Health & Fitness

Scientists found that DNA once dismissed as junk helps chromosomes find their partners

Three more arrested in Chatroo minors death case, total five held: SSP Kishtwar

Ramban, August 27: Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested three more persons in connection with the suspicious death of a minor girl from the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district, taking the total number of arrests in the case to five. SSP Kishtwar Naresh Singh said Police Station Chatroo received information on August 20 regarding the suspicious death of the minor, following which inquest proceedings were initiated as no formal complaint had initially been received. During the inquest, police said, material indicating the commission of cognizable offences surfaced. The proceedings were subsequently converted into FIR No. 34/2026 at Police Station Chatroo under Sections 4, 6, 8, 10 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Sections 61(2), 65(1), 90, 91 and 92 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Sections 3(1)(w)(i), 3(2)(v) and 3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were also added during the course of investigation. Considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter, SSP Kishtwar constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Additional SP Kishtwar Pardeep Singh. The team comprises Dy. SP PC Dachhan Nitish Sharma, SHO Police Station Chatroo Inspector Rishi Kumar and other police officers. According to police, the investigation has so far brought material on record against Khalid Hussain, son of Ghulam Mohd Sheikh, a resident of Gorinal, Tehsil Chatroo, who was posted as a teacher at Government Middle School, Gorinal, where the minor was studying. Police said the investigation has revealed allegations of repeated sexual assault on the minor, allegedly resulting in her pregnancy. It further alleged that Khalid Hussain, in criminal conspiracy with his brother Tariq Hussain, allegedly provided or administered medicines purportedly intended to terminate the pregnancy. Police further stated that during the minors medical treatment, she was initially taken to PHC Chatroo and later shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar by Tariq Hussain and others. During this process, police alleged, Farooq Ahmed, a daily-wage/sweeper employee at District Hospital Kishtwar, was involved in the alleged conspiracy, and the minor underwent medical treatment and an ultrasound examination at the hospital. As the investigation progressed, police arrested Farooq Ahmed, son of Sana Ullah, resident of Sangrambatta, Kishtwar; Mohd. Ishaq, son of Mohd. Khizar; and Riyaz Ahmed, son of Ghulam Mohd Sheikh, both residents of Sheikh Pura, Gorinal, Tehsil Chatroo, in connection with the alleged criminal conspiracy. With the latest arrests, the total number of accused persons arrested in the case has reached five. Police said further arrests would be made wherever warranted by evidence emerging during the investigation. The SIT is examining all aspects of the case, including the circumstances surrounding the minors death, the allegations of sexual offences, the circumstances relating to her pregnancy and subsequent medical treatment, and the alleged criminal conspiracy. SSP Naresh Singh reiterated that the investigation is being conducted in a fair, impartial, professional, scientific and evidence-based manner, assuring that every aspect of the case is being thoroughly examined and that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found involved in the case.

Nearly 160 killed, over 750 missing in Nepal flash floods

Kathmandu, Aug 26: Nearly 160 people were killed and over 750, including 133 Indian nationals, remain missing after a massive flash flood originating in Tibet swept through central Nepal on Wednesday, devastating several towns and villages, washing away critical bridges, and crippling a dozen hydropower projects. Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal told the parliament that an earthquake hit the Tibet region at 8:37 am (local time) and the flash floods were reported three minutes later, suggesting the tremors may have caused a glacial outburst which triggered the floods. The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi River affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet, officials said. The massive flood entered the Trishuli River through the Bhote Koshi in Timure, a border-town in Rasuwa district, due to the rockslide and swelling of the Lhende River situated along the Nepal-Tibet border, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said. It then spread along the river course to other districts like Nuwakot, Chitawan, Gorkha, Tanahu and Nawalparasi East, covering areas ranging from around 70 km to nearly 200 km from capital Kathmandu. The Nepal Police in a social media post said 157 people died in the flash flood that hit the Himalayan nation. The Nepal government said around 500 were missing, while Chinas state-run CGTN news channel said three people were dead and 265 were missing on the Chinese side of the border. Videos from the affected areas showed a powerful surge of muddy water, rocks and debris sweeping through the border region, with people seen fleeing as the torrent moved towards buildings and vehicles. In one clip, a four-storey structure could be seen being swept away by the raging waters, while another showed a car floating in fast-moving floodwaters in Rasuwa. Another video clip showed a long bridge broken into two by the sheer force of water. Other video clips showed bridges being pounded by powerful currents before collapsing and being swept away. In Dhading district, a video showed floodwaters striking a bridge before the structure collapsed and was carried away. Another video showed muddy water rapidly engulfing a bridge and sweeping it away in about 30 seconds. Around 100 people have been rescued from different parts of the affected areas, officials said. Of them, 30 are undergoing treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah and assured him of all possible humanitarian assistance to deal with the situation. New Delhi has already sent the first tranche of relief supplies to the neighbouring nation. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu issued emergency numbers for assistance and information related to Indian nationals affected by the flash floods. In a post on X, it said people can contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500. The Embassy of India has remained engaged with the relevant authorities of the Government of Nepal for early rescue and relief for Indian nationals affected by the flash floods that took place in Nepal, it said in another post on X, adding rescue and relief efforts continue to be strengthened in coordination with the Nepal government. The Nepal Tourism Board also issued similar numbers, including the toll-free emergency number 1234, hotline 1144 and Tourist Police number 9851289445 for help. In Beijing, the Embassy of India also issued a helpline number 0086 185 1428 4905, which can also be contacted through WhatsApp. At least 133 Indians and 37 NRIs are among the nearly 500 persons missing, officials said. At least 50 of the Indians were pilgrims for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra Isha Foundation, a non-profit organisation based out of India, said 77 of its members who were at an immigration centre were missing. There has been no official information on the whereabouts of any of the people who were at the immigration office, said its founder Sadhguru, adding that 495 people have returned safely. The Nepal government later said the entire staff of that particular immigration centre are out of contact. Thirty-seven missing tourists are from Thanjavur, authorities in Tamil Nadu said. Several other Indian states - including Uttar Pradesh and Kerala - issued helpline numbers as well, fearing their residents could be among the stranded ones in Nepal. Other than the Indians and NRIs, the remaining missing tourists were from more than two dozen countries including the US, Malaysia, the UK, South Africa, Australia and the Netherlands. Over and above that, 80 security personnel, including 44 Nepal Army personnel, have gone missing across various locations, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal informed the House of Representatives. The flash flood damaged eight operational hydropower projects with a total capacity of 354 MW and five under-construction projects located in Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts, according to a statement by the Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN). The major operational hydropower projects damaged by the floods include Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project (111 MW), Sanjen Khola Hydropower Project (78 MW) and Upper Trishuli 3A (60 MW). According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Wednesday's flooding was not caused by rainfall in Rasuwa. Nepal's Flood Forecasting Division said in a post on X in the afternoon: According to information received from the Chinese side, since the lake at the river blockage site has not yet been fully drained, the risk remains in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli areas and asked people to stay away from the rivers and remain in safe places. Even though the lake has not been fully drained at the site where the river is blocked, the risk persists in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli areas, and people are urged to stay away from the river and remain in safe locations until the next update is issued, the NDRRMA said in a post on X later in the day. The Kathmandu Post said flooding in the Bhote Koshi River washed away the 42-km road linking Betrawati in Nuwakot with the Rasuwagadhi border crossing in Rasuwa. The government later said 19 motorable bridges were washed away in the flash floods on Wednesday. Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel were mobilised in the affected areas to carry out rescue and relief work after an emergency meeting chaired by Nepal PM Shah to assess the situation. Extending condolences to those who lost life and sympathy to the bereaved family members, Shah wished for speedy recovery of those injured in the tragic incidents, according to a statement released by the government. He directed officials to provide all necessary assistance to those affected. The Nepal Army mobilised 12 helicopters to conduct search and rescue operations after the flash flood. Six people were rescued from Syaphrubesi, two from Mailung and four from Dhunche, all in Rasuwa district, according to a Nepal Army statement. The Nepal Army has also established a treatment centre at the Military Training Centre No 1 in Trishuli, where medical personnel from the army are providing emergency medical treatment to affected people, the statement said. An Army MI-17 helicopter equipped with an Emergency Medical Rescue Team was also mobilised towards the district hospital in Trishuli, it added. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday ordered all-out efforts to search for and rescue people missing after the devastating flash floods. A total of 145 officers and soldiers from the Xigaze detachment of the People's Armed Police have been sent to the affected border port to assist with emergency response operations. Xi called for efforts to evacuate residents at risk and provide timely medical treatment to the injured to minimise casualties. Xi also stressed the need to strengthen monitoring and early warning, ensure scientific rescue operations and guard against secondary disasters. State-run Global Times reported that the local government had dispatched personnel to the disaster-hit area, where communications had been cut off. Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel expressed sorrow over the loss of life and property due to the flash flood in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. Last year too, two catastrophic floods hit Bhote Koshi, wreaking havoc in Rasuwa and killing at least 10 people. Late in the evening, Prime Minister Shah thanked Prime Minister Modi for his warm words of solidarity and offering all possible humanitarian assistance to the flood-hit country for the rescue and relief operations.

India, China agree on eight measures to improve border management

India and China have agreed on a series of measures to improve border management, maintain peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and advance negotiations for a settlement of the boundary question, following talks between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. The 25th round of talks between the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China on the boundary question was held on August 25. Doval, Indias Special Representative, and Wang Yi, Chinas Special Representative, held a candid and in-depth exchange of views and reached an eight-point consensus. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas and creating conditions for the stable development of bilateral relations. They also agreed to advance negotiations on a framework for resolving the boundary dispute in line with the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles and subsequent understandings reached during the SR talks. As part of the effort, the Expert Group on Boundary Delimitation and the Working Group on Border Management under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) will begin discussions on an early and substantial harvest on boundary delimitation and border management. Their first task will be to finalise their respective terms of reference. India and China also agreed that situations arising on the ground would be addressed promptly through existing diplomatic and military channels, including the WMCC and local commander-level meetings, to prevent misunderstandings and miscalculations along the LAC. The two sides agreed to establish two additional meeting points for General-Level Mechanism/Senior Highest Military Commander meetings. They also agreed on two additional channels for military hotlines in the Eastern and Middle Sectors to improve communication between the two militaries. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, border trade The two sides noted progress in trans-border cooperation. India welcomed Chinas decision to increase the number of batches of Indian pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Both sides also welcomed the reopening of three designated border trading points and agreed to strengthen cooperation in border trade, pilgrimage and other areas. They said the objective was to create an atmosphere of dialogue, peace, consultation and cooperation in the border areas. India and China further agreed to hold the next meeting of the Expert-Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers in September and continue discussions on issues including hydrological data sharing and renewal of relevant memorandums of understanding. The two sides also decided that the 26th round of Special Representatives talks will be held in India in 2027.

Nepal flash flood kills 100, leaves hundreds missing; earthquake-avalanche link under probe

At least 100 people have been killed and hundreds remain missing after a devastating flash flood swept through Nepals Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts along the Tibet border on Wednesday, with officials warning that the death toll could rise as rescue teams reach cut-off areas. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said 384 travellers were preliminarily reported missing, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalis. The figures are still being verified, with authorities cross-checking records with travel agencies, guides, local administrations and security agencies. According to The Himalayan Times, at least 105 Indian nationals and 37 non-resident Indians (NRIs) are among those reported missing. The number of Indian nationals could increase as verification continues. The NTB said 59 of the Indian nationals were travelling through Samrat Tours & Travels and 46 through Leaf Holiday, while the 37 NRIs were listed separately under Himalayan Glacier. The preliminary list also includes foreign travellers from the UK, Malaysia, the US and South Africa. The flood struck the Bhote Koshi River at around 8.30 am, sweeping through parts of Rasuwa before affecting the Trishuli River and settlements in Nuwakot. Nepal Police said 114 people have been rescued from the Bhotekoshi River area in Rasuwa, where flash floods struck on Wednesday, according to local media. The Nepal Army rescued more than 80 people by helicopter, while private helicopter companies rescued another 29, Nepal TV and Radio Nepal reported. Earthquake may have triggered avalanche A possible chain of events behind the disaster has emerged, with Nepals Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal telling Parliament that preliminary information indicated an earthquake at around 8.37 am triggered an avalanche, which in turn caused the flash floods. Khanal stressed that the information was still being verified. He said Chinas Tibet region had also suffered huge damage and that Nepal was coordinating with Chinese authorities. The minister said 26 police personnel, nine armed police personnel and 44 military personnel were missing. Customs and immigration officials were also among those unaccounted for. There has been extensive damage to roads, bridges, communication networks and hydropower infrastructure, with Rasuwa and Nuwakot the worst affected districts, Khanal said. Earlier, Nepals Department of Hydrology and Meteorology had said the flooding was not caused by heavy rainfall. Less than seven millimetres of rain had been recorded in Rasuwa over the previous 24 hours, prompting authorities to examine other possible causes, including a glacial event. Buildings collapse, bridge swept away The scale of the destruction has emerged through verified videos reviewed by the BBC. Footage from the Trishuli Bazaar area of Nuwakot, about 25 km north-west of Kathmandu, showed the river suddenly swelling with huge volumes of fast-moving, sediment-filled water. A bridge was swept away by the force of the floodwaters, followed moments later by the collapse of several multi-storey buildings. Other footage showed the aftermath, with trees and buildings near the riverbank washed away, partially collapsed or covered in thick layers of mud and debris. The flood also reportedly swept away around 60 houses near Trishuli Bazaar and damaged two motorable bridges. District Police Office chief Bipin Regmi said three unidentified bodies were recovered from the Trishuli River bank in Nuwakot two at Simchaur and one at Kolputar. At least 17 people have been rescued so far. The Nepal Army said 12 people were evacuated by helicopter six from Syafrubesi, two from Mailung and four from Dhunche. Four Army and eight private helicopters have been mobilised for search and rescue operations. Security personnel, officials among missing Fourteen employees of the Rasuwa Customs Office in Timure also remain out of contact, including 11 permanent and three contract staff. Twenty-five other employees, including Chief Customs Administrator Rajendra Dhungana, have been accounted for, according to Nepals Finance Ministry. The disaster has disrupted roads and bridges, making access to some affected areas difficult. Five people stranded by the flood were rescued and taken to Chakradev Hospital in Bidur, while access to Trishuli Hospital was disrupted after roads and bridges were washed away. The flood also damaged the Trishuli and Devighat hydropower projects and swept away three blocks and a substation of a 25-MW solar power plant. Travellers remain unaccounted for The large number of missing travellers has added a major international dimension to the disaster. The BBC quoted a Chinese businessman based in Kathmandu, Yee Liang, as saying his logistics company had seven container trucks in the affected area, all staffed by Nepali employees. We have lost contact with all of them. There is no signal, so we cannot reach anyone, he said. Yee said he was not aware of any warning before the flood. There were occasional mudslides and landslides, especially in the rainy season, but this one seems much more serious, he told the BBC. On the Tibetan side, Guan Daoxuan, based in Sichuan province, told the BBC that he had lost contact with his wife, who works for a state-run construction company involved in building roads and bridges in Tibet. Chinese state media have reported major casualties from a mudslide at a trade hub on the Tibetan side of the border. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an all-out search for missing people and stronger monitoring and early-warning systems to prevent further disasters. Rescue and relief operations intensified The Nepal government has mobilised the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Army and district administrations for search, rescue and relief operations. Prime Minister Balendra Shah has directed government agencies to ensure close coordination, while President Ram Chandra Paudel called on government bodies, political parties, social organisations and citizens to intensify rescue efforts. The World Health Organization is preparing medicines and equipment for around 1,000 people, along with 15 emergency tents. Nepals Health Ministry has reserved 100 emergency beds at Bir Hospital and the Trauma Centre in Kathmandu and deployed medical teams to support the operation. With many areas still inaccessible and hundreds of people unaccounted for, officials are continuing to verify casualty and missing-person figures. The death toll is therefore expected to remain provisional until search teams can reach the worst-hit areas. PM Modi speaks to Nepal counterpart, assures all possible assistance Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah following the deadly flash floods in parts of Nepal and assured him of Indias all possible humanitarian assistance. PM Modi conveyed his condolences over the loss of lives and said India stood in solidarity with the people of Nepal during the crisis. 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, Modi said in a post on X. He added that India was coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts with Nepal.

