The only new magazine that covers entire Jammu & Kashmir including POK SUBSCRIBE ARCHIVES DAILY NEWS
Online Edition | JUNE 15 2008 | Editor-in-chief: Ranbir Manhas | Established in 1996 |
NEWS BAG
Sinha calls for regional cooperation
Gandhi's Autobiography now in Gojri
White Knight’s Good quality
education to the children
Change of command:
Crossed swords division
Altaf condemns killing of Gujjars in Rajastha
Sohanjana: SBI Ka Apna Gaon
Sinha calls for regional cooperation
Governor Lt. General (Retd) S K Sinha has stressed the need for
regional cooperation mainly between India and Pakistan, saying
this can help to wipe out political bitterness of the past.
Delivering his presidential address at the 3-day International
seminar on Regional Economic Integration among South East Asian
Countries in the convocation complex of Kashmir University, the
Governor referred to the avowed objective of SAARC and said ‘we
must strive for an economic union in South Asia on the pattern
of European Union’.
The General said that the concept of nation states emerged in
Europe but now the boundaries of nation states are melting under
pressure of supra-national economic requirements. He referred to
the European Union and asked if France and Germany could become
its close allies after fighting wars for hundreds of years why
India and Pakistan cannot join hands and fight the common
enemies of ignorance, poverty and disease. “There lies the
salvation for the region as a whole and for our State of Jammu
and Kashmir in particular’, he added.
Underlying the importance of economic cooperation, the Governor
said that it has always played an important role in the life of
man. Its political significance can be gauged from the fact that
it was economics that propelled the establishment of the biggest
empire known to history, which demonstrated the flag following
trade. He said with industrial revolution, the world entered an
age of mass production and mass consumption. Concurrently feudal
era gave way to modern era with democratic states emerging all
over the world. Against this historical background and with
current scientific and technical explosions, management of
economic relations between countries and management of economy
with a country have become very important. He said the diplomats
around the world are presently engaged more in managing economic
relations than political relations.
PDP receives
shot in arm
 |
With the joining of former director Door Darshan Shehzadi Siamon, renowned social workers Sehar Iqbal and Ghulam Mohi-u-Din Sheikh and Ghulam Nabi Wani, National Conference Block president, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) received a shot in the arm. |
In a simple and short function the party patron Mufti Mohammad
Sayeed welcomed them into party fold.
Stating that it was PDP’s agenda and pro-people policies, which
motivated people to join the party, r Sayeed observed that the
party’s doors are open for all like-minded people who would work
to strengthen its commitment and deliver the best of clean
politics. On this occasion 150 National conference workers
including delegates Ghulam Hassan Ganaie Haleem, Sanaullah Baba,
Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, Ghulam Mohammad Malik, Javed Ahmad Wani,
Haji Ghulam Qadir Wani, Ghulam Hassan Rather and Bashir Ahmad
Magrey also joined PDP.
Addressing media persons Sayeed added that though sagging a
little bit but the peace process being irreversible is bound to
deliver for India, Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He added that it was the political unrest in Pakistan which
caused some delay in the dialogue process but now when it is
back on tracks his party hopes for early free trade and free
movement across the Line of Control. The PDP Patron said that
his party is sure that truck service connecting the divided
Kashmir on similar lines that of bus service would commence very
soon.
Speaking on the occasion former director DD Shehzadi Siamon said
that service to people had been her passion and in order to
serve her own state she found PDP the best political party
amongst the all existing in Jammu and Kashmir. She added that
because of her communication background politics would serve her
commitment to reach the unreached at grass root level in order
to become the voice of marginalized.
From CM’s Constituency
Demolishing drive unleashes havoc
Revenue Act began with demolition of
a house belonging to a widow, Amna Begam at Tower Colony Sungli
near the upcoming University Campus that created panic among the
inhabitants of the colony. It is true that according to the Act,
construction of buildings on agriculture land is prohibited, but
the same law cannot have two different meanings. Ironically,
whereas the Government has been involved in turning the green
valley of Bhadarwah into a valley of stones by erecting offices
and other complexes on the most productive agriculture land, the
same Government is using force for demolishing houses of poor
people who have constructed them to shelter their children. It
is said that law is blind because it treats everybody alike, but
in CM’s constituency the law is blind by one eye only. May be
prohibiting construction on agriculture land is in the interest
of the valley, but why is the Government constructing offices on
prime agriculture land and where was the authorities when
private colonies on the agriculture land were being raised and
why the axe of law falls on widows and poor people only? The
questions may be many, but the answer is just one —it is not the
law that is blind but the authorities who implement the law.
