Meet Aashritha Penumudi, the 17-year-old Virginia student who created stalled ribosomes in the lab
Meet Alyssa Yu, the 17-year-old Maryland student who built a mathematical model for what...
FSSAI notice to 5-star hotels JW Marriott, Andaz over hygiene issues, cockroaches on premises
New Delhi, Aug 26: Food regulator FSSAI on Wednesday said it has issued notices to five-star hotels JW Marriott and Andaz at Aerocity here for serious violations of laws related to hygiene, including presence of cockroaches near freezers. In a social media post, the regulator informed that it has issued a notice to JW Marriott hotel, which is a unit of Aria Hotels and Consultancy Services Pvt Ltd. The notice has been issued over serious food safety violations and non-compliance with FSSAI requirements. In another post, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) informed that it has issued notice to Juniper Hotels Pvt Ltd (Andaz, Aerocity, Delhi) following inspections that uncovered serious food safety violations. The regulator has collected samples from both the hotels and further action would be taken based on lab reports. During the inspection, FSSAI officials found serious deficiencies related to hygiene and sanitation. In the case of JW Marriott, the officials observed inadequate pest control, presence of cockroaches and fruit flies, and poor maintenance of food premises. In the case of Andaz hotel, the FSSAI inspection revealed active cockroaches near freezers, houseflies, mosquitoes in the grinding room, spider webs, and the discovery of a 'gutka' packet inside the bottling plant area. Comments from both the hotels could not be immediately obtained. During the inspection at JW Marriott, FSSAI officials found serious hygiene and sanitation deficiencies, including unclean utensils and food-contact surfaces, visible particulate matter in drinking water, inadequate pest control, cockroaches and fruit flies, and poor maintenance of food premises. The regulator found spoiled/fungal-affected food in the hotel. It also observed improper food storage and cross-contamination risks. These included fungal growth on apples, rotten tomatoes, uncovered food, damaged storage containers, inadequate vegetarian/non-vegetarian segregation, improperly stored cut vegetables and food products not maintained as per prescribed storage conditions, FSSAI said. Moreover, FSSAI pointed out that various kitchens and food preparation areas, including the Chinese, Indian, Italian and bakery kitchens, showed deficiencies such as pest infestation, non-operational exhaust systems, poor sanitation, inadequate allergen segregation, defective storage containers, improper food identification and inappropriate storage of food products. Deficiencies were also observed in the water bottling area, dry store, coffee shop and vegetable preparation area, including rusting of the drinking-water storage tank, deficiencies in imported-food labelling, poor sanitation and fruit-fly infestation. The overall inspection revealed deficiencies relating to licensing/KOB compliance, labelling, food storage, temperature control, sanitation, pest control, personal hygiene, cross-contamination prevention, allergen management, traceability, maintenance and potable-water, the regulator said. Elaborating on the violation, the regulator said that certain food products /materials, including paneer, khoya, chana masala and chilli, were found without the requisite licence/appropriate endorsement available for verification. That apart, the hotel company was found carrying out retail and re-labeller activities without the requisite endorsement in its FSSAI licence, including retailing food products under the JW Marriott brand name. Labelling deficiencies were observed in pre-packaged food products, including misprinted FSSAI licence numbers and non-declaration of the complete manufacturer's address, the regulator said. The FSSAI licence was also not displayed at a prominent place on the premise. During inspection at Andaz hotel, FSSAI said several serious food safety and hygiene deficiencies were observed, including improper segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, pest activity, poor sanitation, inadequate food handler hygiene and improper food storage practices. The officials found expired food products, including about 87 kg of expired sweets, an expired cake base and bread packets. Other deficiencies included inadequate temperature monitoring, improper allergen segregation, poor waste management, structural and maintenance issues, and inadequate supplier verification and receiving practices. The FSSAI's inspection team collected regulatory and surveillance samples including cow ghee, veg mayonnaise, creamy coconut milk powder, honey twigs, yellow masoor dal, tomato sauce, orange marmalade and coconut cookies for analysis. Elaborating further, FSSAI said that inspection revealed active cockroaches near freezers, houseflies, mosquitoes in the grinding room, spider webs, and the discovery of a 'gutka' packet inside the bottling plant area. The FSSAI officials also observed duplicate date-marking applied over expired bread packaging, alongside severe unpleasant odours and chillers situated directly between two bathrooms with exhaust venting into the chiller section. The regulator has asked the hotel company to take immediate corrective actions with respect to the non-compliances observed and submit a compliance report at the earliest along with supporting evidence. In the past few months, FSSAI has cracked down against food business operators as well as e-commerce platforms for misleading claims, labelling and advertisements.
Woman lands on tree after alleged jump from 10th floor, rescued by Mumbai fire brigade
Mumbai, Aug 26: A 26-year-old woman was dramatically rescued by the Mumbai Fire Brigade after she allegedly jumped from the 10th floor of a building in suburban Bhandup on Wednesday morning, only to get caught in a tree. The woman, identified as Pratiksha Hiwrale, landed in an adjacent tree after she allegedly plunged from the window of a flat in Sunshine Building on Lake Road. She was found hanging about 20-25 feet above the ground. The fire brigade was alerted at around 9.32 am. Fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot and used a hook ladder to bring Hiwrale to safety. She was then taken to a private hospital in a private ambulance. Doctors said she suffered an injury to her left leg. She was later shifted to Sion Hospital for surgery, a civic official said.
LG, CM mourn loss of lives in Poonch road accident
Srinagar, Aug 26: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and chief minister Omar Abdullah have expressed pain over the loss of lives in tragic road accident in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. The duo expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. They also directed district administration to provide immediate assistance to those affected. Pained by the loss of lives in a tragic road accident in Poonch. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Have directed the District Administration to ensure immediate assistance is provided to those affected, Office of LG J&K said on X. Pained by the loss of lives in a tragic road accident in Poonch. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Have directed the District Administration to ensure immediate assistance is provided to those affected. Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) August 26, 2026 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed deep grief over the loss of lives. Office of Chief Minister, J&K in a post on X said: Chief Minister has expressed deep grief over the tragic road accident in Surankote, Poonch, which claimed six lives and left several others injured. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured. The Chief Ministers Office is in constant touch with the concerned authorities to extend all possible assistance. Chief Minister has expressed deep grief over the tragic road accident in Surankote, Poonch, which claimed six lives and left several others injured. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) August 26, 2026
From 800 to 3,000: Onam Sadyas get pricier in Bengaluru
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Embassy coordinating with Nepal govt for rescue of Indians affected by flash floods: MEA
New Delhi, Aug 26: The Embassy of India in Kathmandu is closely coordinating with government of Nepal for the early rescue and relief of Indian nationals affected by flash floods in the Himalayan nation on Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The embassy earlier in the day issued emergency phone numbers for those seeking assistance and information related to Indian nationals affected by the calamity. Embassy of India in Nepal is closely coordinating with Government of Nepal for the early rescue and relief of Indian nationals affected by today's flash floods in Nepal, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. At least 46 people have died and nearly 500 others, including 105 Indians, are missing after a massive flash flood originating in Tibet swept through central Nepal districts on Wednesday. So far, 46 bodies have been recovered from the flash flood hit areas, security officials said. According to an earlier statement by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 384 travellers, 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalese nationals, have gone missing due to the Rasuwa floods. These travellers include 105 Indian tourists, 37 NRIs and remaining tourists from USA, Malaysia, UK, South Africa, Australia and Netherlands. The Embassy of India in Nepal in a separate post said, it has emained engaged with the relevant authorities of Government of Nepal for early rescue and relief for Indian nationals affected by the flash floods that took place in Nepal today. Rescue and relief efforts continue to be strengthened in coordination with the Government of Nepal. @MEAIndia.
Nasas lunar space airport 240,000 miles away will see spacecraft queue for weeks
'Above All, The Payasam,' Anand Mahindra Recalls Childhood Onam Feasts In Ooty
Anand Mahindra recalls Onam memories from boarding school, highlighting sadya and Vallam Kali traditions.
Stethoscope is a medical device that is used to listen to internal sounds of the body. Today, we will share the fascinating story of an incident that led to its discovery.
Lord's Mark Industries Limited is making a strategic move into the Caribbean by forming a partnership that will set up pathology laboratories and promote the commercialization of medical devices. Supported entirely by ARKALL Holdings Limited, this expansion will begin in Trinidad & Tobago, followed by other regions. The companies expect this initiative to yield substantial export revenue in the coming ten years.
Gold snaps 4-day rally, falls Rs 600 to Rs 1.66 lakh/10g amid profit booking
New Delhi, Aug 26: Gold prices declined by Rs 600 to Rs 1,66,500 per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday, snapping a four-day gaining streak amid weak trends in the international markets. The yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity had closed at Rs 1,67,100 per 10 grams in the preceding session. However, silver rebounded modestly, rising Rs 500 to Rs 2,50,500 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes) from Tuesday's closing level of Rs 2.5 lakh per kg, according to the All India Sarafa Association. Gold has eased in the domestic markets as traders booked profits after a strong multi-week rally, said Akshat Siddhant, Lead Quant Analyst at investment platform Mudrex. He attributed the decline in precious metal prices to a strengthening US dollar ahead of the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation report. Gold has repeatedly reached fresh multi-month highs this year, supported by the US Treasury's expanding debt-buyback program, lower bond yields and steady buying from China's central bank, Siddhant said. In global markets, spot gold fell USD 39.66, or nearly 1 per cent, to USD 4,619.21 per ounce, while silver dropped marginally to USD 68.50 per ounce. Spot gold traded with a loss of nearly 1 per cent around USD 4,621 per ounce as it consolidated after five consecutive days of gains, Praveen Singh, Head of Commodities at Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said. Crude oil has extended its decline on reduced supply concerns as Iran and Oman continue to push for a temporary opening of the Strait of Hormuz, he added. Meanwhile, holdings in yellow metal-backed exchange-traded funds have surged in the last few weeks, Singh said. On the outlook, Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said any indication of the US Federal Reserve's broader approach to inflation and monetary policy could influence the US dollar, Treasury bond yields and precious metals. Investors will also await the US Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium on Friday, Gandhi added.
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5 Coffee Recipes That May Help You Lose Weight
Coffee for weight loss isn't a myth, as caffeine boosts metabolism and curbs appetite. Discover 5 easy, low-calorie coffee recipes to add to your weight-loss routine.
Massive fire breaks out in Watal Kadal Srinagar, sparks panic among residents
Six killed in road accident in J&K's Poonch
Poonch, Aug 26: At least six persons died and three others injured when a vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in the Surankote area of Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. As per reports, a vehicle travelling from Poonch towards Sheindhara met with an accident, leaving at least six occupants dead. Officials said that an unfortunate accident occured this evening, resulting in on-the-spot death of six persons and injuries to three others. They said a rescue operation was launched immediatelyand the injured were rushed to hospital. Chief Medical Officer, Poonch, Dr Pervez Khan said an information about the accident was received through the PCR, following which the 108 ambulance service, additional ambulances and other emergency resources were immediately dispatched to the site. Bodies of six persons four men and two women were brought to the district hospital, he said, adding the deceased were in the age group of 20 and 25 years. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed pain over the loss of lives in the road accident. He expressed sympathy with the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. In a post on X, Office of LG J&K said: Pained by the loss of lives in a tragic road accident in Poonch. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Have directed the District Administration to ensure immediate assistance is provided to those affected.
5 Protein Sources That Are Easiest to Digest When You Are Down With Fever
Struggling to eat while sick? Explore 5 light, easy-to-digest protein sources perfect for fever recovery. Nourish your body without overloading digestion.
Medicover India expects to turn profitable in 12-18 months after KKR buyout
Nineteen of Medicovers 25 hospitals are already profitable, while the remaining facilities are in various stages of ramp-up, P Hari Krishna, executive director, Medicover Hospitals India, told ET. He said newer hospitals typically take 12-18 months to fully break even.
This simple antivirus tool is the easiest way to scan your Linux PC for threats - for free
Worried about Linux vulnerabilities or sharing files with Windows users? This ClamAV GUI makes it easy to ensure they're clean.
I built my own secure network in the cloud to access my home PCs remotely - for free
Do you need easy, secure remote access to your home or small business network? Before you pay big bucks for a VPN or remote-access plan, try Tailscale. Did I mention it's free?
10 Everyday Signs Thyroid May Not Be Working Properly
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PM Modi condoles loss of lives in Nepal flashfloods, offers all possible help
Srinagar, Aug 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to his Nepali counterpart Balendra Shah and conveyed his condolences on the loss of lives in flashfloods. Taking to micro-blogging site X, PM Modi said: Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts. Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 26, 2026 At least 105 Indians are among the nearly 400 people missing after the devastating flash floods hit Nepals Rasuwa district bordering Tibet on Wednesday. A sudden, massive flood swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet killing dozens of people, causing extensive damage at settlements along the river and damaging at least a dozen hydropower projects.
UGC-NET results for 84 subjects to be announced this week: NTA
New Delhi, Aug 26: The results for 84 subjects of UGC-NET will be announced this week, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said on Wednesday. The final answer keys and results for UGC-NET (84 Subjects), CSIR-NET and ICAR AIEEA (PG) and AICE (PhD) 2026 will be published on NTA's website, this week. Candidates are advised to rely only on official communications from NTA, the agency said in a post on X. The NTA had ordered fresh examinations for candidates who appeared for the English, Commerce and Sociology papers in June this year after an expert committee found factual, typographical, translation and language-related errors in the question papers. The NTA released the UGC-NET answer key on August 16, nearly two months after the examination, while issuing a special notice concerning the Sociology, Commerce and English papers. Later, on the same day, it announced that the three examinations would be conducted afresh in September, citing the errors. The re-examinations are scheduled for September 9 and 10, and candidates will not be required to pay an additional examination fee. The National Eligibility Test (NET) is conducted by NTA to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for the role of assistant professor and for the junior research fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges.
Bhagyashree's Protein Paratha Made With Sattu And Ghee Can Be Your Next Breakfast Dish
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Processions mark Eid-e-Milad (SAW) in Kashmir
Can Almond Oil Actually Reduce Dark Circles? Dermatologist Explains
Almond oil contains vitamin E, fatty acids and antioxidant compounds. It is often believed to be a cure for dark circles. Is this a myth or reality? Read ahead to know.
Medicover India hospitals to be profitable in 18 months, eyes 20-25% margins
Medicover India anticipates all its hospitals becoming profitable within eighteen months. Rising occupancy and demand for specialized care are driving this positive financial outlook. Global investment firm KKR is set to acquire Medicover's India business for 1.2 billion. Funds from this deal will support scaling existing facilities and increasing bed capacity. This acquisition highlights growing private equity interest in India's healthcare sector.
Nearly 400 people, including 105 Indians, missing after Nepal floods near Tibet border
Kathmandu, Aug 26: At least 105 Indians are among the nearly 400 persons missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal's Rasuwa district bordering Tibet on Wednesday. A sudden, massive flood swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet killing four people, causing extensive devastation at settlements along the river and damaging at least a dozen hydropower projects early Wednesday. The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi River at around 9 am (local time) coming from the Tibet side affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet and Nuwakot district, southwest of Kathmandu, officials said. According to a statement by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 384 travellers, 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalese nationals, have gone missing due to the Rasuwa floods. These travellers include 105 Indian tourists, 37 NRIs and remaining tourists from USA, Malaysia, UK, South Africa, Australia and Netherlands. The Nepal Tourism Board also issued a toll free emergency number 1234 or hotline 1144 or tourist police 9851289445 for help.
Video: This Temple In Kerala Offers The Most Unique Prasad: Chocolates
Viral Video: A content creator offers a glimpse into a unique temple tradition in Kerala, where a Munch chocolate is offered as prasad.
Two arrested as police crack multiple gold theft cases; stolen earrings recovered
Srinagar, Aug 26: Police have achieved a major breakthrough in a series of gold ornament theft and snatching cases reported in and around Sopore town, arresting two persons, including an alleged receiver of stolen property, and recovering seven pairs of gold earrings, officials said on Wednesday. In a press statement, an official spokesperson said that during investigation of case FIR No. 192/2026 under Section 309(4) BNS, registered at Police Station Sopore after a woman from Seelo reported that an unknown person had taken her towards Amargarh, threatened her with a knife and forcibly taken away her gold earrings. During investigation, a detailed investigation involving CCTV analysis, technical inputs, field verification and examination of suspects led to the identification and arrest of Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Majeed Bhat resident of Haripora, Langate, Handwara. The stolen earrings in the case were subsequently recovered at his instance, the spokesperson said. Further investigation and detailed examination of the accused generated leads regarding his alleged involvement in similar incidents, including FIR No. 207/2025 under Section 304(2) BNS and FIR No. 55/2026 under Sections 304(2)/351(2) BNS of Police Station Sopore, the statement said. The spokesperson said that the investigation revealed a recurring modus operandi wherein the accused allegedly targeted elderly and vulnerable women on the pretext of helping them obtain benefits under government welfare schemes. After gaining their confidence, he would persuade them to remove and hand over their gold ornaments and thereafter flee with the jewellery. In some cases, force or intimidation was also allegedly used. During further recovery proceedings, seven pairs of gold earrings were recovered. Some have been linked to the registered cases, while the remaining ornaments have been seized under relevant legal provisions for identification and verification. The investigation also led to the arrest of Sayed Ahmed Khan son of Munna Khan A/P Sangrama, a goldsmith, for his alleged role as a receiver of stolen property. His role and possible linkages with other similar incidents are being investigated. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the involvement of the accused in other cases and to identify the rightful owners of the remaining recovered property, he said. Police reiterated its commitment to professional, evidence-based investigation and prompt action against crimes affecting the life and property of citizens. The public, particularly senior citizens, is advised to remain cautious of unknown persons offering unsolicited assistance and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the nearest police establishment.
