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KASHMIR

Symbol of identity, Pheran becomes the cherished winter garment

NASIR YOUSUFI

SRINAGAR: Surfing between the different portals on her Smartphone, a young university student is apparently going through an intense thought process. Twenty three year old Sadiya Jan from Srinagar is in a fix whether to visit her tailor for winter apparel or order it online from a portal. After a long thought, She clicks the Buy button on one of the local e-commerce site selling ‘Pheran’, the popular winter apparel in Kashmir.

“I have to attend an engagement function of my cous next week. Keeping the rush of customers for ongoing winters in mind, getting the Pheran stitched from the tailor in time seems impractical. So I decided to go for an online order, as the collection on these portals is worth to buy ”, says Sadiya who is hopeful to get her order within a few days from the online vendor.

A long loose gown made from woolen cloth, Pheran is traditionally a unisex garment worn by both men and wom-en during the winters in Kashmir. Believed to have been derived from the Persian word ‘perahan’ equivalent to shirt in meaning. Essentially a survival tactics from inclement weather conditions in the valley, It is thought that the most used and cherished winter garment of Kashmir came to valley through the Persian travelers who invented the garment to get protection from cold. One more popular belief is that the Mughal emperor Akbar introduced the Pheran in the valley in the 15th century A.D.

Whatever the origin is, the cherished winter garment has come a long way since its inception in the valley. From old aged people to youth and children, during winters, the loose gown is a part of everyone’s dress in the valley. Pheran is not only the part of Kashmiri culture, over the years, the garment has groomed into a trendy wear becom-ing a part of fashion and modern life. Traditionally a dress used at home only, the winter garment has gradually carved it space in our home away life too. With new trendy and catchy designs hitting the market, the popularity of the Pheran is on a rise.

“Earlier one could see ,only the women folk wearing the apparel outside home. But now from teenagers to young girls, to spot a pheran in everyday life , stitched in latest design and color is a common trend ”, observes Dr Sham-shad, a sociologist from Srinagar. It is not only for the females, the pheran design used by the men folk has under-gone a transformation too. From body fit designs, Zip collars to big button pherans , markets are flooded with a varie-ty of Pheran designs for men too, adds Dr Shmashad.

With the increasing popularity of this special winter apparel, the Pheran has globally emerged as a symbol of Kashmiri culture and identity. A large number of students, workers and businessmen living outside the valley act as ambassadors of this cultural symbol to the world.

Politicians, local celebrities and Kashmir Diaspora in particular have been also instrumental in popularizing the Pheran. Kashmir politicians wearing Pheran in official meetings and during press briefs has helped in lending an official signature to Pheran. People living outside Kashmir in different parts of the country and world , proudly re-taining the winter ware as a part of their life style have popularized the winter garment globally. Local artists and models showcasing the prized Kashmiri Pheran also glamorize the Pheran. Last year a famous Kashmiri origin de-signer organized a ramp walk on the beaches of California with models flaunting different designs of embroidered Pheran.

The rising popularity of traditional garment linked with cultural identity of Kashmir has opened new market vis-tas for the people dealing with Pheran.

Mohammad Asif Malik, a young garment entrepreneur from HMT area in the outskirts of Srinagar has been mak-ing Pheran for last four years. He says that the sale of the winter garment has increased over the years. Making Pher-an for both men and women, 30 year old entrepreneur says that earlier he used to supply readymade Pheran to re-tailers and customers within the valley only. But this year, on the suggestion of a friend he started to showcase his products on a facebook page. Asif says, he has now scores of customers from outside the valley too.

Mohammad Asif is not alone, a female designer Shaista from south Kashmir’s Anatnag district has thousands of followers on her Instragram handle. She offers a home delivery of her specially designed pheran to customers. “In last two years , I have sold a good number of Pheran online. This season only, I have successfully delivered scores of Pheran outside the valley ”, Shaista says.

While cultural symbol of Kashmir, Pheran treads the path of global emergence, its market offline and online sees surge locally as well as globally.

Categories
BUSINESS

CHANGING TRENDS: Dairy farmers look beyond milk

NASIR YOUSUFI

SRINAGAR: As the valley witness bumper production of milk over the past years, the dairy farmers have taken to production of nature based home made dairy products. Be it curd, butter, ghee or cheese, the demand for these home preparations trends in urban Kashmir.

