Health & Fitness

Female Sambar deer sighting raises hopes of range expansion into Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 9:A female Sambar deer sighted near Sinthan Top in south Kashmirs Anantnag district has raised hopes that the species is extending its range into the Valley. The animal was spotted by passengers near Daksum on the Kashmir side of Sinthan Top, a wildlife official said. The sighting follows reports of a male Sambar near Achabal in April 2024 and another in the Sinthan Top-Daksum area last year. The species is historically found in the Kishtwar-Bhaderwah-Doda belt and Udhampur region of Jammu division. Wildlife researcher and Warden North Kashmir Range Intesar Suhail said sightings of a male and a female at different times could indicate an expansion of the species' home range. Since we have sighted two different individuals, one male and another female, at two different times, it does not appear to be a one-off stray incident. It points towards a possible expansion of the species' home range, Suhail said. He said extensive camera trapping and evidence of herds were needed to establish whether the species was expanding its range. Before arriving at a conclusion, we need to look for more evidence, particularly whether there are herds in the area. It requires a scientific study and extensive camera trapping to establish the expansion, he said. The presence of both sexes also raises the possibility of breeding, although an established population has not been confirmed. Wildlife Warden Anantnag-Kulgam range Sajad Bhat said the Sinthan Top forest belt was connected to Kishtwar, providing a possible route for the animal to enter the area. The animal may have either migrated from that side or moved to lower elevations in search of habitat, he said. Bhat said it was too early to confirm a range expansion, adding that female Sambar deer sightings in Kashmir were uncommon and the species is more frequently recorded in the Jammu division. The Sambar (Rusa unicolor), the largest deer species in the Indian subcontinent, has been listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List since 2008 due to population declines caused by hunting and habitat loss. Jammu and Kashmir is also home to other rare wildlife species, including the Hangul, Kashmir musk deer, Markhor and Asiatic ibex.

NGT orders fresh wetland assessment by JKPCC

Srinagar, Nov 9:The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) to carry out a fresh assessment of wetlands, amid mounting evidence of shrinking lakes, disappearing water bodies and deteriorating water quality across J&K. Official figures show that J&K lost 120 hectares of recorded wetland area over 11 years, while hundreds of lakes have either vanished or shrunk. The tribunal has asked the JKPCC to match the wetland area recorded in revenue documents with the actual extent on the ground and submit a revised report before its next hearing on February 26, 2027. The direction followed the tribunal's finding that the committee's earlier report had failed to establish the actual extent of wetlands against the area recorded in revenue records. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad, directed the committee to file the report at least a day before the next hearing. In its report dated October 1, 2026, the JKPCC identified 27 wetlands spread over more than one hectare outside forest areas. It said details from the Deputy Commissioners of Jammu and Kupwara were still awaited. The scale of water-body loss is reflected in a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit, which found that 518 of the 697 lakes recorded in 1967 had either disappeared or shrunk. Of these, 315 lakes had vanished completely, while 203 had reduced in size. The total loss in water spread was estimated at 2851.26 hectares, including 1537.07 hectares from lakes that disappeared and 1314.19 hectares from those that shrank. As many as 63 lakes had lost more than half of their water spread. The EnviStats India 2022, Volume II: Environment Accounts, published by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), recorded a decline of 120 hectares, or around 2372 kanals, in Jammu and Kashmir's wetland area between 2006-07 and 2017-18. The recorded wetland area fell from 1,64,230 hectares to 1,64,110 hectares during the period, even as the number of listed wetlands increased marginally from 403 to 404. The CAG audit also found that conservation efforts were largely concentrated on major water bodies, including Dal Lake, Wular Lake, Hokersar, Manasbal, Surinsar and Mansar, while no comprehensive conservation plans had been prepared for the remaining 691 lakes. It pointed to fragmented institutional responsibilities and weak monitoring. At Dal Lake, delays in land acquisition and malfunctioning sewage treatment plants affected conservation work. Wular lacked a functional oversight body, while Hokersar faced altered water flows, biodiversity loss and encroachment spread over more than 2500 kanal. Several wetlands fail water-quality tests The deterioration is not limited to shrinking water spread. Water-quality tests conducted by the JKPCC found that several wetlands failed the prescribed standards for Class B water, meant for outdoor bathing. In Jammu district, none of the three wetlands sampled met the standards. In Samba, only two of the nine wetlands tested complied, while the sample from Kathua met the prescribed criteria. In Kashmir, four of the six wetlands tested in Kupwara failed the standards, mainly because of high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Rakh-e-Daslipora wetland in Baramulla also failed the BOD and dissolved oxygen parameters. BOD measures the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms while breaking down organic matter in water. High BOD indicates greater organic pollution, while low dissolved oxygen can threaten aquatic life. The JKPCC report also found that Rakh-i-Daslipora wetland could not be located at its mapped site, where paddy cultivation was being carried out. Domestic effluent was also found entering Mawasar wetland in Samba. The committee has sought details of the persons, agencies and departments responsible for taking corrective or punitive action in these cases. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has identified eight polluted water bodies in Jammu and Kashmir, including stretches of the Jhelum. Chuntkol in Srinagar recorded a BOD level of 11.2 mg per litre, while a stretch of the Jhelum recorded 7.8 mg per litre. In 2025, the NGT was informed that Srinagar generates around 163 million litres of sewage daily, against an available treatment capacity of 60 MLD, leaving nearly 103 MLD untreated. The untreated wastewater enters the Jhelum and Dal Lake through drains. The government has also acknowledged that untreated wastewater from drains in parts of south Kashmir flows into streams feeding the Jhelum. Wetland management plan proposes Rs 46.70 crore The Draft Integrated Management Action Plan for Kashmir wetlands for 2022-27 proposed an outlay of Rs 46.70 crore for biodiversity protection, public awareness, eco-tourism, sustainable use of resources, livelihood development and institutional strengthening. However, the proposal does not establish how much of the amount has been spent or how many of the proposed interventions have been completed. According to MOSPI, Jammu and Kashmir has five Ramsar sites- Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, Wular, Hygam, Shallabugh and Hokersar. Together, they account for 14.08 percent of J&K's recorded wetland area. The NGT will take up the matter again on February 26, 2027, after the JKPCC submits its updated assessment.

Free textbook distribution begins in schools

Srinagar, Nov 9:The government Monday commenced free textbook distribution for the students in government schools from class 1st primary to 8th. The distribution process was started by minister for education who personally visited several schools and distributed the textbooks and uniforms among the school children of the district. As already reported, Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has notified a schedule for the distribution of free textbooks to government schools across Kashmir from November 9, 2026. The free textbook distribution commenced eight days after the commencement of the academic session 2026-27. As per the JKBOSE schedule, the education zones of Baramulla district are scheduled to receive the books in the last week of November. As per the distribution schedule issued by the Textbook Section of JKBOSE on November 7, 2026, the process will begin from Srinagar district on November 9 (Monday), followed by Bandipora on November 10, Kulgam on November 11, and Kupwara on November 12 and 13. The phased distribution will continue across districts as the education zones of Anantnag are scheduled to receive textbooks on November 14 and 16, Budgam zones on November 17 and 18, and Pulwama on November 19 and 20. The education zones in Ganderbal will receive the free textbooks on November 20, while the distribution in Shopian is scheduled for November 21, placing both districts in the third week of November. Baramulla, however, figures among the last districts in the distribution calendar. The education zones of the district will receive textbooks in three phases, commencing from November 23 and will conclude on November 26. According to the JKBOSE schedule, education zone Pattan, Kunzer, Rohama, Sopore, Singpora (K) and Singpora (P) will receive the textbooks on November 23. Uri, Jhulla, Boniyar, Chandanwari, Baramulla and Chandoosa zones are scheduled for November 25, while Dangiwacha, Wagoora, Tangmarg, Fatehgarh, Nihalpora and Dangerpora will receive the books on November 26. As per the schedule, the free supply of textbooks will be provided to education zones for students from Class 1 to Class 8. The Deputy Secretary (textbook section) of JKBOSE, has asked the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to depute representatives from the concerned Zonal Education Officers' (ZEO) offices, along with authority letters, to lift the textbooks from the JKBOSE textbook store at New Campus, Bemina, Srinagar, on the designated dates. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the book distribution function Chairman JKBOSE Ghulam Hassan Sheikh said the Central Government provides free textbooks to children in government schools which normally takes time for them to print the books. This is the first time in many years that we have started distributing books along with the sessions. Our distribution work will be completed in 8-10 days, he said. Sheikh said they distribute the books to the Zonal Education Officers following which they distribute the books to all the government schools in their jurisdiction. The work is done by the Directorate of School Education of Kashmir. Our job is to distribute the books to the ZEOs. We have asked the CEOs to supervise the distribution of the books. We hope that by distributing the books to the children on time, we will be able to improve the quality of education, he said. Sheikh said the total number of children in the government schools across J&K for which textbooks are printed was 8,20,000. We are distributing the same number of books. The total number of children in Kashmir is over three lakhs and in Jammu its more than four lakhs, he said. While the JKBOSE has notified the schedule for textbook distribution, the school teachers have expressed concern over the delayed process. This is not for the first time that textbook distribution has started late but it has become a routine for the government, a school teacher complained to Greater Kashmir, wishing not to be named. He said the as per the notified dates, the textbooks will reach the respective education zones and later the textbooks will be distributed to schools which will consume another week. For Baramulla, the textbooks will reach concerned zones in the last week of this month and later the supply will reach the schools. By this process a month goes waste for the students, the teacher said. Over the years, the teachers have expressed their concern over the process in vogue saying that the books must reach the schools by October end of every year following which the students can use the new books with the commencement of the new academic session in schools. But it seems the government is not concerned about the issue and they delay the process every year which takes a toll on the students, he said.

300 arrested, 73 brought back in a year

New Delhi, Nov 9:As the first anniversary of the brazen Red Fort blast approaches, central security agencies have tightened vigilance nationwide, backed by a fortified counterterrorism architecture and a sweeping crackdown on cross-border terror syndicates over the past year, officials said on Monday. On the eve of the first anniversary of the Red Fort blast, central security agencies have intensified vigilance following a year-long crackdown that led to over 300 arrests and the deportation of 73 high-value fugitives from abroad, the officials said. The terror strike on November 10 last year had exposed a 'Doctor Module' operated by highly educated professionals. Security agencies cracked the case within 24 hours, subsequently filing a formal charge sheet against 13 accused, including absconding paediatrician Dr Muzzafar Rather, who is currently believed to be hiding in Afghanistan. Central investigation agencies and Jammu and Kashmir police, with the help of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), identified the principal conspirator and nabbed the key perpetrators. The Red Fort blast prompted central intelligence agencies to formulate a policy to prevent such attacks. This thought led to the unveiling of 'PRAHAAR: National CT Policy and Strategy' on February 23 this year, in which policy was formulated for zero tolerance towards terrorism. The comprehensive policy sets a unified agenda for central and state machinery and its operational impact was further cemented during a high-level conference of state DGPs and central agency chiefs in September 2026. The efficacy of the PRAHAAR framework was visibly demonstrated in a massive, coordinated nationwide clampdown against the Pakistan-based ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN). The Red Fort case was unique because highly qualified professionals were involved. Now, many regulations are in place, including periodic surprise checks on the sale of ammonium nitrate and other materials, an official said on condition of anonymity. The network, which utilised domestic nodes and local foot soldiers, faced severe setbacks as agencies registered over 100 First Information Reports (FIRs) and arrested more than 300 operatives. Security forces recovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs), hand grenades carrying Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, and illicit firearms. Following these extensive operations, the SBN was formally designated as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on September 26 this year. Concurrently, multi-agency operations successfully dismantled several radical modules and dented the support frameworks of proscribed outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Action against pro-Khalistan elements (PKEs) has similarly blunted the network designs of outfits like Babbar Khalsa International and Khalistan Zindabad Force, disrupting cross-border arms smuggling and leading to key arrests. The security agencies also stepped up containment of Bangladesh-based terror threats, arresting 27 radical operatives inspired by the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) ideology across Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. On the diplomatic and international front, counterterror cooperation with foreign governments has been significantly scaled up to cut off external sanctuaries and fast-track the deportation of fugitives. A dedicated extradition portal launched in September this year optimised inter-agency coordination. The officials confirmed that these sustained diplomatic efforts successfully secured the return of 73 high-value fugitives from abroad over the past year. As security forces maintain a high state of alert ahead of the anniversary, officials emphasise that the enhanced synergy between central intelligence and state police forces has substantially hardened the nation's defences against future threats. The emphasis has remained on preventing terror attacks, identifying the wider ecosystem, quick disruption, timely investigation including collection of clinching evidence - and successful prosecution to tackle the threats, the officials said. The investigation into the entire Red Fort terror network run by the 'Doctor Module' started after posters of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit were pasted on the outskirts of Srinagar city during the intervening night of October 18-19 last year. The posters warned of attacks on police and security forces in the Valley. Srinagar police treated the matter as a serious issue, not just a one-off incident and Senior Superintendent of Police (Srinagar) G V Sundeep Chakravarthy formed several teams to investigate the case thoroughly. Srinagar police registered a case and reviewed CCTV footage, leading to the arrest of three locals -- Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid -- all with prior stone-pelting cases. Their interrogation led to the arrest of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic turned Imam from Shopian, who allegedly supplied the posters and used his access to radicalise the doctors. Piecing together the interrogation of the arrested accused, the investigation led Srinagar police to Al Falah university in Faridabad. There, two doctors Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie alias Musaib, a resident of Koil in South Kashmir's Pulwama and Dr Shaheen Sayeed, a woman hailing from Lucknow - were arrested and a huge quantity of arms and ammunition, including 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur, was seized. Aware of the crackdown by the police and central agencies, Dr Umar-un Nabi, driving an explosive-laden car, started shifting his base to avoid arrest. Nabi, a 28-year-old doctor from Pulwama, emerged as the most radicalised and key operative in the network spanning Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, and officials believe he was planning a powerful Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) blast timed around the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on December 6 last year. However, his plan was to place a VBIED near a crowded place either in the national capital or at a site of religious importance, and then disappear, the officials said. Authorities are closely monitoring the radicalisation of youth and have been asked to flag any noticeable behavioural change in any individual immediately, said the official cited above. It may be recalled that Dr Rather and Dr Nabi reportedly held radical views even during their student days; however, both managed to stay under the radar at that time. According to the co-accused's interrogation, Nabi's transformation took a dangerous turn after a 2021 trip to Turkiye with co-accused Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, where they allegedly met JeM overground workers. Following the trip, Nabi and Ganaie, who taught at Faridabad's Al Falah University, began accumulating vast quantities of chemicals from the open market, including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulphur. Much of this was stored near the university campus. That plot fell apart when a meticulous investigation resulted in the arrest of many from the 'Doctor Module' and seizure of explosives, causing panic to Nabi and ending in a premature blast outside the Red Fort, killing over a dozen people.

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Missing Kupwara girl traced, recovered safely from Srinagar: Police

Kupwara, Nov 9: In a significant development, District Police Kupwara has successfully traced and recovered a minor girl who had been reported missing from her residence in Kalaroos area since 02.11.2026. As per the statement, the matter was brought to the notice of Police Post Kalaroos by the girls family, following which necessary legal proceedings were initiated and FIR under relevant sections of BNS was registered. Acting on available leads and through sustained efforts, a police team of PP Kalaroos successfully traced the minor girl at Karan Nagar, Srinagar, and recovered her safely. Further legal formalities, including necessary proceedings in accordance with law, are being undertaken. Investigation of the case is continuing. J&K Police reiterate its commitment towards the safety and protection of children and remain dedicated to ensuring prompt action in matters concerning missing persons, statement reads.

Sunil Sharma visits fire-hit Warehouse Complex, constitutes 6-member committee to assess losses at twin fire-affected places in Jammu

Jammu, Nov 9: Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, today visited the Warehouse Complex near Nehru Market, Jammu, where a massive fire broke out on Sunday evening, completely damaging more than 15 shops. He was accompanied by Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma, former J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina, MLAs Arvind Gupta, Yudhvir Sethi and Vikram Randhawa, and BJP State General Secretary Baldev Singh Billowria. During the visit, Sunil Sharma met the affected traders, many of whom suffered losses worth crores of rupees within minutes. He expressed solidarity with the victims and assured them that the Bharatiya Janata Party stands firmly with every family affected by this tragedy. Sunil Sharma said, In barely two weeks, Jammu has witnessed two devastating market fires: first at Shiv Market near the Railway Station and now at Nehru Market. These are not just shops; they represent the livelihoods of hundreds of families. Traders cannot be sent home with mere words of sympathy. They need relief on the ground and a concrete plan to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. In consultation with Party State President Sat Sharma MP (Rajya Sabha), Sunil Sharma announced the constitution of a six-member committee headed by MLA Sham Lal Sharma (Jammu North), comprising Dr. Narinder Singh, MLAs Yudhvir Sethi, Vikram Randhawa and Arvind Gupta, and Party General Secretary Baldev Singh Billowria. The committee will assess the losses suffered by traders at both Nehru Market and Shiv Market and prepare a comprehensive list of affected traders. It will subsequently take up the matter with the Government to ensure time-bound relief and rehabilitation. The committee will also pursue the demand for allowing MLAs to utilise their Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to extend assistance to the affected traders. Sharma demanded adequate and time-bound compensation for the affected traders of both markets, over and above the routine relief norms, keeping in view the extent of losses suffered by them. He also called for the deployment of additional fire tenders in the Warehouse area, including compact fire tenders and quick response vehicles capable of entering narrow market lanes, to ensure their availability near Jammu's crowded commercial areas. Emphasising the need for long term preventive measures, he urged the Government to identify and allot a separate, isolated site for warehouses and the storage of inflammable goods, away from crowded markets and residential areas. Referring to the earlier fire incident at Shiv Market, Sunil Sharma said, After the Shiv Market fire, the NC Government promised 'all possible assistance', but no relief amount or timeline has been made public so far. The Omar Government must now move from assurances to action. Sunil Sharma reiterated that the affected traders deserve immediate relief, fair compensation and proper rehabilitation, and stressed that the Government must take concrete and time-bound steps to address their concerns and strengthen fire safety arrangements across Jammu's commercial establishments.

