Jammu and Kashmir especially the Kashmir valley is known for having a very harsh winter . Often power cuts make life of people quite difficult during the winters . Now the latest vision of Jammu and Kashmir Government on smooth power supply in Jammu and Kashmir is a welcome Development . It is learnt that a vibrant, disruption free winter remains the topmost priority of the government this year. This was stated by the Chief Secretary Dr. Arun K Mehta here recently . He was chairing a meeting to review the power scenario in Kashmir valley. It was said that the Chief Secretary was apprised about the existing electricity scenario in Kashmir valley, the current energy consumption pattern and future power requirement during the winter season. He was informed that the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation has already touched a peak load of 1653 MW which is nearly 100 MW higher than the peak load of 1546 which was served last year. Similarly, the power supply to the Kashmir valley this year alone had been of the order of 5719.6 million units- an increase of 12% over the previous year.
While acknowledging the efforts of the department, the Chief Secretary also directed the officers to undertake greater efforts to ensure smooth power supply during winters. He directed inspection of all transformers by 30th November 2021 to ensure good health of transformers, besides simultaneously inspecting all HT/LT fuses within 15 days. Masses are hopeful that Jammu and Kashmir Government would maintain a regular power supply during the upcoming winter season that is just round the corner .In a welcome sign , Dr. Mehta further directed prevention of unscheduled power cuts due to overloading and formulation of proper protocol to manage scheduled power cuts. He also directed the initiation of the IEC campaign for raising awareness on agreemented power load, schedule of electricity cuts and helpline number for complaints.
Transformer Failure has been a great problem for our power sector especially in Kashmir valley . Now in a positive stride forward, The Power DISCOMS JPDCL and KPDCL will aim at reducing the transformer failure rate by at least 15% in the current year. This target was set by Principal Secretary Power, Rohit Kansal at a meeting held at IIT Jammu few days back.
Pertinent to mention he was presiding over the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU between Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited, JPDCL, Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited, KPDCL and IIT Jammu here today. The MoU was signed by MD JPDCL, Gurmeet Singh and MD KPDCL Basharat Qayoom on behalf of the two corporations respectively. The IIT Jammu was represented by its Director Manoj S Gaur. The Chairman JPDCL, Jagmohan Sharma and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.
Under the MoU, IIT Jammu would help in providing an end to end solution for procurement, analysis and maintenance of Distribution transformers. The institute would incorporate smart technologies and data analyses to provide preventive maintenance, data-intensive monitoring, damage analysis and smart metering technologies for end consumers. Real time monitoring and e-governance facilities would also be provided under the agreement. It would also facilitate capacity building of engineers of both distribution companies and also provide smart technological interventions.
The agreement provides for undertaking research and consultancy projects, and for developing course modules for training of engineers in addition to internship opportunities for IIT students. Nominated members from the engineering institute and the distribution companies would also form Joint Working Groups for implementation of the MoU. Experts and IT tools from the UT administration would also be provided to augment the joint efforts under the MoU.
Speaking on the occasion, the Principal Secretary hailed the MoU as an excellent example of Academia-government interface. He says that while the DISCOMS would benefit from a massive reduction in infrastructure damage rate, and in identifying vulnerabilities in the overall power infrastructure, the staff and students at IIT would be enriched by exposure to real life problems. He also hoped that the technical expertise would help the power corporations procure the most suitable and effective equipment. Our aim is to provide improved and quality power supply to the end consumers while cutting down on the losses, said the Principal Secretary. He also lauded the Director IIT, Manoj Gaur for his support and proactive approach.
Improving Road Projects Accountability In a bid to improve the quality of infrastructure in road sector and fix responsibility for proper maintenance of assets, the Administrative Council (AC), which met recently under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the rollout of the 3rd party inspection guidelines in Jammu and Kashmir.
The quality of roads made in our region has been point of debate , with past experiences of roads being repaired with sub standard material a perception and reality. Now with these reforms the things are set to change in a right direction . In this regard , Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.
The new guidelines have been framed on the lines of established regulations in respect of the road network created under the PMGSY scheme. Accordingly, a structured control mechanism is being established in the PW(R&B) Department to carry out scientific and periodic independent inspections for all district roads and state highways by undertaking monitoring via in-house departmental engineers and empanelled consultants of National stature.
The quality control mechanism also defines procedures and timelines to properly govern preparation of realistic detailed project reports (DPRs); preparation of bid documents and effective selection process for procurement of works; quality control on material and workmanship through enforcement of technical standard; and quality control requirement by regular testing, close supervision and inspection. One hopes that roads in Jammu and Kashmir will soon meet global standards and commuting in geographically tough areas of the region becomes a nice experience .The new guidelines make it mandatory to conduct independent quality tests in accordance with the standard codal requirements and verify that the quality management system is achieving its intended objectives. They also prescribe non-release of payments to the contractors until works are inspected and graded satisfactory by the quality monitor.
