SRINAGAR, Dec 31: Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) road connecting Ladakh Union Territory was put through for vehicular traffic after clearing off the snow, officials said on Saturday.
The Historical Mughal road remained closed for the third consecutive day due to accumulation of snow.
Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road connecting Ladakh with Kashmir valley was closed for vehicular traffic on Friday following a fresh snowfall on Zojila pass and other spots.
However, Border Roads Organization (BRO) responsible for the maintenance of the highway pressed into service men and machinery cleared the road off snow. The road was put through for vehicular traffic, a traffic police official said.
Mughal road connecting Shopian district in south Kashmir with the twin district of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu division remained closed for the third consecutive day on Saturday due to accumulation of snow at Peer Ki Gali.
Gurez-Bandipor, Sadna top and Razdan Top, Keran in Kupwara roads in north Kashmir also remained closed for vehicular traffic due to accumulation of snow.
SSG, Mughal Road shut due to snow accumulation
J&K: 6 Hindus, including 3 Kashmiri Pandits, among 21 locals killed in terrorist attacks in 2022
Srinagar, Dec 31: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday said that there was a 37% decline in terrorist recruitments this year as compared to last year.
“This year, 100 fresh recruitments into terrorist ranks were reported showing a decline of 37% compared to last year. Maximum (74) joined LeT. Out of total recruitment, 65 terrorists neutralised in encounters, 17 terrorists arrested and 18 terrorists are still active,” said the ADGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, in a tweet.
In 2022, he said 93 successful encounters took place in Kashmir in which 172 terrorists including 42 foreign terrorists got neutralised. “Maximum terrorists neutralised from LeT/TRF(108) outfit followed by JeM (35), HM (22), Al-Badr (4) and AGuH(3) outfits,” he added.
Kumar said the life span of newly recruited terrorists declined drastically, this year. “Out of total 65 newly recruited terrorists killed this year, 58 (89%) were neutralised within first month of their joining,” he added.
The ADGP said that huge quantities of weapons were recovered this year. “…360 weapons that included 121 AK series rifles, 08 M4 Carbine & 231 pistols. Besides, timely seizure of IEDs, Sticky Bombs and Grenades averted major terror incidents,” he said, in a series of tweets.
Civilian Killings
On civilian killings, he said 29 civilians were killed by terrorists, including 21 local residents (6 Hindus, including 3 Kashmiri Pandits, & 15 Muslims) and eight from other states. “All terrorists involved in these terror crimes have been neutralised except Basit Dar & Adil Wani who will be neutralised soon,” he said.
The ADGP said that 26 security forces personnel were killed this year, including 14 cops of Jammu and Kashmir Police. “During the year, total 26 Security Forces personnel including 14 JKP personnel attained martyrdom during terror attacks/encounters. Majority of terrorists involved in these terror crimes have been neutralized,” he said.
Kumar said that they have observed two “remarkable changes” in the society. “House owners started denying shelter to terrorists and Parents don’t feel proud if their wards join terrorism. Rather they appeal them to return, curse terrorists openly & work with JKP for the return of their wards,” said the ADGP.
Govt to launch Digital India Innovation Fund for deep tech startups
The government will launch a Digital India Innovation Fund which will support deep tech startups, said Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday Deep technology (deep tech) or hard tech is a classification of organisation, or more typically startup company, with the expressed objective of providing technology solutions based on substantial scientific or engineering challenges. The Minister, however, hasn’t ascertained the quantum of the fund for the time being.
He made these remarks during his address to over 1,000 college students as part of the ‘New India for Young India: Techade of Opportunities’ programme at the Catholic Bishop House Campus, Thamarassery, Kerala.
Responding to a question on the issues like job opportunities in the country and migration from Kerala, the Minister said, “Migration is a consequence of lack of hope. But India at the moment is going through an inflection point. The coming decade is going to be India’s Techade. There are tremendous opportunities for young Indians. You won’t get these kinds of opportunities, anywhere outside India. We should always have confidence that this is our land and the action is in India.”
Techade is a portmanteau of technology and decade, which means a decade powered by the impact of technology.
Mercury Plunges To Season’s Lowest In Pahalgam At Minus 9.0°C, Gulmarg At Minus 8.0°C
SRINAGAR, Dec 31: Mercury plunged to season’s lowest in famous resorts of Pahalgam and Gulmarg, recording a low of minus 9.0°C and 8.0°C respectively, even as most other places saw a rise in minimum temperature on Saturday.
