CMYK

CMYK

WEDNESDAY 15 January | 2014 | 13 Rabi-Al-Awwal 1435 AH | PAGES 12 | VOL NO: 4 | ISSUE NO: 15 | RS: 2/- (AIR SURCHARGE FOR JAMMU /DELHI/LEH 50 Paisa)Pen For JusticeLargely Circulated, No. 1 Bilingual Daily of J&Khttp://www.zabarwantimes.com

use of almonds reduce cholesterol

Govt committed for empowerment of youth Out of 2nd ODI

against England

South Sudan: 200 Die Fleeing Fighting as Boat Sinks

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CMYK

CMYK

WEATHER

TEMPERATUREMAXIMUM MINIMUM

SUNSET ON(WEDNESDAY)SUNRISE ON (THURSDAY) 07:36 AM

05:46 PM 0.5 0C

8.4 0C

FORECAST FOR NEXT 24 HRS:

FORECAST OF SRINAGAR:

Light rain/snow would occur at isolated places over the state

Partly cloudy sky. Maximum & Minimum temperatures will be around 7°C & -2°C respectively.

Inside story

On Edit Page

Dwindling forest cover

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Sham inspects on-goingworks in Akhnoor

Damaged transformers spark protests

2 grenades recovered from Shangus: police

Eid-e-Milad observed across theValleyThousands throng Hazratbal, pray for peace

Personality oriented rule not in country’s

interest: Rahul

Srinagar, Jan 14: Amid rain and chill thousands of people all across Jammu and Kashmir joined congregational prayers to celebrate the birthday of the epitome and founder of Islam, Prophet Mu-hammad (SAW). Believers flocked to offer special prayers in Masjids and shrines while at multiple places Milad processions were taken out in which young, old and children waving banners and green Islamic flags participated. To commemorate the day, special prayers were held by devotees across the state. Continuous prayers were offered for the whole of yesterday night at various shrines and Masjids. Roads lead-ing to the shrines and Masjids were illuminated with lights and people on roadside were seen dis-tributing Tehri (traditionally made yellow rice), and tea. The largest congregation was held at Hazratbal Shrine on the banks of Dal Lake, which houses the Holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The devotees had a glimpse of the Holy relic after every prayer as its custodian put it on display. Be-fore and after every “Namaz”, people joined in cho-rus to offer the Durud.

Thin vehicular movement was observed in City-Centre Srinagar as all roads led to Hazaratbal. For the entire Monday night, the believers recited praises of the Prophet (SAW) at the shrine, with preachers shedding light on the life and teach-ings of the Prophet (SAW). Similar congregation-al prayers were held in many other Masjids and shrines in the city and elsewhere. These include Jinab Sahib Soura, Aasar-i-Sharief Shahri Kailsh-pora, Khanqah-e-Mualla, Dastegeer Sahib Kha-nyar, Ziyarat Makdoom Sahib, Kohimaran, and Ziyarat Syed Saib Sonwar. The celebrations will continue till Friday (“Juma-tul Vida”) and during all the intervening days, the “Deedar” (Glimpse of the Holy Relic) will continue after each Namaz.The administration had made elaborative arrange-ments for the convenience of devotees. Rallies, blood donation camps and Mahafil-e-Milads or special gatherings in praise of the Prophet (SAW) were held to mark the occasion.A car procession was taken out by Karwani Islami led by Maulana Ghulam Rasool Hami.

See Eid-e-Milad On Page 11..

New Delhi, Jan 14: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has re-jected personality oriented rule saying it is not in the interest of the country. Without naming BJP's Prime Ministerial candi-date, Narendra Modi, he said, the country should not be governed

by the thinking of a particular person or his ways. In an interview to a Hindi daily, he said, the future of 120 crore people can be shaped up and improved only by taking every-body along. Rahul Gandhi said, Congress is a democratic organi-zation and the people will decide through their elected representa-tive who will be the Prime Minis-

ter of the country. Amid speculations that he would be declared as congress party's Prime Ministerial candidate in the 2014 General Elections, Ra-hul Gandhi said that he is ready to take any responsibility given by the party. He would do what-ever the party decides him to do. He hoped that the Congress party will do well in the upcoming gen-eral elections and his party's re-turn to power will hold good for the country.On Priyanka Gandhi's role in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Congress Vice President said Priyanka is an active member of Congress party. She is cam-paigning to strengthen the organ-isation but there will not be any election related role for her.Asked about learning from the Aam Aadmi Party, Rahul Gandhi said that he does not agree with some of their policies and add-ed that his party's decisions are pro-people for the longer term. Gandhi said, for the first time party has placed its manifesto before the people to seek their views and suggestions.On asking the youth to join poli-tics, Rahul Gandhi

See Rahul On Page 11..

Will contest parliamentary

elections independently Srinagar, Jan 14: National Conference Tues-day declared that it will contest from all six parliamentary constituencies in the state, without forging an alliance with its coali-tion partner Congress.Talking to KNS, Mustafa Kamal, additional general secretary of National Conference and MLA Hazratbal observed that his party has suffered a lot being in alliance with the Congress. “The alliance with Congress has proven a ‘Ghate ka Souda’ (losing bargain) for us. We have conveyed our grass root level feedback to our party high command

which has given green signal to contest all the six parliamentary seats independently,” Kamal told KNS.He said that the party has already nomi-nated candidates for the three out of six parliamentary seats of the state and it will very soon nominate its can- didates for the rest of seats including Ladakh parlia- m e n t a r y c o n s t i t u e n c y . “We have already nominat-ed Dr Farooq Saheb, See Kamal On Page 11..

Cong-NC pre-poll alliance a mirage

Alliance with Congress was ‘Ghate ka Souda: Kamal

Minor raped in Palhalan

Palhalan, Jan 14,: A minor girl was allegedly abducted and later raped by a 30 year old man in Palhalan area of North Kashmir’s Pattan town. The accused along with his associates are absconding while police said that a manhunt has been launched to nab the culprits. Residents of Shalapora Palhalan told CNS that a ‘lunatic’ namely Abdul Rouf Bhat resident of Raipora Palhalan with the help of his associates who hail from South Kashmir allegedly abducted and raped a 13 years old girl. The girl was referred to Sub District Hospi-tal Pattan for medical examination where doctors confirmed rape. A police official

See PalhalanOn Page 11..

Jammu, Jan 14: Due to its misdeeds, mis-governance and deceit tactics the Omar Abdullah led coalition government is not only proved as a non-performing liability but this re-gime, during the last five years, has earned dubious distinction of being most corrupt state where rampant corruption has reached new heights with scams tumbling out one af-ter the other, without any

one being probed transparently.These observations were made in a meeting of the senior leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in which patron of the party

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was also present. Vice president of

the party Trilok Singh Ba-jwa, chaired the meeting

in which it was decid-ed to hold protests against state govern-

ment at all district headquarters on January 18 to expose misdeeds of this regime.Meeting observed that the state of Jam-mu and Kashmir has been plunged into unprecedented crises due to failure of the government on all fronts. Speakers pointed out that while the corruption has crossed all limits, the state govern-ment has failed to provide basic ameni-ties like power and ration

See Mufti On Page 11..