Though all the social and political organizations have
condemned this dastardly administrative action, the big and
powerful in the administration continue trampling human rights
in Bhadarwah.
The disgusting and deplorable act was carried out by the
administration allegedly on the behest of DDC Doda on the plea
that construction is banned under Land Revenue Act, but the Act
exposes the duplicity of the authorities. Only recently, the
government acquired 400 canals of paddy land for the
construction of Bhadarwah campus of Jammu University and about
100 canals of irrigated land for TRC complex.
Similarly, a huge quantity of agriculture land has been
acquired for hospital and other government structures throwing
all norms to wind. Whereas the land acquired for raising
government structure was the only source of livelihood of the
poor villagers, paltry compensation was paid to them.
Before acquiring land the farmers were promised
employment to each effected family, but when the time came it
was others who were provided employment allegedly against
payment thereby throwing to winds CM’s slogans of justice,
work-culture and corruption free governance.
The double standards adopted by the authorities in Bhadarwah
smack arrogance and call in question their lack of concern
towards the citizens. The moot point is that the affected
citizens were neither stopped initially, when they were raising
the foundation of their houses after incurring lacks of rupees
nor served any notice regarding the ban on the construction in
the paddy fields.
“The poor people are constructing small houses on their own
land, having no capacity to by land in some other area. It was
duty of the authorities to inform people when they had begun
construction, but at that time the officers kept their eyes
closed. And now when they have completed the construction the
authorities are coming with dozers to dismantle their houses
with the help of armed men,” lament Majid Mir,Ajaz Beig and
Jamal with tears rolling down their cheeks.
The CM is not only CM, but he is also an elected representative
of Bhadarwah and as true representative he is expected to come
to the rescue of his voters and save them from the barbarism of
his authorities.
NC Boycotts Campus Inauguration
 |
National Conference boycotted inauguration of University Campus
Bhadarwah to make home its resentment against government’s
attempt to politicize the visit of the President of India. The
call was given by the senior party leader, Advocate Aslam Goni.
Coming down heavily on coalition government led by Ghulam Nabi
Azad the former Advocate General said that it has failed on all
fronts. While addressing a workers meeting at his residence he
alleged that NC workers were being harassed and corruption
increased many fold. He also criticized the government for
misusing the centrally sponsored schemes for making Congress
workers rich. “All such works are being executed out by Congress
workers who are making huge fortunes for themselves out of
them”. Goni appealed people for voting NC to power in the
upcoming elections so that the wheel of injustice being set in
motion by the coalition government could be put to a halt.
On corruption, Mr. Goni castigated the CM for encouraging
political corruption by allotting government vehicles to his
party workers so that they did not leave the party that has lost
its glory. “If the CM indulges in political corruption then how
can he stop others indulging in financial corruption”? He asked
the CM to immediately withdraw these vehicles to prove his
sincerity. The meeting among others was addressed by Bashir
Ahmed Najar ,Saleem Rehman ,Irshad Ahmed ,amjad Ahmed ,Ganpat
Kotwal ,Dleep Kotwal and other senior party leaders.
Mein Azmayoo Sach"
Gandhi's Autobiography now in Gojri
 |
Gujjars, the third largest ethnic identity of the State, will now go through the Gandhian Philosophy in their own language, Gojri, as "My experiments with Truth", the autobiography by father of the nation Mahtama Gandhi has been rendered into Gojri, published by State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. |
This ambitious project of translation was assigned to Ch.Hussan
Parawaz who converted the text into Gojri and rendered it the
name "Main Azmayoo Sach". The Autobiography of Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi covers his life from early childhood through
to 1920, and is a popular and influential book. It was initiated
at the insistence of Swami Anand and other close co-workers of
Gandhi, in his mother-tongue Gujrati,
entitled Satyan
Prayogo athv
Amakatha.
Comprising of over 1005 pages, the pioneering and uphill task
has been accomplished with the active support of Gojri Wing of
State Academy.
Gojri is the first and the only Muslim tribal language of India
having privilege of getting translation of autobiography of Late
Mahatma Gandhi. It will hit the stands and Gujjars who known for
their tolerance and national characteristics have already hailed
this step of the State Academy.
