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Home , Farooq Abdullah, Noori (goat), Omar Abdullah

Vol.III, No.11, November, 2012 In this Issue ...

‡ DRDO’s lab wins award

‡ Home Minister Shinde visits J&K

‡ hosts Science Congress

‡ Z-Morh tunnel to facilitate all weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh

‡ Building bridges through football

‡ 7,000 J&K youth to get jobs under ‘Himayat’ scheme

‡ Sufi music concert

‡ Saras Mela provides platform to artisans

‡ School children from J&K meet President Mukherjee

‡ Reviving theatre in

Jammu & Kashmir Update is now on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JammuAndKashmirUpdate DRDO’s Ladakh lab wins award Defence Institute of High Altitude agriculture, animal husbandry and 5HVHDUFK ',+$5  WKH /HKEDVHG FROGGHVHUWÀRUDRI/DGDNK DRDO lab, was given a Council of 6FLHQWL¿F DQG ,QGXVWULDO 5HVHDUFK ',+$5 KDV LGHQWL¿HG YDULHWLHV DQG (CSIR) award by Prime Minister developed agro-practices of 78 for its efforts in types of vegetables and 30 types of developing agriculture in arid and high altitude medicinal and aromatic high altitude areas, at a function in plants to boost local production in New Delhi recently. WKHFROGGHVHUWUHJLRQRI/DGDNK vegetables, fruits, milk, meat, eggs, The CSIR Award for Science and It has developed and successfully commercialized seabuckthorn supplementary herbal products Technological Innovations for Rural and medicinal and aromatic plants Development (CAIRD) for the products. The seabuckthorn berries KDGQRFRPPHUFLDOYDOXHLQ/DGDNK to both the local population and year 2010 was received by DRDO GHIHQFHIRUFHVLQ/DGDNK Director Dr R B Srivastava and its till 2001. However, after setting up Chief Controller (Research and WKH ¿UVW VHDEXFNWKRUQ SURFHVVLQJ DIHAR, located at an altitude of 3500 Development), Dr. W Selvamurthy. XQLWLQ/HKVHDEXFNWKRUQFROOHFWLRQ PLVWKHEUDLQFKLOGRIWKH¿UVW3ULPH was taken as an important activity Minister of , Jawaharlal Nehru, The institute, through its pioneering and an additional source of income and was established in 1962 with the R&D efforts over the years, has for farmers. objective of becoming a world class brought about perceptible qualitative leader in the area of cold arid agro- and quantitative changes in DIHAR has helped enhance the availability of fresh foods such as animal technologies.

The eighth and Kashmir The main objective of holding the and technological understanding, Science Congress, themed event was to provide an opportunity improve research and teaching “Science, Technology and Regional to participants from Jammu and of sciences, improve quality of Development: Opportunities and Kashmir to interact with leading VFLHQWL¿F PDQSRZHU HQFRXUDJH Challenges”, was held at Kashmir scientists from other parts of the interdisciplinary research and University in Srinagar recently. FRXQWU\ EURDGHQ WKHLU VFLHQWL¿F SURPRWHDVFLHQWL¿FWHPSHU

2 Home Minister Shinde visits J&K

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde visited the and Jammu from October WR7KLVZDVKLV¿UVWYLVLWWR the region as Home Minister. Besides reviewing the security situation in the state, Shinde also assessed the progress of cross- /2& WUDGH DQG WRRN VWRFN RI HIIRUWVWRFRQVHUYH'DO/DNH He lauded the people of Jammu DQG.DVKPLUIRU¿JKWLQJWHUURULVP and putting the state back on the track of peace and prosperity, and said the Government of India had taken many steps to restore peace, but without their cooperation, they would not have succeeded. Highlighting the improvement in the security scenario in Kashmir, the Union Home Minister, who was accompanied by Chief Minister , went shopping for Kashmiri handicrafts in the Polo View market in Srinagar, and also drove through WKHFLW\¶V/DO&KRZNDUHD Shinde also visited the Shrine and paid obeisance at WKH VKULQH RI 6X¿ VDLQW 6KHLNK Nooruddin Noorani at Charar-e- Sharief.

