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CM Omar Abdullah inaugurates MRI, CT Scan Center at SVMM Charitable Hospital Ambphalla, Jammu

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Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated the state-of-the-art MRI and CT Scan Center at the Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission (SVMM) Charitable Hospital in Ambphalla, Jammu.

The event witnessed the presence of prominent dignitaries, including Member of Legislative Assembly (Udhampur East) Pawan Gupta, President of SVMM Charitable Hospital Anil Gupta, Patron Dr. Subash Gupta, and President of Jammu Chamber of Commerce & Industry Arun Gupta, along with members of the hospital’s managing committee, faculty, staff, and other notable guests.

Chief Minister Praises the Hospital’s Efforts

Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief Minister lauded the hospital for its outstanding commitment to serving the community. He emphasized the importance of institutions like SVMM Charitable Hospital in delivering accessible and quality healthcare.

“In terms of its services, the hospital functions at par with private institutions, yet its charges are significantly lower than those of government hospitals,” Omar Abdullah noted, highlighting the hospital’s dedication to making healthcare affordable for all.

Milestone in Healthcare

The newly launched MRI and CT Scan Center is expected to enhance the diagnostic capabilities of the hospital, benefiting patients from Jammu and surrounding areas. The advanced facilities will enable the hospital to provide timely and accurate diagnoses, further solidifying its reputation as a premier charitable healthcare institution.

Commitment to Quality Healthcare

The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that bridge the gap in healthcare access. He also praised the hospital’s managing committee and staff for their relentless efforts in ensuring affordable healthcare services.

The event concluded with a tour of the new diagnostic facilities, where the Chief Minister interacted with the staff and expressed his appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

Rana asks for streamlining water supply in Jammu city Exhorts officers for upgradation of filtration plants JAMMU

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Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Rana, has urged officials to streamline the water supply system in Jammu city while ensuring prompt responses to issues raised by local legislators.

Rana chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat to address water quality concerns in various parts of Jammu city. Attendees included MLAs Ch. Vikram Randhawa and Arvind Gupta, along with the Chief Engineer of PHE Jammu, Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers from all divisions of Jammu, and other concerned officers.

Key Directives for Improving Water Supply

The Minister emphasized the importance of expediting the execution and completion of pending water supply projects. He stressed the need for enhanced coordination among stakeholders to deliver quality services to the public.

Rana instructed officials to prioritize:

  • Upgrading and maintaining filtration plants to ensure the supply of clean and safe drinking water.
  • Responding promptly to grievances raised by local legislators and residents regarding water supply issues.
  • Strengthening efforts to meet the growing water demand in Jammu city efficiently.

Commitment to Quality Services

“Providing quality water supply services to the people is a fundamental responsibility,” Rana said, urging the officers to work earnestly towards achieving this goal.

He assured the public that the government is committed to addressing their concerns and improving infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted water supply in Jammu city.

The meeting concluded with a resolution to strengthen cooperation among various departments and accelerate project timelines to meet public expectations.

Press Club of Jammu Backs DAVP Rate Demand for J&K Newspapers

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The Press Club of Jammu (PCJ) has voiced its full support for the demands raised by editors of leading newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir, calling for the implementation of Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) rates for government advertisements across all categories of newspapers.

In a statement, PCJ president Sanjeev Pargal highlighted that newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir have consistently raised this issue through various platforms. Recently, editors appealed directly to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to ensure the implementation of DAVP rates.

Demand for Uniformity in Advertisement Rates

“The DAVP rates are already applicable to regional newspapers in other Union Territories, but the media in Jammu and Kashmir has been denied this benefit,” Pargal said. He expressed hope that the Lieutenant Governor would address this disparity and meet the demand promptly.

Challenges Faced by J&K Media

The PCJ president pointed out the tough working conditions faced by newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the time has come for the government to support the struggling media sector. “It is imperative that the UT administration treats J&K newspapers on par with those in other Union Territories that benefit from DAVP rates,” Pargal emphasized.

He also noted that implementing DAVP rates would help foster growth in the local media industry, providing much-needed relief and ensuring its sustainability.

Media Bodies Stand United

The demand for DAVP rates has received backing from several media organizations, including the JK Press Corps. Pargal expressed confidence that the government would soon announce the implementation of the revised rates for advertisements issued to newspapers, ensuring fair treatment for the media in Jammu and Kashmir.

The PCJ reiterated its commitment to advocating for the welfare of the local press and ensuring a level playing field for newspapers in the region.

Smriti Mandhana Rises to Second in ICC Women’s ODI Rankings

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DUBAI, Dec 17: India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has climbed three spots to secure the second position in the latest ICC Women’s ODI rankings, while also advancing to third among T20I batters. Mandhana’s remarkable performances against Australia and the West Indies have driven her surge in the rankings, as per the ICC update released on Tuesday.

