News Kashmir Magazine

In a worrying development it is learnt ‘81% of total drug samples found substandard across state were lifted from Kashmir’.

 

Reports have indicated that the trade of substandard drugs is growing in Kashmir with each passing year, data compiled by drug and food control organization (DFCO) has shown.

Pertinently, In 2017-18, at least 69 samples of the total drugs and other healthcare consumables lifted for testing by the DFCO were found to be not of standard quality. “Out of these, only 13 samples were from Jammu division, whereas 51 (81 percent) samples were from markets and hospitals of Kashmir division. Four samples were from Leh and one from Kargil.”

 

These figures are part of data sourced from DFCO and points towards the growing menace of substandard drugs in Kashmir. As per the data, over 17 percent of total substandard drugs were part of hospital supplies.

It is a known fact that sub standard drugs have devastating impacts on health.

The list of the “not of standard quality” drugs include antibiotic injections from hospital supplies. Among these are Ceftrioxone injection and Cefoparazone injection. In addition, oral antibiotics such as Amocin CV were also found to have shortcomings vis-à-vis drug description requirements.

Surprisingly, iron and folic acid combination, supplied by JKMSCL in bulk for administering to expecting mothers and adolescent girls primarily have also failed quality tests.

Besides, life saving IV fluids and other injectables from open market are part of the not-of-standard quality list as well.

 

Against the 69 samples found substandard in 2017-18, only 33 had been red flagged in 2016-17. A year earlier in 2015-16, 35 samples had been reported to be substandard.

In the first quarter of 2018-19, 14 drugs have already been reported substandard by DFCO in Kashmir division alone.

In 2017, National Institute of Biologicals published the largest ever survey on the quality of drugs in India.

As per this report, 3.4 percent drugs in J&K were substandard, higher than the national average of 3 percent. The survey put J&K at a dismal 21st rank in terms of availability of quality drugs.

These facts need to considered and evil nipped in the bud.

 

Public sector is very vital  to economic progress of any nation, but in Kashmir the public sector has been hit badly due to varied reasons .  In our region , even the very important public health care and public education system are  in shambles. The Public Health Sector of the Jammu & Kashmir State, especially that of the Kashmir Valley is in mess. Most of the government owned hospitals are failing to meet the expectations and the needs of patients and rural health care is failing to impress . The desperate scenario pertaining to public health sector calls for the implementation of reformative measures.

Pertinently, poor performance of government schools despite being staffed with sufficient manpower  describes the status of our Education System. Just as the seven deadly sins correspond to weaknesses in human nature, the sins of public education are inherent in the nature of the existing system — that it is controlled, operated and funded by government.

Several studies  have suggested that   the state’s PSUs are doing so badly they have to depend on the government to pay employee salaries.

In order to encourage the development of small scale and medium-sized industries in the country, the Government of India had launched a national programme. Public sector has contributed to this programme by fostering the growth of ancillary industries and satellite planets. Such plants have been established around the major public sector undertakings. The need of having such industries and plants is direly felt in the state so as to tackle the grave problem of un-employment in the state. But what we have seen in the state of J&K is utter inefficiency while managing the public sector units.

We need to improve by leaps and bounds our public healthcare.

The figures with reference to unabated bloodshed in the valley of Kashmr are simply worrying with 30 year old deadly conflict showing no signs of solution or easing down. Incessant bloodshed has pained humane hearts in Kashmir and every voice of sanity .

As a matter of fact, Hundred militants and 43 security personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir in the first six months of this year, Union Minister Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said on Wednesday.

Ahir, the minister of state for home, said 16 civilians were also killed during this period, which saw 256 incidents of violence. He was replying to a written question in Rajya Sabha.

On the otherhand, n 2017, 342 incidents of “violence” were reported in the state, in which 213 militants were killed. A total of 80 security personnel and 40 civilians were killed last year, Ahir said.

As many as 82 security personnel, 15 civilians and 150 militants were killed in the state in 2016, which witnessed 322 cases of “violence”, he said.Meanwhile, Minister of State for Defence, Subhash Bhamre informed the Lok Sabha that the Army has lost 106 personnel, including eight officers, in battle casualties in 2017.There were 155 non-fatal battle casualties last year, he said in a written response.

One hopes all the concerned stakeholders engage in effective brainstorming and put an end to this ugly cycle of violence as soon as possible so that last peace is established and no more families are rattled.

An empowered women signifies an empowered society. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, recently  interacted with the members of Self Help Groups from across the country and beneficiaries of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, through video bridge. The interaction covered over one crore women representing various Self Help Groups.  This is the ninth interaction in the series by the Prime Minister through video conference with the beneficiaries of various Government schemes.