The three-day event was inaugurated The state’s governor, N.N.Vohra, annually on the pattern of Indian by Vice President Mohammad VDLG WKH FORQLQJ RI WKH ZRUOG¶V ¿UVW Science Congress has been a Hamid Ansari, who underlined the , ‘Noori’, marked regular feature of the Jammu and enormous challenges that Jammu WKH EHJLQQLQJ RI D QHZ VFLHQWL¿F Kashmir State Council for Science and Kashmir faces in the area of revolution in the state. and Technology since 2005. science and technology education Scientists at the local Sher-e-Kashmir This has been made possible with and research infrastructure. University of Agricultural Sciences the support of the Department of Ansari said most of these challenges and Technology (SKUAST-K) cloned Science and Technology, Govt. of can be addressed by the adoption WKHZRUOG¶V¿UVWSDVKPLQDJRDWHDUOLHU India and the two state universities and implementation of various this year. - the and the schemes of the Government of India . Vohra, who is also the Chancellor that are aimed at attracting students of the Kashmir University, asked This was the fourth such meet towards science subjects. for better coordination between organised by Kashmir University. Similarly, various doctoral and post- the state planning department and Four earlier congresses were hosted doctoral fellowships to promote various universities in the state. by Jammu University. interest in research can also be Holding of Science Congress availed of, Ansari added.

3 Z-Morh tunnel to facilitate all weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh The foundation stone laying ceremony of the 6.5-km-long cost Rs. 5,500 crore, is likely to start in 2013. tunnel at Z-Morh, , was recently formalised in $WSUHVHQW/DGDNKUHPDLQVFXWRIIIRUVL[WRVHYHQPRQWKV the presence of Union Minister for Road Transport and of the year during winter due to heavy snowfall on the Highways C.P. Joshi, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minis- -DPPX6ULQDJDU=R]LOD.DUJLO/HK DQG WKH 0DQDOL6DU- ter Omar Abdullah, Union Renewable Energy Minister FKX/HKURXWHVWKDWFRQQHFW/HKWRWKHUHVWRIWKHFRXQWU\ and Congress general secretary Rahul It can only be reached by air during the winter months. Gandhi. 7KHVWUHWFKEHWZHHQ6ULQDJDUDQG/HKLVQRWRQO\LPSRU- The Z-Morh tunnel is a two-lane tunnel with parallel 6.5 tant for the strategic interests of the Indian Army, but also km long escape tunnel on a new alignment between IRU WKH VRFLRHFRQRPLF ZHOOEHLQJ RI WKH SHRSOH RI /D- *DJDQJLUDQG6RQDPDUJXQGHU6ULQDJDU/HKVHFWLRQRI dakh and holistic development of the state. NH-1 that will provide all weather connectivity between 6ULQDJDUDQG/HK This project will improve infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, increase the employment potential of local la- The total capital cost of the project will be Rs.2716.90 ERXUHUVIRUSURMHFWDFWLYLWLHVDQGJLYHD¿OOLSWRLQGXVWULDO crore, out of which approximately, Rs.36.48 crore will be growth and economic activities, with better commuting for land acquisition, rehabilitation, resettlement and pre- facilities in villages, towns and semi-urban and urban ar- construction. eas. =0RUK WXQQHO LV WKH ¿UVW RI WKH WZR WXQQHOV WR EH FRQ- The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Govern- VWUXFWHGRQWKH6ULQDJDU.DUJLO/DGDNKVWUHWFK ment of India has entrusted the implementation of this It will connect Srinagar with . The second tun- project to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). nel - the Zojila Tunnel - of 13.8 km length, estimated to

7KHJRYHUQPHQWLV¿UPDERXWGHDOLQJ launched Project Himayat in 2011 with the unemployment problem for a training-cum-placement-linked and is working towards creating skill development initiative for one new avenues of employment, ODNK\RXWKIURPWKHVWDWHLQQH[W¿YH besides raising awareness about job years. opportunities. The Union Cabinet has approved The Centre aims at providing jobs 235 crore rupees for the project, to 7,000 youth from Jammu and which mostly caters to youth from .DVKPLU GXULQJ WKH FXUUHQW ¿VFDO low-income families, and gives under the ‘Himayat’ scheme, Union priority to those with low educational Rural Development Minister Jairam TXDOL¿FDWLRQV Ramesh said in Mohali recently. Ramesh added that jobs have The Union Ministry of Rural already been provided to 1,700 Development and the Government EHQH¿FLDULHV VLQFH WKH SURJUDPPH of Jammu and Kashmir jointly was launched.

