Latest news with #Abdullah
Mint
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Kashmir Vande Bharat train needs better timing, more frequency and onboard Wi-Fi: Omar Abdullah to Ashwini Vaishnaw
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has requested Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to increase the number of coaches, frequency and reschedule the timings of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat train that started operating last month. Advertisement The Chief Minister also sought to provide onboard internet connectivity for the train, the first rail service connecting Kashmir with mainland India. Increase in Number of Coaches The current coach configuration on the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is proving insufficient to cater to the growing passenger demand, especially during weekends, holidays, and the ongoing pilgrimage and tourism seasons, Abdullah said in the letter addressed to the Union Minister. 'Augmenting the train's capacity by adding one or more Chair Car and Executive Class coaches will go a long way in addressing this surge,' he said in the letter. Abdullah said he made the request based on the feedback from various stakeholders and commuters and his own experience after travelling by the train. Advertisement Modi Flagged Off Kashmir Vande Bharat Trains Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Vande Bharat Express train to Kashmir from Jammu on June 6, after the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project. Modi flagged off the train services from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi(SMVD) railway station in Jammu's Katra to Srinagar, Kashmir. On the occasion, Modi also flagged off another train from Srinagar to Katra. Before the June 6 inauguration, trains operated between Banihal and Baramulla, north of Srinagar in the Kashmir valley, and between Jammu, Udhampur and Katra in the Jammu region. Increase Frequency Given the 'overwhelming' response and the strategic importance of this route, the Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to increase the frequency of the train. 'This would greatly benefit local commuters and tourists and help unlock the full potential of this vital corridor,' he said in the letter. Advertisement Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Train The Vande Bharat Express in Kashmir operates on two routes: Katra to Srinagar and Srinagar to Katra, with a total of four trips daily. Also Read | All you need to know about the Kashmir version of special Vande Bharat trains The first train (26401) departs Katra at 8:10 AM and arrives in Srinagar at 11:08 AM, while the return train (26402) leaves Srinagar at 2:00 PM and arrives in Katra at 4:48 PM. The second service (26403) departs Katra at 2:55 PM and reaches Srinagar at 5:53 PM, with the return train (26404) leaving Srinagar at 8:00 AM and arriving in Katra at 10:58 AM. Both services operate six days a week, with the Katra to Srinagar service not running on Tuesdays and the Srinagar to Katra service not running on Wednesdays. Advertisement Rescheduling of Timings Abdullah said, in the letter, that it has also been observed that the current departure and arrival timings are not optimal for the working population or for those intending to undertake day-trips for official, educational, medical, or pilgrimage-related purposes. 'In this regard, it is earnestly requested that the depafture from Katra be scheduled in the early morning hours, and the return journey from Srinagar be timed for the late evening. This would facilitate same day return travel and signiflcantly enhance commuter convenience,' the letter reads. High-speed onboard Wi-Fi In the last request, the CM pitched for an internet facility on board the train. In today's digital age, uninterrupted internet access has become a key expectation of passengers, especially on premium trains such as the Vande Bharat Express, the CM said. Advertisement Also Read | PM Modi interacts with students during Vande Bharat inauguration in J&K 'Provision of high-speed onboard Wi-Fi will greatly enhance the travel experience, allowing passengers to remain connected for work, communication, and entertainment during their journey especially in view of poor mobile connectivity in the long tunnels,' he said. Provision of high-speed onboard Wi-Fi will greatly enhance the travel experience. Abdullah said these measures will substantially improve passenger satisfaction, regional connectivity, and tourism promotion in Jammu and Kashmir. Key Takeaways Increased train capacity and frequency is essential to meet rising passenger demand. Timely rescheduling of train services can significantly benefit daily commuters. Onboard internet access is becoming a crucial expectation for modern train travel.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
HC reserves judgment in two criminal cases against Abdullah Azam
1 2 Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has concluding hearings and reserved its judgment in two criminal cases linked to ex-MLA Mohammad Abdullah Azam Khan, son of senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan. Abdullah had filed two petitions requesting the HC to quash the entire proceedings of the on-going trials in the Rampur's MP/MLA court. The first case is related to Abdullah's alleged fake passport and the second concerns dual PAN cards. Justice Sameer Jain reserved his judgment on Tuesday. In the first case, BJP MLA Akash Saxena had filed a case against Abdullah at the Civil Lines police station in Rampur on July 30, 2019, for allegedly obtaining a passport using an incorrect date of birth. It is alleged that the educational certificates and the information provided by Abdullah to the passport authorities were different. According to the complaint, Abdullah was issued passport on Jan 10, 2018. The passport lists Abdullah's date of birth as Sep 30, 1990, whereas his educational certificates show it as Jan 1, 1993. Regarding the dual PAN cards case, Akash Saxena had filed an FIR against Abdullah and his father Azam Khan at the Civil Lines police station in Rampur on Dec 6, 2019. Saxena alleged that Abdullah had furnished an incorrect PAN number in his election affidavit during the 2017 assembly elections. The MLA claimed that Azam Khan got two PAN cards made for his son through fraudulent means to enable him to contest elections. According to him, Abdullah allegedly concealed this fact in the affidavit submitted to the election commission. He showed one PAN number in the affidavit but used another in his income tax return (ITR) documents.