A meteorological department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 0.4°C against last night’s minus 0.3°C. The temperature was 2.5°C above normal for the summer capital, the official said. Srinagar, which witnessed mist this morning, has so far seen the coldest temperature this season on December 25 when mercury plummeted to minus 5.8°C.
Qazigund recorded a low of 0.5°C against minus 2.0°C on the previous night. The temperature was 2.8°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 9.0°C against minus 4.9°C on the previous night. The minimum temperature was 3.8°C below normal and the coldest night recorded this season in the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, he said.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 0.6°C against minus 2.0°C on the previous night, he said. It was 2.1°C above normal for the place, he said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 8.0°C against minus 5.5°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 1.8°C below normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the official said.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 1.1°C against minus 0.8°C on the previous night in the north Kashmir area, he said. The official said that the temperature was 2.1°C above normal.
Jammu recorded a low of 6.1°C against 7.3°C on the previous night. It was 1.3°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital which also remained engulfed in fog this morning, he said.
Banihal recorded a low of 1.2°C (above normal by 0.5°C), Batote 1.4°C (below normal by 0.87°C), Katra 6.2°C (0.4°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 1.0°C (2.4°C above normal).
In Ladakh, Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 13.6°C and 10.2°C respectively, the official said.
Kashmir is under the grip of Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21. It does not mean an end to the winter either. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.
Regarding the forecast, the MeT official said that mainly dry weather was expected with a fall in minimum temperature across J&K till January 8.
Extension wall of militant’s house demolished in Anantnag
Anantnag: An extension wall of the house of a Hizb-ul-Mujaddeen militant allegedly built on encroached government land in Pahalgam area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district was demolished by authorities on Saturday, officials said here.
An official told the news agency KNO that the wall was demolished of the house of Ghulam Nabi Khan alias Amir Khan in Liver Pahalgam.
He said Aamir is the operational commander of Hizb who crossed over to Pakistan Administrated Kashmir (PaK) in the early 90’s and is operating from there.
Earlier, house of JeM militant Ashiq Ahmad Nengroo alias Amjid Bhai of Hajan Bala was also demolished in Rajpora area of Pulwama.
New Year 2023: Highest-ever arrival of tourists in Himachal despite Covid-19 curbs
Shimla/Manali: Defying Covid-19 protocols amidst the scare of the new Omicron variant, crowds of holidaymakers have descended onto Himachal Pradesh’s popular tourist resorts Shimla, Narkanda, Dharamsala, Kalpa, Manali, Dalhousie and elsewhere, the highest-ever arrival of tourists in the history, to ring in the New Year with carnivals and musicals amidst a snowy landscape.
After a day of snowfall in Manali, Kalpa and other destinations on higher reaches, turning them more picturesque, the Met Office in Shimla on Saturday predicted the sun will shine across the state till January 5, 2023.
But the prevailing minimum temperature in most of the places will stay close to sub-zero with chances of dense fog in low hills.
Members of the hospitality industry told IANS that most of the hotels across the state have been seeing close to 95 per cent occupancy.
An official with the state tourism department advises the tourists to get an advance booking of a hotel or a homestay unit before travelling.
By evening of December 31, he said, the occupancy could reach 100 per cent, a record business after the two toughest years ever seen by the travel industry.
“We are expecting to see a good business this weekend and next week also seeing the influx of the tourist arrival and the booking enquiries we are getting,” Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) Manager Nand Lal, who is posted in Holiday Home hotel here, told IANS.
After Kothi and Solang valley receiving the snowfall, Kullu Police have advised motorists not to travel beyond Nehru Kund, 7 km from Manali town, on December 31 as the road beyond is slippery.
“We are advising the motorists, especially the tourists, to park their vehicles at the parking lot in Solang to visit nearby places on foot,” a police official told IANS.
On December 29, tourists stranded in nearly 100 vehicles overnight in the 9.02-km long horseshoe-shaped Atal Tunnel, the world’s longest motorable tunnel, for hours after the onset of heavy snowfall in the region. The local administration had a tough time in rescuing them, a majority of them tourists who were merrymaking and taking selfies amidst the snowy landscape.
