SRINAGAR: In the just-released JKAS results, Sana Fayaz emerged as the topper from Kashmir region. She secured 1138.5 marks, the highest in the tally of Kashmir’s 31 candidates who passed the examination from the Srinagar centre.
Though Sana, a resident of Peer Bagh, ranks fourth in the overall list of Jammu and Kashmir, she tops the Kashmir region. Three top slots in JKAS were bagged by Jammu. Megha Gupta topped the list with 1177.5 marks, Shreya Sharma the second topper with 1167.5 marks and Vishal Kumar is the third topper with 1142.5. He is also on the list of reserved category candidates at the same time.
However, what is interesting about Sana is that she also cracked Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in 2021.
Sana has completed her schooling at Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School. She holds a BTech from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar and a postgraduate degree in Climate Change Studies. She started preparing for the Civil Services Examination after completing her engineering in 2017.
“The syllabus of the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is very much allied with the syllabus of JKAS,” Sana said. “While preparing for GATE, I prepared for Civil Services too, but my main focus has always been UPSC.”
She attempted both JKAS and UPSC for the first time in the year 2017. In the year 2021, she appeared for JKAS for the second time and for the fourth time for UPSC and achieved success in both exams. She has been appointed to the Junior Time Scale of the Indian Trade Service as Assistant Director General of Foreign Trade.
“I faced problems in my optional subject and every time my score was affected because of it,” Sana said. “I suggest everyone choose their optional subjects very carefully.” She is of the belief that the number of hours that one invests in the study does not really matter. “What matters is how focused you are and your concentration level matters. One should not give up so soon in such competitive exams.”
She credits her family and friends for her success. The support she has received in all these years while she was preparing has been a pillar for her. She is the first member of her whole family to attempt and qualify for both the JKAS and UPSC. “The hard work of my parents has been my biggest inspiration to achieve something great,” she added. Both of her parents are professors.
While talking about the challenges she faced in the journey, she opined, “We have to turn our setbacks into our stepping stones. If you truly want to come into this service and you are sufficiently motivated, you will achieve this even if it takes time and several attempts.” “Competitive exams do not come with an assurance of success and people may not have backup plans. Many aspirants face anxiety ahead of exams because everyone wants a secure future,” she added.
SRINAGAR: The vehicular movement along Srinagar-Jammu highway has been suspended again on Sunday after the road near Dawal bridge in Udhampur area was damaged, officials said.
Quoting officials the news agency KNO reported that the traffic movement was disrupted at 01:30 PM today.
They said the highway has been closed for vehicular movement due to damage of road near Dawal bridge, Udhampur.
SRINAGAR: A day after three blasts took place in Jammu’s Bajalta area in which ten persons, including a police constable sustained injuries, a team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) reached the site on Sunday.
The case as of now is being investigated by the local police, but there are possibilities that it could be transferred to the NIA.
The probe has suggested that it was done by cross border terrorists. The role of Pakistan-based handlers was being looked into.
Mukesh Singh, Additional DGP (Jammu Zone) had said on Saturday that six people were injured in two blasts that occurred in two vehicles in Narwal area of Jammu city. Later on, one more blast was reported.
Surinder Singh, the constable, was performing his duty at the Sidhra Chowk when a dumper carrying sand appeared. The police stopped it for the checking but suddenly it exploded injuring all.
Now, the NIA team has reached there and is collecting evidence.
SRINAGAR : Over 4021 kanals of State/kahcharie land was retrieved in Kupwara district during the present drive initiated against the land encroachers by the government.
On the directions of Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Dr.Doifode Sagar Dattatray, a major anti encroachment drive was held across Kupwara district from 11th of this month till date. The teams of Revenue Department headed by concerned Tehsildars conducted operation on state/ kahcharie land which was illegally occupied by encroachers in different parts/ tehsils of the district.
Accordingly, over 4021 kanals of kahcharai/ state land have been retrieved from the encroachers in all Tehsils of the District during the present drive, till date.
As per the reports of Tehsildar Drugmulla, 301 kanals of kahcharai land have been retrieved in Drugmulla tehsil of Kupwara district which include 276 kanals single patch of land and 25 kanals which was used as commercial purposes.
