Mvkashmir Mountainvalleykashmir mvkashmir http://mvkashmir.

com/e-paper
WEATHER
weather
WISDOM
WISDOM SRINAGAR
srinagar
QUOTE
QUOTE Oo
058 Cc
Why do you
Always stayyour
forgive in prison, when
enemies; JAMMU
JAMMU
18
22 Cc
Oo
the door is so wide open?
nothing annoys them so much.”
-- Rumi
-- Oscar Wilde Friday, 18 Feb,
THURSDAY 20222021
30 DEC,
7:36
7:14 AM
am SunriseINinSRINAGAR
SUNRISE Srinagar

thursday, 1729Feb,
WEDNESDAY, DEC,2022
2021
RNI No: 52470 5:30
6:16 PM
pm SunsetIN
SUNSET inSRINAGAR
Srinagar

www.mvkashmir.com thursdAY || DECEMBER

WEDNESDAY february 17,
29,2022
2021 14 Rajab
24 Jumada 1443 1443 AH
Al-Awwal, Srinagar||Volume:
Srinagar Volume:28
29 ||No:
No:133
42 ||Pages:
Pages:12
12||Price:
Price:Rs.5/-
Rs.5/- Postal Regn. No. JKNP-170/S KGPO-2012-14

Delimitation Panel Scripts Revocation of Art 370 Has

Story Of Disempowerment Of Kashmir, Made Kashmir Issue More
Complicated: Mehbooba
Jammu’s Far-flung Areas: NC MVK Correspondent

MVK Correspondent
SRINAGAR, FEB 16: National
Conference has accused the
Delimitation Commission of
scriptingastoryofdisempowerment
and disenfranchisement of Kashmir
and farflung unattended areas of
Jammu.
Objecting to its proposals, the
party has said the Commission
has “arbitrarily devised some
unknown criteria while
apportioning and identifying
increased seven seats.”
“It has selectively applied the
criteria so fixed and thereafter
allotted seats compromising the
fundamental principle of
population as the main criteria,”
the National Conference has said
in the objections filed to the
Commission’s draft proposal, and
circulated to media today.
“Without prejudice to our stand
set out in the Preliminary
Comments/ objections, it is
submitted that the Commission
while preparing Working Papers
2-6 has given a complete go by
the fundamental principles of
universal application that govern
a delimitation exercise,” the party
said, adding, “The democracy as
the often stated ‘quote’ emphasises
means ‘government of the people,
by the people and for the people’….
The population in such an exercise
obviously takes the centre stage,
is of primary focus and variation
in population is the main
consideration.”
The object of the delimitation
exercise, party said, is to ensure
the people have equal
representation as is mandated by
the fundamental principles of
democracy.
“The Commission while making
the exercise, as evident from a
bare look on the Working Papers
2-6 and the annexures to this
response has not at all adhered
to this fundamental principle. The
population has been pushed to
the backseat and other
consideration allowed to play the
pivotal role.”
The Commission, party said,
has “arbitrarily devised some
unknown criteria while
apportioning and identifying
increased 7 seats and selectively
applied the criteria so fixed and
thereafter allotted seats
compromising the fundamental
principle of population as the main
criteria.” The increased seats have
been arbitrarily allotted even in
violation of -10% and +10 % of the
average criteria fixed.
“The criteria provided that
while 136304 would be average
population of an Assembly
Segment, -10 % allowance would
See....NC....On Page 10
SRINAGAR, FEB 16: Peoples Democratic
Party chairperson Mehbooba Mufti on
Wednesday said that revocation of Article
370 has made resolution of Kashmir issue
more complicated.
Responding to a query over the ‘frequent
house arrests’ of PAGD leaders on the
sidelines of a condolence meet at Pahnoo
Shopian, Mehbooba as per GNS said; “PAGD
aims to restore the honour and dignity
of Jammu and Kashmir. Thousands of our
youth are jailed outside, our journalists
who bring forth the reality are jailed,
commoners are being harassed. PAGD outside, how come the parents of such
raises its voice on these issues, the central children would go there. Every time PAGD
government does not want someone to raises its voice on such issues, it pinches
talk about the reality – they want that a the Central Government”, she said.
message be carried that everything is On Hijab Issue, Mehbooba said: “There
normal in J&K.” are diverse religions in India who wear
She added: “They want to give an different dresses, eat differently, but BJP
impression that by revocation of Article wants to create Godse’s Hindustan (India)
370, they have solved the ‘Kashmir dispute’. and asks to wear same dresses; they ask
But it is contrary to that. After revocation not to don caps (skull caps), don’t do Hijab,
of Art 370 they have made the Kashmir don’t eat meat and ask to speak in one
dispute more complicated to be solved. language – This is not Hindustan, this is
They are muzzling the voices of people. not Gandhi’s Hindustan.”
Children of poor families are held in jails See....Mehbooba....On Page 10

ACB arrests SIA arrests 10 Renaming constituencies

Sarpnach for
accepting bribe
MVK Correspondent
SRINAGAR, FEB 16: Anti-
Corruption Bureau (ACB) Wednesday
trapped and arrested a Sarpanch
from Khulchohar village of Anantnag
district for accepting bribe of Rs 6,500
for approving work files related to
works executed by the complainant.
A statement issued to the news
agency—Kashmir News Observer
(KNO) reads that Anti-Corruption
Bureau received a complaint, wherein
the complainant alleged that Sarpanch
See....ACB....On Page 10
LG greets people
on Sant Guru
Ravidas Jayanti
JAMMU, FEB 16: Lieutenant
Governor Manoj Sinha, has greeted
the people on the auspicious occasion
of Sant Guru Ravidas Jayanti.
In a message, the Lt Governor
said Guru Ji's vision on humanism,
social equality, compassion and
See....LG....On Page 10
OGW’s of JeM in serves no purpose: Vakil
Kashmir MVK Correspondent According to a statement
issued to the news agency—
MVK Correspondent SRINAGAR, FEB 16 : Senior Kashmir News Observer (KNO),
vice President Peoples Vakil was addressing party
SRINAGAR16-FEB; The State Conference and former minister workers in Srinagar today said
Investigation Agency (SIA), a newly carved- Abdul Gani Vakil has alleged that the working of Delimitation
out wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police that the Delimitation Commission is already under
on Wednesday arrested ten people allegedly Commission has violated all question for favoring a
working as ‘overground workers’ (OGWs) the norms while creating and particular political party as is
of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed militant defining new constituencies reflected in their draft
group. without taking into proposals.
SIA having a mandate to investigate consideration population area “I also fail to understand
crimes connected with militancy and & terrain. See....Vakil....On Page 10
secessionism conducted raids overnight
See....SIA....On Page 10
Administration tells
Hanjura back to media men not to move
PDP as General close to sinkhole
Secretary MVK Correspondent
SRINAGAR, FEB 16: Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Ghulam ANANTNAG, FEB 16: Administration Wednesday warned
Nabi Lone Hanjura on Wednesday joined Journalists against moving close to a sinkhole at Wandevalgam
back as party’s General Secretary and area of Kokernag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag.
said that all the issues, which led to the “It has been observed that despite restrictions being imposed
resentment have been sorted. on any assembly of general public or movement of individuals
See....Hanjura....On Page 10 near sinkhole at Wandevalgam on 11 February 2022 by
See....Sinkhole....On Page 10

Woman injured
in accident near
Bemina Srinagar
MVK Correspondent
SRINAGAR, FEB 16: A woman was
injured in a head-on collision between
a private car and an armoured vehicle
of the paramilitary SSB near Bemina
area of Srinagar on Tuesday.
Official sources told GNS that
See....Bemina....On Page 10
Sopore town
craves for
J&K youth deserve protection of their 78.43% STUDENTS PASS 10TH
employment rights, identity: Dr Farooq
MVK Correspondent
JAMMU, FEB 16 : National
Conference (NC) President Dr
Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday
stated that the youth of J&K
deserve protection of their
employment rights and identity.
This, he said, while addressing
the party's YNC functionaries
at his Jammu residence.
Interacting with the youth he
said that the youth are the active
change- makers, future
CLASS EXAMINATION
influencers and important stake-
holders of the future of Jammu
MVK Correspondent
SRINAGAR, FEB 26 : Girl students fared
better than their male counters by a thin
margin in the 10th class, the result of
which was declared by the Jammu and
Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE)
on Saturday.
A total of 72684 students— 37045
boys and 37045 girls —had appeared in respectively, they said.
the examination held amid covid-19 The government schools have also
and Kashmir.
pandemic last year, officials told GNS.
78.43% cleared the examinations and
fared better than previous. 67.25% students
out of total 38721 who appeared in
See....Farooq....On Page 10 include 78.74% girls and 78.14% boys See....Students....On Page 10

dumping site
MVK Correspondent
SOPORE, FEB 16: Signifying failure
of authorities in north Kashmir's
Sopore town to put in place effective
measures for solid waste management,
as their failure to arrange a garbage
dumping facility here has evoked
widespread resentment among the
locals as heaps of domestic and market
waste are lying scattered across the
town.
Notably, the Sopore town in North
Kashmir has been craving for a proper
dumping site for the last many
See....Sopore....On Page 10
J&K Reports 230 CS interacts with representatives of FCIK
Covid-19 Cases,
No Death
MVK Correspondent
SRINAGAR, FEB 16; Jammu and Kashmir
on Wednesday reported 230 new covid-19
cases, the lowest single-day count in six
weeks, even as there was no death due to
the pathogen for the third consecutive day
on Wednesday, officials said.
They said 126 of the cases were from
Jammu Division and 104 from Kashmir
See....Covid-19....On Page 10
MVK Correspondent
SRINAGAR, FEB 16 : Chief Secretary,
Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta today interacted
with representatives of Federation
Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK),
who called on him here today at Civil
Secretariat.
During a marathon interaction, a range
See....CS....On Page 10
Dimple lead protest against
installation of smart meters
& privatization of PDD
Department
JAMMU,CNS,16-FEB; Sunil Dimple president
Jammu west assembly movement led a strong protest
along with the traders, prominent citizens, resident
of west assembly against the J&K Govt decision to
install smart meters & privatization of the Pdd
department in jammu Kashmir regions,
Addressing the protesters Sunil Dimple warned
that they will start mass agitation against the decision
See....Dimple....On Page 10

        CMYK        
2 news
NEWS SRINAGAR
thursDAY | 17-february-2022
WEDNESDAY | 29-DEC-2021

Guru Ravi Dass Jayanti Celebrated With Religious

Fervour And Gaiety In Erstwhile District Doda
Amir Iqbal Khan
Bhadarwah, Feb:-16:- The 645th
Birthday of famous saint Guru Ravi
Dass Ji was celebrated with full
religious fervor and gaiety all over
erstwhile district Doda on Wednesday.
The main function at Bhadarwah
was held at Historical Seri Bazar by
"Sant Ravi Dass Sabha Bhadarwah
and a large number of devotees
including men, women and children
thronged the Guru Ravi Dass temple
at Dhalain to participate in the
celebrations.
The religious scholars and Gurus
threw light on the life and teachings
of Guru Ravi Dass Ji whose message
was all human beings are children
of one God and equal before him.
Describing Guru Ravi Dass a great
saint, scholar, philosopher and a
social reformer, the speakers said
that he worked for his entire life
towards the betterment of society.
"The best tribute to this great saint
will be that we should follow his
foot steps and work for betterment
of mankind as a whole by creating
a casteless society", speakers observed
adding that Guru Ravidas had said
on humanism, "If God actually resides
in every human being, then it's quite
futile to segregate persons on the Earlier, special Jhankis(Nagar where people organised special
basis of castes, creeds and other such Kirtan) depicting the life and meetings and prayers to pay obeisance
hierarchical social orders which is preachings of Saint along with to the world famous saint of fourteenth
contrary to ultimate Master's processions attended by thousands century.
creativity. of devotees who had come from It may be recalled that Guru
Speaking on the occasion, different nooks and corners of Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated to mark
president of Sant Ravi Dass Sabha Additional district Bhadarwah, were the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas
Bhadarwah Omi Chand Bhagat said taken out that passed through main who was a mystic poet-saint of the
that Guru Ji was a great saint of Bhakti township amidst chanting of Bhajans, bhakti movement. Ravidas was the
Movement and he revolutionized hymns and devotional songs praising founder of the Ravidassia religion.
the entire society. He was against the lordship of Guru Ravi Dass ji According to the Hindu
the untouchability and launched a which finally joined with the other calendar,Guru Ravidas Jayanti, is
crusade against the same. "For him, processions in Famous Ghatha Ravi observed on Magh Poornima (the
all human beings were the children Dass temple where assembly of special full moon day in Magh month). While
of one God and equal before him," prayers and sermons were organised as per the Gregorian calendar, the
he said. in which devotees performed aarti festival falls in the month of February.
The function was coordinated while reading Amritbani of Guru As per historical testimony, Shri
by general secretary of the Sabha Ravidas Ji. Ravidas was born in an underprivileged
Swami Raj. In his address, General All temples across the erstwhile family at Seer Govardhanpur village
Secretary appealed for unity among district Doda in concordance with in Varansai, Uttar Pradesh. Guru
the people to fight the coming the nation were adorned with Ravidas is also known as Raidas,
challenges facing the community. colourful lights in the evening. Some Rohidas and Ruhidas. Ravidas was
He condemned the communal forces people were seen dressed in Guru's a progressive thinker who spread
who are polarising the society and attires and his supporters who the message of equality through his
creating wedge amongst different performed Nag Kirtan which is said poems and teachings based on
sections of society for their mere to be the prime feature of the festival. spirituality. Guru Ravidas is said to
political gains and at the same time Local administration had made have written several hymns and
age old traditions of mutual special security arrangements on some of them were embraced by
brotherhood and conventional ethos this occasion. Sikhism's holy book, the Guru Granth
is being eroded. Meanwhile, similar religious Sahib. His birthplace is now known
Bhajan Kirtan and Satsang were functions were held at Doda, Thathri, as Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan
also held. After the function the Gandoh, Assar, Bhagwah and Batote and is a major place of pilgrimage
devotees were served prashad. sub-division and tehsil headquarters for the followers of Guru Ravidas.

Review of the progress of Samba Campus of Additional SP Kishtwar

Visited Saroor area of

SKUAST J by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor

Drabshalla to review the
security scenario of the Area

Haq Nawaz Nehru Doda.
Prof. J.P. Sharma Hon’ble
Vice Chancellor SKUAST-
Jammu visited Krishi
Vigyan Kendra, Samba. Dr.
S.K. Gupta Registrar,
SKUAST Jammu, Dr.
Pradeep Walli, , Director
Research, S. Iqbal Singh,
Executive Engineer
accompanied Vice
Chancellor during his visit.
At the onset, Hon’ble Vice
Chancellor was welcomed
by Dr. Vinod Gupta, Senior
Scientist & Head KVK
Samba along with KVK
staff. Prof. J.P. Sharma
appreciated the Scientists
and the staff of the KVK
for the recent initiative
taken for the welfare of the
farming community of the
District Samba. Further
during his visit to Seed
Production Farm of KVK
Samba at village Mananu,
he directed Estate Officer,
SKUAST Jammu for timely
completion of fencing work
of KVK land at village
Mananu.
During his visit, Prof.
J.P. Sharma directed
Director Research SKUAST
Jammu to adopt high
yielding varieties of Pulses,
Wheat and Oilseed crops
at Seed Production Farm
at village Mananu so that
quality seed may be
produced for farmers of
the district Samba. He also
held a discussion with the
scientific staff of KVK
Samba and Pulse Research
Sub Station, Samba. His
discussion with staff of
KVK Samba and PRSS
Samba was mainly focussed
on increasing the farmers
income manifold through
establishing marketing
linkages and branding of
agriculture and veterinary
products.
Dr. Pardeep Walli,
from Directorate of
Research SKUAST Jammu.
Initially, Dr Vinod
Gupta, Sr. Scientist & Head,
KVK Samba presented a
detailed report of work
done by KVK for the benefit
of the farming community
and assured Hon’ble Vice
Chancellor that the team
of KVK Samba is always
present for the development
of Agriculture and allied
activities at district Samba. Dar Nazir Kishtwar.
Dr, Sanjeev Kumar, I/c
PRSS Samba, Dr. Sanjay Kishtwar Feb.16: Sh. Rajinder Singh JKPS Additional
Khajuria, Dr. Neerja SP Kishtwar today visited saroor area to review the
Sharma, Dr. A.K. Sinha, security situation in the area. He visited Badhaat,
Dr.Brij Nandan, Dr. Saurav Kraalpora, Sheikh pora, Bugrana, Badhoti and Kalshanga
Gupta, Dr. Vijay Kumar villages alongwith other officers. The officers interacted
Sharma, Dr. Amit Mahajan, with people and sought their feed back about general
Director Research, Dr. Shalini Khajuria and security in the area and issues related to police working.*
SKUAST-J assured the staff Bharat Bhushan along with Thereafter a PCPG meeting was also conducted at
of KVK Samba for all other staff members were village Badhoti in which many people of the area including
possible technical support present during the meeting Sarpanch other PRI members and local local leaders
also participates. The issues projected by the participants
got noted and participants appreciated the working of

ACD Doda withheld the DODA POLICE ARRESTED TWO local police. The officer emphasised upon the benefits
of close police -public relations and also asked the youth
salary of Panchayat
BOOTLEGGERS AT BHADERWAH & ASSAR
and students to stay away from drugs.
*During the visit Additional SP Mr. Singh also inspected
Secretaries for dismal various police pickets and SOG camps during the visit

performance in timely AND RECOVERED ILLICIT LIQUOR/LAHAN and directed the police officials to remain alert on duty
and respond to any emergent situation without delay.*

payments under MGNREGA
Haq Nawaz Nehru Doda.
Doda, February 16:Taking strong cognizance of the
issue regarding poor performance in timely payments
being under MGNREGA program, Assistant Commissioner
Development Doda Phulail Singh today issues order of
withholding the salary of defaulter Panchayat Secretaries
working in various blocks across the district.
The order issued by the ACD reads out that timely
payment is one of the key indicator to ensure proper
implementation of the MGNREGA program in the UT
as well as in the district which is being monitored by
the higher authorities regularly and even after the
repeated warnings twenty four panchayat secretaries
have failed to improve the performance in their respective
panchayats under timely payment indicator.
POLICE DESTROYED 60
Haq Nawaz Nehru Doda.
Doda Police said that in two
separate case FIRs registered at Police
Station Bhaderwah and Police Station
Assar, Police has apprehended two
accused persons and recovered illicit
Liquor and Lahan from their
possession which they have carried
for illegally selling purpose in rural
areas of Bhalra and Assar.
In case FIR No. 20/2022, U/S 48
(b) & (c) Excise Act. registered at
Police Station Bhaderwah, a Police
Team led by PSI Bhopinder Sharma
Incharge Police Post Bhalra
apprehended one Vipon Kumar S/O
Des Raj R/O Himote Bhalra and
recovered 15 litters of Lahan and 2
litter of Liquor from his possession,
the said accused person is
manufacturing and carrying illicit
Liquor for selling purpose in general
area of Bhalra
In another case FIR No. 03/2022,
U/S 48 (a) Excise Act. Police party
led by Insp Bhovinder Singh SHO
Police Station Assar apprehended a
bootlegger namely Rajinder Singh
S/O Thakur Dass R/O Babroo, Tehsil
Assar at Assar Police Naka and
recovered 13 bottles of JK Special
Whisky which he was illegally
carrying for selling purpose in general
areas of Assar and Bugger. Investigation
of both the cases is going on.
Both these recoveries and arrest
of accused persons were made under
the close supervision of Sh. Meer
Ghafoor SDPO Bhaderwah and Sh.
Showkat Ahmed Dy. SP DAR Doda
respectively.
DODA POLICE ARRESTED
A NOTORIOUS DRUG
SUPPLIER
Haq Nawaz Nehru Doda.
Doda Police said that a Police team led by Incharge
Police Post PSI Gourav Sharma under the supervision
of Insp Arun Sharma SHO Police Station Doda and Sh.
Jaswant Singh Dy. SP Hqrs Doda has succeeded in
apprehending accused namely Surinder Singh S/O Hans
Raj of Chakra Bhatti, Tehsil Bhalla Bhaderwah after
their strenuous effort. Police said that the accused was
wanted in case FIR No. 08/2022, U/S 08/15 NDPS Act.
registered at PS Doda and Case FIR No. 22/2022, U/S
08/15 NDPS Act. registered at Police Station Thathri, in
both these cases Poppy Straw weighting 9 Kg.

