SRINAGAR: About 1200 persons quit smoking in Kashmir in the last four years, official data said. As per the data accessed by the news agency KNO, 147 persons quit smoking in 2022-23 in Kashmir, 642 in 2021-22, 212 in 2020-21, and 194 in 2019-20.
The Data said that around 6624 persons received counseling but no pharmacotherapy in 2022-23, 7815 in 2021-22, 5348 in 2020-21, and 791 in 2019-20.
It also said 2109 persons received counseling and pharmacotherapy in 2022-23, 5412 in 2021-22, 4231 in 2020-21, and 2267 in 2019-20.
Officials claim that a slew of measures have been taken to decrease the percentage of tobacco consumption in the UT even as they claim that the percentage has started going down due to the efforts of the National Tobacco Control Programme launched by the Government.
Notably as per GATS 2 Data 35.2% of Men & 5.1% of women & 20.8% of all Adults currently smoke Tobacco in J&K
6.8% of Men & 1.5% of women and 4.3% of all adults currently use smokeless Tobacco, 39.7% of Men & 6.2 % of women & 23.7% of all adults either smoke tobacco or use smokeless Tobacco.
The National Health and Family Survey-5 (NHFS-5) data reveals nearly one-third (32%) of men, but only 1 percent of women, aged 15-49 use some form of tobacco.
“Tobacco products mostly used by men are cigarettes (27%), bidis (4%), hookah, and cigars or pipe (2% each). Among women and men, the use of any form of tobacco is slightly higher in rural areas (1.4% for women and 35% for men) than in urban areas (0.7% for women and 24% for men),” the data adds—(KNO)
SRINAGAR: The School Education Department (SED) has sought details of all Grade II and Grade -III teachers deployed to other schools or zones from their parent institutions.
An official said that the move has been initiated to streamline the pupil-teacher ratio in schools across Valley.
In this regard, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has issued circular instructions to all the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) with instructions to furnish the details of all such teachers.
The CEOs have been further directed to explain the reason for continuing the deployment of teachers in other schools or zones if the deployment period has already expired.
“Provide the information in respect of all those ReTs/Teacher Grade II/Teacher Grade III presently deployed or transferred to other schools/zones/districts,” the DSEK circular reads.
The CEOs have been asked to furnish the details of the actual appointments of all these teachers besides the name of the school or zone the teachers have been deployed.
“Furnish the name and details of the deploying authority concerning order and the period of deployment or transfer. If the deployment period has expired, give reasons for the continuation of such deployments,” the circular reads, adding that the CEOs should mention the grounds on which these teachers were deployed to other institutions.
It is pertinent to mention that the move comes weeks after the advisor to J&K Lieutenant Governor Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar convened a meeting of officers and emphasized on rationalization of teaching staff in schools.
The Advisor had enjoined upon the officers for effective rationalization of teaching staff before the onset of the fresh academic session so that no time is wasted in the process and required subject-specific teachers are placed at the schools.
An official said the department last year deployed teachers of Primary and Middle schools in government high and higher secondary schools to overcome the dearth of teaching staff in these institutions.
He said the initiative was taken to overcome the dearth of teaching staff in these schools.
“But on the other hand, the move left middle and primary schools teacher deficient,” the official said.
He said the department will collect all the details of the department and following which the teachers will be posted in schools as per the requirement given the student enrollment—(KNO)
SRINAGAR: Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Prof Nilofer Khan on Monday chaired the Admission Advisory Committee to review the varsity’s preparedness for admissions to various PG programmes and other professional courses for the academic session 2023.
Prof Nilofer said the University’s admission process is recognised in academic and social circles as completely transparent and it is therefore important to maintain this benchmark through and through.
Asserting that the standard of the admission process has a direct bearing on the reputation and image of the institution, the Vice-Chancellor emphasised the need to make greater use of technological advancements to ease the admission process right from submission of online applications by the aspirants to declaration of the results.