Deeply saddened: Former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad on Jammu fire mishap

Jammu, Nov 9: Former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday expressed deep sadness over the massive fire incident at Warehouse Jammu in which several business establishments have gutted. He urged the government to access the damage immediately and provide adequate compensation to the affected businessmen. Taking to micro-blogging site X, former chief minister Azad said: Deeply saddened by the massive fire at Warehouse Market near Bikram Chowk, Jammu which gutted several shops and godowns, causing losses worth crores to local traders. My sympathies are with all affected families and business owners. I urge the government to immediately assess the damage and provide adequate compensation to the affected traders so they can rebuild their livelihoods.

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PM Modi speaks to Ukraine President Zelenskyy, reiterates India's support for dialogue and diplomacy to end conflict

New Delhi, Nov 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday during which Modi conveyed India's readiness to contribute to all efforts aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict with Russia. PM Modi also reaffirmed India's human-centric approach and reiterated India's consistent position that the conflict must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. The prime minister conveyed India's readiness to contribute to all efforts aimed at the peaceful resolution of the conflict, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. During the telephonic conversation, President Zelenskyy shared his perspective on recent developments related to the ongoing conflict. The two leaders also discussed measures to further strengthen India-Ukraine bilateral cooperation in various sectors for the mutual benefit of the two peoples. Glad to have had a productive telephone conversation with President Zelenskyy. We reviewed our wide-ranging bilateral cooperation and agreed to further strengthen India-Ukraine ties, PM Modi said on X. I thanked President Zelenskyy for sharing his perspectives on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspects and various efforts to restore peace. Reiterated Indias firm commitment to contributing in every possible way towards a peaceful resolution, he said. In August, Zelenskyy said Kyiv was counting on India's contribution to ending the war with Russia. Zelenskyy, in a social media post, said Ukraine appreciates India's dedication to peace and dialogue. Now, as the entire world strives to end this horrible war with dignity and lasting peace, we count on India's contribution, Zelenskyy said. In October, Russian President Vladimir Putin had said Modi has very good ideas on a mutual settlement of the Ukraine conflict and raises the issue at every meeting. As for Prime Minister Modi's position on ending wars, I can say that he is one of those world leaders who, despite our very good, even friendly relations, including at the personal level, constantly raises the issue and asks questions about ending the conflict in Ukraine, Putin said. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has also said that India has declared its readiness to make a feasible contribution to resolving the Ukraine conflict and Russia is grateful to New Delhi for such readiness and the ideas.

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Police intensify crackdown on illegal mining, traffic violations; 26 vehicles, 1 JCB machine seized, 13 HMVs challaned

Srinagar, Nov 9: In a major crackdown against illegal mining, unauthorized extraction and transportation of minerals, and traffic violations, J&K Police intensified enforcement operations in Kulgam, Sopore, Baramulla, Awantipora and Anantnag districts. The coordinated operations resulted in the seizure of 26 vehicles and a JCB machine. Additionally, 13 heavy motor vehicles (HMVs), particularly tippers and dumpers, were challaned for various violations of the Motor Vehicles Act. According to statement, in Kulgam, Police registered three FIRs after intercepting four tractors at Vessu Crossing and Palpora Crossing, which were allegedly transporting illegally extracted riverbed material, including sand and boulders, without valid authorization and royalty documents. The action was taken by Police Station Qazigund and Police Post Mirbazar. FIR Nos. 274/2026, 275/2026 and 276/2026 were registered and investigations were taken up. In separate enforcement actions, Police seized 10 vehicles, including heavy motor vehicles, motorcycles, a tractor and other two-wheelers, for various violations of the Motor Vehicles Act, including non-compliance with High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) requirements. Furthermore, 13 heavy motor vehicles, including tippers and dumpers, were challaned by Police Stations Devsar, Qaimoh and Qazigund for traffic violations. In Sopore, Police, in coordination with the Geology and Mining Department, conducted joint enforcement operations at various locations across Police District Sopore and seized five vehicles allegedly involved in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals without valid permission. In Baramulla, Police seized a tipper bearing registration number JK05B-4113 at Chakloo after it was found transporting extracted minerals without valid permission. Necessary legal proceedings under the relevant provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act) were initiated through the District Mineral Officer, Baramulla, statement said. In Awantipora, Police seized a JCB machine at Sheikh-ul-Aalam, Tanchibagh, falling within the jurisdiction of Police Station Pampore, and apprehended its driver in connection with an alleged illegal mining activity. The accused was identified as Mohd Sakib Sheikh son of Mohd Asik Sheikh resident of Dusoo, Pulwama, presently residing at Doonnard, Pampore. Accordingly, FIR No. 102/2026 was registered at Police Station Pampore and further investigation was initiated. In another operation, Police Station Pampore seized two tipper vehicles bearing Registration Nos. JK01Q-0301 and JK01AT-2525 for their alleged involvement in illegal extraction and transportation of sand from River Jhelum at Bujibagh, Samboora. Subsequently, case FIR No. 104/2026 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Pampore. Meanwhile, in Anantnag, Police intensified night-time checking and area domination operations against illegal mining. During the operation, a police party from Police Station Achabal seized four tractors allegedly involved in illegal mining at Telwani Achabal. Cognizance has been taken, and further legal action is being initiated in accordance with law, statement added.

Notorious fraudster booked under PSA in Anantnag: Police

Srinagar, Nov 9: In a significant step towards maintaining public order and ensuring the safety and security of the general public, Police in Anantnag have booked a notorious fraudster, namely Raoof Ahmad Wani @ Dr. Fahim @ Raoof Kasab, resident of Khudhamam, Dooru, under the Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978. According to police statement, the individual has been repeatedly involved in criminal activities and is implicated in multiple criminal cases registered at Police Stations Dooru and Achabal, involving offences related to cheating, fraud, criminal intimidation and other unlawful activities. His continued involvement in such activities was found prejudicial to the maintenance of public order, necessitating preventive action under the provisions of the PSA. Accordingly, after completion of the requisite legal formalities, the individual has been detained under the PSA and lodged in jail. J&K Police reiterated their firm commitment to maintaining peace, public order and security across the district. They said that strict legal action shall continue against individuals involved in criminal activities or any conduct threatening public safety and the peaceful environment of society.

LG, CM express grief over Jammu fire incident, direct immediate relief to affected persons

Srinagar, Nov 9: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have expressed grief over the devastating fire incident at Warehouse Jammu that engulfed several business establishment and structure. The leaders have directed the district administration for immediate relief and necessary assistance to the affected persons. Deeply saddened by the devastating fire incident at Warehouse, Jammu. I reviewed the situation last night and spoke with senior officials today, directing them to ensure immediate and comprehensive relief for all those affected, LG Manoj Sinha said. He extended heartfelt sympathies to the business community and traders during this difficult time. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep grief over the massive fire incident at Bikram Chowk, Jammu, conveying his heartfelt sympathies to all those affected. The Chief Minister directed the district administration to ensure immediate relief and extend all necessary assistance to the affected persons. He also instructed the administration to undertake a thorough assessment of the damage and take appropriate measures to address the needs of those affected.

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The Man Saving Kashmir's Dying Lakes | Manzoor Wangnoo - Green Ambassador of Kashmir

He was mentioned by PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat. They call him the Green Ambassador of Kashmir. But today, he is fighting alone. This is Manzoor Wangnoo - a businessman turned conservationist. The man who took a pledge for zero polythene in Gilsar, Khushalsar, Nigeen and succeeded. Now he is on a new mission - to save Anchaar, a lake he calls an orphan. Once sprawling across nearly 20 square kilometres, Anchar Lake has shrunk to barely 4.5 square kilometres, with a substantial portion of its remaining area reduced to marshland. In this exclusive conversation with Sarosh Kafeel, Manzoor Wangnoo speaks openly about the land mafia encroaching Anchaar, the support from the administration, and how he approached the present government and the CM but got no response. He warns that if Anchaar is not cleaned, Kashmir will face a flood-like situation again. The damage is so big, it will take at least a decade to clean it. His message is clear - youngsters have to come out and save this orphan lake before it's too late. Host: Sarosh Kafeel

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Father-son duo killed, 3 injured as car hits wall on NH-44 in Banihal

Banihal, Nov 9: Two persons, a father-son duo, were killed and three others injured after the car they were travelling in rammed into a roadside wall near Kharpora along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) in Banihal on Monday. The deceased were identified as Khalid Muzamil Wani, a teacher, and his father, Ghulam Mohammad Wani, a retired lecturer. Both were declared brought dead by doctors at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Banihal. The family, all residents of Gund Adalkoot, Banihal, was reportedly travelling towards Banihal on a local outing when the accident occurred. Three other occupants of the vehicle, identified as Abdul Qayoom Wani, uncle of Khalid Muzamil; Toyba Nabi, daughter of Khalid Muzamil; and seven-year-old Mohammad Hussain, son of Mudasir Nazar and nephew of Khalid Muzamil, sustained injuries. Soon after the accident, police personnel and volunteers of NGO Banihal rushed to the spot and rescued the injured, shifting them to SDH Banihal for treatment. The three injured were later referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag for further treatment. Police have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances leading to the accident. Add this paragraph after the second paragraph: A pall of gloom descended over Banihal town following the tragic incident, as hundreds of people gathered at SDH Banihal to mourn the deaths and express solidarity with the bereaved family.

DGP Ladakh reviews preparations for upcoming Panchayat Elections 2026 in Nubra

Ladakh, Nov 9: Director General of Police (DGP) Ladakh Anand Jain today visited Nubra district and reviewed the preparations for the upcoming Panchayat Elections 2026. He was accompanied by DIGP, LKR, Dr. Kaushal Sharma. The review was attended by Deputy Commissioner, Nubra, Mukul Beniwal and SSP Nubra, Stanzin Losal, who briefed the DGP on the overall election preparedness, including the number of polling stations and voters, strong room arrangements, and staff deployment plans. The DGP reviewed the security and safety arrangements, communication strategy, preventive measures undertaken and power supply requirements. He also interacted with the ROs and AROs and enquire about any issues requiring attention. The DGP directed all concerned officers to maintain close coordination and ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the elections. The meeting was attended by ROs, AROs and Heads of Departments of Nubra District.

Dr Jitendra Singh assures support to traders affected by Jammu Warehouse fire

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Delhi records most polluted Diwali in five years; air quality 'very poor' the day after

New Delhi, Nov 09: Delhi recorded its most polluted Diwali in five years with average Air Quality Index at 376 and the morning after was only marginally better at 371 recorded at 10 am on Monday when a blanket of smog and fog blanketed the city. The overall AQI stood at 371 at 10 am on Monday, also the highest for a post-Diwali day since 2021. Of the 51 monitoring stations that recorded data, 14 were in the 'severe' category, four in the 'poor' category and the remaining 33 in the 'very poor' category. Delhi Technological University (DTU) recorded the worst reading of 439. Earlier in the morning, the overall AQI stood at 370 at 8 am. According to CPCB data, the Diwali-day AQI of 376 was the highest recorded on the day of the festival since 2021, when it was recorded at 382. It is worth noting that Diwali falls on different days in October or November every year. It was on November 8 this year, on October 20 in 2025, October 31 in 2024, November 12 in 2023, October 24 in 2022 and November 4 in 2021. The average AQI on Diwali stood at 345 in 2025, 328 in 2024, 218 in 2023 and 312 in 2022, compared with 382 in 2021 and 376 this year. The pollution levels remained high on the day after the festival as well. The full-day average AQI on the day after Diwali was 351 in 2025, 338 in 2024, 360 in 2023, 302 in 2022 and 462 in 2021. The city woke up to a thick layer of smog and fog on Monday, with visibility dropping sharply at both of Delhi's major weather stations during the early morning hours. At Safdarjung, visibility dropped to 50 metres at 6.30 am, placing it in the dense fog category, compared with 700 metres a day earlier. At Palam, visibility stood at 400 metres, indicating moderate fog, against 800 metres on Sunday. At 8.30 am, visibility improved to 100 metres at Safdarjung and 600 metres at Palam. It subsequently improved to 500 metres and 900 metres, respectively, by 9 am, with both stations reporting shallow fog, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data. At Safdarjung, shallow fog was observed between 10.30 pm and 2.30 am before dense fog set in from 2.30 am to 9 am, lasting six hours and 30 minutes. Shallow fog was reported again from 9 am. At Palam, shallow fog was recorded between midnight and 5 am, followed by moderate fog from 5 am to 8.30 am, lasting three hours and 30 minutes. Shallow fog was subsequently reported from 8.30 am. It is smog along with fog, IMD officials said. The officials attributed the drop in AQI from last night and the hazy conditions to dry weather and calm winds. Winds remained calm over Safdarjung and Palam during the previous evening, they said. Meanwhile, Swiss air quality monitoring platform IQAir placed Delhi's air quality in the 'very unhealthy' category on Monday morning, recording an AQI of 245 at 8.30 am. According to IQAir, the concentration of PM2.5 stood at 170 micrograms per cubic metre, around 34 times the World Health Organisation's annual guideline value. The concentration of PM10 was recorded at 126 micrograms per cubic metre, while ozone levels stood at 31, nitrogen dioxide at 44.6 and sulphur dioxide at 32. Carbon monoxide concentration was recorded at 1,461.5 micrograms per cubic metre. PM2.5, fine particulate matter capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and entering the bloodstream, is among the major pollutants of concern due to its adverse health effects. IQAir's dashboard also showed a prominent air quality alert for Delhi, with data from 32 monitoring stations provided by 12 contributors. Meanwhile, real-time readings on AQI.in showed that Delhi's AQI had climbed to 2,283 after Diwali. Six other Indian cities also recorded AQI levels above 1,000 at 9 pm on Sunday, according to the platform. On Monday morning, AQI.in recorded Delhi's air quality at 637, classifying it as 'hazardous'. Several areas, including Bawana, Burari, Jahangirpuri, Sonia Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, Okhla and Rohini, continued to record severe air quality on Monday, with pollution levels remaining high since Sunday night. Despite restrictions on firecracker bursting, several parts of Delhi continued to witness fireworks on Sunday evening, with reports emerging from areas including Pitampura, Burari, Mayur Vihar and parts of Lutyens' Delhi. The District Magistrate (East), in an order, had permitted the bursting of green firecrackers only on November 7 and 8, between 6 am and 7 am and 8 pm and 10 pm. However, residents reported that firecrackers continued to be burst beyond the permitted evening window. In outer Delhi's Pitampura and Burari, Mayur Vihar, the intensity of fireworks was particularly high. The DM's order also prohibited the bursting of firecrackers within 300 metres of hospitals, nursing homes, health centres, old-age homes, educational institutions and other notified silence zones. Only CSIR-NEERI-certified green firecrackers were permitted for sale, exclusively at locations designated by the Delhi Police in coordination with the district administration, which had also announced joint patrolling and enforcement teams to check unauthorised sale and use of prohibited firecrackers. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS), Delhi's air quality is likely to remain in the severe category over the subsequent few days. A ventilation index below 6,000 square metres per second, coupled with an average wind speed of less than 10 kilometres per hour, is unfavourable for the effective dispersion of pollutants, according to the EWS. Unfavourable meteorological conditions, vehicular emissions, Diwali celebrations and the ongoing peak stubble-burning season in neighbouring states are among the factors expected to contribute to the deterioration. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 0 and 50 is classified as good, 51 and 100 as satisfactory, 101 and 200 as moderate, 201 and 300 as poor, 301 and 400 as very poor, and 401 and 500 as severe.

