SRINAGAR, MARCH 16: International Women’s Day celebrations were held at Indoor Sports Complex Polo-ground Srinagar here today.
Hundreds of female athletes accompanied by their families participated in the programme. Athletes from other districts were also part of the programme and included a good number of Khelo India Centre registered trainees as well accompanied by the mentors.
The programme began with the demo by players from the games of Pencak Silat, Yogasana, Thang Ta, Sqay Martial Art who had also participated in the events including Khelo India.
The Divisional Sports Officer Kashmir, Nuzhat Farooq presided over the function as chief guest while as Kabra Altaf, member J&K Sports Council was the guest of honour on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Nuzhat Farooq said that women have immensely contributed in making a robust and pragmatic society and that this programme is just a token of appreciation and gratitude to all the women for the different roles they are playing with perfection.
Female athletes and others highlighted the experience and contribution they are making for upliftment of society on various levels and brought attention towards the value addition that they as women have made in different fields.
The chief guest felicitated women achievers on the occasion and presented certificates and roses to them.
SRINAGAR, MARCH 15: The Department of Physical Education, Gandhi Memorial College, Srinagar today organized a Cross Country Run for Girls from Duck Park to Nishat Garden, covering a total distance of 7kms.
The Cross country Run was flagged-off by the Principal of the College, Prof (Dr) G.M Lone at 7.33 AM from Duck Park Srinagar and culminated at Nishat Garden.
A total of 68 students of the college participated in the said event.
Later, on the banks of Dal Lake at Nishat Garden, a felicitation ceremony was organized wherein the Principal of the college, Prof (Dr) G.M Lone felicitated the First prize winner Ifra Jan of B.A 4th Semester, Second position holder Sabiya Fayaz of B.A. 4th Semester and Sabreen Manzoor, third Position holder of B.A. 2nd Semester.
Two Consolation Prizes were given to Bisma Shaheen and Saima Yatoo.
Speaking on the occasion, the Principal of the College lauded the role of District Administration and Police Department for their support in conducting the said event smoothly.
Record-breaking goals scored in thrilling football action
SRINAGAR, March 15: On the fourth day of the All-India Police Football tournament, 28 teams participated in a series of matches. The matches were highly anticipated by fans and were filled with excitement and anticipation. The matches held at 04 renowned grounds viz Synthetic Turf Ground, Polo Ground, Bakshi Stadium & Kashmir University, witnessed nail-biting moments and exhilarating performances from the players.
At Kashmir University, Vice-Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof Nelofar Khan was the chief guest of the match played between CRPF Women Vs Manipur Police Women. Speaking on the occasion, VC Kashmir University thanked J&K Police for organizing All India Police Football Tournament & selecting the Kashmir University ground among other venues. She added that Kashmir University looks so lively as the matches of All India Football Tournament are being played in the University Ground. She said that it was an honour for her to witness the Women Football Match. In any competition, there will be winners and losers, however, what’s important is that athletes and teams strive to do their best and learn from both their successes and failures. She stressed that more events should be organized and held at the Kashmir University.
The match was played with great fervour and ended with the score 2-0, and was won by CRPF Women team. Three other matches at the same venue were played between Rajasthan Police Vs Telangana Police, Mizoram Police Vs Jharkhand Police and Assam Rifles Vs Puducherry Police. The match between Rajasthan Police Vs Telangana Police was won by Rajasthan Police and ended with 4-0. The match between Mizoram Police Vs Jharkhand Police was won by Mizoram Police and ended with a score of 5:1. The match between Assam Rifles Vs Puducherry Police was won by Assam Rifles & ended with 10-0.
At Synthetic Turf Ground, the matches were played between Manipur Police Vs Meghalaya Police, Himachal Pradesh Police Vs Chandigarh Police, RPF Vs West Bengal Police and Odisha Police Vs Maharashtra Police. The match between Manipur Police Vs Meghalaya Police was won by Manipur Police and ended with the score 2-0. Match between by Himachal Pradesh Police Vs Chandigarh Police was won by Himachal Pradesh Police with the score 2:1. The match between RPF Vs West Bengal Police ended in with score 0:0, despite their best efforts, the match ended in a goalless draw. The match between Odisha Police Vs Maharashtra Police ended draw with a score 2-2.
