Opinion

Air India flight from Delhi suffers bird hit at Patna airport, passengers safe

The Delhi-Patna flight, with 164 passengers on board, was about to land when the incident took place at 7:44 am

EOW Kashmir arrests accused in Rs 2 crore investment fraud case in Bengaluru

Srinagar, Aug 24: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has arrested a man accused of allegedly cheating several people of around Rs 2 crore through a fraudulent investment scheme, officials said today. The accused, identified as Junaid Ul Islam, son of Nazir Ahmad Baba, a resident of Alamdar Colony, Phase 1, Charar-e-Sharief, Budgam, was arrested from Mangammanapalya in Bengaluru, they said. The arrest was carried out in compliance with the orders of the Court of the 4th Additional Munsiff Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, which had issued a warrant against him. Junaid was wanted in FIR No. 07/2025, registered under Section 420 of the RPC at Police Station EOW Kashmir, and had allegedly been evading arrest for nearly a year. According to the EOW, the case was registered following a preliminary inquiry that prima facie substantiated allegations of cheating and financial fraud against the accused. The investigation found that the accused allegedly collected approximately Rs 2 crore from several individuals, posing as an investor associated with an e-commerce company and promising monthly returns of 10 per cent. The money was allegedly collected through multiple bank accounts. However, after receiving the funds, the accused allegedly failed to honour his commitments and subsequently became unresponsive to the investors. The EOW said the investigation prima facie established that the accused had dishonestly obtained substantial amounts by promising unusually high returns, thereby disclosing the commission of an offence punishable under Section 420 RPC/IPC. Further investigation in the case is underway. The EOW has also urged the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent investment schemes offering unusually high or guaranteed returns.

Iran's rial currency hits new record low as US prepares to announce more sanctions

Dubai, Aug 24: Iran's currency hit a new record low Monday, with the rial dropping to 2.02 million to the US dollar as markets opened, as the economy has been battered by ongoing sanctions and an American naval blockade. The drop on Iran's informal currency markets came as Washington prepared to announce even more extensive sanctions that it said would be an economic D-Day and would add further pressure. The currency had already been under pressure before the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, amid double-digit inflation and negative growth but has been hitting new record lows as nearly six months of war have taken an even greater toll.

PDP stages protest in Srinagar against electricity tariff hike

J&K Apni Party leaders, Workers Protest Against Electricity Tariff Hike in Srinagar

Kashmiri scholar Arhan Bagati appointed Research Fellow at Harvard CID

Kashmiri public policy scholar Arhan Bagati has been appointed a Research Fellow at the Harvard Center for International Development (CID), from August, 2026. Bagati, a Master in Public Policy graduate from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, will undertake development-focused research at CID, particularly on Kashmir and its unique development challenges. The appointment places a Kashmiri researcher within one of Harvards leading centres concentrating on advancing research and policy solutions to local issues in Kashmir.

Fake airline job racket busted in Delhi, six arrested

New Delhi, Aug 24: Delhi Police has busted a fake airline job racket with the arrest of six people, an official said on Monday. The accused were involved in allegedly duping job seekers on the pretext of providing them employment in airlines, he said, adding that the police are probing the network and the extent of the fraud. Further details will be shared in a press conference awaited.

Imran Khan's party demands immediate cardiac care for him at Shifa International Hospital

Islamabad, Aug 24: Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan's party has condemned what it called the continued failure of authorities at a state-run hospital after the CT Coronary Angiography (CTA) was not conducted on him despite cardiologists complaining about potential risks of cardiac complications. In a statement on Sunday, Central Secretary Information of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Sheikh Waqas Akram, said the authorities had failed to provide 73-year-old Khan with a medically recommended diagnostic test despite the availability of a functional CT scanner at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dawn newspaper reported. Khan was taken to PIMS on Friday for an eye procedure and other diagnostic examinations. Doctors reportedly recommended a CTA of the heart, but hospital officials said the required facility was unavailable. He was subsequently returned to Adiala jail without undergoing the test. The party condemned what it called the continued failure of authorities and demanded that the test should be immediately conducted at Shifa International Hospital. ...This cannot be dismissed as an isolated administrative lapse; it reflects a deeply troubling pattern, Akram said. He said the required specialist facilities were available at Shifa International Hospital. Akram also referred to a Supreme Court order concerning Khan's comprehensive medical examination and treatment at Shifa International Hospital, alleging that authorities had bypassed the directive and instead transferred him to a facility where the CT angiography was not performed. When the necessary facilities were available at Shifa International, deliberately taking Khan to a hospital unable or unwilling to perform the procedure raises a grave question: was the decision made in advance to prevent the CT Coronary Angiography from being conducted? he asked. Akram said a government medical board had examined Khan on August 10 following complaints of heart palpitations and severe headaches. He said a cardiologist at PIMS had already recommended the CTA on August 1 due to fluctuating blood pressure, restlessness and potential risks of cardiac complications, given Khans age and prolonged isolation. Taking notice of the reports, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday formed an inquiry committee, headed by the establishment division secretary, to establish facts and fix responsibility. On Sunday, Akram reiterated the party's demand to move Khan to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad without any delay which the Supreme Court had also directed on August 18. Even the governments own doctors considered this diagnostic test necessary, Akram stated. He said these reports had intensified concerns regarding repeated delays and apparent negligence in providing Imran Khan with timely and appropriate medical care. Akram rejected the governments assertions that Khan had been receiving adequate medical care. Regarding the prime ministers decision to constitute an inquiry committee following reports of the failure to conduct Imrans CTA, he said the move raised serious questions as to why the medically recommended test was not conducted in the first instance. Why coordination between the cardiology and radiology departments had failed, and why Imran Khan was not taken to Shifa International despite the availability of the required facilities there. Akram also called for the prompt disclosure of his (Khans) complete medical records, reports and diagnostic results to his family, personal doctors and legal team. Imran Khans heart health cannot be subjected to political calculations, administrative excuses or further delay, Akram declared. Political victimisation must never be permitted to endanger a human life through the denial or postponement of essential medical care. The decision to take him to a facility where the required test was not conducted, despite the availability of the necessary facilities at Shifa International, has created serious concerns that the procedure was intentionally prevented, he alleged. The government and all relevant authorities will bear full responsibility for any further deterioration in his condition, Akram warned. Khan was arrested on August 5, 2023, in a corruption case and has remained in custody since then. He has been lodged in Adiala Jail, a detention facility on the outskirts of Rawalpindi. The PTI founder's relatives and supporters have repeatedly alleged human rights violations, and accused the authorities of restricting his access to adequate medical care, family visits and legal counsel.

Body of 11-year-old retrieved from Nallah Sindh in Ganderbal after two-day search

Kangan, Aug 24: The body of an 11- year-old boy was retrieved from Nallah Sindh in Ganderbal following an intensive two-day joint search and rescue operation. The deceased has been identified as Mohsin Ahmad a resident of Bamloora area of Ganderbal. The incident occurred when Mohsin reportedly slipped and was swept away by fast-flowing currents while taking a bath in Nallah Sindh near Qamaria park Ganderbal on Sunday. Alarmed onlookers immediately alerted local authorities after he failed to surface. Personnel from the Ganderbal Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) units from Ganderbal and Gund, Army , F&ES and local residents immediately mobilized a multi-agency search effort downstream. The search operation continued for 2nd day today and the body has been retrieved from water. Officials said after necessary medico-legal formalities the body will be handed over to the family for last rites. Local police have registered a case regarding the incident. Local administration officials have issued repeated advisories urging youth and tourists to exercise extreme caution near fast-flowing water bodies like Nallah Sindh, especially during summer months when water levels and currents remain unpredictable.

From lungs to brain: Delhis pollution may have a deeper health cost

New Delhi, Aug 22: For Delhiites, the health cost of breathing polluted air may go beyond coughing, breathlessness and heart problems, with a Delhi University review suggesting that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) could also affect the brain. Studies reviewed by DU professors have linked long-term exposure to particulate matter with changes in brain structure, memory, attention and other cognitive functions. Researchers said PM2.5 can trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, affect the energy-producing system of brain cells and interfere with the blood-brain barrier, which normally protects the brain from harmful substances. Some of the smallest particles may also reach the central nervous system through the nose and the olfactory pathway, the review said. The review, conducted by DU professors from the Department of Environmental Studies, examined 129 peer-reviewed articles on the neurological effects of particulate matter and found growing evidence linking long-term exposure to PM2.5 with cognitive impairment and structural and functional changes in the brain. Air pollution is no longer only a lung and heart problem; it is increasingly a brain-health problem. Research now links long-term particulate-matter exposure with cognitive decline, impaired neurodevelopment and biological processes associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, Vandana Mishra, one of the researchers associated with the study, said. Mishra added that fine particulate matter has even been seen to breach the blood-brain barrier, a dangerous side effect of pollution. One key concern highlighted in the review is that prolonged exposure to air pollution has been associated with changes in the physical structure of the brain. A growing body of evidence strongly demonstrates that chronic exposure to ambient air pollution, particularly PM, leads to region-specific structural and functional alterations in the human brain, spanning across developmental and ageing stages, the study says. Neuroimaging and other studies have reported reductions in brain volume and cortical thickness, particularly in areas such as the frontal and temporal lobes that are involved in cognition. These structural changes have been associated with problems in memory, attention and executive functions such as planning and decision-making, the study adds. The review also cites evidence of changes in the hippocampus, a region important for memory, as well as disruption in connections between different areas of the brain. In older adults, long-term exposure has been associated with reduced brain volume and impaired hippocampal function. At the same time, changes in the prefrontal cortex and increased white-matter abnormalities have also been reported. The researchers caution that such findings should not be interpreted as proof that air pollution alone causes neurological diseases. Much of the existing evidence concerns structural and cognitive changes rather than confirmed cases of diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. The findings also raise particular concerns for children and young people because their brains are still developing. The review cites studies reporting reduced grey and white matter volumes in children exposed to air pollution, along with possible effects on IQ, attention and behavioural regulation. Research on prenatal and early-life exposure has also linked pollution exposure with impaired cognitive development and lower intelligence scores in children. The review notes that early-life exposure can affect biological pathways involved in brain development and synaptic plasticity, the process through which connections between brain cells are formed and strengthened. The concern is not limited to children. The review cites evidence of subclinical neurodegenerative changes in otherwise healthy young adults, suggesting that prolonged pollution exposure could potentially contribute to premature ageing of the brain. According to the review, several processes may work together to cause the neurological effects. PM2.5 exposure can activate microglia, the brain's immune cells, leading to inflammation. Persistent inflammation can affect nerve cells and their connections. Pollution can also cause oxidative stress, damaging proteins, fats and DNA, while affecting mitochondria, which provide energy to cells. The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex may be particularly vulnerable because they have high energy requirements and play important roles in memory, learning and decision-making. The review also highlights the role of metals and other toxic substances carried by particulate matter. These can interfere with communication between nerve cells and affect white matter development, particularly in the developing brain. For Delhi, where exposure to particulate pollution can be a recurring part of daily life, the research adds another dimension to the city's air pollution problem, suggesting that the impact of polluted air may not always be immediately visible and could extend to the brain over prolonged exposure.

