Health & Fitness

JKMSA seeks revision of stipends, remuneration for PG, senior resident doctors

Srinagar, Sep 14: The Jammu and Kashmir Medical Students Association (JKMSA) has sought a comprehensive revision of stipends for postgraduate (PG) residents and remuneration for senior resident doctors in government medical institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. In a representation addressed to the Health Minister, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, the association urged the government to review the existing remuneration structure, citing disparities with other major government and apex medical institutions. The association also extended its support to the demands raised by the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of Jammu and other resident doctors' associations across the Union Territory. JKMSA said postgraduate and senior resident doctors form an indispensable part of the healthcare system, providing round-the-clock patient care, emergency and casualty services, intensive care, operation theatre duties, labour room services and specialist consultations. It said resident doctors also undertake clinical documentation, teaching, supervision and other responsibilities alongside their medical training. The association said the existing remuneration structure needed a comprehensive review in the interest of resident doctors' welfare, equitable compensation, recruitment and retention of qualified doctors, quality of postgraduate medical education and uninterrupted patient care. Seeks parity with other medical institutions In its representation, JKMSA cited remuneration benchmarks from several medical institutions, including the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), AIIMS Jammu, Government Medical College Chandigarh and Government Medical College Jammu. According to the figures cited by the association, PG residents at SKIMS receive approximately Rs 80,000 per month in the first year, Rs 85,000 in the second year and Rs 88,00090,000 in the third year. The representation puts senior resident remuneration at SKIMS at approximately Rs 1.30 lakh per month, while the corresponding figure for AIIMS Jammu is stated to be around Rs 1.40 lakh. It also cites senior resident remuneration of approximately Rs 1.40 lakh to Rs 1.50 lakh per month at Government Medical College Chandigarh. For Government Medical College Jammu, the association listed the current monthly stipends as Rs 64,000 for first-year PG residents, Rs 68,000 for second-year residents and Rs 72,000 for third-year residents. Senior residents, it said, receive Rs 94,000 per month. The association said these figures highlighted the remuneration differences faced by resident doctors in the region and reinforced the need for a rational and time-bound review. It added that the figures could be verified against applicable official orders and pay structures during the government's review. Cites NMC regulations JKMSA also referred to the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, notified by the National Medical Commission (NMC), stating that postgraduate students are entitled to stipends on a par with those paid to postgraduate students of state or Central government medical institutions in the state or Union Territory where the institution is located. The association urged the government to assess the prevailing stipends across Government Medical Colleges Jammu and Srinagar, SKIMS, AIIMS Jammu and other applicable government medical institutions, and rectify any disparities in accordance with the relevant NMC requirements. The representation further highlighted the clinical responsibilities shouldered by PG residents and senior residents, including emergency duties, inpatient care, intensive care, operative procedures and other essential medical services. JKMSA said a fair and uniform remuneration structure would help improve resident doctors' welfare while strengthening the healthcare delivery system across Jammu and Kashmir.

Study Shows Nutrition Supplement Helps Improve Growth, Bone, and Muscle Health In Indian Children At Risk For Undernutrition

Nutrition is crucial for the growth and development of children, particularly undernourished kids. A recent study found that nutritional supplements help replenish nutrients lost in children.

Yemen's Houthi rebels seize more key islands in southern Red Sea, tighten grip on shipping routes

Cairo, Sep 14: Yemen's Houthi rebels captured more strategic islands in the southern Red Sea, Yemeni government and Houthi officials said on Monday, strengthening their control of a major maritime shipping route. The rebels deployed fighters on the islands of Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish 160 kilometres north of Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to two government officials and a Houthi official. The Houthis took over the islands after hundreds of government-allied forces withdrew from the archipelago, said the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to journalists. The capture of the islands came after the rebels last week seized the port city of Mokha and the island of Mayun, located inside Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. (AP)

Mexico brought bison back after 160 years; they are now restoring desert grasslands

Scientists built a sponge pulling water from dry air; yields 1.72L per kg/day

Bigg Boss 20: Salman Khan praises Kashmiri contestant Qazi Tauqeer

Srinagar, Sep 14: Salman Khan showered full praise on Kashmiri contestant Qazi Tauqeer, during the latest episode of Bigg Boss 20, saying, Theres only one rockstar amongst you all. Qazi Touqeer, the entire week you played quite well. Although, this season, Big Boss 20, receives mixed reaction- mostly criticism- ove an underwhelming cast, however Fame Gurukul 2005 winner, Qazi Touqeer has emerged as one of the shows most talked-about contestants, earning overwhelming praise from host Salman Khan during the seasons first Weekend Ka Vaar. Let me tell you guys, no matter how many stars exist in this house, theres only one rockstar amongst you all. Qazi Touqeer, the entire week you played quite well. Salman Khan said on Tauqeer's performance. Putting the spotlight on Qazi, Salman later asked Qazi, Tell me one thing: you got everything in life so soon; you became a rockstar, did a show with Arijit Singh, you won the show. Arijit is doing so well right now. You got this platform now, but what did you do in the last 20 years? Qazi replied, I did a lot of live shows. Further, Salman further said Qazi Tauqeer that people initially wondered how he sang and now hey cannot stop praising you now. The bollywood superstar said people appreciate Tauqeer's humor and performance. Furthermore, comparing Qazi's struggle with Hollywood actor John Travolta and bollwood actor Bobby Deol, Salman Khan said that even the biggest stars today, went through a bad phase, but they never gave up. Everyone faces ups and downs, and during the downtime, you have to work 10 times harder, he said, adiing that Sometimes in life, you get a few things very quickly, and you lose them also quickly. A good thing about the bad times is that it ends, and when you take good times for granted, as I do sometimes, it also ends. I know that during the bad times, keep working hard, as Qazi Touqeer did. He achieved so much, then he lost it, but he didnt stop working. Through all your struggles and challenges, the biggest effort was to stay mentally strong, which a lot of people cant do. So people should learn this from you, the host added. Bigg Boss 20 contestant Qazi Touqeer is a singer who rose to fame after participating in the singing reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005. He went on to win the show, reportedly receiving the highest number of votes recorded for a singing reality show at the time. It was during Fame Gurukul that Qazi met Arijit Singh and the two went on to become close friends.

Kashmiri Pandit group demands time-bound return roadmap

Srinagar, Sep 14: The Kashmir Policy & Strategy Group, chaired by senior advocate Ashok Bhan, organised a web meeting on the eve of Kashmiri Pandit Balidan Divas, with participants calling for a time-bound roadmap for the communitys return and rehabilitation in Kashmir. According to a statement issued by the group, the meeting was attended by intellectuals, former bureaucrats, academicians, media personalities, social and womens rights activists, representatives of community organisations, overseas diaspora representatives and youth. The participants paid tributes to Kashmiri Pandits who, according to the statement, were killed by militants and discussed the displacement of the community from the Valley. The meeting also discussed the impact of the communitys 37-year displacement, including loss of life, destruction, demographic changes and disruption of cultural and social ties. According to the statement, participants reiterated their resolve to return to Kashmir, with emphasis on security, dignity, equality and participation in the social and economic life of the region. The group called on the Government of India to formulate a comprehensive and time-bound Return, Rehabilitation and Restitution Roadmap in consultation with representative Kashmiri Pandit organisations. It said such a framework should address security, voluntary return, property restitution, housing and livelihood opportunities, as well as the protection of temples and cultural heritage. The participants also called for measurable targets, designated institutional responsibilities and periodic public review of the implementation of any such roadmap. The meeting concluded with a call to translate the communitys demand for return into a structured policy framework, the statement said.

Harsh Goenka Shares His Views On The All-Vegetarian Menu At BRICS Gala Dinner

The BRICS gala dinner on Saturday evening featured an elaborate all-vegetarian spread comprising more than 10 dishes.

Travellers to Mahanpur, Bhoond areas in Kathua peeved over absence of public washrooms

Travellers, tourists and local residents have expressed concern over the lack of proper public washroom facilities in Bhoond and Mahanpur areas of Kathua district, causing significant inconvenience to people travelling through these important locations. Bhoond and Mahanpur are two important stopping points where passenger buses, matadors (mini-buses) and other small vehicles regularly halt during their journeys. A large number of passengers, including tourists, women, children and elderly people, stop at these locations for rest and refreshments. However, despite being regular stopping points for public transport and private vehicles, proper public washroom facilities are reportedly not available, creating considerable inconvenience for travellers. Passengers point out that the absence of clean and accessible toilets becomes particularly problematic during long journeys. Women, elderly persons and families travelling with children are among those facing the greatest inconvenience. Mudasar Ali, a social activist from the Bani area, while expressing concern over the lack of basic sanitation facilities at these important stopping points, urged the concerned authorities to take immediate action. Bhoond and Mahanpur are regular stopping points for buses, matadors and other vehicles. Thousands of passengers and tourists travelling through these areas face inconvenience due to the absence of proper public washrooms. The authorities should establish clean and properly maintained toilet facilities at both locations, he said. Airing the grievance of local inhabitants, Mudasar said that the availability of basic sanitation facilities was essential not only for the convenience of travellers but also for maintaining cleanliness and promoting tourism in the region. He appealed to the district administration and concerned departments to take the matter seriously and ensure that proper public washrooms were constructed and regularly maintained at Bhoond and Mahanpur at the earliest.

Pittantak Loha

Pittantak Loha Ingredients, Preparation, Ayurvedic Properties, Indications & Dosages REFERENCE Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Vataraktarogadhikar Chapter 27 Verse 64-67 Abstract ... Read more The post Pittantak Loha appeared first on Planet Ayurveda .

Two killed, seven injured as Matador overturns near Reasi

Reasi, Sept 14: Two people were killed and seven others injured after a passenger Matador overturned near the Bakkal Tunnel area of Reasi district on Monday, officials said. An official said that the Matador, bearing registration number JK14B-2973, was travelling from Bakkal towards Reasi when it overturned on the road near the tunnel. He said two persons died in the accident, while seven others sustained injuries and their identities are being ascertained. Police and rescue teams have reached the spot and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment, the official said. Meanwhile, police have initiated necessary proceedings.(KNO)

Here's why you need to try out surmai at this restaurant in Mumbai

Add a squeeze of lemon, some chutney on the side, and you can immerse yourself in a typically Mumbai-style seafood indulgence.

Indulge in this delicious menu in Mumbai that celebrates Nordic cuisine

Finland chef Toni Toivanen explores a collaborative menu with a Worli fine-dine that freely moves between Nordic sensibilities, Japanese precision, and Indias diverse flavours and ingredients

'A proud moment for Indian cricket': PM Modi, President congratulate Indian women's T20 cricket team for winning Asia Cup

New Delhi, Sep 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu on Monday congratulated the Indian women's cricket team for winning the T20 Asia Cup Championship, with both terming the triumph a proud moment for Indian. Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in Dubai on Sunday to lift their record-extending eighth Asia Cup title. A proud moment for Indian cricket! Congratulations to the Women's team on winning the Asia Cup, Modi said in a post on 'X'. The prime minister said the confidence of the players, their consistency and remarkable spirit were on full display throughout the tournament. May this triumph inspire millions of youngsters across the country to play more and shine, he said The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, also expressed pleasure over the victory, saying that the girls in blue are a source of inspiration for our youth, especially our daughters. They are a source of great inspiration for our youth, especially our daughters. I am sure, they will script many more inspiring chapters of success and excellence, she said in a post on X. My heartiest congratulations to all the members of Team India on winning Women's T20 Asia Cup Championship 2026. They played superbly as a team throughout the tournament, winning all the matches. They have done the country proud, the President said.

18-year-old girl dies of gunshot under mysterious circumstances In Reasi

Reasi, Sep 14: An 18-year-old girl died of a gunshot injury under mysterious circumstances at her residence in Panassa area of Thakrakote block in Reasi district late last night. Officials said that the deceased has been identified as Priyanka Devi, daughter of Kapoor Singh, resident of Panassa, Thakrakote. As per initial reports, the girl allegedly shot herself dead at her house. The exact circumstances leading to the incident are yet to be ascertained. Police have taken cognizance of the incident and started investigation.(GNS)

Iranian cargo ship struck; talks between Tehran, neighbours postponed

Cairo, Sep 14: An Iranian cargo vessel was struck early Sunday off Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said, and Tehran postponed a plan to brief neighbouring countries on its contested efforts to manage shipping in the strait. The attack drew attention back to the strait after threats to shipping in the Red Sea intensified last week. Iran-backed Houthi rebels battling government forces in Yemen captured an island on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial shipping alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted the Qeshm governor as blaming a errorist enemy for Sunday's attack, which it said killed one and wounded four. There was no immediate comment by the US military, which has struck Iranian-flagged vessels during its blockade of Iranian ports and faces a new threat from Iranian ballistic missiles launched at its warships. Qeshm Island, about 22 kilometres from the port city of Bandar Abbas, is key to Iran asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz. Hours before the attack, Iran's government remained defiant. Our people can't be bullied into submission. Iran won't surrender, President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a social media post. US President Donald Trump disagreed, saying on Sunday that Iran wants to make a deal so bad that hey're calling constantly. Trump spoke at his golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland, where he was attending a tournament. Later, when asked by a reporter whether the US struck the Iranian cargo vessel early Sunday in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said, I don't want to say. He then boarded Air Force One to head back to Washington. Iran aims to brief regional countries on the strait Iran had said foreign ministers from regional countries would meet Monday in Oman to discuss efforts by Iran and Oman, located on the other side of the strait, to manage shipping on it. But the foreign minister of Oman, Badr Albusaidi, said on X late Sunday that the meeting had been postponed in the interests of consensus. Iran and Oman agreed to postpone the talks at the request of some regional countries, said Mohammad Ali Bak, an official in Iran's foreign ministry who was quoted by IRNA on X. Saudi Arabia has submitted amendments to the Iran-Oman agreement, citing concerns that the emerging deal could have lasting implications for the Strait of Hormuz that could negatively impact other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, according to a Gulf official familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Commercial ship traffic remains low in the Strait of Hormuz as attacks continue on what was seen as an international waterway before the US and Israel launched the war on February 28. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations monitor said Sunday that a vessel was hit by a projectile while transiting the strait, though it was not clear if this was referring to the attack Iran had reported off Qeshm. The monitor said a severe fire had broken out and that local authorities were evacuating those on board. The US has asserted that plenty of oil is getting out as its military helps to guide ships along Oman's coast, at the risk of being struck. Before the meeting in Oman was postponed, only Iraq had publicly confirmed plans to attend. Bahrain had said it would not attend, citing a lack of diplomatic relations with Tehran. Since early in the war, Iran has expressed interest in having ships pay fees for transit. It has said traffic into the Persian Gulf would pass through Iranian waters, while the outbound route would pass partly through Iranian waters and partly through Oman's. There had been some optimism in the region about the planned meeting, with hope that Gulf nations might use it to assert a collective response to a war they had no part in starting. For months, they have faced Iranian attacks that Tehran has claimed target US military assets on their lands. On Sunday, Iran's president said he had a good talk over the weekend with a top official from the United Arab Emirates on the sidelines of a global summit of leading developing nations. Iran has fired thousands of missiles and drones at the Gulf country, a close US ally. Pezeshkian said he met with Abu Dhabi's crown prince, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, while attending the BRICs summit in New Delhi. We talked about the issues of concern so that it's possible to put the past behind us, to look toward the future and how we can build the future together, Pezeshkian said. His comments were aired live on Iranian state television.

Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen claim new attacks on Saudi Arabia

Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen overnight claimed new attacks on neighbouring Saudi Arabia, as Yemen's Saudi-backed government described the rebels' swift advance along the Red Sea coast as a painful development in a new front in the Iran war. The Houthis' capture of a key port city and an island on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial shipping alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, in recent days has alarmed markets and Yemeni civilians who fear a return to devastating civil war. Overnight, the Houthis claimed more attacks with missiles and drones on Saudi Arabia, which supports Yemen's internationally recognised government that's been fighting the rebels. A Houthi military spokesperson, Brig Gen Yahya Saree, claimed in a statement that they targeted a military base in Sharurah province in Saudi Arabia's Najran region. He didn't provide evidence or say when the attack occurred. The Saudi civil defence overnight said a projectile fell in al-Tawwal governorate near the border with Yemen along the Red Sea, injuring two people and damaging a mosque and several other buildings. The statement blamed the Houthis. It also said sirens went off in Sharurah province but didn't report casualties or damage. There was no Saudi statement on Sunday on any new attacks targeting the Houthis, who have been hitting Saudi oil infrastructure and shipping as part of a recently declared blockade. While the rebels have said there is no threat to other commercial shipping, markets remain wary, and oil prices have risen again. A senior government official in Yemen said its forces will return to the Red Sea coast and fight back, after people fleeing the Houthi advance told The Associated Press they saw forces withdrawing and urging people to run. Sultan al-Arada, a member of the ruling presidential council, described the collapse of government forces in the port city of Mokha and elsewhere on Yemen's west coast as painful and regrettable. Al-Arada, also governor of central Marib province, said in the televised interview aired late Saturday that forces are currently regrouping and will return to the battle in one form or another. On Friday, a senior military official with Yemen's internationally recognised government blamed lack of coordination between Yemen's army and multiple allied militias, saying it gave the Houthis a priceless opportunity. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't allowed to speak to the media, also said they were stunned that the Saudi air force didn't act to prevent the capture of Mokha, about 80 kilometres from the strait. The rebels' rapid advance has been a major setback both to Yemen's internationally recognised government and Saudi Arabia, which have been battling the Houthis for 12 years. The latest escalation threatens a 2022 ceasefire. The advance also puts the Iran-backed rebels just 32 kilometres from the US military base in Djibouti, on the other side of the Bab el-Mandeb. It's the main US base in Africa and one of several foreign military bases in Djibouti, including those of China, France and Japan. The small Horn of Africa nation is already seeing the arrival of Yemenis making the perilous crossing of the strait. More than 2,000 people have reached Djibouti, the International Organisation for Migration said Sunday. Djibouti's Economy and Finance Minister Ilyas M. Dawaleh said on X that the country's navy, coast guard and other specialised agencies were conducting rescue operations and providing emergency assistance.

