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JAMMU: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today held a crucial meeting with the Health Secretaries from 10 States and UTs, asking them to designate adequate number of doctors for issuance of ‘Compulsory Health Certificates’ (CHCs) in favour of pilgrims embarking on the sacred journey to Shri Amarnathji Shrine in J&K.
The meeting besides Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor and CEO, Shri AmarnathJi Shrine Board (SASB) was attended by Secretary, H&ME; Additional CEO, SASB; Director, SKIMS; Director, Health, Jammu/Kashmir; representative from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GoI.
The Chief Secretary directed the Health Department to conduct the sensitization sessions with the doctors designated by the respective states for issuance of these CHCs in favour of the pilgrims intending to take on this holy journey. He said that such an exercise would help them in better understanding of the requirements to be met by a person for safe pilgrimage.
He also asked the participating Health Secretaries to further ensure rationalization of doctors across the health facilities commensurate to the number of pilgrims from that area. He declared that this would reciprocate into thorough clinical assessment of the applicants on part of the medics thereby ensuring safety of lives.
He emphasized that individuals with underlying comorbid conditions or physical weaknesses that render them unfit for high-altitude travel must be thoroughly screened. Those deemed unfit should not be issued health certificates, as this would pose a significant risk to their lives during the pilgrimage. He maintained that the UT government is committed to provide best facilities to these pilgrims and wants the yatra to be fully safe, secure and enthralling for each of the devotees.
While pointing out some of the critical issues that have undermined the CHC process in previous years, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, who is also CEO of the Shri AmarnathJi Shrine Board (SASB), said in past doctors had issued CHCs to unfit pilgrims, including those with co-morbidities, to participate in the Yatra, resulting in tragic consequences.
He cited the 2012 Amarnath Yatra as a stark example, where over 100 pilgrims lost their lives due to health complications that were severely exacerbated by the extreme conditions of the pilgrimage like high altitude above 12,800 feet, low oxygen levels, snow-covered mountains and sudden temperature drops. These challenges underscored the urgent need for rigorous health screening to prevent such incidents in future, therefore, making of CHC prerequisite for registration.
He also advised for nominating doctors by their official designation who are required to personally sign the CHCs, including their name, address and NMC registration number. This step will enhance accountability and check unauthorized certificate issuance in favour of unfit persons.
Furthermore, the States have been asked to submit their lists of nominated doctors to the Shrine Board by April 5, 2025, facilitating seamless coordination ahead of the Yatra’s commencement. The registration for the Yatra, 2025, will begin on April 14, 2025, through banks, offering both online and offline options.
The participants were made aware that this is in compliance with a 2012 Supreme Court ruling which mandates that CHCs be issued only by designated medical officers in a prescribed format, based on a pre-requisite list, to ensure legal and procedural consistency.
It was revealed that since majority of the pilgrims belongs to these States/UTs, it has therefore become imperative to take-up the matter with the concerned health authorities. It was highlighted that this pilgrimage involves a long and arduous trek through high-altitude terrain with risks of serious conditions like High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE).
With registration set to begin in April 2025, the Shrine Board is poised to deliver a safer, more organized pilgrimage experience in the Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Additional DDG and Director (EMR), Ministry of H&FW, made out that about 1415 doctors would be deployed on rotation basis by the Ministry to the UT for assistance during the yatra period. He also assured the meeting that necessary instructions would be passed on to all for strict adherence to the guidelines besides participation of their nominated doctors in the online sessions to be held shortly by the Department of Health, Government of J&K.
The States and UTs participated in the meeting included Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
JAMMU: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, while reviewing the IT services and infrastructure in J&K, exhorted upon the concerned department to initiate measures for establishment of Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence, Geographic Information System (GIS) and E-Governance here. The meeting besides ACS, Education Department, Commissioner Secretary, IT; Commissioner Secretary, I&C and CEO, JaKeGA was attended by DG, Budget, several HoDs, representatives from NIC and concerned officers and officials from the IT Department.
