Dr. Rahul Sharma, Faculty, SMVDU, presented a paper at 9th International Civil Engineering
Conference in the Asian Region (CECAR 9) at Panaji, Goa. The Inaugural address was
delivered by the chief guest, Dr. Parmod Sawant, Chief Minister, Goa. Dr. Sharma
emphasized the utilization of industrial by-product as alternative construction materials for
the sustainable and green self-compacting concrete. One such industrial by-product is
copper slag for manufacturing of self-compacting concrete. Researchers from South Korea,
Taiwan, Japan, Australia, USA, etc. also presented their researches on different themes of
the conference. Dr. Sharma also chaired the two sessions on “Futuristic Construction
Technologies” and “Water Resource Management”. The conference was organized by
organised by the Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council (ACECC) and hosted by
Institution of Civil Engineers.
SMVDU faculty presents research paper at international conference
Navratri 2022: Special prayers mark beginning of festival at Vaishno Devi shrine
‘Shat Chandi Maha Yagya’ begins with onset of auspicious nine-day long ‘Sharad Navratras’ on Monday at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, an official said.
The ‘Maha Yagya’ which is being performed by chanting of Vedic hymns with other religious ceremonies at the holy cave shrine for peace, prosperity, health, safety and well being of mankind, will conclude with ‘Purna Ahuti’ on Mahanavami, a spokesperson of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine board said.
He said it is being telecast on Shraddha MH-One channel from 11: 30 AM to 1:00 PM daily during Navratras.
Like in the past, the Board has made elaborate arrangements to facilitate a much larger number of pilgrims who are likely to visit the Shrine during Navratras.
Grand decorations are made at the Bhawan, Atka and the area surrounding it with indigenous-foreign fruits and flowers, as well as huge reception doors and pandals are installed in the Bhawan area, the spokesperson said.
Likewise, the illumination of the Bhawan area with attractive and colourful lights has also been done. The breathtaking and festive decorations are a special visual delight for pilgrims who trek about 12km from the base camp Katra to Bhawan, the official said.Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta inaugurated the Navratra festival in a glittering function at Yog Ashram, Katra in presence of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, Director Tourism, Jammu, Vivekanand Rai, Chief Executive Officer, Shrine Board, Anshul Garg and Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Babila Rakwal.
The inaugural ceremony was marked with traditional puja and formal reception of all important guests by presentation of ‘Mata ki Chunaries’.
“The administration is dedicated towards facilitating the visitors with quality services at Katra,” Mehta said.
Bukhari urges J-K admin to prioritise movement of fruit trucks on highway
Srinagar, Sep 27: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari Tuesday appealed Jammu and Kashmir administration to prioritise the movement of fruit-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway so that the fruit growers in the valley do not suffer losses.
Addressing a press conference here, Bukhari expressed his gratitude to the administration for clearing the backlog of trucks on the national highway and allowing the movement of such trucks on Monday.
The Apni Party chief said the party had taken up the issue with J-K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha, chief secretary Arun Kumar Mehta and other officials.
“Yesterday also, we raised the issue with the chief secretary. We told him that if the issue is not resolved, then we will have to sit with the (fruit) growers at Qazigund, even as we do not want any law and order problem to be created, Bukhari said.
Fruit growers of Kashmir on Monday held a demonstration here against the alleged stopping of apple-laden trucks by authorities at various places along the national highway en route to terminal markets of the country.
However, the administration dismissed the allegations, saying the trucks were being halted due to natural causes.
Bukhari said, I am thankful that he (LG Sinha) took a personal interest and confirmed to me last night that they have cleared the entire backlog.
He, however, said it also raises a simple question that if the administration could clear the backlog in a day, why did they not do it for the last 15 days?
“It is possible, if they mean it, they can clear the backlog, they can give preference to trucks. We appeal to the administration, with folded hands, that the people of J-K are facing hardship and please do not see only that the tourism sector is doing well, he said.
