PM Modi receiving blessings for his transformation efforts, says BJP chief Nitin Nabin

Jammu, July 25 (IANS) As the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra resumed on Saturday after being suspended for six days due to continuous heavy rainfall, devotees expressed joy at the resumption of the pilgrimage and appreciated the efforts of the administration and security agencies in ensuring their safety and comfort.

The 18th batch of pilgrims undertaking the Shri Amarnath Yatra via the Baltal route departed from the Adhar Shivir Ram Mandir in Jammu for the darshan of Baba Barfani.

The pilgrimage had been temporarily suspended by the administration owing to adverse weather conditions to ensure the safety of devotees and prevent any untoward incidents.

Despite the prolonged suspension of the yatra, the enthusiasm and devotion of the pilgrims remained unaffected. Many, speaking to IANS, said that they were determined to continue their journey as soon as the routes reopened.

Expressing happiness over the resumption of the pilgrimage, one devotee said, “I am very happy after the resumption. I have never felt this happy in my life. People were stranded here for the past 6–7 days.”

Another pilgrim, who was visiting the shrine for the first time, said the difficult weather had not weakened his resolve to seek blessings.

“I have come here for the first time actually. I just wanted to see Baba and have a darshan and then be back. No matter how much it rains, I am determined to have a darshan,” the devotee said.

A pilgrim undertaking the yatra for the third time also praised the arrangements made for the annual pilgrimage and lauded the role of the security forces.

“I have been here twice; this is my third time. I am very happy. All the arrangements are nice, and our security forces are always there to protect us,” the devotee said.

Another first-time pilgrim said he had reached Jammu on July 19 and had decided to wait until the pilgrimage resumed instead of returning without offering prayers.

“The administration has made very good arrangements here, because of which we have stayed back. We will leave only after having the darshan of Baba Bhole; we have made this resolve in our hearts,” the pilgrim said.

Several devotees also praised the arrangements made by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, saying they had been provided with all essential facilities during their stay despite the temporary suspension of the pilgrimage.

“The more we praise the administration, the less it seems. We never felt that we had left our hometown and come to another region. The administration has provided all kinds of facilities and amenities to the pilgrims,” they said.

The pilgrims further said that although they could not proceed towards the Valley because of the inclement weather, the administration ensured that their stay in Jammu remained comfortable by guiding them to various tourist and religious destinations in the region.

“The administration also arranged buses at several locations, enabling them to visit major religious and tourist destinations across Jammu,” a pilgrim said.

The Shri Amarnath Yatra had been suspended on July 19 from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes following persistent rainfall and adverse weather conditions across the Kashmir Valley.

So far, more than 3.7 lakh devotees have offered prayers at the holy cave shrine during the ongoing 57-day pilgrimage, which is scheduled to conclude on August 28.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal has upheld notifications issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs banning the Awami Action Committee (AAC) led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) headed by Masroor Abbas Ansari for a period of five years.

The UAPA Tribunal of Justice Sachin Datta, a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court, in two distinct decisions, ruled that the material and evidence placed before it justified declaring the two outfits as unlawful associations under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

“This Tribunal, having followed the procedure laid down in the UAPA and its Rules and having independently and objectively appreciated and evaluated the material and evidence on record, is of the firm and considered view that there exists sufficient cause for declaring the organisation as an unlawful association,” the orders concluded.

On March 11, 2024, the MHA issued separate notifications imposing the ban, citing that AAC members had been supporting terrorist activities, propagating anti-India narratives, mobilising funds for secessionist movements and inciting violence in Jammu and Kashmir.

It also listed several criminal cases registered against AAC leaders, including charges of sedition, unlawful assembly and instigation of violence.

According to the MHA, AAC leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar, have delivered speeches against the Indian government, promoted election boycotts and instigated protests in Srinagar.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also filed a charge sheet against AAC spokesperson Aftab Ahmad Shah and others for alleged involvement in anti-national activities.

The MHA said that if not curbed, the AAC would continue to support militancy, disrupt public order and fuel separatist movements in Jammu and Kashmir.

The AAC, founded in 1963 by Mirwaiz Maulana Farooq during the agitation over the holy relics, is now led by his son Mirwaiz Umar.

In its separate order on the JKIM, the MHA said the organisation actively supported terrorist activities, engaged in anti-India propaganda and mobilised funds to promote separatist and secessionist agendas in Jammu and Kashmir.

It added that the JKIM’s activities, if unchecked, would continue to promote anti-national sentiments, dispute Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India and disrupt public order.

Founded by Molvi Abbas Ansari, JKIM is currently headed by his son, Masroor Abbas Ansari.

The MHA had said that the bans were necessary to prevent both outfits from further engaging in activities detrimental to India’s national security.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 11 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday chaired the first Governing Council Meeting of National Cadet Corps Alumni Association (NCCAA) at South Block, New Delhi.

Addressing the delegation, the Defence Minister described NCC as a “platform that presents an ideal for the youth of the country.”

He termed the former NCC cadets as strong pillars of India, who are contributing to the nation’s development in diverse fields, not just passively but as active drivers.

“We need to include the guidance of our former cadets to accelerate the goal of national development,” he said, exuding confidence that NCCAA will provide new energy and direction to NCC.

He also exhorted the NCC to spread the values and qualities of its cadets to a larger section of people with the spirit of NCC Plus.

“NCC instils these values in the youth who are associated with NCC. Our effort should be to ensure that these values reach those who could not join NCC,” the Defence Minister said.

He further highlighted that NCCAA can be actively associated with nation-building efforts through programmes such as ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, ‘Swachhta Abhiyan’ and various community development and social service schemes, which will influence a large part of the population.

Commending NCC for its significant contribution in the all-round development of the youth, he said, “In true spirit of its motto ‘Unity & Discipline’, NCC has always been committed to national unity and nation building. It has helped lakhs of youth, including students from remote areas, to become disciplined and motivated.”

NCCAA is a flagship association of NCC Alumni, which aims to carry forward the work of the world’s largest uniformed youth organisation by bringing the former and current cadets under one umbrella and enhancing their participation in the nation-building process.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first member of this association, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is registered as the second alumni.

The meeting was attended by Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Department of Education) Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (Department of Youth Affairs) Dr Pallavi Jain Govil, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence Dipti Mohil Chawla, DGNCC Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, Joint Secretary (Training) Dr Pawan Kumar Sharma, CEO LD Remedial World Bala Saraswathy Nair and Secretary, NCCAA Col Gagan Sharma.

–IANS

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