Srinagar, Nov.12 (ANI): Over twenty teams from various universities of different States participated in the 4th Inter-University Kayaking and Canoeing Championship held here at the water sports centre at Nageen Lake after a gap of seven years.

Over 450 students arrived here for the three-day championship organised by the Kashmir University under the auspices of Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi from November 10 to 12.   

"In this part of the Kashmir valley, the water sports and adventure sports have high fan following. So, we are thinking about developing it on a priority basis," said Abdul Wahid Qureshi, Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University on the inauguration-day.

The event was aimed at giving an impetus to the water sports in Kashmir, as the Valley is endowed with suitable natural sites essential for promoting water sports, including water resources and other infrastructure.

All participants showed a lot of enthusiasm and said that Kashmir was best suited to hold water sports championship in the country.

Local participants wanted a regular coach for the team which would help them improve their sporting capabilities.

"We have a lot of talent; the need is to tap the talent. There should be a regular coach, although the facilities are available. The more we will practice, the better we will perform," said Vilayat Hussain, a participant.

Participants from other States have been upbeat and enthusiastic to compete with each other in the tournament.

"I have come to Srinagar for first time and feeling very nice. People here are also very good. We will try to win medal in the tournament. We have put in hard labour and expect that we will get the fruits of our labour," said Sonal, another participant.

Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. It differentiated from canoeing by the fact that a kayak has a closed cockpit and a canoe has an open cockpit. They also use a two bladed paddle.

Kayakers sit in a seat on the bottom of the boat with their legs extended out in front of them. Canoeists will either sit on an elevated bench seat or kneel directly on the bottom of the boat.

Canoeing is the activity of paddling a canoe for the purpose of recreation (also called a float trip), sport, or transportation. It usually refers exclusively to using a paddle to propel a canoe with only human muscle power.

A Kayak is propelled using a paddle with two blades where the paddler sits with their legs in front of them, whereas canoes are propelled using single- or double-bladed paddles where the paddler is kneeling or sitting.

Kayaks are usually closed-decked boats with a spray deck, while canoes are usually open boats.

Jammu and Kashmir has organised many sporting events this year. The State administration is also taking various measures to promote tourism in the picturesque valley through water and adventure sports..
- AY

Labels: Education, Kashmir

Jalandhar, Nov 12 (ANI): An army official killed in a four-day long gunbattle with militants in Jammu and Kashmir, was given a martyr's funeral in Punjab on Sunday.

The troops had gunned down five militants belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) after the gunbattle in Pattan, twenty-seven kilometres from Srinagar.

The army received information about the presence of militants in Sadpora village in and laid siege to the spot.

Security forces lost an officer and three soldiers in the operation.

R. P. S. Ghotra, a Major with the Rashtriya Rifles said Major Varinder Singh Sandhu died while trying to save his soldiers.

"When his (Sandhu's) team was moving to the house, his first two boys who were about to enter the house from the rear, a militant jumped out of the window and started firing on them. Seeing that his boys were without cover, he came out, hit the militant and grounded him. When the militant fell; one shot came out of his gun, which hit Major Sandhu on the turban," he said.

The slain major has been posthumously awarded the Army Staff Commendation Card. (ANI
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Labels: Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 11 (ANI): In the last few years, yoga's popularity has taken off in the Kashmir Valley, thanks to a renewed fitness and health interest, particularly among youth.

This ancient form of exercise is fast becoming popular among young Kashmiri girls. This was quite evident when over 180 girls from several schools across the state participated in the first-ever two-day State Women Yoga Championship organised here on Saturday.

Participants, mostly between the age group of 10 and 15 years, competed by displaying their flexibility through performing yoga postures and exercises.

"There is many advantages of Yoga, whatever one wants to become (by practicing it) one can achieve it," said Fozia, a participant.

Miara Anjum, another participant, said, "Now, it has become a sport and is no longer just something practiced by seers and holy men for meditation. It gives us a peace of mind."

The winners in the two-day long championship organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Yoga Association will participate at the national level.

"If one follows therapeutic Yoga it can cure many diseases. It has a lot of benefits and if a child practices Yoga it can help in their studies," said Shabir Ahmed, coach cum organiser.

Yoga, the 5,000-year-old Indian discipline of exercise, diet and meditation involves a perfect blend of mental and physical exercises. (ANI)

Labels: Kashmir, Society-Culture

Pampore (J&K), Nov 11 (ANI): A recently held saffron fair in Jammu and Kashmir came as a major boost for the farmers in the Valley, who welcomed the government initiative by saying it would not only promote their product, but also help in wooing more tourists to the state.

