Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Defending champions J&K opt to bowl against Madhya Pradesh in Ranji opener
Srinagar, Oct 11: Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir began their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 campaign against Madhya Pradesh in Srinagar at SK Stadium on Sunday, with skipper Paras Dogra winning the toss and opting to field first. J&K will look to begin their title defence on a positive note, with the return of pace spearhead Auqib Nabi boosting the team's bowling attack. Captain Paras Dogra said the pacer's presence has lifted the team's morale ahead of the season opener. Squads J & K - Playing XI - (Abdul Samad, Auqib Nabi, Kanhaiya Wadhawan (Wk), Lone Nasir Muzaffar, P K Dogra (C), Qamran Iqbal, Rohit Sharma, Shubham Khajuria, Shubham Singh Pundir, Sunil Kumar, Vanshaj Sharma) Madhya Pradesh - Playing XI - (Akshay Sharma, Aryan Pandey, Atharva Mahajan, Avesh Khan, Chanchal Rathore, Harsh Gawali, Himanshu Mantri (Wk), M RAVI KIRAN, Saransh Jain, Shubham Sharma (C), Yash Dubey)
Press bodies condemn detention of journalists covering Delhi protests; demand apology, inquiry
New Delhi, Oct 11: Four journalists' organisations, including the Press Club of India (PCI) and the Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC), condemned the detention and harassment of several journalists covering protests in the national capital demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the organisations highlighted that police detained several journalists despite their displaying press identity cards, and seized the phones and equipment of some reporters. The statement was issued by the PCI, IWPC, Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) and the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (Delhi unit). The organisations said Delhi Police detained hundreds of protesters demanding Kumar's resignation on Saturday. Journalists covering the police action were also bundled into buses and taken to detention centres, including the Chhatrasal Stadium and the Chanakyapuri police station. Reporters from The Quint, The Wire, Scroll, Reporter TV, Navbharat Times, Newslaundry, and senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta were among those detained. The reporters said they were detained while filming detentions, despite prominently displaying their press cards, the statement said. It pointed out that police dismissed the journalists' claims of being members of the press, with some officers reportedly saying, Everybody claims to be a journalist these days. The organisations also said they received complaints that official reporting phones belonging to the detained journalists were snatched and seized. Describing the detentions as a blatant attack on the freedom of press, the organisations questioned Delhi Police's earlier position that only journalists accredited by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) would be allowed to cover the protests. Press freedom in India cannot be conditional on PIB accreditation. A large section of digital and independent media does not have PIB cards, yet they are recognised press under the law, the statement said. The organisations said they had raised these concerns in a joint memorandum submitted to the Delhi Police commissioner earlier this week but alleged that the police disregarded their suggestions. They demanded immediate and unconditional release of all the detained journalists, return of the seized phones and equipment, and a public apology from Delhi Police. The organisations also sought an inquiry into the conduct of senior police officers who allegedly ordered the detention of journalists despite being shown press identity cards. They also demanded a clear assurance that journalists wont be prevented from covering protests. The statement also criticised the extensive security arrangements in the capital, alleging that 22,000 police and paramilitary personnel had been deployed, metro stations closed and internet services shut down to prevent protests. Preventing journalists from doing their job, detaining them without reason, and creating a fortress-like situation in the capital with 22,000 police and paramilitary, closed metro stations and unprecedented internet shutdowns, to stop peaceful questioning of institutions is reminiscent of a fascist state, the organisations said. Expressing solidarity with the detained journalists, the four bodies asserted that reporters must be allowed to discharge their professional duties without intimidation or interference.
Saudi authorities say attack on Riyadh airport killed 12 people and wounded over 300
Cairo, Oct 11: Saudi authorities say an attack on Riyadh airport killed 12 people and wounded over 300 more. According to a statement by Saudi authorities, the dead included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, and one each from Palestine, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan. It said some of those injured were in critical condition. The international airport in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, was attacked again Saturday as the kingdom faces an extraordinary series of assaults in the new front in the Iran war. President Donald Trump said he was evaluating whether the US should join Saudi strikes against the Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen. The Houthis claimed attacks earlier in the week on King Khalid International Airport that killed three Saudis, including a pilot. On Saturday, a missile struck a complex housing terminals 3 and 4 for domestic flights and many people were wounded, a regional official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the media. We may. We're going to look at it, Trump said of intervening. We just found out about the recent attack. So we'll make a decision. We move very quickly. The surge in attacks, including against other Saudi airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure, has come in the week since a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive against the Houthis. There was no immediate statement from the rebels, who earlier Saturday accused Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa International Airport in the Houthi-held Yemeni capital. Riyadh airport operations have been suspended Saudi civil aviation authorities said airport operations were suspended and the extent of injuries and damage was being assessed. An official notice to aviators said the suspension was through midnight. The airport had a heavy police presence, with all entrances blocked, and lights around the complex were dimmed. Flights diverted elsewhere, the Flightradar24 tracker said. Countries including the United States, Britain, Germany, Australia and Canada warned citizens to avoid the airport. The attacks on Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, have rattled markets and the region. And yet the Saudi energy ministry hours after the latest one was still promoting a major international energy conference set to begin in Riyadh on Sunday. Fighting in Yemen between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces has escalated, with the Saudi-led coalition providing air support for government forces attempting to reverse recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea. Those gains gave the rebels better surveillance of shipping on a corridor that is a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been attacking ships. Though the Houthis have told the AP and others they are only targeting Saudi shipping as part of a blockade in retaliation for one imposed on them, concerns about wider attacks persist. The Houthis previously attacked other ships after the war in Gaza began, calling it solidarity with Palestinians. A U.S. bombing campaign sharply limited that. Saudi Arabia has run low on interceptors, officials say Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air defense support to the region, regional officials told the AP last month, with one noting that the US has seen its own stock dwindle during the war with Iran. Officials have said US assistance has included intelligence sharing, target identification and planning for the latest offensive against the Houthis. On Saturday, Saudi Arabia said its foreign minister and Omani counterpart spoke by phone about the importance of supporting diplomatic solutions to de-escalate tensions in the region. Oman, which lies across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, has played a mediator role at times in the region. Meanwhile, Saudi authorities warned the public this week that filming, publishing or sharing information related to countering missiles and drones and their impact sites exposes you to legal liability. Flight disruptions are growing The Houthis this week warned global airlines for the last time about the potential consequences of operating in Saudi airspace, which they described as a theater for their military operations. At least 291 flights at the Riyadh airport had been canceled over the past 24 hours, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. Before the latest attack, Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines were among airlines suspending flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports for varying periods. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency had expanded its guidance on Saudi airspace, noting the Houthis' ability to strike targets deeper inside the kingdom, including Riyadh, and a greater focus on aviation infrastructure. The missile and drone attacks and interception efforts create an increased risk of misidentification of civil aircraft, it said.
Waseem Qadri assumes charge as SSP Security Kashmir
Srinagar, Oct 10:Senior JKPS officer Waseem Qadri today assumed charge as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Security Kashmir, taking over from Sajad Khaliq Bhat. The posting was ordered by the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department as part of a major reshuffle of 100 IPS and JKPS officers vide Government Order No. 499-Home of 2026, dated October 9, with immediate effect. A 2001-batch JKPS officer, Qadri brings extensive experience across district policing, intelligence, railways and armed police formations. He was previously serving as SSP Railways Kashmir, a post he took over in November 2024. MohdYousuf has now been posted as SSP Railways Kashmir in his place. Prior to his railways assignment, Qadri served as SSP Ganderbal. He assumed charge there on August 18, 2024, succeeding IPS officer Sandeep Gupta. During his tenure in Ganderbal, he held introductory meetings with officers, emphasised teamwork and public accessibility, inspected District Police Lines, interacted with personnel on welfare and operational issues, and participated in civic action programmes, including flagging off students for Bharat Darshan tours. Earlier in his career, Qadri served as SP CID (CI) Kashmir before being posted as Commandant of the JKAP 11th Battalion around mid-2020. He has also held the charge of Additional SP Bandipora in earlier postings. On assuming the new role, SSP Qadri is expected to oversee security arrangements in the Kashmir Valley, including the protection of vital installations, VIP security and coordination with other security agencies. The outgoing SSP, Sajad Khaliq Bhat, has been transferred and posted as SSP Handwara.
AIHCEF felicitates new Chief Justice
Srinagar, Oct 10:A delegation of the All India High Court Employees Federation (AIHCEF), led by its Secretary General, Asif Iqbal Mahajan, on Friday felicitated Dr Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati on assuming office as Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The delegation, which included Deputy Registrar Shah Ji Bhat and Assistant Registrars Altaf Hussain Khan and Bashir Ahmad Beigh, extended a warm welcome to the Chief Justice and conveyed its best wishes for his tenure. The Federation expressed confidence that under Justice Bhatis leadership, the High Court would continue to uphold the principles of justice, integrity and institutional excellence. It also emphasised the important role played by High Court employees in the effective functioning of the institution and expressed hope that their dedication and contributions would continue to receive due recognition. The Federation wished the Chief Justice a successful tenure, expressing hope that his leadership would further strengthen the institutions traditions and foster an atmosphere of dignity, mutual respect and collective commitment.
Degrees alone not enough, skill-based education key: Sakina Itoo
Srinagar, Oct 10: Minister for Education Sakina Itoo on Saturday stressed the need to shift the focus of higher education from degree-oriented learning to skill development, saying academic qualifications alone would not help young people secure livelihoods unless they were equipped with practical skills. Talking to reporters in south Kashmir on the sidelines of the re-inauguration of a project, Sakina Itoo said thousands of educated youth were struggling to find opportunities after completing their degrees. She said some educated youth were suffering from depression, while the government was working to introduce skill-based courses to help them become self-reliant. It is not just about getting degrees. We have lakhs of young people who get degrees and then sit at home and suffer from depression, she said, adding that the government was trying to help such youth acquire skills and stand on their own feet. The minister said the higher education sector had witnessed mushrooming growth of degree colleges in the past, and many institutions lacked adequate faculty, infrastructure and subjects aligned with students interests and emerging demands. But over the past two years, the government worked hard to address these shortcomings by providing faculty members and introducing subjects according to demand, she told reporters. She, however, acknowledged that some gaps were yet to be plugged in the higher education sector. Itoo said the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was also working to strengthen college infrastructure by providing buildings, desks, laptops, internet connectivity and smart classrooms. With regard to the newly established colleges, we faced land disputes and other local issues which continued to affect a few colleges, but efforts are being made to improve facilities in these colleges across Jammu and Kashmir, she added. She said there had been an improvement in student enrolment, with admissions in colleges increasing by 17 per cent this year. She attributed the increase in admissions to the collective efforts of the department and its officers since the formation of the National Conference government. The minister said the Higher Education Department (HED) had started the process of reviewing the availability of academic streams in colleges. We will focus on introducing subjects that students really want to pursue instead of continuing courses with little or no enrolment, she said. We are introducing subjects such as horticulture, agriculture, tourism and music, she added. She said there was a need to align higher education with local economic opportunities and students talents. Itoo said horticulture, which forms a key part of Kashmirs economy, could provide significant livelihood opportunities for educated youth, while music and other specialised subjects could help students develop their abilities and build careers. Itoo also underlined the importance of sports alongside academics, saying students needed opportunities to remain physically and mentally fit. She said the government had inaugurated sports facilities, including a hall in the Tangmarg-Gulmarg constituency, to enable students to participate in sporting activities, particularly during winter, when snowfall often restricts outdoor movement among youth. The department will continue to introduce changes aimed at making higher education more relevant to students needs. The support and participation of young people is important for the success of these initiatives, she added.
11 of 14 development projects worth Rs 24.62 Cr unfinished in Baramulla
Baramulla, Oct 10:Eleven of the 14 development projects taken up in Baramulla town under the Capex Budget remain incomplete, with land-transfer issues, local opposition, security constraints, and a court-related dispute delaying key infrastructure work, the Jammu and Kashmir government has informed the Legislative Assembly. In a written reply to a starred question raised by MLA Javid Hassan Baig during the recently concluded Assembly session, the Housing and Urban Development Department said the 14 projects, with a combined estimated cost of Rs 24.62 crore, were at different stages of implementation. Only three projects have been completed so far. The department reported cumulative expenditure of Rs 4.45 crore on the projects up to March 2026. During the current financial year, the department spent Rs 25 lakh of the Rs 1.30 crore released for the works. Among the key projects facing delays is the proposed multi-level car parking facility near the Roads and Buildings (R&B) office. Although the project received administrative approval on October 10, 2025, work has not started because the land owned by the Public Works Department (PWD) is yet to be transferred to the Municipal Council Baramulla. The site also requires the valuation and removal of poplar trees and the disposal of an existing old building before construction can begin. The three proposed gateway structures have also encountered implementation hurdles since receiving approval in September 2025. Work at Janbazpora and Khowjabagh was held up following objections from local residents, while the proposed gateway at Khanpora faced opposition from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The government said alternative sites were being identified for the affected locations, while work at Khowjabagh was progressing at a new site. Meanwhile, construction of the Municipal Council Baramullas double-storey office building, approved in December 2021, was halted until March 2026 due to a court-related land dispute and security restrictions. Work resumed after the council submitted an affidavit undertaking compliance with military security conditions, the government said. The structural framework of the building was completed in November 2024. Truss work has since been completed, while brickwork has reached around 80 per cent, according to the department. The government attributed the delays to site-specific, statutory, judicial, security-related and inter-departmental issues, stating that these were largely beyond the immediate control of the executing agencies.
Sarhad to establish school in Kashmir to honour Nana Patekar
Srinagar, Oct 10: Sarhad, a Pune-based organisation working in Kashmir for more than four decades, has announced plans to establish a school in the Valley in memory of late actor Nana Patekar, in recognition of his affection for Kashmir and his vision of contributing to the education of children in the region. According to a press release issued by Sarhad, Patekar had envisioned working for schoolchildren in Kashmir and had taken initial steps towards realising the initiative. We, Mayur Masurkar, Zahid Bhat, Salim Raina and Raju Farande, had personally met and discussed this initiative with Nana Patekar and Malhar Patekar. We are confident that Malhar Patekar and his associates will make every effort to fulfil Nanas dream following his untimely demise. As a tribute to the legendary actor and his deep affection for Kashmir, Sarhad has also resolved to establish a school in his name, Zahid Bhat said. As part of the initiative, Zahid Bhat and Salim Raina, coordinators of Sarhad in Kashmir, have expressed their willingness to offer their own land for establishing the proposed school. The organisation has been working in Kashmir for over four decades and currently runs two schools in the regionone in Dardpora village of Kupwara district and the other in Aragam village of Bandipora district. The proposed school is intended to honour Patekars association with Kashmir while carrying forward his vision of contributing to the education and future of children in the region. The announcement was made by Zahid Bhat and Salim Raina on behalf of Sarhad through a press release issued on Saturday.
ICMR plans twin breast cancer projects in J&K
Srinagar, Oct 10:The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will launch two breast cancer projects in Jammu and Kashmir next month, allocating Rs 8 crore to four Government Medical Colleges (GMCs), with each college receiving Rs 2 crore for both projects combined. The allocation for each project has not been specified separately. The first project will focus on screening and diagnosis, while the second will assess whether standardised treatment, coordinated care and timely follow-up can improve patient survival. According to estimates from ICMRs National Cancer Registry Programme, Jammu and Kashmir was projected to record 938 new breast cancer cases and 403 deaths from the disease in 2025. Under the treatment projects hub-and-spoke model, GMCs Anantnag and Baramulla will link with the Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, while GMCs Jammu and Kathua will work with AIIMS Jammu. An ICMR official said institutions across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh would participate in the initiatives. The two high-powered projects of ICMR will be launched by November. All J&K and Ladakh institutes will participate. The heads of ICMR and AIIMS will be here, the official said. The projects were discussed at the October 7-8 workshop held at GMC Jammu. Attendees included Principal and Dean Dr Ashutosh Gupta, ICMR scientists Dr Nisha Jose and Dr Pramit Ghosh, and ICMR headquarters official Dr Pulkit Verma. Other participants included cancer specialists Dr Supriya Malik of the National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar; Dr Bhawana Sirohi of BALCO Medical Centre, Raipur; and Dr Bisavjit Dubashi of JIPMER, Puducherry. Dr Gupta said early detection and timely intervention were vital to improving breast cancer survival. Late diagnosis remains a major concern in Kashmir. A review of clinical studies from the region found that more than 70 percent of breast cancer patients presented at advanced stages. ICMR has cited five-year survival rates of 66 to 70 percent for Stage II breast cancer in India, compared with 90 to 99 percent in developed countries. GMC Anantnag began oncology services in 2019 and became fully operational in 2022. According to institutional figures, it registered more than 3,500 cancer patients and recorded 730 new cases in 2025. GMC Baramulla also made its oncology services functional around the same time. Principal GMC Anantnag Dr Junaid Salam Wani described the initiative as a historic milestone and said the college was committed to developing a dedicated Radiation Oncology Block and a regional cancer centre. We had sent the proposal in June this year. Survival rates for breast cancer vary across different parts of the world. We will assess whether there is an improvement in survival, and if the results are encouraging, we will scale up the project, Dr Shahid Bashir Wani, head of oncology at GMC Anantnag, told Greater Kashmir . GMC Baramulla Principal Dr Majid Jahangir said the project would strengthen diagnosis, treatment and follow-up through closer coordination with SKIMS Soura.