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Dr Jitendra Singh honours Dr Mir Shahnawaz for exemplary services in dermatology and aesthetics

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh felicitated Dr Mir Shahnawaz, Founder and Director of DERMIS Skin, Laser & Hair Transplant Clinic, Srinagar, for his exemplary services in dermatology and aesthetics at a ceremony held in Jammu. Dr Shahnawaz was recognised as one of the most trusted dermatologists and aesthetic physicians in Jammu and Kashmir, read a press release. Attended by dignitaries and members of the medical fraternity, the event honoured doctors from across Jammu and Kashmir who have made a notable contribution to various disciplines of medicine through their professional achievements and dedicated service to patients. Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh described Dr Shahnawaz as a trailblazing dermatologist and appreciated his contribution to bringing recognition to Jammu and Kashmir on national and international platforms through his clinical and academic work. Dr Shahnawazs work spans clinical dermatology, laser treatments, aesthetic medicine and hair restoration. Alongside his clinical practice, he participates in national and international scientific conferences and educational forums, contributing to the exchange of knowledge in these fields. Accepting the honour, Dr Shahnawaz said, I am deeply grateful for this recognition and humbly dedicate it to all my patients who have placed their faith and trust in me over the years. Their trust is my greatest motivation to continue learning and serving with sincerity, dedication and compassion. Dr Shahnawaz emphasised that, as dermatology and aesthetic medicine continue to advance, his priority remains bringing scientific knowledge into everyday practice through thoughtful, personalised care. He described the recognition as a renewed responsibility to uphold the trust of his patients.

Free books, uniforms to encourage enrolment in government schools: Education Minister

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What does it mean to be fit, and is going to the gym essential to staying healthy? In this GKTV report, we speak to people across generations, fitness trainers, women and nutrition experts in Srinagar to explore different approaches to physical activity, womens participation in fitness, the role of balanced nutrition and common misconceptions surrounding gym supplements and steroids. The report aims to raise awareness about the importance of staying active and making informed choices about fitness and nutrition.

Kashmiri students offer Nimaz-e-Janaza for Adnan Altaf in Bangladesh; mortal remains to depart Dhaka this evening

Srinagar, Nov 09: In a heartfelt gesture of solidarity, Kashmiri MBBS students in Bangladesh offered Nimaz-e-Janaza for Adnan Altaf, remembering their fellow student and praying for his departed soul. His mortal remains are scheduled to depart from Dhaka this evening for repatriation to Kashmir. Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, President of the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA), said that the mortal remains were earlier expected to reach India on November 8. However, the process was delayed due to certain documentation formalities and due to Holiday on Friday He confirmed that arrangements have now been completed for the transportation of the mortal remains through BARLAW PACKERS AND SHIPPERS. AIMSA acknowledged the tremendous efforts made by the college administration, particularly Mr. Attaul Rajeev , Dr. Shah Mohammad Saleem and Tabasum Gazala along with Kashmiri medical students at Eastern Medical College, including Saqlain Farooq, Aslam and Shahid, for their continuous support and coordination throughout the process. The college administration also contributed 386,000 Bangladeshi Taka towards the cargo arrangements to facilitate the repatriation. AIMSA further expressed its sincere gratitude to the Indian Embassy in Bangladesh and the Ministry of External Affairs for their timely intervention, coordination and support in facilitating the repatriation of Adnan Altafs mortal remains. The association reiterated its commitment to supporting the bereaved family and seeking a fair investigation into the circumstances surrounding the students tragic death

ED attaches properties worth Rs 10.63 crore in J&K Bank PMEGP loan fraud case

Srinagar, Nov 09: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday said it had provisionally attached 11 immovable properties worth Rs 10.63 crore in Srinagar and Bandipora districts in connection with the alleged misuse of the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). In a statement, a spokesperson said the ED's Srinagar Zonal Office had attached the properties under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. He said the Provisional Attachment Order was issued in respect of 11 assets comprising land and buildings in Srinagar and Bandipora districts, which are allegedly in the possession of suppliers-cum-brokers, bank officials of J&K Bank and other persons involved in the alleged misuse of the PMEGP scheme. ED investigation was initiated on the basis of two FIRs registered by ACB and CBI, Srinagar, alleging misappropriation of PMEGP scheme loan amounts through criminal conspiracy between PMEGP borrowers, bank officials of Sumbal Branch and Gamud Gadhkhud Branch of J&K Bank and other unknown persons, who allegedly cheated the bank and misappropriated bank funds, causing wrongful loss to the bank and corresponding wrongful gain to themselves. The spokesperson said the investigation revealed that PMEGP loans were availed by projecting dummy borrowers, using fake invoices of non-existent firms/companies and in criminal conspiracy with bank officials, including those of Sumbal and Gamud Gadhkhud branches of J&K Bank, and private persons-cum-brokers. The CBI and ACB had also registered separate FIRs in the matter in June 2026. He said a survey conducted at the Sumbal and Gamud Gadhkhud branches of J&K Bank under Section 16 of the PMLA revealed 270 term loan accounts and an equal number of working capital accounts pertaining to PMEGP scheme loans. The non-performing assets (NPA) amount was found to be Rs 32 crore. The investigation further revealed that proceeds derived from the scheduled offences were diverted through bank accounts in multiple transactions and utilised for construction, renovation of assets and personal enrichment. The investigation, carried out so far under the PMLA, revealed that Hilal Ahmad Wani and others played a major role in fraudulently availing PMEGP loans. Borrowers were allegedly induced to avail loans using KYC documents and other records, while fake invoices of non-existent firms registered in the names of suppliers-cum-brokers and/or their family members were used to secure loans in criminal conspiracy with J&K Bank officials. The investigation traced the generation of proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 11.37 crore. These proceeds were diverted through multiple bank accounts, and part of the amount was utilised for the construction and renovation of assets held in the names of family members. A substantial portion of the proceeds of crime was also siphoned off, establishing the accused persons' alleged involvement in their diversion, concealment, possession and use. Accordingly, 11 assets held under the control of suppliers-cum-brokers, bankers and one bank officer have been provisionally attached under Section 5(1) of the PMLA to safeguard the value of the proceeds of crime. Further investigation is underway.(KNO)

J&K bank recruitment: Age limit, maximum qualifications must be removed, says MLA Mehraj Malik

Srinagar, Nov 09: Member of the Legislative Assembly from Doda, Mehraj Malik, on Monday urged the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to remove the upper age limit of 30 years set for J&K Bank recruitment, questioning, Where will unemployed youth go who have crossed 30 years because they were not given enough employment opportunities? First, they set the 12th standard as the maximum qualification for MTS, excluding all graduates. Now, in J&K Bank, graduates are being excluded due to the age limit. Where is J&K heading? Malik asked. Criticising the government's recruitment policies, he said, What kind of policies are being made by the government? Finally, while tagging J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in a post on X, the MLA urged the government to remove age limits and maximum qualification criteria so that unemployed youth could get employment opportunities.

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Javed Rana visits Jammu warehouse after fire incident

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary visits Jammu's fire-hit traders

Mehbooba visits fire-hit Nehru market in Jammu, seeks financial assistance for affected traders

Jammu, Nov 9: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday visited the fire-ravaged Nehra market here and sought adequate financial assistance from the government for traders who suffered massive losses in the blaze. Several shops were gutted in a major blaze at the historic market, one of the oldest commercial hubs of Jammu known for its wholesale trade in foodgrains, edible oil, essential commodities and other daily-use items, in the Bikram Chowk area in the heart of the city late Sunday night. Expressing solidarity with the affected traders, Mufti said they would not be able to recover from the losses or restart their businesses without financial support from the government. Our goods and everything else have been damaged. Unless we receive financial assistance, we will not be able to recover from these losses. We need financial support to restart our businesses, as the losses are enormous, she said. Describing the incident as a horrifying experience, she said Diwali had turned into a dark and terrifying night for the traders. Mufti said adequate arrangements should have been made at markets during the festive season, keeping in view the possibility of fire incidents. She also questioned the adequacy of the firefighting arrangements, saying the fire tenders deployed were too small and larger vehicles should have been pressed into service, which could have helped prevent the fire from spreading. These are ordinary people, not big businessmen. Most of them have taken loans, incurred debts and even sold family jewellery to set up their businesses. They earn during the day and use that income to feed their families at night, she said. Appealing to the government to extend adequate financial assistance, Mufti said the affected traders needed support to overcome the losses and resume their livelihood. The affected traders said the market dealt in a wide range of food and grocery items, including edible oil, pulses, flour, rice, ghee, dry fruits and other household goods such as brooms. They said the losses were estimated to run into crores of rupees, adding that the fire spread rapidly and became difficult to control. Asked about insurance coverage, they said some traders might have insurance while others did not, as nobody had anticipated such extensive losses. They alleged that the initial firefighting response was inadequate and that a small vehicle arrived around five minutes after the fire broke out. This is such a large foodgrain market. Sending a small vehicle to tackle a fire of this magnitude was not sufficient. The administration should have been better prepared, one of the shopkeepers said. He further claimed that the water pressure was initially inadequate and larger fire tenders arrived only after the situation had escalated. He said special precautions should have been taken on Diwali, given the possibility of fire incidents during the festive period, and called for better preparedness to deal with such emergencies. This is the second major fire incident in Jammu in a little over a fortnight, resulting in the gutting of two major marketplaces in the winter capital. The massive fire broke out at Shiv Market on the night of October 25 and continued till the morning of October 26, engulfing at least 40 shops and destroying property worth crores of rupees.

Kashmir wetlands: NGT flags gaps in data, seeks updated report

Srinagar, Nov 9: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a fresh and updated report from the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) on the condition of wetlands in the region, flagging the absence of crucial information about their actual existing area. According to ANI, the tribunal observed that while the JKPCC had furnished details of the area of wetlands as recorded in revenue records, it had failed to provide their actual area on the ground. The tribunal directed the committee to obtain the missing information and submit a comparative assessment of the recorded and existing areas of each wetland. The directions came while the green tribunal was hearing a matter concerning the protection of wetlands in Kashmir, including a case taken up suo motu over reports of shrinking and disappearing lakes and wetlands in Jammu and Kashmir. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with Expert Members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad, directed the JKPCC to file the fresh report at least a day before the next hearing, scheduled for February 26, 2027. The tribunal noted that the JKPCC had submitted a report on October 1, 2026, identifying 27 wetlands measuring more than one hectare and located outside forest areas. However, the report was incomplete, with information from some districts still awaited. The committee informed the tribunal that details from the Deputy Commissioners of Jammu and Kupwara were pending and that an updated report would be submitted after receiving the information. The report also highlighted concerns over water quality in several wetlands. In Jammu, none of the three samples tested met the Class B primary water quality criteria for outdoor bathing. In Samba, only two of the nine samples met the prescribed standards, while the sample collected from Kathua complied with the criteria. In Kashmir, four of the six wetlands tested in Kupwara failed to meet the Class B standards, mainly on account of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). The Rakhi Duslipora wetland in Baramulla also failed to meet the prescribed standards for BOD and dissolved oxygen. The JKPCC had also sought details of individuals, agencies and departments responsible for violations of environmental norms in wetlands where water quality failed to meet prescribed standards, with a view to initiating corrective and punitive action. The report further stated that the Rakh-i-Daslipora wetland was not found to exist at the site, while proprietary land in the area was being used for paddy cultivation. Meanwhile, domestic effluent was identified as a source of pollution in the Mawasar wetland in Samba.

Revised prices of 1,364 anti-cancer medicine formulations come into effect

Srinagar, Nov 9: Revised maximum retail prices (MRPs) of 1,364 anti-cancer medicine formulations came into effect across the country on Monday, with consumers expected to save Rs 3,540.38 crore annually, the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said. According to a press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped trade margins on the MRPs of 137 anti-cancer drugs based on recommendations of an Expert Committee constituted by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on October 17, 2026. As of November 8, a total of 85 pharmaceutical companies had reported revised MRPs for 1,364 anti-cancer formulations covering 121 drugs. Of these, 679 brands reported price reductions of more than 50 per cent, while the highest reported reduction in MRP stood at 96.45 per cent, the ministry said. The NPPA, which functions under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, has introduced the revised prices as part of the measures to make cancer treatment more affordable. Consumers can check the revised MRP printed on medicine packs and verify prices through the Pharma Sahi Daam mobile application or the NPPA website. The ministry said chemists and hospital pharmacies cannot charge more than the revised MRP. Consumers can register complaints regarding overcharging or other pricing-related issues through the Pharma Jan Samadhan portal or contact the NPPA helpline at 1800-111-255.

How Long Can You Store Diwali Sweets? Here's What Food Authority Says

From kalakand and rasgulla to kaju katli and chikki, here's an FSSAI-based guide to how long popular Diwali sweets stay fresh and how to store them properly.

Mehbooba seeks special package for Jammu fire-hit traders, estimates losses at Rs 300 crore

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Light snowfall likely in higher reaches on November 10, more rain and snow on November 12

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Jammu warehouse fire: Union Minister Jitendra Singh flags alleged delay in fire brigade response

Jammu, Nov 09: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday expressed concern over the massive fire that broke out in the warehouse area of Jammu city, causing extensive losses to traders and the business community. Dr Jitendra Singh also flagged allegations of a delayed response by the fire brigade, saying it was disturbing to hear that emergency services were not prompt enough in responding to the blaze. In a post on X, the Union Minister expressed solidarity with the affected business community and urged the authorities to take appropriate action and address the situation on priority. The fire broke out in Jammu's warehouse area on Sunday night, causing extensive damage and triggering concern among local traders. (KNS)

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Three injured, one critical after car plunges into gorge near Banihal on NH-44

Banihal, Nov 09: Three persons were injured, one of them critically, after a car travelling from Delhi to Srinagar rolled down into a deep gorge near Shagaldi, Chamalwas, along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) on Monday morning. Soon after the accident, a police team led by SHO Banihal Ashiq Hussain Lone and volunteers of the NGO Banihal, led by its president Mohammad Idress Wani, launched a rescue operation and evacuated all three occupants from the gorge. The injured were shifted to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Banihal, where they were provided medical attention. According to Block Medical Officer (BMO) Banihal, Mohd Javaid (45), son of Mohd Javiad, a resident of Sadar Bazar, Delhi, sustained head injuries and injuries to both legs. He was referred to GMC Anantnag for specialised treatment. The other injured, Adnan Sami (30), son of Anzar Hussain, a resident of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, sustained facial injuries, while Rohit (29), son of Krishna, a resident of Delhi, suffered a minor injury to his lower lip. Both were reported to be stable. The vehicle, bearing registration number UP-14CX-6859, was on its way to Srinagar from Delhi when the accident occurred.

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Parliament's Monsoon session remains unprorogued for record 88 days

Parliament's Monsoon session has not been prorogued for 88 days, exceeding the previous record of 87 days. This situation raises the possibility of convening Parliament for discussions, especially regarding the Women's Reservation Bill. The government keeps options open for an extended session, which requires just two days' notice. In contrast, initiating a new session would necessitate a minimum of 14 days' notice.

Man held with pistol in Jammu

Jammu, Nov 09: A man was arrested with a pistol in the outskirts of Jammu, police said on Monday. Investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the weapon, its intended use and any possible criminal linkages, a police spokesman said. Asif Ali Chowdhary, a resident of Langotia, Miran Sahib, was arrested with a pistol, a magazine and two live rounds late Sunday night in Bishnah area. An FIR under relevant sections of Arms Act has been registered at Bishnah police station, the spokesman said, reiterating Jammu Police's commitment to maintaining peace and security and taking strict action against illegal possession of arms.

PM Modi visits LK Advani as veteran BJP leader enters 100th year

New Delhi, Nov 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the residence of veteran BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani to greet him as he entered his 100th year. PM Modi met Advani at his residence in New Delhi on November 8 and conveyed his best wishes and regards. The Prime Minister also penned a special tribute, highlighting Advanis long political journey and his contribution to the country. In his tribute, PM Modi recalled Advanis experience of Partition in 1947, when he had to leave Sindh, and his role during the Emergency. He also highlighted Advanis contribution to the Jana Sangh and his role in building the BJP. The Prime Minister also referred to Advanis 1990 Somnath-Ayodhya Rath Yatra, describing it as a major milestone in his political career and the countrys political history. PM Modi paid tribute to Advanis leadership, political acumen and commitment to public life, acknowledging his place in the evolution of the BJP and Indian politics.