The day-long saffron fair, held at Pampore which is 12 kilometres south of Srinagar, was organised by the Department of Tourism. The fair assumes significance as Kashmir is one of the very few places in the world that produces quality saffron which is much superior to the Iranian one.

"The saffron fair will benefit us (saffron farmers). One of the positive offshoots is the increased tourist inflow. This way the saffron rates will increase in the Valley," said Ghulam Mohammad, President, Saffron Growers Association, Jammu and Kashmir.

One of the main objectives of this fair was to showcase the vast saffron fields to woo tourists. These fields are in full bloom these days along the national highway in the saffron town of Pampore.

According to tourism officials, the one-day fair, which was organised for the first time in the history of Kashmir, will become a regular feature from next year in order to attract more tourists to the Valley.

"It is the initiative of the tourism department to celebrate the day long saffron fair. From next year, we have decided to organise a week-long festival. This way we will be able to advertise in advance and the people from all over India and world can participate in this festival," said Sarmand Hafeez, Joint Director Tourism, Kashmir.

Hafeez added that saffron grown in Kashmir is known the world over and is rated as the best saffron in the world. In 2006, the price of quality saffron was fixed by the government at rupees 1000 for 10 grams.

Saffron growers in the Kashmir Valley are a happy lot as this year's yield has been better than last year's, and they will be able to earn more, as saffron cultivation is undertaken only in this state of the country.

Saffron is one of the world's most expensive herbal produce. Its delicate flowers are harvested only in October-November.

The flowers begin to grow after the first rains and start blooming usually mid-October when the temperature is just right.

Kashmir's cool climate and rich soil with excellent drainage and organic content make the location an ideal thriving ground for this spice.

Saffron derives its name from the Arabic word Zafran meaning, "be yellow".

What makes it so rare is that saffron filaments, or threads, are actually the dried stigmas of the saffron flower, having botanical name in Latin Crocus Sativus Linneaus.

Each flower contains only three stigmas and it takes around 80,000 flowers to get one pound of saffron. (ANI)
- AY

Labels: Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 10 (ANI): One militant has been killed and three
soldiers have been injured in an encounter between security forces and
militants at a hotel in Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

The hotel 'New Light' was surrounded by security officials after
militants fired on a CRPF bunker at the town's main crossing, and took
refuge in the hotel.

To avoid civilian causalities, they were asked by the security
officials to evacuate the hotel.

Police also got nearby buildings vacated and cordoned off the area. (ANI) --MP

Labels: Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 10 (ANI): Soldier, posted in Jammu and Kashmir celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, on Friday.

In Srinagar, soldiers living away from their families, celebrated the festival with much fervour and gaiety.

After performing traditional prayers and rituals they danced around a bonfire and burst fire crackers.

"It is a Hindu festival, but all of us take part the celebrations. We hail from parts of the country and live together and celebrate together," said Naraian Singh, an Indian soldier.

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers are posted in the State.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated all over India to rejoice the legendary return of Lord Ram to his hometown Ayodhya after killing the demon king Ravana symbolising the victory of righteousness over evil.

This festive occasion also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. (ANI)


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-AA

Labels: Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 7 (ANI): Scores of activists of Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM) took to the streets here on Tuesday to protest alleged human rights violations in the Kashmir Valley.

The demonstrators were led by Zafar Ahmed Bhat, Chairman of JKSM, a constituent of the moderate faction of the All Party Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference (APHC).

The protestors carrying placards and banners held a sit-in demo to protest against the custodial killings and demanded the repealing of the Armed Forces Special Power Act in the valley.

"So many innocents have been killed by the army men and other security agencies in Kashmir since 1947 till today. There is only one solution to it and that is the withdrawal of troops from Kashmir and the repeal of the special powers act AFAPA (Armed Forces Special Power Act) only then Kashmiris can survive," said Bhat.

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was passed on September 11, 1958 by the Parliament.

It was passed to enable certain special powers to be conferred upon the armed forces in disturbed areas in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. (ANI)
- AY

Labels: Kashmir

MP: Srinagar, Oct 27 (ANI): Defence Minister A K Antony will review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir today.

Antony on Friday said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was improving compared to the past, and expressed the hope that it would improve further in the coming days.

"The situation is improving. Look at the past, compared to the past, the situation is much better. I am sure that things will improve further. As the situation improves we will take all possible measures to improve the atmosphere there and we will try to find a solution to many of their genuine difficulties," he said

During a day's visit to the valley, he will also hold meetings with senior Army and the State Government Officials.

The Minister will also inaugurate the silver jubilee celebrations of Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIMWS) in Pahalgam. He is also scheduled to attend the executive council and general body meeting of the institute.

