SRINAGAR
A day after major fire broke out in Srinagar lone maternity hospital Lalla Ded the minister for Medical Education, Taj Mohiuddin who was visiting the place to take stock of damage was told by the hospital authorities that they are back on track. They informed the minister that the staff has successfully delivered as many as 30 babies including 20 through cesarean-section on the very next day of tragedy.
LONDON
At this year’s World Travel Mart (WTM) held in London state tourism department is trying hard to promote Kashmir as a potential golf, pilgrim and adventure tourism destination. WTM is the biggest travel technology event in United Kingdom where leading tour and travel operators promote their destinations. Keeping the huge tourism potential in view WTA has dedicated a separate pavilion to Kashmir. Team Kashmir includes Minister of Tourism GA Mir and Director Tourism (Kashmir) Talat Pervez who are in London showcasing Kashmir as an all season tourist destination. Interestingly this year Kashmir pavilion offers a special pilgrim package in Jammu for UK based Indian citizens. The package is priced at USD 704 per family for four nights.
MUMBAI
Kashmiri and Hindi translation of master play writer William Shakespeare will be staged in Mumbai during a three-day theatre festival: Hamara Shakespeare. The Kashmiri translation of Shakespeare’s King Lear titled “Badshah Pather” will be presented by veteran theatre director M K Raina. Badshah Pather is a result of a series of theatre workshops that began in Kashmir in 2001 as part of the National School of Drama’s extension programme headed by Raina. The workshop was started with an aim to bring together youngsters and theatre veterans to revive vibrant Kashmiri folk theatre that has suffered during two and half decades of conflict. As a result 14 productions have been created over the last five years of workshop in Kashmir. Interestingly, Badshah Pather, a form of farcical theatre is said to have entered Kashmir from Persia through the Muslim courts in the 14th century.
KERALA
Fans of famous Malayalam director Suresh Gopi and actor Ramesh finally heaved a sigh of relief as their action packed patriotic film Salam Kashmir was cleared for release after reviewed by a panel of experts made sure that it does not compromise national security in any way. The film was waiting for release since September for want of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the defence ministry. The NOC was needed as Salam Kashmir features military camps in Kashmir along with a few army officers as chiefs.
SRINAGAR
It was the day of book releases at KU. Three books were released in a single day including the one by Dr Shabnam Ara, Assistant Professor Sociology at Amar Singh College Srinagar titled “Social Thought and Indian Social System”. It was Dr Shabnam’s second book. Dr Shabnam stated during her address that she started writing this book in 2009. Written with an aim to help civil service aspirants Dr Shabnam said, “It is written very simply. I hope students and other readers will be definitely benefited while reading this book.” While reacting to a critical remark by a speaker Dr Shabnam said that she will try to overcome her shortcoming in the second edition of the book. Without naming him, Dr Shabnam thanked her husband, IGP Kashmir Abdul Ghani Mir for his support.
KANYAKUMARI
Coir Kranti Express, a specially decorated bus was flagged off from Kanyakumari on Tuesday for its cross-country road show showcasing various coir products. The Indian Coir Roadshow, being organised as part of the diamond jubilee of the Coir Board, will travel across 17 states including Kashmir and return to Kochi in the first week of February. The aim is to create awareness about various types of coir products, especially among people in North India. The products showcased on the special buss include curtains, jackets, children’s frocks, bags, slippers and umbrella.
The 500 MT project is financed by the J&K Bank. So far, the bank, under its apple project has financed Rs 340 crore to 13 such projects with the cumulative storage capacity of 53000 MT
J&K Bank disburses Rs 68 lac in Ganderbal mostly among women enterpruners.
