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Vol. 2 No: 126

Hilal Rather talks to Student Age in an exclusive in terview(CEO & MD Simula Group of Companies) .page 05

With religious exploiters

having a field day it is trag-

ic to see how sentiments of

people are easily exploited.

With many Swamis already

enshrined in the Hall of

Shame, it was now the turn

of some Molvis to enter the

Hall. In matters of passion,human beings are same, no

matter to which religion one

belongs to. It was heart

rending to see a self styled

religious preacher inKashmir resorting to activi-

ties which put humanity to

shame. With almost 500

girls staying in the centreopened by him, he played

his dirty game to the full. It

was shocking to read the

harrowing tales of lust and

depravation, let loose by thepreacher Syed Gulzar. H e

had named his room

Hujhra-i-Pak meaning

Place of Purity where he

seduced the poor girls. The

word Pak meaning Pure is

used and mis-used.

Sometimes it is used to

name a country and some-

times a place. In the end, we

get Gulzars who play with

our daughters renderingthem emotional wrecks.

The million dollar question,

how the police and the dis-

trict administration did not

suspect the working of sucha center in which 500 inno-

cent and pure girls were

housed. The matter needs to

be investigated thoroughlyotherwise some other

Hujhra-i-Pak will again

crop up somewhere in

which another sex maniac

in garb of religion will dothe same as Syed Gulzar

did.

RANASAHIB

Religious preachers or sex maniacs!ROHIT SINGH RANA

According to reports theTawi Lake will not be a real-ity in near future. The delayis manifold. Civil andmechanical works are yet to

be completed. The beautifi-cation of lake banks is stillincomplete because the landassigned for parks is yet to

be handed over to thetourism department.Whenever a beautificationor a project of such type asthe Tawi Lake is executed, itmust be completed on time.The work culture has to besuch that the funds or other

bottlenecks should not beallowed to hinder the

process of completion. Well,past experience shows thatno project has been complet-ed on time. Be it any Statesector power project or otherones, the delays have costthe State dearly. Even themuch hyped super specialityhospital is yet to be commis-sioned. Delays and costoverruns are routine inJammu and Kashmir. Withno provision to fix accounta-

bility at various levels, it is

unlikely that the situation isgoing to improve in nearfuture. It does not matter tothe State government

because money earned bythe tax payer of the countrykeeps coming in crores, soany delay or cost overrun

will not cause serious heartburn. Some slight reprimandcan be tolerated as the cor-ruption money is a great

balm on all wounds, howdeep they are and here theCentral Government willrebuke mildly. Not a big dealat all. The State is specialand the Government of Indiahas to perform its eternalobligatory duty to cater toevery whim of the State gov-ernment machinery. After allin 1947, the leadership of theState acceded to India. It hasto be kept in mind, that itwas a historical decisionwhose fruits whether welldeserved or not have to bereaped in full. So, noaccountability here, please!We have Anti CorruptionBureau, State AccountabilityCommission and now therecently commissionedChief VigilanceCommissioner. But theyhardly matter in the State.We should have a NonAccountability Commissionin place, then the peoplewill see how much busy theCommission will be. Havingsaid so, which is not alighter side of the situation

but a sad commentary on the

failure of executing machin-ery in the State; it is neverlate to reverse the trend. Butmere words here will notsuffice; a will to punish theguilty and fix responsibilitywill have to be put in placeif we want so called good

governance. Tawi Lake wasdream of many oldJammuites. They had seenvisions of it becoming areality in their life time. Butas reports suggest, the delayon the completion of this

beautiful project, means thatmany aspiring and hopefulsamong the elderly in theentire State will have died

before the lake becomes areality.The sadder part of the story

of Tawi Lake was not that itwas not conceived by anygovernment. It was sheer

pressure of the people whofloated this brilliant ideaabout one and a half decadeago in media. The idea ofhaving a lake, right in theJammu City fascinated oneand all. First, many noiseswere raised, then the Induswater Treaty provisionswere invoked against theidea. But when the Pakistaniside was comfortable withthe lake system, then aloneit was given some thought.But unfortunately, delay inits execution is not a good

prospect for the Jammuites.With Mansar and Surinsarmiles away and still un-developed and not connect-

ed with good roads the TawiLake would have enhancedthe beauty of the City OfTemples. The people can donothing but keep his fingerscrossed and wait for the his-torical moment when it

becomes a reality.

Tawi Lake: A distant dream?

BRIEFLY

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Rs: 1.00

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Omar attendsdinner hosted by PM

NEW DELHI: On the

invitation of PrimeMinister, Dr. Manmohan

Singh, Jammu and

Kashmir Chief Minister,

Omar Abdullah thisevening attended the dinner

hosted by the PrimeMinister on the completion

of the 4th year of the sec-ond term of the UPA

Government contd on page 2

Challan against Jan forthrowing shoe on CMSRINAGAR: In a surpris-

ing move PoliceWednesday produced a

Challan against former

policeman Ahan Jan in the

Court of Law for throwing

a shoe on Chief Minister

Omar Abdullh in 2010. The

accused booked under FIR

70/2010 under section

124A contd on page 2

NEW DELHI: Listing out the

achievements of nine years of

UPA government at the Centre,

Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh said

that next year they will report directly to

the people to seek a renewed mandate.

Starting on a philosophical note the PM

said, "UPA government has taken the

country forward but we have many

more miles to travel." Manmohan Singh

while unveiling UPA's report card

began with the achievements of his gov-

ernment on the economic front.

"The country saw an improved per-

formance of economy and inclusive

growth under our government. We are

the one of the fastest growing economy

in the world including the years wherewe saw a slowdown," he said. However,

he added that there was a period of

slowdown but he attributed it to a slow-

down of world economy. "Slowdown

was a global phenomenon," he said. The

PM stressed that inflation was coming

under control and that under UPA gov-

ernment a good record in rural growth

had been witnessed. contd on page 2

UPA Celebrates 4th Anniversary Of Its 2nd Avatar, Vows To Build Better INDIAPrime minister releases four years' report card, 8% growth possible if UPA is voted to power again

J

AMMU : Whilethe UPA counted

its achievements in

the nine years of its rule,Dr Rana said the gov-ernment was "mislead-ing" the people. "Theyare talking aboutachievements which is

actually portraying theirfailure. They talk about MNREGA

(Mahatma Gandhi National RuralEmployment Guarantee Act) without

mentioning that the gov-ernment has reduced

allocations for it and

there is a Rs.120 crorescam," he said.He alsoslammed Congress pres-ident Sonia Gandhi forcalling the opposition"obstructionist"."This is

an insult of parliamen-tary procedure if they call the opposi-

tion obstructionist. They are blamingthe opposition for Contd on page 2

Government misleading people: Dr Rana

JAMMU: On the eve of

fourth anniversary of UPA-

II, the State unit of

Bharatiya Janata Yuva

Morcha (BJYM) on

Wednesday strongly

Protested against the Scams

and the corruption of UPA

government and burnt its

effigy at Kachi-Chawani

Chowk. BJYM State

President Ravinder Raina

said that Congress led UPA

government destroyed the

nation by plundering

Nation's wealth and called

it as worst than the

Britishers. He said

Ministers in UPA govern-

ment and their family mem-

bers are involve d 'neck-

deep in corruption and

alleged that all the Scams

and Contd on page 2

UPA government worst than

Britishers - RAVINDER RAINA

(1)Internal security: (a)Situation in J&K has improved under UPA

(b)Militancy related incidents have witnessed a 10-fold decrease(c)In the last

four years,l ives lost in LWE-related incidents reduced by more than half

(2)NREGA(a)Every fift h rural household in Indiabenefits from the

scheme(b)Wages under NREGA have almost doubled(c)In 2012-13the scheme

provided employment to 4.8crorehouseholds

(3)Food security(a)Three fold increasei n food subsidy during UPA

tenure(b)Record production of foodgrains (c)Agriculture credit has increased

fivefolds(d)Stocks wereat record levels during theyear

(4)Health care:Absence of new endemic polio cases for last two years(b)Indians

areliving longer as lifeexpectancy has increased morethan f iveyears

(5)Social security for special sections :(a)Minorities are benefitting under

PM's 15-point programme(b)Growth rate of North eastern region is higher

than national average

(6)Education(a)Central universities increased from 17 to 44 between 2004

and 2013(b)9IITs added(c)10 crore school students r eceive mid-day

meals(5)Farmer welfare:(a)UPAhas been steadily increasing MSP

(7)IT and telecom:(a)Telephone density in rural areas has increased 25ties

during UPA regime

(8)City welfare and infrastructure:(a)There has been a ten-fold increase in

investment in road construction under UPA.

THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THIS REPORT CARD

SHOPIAN: Chief Minister,

Omar Abdullah Wednesday

predict ed overw helming

victory for his government

in 2014 General Assembly

Elections asking the people

to ensure permanent evic-

tion of the MLAs from

Legislative Assembly who

have remained away from

its proceedings and failed to

highlight public demands at

the right forum.

