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Tourist footfall in Kashmir dropped to 10 year low in 2019

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Tourist arrivals dropped to a 10 year low in Kashmir last year, the official figures of J&K tourism department indicate. The abrogation of Article 370 and the travel advisory that followed was cited as the main reasons for the drop in tourists arriving in the Valley in 2019.

The official data by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department reveal that as many as 4,99,584 tourists including 32,985 foreigners visited the Valley in 2019. It is 59.3% less compared to 2018 when 8,41,202 tourists including 56,029 foreigners visited Kashmir.

Of the total arrivals of 2019, more than 80 per cent tourists arrived before July. Around 4 lakh tourists visited the valley till July 2019.  In the preceding five months starting from August, only 43,059 visitors arrived in Kashmir.

The month of July recorded the highest footfall when the 1,52,525 backpackers stayed in the valley. Centre on August 2 issued an advisory for tourists and Amarnath pilgrims, asking them to curtail their visit in Kashmir after citing militant threats.

After the government withdrew its advisory on October 9, 2019, tourist flow increased and nearly 12,086 people visited the valley in November.

December again saw a dip in tourist arrivals despite all preparations to attract tourist to Gulmarg and Pahalgam for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Only 6,954 visitors preferred to visit Kashmir during last month of the year.

January, February, March, April, May and June in 2019 recorded 25,095, 15,927, 21,237, 61,815, 64,826 and 1,15,100 tourist arrivals respectively.

In the past decade, Kashmir has witnessed highest tourist arrivals in 2012, when 13,08,765 visitors arrived here. Prior to that 7.36 lakh and 10 lakh tourists visited Kashmir in 2010 and 2011 respectively. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, 11.71 lakh, 11.67 lakh and 9.27 lakh tourists visited Kashmir respectively.

Travel agents claim that lack of internet services and uncertainty in Kashmir was the main reasons for the dip in tourist arrivals after August.

“There is currently no activity in trade due to the lack of internet services. Even now when winter is at its peak, lack of internet service is affecting adventure sports in Gulmarg,” said President Tourism Alliance, Manzoor Ahmad Pakhtoon.

Director Tourism Kashmir, Nisar Ahmad Wani, said the department had intensified its promotional activities to lure tourists towards Kashmir.

A Preliminary Economic Loss Assessment Report by Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries revealed that Kashmir Inc suffered a loss of Rs 17,800 crore post abrogation of Article 370.

Tributes paid to Netaji

New Delhi (NVI): President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today led the nation in paying tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 123rd birth anniversary.

Kovind paid floral tributes to Bose and tweeted that Netaji remains one of the most beloved national heroes and an icon of India’s freedom struggle. Netaji’s courage and patriotism inspire the people, he said.

Modi tweeted: “India will always remain grateful to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose for his bravery and indelible contribution to resisting colonialism. He stood up for the progress and well-being of his fellow Indians.”

Bose was born in Cuttack, Odisha on January 23, in the year 1897.

Better known for his revolutionary slogan “Give me your blood, and I shall give you freedom”, Netaji was the great freedom fighter who raised the Indian National Army (INA) 1943 to fight against the British rule.

He inspired thousands of Indian youth to join the struggle for independence from the British colonial rule.

Airbus, Lockheed Martin among big players at Defence Expo-2020

F-21 fighter aircraft which is on offer to the Indian Air Force, will also be on display at the Def-Expo.

New Delhi (NVI): The 11th Defence Expo in the country and first in Lucknow from February 5 to 8, will witness the cutting edge defence technology showcased by some of the big global manufacturers like Airbus and Lockheed Martin.

The mega event, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has the theme ‘India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub’.

There will be a robust security cover around the venue and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has already reviewed the security measures in place.

European aircraft maker Airbus will exhibit models of C295 aircraft which is considered a tough and reliable plane with excellent performance on short or unpaved runways.

Apart from this, the company will also display the AS565 MBe Panther, the H145M and the H225M helicopters.

Lockheed Martin, the global aerospace and security company from US will also showcase the F-21 fighter aircraft which is on offer to the Indian Air Force.

Some other attractions at the exhibition will be Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile, Airliner A330 MRTT- a new generation air refueller, H145M and H225M helicopters.

Defence manufacturers from the United States, South Korea, France, Czech Republic, Sweden, the United Kingdom will participate in the event next month.