4 The 58th National School Games U-17 football tournament for boys concluded recently in Srinagar. Tripura beat Chandigarh in a thrilling penalty shootout LQWKH¿QDOV Twenty-seven teams participated in the tournament with about 470 players and RI¿FLDOV The matches were spread across four grounds in Srinagar, namely, the University of Kashmir, Bakshi Stadium, Islamia College and the Polo Ground. The organizers hoped the tournament would provide an opportunity to football lovers to witness some exciting action, further promote the game in the state and serve as an important medium to promote interaction and camaraderie among the young players. “Soccer and sports increase interaction between players. Athletes from various states talk to each other, exchange phone numbers, talk about their states and become friends. Such tournaments should be promoted in the future,” said S.D. Raman, coach of the Games Federation of India. Rajasthan team. The government is sparing no effort to ensure that Many said the players were models of national integration, sporting activities in the region get a boost, and talented friendship and amity. sportspersons from the state do not lack exposure or the facilities required to hone their skills, which would enable “It is a great feeling playing here. The weather in Punjab them to compete with the best in the country. is very different from the weather here. The ground and facilities are very good here. We played against Jammu A British missionary, Canon C E Tyndale Biscoe, who and Kashmir, Manipur, West Bengal and other teams was also the founder of Srinagar’s historic Biscoe School, from eastern and northeastern part of the country. It was introduced football in Kashmir in 1890. Over the years, a great experience playing against all these teams,” said football has become extremely popular. The state has Nishu Kumar, a player from Punjab. produced talented footballers like Abdul Majeed Kakroo, Mushtaq Ahmad Baba, Gulzar Ahmad, Muhammad The tournament was organized by the Department of Yousuf Dar, Ishfaq Ahmad and Mehrajuddin Wadoo. Youth Services and Sport, under the aegis of the School

7,000 J&K youth to get jobs under ‘Himayat’ scheme He said about 2,000 youth would WKDW ZKLOH  EHQH¿FLDULHV ZHUH made to sort out the problem of get appointment letters for various employed in Chandigarh, the rest of accommodation for these youths, jobs in October, and for 2012-13, them were absorbed by companies and added that steps like providing the government’s target is to provide LQ/XGKLDQD'HOKLDQG*XUJDRQDQG them vacant government houses employment to 7,000 youth from some in Jammu and Kashmir itself. and hostels are under consideration. Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Minister also promised The Centre is also trying to make the Ramesh was addressing a group enhanced support to project process of opening of bank accounts RI EHQH¿FLDULHV LQFOXGLQJ ZRPHQ EHQH¿FLDULHV DQG VDLG WKDW WKH SRVW IRU WKHVH EHQH¿FLDULHV KDVVOHIUHH IURP IDUÀXQJ DUHDV RI -DPPX DQG placement support (PPS) had been he said. Kashmir. revised from the present Rs.2000 to Rs.12000 to facilitate candidates The programme is part of Prime Under the scheme, people have in addressing their initial settlement Minister Manmohan Singh`s vision been placed at entry-level positions problems outside of their homes. for creating employment for the in hospitality, insurance and other youth of Jammu and Kashmir. sectors, Ramesh said, adding He said that efforts would also be

5 Sufi music concert Saras Mela provides p

Kashmir has a unique way of life that ³/LVWHQLQJ WR 6X¿ PXVLF DQG is a synthesis of a variety of cultures ghazals was a part of the culture of DQGUHOLJLRXVLQÀXHQFHV7KLVFXOWXUDO Kashmir. For the last two decades, ethos is known as and, WKHUHZHUHQR6X¿PXVLFFRQFHUWV it symbolizes religious and social The tourism department thought harmony and brotherhood. of organising such programmes, as tourism was on the revival 6X¿VDLQWVZKRSUHDFKHGXQLYHUVDO path, and we invited an artist who humanism, compassion, peace, is liked by the music lovers. The love, brotherhood and equality, and main aim behind the concert is to knitted together people of different promote the ,” faiths, castes and creeds, had a said Parvez. VLJQL¿FDQWLPSDFWRQWKHHYROXWLRQRI WKLVFXOWXUHDQGDGHHSLQÀXHQFHRQ Zahida Parveen, a resident of the the social, religious and cultural life area, said such initiatives would of the people. boost tourism in the state. The Department of Tourism recently “Such events will provide a boost RUJDQLVHGD6X¿PXVLFFRQFHUWDWWKH to the tourism sector. It is also a Sher-e-Kashmir Convention Centre source of entertainment for the in Srinagar to promote this aspect of locals, and, it will raise awareness the state’s culture. DERXW6X¿VPDPRQJWKH\RXQJHU Around 150 skilled crafts persons generation,” said Parveen. $ SHUIRUPDQFH E\ UHQRZQHG 6X¿ from 16 states participated in the singer Zila Khan was appreciated by The return of peace and normalcy handicrafts fair- Saras Mela -- that was organised in Srinagar recently. the audience. LVUHÀHFWHGE\WKHUHYLYDORIYDULRXV cultural activities in Jammu and The fair, known as SARAS or Speaking on the occasion, Talat Kashmir. Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Parvez, Director of the Department Societies, is an initiative of the of Tourism, said that such events 7KH UHFHQW KROGLQJ RI WKH 6X¿ Ministry of Rural Development. SURPRWH WKH LGHRORJ\ RI 6X¿VP music concert in Srinagar is yet that is an integral part of Kashmir’s another indicator of this fact. The objective of the fair was to cultural heritage. promote rural products, provide employment opportunities to crafts persons and enable them to showcase their creativity. It also aimed to remove middlemen who act as the go between a craftsperson and a local buyer, DQGHQVXUHGJUHDWHUSUR¿WVIRUWKH artisans. Participants at the seventh ‘Saras Mela’ showcased an impressive range of rural products, which attracted a large number of visitors. “The government has come up with a very good scheme. Artisans from U.P. (Uttar Pradesh), Bihar and Punjab came here and set up their stalls. We (Kashmiri artisans) showcased our products here. Many people came here to buy and sell things. The items sold here were cheaper than what is available in the local market,” said a stall owner, Nazir Ahmad Ahmed. The fair, sponsored by the State’s