At Polo Ground, the matches were played between BSF Vs Goa Police which was won by BSF with the score 3-0, Assam Police Vs Haryana Police which was won by Assam Police and ended the result 4-1 goals, Sikkim Police Vs CRPF which ended in a draw 1:1 and SSB Vs Chhattisgarh which was won by SSB with the score 8-0.
At Bakshi Stadium, the matches were played between Tamil Nadu Women Police Vs J&K Women Police which was won by Tamil Nadu Women Police team with the score 14-0 and between Assam Rifles Women Vs Odisha Police Women was won by Assam Rifle women team and ended with the score 3-1.
The chief guests including COs IRP 3rd Bn, IRP 23rd Bn, IRP 2nd Border Bn, Dy.Cos IRP 8th Bn, IRP 6th Bn, IRP 9th Bn, IRP 13th Bn, IRP 21st Bn and other officers were present during the matches played at the venues.
Overall, it was an exciting day of football with plenty of action and drama on the field. The fans were treated to a variety of playing styles and strategies from the different teams, making for an entertaining and enjoyable experience for all. The spectators enjoyed the games in a high spirit supporting their favourite teams with enthusiasm.
Stay tuned for more updates and action-packed football matches as the tournament unfolds.
BARAMULLA, March 15: Police in Baramulla have solved a burglary case by arresting 02 accused persons involved in the commission of crime and recovered stolen property from their possession.
Police Post Mirgund received a complaint from one person namely Harjeet Singh (Project Manager A-Z Services) stating therein that during intervening night of 13th & 14th March-2023, some unknown burglars broke the lock of the storeroom and stole High-tension transmission line & Red material 33000 KV element.
Accordingly, a case under relevant sections of law was registered at Police Station Pattan and investigation was initiated.
During the course of investigation, with the help of technical and human resources names of some suspects surfaced. Among the suspects, Fida Hussain Khanday son of Gh Mohammad Khanday resident of Yekhmanpora was called for questioning. During questioning, he confessed that he alongwith two other accomplices namely Shahin Ahmed Taknoo son of Gh Ahmad Taknoo resident of Zaalpora Sumbal and Aijaz Ahmad Malla son of Gh Mohammad Malla resident of Yekhmanpora are involved in the commission of crime. Among the involved persons, two have arrested while the third accused person namely Aijaz Ahmad Malla is still at large and efforts are on to nab him.
On their disclosure, stolen materials worth lacs were recovered. Moreover, the vehicle (Load Carrier) bearing registration number JK15B-4178 used in the commission of crime has also been seized. They have been shifted to police station where they remain in custody.
Community members has lauded the efforts of police for cracking/solving the case. Our consistent actions shall assure community members that Police has resolved to act tough against individuals involved in any kind of criminal activities.
SRINAGAR, MARCH 14: With a view to provide its customers a wider range of life-insurance products and services, Jammu and Kashmir Bank today entered into an agreement with the country’s insurance giant Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India.
General Manager (Cross Selling Vertical) Narjay Gupta signed the agreement on behalf of J&K Bank, while as, Regional Manager (MBAC) P K Saxena put in his signatures representing LIC India in presence of Bank’s Executive Director Sudhir Gupta, General Manager Syed Rais Maqbool, LIC of India’s Senior Divisional Manager Dinesh Tanania besides senior officials of J&K Bank and LIC of India at Bank’s corporate headquarters. The agreement will be effective from April 1, 2023.
Terming the agreement a milestone set to benefit Bank’s growing clientele, Executive Director Sudhir Gupta said on the occasion, “With customer welfare at the heart of Bank’s policies, the tie-up with LIC of India – a premier insurance company in the country – will provide our customers an access to wider range of products that LIC offers while adding to Bank’s non-interest income. This association will surely be beneficial to both the organisations.”
Pleased with the tie-up P K Saxena hoped that association between two leaders in their own operational domains will script a new chapter of success in serving the people. He said, “We are excited with the journey we have embarked upon with leading financial institution in UTs of J&K and Ladakh. By offering the industry-best insurance related products and services to customers, I am sure our company will gain greatly from J&K Bank’s extensive network of touch points selling our products.”
Sounding optimism General Manager Narjay Gupta said, “LIC’s products and J&K Bank’s second-to-none services will bring laurels to both the institutions going forward as the agreement will provide greater choice of insurance solutions to the customers.”
On the occasion General Manager Syed Rais Maqbool asserted that both the organisations will live up to the expectations of their stakeholders so as to build further on their reputation. “Our country has a vision to insure every individual in the times to come. I think this collaboration will play its part greatly in achieving the national goal across our operational geographies”, he added.
