The Kashmir Pulse

JAMMU — The Administrative Council (AC), chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, has granted approval for a significant 50% increase in honorarium for 2417 Rehbar-e-Khel (ReK) physical education teachers of the Youth Services and Sports Department in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

During the meeting, attended by prominent officials including Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, and Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, the decision to enhance the honorarium was ratified.

The move follows recommendations from a High-Powered Committee, led by the Chief Secretary, established for this purpose in 2021. The committee had proposed a 50% hike in honorarium for Rehbar-e-Khel teachers, a recommendation now endorsed by the Administrative Council.

The increase in honorarium aims to incentivize and motivate ReK teachers, encouraging them to further promote and popularize sports activities within schools across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

PULWAMA — On the eve of National Sports Day, being celebrated to pay tribute to Hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand, different functions were on Monday organized by the Youth Services and Sports (YS&S) Department in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

Director, Youth Services and Sports, J&K, Subhash Chander Chibber inaugurated the Inter-District Provincial Level Volleyball tournament for U-19 girls at Government Women's Degree College Pulwama in presence of ADC Pulwama, Joint Director YS&S, Kashmir and other dignitaries.

The tournament is being conducted by DYS&SO Pulwama following the successful culmination of the boys league competition in the same discipline.

Earlier, the Director along with other officers visited the famous MMBHSS Pulwama and inaugurated a hockey match between YSS Pulwama and Hockey Pulwama played on newly constructed hockey turf.

On the occasion, he interacted with players and advised them to opt for sports as a career and use leisure time in games to abstain from drugs and anti-social activities.

He hailed DYS&SO for tireless efforts in organizing such programmes successfully and appreciated the overwhelming participation of students in the sports.

The Director assured participants and officials of the department of full support to scale new heights.

SHOPIAN — Indian Army's Chinar Corps in collaboration with J&K Youth Services and Sports on Saturday organized the 'Jashan-e-Janoob' sports festival in south Kashmir's Shopian district.

The event was organised at Batapora Sports Stadium Shopian in which a large number of locals participated.

A large number of people including singers, school students, athletes and local residents participated in the event.

Singing, sports and other performers attracted the crowd with their performances during the programme.

SHOPIAN — Jammu and Kashmir Department of Youth Services & Sports on Friday inaugurated the Inter-district provincial level competitions in the Shopian district. The competitions include the Chess and Carrom championship for students under all age groups for the year 2022-23.

The inaugural function was attended by the Deputy Commissioner Shopian Sachin Kumar Vaishya (IAS) as the chief guest; Superintendent of Police Tanushree Dutta (IPS) as the guest of honour; Joint Director, Youth Services & Sports Kashmir, Bashir Ahmad; Chief Education Officer Shopian, Mohd Mushtaq and District Youth Services & Sports Officer Shopian, Noor Ul Haq.

In the competition, teams from all the 10 districts of the Kashmir division are participating which includes 144 student players representing their concerned districts.

Sports officer Noor Ul Haq said that his department is duty-bound to organize competitions throughout the union territory and the inter-district competitions in Shopian are a reflection of the commitment to providing a platform for good sportspersons, even at the school level.

During the inaugural speech, Deputy Commissioner Shopian laid emphasis on the holistic development of personality with the help of sports activities. He praised the departmental efforts to organise such tournaments.

DC Shopian said that the authorities in the district including the district administration will work in collaboration with the Department of Youth Services & Sports to give more and more opportunities to the youngsters to showcase their sporting skills and encourage them so that they can excel in the national and international sporting events as well.

Senior Superintendent of Police advised the students to do their best in the competitions and get involved in sports to avoid the alarming drug abuse menace. She added that the participant students are champions and they will be able to nurture their sporting skills with the help of these competitions.

After the championship was declared open by Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Mr Noor Ul Haq delivered the Vote of Thanks and presented mementoes to the guests.

PULWAMA — A Class 11th student died during a half marathon race in Rajpora area of Pulwama district on Wednesday.

An official of Youth Services and Sports told the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that under the directions of the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, the half marathon races are being conducted in different zones.

He said on Wednesday, a half marathon race was scheduled today in Shadimarg zone and four other zones in the district and accordingly every school in the area was informed to send five students.

He further added that Higher Secondary School Rajpora had also sent five students and while the race started today morning, the boy fell unconscious just after a few meters.

He said that he was immediately shifted to PHC Rajpora wherefrom he was referred to District Hospital Pulwama. However, he was declared brought dead there.

The deceased student was identified as Shahnawaz Ahmed Mir, son of Ghulam Muhammad Mir, of Chandpora Rajpora.

He added that the student of Class 11th at Higher Secondary Rajpora was a heart patient and had undergone three surgeries already.

About his selection for the race, he said that it was the duty of parents to inform teachers about his problems prior to allowing him to join the half marathon.

JAMMU — The Administrative Council (AC), which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, today approved the proposal of the Revenue Department to transfer various parcels of land for public purposes.

Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.

The Administrative Council approved the transfer of land measuring 144 Kanal 12 Marla in Hiranagar, District Kathua in favour of the Youth Services and Sports Department, J&K for the construction of Sh. Arun Jaitely Memorial Sports Complex.

The decision aims to provide quality sporting infrastructure for games like Cricket, Hockey, Football, Wrestling and Athletics and bring Kathua and Samba Districts on the sporting map of India.

The Sports Complex will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 58.23 crore and provide avenues to the local sportspersons to excel in their respective disciplines.

Moreover, approval was given to the transfer of land measuring 740 Kanal 9.5 Marla in favour of the Industries and Commerce Department for the establishment of a New Industrial Estate in District Shopian.

The upcoming industrial estate will boost the economic activity and industrial development in the area and provide entrepreneurial and employment opportunities to the youth.

The Administrative Council further approved the transfer of land measuring 750 Kanal in favour of the Industries & Commerce Department for setting up a Medicity. Operationalization of the Medicity will bring world-class health care infrastructure and facilities to the region, besides providing employment opportunities to the medical/pharma professionals, local pharmacists and vendors.