Governor directs urgent measures to address health related issues during Shri Amarnathji Yatra

             SRINAGAR, JULY 9 – Concerned over many deaths of the pilgrims during the ongoing Yatra at various places, the Governor has directed all concerned authorities to take immediate steps to address the significant health related issues relating to the Yatra.

           Various possible reasons for the progressing number of Yatris losing their lives were discussed at length in an urgent meeting held today morning at the Raj Bhavan, under the chairmanship of the Governor, Mr. N. N. Vohra, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. Among others, the meeting was attended by Health Minister, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma; Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer SASB, Mr. Navin K. Choudhary; Health Secretary, Mr. M. K. Dwivedi; Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr. Salim-ur-Rehman and Addl. CEO, SASB Mr. P.P. Singh.

           The Governor stressed all possible causes for the mortalities being critically analyzed to identify the short terms which could possibly contain and reduce the numbers of fatalities. In this context, he directed that the CEO would issue immediate instructions to all concerned officers in all Yatra Camps to further augment healthcare facilities in the entire Yatra area. The detailed break-up of the deaths, reflected age-wise, location-wise and known causes of deaths-wise was presented in the meeting. It was noted that persons of different age groups had expired due to cardiac arrests. The meeting was informed that more than 1000 Oxygen cylinders have been made available on the two routes to the Shrine by the State Health Department. This was in addition to the Oxygen cylinders available in the Health Camps established by the Army, Para-Military Forces and NGOs. The Governor asked the Health Secretary to take immediate action for Oxymeters being provided at various locations to check the Oxygen levels of the Yatris reporting at the Health Camps, and also ensure regular recharging of used Oxygen cylinders on daily basis.

         The Governor asked for increasing the deployment of specialist doctors at the Base Camps and at critical places like Brarimarg, Sangam, Pissu-Top, Zojibal, Nagakoti to attend to the seriously ailing patients. In this regard, he asked CEO to immediately contact the Army and seek their help in urgently setting up a medical-check Camp in the Sangam area. He also asked the CEO and Director Health Department to further gear up the arrangements for shifting of critical patients to the Base Camps and, thereafter, to identified Hospitals in Srinagar for prompt appropriate treatment. Hon’ble Health Minister asked the Director, Health Services (Kashmir) to urgently visit all major Camps, review the obtaining facilities and take time-bound steps to enhance the existing arrangements, as necessary.  

        The Governor stressed that urgent steps be taken for a renewed  campaign being launched to publicize the Do’s and Don’ts and the Health Advisory earlier issued by the Shrine Board. He asked the CEO to direct all Camp Directors to use Public Address System to urge Yatris to immediately contact the nearest Health Camp and take the necessary help in case they feel any kind of uneasiness or illness. It was also emphasized that the Yatris should agree to being properly acclimatized, know the arduous climb to the Shrine before embarking on the Yatra, take proper rest at regular intervals, and take other precautions while undertaking the Yatra. They should not rush to complete the Yatra in the quickest possible time.

            The Health Minister assured that all possible steps would be taken on the most urgent basis to ensure that healthcare facilities are further augmented, wherever required, for the benefit of the Yatris. 

           The CEO has yet again appealed that all intending pilgrims who wish to undertake the Yatra to the Shri Amarnathji Holy Shrine must follow and fully adhere to the Do’s and Don’ts and the Health Advisory issued by the Shrine Board, and also available at the Board’s website, before deciding to undertake the Yatra. All those intending to undertake the Yatra must take all required precautions and no person who has any medical or orthopaedic ailment, or any breathing, chest or heart problem should even think of undertaking this arduous Yatra, which involves climbing upto nearly 14,000 feet. Trekking in the high altitude route to the Holy Cave is difficult and, besides, inclement weather also poses challenges for the pilgrims. Doctors and paramedical staff along both the two routes, via Pahalgam and Baltal, have been deployed for providing emergency medicare and treatment to the pilgrims. Any Yatri feeling uneasy must immediately seek medical assistance. It was also emphasized that every Yatri, even those in good physical condition, must carry the medicine, which he or she is required to take daily, if any, and, besides, some general preparations like Glucose, Disprin, Combiflam, Moove, Iodex, etc.

Polling for Presidential Election-2012 being held on 19^th July

          SRINAGAR, JULY 09: According to Assistant Returning Officer J&K State, Srinagar, the Polling for Presidential Election-2012 is being held on 19^th July,2012 from 10 am to 5pm in the J&K  legislative Assembly Lobby.

            The Contesting candidates for the Presidential Election-2012 are Shri Purno Agitok Sangama and Shri Pranab Mukherjee.

Quality literature imperative for development of society: Sagar

SRINAGAR JULY, 09: Minister for Rural Development, Law, Justice, Panchayati Raj and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar has said that literature is reflection of the social-political milieu in which we live and it also acts as a corrective as well as informative medium for the society as well as posterity.

The Minister was speaking at a function organized by Akbar Jaipuri Memorial Foundation in Radio Kashmir, Srinagar. It was attended by station director, Radio Kashmir Ms. Ruksana Jabeen and a galaxy of writers and intellectuals.

Recalling the historical role played by the intellectuals in shaping various societies, the Minister said we should not forget the contribution of our writers and poets and should work steadfastly in promoting as well as propagating their works so that the posterity gets the requisite knowledge.

Asking the writers and intellectuals to come forward and contribute their mite in effectively building of the society and eradication of various social evils, the Minister said that they have a pivotal role in informing the people as well as in calculating the scientific temper in them. “Our state has produced several stalwarts whose contribution is being hailed all over the world as they have propagated several thoughts and ideas which are more relevant even today and will continue to guide the people globally”, he added.

The Minister while recalling the contribution of late Akbar Jaipuri, said that he has rendered yeomen’s role in propagation of Urdu language in the valley and the need of the hour is to recognize the contribution as well as  propagate the same so that the younger generation can get the requisite inspiration while carrying out their research and other related activities.

The Minister also gave the annual Akbar Jaipuri Awards to upcoming Urdu poet Rohi Jan. A book “Bikhari Moti”, based on the life and works of the late poet was also released on the occasion and several papers were also read on the contribution of late poet by prominent writers.