After threadbare discussions on various issues, the Advisory Committee decided that the University’s Directorate of Admissions and Competitive Examinations (DACE) will invite online application forms for admission to all programmes offered through University of Kashmir in the 3rd week of March 2023, following which the Entrance Test shall be conducted in the last week of April, 2023.
For convenience of aspirants hailing from far-off areas of Jammu and Kashmir, the Vice-Chancellor instructed that besides the main campus, the entrance examination shall be conducted at all satellite campuses of the University including South Campus (Anantnag), North Campus (Baramulla) and Kupwara Campus for the session-2023.
“Our endeavor should be to take the admission process to the doorsteps of the aspirants,” she said.
Calling for close monitoring of the Entrance Test by observers on the entrance test days, Prof Nilofer instructed that efforts should be made to ensure that the entire admission process culminates within the set timelines so that the academic session starts in time and the degrees are eventually awarded to the students in time.
The meeting was attended by Dean Academic Affairs Prof F A Masoodi, Dean College Development Council Prof Khurshid A Butt, Registrar Dr Nisar A Mir, Director Admissions Prof Farooq A Mir, Controller of Examinations Dr Majid Zaman, In-Charge Director IT Dr Maroof Qadri, besides other members of the Admission Advisory Committee.
SRINAGAR: Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Prof Nilofer Khan on Monday chaired the Admission Advisory Committee to review the varsity’s preparedness for admissions to various PG programmes and other professional courses for the academic session 2023.
Prof Nilofer said the University’s admission process is recognised in academic and social circles as completely transparent and it is therefore important to maintain this benchmark through and through.
Asserting that the standard of the admission process has a direct bearing on the reputation and image of the institution, the Vice-Chancellor emphasised the need to make greater use of technological advancements to ease the admission process right from submission of online applications by the aspirants to declaration of the results.
After threadbare discussions on various issues, the Advisory Committee decided that the University’s Directorate of Admissions and Competitive Examinations (DACE) will invite online application forms for admission to all programmes offered through University of Kashmir in the 3rd week of March 2023, following which the Entrance Test shall be conducted in the last week of April, 2023.
For convenience of aspirants hailing from far-off areas of Jammu and Kashmir, the Vice-Chancellor instructed that besides the main campus, the entrance examination shall be conducted at all satellite campuses of the University including South Campus (Anantnag), North Campus (Baramulla) and Kupwara Campus for the session-2023.
“Our endeavor should be to take the admission process to the doorsteps of the aspirants,” she said.
Calling for close monitoring of the Entrance Test by observers on the entrance test days, Prof Nilofer instructed that efforts should be made to ensure that the entire admission process culminates within the set timelines so that the academic session starts in time and the degrees are eventually awarded to the students in time.
The meeting was attended by Dean Academic Affairs Prof F A Masoodi, Dean College Development Council Prof Khurshid A Butt, Registrar Dr Nisar A Mir, Director Admissions Prof Farooq A Mir, Controller of Examinations Dr Majid Zaman, In-Charge Director IT Dr Maroof Qadri, besides other members of the Admission Advisory Committee.
SRINAGAR: Former JK Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday took to the microblogging site Twitter to welcome the life sentence recommended for an Army captain in connection with the killing of three civilians in a staged encounter in Amshipura, Shopian in July 2020.
“Recommended punishment of life imprisonment for Captain involved in Amshipora fake encounter is a welcome step towards creating accountability in such cases. Hope an impartial probe is also ordered in Lawapora & Hyderpora encounters to prevent repetition of such ghastly incidents,” PDP Chief tweeted.
The court-martial proceedings, which found that Captain Bhupendra Singh exceeded his powers under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), were completed in less than a year.
Reports suggest life sentence is subject to confirmation by higher Army authorities.
SRINAGAR: Mohammad Aslam (JKAS) on Monday assumed the charge of Joint Director Information Kashmir in presence of Deputy Director (PR) Srinagar, Bilal Mukhtar and other senior officers/ officials of divisional office at Srinagar.
The officers and officials extended warm welcome to the Joint Director on assuming the charge of the division.
Mr. Mohammad Aslam has previously served as Project Officer Wage Employment, (ACD) Anantnag; Deputy Director Estates, Kashmir and Joint Director Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Kashmir.