Addressing a largely attend-

ed public gathering at

Wathu in Shopian District

of South Kashmir, the Chief

Minister without naming

PDP said that had the Pen-

Inkpot (election symbol of

PDP) party's MLA of the

area advocated the issue of

compensation of land to its

young owner in the

Assembly, the youth would

not have to wait for the visit

of the Chief Minister to his

area to register his griev-

ance.

This, he said, in response to

the demand made by a

youth in the public meeting

in this regard before the

Chief Minister. Omar

Abdullah directed the con-

cerned to immediately

attend to the genuine

demand of the youth and

redress its grievance posi-

tively.

"You have not returned our

nominee from this con-

stituency but we have not

neglected Contd on page 2

KISHTWAR: Former

Minister and MLA

Inderwal Ghulam

Mohammad Saroori during

his 32nd day of continuous

tour to Inderwal

Constituency visited Poora

Chandali area of block

drabshalla.

While addressing general

public at Poora Chandali

area, Mr. Saroori listed var-

ious projects completed in

his constituency beside said

that the development of bad

pockets was being priori-

tized in both central and

state government policies

and several schemes have

been launched under vari-

ous sectors to achieve this

goal.

Mr. Saroori issued direction

to the Border Road

Organisation (BRO) for

early completion of widen-

ing of Thatri-Kishtwar-

Sinthan road at an earliest.

He asked the BRO func-

tionaries to speed up con-

struction of the culverts and

metalling of the road.

During tour, Mr. Saroori

visited various affected res-

idential houses and Govt.

buildings damaged due to

earthquakes and said that in

future professional archi-

tects and earthquake engi-

neers must be consulted to

construct buildings which

will be earthquake resistant.

Later Mr. Saroori listen to

the grievance of the people

residing Contd on page 2

Omar predicts overwhelming

victory in 2014 electionsSays performance of his government speaks louder

Saroori asks People to avail benefits of various govt. schemes

Manmohan Singh isthe Prime Minister, but

(he is) neither a leader

of the country nor the

leader of his wn party.

Singh's colleagues sit

with him in the Cabinet and look

towards the UPA chairperson (Sonia

Gandhi) for directions. Such a split

leadership is the biggest failure of

UPA," (Sushma Swaraj)

Its a black chapter inIndian history. Duringthese four years, nationwitnessed record break-ing corruption, scams,scandals, weak kneed

foreign policy and soft pproach towardsthe anti-nationals The PM should becalled as Mouni Baba as he is keepingeyes, ears and nose closed which isindeed very unfortunate for the coun-try.(Jugal Kishore BJP President JK)

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THURSDAY, MAY 23, 20132

UPA CelebratesSounding optimistic he said,

"GDP in 2013-14 will be

better than 2012-13. It could

exceed 6%." "We are target-

ing 12% agricultural

growth," he said, adding, "If

UPA returns to power next

year than it will achieve a

target of 8% growth as pro-

jected in the 12th plan docu-

ment." He further said,

"Government is committed

to food security, food sub-

sidy three times" On the

issue of coal blocks and

spectrum allocation the PM

said, "Root cause of per-

ceived problems in coal

block, spectrum allocations

has been addressed and

more transparent systems is

being put in place."

"Improprieties in coal block,

spectrum allocations are

being investigated and cul-

prits will be punished," h e

added. At the same time he

highlighted the achieve-

ments of UPA like the Right

to Information Act and the

passing of the Lokpal Bill.

Manmohan Singh also said

that that relation with the

world had improved under

the UPA rule. "Relations

with China show our ability

to manage difficult issues,"

he said.

He ended with a promise of

an "India where every citi-

zen can expect to live a life

of security and dignity."

"UPA government working

to realise the dream of an

economically resurgent and

socially just India," said the

PM.

Government mislead-

ingnot having the bills passed,

but who had the Rajya

Sabha adjourned when

Lokpal bill had to be

passed," he said."In the land

acquisition bill, Lok Sabha

leader of opposition Sushma

Swaraj made an extra effort

so that it can be passed, but

the government wants to run

parliament at its own condi-

tions," he said."As far as the

food bill is concerned, many

BJP-ruled states already

have food security bill

which is better than central

draft. They are suddenly

remembering food security

bill when their ministers are

in trouble, when in 2010 the

Supreme Court asked the

government to distribute the

rotting grains, they chose to

give it out to the breweries,

but not the people," he

added.Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh

Wednesday released a report

on the achievements of the

UPA government on the

fourth anniversary of UPA-

II.Speaking at the function,

Gandhi said that crucial leg-

islations could not be passed

in Parliament due to princi-

pal opposition's "obstruc-

tionist approach

Challan against(Sedition), 447A (Trespass

in public premises) 352

(Assault on Government

Official) by police station

Shergari has been sent to

judicial remand till 28th of

this month.The Challan was

produced before Chief

Judicial Magistrate Srinagar.

State was represented by

Chief Prosecuting Officer

Iftikhar Ahmed while

Advocate Mudasir Gulzar

appeared for the

Counsel.State Counsel

informed the Court that

Ahad Jan has already been

in police custody for another

case. CJM Srinagar sent himto judicial Custody till 28th

of this month.The Counsel

for the accused, Advocate

Mudasir Gulzar told that he

was surprised by the move

of State. "Chief Minister

Omar Abdullah as well as

State had forgiven him for

his act in 2010 and still

today Challan was produced

against my counsel in that

case," he said.Pertinently,

Chief Minister had declared

amnesty for the accused

after the accused had plead-

ed for the same.

Saroori asksin the remote hilly area,

MLA conducted an exten-

sive tour of the remote vil-

lages of Kishtwar Tehsil,

where people projected their

demands and grievances

which were related to extend

road upto Nallah Chandali,Opening of PHC at Pora

Chandali, up gradation of

Middle School to High

School, augmentation of

drinking water supply

Pharan, Kakoli and

Chandali Nallah, strength-

ening of power infrastruc-

ture, streamlining of ration

supply, clearance of pending

widow pension and old age

pension cases, Construction

of road from Angara to

Chandali.

Mr. Saroori gave a patient

hearing and informed that

Government of India has

developed Centrally

Sponsored Schemes for all

sections of society particu-

larly BPL and Marginalized

and asked the officers to

expedite its implementation

so that the benefit reaches atgrass root level. He directed

the officers to strictly follow

the guidelines of CSS and

give benefit to people living

actually in far flung areas

beside assured that the

demands would be taken up

with the concerned depart-

ments on priority.

Sarpanches Mohammad

Aslam Saroori, Choudhary

Abdul Karim, Brig Lal,

Mohd Israeil, Panches, civil

society members, People in

large number and officers of

various department accom-

panied Mr. Saroori during

the said tour.

Omar attendsat the Centre. On the occa-

sion, a 'Report to the People'

on the work done by the

Government was also

released.

Omar Abdullah interacted

with the Prime Minister,

UPA Chairperson and vari-

ous leaders and exchanged

good wishes.

Omar predictsyou at all. We have ensured

your development at par

with other parts of the State

as equitable and holistic

development of the State is

benchmark of my govern-

ment", he told the public

gathering substantiating his

statement with facts and fig-

ures of achievements regis-

tered in the constituency and

the district during last four

and a half years of the gov-

ernance of his government.

Omar Abdullah said that

over Rs. 60 crores have been

spent in Shopian on the con-

struction and upgradation of

roads alone while fivebridges are under construc-

tion at a cost of Rs. 34.75

crores. He said three

schemes have been

approved under NABARD

at a cost of Rs. 6.57 crores

and Rs. 3.17 crores have

been released as mobiliza-

tion advance for these

schemes. He said 23 road

projects have been sanc-

tioned in Shopian District,

of which 21 have been com-

pleted and work on two

schemes is in full swing.

The Chief Minister said that

49 schemes have been taken

up under Public Health

Engineering programmes

and 16 have been completed

during the last three years

and eight schemes are tar-

geted for the current finan-

cial year.

Omar Abdullah said that a

modern Fruit Mandi, first ofits kind in Asia, has been

sanctioned for Shopian to

facilitate fruit growers and

traders associated with this

activity. He said Rs. 40

crores have been earmarked

for this market. He said a

modern Mini-Secretariat for

District Shopian is coming

up at an estimated cost of

over Rs. 40 crores. The

Chief Minister announced

Rs. 1.5 crore for the upgra-

dation of LT/HT lines in

Shopian. He also announced

a receiving station in the

area and Rs. 70 lakhs for

playground besides a mod-

ern Primary Health Centre

and PHE augmentation

scheme.

