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Srinagar, Mar 09: Kashmir’s historic Badamwari was on Thursday thrown open for the general public while the authorities said that the almond bloom to be witnessed in the next 7-8 days at the garden.

The visitors, especially the tourists from different parts of the country, were seen clicking pictures at the famous and historic Badamwari garden here today.

Javed-ul-Islam, a tourist from Delhi, said that the garden is a wonderful place to click pictures and the people from outside should visit here. “Kashmir is blessed with picturesque places and Badamwari is one among them. It was a wonderful experience today at this garden,” he said.

Director Floriculture, Farooq Ahmad Rather as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) also visited the park today where he said that only 20 per cent of almond trees are in bloom while the garden will witness complete bloom in the next 7-8 days.

He said that the garden is being mostly visited by the people living around Srinagar City and the tourists as well. He added that the garden spread over an area of 300 kanals has 1500 almond trees with different varieties.

Pertinently, the almond garden located on the foothills of historic Koh e Maran in Srinagar, holds much significance as it heralds the arrival of spring in Kashmir—(KNO)

Says 3 years ago, PM’s pledge to remove all hurdles in J&K bearing fruit; Covid dampened sports spirit in UT for some time; Youth scripting their new future in sports field

Srinagar, Feb 09: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday said that large number of Kashmiri youth are scripting their future in the field of sports and the Valley youth have replaced stones with cricket bat, hockey and badminton.

“The misguided youth who would pick up stones are today holding cricket bat, hockey, badminton and tennis rackets in their hands. This is the outcome of the pledge taken by Prime Minister Narendera Modi three years ago that removed hurdles and resolved all issues in J&K,” the LG said, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), while addressing the closing ceremony of LG’s Rolling Trophy that saw the participation of 42000 participants, in Jammu.

He said that Covid dampened the sports spirit for some time. “But a large number of youth are scripting the new history in the field of sports. They are the real champions and making J&K proud,” the LG said.

He said that in October 2020, the government took steps to provide sports kits to youth in every Panchayat after seeing their enthusiasm. “We had assured the jubilant youth that they will get best possible sports infrastructure. Talent is being traced at Panchayat level and sportsmen are being provided best guidance to prove their skills,” the LG said.

The LG said that that the players with their sill and endurance on playing field have inspired youth generation, renewed the essential spirit of sports and made this tournament truly memorable.

He said that Youth and Sports department, mission youth and Sports Council is visiting village to village to trace the talent and provide them a proper platform. “Special focus is being given to build a quality sports infrastructure at village level,” the LG said—(KNO)

Suhail Ahmad

Ajas Mar 09 : Continuing anti encroachment drive against encroachers, Tehsildhar Ajas Safia Abdullah on the directions of DC Bandipora along with Naib Tehsildhar Ajas and with the participation of irrigation Division Sonawari got released Zajyari Nalla (Irrigation canal) at Sadunara from the encroachers.

The drive was carried out on Thursday and with the eviction of irrigation canal from the hands of encroachers, hundreds of kanals of land agriculture is depend on this irrigation canal. The locals said since twenty years we were craving for removing of encroachment from this nalla which provides water for our paddy land.

It was long pending demand of this area and we are happy finally anti encroachment drive has been started by the admin. The local appreciated the move of administration.

BARAMULLA, MARCH 09: The District Administration Baramulla in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) today organized an export awareness workshop for potential exporters in association with Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), and various other export institutions.

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar presided over the workshop and expressed her salutation to the business community members from Baramulla District.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Sehrish emphasized on proper branding of the products to make the branded products export ready. She further highlighted the major products from Baramulla which have potential for exports and spotlighted the importance of fine tuning and finishing of products.

The workshop is first in line of the planned events to be held across the UT to promote exports from all districts of J&K. It included detailed sessions on Benefits of exports, process of getting IEC code, awareness regarding India Business Portal and India Trade portal, credit linkages for exports and credit risk insurance facilities and potential of products of region in international market.