LITER LAHAN PREPARED

FOR THE DISTILLATION OF Poonch admin mulls major crackdown to curb illegal mining
DESI LIQUOR DC orders lodging of FIR against perpetrators; eviction of Stone Crushers running on state land
Haq Nawaz Nehru Doda. POONCH, FEBRUARY minerals and to install The Deputy Department was also asked
16: District Administration boards at prominent places Commissioner impressed to keep a close check on
Police said that after developing a specific information Poonch has decided to to notify rates of minor upon the Task Force to work illegal extraction from the
regarding the distillation of Desi Liquor in Pora Bala launch a major crackdown minerals. in close coordination and river beds and immediately
village of Changa Tehsil. A police party led by Incharge against illegal mining and Chairing a meeting of liaison for checking illegal report the matter to
Police Post Changa raided the houses of Mool Nath and Stone Crushers running on the Multi Departmental mining in the district. He enforcement agencies on
Ghulab Singh, on seeing the Police party all the family state land and in violation District Level Task Force asked the SSP Poonch to seeing any such activity.
members fled away from the spot. Panch and other of prescribed norms. in his office chamber here provide all possible support The meeting was
Respectable people of the same village were called on Deputy Commissioner, today, he directed to evict to the checking squads to attended by Senior
the spot and search was conducted. During search Inder Jeet has directed the stone crushers built on state put in place a robust and Superintendent of Police,
Police party recovered 60 liter Lahan prepared for the District Mineral Officer to land and said sealing of formidable mechanism to Rohit Baskotra; Additional
distillation of Desi Liquor by the family members of lodge FIR against persons those running without GST tighten noose around the Deputy Commissioner, Dr.
above named persons. The Lahan was destroyed on found indulging in illegal bill.The meeting also implementation of notified E-Auction of minor mineral perpetrators. Basharat Hussain; Assistant
spot in presence of Panch of the same Ward. extraction of minor disc ussed t he rate of minor mineral and Blocks in the district. The Irrigation Commissioner Revenue.

        CMYK        
 NEWS thursDAY 17-february-2022
TUESDAY | 23-FEBRUARY-2021
SRINAGAR
3
Secretary, DARPG, CS review functioning of DGGI portal
for J&K, also review progress of UT on NeSDA-2021
J&K achieved first rank among UTs in NeSDA-2021
DGGI portal, dashboard huge administrative reform of National significance: Secretary DARPG
Reforms will make districts result-oriented on services, improve their public service delivery mechanism: CS
SRINAGAR, FEB 16: The Secretary, He added that to reap the benefits (RAS) platform so that J&K can
Department of Administrative of DGGI for each district and improve improve the performance on NeSDA
Reforms and Public Grievances governance and public service and become number one performing
(DARPG), GoI and the Chief Secretary, delivery, this portal has been formed UT among all States and UTs of the
J&K, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta today which will make them result-oriented country.
co-chaired a meeting to review the on services provided and also improve Dr. Mehta asked the officers of
development and functioning of their public service delivery the IT department to calibrate the
District Good Governance Index mechanism. The Chief Secretary services on the RAS platform as per
(DGGI) portal and Dashboard for the directed the officers to host diverse the public feedback received. He also
Union Territory of Jammu and information on the DGGI dashboard asked them to launch an awareness
Kashmir. alongside the results of the index so campaign for the public so that
The meeting was attended by that the public gets aware about the maximum people can register
Principal Secretary, General performance of their respective feedback regarding the services
Administration Department, Manoj districts. provided through the RAS platform.
Kumar Dwivedi; DG IMPARD, Saurabh The Chief Secretary also directed Pertinently, RAS provides a
Bhagat; Secretary IT, Prerna Puri; the officers of Planning Department platform for submitting the online
Secretary, PDMD, Sushma Chauhan; to utilize the services of District applications for different services
CEO, JKEGA, Amit Sharma, senior Statistics Evaluation Officers (DSEOs) significance. He added that the J&K stakeholders with monthly data entry and Privacy’, ‘Content Availability’ like issuance of domicile certificate,
officers of J&KIMPARD. for compiling the comparative data has opened the door for further provision for each district. and ‘Ease of Use’. benefits under the MUMKIN scheme,
The portal has been made with to be hosted on the DGGI portal. promoting competitive federalism Simultaneously, the Chief The Chief Secretary complimented commercial water connection, license
an objective to monitor the progress He also directed the DG, JKIMPARD at district level and several states Secretary and Secretary DARPG also the officers of IT department, GAD for selling fertilizers, license for
of districts on several given indicators, to organize training for the DSEOs are approaching DARPG for framing reviewed the progress of the Union and others for this remarkable pesticides, license for opening
identification of key areas in consultation with the DARPG of DGGI in their respective states. territory on the National e-Governance achievement and asked them to bring nurseries and other services of public
improvement and assessment of so that they get well acquainted For the DGGI portal and dashboard, Service Delivery Assessment more services on the digital platform importance.
comparative performance of districts about the objective and purpose ten sectors have been identified for (NeSDA)-2021. so that maximum people take benefits The platform also has a user-
on a real time basis. of the DGGI portal and can compile monitoring like agriculture and allied During the meeting, Senior out of this. friendly digital feedback mechanism
Speaking during the meeting, the data of their respective districts sector, industry and commerce Technical Director, NIC, DARPG Dr. Mehta asked the IT department that enables citizens to provide
the Chief Secretary said that the accordingly. (including tourism), human resource informed the meeting that the UT to complete end to end digitization effective feedback on the services
launch of District Good Governance Speaking on the occasion, development, public health, public of J&K and improved significantly of all services, integrate all public provided to them.
Index (DGGI) for the UT of J&K was Secretary, DARPG, V Srinivas infrastructure & utilities, social and has achieved number one rank services on a single platform and The departments are also provided
a remarkable achievement for the remarked that the launch of DGGI welfare & development, financial among all the UTs in the NeSDA-2021. also develop a feedback mechanism a graphical user interface (GUI) for
administration of J&K as it is a major and now formation of DGGI portal inclusion, legal empowerment & It was also given out that the UT for the same in the given timeframe. assessing the feedback from citizens
step towards enhancing efficiency and dashboard is a huge administrative public safety, environment and citizen Portal has higher compliance to the The Chief Secretary further asked and incorporating suitable changes
in governance and improving the reform initiated by the government centric governance. The portal and assessment parameters like the officers to bring more services to further enhance efficiency in the
Public Service Delivery on the ground. of J&K which has a lot of national dashboard will be web based for all accessibility, ‘Information Security on the Rapid Assessment System service delivery mechanism.

Dalit Jagran Manch leader along supporters JKBOSE 10th Result

join Muslim Rashtriya Manch org
SRINAGAR, FEB 16: Senior
Dalit Jagran Manch leader Bashir
Ahmad Gugloo along with the
dozens of prominent supporters
and workers from District
Srinagar on Wednesday joined
Social Organization Muslim
Rashtriya Manch.
As per the statement issued
the new entrants joined the
organization for strengthening
the hands who are working for
the Peace & Prosperity and
expansion of Sangathan under
the guidance and leadership
of JK Convenor, Muslim
Rashtriya Manch Mir Nazir
Ahmad alongwith whole UT
team
On the joining occasion new
District Team for Srinagar was
announced as
Mr Bashir Ahmad Gugloo as
District president Srinagar, Mr
Zakir Ahmad Bhat as Vice
Convener District Srinagar,
Peerzada Shahnawaz as Vice
Convener District Srinagar,
Mr Umer Miras Secretary
District Srinagar 5 Mr Mukhtar
Ahmad Hakeem as Joint Secretary
District Srinagar.
It was also announced that
Mr Shakeel Ahmad Datta was
nominated as Joint Secretary
Kashmir Province On the
occasion other Padh Adhikaries
of MRM Shri G N Shah & Shri
MS Magrey Vice Conveners J&K,
Spokesperson Dr Shamsul haq,
UT Secretary Mr.Shakeel ul
Rehman Convener Kashmir
Province Mr Ajaz Qadri, Mr Syed
Javed Bukhari & Hilal Ahmad
Bhat
Vice Convenors Kashmir
Province, Mr.G M Sheikh
Secretary Kashmir Province,
also
participated in the Joining
Program.
DDC Shopian
Dr Ayoub Congratulates to all Students who
have successfully cleared examination
Mushtaq pulwama
tours various areas
SRINAGAR FEB 16 : Senior congress leader and working president
of district
DDC kulgam Dr Mohmmad Ayoub Matoo extended warm greetings Mushtaq pulwama
and best wishes to all the students who have successfully cleared
the 10th exam with flying colours.In his message Dr Ayoub told best
wishes for all students who have successfully cleared the examination
and good luck for more excellent achievement , hailed all the students
especially of Kulgam district and particularly those from Govt schools
for the brilliant performance exhibited in the Class 10th examination.
Dr Ayoub appreciated the consistent efforts of the teaching and
non-teaching staff, students and parents that has made it possible.
He also shared a special message for the students who were SHOPIAN FEB 16: The District Development
‘unhappy’ with the results, saying that one exam doesn’t define Commissioner (DDC) Shopian, Sachin Kumar
them. I am so glad to see such young high achievers who successfully Vaishya today visited various areas of the district
cleared life’s first big test. Those who couldn’t achieve what they to take first hand appraisal of progress on
were hoping for, don’t worry, champions - you’ll get many more developmental projects/works.
chances to prove yourself, Dr Ayoub added. During the visit, the DDC inspected the Tehsil
Office, Hermain and demarcation process of
150 kanals of Kahcharai land at Aalamgunj

HCC CO-PARTNERS IN ACHIEVING TO DAY LIGHTING OF Hermain Shopian. He directed Tehsildar, Hermain
to speed up the demarcation process on a war-

INDIA'S LONGEST RAILWAY TUNNEL IN J&K

Farooq Rather
RAMBAN , Feb 16: Hindustan
Construction Company (HCC)
has jointly achieved daylighting
of the 13 km long of India's longest
and Asia's second-longest tunnel
T49 on Dharam-Qazigund Section
of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla
New BG Railway line in Jammu
& Kashmir.
IRCON International Ltd
awarded the construction of this
T-49 tunnel in two packages of
T49A (5.1 km) and T49B (7.9 km),
of which HCC is executing T49A.
The tunnel is being constructed
by the traditional drill & blast
method. The final blast to achieve
the breakthrough connecting
T49A and T49B was taken today
in the presence of Mr. A.K.
Khandelwal, Chief Administrative
Officer of Northern Railways.
The efforts were coordinated
by the IRCON team led by Mr.
Akhil Agrawal, Chief General
Manager, and the executing
agency of HCC led by Mr.
Sharanappa Yalal, Project
Manager.
The current longest railway
tunnel in operation in India is
"Pir Panjal Tunnel" (11 km long)
between Banihal & Qazigund of
Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla
New BG Railway line in Jammu
& Kashmir was also constructed
HCC for IRCON.
Tunnel T49 project highlights:
Total Length: 13 km
Number of Stations: 2 –
Sumber (T49A) and Arpinchala
(T49B)
Number of Bridges: 2 – of 445
m and 346 m at Sumber area in
T-49A Package
Tunnel Details: Modified
horseshoe shape twin tunnels
– the main tunnel is for track
line and escape tunnel for rescue
and emergency purposes. Both
tunnels are connected by the
cross passage at every 375-meter
interval. The main tunnel has
an excavation and finishing dia
of 8.6 m and 7.3 m, and the escape
tunnel has an excavation and
finishing dia of 5.6 m and 4.6 m,
respectively.
The tunnel is located at 1500
m altitude.
The entire tunnel is
waterproof with PVC membrane
lining.
The tunnel consists
of 4 curves with maximum
curvature of 2.92o and the ruling
gradient of 1 in 80 with the design
speed of 100 Kmph.
The maximum
overburden (height of the
mountain above the tunnel) is
1000 m.
footing basis to ensure the retrieval of state
land immediately.The DDC enroute to Hermain
interacted with the people who apprised him
of their problems. He listened to their issues
and demands and assured for redressal within
a time bound manner.
Vaishya also inspected RDD works executed
under 14th FC at Hermain Shopian and directed
the concerned to expedite the pace of ongoing
developmental works on top priority. He directed
the Officers to work in a collective and responsible
manner for redressing the issues of the people
who have great expectations with the Government.
He directed them to pace up the speed of work
to ensure the timely completion of these works.
The DDC during the visit was accompanied
by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Shopian,
Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani, Chief Planning Officer,
Khursheed Ahmed Khatana and other senior
officers/ officials of executing agencies.

DDC Shopian finalizes Action Plan for
Cluster Tribal Model Villages
Mushtaq pulwama
SHOPIAN FEB 16: The District
Development Commissioner (DDC)
Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya today
convened a meeting to finalise the
Draft Action Plan for development
of Cluster Tribal Model Villages in
Shopian district at Mini Secretariat,
here.On the occasion, the DDC
reviewed the progress with regard
to the formulation of DPRs for the
development of Cluster Model Villages
from the concerned officers of different
departments. The DDC directed the
concerned to submit the DPRs for
the projects so that work can be started
within the shortest possible time
and the target population could be
benefited.He said Rs.1.20 Crore plan
is being implemented with focus on
infrastructure and income generation.
He stressed that focus should be laid
on developmental programmes,
resolution of impending issues and
increasing income generation.
Vaishya further said that the
Cluster Tribal Model Village is being
developed to provide modern basic
amenities and promote Education,
Health, Skill Development,
Horticulture, Agriculture, Tourism
in the areas selected for funding by
the Tribal Affairs department so that
they can have better basic amenities
and opportunities to improve their
socio-economic conditions.
During the meeting, the DDC
reviewed works under Education,
Health, PDD, PHE, Animal Husbandry,
Sheep Husbandry, Agriculture, and
PWD sectors pertaining to the
Development of Cluster Tribal Model
Village.The DDC directed that all Tribal
schools in Shopian be upgraded to
Smart Model Schools by upgraded
infrastructure and equipping them
with modern gadgets.
He also directed all the concerned
departments to gear up their men
and machinery to execute all the
remaining works and adopt a
convergence method for judicious
use of allotted funds.
Chief Planning Officer, Khursheed
Ahmed Khatana, Chief Education
Officer, Chief Agriculture Officer,
Chief Horticulture Officer, District
Sheep Husbandry Officer, Assistant
Director Handicrafts .
From the office of Advocate Nasir Ahmad Shala
In the Case of:- Dr. Aamir Rashid Purra
S/o Abdul Rashid Purra
R/o 38- Shaheen Colony,
Wanbal, Srinagar.
Professor, Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Govt. Dental College, Srinagar.
Caveator Versus
Public at Large
Non-Caveators
In the matter of:- Caveat Petition in terms of Section 148-A of CPC
The caveator has reason to believe/apprehension that non-caveators may file a writ
or any other type of proceedings before the Hon’ble Court on the ground of distorted facts/
misrepresentation and cooked story and may succeed in obtaining some relief/order at their back/
exparte against the caveators and in such, eventuality the caveator will be put to an irreparable
loss and inconvenience. It would be proper that caveator is given opportunity of being heard by the
Hon’ble Court before passing any order.
Sd/
Advocate Nasir Ahmad Shala

        CMYK        
 NATION
4 SRINAGAR
24 years since forming TMC, Mamata
only grew stronger amid rebellions
KOLKATA: TMC supremo Mamata
Banerjee, who recently quashed a
brewing internal rebellion with the
iron-fisted rejig of the party's national
working committee, established once
again that she was the sole commander
in her camp, and no one, including
her heir-apparent Abhishek Banerjee,
was fit to challenge her dominion.
In TMC's 24-year journey, the
Bengal chief minister, who has earned
herself the image of a gutsy leader,
always made swift comebacks with
greater ferocity as and when some
leaders in her coterie revolted, and
this time was no exception as she
barely dithered to clip Abhishek's
wings amid the internal strife
between old guard and fresh blood.
According to sources in the party,
the recent power struggle that had
roots in her backyard, with the
increasing demand for a definite
retirement age and the 'one person-
one post' policy, was aimed at phasing
out the old guard to make space for
young leaders handpicked by
Abhishek.
A section of leaders claimed that
junior Banerjee was "misguided" by
political consultant Prashant Kishor
and his I-PAC team, roped in to boost
the party's prospects in elections.
The feisty TMC boss, in her bid
to stave off the growing rebellion,
quickly dissolved the national-level
folios, and formed a new working
committee with just 20 members,
thereby effectively leaving her as
the only person capable of calling
thursDAY | 17-february-2022
the shots in her camp.
"Minimising the role of Abhishek
and distancing I-PAC were necessary
to end the discord in the camp.
Mamata managed the entire thing
with such a precision that the battle
was won even before it started," a
senior TMC leader, privy to the
development, told PTI on condition
of anonymity.
Although Abhishek has been made
a part of 20-member committee, it
is mainly packed with her loyalists.
An undertaking was also signed
by party veterans and the Diamond
Harbour MP, pledging their complete
trust in the leadership of the Mamata
Banerjee.
Party insiders feel the move was
not just aimed at ending the power
tussle; it would also give the TMC
boss time to groom her nephew as
her heir apparent.
Banerjee's political journey, if
analysed, goes on to show that internal
rebellions have shaped her career
in a big way over the years.
In the mid-nineties, then Bengal
Congress president Somen Mitra and
Banerjee had engaged in an inner-
party struggle over the control of
the state unit, but Mitra managed
to retain his post.
The development became a
turning point in her life and career
as Banerjee left the Congress shortly
after to form the Trinamool Congress
in 1998. Ten years down the line,
Mitra, too, joined the TMC and
accepted Banerjee as his leader.
However, in 2014, he returned
to the Congress and remained the
party's state president till his death
2020.
After forming her party in 1998,
Banerjee had first faced rebellion
when founding chairman Pankaj
Banerjee quit the camp to return to
Congress, just months after it was
formed.
Both had later set differences
aside, and he retraced his steps to
TMC. He was made the Leader of the
Opposition from 2001-2006.
Subsequently, differences between
the two cropped up again, following
which he decided to quit politics.
The second major rebellion was
recorded in 2001, when Ajit Panja,
one of the founding fathers of the
TMC, slammed Banerjee over her
decision to quit NDA over the Tehelka
scam that had rocked the Union
cabinet.
He was placed under suspension
for dubbing Banerjee's decision to
SRINAGAR
TUESDAY | 23-FEBRUARY-2021
leave NDA and align with the Congress
as "insane and politically immature".
Panja unsuccessfully tried to form
his political platform by breaking
away from the TMC.
In 2003, he returned to the TMC.
Soon after the TMC rejoined the
NDA in 2003, Banerjee got a whiff
that his colleague and then MP Sudip
Bandopadhyay was using his rapport
with the BJP leadership to manage
a berth in the Union ministry, and
immediately expelled the leader for
six years. He, too, found his way back
to the Mamata Banerjee-led party
ahead of the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.
A significant revolt that had
affected TMC's political fortunes was
the one led by Subrata Mukerjee,
who is often referred to as Banerjee's
political mentor. He switched over
to the TMC from the Congress in
1999 and became the mayor of Kolkata
after the party won KMC polls in
2000.
In 2005, however, just ahead of
national9
the Kolkata civic elections, differences
arose between the two, and Banerjee
wanted someone else as the party's
mayoral face.
Mukherjee and his loyalists
deserted the party and formed a
separate platform leading to TMC's
defeat. He then joined the Congress.
Following a gap of five years,
Mukherjee was back in the TMC,
and was given a berth in the state
cabinet. He remained a member in
Mamata Banerjee's cabinet till his
demise last year. Similar revolts were
quelled by her in the years that
followed.
As an ally of the Congress-led
UPA-2, veteran TMC MP Dinesh Trivedi
was made the railway minister in
2011 as Banerjee took charge as
Bengal's chief minister.
A year later, Trivedi's decision to
increase passenger fare did not go
down well with Banerjee, and she
openly opposed it as "anti-people".
She asked Trivedi to roll back the
announcement, but he refused to
oblige.An infuriated Banerjee got
Trivedi replaced as railway minister
by the then TMC general secretary
Mukul Roy, who immediately rolled
back the proposed hike.
Roy, who was the unofficial
number 2 in the party from 2011 to
2014, later fell out with Banerjee,
following Abhishek's sudden rise
through the party ranks.
He quit the TMC and joined the
BJP in 2017, and was appointed as
the national vice-president of the
saffron party.
In a U-turn after the assembly
elections last year, Roy, having won
polls on a BJP ticket, returned to the
TMC and was termed by its leaders
"as one of their own".
"Mamata Banerjee forgives
opponents when they surrender
before her. But she never forgets.
She is a fighter. The more you
challenge her, the more powerful
she gets," a veteran TMC leader told
PTI.
Political analysts feel leaders like
Banerjee, who have achieved a cult
status, never favour challenges within
the camp.
"For leaders like Mamata Banerjee,
the party revolves around her mass
following. Those who challenged
her never had a mass following like
she does. Leaders may end up finishing
their political careers, trying to corner
her," political analyst Suman
Bhattacharya said.
Political scientist Biswanath
Chakraborty claimed that the after-
effect in case of Abhishek might be
different, given the fact he is a part
of the family.
"It seems Mamata Banerjee is
not ready to hand over her party's
baton to her nephew right now. She
might want to groom him as a political
asset. The baton will be handed over
to Abhishek once she feels that all
his threats have been politically
neutralised and her nephew was
ready to lead the way," Chakraborty
added.