New technologies may hinder job security and growth: Report

Representative image

New Delhi (NVI): The speed to technological disruption is making it difficult for regulators to keep pace but regulatory response needs to be measured in order to protect innovation, according to a new report from The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), sponsored by Philip Morris International (PMI).

A new research report, ‘Regulations and the societal benefits of disruptive technologies’, examines how best to balance the introduction of new regulation with the societal benefits of new technology through industry case studies and in-depth interviews with senior executives and academics. It includes two case studies–one on the development and impact of regulation on electric scooters and the other on the introduction and use of blockchain technology in rural finance.

The report finds that disruption typically results from friction caused by the introduction of a new technology that makes accepted ways of doing things obsolete. This change can cause fear among segments of society around issues like job security and the loss of tradition.

“Disruption is here to stay and it is important that regulators are able to keep pace, but also balance that speed with decisions that are based on consideration of stakeholder concerns and empirical evidence as opposed to a knee-jerk reaction,” says Chris Clague, editor of the report and a Managing Editor in Thought Leadership at The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Disruption is not a new thing, and technology that creates more efficient ways of doing things has helped the world progress for hundreds of years. However the pace of such change has become much faster, and regulators have found it difficult to balance societal concerns with societal benefits given the greater speed and the increased scale and scope of the impact from new technology, according to the report.

Starting with electric scooters, the report examines the impact and regulatory response following the introduction of the technology in developed nations like the UK and the US. It also investigates how regulators are approaching fears around the application of blockchain technology in rural finance.

Both case studies illustrate how realising the full benefits of these new technologies requires regulators to listen to stakeholder concerns, as well as the arguments for change from industry, and carefully examine the actual impact of such a technology before making any decisions that could have a long-term, negative impact.

Regulations that result in an outright ban on technologies can stifle innovation, financial growth and societal benefit. Any regulatory change in response to disruption from a new technology should be based on a wide range of information and perspectives, as well the experience of others, to be both constructive and effective.

Problems in gums and teeth may be early signs of high BP

New Delhi (NVI): Many symptoms that appear in the gums and teeth can be considered as early signs of high blood pressure, according to a recent study published in the American Heart Association’s journal Hypertension which says oral diseases and high blood pressure are closely related.

This research also suggests that people who have a disease called periodontitis are at higher risk of high blood pressure.

High blood pressure can cause many dangerous ailments such as heart attack and kidney failure.

5 Signs And Symptoms Of Hypertension

High blood pressure is a serious problem that causes premature death. More than 45% of youth worldwide suffer from high blood pressure. Nowadays people are falling prey to high blood pressure at the age of 25-30 years due to the sedentary lifestyle of people.

The initial symptoms of high blood pressure are very common, so many young people do not even know that their blood pressure is increased.

The easiest way to identify BP is that you keep checking your blood pressure regularly every 1-2 months. Apart from this, some symptoms appearing in the body also indicate that you may have high blood pressure i.e. BP. Let us tell you what are these symptoms.

5 signs of high blood pressure (in the mouth)

Bleeding gums after brushing
Prolonged persistent toothache
Pain in speaking due to swelling in gums
Gums turn red or purple
Pain and stinging in gums

Gum diseases and heart attack: What’s the relationship?

If you often have problems with teeth and gums, you should be careful. Gum diseases are associated with high blood pressure as well as serious illnesses such as heart attack. For this research, Dr Hasturk and Dr Alpdogan Kantarci conducted 81 research papers in 26 countries have now been made the basis. According to research (conducted at the Forsyth Institute and published in Harvard Health Publishing), if a person is seen with periodontitis (gum disease), then the risk of heart attack can increase from 22% to 49% depending on the severity of the disease.

What to do? How to avoid high blood pressure?If you want to avoid the problem of high blood pressure, then you should take special care of some things.Following are some instances:

Do not let your weight gain. Obesity causes high blood pressure, so if you have fat around your stomach, then you should start losing your weight immediately.

If you smoke, you are at a very high risk of having high blood pressure. So quit smoking habit immediately.

Brush 2 times daily and thoroughly clean the mouth. The problem of increasing blood pressure due to oral diseases is quite common.

In case of problems with teeth bleeding, toothache, gingivitis etc., contact the dentist/doctor without delay and get the examination done.

Exercise at least 25-30 minutes daily. The more you keep your body relaxed you will increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Reduce the use of salt and sugar in your food. Excess intake of salt also causes high blood pressure.