Worlds water cycle speeding up, raising flood and drought risks: Study

Climate change is accelerating the movement of water through the atmosphere, potentially intensifying rainfall extremes while worsening water stress in vulnerable regions, a new IIT Kharagpur study has found. Published in the Journal of Hydrology, the study by Prof. Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath and his research team documents a widespread increase in atmospheric water vapour and projects further increases through the end of the century. It examines atmospheric moisture changes between 1980 and 2020 and uses CMIP6 climate models to assess future trends. The future water cycle is not simply a story of a wetter world. It is a story of a more energetic and uneven atmosphere, where some regions may experience increasingly intense rainfall while others face growing water stress, Prof. Kuttippurath said. The researchers found a clear increase in total column water vapour (TCWV), particularly over tropical oceans and major monsoon regions. By 2100, atmospheric moisture could increase by approximately 518 mm under the SSP2-4.5 scenario and 728 mm under the high-emissions SSP5-8.5 pathway. But a wetter atmosphere will not necessarily mean a wetter world everywhere. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, and when that moisture converges into storms and monsoon systems, it can provide additional fuel for intense rainfall, cloudbursts and flooding. In contrast, regions experiencing moisture divergence, declining soil moisture or changes in atmospheric circulation could face greater drying and drought risks. The study identifies significant changes across climate-sensitive regions including the HimalayaTibetan Plateau, Amazonia, Central Africa, the Sahel, Sahara and western Pacific. The HimalayaTibetan Plateau, the Third Pole, is of particular concern because changes in atmospheric moisture could affect precipitation, snow and glacier processes and river discharge, with implications for water resources supporting millions of people downstream. The researchers say the uneven response could create a future of hydrological whiplash more intense wet extremes in some regions and periods alongside prolonged drying and water stress in others. Water vapour is emerging as a critical link between global warming and future climate extremes, said S. Sarkar, lead author of the study. Understanding where atmospheric moisture is increasing and where it is becoming limited is essential for anticipating future risks to water, ecosystems and society. Indias monsoon risk The findings have particular implications for India. The study records increasing atmospheric moisture over major monsoon regions, with TCWV rising by up to about 0.16 mm per year over parts of the Indian monsoon domain. The increase does not automatically mean higher seasonal rainfall. However, greater atmospheric moisture can provide additional fuel for intense monsoon systems, potentially increasing the ingredients for episodes of very heavy rainfall and flooding. For India, which is already dealing with combinations of extreme heat, intense rainfall, floods and drought, the researchers say understanding changes in atmospheric moisture will be increasingly important for climate-risk planning. The contrast between emissions pathways is also significant. Under SSP5-8.5, atmospheric water vapour and associated radiative effects are projected to increase substantially more than under SSP2-4.5, indicating stronger water-vapour feedback and greater intensification of the hydrological cycle. The study calls for better representation of regional moisture processes and land-atmosphere interactions in climate models, alongside adaptation strategies that account for both extremes. As the researchers put it, future water security cannot be addressed by preparing for floods and droughts separately: climate change may increasingly bring too much water, too little water and sometimes both.

Psy-STEM workshop concludes in Bandipora

A six-day Psy-STEM workshop organised by Government College for Women (GCW), M.A. Road, Srinagar, in collaboration with NIT Srinagar under the Jammu and Kashmir Science, Technology and Innovation Council (JKST&IC)-sponsored Research and Extension Programme, concluded in Bandipora district on Sunday. The workshop was conducted simultaneously at Nadim Memorial Boys Higher Secondary School, Kaloosa, and Government Higher Secondary School, Shagund, under the initiative Psychology Driven STEM Learning to Build Scientific Temper in the Border Villages of Kashmir. The programme aimed to equip teachers and students with experiential STEM learning methods integrated with psychological principles, with a focus on scientific temper, critical thinking, problem-solving and innovation. In his message, NIT Srinagar Director Prof. Anurag Misra said such initiatives were important for taking contemporary STEM education beyond conventional classrooms and promoting practical learning. Integrating psychology with STEM can help students learn through curiosity, experimentation and problem-solving. Such outreach programmes are vital for nurturing scientific temper and innovation among students, he said. NIT Srinagar Registrar Prof. Atikur Rehman said the institute remained committed to strengthening academic and community outreach programmes in collaboration with educational institutions. GCW M.A. Road Principal Prof. Yasmeen Farooq said the initiative reflected the colleges focus on innovative and interdisciplinary education. Our endeavour is to connect psychological understanding with STEM learning so that students develop not only technical skills but also confidence, creativity and scientific thinking, she said. The inaugural session was attended by Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Indu Kanwal Chib, who stressed the importance of nurturing scientific temper among teachers and students. She also emphasised the effective functioning of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) and encouraged students to participate in STEM-based innovation. The workshop was conducted with the support of the District Administration Bandipora and coordination of Chief Education Officer Bandipora Rafeeq Ahmad Mir. The programme was led by Principal Investigator Dr Eshrat Ara, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, GCW M.A. Road, and Co-Principal Investigator Dr Dinesh Kumar Rajendran, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT Srinagar. During the workshop, parallel sessions covered Psy-STEM integration, basic sensors and block programming, Arduino and ESP32 applications, robotics, drone technology and 3D printing. Modules on problem-solving, examination anxiety management, metacognition and developing a scientific mindset were also conducted. A total of 30 teachers and 150 students were trained across the two venues. The resource team included Dr Parsa Sarosh, Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics, GCW M.A. Road; Abid Fayaz, CTO, Koshur Scientist; Ajaz Hussain, Faculty, Robotics, MSME Srinagar; and Haripriyan K., Drone Engineer, Aramvisai Pvt. Ltd., along with trained master trainers and facilitators associated with the project.

SKUAST-K PhD Scholar Bushra Naaz brings National Recognition at NBEC-2026

In a landmark achievement for SKUAST-K, Bushra Naaz, PhD scholar under the mentorship of Dr Ajaz Ahmed Malik, Head, KVK, Ganderbal has been declared a winner at the National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition (NBEC) 2026, held in Bengaluru. The 2026 edition received an overwhelming response, with over 3,200 registrations from 34 States and Union Territories, making it one of the most competitive national platforms for science-driven entrepreneurship. After successive rounds of screening, mentoring, pitching, and evaluation on parameters such as scientific validity, novelty, feasibility, business potential, team strength, and clarity of articulation, only the most promising student advanced to the Grand Finale. Her pioneering research on plant-based meat analogues stood out for its scientific depth, translational potential, and entrepreneurial promise. In recognition of this breakthrough, Bushra Naaz received a Rs 1 lakh award, presented in the presence of Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon, and other eminent figures from Indias biotechnology ecosystem. Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai congratulated both Bushra Naaz and Dr. Ajaz Malik, stating that the achievement is a proud moment for SKUAST K and aligns with our vision to be counted among the top universities in the country. It exemplifies how our scholars and faculty are not only contributing to academic excellence but also translating research into innovation and entrepreneurship. Such recognitions strengthen our resolve to position SKUAST K at the forefront of national and global scientific leadership, he said.

Centre rolls out incentive scheme to push domestic PNG connections

The Centre has introduced a new incentive scheme to accelerate the expansion of domestic Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections, offering City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities additional access to lower-priced domestic gas for every incremental household connection. The Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections was launched on August 18, 2026, and came into effect on September 1. The scheme is aimed at increasing the number of active and billed domestic PNG connections while encouraging CGD companies to expand their networks into new areas. According to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), authorised entities are currently developing City Gas Distribution networks across 309 geographical areas covering the mainland of the country. As of August 18, India had 1.74 crore domestic PNG connections. Under the new scheme, a minimum connection threshold has been fixed for each geographical area. CGD entities that add billed domestic connections beyond the prescribed threshold during the performance period will receive an additional allocation of 200 Standard Cubic Metres (SCM) of domestically produced Administered Price Mechanism (APM) gas for every incremental connection. The government said the cheaper APM gas would partly replace costlier Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) currently sourced by CGD entities for their Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transport operations. The resulting reduction in gas procurement costs is expected to improve the economics of domestic PNG expansion. The scheme is expected to reduce the payback period on capital invested in a domestic PNG connection from around 10 years to nearly three years, creating a stronger commercial incentive for companies to connect more households. The scheme will be implemented in two tranches over six months. PNG expansion is also being supported through regulatory and infrastructure measures. An Accelerated Approval Framework under the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order, 2026, provides for faster approvals and uniform Right-of-Way charges for laying pipelines. The Centre has also encouraged states to reduce VAT on natural gas to 5 per cent, with several states having already adopted the lower rate. A nationwide National PNG Drive 2.0 was conducted from January 1 to June 30, 2026, to accelerate domestic connections, while a unified digital portal for applying for and tracking PNG connections is also being developed. The government said PNG provides households with continuous metered supply without the need to store or replace LPG cylinders and produces fewer pollutants than conventional cooking fuels.

SKUAST-K Bio-Enzyme course concludes, students pitch waste-to-wealth ideas

A week-long certificate course on Bio-Enzyme Entrepreneurship, jointly organised by the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) and the Bio-Enzyme Entrepreneurs Academy of India, Bengaluru, concluded at the universitys Shalimar Main Campus. Organised by the SKUAST-K Innovation and Incubation Entrepreneurship Centre (SKIIE), the course combined classroom sessions, practical demonstrations and field visits to landfills, waste-collection sites and fruit mandis. The programme provided students, farmers and rural entrepreneurs with practical exposure to bio-enzyme production, value addition, waste management and marketing, with a focus on converting agricultural and kitchen waste into useful and marketable products. The concluding session featured pitch-deck presentations by student innovators, who showcased business ideas based on bio-enzyme technology and waste-to-wealth models. A total of 10 ideas were received, covering eco-friendly cleaning products, organic fertilisers and waste-recycling solutions for campus and community applications. A jury evaluated the ideas on originality, feasibility, market potential and environmental impact, and appreciated the participants preparation and clarity of presentation. Addressing the valedictory session, Naveed Bhat, CEO, SKIIE, thanked the Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K for supporting the collaborative programme with the Bio-Enzyme Entrepreneurs Academy of India and congratulated the participants on completing the course. Bhat said the ideas demonstrated the potential to convert agricultural and kitchen waste into value-added, eco-friendly products and encouraged participants to take their concepts towards commercialisation. He also assured continued support from SKIIE to participants seeking incubation for further development of their ideas. The programme concluded with an emphasis on waste-to-wealth entrepreneurship, sustainable resource utilisation and innovative waste-management solutions.

CIK carries out raids in Shopian, Kulgam, Kupwara

Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) on Sunday conducted coordinated searches at multiple residential locations in Shopian, Kulgam and Kupwara districts as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged dissemination of radical and anti-national content on social media platforms, officials said. The searches were carried out in connection with FIR No. 05/2026 registered at Police Station CIK Srinagar under Sections 505 and 153-A of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 13 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Investigators seized digital devices and other electronic material during the operations. The items have been sent to a forensic laboratory for detailed examination, officials said. Official sources said CIK teams, assisted by other security agencies, searched residential premises including a house in Naidgam in Shopian and another in Ladgoo Rambhama in Kulgam. The operations were conducted in the presence of an Executive Magistrate. The raids form part of CIKs continuing probe into online activity alleged to carry radical and anti-national narratives, including the glorification and projection of individuals associated with terrorism and extremist viewpoints that investigators say could influence or radicalise impressionable minds. Officials said the forensic examination of seized devices is expected to yield digital evidence relating to communications, social media activity, account details and other material relevant to the case. Investigators are examining whether the alleged dissemination of radical content was confined to a limited set of persons or involved a wider network, and which platforms and accounts were used. The searches come a day after the National Investigation Agency conducted searches at multiple locations in a separate LeT-linked cross-border conspiracy case. CIK has, through 2025 and 2026, registered and pursued several UAPA cases over alleged misuse of social media to circulate secessionist or terror-glorifying material, seize devices and send them for forensic analysis. Sundays operation, officials said, continues that line of work amid heightened scrutiny of how extremist narratives are propagated online in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mirwaiz writes to Iranian President Pezeshkian, says India can play constructive role for peace in West Asia

With war clouds continuing to hover over West Asia, Kashmirs chief preacher Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for restraint and said India, with its legacy of Mahatma Gandhis philosophy of Ahimsa, can play a constructive role in encouraging dialogue and preventing further escalation of the conflict. In a two-page letter addressed to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Mirwaiz also cautioned against allowing the conflict to become another source of division within the Muslim community, urging the followers to stand together against sectarianism and political rivalries. It was a privilege to meet and interact with Your Excellency during your visit to New Delhi. At this grave and uncertain moment, I particularly valued your emphasis that humanity must remain at the centre of our collective pursuit of peace, he said in his letter to the Iranian president. The letter was handed over to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. The Iranian president was in India to attend the BRICS summit. During his stay in the capital, the visiting dignitary met many intellectuals and scholars, including the Mirwaiz. Later, a delegation led by the Mirwaiz, along with Aga Syed Hassan and Molvi Imran Raza Ansari, met Araghchi. The Mirwaiz expressed solidarity with the people of Iran and voiced concern over the mounting humanitarian crisis in the region, including the continuing devastation in Palestine and instability in Lebanon. He broadened his appeal beyond religious or regional considerations, stressing that concern for human suffering must extend to everyone. Our concern must extend beyond Muslims alone. Human dignity has no sect or nationality. Every innocent life is precious, he said, urging the international community to remain on the side of justice, humanity and peace. The former separatist leader said the grave challenges facing the world could not be resolved through ever-widening wars and called for dialogue and negotiations to address conflicts. India, with its legacy of Mahatma Gandhis philosophy of Ahimsa (non-violence), can also play a constructive role in encouraging restraint, engagement and diplomacy. The grave challenges facing our world cannot be settled through ever-widening wars. Confrontation will only aggravate them; ultimately they must be addressed through dialogue and negotiation, the Mirwaiz said. Calling for wisdom and statesmanship, he said war only multiplies human suffering. My prayer is that this difficult moment does not lead to further widening of conflict, but instead awakens the conscience of the international community and the Muslim world alike. May Allah preserve the unity of the Ummah, protect us from sectarian discord, and guide all of humanity towards justice, reconciliation and lasting peace, he said. He said Muslims across the world were already facing Islamophobia and uncertainty and warned that sectarian differences and political rivalries must not be permitted to further weaken us. Quoting a Quranic verse, he said Muslim unity did not require agreement on every political or theological question. Rather, differences should not overcome our fundamental bonds of faith, brotherhood and shared humanity. He called for Muslims to stand together against sectarianism and against attempts to transform political conflicts into divisions within the Ummah (Muslim community). The Mirwaiz also presented a small walnut-wood replica of Srinagars historic Jama Masjid to the Iranian President and said the gift carried a significance beyond the object itself. For centuries, the Jama Masjid has stood at the heart of the religious and spiritual life of the people of Kashmir, he wrote, adding that its pulpit had consistently sought to promote faith, brotherhood and the wider responsibilities of the Muslim Ummah. Highlighting centuries-old relations between Kashmir and Iran, the Mirwaiz said Persian scholarship, literature, art and spirituality had left a deep imprint upon Kashmiri civilisation. He described these as bonds between peoples that had survived changing political circumstances and generations. The Mirwaiz also recalled the visit of Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei to Kashmir in the years following the Islamic Revolution, when he addressed the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid in the presence of the Mirwaizs late father, Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq. Khameneis message on that occasion focused on the Holy Quran, brotherhood and Shia-Sunni unity, he said, adding that the memory of the visit remained alive more than four decades later.

J&K scans 7.29 crore revenue records, digitises 99.4% Jamabandis

Jammu and Kashmir has made significant progress in digitising land and revenue records, with 7.29 crore revenue documents scanned and 99.4 percent of Jamabandi records digitised across 6,844 villages, according to the latest government figures. The data also highlights an expansion of digital governance and welfare delivery, with a growing number of public services being brought online and wider coverage reported under food security and social-assistance schemes. Under the IT reforms programme, e-Office has been implemented at the Secretariat, offices of Heads of Departments and district levels, while e-Office 2.0 is being rolled out at tehsil and block levels. According to the figures, more than 45,953 users across 430 organisations have been onboarded, while 1,710 services are currently available online. Over 70 lakh digital documents have also been delivered through the system. Around 114 services under the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA) have been integrated with auto-appeal provisions. The DigiLocker ecosystem has 188 services and 35.50 lakh registered users, while around five lakh digital transactions are being recorded daily through 942 Common Service Centre (CSC) touchpoints. The 3K Samadhan App is receiving around 300 grievances daily, with a reported disposal rate of 94 percent. More than 40 IT initiatives have also been undertaken in collaboration with BISAG-N. In the land-record digitisation drive, map digitisation has reached 94.23 percent, with 6,544 of the 6,850 identified sheets digitised. A total of 6,455 villages, or 93.4 percent, have been mapped, of which 5,700 have undergone ground-truthing. Sub-parcelisation has been completed in 1,925 villages across 20 districts. The government has also brought 881 revenue courts online through the Revenue Court Case Management System (RCCMS). Drone surveys have been undertaken in 4,368 villages, of which 3,091 have been verified. Under the SVAMITVA scheme, 58,265 property cards have been distributed across 1,491 villages. On the social-inclusion front, 25.69 lakh families, covering 103.88 lakh beneficiaries, have been enrolled under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Meanwhile, 16.61 lakh households, representing 67.84 lakh beneficiaries, are receiving free ration under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). The figures underline the administrations ongoing push towards technology-driven governance, particularly in land administration and delivery of essential public services.