Expressing happiness in interacting with women from Self Help Groups of various states, Prime Minister said that each member is an inspiring example of resolution, collective efforts and entrepreneurship.  He said that women are enterprising, have enormous inner strength for self-reliance during odd circumstances, and they need only opportunities to perform. He added that it is impossible to imagine many sectors especially agriculture and diary, without the contribution of women. This is the true spirit of women empowerment all over the country.

Narendra Modi during the interaction said that Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihood Mission has been started in all states. He added that the aim of the scheme is to reach crores of poor households in 2.5 lakh gram panchayats and provide them sustainable livelihood opportunities. He also congratulated all States and Officials in the successful implementation of the scheme.

Talking about Self Help Groups (SHGs), Prime Minister said that Self Help Groups play a very important role in the economic and social advancement of poor, especially for women from rural strata of society.Through Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojna, training has been given to over 33 lakh women farmers. At present there are 45 lakh Self Help Groups with active participation of around five crore women all over rural India.

We definitely need to give more impetus and encouragement to women self help groups.

Water scarcity is one of the burning issues faced by world currently and this is expected to get worse with time. The scarcity  of fresh water throughout globe  is in future going to be number one concern . The conflicts and tensions over water, widespread deaths due to polluted water is now not an exception  and possibilities of an imminent war over water not being ruled out. Wisdomful  voices have  stated that water might be the main cause of future wars.

We in Jammu and Kashmir should also learn to preserve and conserve water otherwise we are doomed .

The worrying statistics  speak out for themselves. According to the 2001 Census, only 68.2 per cent of households in the country had access to safe drinking water. Experts say, as of now, 50 per cent of the villages have no source of protected drinking water. In a list of 122 countries rated on the quality of potable drinking water, India ranked a lowly 120. With 1.2 billion people to feed, it is estimated that by 2020, India will become an even more water-stressed nation. The availability of water per person per annum has been reduced from 6500 cubic meters to 2500 cubic meters. On the otherhand,  India’s supply of water is rapidly dwindling due primarily to mismanagement of water resources. India’s water crisis is predominantly a man-made problem. India’s climate is not particularly dry, nor is it lacking in rivers and groundwater.According to expert analysis,  extremely poor management, unclear laws, government corruption, and industrial and human waste have caused this water supply crunch and rendered what water is available practically useless due to the huge quantity of pollution.

We need to gather our acts together and start saving the resources of water with utmost urgency.

Cancer is one of the deadliest disease facing humanity with its advanced stages virtually still having no effective treatment available despite strides in medical technology. The need to make the treatment of cancer disease affordable is burning one indeed.

In a related development, Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu has asked policy makers to put in efforts to make cancer treatment affordable. Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the new State Cancer Institute Block at Kidwai Cancer Institute, Bengaluru in Karnataka , he expressed concern over the rising cost of cancer treatment. Governor of Karnataka, Shri Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy and other dignitaries were present at the venue.

Vice President called for strengthening of preventive, curative and palliative care programmes at national and regional levels to combat the rising incidence of cancer.

No doubt, huge investments are needed for trained man power and equipment necessary for offering optimal treatment, but the government should explore various policy alternatives that would make cancer treatment affordable, he said.

The Vice President asked doctors to establish a regular communication with the patients, especially in a dreaded disease like cancer. Patients and their families need comfort. They need palliative care and more importantly kind words that make the pain bearable, he said.

Empathy and patience, care and compassion are qualities that can infuse hope in the hearts of patients and calm the troubled minds of the families, he said.

The Vice President stressed on the need to create greater awareness on the dangers of pollution, obesity, harmful use of tobacco, betel nuts and alcohol, leading sedentary lifestyle, eating junk and other foods linked to cancer. It is also equally important to take up periodic screening of people, especially those at risk of developing cancer.

 

Ground pulse is that we need to establish cancer units for early detection, diagnosis, treatment and to provide palliative care in rural areas where about 70 per cent of our population resides.

This week was quite sensational for the Jammu and Kashmir State .Nobody had thought that PDP BJP Government would end in such jiffy. ON 19 JUNE 2018,  Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decided to pull out of the alliance with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Described by the political pundits as  The ‘unholy’ alliance was formed on 1st March 2015 led by Late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed. On January 2016, following the demise of Mufti her daughter Mehbooba Mufti took charge of the first woman Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav made the surprise announcement after the party high command summoned its Jammu and Kashmir ministers for emergency consultations in New Delhi. A few hours later, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti submitted her resignation to Governor N N Vohra amid a swirl of political activity in Srinagar and New Delhi. Consequently Governor Rule was imposed in the state.

