SRINAGAR: Director School Education, Jammu, Ashok Kumar Sharma on Saturday said that the transfer policy of teachers has been formulated after careful consideration of all the factors related to the transfer process and keeping the interest of the students at the center.
The DSEJ was speaking at an interactive session with the media fraternity which was attended by Dr Rajesh Kumar, Personnel Officer DSEJ, Mamata Sharma, Deputy Director(Planning) DSEJ, and the representatives from electronic, print, and social media.
The Director discussed the various provisions of the transfer policy of teachers with the media personnel and informed them that the objective of the policy is to ensure a fair and transparent transfer process for teaching staff in government schools.
The Director addressed various queries regarding the issues faced by the students studying in private schools and said that appropriate steps would be taken by the Directorate in accordance with the law, to address these issues.
He also urged the private schools to adhere to the guidelines set by the government for ensuring ethical practices and a justifiable fee structure.
The Director School Education Jammu also appreciated the efforts of the media fraternity for maintaining a constructive dialogue on matters related to the education sector.
The department remains committed to ensuring high-quality education for students in Jammu and Kashmir and looks forward to the continued support of the media in this endeavor, he said.
For any further information or queries regarding the new transfer policy for the teaching fraternity interested parties are welcome to contact the office of the Director School Education Jammu/CEOs in the District.
SRINAGAR: Wild boars have turned into a formidable foe for farmers across the Hajin area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, people complained on Saturday.
The locals said that the wild boars have been on a rampage, causing extensive damage to crops and apple orchards across the area, leaving the agricultural community in distress.
“Despite efforts by wildlife authorities to curb the menace, their attempts have fallen short, leaving farmers in a state of desperation,” they said, adding that the department should take effective steps to put an end to this menace.
“These wild boars have transformed our once peaceful fields into a relentless battleground. They rampage in packs, leaving destruction in their wake and consuming our toil overnight,” laments Mohammad Sultan, a local farmer who sorrowfully recounts the decimation of 30 percent of his prized apple orchard to the insatiable foraging of these formidable beasts.
“We have invested our sweat and blood into these fields, only to witness them being destroyed by these beasts. We need immediate help from the authorities.”
Farmers bear the burden of substantial financial losses while they anxiously await a solution to their plight. The unyielding attack on their means of sustenance has left them disheartened, teetering on the brink of despair.
“Our hopes rest on the authorities comprehending the urgency of the situation and promptly taking decisive action. Our very survival hangs in the balance,” expresses Mohammad Hassan, a fellow farmer affected by the ongoing crisis
Meanwhile, an official said that concrete measures will be taken to protect them from these Wild Boars. Historically, the Wild Boar was brought into the valley by erstwhile Dogra ruler, Maharaja Gulab Singh, for hunting purposes—(KNO)
Mirza Waheed’s 2014 novel tells the story of love and hope in times of war, writesMuskan Fatima
Mirza Waheed (Author)
Mirza Waheed’s novelThe Book of Gold Leaves is a story about Kashmir, about the spirit of resilience that makes natives to cling the hope in wake of challenges.
Mirza is a Kashmir-born, British storyteller who quit a promising journalistic career to become a full-time novelist. His debut novel The Collaborator was an international bestseller and was shortlisted for The Guardian First Book Award in 2011. The Book of Gold Leaves, published in 2014 was shortlisted for the 2015 Folio Prize and the 2016 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature.
Set In the 1990s
The Book of Gold Leaves is set in the 1990s war-torn Kashmir and at it captures a love story of devastating beauty at a time of political strife in Kashmir. Faiz is a Shia papier-machie artist who supports his family by painting pencil boxes. His artworks are sold overseas in countries where he cannot travel. He is a dreamer too and often dreams about creating a masterpiece. Roohi, the other lead character in Mirza’s book is a young damsel who is a Sunni. She is a woman with dreams in her eyes and when her dreams are shattered she does not let her hopes die or her heart harden.
They knew each other as kids and are reunited as adults only to fall in love with an all-consuming intensity. The love they share is the kind of love that Shakespeare talked about – a love that is beyond all impediments and thus cannot be altered.
By no means, however, is their story a fairytale where a happy ending is awaited all along. Instead, it is a story where the heart is fragile and full of heartache and yet it chooses to be a rebel and love regardless of the consequences. The beauty of the book and the plot lies in the details of how the war tears their story apart and how they bravely face it in the hope that the war will end one day as it always does.
Times apart, the story is set in a space, where Shia-Sunni tensions have been part of history’s baggage. The storyteller ensures the love bloom, transcending the narrow sectarian divide. This is despite the fact that Faiz, the key character in the film, becomes a militant and is known as the “papier machie militant”.