Further, the Directorate of Design, Inspection & Quality Control which has the mandate for designing and quality control, shall be the Nodal Agency for implementation of Quality Control Mechanism independently under overall supervision of PW(R&B) Department as Quality Control Unit.
India’s One Billion Covid-19 Vaccination Milestone
Recently, India reached the one billion COVID-19 vaccinations milestone this morning. The government wants all of India’s 944 million adults to get vaccinated this year.As a matter of pride fact , Three-quarters of adults in the country of 1.3 billion people have had one shot and around 30 percent are fully vaccinated, the government says.On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the RML hospital in Delhi to mark the milestone, congratulated the country and called it “the triumph of Indian science, enterprise and collective spirit of 130 crore Indians”.The five states that have administered the highest number of doses are Uttar Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.VK Paul, NITI Aayog member and chief of the government’s vaccine panel, said it was remarkable to reach the 1 billion dose mark in just over nine months since the vaccination program started in India.Daily vaccine shots have averaged 5 million this month, a fifth of September’s peak, though states are sitting on record stocks of more than 100 million as the domestic output of Serum Institute of India’s Covishield vaccine soars. To celebrate the record, the government plans announcements over loudspeakers on trains, planes, and ships. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will launch a song by singer Kailash Kher. The largest national flag, weighing around 1,400 kg, will also be raised at the Red Fort, news agency PTI reported.India has always been a global leader when it comes to vaccination . From the peak crisis of rising Covid cases we have come a long way to take a right direction towards Coronavirus fight .Undoubtedly, one billion vaccination achieved is a big milestone for india .
Adding Critical care Ambulances in Jammu and Kashmir An ambulance is a medically equipped vehicle which transports patients to treatment facilities, such as hospitals.Typically, out-of-hospital medical care is provided to the patient.In modern times ambulances have assumed much importance in the health care system of any place, with many ambulances now capable of providing health care facilities within the ambulances .Just few days back, the Lieutenant Governor, J&K, Manoj Sinha flagged off 68 critical care ambulances and facilitated all the covid warriors, doctors and other essential contributors of the UT’s health system few days back . LG said on microblogging website twitter that he flagged off 68 critical care ambulances that will be integrated with the existing fleet of 108 ambulances. He further said that he also monitored round-the-clock through 108 centralised call centres. Besides this, LG Sinha also felicitated covid warriors, doctors, nurses, para-medical staff, ambulances drivers for their selfless service to humanity in trying times, he said.
These critical care ambulances are likely to boost the health sector of Jammu and Kashmir in much much big way .Health experts are welcome the move , as they believe it will ensure taking measures to ensure that the emergency and critical care facilities were augmented at the peripheral level in addition to making the transit of patients to a referral center safer.
Mega Tunnels in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh The mega Tunnels in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh region are a great sign for our progress in right direction. The infrastructure development would be taken to new heights especially the connectivity part bringing geography vise tough terrains closer.
During his visit to review progress of work on Zojila and Z Morh tunnels recently Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari said that extensive road networks in the Himalayan Region will help boost the tourism sector in the area. The minister is on a two day visit to the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
Addressing the media persons the minister gave the detailed information about the two tunnel projects and said that the Central Government has given a new impetus to the construction of new highways, tunnels and bridges which will bring transformative changes in the lives of people and will create huge employment opportunities to the local people.
He said that Zojila tunnel project will provide all weather connectivity to the Union Territory of Ladakh. He assured that work on the Zojila Tunnel is in full capacity and NHIDCL is geared up to continue the work in winter months. He stressed for putting in every effort in place to complete the project well before the scheduled date.
Shri Gadkari expressed his satisfaction on the work progress and said that the Zojila tunnel is of a significant importance to the development and tourism for both UTs of J&K and Ladakh as it will provide round the year connectivity to Ladakh region.
Pertinent to mention that, once completed the Zojila tunnel will be India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel. Several bridges are being constructed along this route and a connecting tunnel from Z-Morh in the National Highway-1 to Zojila tunnel will be constructed in the Zojila Ghats between Sonamarg and Kargil. The entire work is divided into two divisions in the 33 km span.
The state of art infrastructure in the region is bound to boom after these tunnels start operating.