Kansai Nerolac launches Noor-e-Kashmir series

Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited (KNPL) has launched Noor-e-Kashmir, a digital series showcasing distinctive homes across Kashmir and highlighting their architecture, craftsmanship, design and the people behind them. The series features 12 homes selected in collaboration with a renowned Kashmir-based architect for their individuality and character. It explores how traditional influences, local craftsmanship and contemporary design come together in Kashmiri homes. Pravin Chaudhari, Managing Director, Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited, said Kashmir is an important market for the company, with distinct consumer preferences and an appreciation for colour, design and craftsmanship. Noor-e-Kashmir reflects our understanding of the market and our commitment to strengthening our connect with consumers, our dealer and contractor network in the region, while celebrating the distinctive character of Kashmiri homes, he said. Ramkrishna Naik, Chief Marketing Officer, Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited, said the series celebrates not only distinctive Kashmiri homes but also the people who bring them to life. Through this digital series, we want to bring forward the choices, stories and craftsmanship that give each home its unique character, Naik said. The episodes will be released across Kansai Nerolacs digital platforms, led by YouTube. Contractors involved in the featured projects will be recognised as Noor-e-Kashmir Contractors with badges and certificates. The initiative will culminate in a Noor-e-Kashmir Colour Book featuring the 12 homes, their colours, architectural details and design choices.

NITI Aayog member Dr Srinivas calls on LG; discusses key development priorities for J&K

Dr M. Srinivas, Member, NITI Aayog, along with a team of senior officials from NITI Aayog, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, at Lok Bhavan, Srinagar. The NITI Aayog delegation comprised Anurag Goyal, Senior Adviser; Subhash Chandra Meena, Economic Adviser; Dr. Muniraju S.B., Deputy Adviser; Dr. Shobith, OSD (Health); and Sumaiya Yousuf, Innovation Lead, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. During the meeting, Dr M. Srinivas and the NITI Aayog team presented a comprehensive assessment of the development landscape of Jammu Kashmir, highlighting achievements, key sectoral gaps and possible interventions for accelerating the socio-economic development of the Union Territory. The assessment covered major sectors Human Resources Development, Creating Economic Opportunities and Infrastructure Development. The delegation highlighted the need to improve GER and learning outcomes in school education and to Strengthen industryacademia linkages and employment opportunities in higher education. Dr. M. Srinivas, Member NITI Aayog appreciated enhanced opportunities for medical education in the UT while highlighting the concerns regarding rising metabolic and NCD burden in UT. In agriculture and allied sectors, emphasis was placed on reduction of post-harvest losses, enhancing cold-chain and processing infrastructure, livestock services, value-chain development and stronger market linkages. For accelerating economic growth and employment generation, NITI Aayog suggested focusing on industrial clusters, strengthening MSMEs and employment-intensive manufacturing, improvement in logistics and export infrastructure, promotion of green mobility and development of a stronger innovation and start-up ecosystem in the UT. The presentation also highlighted measures for sustainable urban development, including improved water security, sewage treatment and expansion of public transport. The tourism potential of Jammu Kashmir was also discussed, with emphasis on improving last-mile connectivity and visitor amenities, promoting border, eco, rural, homestay, and MICE tourism. NITI Aayog further highlighted the importance of timely completion of connectivity projects, improved water conservation and irrigation infrastructure, and greater utilisation of renewable energy potential, particularly through decentralised solar energy and PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The Lieutenant Governor appreciated the comprehensive sectoral assessment and shared the significant development initiatives undertaken in Jammu Kashmir in recent years. He observed that the Government of India and the Government of Jammu Kashmir are working together towards the vision of Viksit Jammu Kashmir, with sustained emphasis on infrastructure creation, improved public service delivery, employment generation, investment and inclusive socio-economic development. The Lieutenant Governor suggested that NITI Aayog may undertake a focused assessment and identify actionable measures for improving the ecological sustainability of the Dal Lake in Srinagar. He also emphasised the need to examine the factors besides land acquisition, that contribute to delays in major development and infrastructure projects in Jammu Kashmir and suggest institutional, administrative and implementation measures for ensuring their timely and effective completion. Dr M. Srinivas assured the Lieutenant Governor that NITI Aayog would continue to work closely with the J&K UT Administration and relevant Ministries of the Government of India to facilitate appropriate policy interventions, promote inter-sectoral convergence and support the UT in addressing any issues identified. The discussions underscored the importance of a coordinated and outcome-oriented approach to fully harness Jammu Kashmirs potential and accelerate its journey towards Viksit Jammu Kashmir and Viksit Bharat @2047.

Delayed cabinet expansion hurting governance in J&K: MP Ruhullah

National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Wednesday questioned the repeated delays in expansion of the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers, saying governance was suffering as ministers were burdened with multiple portfolios. Ruhullah, as per the KNS, said assurances regarding cabinet expansion had been made several times but had not materialised. The expansion was first talked about before Jantar Mantar, then after Jantar Mantar, then before August 15 and then after August 15, he said, questioning the repeated postponements. The Srinagar MP said ministers were currently handling four to five departments each, which, he claimed, was affecting the functioning of the administration. If a minister leaves the secretariat, five departments come to a halt. People coming for work in different departments end up suffering because of one minister, he said. Ruhullah called for greater decentralisation of responsibilities, saying the distribution of portfolios among more ministers would improve governance and benefit people. Functioning suffers, governance suffers. The more departments are spread out, the better it is for people, he said. He also alleged that the administration had struggled to take even routine decisions. It has been two years, and you can understand that everything is not right, Ruhullah said. His remarks come amid speculation over an expansion or reshuffle of the J&K Council of Ministers and reports of differences within the ruling National Conference. The Omar Abdullah-led government has been functioning with a limited number of ministers since taking office, with several key departments being handled by individual ministers.

Aijaz Hussain meets Dr Jitendra Singh, discusses J&K development, public issues

BJP State Executive Member and Co-Incharge Minorities, UT of J&K, Er. Aijaz Hussain met Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh in New Delhi and held an extensive discussion on a wide range of issues concerning Jammu & Kashmir, including development, public welfare and matters of importance to the people of the Union Territory. During the meeting, Er. Aijaz Hussain, as per a statement, apprised Dr Jitendra Singh of various developmental and public issues and sought his guidance and support in taking up matters concerning the people of Jammu & Kashmir at the appropriate forums. Er. Aijaz Hussain described Dr Jitendra Singh as a guide, mentor and a constant source of encouragement, particularly for BJP Karyakartas. He said that Dr Singh has always remained accessible to party workers and has consistently stood by them, listened to their concerns and guided them in their political and public life. Dr. Jitendra Singh ji has always been a guide and mentor to me. His accessibility, affection and commitment towards BJP Karyakartas is truly inspiring. He has always encouraged workers to remain connected with the people and work with dedication for the welfare of society. His guidance has been invaluable, and I remain grateful for his continued support, encouragement and blessings, Er. Aijaz Hussain said. The meeting also focused on strengthening ongoing efforts for development and public welfare in Jammu & Kashmir. Er. Aijaz Hussain emphasised the importance of ensuring that the genuine concerns and aspirations of the people reach the Union leadership and are addressed through coordinated and result-oriented efforts. Er. Aijaz Hussain expressed his gratitude to Dr Jitendra Singh for sparing his valuable time and for his continued guidance, encouragement and support. He said that the BJPs strength lies in its dedicated Karyakartas and its leaderships constant engagement with the grassroots. He added that the guidance and mentorship of senior leaders like Dr Jitendra Singh continue to inspire party workers to serve the people with commitment, sincerity and dedication.

7 houses gutted at Watal Kadal

Seven houses were gutted in a fire incident at Watal Kadal area of Safa Kadal in Downtown on Wednesday evening, leaving multiple families homeless and triggering panic among residents. Officials from the Fire and Emergency Services Department said the fire call was received at around 4:47 pm, following which firefighting units from Fire Station Safa Kadal, M R Gunj, Headquarters, Rainawari and Babademb were rushed to the spot. Initially, one house caught fire, but because the houses are closely built and interconnected, the flames spread rapidly to adjoining structures. A total of seven houses were gutted in the incident while 2 other houses received minor damages due to water and heat, an official said, adding that the cause of the fire is under investigation. Witnesses said huge flames and thick plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the attic portions and upper floors of the houses, creating panic in the densely populated locality. There was chaos as people rushed out of their homes. Locals joined the firefighters in evacuating household items and preventing the flames from spreading further. The narrow lanes and congested nature of the locality made the firefighting operation extremely challenging, a resident said. Officials said the blaze was brought under control after an extensive operation involving multiple firefighting units. No injuries had been reported till the filing of this report. Residents, however, said the affected families had lost all their belongings and were left without shelter. These victims have lost everything within minutes. Clothes, documents, household items, nothing could be saved. The administration should immediately come forward and provide relief and all possible assistance to the affected families, said another local resident. The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Srinagar's old city to devastating fires. In recent years, several major fire incidents have been reported from Downtown Srinagar and adjoining areas, where closely packed wooden houses and narrow lanes often hamper firefighting operations and allow flames to spread quickly. Fire and Emergency Services officials have repeatedly urged people to strictly follow the department's safety guidelines, saying many fire incidents are linked to faulty electrical wiring, overloaded circuits and unsafe use of electrical gadgets. Officials said that adherence to prescribed safety protocols, regular inspection of wiring and responsible use of electrical appliances can significantly reduce the risk of such incidents.

GMC Srinagar, CISA, Moul Mouj Foundation to hold JK Obesity Summit

The Department of Endocrinology, GMC Srinagar, in collaboration with the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies on Ageing (CISA), Moul Mouj Foundation, will hold 2nd Annual International MMFDIACON-2026, to be held at Government Dental College Auditorium, Srinagar, on 31 August 2026. The journey began with MMFDIACON-2025, which focused on diabetes and its complications in the elderly, bringing together clinicians and experts around the growing need for specialised, compassionate and evidence-based care for older persons. A distinctive feature of the inaugural conference was the MMF Signature Lecture on Moul. This year, that tradition continues with the MMF Signature Lecture on Mouj, reflecting the Foundations evolving philosophy and its commitment to exploring the deeper dimensions of ageing, care and human dignity. MMFDIACON-2026 takes this vision forward through the JK Obesity Summit, centred on Decoding Obesity: From Biology to Remedy. Obesity is no longer merely a lifestyle concern or a question of weight. It is a chronic disease with far-reaching consequences, increasing the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, sleep disorders, cancers, infertility, musculoskeletal problems and premature death. Its growing prevalence across age groups makes obesity prevention and comprehensive management an urgent healthcare priority. Accredited with 4 CME Credit Hours by the Jammu & Kashmir Medical Council (JKMC), the conference will bring together more than 60 international, national and local faculty, who will speak, chair sessions and engage in multidisciplinary scientific discussions. The participation of international experts, with the requisite clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, duly in place, adds an important global dimension to the scientific programme. The sessions will cover the spectrum of contemporary obesity carefrom public health and prevention to precision medicine, novel therapies, cardiometabolic disease, psychiatry, sleep apnoea, MASLD, bariatric surgery and emerging evidence. Around 400 delegates are expected from GMC Handwara, JLNM Hospital, GMC Udhampur, GMC Kathua, GMC Baramulla, GMC Anantnag, GMC Srinagar, GDC Srinagar, SKIMS, KMC Sempora, and district hospitals, including DNB students from various districts. The conference will also provide a dedicated platform for students and faculty to present free papers and scientific posters, showcasing original research, clinical experiences, innovative ideas and emerging evidence. GK Communications is the Outreach and Media Partner for MMFDIACON-2026, supporting the conferences wider academic outreach, communication and engagement with the medical and public community.

Brief intense rainfall exposes JMCs haughty claims about Monsoon readiness

J&K Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Health Cell co-convener Dr Varinder Sharma has alleged that August 23 brief early morning rainfall once again has exposed the hollow claims of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) regarding flood mitigation as several residential and commercial areas of the city, including the Canal Road in the vicinity of Science and Commerce College, went under water. He recalled that the same stretch had flooded last year too, when assurances were given that adequate measures would be taken to prevent recurrence. All those tall claims now stand exposed, Sharma said, pointing out that the main nullah opposite Commerce College, adjacent to the road leading to Guru Ravidas Sabha, was found blocked, with officials seen digging and clearing it only late on Monday (August 24) evening well after the damage was done. Same scenario of digging was at Kanak Mandi Chowk. The BJP leader said the situation was no better on Pawan Ice Cream Road and Flyover Road, where logged water entered residential houses, with Bhagwati Nagar facing similar distress. He noted it was strange that Rajinder Nagar and Bhagwati Nagar, once rarely affected, now would flood with even the slightest rainfall. The old city areas of Lakhdatta Bazar and Kanak Mandi Chowk also witnessed unprecedented flooding of commercial establishments. Sharma alleged that shops at Peer Mitha Chowk encroached upon main drains, causing flooding downstream, while the Narwal-Kunjwani stretch covering Panama Chowk, the green belt opposite the Fire Brigade station, Chhanni, Nanak Nagar and Sanjay Nagar remained equally vulnerable. Residents there, he said, were forced to build three-to-four-foot walls outside their main gates to keep flood water out. Sharma demanded a proper drainage audit along the Narwal-Kunjwani flyover stretch and an independent third-party evaluation of allegations that Tawi waters were entering Rajinder Nagar and Canal Road through back-flow in the nullahs. He urged JMC to publicly share nullah and drain-cleaning schedules through media and its website, stressing that transparency and a proactive approach were the need of the hour, alongside deployment of Quick Response Teams to inspect vulnerable areas before, not after, flooding occurs. People are suffering economically and mentally every monsoon, he said, adding that instead of false promises they deserved solutions before the next rainfall.

