SRINAGAR, APRIL 27: The Physical Education Department of Sri Pratap College today organized “Tug of war” between students of various groups to kick-start the sports calendar of the academic session 2023-24.
Various groups of boys and girls participated in the event.
The event was flagged off by Principal SP College, Prof (Dr.) Gh Jeelani Qurashi.
In his introductory address, he urged upon the students to actively participate in the sports activities that will be held from time to time during the academic session.
Stressing upon the physical agility, he talked about the importance of physical fitness and significance of games in the daily lives.
The event was also attended by Prof Manzoor Ahmad Wani, Dr. Khurshid Ahmad Parray, Dr. Ruheena Tabassum, Dr. Nadia Shah, Prof. Zafar Majeed and Mr. Owais Wani.
Prof Manzoor Ahmad Wani, Head Department of Botany addressed the participants and ensured them that sports activities shall be a regular feature of the college.
RAMBAN, APRIL 27: The Tulip Garden at Sanasar – the J&K’s second biggest and Jammu division’s biggest Tulip garden, is witnessing huge footfall of the tourists from different places of the country. The Garden is spread over 40 kanals (5 acres) of land adjacent to the Lake surrounded by picturesque Sanasar meadows. Around 2.75 lakh tulip bulbs of 25 varieties and different hues have been planted in the garden. It was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor, J&K UT, Shri Manoj Sinha on April 8 during a grand function held amid much fanfare. The tourists from all over the country and even outside the country are visiting Tulip Garden in Sanasar in hordes thereby boosting the socio-economic status of the area. Till date, 43964 tourists including 18026 from J&K and 25936 local tourists besides a few foreigners have visited Sanasar this year, so far. At present 40 percent Tulip flowers are in bloom which will remain bloomed for 10 more days.
JAMMU, APRIL 26: The Administrative Council (AC) which met here under Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha approved transfer of land free of charge in favour of BSNL (Government of India Enterprises), for saturation of 4G mobile services in all the uncovered villages across J&K.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Dr.Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K; and Mandeep Kumar Bandhari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.
This decision is in consonance with the policy decision of the Union Government for providing land free of charge for saturation of 4G mobile services. In J&K, there are 303 villages which will be covered under the scheme and will lead to saturation of 4G services in J&K and ensure seamless connectivity under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
The Administrative Council has also fixed a timeline of 15 days for Deputy Commissioners to complete the task for identification of land for all 303 villages which are uncovered.
Saturation of 4G mobile services in uncovered villages across the J&K shall play a very important role and improve network facility for uncovered villages in all the districts across the UT of J&K.
Kishtwar: The 2-day training program on National Service and Tracking of Electronic Processes or NSTEP concluded at District Court Complex Kishtwar on April 26 here. “The function concluded with the remarks of the Chief Guest Pr District & Sessions Judge Kishtwar Mr YP Kotwal who emphasized the staff and the Process Serving agency on use of the digital technology which will not only ensure timely service of the parties within the District but also throughout the Union of India and would add to ease of service upon the parties which was a cumbersome process consuming most of the time of the Courts in initiating litigation,” a handout said. “This would further facilitate the concept of speedy trial. On the occasion the Chief Guest initiated the issuance of digital summons to be served in one of the remotest area of District Kishtwar Village Atholi Paddar,” the handout added. “Mobile phones to the process Servers were distributed on the occasion with NSTEP application activated in them.” The function was also attended by Chief Judicial Magistrate Kishtwar MA AlNasir and Munsiff JMIC Kishtwar Kartar Singh. The live demo session was conducted by Waseem UI Haq, System Officer eCourts.
SRINAGAR, APRIL 26: To oversee the progress of various ongoing projects funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Additional Director JKST&IC, Dr. Nasir Ahmad Shah, today visited SP College where he inspected various departments including Hydrobiology Research Lab.
Principal Prof. (Dr.) Gh Jeelani Qurashi along with senior faculty members including Prof. Bashir Ahmad Mir Head Department of Chemistry, Prof. Manzoor Ahmad Wani Head Department of Botany, Dr. Khurshid Ahmad Parray, Dr. Shabana Aslam Convenor Innovation Cell and others accompanied him.