After assuming charge, the incumbent Joint Director held an introductory meeting with officers and officials of the department during which he took overview of the functioning of the department.
Speaking on the occasion, he impressed on the employee to ensure punctuality and regularity in duty, besides, he also asked them to perform their assigned work with vibrant attitude and dedication.(KNS)
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar on Monday slammed the government on selection and the award of contracts to ‘tainted’ and blacklisted APTECH Company for conducting the upcoming Jammu Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) exams.
Echoing the public rage over the decision, Imran, as per the news agency GNS, said “The Company has been penalized by the Supreme Court and is on the blocklists of various states including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. In J&K also the company was accused of blatant irregularities and violations of the law in altering the tender’s terms and conditions. Why is such a company being selected which has consistently failed to provide transparency and accountability in conducting such an exercise? This question begs to be answered. The board instead of addressing the genuine concerns and fear of the educated, skilled local youth seems hell-bent on destroying their future. Such an undue decision doesn’t inspire the confidence of aspirants in such public examinations.”
In the first place, the company shouldn’t have been allowed to compete in the tendering process. “Commercial interest should never outweigh the public interest. As is happening in this case. There is every likelihood of biases, favoritism, and unfairness in the said process. I hope the incumbent LG administration will refrain from letting the company conduct public examinations which require a high degree of secrecy/fairness as the future of aspirants would depend upon such examinations.”
There is a major scam at work, he said, “Despite J&K high court’s questioning the awarding of the contract to APTECH, the assigning of the contract to the same company doesn’t stand any reason. I also request the honorable high court to take Suo moto cognizance of the issues in the public interest.” (GNS)
SRINAGAR: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Monday said that the many works of smart city project will be completed by April 15 as round the clock work is going on.
As Kashmir is all set to host G20 meeting in May, 2023, at summer capital Srinagar, the Div com said that the work on Smart City project is being carried out rapidly and people will have to bear till 15th of April till the work will be completed.
He said that the work is going on during the night time and the inspections are being carried out all through the night.
About the demolition drive, he said that the administration has already made it clear that the poor will not be touched so it is being ensured on ground. (KNS).
SRINAGAR: Coming close on the heels of the arrest of a duo over allegations of stalking and intimidating a girl in Srinagar, a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) at Nehru Park Srinagar, Mansha Beigh, on Monday asked women to come forward if confronted with any untoward or unfortunate thing.
Mansha Beigh, expressing her anguish over the incident urged women folk not to hesitate and straightaway approach any of the nearest police stations or take the assistance of the helpline numbers to bring the culprits to justice.
“We as a law enforcement agency owe a duty and responsibility to ensure to our people and especially to our women that they are safeguarded from any such mischievous act which may disparage their dignity”, Beigh said. “I reiterate on behalf of my department, our full protection to the women from such unscrupulous elements.” she added.
“We ask the fairer gender not to hesitate from reporting any such incident, if they can’t approach us directly, they may ask any of their close kith or kin to reach us and we assure you no such victim would be let down.” Beigh said that Srinagar police have already established women’s helplines, and any girl facing any kind of untoward incident should call on those numbers.
Notably, two boys were on Sunday arrested on allegations of stalking, harassing, and intimidating a girl in the summer capital’s Dalgate area. (GNS)
SRINAGAR: Novelist and playwright Sohan Lal Koul has remained a popular choice for theatre because he has his hand on the pulse of society. In the last festival, at least three of his plays were staged in a single festival.
Koul’s Gindan Tamashe which was staged at Tagore Hall tackled the issues related to the issue of existence and identity. It asked very pertinent questions and provoked the audience to stay engaged.
It started in a set of the semi-lit enclosure with no doors and a single window. It was messy with three dustbins, some dirty clothes, tissue papers all over the floor and two beds on which two people were sleeping.
The beds exhibited a contrast. One had a white and blue bed sheet with faded colours. The pillow was stripped without any cover. The other bed was a shining, bright, and floral red colour bedsheet. The pillow was also covered with black velvet floral cover giving it an exquisite look. It suggests the two persons resting belonged to two different classes.