J&K Police attach two-storey house in Budgam under NDPS Act
Srinagar, Aug 26: Police on Wednesday attached a two-storey residential house in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The action was taken against Noor Mohd Dar, son of Mohammad Ismail Dar and a resident of Hapatnar in Charar-i-Shareif, under Section 68-F(1) of the NDPS Act, a police spokesperson said. The attachment is linked to a case registered under Section 8/15 of the NDPS Act at Charar-i-Shareif Police Station. The case pertains to offences relating to the illegal possession, transportation and trafficking of narcotic substances, he said. Continuing its sustained campaign against the menace of drugs and the financial networks supporting narcotics-related activities, Police in Budgam have attached a two-storey residential house, the spokesperson said. As per the provisions of law, the owner of the attached property is prohibited from selling, transferring, leasing, mortgaging or otherwise creating any third-party interest in the attached property without the permission of the competent authority, he added.
Advanced healthcare must reach smaller districts: LG Sinha
Srinagar, Aug 26: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday called for making advanced healthcare accessible beyond major cities and specialised institutions, saying the country must bridge the gap between what modern medicine can provide and what is actually available to people in smaller districts and remote areas. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the National Summit on Quaternary Healthcare: A National Strategy for Advanced Care at SKICC Srinagar, Sinha said the challenge of providing advanced healthcare is not confined to Jammu and Kashmir but was being faced across the country. Recalling his visit to a health centre near Akhnoor during the administrations Back to Village programme amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Sinha said a conversation with doctors there made him realise the difficulties faced by patients requiring diagnosis and treatment for complex diseases. He said one of the doctors had told him that families often brought sick children to the health centre hoping for proper diagnosis and treatment, but the absence of equipment for diagnosing complex diseases left doctors helpless. Sinha said the lack of specialised facilities often forced families from remote areas to undertake long journeys to Jammu, Chandigarh or Delhi in search of treatment. I feel that the patience of the mother and the patience of the father is not just in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, stressing that the issue was much wider and required a national approach. The Lieutenant Governor said India had made significant progress in healthcare over the past 1012 years, including expansion of health insurance coverage, vaccination programmes, medical education and healthcare infrastructure. He said the country had also witnessed a substantial expansion of medical infrastructure, with new AIIMS, medical colleges and MBBS seats being created across the country, including in Jammu and Kashmir. Sinha, however, said a significant gap continued to exist between the capabilities of modern medicine and their actual availability to people. There is a gap and there is a distance. Earlier, perhaps, we did not think in this manner because our resources were limited. But I feel now, as the doctors were saying, the country is thinking on a much larger scale, he said. He said the healthcare sector must now be viewed in the larger context of the vision of a Viksit Bharat, with greater emphasis on advanced care, research and specialised treatment. Referring to institutions such as AIIMS Delhi, PGI Chandigarh and SKIMS Srinagar, Sinha said these institutions represented the countrys specialised healthcare capabilities, but stressed that a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem still required sustained efforts. This programme is important because you have deep knowledge of this subject, he told healthcare experts, researchers, scientists and administrators attending the summit. Sinha emphasised that hospitals should not merely function as treatment centres but should also become centres of research and innovation. We should not only make hospitals. We should also make them centres of research initiatives, he said, adding that clinical treatment and research should go hand in hand. He stressed that advanced healthcare centres should have access to every facility made possible by modern science. Every possibility that science allows should be available in the quaternary care centre, he said. On healthcare infrastructure and funding, Sinha said the government was making provisions through annual budgets to strengthen and modernise the sector. He said the countrys growing economy was creating greater opportunities for healthcare and expressed satisfaction that doctors and specialists were increasingly becoming available across different levels of care. The Lieutenant Governor said institutions such as NITI Aayog could play an important role in developing strategies to strengthen advanced healthcare and integrate it with existing systems. He also called for greater use of telemedicine to connect healthcare facilities across the Union Territory and ensure access to specialised expertise in remote areas. Advanced care without advanced doctors is not possible, Sinha said. Calling for greater cooperation among Himalayan states, he said they could jointly plan biomedical research and identify selected areas for coordinated research to address region-specific healthcare challenges. The summit brought together healthcare researchers, scientists, medical professionals, administrators and representatives of various institutions to deliberate on advanced and quaternary healthcare, clinical care, research and strengthening the overall healthcare ecosystem. Sinha said the ultimate objective should be to ensure that advances in medical science translate into accessible and affordable treatment for ordinary citizens, particularly those living away from major urban healthcare centres.(KNO)
India sets its sights on becoming a frontrunner in innovation within the life sciences arena. The Bharat Life Sciences Award 2026 aims to honor exceptional scientific achievements while promoting teamwork. With leaders gathering to enhance manufacturing and drug discovery capabilities, discussions will delve into topics like AI-driven discovery and cutting-edge vaccine technologies, ultimately aiming to define the future of India's life sciences landscape.
Two under-trials who escaped from Srinagar central jail arrested after three days
Srinagar, Aug 26: Two persons accused in separate POCSO cases, who had escaped from Srinagars Central Jail, were arrested by police after three days, officials said on Wednesday. A senior police official told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that the accused had escaped from the jail on August 23, with police soon launching an operation to arrest them. The accused have been identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar, son of Mohammad Rafiq Gujjar, a resident of Sanglan Chittergul, Anantnag, and Farman Khan, son of Abdul Gani Khan, a resident of Sadanpora Ragistan. Mukhtar is accused in FIR No. 20/2026 registered at Police Station Soura under Sections 137(2) and 65(1) of the BNS and Sections 3/4 of the POCSO Act and Farman Khan is wanted in FIR No. 19/2026 registered at Police Station Lar under Sections 137(2) and 87 of the BNS and Sections 3/4 of the POCSO Act. The official said further investigation into the circumstances of their escape is underway
Does Overcooking Chicken Kill Its Nutritional Value? Dietitian Answers
Find out if overcooked chicken loses its protein and essential vitamins. A dietitian shares the truth about heat, cooking methods, and meat nutrition.
NCB busts cross-border heroin cartel in Jammu; mastermind among 3 arrested with 5.16 kg heroin
The NCB team traced him to Leh district of Ladakh where he was arrested on Monday (August 24), within two days of the seizure
Partaplankeshwar Ras Ingredients, Preparation, Ayurvedic Properties, Indications & Dosages Reference Rasa Ratna Samucchaya Virsarpajidrasa Chapter 20 Verse-21 Abstract ... Read more The post Partaplankeshwar Ras appeared first on Planet Ayurveda .
Kenyan mother dies after bleeding for hours after childbirth
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US halts all visa appointments globally amid Trump's immigration crackdown: report
Washington, Aug 26: The Trump administration has paused all immigrant visa applications across the world as the State Department aims to tighten restrictions and limit access to applicants who may become dependent on US public benefits reserved for qualified Americans, according to a report. According to a Financial Times report, the US is training consular officers to evaluate such requests comprehensively and consistently. The training of consular officers is focused on screening individuals who may become dependent on subsistence assistance or come under the definition of public charge, the newspaper reported, quoting US State Department officials. A public charge is a label used by US immigration officials for a person who is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for financial support. Immigrant visa applicants with scheduled interviews at US embassies and consulates have received emails stating their appointments were rescheduled, and that they would receive future notice of a new date and time, the report said. The State Department officials claim this will ensure visa applicants will not end up relying on US public benefits. A more prosperous America means ensuring that visa applicants are not likely to become a public charge, as defined under US law and regulation, and not likely to become dependent on US public benefits reserved for qualified Americans in need, a State Department spokesperson told the FT. The spokesperson said the department launched a global training initiative in August to ensure all consular officers are fully equipped to evaluate every visa applicant comprehensively and consistently. The pause comes as the US has launched a crackdown against illegal immigration and also tightened rules governing the issuance of green cards. This decision to cancel all US visa appointments comes a day after the Trump administration proposed a new USD 103,265 application fee for H-1B visa. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. Since assuming office in 2025, US President Donald Trump have pursued an aggressive crackdown on immigrants in the country. The pause follows an attempt by President Trump to block applications on a similar public charge basis, which included a block on applications from 75 countries, including Brazil, Colombia and Russia, selected by the administration. In January, the State Department paused the issuance of immigrant visas from almost 40 per cent of the worlds nations, in a move that it said would prevent the entry of people who would take welfare and public benefits. Under the law, an immigrant can only be turned away as a likely public charge (someone expected to depend on government support) after a consular officer weighs that persons own finances, age, health, skills and family situation. However, this was struck down by a federal judge on Friday, who ruled it was contrary to law and outside the statutory authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CNN reported.
Piramal Alternatives invests Rs 215 crore in Kolors Healthcare
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15 infants killed in fire at Pakistan hospital
Islamabad, Aug 26: At least 15 infants were killed on Wednesday after a fire broke out in a gynaecology ward of a major hospital in Pakistan's capital Islamabad. The fire incident occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), the largest and well-equipped public hospital in the capital. Geo News reported that 15 babies died in the inferno. However, there was no official confirmation of the casualties. PIMS Spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil told the Dawn newspaper that 15 babies were in the ward where the fire occurred. Some of the babies may have been discharged during the night so the exact number [of casualties] cannot be shared right now, she said. Asked about the cause of the incident, she said the fire appeared to have erupted due to a short circuit, adding that the fire erupted at around 7 am. She said that the flames had been extinguished but the cooling process would take some time.
Bournvita Manufacturer, Amway, Other Food Brands Withdraw 'Misleading' Health Claims
FSSAI has repeatedly stressed that food labels and advertisements should not exaggerate benefits or create a misleading impression about a product's nutritional value or health effects.
Eid-e-Milad (SAW): Thousands gather at Dargah Hazratbal for morning prayers
CM Omar, LG Sinha extend greetings on occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW)
Srinagar, Aug 27: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and J&K Leutanant Governor Manoj Sinha today extended warm and heartfelt greetings on the sacred occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), both praying for peace, harmony and brotherhood among the people of the Union Territory. On the sacred occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), the Chief Minister extended warm greetings to the people of Jammu & Kashmir, Office of Chief Minister, J&K, said. Emphasising the Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) timeless message of peace, compassion, and brotherhood, the Chief Minister prayed for lasting peace, prosperity, and communal harmony in Jammu & Kashmir. Extending his greeting on the occasion, LG Sinha wrote on X, Heartfelt greetings and best wishes to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Milad-un-Nabi. He said the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) remain an eternal beacon of peace, equality, and compassion for all humankind. On this sacred day, let us pledge to live by his values of love, kindness, and universal brotherhood and work together to foster a more harmonious, inclusive and united society. Eid Mubarak! Sinha said.
International community must work collectively to safeguard critical sea lanes: India tells UNSC
United Nations, Aug 26: India has called on the international community to work collectively to safeguard critical sea lanes, emphasising that secure and predictable maritime trade routes are indispensable for uninterrupted movement of food, fertilisers and fuel. Food insecurity remains one of the gravest humanitarian consequences of armed conflict. Todays conflicts increasingly generate ripple effects far beyond the immediate theatre of hostilities, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni said. Addressing the UN Security Council High-Level Open Debate titled Food Under Fire: The Security Council's Role in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises on Tuesday, Parvathaneni said disruptions to energy markets, fertiliser supplies, maritime transport, humanitarian logistics and agricultural trade have demonstrated how regional conflicts can threaten food security across the world, with the greatest burden falling on developing countries that are highly import-dependent. India emphasised that the immediate priority of the UN Security Council should be to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of conflict. This requires facilitating safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, supporting de-confliction arrangements where appropriate, and ensuring that the Council's own measures, including sanctions regimes, do not inadvertently impede humanitarian assistance or legitimate food and agricultural trade. Underscoring the need to preserve the safety and freedom of navigation for commercial shipping in accordance with international law, Parvathaneni said, Secure and predictable maritime trade routes are indispensable for the uninterrupted movement of food, fertilisers, fuel and other essential commodities. Disruptions to commercial shipping during conflicts can have cascading effects far beyond the immediate region, disproportionately affecting food-importing developing countries and humanitarian operations, he said. The international community must therefore work collectively to safeguard critical sea lanes and maritime infrastructure, while ensuring that legitimate commercial trade and humanitarian shipments are able to proceed without undue impediment, he said. Addressing the debate, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that the year 2025 saw not only the highest number of armed conflicts since World War II, but also among the highest levels of global acute hunger on record, with at least 266 million people facing acute food insecurity. The year 2025 also marked the first time this century that two famines were confirmed simultaneously, in Sudan and Gaza, which Guterres described as a shameful milestone. He added that the UNs latest Hunger Hotspots report shows that conflict and violence are the primary drivers in 12 out of 13 hunger hotspots of greatest concern. As the US-Israel war against Iran continues, Guterres said the Strait of Hormuz carries around a fifth of global oil supplies, and a third of global fertiliser trade. Restrictions and closures have driven up commodity prices, and made availability plummet. And attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea are further threatening supply chains for food and other commodities, the UN Chief said. India told the Council that food insecurity is fundamentally a consequence of conflict, political instability and underdevelopment, not their root cause. Parvathaneni called for timely assessments of disruptions to critical supply chains, including food, fertiliser, fuel and humanitarian logistics, drawing upon the technical expertise of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the World Food Programme, and other relevant agencies. Such assessments must remain objective, evidence-based and free from politicisation, he said. India further said that member States, international financial institutions, regional organisations and development partners must work together to strengthen domestic agricultural production, diversify supply chains, improve storage and logistics infrastructure, and promote climate-resilient agriculture. Predictable and affordable access to fertilisers, quality seeds, technology and concessional finance remains indispensable, particularly for developing countries. Open, transparent and rules-based trade in food and agricultural inputs also remains critical to global food security, he said. Parvathaneni also cautioned against over-reliance on any single model of production, saying this would be counter-productive as they are vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions, economic coercion and weaponisation. We must encourage small and marginal farmers to enhance their productivity and contribute to ensuring food security in developing countries of the Global South. We must also encourage climate-resilient crops such as millets rather than limit conceptions of food security to the biggest staple, grain crops such as rice, wheat and corn, he said.
Which State Is Known As The Salt Capital Of India?
From vast salt pans to the white landscape of the Rann of Kutch, this state produces more salt than any other in the country.
Spandan League concludes in Udhampur
Srinagar, Aug 25: The three-day Spandan League, organised by STC BSF Udhampur under the theme Sports for Peace and Development Across Nation, concluded at Subhash Stadium on Tuesday, witnessing the participation of around 550 young boys and girls in badminton, kabaddi and volleyball. As per a statement, the league was held for boys and girls of District Udhampur on August 22, 24 and 25. The Chief Guest at the concluding ceremony was Sandeep Channan, IG, STC BSF Udhampur. The Guests of Honour included Suraj Bhan Singh, Chief Judo Coach and In-charge Manager, Subhash Stadium, Udhampur; Dinesh Sharma, International Judo Player; Tarsim Singh, DSO, DYSS Udhampur; S.S. Gill, retired SP, BSF; and Tajinder Singh, retired DSP, BSF. A total of 550 players participated across the three sporting disciplines. The league witnessed participation from 18 schools, with 18 teams in badminton, 24 teams in kabaddi and 16 teams in volleyball, taking the total number of participating teams to 58. The event also saw the participation of around 90 officials and was witnessed by approximately 650 spectators.
Bandipora clinches U-14 Girls Kabaddi title
Bandipora, Aug 25: The Inter-District Provincial-Level U-14 Girls Kabaddi Competition, organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports (YSS), Bandipora, concluded on Tuesday at Higher Secondary School Nadihal, with District Bandipora emerging as champions and District Anantnag finishing runners-up. The competition, as per an official statement, witnessed enthusiastic participation from young athletes representing different districts, providing them a platform to showcase their sporting talent, teamwork, discipline and competitive spirit. In a keenly contested final, District Bandipora put up an impressive performance to secure the championship title, while District Anantnag finished as runners-up. The concluding ceremony was attended by District Youth Services and Sports Officer (DYSSO) Bandipora, Ab Majeed Rather, besides officials and field staff of the department. On the occasion, the DYSSO congratulated the winning team for their commendable performance and lauded District Anantnag for putting up a strong fight to finish runners-up. He encouraged all participating teams, particularly those that could not make it to the final, to remain focused, continue training with dedication and treat the experience gained from the championship as a stepping stone towards greater achievements. He emphasised that every match played, every challenge faced and every effort made on the field contributes to the growth and development of a young sportsperson. The DYSSO also expressed gratitude to the District Administration, District Information Officer Bandipora, Chief Medical Officer Bandipora, Principal HSS Nadihal, and officials, field staff and other supporting personnel for their cooperation and contribution towards the smooth conduct of the championship. The Department of Youth Services and Sports congratulated the winning team, runners-up and all participating athletes, and appreciated their commitment to sports.