About 70 per cent of the population is dependent on horticulture and so its an appeal to the authorities to prioritise the movement of fruit-laden trucks, the Apni Party chief said.
Asked if there was a deliberate attempt to cause losses to the valley’s fruit industry, Bukhari said while it “will be carrying it too far” if he said that they are targeting our industry and our economy, the fact is that our people have suffered and our growers have suffered losses.
“There are elements in every administration and I will not exonerate them from this charge that carelessness has not been done, Bukhari said.
Whether it has been intentional carelessness or a routine like it has become under this administration because they think they are not answerable to anyone… But, I want to tell them what they did yesterday, try to do it every day now,” he added.
On the issue of Kashmiri apples fetching less rates in the fruit mandis in the country, Bukhari urged the government to raise the import duty on the apples coming from outside the country.
He said, “If you are procuring apples from other countries like Afghanistan, first you should see if Afghanistan produces so much apple or not.
The apple you are getting in the name of Afghanistan duty-free, is basically from Iran. It is being used to make our people suffer losses,” he said.
The former minister appealed to the Centre to address the issue.
“This is theft, there is loss of duty, there is evasion. We regularly see that the Enforcement Directorate or the NIA is active, so, please be active on this as well and arrest those who are doing it. Is it only that people of J-K have to be arrested?” he said.
Bukhari said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing everything for Bangladesh as there is a water treaty and electricity is being given to them.
“So, I request him (Modi) to do something for the people of Kashmir as well. In turn, the government has imposed a duty on Kashmiri apples, he said.
“I request him to kindly intervene in the matter and ask Bangladesh, since we treat them as the most favoured nation, let them in return at least treat the product of this poor state as the most favoured product. It will not only improve our economy, but their people will also get cheaper apples,” he said.
The issues of the fruit growers should be prioritised, political issues will continue.
Bukhari said he has nothing against Iran and the government can procure apples from the country, however, it has to be done through a proper procedure.
“I targeted the Iranian apple which comes through Wagah under the SAFTA (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). We are not against Iran. Let them get the apple from Iran by paying proper duty which is 55 per cent and not through this duty evasion channel by showing it as apples from Afghanistan,” he said.
“We can pinpoint to them where the apple is coming from. The movement of the truck right from the orchard level can be tracked in today’s times. It is just that there is some hanky-panky. I do not know whether it is at the official level or some other level,” he added.
Amit Shah’s J&K visit postponed: Ravinder Raina
Jammu, Sep 27: Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s Jammu and Kashmir visit has been postponed by three days, a top BJP leader said today.
J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina said that Shah’s visit to the Union territory has been postponed by three days and that he would now arrive in J&K on October 4.
Raina was speaking to the party workers while discussing arrangements for the home minister’s visit in Rajouri where he is scheduled to address a rally.
During his two-day visit to J&K, Shah will attend a mega rally planned in north Kashmir’s Baramulla town.
A BJP leader said the home minister will make “an important announcement about Paharis and OBCs at his rally. It is going to be a big gathering. He was scheduled to arrive in Srinagar on October 1.
Shah will address a rally in Rajouri district too.
BJP National President JP Nadda to hold series of meetings today
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Jagat Prakash Nadda will hold a series of meetings on Tuesday in the national capital, including a meeting with the state in charge.
Nadda will review the Lok Sabha Pravas Yojna and chair the meeting of general secretaries at BJP headquarters. According to sources, BJP National General Secretary (Organization) BL Santosh will preside over this meeting.
Before this meeting, all the in-charges are also visiting the respective states under their charge. For strengthening the organization in states, such meetings are being held and the central leadership has repeatedly visited different states.
Nadda was on a two-day tour of Tamil Nadu this month itself. During this visit, he held an organizational meeting with party leaders. He met prominent personalities from different fields and will also address a rally.
