2

Thought of the month:‘’Keep away from the people who tryto belittle your ambitions. The reallygreat make you feel that you too canbecome great’’

Mark Twain

Culture/Heritage

From Editors desk

Jammu and Kashmir update is a unique initiative of Ministry of Home Affairs to showcase the positive developments taking place in the state, The ambit of the magazine covers all the threeregions of the state with focus on achievements of the people.

To make it participatory, the magazine invites success stories/unique achievements, alongwith photographs in the field of sports, adventure sports, studies,business, art, culture, positivewelfare initiatives, social change,religious harmony, educationincluding pieces of art like drawings, cartoons, poems,short stories (not more than 150words) or jokes on post Box No30, GPO, New Delhi-110001.Selected ones will be published in J&K update.

In modern age, efforts are on to spread the Sufi tradition among youth and promote peace and brotherhood. An Islamic conference for peace and brotherhood was recently held in Beerwah area of Budgam district with an aim to boost brotherhood among all communities.

Many Islamic scholars spoke in the conference on howto create peace and brotherhood in valley. The event was attended by a large number of people from nearby districtsalso.

Farooq Renzu Shah, the chairman of Kashmir society andan Islamic Scholar said, “We can unite people by spreading love. There is no scope for any criticism in this. The kind of response we have received at Beerwah conference will help spread the message of peace and love the world over”.

Another scholar Ghulam Hussain said that intolerance and hatred was growing all around the world and people weregetting divided. This conference was aimed at sending message of love peace and brotherhood to the people.

The locals considered the conference of great importanceto youth, as it educated them further on real Islam, its teachings and Sufism. They held that such conference shouldbe organised more often so that hatred among people is removed by Islamic teaching and Sufism.

SmileTeacher student conversation:

Teacher-What is chemical formula for water?

Student-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O

Teacher-What are you talking about?

Student-Yesterday you said it was H to O

Islamic scholars gather in Beerwah to spread peace and brotherhood

3

DEVELOPMENT

UDAAN’S FLIGHT AND FEED BACK

Status of Implementation - (as on 19thFeb)UDAAN MILESTONES Cumulative programme to date

Corporates successfully partnered with Udaan (Active Partners) 69

Commitment 78,730

Candidates joined Udaan training programmes 17,832

Candidates registered with Udaan from all districts of J&K 85,930

Udaan Update:NSDC Udaan Recruitment Drives – February, 2016NSDC and the Ministry of Home Affairs organized three recruitment drives in Sopore, Ganderbal and Udhampur district. More than 10 corporates across India visited these districts of Jammu and Kashmir for recruitmentdrives. Four more drives in Anantnag, Jammu, Poonch and Handwara are planned for this month.

Udaan Mega Drive - Sopore Udaan Mega Drive- Udhampur

My name is Monica Sharma and I am from Jammu and Kashmir. I came to Bangalore through project Udaan where I came to know more about Accenture. Here I got opportunities to interact with various trainers and learnt lot of things, which help me improve my personality. Now I am already a part of Accenture and I’m proud of it.

Monica SharmaCorporate Name: Accenture

Parveen kaurProzia ManagementConsulting Pvt LtdSalary: 6 Lac p.a.

Course: PLC Programming

My name is Parveen kaur. I am from Jammu & Kashmir. I have done engineering inapplied electronics & instrumentation. In year 2013, I got selected in automation coursefrom IISD (Indian Institute of skill development) Gurgaon under UDAAN scheme. They not only enhanced my technical skills, but also improved my soft skills as well. I have learnt many practical skills in on the job training, which I am using in my presentorganization. Presently I am working in project Management Company and this is all because of IISD. I am thankful to IISD, Udaan and Ministry of Home Affairs for giving methis opportunity and turning my dreams into reality. My message to the youth of Jammuand Kashmir is ‘’Please come and experiences the corporate culture which you can use in your future endeavor’’.

Success Stories of Udaan Candidates:

4

YOUTH CORNER

SPORTS

Sadia Mufti – Kashmir Valley’s young fashion designer Sadia Mufti is known for designing ‘pheran’, a traditional Kashmiri dress. Her dresses are popular the world over. After completingher graduation in bio-chemistry, she started her own brand “Hangers the Closet”.

Sadia Mufti said “We should not depend on government jobs but should be confident to be self-reliant. We should be focused and hardworking. Women can do jobs as equivalent to men”.

Sadia has not done any course in fashion designing and started designing dresses with her own creativity. She does not only earn for herself, but provides employment to other educated girls and is now approached by the government for expansion. Sadia says that she hasreceived orders from cities across the country and from United States of America. She is happy that people allacross the world are wearing the dresses designed by her.

