Reaffirming its commitment to place safety as the foremost priority in power sector operations, the Electrical Inspection Division, PDD Kashmir, successfully conducted a series of training programs on the theme “Electrical Safety and Accident Prevention” for the field employees of Electric Division Baramulla, Electric Division Sopore, Electric Division Kupwara, Electric Division Handwara and Special Sub Division Tangmarg.

The training programs were organized on the directions of Additional Chief Secretary PDD, Ashwani Kumar  with the objective of enhancing safety awareness among field staff and promoting safe work practices during operation, maintenance and restoration of the power distribution system.

Around 300 field employees participated in these programs, which were conducted at centrally located places of concerned districts to ensure wider outreach and participation.

The training programs were conducted to equip field employees with the knowledge and practical skills required for safe execution of electrical works, said a press release.

During the training sessions, participants were sensitized about the potential hazards associated with electrical works and were imparted practical knowledge on accident prevention, risk assessment and adherence to prescribed safety protocols while carrying out operation and maintenance activities. Informative lectures and practical demonstrations on electrical safety practices were also showcased to familiarize the employees with modern safety standards and procedures.

Special emphasis was laid on the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), insulated tools, safety devices and standard operating procedures while carrying out field assignments. The employees were strongly advised not to undertake any electrical work without observing mandatory safety precautions, emphasizing that strict compliance with safety protocols is essential for protecting human life and ensuring reliable power system operations. The training sessions were organized and conducted by officers of the Electrical Inspection Wing Kashmir of J&K PDD. Er. Fayaz Wani and Er. Adil Bashir Gurkha, served as Master Trainers for the program under the supervision of Er. Malik Habib Ahmad, Executive Engineer, and under the overall guidance of Er. Sanjay Sharma, Chief Electrical Inspector, J&K.

The Electrical Inspection Wing reiterated its commitment to continue organizing such capacity-building initiatives across the Union Territory with the objective of strengthening the safety culture within the power sector and significantly reducing electrical accidents through awareness, training and strict adherence to established safety practices.

Bandipora, Jul 9: Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, InduKanwalChib on Thursday visited S.K. Sports Stadium, Bandipora, to inspect the stadium and review the progress of ongoing developmental works aimed at improving sports infrastructure in the district.

During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner, as per an official statement, inspected various ongoing works and reviewed their physical progress with the concerned officers, engineers, contractors and representatives of sports associations.

Reviewing the development of the playfield, the Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned executing agency to complete the filling and levelling work within one month to make the ground ready for sporting activities at the earliest.

Inspecting the indoor sports hall, the Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned engineers to complete the remaining work within two weeks and ensure that the facility is made operational without any further delay.

The Deputy Commissioner also reviewed the progress of the construction of the pavilion and directed the executing agency to expedite the pace of work and complete the project at the earliest.

During the review, the Deputy Commissioner directed the Executive Engineer, R&B Bandipora to hold detailed discussions with the Engineering Wing of the J&K Sports Council and representatives of sports associations to ensure effective coordination and timely resolution of project-related issues.

The Deputy Commissioner interacted with the contractors executing the works and urged them to mobilise adequate resources and complete all ongoing works within the shortest possible time while maintaining the prescribed quality standards.

The Deputy Commissioner urged all concerned departments and executing agencies to work in close coordination and complete the projects within the prescribed timelines so that the facilities are made available to the sportspersons at the earliest.

Among others, the visit was attended by Executive Engineer R&B Bandipora, Executive Engineer PDD Bandipora, AE and JE J&K Sports Council along with the concerned contractors, Tehsildar Bandipora, and representatives of sports associations.

Srinagar, Jul 9: When doctors told this Kashmiri family that their 52-year-old mother would need a liver transplant, both her sons stepped forward without hesitation. Each was willing to donate a part of his liver to save her life, without fear, without inhibitions.

The family’s journey recently culminated in a successful living-donor liver transplant at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi.

It is a story of living organ donation at a time when Kashmir still lacks a liver transplant programme of its own, and organ donations from live donors continue to be rare.

The family requested that their identities be withheld to protect their privacy.

The elder brother recalled that their mother had been battling liver disease since 2019.

She was diagnosed with Hepatitis C and also had gallstones.

During her cholecystectomy, her liver biopsy was also taken.

“Unfortunately, it revealed liver cirrhosis,” the elder brother said.

“Doctors at GMC Srinagar started her treatment in 2021. However, the disease had progressed to Grade IV liver cancer, and doctors told us that liver transplant was her only chance to a healthy, long life,” he said.

Despite the gravity of the diagnosis, the sons decided not to give up.

They decided to pursue transplantation while she was otherwise healthy.

“She did not have any other comorbidities, like diabetes or hypertension, so we thought this was the right time to explore a liver transplant,” the elder son recalls.

Both brothers share the same O-positive blood group, while their mother had A-positive.

They were universal donors, and could easily give their mother a lease of life.

“Originally, I was the donor,” the elder brother said. “But after all the tests, my younger brother’s liver volume was found to be more suitable. Blood group is only one part,” he said.

Doctors assess the liver volume before deciding who can donate.

The donor, a young man of 22, underwent surgery alongside his mother.

“The donor was fit. But during surgery, the recipient lost much more blood than anticipated. Nearly 20 units of blood had to be arranged,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to those who responded to the family’s appeal in Delhi.

The brother awaited donors, mostly students from Kashmir studying in Delhi, to arrive when this report was filed.

The transplant itself was made possible through crowdfunding.

The brothers say they never feared becoming living donors.

“Liver is an amazing organ created by Allah,” the elder brother said.

He said he knew that liver donors and recipients go on to live healthy lives.

“I had no inhibitions,” he said.

He said seeing another successful transplant up close had strengthened his resolve.

“One of our neighbours had received part of his wife’s liver soon after they were married. Today they have children and are living healthy lives,” he said.

While cadaver liver transplants are increasingly common in hospitals of southern India, the family never considered waiting for one.

“There are a lot of cadaver transplants taking place. But we wanted to donate ourselves. When our mother has two sons who can donate, why would we snatch the chance from someone else. They may have only cadaver transplant as their option,” the son said, waiting for his brother and mother to walk out healthy from one of the most complex of transplants.

Srinagar, Jul 9: In a first, the ruling National Conference on Thursday said it has invited Kashmir’s chief preacher, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, to join its upcoming protest in New Delhi demanding the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.

The National Conference said it has invited all political parties, including the BJP, to take part in the protest.

The Mirwaiz, who formerly led the moderate faction of the now-defunct Hurriyat Conference, has been extended the invitation in his capacity as the head of the Muthaida Majlis-e-Ulema, an umbrella body representing several prominent religious organisations.

Broadening its outreach, the National Conference has also invited the Grand Mufti of Kashmir, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, to participate in the demonstration.

“Apart from the political parties, the National Conference has invited Mirwaiz sahab, who is chief of the Muthaida Majlis-e-Ulema, and Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, the Grand Mufti of Kashmir,” said NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq.

Sadiq said the National Conference has invited all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the BJP, to take part in the protest. Most of the invitations have been sent out, while others are being processed.

“We have invited the president of Jammu and Kashmir BJP, as well as the heads of other political parties, including Mehbooba Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party and Altaf Bukhari of the Apni Party,” he said.

The move marks a significant shift in the region’s political landscape, signalling an effort by the ruling party to build a broader coalition — bridging mainstream political entities and influential religious leadership — to press the Centre on the statehood issue.

The National Conference has announced that it would hold a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament on July 20, to remind the Centre of its promise to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.