Dulloo impressed upon the department to create necessary framework for establishment of this CoE under JaKeGA. He called for holding consultations with the MeitY and BISAG-N for assistance and expertise regarding its swift establishment in the UT. The Chief Secretary also assessed progress on establishment of IT Parks at Jammu and Srinagar. He enjoined upon the department to identify suitable infrastructure for the same so that these are established without any further delay.
The Chief Secretary further directed for taking the e-Office services down to Tehsil and Block levels for swift movement of files besides ensuring timely monitoring and processing of these. He asked for completion of the exercise by 15th of June this year.
Regarding the quality of online services, the Chief Secretary emphasized on ensuring end-to-end digitization of services besides adhering to the specific timelines set for delivery of each service. He maintained that it is crucial to increase services under newly launched Sehat App, Mission YUVA, Kisan Khidmat Ghar (KKG), Kisan Sathi, HADP, Vidhya Samiksha Kendra and Samadhan 2.0, bringing governance at the doorsteps of the masses.
He stressed on substantially increasing the number of documents/certificates available over DigiLocker. He made out that these numbers should match with our population and services available online now. He called for uploading all educational certificates, birth/death certificates, domicile, property and documents of prime concern for the citizens.
The key areas that came up for discussion encompassed current status of development of digital infrastructure, implementation of online services and portals, initiatives under NeGD, ongoing projects with BISAG, nominations for National e-Governance Awards (NAeG), incentives for outstanding contributions, training programs, enhancement of connectivity, strengthening human resources for making the IT services more meaningful for the citizens.
Regarding the future roadmap, Commissioner Secretary, IT, Saurabh Bhagat, informed the meeting that establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Creation of IT parks, expansion of the e-Office and initiatives like introduction of e-Cabinet system, implementation of NeVA and establishment of e-Vidhanare which are in pipeline will help in furthering the vision for Digital Jammu & Kashmir.
He added that the implementation of eUNNAT, e-Office 2.0, RTI portal, J&K LMS, and online water billing are in the final stages of implementation. In addition, expansion of digital infrastructure establishment of a State Data Centre, SWAN 1.0 and 1000 more Digital Village Centres are going to be a reality soon.
As far as the Cybersecurity is concerned, CEO, JaKeGA, Rupesh Kumar, informed the meeting that the agency is conducting security audits for all the websites. He detailed out the status of setting up of Security Operations Centre (SOC). He also apprised of the capacity building/training programs held for government employees besides those planned ahead for making these initiatives more effective and result-oriented for effective functioning of the government.
SRINAGAR: Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) on Monday announced the launch of a ground-breaking “Head Injury Awareness Program”, spearheaded by its Department of Neurosurgery and Neuroanesthesia.The initiative, under the leadership of Director SKIMS& EOSG, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Ashraf Ganie, is aimed at to address the rising incidence of head injuries in the region through education, prevention strategies, and community engagement.
Head injuries, often caused by road accidents, falls, sports, and domestic incidents, are a leading cause of disability and mortality in Kashmir. Delayed recognition and inadequate pre-hospital care exacerbate outcomes, highlighting the critical need for public awareness. This multidisciplinary program will focus on several key areas including community education initiatives, including workshops, seminars, and door-to-door campaigns. The aim is to raise awareness about the early signs of head trauma, such as confusion, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.
Besides, prevention strategies will emphasize the importance of helmet use, safe driving practices, and child safety measures. Additionally, first responder training will be provided to police officers, teachers, and drivers, equipping them with essential emergency response skills. To further reinforce awareness,interactive sessions will be held to engage young people in safety practices and informational resources such as pamphlets, posters, and digital content in local languages will be distributed widely especially in schools and colleges.
Director of SKIMS& EOSG, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Ashraf Ganie, highlighted the vital point that head injuries are preventable, and with timely intervention, their potentially devastating consequences can be minimized or even avoided. He emphasized the importance of early detection and prompt medical response in cases of head trauma, stressing that quick action can significantly reduce the risk of long-term complications and, in many cases, save lives. Prof. Ganie also commend the efforts of the departments, especially the Departments of Neurosurgery and Neuroanesthesia, for their leadership in launching the “Head Injury Awareness Program.”