The legacy of a studio that captured a century in image
I recall feeling a profound sense of anticipation when I captured the quintessential aerial shot at a Reliance refinery nearly a decade ago. In my quest for the perfect photograph, I climbed a water tank, captured the image and felt a deep sense of satisfaction. I was unaware that the endeavour would turn me into a target for a swarm of bees. As I turned to climb down the tank, a swarmor, more precisely, a stormof bees enveloped me. I tried to flee, but all I received in return were more stings. As Mr. Pavan Mehta showcases his remarkable collection of 900 camerasranging from a Yashica from the 1960s to a Rolleiflex dating back to 1905he recounts the above incident as one of the defining moments of his photographic journey. He follows it with another story, equally compelling but deeply personal that traces the history of his family's enduring relationship with photography. Mehtas at the Maharajas Service Amarnath Mehta, a young man from Gurdaspur, travelled to Dalhousie, where a member of the military introduced him to the intricate craft of photography. In 1915, he began documenting Srinagar, establishing his studio on a houseboat on the Jhelum. As the studio expanded, it went on to preserve countless moments from Gulmarg and Pahalgam in Kashmir, extending its reach to Rawalpindi and Murree, now in Pakistan. Before Partition, the Mehtas held the prestigious position of official photographers to Maharaja Hari Singh, the last reigning Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. In the early 1940s, amid the upheaval of the Second World War, authorities in Srinagar restricted the sale of photographic film to one roll per person to curb hoarding and the black market that often accompanies scarcity. A historical photograph of Europeans queuing for film remains preserved in the studio's collection. Following India's independence, Amarnath established a studio in Connaught Place in 1948, while the studio in Pakistan was eventually closed. Mr. Mehta recalls an era when family photography was a ritual woven into the fabric of everyday lifefrom celebrations to moments of grief. Around Diwali, families would gather to have their photographs taken and framed. Newly married couples would arrive in their finest attire, with women dressed in traditional ensembles and men in formal suits. Those who believed they had little time left would often choose to have their portraits taken, while relatives sometimes hurried to capture the final moments of a loved one's life in the hope of preserving the memory forever. With the arrival of smartphones, however, such practices have largely faded into the past. The Challenges of Smartphones and AI Although digital photography has made image-making more accessible than ever, it has also created a new challenge: preservation. While photographic negatives can survive for centuries under the right conditions, the long-term storage and organisation of millions of digital images present a different set of problems. Mr. Mehta emphasises the need for systematic cataloguing to ensure that these visual records are not lost in the digital age. For him, adapting to technological change is essential to survival. The studio has responded by publishing books and expanding into corporate, wedding, fashion and event photography, as well as food photographyareas that have helped make the business both commercially viable and sustainable. The studio's official Instagram account also carries short explainer reels featuring Mr. Arjun Mahatta, Pavan Mehta's son, who introduces viewers to a selection of vintage cameras. The initiative seeks to keep alive the enduring legacy of film photography at a time when digital technology dominates image-making. Photography as a profession, Mr. Mehta observes, is intensely competitive. Simply holding a camera, he argues, does not make one a photographer. A fundamental understanding of photography, acquired through study and practice, is essential to mastering the craft. Equally challenging is the task of developing a distinct photographic identity, particularly in an era increasingly shaped by AI-generated imagery. For aspiring photographers, Mr. Mehta offers a simple principle: Before you shoot, see. Prior to engaging the shutter, it is essential to meticulously contemplate your composition. You observe, you anticipate, and you click. In his view, patience, composition and an element of chance must come together to produce a photograph that approaches perfection. Asked to define photography in a single term, Mr. Pavan Mehta describes it as art cultivated by curiosity and a discipline in itself. It is, quite literally, the act of creating imagery through the manipulation of light, he says. To achieve this, it is essential to comprehend the nature of light itself. Drawing on Walter Benjamin's influential essay Little History of Photography, one can view photographs as visual records of existencefragments of time preserved for future generations. It is precisely this quality that makes photographs valuable tools for remembering and interpreting history. Picturing a Century Pavan Mehta's book, Picturing a Century (19152015), offers a compelling illustration of this idea. The book chronicles a century of the Mahatta family's photographic journey alongside the social and political transformations of the country. Mr. Mehta points out that the family did not operate as an extension of any political party, yet its cameras documented pivotal moments in India's history, including the Kargil War and the funeral procession of Jawaharlal Nehru. Through their lenses, the photographers became observersand chroniclersof events as they unfolded. The story of Mahatta began with formal studio portraits captured on fragile glass-plate negatives and has since travelled through successive technological revolutionsfrom hand-painted photographs and film to digital imaging, selfies and, eventually, artificial intelligence. The studio has continually adapted to technological change. In 1954, it began hand-painting black-and-white photographs, carefully adding colour and detail by hand. It later became India's first authorised distributor of Kodak products. When photography moved from analogue to digital, Mahatta once again adapted, embracing India's first digital imaging system. Today, Mahatta & Co. operates from M-Block in Connaught Place, in a building leased from the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). The family has operated its studio from the premises for generations. LIC, however, maintains that the studio is an unauthorised occupant. The Mahatta family disputes the claim, pointing to its longstanding presence in the building. Pavan Mahatta says the family occupied the premises even before LIC came into existence. He fears that forcing the studio to leave would mean Delhi losing an important part of its photographic heritage. The irony is difficult to miss. In the 1980s, Mahatta & Co. photographed the construction of the LIC building, designed by renowned Indian architect Charles Correa. Decades later, the studio finds itself on the other side of a dispute concerning the very premises from which it documented the city's transformation. The premises represent far more than a commercial establishment. They embody generations of the Mahatta family's photographic history in Delhi. For a studio that has spent more than a century documenting the lives, celebrations, tragedies and transformations of others, the present moment offers an unexpected turn: Mahatta & Co. has itself become part of the story it has spent generations recording. Syeda Shua Zaidi and Sadiya Tahseen are pursuing master in Convergent Journalism from AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
PDP: The cry baby of Kashmir Politics
The Peoples Democratic Party entered the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir with the promise of providing an alternative political narrative. It projected itself as a party capable of challenging the traditional dominance of the National Conference and claimed to represent a softer, more responsive and people-oriented politics. Over the years, however, the PDP has increasingly transformed itself from a party seeking to shape political events into one perpetually complaining about them. Its political vocabulary today appears dominated by grievance, victimhood and accusations against almost every other political force. In that sense, the PDP increasingly resembles the cry baby of Kashmir politicsa party that finds reasons to complain about developments but struggles to offer a convincing political roadmap of its own. The PDP was created in 1999 under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and quickly occupied an important space in Kashmir politics. It challenged the National Conference at a time when the latter had long dominated the Valley's electoral landscape. Its promise of a healing touch appealed to sections of society looking for an alternative. After the 2002 Assembly elections, the PDP became part of the coalition government with Congress, and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed became Chief Minister under a rotational arrangement. The party had arrived as a serious political force. The difficulty for the PDP has been reconciling its rhetoric with its record in government. While in opposition, it frequently adopted an aggressive posture against those exercising power. Once in government, however, it was itself required to function within the same constitutional and administrative system it had criticised. This contradiction became particularly visible after the 2014 Assembly elections. The PDP had fought the 2014 election largely by presenting itself as a political barrier against the BJP's expansion into Jammu and Kashmir. Yet, after the election produced a fractured mandate, the PDP entered into an alliance with the BJP and formed the government. The alliance may have been justified at the time as an attempt to reconcile the electoral mandates of Jammu and Kashmir, but politically it exposed the enormous distance between the PDP's electoral rhetoric and its willingness to exercise power with the very party it had opposed. The BJP's ideological position was hardly a secret. Its views on Article 370, nationalism and the constitutional integration of Jammu and Kashmir had been publicly articulated for decades. The PDP nevertheless chose to share governmental responsibility with it. That historical fact makes some of the PDP's later political rhetoric difficult to separate from its own record. The death of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in January 2016 was a turning point. Mehbooba Mufti eventually became Chief Minister and inherited not only the government but also the contradictions of the coalition. The unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July 2016 created one of the most difficult periods of her tenure. As Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti had responsibility for maintaining law and order and defending governmental action. Her language as head of government was naturally very different from the language the PDP would subsequently employ from opposition. That contrast illustrates the central problem confronting the party. When exercising power, it has defended the compulsions of governance; when out of power, it frequently portrays similar governmental compulsions as evidence of injustice. A political party is entitled to change its position when circumstances change, but repeated shifts inevitably invite questions about consistency. The collapse of the PDP-BJP coalition in 2018 pushed the PDP into a political crisis from which it has struggled to recover fully. The constitutional changes of August 5, 2019 fundamentally altered Jammu and Kashmir's political environment. Article 370 was rendered inoperative in its earlier form, Article 35A ceased to operate, and the former State was reorganised into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The PDP responded by placing these developments at the centre of its political narrative. Opposition to the August 2019 changes is a legitimate political position within democratic discourse, and the party is entitled to advocate its constitutional viewpoint. But a political organisation ultimately has to tell people not merely what it opposes but what it proposes to accomplish under existing circumstances. This is where the PDP's present difficulty becomes visible. Its politics increasingly appears centred around a catalogue of grievancesArticle 370, detention of political leaders and other persons, relations with the Centre, security measures, administrative decisions, the functioning of the elected government and the political positions of rival parties. On almost every major issue, the PDP presents itself as the aggrieved party. When the Centre acts, PDP complains. When the National Conference acts, PDP complains. When political space shifts towards another party, PDP complains. When its leaders leave, the party portrays itself as the victim of circumstances. When other parties appropriate issues once identified with PDP, it again complains of political betrayal or inconsistency. Politics, however, cannot permanently operate on grievance. A political party has to create hope, provide solutions and persuade people that it possesses a credible programme for the future. The younger generation of Kashmir is increasingly concerned about employment, education, entrepreneurship, tourism, technology, infrastructure and opportunities in the wider Indian and global economy. Constitutional and political questions remain important, but they cannot be the sole content of politics indefinitely. The PDP also faces a fundamental contradiction in its relationship with the National Conference. For years, it sought to distinguish itself from the NC. The PDP offered self-rule; the NC traditionally advocated autonomy. The PDP claimed to represent a different political approach and repeatedly attacked the Abdullah-led party for its historical record. Yet today the political space separating the two parties has narrowed considerably on several major issues. Both criticise the constitutional changes of August 2019. Both speak about restoration of constitutional protections, though their formulations and political strategies differ. Both compete for substantially overlapping segments of the electorate in Kashmir. The result is an identity problem for the PDP. If it takes positions similar to the National Conference, voters may ask why they need the PDP when the NC possesses a larger organisation and a longer political history. If it moves further towards sharper rhetoric merely to distinguish itself, it risks restricting its ability to expand beyond a particular political constituency. This dilemma has contributed to the politics of constant complaint. Instead of defining an entirely new political agenda, PDP frequently reacts to what the NC, BJP or Central Government is doing. Reactive politics may keep a party visible in newspapers and television debates, but visibility is not the same thing as political revival. The 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election demonstrated the scale of the challenge. The National Conference emerged as the dominant force in the Valley, while the PDP's representation was sharply reduced compared with the position it once occupied. That electoral result cannot simply be explained away by circumstances. It represented a message from voters that the PDP needed serious political introspection. The party has nevertheless shown that it retains pockets of political relevance. Its later success in the Budgam Assembly by-election demonstrated that political space in Kashmir remains fluid and that no party can permanently take voters for granted. But an isolated electoral revival cannot substitute for rebuilding a broad political organisation and developing a coherent long-term programme. The PDP must also confront the consequences of its own political history. It cannot erase the years during which it exercised power. It cannot speak as though every controversial decision in Jammu and Kashmir was taken by somebody else. Governments headed by the PDP faced protests, security challenges, administrative controversies and difficult political decisions. Political accountability does not disappear merely because a party moves from treasury benches to opposition benches. That is precisely why perpetual victimhood becomes politically unconvincing. A mature political party accepts responsibility for its own record while criticising its opponents. It explains what it did right, acknowledges what went wrong and tells voters what it would do differently in the future. Constantly locating responsibility elsewhere may provide immediate political convenience, but it does not necessarily rebuild credibility. Kashmir itself is changing. A new generation has emerged that did not experience many of the political events which shaped the leadership of older parties in the same way. Its aspirations are increasingly connected with education, economic mobility, technology, entrepreneurship, employment and access to opportunities beyond Jammu and Kashmir. Any party seeking a durable future must speak to these aspirations. The PDP therefore faces a choice. It can continue to define itself principally through grievancesagainst New Delhi, against BJP, against NC, against administrative decisions and against changing political circumstancesor it can rediscover the reformist political energy with which it originally entered Kashmir politics. A party that once challenged the established political order cannot indefinitely survive by complaining that the political order has changed against it. The description of PDP as the cry baby of Kashmir politics is therefore not merely a rhetorical expression. It reflects a deeper political criticism: the transition of a once agenda-setting party into an increasingly reactive political organisation. Kashmir does not need political parties competing over who can articulate the greatest grievance. It needs political organisations capable of offering competing visions of development, governance, employment, peace and democratic participation. The PDP has every democratic right to oppose policies with which it disagrees. It has every right to campaign for its constitutional positions and criticise both the Government of India and the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. But opposition acquires credibility when it is accompanied by an alternative. The real challenge before PDP is therefore not to prove that it has reasons to complain. Every opposition party can find reasons to complain. Its challenge is to prove that it still has something new to offer. Until it succeeds in doing so, the image of the PDP as the cry baby of Kashmir politics will remain a political criticism that the party will find increasingly difficult to answer. Advocate Sunil Sethi, Chief Spokesperson BJP J&K
Artificial Intelligence & evolving Data Centres
The emergence of Artificial Intelligence and its widespread usage has created a major demand for faster processing and computing capabilities. As a consequence, we see specialised Data Centres coming up across the globe, especially employing GPUs (Graphical Processing Units). Such Data centres house thousands of GPUs working synchronously to address the computational workload of enormous complexity and volumes, spanning across diverse domains like Healthcare, Finance and Analytics. GPU data Centres have been in the limelight by virtue of their significant contribution to Artificial Intelligence. In fact the strong correlation makes GPU Data Centres and Artificial Intelligence go hand in hand, to the extent that their survival is inter-dependent on each other. A Graphical Processing Unit or GPU was initially created for developing high resolution graphics and video games, but now it has moved far beyond gaming, due to its enhanced processing capabilities, and has become an essential participant in AI adoption. Architecturally, a GPU is comprised of multiple cores or processors and distributes tasks across these cores, allowing these to be computed concurrently. This multi-processing capability gives GPUs a significant advantage over traditional CPUs, especially in areas with high computation load like image recognition, natural language processing, predictive analytics etc. AI needs to analyse massive amounts of data and perform billions of calculations with large datasets and complex algorithms. The need is addressed by GPUs which can perform thousands of calculations at the same time, making AI models train much faster than using CPUs. The ability to process vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently makes it an ideal hardware component for heavy workloads in the data center. Besides faster data processing, they also augment innovation in deep tech areas. Massive expansion of data centres has led to an exponential growth in the requirement of GPU chips and storage units. Adoption of Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Models and autonomous systems has changed the basic blueprint of Data Centres. GPUs have become the foundation and an essential component of upcoming Data Centres, which form the backbone of AI Infrastructure. The functionality of data centres has moved from traditional general-purpose computing to high demand zero latency computing for training large language models, running real-time inferences and predictive analytics. While traditional Data Centres relied primarily on computing power, the current scenario requires parallel processing of thousands of chips with massive storage and high-speed network. However, these data centres face their own challenges due to high energy demand, heat generation and space. AI centric data centres have very high rack density (energy consumption per server rack) as compared to traditional models, implying higher power consumption and heat dissipation. This calls upon technology to optimise the infrastructure by yielding more computing power while managing adequate cooling to counter the massive amount of heat generated by GPUs and energy consumed to operate the same. Thus, Data Centre architecture is evolving to include massive compute power, ultra-fast low-latency networks, advanced cooling, large scale storage and resilient infrastructure. Today, the success of a data centre revolves around four key pillars of computing speed, cooling, power consumption and sustainability. Currently there are about 10000 data centre facilities worldwide. AI comprises about 15% of the total work load of these Global Data Centres, which is likely to go up to 40% in the next five years. As of now, major Cloud providers are investing heavily into AI centric Data Centres, as AI workloads are pushing data centre growth. The model has evolved into Compute-as-a-service, where organisations rent the computing power for their AI training and modeling. While conceiving an AI data centre one needs to consider computing capacity, storage, connectivity, Bandwidth, Space, Water, Electricity and space. Upcoming Data centres would need heavy investment in infrastructure, power, GPUs, Network and Cooling systems. The heavy resource demands are being addressed with innovative concepts like liquid cooling, renewable energy and a unified AI fabric combining compute, storage and network. Data Centres are playing a key role with the increase in volumes and complexity of datasets and evolution of Artificial Intelligence, becoming a backbone for such systems, thereby making AI ready Infrastructure a necessity. The sector is expanding rapidly, with an expected three-fold growth over next few years and will change the digital infrastructure landscape. Author is a technocrat with expertise in Data Analytics, Cyber Law and Digital Forensics. He is currently acting as consulting advisor/ mentor to several startups and an ardent supporter of causes pertaining to Environment and Sustainability.
28 Years in the Wilderness. What Next?
This October, a 57-year-old British adventurer stepped onto English soil after spending nearly 28 years walking around the world. Karl Bushby had travelled approximately 50,000 kilometres through 29 countries. He crossed jungles, deserts, frozen landscapes and political borders. To reach Britain, he even waded across the English Channel. Yet, it seems, as he approached the end of his extraordinary expedition, the most difficult part of his journey might not be behind him. It might be waiting at home. Bushby began his journey from Chile in 1998. A former British paratrooper, he had conceived the idea while serving in the army. He drew a line on a map, connecting South America to his home in Hull, England. What began as an ambitious adventure became a personal mission. Reportedly, he set himself two rules: he would not use transport to advance his journey, and he would not return home until he could complete it on foot. He expected to finish in about 12 years. It took almost three decades. However, intriguingly, there was another story unfolding behind the miles. When Bushby embarked on his journey, he left behind a family. His marriage had ended in 1995, three years before his expedition began. His son, Adam, was only eight when his father set out. Growing up with a father on the other side of the world was not easy. When Adam travelled to Alaska to meet him at 14, he recalled feeling awkward because he hardly knew his father. Today, their relationship remains important, but Bushby acknowledges that there is much to resolve. He also has a granddaughter whom he has never met. His mother, Angela, continued to wait for him. As per reports, she kept a Christmas present for him every year. The last time mother and son met was in 2015. Her concern was evident even as he prepared for his final, dangerous swim. In a letter to him, she wrote: You used to think you were useless. Well, you have proven youre not. Those words reveal something that kilometres and records cannot measure. Behind this adventure, was a son who had once struggled with self-confidence and a mother who never stopped believing in him. What kept him going? In a BBC interview, he offered a simple answer: Tenacity is emperor. He also reflected on what the journey had taught him about people. Despite the dangers he encountered, he said he had been received with open arms around the world. Yet he admitted that relationships had been harder than physical pain. Its the relationships, he said, describing the emotional cost of falling in love, losing those relationships and having to continue walking. His honesty makes his story more human. We often celebrate extraordinary achievements without asking what they demand of the people pursuing them. We admire those who refuse to give up. But persistence is not the only measure of a meaningful life. Sometimes, the courage to continue must be balanced with the wisdom to pause, reconsider and make room for others. Bushby has acknowledged that returning home will be difficult. After nearly three decades, he must confront a life without the expedition that gave his days direction. His son is an adult. His mother has grown older. His family has lived through years of experiences he could not share. He has conquered enormous distances, but rebuilding closeness will require a different kind of journey. Perhaps this is the real lesson of Karl Bushbys walk. There is nothing wrong with dreaming big, testing our limits or pursuing something that has never been done before. But a dream can be extraordinary and still carry a huge price. Success cannot be measured only by the distance travelled, the obstacles overcome or the records broken. It must also be measured by the relationships we lose in the process, and the moments we dont make time for. What if, in chasing the wilderness, we lose our way back to the life we left behind? And when we finally return, will the people, the moments and the home we once cherished still be there? For what is the point of conquering the extraordinary if, along the way, we lose the ordinary that mattered most? There is something poetic about a nomad returning home. But has home stood still while the nomad wandered or have time and life carried it somewhere he can no longer recognise? That is the real question.