With easy access to the picturesque Lahaul Valley, the two-lane Atal Tunnel constructed under the 3,978 metre Rohtang Pass in the Pir Panjal range, some 30 km from Manali, is a memorable a tunnel tourisma destination.
The tunnel, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3, 2020, has shortened the distance between Manali and Keylong, the headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti, by 46 km, reducing the travel time by nearly three hours. It has ensured all-weather connectivity too.
According to the state tourism department, more than 20,000 tourists travel through the Atal Tunnel every day during the peak tourist season and tourism, including skiing, trekking and paragliding, is a key source of income for the local people.
Manali-based hotelier Prem Thakur said the tourists from Manali now prefer to travel towards the Lahaul Valley via the Atal Tunnel, rather than taking the long and treacherous route of the Rohtang Pass even when it is opened for traffic.
“Snow is the only attraction for the tourists and the mighty Rohtang Pass is the only destination near Manali that remains marooned in snow cover till end of May. In this season, when the Rohtang Pass is closed for the traffic, snow-laden slopes along the Atal Tunnel and beyond are their preferred list,” he added.
But a word of caution for the holidaymakers. The police have advised them to follow the protocol as the threat of Covid-19 looming again.
“We are using drones at entry points of Shimla, Parwanoo and Pandoh for accurate estimation of the number of tourists entering the state,” a police spokesperson told IANS.
Anjali Gabba, a senior executive with a Chandigarh-based multinational company, said: “It is really pleasant to be back in the hills of Shimla to ring in the New Year with musical parties.”
Her husband Bikram added: “We have been coming here every winter to enjoy cool sunshine that is missing in the plains owing to foggy weather.”
Tour operators in Shimla have been advising tourists to plan trips to Narkanda to enjoy the snow-laden hills.
Mountain peaks viewed from Shimla, and the Dhauladhar peaks overlooking Tibetan Buddhist leader Dalai Lama’s official palace in McLeodganj near Dharamsala are covered with a fresh white blanket.
Issuing a warning to the hoteliers to follow the standard operating procedures, the police urged the tourists to adhere to the guidelines and wear the masks and maintain social distance.
Himachal Pradesh has no high-end hotels and restaurants in far-off areas. Rural home-stays that started in 2008 have been driving tourists to the interiors and that are the best option to stay and enjoy the virgin nature and snowy landscape.
The state’s economy is highly dependent on tourism, besides hydroelectric power and horticulture.
Rush Of Devotees At Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Ahead Of New Year
Katra 31 Dec : The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu witnessed a huge rush of devotees on Saturday as serpentine queues were seen on the Trikota hills of Katra despite the severe cold conditions ahead of New Year.
Devotees hailing from different regions of the country, including children, were seen chanting “Jai Mata Di” as they made their way up and down the hill, wishing each other the best ahead of the new year.
“I am getting a good feeling. I come here on the eve of every new year. I have been coming here for 5-6 years to pray to Mata Devi. I am feeling good,” said Manish Kumar, a devotee from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, who was seen chanting “Jai Mata Di”.
Poonam Sharma, another devotee said, “I wish that ‘Mata Rani’ shower her blessings upon everyone. Everyone remain happy. May the new year turn out well and bring happiness to everyone”.
Reminded about the Vaishno Devi stampede of January 1, 2022, in which 12 people were killed and 16 were injured, Sharma said, “It was an unfortunate incident.” And hoped more facilities would be provided in the future.
Ranjan, a devotee who came from Punjab along with her family wished happiness for all.
“I am feeling very happy. May God shower her blessings on everyone — is my wish. I feel fortunate to have come here along with my family to pay our respects at the feet of Mata Devi. I wish happiness to everyone on the eve of the new year,” Ranjan said.
Earlier this month, Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted a security review of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra of Reasi district.
On December 21, Deputy Inspector General, Udhampur-Reasi Range Mohd Suleman Choudhary held the security review meeting that was attended by Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi Amit Gupta, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Commandant, Superintendent of Police, Katra, among others.
The DIG reviewed every security drill of the shrine, the yatra route, safety and security of pilgrims visiting the shrine on a daily basis.
The DIG further directed to conduct a joint security drill along with Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and other intelligence agencies for the security of the shrine.