The Chief Minister said that

his government would con-

tinue to focus on redressingpublic grievances and

expanding the orbit of

development in all areas

during next one and a half

years adding that attention is

being paid on creating eco-

nomic activities by bringing

Shopian on tourist map. He

said construction of Mughal

Road has opened new vistas

of development and eco-

nomic welfare for this dis-

trict adding that the road has

helped a lot to fruit growers

to dispatch their produce to

Poonch-Rajouri belt hassle-

free.

Omar Abdullah said that this

all has been possible due to

peaceful atmosphere under-

lining tranquillity and peace

key to all round develop-

ment. He said "we have tried

to reach out all areas on

development front and

deliver positively and pur-posefully. We are not like

those who cover their eyes

with black glasses and

remain devoid of ground

realities. We are fully aware

of public difficulties and

their demands. We are keen-

ly addressing these and

making necessary dent

wherever required". He said

the performance of his gov-

ernment would speak loudly

and clearly for it.

The meetings was addressed

by Minister of State for

Animal Husbandry, Nazir

Ahmad Guraezi, Minister of

State for Technical

Education, Vikar Rasool,

MLA and Provincial

President NC, Kashmir,

Nasir Aslam Wani,

Legislator, Showkat Ahmad

and other local leaders.Earlier, the Chief Minister

inaugurated 50 MVA 132/33

KV Grid Station at Kanipora

with associated 132 KV D/C

L a s s i p o r a - S h o p i a n

Transmission Line involving

estimated cost of Rs. 17.52

crores. The commissioning

of Grid Station has energized

receiving stations at

Batpora, Gargan, Pinjura

and Choudhary Gund.

Another 33 KV Shadimarg

feeder presently under con-

struction will feed receiving

stations at Shadimarg,

Mittergam and Keller.

On reaching Wathu, Omar

Abdullah was welcomed big

enthusiastic crowd raising

slogans in his favour and in

favour of his government.

UPA governmentthe tainted Ministers are

being well guided and

patronized by the UPA

Chairperson Sonia Gandhi

and Congress Vice President

Rahul Gandhi. Mr. Raina

accused UPA-ii as the most

Corrupt government in the

history of independent

India. Expressing anguish

over the large scale

Corruption in the Congress

led UPA government Raina

said that Congress plundered

repeatedly plundered the

Nation through the unending

saga of scams, including 2G,

CWG, chopper deal, coal

report and the rail

Scam.Terming the UPA gov-

ernment as "the most corrupt

since Independence", the

BJYM leader said a series of

scams have surfaced since

UPA government took over

and "each new scam broke

the past record as theCommonwealth Games

scam had caused a loss of Rs

70,000 crore, the 2G spec-

trum scam led to a Rs 1.76

lakh crore loss and the coal

scam resulted in the "loot" of

Rs 1.86 lakh crore. Raina

said the youth of the nation

would never forgive

Congress and the allies of

UPA governmen t and would

through it out of power in

nest general election.

TransferI National Instion of tech-

nology R/O Miran Sahib

sold JK02K-8699 fromGharu Ram S/O Munshi

Ram R/O V.P.O Jassore R.S.Pura Jammu Objection if anyone may be conveyed to RTO

Jammu within 7 days.

TransferFlexij Gregory S/O K JGregory R/O 232 Fd

Regd.C/O 56 APOKaluchak sold JK02AR-

4277 to ASSTT.

COMDT.Rupinder SinghS/O Sohan singh R/O BSFACY T/PUR. Anybody hav-ing any objection may file

within

NEWDELHI: Twenty-two eminent

personali ties, including Jagadguru

Kripalu Parishat (JKP) Education

president Vishakha Tripathi, were

honoured here with the Rajiv Gandhi

Global Excellence Award.

Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi

Tuesday conferred the awards, insti-

tuted by Rajiv Gandhi Global

Excellence Award Foundation, on the

occasion of the 22nd death anniver-

sary of former prime minister Rajiv

Gandhi.

JKP Education president was hon-

oured for her "unparalleled work" in

the field of girls' education. JKP

claims that it is providing free educa-

tion to more than 4,500 girls from

primary to the doctorate level.

After receiving the award, Tripathi

said JKP Education had embarked on

the mission of opening a new man-

agement college to offer master in

business administ ration (MBA)

degrees.

"Underprivileged and deprived girl

students would get free top class

management education very soon,"

she said at the awards ceremony

organised at India Habitat Centre

here.

Other awardees included Saurabh

Garg whose efforts to create aware-

ness about thalassaemia and social

work was recognised.

Tariq Zafar, vice chancellor of Bhoj

University in Madhya Pradesh, P.C.

Pankaj, chairman of North Eastern

Electric Power Corporation, Keya

Seth, chairman Keya Aromatherapy,

and Syed Faisal Ali, group editor

Sahara Urdu, were among the

awardees.

The award, now in its 15th year,

recognises exceptional contribution

in the field of creative arts, journal-

ism, business, education, public and

social service.

JKP Education gets Rajiv Gandhi

Global Excellence AwardHYDERABAD: Higher education in

the state will change for good with a

massive syllabus overhaul for both

undergraduate and postgraduate courses,

the focus being on modernising educa-

tion in the state with the changing times.

From pure sciences to humanities and

social science subjects, syllabi will

change with effect from the academic

year 2015-16 and the process will begin

in a month's time, top higher education

officials said.

The syllabus change will go on for

around six months and interestingly, the

changes will be made in collaboration

with a team of highly-qualified subject

experts from top institutes in the coun-

try, including the IITs and IIMs, an offi-

cial said.

Officials at the state council said that a

syllabus revision is the need of the hour

as this has not happened in the state dur-

ing the last two decades.

"Our students are losing out on good

quality education as the syllabi had not

been updated since decades. The new

process will help AP students have a bet-

ter edge over those from other states," a

senior official of the Andhra Pradesh

State Council of Higher Education

(APSCHE) said. The syllabi change

process will be inaugurated by higher

education minister Damodar Raja

Narasimha, next month.

Currently, the syllabus does not have

paradigm changes in subjects. For

instance, in modern Indian thought, a

subject in social science section, the

content of most textbooks prescribed till

PG level ends with Mahatma Gandhi's

ideologues.

"After the Mahatma, there are several

political philosophers who had added to

Indian political thought. We need to

have a closer look at the syllabus to

understand the lacunae," said an official,

who is currently fixing subject experts

to look at various processes.

Similarly, in English Language and

Literature, the cutting edge theories of

criticism including structuralism, post-

structuralism and deconstruction are not

part of the syllabus, officials said.

In science subjects, most new scientific

developments after the 1980s are not

included. "There is a severe lack of

newer understandings of their subjects

among students. In states like Kerala

and Tamil Nadu, syllabus revision takes

place once in every five years. We are

way behind the game as far as syllabus

is concerned though our students are

bright," said an official at APSCHE.

In languages including Hindi, no mod-

ern or popular writer makes it to the syl-

labus even at the post-graduate level, an

official rued.

The process is being monitored by

APSCHE, the apex body for higher edu-

cation in the state. As per the new plan,

four subject experts will fix the syllabi

content after one month of deliberation.

The content will be an amalgamation of

most new theories and practices in the

field concerned.

UG, PG syllabus revamp on the anvilMetro construction workprompts Jamia to issue

advisory to applicantsNEW DELHI: Fearing that the Delhi Metro

construction in the area will create problems

and delays for applicants writing the various

entrance exams at Jamia Millia Islamia

University, it has issued an "advisory."

"Applicants must report to their

respectiveExamination Centre at least one

hour ahead of the commencement of their

Entrance Test in view of heavy congestion on

roads leading to the University. The

University will not accommodate late com-

ers," says the advisory. Jamia has also asked

applicants to avoid bringing personal vehi-

cles to the examination centre as there is

acute congestion and no parking facility on

campus. University authorities are also trying

to avoid crowding. "The parents/guardians

should no accompany the candidates to the

venue of the test. The University has many

applicants taking the Entrance Examination

and cannot accommodate parents/guardians,"

says the advisory.

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi is set

to inaugurate Lakulish Yoga University, claimed to be the first

ever such private sector self-financed institution in the coun-

try, on May 23, at Ahmedabad, which has been set up by the

Surendranagar-based Life Mission Trust.

"Ours will be the first ever Yoga University in the country

which will award full fledged degrees after three years'

course," newly appointed vice chancellor of the university

Bansidhar Upadhyay said.

Admissions for six semester, three years' degree course will

begin on the same day of inauguration and academic session

is likely to start from June 15, he said.During the three years, degree course students will be taught

subjects of Ashtang Yoga, karma, knowledge, Bhakti Yoga,

philosophy, psychology, anatomy, ayurveda and naturopathy.

"We have appointed one professor and four lecturers for theo-

ry and two instructors for practicals," he said

First Yoga university in thecountry to come up in Gujarat

CHANDIGARH: Expect the result of Class

XII board exams of the Central Board of

Secondary Education (CBSE) "by the end ofnext week", said CBSE chairman Vineet

Joshi said. Sources, however, said the result

would be out around May 26.