Woman dies after falling from hillock in Reasi

A 29-year-old woman died after slipping and falling from a steep hillock while cutting grass for livestock in the Chassana area of Reasi district on Wednesday, officials said. According to officials, the incident occurred when the woman was engaged in cutting grass on a hillside in the Chassana area. She reportedly lost her footing and plunged approximately 200 to 300 metres down the steep slope, sustaining critical injuries. The woman died on the spot due to the impact of the fall, officials said. The deceased was identified as Sajo Begum (29), a resident of Manjikote Morha Balsaran in Mahore tehsil of Reasi district. Following the incident, locals and concerned authorities reached the spot and took necessary steps. The circumstances surrounding the incident are being ascertained. Police have taken up an investigation into the matter and are carrying out the necessary legal formalities.

Bani residents reiterate demand for govt paramedical institute

Reiterating their long-pending demand, the inhabitants of Bani have urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to take concrete steps towards the establishment of a paramedical institute in their remote hilly area of Kathua district. They said the absence of a paramedical institute in Bani continued to create difficulties for students aspiring to pursue careers in the healthcare sector, particularly those belonging to underprivileged and middle-class families. They point out that the students from Bani are compelled to travel to Kathua, Jammu, Doda and other cities to pursue paramedical education. The cost of transportation, accommodation and other educational expenses places a heavy financial burden on families and makes paramedical education difficult for many students. According to locals, Bani Tehsil, with a population of around 80,000, continues to face a shortage of educational and healthcare infrastructure. Students seeking paramedical education have to travel long distances, with the journey from Bani to Kathua taking around 67 hours, they maintain. Mudasar Ali, a local social activist from Bani, said the demand for a government paramedical institute was raised repeatedly, but the issue continued to remain unresolved. Approximately 160-kilometre journey from Bani to Kathua, coupled with accommodation and other educational expenses, makes it financially difficult for poor families to send their children outside the area for studies, he said. Mudasar said the situation was particularly challenging for female students as many parents were reluctant to send their daughters to distant cities for education. Many talented students are forced to abandon their dreams because they cannot afford transportation, accommodation and other expenses associated with studying in Kathua, Jammu or other cities, he maintained. Bani inhabitants stated that students from several villages, including Lowang, Chandal, Bharmota, Roulka, Kanthal, Dhaggar and Banjal, among others, faced similar difficulties due to the lack of professional educational facilities in the region. Establishing a government paramedical institute in Bani will allow students to pursue paramedical education closer to their homes and reduce the financial and logistical burden on their families, they reiterate, adding that the availability of trained local paramedical professionals could help strengthen healthcare services in Bani and surrounding villages in the future. They urged the government, particularly the Health and Medical Education Department, to take the long-pending demand seriously and initiate the process for establishing a government paramedical institute in Bani. The youth aspire to enter the paramedical field, but due to the absence of basic educational facilities, they either have to endure extreme hardships to study in other cities or discontinue their education, they rue. Bani inhabitants appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, the Health and Medical Education Department and MLA Bani Dr Rameshwar Singh to intervene and take concrete steps towards sanctioning a government paramedical institute in the area.

Prof Chalkoo authors Innovation meets precision: A guide for minimal access surgeons

Srinagar, Aug 26: Prof.(Dr.) Mushtaq Chalkoo, a distinguished laparoscopic and minimal access surgeon, and Head Department of Surgery, GMC Srinagar has contributed to a book on Advances In Surgical Science, Techniques ,Innovations And Clinical Applications. The book published by Selfypage developers Pvt.Limited Karnataka is a compendium of 14 chapters providing a comprehensive and contemporary overview of the latest development in surgical practice, technological innovations ,perioperative management and translational research that are shaping the future of surgery. A major emphasis of this volume , authored, edited by Prof. Chalkoo along with other authors and co-authors is on the integration of scientific research with clinical applications and surgical techniques. This book is intended to serve as a valuable resource for surgeons, surgical residents, medical students, researchers, educators , allied health care personnel seeking to remain informed about the current trends and future directions in surgical science. By combining fundamental knowledge with cutting edge innovations , the volume aims to support lifelong learning, stimulate academic inquiry and encourage the adoption of safe, effective and patient centered surgical skills. Prof Chalkoo has experience of 32 years in the field of surgery, with more than 100 publications and patents in the field of Minimal Access surgery. He is recognised widely for his techniques in laparoscopy and minimal access surgery.

Chatroo minor girls death: No let up in protests on day 6

Protests and demonstrations continued for the sixth consecutive day in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district on Wednesday, with residents, tribal community members and youths demanding justice for the minor girl whose death triggered widespread outrage across the Chenab Valley. A sit-in protest continued in the Gurinal-Chatroo area, where protesters raised slogans demanding a fair, impartial and time-bound investigation into the circumstances surrounding the girls death. Protesters reiterated their demand that the case be handed over to the Crime Branch for an independent investigation and that all persons found involved in the alleged crime be arrested without delay. The issue also echoed during Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) celebrations in Kishtwar. During the religious procession, a group of youths raised slogans in support of justice for the Chatroo girl, reflecting the continued public anger and demand for a credible investigation. Political and social leaders continued to visit the affected area and meet protesters and members of the bereaved family. PDP leader advocate Sheikh Nasir Hussain visited Gurinal and expressed solidarity with the people protesting over the incident. Sheikh Nasir reiterated his demand for a Crime Branch investigation, stating that the agency was a professional investigative wing of the Police and was capable of conducting an impartial and independent probe into sensitive cases. He also demanded the immediate arrest of all accused persons allegedly involved in the case and called for a fair, transparent and credible investigation. He maintained that justice should be delivered without allowing political influence, pressure or interference to affect the investigation. Sheikh Nasir highlighted the difficult socio-economic conditions faced by the tribal community and alleged that members of the community had, on several occasions, faced injustice and harassment at the hands of politically influential and powerful individuals. He said the present case required the confidence of the affected community and the wider public, which, according to him, could be ensured through a transparent investigation by an independent professional agency. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra also visited Kishtwar and strongly condemned the alleged sexual assault involving the minor girl in Chatroo. Karra expressed deep concern over the incident and called for strict action against anyone found responsible. He stressed the need for a credible investigation so that the facts were established and justice was delivered to the victim and her family. The continued protests have kept the Chatroo incident at the centre of public attention, with demands growing for a speedy and impartial investigation, accountability of all those found involved and strict punishment under law. Residents and protesters said they had faith in the Police and the judicial system but maintained that the investigation must be conducted in a manner that inspired confidence among the victims family, the tribal community and the wider public. The incident has already triggered protests and solidarity demonstrations in several parts of Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts, with students, civil society groups, political parties, tribal representatives and religious organisations calling for justice and stringent action against those found guilty. Protesters on Wednesday said their agitation would continue until their demands for a fair investigation and justice were addressed, while appealing to the administration to ensure peace and prevent the issue from being exploited for political or communal purposes. Authorities have maintained that the case is being investigated and that legal action will follow on the basis of evidence and the findings of the investigation. Meanwhile night protests to condemn the incident continued in various parts of the region.

Religious fervour marks Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) celebrations across Chenab valley

Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), commemorating the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), was celebrated across the Chenab Valley districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban on Wednesday with religious fervour, devotion and enthusiasm. Grand processions, religious gatherings and special prayers were organised at several places, with thousands of devotees participating in the celebrations. In Bhaderwah, the main Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) procession commenced from the historic Jamia Masjid and passed through the Old Bus Stand and Circular Road before returning to the Jamia Masjid, where it concluded peacefully. People from different age groups participated in large numbers, with religious fervour and messages of peace, brotherhood and communal harmony. Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhaderwah Sunil Kumar Bhutyal, along with Tehsildar Bhaderwah, SDPO Bhaderwah and SHO Bhaderwah, remained present during the celebrations and reviewed arrangements to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the procession. The administration also distributed sweets and chocolates among children participating in the celebrations. Similar religious observances were held at Sarna and other areas of Bhaderwah. The district administration and concerned departments had put in place comprehensive arrangements, including adequate police deployment, traffic regulation, ambulance and emergency services, sanitation, drinking water and other essential facilities to ensure the safety and convenience of devotees. In Kishtwar, the occasion was marked by religious gatherings and a grand procession from Jamia Masjid Kishtwar to the holy shrine of Shah Farid-Ud-Din Sahib (RA). Thousands of devotees participated in the procession, which was conducted in a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere. The procession was led by the Imam of Jamia Masjid Kishtwar and Head of the Majlis-e-Shura Committee Kishtwar, Farooq Ahmed Kichloo, along with religious scholars and community elders. Speakers highlighted the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and called upon people to promote peace, compassion, unity, brotherhood and mutual respect. Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma extended greetings to the people, particularly the Muslim community and said that Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) provided an opportunity to reaffirm the timeless values of peace, compassion, harmony and brotherhood. He urged all sections of society to strengthen unity and communal harmony and contribute towards building a peaceful and progressive society. Rajya Sabha MP Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, SSP Kishtwar Naresh Singh and ADC Kishtwar Pawan Kotwal also participated in the celebrations and joined the religious procession. ASP Kishtwar Pardeep Singh, DySP Headquarters Dr Ishan Gupta and other civil and police officers were also present to facilitate the smooth conduct of the event. In Ramban district, Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) was celebrated with equal religious fervour across the district headquarters, Banihal, Batote, Gool, Chanderkote and other areas. At Ramban town, a large procession was taken out in which hundreds of devotees participated. Ramban MLA Arjun Singh Raju joined the procession and extended greetings to the people on the occasion. At Batote, a grand procession passed through the main market amid a peaceful atmosphere and comprehensive security arrangements. Participants raised religious slogans in praise of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), while volunteers distributed sharbat among devotees, participants and passers-by as a gesture of goodwill and communal harmony. Special prayers were offered at mosques in different areas, while religious scholars and clerics addressed gatherings and highlighted the importance of following the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), particularly his messages of peace, compassion, tolerance, brotherhood and harmony. Special prayers were also offered for peace, prosperity and communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir and across the country, besides seeking relief from the prolonged spell of rainfall. Ahead of the celebrations, Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan held meetings with senior officers and religious leaders to review arrangements. The concerned departments were directed to ensure sanitation, uninterrupted power and water supply and other essential facilities. Comprehensive security arrangements were made across the three districts to ensure the peaceful conduct of processions and gatherings. Additional police personnel and Central Armed Police Forces were deployed at sensitive locations and along procession routes, while traffic regulation and emergency services were kept in readiness. The celebrations across Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban concluded peacefully, reflecting the deep religious devotion of the people and highlighting the shared values of peace, brotherhood, compassion, unity and communal harmony across the Chenab Valley.

Agriculture staff in Sopore, Tangmarg seek release of 3-month salaries

Baramulla, Aug 26:Employees of the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Offices Sopore and Tangmarg are facing immense hardships after remaining without salaries for the past three months, as the offices have been functioning without an authorised Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO). The crisis began after the respective Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officers (SDAOs) were attached around three months ago. Since then, the two offices have reportedly been functioning without a designated officer authorised to draw and disburse salaries, leaving employees caught in an administrative deadlock. With three months' wages pending, employees said the situation has moved beyond inconvenience and has begun affecting their day-to-day lives. Several employees said the prolonged salary delay had pushed them into severe financial distress, leaving them struggling to cover basic household expenses, pay their childrens school fees and clear mounting dues owed to local shopkeepers. The prolonged absence of a DDO has left us in a severe financial bind. Many of us have housing and other loans, and the salary delay is making it increasingly difficult to meet our monthly installment obligations on time, an employee said, requesting anonymity. Employees said all of them depend entirely on their monthly salaries to run their households, making the prolonged delay particularly difficult. They said the uncertainty has also left them unable to plan their finances or meet commitments that cannot be postponed. The employees have now appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmad Dar to intervene and resolve the issue without further delay. They have urged the government to immediately designate an authorised officer to perform the functions of DDO for the two offices, allowing the pending salary bills to be processed and released.

Thousands participate in Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) processions across Rajouri, Poonch

Thousands of people participated in grand Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) processions held across the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch on Wednesday, with religious fervour, devotion and a strong message of peace and brotherhood. In Rajouri town, the main procession commenced from the Main Bus Stand and passed through various parts of the town before culminating at Markazi Eidgah. A large number of local residents, religious scholars and community members participated in the procession. Participants recited naats and raised slogans in praise of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) throughout the procession. Similar Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) processions were also organised in different parts of Rajouri district, including Thanamandi, Darhal, Kotranka, Budhal, Manjakote, Kalakote and Nowshera, witnessing significant participation from people of different sections of society. In Poonch district, processions were also taken out in Poonch town, Mendhar, Surankote and Mandi, where devotees participated with religious enthusiasm and devotion. The celebrations reflected a strong spirit of religious faith, unity, harmony and brotherhood among the participants. The processions remained peaceful throughout, with participants conveying a message of peace, communal harmony and community solidarity.

1 Kashmir-tested antibiotic among 199 samples flagged in CDSCOs July alert

Srinagar, Aug 26:A Cefpodoxime dispersible tablet sample tested through DTL, Dalgate Srinagar has failed description test, and is listed among the 199 flagged samples found Not of Standard Quality by Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO). The country-wide alert includes medicines, cosmetics and medical devices found NSQ or misbranded. One product, Diabetes All Powder has been declared spurious. The spurious drug sample tested at Chattrapati Sambhajinagar Lab in Maharashtra raises serious concerns about a formulation that was being sold for life-threatening disease diabetes. The CDSCO has a robust network of laboratories across states and UTs for ensuing quality healthcare formulations, disposables, devices and other items in healthcare. The batch of Cefpodoxime Dispersible Tablets Nexopod-100DT is an antibiotic sample reported by the Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL), Dalgate, Srinagar. It has been included among 199 drug, cosmetic and medical-device samples flagged by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in its July 2026 State Drug Alert. The antibiotic sample was recorded as failing the Description test. The product Cefpodoxime Dispersible Tablets Nexopod -100DT, with batch number BL-033E25 is the NSQ sample listed. Its manufacturing date is listed as May-2025, while the expiry is Apr-2027. The manufacturer has been identified as Austin Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Antibiotics remain among the medicines routinely used across clinics and hospitals. The CDSCO's July alert covers a broad range of pharmaceutical and healthcare products, including antibiotics, antidiabetics, antihypertensives, analgesics, gastrointestinal medicines, cardiovascular drugs, corticosteroids, antiepileptics, vitamin and mineral preparations, including injections. It also lists medical devices and cosmetic products. The 199 samples have been flagged under different categories of quality and compliance failures, involving parameters such as assay, dissolution, disintegration, identification, description, pH, sterility, uniformity of weight, content of active ingredients and compliance with label claims. Many products have been classified as misbranded. The July list contains several other antibiotic formulations including Cefixime Dispersible Tablets IP. Many formulations of Amoxycillin and Potassium Clavulanate Tablets IP, a commonly prescribed antibiotic combination have failed quality tests. A Levofloxacin Tablets IP 500 mgandCefpodoximeProxetil-Clavulanic Acid have also been listed as NSQ. Pantoprazole Tablets IP, manufactured by Finecure Pharmaceuticals, is among the products listed, alongside Methotrexate Tablets IP 7.5 mg manufactured by Macmillon Pharmaceuticals, Calcium and Vitamin D3 Tablets IP manufactured by Cureza Healthcare, Pregabalin Capsules IP 300 mg manufactured by Divine Medicare, Itraconazole 100 mg manufactured by MK Healthcare. The July alert also includes Calcium and Vitamin D3 Tablets IP. Failures extend to injections and topical medicines. Shockingly, Oxytocin Injection IP 5 IU/ml. The July 2026 State Drug Alert reflects quality-control findings reported by laboratories across multiple jurisdictions, including Punjab, Rajasthan, Odisha, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh.