Likewise, as per Tehsildar Kupwara, 280 kanals of land have been retrieved during the drive till date in Kupwara tehsil which include 205 kanal kahcharai Land and 75 kanal state land.
In Keran tehsil, 712 kanals of land have been retrieved as per Tehsildar Keran, which include 617 kanals of state land and 95 kanals of kahcharie land.
In Vilgam tehsil of Kupwara district, 1863 kanals including 758 state land and 1105 kanals kahcharari land have been retrieved till date, as reported by Tehsildar Vilgam.
Likewise, in Kralpora Tehsil, as per concerned Tehsildar 247 kanals of land have been retrieved in the tehsil which include 142 kanals state land and 105 kanals Kacharie land.
In Sogam and Lalpora tehsils, as reported by respective Tehsildars, 114 kanal and 14 marlas retrieved from Dardpora Lolab, 20 kanals from Chandigam and 20 kanals from Sogam tehsil.
Similarly, 70 kanals of kahcharari/ state land have been retrieved from Trehgam tehsil, 50 kanals in Karnah Tehsil, 46 kanal 15 marlas in Handwara tehsil, 26 kanal 5 marlas in Zachaldara tehsil, 5 kanals in Taratpora tehsil , 80 kanals in Langate, 70 kanals in Qalamabad tehsil and 116 kanals in Qaziabad-kralgund tehsil during the ongoing drive against land encroachers.
While talking about the anti-encroachment drive, the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara said that anti-encroachment drives will continue in all the parts of the district to retrieve the entire State and Kahcharai land encroached by the land grabbers. He sought cooperation of the general public in its action against encroachments and also warned of action under CrPC in matters of encroachment on state/kahcharie lands.
The District Administration has given strict directions to the Tehsildars and enforcement teams to speed up the drive against the land encroachments in their respective jurisdictions with added zeal and dedication so that all State/Kahcharai land is retrieved in the district, which can be subsequently used for public purpose.
SRINAGAR: Weatherman on Sunday forecast snow and rain in Jammu and Kashmir during three days even as mercury increased at most places barring Pahalgam.
Quoting a meteorological department official news agency GNS reported that while light to moderate snow and rain was expected during next 24 hours, moderate snow (rain in Jammu) and moderate to heavy snow over middle and higher reaches(60% chance) was expected in J&K from January 24-25.
On January 26, he said, light rain in Jammu region and light snow in Kashmir (60% chance) was expected.
“Overall, weather is very likely to remain erratic with cloudy, intermittent rain and snow till January 29 in whole J&K,” he added.
He said that parts of the Valley also received snowfall in last 24 hours till 0830 hours with Srinagar receiving 0.6mm (rain), Qazigund 5cm, Pahalgam 7.3cm, Kokernag 1.5cm and Gulmarg 4.0cm.
He said Srinagar received 0.6mm of rain, Batote 3.0mm, and Bhaderwah 2.6mm of rainfall during the time.
Regarding temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 1.0°C against last night’s 0.2°C. Today’s minimum temperature, he said, was 3.3°C above normal for the summer capital, he said.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 0.2°C against minus 0.4°C on the previous night and it was 4.1°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 6.3°C against minus 0.4°C on the previous night and it was 4.1°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 1.9°C against minus 3.9°C on the previous night and it was 1.5°C above normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 6.8°C against minus 8.4°C on the previous night and it was 1.4°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.
In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at minus 0.5°C against minus 2.8°C on the previous night and it was 2.4°C above normal in the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 7.1°C against 6.1°C on the previous night. It was 0.1°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal recorded a low of 1.0°C (above normal by 1.3°C), Batote 0.7°C (below normal by 1.7°C), Katra 7.6°C (1.6°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 1.4°C (2.7°C above normal).
Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 15.0°C and minus 13.7°C respectively, the official said.
Kashmir is under the grip of Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21. It does not mean an end to the winter either. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.
Civil society groups need to be mobilised to stop drug trafficking at the local level. Parents should monitor the activities of their children and protect them from getting addicted to drugs and falling into the clutches of drug addicts.