This year nearly 17,500 students from the

Tricity appeared for Class XII board exami-

nations conducted from March 1 till April 17.

About 43% of this batch had skipped the

Class X board exams when given the option

of choosing school exams instead in 2011. As

expected, students are eagerly awaiting their

results.

"I have never felt this tense. I now wish that

had I given boards in Class X, I would havebeen better prepared to handle the results,''

said Ankush Rana, a non-medical student of

Class XII.

"I hope the CBSE declares the date of results

as it has become difficult to handle the anxi-

ety daily," said Rhythm Sharma, a commerce

student of Class XII.

The result is also much awaited by JEE

(main) candidates as for the first time their

admission to top institutes would depend on

their Class XII results.

Though the result for JEE (Mains) was

declared on May 7, no ranks were given as aseparate rank list for it would be declared by

July 7 for admissions to BE/BTech and

BArch/BPlanning in institutes other than

IITs. This list will be based on the J EE main

result with 60% of weightage, while Class

XII results would have 40% weightage.

This rank list would be basis for admission to

undergraduate engineering programmes at

NITs, IITs, centrally and state funded techni-

cal institutes.

"I am waiting for the rank list which will

only be declared after the Class XII results. It

will announce the toppers and thus decide theinstitution you will get admission into," said

Sidhdhant Arora, a non-medical student of

Class XII.

Along with students, their parents too are

tense. "The house was a battleground for my

daughter during examinations as she gave

board exams for the very first time. And now

with result dates nearing, her stress levels are

quite high," said Minakshi Dutta, a mother of

a Class XII student.

Class XII results by May-end: CBSE chairman

KOZHIKODE: Calicut University

is testing the waters in an attempt

for a radical overhaul of its existing

funding pattern by tapping private

donations and endowments to build

varsity infrastructure.

Marking a fundamental shift from

its existing funding mechanism,

where the government remains the

principle provider of funds, the uni-versity intends to open up new

funding channels.

The varsity has come up with three

mega projects worth more than Rs

23 crore for attracting funding from

corporates and philanthropists. The

projects include construction of a

new block for the school of man-

agement studies.

Signaling the first success in its

strategy, the varsity has secured

donation commitments running

over Rs 1 crore from a leading gulf-

based corporate house.

Varsity syndicate member T PAhmed said that a leading gulf

based group has expressed readi-

ness to sponsor one of the three

projects prepared by the varsity in a

meeting held recently. The universi-

ty intends to pursue private dona-

tions and endowments for projects

including setting up a new building

for commerce and management

studies at a cost of Rs 15 crore,

sports hostel at a cost of Rs 5 crore

and renovation of existing sports

facilities at Rs 3 crore.

"The corporate house expressed its

willingness to participate in thedevelopment of a project during a

meeting between top varsity offi-

cials and the corporate firm. Alumni

donations and endowments from

philanthropists and corporates are

areas uncharted for universities in

the state.

Calicut university will be the first

such varsity to take steps to raise

funds for development programmes

through donations, the detailed

framework of which will be final-

ized by the syndicate," syndicate

member T P Ahmed said.

Member of the syndicate R SPanikkar said the varsity should

take care to see that the funding

comes with no strings attached and

that it adopts a high level of trans-

parency in the process.

"There is nothing wrong if the var-

sity accepts donations which are

made as a noble gesture to a public

cause without any profit motive," he

said.

Prof K P Muraleedharan of the

department of commerce and man-

agement studies said though private

donations can be an alternate fund-

ing source for the varsity, the provi-sions of CU statutes and the overall

political climate in the state make it

nearly impossible for the varsity to

reciprocate to the donor with any

benefits.

Calicu t Universit to tap private donations for infrastructure development

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3/8

STUDENT AGE

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 20133 FACE TO FACE

FACE TO FACE WITH HILAL RATHER

ROH I T S I NGH RANA :

Mr. Hilal Rather, Tell us about

yourself and how you reached this

milestone in your life?

Hilal Rather: Basically, I am anengineering graduate from one ofthe most prestigious Engineering

colleges of the country-BIITS

Pillani. At BIITS, we were not onlytaught about the engineering but

about the development of manageri-al skills. How to take on the chal-

lenges in life was something that

was given top priority in the training

there. The focus was not on devel-oping table engineers but real prac-tical people who could solve prob-

lems on the spot. Naturally, it wasmy dream to put all I learnt at myAlma Mater into practice, in my

home State so that not only I couldget benefitted but many others too

would get benefit of my training and

skill.


Hilal, You had a readymade field of

politics before you but why you did

not join politics and took to a risky

proposition of business which

could have been a slippery ground

for a novice like you?

Hilal Rather: You are correct, Icould have chosen politics but I didnot because to be fair to my father,

he always encouraged me to dowhat I liked. There was something

passionate in me that goaded me todo something different but notewor-thy. Business was one such field

where I could earn for myself and

help hundreds of unemployed buttalented young people find a

respectful job. There is always anurge in me to live for others so that

I make my life different from many.


Establishing a call centre was like

going on a un- chartered course.

Nobody had done so in the State.

Why you chose in favour of estab-

lishing a Call center in the first

instant?

Hilal Rather: In 2002-2003 Callcentre business was one of the most

flourishing in the whole IT industry.India was at the forefront of this

revolution. Unfortunately, the Stateof Jammu and Kashmir was no wayon the IT revolution map, leave

alone call center or what we callBPO business. Here, I sensed some-

thing was amiss in our State.Having said earlier I have a rebel

instinct in me. I took in the plungeand today, we are running a classyand successful call center in the

entire State named SIMULA. Fromthen on I have never resented my

decision.

Secondly, I wanted to wean awaypeople from government jobs. If a

private business is run professional-ly it will provide a better alternative

to unemployed people from the

State.


There is a widespread belief among

young people regarding call cen-

ters, is that they exploit and do not

offer much in return. What you

say, is it exploitation or employ-

ment?

Hilal Rather: Let me put therecord straight. Call centers orBPOs do not exploit people. In fact,the working hours are odd because

you have to fine tune your workhours with western or other coun-

tries. Call centers pay better andside by side different issues that

crept into BPO industry have beenaddressed.Coming back to your scathing

remark that is it exploitation oremployment, I will say it is an hon-

ourable employment with better

perks. At present there are morethan 700 employees working in

SIMULA. I do not think they areunhappy. You can check with myteam members or managers. We

have tried to make our employeeshappy which is the reason they are

here and enjoying working with us.

One thing that has kept SIMULA onforefront in the State is that weensure that our employees are paidwell and catered to mentally as well.


As far as call centers are con-

cerned the attrition rate is higher,

what about SIMULA?

Hilal Rather: In every industrythere is an attrition rate. As far asBPO or Call centre industry is con-

cerned the national average attrition

rate is 12% but at SIMULA, wehave an attrition rate of only 5%. It

means SIMULA is able to keep itsemployees more than twice thenational average. I hope you will

appreciate it as no mean achieve-ment.


What changes you have perceived

in the young people of J&K?

Hilal Rather; I have seen atremendous change in the young

people of the State. They have taken

to new technologies like a fish takes

to water. They are ready to work inchallenging environments and areinnovative. This has made my heartglad to see young men both male

and females taking on new chal-

lenges and enjoying working in acompetitive environment. Hats off

to them!


What is your vision about the State

is it changing?

Hilal Rather: Definitely, it haschanged and it is now changing at arapid pace. The young men and

women from J&K visualize them-selves as equal partners in nation

building. Their approach is positive

and that is the reason many brightyoung people are qualifying civil

services. In industry, many newcomers are joining in hospitalityand other industries. These young

people have diluted the geographi-cal barrier of the State with rest of

the country. As an optimist ic I have

great future in sight for them.


How have you made possible that

employees stay with you and do not

opt out?

Hilal Rather: As said earlier, Ihave a streak to keep my peoplewith me. They are my limbs and

bones, how can I part with them. At

SIMULA, we have devised a strate-gy of team work. But the leader has

to be one step ahead so that he caninspire. Hence, I am myself on the

productivity radar. I do not spare

myself. Besides your employees arenot machines, they are men in fleshand bone. You have to cater to theiremotional needs. This is precisely

the reason why at SIMULA , we

have a comprehensive recreationalprogrammes which addresses to the

emotional and entertainment needsof our employees.

ROH I T S I NGH RANA : Howdo you see Jammu and Kashmir as

a business platform?

Hilal Rather: Best in the world.If have good perspective, every-thing is virgin in the market. Peopleare best, enthusiastic, and willing to

take on challenges.

ROH I T S I NGH RANA : DoesArticle 370 become a deterrent for

industrialization of the State?

Hilal Rather: An emphatic no.It does not in any way effect JK asan Industrial prospect nor does it

stop any outsider to work here. The

State has some unique industriesthat are natural to it. Hospitality and

tourism industry has hugeprospects. Agro based and handi-craft industry is yet another vast

field. Industries do not mean smokespewing tall chimney factories.

