Srinagar, Nov 22: Night temperatures dropped below zero in all places except Srinagar and Kokernag in Kashmir Valley, meteorological department said on Tuesday.

While Ladakh remained under deep freeze, all places except Banihal in Jammu division witnessed below normal temperatures, reported news agency, GNS, quoting an official of MeT.

He said Srinagar recorded a low of 0.2°C against 3.7°C on the previous night. The temperature was 0.1°C above normal for the summer capital during this time of the year, he said.

Qazigund recorded a low of minus 1.2°C against 3.0°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.8°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

In Pahalgam, the mercury settled at minus 4.2°C against minus 3.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.8°C below normal for the south Kashmir resort, he said.

Kokernag recorded a low of 0.6°C against 3.4°C on the previous night and it was normal for the place, he said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 3.5°C against minus 3.4°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 1.4°C below normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 1.8°C against minus 0.3°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 1.3°C below normal for the north Kashmir place, he said.

Jammu recorded a low of 9.1°C against 8.9°C on the previous night. It was 2.4°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of 4.°C (2.4°C above normal), Batote 4.0°C (0.8°C below normal), Katra 9.0°C (0.7°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 2.0°C (0.1°C below normal).

In Ladakh, Kargil recorded a low of minus 7.6°C, Leh minus 9.8°C and mercury in Drass, the world’s second coldest place after Siberia, settled at minus 13.3°C, the official said.

The MeT department has predicted mainly dry weather for next 24 in J&K and said that no large change was expected till the end of this month.

JAMMU, Nov 22: Pakistani intruder was killed and another arrested on Tuesday as the BSF foiled their separate attempts to infiltrate into this side from across the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir, a spokesperson of the border guarding force said.
The infiltration attempts were scuttled by the alert troops in Arnia sector of Jammu and Ramgarh sector in Samba district in the early hours of the day, the Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson said.
Giving details, he said the BSF troops opened fire on a Pakistani intruder when he was noticed aggressively approaching towards the border fence in Arnia sector.
”He was challenged to stop but he did not pay any heed. Finding no other alternative, the troops fired and killed him,” the spokesperson said.
In another incident, the spokesperson said troops apprehended a Pakistani intruder as he approached the fencing after crossing the IB in Ramgarh sector.
”He was brought inside the Indian side of the fence after opening the gate. Nothing incriminating was found from his possession so far,” the spokesperson said.
He said the entire area in both the sectors is being thoroughly searched. (Agencies)

Sopore, Nov 22: In a major relief to public, transporters in Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district resumed their services after six days deferring their strike till Saturday after administration agreed to redress their demand.

Quoting an official, news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reported that in view of the strike by the transporters, the earlier order of allowing ‘illegal’ Sumo vehicles into the Sopore bus stand has been reviewed and a committee has been set up to identify proper mechanism for smooth functioning of transport in the town.

He added that transport services have resumed and are now plying normally from the general bus stand, Sopore.

Confirming the development, chairman All Kashmir Transport Confederation, Mohammad Shafi said they have deferred the strike till Saturday and have resumed transport services after administration agreed to their demand.

“We have been assured that our demand will be fulfilled within 4-5 days. So we have unanimously decided to defer the strike call and resume services till Saturday,” Shafi said.

Shafi, however, said if the administration failed to address or fulfill their promise within a stipulated period of time, they will launch a massive agitation.

Transporters were on an indefinite strike since Tuesday last week, opposing the move of accommodating “illegal sumos” in general bus stand. Earlier, on Monday, administration in a review meeting to streamline traffic in the town issued a formal order, to accommodate “illegal sumos” in the general bus stand, Sopore.

SRINAGAR: In a significant spike today J&K Bank share touched its 52 week-high price at Rs 45.45 on NSE & BSE. The scrip eventually settled at Rs 44.25 on BSE and Rs 44.20 on NSE registering over 5% growth while witnessing total trading of over 30 million shares during the day. Notably, the share has registered a return in excess of 40% since the declaration of Sep’2022 quarterly / half-yearly results outperforming the sectoral and broader indices.