SMVDU holds 5-day training programme on energy efficiency, renewable energy

Katra, Nov 8: The School of Electrical Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), organised a five-day Short-Term Training Programme (STTP) on Building Energy Efficiency, Power Electronics, Renewable Energy and Electric Mobility. The offline programme aimed at enhancing technical knowledge and professional competencies, besides providing practical exposure to emerging technologies in electrical engineering and sustainable energy systems. The first two days of the programme featured industrial visits to Electricfield Company and Sudhir Gen Set in Jammu, where participants gained exposure to industrial practices, electrical technologies, generator-set operations and power generation systems. The technical sessions were delivered by Dr Pankaj Kumar, Assistant Professor, NIT Srinagar, and Prof Sachin Shelar, Head, Power Quality Cell, AISSMS Institute of Technology, Pune. The lectures covered emerging developments in electrical engineering, power quality and modern energy technologies. Dr Kumud Ranjan Jha, Head, School of Electrical Engineering and Dean, Faculty of Engineering, SMVDU, extended support and encouragement for the programme. Vice-Chancellor Prof Pragati Kumar appreciated the initiative and congratulated the organising team for promoting technical learning and professional development. Faculty members, staff and students of the School of Electrical Engineering participated in the programme, which provided a platform for interaction and exchange of knowledge on emerging technological applications in teaching, research and industry. The programme was coordinated by Dr Jatinkumar Soni and Dr Prabhu Omer. Mr Shubham Chib was the Co-coordinator, while Mr Akash Deep served as Organising Secretary. The university said the initiative reaffirmed its commitment to technical education, industry-academia collaboration and capacity building in electrical engineering, renewable energy and sustainable mobility.

46 Texel rams distributed among sheep farmers in Kashmir to improve breed quality

Srinagar, Nov 8:The Department of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir, on Saturday distributed 46 genetically superior Texel male sheep among progressive sheep farmers at the Sheep Breeding Farm, Khimber, Srinagar, as part of efforts to improve livestock productivity through scientific breeding. The initiative aims to take improved breeding resources beyond departmental farms and make them available to farmers, with a focus on genetic improvement, higher meat production and better economic returns from sheep rearing. The distribution was undertaken under the guidance of the Minister for Agriculture Production, Finance, Mining and Cooperatives, Javid Ahmad Dar. Texel is an internationally recognised meat-producing sheep breed, known for its muscular development, meat yield and carcass characteristics. Its introduction into local breeding programmes is expected to support the genetic improvement of indigenous sheep populations through planned and scientifically managed crossbreeding. The department said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to promote scientific breeding, improve livestock quality and make sheep husbandry a more productive and remunerative livelihood activity. The Minister said the government was committed to ensuring that the benefits of scientific research, technological advancements and improved breeding resources reach farmers at the grassroots level. He said sheep husbandry had considerable potential to strengthen Jammu and Kashmir's rural economy and improve the livelihoods of families associated with livestock rearing. He emphasised that the focus should not merely be on increasing livestock numbers but also on improving their quality, productivity and economic value through scientific interventions and better breeding practices. Dar urged farmers to make optimum use of departmental support, adopt modern animal husbandry practices and maintain coordination with technical institutions and field functionaries to maximise the benefits of such initiatives. He also stressed the need for integrated development of agriculture and allied sectors, including horticulture, dairy farming and sheep husbandry, to generate rural employment, strengthen household incomes and create sustainable livelihood opportunities, particularly for youth. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the sheep value chain, improving livestock productivity and promoting scientific breeding practices across Jammu and Kashmir.

J&K Bank extends salary banking perks to Encash Automotive staff

Srinagar, Nov 8: J&K Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Encash Automotive Pvt. Ltd. to extend banking benefits to 195 employees under its Corporate Salary Package (CSP), further strengthening their longstanding institutional relationship. The MoU was signed by Zonal Head (Srinagar) Sheikh Mohammad Muzaffar and CEO Encash Automotive Pvt. Ltd. Maham Rouf in the presence of General Manager & Divisional Head (Kashmir) Arshad Qadri, Cluster Head Syed Tasaduq Madni, Branch Head (Hyderpora) Manzoor Ahmad and other senior officials from both organisations. Speaking on the occasion, General Manager & Divisional Head (Kashmir) Arshad Qadri said, Our institutional partnerships gain greater meaning when their benefits reach employees and their families. Through this arrangement, we aim to make banking more convenient and rewarding for our institutional clients, combining preferential financial benefits with personalised service. This association will extend the benefits of our Corporate Salary Package to 195 employees of the company, while further deepening our partnership with one of the regions prominent business organisations, said Zonal Head on the occasion. Under the MoU, eligible employees can avail customised salary accounts, preferential loan rates, waivers and concessions on specified banking charges, overdraft facilities and insurance benefits, subject to applicable terms and conditions. Digital onboarding, dedicated relationship support and family banking benefits further enhance the package. Cluster Head Syed Tasaduq Madni explained the packages features and the process for availing its benefits.

J&K Draft Mountain Policy proposes new authority, law to act against violations

Srinagar, Nov 8:The draft Jammu and Kashmir Sustainable Mountain Development Policy 2026 proposes a dedicated authority empowered to inspect construction sites, impose fines, seal structures, and order restoration of damaged areas, along with a separate law to regulate development in the Union Territory's ecologically fragile mountain regions. The draft policy, dated October 12, proposes the creation of a J&K Mountain Development Council, headed by the Chief Minister, and a Mountain Development Authority to oversee implementation, coordinate government departments and enforce mountain-specific regulations. Emphasising the need for statutory backing, the document states: A policy without legal teeth becomes a document on a shelf. It further declares: This Policy shall move to law within one year. The proposed J&K Sustainable Mountain Development Act is envisaged within 12 months of the policy's approval. It would provide the legal framework for the proposed Authority, mountain sensitivity zones, Mountain Green Cess, Mountain Impact and Risk Screen, a dedicated fund and penalties for violations. Under the proposed governance structure, the Mountain Development Council would provide policy direction and resolve inter-departmental differences, while the Mountain Development Authority would function as the executive arm, translating policy decisions into regulations, permits and monitoring mechanisms. The Authority would also be responsible for notifying mountain sensitivity zones, determining carrying-capacity limits and implementing the proposed Mountain Building Code. A key provision of the draft is the establishment of a dedicated enforcement wing within the proposed Authority. The document proposes that the wing be vested with powers to inspect, fine, seal and order restoration. It envisages graded penalties, with higher fines for repeat violations, while the cost of restoring environmentally damaged areas would be recovered from those responsible. The draft also proposes satellite and drone-based monitoring of construction, road cutting, muck dumping and encroachments in Zones A and B. A public complaint application has also been proposed to enable citizens to report violations through photographs, with time-bound action on complaints. Seeking accountability within the government machinery, the policy states that officials granting permissions in violation of its provisions should face disciplinary action. The proposed enforcement mechanism is intended to strengthen surveillance and action against unauthorised construction, indiscriminate road cutting, dumping of excavated material and encroachments in ecologically sensitive mountain areas. The draft seeks to bring different government departments under a common implementation framework while allowing them to retain their respective responsibilities. The Policy shall set the direction; the concerned Departments shall define the rules, standards, targets and pathways for delivery, in consultation with each other and the designated Mountain Knowledge Centres, the document states. It proposes that each department prepare detailed guidelines and action plans within six months of the policy's notification. These plans would identify the activities requiring regulation, implementation responsibilities, targets, timelines and monitoring mechanisms. The departmental plans would be reviewed by the proposed J&K Mountain Development Authority under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. The Tourism Department has been assigned responsibilities relating to visitor limits, the proposed J&K Mountain Pass, cess collection and regulation of adventure tourism. The Housing and Urban Development Department would be responsible for the proposed Mountain Building Code, hill-town master plans and hotel audits. The Public Works Department would oversee mountain infrastructure standards, including muck disposal and drainage compliance, while the Jal Shakti Department would handle water-resource protection, preparation of a proposed Spring Atlas and sewage treatment. The draft also assigns responsibilities to the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, Disaster Management Department, Transport Department, Rural Development Department and other agencies. The policy proposes a non-lapsable J&K Mountain Green Fund to finance conservation, ecological restoration and other activities under the proposed framework. The fund is envisaged to receive money through the proposed green cess, trekking and expedition fees, penalties, contributions from government departments and Shrine Boards, corporate social responsibility initiatives and climate-related funding. A key provision states that cess collected at a particular destination should be spent at that destination and cannot be diverted elsewhere. The document also proposes publication of site-wise accounts on a public dashboard and annual audits to ensure transparency in the utilisation of funds. The proposed Authority would place an annual report on the condition of J&K's mountains before the Legislative Assembly. The report would cover targets, regulatory compliance, cess collections and expenditure, and disaster-related outcomes. The draft proposes establishing a J&K Mountain Knowledge Centre at the Faculty of Forestry and Environment, SKUAST-Kashmir. The proposed centre would undertake carrying-capacity studies, prepare mountain sensitivity maps and monitor glaciers, springs, biodiversity and land-use changes. It is envisaged as a technical and scientific support institution for evidence-based policymaking and implementation of the proposed mountain regulations. The Draft Jammu and Kashmir Sustainable Mountain Development Policy 2026 has been prepared by the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) in collaboration with the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI), New Delhi. Prof. Nazir A. Ganai, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir, is specifically named among the eight policy draft contributors listed in the document. The other contributors are Prof. A. H. Mughal, Dean, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, SKUAST-Kashmir; Dr. Rajan K. Kotru, Councillor, IMI and Lead Strategist, Redefined Sustainable Thinking; Prof. Akhlaq A. Wani, Head, Department of Natural Resource Management; Associate Professor Nazir A. Pala, Head, Department of Silviculture and Agro-forestry; Dr. Khursheed A. Dar, Professor of Sericulture; Dr. Aasif A. Gatoo, Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resource Management; and Dr. Amir Farooq, Assistant Professor, Department of Wildlife Sciences. The document separately acknowledges the support and guidance of Dr Ashish Chandra Verma, IAS, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Department of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare, Government of J&K, and Babila Rakwal, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, for their support under the Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Science Congress 2026. The draft was reviewed by institutions including the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Policy Research and International Studies, and SYSTEMIQ, London. The individual reviewers named in the document include Ashok Jain, former PCCF, Telangana; Brij Mohan Singh Rathore, former PCCF, Madhya Pradesh; and Dr. S. K. Panigrahi, Director General, Indian Institute of Sustainable Development.

Youths Body Found Under Suspicious Circumstances In Ganderbal

Ganderbal, Nov 09: Body of a 25-year-old youth was found lying at Waripora Damb in Safapora area of Ganderbal district late on Sunday night under suspicious circumstances. Officials said that the deceased has been identified as Uzair Ashraf Khan, son of Mohd Ashraf Khan, resident of Chewa Bandipora. Soon after receiving the information, a police party from Police Station Safapora reached the spot and took cognizance of the matter. The body has been taken for postmortem to District Hospital Ganderbal. Further proceedings have been initiated.(GNS)

Multi-car parking facilitynears completion in Shopian,2nd phase approved

Shopian, Nov 8:Traffic congestion in south Kashmirs Shopian town is expected to ease with the Municipal Council Shopian nearing completion of a multi-car parking facility, while the approval of its second phase has raised hopes of further improving parking infrastructure. The facility, being constructed at an allotted cost of around Rs 386.94 lakh, is expected to provide relief to commuters and residents who often face difficulties due to vehicles parked along roads in the town. Suhail Malik, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Municipal Council Shopian, said that around 95 per cent of the construction work had been completed. We hope it will be completed by the end of this month, Malik told Greater Kashmir . He also confirmed that the second phase of the parking project had been approved, paving the way for further expansion of parking facilities in the town. Residents, however, said that the growing number of vehicles and the limited availability of designated parking spaces continued to contribute to traffic congestion, particularly in busy commercial areas. Due to the lack of adequate parking spaces, people often park their cars on the roads, making the movement of traffic difficult, said Sajad Ahmad, a resident. He said that improperly parked vehicles frequently caused traffic jams, inconveniencing commuters, shopkeepers and pedestrians. Social activist Mitha Gatoo said that residents had already identified a site near Gole Chakri for the construction of an additional parking facility to address the towns growing needs. An old, single-storey building stands there and should be dismantled to make way for an underground parking facility, while a new building could be constructed above it, he said. Gatoo said that developing the proposed site could help make better use of the available space while providing additional parking capacity in a busy part of the town. Residents said that improving parking infrastructure had become increasingly important as the number of vehicles continued to rise, putting pressure on the towns limited road space. They stressed that the completion of the ongoing project, along with the development of additional parking facilities, could help reduce roadside parking and improve traffic movement. They also called for better traffic management and enforcement against improper parking to ensure that the new infrastructure delivers the intended benefits. The Municipal Councils ongoing project and the approval of the second phase are expected to add to Shopians parking infrastructure, although residents say further measures will be needed to address congestion across the town.

New car parking facility fails to resolve crisis of traffic mess in Bandipora

Bandipora, Nov 8:The commissioning of a much-awaited multi-crore car parking facility has done little to resolve the traffic mess in north Kashmirs Bandipora town, as the issue has reached crisis levels. The district headquarters remains choked by illegal street parking, unyielding footpath encroachments, unchecked street vendors and a chaotic web of self-designated auto-rickshaw stands. The daily gridlock has forced the administration to frequently route traffic through narrow alternate links. This desperate measure continues to result in life-threatening accidents rather than providing genuine relief. Meanwhile, the decades-old public demand for a dedicated bypass road to permanently decongest the town remains trapped in bureaucratic red tape, with multiple proposals effectively abandoned. Bandipora Traders Federation President Ali Mohammad Hajam expressed deep frustration over the towns lack of civic discipline, noting that the newly built parking facility is being actively ignored by the public and officials alike. The government built the car parking to facilitate the public, but people have parked their cars right outside it, Hajam said, following a recent meeting with the municipal council. Even the municipalitys own parking staff have their vehicles parked outside. If you are still going to park on the road outside the facility, what is the purpose of building it? However, several complaints suggest the parking fee is too high for daily commuters and shopkeepers to manage. Hajam also urged shopkeepers to stop displaying merchandise on pavements and criticised the failure to regulate street vendors, who routinely abandon their designated operating zones to occupy the jam-packed main roads by mid-afternoon. We made it clear to the municipality that under no circumstances should street vendors be allowed on the main roads, Hajam said. Footpaths are for people to walk. Under the Easements Act, you simply cannot illegally occupy a footpath. Unregulated auto-rickshaws have further compounded the bottleneck. While acknowledging their role in the local economy, Hajam noted that they operate without designated stops, often lining up directly outside storefronts and reducing the towns motorable space to a single, treacherous lane. Aijaz Ahmad, Executive Officer of the Municipal Council Bandipora, acknowledged the systemic indiscipline and pledged immediate corrective action alongside local law enforcement. Regarding the street vendors, we will launch a dedicated joint drive with the police to bring them back on track with proper discipline, Ahmad said. The Executive Officer also promised a severe crackdown on roadside parking. While the parking facility is not completely empty, we will conduct a joint drive with the traffic police to end this wrong parking, Ahmad said. We are also creating a dedicated roster for our own municipal staff so they remain on duty until late evening to manage the area. However, residents argue that cosmetic vendor removal and haphazard parking enforcement mask a much deeper infrastructural failure. For decades, successive governments promised to construct a bypass road to circumvent the suffocating main market. In 2020, the then chairman of the Municipal Council Bandipora formally submitted a Rs 23 crore Detailed Project Report for the Kaloosa-Nebrepora stretch to the Urban Local Bodies and the Roads and Buildings departments. However, the project never received administrative approval. More recently, the bypass issue surfaced in the Legislative Assembly. Responding to a query by Bandipora MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat on the need to decongest the town, the Jammu and Kashmir government officially admitted that urban expansion and frequent traffic congestion necessitate such a project. The government disclosed that a preliminary survey has been conducted for a 7.00 km bypass road from Potushay Junction to Nussu Junction. According to the governments official written reply, this preliminary assessment found the project would require the acquisition of approximately 296 kanals of land. Despite acknowledging the critical necessity and completing the survey, the government effectively shelved the project in the same breath. The official reply explicitly stated that the project shall only be considered after ascertaining the availability of resources. With the 2020 proposal ignored and the newly surveyed 7-kilometre bypass relegated to a waitlist for funds, the Rs 3.5 crore parking facility remains Bandiporas only traffic intervention. Residents warn that without serious, long-term infrastructural investment, the towns roads will remain a daily hazard.

Acute staff shortage in Boys High School Wader

Kupwara, Nov 8:Residents of Wader and adjoining villages in the Rajwar area of Handwara have urged the authorities to upgrade Government Boys High School Wader to Higher Secondary level, saying students are forced to travel nearly 10 kilometres to reach Higher Secondary School Zachaldara after passing their Class 10 examinations. The residents said the school was established in 1940 as a primary institution and was upgraded to middle level in 1985 and subsequently to high school in 1988. However, despite serving the educational needs of several villages for decades, it is yet to be upgraded to Higher Secondary level. Students from dozens of villages including Wader Payeen, Nagni, Wader Balla, Bowan, Niechama and Watsar depend on this institution for their education and upgrading it would enable our children to continue their studies closer to home and save them from the hardships of travelling long distances, Mohammad Amin Sood told Greater Kashmir . Residents are also anguished about the shortage of teaching staff. According to available details, 250 students are enrolled in the school, while only four teachers are presently posted here. Although two additional teachers have been deployed to the institution for the current academic session, that doesn't suffice the need and students continue to suffer. Of the three Master Grade posts, all are lying vacant, while three posts of teachers are yet to be filled. Three teachers drawing their salaries from the school are posted elsewhere, further affecting the smooth functioning of the school. Most people in Wader and adjoining villages belong to the labour class and cannot afford daily bus or Sumo fares for their children to travel to Zachaldara for higher secondary education. The absence of a nearby Higher Secondary School, coupled with financial constraints, has made it difficult for our children to continue their education after passing Class 10, said Ali Mohammad Sood, another local of the area. The residents said that, as per reports, five high schools in each district are proposed to be upgraded and urged the authorities to consider Boys High School Wader under the proposed initiative. They have appealed to MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone to personally intervene in the matter and take up the issue with the concerned authorities to ensure the upgradation of the school and address the shortage of teaching staff, enabling students from Wader and adjoining villages to pursue higher education without facing unnecessary hardships. Reacting to the concern, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Kupwara Manzoor Ahmad said that he would certainly look into the staff shortage issue, but regarding upgradation, he said that the same happens to be the prerogative of higher authorities.