J&Ks peak power demandrises to 3,325 megawatts

Jammu and Kashmirs peak electricity demand has crossed 3,300 megawatts (MW), reaching 3,325 MW in 2025-26, while the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), which oversees the electricity sector in J&K and Ladakh, has projected a slower increase in demand over the next three years. The figures are part of JERCs examination of the business plan and tariff proposal of the J&K Power Transmission Corporation Limited (JKPTCL) for the three years from 2026-27 to 2028-29. JKPTCL had projected a faster increase in electricity demand, using an annual growth rate of 3.08 per cent. On that basis, it had estimated peak demand at 4,033 MW in 2026-27, 4,154 MW in 2027-28 and 4,278 MW in 2028-29. JERC has instead adopted a lower annual growth rate of 1.97 per cent after examining actual figures reported by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). According to the actual CEA data cited by the Commission, peak electricity demand in J&K and Ladakh increased from 3,076 MW in 2021-22 to 3,137 MW in 2022-23, 3,181 MW in 2023-24, 3,236 MW in 2024-25 and 3,325 MW in 2025-26. In simple terms, the highest amount of electricity required in the region increased by 249 MW over five years. Peak demand is the maximum electricity requirement recorded at a particular time. It is important for the transmission system because power lines and substations need enough capacity to carry electricity during the hours when consumption is at its highest. The CEA figures also show that the region did not always have enough electricity available to meet its peak requirement. In 2021-22, peak demand was 3,076 MW while peak supply was 2,826 MW, leaving a gap of 250 MW. The shortfall declined to 170 MW in 2022-23 and 48 MW in 2023-24. The gap widened sharply in 2024-25, when demand reached 3,236 MW but only 2,836 MW was met, leaving a shortfall of 400 MW, or 12.4 per cent. The situation improved in 2025-26, when peak demand of 3,325 MW was fully met, according to the actual CEA figures cited by JERC. JERC said JKPTCL had based its original forecast on the CEAs Load Generation Balance Report. The Commission pointed out that actual figures were also available in the CEAs monthly Executive Summary on the power sector and found these figures more appropriate for calculating the recent demand trend. Based on the actual figures, the Commission calculated a compound annual growth rate of 1.97 per cent for peak demand over the five-year period. It has therefore taken 3,325 MW, the 2025-26 peak, as the base figure for future planning. Using that growth rate, peak demand would rise to around 3,391 MW in 2026-27, 3,457 MW in 2027-28 and 3,525 MW in 2028-29. This is significantly lower than JKPTCLs original projection of 4,278 MW by 2028-29. The difference between the two estimates is around 753 MW. JERC also noted that the peak demand recorded during 2026-27 up to the time of its assessment was 3,063 MW, below the 3,325 MW peak recorded in the previous financial year. Despite this, the Commission retained 3,325 MW as the base figure because the overall trend in peak demand during the preceding five years remained upward. For the common consumer, the numbers point to a simple trend: J&K is using more electricity than it did five years ago, particularly during periods of highest consumption, but the electricity panel does not expect demand to rise as rapidly as JKPTCL had estimated. The difference is important for the transmission network. JKPTCL is responsible for carrying electricity through the high-voltage network to different parts of J&K and ensuring that transmission infrastructure is capable of handling the maximum load. If demand increases, more capacity may be required in the form of transmission lines, substations and associated equipment. But building infrastructure far ahead of actual requirements can also lead to higher costs. This is why demand forecasting plays an important role in deciding the pace and scale of investment. The recent figures also show that rising demand by itself does not automatically result in a power shortage. In 2025-26, the region recorded its highest peak demand in the five-year period considered by JERC and still managed to meet the entire requirement at peak. At the same time, the 400-MW shortfall in 2024-25 shows how quickly a gap can emerge when available supply is unable to keep pace with demand. JERCs decision therefore provides JKPTCL with a more conservative basis for planning its transmission requirements during the current three-year period. The Commission has not said that demand will fall; rather, it expects the increase to be more moderate than the transmission utility had projected. The final trajectory will also depend on how electricity consumption develops across homes, businesses, industry and other sectors, as well as on the availability of power and the capacity of the transmission network to deliver it when demand peaks. For now, the central figure is clear: J&Ks peak electricity requirement has reached 3,325 MW, and JERC expects it to increase to around 3,525 MW by 2028-29 under the approved growth assumption.

NHIDCL floats fresh bids for Rs 3,567 Cr Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has floated fresh bids for the Rs 3,567.51-crore Singhpora-Vailoo twin-tube tunnel project on National Highway-244, with work expected to begin in the next financial year. The tender was issued on September 10. Bids can be submitted until October 26 and will be opened on October 27. NHIDCL General Manager Raghu Nath Sharma said the re-tendering followed official communication approving the project from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). We re-tendered the Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel soon after receiving the official communication to proceed, Sharma told Greater Kashmir . The bidders will have to quote rates based on site visits and design parameters. We expect work on the project to begin in the next financial year, he said. The tunnel will bypass the snowbound Sinthan Top and provide an all-weather road link between south Kashmir and the Chenab Valley. It will also provide an alternative route to NH-44. The Singhpora-Vailoo project forms part of the wider NH-244 corridor linking Anantnag with Kishtwar, Batote and Chenani. The corridor also includes the 4.5-km Sudhmahadev-Dranga tunnel, for which NHIDCL floated a separate tender a few weeks ago. The Singhpora-Vailoo package covers 38.611 km and will be executed in Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. It comprises two unidirectional tunnel tubes - a 10.331-km left tube and a 10.363-km right tube - besides approach roads and associated structures. The project will connect Chatroo in Kishtwar district with Vailoo in Anantnag district. The eastern approach from Chhatroo to the tunnel portal will cover 17.088 km, while the western approach towards Vailoo will extend 11.160 km. The eastern portal near Singhpora will be located at about 2,243 metres above sea level, while the western portal at Gadole will be at around 2,404 metres. Each tunnel tube will have a nine-metre carriageway, footpaths and emergency facilities. The two tubes will be connected through 20 cross-passages, each 6.1 metres wide and 18.5 metres long, at intervals of about 500 metres to facilitate emergency evacuation. As part of the tunnels standard safety and operational requirements, it will have a semi-transverse ventilation system, fire detection and firefighting systems, CCTV surveillance, emergency communication, traffic control, lighting, drainage and waterproofing. Fire hydrants will be installed every 250 metres as part of the firefighting arrangements. The package also includes 21 major and minor bridges, viaducts and viaduct-cum-bridge structures, with the longest viaduct measuring 1,345 metres. The approach roads will be two-lane roads with paved shoulders, supported by more than 54 km of roadside and catch drains for surface-water management. The stipulated construction period is 60 months, followed by 120 months of maintenance. Land acquisition for the Singhpora-Vailoo approach roads has been completed on both the Kashmir and Jammu sides, with more than half of the compensation already disbursed. Land acquisition for the Sudhmahadev-Dranga project has also been completed, while compensation is being processed. The Singhpora-Vailoo project was approved in 2017 and reaffirmed in 2021, but implementation was delayed. The previous tender was scrapped in 2024 after security clearance was denied to the lowest bidder, a joint venture between Transrail Lighting and Azerbaijan-based EVRASCON. The fresh tender has revived hopes in the Chenab Valley and south Kashmir, where the project has been awaited for years. The Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel is a lifeline. We have been waiting for it for a decade, but every time our hopes were dashed. We hope work begins now without any further delay, said Advocate Sheikh Nasir, president of the Kishtwar Bar Association. For the 4.5-km Sudhmahadev-Dranga tunnel, social activist Ishtiyaq Ahmad Dev of Doda said the deteriorating condition of the existing road had made the project necessary for safer travel. Once completed, the two tunnel projects are expected to strengthen the NH-244 corridor and provide a more reliable year-round road link between the Kashmir and Chenab Valley regions.

Operation Gadol 4th anniversary commemorated

The Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police jointly commemorated the fourth anniversary of Operation Gadol, the September 2023 counter-terrorism operation in the Gadol forests of Kokernag in south Kashmirs Anantnag district, with a wreath-laying ceremony and a Chinar plantation drive at the 19 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion Headquarters in Larkipora. The ceremony was held in remembrance of the four personnel who laid down their lives during the operation Colonel Manpreet Singh, KC (P), SM; Major Aashish Dhonchak, SC (P), SM; DSP Humayun Muzzammil Bhat, KC (P); and Sepoy Pardeep Singh, SC (P). Officials said their courage, leadership and devotion to duty continue to inspire both the security forces and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The event was attended by SSP Anantnag Amod Ashok Nagpure and Commanding Officer of 19 Rashtriya Rifles Colonel Rohit Rattan, along with officers and other ranks of the Army and J&K Police. Floral tributes were paid to the four martyrs during the wreath-laying. Officials described the commemoration as a reaffirmation that the sacrifices of September 2023 have not faded from institutional memory. The ceremony served as a solemn reaffirmation that the sacrifices made during the operation continue to be remembered with the deepest respect and gratitude, officials said. As a lasting tribute, four Chinar saplings were planted near the main gate of the battalion headquarters, now known as Colonel Manpreet Singh Dwar. Officials said the four trees stand together as a living memorial to all four fallen personnel. The Chinar, closely tied to the landscape and heritage of Jammu and Kashmir, was chosen for its association with strength, resilience, longevity and continuity across generations. The Chinar Corps, in a separate statement, said it stood in solemn remembrance of its fallen heroes. Their sacrifice shall never be forgotten, their legacy shall never fade, and their courage shall continue to inspire all who serve the nation, the statement said. Operation Gadol was launched in mid-September 2023 after specific intelligence on the presence of terrorists in the densely forested higher reaches around Gadol in Kokernag. A joint column of 19 Rashtriya Rifles and J&K Police, led from the front by the battalions commanding officer, established contact in difficult, cliff-and-forest terrain. In the opening burst of fire from a well-concealed position, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak, DSP Humayun Muzzammil Bhat and Sepoy Pardeep Singh were fatally hit. Colonel Singh, of the Sikh Light Infantry and then commanding 19 RR, was a Sena Medal awardee who had earlier declined a peace-station posting to remain with the battalion in south Anantnag. DSP Bhat, from the Police Special Operations Group and the son of a retired senior police officer, was a young father. All four were later decorated posthumously Colonel Singh and DSP Bhat with the Kirti Chakra, and Major Dhonchak and Sepoy Pardeep Singh with the Shaurya Chakra among the rare instances of two Kirti Chakras and two Shaurya Chakras arising from a single operation.

Prof Romshoo elected NASI Fellow

Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice-Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), has been elected as Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), the countrys oldest science academy, established in 1930. The prestigious Fellowship recognises Prof. Romshoos sustained contributions to Earth and Environmental Sciences and adds to the recognition of his scientific work. He will be formally inducted into the Academy during the 96th annual session of NASI at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, in December 2026. Prof. Romshoo has made significant contributions to glaciology, hydrology, climate change and remote sensing, with particular emphasis on understanding climate-change impacts on Himalayan glaciers and water resources. To mention, Prof. Romshoo is already an elected Fellow of the prestigious Indian Academy of Sciences, besides being a Fellow of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing and the Indian Society of Geomatics. He is also a recipient of the prestigious J. C. Bose Fellowship and several international, national and state-level awards and honours.

MLA Javid Baig calls for overhaul of education system

Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Baramulla Javid Hassan Baig Sunday said the existing curriculum must be drastically reduced and children should be equipped with practical and vocational skills to prepare them for an increasingly challenging employment landscape. In his address during a day-long conference organised by the J&K Teachers Forum (JKTF), Baig called for a fundamental overhaul of the education system saying the country was facing a serious mismatch between the number of educated youth entering the job market and the employment opportunities available to them. He said India has a very large young population, with around 70 crore people below the age of 30, while thousands of graduates enter the job market every year with limited employment opportunities. Every year, 50,000 graduates leave our colleges, and we cannot give more than 8-10 percent employment, Baig said. He stressed that the issue required a serious rethink of existing education and economic policies. The MLA questioned whether merely framing policies and repeatedly discussing their implementation would be sufficient when the economy was unable to absorb the growing number of educated young people. He also raised concerns over growing disparities in access to quality education, saying the education system had developed multiple layers in which children from affluent families have access to elite institutions while a large majority study in comparatively under-resourced schools. The education system should not be confined to academic qualifications alone but there should be greater emphasis on vocational and traditional skills, he said. I would like my eighth or tenth child to know about carpentry, handicrafts and he should know about knitting, he added. He said traditional crafts and skills associated with Kashmir should also be incorporated into the education system so that children could acquire skills that could help them earn livelihoods beyond conventional white-collar employment. Baig also questioned the relevance of an excessively lengthy syllabus, saying it should be substantially reduced to provide space for practical learning. If I get a chance in my life, I will tell you to reduce this syllabus to 30 percent, he said. He added that students should be given greater exposure to practical skills rather than being burdened with excessive academic content. The MLA also highlighted the role of teachers in transforming the lives of students, recalling how teachers had influenced his own life despite the absence of adequate infrastructure and facilities during his childhood. He said teachers could change the destiny of children even when the system failed to provide adequate support. There are so many teachers here. You cannot do anything. You cannot change the system that is inside it. Meaningful educational transformation will require changes at the systemic level, he added. He also spoke about the growing competition in professional education, particularly medical education, saying students from India were increasingly pursuing medical training abroad while employment opportunities for qualified professionals remained limited. Baig urged teachers and education stakeholders to look beyond conventional approaches and critically examine the long-term consequences of the policies being advocated. He called for a broader debate on the future of education, employment and the younger generation. The challenge before policymakers is not merely to educate children but to ensure that the education they receive are equipped to survive and succeed in the real world, he added.

Prayers, protests mark day 4 of search as minor drowned in Bandipora remains untraced

With moist eyes, hands are being raised in prayers both silent and loud, seeking the recovery of a 14-year-old boy who drowned in the Madhumati stream in Kaloosa of north Kashmir's Bandipora district on Thursday. On Sunday, rescue efforts were intensified, with the SDRF, police and local volunteers putting in every effort to fish out the body of Momin Ahmad Ganie of Ganie Mohalla in Kaloosa. Momin was swept away by the raging waters of the Madhumati on Thursday evening when he and his friend were on a cycling trip neaby his home. Momin drowned after he spotted a cricket ball floating on the water's surface. After chasing it for some distance, collecting it and throwing it towards his friend, Momin slipped and fell into the water. Before his friend or his sister, who was some distance away, could react, Momin was nowhere to be seen. Ever since, Momin's mother has not left the riverbank. She has been waiting for her only son, among four sisters, to return. Those visiting the spot join in prayers, asking for divine intervention and hoping the family can find closure. Locals recall Momin, a fourth-standard student at a local government school, as a bright student who excelled in studies, with an energy that lit up the faces around him. On Friday, local women staged a sit-in, asking the administration to ramp up the rescue and recovery operation, with local MLA Nizamuddin Bhat also putting in efforts to cut a crate and lower the water level in the Madhumati, aiding rescuers in the search for Momin's body. Former MLA Usman Majid also visited the site, urging the administration to recover the minor's body sooner. Notably, Hamza Sheikh, a volunteer rescue swimmer, also arrived in Bandipora on Friday, aiding the search efforts. Pertinently, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), which diverts water from the Kishanganga river in Gurez, which then discharges into the Bonar Nallah and Madhumati, has been turning off the turbines during the day to help with the recovery efforts. However, Momin remains untraced.

LG VK Saxena launches mega project to revive shrinking Tso Kar Lake

In a major effort for high-altitude ecological restoration, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena launched an ambitious project to revive the rapidly drying Tso Kar Lake in the high-altitude Changthang region of Ladakh. The landmark initiative aims to channelise up to 320 million litres of glacier meltwater daily to restore the Ramsar site to its former scale. Over the past decade, Tso Karonce spanning nearly 11,000 acreshas desiccated by almost 70 percent, shrinking to just 3,200 acres. The sharp decline has severely degraded surrounding pastures, disrupted local salt-trading traditions and threatened wildlife habitats, including nesting grounds for the endangered Black-necked Crane. Tso Kar, one of Ladakhs iconic high-altitude glacial lakes, once covered nearly 11,000 acres but has now reduced to around 3,200 acres. The shrinking water body has also affected its ecosystem, with a sharp decline in migratory birds, including the famed Black-necked Crane. The project was conceived after LG Saxena visited Tso Kar on August 10, 2026, where local villagers and the Nambardar informed him about the lakes rapid decline and the resulting reduction in bird populations and grazing land. Following the visit, the Lieutenant Governor directed the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department to conduct a detailed survey. After around 15 days of groundwork, the department submitted its report on August 30, initially proposing an 11-km RCC channel. However, citing ecological concerns, Saxena directed officials to avoid constructing a new RCC channel and instead use a simple earthen channel to divert the glacier water. With winter approaching and temperatures expected to fall sharply, work was subsequently taken up on a war footing. The revival of Tso Kar is also expected to benefit local communities, particularly Pashmina goat herders who depend on surrounding grazing lands. The Rupsho Kharnak stream originates at an altitude of around 18,000 feet, approximately 11 km from Tso Kar. At present, a substantial volume of its glacier meltwater flows unused into the Sindhu River. The administration expects that diverting the water could help restore the lake significantly within a year. The initiative follows the successful channelisation of around 90 million litres of Stok Glacier water into canals serving Igoo-Phey and Chuchot villages near Leh for irrigation. Under the Tso Kar revival plan, water from the Rupsho Kharnak stream will be diverted through a series of three natural depressions located along its route towards the lake. The first depression covers around 270 acres, the second 24 acres and the third around 10 acres. Check dams equipped with three RCC pipes will be constructed at the outlets of each depression to regulate water levels and control downstream flow. Water from the third depression will then be channelised into Tso Kar, located around 400 metres away, using gravity flow. The administration plans to rely on simple, low-cost earthworks rather than constructing new concrete channels. Work on the project began on September 2, and from September 9, around 20 cusecs of water has reportedly been successfully diverted into the first depression. The pond has already begun filling rapidly, with around 20 per cent of its area reportedly covered with water within four days. The project is also expected to create three new freshwater wetlands before the water reaches Tso Kar. These wetlands will allow sediments to settle naturally and ensure that relatively clean water enters the main lake. Together, the three depressions are expected to hold nearly 1,230 million litres of water. The newly created wetlands, visible from the Leh-Manali Highway, could also become additional tourist attractions while providing new habitats for migratory birds. Speaking about the initiative, LG VK Saxena said the success of the Stok Glacier project had demonstrated that large-scale and sustainable water management could be achieved in Ladakhs cold desert through simple engineering solutions. He said the Rupsho Kharnak project would serve as a model for high-altitude ecological restoration while supporting agriculture, rural livelihoods and long-term climate resilience. The administration expects the project to combine ecological restoration, tourism development and livelihood support while helping preserve the unique high-altitude ecosystem of Tso Kar for future generations.