I congratulate Delhi Police for its fair investigation Hijab row sponsored by BJP in
of northeast Delhi riots: Amit Shah
NEW DELHI: Union Home
Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday
lauded the Delhi Police for its
"strict" and "fair" investigation
in the northeast Delhi riots and
said the force should lay out a
road map for the next five years
and also for 25 years.
Shah, who was addressing the
75th Raising Day parade of Delhi
Police said, the force not only did
an "exceptional job" during the
COVID-19 pandemic but also
thwarted several terror attempts
during the period.
"The Delhi Police has worked
hard during the northeast Delhi
riots and the coronavirus
pandemic. For the way the Delhi
Police investigated the riot cases
in a strict and fair manner and
presented the rioters in court, I
congratulate them," Shah said.
The minister said the Delhi
Police faces several difficulties
and being the police force of the
national capital, it has several
duties that include providing
security to dignitaries, ensuring
Karnataka, charges SDPI
that various programmes happen
without glitches and other law
and order related matters.
"Whenever any event happens
at an international level, its
repercussions are also felt in Delhi.
The police also has the job of
monitoring the situation here,"
he said.
Shah said the 75th birthday
of the Delhi Police coincides with
the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
celebrations and stressed that
the force should prepare a road
map for the next five years.
"The Delhi Police has changed
with the times. I urge the Delhi
Police commissioner and the
Union home secretary to prepare
a road map for the next five years
and 25 years with well-defined
goals," he said.
Paying tribute to the 79 police
personnel who lost their lives
during the pandemic, he praised
the efforts of the force by battling
the pandemic by standing in front
row.
Recalling the Delhi police's
contribution during the pandemic,
Shah said, "the police personnel
attended people whose families
weren't here, took them for testing,
got them hospitalised and
provided oxygen cylinders to
those who were in need. They
even helped in performing last
rites during the difficult times."
"The kind of work Delhi Police
did will be an inspiration for the
police forces across the country
and will be a pathway for other
state polices to follow. During
the period, the force also thwarted
several terror attempts," he added.
Shah said the newly created
perception management cell
would help in improving the image
of the city police.
MANGALURU: The social democratic
party of India (SDPI) on Wednesday charged
the BJP with 'sponsoring' and 'promoting'
the hijab-saffron shawl issue in educational
institutions in Karnataka.
Addressing reporters here, SDPI state
general secretary B R Bhaskar Prasad
alleged that the entire issue is a 'criminal
act' sponsored by the BJP government in
the state.
Noting that the constitution never
barred Muslim women wearing hijab,
he alleged that the issue was created by
a college principal which was later taken
up by the Sangh Parivar outfits. He sought
to know why hijab should be banned as
a religious symbol when Hindu symbols
like thread and 'nama' are allowed. He
also accused the Congress of adopting
'double standards' on the issue.
SDPI state president Abdul Majeed,
who was also present, said the High Court
interim order is applicable only to colleges
where development committees have
prescribed a dress code.
The district administrations and the
education department are creating
confusion over the order, he charged. He
said KPCC president D K Shivakumar
should clarify the stand of the Congress
on the issue.
The party does not want to address
the problems of Muslims though they
want minority votes, Majeed said.
Meanwhile, National Women's Front,
the women's wing of Popular Front of
India (PFI) alleged that Muslim girls are
being subjected to mental harassment
over the hijab issue.
At a press meet here, NWF Dakshina
Kannada district president Zulaikha Bajpe
condemned the attitude of some school
administrations and teachers who are
'torturing' girl students under the pretext
of implementing the High Court order.
She said while the order is limited to
pre-university colleges, the authorities
are forcing students and teachers of other
colleges also to remove their headscarves
in public places.

Hijab row sponsored
by BJP in Karnataka,
charges SDPI
MANGALURU: The social democratic
party of India (SDPI) on Wednesday charged
the BJP with 'sponsoring' and 'promoting'
the hijab-saffron shawl issue in educational
institutions in Karnataka.
Addressing reporters here, SDPI state
general secretary B R Bhaskar Prasad alleged
that the entire issue is a 'criminal act'
sponsored by the BJP government in the
state.
Noting that the constitution never barred
Muslim women wearing hijab, he alleged
that the issue was created by a college
principal which was later taken up by the
Sangh Parivar outfits. He sought to know
why hijab should be banned as a religious
symbol when Hindu symbols like thread
and 'nama' are allowed. He also accused the
Congress of adopting 'double standards' on
the issue.
SDPI state president Abdul Majeed, who
was also present, said the High Court interim
order is applicable only to colleges where
development committees have prescribed
a dress code.
The district administrations and the
education department are creating confusion
over the order, he charged.
Man arrested for trying to enter NSA Ajit Doval's house in Delhi
NEW DELHI: A man hailing
from Bengaluru was apprehended
by security agencies for allegedly
trying to enter the residence of
National Security Advisor (NSA)
Ajit Doval on Wednesday,
triggering a minor security
alarm, officials said.
The incident took place
around 7:30 am when a red-
'Will manufacture Brahmos in Lucknow': Rajnath
LUCKNOW/KANPUR: Defense
Minister Rajnath Singh on
Wednesday attacked Samajwadi
Party, saying "kattas" (locally-made
pistols) were commonly made during
its government, but under BJP they
will be replaced by Brahmos missiles.
Addressing election rallies in
Malihabad (Lucknow) and
Babupurva (Kanpur), the union
minister said such a missile is now
going to be made in Lucknow, as
can be fired at the enemy from
400-600 kms away.
Praising Jai Devi, the BJP
candidate from Malihabad seat,
and her husband Union Minister
Kaushal Kishor, the Minister said
Lucknow will see manufacture of
colour SUV, being driven by a
single person, attempted a forced
entry through the gate of Doval's
high security central Delhi
residence, official sources said.
The car was intercepted
outside the entry gate and the
man was nabbed by the Central
Industrial Security Force (CISF)
personnel who guard Doval's
big guns ("goli nahi gola")now.
"It is the character of BJP that
we do what we say. We had said
that Article 370 will be abolished,
and when we got a majority in
Parliament, it was done," he said.
In Kanpur, Singh attacked the
SP saying that socialism has not
touched it in any way. "A socialist
is one who can provide solutions
house. and looks to be mentally unstable,
The NSA is secured under
the top Z+ category of CISF
they said. The car was hired from
Noida, officials added.
commandos. Doval was present
at his residence when the
"A man tried to enter the house
of NSA on Wednesday morning.
incident took place. The man The security stopped him. When
was later handed over to the he was aksed some questions,
police. he is not in state of giving answers.
He has been identified as He is mentally unsound," the
Shantanu Reddy from Bengaluru officer said.
UP polls:
for hunger and fear of the common
people. There is only one person BJP announces
who is doing such work in politics
and that is our Prime Minister candidates for three
Narendra Modi. He is a socialist in
the true sense and is doing socialism," more constituencies
he said. LUCKNOW: The BJP on Wednesday announced
"BJP has done what it said. its candidates for three more seats that will go to
Whatever has been put in the party's polls in the last of the seven phases in Uttar
election manifesto, we have done Pradesh.
it. We will not break your trust at It fielded sitting MLAs Neelratan Singh Patel
any cost," he said. and Bhupesh Chaubey from their respective seats
Singh also condemned the -- Varanasi's Sevapuri Assembly constituency and
Congress for "defaming" India, Robertsganj constituency in Sonbhadra district --
saying an Australian journalist has again.
written in a newspaper that a large The party also announced Ramdular Gaur as its
number of Chinese soldiers were candidate from Sonbhadra's Duddhi seat, where
killed in retaliation during the latest the BJP has not tasted success since long.
stand-off.

        CMYK        
 INTERNATIONAL
international 5 WEDNESDAY
thursDAY | 29-DEC-2021
| 17-february-2022
SRINAGAR

Russian pullout meets UK scepticism, Ukraine

defence website still hacked
Russia said more of its forces
surrounding Ukraine were withdrawing
on Wednesday but Britain joined the
United States in saying it had yet to
be convinced the pullout was real.
In Ukraine, the defence ministry
said its web portal had been hit by an
unprecedented cyberattack that was
into its second day.
The Russian defence ministry
published a video that it said showed
tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and
self-propelled artillery units leaving
the Crimean peninsula, which Moscow
seized from Ukraine in 2014.
Their deployment was part of a
huge build-up of Russian forces to the
north, east and south of Ukraine since
November that had prompted London
and Washington to warn in recent
days that a Russian invasion looked
imminent.
Russia mocked those warnings as
hysterical war propaganda when it
announced on Tuesday that some units
were starting to return to base after
completing exercises.
Military analysts say a key indicator
of a significant pullback will be whether
units from Russia's far east, which are
taking part in huge exercises in Belarus
this week, return to their bases
thousands of miles away.
US President Joe Biden said on
Tuesday that more than 150,000 Russian
troops were still amassed near Ukraine's
borders. He said Washington had not
yet verified any pullout.
“Our analysts indicate that they
remain very much in a threatening
position,” he said.
British Defence Secretary Ben
Wallace told Times Radio on Wednesday:
“We haven't seen any evidence at the
moment of that withdrawal.”
Speaking separately to the BBC, he
said: “Physical observations that we
see show the opposite of some of the
recent rhetoric coming out the Kremlin.”
In Ukraine, the defence ministry
said hackers were still bombarding
its website and had succeeded in finding
vulnerabilities in the programming
code.
Although Kyiv did not name who
was behind the incident, a statement
suggested it was pointing the finger
at Russia.
“It is not ruled out that the aggressor
used tactics of dirty little tricks because
its aggressive plans are not working
out on a large scale,” said the Ukrainian
Centre for Strategic Communications
and Information Security, which is
part of the culture ministry.
Russia's Federal Security Service
did not immediately reply to a request
for comment from Reuters.
“If Russia attacks the United States
or our allies through asymmetric means
like disruptive cyberattacks against
our companies or critical infrastructure,
we're prepared to respond,” Biden said
in televised remarks from the White
House on Tuesday.
Russia has always denied planning
to invade Ukraine but has been pressing
for a set of security guarantees from
the West including a promise that its
neighbour Ukraine will never join Nato.
The United States and its allies have
rejected that, but say they are willing
to talk about arms control and
confidence-building measures.
Putin said after meeting German
Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday that
the West was ignoring Russia's main
demands but Moscow was ready to
continue dialogue on security issues.
European Union Council head
Charles Michel urged Russia on
Wednesday to take tangible steps to
de-escalate.
“The choice today is a choice
between war and tragic sacrifices that
would go along with that war or the
courage of a political engagement, the
courage of a diplomatic negotiation,”
he said.
Oil prices recoup
Oil prices recouped losses on
Wednesday after slipping more than
three per cent in the previous session,
as investors gauged the impact of easing
Russia-Ukraine tension against a taut
balance of tight global supplies and
recovering fuel demand.
Brent traded at $93.90 a barrel by
0722 GMT, up 62 cents, or 0.7pc, having
slid 3.3pc overnight after Russia
announced a partial pullback of its
troops near Ukraine, yet to be verified
by the United States.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI)
crude was at $92.71 a barrel, up 64
cents, or 0.7pc, after the contract ended
Tuesday's session down 3.6pc.
Both benchmarks had hit their
highest since September 2014 on
Monday, with Brent touching $96.78
and WTI reaching $95.82. The price
of Brent jumped 50pc in 2021, while
WTI soared about 60pc, as a global
recovery in demand from the Covid-19
pandemic strained supply.
Beyond the Ukraine tension, the
oil market remains tight and prices
are still on course for a move towards
$100 a barrel, analysts said.
“Technically we could see prices
heading back to $90 a barrel on profit-
taking, but they will trend higher
towards $100 as the economy is getting
back on track and more demand is
coming through in a tight market,”
said Jonathan Barratt, chief investment
officer at Probis Group.
While the Ukraine crisis simmered,
the US Labour Department reported
producer prices increased by the most
in eight months in January, a reminder
that high inflation could persist through
much of this year.
Investors await weekly US oil
inventories data from the Energy
Information Administration due at
10:30am (1530 GMT) on Wednesday.
US crude and distillates inventories
may have fallen by 1.5 million to 1.6m
barrels last week, a Reuters poll showed.
Data from the American Petroleum
Institute showed a drop in crude,
gasoline and distillate stocks last week,
according to market sources on Tuesday.

Pakistan asks UNSC to help stop attacks from Afghanistan Israeli president
UNITED NATIONS:
Pakistan has urged the UN
Security Council to hold
account able the
“masterminds” who continue
to support, finance, and
sponsor cross-border
terrorist attacks into its
territory.
Pakistan raised the issue
of cross-border terrorism
from Afghanistan after India
used the UN forum on
Monday to accuse Pakistan
of sponsoring terrorism in
occupied Kashmir.
The Indian initiative
turned the annual meeting
of the UN Counter-Terrorism
Committee (CTC) in New
York into a battle of words
between South Asia’s two
nuclear powers. This was
the committee’s first briefing
since January when India
assumed its chair.
Last week, Pakistani
security forces repulsed two
attacks at their camps in
Balochistan. At least13
terrorists were killed in the
fight while seven soldiers
and an officer embraced
martyrdom.
Last month, a similar
attack in Kech, Balochistan,
resulted in the martyrdom
of 10 soldiers.
Earlier this week, the
Inter-Services Public
Relations (ISPR) announced
that Pakistan had intercepted
communications between
those who conducted the
attacks in Balochistan and
their handlers in Afghanistan
and India.
Initiating a diplomatic
broadside against Pakistan,
Indian representative Rajesh
Parihar indirectly blamed
Islamabad for encouraging
terrorism in the region. He
cited the 2016 Pathankot
attack, and the 2019 Pulwama
attack to support his claim.
Using a similar, indirect
approach, a Pakistani
representative Umer
Siddique urged the UN body
to ensure that Afghanistan’s
territory was not used for
launching attacks into
Pakistan.
T he Pak istani
representative reminded
committee members that
more than once Pakistan
shared with the UN Security
Council irrefutable evidence
of external (Indian)
involvement in terrorist
attacks inside its territory.
“We all know who has
been supporting and
financing” terror groups like
the Tehreek-i-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP) and Jamaat-
ul-Ahrar (JuA),” Mr Siddique
said.The Pakistani
representative also
emphasised the need to
separate terrorism from
legitimate struggles for basic
human rights, such as the
struggle for right of self-
determination in Kashmir.
“We must not allow the
hijacking of technical bodies
such as this to serve bilateral
programmes of hate and
aggression,” Mr Siddique
said.
He also called out India
for opposing UN initiates to
address the rising number
of terrorist attacks at
Muslims in India and urged
it not to mainstream
Islamophobia.
Mr Siddiqui welcomed
the UN Security Council’s
recognition of terrorist
threats arising from
xenophobia, racism and other
forms of intolerance and
called for greater focus on
the issue.
He referred to a recent
global survey, which
acknowledges Pakistan’s
progress in this regard and
cites Pakistan as one of the
states which regularly
conducts frequent or focused
threat risk assessments.
Pakistan assured the
world body that it has taken
concrete steps to assess its
terrorism-financing risk
since 2019, including
conducting a Terrorist
Financing Risk Assessment
(TFRA), as well as National
Risk Assessment on money-
laundering and terrorism
financing.
Pakistan informed the
UN committee that it has
made significant progress
in countering terrorist
financing by amending laws,
improving regulatory
frameworks and enhancing
inter-agency coordination.
The survey also mentions
this, noting that Pakistan
had enhanced its
investigative capacity
through the creation of a
national counterterrorism
coordinating agency.
plans rare visit
to Turkey
JERUSALEM: Israeli President Isaac Herzog is preparing
to visit Turkey, his office said on Tuesday, in a rare trip
that marks the latest sign of a thaw following years of
frayed ties.
A statement from Herzog’s office said that a high-
ranking Turkish delegation was due in Israel this week,
including a top aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
Ibrahim Kalin, and deputy foreign minister Sedat Onal.
The Turkish delegation’s visit was “part of preparations
for the planned visit of President Isaac Herzog” to Turkey,
the Israeli presidency said. In a television interview last
month, Erdogan said he expected Herzog to visit, hailing
the trip as an opportunity to “open a new chapter in
relations between Turkey and Israel”.
Herzog’s office had declined to comment on the
prospective trip until Tuesday’s statement, which gave
no indication of a possible date. Turkey’s state-run TRT
television reported the trip would take place on March
9 and 10.
Relations between Muslim-majority Turkey and
Israel froze after the death of 10 civilians in an Israeli
raid on a Turkish flotilla carrying aid for the Gaza Strip
in 2010.