JKPUF demands 8th Pay Commission benefits for all pensioners
Srinagar, Oct 10:The Jammu & Kashmir Pensioners United Front (JKPUF), headed by its Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani, Saturday organised a massive protest demonstration at Floriculture Park near Sher-e-Kashmir Park, Lal Chowk, Srinagar, where a large gathering of pensioners unanimously adopted a twelve-point resolution demanding immediate intervention by the Central and State Governments on issues concerning pensioners, senior citizens, employees and the working class. The gathering, as per a statement, conveyed a clear and unequivocal message to the governments that the patience of crores of pensioners and senior citizens must not be tested any further. The pensioners demanded that the government honour their contribution to the nation by ensuring dignity, social security and equitable treatment after retirement. The resolution called for immediate implementation of the 8th Central Pay Commission for pensioners, as has been done under previous Pay Commissions. It also demanded revocation of the present Terms of Reference and the Validation Act, 2025, which, according to the JKPUF, deny pensioners their rightful consideration under the new Pay Commission. Among the major demands endorsed by the gathering were: Implementation of the 8th CPC for all pensioners of the country. Stopping recovery of commuted pension after ten years, in accordance with judgments of the Honble Supreme Court and other courts. Enhancement of the medical allowance to Rs 3,000 per month for every pensioner and removal of disparity between Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Extension of the central Government Health Scheme to all pensioners, irrespective of their date of retirement, and withdrawal of the restriction applicable to those retiring after October 10, 2019. Enhancement of old-age and widow pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per month. Immediate withdrawal of the New Pension Scheme and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. Regularisation of eligible in-charge officers and other employees in the Education Department and other departments. Regularisation of daily wagers, casual labourers and other temporary employees and implementation of minimum wages for vulnerable categories including, Contingent paid workers of education deptt, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, cooks, SPOs, Aaya workers and other similarly placed employees.
Balancing Enterprise and Ecology
The debate surrounding the Jammu and Kashmir Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026, touches on a fundamental question: what kind of economic future are we building for our people? At its heart, the conversation is about striking a delicate, essential balance. Can we make it easier for a young graduate to launch a tech startup, a craftsperson to scale a family heritage, or a small business to expandwithout compromising neighborhood safety, degrading delicate ecosystems, or undermining the everyday quality of life? Jammu and Kashmir possesses extraordinary entrepreneurial talent, yet building sustainable industrial growth has historically been uphill. Decades of policy initiatives, infrastructure drives, and incentive packages have yielded mixed results. Geographical remoteness, infrastructural bottlenecks, administrative delays, policy shifts, and regional vulnerabilities have long discouraged outside investors and exhausted local entrepreneurs. Against this backdrop, the Ease of Doing Business Act is a timely and necessary legislative attempt to dismantle these persistent structural hurdles. However, its ultimate success will depend entirely on how fairly, transparently, and responsibly it is implemented. Economic vitality and public welfare need not pull in opposite directionsgood governance must advance both. Constructive Scrutiny Strengthens Public Trust The recent concerns voiced by the Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC), chaired by former IAS officer Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, deserve a serious, respectful hearing. Questions raised in the public interest by seasoned administrators and civil society leaders should never be brushed aside as mere opposition to progress. Constructive scrutiny exposes hidden vulnerabilities, refines legal safeguards, and ensures that sweeping economic reforms earn genuine public confidence. At the same time, this legislation must be viewed through a holistic lens. Jammu and Kashmir faces a pressing need for productive enterprise and sustainable job creation. For thousands of educated youths entering the workforce each year, self-employment and private enterprise represent the most viable pathways to dignity and financial independence. A credible policy framework must respond honestly and empathetically to both imperatives: protecting civic welfare and enabling enterprise. The Unspoken Reality of Micro-Entrepreneurs Government programs such as Mission YUVA, Startup J&K, Khadi and Village Industries (KVI), and the Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), along with expanding incubation centers across universities, are actively inspiring a new generation of founders. Yet, an uncomfortable truth remains: not every nascent venture canor shouldbe forced into a formal industrial estate. Micro and small enterprises typically begin on shoe-string budgets. In their fragile early stages, they simply cannot bear the heavy capital expenditure of acquiring commercial plots, constructing facilities, and paying high utility tariffs in distant industrial estates. Furthermore, government estates do not have the physical capacity to absorb every micro-venture spawned by state-wide employment drives. Where, then, should a young founder or a rural artisan start? This reality applies equally to rural enterprises that rely on local craft traditions, regional agricultural inputs, and neighborhood labor. Forcing these businesses to relocate away from their roots destroys their competitive advantage. Similarly, the rapid rise of digital, home-based, and service-oriented ventures requires legal recognition. These founders deserve a simple, proportionate regulatory framework that acknowledges them as legitimate contributors to the economy rather than non-compliant operators. Cutting Through Administrative Red Tape In my work as an industrial consultant, I have repeatedly observed that the single greatest hurdle for aspiring entrepreneurs is not a lack of vision or grit, but the exhausting ordeal of administrative bureaucracy. Young founders spend months moving from one department to another, chasing No-Objection Certificates (NOCs), clarifications, and approvals. Crucial energy that should be invested in refining products, acquiring customers, and building financial viability is instead drained by endless paperwork and uncertainty. I have watched promising business ideas get abandoned entirely because founders were overwhelmed by overlapping regulatory demands, vague scheme criteria, and inconsistent interpretations by officials. As delays mount, capital evaporates, momentum vanishes, and hope gives way to disillusionment. This is more than an administrative inconvenienceit wastes human potential, suppresses economic activity, and erodes public trust in governance institutions. The Act addresses this bottleneck directly by streamlining approvals and establishing clear operational frameworks. While legislation alone cannot replace administrative competence, this law provides a crucial opportunity to replace bureaucratic discretion and delay with clear timelines, digital transparency, and institutional accountability. Deregulation Must Never Mean the Absence of Safeguards Easing administrative processes must never become a blanket license for unsafe, polluting, or incompatible activities in residential neighborhoods. Fragile ecosystems, agricultural lands, water bodies, and quiet residential areas require uncompromising protection. However, the solution is neither to banish every small venture to an industrial park nor to allow unrestricted commercialization everywhere. The answer lies in intelligent classification and risk-proportionate regulation. GCCs concern that permitting White and Green-category activities in residential areas could disrupt local communities is understandable. However, a rigorous analysis of the Acts statutory schedules provides reassurance: Schedule II (Negative List): Strictly bars Orange and Red-category polluting industries, heavy machinery workshops, and freight depots from operating in residential zones. Schedule III (Permissible Micro-Ventures): Restricts allowed residential activities strictly to low-impact, non-polluting micro-enterprises, imposing clear conditions regarding fire safety, quiet operation, and parking. Furthermore, Jammu and Kashmirparticularly the Kashmir Valleyhas a centuries-old tradition of household-scale craft, handlooms, and cottage industries flourishing within residential areas. These micro-enterprises sustain family livelihoods and keep priceless cultural heritage alive. Smart regulation must accommodate genuinely low-impact work while acting firmly against excessive noise, waste dumping, structural safety violations, and traffic congestion. Rules should always be calibrated to the actual impact of an enterprise, rather than the size or influence of its promoter. Safeguarding Sensitive Eco-Zones and Cultural Heritage The natural ecology of Jammu and Kashmir is highly vulnerable. Once unplanned commercialization takes root, the ecological and aesthetic damage is irreversible. Accelerated approvals must never result in a concrete jungle that strains municipal infrastructure, disfigures scenic landscapes, or alienates local residents. Crucially, Sections 21 and 22 of the Act explicitly safeguard local Master Plans and preserve statutory protections for designated Tourism Development Authority zones, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg. Similarly, specific protections are preserved for notified saffron lands under the J&K Saffron Act, 2007. These statutory safeguards must remain sacrosanct, and planning authorities must enforce them firmly without granting unauthorized exemptions. Environmental Integrity and Third-Party Oversight Clean water, fresh air, dense forests, and fertile agricultural soil are essential to J&Ks public health and long-term prosperity. Section 30(4) of the Act strictly preserves all existing central and state environmental, forest, wildlife, and water protection laws. Furthermore, Section 30(5) mandates that mandatory Environmental Clearances must be secured before any physical construction begins, regardless of whether in-principle approval was granted. Regarding third-party certification for structural and fire safetya point of concern for civil societySection 23 mandates that certifying professionals must be formally empanelled, accredited, and audited by the Government. Section 14 backs this up with severe penalties for misrepresentation, unauthorized deviations, or safety oversights, including heavy fines and mandatory structure demolition. Monitored through strict high-level administrative oversight, third-party audits can accelerate compliance without diluting safety standards. A Practical Roadmap for Implementation To build widespread public consensus and ensure the Act fulfills its promise, implementation should follow seven core principles: 1. Risk-Based Regulation: Classify enterprises transparently based on their environmental, safety, noise, and traffic footprint. 2. Single-Window Digital Portal: Publish all requirements, timelines, fee structures, and application statuses on an accessible, real-time digital portal in plain language. 3. Enforceable Timelines: Enforce strict deemed-approval clauses so applications are never trapped in administrative limbo. 4. Community Safeguards: Establish localized, accessible grievance channels for residents to report genuine pollution, noise, or safety violations. 5. Consistent Enforcement: Apply regulatory standards uniformly to all businesses, without favoritism or selective interpretation. 6. Support for Small Founders: Provide clear guidance and grace periods for micro-enterprises to correct minor compliance gaps before imposing severe penalties. 7. Periodic Impact Audits: Conduct annual independent reviews to evaluate whether the law is successfully creating job opportunities without imposing unacceptable social or environmental costs. Renewing Hope for the Future Jammu and Kashmir can afford neither a rigid system that suffocates young enterprise nor an unregulated expansion that degrades public health, environmental beauty, and community character. Ease of doing business and ease of living are not opposing forcesthey are two sides of the same coin. Truly good policy must deliver both. The Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026, should be judged by its real-world outcomes: whether it empowers young people to turn ideas into sustainable livelihoods, enables micro and rural ventures to operate with dignity, eliminates arbitrary delays, protects citizens from harmful activities, and restores trust in public administration. That hope matters deeply. When educated young people repeatedly encounter closed doors, bureaucratic obstruction, and delay, economic frustration can turn into deeper social alienation. Creating transparent, credible pathways to productive work is therefore not merely an economic strategy, it is a vital investment in social stability, human dignity, and the long-term future of Jammu and Kashmir. Er. S. P. Qaisar, Industrial & Business Consultant, Jammu & Kashmir
Soaring prices crushing poor: Akhoon
Srinagar, Oct 10:Apni Party Vice President Haji Mohammad Syed Akhoon on Saturday expressed grave concern over the unabated rise in prices of essential commodities and the apparent lack of effective market regulation. He said that the burden of unchecked inflation continues to fall on poor and economically weaker sections of society.
MLA Shameema Firdous distributes financial assistance among fire-affected families
Srinagar, Oct 10:The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Women's Wing President and MLA Habba Kadal, Advocate Shameema Firdous Saturday distributed financial assistance among fire-affected families in Watalkadal, Safakadal, and Mallah Pora, Chinkral Mohalla, Habba Kadal. In Watalkadal, she provided financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each to 12 families whose residential houses were gutted in a fire incident last month. She also distributed a total of Rs 1.70 lakh among three fire-affected families in Mallah Pora, Chinkral Mohalla, Habba Kadal. The assistance was provided from her Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Interacting with the affected families on the occasion, Shameema Firdous, as per a party statement, said that the provision of financial assistance to fire victims had become easier following the formation of the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. She said, Under a decision taken by the Chief Minister, Members of the Legislative Assembly can now extend financial assistance to fire-affected families from their respective Constituency Development Funds, providing much-needed relief to people facing distress. She reiterated her commitment to addressing the concerns of the people in her constituency and extending assistance to those in need. She also assured the affected families that she would make every possible effort to bring their grievances to the attention of the concerned authorities and facilitate their rehabilitation and access to essential support.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq remembers father on 61st anniversary of his arrest
Srinagar, Oct 10:Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, in a post on X, remembered Shaheed-e-Millat Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq Sahib on the 61st anniversary of his arrest in 1965. Mirwaiz, in a statement issued, said that on the intervening night of October 9 and 10, 1965, a barely 20-year-old Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq was arrested from Mirwaiz Manzil and taken out of Kashmir to an unknown destination. His arrest triggered widespread protests and police firing resulting in killings and injuries, followed by 72 hours of continuous curfew. Dozens of Awami Action Committee leaders were also rounded up from across the Valley and arrested. He said that weeks of third-degree torture at the interrogation centre in Jammu and nearly three years of imprisonment without trial weakened the Shaheed leader physically, but could not break his resolve, which he exhibited throughout his life. Today, sixty-one years later, we remember Shaheed-e-Millat and honour his sacrifice, while also paying tribute to the thousands who suffered imprisonment in the past and to those who continue to endure the torments of incarceration, separated from their loved ones because of their political beliefs, Mirwaiz said.
Srinagar, Oct 10:The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah Saturday said good governance and effective administration require a strong, active and empowered opposition that can highlight public grievances and hold the government accountable. He said the role of the opposition in a democracy is not confined to criticism alone, but also includes representing public aspirations, reviewing government policies and safeguarding constitutional and democratic values. Dr Farooq Abdullah, as per a party statement, said that suppressing the voice of the opposition, refusing to tolerate dissent and denying people the right to raise their legitimate concerns undermines the very spirit of democracy and renders claims of good governance meaningless. He stressed that a strong democratic system rests on freedom of expression, respect for differing opinions, public participation and institutional accountability, adding that any departure from these fundamental principles is detrimental to democracy. He expressed concern over the alleged use of intimidation, pressure and excessive force to silence dissenting voices and create an atmosphere of fear. Dr Farooq Abdullah observed that the approach being adopted to suppress people's voices in the national capital today reminds one of the treatment that the people of Kashmir have faced over the years. He said that silencing public voices, restricting dissent and ignoring legitimate demands do not resolve problems but instead widen the gap between the people and those in power. The strength of democracy, he said, lies in ensuring that every citizen has the freedom to express their views and pursue their rights through peaceful and constitutional means. He said that the vote is a valuable trust placed by the people and the foundation of democracy. Ensuring transparency in the electoral process, restoring public confidence and safeguarding the credibility of democratic institutions are therefore essential. Dr Farooq Abdullah further reiterated that the National Conference would not compromise on the constitutional and democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the party would continue its efforts to secure the legitimate constitutional rights of the people, strengthen democratic institutions and achieve the restoration of statehood.
Mahindra Himalayan Motors launches Thar OG
Srinagar, Oct 10:Mahindra Himalayan Motors on Saturday launched the Mahindra Thar OG at its showroom on Tengpora Bypass, near New City Hospital, Srinagar, bringing the latest offering to SUV enthusiasts in Kashmir. The launch marks another addition to the dealerships portfolio as it seeks to strengthen its presence in the regions automotive market and expand customer access to Mahindra vehicles. The Mahindra Thar has established a strong identity among SUV enthusiasts, known for its distinctive styling, commanding road presence and off-road appeal. The introduction of the Thar OG is expected to attract customers looking for a vehicle that combines a rugged design with an adventurous driving experience. The launch event brought the vehicle into the spotlight for local customers and automobile enthusiasts, offering them an opportunity to explore the model at the dealership. Mahindra Himalayan Motors said customers interested in the Thar OG could visit its showroom at Tengpora Bypass, near New City Hospital, Srinagar, for further information, enquiries and bookings.
Leadless pacemakers, advanced valve procedures focus of Jammu CME
Jammu, Oct 10: Advances in cardiac care, including leadless pacemakers and minimally invasive heart valve procedures, were highlighted at a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme organised by PARAS Health Gurugram in association with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Jammu Chapter, on Saturday. Titled 'What Is New in Cardiology 2026', the programme featured Dr Amit Bhushan Sharma, Senior Director and Unit Head of Interventional Cardiology at PARAS Health Gurugram, who discussed emerging technologies, complex clinical cases and developments in minimally invasive cardiac treatment. A key focus of the programme was leadless pacing technology, particularly the world's smallest retrievable leadless pacemaker, designed to provide long-term pacing support while allowing retrieval when clinically indicated. Leadless pacemakers are implanted directly inside the heart, eliminating the need for the leads and surgical pocket used in conventional pacemaker systems. The technology can help reduce certain device-related complications and improve patient comfort, while advances in device longevity and retrievability are expanding treatment options for patients with cardiac rhythm disorders. Dr Sharma also highlighted the growing role of advanced interventions in treating complex cardiovascular conditions, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), MitraClip procedures and transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). These minimally invasive procedures are expanding treatment options for patients with complex heart valve conditions, particularly those who may be unsuitable for conventional open-heart surgery or for whom a less invasive approach is clinically appropriate. Dr Sharma's professional training includes a DM in Cardiology from KEM Hospital, Mumbai, followed by specialised training in complex coronary angioplasty at Mount Sinai, New York, and structural heart interventions at Michigan State University, Lansing, in the United States. Drawing inspiration from his parents' legacy of medical service, Dr Sharma has pursued a career in advanced cardiology, combining international training with experience in complex cardiac interventions.
Jammu, Oct 10: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said Jammu and Kashmir was ready for Global Capability Centres (GCCs). Addressing the valedictory session of the J&K Global Capability Centre (GCC) Summit 2026, LG Sinha said that J&K was poised to emerge as a significant destination for Global Capability Centres, driven by its young talent, improving infrastructure, investor-friendly policies, and growing innovation ecosystem. Congratulating IIM Jammu, NASSCOM, partner institutions and the administration for successfully organising the two-day summit, he urged participants to reflect on a key question about why companies seeking their next talent hub, innovation centre, and capacity destination should J&K be their preferred choice and work together with a strong resolve to make it a reality. Drawing inspiration from the worlds highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River, the LG said that J&K today reflects the confidence and ambition required to pursue transformational goals. He said that the Chenab itself, formed through the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers, symbolises the spirit of collaboration. LG Sinha said that in a similar manner, GCCs bring together the global expertise, capital and technology of multinational enterprises with the talent, aspirations, and imagination of J&Ks youth to create new opportunities for growth and innovation. I see Global Capability Centres in the same spirit of courage and confluence and together they can generate a strength far beyond their separate capabilities, he said. The LG said that India was home to more than 2100 GCCs employing over 19 lakh professionals and contributing substantially to exports. He highlighted that an increasing number of GCCs were expanding beyond metropolitan centres into Tier-II and Tier-III cities, demonstrating that Indias talent pool was now widely distributed across the country. LG Sinha said that this presents both an opportunity and a responsibility for J&K to strengthen its institutions, infrastructure, and innovation ecosystem. Emphasising the future direction of the GCC sector, he said that the journey of GCCs had evolved from questions of cost efficiency to excellence and capability. The LG expressed confidence that J&K could evolve from being a destination for capability centres to becoming a hub for unique global innovations originating from the region. He also highlighted the rapid transformation of J&K under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. LG Sinha said the major infrastructure developments and enhanced connectivity were supporting the rising industrial investments and the remarkable growth of the startup ecosystem. The industrial revolution we are witnessing today in parts of the Jammu division and the Kashmir Valley is a living symbol of the new Jammu Kashmir. In 2020, there were only 69 startups and that number has now risen to 1,305, a growth of over 1800 percent. When the energy of young, ambitious graduates from IIM Jammu, IIT Jammu, NIT Srinagar and other universities of Jammu Kashmir is added to these figures, you see a ready workforce emerging, he said. The LG identified six key advantages that position J&K as an attractive GCC destination including strong financial support, lower operating costs, special incentives for pioneering multinational investors, the return of local talent, first-mover advantages for early GCC entrants and opportunities in niche sectors such as agri-tech, tourism-tech, and handicraft digitisation. Outlining a four-pillar roadmap for the next five years, he stressed talent development through industry-academia partnerships, building trust through credible implementation, leveraging J&Ks unique destination advantages and promoting inclusive growth through a hub-and-spoke development model. Expressing confidence in J&K's future, LG Sinha said that GCCs could become an integral pillar of J&Ks industrial ecosystem over the next decade. He said that the foundation laid during the summit could help build a new, aspirational, and innovation-driven J&K that was fully prepared to welcome Global Capability Centres from across the world. Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, J&K; Padma Bhushan Rajendra Singh Pawar, Chairman, NIIT; Prof B S Sahay, Director IIM Jammu; Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary, Labour and Employment Department, J&K; Prof Jabir Ali, Dean, Faculty and Research, IIM Jammu; Prof Nitin Upadhyay, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu; and Sandeep Ananthanarayanan, CEO, CITaG, IIM Jammu attended the valedictory session.