Set up in October 1983, the JIMWS imparts theoretical and practical training in mountaineering and rock climbing techniques. It also encourages and imparts training in winter sports. (ANI)

Labels: Kashmir

MP: New Delhi, Oct 26 (ANI): Defence Minister A.K. Antony today said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was improving compared to the past, and expressed the hope that it would improve further in the coming days. 

"The situation is improving. Look at the past, compared to the past, the situation is much better. I am sure that things will improve further. As the situation improves we will take all possible measures to improve the atmosphere there and we will try to find a solution to many of their genuine difficulties," Antony said on the sidelines of a cultural programme organised to mark the Foundation Day of Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) here.

Commenting on the border dispute with China, Antony said that talks were on to resolve the longstanding issue, adding that it would continue till the border was not demarcated.

He further said that whenever the government saw "something serious" taking place around the disputed region, it takes the required steps.

"There's nothing to panic, the process will continue. We are always alert, we put in our interest, we don't compromise on our interest, we are trying to find a solution to border disputes through dialogues, Eleventh round is over, there is some progress, we will continue the efforts," he added.

Early this week, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said during his China visit that the two sides have decided to set up a working group to prepare the framework arrangement to resolve the border dispute.

He said that the 11th round of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China held in Beijing from 24th-26th September decided to set up the working group.

The Special Representatives of the two countries, National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo, held the discussions on the framework for the settlement of the India-China boundary issues.

The two sides have held several rounds of talks over their border dispute, but have been unable to report progress, even though bilateral ties have improved on the back of strong business links.

New Delhi and Beijing have differences over three main stretches of the Himalayan frontier in the east, central and western parts, with the latter not recognising the entire state of Arunachal Pradesh on the eastern stretch as Indian territory.

Both sides expressed satisfaction on the growing trade between them. The total trade between India and China has reached 30 billion dollars.

After the European Union and the US, China has become the third largest trading partner of India. (ANI)

Labels: Kashmir

MP: Srinagar, Oct 24 (ANI): Two Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants were killed in a joint operation by police and the army at Jammu and Kashmir's Brar Bandipore area today.

Acting on specific information regarding presence of militants in a house in a village in Brar Bandipore, police and army personnel laid a cordon around the house, police officials said.

The two militants-- Saqib and Huzaifa -- trapped in the house opened indiscriminate fire, and in the ensuing encounter two Jaish-e-Mohammed militants were eliminated, police added.

Two AK-47 rifles and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site. (ANI)

Labels: Kashmir

Labels: Kashmir

 

Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh was also present during the inaugural function of the event that will showcase the best in Kashmiri handicraft from across the state.

 

''Handicraft is not just a business for us in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, but, is a manifestation of our culture and indeed our existence," said Ghulam Nabi Azad.

 

As many as 50 business tycoons from various countries with an equal number of exporters from the state are participating in the meet.

 

The local buyers seemed very excited on the eve of this show. The popularity of the show can be gauged from the fact that buyers from as far as Dubai are here.

 

"The Kashmiri handicraft is very well known all over the world. The artisans produce very exclusive products, which nobody can replicate in other parts of the world," said Adbul Raheem, a buyer from Dubai.

 

Annie, a foreign tourist, was so excited that she could not resist the temptation of visiting this expo after she read about it.

 

"I think that the market for shawls and stoles here is very big. The quality here is exceptional and there is a lot of potential of these products in the US market," said Annie.

 

The event is jointly organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Government, J and K Bank, and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

 

This show is providing participating exporters an ideal opportunity for exhibition and sale of the export-oriented products. (ANI)

Labels: Kashmir

Students holding banners marched through the campus, chanting anti-army slogans.

They demanded a swift inquiry into the matter. The protestors blamed the authorities for turning a deaf ear towards the incident.

"Through out protest we want the authorities to know that such an incident has happened," said Mudasir Ali, a student.

Students condemned the alleged violent act by the Army. They said that the Army personnel needed to learn some lessons on non-violence.

"In just a month he (J-K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad) has spent millions to spread (Mahatma) Gandhi's slogan of non-violence. I just want to tell our Chief Minister that instead of organising such seminars for students, he should do it for the Indian army," said Sheikh.

Abdul Rashid Mir was allegedly shot down after he objected to alleged harassment by army men of the females accompanying him while he was passing through the Rawatpora forest on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the army has initiated a probe into the matter. They have arrested one soldier, Mohammad Tariq, for killing the teacher.

Police is also conducting an independent trial into the matter. (ANI)

Labels: Education, Kashmir

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