Corruption reaches new heights in the state: Mufti

PDP wanted the Capital out

of SrinagarSrinagar, Jan 14: National Conference Pro-vincial President Nasir Aslam Wani has expressed amusement at PDP’s belated damage-control theatrics that are aimed at concealing the party’s inherent and ideolog-ical opposition to Srinagar’s political, cul-tural, economic and historic centrality.This is the same party that came up with the outrageous idea of shifting the summer cap-ital of the State from Srinagar to Pattan in 2005 – a ridiculous exercise that was expect-ed to cost a whooping 3,500 crores, besides plunging Srinagar into economic misery, unemployment and infrastructural decay. PDP even approached New Delhi with this idea and once actually announced that the new capital would be functional within three years. Fortunately for the public out-cry and strong opposition from Omar Ab-dullah and National Conference, PDP could not realize its devious dream of robbing Sri-nagar of its centrality.Now, PDP wants to feign sympathy for the people of Srinagar by demanding that Srinagar be split into two districts – conve-niently forgetting its earlier demand to shift the summer capital out of Srinagar. The du-ality of PDP is surreal. Does Mufti Sayeed

want to divide Srinagar into two parts in or-der to facilitate a capital shift in the future? How can PDP grudge Srinagar its centrality and then pretend to seek its empowerment?PDP’s planned disruption of the proceed-ings of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the creation of new administrative units reveals the party’s palpable intention to derail this historic and landmark delimita-tion process. Some PDP leaders support the Mushtaq Ganai report, while others oppose it. Sometimes they complain about the tim-ing and sometimes they call the neutrality of the exercise suspicious. These allegations are unfounded, politically motivated and ri-diculous.Nasir, during the interaction with the Cab-inet Sub-Committee in Srinagar yesterday asked for two additional sub-districts for north and south of Srinagar and also de-manded the establishment of three addition-al Tehsils for the Srinagar besides demand-ing Nayabats and CD Blocks for rural areas that surround the urban city areas. Incidentally, it was PDP that opposed the creation of new administrative units when the party was in a coalition with the Con-gress. Azad Sahab went on with the creation of new administrative units despite PDP’s opposition and trickery. And then PDP had the nerve to take credit for an exercise it ve-hemently opposed. Now, PDP is back to the same old drama. While the party is opposed to this pro-people exercise,

See Nasir On Page 11..

PDP opposed to Srinagar’s centrality: Nasir

‘Mushtaq Ganaie report will become public, after it is

approved by cabinet’Srinagar, Jan 14: Senior Con-gress leader and minister for medical education, Taj Mohi-u-Din on Tuesday rubbished Muzaffar Hussain Beigh’s ac-cusation that creation of new administrative units was a politically motivated exercise.Talking to KNS, Taj said: “The opposition has this mandate to criticize every move of the government. So they will crit-icize us even if we do well! It

hardly matters for us.”On the PDP”s demand of mak-ing the report of the Mushtaq Ganai committee public, Taj said that there is no need to do so at this point of time. “The report is yet to be approved by the cabinet and once it is approved by the cabinet, it will automatically become a public document and it will come in public domain,” Taj told KNS.He said that PDP should wait till this report is approved by the state cabinet. “They will come to know what is in that report after it is approved.”Pertinently, Beigh had on

Monday said that Cabinet Sub Committee exercise is patently farcical as they are working to a deadline given by the chief minister for his obvious political interests.“The audience at these so called meetings is sponsored by the ruling party itself to elicit predetermined opinions. It is a fixed match. If the units had ultimately to be created through such charade what was the need for a commit-tee and why did the rul-ing party wait for the election time to exe-cute its plans,” Beigh had told reporters.

Opposition will criticize us even if we do well: Taj reacts to Beigh

Traders losing interest: Turkie

Srinagar: Though struggling against lack of banking facilities, goods worth Rs 25000 Crores have been exchanged from the both sides of the Line of Con-trol through Kaman Post in Uri.

“Since, August 21, 2008 when the cross LoC trade started as a Confi-dence Building Measure between the two sides of the LoC, during 564 days of trade, more than 27,84, 885 quintals of goods were imported and export-ed which include handicrafts, spic-es, vegetables and dry fruits,” Hilal Turkie, general secretary of Salam-

abad-Chakooti trade union told KNS.He said that more than Rs. 2,26,66,035 was given to the labourers for 840 days of labour while as more than 37000 drivers exchanged the goods. The truck industry here earned Rs 24,32,76000 since the trade between the two sides of the border started.

See Turkie On Page 11..

Goods worth Rs 25000 crores exchanged through Cross LoC trade

Srinagar, Jan 14: Police on Tuesday claimed to have recovered arms and am-munitions from Shangus forests in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.A police official told GNS that acting on a specific information the joint team of army’s 19 RR and SOG Achabal raided at Chowgam forests in Shangus. During the search operation the joint teams have recovered 2 hand grenades, 01 Magzine and 30 rounds of AK-47.Meanwhile, police has registered a case and started further investigations in this regard. (GNS)

Srinagar, Jan 14, CNS: A couple of protests were reported from different parts of Kashmir including Srinagar city against Power Development Department (PDD) for failing to repair the damaged transformers and restore electricity to the area. Residents of Iqbal Colony Mehjoor Nagar in Srinagar city staged a protest alleging that Power Development Depart-ment officials are showing no interest in getting their damaged transformer replaced or repaired. “Our colony com-prising of scores of residential houses is reeling under darkness from past ten days. The irony is that, no PDD official is ready to listen and we are being forced to wander from place to place and official to official,” one of the residents of Iqbal Colony Muhammad

See Damaged On Page 11..

The rice production in Jammu and Kash-mir is decreasing day by day because the agricultural land is being used legally or illegally for other purposes such as resi-dential and commercial. This has created lots of problems and the extra burden on the economy has also increased and is leaving adverse effects on the overall financial health of the state. Similarly the illegal felling of trees and the timber smuggling has caused enormous dam-ages to the ecology of the state as it has turned a lot of forest land into a barren and unproductive one. Though a force called forest protection force was created many years back for safeguarding the forest wealth but this organization has

AKHNOOR, JANUARY 14 – Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma today visited Akhnoor Constituency and inspected a number of on-going developmentworks there. The works which were inspected by the Min-ister included, SDH, Akhnoor, Indoor Sports Complex, Dussehra Ground and two ponds at village Sungal-Lahad.Chief Engineer, PHE, K.K. Gupta, Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sushil Aima, Superintending Engi-neer (Hydraulic), Rajiv Malhotra and Sectoral Officers of various depart-ments also accompanied the Minister. Expressing satisfaction over the pace of progress of projects, the Minister directed the engineers to ensure quality of works strictly as per the specifications laid down.

BANGKOK — As protesters opposing elections continued their occupation of key parts of Bangkok’s main commer-cial and business districts, Prime Minister Yingluck Shi-nawatra on Tuesday said she was “protecting democracy” and would not resign.“Democracy belongs to the entire Thai people,” she said

in a Twitter message, a day after the leaders of the an-ti-government protests began what they called a shutdown of Bangkok.The leader of the protests, Suthep Thaugsuban, who has been charged by the authori-ties with rebellion, threatened on Tuesday to “close all gov-

ernment offices” if Ms. Yin-gluck did not step down in the coming days.“And if she remains stubborn, we will take custody of the prime minister and all min-isters,” he said to a cheering crowd at a major Bangkok intersection blocked by pro-testers.Mr. Suthep advised govern-

ment ministers to “send their wives and children to some-where so that they can escape when the emergency takes place.”Protesters are demanding the “eradication” from politics of Ms. Yingluck and her broth-er, Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire tycoon and former

prime minister. They oppose the election scheduled for Feb. 2 on the grounds that it would provide the Shinawatra clan greater domination of the po-litical system.In a crisis that is bewildering to many people outside Thai-land, political observers say there are no angels among the leading personalities involved in the standoff. Mr. Thaksin has been accused several times of using the powers of the state – and the weight of his political party – to further his personal interests. When

he was in power from 2001 to 2006 Mr. Thaksin intimidated the media and sought to con-trol many government insti-tutions that are meant to be independent.Mr. Suthep, a career politi-cian and former deputy prime minister, says he is fighting to banish corruption and the Shinawatra clan. But he has been embroiled in a number of scandals himself. In addition, when he was in power in 2010 he led a crackdown against protesters that left more 90 people dead.