District sports championships held across Kulgam, Anantnag, Srinagar
Srinagar, Aug 25: District-level badminton and Yogasana championships were held across Kulgam, Anantnag and Srinagar, witnessing the participation of around 1,000 players and officials across the three sporting events. As per a statement, the 8th District Kulgam Badminton Championship commenced at the Indoor Sports Hall, Qaimoh, on Tuesday. The three-day championship was inaugurated in the presence of Nisar Ahmad Khan, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kulgam. Around 150 players and 10 officials are participating in the event, which is being witnessed by approximately 100 spectators. Meanwhile, the 7th District Anantnag Yogasana Sports Championship concluded at the Indoor Sports Hall, Nilandrushu, Bijbehara, after witnessing the participation of 250 players and 30 officials. The closing ceremony was attended by Sheikh Mudassir, SDPO Anantnag, as the Chief Guest. The 7th District Srinagar Yogasana Sports Championship also concluded at SKISC, Srinagar. The two-day championship, held from August 24 to 25, witnessed the participation of around 600 players and 40 officials and was attended by approximately 100 spectators. The closing ceremony was graced by Mohammed Iqbal, Manager, SKISC, as the Chief Guest.
U-17 Girls Cricket Tournament inaugurated in Anantnag
Anantnag, Aug 25: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, on Tuesday inaugurated the Inter-District Provincial Level (IDPL) Under-17 Girls Cricket Tournament at Government Higher Secondary School, Bijbehara. The inaugural ceremony, as per an official statement, was attended by SE R&B Syed Ishfaq Ahmad, ACR Tariq Ahmad Malik and DYSSO Zahoor Ahmad Wani, besides sports officials, players and accompanying staff. The tournament is being organised by the Department of Youth Services & Sports (YSS), J&K, in collaboration with the District Administration, Anantnag, with the objective of providing young girl cricketers a competitive platform and identifying promising sporting talent from across the districts. Speaking on the occasion, the DC appreciated the YSS Department for organising the tournament and providing young girls with opportunities to excel in sports. He interacted with the participants and encouraged them to play with passion, discipline and dedication and make the most of the platform. Emphasising the importance of sports and games, Dr Bilal said such activities play an important role in youth empowerment by inculcating discipline, leadership and other positive values. He said sports activities are also instrumental in keeping youth away from drugs and other negative influences while promoting a healthy society. As many as 20 district teams are participating in the tournament. The host district has made arrangements for players and accompanying officials of visiting teams to ensure the event is conducted smoothly. The tournament is being held at multiple well-maintained venues, with matches being played on a league basis, giving each team adequate opportunities to showcase their talent and compete at the provincial level. A dedicated selection process involving experienced selectors and officials has also been planned following the conclusion of the tournament. The tournament is expected to contribute to the promotion of womens cricket and grassroots sports, while helping identify promising talent and providing young athletes with opportunities to compete and progress in their sporting careers.
5th Canon C.E. Tyndale Biscoe Football Tournament: DPS Srinagar, 3 others win on Day 3
Srinagar, Aug 25: Day 3 of the tournament witnessed intense action, with four matches decided through a combination of dominant attacking displays and nail-biting penalty shootouts. As per a statement, DPS Srinagar delivered a dominant performance, securing a resounding 6-1 victory. Shahriyar was the standout player, scoring an incredible five goals, including one from the penalty spot. Qazi and Amaan added one goal each, while GD Goenka scored a consolation goal. DPS Srinagar showcased superior ball control and clinical finishing throughout the match. New Bonvivant 1-1 Bomis Srinagar New Bonvivant won 6-5 on penalties In a fiercely contested encounter, New Bonvivant English School (NBS) and Bomis Srinagar (BOM) were level 1-1 at full time, forcing the match into a penalty shootout. New Bonvivant held its nerve to edge past Bomis Srinagar 6-5 on penalties. Arsalan was named Man of the Match for his crucial performance. Iqbal Memorial Institute 1-0 International Islamic School Iqbal Memorial Institute (IMI) secured a narrow 1-0 victory over International Islamic School (IIS). The only goal of the match came in the 59th minute, when Mueen converted a penalty. He was subsequently named Man of the Match for his match-winning contribution. Foundation World School 0-0 Minto Circle School Foundation World School won 4-3 on penalties A tactical and tightly contested encounter between Foundation World School (FWS) and Minto Circle School (MCS) ended goalless after regulation time. The match was eventually decided by a penalty shootout, with Foundation World School emerging victorious 4-3 on penalties. Ali Ahmed of Foundation World School was named Man of the Match. The day produced a mix of high-scoring action and tense penalty shootouts, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the tournament.
J&K Police hold PCPG meetings across Handwara
J&K Police conducted Police Community Partnership Group (PCPG) meetings across police stations and posts in Handwara ahead of Eid Milad-un-Nabi to discuss security, traffic management and law and order arrangements. The meetings, held under the supervision of senior officers, were attended by Lumberdars, Auqaf Committee members, traders and other community representatives. Police urged participants to ensure that religious gatherings, processions and programmes are held peacefully and in accordance with prescribed rules. Auqaf representatives were asked to coordinate with police on programmes at mosques and other religious places and ensure proper crowd management. Lumberdars were directed to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity or developments that could affect public order. Participants assured police of their cooperation in maintaining peace, communal harmony and public order. Local issues and suggestions raised during the meetings were also discussed, with directions issued for their resolution. Police appealed to people to celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi peacefully and uphold brotherhood, harmony and tranquillity across the police district.
Free eye check-up camp held at Degree College Budgam
Government Sheikh Ul Alam Memorial Degree College Budgam organised a free eye check-up camp under its Road Safety Awareness Programme on Tuesday. The camp was organised by the colleges Road Safety Club, Transport Committee, Health Care Committee and NSS Unit in collaboration with ASYM District Hospital, Budgam. A medical team comprising ophthalmologist Dr. Shabnum Nabi and ophthalmic technician Nazir Ahmad conducted vision screening and eye examinations of students and staff. The camp aimed to raise awareness about the importance of good vision for road safety and overall health. Participants were provided medical consultation and necessary advice. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Syed Mohmad Javad, Dr. Aijaz Rashid, Dr. Saima Gazanfer and NSS Programme Officer-II Mahvish Altaf. Principal Prof. (Dr.) Shareif Ud Din Khan supervised the programme.
Budgams Nagam school to getRs 30 lakh auditorium
Legislative Assembly Speaker and Chrar-i-Sharief MLA Ab Rahim Rather on Tuesday announced the construction of a modern auditorium at Boys Higher Secondary School, Nagam, in Budgam district at an estimated cost of Rs 30 lakh. Speaking at a literary function organised at the school, Rather said strengthening educational infrastructure and providing modern teaching and learning facilities were among the governments priorities. He said science laboratories and smart classrooms were also being promoted. Paying tribute to noted local poet Abdul Ahad Gulshan on his death anniversary, Rather stressed the importance of quality education and preserving the mother tongue. Addressing students, he urged them to safeguard their language and literature, saying poets and writers were repositories of knowledge, wisdom and experience. The programme was organised jointly by the Kashmir Concern Foundation and the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. Chairman of the foundation Advocate Abdul Rashid Hanjura, school Principal Syed Muzaffar Hussain Rizvi and several writers, poets and literary personalities attended the event. Rather also unveiled one of Gulshans literary works. Poet Syed Riyaz Krala Wari was presented the Muqbool Shah Krala Wari Award for his literary contributions and efforts to promote social awareness. Papers highlighting Gulshans life, literary contributions and works were presented during the programme. In his keynote address, Hanjura urged students and the public to promote and preserve their literature, culture, history and language. The programme concluded with a mushaira, in which several poets recited their works.
Minister Rana proposes model tribal tourism village in Pulwamas Sangerwani
Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana on Tuesday said Sangerwani in Pulwama would be developed as a model tribal tourism village, with efforts to showcase its natural beauty, tribal heritage and traditional way of life. Rana was addressing a tribal convention on the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, at Sangerwani in Rajpora, where he also interacted with residents and heard their grievances. MLA Rajpora Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Mir, MLA Pampore Hasnain Masoodi, former legislator Mohammad Khalil Bandh and district administration officers were present. The convention focused on awareness about the FRA, including rights and entitlements of forest-dwelling tribal communities, the process of filing and verification of claims and the role of Gram Sabhas. Residents raised demands related to drinking water, healthcare, education and road connectivity. Responding to water concerns, Rana directed authorities to revamp 14 water filtration plants in Rajpora constituency and announced Rs 2.75 crore for the work. He also directed the Soil Conservation Department to prepare a Detailed Project Report worth around Rs 1 crore for soil conservation and related development works in Sangerwani. Rana said Sangerwani would be developed as a forest village under the FRA, and efforts would be made to bring it onto the tourism map as a model tribal destination. He stressed that effective implementation of the FRA was essential for empowering forest-dwelling tribal communities, protecting their legitimate rights and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. Awareness is the first step towards empowerment, Rana said, stressing the need to ensure every eligible tribal family knows its rights and has the support to exercise them. He called for regular awareness programmes and community consultations, saying recognition of forest rights should be complemented by government schemes for livelihood generation, infrastructure, skill development and basic services.
Handwara children park without basic amenities, safety measures
The Childrens Park in Handwara continues to lack basic facilities despite attracting families from across the subdistrict, residents said. The park is frequently visited by children and their families, but the absence of drinking water, adequate dustbins and proper lighting has caused inconvenience to visitors. Since there is no other park in the main town, people bring their children here. But the lack of facilities causes inconvenience. The absence of drinking water adds to their woes, said Showkat Hassan, a local. Residents have also raised concerns over an uncovered drain passing through the park, saying it poses a safety risk to children. Parents remain apprehensive about their children because of the uncovered drain. Some toddlers have fallen into it in the past and suffered injuries, but no concrete step has been taken to cover it, said Mohammad Rustam, another resident. The residents said more than 6 crore had been spent on construction of the park, but basic amenities were still lacking. They urged the authorities to provide essential facilities and address the safety concerns. Tehsildar Handwara Zeeshan Khan told Greater Kashmir that he would take up the matter with the concerned department and hoped concrete steps would be taken soon.
Saqib Sultan, Musadiq Mehraj get new roles in DCC Srinagar
The Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has appointed Saqib Sultan as General Secretary and Musadiq Mehraj as Spokesperson of the District Congress Committee (DCC) Srinagar. The appointments, as per a statement, have been welcomed by Congress leaders and workers across Srinagar, who expressed confidence that both leaders will play a vital role in strengthening the partys grassroots organisation and effectively raising public issues. The District Congress Committee Srinagar congratulated Saqib Sultan and Musadiq Mehraj, wishing them success in their new responsibilities and reaffirming its commitment to serving the people of Srinagar with unity and dedication.
Glacier melt to farmland: Ladakh plans 36 check dams for irrigation
Kargil, Aug 25:The Ladakh administration has submitted a proposal worth more than Rs 56 crore to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for the construction of 36 check dams aimed at conserving snow and glacier meltwater and expanding assured irrigation across the Union Territory. The proposal, prepared under the Pradhan MantriKrishiSinchayeeYojana (PMKSY) on the directions of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, envisages seven Himalayan rock check dams along the Indus River in Leh district and 29 reinforced cement concrete (RCC) check dams and weirs along the Suru River in Kargil district. According to the administration, the proposed structures are expected to bring more than 18,600 acres of agricultural land under irrigation while helping capture a larger share of Ladakhs seasonal snow and glacial meltwater. Despite its extensive glaciers and heavy winter snowfall, Ladakh currently utilises less than one per cent of its annual snow and glacial meltwater, with much of the water flowing downstream during the summer months. The administration has identified this as a major challenge for farmers who face water shortages during critical sowing and growing periods. Ladakh cannot afford to let its precious glacier and snowmelt water flow away unused while our farmers face water shortages during the agricultural season, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said. We must harness every possible water resource and create a water-secure, agriculturally prosperous, and climate-resilient Ladakh, he added. Kargil accounts for the larger share of the proposed infrastructure, with 29 check dams planned along the Suru River. The administration said the focus follows representations from villagers and farmers who raised the issue of acute irrigation shortages during the Lieutenant Governors recent visit to the district. Saxena said the proposed projects would help address the regions agricultural water requirements while improving long-term water and agricultural security. The UT Administration has taken a monumental step to ensure a water-secure, agriculturally prosperous, and climate-resilient Ladakh, he said, adding that the 36 projects would help impound a significant volume of currently untapped snow and glacier meltwater. The proposal builds on the administrations experience with five pilot rock check dams, which, according to officials, can store up to 30 million litres of water while withstanding high seasonal river pressure. The pilot structures have also helped increase cultivable command areas by up to 30 per cent. The administration expects the proposed check dams to improve water availability for agriculture, reduce seasonal shortages and strengthen the resilience of farming communities in the high-altitude region. Saxena said the initiative was aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modis emphasis on water conservation and stressed the need to maximise the use of glacier meltwater while protecting Ladakhs fragile environment. Guided by PM Narendra Modi Jis visionary principle of conserving water for our future security, the Administration is committed to conserving and harnessing every drop of our precious glacier meltwater, he said. He added that the proposed interventions were intended to be eco-friendly and cost-effective and expressed confidence that they would help address persistent water shortages faced by farmers across Ladakh.
Strengthen booths, intensify public outreach: Ashok Koul tells BJPs Rajpora cadre
Kangan (Pulwama), Aug 25: BJP General Secretary (Organisation), J&K, Ashok Koul, chaired a Constituency Review Meeting of Rajpora Constituency at Kangan, District Pulwama, with the constituency team, Booth Presidents and Shakti Kendra teams, stressing that a strong booth-level organisation is the foundation of BJPs political strength and public outreach. Ashok Koul, as per a statement, while addressing the meeting, said that the BJP must further intensify its grassroots activities in Rajpora and ensure that every booth becomes an active centre of organisational work and public connect. He called upon party workers to move beyond routine organisational activities and work with greater commitment, discipline and coordination to establish a strong and vibrant BJP presence across the constituency. Koul said that the strength of the BJP is its dedicated cadre and its direct connect with the people, and every worker must remain continuously accessible to the public. He emphasised that Booth Presidents and Shakti Kendra teams have a crucial responsibility in understanding local issues, communicating the partys policies and achievements, and strengthening public confidence in the BJP. Ashok Koul took detailed feedback from the constituency functionaries regarding the functioning of booths and Shakti Kendras and directed the teams to maintain close coordination, regular communication and a result-oriented approach. He stressed that organisational gaps must be identified and addressed promptly, while grassroots engagement should be made more consistent and effective. Koul asked the workers to work as one coordinated team and said that the BJPs organizational expansion in Kashmir will be driven by dedicated workers, disciplined teamwork and sustained engagement with the people. He called for renewed efforts to strengthen the party at every booth and constituency level. J&K BJP General Secretary Kisan Morcha Arshad Bhat, Rajpora Constituency President Junaid Ahmad, and other senior leaders and party functionaries were present. Later, Ashok Koul distributed certificates and awards to talented Paper Machie artisans at Town Hall, Pulwama, organised by Noora Foundation Trust, recognising their exceptional craftsmanship and contribution towards preserving the regions rich traditional art and cultural heritage. Arshad Bhat and other senior leaders were also present. Koul appreciated the artisans for keeping the traditional Paper Machie craft alive and emphasised the need to encourage such indigenous skills, which represent the rich cultural identity and heritage of Kashmir.