Multi-agency contingency response rehearsal held at Baramulla Railway Station

Police in Baramulla conducted a Contingency Response Rehearsal at Railway Station Baramulla to assess and further strengthen the preparedness, coordination and response mechanism of various security and emergency response agencies during a simulated contingency situation. The rehearsal, as per a statement, was conducted under the supervision of SP Operations Baramulla and witnessed active participation of SOG Baramulla, CRPF units including 53 Bn with K9 Team and 2nd Bn, OCAPS Baramulla, 52 RR, BSF 31 Bn, RPF, GRPF, Police Station Baramulla, Police Post Delina, SDRF Baramulla, Fire & Emergency Services, GMC Baramulla, MI room DPL Baramulla, BSD/AST/PSK9, SDRF Baramulla along with other concerned personnel. The exercise focused on inter-agency coordination, mobilisation, communication, response preparedness, evacuation and emergency management, besides assessing the effectiveness of the existing contingency response mechanism at the railway station. The rehearsal also provided an opportunity to identify operational gaps and areas requiring improvement, enabling participating agencies to further enhance their readiness and ensure a coordinated and timely response to any unforeseen situation.

Mirwaiz, Aga Hassan, Imran Ansari call for dialogue, restraint during meet with Iranian FM

Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, along with Aga Syed Hassan and Molvi Imran Raza Ansari, met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi and exchanged views on the grave situation confronting the region, the need for restraint and diplomacy, and the importance of safeguarding unity within the Muslim Ummah. During the interaction, the delegation, as per a statement, conveyed solidarity with the people of Iran and expressed deep concern over the loss of innocent lives, destruction of homes and infrastructure, and the climate of fear and insecurity created by war. They also referred to the continuing devastation in Palestine and the loss of life and instability in Lebanon, saying the widening cycle of conflict had created an extremely serious situation across the region. Mirwaiz said that at such a critical moment, wisdom, restraint and statesmanship were needed more than ever. War only multiplies human suffering. However serious the differences may be, endless confrontation cannot resolve them. Ultimately, even the most difficult disputes have to return to dialogue, engagement and negotiation, he said. He stressed that the present conflicts must not be allowed to deepen sectarian divisions within the Muslim world. At a time when Muslims in many parts of the world are already facing Islamophobia, insecurity and uncertainty, he said political rivalries and sectarian differences should not be permitted to further weaken the Ummah. Our differences must never overcome the larger bonds of faith, brotherhood and shared humanity. The suffering of people in Iran, Palestine, Lebanon and elsewhere should bring us closer in compassion and responsibility, not push us further apart, Mirwaiz said. He recalled the historic association of Iran with Srinagars Jama Masjid, including the commemorative gathering held there following the passing of Imam Ruhollah Khomeini (RA) in 1989. He also recalled Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khameneis historic visit to Kashmir in the early years following the Islamic Revolution, when he addressed the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid in the presence of Shaheed-e-Millat Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq (RA), stressing the message of the Quran, brotherhood and Shia-Sunni unity. On the occasion, Mirwaiz presented Foreign Minister Araghchi with a specially crafted walnut-wood souvenir depicting the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, symbolising the enduring cultural and spiritual bonds between the people of Kashmir and Iran. Referring to the wider regional and global situation, Mirwaiz said South Asias own experience had demonstrated the heavy human cost of prolonged tensions and unresolved disputes and had reinforced the need for sustained engagement and dialogue. He said India, with its legacy of Mahatma Gandhis philosophy of Ahimsa, could play a constructive role in encouraging restraint, diplomacy and peaceful engagement at a time of growing international tensions. The grave challenges facing our world cannot be settled through ever-widening wars. Confrontation will only aggravate them. Human dignity has no sect or nationality, and every innocent life is precious. We must remain on the right side of history on the side of justice, humanity and peace, Mirwaiz said. The delegation expressed hope that the present crisis would not widen further and that diplomacy, dialogue and reconciliation would prevail over confrontation.

Elected govt remains deprived of full powers even after 2 years: Dr Farooq Abdullah

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah Sunday said the Union Government must take serious and meaningful measures to address the growing sense of alienation, disappointment and distrust among the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that although elections were held in J&K, the elected government has remained deprived of full powers even after two years, which is contrary to democratic, constitutional and moral principles. Dr Farooq, as per a party statement, said that the decisions taken on August 5, 2019, were a major mistake by New Delhi, and the sooner the Central Government rectifies this mistake, the better it will be for the unity, integrity and democratic system of the country. He said that the Centre will eventually have to restore Jammu and Kashmirs special position, and the National Conference will continue its struggle for this demand until it is achieved. The party, he said, will continue to raise the issue of restoration of J&Ks constitutional and democratic rights in every Assembly, Parliament and other appropriate forum. Expressing strong resentment over the continued extension of the Union Territory system in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Farooq said that the people had given a mandate through their votes to an elected government to run the affairs of the region and address their problems and difficulties. However, New Delhi has imposed an undemocratic system over the elected government, creating hurdles in its efforts to provide relief to the people and resolve their day-to-day issues. He said that the demand for restoration of statehood is being pursued precisely to enable the J&K government to serve the people more effectively and reduce, to the extent possible, the multiple difficulties confronting them. He made it clear that demanding restoration of statehood in no way means that the National Conference has abandoned its demand for restoration of special status. Our party will continue, under all circumstances, to struggle for restoration of the constitutional rights that the people of Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed under the Constitution of India. We will not hesitate to make any sacrifice for this cause, he said. Dr Farooq said that despite the toughest challenges, hurdles and constraints, the present National Conference government is making every possible effort to provide relief to the people, strengthen the infrastructure for development and ensure the delivery of essential and basic services. He said that National Conference legislators are also continuously available in their respective constituencies, listening to peoples grievances and making every possible effort to address them. He reiterated that the National Conference remains firmly committed to its basic and principled position and said that Safeguarding the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir remains the partys foremost priority.

India complete junior Asia Cup hockey hat-trick, qualify for World Cup

Sanika Chandrakant Manes early strike proved decisive as India qualified for the junior women's hockey World Cup by winning the AHF Junior Asia Cup title for the third time in a row after defeating China 1-0 in a closely fought summit clash, here Sunday. Sanika struck in the 17th minute as the defending champions retained their continental crown. The title clash began with nervous energy on both sides, with neither team able to establish control in the early exchanges. China enjoyed greater possession and looked to put India under pressure, but the defending champions remained composed, soaking up the pressure and working hard to negotiate the opening phase without conceding. As the quarter wore on, Indias defensive structure grew stronger, ensuring the hosts were unable to create a clear-cut opening. India, however, made their first real opening count. Two minutes into the second quarter, Sanika showed excellent awareness and intelligent off-the-ball movement to sneak in behind a Chinese defender and position herself just five metres from goal. She got her stick to a long slap-push into the Chinese circle and produced a deft deflection that beat goalkeeper Xu Mengjiao to put India ahead. China came closest to restoring parity when they earned the only penalty corner of the match. However, their direct effort was ruled out after the ball entered the goal above the permitted height of the backboard, much to the relief of the Indian contingent and the disappointment of the home crowd. India then came close to doubling their lead just two minutes before half-time when captain Khaidem Shileima Chanu found space for a shot on target, but the Chinese goalkeeper reacted sharply to palm the effort away. India took their slender 1-0 advantage into the break, setting up a tense second half. China resumed with renewed intent and came close to an equaliser seven minutes into the third quarter. A well-worked move saw a Chinese attacker overlap from the baseline before sending a dangerous cut-back into the area in front of goal, but Indias defence read the danger perfectly and intercepted the pass before it could reach its intended target. The final quarter turned into a test of Indias defensive resolve. The defending champions stayed disciplined, compact and alert around their circle, closing down spaces and repeatedly frustrating the hosts attacking moves. China pressed for the equaliser in the closing stages, but India held their shape and defended their slender advantage with composure to seal a memorable 1-0 victory and lift the trophy. India finished the tournament unbeaten. After topping the Elite Pool with three wins and a draw, they thrashed South Korea 5-1 in the semi-finals before edging China 1-0 in the final to successfully defend their title and become three-time champions. Hockey India announced a prize of Rs 3 lakh for each player and Rs 1.5 lakh for every member of the support staff.

PM meets 15 world leaders

New Delhi, Sep 13:Prime Minister Narendra Modi held 15 sit-down bilateral meetings with heads of states or heads of governments in the last three days on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. Government sources said on Sunday that in addition to these bilateral deliberations, the prime minister also had pull-aside meetings with various world leaders and leaders of international institutions. The leaders with whom Modi had the bilateral meetings included Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi also had bilateral meetings with his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Philippines Ferdinand R Marcos Jr and Uganda's Vice President Jessica Alupo, besides others. India hosted the BRICS Summit on September 12-13 and it was attended by the leaders of the 11 member countries and 10 partner countries of the grouping, besides some international organisations.

BRICS Beyond Borders, Blocs

New Delhi, Sep 13:Prime Minister NarendraModi on Sunday sought to project BRICS as a platform through which the Global South can have a greater voice in shaping international solutions, saying the grouping's credibility had grown because the experiences and concerns of developing countries were being heard and addressed collectively. From my personal experience, I can say that the Global South countries confidence in BRICS has grown, because within BRICS: Their voices are heard. Their experiences are respected. And solutions are developed not for them, but together with them, PM Modi said. His remarks came as India has increasingly sought to position itself as a voice for the developing world and use groupings such as BRICS to promote a more inclusive model of global growth. The PM said the strength of BRICS lay in its diversity and cooperation, with member countries rooted in different realities but able to advance together. We may be rooted in different realities, but together, we rise through cooperation, and blossom for humanity, he said. PM Modi said India had initiated the BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal to connect small enterprises with knowledge, finance and new markets. The BRICS Urban Mobility Hub had also been established to facilitate the sharing of best practices among cities, he said. The PM said BRICS' wider objective was to ensure that the benefits of solutions developed within the grouping were not restricted to its members. Building on these four pillars, through BRICS we have sought to promote inclusive global growth, he said. We believe that the benefits of solutions developed within BRICS should not remain confined to BRICS alone. They should be made adaptable and accessible to meet the needs of the Global South, PM Modi said. He also linked India's approach to development with its civilisational view of the environment, saying nature had traditionally been accorded the status of a mother. In Indian civilisation, nature has been accorded the status of a mother, the PM said. For centuries, we have believed that development and the environment are not alternatives to each other, but are complementary. He said BRICS had similarly emphasised the need to strike a balance between human development and the environment. This is the foundation of Sustainability. It is also our responsibility towards future generations, PM Modi said. He said the grouping had made progress on several fronts. For Smart Grids and Energy Storage, BRICS had established the BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence, which, the PM said, would help make clean-energy systems more reliable, efficient and accessible. The Centres of Excellence for Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture would connect traditional knowledge with modern science, he said. PM Modi said principles developed for community-based climate adaptation would make indigenous knowledge an important foundation for climate action. He said these initiatives were part of BRICS' effort to promote inclusive growth and make cooperation within the grouping relevant to countries beyond its membership. The PM again stressed that solutions emerging from BRICS should be adaptable to the needs of the wider Global South rather than remaining confined to the bloc. He said the growing confidence of Global South countries in BRICS was rooted in a sense of participation rather than one-way policymaking. Their voices are heard. Their experiences are respected. And solutions are developed not for them, but together with them, PM Modi said. He said the diversity of the grouping should remain central to its identity and cooperation should drive its future. May our diversity remain our identity, our cooperation become our inspiration, and our progress serve the cause of all humanity, the PM said.

Beyond the New Delhi Declaration

The success of Indias BRICS presidency should not be measured merely by the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration. Declarations are important diplomatic instruments, but their real value lies in what they enable beyond the conference hall. For India, the larger dividend of its BRICS leadership lies in diplomacy, security, bilateral engagement, economic opportunities, institutional reform and, importantly, in strengthening its voice in shaping the emerging international order. India assumed the BRICS chair at a particularly turbulent moment. The international system is witnessing geopolitical rivalry, wars, protectionism, sanctions, fragmented supply chains, technological competition and growing dissatisfaction with the existing architecture of global governance. Against this backdrop, New Delhi had the difficult task of keeping an increasingly diverse BRICS together while ensuring that Indias own strategic and developmental interests remained firmly on the agenda. The outcome, therefore, needs to be assessed on a wider canvas than the summit declaration. A significant diplomatic gain One of the most important gains for India is the continuing effort to place terrorism firmly at the centre of the BRICS security agenda. The condemnation of the 22 April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir at the BRICS level was particularly significant. India had argued that condemnation of terrorism must be a matter of principle, not diplomatic convenience. The BRICS consensus gave political weight to that position. For New Delhi, this is more than a symbolic statement. Cross-border terrorism affecting Jammu & Kashmir has long been one of Indias central security concerns. India has consistently maintained that terrorism cannot be compartmentalised according to political convenience and that there can be no distinction between good and bad terrorism. The significance of raising the issue in BRICS is that Indias security concerns are thereby located within the larger international struggle against terrorism rather than treated merely as a bilateral India-Pakistan issue. The next step must be practical. BRICS cooperation should produce stronger mechanisms against terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation, safe havens and terrorist networks. India should continue to press for international accountability of those who sponsor, facilitate or finance terrorism. The Pahalgam reference thus represents an important diplomatic gainbut its real value will depend upon whether political condemnation evolves into sustained multilateral action. An institutional legacy Perhaps the most consequential institutional idea associated with Indias presidency is the strengthening of the BRICS Troikathe previous, current and incoming presidencies. BRICS has grown substantially in membership and ambition. Its agenda now covers political and security cooperation, trade, finance, technology, health, agriculture, climate, energy and people-to-people relations. Such expansion makes continuity increasingly important. The annual change of chairmanship can otherwise produce discontinuity. An initiative launched by one presidency may lose momentum under the next. A stronger Troika can preserve institutional memory, coordinate priorities and ensure that important initiatives survive changes in leadership. For India, the strategic advantage is obvious. New Delhis influence need not end when its chairmanship ends. It can continue to participate in the institutional steering process and help ensure that priorities launched under its presidency are carried forward. The proposed use of a digital mechanism to track decisions, responsibilities and implementation can complement the Troika. This could transform BRICS from a largely summit-driven grouping into a more continuous institution. The Troika also has geopolitical significance. An expanded BRICS brings together countries with very different political systems, economic interests and foreign-policy orientations. India and China remain strategic competitors even as dialogue improves; Russia has a distinct relationship with China and the West; Iran and the Gulf countries have complex regional interests. BRICS therefore requires managed diversity, not artificial uniformity. Indias vision of the Troika can help preserve BRICS as a platform for a multipolar and inclusive world rather than allowing it to become an anti-Western bloc. The real success of a presidency is not merely how effectively a country conducts its year in office, but how much of its vision survives after it leaves office. If the Troika becomes an effective continuity mechanism, Indias institutional legacy could extend well beyond 2026. The China dividend The BRICS platform has also provided India with valuable diplomatic space for high-level engagement with China. The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping is important not because it resolves the complex India-China relationship, but because sustained dialogue is indispensable to managing it. Indias interests require peace and tranquillity along the border, greater economic balance, protection of national-security interests and continued diplomatic communication. China, meanwhile, remains an important economic and geopolitical power whose influence cannot be ignored. BRICS gives both countries a multilateral setting in which engagement can take place without requiring either side to abandon its larger strategic position. For India, the objective should be neither confrontation for its own sake nor premature normalisation. It should be competitive coexistence with safeguards, reciprocity and respect for Indias sovereignty and security interests. Russia and strategic autonomy The Russia dimension is equally important. Indias relationship with Russia has historically rested on strategic trust, defence cooperation, energy, nuclear power and space. In the present geopolitical environment, however, the relationship requires diversification and modernisation. BRICS provides India with an additional platform to broaden the relationship into trade, technology, energy, connectivity and industrial cooperation. At the same time, Indias Russia policy reinforces the larger principle of strategic autonomy. New Delhis relationships with Russia and the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia and other partners demonstrate that India does not view international relations through the prism of exclusive alliances. That autonomy is becoming increasingly valuable in a fragmented world. The Global South dividend The most enduring political gain from Indias BRICS presidency may be the strengthening of its claim to leadership of the Global South. India has repeatedly argued that emerging and developing economies deserve greater representation in institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, the IMF and the World Bank. BRICS provides an important coalition-building platform for that objective. But Indias aspiration should go beyond rhetorical leadership. It should seek practical partnerships in development finance, food and energy security, health, climate resilience, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, agriculture and capacity-building. Indias advantage is that it can speak simultaneously to the developed world and the developing world. It has relationships with Washington and Moscow, Brussels and Beijing, Tokyo and the Gulf, while retaining strong political and economic links across Africa, Latin America and Asia. This gives New Delhi the possibility of becoming a bridge power in an increasingly divided international system. Rhetoric to economic opportunity Economic cooperation is another major area in which India can secure tangible gains. During its chairmanship, India has promoted greater intra-BRICS trade, services, MSME access to finance, resilient supply chains and diversification of global value chains. The Jaipur Consensus and guiding principles for MSME credit are examples of efforts to move towards practical economic cooperation. The discussion on greater use of national currencies and cross-border payment mechanisms is also important. India should approach this issue pragmatically. BRICS need not create a common currency to reduce transaction costs or improve financial resilience. Interoperable payment systems, local-currency settlement and compatible financial infrastructure could themselves generate significant benefits. Indias experience with digital public infrastructure gives it an opportunity to contribute technologically as well as politically. Technology as the new instrument of influence Indias digital transformation is another under-appreciated BRICS asset. Digital public infrastructure, fintech, artificial intelligence, digital health, agriculture technology and affordable technological solutions can become important instruments of Indias development diplomacy. For many developing countries, the Indian model is attractive precisely because it seeks scale and affordability rather than dependence on expensive infrastructure. If India succeeds in making its digital platforms, standards and institutional expertise useful to BRICS partners, it will gain not only commercial opportunities but also standards-setting power. That is a subtler and potentially more durable form of geopolitical influence. A multilateral summit that multiplies bilateral gains One of the practical advantages of hosting BRICS is that a multilateral summit creates multiple bilateral opportunities. India can use the BRICS network to deepen relations in trade, investment, energy, connectivity, education, technology, tourism and culture with member and partner countries. The significance of these bilateral conversations should not be underestimated. In contemporary diplomacy, multilateral platforms often function as accelerators for bilateral negotiations. A successful presidency therefore produces a multiplier effect: one multilateral platform generates many bilateral conversations and potential partnerships. Legal and institutional diplomacy Indias BRICS presidency has also expanded into less traditional areas of diplomacy, including judicial and legal cooperation. The BRICS Justice Ministers engagement on mediation and arbitration, for example, has sought to strengthen capacity-building, institutional reform and cooperation in alternative dispute resolution. For a rapidly expanding trading and investment relationship among BRICS countries, predictable and efficient dispute-resolution mechanisms can have considerable economic significance. Indias legal institutions, universities and professional bodies can thereby become part of a broader network of Global South institutional cooperation. The strategic message The larger strategic message of Indias BRICS presidency is perhaps best captured in three propositions: India can convene without aligning; lead without dominating; and cooperate without surrendering strategic autonomy. This is particularly important because BRICS itself is not homogeneous. Its members have different political systems, economic models and strategic priorities. Its expansion gives it greater geographical weight but simultaneously makes consensus more difficult. Indias success should therefore not be judged by whether BRICS becomes a counterweight to the West. That would be too narrow and ultimately contrary to Indias interests. New Delhis greater objective should be a more representative, multipolar and inclusive international order, in which BRICS is one important pillar but not an instrument of confrontation. The unfinished task The real test begins after the summit. India must ensure that its BRICS initiatives do not remain confined to declarations, seminars and working groups. The next phase must focus on implementationgreater trade and investment, interoperable payment systems, technology partnerships, resilient supply chains, energy cooperation, development finance and mobility of skilled professionals. Similarly, the commitment to combating terrorism must translate into stronger cooperation against terrorist financing, radicalisation and transnational networks. And the Troika must become more than a ceremonial arrangement. It should be empowered to monitor implementation, preserve institutional memory and carry forward the priorities of successive presidencies. India should also continue using BRICS to build support for reform of the global governance architecture while maintaining constructive relations with the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia and other partners. Beyond the Declaration The New Delhi Declaration is therefore only one measure of Indias BRICS success. The deeper gains lie in the diplomatic space India has created with China and Russia; the reaffirmation of its strategic autonomy; the strengthening of its Global South credentials; the internationalisation of its technological and developmental experience; the opportunity to expand trade and investment; the elevation of terrorismincluding the Pahalgam attack in Jammu & Kashmirwithin the BRICS security discourse; and the possibility of institutionalising continuity through the Power Troika. Indias greatest BRICS dividend may ultimately be neither economic nor diplomatic in isolation. It is the gradual transformation of convening power into agenda-setting power. In a fractured world, countries that can bring competing interests to the same table acquire influence disproportionate to their formal power. India has demonstrated that capacity. The challenge now is to convert it into enduring institutions, measurable outcomes and a sustained voice in shaping the international order. The true success of Indias BRICS presidency will not be what was written in the Declaration at New Delhi, but what the world does with the ideas, partnerships and institutions that India leaves behind. Author is a noted Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court and a geo political analyst.