Equipped with two large canes, a man juggles door to door early morning in a distant village of South Kashmir. Most of the households scattered over a picturesque hamlet at Ladhu in south Kashmir’s Pulwama produce surplus milk. Ghulam Mohammad Lone , a middle aged milk vendor from adjacent locality regularly collects the surplus yield from the village. Lone does not resell the raw milk but he uses it to make paneer for the market. Lone says, He has found a new line to earn a livelihood.

Lately hundreds of dairy farmers are engaged in the production of homemade dairy products in the valley. Owing to the increased demand coupled with surplus yield, dairy farmers find extra cash in homemade milk products.

While demand for dairy produce across the country is growing, the price of milk and allied products across Jammu and Kashmir is also picking up. Seeing the grass greener, many farmers across the valley have taken to the produc-tion of homemade dairy products to capitalize on the increased demand.

Thirty kilometers away from Lone’s home, 45 year old Abdul Ahad Bhat pushes curd laden bicycle through subur-ban Srinagar. Every day, the old aged Bhat , flaunting a trimmed grey beard paddles twice through the lanes and by lanes in Ishber and Shalimar. While on the evenings, he purchases loads of raw milk from the households, Bhat spends the whole mornings in supplying the ‘Zamdud’ or curd to the market.

My single daughter and an elderly wife spend hours together to process the days collection. After boiling the milk for hours together, they distribute milk among ‘ vaer’ or earthen matka of different sizes and 15 litre buckets. After adding a pinch of ferment, the pots are left overnight to get the curd, says the septuagenarian.

Five year back, I used to sell raw milk in the market. But as the competition increased due to surging production, I switched to curd making. There is a good demand for curd. I sell about 100 units of curd packed pots every day, says Bhat, while delivering the value added milk to roadside eatery adjacent to a famous tourist spot, Mughal garden Shalimar.

The contribution of the dairying sector to the national income is invaluable. This sector helps in increasing the crop production by providing the drag power, organic manure and cash income on a regular basis,” said the experts. Ex-perts also say that it is very easy to produce milk in a green land like Kashmir.

Not too far from Shalimar , Mohmmad Aslam Khatana a middle aged man from Dara village has taken to the pro-duction of Ghee. Located in the foothills of Mahdev mountain peak, the remotest village in the Srinagar has good population of livestock. Area supplies hundreds of liters of milk to urban areas every day. Seeing the surplus sup-ply, like many others, Aslam has taken to the making of Desi ghee.

The increased level of health consciousness gradually creates a demand for the nature based food, the demand for homemade dairy products gets the boost.

A large number of customers prefer the home made dairy products. I usually sell the stock of homemade curd and butter within an hour in the morning. There is a growing demand for these dairy products. People often ask for these products. However, I can cater to few given the limited stock I get from a local dairy farmer. In particular, there is a dearth of desi ghee and butter in the market.

Towards the north, in Odina village of Bandipora, middle aged , Shakeela along with her husband , Mohammad Jaf-far Bhat runs a successful business of Cheese making. Within a few years, the family produces about a 300 kilograms of Cheese every day from hundreds of litres of surplus milk collected from cattle rearing households in the nearby villages. Like Shakeela, there are many dairy farmers who are taking to newer means of value addition to their pro-duce in the market.

“Jammu and Kashmir is producing 70 lakh litres of milk per day, also strengthening the public private partnerships, besides this Kashmir alone is producing 40 lakh litres of milk per day,” says Ms Purnima Mittal, Director Animal Husbandry Department Kashmir.she said Kashmir alone produces 40 lakh while as Jammu produces 30 lakh litres, respectively.

Categories
CITY

Bawlis around Khushalsar crave for life

Srinagar: Once a treasure of fresh water, the Pokher or Springs around Khushalsar are gradually losing their being. Craving for both the public and authorities’ intervention, these fresh water resources are facing the silent extinction.

Located on a corner of the densely populated Shehr-e-Khas or Down Town area of Srinagar, a fresh water body, Khushalsar is spread over acres of land, playing a pivotal role in water rich natural drainage system of the valley.

Around the perimeter of the oval shaped Khushalsar, a large number of springs in the midst of the habitations extend its waters.