70 lakh land parcels go digital as J&K prepares land database for AgriStack
Srinagar, Aug 25:In a major step towards modernising land administration and creating a more transparent, citizen-centric system of Revenue and Agricultural services, Jammu and Kashmir has accelerated the digitisation and updation of land records while simultaneously preparing the verified land database for integration with the AgriStack framework of the Government of India under its Digital India Land Records ModernisationProgramme (DILRMP). The exercise, being undertaken by the Revenue Department in collaboration with BISAG-N, covers nearly 70 lakh land parcels, with more than 2,500 Revenue field functionaries having been provided role-based access for data entry, verification and approval. The initiative has been designed not as a mere exercise in scanning or data entry, but as a comprehensive process of digitisation, updation, verification, public scrutiny and authentication of land records. FROM LEGACY RECORDS TO A TRUSTED DIGITAL DATABASE Land records form the foundation of a wide range of public services, including ownership verification, mutations, agricultural benefits, credit, insurance, compensation and land-related transactions. Recognising the importance of an accurate and accessible Record of Rights, the Revenue Department has adopted a departmental, field-driven model for the present exercise. A dedicated software platform has been developed in collaboration with BISAG-N, providing for village-wise management of land-record data through a structured relational database. Unlike a simple scanned copy of a physical register, the digital record captures individual particulars in defined data fields, enabling systematic searching, comparison, validation, monitoring and authorised updating. THREE-TIER INSTITUTIONAL VERIFICATION A key feature of the exercise is the MakerCheckerApprover mechanism, designed to ensure that a record is not accepted merely on the basis of data entry. Under the system, the Patwari acts as the Maker, entering the record; the Girdawar/Naib-Tehsildar acts as the Checker, verifying it against the source Revenue record; and the Tehsildar acts as the Approver, providing final approval. This segregation of responsibilities creates successive checks against transcription errors, omissions, incorrect shares, spelling discrepancies and other inconsistencies. Every stage is electronically recorded, thereby creating an audit trail and fixing responsibility for the information entered and approved. The Department has supplemented this institutional workflow with additional layers of supervision. Regular reviews have been undertaken at the highest administrative levels, while District-level Mentors and Prabhari Officers have been deployed to monitor both progress and quality. District committees have also undertaken cross-Tehsil verification to provide an additional layer of independent scrutiny. PUBLIC VERIFICATION MADE INTEGRAL TO DIGITISATION The Government has also placed the landholder at the centre of the verification process.More than 6,800 village-level camps have been organised for public reading of Jamabandis, enabling landholders to examine the records and report discrepancies relating to names, shares, mutations and other particulars. This public verification mechanism has been complemented by making digitised land records available for public viewing through the JK ZameenSudhaar portal. Over 13 lakh rectifications have already been completed on the basis of discrepancies detected during verification and grievances received from the public. UPDATION OF RECORDS ALONGSIDE DIGITISATION The Government has simultaneously addressed the critical issue of pending mutations so that digitisation does not result in merely reproducing an outdated physical record in electronic form. Approximately 7 lakh backlog mutations have been incorporated into the digitised Record of Rights and subjected to the prescribed verification and approval process. LAND RECORDS BEING TRANSFORMED FOR AGRISTACK The verified digital land database is now being transformed to support the AgriStack framework under the Digital Agriculture Mission of the Government of India. AgriStack envisages an integrated digital architecture comprising the Farmers Registry, geo-referenced village maps and Crop Sown Registry. At its foundation is the ability to reliably associate a farmer with the landholding recorded in the official land records. Traditional Jamabandis may contain several co-owners in a single khasra and may reflect shares at the holding or khata level. The AgriStack architecture requires the precise extent attributable to each recorded owner to be available in machine-readable form. Through the transformation exercise, 31.26 lakh khasra records have so far been converted into the required owner-extent format. For the farmer the process significantly simplifies the experience of viewing and claiming multiple land parcels associated with his or her name. FARMER VALIDATION ADDS ANOTHER LAYER OF TRUST A significant feature of the AgriStack implementation is that the process does not end with government-side verification alone. The farmer or landholder authenticates through e-KYC and is able to view the relevant landholding particulars on the registration interface. After examining the information, the landholder can claim the appropriate landholding group and provide voluntary electronic consent.A Farmer ID is generated only after the prescribed verification and approval process is completed. DIRECT BENEFITS FOR CITIZENS AND FARMERS The digitisation of land records is expected to substantially improve the everyday experience of citizens dealing with Revenue and agricultural services. With land records available digitally, citizens will have easier access to their Record of Rights and will increasingly be able to obtain Revenue services without repeated visits to Patwari or Tehsil offices. Updated records, electronic audit trails and defined responsibility are expected to enhance transparency and reduce avoidable delays and disputes. For farmers, AgriStack and the Farmer ID framework will provide the foundation for a more integrated delivery of agricultural services. A farmers verified identity and landholding information can facilitate more efficient targeting and delivery of eligible schemes, subsidies, procurement-related services, agricultural inputs, credit, insurance and disaster-relief measures. TOWARDS CITIZEN-CENTRIC REVENUE AND AGRICULTURE SERVICES The ultimate objective is to make land records more accurate, accessible, transparent and useful, while placing the citizen and farmer at the centre of the digital transformation. The ongoing exercise thus marks a transition from simply maintaining land records in digital form to creating a trusted, verified and farmer-validated digital land information ecosystem, capable of supporting transparent Revenue administration and more efficient delivery of agricultural services across the districts for the long-term welfare of farmers and citizens of the UT.
J&K Cabinet Ministers extend Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) greetings
J&K Cabinet Ministers Surinder Choudhary, Sakeena Itoo, Satish Sharma and Javid Ahmad Dar on Tuesday extended warm greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), calling for upholding the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and strengthening the values of peace, harmony, brotherhood and service to humanity. As per official statements issued, Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, extended warm greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW). In his message, Deputy Chief Minister said that the sacred occasion is a reminder of the noble teachings of the Holy Prophet (SAW), who showed humanity the path of truth, compassion, and service to mankind. He expressed hope that the blessed day will inspire people to uphold the values of peace, harmony, mutual respect, and brotherhood, thereby fostering unity and collective progress in society. Deputy Chief Minister added that the true way of celebrating this day is by practicing patience, spreading goodwill, and extending support to those in need. Surinder Choudhary also prayed for peace, prosperity, and well-being of all citizens, especially the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo also extended her heartfelt greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), marking the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In her greeting message, the Minister said that this sacred day reminds us of the timeless values of compassion, kindness, and service to humanity, which form the essence of the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet (SAW). She expressed hope that this pious occasion will inspire people to strengthen bonds of brotherhood, promote peace and harmony, and work collectively for the welfare of society. On this revered occasion, let us pledge to walk on the path of truth, compassion, and selfless service shown to us by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), she said. The Minister also highlighted that true way of celebrating this blessed and sacred day is to uphold the values of empathy, patience, and mutual respect in our daily lives. Sakeena Itoo also prayed for the peace, prosperity, and well-being of all citizens, particularly the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports, Science & Technology and ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma, has extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), marking the blessed birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In his message, the Minister said that Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) is a sacred occasion that reminds humanity of the timeless message and noble teachings of the Holy Prophet (SAW), centred on compassion, peace, justice, kindness, brotherhood and selfless service to humanity. Satish Sharma said that the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) provide enduring guidance for building a society founded on mutual respect, harmony, tolerance and concern for the welfare of others. He expressed hope that the occasion would inspire people to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and work collectively for peace, prosperity and the well-being of society. On this blessed occasion, let us reaffirm our commitment to the noble values of compassion, truth, patience, forgiveness and service to humanity taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and strive to incorporate these values in our everyday lives, the Minister said. He emphasised that the true spirit of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) lies in extending kindness to others, helping the needy and underprivileged, promoting social harmony and working for the welfare of all sections of society. The Minister also prayed for peace, progress, prosperity and well-being of all citizens, and particularly prayed for continued peace, development and happiness in Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed hope that the sacred occasion would strengthen the spirit of unity, brotherhood and mutual understanding among the people and inspire everyone to contribute towards building a peaceful, compassionate and prosperous society. Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar has extended his warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi (SAW). In his message, the Minister, as per an official statement, said that the blessed occasion offers an opportunity to reflect upon the exemplary life and timeless teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which continue to inspire humanity towards peace, compassion, brotherhood, tolerance, justice, humility and service to mankind. Javid Dar said the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasise respect for human dignity, care for the vulnerable, forgiveness and peaceful coexistence. He called upon people to imbibe these values in their daily lives and work collectively towards strengthening the bonds of social harmony, mutual respect and communal amity in society. The Minister expressed hope that the auspicious occasion would usher in peace, prosperity, happiness and well-being for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and further strengthen the spirit of unity and brotherhood across the Union Territory.
Dr Farooq greets people on Eid-e-Milad Un Nabi (SAW) observance
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday extended warm and heartfelt greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW). Dr. Farooq, as per a party statement, while conveying his greetings said that Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi ( SAW) is a sacred occasion to reflect upon the timeless message of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the profound values he embodied. The life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) are a beacon of mercy, compassion, justice and equality for all humanity. His message transcends every distinction of colour, creed, status and race, reminding us that all human beings are equal in dignity and deserving of justice and compassion. On this blessed occasion, let us renew our commitment to the values of brotherhood, peace, tolerance and service to humanity, and strive to build a society founded on justice, dignity and mutual respect. Dr Farooq prayed for peace, prosperity and well-being for the people, and expressed hope that the sacred occasion would bring happiness, harmony and renewed faith to every home. Party Rank and file has also extended warm greetings to people on the auspicious occasion.
8 terror associates arrested in 3 operations in south Kashmir
Srinagar, Aug 25:Security forces have arrested eight suspected overground workers and terrorist associates in three separate operations in Shopian and Pulwama districts of south Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday, recovering grenades, weapons, ammunition and other incriminating material from their possession. In the first operation, police and Army personnel launched a joint search operation in an orchard at Imamsahib in Shopian following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of suspected terror associates. During the search, the security forces recovered one hand grenade, two AK-47 magazines, four mobile phones and posters linked to a banned terrorist outfit, officials said. Three suspected overground workers were apprehended during the operation and identified as Ashiq Hussain Kumar, Arif Kumar and Harris Manzoor. Officials said the arrests were part of intensified efforts to identify and dismantle support networks providing logistical assistance to terrorists operating in the region. In a separate operation in Shopian late Monday night, security forces arrested three more suspected overground workers after intercepting three motorcycle-borne individuals. A search of the suspects led to the recovery of two hand grenades and other incriminating material allegedly linked to the HizbulMujahideen terror outfit, officials said. The arrested persons have been identified as Junaid Ahmad Dar, Amir Yousuf and Junaid Muzaffar. Meanwhile, in another coordinated operation in Pulwama district, police, Army and CRPF personnel apprehended two suspected terrorist associates in the Yarwan forest area of CB Nath in Rajpora. Acting on specific security inputs, the joint forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the general Yarwan forest area to prevent the movement of suspected terrorists and their associates. During the operation, the security teams noticed two individuals emerging from the forest towards CB Nath village in a suspicious manner. The alert personnel swiftly moved in and apprehended both of them, officials said. The two suspects were identified as Latif Ahmad Deedad and Aejaz Ahmad Bajad. A search of their possession resulted in the recovery of one pistol, 12 rounds of pistol ammunition and one hand grenade, officials said. The arrested individuals have been taken into custody and a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
JKEDI Pulwama conducts Startup Idea Challenge 2.0
The Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), in collaboration with Government Degree College for Women, Pulwama, today successfully organised the Startup Idea Challenge 2.0. The programme forms part of JKEDIs broader efforts under the J&K Startup Policy 202427 to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth-led startups across the Union Territory. Professor (Dr.) Sami Jan, Principal, Government Degree College for Women, Pulwama, attended event as the Chief Guest. The event was attended by distinguished experts and faculty members from various domains, including Nafia Nazir, Range Officer (South Kashmir), JKEDI; Raiyees Manzoor, District Nodal Officer, JKEDI Pulwama; Dr Tariq H. Ganai, Associate Professor and Former Head, Department of Food Technology, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST); Dr Nisar Ahmad Wani, Head, Department of Economics, GDC Women, Pulwama; Dr Tanveer Bilal, Head, Department of Bio-resources, Government Degree College for Women, Pulwama; Professor Surya Shafi, Department of Commerce, GDC Women, Pulwama; Professor Iftikhar, Department of Sociology, GDC Women, Pulwama and M. Ayoub, Senior Bank Official, Cluster office, J&K Bank Pulwama. The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, who presented a diverse range of innovative ideas before the selection committee. Out of the ideas pitched, seven were shortlisted to represent District Pulwama at the state-level competition. Professor (Dr) Sami Jan congratulated the selected candidates and encouraged them to put in their best efforts to excel in the final round. Raiyees Manzoor, District Nodal Officer, JKEDI also appreciated the innovative concepts presented and congratulated the participants for taking their first step towards innovation and emerging as the startups of tomorrow. The Startup Idea Challenge 2.0 provides selected innovators with opportunities for mentorship, incubation support, and pathways to seed funding and co-working facilities at JKEDI hubs, helping transform promising ideas into viable entrepreneurial ventures.
CII delegation calls on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha
A delegation of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) J&K UT Council, led by its Chairman, Iqram Ali Shafiee, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and briefed him on the upcoming 3rd Edition of the CII J&K Health Conclave, scheduled to be held on 29 August 2026 in Srinagar.
Excise Commissioner J&K launches quarterly Newsletter
The Excise Department, Jammu and Kashmir, has launched (unveiled) the inaugural issue of its Quarterly Newsletter, an initiative aimed at strengthening institutional communication, facilitating dissemination of information and systematically documenting the Departments key achievements, initiatives and operational activities. The Newsletter was formally released by the Excise Commissioner, J&K Vaibhav Kohli, in presence of the Principal, Excise & Taxation Training Institute (ETTI), Deputy Excise Commissioner (Executive), Deputy Excise Commissioner (Distillery), Excise & Taxation Officers and other officers and officials of the Department. Speaking on the occasion, the Excise Commissioner expressed satisfaction over the launch of the Departments first-ever Quarterly Newsletter and emphasised its importance as an effective instrument for institutional communication, knowledge sharing and organisational excellence. He observed that the publication would provide a consolidated account of the Departments performance, achievements and major initiatives undertaken during each quarter. Earlier, Principal, Excise & Taxation Training Institute (ETTI) Priyanka Bhat highlighted the objectives and significance of the publication and gave a comprehensive overview of its various sections and contents. The inaugural issue, inter alia, highlights the Departments revenue performance during the first quarter of FY 202627, comparative trends in revenue collection, enforcement activities, awareness initiatives undertaken under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and various capacity-building programmes organised by ETTI. The Newsletter is also envisaged as a platform for showcasing best practices, strengthening institutional memory and promoting greater awareness of the Departments multifaceted activities.
DLIC approves 180 sheep husbandry cases in Budgam
A meeting of the District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC) was held today under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan, to consider and approve cases under various development schemes being implemented in the district. During the meeting, a total of 180 cases pertaining to the Sheep Husbandry Department, Budgam, were approved under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Integrated Sheep Development Scheme (ISDS), and J&K Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP). The approved cases comprise 100 cases under ISDS, 65 cases under HADP, and 15 cases under JKCIP. Speaking at the outset, the Deputy Commissioner said that the approval of these cases reflects the District Administrations commitment to strengthening the livestock sector and extending the benefits of government schemes to farmers and aspiring entrepreneurs in a timely and transparent manner. He said that sheep husbandry has immense potential for employment generation and sustainable livelihood creation, particularly in rural and far-flung areas of the district. The DC stressed upon the concerned department to ensure effective implementation and close monitoring of the approved cases so that the intended benefits reach the beneficiaries on the ground. He further urged the beneficiaries to make optimum use of the assistance provided under the schemes and develop their enterprises on scientific and sustainable lines, thereby contributing to increased production, productivity and the overall growth of the rural economy.
Children must feel safe: Sakina Itoos message to teachers after Kishtwar incident
Srinagar, Aug 25:Minister for Education, Sakina Itoo, on Tuesday said that teachers carry a huge responsibility as parents entrust their children to them with the belief that they will understand, protect, and care for them. In her address during a day-long educational conference organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) at SKICC here, Sakina Itoo expressed deep anguish over the recent incident in Kishtwar, saying that the incident brought shame to the entire society. Children and daughters must feel safe in educational institutions. Parents trust a teacher a lot. When they send their children from home to school, they think that if there is someone who understands them more than their parents and takes care of them, that is their teacher, she said. Referring to the Kishtwar incident, the minister said, All of us bow our heads in shame. She said while the alleged wrongdoing of an individual teacher cannot be generalised to the entire teaching community, such an incident was a matter of collective concern. If our children and daughters are not safe and secure in todays environment, then I feel that it is a huge concern for us, Itoo said. She urged the teachers to treat students with the same care and dignity as they would extend to their own daughters and sisters. She said the government would take the strictest possible action if the inquiry establishes the person concerned as guilty. Sakina Itoo said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had already convened a meeting on the issue and directed that strict action be taken against the accused if found guilty after due inquiry. I want to assure the sisters and mothers of Jammu and Kashmir that when the inquiry is completed, the Chief Minister has given the direction to take strict action and it will definitely be implemented, she said. The minister also assured teachers that their concerns over the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) requirement would be addressed, saying the Chief Minister had intervened after an order was issued in the matter. Referring to her conversation with Chief Minister, She said that CM Omar Abdullah told her that teachers were the honour and pride of the government and directed that the order, issued by the department, be withdrawn. Itoo said the government had also approached the Supreme Court in connection with the matter and assured teachers that their dignity would not be compromised. On the challenges facing school education, the minister said declining enrolment and closure of schools was a concern and efforts were given by the present government to reverse the trend. The government alone cannot increase enrolment. Teachers have an important role to ensure that no child remains deprived of education. Teachers can contribute to increasing enrolment, she added.