'It tore my heart apart': MLA Nizamuddin Bhat on sand mafia devastating Wular banks

Bandipora, Nov 8:Expressing deep anguish over unchecked environmental and infrastructural devastation in Watapora Payeen, Bandipora MLA Nizamuddin Bhat slammed the administration for allowing the sand mafia to ruthlessly destroy the fragile banks of Wular Lake. Highlighting the scale of the destruction, Bhat lamented that illegal sand extraction has wreaked havoc on heavily funded public infrastructure and sensitive ecological zones, warning that a few individuals are destroying the area under the guise of employment. There is a hostel, a tribal hostel, an excellent agriculture centre, a panchayat and PR buildings here. Besides this, much more is on the plan, Bhat said during his visit to the site. Ten crore rupees more are to be spent this year alone on agriculture infrastructure buildings here. Nearly Rs 100 crore has been spent on these institutions till date. Who is this for? It is for the people and their children. But a few people, in the name of employment and social need, are wreaking havoc on it. The devastation is concentrated in a highly sensitive public zone adjacent to the Government Polytechnic College and the Gujjar and Bakarwal Hostel. Massive pits have been illegally dug right alongside paved routes, severely damaging roads and dangerously eroding the banks of one of Asia's largest freshwater lakes. It tore my heart apart just now when I arrived, Bhat said, pointing to the destruction of a newly constructed public asset. A park has been built by the Wular Manasbal Authority; there is no park like it. It was ready to be inaugurated, and a gym centre was also to be established on one side. But where do we set it up? Bhat noted that the mafia has operated uncontained, physically breaching public property to extract sand. Go and see, by tearing down the wall, they are destroying the park, Bhat stated. The road on this side has been completely dug up from the inside and ruined. Look around, wherever there is even a little piece of land, they have absolutely destroyed it. Condemning the prolonged administrative apathy, Bhat warned that the relentless, large-scale extraction is not merely an infrastructural hazard but is causing irreversible ecological damage to the Wular banks and the surrounding environment.

Winter isolation ahead, yet remotest areas without maternity facilities in Kupwara

Kupwara, Nov 8:Residents of several snowbound areas in north Kashmirs Kupwara district face immense hardships due to the absence of gynaecologists and obstetricians at local health centres. This leaves pregnant women particularly vulnerable during the harsh winter months, when these areas often remain cut off from the district headquarters. The affected areas include Keran, Machil, Budnamal, Kumkadi, Jumagund, Moori and several other remote villages along the Line of Control (LoC). Residents have repeatedly demanded the deployment of gynaecologists at local health facilities, stating that the absence of specialised medical care poses serious challenges, particularly during pregnancy-related emergencies. Locals expressed resentment over years of official neglect, alleging that despite repeated representations, no concrete steps have been taken to address the shortage of specialist doctors in these remote areas. Several health centres in the snowbound areas also lack adequate infrastructure and medical facilities, adding to the woes of people, they added. In Machil, residents said that although a Primary Health Centre was established in the area, it was insufficient to cater to the healthcare needs of the local population due to the limited availability of doctors. Whenever we approach the concerned authorities for posting a gynaecologist at PHC Dudi, we are told that there is no sanctioned post of a gynaecologist at the facility, former Sarpanch Habibullah told Greater Kashmir . Residents of Keran voiced similar concerns, saying pregnant women were compelled to face considerable difficulties due to the absence of specialised medical services. We have been demanding the posting of a gynaecologist at the New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) for several years, but our demand has remained unaddressed, Ferhad, a local youth, said. The situation becomes particularly difficult during winter, when heavy snowfall cuts off the area from the rest of the district. Whenever a medical emergency arises during winter, we are forced to carry patients on makeshift stretchers for several kilometres on foot before reaching vehicles near Ferkin Top. From there, patients are taken further for treatment, he said. Mumtaz, another local of the area, said that several pregnant women who developed labour complications during the previous winter had to be airlifted to Kupwara by the district administration. While we appreciate the administrations efforts in airlifting patients during emergencies, we need a permanent solution rather than depending on emergency evacuations every winter, he added. The residents have urged the Health Department to immediately address the shortage of specialist doctors, suggesting that gynaecologists could be deputed to these areas on a rotational basis for a few days every week. They said even a limited weekly deployment of specialist doctors would provide considerable relief to pregnant women and their families and help prevent avoidable hardships during the winter months. Meanwhile, a senior Health Department official at Kupwara acknowledged the difficulties faced by residents but said there were no sanctioned posts of gynaecologists in these snowbound areas. The snowbound areas, including Keran, Machil, Budnamal, Kumkadi, Jumagund, Moori and others, do not have designated posts for gynaecologists. Therefore, we cannot post specialist doctors there. However, with the onset of winter, we issue advisories asking pregnant women to shift to safer and accessible areas in the plains to avoid any eventuality, the official told Greater Kashmir .

JKSA urges LG to intervene, seek age relaxation in J&K Bank recruitment

Srinagar, Nov 8:The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Sunday has expressed serious concern over the upper age limit prescribed in the Jammu and Kashmir Banks latest recruitment notification for Probationary Officers (PO) and Banking Associates, urging Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene and take up the matter with the J&K Bank management and other competent authorities in the larger interest of Jammu and Kashmirs educated unemployed youth. National Spokesperson of Association Dr Zubair Reshi, as per a statement, said that while the announcement of fresh recruitment after a prolonged gap of nearly six years is a welcome development, restricting the upper age limit to 30 years has left thousands of otherwise eligible and deserving aspirants disappointed and effectively excluded from an opportunity they have waited years to pursue. He said that the recruitment process must take into account the extraordinary delay in announcing vacancies and the ground realities confronting educated youth in Jammu and Kashmir.

Beautification, civic development works gather pace in Sopore

Sopore, Nov 8:The beautification and developmental activities in Sopore town are gaining momentum, with several ongoing initiatives aimed at improving the town's overall appearance, strengthening civic infrastructure and enhancing public amenities. The efforts have received appreciation from local residents, who have welcomed the initiatives being undertaken under the leadership of MLA Sopore, Irshad Rasool Kar. Residents have expressed satisfaction over the ongoing development and beautification works, describing them as a positive step towards giving Sopore a cleaner, more attractive and well-organised urban appearance. They said that improving the town's infrastructure and public spaces is essential for a growing commercial centre like Sopore, which caters to a large population from different areas of north Kashmir.

25% reservation for locals in private universities a welcome move: Chowdhary Ramzan

Srinagar, Nov 8:The J&K National Conference Additional General Secretary and MP Choudry Mohammad Ramzan Sunday said the 25 percent reservation in employment and admissions for private universities to be established in Jammu and Kashmir is highly welcome and a commendable initiative. He said NC's core agenda is the all-round development of Jammu and Kashmir, a brighter future, public welfare, prosperity and economic well-being, while the present government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is working towards these goals with dedication and commitment. Chaudhary Muhammad Ramzan, as per a party statement, said this while interacting with public delegations, party leaders, office-bearers and workers from different areas at the party headquarters. He urged party members and workers to strengthen the organisation and maintain close contact with the people to highlight their problems, difficulties and demands at every level and use their influence to ensure their redressal. He said that, in accordance with the directions of party President Dr Farooq Abdullah, National Conference Members of Parliament are consistently raising issues concerning the restoration of people's rights, restoration of statehood, developmental needs and public grievances in the country's highest legislative forum. He maintained that the National Conference government was focused on practical work rather than political theatrics and empty rhetoric, adding that significant progress had been made in improving various sectors over the past two years. He further said that the establishment of private universities would enable students to access quality education within their own region, reducing the need to travel to other states for higher studies. He also congratulated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Education Minister Shamima Firdous for taking what he described as an important and transformative decision. Expressing hope that reputed universities from across the country and abroad would establish their campuses in Jammu and Kashmir, he said this would further strengthen the region's educational infrastructure. The interaction was also attended by party spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, Provincial Secretary Syed Tauqeer Ahmad, Women's Wing Provincial President Er Sabiya Qadri, Srinagar District President Peer Afaq Ahmad, Minority Cell Convenor Jagdish Singh Azad, Dr Muhammad Saeed Makhdoomi, Ghulam Nabi Wani Telbali and other party functionaries.

VaishnaviAdkar-RutujaBhosale become first all-Indian pair to reach WTA Tour doubles final

Chennai, Nov 8: India's Vaishnavi Adkar and Rutuja Bhosale created history by becoming the first all-Indian pair to reach a WTA Tour-level doubles final, beating second seeds Weronika Falkowska of Poland and Alana Smith of the USA in a thrilling semifinal at the Chennai Open here Saturday. The Indian duo recovered from a mid-match slump to prevail 6-2 2-6 10-8, keeping their composure in the deciding super tie-break after the Polish-American combination had threatened to snatch the contest away. The achievement is significant for Indian women's tennis, with no all-Indian combination having previously reached a final at the main WTA Tour level. ShikhaUberoi and her sister Neha had reached the finals of the 2005 Sunfeast Open and Guangzhou Open, but Neha represented the USA, making them an Indo-American combination. Former India player Sania Mirza won 43 doubles titles during her illustrious career but never partnered an Indian in those triumphs. Ankita Raina and Karman Thandi won a WTA 125 doubles title in 2018, a level below the main Tour, while PrarthnaThombare reached three WTA 125 finals with Dutch partner Arianne Hartono. Adkar and Bhosale will take on Swiss pair of Naima Karamoko and Simona Waltert, who defeated Isabelle Haverlag of the Netherlands and Hungary's Panna Udvardy 6-4 6-4. Meanwhile, top seed and defending champion Janice Tjen defeated American Robin Montgomery 6-3 6-4 in the singles semi-finals. In the other last-four clash, third seed Magda Linette of Poland fought back from a set down to beat seventh seed Anastasia Zakharova of Russia 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. Adkar and Bhosale looked in complete control in the opening set, capitalising on the errors of their opponents to take a commanding 4-1 lead. The Indians made the first breakthrough in the third game after Adkar attacked Smith's second serve with a fierce return that Falkowska failed to put back into play. Bhosale then consolidated the advantage with a comfortable hold. A forehand error from Falkowska presented the home pair with another break opportunity, which Bhosale converted with a powerful forehand return to establish a double-break cushion. The second seeds struggled to find their rhythm as the Indians wrapped up the opening set without much resistance. The momentum, however, shifted in the second set. The Indians missed opportunities to break Smith and Falkowska in the third and fifth games, allowing their opponents to grow in confidence. Adkar endured a disastrous sixth game, dropping her serve at love after committing two consecutive double faults. The Indians also struggled to finish points at the net as the Polish-American pair tightened their grip on the contest. Adkar, who had also needed medical attention during her singles second-round match, received a medical timeout for treatment to her strapped left thigh. Bhosale subsequently came under pressure on serve, and the second seeds converted their first of three break points to level the match at one set apiece. In the deciding super tie-break, Falkowska and Smith raced to a 3-0 lead, but the Indians fought back to remain in contention. Bhosale produced a fine point but followed it with a double fault as the Indians slipped to 6-8. She then found a forehand winner, passing Smith to reduce the deficit. Adkar produced a winning volley to earn match point before sealing the historic victory with a superb forehand down the line, sparking celebrations for the home pair.

Police, civil departments book 42 traders during Diwali market inspections in Ramban

Ramban, Nov 8:Police, in coordination with the Revenue, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) and Municipal Departments, conducted joint market inspection drives across several areas of Ramban district on the occasion of Diwali to prevent overcharging, curb irregularities and ensure strict compliance with government regulations. The inspection drives were carried out in Ramban, Batote, Banihal, Gool, Khari, Sangaldan, Dharamkund, Makerkote and Ramsoo, during which officials checked shops and commercial establishments for violations of prescribed norms. During the inspections, action was taken against traders and shopkeepers found using domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes, maintaining unhygienic conditions, failing to display prescribed rate lists and using prohibited polythene. Officials said that a total of 42 violators were booked in Dharamkund, Sangaldan and Banihal, while further enforcement action was also taken in Gool, Ramsoo and Khari. Fines amounting to Rs 20,000 were imposed and recovered from the violators. Meanwhile, in Batote, firecracker stalls at Sarfraz Chowk were jointly inspected by the authorities along with the Naib Tehsildar to ensure adherence to prescribed safety norms and regulations governing the sale of firecrackers. Ramban Police appealed to traders and shopkeepers to strictly follow government guidelines, maintain proper hygiene, display rate lists prominently, avoid the misuse of domestic LPG cylinders and refrain from using prohibited polythene.

ARCO FC, ALMUQEET FC register wins in Srinagar Premier Division League

Srinagar, Nov 8:In an exciting day of football action in the MY YOUTH MY PRIDE SRINAGAR PREMIER DIVISION FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2026-27, ARCO FC and ALMUQEET FC registered emphatic victories in their respective matches at TRC ground on Sunday. As per a DFA statement, in the first match, ARCO FC delivered an outstanding performance, defeating Star Kashmir FC by a convincing scoreline of 7-2. ARCO FC dominated proceedings and showcased their attacking strength to secure all three points. In the second encounter, ALMUQEET FC continued the goal-scoring action, producing an impressive display to defeat SCFA by 7-1. ALMUQEET FC controlled the match and secured a comprehensive victory. Both results highlighted the attacking quality and competitive spirit of the Srinagar Premier Division, as teams continue their campaign in the ongoing league.

MP, political parties seek deferment of LAHDC elections in Ladakh

Srinagar, Nov 8:Representatives of major political parties in Kargil have sought the deferment of the forthcoming Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections. Addressing a press conference, leaders voiced deep concerns over the administrative timing, harsh weather conditions approaching the high-altitude region, and unresolved structural issues stemming from recent district reorganizations. Party leaders highlighted that holding elections late in the year poses severe logistical constraints. Heavy snowfall in mountain passes such as Zoji La frequently cuts off Kargil from surrounding regions, disrupting transit, election machinery deployment, and voter turnout in remote valleys. Following administrative restructuring across the Union Territory of Ladakhincluding the notification of new districts and redrawn constituency boundariesrepresentatives argued that the political ecosystem requires adequate time to settle. Conducting polls without finalising electoral rolls and boundary demarcations, they alleged, undermines proper local democratic representation. Speaking on behalf of the united leadership, prominent representatives warned that pushing forward with elections amidst mounting regional dissatisfaction and logistical hurdles could disenfranchise thousands of voters in high-altitude belts. Conducting elections without resolving core delimitation concerns and ensuring accessible weather conditions for our electorate risks compromising the democratic integrity of the Autonomous Hill Council. The combined leadership urged the Election Department and the Lieutenant Governors administration to defer the election schedule until spring, allowing sufficient time for dialogue, fair boundary resolution, and favorable weather conditions. Meanwhile, Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Mohammad Haneefa Jan, has urged Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to reconsider and defer the proposed LAHDC elections, citing harsh winter conditions, seasonal migration and the need for a comprehensive revision of electoral rolls. In a representation dated November 7, 2026, Haneefa highlighted the challenges faced by residents, particularly in remote areas of Kargil and Leh, where heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures and road closures could make it difficult for voters to reach polling stations. He also pointed out that thousands of residents, including senior citizens, traders and businesspersons, migrate to warmer regions during winter, while many students remain outside Ladakh for higher education and competitive examination preparations. The MP expressed concern that holding elections during this period could affect the participation of eligible voters and urged the administration to provide sufficient time for a transparent revision of electoral rolls.

Stray dogs on prowl at Syed Hamidpora

Srinagar, Nov 8: The residents of Syed Hamidpora Nawab Bazar locality in Downtown here have expressed concern over the presence of stray dogs in the area. A delegation from the said that stray dogs chase pedestrians posing risk of injuries to them. They said due to the presence of stray dogs, they face problems in venturing out during evening hours. Students also are afraid to move through lanes which are dotted with scores of stray dogs, locals said. We make a fervent appeal to SMC authorities to look into the matter and direct the concerned to take measures for checking stray dog menace, they said.