The left-handed opener smashed 105 runs in the final ODI against Australia in Perth and followed it up with a stellar 54 in the first T20I against the West Indies in Mumbai.

Indian Players in ICC Rankings

Mandhana remains the sole Indian batter in the ODI top 10, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur dropped two spots to 13th. Jemimah Rodrigues moved up six places to 15th, and Harleen Deol climbed nine spots to 64th.

Among bowlers, Deepti Sharma slipped two spots to fifth in the ODI rankings. Arundhati Reddy made a significant leap, advancing 48 places to 51st after a four-wicket haul against the West Indies, while Renuka Thakur rose to a joint 26th position.

In T20I rankings, Kaur returned to the top 10 with Rodrigues climbing six slots to secure 15th place. Deepti Sharma has moved to the second position among T20I bowlers, with young pacer Titas Sadhu rising to 52nd.

Notable International Performances

England’s Tammy Beaumont moved up to 11th in the ODI rankings, thanks to an unbeaten 65 in the series-deciding match against South Africa.

Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner advanced to 16th among batters and climbed to a career-best third in the bowling rankings after claiming five wickets for 30 runs. She also rose to second in the all-rounders’ list. Teammates Tahlia McGrath and Annabel Sutherland made significant gains, with McGrath advancing to 24th and Sutherland moving 15 places to 29th after scoring a match-winning century in Perth.

South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp moved up two slots to reach the fourth position among bowlers, while England’s Charlie Dean, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Lauren Bell also saw upward movement in their rankings.

West Indies Players Shine

For the West Indies, veteran all-rounder Deandra Dottin rose 21 places to 59th after a half-century. Qiana Joseph climbed 22 spots to 65th among batters, while Karishma Ramharack entered the top 20 bowlers, gaining six places.

Summary of Key Gains

  • Smriti Mandhana: Second in ODI rankings, third in T20I rankings.
  • Deepti Sharma: Fifth in ODI bowling, second in T20I bowling.
  • Harmanpreet Kaur: Back in T20I top 10.
  • Ashleigh Gardner: Third among ODI bowlers, second among all-rounders.
  • Marizanne Kapp: Fourth among ODI bowlers.
  • Tahlia McGrath & Annabel Sutherland: Significant batting gains for Australia.

India will look to capitalize on these strong performances in their upcoming matches as they continue their campaign against the West Indies.

India Avoids Follow-On as Jadeja and Rahul Lead Fightback

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BRISBANE: India managed to avoid the follow-on, reaching 252 for nine at stumps on day four of the third Test against Australia, with bad light forcing an early close of play on Tuesday.

Resilient knocks from Ravindra Jadeja (77) and KL Rahul (84) kept India’s hopes alive as they trailed the hosts by 193 runs. The lower-order duo of Jasprit Bumrah (10) and Akash Deep (27) added crucial runs with a spirited last-wicket stand of 39 off 54 balls, ensuring India stayed in contention.

Australian Bowlers Dominate

Australia’s captain Pat Cummins led the bowling attack, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 80. Mitchell Starc supported him well with 3 for 83, while Nathan Lyon claimed one wicket for 54 runs. The Australian bowlers were relentless, despite Josh Hazlewood being ruled out of the match due to injury.

Key Partnerships Revive India

KL Rahul was instrumental in India’s recovery after resuming the day at 51 for 4. Despite the early dismissal of captain Rohit Sharma (10), Rahul displayed patience and class, scoring a solid 84 off 133 balls, including 12 boundaries. He shared a crucial 67-run partnership with Jadeja to stabilize the innings.

Jadeja continued the fightback after Rahul’s dismissal, forging a 53-run stand with Nitish Kumar Reddy (16) before Reddy fell to Cummins. Jadeja’s gritty 77 off 110 deliveries, featuring 11 fours, was the highlight of India’s innings until his dismissal left the lower order exposed.

Rain and Bad Light Interrupt Play

The post-lunch session saw a rain interruption of over an hour, further slowing down India’s progress. Towards the end of the day, bad light brought an early halt to proceedings with Bumrah and Akash Deep frustrating the Australian bowlers.

Series Update

With the five-match series tied at 1-1, the final day of the Test promises an exciting finish as India aims to narrow the deficit and push for a draw.

Brief Scores:
Australia 1st Innings: 445
India 1st Innings: 252 for 9 in 74.5 overs (KL Rahul 84, Ravindra Jadeja 77; Pat Cummins 4/80, Mitchell Starc 3/83).

Union Government Pushes Organic Farming with Key MoUs Signed in Raipur

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Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting organic farming as a sustainable solution for health and environmental challenges. Speaking at a landmark event in Raipur, Shah highlighted the growing global recognition of the dangers posed by chemical fertilizers and the need for an organic revolution in agriculture.