Mint
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Kashmir Vande Bharat needs better timing, more frequency and onboard Wi-Fi: Omar Abdullah to Ashwini Vaishnaw
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has requested Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to increase the number of coaches, frequency and reschedule the timings of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat train that started operating last month. The Chief Minister also sought to provide onboard internet connectivity for the train, the first rail service connecting Kashmir with mainland India. The current coach configuration on the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is proving insufficient to cater to the growing passenger demand, especially during weekends, holidays, and the ongoing pilgrimage and tourism seasons, Abdullah said in the letter addressed to the Union Minister. 'Augmenting the train's capacity by adding one or more Chair Car and Executive Class coaches will go a long way in addressing this surge,' he said in the letter. Abdullah said he made the request based on the feedback from various stakeholders and commuters and his own experience after travelling by the train. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Vande Bharat Express train to Kashmir from Jammu on June 6, after the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project. Modi flagged off the train services from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi(SMVD) railway station in Jammu's Katra to Srinagar, Kashmir. On the occasion, Modi also flagged off another train from Srinagar to Katra. Before the June 6 inauguration, trains operated between Banihal and Baramulla, north of Srinagar in the Kashmir valley, and between Jammu, Udhampur and Katra in the Jammu region. Given the 'overwhelming' response and the strategic importance of this route, the Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to increase the frequency of the train. 'This would greatly benefit local commuters and tourists and help unlock the full potential of this vital corridor,' he said in the letter. The Vande Bharat Express in Kashmir operates on two routes: Katra to Srinagar and Srinagar to Katra, with a total of four trips daily. The first train (26401) departs Katra at 8:10 AM and arrives in Srinagar at 11:08 AM, while the return train (26402) leaves Srinagar at 2:00 PM and arrives in Katra at 4:48 PM. The second service (26403) departs Katra at 2:55 PM and reaches Srinagar at 5:53 PM, with the return train (26404) leaving Srinagar at 8:00 AM and arriving in Katra at 10:58 AM. Both services operate six days a week, with the Katra to Srinagar service not running on Tuesdays and the Srinagar to Katra service not running on Wednesdays. Abdullah said, in the letter, that it has also been observed that the current departure and arrival timings are not optimal for the working population or for those intending to undertake day-trips for official, educational, medical, or pilgrimage-related purposes. 'In this regard, it is earnestly requested that the depafture from Katra be scheduled in the early morning hours, and the return journey from Srinagar be timed for the late evening. This would facilitate same day return travel and signiflcantly enhance commuter convenience,' the letter reads. In the last request, the CM pitched for an internet facility on board the train. In today's digital age, uninterrupted internet access has become a key expectation of passengers, especially on premium trains such as the Vande Bharat Express, the CM said. 'Provision of high-speed onboard Wi-Fi will greatly enhance the travel experience, allowing passengers to remain connected for work, communication, and entertainment during their journey especially in view of poor mobile connectivity in the long tunnels,' he said. Provision of high-speed onboard Wi-Fi will greatly enhance the travel experience. Abdullah said these measures will substantially improve passenger satisfaction, regional connectivity, and tourism promotion in Jammu and Kashmir.