Drug addiction is a hot topic in Jammu and Kashmir because there is an alarming increase in drug addiction cases. The recent extremely upsetting report by the Government Medical College’s Psychiatry department has revealed that Kashmir has surpassed Punjab in drug abuse cases and is currently at the number two position among the top drug abuser states in the country. With the Northeast topping the drug abuse list, Kashmir is not far behind. Jammu and Kashmir is on the powder keg of drug addiction.
Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterised by a persistent and intense urge to engage in certain behaviours, one of which is the usage of a drug, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behaviour and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine are considered drugs. When you are addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.
Drug addiction can start with the experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins when they take prescribed medicines or receive them from others who have prescriptions.
Globally, some 35 million people are estimated to suffer from drug use disorders who require medical treatment, according to the latest World Drug Report, released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The most widely used drug globally continues to be cannabis, with an estimated 188 million people having used the drug in 2017.
As per the study conducted by Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Kashmir (IMHANS-K) titled Prevalence and Pattern of Substance Use in 10 districts of Kashmir:A 2022 survey, Jammu and Kashmir has surpassed the number of drug abuse cases in Punjab.
Thousands of youth in Kashmir are slipping into the dark alleys of drug addiction as the valley has been flooded with a huge quantity of heroin usage. The Jammu and Kashmir administration had said as per a consumption survey there are at least six lakh residents affected by drug related issues in the region.
Over 33 thousand syringes are used to inject heroin by drug abusers in the Kashmir on a daily basis. Heroin is among the most common drugs used by these abusers. The study shows 90 percent of drug abusers are using heroin while the rest are using cocaine, brown sugar, and marijuana. The survey has also revealed that most of the drug abusers are in the age group of 17-33 years. Unemployed youth are the main consumers of these drugs. And the number of drug abusers in the valley has crossed 67000, while 33000 are injected heroin using syringes. Drug use has become an easy escape from the fluctuating situations of life.
Among the most potential causes attributed to the skyrocketing drug abuse in Kashmir are, an unusual increase in psychiatric disorders, the uncertainty of the conflict, unemployment among the youth and non-availability of recreational activities.
The youth see it as an escape from the uncertainty and trauma of living in a conflict region. But it has unnecessarily taken a heavy toll on youth who are the future of the society.
Kashmir is in the grip of an epidemic and the biggest victims of this epidemic are youth. Over the last few years, there has been an extraordinary increase in crimes in Kashmir. It is said that the main reason for these crimes is the increasing use of drugs among the youth. Drug use has become a scourge, which is giving rise to many social evils. The growing trend of drugs in the Valley should be of concern to the society.
Couple held for drug peddling in Hazratbal on September 30, 2022 by Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Diagnosing drug addiction (substance use disorder) requires a thorough evaluation and often includes an assessment by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed alcohol and drug counsellor. Although there’s no cure for drug addiction, treatment options can help you overcome an addiction and stay drug-free.
The eradication of drug addiction needs a multi-pronged approach. There is an urgent need for legal, social and religious measures to prevent drug addiction. Although the government has taken strict measures to eradicate the scourge of drugs, several serious measures are needed to eradicate this epidemic. The laws that are in force for the prevention of drug abuse should be implemented in a better way and these laws should be enforced and made stricter. The cultivation, sale and misuse of cannabis and opium should be completely banned. It is necessary to have cooperation between the administration and the people. Only then can our society get rid of this evil.
Bilal Gani
There is an urgent need for measures not only by the government but also by society to end this scourge. Civil society groups need to be mobilised to stop drug trafficking at the local level. Parents should monitor the activities of their children and protect them from getting addicted to drugs and falling into the clutches of drug addicts. Although there has been a lot of awareness among people about the harmful effects of drugs, this awareness needs to be spread to those areas and people who are unaware of it.
Another aspect of drug abuse prevention is the rehabilitation of victims of this scourge. But recovery must be consistent and victim-focused. The rehabilitation centres should take proper care of the psychological and emotional needs of the victims so that they can fully recover and move towards a prosperous future. These rehabilitation measures include preventive education and awareness building, capacity building, skill development, vocational training and livelihood support for ex-drug addicts, among other relevant measures to stop this epidemic before it is too late.
