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SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today emphasized that the efforts of the government should become visible in the coming six months in terms of governance, delivery of public services and overall improvement in functioning of the government across Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed that governance must not remain confined to the Civil Secretariat or government offices alone.

The Chief Minister made these remarks while chairing a high-level review meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar, marking the formal resumption of official work by Ministers and Administrative Secretaries in the summer capital Srinagar.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javed Ahmed Dar and Satish Sharma attended the meeting. Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to HCM Dheeraj Gupta, all administrative secretaries, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir and other senior officers attended the meeting.

The Chief Minister emphasized the need for start of development activities, implementation of budget announcements and efficient governance amid current challenges. “After six months, we are back to Srinagar Civil Secretariat office. The environment in which we were hoping the offices would open, expecting normal business did not happen. It has been seen that if situation remains conducive and peaceful, it improves functioning of the government," CM said.

“We need now to focus on things that are under our control and work to ease the difficulties faced by common people,” the Chief Minister said in his opening address. He directed officers to ensure that their efforts during this working season go beyond administrative offices. “We do not have to restrict our working to the Civil Secretariat as was the case during budget session. Now is the good opportunity to see implementation of projects on the ground,” he stated.

He called upon all departments to concentrate on delivery and accountability. “Let’s focus on the deliverables. So that six months from now, when we have to move to Jammu, we can actually sit down with a list of all the positive developments and changes that in spite of the circumstances, we were able to make here,” the Chief Minister observed.

Referring to the budget passed in the Legislative Assembly this year in March, CM Omar Abdullah said that while opinions may differ, the government’s obligation lies in its execution. “But now it is our duty, that the budget that the assembly passed, the budget that this government brought to the assembly and got it approved, we will implement the budget decisions and review meetings shall be held with concerned departments and agencies," he remarked.

He underscored the importance of utilizing the budgetary allocations and implementing District Capex plan on the ground. “Because this is the works season, he said, noting the brief window available for developmental works, particularly in the winter zone. The Chief Minister informed that a detailed review would be held with the Chief Secretary, Finance Secretary and departments. “Where there would be obstacles, we will take the necessary decisions to remove those hurdles,” he said, urging development departments — including Power, R&B, PHE, Health, and Social Welfare — to accelerate their pace of work.

Touching on the broader national support for J&K’s development, CM Omar shared details of his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the highest level in government of India wants to see that in no way should Pahalgam attack derail the process of governance and development in Jammu and Kashmir. “That is our responsibility which we will have to take care of,” he stated.

Acknowledging the adverse impact of recent events on the tourism sector, the Chief Minister called for a collective effort to ensure a smooth Amarnath Yatra without any inconvenience to the pilgrims. He emphasized that the civil administration has its own responsibilities which we will have to fulfill at any cost.

On the much-anticipated Rail-to-Kashmir project, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the inauguration—originally scheduled for April 19 but postponed due to inclement weather—would happen soon. “The sooner we inaugurate the bridge and the train, the sooner the rumours will end and the rail will benefit us,” he said.

Reaffirming his commitment to governance, he said, “What we manage to control are the areas of governance that are directly our responsibility. And therein lies the role of all of us sitting in this room… The people have put us here to work together to deliver on their expectations.”

He concluded with a call for unity and purpose, “I am here only because I want to deliver something for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. That is my only aim, that is the aim of my colleagues. And I’m sure in that, your aim is the same as well.” Earlier, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo welcomed the Chief Minister and members of the Council of Ministers at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar and said that all arrangements are in place for smooth functioning of offices at Civil Secretariat Srinagar.

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Written by: JK Monitor News Network

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• When top professor sit among students, it becomes a true center of learning: G.N. Var honors Prof. H.C. Verma’s visit to Kashmir
• It was a dream come true to have Prof. Verma Here; Dr. Saddam describes the historic moment of hosting a legendary Physicist

SRINAGAR: SSM Higher Secondary School, Soiteng Lasjan, Srinagar, hosted a special educational program that brought together some of the finest minds in education and science from across the country. The event was held in memory of the school’s visionary founder, Late Haji Ghulam Nabi Parray Sahab. The chief guest was Padma Shri awardee and well-known nuclear physicist, Emeritus IIT Kanpur, Prof. H.C. Verma. The program was organized in collaboration with the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) and the JK Science Communicator Network.

The event saw participation from key education figures including G.N. Var, State (President) Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK), Dr. Saddam Sir (Chairman) SKIE Classes, Syed Ishtiyaq (Secretary) JK Science Communicator Network & (Principal) Govt. HSS Haal Pulwama, Altaf Nabi Parray, (Chairman) SSM Higher Secondary School, Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, (Principal), Riyaz Parray, (Administrative Officer). The ceremony also witnessed the active participation of students, teachers and edu leaders.