KEEP A HEALTHY HEART BEATDr Suhaib Ashraf Bhat A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked. The blockage is most often a build up of fat, cholesterol and other substances, which form a plaque in the arteries that feed the heart (coronary arteries). Common heart attack signs and symptoms include: Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or backNausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal painShortness of breathCold sweatFatigueLight headedness or sudden dizziness. Not all people who have heart attacks have the same symptoms or have the same severity of symptoms. Some people have mild pain; others have more severe pain. Some people have no symptoms. For others, the first sign may be sudden cardiac arrest. However, the more signs and symptoms you have, the greater the chance you’re having a heart attack. Some heart attacks strike suddenly, but many people have warning signs and symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. The earliest warning might be recurrent chest pain or pressure (angina) that’s triggered by activity and relieved by rest. Angina is caused by a temporary decrease in blood flow to the heart. Although the risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction, or MI) in young people is relatively low, between 4% and 10% of heart attacks occur in those under 45. For some, the same lifestyle factors known to contribute to MI in people of all ages, such as diabetes, obesity, smoking, and being sedentary, often are at least partially involved. At the same time, there are a handful of lesser-known risk factors for MI that are associated with heart attacks experienced by young people. If you’re “too young” to have a heart attack, the chances you’ll have one are extremely low. Even so, it can’t hurt to know about the few risk factors that apply to younger people, as well as any measures that can be taken to help prevent an MI. The overall risk factors for a heart attack are well known, but bear repeating, given that some that once applied mostly to older people are increasingly applicable to the young. In particular, type 2 diabetes—which often results from poor diet, inactivity, and being overweight or obese and hypertension (high blood pressure) are increasingly associated with early heart attack risk. In a 2018 review of more than 28,000 people hospitalized for a heart attack between 1995 to 2014, 30% were between 35 to 54 (considered young for the purpose of the study). What’s more, the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes has increased in this younger group. These conditions were observed more often in women than in men.3 If you’re worried about exercising too much, that’s a concern you can generally rule out. There have been a few reports that extreme endurance exercise may lead to the development of scar tissue in the heart, even in young people. However, doctors don’t know yet exactly what the scarring (fibrosis) means, and there is currently no significant data to suggest it can cause a cardiac event. Furthermore, heart attacks are not a common cause of sudden cardiac death in young people. Overall, there are many more studies that show exercise prolongs life and reduces the risk of cardiac issues.
A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, can be fatal, but treatment has improved dramatically over the years.The heart senses emotional information five to seven seconds before it happens, while the brain senses it three to five seconds beforehand. So not only are emotions important contributors to our output of thoughts, but they may be one of the best ways to influence and create a change in what and how we think. In 1974, the French researchers Gahery and Vigier, stimulated the vagus nerve (which carries signals from heart to the brain) in cats and found that the heart and nervous system were not simply following the brain’s directions. In 1983, the heart was reclassified as an endocrine gland when a new hormone called atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), which affects blood vessels, kidneys, adrenal glands and regulatory regions in the brain, was found to be being produced by the heart. Dr. J. Andrew Armour discovered the heart also contains a cell type known as intrinsic cardiac adrenergic (ICA), which synthesizes and releases neurotransmitters once thought to be produced only by neurons in the brain and nerve ganglia. The heart starts beating in an unborn fetus before the brain has been formed, a process scientist’s call “autorhythmic.” Dr. Armour introduced the concept of a functional “heart brain” in 1991. Considered an independent entity, the heart’s brain is composed of an elaborate network of neurons, support cells and neurotransmitters which enables it to process information, learn, remember and produce feelings of the heart and then transmit this information from one cell to another. “We observed the heart was acting as though it had a mind of its own and was profoundly affecting perception, intelligence and awareness,” explained McCraty. According to Goleman, it’s a person’s EQ (Emotional Quotient) that enables them to succeed in life as much or more than their IQ (Intelligence Quotient). During the ‘60s and ’70s pioneer physiologists John and Beatrice Lacey conducted research that showed that the heart actually communicates with the brain in ways that greatly affect how we perceive and react to the world around us. Neurologist Antonio Damasio stresses the rationality of emotion in his book Descartes’ Error, where he emphasizes the importance of emotions in decision-making. He points out that patients with brain damage in the areas of the brain that integrate the emotional and cognitive systems can no longer effectively function in the day-to-day world, even though their mental abilities are perfectly normal.So have they not travelled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts. [Quran, 22:46] Hearts are the main source of reasoning. Here, rationality has been associated with it, since no organ works if the heart doesn’t. So you see those in whose hearts is disease hastening into [association with] them, saying . . . [Quran, 5:52] Almost everywhere, feelings precede thinking. What you feel is what you say usually. It all starts from the root, out until the fruit. Is it really think before you speak, or rather feel before you do? The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children. But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart. [Quran,26:88-89] You have a damaged heart and it makes a lot of difference. So don’t take this half-heartedly! Then do they not reflect upon the Quran, or are there locks upon [their] hearts? [Quran,47:24] This implies that one can’t reflect if one’s heart is locked. Perhaps we should try to think with an open heart instead of an open mind, because if the heart is open eventually the mind will open, too, because thinking sprouts from the heart. And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brothers. [Quran, 3:103] Great minds think alike? How about this: Great hearts bond alike. The prevention of heart disease in young people means taking the same measures recommended for older adults: following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and routine medical check-ups, achieving weight control, and smoking cessation. However, there is growing concern that the message isn’t reaching younger age groups. Heart abnormalities are a risk factor for sudden cardiac death and heart attack in young people. Two such conditions are: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited condition characterized by enlargement of heart muscle cells that causes the walls of the ventricles to thicken. It is currently believed to be the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes, though other conditions can also cause a heart attack in this population. Kawasaki disease, a rare childhood disorder, causes acute inflammation of blood vessels. When coronary arteries are affected, the heart may be deprived of oxygen-rich blood, leading to tachycardia (an abnormally rapid heart rate), cardiac inflammation, and heart failure. May Allah give shifa to all those suffering from heart diseases.
