J-K diary

Again, a plain V-day for Valley

Youth in Kashmir generally do not hold Valentine's Day celebrations. But they are always reminded to stay away from such festivity by one separatist group or the other. The hardliner Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM), headed by Aasiya Andrabi, played the moral brigade to the hilt. The burqa-clad members of the group scanned markets in Srinagar to discourage sale of Valentine gifts and cards. Out of fear of backlash, restaurants owners and shopkeepers too did not offer special Valentine week discounts. --- Majid Jahangir

Govt buzz at funeral too

Jammu is gripped with political fever as everywhere, be it marriage halls or cremation grounds, there is only one query: when will PDP president Mehbooba Mufti take oath as Chief Minister? A couple of days ago, at the funeral of the father of a police officer, most of the mourners were seen gathered around politicians, inquiring about government formation. Instead of maintaining silence, people were eager to know the fate of the PDP-BJP coalition. And politicians, too, readily parted with “confidential” information. The mourners were so involved in political discussions that they were not ready to leave the cremation ground even when members of the bereaved family lined up to express gratitude to all who came for the funeral. --- Dinesh Manhotra

Swachh drive reaches Dal

A major cleaning operation was launched on Saturday to remove floating garbage from Dal Lake, a prized tourist destination in the city here. Nearly 200 personnel from Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Lakes and Waterways Development Authority and central paramilitary force CRPF took part in the cleaning operation which will continue over the coming days too, SMC commissioner Showkat Zargar told The Tribune. Dal Lake, nestled in the north-east part of Srinagar city and spread over 21.1 sq. km, is at the heart of region’s tourism industry. The lake has suffered extensively over the past decades due to increasing encroachments, human interference and pollution and the failure of successive governments to implement remedial measures. --- Azhar Qadri

‘O’ point popular with youth

The newly constructed ‘O’ point on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway near Ban and the new four-lane tunnels on the same route at Nandni are catching the fancy of selfie-crazy visitors. Mostly young couples take their bikes up to the ‘O’ point and click selfies.

But clicking selfies at ‘O’ point is not risk-free as heavy traffic moves on the highway and the area doesn’t have any parking place. --- (Amir Tantray).

Jammu takes to kangris

To beat the winter chill, the traditional Kashmiri kangri (earthen firepot) is now slowly making its place in Jammu too. During winter months, a large number of traders from the Valley come here with kangris and set up shop in areas where Kashmiri families live. Many Kashmiri families had migrated to Jammu during militancy in the 1990s.

A part of Valley’s culture, Kangri is more than just a heating instrument. For centuries, people of different religious backgrounds have used it to warm themselves during the harsh winter months in Kashmir. --- Sumit Hakhoo).

Teachers to have say in transfers

In a first, the Department of Education Kashmir (DSEK) is holding Transfer Fest in all districts of the Valley where teachers will be asked their choices before they are transferred. The step is a part of the reformatory measures taken by Director, DSEK, Shah Faesal. The event is scheduled for February 15 and 16 in all districts of the Valley except in Anantnag where it will be on February 17 and 18. On these two days, lecturers, masters, teachers will present their preferred choices of posting. Officials say those teachers who have overstayed at one place will be transferred after taking their choices. Efforts will be made to provide postings close to the residence. Consideration will also be given to teachers with health issues and disabled children and single parents. “Gone are the days when you had to pay a bribe and chase officials for getting your transfer done. We are bringing the transfer machinery at your doorsteps,” read the post at the official Facebook Page of DSEK. --- Rifat Mohidin