AIBE mandatory for law graduates enrolled from 2010: HC
Srinagar, October 10:Fresh law graduates and advocates provisionally enrolled with the Bar Council of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will be granted absolute certificates of enrolment only after qualifying the All-India Bar Examination (AIBE) and producing the Certificate of Practice (COP) issued by the Bar Council of India within two years, the High Court of J&K and Ladakh said on Friday. In this regard, the matter was placed before the Chief Justice who referred it to High Court's Rules Committee which resolved to recommend the implementation of Rule 9, 10 and 11 of Chapter-III, Part VI of the Bar Council of India Rules, All India Bar Examination (AIBE) for Enrolment of Advocates across the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, according to a notification, issued by Registrar General M K Sharma. Subsequently, the matter was put before the Full Court for consideration in its meeting held on October 8, 2026, which upon deliberations had been pleased to approve the recommendations of the Rules Committee dated August 19, 2026. In compliance to AIBE Rules, 2010 read with the Full Court Resolution dated October 8, 2026, a notification has been issued asking all the law graduates enrolled as advocates from the academic year 2009-10 onwards to qualify the AIBE if they have not already cleared the examination, making the requirement applicable to the prescribed category of advocates across the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The High Court through the notification has further directed all advocates enrolled with the Bar Council of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh after July 1, 2010, who have qualified the AIBE, to submit copies of their Certificates of Practice to the Registry within one month from the date of issuance of the notification. The directions have been issued in accordance with the All-India Bar Examination Rules, 2010, which require advocates covered under the prescribed provisions to pass the examination to become entitled to practise law. Under the rules, the AIBE is conducted by the Bar Council of India to assess advocates in substantive and procedural law. The examination is required to be held at least twice a year, while the prescribed syllabus is to be published at least three months before the scheduled examination. The rules also provide that unsuccessful candidates may reappear in the examination without any limit on the number of attempts. Advocates who successfully clear the examination are entitled to a Certificate of Practice issued by the Bar Council of India. The notification also provides for amendments to the instructions and guidelines accompanying the application form for enrolment as an advocate, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961, and the Bar Council of India Rules.
Srinagar Jammu National Highway open for regulated 2-way traffic
Ramban, Oct 10:The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remained open to regulated two-way traffic on Saturday. However, the commuters continued to face delays at several locations between Udhampur and Banihal due to ongoing road repair and widening works, single-lane stretches, vehicle breakdowns and the movement of nomadic livestock herds. Traffic authorities reported slow vehicular movement on several vulnerable and construction-affected stretches, where restricted road width and ongoing maintenance work by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) continued to disrupt traffic flow. In the Udhampur sector, a damaged stretch measuring around 30 to 40 metres at Dewal has been reduced to a single lane, with an uneven road surface further slowing down vehicular movement. Similar traffic restrictions were reported on the single-lane stretch between Marog and Kishtwari Pather. Traffic movement was also affected by the breakdown of three vehicles between Nashri and Ramsoo. Meanwhile, nine nomadic livestock herds were reported moving along the Banihal-Nachlana sector as nomadic families and their animals descended from high-altitude pastures towards the plains of Jammu. The movement of livestock, coupled with ongoing construction activities and narrow road sections, contributed to congestion at several points. Traffic authorities have advised motorists to maintain lane discipline, avoid unnecessary overtaking and refrain from wrong-lane driving. Commuters travelling between Ramban and Banihal have been urged to exercise extra caution, particularly at locations vulnerable to shooting stones and landslides and on stretches affected by construction work and livestock movement. Travellers have also been advised to check the latest highway status with the Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Srinagar, Ramban and Jammu before starting their journeys and to follow the advisories issued by the J&K Traffic Police. In view of widening work on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers remains subject to daytime restrictions from 7 am to 7 pm. Tankers carrying inflammable material are not permitted to pass through tunnels, while up-bound tankers are allowed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am. Tanker operators have been advised to plan their journeys strictly according to the prescribed schedule. Goods-carrier operators transporting perishable commodities and livestock have been directed to comply with traffic regulations and advisories. Heavy vehicle operators have also been advised to avoid overloading and ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and have sufficient fuel before commencing their journeys. Commuters have further been urged to avoid unnecessary stoppages between Ramban and Banihal, particularly along stretches vulnerable to landslides and shooting stones. According to traffic authorities, subject to favourable weather and satisfactory road conditions, passenger light motor vehicles, private cars and goods carriers are proposed to be allowed to ply in both directions on NH-44 on Sunday. Authorities have urged commuters to remain alert, cooperate with traffic personnel and road maintenance agencies, and follow the latest official advisories to ensure safe and smooth movement along the strategically important highway.
Searches launched in Reasi after suspicious movement
Jammu, Oct 10:Security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Rad Pull area of Thakrakote in Reasi district on Saturday following reports of suspicious movement. Joint teams of Army, Police were conducting searches in Rad Pull and adjoining forest areas after reports of noticing suspicious movement in the area during the intervening night of October 9 and 10. So far, any breakthrough eluded the security forces engaged in the operation. Earlier, on October 4, the joint teams of the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) had conducted intensive Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) in different villages and adjoining forest stretches in Rajouri and Udhampur districts, following reports about suspicious movements. In Rajouri district, the intensive searches were undertaken after a youth, resident of Ladian border village of Sunderbani alleged that an attempt to abduct him was made by three suspects, while he was sleeping in the verandah of his house late October 3, 2026 night yet he managed to escape. Later the family of youth alerted the Police and the Army, who immediately cordoned the area and launched searches in and around the village. The searches were expanded to Kali Dhar, Dua Khad forests of Rajouri district. Search operations were also conducted in Mandugala Dhok forests in Rajouri district and Chigli Keya village in Udhampur districts after the locals reported the movement of suspects. On September 28 and 29 also, the security forces had conducted joint intensive searches in Rajouri, Poonch and Kathua districts amid reports about suspicious movements. Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) were launched in Panjwari-Kathera stretch of Kathua district; Peer Khana, Potha Narota, Andh, Thanda Pani and Kansar villages of Rajouri district and Upper Kasbalari, Theratopa, Nagal Gali, Kalaban and Patnateer villages in Poonch district.
J&K Govt asked to fill vacant posts in schools
Jammu, Oct 10:Former minister and senior BJP leader Sukhnandan Choudhary on Saturday criticised the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the failure of his government to address the shortage of teaching staff in government schools, particularly in the Jammu province. He warned that the future of thousands of school-going children could not be sacrificed due to the government's neglect of the education sector. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, accompanied by BJP media incharge Dr Pardeep Mahotra, BJP Kisan Morcha president Rakesh Pant and former DDC member Balbir Lal, Choudhary expressed serious concern over the shortage of principals, headmasters, lecturers, and subject-specific teachers in government schools. He demanded that Omar Abdullah immediately take corrective measures to fill the vacant posts or accept responsibility for the deteriorating situation and resign from the position of heading the government in Jammu and Kashmir. Choudhary said that numerous government schools continued to struggle with a lack of essential teaching staff. He pointed out that several higher secondary schools were functioning without principals or lecturers in important subjects, while high schools were facing shortages of headmasters, mathematics teachers, physical training teachers and other essential staff. How can the government talk about educational development when government schools are struggling to provide students with teachers for their subjects? The Chief Minister must answer to the parents whose children are suffering because of these deficiencies. The future of our children cannot be held hostage to administrative apathy, Choudhary asserted. Presenting a detailed list of schools facing staff shortages, he highlighted deficiencies in Marh, Chamb, Pallanwala, Chowki Choura, RS Pura, Bishnah, Dablair, and other areas. He said these were not merely administrative shortcomings but serious issues directly affecting students' access to quality education, academic performance, and future opportunities. The senior BJP leader further questioned why such glaring vacancies had remained unaddressed despite the importance attached to education in government policies and budgetary allocations. He called for an immediate assessment of staff requirements in every government school, followed by the time-bound deployment of principals, lecturers and subject teachers according to actual needs. Choudhary also raised concerns over the possibility that the continuing weaknesses in government schools could benefit certain private educational institutions at the expense of students from ordinary and economically weaker families. He called for a transparent investigation into the reasons behind the persistent staff shortages, stressing that any allegation of deliberate neglect must be examined objectively. He demanded that the Omar Abdullah-led government move beyond announcements and take concrete action on the ground, ensuring that every government school has the teaching staff necessary to provide students with quality education.
Mehboobas condemnation without PDPs participation under scrutiny
Srinagar, Oct 10:Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday drew parallels between restrictions imposed in New Delhi during protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the communication blackout and security clampdown in Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370. However, the absence of PDP leaders from the oppositions street mobilisation in Delhi has raised questions about the partys political positioning and its willingness to participate in a coordinated opposition campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government. Criticising the restriction on X, Mehbooba posted: Todays Delhi is a chilling reminder of Kashmir after the unconstitutional abrogation of Article 370. People were locked in their homes, the internet was shut down, and an entire region was placed under siege. The BJP then brazenly claimed that nobody had protested. Today, with Delhi under siege, trains halted, and roads to Jantar Mantar sealed, they may repeat the same lie, claiming that nobody protested against Gyanesh Kumar. First crush the protest, then deny it ever happened. This is how enforced silence is passed off as consent. While her words echoed the concerns articulated by most opposition leaders, the partys visible participation in the protests has remained conspicuously limited. The political messaging has raised a question that the PDP has yet to answer publicly. If the restrictions in Delhi evoke such strong comparisons with Kashmir, why has that outrage not translated into PDP leaders visible presence at the protests? Talking to Greater Kashmir, PDP chief spokesperson Mehbooba Beg said, In principle, every sensible citizen protests this naked onslaught of democracy. The institution of the Election Commission of India has got into disrepute. Registering protest is important, whether one does it through tweets, statements, or hits the streets. He said that the Delhi protests are genuine as the vote theft affects the 13.5 crore people including the women of West Bengal, the minorities, and the citizens of the entire country. The senior PDP leader said that the CEC Gyanesh Kumar should tender his resignation as he headed an institution that was once led by an honest person like T N Seshan. CEC Gyanesh Kumar brought such an institution into disrepute and for that history will not judge him kindly, he said. The Indian Express investigation illustrated that anti-BJP voters had been deleted across the country and the protest is important as there was a small winning margin on many seats. Furthermore, the stand taken by the other two Election Commissioners has also made the issue of vote theft clear. Beg said that PDPs stand against New Delhi had been clear after August 2019. It was for the consistent stand taken by the PDP that the PDP chief Mehbooba Muftis mother (Gulshan Nazir) had been grilled by the Enforcement Directorate, he said. While Mehbooba took to microblogging site X on Saturday, all senior PDP leaders and legislators Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, Muhammad Fayaz Mir, and Rafiq Ahmad Naik - as well as Mehboobas daughter, Iltija Mufti, were conspicuous by their absence from the Delhi mobilisation. Talking to Greater Kashmir, MLA Kupwara Muhammad Fayaz Mir and MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Naik said that no directions had been issued to them for participating in the Delhi protests. Im in Kupwara and, so far, I havent received any such direction, Mir said. Naik said that he was the partys foot soldier and would do whatever was asked of him by the party high command. Their participation could have lent greater weight to the PDPs condemnation of the restrictions and demonstrated that its opposition extended beyond statements and social media posts. PDPs non-participation in Delhi mobilisation leaves the party open to questions about the consistency of its opposition and the extent to which it is prepared to join a campaign beyond its own political platforms. PDP has continued to criticise the BJP-led Centre over the loss of J&Ks special status, restrictions on political activity, and other questions of civil liberties. While Mehboobas latest remarks reinforce the PDPs confrontational public posture towards the Centre, the partys absence from the Delhi protests raises questions about whether it is seeking to avoid antagonising Prime Minister Narendra Modis BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government while keeping its options open with the Congress and the wider INDIA bloc. The political metaphor of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds captures the suspicion surrounding this approach, as it has been denouncing the Centres actions but is avoiding an unambiguous demonstration of solidarity with those challenging it on the streets. PDP cannot entirely avoid scrutiny by invoking those complexities. If it believes the restrictions represent an assault on democratic freedoms, PDP leaders must explain whether they consider participation in a common opposition campaign necessary, and if not, why. Silence on that question risks allowing its opponents to portray the partys position as selective. For Mehbooba, the immediate challenge is to reconcile the force of her public condemnation with the absence of her partys prominent faces from the streets. The PDPs statement may have strengthened the oppositions argument about the curtailment of dissent. However, its absence has opened a different debate one about whether the PDP is prepared to match its rhetoric with participation. Until the party clarifies that position, the contrast between Mehboobas words and her partys political presence is likely to remain a source of scrutiny for the PDP.
Frustrated BJP protesting against opposition: Congress
Jammu, Oct 10:Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has alleged that a frustrated ruling party (BJP) was protesting against opposition Congress while a central government has imposed undeclared emergency in the national capital and elsewhere to stop the leaders and activists trying to join the ongoing struggle for democracy in New Delhi. Reacting to the BJPs protests against opposition Congress in Jammu and elsewhere, JKPCC chief spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma termed the reaction of BJP as utter frustration of ruling party, which he alleged, was being witnessed probably first time in the democratic history of the country. The large-scale protests in the entire country against the Vote Chori and the media expose about this fact as how blatantly the norms have been violated by the CEC under the command of central government to give electoral benefits to the ruling party, has caused frustration amongst the cadres of BJP, Ravinder Sharma alleged. The state of undeclared emergency in the national capital and elsewhere in BJP ruled states reflects the fear of the Modi-government. The move to curb all democratic means of showing peaceful dissent, fully guaranteed by the constitution, is a sign of utter fear and frustration in the government, he claimed. Sharma said that all such attempts of the central government, which already detained a large number of peaceful protestors in the capital, would fail. More and more people will take to streets to Save democracy till CEC resigns and the electoral system is freed from the governments clutches and control, he said.
124 former IAS, IFS officers write open letter to citizens; defend EC, SIR
New Delhi, Oct 10:A total of 124 former IAS, IFS and allied services' officers have issued an open letter to the citizens of India, strongly defending the Election Commission (EC) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, while questioning allegations of vote rigging without credible evidence. Highlighting India's transformation from an era of booth capturing, ballot-box stuffing and poll violence, the officers said today's electoral system has multiple layers of checks and safeguards, including polling agents, EVM sealing, strong-room security and VVPAT verification. They cited last year's Bihar Assembly polls, which recorded no re-polling and the highest voter turnout since 1951. A system cannot be honest when you win and rigged when you lose, the letter said, pointing out that under the same EC, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre lost several state polls as well as its parliamentary majority in 2024. The signatories to the letter include former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal and former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers R D Kapur, Samirendra Chatterjee, Gopal Krishna, Vivek Bhardwaj and Navneet Sehgal.
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Will be compelled to consider fast or march: Sonam Wangchuk on crawckdown in Delhi
Srinagar, Oct 10:Climate activist and social reformer Sonam Wangchuk has condemned the crackdown on student leaders and activists in the national capital, issuing an ultimatum that he will be compelled to consider an Anshan fast or Padyatra march if those detained are not released by Sunday. The activist expressed deep distress over the detentions following demonstrations in Delhi. Terming the current situation akin to an undeclared emergency, Wangchuk stated that he had earlier called for unity and peaceful demonstration but had not anticipated such severe action by law enforcement authorities. In a video message posted on X, Wangchuk described the situation in the national capital as an undeclared emergency and expressed concern over the detention of several political leaders who had planned to participate in a protest demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumars resignation over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Yesterday when I posted a message appealing for unity and peace in today's protest, I had never imagined that the biggest democracy in the world would be under an undeclared EMERGENCY. I was happy there were so many leaders to lead the movement, but I now learn that they have all been arrested. I hope those arrested will be released soon. I will be compelled to consider an Anshan Fast or Padyatra March if they are not released by tomorrow, he said.
Is prevailing situation not akin to emergency, asks DyCM
Jammu, Oct 10:Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday took exception to the detention of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders and curbs to prevent its protest in the union capital, asking if the current situation was not akin to emergency. Protest is democratic right and detention is wrong. The allegations against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) have been made by his own colleagues- the two other Election Commissioners. The allegations against CEC warrant an investigation and therefore he should resign on moral grounds. BJP leaders, off and on, refer to the emergency and criticise it. But is the prevailing situation less serious than an emergency? What do the curbs in the union capital, completely paralysing it, convey? They raise questions over democratic rights, Choudhary said, on the sidelines of a public function here. He was responding to media queries on the side about the developments unfolding in the union capital amid CJPs call for protest and detention of its leaders. Choudhary asserted that there was a need for a transparent voting process to strengthen democracy and make it vibrant. The Deputy Chief Minister also defended the meeting of opposition leaders with the President Droupadi Murmu, by describing it as a move aimed at protecting the freedom and integrity of constitutional institutions by airing issues before the custodian of the Constitution as he referred to the President. He also criticised the alleged use of force against the young protesters, particularly the women. He accused the BJP of diverting attention from real issues of the country like unemployment by labelling the protesters who raise genuine issues as anti-nationals and dividing the country.
