SRINAGAR: Authorities have suspended trains services amid snowfall in Kashmir Valley on Monday.
“The train service will remain suspended until the snow on the railway line is cleared,” news agency GNS quoted an official as having said.
“The railway will resume its operations as soon as the snow is cleared. Once it is done, there will be a first trial run and then the regular train is expected to resume. we apologize to the people for the inconvenience,” the official added.
SRINAGAR: Fresh snowfall in Srinagar delayed several morning flights at the Srinagar International Airport due to low visibility.
In a tweet Director Srinagar Airport Kuldeep Singh said that since early morning all flights were delayed due to poor visibility.
Our visibility is only 200 M and there is continuous snowfall We are simultaneously clearing the snow All flights are delayed To avoid inconvenience and to avoid congestion please check the status of your flight from your airlines before coming to the airport
SRINAGAR: Prime Minister, Narinder Modi on Sunday spoke about Snow Cricket held at Syedabad, Pulwama, Kashmir in his Man Ki Baat.
In the programme, PM Modi said that apart from Snow capped mountains and natural beauty, there is much more to know and admire about Kashmir.
The PM said that in Syedabad, Pulwama of Kashmir the Snow Cricket was held in winter games. He said that Snow cricket is more entertaining, this makes it even more interesting that those games help to identify players who shall play for Team India in future.
The PM said that snow cricket is an extension of the Khelo India Movement. He hoped that those players will win medals for the nation in future and will wave Tricolor high.
He suggested to tourists, “Next time when you visit Kashmir, take your time to watch such programmes too”. That will make your trip more memorable, he said.
Sports activities across Pulwama have touched a new milestone with the provision of sports infrastructure in all Panchayats.
Pertinently, under the mission of play fields in each panchayat, land in Syedabad (Pastuna) Panchayat of Tral Sub Division was identified and Playfield was developed under MGNREGA in FY 2022-23, and the village witnessed a big tournament during this winter.
The Cricket match in Chilaikalan (chilling season across Kashmir) was held in Syedabad (Pastuna) on the smooth surface of Snow for the first time during this winter.
The sports theme of this winter game was Snow Cricket and was a local talent hunt in cricket. This is for the first time that youth were directly benefited by CSSs.
This facility not only fulfills the aspirations of Pulwama youth but also strengthens the vision of “Youth-led development” of PM.
The Youth has reciprocated to the sports spirit and chennalised their achievements and energy on the platform of Khelo India. Now more youth are getting attracted to sports activities across Pulwama.
This is a positive and a vibrant change, and shall have far reaching and best results in coming times with youth getting engaged in sports which develops the competition and leadership qualities
Earlier, Prime Minister has also lauded the efforts made by Manzoor Ahmed Elahi, an entrepreneur from Ukhoo, Pulwama who is providing pencil slates to big firms of the country.
PM has also mentioned the efforts of two brothers namely Bashir Ahmed and Munir Ahmad who have set an example in the realm of self employment. Despite being highly educated both brothers started a vermicompost startup and supply organic manure to farmers at reasonable prices. The vermicompost startup is also a novelty in the Organic Agriculture produce.
People of Pulwama have expressed immense gratitude to Prime Minister by mentioning Pulwama multiple times in Mann Ki Baat for inspiring the youth.
Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary in this context has said that Honorable Lieutenant Government administration is committed for constructive engagement and empowerment of youth of Pulwama.
SRINAGAR: In view of heavy snowfall, the University of Kashmir (KU) and Cluster University Srinagar (CUS) Monday postponed all examinations that were scheduled to be held on January-30.
The Controller of Examinations at KU, Dr Majid Zaman said fresh dates for the deferred Examinations will be notified separately later.
In the meantime, Controller of Examinations at Cluster University Srinagar also said, “All the examinations of Cluster University Srinagar scheduled on January have been postponed due to inclement weather.”
The official said that fresh dates for postponed papers shall be notified separately. (KNO)
SRINAGAR: In view of heavy snowfall, the University of Kashmir (KU) and Cluster University Srinagar (CUS) Monday postponed all examinations that were scheduled to be held on January-30.
The Controller of Examinations at KU, Dr Majid Zaman said fresh dates for the deferred Examinations will be notified separately later.
In the meantime, Controller of Examinations at Cluster University Srinagar also said, “All the examinations of Cluster University Srinagar scheduled on January have been postponed due to inclement weather.”
The official said that fresh dates for postponed papers shall be notified separately. (KNO)
SRINAGAR: Asking Home Minister Amit Shah to opt for a Jammu to Srinagar yatra if the security situation has improved in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the Chinese sitting on Indian land must be dealt with by the centre. He was speaking to the media in Srinagar after the conclusion of the 134-day-long yatra during which he addressed 15 news conferences.
Rahul said a Ladakhi delegation clearly said that 2000 square km of the Indian Territory was taken by the Chinese.