We are watching your every move: Fresh threat letter targets Kashmiri Pandit families

Srinagar, Aug 24: A fresh threat letter purportedly targeting Kashmiri Pandit families has raised security concerns, with the communication naming individuals, listing personal details and warning those associated with the return and rehabilitation of displaced families in Jammu and Kashmir. The contents of the letter suggest an attempt to intimidate families who have rebuilt their lives outside the Valley, reported News 18. Personal details published in threat What has particularly alarmed security circles is the alleged inclusion of names and specific addresses of individuals in the communication. The disclosure of such details has raised concerns that the message may be intended as a targeted threat rather than a generic warning. The letter reportedly describes some Kashmiri Pandits as pawns, traitors and white-collar terrorists, while accusing them of working for political interests in Delhi. It also warns individuals allegedly involved in efforts to advance the RSSs ideological agenda in Jammu and Kashmir. The communication further warns those facilitating the return or rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley. We are watching your every move, the letter reportedly states, followed by a warning that calamity strikes when it must. The letter reportedly claims that Kashmiri Pandits who remained in the Valley and did not avail themselves of earlier government rehabilitation schemes are safe. It simultaneously threatens those involved in efforts to facilitate the return of displaced families. Security agencies examining letter The emergence of the letter has also drawn attention to references to groups such as the United Liberation Council. Security agencies are examining whether such names are being used by militant networks or their affiliates to issue threats while attempting to project the communications as coming from local organisations, reported News 18. Security agencies are examining the authenticity and provenance of the communication, as well as the identities of those responsible for issuing the threats.

Iran official says support for new sanctions would be 'act of war,' other Middle East news

Dubai, Aug 24: The new head of Iran's top security body warned Sunday that Tehran will see any country's support for new US economic measures against the Islamic Republic as an act of war, while Iran's president defended an MoU with the US. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday is expected to announce the new measures after the US vowed to impose an unprecedented level of economic warfare and isolation on a country that has lived for decades under sanctions. Also Monday, Pakistan's army chief is expected to visit Iran as mediators try to revive talks. Meanwhile, attacks calmed on the Strait of Hormuz, but posturing did not, as a recently created Iranian authority listed dozens of vessels it said will face restrictions on future transits. Here's a look at the latest developments in the Iran war and the wider Middle East on Sunday. Full coverage can be found here. Iran's security chief sharpens warning to neighbours. The hard-line leader of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, issued his latest warning on X, with the comments quickly shared by Iranian state media. It came a day after Rezaei's most extensive public comments since being named to the post this month. If (Trump) wants to do something, we will retaliate in a seismic manner, he had told the state broadcaster in an interview that aired late Saturday. He said Iran would target other oil-shipping routes from the Persian Gulf alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz. Rezaei, a former Revolutionary Guard commander and military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, was part of senior appointments widely seen as hardening Tehran's political and military stance. Iranian president wants to move past neither war nor peace' Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier Sunday said the memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June was the best way to move beyond a situation of neither war nor peace, adding that Tehran can't attract investment nearly six months after the war began. There is not a single provision in this agreement that amounts to capitulation, Pezeshkian said in a speech published by state-run IRNA. The supreme leader sets the policies, and we will follow that path. The interim deal opened a 60-day period for talks aimed at ending the war and reaching an accord on Iran's nuclear program. That period ended last week with no signs of compromise or extension. No attacks confirmed on the strait, but new restrictions There were no confirmed attacks in the Strait of Hormuz over the past 48 hours, a multinational coalition overseen by the US Navy said Sunday, with shipping traffic still at reduced levels. The US military said its blockade of Iranian ports had redirected 70 commercial ships and disabled three as of Sunday. Iran's recently created Persian Gulf Strait Authority, sanctioned by the US, published a list of dozens of ships it said had violated arrangements for transiting the strait and would face future restrictions like fines or seizures. The strait had been considered an international waterway before the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Iran and Oman, on the strait's other side, are now discussing management of it, which likely will include ships paying fees. Pakistan's army chief will visit Tehran Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir will lead a delegation to Tehran on Monday, Iranian state television reported, citing Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei. Two regional officials said the visit was part of Islamabad's efforts to de-escalate tensions between the United States and Iran and urge them to return to the negotiating table. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly. Iran executes man arrested during January protests The Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency reported the latest execution connected to nationwide protests early this year, saying Majid Adineh was arrested January 9 in Mohammadshahr, west of Tehran. The judiciary said forensic examinations indicated the handgun found on him had been fired on January 8-9. Mizan said Adineh had joined the unrest following calls by groups opposed to Iran's government and alleged that he had received training from groups outside the country. He was convicted under Iran's law imposing harsher penalties for espionage and cooperation with hostile states. Israeli settler arrested in beating of Palestinian amputee Police arrested a 16-year-old boy from the Israeli settlement of Avigayil in the beating of a 61-year-old Palestinian, Saeed Muhammad Ibrahim Rabah, outside his home in the occupied West Bank, a year after he lost a leg after being shot by a settler. Rabah told The Associated Press that the violence at his home in Khirbet al-Rakeez on Saturday was an effort to make families leave, but we will remain, no matter what happens. Separately, the West Bank Health Ministry said a 14-year-old in the Askar refugee camp in Nablus was shot dead by Israeli forces, who did not immediately comment. The uncle of Islam Maher Ajouri, Nehad Ajouri, called the shooting indiscriminate. And Israel's military said it detained a suspect in a stabbing attack that wounded a 24-year-old Israeli man in the area of al-Auja in the West Bank. Israel's emergency services said the man was in moderate condition. Airstrike in Gaza kills a four-year-old child Four-year-old Mohammed Taha died after an Israeli airstrike hit a central Gaza house on Sunday and wounded at least five others, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the casualties. Israel's military later said it struck and killed a Hamas commander in central Gaza. The hospital confirmed that the man named Ismail Abu Ful was killed. An Israeli strike in southern Gaza wounded at least seven people, including three children, according to health officials at Nasser Hospital. The military did not immediately comment. And Defence Minister Israel Katz in a statement said he instructed the military to act immediately and forcefully to prevent launches of balloons, kites or drones from Gaza toward nearby Israeli communities. Before the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas-led militants on Israel when 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage burning kites and balloons were sent from Gaza into southern Israel, causing fires and other damage. Hamas, in a statement Sunday, accused Israel of using children's toys as a pretext for attacks and further displacement of Gaza residents.

NSA Doval to visit China today to attend Special Representatives talks with FM Wang

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Monday to take part in the India-China Special Representatives (SR) talks on the boundary issue with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Doval and Wang are scheduled to hold the 25th round of SR talks on Tuesday, according to official sources. Both Doval and Wang are the designated SRs for the boundary talks mechanism, which was established in 2003 to comprehensively address the vexed boundary dispute of the India-China border spanning 3,488 km. While success eluded it in resolving the boundary dispute, officials on both sides regard the structured mechanism as a useful tool in addressing the recurring tensions between the two countries on various fronts. The upcoming talks assume significance as they are being held ahead of the much-anticipated visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to India to attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12-13. While there is no official confirmation about Xis visit, officials on both sides are optimistic about the Chinese leaders participation, which could provide an opportunity for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit to discuss initiatives to take forward bilateral ties. The two leaders met in August last year on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. Ahead of Doval-Wang talks in Beijing, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday reiterated that peace and tranquillity along the border areas are prerequisite for good relations with China. His comments came amid reports of aggressive posturing by Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri region in recent weeks. I think we went through a particularly bad patch between the summer of 2020 and the autumn of 2024, and that was primarily an outcome of the situation in the border areas, Jaishankar said at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum in New Delhi on Saturday. At the end of the day, peace and tranquillity in the border areas is a prerequisite for good relations, and the state of the border, to a very large measure, naturally would determine the state of the relations, he said. On the reports of stepped-up Chinese military activity near the Arunachal Pradesh border, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on August 12 that the China-India border situation is generally stable at the moment. China and India held the 36th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs, Guo said. The two sides agreed to maintain communication via diplomatic and military channels and jointly uphold peace and tranquility in the border areas, he said. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on August 11 said that India considers matters relating to border areas with China as most serious and asserted that maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is of utmost importance, as the state of the frontier will govern the overall trajectory of bilateral ties. Earlier, New Delhi also trashed Beijing's criticism of its decision to formally identify 27 places and geographical features in Arunachal Pradesh by their standard names, emphasising that the state is an inalienable and integral part of India and nothing can change this indisputable reality. China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet, has been releasing its set of names for the region since 2017. India termed the Chinese move as vain and preposterous, asserting that such actions will not alter the undeniable reality that the state was, is, and will always remain an integral part of India.

PM Modi hails space startups, says India can become global talent magnet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised Indias growing space startup ecosystem, saying consistent government policies had helped create confidence among entrepreneurs and investors and urging the country to attract talent from across the world. Interacting with CEOs of space startups, PM Modi said the governments effort had been to build trust by ensuring that policy decisions remained consistent. You have shown courage in a new field. The most important thing is that you trusted the governments word, PM Modi said. My view has always been that whatever decisions we take, we must remain consistent in them, we must not keep changing them again and again, so that anyone who wants to take a risk can have confidence that, fine, if something goes wrong it will be because of my mistake, but no one will abandon me, he said. The interaction came as Indian private space companies expand their launch, satellite, propulsion and space technology capabilities. A CEO of Skyroot Aerospace said the company, Indias first space-tech unicorn, had successfully launched the countrys first private rocket on July 18 and planned to scale up to one launch every month by the middle of next year. We already have the capacity for one rocket per month. And this is just the beginning. Our future dream is to do one launch per week and several launches per day, the CEO said. Another startup said it had developed an advanced space engine whose testing was under way. Asked by Modi whether investors were confident, the CEO said their confidence had increased after Skyroots first launch. PM Modi said the success of Indian startups was drawing global attention and could encourage Indians working abroad to return home. I believe we must create such an aura that people all over the world feel that if they want to build their life, they should come to Hindustan, he said. Join some Indian startup. Join some Indian space agency. I firmly believe that the entire talent pool, like a magnet, because of you we can attract, and that can become a very great strength for us, PM Modi added. Startups at the interaction highlighted a range of technologies, including global ground-station networks, satellite propulsion systems, in-space servicing and refuelling, docking technology and space-based pharmaceutical manufacturing. One company said it was developing a robotic spacecraft capable of capturing defunct satellites and removing them from orbit, while another said it was working on docking and refuelling technology with the long-term vision of establishing a fuel station in space. A startup founder named Antariksh said his company was Indias first space-pharma startup and was developing satellites capable of manufacturing pharmaceuticals in space before bringing them back to Earth. Another CEO said the company had secured eight launch contracts within a month of its first launch, most of them from international customers. PM Modi said Indias cost competitiveness, talent and risk-taking capacity could help its space companies establish a strong global position. In cost we are very competitive, in talent there is no question at all, and the risk-taking capacity of our people is anyway greater. And because of that we can very quickly make our place, he said. The Prime Minister also credited the opening of the space sector to private companies for creating new opportunities and said private satellites were now showcasing Indias capabilities to the world.