Family Support
The family dynamics and history have also been woven with great delicacy. Farhat who is the little sister of Faiz shares a beautiful bond with Roohi. The bond is like that of sisterhood and comfort. While Faiz is away from home Farhat and Roohi become pillars of strength for each other.
The Book of Gold Leaves by Mirza Waheed
The writing style is poignant and lyrical. There is incredible use of imagery and the prose has been written in such a way that it leaves the reader with a sense of catharsis.
The scent of home is spread throughout the book from the scenes set up in Khanqah to the water bodies described with incessant beauty. One can almost imagine themselves walking down the lanes in Habbakadal and gazing at the houseboats while on a Shikara ride.
There is a sense of melancholy felt throughout the novel which gives the sense that the book shares a personal connection with the author. In fact, the book cover carries a picture of Mirza’s late grandfather’s paper-machie artwork.
Communal Relations
One of the underlying themes that this book explores is the Hindu-Muslim relations in Kashmir. On TV screens and in political discourse, the relationship is often portrayed of a rivalry. Mirza not only describes the plight of Hindus who left their homes but also explores the ground reality of relations between Hindus and Muslims in Kashmir. He portrays with utmost delicacy how both communities have shared a history of utmost love and tolerance.
Just like in real life within one story lies multiple other stories waiting to be explored and understood. The side characters in the book carry within themselves a complexity of their own.
One such story which goes parallel to the love story of Faiz and Roohi is that of Shanta Koul, the Principal at Farhat’s school. Army barracks are being set up in the school and youngsters joining militancy has become common news. Shanta Koul is forced to watch as her life and the life of those around her are stripped of any stability that existed before the war and the turmoil.
Interestingly, Mirza skips indulging in who is at fault. Instead, he leaves it to the reader to form opinions and conclusions. He merely shows the aftermath of it all and does what storytellers must do- tells the story.
In Kashmir the silence is loud and the waiting is long. Although amidst all of it Mirza Waheed does not fail to slide in a glimmer of hope within the little moments of joy shared by the characters.
This book is a slice of life filled with spirituality, family history, love, longing, hope and in the midst of it all a feeling of home that Kashmir never fails to give.
SRINAGAR: A Day after five army personnel were killed in an ongoing combat operation in Kandi forest of Rajouri, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took stock of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir’s border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
Defence Minister landed at Jammu’s technical Airport in a special aircraft, from where he was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Army Chief General Manoj Pande and Army Commander Northern Command Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi towards Rajouri.
The Defence Minister took stock of the operational preparedness of the Indian Army and the security situation along the border area during his visit and also interacted with troops at an Army Base Camp in Rajouri.
As per an official, the defence minister chaired a high-level security meeting to review the overall security scenario of JK. During interaction with soldiers, the defence minister commended their valour and zeal while operating in challenging situations and asserted that the nation feels secure because of the unmatched courage, commitment and constant vigil of the soldiers of the Indian Army.
Earlier in the day, the army had neutralized one militant, while other was reported to have been injured in ongoing gun battle at Kandi forests of Rajouri.
“In the ongoing joint operation in Kandi Forest, Rajouri sector by Indian Army in coordination with JKP & CRPF, at approx 0700 hours the cordon while closing in spotted and pinned down the terrorists. In the ensuing gunbattle Onemilitant has ben neutralised and other is likely injured,” PRO Defence Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand said.
A statement from the Army’s Northern Command said its personnel have been conducting “relentless intelligence-based operations to flush out a group of militants involved in an ambush on an Army truck in the Tota Gali area of Bhata Dhurian in Jammu region last month”—(KNO)
SRINAGAR: The sex ratio at birth in Jammu and Kashmir is better than the national average, while sex determination is being regulated through effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act, NHM Director Ayushi Sudan said on Saturday.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Srinagar, she said that the sex ratio in J&K is definitely better than the national average because of social factors.
“There is still a need for capacity building for the Pre-conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (prohibition of sex selection) Act, 1994 and the main aim of the act is to prohibit sex determination, especially at the time of prenatal diagnosis,” Sudan said.
She added that gender bias and sex determination are critical public health concerns, which are being regulated through effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act, for which a comprehensive action strategy has been devised and monitored. “There is a need for capacity building of our stakeholders so that this act can be handled in a better and more effective way. With better understanding, we are hopeful of further improvement in the future,” she said.
Sudan also stated that streamlining the PCPNDT Act is only one aspect to improve the sex ratio, but there are several other aspects like women empowerment and different programs that can help in further improvement of the sex ratio at birth in J&K. “With women’s empowerment, there will be further improvement in the future,” she said.
