JAMMU: Terming India’s presidency of G-20 as a unique opportunity to showcase the potential of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday called upon Youth Clubs, Women Entrepreneurs, Tourism Entrepreneurs, Innovators to come together to showcase Vibrant & Progressive Jammu Kashmir during India’s G-20 Presidency.

“It is an opportune moment for Jammu and Kashmir to showcase its cultural richness and tourism potential on the world stage,” the Lt Governor said, addressing the people of the UT through the 21st edition of monthly radio programme ‘Awaam Ki Awaaz’.

He also invited suggestions and ideas from the citizens through My Gov J&K, WhatsApp number of ‘Awaam Ki Awaaz’ for the G-20 events to be conducted in J&K.
Sharing his thoughts on recently concluded ‘My Town My Pride’ campaign, the Lt Governor said that the urban connect movement was celebrated as a festival of vibrant urban local self-governance.

Jan Bhagidari is reflection of a progressive society. It paves the way for ‘Bottom-Up’ approach in governance and helps us formulate the policies as per public needs. Recently concluded ‘My Town My Pride’ campaign was aimed at energizing Urban Local Bodies and directing development efforts in urban areas through community participation, the Lt Governor said.

Awakening of people’s power in the direction of inclusive development is the first step. We all have to make our contribution to bring a positive change in the expansion of infrastructure facilities, cleanliness campaigns, environmental protection, economic activities and green space, lake, river & heritage conservation, he added.

The Lt Governor also shared inspiring stories and voiced several suggestions of citizens received from across the UT.

Making a special mention of Dr Sanya Khan from Doda who is dedicatedly working for women empowerment & gender equality, the Lt Governor congratulated her for special focus on inclusiveness and hoped her work will inspire others to greater effort and success.

The Lt Governor complimented Rankaj Sadotra from Bishnah, Jammu who is providing an enabling environment for youth club & building a bridge between administration and public.

“Youth engagement in villages and towns through youth clubs building a robust social system,” he said.

Saima Shafi from Srinagar has made an immense contribution to popularize pottery. Artist always works from inner source of inspiration. We must appreciate & applaud the creativity of our artists who are an intrinsic part of our priceless artistic and cultural heritage, said the Lt Governor.

Highlighting that Self- Help Groups have become vital agents for bringing about change in the society, the Lt Governor said the success story of Yasmina Jan from Pulwama makes us feel immensely proud, who with the help of Rural Livelihood Mission, became Tral’s first dry fruit seller.

Noting that around five and a half lakh rural women are associated with handicrafts, household and small-scale industries, besides looking after their family and contributing in farming activities, the Lt Governor called on all sections of the society to come forward and contribute in the development of women power.

Only through social cooperation and encouragement, the whole country will be able to appreciate and acknowledge the wonderful work done by the women, he added.

The Lt Governor also mentioned about Self Help Groups of Prabha, Aasia Bano who are doing outstanding work and making their villages centres of trade & commerce and eventually turning Kathua district as a leader in furthering Women Empowerment.

The Lt Governor lauded the efforts of Sajan Gupta, Nikhil Randhawa, Sohan Lal, and Raman Gupta from Jammu, who have been identified as outstanding Agri-Entrepreneurs and have emerged as role models for the younger generation.

The Lt Governor also shared suggestions received from Sachin & Raman Jotshi from Jammu, Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh from Anantnag, Rashid Chowdhary from Rajouri, Mehreen Altaf from Srinagar on various issues including measures to promote the iconic Balidan Stambh complex, connecting youth with stories of freedom movement, interventions for soil health management, transforming district libraries into vibrant centres of knowledge & wisdom, making morning assemblies in school more engaging and establishing helpdesks in Government departments with expansion of e-office.

Responding to the suggestions, the Lt Governor said many brave martyrs of J&K have made immense contribution in the freedom struggle and ensuring the unity & integrity of the country. To remind the youth of Jammu Kashmir of the glorious history and sacrifices of great men & women, culture and achievements is imperative to motivate the younger generation to contribute towards nation building with a greater sense of responsibility and zeal.

Referring to the suggestion of transforming district libraries, the Lt Governor announced that soon new books will be added to the existing stock of all district libraries. In last one year, work has been done on priority for renovation of all the district libraries, besides stocking of better books and facilities, he added.

The Lt Governor expressed his gratitude to the citizens for sending their invaluable suggestions and actionable points and assured them that necessary action will be taken by the concerned departments.