“Government is under the impression that the Chinese have not taken any land from India. I recently met some ex-army people and even a delegation from Ladakh has clearly said that 2,000 sq km of Indian territory has been taken over by the Chinese,” Rahul said. “They also said that many patrolling points that used to be in India are now firmly in Chinese hands.”
Terming it “extremely dangerous”, Rahul said: “The approach Government is following by completely denying that the Chinese have taken our land is dangerous and it will give them more confidence to do more aggressive things. We have to deal with the Chinese firmly and tell them they are sitting on our land, won’t be tolerated.”
Asked about the situation on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir, Rahul Gandhi said he met people and is extremely unhappy.
“Target killing and bomb blasts are happening in Jammu and Kashmir and if the security situation has improved then the conversation the security personnel are having with me should not have been required,” Rahul said. “If the situation is so good why don’t the BJP people walk from Jammu to Lal Chowk? Why doesn’t Amit Shah walk from Jammu to Kashmir if the situation is so secure? I don’t think that argument holds.”
Congress has alleged a security lapse during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kashmir. Earlier on Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that police arrangement “completely collapsed” during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir and he had “to cancel” his walk.
Responding to a volley of several questions about Jammu and Kashmir, Rahul said the restoration of statehood should be the first step.
“Statehood and restoration of the democratic process is a fundamental and very important first step. The other steps will come later and I do not necessarily have to comment on it here,” he said. “All states have an assembly. The democratic process is the right of the people and it should be restored in Jammu and Kashmir. A solution should be found for the people of Ladakh as well.”
In response to a question about the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution in 2019, Rahul Gandhi said the Congress Working Committee has already made its stand clear on the issue. Notably, Article 370 granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked by the Modi government on August 5, 2019.
SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s handicraft basket will now have a Quick Response (QR) code alongside the GI labelling. This is part of the serious effort by the Jammu and Kashmir government to improve buyer confidence and adequately promote handmade works. The initiative aimed at fair trade practice is taking place at a time when the handicraft sector is exhibiting a strong revival with exports in the last nine months crossing Rs 729 crore, for the first time after 2019.
Now, 13 Kashmir crafts including six handicrafts already having GI will have distinct QR codes. These include Kashmir Pashmina, Kashmir Sozni, Kani Shawl, Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving, Kashmir Papier Machie and Khatamband. In the case of Kashmir Pashmina’s GI labelling has been redeveloped and has been integrated with the QR-Code certification module, Director Handicrafts and Handlooms, Mehmood Ahmad said.
Kashmir carpet already has a QR code along with the GI labelling. It was launched by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on February 10, 2022.
The GI certification ensures the buyer that the product is produced only in a particular geographical location and no manufacturer other than those recognized by the registration may claim to produce or sell the same by the name specified under the registration. The QR code gives the buyer the facility to use his cell phone and locate the craftsman or the institution that made the product for further satisfaction of its genuineness.
Jammu and Kashmir started GI coverage for its craft basket in 2007. So far, it has GI certification available for seven crafts: Kashmir Pashmina, Kashmir Sozni, Kani Shawl, Papier Machie, Khatamband, Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving and Kashmir Hand-knotted Carpet.
For issuing the GI label for Kashmir Pashmina, Jammu and Kashmir government established Craft Development Institute (CDI) in 2013 where the Assistance to State for Infrastructure Development of Exports (ASIDE) assisted Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC) tests the products for its genuineness. “So far, it has certified and labelled more than 16,000 genuine Kashmir Pashmina products and has also conducted 1900 Non-GI tests to ascertain the genuineness of various Non-GI handicraft products,” Ahmad said. “In 2022, the demand for labelling at the centre increased by 1100 per cent.”
Ahmad said it is helping the product in competing with rivals across the world. In the case of carpets, the dual certification – the GI label and user-friendly QR code have restored consumer confidence hugely. “Till February 2022, we have certified and labelled 6000 carpets,” Ahmad said.
The data of carpet export exhibits an upward trend. In the last nine months of fiscal 2022 ending December 31, Kashmir exported carpets worth Rs 212.23 crore. This is expected to mark a return from the sluggish exports that Kashmir carpet witnessed from 2017-18 when carpets worth Rs 452.12 crore were sold. The carpet exports were of the order of Rs 353.63 crore in 2018-19; Rs 395.78 crore in 2019-20; Rs 299.56 crore in 2020-21and Rs 251.06 crore in 2021-22. With three months more to go, 2022-23 may have a better export tally in carpets. Kashmir carpets are the major part of the handicrafts sale from the valley making slightly less than half of the overall turnover.
The handicrafts and handlooms department believes that the distinct QR-coding will help address the deficit that Kashmir crafts have inherited as it avoided implementing the new fair-trade practices. Interestingly the QR-coding is available for products which do not fall in the GI-certified basket.