The event started with a formal welcome address and was hosted by Iram Altaf, the Vice Principal of the institution. The school administration also presented a bookie and a shawl to Prof. H.C. Verma as a token of love. Iram expressed, “It was an honor to host such a transformative event. Inviting Prof. H.C. Verma Sir was a proud moment for us, his session with students was deeply inspiring and opened new perspectives on how to approach science and success. This event, dedicated to our founder Late Haji Ghulam Nabi Parray Sahab, reflects our continued commitment to his mission.”

Prof. H.C. Verma, delivered keynote lecture, shared his journey with "Shiksha Sopan," a voluntary educational movement he has been part of for the last 25 years. "We began as a small group of like-minded individuals committed to improving education for underprivileged children," he said.

Prof. Verma said, Operating from a modest house in Kanpur, UP without piped water or stable electricity, the initiative has grown into a vibrant learning center. “Children from a 5–6 km radius come daily to study for 2 to 3 hours. We run science labs, offer various programs and provide free education to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level,” he added.

He also spoke about the involvement of IIT Kanpur students as volunteers and the scholarships offered to learners. “Even a small scholarship of ₹5,000 a year can prevent a girl from dropping out when a family cannot afford education for all their children,” he said.

Prof. Verma emphasized that the “Shiksha Sopan” mission never charges for learning, accommodation, meals or study materials, not even from teachers attending training programs. “Our philosophy is simple education is not a commodity to be sold. Once you put a price on it, you reduce its purity and turn it into a commercial deal, we have never taken a single rupee from anyone who came to learn."” he said.

However, one thing deeply concerns me whenever I visited Kashmir and interact with local students: I observe that they are almost entirely focused on preparing for NEET exams. I ask them, do we really need so many doctors? Is our country truly so unwell? Is Kashmir so sick that everyone must become a doctor? "What about engineers? What about scientists, teachers, thinkers and innovators? It seems that education has become merely a means to secure a job, rather than a way to understand life or contribute meaningfully to the society."

Prof. Verma concluded his lecture by saying, “Through Shiksha Sopan, we try to guide students to ask deeper questions: What do I truly want from my life? What does my family really want for me? Is it just about securing a degree, or is it about living a useful, meaningful and fulfilling life? That is the purpose of real education, to help students discover their own path, their own purpose. As long as we can, we will continue this mission freely, sincerely and without any price.”

PSAJK President G.N. Var, in his address, “Today marks a truly historic moment. I’ll say just one thing, when professors sit among students, that place becomes a true center of learning. Today, we are honored by the presence of Professor H.C. Verma Sahab. This speaks volumes about the love and dedication shared between students and their mentors.”

Var said, “I must specially mention Dr. Saddam, who left a government job to start his own educational institution. At a time when the system was in complete silence, he brought light. While corporate coaching centers turned education into a business and students into machines, educators like Dr. Saddam kept the human touch alive. They proved that teaching is not just a profession, it’s a mission.”

G.N. Var further added “We need such role models, those who guide students with values, not just syllabus. What makes this event special is that, for the first time, students and teachers from Kashmir are sharing the stage together in the true spirit of education. This is the kind of transformation we envision.”

SKIE Classes Chairman Dr. Saddam, in his address, “It is an immense privilege and honor for us to host the Physics legendary Professor H.C. Verma Sir today. I still remember how, back in 2002, every student preparing for competitive exams like JK-CET would rely on just one book “Concepts of Physics” written by Prof. H.C. Verma Sir. I too struggled with physics as a student, it was a subject that once filled me with fear. Yet, such was the clarity and power of his book that exam questions often felt like direct reflections of its examples.”

Saddam continued, “To see Professor Verma here today, addressing our students in person, is nothing short of a dream come true. It is not only a personal milestone for me but a blessing for our entire academic community, students, teachers and edu leaders.” Dr. Saddam further added, “His message today went far beyond physics. In the span of just one hour, he reminded us of the importance of cleanliness, responsibility and environmental consciousness. He made us reflect on how our surroundings are a mirror of our inner discipline, an idea deeply rooted in our own faith, which teaches that ‘cleanliness is half of faith.’”

Saddam concluded by saying, “I could never have imagined that someone of his stature would visit our humble institute in Kashmir, especially when prestigious institutions across India regularly seek his presence. But he still came, with sincerely and kindnes That shows how truly great Verma Sahab is. I sincerely hope that his light continues to guide us all and that he keeps inspiring not just our students, but also educators like myself, across the nation.”