He said that the initiative aligns with SKIMS' broader mission of promoting excellence in healthcare and community service. His recognition of the collaborative efforts among multiple departments reflects a unified commitment to addressing a growing public health challenge in the region.In addition, Prof. Ganie emphasized that the long-term goal of this initiative is to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and the community.
The event was attended by several luminaries, including the Associate Dean of Academics, Medical Superintendent, faculty members from the Departments of Neurosurgery, Neuroanesthesia, and other departments, as well as police officials. The general public and students from various schools and colleges were also present, showing strong community engagement in this important cause.It was collectively echoed that raising awareness and educating the public is vital their message reinforced the idea that healthcare is a shared responsibility, where both medical professionals and citizens play a vital role in responding to emergencies and saving lives.Dr.Sarabjit Singh Chibber Head of Neurosurgery, added, “Awareness reduces long-term complications and mentioned that we urge the public to prioritize safety and seek immediate medical help for head trauma.
KATRA: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) successfully organised a three-day Introductory Faculty Development Program (FDP) on “Universal Human Values” under the PM-USHA initiative. The event was organized in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and conducted by the NCCIP AICTE Team.
The event featured insightful sessions conducted by NCCIP members of the AICTE Team Dr. Priya Darshni and Dr. Manisha Gupta. NCCIP member Er. Manu Rajput was present as an Observer during the FDP for the smooth execution of all the sessions. NCCIP members Sh. Jitender Narula and Dr. Charanjeet Madan were the Regional Coordinators of the FDP.The FDP aimed to instill human values in educators, fostering ethical and moral development in teaching.
Participants from SMVDU, Cluster University, Jammu, Central University of Jammu, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), and various other Government degree Colleges attended the program, gaining valuable insights into the integration of human values in education. The initiative aligns with AICTE’s vision to promote value-based education across academic institutions in India.
The Programme was organised by Universal Human Value cell and Academic Affairs Section of SMVDU with Prof. (Dr.) Balbir Singh (Dean Academic Affairs, SMVDU) and Dr. Kamaldeep (Assistant. Professor, School of Electrical Engineering, SMVDU) as Coordinators. Dr. Shafaq Rasool (Associate Dean Academic Affairs), Dr. Bharat Bhushan Jindal (Associate Dean Academic Affairs), Dr. Madhu Mangal Chaturvedi as Local Co-Coordinators, Dr. Pooja Sharma, Dr. Amit Sinha and Dr. Anil Bhardwaj ensured the smooth execution of the FDP.
AWANTIPORA: The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (DJMC), Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), inaugurated a two-day National Seminar on ‘Role of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in Promoting Digital Learning and Education’ on Wednesday. Sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), the seminar aims to explore the integration of India’s intellectual heritage with modern digital education practices.
The keynote addresses were delivered by Prof. Rakesh Vaid, Director Poonch Campus, University of Jammu, and renowned Kashmiri poet, Mr. Zareef Ahmad Zareef. Prof. Vaid emphasized the vast scope of research in IKS, stating that a deeper academic exploration would uncover a wealth of knowledge within India's intellectual traditions. Meanwhile, Mr. Zareef traced the evolution of Kashmir’s mother tongue and cultural values, stressing the importance of preserving the region’s heritage. He referenced various Kashmiri literary works, reinforcing how knowledge has always been an integral part of the region's identity.
Prof. Ayaz Hassan Moon, Dean Academic Affairs, IUST, reaffirmed the University's commitment to integrating IKS into its academic framework. "The National Education Policy (NEP) promotes a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, which seamlessly complements the inclusion of IKS," he stated. Prof. Abdul Wahid Makhdoomi, Registrar, IUST, highlighted the significance of recognizing traditional knowledge systems and their deep-rooted connection with technology throughout history. Dr. Afroz Ahmad Bisati, Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, stressed the need for practical approaches to incorporate the IKS into modern education. Welcoming all the participants, Dr. Rabia Noor, Head DJMC, discussed the relevance of traditional knowledge systems in the digital age.
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