Owner , Printer & Publisher: Suhail Malik Editor -in-Chief: Shahana Malik RNI NO. JKBII/2011/39764, Email: zabarwantimes@gmail.com Publised at Govt. Quarters ( M-13 Magarmal Bagh Srinagar-190001 J&K, Printed at:- Sangarmal Offset Press Humhama Sheikhpora Tele/Fax: 2478370 Cell No. 09999964750, 9796 787844

11 Wednesday 15 January 2014 Zabarwan Times

From the front page

EID-e-Milad

Rahul

Nasir

Turkie

Damaged

Kamal

Palhalan

Mufti

India conveys best wishes on Milad -un- Nabi to

Pakistan army soldiersThis car procession passed through Karan Nagar, Shaheedganj, Batamaloo, Maloora, HMT and culminated at Tregam Shadipo-ra. Similar processions were reported from Ganderbal, Bandipo-ra,Pulwama, Shopian, Tangmarag, Anantnag, Beerwah, Kangan, Sumbal, Hajin and other places.A Milad conference was organized at Jamia Masjid Meerani, Duderhama Ganderbal. The function was jointly organized by Karwan-i-Islami Kashmir and Jamia Masjid Meerani Committee Duderhama.A massive procession was taken out in Muran Pulwama that cul-minated in main market. The procession was organized by Idara Auqaf Islamia Muran. In the day long function, religious scholars threw light on the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). They also empha-sized on the need to follow the Islamic teaching as per the Quran and the Hadith. Milad processions were also taken at different locations in Jam-mu. Hundreds of people in Jammu at various locations includ-ing Janipur, Talab Khatikan took out religious processions to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), followed by prayers, where religious scholars highlighted the teachings of the Prophet.The authorities had made elaborate security and other arrange-ments for the devotees. On this occasion different wings of the Srinagar Municipal Cor-poration (SMC) deployed additional staff in several localities, es-pecially at Hazratbal shrine, which witnessed one of the biggest congregations, for convenience of devotees.The statement issued to KNS stated that a special team of the SMC carried out checks of food items at the roadside shops, ki-osks and vendors, including those selling knick knacks, in and around Hazratbal area. The move is part of the SMC drive to ensure hygienic and unadulterated food to people. The drive to ensure healthy food items is sold was spearheaded by health of-ficer Dr Shafqat Khan, chief sanitation officer Hakim Ejaz and sanitation officer Muhammad Ashraf Warsi.The SMC also set up helpline tents for devotees heading towards Hazratbal shrine to pay obeisance. Besides deploying additional staff for snow clearance, sanitation and fumigation of the area, several machines were put into service, including hoppers, round the clock. These machines ensured that the area, where devotees would come for prayers, stays clean.

said it was this dream of his that he joined politics. He added the party wants to provide a platform for the youth to hone their skills. Rahul also categorically dismissed reports that Congress is fast losing its allies.The Congress Vice President criticised the BJP for its Congress free India pitch. He alleged that BJP does not understand that Congress is in the DNA of the country and it is the only political power which has kept people of this nation united.Gandhi called for opening up the education system for 120 crore Indians saying the present system is not sufficient to cater to the needs of the people.

Shariq Sahib and Beg Sahib to seek their re-election from three parliamentary seats of Valley and very soon you will hear an-nouncement for other three seats. The party leadership is pres-ently busy in looking for three candidates.”It may be recalled that while Dr Farooq had won the 2009 par-liamentary polls from Srinagar-Budgam Lok Sabha seat, Sharif-ud-Din Shariq and Mehbooba Beig had emerged victorious from north and south Kashmir seats, respectively.Pertinently, the announcement made by the National Conference for the three parliamentary seats had shocked its coalition part-ner, Congress. Taking a strong exception to this announcement, the Congress had accused NC of ‘backstabbing and breaching co-alition dharma’. Kamal told KNS that the NC high command after analyzing the feedback of its workers at the grass root level has come to the conclusion that a pre-poll alliance with Congress can damage the party further.Meanwhile, addressing a press conference at party headquar-ters here today, Kamal said over 20,000 leaders and workers of his party were “butchered” during militancy. “Our workers who are committee to the core do not want any kind of alliance with Congress party and we have no option but to respect their senti-ments,” Kamal said.According to KNS correspondent, Kamal said: “Mr Soz hinted in-directly that Congress party wanted a pre-poll alliance with NC after suggesting a friendly match between the two. But we have decided that NC would contest the 2014 assembly elections on the pattern of previous polls.”He remarked that there is no question of pre-poll alliance with Congress and there is absolutely no possibility of doing it. “We have a strong base in the state and we will fight these elections on our own,” he added. (KNS)

told CNS that doctors have confirmed the rape and they are looking for the accused, who are still at large. “The accused Rouf Bhat has went underground. We are trying to ascertain the identity of his associates who hail from South Kashmir,” police official said adding that they have already started a manhunt to nab the accused. Residents of Shalapora while demanding stern action against the accused told CNS that they don’t want to take law in their own hands. “We approached Station House Officer Pattan who assured us that accused will be arrested within a day. We hope, that this time the accused Rouf Bhat will be arrested,” they said adding that the accused in past molested a girl but that time he was let go under political pressure. (CNS)

to the people.“During the last five years corruption has crossed all limits as the government lacks will to take on corrupt people. Many ministers and ‘blue eyed’ bureaucrats of the state have stand indicted in various scams but the government has failed to even pursue the process of legal prosecution against them”, meet-ing pointed out, adding, “Corruption is too deep rooted, deeply entrenched and percolating right from the top has reached the grassroots only due to full political and official patronage of those at the highest seats of power”.Misdeeds of the present regime during the last five years substan-tiated the allegations that this government has become synony-mous with crime and corruption. Institutions like State Account-ability Commission (SAC) have been weaken by the government itself. Furthermore powers of the State Information Commission have been diluted. Senior leader Ved Mahajan, Ramesh Koul, Ashaq Hussain, Rtd.Maj Genl. R.S.Jamwal, Lok Sabha candi-dates Yashpal Sharma,MLC, Arshad Malik. State Secys S Jagjeet Singh Jagga, Ashok Jogi, Mohinder Kotwal, Chowdery Hamid, Hassan Ali Waffa, Abdul Rashid Malik, Surinder Chowdery, Fal-lail Singh, Capt. Anil Gour, Choudhary Zulfikar, MLA Darhal, Sayeed Asgar Ali, MLC, Distt Presidents R.K.Bali, Jammu Ur-ban, Th.Soram Singh. Jammu Rural, Sukhdav Singh, Udhampur, Partap Sharma Reasi, Pawan Dev Singh Samba, Sardar Surinder Singh, Guru Prassad,Kathua, Ganga Ram Kathua, Abdul Ahad Wani, Ramban, Preetam Kotwal Doda, Divender Chalotra, Distt President SC/ST/OBC, Youth wing Vice President Rajender Manhas, Sandeep Singh, Suresh Sharma and Rafiq Malik were present in the meeting. Meeting further pointed out that youth of the State are the worst victim of the policies being propagated by this government and the policies of the government are fueling alienation among younger generation. Backdoor appointments have been going on in all the departments. Instead of providing employment opportunities to the people, this regime has been

snatching jobs from the youth. The new recruitment policy an-nounced by the government is lopsided and against the youth. Daily wagers, contractual and casual employees are struggling to get wages.The Government has been giving excuse of financial crunch for not addressing problems of these poor employees but on the other more than 150 senior officers including some tainted bureaucrats have given extension during the last five years. Such policy of the government is denying recruitment to deserving youth as exten-sion of senior officers has been putting huge financial burden on the state.Meeting regretted that Omar Abdullah government has been taking excuse of weak financial position of the State for not pro-viding jobs to the youth. Who is responsible for the poor state of the state’s fiscal position other than those who have been at the helm of affairs? During most of the period since 1947 the National Conference has remained in power and cannot escape the respon-sibility for the poor fiscal position of the State, meeting observed and instead of utilizing government resources for the welfare of the people, the regime has spent huge amount on providing luxu-ries to the ministers and ruling elites. The regime during the last five years has been done to improve the fiscal position. Further-more, common masses are confronting with day today problems due to non availability of ration, LPG etc. The woes of common masses have been further compounded due to non availability of power and drinking water. It seems that official machinery is to-tally collapsed in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.To agitate against rampant corruption, mis-governance and mis-deeds of the present regime, the PDP has decided to hold protest demonstrations at all district headquarters in Jammu province on January 18. (KNS)

it wants to enact dramas to pretend it’s a sympathizer of the peo-ple. However, despite PDP’s tamashas and lying, National Confer-ence will ensure that new administrative units are created with-out any political considerations and that Omar Abdullah’s vi-sion of governance at the doorstep is realized at any cost. (KNS)