6 s platform to artisans School children from J&K meet President Mukherjee

Children from remote villages of the /DGDNKUHJLRQDQGIURPWKH%DGJDP district of Jammu and Kashmir, and from the Kokrajhar and Chirang districts of Assam, met President at Rashtrapati Bhavan recently. The children were visiting Delhi as part of Operation Sadbhavana organized by the Indian Army. The programme is intended to reinforce the spirit of nationalism and patriotism amongst the younger generation in these areas. Under the programme, young people from troubled areas are taken on tours to different parts of the country Ministry of Rural Development, to expose them to the rich and provided a platform to rural artisans diverse social and cultural heritage and local self help groups. RI WKH QDWLRQ DQG WR JHW D ¿UVWKDQG “It is sort of providing marketing experience of latest developments facilities to the people, for those in all spheres of life, to help them to artisans who make things directly widen their horizon with the purpose, 5000-year-old civilization, he told the to earn a livelihood. We are trying that on their return to their states, they students that wherever they go in to provide them the marketing would spread goodwill and messages ,QGLDWKH\ZLOO¿QGDQFLHQWKLVWRU\DQG facilities in order to eliminate the of peace and prosperity. middlemen,” said Director of the civilization co-existing with a rising Rural Development Department Speaking on the occasion, President modern state. (Kashmir), Altaf Ahmad Mir. Mukherjee congratulated the army He described the fact that India allows on its initiative of exposing the young The SARAS Mela aims to give differences to exist side by side in people of Jammu and Kashmir and artisans exposure and interaction peace and harmony as the core of Assam to the rest of India. on a big platform. civilization. He said it is important that the people Participation in these exhibitions He asked the youth to take back with of these areas feel connected with the KDVJLYHQD¿OOLSWRWKHFRQ¿GHQFH them the message of peace, harmony rest of the country. and enthusiasm of rural artisans, and friendship to their hometowns and opened new opportunities for them Referring to India’s diversity and spread the same across the country. and improved their awareness level.

7 Reviving theatre in Kashmir

Kashmir has a rich tradition of theatre, which is an inte- gral part of its culture. In an effort to revive theatre, an 11-day comedy drama festival was recently held in Srinagar. It was organized by the Jammu Kashmir Film Makers DQG$UWLVWV&RRSHUDWLYH/WG -.)0$& LQFROODERUDWLRQ with the State Information Department and the Jammu DQG.DVKPLU$FDGHP\RI$UW&XOWXUHDQG/DQJXDJHV The Governor of the state, N N. Vohra, inaugurated the event. Speaking on the occasion, Governor Vohra suggested the setting up of a cultural centre in the state which would remain active throughout the year, organising drama and art festivals, so that the talent of budding artists from each of the three regions of the state- -DPPX WKH .DVKPLU 9DOOH\ DQG /DGDNK  FRXOG EH groomed and cultural traditions revived. Additional Director General Doordarshan, Ashok Jailkhani, said that such festivals should be organised more often. “If theatrical activities and shows are organised on a regular basis, then people would connect with them, enjoy them and start attending such shows. This can help bridge the gap between the audience and theatre. The responsibility has to be taken by the actors, direc- tors and writers of the plays who should choose such topics and issues, which are related to the day-to-day life of the common man so that they can connect with it,” said Jailkhani. The festival aimed to revive the creative atmosphere of the 1970s and 1980s, when cultural activities were at their peak in the state. An artist, Rani Bhan, applauded the efforts being made to revive theatre in the state. “I feel really nice that we are trying to revive theatre culture. Theatre has always been a part of Kashmir’s culture when we look back into history. We want that more and more people should participate, and we are happy that we are being provided an opportunity to per- form,” said Bhan. During the festival, artists performed plays written and directed by well-known writers and theatre personalities LQ.DVKPLUL8UGX'RJULDQG/DGDNKLZKLFKUHÀHFWHG the cultural heritage of Jammu, the Kashmir Valley and /DGDNK

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