New Delhi, Oct 10:An unprecedented security clampdown and the detention of over 7000 protesters, including CJP leader Abhijit Dipke, four former chief ministers and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, helped the government thwart a planned mass mobilisation at Jantar Mantar on Saturday to press for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site, wore a deserted look throughout the day, with the deployment of over 30,000 security personnel and waves of barricades in Lutyens' Delhi to keep the protesters away from the area. Opposition parties likened the situation to one worse than the Emergency, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urging the youth to keep protesting and asserting that we are going to ensure that this regime and the people who have attacked the Constitution are defeated. Several INDIA bloc leaders, including former chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar, were detained from multiple locations across the capital as they tried to join the protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This has gone beyond an Emergency; it has become a Super Emergency, Banerjee said. CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby, veteran Left leader Brinda Karat, CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, activist Yogendra Yadav, lawyer Prashant Bhushan and All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha were also detained. Gandhi, who was in Chennai for his Chhatron Ki Goonj event, also said the core characteristic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS is cowardice. The Congress, which has been holding protests demanding the resignation of the CEC over alleged vote theft, however, maintained its distance from the CJP protest. Dipke and two CJP leaders, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were detained by Delhi Police from inside the aircraft as soon as their flight from Mumbai landed in the national capital. In a video shared by the CJP, Dipke could be heard telling police officers who entered the aircraft, We are here to be arrested, come and arrest us. Before the detention, police personnel told the CJP leaders that they did not have permission to hold their protest at Jantar Mantar. Dipke said CJP leaders were being detained as if they were criminals. He said that even former prime minister Indira Gandhi did not do this, adding that it amounted to dictatorship. Rathee, who lives abroad and had come to join the CJP protest against CEC Kumar, was detained by police from his residence in Gurugram's Sector 56 on Saturday. Around 1 pm, scores of protesters hurled stones at security personnel near Akashwani Bhawan on Imtiaz Ali Marg after jumping barricades, injuring two police personnel. The protesters were quickly detained by security personnel. In the evening, a similar incident happened near Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place, where some protesters threw stones at security personnel. A total of seven personnel sustained injuries during the detention of protesters. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal also sustained injuries to his hand during the detention of Left leaders, including AISA's Neha. Police are likely to file multiple FIRs in connection with the alleged assault on police personnel during the protest, a senior officer said. New Delhi virtually turned khaki on Saturday, with the deployment of over 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel ahead of the CJP protest. Waves of barricades lining the streets, the closure of 45 metro stations and intensive checks at the city's border points, railway stations, bus terminals, hotels and other sensitive locations left the capital gridlocked. More than 7000 protesters were detained today across Delhi, including more than 2,000 in New Delhi area, police sources said. In a pre-recorded video message released soon after his detention, CJP leader Dipke said the organisation's in-charge, Ajinkya Shinde, would lead its protest at Jantar Mantar. The CJP asserted that the protest would continue nationwide, with or without its leaders. Police informed Dipke about the death of his grandmother in Maharashtra and offered possible facilitation for his journey to his hometown on humanitarian grounds. Dipke's paternal grandmother, Savitribai Shankarrao Dipke, 85, died at her home in Santuk Pimpri village in Maharashtra's Hingoli district around 11:30 am on Saturday following a prolonged illness, family sources said. Hitting out at the Opposition, the BJP said that the protest meant to take the city hostage turned out to be a flop show, accusing Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of spreading anarchy in cahoots with foreign powers, likening him to historical figure Mir Jafar. It was a victory of democracy over mob rule, BJP leader Sambit Patra said, as hundreds of youths and several politicians who headed to Jantar Mantar were detained by Delhi Police. A large number of police personnel detained groups of protesters from several places, including Hanuman Temple, Akashwani Bhawan, Safdarjung Flyover and Kerala House. Regular announcements were being made by the police at Jantar Mantar, instructing people and mediapersons not to gather in one place. The police also picked up a few protesters who managed to reach Jantar Mantar. The massive security arrangements by Delhi Police thwarted attempts by protesters to reach Jantar Mantar. BJP president Nitin Nabin accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal and the CJP of attempting to destabilise the country with the backing of foreign forces. He asserted that the government would deal sternly with their ill intentions, while party workers would foil their design on the ground. The ruling party had back-to back press conferences on Saturday and deployed its senior leaders for the counter-offensive. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta asserted that the capital will not be held hostage and accused Gandhi and Kejriwal of trying to turn the city into a attleground, in league with their B-Team CJP. Several journalists claimed that they were detained. Reporters alleged that they were detained despite displaying their press identity cards, and that their official phones were seized by police personnel before they were taken to detention buses along with other protesters. Visuals circulating showed journalists displaying their press identity cards from inside the buses. Top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Kejriwal, who openly supported the CJP, also failed to reach Jantar Mantar. Kejriwal, who had earlier announced that he would join the protest along with his family members, alleged that the security clampdown in central Delhi to prevent the protest and detain CJP leaders was worse than the Emergency. Kejriwal gave the Delhi chalo call, urging youth across the country to reach the national capital to demand the resignation of the chief election commissioner over vote theft, shortly before he was detained by the Delhi Police. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge lashed out at the Modi government over the detentions by Delhi police, saying it has turned the mother of democracy into a muzzled democracy. The Congress chief alleged that the cowardice of the BJP-RSS is on full display today. More than 120 companies of Central Armed Police Forces assisted Delhi Police in managing the security situation. Personnel were deployed at strategic locations, while mock drills were conducted at several places to assess preparedness and response mechanisms. Authorities also monitored social media platforms for attempts to mobilise people for the protest. More than 200 content creators were reportedly under scrutiny as police examined online posts and messages linked to the proposed gathering. Liquor shops across Delhi were closed as a precautionary measure. With restrictions affecting major transport hubs and several parts of the city, commuters were advised to check official announcements and plan their journeys accordingly. 200 DETAINED IN MUMBAI Police detained around 200 people, including members of activist Tushar Gandhi-led organisation and supporters of the CPI (M), for protesting at the August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai in solidarity with the Cockroach Janata Partys demonstration in New Delhi, officials said. In a separate action, several workers of the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) were detained while demonstrating near Hutatma Chowk in south Mumbai to back the CJP, they said. Hundreds of people, including those belonging to Tushar Gandhi-led Hum Bharat Ke Log organisation, and activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) assembled at the August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai without permission and around 200 of them were detained for protesting, an official said. The process of registering an FIR against them was underway, he said. One of the protesters, Rubaid Bhojani, alleged that the police took the protesters into custody very brutally. We voted for the Prime Minister, but he betrayed us. We demand Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumars resignation, Bhojani said. Earlier in the day, Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, was picked up from Bandra and taken to D N Nagar police station. A large number of people gathered outside the police station. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray also visited the police station. Gandhi, who heads the organisation Hum Bharat Ke Log, had shared a poster in a post on X, urging citizens to join a protest gathering at August Kranti Maidan at 3.30 pm. Activist Feeroz Mithiborwala was also taken into custody from his residence and shifted to the MIDC police station. Meanwhile, additional police personnel, including women officers, were deployed at the Shivaji Park in Dadar to prevent CJP members from staging a demonstration. Security was also stepped up at other locations across Mumbai. Authorities maintained that August Kranti Maidan is not designated as a protest site in accordance with a Bombay High Court order, prompting preventive action to maintain law and order. The CJP has called a demonstration at Jantar Mantar against the CEC over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and changes relating to Form 6, used for voter registration.
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When in power, no reforms; after retirement, objections: KEEMA on GCCs statement
Srinagar, Oct 10: The Kashmir Electric Equipment Manufacturers Association (KEEMA) has expressed deep dismay over the objections raised by a group of retired bureaucrats operating under the banner of the Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC). In a statement issued on Saturday, KEEMA President Raja Nayeem Ahmad Khan said the apprehensions expressed over the legislation risked undermining progressive economic reforms and discouraging investment in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking on behalf of the industrial and manufacturing fraternity, Khan questioned the timing and intent of the objections, stating that those who had administered the region for decades bore a moral responsibility to explain why practical, pro-growth procedural simplifications could not be envisioned or implemented during their tenures. He said public policy and economic progress could not be held hostage to generalised apprehensions raised after retirement. Khan maintained that the Ease of Doing Business Act was designed to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic red tape while preserving robust legal and environmental safeguards. Vague warnings about regulatory changes, without identifying specific provisions or demonstrating actual adverse consequences, would only discourage local enterprise and fresh investment, he said. Emphasising the importance of manufacturing and traditional livelihoods, the KEEMA president said modern industrial frameworks were vital for local manufacturing units, traditional handicrafts and artisanal activities that form an important part of Kashmirs economic and cultural foundation. He said legitimate economic activities operating within valid land-use parameters should be supported rather than viewed through a lens of unwarranted suspicion. Highlighting Jammu and Kashmirs employment challenges, Khan said the region needed responsible industrial growth and employment generation. He cautioned that halting progress through speculative opposition could harm youth employment and penalise local manufacturers striving to compete in a modern economy. Khan said KEEMA fully supported a transparent, fair and investment-friendly industrial ecosystem and urged the government to continue implementing reforms that empower local manufacturers. He also challenged the Group of Concerned Citizens to substantiate its claims through an open debate backed by evidence rather than speculative apprehensions. Calling upon the Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) and the wider business fraternity to defend the regions economic interests, Khan urged them to stand against what he described as misinformed interference in the reform process. Let policy be shaped by facts, law, and the public interest, not by unfounded apprehensions, Khan said in the statement.
J&K will always remain our integral, inalienable part: India at UN
United Nations, Oct 10: India slammed Pakistan at the UN, saying it is regrettable that Islamabad continues to abuse the platform of the world organisation by peddling lies and falsehoods about the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. India exercised its Right of Reply in response to a statement by Pakistan in the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly Friday on the Agenda Item Decolonization. The Committee deals with Special Political and Decolonization issues. It is regrettable that Pakistan continues to abuse this august forum by peddling lies and falsehoods about the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Member of Parliament Mahima Kumari Mewar said. Delivering Indias strong Right of Reply, Mewar said a country like Pakistan, with an established record of military dictatorship, sham elections, incarceration of popular elected leaders, religious extremism and sponsoring terrorism as an instrument of state policy should, in future, refrain from preaching homilies at this platform. Jammu and Kashmir is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India, she said. India called upon Pakistan to stop the grave and ongoing human rights violation in the areas illegally occupied by it, where the population is in open revolt against Pakistans military occupation, repression, brutality, and illegal exploitation of resources. Mewar said that in the last few months, the Pakistani armed forces and their proxies have killed dozens of innocent civilians who were agitating for their basic rights, freedoms and basic necessities. Mewar is part of a visiting delegation of 15 Members of Parliament, who arrived here earlier this week for a UN familiarisation trip. The Members of Parliament had a diverse range engagements in the UN during the visit and also met members of the Indian diaspora at a special reception hosted at the Consulate General of India in New York.
Waqf Board to constitute Core Committee for uniform Friday sermons
Srinagar, Oct 10:The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, under the chairmanship of Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, has decided to constitute a Core Committee of Muftis, Imams and Khateebs to identify and finalise common topics for Friday sermons across shrines, Jamia Masjids and other religious institutions associated with the Board. The decision was taken during a meeting of Maulanas, Muftis, Imams and Khateebs held at the Central Office of the J&K Waqf Board in Sonwar, Srinagar, on Saturday. The meeting was attended by Board Members Dr. Ghulam Haleem and Syed Mohammad Hussain Haqani. Religious representatives associated with institutions across the Jammu Division also participated through video conferencing. During the deliberations, participants discussed the importance of coordination among religious scholars and maintaining uniformity in the themes of Friday sermons across Waqf-associated religious institutions. It was decided that the proposed Core Committee would finalise sermon topics in advance and communicate them to the concerned religious scholars for implementation. The themes will focus on promoting religious awareness, moral values, social harmony, unity and other matters of public and community interest in accordance with Islamic teachings. Chairperson Dr. Syed Darakhshan Andrabi emphasised the importance of collective efforts and effective coordination among religious scholars to ensure that Friday sermons convey a constructive and meaningful message to the public. The initiative aims to strengthen coordination among religious institutions and encourage sermons that promote moral responsibility, unity and harmony within society. Prominent religious scholars who participated in the meeting included Moulana Abdul Rashid Dawoodi of Kaba Marg, Anantnag; Moulana Riyaz Ul Haq Noorabadi of Asari Sharief, Dargah Hazratbal; Moulana Amir Ud Din Shah, Mirwaiz of Charar-i-Sharief; Moulana Abdul Hamid Nayeemi, Imam-o-Khateeb of Zaldagar; Moulana Peer Hessain Qadri, Imam of Jamia Masjid Sonwar; and Moulana Syed Mudassir Geelani, Imam-o-Khateeb of Dastigeer Sahib (RA), Khanyar, Khateeb, Molana Farooq Naqshbandi Jamia Masjid Umar Rail Head,Jammu, Mufti Inayatullah Qasmi Jamia Masjid Talab khatikan Jammu, Mufti Manzoor Ahmed Jamia Masjid Sunjwan Jammu, Molana Syed Ahmed Jamia Masiid Malik Market Jammu, Mufti Mohd Ashraf MisbahiJamia Masjid Reasi, Molana Farooq Misbahi Jamia Masjid Poonch, Molana Farooq Naqshbandi Jamia Masjid Eidgah Rajouri, Molana Gulam Mohiuddin Jamia Masjid Kot Ranka Rajouri and Molana Gulam Rasool Jamia Masjid City Rajouri along with other religious scholars from various districts.
From job seekers to job creators: JKEDI concludes 2 entrepreneurship training batches
Pulwama, Oct 10:The Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), Pulwama, today successfully concluded two batches of the Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESDP) under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme at the Government Degree College for Women, Pulwama. Organised in collaboration between JKEDI and GDC (W) Pulwama at the district level, the 20-day training programme drew an enthusiastic response from students, who participated actively throughout the sessions. Professor Sami Jan, Principal of the college, attended as the Guest of Honour. The valedictory function was also attended by Nafia Nazir, Range Officer, JKEDI South Kashmir; Raiyees Manzoor, District Nodal Officer, JKEDI Pulwama; Dr. Suraiya, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, GDC Women Pulwama and other officers concerned. Addressing the participants, Raiyees Manzoor emphasised the transformative power of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is the path to self-reliance. The future belongs to those who embrace emerging opportunities with a positive mindset and choose to become job creators rather than job seekers, he said. Professor Sami Jan expressed satisfaction over the successful conduct of the programme and congratulated JKEDI for organising the 20-day training within the college. She noted that the collaboration between JKEDI and the institution had provided valuable practical exposure to students and would inspire more young women to explore entrepreneurship as a viable career path. Nafia Nazir further motivated the participants, encouraging them to convert the skills acquired during the training into sustainable enterprises and to view entrepreneurship as an empowering career option. The ESDP under the RAMP scheme equips aspiring entrepreneurs with essential competencies in business development, financial planning, and market awareness. Both batches recorded strong student participation and received positive feedback, reflecting the growing interest among youth in enterprise creation. Such district-level partnerships between JKEDI and academic institutions continue to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and expand self-employment opportunities across the region. The JKEDI team reaffirmed their commitment to providing ongoing mentorship and support to the trainees.
SKUAST-K, IMI to host 13th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit from October 12
Srinagar, Oct 10:The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) and the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) will jointly host the 13th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS) alongside the Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Science Congress-2026 at the universitys Shalimar campus from October 12 to 14. The three-day national-level event, themed Contouring Sustainable Himalayan Landscapes for Inclusive Viksit Bharat, will bring together policymakers, scientists, administrators, farmers and development professionals to deliberate on climate-resilient agriculture, mountain ecosystem conservation and inclusive development pathways for the Himalayan region. A key highlight of the summit will be discussions on the proposed Sustainable Mountain Development Policy for Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at strengthening the policy framework for sustainable development in the regions fragile mountain ecosystems. Three publications focusing on climate resilience in the Himalayas and the development of high-integrity agricultural carbon markets in India will also be launched. These include a Farmers Guidebook, an Article 6.2 Toolkit and an Environmental and Social Management Framework. Developed by SKUAST-Kashmir, the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI), the publications are intended to support informed and equitable participation by farmers in carbon markets, facilitate credible international carbon-market cooperation and strengthen environmental and social safeguards for agricultural carbon projects. The summit will feature three major events attended by prominent political and administrative figures. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of SKUAST-K, will be the chief guest at the inaugural function scheduled for October 12 at 10 am. Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh will attend a special session on October 13 at 2 pm. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir, will be the chief guest at the valedictory function on October 14 at 3 pm. The summit and the accompanying Agriculture Science Congress are expected to provide a platform for discussions on sustainable mountain development, agricultural innovation and policy interventions to address the environmental and economic challenges facing the Himalayan region.
Ashiq Hussain Kar elected president of Beopar Mandal Iqbal Market Sopore
Sopore, Oct 10:Ashiq Hussain Kar has been elected president of Beopar Mandal Iqbal Market, Sopore, defeating his rival candidate, Mehraj Ud Din Masoodi, in an election held on Saturday. The election witnessed strong participation from the trading community, with 254 of the 265 registered voters casting their ballots. According to Election Board Chairman Anaytullah Bhat, Kar secured 139 votes, while Masoodi polled 113 votes. Two votes were declared invalid, giving Kar a winning margin of 26 votes. Following the declaration of the results, Bhat congratulated the newly elected president and thanked the traders for their participation and cooperation in ensuring the smooth conduct of the election. He appreciated the voters for exercising their democratic right and contributing to the electoral process of the traders body. Speaking after his victory, Kar said he would work collectively with all traders, irrespective of their electoral preferences, for the welfare and development of Iqbal Market. He stressed the importance of unity, mutual cooperation and a collective approach to addressing the issues faced by shopkeepers and traders. He also assured the trading community that he would work to ensure their concerns and demands receive due attention. The election is expected to pave the way for renewed efforts to strengthen traders representation and address issues affecting Iqbal Market, one of Sopores prominent commercial centres.
FADA J&K seeks Ease of Doing Business reforms, One UT, One Trade Certificate
Srinagar, Oct 10:A delegation of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), Jammu and Kashmir, led by its chairperson Sanjay Aggarwal, met Transport Minister Satish Sharma to discuss issues affecting the ease of doing business in the automobile sector across the Union Territory. The delegation highlighted procedural difficulties faced by automobile dealerships in obtaining Trade Certificates and called for simplified documentation, uniform implementation of rules and a transparent, time-bound compliance mechanism. During the meeting, Aggarwal said the automobile sector had emerged as an important pillar of Jammu and Kashmirs economy, generating employment for around 20,000 people while contributing to government revenue, consumer services and the growth of the automotive ecosystem. He said further improvements in the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) framework were essential to unlock the sectors potential and encourage fresh investment in the Union Territory. Raising concerns over the Trade Certificate application process, Aggarwal said automobile dealers in J&K were currently required to submit approximately 16 documents to obtain the certificate. He pointed out that the extensive documentation requirements were creating difficulties for dealers and delaying the completion of applications. He also referred to the three-month, one-time relaxation recently provided by the government to eligible automobile dealers who had already initiated the statutory process for obtaining Trade Certificates. However, he said the existing documentation requirements continued to pose significant challenges despite the temporary facilitation. Aggarwal further highlighted the recent closure of some automobile dealerships in J&K, citing the cumbersome documentation process for obtaining Trade Certificates. He stressed the need to rationalise the requirements to ensure that regulatory compliance did not become an unnecessary obstacle to business operations. Referring to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), the FADA chairperson said the documentation requirements prescribed under the applicable rules were considerably fewer than those currently required in Jammu and Kashmir. He urged the government to review the process in line with the relevant provisions of the CMVR. Drawing a comparison with neighbouring Punjab, Aggarwal said the documentation requirement there was understood to be around six documents. He maintained that reducing unnecessary procedural requirements would make compliance easier without compromising statutory obligations. The delegation also called for the implementation of the One UT, One Trade Certificate system in Jammu and Kashmir. Aggarwal said dealerships operating across multiple districts were currently required to obtain separate Trade Certificates for different districts, increasing the compliance burden and restricting operational flexibility. He proposed that a single Trade Certificate should enable a dealer to conduct business anywhere in the Union Territory, describing the arrangement as consistent with the principles of Ease of Doing Business. He cited the GST registration framework, under which branches can be endorsed, as a model for consideration. Aggarwal requested the Transport Minister to issue suitable directions to the concerned authorities for simplifying and rationalising Trade Certificate applications across J&K in accordance with the applicable CMVR provisions. He said such measures would support the governments objectives of improving the business environment, transparency and digital governance. Transport Minister Satish Sharma gave a patient hearing to the delegation, appreciated the concerns and suggestions put forward by FADA J&K, and assured the members that the issues discussed would be addressed on priority.
