Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Saturday. PTI

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 15

Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed the overall security situation in the state, particularly in the aftermath of the terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims, leaving seven dead.During the meeting, which lasted for half-an-hour, a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official said, the Chief Minister shared the details on the steps taken by the state government to maintain peace in the Kashmir valley and specifics on the security arrangement to ensure the security of Amarnath pilgrims.Blaming “external forces” for creating trouble in the state, Mehbooba said, “Kashmir issue is not a law and order problem. It is happening because of external forces. The ongoing fight is a handiwork of external forces and now unfortunately China is also trying to meddle into it.”“The attack on pilgrims was designed to create communal tension in the country. But I am grateful that the entire country, political parties and the Central government, especially the Home Minister, helped us in overcoming the tragedy,” she said.Asked if there was any discussion on Article 370, she said: “When the goods and services tax (GST) was passed, the President reaffirmed that Article 370 will be taken in account… Article 370 is linked to the sentiments of people of Kashmir.”Seven pilgrims were killed by militants in Anantnag district while returning from the Amarnath cave shrine on Monday.Security agencies engaged in anti-militancy operations in the state have been told to implement security plans with full vigour, the MHA official said.So far, more than 1.86 lakh pilgrims have visited the high altitude Himalayan shrine.As many as 21,000 paramilitary personnel in addition to state police forces and two battalions of the Army have been deployed for security of the pilgrimage routes.The number of paramilitary personnel deployed this year is 9,500 more than last year.Four districts of the state – Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Anantnag – have been on the boil since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8, 2016. The unrest has resumed since the April 9 bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.

(With inputs from agencies)

Police personnel clear a road blocked by protesters after the funeral prayers for one of the three militants, who were killed in a fierce overnight encounter with security forces in Budgam district, at Hyderpora in Srinagar on Wednesday. PTI

Srinagar, July 12

Two soldiers were killed today as Pakistani troops, violating the ceasefire, resorted to firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in the remote mountainous Keran sector of Kupwara. The Army did not elaborate on the intensity of the firepower by the Pakistani troops. Since the past few weeks, the Pakistani army has been shelling border villages and forwards posts of the Indian Army in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Meanwhile, the security forces have launched a hunt for Pakistani national and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander Abu Ismail, the brain behind the terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims on Monday, a senior police official said. The government has sounded the “highest alert” across Jammu and Kashmir.Proactive operations have been launched, mainly in south Kashmir, to track down Ismail with investigations,  including communication intercepts, pointing to his involvement in the attack.The official said the Anantnag attack appeared to be in retaliation against the killing of several LeT terrorists, including top commander Bashir Lashkari, earlier this month.”Frustrated at back-to-back losses in the counter-insurgency operations over the past month or so, they are now attacking civilians and tourists,” he said. A Home Ministry official in Delhi indicated that the anti-terror operations would be stepped up.Meanwhile, a central ministerial team comprising Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh and Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir held extensive discussions with the security top brass, Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.They discussed the security situation in detail before a security review with the local Army commander, Chief Secretary, the police chief and senior CRPF and BSF officers.

Some senior citizens are happily challenging the notions that old age is a slowdown in the bend of life. They are being equally productive in this later innings while reinventing themselves in new arenas

Photo for representational purpose only. iStock

Geetu Vaid

Love for the green: Maj Gen C. S. Bewli has set up a society to create awareness for cacti and also penned a book on it after hanging his boots

So, what will we do after retirement?” The ball for a discussion was set rolling with this question among a motley group of friends in their late forties. Nothing surprising in it as the reminders of retirement can confront one unexpectedly. Retirement like mortality is a hard fact that each one of us is bound to face sooner or later. Only difference, however, is that there is a full stop when you think of end of life whereas a long (that’s what most of us believe) road remains to be traversed at the end of working life or retirement.

The surprising element, in this discussion, however, was that of all the options discussed about post-retirement plans not even one revolved around starting a new venture or doing something that one hadn’t done during the long work life. Most of the suggestions were the staid and “easy’ variations of the work that one was already doing. The main concern was to do something to stay busy, as well as earn a modest sum.

While many may merrily chime that ’60 is the new 40, but the enthusiasm is woefully limited to looking good, going for a run and wearing dapper clothes or maintaining a strict “work day” schedule after 60. Mention work or suggestion to start a new venture or attempt something different and you get to hear the refrain “this is no age to start anything new, or learning new things at this age will be ridiculed”.

In a society ruled more by mindsets and stereotypes, the shackles of age are a convenient refuge to distance oneself from anything strenuous or mentally taxing after retirement. This, not only alienates and feeds a feeling of redundancy, but maybe the main reason behind the cases of depression and ill treatment of the elderly by their progeny.

These perceptions and attitudes make the stories of those who dared to follow their passion and chase the dreams that had long been put on the backburner, worth sharing.