Stop burdening teachers with duties beyond teaching: CM Omar Abdullah
Srinagar, Aug 25:Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said teachers in Jammu and Kashmir were being burdened with responsibilities far beyond teaching, while the government must do more to address their grievances and provide support needed to perform their duties effectively. Addressing a day-long educational conference organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) at SKICC here, Omar said the future of Jammu and Kashmir rested on its children, but placing the entire responsibility for shaping that future on teachers would be unjust. If we put all our responsibility on you and say that our teachers will decide what Jammu and Kashmir will be like in the future, then I think there will be a lot of injustice with you, and we will put more pressure on you, he said. Referring to former President APJ Abdul Kalams emphasis on the role of parents and teachers in shaping children, Omar said the teaching profession had become considerably more challenging compared to the past. He recalled a time when students and parents rarely questioned teachers authority, saying that in his own childhood he could not remember complaining about a teacher to his parents. Omar cited an anecdote involving his father Dr Farooq Abdullah and his grandfather Sheikh Abdullah to underline the change in attitudes towards teachers. He said when his father was beaten by a teacher during school days and complained to Sheikh Abdullah, the latter instead appreciated the teacher for disciplining his son. Today, if something happens to the children, parents immediately go to the police station to file an FIR and file a case in the court, he said. He said that such situations have made it increasingly difficult for teachers to perform their duties. The Chief Minister said teachers were now competing with smartphones, social media, television channels and a host of other distractions to keep students focused. The new challenge is Artificial Intelligence. How difficult it must be for a teacher to decide whether the childs assignment is his own creation or the help of artificial intelligence, he said. Omar also criticised the practice of assigning teachers a wide range of duties not related to classroom teaching. He said teachers were routinely called upon to prepare students for Independence Day and Republic Day functions, International Yoga Day programmes, anti-drug addiction campaigns, besides being deployed for election duties, often at remote polling stations. When it comes to your problems, unfortunately, your files dont move forward as fast as the files that we have to put you somewhere else, he said. CM Omar Abdullah said the government has a responsibility to address teachers concerns with the same urgency with which it assigns them official duties. If you have problems with transfers, DPCs, or vacancies in schools and other things, then we have to solve those problems with the same intensity, he said. Omar assured the teachers that he and the minister for education, Sakina Itoo, would work to resolve the teachers issues. He further highlighted the difficulties faced by teachers posted in remote rural schools, saying that those without influence often remain in village schools while those with connections (influence) manage to secure postings in urban institutions only. He however, expressed concern over dummy admission in government schools, saying that students enrol themselves in government higher secondary schools largely for examination purposes but spend their time at private tuition centres. There are schools where children take admission only to enter the name and to sit for the board exam. They never come to class. They sit in the tuition centre and spend the whole day there. But we cannot blame teachers for this, he added. CM Omar Abdullah also acknowledged infrastructure gaps in schools while talking about rented school buildings and unsafe structures being used for students. It is the responsibility of the government to fix it. We talk about smart classes, but how far have we been able to take smart classes in schools? Smart classes are far away. In some places, we are not able to provide the right structure for schools, he added. He said that plugging infrastructure gaps was not the responsibility of the teachers but his as the chief minister of J&K. Filling the vacancies is not your responsibility; it is my job. It is my responsibility to strengthen your hands so that you can do your work properly, he added. He, however, urged teachers to prepare students to meet the rapidly changing demands of the future and contribute positively to Jammu and Kashmirs development. Omar also spoke about the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), saying the issue was linked to laws applicable across the country. A deadline has been set for this till August 2028, and the government has repeatedly raised its concerns. We will continue to put up the case before the Supreme Court and hope that the issue could be resolved in the interests of teachers and students, he added. CM Omar Abdullah said that improving the education system required a collective effort and cannot be left to teachers alone. If we can improve your situation and school infrastructure, then only you will be able to improve the future of your children. But if we fail to deliver and ask you to fix everything, that will not solve the problem, he added.
Dont pass AT&C losses on to consumers: PHDCCI to JERC
The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Regulatory Commission (JKERC) to review recent power tariff revisions and ensure that consumers are not burdened with costs arising from systemic distribution losses. In a representation to the regulator, PHDCCI Kashmir Chairman Vicky Shaw said the near-completion of smart metering across Jammu and Kashmir has enabled more accurate billing based on actual electricity consumption. He argued that consumers should not be made to bear the financial burden of aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses arising from ageing transformers, outdated conductors and transmission and distribution inefficiencies. These losses are not a consequence of consumer behaviour but reflect infrastructure deficits that fall under the Power Development Departments operational ambit, Shaw said, adding that the regulator and the department should work together to address these structural shortcomings without placing additional pressure on households and businesses. PHDCCI proposed a series of measures to improve the efficiency and reliability of the power distribution system, including completing 100 per cent metering across all consumer categories, modernising ageing infrastructure and strengthening the distribution network. The Chamber called for the timely implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), along with the replacement and upgradation of old transformers, feeders and distribution lines to reduce technical losses and improve network reliability. It also recommended stronger measures to curb technical faults and unauthorised electricity usage, arguing that reducing the gap between energy supplied and revenue realised should be achieved through system improvements rather than repeated tariff increases. The Chamber expressed concern that additional financial pressure on industries and domestic consumers could constrain commercial activity and affect household budgets amid prevailing economic pressures. PHDCCI said the Power Development Department should focus on improving governance, technological upgradation, administrative oversight and the targeted completion of RDSS and IPDS schemes. Strengthening the grid and plugging loopholes is the sustainable path forward, the representation stated, arguing that consumers should not be made to compensate for losses rooted in deficiencies within the power distribution system. The Chamber said a coordinated approach, in which the department improves infrastructure and consumers are billed transparently for their actual consumption, would help create a more efficient and equitable power system in Jammu and Kashmir.
CM Omar Abdullah lays foundation stone for Fruit & Vegetable Mandi at Tangmarg
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today laid the foundation stone of a modern Fruit & Vegetable Mandi at Wussan Bangil, Karhama, Tangmarg, marking the beginning of a long-pending demand of the area and a significant step towards strengthening the horticulture marketing infrastructure in the Tangmarg-Gulmarg belt. The proposed mandi will be developed on 50 kanals of land, with direct access to the Tangmarg-Gulmarg Road. Envisaged as a modern and organised marketing facility, the mandi will cater to the major horticulture belt of Tangmarg and adjoining areas and is expected to benefit around nine lakh people across 19 blocks in Baramulla and Budgam districts. The facility will provide growers with an organised platform for the handling, grading, sorting, packaging and marketing of fruit and vegetable produce, besides strengthening market linkages and logistics in the region. It is expected to bring buyers closer to producers, improve price realisation for farmers and reduce post-harvest losses through better handling, storage and supply-chain facilities. Addressing a large public gathering after laying the foundation stone, the Chief Minister said the project represented the fulfilment of a major and long-standing demand of the people of the area and underlined the need to look beyond tourism while assessing the economic potential of Kashmir. Often, when we speak to people outside J&K, they feel that there is nothing but tourism in Kashmir and that our entire economy revolves around tourism. But when I explain to them that agriculture, horticulture, fruits, dairy and other sectors contribute much more, they are surprised, he said. The Chief Minister said the establishment of the mandi was particularly important for Tangmarg because the area is a major horticulture-producing belt. Your fruits and vegetables were being grown here, but to take them to the market you had to travel to far-off markets. You did not always get buyers. Now, through this market, the buyers will come here and, through the buyers, you will get a better rate, he said. He said the modern infrastructure would also help ensure better quality of produce and facilitate its access to wider markets. The project, he added, would create a new source of income for the area and give a major boost to the rural economy. Emphasising that the success of the mandi would also depend on connectivity, Omar Abdullah directed that the road leading to the facility be improved and widened. Along with this fruit market and vegetable market, we will have to fix this road as well. Even if it is a 1.5 to 2 km stretch, we will have to widen it and improve its condition so that people do not face any difficulty, he said. The Chief Minister said the government had initiated development works across sectors in the constituency, including drinking water, healthcare, education, roads and horticulture infrastructure. He said the focus was on taking development works to the ground and addressing the demands of people through concrete projects. The Chief Minister, however, assured the people that the government would make every effort to avoid any further increase during its present term. I assure you that I will try my best not to increase the electricity tariff during this government, he said. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated the governments commitment to fulfilling the promises made to the people and said the next three and a half years would witness accelerated development across J&K. God willing, in the next three and a half years, we will fulfil all the promises we have made to the people and present ourselves before you. I say with confidence that after three and a half years, if you look at all the Assembly constituencies, among the most developed, if not the most developed, will be the Gulmarg-Tangmarg constituency, because here not only has work started, it is progressing rapidly, he said. The Chief Minister also announced that the Mini Secretariat at Tangmarg, whose work had been initiated during his earlier government but could not be completed, would be completed and handed over to the people during the current year. He congratulated the people of Tangmarg, particularly the residents of Wussan, on the foundation stone laying of the Fruit and Vegetable Mandi and said the project would create a stronger and more organised horticulture marketing ecosystem in the area. Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the Kisan Mela showcasing key government initiatives and innovations in agriculture and horticulture. Minister for Agriculture Javid Ahmed Dar and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani spoke on the occasion and highlighted the achievements and initiatives undertaken by the government in agriculture and allied sectors. MLA Gulmarg-Tangmarg Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah said that since assuming office, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had left no stone unturned in accelerating development across Jammu and Kashmir, with particular focus on the Gulmarg-Tangmarg constituency. He said the pace of development under the present government was evident on the ground and alleged that the opposition was unable to accept the reality of ongoing development process. Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Gurwinder Singh Oberoi, MLA Beerwah Dr Shafi Ahmed Wani, MLA Baramulla Javed Hassan Beigh, MLA Pattan Javed Reyaz Bedar, MLA Uri Dr Sajjad Shafi and MLA Kreeri-Wagoora Irfan Hafiz Lone were present on the occasion. Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing, J&K, Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, Director Agriculture Kashmir Sartaj Ahmed Shah, Director Horticulture Kashmir Vikas Anand, besides senior officers of the Agriculture and allied departments, were also present.
When the sweltering summer heat settles over the Kashmir Valley and Srinagar pulses with urban hustle, the urge to find sanctuary becomes irresistible. For our group of twentya retreat team comprising doctors and healthcare professionals from Gauri Heart Centre and Prasad Joo Khan Heart Centrethat relief was found in the serene, untouched highlands of Khag Tehsil in Badgam district. Located approximately 4550 km from Srinagar. The route passes through Magam and Khag towns via well-connected roads suitable for cars and light buses. Nestled amidst towering conifers, verdant meadows, and whispering mountain streams lies Kastoorwan , an extraordinary haven where nature's beauty seamlessly intersects with spiritual heritage and peaceful tranquillity. All of us had packed comfortable walking shoes, light woolens for the cooler evenings, and a reusable water bottle to taste the local spring water. The place is located in the heart of Badgam district, the village of Nowroz Baba in Khag Tehsil feels like a world frozen in time. The area takes its name from the revered Sufi saint, Hazrat Nowroz Baba (RA), whose spiritual legacy permeates the entire landscape. Local folklore and historical memory credit Nowroz Baba with performing remarkable miraclesmost notably bringing clean, perennial water streams to the arid patches of the region through his spiritual devotion. Today, his mausoleum stands as a beacon of faith, drawing visitors seeking solace, healing, and reflection. The ambient energy around the Asthaan sets a contemplative tone, reminding one of the deep mystical traditions that define Kashmirs rich culture. The best time to visit this place is between May to September, this period offers ideal weather, vibrant green meadows, and a perfect escape from Srinagars summer warmth. Though peak of winter is also recommended by some because of the white firs and everything white if you have adequate heating systems in your cottage but reaching from Srinagar can be a challenge. Our home base for this picnic was the Kastoorwan Cottage, a charmingly comfortable lodge positioned opposite the Kastoorwan forests and just a stones throw from Nowroz Babas mausoleum. It had been booked well in advance because the place is in a good demand during this season. Tucked beneath a canopy of dense pine and fir trees, the cottage offered our group a perfect blend of modern comfort and rustic wilderness living. Sitting on its verandas, surrounded by endless stretches of emerald meadows, a late evening barbeque in an atmosphere with a nip of chill around a bonfire. The daily pressures of clinical work of all of us quickly dissolved into the cool mountain air with a group of artists singing choicest Kashmiri songs with pleasant music. An out-door dinner with several delicacies was followed by a very comfortable sleep in the cottages. No fans needed in fact a blanket was welcome. Next day started as a lazy morning. A few of us like me with my bosom friend from medical college days Dr Shabbir Ahmad went out for a walk along the zig zag road. It had pine forests on both the sides interspersed with small houses a middle school and some villagers cutting grass to feed the cattle. They were all very pleasant and greeted us with smiles. After coming back and getting ready for the day we assembled for a sumptuous north Indian breakfast and boiled eggs. Took a few pictures and as the leader of the group I settled the bills which were very reasonable. It was time to leave now and the group decided to go to a few neighbouring touristic spots. While Kastoorwan itself provides an idyllic setting for rest, Khag Tehsil is a treasure chest of unexplored natural wonders. Ranging from 25 to 40 kilometers from our base, several hidden gems offer breathtaking landscapes that rival Kashmirs most famous tourist destinationsyet remain blissfully uncrowded. Tosamaidan: Once a restricted area, this massive, sprawling meadow is encircled by dense forests and high mountain passes. Its vast rolling pasturelands offer unobstructed views of the Pir Panjal range, making it a paradise for trekkers, campers, and nature enthusiasts. Basmal Gali: A scenic high-altitude mountain pass on the trail deeper into the mountains, offering dramatic vantage points overlooking the entire forest belt of Badgam. Sukhnag Waterfalls & River Streams: Known locally as the cascade of health, the roaring Sukhnag River flows through the region, fed by glacier meltwater. Its cascading waterfalls create natural cooling spots ideal for mid-day gatherings. Naranag and Pushkar Nag: High-altitude Mountain springs famed for their crystal-clear waters and sacred local history, surrounded by ancient birch and alpine flora. Sita Haran (Sitharan): Beyond its natural charm, this village holds immense historical and mythological significance. According to local lore, Lord Rama, Mata Sita, and Lakshmana spent part of their exile (Vanvas) in these peaceful forests, leaving behind a legacy that connects the valley to timeless epic narratives. Doodhpathri (The Valley of Milk): Located just across the regional border, Doodhpathri is famous for its fast-flowing, frothy white river streams and smooth, sloping meadows that stretch as far as the eye can see. As our journey through the untouched highlands of Khag Tehsil came to an end, the return to our demanding routines felt far less daunting. For healthcare professionals who spend their lives guarding the hearts of others, Kastoorwan offered a rare opportunity to mend and refresh our own. Beyond the crisp mountain air, the tranquil pine forests, and the timeless spiritual legacy of Hazrat Nowroz Baba (RA), this hidden corner of Badgam reminded us of the profound healing power found only in nature. As we left behind the serene meadows, clear streams, and warm local hospitality, we carried back to Srinagar more than just pleasant memorieswe returned with restored spirits, strengthened bonds, and a renewed capacity to care. Kastoorwan is not merely a scenic getaway from the summer heat; it is a sanctuary for the soul, waiting quietly to restore anyone seeking solace. Prof Upendra Kaul, Founder Director- Gauri Kaul foundation
Ladakh eyes bigger Sea Buckthorn economy with proposed National Research Centre
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has initiated an assessment of a proposal to establish a dedicated National Sanjeevani Research Centre for Sea Buckthorn in Ladakhs Nubra Valley, in a move aimed at turning the high-altitude crops medicinal, nutritional and commercial potential into a larger source of scientific research and rural livelihoods. The proposal was submitted by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on August 14. Following the request, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) constituted a high-level committee on August 21 to examine the feasibility of the proposed centre and recommend an appropriate institutional framework. The committee is headed by Dr V.B. Patel, Additional Director General, ICAR, and includes Maheshwar Singh, Dean (Agriculture), University of Ladakh; Tsering Stobdan, Scientist-F, DRDO, Leh; and Tsewang Punchok, Director of Horticulture in the Ladakh administration. The panel conducted its first field visit to Ladakh on August 24. It has been tasked with assessing the regions Sea Buckthorn genetic resources, natural distribution, cultivation, production, utilisation and ongoing research. The committee has also been asked to prepare a comprehensive feasibility report and a five-year action plan within 45 days, covering the proposed centres institutional structure, infrastructure, research priorities and mechanisms for value addition and commercialisation. Nubra Valley, recognised as Ladakhs largest Sea Buckthorn-producing region, has emerged as the proposed location for the centre. The initiative seeks to shift the sector from dependence on wild collection towards scientific cultivation, improved processing, value addition and organised market development. Known locally as a Wonder Plant and popularly described as Sanjeevani, Sea Buckthorn is a naturally occurring Himalayan plant with applications in food, cosmetics, nutraceuticals and other products. Its berries are known for their nutritional content and antioxidant properties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously highlighted the plants potential during his Mann Ki Baat programme, referring to its importance for Ladakh and its medicinal and nutritional value. Welcoming the development, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said the proposed centre could provide a national platform for research, development, value addition and commercialisation of Sea Buckthorn. Glad to share that on our request, the Union Agriculture Ministry has constituted a High-Level Committee to examine setting up of a dedicated National Sanjeevani Research Centre at Nubra in Ladakh, for research, development, value addition and commercialisation of the high-value organic and medicinal Himalayan crop, Sea Buckthorn, Saxena said. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for recognising the medicinal and nutritional potential of Ladakhs Sea Buckthorn and thanked Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for acting on his request and directing the constitution of the committee within a week. Saxena said Sea Buckthorn is rich in nutrients, including vitamins A, C and E, and contains Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9 and Omega-7 fatty acids. He said the crop has significant agricultural and commercial potential. If approved, the proposed centre could help develop improved cultivation techniques, strengthen processing and storage infrastructure, promote research into medicinal and nutritional applications and create stronger value chains connecting local producers with national and international markets. Officials, however, have emphasised that commercial development would need to be balanced with ecological conservation. Given Ladakhs fragile high-altitude environment, scientific cultivation and sustainable harvesting will be critical to ensuring that increased demand does not put additional pressure on naturally occurring Sea Buckthorn resources. The proposed research centre is therefore being viewed not only as a scientific institution but also as a potential catalyst for rural employment, local enterprise and sustainable economic development in Ladakh.