The reports stated further that traders paid more than Rs 20 Crores as value added taxes to the state government. Turkey told KNS that when the cross LoC started, more than 600 traders of the state got involved in it but due to the non- avail-ability of communication facilities, banking and cold storage, the number of traders as on date have reduced to 80.“We want that the cross LOC traders be given the special permit and the facility of banking and cold storage. We also demand that a trade fair after three or six months be conducted here so that the trade could scan new heights.” (KNS)

Shafi told CNS. The resident appealed to MLA concerned and Chief Engineer PDD to look into the matter and relieve them from woes. Similar kind of protest was reported from Changoo hamlet of Dooru in South Kashmir. The protesters of Changoo alleged that the PDD has failed to repair the transformer which had developed a technical snag two weeks ago.Meanwhile, residents of Mirgund, Hajin in North Kash-mir,Zainapora, Cheremarg, Reshipora, Sofipora, Hydergund, Mujmarg and Awneera in South Kashmir also staged protests against the PDD for their failure to supply sufficient power in metered areas.The residents including the students and traders alleged that the frequent, long and unscheduled power cuts subject them to immense inconvenience. Bashir Ahmed Khan, Chief Engineer PDD told CNS that the transformers damaged in any area are repaired swiftly. “I will send a team to Iqbal Colony Mehjoor Nagar to ascertain the facts and besides will take cognizance of all the complaints of people,” he said. (CNS)

Protests, shutdown in Sopore against the

killing of Jaish militantsSrinagar, Jan 14: (GNS) Amid a complete shutdown, protests erupted on Tuesday in Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baram-ulla district against the killing of three JeM militants by a joint team of SOG of police and army.Reports reaching GNS said that all the shops, business estab-lishments, petrol pumps remained closed in the town while transport was also off the roads to mourn the killing of three JeM militants. Shutdown was also observed in Dooru and its adjacent areas where the three Pakistani militants Abu Hassan, Muzamil alias Farooq and Rizwan were killed by joint team of army and police on Monday afternoon.Reports said, scores of youth appeared at Main Chowk, Iqbal Market and other places and clashed with the troopers and police. Chanting slogans, the youth hurled stones on the forces sparking off clashes. Angry protesters also hurled stones on the picket of CRPF 179 Battalion of CRPF near the State Bank of India. The troopers resorted to cane charge the protesters. The clashes between the protesters and the forces continued for several hours.Meanwhile, the three JeM militants were laid to rest at Panzla, Rafiabad by the members of the Auqaf Committee after police handed over them the bodies. Scores of people participated in their funeral prayers. (GNS)

‘Education conference

receives massive response’

Srinagar, Jan 14 (KNS): The education conference of south Kashmir Pulwama district, organized by the directorate of school education Kashmir on January 13 at SKICC wit-nessed the participation of large number of teachers, lec-turers and the senior officers of the department.The deputy chief minster Tara Chand, and DC Srinagar Fa-rooq Ahmad Shah attended the conference.DC Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Shah while addressing the conference asked parents to admit their wards in the gov-ernment schools as the gov-ernment schools have more trained teachers in compari-son to the private institutions. “I appreciate the efforts of dep-uty chief minister and director education for the steps being taken for the improvement in the educational sector in Kash-mir.”The president of Teacher’s Forum Abdul Qayoom Wani

during his address appreci-ated the steps taken by the department for the improvi-sation of the education sector. He also put forth the demands on behalf of the teachers and asked for the early remedial of the same.Lecturer’s Forum Pres-ident Dr Manzoor while speaking in the Conference stated that the department needs some vitals so that the quality education could be provided to the students. He also emphasized that the department must initiate timely action so that the pending issues of employees with the department could be addressed at the earliest.Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand in his address asked the teachers to impart quality edu-cation to the students and that the same must be prioritized so that better results could be achieved with eager hope.“The promotions are there but I ask you to show improve-ment in the annual results of the students. The teachers are the builders of every nation and they should discharge their duties with most sincere and honest attitude.”

Show improvement in results: Tara Chand to teachers

Srinagar: A flag meeting between Indian and Pakistan soldiers was held in the Kar-gil Sector today. The meeting was organ-ised by the Indian side on the occasion of Milad - un- abi to extend best wishes and greetings to the Pakistan Army soldiers. The meeting was conducted in a cordial manner with pleasantries and gifts being exchanged by the two sides.A similar meeting was held between Indian and Pakistan Army soldiers de-ployed at Kaman Aman Setu. In a brief ceremony, organised at Aman Setu in Uri, officers and jawans of both Indian and Pakistan Army deployed on Line of Control greeted each other on the auspi-cious occasion of Milad-un-Nabi and also exchanged sweets.These meeting have added importance in light of the measures being instituted by India and Pakistan to restore normal-cy at the Line of Control. This initiative has been widely appreciated by the local population as it further reinforces the commitment of the Indian Army towards ensuring tranquility, peace and prosperi-ty in the region.

Devyani greeted by RPI workers, father could fight

Lok Sabha electionsMumbai: Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade who is facing a criminal case in the United State of America (USA) has returned to her hometown Mumbai on Tuesday. She was greeted by Republican Par-ty of India's (RPI) workers at the airport. Her father and a retired bureaucrat Uttam Khobragade expressed hope that Devyani's children and husband will be back in India soon.Commenting on his political ambitions he said, "I have been in talks with the political parties for a while. I have good relations with all political par-ties including the Congress, MNS and RPI. I could fight 2014 elections."He also denied reports of

the possibility of his daugh-ter joining politics. He said, "Devyani will remain in the foreign service. No immediate role for her."Devyani's welcome by the RPI is being criticised by the media and local people. many feel that since Devyani and her father's names have fig-ured in the Adarsh housing society scam and even the allegations against her in the USA are also very serious, projecting her as a victim may not be the right thing to do.Her father had earlier re-fused to answer questions on Adarsh and their assets by saying that the Marathi media is casteist. He was attacked by the Shiv Sena for the remark.

PM felicitates Prof CNR RaoPrime Minister Dr. Manmo-han Singh said that noted scientist Prof CNR Rao has demonstrated that world-class research can be accomplished on Indian soil, despite con-straints. Addressing a func-tion of scientific community to honour Prof Rao in New Delhi today, Dr. Singh said he played a pivotal role in guid-ing the science and technology policies of the government. The Prime Minister lauded the

scientist saying he relentlessly guided the growth of science academies and all major sci-ence institutes in India. Dr. Singh said that Prof Rao built and nurtured a world-class Chemistry department at IIT Kanpur that put India on the world map in modern chemistry.Government has also conferred on Professor Rao many awards and recog-nitions in the past, including Bharat Ratna.

State-owned, Coal India today declared an interim dividend of 29 rupees per share, amounting to 18,317 crore rupees, for fiscal year 2013-14. The government will get 16,486 crore rupees for its 90 per cent stake in the Maharatna company. Coal India will pay the dividend from January 25.The dividend announcement follows a meeting between Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and chairmen of top public sector undertakings, including Coal India, ONGC, and Indian Oil, last Friday.

