Mayorship Hopes In a significant development, The former Mayor and ex-Peoples Conference leader, Junaid Azim Mattu was elected Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for the second term.Mattu, won 44 votes while Imran has got 7 votes. 26 members walked out during the election process.
Pertinent to mention here that Mattu, who does not have any known party affiliation currently, defeated Sheikh Imran, a former deputy mayor who was removed from office last year through a no-confidence motion. Imran also did not represent any party in the mayoral polls.
Mattu tweeted on micro blogging website Twitter : “What a humbling, emphatic verdict! We have touched the 2/3rd majority mark!
Thank You to my fellow Hon’ble Corporators and the people of Srinagar for your trust and faith again.
Together we will all serve Srinagar and take it to new heights!
In recent memories ugly politics has hit hard the SMC functioning hard .
Masses are expecting now with some sort of semblance will be seen in the functioning of Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Junaid Mattu will take all steps for betterment of the Srinagar city .
Walnut Sector in Kashmir Deserves Promotion
23 November,2020 .
Walnut Sector in Kashmir Deserves Promotion
Walnut sector used to be bulwark of rural economy of Kashmir .A village in Kashmir used to be incomplete without presence of Walnut tree.But over the decades due to rapid conversion of land into apple orchards,Jungle of construction the walnut trees have been worst hit as a result walnut sector has suffered .Now some good developments have taken in recent times . Farmers residing in remote hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, who are solely dependent on agriculture to earn their livelihood are now changing the trend of farming by adapting walnut farming on a large scale.Pertinent to mention here that Farmers here are now engaged in walnut farming along with other crops like maize and rice. The farmers are focused on horticulture farming of cash crops.Now the walnut crops are ready for sale in areas like Kotranka, Budhal.
In another optimistic development, Director Horticulture recently visited the fruit plant nursery Tral where the Director was appraised that 20000 walnut seedlings have been produced during this year, which shall be grafted during coming season for production of quality planting material.
The demand for walnut plants is quite high in the Valley and no stone should remain unturned in producing the quality walnut plants. Recently,Director Horticulture was appraised that at this nursery around 25000 clonal root stock is being multiplied which shall augment the availability of plant material. Director Horticulture directed to establish small model high density orchard which shall serve as a demonstration plot.
The hope is that all important walnut sector is given due attention so that it becomes a major source of our income and employment.
Edit 16 November ,2020 issue on Srinagar Smart City
Srinagar Smart City Projects Raise Optimism
Srinagar ,the city having centuries old rich history is the heart of beautiful Kashmir Valley .It is dream of every Kashmiri to see Srinagar developing into a full fledged smart city soon.Recently it was learnt that , The Srinagar Smart City Ltd convened 6th meeting of Board of Directors which reviewed the progress on various projects approved during previous meetings and also approved a host of new projects in various sectors aimed at key infrastructure interventions and developmental initiatives in city.Pertinent to mention,Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Pandurang Pole, Chief Executive Officer SSCL / Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Director SSCL Naveen Aggraval, VC SDA Dr Bashir Ahmed, Commissioner SMC, Director Archives and other members were present.On the occasion, CEO Smart City (DC Srinagar) briefed the board about progress on various projects which include initiative for Smart Power metering, smart water metering under which DPRs have been formulated and funds to the tune of Rs 17 Cr and Rs 45 Cr earmarked to Power and Jal Shakti Departments; city beautification, 5KM long cycle track initiated along 90Ft road soura, underground cabling in various parts of city, release of funds to Tourism department for revitalisation of Yarkhand Sarai, tendering of project for conservation and beautification of Maharajganj Market, Variable Message Display screens installed at 10 locations, work on Smart Vending Zones under progress, conservation of shrines including Imambada Hassanabad, Raghunath Temple, St Louis Church; establishment of Smart Health Centres and Smart Classrooms, tendering of bio-toilets project, completion of civil work of Integrated Command and Control Centre at Bemina, completion of Fire Safety infrastructure project including procurement of boats and fire tenders, installation of Reverse Vending Machines at 10 locations completed, process initiated for procurement of 20 electric buses through SRTC and installation of air, noise and water quality monitoring systems at various places in city. The CEO also informed that 73KM road has been re-developed under Smart City and PWD has been entrusted with installation of signage and street furniture; establishment of Disaster Relief Shelters and emergency evacuation has also been completed.