Economy needs support, not more burden: KCCI

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has expressed serious concern and strong resentment over the recently announced 6.83 per cent hike in power tariffs by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), terming the decision insensitive and ill-timed given the prevailing economic situation in Jammu and Kashmir. In a statement, the Chamber said the economy of Jammu and Kashmir is already passing through a challenging phase, with businesses across sectors facing weak demand, rising operational costs and an uncertain economic environment. At a time when households, businesses and industry require relief and support for economic recovery, increasing electricity tariffs would impose an additional financial burden on consumers and enterprises, KCCI said. The Chamber observed that the global business environment is also fragile, with geopolitical tensions and the ongoing conflict in West Asia having adversely affected economies, trade and household incomes. The resultant uncertainty has affected consumer spending and business confidence, making it imperative for governments to adopt measures that reduce costs and encourage economic activity rather than add to the existing burden. KCCI said Jammu and Kashmir's economy is particularly vulnerable because several key sectors are already under stress. Industry is facing unprecedented downturn ; Tourism, which remains a major contributor to the local economy, is facing challenges; handicrafts and exports have witnessed a decline; retail trade is under pressure; and the horticulture sector is also confronting serious difficulties. The Chamber said the tariff hike would compound these problems by increasing the cost of operations across sectors. It said the impact of higher electricity tariffs would not be limited to power bills. For industries, commercial establishments, workshops, hotels, restaurants, shops and other businesses, electricity is an essential operating input. Any increase in its cost directly raises operational and production expenses and can ultimately result in higher prices for goods and services. This, in turn, could have a cascading effect on the entire economy. The Chamber also expressed concern over the implications of the hike for households, saying reduced disposable income could further affect consumer demand at a time when retail and other consumer-facing businesses are already struggling to maintain activity. KCCI recalled that it had participated in the previous JERC public stakeholders' consultation and had submitted its objections in writing against the proposed tariff hike. The Chamber said it had clearly conveyed that the prevailing economic circumstances did not warrant any additional burden on consumers and businesses. KCCI further noted that the JERC public hearing this time on the tariff revision was not adequately publicised, leaving consumers and stakeholders largely unaware of the opportunity to put forth their objections and concerns. The Chamber further recalled that during the period when the tariff proposal was under consideration, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had given assurance that the government would not go for a power tariff hike. KCCI said the subsequent imposition of the increase has therefore come as a matter of serious concern, particularly when the economic situation remains fragile. KCCI stressed that its opposition is rooted in the broader economic consequences of the decision. Higher electricity costs would particularly affect small businesses and MSMEs, which often operate on narrow margins and have limited capacity to absorb additional recurring expenses. The increase could affect profitability, employment, investment and expansion plans. The Chamber said the government should focus on reducing the cost of doing business and creating conditions conducive to investment and economic revival. It maintained that while the financial sustainability of the power sector is important, tariff decisions must also take into account the paying capacity of consumers and the overall health of the economy. KCCI has demanded that the 6.83 per cent power tariff hike be rolled back immediately and kept in abeyance until the economic situation in Jammu and Kashmir improves. The Chamber urged the government and concerned authorities to reconsider the decision in the larger public and economic interest and provide relief to households, traders, industries and other economic stakeholders rather than adding to their existing burden.

AI can accelerate business, but can't replace human judgment: Manoj Sinha

The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha graced the valedictory function of the Induction & Orientation Programme at IIM Rohtak and addressed the 8th batch of the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) and the 6th batch of the Integrated Programme in Law (IPL). The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the institutes pioneering initiatives in sports management, its commitment to gender diversity, 100% placements, and outreach programmes such as skill development for the daughters of UT of Jammu Kashmir. The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that induction today is not merely about career opportunities or institutional brand value. In a rapidly transforming world, students must understand that the environment they prepare for will change dramatically by the time they graduate. He noted that technological progress is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, making lifelong learning essential to adapt to the evolving landscape. I want the spirit of adapting to change and working constructively to take deep root in your minds. Remember, the most important question in life is never What do I do? The real question is: What do I know so well that, despite all challenges and changing circumstances, I can re-establish myself fully in the market? The truth is that the ground beneath our feet is changing, right now, far faster than ever before, he said. The Lieutenant Governor noted that artificial intelligence will soon become as ubiquitous as Excel in management, just like an invisible, powerful infrastructure rather than a subject of study. Yet, he stressed that leadership, trust, and decision-making remain fundamentally human responsibilities. No technology can answer what should be created, what should be trusted, or how people should be led. AI tools can accelerate the speed of the business-management processes, but they cannot change the fundamental nature of decision-making, he said. For law students, the Lieutenant Governor underlined that while AI can draft contracts, it cannot interpret human intent or deliver justice with empathy. The legal systems enduring role lies in accountability and fairness. He said these are the qualities machines cannot replicate. The Lieutenant Governor commended the IPM students for their farsighted choice to study management and leadership at a young age, urging them to treat their years at IIM Rohtak not merely as a degree pursuit but as a journey of self-discovery. He said the students of the Integrated Programme in Law are also entering a profession that has played a highly distinctive role for centuries. He encouraged all students to ask questions, engage in respectful disagreements, and explore diverse fields beyond the curriculum. New ideas develop through meaningful dialogue and healthy differences of opinion. Do not limit yourselves to the curriculum, because studying diverse fields will broaden your vision. In the coming years, you will not only acquire knowledge, but also discover yourselves. You will enjoy successes and face challenges; at times you will be proud of your decisions, and at times you will learn from them. These very experiences will make you not only better business leaders, but also better human beings, he said. The Lieutenant Governor also emphasised that while no one can predict the world of tomorrow, wisdom, moral courage, and values will remain the greatest support of students. He urged them to sharpen curiosity, strengthen character and commit to contributing positively to society and the nation.

At 80, Kashmir couple refuses to let pottery die

For Muhammad Ramzan Kumar and his wife, both in their 80s, a clay pot still finds its way out of a small workshop in Baramulla district. While the clay wheel has outlasted markets, modernisation has taken over houses, Kumar and his wife are carrying forward the age-old tradition. For decades together, Muhammad Ramzan Kumar, a resident of Wagoora village, moulded clay with his hands while his wife walked almost every street and village not only for the survival but to keep the tradition alive. At times, we receive the payments after months. But we still keep moulding it to build the trust and keep surviving on it, Kumar said. For Kumar, it is not mere a source of livelihood but a promise the couple has made to each other to keep the craft alive that once echoed through every household in Kashmir. This craft is fighting for its breath, but we both are determined for its survival till our last breath, he added. For Muhammad Ramzan Kumar, clay pottery is a legacy even if people have got used to modern stainless steel or plastic. Pottery has its connection with every Kashmiri family irrespective of its space on the shelf in a kitchen, he said. The couple have been in the trade since they married. He recalled the time when pottery was at its peak and when earthenware was treated as essential, especially tumaknari, the ceremonial pots used in Kashmiri weddings. I make the pots. My wife sells them. It is not only about earning money but to keep it alive as it was given to us by our ancestors, Kumar said. His wife, who has undergone two surgeries over the years, still helps her husband in shaping the clay. Since my marriage, I have been doing this. I go from village to village every day, she said. Amid the struggle to keep the tradition alive, Kumar, however, is convinced that the business is shrinking and sinking with each passing day. Very few families are left in the trade. Most of the people have stopped practising it and are trying their luck in other ventures, he added. He said demand for pottery was less because people have become modernised. But my wife and I are undeterred. At this age, I feel proud that I have contributed something to our traditional culture, he said. Our elders and people of my age have emotions connected to it. These days we see people holding programmes highlighting Kashmiri culture but those lectures remain confined to only four walls, he added. While the tradition is fading but the couple in this village at times brings back childhood memories to many households. My grandmother used to cook and eat on earthen pots. Those days the food would taste altogether different, said Suhail Khan, a resident. Muhammad Junaid, a resident of a nearby village, while purchasing a small handi said the culture was slipping away. When I see him (Ramzan uncle) still working at this age, I feel a sense of loss. We are watching our culture slipping away, he added.

Best of BS Opinion: Power without guardrails becomes a risk

Power needs limits, markets need protection, development needs ecological restraint, capital narratives need scrutiny, and technology needs human oversight

The long and not the short of it

Weddings and cinema now feature extended durations, surprising many guests and viewers. Music also embraces longer tracks, rejecting shorter radio edits for full experiences. This preference for unabridged content reflects a desire for authenticity and status. The long way around has become the fashionable route in modern society. The uncut experience is now considered chic over efficient abridged versions.

How Indias consumers are reshaping the future of food and business

India is a fast-growing consumer market and a source of innovation. Its food processing sector connects farmers with consumers seeking quality and convenience. Young consumers expect speed, transparency, and authenticity from brands. Technology accelerates innovation, enabling faster responses to local needs. Companies succeeding will be responsive, responsible, and human-centric.

Landslide at landfill in capital of Guinea kills 30 people, officials say

Conakry (Guinea), Aug 23: Amountainous heap of refuse collapsed at the largest landfill in Guinea's capital Conakry early Sunday killing 30 people, according to an updated toll released by the central government. Authorities said heavy rains, which started at around 2 am washed over the refuse at Dar Es Salam, triggering a landslide that buried nearby shacks. A search and rescue operation was underway to find survivors. Six people were seriously injured and several homes were destroyed. The site, an open-air waste dump, which is the largest in the city, had been designated for closure on Sunday, according to Lt. Col. Bald Mamadou Bailo, the sanitation officer for the military engineering battalion. Locals living around the landfill had been given eviction notices, which forced many to vacate the area, but many were still around at the time of the disaster, according to authorities. We will ensure that the remaining families are relocated elsewhere, said Dienabou Tour, the minister of territorial administration and decentralisation, at the scene.

Polly Jean Harvey's 'Yuri-G'

PJ Harvey's 1993 song 'Yuri-G' uses Yuri Gagarin as a symbol of distance. The lyrics express a profound sense of personal desolation and lovesickness. Harvey's raw voice and grinding rhythm create an elemental and ritualistic intensity. Repetitive words build a cosmic longing, transforming desire into something mythic. The stripped-down music pulses with primal steadiness, delivering gorgeous power.

Don't miss the cannabis bus

Countries worldwide are lifting cannabis restrictions, leading to a global market resurgence. North America is spearheading this movement with significant buyouts in Europe. While many nations permit medicinal use, recreational access remains limited in most places. India, with its historical connection to cannabis, should now embrace this emerging global market. Indian firms can leverage Ayurveda's therapies for medical research and international expansion.

How to beat morning blues

The central message is that work becomes more manageable when people focus on their responsibilities in the present, rather than being burdened by expectations about what lies ahead.

Invest dignity-first for Anganwadis

After fifty years, India is set to revamp the Integrated Child Development Services, focusing on transforming Anganwadi centres into modern support hubs to combat malnutrition. Yet, its vital to recognize that effective change will hinge on resolving worker concerns. Ensuring fair pay and improved working environments for Anganwadi workers is essential. Genuine reform must harmonize human resources and infrastructure to be successful.

BSEs Nifty 50 entry shows how the index can move markets, not just mirror them

BSEs upcoming inclusion in the Nifty 50 highlights how index changes can influence stock prices beyond simply reflecting investor preferences. BSE will replace Wipro from September 30, triggering an estimated $741 million in buying by Nifty 50 index funds and ETFs, while Wipro could see about $246 million in outflows.