Coal India declares Rs 18,317crore dividend for fiscal year 2013-14

Thai Leader Vows to Keep Job Amid Protests

Daily ZABARWAN TIMES Srinagar | WedneSday 15. 01 .2014

A social event or group meeting could ignite your enthusi-asm about new goals, Libra. These goals may involve giving you a chance to use your creative talents as well as enjoy the com-panionship and camaraderie of your fellow group members. Therefore, whatever events are scheduled today might all prove to be both satisfying and enjoyable for you. Don’t hesitate! Move on ahead, do something worthwhile, and enjoy yourself.

Today, Scorpio, you might begin work on a project that you’ve wanted to do for a long time. This may be career re-lated or personal, but either way it should advance you in whatever direction that you want to go. The only downside is that you might be a bit too hard on yourself and far too critical of your work. Try to be objective and view your own work as fairly as you would view the work of others.

Today, Sagittarius, you’re expanding your horizons. You and a friend could plan a vacation that you’re really excited about. It could involve a trip by air, perhaps across the ocean. The trip is mainly for pleasure, but it probably involves a place you’ve always been interested in and are anxious to see, so it’s an educational trip as well. You have a lot to look forward to. Make the most of it and have fun.

Some good news may reach your ears via the grapevine regarding your career. This might involve a raise in salary, Cap-ricorn, or it could be new benefits, new profit sharing plans, or anything that may involve investments or money that comes your way above and beyond a paycheck. Contracts or other legal papers that are executed today should definitely work in your favor, so if you’ve been putting off signing any, do it today!

A new and exciting potential love relationship could pop into your life today, Aquarius. This is apt to be the kind of instant attraction that sets your nerves tingling and your blood boiling! Whether or not you decide to pursue this attraction, of course, depends on your situation, but whatever you decide, you’re likely to enjoy feeling the thrill of it today. Therefore, make sure you look your best when you go out! You’ll be glad you did.

Today, Pisces, you should be feeling especially energetic and enthusiastic. Therefore, this is a great day to start a new enter-prise, perhaps involving your home, or just about any kind of life enhancement. More than one opportunity could present itself to you. One could entail creative activities and the other might be more mundane. Undoubtedly, whether you decide to take both or only one, you’re going to be busy for a while. Work hard!

A chance to make some extra money could come today through someone you know slightly, Virgo, perhaps from a social event you both once attended. You might not be totally familiar with the type of work involved, but today your mind is sharp and so you’ll probably pick it up quickly. The only down-side is that you could work harder than you need to, and there-fore there’s a danger of tiring yourself out. Take care of yourself.

Plans for a party or group gathering of some kind could take up much of your time and energy, Aries. You might have a lot of letters to write, phone calls to make, or other communications to take care of, but this is likely to prove to be a great excuse for getting in touch with your friends. Today could prove to be a kind of party-before-the-party, which is right up your alley. Enjoy your day!

Though you might wake up today feeling a little feverish, Taurus, as the day progresses you’ll be your old self again. You should be putting a lot of effort into work, particularly mundane chores and tasks that you’d rather not do. Get them out of the way and then move on to projects that interest you and can fire your ambition and motivation. Work hard in the morning and enjoy the rest of the day.

This is a great day to start any project that concerns writing, acting, or speaking, Gemini. Your creative energies should be flowing freely and abundantly today, and you should enjoy the rush of new ideas that keep popping into your head. A number of stimulating conversations with close friends should keep your energies churning. Expect to spend a lot of time on the phone, or perhaps in the car dropping in on these friends.

If you aren’t already into real estate, gardening, or interior decorating, Cancer, today you might discover a talent for one or all of these fields and decide to pursue it. You might have it in mind as a possible future source of income, and therefore you could consider looking into getting some formal training in the field. Which one you choose, if any, is of course up to you. Con-sider them all carefully and then decide which is best.

Your energy and enthusiasm for life should be operating at a very high level today, Leo. You may therefore want to get together with some of your friends, and might even organize an impromptu social event of some kind. Exciting news and stimulating conversation should keep your mind busy for a long time. At some point you’ll want to work off some of that physical energy, perhaps by taking a brisk walk or another kind of workout. Enjoy your day.

Govt committed for empowerment of youth: Sagar

RAJOURI, JANUARY 14:

Minister of State for Health, Mr. Shabir Ahmad Khan Tuesday said that the present coalition Govern-ment has set into motion a golden era of development, adding that “an unprecedented era of development and peace has dawned in the State during the current dispensation. He said that every possible resource is being mobilized and pooled to pro-vide basic facilities to the people with focus on equitable opportuni-ties of development and uniform justice to poor and backward and hilly areas.

Addressing a public meeting today at Maradabad in Rajouri, the Minister said Government is abreast with the problems of the people and no stone will be left unturned to re-dress their grievances.

The Minister said that all-round development of hilly and border ar-eas have received keen attention of the government during last over 5 years. He said remote and hilly areas have been receiving basic facilities of education, health care, drinking

water, road connectivity and power supply at their door steps. He said areas that lack facilities are being given attention for improvement and upgradation of basic facilities for bringing them at par with other areas.

The Minister called upon the people to cooperate with the admin-istration and the executing agencies to help government in speedy socio-economic transformation of the State.

“Peace and tranquility is impera-tive to achieve the goal. Every citi-zen of the State has a right to equal opportunities of development and prosperities,” Shabir said and reaf-firmed government’s resolve for uniform development and equal social justice to the people in all the three regions of the State. The Minister called upon the people to cooperate with the administration and the executing agencies to help government in speedy socio-eco-nomic transformation of the State. “Peace and tranquility is impera-tive to achieve the goal. Every citi-zen of the State has a right to equal

opportunities of development and prosperities,” Shabir said and reaf-firmed government’s resolve for uni-form development and equal social justice to the people in all the three regions of the State.

The Minister appealed to the people to positively contribute in the efforts of the government to car-ry forward its development agenda in all areas to address their grievanc-es and accommodate their develop-ment needs.

Meanwhile, the Minister who is also MLA Rajouri visited several ar-eas in his Constituency, interacted with locals, enquired their prob-lems and developmental needs and directed concerned field func-tionaries for immediate mitigation of these.

He called upon the CA&PD, PHE, PDD and other concerned au-thorities to ensure hassle free es-sential services to the people dur-ing winter adding that it should be ensured that no villager faces any inconvenience while getting ra-tion, LPG, power, drinking water or healthcare facilities.

All-round development, basic facilities to remote, hilly areas on focus: Shabir

AKHNOOR, JANUARY 14 – Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma today visited Akhnoor Con-stituency and inspected a number of on-going development works there. The works which were inspected by the Minis-ter included, SDH, Akhnoor, Indoor Sports Complex, Dussehra Ground and two ponds at village Sungal-Lahad.

Chief Engineer, PHE, K.K. Gupta, Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sushil Aima, Superintending Engineer (Hy-draulic), Rajiv Malhotra and Sectoral Officers of various de-partments also accompanied the Minister.

Expressing satisfaction over the pace of progress of proj-ects, the Minister directed the engineers to ensure quality of works strictly as per the specifications laid down. He said compromise on quality will not be tolerated at any cost, and if any work is found substandard, the concerned executive en-gineer will be taken to task. He also directed for speeding up the monitoring mechanism to ensure time bound completion of all on-going projects.While inspecting the ponds, which are being upgraded under sustainability programme in the Kandi belt of Akhnoor, the Minister directed the engineers to maintain the original character of ponds so that they serve their purpose to the locals. He said the ponds in the Kandi belt are being developed to preserve the traditional water sources so that the water can be used by the rural people for various purposes. This effort will also help in recharging the water table, which is otherwise depleting due to increasing demand of water and environmental degradation. Under the first phase, 5 big ponds will be upgraded in the Akhnoor block at an estimated cost of Rs. 6 to 7 lakh on each pond under sustainability programme. The programme is aimed to con-serve traditional water sources as also to re-charge the exist-ing ground water level, said the Minister.