Prince Andrew settles assault lawsuit

In recent months, however, the two countries have
been working on a rapprochement, with Erdogan, a

Indonesian teacher vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, holding telephone

with accuser Giuffre

talks with Herzog and other Israeli leaders.

gets life in prison for ‘Easier’ person

raping 13 students
BANDUNG: An Indonesian court on Tuesday sentenced
a teacher to life in prison for the rape of 13 students, in
a case that has drawn national attention to sexual abuse
in some of the country’s religious boarding schools.
Herry Wirawan, 36, was found guilty of raping 13
female students — all minors — and impregnating at
least eight of them by Bandung district court in West
Java.
The revelations sparked national outrage, with a
senior government official saying President Joko Widodo
has paid special attention to the case.
The pattern of abuse came to light when the family
of a female student reported Wirawan to the police for
raping and impregnating their teenage daughter last
year.
During the trial, it was revealed he had raped the
children — many from poor families attending the
school on scholarships — over five years.
Prosecutors requested chemical castration and the
death penalty for the accused, who asked the judge for
leniency to allow him to raise his children.
Wirawan arrived in court in handcuffs and kept his
head down as judge Yohannes Purnomo Suryo Adi
sentenced him to life in prison.
NEW YORK: Prince Andrew and
his accuser Virginia Giuffre have settled
a sexual assault lawsuit for an
unspecified sum, according to a court
filing on Tuesday.
In a letter sent to a New York judge
on behalf of both parties, Giuffre’s
lawyer David Boies wrote that they
“have reached an out of court
settlement,” without disclosing the
financial terms.
As part of the agreement, the British
royal will make a “substantial donation”
to a charity established by Giuffre that
supports sex trafficking victims, Boies
said.
Giuffre has said she had sex with
Andrew when she was 17 and a minor
under US law after meeting him through
the late US financier Jeffrey Epstein,
who committed suicide in prison two
years ago while awaiting trial for sex
crimes.
The prince has not been criminally
charged and has denied the allegations.
The settlement means the civil case
will not go to a jury trial. It also means
Andrew will no longer be questioned
under oath by Giuffre’s lawyers.
“The parties will file a stipulated
dismissal upon Ms Giuffre’s receipt of
the settlement (the sum of which is
not being disclosed),” said the court
filing.“Prince Andrew has never
intended to malign Ms Giuffre’s
character, and he accepts that she has
suffered both as an established victim
of abuse and as a result of unfair public
attacks,” the letter said.
“He pledges to demonstrate his
regret for his association with Epstein
by supporting the fight against the
evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting
its victims,” it added.
Last month Andrew was stripped
of his honorary military titles and
charitable roles after New York Judge
Lewis Kaplan denied his plea to dismiss
Giuffre’s case.
Private island
Giuffre, who is now 38, alleges that
Andrew sexually assaulted her at the
London home of socialite and Epstein
friend Ghislaine Maxwell after a night
out dancing in March 2001.
She sued the prince last year for
unspecified damages, alleging that
she was trafficked to him by Epstein
and Maxwell.
In December, Maxwell was convicted
of recruiting and grooming young girls
to be sexually abused by Epstein,
exposing a murky world of sex
trafficking among the rich and powerful.
As well as the London allegations,
Giuffre also said Andrew assaulted
her at Epstein’s home in New York,
and on Epstein’s private island in the
US Virgin Islands.
Andrew, the second son of Britain’s
Queen Elizabeth II, withdrew from
public life as a royal in 2019 after a
widely ridiculed BBC interview where
he sought to vindicate himself of the
accusation.
Gallia Lindenstrauss, a Turkey specialist at the Institute
for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, said hosting
Herzog amounted to a “u-turn” for Erdogan as there
has been no “major change in Israeli policy towards the
Palestinians”.
She and other analysts have linked the warming
ties partly to former Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s
ouster from office in June. Relations between Netanyahu
and Erdogan had grown bitter during their respective
long tenures.
“I think definitely the formation of a new government
after a long time of Netanyahu in power is seen as a
new opportunity,” she told AFP last week.
Netanyahu was replaced by an ideologically diverse
Israeli coalition headed by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett,
a right-winger who opposes Palestinian statehood.
Herzog, former head of Israel’s centre-left Labour
Party, is seen as more moderate on Palestinian issues,
and therefore an “easier person to deal with” for Erdogan,
Lindenstrauss added.
A Turkish statement confirming the delegation’s
visit this week said Kalin and Onal would also meet
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, who heads the
Palestinian Authority based in the occupied West Bank.
Turkey also has ties with Palestinian Islamist movement
Hamas, which controls Gaza.

Pollution causing more deaths than Covid: UN

The court said restitution for the victims will be
paid by the government.
The chairman of Indonesia’s Child Protection
Commission said Tuesday’s verdict meant “justice for
the victims has been served”.
But a family member of one of the victims said he GENEVA: Pollution by largely being overlooked. declared a clean environment relocations of affected
was “very disappointed” that Wirawan did not receive states and companies is The coronavirus a human right, the document communities — many of them
a harsher sentence and warned that leniency would contributing to more deaths pandemic has caused close was posted on the Council’s poor, marginalised and
embolden other abusers. globally than Covid-19, a UN to 5.9 million deaths, website on Tuesday. indigenous — from so-called
“This wound will never be healed as long as we live, environmental report according to data aggregator It urges a ban on “sacrifice zones”.
maybe until we die.The pain we are feeling is indescribable. published on Tuesday said, Worldometer.“Cur rent polyf luoroalkyl and That term, originally used
We don’t feel heard,” said Hidmat Dijaya, an uncle of calling for “immediate and approaches to managing the perfluoroalkyl, man-made to describe nuclear test
one of the 13 victims. ambitious action” to ban risks posed by pollution and substances used in household zones, was expanded in the
“If the sentence is lenient like this, there will be some toxic chemicals. toxic substances are clearly products such as non-stick report to include any heavily
more Islamic teachers who will abuse children,” he The report said pollution failing, resulting in cookware that have been contaminated site or place
added. from pesticides, plastics and widespread violations of the linked to cancer and dubbed rendered uninhabitable by
More than 25,000 Islamic boarding schools — known electronic waste is causing right to a clean, healthy and “forever chemicals” because climate change.“What I hope
as “pesantren” — are dotted across Indonesia, with widespread human rights sustainable environment,” “I think we have an in an interview. they don’t break down easily. to do by telling these stories
nearly five million students living and studying in the violations and at least 9 the report’s author, UN ethical and now a legal Due to be presented next It also seeks the clean-up of sacrifice zones is to really
dorms. million premature deaths a Special Rapporteur David obligation to do better by month to the UN Human of polluted sites and, in put a human face on these
year, and that the issue is Boyd, concluded. these people,” he said later Rights Council, which has extreme cases, the possible otherwise inexplicable,

        CMYK        
 6 SRINAGAR
EDIT/ OPED
thursDAY | 17-february-2022

Kashmir
Mountain Valley
Environmental catastrophe is
Stop illegal profiling
Editorial
worse than nuclear weapons
of Kashmiris
Hafizur Talukdar
India is once again in the midst of a mini-crisis because of its actions
Developing countries are the biggest
and words are not on talking terms and Kashmiris are facing the consequences victims of the catastrophic response or
of the disagreements. situation that has arisen to global climate
and climate change due to continuous
News surfaced of Kashmiri students being profiled by the police in
environmental pollution. However, in
Karnataka which was first refused as “rumours” but then the police came most cases, developed countries are
out and said that the details of Kashmiri students have been collected for not coming forward to save the developing
countries from the plight caused by the
years “for national security” reasons. industrialized countries. In this case,
This is the disagreement between what India claims for Kashmiris about the tendency to donate knowledge more
“national integration” and what they actually do with Kashmiris. than money is seen more in the western
industrialized countries or superpowers.
By keeping track of each and every Kashmiri, the police wants to build That’s why Greta Thunberg, a young
an atmosphere where every Kashmiri is a suspect of who knows what and Scandinavian environmentalist, called
the only way “India” can remain safe is by monitoring their every move. This the COP-26 World Summit in Glasgow,
UK, from October 31 to November 12,
is fear-mongering and racism on official levels which actually discriminatory a “Global North Green Wash.” Which
and violative of Human rights under various Geneva conventions but in India, has a general Bengali connotation, the
human rights do not mean much when “national security” is at stake. green bleaching of the industrialized
north. What has been achieved is too
"Racial Profiling" refers to the discriminatory practice by law enforcement late is very insignificant. Although the
officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual's rulers of China and Russia did not attend,
it was attended by leaders of 200 countries
race, ethnicity, religion or national origin. Criminal profiling, generally, as and a large contingent of 20,000 delegates.
practised by police, is the reliance on a group of characteristics they believe There is no denying that the current
to be associated with crime. climate and the magnitude of climate
change in the world have prompted
This is how “Racial Profiling” is defined and Kashmiris are being subjected them to come together this severe winter.
for decades now outside of the valley. Leaders and environmentalists in the
How can India simultaneously claim to welcome Kashmiris with open world’s least developed, developing and
especially small and large islands say
arms and at the same time automatically treat every Kashmiri as suspect? that if the current global temperature
This is the reason why the Kashmiri students in Agra are still behind bars for rises slightly above the record 2.5° C
“cheering for Pakistan for defeating India in a cricket match” which the police last May, it will be a sure death warrant
for them. This will increase the impact
called as sedition. If it is sedition to cheer for Pakistan who defeated India in of droughts, wildfires, tidal surges,
a cricket match, why did Indian team play against them in the first place? floods, and other natural disasters. Many
archipelagos or lowlands will be
Does that mean India can play the match, lose and then take their frustration submerged due to the rising sea level
out on Kashmiri students? and water levels.
Every day we hear news of Kashmiri students being harassed and being Temperatures rose significantly in
West and North Asia and North Africa
refused accommodations across India, being profiled in their colleges and in the middle of this year. This trend
universities because of merely being Kashmiris. has been on the rise for the last few
When will the government realize that Kashmiris generally do not wish years. Its effects are beginning to be
felt, even in one or two areas of Canada,
to be in mainland India for these same reasons and by inviting Kashmiris, from the western USA. In the middle
the government automatically assumes responsibility for the safety and of this century, the amount of global
security of them. These are often traumatic experiences which lower the damage caused by various natural
disasters due to climate and climate
respect Kashmiris have for India and by continuing to pursue these tactics, change due to environmental pollution
the lines get drawn deeper and deeper. could increase to $7.9 trillion every year.
In that case, what will the least developed,
If the political bosses of Nagpur are happy that by sending thousands
developing countries and backward
of no budget and low budget tourists to valley is doing some favour to the island nations stand? Even now, it was
people of Kashmir are wrong in their assumption. That is not going to integrate difficult to get $100 billion a year in aid
from the industrialized nations for the
people of Kashmir to the rest of India especially BJP dominated States. When COP-27.
emotionally and physically hurt Kashmiri young men return to their villages Adequate assistance from the private
to narrate their ordeal, it sows more seeds of discord. Only yesterday the sector is therefore desirable to assist
the least developed, developing, and
mighty Indian army had to apologise to the protesting citizens in Magam area island nations. In addition, there is a
about the desecration to a photograph of Iranian general Qasim sulaimani need to take more stringent measures
by some army officer. Despite a lot of pressure, intimidation and reprisals, to protect the climate and the
environment. Otherwise, the difficult
local population can come out in open within minutes and register their development efforts of the above
protest in and outside India. countries will be ruined by the natural
Commitments were not made at Glasgow
calamities and the curse of poverty is
likely to spread among them. The
developed world cannot be at ease in
that. Because it will increase the tendency
or fear of the landless and helpless poor
to become refugees.
The COP-26 was held in Glasgow
with the aim of achieving four goals.
The most notable of these was lowering
the global temperature 5ncrease to 1.5
°C by the middle of this century and
not allowing it to rise to 2°C under any
other circumstances. Environmentalists
say that managing global temperatures
at the pre-industrial level will go a long
way in protecting the world from weather
and environmental disasters. The global
temperature rise must be kept below
at least 1.5°C. Scientists have repeatedly
warned that there is no alternative to
controlling environmental pollution
and controlling temperatures to control
natural disasters such as floods, cyclones,
droughts, tidal surges, and eruptions
that are constantly disrupting human
society and development. In this case,
it is recommended to take strict measures
to protect the forests of the world and
to prevent the emission of methane
gas.
Governments of all countries,
industries, and businesses must come
forward to contribute to COP-26’s
declared environmental fund or else
no military or nuclear power will be
able to save world humanity from the
catastrophe that is about to come. It
should not be forgotten that
environmental pollution or catastrophe
is far more deadly and destructive than
nuclear power.
A hundred countries of the world
have agreed to keep the temperature
rise to 1.5°C within the mentioned period.
They have agreed to stop deforestation
and reduce methane emissions by 30
percent by 2030. It has been asked to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions to
zero between COP-26 and 2050. Almost
all the industrialized countries of the
world use coal for energy production,
which has been identified as the deadliest
in terms of environmental pollution.
Many countries, including China, Russia,
and India, have failed to deliver on their
promises to reduce coal use by 80 percent
by 2030. China alone contributes 30
percent to the world’s pollution. However,
it did not agree to reduce it within the
stipulated time. China has stated that
it will not invest in coal-fired power
generation in the future, but has made
no promises to stop it at home.
The COP-26 Glasgow Conference,
organized between the UK management
and the UN framework, called for zero
carbon emissions by 2050, China and
Russia said they would reduce their
carbon emissions to zero by 2060, but
India said it would not be able to achieve
its targets until 2070. It has indigenous
coal. Apart from that, it uses coal for
fuel production. Besides, it does not
have adequate alternative arrangements.
The USA is the only country
announcing it will reduce its carbon
emissions to zero within the mentioned
period. The UN says OECD members
should stop using coal by 2030 and lock
up coal-fired power plants by 2040.
However, China, Russia, India, and Brazil,
the world’s largest coal-consuming
industrialized nations, have already
stated inability to reduce carbon
emissions. The USA and the UK are the
only exceptions. Although Germany
has agreed to the COP-26 goals, it has
said it will not meet them in time.
The COP-26 summit failed to secure
a $100 billion aid package to protect
underdeveloped, developing, and small
island nations from climate change or
natural disasters as a result of
environmental pollution. However, the
UK, the conference host country, seems
to be very sincere. Because British Prime
Minister Boris Johnson wants to be
remembered in history for leaving the
EU, and for a fruitful environmental
conference. Along with him, US President
Joe Biden has also been praised and
applauded for bringing his country back
to the Paris Agreement.
The people of the least developed,
developing and island nations are now
suffering the brunt of globalization due
to pollution by industrialized countries.
Countless people are losing their homes
every year due to heavy rains, droughts,
droughts, floods, or tidal surges. Many
people are losing their livelihood due
to river erosion.
But who caused this disaster,
humiliation, and suffering? At home
and abroad, that is, internationally, the
government and the industrialists or
the rich owners of the factories have
to think about those unfortunate people.
We need to understand why the people
of the backward countries around the
world are suffering. Only then will it
be easier to raise $100 billion a year.
The world is aware that factory
production is not possible without fuel.
Almost all countries in the world have
coal-fired energy production systems.
Yet green fuel production is not enough
for industrial production. Industrial
productionneedstobegraduallyconverted
from fossil fuels to green fuels.
Nuclear energy has not yet become
cost-effective. Apart from that, neither
solar nor wind power generation has
become available worldwide in low- and
middle-income countries. Therefore,
in order to move towards a totally
dependent energy system, the people
of the least developed and developing
countries need to be helped and assisted
at the governmental and non-
governmental levels worldwide.
In addition to the richest countries
in the world, regular grants from large
industrial, banking, and other commercial
organizations will have to come up with
part of the $100 billion funds mentioned
in COP-26. The contribution of those
who are causing the most damage to
the environment should be the most
significant.
But in reality, it is the complete
opposite. Several countries, including
China, Russia, India, Brazil, Europe, and
the USA, have contributed the most to
environmental pollution. They are not
poor countries. They have a large amount
of trade worldwide. So should their
contribution to environmental and
climate development be large.
Anyone would be surprised to know
in detail the military budgets of the
world’s superpowers. The military
budgets of the USA, China, Russia and
India surpass all other sectors. The USA
is now the world’s leading nuclear threat.
China is in the second position. In this
repect, India is gradually rising. The
USA currently has 3750 deadly weapons,
including atomic bombs. In addition,
by 2030, China is working tirelessly to
increase the number of missiles, including
its atomic bomb, to more than 1000.
Although India and Pakistan are not
poverty-free, their defense budgets are
surprising. But the most surprising thing
is that neither the USA, nor China, nor
Russia, nor India has announced any
large grants or contributions to the $100
billion environmental protection fund.
Although India and Pakistan are not as
prosperous economically as the USA,
China, Russia or Germany, or France in
Europe, their defense budgets are not
small. Although it has not been able to
provide sufficient funds for the
development of different regions of the
country including environmental
protection, the expenditure in the defense
sector is generous. Many countries,
including Bangladesh, have not been
able to get rid of this condition yet. If
you can’t save your country and your
beloved world because of the
environmental catastrophe, then what
will happen with nuclear weapons or
a huge defense budget?
Governments of all countries,
industries, and businesses must come
forward to contribute to COP-26’s
declared environmental fund or else
no military or nuclear power will be
able to save world humanity from the
catastrophe that is about to come. It
should not be forgotten that
environmental pollution or catastrophe
is far more deadly and destructive than
nuclear power.

Re-opening of schools in Valley

Rayees Ahmad Kumar
Schools in both the geographical
divisions of JK are reopening with in
week or two after observing a break
of many months. Kashmir based
educational institutions are observing
winter vacation these days while in
Jammu division these seats of learning
have been shut due to pandemic
situations. Now when the
administration has geared up to reopen
these institutions and all the necessary
precautions with regard to check the
further spread of covid infection are
being put in place, there is enthusiasm
and excitement among both the
students as well as their parents who
seem eager to find their wards again
in the classrooms learning in the
formal way. All other alternative ways
of teaching especially to our primary
grade students have proved either
completely failure or less resultive.
It can't be completely denied that
during pandemic period there was
no alternative other than to use the
modern technology and initiate online
mode of teaching but for a longer
period instead of yielding better results
the excessive use of cell phones and
exposure to computer screens for
hours together is equally harmful to
our physical and mental wellbeing.
So the reopening of schools and the
initiation of physical classroom
teaching is the most welcome step
at this juncture. Our future generation
has suffered heavy educational losses
due to the closure of educational
institutions for last couple of years.
Particularly those little buds admitted
during 2019 or 2020 in class 1st or
nursery classes have faced huge loss
as they are yet to see the normal
classroom teaching because the three
important years of their tender age
have already got wasted in which
they were supposed to learn basics
of reading and writing. This loss would
no way be compensated for them.
Therefore children, parents,
teachers and all other stakeholders
not only should welcome this wise
decision but should cooperate with
the authorities at the helm of affairs
with regard to keep a check on the
further spread of this infection.
Following SOPs and adhering to the
guidelines of the health authorities
can definitely bring desired outcome.
Maintenance of hygiene and sanitation
in and around the school premises,
advising students to shun the reckless
behaviour and following the advisories
can also help in mitigating the loss
suffered due to closure of the schools.
Collectively we must act as responsible
citizens so that unlike previous years
authorities would no way feel the need
to shut the schools a month later.
A nation's overall progress and
development can't be imagined
without taking constructive steps
for improving and strengthening it's
educational scenario. India's ex-
president and distinguished scientist
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam says " education
gives you the wings to fly". History
is witness to the fact that only those
states and nations have developed
and succeeded in touching the skies
who have prioritized the education
system. Coming back to our
motherland, we have seen from past
many years that education of our
children has become the biggest
casualty, as a result of which our future
generation is suffering most. Due to
derailing of this sector children,
parents as well as the teachers feel
equally displeased. The last 2 years
have hit the education sector badly
due to the Covid-19 lockdown which
resulted in a huge mental loss for
students on a large scale. No doubt,
students are attending the online
classes but the physical presence of
their teachers in classrooms has its
own importance which all the students
have been missing for the past 2 years
now.
Now when the administration
has finalised to reopen the educational
institutions on March 1st 2022 in
valley after the culmination of winter
break, there is new hope and both
parents and their wards feel
enthusiastic and overjoyed to be the
part of normal physical classroom
teaching. Besides adhering to the
administrative guidelines there is
need to take some constructive steps
in order to compensate the academic
loss of previous years. Teachers need
to be more vibrant, they must access
the abilities and achievements of their
pupils so that future course of action
can be ascertained. Parents and
students must equally cooperate with
the teachers so that while delivering
their legitimate duties in the
classrooms better results are expected.
Hope the new academic year will see
a better spring so that the already
derailed education sector would
forever be overhauled.
Writer is a columnist and
hails from Qazigund Kashmir.