“For the convenience of the artisans, traders and exporters, we have heat application secured fusion labels or fabric-based non-tearable, waterproof labels which can be stitched on the product based upon the liking of the customer,” Ahmad said. “The newly introduced QR-Code-based labels are secure tampered proof labels with invisible UV and Micro-Text, heatproof (25 F to 140 F) and shall work on all smooth and rough surfaces.”
The QR codes are available for genuine handmade crafts under the non-GI category like Copperware, Willow Wicker, Silverware, Filigree and some other items.
These interventions are taking place at a time when the Kashmir handicraft sector is witnessing an improved turnover as the exports are showing an upswing. The global markets are recession hit and Covid19 has been a key role in it.
Data suggest that in the first three quarters of the current fiscal ending December 31, 2022, the overall exports of Kashmir handicrafts were at Rs 728.99 crore. This is much improved in comparison to the overall exports of Rs 563.13 in 2021-22 and Rs 635.52 crore in 2020-21. The handicraft exports were at Rs 1090.12 crore in 2017-18 and Rs 917.93 in 20180-19. Kashmir remained under lock and key since 2019 summer, a situation that was extended by the Covid19 pandemic.
Now the government is working to add ten more crafts in the GI listing. The mandatory dossiers have already been submitted to the GI registry at Chennai. These crafts are Kashmir Namda, Wagguv, Shikara, Gabba, Kashmiri Willow Bats, Crewel, Chain Stitch, Tweed, Basohli Paintings and Chikri Wood. Some of these items have already access to QR-code labelling.
SRINAGAR: Two girls were buried alive after a massive avalanche hit Tangole Village in Kargil district on Sunday. The dead bodies of both the girls have been recovered.
According to reports with the help of the locals, Ladakh Police party and Basij e Baqiyatullah Kargil reached the spot and recovered both dead bodies.
The deceased were identified as Kulsum, 11 and Bilques 23 year old.
LAHDC Kargil CEC Feroz Ahmad Khan has expressed his condolence to the family of the victims and prayed for the eternal peace of the deceased.
He hailed the efforts of Ladakh Police personnel and volunteers of Baseej-e-Baqiyatullah (ASZ) and said that the rescue operation of finding the bodies of both the girls within hours of the Avalanche is highly commendable.
SRINAGAR: Congress leader and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that there has been no change in the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir given the targeted killings and bomb blasts here. He, however, stated he would not go back to past, but would look forward to the best in the Union Territory.
Addressing a press conference in Taj Vivanta Hotel in Srinagar, Rahul Gandhi, as per the news agency KNO said he was not happy to what he saw in Jammu and Kashmir.
“In fact, I was saddened when I walked through J&K as nobody is happy here and Ladakh as well.”
He added restoration of democratic process and statehood is imperative and the fundamental right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Gandhi, who was flanked by General Secretary Incharge Communication, Jairam Ramesh, Incharge J&K Rajni Patil, JKPCC president, Vikar Rasool Wani, former PCC president Ghulam Ahmad Mir, former MP Tariq Hameed Karra, PCC working president Raman Bhalla, former deputy chief minister Tara Chand and others, said the motive behind the Yatra was to spread love amid hatred being spread by BJP and RSS across the country.
“The yatra has culminated in Srinagar and main function will be held tomorrow. I got a lot to experience through this yatra, I met lakhs of people, talked to them, I have no words to describe my journey as I got a good response from the people all across including J&K. It was the best experience of my life,” he said.
Gandhi said during the Yatra people raised two important issues which included unemployment and price hike. “I thank all the people across the country, media and the Yatris, CRPF, police and others who extended their support to us,” he said.
He further said the Yatra was not Congress party’s Yatra, instead of party leaders, who walked most in it. “The Yatra gave an alternative vision to the people amidst existing BJP & RSS vision that is filled with hatred and violence. Now, the people have two days with them, one is aimed to suppress people and another is full of love and affection,” he said.
He further said this yatra has not ended but it is a first step as there is a lot more to do in future for an alternative vision for the people and some active measures will be taken in this regard.
About his yatra in J&K, he said he met a lot of people here and nobody is happy. “I met people in Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir, nobody was happy here. I am not happy with what I see in J&K, in fact, I got saddened when I walk through J&K. While entering J&K, a strange idea came to my mind about my family that descended from J&K and went to Allahabad,” he said.
He said it felt like he was going home and that was a powerful feeling. “I have affection towards people of J&K. I came here with open heart and open arms to help in whatever way I can. I was humbled with the reception we got. I think love and affection and listening is a powerful force,” he said while replying to a query.
On being asked about abrogation of Article and its restoration, he said they cleared their position in party’s working committee document.
About the improvment in security situation, he said the argument doesn’t work at a time of targetted killings, bomb blasts and other things.
“If the situation has improved, let Union Home Minister Amit Shah hold a rally from Jammu to Srinagar,” he said.
About the land laws, he said he has already spoke over the issue and whenever elected government is formed, it can take a decision accordingly.