A young cyclist from Kashmir's Lolab valley recently set out on a journey of several thousand kilometres toward Makkah to perform Umrah. A GoPro (camera) was already fixed to his handlebars. Within days, clips of his departure travelled faster than he did, gathering views while he was still pedalling from Kashmir to Delhi. He is not alone. Across Kashmir, Kerala, Pakistan, Malaysia and Turkey, a growing number of young men have taken to bicycles and their own feet to reach the holy cities, each journey filmed, narrated and watched by an audience that will perhaps never follow. This is not just a story about faith, though faith runs through every mile. It is a story about what happens when an old religious practice gets pulled into a modern game built around visibility, attention and reward. We spent time reading comment sections under posts about this cyclist who is perhaps accompanying a friend too. Roughly five out of every ten comments from young followers had nothing to do with faith. They treated the journey as an adventure sport, a bid for reels fame, or a stepping stone toward becoming an influencer. The pilgrimage has never been more visible, yet the pilgrim has rarely been so pulled in two directions, caught between his wheels and an audience waiting for updates. Pilgrimage has always involved hardship and witnesses. Earlier travellers kept diaries later pilgrims cherished. Documentation itself is not new. What has changed is who it is recorded for. Today's pilgrim broadcasts almost in real time to strangers scrolling on their phones. The room no longer has walls. A pilgrim on a bicycle performs not only for family and hosts along the way, but for a scattered, invisible audience checking in from their screens, until performance and pilgrimage start happening at the same moment. Classical Islamic thought has its own word for this drift: ghaflah, heedlessness, where one can travel without truly arriving, worship while the mind rehearses captions and imagines how the next clip will land. Its opposite is hudur, presence, the quiet discipline of letting the heart travel with the body, needing no audience. None of this is necessarily dishonesty. It rarely looks like vanity. It arrives dressed as sincerity, in prayers for safe passage and honest talk of sacrifice. But sincerity and performance are not opposites. They walk together more than we admit, as a private act gets pulled into a public marketplace where devotion becomes something to be liked, shared and counted. When millions of Muslims now fly to the holy cities each year, arriving by bicycle or on foot after months on the road becomes a rare, costly way of signalling sacrifice that a plane ticket cannot. These pilgrimage videos follow a familiar shape: the emotional send-off, the gruelling middle stretch, the triumphant arrival. The religious content sits inside a format built for something else entirely. Consider Shihab Chottur, a young man from Kerala who in June 2022 set out on foot for Hajj, walking roughly 8,650 kilometres through Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait over 382 days, reaching Makkah in June 2023. His journey, documented daily on YouTube and Instagram, drew crowds in town after town. Chottur shows this is not new, but the spectacle around his walk shows how thoroughly pilgrimage and broadcast had merged. However, none of this means the sincerity on display is fake. Many of these travellers describe the experience as among the most meaningful of their lives, and that deserves to be taken seriously. What often drives the urge to film every mile inside the holiest spaces, from Tawaf around the Kabah to prayer inside Masjid an-Nabawi, is a quieter fear: that hardship left unrecorded might go unnoticed, that sacrifice unseen counts for less. This is a generation raised to believe experience only becomes real once someone else has seen it. Not every step toward Makkah needs to concern a following back home. Devotion does not need an audience to prove it was real. It can be a subtle form of riya (show-off) too. The fix is not throwing the camera away entirely, since even the earliest pilgrims left letters travellers cherished. It is putting the journey and its documentation back in the right order. Before filming, a traveller might ask honestly: am I recording this because it deserves to be remembered, or because I fear nobody will believe it happened unless they see it? Some hours, certainly those spent in Tawaf and prostration, are better left undocumented, held only in memory and in God's sight, which was always sufficient before any camera existed. What matters here is niyyat (the intention). Islamic law is built on the principle of istita'ah, capacity; Hajj becomes obligatory only on those who are financially secure enough to go without debt, physically able, and travelling a safe route, never on those who seek out hardship as a virtue in itself. The law and the principle of capacity are clear. The Hajj and Umrah should be a time for growth and reflection, not just a way to show off on social media. Even as a section of the new generation seeks costly, hardship-laden routes to Makkah for visibility, a much larger and quieter crisis sits closer to home. In much of South Asia, Hajj and Umrah have been steadily over-ritualised into an economic burden that has little to do with scripture. Customs like elaborate farewell feasts, expensive new wardrobes, gold jewellery and gifts for all relatives on return, and days of hosting guests before departure and after return, can cost as much as the pilgrimage itself. Our ulema should speak openly on these over ritualised issues. For a poorer believer without a following to build or a story to sell, these unnecessary customs, not walking or cycling, genuinely place Hajj and Umrah out of reach. If this generation's spectacular journeys teach us anything, it should be to ask why we have made an already difficult obligation harder still through custom, while chasing an entirely different kind of difficulty for an audience of strangers. Is it fair to turn such sacred journeys into mere adventure purely for social media following? If such adventures become a trend among young people, we must ask what the consequences could be for parents waiting at home and for the safety of travellers, always male youth, walking or cycling through dangerous zones to reach the pilgrimage. The question that many neitzens pose is whether such pilgrims will continue their journey to Makkah without broadcasting it live on social media platforms? Dr. Adfer Shah is a Sociologist at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and was awarded the George Greenia Research Fellowship in 2019 for his contribution to Pilgrimage Studies reseach. Dr. Aamir Habib is Assistant Professor at the International Centre for Spiritual Studies, IUST, Kashmir.
Over the past few months, I have found myself in and out of several hospitals across Kashmir not as a patient, but as an attendant. Each time I entered a hospital, one question kept repeating itself in my head: when will the hygiene and conditions of our hospitals improve? Our hospitals have started to resemble sewage sites. Ironically, a sewage site might be more hygienic than a hospital corridor. As an attendant, you learn quickly that the role is, in some ways, heavier than being the patient yourself. Doctors sometimes scold you for things outside your control. Paramedics tell you different versions of the same instruction. Other support staff make you feel like you are in their way rather than a person trying to help someone survive. This has become usual. I am not blaming the system here I am trying to describe what it actually feels like to stand in that corridor, day after day. Being an attendant is a role most of us in Kashmir know intimately, because illness here is rarely a private affair. When one person is admitted, it isn't just one attendant who shows up a single admission can pull in three, four, sometimes six family members at once, who take turns sleeping on floors and staircases, living out of hospital corridors for days at a stretch. And it is this crowding, more than anything else, that I saw wearing the hospitals down. Each time I walked in, the wards carried the same unhygienic look: attendants littering waste without a second thought, people spitting inside the wards, corridors holding onto a smell that never quite leaves, because so many people are occupying a space built for far fewer. Toilets, in particular, have stopped being toilets. They have become dumping sites smokers leaving behind cigarette butts, women disposing of polythene waste directly into the drains, clogging them within days. To be honest about my own experience: when I stayed with my uncle at the ICU, I had to travel five kilometres back and forth just to find a usable washroom. Every single time I needed to go, something in me would tighten before I even reached the door, just thinking about what condition it would be in. That is not a small thing to carry, night after night, while your relative is fighting for their life a few feet away. I say this without blaming the system, and without blaming the people either. What I am asking is that we should rethink something basic: hospitals are our property. They are built for our safety. And the machines, the toilets, the washrooms we use inside them deserve the same regard we give our own home appliances, our own houses. Nobody leaves a tap running or dumps waste on the floor of their own bathroom. Yet inside a hospital, that same instinct for care seems to switch off as if because the space is public, it belongs to no one, and therefore needs protection from no one. This shift in attitude would do more than make hospitals more pleasant to be in. It would genuinely ease the burden on hospital budgets. Every blocked drain, every toilet damaged by misuse, every additional cleaning shift required because attendants have treated a ward like an open dumping ground all of this is money and staff time that could otherwise go toward actual patient care. Hygiene, in this sense, is not a side issue. It is a resource question cloaked up as a behavioural one. There is another layer to this that is particularly Kashmiri, and worth being honest about. Our hospitality is well known but the same hospitality, when it walks into a hospital, gets misapplied. A patient admitted on day one will often have fifteen attendants crowding the ward, everyone wanting to be seen doing their part ishtedar gasan na wanin patte yea aaw khabri (so that no relative can later say that this partucoalr relative came to look after them?). A friend of mine jokes about this: hopitalich hazare che zaroori, natte maryan rishterdar pamou seath (attendance at the hospital is compulsory otherwise the relatives will mock us even after we're dead). But if that same patient stays admitted for weeks, the crowd thins out considerably. By then, only a handful of close kin remain, and the rest have quietly left the rest to Almighty. That early, overwhelming rush and the later, sparse presence are both patterns I have seen repeatedly, and neither one is really about how much people care. It comes down to something we say without thinking twice: ishtedar gasi na naaraz gasun the relative must not get offended. So, everyone shows up on day one, as. A formality it is the attendance that matters, more than anything else. That overwhelmingness fills the corridor, uses the single working washroom, and adds to the load on a system that was never built to host fifteen people around one bed. It is generosity turned into logistics for which no hospital was designed to absorb. A major problem in hospitals is how attendants handle meals. Obviously, a patient with two or three attendants needs food to survive the stay that much is fair. But the leftovers routinely end up in the toilets. I have seen someone dump a chicken bone straight into a toilet, blocking the entire drain. Someone reading this will probably think, his man is exaggerating. But honestly, this is a regular occurrence in every single hospital. Show me one hospital that is simply clean, and I will happily be proven wrong. None of this requires a new government scheme or a fresh round of budget allocation. What it asks for is smaller and, in some ways, harder: that we as attendants and patients start treating the hospital as an extension of our own home, not a public space where our habits go unaccounted for. That we carry our waste to a bin instead of the nearest floor. That we think about who else needs that washroom five minutes from now. That when we visit a patient, our presence is help, not just headcount. I am not writing this from the outside. I have been that attendant, tired and impatient, in a hospital that gave me every reason to complain. But somewhere between the fifth trip to a distant washroom and watching another wrapper hit the ICU floor, it became clear that the shortage we don't talk about enough is not just doctors or beds it is a shared sense of responsibility for the spaces that are supposed to keep us alive. Kashmir's hospitals do not just need more infrastructure. They need us to show up for them the way we show up, uninvited but well-meaning, for each other. The author works with a bank on rural self-employment
Prolonged power cuts pester Srinagarites
Prolonged maintenance-related power shutdowns and outages extending well beyond officially notified timings have emerged as major concerns for electricity consumers across Srinagar. Consumers from various areas of Srinagar including Downtown and Uptown localities decried power outages. We understand that maintenance of the power infrastructure is necessary. However, lack of information dissemination and prolonged outages are causing avoidable inconvenience to households, businesses, students and patients amid hot weather, they said. Although KPDCL issues shutdown notifications through its official social media, many consumers said they remain unaware until electricity is actually snapped. Most households do not check social media throughout the day. In many homes, elderly family members are at home and they neither use X nor follow official handles. By the time they come to know about the shutdown, the electricity has already gone, said Ishfaq Ahmad, a resident of Hazratbal. Consumers said that with smart meters already linked to registered emails and mobile numbers, KPDCL should introduce an automated SMS and email alert system informing consumers at least a day or two in advance about scheduled maintenance. If a small internet service provider charging only a few hundred rupees every month can send maintenance alerts through SMS, why can't the power department do the same when consumers are paying electricity bills worth thousands? another resident said. They said advance notifications would allow families to charge inverters, make alternative arrangements for elderly persons and patients, plan work schedules and minimise disruption to daily life. Apart from communication, consumers said that maintenance shutdowns frequently continue beyond the timings mentioned in official orders. Residents said most notifications specify that electricity will remain suspended from 8 am to 2 pm, but in many cases supply is restored much later, sometimes after 3:30 pm, 4 pm or even towards the evening. The official order says one thing, but on the ground the shutdown continues much longer. People organise their day expecting electricity to return by the notified time, but they are left waiting without any update, said Faisal Ahmad another consumer from Harwan. Residents said such prolonged outages become even more difficult during the ongoing summer, when fans, coolers and other electrical appliances are essential. Consumers also pointed to repeated maintenance shutdowns in the same receiving stations within short intervals, particularly in the Burzhama area, where residents said different feeders have witnessed back-to-back shutdowns on consecutive days. They questioned whether better planning could reduce the frequency of repeated outages affecting the same localities. The repeated shutdowns, residents said, have affected almost every section of society Families with elderly members and patients requiring electrically powered medical equipment are suffering. The prolonged outages become particularly challenging during periods of high temperatures, said another local. While acknowledging the need for infrastructure upgrades, they urged KPDCL to make consumer convenience an integral part of its maintenance planning. We are not against maintenance. We only want proper prior information, adherence to the notified schedule and better planning so that consumers are not made to suffer unnecessarily, residents said. A senior KPDCL official said Power Shutdown notices are presently disseminated through official social media platforms and other available channels to maximise public outreach,. The officials said the suggestion of introducing more robust ways like SMS-based will be looked into.
Two residents of Kither village in the Bunjwah area of Kishtwar district drowned in the Kalnaey river, leaving their families and the local community in deep shock. The deceased have been identified as Mohd Yasir (22), son of Ismaeel, and Mohd Umer (12), son of Farooq Ahmed, both residents of Kither, Bunjwah. According to officials, the incident occurred on Monday. The body of 12-year-old Mohd Umer was recovered on the same day, while efforts are continuing to trace the body of Mohd Yasir, who remains missing. The tragedy has once again brought into focus the difficulties faced by residents of remote areas following the recent flash floods, which damaged several wooden bridges and disrupted connectivity in parts of Bunjwah and adjoining areas. Expressing deep grief over the incident, political leaders advocate Sheikh Nasir Hussain and G M Saroori conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls. They also prayed for strength and courage for the families to bear the irreparable loss. The leaders urged the district administration to take immediate measures for the reconstruction of all damaged bridges and restoration of safe connectivity in flood-affected areas. They stressed that the restoration work should be undertaken on a priority basis to prevent further loss of life and ensure the safety of residents, particularly children, elderly people and others dependent on these crossings for their daily movement. The leaders also called upon the administration to provide adequate compensation and all possible assistance to the bereaved families under the applicable relief and rehabilitation norms. The incident heightened concerns among residents, who have urged the authorities to expedite the restoration of damaged infrastructure and ensure safe passage across rivers and streams in the affected areas.
PDP protests against power tariff hike in Jammu
J&K Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Jammu unit on Tuesday held a protest demonstration in Jammu against the decision of J&K government to hike power tariff from September 1, 2026. The protesting PDP leaders and workers, while raising slogans Bijli Mehangi, Awaam Pareshaan, 200 unit Bijli Do Warna Kursi Chhod Do, alleged that the National Conference led government had betrayed the people by working against its poll promises. We want to ask the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that you, in order to come to power, had promised to provide the people with 200 units of free electricity. Now after the formation of the government, you conveniently forgot your promise. Instead of giving free power, you have raised (power) tariff by over six percent. You have betrayed people with your false promise. Now you are claiming that the rise in power tariff is compulsion, the J&K PDP spokesperson Varinder Sonu stated, while responding to media queries during the protest. NC was given votes to heal the wounds of poor people. But they have taken a U-turn and now they are burdening people with irrational hikes. Through our peaceful protest, we are agitating against this injustice with the poor people. If they cannot provide free power as promised, they should better resign, Sonu demanded.