There can be clean, silent ecofriendly industries including the ITindustry.

ROH I T S I NGH RANA : What

do you have to say about the cur-

rent education system of the state?

Hilal Rather: I think we need animprovement in the current educa-tional system. It is more theoretical

than practical. We need to increase

the managerial skills of the students,so that they are better equipped to

solve their problems.

ROH I T S I NGH RANA : You

are the son of the Finance

Minister, how does it help you?

Hilal Rather: Increases myresponsibility and makes me moreaccountable. Father has been a great

inspiration. He has allowed me myspace and for that I will be indebtedto him all my life. Being his son

puts me under more glares. Onesmall mistake will be taken to skies

by media persons like you. So beinghis son makes me more responsible.

I cannot risk his reputation.


I remember that as Finance

Minister, Pranab Mukerjee would

ask his daughter what young men

needed most from the budget. This

was done to ascertain the wishes of

young generation in formulating

union budget. Does your father ask

you to give your opinion what the

needs of young people are before

he finalises his budget?

Hilal Rather: He has a good team

to look into every aspect of budget-

ing; besides it is top secret docu-

ment and he keeps silent on it.

ROH I T S I NGH RANA : How

you rate Chief Minister Omar

Abdullah's policy tenor as a ChiefMinister? How do you rate him

from 1 to 10?

Hilal Rather: I will give him

10/10 marks for his many initia-

tives. Given the financial crunch, he

has done a wonderful job. The new

recruitment policy will provide

employment to more than one lack

people in the state. Do you think

that this is an easy task? It's always

easy to criticize policies but difficult

to frame them taking in considera-

tion the larger interest of masses.

His stress on big companies to help

the unemployed in the state has

resulted into ambitious Udaan proj-

ect.

ROH I T S I NGH RANA : Do you

have any plans to join politics in

the near future?

Frankly speaking I don't have any

plans to join politics in future.

Politics has never been my forte.

There are many ways to serve peo-

ple definitely politics is one of the

ways. But for people like me busi-

ness if done with a humane heart is

also one of the ways to serve peo-

ple.

ROH I T S I NGH RANA : Who is

your ideal?

Hilal Rather: My father is my

ideal. He has been not only an inspi-

ration but a pillar of strength.

ROH I T S I NGH RANA : You

are also in the construction field,

buildings flats; tell us more about

SIMULA Constructions.

Hilal Rather: I travel a lot. I

have seen housing projects in

Dubai, London, Singapore etc. So Iwanted to develop an international

standard housing which could be

affordable too. Hence was born

SIMULA Constructions.


makes your housing projects dif-

ferent to others?

Hilal Rather: These flats are

spread over 2400 sq feet area.

Hence they are spacious. The con-

struction is able to with stand 7.6

Richter scale earthquake as our state

falls in zone 4 intensity earthquake

area. We have spent 440 rupees

more per square feet to make con-

struction safer. Large parking areas,

waste water management using

treated sewerage water for irrigation

and flushing, bio- degradable plant,

smart card system as well as intelli-

gent security are hall marks of the

projects.


is your goal post in life?

Hilal Rather: I want to see

myself a successful businessman

who makes the lives of his employ-

ees happy and comfortable.


is your message to the young peo-

ple of the State?

Hilal Rather: I will request

them to look to other avenues of

employment other than government

jobs. They are talented, so have all

the ability to open small scale busi-

nesses. They must become educated

and better equipped to face life. One

more quality that will see them

through is never say die attitude and

honesty. Leave rest in the hands of

God.

ROH I T S I N G H R A N A :

Thanks, Mr. Rather for speaking to

Student Age. We too are like you a

young organization. So we have

same heart beat. It was joy to see

you having great dreams for young

people of the State. I wish you luck

on the behalf of my team.

There is something special in his DNA which makes him restless to do new things which are yet virgin and not tested by the busi-

nessmen in the State. His drooping philosopher's jaw is reflective of his deep philosophical mind which is full of restlessness and

humane qualities. Hilal has one more feather on his cap. Being the son of one of the most powerful politicians of the State who

is also the Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, he did not go for the tailor made script of politics that his father could easily write

for him. A new star, in Hilal Rather is making its presence felt on the sky of the Jammu and Kashmir State. This time the star is not an

attractive Bollywood new comer or a sports person but he is a young industrialist. A mid thirty guy, steeped deep into the soil of state,candidly different in ideology full of enthusiasm Hilal is the representative of new breed of home grown entrepreneurs, who have

already made big in the field of business Here, Hilal made a welcome departure by choosing his own field. That speaks about the guts

this plus thirties men has. His well appointed office tells about his tastes but at the same time conveys about his intrinsic human qual-

ities, sure to strike big in the field of business. Hilal is a success story that others have to follow. At the same time he is representa-

tive of a new breed of honest businessmen who want to do everything possible for his employees. In a frank talk with Student Age

Hilal Rather laid bare his heart and his vision about the future of the State.

J&K Is The Best Business Platform...!

BeingASuccessfulFathers

Son

MakesMeMoreRes

ponsibleAndAccountable..

!

It's alwayseasy to criti-cize policiesbut difficult toframe themtaking in con-sideration thelarger interest

of masses.

Youth mustlook to otheravenues ofemploymentother than gov-ernment jobs.They must

become educat-ed and betterequipped to

face life. Leaverest in thehands of God.

Politics has

never been myforte. There aremany ways toserve peopledefinitely poli-tics is one ofthe ways.

Hilal Rather

Page 1_.qxd 5/25/2013 11:39 AM Page 3

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4/8

STUDENT AGE

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013 4EDITORIAL

CRICKET VS HOCKEYDear Editor,

Hats off to the players of our national game, hockey, who have maintained their integrity andhave not succumbed to temptation, despite facing a financial crunch in the game. In contrast,the rapacity of some cricketers playing in the cash-rich Indian Premier League knows no

bounds, as their involvement in spot-fixing has revealed. The latest instance is that of speed-ster S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila, who were recently arrested by DelhiPolice for their wheeling-dealing. The arrest of these three players and a few bookies seemsto be the tip of an iceberg, with allegations of involvement of an international gang doing therounds. Mere suspension of these players by the BCCI will not suffice. The sports body shouldtake stricter action and display more transparency and accountability in its functioning. DelhiPolice too merits praise for successfully cracking the betting syndicate and the player-bookienexus.

Mohan SinghDigiana,Jammu

SPOT FIXING SULLYING CRICKET

Dear Editor,

The spot-fixing scandal involving S. Sreesanth and his teammates in Rajasthan

Royals has brought into the open the huge corruption prevailing in the Indian

Premier League matches. IPL should be banned. One-day matches should also be

banned. Most of those playing IPL matches are very young and can be easily

tempted by the offer of a few lakhs. Bookies can lure them with other inducements

too. The younger generation of cricketers has a bad example before it. As for the

BCCI, it should be dismantled and the government should take it over. Its accountsshould be audited and presented in Parliament.

Yours etc,

Rajan Gupta

Samba

GETTING REALOnly last month, the three-week border stand-off had

cast a shadow over India-China relations. It is, therefore,

remarkable that Li Keqiang's visit to New Delhi ended

with both sides agreeing on the mutual need for greater

engagement. Realism seems to have been the high point

of the discussions that Mr Li had with Manmohan Singh.

After a long time, the top leaders of the two countries

engaged in the kind of hard talk that has been rare inIndia-China exchanges. Contentious issues were not

camouflaged under platitudes, but were faced squarely.

That is why the real significance of the talks lies, not in

the raft of deals that were signed, but in the 'candid'

admissions of problems and concerns that plague the

bilateral ties. The biggest problem rem ains the lack of

mutual trust. And this alone is the biggest factor behind

the slow and unsteady pace of India-China engagement.

The border dispute, a legacy of British rule in India, is

directly linked to peace and mutual trust between the

two countries. The best thing about the talks in New

Delhi is a commitment on both sides to 'settle' the border

dispute, rather than just 'manage' it. And the best way to

do it is what the two nations had done about Sikkim -

arrive at a settlement on the 'as-is-where-is' basis. Such a

solution would be realistic for both the western and the

eastern sectors.

The realism in the New Delhi talks seems to have

been born of a new aw areness of trade and strategic

issues in the region and also in the rest of the world.

China can no longer afford to underestimate India's

importance in regional and global issues. The turmoil in

Western economies has made Asian markets crucial forChina. And, faced with suspicion and hostility from its

neighbours in the South China Sea and the East China

Sea, Beijing can redeem its image with a friendly India.

In New Delhi too, despite the so-called hawks, there is

growing acceptance of the economic and strategic bene-

fits of closer co-operation with China. Some doors have

opened over the past few years, but prejudices and suspi-

cions still stand in the way of Chinese investments in

India. The economies of both countries will benefit from

more Chinese investments in India, especially in infra-

structure projects. The proposal on an economic corridor

between the two countries across Myanmar and

Bangladesh is a welcome step towards economic inte-

gration of the region.