(The author is pursuing his PhD from the Central University Kashmir in politics and international relations.The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Kashmir Life.)
SRINAGAR: A self-styled ‘Guide’ has duped at least 10 Kashmiri pilgrims, after taking money from them to show sacred shrines and places in Iran, Iraq, and other countries, leaving them mid-way in Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon.
At least 10 pilgrims are stuck in Delhi this time, requesting Jammu and Kashmir Administration to help them return home as they are without money.
One of the pilgrims Ghulam Hasan Wani of Devara Yetalampora village of Singhpora Pattan told over the phone from Delhi that a Guide Syed Nasir from Harennarah Pattan took Rs one lakh per person to help them on pilgrimage to Karbala and other sacred sites.
“After performing the pilgrimage, the guide left us mid-way in Beirut without informing us. He is still absconding. We suffered heavily as we were not having money with us. We sold our valuables including the earrings and gold chains of women pilgrims accompanying us. Somehow we have managed to reach New Delhi,” he said.
The pilgrims said that they have no money to return back to Valley as they have no money and are starving.
They appealed to LG Manoj Sinha led administration to help them in returning home and direct police to take action against the guide.
“We can’t narrate our sufferings in words. We are illiterates and yet he (Guide) left us in the lurch,” said a woman pilgrim. (KNT)
KULGAM: On the directions of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Dr.Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, a team of officers headed by Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Kulgam, Mohammad Imran inspected several offices of Rural Development Department in Kulgam.
During the inspection, 11 employees were found unauthorisedly absent from their duties and were placed under suspension with immediate effect vide order No12-ACDK of 023.
Moreover, ACD stressed on cent percent attendance at all offices of Rural Development Department Kulgam and directed all employees to attend their duties regularly.
He warned that strict action shall be taken as per the law against employees for their unauthorized absence from duties. NO: PR/DDI/SGR/23/5829/.
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority has issued an avalanche warning for at least nine districts for next 24 hours.
Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) in a statement said that an avalanche with low danger level is likely to occur above 2500 metres over Anantnag, Bandipore, Baramula, Doda, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Kupwara, Poonch, Ramban in next 24 hours.
General public is advised to have valley movement with care. Avoid movement on slopes, JKDMA said in a statement.
SRINAGAR: In a first of its kind, the promoters of the Srinagar-based logistic start-up FastBeetle participated and pitched their business proposal before the Shark Tank India Judges, which was aired on the Sony Television channel. Shark Tank India is a business reality TV series that is in its second season in 2023.
The combined deal from Lenskart CEO Piyush Bansal and Boat CEO Aman Gupta to invest 90 lakhs for 7.5 per cent equity was fixed with the Srinagar-based start-up at Rs 12 crore valuation.
FastBeetle, a start-up promoted by Sheikh Samiullah and Abid Rashid started their courier and logistic services in October 2019 from Srinagar and later to the international shipments within months and went on to become the fastest-growing logistics company from Jammu and Kashmir.
“After watching the show last year, we never thought we would be standing on that carpet pitching our business idea to renowned sharks,” Sheikh Samiullah said in a Tweet.
It is pertinent to mention here that FastBeetle had become the first Kashmiri start-up to raise US $100,000 in a pre-series. A funding round led by investors including Sandeep Patel from Nepra, Saurabh Mittal, Vikram Sanghvi, Rohit Qamra, and a few non-resident Kashmiris.
“Our pitch clearly states that we need to create a start-up ecosystem in the Jammu and Kashmir. We had gone to Shark Tank not to present FastBeetle but to represent the aspiration of the 1.5 crore population of Jammu and Kashmir” added Samiullah in his tweet.
FastBeetle has a empowered more than 1200 start-ups and delivered more than 10 lakh orders to 55+ countries. Giant e-commerce sites like Flipkart, Jiomart has tied up with the FastBeetle to deliver parcels to the remotest areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
They said that their company wants to deliver parcels to the far-flung areas of the India where no one has reached till now.