A cinematic renaissance

I was a college going student in Delhi in 2012 when the Hindi film Jab Tak Hai Jaan had hit the cinema theaters. There was visible excitement in the air among the audiences because it was a Shah Rukh Khan film directed by the legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra. However, what had caught my attention then was that the film had been partly shot in Kashmir because the legendary filmmaker had a deep and undeniable love for the valley. I had not visited Kashmir then and my forays into Kashmir were mostly through books and textual sources and most importantly through the cinematic lens. In that sense, I was visibly excited to see Kashmir come alive on the silver screen time and again. For instance, I can never forget Anushka Sharmas dreamy portrayal of a happy-go-lucky girl serenading along the Dal Lake in Kashmir from the film. The iconic song Jiya Re became the hit that it did back in the day because Kashmirs scenic locales provided a perfect backdrop for it. Another film that I can recall that made me an indelible impression on my mind was filmmaker Vishal Bharadwajs Haider. In my opinion, this film had holistically depicted Kashmir for what it truly was: a paradise lost much like John Miltons masterpiece of the same name. The depiction of the river Jhelum as the river of life and death in the film has remained etched in my mind until today. The film was a visual treat for anybody and everybody. Again, the scenic locales of Kashmir accentuated Shahid Kapoors performance in the film and his soliloquy described the plight of the average Kashmiri like no other film had in the past. Similarly, Alia Bhatts portrayal of a young girl who found her freedom in captivity in the film Highway greatly resonated with me. Her zest for life found expression while she walked around Aru Valley in Kashmir. Much like Imtiaz Alis films, this film redefined the meaning of cinema for me, and enabled me to better understand myself. However, from a cinematic standpoint, the use of the mountainous terrain acted like a metaphor giving the lead protagonist the opportunity to navigate lifes barriers and aim for the top. Salman Khans Bajrangi Bhaijaan too depicted Kashmir as jannat or heaven. The song Bhar do Jholi picturised on the legendary singer Adnan Sami at the Charar-i-Sharif shrine in Kashmir had a transcendental quality attached to it, transporting us to a spiritual reality that we can only aspire to reach in our quotidian existence. Art of Film Appreciation These films are just among the many that have been shot in Kashmirs picturesque valleys in recent years and I have had the privilege of viewing them on the silver screen. These films talk to the audience the way no other platform can. Cinema has a language and vocabulary of its own and the silver screen weaves its own magic every time. While the enduring love for Kashmir has brought filmmakers to Kashmir almost on a routine basis since the 60s and 70s, with films like Junglee (1961), Kashmir ki Kali (1964) and Aradhana (1969) among others being shot in the valley, film making has now inspired a new generation of people like me to study, learn and understand the culture and history of this region. This engagement is likely to benefit Kashmir, especially the local people in several ways. If films are shot in Kashmir, they are likely to become a source of considerable revenue for the state exchequer and the people. Kashmirs portrayal on screen is likely to bridge the gap and make us aware of the realities of the people living in the valley and beyond. Thus, the arrival of filmmakers into the region will come to provide Kashmir with a platform to become a raconteur in its own right and provide its own perspective to a larger audience. Since films bring people together and watching a film is often a richly rewarding collective experience for most, the audience who may have had a clichd understanding of the region may become a muse and may come to assimilate with the local population albeit for a fleeting moment when they may come to engage with specific characters on the screen. If a film is engaging and visually appealing, the spectator could become visibly engrossed with the process of watching the film and the film may become a deeply entrenched part of his identity as well. This is the beauty of cinema as the audience gets transported back in space and time on almost every single occasion. Therefore, the very act of filmmaking enables the translation of vision into action through concerted effort as characters come alive on screen. Putting Kashmir at the Centre of Filmmaking It is now the right time to make Kashmir the protagonist again and bring filmmakers to the valley. Kashmir has recently organised its first international film festival and this is the step in the right direction. The smooth conduct of the film festival transformed Kashmir into a world-class destination for filmmakers and cinema lovers alike. The floating screen on the tranquil waters of the Dal Lake was a win-win in any case for it is distinct and unique. Incidentally, such innovations provide Kashmir with the rare opportunity to demonstrate its own richness and serenity while providing the viewer with a serendipitous experience. However, on a closing note such film festivals should provide more actionable outcomes. Their conduct should lead to the creation of a film ecosystem in Kashmir with film studios and film education institutes coming up in the region. Such film festivals should be organised on a regular basis and this line-of-effort should not remain a one-off event. Such attempts will ensure that Kashmir comes to the foreground in the realm of filmmaking and does not remain relegated to being a pretty backdrop in films. It is possible that a new generation of Kashmiri filmmakers will be born out of this movement and a new cinematic renaissance will have its genesis in Kashmir in the years to come. Author is a political analyst based in New Delhi.

Sand, Stone and the Sustainability Dilemma

Jammu and Kashmir is beginning to face a construction-material crisis at a time when demand for roads, bridges, housing, hospitals, schools, drainage systems and other infrastructure is rising. Restrictions on quarrying operations and curbs on the extraction, lifting and transportation of mining material have created difficulties for ongoing development works. The Government has valid reasons for tightening control over the extraction of sand, gravel, stone and other minor minerals. The regions rivers, mountains and fragile ecosystems cannot be treated as unlimited sources of construction material. Yet the emerging shortage exposes a deeper problem: development needs and natural-resource management have not evolved together. Construction cannot continue without material and mining cannot continue without ecological limits. The challenge is therefore not to choose between development and the environment but to create a system in which both can coexist. What we are witnessing may only be the beginning. If the gap between demand and legally available material widens further, construction costs could rise, government projects could face delays, contractors could come under pressure and transportation costs could increase. Prolonged shortages could also create incentives for illegal extraction. The issue must therefore be seen not as a temporary supply disruption but as a warning about how Jammu and Kashmir plans and sustains its development. There is no question that indiscriminate mining has consequences. Excessive extraction from riverbeds can alter river systems, disturb sediment transport and damage aquatic and riparian ecosystems. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Changes sustainable sand-mining framework recognises these risks and emphasises scientific assessment of extraction and replenishment. This principle should become central to Jammu and Kashmirs mining policy. A blanket approach in which all extraction is either permitted or prohibited is unlikely to work. Some areas may be ecologically unsuitable for mining while others may support controlled extraction if scientific limits are respected. The region therefore needs regulated and transparent mining rather than unrestricted extraction or restrictions that make legitimate material unavailable. The present crisis also reflects how resources were used in the past. For decades, sand, gravel and stone were largely treated as commodities that could be extracted whenever demand increased. The question of how much nature could sustainably provide often received less attention than the immediate need for construction. Development was measured through roads built, buildings completed and projects commissioned but not always by the natural resources consumed to achieve them. Had Jammu and Kashmir adopted a stronger culture of conservation, efficient use and recycling earlier, pressure on natural sources could have been lower. This is not an argument against development. The region needed development and continues to need it. The issue is the model of development. A finite resource cannot be treated as unlimited without eventually creating a crisis. Natural construction material is also ecological capital. Once a river system is seriously disturbed or a quarry is exhausted, replacing that resource is not straightforward. Sustainable development requires us to calculate not only what we need today but what must remain available tomorrow. Environmental protection, economic activity and social wellbeing must therefore be considered together. A practical way forward is to establish clearly identified and scientifically assessed quarrying zones where extraction can take place under strict annual limits, environmental safeguards and continuous monitoring. Riverbed mining should be based on replenishment studies rather than arbitrary estimates. At the same time, Jammu and Kashmir must reduce its dependence on virgin construction material. One of the biggest opportunities lies in construction and demolition waste. Old buildings, damaged structures, road reconstruction and urban redevelopment generate large quantities of concrete, masonry and asphalt that can potentially be processed and reused after meeting engineering standards. Japan provides an important example through its Construction Material Recycling Law, which promotes the sorting and recycling of specified construction materials. The lesson is not that a foreign law can simply be copied but that construction can be treated as a circular system. Material from an old structure need not automatically become waste; it can become a resource for the next structure. Jammu and Kashmir could establish construction-material recycling facilities near major urban centres and require large government projects to examine the use of recycled aggregates wherever technically appropriate. Road projects should similarly assess how much existing material can be reclaimed and reused while excavated material from tunnels, drainage works and other infrastructure projects should be evaluated for possible reuse rather than automatically sent to dumping sites. International experience also shows that construction waste can become an important resource. The European Union has increasingly emphasised the recovery and recycling of construction and demolition waste. Jammu and Kashmir can adopt the same principle on a scale suited to its own needs. Government tenders could require major contractors to submit material-management plans showing the source of aggregates, expected consumption and proposed handling of construction waste. Manufactured sand and other technically suitable alternatives should also receive greater attention where they can safely substitute for naturally occurring river sand. The objective should be to diversify the supply base and reduce dependence on a limited number of natural sources. Such measures would not only reduce pressure on rivers and quarries but could also create new local industries, employment and investment in recycling and material processing. The Government must also improve coordination between development departments and agencies regulating mining. A project should not reach the execution stage before authorities ask where its required construction material will come from. Before major infrastructure projects are tendered, material availability should be assessed alongside land, finance and technical approvals. A regional construction-material dashboard could provide information on legal quarry capacity, available stocks, expected demand and alternative sources. Strategic stockyards for critical public works could help projects withstand temporary supply disruptions if they are tightly regulated to prevent hoarding and artificial price manipulation. The construction industry must also accept responsibility. Contractors, builders and consumers cannot demand unlimited access to natural resources while leaving the environmental consequences entirely to the Government. The sector should minimise material wastage, adopt efficient construction practices and increase recycling wherever technically possible. Government procurement can accelerate this transition by encouraging projects that demonstrate resource efficiency and responsible sourcing. Over time, every major project should have a material footprint just as it has a financial cost. If a building requires a certain quantity of aggregate, planners should ask whether that quantity can be reduced, substituted or partly recovered from recycled material. This would bring sustainable development out of policy documents and into everyday construction. The immediate responsibility, however, remains with the Government. Restrictions may be necessary to protect the environment but restrictions without adequate alternatives can create another problem. If legal material becomes difficult to obtain while demand remains unchanged, prices will rise and illegal mining may become more attractive. The answer is not to abandon environmental restrictions but to build a reliable legal supply system alongside them. Environmentally suitable extraction zones should be identified, scientific assessments completed, legitimate permissions streamlined and monitoring strengthened while alternatives such as recycled aggregates and manufactured sand are developed. Most importantly, resource availability should become part of infrastructure planning from the beginning rather than an issue considered only after a project has been sanctioned. Jammu and Kashmir is therefore at a crossroads. The present shortage may appear to be a problem of quarries, permits and transportation but its implications are much larger. If the response is simply to open more sources and extract more material, todays construction crisis could become tomorrows ecological crisis. If restrictions continue without a dependable legal supply chain, development itself could suffer. Neither extreme is sustainable. Jammu and Kashmir needs a carefully managed construction-material economy based on scientific extraction, strict action against illegal mining, recycling, alternative materials, efficient construction and long-term planning. The crisis now emerging should not be dismissed as a temporary inconvenience. It is an opportunity to correct a development model that has depended too heavily on natures apparent abundance. Judicious use in the past could have eased the pressure we face today. The lesson for the future is clear: Jammu and Kashmir must build, but it must also preserve the natural foundation on which that development depends. Peerzada Mohsin Shafi hails from Anantnag and is an infrastructure columnist

Lets make Srinagar cleaner, greener!