Nadda was on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu from September 22-23 to chalk out a strategy for the party in an effort to increase the voter base in southern states ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Earlier, BL Santosh held a visit to Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. During his visit, he had taken the feedback of BJP workers. He had also held a meeting with former district and divisional presidents of the Shimla parliamentary constituency. Over 100 workers participated in the meeting.
Prior to this visit to Tamil Nadu, Nadda was on a two-day visit to poll-bound Gujarat starting from September 20.
Nadda participated in a meeting with farmers and met public representatives of the party who won various elections in the state since the last assembly polls.
Yamuna flows above danger mark in Delhi; evacuation begins
New Delhi, September 27
Authorities on Tuesday started evacuating people living in the low-lying areas near the Yamuna banks in Delhi with the water level in the river rising to 206.18 metres, much above the danger mark of 205.33 metres and the highest this year so far, following incessant rains in the upper catchment areas.
East Delhi District Magistrate Anil Banka said an evacuation alert was issued on Tuesday morning after the water level crossed the 206-metre mark.
The low-lying areas near the river in Delhi are considered vulnerable to flooding. They are home to around 37,000 people.
This is the second time in two months that the authorities are evacuating the people living in the river floodplains due to flooding.
The Yamuna had breached the danger mark of 205.33 metres on August 12, following which around 7,000 people were evacuated from the low-lying areas near the river banks.
The low-lying areas near the river in Delhi are considered vulnerable to flooding. They are home to around 37,000 people.
This is the second time in two months that the authorities are evacuating the people living in the river floodplains due to flooding.
The Yamuna had breached the danger mark of 205.33 metres on August 12, following which around 7,000 people were evacuated from the low-lying areas near the river banks.
The discharge rate was 2,95,212 cusecs at 6am on Monday, which is the highest so far this year. One cusec is equivalent to 28.32 litres per second.
Normally, the flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage is 352 cusecs, but the discharge increases after heavy rain in the catchment areas.
The water discharged from the barrage normally takes two to three days to reach the national capital.
Incessant rains have battered parts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and north Uttar Pradesh over the last few days. Delhi also recorded a four-day-long rain spell starting September 21.
The catchment of the Yamuna river system covers parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.
Last year, the Yamuna breached the danger mark on July 30 and the water level at the Old Railway Bridge rose to 205.59 metres.
In 2019, the flow rate had peaked at 8.28 lakh cusecs on August 18-19, and the water level in the river had hit the 206.60-metre mark.
In 1978, the river had swollen to the all-time record water level of 207.49 metres. In 2013, it had risen to 207.32 metres.
‘Internet Cut More Dangerous Than Loss of Lives?’ Jaishankar Slams Critique on J&K Net Cuts
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, who is currently in the United States, spoke out on the issue of Article 370 repeal in Kashmir on Monday, while also criticising those who have slammed the suspension of internet services in law and order situations.
“The big song and dance about the internet being cut…if you’ve reached a stage where you say that an internet cut is more dangerous than loss of human lives, then what can I say?” Jaishankar said, according to reports.
The External Affairs Ministers also addressed queries on Article 370 repeal. “What was a temporary provision of the constitution was finally put to rest. This was supposed to be an act of majoritarianism. Now tell me what was happening in Kashmir, was it not majoritarianism? I think the way facts are slanted.. What is right and wrong is debated. This is actually politics at work,” he said.
It has been three years since the NDA-led central government repealed Article 370 of the Constitution, which granted special treatment to Jammu and Kashmir. On August 5, 2019, the state was also divided into two union territories: J&K and Ladakh. The government hailed the move as “historic,” and described it as an effort to “unite and integrate” India. Law and order issues in J&K, which borders Pakistan, have frequently been a source of concern, affecting internet services.
Jaishankar has often vociferous on defending Indian interests on the global forum. The Minister had earlier said India matters in the world today and its voice counts because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Referring to the series of meetings he had with the world leaders in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar had said he can say this based on the feedback from these meetings.