The Needle That Never Deserved the Blame
As she lay on the operating table, her hands trembled more from fear than from pain. Im not afraid of the surgery, doctor, she whispered. Im afraid of the injection in my back. My neighbour says she has suffered from back pain ever since her caesarean section. It is a conversation anaesthesiologists hear almost every day. A few minutes later, spinal anaesthesia was administered. Soon, the operating room echoed with the unmistakable cry of a newborn. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she heard the sound every parent longs for. The surgery was uneventful, her recovery smooth, and within days she returned home with her baby in her arms. Months later, she began experiencing occasional backache. She attributed it to the spinal injection. Yet her days were now filled with lifting an ever-growing infant, bending over the crib, carrying the baby for hours, breastfeeding in awkward postures, and coping with sleep deprivation. Like many mothers, every ache reminded her of - not pregnancy, not childcare, not altered biomechanics but the tiny needle that had been inserted into her back. The spinal anaesthesia had become the silent culprit. But was it really? Medicine often battles myths that persist despite overwhelming scientific evidence. Among the most common is the belief that spinal anaesthesia for a caesarean section causes chronic or lifelong back pain. The evidence tells a different story. Pregnancy places extraordinary mechanical and physiological demands on the spine. As the uterus enlarges, the bodys centre of gravity shifts forward, increasing lumbar lordosis and altering spinal loading. Pregnancy hormones such as relaxin and progesterone increase ligamentous laxity, reducing joint stability while preparing the pelvis for childbirth. In addition, the abdominal wall stretches and core muscle strength diminishes, reducing spinal support. These changes, coupled with postpartum childcare, prolonged feeding positions, repetitive lifting, and sleep deprivation, make low back pain extremely common during pregnancy and in the months after delivery. Studies estimate that 5070% of women experience low back or pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy, and a substantial proportion continue to have symptoms for several months postpartum, irrespective of the mode of delivery. Large prospective studies and systematic reviews have consistently demonstrated that spinal anaesthesia is not associated with an increased risk of chronic back pain when compared with women who receive general anaesthesia or no neuraxial anaesthesia. While a small number of patients may experience mild tenderness or soreness at the injection site for a day or two due to needle insertion through the skin and ligaments, there is no convincing evidence that an uncomplicated spinal anaesthetic causes persistent structural damage leading to chronic back pain. So why does the myth endure? Part of the answer lies in human psychology. When two events occur close together, we naturally assume one caused the other. Since the injection is administered in the back, any subsequent episode of back pain is often attributed to it, even though the underlying cause is more likely to be the normal musculoskeletal consequences of pregnancy and the physical demands of caring for a newborn. Ironically, this misconception sometimes discourages women from choosing one of the safest and most effective anaesthetic techniques available for caesarean delivery. For most women, spinal anaesthesia is the preferred technique because it allows the mother to remain awake during the birth of her child, provides rapid and reliable surgical anaesthesia with excellent postoperative pain control, reduces airway-related risks associated with general anaesthesia, and facilitates immediate skin-to-skin contact and early bonding with the newborn. Every successful spinal anaesthesia tells a story of safety. It is the story of a mother hearing her babys first cry instead of waking up after the birth. It is the story of modern anaesthesia making childbirth safer for both mother and baby. Perhaps it is time to rewrite another story as well. The next time someone says, My spinal anaesthesia gave me lifelong back pain, we should respond with empathy, careful evaluation, and scientific evidence. Back pain deserves to be taken seriously but it also deserves an accurate diagnosis. The real story was never about the needle. It was always about a mothers remarkable journey and our responsibility, as doctors to ensure that fear is replaced with facts. Dr Qazi Afaan Zahoor is MD Anesthesiology, Fellow Pain Medicine, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai
NCST issues notices to J&K Chief Secretary, DGP, SSP Kishtwar over rape, death of Chatroo girl
Ramban, Aug 25: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has taken cognisance of the alleged sexual assault and death of a minor Gujjar Scheduled Tribe girl in Chatroo area of Kishtwar district and issued notices to the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Director General of Police (DGP) J&K and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kishtwar. The notice, issued on August 25 under File number NCST/ATY-4600/JK/3/2026-RU-IV, follows a complaint submitted by the Tribal Gujjar Bakkarwal Welfare Foundation (TGBWF) through its member trustee, Kabir Ahmed on August 24. The Commission has stated that it has decided to investigate and inquire into the matter in exercise of the powers vested in it under Article 338A of the Constitution of India. The notice was also transmitted to the three authorities through email. The Chief Secretary, DGP and SSP Kishtwar have been directed to submit the relevant facts, information and details of action taken on the allegations raised in the complaint within five days of receipt of the notice. The Commission has further cautioned that failure to submit the requisite response within the stipulated period could lead to the exercise of its powers as a civil court under Article 338A, including issuance of summons requiring the concerned authorities to appear before the Commission personally or through authorised representatives. The TGBWF welcomed the intervention of the Commission, terming it an important institutional step towards accountability and justice for the deceased child and her family. The complaint pertains to FIR number 34/2026 registered at Police Station Chatroo against Khalid Hussain and Tariq Hussain. It raises allegations concerning repeated sexual assault of the minor, her pregnancy, an alleged attempt to terminate the pregnancy and circumstances leading to her death. The complaint has also sought examination of allegations relating to threats, monetary inducement, possible attempts to suppress the matter and the role of persons who may have allegedly facilitated, concealed or attempted to compromise the offence. A key issue highlighted by the Foundation is the reported non-invocation of provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, despite the victim belonging to the Gujjar Scheduled Tribe. The Foundation has sought verification of the victim's tribal status and the social status of the accused, examination of the applicability of the relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, protection of the victim's family and witnesses, preservation of digital and medical evidence, and payment of legally admissible compensation, relief and rehabilitation benefits. The Foundation said the NCST notice marks the beginning of a constitutional inquiry and expressed hope that the Jammu and Kashmir administration and police authorities would provide a factual and time-bound response and cooperate fully with the Commission. Our objective is not to cause any interference with the investigation. Our sole concern is that no statutory safeguard should remain unenforced, no responsible person should escape scrutiny, and justice should be delivered to the child and her family, the TGBWF said. The Foundation further stated that it would continue to monitor the proceedings before the Commission as well as the ongoing investigation and would place relevant material before the competent authorities to safeguard the rights, dignity and rehabilitation of the bereaved family.
Put your hand here, a teacher told us when I was a child, guiding our small palms to our chests. This is where your feelings live. I believed her. Children do not separate the body from what they feel. Happiness rises from the chest, fear tightens there, and when someone we love is no longer around, something in the same place seems to fall quiet. I learned this painfully as a teenager, when my mother was suddenly taken from us by proxy violence. Much of that time has blurred, but I remember the pain in my chest. I knew nothing about grief or how the body carries loss. I only knew that the voice I had grown up hearing, the presence I had taken for granted, had suddenly become a memory. Strangely, I felt that absence exactly where my childhood teacher had told me feelings lived. Life went on, as it quietly does, and I learned to live around my mothers absence. Somewhere in those growing years came a small, unspoken attachmenta familiar face that could brighten an ordinary day, a few words that stayed longer than expected. It never became a story, but it taught me gently that some people do not remain in our lives and still leave something tender behind. Then I entered medical college, and the heart became something else. I learned its chambers and valves, traced its arteries and electrical pathways, held it in the anatomy lab and later watched it beating on screens. It was muscle, rhythm and flow it did not love, grieve or remember . I was taught feelings and emotions belonged to the brain. The science was right, but it could not erase what I had already felt. As medical college gave way to years of training in medicine and later cardiology, the heart became the centre of my working life. I learned to read its rhythms, study its arteries and recognise when it was beginning to fail. The heart I had once known through feeling was now something I examined through ECGs, echocardiograms and angiograms. As I moved into clinical practice, these two understandings slowly began to meet. Patients would place a hand over their chest and say, Doctor, something here does not feel right. Often, evaluation gave us an answera blocked artery, an abnormal rhythm or a weakened heart. But quite often ,the investigations were reassuring while the heaviness remained, the hand still resting over the chest as if pointing towards something medicine could not quite measure. I remember an elderly man who came after his wife died whose examination and tests were normal. As he was leaving, he stopped at the door, placed his hand over his chest and said quietly, Doctor, something here feels empty. I understood him in a way that had little to do with cardiology he was not describing disease but absence. The woman with whom he had shared his life was no longer beside him, and this was where he felt her loss. There was no scan for it, no medicine to prescribe, no procedure that could restore what life had taken away. There was little for me to say and I pulled my chair closer and let him speak. That conversation changed the way I listened to patients. People rarely come to hospital carrying illness alone. They bring their lives with themthe people waiting at home, things left unfinished, private fears and hopes they are still holding on to. A father facing a high-risk procedure in the cath lab worried more about reaching his daughters wedding than about himself. A widow spoke calmly until she mentioned eating alone. Another man feared becoming helpless before the children he had once carried in his arms more than he feared death. Their illnesses mattered, of course. I still had to read the ECG, study the arteries and weigh the risks. But a diagnosis tells only part of the story it tells us what is wrong with the body, not what the person is hoping to return to. For one patient, recovery means walking to the mosque without stopping for breath. For another, returning to work, holding a grandchild or sitting with family again. Sometimes it means living long enough to see a daughter married. These ordinary wishes rarely appear in medical notes, but they are often what makes treatment matter. Medicine can do extraordinary things we can open a blocked artery, replace a failing valve and restore a rhythm that has lost its way. I have spent much of my life learning how to do these things but the longer I practise, the clearer it becomes that treating the heart and understanding the person carrying it are part of the same work. As the years have passed and grey has found its way into my hair, I have come to understand this differently. Life had begun teaching me about the heart long before I became a doctorthrough the pain in my chest when I lost my mother, through the quiet attachments of youth, and later through the stories my patients trusted me to hear. Sometimes, when a patient places a hand over the chest and struggles to explain what hurts, I remember the boy I wasthe boy who knew nothing about anatomy, arteries or the brain, but knew exactly where grief seemed to hurt. And so I listen. Years later, I find in Khalil Gibrans words something that boy could feel long before he could understand it: The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Khalil Gibran, The Prophet, On Joy and Sorrow Author is a Senior Interventional Cardiologist, GMC Anantnag
Urban waste costing J&K's lakes a heavy price
Srinagar, Aug 26:J&Ks water bodies and fragile aquatic ecosystems are facing a pollution crisis triggered by rapid urban expansion, rising consumption and nearly inexistent waste and sewage infrastructure. The recent government audits and proceedings before the National Green Tribunal show that the problem extends far beyond visible garbage. A recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit found that 50 of 63 test-checked lakes in J&K were being dumped with untreated sewage. Of these, sewage from around 91,000 households, with approximately 4.55 lakh people, was entering 34 lakes. The audit identified 69 specific pollution source points at 29 of these lakes, where waste was getting directly dumped into the water bodies. In the 63 test-checked lakes, authorities had not assessed water-carrying capacity in any of them, reflecting broader neglect. Shockingly, the water budgeting had not been undertaken for 62 of the 63 lakes. These lakes had no flushing system, no de-weeding and dredging was being carried out and the lakes and their falling ecosystems were not part of any academic or research pursuits. The damage is being done in more than one way: the CAG's assessment found that 518 of 697 natural lakes in J&K had either disappeared or shrunk since 1967. Of these, 315 lakes had vanished completely, and the remaining 203 had shrunk in size. Of the shrinking lakes, 63 had lost more than half of their area. The audit blamed the changes in land use within lakes and their catchments, deforestation, climate change and unregulated human activity for this crisis. The catastrophe of J&Ks lakes is a work of Governments inaction over decades, and peoples apathy towards natural resources, the report aply proves. The most visible decline remains Dal-Nigeen. A J&K Pollution Control Committee assessment placed before the NGT stated that water samples taken from 24 locations in Dal and Nigeen between January and May 2024 had a shocker: only one location conformed to Class B water-quality criteria. Class B water quality criteria means that the surface water standards of the location is safe for bathing and swimming. The water from entire Dal and Nigeen Lake, as per the report, is not even fit for bathing, let alone cooking and consumption in other forms. The report further detailed that the biological oxygen demand ranged from 2.1 to 23.5 mg/litre. The total coliform levels ranged from 200 to 36,000 CFU/100 ml and faecal coliform from 20 to 2,000 CFU/100 ml. The acceptable fecal coliform in water for body contact is fewer than 200 colonies per 100 ml. J&K generates 1470.3 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily according to data submitted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the LokSabha. Of this, only 283.5 tonnes is scientifically treated. Srinagar generates roughly 158.3 MLD of sewage, while the installed treatment capacity of only 67 MLD. Even the treatment plants function below capacity or have become defunct. In Jammu city, 77.8 MLD of sewage are generated with an installed capacity of 72.6 MLD. However, the oversight reports from NGT note that actual functional efficiency is lower. In J&K, ecosystems and water bodies are getting destroyed due to a mismatch between an expanding urban population and consumption economy. Parallelly, the capacity of municipal systems to collect, process and safely dispose-off the resulting waste and wastewater remains primitive.
Chatroo Kishtwar minor girls death |Protests surge, leaders welcome SIT constitution
Chenab Valley witnessed surge in public protests and demands for justice in case of alleged rape and death of a minor girl in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the political, social and tribal leaders welcomed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Police administration to probe into the sensitive case. The latest development comes after sustained protests, shutdowns, candle marches, dharnas and demonstrations across Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban over the past five days. Students, tribal representatives, civil society groups, political workers and social organisations have been demanding a transparent investigation, a fast-track trial and stringent punishment for all those found responsible. The case had earlier led to the arrest of two persons, including a government school teacher and his brother, while the Education Department suspended the teacher following the allegations. Police registered a case at Police Station Chatroo under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The investigation also involved post-mortem examination and collection of DNA samples. Amid continuing public pressure, the Police administration had constituted an SIT to conduct a specialised investigation into the matter. During a joint press conference in Chatroo on Tuesday, leaders including advocate Sheikh Nasir, advocate M. Zulkarnain Chowdhary, Aamir Malik and Nayeem Malik welcomed the constitution of the SIT and appreciated the administration for initiating a special probe into the case. The leaders demanded that the SIT conduct a transparent, impartial and time-bound investigation, stressing that no person found involved should be spared irrespective of position, influence or status. They called for the strictest action permissible under law against all those found guilty. Meanwhile, tribal and political leader Choudhary Talib Hussain, who has been sitting on dharna in Chatroo in support of the demand for justice, demanded that the investigation be handed over to the Crime Branch for an independent and comprehensive probe. Talib Hussain said the investigation must establish the complete facts surrounding the case and identify every person found to be involved. He further demanded that any alleged criminal network or other persons connected with the case, if established by evidence, should be thoroughly investigated and brought to light. The demand for a wider probe comes amid continuing public anger over the death of the minor girl and allegations of sexual abuse. Leaders and protesters have repeatedly maintained that the investigation should not be confined only to the arrested accused if evidence points towards the involvement of other persons. Over the past four days, protests have been reported from several parts of the Chenab valley. On the first day, Chatroo observed a shutdown and demonstrations were held at Chatroo, Mughal Maidan and Kishtwar town. On the second day, students and residents held protests in Doda, Bhaderwah and Kahara. The third day witnessed condolence meetings, candle marches and protest rallies, while on the fourth day demonstrations continued in Kishtwar, Chatroo, Gool and other areas. Several political, religious, tribal and social organisations have also condemned the incident and demanded strict legal action against all those found responsible. The leaders who sat on dharna in Chatroo on Tuesday appealed to the administration to ensure that the investigation remains free from any external influence and is completed within a fixed timeframe. They said a credible and impartial probe was essential not only to deliver justice to the victim and her family but also to restore public confidence in the investigation process. They also reiterated their demand for a speedy trial and stringent punishment under the law for every person whose involvement is established during the investigation.
30 missing a year after Chisoti flash flood
Srinagar, Aug 25:Thirty people remain missing a year after a cloudburst-triggered flash flood swept through Chisoti village in Paddar-Gulabgarh tehsil of Kishtwar district. The disaster left 63 bodies recovered and 127 injured, according to an RTI reply from the Kishtwar district administration provided to Jammu-based activist Raman Kumar Sharma. Of the 30 missing, 27 are yatris and three are local residents. The yatris included people from Jammu and other districts of the Jammu division, Uttarakhand, and Delhi who had travelled to Chisoti for the Chandi Mata Machail Yatra. For their families, a year has brought no closure. We are still waiting for closure, said Pawan Kumar, whose father, Somnath, 50, ran a seasonal tea stall. We havent got any relief yet, he said. Somnath is among the three missing locals. The others are Tulsi Devi, 50, and priest Bodhraj, 79. Tulsi was selling food to pilgrims when the BhotNallah - a tributary of the mighty Chenab river - overflowed. My wife was selling food to pilgrims when the floodwaters came crashing through the village, said her husband, Masti Ram, 55. We waited for months hoping her body would be found. We are yearning to find even a body part so that we can perform her last rituals. Tulsi left behind her 23-year-old son, Mandeep Singh, who has a neurological disability. Bodhraj, a longtime priest at the Kali Mata temple, was leading prayers when the flood struck. He was our caretaker, protector, and spiritual guide, said his granddaughter, Priya, 20. We only want to find him so we can cremate him with full honour. Otherwise, our souls will never rest. SashastraSeemaBal Head Constable HussanDass of Jammu lost seven family members. Only his wifes body was recovered. I desperately tried to contact my family, but their phones were switched off, Dass told media personnel. SDRF, NDRF, and SSB teams searched for more than a month but found no trace of the others. Sonu Kumar lost his wife, son, and daughter. Initially, we held on to the agonising hope that they might still be found alive, he said. As the days passed, that hope slowly faded. Kumar said death certificates were issued for his missing family members, but compensation had not been released. Chisoti, 15 km from Gulabgarh-Paddar and 85 km from Kishtwar, serves as the base camp for the Chandi Mata MachailYatra, which draws more than 2 lakh devotees annually. Hamori, surrounded by six Buddhist-dominated villages, is the last motorable point- 6 kms from Chisoti, with Machail another 6 km ahead. Yatris cross a bridge, travel 5 km by dirt road, and trek another 6 km to Machail. The yatra is also a key source of livelihood. Residents run food stalls and ferry yatris on motorcycles. On August 14, 2025, about 2500 yatris were in Chisoti when the flood struck at 12:38 pm and nearly 15,000 had set out for the yatra. The torrent tore through the village, destroying homes, shops, a langar, and a security outpost. Survivor Sawant Singh said the force of the Chenab and its tributaries made recovery difficult. The Chenab and its tributaries are so ferocious that once they wash someone away, it becomes extremely difficult to recover the body, he said. You may find a body or its fragments in the first day or two. After that, the chances become very slim. Locals said some fragmented remains were recovered, but many victims were never found. The administration sanctioned Rs. 2.52 crore in exgratia relief for families whose relatives bodies were recovered, according to the RTI reply. A year later, families of the 30 missing continue to wait for their loved ones remains and closure.