Ultimately, though, trade is not the best guarantee for

mutual trust between nations. Trade between India and

China has grown remarkably over the past decade

despite the unresolved issues. Political will and popular

perceptions play an important role in building trust. The

real test for New Delhi and Beijing is to narrow the trust

gap.

Nine longyearsNine uninterrupted years in office cannot be made light

of. After all, the last government to reach this milestone

bowed out of power 36 years ago. Besides, history has

held that feat to be dubious because Indira Gandhi,

whose first stint lasted 11 years, from 1966 to 1977,

imposed the Emergency in 1975. In the event, the United

Progressive Alliance government cannot be faulted for

feeling a sense of achievement in staying the course, and

that too in an environment rendered unpredictable and

difficult by coalitional politics. Yet what ought to have

been a champagne-popping moment for Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi

has turned into a mere statistic thanks to the regime's

track-record of misgovernance, corruption and worse. If

anything, there is astonishment over the government's

durability in the face of unceasing scams and scandals.

UPA-II's biggest accomplishment would appear to be

that it is hanging in there - and thinking up ever new

ways to fend off the next crisis.

It is not that things went swimmingly for UPA-I, one

of whose low points came in July 2008, when the gov-

ernment was accused of purchasing support to pass a

crucial vote of confidence. But the unedifying drama did

not in anyway detract from Dr. Singh's image as a man

of unimpeachable integrity. UPA-I's shortcomings were

more than offset by the overriding advantage it derived

from pushing the envelope on social welfare. The 2009

mandate was for a largely progressive government that

combined a string of landmark rights-based legislation

with measures such as the farm loan waiver. By contrast,

UPA-II's balance-sheet is a story of overwhelming nega-

tives. From misused and wasted funds in the

Commonwealth Games to massive irregularities in the

allocation of precious natural resources such as coal and

spectrum, the scams have unspooled one after another,

revealing brazen execution and complete disregard for

norms of governance. But rather than learn from its mis-

adventures, the government sought to clumsily cover up

its tracks, bringing not just further ignominy on itself but

earning the wrath of the Supreme Court which was hear-

ing the coal block allocation case. Team Manmohan has

attempted to salvage its reputation by sacking Pawan

Kumar Bansal and Ashwani Kumar from the Union cab-

inet. But that is unlikely to change adverse perceptions

about a government seen to hold institutions in con-

tempt, be that the office of Comptroller and Auditor-General or the apex court itself. As the UPA enters the

final year of its second term, it will surely also reflect on

the damage the scams have done to the image of the

Prime Minister himself.

It was a report in one editionof this paper on sexualassault on a law student.Though the report refrainedfrom naming the victim, agood practice not to doubly

penalise the victim, as identi-fying the victim can lead tounwarranted stigma, it didgive away some other detailsthat can be construed asidentifying clues.Early this year, on January 6,there was a signed notefrom the Editor: "As someof you may know, a foreignnewspaper has published thename of the 23-year-old rapevictim, apparently with theapproval of her father.Section 228A of the IndianPenal Code, which prohibits

publication of the name of adeceased rape victim withoutthe permission of her next ofkin, lays down a specific

procedure by which this per-mission is to be accorded: itmust be given in writing to awelfare organisation or insti-tution recognised by theCentral or State govern-

ments. To the best of myknowledge, this procedure,which was introduced intolaw as an added layer of pro-tection for the victim and herfamily, has not yet been fol-lowed. We respect the

father's wish to go public, ifthat is indeed what he wants,

but unless he states the samein writing in the manner pre-scribed by statute, TheHindu will continue with-holding the name of the vic-tim."The Editor's note and mycolumn were published in all

editions of the paper in aprominent m anner, and oneassumed that the import ofits content would reach boththe general readers as well as

journalists w orking for thispublication in an unambigu-

ous manner. It seems that themessage has reached thereaders but not all the jour-nalists. A report fromTirupati last week titled"Public outrage over rape

and murder of student"(May 14, 2013) committedthe cardinal mistake of nam-ing the victim. Readers were

alert. There were messages.Within hours, the mistakewas rectified in the "Today'sPaper" section on theInternet site; the cache wasfully deleted to prevent deepcrawling search enginesfrom locating the earlieroffensive versions of thestory.

How did this unacceptablemistake happen? Accordingto the Editor, it was a failureat multiple levels. He said:"First, the reporter has no

business to name the victim.Second, if he had slipped inthe name either inadvertentlyor due to the fact that someothers have done so, it wasthe duty of the gatekeepers to

be alert. They too havefailed." He hopes that thiscolumn may act as a deter-rent.Guide for journalistsI recommend that all journal-ists, including those whohandle the desk, read, absorband internalise KalpanaSharma's edited volumeMissing: Half the Story:Journalism as if GenderMatters (Zubaan Books,Delhi). This book is not a

theoretical treatise on gen-der, but a practical guide. AsMs Sharma points out in herintroduction, "it has been puttogether by professionals,

journalists who have been inthe rough and tumble of thetrade, who have reported andcommented on a vast rangeof subjects for several

decades, managed and editedindependent publicationsand sections in mainstreammedia, headed news bureaus,taught in journalism schoolsand who have emerged fromthis experience with the

belief that there is a missingangle to much of reporting."After posing many questionsthat confront a journalist, MsSharma and her co-authorsanswer each one of them in amanner that is both eruditeand accessible. She writes:"Does gender-sensitivityapply only to feature writ-ing? Can it apply to the waynews is covered, to the senseconveyed in headlines, to thechoice of photographs used,to what news story is fol-lowed through and which isdropped, to the choice of

people quoted in stories? We

believe that such a perspec-tive is not a stressful, artifi-cial add-on, something thatyou do only if you have a

boss who insists, or if as astudent you are asked to doan exercise that incorporatesgender sensitivity. Our ownexperience over severaldecades as journalists hastaught us that this is how youcan be a more effective,credible and serious journal-ist."

Sensitive reporting, especial-

ly in this era of the 24x7

news cycle, cannot be taken

for granted even in newspa-

pers like The Hindu.

It is a virtue that comes from

training and a news culture

that inculcates value-based

journalism in its daily prac-

tice. This paper has an induc-

tion programme for young

journalists where various dos

and don'ts are explained;

legal and ethical issues

expounded, giving them a

firm anchor for best prac-

tices. A refresher programme

for mid-career journalists

may be an answer.

For Delhi's chat-

terati, the ultimate

status symbol isgetting the prime

minister to attendthe weddings of their sons or

daughters. Luckily forManmohan Singh, theSpecial Protection Group,

which guards him round theclock, has been a handy

excuse whenever he truly

believes that his time is betterspent on something else than

being at a wedding reception.The SPG takes a look at the

venue and certifies that it is

not safe enough for the pres-ence of one of the most

intensely guarded leaders inthe world since the assassina-tions of Indira Gandhi and

her son, Rajiv. Quite often,Gursharan Kaur, the prime

minister's wife, then puts inan appearance in place of her

husband.

I have wondered on morethan one such occasion how

it is safe in the SPG's assess-ment to let Gursharan Kaur

be at a venue which the prime

minister's protectors havedeemed unsafe for

Manmohan Singh. Until theSPG pointed out to me that

Gursharan Kaur often moves

around the capital withoutpolice escort, in unmarked

cars that do not even sport ared beacon on top.

She goes to wedding recep-tions and other functionsalmost unnoticed. Sometimes

no one other than the hostsand a few people standing

around them are even aware

of her presence, a rare exam-

ple of common sense gettingthe better of increasinglyintrusive security that incon-

veniences both hosts and

guests, not to mention thegeneral public.

Come next week, one Indiancouple will have the rare

privilege in this scenario of

hosting the prime ministerand Gursharan Kaur not once

but twice within a span offour days. The occasion will

not be a wedding or anythingremotely similar, but a work-ing visit by the prime minis-

ter that will have long-termimplications for India's east-

ern states, especially the

often neglected Northeast,unlike any effort undertaken

by any of Singh's predeces-sors with the notable excep-

tion of Jawaharlal Nehru.

The couple, who will host theprime minister and his wife

in quick succession fromMay 27 to 31, are Deepa

Gopalan Wadhwa, India's

ambassador in Tokyo, andAnil Wadhwa, the ambassa-dor in Bangkok. Normally,the Wadhwas would have

taken Singh and Gursharan

Kaur to their homes in thesecapitals for receptions to

meet the Indian communitylike previous ambassadors intheir situations have done.

