BHADERWAH: In a significant step towards revitalizing tourism in the region, the Bhaderwah Development Authority (BDA) held a meeting at Tilligarh Resort, Bhadarwah. The meeting brought together tourism stakeholders including hoteliers, guest house owners, homestay operators, travel agents and other service providers to interact with the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of BDA, Sunil K. Bhutyal, who also serves as Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhaderwah.
The primary agenda of the meeting was to formally introduce the new CEO and engage in an open discussion on the current challenges faced by the tourism industry in Bhadarwah. Participants shared their concerns and suggestions, focusing on the need for better infrastructure, promotion and tourist-friendly facilities.
The CEO emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to promote Bhadarwah as a prime tourist destination. He assured the attendees that the administration is committed to address their issues and formulate strategies for the smooth management of tourist flow, especially during the peak season.
Key issues discussed included enhancing security at tourist accommodations and destinations, maintaining hygiene standards and ensuring that all service providers adhere to a professional code of conduct. Suggestions for improving road connectivity and launching promotional campaigns were also put forward.
The meeting concluded with a call for unity among tourism stakeholders and taking proactive steps to make Bhadarwah a cleaner, safer and more attractive destination for visitors.
JAMMU: The University of Jammu successfully held the third and final Open House for its flagship Design Your Degree (DYD) program today, drawing the curtain on a series of engaging and interactive sessions aimed at prospective students and their families. Organized on the university campus, the event provided a vibrant platform for open dialogue among aspiring students, their guardians, faculty mentors, academic experts, and current students of the DYD program.
The concluding Open House began with an address by Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, who reiterated the University’s commitment to reshaping undergraduate education through the DYD initiative, which is firmly in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Prof. Rai described the DYD program not merely as a curriculum shift but as a rethinking of higher education—where students are given the tools and freedom to steer their academic journeys. He emphasized the importance of core skill development in areas such as analytical thinking, mathematical reasoning, communication, creativity, and critical thinking—skills essential for success in today’s fast-changing world. He urged students to step forward and take ownership of their futures by embracing this forward-looking model of education.
Prof. Alka Sharma, Director SIIDEC, welcomed the participants and facilitated a lively, open-format interaction. She encouraged students and parents to ask questions, share their aspirations, and learn more about the opportunities the DYD program has to offer.
A detailed overview of the program was presented by Prof. Sadaf Shah, Associate Director, SIIDEC, who explained the flexible academic structure and outlined the admissions process. She elaborated on how the first two years of the program are designed to build a solid foundation across disciplines, while the final two years allow students to craft their own degree pathways—selecting from options such as B.A., B.Sc., B.Com., or B.Tech. (IT). Prof. Shah noted that DYD encourages students to go beyond traditional academic boundaries and design cross-disciplinary learning experiences based on their interests and career ambitions. She also coordinated the overall event, ensuring its smooth execution.
The audience was also addressed by Mr. A.M. Tiwari, Vice Chancellor of TransStadia University, Gujarat, who shared candid insights into the gaps in the current education system and praised the DYD model as a timely and much-needed step towards preparing future-ready graduates.
The event saw active engagement with a team of dedicated DYD faculty mentors, including Prof. K.S. Charak, Prof. Anil Gupta, Dr. Jatinder Manhas, Dr. Sandeep Arya, Dr. Shallu Sehgal, Dr. Sunil Bhougal, Dr. Sandeep Singh, Dr. Pallavi Sachdeva, Dr. Chinmoyee Maharana, Dr. Ripu Daman Parihar, Dr. Sarika Verma, and Dr. Manish, who interacted with students and shared insights on the unique strengths of the DYD program as a flexible, student-centric model.
A major highlight of the Open House was a heartfelt experience-sharing session by current DYD students from Semesters 2 and 4. Their personal stories and reflections resonated strongly with the audience, offering a glimpse into how the program has shaped their academic choices, creative growth, and personal confidence.
"With this final Open House, the pre-admission phase of the DYD program draws to a close. The entrance examination is scheduled to be held on 5th June 2025 at 10:30 AM at the new Design Your Degree building on the university campus.
REASI: Reasi district has demonstrated exceptional progress in governance by securing the 5th rank in the District Good Governance Index (DGGI) 4.0 among Jammu & Kashmir districts- a dramatic leap from its 20th position in DGGI 3.0. This leap of 15 positions is the highest improvement recorded among all districts, highlighting Reasi’s dedicated efforts towards administrative excellence and effective services delivery.
