Latest news with #ReliefandRehabilitation
India Gazette
01-06-2025
- India Gazette
J-K: Undeterred by terror, pilgrims flock to Kheer Bhawani shrine in Kashmir
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 1 (ANI): Despite prevailing fear in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor following that, devotees in large numbers are visiting the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Kashmir. Pilgrims, including many Kashmiri Pandits, expressed unwavering faith and said such attacks cannot deter their devotion. The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela will begin on June 3, 2025, at the revered Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, located in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir valley. Authorities assured that elaborate security and logistical arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage. Rajesh Jyotsi, a devotee, said, 'Mata Kheer Bhawani is our Kul Devi, and it's our sacred duty to visit her. We don't fear anything--this is our land. Attacks like these keep happening, but the arrangements here are excellent. I urge everyone to come and seek blessings.' A first-time visitor, Saroj, also echoed a similar sentiment. 'This is my first visit. I had heard a great deal about this place. We are not afraid; these attacks are only meant to instill fear, and we must stand strong. I am not scared. There is no fear in visiting Mata. The Pahalgam attack was unfortunate, but tourists should go. So, we should not be afraid.' Arvind Karwani, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, stated that the government has ensured all necessary facilities are provided to the pilgrims. 'We've made arrangements for food, medical assistance, sanitation, and accommodation. There is also a halt facility at Ramban, where arrangements have been made. Over 60 buses have been deployed for the pilgrimage, and more are being added.' Jammu SSP Joginder Singh said that security and other arrangements were in place to ensure a peaceful and smooth yatra. 'I extend best wishes to all pilgrims on this sacred occasion,' he said. Rakesh Kaul, another devotee, highlighted the emotional bond of the Kashmiri Pandit community with the shrine. 'Our connection with Mata Kheer Bhawani is age-old. We wait the entire year for this visit. People from across India are coming despite the prevailing fear of the last 36 years. The situation remains tough, but our faith in God is stronger. Those who are spiritually inclined should come and experience this.' The Mata Kheer Bhawani annual mela takes place at the famous Ragnya Devi temple in village Tulmulla, 25 kilometres off Srinagar. 'Kheer', a milk and rice pudding, is offered to propitiate the goddess. Kheer Bhawani is sometimes translated as 'Milk Goddess'. The worship of Kheer Bhawani is universal among the Hindus of Kashmir; most of them worship her as their protective patron deity, Kuladevi. This event follows the attack in Pahalgam that occurred on April 22 at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, and leaving several others injured. The victims were picked on based on their religion. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. In response, India carried out precision strikes through Operation Sindoor on May 7 on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack last month, in which 26 people were killed. India also effectively responded to subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. (ANI)
India Gazette
01-06-2025
- India Gazette
All arrangements in place for Kheer Bhawani Mela: Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 1 (ANI): Preparations for the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, scheduled for June 3, are in full swing. Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Arvind Kirwani said that all necessary arrangements have been made for the devotees travelling from Jammu to the revered Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal, in the Kashmir valley. 'All required arrangements are in place, including transport facilities for people displaced from Jammu. District Administration has made living arrangements, health facilities, food, and a 10-bedded hospital for the passengers going to Ganderbal.' Commissioner Kirwani told ANI. Facilities include transport, accommodation, food, health services, and a 10-bed hospital, with a stopover in Ramban equipped with food and toilet facilities. Over 60 buses have been arranged, and robust security measures, including paramilitary forces, are in place for the devotees' safety en route and at the destination. 'The passengers will halt in Ramban. Food and toilet facilities have been placed there, too... We have arranged for more than 60 buses to go to Kheer Bhawani... Appropriate security arrangements have been ensured for the devotees en route and at their destination. Para-military forces are in place too,' Commissioner Kirwani informed. Earlier in the day, Jammu Deputy Commissioner Sachin Kumar and IGP Bhim Singh flagged off over 60 buses transporting devotees to the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela. Despite prevailing fear in the region, large numbers of devotees are visiting the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Kashmir. Pilgrims, including many Kashmiri Pandits, expressed faith and said such attacks cannot deter their devotion. Authorities assured that elaborate security and logistical arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage. Rajesh Jyotsi, a devotee, said, 'Mata Kheer Bhawani is our Kul Devi, and it's our sacred duty to visit her. We don't fear anything--this is our land. Attacks like these keep happening, but the arrangements here are excellent. I urge everyone to come and seek blessings.' A first-time visitor, Saroj, also echoed the same sentiment. 'This is my first visit. I had heard a great deal about this place. We are not afraid; these attacks are only meant to instil fear, and we must stand strong. I am not scared. There is no fear in visiting 'Mata'. The Pahalgam attack was unfortunate... But tourists should go. So, we should not be afraid' Jammu SSP Joginder Singh said security and other arrangements were in place to ensure a peaceful and smooth yatra. 'I extend best wishes to all pilgrims on this sacred occasion,' he said. The Mata Kheer Bhawani annual Mela at the famous Ragnya Devi temple near Srinagar. 'Kheer'- a milk and rice pudding that is offered to propitiate the goddess. Kheer Bhawani is sometimes translated as 'Milk Goddess'. The worship of Kheer Bhawani is universal among the Hindus of Kashmir; most of them worship her as their protective patron deity, Kuladevi. This was followed by the attack in Pahalgam that occurred on April 22 at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, and leaving several others injured. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. India carried out precision strikes through Operation Sindoor on May 7 on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack last month, in which 26 people were killed. India also effectively responded to subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. (ANI)