Jammu celebrates Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) with religious fervour amid prayers, processions

Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) was celebrated with religious fervour amid prayers, sermons and processions all across Jammu region on Wednesday. Like other parts of the division, the mosques all across Jammu district, including Jammu city, resonated with prayers. Large gatherings of Muslim devotees participated in the religious conclaves organised to mark the occasion. During these conclaves, Islamic scholars and Ulemas emphasised the need to follow the Islamic teachings as per the Quran and the Hadith. Quoting instances from the life and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), they asked devotees to imbibe and spread those principles bordering peace, love, compassion for entire humanity. On this auspicious occasion, in Jammu city, a big religious procession was taken out with participants raising religious slogans. The procession, which started from Sarwal passed through different areas and finally culminated in Janipura mosque at Ramzan Chowk with religious sermons. One among the main organisers (of the procession) advocate Muhammad Rizvi, while speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the procession, delineated the significance of the auspicious day for the believers and rest of the world. We are taking out this peaceful procession today to mark the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who with his teachings inspired people to promote peace, compassion, unity, brotherhood and mutual respect, Rizvi said, while extending greetings to the people. Reports of similar religious processions and conclaves organised by locals and Masjid committees poured in from Samba, Kathua, Reasi, Udhampur and other districts of Jammu region where Muslim scholars greeted people; praised the Nabi (SAW) for his love and compassion for humanity and also threw light on the teachings of Islam.

Womens Kabaddi event marks National Sports Day in Srinagar

The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, in collaboration with the Local Kabaddi Club of Kashmir, organised a womens Kabaddi activity at the Indoor Sports Hall in Srinagar to mark National Sports Day and promote the sport among girls. The initiative, as per a statement, was aimed at promoting Kabaddi among the young female generation of Kashmir and providing a platform to identify, encourage and nurture the hidden talent of women in sports. The Manager, Indoor Sports Hall, Srinagar, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Local Kabaddi coaches, players and sports enthusiasts appreciated the efforts of the J&K Sports Council and welcomed such meaningful initiatives. The Sports Council remains committed to organising more such activities in the future to empower girls through sports, promote grassroots talent and create greater opportunities for young athletes of Jammu & Kashmir.

Rural Govt schools grapple with inadequate infrastructure, teachers

Srinagar, Aug 26:The government schools across Jammu and Kashmir particularly in rural areas are facing infrastructural gaps, depriving students of basic facilities in classrooms The situation persists in government schools despite ambitious education reforms taken at the national and J&K levels. The government schools across Kashmir, particularly in rural areas are marred by persistent infrastructural shortcomings despite the apparent academic progress. The failure to address infrastructural gaps in schools has been glaring as pointed out in various national surveys and official meetings as well. A top official told Greater Kashmir that the department was caught in a tight situation as the buildings were haphazardly constructed irrespective of the requirement of the students. He said the buildings were constructed as per the availability of the land instead of considering the requirement of the students. The school buildings which the department got in legacy are haphazardly constructed. Two to three school buildings are constructed in each village which have not been put to use, the official told Greater Kashmir. On the other hand, he said that hundreds of the schools were facing accommodation crunch as students of more than two classes were adjusted in one single room. There is a lot of uncertainty as the department has earlier clubbed 2500 schools and handed over more than 600 surplus school buildings to other governments. But on the other hand we accommodation crunch in various schools, he added. Over the years, the J&K government, in sync with the Government of Indias plans, has implemented numerous reforms in the education sector. The flagship National Education Policy 2020 brought in significant changes in curriculum and pedagogy, aiming to provide a strong foundation for children at the foundational levels. Amid these significant initiatives, the lack of infrastructure in schools remains a pressing concern. Besides infrastructural gaps, there are issues pertaining to availability of staff in schools as well. The official said that the schools in urban areas including cities are have excess staff while on the other hand rural areas are facing the acute shortage of resources. We still see a middle school being run in three rooms by two to three teachers. Unless and untill we won't have a rationalization of staff and other resources, we can't dream to have equitable opportunities to all the students of J&K, a teacher posted in north Kashmir said. The most important point is that government must have a review of all its policies, especially the deployment culture in the department where influential teachers prefer to be in urban areas, he added. He said that since the government started Annual Transfer drives (ATD), teachers are hopeful of staff rationalisation at the grassroot level. Schools in rural areas are having good enrollment, just to do justice with them we need to equip them with good human resource and infrastructure, he said. He further said that government must engage all the stakeholders to redress the issues faced by the schools. On Tuesday, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the difficulties faced by teachers posted in 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. 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 we have 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 the government had to address these issues. Filling the vacancies is not your responsibility but it is my job. It is my responsibility to strengthen your hands so that you can do your work properly, he added.

Majid Magray captains India in Mixed Disability Cricket Series against England

Majid Magray was on 48 when he launched his 15th ball over the boundary at Lords on Aug19. The six brought up his 50 off 15 balls. He finished unbeaten on 63 off 19 as India beat England in the seventh and final Mixed Disability IT20. For the 36-year-old from the Anchidora locality of Anantnag town, the innings came at Lords, the home of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). For Magray, walking onto the historic ground in an India jersey and leading the side made the occasion even more special. It was a different feeling altogether. You see photographs and portraits of all these great players there. To walk onto that ground wearing the India jersey and lead the team was something special, Magray said after returning from England. The Lords galleries feature portraits and photographs of cricket greats, including W.G. Grace, Sir Donald Bradman, Viv Richards, Richard Hadlee, Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara, Ian Botham, Shane Warne, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Javed Miandad, Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Zaheer Abbas. India posted 206, with Arjun Gawre of Nagpur scoring 68 off 44 balls and Sai Akash Saivamani of Chennai making 48 off 38. England was bundled out for 88. Hilal Ahmad Wani of Akad, Anantnag, took four wickets, while Jayesh Parmar of West Bengal claimed three. Wani finished the series with 11 wickets from four matches. The match was the seventh and final fixture of the series. India won three games and England four. One of Indias defeats came by two runs off the final ball. It was a closely fought contest. The match where we lost by two runs went to the wire, to the last ball. We couldnt face the pressure and buckled. Otherwise, we would have won, Magray said. Magrays 15-ball fifty was quicker than Kapil Devs 35-ball Test fifty against England in 1982. Liam Livingstone scored a 25-ball ODI fifty at Lords against Australia in 2024. Magray began playing physical disability cricket in 2018 and made his India debut in 2024. Since then, he has represented India in that category and has now also made it to Mixed Disability Cricket. Earlier this year, he was part of Indias winning T20 Champions Trophy campaign in Mixed Disability Cricket, which featured England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Mixed Disability Cricket has three categories- physical disability, learning disability, and deaf and hard of hearing. Three cricketers from Kashmir represented India in the tournament. Magray came from the physical disability category, Wani from the deaf and hard-of-hearing category, and Rizwan Ahmad of Kupwara from the learning disability category. Magray was not born with a disability. An accident when he was in Class 8 left him with a locomotor disability and disrupted his studies. He later returned to cricket, initially playing alongside non-disabled cricketers before entering competitive disability cricket. I got the best possible treatment but remained bedridden for over a year. The disability, however, remained with me forever, Magray said. The game has also evolved in Jammu and Kashmir. We used to play matting cricket. For the past three years, we have shifted to turf cricket as facilities have improved, he said. Tap-ball cricket has increasingly given way to the cricket ball, mostly Kookaburra. Magray said better equipment and infrastructure had helped differently abled cricket gain recognition. After the England tour, the Indian team met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and raised issues concerning differently abled cricketers. He gave us a patient hearing and assured us of addressing them, Magray said. At 36, Magray said managing his workload had become important. Earlier, age was on my side. Now age is catching up, and I have to be very selective about the matches I play. In professional cricket, we have trainers, and that makes things easier, he said. He credits his parents, brother and sister for standing by him throughout his journey. His message to other differently abled people is simple. Dont let your disability dominate you. Overcome it and you will do what other people do. England won the series 4-3. But for Magray, the numbers from Lords will endure 63 off 19, including a 15-ball fifty, while captaining India.

Players are hungry to play at highest level: Paras Dogra

JKCAs senior team skipper Paras Dogra lauded the performances of the J&K players in the ongoing Duleep Trophy, saying their success on the bigger stage has given the regions young cricketers greater belief and hunger to succeed. Speaking about North Zones campaign and J&Ks representation in the side, Dogra while speaking to Greater Kashmir said the performances had shown that the players were capable of competing at the highest domestic level. I think its a very good bunch of players. Now they know that they can also play and come and perform at this level. After that, everyone is more hungry that we can also play, Dogra said. He said the players relatively young age made their performances even more encouraging for the future of J&K cricket. They are young, very young. So I think this is a very good future for J&K and this is how they are playing cricket, he said. Dogra also stressed the importance of the players growing together as a team rather than focusing only on individual success. Everyone has become a team player. It is a very good bunch of players. The players are good and the people are also good. I believe that being a good person is very important, he added. On Abid Mushtaqs match-winning nine-wicket haul against West Zone, Dogra termed the performance exceptional and said the left-arm spinner had consistently been a key member of J&Ks bowling attack. Exceptional. Wherever he has got a chance, he has been our key bowler, Dogra said. He has always been a leading attack bowler. There is no doubt that he will perform. It is all about getting a platform. Nowadays, there is so much talent in India and J&K has such a good platform. I think they will surprise everyone and they deserve to play in bigger leagues and on bigger stages, he said.

Can high-density orchards save Kashmirs apple economy from climate shocks?

Shopian, Aug 26:Repeated hailstorms and increasingly erratic weather are exposing the vulnerabilities of Kashmirs apple economy, prompting growers to look beyond traditional orchards and consider high-density plantations as a way to raise productivity and returns. Over the past two months, intense hailstorms have hit apple-growing areas across south Kashmir, damaging fruit and stripping trees at a crucial stage of the season. For growers already facing rising cultivation costs, the repeated weather shocks have added another layer of uncertainty. The losses have also renewed calls for a comprehensive crop insurance scheme and wider use of protective measures such as anti-hail nets. But some growers and horticulturists say changing the way apples are cultivated could be part of the answer. They fetch better prices and, to some extent, can be protected from weather shocks like hailstorms, said Manzoor Ahmad, an apple grower. He said that wider use of hail nets could help reduce losses in orchards, particularly as hailstorms become more frequent. High-density cultivation uses clonal rootstocks and allows substantially more trees to be planted in a hectare than conventional orchards. The trees can begin bearing fruit in about three years, compared with six to seven years for traditional plantations, allowing farmers to recover their investment sooner. The system can also deliver substantially higher yields from the same area, making it increasingly attractive to growers facing pressure on land, labour and input costs. Jammu and Kashmir is encouraging the transition through its Revised Modified High Density Plantation Scheme, which targets 5,500 hectares over five years and provides a 50% subsidy to farmers. Under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, the government is also working to increase the availability of quality planting material and strengthen nurseries and rootstock facilities. However, despite the push, the transition remains at an early stage. Izhan Javed, a well-heeled aaple farmer and spokesperson of Jammu and Kashmir Fruit and Vegetable Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) said that only around 1% of the regions apple-growing land is currently under high-density cultivation. High-density now seems to be the future. This year, we are seeing Gala varieties fetching far better prices, he said. Javed added that acceptance of Kashmiri Gala is increasing day by day. Growers said Gala apples are currently fetching around 100 a kg at the farmgate, although prices vary depending on quality and market conditions. For farmers, the attraction of high-density orchards goes beyond higher yields. Earlier fruiting means an orchard can begin generating income sooner, while greater production per hectare could improve returns from increasingly fragmented holdings. Yet high-density cultivation does not remove the biggest risk facing Kashmirs apple growers: extreme weather. While the structure of modern plantations may make protective measures easier to deploy, growers still need hail nets, timely weather warnings to absorb losses when severe weather strikes. The weather has become unpredictable. We cannot depend only on traditional orchards anymore, said Tariq Ahmad, another apple grower from south Kashmir. Ahmad said that apart from good prices, high density plantation could be easily protected from weather shocks.

Government not bothered about grave issues like unemployment: Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar, Aug 26:Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are grappling with serious and pressing issues, while the government appears least concerned about addressing their genuine concerns. He said, This government has failed to address the grave challenges confronting the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It does not even seriously discuss issues like unemployment, which is destroying the future of our youth and, in many cases, pushing them towards the menace of drug abuse. Mr. Bukhari further said that even basic amenities remain unavailable in several areas, with people struggling for access to essential services such as safe drinking water. It is unfortunate that in this day and age, people in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir do not even have reliable access to basic necessities like drinking water, he said. Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari was talking to the media on the sidelines of an extraordinary party meeting in Kupwara. When asked about Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the ruling National Conferences backtracking on several election promises, including the commitment to provide 200 units of free electricity to consumers, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, Omar Abdullah is a thorough gentleman, but the fact remains that his government has failed to deliver on several promises on the basis of which his party sought and secured votes from the people. He added, People voted for the National Conference with certain expectations, and they now have every right to question the government when those promises remain unfulfilled. Electoral promises are not merely political statements; they carry a responsibility towards the people who place their trust in a government. During the meeting, the party leaders apprised Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari of various local issues confronting the public, discussed the prevailing political situation, and also brought several important party matters to his notice. Meanwhile, during his day long visit to Kupwara, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and his accompanying colleagues paid condolence visits at several places. He extended condolences to partys District Secretary Kupwara Syed Javaid Geelani over the passing of his beloved mother Masooda begum. He also visited to Peer Ramzan and condoled the demise of his maternal cousin Hayat Kumar of Herri Qadirabad. He also offered Fateh on the grave of Sufi Buzareg Qadir Sahib. The prominent party leaders who were present in the meeting with the party chief included Chief Spokesperson & State Secretary Muntazir Mohiudin, District President Kupwara Raja Manzoor, Provincial Secretary & Constituency In-charge Handwara Abdul Rashid Bhat, Provincial Joint Secretary Kashmir & Constituency In-charge Lolab Abdul Rehman Wani , Provincial Joint Secretary & Constituency In-charge Lolab Sofi Irfan, District Vice President & Constituency In-charge Trehgam Dr Noor Din Shah, Senior Vice President Kupwara Mohammad Amin Bhat, District Coordinator Kupwara & Constituency In-charge Langate Mohammad Munawar Khaja, President Womens Wing Kupwara Fidousa Geelani, Women Vice President Kupwara & Office In-charge Kupwara Sabiha Bhat, Secretary Constituency Handwara Syed Qayoom Geelani, Zonal President Handwara Constituency & Media Coordinator Khan Akash Ashraf, Secretary Constituency Karnah Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Zone President Kupwara Constituency Manzoor Ahmed Ganaie, Zone President Lolab Feroz Abdul Ganaie, Zone President Tregam Parvaiz Ah Mir, Zone President Lolab Pir Shamsudin, Senior Leader Kupwara Ashiq Hussain Mir, Block President Sogam Mohammad Maqbool Najar, Block President Chakibal Ghulam Nabi Lone, Town President Shabir Ahmad Magray, Zone President Keerh Javaid Ahmed Lone, Zone Secretary Keerh Mohammad Yaseen, Block President Langate Mushtaq Ahmed, Block President Chamkote Qazi Ahmed Rehman, Zonal President Chamkote Ghulam Nabi Lone, Zonal President Tregam Parvaiz Mir, Zonal President Handwara Akash, Zonal President Karnah Javaid Lone, District Committee Kupwara Soniya Sadaf, Party Leader Bilal Arif, Senior Worker Farooq Ahmad, and others.