He was apprised about the progress of research and innovation initiatives taken up by the institution.
Dr. Nasir Ahmad Shah interacted with the scholars and assured them of all possible cooperation. He expressed his satisfaction over the ongoing research activities within the institution.
He also assured coordination for establishment of state of art hi-tech green house in the college Botanical Garden as a centralized facility for preservation and conservation of exotic plants and other horticultural research activities.
SRINAGAR APRIL 25: The Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad today paid a visit to ShankarAcharya Temple on the top of Zabarwan hills to extend warm greetings to the devotees on the eve of ShankarAcharya Jayanti marking the birth of Adi Shankara ji, an 8th century Indian philosopher and theologian. On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by members of the Dharmarth Trust and other functionaries of ShankarAcharya Temple Management Committee. While extending warm greetings on the occasion, the DC expressed hope that this day would contribute towards strengthening brotherhood, unity, harmony and would be a harbinger of peace, progress and prosperity in J&K in general and in District Srinagar in particular. The Management of ShankarAcharya Temple and the devotees present on the occasion expressed satisfaction over the arrangements and conveyed their gratitude to the Deputy Commissioner in this regard. During the visit, the DC also inspected the Langar and other arrangements made by the District Administration Srinagar for the devotees including Water supply, electricity, smooth transport facility, etc.
SRINAGAR, APRIL 25: J&K Bank today received an award from Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd (HUDCO) for its outstanding contribution towards housing sector of the country under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) – Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) through various innovative initiatives.
The Bank’s General Manager (C&CB) Narjay Gupta received the award at the hands of Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manoj Joshi in presence of Chairman & Managing Director (HUDCO) Kuldip Narayan, Bank’s Zonal Head (Delhi) Rakesh Magotra, HUDCO’s board of directors and other dignitaries during HUDCO’s 53rd Foundation Day Celebrations held today in New Delhi.
The function was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas Hardeep S. Puri.
Commenting upon the felicitation, MD & CEO, Baldev Prakash said, “It is an honour for the entire J&K Bank Family to be felicitated at such a prestigious national platform for our contribution towards country’s housing sector under Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY)-U that envisaged ease-of-living through a pucca house to all urban dwellers.”
“Such an acknowledgement will further boost our efforts as we continue to serve the weaker and vulnerable sections of society through more such effective financial interventions”, he added.
Earlier, in a communication to Bank, Chairman & MD (HUDCO) Kuldip Narayan expressed his deep appreciation for J&K Bank’s outstanding contribution towards housing sector under PMAY-CLSS through its different innovative initiatives.
SRINAGAR, APRIL 25: Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Bhupender Kumar, today visited Kashmir Nursing Home here at Gupkar to take first hand appraisal of healthcare facilities being made in the Kashmir Nursing Home for the upcoming G20 summit to be held in Kashmir in May. Secretary was accompanied by Principal Government Medical College, Srinagar, Dr. Tanveer Masood and Director, Health Services Kashmir, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Rather. Secretary visited all sections of the Nursing Home and reviewed ongoing works being executed regarding healthcare facilities for the G20 summit. He directed the Principal GMC and Medical Superintendent Kashmir Nursing Home to expedite the pending works and make the hospital fully ready in all respects within a fortnight. He also directed the Medical Superintendent to increase the OPD footfalls of the hospital so that the people are benefited at large. Pertinent to mention, Secretary Health and Medical Education has been regularly taking stock of healthcare arrangements for G20 meetings to ensure all requisite facilities available for the visiting dignitaries. The medical staff is being trained and updated regarding healthcare equipment and facilities which will be available during the G20 summit.