Gavaskar, Kapil, Vengsarkar among 21 ex-captains appealing for Imran Khan's treatment

New Delhi, Aug 23: Former India captains Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar are among 21 former international captains who have appealed to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for proper medical treatment and welfare of jailed former Prime Minister and World Cup winning captain Imran Khan. The move has been initiated by former Australia captain Greg Chappell and marks the second letter by former international captains seeking humane treatment and proper medical care for the 73-year-old Khan. The captains, in their letter (published on social media), urged the Pakistan government to allow the medical board directed by the Supreme Court, including Imran's personal doctors, to complete an independent assessment of his health, particularly his reported loss of vision in the right eye. They also called for weekly family visits, reinstated by the Supreme Court, to be honoured without interruption and for any treatment recommended by the medical assessment to be provided without delay. The letter said the captains did not seek to adjudicate Pakistans domestic legal processes but believed that ensuring a court-ordered medical process was completed was a basic matter of decency. The signatories also include Allan Border, Michael Atherton, Michael Brearley, Ian Chappell, Greg Chappell, Belinda Clark, Alastair Cook, Adam Gilchrist, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Arjuna Ranatunga, Andrew Strauss, Stephen Waugh and John Wright.

Boy feared drowned in nallah Sindh in Ganderbal; rescue underway

Ganderbal, Aug 23: A young boy is feared drowned in the Nallah Sindh in central Kashmirs Ganderbal district on Sunday. Locals said that a young boy from Bamloora area of Ganderbal is feared drowned in nallah Sindh opposite to Qamaria park after he reportedly was taking a bath. Soon after the Police received the information a search and rescue operation has been launched by Police, SDRF and locals. Meanwhile, police has initiated an investigation to know actual, circumstances leading to the incident . This is the second such incident in less than three days in district. Earlier on Friday a teenager from Srinagar drowned to death in nallah Sindh near Kijpora area of Kangan here. His body was retrieved from waters after two days.

Two undertrials escape from central jail Srinagar; police issue lookout notices

Srinagar, Aug 23: Two undertrial prisoners facing charges under POCSO Act have escaped from Central Jail Srinagar, prompting police to issue lookout notices. Kashmir Zone Police, in a post on X, as per GNS identified the escapees as Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar and Farman Khan. As per police, Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar, S/o Mohammad Rafiq Gujjar, R/o Sanglan Chittergul, Anantnag, is accused in FIR No. 20/2026 U/S 137(2), 65(1) BNS and 3/4 POCSO Act registered at Police Station Soura. The second accused, Farman Khan, S/o Abdul Gani Khan, R/o Sadanpora Ragistan, is wanted in FIR No. 19/2026 U/S 137(2), 87 BNS and 3/4 POCSO Act registered at Police Station Lar. Police said efforts are on to trace both the accused and have appealed general public to share any information regarding their whereabouts. Public can contact nearest police station or dial 112. Informer will be suitably rewarded, police said.

Boy feared drowned in Nallah Sindh, Ganderbal; Search operation on

J&K Has Changed Under PM Modis Leadership: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh

Altaf Bukhari accuses NC govt of depriving Srinagar residents of basic rights

Srinagar, Aug 23: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday said that the people of Srinagar city have always supported the National Conference, but the party has deprived them of their social, political, and economic rights. He said that the Apni Party is committed to working for the upliftment and development of the people of Srinagar city. He made these remarks today while addressing a public meeting at Brain Nishat in Srinagar. The event was organised to welcome prominent political and social leader Amir Bhat and his associates into the party fold. Bhat was previously associated with the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP). On the occasion, Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari declared Amir Bhat as the partys face in Srinagars Khanyar constituency and assured him of the partys full support in his efforts to serve the people. Addressing the occasion, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, People of Srinagar city are grappling with a range of issues and yet the government seems least bothered about them. He said, People in the city lack adequate housing, with three to four families often living under a single roof in many areas. There are also limited livelihood opportunities, leaving even educated youth unemployed and without hope for a better future. This situation persists despite the people of Srinagar having consistently supported the ruling National Conference. Despite being in power for decades, the NC has failed to address the basic needs and aspirations of the people of the city. He further said, Apni Party wants to improve the living standards of the people of Srinagar and ensure that they have access to adequate housing, employment opportunities, and sufficient public infrastructure. The party is committed to addressing the basic needs of the people and creating better opportunities for a dignified and prosperous life. He also talked about the several public issues that people in brain Nishat are facing. He said, I have been informed about the range of pressing public issues that the people here are facing. There is not even a health centre in the area where round-the-clock medical services are available. There is also not a single marriage hall in the area, along with several other shortcomings that reflect the lack of adequate public infrastructure. He said young leaders like Amir Bhat now have a vital responsibility to help transform the future of Srinagar city and its people. Srinagar has been chronically neglected and overlooked, even by those who remained in power for decades. It is now time for young and committed leaders to work for the development and welfare of the city and restore its rightful place, he said. He further said, It is deeply shocking to see that several areas of Srinagar city continue to face a shortage of even basic amenities, including access to safe drinking water. The people of the city are also struggling with a lack of adequate livelihood opportunities, housing and essential public infrastructure. Is this what the people of Srinagar voted for when they reposed their trust in the ruling party in all eight constituencies? he asked. I know that Amir feels deeply for his people and is committed to serving them. I am sure that it is young and energetic leaders like him who can help restore the lost glory of this historic city. Apni Partys doors are always open to such young and committed people, as the revival, development, and transformation of Srinagar city remain one of the partys core priorities, he said. Slamming the ruling party for its failure to fulfil the promises it made to the people during the 2024 Assembly election campaign, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, You had promised to provide one lakh jobs to unemployed youth soon after assuming office. Nearly two years have passed. What have you done? Where will our unemployed youth go? They voted for you because they trusted your promises. He went on to say, What happened to your promise of providing an additional ration quota and free LPG cylinders to households? What about your commitment to regularise daily wagers? Why dont you even talk about these issues anymore? After all, the people gave you their mandate with the expectation that you would address their problems and fulfil your commitments. How can you justify such a failure to honour the promises you made to them? He challenged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to demonstrate the governments efficiency through tangible work and by fulfilling the promises made to the people. If you cannot deliver on your commitments and address the peoples pressing concerns, you should step down from the government, he said. You have the backing of 42 elected MLAs. Why are you so afraid of Delhi that you are even reluctant to speak about the release of detainees and the restoration of peoples other rights? he asked. Strongly opposing the recent hike in power tariffs, Mr. Bukhari said, We already knew that the ruling party had blatantly lied to the people when it sought votes by promising 200 units of free electricity to every household, along with several other such promises. However, we had never imagined that this government would further burden the already financially strained people by increasing the power tariff. Many families are facing such acute economic hardship that they can barely afford medicines for their sick family members. How can they possibly bear the additional burden of a power tariff hike? This government should be ashamed of imposing yet another burden on the very people who placed their trust in it and gave it their mandate, he said. He demanded that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Power portfolio, immediately withdraw the recent order announcing the tariff hike. Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage with the people of Jammu and Kashmir through a meaningful dialogue aimed at understanding and addressing their concerns, issues, and grievances. He said, Prime Minister has committed to engaging with the people, particularly the youth, of Jammu and Kashmir to understand and address their issues. This commitment must be fulfilled without any further delay. The people of J&K are grappling with several serious issues and challenges, and they have some genuine concerns and grievances that need to be heard and addressed. New Delhi, irrespective of which party was in power, has always damaged the interests of the people of J&K. He said, It is not only the BJP. Even the Congress did the same. It was the Congress and its leaders who took the Kashmir matter to the UN, but, on the other hand, they purchased our leaders with power and money, making them corrupt ensuring they surrender the rights of Jammu and Kashmir. Bukhari said that New Delhi must understand that it has to restore the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure a sustained peace, normalcy and stability here. He said, Centre must realise that the people of Jammu and Kashmir do not demand anything impossible. They are simply seeking the rights guaranteed by the Constitution to every citizen. After all, we are equal citizens of the country and deserve every right and privilege that people in any part of the country are entitled to. Should our youth rot in jails just because they made mistakes in the past? They deserve an opportunity to rebuild their lives, return to their families, and start afresh, he said. Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, the partys Vice President Mohammad Syed Akhoon said that people are fed up with the government because of its failure to address their pressing issues. He said, I was in the National Conference at the time of the 2024 Assembly elections. When I saw the partys manifesto, I told its leaders that the promises made in it could not be fulfilled. I told them that the upcoming government could not provide one lakh jobs, 200 units of free electricity, free gas cylinders, and so on. I urged them not to deceive people through such a misleading manifesto. However, the leadership took offence to my advice. Instead of paying heed to my suggestion, they expelled me from the party. Today, we can see that people are furious because the ruling party has failed to fulfil its poll promises. Addressing the gathering, the partys Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir said that ensuring the development and prosperity of Srinagar city and its people is one of the core agendas of the Apni Party. Apni Party is committed to working for the development and prosperity of this beautiful and historic city. We want to see Srinagar emerge as a city where people have access to better infrastructure, opportunities and a dignified quality of life, he said. Mir urged youngsters to join hands with the Apni Party to help it successfully implement its agenda for the development and prosperity of the city. He also urged party workers to remain closely connected with the people of Srinagar to understand their issues and grievances. He said that it is the party workers responsibility to highlight public issues and ensure that these are taken up with the concerned authorities and addressed without any delay. Besides Bukhari, Akhoon and Mir, the prominent party leaders who were present on this occasion included Chief Spokesperson & State Secretary Muntazir Mohiudin, State Youth President & Spokesperson Yawar Dilawar Mir, District President Srinagar & Constituency In-charge Central Shaltang Zaffar Habib, Provincial Secretary Mohammad Saleem Lone, Provincial Coordinator Kashmir Shabir Ahmad Reshi, Provincial Joint Secretary Kashmir Aamir Ashraf Bhat, Provincial Orgainser Secretary Kashmir Yousuf Abdullah, District Vice President Srinagar Moshin Zaffar Shah, District Vice President Srinagar Gulzar Ahmad Bangroo, Senior Leader & Constituency In-charge Habba Kadal Jeelani Hamid Kumar, Joint Secretary District Srinagar Sameer Ahmad Lone, Youth Joint Secretary Srinagar Mudasir Wali, Suhail Wani, Ali Mohammad, and others.

PM Modi's tenure has ushered in peace, development in J&K: Jitendra Singh

Srinagar, Aug 23: Union minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said there has been a paradigm shift in the mindset of people in Jammu and Kashmir after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power at the Centre. The mindset in Jammu and Kashmir has changed completely just like in the Northeast. This happened after the Narendra Modi government was formed in 2014, Singh told reporters on the sidelines of BJP's organisational meeting here. Since Prime Minister Modi's tenure began, the atmosphere here has changed. There is peace, and normalcy is returning. Development works are going at a good pace, he asserted. The Union minister said after losing generations to persistent violence over the past three decades, the youth of Jammu and Kashmir has now become aspirational. You can see it in their performance in competitive examinations like UPSC and engineering entrance exams over the past few years, he said. Singh said while many saffron party workers were lost to the violence in Jammu and Kashmir, he is lucky to have survived to witness the change in the mindset of people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Home Minister Amit Shah to attend National Security Strategies Conference starting from Monday

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend a two-day conference on national security. More than 850 officers from security forces will participate in this event. The ninth National Security Strategy Conference will combine physical and virtual modes. Officers will deliberate on contemporary matters and challenges facing national security. This important meeting begins on Monday and will address key issues.

