Kashmir University DENIES SERVICES OF A SCRIBE TO VISUALLY HANDICAPPED GIRL

July 4, 2012/ Authorities at Kashmir University today denied services of a scribe-of-choice to a visually handicapped girl appearing in entrance test for admission to 5-year integrated LLB course. When, Sanya Zehra, who was earlier allowed by authorities at Delhi University, Central University of Kashmir and CLAT to sit in exams along with her scribe, today went to appear for admission entrance test at Kashmir University’s linguistics department, she was disallowed by the authorities the services of the scribe of her choice.“Earlier when my daughter appeared for the test at the KU itself, she was allowed to appear with a scribe writing the exams for her”, said her father Syed Abid Hussain of Lal Bazar Srinagar. Authorities had cancelled the examination later. “However when the exams were re-conducted today, my daughter was not allowed the scribe and instead they asked some university official to write for her”, he said adding a visually handicapped girl cannot feel comfortable with a stranger. “How can she have faith in a person she doesn’t know? The university officials attitude is irresponsible and pathetic”, he lamented. Pertinently, the girl had earlier passed her 12th class examination from CBSE with 84% marks and stood first at National Institute of visually handicapped at Dehradun. However, the authorities seem to be ignorant about laws apart from been grossly insensitive. According to experts, the University was bound by a Supreme Court ruling to allow the visually challenged girl with a scribe of her choice. However the scribe should not be studying in the same class or a higher class than the girl appearing in exams, experts added. “I always wanted to become a lawyer, but I found people outside Kashmir much more understanding and sympathetic towards me”, a crying Sanya told KNS over phone. “They don’t know rules and on top of that they are heartless”, she added. The candidate Sanya Zehra who was appearing in the entrance exam under Roll No 430195 had earlier been allowed a scribe of her choice namely Qurat ul Ain a student of class XI, father of the candidate said. “I don’t know how rules changed within a period of 20 days”, Abid lamented. (KNS)

Kashmir's Great Football legend Mohammad Yousuf Dar forgotten for what?

At the age of 63, he still loves the game of Football with heart and mind and watches the big International matches of Football on television no matter how long they will go during nights. The veteran footballer of the valley is still highly remembered for his exuberant football skills during his playing days, a man who had retired from his active government service as Joint Managing Director of J&K SRTC five years ago, has the distinction of being the first international footballer of the J&K State and first from the valley of Kashmir to play professional club football in early 70’s. Football fraternity of the valley still loves him and highly acknowledges his contribution in the game of Football during 60’s and 70’s. As a Football coach he has produced many footballers for the State which include the famous International Footballers like Abdul Majid Kakroo, Mohd. Shafi Nari, Khursheed Ahmad Baba, Lateef Baba, Zahoor Ahmad, Syed Ahmad and Aslam Parvez Dar, who all have represented India in many international matches. Hailing from Dalgate Srinagar and born in a family where the game of Football has remained the first love in sports, Mohd. Yousuf Dar is presently engaged in his hotel business but he keenly and silently watches all the developments of the game around in the valley. Although football lovers of the valley would expect his active contribution in the State football, but he has been found of scene for many years now and till today does not want to comment over his long absence in administration or contribution in the field of Sports in general and his first love Football in particular. After many long years of his silence, Mohd. Yousuf Dar was pushed to break it when persons concerned with Sports programmes of Radio Kashmir Srinagar approached him with a recorder. In an exclusive interview aired on Radio Kashmir Srinagar on June 20, 2012 in Sports Magazine at 9.30PM, Mohammad Yousuf Dar spoke about his early football life, his contribution and representation in State football. Some unexceptional and angry feelings also came in place regarding due respect and recognition not been given to him over the past many years by the Jammu & Kashmir Football Association (JKFA). “When they (JKFA) don’t want me, why should I go to attend their meetings and activities” said Dar in an angry mood. “If they would have called me for any participation, suggestion or contribution i would have surely loved to be a part of that” He revealed. Reacting to the plea, one of the Executive members of JKFA, Fayaz Ahmad said that Mr. Dar had resigned as Chairman of the selection committee long back and has never looked back or attended any meeting of JKFA. “He was the direct member of the Association and as per the constitution, one who doesn’t attend three meeting in a row is disqualified from the membership of the executive Committee” added Mr. Fayaz. Pertinent that Mr. Dar has done diploma in coaching in Football from National Institute of sports Bangalore, represented India XI in the year 1977-78 and represented Mohammadan Sporting Club Kokatta in the year 1971-72 to become first footballer of the State to play professional football. He has also represented J&K State in Santosh Trophy for 15 years during the period 1964-78 and also captained State Football team twice in Santosh Trophy tournaments. It looks very unfortunate and unfair that a football legend of the past like Mohammad Yousuf Dar is not presently involved in the affairs of State Football.