        CMYK        
 OPINION
How local media spreads
misinformation from vaccine
skeptics in the US
The Freedom’s Phoenix and the Atlanta Business Journal are two small publications — along with dozens of
radio and television stations, and podcasts aimed at local audiences — that have also become powerful
conduits for anti-vaccine messaging, researchers said
Sheera Frenkel
Tiffany Hsu
The Freedom’s Phoenix, a local
news site in Phoenix, and the
Atlanta Business Journal, a news
site in Atlanta, both published
the same article about coronavirus
vaccines in March.
The author was Joseph Mercola,
who researchers and regulators
have said is a top spreader of
misleading COVID-19 information.
In the article, Mercola inaccurately
likened the vaccines to “gene
therapy” and argued against their
usefulness
A month later, The Freedom’s
Phoenix and the Atlanta Business
Journal also published another
article by Mercola. This time, he
blamed billionaire Bill Gates for
the pandemic, claiming Gates had
“shadow control” of the World
Health Organization.
Facebook and other social
platforms have in recent weeks
attracted attention for vaccine
misinformation as COVID cases
surge from the delta variant and
vaccination rates slow. But The
Freedom’s Phoenix and the Atlanta
Business Journal are two small
publications — along with dozens
of radio and television stations,
and podcasts aimed at local
audiences — that have also become
powerful conduits for anti-vaccine
messaging, researchers said.
Mercola and other
superspreaders of anti-vaccine
content, who have been listed by
the nonprofit Center for Countering
Digital Hate as the “Disinformation
Dozen,” have appeared in articles
in local publications or as guests
on local radio shows and podcasts,
according to a review by The New
York Times. Some of their articles
are regularly published by small-
town newspapers, or they are
quoted as experts, the Times found.
Sherri Tenpenny, an osteopathic
physician and vaccine skeptic,
was recently on Coach Dave Live,
a podcast in Ohio aimed at local
audiences, misleadingly claiming
that coronavirus vaccines disrupt
people’s fertility. Christiane
Northrup, a physician and anti-
vaccine activist, showed up on
the Lillian McDermott radio show
in Florida and inaccurately said
the vaccines would “change human
DNA.” Ty Bollinger, another vaccine
skeptic, was featured on News4
WSMV Nashville, an NBC-affiliated
station in Tennessee, where he
discussed why people should not
get vaccinated.
Their appearances on local
media can have an impact since
Americans are more likely to
believe what they read and hear
from local news outlets. A 2019
Knight-Gallup study found that
45% of Americans trust reporting
by local news organizations “a
great deal” or “quite a lot,”
compared with 31% for national
news organizations.
“People think they are trusting
their local news, something reliable
and familiar, when in fact they
are trusting misinformation,” said
Rachel Moran, a fellow at the Center
for an Informed Public at the
University of Washington. “It is
a huge problem and growing.”
The Freedom’s Phoenix, the
Atlanta Business Journal, Coach
Dave Live, the Lillian McDermott
show and News4 WSMV did not
return requests for comment.
In an email, Mercola wrote,
“Local communities must come
together when the federal health
agencies and mainstream media
are under the influence of the
pharmaceutical industry.”
Tenpenny, Northrup and
Bollinger did not respond to
requests for comment.
Many local media publications
and stations have reported
responsibly and factually on the
pandemic. Gannett, the publisher
with 100 daily newspapers and
nearly 1,000 weekly publications
across 43 states, has dedicated
resources to fact-checking and
teaching journalists that accuracy
matters more than speed, said
Amalie Nash, senior vice president
for local news and audience
development at USA Today, which
is owned by Gannett.
The investment was crucial
because in the pandemic, “people
turned to us in record numbers
to get information about
lockdowns, mask policies and
vaccines,” Nash said. But as the
local news industry has been hit
by declining advertising revenues
and cuts, some outlets have
sometimes unknowingly run
vaccine misinformation because
they have fewer employees or less
oversight than in the past, said
Ken Doctor, a news industry
analyst. Without the resources
to publish original, independent
journalism, they may also rely on
whatever can be freely repurposed
from online material, he said.
In total, local media remains
a significant force. There were
1,762 local television stations and
3,379 radio stations operating in
the United States last year,
according to the Radio Television
Digital News Association and
Syracuse University. While print
publications have been decimated,
there are still about 1,300 daily
thursDAY | 17-february-2022
SRINAGAR
papers and 5,800 weekly
publications, with roughly half
located in small rural communities,
according to research from the
University of North Carolina.
Jo Lukito, an assistant
journalism professor who studies
disinformation at the University
of Texas at Austin, said local media
is often a starting point that creates
a “trading up the chain” effect.
It starts when a rumor is
covered or published in local media,
she said, where it can gain a sheen
of credibility. Then “when you
pitch it to a Fox News or a larger
news platform, you can say that
this other outlet covered it, so it
must be real,” she said.
One radio show that appears
to have been part of that effect is
Coast to Coast AM, which is
syndicated on 640 local stations
and reaches nearly 3 million weekly
listeners. Its host, George Noory,
has in recent years interviewed
Tenpenny; Robert Kennedy Jr., a
lawyer and anti-vaccine activist;
and Erin Elizabeth, founder of the
website Health Nut News and a
vaccine skeptic.
The activists have used their
segments on the show to reinforce
their messages. In a promotion
for Tenpenny’s appearance to
discuss the coronavirus in April
2020, for example, Coast to Coast
AM’s website said, “She contends
that there are so many unknowns
in regards to testing, tracking,
symptoms, and other factors, that
the information we’re being told
about the disease is meaningless.”
That line was shared on
Tenpenny’s social media accounts
and tweeted by some of her
followers.
In a statement, Noory said, “We
give all views on my program and
that includes people who are
opposed to vaccines.”
Vaccine misinformation has
also been published on sites that
purport to be local news but that
are pay-for-play content websites.
These sites — where articles are
ordered up and paid for by
conservative think tanks, political
operatives, corporate executives
and public relations professionals
7
— have sprung up to fill the vacuum
left by the loss of local publications.
Recent articles on some of those
sites, such as Last Frontier News
in Alaska and Bowling Green Today
in Kentucky, highlighted people
who died after receiving the COVID
vaccines without saying that it
was unclear if the vaccines were
responsible, according to a review
by the Times. The stories followed
a pattern established on anti-
vaccine blogs of pulling data from
a national database of post-vaccine
deaths without explaining the
limitations of the data.
Last Frontier News and Bowling
Green Today did not respond to
requests for comment.
At least one local radio host
has recently recanted his anti-
vaccine stance. Phil Valentine, a
conservative radio host in
Tennessee, had declared in a blog
post in December that he would
not get the vaccine because his
chances of dying from the virus
were “way less than one percent.”
But Valentine was diagnosed
with COVID-19 in July and has
been hospitalized in critical
condition. He has since issued a
statement advising others to get
vaccinated
Phil would like for his listeners
to know that while he has never
been an ‘anti-vaxxer,’ he regrets
not being more vehemently ‘pro-
vaccine’ and looks forward to being
able to more vigorously advocate
that position as soon as he is back
on the air, which we all hope will
be soon,” his station, 99.7 WTN,
said July 23.
On Wednesday, Valentine was
put on a ventilator, 99.7 WTN said.
The station has added a hashtag
to its posts about the host:
#prayforphil.

Equal development in Jammu,

Kashmir and Ladakh
Javed Reshi
Political observers say the
constitutional change in August
2019 has led to "social and economic
development" in both Jammu and
Kashmir and Ladakh
Political observers believe that
after the constitutional changes
and reorganization of the state
of Jammu and Kashmir, the central
areas of Jammu and Kashmir and
Ladakh have been fully integrated
into the national mainstream.
He believes that as a result of
the decisions taken on August 5,
2019, all the rights enshrined in
the Constitution of India and the
benefits of all the central laws
enjoyed by other citizens of the
country are now available to the
people of Jammu and Kashmir
and Ladakh. ” Question from the
Biju Janata Dal leader, who sought
to know whether the government
had assessed the effects of
repealing Article 370 on Jammu
and Kashmir.
militancy operations are being
The government views the effective removal of Article 370 as a key vehicle executed in a coordinated manner.
Residents of J&K and Ladakh can
to usher in transformational development in the region. Many districts in J&K are now aspire for the same
opportunities that residents in
now militancy free. Anti-militancy operations are being executed in a coordinated other States have. The government
is also incentivising farmers to
manner. Residents of J&K and Ladakh can now aspire for the same opportunities introduce ultra-high density
plantations of apple and other fruits.
that residents in other States have. The government is also incentivising farmers to introduce Tourism infrastructure is being
upgraded in mission mode, and
ultra-high density plantations of apple and other fruits. Tourism infrastructure is being upgraded in bijli, sadak, paani issues are being
mission mode, and bijli, sadak, paani issues are being addressed on a war footing. In a bid to further addressed on a war footing. In a
bid to further boost tourism and
boost tourism and connectivity, 11 airports in J&K and two in Ladakh were considered under the connectivity, 11 airports in J&K
and two in Ladakh were considered
UDAN scheme. The Ayushman Bharat scheme for all residents of J&K under the UDAN scheme. The
Ayushman Bharat scheme for all
residents of J&K.
The government believes that
the integration of the Union
"This change has led to socio- have been discriminated against of elections to Panchayati Raj democracy. Territories of J&K and Ladakh
economic development in both for ages, as well as their institutions such as Panches and The government views the complete in spirit only when fruits
the new UT of Jammu and comprehensive development as Sarpanches, Block Development effective removal of Article 370 as of democracy reach every household
Kashmir and the UT of Ladakh. well as their significant advances Councils and Dist r ic t a key vehicle to usher in at grassroots level, as envisaged
Empowering the people, that lead the two central regions Development Councils, Jammu transformational development in by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional
eradicating illegitimate laws, to peace and development. and Kashmir has now established the region. Many districts in J&K Amendments, are firmly executed
providing justice to those who Analysts say that with the holding a three-tier system of lower-level are now militancy free. Anti- and established.

Printer, Publisher and Owner: Imtiyaz Ahmad Bazaz, Editor Imtiyaz Ahmad Bazaz, Associate Editor: Bashir Dada, Executive Editor: Firdous A Mohammad, Assistant Editors: Wani Farheen, Jammu Bureau chief: Sameer
Bhasin, Correspondents Srinagar -Abid Rehman, Jammu- Vinod Koul, Doda: Nayeem Ahmad Tantray, General Manager- Basharat Mushtaq Bhat, Legal Advisor-Adv. Imtiyaz Ahmad Sofi, Published from Bazaz House,
Swaroop Kocha, Gadood Bagh, Habba Kadal, Printed at: KT Printing Press Rangret Srinagar, Srinagar-190001, J&K, E-mail: editor@mvkashmir.com for advertisement purpose: business@mvkashmir.com,
Tele: 0194-2452044, 2477719. E-Paper: https://mvkashmir.com/epaper/.
        CMYK        
 facebook.com/NewspaperGMK twitter.com/GMKashmir www.goodmorningkashmir.net epaper.goodmorningkashmir.net

8 SRINAGAR
thursDAY | 17-february-2022
health HEALTH
06
Srinagar | Tuesday | 11-May-2021

Fat Burning Hiit:

Amid the pandemic, all of
your weight loss plans may
have taken a backseat as you
don't have access to the gym.
However, by eating right and
exercising correctly indoors,
you can still manage to shed
a few extra pounds. And
those who are determined to
reach their weight loss goal
can now follow some easy
but effective workout
routines at home, thanks to
celebrity fitness trainer
Yasmin Karachiwala. The
expert has presented a five-
step guide that can help you
burn fat in the comforts of
your home. In the Instagram
video, she has demonstrated
each step of the new Cardio/
Fat Burn HIIT routine. She
also shared a modified
version of the routine.
Fitness
Trainer Yasmin
Karachiwala
Shares New
Cardio Routine
For Weight
Loss
need to scale it down."
Fat Burning Hiit: Here are the 5 Steps involved in the Weight Loss routine Previously, Yasmin had also
displayed simple techniques
to include small equipment
in our daily workout
1. Squat + Kick (45 Secs) 2. Sit-up Double Heel touch (45 Secs) routine. In one clip, we can
see her perform an exercise
Modified version: Squat + Knee Up Modified version: Diamond Sit-up routine using a swiss ball.
She also used other props
such as a medicine ball,
3. Squat thrust Sit 4. Push-up + Spiderman MC (45 Secs) magic circle and theraloop
in this series.
If you are trying to ace the
Modified version: Step Out Squat Thrust Sit Modified version: Knee Push-up + MC beach body challenge that's
been trending on social
media, Yasmin has a series of
5. Squat Jump rotation workouts for that too. She
uploaded multiple exercise
Modified version: Squat Touch Floor Rotation routines that can help you
get closer to your dream
body.
Try this 5 step workout
The caption reads, "Hey focusing on a Cardio/Fat rounds of 45 seconds each, rest in between exercises rounds! Follow the and shed that extra weight at
Everyone. This month we're Burn HIIT Series. Perform 3 take 15 seconds of active and a full minute between Modified version (M) if you home!

1 in 3 women with
COViD pneumonia at lung
damage risk: Lancet
London: Most patients hospitalised for
COVID-19 infection return to full health, but one
in three may develop lung damage even after a
year, according to a study published in The
Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
People are most commonly hospitalised for
COVID-19 infection when it affects the lungs --
termed COVID-19 pneumonia. A study showed
that even after a year, a third of patients'
measures of lung function were reduced,
particularly how efficiently oxygen is
transferred in the lungs into the blood. This was
more frequently found in women than in men.
In around a quarter of patients CT scans
showed there were still small areas of change in
the lungs, and this was more common in patients
with more severe lung changes at time of
hospitalisation. About 5 percent of patients still
reported breathlessness, found researchers from
the University of Southampton in the UK.
"The majority of patients with severe
COVID-19 pneumonia appeared to fully recover,
although for some patients this took many
months. Women were more likely to have
persistent reductions in lung function tests and
further investigation is needed to understand if
there is a sex specific difference in how patient's
recover," said Mark Jones, Associate Professor in
Respiratory Medicine at the varsity.
"We also don't yet know what happens
beyond 12 months and this will need ongoing
study," Jones added.
The team worked with collaborators in
Wuhan, China, to investigate the natural
history of recovery from severe COVID-19
pneumonia up to one year after
hospitalisation. About 83 patients were
recruited after they were discharged from
hospital following severe COVID-19 pneumonia
and were followed up after three, six, nine and
twelve months.
The research provides evidence that routine
respiratory follow-up of patients hospitalised
with COVID-19npneumonia is required. It also
highlights the need for exploring treatment
strategies, including the role of exercise
programmes to prevent the development of long
term COVID-19 related lung changes.
Eating Less to Lose Weight? Here's What nutritionist Has to Say
When it comes to losing
weight or trying to find a quick
fix to get lean, there is a lot of
information available on the
Internet. Unfortunately, large
chunks of it are mere myths in
the disguise of a hack or a trick.
It is, therefore, extremely
important to get the right advice
before you begin to turn your
routine into your lifestyle. For
instance, one of the most common
myths when it comes to shedding
those extra pounds is eating less.
Many of those who are determined
to lose weight tend to skip meals
or eat lesser quantities than their
body really requires. However,
celebrity nutritionist Pooja
Makhija busted this myth by
sharing some facts about eating
less and how it affects the
metabolic processes.
Weight loss: Eat enough
calories to for healthy weight
loss
Makhija busts the following
myths about eating less for weight
Morning Rituals: This Is How You Should Start Your Day For A Healthy Gut
Gut health is an extremely
important part of your overall health
and well-being. This is because any
food you consume will reach different
parts of the body as nutrients only if
you have a healthy digestive system
and gut. At a time when the need to
strengthen one's immunity is of
paramount importance, ensuring that
your gut is taken care of is a necessity.
But is there a way to promote gut
health by sitting at home, using foods
available at our disposal? Well, yes!
This is exactly what nutritionist
Nmami Agarwal has explained in her
latest Instagram Stories.
Gut health: Try this simple trick
every morning
The expert has recommended
loss- or BMR (Basal Metabolism Rate)
1. Truth about restricting in order to survive," said Pooja.
calories and BMR This makes the weight loss
"When you restrict calories, process more difficult and not
the body will cut down its burn easy, she said.
consuming one litre of water with one
tablespoon of sabja seeds as first thing
in the morning. Sharing a photo of the
drink, she wrote, "Try this out. First
litre of water with 1 tbsp of sabja seeds
every day." Listing its benefits, she said
that it was "great for gut health."
Nmami also said that the drink had
"great fibre content" and acted as a
"natural body coolant".
During the summer it is essential to
drink adequate amount of water. Adding
sabja seeds to your morning can also
help you beat the health as these seeds
leave a cooling effect on your body.
The expert had also recently shared
a list of foods that can help overcome
anxiety. She mentioned that a healthy
gut can help you fight anxiety. She
what you are eating in the form
of fats. Higher fat content results
in low BMR, Makhija explained.
3. Truth about eating less
and exercising more
When you eat less and exercise
more, you do not lose fat but
instead, you lose muscles,
informed the nutritionist. She
further added, "The more muscle
you lose, the more the metabolic
rate goes down."
Pooja Makhija concluded the
Instagram Reels by saying, "The
truth here is that you don't have
to eat less, you just have to eat
right."
Previously, the expert had
also provided important inputs
on following the right health
protocols before and after taking
vaccination for COVID-19.
She explained that it was
2. Truth about eating less essential to stay hydrated, have
and storing fat nutritious food like vegetables
According to the celebrity and soups, restrict alcohol intake,
nutritionist, the lesser you eat, sleep well and take ample rest
the more your body will store before and after taking the jab.
wrote, "Both probiotics and prebiotics
have been shown to reduce level of
anxiety. It's a good idea to add nuts,
seeds, fish, yoghurt, idli, dosa and
whole grains in the diet". In addition to
this, she added that polyphenol-rich
items such as coffee and green tea also
help increase healthy gut bacteria.
In the clip, the expert recommended
focussing on healthy and wholesome
food. She explained the need to include
foods rich in Omega-3 fats such as nuts,
seeds, or fish in the diet. Along with high
fibre food such as whole grains, fruits
and vegetables, it is also important to
have fermented foods like yoghurt, idli,
and dosa, too, she said.
So, give your mornings a healthy
start with this simplest hack.