Amit Shah to launch Jana Biswas Rath Yatra in Tripura
Focusing upon the upcoming Assembly Election in Tripura, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jana Biswas Rath Yatra in the state.
Tripura BJP will start Jana Biswas Rath Yatra programme to strengthen the party support base in the state. Tripura BJP president Rajib Bhattacharya said, “Keeping the focus on the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, BJP to start Jana Biswas Rath Yatra on January 5 at Dharmanagar in North Tripura district of Tripura.”
He said Booth Vijay Abhiyan and Booth Shashaktikaran Abhiyan have already started in Tripura.
“Jana Biswas Rath Yatra is going to be inaugurated by Home Minister Amit Shah from Dharmanagar town. The other Rath Yatra will be inaugurated in the other direction, Sabroom Subdivisional town of South Tripura,” Bhattacharya said.
The BJP leader said the Yatra will cover 60 constituencies of the state. During the programme, party workers will be outreached.
“The main purpose of the Yatra is to showcase the developmental works BJP government has done since 2018,” he said.
On January 12, BJP national president JP Nadda will join the Jana Biswas Rath Yatra and address party workers.
Assembly polls in Tripura are slated for 2023.
SIA chargesheets four Lashkar ultras in terror recruitment case
Srinagar December : The State Investigation Agency (SIA), Jammu and Kashmir Police’s top anti-terror body, has filed a chargesheet against four Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, including self-styled commander Talib Hussain Shah who had recruited many youths to revive militant ecosystem in different districts of the Jammu region, officials said on Friday.The chargesheet was filed against Shah and his three associates in a special court for their involvement in militant activities at the behest of their Pakistan-based handlers, the SIA said a statement here.
Shah of Rajouri and his Kashmiri associate, Faisal Ahmad Dar of Pulwama, were overpowered by villagers of remote Tukson Dhok in Reasi district in July and later handed over to the police. Two AK assault rifles, a pistol, seven grenades and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from them.
“The case was initially registered at the Mahore police station of Reasi, but later on transferred to the SIA, Jammu. The investigation has established that Mohammad Qasim and Zia-ul-Rehman, who, after joining militant ranks, exfiltrated to Pakistan, were using drones for supplying weapons and explosives, which were collected by Shah and his associates,” the statement said.
It said the investigation has also established that on the directions of Pakistan-based handlers, Shah had recruited many youths of Jammu and Kashmir and had revived the militant ecosystem in the Chenab valley and Pir Panjal areas of the Jammu region.
“Investigation also proved that the accused persons are involved in minority killings and creating fear psychosis among the general masses. They have been directed to carry out attacks on security forces and vital installations to meet the objective of secession of Jammu and Kashmir from India,” the agency said.
This New Year, embrace this life which is bitter-sweet
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar_
In the ancient days, people celebrated the new year by having neem leaves with jaggery on them. So the first thing you eat on a new year is a combination of bitter and sweet. And then you see the calendar, that tells you about the time, date, yogas, star of the day. The knowledge of time along with acceptance of sweet and bitter gives enormous strength for one to move ahead.
In life what you consider bitter has given you some depth, has made you strong. The challenges that have come in your life have somewhere made you grow stronger, more powerful and the sweetness in life gives you comfort. If life is only bitter then it has no sustenance. If life is only sweet then there is no depth. Life is a combination of both and such is the nature of time too. In the cycle of time, there is always something wonderful happening and something that is not so pleasant. When something happens that is not so good, you need to have strength, courage, and the knowledge and when good things happen you should have the ability to share and serve others. When you meditate every day what happens is the effect of the bitter times is reduced and that of the benevolent or good times increases. So knowledge, satsang and service is all so important for a true honest celebration to happen. Real celebration happens when there is total acceptance of nature.
Whatever the challenges, we need to keep making efforts to create a better world. This is possible when we are established within ourselves. In you, there is an actor and there is a witness. As you go inwards, the witness aspect grows in you and you remain untouched by events. And as you go outwards, the actor in you becomes more skillful in responding to situations. These two entirely opposite aspects of our being are nurtured by meditation. When you come closer to the Self, your action becomes powerful in the world and right action in the world brings you closer to the Self.
As the new year approaches, let us resolve to be unshakable within and move towards a better world. Time changes people but there are people who change the time. May you be one of them. Happy New Year!