But Singh is popular and wellrespected in both Japan and

Thailand. So the Wadhwasgracefully yielded to compe-

tition from others for the time

and presence socially of boththe prime minister and his

wife. In Tokyo, DeepaWadhwa gave up the recep-

tion she could have hosted so

that the Japan-IndiaAssociation, which is cele-

brating the 110th anniversary

of its existence this year,could welcome Singh andGursharan Kaur to its func-

tion instead.In the end, it may be more

rewarding in diplomatic

terms to have done sobecause the chairman of JIAis the former prime minister,Yoshiro Mori, who re-

launched Japan's relations

with India two years after the1998 nuclear tests by visiting

the then prime minister, AtalBihari Vajpayee, in a historic

turnaround. That visit by

Mori was a landmark becauseuntil then Indo-Japanese rela-tions were centred on devel-opment assistance to India.

Mori and Vajpayee together

established a "GlobalPartnership in the 21st centu-

ry", which eventuallyreshaped bilateral ties intowhat they are today.

When Deepa Wadhwaarrived in Tokyo last year to

head the Indian mission, thefirst woman envoy from New

Delhi in 61 years of diplo-

matic relations, the very firstformal welcome for her was a

JIA reception. It is a yard-stick of the esteem in which

India is held in Japan that two

former prime ministers, Moriand Yasuo Fukuda, president

of the Japan-India

Parliamentary FriendshipLeague, attended this func-tion. There are few other

countries where an event likethis would draw a galaxy of

such eminent and influential

people from the host estab-lishment.Anil Wadhwa also gave up anopportunity to host the cus-

tomary reception for

Manmohan Singh andGursharan Kaur at his

embassy residence inBangkok because he had

worthy competition from

Thailand's prime minister,Yingluck Shinawatra, for theonly evening that the IndianVVIP visitors will have in

Bangkok next week.

Young Shinawatra, whomade no secret that she looks

up to Singh as an elder states-man during her trip to NewDelhi last year as chief guest

for Republic Day, made asecond trip to India within

less than 12 months. So inplace of the ambassador's

reception, she will host a

banquet for Singh andGursharan Kaur, to which a

number of Thai Indians arebeing invited as a consola-

tion.

The prime minister's visit toThailand is in anticipation of

an Asean Economic

Community by 2015, whichoffers tantalizing prospectsfor India's eastern region that

are not to be missed. If allgoes well, a trilateral high-

way will connect Moreh in

Manipur to Bagan inMyanmar and further to MaeSot in Thailand by 2016,

physically opening up India's

east to the Asian "Tiger"

economies in time for thesebig changes.

The road is part of a vision-ary scheme that could, ifimplemented with imagina-

tion and dedication in equalmeasure, create a new, poten-

tially prosperous, economiczone stretching all the way

from Calcutta to Ho ChiMinh City by the time Asiadoubles its share of global

gross domestic product to 52

per cent by 2050 and regains"the dominant economic

position it held some 300years ago, before the indus-

trial revolution," according tothe Asian Development

Bank.

The more enterprising sec-tions of India's private sector

are preparing for such oppor-tunities and in Bangkok signs

of such preparations are alltoo visible already. About1.16 million Indians now

visit Thailand annually: theseinclude a very large number

of people who are scouting

for business opportunities inThailand - its geographymakes it an ideal location as aregional operating base for

the Asean when its common

market is realized. Scores ofIndian companies are open-

ing offices in Thailand,which is already connected toIndia by 156 flights every

week.

Progress in the construction

of the trilateral highway is

evidence that for once gov-

ernment agencies are keepingpace with the demands of ris-

ing economic expectations.

Work is proceeding apace on

the 183-kilometre stretch of

the four-lane road that Indiais constructing into

Myanmar. For its part,

Myanmar has earmarked one

fifth of a $500-million creditline extended by India for

this road project. Similarly,

Thailand is building 83 km,

which is its share of the road

into Myanmar.A fortnight after the primeminister reviews progress on

all this with his Thai counter-

part, Paban Singh Ghatowar,the minister for development

of North Eastern Region, willtravel to Bangkok with sever-al chief ministers from the

Northeast for a follow up onwhat Singh has discussed.

If India's private sector isrediscovering Thailand, the

reverse is true for Japan,

which is what makes Singh'scombined trip to Thailand

and Japan part of chain eco-nomic thrust. Recent statis-

tics show that on an average

10 Japanese companies aremaking forays into India

every month with the inten-tion of doing business in thelong term with a physical

presence of some kind in thecountry. The process has

acquired urgency because ofJapan's continuing stand-off

with China in the disputeover the Senkaku islands,called Diaoyu by the

Chinese. The virulence ofrecent attacks on Japanese

businesses in China will

inevitably result in secondthoughts in Japan on newinvestments in that country. Itis estimated that one third of

all foreign investment in

China has come from Japan.In the wake of concerns over

anti-Japanese violence, Indiacould well be the beneficiaryof what is known as

"China+1" strategy byJapanese companies. This

envisages supplementing andexpanding a company's cur-

rent operations in China by

diversifying into a thirdAsian nation. The currentfavourites in this plan areThailand and Vietnam, but

India could be a part of it as

well. This is certain to be ontop of the prime minister's

mind when he talks toJapanese businessmen inTokyo next week.

Telling the truth: Let caution be the byword

PM's visits to Japan and Thailand spell hope for the Northeast

A.S.

PANNEERSELVAN.

K.P. NAYAR

How did this unacceptable mistake hap-

pen? According to the Editor, it was a

failure at multiple levels. He said: "First,

the reporter has no business to name the

victim. Second, if he had slipped in t he

name either inadvertently or due to the

fact that some others have done so, it

was the duty of the gatekeepers to be

alert. They too have failed." He hopes that

this column

may act as a deterrent.

In the end, it may be more rewarding in diplomat-

ic terms to have done so because the chairman of

JIA is the former prime minister, Yoshiro Mori,

who re-launched Japan's relations with India two

years after the 1998 nuclear tests by visiting the

then prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in a his-

toric turnaround. That visit by Mori was a land-

mark because until then Indo-Japanese relations

were centred on development assistance to India.

Mori and Vajpayee together established a "Global

Partnership in the 21st century", which eventually

reshaped bilateral ties

into what they are today.

Page 1_.qxd 5/25/2013 11:39 AM Page 4

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5/8

STUDENT AGE

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013 5STATE

JAMMU: Divisional Commissioner,Jammu, Mr. Pardeep Gupta onWednesday sought budgetary supportfrom all line departments like JMC,JDA J&K Housing Board, PWD andERA to Urban Forestry Division fortaking up afforestation works inJammu Municipal areas and its vicin-ity so that objective of "GreeningJammu" is achieved.The Div Com asked the departmentslike PDD, PWD, JDA, JMC, BSNLto avoid cutting, lopping or pollard-ing tree for taking up developmentactivities without consulting urbanforestry division so that double thenumber of trees cut are planted by theurban forestry division in comingmonsoon season after recovering costunder CAMPA, to maintain the eco-logical balance and contain pollution.Gupta was chairing a meeting of offi-

cers of Forest Department, PDD,JMC, JDA, housing board, PWD heldto review greening Jammu mission.He asked the concerned agencies tosensitize people and involve public inthe drive to make Jammu green. Hesaid citizens' cooperation is impera-tive for implementation of the proj-ect.The Divisional Commissionerstressed the need of coordination

between all the line departments with

urban forestry division in this regard.He stressed upon the DFO UrbanForestry Division to continue theongoing drive of plantation and takeall the available area in housingcolonies and road sides for raisingsaplings in coming monsoon season.He asked the urban forestry depart-ment to intensify the plantation drivesin the existing parks, residential areasand take up institutional plantations.He directed the concerned agencies to

ensure there is no dumping of mulbaand garbage near the forest parks and

plantations.Other issues deliberated upon in themeeting included identification ofareas in Jammu city for taking upavenue plantation for greening and

beautification of Jammu city by allstake holders in consultation with for-est department, taking up of planta-tion activity by Urban ForestryDivision in Jammu urban areas,maintenance and upkeep of existingassets of different departments e.gtree guards, fencing etc, constitutionof coordination committee of offi-cers/representative from all linedepartments to coordinate and dealwith all issues pertaining to the sub-

ject matter for resolving any issue infuture etc.VC, JDA, Satesh Nehru, DeputyCommissioner, Jammu, Ajeet KumarSahu, Chief Conservator Forest, RaviKumar Kesar besides senior officersof forest department, PHE, PWD,PDD and other line departments werealso present in the meeting.

JAMMU: Minister forUrban Development andLocal Bodies Mr. NawangRigzin Jora today conductedextensive tour of Jammu cityand its suburbs and inspect-ed various sites where theJammu Development

Authority (JDA) and JammuMunicipal Corporation(JMC) have proposed andstarted new projects.The Minister visited pro-

posed site Chambh Bus standand was apprised about the

pace of progress on the saidproject. The proposedChambh Bus Stand will beconstructed over an area of205 kanal at GurhaBrahmana.The Minister directed theconcerned officers to expe-dite land acquisition andcompensation disbursement

process to ensure early startof work.Mr. Jora also visited the pro-

posed Solid WasteManagement site at KotBhalwal Jammu being devel-oped over an area of 361kanals and 15 marlas. He wasapprised that the land acqui-sition and compensation dis-

bursement process was underprogress and the same wouldbe completed soon.At Muthi, the Ministerinspected the site for pro-

posed vegetable marketbeing constricted over anarea of 2.5 kanals. TheVegetable market will have40 sheds and would be com-

pleted at an estimated cost ofRs. 56 lakh.The Minister also inspectedthe pace of progress on theupcoming Accounts andTreasury Building beingconstructed at a cost of Rs.