Known locally as Pokher or Bawli, a nomenclature of Persian decent, these water treasures of recent past are at a verge of extinction for the constant apathy from concerned authorities and public negligence.  Once forming a network of fresh water supply to local inhabitants, the golden heritage of the city has turned into large pits harbouring human refuse and emanating stink.

At Amdakadal Jogiwan vicinity adjacent to Khushalsar, Srinagar, there is a large Bawli. Despite, fortified with a concrete work and iron fencing, the Bawli craves for life. The precious water resource is in a dilapidated condition emanating a foul smell and presenting a look of a large dustbin. “This Bawli had a clean and transparent water until recently. NALCO a local NGO had restored it a decade ago. People used to consume its water. Children used to take bath in a part of it. But the devastating floods during 2014 led to choking of its drainage system. Till date its defunct drainage has not been rectified,” says Ghulam Rasool, a local resident  while ruing both the public and government apathy towards these precious water bodies. These Bawli’s play a pivotal role in maintaining the balanced level of water in larger water bodies or Sars, adds Rasool.

President NALCO, Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo says, that it is the duty of both general masses and the concerned agencies to protect and preserve the nature’s bliss. Civil society should also come forward to play their role in conserving this natural heritage.

As per records, there existed a network of Bawlis interwoven around Gilsar, Zoonimar, Eidgah, Narwara etc. But urbanization, horizontal expansion of houses amidst the lack of proper drainage system has led to their disappearance.  According to Altaf Hussain, a middle-aged local resident and nature enthusiast, there used to be about Hundred springs around Khushalsar, but over the time they have either disappeared or rendered defunct for the want of care and proper drainage system. Alluding towards a defunct Bawli at Kralpora, Zadibal, He further adds that the level of drains pouring out the water from these Bawli’s into larger water bodies or Sars has rose due to encroachment of Khushalsar and rapid urbanization.

Resultantly, sometimes there is a reverse movement of water into these springs, thus rendering the natural system into a mess.

“I used to take bath in this Bawli during my childhood. We had ablutions from its waters. Its water was very clean those days. It also quenched our thirst amidst the lack of proper tap water supply. But over the years, pollution and filling has rendered the water body useless and instead turned it into dustbin like structure ,” says Abdul Rasheed, while deploring the ruined condition of Bawli at New Colony, Zadibal. Despite repeated appeals to LAWDA, Municipality and others, the concerned agencies have so far failed to restore the glory of these springs, Rasheed laments.

Seconding Rasheed, the views of Syed Amjad from Gasiyar vicinity of Zadibal are same. Before thirty years, there was a proper natural drainage system which drained out the waters from these Bawlis properly. As these outlets are choked and raised now, the water in these bodies is stagnant. These Bawlis served a purpose during the past, but now they are a source of filth and foul smell especially in summers , rues Syed.

According to one of the official from Lakes and  Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), the department has carried few cleanliness drives of these water resources.

The condition of other remaining Bawlis is also shabby. At Abiyar, Zadibal, a bawli constantly emanates the foul smell from the human refuse stuck around the weeds grown on its seemingly muddy waters. At Narwara and other adjoining areas surrounding Khushalsar, these precious water bodies are craving for the attention and proper preservation.

President NALCO, Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo says, that it is the duty of both general masses and the concerned agencies to protect and preserve the nature’s bliss. Civil society should also come forward to play their role in conserving this natural heritage.

Categories
BUSINESS

Pencil Village The Wood that goes in to the making of Pencils in India is supplied from Kashmir

Surrounded by apple orchards, emanating mouth watering aroma, a habitation in Vakhoo from Kakapora area of Pulwama has come to lime light for good reasons. Catching on the special wood from poplars grown in the wetlands of the district, the village is a hub of manufacturing pencil slates. Supplying 70% of processed wood to the pencil industry in India, Vakhoo has carved a niche in preparing the basic raw material for the writing stuff, earning an epithet ‘Pencil village of India’

 Pencil slate manufacturing units in Vakhoo   from Kakpora Pulwama give any onlooker the feel  of an industrial area. As the village witnesses a great industrial activity for thousands of workers, men and women engage in the processing of Pencil wood from their houses , since most of the units engaged with the trade operate from the local houses.