Abid Mushtaq spins North Zone into Duleep Trophy semifinals

Jammu and Kashmirs left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq produced a match-winning performance, claiming nine wickets as North Zone defeated West Zone by 52 runs in the second quarterfinal of the Duleep Trophy at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru. Mushtaq finished with match figures of 9 for 99, including 5 for 39 in the first innings and 4 for 60 in the second, to play a decisive role in North Zones hard-fought victory and help his side to book their place in semifinal. Mushtaq struck early on Wednesday, bowling Tanush Kotian in the second over of the day before returning to dismiss Tushar Deshpande. Nishant Sindhu then trapped Urvil Patel LBW to seal the 52-run victory. Reacting to North Zones victory and the performances of the J&K players, JKCA CEO Brigadier Anil Gupta said the result would provide confidence and a platform for the players to perform at higher levels. This win will give confidence and a platform for our players to perform at the highest levels. North Zone will make it to the final, as per my assessment, Gupta said. The fact that J&K is a major contributor to this team only strengthens our belief that J&K cricket is on the rise and our players are being recognised at the national level, he said. Gupta said it was now up to the players to make the most of the opportunity. It is up to them to perform and grab the attention of the national selectors as well as the cricket fraternity across the country, he added. The win came after West Zones middle order had mounted a strong fightback. A 111-run partnership between Musheer Khan, who scored 96, and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made 66, had taken West Zone to 211 for 4 and raised hopes of a successful chase. However, the dismissal of Gaikwad and Musheer triggered a dramatic collapse, with West Zone losing their remaining wickets in quick succession. Earlier, Mushtaq had given North Zone a crucial first-innings advantage with a five-wicket haul. He dismissed Prithvi Shaw early and went on to return figures of 5 for 39 as West Zone were bowled out for 187. North Zone had earlier posted 251 in their first innings, with Anshul Kamboj scoring 60, Ayush Badoni making 51 and Ayush Doseja contributing 42. In the second innings, Badoni scored another half-century while Sindhu made 44 and J&Ks Abdul Samad contributed 30. North Zone were bowled out for 222. Apart from Mushtaq and Samad, J&K players Qamran Iqbal and Sunil Kumar were also part of the North Zone playing XI. The strong representation of J&K players in the North Zone squad follows the teams historic Ranji Trophy triumph, after which six J&K players were selected for the Duleep Trophy. Kanhaiya Wadhawan, J&K batter and wicketkeeper was also named captain of the North Zone side.

Scientists found evolutionary highways in animal genomes dating back 600 million years

Enemies of peace are behind threats to Kashmiri Pandits: Altaf Bukhari

Kupwara, Aug 26: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday assured protection to Kashmiri Pandits, saying they are an integral part of Kashmirs culture. He accused Omar Abdullah-led government of failing to fulfil its election promises. Bukhari was speaking to media at the Apni Party office in north Kashmirs Kupwara district. Enemies of peace are behind the threats to Kashmiri Pandits. Kashmiri Pandits are an important part of our culture and the people of Kashmir will protect them, Bukhari said. Apni Party President while accusing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of forgetting the promises made in the election manifesto, said that the gap between those commitments and the present situation was unfortunate and amounted to a betrayal of the public mandate. Bukhari said that Apni Party had promised protection of land, government jobs and restoration of statehood to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said two of the three commitments had been already addressed, while statehood remained to be restored. We had promised the people of Jammu and Kashmir that Apni Party would ensure protection to land, government jobs and statehood. Out of the three, two stand completed and statehood is yet to be fulfilled. Let the present dispensation toil for it, but they seem to be doing nothing in that regard, Bukhari added. The existing protection for land and government jobs had been granted for 15 years. My party would work to extend it up to 50 years, he said. On Statehood, Bukhari said all political parties were seeking its restoration and expressed hope that Jammu and Kashmir would regain statehood soon. Reacting to reports about Aga Ruhullahs resignation, Bukhari said he could not comment on the matter as it was an internal issue of National Conference. Bukhari also criticised the government over water shortages across Jammu and Kashmir and alleged that the present dispensation had failed to take adequate measures to address the crisis. Bukhari further accused the Omar Abdullah government of misleading the people and said it had failed to meet their aspirations and expectations, for which people must make them accountable.

4-year SIA hunt ends after Pintu switches on phone

Srinagar, Aug 26: For nearly four years, Manoj Kumar Bhat alias Pintu remained a difficult target for investigators probing a cross-border narco-terror financing network in Jammu and Kashmir. He changed hideouts, avoided carrying a mobile phone and, whenever he switched on a device, used a different number. It was this deliberate effort to remain digitally invisible that made his eventual arrest by the State Investigation Agency (SIA) particularly significant. According to investigators, Pintus biggest security precautionstaying away from mobile phonesalso became the key to tracing his movements. The 35-year-old Jammu resident was wanted in connection with an FIR registered by SIA Kashmir on June 3, 2022, relating to the alleged smuggling of narcotics from across the Line of Control (LoC) and the channelisation of proceeds from their sale towards financing terrorist activities. Investigators said Pintu had adopted a highly cautious modus operandi to evade law-enforcement agencies. A senior SIA officer said he kept his mobile phone switched off for most of the time and avoided carrying a handset while travelling to Kashmir. On occasions when he did use a phone, he allegedly relied on different numbers, making it difficult for investigators to establish a consistent digital footprint. His movements, however, could not remain completely concealed. The SIA combined technical surveillance with human intelligence to build a picture of his movements. Even the limited instances in which Pintu allegedly activated mobile phones provided investigators with clues that helped them identify areas in Jammu where he was active. His movements were traced around Rehari, Sidhra, Nagrota, Nai Basti and Qasim Nagar, officials said. Investigators also kept track of information emerging from the questioning of other accused persons arrested in the case. According to the SIA, nearly half a dozen accused from different parts of the Valley told investigators that Pintu had repeatedly visited Kashmir while remaining absconding. They allegedly identified him as a person involved in collecting narcotics smuggled into J&K from across the LoC. The investigation reached a crucial stage nearly three months before Pintus arrest when SIA teams, acting on a combination of human intelligence and technical surveillance, raided a location in Jammu where he was believed to be present. Pintu managed to escape before the investigators could apprehend him. But he did not leave empty-handed evidence behind. A sizeable quantity of heroin was recovered from the location, strengthening the agencys suspicion regarding his alleged role in the narcotics network. Investigators subsequently intensified surveillance and worked on fresh inputs regarding his movements. The breakthrough came when Pintu allegedly switched on one of his mobile phones. The SIA team, which was already present in Jammu and looking for him, acted on the information generated from his mobile activity and moved in. The agency has not disclosed the exact location of his arrest. The episode, according to investigators, underlines how even brief mobile-phone activity can become crucial in tracking suspects who otherwise take extensive measures to avoid electronic surveillance. The investigation dates back to the seizure of one kilogram of heroin from Zeeshan Ahmad Sofi and Waseem Ahmad Khan at Nowpora in Sopore. Their questioning allegedly provided investigators with information about Pintu and other elements of the network. Subsequent investigation led to the recovery of seven kilograms of poppy straw and four kilograms of poppy seeds. The SIA alleges that the accused were involved in arranging and facilitating the movement of narcotics from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, after which the contraband was collected, distributed and sold through a network operating within J&K. The agency suspects that proceeds generated from the narcotics trade were subsequently channelled towards sustaining terrorist activities. Pintus arrest is being treated by the SIA as part of a larger investigation rather than an isolated narcotics case. Apart from Pintu, the agency has arrested Zeeshan Ahmad Sofi, Waseem Ahmad Khan, Ahmad Khan, Bashir Ahmad Koli, Mohammad Ashraf Lone, Mohammad Saleem Khan and Zafraan Khan. Except Pintu, Sofi and Waseem, the other accused were arrested from Baramulla, according to officials. Multiple charge-sheets have already been filed before the competent court. The agency is now looking for two alleged associates of Pintu who remain absconding. Officials said the investigation has helped establish the alleged chain from cross-LoC narcotics trafficking to local distribution and the movement of the resulting proceeds. The SIA has also linked the wider conspiracy to the Pakistan- and PoK-based Hizbul Mujahideen, alleging that the narcotics trade was being exploited as a covert source of terror financing.

The story behind the English translation of Gulabnama

Gulabnama is the biography of Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of the Dogra dynasty of Jammu and Kashmir. Originally written in Persian by Diwan Kirpa Ram, the work chronicles the establishment of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1846 and traces the life and political career of Maharaja Gulab Singh. It offers valuable insights into his statecraft, administrative policies, and the strategies he employed to consolidate and safeguard the frontiers of his kingdom during a turbulent period. Initially, Maharaja Gulab Singh was reluctant to have his life documented, fearing that sensitive family matters and personal details might be made public. For this reason, he was unwilling to entrust the task to the court historian, Ganesh Das Badhera. Instead, the responsibility was later assigned to Diwan Kirpa Ram, the son of Dewan Jawala Sahai, who served as Gulab Singhs Prime Minister. The book faced significant hurdles in reaching the public. It took over a century for it to be accessible to common readers. Diwan Kirpa Ram completed the draft by roughly 1865-1866, but it was not printed until 1875 in Srinagar. It was finally published in 1875 at the Tofa Printing Press in Srinagar, Kashmir. However, it became rare quickly, and various attempts to translate it into English over next century were unsuccessful due to fundings, translation quality and institutional hurdles. Recognizing its historical importance, Raja Amar Singh, the father of Maharaja Hari Singh, wrote to Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1901, recommending that an annual budget of Rs. 5001,000 be set aside for translating and publishing Gulabnama. Unfortunately, the proposal could not be implemented because no suitable translator could be found. A similar effort had earlier been undertaken for Kalhanas Rajatarangini, which had been translated into English by M. A. Stein. The government sanctioned about Rs. 3,000 for that project, with nearly Rs. 1,500 spent on paper, printing, and distribution. This demonstrates the states willingness to invest in publishing important historical works. Professor Arnold of the University of Lahore was the first scholar approached to translate Gulabnama into English. However, after translating only the first sixty pages, he abandoned the project for personal reasons. The search for a competent translator continued. In 1902, Raja Amar Singh again approached Maharaja Pratap Singh, who constituted a committee to supervise the translation. Raja Amar Singh served as its President, while Diwan Diya Krishna, Bhagwan Narayan Das, and Dr. Suraj Bal were appointed as members. The committee engaged Babu Jagadish Chandra Banerjee to prepare an English translation for publication in Calcutta and paid an advance of Rs. 500. However, his translation was later rejected because it did not accurately reflect the original Persian text of Diwan Kirpa Ram. Another attempt was made during 191516 under Maharaja Pratap Singh, but it also remained unsuccessful. Later, efforts were made to translate the work into Urdu and Sanskrit, but these projects likewise remained incomplete. A major breakthrough came when Professor Sukhdev Singh Charak, Principal of Himachal Pradesh University, voluntarily undertook the English translation. He began the work in 1965 and completed it in 1976, devoting eleven years to the task. A benevolent man who appreciated the importance of the work offered Professor Charak a grant of Rs. 5,000. However, the total cost of publication was estimated at around Rs. 12,000. He was advised to seek financial assistance from the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, but the Academy declined to provide funding. In 1975, Professor Charak was involved in a severe accident that left him critically injured. At the time, he felt that his survival was uncertain and that he might only have a few hours left to live. Facing what he believed to be the end of his life, he reached out to ensure that his lifes mission the translation of this book would be fulfilled. He even wrote a letter to a contact expressing that it was his final wish to have the book published. Fortunately, Professor Charak survived his injuries. Following his recovery, he returned to Jammu in 1976 to finalize the manuscript. The book was subsequently sent to the printing press later that year, finally appearing in 1977. The English translation of Gulabnama was formally released by Dr. Karan Singh, bringing to fruition a project that had witnessed more than seven decades of unsuccessful attempts. Authors Note: This article was inspired by a YouTube video on The Dispatch by Zafar Choudhary. Hilal Ahmad Tantray, Research Scholar, Department of History and Culture, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