Reinventing oneself and redefining retirement is an art that can fill colour and vigour in what truly is the second innings, maintains Dinesh Singh, while sharing his experience of starting a new venture after 60. An engineer by profession, he is a well-known name in business circles as the force behind the Energo Group and Energo Engineering Projects Limited (EEPL). But opting to tread a completely different path of bringing different art forms in public domain, he launched NavrasaDuende at the age of 62. “The arts have been a lifelong passion for me and with my own venture, I have the opportunity to bring global arts as an entertainment to the people of India and kindle a passion in them much like my own. For me, beginning an entrepreneurial venture only required two things — a passion to achieve my dreams and the belief that there is no deadline or age limit”, he recounts.

If it was the lifelong passion for art that goaded Singh to launch his venture, then the childhood dream of writing is what has made noted businessman Nidhi Dalmia to sidestep account books to pen a romantic story. The scion of one of the oldest business families of the country, Dalmia has taken baby steps in the world of books with Harp at the age of 69. “I have wanted to write since I was a schoolboy.  I remember my best friend wouldn’t believe me when I used to share my dream of being a writer.  He would say, ‘You are from a top industrial family, you will be an industrialist’. I wanted to write in addition to running a business, not in place of it”, says this business tycoon. With degrees from Oxford and Harvard under his belt, he took a decades-long detour to the world of business before finally telling a story close to his heart.

If it was a shift from passion for business to passion for words for Dalmia, for Maj Gen C. S. Bewli it was the love and commitment for olive green to that for green gardens that redefined his post-retirement life.  A qualified mechanical engineer, Major General Bewli had an illustrious career in the Army spanning 38 years. He, however, dodged several job offers after retirement to devote all his energies to his life-long passion — the love for plants. “After retiring in 2011 many good offers came my way. But retirement being a life-redefining milestone for me, I refused all as I wished to do things which were close to my heart. To fulfill my cherished aspirations and to pursue a lifelong passion with my favourite activities, I prepared a wish list to write on subjects that are seldom touched by Indian authors — cacti, bonsai, succulents and creativity”. Six years down the line he has already set up a society to spread love and awareness for cacti and succulents, besides teaching the art of bonsai creation to people in the northern region. He has also penned a book on cacti and is in the process of writing another one on the bonsai culture.

Their stories may be different but the underlying thread of challenging their comfort zone and a refusal to buckle under the weight of age is what brings them to a common platform.

Ask him about the age factor and the fear of entering unchartered territory, and Singh is quick to counter question with, “When did we set a deadline on pursuing our goals? Who came up with these restrictions? It’s ironic that several people chase a career up to the age of 60 years, moving from one job and position to another, yet are extremely skeptical when it comes to pursuing an entrepreneurial calling later in their life. What causes us to impose these restrictions is a mix of both psychological and cultural factors. It stems from this long-perpetuated idea that entrepreneurship is a domain that is best suited for the young and the agile”, he explains.

“I honestly don’t think age has anything to do with following your passion. When I started writing Harp a few years back, I was at a stage of my life where I could devote my time and energy in fulfilling my childhood passion. My age has not restricted me from stepping into this new challenge, on the contrary I feel my age and experience has provided me with invaluable insight which I have incorporated in my novel”, says Dalmia.

“One does not retire on reaching a certain age nor is it a factor in starting something new. Retirement is simply a switchover from a primary job into something else and, therefore, accept it as a desire to keep living actively,” adds Gen Bewli.

“Actually, age and experience add far more credibility to your personality and intelligence. Hence, it is quite surprising when people tend to think of age as a restrictive factor when it comes to following their dreams”, says Singh.

“Young may grow old, but youthfulness and passion can keep you young forever. Even at the age of 65+ Zakir Hussain (the tabla maestro) is youthful and is considered Youth Icon. One should not be slave of oneself; ability to break free of oneself on a continuing basis is what keeps freshness in thoughts, ideas, and zest for life”.

Following one’s dreams and creating a purpose in life is the duende that Singh is aspiring to create. Redefining retirement is to be in a happy place where no dream is unachievable and the fear of mortality doesn’t overpower the spirit of creativity and life. “I know, there may not be enough time to achieve what I want, but my new venture assures me a lifetime of employment and engagement in something that never tires me”, signs off Singh.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley with Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov in New Delhi. courtesy: Mod

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 17

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley today said the Indian Army was fully prepared to meet any challenges and assured the Lok Sabha that defence budget will never be compromised.Intervening in the discussion on the outlays for the defence sector in LS today, Jaitley said 147 new contracts valued at Rs2,957.66 crore, for enhancing defence preparedness, had been concluded.”Rockets, radars, missiles will be supplied under these contracts. These include 155 mm ultralight Howitzer, Brahmos missile, ballistic helmets, Donear helicopters, Rafale fighter aircraft, Apache attack helicopters among other equipment,” Jaitley said after Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia accused the government of inadequate defence budgeting.Scindia rued that the defence budget had for the first time since 1962 fallen below 1.5 per cent of the GDP. The Congress and earlier the Trinamool Congress also expressed concerns over an aggressive China on India’s eastern border and an incorrigible Pakistan on the western sector.”There are concerns around preparedness of the Army in the event of a two-front war, especially with China and Pakistan working in tandem,” Scindia said, flagging inadequate war wastage reserve levels recently noted by CAG.Jaitley allayed opposition’s fears admonishing them against giving an impression that the Army lacked preparedness. “The Army is fully prepared,” he said, rejecting the Congress of inadequate self reliance in defence production despite the PM promising to reduce imports. He said 134 cases of procurement had been approved and of these 100 pertained to buy and make in India.