Borneo Post
9 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Madani Government reaffirms commitment to ethical, resilient media ecosystem, says DPM Fadillah
Fadillah (centre) receives a souvenir from Abdullah while Lee (right) looks on. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 2): The Madani Government remains steadfast in its commitment to cultivating a robust, ethical, and resilient media ecosystem in Malaysia, said Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof. He said this commitment reached a milestone with the passing of the Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024 – a significant step toward industry self-regulation, symbolising trust, maturity, and empowerment. 'Just last month, during National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025, our Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced ground breaking protections for part-time and freelance journalists – stringers – through Socso and the i-Saraan EPF scheme, benefitting thousands, while also extending travel support through 50 per cent AirAsia fare discounts across Asean destinations. 'These are not just policies. These are affirmations of respect for your labour, your integrity, and your service to society,' Fadillah said during the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025 and Hawana dinner at a hotel here this evening. He emphasised the pivotal role of media in national development. 'The media is not a bystander in national development. It is a vital strategic partner. Journalists are not just storytellers. You are the eyes that witness truth, the ears that listen to the nation's heartbeat, and the pens that shape understanding. You give voice to the voiceless. 'You hold power to account. You keep democracy alive. In this age of misinformation, your role becomes more crucial than ever. When truth is drowned in a flood of falsehoods, you are the beacons of clarity, the guardians of integrity,' he said. Fadillah also spoke about the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence on all aspects of life, including journalism. 'AI is changing the world at lightning speed. It touches everything — our food, our jobs, our homes, even our privacy and security. And yes, it is transforming journalism. But the question is not whether AI will shape the future. It will. The real question is: Will we shape AI – or will AI shape us? 'And that is why this conversation is so important. I do not pretend to have all the answers. But what I do have is faith – in the power of dialogue, of collective wisdom, and of a media community that is not afraid to evolve,' he said. As Sarawak pursues its ambition to become a high-income, green, and tech-driven economy under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, he called on the media to continue amplifying stories that matter. 'Let your platforms be spaces where the truth is heard, where dignity is preserved, and where hope is never extinguished,' he said. As a proud Sarawakian, Fadillah expressed his pride in Sarawak's leadership through the SMeC platform, which brings together policymakers and media practitioners for open dialogue and mutual learning. He also paid tribute to two Sarawakians — The Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo General Manager Madam Phyllis Wong, and Kuching Division Journalists Association President Ronnie Teo — who are among the founding members of the national Media Consultative Council. 'Their presence is a testament to the strength and leadership this state contributes to the national media landscape,' he said. Also present were Sarawak Deputy Transport Minister, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin and Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas)) Datuk Abdullah Saidol, who chaired the event's organising committee. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of media awards. The editors category were won by Bernama Sarawak Bureau Chief Hamdan Ismail, Sarawak Tribune Chief Editor Aden Nagrace and Dayak Daily Director Cheng Lian Hiok. The reporters category were won by Sarawak Tribune's Caroline Anne Ranyed Jackson, RTM's Dayang Fatimah Awang Lai and RTM's Petrus Abai. The news casters category was won by RTM Sarawak's Khalid Suut while the Radio (DJ) category were won by Red FM's Teo Oh Meng and Cats FM's Sharbarudin Abu Bakar. The photographers category were won by Sarawak Public Communications Unit's Mohammad Rais Sanusi and TV3 Sarawak's Basri Mohamad.
Borneo Post
17 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak to provide specialised AI training for teachers, says Premier
Abang Johari officiates the launch of the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025 as other distinguished guests look on during the ceremony at a hotel here today. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 2): The Sarawak government will provide specialised training in artificial intelligence (AI) for teachers across the state to equip them with the knowledge and skills to integrate AI into classroom teaching. Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this in response to a request from Sarawak teachers, conveyed by Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs and Sarawak Public Communications Unit) Datuk Abdullah Saidol. 'With the request of the teachers, I support your request. What is important is the value — the value system in AI — so that we can educate our students not to misuse AI,' said Abang Johari during his officiating speech at the opening ceremony of the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025 at a hotel here today. 'We have to tell them, enabler — AI is just a machine. A machine without common touch. But we are not machines, we have emotion,' he added. Earlier in his welcoming remarks, Abdullah touched on the theme of the conference, 'Artificial Intelligence: Shaping the Future of Media and Journalism', and presented a short AI-generated video clip by a local teacher. According to Abdullah, Cikgu Zul — who teaches at SK Green Road Primary School — is passionate about AI and had asked for his message to be conveyed to the Premier. 'On behalf of all the teachers in Sarawak with similar interest and passion about AI, he would like to seek your kind consideration for the Sarawak government to consider providing special training programmes or seminars for all teachers to enhance their knowledge and know-how about AI,' he said. Speaking at a press conference later, Abang Johari reiterated that AI will be a key enabler across various sectors in Sarawak. 'I tell you, number one, AI will be the enabler that we adopt in whatever we do — agriculture, manufacturing, even in the social sector,' he said. He also stressed the need to instil ethics and responsibility in the use of AI. 'Number two is the question of morality and ethics — that's where we have to educate the people that this is just a tool for you to produce something. But this tool must not be abused — just like a knife. You educate people to use the knife for kitchenware; you don't use the knife to kill. 'Otherwise, you may abuse the function of AI. And this is why we have to educate our people — that AI is an enabler; you use it to improve your life, not to destroy it,' he said. Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; and State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar. abang johari AI training lead teachers