SRINAGAR, MARCH 13: With a view to facilitate its customers, J&K Bank today entered into an agreement with Ludhiana-based Seth Industrial Corporation (SIC) – one of the leading manufacturers in wide assortment of electric vehicles like e-Bikes, e-Scooters, e-Rickshaws in the country under the Brand name ‘Neelam’.
Deputy General Manager Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat signed the MoU on behalf of the Bank while as Rajesh Seth put in his signatures as Joint Director/Partner of SIC in presence of Business Head (SIC) Ranbir Singh Saini during a function organised at the corporate headquarters of J&K Bank.
Speaking on the occasion, DGM Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat said, “Through this tie-up we are happy to offer easy, affordable and attractive financing solutions to our customers while encouraging electric vehicular transport in the country. As part of our green policy initiatives, we are already partnering with many such electric vehicle manufacturers throughout our operational geographies.”
While commenting on the importance of affordable financing, Rajesh Seth said that the demand for electric vehicles was only growing but easy and hassle-free finance was the main supply-side constraint. “However, after signing the MoU with J&K Bank, which is the premiere financial institution in UTs of J&K and Ladakh with strategic presence across the country; I feel the partnership will enable us to scale our operations and provide eco-friendly ride besides sustainable livelihood to our common clientele.”
Notably, the bank’s customers can avail a range of concessions from SIC that primarily includes over the counter discount of Rs 3000 along with three free services without charge. Also, the clients availing finance from J&K Bank can avail the company’s extended warranty period of 3 years on Lithium Batteries instead of 2 years for general customers besides 21 months warranty time on other batteries instead of 18.
MOHALI, MARCH 13: In the ongoing All India Civil Services Cricket Tournament (Men) 2022-23, Jammu and Kashmir team led by G Prasanna Ramaswamy, Secretary Transport, today recorded a big win defeating the rival team of Uttrakhand Civil Services.
After winning the toss, J&K team scored 162 runs with an amazing batting performance by Waseem Baba (Assembly) 45 (24), Samiullah Beigh (XEN PHE) 35 (23) and the contributing role of Nadeem Dar (Deputy Director), Akhil Slathia (Directorate of Animal Husbandry), Abhinav (Directorate of Health Services), Naseer (Directorate of Animal Husbandry) and Aamir Ashraf ( Rural development department).
In their chase, Uttrakhand team put up a great fight with the contribution of K D Singh 29 (26), Kuldeep 20 (13), Sagar Kumar 18 (15) and Sachin 18 (19).
Abdul Qayoom (Education Department) and Kapil (Rural Development Department) both managed to take 2 wickets while Nadeem Dar and Samiullah Beigh took 1 wicket each and with the help of their fellow bowlers managed to restrict the Uttrakhand team to 138 runs thus emerging victorious in the match.
Pertinently, it is the first time that the officers of J&K Civil Services are participating in this prestigious apex tournament for civil servants.
The J&K team will face Punjab Civil Services team in their next match to be held on March 15.
SRINAGAR: On a cold morning, a group of men on their small boats are looking for something on mid waters in world famed Dal Lake here. Are they up so early to catch rainbows? Surely not! They have no nets or angling rods. Are they there to collect fodder? No! So, guess it right – Dal does not grow green leaves on surface in winters. Well, actually the two Pheran clad men are up too early to pluck the most sought after aquatic vegetable’ –the organic Lotus Stem or Nadru as called in local parlance.
Growing naturally in major lakes in Kashmir, Nadru continues to tease taste buds and powers livelihood in the valley.
Equipped with a long stick, two Dal inhabitants 48-year-old Bahir Ahmad Akhoon and a 46-year-old Mushtaq Ahmad Akhoon are continuously dowsing the waters to locate lotus stem. As soon as they feel the obstacle with long stick, they immediately pull it out with the help of a Shum, a metal fork tied at the end of the rod. And on the surface pops up the long, cylindrical creamy white lotus stems, one of the prized vegetables of Kashmir.
Though the organically cultivated Nadru grows naturally in all the major water bodies of valley, Dal Nadur or a lotus stem from Dal lake is regarded as the best quality for its exquisite taste and whitish color.
Nadrus grow mainly between the autumn and summers. By end of March, Nadru farmers pluck out edible lotus stems worth crores.