Sham inspects on-going works in Akhnoor

Takes stock of development

works in Channi Rama

JAMMU, JANUARY 14

Minister for Horticulture, Hous-ing and Culture Mr. Raman Bhalla Tuesday said that peace is vital in making Jammu and Kashmir a progressive and prosperous State, adding that people’s cooperation is imperative for the purpose.

This was stated by the Minister while addressing a public griev-ances redressal camp after assess-ing development related issues of the inhabitants of Pamposh Colony in Channi Rama, here today.

Mr. Bhalla said Government was fully aware of people’s prob-lems and is making all out effort to mitigate these on priority.

Listing the measures taken by the Government in improving the living standard of the inhabitants of the locality, the Minister said

Government has dedicated Rs. 38 lakh multipurpose community hall to the residents of Pamposh Colony, Channi Rama, Chinar Col-ony, Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Bilal Colony, Shanker Colony, Rajput Mohalla and its adjoining areas for arranging their social as well as religious functions on minimum fee.

Mr. Bhalla called upon the inhabitants to protect the pub-lic property in their respective localities for their own inter-est. The Minister stressed upon the officers to bring in more ac-countability and transparency in utilization of funds available under various centrally and State sponsored schemes for better in-frastructural development of the State.

Responding to the locals de-mand, the Minister informed

the inhabitants that Government has formulated a project costing Rs. Rs. 68 crore for construction of Barsati nallah from Jodhamal School to Gangyal, adding that the project would be started by ERA after completing the ten-dering formalities.

Regarding upgradation of lanes and drains in the locality, Mr. Bhalla asked the JMC officers to prepare estimates and submit the same for funding so that the works could be started for the convenience of general people.

Earlier, the Minister also vis-ited Eidgah in Pamposh Colony in Channi Rama and exchanged Eid-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) greet-ings with the Muslim brethren.Later, Mr. Bhalla paid obeisance at Shri Baba Ambo Devsathan at Bahu Fort and prayed for peace and prosperity of the State.

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 14: Maintaining that the Govern-ment is committed for the empowerment of the youth, the Minister for Rural Devel-opment and Panchayats, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar has said several schemes in this regard have been launched, which can provide much needed skill development and employment opportuni-ties to them.

The Minister was addressing a gathering at a function organized by new Women’s World Society at Khanyar in the old city here today. The function was at-tended by Chief Executive Officer, Urban Development Agency, Kashmir (UDAK) and senior officers of various de-partments.The Minister said that the Government has al-ready launched various wel-fare schemes like UMEED, UDAAN, HIMAYAT & SKEWPY for the youth of the State and now the onus lies on them to come forward and avail the maximum benefit out of these and cre-ate employment opportunities for them-selves. He said that besides these Entre-preneur Development Institute has also been set up so that the youth of the State can set up their own entrepreneurial units and contribute their bit in creating jobs and economy as whole.

Mr. Sagar said that several initia-tives have also been taken for imparting

the skills to the youth and in this regard hundreds of students of various Indus-trial Training Institutes and Polytechnics have been sent to the different parts of the country where they are being im-parted trainings and afterwards absorbed in different reputed companies in the cor-porate sector.

Referring to the various pro-grammes undertaken by the Government for the holistic development of the Sri-nagar city, the Minister said that the peo-ple are well aware of the work done by

the present coalition in various spheres of life like health, education, R&B etc. He said certain parties for their own ulterior political motives are trying to mislead the people. ‘’The people are aware that during their regime the various prestigious proj-ects of the Srinagar were put in the back burner and development of the historic city was stalled’’, he added.

Later, the Minister distributed certificates among the students who were imparted training in various trades by the society.

Peace, cooperation vital for development: Bhalla

JAMMU, JANUARY 14-As a part of the ongoing 25th Road Safety Week celebrations the Motor Vehi-cles Department today organized awareness camps for drivers and conductors at the Maheshpura Chowk and Jammu Railway Station. The awareness camps were held in collaboration with Mini Bus Worker’s Union and Railway Station Taxi Operators Union. Transport Commissioner, Saurabh Bhagat was the chief guest on the occasion.

During the awareness camps officers and the of-ficials of the Motor Vehicles Department and the traf-fic police informed the drivers and conductors the importance of observance of Road Safety Rules and adherence to traffic norms to ensure safety on the roads. The important factors like overloading, rash and negligent driving, over speeding were discussed. Other traffic violations like route permit violations, wrong parking etc. were also discussed and the driv-ers and conductors were asked to observe the rules.

Pamphlets regarding do’s and don’ts while driv-ing on roads were also distributed among the driv-ers and conductors. The Transport Commissioner in his address sought the cooperation of transporters in spreading the message of Road Safety and in making the Road Safety Week meaningful. He also stated that some of the problems that the Mini Bus and Taxi, Auto unions faced are being addressed by the depart-ment and the redressal of the same will shortly be made.

The other spoke on the occasion RTO Jammu Ar-vind Kotwal, Deputy Transport Commissioner, M.L. Raina, ARTO Jammu Kuldeep Singh, Motor Vehicle Inspector Sunil Cannie also informed the drivers and conductors on the various measures expected of them to make road safe.

Awareness camps organized as part of

road safety week

Government of Jammu and Kashmir

OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER HYDRAULIC DIVISION URITENDER NOTICE

N.I.T No: -14 of 2013-14 Bated: 06-01-2014.For and on behalf of Governor of Jammu & Kashmir State, sealed tenders affixed with Rs. 6/ Revenue stamps are invited from the Registered PW D Contractors, whose registration cards are valid in terms of the standing, rules for the works mentioned hereunder to reach office of the Execu-tive Engineer Hydraulic Division Uri on or before 27-01-2014 up to 2:00 pm by registered posts or personally subject to the condition that the envelopes containing Lenders are properly sealed with transparent tape which will be opened on the same date or any other date convenient to the tender opening authority presence of the intending tenderers who may wish to be present at that time. The tender documents can be had from the office of undersigned on production an application supported with earnest money in shape of CDR from any scheduled bank as shown against each work on cash payment as mentioned against each work as under (Non-Refundable) w. e. f. 06-01-2014 to 24-01-2014 up to 3:00 pm.01. Position of funds: Demanded02.No of Works: 13 (Thirteen)

S. No. Name of work Estt. Cost in Lacs CDR Amount Class of contract Time of completion M.H. of Account Cost tend ( document)1 Construction of 2 No's. R.C.C. Flume at RD 50m and RD 3300m of Limber Tethamulla Khul 2.40 4800 DEE 15-days 2702-M&R 300.002 Construction of 5 No. Foot Bridges at Various spots of Bijhama Khul 0.34 680 DEE 05-davs 4702-AIBP 100.003 Construction of Cement concrete Channel from RD 50m to RD 300m at spots on Gingle Khul 3.95 3950 SHG.of Engineers 20-days 4702-AIBP 400.004 Construction of Flead Works of Gingle Khul by way of Cement Concrete Channel, Escape & Crate work 2.93 5860 DEE 15-days 4702-AIBP 300.005 Construction of Supper passage at RD 250mtrs. At Gingle Khul. 1.71 3420 DEE 10-days 4702-AIBP 200.006 Construction of Cement Concrete Channel & Retaining Wall from RD 500m to RD 650m at spots on Gingle Khul. 2.60 5200 DEE 15-days 4702-AIBP 300.007 Construction of Cement Concrete Channel & Retaining Wall from RD 650m to RD 800m at spots on Gingle Khul. 2.76 5520 DEE 15-days 4702-AIBP 300.08 Extension of Gingle Khul for Mir Mohalla by way of construction of R/wall and Cement Conrete Channel . 2.56 5120 DEE 15-days 4702-AIBP 300.09 Construction of Head Works of Naloosa Noorkha Khul by way of Cement Concrete channel, Escape & Crate work. 2.86 5720 DEE 15-days 4702-AIBP 300.010 Construction of 2 No. R.C.C. Flumes at RD 400m and RD 650m on Khori Hari branch of Naloosa Noorkhah Khul 2.81 2810 SHG of Engineers 15-days 4702-AIBP 300.011 Construction of 2 No. Bifurcations at RD 1300mtrs. and RD 1800mtrs. at Naloosa Noorkhah Khul 2.16 4320 DEE 15-days 4702-AIBP 300.012 Construction of Cement Concrete Channel & Retaining Wall near land of Nazik Hussain, Manzoor Ahmad & others at Naloosa Noorkhah

