#JAMMU: This follows a common complaint from government officials and businessmen about the lack of morning #flights from #Jammu to #Srinagar, which makes same-day travel difficult.

#IXJ to #SXR

#JAMMU: In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister #OmarAbdullah, while presenting the budget for the Union Territory today announced a series of welfare measures aimed at improving the living standards of vulnerable sections, enhancing women’s empowerment and strengthening the education sector.

The J&K government has approved 200 units of free electricity for all families under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).

Additionally, from April 1, AAY beneficiaries will receive 10 kg of free ration every month, easing the financial burden on economically weaker sections.

Under the Marriage Assistance Scheme, financial aid for eligible beneficiaries has been raised from Rs. 50 thousand to Rs. 75 thousand ensuring better support for underprivileged families.

All women in J&K will be eligible for free travel on government-operated transport, including e-buses, starting April 1. The initiative aims to enhance women’s mobility and access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. To ensure safe drinking water, the government will set up 98 water testing laboratories across Jammu and Kashmir this year, improving water quality monitoring and public health safety. A National Law University (NLU) will be developed in the region, with a budget allocation of Rs. 50 crore for its establishment.

This move aims to enhance legal education and provide better academic opportunities for students in J&K. Presenting the budget, CM Omar Abdullah emphasized that these measures are part of the government’s commitment to social welfare, women’s empowerment, and education reform in J&K.

Shri Raghunath Ji Ki Jammu Aarti will be a major attraction for tourists, seekers and definitely bolster the local economy: LG

#JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today attended Shri Raghunath Ji Ki Jammu Aarti, at Shri Raghunath Ji Mandir Chowk, Jammu.

The Lieutenant Governor commended the efforts of Shree Raghunath Ji Corridor Vikas Council for bringing this sacred and divine ceremony to Jammu, which has been going on at Ganga Ghats of Varanasi and Haridwar.

Shri Raghunath Ji Ki Jammu Aarti will be a major attraction for tourists, seekers and definitely bolster the local economy, he said.

The Lieutenant Governor said, “Jammu is not only a city of temples, but it is also the axis of our eternal culture. Jammu is a symbol of our faith in Sanatan Sanskriti. Jammu is a pilgrimage for seekers. It is the divinity and self-confidence of India. It is the centre of our heritage and the soul of our traditional values.

The sanctity of Jammu is attached to the soul of every Indian. Therefore, I believe that the initiative of Shree Raghunath Ji Corridor Vikas Council will bring a huge change in Jammu and usher joy and happiness in the lives of common citizen”.

The Lieutenant Governor reiterated that all-round development of Jammu and the progress of its business class, shopkeepers, workers, entrepreneurs and transporters is the top priority of administration.

“The last 5 years have been the golden period of Jammu. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, we are working with a long-term vision for the rejuvenation of Jammu and prosperity of its people,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor also spoke on the key initiatives of the government including beautification of Mubarak Mandi to Raghunath Bazaar Heritage Trail, development of Spiritual Tourism Circuit, and augmentation of facilities at tourist and religious places in the region.

He further called upon every section of the society to identify and isolate the divisive elements who are posing threat to peace and harmony.

In view of the heavy rush of the people at Raghunath Bazar, the Lieutenant Governor suggested for exploring the possibility for organizing Shri Raghunath Ji ki Jammu Aarti at the banks of the Tawi river and make it a daily event. He further asked the Municipal Commissioner Jammu to reserve a spot in Tawi River front and Tawi Barrage Project for the people for regularly organizing Aarti programmes.

#KATRA: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today addressed the Convocation Ceremony of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU).

The Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar for blessing the graduating students of SMVDU at University’s 10th Convocation. Today’s moment will remain etched in students’ memories for a lifetime, he said.

Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor called upon the youth to carry forward the country’s development and make it the largest economy of the world.

“The strength of our nation will be determined by the values, innovation and knowledge and I strongly believe the young men and women graduating in this Amrit Kaal will shape the destiny of our nation. Those stepping out today into the real world have a unique opportunity of nation building,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He said the advances in humanities, arts, science and technology have opened new areas of opportunities and the knowledge and learning of the graduating students will help them achieve success.

“Today our youth are equipped with special knowledge and skills that can be properly utilised to transform rural areas. This mission calls for dedication and determination. Above all, our youth needs to be rooted in ancient culture and must have faith in their abilities and wisdom of our culture,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that the skills and knowledge must contribute in improving the lives of people.

To seize future opportunities in science and technology, we need to take a fresh look at our teaching-mentoring system because it will have a direct bearing on the journey of Viksit Bharat, the Lieutenant Governor further said.