Promoting Golf Tourism in Kashmir Golf has been seen as royal game in which a player strikes a small ball with various clubs from a series of starting points (teeing grounds) into a series of holes on a course. The player who holes his ball in the fewest strokes wins.Jammu and Kashmir especially the Kashmir valley has amazing potential in terms of world class golf courses to be a global destination of this game . Appreciating the five-day golf tournament organised jointly by Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and Jammu and Kashmir Tourism at Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC) in Srinagar, India’s top golfer Jyoti Randhawa recently said that it was a good step towards promoting golf tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. Honey Baisoya of Delhi and Khalin Joshi of Bengaluru emerged joint leaders after the second round of the J&K Open at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar. A six-time winner on the PGTI, Honey (67-69) went error-free for the second straight day and made three successive birdies on the 12th, 13th and 14th while making pars on all the other holes. His second round three-under 69 took his total to eight-under 136. One hopes we will see continued efforts from all the stakeholders to promote golf tourism in Kashmir .
But on ground already, Golf tourism is picking up in Kashmir with hundreds of golf lovers visiting the picturesque Valley to play the sport in the shades of mountains. Kashmir has three international-standard gold courses.
Saffron Spice Promotion Saffron is among the costliest spice of the world . It is a very precious spice grown in Kashmir . Saffron grown in Kashmir has multiple health benefits .It is also used for sleep problems (insomnia), cancer, “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), intestinal gas (flatulence), depression, Alzheimer’s disease, fright, shock, spitting up blood (hemoptysis), pain, heartburn, and dry skin. Women use saffron for menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).In a welcome Development ,the government is giving much needed support to the saffron sector of Kashmir . Under the Union Government’s public outreach programme, the Union Minister of State for Communications, Devusinh Chauhan had a detailed visit to Indian International Trade Saffron Spice Park, Pampore today where he inspected various departments of the processing unit.
As per a statement in addition to the Stigma Separation Center, the minister also inspected the drawing, grading, packing and E-Auction Centers at the park.
On the occasion, the Minister said that the Central Government is ready to provide all possible help and support to the farmers. With the existence of Spice Park, the income out of saffron production of growers has doubled. Center will provide all kind of facilities and assistance to the farmers that will make the lives of our farmers prosperous, he added.
Chauhan met various stakeholders, including Fruit growers, NRLM beneficiaries, Youth, Sports, Traders Association, Industrial Unit Holders and listened to their issues. The delegations put forth their demands and projected many other issues of public concern.
The union minister also spoke to delegations, who presented grievances before the Minister. They were assured that the government will take up the issues on priority to resolve the legitimate demands of these delegations.It is a good development that all important Saffron spice of Kashmir is getting well needed attention.
The global Pandemic of Coronavirus has killed millions of people and infected crores. Economies across the globe have been wrecked badly.But one of the worst hit sector has been Education, as millions of students are since more than one year and half throughout world staying away from schools due to pandemic. Although the online classes have been started but that mode of education has limited efficiency and can’t match real school experience.Now in a positive development, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said that the decision to reopen the colleges and universities in Kashmir this month is being deliberated upon by the administration with ensuring of prior covid jabs to students above 18 before it. LG Sinha said to reporters on the sidelines of a function at SKICC that they are thinking about reopening of colleges and universities in Kashmir this month after administering covid jabs to students above 18 years old. He said that the administration is already aware about the demands of parents to reopen the schools. He further said that regarding the reopening of schools, both primary and secondary, the decision would be taken after the unlocking of colleges and universities. Meanwhile, More students in the country have stepped inside a classroom for the first time in nearly 18 months, as authorities give the green light to partially reopen more schools despite apprehension from some parents and signs that infections are picking up again.
Schools and colleges in at least six more states of India will reopen gradually with health measures in place throughout September.One hopes our education institutions open soon so that our kids once again see bright prospect of education .