 

The December 2014 assembly election, which recorded one of the highest voter turnouts in Jammu and Kashmir, led to PDP emerging as the single largest party with 28 seats, BJP 25, National Conference 15 and Congress 12.

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“I am not shocked. We didn’t do this alliance for power. This alliance had a bigger motive- unilateral ceasefire, PM’s visit to Pakistan, withdrawal of cases against 11,000 youth are some of the objectives we achieved,” said Mehbooba Mufti while addressing a presser here at his residence.

Earlier, immediately after the press conference of Ram Madhav, Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said here that the BJP had committed a “Himalayan blunder” by forming a government with the PDP..

Certainly on political paradigms we witnessed no less than a shocker in the state.

The killing of two cops in a brutal manner at South Kashmir district of Pulwama has angered entire Kashmir with condemnations pouring in from different quarters .  It is worth mentioning here that in a painful and heart-wrenching  episode on eve of holy night Shab e Qadar, two policemen were killed on Tuesday in a militant attack in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The militants launched an attack on the police guards at the Pulwama court complex.

“Two policemen were killed and one was injured in this attack. The militants escaped with the service rifles of the victims,” the police said.

Official sources stated that a group of militants opened fire upon the police post resulting in on spot death of two security guards and injury to another at Takiya Wagam opposite to Government Degree College Pulwama near Barpora Kareemabad.

Masses opinion was that the killing of two policeman on the blessed and respected night of Shab e Qadr is highly unfortunate and condemnable and it is clearly an act of cowardice to kill someone after prayers in sleep. From online to real world the heinous act was condemned . All the voices of sanity showed Solidarity with the families of policemen who were killed in Pulwama during the holy night and described the act as senseless act of violence . Such cycles of violence only go on to inflict huge pain on poor families of Kashmir who are shattered due to loss of their near and dear ones  .

One hopes sanity prevails on all sides and such unfortunate acts are not repeated .

Dialogue is the ultimate solution of all conflicts and the violence hit Kashmir is craving for talks, peace, negotiations and dialogue. In a significant development in this regard on 7 June Thursday, 218 ,Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh during his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir addressed a press conference at Srinagar . Addressing the media at SKICC, Shri Singh said that the government is open for talks with anyone but they should be right-minded people in order to restore peace and tranquility in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that Central Government’s special representative has visited the state 11 times. He appealed to all the sections of the society to introspect and come forward to help the Centre as well as State Government in bringing normalcy in Jammu & Kashmir. Recognizing the role of media, he requested for its support in this noble endeavor towards peace and development.

Pointing out towards the various elements hell-bent to spoil the future of the innocent youth, Home Minister appealed not to play with their future. These youth are not only children of Jammu and Kashmir but also of the whole country. Keeping this in mind, the government withdrew cases of first time offenders involved in Stone-pelting.

With bloodshed getting reduced to great extent during Ramadan month many are hoping that separatists, militants too will respond.

Pertinently, Home Minister Rajnath Sigh  said that the suspension of offensive operations against the militants in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramadan was keeping in view the interests of ordinary people of Jammu and Kashmir. He lauded the role of the security agencies who have executed their responsibilities professionally and with patience amidst provocations.

Undoubtedly one hopes positivity generated due to dialogue offer is strengthened and  sustained.

Media is an important institution of a civilized society and a prosperous nation. Currently as we would like to quote a famous quote – “The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses” – Malcolm

In democratic societies Media is considered the fourth pillar of the state in these societies .Media is without doubt  the most powerful means of communication. It helps in cheering the right things on right time. It gives a real exposure to the mass audience about what is right or wrong. Even though media is linked with spreading fake news like a fire, but on the safe side, it helps a lot to inform us about the realities as well. The globe is moving towards progress in every walk of life. But when we look towards societies, it feels as if something is still absent. Money, power, lust, etc., is the wish of every human being to attain.

Media has a constructive role to play for the society as Media has unmistakably played an significant role in order to center on the social and political issues in approximately every age. It is the reality that in most of the eras, media were not being given free and fair chances to explore the issues of society more openly than it is being given now; but in the conflict ridden zones like Kashmir media continues to face the wrath from different sections for its objectivity. We all need to play our  role in building a constructive society via allowing press freedom.

Realities of time call on the stakeholders to ensure freedom of press  and let media play a role for building a great society.