Adding to this achievement, Reasi has secured Rank 1 in Citizen-Centric Governance, emerging as the top-performing district in this critical category. This reflects the administration’s strong focus on delivering quality public services, ensuring transparency, and fostering trust between the government and citizens.
The district has also shown improvement in 8 out of 10 key sectors assessed under DGGI 4.0. These sectors include Human Resource Development, Financial Inclusion, Legal & Public Safety, Social Welfare and Industries & Commerce, among others. The steady progress across these areas underscores the district’s comprehensive and balanced development approach.
The Reasi administration credits this success to the collaborative efforts of government officials, frontline workers, and citizens who have actively contributed to the transformation. This recognition serves as a powerful motivation to sustain the momentum and continue advancing toward higher standards of governance and public satisfaction.
JAMMU: The Wildlife Department celebrated the completion of two years of Jambu Zoo with a series of activities held here the other day. The occasion marked a significant milestone in the zoo's journey, with over five lakh footfalls since its opening to the public on May 29, 2023.
Lion Cubs, Kutki and Bhunki, born on 5 March 2025 to their parents brought from Gujarat two years back, were the main attraction of the event. The other attractions included a live snake show and display of live Brandt’s Hedgehog, a new discovery for India.
A cultural programme, organized in collaboration with the Culture Department, witnessed a large participation of school students, NGOs, and local artists performing Dogri songs, dance, skits and yoga, on the theme of wildlife conservation. Children enthusiastically participated in the painting competition and the winners were awarded prizes.
Several staff members of the zoo were felicitated for their dedication. Members of the public participating in the zoo adoption programme were also felicitated.
Spread over a vast area, the zoo boasts of 21 enclosures housing a variety of species, including lions, tigers, common leopards, Himalayan black bear, brown bear, spotted deer, hog deer, barking deer, sambhar, black buck, goral, crocodile, gharial, porcupine, wild boar, snake species, emu, pheasants, leopard cat, jungle cat and civet cat.
The zoo has recently introduced new species, including the Indian grey wolf and brown bear. Also, the zoo has been successful in breeding several rare animal species including lion, civet cat, jungle cat, leopard cat and spotted deer. Apart from showcasing diverse wildlife, the zoo offers a range of activities for children, including virtual reality, swings, trampoline and boating.
SRINAGAR: Following the directions of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, a team of the Food Safety Department conducted intensive market checking to inspect different food outlets in different parts of the City.
Food safety team led by Assistant Commissioner, Yameen ul Nabi, accompanied by Food Safety Officers along with team of Mobile Food Testing Van inspected Food Business establishments at Sanat Nagar, Bagh-i-Mehtab, Lal Nagar Chanapora, Housing Colony Chanapora and other markets to assess adherence to food storage guidelines.
During the drive, Food Business Operators (FBOs) were sensitized on the importance of proper storage practices, particularly for high-risk food items such as packaged drinking water, carbonated water, milk, and milk products. Officials emphasized that exposing such items to direct sunlight can compromise their quality and safety of the products
All FBOs were directed to strictly follow food safety regulations, ensuring that high-risk food items are stored in appropriate conditions to prevent contamination and degradation. Non-compliance will attract action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, reinforcing the department’s commitment to consumer welfare and public health.
Food Safety Department urged businesses to uphold safe storage practices and assured continued vigilance through routine inspections to prevent violations. Pertinent to mention that Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ul-Din Bhat convened a meeting with key stakeholders from various food industry associations, including the Bakery and Confectionery Association, Hotel and Restaurant Association, Fruit and Vegetable Street Vendors’ Association (Batamaloo), and the Butcher Association.
During the meeting, DC emphasized the importance of maintaining the highest food safety and hygiene standards across all sectors. He directed all associations to ensure that food production, particularly bakery items, adheres to strict quality control measures.
Highlighting the significance of freshness in food consumption, he urged bakery producers to refrain from preparing items too far in advance and instead focus on producing fresh quantities daily, in alignment with consumer needs. DC reiterated that food safety remains a top priority and urged all stakeholders to cooperate in implementing best practices to safeguard public health.
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