The BoD meeting approved several new projects which include cycle sharing scheme involving procurement of 500 cycles and installation of cycle stands in central business area, a joint initiative of Smart City and District Administration; additional Smart Class Rooms, formulation of DPR for Bohrikadal and Zainakadal market beautification, Kawdara Craft Exhibition Centre, development of 26KM pedestrian pathways in various areas of old city using local devri stone, heritage walkways, conservation of hertage network, social protection plan, community based trained task force linked to schools, adaptive reuse of lower court, re-development of FCI godown as commercial district, smart advertisement panels and display boards at road intersections, green spaces, wall paintings, community engagement initiatives and other projects related to drainage, road development and junction improvement. The board was informed that with initiatives of several new projects the ranking of Srinagar Smart City improved from 96 in March 2019 to 72 in June 2020 which further slated to be around 50th rank once approved projects are initiated and ongoing projects are completed in next two months.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir asked the officer for effective and concerted efforts for inter-sectoral convergence for best possible results and also laying focus on quality and timely completion of projects. One hopes Srinagar City as a complete Smart City will be a reality soon.
Biden Presidency Global Impacts
Biden Presidency Global impacts
For decades, the question of who occupies the White House has had a direct bearing on the shape of the global economy and global politics. Joe Biden who is slated to be thr next President of United States of America, the most powerful country will have to address host of challenges . First and foremost is the ranging Coronavirus Pandemic in USA which has killed lacs of humans and infected millions there. The restoration of dwindling US influence would be another major Challenge for the Biden Administration. Biden administration would continue to depict China not just as an authoritarian superpower (which it is), but also as a global threat to the very idea of freedom itself. It would frame competition with China in terms of a global battle of ideologies, and, in a rhetorical carry-over from the Trump years, speak of binding together “like-minded” democratic allies in the Indo-Pacific. The first Biden term would likely see a revival of democracy promotion as a core tenet of U.S. foreign policy, on the assumption (not always stated openly) that a more democratic world is both achievable and likely to turn the tide against China.Biden would be mix bag for India. He will do everything to have stronger ties with India but as many political analysts state that We can be sure that Biden-Harris won’t give Modi and BJP the free pass that Trump did. Biden has expressed disapproval of the CAA and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and Kamala Harris’ words on the abrogation of Article 370 should alarm New Delhi. Biden would like to revive the Iran Nuclear deal and that is big respite for Iran and it’s neighborhood especially India and Pakistan. For Pakistan the Presidency of Joe Biden looks Unknown commodity. Turkey might not like Biden Presidency as he and his team are quite vocal on Kurdish rights. Overall Joe Biden offers a picture of cautious optimism for US and World.
Tragic Assassination of Advocate Babar Qadri
Edit 28 September issue
Tragic Assassination of Advocate Babar Qadri Kashmir recently witnessed dastardly killing of prominent lawyer, tv debater, writer and political commentator.
Babar Qadri was shot Thursday evening at his home in Srinagar by unidentified gunmen. Police blamed militants and said they formed a special investigation team.
“We will arrest them as soon as possible and if we cannot arrest them, we will try to neutralize them in an encounter. This case is a top priority for us,” Inspector General Vijay Kumar said in a news conference.
Qadri’s relatives said two men came to his home and posed as his clients. As Qadri came out, they fired at him and fled, they said. Qadri was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him dead.
Qadri, in his late 30s, was an outspoken person known for his tv debater and writing skills.
It is indeed a very painful act that has send waves of grief across Jammu and Kashmir.
One hopes that killers of Babar Qadri would be unmasked soon and bloodshed comes to an end.
Civil Services Exam 2020
Edit 5 October issue
Civil service exam of 2020
In a big development, the Supreme Court refused to postpone UPSC civil services preliminary exam, to be held on October 4, because of COVID-19 pandemic and floods in several parts of the country.