New Delhi: In the Vishwavidyala Anusandhan Utsav 2023, organized by the Department of Science and Technology, GoI, Union MoS (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, felicitated IUST among other recipient Institutions of the PURSE Grant. Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo Vice Chancellor, IUST led the IUST’s delegation that comprised Dean Health Sciences, Prof Ayub Qadri, Dr. Muzaffar Rasool, Dr. Basharat Nabi, Dr. Arsheed Ganaie and Dr. Manzoor Ahmad. IUST has bagged the project worth 10 cr. under “Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE)” which is a flagship scheme for promotion and strengthening of the research ecosystem of the Universities, pan India. Pertinently, IUST guided by its strategic plan (2021-2026) has seen a manifold increase in the research outcomes in the form of patents, publications, collaborations with different institutions, promotion of research in frontier areas etc. In fact, in the last two years, the extra mural funding to the IUST has increased drastically to the tune of 42.38 cr. giving further impetus to the research and development activities. Further, under the NEP 2020, IUST has approved Kalam Academy of Training & Skills and has instituted various in- demand skilling courses and aims to skill over 3000 youth under the PMKVY 4.0 in promising areas.
Srinagar: Early in the morning, Ghulam Qadir Akhoon, a retired gardener starts watering saplings in his flower nursery in his family owned land in Srinagar.
His nursery is among one of the largest nurseries in the valley. Growing hundreds of varieties of ornamental and flowering plants, the nature enthusiast is now an employer of about 20 people.
“I was joined by my two siblings in running the nursery, as soon as they got an inkling of its potential,” he says while referring to his two brothers who assisted the agripreneur in running the successful flower business.
“Now my son, three nephews and a niece are also engaged in the same trade,” says the gardener while asserting that what was once a hobby has gradually transformed into a flourishing family business.
Two kilometers from this nursery is a small cottage housing Golden Flower Nursery. Arranged in a scientific design, the thousands of plants comprising of dozens of varieties reflect a perfect compatibility with the picturesque landscape of Boulevard road running between the Zabarwan hills and Dal lake. Established about a decade ago, the nursery is preferred stopover for both local as well as domestic tourists who throng the area for sightseeing.
“I have bought two chinar saplings. I would like to grow this magnificent plant back at home”, says a tourist from Mumbai. “Besides I would like to take some Holland bulbs from here,” adds the tourist, while taking selfies around the nursery.
As the demand for ornamental and flowering plants sees the uptick -more and more people are being attracted towards the trade resulting in the generation of employment and revenue.
Ghulam Mohi Ud Din, the owner of Golden Flowers says that earlier he used to do it all alone but now there are about nine workers who assist him. “If the demand persists, I’ll have to employ more people,” he adds.
Apart from the men; the women too have taken a centre stage. Apart from working at home, they help the men in backyard activities like watering the seedlings, soil filling of pots and sowing of seeds.
Jameela Begum, a housewife says that while her husband and two sons are busy dealing with customers in selling and transporting the stuff, she along with her college going daughter spend ample time in taking care of the plants and vases in nursery developed in a backyard of their house on the outskirts of Srinagar.
For last three years, there has been a significant increase in the number of women taking to nursery business. Government records reveal surge in number of women entering the field.
According to Assistant Floriculture Officer, Incharge Commercial Floriculture Srinagar, there are more than 300 nurseries registered with the department. “In past few years, we have issued scores of licenses to new entrepreneurs including a good number of women. Besides hand holding these units, the department is providing every possible help to these agripreneurs in terms of poly-houses, subsidized seeds and skill empowerment.”
He says that the sector is still untapped as there is a tremendous scope for nursery business in the region. “Keeping in view the conducive environment the regions is bestowed with and the requirement of small land holding for establishing the nurseries, the nursery business provides ample opportunity to unemployed youth in terms of revenue and employment,” opines the officer.
Experts believe that the spurt in nursery business in the valley has its roots in the Covid pandemic three years ago; a blessing in disguise!
During subsequent lockdowns, people spent a considerable time in developing the landscape around. “From open lawns, vertical gardens to hanging pots and flower vases, development of landscape around home for aesthetic and mental hygiene has gained momentum in both urban and rural Kashmir,” says Dr Ali Mohammad Rather, a prominent sociologist from Srinagar.
Physician Dr Saba Mir from central Kashmir’s Budgam echoes similar views: “Earlier I seldom got time to modify the back lawn of my house. But during lockdown period, I along with my husband developed it into an adorable patch of land. I have adored it with many varieties of ornamental plants like maple, Germenia and black roses too.”
As more and more people invest their time in the aesthetic act, the nursery growers eye good returns for their hard work and blooming business.