SSM Higher Secondary School Principal, Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, said in his address "Our beloved founder of SSM Higher Secondary School Srinagar late Haji Ghulam Nabi Parray Sahab established this trust back in 1993, single-handedly, without any financial backing, driven only by his intellectual passion and grace. His contributions to the education sector are immeasurable. As he was an eminent educationist and religious scholar, he lived for the betterment of society, particularly for the downtrodden," said Bhat.

Bhat further highlighted Haji's unwavering commitment to providing education, noting that he never accepted any payment from students, many of whom came from financially weak backgrounds. "His students, who have excelled in various fields, stand as ambassadors of this institution, contributing significantly to the society."

The event concluded with an awards felicitation ceremony, recognizing the outstanding academic achievements of students from Class 10th and 12th (Session 2025, Annual Regular). The awards were given in various streams: Class 12th – Commerce: Mohammad Zuhaib – 431 Marks (Distinction), Azan Salarie – 421 Marks (Distinction), Jasira Parveez – 386 Marks (Distinction); Class 12th – Arts: Syed Deeshya Ashaq Andrabi – 474 Marks (Distinction), Arwah Altaf – 471 Marks (Distinction), Sundas Shah – 442 Marks (Distinction); Class 12th – Medical: Zaira Mukhtar – 488 Marks (Distinction), Ahmad Sadaat – 478 Marks (Distinction), Mareeham Saleem – 476 Marks (Distinction); Class 10th: Sabahat Zahoor Mir – 487 Marks (Distinction), Qamrain Gulzar – 479 Marks (Distinction), Deeba Ayoub – 471 Marks (Distinction) Etc.

The event successfully combined inspiration, academic celebration and a commitment to educational values. With Prof. H.C Verma’s message echoing in the hearts of students and educators, the program marked a new chapter in SSM Higher Secondary School’s journey toward educational excellence. The school pledged to continue hosting such meaningful programs that foster curiosity, confidence, and character in young minds.

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RAJOURI: The Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO), in collaboration with the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) Grant Thornton Bharat LLP and the District Industries Centre (DIC), on Monday organised District-level Awareness workshop here at Government ITI to build awareness and promote adoption of RAMP- interventions among MSMEs, entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders.

 The RAMP initiative is being implemented under the overall supervision of the Industries and Commerce Department of Jammu and Kashmir, with the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) serving as the nodal agency.

As many as 60 participants, including MSMEs, students and local stakeholders attended the Workshop. The session was led by General Manager of DIC Farid Ahmed Kohli, who served as the Chief Guest. He was joined by ITI Principal Ujwal Mahajan and President of the Industrial Association Rajouri Haji Mohammad Shafi.

The representatives from SPIU - Grant Thornton Bharat LLP delivered an in-depth overview of the RAMP program, highlighting its key components such as access to credit, skilling, technology upgrades, and marketing support for MSMEs. They stressed the necessity of coordinated efforts among all stakeholder departments to ensure the smooth implementation of RAMP interventions at the district level.

The workshop was part of a series of district-level outreach initiatives under RAMP, aimed at promoting convergence, strengthening last-mile implementation, and ensuring that government schemes reach grassroots stakeholders in the MSME ecosystem.

The RAMP scheme is a World Bank-supported initiative by the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, aimed at improving the performance and resilience of MSMEs across India. JKTPO is the nodal agency for implementing RAMP in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir

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JAMMU: Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar today chaired a meeting to review the development plan for augmentation of civic amenities and renovation works for smooth conduct of Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2025 enroute Jammu division. The meeting attended by MD JPDCL, Commissioner JMC, Deputy Commissioners of Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban and officials from Tourism, RDD, PWD, Health and Jal Shakti discussed the execution of the identified works as per the approved works plan.

The Divisional Commissioner directed the District Administrations and concerned Heads of departments for floating the tenders of the works at the earliest. The district wise works approved included repair, renovation and augmentation of basic amenities such as power, water, Toilet facilities at the various lodgement centres in the districts en route the annual holy pilgrimage.

The Divisional Commissioner directed MD JPDCL to start work for providing power supply to the lodgement centres and Yatra camps at Lakhanpur Kathua, Bhagwati Nagar Jammu and in Chanderkote Ramban and illumination works. He further asked the Commissioner JMC and Deputy Commissioner Jammu to start the process for tenders of works at Yatra camp Bhagwati Nagar Jammu.

The officials of RDD and JMC apprised the Divisional Commissioner about the tenders to be floated for mobile toilets, sanitation works and hiring manpower. The health department was asked to start the stocking of medical supplies and readiness of Ambulances for the holy pilgrimage at Yatra camps and lodgement centres. The PWD was asked to look after the works of installation of waterproof hangers, temporary sheds at Yatra camp Bhagwati Nagar. The Deputy Commissioners were asked to monitor the progress of works for its quality execution and timely completion.