Asia

Pakistan: First case of new coronavirus variant from UK detected
29Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Pakistan: First case of new coronavirus variant from UK detected

The first case of the new coronavirus variant from UK was confirmed in Pakistan on Tuesday after three samples taken from passengers who had returned from Britain showed 95 pre cent match to the new variant.The health department in Sindh said the samples of 12 returnees were taken for genotyping, out of which six tested positive.“Samples of three U.K. returnees show a 95% match to the new coronavirus variant from the U.K. in the first phase of genotyping,” it said in a tweet.The health department said that the provincial government was tracing contacts of these patients and all those who came in contact with them were being isolated.The new variant is considered as 70% more transmissible and has sparked concerns around the world though health experts say there is no evidence that it is mor...
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J&K: Young entrepreneur sells Kashmiri apples online, introduces new packaging
28Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Market

J&K: Young entrepreneur sells Kashmiri apples online, introduces new packaging

In the Shopian district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, a young entrepreneur is selling world famous Kashmiri apples online by bringing much-needed reforms in the fruit’s packaging at par with global standards.Adnan Ali Khan, 30, has now emerged as a local hero by setting up a supply chain that ensures fair prices to farmers by helping them sell their products on the internet.Khan, a fourth-generation farmer from his family, completed engineering and MBA and is now doing his PhD on “value addition, planning and marketing of Kashmiri products”.He launched his online venture that delivers Kashmiri apples to the doorstep upon receiving orders online.He is probably the first Kashmiri to sell apples in retail packs on the internet. Adnan made his debut in September when he s...
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J&K: Revival of 1902 built Mohra Hydro Electric Project delights Baramulla
26Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K: Revival of 1902 built Mohra Hydro Electric Project delights Baramulla

The Jammu and Kashmir administration’s recent decision to revive its first Hydroelectric Project, one of the oldest hydel power plants in South Asia, Mohra (also spelled as Mahura), has delighted the people of Baramulla.Built in 1902 on the left bank of river Jhelum at Boniyar in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district and commissioned in the year 1905, by the then monarch of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, by hiring the services of Canada born engineer, Major Alian de Litbniere, the Mahura Hydroelectric project was built with unique and rare features, which include 11-kilometer-long wooden flume as water conductor.Initially, the power house started generating 3.75 megawatts electricity and also served the purpose of irrigating nearest fields because of its unique construction. The powe...
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J&K: DC Baramulla chairs meeting at Gulmarg
26Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K: DC Baramulla chairs meeting at Gulmarg

In the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Baramulla district, Dr G N Itoo chaired a meeting at Gulmarg to review various arrangements in view of current winter season.On the occasion, Dr Itoo took a detailed appraisal of various necessities put in place for winter tourism at the venue. He stressed for exploring every possibility for promoting winter tourism at Gulmarg and in its peripheral areas.Dr Itoo exhorted upon the concerned officers to put in place a viable mechanism so that the tourists coming at the venue do not face any inconvenience. He also directed to organize several sports activities that will attract tourists from different regions, thereby developing tourism in the region.Moreover, he emphasised to strictly follow all covid-19 guidelin...
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National Lok Adalat held across courts of J&K, Ladakh; 4628 cases settled
24Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

National Lok Adalat held across courts of J&K, Ladakh; 4628 cases settled

National Lok Adalat was held across the Indian union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh with settlement of a total of 4,628 cases in which Rs. 47.70 crore was awarded as compensation amount.As the entire population, including the litigants, are in deep mental stress due to outbreak of covid-19, J&K Legal Services Authority and Ladakh Legal Services Authority, under the stewardship of patron-in-chief and executive chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, Justice Rajesh Bindal, Chief Justice (A), High Court of J&K and under the guidance of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, Executive Chairman, Ladakh Legal Services Authority organized National Lok Adalats throughout the union territories of J&K and Ladakh.This National Lok Adalat was organized in all the districts of UTs o...
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Over 3.65 lakh J&K accounts benefited under business revival package
24Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Over 3.65 lakh J&K accounts benefited under business revival package