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Time of India
J-K: Undeterred by terror, pilgrims flock to Kheer Bhawani shrine in Kashmir
Jammu: Despite prevailing fear in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor following that, devotees in large numbers are visiting the revered Mata Kheer Bhawtemple in Kashmir. Pilgrims, including many Kashmiri Pandits , expressed unwavering faith and said such attacks cannot deter their devotion. The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela will begin on June 3, 2025, at the revered Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, located in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir valley. Authorities assured that elaborate security and logistical arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage. Rajesh Jyotsi, a devotee, said, " Mata Kheer Bhawani is our Kul Devi, and it's our sacred duty to visit her. We don't fear anything--this is our land. Attacks like these keep happening, but the arrangements here are excellent. I urge everyone to come and seek blessings." A first-time visitor, Saroj, also echoed a similar sentiment. "This is my first visit. I had heard a great deal about this place. We are not afraid; these attacks are only meant to instill fear, and we must stand strong. I am not scared. There is no fear in visiting Mata. The Pahalgam attack was unfortunate, but tourists should go. So, we should not be afraid." Live Events Arvind Karwani, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, stated that the government has ensured all necessary facilities are provided to the pilgrims. "We've made arrangements for food, medical assistance, sanitation, and accommodation. There is also a halt facility at Ramban, where arrangements have been made. Over 60 buses have been deployed for the pilgrimage, and more are being added." Jammu SSP Joginder Singh said that security and other arrangements were in place to ensure a peaceful and smooth yatra. "I extend best wishes to all pilgrims on this sacred occasion," he said. Rakesh Kaul, another devotee, highlighted the emotional bond of the Kashmiri Pandit community with the shrine. "Our connection with Mata Kheer Bhawani is age-old. We wait the entire year for this visit. People from across India are coming despite the prevailing fear of the last 36 years. The situation remains tough, but our faith in God is stronger. Those who are spiritually inclined should come and experience this." The Mata Kheer Bhawani annual mela takes place at the famous Ragnya Devi temple in village Tulmulla, 25 kilometres off Srinagar. 'Kheer', a milk and rice pudding, is offered to propitiate the goddess. Kheer Bhawani is sometimes translated as 'Milk Goddess'. The worship of Kheer Bhawani is universal among the Hindus of Kashmir; most of them worship her as their protective patron deity, Kuladevi. This event follows the attack in Pahalgam that occurred on April 22 at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, and leaving several others injured. The victims were picked on based on their religion. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. In response, India carried out precision strikes through Operation Sindoor on May 7 on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack last month, in which 26 people were killed. India also effectively responded to subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases.
Hans India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Duty-bound to provide land to people affected by Koyna Dam project: Maha Dy CM
Mumbai; Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said that the project-affected people of the Koyna Dam project have sacrificed for the state and that it is the government's responsibility to provide them with alternative land. He said that the proposals regarding land allotment for these project-affected persons, received from the District Collectors of Pune, Satara, Sangli, and Solapur, should be immediately verified and sent to the Divisional Commissioner of Pune by the end of the month. He instructed the Pune Divisional Commissioner to verify the applications and, in the first fortnight of June, hold a meeting with organisations representing the project-affected to ensure that the eligible beneficiaries receive land allotment without delay. Pawar, who chaired the meeting at Mantralaya, said that the complete rehabilitation and land allotment for the Koyna dam-affected have been pending for a long time, adding that the issue should be resolved without further delay. The meeting was attended by the Relief and Rehabilitation Minister, Makarand Patil, and government officials. 'At present, a list of 310 eligible project-affected persons from Satara district and 215 from Sangli district has been prepared, and land allotment to them must be completed urgently. District Collectors from the remaining districts must also verify pending proposals and forward them to the Divisional Commissioner for further action. The Divisional Commissioner may take decisions at his level, and those matters requiring resolution at the government level should be forwarded to the state, which will take prompt action,' said Pawar. His directives came when the Bombay High Court had asked the state government to allot a family alternate land for their rehabilitation, especially when their land was taken over for the construction of the Koyna dam in Satara in 1960, but they weren't allotted alternate plots as promised. The petitioner said that 1.6 hectares of land were eventually allotted to the Kadam family at Pendhar in Panvel tehsil in November 2017, following a policy decision taken by the state government to rehabilitate the displaced families. However, in January 2019, the allotment order was abruptly cancelled, with the state government claiming that the allotted land was uneven, the area was not contiguous, and there were some constructions on it.