The Rainbow in my Eyes: A Review

There are collections of poems, and then there are chronicles of the soul. Dr. Kansals The Rainbow In My Eyes belongs to the latter category. In an age where poetry is often reduced to Instagram and Facebook captions, this collection dares to do something radicalit tells a whole story. It is not a random gathering of verses but an emotional autobiography arranged in five distinct movements: Invocation, Descent, Silence, Memory, and Healing. The journey it charts is one millions live but few articulate: from loving wholly, to breaking quietly, to healing on ones own terms. The title itself is not metaphorical decoration but a thesis. A rainbow does not appear despite the rain but because of it. The book asks us to view heartbreak not as an ending but as a necessary weather system for the self to be reborn. The Invocation of Love The collection begins in pure light. Poems like My Dear Soulmate, I Love You Madly, and My Soulmate establish love not as emotion but as cosmology. When the poet writes, Im your moon, youre my sun, it suggests a bond written before birth, before time. We Welcome The New Year Together extends celestial love into domestic hopethe ordinary, deeply human dream of growing old together, sharing calendars and mornings. The language is devotional; love is not passion alone but honour, care, and destiny. This opening section sets the altitude from which the fall will later be measured. When the fall comes, we understand the distance. The Descent: Ashes and Unfinished Stories With poem 7, When You Read This, I Have Already Become Ashes, the tone shifts irrevocably. This is the dark heart of the book. The poet introduces the haunting image of death-in-life. The rituals are done, the world has moved on, but grief remains. Poems like When Love Became An Unfinished Story, A Body That Still Breathes, and The Day I Erased You map the brutal stages of post-breakup survival in the digital age. The body continues to go to work; the name is deleted from the phone. But erasing proves more painful than the loss itself. The most searing insight emerges here: What hurts the most? Not dying. But watching the heart die a little every day. This is modern griefnot dramatic but daily. It is waking up and remembering again. The Architecture of Silence This is where Dr. Kansal finds her truly unique voice. In a literary world obsessed with loud declarations, she writes about the unsaid. Poems like Yours, Too Late, Unsent, and Unsaid capture the words we never get to use. She brilliantly weaponizes digital-age languageLast Seen, Read, Typing...turning it into poetic tragedy in Last Seen: The Graveyard Of Us. A whole generation will recognize that pain. After You, Even Victory Felt Like Loss captures the absurd logic of griefyou can win every argument and still lose the person. The turning point arrives with two quiet poems: Eclipsed and I Still Cant Hate You. Hatred would be easier; it would mean the person mattered less. To still love without bitterness, to wish well without holding onthat is the hardest freedom of all. Festivals, Frames, and Nameless Love Few contemporary poets write so honestly about absence during celebration. Eid Without You Still Knows Your Name is culturally specific yet universally resonant. Festivals magnify loneliness because the world laughs while you remember. In The One Who Purchased What I Could Never Keep and Speak From The Frame, the poet moves into objects and photographsthe material evidence of a love that no longer has a home. The frame still hangs, but the person who should speak from it does not. The Love That Had No Name, Yet Breathed Like A Soul acknowledges that not all love fits into social categories, but all real love breathes and all real loss hurts. The Rainbow: Healing and Release The final movement arrives quietly, without drums. Poems like When The Moon Forgets My Name and After You explore learning to live without being someones someone. Between Silence And Forever positions silence not as absence to be feared but as a new country to inhabit peacefully. The book closes with two unforgettable poems. When The World Offered Me Everything, I Whispered Your Name admits the ultimate truth of deep lovenothing external can replace a specific person. No Receipts For A Heart Like Mine admits that deep pain leaves no proof. No screenshots, no evidence, no wounds to show the world. Just a heart that learned to bless and walk away. Critical Appreciation On form, Dr. Kansal chooses short lines, free verse, and deliberate repetition, creating the effect of someone thinking aloud or praying. The lack of heavy ornamentation makes the emotion more direct and honest. On imagery, the arc is deliberate and masterfulfrom celestial (moon, sun) to domestic (frames, receipts) to funereal (ashes, graveyards) to spiritual (wind, silence, rainbow). It is the journey of the soul itself. Thematically, the book refuses two big lies of our times: that you must hate to heal, and that healing must be loud and performative. I Still Cant Hate You rejects the first; Between Silence And Forever argues that the most profound healing can be quiet. The Rainbow In My Eyes will find its readers not in book launch crowds but in hospital waiting rooms, in late-night kitchens, in the quiet after a phone call that didnt come. It will not give them answers. It will give them company. And sometimes, company is the only miracle we need. Dr. Kansal has transformed private grief into public grace, showing that you can love, lose, and still leave with a prayer instead of a curse. That is the rainbow. That is this book.

The voice of our grandmothers

The Big Book of Kashmiri Literature: Poems, Songs, Plays, Stories is an anthology of Kashmiri poetry, folk songs, plays, and stories written by Onaiza Drabu, an anthropologist, writer, and translator. Onaiza has also authored Legend of Himal and Nagrai: Greatest Kashmiri Folk Tales and Vaeliwe Gaenzravaw - Kashmiri Counting Book. As an anthropologist, the author approaches the book by decoding Kashmiri literature through anthropology and folklore. The Big Book of Kashmiri Literature: Poems, Songs, Plays, Stories, which runs to 664 pages, is deeply informed by Kashmirs oral traditions and folklore, Kashmirs language, culture, and meaning-making. The book illustrates that Kashmiri literature lives in the voice of the grandmother, in the wanwun sung at a Kashmiri wedding, in the Ladishah that mocked authority, in the vaakh remembered without knowing who composed it, in the lullaby that survived even when its meanings began to fade. The book illustrates that Kashmirs oral traditions have transferred from generation to generation despite the lack of protective institutions, the absence of archives, or even literacy. To me, the book is more important than its title suggests. The publisher, Penguin India, claims the book is an English guide to Kashmiri literature from the 14th Century onwards. It starts with pre-modern poetry and folk songs, and ends with radio plays, ghazals, flash fiction, and novel extracts. It is an anthology of memory and voices, bringing together scholars, saints, dramatists, and what it calls unlettered poets. The book is not simply about translating Kashmiri literature for outsiders. It is also about translating Kashmiri literature back to a generation of Kashmiris who have begun losing direct access to their own literary inheritance. That is perhaps the books most compelling justification. Onaizas background gives the anthology an anthropological sensibility. Kashmir appears in the book not simply as a literary canon but as a culture speaking through many registers. Onaiza focuses on the Kashmiri literary history beyond the renowned poets like Lal Ded, Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani, Habba Khatoon, and Mahjoor. It sheds light on Kashmiri folk, including wedding songs, laments, oral stories, satire, work songs, and riddles. Onaiza sheds light on people who have transformed Kashmiri poetry and prose through radio, drama, short stories, and novels. Her anthology is not a substitute for Kashmiri literature. It is a doorway into it. In fact, Onaiza resists the temptation of making Kashmiri literature a cultural decoration. It will leave the outsider with less certainty about the stereotypical Kashmir and more curiosity about the actual one. Onaizas book destroys the notion that Kashmiri literature is fundamentally a literature of saints and lovers and highlights that it is also a literature of modernity. She brings focus to the fact that the forgotten Kashmiri is perhaps the most important Kashmiri. The word unlettered in Penguins description deserves attention. Onaizas work illustrates that Kashmirs literary history cannot be reconstructed only through formally educated writers. It shows how for centuries, a woman singing at a wedding was contributing to literature, how a shepherds song was literature, how a satirical verse circulating orally was literature, how a folk tale told to children was literature, how a wanwun was literature. It shows how the community too is the author in Kashmir. While certain Kashmiri online readers have doubted the ability of Onaiza, who has acknowledged limited fluency in the Kashmiri language, to effectively convey the intricacies of the Kashmiri language, her literary works must be evaluated from a literary perspective. These are opinions, not conclusions based on scholarly research, and should be treated as opinions rather than fact. Through Onaizas work, an English-speaking reader will discover a Kashmir that politics cannot fully explain. This may ultimately be the anthologys greatest service. Bringing Kashmiri literature into English-language matters. The reader of this book will eventually ask: How does this sound in Kashmiri? What does that word actually mean? The anthology creates those questions, and thats the mark of its success. Kashmiris grow up listening to stories about Lal Ded, Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani, Habba Khatoon, Mahjoor, Dinanath Nadim, Rahman Rahi, Amin Kamil, and Akhtar Mohuiddin. However, most do not encounter enough of their work. For them, an English anthology may serve as a bridge. And that is no small achievement for Onaiza. Is it a good book? For an outsider, it is certainly an important introduction. For a Kashmiri, it is a gift, a provocation, and a reminder. We may know Kashmir much better than we know Kashmiri literature. That is not Onaizas failure. It is ours. Author is Senior Editor, Greater Kashmir

Predator Hegemon

A profound power shift is unfolding in West Asia. Iran has defied the four-decade-old Judeo-Christian alliance, fundamentally challenging the security architecture that the United States has meticulously built in the region. Since the Second World War, only Imperial Japan had successfully bombed American military infrastructureuntil now. Iran has struck U.S. military bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, destroying infrastructure and killing troops. It has also rained down missiles on Israel, denting the wolf warrior image of two nuclear-threshold states. This is an unprecedented moment in international politics. Since the humiliating defeat of Sunni-dominated nations in the 1967 Six-Day War, the regional balance of power has shifted dramatically. The 1979 Islamic Revolution consolidated Irans soft and hard power in ways the West never anticipated. Today, Irans revival and strategic depth signal a declining American influence in West Asia, with global ramifications. For two decades, the United States has sought not merely to maintain military primacy but to coerce political outcomes across the region. From George H. W. Bush to Barack Obama, successive administrations pursued a hegemonic agendastationing troops in Saudi Arabia after the first Gulf War, imposing crippling sanctions on Iraq that led to over a million deaths, and consistently undermining Irans sovereignty. Ironically, Americas determination to subordinate Iran has become the single greatest risk to the secure flow of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf, undermining its own claim to be the guarantor of global energy security. In 1969, President Nixon understood that rescuing Americas position in Asia required abandoning two decades of containment against China and embracing rapprochement. Similarly, Obama recognized the need for better relations with Iran, culminating in the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) negotiated with the P5+1. However, entrenched domestic hostility, a misreading of Irans political dynamics, and the influence of pro-Israel lobbies like AIPAC derailed this impulse. The Trump administrations unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA abandoned the foundational principle of Pacta Sunt Servandaagreements must be kept in good faith. It also cut funding to UNRWA, which supported millions of Palestinian refugees, and controversially recognized the Golan Heights as Israeli territory. Consequently, Americas Iran debate became dominated by mythology rather than reality. As Flynt Leveretts magisterial work, Going to Tehran, articulates, three myths persist: the irrationality myththat Iran is ideologically driven and incapable of pursuing material national interests; the illegitimacy myththat the regime is unstable and near collapse; and the isolation myththat diplomatic pressure and military measures can isolate Iran regionally and internationally. These narratives, amplified by what can only be described as a deluge of Western liberal bias, reduced Iran to an abnormal, evil, and fanatical state. Recent statements by U.S. officialssuch as Pete Hegseth calling Iranians lunatics and Ambassador Huckabee endorsing Israeli expansion from the Nile to the Euphratesonly compound the hostility. The infamous tweet declaring, A whole civilisation will die tonight, ahead of a deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, epitomizes this reckless brinkmanship. The United States has utterly failed to shape a stable post-war order in West Asia. Its military adventurism in Iraq, Syria, and Libya, and now its aggression toward Iran, have eroded its legitimacy. As Fareed Zakaria argues in The Post-American World, American soft power is in relative decline vis--vis emerging global powers. Having never been an honest broker for peace over five decades, the U.S. now finds itself sidelined. Since October 6, 2023, Washington has taken an evasive stance on the two-state solution to the Palestinian issue. The problem is compounded by a clash of negotiating cultures, as Harvard political psychologist Daniel Shapiro explains through his concept of the tribe effect. An adversarial, self-righteous, and closed mindset pushes both sides to magnify differences, treat their own positions as morally superior, and view compromise as weakness rather than strategy. Historic grievancesthe 1953 overthrow of Mosaddeq, the 1979 hostage crisis, U.S. support for Iraq during the 198088 war, and the naval quarantine in the Strait of Hormuzcontinue to reverberate in Irans negotiation culture, ensuring stalemate persists. The way forward is clear but difficult: rapprochement between the United States and Iran is not just desirableit is essential. Americas strategic position in West Asia hangs in the balance. Without a fundamental shift in approach, it risks losing not only regional influence but its credibility as a global leader. Dr. Tahir Bhat, Adhoc Assistant Professor in Political Science, Government Degree College Boys, Baramulla.

Hike and Shock

There was a time in Kashmir when an increase in electricity tariff was not buried in tables of an Aggregate Revenue Requirement or explained through regulatory jargon. It could bring Srinagar to a halt. The summer of 1988 remains its starkest reminder. A hike in electricity rates by Farooq Abdullah Government triggered a traders protest that rapidly grew into a wider agitation. On June 10, a city-wide bandh turned violent across Khanyar, Bohri Kadal and Zaina Kadal. Contemporary reporting recorded clashes, tear-gas and police firing in which three civilians got killed that day; later accounts put the toll during the wider agitation still higher. The episode left successive governments with a lesson they would not easily forget: power tariff was politically combustible. A hike could unite households, traders and businesses in protest and hand the opposition a potent weapon against the government of the day. Electricity pricing therefore became as much a political calculation as an economic one. An anecdote my father often narrated captures how the matter was politically charged even in 1960s and early 1970s. He recalled a towering political leader telling a public gathering at Eidgah, Srinagar, that if electricity linemen came with ladders to disconnect supply, people should pull away their ladders. It shows that the resistance to electricity charges was already a potent instrument of popular mobilisation and opposition politics, long before the dramatic tariff agitation of 1988. For years thereafter, governments were reluctant to place rising power costs directly upon consumers. Tariffs remained frozen for long periods even as the cost of purchasing and supplying electricity rose. The deficit did not disappear; Government largely carried it. Politically, absorbing the gap in the exchequer was often safer than allowing it to appear in household electricity bills. Then came power-sector reforms and, with that, the J&K State Electricity Regulatory Commission. Tariff regulations were framed in 2005 and PDD filed its first tariff petition covering FY 2006-07 and 2007-08. After inviting objections and holding public hearings, JKSERC issued its first retail tariff order on March 28, 2007. I happened to be heading a leading business chamber in Kashmir when the first tariff petition came before JKSERC. The process then was both elaborate and participatory. PDD would file its petition, following which our organisation would study the proposals and submit detailed objections on various technical, financial and consumer-related aspects. The objections received from stakeholders were forwarded by the regulator to the department for its response. Before the public hearing, PDDs replies were shared with the respective organisations and objectors, who were given a further opportunity to file written rebuttals and contest the departments claims during the hearing. We filed voluminous written objections to that first petition, and thereafter scrutinising tariff petitions and preparing detailed responses became almost an institutional routine. Even after leaving the leadership of the organisation, I continued attending most of the regulators public hearings. I have therefore watched at close quarters the transformation of tariff determination from a politically administered exercise into an elaborate regulatory processone that, at least in its earlier years, allowed informed stakeholder participation at every important stage. That transformation was important. PDD could regularly place its expenditure, power-purchase requirements and Aggregate Revenue Requirement before the regulator without the Government necessarily insisting that the entire gap be recovered through higher consumer tariffs. In several years, ARR petitions were filed but tariff increases did not follow. Governments remained conscious of the wider economic and public consequences of raising electricity bills. Even when tariff hikes were proposed, the regulator did not invariably grant everything that was sought. Earlier tariff orders make particularly interesting reading today because they record detailed prudence checks and discussions on disallowances, power-purchase costs, establishment expenditure, distribution losses, operational efficiency, consumer interests and the need to avoid tariff shock. In 2013-14, for instance, PDD proposed an average domestic increase of about 10% and an overall increase of 13.53%. JKSERC restricted these to roughly 8% and 8.5% respectively, expressly considering tariff shock. The domestic slabs then stood at 1.54 for the first 100 units, 2.00 for the next 100, 3.00 for 201-400 units and 3.20 thereafter. The pattern repeated in 2016. PDD sought considerably steeper increases, including around 23% for domestic consumers, but JKSERC eventually approved an average hike of around 10%. The principal domestic slabs moved only to 1.69, 2.20, 3.30 and 3.52. The Commission also noted that tariffs had not been increased during the preceding two years and that Government had reduced electricity duty from 22% to 10%. Even the substantial revision in 2023 demonstrated continuing political sensitivity. Government simultaneously withdrew the 15% Electricity Duty, explicitly seeking to neutralise the effect of the tariff revision on the final consumer bill. An official illustration then showed that a domestic consumer using 500 units would actually pay marginally less after withdrawal of the duty despite the revised tariff. And then came JERC Order No. 06 of 2026 dated August 20, 2026. The Government-supported proposal before JERC contemplated a 5% increase across the board. JERC ultimately determined tariffs yielding an overall 6.83% increase in tariff revenue. Domestic rates consequently move from 2.30 to 2.45 per unit up to 200 units, 4.00 to 4.20 for 201-400 units and 4.35 to 4.60 above 400 units, besides higher fixed charges. The increase in industrial tariff has shockingly been made to nearly 10%. What deserves particular attention this time is not merely the increase but the regulatory philosophy behind it. Earlier orders were notable for rigorous examination of power-purchase projections, establishment expenditure, distribution losses, collection efficiency and other costs, with claims questioned or curtailed wherever considered excessive or unsupported. Nobody can reasonably argue that legitimate power-purchase, network or establishment costs should not be recovered. But that is precisely why an independent regulator stands between the utility seeking money and the consumer expected to pay it. Its task is not merely to determine how a revenue gap should be filled, but how much of that gap should exist in the first place. That question becomes still sharper when the DISCOMs came with a Government-supported proposal of 5% across the board, while JERC ultimately determined tariffs yielding 6.83% additional revenue with almost double the demand to increase for industry. The regulator undoubtedly has the statutory authority to differ from the utilities. But regulatory independence should ordinarily mean greater scrutiny, not a greater burden than even the applicant sought without compelling justification. Why have power tariff hikes historically provoked such strong reactions in Kashmir? To dismiss this as an unwillingness to payas some political and public commentary doesis both simplistic and insensitive. A large section of the population does not live on assured government salaries. Families depend on small trade, handicrafts, horticulture, agriculture, tourism, transport, construction and daily labouroccupations that are seasonal and uncertain. A worker may find no work, an artisan no order and a shopkeeper no customers; the electricity bill, however, has no lean season. It arrives in full. Kashmirs prolonged winter adds another burden. Households must spend heavily on heating, warm clothing, bedding and other necessities simply to withstand the cold. Electricity is therefore no longer merely about lighting and appliances; increasingly, it is about warmth and survival. There is also an irony: the snow that makes winters so difficult eventually melts into the rivers that generate hydropower in J&K. People therefore reasonably expect some benefit from these waters in the form of affordable electricity. The historical tariff numbers reinforce the point. A household consuming 200 units incurred about 354 in energy charges under the 2013-14 tariff structure. From September 2026, the same consumption costs about 490, nearly 38% more. For the first 100 units, the applicable rate has risen from 1.54 to 2.45an increase of about 59%. Fixed charges have also risen from 5/kW in the earlier structure to 10/kW now. These increases did not occur every year. The history is instead one of long pauses followed by step increases, and those pauses tell their own story. Governments frequently preferred to carry more of the deficit rather than place it immediately upon households. Nobody should romanticise the tragedy of 1988 or suggest that tariff disputes belong on violent streets. The lesson of Bohri Kadal is precisely the opposite: human life is infinitely more valuable than any electricity tariff. But history does leave us with a warning. Earlier, a power hike had to survive the street. Today it has to survive the regulator. Eventually, however, it must still survive the household. From Bohri Kadal in 1988 to JERCs 334-page Order No. 06 of 2026, the process has changed almost beyond recognition. The street slogan became a tariff petition; the political announcement became an ARR; the Government decision became a regulatory determination. Yet at the end of those 334 pages stands the same person who stood there four decades agothe consumer, electricity bill in hand, with a limited income from which to pay it. The question therefore is neither whether electricity should be free nor whether tariffs can never rise. It is simply this: Before asking an honest consumer to pay more, have the utilities and the regulator exhausted every possibility of making the system cost less, lose less and collect better? If not, the arithmetic may have become regulatory, but its consequences remain profoundly human. Shakeel Qalander, prominent business leader and a civil society animator