Surrounded by forests and dotted with water bodies, Jammu and Kashmirs summer capital Srinagar was known for fresh air till few years ago. In 2023, Srinagar ranked 4th in a city-wise survey on air quality across the country. In the latest Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026, Srinagar has obtained 26th rank as per new parameters for measuring air quality. Though it is a matter of concern, it throws a challenge for improving air quality. Srinagar scored 162.6 points while Delhi, which has been topping the countrys worst air quality, has secured the 21st rank with 172 points. The assessment of air quality is based on several parameters including measures to address road dust management, solid waste management, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, construction waste, demolition waste and other emission sources. Srinagar is grappling with solid waste management of over 600 metric tonnes per day. The problem is compounded by legacy waste of 11 lakh tonnes which has accumulated over decades at Achan landfill site. With rise in temperature, a pungent smell emanating from the landfill site engulfs entire Srinagar and causes air pollution. The National Green Tribunal has passed a slew of directions to ensure scientific garbage disposal at Achan. The J&K Government recently approved a Rs 361-crore 800-TPD Integrated Solid Waste Management project at the site to put in place a mechanism for scientific collection, segregation, processing and disposal capacity. It has been observed that Air quality in Kashmir deteriorates in Autumn and Winter due to temperature inversions and topography. Kashmir is bound by Pir Panjal and Greater Himalayan mountain ranges which lock the valley and prevent air masses from escaping, resulting in a rise in air pollutants. Temperature inversion in Autumn and Winter restricts vertical mixing of air and triggers build-up of haze primarily comprising dust PM10 and PM2.5 and smoke mostly black carbon. The PM2.5 concentration in Srinagars air on January 9, 2023 reached 28.2 g/m, which is 5.6 times over the World Health Organisations air quality values. A byproduct of temperature inversions in Kashmir is a build-up of hazean aerosol mixture composed of fine particles found in smog, smoke, and dust. The trapped aerosols absorb and scatter incoming sunlight, creating a layer of poor visibility. Srinagar is the largest contributor of smog, smoke, and other human-caused aerosols in Kashmir. Rising air pollution levels even caught the attention of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Americas civil space programme and it released a satellite picture of Kashmir Valley shrouded by haze in 2022. Experts have been attributing prevalence of haze and smog to crop burning and temperature inversion phenomenon. As per a study Black carbon in contrasting environments in India: Temporal variability, source apportionment and radiative forcing, air quality is deteriorating fast in ski resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir and Srinagar in central Kashmir due to increased human and mechanical interventions. Black carbon (BC) is a component of particulate matter (PM) in air that is produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials such as gasoline and coal, as well as biomass or biofuels. It absorbs incoming solar energy making it the second significant contributor to global warming, along with CO2, methane, and volatile organic compounds. As per a study published in Lancet, around 10,000 deaths in J&K annually upto 2019 are attributed to air pollution. Pollutants trapped in smog are harmful for the respiratory system of humans, especially young and old children besides people with underlying diseases. Smog lowers the working of lungs and leads to an increase in respiratory ailments. In the last several years, there has been a spurt in respiratory diseases in Kashmir due to air pollution. A study published in Nature Scientific Reports suggests that air quality in Srinagar deteriorates significantly, particularly during winter, where the level of PM2.5 touches a peak value of 348 g/m against the Indian permissible limit of 60 g/m. The haze, laden with high black carbon and particulates induces irritation of the pulmonary tract resulting in frequent coughing, sneezing especially among children and elders. Pollution from cement factories, macadam plants, brick kilns besides emission from old diesel vehicles and burning of solid waste also contribute to deteriorating air quality. The air of Srinagar was so clean that Britishers set up Chest Diseases Hospital over a hillock Rustam Giri at Dalgate in 1880. The hospital was a sanatorium where Tuberculosis patients were supposed to inhale fresh air as there were no anti- biotics available at time to cure these patients who visited the hospital from different countries. Now the same hospital is filled up with patients from Kashmir mainly to treat respiratory ailments due to rising pollution levels. Though under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), several measures are underway to reduce air pollution in Srinagar, more efforts are needed. Government needs to undertake massive plantations in Srinagar by creating green zones, reducing dust cover, and installing covered garbage bins. There is a need to shift to non-conventional clean energy sources like electric vehicles, and electric hamams, incentivising use of public transport to reduce vehicle emissions. Scientific measures to harness renewable energy must be explored to overcome energy shortages. This will subsequently reduce biomass and coal burning. Awareness programmes should be organised to disseminate information about harmful effects of air pollution due to burning of stable, firewood and garbage. Let the government and stakeholders join hands and take measures to make Srinagar greener and cleaner. Let us and our future generations breathe a fresh lease of air. Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir

Indias BRICS moment

New Delhis turn at hosting the BRICS summit has arrived at an unusually fraught moment, and the joint declaration that emerged from Bharat Mandapam on Saturday reads less like a routine communiqu and more like a document straining to hold together a bloc pulled in several directions at once. Between a war in Ukraine that refuses to end, an Iran conflict that has drawn in the United States and Israel, and simmering hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, the leaders gathered in India had no shortage of crises to address and precious little consensus on how to address them. For India, though, the summit was never only about the text of a shared statement. It was about the delicate art of being everything to everyone. Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his opening remarks to insist that BRICS was not against anyone, a line clearly aimed at Washington and European capitals watching from the sidelines. That reassurance matters, because Indias foreign policy has always protected its strategic autonomy: deepening trade and defense ties with the West while keeping old friendships with Moscow and Tehran intact. Xi Jinpings visit - his first to India in seven years - and his sit-down with Modi carried real symbolic weight, coming five years after a deadly border clash pushed the relationship to its lowest point in decades. That the two sides are now talking about restoring transport links and closing a trade gap that runs past $100 billion is a modest but genuine sign of thaw, even if the underlying military standoff in the Himalayas is far from resolved. The test for India now is whether it can convert this summits talk of the Global South as a rule-shaper into something more durable than a slogan. Multipolarity is an easy word to say at a podium. Building the institutions, currencies, and trust required to make it real is a far longer project - one India has only just begun. That is Indias real advantage at BRICS: a scale large enough to matter to both East and West, and the discipline to use it for peace abroad without losing sight of its interests at home.

189 years after import, possums damage half of trees in rare New Zealand forest

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The Next Rs.1,000-Crore Opportunity In India's Food Industry

India's snacking habits are shifting from occasional indulgence to daily necessity, but the definition of an acceptable snack is narrowing.

Can You Reverse Fatty Liver Without Medicines? Heres What Actually Helps

Managing fatty liver is crucial to prevent liver complications. While doctors generally prescribe medications, early stages of fatty liver can be treated naturally without medicines. To learn more, read this article.

Police arrest 4 drug peddlers in Anantnag and Kulgam; contraband recovered

Srinagar, Sep 13: Continuing its sustained crackdown against drug trafficking and substance abuse, Police in Anantnag and Kulgam districts have arrested four drug peddlers in three separate operations and recovered contraband from their possession. A police spokesperson said that in the first operation, a police party from Police Station Bijbehara, during naka checking at Katriteng-Waghama Road, apprehended two persons identified as Ubaid Rashid Dar son of Abdul Rashid Dar resident of Waghama, and Javaid Ahmad Parray son of Mohd Maqbool Parray resident of Jablipora. During their search, 4.49 grams of brown sugar was recovered from their possession. In this connection, FIR No. 259/2026 has been registered at Police Station Bijbehara, and investigation has been initiated. He said that in another operation, a police party from Police Station Anantnag, during routine checking near Batapora Bridge, apprehended Shahid Maqsood Khuroo son of Maqsood Ahmad resident of Guri Kharipora Anantnag. During search, Charas was recovered from his possession. Accordingly, FIR No. 303/2026 has been registered at Police Station Anantnag, and investigation has been set into motion. Meanwhile, in Kulgam, Police arrested another drug peddler during dynamic naka checking in the jurisdiction of Police Station Devsar. At Sopat near Ziyarat Sharif Link Road, a dynamic naka party intercepted a suspicious person identified as Rouf Ahmad Dar son of Abdul Rashid Dar resident of Gund Tankipora. During search, a polythene bag containing 746 grams of charas-like substance was recovered from his possession. In this connection, FIR No. 65/2026 has been registered at Police Station Devsar, and investigation has been set into motion, spokesperson said. J&K Police appealed to the general public to remain vigilant and extend their cooperation by sharing credible information regarding drug peddling or any other suspicious activities with the Police. They added the identity of informants will be kept confidential.

Ladakh LG sanctions Rs 1.52 crore aid for statehood protest violence victims

Leh, Sep 13: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday sanctioned Rs 15 lakh each to the next of kin of the four persons who lost their lives in the September 24 violence last year in Leh. Leh witnessed large-scale protests last year, demanding statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to Ladakh. Violence erupted during the agitation, leaving four people dead and scores injured allegedly in police firing. An ex-gratia assistance of Rs 3 lakh for persons who sustained major injuries and Rs 1 lakh for those who sustained minor injuries has also been approved, a Lok Bhavan spokesman said. He said the total financial commitment of the administration under the approved compensation measures will be Rs 1.52 crore, comprising Rs 60 lakh for the four deceased, Rs 72 lakh for 24 persons with major injuries and Rs 20 lakh for 20 persons with minor injuries. The incident had resulted in the loss of four lives, while 43 civilians sustained major or minor injuries. As Ladakh did not have a general policy prescribing compensation in cases of death or injury arising from incidents of public unrest or rioting, the administration examined the matter with a view to extending appropriate humanitarian assistance to the affected families and individuals. Saxena, after taking over in March this year, accorded priority to the matter and worked towards finalising an appropriate compensation package for the affected families and injured persons, the spokesperson said, adding that the compensation is intended as a measure of support and solidarity with the affected families and individuals. He expressed his deep gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his sensitive, humanitarian and guiding approach, and for always standing in solidarity with the victims and their families. While no compensation amount can replace a life lost or erase the pain endured, the Ladakh Administration firmly stands beside every affected family in their journey towards healing and overcoming the grief, Saxena said.

Nepal flood death toll reaches 1,388

Kathmandu, Sep 13: The death toll in Nepal flash floods climbed to 1,388 on Sunday as more bodies were recovered from the eight affected districts, authorities said. The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal. According to the latest data released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 364 bodies were recovered from Chitwan district, 230 from Nawalparasi East, 222 from Nawalparasi West, and 199 from Nuwakot. Similarly, 185 bodies were recovered from Rasuwa, 77 from Gorkha, 71 from Dhading and 38 from Tanahun. Two others died while undergoing treatment in Kathmandu. Only 104 of the recovered bodies have so far been identified and handed over to their families. The joint command of security personnel has continued its search and rescue operations, with the number of missing people estimated to be 5,130. A total of 13,728 people have been rescued so far, officials said.

Hyderabad Man Finds Same Meal Costs Rs 206 More On Swiggy, Internet Calls It 'Cost Of Convenience'

An X user shared a picture showing the price difference between items purchased directly from the restaurant and the same items listed on Swiggy.

7 Possible Reasons Why Your Iron Is Low Despite Eating Iron-Rich Foods

Iron is essential for the human body. Its low levels can disrupt several bodily functions. People with low iron levels are often recommended an iron-rich diet and supplements, but if they arent helping, it needs medical intervention.

BJP-led NDA governments in 21 states to introduce UCC before 2029: Amit Shah

Mumbai, Sep 13: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said BJP-led NDA governments in 21 states will introduce Uniform Civil Code (UCC) before 2029. Shah was speaking to reporters here while highlighting the achievements of the Centre over the last 12 years and the BJP's 25-year journey under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Triple talaq has been abolished, giving Muslim women equal rights. We have introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in several states and I am confident that in the 21 BJP-NDA ruled states, we will introduce the UCC before 2029, Shah said. The next Lok Sabha polls are scheduled for 2029. He said the government had strengthened the country's criminal justice system through the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and claimed that several states had recorded a 30 per cent increase in the conviction rate in a single year. He also said a system was being established to ensure justice could be delivered within three years. On national security, Shah said the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A had been achieved without a single drop of blood being shed or a bullet being fired, and asserted that Kashmir was now fully integrated with India. He said the government had ended five decades of Naxalism and signed more than 14 peace agreements in the country's North-East region. More than 9,000 people have surrendered and today we have taken the North-East on the path of development, Shah said. He said surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor have established a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. On being asked whether the 1951 baseline would be used for implementing National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, Shah said the Centre was holding discussions with its allies and political parties on the issue. We are discussing these issues with our allies and also with the political parties of Manipur. Whatever decision is taken, we will inform you, he said. Asked about illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators and their detection in cities such as Mumbai, Shah said the government would not disclose the tools used to identify them. You are asking the Home Minister to make the tools public and tell you how it will be done. Then how will we catch them? They will also come to know, he quipped. Shah reiterated the government's resolve to identify and deport illegal infiltrators from the country. I repeat our resolve that we will take out each and every illegal infiltrator from this country, identifying them one by one and sending them out, he said. On the government's anti-drugs campaign, Shah said he had recently launched the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' and would visit every state as part of the campaign. He said he had spoken to a chief minister the previous day and a full-day meeting would be held to ensure the campaign reaches the grassroots. It will definitely reach the grassroots and India will achieve victory over drugs, Shah said.

Modi era shifted India from corruption, casteism, dynastic politics to politics of performance: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated India has entered a new era of performance politics. He said corruption, casteism, and dynastic politics have ended since 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has freed the country from policy paralysis and poor decision-making. A campaign called 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' will promote public participation for a developed India. This initiative marks Modi's birthday and significant years of his governance.

Mega project launched to revive Ladakh's Tso Kar lake with glacier water

Leh, Sep 13: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday launched a mega project to revive the rapidly drying Tso Kar Lake by channelising 320 million litres of water per day from a glacier-fed stream at an altitude of 18,000 feet into the water body, which has lost nearly 70 per cent of its water in the past decade. The initiative comes after the successful channelisation of 90 million litres of water from the Stok Glacier into canals serving Igoo-Phey and Chuchot villages, helping irrigate parched agricultural land in Leh's vicinity. The project focuses on recharging Tso Kar by channelising untapped glacier meltwater from the Rupsho Kharnak stream, situated nearly 11 km from the lake. The peak discharge from the Rupsho Kharnak stream during summers is estimated at around 132 cusecs or 320 million litres per day, a Lok Bhavan spokesperson said. He said the project stands as a vital blueprint for high-altitude ecological restoration. By transforming untapped glacier water into permanent lifelines, Ladakh is taking decisive steps toward agricultural prosperity, revitalised rural economies, and long-term climate resilience. This will ensure that the iconic landscapes like Tso Kar and the life they sustain are preserved for generations to come, Saxena said. The lieutenant governor, during his visit to Tso Kar on August 10, was informed by local villagers and the 'nambardar' (village head) that the Lake was once a massive, thriving body of glacial water that sustained centuries of local salt trading and a delicate ecological balance. Subsequently, Saxena conceived the initiative. However, in recent years, the Tso Kar Lake has receded, leading to the dwindling of bird populations and the loss of grazing land. The vast, dry patches of land can be seen around the lake, where deep waters once stood. Accordingly, the lieutenant governor directed the Public Health Engineering Department to conduct a detailed survey of the area. Following 15 days of intensive groundwork and survey, the department submitted its report to the lieutenant governor on August 30, suggesting construction of an 11 km RCC channel. However, considering the ecological concerns, Saxena suggested avoiding construction of any new RCC water channel in the area and bringing water to the first depression only through a simple earthen channel, the spokesperson said. Keeping in view the winter season ahead, when the water freezes, the work began on a war footing from September 2 to bring water from Rupsho Kharnak stream to the first large pond. The revival of Tso Kar is expected to benefit local communities, the official said, adding that most villagers near the lake are Pashmina goat herders, and with the lake shrinking, the grazing grounds for the Pashmina goats have also vanished. This has forced Pashmina herders to shift 50 to 75 kms away from their homes in search of grazing lands. The revival of the lake will create grasslands, livelihood opportunities for locals and bring even herders back to their homes, the spokesperson said. He informed that the Tso Kar, one of the most iconic glacial lakes in Ladakh, originally spread over nearly 11,000 acres, has now reduced to just 3200 acres. Consequently, the lake, once a thriving habitat of migratory birds and the famed Black-Necked Crane, is also rapidly vanishing, with only a small number of birds arriving at the site now. By fully utilising the available water, the lake is expected to be restored to its original glory within a year, the spokesperson said. He mentioned that the plan utilises three natural depressions along the stream's downward flow from the glacier towards the lake. Glacial runoff from the Rupsho Kharnak stream is being channelised into the first depression, spread over 270 acres, before being transferred to the second depression of 24 acres and subsequently to the third, spread over 10 acres. In each of the three depressions, a check dam with three RCC pipes will be constructed at the outlet to augment the water level and to control the flow downstream. Finally, the water from the third depression will be regulated to flow directly into the Tso Kar Lake, located just 400 metres from the third depression. The water will be diverted utilising gravity flow through simple, low-cost earthworks, without constructing any concrete channels, the official said. Starting September 9, 20 cusecs of water from the Rupsho Kharnak glacier stream is being successfully diverted to the first depression, which has already started filling fast. The water is being channelised from the glacier through the earthen channel as well as a concrete canal lying defunct at the site since 1995, the spokesperson said. In four days, around 20 per cent of the area of the first depression has already filled, he said, adding that this cascading system would offer dual ecological benefits. Before the water reaches Tso Kar, the filling of the three natural depressions will create three entirely new, freshwater wetlands and transfer only pure water into the lake, as all sediments will be settled in three newly created water bodies. These newly created water bodies, measuring 270 acres, 24 acres and 10 acres respectively, will hold nearly 1230 million litres of water, the spokesperson said. He added that these new water bodies, visible from the adjoining Leh-Manali Highway, will effectively strengthen the region's ecological character while simultaneously recharging the main lake.

Minor Sisters Die After Snakebite in Rajouri

SRINAGAR: Two minor sisters died after being bitten by a snake at Manma Barmari village in the Kalakote subdivision of Rajouri district on Sunday, officials said. Quoting an official, the news agency KNO reported that the sisters were sleeping in a room along with other family members when a snake appeared on the bed and []

Do You Really Need a High-Protein Diet? Dietitian Tells Who Benefits and Who Doesn't

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What China's President Xi Jinping Prefers To Eat Is Surprisingly Simple

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No ban but avoid spilling of food to maintain sanctity of Khankahs: Darakhshan Andrabi

Srinagar, Sep 13: Asserting that her recent comments on distribution of food in the premises of Khankahs have been wrongly portrayed, Chairperson of J&K Waqf Board Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi has said that objective of her statement was to create awareness that traditional food such as Tehri be distributed in a more organised manner. People can bring Tehri to Khankahs as it is an integral part of our culture. My comment has been used out of context. All I wanted to say was that we have constructed Tehri sheds, where people should distribute it, said Andrabi. Speaking with Greater Kashmir, Darakhshan Andrabi said spilling food in the premises of Khankahs is an act of disrespect. She said food distribution at Khankahs in a haphazard way leads to littering of the premises of these holy places, which will not be tolerated, she further added. We have put a lot of effort in giving a facelift to these Khankahs. It becomes our duty to make people aware that they should not spread litter at these holy places, she added.

Zomato Introduces Cash On Delivery Charges, Adds Minimum Of Rs 5 To Customer Bills

The new charge, shown as a Pay on Delivery Fee in the order bill, applies when customers choose to pay for their food order in cash at delivery.

World Leaders at BRICS Recognise Obesity and Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) as Major Health Threats: Report

Global leaders gathered at BRICS 2026 have highlighted the rising threat of obesity and non-communicable diseases. Healthcare experts are not only praising this recognition, but also sharing their POVs to lessen the countrys obesity and NCD burden.