Kashmir University Coach led Indian Women’s team to victory in South Asian GamesJ&K’s only international coach Sajid Yousuf Dar, who was appointed the Head coach of Indian Women’s football team for 12th South Asian Games 2015, saw his team clinching the Gold, beating Nepal 4-0 inthe final at Shillong. The tournament saw the team having fantastic campaign under Sajid as they remained unbeaten.

Though the game of football suffered in the valley in past few decades, it has been astonishing to see a valley based coach come with sucha penchant, who has emerged to be regarded as one of the most talented football coaches in the country. With little infrastructure around, Sajid has come up a long way in his quest with All India Football Federation’s under 17 World Cup team and India under 14 team earlier.

Speaking over phone, Sajid said’’ it has been a remarkable journey so far. I want to thank all people who supported me, especially my employer University of Kashmir and the State Football Association. I vow to continue the good work in future as well’’

Rugby tournament held in Anantnag to popularise the sportA rugby tournament was held in Anantnag Kashmir in a bid to popularise the game in the valley. Jammu andKashmir Rugby Association organised one-day south Kashmir Rugby tournament, which featured eight teams consisting of school children. Out of the eight teams, four represented Srinagar area, while other players weredrawn from Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian districts.

Before the tournament, a three-day training camp was held where rules of the game were taught to boys andgirls. Some players played the sport for the first time.

5

One participant, Khalid Mushtaq, expressed happiness over getting opportunity to play Rugby in Kashmir as it was his first experience which appeared pretty interesting to him

The response of the kids was very good. Even though schools were closed, school children turned up in large numbers. The Indian Army provided ground facilities for the tournament.

Kashmiri youth being trained in rock climbing to boost adventure sportsA mountaineering association organised a rock climbing training camp for youth in Kashmir to give a boostto tourism and adventure sports.

Students gathered near a steep wall in Srinagar where experts gave them basic training in rock climbing.

The participants appreciated the efforts of the association in promoting adventure sports among the youthof the Kashmir Valley. They felt it beneficial from other angle also like infusing in them the confidence of coming to the help of the needy in the event of a fire incident. They appreciated it as a good and usefulengagement for them, building their stamina and physical fitness in an otherwise dull winter.

The trainer, Junaid Beig, urged the government to incorporate adventure sports like rock climbing in theschool curriculum to increase awareness of the participation in action sports among children at young age.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Wildlife authorities carry out bird census at Hokersar WetlandA meticulous counting of water birds began in the Hokersar Wetland Reserve, which attracts species migratingfrom as far as northern Europe and Japan.

More than 100 wildlife officials and volunteers were performing the region’s second formal census, after scientists for years criticized less formal counts as unreliable. Ishtiyaq Ahmad, member of census team, saidthat it was a part of international water bird census and the worldwide practice was divided into three parts.

6

Last year’s census counted over half a million water birds visiting 13 wetlands in Kashmir. This year’s two-day count includes up to 21 wetlands. The results will be released in about a month.

Since last year, however, Kashmir’s wildlife officials have been working as part of the global effort led byenvironment groups in accounting for the world’s water birds.

“In earlier years, the estimation was a guess work.Now we’re counting birds in a proper scientific wayaccording to the internationally accepted guidelines.” admitted wildlife warden Imtiyaz Lone. He added that unfavourable climate, coupled with lesser precipitationthis year, is the major factors for the decline in number of birds visiting Kashmir.

Hokersar, wetlands at Mirgund, Shalibugh and Hygamare favoured destination of the birds, which undertake long haul flights to escape from harsh winter in their native places.

The exotic birds like Mallards, Greyleg Geese, Gadwalls, Teals, Shovellers, Pochards and Coots areamong the birds visiting Kashmir valley.

Jashne Chillai Kalan celebrated in SrinagarKashmir Valley came alive during a cultural event organized by an entertainment brand “Funtoosh” at Kashmir University’s convocation complex in Srinagar.

Themed “Jashne-chillai kalan” the festival of severest and harshest period of 40 days of winter in Kashmir saw a huge participation of people.

Justifying the celebration of the event, the organiser Abrar Ali said that the identity of any nation or state was linked with its culture, rich traditionsand language. It is therefore necessaryto organize events which display therich culture and traditions of our state. He felt it essential to create awareness about Kashmiri culture among young generation.

The mega event also helps reduce stress among the youth by providing a platform and encouraging their talent.

Cultural shows and musical performance by a prominent Kashmiri singer, Mehmeet Syed, enthralled the audience, which added more colour to the cultural evening.

A participant ‘Hamza’ said that besides acting as a stress buster, the show had a social message also. This view was supported in equal terms by another local participant ‘Seerat’.

Yaseen Ahmad, a performer said, “We hardly have events during winters here. People don’t have much work in this chilling winter and they generally prefer to sit at home. But we have given youth an opportunity and platform to showcase their talent, skills to represent their rich culture and traditions in front of the people”.