Over 3.65 lakh accounts in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) have benefited from the first tranche of relief released by the government under its ‘Business Revival Package’ for eligible businesses affected by the ongoing covid-19 pandemic and the restructured accounts of 2014-floods and 2016-disruption.In a statement, the J&K bank said, “As the leading bank, J&K Bank alone has received Rs 222 crores out of the Rs 250 crores released by the government in its first tranche so far out of Rs 950 crores sanctioned for the banking sector. The bank has already passed the amount of Rs 222 crores as relief to 2.61 lakh eligible beneficiary accounts. Meanwhile, other banks operating in the region have released over Rs 27 crore to 1.04 lakh beneficiary accounts.”The J&...
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J&K: Kashmir valley celebrates International Mountain Day 2020
23Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K: Kashmir valley celebrates International Mountain Day 2020

The International Mountain Day 2020 was celebrated with great fervour by adventure lovers in the Kashmir valley with the main function organised by the Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir at TRC, Srinagar.IPS officer Aparna Kumar, the first woman IPS officer to complete “Seven Summits” challenge, was present as the chief guest on the occasion.Aparna Kumar was left impressed by the presence of large number of girls amongst the participants and said that adventure knows no gender. “If one has the passion and will, nothing is impossible,” she said.She also exhorted on preserving mountain biodiversity by practicing sustainable tourism and adventure tourism activities.Director Tourism, Nisar Ahmad Wani said that besides other tourism products, adventure tourism in Kashmir has immense potential for ...
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J&K: IIP Mumbai conducts workshop on customized packaging to boost export
23Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Market

J&K: IIP Mumbai conducts workshop on customized packaging to boost export

In order to boost global exports of famed handicrafts and handloom products from the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Mumbai, in collaboration with Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, conducted a workshop with craft entrepreneurs on customized packaging.The workshop laid emphasis on standard packaging of various Kashmir-based craft products like Pashmina and Kani Shawls, Papier Mache, Walnut Wood Carving, Carpets, Sozni, Crewel and Chain-Stitch embroidery for stimulation of customer interest in the national and international markets.Director, Ministry of Commerce, Praveen Kumar; Director, IIP Mumbai, Tanweer Alam; Director, Industries, Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah; Director, Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir, Mussara...
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Need to develop, promote children’s literature in mother-tongue: Kashmiri scholar
22Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Need to develop, promote children’s literature in mother-tongue: Kashmiri scholar

At a book release function organized by the University of Kashmir, renowned Kashmiri scholar and writer Prof Shafi Shauq said that developing genuine children’s literature in their mother-tongue is one of the important ways to promote the language and help youngsters to stay rooted to their culture.However, Prof Shauq cautioned that objectivity and description must not be compromised while creating such literature.Two books titled ‘Achre Moth’—a collection of critical essays—and ‘Jiger Khante’—a collection of rhymes and poems for children—were released on the occasion. Both are authored by noted Kashmiri writer, Showket Ansari.Prof Shafi Shauq was the chief guest on the occasion, while Prof Gulshan Majeed presided over the function, organised by the varsity’s Department of Kashmiri in coll...
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J&K: Unanimous HC lifts the cup at Shopian hockey championship
22Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K: Unanimous HC lifts the cup at Shopian hockey championship

In the Shopian district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the District Hockey Championship concluded with Unanimous HC defeating Shopian HC by 2-0.The first goal was secured by Abid Hussain by beating the goal keeper in a close range, whereas in second half of the game, it was Rahil Gulzur who secured penalty corner for his team and won the match by 2-0 goals.Man of Match was awarded to Abid Hussain for his outstanding play in the game while Man of the Series was given to Khalid Bashir who secured five goals during the tournament.On the occasion joint secretary J&K Hockey RGN Wani and vice president J&K Hockey Syed Talib, who were guests on the occasion distributed prizes among the winners. The tournament was organized by J&K Hockey.
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