Leopard sightings spark concern in Sopore locality; open air Gym Park closed

Sopore, Aug 23: Panic and concern have gripped residents of Upper Ashpir in Sopore following reported sightings of a leopard in the vicinity of the Open Air Gym Park. According to a public notice issued by the Municipal Council Sopore, residents have reported observing leopard movement around the park since yesterday. Taking the reports seriously, the Wildlife Department has initiated an investigation to ascertain the presence and movement of the wild animal in the area. Authorities are monitoring the situation and are expected to take further necessary measures based on the findings of the investigation. As a precautionary measure, the Open Air Gym Park has been kept closed until the presence of the leopard is fully confirmed or ruled out. The Municipal Council has also urged residents to cooperate with the authorities and avoid unnecessary movement towards the park. The general public, particularly parents, have been advised not to bring children to the park until further notice in view of the potential risk. Residents have also been urged to remain alert and immediately inform the concerned authorities in case of any further leopard sighting. The precaution comes amid heightened concern over leopard activity in parts of Sopore and neighbouring areas. Earlier this year, leopard-related incidents in the Sopore area had also raised safety concerns among residents. The Municipal Council Sopore said that public safety remains the priority and appealed to residents to cooperate with the administration and Wildlife Department until the situation is brought under control. Authorities have advised residents to remain vigilant and avoid spreading unverified information regarding the animal's presence.

Mian Altaf demands time-bound investigation, fast-track trial into tragic death of minor girl in Kishtwar

Srinagar, Aug 23: Senior National Conference leader and Member of Parliament, Mian Altaf Ahmed, has expressed deep anguish and outrage over the tragic death of a minor school girl in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district. Demanding immediate intervention from the administration, Mian Altaf called for a comprehensive, time-bound investigation and a fast-track trial to ensure swift justice for the victims family. Terming the incident horrifying and an unpardonable violation of human trust, Mian Altaf stated. In a statement issued, Mian Altaf said the heinous nature of this crime has shocked the conscience of our entire society, urging the establishment of a dedicated fast-track court to conduct day-to-day hearings, ensuring the trial concludes and justice is delivered without procedural delays. Mian Altaf maintained that the investigation must be conducted with complete transparency and that the guilty, if established through due process, should face the strictest punishment permissible under law.

Suspected Pak drone sighting in border villages in J-K's Kathua triggers searches

Jammu, Aug 23: A suspected Pakistan-origin drone was sighted along the International Border (IB) in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, triggering an extensive search operation, officials said. The drone-like object was seen hovering over forward villages in Bobiyan area of Hiranagar sector around 10.35 am, officials said. After few minutes, the suspected drone was seen receding towards Pakistan, they added. Subsequently, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to rule out the possibility of any payload -- narcotics or weapons -- being airdropped. However, nothing objectionable was recovered during the operation, officials said.

Yuri-G: PJ Harvey

PJ Harveys 1993 song Yuri-G turns longing and isolation into something cosmic, invoking astronaut Yuri Gagarin as a symbol of distance and transcendence. Harveys raw vocals, repetitive lyrics and stripped-down instrumentation give the track a hypnotic, almost ritualistic intensity.

This is not the NC it used to be; all they want is power: Mohammad Syed Akhoon

Srinagar is reduced to begging for water: Altaf Bukhari launches sharp attack on Omar govt

Hot, humid with spells of rain: MeT predicts mixed weather till Aug 31

Srinagar, Aug 23: Meterological Centre Srinagar on Sunday issued a weather forecast, predicting hot and humid weather with spells of rain ahead till August 23 across Jammu and Kashmir. According to an MeT spokesperson, Jammu and Kashmir during August 24 and 28 is going to experiance generally hot and humid weather along with brief spells of light to moderate rain accompanied by thundershower at scattered places towards early morning and afternoon hour. Afterwards, between August 29 and 31, the spokesperson said, there will be light to moderate rainfall at many places. During this time, some places, particularly in Jammu Division, are forcasted to witness brief intense showers towards early morning and afternoon hours. However, the weather from Monday tomorrow to the next Monday i,e. till August 31 will remain generally mixed marked by hot and humid conditions with brief showers. Pertinantly, during the last 24 hours, Significant rainfall has been recorded with Jammu taking the lead with 66mm. Udhampur recorded 56mm rainfall, Poonch recored 45mm rainfall and Kukernag and Qazigund in sounth Kashmir's Anantnag recorded 42 and 32.6 mm respectively.

MP DGP intervenes after JKSA flags harassment of pharmacy students in Bhopal

Srinagar, Aug 23: Jammu and Kashmir Students Association National Convenor Nasir Khuehami on Sunday said that the issue of harassment of two Kashmiri students pursuing pharmacy studies in Bhopal have been adressed following the timely intervention Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Kailash Makwana. DGP Makwana took cognisance of the concerns such as harassment and threats raised by the students and resolved them. The police also questioned individuals allegedly involved in threatening, intimidating or pressuring the students and called them to the police station for further inquiry. Khuehami said Residents of the concerned society were counselled and cautioned against any conduct that could create fear or a sense of insecurity among the students. Action is also being initiated against other fringe elements involved in such activities. Khuehami said Makwana reassured that they can live peacefully, attend college, move around freely and carry out their day-to-day activities without fear or intimidation

Government has made a mockery of unemployed youth: LoP Sunil Sharma

Bangladesh open to joining Saudi-Pak-Turkiye defence pact: ministers

Dhaka, Aug 23: Bangladesh is open to joining the recently formed defence alliance between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, two junior ministers have said, while stressing that any decision would be guided by the country's national interests. Signed in Makkah on August 7, the pact establishes a framework for collective deterrence and stipulates that an armed attack on any one of the three countries would be considered an attack on all three. Bangladesh maintains a positive approach towards the possibility of joining an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, taking into account its own interests and the changing dynamics of the global economy and trade, newly appointed state minister for foreign affairs Humayun Kobir said. In an interview with the Bangla service of state-run BSS on Friday, Kobir said the government was pursuing a Bangladesh First policy and a balanced foreign policy with national interests at its core, which might lead Dhaka to join the defence pact. He said Bangladesh would also strengthen bilateral ties with Pakistan through normal diplomatic engagement, focusing on trade and people-to-people connectivity. Kobir, appointed as the second state minister for foreign affairs on Friday, said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to visit Riyadh at Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's invitation and the tour schedule is likely to be finalised after the summer. Another state minister for foreign affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, in a separate media interaction on Friday, supplemented Kobirs comments, saying Bangladesh's national interest and the interests of its people would determine Dhakas stance on joining the pact. Whether we join any pact or any multilateral body will be decided primarily on whether Bangladesh's interests and the interests of the Bangladeshi people are protected, she said when asked whether Bangladesh would be part of the trilateral framework. The two junior ministers' comments came two days after Rahmans finance and planning adviser Professor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said a Bangladesh First policy marked a paradigm shift in the countrys foreign policy. He said the policy placed national interest, sovereignty, mutual respect and regional harmony at the centre of Bangladeshs engagement with the international community by maintaining constructive and mutually beneficial relations with all countries. The Bangladesh First policy means putting Bangladeshs interests first, but Bangladesh for all, Titumir said.

Iran security chief threatens neighbors against economic measures, and other Mideast developments

Dubai, Aug 23: The new leader of Iran's top security body is threatening neighbours against joining new US efforts to squeeze Tehran's economy. Egypt is trying to revive Iran-US negotiations. And Iraq and Iran say Tehran has helped some ships carrying Iraqi oil to transit the Strait of Hormuz. France and Saudi Arabia are expected to discuss plans to bypass the waterway. Meanwhile, Israel has carried out strikes in Syria and in Gaza. Here's a look at the latest developments in the Iran war and the wider Middle East on Saturday. Full coverage can be found here. Iran's new top security adviser issues threats The hard-line new leader of Iran's Supreme National Security Council threatened Tehran's neighbours against joining the new US effort to hurt Iran's economy, and accused the United States of increasing global nuclear insecurity with months of war. If (Trump) wants to do something, we will retaliate in a seismic manner, he said in an interview with the state broadcaster that aired Saturday. Mohsen Rezaei was named this month as part of senior appointments widely seen as hardening Tehran's political and military stance. His interview with IRIB is his most extensive public statement since then. Rezaei said Iran would target oil-shipping routes out of the Persian Gulf -- alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz -- if neighbours join what he described as the economic war against Iran. Those neighbours would be considered enemies and we will target their interests, he said. US President Donald Trump in the past week has vowed to increase Iran's pain by imposing an unprecedented level of economic warfare and isolation. Iran has lived under sanctions for years. Rezaei said discussions with Oman, located on the other side of the strait, over management of it were ongoing, and said fees would be imposed. Iran asserted control over what was seen as an international waterway shortly after the US and Israel attacked on February 28. Rezaei also vowed to make changes to Iran's diplomacy and bring new capabilities to what he called the next war. He warned the US against sending more military personnel to the region, and said the US had increased nuclear insecurity because countries see that participating in international monitoring efforts, as Iran has done, is no protection against attack. Egypt tries to revive US-Iran negotiations The top diplomats for Egypt and Iran discussed efforts to bring Tehran and Washington back to the negotiating table to settle the war, Egypt's foreign ministry said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty also discussed the Iranian-Omani talks, the ministry said. Araghchi briefed Egypt's foreign minister about Iran's view of ongoing developments, the course of negotiations and their challenges, the ministry said, without elaborating. Araghchi confirmed the call. Separately, Araghchi said he had a call with Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. Iran and Iraq say some Iraqi oil is facilitated through the strait The governments of Iraq and Iran said Tehran has helped some ships carrying Iraqi oil to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil, natural gas and other supplies, but there were few details. There is facilitation for some ships carrying Iraqi oil in the Strait of Hormuz, Iraqi President Nizar Amidi said in comments published Saturday by the state-run news agency, adding that Iraq doesn't have a national carrier for transporting oil. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said a number of Iraqi oil tankers have been permitted to transit. It was not clear how many or what Iran might have received in return. Syria says an Israeli drone strike inside a village An Israeli drone strike on a vehicle wounded one person on Saturday in the southwestern Syrian village of Beit Jin, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA. Syria's foreign ministry said several civilians were injured and called the strike a flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty. The Israeli military said it targeted a terrorist who advanced terror attacks in final stages of preparation, without elaborating. It wasn't immediately clear if it was the same strike. Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes around Syria after the ouster of former President Bashar Assad in late 2024, mainly destroying army assets to keep them out of the hands of his successors. Messages differ on the Golan Heights In an interview on Friday with Mario Nawfal, a Lebanese-Australian entrepreneur, US Ambassador Tom Barrack said Israel still occupies the Golan Heights in violation of UN resolutions. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Saturday in a statement called Barrack's remarks full of inaccuracies and positions that contradict Trump's own position. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 war and annexed it in 1981. The UN considers the territory occupied Syrian land. But in March 2019, Trump signed a proclamation recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, reversing decades of U.S. policy. French president and Saudi crown prince will meet French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are expected to discuss plans to develop alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz during the Saudi leader's two-day visit to Paris that starts on Sunday, according to officials in the presidency who weren't authorised to be publicly named. Proposals include increasing trade through Omani ports outside of the Persian Gulf, expanding or doubling pipelines in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, and developing new rail links, the officials said. France and Saudi Arabia have formed a task force on energy and logistics connections between the Middle East and Europe that is scheduled to meet at the ministerial level Monday. The officials said the work would focus on identifying the most strategic projects, securing financing and establishing roles for French companies. An Israeli strike in Gaza kills 1 Palestinian An Israeli strike on the backyard of a house in central Gaza killed one Palestinian and wounded another Saturday, according to health officials at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Israel's military said it targeted Sharif al-Hasanat, a Hamas commander who advanced terror attacks and took part in efforts to restore Hamas' underground infrastructure. Days earlier, a US negotiator reportedly asked Israel to draw down attacks while seeking to make progress on the ceasefire.

