#JAMMU: Tightening its noose on the traffic violators of district Jammu, RTO Jammu, Pankaj Bhagotra, suspended 153 driving licenses and issued notices to around 403 violators during the last 02 days.

The 153 Driving Licenses have been suspended as per the recommendations of different enforcement agencies/ teams and 250 more Driving Licenses are under process for suspension and will be suspended after completion of notice period.

Meanwhile, the enforcement teams of RTO Jammu laid Nakas regularly at different locations in Jammu district viz. Bhagwati Nagar, Tawi 4th Bridge, Near Railway Station Jammu and Jammu-Akhnoor Road to monitor complaints of overcharging during ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. The main focus of the last two day’s drive was overloading and overcharging by Passenger Vehicles particularly e-Autos and e-rikshaws carrying Amarnath Pilgrims and vehicles plying with expired documents.

During the last 02 day’s enforcement drive nearly 265 vehicles, which includes 2-Wheelers, Taxi/ Maxi Cabs, e-Rikshaws, e-Autos and Three Wheeler (Passenger) etc. were checked for various offenses viz. Route Permit violations, RC violations, Overloading, without Seat Belt, Without Helmet, without SLD etc. out of which 90 vehicles e-challaned.

A fine of Rs. 1,10000 (Rupees one lakh ten thousand) was imposed on violators during these drives. In addition to issuing Challans, the overloaded Passenger Vehicles were offloaded on spot and vehicles were arranged for the extra passengers for their respective destinations.

The drives are being widely appreciated by the pilgrims and have shown RTO’s commitment to fair practices and regulatory standards. The public/commuters were encouraged to report any malpractice with the Motor Vehicle Department during the drives.

The enforcement teams comprised of Rehana Tabassam, ARTO (HQr), Motor Vehicles Inspectors, Vikas Srivats, Jasbir Singh, Jagandeep Singh, SMVI, Amanish Sharma.

JAMMU: Under the supervision of District Social Welfare Officer Mamta Rajput, Mission Shakti SANKALP HEW Jammu installed sanitary napkin vending machines at Government Girls Higher Secondary School RS Pura and Government Girls High School Rangpur Maulani.

An awareness seminar on menstrual hygiene and women-centric schemes was organised at GGHSS RS Pura. Dr. Eera Suri delivered a lecture on menstrual hygiene, stressing the importance of proper hygiene practices during menstruation. The session was attended by students and staff, who were also informed about various government schemes designed for women’s education, health, safety and empowerment. These schemes include Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), health-related schemes of the National Health Mission (NHM), Sukanya Samridhi Yojana, Ladli Beti, scholarship schemes and various skill and business startup programs.

A similar session was held at Government Girls High School Rangpur Maulani, where Dr. Suri again emphasised menstrual hygiene. Officials from SANKALP HEW Jammu highlighted the range of government initiatives aimed at empowering women, including educational and health schemes, skill development programs and support for starting businesses.

In both schools, the installation of sanitary napkin vending machines aims to improve menstrual hygiene management among students. At the end of each session, sanitary napkins and refreshments were distributed to the students.

#RAMBAN: District Social Welfare Department, Ramban orchestrated a Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) programme featuring an impressive sand art installation at banks of the River Chenab.

This initiative aimed to champion the empowerment and education of girls while promoting environmental stewardship.

 A cohort of enthusiastic young volunteers assembled to support the dual cause of gender equality and ecological sustainability.

The event’s centerpiece was an intricate sand art, meticulously crafted to convey the compelling message of BBBP.

In conjunction with the sand art, the programme incorporated a beach cleanup drive, with volunteers diligently cleansing the riverbank of debris.

District Social Welfare Officer, Rahul Gupta  lauded the volunteers’ commitment, remarking, “The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao sand art installation eloquently epitomizes our dedication to empowering girls. By intertwining this message with environmental conservation, we inspire our youth to embrace responsible citizenship and advocacy”, he added.

#SRINAGAR: The UIDAI has advised all the residents who have got their Adhaar 10 years before to revalidate their address.