3rd Edition of Kashmir Marathon: Div Com Kashmir reviews preparations
Srinagar, Oct 10: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg Saturday chaired a meeting to review the preparations for the 3rd Edition of the Kashmir Marathon, taking stock of the arrangements being made by the nodal Tourism Department and other stakeholder departments for the smooth and successful conduct of the event. The meeting, as per an official statement, was attended by the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Director Tourism, and officers from the departments of Information, PHE, KPDCL, R&B, SMC, YSS, Health, JKTDC, Hospitality and Protocol, SSCL, SRTC, Agriculture, Sports Council, LCMA, SDRF, Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and other concerned departments. During the meeting, it was informed that the Kashmir Marathon will be held on October 25, with a three-day Marathon Expo scheduled to be organised at Polo Ground. The event has attracted significant international participation, with 67 foreign nationals from 12 countries having registered so far. Both the full marathon, covering 42.19 kilometres, and the half marathon, spanning 21.09 kilometres, will be conducted on the same day in the morning. To ensure the safety and well-being of participants, 17 aid stations will be established along the marathon route to provide necessary assistance. Addressing the meeting, the Div Com directed all concerned departments to nominate nodal officers to ensure effective interdepartmental coordination and timely execution of assigned responsibilities. Emphasising the need to enhance the visual appeal of the marathon route, he called for beautification through the placement of potted flowers. He also directed the Roads and Buildings Department to conduct a thorough inspection of the route and ensure that all potholes are filled to provide a smooth and safe running surface. The concerned authorities were further instructed to undertake the pruning of trees along the marathon loop. Highlighting the importance of maintaining the scenic beauty of Srinagar, the Divisional Commissioner stressed the need to ensure cleanliness around Dal Lake. He also directed the deployment of volunteers at appropriate locations and the establishment of medical camps with adequate staff to address any health-related emergencies during the event. Meanwhile, the Traffic Police was directed to publicise designated parking locations well in advance to facilitate participants and ensure the smooth regulation of vehicular movement on the day of the marathon. The Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited were directed to ensure the proper functioning of streetlights along the marathon route. The Sports Council was instructed to make lighting arrangements at Polo Ground for the smooth conduct of the event. The SMC was further directed to ensure proper cleanliness and sanitation along the marathon route and at the inaugural venue. The Divisional Commissioner emphasised that close coordination among all stakeholder departments and timely completion of preparatory measures would be essential for the successful organisation of the 3rd Edition of the Kashmir Marathon. Highlights Marathon will be held on October 25 67 foreign nationals from 12 countries registered so far Full marathon, covering 42.19 kilometres, half marathon, 21.09 kilometres, to be conducted on same day 17 aid stations to be established along marathon route
Mohammad Qais wins bronze at Junior National Soft Tennis Championship
Srinagar, Oct 10: The 21st Junior National Soft Tennis Championship, which commenced on 05 October, 2026 concluded on Saturday with a grand closing ceremony at Sher e Kashmir indoor Sports Complex. As per a statement issued, Mohammad Qais of J&K won the Bronze Medal in this prestigious National Soft Tennis Championship. The six-day championship witnessed enthusiastic participation from young and talented soft tennis players from across the country. The players displayed excellent skills, discipline, determination, and competitive spirit throughout the tournament. The closing ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Hussain, President Soft Tennis Iran along with dignitaries of Amateur Soft Tennis Federation of India and J&K Amateur Soft Tennis Association were also present on the occasion.
150 students participate in annual athletics meet at NIT Srinagar
Srinagar, Oct 10: The Annual Athletics Meet (Men and Women) commenced at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, with around 150 students participating in the event organised by the institutes Student Activity and Sports (SAS) Centre. The meet, as per a statement, aimed to promote physical fitness, sportsmanship and healthy competition while encouraging students to balance academic pursuits with sports and extracurricular activities. Prof. Mohammad Abid Bazaz Dean Students Welfare said sports and extracurricular activities were essential for the holistic development of students. Education is not confined to classrooms. Participation in sports helps students develop leadership, discipline, teamwork and resilience. The institute remains committed to providing students with opportunities to pursue their interests alongside academics, he said. Dr Manoj Kumar, In-charge Faculty, SAS, said the event was part of the institutes efforts to encourage greater participation in sports and fitness activities. Sports play an important role in the overall development of students. The athletics meet provides them an opportunity to showcase their abilities, build confidence and develop discipline and a spirit of healthy competition, he said.
Srinagar Premier Division Football League: AL Muqeet FC beat Kashmir United FC 42
Srinagar, Oct 10: In an exciting encounter of the My Youth My Pride Srinagar Premier Division Football League 202627, AL Muqeet FC registered an impressive 42 victory over Kashmir United FC on Saturday at TRC Synthetic Turf, Srinagar. As per a DFA statement, both teams displayed competitive football, but AL Muqeet FC proved more clinical in front of goal to secure a well-deserved win. The league, organised by the District Football Association Srinagar (DFA Srinagar), continues to provide a competitive platform for local football clubs and emerging talent to showcase their skills.
KU retains 4-star rating under Ministry of Educations Innovation Council framework
Srinagar, Oct 10:The University of Kashmir (KU) has retained its 4-Star Rating under the Institutions Innovation Council (IIC) framework of the Ministry of Educations Innovation Cell (MIC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The University secured a total score of 76.79 out of 100 in the latest IIC performance assessment, declared on October 5, 2026. The rating recognises the Universitys initiatives to strengthen its innovation ecosystem and encourage students and faculty members to translate ideas into practical solutions. Institutions securing a 4-star rating are considered among the best-performing institutions with a streamlined campus ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship. The Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), Institute of Technology (IoT), Zakura Campus, which also serves as KUs Institution Innovation Council, facilitates activities aimed at nurturing creativity, entrepreneurial thinking and start-up development across the University. Congratulating the CIIE team, Vice-Chancellor, KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, said the continued recognition reflected the importance the University places on promoting an innovation-driven academic environment. Retaining this rating is an encouraging recognition of our continued efforts to nurture innovative thinking and entrepreneurial talent. We want our students and researchers to feel empowered to explore new ideas, develop practical solutions and contribute to society through their creativity and enterprise, she said. Registrar, KU, Prof. Naseer Iqbal, congratulated the team and said the achievement reflected the varsity's commitment to creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage in innovation and entrepreneurship. Director, IoT, Zakura Campus KU, and Chairman, CIIE, KU, Prof. M. Tariq Banday, said the rating shows the collective efforts of the CIIE team in building a culture of innovation and enterprise. Under the MICAICTE framework, the Council undertakes a range of activities throughout the academic year, including innovation and entrepreneurship awareness programmes, expert interactions, ideation and problem-solving sessions, design thinking, intellectual property rights awareness, exposure visits, idea competitions, hackathons, prototype showcases, mentoring and start-up development initiatives. These activities include those prescribed under the IIC calendar, MIC-driven initiatives, celebrations and self-driven programmes, with outcomes documented and reported through the designated IIC portal.
Unnerved Panamanians sleep in streets as aftershocks rattle quake-hit towns
La Villa de Los Santos (Panama), Oct 10: Unnerved residents of rural Panama awoke Saturday on the streets as the aftershocks of two powerful earthquakes that roiled the country shook their communities for hours. The 7.7- and 6.6-magnitude earthquakes toppled buildings near the epicenter and prompted evacuations across the Central American country. Seismologists at the University of Panama recorded dozens of aftershocks, including ones measuring magnitude 5.8, 5.5 and 5.2. The earlier quake, felt as far away as neighbouring Colombia, was centred about 10 km southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, in the central province of Herrera, according to the US Geological Survey. It struck at a depth of 10 km. Panamanian authorities had not attributed any deaths to the earthquakes. In La Villa de Los Santos, a colonial-era community about 64 km northeast of the epicentre, homes and a historical Catholic church collapsed. People who spent the night on the streets were waiting for the government's guidance on what to do next. We've been here since 1 pm yesterday; we haven't moved, Tony Jimenez, whose home partially collapsed, said while sitting with relatives under a tent. It was a terrible thing. I can tell you with absolute certainty that in my 90 years, I had never experienced anything like it. It was intense truly intense. Images of crumbling buildings and deep fissures slicing through roads added to fears across a region battered by a series of devastating earthquakes in recent months. Two back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes roiled Venezuela's La Guaira state in June, killing more than 6,500 people and leaving 17,000 homeless. In August, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia killed at least 289 people. The notably lower toll in nearby Panama may have been due to the country's strict building codes, especially governing construction of skyscrapers in the capital, said Carlos Valdes, head of the Seismology Department at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Omar Smith of the National Civil Protection Service said that damage was concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos. He said there were no reports of damage in Panama City. Smith said several injuries have been reported, including one person struck by debris from a partially collapsed structure in the city of Penonome, around 150 km from the capital. He confirmed a partial collapse and cracks at the cathedral in the district's main square, as well as damage to the governor's office building and the Dos Continentes hotel. The Church of San Atanasio in La Villa de Los Santos collapsed. It was declared a National Historic Heritage Site in 1938. Elsewhere, including in Veraguas province, large fissures ran along roadways. Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, one of the region's busiest airports with more than 20 million passengers in 2025, temporarily suspended operations after the first quake but said Friday afternoon that it was reopening. The Panama Canal Authority said operations were continuing normally along the global trade route. It said its priority was the safety of employees, vessels and crews and that specialised technical teams were inspecting facilities for possible damage. The last major earthquake to cause widespread damage in Panama struck in 1991. A magnitude 7.4 quake, centred in nearby Costa Rica, killed 23 people, injured 559 and left thousands of people homeless in the border Bocas del Toro region. Earthquakes are common, especially along Panama's border with Costa Rica and its Pacific coast, because of the interaction of several tectonic plates, including the Cocos, Nazca and Caribbean plates. Panama lies along the Ring of Fire, a 40,000-km arc of volcanoes and fault lines around the Pacific Basin, where most of the world's earthquakes occur. (AP)
Two men from Punjab arrested with pistol, cash, heroin in Jammu
Jammu, Oct 10: Police arrested two peddlers on Saturday and recovered a pistol, over Rs 1.48 lakh, 22 grams of heroin, an electronic weighing machine and two mobile phones from them, an official said. A police spokesperson said police arrested Sonu Kumar of Chak Murar and Anmol Arora of Amritsar (Punjab) during a vehicle check in the Bishnah area on the outskirts of Jammu, and seized the private car they were travelling in. The latest arrest followed the successful busting of a major cross-border narcotic smuggling racket, which resulted in the arrest of four accused, including a Punjab resident, in the nearby Arnia sector of Jammu on October 5. Police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the NDPS Act and the Arms Act at Bishnah Police Station and opened an investigation. The spokesperson said further investigation is underway to ascertain the source and intended destination of the suspected contraband, the origin of the recovered cash and weapon, and the accused's possible backward and forward linkages with other persons involved in illegal drug trafficking.
LG Sinha sees global capability centres as key to J&Ks industrial growth over next decade
Jammu, Oct 10: Jammu and Kashmirs industrial landscape could undergo a significant transformation over the next decade, with Global Capability Centres (GCCs) becoming a key driver of investment, employment, and economic growth, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Saturday. Addressing the valedictory session of the two-day J&K GCC Summit at IIM Jammu, he said the Union Territory could emerge as a major GCC destination, backed by its young talent pool, improving infrastructure, investor-friendly policies, and an expanding innovation ecosystem. He congratulated IIM Jammu, NASSCOM, partner institutions and the administration for successfully organising the summit, urging participants to reflect on a key question about why companies seeking their next talent hub, innovation centre and capacity destination should make Jammu and Kashmir their preferred choice and work together with a strong resolve to make it a reality. Drawing inspiration from the worlds highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River, Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir today reflects the confidence and ambition required to pursue transformational goals. He observed that the Chenab itself, formed through the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers, symbolises the spirit of collaboration. In a similar manner, GCCs bring together the global expertise, capital and technology of multinational enterprises with the talent, aspirations and imagination of Jammu Kashmirs youth to create new opportunities for growth and innovation. I see Global Capability Centres in the same spirit of courage and confluence and together they can generate a strength far beyond their separate capabilities, he said. The Lt Governor said India is home to more than 2,100 GCCs that employ over 19 Lakh professionals and contribute substantially to exports. He highlighted that more GCCs are expanding beyond metropolitan centres into Tier-II and Tier-III cities, showing that Indias talent pool is now widely distributed across the country. He said this presents both an opportunity and a responsibility for Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen its institutions, infrastructure and innovation ecosystem. Emphasising the GCC sector's future direction, the Lt Governor said the journey of GCCs has evolved from questions of cost efficiency to excellence and capability. The industrial revolution we are witnessing today in parts of the Jammu division and the Kashmir Valley is a living symbol of the new Jammu Kashmir. In 2020, there were only 69 startups and that number has now risen to 1,305, a growth of over 1,800 per cent. When the energy of young, ambitious graduates from IIM Jammu, IIT Jammu, NIT Srinagar and other universities of Jammu Kashmir is added to these figures, you see a ready workforce emerging, he said. He identified six key advantages that position Jammu Kashmir as an attractive GCC destination, including strong financial support, lower operating costs, special incentives for pioneering multinational investors, the return of local talent, first-mover advantages for early GCC entrants and opportunities in niche sectors such as agri-tech, tourism-tech and handicraft digitisation. Outlining a four-pillar roadmap for the next five years, the Lt Governor stressed talent development through industry-academia partnerships, building trust through credible implementation, leveraging Jammu Kashmirs unique destination advantages and promoting inclusive growth through a hub-and-spoke development model. Expressing confidence in J&K's future, he said GCCs can become an integral pillar of Jammu Kashmirs industrial ecosystem over the next decade. An IIM Jammu spokesman said the summit concluded with deliberations centred on technology and innovation, talent and workforce transformation, investment, and a roadmap to position Jammu & Kashmir as an emerging destination for GCCs. The summit's highlight was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Indian Institute of Management Jammu and KPMG Advisory Services Private Limited. The collaboration aims to strengthen industryacademia engagement through academic programmes, executive education, research, consultancy, skill development and industry-oriented learning, contributing to talent development and the growth of the GCC ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir, the spokesman said.
Dermatologist Dr Mir Shahnawaz honoured with Best Hair Restoration Research Award in Saudi Arabia
Jeddah, Oc 10: Dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon Dr Mir Shahnawaz has received the REACH Research Award in Saudi Arabia for his research on exosome-containing formulations in male pattern baldness. The award was conferred by Dr Shadi Zari, President of REACH Academy, under the REACH Research Awards on Regenerative Hair Restoration and Regenerative Aesthetics. The honour was accompanied by a research prize of SAR 10,000. As per a statement, Dr Shahnawazs study compared an exosome-containing formulation with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in men with androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness. His work contributes comparative clinical evidence to an emerging area of regenerative medicine, examining how newer formulations perform alongside established approaches to hair restoration. Dr Shahnawaz is the founder of Dermis Skin, Laser & Hair Transplant Clinic in Bemina, Srinagar. Alongside providing dermatology, laser and hair restoration services, he continues to pursue research that addresses questions relevant to everyday clinical practice. The international recognition marks a meaningful milestone in his research journey and a proud moment for Kashmirs medical community. It also highlights the contribution of Indian clinicians to global scientific discussions on regenerative medicine.
Curbs in Delhi do not reflect well on democracy, Kashmiris no stranger to them: MP Aga Ruhullah
Srinagar, Oct 10: Lok Sabha MP Ruhullah Mehdi criticised the heavy deployment of security forces in Delhi on Saturday to prevent protestors from gathering at Jantar Mantar to demand action against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), warning that such curbs do not reflect well on democracy. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called the demonstration demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of masterminding voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, as well as other irregularities involving Form 6, the voter registration form. Mehdi, the MP from Srinagar, said the curbs, though, were not strange to a Kashmiri like him. Heavy security forces in the heart of India's capital to stop citizens reaching Jantar Mantar. This does not speak well of a democracy. Being from Kashmir, none of this is strange to me. We don't cherish it. We warn: this is what happens in Kashmir. Don't let it happen to India, Mehdi said in a post on his official handle on X. Heavy security deployment and restrictions were imposed in the national capital. Authorities detained several opposition leaders, including former chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar, as they attempted to join the protest. Student activists, lawyers and journalists were also detained. The Delhi Police detained more than 3,000 protesters, who were trying to reach Jantar Mantar for the proposed CJP stir.
Airport in Saudi capital has been attacked again, officials say
Cairo, Oct 10: The airport in the Saudi capital has been attacked again, two regional officials said Saturday, two days after three Saudi citizens including a pilot were killed there. One official said the Riyadh airport had been evacuated, and the other said air traffic had stopped. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorised to speak to the media. King Khalid International Airport has been targeted in an extraordinary series of attacks in the week since a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the earlier attacks, including another on Wednesday that killed a Sudanese national and wounded eight other people. There was no immediate Houthi statement Saturday. A Riyadh resident, Ahmed Sayed, told The Associated Press he heard at least two loud explosions that rocked the capital. The airport issued a terse alert telling passengers to check their flight status with airlines before heading to the airport. Fighting in Yemen between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces has escalated, with the Saudi-led coalition providing air support for government forces in an attempt to reverse recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea. (AP)
Budgam man goes missing in UAE, family seeks help
Budgam, Oct 10: A 36-year-old man from Daharmuna village in Budgam district, identified as Jamsheed Ali, son of Ali Mohammad Wani, has reportedly been missing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since October 6, leaving his family worried about his whereabouts. According to his wife, Jamsheed contacted her in the early hours of October 6 and informed her that he had a flight ticket to return home that day. She said the family waited for two days for his arrival, initially assuming that he might have been delayed during his journey. However, when he failed to return, she contacted her brother-in-law and informed him about the situation. Following this, Jamsheeds brother contacted the company where he was employed. The company reportedly informed him that Jamsheed had been absent from work for the previous two days. Meanwhile, his brother has lodged a complaint with Budgam Police regarding his disappearance. He has also emailed a complaint to the Indian Embassy, seeking assistance in tracing Jamsheed and establishing his whereabouts.
