COVID-19. victory opens a new era for menia since a separatist war Azerbaijani military routed Ar- ing to evacuate about 550 people living has been rumbling since October 2017. The guidelines were issued after a Muslim, our country. It will be an era there ended in 1994. That war menian forces and wedged deep on the mountain’s slopes. There were The Transportation Ministry said who tested COVID positive, passed away. of development, security and left not only Nagorno-Kara- into Nagorno-Karabakh, forc- no reports of injuries or serious dam- a flight warning was issued after the On April 11, the government issued a ga- progress." bakh itself but large chunks of ing Armenia to accept a Russia- age, he said. eruption and a local airport was closed zette notification making cremations manda- -Karabakh lies within surrounding lands in Arme- brokered peace deal that took Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geo- as ash rained down on many areas of tory for COVID-related deaths. Azerbaijan but has been un- nian hands. effect November 10. logical Hazard Mitigation Center did the island.

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