A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar, B R Gavai and Krishna Murari asked the Centre to consider granting one more chance to those aspirants who may not appear in their last attempt for the exam due to the pandemic.
It also refused to consider the plea for clubbing of UPSC civil services exam of 2020 with 2021 exams saying this will have a cascading effect .
The bench was hearing a plea seeking postponement of the Civil Services Exam for two to three months, so that the flood/ incessant rains recede and the COVID-19 curve flattens.
One hopes that students are able to go through exams in a nice manner . On the other hand, The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) opposed the plea saying all necessary precautions have been taken and adequate arrangements have been made for holding the exam.
In these gloomy times it is a notable development.
Women’s Day 2019
Recently we marked an important observation on 8th March International Women’s Day, it is a celebration of all the societal, literary and political achievements by women and is celebrated every year on March 8.
As a matter of fact, Women’s Day has rich legacy and was first observed on February 28, 1909 in New York. In 1910, at the International Woman’s Conference, March 8 was finalised as the day when Women’s Day would be officially commemorated.
It is worth mentioning that the last two years have seen a new wave in the era of women’s rights in the form of the MeToo movement which started off in America and has made waves of change all over the world.
The day is not associated with any one group, but it brings together various organisations, companies and charities. All over the world, it is celebrated by performances, marches, talks and discussions.
On the otherhand of the spectrum, Women’s Day is an official holiday in many countries Cuba, Armenia, Mongolia, Russia, Uganda and Ukraine. On this day, just like on Mother’s Day, men present gifts to their mothers, girlfriends and wives.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2019 Campaign theme is #BalanceforBetter A balanced world is a better world. How can you help forge a more gender-balanced world? .Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.Get everything you need to run a successful International Women’s Day.
In Kashmir too despite devastating violent conflict Women have played a great role in shaping society and showed courage of iron when it comes to dealing hardships of life and conflict.
Industrial growth must
Edit
Industrial growth must
Industrial growth is the backbone of progressive society . The industrial growth in right direction helps to fight grave economical problems. Since the last three decades, industries in Kashmir are being shoddily hit due to the ongoing turmoil and violence . We are also facing the problem of sick industrial units.
Poor industrial governance, infrastructure along with the poor investment climate has left the industrial sector in its infant stage struggling . Due to the unimpressive industrial growth especially in the kashmir valley the unemployment has risen much .
Experts and sane voices state that since the last 30 years of turmoil industries in Kashmir were badly hit due to the ongoing turmoil and clearly state that industrial picture in the Valley of Kashmir is quiet grim. Industrialists despite raising their issues feel badly let down by the government and concerned departments.
- We need to bear in mind that ,a lot of industrial estate was created with the state intervention programmes like setting up of industrial growth centres, etc, but proportion of their production and employment generation is very small in the total secondary sector. One hope with more industrial estates coming up the employment picture in the state will improve.
Kashmir needs an impressive industrial growth to fight serious issues like lack of progress .
Food Wastage and Kashmir
Malla Jameel Ahmed
FOOD WASTAGE is a burning issue and we are all responsible and when addressed collectively will get rid of it.
Every year around the globe 1.3 billion tons of food is lost or wasted, that is 1/3 of all food produced for human consumption. Food losses represent a waste of resources used in production such as land, water, energy and inputs.
The losses incurred in developing countries are mainly due to infrastructural constrains related to poor transport, storage, processing and packaging facilities in addition to capacity gaps that result in in-efficient productions.
Our kashmir valley is no exception to the same and is equally fairing in its share of food wastage which comprises of 20-22% of the total waste generated. The quantity of the wastage of food in the land which otherwise takes it a bad thing and a sinful act needs a reprimand to explain the same. If the point of wastage of food is deeply observed at a local level, certain reasons can be attributed to the same.
Transportation:
Kashmir valley is surrounded by mountains and the roads leading to this paradise are full of excitement but with lot of hardships also. The vehicles carrying the food always has to tread these hilly ranges to reach to the Kashmir valley and on a way, the significant amount of food gets wasted even some getting rotted. The problem becomes more persistent in winters, when the heavy snowfall results in avalanches or others completely blockading this age old road which ultimately leads to the perishing of all the items ferried in the stranded vehicles.