The process starts with the growing and felling of special poplars  that fetch the basic ingredient ‘wood’ for the slates. Laden with right amount of moisture, that makes it fit for the making of pencil wood,

the kind of a special poplar trees grows in abundance in the wetlands around.  After shearing the trees into cut size logs, the finest of wood is selected to make the Planks. These planks are then trimmed into five millimeter thick slates of standard pencil size.

The process does not stop here. After it has been seasoned into a particular size, the slates undergo a cycle of quality checks, ensuring the removal of knots if any and smoothing of rough edges. It is only after drying these slates stacked in a tall and wider ring patterns, the half processed pencils are ready to be packed. Packed  800 pieces in a bunch, these slates are dispatched in large nylon bags  to the respective destinations outside Kashmir says Mubashir Ahmad, a unit owner from the village, while explaining how these units process the wood for the pencil  industry in India.

Village supplies more than 70% of processed wood to pencil industry in India. Our main buyer is Hindustan pencils , the maker of  Natraj says, Manzoor Ahmad Allaie, pencil slate manufacturer and President of Pencil Manufacturing unit holders union, Kashmir. Off late, we have started to get orders from many Multi National Companies within and outside India, informs an enthusiastic entrepreneur Manzoor.

Apart from adding to the exchequer of Kashmir, the trade is a generous job creator. Large number of workers local as well as non locals, both men and women are employed in these units. Barkat Saw Mills owned by Feroz Ahmad has hundreds of people on its payrolls. “My unit provides job to about 200 people throughout the year”, says another unit holder , Firdous Ahmad. “I am happy that our endeavor is helping educated and unemployed youth to earn a respectable livelihood”,Firdous adds.

Women workers have their due share in the manufacturing activity. Along with the male counterparts,  a sizeable number of educated young girls are dispensing their services stacking, drying , packing the pencil slates. Keeping the records and operating the computers, some girls engage in the official activities in these units. “Despite being a college dropout, I earn a handsome monthly salary ”, says a content Shaheena, employed in one of the pencil slate manufacturing unit in Vakhoo.

Started decades ago, the pencil village in Pulwama can become the economic hub in the valley, provided  proper and sustained attention at administration level is paid to the trade, says Nissar Ahmad Sheikh, Vice President, Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir. “Twenty four hour electricity supply, provision of Government or personal land to the pencil slate manufacturing unit holders, Hassle free documentation and tax exemption are can be major encouragement to this budding industry”, says Nissar.

“Since this  school allied industry, creates almost five thousand jobs directly and more than ten thousand indirectly, government should actively think to downsize the present  GST from 12% slab to 5% slab applicable to essential goods”, Nissar demands.

According to some entrepreneurs from the village, lack of land to expand the operations is another hiccup in this potential job creating business. “There is large portion of government owned land vacant, adjacent to my unit. If provided on lease or purchase basis, I would have to double the employee size of my unit, since  large number of orders from many MNC’s are pending for the want of expansion of unit operations”, claims Manzoor Allaie.

The recent statement from the top officer of the district  Raghu Ranjan, Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama has encouraged us, says hopeful Manzoor. Deputy Commissioner , while speaking to the media  recently had announced that the village will be soon officially declared as the ‘Pencil village of India’.

Categories
WILDLIFE

Hangul – remains endangered

Srinagar: Rolling fingers gently over the pointed and branched  antlers, put at a display on the entrance of their grandparent’s home, two siblings Muafiq and Faizan often cherish the majesty of unseen red deer. Septuagenarian Mohammad Yousuf Wani, their grandfather recalls how occasionally ,’Kashmir’s prized animal’ used to stray in as close to their premises, while turning nostalgic on the mention of the animal. A spectre,  Muafiq and Faizan in their early twenties have never been able to witness unlike their grandfather at their  ancestral house in Barji Harwan, a small hamlet situated at a stone’s throw from Dachigam National Park, harbouring the world famous species of Himalayan red deer.

The Hangul or Kashmir stag (Cervus elaphus hanglu) is the only subspecies of European red deer found in India.

Its limited distribution and small population  makes it a worlds critically endangered species.

With drastic decline in the numbers  over the years, the risk of its extinction looms large. IUCN Red Data Book, which records the list of species facing the risk of extinction, has declared this state animal along with Markhor and Chiru found in the himalyan ranges of J&K  as most endangered species.