Notably, as per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), the sex ratio at birth for children born (females per 1,000 males) has increased from 923 in 2015-2016 to 976 in 2019-2020. As per the NFHS-5 data, against the national average of 929 girl children born for every 1,000 boys, J&K has 976 girl children born for every 1,000 boys. The urban areas have a slight edge over rural pockets, with 978 girl children born for every 1,000 boys in urban areas, while the rate was 976 in rural areas, she added. (KNO)
SRINAGAR: The School Education Department has sought details of ten toppers or innovative students from each district for deputation to the International Conference on ‘Nanotechnology for Better Living’ under the G20 programme.
Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has stated that at least ten student toppers or innovators per district, preferably from the 11th and 12th grades, will be deputed for the International Conference on Nanotechnology for Better Living under the G20 programme.
The conference, the 8th edition of the biennial International Conference on Nanotechnology for Better Living (NBL-23), will be organized by NIT Srinagar in association with prestigious institutions and organizations, including IIT BHU, from May 25-29, which marks the birth anniversary of physicist and inventor Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit.
The director said that a fusion of biological, chemical, physical, agriculture, and health services is expected to provide a vibrant platform to present and discuss path-breaking research ideas in nanotechnologies and shall be an interface between academia and industries. Additionally, pre-conference tutorials for school children who are supposed to work for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been arranged.
The director has directed the CEOs of the region to depute ten student toppers or innovators from their respective districts for the scientific event on May 23, which marks the inaugural day. The CEOs have been requested to provide the list of students from their district along with their models or innovations, as per the format, along with details of the escort teacher.
Dedicated sessions, ‘Seeding Nano-science to Young Minds’ and “Nurturing minds for a better world” shall be conducted during the conclave by leading stalwarts, thus handing over this multidisciplinary science to our young and smart generation. A galaxy of local innovators and entrepreneurs shall also be part of the summit, along with the students. (KNO)
SRINAGAR: A residential house in Machil sector of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district was damaged in a fire incident, according to an official.
The official stated that the Army responded immediately after receiving an SOS phone call about the fire breaking out in a residential house in Machil village. “Troops of the Army swung into action and a well-coordinated effort by the troops resulted in no loss of life or injuries,” the official said.
The official also confirmed that due to timely action, drills, and procedures followed by the Fire Fighting Team, no damage was caused to other nearby houses.
Despite bad weather, the Fire Fighting team of Machil Battalion successfully doused the fire at the house which belonged to Abdul Rahim Wani, son of Abdul Gafoor Wani. As a result, the loss and damage to life and property were restricted. (KNO)
SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta on Saturday impressed upon the officers of the Srinagar Smart City Ltd (SSCL) including the District and Divisional Administration to enhance necessary resources on all the sites where work is going on so that all identified works are completed by mid of this month.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, PDD; Principal Secretary, PWD; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Secretary, Tourism; Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; Commissioner, SMC/JMC; VC, LCMA; Chief Engineers of PWD and KPDCL besides other concerned officers.
Dr Mehta, while taking stock of works going on under SSCL, exhorted the executing agencies to utilize the time very efficiently and continue working in double shifts to successfully complete the projects on time.
He advised the officials to keep a track of weather reports for the upcoming week. He even advised them to provide the laborers working on sites with the necessary facilities so that they are able to work during inclement weather conditions.
The Chief Secretary urged the executing agencies to monitor the works round the clock for quality work and ensure their timely completion. He asked them to remove the debris at all the completed sites for ease of people and prepare for dedicating them to the public at the earliest.
Taking work wise review he asked the Divisional Administration to make sure that aesthetics is maintained in all areas.
The Chief Secretary also took note of works to be done at Rambagh, Flood spill Channel, Lalla Ded Crossing, River front development, Cycle track construction, walkways improvement, Polo View, Gupkar Precinct, Ram Munshibagh Park, Development of Gupkar Road including that of works at Nishat and enroute SKICC. He asked them to complete all of these works before 15th of this month. He also enquired about the status of works to be taken in hand at TRC and Parimpora market.
The Chief Secretary directed the concerned to make all the fountains including new ones functional in the Dal Lake. He also asked them to lit up the street lights along the Dal shore line and make all the installed light clusters functional for overall beautification of the area being the most visited place by the tourists on visit to the city.
He asked VC, LCMA to start water sports activities at Dal Lake besides installation of jetty inside it. He also asked them to complete the designated works at ‘Char Chinar’ and ‘Panch Chinar’ for making them attractive for visitors. He told them that both these destinations have a good potential to attract the visitors thereby offering more opportunities to Shikara wallas and other traders there.
The Chief Secretary was informed that all the works are going on at a satisfactory pace and most of them would be completed by 15th of this month. He was also informed that around 125 works are going on under this Smart City Mission here. It was revealed that out of Rs 321.40 Cr released to SSCL the fund expenditure stands more than 92% and immediately after receiving the next tranche of funds from the UT the Corporation would receive more funds from the Central Government for taking up more works under the Mission adding better infrastructure and avenues to the summer capital of the UT.