Lot of raw food (mainly rice) also gets wasted during the transportation from main godowns to public distribution shops. The wastage may be miniscule but rightly finds its way in one of the factors of food wastage.
Storage
In Kashmir valley, the storage of food is a big problem. The vegetable, fruit and cereal growers does not possess the knowledge regarding the storage of food and various means to increase the shelf life. Resultantly, lot of vegetable & fruit markets can be seen piled up with the waste of vegetable & fruit waste which get decomposed/putrefied due to improper storage. The cereal mainly rice which is distributed in government run fixed price shops are engulfed with rodents and other insects making it highly susceptible for human consumption.
Excessive spending
Consumerism not only led to stalling of minds of people but also led to increase in concentration of the stale food. The increasing in income of the common people has led to the increase in their spending, but in the course of time, people have lost their ability to identify as to which item at what quantity will be useful to them. People spending without any logic on an easily avoidable things has added more to the problem of wastage and if taken the said narrative for the food, it will not be wrong to say, it is one of the factors for food wastage.
Big fat weddings
In Kashmir, the biggest sources of food wastage are the weddings as the quantum of preparation of food is in itself humungous which is bound to get wasted. Kashmiris are by nature known to spend lavishly on wedding. The extra food has been prepared to make sure everyone is well fed which at the end of weddings or function ultimately finds its way in the river streams, dust bins, road corners and many conspicuous places easily accessible to dogs and other animals but deprived to the social animal. Throwing a food which is otherwise consumable clearly shows the ignorance for the oblivious reasons as maximum people do not know what to do with such kind of excess food.
Most common & Easy ways to reduce the food wastage which everyone can implement in their daily life as the saying goes “great things are done by a series of small things brought together”
Plan your meals in advance so that you will avoid buying items of no need.
First utilize what is already available at home.
Dont go for a shopping empty stomach as it will incite you to buy more and more as the psychologically our brain perceives everything important even if it is not so.
Choose quality over quantity and try to enjoy your meals by eating slowly
Cook only according to your need.
Store food better as correct storage can add days, weeks and even months to the foods. Make sure dry goods are stored in air tight containers to avoid moisture and weevils, freeze leftovers and don’t store all the fruit and vegetables in the fridge as sometimes it will make them deteriorate quicker
Leftovers shall be used judiciously instead of throwing them away.
Freeze for later use
One can use leftovers to be converted into compost.
Preserve seasonal produce,
The significant waste occurs at consumption stage. It is better not to make wasting a way of life. Many people hardly manage a single meal a day and there are still lot of poor people who out of societal fear don’t acknowledge such condition. Hunger is still one of the most urgent development challenges and hunger is global issue , even after the world is producing more than enough food, but the wastage plays a spoilsport.
(Malla Jameel Ahmed is a government employee and is working is Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Srinagar.)
Asphyxiation deaths in Kashmir
Kashmir is known for its harsh climate and people try to brace themselves with different gadgets so that to warm themselves .
People dying due to asphyxiation, a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body that arises from abnormal breathing, is rampant across the Kashmir valley, claiming the largest chunk of the total deaths and it mostly occurs due to careless use of gas heaters Life in Kashmir during harsh winters is painful due to intense cold , this year too the main water bodies like the Dal Lake go into a freeze, water taps in the homes and the main supply lines also get blocked as the water running in them turns into ice.
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In a heartrending incident, On Friday night, a heart wrenching incident happened at Bemina Srinagar due to suffocation caused by gas heater, claiming death of five family members including a child which is the most traumatic.
In one more incident in Burran village of Pattan in North Kashmir’s Baramullah district, a 13-year-old boy died and three others were hospitalised due to asphyxiation.
According to the medical advisers, the excessive use of heaters often leads to nausea or even death. Children, pregnant women and their unborn babies, older people, and people with chronic illnesses such as heart and lung disease are at increased risk.
The need of the hour is to aware people about how to carefully use warming gadgets especially the gas heaters .
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