J&K Waqf Board plans complete ban on food distribution, bird feeding at Khanqahs

BRICS Summit: PM Modi warns against weaponisation of technology, critical minerals

Prime Minister flagged serious concerns over the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals, saying it could hinder shared progress and prosperity

An Iranian commercial ship is struck near Strait of Hormuz, 1 person killed, Iran's state media say

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations monitor separately reported a vessel was hit by a projectile while transiting the strait, with no details.

Contrasting claims raise questions over Sherbagh hospitals functioning

Period pain isn't always normal, your genes may raise endometriosis risk

Period pain is often dismissed as a normal part of menstruation, but severe or persistent pain could be a sign of endometriosis, a chronic condition that can affect fertility and significantly impact a woman's quality of life, according to doctors. Experts said growing evidence suggests that genetic and epigenetic factors may influence a woman's susceptibility to the condition, highlighting the need for greater awareness and earlier diagnosis. Symptoms of period pain are often dismissed as 'normal' because many of us lack awareness of a condition called endometriosis. It is a painful condition where tissue like the womb lining grows outside the uterus. It affects 1 in 10 women and girls, often causing severe period pain, pelvic pain, and infertility, said Dr Priti Arora Dhamija, senior consultant, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Fertility expert at Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research. In India, most women wait 7-10 years for a diagnosis because often doctors lack simpl

Over 8,000 runners take part as LG Saxena flags off Ladakh marathon

Srinagar, Sep 13: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena today flagged off the 42-km Full Marathon and 21-km Half Marathon at the 13th Ladakh Marathon in Leh, which saw the participation of more than 8,000 people. Flagged off the '42 km Full Marathon' and '21 km Half Marathon' at the 13th Ladakh Marathon in Leh today, the LG said. It is inspiring to see runners from across India and the world come together in Ladakh, embracing the spirit of endurance, determination and adventure, he added. Saxena said that the Ladakh Marathon has grown into a prestigious global sporting event and is showcasing its unique landscape, culture and warm hospitality to the world. The LG extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the participants, organisers, volunteers and support teams for making the event a success. I wish every runner the very best and hope they carry unforgettable memories of Ladakh with them, he said.

PM Modi, Putin, Alupo arrive at Bharat Mandapam on Day 2 of BRICS Summit

Saudi FM Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Delhi this morning to attend BRICS Summit

Manipal Hospitals scouts for acquisitions in Andhra, Keralam, Delhi-NCR; bets on AI-led healthcare

Manipal Health Enterprises plans significant expansion across several Indian states. The company is adopting a digital-physical healthcare model driven by Artificial Intelligence. Strategic acquisitions and a new greenfield project in Mumbai are underway. Investments focus on AI-enabled nursing and patient monitoring systems. The healthcare major aims to add over 2,400 beds by the year 2030.

CIK raids multiple locations in South Kashmir

Kulgam, Sept 13: The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) on Sunday conducted search raids at multiple locations across South Kashmir in connection with a terror-related case, officials said. An official said that searches were carried out at several locations in Shopian and Kulgam districts as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged subversive activities. He said the raids were conducted by CIK teams with the assistance of other security agencies. Further investigation is underway and cognizance has been taken up, he said.(KNO)

India needs to launch the space act it keeps scrubbing

Saudi Arabia has few options as it faces mounting threats from Iran, allies

Dubai, Sep 13: A lightning advance by Houthi rebels threatens a crucial Red Sea shipping route. Drone attacks blamed on Iraqi militias have forced the closure of a major pipeline, and Iran is still disrupting the Strait of Hormuz. It is a nightmare scenario for Saudi Arabia, and it has sent jitters through global markets. The Saudis' most essential ally, the United States, has been unpredictable and sometimes unreliable. US President Donald Trump seems reluctant to widen an already unpopular and stalemated Mideast war ahead of congressional elections. For Iran, the rebels' advance and closure of the pipeline ramp up global economic pressure as its grip over the Strait of Hormuz has been loosened. Michael Ratney, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said the latest developments are incredibly frustrating for the kingdom. Despite their antipathy for the Iranians, this is a war they never asked for, they had great trepidation about. And once it started, all of their worst-case scenarios started coming true. The Saudi government did not respond to a request for comment. But a Saudi official, who was not authorised to brief media and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the kingdom would defend itself and work with partners, including the United States, to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Saudi hopes for a new Mideast have gone up in smoke Saudi Arabia's crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, has spent years trying to build a very different Middle East, with wide-ranging social and economic changes aimed at transforming the ultra-conservative kingdom into a global business hub in a more prosperous and integrated region. Those efforts suffered major setbacks after Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which triggered one war after another. When the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, it responded with missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, and effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, bottling up their oil and gas exports and jolting the world economy. Saudi Arabia escaped some of the worst effects by piping its oil across the Arabian Peninsula to the Red Sea, where it could be exported to Europe via Egypt's SUMED pipeline and the Suez Canal, or to Asia via a route running through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and toward the Indian Ocean. But tensions reignited with the Houthis in July, leading the rebels to declare a blockade of Saudi shipping and resume large-scale attacks for the first time in four years. Over the last two days, the Houthis have seized the port city of Mokha and a Red Sea island from Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, enhancing the rebels' ability to block Saudi shipments through the Bab el-Mandeb. On Friday, Saudi Arabia said it shut down the pipeline leading from major oil fields in the east to the Red Sea in the west because of drone attacks originating in Iraq, where Iran supports powerful militias. Regional officials recently told The Associated Press that the Houthis have helped the Iraqi militias carry out attacks. Houthi attacks have already caused a plunge in Saudi oil exports to Asia, from around 3.4 million barrels a day in June to 1,28,000 in August, though they have recovered somewhat this month to 7,00,000, according to figures compiled by Kpler, a global trade monitor. Saudis have few options Saudi Arabia fought against the Houthis for years beginning in 2015, but its allies made little progress on the ground. The conflict killed an estimated 1,50,000 people and at times pushed Yemen to the brink of famine before a 2022 ceasefire. Saudi Arabia has spent several years trying to move beyond the Yemen conflict and focus on economic transformation and regional stability, said Neil Quilliam, a Middle East expert at Chatham House. Recent Houthi gains increase pressure on Riyadh to respond, but every available option carries significant costs and uncertain outcomes. The Saudis could step up their military response and try to dislodge the Houthis, but that would prolong the conflict and lead to even heavier Houthi attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure, said Sherwan Hindreen Ali, Middle East research manager at ACLED, a conflict monitoring group. The kingdom already faced this in the past, but Houthi weaponry is more sophisticated now than it was back then, and the Saudis likely have less interceptor missiles available as a result of the US-Iran conflict, he said. The Saudis could also seek a diplomatic solution with either the Houthis or their patrons in Tehran. But the Houthis have demanded the lifting of a Saudi-led blockade, which would allow them to grow much stronger over the long term, and Iran has little interest in stabilising the region without securing major US concessions. US help may not be forthcoming For decades, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have relied on US security guarantees. Those have eroded under Trump, who did not respond during his first term when a 2019 attack claimed by the Houthis temporarily knocked out half of Saudi Arabia's oil supply. In February, the US joined Israel in attacking Iran without consulting its Gulf allies, and since then it has struggled to defend them from Iranian attacks. The US started airstrikes against the Houthis in January 2024 under the Biden administration, and the attacks continued until January 2025. Trump launched an air campaign against the rebels in March last year in response to earlier attacks on Red Sea shipping linked to the war in Gaza. But this time, US forces are heavily deployed around the Strait of Hormuz, where they are blockading Iran and trying to prevent attacks on shipping there. The fighting has visibly strained the US military and drawn down supplies of sophisticated interceptors. The war is also deeply unpopular and has eroded Trump's support after he had promised to keep the US out of Mideast wars. Launching another military campaign in Yemen could compound the struggles of fellow Republicans in tight House and Senate races. Trump on Saturday said that Iran was probably behind the Saudi pipeline attack. Asked about a recent call with Saudi Arabia's crown prince, he said: He's a good friend of mine, and I can just say everything's going to work out fine and dandy. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on whether it plans to intervene in Yemen. Speaking about the war with Iran on Thursday, Trump dismissed the idea of increasing military pressure, as some US hawks have suggested. Maybe I don't do that because of the election, he told the Fox News show The Ingraham Angle. Ratney, the former US ambassador, said it would be difficult for the Saudis to achieve their objectives without consistent US support, which they had at previous times while fighting the Houthis. My understanding at this point is the White House is not enthusiastic about getting involved, he said.

Loneliness among elderly emerging as silent epidemic taking toll on health: Doctors

Loneliness among the elderly is emerging as a serious but often overlooked concern, doctors have warned. Older adults can feel isolated even while living with their families, and prolonged social disconnection can take a toll on both their mental and physical health, they say. According to Dr Harjit Singh Bhatti, a senior consultant of geriatric medicine at Sitaram Bhartia Hospital, loneliness is not simply about living alone but an emotional state in which a person feels disconnected, neglected or deprived of meaningful relationships. An elderly person can live with their family and still feel lonely, while someone living alone may remain socially active and well connected. Loneliness, therefore, cannot be assessed simply by looking at whether a person lives alone or with others, said Dr Bhatti. Changing family structures, urbanisation, migration of younger people for education and employment and the growing prevalence of nuclear families have further complicated the problem, he said. Older adults who have lost a spouse, live alone, have disabilities or suffer from chronic illnesses can be particularly vulnerable, while retirement and children moving to other cities or countries may further reduce social interaction, Dr Bhatti said. Dr Avinash Chakrawarty, Professor of Geriatric Medicine at National Centre for Ageing (NCA), Delhi AIIMS, said loneliness should be viewed as a health issue rather than a consequence of ageing. Social connection is an important component of healthy ageing, and when it erodes, it can affect sleep, appetite, physical activity, mood and even treatment adherence in an elderly person, he said. Many seniors gradually withdraw from social activities because of mobility problems, hearing difficulties or a feeling that they are no longer needed, Dr Chakrawarty said. This can create a cycle in which isolation leads to poorer mental and physical health, which in turn makes the person less willing or able to engage with others. Families need to recognise subtle changes such as loss of interest in routine activities, reduced communication or spending most of the day alone. Regular conversations, shared meals, outings and involving seniors in family decisions can help restore a sense of belonging and purpose, Dr Chakrawarty said. Dr Anup Singh, Founder Head of the Department of Geriatric Medicine, IMS-BHU, and nodal officer/Chief of the upcoming National Centre of Ageing at BHU, said prolonged loneliness has been linked with several physical and cognitive health concerns. Persistent stress associated with loneliness may contribute to sleep disturbances, high blood pressure and cardiovascular risk, while reduced physical and social activity can worsen existing chronic conditions, he said. There is also growing evidence linking social isolation and loneliness with depression, anxiety and cognitive decline. In older adults, therefore, assessing social connectedness should be part of a broader health evaluation, he added. Doctors must ask about who the patient interacts with, how often they participate in activities and whether they feel supported, rather than limiting consultations to medicines and laboratory reports, Dr Singh said. The problem is not restricted to cities, doctors insist. While busy urban lifestyles and limited neighbourhood interaction can leave seniors isolated, migration of younger generations for employment can similarly leave older adults in rural areas without regular companionship, Dr Singh said. Technology can help bridge geographical distances through phone calls, video calls and social media, though, he stated. Dr Bhatti said tackling loneliness does not necessarily require major interventions. Regular conversations, sharing meals, involving older family members in everyday activities and genuinely listening to them can go a long way. They need to feel that they continue to be an important part of the family, he said. Senior citizen clubs, community centres, volunteering opportunities, cultural programmes and intergenerational activities can also help older adults remain socially engaged. As Indias elderly population continues to grow, doctors said addressing loneliness will become increasingly important to ensure that longer life also translates into healthier and more fulfilling ageing.

PM Modi wishes Israeli PM Netanyahu on Jewish new year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday greeted their Israeli counterparts and the Jewish community on their new year. Modi conveyed his wishes to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a post on X. Shana Tova! Wishing a very happy Rosh Hashanah to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the people of Israel and Jewish communities across the globe. May the new year be filled with peace, hope, good health and continued progress for all, he said. Murmu extended her greetings to Israeli President Isaac Herzog. May the new year usher in peace, prosperity, good health and renewed hope for all, she said in a post on X. Excellency @Isaac_Herzog, On behalf of the people of India, I convey heartfelt #RoshHashanah greetings to you and the Jewish community across Israel and the world, Murmu said in the post, tagging the Israeli president.

Sports store inaugurated in Srinagar

The Cricket Hub by Wasi, a premier new sports store and hub, was inaugurated with a grand opening led by former J&K Ranji team captain cricketer Samiullah Beigh and celebrated international footballer Ishfaq Ahmad, bringing together some of the most prominent names in the valleys sporting fraternity. The star-studded inauguration ceremony, as per a statement, also witnessed the presence of renowned first-class cricketers, including Adil Reshi and others. Their attendance underscored the united support of the local sports community for this new venture, which aims to elevate the standard of sports equipment and facilities available to athletes in the region. The Cricket Hub by Wasi is designed to be a comprehensive one-stop destination for cricket enthusiasts, professionals, and aspiring athletes. The store will provide access to top-tier, professional-grade sporting goods, apparel, and expert advice, bridging a crucial gap for the valley's burgeoning talent. Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, cricketer Samiullah Beigh highlighted the importance of the new establishment. Having a dedicated, high-quality sports hub with original players edition equipment is crucial for nurturing the immense athletic talent we have in the valley, he said. Initiatives like The Cricket Hub by Wasi will go a long way in providing our youth with the right resources and gear to excel on the field. Veteran footballer Ishfaq Ahmad echoed these sentiments, praising the initiative. Sports have the power to unite us, and seeing the sporting fraternity come together to support this launch is truly inspiring. Providing our youth with access to quality equipment is the first step toward building future champions. The event concluded with the dignitaries touring the new store, exploring the equipment on display, and interacting with young sports enthusiasts and fans who had gathered to celebrate the opening.

Aqua Kashmir Avengers, Athwas Hyundai XI play out goalless draw in KSL 2

Aqua Kashmir Avengers FC and Athwas Hyundai XI FC played out a goalless draw in the Kashmir Super League (KSL) Season 2 on Saturday, with neither side able to find the back of the net despite a competitive encounter. Both teams, as per a statement, created opportunities during the match but failed to convert them into goals. The defensive units of both sides remained firm throughout, ensuring that the scoreline stayed 0-0 at the final whistle. The KSL action will continue on Sunday, with United Elegant FC taking on New JK United FC in the next fixture.

Sakeena Itoo lays foundation stone for Rs 1 Cr volleyball academy in Kulgam

Minister for Social Welfare, Education, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Saturday, visited Nehama and laid the foundation stone for a volleyball academy being established at an estimated cost of Rs 1.00 crore. The proposed Volleyball Academy is aimed at strengthening the sports infrastructure in the area and providing local youth with modern and better facilities to hone their sporting skills. The initiative is expected to encourage greater participation of young people in sports and promote a healthy and active lifestyle. During her visit, the Minister, as per an official statement, interacted with the local residents and listened to their grievances, developmental concerns and demands. People from Nehama and adjoining villages projected various issues related to development and sought timely intervention for their resolution. Sakeena Itoo assured the people that their genuine concerns would be examined and taken up with the concerned departments for appropriate action. Emphasising the need for quality and timely execution of developmental works, the Minister directed the engineering and concerned departments to maintain strict focus on the quality of works and ensure their completion within the stipulated timelines. Sakeena Itoo stressed that every rupee allocated by the government for public welfare is valuable and must be utilized judiciously, transparently and effectively. The Minister also called upon the Youth Services and Sports Department to ensure proper upkeep and systematic development of all playgrounds and sports facilities in the district. She emphasized the need for adequate fencing and other essential infrastructure so that playgrounds remain functional, safe and accessible to young people. Sakeena Itoo underscored the importance of providing youth with adequate opportunities and facilities to participate in sports. She stated that investment in sports infrastructure contributes not only to sporting excellence but also to the overall physical and social development of the younger generation. On the occasion, the Minister also distributed appointment orders among newly selected Anganwadi Workers, appreciating role of frontline staff in strengthening the community-based services and women and child welfare initiatives.

ATMs to issue RuPay cards, UPI QR codes for merchants

ATMs could soon evolve beyond cash withdrawals and deposits, with new technology unveiled at the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026 enabling instant issuance of personalised RuPay cards and UPI QR codes for merchants. Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Sanjay Lohiya, launched the innovations at GFF 2026 in the presence of UIDAI CEO Saurabh Vijay. The open-source Android-based ATM solution will allow customers to receive personalised RuPay debit, credit and NCMC cards directly from machines through a self-service process. Merchants will also be able to generate UPI QR codes instantly to accept digital payments. The machines are designed to offer additional banking services, including cheque deposits, account opening and loan applications. The team demonstrated the technology at the GFF venue. The initiative aims to transform ATMs into intelligent banking access points, reducing dependence on branches and courier-based card delivery. Banks are also exploring their deployment as Digital Banking Units in semi-urban and rural areas, as well as at airports, transit hubs, educational campuses and corporate parks. Nine banks, including SBI, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, PNB and Airtel Payments Bank, are currently engaging with NPCI and ATM manufacturers to assess the solution.