        CMYK        
 business
10 SRINAGAR
TUESDAY | 23-FEBRUARY-2021
SRINAGAR
thursDAY | 17-february-2022 BUSINESS9
Trade gap at 5-month
Excited about India’s low of USD 17.42 billion; exports up
25 per cent in January
5G tech stack: IT minister NEW DELHI: India’s

Ashwini Vaishnaw
BENGALURU: IT and telecom
minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on
Tuesday said he is very excited
about the 5G technology stack
which has been developed in
India. “I am very excited about
the 5G technology stack which
has been developed in India.
Space-tech has been opened, a
new central bank digital currency
has been announced, quantum
computing, cyber security
initiatives, and semiconductors
are a reality now,” said the
minister.
The minister, while speaking
at the IT industry grouping
Nassom’s strategic review press
conference, also mentioned that
the government has got superb
response from the semiconductor
industry participants. In
December, the government had
approved a Rs 76,000-crore
production-linked incentive (PLI)
scheme to promote semiconductor
and display manufacturing in
the country.
On Monday, minerals and
natural resources-focused
Vedanta announced a pact with
contract manufacturer Foxconn
on the semiconductors front. Even
the Tata Group has shown interest
in the chip making. “Very happy
that within such a short time
frame, superb response has been
received from the semiconductor
industry participants,” said
Vaishnaw.
The minister also hailed the
IT industry for adding 4.5 lakh
new people in FY22 to take the
direct employment tally to 50
lakh.
The $227-billion industry’s
focus on spreading out to newer
centres like Kolkata and Nagpur
for setting up offices was also
welcomed by the minister.
merchandise trade deficit
shrunk to a five-month low
of $17.42 billion as export
witnessed a 25.28% year-
on-year growth to $34.50
billion in January 2022.
Merchandise imports grew
at a slower pace than the
exports at 23.54% during
the month to $51.93 billion.
The trade deficit in
December 2021 was $21.68
billion. In January 2021,
the trade deficit was at
$14.5 billion. India’s overall
exports, including
merchandise and services
combined, were estimated
to be $61.41 billion,
exhibiting a positive growth
of 36.76% over the same
period last year. The overall
imports in January 2022
were $67.76 billion,
exhibiting a slower rate of
growth of 30.54% over the
same period last year and
a positive growth of 30.19%
over January 2020.
The non-petroleum and
non-gems and jewellery
exports in January 2022
were $27.10 billion,
registering growth of 20.13%.
The estimated value of
services export for January
2022 was $ 26.91 billion,
exhibiting a growth of
54.95%andgrowthof46.57%.
The services trade deficit
in January was $11.07 billion,
up 47.86% from January 2021
($7.49 billion) and an increase
of 48.38% over January 2020
($7.46 billion).
" The fall in mobility and
the demand for gold with
the onset of the third wave
and the associated
restrictions, helped to pull
back the merchandise trade
deficit to a five-month low
$17.4 billion in January
2022," said.

Future Retail Ltd can seek HC nod on
case in National Company Law Tribunal
NEW DELHI: The Supreme
Court on Tuesday allowed Future
Retail Ltd (FRL) to approach the
Delhi High Court seeking a nod
to resume proceedings before
the National Company Law
Tribunal (NCLT) on its merger
with Reliance Group.
This comes after earlier this
month the apex court had
reserved orders on FRL’s plea
on whether NCLT proceedings
in connection with its deal with
Reliance can continue and if it
could be allowed to go ahead
with the steps of the scheme.
The Supreme Court last week
had also rejected US e-commerce
giant’s request to file a written
submission in the matter.
Granting liberty to the Kishore
Biyani-led Future Group to
puruse NCLT proceedings before
the high court, a bench led by
Justice NV Ramana said the high
court can grant appropriate
orders uninfluenced by any
observations of the Supreme
Court.
Future and Amazon have
been entangled in a tussle over
the sale of Future’s retail assets
to Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance
Industries Ltd. The high court
has listed for hearing on February
24 a batch of pleas concerning
the ongoing tussle between
Amazon and Future Group over
Future Retail’s `24,731-cr merger
deal with Reliance Retail. The
deal is being opposed by Amazon
which argues that FRL violated
their contract.
NCLAT on Monday adjourned
till Feb 25 the hearing on
Amazon’s plea seeking a stay
on the CCI’s order, which had
suspended the 2019 approval
for the company’s deal to acquire
a 49% stake in Future Coupons
Pvt Ltd (FCPL).
‘IT sector revenue likely to LIC sits on over
hit USD 350 billion by FY26’ Rs 21,500 crore
BENGALURU: The information and technology (IT) sector can
achieve the target of $350 billion revenue by FY26, growing at a
rate of 11-14%. The industry crossed the $200 billion revenue mark, unclaimed funds
and is estimated to reach $227 billion revenue in FY22, with $30
billion incremental revenue in the year, said Nasscom.
In the Strategic Review 2022, Nasscom on Tuesday said the
industry is recording the highest ever growth since 2011. Exports,
including hardware, witnessed a growth of 17.2%, clocking revenue
of $178 billion, and the domestic revenue of the technology industry
recorded a 1.2X growth over FY2019 to reach about $50 billion.
E-commerce recorded a growth of 39% to reach $79 billion in
2021-22.
Nasscom said that FY22 has been a breakthrough year for the NEW DELHI: State-owned insurance
Indian technology industry. India has emerged as a global hub for behemoth LIC had unclaimed funds to the
digital talent with over 5 million workforce, and the industry saw tune of Rs 21,539 crore as of September
nearly 10% estimated growth in direct employee pool with an 2021, according to a draft prospectus filed
addition of around 4,50,000 to its employee base. for IPO with market regulator Sebi. This
The Indian tech industry has also reskilled about 2,80,000 includes interest earned over the outstanding
employees in FY22. There are over 1.8 million women in the unclaimed amount.
workforce, said Nasscom. Debjani Ghosh, President, Nasscom, As per the Draft Red Herring Prospectus
said, “Domestic market emerged as a great propeller, nearing a (DRHP) filed by the Life Insurance Corporation
total of $50 billion, owing to India’s tech adoption with public of India (LIC), the unclaimed amount was
digital platforms like Aadhaar, UPI and CoWIN playing a large part at Rs 18,495 crore at the end of March 2021
in delivering citizen services.” and Rs 16,052.65 crore at the end of March
2020. The total unclaimed amount stood
at Rs 13,843.70 crore at the end of March
2019.

Splitting MD Tax evasion charges: Income Tax dept searches Every insurer is required to display
information about any unclaimed amount

premises of Chinese telecom major Huawei

of Rs 1,000 or more on their respective
websites (to continue even after completion

& chairman role
voluntary: Sebi
MUMBAI: The top 500 listed entities will
not be required to split the post of chairman
and MD/CEO compulsorily from April 1 this
year. Sebi at its board meeting on Tuesday
decided to make the corporate governance
reform applicable on a “voluntary basis”, given
the “unsatisfactory” level of compliance by the
companies so far.
NEW DELHI: The Income Tax
department on Wednesday conducted
searches at three premises of the
Chinese tech giant Huawei as part of
a tax evasion investigation. This is
the second raid on the Chinese mobile
makers in the past two months.
As per sources, during the raid,
officials looked at financial documents,
account books and company records
as part of a tax evasion investigation
against the company. Some records
have been seized too. The raids were
conducted at Delhi, Gurugram
(Haryana) and Bengaluru in the
Karnataka office of Huawei.
However, Huawei on its part said
it fully cooperates with the rules and
regulations and follows the right
procedure.
"We have been informed of the
visit of the Income Tax team to our
office and also of their meeting with
some personnel. Huawei is confident
our operations in India are firmly
compliant to all laws and regulations.
We will approach related government
departments for more information
and fully cooperate as per the rules
and regulations and follow the right
procedure," the company said in a
statement.
In December, the government
raided the offices of Xiaomi and Oppo
and claimed to have detected alleged
unaccounted income worth over Rs
6,500 crore. Earlier this week, the
Information and Technology ministry
blocked 54 more apps citing a threat
to the country's security. These include
Tencent Xriver, Nice Video Baidu, Viva
Video Editor and gaming app Garena
Free Fire Illuminate, citing security
and privacy concerns.
The relationship between India
and China soured after the Galwan
military stand-off in Ladakh in 2020.
Subsequently, the government banned
various Chinese apps, which were
operating in India. So far, it has banned
more than 300 mobile applications.
However, Chinese mobile makers still
dominate the smartphone market of
India. According to Counterpoint
Research, Xiaomi led the market with
a 24% shipment share while it is closely
followed by Realme and Samsung.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED)
also froze assets of Chinese-controlled
companies and non-banking financial
companies (NBFCs) dishing out instant
loans through mobile apps in India.
of 10 years) and a facility is to be provided
on the website to enable policyholders or
beneficiaries to verify the unclaimed amounts
due to them.
Further, it said, the unclaimed amounts
circular by the Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
prescribes the procedures relating to the
mode of payment of the unclaimed amount,
communication to the policyholders,
accounting, utilization of investment income
etc.
The SCWF Act mandates the transfer of
unclaimed amounts of the policyholders
held beyond a period of 10 years to the
Senior Citizens' Welfare Fund (SCWF). The
Senior Citizens' Welfare Fund Rules, 2016
(SCWF Rules) specifies the entities that are
required to transfer the amounts into the
SCWF and contains provisions pertaining
to the administration of the SCWF, it said.
The Unclaimed Amounts Circular
prescribes that the unclaimed amount, on
completion of 10 years.

SpiceJet back in black; challenges far from over

The Kotak Committee, formed by Sebi in
June 2017, recommended splitting the post to
provide a better and more balanced governance
structure in corporate practices. Sebi in its
board meeting of March 2018 had mandated
that effective April 1 2020, the top 500 listed
entities will ensure the chairperson would be
a non-executive director and not be related to
the MD and CEO. The Sebi at the instance of
industry extended the deadline for the
implementation by two years.
However, noting the “unsatisfactory” level
of compliance where only 54% of the companies
had complied with this rule by December 2021,
up from 50.4% in September 2019, Sebi decided
to make the provision voluntary “at this juncture”.
It cited constraints amid the pandemic and
representations from various stakeholders as
reasons for easing the norm.
“Making the reform voluntary gives the
go-by to a well-established principle of corporate
governance whereby the posts are held by
independent persons,” said corporate lawyer
HP Ranina. “Considering the difficulty faced
by even the top 500 companies in identifying
the right candidates to helm their board, it is
only fair that the same is made voluntary,” said
Chirag M. Shah, Of counsel, Mansukhlal Hiralal
& Co.
NEW DELHI: Amidst ongoing
legal tussles which include a
winding-up order, private carrier
SpiceJet on Tuesday surprised
everyone by reporting a net profit
of Rs 23.28 crore for the quarter
ending December (Q3FY22).
SpiceJet said that the airline
reported profit despite ‘one-time
exceptional adjustment’ of Rs
77.46 crore on account of
settlement for Bombardier
aircraft for the same period. In
the year-ago period (Q3FY21),
the company had reported a loss
of Rs 57 crore while in the
September quarter it had posted
a loss of Rs 56 crore. SpiceJet also
recorded a 74% increase in Q3FY22
revenues to Rs 2,679 crore as
against Rs 1,539 crore in the
corresponding quarter last fiscal.
SpiceJet bouncing back to
profitability is a positive for the
aviation sector, given market
leader IndiGo had also reported
profit in Q3, indicating recovery.
However, SpiceJet continues to
have a rough ride given its high
accumulated loss (Rs 1,262 crore
for the 9 months ended Dec 2021),
liability (Rs 13,602 cr as on Dec
2021) and legal cases.
The airline faced a major blow
on Monday when former promoter
and media-mogul Kalanithi
Maran declined its offer made
for a one-time settlement to end
the long-standing share-transfer
dispute between the two parties.
Maran’s lawyer informed the
Supreme Court that the offer of
Rs 600 crore made by SpiceJet
is not found to be feasible as the
total amount owed to Maran was
around Rs 920 crore. The court
scheduled the next hearing on
March 2.
The top court is hearing
another case related to the non-
payment of $24 million (Rs 180
cr) by SpiceJet to Swiss company
Credit Suisse, in which the Madras
High Court had permitted
winding-up petition and directed
the official liquidator to take over
the assets of the airline. On Jan
28, the apex court gave SpiceJet
three weeks’ time to settle the
matter with the Swiss firm.
SpiceJet, in its Q3 result said, the
company is under discussion
with Credit Suisse AG and
“expects to settle the matter in
the given time frame.”