10.65 crore. The Ministerwas informed that Rs. 4.47crore have been expended onthe construction work tillending April. The Ministerdirected the executing agen-cies to accelerate the pace ofwork to avoid cost escala-tion.The Minister also visited sitefor shopping Mall at EWSColony RoopNagar proposedto be developed by JDA overa plot area of 7.9 kanals. The

project cost of the ShoppingMall is estimated to be Rs.20.33 crores. Mr. Jora wasinformed that the Mall would

be constructed on modernlines and will have lift andescalator facilities. TheMinister enjoined upon theofficers to complete the for-malities so that the work onthe project would be startedsoon.Mr. Jora also visited the pro-

posed sites for constructionof residential flats at Muthi.The flatted accommodationat the proposed site would beavailable with 3 bedroomand 2 Bed Room sets. Thetotal cost of the project isestimated at Rs. 74.32 crore.The Minister also visited theSite -II where JDA has a

plan to construct 272 two bedroom sets, including 176 two

bed room sets for people of

Economically WeakerSection (EWS) at an esti-mated cost of Rs. 39.10crore.At Roop Nagar Colony, theMinister directed the JDAauthority to convert all thevacant land into plots.He also visited the proposedshopping Mall site at TalliMorh. The Mall would becompleted at an estimatedcost of Rs.24.42 crore overan area of 8.7 kanal compris-es of Basement and fivefloor.While interacting with peo-

ple at Ram Vihar ParkJanipur, the Minister directedthe JDA authorities to startthe repair and renovation ofthe park and complete thesame in a stipulated timeframe for the convenience ofthe local people.Among others, ViceChairman JammuDevelopment Authority,Satesh Nehru, CommissionerJMC K. L Khajuria, DirectorLand Management JDAJatinder Singh, SE JDA P. L.Bhushan, Chief TownPlanner Joginder Singh,XEN JDA Balbir Singh,Chief Khilafwarzi Officer,Ashok Sharma, other seniorofficers of JDA and otherconcerned departments alsoaccompanied the Minister.

Jora inspects JDA, JMC upcomingworks, sites for new projects

Public cooperation imperativefor greening Jammu: Div ComStresses on postplantation care

SRINAGAR: In order tostreamline the functioning ofDepartment of Law, Justice

and Parliamentary Affairsand to encourage the func-tionaries of senior and juniorlevels, Government todayissued orders of promotionand adjustment of 32 offi-cers and officials.Subject to confirmation byPSC/DPC, officiating pro-motion orders have beenissued in favour of twoSenior Law Officers asAdditional Secretaries, theseincluded Mr. Nazir AhmedThakur and Mrs Renu

Mahajan. Similarly threePublic Law Officers have

been promoted as Senior

Law Officers whichincludes, Mr. Altaf Hussain,Mr. Javeed Ahmed and Mr.Mohammad Akbar Dar.While as Senior ScaleStenographer, Mr. KhazirMohammad Shah has been

promoted as PrivateSecretary in the StateHuman Right Commission.As many as Six LegalAssistant have also been

promoted as Public LawOfficers.Promotion has also been

accorded to two AssistantLegal Remembrancers as DyLegal Remembrancers.

Government also accordedpromotion to two JuniorScale Stenographers asSenior Scale Stenographers.Ten Junior Legal Assistantshave been accorded promo-tion as Legal Assistants andfour senior assistants have

been promoted as JuniorLegal Assistants, while asfour senior Assistant have

been promoted as HeadAssistant/ Reader-cum-Record Keeper in theDepartment.

Deptt of Law issues promotion orders

A

NANTNAG: BJP Mahila Morcha State

President Priya Sethi on Wednesday strongly

Criticized the act of sexual harassment of four

minor girls who were reading in an instituteclaiming religious preaching headed by Gulzar

Ahmed Bhat of Khan Sahib, Budgam. Addressi ng the

Mahila Morcha activists at Anantnag Priya Sethi strongly

criticized the act of sexual harassment by the religious

preacher and said that "the incident of sexual harassment of

four minor girls in Budgam is indeed very painful and is

against our culture and tradition. She said it is something

which cannot be tolerated at any cast and demanded

through investigation of this incident and sought stern action

against all the culprits to check this menace in future. She

said no civilised soc iety can tolerate such an inhuman act

and demanded immediate arrest of all other culprits involved

and associated with that institution. She said the Budgam

incident has proved that Law and order mechanism in J&K

has completely failed to provide security to women as is evi-

dent from this shocking incident and said that "We always

took pride in the fact that women enjoyed a better status in

J&K but recent incidents have been a blot on our society.She

appealed to the people from all sections of society to protest

against this shameful incident so that such act should not

happen in the future.

Jugal terms 4-year UPA rule as black chapter

JAMMU: BJP State President Jugal Kishore

Sharma was given a warm reception by the party's

local leadership on his arrival at Sunderbani,

Nowshera and Kalakote on the first day of 2-day

visit to Rajouri district. He was accompanied by

State Vice-President Vibodh Gupta, Jammu-Poonch

Parliamentary Constituency Incharge Yudhvir Sethi and State

Treasurer Chander Mohan Gupta.

Jugal Kishore Sharma, later while addressing a massive

gathering of over 500 people at Kalakote, termed the four

year rule of Congress-led UPA at the centre as a black chap-

ter in Indian history. During these four years, the nation wit-

nessed record breaking corruption, scams, scandals, weak

kneed foreign policy and soft approach towards the anti-

national elements. He said that Pakistan and China indulged

in intrusions, cease-fire violations. He said that during these

four years, there was total insecurity and resentment among

the masses against the mis-governance of Manmohan Singh

government. Similarly, the state of Jammu & Kashmir also

witnessed developments of government's soft approach

towards anti-national elements and appeasement of sepa-

ratists. He said that the State Chief Minister made repeated

utterances against the accession, Armed Forces Special

Powers Act and mercy for even convicted elements. He also

took strong exception to the reports that the government is

harassing the poor people in the name of collecting electric

tariff. He said that even a family using single bulb is forced

to pay 300 to 400 rupees per month. The consumers want

electric meters to be installed but the department do not care

for the same and is working in a dictatorial manner. He said

that the BJP has been opposing the anti-people and anti-

national policies of the UPA and state's coalition government

and shall continue its crusade against these governments till

they do not take action against corrupt elements and shed the

soft policy towards anti-national elements.

Vibodh Gupta said that the twin districts of Rajouri and

Poonch have been continuously subjected to discrimination

by the successive state governments. He said that Kalakote

coal mine is on the verge of closing and the government is

least bothered to ensure that it works properly as livelihood

of a large number of families is dependent on it.

Yudhvir Sethi said that the Prime Minister has now been

called Mouni Baba as he is keeping eyes, ears and nose

closed to display as if he do not have any knowledge and

concern for what has been happening under his stewardship,

which is indeed very unfortunate for the country.

Chander Mohan Gupta stressed on strengthening of polling

booth committees so that desirable results are achieved dur-

ing the elections. He said that in the coming days the party

will put more efforts to ensure support of masses.

Nowshera District President Dr. Ashok Sharma spoke on thenumber of programmes being undertaken from time to time

during the last three months in different areas and said that

the people are looking towards BJP with high hopes.

The gathering was also addressed by Capt. Ramesh Lal,

Vinod Sharma, Bodh Raj, Sushil Sudan and others.

Budgam incident is a blot on our society-BJP

SRINAGAR: To enhancepolice-public interface, theJammu and Kashmir Policehas introduced new telepho-ny scheme Close User Group(CUG), covering the policeorganization from field levelto the police headquarters.The scheme will facilitate the

people to have quick policeaccessibility in the hour ofneed.This was disclosed byDirector General of Police(DGP), Mr. Ashok Prasadwhile commissioning thenew scheme at PoliceHeadquarters this afternoon.He said that there would be a

fixed permanent telephonenumber of each police post,

police station and senior offi-cer so that general public cancontact in emergency any ofthe police stations and police

posts. Their mobile numbersshall not change even withthe transfer of officers as it isa permanent system."The scheme envisages allot-ment of dedicated mobile

phone numbers to eachpolice post, police station,police wing and senior offi-cers which shall remain per-manently attached with thedesignated officer even if theincumbents keep changing

on transfers", the DGP added.Prasad said general

publ

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Final May 23