Kashmir marks Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) with fervour

Srinagar, Aug 26:Thousands of devotees thronged the revered Dargah Hazratbal shrine and other major shrines across Kashmir on Wednesday as the Valley joined the Muslim world in celebrating Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), amid an atmosphere of devotion, festivity, and reverence. The celebrations began on Tuesday night, when devotees from different parts of the Valley gathered at Hazratbal for night-long prayers and religious congregations. Worshippers spent the night reciting the Holy Quran, Darood, and devotional hymns while special sermons highlighting the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) were delivered. From the early hours of Wednesday, a steady stream of devotees continued to pour into the shrine to offer prayers and witness the display of the holy relic after the congregational prayers. As the relic was displayed, emotional scenes unfolded with devotees raising their hands in supplication, many breaking down in tears while chants of Darood and Salaam echoed across the shrine premises. It is a moment that fills every believer with peace and gratitude. We prayed for harmony, prosperity and blessings for the entire Valley, said Adil Ahmad, a devotee from Pulwama. The clear weather encouraged large gatherings, with devotees describing the clear skies as a blessing that allowed people to participate comfortably in the celebrations. Major congregations were also held at Reshi Sahib Anantnag, Khiram Sirhama, Seer Hamdan, Kaba Marg, Dooru, Sopore and several other shrines across Kashmir, where thousands offered special prayers. The day also witnessed Milad processions in various towns and localities. Participants carrying green flags and banners marched through the streets while reciting praises of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Religious organisations said similar processions and programmes would continue across the Valley during the upcoming days of Rabi-ul-Awwal. Across Srinagar and other districts, roads, mosques and marketplaces were adorned with green flags, decorative lights and welcome banner. Volunteers had worked for days decorating major roads leading to religious places. Every year our volunteers decorate the Foreshore Road and adjoining areas with banners and lights to welcome devotees. It is our humble way of expressing love for the Prophet (SAW) and serving the people visiting Hazratbal, said a volunteer from Shalimar. Outside Hazratbal shrine, adjoining markets remained abuzz throughout the day as devotees purchased snacks, refreshments, religious items, and other goods, creating a festive atmosphere. Meanwhile, authorities had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the celebrations. Personnel from the J&K Police, Traffic Police, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Health Department, Power Development Department, and other agencies remained deployed across the shrine and major congregation points. Our personnel remained on the ground to regulate traffic, create designated parking zones and ensure smooth movement of devotees. Diversions were planned in advance, and with the cooperation of volunteers, the arrangements remained largely hassle-free, said a Traffic Police official. An SMC official said special sanitation drives, cleaning operations and deployment of men and machinery were carried out around Hazratbal and other major religious places to maintain cleanliness during the celebrations. Since Tuesday evening, political leaders from different parties also visited Hazratbal Shrine to pay obeisance and extend greetings to devotees on the auspicious occasion. For worshippers, the occasion remained a celebration of faith and reflection. The teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) guide humanity towards compassion, justice and peace. We pray that these values continue to unite our society, said Muhammad Younis, a devotee.

Snakes disappearing from Kashmir

Anantnag, Aug 26:Nisar Itoo stands on a concrete bridge in Hassanoor village of Anantnag and points to tyre marks crisscrossing the road. We used to see snakes here every day, he said. Now, maybe one in a year. Villagers here say snakes that once slithered across this road are now rarely seen, a change they link to expanding orchards, pesticides and traffic, even as rescuers in Srinagar report more snake encounters than ever. Nisar, who has lived in Hassanoor since before proper roads reached the village, remembers walking to school while his parents warned him to watch out for snakes on the way. Now, he said, pesticide runoff and household waste from orchards and homes flows into the water under the bridge, eroding the habitat. Hassanoor and Mythology Older tales invoke Zainuddin Wali of Aishmuqam, the saint whose shrine overlooks the landscape. Residents repeat that he once ordered snakes and scorpions not to harm humans unless attacked. Many insist snakes here have never killed anyone and rarely bit someone, despite the presence of venomous species like the Levantine viper, locally called Gunas or Puhur, which can cause severe necrosis and bleeding disorders. That belief sits uneasily with everyday practice. Snakes are still often treated as enemies. Killing one can be seen as a good deed, a way to protect children and livestock. On orchard paths, near irrigation channels and around homes, some people strike first and ask questions later. South Kashmir and Forests Three or four years ago, I would have argued that some people just dont notice the change, said Muhammad Altaf, a forest ranger from south Kashmir, in an interview with Greater Kashmir. But now it is everywhere. The vanishing. Altaf said snakes have not only moved closer to human settlements but have also disappeared from wild spaces where they were once common. He links this to habitat fragmentation, agriculture and human expansion, but also to the quiet, unrecorded deaths that happen when a snake is spotted near a home or an orchard. Srinagar and the Wider Kashmir Just over an hour away, the story is different. Wildlife SOS, one of South Asias largest rescue organisations, has documented a considerable increase in snake sightings across parts of the Valley, including species not previously considered native to J&K. Aaliya Mir, Jammu and Kashmir Programme Head for Wildlife SOS, said her team has been rescuing more snakes in Srinagar than before, many in residential areas near the Zabarwan range, according to the organisations monthly rescue summaries. According to Wildlife SOS monthly rescue summaries, the J&K team handled 21 reptile rescues in May last year, including Himalayan trinket snakes, Levantine vipers and Indian rat snakes. In August that year, the team attended to 20 rescues across the region. In May the following year, rescuers pulled two mating pairs of snakes from kitchen gardens in Awantipora and Wathora, underlining how often snakes are now turning up in human spaces. In an interview with Greater Kashmir, Mir said deliberate killing of snakes happens widely in Kashmir. In a lot of places, people still see snakes as a threat or enemies that must be removed, she said. Some areas now rarely have certain species because they have been killed off over time. This has been happening for a very long time. Her team tries to calm people, give instructions on what to do and what not to do, and encourage villagers to rely on professional expertise instead of killing snakes themselves. But the impulse to strike first remains strong, especially in orchard belts and rural pockets where myth, memory and fear shape everyday decisions. Across the Valley, the story of snakes is no longer just about habitat loss or roadkill. Aaliya says it is about how people see them, and how they are spoken about in homes and orchards. In some places, rare snakes are no longer found because they have been killed off over time. In others, like Hassanoor, the reptiles that once formed part of the background of daily life are thinning out, leaving behind a landscape that feels quieter and, in some ways, more fragile. The Anantnag forest division did not respond to questions about plans for wildlife signage or monitoring on the Hassanoor bridge, where no sign warns drivers to slow down and no government noticeboard acknowledges this as a wildlife crossing. If this thing is not controlled in the area, then my grandchild will need to be told that once upon a time this area had snakes, but we wont have anything to show them practically, Nisar told Greater Kashmir.

J&K plans to map, monetise underused Govt urban assets

Srinagar, Aug 26:The Jammu and Kashmir government is considering a new framework to identify government-owned land and buildings in urban areas, assess their utilisation and explore ways to generate revenue from unused or underused properties. The proposal is contained in the draft Urban Asset Mapping and Monetisation Policy prepared by the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD). The government has invited suggestions and feedback before finalising the policy. Under the proposed framework, the government would create a comprehensive digital record of its urban properties, including their location, geographical coordinates, land and built-up area, land use, circle rate, title documents, existing use, annual income and any legal claims or encumbrances. The draft proposes the 'Creation of Online Asset Register using IT & GIS technology and regular updation of assets.' The exercise would cover properties under Urban Local Bodies, Development Authorities, the Housing Board and other organisations under HUDD. The proposed State Urban Asset Management Cell (SUAMC) would maintain the database, with the inventory reviewed and updated monthly. The policy distinguishes between core and non-core assets. Core assets include infrastructure required for public services, such as roads, water supply systems, sewerage, solid-waste management, public transport, sanitation and stormwater networks. Non-core assets include government-owned land and buildings used for social infrastructure and other purposes. The proposed monetisation would primarily focus on non-core assets through an asset recycling approach. The draft does not envisage only outright sale of properties. Options include leasing government land or buildings, redevelopment, and allowing private entities to operate assets for specified periods under contractual arrangements. The draft says monetisation structures could range from simple agreements with private entities to more complex financing models. Lease arrangements, Real Estate Investment Trusts, transferable development rights, and land pooling are among the mechanisms mentioned. Properties would not automatically be selected for commercial use. SUAMC would assess potential assets in consultation with the concerned government organisations, examining factors such as revenue potential, priority, technical feasibility and financial viability. The Housing and Urban Development Department Committee would then consider the recommendations and approve assets for monetisation or redevelopment. The draft proposes a transparent and competitive bidding process for private-sector participation. It calls for rigorous analysis, stakeholder consultation, comprehensive data and accurate price discovery, with allotments typically going to the highest bidder. Technical, legal, financial and valuation advisers may also be engaged. Projects valued at Rs 250 crore or more would require approval from an Apex Committee headed by the Chief Secretary, with senior officials from departments including Finance, Revenue, Public Works, Forest and Environment and HUDD. Projects below Rs 250 crore would be handled by the HUDD Committee headed by the Principal Secretary. The draft proposes that monetisation proceeds be shared between SUAMC and the concerned HUDD organisation according to an agreed arrangement. The money would be used specifically for creating new public assets or refurbishing existing ones rather than simply being treated as unrestricted revenue. SUAMC would also maintain an online dashboard containing information on assets, including ownership, tenure, lease agreements, allotment criteria and legal disputes. It would oversee asset identification, approvals, tendering and monitoring after assets are transferred to private operators. The proposed process involves three broad stages: identification and preliminary assessment of assets; detailed mapping, valuation, geotagging and legal, technical and financial studies; and final approval of monetisation plans, agreements and revenue-sharing arrangements. The policy remains at the draft stage and can be modified following public feedback. The document also leaves certain matters, including the source of funds for SUAMC and its proposed location, to be determined through subsequent orders.

94,546 applicants for 960 posts in 2025-26

Srinagar, Aug 26:Jammu and Kashmirs growing competition for government employment is reflected in the latest recruitment figures of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), which received 94,546 applications against 960 posts advertised during 2025-26. The figures mean that, on a simple application-to-post calculation, the Commission received an average of 98.5 applications for every post advertised during the year, or nearly 99 applications for one post. The scale of competition becomes clearer when the figures are viewed over the five financial years from 2021-22 to 2025-26. During this period, JKPSC received a combined 3,11,031 applications for recruitment. The annual figures were 41,932 applications in 2021-22, 37,880 in 2022-23, 74,465 in 2023-24, 62,208 in 2024-25 and 94,546 in 2025-26. The five-year total is calculated by adding the applications received in each of the five financial years. The latest year accounted for around 30 percent of all applications received by the Commission during the five-year period. It also marked a sharp increase over 2024-25, when the Commission received 62,208 applications. Applications increased by 32,338 in 2025-26 compared with the previous year, representing a rise of about 52 percent. The latest figure was also 20,081 higher than the previous peak of 74,465 applications recorded in 2023-24. The application figures provide an indication of the intense competition for government employment in J&K, although they cannot be treated as a direct measure of unemployment. An application does not necessarily represent a unique individual, as candidates may apply for more than one post or recruitment process. Similarly, the 960 posts advertised by JKPSC represent vacancies advertised through the Commission and not the total employment opportunities available across J&K. The 2025-26 report shows that most applications were for recruitment involving a written examination followed by an interview. A total of 88,185 applications were received under this category, while 6361 applications were received for recruitment based exclusively on written examination. The large application pool also resulted in a higher recruitment workload for the Commission. JKPSC interviewed 1847 candidates during 2025-26, compared with 1128 in 2024-25, an increase of nearly 64 percent. The commission recommended 1152 candidates for appointment during 2025-26, compared with 721 in the previous year. Of these, 529 candidates were recommended through recruitment involving written examination and interview, while 623 were recommended through recruitment based exclusively on written examination. The number of recommendations has varied over recent years. It stood at 763 in 2022-23, rose to 958 in 2023-24, declined to 721 in 2024-25 and increased to 1152 in 2025-26. The commission advertised 960 posts of various departments for recruitment during 2025-26. It also received eight requisitions involving 889 posts from different departments during the year. The gap between the number of applications and advertised posts is therefore significant. While 94,546 applications were received, only 960 posts were advertised, producing an average of 98.5 applications for each post. The ratio should not be read as meaning that exactly 99 unemployed people competed for each vacancy. Candidates can submit multiple applications, and applicants may include those already employed or seeking a change of employment. However, the figures demonstrate the scale of demand for the limited government posts advertised through JKPSC.