The occasion marked the signing of two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the National Cooperative Organic Ltd. (NCOL), the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and the Chhattisgarh government. These agreements aim to advance the dairy sector and bolster the marketing and pricing of minor forest produce.

Concrete Steps for Organic Agriculture

“The Union government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken concrete steps towards promoting organic farming,” Shah said. He noted that organic farming benefits not only individual health but also the environment and soil fertility.

Shah pointed out two key challenges that hindered organic farming:

  1. Trust Deficit in Organic Products: With many uncertified products claiming to be organic, consumers doubted their authenticity.
  2. Low Farmer Returns: Farmers struggled to receive fair prices for their organic produce due to the lack of trust and certification.

To address these issues, the government established the National Cooperative Organic Limited (NCOL). Shah announced that certified organic products under two leading cooperative brands—‘Bharat’ and ‘Amul’—are now available. These products undergo rigorous soil and food testing, ensuring their quality and authenticity.

“In the next four years, certified organic grains will be available in Indian markets after comprehensive testing in every district,” Shah assured. He further added that 16 organic products are already available online, backed by the credibility of the Bharat and Amul brands.

Empowering Tribal Farmers

Shah stressed that the MoU related to minor forest produce will significantly benefit tribal farmers. “Forest produce, which was earlier sold at very low prices, will now fetch reasonable prices through certification and better marketing. This will empower tribal communities and increase their income,” he said.

Chhattisgarh’s Role in Development

Highlighting the natural resources of Chhattisgarh, Shah remarked that the state has abundant water, land, and hardworking people. “What was needed was a good start, and today’s programme marks two new and positive initiatives in the dairy and forest produce sectors through cooperatives,” he said.

The Chhattisgarh government also signed an MoU with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to develop the dairy sector. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who was present at the event, lauded the agreements as a step towards economic empowerment and sustainable development in the state.

Conclusion

With these initiatives, the Union government aims to not only popularize organic farming but also provide tribal and rural communities with tools for economic upliftment. By leveraging the cooperative model, the agreements signed in Raipur signal a transformative phase for agriculture and allied sectors in India.

India’s Leading Premium Watches & Eyewear Destination Now in Jammu

Jammu 16 Dec 2024- Today Titan Company Limited, the Tata Group’s lifestyle company, Opens Titan World, Helios, Fastrack & Titan Eyeplus-  Quadrombo format store, First of its kind in North Region at Apsara Road, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.
This Titan Company’s flagship store has been inaugurated by BJP State President CA Sat Sharma, MP Rajya Sabha Er Gulam Ali Khatana and MLA Bahu Mr. Vikram Randhawa. Whereas DIG Jammu Samba Kathua range IPS Mr. Shiv Kumar Sharma Sp Ajay Sharma was special invitee on this inaugural function. Mr. Kavinder Gupta former deputy chief minister of state also graced the event. Many senior official from the Titan Company Ltd , various dignitaries, members of many associations and a large no. of customers were also present in this inaugural event.
Our store represents timeless tradition, authenticity promising quality.
Our collection of top premium watch & eyewear brands endorses craftsmanship, unique designs and embraces innovation. We take a personal interest and make the extra effort for those who cherish quality timepieces.
At Titan World, Helios, Fastrack & Titan eyeplus Quadrombo store, we bring you the largest & exclusive collection of Titan watches , Fastrack watches  & Helios with 40+ International premium, fashionable, Swiss and smart watches. Along with watches this stores also offers exclusive collection of Eyewear with 20+ national and international brands all under one roof.
Our store has free eye check up clinic, good quality lenses with fitting lab and watch care centre.
We are sure that our Helios & Titan world store will become your go-to destination to buy Premium and Fashion watches. We cater to the changing tastes of Indian customers, from casual to sophisticated timepieces that are sure to make styling effortless for you.
The Helios store features renowned international brands like Seiko, Michael Kors, Citizen, Emporio Armani, Fossil, Armani Exchange, and Swarovski,
Titan world features Titan’s exclusive collections like Titan Edge, Nebula, Raga, Xylys and Titan Smart.
Eye wear brands include Swarovski, Rayban,Stepper,Burberry, Prada, Tomford, Gucci,Mont Blanc and many more.

 Promise of Authenticity
With the trust of Tata group, you can be sure of the authenticity of our exquisite collection of watches. As India’s leading retailer of premium branded watches, Helios watch store embraces innovation and 100% authentic craftsmanship and design.
The strategic expansion aimed to increase footprints of Helios & Titan World in Jammu and Kashmir.
This expansion reflects Titan’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of consumers and strengthens its leadership in the J&K market.

