Exhibition concludes

Book lovers rue drop in reading habits Fiaz Pampori DODA, Apr 23: In connection with "World Book Day", a three day book exhibition organized by district library Doda concluded today.

Prominent writers, poets and scholars and large number of people visited the exhibition.

Thousands of books were displayed in the exhibition.

The exhibition which was first of its kind across Doda region concluded with the exhaustive lectures delivered by writers, poets and journalists of the town.

Speakers in general said that due to political uncertainty in the state the graph of book readers descended considerably.

While speaking on the occasion Ishtiaq Ahmad Dev said that in run-up to better economic standing and amassment of wealth young people find no time to get acquainted with books and due to political uncertainty in the state the graph of book readers descended considerably.

Shad Faridabadi a noted writer of Doda believed that though the political uncertainty was one of the reasons behind decreasing population of book lovers, yet books can play vital role in stabilizing the political conflicts and added that politicians should also make habit of reading books in their spare time.

In his lecture F.

Faridi research scholar JK Cultural Academy said that social unrest, onslaught by the electronic media and corruption also derived people away from books in Jammu and Kashmir and appealed for restoration of normalcy in the state so that literature flourishes in the state.

Speakers thanked district library authorities for organizing Iqbal day and world book day in this remote district.

Institution of Engineers celebrates Water Resources Day KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Apr 23: The local centre of Institution of Engineers (India) today celebrated "Water Resources Day" at its institutional complex, Channi Himmat.

On the occasion, a seminar on theme topic "Integrated Water Resources Development and Management" was organized by the institution which was attended by a large number of engineers from various departments and organisations.

The seminar was chaired by Inderjit Singh, FIE, former Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control Department, J&K Govt.

and presided over by Vinod Sharma, FIE, former chairman of the Institution of Engineers (India), Jammu Local Centre.

Four papers on the theme topic were presented by Santokh Singh, FIE, Rabinder Shekher, MIE, S.C.

Thukral, MIE and H.R.

All the speakers emphasised that water is the most important element for our national development and an integrated approach for effective development of water resources to address issues in different sub-sectors such as hydro power, water supply, sanitation, irrigation, drainage & environment are the need of the hour.

Inderjit Singh, in his address deliberated on theme topic and emphasised that integrated water resources perspective with full involvement of all the stakeholders ensures that social, economic, environmental and technical dimensions are taken into account in the management and development of water resources.

He lamented over exploitation of sub-soil water and merciless cutting of trees.

Anil Verma, Secretary conducted the proceedings of the seminar and delivered welcome address and presented vote of thanks.

J&K Gujjars body seeks economic package KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Apr 23: The Gujjar community of Jammu and Kashmir has urged the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to announce a special economic and political package for the uplifment of Gujjar tribe of the State.

Addressing a Press Conference here today Ishfaq ur Rehman Poswal, State President of Akhil Bhartiya Gujjar Mahasabha stressed that there are about 2 lakh nomad Gujjars and Bakerwals who are without shelter are eagerly waiting for a "Rehabilitation Package".

Poswal said, "it is astonishing that there is no mention of Gujjars including SC/ST communities in the recommendations of the "four Working Groups" and there is no incentive for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled tribe in two packages of Prime Minister announced for State".

Rehman further said that the Gujjars are being discriminated by the "state" since 1947.The Scheduled Tribe Status which was granted way back in 1991 failed to provide the constitutional safeguards to Gujjars" he said..

He said Gujjars in the State are being victim of extreme poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and facing hardship of nomadic way of life .The problems of the Gujjars are different than any other community of the State hence special economic and political package is their right, said Rehman.

He added that though Schedule Tribe status has been granted to the Gujjar-Bakerwals, it has not been properly implemented.

'Till the political reservation is not provided to the community, there is no meaning of the ST status.

Being a Scheduled Tribe community Gujjars deserve Political Reservation in both the Houses of State Legislature and the State is delaying this by one way or other way.

Therefore Sabha appeal to Prime Minister to intervene in the matter, he added.

He said that Gujjars of the State strongly opposes to the demand of S.T Status by Pahari speaking people of the State and warn the centre government against any such move to dilute the Tribal status.