India, Russia sign pact to maintain Sukhoi-30

• India and Russia on Friday signed a key agreement for long-term maintenance support of the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets of the IAF, which has around 230 of the Sukhoi-30 jets of Russian origin that are now licence produced in India by HAL
• Russian companies United Aircraft Corporation and the United Engine Corporation will provide long-term supply of spares and technical assistance for five years

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15

With Capt Amarinder Singh all set to take oath as the next Chief Minister along with his nine ministers, portfolios have also been reportedly decided by the CM-designate, it’s learnt.The list of portfolios was being sent to the Punjab Governor for final approval and the formal notification is expected after the oath-taking ceremony.Though senior party leaders denied having decided the portfolios, it is learnt that Capt Amarinder Singh is expected to retain some prominent department like Home, Personnel, Housing and Urban Development.Former Finance Minister Manpreet Badal is expected to get the Finance and Excise and Taxation portfolio as he played an important role in drafting the party manifesto. Crickter-turned -politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, is expected to get Local Bodies Department. Others departments such as Health and Family Welfare, Agriculture, Social Welfare and Education are expected to be given to Brahm Mohindra, Rana Gurjit, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, and Chaaranjit Singh Channi, respectively.However, there could be certain changes in case Sidhu is given other prominent departments, said sources.

Karachi, January 13

At least 15 people, mostly security officials, were killed and over 10 others injured today as a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up outside a polio vaccination centre in restive Balochistan’s capital Quetta, the latest attack on the anti-polio campaign in the country.The blast ripped through a police van outside the vaccination centre as security officials gathered there to escort polio workers for the third day of a vaccination campaign in Balochistan.”The blast was apparently carried out by a suicide bomber,” Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti told media.Later, an intelligence official confirmed that it was a suicide attack.”Body pieces of the suicide bomber have been collected by security agencies to initiate a probe into the incident,” an official was quoted as saying by the Dawn.The deceased include 12 policemen, one paramilitary offcier and two civilians, a police official said.The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the attack on Facebook and in an email sent to journalists.Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Police Quetta Syed Imtiaz Shah said seven to eight kilogramme of explosives were used in the blast.Eyewitnesses at the site said they heard firing after a loud blast rocked the area. The glass windows of nearby buildings shattered due to intensity of the blast.The injured have been shifted to Civil Hospital, Quetta, where an emergency has been imposed.Police and rescue workers reached the site soon after the blast, while security forces have cordoned off the area.Today was the third day of a three-day anti-polio campaign which was launched in Quetta and other districts of Balochistan on Monday. The campaign in Quetta was temporarily suspended following the blast.The campaign was launched to target 2.4 million children under the age of five. Over 55,000 children of Afghan refugees are to be immunised under the campaign.Polio teams were being dispatched from the polio centre targeted today in the blast, security sources said.Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic, according to the World Health Organisation.Polio workers have long been targeted in the country by Islamist groups including the Taliban militants which claim that the polio immunisation drive is a front for espionage or a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims.President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast in Quetta.In his statement, Sharif said the government is committed to stamp out extremism from the country and operation will continue till elimination of all terrorism.Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri also strongly condemed the blast and directed police to submit a report about the incident promptly.”We cannot tolerate the terrorism,” he said in a statement. —PTI

Anirudh Gupta,Ferozepur, January 12

Panic gripped this border town after a terror alert was sounded in the cantonment area. Two persons in Army fatigue were spotted jumping the wall of a house near the Golden Arrow Officers Institute this morning.Sources said a person, identified as Ashwani Kumar, noticed the movement of two persons in Army uniform whom he erroneously took as terrorists and informed the local military authorities.An alert was sounded and all entry and exit points of the cantonment were sealed. The quick reaction teams cordoned off the area while police and Army personnel launched a search operation.The two persons later turned out to be soldiers belonging to the Signals Regiment who were repairing a communication line.Hardyal Singh Mann, SSP, said the movement of the Army men was recorded in a CCTV camera installed at the house of a local businessman that sorted the matter. He said two signal persons were also identified who admitted to have gone in the area to check a telephone line.The incident, however, triggered panic in the entire area. Hundreds of panic-stricken parents thronged schools to pick their wards. Many schools were closed following which the district education office issued an advisory to all schools telling them not to succumb to rumours. At several places, police officials had to make public announcements, asking people not to panic and ignore the messages being spread on social media.

The incident

• Sources said a resident noticed the movement of two persons in Army uniform whom he mistookas terrorists
• An alert was sounded and all entry and exit points of the cantonment were sealed