Overloading, exorbitant fare pester e-rickshaw passengers

Srinagar, Nov 8: Commuters have expressed concern over charging of exorbitant fare and overloading in e-rickshaws and sought measures to regulate the transport service. The capacity of these e-rickshaws is limited, but many times we see extra passengers being adjusted inside. Some are even made to sit next to the driver. This affects balance and increases the chances of accidents, especially on busy roads, said Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar. Passengers said the problem becomes more serious on stretches where roads have potholes, damaged surfaces and uneven manholes. Residents of several peripheral areas, particularly in Hazratbal outskirts, said there is a need to streamline e-rickshaw services in places where public transport connectivity remains limited. Many areas on the outskirts require better last-mile connectivity. E-rickshaws can play a major role there if their routes are properly planned and regulated, said Abdul Wahab a local resident, Chatarahama Hazratbal. Apart from safety issues, passengers have also raised concerns over the absence of a fixed fare system. They said unlike conventional public transport, there is no clear mechanism for determining charges, leading to variations in fares. Commuters said after petrol-run auto-rickshaws were gradually replaced by battery-operated vehicles, no proper fare regulation or display system was introduced. Earlier also there was no proper meter system in many petrol autos, but now the issue has become more visible because e-rickshaws and other battery-operated autos have become the main mode of short-distance travel. The fare often depends on the driver, rush hours and passenger demand, said Mohammad Yousuf, an office-goer. Another commuter said battery autos charging Rs 20 to Rs 30 for short distances also need a proper fare structure. There should be a route-wise fare list displayed clearly so passengers know what they have to pay. No one should be charged according to the drivers choice, he said. Residents also raised concerns over reports of minors operating such vehicles, calling for strict action against violations. Earlier Traffic Police officials said enforcement drives against overloading, documentation issues and underage driving are being carried out across Srinagar. Our objective is not to discourage e-rickshaws as they have improved connectivity, but to ensure that these vehicles operate within rules and passenger safety remains the priority, an official said.

Police register FIR over threatening, brandishing of official weapon at Saderbal

Srinagar, Nov 8: Srinagar Police have registered a case following a complaint alleging intimidation and threats involving the brandishing of an official service weapon at Saderbal area of Hazratbal in Srinagar. According to Srinagar Police, the complaint was filed by Hilal Ahmad Mir, son of Mohammad Sultan Mir, a resident of Saderbal, against Junaid Ahmad Band, son of Mohammad Yousuf Band, whose father is a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP). The complainant has alleged that he was intimidated and threatened by the accused, who allegedly brandished the service weapon belonging to a Police Security Officer (PSO) deployed with the retired police officer. Taking cognizance of the complaint, police registered FIR No. 123/2026 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Nigeen and initiated an investigation into the matter. Srinagar Police said the alleged accused has been taken into custody, while the circumstances surrounding the incident are being thoroughly examined. The investigation will also establish the circumstances under which the official weapon was allegedly brandished and examine the role of the concerned PSO deployed with the retired police officer. In a statement shared on its official social media handle, Srinagar Police said the matter was under active investigation and that appropriate legal action would be taken based on facts and evidence established during the probe. Police also urged the public and media fraternity to refrain from speculation and avoid spreading misinformation while the investigation is underway. The case has brought the alleged misuse of an official weapon deployed for security duties under scrutiny, with police examining the circumstances and responsibility of those involved. The allegations are yet to be established through investigation.

NH-44 remains open for 2-way traffic

Ramban, Nov 8:The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained open for two-way traffic of light, medium and heavy vehicles on Sunday, although vehicular movement continued to be slow at several locations between Udhampur and Banihal due to ongoing road construction, widening work and other traffic-related constraints. The uneven road surface at Dewal in Udhampur district and the narrow, single-lane stretch between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather in Ramban district continued to remain major bottlenecks, affecting the smooth movement of vehicles along the highway. According to traffic officials, hundreds of vehicles crossed the Chenani-Nashri and Banihal-Qazigund tunnels during the day. However, traffic movement remained sluggish at several locations due to narrow carriageways, ongoing construction activities, uneven road surfaces and occasional vehicle breakdowns. A 3040-metre stretch of uneven road at Dewal and the single-lane section between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather continued to pose challenges for commuters. Vehicle breakdowns between Nachlana and Ramsoo also contributed to traffic congestion. The movement of nomadic livestock herds along narrow stretches, particularly between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather, may further affect traffic flow. Commuters have been advised to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking. Meanwhile, in view of the ongoing highway widening work on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch, restrictions on the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will continue during daytime hours. As vehicles carrying inflammable materials are not permitted to pass through highway tunnels, Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will be allowed to proceed beyond Chenani only during the designated night window from 5 pm to 5 am. Their movement on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch will remain restricted from 7 am to 7 pm. Tanker operators have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly. Transporters carrying perishable goods and livestock have also been directed to ensure that vehicles are loaded strictly in accordance with the advisories issued by Traffic Police Headquarters.

Demolition of extended footpaths along MA Road raises questions over lack of planning

Srinagar, Nov 8: Demolition of footpaths and cycle tracks, constructed a few years ago, along Srinagar's busy MA Road has sparked criticism from commuters and urban planning experts, who say the latest exercise exposes serious flaws in the planning and execution of projects undertaken under the Srinagar Smart City. Over the past week, authorities have starting removing sections of footpaths and cycle track along the city's principal commercial corridor, one of the busiest roads which witnesses heavy traffic throughout the day, including frequent VIP movement. These are the same footpaths and cycle tracks which were constructed only a few years ago as part of the Smart City facelift. At that time, large portions of the carriageway were converted into wider pedestrian spaces and a dedicated cycling lane, a move that had triggered concerns among commuters who feared it would reduce road space and worsen congestion. With authorities now widening the same road by dismantling the recently built infrastructure, questions are being raised over whether the original project was properly planned. It looks as if there was no long-term vision. A few years ago they narrowed the road to make wider footpaths. Now they have realised traffic cannot be managed and the same structures are being demolished. Why wasn't this assessed before spending public money? said Mohammad Yousuf, a commuter from Rajbagh. Several residents said that crores of rupees were spent on projects that are now being reversed, describing it as a waste of taxpayers' money. Every few years we see the same thing. Roads are redesigned, then dug up again, and rebuilt. Who is accountable for these decisions? If proper traffic studies had been conducted, this situation would never have arisen, said a trader operating on MA Road. Many commuters also questioned the utility of the cycle track itself, saying it rarely served its intended purpose. The cycle lane was hardly used by cyclists. Most of the time it was occupied by parked two-wheelers, while in some places vendors selling snacks and other items had taken over the space. If the infrastructure was not being used as intended, why was there no enforcement or review? said Shabir Ahmad, another commuter. Residents said the latest demolition reflects a pattern witnessed at several locations across Srinagar, including Jahangir Chowk and other city junctions, where footpaths were widened under redevelopment projects before being altered again to address traffic bottlenecks. While people stressed that pedestrian-friendly infrastructure is essential for any modern city, they said such facilities must be based on scientific planning instead of repeated trial-and-error. We need proper footpaths because pedestrians deserve safe spaces. But planning should be practical. It cannot be that one year the road is narrowed and the next year it is widened again after spending huge amounts of money, said Nazir Ahmad, a resident. Urban planning experts have also cautioned against disconnected interventions. Senior town planner Hamid Wani said that urban infrastructure projects should be based on comprehensive planning, detailed traffic assessments and future mobility requirements so that they ease movement instead of creating fresh bottlenecks. The Smart City concept is about better planning, not repeated reconstruction. Public money should create durable infrastructure. These incidents raise questions about the assessment and planning and also points out to cosmetic solutions rather than well throughout plan, Wani said. As work continues on MA Road, commuters hope the latest changes will eventually improve traffic flow. However, many say the demolition has once again revived questions over planning, accountability and whether costly urban projects are being executed with adequate foresight. Chief Engineer, Srinagar Smart City, Qayoom Kirmani told Greater Kashmir that the decision to remove portions of footpaths was based on recommendations made by the Traffic authorities to improve traffic movement along the busy stretch near Sangarmal. The recommendations came to ensure smoother movement of traffic on this particular stretch. The work is being carried out by the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, and every effort is being made to ensure that commuters face minimal inconvenience during the execution of the project, he said.

Students complain of faculty shortage at Islamic Studies Department of BGSBU

Srinagar, Nov 8:Students of the Department of Islamic Studies at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), Rajouri, have expressed serious concern over the shortage of teaching faculty in the department, saying that the academic activities of the department are affected due to inadequate faculty strength. According to students, the Department is presently conducting Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctorate classes, but there is an acute shortage of teachers to cater to the academic requirements of the enrolled students. The students said the department currently has only one permanent faculty member, who manages the teaching requirements of the UG, PG and Ph.D. programmes. They said that managing the entire academic workload with such limited faculty has become increasingly difficult. The students further said they brought the issue of teacher shortage to the notice of the University authorities through various communications, requesting the appointment of at least three teachers in the Department of Islamic Studies. However, the students expressed concern that more than half of the ongoing semester has already passed, while the required teaching faculty has still not been provided to the department. They apprehended that the continued shortage could affect regular classroom teaching, timely completion of the prescribed syllabus and the overall academic interests of students. The students have urged the University Administration to take immediate steps to address the shortage and ensure adequate faculty strength in the Department of Islamic Studies. The students said the University must consider fast-track recruitment through Walk-in Interviews to meet the immediate requirement for teachers and ensure that students do not suffer academically because of the faculty shortage. The students hoped that the University authorities would treat the matter with urgency and take appropriate measures to strengthen the teaching faculty in the department at the earliest.

Citizens, public delegations call on CM Omar Abdullah to extend Diwali greetings

Jammu, Nov 8:Numerous citizens and public delegations called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence in Jammu on the occasion of Diwali to extend festive greetings. The social media post on the social media handle X of the Office of Chief Minister, J&K, read, On the occasion of Diwali, numerous citizens and public delegations called on the Chief Minister at his residence in Jammu to convey warm festive greetings. The Chief Minister interacted with the visitors and wished them wishes, extended warm greetings and wished everyone a peaceful, happy and prosperous Deepawali. The post added, Extending his heartfelt wishes in return, the Chief Minister interacted with the visitors and wished everyone a peaceful, happy, and prosperous Deepawali.

What schools must answer for

A school can satisfy many expectations without answering its most important question: what are children learning? It may have an impressive building, orderly records, a recognised affiliation, and strong examination publicity. It may also employ enough teachers to produce a favourable staffing ratio. Each feature tells us something, but none can independently establish the quality of education. My experience of schools has made me increasingly concerned about the ease with which institutional signals become educational conclusions. If accountability is to mean anything, it must connect the resources and promises of a school with childrens actual experience. A recent visit to a government school brought this concern into focus. The school offered classes up to Grade 10 and had 125 pupils and 26 teachers. At first glance, the numbers invite an immediate judgment. Such generous staffing might suggest exceptional provision or inefficient deployment, depending on the observers assumptions. Neither conclusion is justified by the ratio alone. We need to know which subjects teachers cover, how responsibilities are distributed, whether enrolment has changed, and what other duties occupy their time. The figures provide a starting point for inquiry; they cannot substitute for it. The same care is needed when considering what should change. Transferring teachers or merging schools may improve an administrative measure while creating difficulties for children. Distance, transport, age, and local circumstances influence whether a school remains accessible. Conversely, maintaining existing arrangements without examining their educational value can leave resources poorly used. Good planning must hold both concerns together. It should ask how staffing can support learning while preserving reasonable access. The relevant test is not whether a decision makes a chart look more efficient, but whether children receive a better and more dependable education afterwards. Private schools require an equally searching examination. Their public presentation may make quality appear easier to identify: English instruction, disciplined routines, modern facilities, and frequent assessments are readily visible. These features can support education, but they can also conceal weak teaching. A classroom organised around memorised answers may produce apparent progress while leaving understanding fragile. Parents need an honest account of that difference. Accountability should therefore reach beyond the claims made in admission materials and the results selected for publicity. It should examine how children learn, how teachers respond to difficulty, and whether progress is sustained. My working life with a leading education company operating internationally also shaped my view of institutional accountability. In some of the places where we worked, educational outcomes were central to judgments about performance. Commercial purpose existed alongside an expectation that educational commitments would produce demonstrable results. This experience does not establish that profit ensures quality or that commercial providers deserve greater trust. It does suggest that an institutions formal identity tells us less than we sometimes assume. The important questions concern how it behaves, what it delivers, and how convincingly it can account for both. That distinction matters when discussing schools described as charitable or operating without a profit motive. Such a designation expresses an intended purpose. It does not, by itself, demonstrate financial integrity, fair treatment of teachers, or educational effectiveness. Institutions can be influenced by service, conviction, reputation, financial interests, and personal ambition in varying combinations. Regulation must examine this complexity rather than assume that a category settles it. The same principle applies to commercial institutions: their claims must be tested rather than accepted because they promise efficiency. Every organisational form needs scrutiny proportionate to its responsibilities. Financial transparency is one part of that scrutiny. Families should be able to understand the charges they face, the services those charges support, and the reasons for significant increases. Oversight should be capable of examining whether institutional decisions serve educational purposes. Yet financial information alone cannot settle the question of quality. A school can present orderly accounts while providing inadequate instruction. Equally, resources may be constrained even where teachers work conscientiously. Money and learning therefore need to be examined together, with attention to the conditions in which staff teach and the support children actually receive. Defining learning carefully is essential. Examination scores matter because they influence progression and future opportunities, but they cannot carry the entire burden of accountability. Children should understand what they read, reason with numbers, ask questions, and explain their thinking. Their safety, inclusion, and confidence also matter. Schools need to recognise progress among pupils who require additional help, rather than concentrate attention only on those most likely to secure impressive results. An approach that rewards appearances or selected achievements can encourage institutions to neglect the very children whose experience most clearly tests their educational commitment. Teachers must have a voice in this process. Their knowledge of classroom difficulties can explain why a policy succeeds or fails in practice. Listening to them, while maintaining clear expectations, helps turn accountability into a way of improving education rather than merely recording shortcomings after they occur. Public accountability also depends on whose concerns receive attention. When influential families become less connected to government schools, the public system can lose advocates able to press for improvement. The response should not be to blame parents for seeking opportunities elsewhere. It should be to strengthen public institutions until confidence in them becomes reasonable. Reliable teaching, functioning facilities, responsive leadership, and clear communication - all contribute to that confidence. Families need to see that problems are acknowledged and addressed. Public education gains credibility through consistent experience, just as private education must justify the confidence its promises invite. Ultimately, an accountable school should be able to explain what it undertakes to provide, how it uses its resources, and what happens when children struggle. Regulators should support that responsibility through informed scrutiny and practical improvement, rather than treating paperwork as proof of performance. Public schools need resources and oversight; private schools need transparency and honest claims. Neither ownership nor institutional designation can answer for the quality of daily teaching. The standard should remain clear: children must receive an education that expands their capabilities, and institutions must demonstrate that they are fulfilling the trust placed in them. Dr. Farooq Wasil is a published author, educationist, Founding Director and CEO of Thinksite Services Private Limited and Director of BELA, Bharat Early Years Learning Alliance. With over four decades of experience in education managementspecializing in setting up, operating, and managing schoolshe also holds strategic advisory roles for several educational and business entities.

Rs 7.93 Cr tourism push to put Uri on Kashmirs tourist map

Baramulla, Nov 8:Long identified with its sensitive location along the Line of Control (LoC) and decades of cross-border tensions, Uri is seeking to reshape its identity by positioning its natural landscapes, spiritual heritage and adventure tourism potential as the centrepiece of a fresh development initiative. With administrative approval granted for Rs 7.93 crore for tourism infrastructure at five locations, the border town is set to receive a major push aimed at developing it as a distinct destination on Kashmirs tourism map. The project envisages the development of tourist facilities at Uri town, Bosiyan-Gingal, Mahura, Garkote and Bela Boniyar. The proposed infrastructure includes tourist huts, facilitation centres, riverfront and scenic parks, viewpoints, trekking paths and public conveniences, aimed at improving visitor facilities and encouraging tourists to explore the region. Beyond the proposed infrastructure, Uri offers a combination of natural, spiritual and historical attractions that could help it emerge as a tourism destination in north Kashmir. Surrounded by mountains and forests, with the Jhelum flowing through the region, the area offers diverse landscapes for visitors seeking destinations beyond Kashmirs established tourist circuits. Its location along the LoC also gives it a distinctive border tourism character. While Suchetgarh in Jammu has traditionally featured prominently in discussions around border tourism, Uri offers another dimension to the experience, combining its border identity with natural scenery and heritage attractions. The region also has considerable potential for religious and heritage tourism. Pando Mandir, Baba Qazinag and shrines associated with Baba Fareed and Baba Gafoor are among the spiritual destinations that could be developed into a dedicated pilgrimage circuit. The nearby Zehanpora Buddhist heritage site further adds to Uris historical and cultural appeal, offering visitors an opportunity to explore Kashmirs lesser-known Buddhist connections. Uris ecological wealth provides another dimension to its tourism potential. The region is home to rich biodiversity, including the rare markhor, and its mountain ranges, forest stretches and riverfront landscapes could attract visitors interested in nature-based tourism, trekking, photography and other outdoor activities. Connectivity is also expected to play an important role in opening up the region to visitors. The proposed Banali-Gulmarg road is expected to create additional travel opportunities, potentially allowing tourists visiting Gulmarg to include Uri in a wider north Kashmir itinerary. The existing Trade Facilitation Centre, which has already been converted into accommodation for visitors, could further support the initiative by enabling tourists to stay in the area rather than restrict their visits to brief excursions. MLA Uri Sajad Shafi described the tourism initiative as a potential turning point in the development of the border constituency, saying it would help unlock the areas largely untapped tourism potential. He said the project was only the beginning and that the government was committed to bringing lasting change to the region. People in Uri have endured years of hardship. The focus now must be on opening a new chapter in the areas development and taking it in a different direction, he said. For decades, Uri has largely remained in public consciousness because of its sensitive border location and periodic tensions along the LoC. The proposed tourism initiative seeks to broaden that identity by bringing its natural beauty, spiritual landmarks and cultural heritage into greater focus. The government expects the project to stimulate tourism-related economic activity, create livelihood opportunities for local residents and strengthen Uris presence on Kashmirs tourism map.