Dwindling Numbers:

Pegged once at around 5000 in 1900 A.D, the population of Hangul has saw a constant fall over the decades. Counting carried out in 2017 by the department of wild life and protection in collaboration with other agencies, puts the number of Himalyan red deer as low as  182.

Annual Hangul counting started since 2004 using scientific methods estimates the population  at 197(2004), 153 (2006), 127 (2008), 175 (2009), 218(2011),186(2015) and 197(2017).

Hangul Population trends in Dachigam Landscape, 2004 to 2017.

Though  the last two decades have shown  some stability in the population estimates, the  low numbers put the state animal of J&K  at the constant risk of extinction.

Fragmented habitat, Inbreeding issues, poaching and poor female-fawn ratio are the main concerns faced by this unique species of Himalayan Red Deer.

In 2004, sex ratio was 19 males per 100 females  which dwindled between 21 males  in 2006, 22 males in 2008, 26 males in 2009, 29 males  in 2011, 22 males  in 2015  to 16 males per 100 females in 2017.

Fragmented Habitat and Inbreeding depression:

Once widely distributed in the mountains of Kashmir with the small population outside J&K  in the Chamba district of Himachal Pardesh , the Hangul distribution range has drastically declined , confining the animal to  141 sq Km Dachigam national park  only.

“Hangul is a long ranging animal. Earlier Its traditional habitat stretched  between Kishtwar to Gurez . Unfortunately this corridor connectivity has been lost to many biotic factors, leading to the inbreeding depression ”, says Dr Khursheed Ahmad Scientist and Head Division of Wild Life Sciences SKAUST Kashmir, while deliberating on the eminent causes of the decline in Hangul population.

“Disconnectivity among  the main set of population in Dachigam and the adjoining protected areas like Wangat, Shikargarh etc leaves the chances of genetic spread at ebb. Isolated population leads to the lack of population progression” adds Dr Khursheed.

Female Fawn ratio and predation:

In 2004, female fawn ratio was 23 fawns per 100 females .There were  9 fawns per 100 females in 2006, which remained unchanged in 2008. Then after the ratio swung from 27 fawns  in 2009,  25 fawns in 2011, 14 fawns in 2015  to 19 fawns in 2017, reveals the annual census exercises carried by the Department of Wild Life Protection, Jammu and Kashmir.

Very low fawn survival is attributed as  the  main cause of poor fawn female ratio.

 In addition, Biotic factors, fairly good population of  local dogs as wel as belonging to Security forces camped in the area, harsh winters, natural predation by leopard and fox and the coinciding of movement of livestock with the fawning season are other major factors affecting the fawn survival, explains Dr Khursheed. 

Conservation measures and some hope:

According to the renowned wildlife conservationist, M.K Ranjitsinh in her famous book ‘A life with wild life’, Dachigam national park is only hope for the critically endangered Hangul. “Shifting of the sheep breeding farm from the national park has a been a big step in conserving the whatever population has been left now” says the expert in his book.

“Shifting the sheep farm would result in more natural fodder for the animal” says an employee working for past 20 years in the department. “Proper feeding of the animals during winters in the form of dried Salix leaves and salt licks, when the prized species normally face scarcity of the fodder has also helped in maintaining  the numbers for last few decades” claims, the employee.

Establishment of 5 acre breeding centre in shikargarh Tral is another big project for improving the population of Hangul through In-Situ breeding. 

However, there is still a large way to go, adds Dr Khursheed. “Establishment of corridor connectivity between mainland Dachigam and adjoining relic protected areas, Conservative breeding programme , re-introduction programme and elaborate research are needed to increase the population of Hangul”, opines Dr Khusheed.

As the fate of world precious Kashmir stag still hangs in balance, Kashmir’s top wild life officer , Rashid Yahya Naqash, Regional Wild Life Warden Kashmir has a message for public on the eve of wild life week celebrated annually from October 1 to October 7.”The department seeks cooperation from public at large  to save and conserve the wild life especially the priced Hangul ”, appeals Rashid.

Amidst the efforts and appeal, the likes of Muafiq and Faizan in particular the nature lovers long for the smooth and durable survival of the Kashmir’s pride.