Celebrating the price-rise at the Bank’s corporate headquarters, MD & CEO Baldev Prakash called it a big moment for the Bank and thanked all the stakeholders especially governments of twin UTs (J&K and Ladakh) for their continued support, Bank’s Board of Directors for their valued guidance and above all Bank’s valuable customers and clients for their unflinching trust and loyalty. All the Bank’s Vertical Heads, Divisional Heads, GMs, DGMs, Zonal Heads, Cluster Heads attended the brief celebratory function through video-conferencing on the occasion.While addressing the Bank’s staff on the occasion, MD & CEO said, “Our share has touched the 52-week high price with Bank’s market capitalization crossing the milestone of Rs 4000 Crore to make it a memorable day for all of us. I believe, it is the fructification of individual efforts that each one of you are putting in everyday to achieve the business goals of the Bank that includes improving the Asset quality by reducing NPAs and managing SMAs”, adding, “Riding on the back of healthier financial numbers, planned organisational transformation and improving work-culture; our market perception is on a rising curve with the value proposition being acknowledged by the market players. We must ensure that the scrip maintains the upward trend by delivering improved results on a sustained basis.”

“And I assure all the stakeholders that we won’t allow anything to impede our journey towards growth and glory”, MD asserted.

Besides expressing his pleasure on the enthusiastic participation and contribution of staff towards achieving the business goal of Rs 2.22 Lac Cr by the end of this fiscal, he further said, “Since our dreams and aspirations are associated with this institution, I am sure that we will continue to work together as a cohesive team to accomplish all the business goals through our tried and time-tested institutional resolve.”

On the occasion, expressing their faith in and appreciation for his strong leadership and prudent guidance, the participants congratulated MD & CEO Baldev Prakash for the Bank’s improving performance and perception. “Together, we have done it and together we shall accomplish all the organisational goals in future as well”, echoed the participants in unison.

By King RJ 

Bhadarwah Nov 21 : To further expand the reach of Purple revolution, Ministry of Science and technology through CSIR-IIIM distributes 4 lakhs rooted plants of lavender among 200 progressive farmers drawn from Ramban, Udhampur, Reasi and Doda District beside 15 visiting farmers from North Eastern states of Meghalaya and Nagaland, in a function at Jammu and Kashmir’s Bhaderwah on Monday.

  The plant were distributed among the farmers after an awareness cum training programme at Lal-Ded Auditorium of Bhadarwah Campus in which beside senior Scientist of CSIR-IIIM Jammu, some of those agriculturists who are successfully growing lavender led by Touqeer Bagban explained the nuances of Lavander farming and also motivated the participants to switch from traditional agricultural practices to growing of aromatic plants for better future. 

  Scientists and technocrats including Dr Sumeet Gairola Nodal scientist Aroma Mission, Dr Qazi Parvez, Dr V P Rahul and Dr Shakir Sultan explained the scientific techniques to grow aromatic lavander Crop for better yield and also how to take care of the plants during drought or rainy season.

  Dr V P Rahul, senior Scientist CSIR-IIIM Jammu said that the motivation and distribution of Lavender plants is primarily aimed at catalyzing rural empowerment through cultivation processing, value addition and marketing of aromatic plants (for North Eastern Region & J&K Farmers) under CSIR Aroma Mission Phase 2.

    Referring to the lavender cultivation in the region, Chairman District Development Council (DDC) Doda, Dhanantar Singh Kotwal who was the chief guest said that Lavender is an avenue of employment generation and will help the farmers in doubling their income.

  Beneficiary farmers especially the one from Meghalaya and Nagaland were upbeat about the new farming venture they are going to take up in the form of lavender Cultivation in their respective states and expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Science and Technology for giving them the opportunity to be a part of the ‘Purple Revolution’ in India.

  “Aroma therapy is the new big thing in the world and demand of essential oils especially that of Lavander is ever increasing. To let us be part of the ‘Purple revolution’ will surely help the farmers of North Eastern Region in a big way,” said Dr R P Bansal, Consultant Aroma Mission Meghalaya Government.