New Pulsar 150 launched in Srinagar with major upgrades

The all-new Pulsar 150 was formally launched at Paris Bajaj in Srinagar at a special event attended by Kamran, ASM, Bajaj Auto, marking its entry into the Jammu and Kashmir market. The updated motorcycle comes with several mechanical and technological upgrades, including a new chassis, monoshock rear suspension and an updated 150cc engine. The engine develops 14 PS at 8,500 rpm and 14.1 Nm of peak torque, with revised transmission calibration aimed at improving the riding experience. The new Pulsar 150 also introduces three riding modesRain, Road and Sportbringing features previously associated with higher segments to the 150cc motorcycle category. Higher-spec variants come equipped with an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) and a 5-inch TFT display with Google Maps integration. The Single Disc variant gets a colour LCD instrument console. With prices starting at Rs 1.15 lakh (ex-showroom), the new Pulsar 150 retains the models familiar styling while receiving upgrades in performance, technology and riding dynamics. The launch event was organised with the support of Paris Automobiles Managing Director Hashim and General Manager Syed Mushtaq.

Starting small, growing strong: Abida builds livelihood through poultry

At a time when traditional household practices are gradually disappearing amid changing lifestyles, Abida Hameed of Shirpora in Pattan has revived an age-old Kashmiri practice and turned it into a source of livelihood. What began with just a few desi hens, primarily to ensure a supply of traditional eggs for her children, has now grown into a small poultry enterprise with more than 250 birds. Abida started the unit on her own, without any initial assistance, and gradually expanded it as demand for desi eggs and traditional poultry grew. For her, the venture was not initially about starting a business. It was born out of the difficulty of finding genuine desi eggs in the market. I started this mainly because I wanted to feed my children desi eggs. Keeping desi hens at home was once common, but that tradition is slowly disappearing. I found it increasingly difficult to get desi eggs, so I decided to keep hens myself, Abida said. She later approached the Animal Husbandry Department seeking assistance but encountered difficulties in setting up the infrastructure required for the poultry unit. I found it difficult to construct a concrete shed in the beginning. Instead of waiting, I decided to start on my own and built a wooden shed for the hens, she said. That modest beginning has since developed into a growing enterprise. Abida now keeps more than 250 hens and says she is receiving a good response from the local market, with demand for both desi eggs and traditional hens remaining strong. Today, I have more than 250 hens. There is good demand for desi eggs and hens, and I am satisfied with the response I am getting from this business, she said. Her journey also reflects a broader economic tradition in Kashmir, where poultry and small-scale household farming once formed an important part of rural livelihoods. Keeping desi hens at home was common, and eggs and poultry were often sold by families to meet everyday household expenses and purchase essential items. With changing lifestyles, however, such traditional practices have gradually declined. At the same time, demand for desi poultry has given the practice a renewed commercial value. Desi eggs are currently fetching around Rs 25 to Rs 30 a piece in the local market, while there is also steady demand for desi hens among consumers who prefer traditional poultry over commercially raised broilers. For women like Abida, the revival of such traditional livelihoods offers more than an additional source of income. It provides an avenue for economic independence while reconnecting rural households with practices that were once an integral part of Kashmirs economy. Her experience also demonstrates how a small household activity can gradually develop into an income-generating enterprise when linked with market demand. At a time when government employment opportunities remain limited, Abidas journey from keeping a few hens for her children to maintaining a flock of more than 250 birds shows how traditional skills and local resources can be turned into sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Dettol launches school hygiene education programme in Ladakh

Reckitt, under its flagship Dettol Banega Swasth India (BSI) campaign, launched the Dettol School Hygiene Education Programme in Ladakh on Saturday in collaboration with the Directorate of School Education, Ladakh. The programme was formally launched at Council Model School, Ayu Saboo, Leh, in the presence of Bhanu Prabha (IAS), Administrative Secretary, School Education Department, UT Ladakh. The initiative aims to provide structured hygiene education to schoolchildren across the Union Territory, focusing on strengthening hygiene awareness in remote and high-altitude communities. According to Reckitt, the programme will use age-appropriate and interactive learning modules covering five key hygiene themes: personal hygiene, hygiene at school, hygiene at home, hygiene during illness, and hygiene in neighbourhoods. The initiative seeks to promote healthy practices among children and encourage behaviour change within families and communities. Speaking at the launch, Bhanu Prabha said schools play an important role in shaping lifelong habits and children can help spread hygiene practices within their homes and communities. She said the programme combines classroom learning with practical demonstrations and interactive tools to encourage the adoption of healthy hygiene practices. Prof Ravi Bhatnagar, Director of Corporate Communications and Corporate Affairs, South Asia, MENARP and Africa at Reckitt, said the expansion of the Dettol Banega Swasth India programme to Ladakh reflects the company's effort to extend hygiene education to underserved and geographically remote regions. Jagran Pehel will implement the programme on the ground. It will provide students and teachers with hygiene education workbooks, teacher training manuals and curriculum-based classroom activities. The programme will also include animated educational content, child-friendly videos developed with Sesame Workshop, digital hygiene games, an interactive hygiene chatbot, hygiene-themed comic books, awareness posters and 3D do-it-yourself hygiene and sanitation kits. Schools participating in the programme will conduct live handwashing demonstrations to teach the correct handwashing technique and promote hand hygiene as a measure to prevent the spread of infections. Reckitt said the Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign has reached more than 30 million children through over 900,000 schools across India over the past decade and has enabled more than 43 billion handwashing occasions through its hygiene education initiatives.

Slow mobile internet irks Kupwaras Mawer residents

Residents of several villages in the Mawer area of Handwara sub-district expressed resentment over poor mobile internet speeds provided by private telecom operators Jio and Airtel, saying the inadequate connectivity has caused hardships in their daily lives. Residents said that while much of Kashmir has access to 5G services, people in Mawer continue to struggle with slow internet speeds. Villages including Umer Abad, Lam, Audoora, Warpora, Checki Audoora and Drugnsoo are among the worst affected, they said. The poor connectivity has affected online education, remote work, access to information and other digital services, residents said. Students in the area are suffering because of the low internet speed. Several job aspirants, including those preparing for civil services examinations, have repeatedly raised the issue but nothing has been done. Many have now shifted to relatives homes to continue their preparations, a local resident told Greater Kashmir . Residents said reliable high-speed internet has become essential for education, employment, communication and access to government and other online services. They alleged that despite repeatedly bringing the issue to the notice of the concerned telecom operators, their complaints had not been addressed. The residents sought the intervention of Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Shrikant Balasaheb, urging him to take up the matter with the telecom operators and ensure reliable mobile internet connectivity in the affected areas.

DGP Anand Jain concludes 2-day Kargil visit, reviews security and policing

Director General of Police (DGP), UT Ladakh, Anand Jain concluded his two-day visit to Kargil on Saturday after reviewing the security situation and overall policing in the district. During the visit, the DGP held meetings with police officers and security agencies and stressed the need for close coordination among security forces and heightened alertness to ensure the safety and security of the people. A crime review meeting was held at the District Police Office, Kargil, and attended by supervisory officers, Station House Officers (SHOs) and Investigating Officers (IOs) from police stations in Kargil, Wakha, Panikhar and Drass. Jain reviewed the district's crime situation and directed officers to expedite long-pending investigations in Kargil and Drass. He asked police to give priority to investigations related to heroin trafficking under the NDPS Act, theft, POCSO cases and cybercrime, while also strengthening community policing initiatives. During the tour, the DGP inaugurated three newly constructed residential quarters for gazetted officers at Baroo and a new mess-cum-kitchen building at Sankoo. He also inaugurated a 72-foot-high National Flag at the District Police Lines, Kargil, in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Kargil Rakesh Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police Kargil Nitin Yadav and Major General (Retd) Asim Kohli of the Flag Foundation of India. The flag project was executed jointly by the civil administration, district police and the Flag Foundation of India. Jain also attended public meetings in Kargil, Sankoo and Rangdum, where delegations from different sections of society raised issues including drug abuse, cybercrime awareness and other local concerns. The DGP assured the delegations that their genuine concerns would be examined through appropriate mechanisms. He appealed to people to share information related to drug trafficking with the police and encouraged youth to apply for constable recruitment and join the police force.

Ladakh Police gets 4 new tech-driven initiatives

Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday inaugurated four new initiatives aimed at modernising policing, strengthening tourist safety and improving emergency response across the Union Territory. The initiatives include Jullay 2.0, the Ladakh Police Tourist Assistance App; 20 e-Challan devices for the Traffic Wing; five new Rescue Beats under the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 112; and Tourist Facilitation Centres-cum-Check Posts at North Pulu in Nubra and Serchu in Changthang. Jullay 2.0 brings tourist assistance, safety services, weather information and other essential facilities onto a single digital platform. Its live notification system will provide tourists with real-time alerts, advisories and updates, particularly important in Ladakh where weather and road conditions can change rapidly. The app also allows tourists and local residents to lodge complaints and report incidents directly to the Police, including through anonymous reporting. The app has been rolled out for Android devices on the Play Store, while its availability on the App Store is expected shortly. The introduction of 20 e-Challan devices will digitise traffic enforcement. The system is integrated with VAHAN, Sarathi and e-Challan, creating a digital trail from identification of a violation and verification of vehicle and licence details to challan generation and receipt. Centralised digital records will help monitor violations, identify repeat offenders and traffic-violation hotspots and support evidence-based traffic management. The larger objective is to improve road safety and protect human life. The ERSS 112 network has been expanded with five new Rescue Beats at Nimoo, Nyoma, Sankoo, Panamik and Tangtse, taking the total number of Rescue Points from 11 to 16. The network is supported by 16 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) of Ladakh Police, along with four additional ERVs of the Fire Department and UTDRF. The vehicles are equipped with GPS and Mobile Data Terminals. During July 2026, ERSS Ladakh received 3,375 calls and registered 117 events, with an average response time of around 20 minutes. The Tourist Facilitation Centre-cum-Check Post at North Pulu in Nubra has been established to strengthen police presence and tourist services in the remote area. The facility at Serchu in Changthang has been completed under the SDP through CPWD. Saxena commended the Ladakh Police for introducing measures tailored to the Union Territorys geography, climate, connectivity challenges, high-altitude terrain and growing tourist footfall. These initiatives demonstrate that Ladakh Police is not merely adopting technology for modernisation, but is using it to meet the specific needs of our people and visitors, the LG said. He said combining technology with infrastructure and trained manpower would make policing more responsive, transparent and accessible, particularly in remote and strategically important areas. The Lieutenant Governor called for continued modernisation and regular evaluation of such measures based on practical experience and public feedback. He said every technological intervention should ultimately translate into quicker response, greater transparency and better public service.

One-Time Exemption: Teachers urge Govt to extend cut-off date from March 2024 to September 2026

The teachers have urged the government to extend the eligibility cut-off date for acquiring higher qualifications under the One-Time Exemption provision from March 15, 2024, to September 30, 2026. The teachers appealed to the Minister for Education, Sakina Itoo saying their demand was not merely for extending the deadline for submission of documents, but for extending the eligibility cut-off date for acquiring higher qualifications. They said scores of teachers pursued and completed higher degrees through distance and online modes during their service, making considerable personal and financial efforts to upgrade their academic and professional qualifications. Such employees deserve an opportunity to have their qualifications considered under the One-Time Exemption mechanism, subject to verification and fulfilment of the prescribed conditions, the teachers said. Notably, J&K School Education Department (SED) earlier issued Government Order No. 188-JK(Edu) of 2024, dated March 15, 2024, providing a one-time exemption mechanism for eligible teaching and other staff who had acquired higher qualifications during service without obtaining prior permission. The teachers said the benefit of the mechanism should be made more inclusive and aligned with the contemporary educational policy framework, particularly the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which places significant emphasis on continuous professional development, lifelong learning and upgradation of teachers knowledge and competencies. The teachers who voluntarily pursued higher education through recognised distance or online programmes should not be placed at a disadvantage merely because their qualifications were acquired after the existing cut-off date, the teachers said. The teachers said extending the cut-off date would enable the department to examine such cases on their individual merits without compromising the prescribed rules and verification requirements. The teachers urged the Minister for Education to extend the cut-off date for acquiring higher qualifications from March 15, 2024, to September 30, 2026, so that teachers who completed their degrees during this period could be brought within the ambit of consideration. The teachers said such an extension would be a progressive, equitable and teacher-friendly measure consistent with the spirit of NEP 2020 and the broader objective of strengthening the professional capacity of the teaching workforce. Our demand is for a comprehensive extension of the eligibility cut-off date, and not an extension of the document-submission deadline, so that teachers who have invested in higher education and professional development are given a fair opportunity for consideration, the teachers said.

Budgam launches project to screen 1.67 lakh Govt School children

The Budgam district administration launched the Nayonika Child Vision initiative to ensure primary eye screening of around 1.67 lakh children across the district, with the project aiming to make Budgam the first district in India to undertake comprehensive eye screening of all government schoolchildren. As per a statement, Nayonika Child Vision an initiative of the Budgam District Administration and Nayonika Eye Care Charitable Trust with ReRoot Foundation aims to enrich Government school children and will benefit 1.67 lakh children from 917 Government schools. The project has been successfully implemented in the states of Karnataka and Pondicherry by Nayonika Eye Care Charitable Trust. The project will create mass eye health awareness with Vision Walls, support of good quality spectacles, and Alcon lenses for surgeries, if needed. Goal is to ensure each and every child is screened for eye problems( primary eye screening ) and September 11-2026 training for teachers launched by DC Athar Amir khan IAS. Next Phase followed by support of Free Spectacles for all Children. Project to be in perpetual mode so that services to needy is never stopped.

Remembering Dr Aziz Hajini: A legacy of language, literature, learning

The 5th death anniversary of the towering literary icon, former secretary of the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) & eminent critic, writer and language activist Dr Aziz Hajini was observed on Saturday with profound reverence and enthusiasm. The commemorative event, as per a statement, was organised by the Wahab Cultural Society, (WCS) Hajin, in collaboration with the Department of School Education Bandipora. The solemn yet inspiring occasion brought together hundreds of school children, teachers, educationists & prominent members of civil society to pay glowing tributes to a visionary leader who dedicated his entire life to the preservation and promotion of the Kashmiri language and cultural heritage. Dr Hajinis legacy spans monumental contributions across diverse premier institutions, including his leadership as former president of Adbi Markaz Kamraz (Kashmirs largest literary amalgam), alongside his impactful associations with the J&K Board of School Education, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir, the University of Kashmir, and the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, among several other Union Territory and national-level organisations. The programme commenced with a warm and inspiring welcome address presented by Nazir Javed, Patron of the Wahab Cultural Society, Hajin. This was followed by a detailed and insightful keynote address by well-known writer and poet Shahbaz Haqbari, who eloquently highlighted Dr Hajini's exceptional contributions to education, literature and various other spheres of public life. The presidential chair was graced by Shakit Shafi, President of Halqa-e-Adab Sonawari Arshid Ahmad Lone, Senior JKAS Officer & Chief Accounts Officer of the Kashmir Power Development Corporation, honoured the event as the Chief Guest. The presidium also included the Chief Education Officer Bandipora and the Zonal Education Officer Hajin. Engineer Farhan Manzoor Shah, Provincial Secretary of JKEEGA & Additional Secretary NIT Alumni Association and Azhar Hajini son of the late literary icon, noted broadcaster, television presenter, and Media Secretary of Halqa-e-Adab Sonawari added special grace to the gathering by their distinguished presence.

Sadhotra hits back at Karra over Vande Mataram row

National Conference Additional General Secretary and Former Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra on Saturday lashed out at Pradesh Congress Committee President Tariq Hamid Karra for indulging in cheap politics over the issue of Vande Mataram, saying that abiding by the Constitution is an obligatory and sacred duty of every citizen. Sadhotra, as per a statement, was addressing a Women Wing meeting organised byAyesha Gupta Incharge of Women Wing of Jammu North Assembly Constituency, Babli Ji, Neelam Ji and Kanta Ji at Pakhian Mishriwala in Jammu North Assembly Constituency. Reacting to the statements made by the Congress President, NC leader made it clear that upholding constitutional values should not be confused with extending political support to any particular government or political dispensation. He said the Constitution belongs to every Indian citizen and cannot be selectively invoked for political convenience. Commitment of the India Block is to the Constitution, the people and the democratic values enshrined therein. It does not mean endorsing the policies or politics of the BJP led Central Government, he said. Sadhotra said the National Conference has its own distinct political identity, rooted in the aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir and its historic commitment to secularism, democracy and equitable development. We will continue to oppose policies that undermine the interests of Jammu and Kashmir and question the failures of those in power at the Centre, Sadhotra added. Sadhotra endorsed the views expressed by Jenab Omar Abdullah on the subject, saying that the Chief Minister had rightly emphasised the importance of constitutional values. He said that the Constitution guarantees both rights and duties to citizens, and its spirit demands mutual accommodation rather than political opportunism. The Constitution is supreme, and every citizen is bound to uphold its dignity and principles. Attempts to turn sensitive issues into political weapons serve no purpose other than creating confusion and division, he said.

PIB Srinagar organises media tour to Chennai for 13-member journalist delegation

The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Srinagar Region, is organising a media tour for journalists from Srinagar to Chennai from September 13 to 19, 2026 as part of its ongoing media outreach initiatives. A 13 member delegation, as per a PIB statement, comprising journalists from Srinagar and PIB officials will participate in the tour. Prior to the departure, Director, PIB Srinagar, Qazi Salman, briefed the delegation on the objectives of the visit and urged the participants to make meaningful use of the interactions during the tour. The delegation is being led by Shahid Lone, Field Publicity Officer, CBC Anantnag, serving as the Conducting Officer, with Ifham Ul Islam, Information Assistant, PIB Srinagar, accompanying the delegation. The tour is aimed at providing journalists with firsthand exposure to key Central Government institutions, projects and initiatives in Chennai and enhancing their understanding of national level policies and their implementation on the ground. During the visit, the delegation will visit various Central Government establishments and projects in Chennai and interact with senior officials to gain an understanding of their functioning and operations. Addressing the delegation, Qazi Salman congratulated the participants and expressed confidence that the visit would provide an opportunity for professional engagement and a better understanding of the functioning of Central Government institutions.