7

Foreign artists performed at theatre festival in JammuTheatre groups from America, Italy, Rwanda and SriLanka performed along with local artists at the “18thBharat Rang Mahotsav 2016” at Abhinav Theatre in Jammu.

The six-day festival was inaugurated by J&K Governor N.N. Vohra in the presence K.K. Raina, filmmaker andLateef Khatana, senior faculty member of National School of Drama.

The festival was organized by J&K Academy of Art,Culture and Languages (JKAACL) with support from theNational School of Drama (NSD). The aim was to makethe local artists share stage with international artists andlearn new acting skills.

K.K.Raina said that Theatre needed exposure which meant that we understand the work of each other. Headded that the physical theatre presented by the artists from Rawanda and Sri Lanka depicted their strugglephase, and their physical expressions were a great learning for the local artists and Directors.

Artists from Sri Lanka and Rwanda presented amultilingual play called “Dear Children, Sincerely”. This play revolved around the theme of disconnection among successive generations. An artist from Sri Lanka, Nipuni Sharda, said that the audience was cheerful thathelped them to make a great performance.

Expressing his happiness on reopening of the Abhinav Theatre, the Governor hoped that it would again

produce such high quality performances and plays in local and other languages, which it used to do before it shut down for repairs. He lauded the efforts of NSD in producing highly professional and quality artists.

Army celebrates 68th Nowshera Day in RajouriA horse show was organised in Rajouri district of J&K as part of 68th Nowshera Day celebrations. TheNowshera Brigade of the Indian Army organized the event that included a game of Polo and horse riders jumping hurdles.

According to Harbans Lal, sub-divisional magistrate of Nowshehra, horse riding was displayed at the event followed by a band performance. Then warriors demonstrated how they use their skills during war.

The General officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command Lt. Gen. D S Hooda felicitated Veer Naris, BAL Sainiks and meritoriousstudents. School children from acrossthe region turned up in large numbers and were enchanted by the horses.The residents were also awed by a hostof gymnastics feats, martial arts andmusical performances by army men.

Indian Army celebrates two-daylong Nowshera Day every year tocommemorate the sacrifice of soldiers,who laid down their lives to saveNowshera town from Pakistani intrudersin 1947.

8

RNI Regn. No. DELMUL/2010/35730Printed by: Chandu Press, D-97 Shakarpur New Delhi-92

Editor : SulekhaRequest for free copy of Jammu & Kashmir Update newsletter indicating the language preferred (English/Urdu/Hindi)

or suggestions/feedback, if any, may be emailed to : jammuandkashmirupdate@gmail.comJammu & Kashmir Update is also available on the web at jammuandkashmirupdate.com and mha.nic.in

Published by : Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India

Do you know?The Galapagos tortoises are world’s largest tortoises, with some species exceeding 5 feet

(1.5metres) in length and reaching 550 pounds (250 Kilograms).

Kiren Rijiju interacts with Kashmiri children

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju met children from Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi. The students were on a Bharat Darshan Tour andwere mainly from the remote areas of KupwaraDistrict. The students and two teachers left Srinagar on February 8 and also visited Bengaluruand Mysore in Karnataka. During the meeting, the children shared their experiences of visitingdifferent historical places. The tour was organised by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Seminar held to promote communal harmony

The Indian Army recently organised an all-religionseminar in Rajouri with an aim to promotecommunal harmony in the region. Soldiers, police personnel and students in large numbers took part in the event. General Officer Commanding,Major General D A Chaturvedi, said the country could progress only if there was social, religiousand economic harmony. Clerics of different faithsparticipated in the seminar and shared their viewson the need to maintain communal harmony.

Super-50 scheme helping Kashmiri students

The Directorate of School Education recently launched the Chief Minister’s Super-50 Free Winter Tutorial initiative for students as well as medical and engineering aspirants of Jammu and

Kashmir. The initiative is a comprehensive free tuition program for 10th and 12th class students of J & K, who are being tutored by top facultydrawn from the state government’s educationdepartment. The free winter tutorials are runby the best brains of the state, who will getincentives based on their performance. Under the initiative, the education department alsoprovides free coaching for state-level medical and engineering entrance examinations and national-level competitive examinations like JKCET, AIIMS, AMU and IIT mains.

BRO submits proposal for longest road tunnel at Gurez

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has submitteda Rs 9,000-crore proposal to the Centre for construction of a tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir that will connect strategically important Gurez town, along the Line of Control, to the rest of the Valley throughout the year. If approved, it will be longest road tunnel in the country and almostdouble the size of the present Chenani-Nashri tunnel (9.2 km) — also in Jammu and Kashmir, which is expected to be completed later this year.Gurez, a picturesque valley in Bandipora district,remains cut off from rest of Kashmir during winter months due to heavy snowfall. It is one of the many strategic areas of Kashmir Work is in progress on the Kishenganga Hydro ElectricProject there

MONTH THAT WAS…