The Gojri translation of The Story of My Experiments with Truth
is flowery and liberal and interpreted the things in
contemporary terms.
"In this autobiography, Gandhi has recounted the period from his
birth (1869) up to the year 1921. In the last chapter, he notes,
"My life from this point onward has been so public that there is
hardly anything about it that people do not know..."
The autobiography in a book-form first published (in Gujarati)
by Navajivan Trust, Ahmedabad in two volumes in 1927 at a
subsidized rate and has run though five editions/reprints since
then - last in January 2001. After the first publication, it was
revised and translated into English by Gandhi's close associate
and aide-de-camp Mahadev Desai.
For Gandhi, Truth was the sovereign principle; inclusive of many
other spiritual principles and schools of thought.
"...it is not my purpose to attempt a real autobiography. I
simply want to tell the story of my numerous experiments with
truth, and as my life consists of nothing but those experiments,
it is true that the story will take the shape of an
autobiography...", He adds in the introduction and hence the
title My Experiments with Truth. However, he further notes that
"... [the experiments] will of course include experiments with
non-violence, celibacy and other principles of conduct believed
to be distinct from truth."
Gojri translation of Gandhi's famous autobiography will help the
Guijjars and Bakerwals of the State and other Himalayan regions
to understand and follow the philosophy of great leader of our
nation and his
concept of non violence, tolerance and Satyagarh are very
relevant in these violence wracked times especially in the
region like Jammu and Kashmir.
Vakil ridicules politics of exploitation
Describing the practice of securing votes on religion, caste and
community basis against ethics of sincere politics and violation
of political conduct, senior Vice President PCC and Minister for
Social Welfare Mr. Abdul Gani Vakil has called for rejecting
politicians thriving on this kind of tactics. He was addressing
a public gathering at Wanigam in Pattan today. MLC Mr. Mohammad
Amin Bhat, Mr. Farooq Andrabi and Dr. Abdul Ahad Yatoo were
present on the occasion.
The Minister cautioned people against gimmicks of opportunist
politicians , saying it was necessary to keep such leaders at
bay in the interest of state's unity and welfare. He said
religions' "teach love, simplicity and tolerance not gimmickry.
Anybody misusing it for short-term political goals to amass
wealth or promote class interest amounts to worst type of
exploitation".
Mr. Vakil sought cooperation of people in sustaining development tempo in the state. He said J&K was fast marching on the path of peace, progress and prosperity, adding "no party other than Congress can ensure complete progress and development in the state as it has political will and public support in all the regions and areas of the state besides capacity to obtain financial assistance from Centre for transforming development map of J&K".
The Minister said that Centre Congress leadership under Mrs.
Sonia Gandhi's was keen to cement friendly ties with Pakistan
referring to recent visit of foreign minister's visit to
neighbouring country wherein the two nations committed to carry
forward dialogue process to resolve all issues including J&K
amicably. He said UPA chairperson together with Prime Minister
Dr. Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad were
instrumental in opening cross LoC links to facilitate divided
families. Measures were afoot to launch trade through these
routes, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohammad Amin Bhat said that Azad
government was synonymous with peace and development. He said
Azad led government's unmatching development has left no room
for any political outfit to invent slogans to mislead people as
era of deceitful politics has long gone.
White Knight’s Good quality
education to the children
Army’s White Knight Corps conceived and embarked on the noble mission of ensuring and providing good quality education to the children of the area. The beginning was made by establishing the Army Goodwill School at Rajauri with an aim to provide quality education to the children of the State of J&K. The state government contributed in the project in terms of land and infrastructure for water supply and electricity. A 8.9 crore project under SADBHAVANA was executed in a period of three years. The School is constructed on a hill, located 3.5 km from the town of Rajauri, about 150 km from Jammu at an altitude of 3500 ft.
The key features of the school are:-
Spacious academic block with all modern amenities and training
aids.
Modern and well equipped labs for each subject.
A well researched and stocked library.
Music, arts and craft complex.
Gymnasium with all modern work out equipments.
Medical facility.
Play Grounds.
Boys and Girls Hostels.
Residential accommodation for the staff.
The School has a
state-of-art, well equipped Computer Lab and Computer Science is
compulsory from class VI to class X . It is also offered as an
elective subject at plus two stage. The school provides
excellent library and reading room facilities.
