DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016 (PAGE 3) India emerging as global power: DyCM Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, June 18: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, today said that India is emerging as a global power and now the onus lies on the scholars and intellectu- als to contribute their bit as well so that the vision of our country gets the requisite intellectual push and thrust. The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking on the conclu- sion of five-day seminar in connection with millennium celebrations of Acharya Abhinav Gupt, Kashmiri Scholar in which many schol- ars participated. Dr. Singh said the contribu- tion of this world renowned scholar is immense in field of aesthetics and other related subjects and we should ensure that it is preserved, propagat- ed, so that the younger genera- tion derives inspiration from it. He said that our State has produced scholars and saints of repute whose teachings are still being taught and researched in various coun- tries globally Emphasizing that Indian civilization is based on the similar principle of bondage and amity as people belonging to different faiths co-exist peacefully in India, he said that the concept of tolerance has been taught by us to the world as people from different regions of the world have come to live here without feel- ing any sense of insecurity He said secularism is the core phi- losophy of India and followers of every religion have freedom to practice their religion and culture. The Deputy Chief Minister said people of the State believe in tolerance and are peace loving. He said some stray untoward incidents are handiwork of mischievous ele- ments, who want to vitiate peaceful atmosphere here. He emphasized the scholars pres- ent in the seminar to take with them message of peace from here. On the occasion, Advisor to Chief Minister, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo lauded the contribution of Acharya Abhinavgupt contribution and said that it is immense in every field and the need of the hour is to ensure its propagation, so that it becomes known to all especially the younger genera- tion and budding researchers and scholars. MLC, Surinder Ambardar also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the contribution of this scholar. The scholars who partici- pated in the seminar included Dr Kailash, Dr SM Mishra, Dr S S Toshkhani , Dr HM Mishra, Dr KN Sharma, MR George, Dr Kartar Chand and Dr BN Koul. Later, the Dy CM and Advisor gave certificates and mementos to the participating scholars. V ote Congress, vote secularism: Raj Babbar Mir asks people to puncture RSS-PDP balloon Excelsior Correspondent ANANTNAG, June 18: Blaming PDP BJP Coalition for failing to respect the urges of the people, JKPCC chief G A Mir today cautioned the people of Anantnag that supporting PDP amounts to strengthening RSS while MP Raj Babbar said that vote for Congress party means vote for secularism. They were addressing series of election rallies at Mir Danter, Kehribal etc in Anantnag on Saturday. G A Mir said that PDP- BJP Coalition secured votes on certain issues, but what happened after the election results, is known to every- one and people would never for- give PDP BJP for the betrayal and their deceitful planks. He felt con- fident that both PDP and BJP will be wiped out from the State due to their anti-people and wrong poli- cies. Cautioning the people about the politics of exploitation and opportunism by PDP- BJP, PCC chief reminded the people about the tall claims by PDP during 2014 elections and the so called slogan to keep BJP out of power. He said despite being opposite to each other with great ideological differ- ences, both PDP and BJP formed the Government by not caring about the wish of their electorates. PCC chief said that Anantnag bye elections is a golden opportu- nity for the people to defeat RSS backed PDP, as it is the PDP which has facilitated RSS estab- lishment in the State by sacrificing its principles for the sake of com- ing into power. He told the people to puncture the RSS PDP balloon by voting against PDP candidate. Mir said people must keep it in mind that it is not only PDP, but RSS and BJP contesting the elec- tions in order to secure votes for their joint candidate Mehbooba Mufti. Addressing the rallies, senior AICC leader and MP Raj Babbar termed the Congress party as an instrument of service to the peo- ple. He said Congress party believes in serving the people and never compromised on its princi- ples for anything. Mentioning that vote for Congress party is vote for secular- ism, he appealed the people to strengthen Congress, as this party alone has the ability to serve peo- ple. He said Congress believes in strengthening the people from grass root level and assured that the party shall remain committed to the causing of serving people. Among others, who addressed the rallies, included secretary AICC Moin-ul-Haq MLA, MLC Ghulam Nabi Monga, MLA Haji Ab. Rashid Dar, vice presidents, MLA Mohd Amin Bhat, general secretary and candidate Hilal Ahmad Shah and other party func- tionaries. Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh giving certificate to a scholar at Srinagar on Saturday. Union Textile Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar during inauguration of solarised community centre at Korzok in Leh on Saturday. Union Minister inaugurates infra under Pashmina Promotion Prog Excelsior Correspondent LEH, June 18: Union Minister of State for Textiles, Santosh Kumar Gangwar today inaugurated shelter shed with guard rooms at Samad and solarised community centre at Korzok constructed under Pashmina Promotion Programme. He also handed over the keys of guard rooms to the beneficiaries at Korzok and interacted with local nomads. At Samad, the villagers sub- mitted a memorandum to the Minister demanding more guard rooms, adequate medi- cines and cattle feed consider- ing long winter period and increased funds to provide basic facilities. The Minister was accompa- nied by Jaswant Singh Bishnoi, Chairman Central Wool Development, Joint Secretary CWDB, Geeta Narayan, CEC, LAHDC Dr Sonam Dawa, MP Ladakh Thupstan Chhewang, EC Works, Dorjey Mutup, EC Sheep Husbandry, Mumtaaz Hussain and Councilor Korzok, Gurmet Dorjey. Addressing the gathering, Gangwar said, "our endeavour is to fulfill the commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of Ladakh during his visit to Leh to promote and upgrade Pashmina production in the region", adding "construction of guard rooms, community centres and free distribution of 500 tents are a part of it". "The Textile Ministry is concerned about providing all kind of facilities as per need to develop pasture lands, bring down flocks death count, gen- erate employment through skill development trainings, provide adequate cattle feed, fodder and medicines to ensure fur- ther upgradation in Pashmina production", the Minister said, adding "Ladakh produces the best quality Pashmina in the world and we are fully com- mitted to create a unique iden- tity for nomadic region of Changthang by ensuring improved facilities for local Pashmina producers". MP Thupstan Chhewang said that P-3 is an effort of Central Government to ensure economic growth of the nomadic population but it is not a full-fledged development scheme. He, however, hoped that further upgraded schemes will be launched soon in the region. CEC LAHDC, Dr Sonam Dawa stressed on the need for pasture development scheme considering the inadequate pasture land in comparison the total population of livestock with 5 to 6 months of grazing period. He also requested for large scale fodder banks for winter stocking which he said is a major reason for deaths of livestock in winters. VC Jamia Millia Islamia calls on Governor Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, June 18: Prof. Talat Ahmad,Vice-Chancellor Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), called on Governor N.N. Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here today. Prof. Ahmad and the Governor discussed several important proj- ects and certain areas which need high attention for strengthening research work in institutions of higher learning in J&K. In this context it is to be recalled that the Institute of Kashmir Studies (IKS) in the University of Kashmir has already established a very strong link with Jamia Millia Islamia under which students of IKS study for a semes- ter at the JMI. Fourth Tawi bridge closed for vehicular traffic Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 18: Due to immediate repairs and construction of protection bund the fourth Tawi bridge at Bhagwati Nagar has been closed for vehicular traffic from today. All the traffic which was other- wise moving via Tawi bridge from canal has been diverted via Jewel resulting into huge traffic jam at canal road to Jewel during the day. When contacted the Chief Engineer, PWD Alok Mengi said that the bridge has been closed due to repair work by Jammu Kashmir Projects Constructing Corporation (JKPCC) and after the repair work is complete the bridge will be thrown open to traffic. MD JKPCC, Dalip Thussoo said that the bridge was closed for vehicular traffic as a precautionary measure as protection work is going on. He said it will take 15 to 20 days in completing the protection work and efforts will be made to restore the bridge for vehicular traffic before Monsoon sets in. He said the protection work of the bridge has become necessary as its embankments were damaged during 2014 floods. Fourth Tawi bridge which was closed to vehicular traffic on Saturday for undertaking repair works by JKPCC. -Excelsior/ Rakesh MP Raj Babbar addressing a rally of Congress workers in Anantnag on Saturday. Chief Secretary, B R Sharma chairing SLAC meeting in Srinagar on Saturday. Rs 471 cr AIP under Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin approved Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, June 18: The State Level Apex Committee (SLAC) headed by Chief Secretary, B R Sharma, today approved the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) of Rs 471 crore for the year 2016- 17, under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin. Finance Commissioner Planning Development & Monitoring Department, B B Vyas, Commissioner Secretary Housing & Urban Development, Hirdesh Kumar, Secretary PHE, Sanjeev Verma, Secretary Rural Development Khurshid Ahmad Shah and other senior officers were also present in the meeting. The proposal for the year 2016-17 includes construction of 3 lakh Individual Household Latrines (IHHL), 638 Community Sanitary Complex (CSC) and 319 Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) Plants. As many as 4 CSCs and one SLWM are proposed to be constructed in each block. As per the baseline survey- 2012, in rural J&K, there is a need to construct over 10.78 lakh IHHLs, out of which 2.5 lakh households have been cov- ered under the mission so far. The road map framed by Rural Sanitation Department for making J&K Open Defecation Free (ODF) by October 2, 2019 targets construction of 3 lakh toilets in 2016-17, 3 lakh in 2017-18 and 2.3 lakh in 2018- 19. Prime Minister launched the Swachh Bharat Mission on October 2, 2014. The Mission is coordinated through Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS). The aim is to achieve Swachh Bharat by 2019, as a fitting tribute to the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, by improving the levels of cleanliness in rural areas through Solid and Liquid Waste Management activities and making Gram Panchayats Open Defecation Free (ODF).