The Lieutenant Governor asked the teaching community to focus on harnessing the capacities of our students and transform the educational institutions into the most potent instrument to build a prosperous India.

It is the responsibility of our teachers and educational institutions to initiate innovative educational programmes and nurture curiosity, promote critical thinking, creativity, innovation. Teachers should share their own life experience to inspire students for Lifelong Learning Skills that will shape the future, he said.

The Lieutenant Governor extended his best wishes for a productive and a bright future to all the graduating students. He also congratulated the girl students for outshining the boys in the medal tally, and also remained ahead in Certificate of Distinction and Infosys Foundation Prize.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University also conferred Honoris Causa degrees on writer & historian Padma Shri Pt Shiv Dutt Nirmohi, and former CEO National Health Authority Dr Ram Sewak Sharma.

Dr Sudesh Dhankhar, wife of Hon’ble Vice President; Sh Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister; Ms Sakina Itoo, Minister for Higher Education; Sh Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament; Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor SMVDU; Vice-Chancellors of various Universities; HoDs of different educational institutions, senior officials of Civil and Police administration, faculty members, students and their parents were present.

#JAMMU: Nitish Rajora, assumed the charge of Director Information here today.

After assuming the charge, the Director held a brief introductory meeting with the officers and officials of the department. He had an overview of working of each section of the department from the concerned officers.

He expressed hope that all the employees would deliver their assigned services with utmost efficacy and proficiency while assuring complete support to them regarding their issues and concerns.

He emphasised the need for further streamlining the social media platforms with the advanced technological innovations keeping pace with the emerging media trends.

The Director highlighted the significance of timely dissemination of accurate and objective information to the public, fostering transparency and enhancing communication channels between the government and the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.

The officers, present on the occasion, reaffirmed their commitment towards performing their assigned tasks with added zeal and zest.

Joint Director Headquarters, Vivek Puri, Deputy Director PR/AV, Deepak Dubey, Deputy Director Central, Sunil Kumar and other senior officers and officials were present.

NEW DELHI: Though the AAP has rejected the exit poll predictions which says BJP will get the maximum seats, it looks like the party will have to eat its hat. In fact, Atishi and Manish Sisodia are trailing in their respective seats. #DelhiElectionResults

#JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, along with Minister for FCS&CA, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, today held a public outreach programme in Chowki Choura, Jammu and took stock of people’s grievances and demands.

The event aimed to provide immediate solutions to the issues faced by the local residents besides ensuring on the spot redressal of certain development issues.

During the programme, the Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister addressed various issues raised by the local deputations, led by the DDC, BDCs and PRIs of Chowki Choura.

The issues mainly pertained to road connectivity, irregular power and water supply, better health services, inadequate staff in various  departments especially schools.

The locals also demanded two degree colleges in Chowki Choura and Maira Mandrian, Guest house, ITI college, upgradation of high schools, fire station, ambulance service and other vital utilities.

The Deputy CM issued strict instructions to the officers to resolve the concerns promptly and implement all directives in letter and spirit for the welfare of public.

He personally met with the individuals, listened to their grievances ensuring prompt action on the same.

Surinder Choudhary directed the officers to conduct frequent visits to rural areas to ensure effective implementation of government schemes. He said that holding these public outreach programmes is a testament to government’s commitment towards directly addressing and resolving the grievances of public at their doorsteps.

The Deputy CM emphasised that the government’s initiative of organising village-level camps to provide citizen-centric services, is a step towards making governance more efficient and people-friendly.

 Speaking on the occasion, Satish Sharma expressed gratitude to Deputy CM for visiting his constituency and listening to people’s genuine issues and also resolving them.

He asked the officers of the line departments to put in their sincere efforts in rendering prompt services to the people. He urged them to work in synergy so that people don’t face any kind of inconvenience.

Satish Sharma said that the Government is committed to fulfill developmental aspirations of people while taking care that no one is deprived of his basic requirements and all are served equally.

#GANDERBAL: In a landmark development for winter sports, the snow-laden and picturesque destination of Sonamarg hosted its inaugural skiing training course here today.

The programme was inaugurated by Minister for FCS&CA, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma.

This pioneering initiative has introduced skiing to schoolboys from various educational institutions across the Kashmir division.

In his address, Satish Sharma extolled the natural allure of Sonamarg, describing it as a magnificent locale ripe for introduction of winter sports. He emphasized that exploring such opportunities in hitherto uncharted areas would not only enrich the local cultural tapestry but also bolster tourism.

The Minister expressed his commitment towards ensuring that aspiring athletes receive skiing training that meets international standards and is delivered with a highly professional approach.