Temperature rises a bit in Delhi

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi today saw a slight rise in minimum temperature to 9.0 degrees celsius from 7.1 degrees celsius recorded yesterday.
The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 18.0 degrees celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The weatherman has forecast that a spell of showers is likely to hit Delhi on January 28 onwards due to fresh western disturbance.
Meanwhile, the overall air quality in the national capital today remained in the “very poor” category.
According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR),the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at  302
which falls in the  “very poor” category.
The worst affected areas are Dhirpur, Delhi University, Chandni Chowk, Pusa, Lodhi Road, Mathura Road, IGI Terminal 3 and the neighbouring Noida

GoI to set up infra for IT product export from J&K: Prasad

Srinagar (NVI): The central government will set up every required infrastructure for development and export of IT products from J&K, Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad said here today.

He said this after inaugurating the incubation facility at Srinagar Technology Parks of India (SARI).

“The incubation facility will provide opportunities to IT entrepreneurs by providing plug-n-play and other digital infrastructure along with regulatory support to develop and export IT products from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Later, the Minister had a tour of the STPI complex where officials informed him about the various facilities provided by the center for software entrepreneurs of J&K.

He also interacted with young entrepreneurs and IT experts of some software companies who are using the space and other facilities of the STPI for development and export of their softwares for the outside market.

The additional facility of about 24,000 sqft will meet the growing demand of IT/ITES MSMEs of the region.

The officials informed the Minister that J&K has three STP units, employing around 140 resources are registered with STPI.

They added that for financial year of 2019-20, estimated exports from these units are expected to be around Rs 6.76 crore.

Prasad directed the officials to facilitate young software developers and encourage them to become successful software development entrepreneurs.

On the occasion, DG STPI informed the Minister that MEITY and STPI are in the process of getting various collaborating partners onboard to setup centers of excellence in the areas of Agritech, Horticulture under IOT domain.

To establish these COEs, STPI is working with Higher Education Department of J&K for allocation of space at University of Jammu and SP College Srinagar.

Later, the Union Minister also visited National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology Srinagar.

On the occasion, the Union Minister inaugurated two separate hostel buildings for boys and girls besides an IT lab with a capacity of 40 seats.

He interacted with students and faculty and asked them about the facilities in the institute and scope for improvement.

Prasad was informed about the ongoing course Cyber Shiksha – a skill development initiative for women in cyber security.

The officials informed the Minister that out of a batch of 22 girls, 12 have got placement in different companies.

Prasad asked the officials to train and place the Kashmiri youth in different job-oriented courses including artificial intelligence, Block chain etc.

He said he will personally monitor the training and placement of Kashmir students in different software courses.

J&K to get industrial policy soon: Union Minister

Jammu (NVI): The central government will soon announce a comprehensive Industrial Policy for the newly-created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to attract huge investments to the region, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industries Som Prakash said here today.

He said the policy would satisfy all the stakeholders and provide a level playing field for the growth of industry.

The Minister was interacting with local industrialists and representatives of traders’ associations.

“Central Government will extend all help to local industrialists to enable them to flourish and compete with other competitors by providing them level field,” Prakash said.

“Due to several political and economic barriers, the people in the region, including industrialists, were deprived of avenues for growth and fast-paced development,” he added.

The industrialists raised several issues before the Union Minister and sought his intervention for the redressal of the same.

They informed the Minister that the Industrial Development Scheme (IDS) for J&K will end by March 31, this year and sought its extension for the next 15 years.

They also said that there is a shortage of land bank in J&K and wanted creation of Special Economic Zones and Special Investment Regions like Food Parks, Technology Parks etc.

Other issues which the industrialists took up with the Minister included freight subsidy for transportation, 24X7 power supply to industrial areas, extension of 50 per cent capital investment subsidy for captive power projects, introduction of self credit scheme and insurance cover etc.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Industries and Commerce of J&K M K Dwivedi informed the Union Minister that capping of incentives under IDS-2017 scheme needs to either be reviewed or removed for the larger benefit of the industry in the UT.

The Minister assured the industrialists that all the issues flagged up by them would be given due consideration by the government and subsequently redressed.

The session discussed issues specific to pharmacy, walnut, carpet etc besides general issues pertaining to freights, high import cost, investment cost, industrial policy etc.