2 labourers killed, 1 injured in under-construction flyover, bridge mishaps in Samba, Jammu
Two labourers were killed and one was critically injured in two separate mishaps involving under-construction flyover and Tawi bridge, as part of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway in Samba and Jammu districts on Tuesday. Two incidents in a single day at two different stretches of under-construction (DelhiAmritsarKatra) Expressway raised some serious questions over the safety provisions for labourers engaged even in big-ticket infrastructure projects. In the first incident, the mishap occurred on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) morning at around 10 am during the installation of a span at an under-construction flyover near Jakh Morh, Vijaypur in Samba district. During the installation work, the span collapsed and fell down. In the incident, one labourer identified as Gautam Sao, 25, son of Paltan Sao, resident of Ward number 10, Godah, Bihar, died on the spot. Another labourer namely Bisht Sao, son of Naresh Sao, resident of Bihar, sustained critical injuries. The injured labourer was immediately shifted to Vijaypur hospital for treatment. Senior Police and NHAI officials immediately rushed to the spot. Police also registered an FIR in this connection and initiated proceedings to ascertain the circumstances that led to collapse. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) project director Jammu Rajiv Kumar, while responding to media queries on the site, said flyover span collapsed at Jakh during minor adjustment (of the span) in which one labourer died. He said Rs 5 lakh compensation was awarded immediately while rest of financial aid will be provided as per the Work Compensation Act after accounting. However, the labourers, working at the site, demanded that an adequate compensation and pension should be given to the wife of the deceased. They alleged that in the past too such incidents took place but adequate compensation was not given. In the second incident, one labourer died when a part of fresh concrete slab of the under-construction Tawi bridge, also a part of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, at Sidhra in Jammu outskirts, fell while he was engaged in construction work. Officials stated that the labourer Budhi Singh, 45, a resident of Ramban sustained critical injuries after he fell from a height at the under-construction Tawi bridge. Regional Officer NHAI J&K, R S Yadav stated that under the package 18 of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, the work was underway at Tawi bridge. Pier of the new bridge was cast a day ago. Work is underway amid traffic congestion. Today an oversized truck hit the shuttering leading to the fall of a part of a fresh concrete slab. In the incident, a labourer sustained injuries and he was immediately rushed to the hospital, Yadav stated. He clarified that it was not a bridge collapse incident. During construction, first pier-casting is done and span launching is undertaken. In this case, it was at the pier-casting stage. It was a fresh concrete slab. It takes at least 28 days to get it stabilised, he said. Later critically injured Budhi Singh, who was rushed to GMC Jammu hospital, was declared brought dead there. Meanwhile, with regard to the Jakh incident, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) Jammu also issued an official statement. It stated that an unfortunate incident occurred on Tuesday at the construction site of package-15 of the DelhiAmritsarKatra (DAK) Expressway, near village Jakh, tehsil Vijaypur in district Samba. According to NHAI, at the Raya Morh elevated highway project, an elevated structure comprising 14 spans, with each span consisting of 15 segments, is under construction. Of the 14 spans, 10 spans have been successfully launched. NHAI said the launching work on the 11th span is currently in progress. It said that during the lifting of the end portion of one of the segments, the segment slipped from the launching machine and fell to the ground. Regrettably, one worker lost his life in the untoward incident. NHAI expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved family. The next of kin of the deceased worker shall be appropriately compensated in accordance with the applicable norms, the official statement read. It stated that the bridge segments already launched in the 11th span remained intact and all previously launched elevated bridge spans were also intact. NHAI clarified that reports describing the incident as a collapse of the bridge were incorrect. There has been no structural failure of the bridge. NHAI remains firmly committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety in the execution of the project. An expert team is being deputed to the site to examine the incident and review the launching process so that appropriate corrective measures can be implemented and the recurrence of such an incident is prevented, the statement added. NHAI also reiterated its commitment to the safe, quality-driven and timely execution of the DelhiAmritsarKatra Expressway and said that it would continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the highest standards of construction and worker safety.
I can't send Dr Sahab back empty-handed: Ruhullah weighs Farooq Abdullah's resignation challenge
Srinagar, Aug 25:A day after National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah asked Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah to resign from the Lok Sabha and seek a fresh mandate, the MP on Tuesday indicated that he would respond to the veteran leaders demand in the coming days, while stressing his deep respect for Abdullah. Speaking to reporters, Ruhullah was asked about Abdullahs call for his resignation. He did not directly say whether he would accept the challenge, but his response suggested that he was weighing the demand seriously. It is not possible that Dr Sahab asks me for something and I dont give it to him. It is not possible that I send him back empty-handed, Ruhullah said. He has asked for something at this age. I respect him. I dont want him to ask me for something and I return it to him empty-handed. I will give an answer in a few days. His remarks came a day after Farooq Abdullah publicly challenged him to resign from Parliament and return to the electorate if he believed that his 2024 Lok Sabha victory was primarily the result of his personal political standing. If you think people voted for you, resign and go back to them. We will see how many votes you get, Abdullah said. The exchange follows a period of increasingly public differences between Ruhullah and the NC leadership over the partys political approach, particularly on issues including restoration of Article 370, statehood, and the constitutional rights of J&K. Abdullah had said Ruhullah was free to raise the issue of Article 370 in the Parliament, but questioned his approach to the matter. If he thinks Article 370 can be restored, he should take up the issue in the Parliament, Abdullah said. The NC President also defended the importance of party organisation and discipline, arguing that candidates contesting elections on the party ticket benefit from the support of the organisation and its workers. However, Ruhullah has maintained that his political position reflects the mandate given to him by the people and has repeatedly argued that the fight for J&Ks constitutional rights remains unfinished. In recent days, he has also indicated that he could consider resigning from Parliament after taking his campaign on constitutional rights and protections to a certain stage. On Sunday, he said J&K had continued to lose powers over the years and alleged that its political leadership had failed to regain them. The latest exchange has therefore raised questions about whether the disagreement will remain an internal debate within the NC or develop into a more serious political confrontation. Ruhullah was also asked about the reopening of cases relating to Kashmiri Pandits. He said justice should be delivered but cautioned against turning the process into an instrument of revenge. Everyone should be aware of Kashmiri Pandits. Justice should be delivered. There should be no revenge in the name of justice, he said.
Imran Khan is back in the pavilion. But this time, the pavilion is not the cricket ground where he once scored fours, sixes and centuries before lifting the World Cup for Pakistan and becoming a national hero. It is Adiala Jail, where Pakistans former Prime Minister was returned after being taken out for what has become a deeply questionable medical episode. On August 18, Pakistans Supreme Court ordered that Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated since 2023, be transferred to Shifa Hospital for medical assessment and treatment. Instead, he was examined at PIMS and, after being declared medically fit, sent back to Adiala Jail. Whatever the legal justification may be, the episode raises a larger question: what happens to democracy when even the orders of its highest court appear vulnerable to executive preferences and, ultimately, those of the military establishment? Pakistan has repeatedly witnessed the same political cycle. Politicians rise with the support or acquiescence of the establishment, consolidate power and pursue their opponents. Sooner or later, the same machinery is turned against them. The old saying, Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself, remains particularly relevant. I first met Imran Khan in London with my father in 1994. His passion and conviction about bringing positive change to Pakistan deeply impressed my father. Yet when Imran Khan became Prime Minister, his government too became part of the same political culture. His opponents were pursued with the same zeal with which he is being pursued today. PML-N leaders, including Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, faced imprisonment and prosecution during the PTI years. But that is precisely the point. Pakistans problem is bigger than Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif or any political party. The problem lies in the system itself. Since the death of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in 1948, Pakistan has struggled to establish a durable balance between civilian authority and military power. Its fragile political institutions were disrupted by the first military coup under General Ayub Khan in 1958, followed by periods of military rule under Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf. General Zia took military intervention to an even darker level. The hanging of elected Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto remains one of Pakistans darkest chapters. His rule also contributed to the growth of religious extremism, reinforcing an international image in which military rule, political instability and militancy became deeply intertwined. The trauma of Partition, the enormous human cost of 1947, the unresolved Kashmir dispute and subsequent wars with India further strengthened Pakistans security state. The military came to be viewed not merely as the defender of the countrys borders but as its ultimate guardian and saviour. India followed a fundamentally different path. Its founding leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad and B. R. Ambedkar, helped establish constitutional institutions in which the armed forces remained subordinate to elected civilian authority. Indias democracy survived wars, emergencies, assassinations, coalition governments and dramatic political changes without the military becoming an alternative centre of political power. Pakistan, by contrast, developed a vicious cycle. Civilian politicians learned that reaching power often required accommodation with the establishment. Once in office, they frequently used state institutions against their opponents. When their relationship with the military deteriorated, they found the same machinery turned against them. The expression on the same page became a euphemism for political leaders and the military establishment being aligned. Imran Khan was no exception. His rise to power in 2018 was widely regarded as having benefited from military backing. His relationship with the establishment subsequently deteriorated, culminating in his removal from office in April 2022 and, later, his imprisonment. The uncomfortable truth is that military dominance has been sustained not only by the military but also by civilian politicians who seek its intervention when it serves their interests. This creates a cycle that never truly breaks , only the players change. That cycle will end only when political parties decide that they would rather lose an election fairly than win through intervention from the barracks. Pakistan possesses many of the ingredients of a functioning democracy , a politically conscious population, vibrant political parties, a strong civil society, an independent minded legal community and citizens who continue to participate passionately in elections. Pakistan also has considerable strategic importance internationally. Countries, particularly in the Muslim world, increasingly seek its defence cooperation, while Pakistan has sought to position itself as a contributor to regional peace and diplomacy. The Makkah Pact and Islamabad MOU, again bearing the stamp of the military, provide Pakistan with an opportunity to project itself as a responsible regional power and a contributor to peace. But that opportunity cannot be squandered. A country cannot credibly champion peace and stability while its own politics remain trapped in confrontation and political revenge. Nor can it demand respect for constitutionalism internationally while appearing indifferent to constitutional norms domestically. The events surrounding Imran Khans hospital transfer are a test of Pakistans institutions and a blot on the conscience of a country that has suffered enormously from political instability. The issue is not whether Imran Khan is above the law. But imprisonment cannot become a substitute for political competition, and courts and state institutions cannot become instruments of political revenge. Pakistans people deserve better than another cycle in which one faction defeats another with the establishments help, only to become its next victim. What Pakistan needs is a political settlement in which the military permanently returns to its constitutional role, courts exercise genuine independence, elections reflect the will of the people and political parties compete without seeking intervention from the barracks. Imran Khan may have returned to Adiala Jail. But the larger prisoner is Pakistans democratic system, trapped in a cycle that has continued for generations. The choice before Pakistans establishment is therefore larger than the fate of one man. It can continue political engineering, selective accountability and the use of state power against opponents, or it can finally allow the institutions of the republic to breathe. Pakistan has given its military enormous power, resources and prestige to protect the country against a powerful military adversary like India. The least its people deserve in return is a country where the military protects the state but does not decide who gets to rule it. Perhaps the release of Imran Khan, followed by a genuinely free, fair and transparent political process, could become the beginning of that change. Sometimes returning to the pavilion is not the end of the innings. It can be the moment when the game itself is finally changed. The writer is former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Courtesy: The Telegraph
Every year, thousands of people travel on the highways of Jammu and Kashmir. Students travel to colleges, patients go to hospitals, tourists visit the beautiful valleys, and trucks carry food, medicines, fuel, and other essential supplies. These highways are the lifelines of the Union Territory. But during the rainy season, a single landslide can bring everything to a halt. Hundreds of vehicles remain stranded for hours or even days, people suffer, businesses lose money, and sometimes innocent lives are lost. The question is: Can science reduce the danger of landslides? The answer is yes. While science cannot stop heavy rain or earthquakes, it can predict dangerous conditions, reduce risks, and save lives. A landslide happens when rocks, soil, or mud move rapidly down a mountain slope. Jammu and Kashmir lies in the young Himalayan mountain range, where rocks are naturally fragile and unstable. During heavy rainfall, water enters cracks in rocks and soil, making them weak and heavy. Gravity then pulls this loose material downhill. Climate change has made the situation more serious. Rainfall is becoming more intense, glaciers are melting faster, and weather patterns are changing. A few hours of very heavy rain can trigger landslides in places that were once considered safe. Human activities also increase the risk. Cutting mountain slopes without proper scientific studies, removing forests, poor drainage, illegal construction, and dumping excavated soil on hillsides all weaken the mountains. In many places, blocked drains allow rainwater to collect inside slopes, making them even more unstable. Modern science has developed technologies that help identify dangerous areas before disasters happen. One of the most useful tools is satellite monitoring. Satellites continuously capture images of the Earths surface. By comparing these images over time, scientists can detect small changes in mountain slopes that cannot be seen with the naked eye. This helps identify areas where landslides are likely to occur. Another powerful tool is Geographic Information Systems (GIS). GIS combines satellite images with information on rainfall, rock type, soil condition, vegetation, and road networks. Using this information, scientists prepare landslide hazard maps that show low-, medium-, and high-risk zones. These maps help engineers plan safer roads and guide authorities in taking preventive measures. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making prediction even better. AI can analyse huge amounts of data from satellites, weather stations, rainfall records, and ground sensors within minutes. It can recognise warning signs that humans may miss and identify slopes that are becoming unstable. This allows authorities to take action before a disaster occurs. Many countries now use early warning systems in landslide-prone areas. Small sensors installed on mountain slopes measure soil movement, rainfall, underground water pressure, and ground vibrations. If unusual movement is detected, warning messages are automatically sent to highway authorities, disaster management teams, police, and travellers through mobile phones, electronic display boards, and radio. Even a warning issued a few minutes before a landslide can prevent accidents and save lives. Drones are another valuable scientific tool. They can safely inspect dangerous slopes, identify cracks, loose rocks, damaged retaining walls, and blocked drainage channels. After a landslide, drones help engineers assess damage quickly and plan road restoration without exposing workers to unnecessary risks. Science teaches us that not all solutions require concrete and steel. Nature itself can protect mountains. Bioengineering uses deep-rooted native grasses, shrubs, and trees to strengthen slopes. Plant roots hold the soil together, reduce erosion, absorb excess rainwater, and improve slope stability. When combined with engineering structures such as retaining walls, rock bolts, steel mesh, and proper drainage systems, bioengineering provides a strong, environmentally friendly, and long-lasting solution. Proper drainage deserves special attention. Water is often the main cause of slope failure. Well-designed drains carry rainwater away from the slope, reducing pressure inside the soil and significantly lowering the risk of landslides. Countries such as Japan, Switzerland, and Norway have greatly reduced landslide risks by investing in science and technology. They use satellites, weather radars, ground sensors, drones, and advanced monitoring systems to provide timely warnings and protect roads. Their experience shows that spending money on prevention is far less expensive than rebuilding damaged highways and dealing with repeated disasters. Jammu and Kashmir has the scientific knowledge and technical institutions needed to improve highway safety. Universities, engineering colleges, geological experts, and government departments should work together to study local mountain conditions and develop solutions suited to the Himalayan region. The Government should establish a Mountain Hazard Monitoring Centre that collects information from satellites, weather stations, drones, and ground sensors throughout the year. The centre can issue timely warnings, support engineers, and coordinate disaster management across the Union Territory. Every new highway project should begin with detailed geological, hydrological, and environmental investigations. Modern technologies such as GIS, remote sensing, drones, and AI should become a regular part of road planning, construction, and maintenance. Public awareness is also essential. Drivers and local residents should know the warning signs of landslides and report cracks, falling rocks, or blocked drains immediately. Landslides are a natural part of mountain regions, but disasters do not have to become tragedies. Science gives us the tools to understand nature, predict hazards, and reduce risks. By combining satellite monitoring, Artificial Intelligence, GIS mapping, early warning systems, scientific engineering, bioengineering, and responsible environmental management, Jammu and Kashmir can make its highways safer and more reliable. Safe highways are not built by machines alone. They are built through scientific planning, continuous monitoring, respect for nature, and cooperation between scientists, engineers, government departments, and local communities. Investing in science today will save lives, protect the economy, strengthen tourism, and ensure that the highways of Jammu and Kashmir remain safe lifelines for generations to come. Dr Nasir Shah, Former Additional Director JKSTIC, DST, has remained actively associated with the promotion of science, scientific temper, innovation, and educational awareness across J&K.