Categories
KASHMIR

Muslims help perform last rites of a Nawakadal Pandit

Srinagar: Upholding the age-old tradition of communal harmony, the residents of Khanqah-e-Sokhta Nawakadal in Shaher-e-Khaas on Saturday 16th May 2020 help to performed last rites of a Kashmir Pandit who belonged to lone family of the minority community in the area.

Pall of gloom descended the area when breathed his last on Saturday morning. Omkar Pajnu is survived by his son and his family. People from majority community called an emergency meeting of management committees of Masjid Sharief Khanqah-e-Sokhta and Masjid Sharief Syed Muhammad Mosvi (RA) to finalise arrangements for last rites.

Even though people were staying at their respective homes due to COVID19 pandemic,

however they rushed to the house of bereaved family and shared their grief. Noted Islamic scholar Moulana Masroor Abass Ansari, who resides in the area, was among the first to reach out to the bereaved family. Moulana Ansari finalized arrangements for the last rites.

The Muslims participated in the funeral procession and accompanied the Pandit family to the cremation ground at Karan Nagar. After performing last rites of the deceased, the locals spend the day with the bereaved family.

“Islam teaches us to maintain brotherhood and harmony. It was our duty to reach out to our Pandit neighbours in this hour of grief,” said Imams of both Masjids at Nawa Kadal.

“We have shared joys and sorrows with Kashmir Pandits. We feel like our own family member has passed today,” said Tariq Ahmad Mir of Khanqah-e-Sokhta.

The bereaved family expressed gratitude to their Muslim neighbours. “We did not feel that we are alone in the area. It is only because of our Muslim neighbours that we could bear this irreparable loss. We will never forget that they shared our grief during the pandemic,” said Susheel Pajnu, son of the deceased.

Pertinently, few years ago, the inhabitants of Khanqah-e-Sokhta had also help to performed last rites of late Pajnu’s wife.

Categories
KASHMIR

Anjuman’s tryst with Corona in Kashmir

BUDGAM: Anjuman e sharie Shian Jammu and Kashmir is a socio-religious organisation founded by Late Ayatollah Aga Syed Yousuf (ra) in 1940s. The organisation is currently headed by Hajutull islam Aga Syed Mohammad Hadi. The organisation has been working right from the day the deadly Corona virus made its entry into Kashmir.

The volunteers of the organisation have been involved in sanitation drive across Kashmir including interiors of district Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora and Srinagar covering more then 300 villages. Some major mosques, Imam-baras and government offices including hospitals were coverd during the drive.

The organisation has provided more then 4000 ppe kits to the government at divisional, district, hospital and phc levels including some of the prime medical institutes of the valley like SKIMS JVC etc so that they can be used by health care workers in these testing.

Its worthwhile to mention that all these ppe kits have be donated to government free of cost.

The organisation has also been providing free food kits to the needy people in these testing times. So far some 2500 plus food kits have been distributed and more is being done. We have also distributed 10000 plus masks to the general public for there safety. The organisation has also voluntarily handed over its major assets across the valley to the government so that the same can be used as quarantine facilities by the government. In some of the places people have been kept for quarantine for example Ayatollah Yousuf Memorial Education Institute Shiganpora Sumbal Sonawari Distt Bandipora.

Categories
SPORTS

SP College Organizes Rolling Football Trophy

SRINAGAR: The Rolling football trophy organized by S. P. College under the banner of Higher Education Depart-ment started at Synthetic Football Turf, here today.

The event was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Cluster University Srinagar, Dr. Sheikh Javid Ahmad.

Registrar Cluster University Srinagar, Prof. Abdul Hamid, Principal S. P. College Prof. Khurshid Ahmad Khan, Heads of the various Departments were present on the occasion.

The inaugural match was played between G.D.C. Pattan and G.D.C. Pulwama and was won by G.D.C. Pattan by 9:1 goals.

The second match was played between G.D.C. Bandipora and G.D.C. Anantnag. Both the teams scored one goal each in the stipulated time. Later the match was decided by a tie-breaker in which G.D.C. Anantnag defeated G.D.C. Ban-dipora by 6:5 goals.

The third match of the day was played between G.D.C. Bijbehara and A.A.A. Memorial College Bemina which was won by A.A.A. Memorial College Bemina by 3:1 goals.

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