124 former IAS, IFS officers write open letter to citizens, defend EC, SIR
New Delhi, Oct 10: A total of 124 former IAS, IFS and allied services' officers have issued an open letter to the citizens of India, strongly defending the Election Commission (EC) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, while questioning allegations of vote rigging without credible evidence. Highlighting India's transformation from an era of booth capturing, ballot-box stuffing and poll violence, the officers said today's electoral system has multiple layers of checks and safeguards, including polling agents, EVM sealing, strong-room security and VVPAT verification. They cited last year's Bihar Assembly polls, which recorded no re-polling and the highest voter turnout since 1951. A system cannot be honest when you win and rigged when you lose, the letter said, pointing out that under the same EC, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre lost several state polls as well as its parliamentary majority in 2024. The signatories to the letter include former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal and former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers R D Kapur, Samirendra Chatterjee, Gopal Krishna, Vivek Bhardwaj and Navneet Sehgal.
Does Fasting Make You Feel Weak or Tired? Simple Ways To Prevent the Energy Slump
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CAT directs J&K govt to examine regularisation claims of 12 Rehbar-e-Janglaat employees
Srinagar, Oct 10: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Srinagar Bench, has directed the Jammu and Kashmir government to examine the regularisation claims of 12 Rehbar-e-Janglaat employees in accordance with its existing policy and relevant government orders, and issue a reasoned decision, preferably within eight weeks. The direction comes as a significant development for the employees, who completed five years of service in 2022 but have been awaiting regularisation under the government's policy, news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) reported. The Tribunal directed the competent authorities to consider the applicants' claims in light of Government Order No. 155-FST of 2017 and subsequent orders governing the regularisation of Rehbar-e-Janglaat employees. Under Clause VIII of the 2017 policy, employees completing five years of satisfactory and continuous service are eligible for consideration for regularisation, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed conditions. The applicants maintained that despite completing the stipulated service period, their cases had not been settled, prompting them to approach the Tribunal for relief. While examining the matter, the Tribunal took note of the government's earlier decisions concerning the creation and adjustment of posts in the Forest Department. These included the creation of 333 additional Forest Guard posts in 2017 and the subsequent adjustment of 234 supernumerary posts against available vacancies in 2021. The developments were considered relevant to the applicants' claims for regularisation under the existing policy framework. Importantly, the Tribunal also directed the authorities to consider the applicability of the Supreme Court judgment in Rupesh R. Gaonkar and Others versus State of Goa and Others while deciding the matter. It observed that the benefit of the judgment should be extended to the applicants if their cases are covered by the ruling and no legal impediment exists. The Tribunal, however, did not order the immediate regularisation of the employees. Instead, it directed the competent authorities to examine their individual eligibility and claims in accordance with the applicable rules, government orders and judicial precedents. The authorities have been asked to pass a reasoned order, explaining the decision taken on the applicants' claims, preferably within eight weeks from the date of service of the certified copy of the Tribunal's order. The direction places the responsibility on the government to assess the pending claims and communicate its decision within the stipulated timeframe. The matter assumes significance for Rehbar-e-Janglaat employees who have been seeking regularisation after completing the service period prescribed under the government's 2017 policy. The Tribunal's directions have provided the 12 applicants an opportunity for formal reconsideration of their claims, although their regularisation will depend on their eligibility and the applicable legal provisions. (KNS)
CM Omar Abdullah calls for future-ready education beyond examinations
New Delhi, Oct 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called for a future-ready education system that prepares children for life beyond examinations, equipping them with critical thinking, digital literacy, adaptability and a strong sense of responsibility. The Chief Minister was addressing the School Leader of the Year 2026 Summit & Awards in New Delhi, which brought together leading educators, school principals and institutional heads to celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership in K-12 education. Emphasising the role of school leaders in nation-building, Omar Abdullah said principals and headteachers do much more than administer schools. They shape the learning environment, values, aspirations and future of young minds. Strong leadership, he said, is fundamental to building safe, inclusive, innovative and student-centric institutions. The Chief Minister underscored that education must focus on the holistic development of every child, going beyond academic achievement to nurture creativity, communication, collaboration, problem-solving abilities and digital competence. He stressed that schools must prepare students to meet emerging challenges with confidence and responsibility. Highlighting the opportunities presented by technology and Artificial Intelligence, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to adopt these tools responsibly to improve learning outcomes, personalise education and support teachers, while ensuring that technology complements rather than replaces the human element of education. He also stressed the importance of continuous professional development for teachers and school leaders, noting that exposure to innovative teaching methods, exchange of best practices and opportunities for collaboration are essential to strengthening educational institutions. Omar Abdullah called for an inclusive approach to educational excellence, emphasising that quality education must reach children in rural, remote and underserved communities as well as those in urban areas. He said governments, educators, institutions, parents and communities must work collectively to address the diverse academic, social and developmental needs of children. The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of meaningful collaboration among educational institutions, both within India and internationally, to promote innovation, share successful models and strengthen the quality of education. He observed that recognition of exemplary school leadership helps foster a culture of excellence, encouraging other institutions to learn from successful practices and adapt them to their own contexts. On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated the heads of several educational institutions in recognition of their contributions. Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technologys Achyuta Samanta; Executive Chairman, Association of Indian Principals, (AIP), Dalip Sharma; CTO, AIP and CEO, City Innovates Kashish Jhamb and Managing Director, Macmillan Education India, Rajesh Pasari, were among those present. Chancellors and senior officials from Indian and international universities, officials from Austrade, school founders, directors, principals and heads of schools from across the country also attended the summit.
Russian attacks kill 12 in Ukraine after Trump strikes diesel deal with Putin
Kyiv, Oct 10: Russian strikes killed at least 12 people in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday, a day after US President Donald Trump announced a deal to buy Russian diesel that Kyiv warned would help bankroll Moscow's war in Ukraine. Three children were among those killed when Russian aerial bombs hit residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia, Zelenskyy said Saturday. At least 14 people were wounded in the attack. Russia and Ukraine are locked in a long-range aerial war while their armies remain largely deadlocked on the front line, more than 4 1/2 years since Moscow's full-scale invasion. Ukraine is struggling to counter escalating Russian bombardments that have killed more than 60 people over the past four days. Trump said Friday he had struck a deal to obtain diesel from Russia, a stunning reversal of years of US pressure on Moscow over its war with Ukraine and an attempt to address high fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections. Today, Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia, Zelenskyy wrote Saturday on X. He said the attacks show Moscow understands any easing of pressure to mean they can keep fighting, to mean they can keep dropping bombs on cities, adding that different signals are needed. Trump had been set to discuss a suspected case of plague in Russia with President Vladimir Putin in a phone call. Instead, the American leader announced Friday that Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons immediately thereafter. Russia will deliver an additional 3 million tons within a short period of time after that, he wrote. In Kyiv, people gathered at a memorial to fallen soldiers on Independence Square greeted the deal with a mix of anger and resignation. Trump has once again shown his true face, said Oleksandr Petrenko, 26. He didn't care about the situation, the shelling or the destruction of our homes. All he's interested in is oil or the fuel prices and how much Americans have to pay. Knowing Trump, he tries to manipulate the markets. He's got an election coming up soon, Petrenko said. So he needs to emphasise to his voters that gasoline will be cheap. But it won't be effective. For Oksana Yakunina, a financial adviser from Kropyvnytskyi, the announcement didn't really come as a surprise. Trump has been working with Putin for a long time, she told The Associated Press. Trump's announcement was in stark contrast to a sweeping Russia sanctions law he signed last month that aimed at clamping down on the oil and gas revenues that fuel Russia's war against Ukraine. In a lengthy post online reacting to the deal on Friday, Zelenskyy said Russia would repay it with further terror and perfidy. He framed it as an investment in the war that could prolong it. It plays into Russia's hands -- allowing it to kill more, wage war for longer, have even less respect for America, and inflict even greater losses and damage on the world, he said. According to a statement released by the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, Zelenskyy called it a weak decision, unfortunately, a weak decision by strong partners. Trump announced the deal as his envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Ukrainian officials in Miami to discuss a proposal to end the war. I believe our team is simply being used as a smoke screen. And that is certainly not fair. It is certainly not how partners should treat each other, Zelenskyy said. [AP]
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FCIK expresses strong resentment over GCC's 'misleading' apprehensions on Ease of Doing Business Act
Srinagar, Oct 10: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has expressed deep anguish and strong resentment over the apprehensions voiced by the Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) regarding the recently enacted Jammu and Kashmir Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026, describing its observations as misleading, speculative and detached from the harsh realities endured by the industrial fraternity for decades. In a statement, FCIK said it was particularly disturbing that some former senior bureaucrats, who themselves occupied influential administrative positions when entrepreneurs struggled under excessive regulatory controls, should now question reforms intended to dismantle that very system. The Federation recalled that it had consistently sought comprehensive Ease of Doing Business reforms for decades, including during the tenures of some officers now associated with GCC. Repeated representations had highlighted the ordeal of entrepreneurs moving endlessly between departments for permissions, renewals and clearances, encountering overlapping jurisdictions, arbitrary inspections and prolonged administrative indecision. Thousands of entrepreneurs have suffered humiliation, financial losses and uncertainty under a system where their investments and livelihoods remained hostage to bureaucratic discretion. These reforms represent a long-awaited opportunity to free enterprise from that stranglehold, FCIK observed. The Federation said political disturbances, natural calamities and economic uncertainty had already devastated industrial growth, while excessive bureaucratic control compounded these difficulties, discouraging investment, obstructing expansion and frustrating employment generation. FCIK maintained that GCC appeared to have overlooked important provisos, exceptions and safeguards incorporated in the Act concerning environmental protection, human safety, larger public interest and specified planning restrictions. The legislation seeks to eliminate unnecessary procedural barriers, not dispense with substantive statutory obligations. The Federation questioned how GCC could draw sweeping conclusions about environmental degradation and unregulated development without demonstrating which mandatory safeguards had actually been extinguished. Referring to apprehensions about deemed approvals, inspection moratoriums and Master Plan relaxations, FCIK said time-bound decisions and risk-based regulation were established instruments of administrative reform intended to prevent official inaction from becoming an indefinite veto over lawful enterprise. An inspection undertaken to prevent genuine environmental harm or danger to human life is entirely different from one conducted merely because an officer possesses the authority to do so. The former protects society; the latter, when exercised arbitrarily, becomes an instrument of harassment, the Federation stated. FCIK also rejected the suggestion that Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living were contradictory objectives. An enterprise, it said, was not merely a source of income for its promoter but generated employment, supported ancillary businesses, sustained families and contributed to public revenue. How can there be meaningful ease of living without opportunities for earning a dignified livelihood? For an unemployed graduate, a struggling artisan or a family dependent upon a distressed enterprise, productive economic activity is itself an essential component of ease of living, FCIK observed. The Federation emphasised Kashmir's traditional household-based production economy, where activities such as sozni embroidery, shawl making, carpet weaving, papier-mch, handloom production and wood carving have historically sustained generations of families with negligible or low environmental impact, depending upon the processes involved. FCIK said its aspiration was to see every willing household in Kashmir become a potential production centre, enabling women, youth and other family members to supplement incomes while preserving traditional craftsmanship. Such genuinely non-polluting activities should not be burdened with unnecessary permissions merely because they involve commercial production. Turning to environmental concerns, FCIK questioned why the historical failures of regulatory institutions were receiving so little attention in GCC's discourse. During whose administrative tenures did wetlands suffer encroachments, water bodies deteriorate, agricultural land undergo indiscriminate conversion and unplanned construction proliferate? Jammu and Kashmir already possessed extensive environmental and planning laws when much of this degradation occurred. Multiple permissions and powerful regulatory authorities did not, by themselves, prevent these developments, the Federation observed. FCIK clarified that these questions concerned institutional accountability rather than personal blame. It also asked the former administrators associated with GCC to reflect upon what initiatives they had undertaken during their respective tenures to simplify procedures, eliminate redundant permissions, curb arbitrary inspections and hold officers accountable for delays, particularly when FCIK had repeatedly sought such reforms from successive administrations. The Federation appreciated the efforts of the present administrative establishment under Chief Secretary AtalDulloo in advancing a renewed regulatory framework aimed at replacing discretionary permissions with transparent, time-bound and accountable governance. It also commended Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his government for refining and carrying these reforms through the legislative process. FCIK said investors today compared states on regulatory predictability, infrastructure, incentives, administrative responsiveness and the cost and time involved in establishing enterprises. Jammu and Kashmir, already disadvantaged by decades of disruptions and accumulated industrial distress, could ill afford to lose further investment and employment opportunities because of outdated administrative practices. The Federation stressed that environmental protection and economic development were not mutually exclusive. It said the safeguards and qualifications contained in the legislation must be faithfully reflected in the forthcoming rules, ensuring that environmental, planning and safety obligations remain enforceable while unnecessary bureaucratic interference is eliminated. FCIK called upon GCC to substantiate its apprehensions through specific statutory references, technical evidence and workable alternatives rather than allowing speculative concerns to overshadow the long-overdue reform of an oppressive regulatory system. The industrial fraternity has waited decades for a system in which an entrepreneur remains answerable for violating the law but is no longer perpetually dependent upon an officer's discretion to undertake lawful economic activity, the Federation stated. FCIK concluded that the real success of the legislation would be measured when entrepreneurs could devote more time to production, innovation and employment generation and less to pursuing files and permissions. It expressed hope that the forthcoming rules would preserve the reform's original intent and prevent the reintroduction of unnecessary bureaucratic controls under different names.
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BJP to launch district-level protests against Omar government: LoP Sunil Sharma
Srinagar, Oct 10: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will launch district-level protests against the National Conference-led government in Jammu and Kashmir, accusing it of ignoring the concerns of poor and disadvantaged sections of society. Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the party had decided to take the issues to the streets after discussing them at a meeting of its district presidents and district general secretaries. The BJP's responsibility in Jammu and Kashmir is that of the opposition. The government here is working in a manner that keeps it miles away from the common people, particularly the poor, Sharma told reporters. He said the party had tried to raise these issues in the Legislative Assembly but had not received a satisfactory response from the government. We cannot turn a blind eye to these issues and difficulties. We have decided that we will take up the cause of the poor and the oppressed and fight the government on the streets, he said. Sharma said the party would organise protests in every district of Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days to hold the government accountable. Sharma alleges conspiracy to destabilise India Asked about protests in Delhi against the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Sharma accused the Congress and other opposition parties of attempting to destabilise the country. This is a big conspiracy to destabilise India and create unrest by involving as many young people as possible, he said, alleging that some forces wanted a change of regime similar to developments in Nepal and Bangladesh. He accused the opposition of trying to generate public distrust in the Chief Election Commissioner, who heads a constitutional institution, and said electoral defeats should not be blamed on the poll machinery. The party that has been losing elections continuously for the last 12 years now claims that the Chief Election Commissioner, who took office a year ago, is responsible for its defeats, Sharma said. Defending the SIR exercise, Sharma argued that electoral rolls should not contain duplicate, deceased or otherwise ineligible voters. As a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, I support the SIR. We should never allow an illegal voter to vote here, he said, referring to alleged cases of people from Bangladesh and Pakistan voting in India. Sharma cited figures of 6.5 crore voters who had moved from one location to another, 2.5 crore deceased voters and one crore voters whose addresses could not be traced. He argued that voters who had shifted residence or died should be removed from the relevant electoral rolls. Should a voter be registered in two places? Should the names of people who have died remain on the rolls? Should voters whose addresses cannot be traced remain there? he asked. The figures and characterisation of voter deletions were cited by Sharma in defence of the exercise and have not been independently verified here. Challenges Omar Abdullah on delimitation Responding to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's allegation that the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir had benefited the BJP, Sharma said the National Conference had gained the most from it. If he believes that the BJP or the Election Commission manipulated the process, the biggest moral responsibility lies with Omar Abdullah. He should leave the government, Sharma said.
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New Delhi, Oct 10: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the participants of the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur on October 10, 2026. Hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) from 26 September to 12 October 2026, the multinational air exercise brought together air forces from seven Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) including Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America along with 32 observer nations. Congratulating the IAF and all organisations and personnel involved in the successful conduct of the exercise, the Defence Minister welcomed the participating nations and appreciated their contribution to strengthening professional understanding and operational cooperation. He noted that the presence of participating air forces had added significant value to the exercise and expressed hope that the contingents would return with valuable professional insights and a deeper understanding of India's capabilities and perspectives. He highlighted the importance of self-reliance in the defence sector, technological innovation and international partnerships in addressing the evolving challenges of modern warfare. Addressing the gathering, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh observed that modern warfare was undergoing a profound transformation, extending beyond the traditional domains of land, sea and air to encompass space, cyber, the electromagnetic spectrum and the information domain. He highlighted the growing influence of unmanned systems, drones, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and long-range precision weapons in shaping contemporary military operations. Future military power will be defined less by the number of platforms we possess. It will be determined by the speed of sensing, understanding, deciding, and acting, he said, underlining that speed, precision, information and integration had emerged as defining attributes of military capability. He also emphasised the need for continuous vigilance in view of the rapidly changing geopolitical environment and the uncertainties associated with technological advancements in the defence sector. The Defence Minister said that India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had recognised the importance of strengthening national resilience against emerging security challenges and had adopted Atmanirbharta in defence as a national policy. He stressed that a nation must possess the capability to produce its own weapons and critical technologies to sustain itself during prolonged conflicts and periods of uncertainty. Highlighting the transformation of the Indian Defence Forces, Defence Minister said that the Indian Air Force had evolved from a force operating with limited resources at the time of Independence into a modern aerospace power equipped with advanced aircraft, precision weapons, sophisticated sensors, integrated networks and increasingly advanced indigenous technologies. He emphasised that Atmanirbhar Bharat did not mean isolation from the world, but the development of domestic capabilities to design, develop, manufacture, maintain and upgrade critical defence technologies. Referring to India's growing aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem, the Defence Minister highlighted indigenous programmes and systems, including the Tejas fighter aircraft, helicopters such as Dhruv, Rudra, Prachand and the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), the Akash air defence system, AESA radars, electronic systems, and emerging unmanned and aerospace technologies. Defence Minister also referred to the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme as an important step towards mastering fifth-generation stealth fighter technology and underscored the importance of advanced aero-engine development and co-production. He said that India was keen to explore cooperation with like-minded countries in research, co-development, co-production, maintenance, training and innovation. Emphasising the growing importance of trusted partnerships and resilient supply chains, he stated, The defence relationships of the future will be about technology and trust, not just about platforms. The Defence Minister observed that building strong indigenous capabilities must go hand in hand with meaningful cooperation with trusted partners. India must be capable of acting independently when required while also operating effectively with other nations when their interests and responsibilities converge, he emphasised. In this context, Defence Minister highlighted the significance of Exercise Tarang Shakti in translating the principles of capability, technology, interoperability and trust into operational experience. The exercise provided participating air forces an opportunity to operate alongside one another, exchange operational knowledge, assess procedures and understand different platforms, doctrines and approaches to mission planning. He noted that multinational exercises enabled aircrews and commanders to learn from one another, examine existing assumptions and identify opportunities to improve their systems and processes. Describing the spirit of the exercise, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, Different nations. Different aircraft. Different experiences. But one sky. That is the message of Tarang Shakti. He emphasised that the value of the exercise extended beyond the sorties flown and scenarios practised, encompassing the ability to communicate, coordinate and operate effectively with partner forces. The RM called upon the Indian Air Force to incorporate the lessons of the exercise into its training, tactics, technology, doctrine and future capability development. He expressed confidence that the participating nations would carry forward the professional relationships and mutual understanding developed during the exercise to explore new avenues of aerospace and defence cooperation. The second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti builds on the success of its inaugural edition in 2024 and reinforces India's commitment to constructive defence engagement and international cooperation. The exercise brought together diverse combat, transport, surveillance and air-to-air refuelling capabilities, providing opportunities for joint mission planning, operational learning and enhanced interoperability. The participation of indigenous platforms, including the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, also highlighted India's progress in indigenous aerospace design, engineering and manufacturing. The contemporary relevance of the exercise is underscored by the decisive role of air power in Operation Sindoor, which demonstrated the Indian Air Forces ability to execute precise, calibrated and effective operations in furtherance of national security objectives. The operation highlighted the importance of operational preparedness, integrated planning, credible deterrence and the effective application of air power in a complex security environment. The experience gained from operational employment reinforces the value of multinational exercises such as Tarang Shakti in advancing professional understanding and preparing for the evolving challenges of modern warfare. Beyond flying operations, the exercise featured professional engagements, industrial visits and cultural interactions, including yoga sessions, heritage visits and an International Night celebrating the traditions of participating nations. Chief of Defence Staff General N. S. Raja Subramani, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, other dignitaries, officials of the Ministry of Defence and participating countries attended the event.