        CMYK        
 10
CONTINUE FROM FRONT PAGE..........
NC...
be given having regard to tough terrain,
lack of connectivity, hardship faced by people,”
the party said, adding, “In such cases Assembly
Constituency would be allotted for population
10% below the average. The parameters or
indicators of criteria were not made known
to the associate members. However, the
decision as regards allocation of increased
7 seats in the ration of 1:6 though arbitrarily
and ignoring our objections, was taken before
Paper-1 was circulated and response invited
from associate members the comments/
Objection filed on December 31, 2021 though
cogent and convincing were ignored.”
The “arbitrary” allocation of increased
seats for reasons “other than contemplated
under law and logic”, the part said, have
made now “huge violation of fundamental
principles of a delimitation exercise
unavoidable.”
The deviation in population ranges from
56077 more than average of 136304 in case
of 41-Dooru to 85025 less than average in
case of 50-Padder, the NC said. “There are
seven Assembly segments with less than
100,000 population ( Paddar, Shri Mata
Vaishnav Devi, Bani Mughal Madaan, Basohli,
Ramgarh and Kishtwar) in Jammu Province
while number of such constituencies is only
three (Gurez, Karnah and Kunzer),” it said,
adding, “Likewise there are eighteen Assembly
segments with population of more 1,50,000
in Kashmir Provinces while number of such
Assembly segments is seven in case of Jammu
province.”
Twenty Four constituencies in Kashmir
Province have more than average population
of 136304 while population of only eight
constituencies in Jammu Province exceeds
the average population of a constituency
worked out by the Commission, it said. “The
population of Dooru almost equals population
of three constituencies – Paddar, Shri Mata
Vaishnav Devi and Bani constituencies of
Jammu,” it said, adding, “While a little less
2 lac people of Dooru will have one member
in Assembly an almost equal population
from aforementioned 3 constituencies shall
have three members in the Assembly.”
The people of Dooru therefore cannot
not be equal stakeholders in decision making
and equal participants in governance, it
said. “The Working Papers 2-6 scripts a story
of disempowerment and disenfranchisement
of Kashmir and farflung unattended areas
of Jammu.”
While Anantnag, Kulgam and Zainapora
from Shopian District have been joined with
Poonch and Rajouri Districts, the NC said
that the same was without any regard for
the terrain, geography, connectivity,
accessibility, and overall convenience.
“The Commission has not in the least
considered that Anantnag, Kulgam and
Zainpora are separated by mighty Pir Panchal
Range and the area are in- accessible for
half the year because of heavy snowfall,” it
said, adding, “The draft proposal makes no
sense looking from any angle.” The only
result would be huge hardship to the people
of Poonch, Rajouri and also far flung areas
of south Kashmir, it said.
“Redrawing of boundaries of Srinagar
and Baramulla depicts similar indifference
to the guiding principles of compactness,
contiguity and connectivity while making
delimitation exercise.”
Shopian has been made part of Srinagar
Constituency and Budgam and Beerwah
part of Baramulla in utter disregard of the
settled guiding principles and to huge
inconvenience of the people, the party said.
“The Working Paper 2-6 shockingly
obliterates a number of Constituencies of
historical importance,” the party said in the
objections, a copy of while Lies with Global
News Service.
To name a few like Habakadal, Amirakadal,
Zadibal, Shangus, Kokernag, Sangrama,
Gulmarg, Hom Shali Bugh, Inderwal, Gandhi
Nagar are made to disappear and completely
obliterated unmindful of their emotional,
psychological value and importance.
“Habakadal has name of famous poetess
queen Habba Khatoon associated with it,
while Amira Kadal makes us remember the
name of Governor Amir Khan one the
Governors who has made significant
contribution to architecture and urban
development,” the party said, adding, “It
appears that the Working Paper 2-6 is being
used as a device to deface and obliterate
history and make an assault on culture,”
the party said, adding, “It is shocking when
efforts are being made to restore old names
of cities and towns in the Country, a conscious
effort is being made to obliterate and remove
history and culture of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The names of places, towns and cities
are symbols of culture and history and deserve
to be respected, the party said. “The
constituencies therefore must be restored.”
The party has also urged the Commission
to stop exercise forthwith pending final
adjudication and disposal of the batch of
petition questioning vires and constitutional
validity of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation
Act 2019.
“The draft proposal made in Working
Paper 2-6 proposing demarcation of the
Assembly Constituencies and Parliamentary
constituencies be withdrawn without acting
        CMYK        
SRINAGAR
thursDAY | 17-february-2022
WEDNESDAY | 29-DEC-2021
upon the proposals in any manner or
proceeding ahead in the matter.” (GNS)
Mehbooba...
“I believe that one day the people of this
country will wake up and won’t let this
Hindustan of Gandhi to become Ghodse’s
Hindustan”, Mehbooba said adding “the
ploy behind this Hijab issue is to keep our
girls away from education, but I believe that
our girls are wise and courageous, they won’t
let their education suffer.”
On Delimitation Commission Draft, the
PDP chairperson said that no one was happy
with it. “They have dissipated the
constituencies and joined different areas”,
she said.
“Journalism is a great profession but our
government restricts the journalists here
from speaking the truth with we having
the examples of Fahad Shah and Sajjad Gul,
how the cowardly government blindfolded
them for telling the truth”, Mehbooba said
adding, “People in Jammu and Kashmir are
being held captive by the cowardly government
using the words white collar and hybrid
militant(s).” (GNS)
SIA...
at various locations in the South and
Central district of Kashmir, during which
the arrests were made
“These raids were primarily focused on
the network of JeM. Ten identified persons
who were part of OGW modules and taking
instructions from (JeM) commanders have
been arrested,” it said, adding, “The module
whose members were organised in to sub-
modules, in the form of verticals, so that in
the event of detection of one member the
bigger network does not get compromised
had been painstakingly discovered through
discreet surveillance in which corroborative
intelligence capable of being converted to
admissible evidence in court was used to
ascertain and confirm the OGW membership
of the individuals. SIA said in a statement.
The “module”, the SIA said, could be
connected to other modules through higher
levels of JeM leadership. “Their discovery is
likely as the investigation rolls out in coming
days,” the SIA said.
The detected portion of the module, it
said, had been active in recruiting other
young persons, arranging finances,
transporting weapons in south and central
Kashmir besides providing other logistic
support.
“In the searches, besides arrests, cell
phones, SIM cards, records to show use of
banking channels and even a dummy pistol
were seized.” Among arrested persons, there
is one at whose house four militants had
been killed on 4 April 2020, it said.
“The hitherto unknown module was
working towards furthering (militant)
activities in south and central Kashmir,” the
SIA said.
The arrested members were mostly
recruiting vulnerable “school and college”
going students as a few of them are students
themselves, the SIA said.
They were in close connection with the
regular militants of JeM outfit and had been
under surveillance for quite some time, the
SIA said.
The agency further said that the digital
records seized is being sent to FSL for evidence
analysis and the arrested persons would be
presented before the NIA court in Srinagar
seeking permission for custodial questioning.
"It is believed the arrests and subsequent
follow up investigation would dent the upper
ground network of Jaish and degrade its
ability to undertake militant activities across
valley".(CNS)
Hanjura...
Talking to the news agency—Kashmir
News Observer (KNO), Hanjura said that the
resignation tendered by him from the party
posts, was not accepted by the president,
Mehbooba Mufti.
However, he said that some issues were
there within the family, which have been
resolved, adding that he has resumed his
duties as party’s General Secretary—(KNO)
Vakil...
why the names of constituencies like
Sangrama, Shangus have been changed &
even Rafiabad has been renamed as Rohama
Rafiabad , What purpose does it serve? Vakil
added that Zainageer area in Sopore deserves
a separate Constituency but it is surprising
that it has been divided & a big part of
constituency has been added & included to
Rafiabad without any logic - while as many
areas in Jammu with very less population
have been carved out as constituencies.
The senior leader said that with this
exercise, the Delimitation Commission seems
to be working under the diktat of particular
party’s ideology and are hell-bent to make
demographic changes in J&K as was feared
during the unconstitutional revocation of
Article 370.But he warned that such anti-
Kashmir policies of ruling party will backfire
and will not be in any way in the interest of
the country.
"For how long will you test the people
of Kashmir? This continuous disenfranchising
of people of Kashmir will further widen the
gap between Delhi and Srinagar," Vakil added.
Vakil appealed delimitation commission
to call all parties meet & to get their views
in order to make delimitation purposeful
and meaningful. He also demanded a separate
constituency for Zaingerarea as it deserves
in every respect—(KNO)
Sinkhole...
Sub Divisional Magistrate Kokernag, a
number of media personnel continue to
move close to and into the sinkhole, posing
threat to their own life,” Tehsildar Kokernag
said in an advisory issued today. “This in
turn attracts general public near the sinkhole
which increases the threat to life and makes
crowd control difficult for the administration,”
reads the advisory adding that all media
personnel are advised and warned not to
violate the restrictions imposed around the
sinkhole.
The order reads that action under relevant
sections of law shall be taken against anyone
found violating the order.
Pertinently, the vertical sinkhole in the
Brengi stream at Wandevalgam village has
become centre of attraction for people
especially media personnel. (KNT)
Farooq...
Among others senior leader Khalid Najeeb
Suharwardhy, YNC President, Jammu Aijaz
Jan, District President Ramban Sajjad Shaheen,
and Sheikh Bashir Ahmed were also present
in the meeting, which was marked by huge
participation of YNC Provincial, Zonal, and
Block level functionaries.
Echoing the sentiments of the youth
functionaries, Dr Farooq, as per a statement
issued to the news agency—Kashmir News
Observer (KNO), said that the Youth of Jammu
and Kashmir are finding themselves living
in a region far more volatile, unstable and
economically fragile.
“The new domicile rules, outsourcing of
jobs and contracts, withdrawing of already
advertised posts, lingering regularisation
of contractual employees, snail's pace of
recruitment by JKSSB, PSC, and inequitable
termination policy have embroiled our
educated and skilled with plethora of
anxieties. Plight of my Dogra youth, Pahari
youth, Gujjar youth, is no different from
their Kashmiri counterparts. Job insecurity,
and diminishing employment avenues
concerns the last educated young boy or
girl living in Gurez as it concerns their
counterparts in Doda, Bandipura, Rajouri,
Samba,” he said.
The communal forces, he maintained,
are diverting people's attention from real
issues after having failed to deliver on their
promises. “When you ask questions with
regards to Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits,
toll tax, employment, augmenting health
infrastructure, educational facilities, they
go mute. Diverting the attention of people
from real issues is the agenda of the incumbent
ruling dispensation,” he said, adding that
the incumbent ruling dispensation doesn't
care for the poor.
Asking the functionaries to launch
aggressive door to door campaign to apprise
the people about the tricks the ruling
dispensation is playing on them, Dr Farooq
said the doors of the party are open for those
who want a platform to work for the protection
of job, land and cultural rights of Dogras,
Kashmiris, Paharis, Gujjars. “Youth has to
work with collectivism, if it wants to secure
its future,” he said—(KNO)
Students...
the examination cleared it. Last year
62.76% students from government schools
had passed the examination. Students from
private schools have done better with 30967
(91.18%) students out of 33963 tasting success
in the examination. 19 students have secured
500 out of 500 marks while 24 secured 499
out of 500. “We only give grades. Don't
publish positions in 10th class,” the officials
said.Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha,
National Conference president Farooq
Abdullah and others extended greetings to
the successful students.
“Congratulations to all my young friends
who have successfully cleared @jkboseofficial
class 10th examinations, Annual, Regular-2021,
Kashmir Division,” Sinha said in a tweet.
“Compliments to teachers, parents & @
jkboseofficial. Best wishes to all the students
for their bright future.”
National Conference Party President,
Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Dr
Farooq Abdullah, and Vice President, Omar
Abdullah, on Wednesday extended warm
felicitations to the students, who qualified
10th class JKBOSE.According to a statement
issued here, Dr Farooq said, “I Congratulate
the students and pray that the student
fraternity conquers many more summits
in their life and live a successful, prosperous
life.”Party Vice President Omar Abdullah
while congratulating all the successful
students said he appreciated the consistent
efforts of the teaching and non-teaching
staff, students and parents in these trying
times. “I congratulate the successful
candidates. I hope that they will keep up
with the hard work,” he said.
Altaf Bukhari congratulates students for
passing Class 10th Annual Regular 2021
Board exams, extends his best wishes for
their remarkable journey
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad
Altaf Bukhari also congratulated students
who successfully passed class 10th Annual
Regular board examinations and extended
his best wishes for the future endeavours.
"Our toppers have proved that despite
uncertainties due to COVID pandemic, they
still outshined in the board exams. Securing
500 out of 500 shows that our students are
next to none. They have done a commendable
job"
Meanwhile as soon as the result were
declared, the J&K Board of School Education
website crashed again due to heavy traffic,
causing great distress among students who
had to access the result through other means.
As jkbose.nic.in was not working, angry
parents and students complained and ridicule
the situation as they could not check result.
“We have been put to great trouble and this
speaks insensitivity on the part of authorities,”
said Gulzar Ahmad, an angry parent. “We
called number of people and luckily one of
them had the gazette,” said Azrah, a student.
“There should be action against those
responsible,” said Ghulam Mohammad, a
parent. Despite repeated attempts, no senior
official of the J&K BOSE could be contacted
for comments as their phones were switched
off. (GNS)
Covid-19...
Valley, taking the overall tally to 451560.
Giving district wise details, the officials
told GNS that Srinagar reported Srinagar
reported 50, Baramulla 8, Budgam 14,
Pulwama 3, Kupwara 18, Anantnag 3,
Bandipora 5, Ganderbal 2, Kulgam 0, Shopian
1, Jammu 54, Udhampur 8, Rajouri 3, Doda
39, Kathua 3, Samba 0, Kishtwar 1, Poonch
9, Ramban 9 and Reasi 0.
A few cases were confirmed at diagnostic
centre associated with GMC Anantnag and
include male (50) from Habbak, male (15)
from Dadsara, female (65) (NA) from Chota
bazar, male (73) (NA) from Chanpora, male
(34) from Banihal and female (50) from
Kangan.
There was no death either from Jammu
or Kashmir in the last 24 hours, they said.
So far 4745 persons have succumbed to the
virus—2323 in Jammu and 2422 in Kashmir.
Besides, they said, 827 Covid-19
patients—356 from Jammu and 471 from
Valley— recovered during the time. So far
443132 people have recovered, leaving the
active case tally at 3683— 1621 in Jammu
and 2062 in Kashmir.
They said there was no new confirmed
case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported
today. So far 51 black fungus cases have
been confirmed in J&K, the officials said.
They also informed that 28846 doses of
covid-19 vaccine were administered during
the time in J&K. (GNS)
CS...
of vital issues pertaining to the industrial
sector were discussed in detail.
Principal Secretary, Industries and
Commerce (I&C), Ranjan Prakash Thakur;
Director I&C, Kashmir, Mehmood Ahmad
Shah and other officers of I&C department
also participated in the interaction both in
person and through video conferencing.
The representatives of FCIK sought devising
a local purchase policy mandating
procurement by the government departments
from local MSME units to enable them to
survive in the market. They also demanded
clearance of payments pending with the
government departments as well as allotment
of land to all those bonafide prospective
entrepreneurs, who applied for the same
as per the parameters prescribed by the
government. They also demanded exemption
of Bat manufacturers and Pencil makers
from SRO-103, besides ease of some clauses
in tendering procedure for industrial unit
holders of J&K.
Responding to the issues raised by the
delegation, the Chief Secretary reiterated
that the revival of the industrial sector was
the prime objective of the LG administration
and several initiatives have been taken for
Ease of Doing Business here. He added that
the government was improving the use of
technology and digital means in government
departments and in recent months over 200
services have been made online bringing a
significant improvement in the services
delivery mechanism.
Dr. Mehta, while deliberating on the issues
raised by the FCIK representatives, directed
the I&C department to draft a comprehensive
proposal for making the unit holders
competitive for government tenders. He
further directed to complete the process of
granting permission for industrial clusters.
While assessing the progress of the
industrial sector and proposed future plans,
the Chief Secretary directed the I&C
department to initiate a research study to
decode the local industrial potential and
impediments which hinder the progress of
this sector.Regarding the issue of delay in
payments, the Chief Secretary highlighted
that with the introduction of e-tendering,
BEAMS and PaySys, the delay of payments
within government departments has been
reduced to a large extent.
Dr. Mehta advised the representatives
to make use of different digital platforms
of the J&K government launched recently
news
NEWS
for better service delivery both to the public
and business community.
While deliberating on other issues raised
by the FCIK representatives, the Chief
Secretary assured them that all their genuine
demands will be looked into and resolved
on priority. (GNS)
Dimple...
as stated by the LG Manoj Sinha to install
the smart meters in Jammu Kashmir.
“The decision has already been taken to
taken that 15000 smart meters will be
installed every month in Jammu”,he said.
Dimple alleged after the installation of
the smart meters the domestic power per
unit will charge 5/- rs and commercial will
be Rs 8/- per unit
“These projects are producing so much
power electricity that after selling electricity
to the whole India. We can give free electricity
to the people of Jammu Kashmir”,dimple
added.
He alleged after the abrogation of article
370, common man in JK is burdened with
a heavy load of toll plazas, tariffs, taxes,
fines, burdens on traders, industries, farmers,
common.
Dimple urged LG to take Slal and uri
power projects back from the center.(CNS)
ACB...
Khulchohar, District Anantnag Hafiza
Begum, wife of Ghulam Qadir Kumar of
Kulhchohar, Block Shangus, Anantnag has
demanded Rs 6500 on account of approving
work files related to works executed under
MGNREGA, 14 FC and SBM through the office
of BDO Shangus.
“Upon receiving the instant complaint
prima facie offence U/S 7 of the Prevention
of Corruption Act 1988 was found made
out. Consequently, case FIR No. 03/2022 was
registered at P/S ACB Anantnag.”
“Subsequently, a trap team was constituted.
The trap team caught Hafiza Begum W/o
Ghulam Qadir Kumarof Kulhchohar, Block
Shangus, Anantnag while demanding and
accepting bribe of Rs 6500 from the
complainant. She was arrested and taken
into custody by ACB Team. The bribe money
was also recovered from her possession in
presence of independent witnesses,” ACB
said, adding that further investigations of
the case is going on—(KNO)
LG...
justice have a great relevance today.
“I bow to Sant Guru Ravidas Ji on his
Jayanti. Guru Ji's eternal teachings guided
the humanity to lead a virtuous and noble
life. His ideals to end all discrimination based
on caste, colour and creed are a source of
inspiration for us to create a just and humane
society,” the Lt Governor added.
May this auspicious occasion bring
sustained peace and progress in the UT and
prosperity in the lives of the people, prayed
the Lt Governor—(KNO)
Bemina...
the accident took place between I10 car
and with SSB’s armoured vehicle, leading
to injuries to Sabia Yasmeen wife of Imtiyaz
Ahmad Shah of Iqbal Abad Bemina. The
injured was shifted to SMHS hospital, they
said. A police officer told GNS that the woman
suffered “minor” injuries and that a case
has been registered in this regard.(GNS)
Sopore...
years and which is not yet being considered
by the government.
Locals told the news agency—Kashmir
News Observer (KNO), that this Sopore town
has been turned into a garbage dump with
heaps of garbage present on the roadside
in many areas including the main market
due to the non-availability of any proper
garbage dumping site in the area since long
time.According to locals, the garbage being
collected by Municipal council from various
areas is being dumped along the road here
that emanates foul smell making the
pedestrian movement difficult.
"Garbage dumped in front main road at
market here has become a nuisance for
residents, " the local said, adding that the
stink emanating from the garbage makes
it hard for them to breathe while the situation
gets worse during rain.The locals’ further
said that even the garbage being on roads
has also adversely affected the business in
the town while the admission is quietly
watching the deteriorating situation in the
area."Dogs are always seen in many areas
as they keep searching for food in these
dumping spots, posing a threat to locals
particularly students,'' Mehnaz a local female
student said, adding that the authorities
should think about this as soon as possible.
Zuhaib Ahmad, another local, said that
the authorities have turned a blind eye toward
this issue. "Many a time authorities do not
lift garbage from garbage from the place
even in the evenings,” he said.
“The garbage emanates a foul smell and
has become a health hazard for the people.
It also attracts dogs, cattle and insects,”
Ishfaq, a local shopkeeper said.
Meanwhile, despite repeated attempts,
the officials at Municipal Council (MC) Sopore
didn't respond to repeated calls from this
reporter—(KNO)
 sports
SPORTS
Valieva takes lead in Olympic figure skating
amid doping scandal
BEIJING: Russian teen sensation
Kamila Valieva put aside the emotional
exhaustion of being at the center of a
doping scandal and took the lead in
the women’s figure skating competition
after the short programme at the Beijing
Olympics.
Skating despite a positive drug test,
Valieva started her pursuit of a second
gold medal with a score of 82.16 points
on Tuesday. She faltered on her opening
triple axel and then made it through
the rest of her programme.
The 15-year-old Valieva tested
positive for a banned heart medication
from a sample given in December, a
result that only emerged last week
after she helped Russia win gold in
the team event with a historic
performance. It included her landing
the first quadruple jumps by a woman
at the Olympics.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport
ruled on Monday that Valieva should
be allowed to compete in part because
she is a minor, known as a protected
person, and is subject to different rules
from an adult athlete. But the decision
has been roundly criticised, including
by others that performed before her
on Tuesday.
Valieva is the overwhelming
favourite for the gold and Russia is
aiming for the first sweep by any nation
of the women’s Olympic podium.
Reigning world champion Anna
Shcherbakova was second with 80.20
points. Kaori Sakamoto of Japan had
a score of 79.84 to prevent a 1-2-3
Russian finish in the short programme.
Alexandra Trusova, the other member
of the Russian Quad Squad, was fourth
with 74.60 points.
Whatever happens on the ice, Valieva
will not get a medal ceremony moment
in Beijing. Nor will any skater who
finishes in the top three with her.
Valieva told Russian state
broadcaster Channel One in comments
shown Monday night that “these days
have been very difficult for me. I’m
happy but I’m tired emotionally.”
She broke into tears as she skated
off the ice Tuesday night.
thursDAY | 17-february-2022
WEDNESDAY | 29-DEC-2021
SRINAGAR
The free skate is on Thursday.
Nine gold medals were up for grabs
in the Chinese capital on Tuesday.
Corinne Suter won the women’s
downhill to confirm Switzerland’s
alpine skiing dominance.
Her victory in the high-speed event
followedLara Gut-Behrami in the
women’s super-G, while Beat Feuz won
the men’s downhill at the start of the
Games and Marco Odermatt took the
men’s giant slalom.
Two-time skiing gold medallist
Mikaela Shiffrin, who is yet to win a
medal in Beijing, came 18th as she
warmed up for the alpine combined
event on Thursday.
Defending champion Sofia Goggia
of Italy took silver, capping a remarkable
return to form after she injured her
knee in a crash last month.
There was another Swiss winner
earlier in the day in the form of Mathilde
Gremaud in women’s freestyle
slopestyle.Gremaud triumphed ahead
of Californian-born Chinese sensation
Eileen Gu, the face of the Games and
gold-medal winner last week. Gu, 18,
had to settle for silver.
Her Chinese team-mate Su Yiming,
11
who is 18 later this week, also now
has one silver and one gold after he
dominated the men’s snowboard Big
Air to take the title even before his
third and final run.
In a touching moment, Su pointed
at his parents when he was standing
on the podium.
“I haven’t seen my parents for the
past seven months because I went to
Europe for training and to many places
for competitions,” said Su, a film actor
as a child. “This moment is so special
for me and also my family.”
Austria’s Anna Gasser won a
dramatic snowboard women’s Big Air
gold to retain her title.
Germany posted the first podium
sweep by any nation in any Olympic
bobsled race, led by Francesco Friedrich
piloting the winning sled in the two-
man event. Johannes Lochner drove
the silver-medal sled and Christoph
Hafer steered his bobsled to the bronze.

HBL Pakistan Super League: Zalmi overpower Australia secure

Gladiators despite Will Smeed heroics
LAHORE: Marking his
return as a replacement, Will
Smeed made instant impact.
But his heroic 99 couldn’t
get Quetta Gladiators past
the line.
Instead, it was Peshawar
Zalmi who recorded a 24-run
victory at the Gaddafi
Stadium to move two points
clear of the Gladiators in the
HBL Pakistan Super League
standings — leapfrogging
their opponents into the final
playoff spot — after Smeed
had threatened to take the
game away from them.
Despite wickets tumbling
around him, it seemed as if
Smeed, who replaced Ben
Ducket t , would
singlehandedly guide the
Gladiators to victory but once
he chopped on Salman
Irshad’s low full toss onto
his own stumps with 32 more
to get off 13 deliveries, it was
curtains fro Sarfraz Ahmed’s
men as they finished at 161-
8 in their pursuit of 186.
Leg-spinner Usman Qadir
got three wickets for Zalmi,
for whom Shoaib Malik (58)
and Hussain Talat (51) drafted
valuable half-centuries.
It, however, was a
quickfire 36 by Ben Cutting
which proved invaulable for
them as they finished on
185.
Needing to go from the
off, the Gladiators were
tottering at 2-29 after Jason
Roy chased a wide leg-break
from Liam Livingstone but
could only get a the toe end
of his bat to give a simple
catch to Zalmi captain Wahab
Riaz before Usman’s googly
undid James Vince’s stumps.
Smeed tried to repair the
damage with capatain
Sarfraz (25) in a stand of 53
but Hussain had the Glad-
iators captain caught at deep
midwicket by Livingstone.
It was all Smeed after
that as no other Gladiators
batters could get going.
Usman had spelled the
end for them when he had
Iftikhar Ahmed (10) caught
behind before getting Umar
Akmal stumped for 1.
But Smeed, who had hit
97 in Gladiators’ season-
opening win against Zalmi
and played the first three
matches of their campaign,
was still standing tall and
he continued to smash Zalmi
bowlers, being especially
severe on Wahab.
Gladiators required 46
off the last three overs and
Smeed had set it up for a
final flourish having hit
Salman for two boundaries
in the 18th over, only to be
undone on the last ball of
that over.
Earlier, Naseem Shah
rocked Zalmi in the second
over, trapping Hazratullah
Zazai lbw on the first delivery
before knocking back
Livingstone’s middle stump.
But Mohammad Haris
(29) and Malik stitched up
a 52-run partnership before
Ghulam Mudassar accounted
for the former, taking a catch
back off his own bowling
on the second attempt while
running backwards.
That marked the start of
an 83-run partnership
between Malik and Hussain
which in the end gave Cutting
the platform to change gears.
Malik hit eight fours in
his 41-ball knock and
departed in an attempt to
accelerate the scoring when
he mistimed a slower
delivery from Khurram
Shahzad to Umar.
Sherfane Rutherford
went for a duck, with the
addition of just one run to
the scoreboard, but that
didn’t stop Cutting from
cutting loose.
In his 14-ball 36, Cutting
made 33 off nine Sohail
Tanvir deliveries — including
four sixes in the penultimate
over — as an interesting
mini-battle between the two
which saw them square up
in the heat of the moment.
Having hit a four of the
final delivery of the 17th over
by Tanvir, Cutting welcomed
him with three consecutive
sixes at the start of the 19th:
the first down the ground,
the second over deep
midwicket and the third over
extra cover.There was a brief
respite for Tanvir when
Cutting got just two off the
fourth delivery but he then
smoked the veteran pacer
for another six over deep
mid-wicket on the fifth.
Tanvir though would
complete Cutting’s dismissal,
taking a catch off the first
delivery of the final over
bowled by Naseem.
The impressive Naseem
gave away just three runs
in that over, and also ended
up getting his fourth wicket
of the innings when Hussain
was caught by Khurram.
Hussain hit six fours and
a six in his innings and then
tilted the game in his side’s
favour with the ball when
he bagged Sarfraz, only for
Smeed to bring Gladiators
close.
T20 series against
Sri Lanka
CANBERRA: Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch shared
a 50-run third-wicket stand to guide Australia toward
a six-wicket win in the third Twenty20 international
on Tuesday, clinching the five-match series against Sri
Lanka with two games to spare.
The T20 World Cup champion Australians won the
toss, decided to bowl and restricted Sri Lanka to 121-6.
Fast bowler Kane Richardson returned 3-21, including
two wickets in his first over.
In reply, the Australians reached 124-4 in 16.5 overs,
with Marcus Stoinis (12 not out) hitting the winning
runs for the second consecutive game to give Australia
a 3-0 series lead.
Maxwell led the scoring with 39 from 26 deliveries,
surviving dropped catches on 0, 9 and 22, and captain
Finch scored 35.
In the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, the No. 1-ranked
bowler in T20 international cricket, Maheesh Theekshana
led the Sri Lankan attack with three wickets for 24

Injured Michael Neser likely to

runs. He took a wicket with the first ball of Australia’s
innings, getting Ben McDermott to edge to slip after a

Global players’ deflection from the wicketkeeper’s glove.