A healing touch that will live beyond his lifetime

Certain professions carry within them an extraordinary opportunity to remain alive in peoples memories long after ones physical departure. Physicians who relieve suffering, teachers who shape minds, engineers who build enduring structures and craftsmen who create objects of lasting beauty can all leave behind something more meaningful than material possessions. Their work continues to speak for them, and their contributions become part of the lives of generations. Yet, among these professions, medicine perhaps offers the most intimate opportunity to earn lasting gratitude, for a physician touches human life at its most vulnerable moments. Dr. Mir Nisar Ahmad was one such physician whose memory will endure not merely because of the ailments he treated, but because of the humanity with which he treated people. His sudden demise on Friday, November 6, 2026, following a cardiac arrest that morning, has left Alamgari Bazar and its surrounding localities in profound grief. He breathed his last around noon, barely a day after attending patients at his clinic on Thursday. Until the very end, he remained devoted to the profession through which he had served generations for more than four decades. Within a radius of at least five kilometres around Alamgari Bazar, Dr. Nisar was a household name. Many affectionately regarded him as the Dr. Ali Jan of Alamgari Bazar, a comparison carrying considerable significance for Kashmiris familiar with the legendary physician Dr. Ali Jan. He belonged to that earlier tradition of medical practitioners whose clinical judgment, experience and understanding of symptoms often preceded the extensive reliance on laboratory investigations and sophisticated diagnostic equipment that characterises contemporary medicine. Allah had blessed Dr. Nisar with remarkable diagnostic ability. His patients approached him with confidence and generally returned satisfied, reassured and relieved. His reputation grew through personal experience and word of mouth rather than publicity. For countless families, he was the first person to consult whenever illness struck. My association with Dr. Nisar dates back to my younger days. I cannot precisely recollect whether I was still in school or had entered college when he established his clinic, but it was certainly more than four decades ago. Our family lived at M. K. Chowk, barely a few hundred metres from his residence-cum-clinic, and remained among the many beneficiaries of his professional competence and personal affection. What particularly distinguished him was his extraordinary consideration for elderly patients. He would readily visit those unable to reach his clinic, often setting aside his own convenience. I vividly remember his frequent visits to our home to examine my mother or father. These were never merely professional consultations. He would patiently attend to their ailments, offer reassurance and invariably seek their blessings before leaving. In those simple gestures lay the essence of his character: humility, compassion and reverence for elders. Equally admirable was Dr. Nisars freedom from sectarian prejudice. Deeply devoted to his personal faith, he nevertheless embraced religious and social gatherings across different schools of thought with equal warmth and respect. He regularly attended the annual Meelad congregation of Hazrat Mirza Kamil Sahib (RA), where Persian devotional recitations particularly fascinated him. He readily participated in religious conferences and gatherings irrespective of their organisers affiliations and unfailingly visited bereaved families to share their grief. His inclusive outlook reflected Kashmirs cherished traditions of spiritual harmony, mutual respect and human affection. My relationship with Dr. Nisar extended considerably beyond that of a patient and physician. He was the son of the respected Professor Mir Mohammed Jaffer and belonged to a family with which I have enjoyed longstanding bonds of affection. His brothers, including Dr. Mir Manzoor Ahmad, Er. Mohammad Shafi and Er. Mir Javid Ahmad, Er. Mir Iqbal have all been personally known to me. His sister was married to my dear friend, late Er. Ghulam Hassan Mir of Pandrethan, and always treats me with the warmth and affection of a brother. These relationships made Dr. Nisars passing a deeply personal loss. I also cherish affectionate memories of his father, Professor Mir Mohammed Jaffer, who would frequently spend hours in my office discussing life, morality, human relationships and the responsibilities of a good human being. His conversations were filled with wisdom and gentle counsel. Looking back, I find that Dr. Nisar embodied many of those very values. He was cultured, civilised, soft-spoken, humble and considerate, never allowing professional recognition or social standing to distance him from ordinary people. Indeed, Dr. Nisar represented a generation of physicians for whom medicine was as much a moral responsibility as a profession. He understood that patients needed reassurance alongside prescriptions, compassion alongside diagnosis and personal attention alongside treatment. His greatest distinction was perhaps his ability to combine professional competence with an exceptionally humane temperament. His departure has therefore created a void far greater than the loss of a medical practitioner. Alamgari Bazar and its vicinity has lost a dependable physician, an affectionate neighbour, a trusted friend and a human being of rare qualities. Families who relied upon him for decades will particularly miss the reassuring presence of someone who understood not only their medical histories but also their personal circumstances. Our society must learn to recognise and remember such personalities. We often celebrate wealth, power and public prominence while overlooking individuals whose quiet service sustains the moral fabric of our communities. People like Dr. Nisar rarely seek recognition, yet their contributions are far more enduring than many celebrated achievements. Their true memorials exist in the gratitude of patients, the blessings of elders and the affection of generations. For me, Dr. Mir Nisar Ahmads passing marks the loss of an important part of the neighbourhood life and human relationships with which I grew up. His healing touch, gentle disposition and unwavering commitment to humanity will remain etched in my memory. May Almighty Allah accept his lifelong service to humanity, forgive his shortcomings, grant him the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and bestow patience upon his bereaved family including his son Mir Wamiq Hussain, his sister and their mother. Dr. Nisar may have departed from this world, but he will continue to live in the hearts, memories and prayers of those whose lives he touched. Shakeel Qalander, prominent business leader and a civil society animator

Monkey menace grips Kangan villages, damages crops, household property

Kangan, Nov 8:A growing monkey menace has triggered concern among residents of several villages in Kangan subdivision of central Kashmirs Ganderbal district, with large numbers of the animals raiding agricultural fields, damaging crops and entering residential properties. Over the past several months, residents of Akhal, Gund, Sumbal, Surfraw, Ganiwan and adjoining areas have reported frequent incursions by monkeys descending from nearby forested hills. The animals have reportedly been damaging orchards, vegetable gardens and standing crops, particularly maize, besides entering residential compounds and causing damage to household property. Residents said the increasing presence of monkeys has not only resulted in financial losses for farming families but has also created apprehension among people, particularly those living close to forest areas. Monkeys have become a serious threat to crops in Sumbal, Surfraw, Ganiwan, Akhal and other adjoining villages located close to forests. They have been damaging our crops, particularly maize, for the past several months, residents said. A group of locals from Akhal alleged that despite bringing the matter to the notice of the concerned Wildlife Department, no effective measures had been taken to address the problem. Residents said the repeated raids had made it increasingly difficult for farmers to protect their crops and sought immediate intervention by the authorities to prevent further damage. They urged the Wildlife Department to assess the situation, take appropriate measures to control the monkey incursions and ensure the safety of people and their property. The residents said a timely response was necessary to prevent further agricultural losses and provide relief to families affected by the growing menace.

Free textbook distribution begins 8 days after session starts

Srinagar, Nov 8: The distribution of free textbooks among government school students in Kashmir for the academic session 2026-27 will begin on November 9, eight days after the commencement of the new academic session, with education zones in Baramulla district scheduled to receive the books only in the last week of November. As per the schedule issued by the Textbook Section of the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on November 7, the distribution will be carried out in phases across the Valleys districts, with Srinagar being the first to receive the textbooks. The process will begin in Srinagar on November 9, followed by Bandipora on November 10, Kulgam on November 11 and Kupwara on November 12 and 13. The distribution will subsequently cover Anantnag on November 14 and 16, Budgam on November 17 and 18, and Pulwama on November 19 and 20. Ganderbal is scheduled to receive the textbooks on November 20, while the distribution in Shopian will take place on November 21, placing both districts towards the third week of the month. Baramulla figures among the last districts in the distribution calendar, with its education zones scheduled to receive the textbooks in three phases between November 23 and 26. According to the schedule, Pattan, Kunzer, Rohama, Sopore, Singpora (K) and Singpora (P) education zones will receive the books on November 23. Similarly, Uri, Jhulla, Boniyar, Chandanwari, Baramulla and Chandoosa zones have been assigned November 25, while Dangiwacha, Wagoora, Tangmarg, Fatehgarh, Nihalpora and Dangerpora will receive the textbooks on November 26. The free textbook supply covers students from Classes 1 to 8 in government schools. The Deputy Secretary, Textbook Section, JKBOSE, has asked the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to depute representatives from the concerned Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) offices, along with proper authorisation letters, to collect the textbooks from the Boards textbook store at New Campus, Bemina, Srinagar, on the designated dates. Meanwhile, teachers have expressed concern over the delay, saying the phased distribution process would further postpone the availability of textbooks in schools and affect classroom teaching during the initial weeks of the academic session. This is not for the first time that textbook distribution has started late. It has become a routine for the government, a government school teacher told * Greater Kashmir *, requesting anonymity. The teacher said that the dates notified by JKBOSE were only for supplying textbooks to the respective education zones, after which the books would have to be distributed among individual schools, a process likely to consume additional time. For Baramulla, the textbooks will reach the concerned zones in the last week of this month. The supply will then have to reach the schools. Through this process, nearly a month goes to waste for students, the teacher said. Teachers have repeatedly demanded that textbooks be made available in schools by the end of October so that students can begin the academic session with the prescribed learning material. They said delays in textbook distribution disrupt classroom teaching, particularly during the initial weeks when students are expected to begin studying the new syllabus. It seems the government is not concerned about the issue. The process gets delayed every year, which ultimately takes a toll on students, the teacher added.

Trump Era: Beginning of the End

As the counting of votes for the American midterm elections was only almost over, it was clear that the Democratic Party won both the House of Representatives and the Senate by a huge margin. This big victory brings a major shift in the power corridors of Washington and marks the beginning of the end of the Trump era. Donald Trump has been a great disruption to the liberal world order that had guided international relations for several decades. That world order was built after terrible conflicts to ensure peace, open discussion, and mutual respect among democratic countries. Instead of strengthening friendly ties and working with age old partners, his administration treated global diplomacy like a private business deal. Every international agreement was questioned, long standing friendships were strained, and democratic institutions faced constant pressure. The American public has now given a firm and mature verdict against this disruptive style of governance. By placing both houses of Congress in the hands of the opposition, the voters have put a strong check on absolute presidential power. Common citizens across the United States have grown tired of continuous political drama, sudden midnight announcements on social media, and social division. This election demonstrates that the people genuinely want calm administration, democratic decency, and respect for established rules rather than daily noise and political arrogance. The sphere of global commerce suffered very badly during these past few years because of his erratic decisions. His trade policies were completely unpredictable and brought immense headaches to businesses across the globe. One day steep duties were imposed on goods from partner countries, and the very next day angry warnings were issued against friendly nations. In doing so, he delivered a very serious blow to the well established Washington consensus. For decades, this consensus had encouraged open markets, reduction of custom tariffs, and smooth commercial exchange through bodies like the World Trade Organization. By launching bitter trade disputes and adopting narrow protectionist attitudes, his administration harmed international supply chains, increased expenses for everyday consumers, and created severe difficulties for developing economies like India. Along with this chaotic approach to commerce, his immigration policies will hurt America as well. The United States grew into a global superpower mainly because it opened its doors to bright minds and dedicated workers from all over the world. Thousands of skilled Indian techies, doctors, scientists, and researchers have spent decades building American software empires, healthcare networks, and academic centers. By creating endless troubles for work visas, bringing hostile rules, and treating immigrants with needless suspicion, his policies have driven away top talent. Instead of strengthening national security, this narrow vision has harmed the creative spark and economic future of America itself. In the field of global diplomacy, his foreign policy has been nothing short of a total disaster. There was no coherent strategy, no consultation with career diplomats, and no calm calculation of ground realities. As the foreign affairs analyst Fareed Zakaria correctly observed, Donald Trump took the country dangerously close to an Iran war without any clear goals, sensible thinking, or realistic exit strategies. Foreign policy cannot be run like a reality television show where sudden impulses dictate national security decisions. Such dangerous actions created severe panic across West Asia and badly damaged the trust of international allies who look up to Washington for steady leadership. His disregard for multilateralism made matters worse. By sidelining the United Nations, cutting support for global institutions, and preferring one-on-one bargains with weaker nations over collective decision making, he weakened the very forums where shared problems are meant to be solved. Multilateralism has long been the only real voice that small and middle powers have in world affairs, and undermining it left them more exposed to the will of the strong. Along with this diplomatic adventurism, his environmental policies have been a tragic setback to the hard won commitments and collective progress achieved since the early 1990s. International summits and environmental leaders had spent thirty years building landmark treaties like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Climate Agreement to protect our earth. Donald Trump simply walked away from these crucial pacts, dismissed sound environmental science, and weakened essential pollution controls. At a time when countries of the Global South, who contributed least to global emissions, bear the heaviest burden of erratic rainfall, rising seas, and deadly heat waves, and are still waiting for the climate finance and technology promised to them, turning a blind eye to climate change was an act of complete irresponsibility. The clear message from this midterm election reaches far beyond the borders of America, and indeed the world must heave a sigh of relief. Today our world faces massive global challenges such as rising temperatures, economic uncertainty, and regional unrest, which no single country can resolve on its own. We cannot afford a superpower that acts in a reckless manner and plays politics with planetary safety. The world deserves a better political hegemon that will work sincerely to make the entire planet more safe and secure for everyone. A genuine global leader ought to behave like a mature and responsible guardian who respects global agreements, supports fair commerce, and cooperates with all nations big and small. The loss of both legislative chambers shows that the American public has chosen to return to common sense, stability, and institutional balance. It will certainly take many years of hard work to heal old diplomatic wounds and restore trust in global treaties, but this electoral result gives genuine hope to peace loving people across the globe. Dr Sajad Padder, an academic based in Kashmir, teaches Political Science in Higher Education.

Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visits Army units in north Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 8:Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma on Sunday visited Army units deployed in North Kashmir to review the prevailing security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and in the hinterland. During the visit, the Army Commander was briefed on key operational aspects, including vigilance, training, coordination and innovative practices being adopted by the formations to maintain a dominant posture and ensure robust security in the region. According to the Armys Northern Command, Lt Gen Sharma interacted with personnel from all ranks and extended warm festive greetings to the troops on the occasion of Diwali. He lauded the soldiers for their unwavering commitment, operational alertness, professionalism and dedication to duty, appreciating their efforts in maintaining a strong security presence under challenging conditions. The Army Commander also acknowledged the sacrifices made by personnel deployed in forward and remote locations, who remain away from their homes and families while guarding the countrys borders. The Northern Command, in a post on X, said soldiers of the Indian Army remained resolute in their commitment to safeguarding the nation, exemplifying the spirit of courage, sacrifice and selfless service.