The man – who is later given the name Seen, wakes from the ‘inferior’ bed wakes up. He seems to be around 40-50 years old. His face shows confusion as if seeking answers to some of his frustrations. Finally, he breaks the silence and starts asking himself “Who am I?” and “Where am I?”
A group photograph of Kashmir theatre artists who staged Dr Sohan Lal Koul’s Gindan Tamash (toy) at Tagore Hall, Srinagar on March 4, 2023. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur
Soon, he sees the man on the other bed and assumes he would have answers to his questions. After several attempts, he wakes him up but he also has no answers to any of his queries. He – later given the name Sheen – was in his twenties. Both of them have perplexed thoughts. They ask each other questions about their past, existence, and the mistake that would have led them there, and the biggest mystery at that point was their identification.
The whole conversation between Seen and Sheen showed a serious debate over one’s existence in the world. Sheen claimed to be the master of Seen. He wanted to continue it the same way no matter if they remember anything or not. However, their debate nullified the difference in caste and status between them. Seen got offended initially when Sheen sat on his bed as he was poor apparently. With the progress in their discussion, they exchanged their seats subconsciously. It made one thing clear while they struggled to recall their identification, they forgot their class differences. From death to life, fiction to reality, punishment to freedom, they discussed all the possibilities of their identity. They yearned to get a second chance so that they live happily. This came after a series of suicidal thoughts exhibited by the duo in the frustration of knowing themselves and their identity.
Amid the arguments, they receive a letter from the window. They do not open it assuming that it might be from the angel of death. Again, a deep conversation about the letter takes place. Somehow, they decide to read it. The letter has been addressed to Gindan Tamashe (Toys). It was written by a child asking his toys to return home. The child had thrown them away earlier because of the pandemic. This led them to question themselves, once again, ‘are we just toys thrown in the garbage’?
Soon another character jumps into the sets. He is well-dressed but equally fearful. On asking why and how he is here, he responds by saying he is being chased by the angel of death and this – the set – is the safest place. He tells them the angel has spread posters everywhere about him and kept a reward on him. The two men who were already dominating the set started planning that they should inform the angel and claim the bounty.
They started executing the conspiracy for which they needed to open the window. As they opened it, a voice from the window tells them that opening the window was the condition for taking their life. Now that they have opened, their lives will be taken away. The voice ordered them to go back to their respective beds. Sheen requested Seen to exchange the beds as he wanted to give him comfort, which he did not get his whole life. They sleep on each other’s beds.
The next scene shows them as toys. A girl with her father comes to take them along with her. Her father gives her permission to take only one and she takes the one on the bed that appeared poor for the same reason. It conveyed that Sheen stayed as a toy and Seen was given a second chance. However, he wasn’t happy with the second chance now because he is all alone and cries till the end.
The play by the Young Dramatist Society was directed by Altaf Hussain and designed by Mushtaq Baqal. The overall supervision was done by Javid Gilani. Seen was played by Shahzad Shabir, and Sheen by Shahid Malik. The third-person man escaping from death was played by Imran Farooq, father and daughter were played by Tanveer Ahmed and Arbeen Jan respectively.
The costumes were provided by Shabir Ahmad Mir, lighting was designed by Balbir Singh, Music arrangement by Rasiq Khan, Production management by Javid Khan, stage management by Khursheed Ahmad Mir (Yamberzal Youth Club), Audio and video arrangement by Wasaaqat Mehraj. The coordinators were Shabir Ahmad Bhat and Latif Ahmad Shah.
Sohan Lal Koul, it may be recalled here is a popular playwright. A novelist and having a doctorate in Urdu, he has written several novels and plays. His novels include Waehshi Kaeth, Panien Gunah, Yele saer PaethGoav, Abysmal and Ded. He has also written a few plays. He has worked as a programme executive in Doordarshan. In a 13-day Annual Drama Festival at Tagore Hall in the year 2021, three of his plays were presented.