In this connection, all the Deputy Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir have been asked to make the residents of J&K aware about the updation of addresses with the help of any supporting documents. They have also been asked to aware residents about updation of mobile number in Aadhaar to avail benefits of various online services.

Pertinently, UIDAI has already distributed pamphlets and posters for awareness regarding document update in all blocks of UT of Jammu and Kashmir.

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today inaugurated the Kashmir College of Engineering and Technology, at Ranbirgarh, Srinagar.

The Lt Governor, in his address, congratulated the Chairman,  Kashmir College of Engineering & Technology Sh Raja Aijaz Ali, and the entire team for their endeavour to strengthen the technological excellence in academia, innovation and nurturing a future-ready skilled workforce.

Speaking on the rapid transformation taking place in the Industry sector, the Lt Governor said the speed and scale of change in 4th  Industrial Revolution calls for strengthening the Industry-Academia collaborations.

He emphasised on fostering innovation culture in Engineering Colleges and realigning the curriculum to fulfill the evolving industry requirements.

“Skills and not the degree will shape the destiny of our industries. The future workforce must have critical skills such as cognitive skills, logical reasoning, technical skills etc to build future-proof careers,” the Lt Governor said.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor highlighted reforms in the education sector under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to promote startups, innovation and entrepreneurship in Jammu Kashmir.

He also made some valuable suggestions to explore the vast opportunities in the engineering and technology sector.

The demand for professionals in engineering and technology companies has increased. Today, industry is looking for workforce with specific skill set. Our focus should be on building capacities in accordance with the skills required for existing and future job positions, he said.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Sh Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor Kashmir University; Sh Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce department; Sh Vidhi Kumar Birdi, IGP Kashmir and other senior officials.

Sh Raja Aijaz Ali, Chairman, Kashmir College of Engineering & Technology; Dr Syed Jalal Ahmad, Principal along with faculty members and staff of the college were present on the occasion.

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today released the book ‘Cultural Encyclopedia of the Dard Tribe’ authored by Dr Suheel Rasool Mir, at Raj Bhawan.

In his address, the Lt Governor extended his felicitations to the author Dr Suheel Rasool Mir for exploring the remote landscapes and intricate cultural nuances, customs, language and social structures of Dard tribe, through the book.

He appreciated the Shinon Meeras – Shina Cultural Centre at Gurez, Indian Army for preserving traditional wisdom and knowledge, heritage and culture of Dardi people for future generations.

Highlighting the significant contribution of the Tribal community in nation building, the Lt Governor called for collective efforts from all stakeholders in preserving and promoting the rich customs, culture, and linguistic wealth of the tribal community.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor also released the second edition of ‘The North Kashmir Gazette’, a joint endeavour of Kashmir Writers Association and the Army.

Maj. Gen. Girish Kalia, GOC, Vajr Division; Dr Suheel Rasool Mir, author of Cultural Encyclopedia of Dard Tribe; Sh Fida Firdous, President Kashmir Writers Association; senior officials of Army, members of Shina Cultural Centre and Kashmir Writers Association were present.

ANANTNAG: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Syeed Fakhruddin Hamid along with Senior Superintendent of Police Anantnag today participated in the Youm-e-Ashoora procession at Sofipora  Wallarhama in Anantnag.

The procession was attended by a large number of mourners, wearing black attire which symbolises mourning and sacrifice, presented religious eulogies. The procession eventually concluded at the Imambara at Sofipora.

Notably, the Youm e Ashura is marked to commemorate the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (R.A) and his family and symbolises the struggle against untruth and evil.

SRINAGAR: Parvez Rasool, an International Cricketer from J&K, today called on Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan.

He briefed the Lt Governor on his endeavours to promote sports in the region.

#SRINAGAR: The number of pilgrims who paid obeisance to Lord Shiva at Amarnath cave shrine in South Kashmir crossed the three lakh mark on Sunday as nearly 15,000 yatris had darshan of the naturally formed ice lingam, officials said here.