Satish Sharma heralded the inauguration of the skiing course as an auspicious beginning, envisaging it as a launchpad for transforming Sonamarg into a premier winter destination. He remarked that, in alignment with the directives of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, the Department is earnestly committed towards nurturing winter sports activities in Sonamarg. He assured that the Government would invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure to elevate Sonamarg’s status to the next level.

The Minister laid emphasis that the Sports Department and District Administration Ganderbal will work out the modalities for creating sports infrastructure in Sonamarg. He further emphasised that this event shall be made an annual feature and organised every year in the month of February.

Acknowledging the role of sports in youth development, Satish Sharma underscored its importance in combating drug abuse and enhancing mental health. He also announced that a Winter Carnival will soon be held in Sonamarg, featuring cultural programs and various winter sports activities to showcase the breathtaking winter charm of Sonamarg.

District Development Commissioner Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore, in his address, underscored the significance of introducing training in a globally renowned sport such as skiing. He expressed optimism that this initiative would act as a catalyst for boosting winter tourism in the area, thereby offering a transformative opportunity for the local community.

Director General YS&S, Rajinder  Singh Tara, while welcoming the distinguished guests, reiterated that the initiative to conduct skiing training at Sonamarg is the brainchild of the Chief Minister of J&K. He urged the Minister to support efforts in developing the necessary infrastructure, thereby ensuring that such programmes become a regular feature in Sonamarg, similar to the well-established model in Gulmarg.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Joint Director Kashmir of YS&S.

Adding to the cultural richness of the ceremony, local folk singer Anjum Mujhtar mesmerised the audience with a captivating Gojri song, which was met with enthusiastic applause.

Additionally, engaging snow-based activities were organised by the Department of YS&S employees.

ADC Ganderbal, Gulzar Ahmed and other officers and officials were present on the occasion.

Festival showcases a blend of folk culture, local cuisines, sports, leaving visitors spellbound

#KATHUA: In a significant stride to promote tourism and highlighting the scenic beauty of the region, the District Administration organized the first-ever Winter Festival at the breathtaking Sarthal Valley in the Bani Subdivision.

The festival was inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, amidst an electrifying atmosphere with over 3500 visitors gathered to celebrate the occasion.

The festival showcased an array of engaging activities. The Marquee event ‘Bani Got Talent’ show received an overwhelming response with youngsters displaying their skills. The event provided a perfect platform for showcasing local talent and engaging the community.

Speaking on the occasion, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar expressed his admiration for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of such festivals in promoting lesser-explored tourist destinations like Sarthal Valley. He said, ‘The Winter Festival is not just a celebration of culture and adventure but also a step towards realizing the immense tourism potential of this region. We aim to put Sarthal Valley on the map as a sought-after destination for nature and adventure lovers.”

The Divisional Commissioner informed that the Sarthal Winter Festival now on will be a calendar event which will gradually get larger in coming years. He further disclosed that Bani is going to host inaugural Summer Festival in Dhagger; another picturesque valley of Bani which ultimately will give huge fillip in the tourists footfall of the region.

The highlight of the festival was a spellbinding performance by internationally acclaimed singer Sonali Dogra, who captivated the audience with a soulful blend of Dogri Hindi, Punjabi folk songs. Her performance left the crowd mesmerized, setting the tone for an unforgettable event.

Adding to the charm was the authentic Pahadi cuisine, which offered visitors a taste of the region’s culinary heritage. From tug-of-war contests to thrilling varied fun activities, the vibrant atmosphere was further enhanced by fun-filled activities against the backdrop of snow-clad mountains.

MLA Bani, Dr. Rameshwar Singh, lauded the efforts of the district and sub-divisional administration in organizing the maiden festival. He remarked, “This initiative will go a long way in showcasing the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Sarthal Valley while boosting the local economy through increased tourism.”

Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Dr Rakesh Minhas in his address, highlighted the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders and assured the public that more such events would be organized to promote the region. He stated, “This festival is just the beginning of our journey to transform Sarthal Valley into a hub for winter tourism. We are committed to developing the infrastructure needed to attract tourists from across the country.”

The mela also featured Paragliding, Snowskating, Volleyball and other sports activities besides the Sarthal Valley buzzing all day with a host of fun activities.

The Winter Festival at Sarthal Valley marked a perfect blend of culture, adventure, and natural beauty, leaving visitors with cherished memories and a renewed appreciation for the region’s tourism potential. The event is expected to be a cornerstone for future tourism initiatives in the district.

Director Tourism Jammu, Vikas Gupta, ADC Kathua Ranjit Singh, CEO LSDA Ajit Singh, SDM Hiranagar Rakesh Kumar, SDM Bani Gias ul Haq, Prateek Anil, CPO Ranjit Thakur and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.