Jammu, Nov 21: National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Monday expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be successful in “ending the Russia-Ukraine war” that has stretched for nearly nine months.
The NC chief stated that the war has created havoc on global economic situation.
“I am happy that India has got the presidency of the G20 Summit. It could be that India has the burden of all these countries. And I hope that the Prime Minister will be successful in ending the Russia-Ukraine war which has created havoc on the economic condition,” Abdullah said while talking to the reporters here.
The war that started in February this year has claimed the lives of thousands of people on both sides.
Abdullah’s statement comes after the G-20 communique in Bali echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as it said that “Today’s era must not be of war.”
PM Modi, in his statement to Putin in a bilateral meeting on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Samarkand in September this year, had said “now is not the time for war”, referring to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The G 20 communique said, “It is essential to uphold international law and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability. This includes defending all the Purposes and Principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and adhering to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and infrastructure in armed conflicts. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible. The peaceful resolution of conflicts, efforts to address crises, as well as diplomacy and dialogue, are vital. Today’s era must not be of war.”
The NC chief further took a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his “will talk to Kashmiri youth instead of Pakistan” remark during his rally in J-K, and said that India has a fight with Pakistan and that we will have to talk to the neighbouring country.
“The other thing is that regarding the problems that we have with our neighbour, it may be possible that the countries will find a solution to it. Home Minister says that he will talk to the youth and not Pakistan. But the fight is against Pakistan, not the children. I am tired of telling him to have talks with Pakistan. India has to talk to Pakistan at some point in time,” he said.
“There is nothing like radicalisation. We are fighting a low-intensity war. There is no other way,” Abdullah added.
The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, talking about the elections that are due to be held in the Union Territory, said that it is up to the Election Commission and the Centre to conduct the polls.
“As far as the elections are concerned, we don’t know when they will be conducted. It is my duty to come and talk to the people and bring out their condition in front of the parliament and the Centre. It is up to the Election Commission and the government of India when to conduct the elections,” he said. (Agencies)

Jammu, 18 Nov, 2022: While on a two day visit to Jammu and Kashmir Ms.Rakhee Bakshee,who is a veteran media personality, met Mr. Dilbagh Singh, DGP, Jammu and Kashmir and shared her thoughts and ideas about media, police and other contemporary issues. She also emphasized on the fact that journalists need to be brave and work with conviction and dedication.

She also met different sets of people in Jammu and visited the Press Club of Jammu and metthe President, Mr. Sanjeev Pargal , the Bureau Chief, Daily Excelsior, Mr. Sanjeev Khajuria, news director, Bunty Mahajan, Tarun Uppal and other member so fthe press club.

Sharing her delight in her visit to the Press Club, she said that press is the fourth pillar of our democratic set up, we need to be proud of it and fulfill our duties with utmost commitment and responsibility.Referring to recent threats the journalists in the region,she said that journalists need to be brave in the land of brave heart soldiers and the Kargil warriors. Ms. Bakshee, whowas the first national TV journalist to cover and report in the region of Jammu and Kashmir,while being posted there as the Bureau Chief of Zee news. In her spent of 2 years, she coveredthe Kargil war, broke the news of dreadest Pakistani terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar from the Kot bhalwal Jail both in the year 1999 apart from other challenging assignments, covering encounters,earthquake,social cultural life in the region.

Earlier she also interacted with students of mass communication and new media at Central University, Jammu.

She shared he rexperiences of covering the region and reporting on various assignments on Jammu and Kashmir. She also shared the techniques and skills required for anchoring. She visited IIPA, Jammu Branch to exchange ideas and new learning’s

In the evening she also visited the newly come BLU JAZZ Cafe at TalabTillo, owned and managed young entrepreneur Mr.Tarun Uppal.Ms.Bakshee said that the start uprevolution has really caughtup in Jammu and Kashmir and it is good to see young people doing well.

With about 2decades of experience in media, especially in TV journalism, Rakhee Bakshee now serves as the Communication Advisor to IIPA, New Delhi.