Khul.2.65 5300 DEE 15-days 4702-AIBP 300.0

13 Retaining Wall at damaged spot behind House of Syed Ahmad Shah at KhoriHari branch of Naloosa Noorkhah Khul. 2.01 4020 DEE 15-days 4702-AIBP 300.0

DIPK: 12532 Executive Engineer Hydraulic Division Uri

Daily Zabarwan TimesEDITORIAL/ OPINIONEDITORIAL/ OPINIONDaily Zabarwan TimesWednesday 15 January 2014

Behavioural Change Towards Healthy Life Styles is the Key to Check Diabetes Under NPCDCS

Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer

Dwindling forest cover

iabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes, is a metabolic disorder in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the pancreas gland does not produce enough insulin, or body cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. Resulting high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of polyuria (fre-quent urination), polydipsia (thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger).There are three main types of diabetes mellitus (DM):· Type 1 DM results from the body's failure to produce insulin and was pre-viously called to as "insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" (IDDM) or "juvenile diabetes".· Type 2 DM results from insulin re-sistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly. This was pre-viously referred to as non insulin-de-pendent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or "adult-onset diabetes".· The third main form, gestational diabetes, occurs when pregnant wom-en develops suddenly a high blood glu-cose level. However, noninsulin-dependent diabe-tes is much more common. This form of diabetes occurs principally in adults and results from the body's inability to respond properly to the action of insu-lin. Malnutrition-related diabetes has also been described from some devel-oping countries, like India. As diabetes is a chronic disease and need lifelong treatment becomes an economic burden on patients and fam-ily. The most important aspect of dia-betes is occurrence of complications that increases the cost of management. Heart disease in diabetes is 21.4%, neu-ropathy 17.5%, peripheral vascular disease leading to ulcers 6.3%-30%, Retinopathy (eye) 19.0%, and Micro al-bumina (kidney)26.3%. National Diabetes Month, observed each year in November, is a time for communities across the country – and the world – to renew and reinforce their fight against diabetes and encour-age action to change the life style to re-duce its impact. November 14th which marks the birthday of Frederick Ban-

ting, who, along with Charles Best, dis-covered insulin, is celebrated as World Diabetic Day.Diabetes is part of a larger global epi-demic of non- communicable diseases. This disease affects 6.6% (285 million people) of the world's population in the 20-79 years age group. According to the International Diabetic Federation (IDF), this number is expected to grow to 380 million by 2025. The IDF findings reveal that in 2007, countries with the largest numbers of people with diabe-tes are India (40.9 million), followed by China (39.8 million), the United States (19.2 million), Russia (9.6 million) and Germany (7.4 million).India is home to 40.9 million people with diabetes – nearly 15% of the glob-al diabetes burden and is projected to increase to 70 million by 2025. Im-paired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) is also a serious problem in India. It has been noticed that with every diagnosed case of diabetes there is at least one undi-agnosed case of glucose intolerance. So the actual population at risk would be much greater than our current esti-mate.Type-2 diabetes is far more common than type-1 and results from a genetic predisposition and from lifestyle fac-tors characterised by a high calorie intake and little exercise. The age of onset in India has been shifting to-wards younger people. Among Indians in their late teens, ‘adult-onset’ diabe-tes already manifests itself more often than ‘juvenile onset’ diabetes does. The reasons are the same as those behind the diabetes epidemic worldwide. One set of factors is urbanisation, a rise in living standards and the spread of calo-rie-rich, fatty, fast foods cheaply avail-able in cities to rich and poor alike. Another is the increased sedentariness that has resulted from the replacement of manual labour by service jobs, and from the advent of video games, televi-sion and computers that keep people seated lethargically watching screens for hours every day.Although poor Indians are currently at lower risk than affluent Indians, the

rapid spread of fast food exposes even urban Indian slum dwellers to the risk of diabetes. In India, diabetes is no lon-ger a disease of the affluent or a rich man's disease. It is becoming a prob-lem even among the middle income and poorer sections of the society. In-dians have biological susceptibilities to diabetes because of a lower body mass index (BMI); Higher percentage of body fat that is concentrated in the abdom-inal area; Programmed during preg-nancy as Low-birth weight infants are more susceptible than those of normal birth weight to obesity and diabetes and Insulin resistance; Excessive in-sulin resistance has been observed in Asian Indians as a predominant mech-anism leading to Type 2 diabetes.This alarming scenario led the Gov-ernment to start the National Diabe-tes Control Programme on pilot basis during the seventh five year plan in 1987 in some districts of Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir and Karnataka, but due to paucity of funds in subsequent years this programme could not be expanded further in remaining states. However to contain the increasing burden of Non-Communicable Dis-eases, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, launched the National Pro-gramme on Prevention and Control of Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke (NPDCS) on 8th January 2008 with the following objectives:Prevention and control of NCDs.Awareness generation on lifestyle changes.Early detection of NCDs.Capacity building of health systems to tackle NCDs.A pilot project was launched in ten dis-tricts in ten states focused on health promotion and health education ad-vocacy at various settings. In July, 2010,the Cabinet Committee on Eco-nomic Affairs approved the National Programme for Prevention and Con-trol of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascu-lar Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) for implementation of its various compo-nents during the remaining period of 11th Five year plan (i.e. 2010-11 & 2011-

12) at an estimated outlay of Rs. 1230.90 crore (Rs.499.38 crore for interventions on diabetes and cardiovascular diseas-es & stroke and Rs.731.52 crore for can-cer control) on a cost sharing basis be-tween the Centre and the States at the rate of 80:20. The programme is for im-plementation in 20,000 Sub-Centres and 700 Community Health Centres (CHCs) in 100 Districts across 15 States/UTs by promoting healthy lifestyle through massive health education and mass media efforts at country level, oppor-tunistic screening of persons above the age of 30 years, establishment of Non Communicable Disease (NCD) clinics at CHC and district level, development of trained manpower and strengthen-ing of tertiary level health facilities. It is expected to screen 30 years and above for diabetes and hypertension, early diagnosis of NCDs and treatment at early stages. With the successful im-plementation of the programme, it is expected to achieve behaviour change in the community to adopt healthy life styles including dietary patterns, en-hanced physical activity and reduced intake of tobacco and alcohol resulting in overall reduction in the risk factors of common NCDs in the community. It is envisaged to cover remaining dis-tricts during 11th plan period. Till end of 2012, 29000 Glucometers, 5.8 crore Glucostrips and 6.67 Lancets have been supplied to 21 States for Diabe-tes screening under NPCDCS, Urban Health Check-up (four cities) and Pilot Phase of School Health Programme (four Districts).1,32,59,143 persons have been screened for Diabetes and Hyper-tension.To conclude, considering the ever-in-creasing burden of diabetes, health system has to be strengthened with standard care at all levels. The Gov-ernment has taken certain initiatives at national level which is appreciable but there is a need to implement them at grass route level in focussed manner before it takes the shape of pandemic in India. Awareness about the causes and easy way of preventions are the key to success.