Protect J&Ks fragile mountain ecosystems

Amid spurt in erratic weather patterns triggered by climate change, it is imperative to ensure conservation of mountain ecosystems in Jammu and Kashmir. Most of the tourist destinations in J&K are facing a threat to the fragile ecosystem due to unregulated tourist flow. Famous ski-resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir has been bearing the brunt of unregulated flow of visitors. The number of visitors exceeds the carrying capacity of the tourist destination surrounded by mountains and forests. This not only overwhelms solid waste generation but triggers rise in temperature causing rapid snow melt off and avalanches in winter. A study has shown that there is a rise in Black Carbon levels in Gulmarg in winter due to massive movement of vehicles, snowmobiles, All Terrain Vehicles and biomass burning for heating purposes. Similarly increasing numbers of visitors, especially to Sonamarg and Pahalgam, which host major glaciers of Kashmir, are taking a heavy toll on the environment. . Thajiwas glacier in Sonamarg is retreating fast and collapsing frequently in the last several years. Kolhai glacier in Pahalgam has traces of Black Carbon emissions and has lost almost 23 percent of its area since 1962 and fragmented into smaller parts. Kolhai glacier feeds Lidder river which is one of the main sources of river Jhelum considered to be the lifeline of Kashmir. Kolahai is losing mass at the rate of about 1.0 m water equivalent annually, which is significantly higher than the glaciers in the rest of the Himalayas. Most of the tourist destinations especially Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Patnitop and Doodhpathri are facing threat to the environment due to unregulated tourist flow. The problem has been compounded as authorities are struggling to promote lesser known destinations to reduce pressure on popular tourist destinations. Construction of roads in mountains affects stability of slopes and triggers frequent landslides. Amid the gloom, there is a ray of hope! An initiative has taken roots to ensure sustainable development in ecologically sensitive areas. The Jammu & Kashmir Sustainable Mountain Development Policy (JK-SMDP 2026) prepared by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir and Integrated Mountain Initiative proposes an integrated framework for ensuring that the mountains of J&K remain ecologically secure, economically productive and socially resilient. It recognises mountains as the foundation of J&Ks water security, food and horticultural production, forests and biodiversity, tourism, cultural heritage and mountain livelihoods. It proposes a major overhaul of tourism management, infrastructure development and environmental protection including daily visitor limits at popular destinations, restrictions on private vehicles, a green cess of up to Rs 2,000 for foreign tourists and tighter controls on construction in mountainous areas. One of its key proposals is to introduce carrying-capacity limits at 15 high-pressure tourist destinations, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, Yusmarg, Gurez, Bangus, Sinthan Top, Patnitop, Katra, Paddar, Basoli and Bhaderwah. The draft proposes that scientific carrying-capacity studies be completed within 12 months. Pending these studies, interim daily visitor limits could be introduced within 100 days of the proposed policys approval, based on the capacity of roads, parking facilities and sanitation infrastructure. The draft policy recommends that private cars, taxis and buses be stopped at designated green gateways located approximately 10 kilometres below fragile destinations. Beyond these gateways, movement would be restricted to electric or CNG vehicles, walking, ponies or cycles. It proposes electric vehicle fleets be operated by local youth cooperatives, self-help groups and registered local operators, while outside operators would not be licensed. Tangmarg has been identified as a possible green gateway for Gulmarg, Pahalgam town for Aru, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari, and Sonamarg market for the Thajiwas area. The draft also proposes a Mountain Green Cess, with different rates for domestic and foreign visitors to regulate movement to fragile areas. The policy estimates that the cess could generate approximately Rs 750 crore annually, based on an estimated 1.5 crore to 2.5 crore tourists and a conservative average collection of Rs 500 per visitor. It proposes that the revenue be ring-fenced for destination-level environmental management, with 40 per cent allocated to waste collection, toilets and sanitation, 20 per cent to ecological restoration, 20 per cent to local employment, 10 per cent to visitor safety and rescue systems, and the remaining 10 per cent to monitoring and administration. The document also proposes restrictions on new construction in high-risk and ecologically sensitive areas, including glacier forelands, stream corridors and identified hazard-prone zones. It calls for stronger land-use planning and environmental safeguards to prevent unregulated construction in mountain regions. The draft identifies Gulmarg, Patnitop and Bhaderwah as possible model destinations. Pilgrimage management has also been addressed, with the draft proposing science-based daily limits for yatras and religious destinations, including the Amarnath Yatra, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Machail Mata, Shiv Khori and Buddha Amarnath. Decades ago, most of our tourist destinations like Pahalgam and Gulmarg had mostly wooden hut-type accommodations which gelled with the environment. Now most of the natural landscape has been concretised in fragile mountainous zones in absence of regulation. Over the last several months, several tourist destinations have been witnessing erratic weather patterns. There were several flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in Pahalgam. If the carrying capacity of eco-fragile areas is disturbed, damage will be irreparable. Subsequently it results in disasters like flash floods, water shortage and massive waste generation. It is high time to promote eco-tourism in eco-fragile areas and reduce carbon footprints. This way we can promote our mountains, forests, springs and rivers. Our tourism is dependent on our unique ecosystem and natural beauty. We have to learn to live in harmony with nature. Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir

A Home After Being Homeless

Srinagar, Nov 8:For 75-year-old Abdul Rashid (name changed), evenings were once marked by loneliness and isolation. Today, he spends them sitting on a sunny bench, sharing tea and conversations with fellow residents. Like several others at the facility, Rashid has found a sense of belonging at the Old Age Home in Pandach, which has emerged as a shelter for elderly people left without family support or a place to call home. Located on the outskirts of Srinagar, the two-storey facility, operated by the Department of Social Welfare, Jammu and Kashmir, is currently providing shelter to around six to seven elderly people. Many of its residents were reportedly found living alone in dilapidated houses, abandoned by their families or struggling to survive on the streets. For these elderly men, the facility offers more than accommodation. It provides food, medical assistance, a degree of security and, perhaps most importantly, companionship during a stage of life when many have been left without anyone to turn to. The facility assumes significance amid changing family structures, increasing urbanisation and the migration of younger members of families for employment. These changes, coupled with economic and social pressures, have left some elderly people vulnerable to neglect, isolation and inadequate access to healthcare. At Pandach, residents are provided with meals, assistance with daily activities and healthcare support. The facility also provides medical check-ups, physiotherapy sessions, visits by doctors and emergency assistance, while staff members help residents who require support with routine activities. We do not view this centre merely as a shelter, but as an extension of home where every individuals life experience is honoured. Our aim is to ensure our elders live with self-respect, happiness and peace of mind, an administrator associated with the welfare facility said. Officials said the home receives referrals from the police, hospitals and local mosque committees. Some elderly people are brought to the facility during winter when living alone, particularly in inadequate housing conditions, becomes increasingly difficult. We get referrals from the police, hospitals and local mosque committees. Many are brought in during winters when living alone becomes life-threatening, officials of the District Social Welfare Office, Ganderbal, said. District Social Welfare Officer Ganderbal, Bashir Ahmad, could not be reached for comment. For the residents, however, the value of the facility goes beyond the services it provides. Here, I have a bed, medicine and food on time. But more than that, I have quiet. And sometimes, quiet is all a tired mind asks for, said Ghulam Nabi (name changed), another resident. Social workers say the facility reflects a wider but often overlooked concern in Kashmir, where elderly people without adequate family support are increasingly finding themselves vulnerable. Traditionally, Kashmirs social fabric has been associated with strong family and neighbourhood support systems, with elderly people often cared for by extended families and members of their local communities. However, social workers say changing lifestyles, migration and growing economic pressures have weakened some of these support networks. Earlier, an elderly person without family support would often be taken care of by the neighbourhood. Today, people have their own struggles. Old age homes were once considered taboo in Kashmir, but they are increasingly becoming a necessity, social workers said. The growing importance of such facilities also points to the need for stronger community-based support systems, accessible healthcare and institutional mechanisms to protect senior citizens who have no dependable caregivers. For those living at the Pandach facility, the home represents something more fundamental than institutional care: a place where they are not left to face illness, old age and loneliness alone. In its quiet courtyard, where residents now spend their evenings in conversation, the facility offers a measure of dignity and security to people who have experienced the uncertainty of being without a home.

Trumps moment of reckoning

The American electorate has sent President Donald Trump a message that he can no longer afford to ignore. The Democrats sweeping victories in the midterm elections, amid widespread disapproval of his administrations decision to wage war on Iran, should serve as a moment of reckoning. More than a setback for the Republican Party, the results reflect growing public fatigue with a conflict that has exacted a heavy price without offering a convincing path to lasting peace. Trump came to power promising to keep America out of foreign wars, bring down living costs and put American interests first. The war with Iran has undermined all three promises. With the Strait of Hormuz closed, energy prices soaring and billions of dollars of American taxpayers money spent on military operations, the consequences have travelled far beyond the battlefield. What began as a military confrontation has become a threat to regional stability and the global economy. The Gulf is particularly vulnerable. Its economies, energy infrastructure, maritime routes and international trade networks are deeply interconnected. Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz threatens oil and gas supplies, raises transportation and insurance costs and feeds inflation across continents. For countries including India, which are already struggling with economic uncertainty, another sustained energy shock could have serious consequences. The poorest nations, which have the least capacity to absorb higher food and fuel prices, would suffer disproportionately. The Gulf needs stability, not another cycle of confrontation. The world needs predictable energy markets, functioning trade routes and an international order in which disputes are settled through diplomacy rather than force. Trump still has an opportunity to change the course of events. Ending this war would not be an admission of weakness; it would be an act of political responsibility and strategic wisdom. The measure of American leadership should not be how long it can sustain a war, but whether it can bring one to a just and lasting end. The world is waiting for Washington to choose peace.

Why shelf life matters for Kashmirs apples

Srinagar, Nov 8:Kashmir's indigenous Ambri apple has an amazing shelf life - it can retain its quality for up to six months under ordinary storage conditions. Red Delicious, the dominant commercial variety, has a normal shelf life of around 2025 days. However, the temperatures need to stay below 25 degrees Celsius. Fruits, apart from their taste, shape and color, have varietal features, and for growers, these matter more as production diversifies. With the prolonged journeys at times due to highway disruptions and limited storage facilities at home, the variety can affect the quality and market value of produce. A Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Jammu study published in the Indian Journal of Horticulture few years concluded that the king of apples is Ambri. It is as an indigenous Kashmir variety with crisp texture, sweet flesh and excellent aroma, and keeps its quality of up to six months under ordinary storage conditions. Ambri once enjoyed considerable popularity in Kashmir. However, due to its pallor in comparison with the red delicious, it gradually disappeared from commercial orchards. Its color is neither golden, nor green, and definitely not red. It has hues of pink on a pale majority. The growers have increasingly shifted to varieties such as Delicious, Red Delicious and Golden Delicious for their higher production. These are also the varieties that markets in non-apple producing areas of India prefer. These have better market returns as well. Red Delicious, remains the Valley's dominant commercial variety. It has a normal shelf life of approximately 2025 days. However, temperatures must remain below 25 degrees Celsius, sans which the flesh starts losing its crispiness. The shelf life is particularly relevant for apples transported to distant markets. Fruit harvest, packing, transportation and delivery often over 1520 days. During this period, the fruit can lose firmness and juiciness. For farmer, thats a disaster, financially. A 2023 study evaluated eight exotic apple cultivars under high-density planting conditions in Kashmir. These included Mitch Gala, Elrosa, Wiltons Star, Golden Delicious Reinders, Red Delicious Camspur, Red Braeburn, Jonagold A and Jonagold DC Robijin. However, these important imported cultivars have not been assessed in detail regarding their shelf life. Granny smith for example has assumed growing cult status. It is a firm crisp sub-acidic apple. It ripens in first week of October and is usually considered to have a good shelf life, However, grown in Kashmir and in Kashmir temperatures, how long will this popular variety retain its charm is yet to be estimated. Gala Redlum recorded 6075 days of shelf life under ambient conditions. It had life of 110170 days under cold storage. Another study examined exotic varieties Gala Redlum, Red Velox and Super Chief under Kashmir's temperate conditions. It found that storage life varied with harvesting maturity and storage conditions. The findings show that shelf life is not determined by variety alone but also depend on maturity level at harvest, temperature, handling, grading and storage conditions.

3 crafts account for 60% of registered artisans

Srinagar, Nov 8:Nearly six out of every 10 artisans and weavers registered in Kashmir are associated with just three traditional occupations, while some indigenous crafts have fewer than 25 registered practitioners, revealing a sharp concentration in the Valley's traditional craft economy. An analysis of the district-wise and craft-wise registration database of the Jammu and Kashmir Handicrafts and Handloom Department, updated up to October 31, 2026, shows that 4,14,276 artisans and weavers have been registered across Kashmir's 10 districts since inception. Of these, 3,15,366 are registered under handicrafts and 98,910 under handloom. The most striking feature of the database is the dominance of Sozni embroidery, carpet-making and Crewel embroidery. Together, these three crafts account for 2,46,629 registrations, representing 78.2 per cent of the handicrafts workforce recorded in the database and 59.5 per cent of all handicraft and handloom registrations combined. The figures also reveal distinct geographical concentrations, with Budgam emerging as the largest centre for handicrafts, Srinagar leading the overall and handloom categories, and Anantnag accounting for an overwhelming share of registered Chain Stitch artisans. The database provides a detailed picture of the distribution of traditional occupations across Kashmir, but also raises questions about the vulnerability of smaller crafts, the diversification of the artisan economy and the extent to which registration is translating into sustainable employment. Sozni alone has 1.36 lakh registrations Sozni embroidery is by far the largest individual craft category, with 1,36,356 registered artisans. This represents 43.2 per cent of all handicrafts registrations and almost one-third of the entire registered artisan and weaver base in Kashmir. Budgam has the highest concentration, with 42,711 Sozni registrations, followed by Baramulla with 32,004, Ganderbal with 19,558, Srinagar with 18,937 and Bandipora with 15,934. Budgam alone accounts for approximately 31.3 per cent of all registered Sozni artisans. Carpet-making occupies the second position with 58,132 registrations, while Crewel embroidery has 52,141. The geographical distribution of carpet artisans is particularly interesting. Budgam has 13,788 registrations, Bandipora 13,336, Baramulla 8,935 and Srinagar 7,699. Crewel embroidery, meanwhile, is heavily concentrated in Srinagar and Anantnag. The two districts together account for 31,097 of the 52,141 registrations. The remaining major categories include Zari work with 24,127 registrations, Chain Stitch with 15,089 and Staple embroidery with 14,530. The concentration in these occupations means that a large part of the registered handicraft workforce depends on a relatively narrow group of traditional skills. Anantnag accounts for nearly four-fifths of Chain Stitch registrations One of the most revealing findings in the district-level data is the concentration of Chain Stitch artisans in Anantnag. Of the 15,089 artisans registered under this category across Kashmir, 11,911 are from Anantnag. This means that approximately 78.9 per cent of the registered Chain Stitch workforce is concentrated in a single district. Shopian has 904 registrations, Pulwama 662 and Kulgam 511, while Srinagar has 257. The distribution suggests that Anantnag has a particularly significant occupational cluster in Chain Stitch, making it an important location for targeted skill development, design interventions and market-linkage programmes. A similar geographical concentration is visible in other crafts. Budgam accounts for the largest share of Sozni registrations, while Bandipora has 22.9 per cent of all carpet registrations. Shopian has 4,491 Zari registrations, representing nearly 18.6 per cent of the Valley-wide total for the craft. Srinagar leads overall, but Budgam dominates handicrafts Srinagar has the highest combined number of registered artisans and weavers, with 86,077 registrations. Budgam follows with 82,086, while Baramulla has 58,454. Anantnag accounts for 42,972 registrations and Bandipora 42,050. The remaining districts are Ganderbal with 30,311, Pulwama with 24,726, Kulgam with 20,445, Kupwara with 16,878 and Shopian with 10,277. Srinagar and Budgam together account for 1,68,163 registrations, or 40.6 per cent of the total. However, the district rankings change significantly when the two sectors are examined separately. Budgam leads handicrafts with 68,843 registrations, followed by Srinagar with 55,211 and Baramulla with 47,400. Srinagar, on the other hand, dominates handloom with 30,866 registrations, accounting for 31.2 per cent of the entire handloom registration base. This distinction is important because it shows that the geographical distribution of Kashmir's craft economy is not uniform. Different districts have developed different occupational strengths. Handloom: Tailoring and cutting account for 37,285 registrations The handloom database, comprising 98,910 registrations, reveals another important dimension of the traditional textile economy. Tailoring and cutting is the largest listed category, with 37,285 registrations, accounting for 37.7 per cent of the handloom total. Pashmina spinning follows with 21,033 registrations, while Pattu weaving has 20,076. Kani shawl weaving accounts for 10,488 registrations. Other categories include handloom weaving with 5,528, Pashmina weaving with 3,287, readymade garments with 1,152 and tweed weaving with just 61 registrations. Pashmina spinning and weaving together account for 24,320 registrations, representing approximately 24.6 per cent of the handloom total. The district distribution again shows considerable concentration. Srinagar leads with 30,866 registrations, followed by Budgam with 13,243, Baramulla with 11,054, Bandipora with 8,728 and Anantnag with 7,307. Traditional crafts with fewer than 25 registrations While the major crafts have thousands of registered practitioners, the database reveals a much smaller recorded presence for several traditional occupations. Filigree has 22 registrations, Darning (Rafugari) 18, Willow Bat 14, Calligraphy eight, Stone Carving seven and Tracer five. Glazed Pottery and Kharadi have four registrations each, Pinjrikari has three and Carpet Darning just two. Five of the 52 listed handicraft categories have zero registrations: Handmade Aromatics, Handmade Soap, Modern Art, Turquira Ware and Toy and Doll Making. The department has also separately listed a category called 'Languishing', which has only 25 registrations across Kashmir. Budgam accounts for 20 of these registrations, while Kulgam has two and Anantnag three. The figures do not establish that these crafts have disappeared or that no practitioners exist outside the registration system. However, the extremely small recorded numbers raise concerns about documentation, transmission of traditional skills and the ability of these occupations to attract younger generations.