Used widely by the valleities, Nadru has a lion’s share in Kashmir’s cuisine. Be it Eid and Navroz for Muslims or Shivratri for Kashmiri Pandit families, the waterborne vegetable is essential part of local culture.
Near and dear ones are invited and served cuisine made from Nadru. It is hardly possible that a Nadru dish is not served to invitees during the feasts organized in Kashmir families during winters.
“My son who studies abroad is returning home after a gap of one year. I am going to prepare Nadru dish for him, as he likes them the most. I am exploring what else to get with them,” says Hafeeza Akhtar from Srinagar’s Lal Bazar, while carrying a bunch of large sized Nadru in a bag.
Lotus stem is often prepared with fish that makes them ‘Nader Gaade’, a dish loved by one and all. ‘Nader Haakh’, lotus stem and Collard Green and ‘Nader Muje’, Lotus stem and radish are among the traditional dishes made from locally produced Nadru. Besides there are variety of foods ranging from street chaats to snacks and dishes whose essential ingredient is famed Nadru. In some neighbourhoods of Dal and Anchaar lake, where the lotus grows in abundance, people can be often seen drying the stuff on attics to keep it for summer use.
Such is the craze for this edible stem of symbolic lotus plant that it serves as a token of love or prized gift in Kashmir culture. A bunch of Nadru stems is a prized gift or treat exchanged between the acquaintances, friends or relatives especially during winters and festivities.
While adding colour to valley cuisine these lotus stems are a source of livelihood too. From cultivation to marketing, hundreds of families across Kashmir benefit from it. A cultivator, vegetable sellers or nadru dealer, everyone gets their share from its trade.
“I have been cultivating nadru for past 20 years. Whole men folk, my two sons and I usually harvest 10,000 to 12,000 bunches of lotus stem every year. This aquatic commodity is our major source of income,” Ghulam Mohammad Akhoon told the Valley Observer while plucking the lotus stems in Dal. “At times, I often hire people to pluck the stuff as the demand upticks during severe cold. During this period, most of people prefer to stay indoors and like to cherish Nadru dishes,”
Before being sold in market, these lotus stems are arranged in bunches, which are graded according to the length and girth of stems in a bunch. An average Nadru bunch weighing about 2 kilograms fetches between Rs 200 to Rs 300. There are some bunches which are priced up to Rs 900 in the market. The price of edible stems shoots up during festivities however.
The cultural legacy of Nadru continues despite the waterborne crop faced a near total wipe-out from Dal and Anchaar waters during the devastating floods in September 2014. In the wake of floods, many Nadru cultivators had rented marshy lands in the neighboring district of Ganderbal, preserved seed there and then again propagated it in these lakes. Thanks to these resilient Nadru cultivators, lotus in a full bloom is again a popular sight on Dal and adjacent waterbodies in the valley. The prized vegetable has re emerged as a main aquatic crop of the valley and continues to fuel the livelihoods of hundreds of families associated with the trade.
Meanwhile Akhoon who is dowsing the Dal waters, finds his catch, a long lotus stem -the Nadru!
Budgam, March 12: Police in Budgam have cracked a blind murder case by arresting an accused person involved in the commission of crime. On March 8, Police Post Soibug received an application from Tanveer Ahmad Khan resident of Soibugh Budgam stating therein that his sister left for coaching classes on March 7 but didn’t return home. In this regard, the missing report was registered and the investigation was initiated. During the course of investigation, police rounded up several suspects including one namely Shabir Ahmad Wani son of Abdul Aziz Wani resident of Mohandpora Budgam. After sustained questioning, the accused Shabir Ahmad confessed his involvement in the commission of crime. He further revealed that he had cut the body of said girl into several pieces and buried the parts at different locations to hide his crime. On his disclosure, the body parts have been recovered. Medico-legal formalities are underway and further investigation is going on.
SRINAGAR, MARCH 11: The Deputy Director Information PR Kashmir, Bilal Mukhtar Dar expressed grief and sorrow on the demise of Jabeena Akhtar, an international athlete from Treran Tangmarg of Baramulla district.
Bilal Mukhtar prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and courage to the bereaved family especially to her husband Khursheed Ahmad to bear this irreparable loss.
He said she was courageous, talented and a master in her profession who played an important role to empower Kashmiri girls and bring up the hidden sportsmanship in them. She was an inspiration to Kashmiri girls, through her endeavours, to chase their dreams, he added.