D

Empowering the Visually Challenged

he Visually Challenged people have been using canes as mobility tools for centuries but it was not until after World War 1 that white cane was introduced. James Biggs, a photographer who became blind af-ter an accident painted his walking stick white when he found it diffi-cult to walk in the traffic around his home. That was in 1921. Ten years later Gully d’ Herbemont launched a national white stick movement for blind people in France.The White Cane Day is celebrated across the world every year on the 15th of October. The objective is to educate the world about blindness and how the visually challenged and visually impaired can live and work independently.Over the year there has been a rev-olution in research and production of various assistive tools for visually challenged to enable them to travel, work, study and live their life inde-pendently. Information transmis-sion, mobility and computer access have been the three main thrust ar-eas of research. The White cane too has un-der gone several changes, now there are folding canes, light weight canes and even electronic canes with sen-sors.A number of devices have been developed to make the visually challenged computer savvy. These include voice synthesizers, talking softwares and screen magnifiers, Braille note taker with Braille keys.In India Several initiatives have been taken by the Government for the visually challenged to develop and facilitate access to assistive de-vices and empower them in the field of education, employment and mo-bility to make them self dependent. The ADIP Scheme - Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase / Fit-ting of Aids and Appliances Scheme provides financial assistance to

meet the cost of aids and appliances. Under the scheme the Department of Disability Affairs gives Grant-in-aid to the NGOs to provide durable, sophisticated and scientifically man-ufactured, ISI standard aids and ap-pliances to people with disabilities including the visually challenged to empower them by reducing the the effects of disabilities. The quantum of assistance and in-come limit under the ADIP Scheme for persons with total income of upto 6500 rupees per month is the full cost of the appliance and for those with income between Rs 6501 and 10,000, it is 50 per cent of the full cost.The scheme is implemented through NGOs, National Institutes under the Ministry and ALIMCO (a PSU).Although the income limits of the cost of appliances permissible for assistance are quite low at present the Government is working on to increase the limits. The Department of Disability Affairs under the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry was set up only last year. This was done to strengthening the existing schemes and formulating the new ones, and also for technological in-novations as well as to make easier coordination with various stake-holders, NGOs, State Governments, other related central ministries and international organizations like United Nations, as India is a signato-ry to UNCRPD.The scheme - Science & Technology Project in Mission Mode is to pro-vide suitable and cost effective aids and appliances through the applica-tion of technology and to increase their employment opportunities and integration in society. Under the scheme, suitable R&D projects are identified and funded for developing aids and appliances. The scheme is implemented through the IITs, Ed-ucational Institutes, Research Agen-cies and Voluntary Organisations

etc. Financial assistance is provided on 100% basis.The IIT Delhi has developed what is called a Smart Cane which has elec-tronic sensors that can easily detect ground level obstacles.Under the national project ‘Informa-tion Technology for the Braille Lit-eracy in Indian languages.’ A West Bengal Government Undertaking Webel Mediatronic has installed IT based Braille Systems at 190 special schools for the visually challenged all over India. It has also developed Internet Access and Rehabilitation tools for the visually challenged which include Electronic Braille Display which is 40 character Tac-tile reader, Automatic Brailler Em-brosser and a number of software’s that include Braille writing and screen reading software among oth-ers.The National Institute for the Visual-ly Handicapped a premier Institute in the field of visual disability work-ing under the administrative control of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment also undertakes re-search and developmental activities. Its R&D activities have contributed a number of useful tools and enabling technologies for equal participation by the visually impaired persons in different walks of life. The Institute is largest producer and distributor of Braille literature and devices in the country including talking books. It also has an online library of books in Braille in several regional languag-es. In another initiative, a few months back the National Fair on Aids & Assistive Devices “SWAVALAM-BAN” was organized in Delhi by De-partment of Disability Affairs. The fair was held to provide an oppor-tunity to manufacturers, suppliers, researcher and PwDs to exchange their views and evolve a method by which these modern aids & appli-

ances could be made available to the needy ones at reasonable cost.Twenty per cent of the blind across the world are in India and unfortu-nately despite the facilities for devel-opment of various kinds of assistive and supportive tools available in our country, there is still shortage of supply of even text books in Braille for students. The supply by manu-facturers of the basic mobility tool of white canes too falls much short of the demand. Also while number of tactile tool for use in education as well games and entertainment have been developed there is a need to make available gadgets like talking thermometer, Blood Pressure talker, colour probe or a CD for audio description of vi-suals in movies at reasonable cost. The President of the All India Con-federation of the Blind Mr A.K Mit-tal says they expect the govern-ment to increase grant in aid and also speed up the payment process. Mr Mittal who is also member of the world Braille Council feels that as far facilities for the visually chal-lenged in inclusive education are concerned, there is little progress and a lot more needs to be done. He says there is also a need to make the high tech and costly devices like Braille note taker or other assistive devices to be developed or assembled in India so that are available at rea-sonable prices. While Braille opened the world of reading and writing for the visual-ly challenged and the White Cane made their mobility easier, today with the development of a number of assistive tools, the need is to ensure that these supportive devices are made available at affordable prices to empower the visually challenged to make them independent and not dependent on others.

T

Save Trees

Save trees to save our envi-ronment (anh posh telih yae-lih wanh posh) narrated by Sheikh Norudin wali RA. Have you ever thought world

without oxygen, isn’t it we cannot live without oxygen, so why we are cutting trees; why people are destroying the atmosphere. Without trees there is not a single drop of rain. To have a sunny atmosphere and fresh air we need to plant more trees and to provide fertile soil for planting trees we should ban

the polythene manufacturing factories. Narrated by Prophet Mohammad (SAW) Plants are that type of wealth that people need sometime if a person will plant any tree and the fruit of the tree will eat any animal it is understood a donation. If we stop cutting trees and plant more trees those trees will hold the soil and help to reduce soil erosions and floods. Trees on mountains help to reduce avalanches. Trees serve as the environment lings by giving us oxygen. We get medicines cotton,herbs,fruits,vege-tables and so on cutting trees is injurious to health in many ways. We cannot get clean air and oxygen and water.Tigers are dying why because they are loosing their homes when we cut their forests. Deforestation is the reason animals dot not get enough food. On day a man namely Utani from Europe came to India he everyday visited a place .He said that there were many beautiful things butterflies, animals, birds chirp-ing here and there animals beautiful flowers and after that he went back to Europe and he again came back to India but there was nothing there was a just a factory. He was tensed how it can be just in a year after that he never came to India reason deforestation you think if a tourist got tensed how we should be tensed. I request you all please and please don’t destroy our environment.

Farhan Shabir Matt

R/o: Qamarwari SrinagarSchool: Burn Hall , Class: 6th

The rice production in Jammu and Kashmir is decreasing day by day because the agricultur-al land is being used legally or illegally for other purpos-

es such as residential and commercial. This has created lots of problems and the extra burden on the economy has also increased and is leaving adverse effects on the overall financial health of the state. Similarly the illegal felling of trees and the timber smuggling has caused enormous damages to the ecolo-gy of the state as it has turned a lot of for-est land into a barren and unproductive one. Though a force called forest pro-tection force was created many years back for safeguarding the forest wealth but this organization has not been able to control the illegal felling of precious trees and the smuggling of timber with-in and outside the state. Not only this some forest land is being utilized by tribal community for residential and ag-ricultural purposes as envisaged under Forest Dwellers Act. This has not been confined to this purpose only but some land is being taken over by expansion-ists and used for commercial purposes. Nobody cares as to what is happening to our forests which are being devastated with every passing year. Some unscru-pulous and greedy people are setting portions of forest on fire so that the green trees which ultimately get burnt or half burnt are used in different ways without being caught for illegal usage of the precious wood. There are no checks or hurdles for these vested interests as some forest employees are in hand and glow with smugglers and those elements who for their petty interests damage this natural wealth. The forest depart-ment except issuing some statements is not doing enough to get these smug-glers caught and take action as per the law of the land. Unless there are strin-gent laws and well meaning and sincere forest officials in abundance, the forest wealth will be disappearing with every passing day and the time will not be far away when Jammu and Kashmir state will become a cold desert. The ecologi-cal balance will get destroyed to such a level that nothing will grow in our lands and it will be impossible for human life to survive in such a hostile atmosphere and weather conditions.