Public feedback key to improving Police functioning: SSP Baramulla
Baramulla, Oct 10: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla Gurinderpal Singh on Saturday urged people to approach the police with their grievances and provide direct feedback on the functioning of officers, saying public cooperation and accountability within the force were essential for improving policing. Addressing media persons in Pattan regarding several theft cases solved by Baramulla Police, SSP Baramulla said the police were committed to resolving public grievances and would make every effort to address complaints related to theft, lost mobile phones and other offences. He credited the success of the investigations to the professionalism of police personnel and the cooperation extended by the public, saying the teams worked independently and demonstrated professional competence. The most important thing for success is the public, Singh said, adding that complainants and civilians assisted investigations by providing CCTV footage, statements, information and other technical evidence. He urged people to maintain faith in the Police and approach the department whenever they faced a problem. We are always at your service 24x7, 365 days, he said. He added that the Police would make every possible effort to resolve cases and public grievances. On accountability, SSP Baramulla said the public must use the hierarchy available if they were not satisfied with the progress of any investigation. He said complainants could first approach the investigating officer and then escalate the matter to the concerned police post or police station in-charge, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and the SSP. If thegrievances still remain unaddressed, people can approach senior officers, including the Deputy Inspector General and Inspector General of Police, he added. SSP Gurinderpal Singh said the police hierarchy operated within established rules and norms of accountability and responsibility. People must inform senior officers if they feel an officer at any level is not performing effectively, he said. He said such feedback should not necessarily be viewed as a complaint against an individual, as it could help identify areas requiring training or other corrective interventions. If a person needs training, we will focus on training, he said, adding that feedback from the public would help the department identify shortcomings and improve its functioning. The SSP also stressed that rehabilitation of offenders required a collective effort involving families, communities and the government. He said Police alone could not ensure reform, saying it was a whole-of-society and whole-of-government responsibility. The family of an accused person, the immediate social environment and government interventions all had a role to play in preventing repeat offences, he said. SSP Baramulla however said that an individual's willingness to change remained crucial, saying that the best rehabilitation facilities and policies would have limited impact if an offender was unwilling to abandon criminal activity. Police uses legal procedures, arrests, prosecution and court trials to make repeat offenders understand the consequences of their actions and their impact on society, he added. He said that while most people improved after their first involvement in an offence, those who repeatedly engaged in criminal activity required stronger legal action. Enhanced prosecution and punishment measures are available to deal with habitual offenders, he added.
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CJP stir against CEC: Delhi Police detains around 500 protestors
New Delhi, Oct 10: Delhi Police on Saturday detained around 500 protesters, who were trying to reach Jantar Mantar for the proposed CJP stir against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Sources said the protestors were detained across the New Delhi area, where police are using drones to monitor movement of people attempting to reach the protest site. The protestors were detained from several places, including near Regal Cinema, Minto Bridge and near Akashwani Bhawan. Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, police sources said over 600 people with criminal records were also detained across all 15 districts of the national capital as part of preventive measures. The preventive action is aimed at ensuring that people with criminal backgrounds do not create a law-and-order situation during the proposed demonstration, the sources said. Police are also keeping a close watch on the movements of certain people, who could mobilise crowds or influence others to participate in the proposed protest, the sources said. Surveillance has been intensified outside the residences of such people as part of the security measures, they added. Special Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Devesh Srivastava told PTI, We have made elaborate security arrangements today and areas neighbouring bordering states have been picketed in coordination with neighbouring police force. Senior officers have been deployed. Along with that we are getting cooperation from citizens and our community policing teams like Aman Committee are working. Police have appealed to citizens to not participate in the protests, he said. The situation is under control. People who are going to Jantar Mantar are being detained as we had already said that no permission for such protest is granted, the senior police officer said. Police personnel have been deployed at strategic locations across the city, particularly in areas leading to Jantar Mantar and other sensitive locations, to prevent any untoward incident. The security arrangements include heightened surveillance and monitoring of the movement of people suspected of attempting to disrupt law and order. Police are also keeping a close watch on possible mobilisation efforts ahead of the proposed demonstration. Police have said that prohibitory orders are in force in the New Delhi area and appealed to people to abide by the restrictions. Security arrangements have been tightened across Delhi in view of the proposed protest, with personnel deployed to maintain law and order and prevent any unauthorised gathering, the sources added. The CJP has called the proposed demonstration against the CEC over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and changes relating to Form 6, used for voter registration.
Stone pelting at police personnel near Akashwani Bhawan; two police personnel injured
New Delhi, Oct 10: Protesters allegedly stone-pelted security personnel at Imtiaz Ali Marg near Akashwani Bhawan after toppling barricades during the proposed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) stir against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the national capital on Saturday, officials said. Around noon, 25 to 30 protesters jumped barricades on Imtiaz Ali Marg and stone-pelleted at security personnel, they said, adding that some of them have been detained and two police personnel were injured in the process. Police have detained about 500 people as protesters attempted to reach Jantar Mantar despite authorities denying permission to protest and enforcing strict security measures across the New Delhi district. Several protesters were chased and detained as they tried to regroup at different locations and evade the security cordon. The protest was scheduled to begin at 10.30 am, but police and paramilitary personnel prevented participants from reaching the designated area, where prohibitory orders are in force. Several protesters were detained from locations including Connaught Place, while many others were sent back.
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US-brokered ceasefire was supposed to end war in Gaza. A year later, progress has stalled
Dubai, Oct 10: It's been a year since a ceasefire deal brokered by US President Donald Trump and Arab allies promised to end the war in Gaza, and Israel is still launching deadly strikes on the devastated territory. The agreement halted major military operations, freed all remaining hostages and increased humanitarian access. But it has failed to deliver on promises of a new Palestinian administration aided by international forces, the disarmament of Hamas and an end to Israel's control over more than half the territory. Almost nothing has been rebuilt. Israel has tied any progress on the other issues to Hamas' complete disarmament, while the militant group -- and the Trump administration -- say they should happen simultaneously. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hardened his stance over the summer, openly defying Trump, his most important ally, ahead of Israeli elections later this month. The wrangling has left Gaza's 2 million Palestinians in limbo. Most are sheltering in rodent-infested tent camps, the rubble of their former neighbourhoods or war-damaged buildings at risk of collapse. In the Jabaliya area of the northern Gaza Strip, Abdullah Abu Zubaida's family lives in a makeshift shelter built from the debris of their house. When the ceasefire began last October, we expected the war to halt, assassinations to cease, and aid to flow in, he said. None of that has happened. For Ne'man Abu Jarad and his family, displaced from Beit Lahia in northern Gaza to Khan Younis in the south, the truce also has brought no clear path home. The family, including five daughters, continues to live in tents. The ceasefire is merely nominal, ink on paper, Abu Jarad said. Early success raised hopes of ending the war The 20-point ceasefire agreement, reached after months of negotiations under the Biden and Trump administrations, ended major military operations and led to the return of all the remaining hostages taken in Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war. Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people that day and abducted 251. Israel responded with massive bombardment and a ground invasion that has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, maintains detailed records and is seen as generally reliable by UN agencies and independent experts. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its toll but says women and children make up around half the dead. After the deal was announced, Trump called for a new era of harmony in the Middle East. We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us, he said at a summit marking the deal. The agreement called for much more The agreement called for Hamas to hand over power to a committee of Palestinian administrators vetted by the Board of Peace, a new body chaired by Trump and charged with implementing the ceasefire. The militants officially dissolved their government in July but left the civil service intact and remain the dominant power in the roughly 40 per cent of Gaza not controlled by the Israeli military. Israel has meanwhile barred the new Palestinian administration from entering Gaza via Egypt. The formation of an International Stabilisation Force was announced in February but has yet to materialise. Indonesia, which pledged the largest troop contingent -- 8,000 soldiers -- put those plans on hold last spring as the world's focus shifted to the Iran war. Israel was supposed to withdraw from Gaza but has instead seized more territory, pushing the so-called yellow Line of Control westward toward the Mediterranean Sea. It has also carried out regular strikes on individuals it accused of violating the ceasefire, approaching the yellow line or having taken part in the Oct. 7 attack -- strikes that have often killed civilians. Israeli strikes have killed over 1,400 Palestinians since the ceasefire took effect, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Sporadic attacks have killed five Israeli soldiers in Gaza in the same period. More deadlock after Netanyahu defied Trump In July, Trump announced a deal to disarm Hamas, portraying it as a breakthrough in the long-stalled process. That deal, an extension of the original ceasefire, called for Hamas to disarm in a gradual, sequential and time-bound manner that is linked to an Israeli withdrawal, in phases. Hamas confirmed for the first time that it had agreed to disarm, also linking it to Israel halting its strikes and withdrawing from Gaza. Days later, Netanyahu announced that Israel would not withdraw from any part of Gaza until after Hamas has been completely disarmed, explicitly rejecting the agreement announced by Trump. The rare instance of friction between the two allies came as Netanyahu seeks to shore up his nationalist base ahead of Oct. 27 elections that could end his nearly unbroken 17-year rule, the longest in Israel's history. Netanyahu has come under fire over security and intelligence failures leading up to the Oct. 7 attack, with opponents accusing him of having been soft on Hamas. That gives him little space to make even minor compromises on Gaza, at least until a new government is formed, which could take months.
Five landmines found, defused along LoC in J-K's Poonch
Mendhar, Oct 10: Five landmines were detected and safely destroyed by the Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday. While two landmines were detected by an Army patrol party near the border fence in Basoni top area on Saturday morning, three others had been found in the same area the previous day, the officials said. They said the explosives were subsequently destroyed through controlled explosions by the Bomb Disposal Squad of the Army without causing any damage. The forward areas along the LoC are dotted with landmines as part of an anti-infiltration obstacle system. However, heavy rainfall can sometimes wash away the mines, causing them to surface in areas where they may pose a potential risk.
Delhi Police chases CJP protesters, detain top leaders
New Delhi, Oct 10: Delhi Police on Saturday chased Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters attempting to reach Jantar Mantar, detaining several as they regrouped and tried to evade the security cordon. Abhijit Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka, the leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), were detained at Delhi airport as they landed. The protest was scheduled to begin at 10.30 am, but the police and paramilitary forces deterred the participants from reaching the Jantar Mantar site, which has been turned into a fortress, by detaining several and sending back many more. The police top brass monitored the situation and supervised the deployment made across the New Delhi area which has been divided into 20 sectors. As protesters, many of them women, attempted to regroup at different locations, police chased them down and detained them in buses. A few agitators entered a gurdwara in the area amid the police action. The police maintained a strict vigil across the district, with personnel deployed at key intersections and approach roads to prevent any gathering near Jantar Mantar. The police earlier denied permission for a protest at Jantar Mantar and imposed prohibitory orders in the zone. Security forces carried out a flag march in the area and appealed to people to abide by the orders in force.
BJP govt will deal with 'anarchists' sternly: Nitin Nabin warns Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal and CJP
New Delhi, Oct 10: BJP president Nitin Nabin on Saturday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and the CJP of attempting to destabilise the country with the backing of foreign forces, and asserted that the government will deal sternly with their ill intentions, while the party workers will foil their design on the ground. Speaking to reporters here, Nabin alleged that Gandhi, Kejriwal and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) are resorting to create anarchy because they cannot digest the country's progress under Prime MInister Narendra Modi's leadership. An attempt is being made to create a state of anarchy in the country. Efforts are underway to destabilise the country and its 140 crore people. Who is doing this? They are two anarchic groups, one led by 'INDI Alliance' leader Rahul Gandhi, and the other led by Arvind Kejriwal and his associate CJP, he added. The BJP chief said both groups are trying to compete with each other to prove who is the greater anarchist, pointing out that the people of India are fully aware of their objectives. I give a clear warning to you today that the 'bikau' politics you are pursuing and attempting to destabilise India in collusion with foreign forces will never succeed. I warn you today that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the patriotic people of this country will give you a fitting reply, Nabin said. The Government of India will deal sternly with the situation as you attempt to stoke tension, and BJP workers, remaining firmly among the people, will thwart these designs of yours, he added.
High-level MHA team to meet LAB, KDA leaders on Oct 15 in Ladakh
Srinagar, Oct 10: A high-level team from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is scheduled to visit Leh to meet leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and other representatives of Ladakh for crucial talks on October 15, media reports said on Saturday. According to media reports, three LAB members expected to attend the meeting are Lakruk, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and Ladakh Buddhist Association president Gelong Stanzin Dorjay. The KDA will be represented by Sajjad Kargili, Asgar Ali Karbalai and Ghulam Rasool Naqvi. They added that Hanifa Jan, Lok Sabha member from Ladakh, Thupstan Chhewang, former MP, Kargil Hill Development Council chairman Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon and Tashi Gyalson, former chairman Leh Hill Development Council are also expected to attend the meeting, among others. Top bureaucrats of Ladakh besides the senior MHA officials will be attending the Sub-Committee meeting.Jammu Kashmir News As per the sources, LAB chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk said that they haven't received any written invitation for talks but the Ladakh Chief Secretary (Ashish Kundra) has briefed them that the Sub-Committee meeting will be held on October 15 and the venue this time will be Leh instead of New Delhi. Lakruk reiterated that they will be submitting replies to nine queries given to them by the MHA in last Sub Committee meeting held in New Delhi on September 9. We are ready with the replies finalized with the help of our legal advisor from New Delhi and we will hand over the document to the MHA officials,'' the LAB chairman said However, senior KDA leader Sajjad Kargili, when approached for expectations from the upcoming Sub-Committee meeting proposed to be held in Leh, said they are expecting draft of UT-level body from the Home Ministry officials. ``The draft should come from the MHA in the meeting for UT-level body with legislative, financial and executive powers,'' Kargili said. On response to MHA's 9 queries, the KDA leader said since the proposal for UT-level elected body has come from the Home Ministry, they should submit the draft. There should be no delay in it, he added. In September 9 Sub-Committee meeting in New Delhi, it was decided that there will be direct election to the UT-level body i.e. its representatives will be elected by the people and not by members of seven Autonomous Hill Development Councils. Sources said the reponse to nine queries sought by the MHA from the LAB pertained only to limited issues and not all powers which the newly-elected UT-level body will have. In September 9 talks, the Ladakh bodies were also told that land, culture, heritage, forest, environment and natural resources will be under the UT-level elected body under Article 240. In May 22 meeting held in New Delhi, the LAB and KDA reached an in-principle understanding with the Central Government on restoring democracy in Ladakh and providing Constitutional safeguards on the lines of Article 371 A, F, and G and constitution of UT-level elected body with legislative, financial and executive powers. Later, two more meetings were held by the MHA in Leh in which the issues pertaining to the UT-level body were discussed but the Home Ministry has so far not come out with broad contours of the body like its name, total number of seats, exact powers and other related issues. The UT administration in Ladakh has already notified seven District Hill Development Councils. Previously, there were two Hill Councils-Leh and Kargil. The district Kargil presently has the elected Hill Council while the Leh Council had completed its term in October last year
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Abhijeet Dipke, two other CJP leaders detained after landing in Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 10: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday claimed that its leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained from inside the aircraft by Delhi Police as soon as their flight landed in the national capital. The CJP leaders had arrived here from Mumbai for their proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In a video shared by the CJP, Dipke can be heard telling police officers who entered the aircraft that, We are here to be arrested, come and arrest us. Before detention, police personnel told the CJP leaders that they don't have permission to hold their protest at Jantar Mantar. Dipke said CJP leaders are being detained as if they are criminals. In a statement, the party condemned the alleged detentions, claiming they were part of a pre-planned move to prevent its leaders from reaching the site of their proposed protest. The CJP described the action as a violation of freedom of movement and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the three leaders. The CJP has called the proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar against the CEC over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and changes relating to Form 6, used for voter registration.
Oil tanker with 22 Indian crew members attacked at Sharjah Anchorage; all reported safe: Sonowal
New Delhi, Oct 10: Shipping Minister Sarbanada Sonowal has said that Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT GEM NO. 2, carrying a crew of 22 Indian nationals, was subjected to a drone attack at Sharjah Anchorage on October 9. Sonowal, in a post on X, further said that he was relieved to share that all 22 Indian seafarers onboard were reported to be completely safe. We are continuously monitoring the situation and in contact with the ship management company to ensure security, he added. PTI
Salt food festival in Mumbai 2026: Dates, venue, tickets and top experiences
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India addressed the UN General Assembly, condemning Pakistan for its ongoing misrepresentation of Jammu and Kashmir. Member of Parliament Mahima Kumari Mewar emphasized Pakistan's history of military dictatorship and state-sponsored terrorism. India called for Pakistan to cease human rights violations in its illegally occupied territories. The delegation condemned recent attacks on civilians protesting for their rights and freedoms.
National Formulary of India lists drugs not approved by CDSCO, DCGI seeks explanation from IPC
The National Formulary of India released its latest edition amidst concerns regarding unapproved drugs included in it. The Drug Controller General of India has communicated with the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission regarding this discrepancy. Several drugs listed in NFI 2026 have not received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. Stakeholders have also raised complaints about the unavailability of the online version of NFI 2026.
Health ministry proposes curbs on prescription drug ads by retailers, wholesalers and distributors
The union health ministry has proposed extending advertising restrictions on prescription drugs to retailers and distributors. This change will bar them from advertising certain medicines without prior government approval. The amendment affects drugs covered under Schedules H, H1, and X, which require medical oversight. The existing regulations already apply to pharmaceutical manufacturers. The recommendation for this amendment comes from the Drugs Technical Advisory Board.
Co-payments and deductibles in health insurance: Are they right for you?
Both options can lower premiums, but they increase out-of-pocket expenses during claims. Understand how they work before choosing a health insurance policy