More than 20 injured as moderate earthquake shakes northeast Japan

Tokyo, Aug 23: A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 rattled eastern Japan, including the Tokyo area, early Sunday, injuring more than 20 people, most of them slightly, officials said. There was no danger of a tsunami. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred in the southern Ibaraki prefecture, at a depth of 70 kilometres, an area of Japan prone to frequent quakes. The US Geological Survey recorded a preliminary magnitude of 5.8. Twenty-three people were injured in four prefectures in the region -- nine in Saitama, another nine in Kanagawa, four in Chiba and one in Ibaraki -- according to prefectural officials. Most of them were injured when they fell down or hit themselves against furniture or doors as they were caught off guard by the quake while sleeping and got out of bed in a panic, officials said. Among them was a woman in her 80s who fell off the bed and suffered a serious hip injury in Yokohama, in the Kanagawa prefecture, the Yomiuri newspaper reported. The quake caused delays to express trains serving Tokyo and Narita Airport and other local trains serving northeastern regions, but Shinkansen bullet trains were running normally, their operator East Japan Railway Company said. The government set up a task force to assess the extent of possible damage, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on X. The temblor set off emergency quake alerts on mobile phones and also significantly shook Tokyo. NHK public television showed traffic on roads in nearby cities, including Mito and Saitama, seemingly normal. An underground water pipe ruptured in Tokyo's eastern ward of Koto, with water pouring out onto the road, NHK footage showed. The pipe has been repaired and the leak was stopped later. The earthquake caused blackouts to about 460 homes in Tokyo, but power was restored by later Sunday morning, according to TEPCO Power Grid. There were no reports of anomalies from about a dozen nuclear power plants and other facilities that handle nuclear materials, the Nuclear Regulation Authority said. Last month, a magnitude 7.1 quake struck the Kumamoto area on Japan's southernmost island of Kyushu, killing 38 people and injuring 364. It also destroyed more than 1,500 buildings and damaged nearly 20,000 others.

Sainik School Nagrota celebrates 57th Raising Day

Jammu, Aug 22: Sainik School Nagrota celebrated its 57th Raising Day with great enthusiasm, patriotic fervour and a spirit of camaraderie on Saturday. The day-long celebrations brought together cadets, staff members, their families, parents and distinguished guests to commemorate the glorious journey of the institution and celebrate its achievements and traditions. The celebrations commenced early in the morning with a ceremonial March Past by the cadets at Major Somnath Sharma Stadium. The cadets presented an impressive display of discipline, precision, coordination and immaculate turnout. Sindh House secured first position in both the Senior and Junior categories of the March Past. The newly admitted Class VI cadets participated with particular enthusiasm in the inter-class Tug of War competition, displaying remarkable energy and team spirit. The competition also witnessed enthusiastic participation by the girl cadets, with two teams of girl cadets taking part in the Tug of War, adding excitement and vibrancy to the celebrations. A friendly cricket match between staff and cadets was also organised, providing an opportunity for interaction and camaraderie beyond the classroom. The evening celebrations were marked by a variety of fun games for staff members, their families and children, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere on the school campus. The celebrations culminated in an exciting cultural competition presented by the cadets of Sainik School Nagrota, showcasing their talent, creativity and confidence through vibrant performances. The presence of the parents of Late Flight Lieutenant Advitiya Bal, whose association with the institution added a special emotional and inspirational dimension to the celebrations.

Sawalkote project head, Army commander discuss security scenario

Jammu, Aug 22:HOP Sawalkote Project, Satnam Singh, on Saturday called on Commander 11 Sector RR, Brigadier Ajay Pal Singh, at Ramban to discuss the prevailing security situation of project areas, touching across multiple districts. Head of the Project (HOP), Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project, Satnam Singh, as per a statement, had a comprehensive meeting with Brigadier Singh and deliberated on matters related to security, peace and other issues in areas falling in the ambit of the project. Brigadier Singh offered key observations on the overall scenario and highlighted initiatives of peace and brotherhood being undertaken in the region. HOP Satnam Singh offered NHPCs signature planter as a token of respect, with Brigadier Singh reciprocating with an equally warm gesture. The meet served as a courtesy call by Satnam Singh after he took over as the head of the ambitious 1800MW Sawalkote project, poised to be the biggest in J&K. Brigadier Singh assured utmost support to the project and outlined that the Army remains committed to the security and safety of project officials.

Villagers take up repair of flood-damaged road in Rajouri

Rajouri, Aug 22:Stating that the Public Works Department failed to fully restore a vital road damaged during the recent floods, villagers of Gambhir Mughalan in Rajouri have themselves started repair work to ensure connectivity to nearly a dozen villages and a population of over 10,000 people. The Gambhir Mughalan to Patrara road was badly damaged during the devastating floods of July 19 after a portion of the road caved in following land sinking. The damage disrupted connectivity to several villages, leaving residents stranded and facing severe difficulties in commuting. The Public Works Department restored the road temporarily nearly five days after the damage, but locals said permanent restoration has not been undertaken so far. With only temporary work carried out, repeated mudslides at the damaged portion have once again started blocking the road, affecting the movement of vehicles and causing hardships to residents. Angered over what they described as the casual approach of the department, locals of Gambhir Mughalan today kept their vehicles off the road as a mark of protest and subsequently started restoration work themselves. The villagers said they were compelled to take the initiative as repeated appeals for proper repair had failed to yield any result. Mohammad Shahzad Pathan, a local resident, said the condition of the road had become extremely serious, with several feet of mud accumulating at the damaged portion whenever a mudslide occurs. We cannot keep watching people suffer. Vehicles frequently get stuck in several feet of mud and commuters, including patients, students and employees, are left helpless. Despite the issue being brought to the authorities notice, no permanent solution has been provided, Pathan said. Another local resident said the road is a crucial lifeline for nearly a dozen villages and its repeated blockage is affecting thousands of people. The department carried out temporary restoration after the floods, but the damaged portion remains vulnerable. Whenever there is rainfall, mudslides hit the road and connectivity is again disrupted. We have now been forced to do the work ourselves, the resident said. Locals expressed serious concern over the alleged lack of attention by the Public Works Department and urged senior authorities to intervene immediately. They demanded permanent restoration of the damaged stretch to prevent repeated disruption of connectivity and ensure safe movement of traffic. The villagers also warned that failure to undertake proper restoration could lead to further deterioration of the road and once again disconnect several villages from the main road network.

Gujjar-Bakarwal group seeks child-safety audit after minors death in Kishtwar

Jammu, Aug 22: Expressing grave concern over the death of a minor girl in Kishtwar, the Tribal Gujjar Bakkarwal Welfare Foundation on Saturday called for a fair and time-bound investigation and urged child-protection authorities to conduct safety audits and strengthen safeguards in educational institutions, particularly for children from remote and vulnerable communities. As per a statement issued, the Tribal Gujjar Bakkarwal Welfare Foundation a forum working for the welfare and advancement of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community and for the preservation and promotion of its culture, language and traditions discussed the deeply disturbing reports concerning the alleged sexual exploitation, pregnancy and tragic death of a minor child belonging to the Gujjar community and studying in Class 5. The members of the Foundation expressed profound shock, anguish and grave concern over the incident and stated that according to information appearing in various media reports, the child was allegedly subjected to sexual assault by her school teacher, Khalid Hussain, over a prolonged period, resulting in pregnancy. It has further been reported that the child was allegedly administered pregnancy-termination medication in circumstances involving Khalid Hussain and his brother, Tariq Hussain, following which the child and the newborn child tragically died. The Foundation emphasised that these are matters requiring a thorough, impartial and expeditious investigation, with responsibility being fixed strictly in accordance with law. The Foundation also expressed serious concern over media reports and allegations that the family of the accused persons is influential and that attempts are allegedly being made through threats, pressure or other influence upon the economically vulnerable nomadic family of the deceased child to hush up the matter. The Foundation demanded that the Police and Civil Administration immediately ensure the safety and security of the victim's family and material witnesses, and ensure that no person, irrespective of his social or political influence, is permitted to interfere with the investigation, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the course of justice. The members observed that the allegations are particularly disturbing because one of the persons accused is stated to have been the teacher of the deceased child. A teacher occupies a position of trust, responsibility and authority and is expected to protect and guide children entrusted to his care. Any sexual exploitation of a child by a person occupying such a position of trust constitutes an extremely grave betrayal of that relationship and demands the strictest response permissible under law. The Foundation also expressed serious concern over media reports and allegations that the family of the accused persons is influential and that attempts are allegedly being made through threats, pressure or other influence upon the economically vulnerable nomadic family of the deceased child to hush up the matter. The Foundation demanded that the Police and Civil Administration immediately ensure the safety and security of the victim's family and material witnesses, and ensure that no person, irrespective of his social or political influence, is permitted to interfere with the investigation, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the course of justice. The members observed that the allegations are particularly disturbing because one of the persons accused is stated to have been the teacher of the deceased child. A teacher occupies a position of trust, responsibility and authority and is expected to protect and guide children entrusted to his care. Any sexual exploitation of a child by a person occupying such a position of trust constitutes an extremely grave betrayal of that relationship and demands the strictest response permissible under law. The Foundation further expressed concern regarding the particular vulnerability of children belonging to nomadic and economically weaker sections of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community. Owing to economic hardship, seasonal migration, geographical isolation, interrupted access to institutional safeguards and dependence upon local educational arrangements, many such children may be particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. The Foundation stressed that the present incident must therefore not be viewed merely as an isolated criminal case, but should also prompt the authorities to examine whether adequate child-protection mechanisms are actually reaching children in remote, migratory and marginalised communities. Considering that one of the accused is reportedly a teacher and the deceased child was his student, the Foundation called upon the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the concerned Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Police and other competent child-protection authorities to take cognisance of the matter. The Foundation demanded an appropriate and sensitive inquiry to ascertain whether any other child studying in the school may also have been subjected to sexual abuse, harassment or other inappropriate conduct and if during such inquiry any information suggesting abuse of another child comes to light, immediate action should follow in accordance with law. Taking a wider view of child safety, the Foundation urged the NCPCR, CWCs and the concerned administration to evolve an appropriate mechanism for periodic child-safety audits, awareness programmes and confidential counselling/outreach in schools and other institutions formal as well as informal where children are imparted education, tuition, religious instruction or otherwise remain under the supervision of adults.

