Jammu & Kashmir: Temple In Kulgam Reopens For Devotees After 2 Decades

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan made a special visit to the temple and interacted with devotees and the temple authorities

Meanwhile, the district administration has developed a road from Katapora to Nadimarg and has taken other developmental projects on priority to augment facilities for devotees in the area

Srinagar, Oct 6: Arde Nareshwar Temple at Nadimarg in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district was reopened for devotees after more than 20 years, marking a significant spiritual and cultural event.

"Devotees from across the district gathered in large numbers to offer prayers and celebrate this auspicious day and Murti Sthapna Puja was held at the temple today with religious fervour," an official statement said.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan made a special visit to the temple and interacted with devotees and the temple authorities.

During his visit, the DC reviewed the facilities available for the devotees and assured the administration's continued support in preserving and promoting Kulgam's historical and cultural landmarks.

Meanwhile, the district administration has developed a road from Katapora to Nadimarg and has taken other developmental projects on priority to augment facilities for devotees in the area.

The devotees had converged from far-off places of the union territory at the ancient temple site at Nadimarg in appreciable numbers and thronged the temple for taking part in the Puja.

"The Puja was held in a peaceful atmosphere with local Muslims welcoming the Pandit brothers who were on site to take part in the Puja," the statement said.

One of the devotees who was present, expressed his joy, saying: "After more than 20 years, the Puja has resumed at the temple, and it fills me with immense happiness to see this."

Meanwhile, DC Shopian, Mohammad Shahid Saleem Dar visited Nadimarg Zainapora where Murti Sthapana Puja was performed by the devotees of the Kashmiri Pandit community at Arde Nareshwar Temple.

This marks the era of peace and prosperity, the DC mentioned on the occasion.

"The ceremony was attended by local communities along with the district and sub divisional authorities. Proper security arrangements were in place with other line departments providing essential services to devotees," an official statement said.

"The DC took review of the arrangements and interacted with devotees and listened to a wide range of their welfare issues including the demands for the establishment of Community Hall or Yatra bhawan. He assured them about the prompt action on the issue. The DC also visited the vacant homes of Kashmiri Pandits at Nadimarg and also the adjoining land," it added.

(IANS)

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Maldives President Muizzu To Begin 5-Day State Visit To India Today

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

New Delhi, Oct 6: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is all set to begin his five-day (October 6-10) state visit to India Sunday following an official invitation extended by his Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu, an official said.

After assuming office, this will be Muizzu's first bilateral visit, during which he is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior officials of the Indian government.

Earlier this year, the Maldives President attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers at Rashtrapati Bhavan here June 9. Before that, he also met PM Modi on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai December 1 last year.

The President's Office (Maldives) stated: "President Dr Muizzu remains committed to enhancing bilateral ties with nations that play a crucial role in the development and growth of the Maldives, ensuring a dynamic and proactive foreign policy for the nation... Discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation and further enhancing the longstanding relationship between the two nations."

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the Maldives President, accompanied by a high-level delegation from his country, will also be visiting Mumbai and Bengaluru, where he will have business engagements.

"The visit signifies the importance India attaches to its relations with Maldives. It is expected to lend further momentum to cooperation and robust people-to-people ties between the two countries," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a weekly media briefing on Friday.

In August, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar visited Maldives on an official three-day visit, his first since assuming office for a second term in June.

Before that, he had visited the strategically significant Indian Ocean archipelago in January 2023 as India maintained that Maldives occupies an important place in New Delhi's vision of 'Neighbourhood First' and 'SAGAR'.

"The visit of President Dr. Muizzu to India after the recent visit of the External Affairs Minister to the Maldives is testimony to the importance that India attaches to its relations with the Maldives," the MEA said in a statement on Friday.

Even as the relationship between the two countries became strained last year, India remained a key provider of development assistance to the island nation with several projects funded by India benefitting the lives of thousands of people in the country.

Muizzu's visit is considered important as India and Maldives experienced a decline in bilateral relations after he assumed office in 2023 on the plank of his 'India Out' election campaigning. After taking office in November 2023, Muizzu requested India to withdraw its military personnel from his country.

(IANS)

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When Entire Bollywood Rallied Behind Sanjay Dutt

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Mumbai, Oct 6: Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who was recently seen in the streaming movie ‘Ghudchadi’, has been through some of the darkest times in the past.

The actor has battled drug addiction, cancer, the loss of his mother, and the allegations of engaging in terrorist activities.

On July 4, 1994, the actor was remanded to judicial custody for his alleged involvement in the Mumbai Bomb blasts. He was arrested under the provisions laid down under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA).

Even in the times of no social media, Internet or cell phones, the news spread quickly through the corridors of the cinema industry.

By evening, the entire Bollywood came in unison to support Sanjay Dutt. A meeting was organised by the Cine Artistes’ Association at the house of the then-chief of the association Asha Parekh, the next day.

By July 6, the entire industry was mobilised to extend their support for the actor. Shootings of the ongoing movies, and commercials were cancelled forthright.

Artistes and technicians from the industry gathered at a hotel and went to Thane Jail, where Sanjay Dutt was held, and handed over a letter to the jailor. The turnout saw the biggest of stars from Dilip Kumar to Yash Chopra and Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan, to Saif Ali Khan, Mahesh Bhatt, Saira Banu, Karishma Kapoor, Amrish Puri and Randhir Kapoor as a mark of solidarity for Sanjay Dutt.

Director Mukul Anand, who is known for ‘Hum’, had printed 1,000 posters overnight with the text, “Sanju, we’re with u”.

Sanjay Dutt’s life hasn’t been a bed of roses, the actor has committed a lot of mistakes, and has paid heavily for it. His life has been documented in the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer biopic ‘Sanju’ which had its fair share of criticism.

(IANS)

Jammu & Kashmir: Temple In Kulgam Reopens For Devotees After 2 Decades

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