Advanced care must become a right, not a privilege: LG Sinha

Srinagar, Aug 26:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said advanced care must become a right, not a privilege. Addressing the Quaternary Healthcare and Research Summit in Srinagar, LG Sinha emphasised that the summit marks a turning point in Jammu and Kashmir and Indias healthcare journey, where J&K and the nation must move beyond tertiary care and embrace quaternary-level treatment and research to ensure equal access for all citizens. Recalling his visit to Akhnoor during the 'Back to Village' programme in 2020, he shared a poignant interaction with doctors who discussed diagnosis for rare diseases and need for modern equipment. The LG said this moment revealed the greatest distance confronting us in J&K is the gap between healthcare available in small district hospitals and the healthcare actually required. He stressed that bridging this gap is a national priority. LG Sinha highlighted Indias remarkable progress under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. He said free treatment for more than 56 crore citizens surpassed the combined population of the US, France, Italy, and the UK. The LG said annual vaccination campaigns in the country covering 7 crore children, equal to the population of the UK. He said even e-Sanjeevani telemedicine providing care to 37 crore people annually, exceeding the population of the US. Expansion of infrastructure with 23 AIIMS, 2,045 medical colleges, and in Jammu Kashmir, 2 AIIMS, 10 medical colleges, 2 State Cancer Institutes, a Bone and Joint Hospital, a Paediatric Hospital, 52 nursing colleges, 23 paramedical colleges, and 5 pharmacy colleges are providing robust support to healthcare ecosystem. These figures show that India has succeeded in elevating primary, secondary, and tertiary care. But the time has come to scale up tertiary hospitals into quaternary centres, LG Sinha said. He also stressed that the advanced care must no longer remain a luxury confined to metropolitan cities. Quaternary care should not be a privilege reserved for the economically rich section of society. It must become a right of citizenship and a guarantee of the nation. For a very long time, quaternary care has been viewed as a luxury available only in metropolitan cities and accessible only to those who can afford it. I wish to state clearly from this platform that this era must now come to an end. The cooperation of all the stakeholders, private hospitals and research centres is essential for fulfilling this resolve, the LG said. He called upon hospitals to transform themselves into research institutions capable of organ transplantation, robotic and precision surgery, advanced genomics, cellular therapies, and AI-supported diagnostics. LG Sinha urged hospitals to allocate annual budgets for specialised infrastructure such as modern operating theatres and proton-beam therapy facilities. We must always remember that a quaternary centre should be capable of offering every diagnosis and treatment permitted by science. Therefore, hospitals will also have to make budgetary provisions to access expensive and modern technologies such as robotic surgery, gene therapy, proton-beam therapy and artificial-intelligence-based advanced diagnostics. While preparing the annual budget, hospitals should allocate funds each year for specialised infrastructure. This will enable them to gradually develop facilities such as modern operating theatres for delicate and complex procedures, he said. The LG also suggested building of a new corridor to connect district hospitals and tertiary centres directly with quaternary-care institutions, accelerating diagnostics, imaging, and specialist consultations. He said telemedicine and AI-enabled diagnostic tools should be integrated into standard healthcare infrastructure. He appealed for expanded fellowship and training opportunities in organ transplantation, oncology, genomics, and critical care. Advanced care is impossible without advanced specialists, LG Sinha said. He also suggested a mission uniting Himalayan states, J&K, universities, hospitals, private institutions, and innovators to jointly advance biomedical research and overcome funding challenges. We must develop new inventions ourselves instead of importing innovation from abroad, the LG said. He urged that hospitals be regarded as strategic national assets just like highways and ports, ensuring their preservation and development with equal dedication. We must create a robust quaternary-care framework that guarantees equal access to the son of a farmer and to a millionaire living in a city. This task will not be easy, but it must be undertaken as a matter of national dedication and service. Let us work together at this summit to prepare a strategy that will be remembered for the precise and effective implementation of these goals, LG Sinha said. On the occasion, he released Summit Souvenir and several publications. M Srinivas, Member, NITI Aayog; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Dr Digambar Behera, President, National Academy of Medical Sciences; Dr Kameshwar Prasad; M Raju, Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department; Prof M Ashraf Ganie, Director SKIMS; heads of various institutions, researchers, scientists, and senior officials were also present on the occasion.

Repeated closures undermine Mughal Roads promise as Kashmirs alternate highway

Shopian, Aug 26:The Mughal Road, touted as an alternative link between Kashmir and the Jammu region, has faced repeated disruptions this summer due to cloudbursts and landslides, raising questions over its reliability as an all-weather route. On August 5, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah travelled to Rajouri and Poonch through the historic road and later described its condition as worse than the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which had itself been battered by torrential rain and landslides. The Mughal Road connects south Kashmirs Shopian district with Poonch in the Jammu region, cutting across the Pir Panjal range. The road was thrown open to vehicular traffic in 2009 and was projected as an alternative link to the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. However, repeated weather-related disruptions have limited its potential as a dependable alternative route. Since June, the road has witnessed several cloudbursts and landslides. Official records show that a cloudburst occurred at Zaznar Point on June 29, while another hit the Sukh Sarai area on June 14. A landslide was subsequently reported in the Lal Ghulam area on July 14, followed by another in the Sukh Sarai area on August 3, disrupting traffic along the route. Despite the repeated incidents, authorities have been working to restore connectivity at the earliest. An official from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) said the 52 RCC under Project Beacon has been clearing the road immediately after blockages. Our teams respond immediately whenever the road is blocked. The priority is to clear debris and restore traffic at the earliest, the official said. The roads vulnerability, however, is not limited to the summer months. Mughal Road remains closed for more than four months during winter because of heavy snowfall around Peer Ki Gali, located at an elevation of around 11,500 feet. The seasonal closure limits its usefulness as a reliable alternative to the national highway, particularly during periods when the main Jammu-Srinagar route is disrupted. For residents and traders in Shopian, Rajouri and Poonch, the road is an important connectivity link, providing a shorter route between the two regions. The road is important for people on both sides of the Pir Panjal, but frequent closures make it difficult to depend on it for regular travel and transportation, said Mohammad Ashraf, a local resident. The route also has economic significance for south Kashmirs horticulture sector, as it provides access to markets in the Jammu region. The repeated disruptions have assumed greater significance as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway itself remains vulnerable to landslides, shooting stones and extreme weather. Mughal Road could provide an important alternative during such disruptions, particularly for traffic between south Kashmir and the Pir Panjal districts. But its own exposure to cloudbursts, landslides and heavy snowfall limits the extent to which it can perform that role. However, officials said that a proposed 9-km tunnel between Chatta Pani in Poonch and Zaznar in Shopian could eventually address the Mughal Roads biggest weakness of its prolonged winter closures and vulnerability to extreme weather. The Centre approved the Pir Ki Gali tunnel project in June 2025 at an estimated cost of around Rs 3830 crore, with the tunnel envisaged as an all-weather link between the Kashmir Valley and the Pir Panjal region. Once completed, it would bypass the high-altitude Pir Ki Gali stretch, where heavy snowfall regularly disrupts traffic for several months, said the officials.

LG, CM condole loss of lives

Srinagar, Aug 26:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday condoled the loss of lives in Surankote, Poonch accident. In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor wrote: 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. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed deep grief over the tragic road accident in Surankote, Poonch, which claimed six lives and left several others injured. CM Omar conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls. He directed the concerned authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment and care for those injured in the accident. The CM also directed the concerned authorities to extend all possible assistance to the affected families in this hour of grief.

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Srinagar, Aug 26: A NITI Aayog delegation led by its member M Srinivas on Wednesday stressed the need to improve educational outcomes and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation made the observation during a meeting with J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha here. The delegation highlighted the need to further improve educational outcomes and infrastructure, strengthen industry-academia linkages and employment opportunities, address human-resource and infrastructure gaps in the health sector, and improve primary healthcare delivery, an official spokesman said after the meeting. In agriculture and allied sectors, emphasis was placed on irrigation, modernisation of horticulture, reduction of post-harvest losses, cold-chain and processing infrastructure, livestock services, value-chain development and stronger market linkages, he said. For accelerating economic growth and employment generation, NITI Aayog suggested promotion of sector-specific industrial clusters, strengthening of MSMEs and employment-intensive manufacturing, improvement in logistics and export infrastructure, promotion of green mobility and development of a stronger innovation and startup ecosystem in the Union territory, the spokesman said. The presentation of the delegation also highlighted measures for sustainable urban development, including improved water security, sewage treatment, river rejuvenation, faster implementation of AMRUT 2.0 and PMAY-U, improved urban roads and expansion of public transport. The tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir was also discussed, with emphasis on improving last-mile connectivity and visitor amenities, promoting homestays, and leveraging the UT's infrastructure for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) and event tourism, he added. The spokesman said the NITI Aayog delegation also highlighted the importance of timely completion of connectivity projects, improved water conservation and irrigation infrastructure, and greater utilisation of renewable energy potential, particularly through decentralised solar energy and PM-Surya Ghar. During the meeting, the Srinivas-led team presented a comprehensive assessment of the development landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the achievements, key sectoral gaps and possible interventions for accelerating the socio-economic development of the UT. The assessment covered major sectors, including education, skill development and employment, health and nutrition, agriculture and horticulture, industry and MSMEs, urbanisation, tourism, infrastructure connectivity, water resources, and renewable energy and power. Sinha appreciated the comprehensive sectoral assessment and shared the significant development initiatives undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. He said the government of India and the J-K administration are working together towards the vision of Viksit Jammu Kashmir, with sustained emphasis on infrastructure creation, improved public service delivery, employment generation, investment and inclusive socio-economic development. Sinha suggested that NITI Aayog may undertake a focused assessment and identify actionable measures for making the Dal Lake cleaner and ensuring its long-term ecological sustainability.

AI can augment reasoning but cannot substitute judicial conscience: CJI Surya Kant

New Delhi, Aug 26: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday said the judiciarys governing principle is that artificial intelligence may augment judicial reasoning, but it cannot substitute judicial conscience, and that a permanent apex body has been proposed to supervise the adoption and accountability of the new technology. Speaking at a bilateral meeting with Ulrich Herrmann, the presiding judge of the Federal Court of Justice at Karlsruhe in Germany, CJI Kant said that artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in certain defined support functions such as legal research, judgement translation into 16 languages and as a conversational interface for citizens to look for case status and procedures. He said that while these tools are designed to reduce repetitive work, they do not determine judicial outcomes. Artificial intelligence may augment judicial reasoning, but it cannot substitute judicial conscience. Draft regulations from the Supreme Court's AI Committee permit administrative uses such as scheduling, transcription and translation, while barring AI from assessing witness credibility, flight risk, recidivism or bail eligibility; a permanent apex body has been proposed to supervise the adoption and accountability of AI, he said. Our two judiciaries share the same underlying responsibility: to preserve judicial independence and public confidence while adapting our institutions to new forms of litigation and new expectations of access. Technology and administrative reform can support this responsibility, but neither can replace careful adjudication, human judgment and fidelity to law, he said. The CJI said that institutional mediation centres, Lok Adalats and digital Lok Adalats, including the Supreme Court's recent special Lok Adalat, Samadhan Samaroh, have brought settlement within reach of parties well beyond major cities, supported by trained professionals, case managers and secure digital systems. As two major trading partners, our judiciaries and mediation institutions stand to gain from exchanging experience on cross-border commercial mediation, the recognition and enforcement of mediated settlements, and joint training for mediators handling India-Germany commercial disputes, he said. At the outset, the CJI said that both the countries have developed different judicial structures and legal traditions, as India follows a common-law tradition with one integrated judicial hierarchy, while Germany has a civil-law system with separate branches of federal jurisdiction. These differences make the exchange particularly useful. They allow us to compare how our institutions deal with the same practical concerns, including appellate workload, consistency of case law, timely disposal, judicial administration and access to justice, he said. The CJI said he is approaching the meeting with three themes that speak directly to the challenges the two judiciaries share, such as harnessing technology and AI in the administration of justice, strengthening cross-border mediation and other dispute resolution mechanisms, and deepening institutional cooperation through an MoU. I also see considerable value in identifying areas in which our courts, judges, registries and judicial academies can continue this engagement through a structured and reciprocal programme, he said. The CJI said he sees value in anchoring any MoU in the themes already discussed: technology and AI in court administration, and cross-border mediation and dispute resolution, alongside the commercial and business law focus and the digitalisation of judicial processes that the Hanseatic court's concept note already identifies as priorities. I propose that each side identify one institutional point of contact so that today's discussion can be converted into a workable programme, with the MoU or another suitable arrangement to follow once the appropriate authorities on both sides have considered its scope, frequency, participants, confidentiality requirements and working language, he said. Giving an overview of the Indian judiciary, the CJI said that unlike Germany, India has no separate constitutional court. The Supreme Court is simultaneously the final appellate court in civil and criminal matters and the country's highest constitutional court, with original jurisdiction under Article 32 to enforce fundamental rights, he said. The CJI also said that Indias approach has been to make courts not merely more technological, but more accessible, transparent and responsive for every stakeholder in the justice delivery system. On the shared institutional challenge, CJI Kant said Germany's electronic case files, the e-Justice council, the Bund-Laender Commission and the proposed Federal Justice Cloud reflect a similar commitment to a secure digital foundation for justice delivery. Both our judiciaries agree that judicial decisions must remain with judges and legally authorised judicial officers, whatever the degree of digital transformation, he said. Promoting mediation as another mode of dispute resolution has always been at the top of the priority list of the Chief Justice of India, right from day one, CJI Kant said. The CJI is on a four-day visit to Germany and the UK during which he will address several programmes.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Eight dead, several others missing after flash flood hits Nepal

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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)

Convening India's brightest minds: The Bharat Life Sciences Awards Innovation Summit to spotlight life sciences

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

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