New York State Assembly has passed a resolution to observe February 5 as Kashmir American Day.
The resolution to observe February 5 as Kashmir American Day was passed by a majority vote in the New York State Legislative Assembly and the Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo issued the notification after the assembly passed the resolution.
This Resolution makes New York the first State to recognize Kashmir American Day which would “celebrate the Kashmiri identity”.
It recognises Kashmiris as “those who speak Koshur language”, irrespective of faith and recognises that the Kashmiris have overcome adversity, shown perseverance, and established themselves as one of the pillars of New York.
February 5 was observed by Pakistan as Kashmir Solidarity Day “to give a united message to the world for standing besides Kashmiris facing unprecedented atrocities” in Kashmir.
Bird Flu confirmed in crows and poultry
Jammu and Kashmir is among 14 states and UTs where Avian Influenza among commercially reared and wild birds has been confirmed, the government said on Friday.
In Jammu and Kashmir context, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, informed Rajya Sabha that the avian influenza cases have been confirmed in Kulgam, Anantnag, Budgam, Pulwama, Baramulla, Poonch and Udhampur districts.
The species affected, he said, include “crows and poultry”.
Besides J&K, the minister said that avian influenza cases have been confirmed from Kerala, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and New Delhi.
Responding to the questions by parliamentarian Anand Sharma, the minister said that advisories were issued to States/UTs for increased surveillance and bio-security in poultry farms before the onset of winter due to the arrival of migratory birds during winter.
The states and UTs have been asked to increase surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, poultry farms, etc., and also carry out proper disposal of carcasses, strengthening of bio-security in and around poultry farms, restrict movement of poultry from infected zones and taking preparatory measures— maintaining sufficient stock of PPE kits and accessories, disinfectants and other logistics required for control operations.
They were also asked to set up central control room to monitor daily progress of preventive and control measures, he said.
The states and UTs have been requested to ensure effective communication and coordination with Health and Forest authorities for close vigilance of the disease status to avoid any chance of jumping of the disease into humans.