The emphasis of the workshop was to boost and support exports from District Baramulla with a focus on developing the district as an export hub under the District as Export Hub/ODOP initiatives. The beneficiaries were briefed regarding the potential of their products for exports, countries to be targeted and procedures of exports.

JKTPO has brought all export agencies/ stakeholders to the grassroots level through these drives. Special focus was given on ODOP products and other focus products of district Baramulla including Fruit, Silk Carpet, pashmina shawls etc.

The detailed sessions were conducted by the experts on the benefits of exports, the process of getting an Import/Export code, endorsing local products to an international market, credit linkages for exports and credit risk insurance facilities.

A.K. Bhushan, Deputy Director DGFT, J&K, during his address, apprised the participants of the role of DGFT in international trade. He reflected upon the kind of documentation and procedures necessary for entering the international business/IEC registration and other related issues.

About 250 participants, including members of Industrial associations, industrialists, Fruit Traders, entrepreneurs, artisans, FPOs, participated in the event.

Amir Wani

Markundal Mar 09: Department of Horticulture on Thursday organised a one day awareness cum training camp for orchardists in Marriage Hall Markundal.
The programme was presided over by Chairman DDC Bandipora Abdul Gani Bhat besides him Vice Chairperson Kounser Shafeeq ,Director Horticulture Kashmir G R Mir ,Chief Horticulture Officer Bandipora Farooq Ahmad ,Sajad Hussian HDO Sumbal,,Officials from CFL Hajin including Centre Manger CFL Ghulam Hassan and Yasmeena Ahad DEO and ,Abdul Rehman Incharge Horticulture Plaining and Marketing Department,Dr.Hilal Ahmad Malik scientist KVK Bandipora were also in the presidium.

The program was attended by senior orchardists of the village .
The main aim to organise this program to aware orchardists about government schemes and their benefits for the people .

While speaking on the occasion Director Horticulture Kashmir G R Mir said that the department is providing all assistance to the farmers and they should take all the benefits of the centrally and UT sponsored schemes of the department.

He urged farmers to adopt integrated farming in their fields and avail the benefits on different components viz establishment of nurseries, installation of , Borewells, construction of Pack Houses, horticultural machinery, micro irrigation,High density plantation etc. for uplift of their socio- economic status.

Orchardists who participated in the camp also shared their views and expressed satisfaction for holding such an informative program.

They thanked Horticulture Department for conducting such an awareness camp in their area and expected more such programs in the future.

BARAMULLA, MARCH 09: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar, who is also chairperson of District Disaster Management Authority, distributed Emergency Response Kits among Aapda Mitra volunteers of the district at Dakbanglow Baramulla.

These volunteers have completed 12 days Disaster Management training at SDRF Ist Battalion Srinagar.

The Volunteers have been acquainted with the knowledge and skills to deal with any kind of disaster.

The upskilling of Aapda Mitra will go a long way in conducting the rescue operations during the disaster.

Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that upskilling of Aapda Mitra Volunteers with disaster management rescue techniques focuses on creating specialized rescue teams to respond and deal with the eventualities during any disaster

The DC further outlined the scope and mandate of the trained volunteers who shall be in a state of readiness to tackle and rescue the people during any disaster.

Additional District Development Commissioner Baramulla Aijaz Abdullah Saraf, DYSP Traffic Rural, Mujahad Nazir, Tehsildar HQ and other concerned officers and officials were present on the occasion.

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Mar 09: A student of 8th standard of Imperial Institution Nathipora in Sopore was injured after being assaulted by his colleague on Thursday afternoon.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the student was attacked by his colleague after appearing in class 8th exam in government high school at Tujjar today.

He said the student identified as Salib Ashraf received head injury after being hit by a sharp edged tool by his colleague.

“He was immediately rushed to sub district hospital Sopore, where his condition is stated to be stable.”

Meanwhile, police have taken cognisance of the incident and launched a probe in this regard—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 09: The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday raided three places including houses of Hurriyat leader Qazi Yasir and Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement chairman Zaffar Bhat in a case linked to allotment of MBBS seats in Pakistan, sources said here.

Sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the central probe agency along with local police today morning raided the house of Mohammad Akbar Bhat alias Zaffar Bhat, who is the chairman of J&K Salvation Movement, in Bagh-e-Mehtab area of Srinagar.

They said another team of the central probe agency also raided the house of Hurriyat leader Qazi Yasir in Qazi Mohalla area of Anantnag today morning.

“A team also is carrying out raids at the house of one Syed Khalid Geelani in Baghat area of Srinagar,” he said.

He said the raids at both places were going on and further details will be shared accordingly.

The official said raids are being conducted in connection with the case of allotting MBBS seats to J&K residents in different colleges in Pakistan—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Mar 08 : On women’s international day, Baramulla’s deputy commissioner, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar on Wednesday said that the the administration would ensure safe transportation for the women especially the college going students and soon special services while as free environment would be ensured in public transport as well.

Sehrish as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) while addressing the gathering at Women’s Day function at GDC Sopore, said that under Nayi Soch they have started the project like One Stop Solution Center (Women Cell), women empowerment and drug related issues or whatever the atrocities the women are facing would be dealt.

Upon a query related to harassment of women especially college going students in transport service, the deputy commissioner said that they would ensure safe and smooth transportation so the outgoing girls understand the safe environment they would now be able to move in and around the district.

As of now, it’s not possible to start the women’s special services across the district, however those routes having students flow would get the special services soon, besides hassle free and safe environment for the women would be ensured in public transportation.

Sehrish also said that the women cell – where issues related to women are dealt with have so far received 200 cases since October and 90 percent of the cases have been resolved. “The pending cases were sort of divorce and property related issues of which the necessary legal proceedings have been initiated”, she added.

Pertinently, the women’s day was celebrated at government degree college Sopore, which was organized by the local municipal council, wherein the DC Baramulla, Syed Sehrish was chief guest. ADC Sopore, presidents of MC Baramulla and Sopore were present on the occasion, besides other dignitaries—(KNO)

Baramulla, March 08: Celebrating International Women’s Day for economic and social empowerment of women, an overwhelming Participation was witnessed in Government Degree College Sopore where Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar presided as the chief guest.

The event of International Women’s Day was organised by the district administration in collaboration with Municipal Council Sopore.

The present era marked the biggest social change due to removal of inequality among genders which gave due recognition to women of our country.

Women must identify their strengths in order to work upon them for socio-economic empowerment of the women folk.

The DC made these remarks while addressing a large gathering of womenfolk on the occasion of International Women’s Day organized in GDC Sopore under the banner of Nayi Soch.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar said that the world is changing and women are taking up every field and making their contribution at all levels and the government has initiated several schemes for women empowerment. She also threw light on the rights of women and discussed various centrally sponsored women centric welfare schemes that are aimed at providing hand-holding to the women to make them self-reliant and urged the female folk to avail benefit of these schemes.

Other speakers while highlighting the significant role played by women in social, economic, political, educational and judicial fronts said that mass awareness about the rights of women and to acknowledge their achievements is the need of the hour.

DC further asserted that inheritance of property rights and removal of gender disparity are the important measures to be op ut in practice for socio-economic upliftment of the women.

Highlighting the Helplines (181- Women Helpline), DC said that women in distress and the victims of domestic violence should come forward and seek help through these Helpline numbers. DC said that district administration has established One Stop Center OSC in Baramulla for legal assistance to the women who are suppressed through domestic and other types of violence

During the function, a variety of colorful performances including a skit were performed to highlight the rights of the women which got a quite applause from the audience.

Earlier, Deputy commissioner Baramulla Dr Sehrish Asgar laid a foundation stone of additional accomodation building at Government Hr Sec School Sopore and participated in a plantation drive at Government Degree College Sopore as a part of activities on International Women’s Day.

Meanwhile, a felicitation ceremony was organized during which Deputy Commissioner felicitated and honored the meritorious girl child who has shown exemplary services in different fields.

President Municipal Council Sopore,Masarat Kar , President Municipal Council Baramulla Touseef Raina, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore Tariq Ahmad Reshi, Principal Government Degree College Sopore, Students, citizens and others were present on the occasion.