2nd day of protests over minor girls death grips Doda, Bhaderwah, Gundoh

Ramban, Aug 22: Protests continued for the second consecutive day at several places across the Chenab Valley on Saturday over the death of a minor school girl from the Chatroo area of Kishtwar, allegedly after she became pregnant following sexual assault by a government school teacher. The incident has triggered widespread outrage, with students and residents demanding stringent legal action against all those found involved. Students of Government Degree College (GDC) Doda and Government Degree College Bhaderwah took out protest rallies and staged demonstrations, raising slogans demanding justice for the deceased minor and strict punishment for the accused. The protesting students condemned the alleged exploitation of a minor by a teacher, stressing that educators are entrusted with the safety and well-being of children. Protests were also held in Thathri and the Kahara area of Gundoh, where residents expressed deep anguish over the incident and demanded justice for the victim. Protesters in Kahara called on the authorities to ensure a fair, impartial, and time-bound investigation, maintaining that everyone connected to the case should be brought to justice. The protests follow the death of the minor girl after she reportedly developed serious health complications. According to reports, the girl was taken to a health facility in Kishtwar and later referred for specialised treatment. Her condition reportedly deteriorated while she was being shifted towards Jammu, and she died en route. Her death subsequently triggered protests in Chatroo and other parts of Kishtwar, with people demanding accountability and justice. Police have arrested the accused government school teacher and his brother in connection with the case. The teacher, identified in media reports as Khalid Ahmed Sheikh, was reportedly serving as a Teacher Grade-II and in-charge headmaster at a government middle school in the Chatroo area. The education authorities have also suspended the accused teacher. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The investigation is underway, with medical and forensic procedures reportedly being conducted as part of the probe. The incident has drawn strong condemnation across the Chenab Valley, with protesters calling the involvement of a government teacher particularly disturbing given the responsibility associated with the teaching profession. The protesters urged the administration and investigating agencies to conduct a transparent and speedy investigation, establish the complete sequence of events leading to the minors death and ensure that all persons found involved face legal action. They also called for necessary support and justice for the bereaved family. The demonstrations have also highlighted growing public concern over the safety of children and the need for stronger safeguards in educational institutions to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse of minors. Meanwhile, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged sexual assault, the minors pregnancy, her subsequent medical complications and death remains in progress. Further details are expected to emerge as the probe advances.

My Youth My Pride: Doda hosts special volleyball competition

Doda, Aug 22:Under the My Youth My Pride initiative, the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council organised a Special Volleyball Competition at Sports Stadium Doda under the guidance of Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, and the supervision of Bashir Ahmed Bakshi, Divisional Sports Officer, Jammu. As per a statement, a total of 2 boys' and 2 girls' teams participated enthusiastically, while around 45 spectators witnessed the event. Refreshments were distributed to all participants after the competition. The event was supervised by Rajesh Kotwal, In-Charge, Sports Stadium Doda, with the support of Manmeet Kour (Coach), Khalid Hussain (Coach), Parmod Singh PET, Vijay Kumar PET and Sher Mohd Mir (Ground Staff).

ICC Jammu seeks timely Ayushman Bharat payments

Jammu, Aug 22: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Jammu chapter, has advocated adoption of the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) for eligible MSME suppliers under Ayushman Bharat to ease working-capital pressures and facilitate timely liquidity against accepted invoices. In a representation submitted to Ananth Dwivedi, Chief Executive Officer, State Health Agency, Jammu and Kashmir, ICC Jammu Chairman Rahul Sahai highlighted the concerns of suppliers and vendors whose legitimate payments under the Ayushman Bharat scheme remained pending for prolonged periods. Sahai appreciated the important role of Ayushman Bharat in strengthening healthcare access and providing cashless treatment to beneficiaries across J&K and emphasised that ensuring the financial sustainability of suppliers and other stakeholders supporting the scheme would further strengthen its implementation. ICC suggested that the State Health Agency, in consultation with the concerned authorities and hospitals, explore onboarding of the relevant entities on TReDS and facilitating eligible MSME receivables through the platform. Sahai said this could provide much-needed working-capital support to MSMEs, reduce dependence on costly borrowings and bring greater transparency and financial discipline to the payment ecosystem. The Chamber also sought an early review and clearance of long-pending legitimate dues and recommended adoption of a transparent First-In-First-Out (FIFO) payment mechanism at the hospital level, so that payments were released according to the chronological seniority of bills.

Sopore clinches title

Baramulla, Aug 22: Zone Sopore emerged victorious in the Under-19 Boys Kabaddi Competition of the Inter-Zonal District Level (IZDL) tournament, defeating Zone Dangerpora in a closely contested and thrilling final held on Saturday at Indoor Stadium Khawaja Bagh, Baramulla. The competition, as per an official statement, was organised by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, Baramulla, under the supervision of the Director General, Youth Services & Sports, J&K, Anuradha Gupta, JKAS. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from young athletes representing different zones of the district, providing them with an important platform to demonstrate their sporting talent, discipline and competitive spirit. The concluding ceremony was attended by Mushtaq Ahmad Pampori, DYSSO Baramulla, and Shabir Ahmad Thoker, PEM/Activity In-charge. On the occasion, the officials appreciated the participating players, officials and escort teachers for their dedication, discipline and exemplary sportsmanship throughout the competition.

Quality and customer service remain our top priority: Rahul Bansal

Srinagar, Aug 22:Rahul Bansal, Managing Director of Kashmir Ispat, and business leader Amogh Bansal underscored the importance of product quality, technological advancement and customer service as Shakti Thermex hosted its Dealer Meet 2026 in Srinagar, bringing together dealers and distributors from across Kashmir. The event was organised to recognise and appreciate the companys dealer network, showcase its latest manufacturing capabilities and apprise business partners of its new technological initiatives and future plans. The company highlighted its adoption of advanced German technology as part of its efforts to strengthen manufacturing standards and enhance product performance. The meet also provided an opportunity for interaction between the company and its dealers on market requirements, customer expectations and strategies for improving service delivery. Addressing the gathering, Rahul Bansal said quality and customer satisfaction would continue to remain central to the companys business approach, with a focus on continuous innovation and improving after-sales support. The company also reiterated its commitment to strengthening its presence in the Kashmir market through better products, faster customer service and closer engagement with its dealer network.

Table Tennis Competition for U-17 boys commences in Shopian

Shopian, Aug 22:The Department of Youth Services and Sports, District Shopian, commenced the Inter-District Divisional-Level Table Tennis Competition for Boys Under-17 at the Indoor Complex, Arhama, Shopian on Saturday. The competition, as per an official statement, began following the successful completion of the Under-14 Boys Table Tennis Competition, which was also held at the same venue. The U-17 championship was formally inaugurated by District Youth Services and Sports Officer (DYSSO), Shopian, Mohammad Ayoub Bhat, who interacted with the participating young sportspersons representing all ten districts of the Kashmir Division. Addressing the players, the DYSSO urged them to participate with dedication, discipline and true sportsmanship. He encouraged the young athletes to make the most of the championship by showcasing their talent and striving for excellence. The competition provides an important platform for emerging table tennis players to demonstrate their skills, gain valuable competitive exposure and interact with fellow sportspersons from across the Kashmir Division. The event underscores the Department of Youth Services and Sports continued commitment to promoting sporting activities, nurturing young talent and creating meaningful opportunities for budding athletes across the region.

Bandipora clinches U-17 Girls Kabaddi title

Bandipora, Aug 22: District Bandipora emerged victorious in the three-day Inter-District Provincial-Level Girls Kabaddi Competition for Under-17 girls, which concluded on Saturday at Government Higher Secondary School, Nadihal, Bandipora. District Anantnag, as per an official statement, secured the runner-up position, while District Ganderbal finished third in the competition, which was organised by the District Youth Services and Sports, Bandipora. The concluding day witnessed a series of exciting and closely contested matches, with young kabaddi players from various districts displaying impressive skill, agility, teamwork, discipline and determination. The competition provided the participants with valuable exposure at the provincial level while promoting sportsmanship and healthy competitive spirit. The District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Bandipora, was present on the occasion and presented the winners trophy to the victorious Bandipora team. He congratulated the players for their commendable performance and appreciated the coaches, officials and support staff for their dedicated efforts in ensuring the smooth and successful conduct of the event. The competition reflected the Directorates continued commitment to promoting sports among young athletes, particularly girls, by providing them with opportunities to compete at higher levels and further develop their sporting abilities. The event also reinforced the importance of discipline, teamwork, perseverance and sportsmanship among the participants. The District Youth Services and Sports, Bandipora, congratulated the winning teams and expressed appreciation to all participating players, coaches, officials and support staff for their valuable contribution to the successful completion of the three-day sporting event.

GI QR labelling begins at Quality Control Lab of Handicrafts Deptt

Srinagar, Aug 22:In a significant boost to Geographical Indication (GI) testing and certification, particularly for non-textile and languishing crafts, the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, today formally launched the GI QR Code Management System at its Quality Control Division (QCD) in Srinagar. Following the NABL-accredited IICT and PTQCC laboratories, the QCD has become the third GI Lab in Jammu & Kashmir. It will now test and affix GI labels on a range of products including Wagguv, Gabba, felted Namdah, Walnut Wood Carving, Chain Stitch, Khatamband and Crewel. The introduction of GI QR labels for fading crafts such as Wagguv and Namdah is expected to provide a major fillip to these traditional skills, enhancing their brand value in domestic and international markets. This initiative marks an important expansion of GI certification beyond premier, high-value products such as Kashmir Pashmina, hand-knotted carpet, and Kani and Sozni embroidered shawls, he added. The Chief Minister had recently inaugurated the refurbished QCD Laboratory, which has been equipped with a High-Resolution Digital Microscope and other required paraphernalia. The upgradation was funded by the Ministry of Textiles under the National Handicrafts Development Programme as well as the UT Capex Budget. Until recently, the lab had been labelling only non-GI handmade products from Kashmir. The GI QR labelling system will certify the authenticity of selected handmade products and help them capture the affordable market segment. It will complement the Departments ongoing efforts in capacity building and improved packaging, with special focus on languishing crafts such as Namdah, Gabba and Wagguv that hold strong market potential both within and outside the Union Territory. The Department has urged artisans, weavers, and other stakeholders to approach the QCD Laboratory to get their products labelled at nominal user charges, thereby adding much-needed brand value to Kashmirs exquisite middle-segment handmade crafts.