The school
provides ample opportunity to all the students to participate in
co-curricular activities like horse riding, drawing
competitions, music, social welfare activities, environmental
protection programs, public speaking and debates to instill
confidence, highlight talent and enhance speaking skills.
The Army Goodwill Public
School, Rajauri was honoured by the gracious presence of Lt Gen
RK Karwal and Mrs Gita Karwal, President AWWA, White Knight
Corps and they expressed their deep satisfaction and applauded
the efforts put in for providing quality education in such a
remote area.
Change of command
Crossed swords division
 |
Maj Gen AK Malik relinquishes command of the 10 Infantry Division whiles Maj Gen Philip Campose assumed the office of GOC, Crossed Swords Division. He was commissioned on December 22, 1974 into the Infantry. |
The General Officer has commanded 3 Mechanised Infantry
Battalion. He has
held various command, staff and instructional appointments in
all theatres of the Indian Army.
The General Officer had foreign assignments in Yugoslavia
and Iraq.
Altaf condemns killing
of Gujjars in Rajasthan
Former Minister and prominent Gujjar leader of Jammu and Kashmir
Mian Altaf Ahmed has strongly condemned the killing of
Gujjars in Rajasthan in a peaceful demonstrations for ST status.
He said the government of Rajasthan has completely failed to
tackle the situation should be immediately dismissed and
President rule imposed there.
He said That Gujjars of J&K State stand solidly behind Gujjars
of Rajasthan at this crucial juncture and are ready to give
sacrifices as a mark of solidarity and oneness.
He urged the Central government to immediately arrest the
alarming situation by granting ST Status to the Gujjars of
Rajasthan.
REPORTER
NEWSLINE
Sohanjana
SBI Ka Apna Gaon
From left to right:
Anup Banerji, DMD & GE (RB), S.K.Bhattacharyya, MD & CCRO, Dr.
D.N.Balodhi, Chairman (CRSB) and Dr. (Mrs.) Vasantha Bharucha,
Member (CRSB)
State Bank of India is taking up rural sector as a serious
business proposition. Lending to this segment has increased and
number of branches in rural areas has also grown. Bank has
started a novel scheme to adopt at least one village in the
operational area of
a branch for its all round development. The village
adopted is called ‘SBI KA APNA GAON”.
In Jammu, ADB, Jammu branch has adopted a village ‘Sohanjana’ in
Satwari block on 14.02.2008. All the households in the village
got Bank accounts-Savings as well as loan accounts, thus
ensuring 100% financial inclusion. One farmer club has been
formed and more than 8 farmers meet cum awareness camps have
been organised. In addition, several Community Services Banking
activities have also been organised. To emphasise its concern
for rural develop-ment, a group of senior most Bank officials
visited Sohanjana on 16.05.08. Led by two Directors of Central
Board of the Bank, Dr.D.N.Balodhi and Dr. (Mrs.) Vasantha
Bharucha, a team comprising Managing Director, Shri
S.K.Bhattacharya, Chief General Managers, Shri
Shyamal Achrya and Shri Ajay Swaroop and other high
officials met the villages in an impressive function at the
village, and assured the people that Bank will do everything
possible to help them to grow economically. They visited stalls
put up by the villagers showcasing the activities there. Bank
has started a novel scheme to help orphan/destitute girl child
in competing their studies, under ‘Girl Child adoption scheme’,
visualised by Bank Chairman Shri O.P.Bhatt. In the function, 6
girl children were adopted with an yearly help of Rs.5000/- each
for completion of their studies till +2 level.
Bank has also started felicitation of topper students of +2
level in each stream from a school adopted by the Branch. 2
students from a nearby school were given Rs.1000/- each with a
promise to grant them Education loans to complete their higher
studies. Each branch in semi and rural areas has to adopt one
school for this purpose. During the function, 20 old persons
were given walking sticks and 20 old ladies were given umbrellas
as a goodwill measure.
Next day, the committee of the Central Board on Rural Sector
Business (CRSB) held a meeting at Administrative office at
Jammu. Steps taken in Chandigarh Circle for augmentation of
rural sector business were discussed in details.
As per Sh.S.P.Singh,
Deputy General Manager, State Bank of India, Jammu & Kashmir,
this is for the first time that such a group of high dignitaries
visited Jammu which shows Bank’s commitment towards the State
and its development.