Srinagar, Dec 19: Sub-zero temperatures continued in Kashmir Valley with Pahalgam recording a low of minus 4.8°C on Monday.

Quoting a meteorological department official, GNS reporter that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.1°C against the previous night’s minus 3.2°C. While the mercury was 1.6°C below normal during this time of the year, it was five notches less that than this season’s lowest of minus 3.6°C recorded on Friday last, the official said.

Qazigund recorded a low of minus 3.2°C against minus 2.8°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.6°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

He said that Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 4.8°C against minus 4.5°C on previous night and it was 0.4°C below normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Kokernag recorded a low of minus 1.8°C against minus 0.7°C as on the previous night and it was 0.1°C below normal for the place, he said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 2.5°C against minus 1.5°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 2.3°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 3.5°C against minus 3.7°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 1.1°C below normal for the north Kashmir place, he said.

Jammu recorded a low of 7.4°C against 7.2°C on the previous night. It was 1.5°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of minus 0.4°C (below normal by 1.9°C), Batote 3.3°C (0.1°C below normal), Katra 7.8°C (0.2°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 1.2°C (0.8°C above normal).

Ladakh, Leh recorded minus 10.8°C while details regarding Kargil were not immediately available, the official said.The MeT department has forecast mainly dry weather for now and said that there was no major weather activity expected till December 25.

The main purpose of the campus visit was to expose the young students about the corporate culture and management education especially retail management, information technology, project management, entrepreneurship, human resource management and marketing management etc.
It was an excellent learning experience for all the students of Girls Higher Secondary School Bhaderwah. The students and faculty members of higher secondary deliberated on many topics with the faculty members of TBS, Bhaderwah Campus. When enquired about the admission process in TBS, the students came to know that, the business school has over 120 students in different programs including BBA, B.Com and MBA who are taught by highly experienced and qualified faculty members. They were happy to know that the department also has a Ph.D program with all specialisations of management.
Dr. Mohd Avais, HoD, TBS Bhaderwah Campus welcomed the staff & students. For executing the campus visit the students were divided into three batches by Dr Atif Qazi for better learning experience of the University Campus. Students were also oriented practically towards how the managerial activities are being conducted in the current business world and how time management is helping in carrier excellence.

The accompanying staff from from Girls higher secondary school bhaderwah were Mr Shahnawaz Khan from IT department and Mr Ranjeet Parihar from Retail department.
Overall the visit was conducted under the able guidance of Professor Rahul Gupta, Rector Bhaderwah Campus and Coordinated by all the faculty members of TBS, Bhaderwah Campus including Dr Mohd Avais (HoD), Dr Rohit Bhagat (Placement Coordinator), Dr Sunil Bhardwaj, Dr Umesh Choudhary, Dr Atif Javed Qazi, Mr Rajinder Kumar, Dr Raashidah Qazi, Ms Sonia Sharma, Dr Meenakshi, Dr Surekha, Mr Amit.
The event was very successful and declared close after group photographs.

JAMMU, Dec 17: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the Next of Kin of those who killed In Rajouri Firing.
“The incident in Rajouri is very unfortunate. Condolences to the bereaved families. The price of a life cannot be set in monetary terms but still I announce an ex-gratia relief of Rs five lakh for each affected family”, tweets Office of LG J&K.

JAMMU, Dec 17: The Jammu and Kashmir police have attached property of an LeT militant in Thathri area of Doda district after obtaining a court order for the same.
Quoting a police statement that the property, which has been attached, belongs to Abdul Rashid, an LeT commander operating from Pakistan.
The statement reads he went to Pakistan in 1993 for getting arms training with the intention to carry out subversive activities and after getting arms training, he infiltrated and remained active in District Doda.
“He along with other militants was found involved in number of attacks on civilians and security forces and other incidents of arson, blasts etc in the region. Apart from that, a number of youths of Doda were instigated and recruited by him to join militancy in the nineties,” it reads.
It reads he has also been declared as proclaimed offender by the orders of Court and presently he is operating from Pakistan and are alluring the youth of Doda through various means of social media and virtual mode to join militancy.
“He is involved in case FIR No. 23/1997 U/S 364, 302, 121 RPC, 7/27 Indian Arms Act. He was declared as absconder and subsequently proclaimed offender by the order of court. His warrant of attachment of property was forwarded by SSP Doda and consequently a team was constituted by District Magistrate Doda to execute the order and land measuring 04 Kanals and 2½ Marlas situated at village Khanpura was attached by a joint team of Revenue and Police,” it reads. (KNO)