He had makeshift opener Ashton Agar out lbw for

survey gives
miss Australia's tour of Pakistan
a run-a-ball 13 in the fifth over to make the total 26-2
and then had Maxwell caught in the outfield to break
up Australia’s half-century partnership for the third
thumbs-down to Australia fast bowler Michael Neser
wicket.
“No positives today. Yet again, poor start”, Sri Lanka

2-year World Cup

ZURICH: Footballers around the world have given
a resounding red card to FIFA’s proposal to hold the
World Cup every two years, according to a survey by
players’ global union FIFPRO.
In November FIFPRO surveyed more than 1,000
players from six continents, including more than 70
different nationalities, following a proposal by football’s
governing body FIFA to switch to a biennial format.
The findings, released on Tuesday, showed 75% of
men’s professional footballers were in favour of retaining
the tournament’s current four-year cycle.
In Europe and Asia 77% of players supported
maintaining the status quo, against 63% from the Americas.
In Africa the figure dropped to 49%, with the remainder
split between holding the competition every two or
three years.
Only 21% of the participants believed their voice
was respected and their well-being considered in the
governance of international football.
“While a clear majority of players support the current
has been all but ruled out of next month's
tour of Pakistan after his domestic
team Queensland said on Wednesday
that the 31-year-old had suffered a
side strain, with no date set for his
return.
Queensland said Neser picked up
the injury in their Marsh One-Day Cup
loss to New South Wales on Monday
and underwent scans late on Tuesday.
“It's bad luck for Michael and we're
hoping he makes a speedy recovery,”
Queensland coach Wade Seccombe
said.
Neser, who earned his first test cap
during the Ashes, was included in
Australia's squad for the three-Test
series against Pakistan which is due
to start on March 4 in Rawalpindi.
Fellow quick and Queensland
teammate Mark Steketee is a likely
replacement if Neser is ruled out of
the Australian test squad.
Australia and Pakistan are also
scheduled to play three one-day
internationals and one Twenty20 match.
Australia's squad for those encounters
will be announced separately.
The Australians will be playing in
Pakistan for the first time in almost
25 years and the series will be the Test
side's first overseas tour since facing
England in the 2019 Ashes.
captain Dasun Shanaka said, lamenting his team’s top-
order batting woes. “Throughout the series, it’s been a
major concern. We were 20 runs, 30 runs short in this
game”. The Australians made three changes for the
match, with batting veteran Steve Smith sidelined
because of the concussion he sustained in a fielding
mishap late Sunday and bowlers Pat Cummins and
Adam Zampa rested. Agar came in for Zampa and Mitch
Starc returned in place of Cummins.
Allrounder Daniel Sams replaced Smith, taking a
stunning catch inches inside the boundary rope to
complete the dismissal of dangerous opener Pathum
Nissanka off Maxwell’s bowling as Sri Lanka slipped to
40-4 in the eighth over.
“The depth is one thing that were trying to expose
a little bit more, and shuffling guys around to get some
more information on the depth of the squad,” Finch
said, reflecting on Australia’s preparations for a T20
World Cup title defense later this year. “Really good
signs”.

T20 World Cup in focus as India take on West Indies

frequency of the World Cup, a demand exists, particularly
in smaller and medium-sized markets, to further develop
and strengthen national team competitions,” FIFPRO
said.
When asked to pick their preferred competition 81%
singled out their domestic league or the World Cup “in MUMBAI: India will use to play the World Cup and “We are trying to find
its current four-year cycle”. the three-match home series give them the game time,” those holes that are there
FIFPRO general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said against West Indies to Rohit, who replaced Virat in the squad and try and fill
the survey showed “most footballers around the world identify players for this year’s Kohli as skipper in white-ball that gap,” Rohit added.
have a clear preference to play the World Cup every Twenty20 World Cup in formats, told reporters. “All these guys are very
four years”. Australia and work towards “There are a lot of players young and haven’t played a
He said the results also underlined the importance building a bigger talent pool, who are injured and not with lot of cricket. We need to
of domestic league competitions to players. captain Rohit Sharma said the team. Come the World give them the assurance and
“These leagues are the bedrock of our game and we on Tuesday. Cup, I don’t know who’s going the game time. Once we have
have to do more to strengthen them both for the sake The hosts take on West to be fit and who’s not going that, then we can try out
of players and the overall stability of professional football.” Indies at Kolkata’s Eden to be fit, but we’ve just got things.
Another key finding he pointed out was that “only Gardens in a series starting to get the back-ups ready. “We’ve spoken to guys
21 percent of them believe that their voice is respected from Wednesday after “We have a packed about what roles they will
and that their well-being is adequately considered in blanking their Caribbean schedule and injuries will need to do during the World
the context of international football governance”. opponents 3-0 in 50-overs happen. It’s important we India, who won the edition in the United Arab West Indies are the only Cup. Mindset needs to be to
“Therefore, this survey underlines the need for more matches in Ahmedabad. give players enough game inaugural T20 World Cup in Emirates with the 2022 side to have won the T20 bat or bowl in that fashion.
collective bargaining frameworks in our industry, “The idea is to identify time keeping everything in 2007, failed to reach the tournament scheduled to World Cup twice and recently The clarity has been given
the players who are going mind.” semi-finals of last year’s be held in October-November. beat England 3-2 at home. to them.”

        CMYK        
 12
Social Attitude towards the
Birth of a Girl Child in Kashmir..
Heena Majeed &
Shiraz Ahmad Dar
One of the best ways to
understand the spirit of civilization
and to appreciate its excellences
and realize its limitations is to
study the history of the position
and status of women in it. (A. S.
Altekar, The Position of Women
in Hindu Civilization from
Prehistoric Times to Present Day)
At the very outset, it is
interesting to note that while in
India women and Sudras were
treated with very lowly (albeit in
early Vedic period) in her earlier
phase of history, women of Kashmir
had enjoyed equal rights to work,
worship, and to contribute to the
development of society. There are
numerous references in old
Kashmiri texts that abundantly
reveal that women were highly
respected and sometimes even
worshipped by men.
The status of women cannot
be regarded as a socially static
phenomenon; it changes under
the stress of multifarious social
forces: economic, political,
technological and ideological. The
study of Kashmir history makes
it clear that Kashmiri women have
witnessed varying fortunes and
that in Kashmir the status of women
was much better than it was in
the rest of India.
The desire to have a male child
in preference to female ones was
common to all classes of the society
in all the societies. Everywhere
the son was preferred to the
daughter because he was
considered to be the permanent
inheritor of all economic assets
of the family. He did not migrate
to another family after the marriage
as did a daughter. In nomadic
cultures, women enjoyed a supreme
position in a clan because there
was no concept of property. A clan
moved from one pasture to another
without getting settled anywhere.
They did not have the notion of
private property like land, cattle,
house, and money. What made
one clan going was the procreating
woman. A woman for her natural
gift of procreating was this defined
in the clan all the decisions were
made by her and all the members
had to follow her orders. It is,
therefore, not surprising that the
earliest goddesses were female
for they were believed to be
possessing supernatural powers.
It was the social respect for women
that the primitives before the
advent of the settled civilizations
worshipped women and built altars
and shrines to show respect for
women. Many festivals of the
primitive ages were in honour of
a woman. Women were, thus, the
nucleus of a family and the supreme
authority of a nomadic clan.
As women's history passed
from the primitive nomadic
cultures into a permanently settled
culture, women lost her supremacy.
It was the advent of agriculture
that the primitives built permanent
huts and shanties near the fertile
lands that produced rice, wheat,
maize, and fruits. The primitives
developed implements various
agricultural activities. They also
learned the art of taming cattle
like sheep, goats, cows, horses,
and donkeys. Many wild birds
were also tamed and reared by
the farmers so that they gave them
flesh and eggs. With all these
gradual developments, private
property came into existence. Side
by side with this momentous
cultural change there was another
cultural transition taking place.
Human civilizations gave up
polygamy and polyandry and
accepted monogamy as the most
natural way of sexual behavior.
Monogamy made it sure that the
        CMYK        
personal property developed by
a family through much strife
remained in the hands of known
and certain genetic offspring. Thus,
we may say that it was the private
property that entailed the
monogamy and monogamy in
return entailed inheritance. The
inheritance of property was the
root cause of the decline of the
status of women because the notion
that the inheritance remained
within the family and did not go
to any other clan, private property,
consequently, heralded patriarchy.
In his monumental work, The
Origin of the Family, Private
Property and the State, Friedrich
Engels, retraces the history of
woman according to this
perspective. About private
property, Engels wrote:
The (private property) was the
great historical defeat of the
feminine sex... The same cause
which had assured to woman the
prime authority in the house-
namely, her restriction to the
domestic duties⸺ this same cause
now assured the domination there
of man; for women’s housework,
henceforth, sank into the
insignificance in comparison with
man’s productive labour-the latter
was everything, the former a
trifling auxiliary.
In the patriarchal form of
civilizations, a daughter was
seldom preferred to the son.
Kashmir was no exception in this
matter. The birth of a daughter
was considered to be not only a
failure in producing a legal inheritor
of man's property but also as a
disaster because the family had
to face several social and economic
problems when she grew up. The
following famous saying expresses
this social stigma attached to the
birth of a female child:
Leer khyoun shehjaar, aire
khyun chhu naar
Nyechuv zyuen shuubdaar,
kuur zaan tabardaar.
(A cucumber is soothing to eat;
a plum makes you hot,
A son brings you esteem, a
daughter is the axe-bearer.)
Kour zyun chie bodd zavalo,
watho lalou nyendray
(The Birth of a daughter is a
big disaster my dear wake up.)
A male child is viewed and
valued as the future⸺ provider
of the family, a crutch for the old
age and bringing if assets into the
family by way of fat dowries. He
is the hope of being an additional
hand to work for the well being
of the family and an assurance
for the future. A girl child, on the
other hand, is a liability to the
parents because she ultimately
leaves the family. According to
Archana Chaturvedi:
Boys are wanted for the many
satisfactions they provide, or in
other words, their instrumental
value is high. Girls, on the other
hand, are wanted almost exclusively
for their utilitarian value and
personal qualities.
The sharp differences between
the status of male and female, a
difference that runs through all
social relations, is presaged by
the kind of welcome given to a
newborn son with drumming,
singing and proud public
announcements in contrast to that
accorded to a new daughter whose
birth was often received as a piece
of sad news and would go
unmarked. This warm welcome
to son can be seen in this famous
Kashmiri song which is often sung
at his birth:
Shaam yani badro, Kariyoo
LITERATURE
Literature
In collaboration with JK Maraaz Kamraaz Academy
gorih gooru,
Majih yeli pyokh thanay, Gah
pyov heryi bunay,
Kethyo moo thoovuth kanay,
Kariyoo gorih gooro,
Phuphi yelyi rotukh kwachhey,
Dyutnay rwapyi lachhay.
(O my princely son; I shall lull
you in my lap;
When you were born to your
parents, all, above and below, was
illuminated;
Leaving no scope for slander,
I shall lull you in my lap;
Your paternal aunt hugged you,
and gifted you one lakh rupees.)
The birth of a male child brings
joy and gaiety in a Kashmiri
household for it means not only
the continuance of progeny but
also an addition to the family
income. The birth of a female child,
on the contrary, is considered as
an end of all such expectations.
This phenomenon, particularly,
with the beginning of patriarchy
has been a universal phenomenon.
A child, whether male or female,
nevertheless, is initially treated
with love as mankind is by instinct
passionate and is happy to see the
prospects of the continuance of
his progeny. A girl-child too initially
receives affection from her parents;
this is a characteristic of all living
beings. She is first of all shielded
by her mother's bosom, by the
protection of her father, and also
of her brother. But, ironically, on
the birth of a female child, the
father who is the owner of the
house and property silently
develops a grudge against his
destiny that he has to face all kinds
of hardships to work more, earn
more so that he can find his
daughter a proper mate in future.
A female is, thus, generally
considered as an economic liability
for she is to be married against a
dowry and she has to leave her
natal home after marriage. That
is why the birth of a daughter
causes anxiety in a family. Since
the parents’ love for her is un-
denied, she is a continual cause
of anxiety since her birth as to
whether she will lead a happy life
after her marriage. Verily, to be
the father of a girl is to be a person
of great sorrow. All these worries
of a typical father are epitomized
in this common saying among the
Kashmiris at the advent of a girl
child.
Kuur chai Kalas pyath naari
tok zan
(A daughter is to bear a brazier
on your head)
In Kashmir, the desire for male
offspring has been a strong urge
among both communities of
Kashmiri society, the Pandits, and
the Muslims, all over the Valley
since antiquity. We find references
in several books regarding the
customs and rituals prevalent
among both the communities that
aim at bearing a son. Tying votive
threads [desh] on the bars of the
enclosure of a saint’s tomb is an
example of this yearning for a male
issue. And when this wish is
fulfilled, appropriate gifts are
ceremoniously offered at the
shrines. In the recent past, there
was the practice among the well-
to-do families to slaughter goats
or rams as a sacrifice on the
occasion of the birth of a male
child. Thus, two goats or sheep
were sacrificed for a boy and one
for a girl. Their ceremony was
generally known as Aqiqa.
Aastan zaalai tyieli paji
Mastaanih mouj lejyo
Neely traavai swani vaajey
Maastanih mouj lejyo
EDITOR
Editor OF
of THE
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SABA
Saba SHAH
Shah
(I shall light full jar oil at the
shrine,
I an ecstatic mother shall
sacrifice my life for you;
Your father is there to wear
you rings of gold,
I an ecstatic mother shall
sacrifice my life for you.)
In both the communities of
Kashmir, the birth of a girl was
deemed as a curse and the parents
were drowned in dismay on this
occasion. She was called
Brahmhatya (assassin of a Brahmin)
by a Pandit and Qahar-i-Khuda
(Wrath of God) by a Muslim. An
often-quoted Kashmiri is saying
to the effect that a daughter's birth
making even a philosophic man
(who renounced the world) gloomy,
where a son's birth is like a sunrise
in the abode of gods.
Nechuv zyani nuur pyou makki
madinas,
Kuur zyani suur pyou Noor
Dinas.
[A son’s birth made Makka
Madina radiant,
But a daughter’s birth pained
even a Noor ud Din (R.A.)
From her birth until the time
of her death, a daughter’s presence
was regarded as an unwanted
burden on the males of the family.
Her birth was deemed as an
occasion a deep gloom and
disappointment to the family and
the relatives. This is evidenced
from different Kashmiri Manzil
Baith (cradle songs) which generally
shows a male child as the object
of special appreciation. For
example:
Duur balaayi tchejiyu
Mouj balayi lejyu
Mool govy gaaman
Su hoo yiyi shaman
Temyis balaayi tchejiyu
Bi hoo sway atilaas
Bi hoo sway atilaas
Chandas traavay rwapyi saas
Sun chhukho shyeryi taaj
Dekih badyoo karu raaj.
(All misfortunes are allayed MOTHER
Your mother lets go of her life
for you
Your father is on an errand to
the village, Faizaan Bhat
He will be back by the dusk;
All his misfortunes are dispelled
I shall get you clothes of brocade
And fill your pocket with riches
You are the crown of the clan
"She was a maker of bounty biggest"
O the fortunate one you shall Is what mom showed me
have to rule).
There is ample evidence Of women...
available in folk literature which
shows that the birth of a son was From smile her chisel of self
regarded as more fortune than
that of a daughter. In the absence Carved love
of any female child in the family,
parents, and elders usually From a word of love
expressed pleasure and delight
in the birth of a daughter. This is Showed she me the making
depicted in this cradle song:
Goori reeny, goori reeny Of families and lineages...
Durideeny durideeny
Hyeryi myeeny nundibeeny
Of images of love
Durideeny durideeny
Bakhtibed kuur seeny
Beauty and goddesses,
Durideeny durideeny
(A gold complexioned queen,
Of womanliness of feminity
A jar filled with pearls
Bestowed from above
She showed me the garden
So pretty, and priceless
A jar filled with pearls
Of eternal flowers...
Pre-ordained lucky
A jar filled with pearls)
She grew me up to respect and admire
But a man having more The very existence of women folk...
daughters said in a great
disappointment that “what else Today on my own
is there in a store for a luckless
man except daughters?” I see the burnt carcasses.
What knowledge tears apart my mind
Khwadaa seebas oos naa
kyihiny saanyi keetri tatyi
ruudmut.
(Was there nothing in store Chunks my heart
with god for us?)
A couple with one child And squeezes my breath
considers the family incomplete
if that child is a girl, but if it is a Is learning this burnt matter
boy, they are likely to see their
family an unduly small yet in an
But is the tender tender body of tenderness...
important way complete. They
had an opinion that males come
What will it take of journey back
into the family at birth and remain
until separated by death or
To the painting my mother once carved
partition. A couple usually adopts
a son when they find themselves
For me
unable to bring forths son
biologically.
For just me;
Huunyis retyith nyetyi kus
Kooryi mengyith ratyi kus.
A painting many a mothers
(Who is there to catch a dog Failed miserably at manifesting their skills....
for the sake of wool?
And who is there to a desire
for a daughter)