Meanwhile, the Minister was informed that there are 25,735 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) registered in UT of J&K with Rs 8,208 crore investment and providing employment to 1,62.084 persons.

It was further informed that there are 64 large scale units in the region with Rs 12,146 crore investment and providing employment to 18,310 persons.

The Union Minister inaugurated several development and infrastructure projects in Jammu City and its peripheries.

He inaugurated a Grid Station at Janipur, a newly constructed road at Upper Bhalwal and blacktopped road from Khambal Khad to Batta.

Outside investors will be allotted only Govt land in J&K: G Kishan Reddy

Mubashir Bukhari

Ganderbal (NVI): Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, G Kishan Reddy today said that investors desiring to set up industry in Jammu and Kashmir, will be allotted government land only.

Addressing people at Mini-Secretariat Balham n Ganderbal district, Reddy said, “People need not to worry as only government land will be allotted to the investors for setting up their units. No private land shall be acquired for setting up industry by any outside investor, “he said.

As a part of Centre’s reach-out programme, Reddy landed in Srinagar on Wednesday morning and headed to Ganderbal for his scheduled programme.

Reddy was accompanied by Advisor to Lt. Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Principal Secretary Home Affairs, Shaleen Kabra, DDC, Ganderbal Hashmat Ali Khan and other officers.

Multiple delegations including Panch, Sarpanchs, Block DevelopmentCouncil members, youth activists and locals met him to raise their concerns.

The union minister saidKashmir lagged behind only because ofthe “unabated” corruption during last 70 years. “But now PM Modi led BJP is committed to equal development of all the sectors in Kashmir, “he said.

The union minister said the central government’s schemes will be properly utilized for benefitting the people.

Describing relevance of Kashmir’s scenic beauty, Reddy remembered how famous Bollywood personalities use to come to Kashmir for shooting.

“But from last few years, very less number of films are being shot here. But we will now create such an environment so that, previous glory is back to Kashmir and more and more actors will come back to Kashmir. ”

He hailed administration for successfully holding “free and fair” Block Development Council (BDC) polls in the state.

During his interaction with the newly elected Block Development Council representatives, the Minister reiterated that the conduct of BDC elections in Jammu and Kashmir was a big step towards the empowerment of people. He said that through these representatives the government gets firsthand account of people’s grievances and feedback on different initiatives.

Calling these BDCs as “voices of people”, Reddy said they will redress the issues raised by the BDCs in the meeting.

Answering the queries of one the block development council about fate of PDD employees, Reddy assured that despite corporation taking over the power sector in J&K, it will have no impact on employees. “The corporation is for the betterment of employees and people in general, “he said.

Reddy said that the agenda to visit the place is to meet people, listen to their issues and come up with a developmental plan in all spheres.

The Minister distributed pension cards among the widows and downtrodden under Prime Minister’s Pension Yojana.

He said that the Union government has come up with the concept of Golden Card through which deserving segments of the society can afford the treatment of upto Rs 5 lakh. He said so far 3.5 lakh families have received this card in J&K.

In his address, the Minister assured the people of the area that the Union government is committed to develop villages on modern lines and electrification of all inhabited villages through the Saubhagya scheme is one step towards that.

The Minister later e-inaugurated multiple developmental projects in the district, with a total estimated cost of Rs 20.39 crores, which includes construction of multipurpose hall at Government Degree College, construction of mini pavilion block at sports stadium, construction of 100 bedded girls hostel, development of Nininara Island in the Manasbal Lake.

He also laid foundation stone for the construction of two lane byepass road from Ganderbal to Duderhama upto district head office complex, which he said was a long pending demand of people and will serve as a byepass to Kheerbawani temple. He said that road connectivity is imperative for growth and development of an area and the Centre is pushing hard towards it.

17 killed by coronavirus in China, 543 diagnosed  

Representative image

New Delhi (NVI): At least 17 people have been killed by coronavirus and 543 have been diagnosed, says a report by China Global Television Network (CGTN).

444 cases have been confirmed in Hubei Province as of 8:00 pm on Wednesday, according to the Chinese government officials, reports the TV network.

Out of the 543 cases, seven are from abroad, CGTN reports, adding that at least nine deaths have taken place in Hubei.

Earlier today, China confirmed that coronavirus can be spread by humans.

The mysterious pneumonia was first reported in Wuhan City, central China’s Hubei Province, in December 2019.

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