Jammu residents can now enjoy access to a wider selection of prestigious brands and elevate their style.
On this occasion, CA Anil Sharma & Mrs. Aruna Sharma, the owners of this flagship store stated that it is an exclusive showroom of Titan company ltd offering wide variety of top brands including an affordable range to the premium ones in terms of both watches and eye wear.

BJP Targets Congress Over Omar Abdullah’s Remarks on Leadership and EVMs

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New Delhi, Dec 16: The BJP on Monday seized upon Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s criticism of the Congress and its leadership to launch an attack on Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of failing to lead and unfairly targeting Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra took aim at Gandhi during a press conference, stating, “Leadership is not earned by demand but by demonstrating capability. You cannot impose yourself as a leader.” He further added that Abdullah’s blunt remarks reflected growing discontent among Congress allies over the conduct of its leadership.

Abdullah’s Critique of Congress Leadership

In an exclusive interview with PTI, Omar Abdullah called on the Congress to justify its leadership role within the INDIA alliance, rather than assuming it was a natural right. The National Conference (NC) leader highlighted that leadership must be earned and not taken for granted.

He also dismissed the Congress’s skepticism towards EVMs, pointing out the inconsistency in their stance. Abdullah remarked, “When you get over a hundred MPs using the same EVMs and celebrate it as a victory, you can’t then question the credibility of these machines when results don’t go your way.”

He cited his party’s own experience in Jammu and Kashmir, where the NC won assembly elections despite earlier losing in the Lok Sabha polls conducted with the same EVMs.

BJP’s Response

Patra backed Abdullah’s comments, accusing the Congress of hypocrisy and alleging that the INDIA bloc, spearheaded by the party, was nothing more than a “scam.” He noted that opposition alliance members often fight elections separately and project different leaders as their face, highlighting a lack of unity and coherence.

Congress Leadership Under Fire

The BJP spokesperson claimed that the Congress’s allies were beginning to question the Gandhi family’s legacy and influence within the opposition. Abdullah’s remarks, according to Patra, were a reflection of this growing frustration, especially regarding Rahul Gandhi’s perceived shortcomings as a leader.

The BJP has leveraged Abdullah’s candid critique to bolster its defense of EVMs and to further undermine the opposition alliance ahead of the upcoming electoral battles.

India Women Secure Ninth Consecutive T20I Victory Against West Indies with Dominating 49-Run Win

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India extended their unbeaten streak against the West Indies in T20Is to nine matches with an impressive 49-run victory in the series opener on Sunday.

Batting Brilliance Sets Up Record Total

Jemimah Rodrigues (73) and Smriti Mandhana (54) showcased stellar performances with the bat, propelling India to their highest-ever total against the West Indies in T20Is — 195 for four. This also marked India’s third-highest total in the format overall.

West Indies’ Response Falls Short

Chasing a daunting target, the West Indies managed 146 for seven. While young Qiana Joseph impressed with a brisk 33-ball 49, and veteran Deandra Dottin scored a solid 52 — her first T20I fifty since her return to the format earlier this year — their efforts were insufficient to chase down the target.

Key Turning Points

The West Indies faced an early setback in the second over when substitute fielder Minnu Mani pulled off a spectacular catch to dismiss skipper Hayley Matthews (1) off the bowling of Titas Sadhu (3/37).

Joseph’s innings, featuring five fours and three sixes, kept the scoreboard moving, but the lack of substantial partnerships in the middle order hindered their chase.

India’s clinical all-round performance underscored their dominance, leaving West Indies with much to ponder ahead of the next match in the series.

D. Gukesh Returns to Hero’s Welcome After Historic World Chess Title Win

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Chennai, Dec 16: Newly-crowned world chess champion D. Gukesh was greeted with an electrifying reception as hundreds of fans, Tamil Nadu government officials, and representatives from the national chess federation turned up at the Chennai airport on Monday to celebrate his historic achievement.

The 18-year-old prodigy recently defeated China’s Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in Singapore, becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion. Gukesh broke the decades-old record previously held by Russia’s Garry Kasparov, cementing his name in chess history.

Heartfelt Gratitude from the Champion

Expressing his joy, Gukesh addressed the crowd and media:
“It’s an incredible feeling to win the world championship. The overwhelming support from everyone has been a tremendous source of energy for me,” he said as fans and reporters vied for his attention.

Second Indian to Win the Title

Gukesh joins the legendary Viswanathan Anand as the only Indian players to claim the prestigious world chess title. Notably, Anand has played a significant role in mentoring Gukesh, guiding him through pivotal moments in his career at his academy in Chennai.

Tamil Nadu, known as the chess capital of India, celebrated Gukesh’s win as another feather in its cap, reaffirming the state’s prominence in nurturing world-class chess talent.