Exam ends at 4.p.m. and far-flung students unlikely to reach home to celebrate Eid with loved ones

Srinagar, June 02 : The 2^nd semester students of 1st year, who are scheduled to write their examination on June 4, again urged authorities to reschedule it in wake of the Arfa (a day before Eid).

“The authorities should take a realistic view and consider the difficulties faced by students from far flung areas,” a group of students said and reiterated it would be difficult for them to reach examination venue and back home given the fact traffic gridlocks have been order of the day in run up to Eid celebrations.

 “Our EVS paper is scheduled on June 4 which is Arfa (day before Eid).  I’m to appear in the examination at Rainawari and the examination is scheduled to end late in the afternoon. How could I reach home at Kupwara given the fact that there would be huge rush and probability of finding a sumo vehicle is also very meager,” said a student who studies at Vishwa Bharti educational Institute. The students said normally she stays at rented accommodation here but celebrating Eid with the family would be difficult and as such University authorities should defer it post Eid-ul-fitr. “The Eid is the most cherished festival and the one which allows family togetherness but if examination is held as per the schedule, many students would not be able to reach home and celebrate the festival with their respective families,” she added.  

The examination is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. and ends at 4 p.m. The sumo services have already stopped plying from Srinagar to Kupwara as they have to cater to inter district rush. Presently mini vehicles that ply and they take more than a double time than a sumo vehicle.  “How could somebody reach far off places like Kupwara while we may reach Lal Chowk by 6 p.m.,” the student said.

A number of students who belong to south Kashmir districts also shared same views and urged the university authorities to reschedule the examination.

 “There would be one-way traffic on most of the roads and reaching the examination centre would be very difficult. If the examination is held on time, we will have to stay at rented accommodation and cannot go home and celebrate the Eid with family,” they said and urged authorities to reschedule the examination keeping in view the importance of celebrating the festival with the family.  “We request the authorities to consider our genuine demand and reschedule it. Some family members are also stuck with us here,” they said and urged the authorities to reschedule the examination. (GNS) 

To record the statements pertaining to the arrest of journalist, Asif Sultan, the court on Saturday sought the presence of former Station House Officer (SHO) and Head Constable Police station Batamaloo on 11 June.

After the police officers today failed to turn up in the hearing, the court gave such direction.

Mr. Sultan, who was working as Assistant Editor at Kashmir Narrator, a monthly magazine, was picked up during a nocturnal raid in August 2018. Police have accused him in ‘criminal conspiracy’ and ‘harboring militants.’

Ahead of his detention, Committee to Protect Journalists, and several international journalistic and human rights bodies including IFJ, RSF and Amnesty International have condemned his arrest and demanded his release.

The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan said that government is working to tie up with TATA Consultancy Services (TCS), Flipkart, Amazon and other such types of services so that famous Kashmir Handicrafts could reach to every corner of the world.

“There is a big chunk of population in downtown and requires equal attention in their upliftment. We have underlined this aspect fully and measures have been taken to improve a lot of people associated with handicraft. The government is working to protect carpet weaving, Papier-mâché, Walnut Wood Carving, Crewel Chain Stitch Embroidery, Khatamband, Namda, copperware and other centuries-old world-famous arts from counterfeiting,” he added.

He directed Handicraft and Handloom departments to prepare a complete report specifically Handicraft related, type of products, total artisans especially youth and women folk and submit it to the Divisional Commissioner’s office. He said the purpose of the report is to take necessary action so that financial, marketing and other support will be provided to all types of handicrafts of the Kashmir so that valley based craft will reach across the globe. This will give a new dimension to the production of Kashmir handicrafts and would help in its marketability across the world.

While underlining the importance of preserving the heritage and age-old handicraft designs, he said that new designs with heritage bearing should be introduced and products of day to day use manufactured to attract the present day consumer towards these items.
Khan reiterated that Government will take other steps to ensure the welfare of the artisans and also to protect dying handicraft like the establishment of showrooms along the river Jhelum to attract national as well as international tourists through water transport.

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal, Additional Commissioner Kashmir Tasaduq Hussain Mir, Director Handloom, Deputy Director Social Welfare, Assistant Commissioner (central) Qazi Irfan, Deputy Director Industries & Commerce, Handicraft Teachers, and other concerned officers were present in the meeting. (Inputs from GNS)

Srinagar

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah paid glowing tributes to Pahalgam brave-heart Rouf Ahmad Dar who drowned in Lidder River while saving the lives of five tourists.

Party president while hailing Rouf Ahmad for his heroic sacrifice said, “His sacrifice is another glaring example of how much the people of Kashmir care for tourists.  Without caring for his life, he battled the gushing currents of Lidder River, Rouf made a supreme sacrifice. I take this opportunity to salute the valour of Rouf. His timely intervention saved five tourists including two foreigners. This should act as an eye opener to all. The sacrifice of Rouf shall be remembered for all the times to come. I pray for peace to his soul and strength to the grief-stricken family.”

Omar Abdullah while paying tributes to the brave-heart said, “Rouf is a real hero, I take this opportunity to salute his valour and bravery. May Allah Grant him the highest place in Jannah.”

General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani, Member Parliament elect Hasnain Masoodi, District president Altaf Ahmad Kaloo and provincial spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar also saluted the sacrifice of Rouf and urged the incumbent governor administration to provide a government job to the next of kin of Braveheart. The leaders expressed their solidarity with the grief-stricken family in their hour of grief.

Meanwhile, Party president and vice president also paid glowing tributes to Ghulam Rasool Tramboo of Shamaswari, Srinagar. Party general secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar also paid glowing tributes to the veteran freedom fighter and associate of Sher- e- Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah.

Shab-e-Qadar, the night of power and blessings, was observed across Kashmir valley with religious fervour as the historic Jamia Masjid in the summer capital here witnessed the largest congregation of devotees.

As part of the festivities, Muslims thronged mosques and shrines across the valley Saturday night for prayers and recitation of the Quran as the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhaan is about to end.

Along with the Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of the city, scores of devout Muslims gathered at Hazratbal, Dast-e-Geer Sahib and Sayed Yaqoob Shah shrines.

Muslims across the world perform night-long prayers on the 26th night of Ramzan to celebrate the first revelation of Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Preachers and religious scholars highlighted the teachings of Islam and various aspects of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and urged Muslims to follow the same.

Press Trust of India