Valley Observer Weekly Newspaper of Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR, MAY 28: The Union Public Services Commission today conducted Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2023 throughout 78 cities across India. For Kashmir based aspirants examination was successfully held at twelve centres in Srinagar.

Government of J&K had Nominated Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri as State Level Observer for Srinagar Centers , while the Assistant Commissioner, Central with Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Aadil Fareed was appointed as Coordinating Supervisor for the conduction of Examination.

Besides, the Office of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir had appointed 12 inspecting officers for the said venues in compliance to the measures undertaken to strengthen the process of conducting the Commission’s Examination.

Further, the office of Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar had nominated Mobile Magistrates for each venue.

Pertinently, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir yesterday had held a meeting in connection with ensuring necessary arrangements for smooth conduction of exam which was attended by all Principals, Venue Coordinators, Inspecting Officers and representatives of Police, Security & Traffic respectively.

Following the directions of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, the Assistant Commissioner Central, Kashmir visited all the 12 centers on Saturday and took the stock of all the arrangements.

The Total Number of candidates which were supposed to attend the examination was 4211, however the examination was only attended by 2430 candidates in 1st session & 2408 no. of candidates in 2nd session respectively, making the present percentage 57.7 %.

GANDERBAL, MAY 28: Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits and devotees today visited the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami here at Tullamulla Ganderbal.

Every year, on this auspicious day, Kheer Bhavani Mela is organized at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal and devotees from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir visit the holy shrine here.

Kheer Bhawani is considered to be the deity of Kashmiri Pandits, who have a lot of recognition there. Over the years, the Kheer Bhawani Mela has become a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in Kashmir.

The religious sanctity of Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, built atop a holy spring, has a special spiritual significance among Kashmiri Pandit devotees across the world.

The Tulmulla area of district Ganderbal witnessed enthusiastic scenes as a large number of devotees arrived here who paid obeisance and prayed for the entire humanity.

Earlier of the day, the Deputy Commissioner inspected the arrangements and enquired about the facilities being provided to the devotees. Full attention was given to ensure that devotees do not face any issue.

Mostly Kashmiri Pandits were seen performing the rituals of the festival at the temple besides that Muslims were seen greeting pandits and making arrangements.

Pertinently, the District Administration had made necessary arrangements for uninterrupted power and drinking water supplies, transport, security, fire tenders, ration, bedding, medical camps, and medical facilities at the temple besides free transport facility was also made for the devotees on various routes.

Several NGOs and civil society had also made arrangements to provide wheelchairs and other aids for the convenience of the devotees during the mela.

District Administration & all Government Departments to work out detailed project report for construction of Bhawan: LG Sinha

GANDERBAL, MAY 25: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha paid obeisance at Mata Kheer Bhawani at Ganderbal. He was accompanied by Ms Nuzhat Ishfaq, DDC Chairperson Ganderbal; Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary and other senior officials of the UT government.

The Lt Government was welcomed by members of Kashmiri Pandit community and was presented with traditional Pheran by them. The Lt Governor offered his prayers. Thereafter, he reviewed the arrangements being made for the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami.

During his visit to the holy shrine at Tulmulla, Ganderbal, the Lt Governor announced construction of Yatri Bhawan at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple to facilitate the visiting devotees.

He directed the District Administration and all government departments to work out detailed project report for construction of the Bhawan.

The Lt Governor appraised the preparations for the upcoming Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela and directed the officials and stakeholders to make all the necessary arrangements for the convenience of the visiting devotees.

He directed the officials to ensure logistical arrangements, power, water supply, essential commodities, medical services & other necessary requirements for Kheer Bhawani Mela.

The Lt Governor also interacted with the members of Kashmiri Pandit community and discussed their issues and concerns.

He instructed the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to designate a Nodal Officer to receive and resolve concerns of members of Kashmiri Pandit community.

Every year, on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami, Kheer Bhawani Mela is organized at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tulmulla, Ganderbal.

Directs for ensuring flawless & hassle-free arrangements

SRINAGAR, MAY 25: The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri today convened a meeting of officers to review the arrangements for the departure of Hajj Pilgrims on the Holy Journey.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners and SSPs of J&K besides officers of District Administration Leh & Kargil, Chairman J&K Haj Committee, HoDs of various departments including PHE, KPDCL, Health, Sanitation, SRTC, RTO and Hospitality & Protocol.

Addressing the meeting, Div Com stated that after the success of G20 Summit, smooth and flawless arrangements shall also be made for the departure of Hajj Pilgrims.

He issued a slew of directions to concerned officers for ensuring all the required arrangements to facilitate pilgrims.

He directed for making adequate facilities of drinking water, uninterrupted power supply at Haj House Bemina besides conducting regular sanitation and cleanliness drive there.

Div Com directed SRTC to provide buses for transportation of pilgrims from Haj House to Airport.

The meeting was informed that the departure schedule of flights will be published within two days. However, all pilgrims were asked to report to Haj House four hours earlier before departure time.

Besides, the meeting was informed that an adequate quantity of foreign exchange has been ensured in all districts besides more counters will be set up at Haj House.

Div Com also gave directions for hassle-free and smooth clearance of pilgrims at immigration service counter at Airport besides distribution of boarding passes at the earliest.

The traffic police was asked to identify parking space for vehicles of relatives accompanying pilgrims near Hajj House.

Pilgrims of Jammu Division, U.T of Ladakh and far off areas of Kashmir Valley who happen to stay at Haj House shall be provided boarding/lodging facility at Hajj House, Bemina.