The voice of India matters and is being taken seriously at the world stage because of the leadership and policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaishankar said at an interactive dialogue with the Indian-American community organized by the US India Friendship Council and Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS). “Today our opinions count, our views matter and have actually today the ability to shape the big issues of our time. I think these are main takeaways from a very, very intensive set of interactions over the last six days,” he said about his New York meetings.
Jaishankar has often vociferous on defending Indian interests on the global forum. The Minister had earlier said India matters in the world today and its voice counts because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Referring to the series of meetings he had with the world leaders in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar had said he can say this based on the feedback from these meetings.
The voice of India matters and is being taken seriously at the world stage because of the leadership and policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaishankar said at an interactive dialogue with the Indian-American community organized by the US India Friendship Council and Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS). “Today our opinions count, our views matter and have actually today the ability to shape the big issues of our time. I think these are main takeaways from a very, very intensive set of interactions over the last six days,” he said about his New York meetings.
Apart from tourism, Kashmir has potential for wedding destination: Sarmad Hafeez
SRINAGAR: Secretary Tourism Jammu and Kashmir, Sarmad Hafeez on Tuesday said that Kashmir is being promoted as wedding destination as apart from other tourism activities, the Valley has a lot of potential as a wedding destination.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here Hafeez said that recently a couple could to Pahalgam from Canada for a destination wedding.
“Apart from adventure tourism and other tourism activities, we are trying to promote Kashmir as a wedding destination as it has a lot of potentials and people are keen to conduct weddings here,” he said.
He added that they come so many tourism products and recently a cyclothon was organised for the promotion of adventure tourism in the Valley and for which about 70 untapped destinations have already been identified and are being promoted.
Replying to a question, he said that education tourism is also being promoted here and apart from people coming to study here, “we should also try and have exchange programmes with various institutions around the world and around the country. We are also trying to promote corporate tourism here,” he said.
He also said that they are trying to take tourism to the grassroots level and provide people, who come here, with a complete tourism experience.
SC live-streams constitution bench proceedings
NEW DELHI, Sept 27: In a first, the Supreme Court on Tuesday began live-streaming its constitution bench proceedings.
On September 27, 2018, the then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra had delivered the landmark judgement on the live telecast or webcast of important proceedings in matters of constitutional importance, saying “sunlight is the best disinfectant”.
The proceedings can be accessed at webcast.Gov.In/scindia/, said an official.
On Monday, a bench headed by Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit said the top court will soon have its own “platform” to live-stream its proceedings instead of having to use the YouTube.
In a unanimous decision taken at a recent full court meeting headed by the CJI, the apex court decided to live-stream proceedings of all constitution bench hearings from September 27, four years after the path-breaking announcement by Justice Misra.
The apex court may live-stream proceedings through YouTube and later host them on its server, sources had said. People will be able to access the proceedings on their cell phones, laptops, and computers without any hassle.
On August 26, for the first time since its inception, the Supreme Court live-streamed proceedings of a bench headed by then Chief Justice (since retired) N V Ramana through a webcast portal. It was a ceremonial proceeding as Justice Ramana was to demit office that day. (AGENCIES)
Apni Party stands for J&K’s peace, prosperity, development: Altaf Bukhari
Srinagar : Apni Party President Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari on Monday said that his party stands for J &K’s peace, prosperity and development.
He also said Apni Party is also working for political and economic empowerment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to a press note, he was addressing a party function here. Several political activists from Mehjoor Nagar and Bagh-e-Mehtab areas of the city joined Apni Party.
Bukhari greeted the new entrants into the party fold during the joining event organized at the party office at Sheikh Bagh in Srinagar. In charge of Chanapora Constituency Mohammad Ashraf Dar, and Provincial Convenor for the party’s youth wing Shoaib Dar were also present on the occasion.
The new entrants include Wasim Raja and Mohammad Altaf from Mehjoor Nagar and Riyaz Ahmad Wani (Kaka Ji), and Nisar Ahmad from Housing Colony Bagh-e-Mehtab. They joined the party along with their workers and supporters.