FCIK places industry woes before CM Omar

Srinagar, Aug 22::The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) on Friday flagged some of the burning issues confronting existing industries with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, seeking immediate measures pending finalisation of the Revised Industrial Policy. A delegation of FCIK, led by Head of its Advisory Committee Shahid Kamili, met the Chief Minister and impressed upon him that while the industrial fraternity looked forward to a comprehensive and forward-looking Revised Industrial Policy, several pressing problems had assumed urgency and could not await completion of the policy-formulation process. While appreciating the Governments decision to review the existing Industrial Policy and the extensive stakeholder consultations undertaken by the high-level committee constituted for the purpose, FCIK hoped that the concerns and consensus-based recommendations of the industrial fraternity would find due place in the revised policy and requested that the draft be shared with stakeholders for feedback before its final approval. FCIK, however, stressed that several critical issues could not await the new policy and required immediate interim intervention which include early enactment of a statutory Ease of Doing Business framework, incorporating a genuine single-window system, self-certification, automatic renewals, deemed approvals, simplified procedures, digitisation and rationalisation of recurring fees and charges affecting MSMEs. On public procurement, FCIK sought meaningful protection for local manufacturers through strengthening of SICOP, MSME-friendly e-tendering and assured allocation of a prescribed share of Government orders to eligible local manufacturers willing to match competitively discovered rates. Drawing attention to growing industrial sickness and stressed bank accounts, the delegation sought the Chief Minister's intervention for introduction by J&K Bank of a transparent, uniform and non-discretionary One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme, broadly on the pattern of SBI's 2020 scheme, however, without linking it to the value of collateral securities. FCIK sought a reasonable haircut on the principal NPA balance, besides waiver of unapplied, penal and compound interest, and urged that coercive recovery proceedings be kept in abeyance until eligible MSMEs are afforded an opportunity under an appropriate settlement or revival framework. FCIK also sought a time-bound amnesty for electricity and other Government dues, including relief from penal interest, surcharge and demand charges on power arrears, reasonable installments for settlement of dues, waiver of penal and compound interest on lease rent and other Government liabilities, and resolution of legacy VAT demands involving units that had enjoyed exemption under the policy then in force. The delegation further highlighted the acute raw-material crisis facing mineral-based industries, particularly Plaster of Paris and stone-crushing units, due to delays in renewal or finalisation of extraction contracts. It cautioned that continued disruption could force operational units to close, affect employment and impede developmental works, particularly in Kashmir with its limited working season. FCIK sought an immediate lawful arrangement for regulated supply until the contracting process is completed. The Chief Minister assured the delegation that the Government would take all possible steps to mitigate the pressing problems confronting the industrial sector. He further assured FCIK that the issues raised would be taken up with the concerned authorities and follow-up meetings held during the coming week to work towards their resolution. FCIK expressed hope that the Chief Minister's intervention would provide much-needed immediate relief to existing enterprises while the broader Revised Industrial Policy is being finalised.

A gradual disappearance

Dal Lake is not merely a water body; it is the soul of Srinagar, the lifeline of Kashmir's tourism, and an irreplaceable ecological asset. For centuries, it has symbolized the Valley's natural beauty and cultural heritage. Today, however, this priceless treasure is facing one of the gravest threats in its historynot from nature but from human greed and neglect. The most disturbing and visible transformation is taking place along the western side of Dal Lake stretching from Dalgate to Hazratbal. Anyone who has witnessed this side of the lake over the years can clearly see that vast stretches of open water have disappeared. Areas that were once part of the lake have gradually been converted into land through illegal filling, unauthorized constructions and unchecked encroachments. What was once a continuous expanse of water having at many places been replaced by settlements, roads, commercial establishments and landmass. This silent disappearance of the lake is perhaps the greatest environmental tragedy unfolding before our eyes. The western periphery of Dal Lake has become increasingly vulnerable because of immense human greed particularly the people living on this side of the lake. The process is often gradualsmall quantities of earth, construction debris or waste are dumped repeatedly until water is replaced by solid ground. Once the land is stabilized, temporary structures emerge, which eventually become permanent constructions. If this cycle continues unchecked, the time is not far when the future generations may never know the true extent of the historic Dal Lake. Ironically, while enormous resources are being spent on conservation measures such as deweeding, dredging, shoreline cleaning, sewage treatment and restoration of water channels, these efforts are undermined if the lake itself continues to shrink due to filling and encroachments. Conservation cannot succeed by merely cleaning the remaining water while allowing the waterbody itself to disappear. Government planning documents and the Honble High Court of J&K have long identified the western margin of Dal Lake as particularly vulnerable to encroachments and have recommended clear physical demarcation of the lake boundary to prevent further loss. They also identify encroachment, reduction of water channels, unplanned urbanization, and dumping of dredged material as major causes of the lake's degradation. The problem is not confined to Dal Lake alone. Other urban water bodies such as Nigeen, Khushalsar, Gilsar, Brari Nambal and numerous wetlands around Srinagar are facing similar pressures. Encroachments, filling, untreated sewage, indiscriminate dumping of solid waste and conversion of wetlands into residential or commercial land have become common threats. Every lost wetland means reduced flood absorption capacity, declining groundwater recharge, shrinking biodiversity and worsening water quality. The environmental consequences are profound. Every square-metre of lake that disappears reduces the water body's capacity to store floodwaters, dilutes its natural purification ability and disrupts aquatic ecosystems. Fish populations decline, migratory bird habitats vanish, water circulation weakens and the lake becomes increasingly susceptible to pollution and eutrophication. The loss of open water also diminishes the scenic beauty that has made Dal Lake internationally renowned. What makes this tragedy particularly painful is that it is entirely preventable and the people living around it are responsible for unabated filling. Protecting Dal Lake demands far more than periodic demolition drives. It requires continuous surveillance using satellite imagery and drone mapping, permanent demarcation of the lake boundary, strict enforcement against illegal filling, coordinated action among all concerned departments and speedy legal proceedings against violators. Equally important is public participation. Every citizen must recognize that protecting Dal Lake is not solely the responsibility of government agenciesit is a collective responsibility. The stretch from Dalgate to Hazratbal deserves immediate and focused attention. Unless this rapidly changing western shoreline is secured against further encroachment, restoration efforts elsewhere may prove futile. The objective should not merely be to prevent future encroachments but also to reclaim illegally filled portions wherever legally and technically feasible. History has repeatedly shown that civilizations flourish around healthy water bodies and decline when they destroy them. Kashmir cannot afford to lose the lake that defines its identity. If the current trend of filling and encroachment continues, future generations may inherit only photographs of a magnificent lake that once existed where concrete now stands. The bitter truth is that Dal Lake is not disappearing overnightit is disappearing inch by inch, truckload by truckload and season by season. The question is not whether we know what is happening; the question is whether we have the resolve to stop it before it is too late. Dal Lake has given Kashmir beauty, livelihood, identity, and pride for centuries. It is now our turn to ensure that we do not become the generation remembered for allowing it to vanish.

Hands that feed families

In our town, the day begins with hands. The farmer gripping the sickle before sunrise, the mason lifting bricks and mixing mortar, the carpenter guiding wood into a cutting machine, the marble worker polishing stone, the factory hand feeding material into a press, the shopkeeper stacking goods, the tree-cutter climbing with a saw. All of them depend on one thing more than any tool: their own hands. On 23 August, India observes National Hand Surgery Day. It is not just a day for doctors and hospitals. It is a day for every person whose hands earn their familys bread. Because in our part of the country, a hand injury is not only pain; it can mean lost work, lost wages, and sometimes a lifetime of disability. A simple cut can become a life-changing injury Most people think, Its just a cut, it will heal. But hand injuries are different. The hand is a compact array of bones, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. A deep cut on a finger can cut a tendon that bends the finger, or a nerve that gives it feeling. A smash from a machine can crush small bones and damage blood supply. If not treated properly and in time, even a so called small injury can leave a finger stiff, numb, and useless. In industrial and agricultural towns, a large share of hand injuries come from farm machinery, hand tools like sickles and spades, and workshop machines such as wood cutters, marble cutters, and chaff cutters. Most of these injuries happen to people in their most productive years. The tragedy is that many of these disabilities are preventable. Not by avoiding work, but by knowing what to do in the first few minutes after an injury, and by taking simple precautions every day. The first aid: can save a function and a job Imagine this scene: A devastating hand injury has occurred. The first few minutes may determine whether the hand is saved or permanently disabled. The first rule is simple: stay as calm as possible and stop the bleeding safely. Press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth, handkerchief, or bandage. Keep the hand raised above the level of the heart. This reduces blood flow and helps clotting. Do not keep checking every few seconds; maintain steady pressure for at least 1015 minutes. If there is an object stuck deep in the hand (a piece of metal, wood, or glass), do not try to pull it out yourself. Removing it without proper control can cause more bleeding and damage. Leave it in place, support the hand, and get to a hospital. Important to note is to avoid putting turmeric, tobacco, ash, oil, or any desi remedy directly into the wound. These may increase the risk of infection and can complicate surgery later. If the wound is very dirty, you can gently rinse it with clean water, but do not scrub or pour harsh chemicals like spirit or strong antiseptics inside. Try to reach the medical facility ASAP. When a finger is cut off: the right way to carry it In some of the worst accidents, a finger or part of a hand may be completely cut off. In such cases, the amputated part can sometimes be reattached, if suitable but only if it is handled correctly and the patient reaches a suitable hospital quickly. The correct method of transportation is often misunderstood. Do not put the amputated part directly on ice or in water. Do not wrap it in dry cloth and leave it lying in the sun. Instead: Gently rinse off obvious dirt with clean water if needed. Wrap the part in a clean, slightly moist cloth. Place this cloth inside a sealed plastic bag. Put that bag on ice or in a container with ice, making sure the part does not touch the ice directly. Carry this with the patient to the hospital. Time is the key. The sooner the patient and the amputated part reach a hospital with hand-surgery facilities, the better the chance of saving the finger. Wasting time at small clinics or trying home remedies can turn a salvageable injury into a permanent loss. Hidden risks we ignore In our region, the pattern of hand injuries is very clear. Across farms, workshops, construction sites, and factories, hands are the most vulnerable tools and the most frequently injured. Many of these injuries happen because people do not exercise proper care. They ignore the prescribed principles of using the machine. They lack the proper knowledge and requisite training. Very often, they are tired, working night shifts, rushed, or working with poorly maintained machines and poor lighting. Guards on cutting blades are removed for convenience. Safety switches and safety measures are bypassed. Gloves are not worn when handling sharp or hot materials. Long, loose cuffs (clothes), rings, and bangles get caught in rotating parts. Our observation is that many occupational hand injuries occur during a brief lapse in attention. Although the worker is operating the machine with hands, eyes and attention are diverted, often while talking to someone nearby. This momentary distraction can be enough to result in a serious hand injury. Simple habits can reduce risk a lot: Keep guards and safety covers on machines; do not remove them to work faster. Use appropriate gloves for the taskthick gloves for rough work, cut-resistant gloves for sharp tools, chemical-resistant gloves when handling cement, acids, or solvents. Remove rings, bangles, and loose clothing before working with machines. Ensure good lighting and a clean working area so hands do not slip. Proper maintenance and regular checkups of the machines and tool. For farmers, special care is needed during peak seasons like harvesting, when fatigue and time pressure are high. Studies show that many hand injuries in agriculture happen during these busy months, often with sickles and small machines. A few extra seconds to position the hand safely can save months of treatment and lost income. Red flags: when must not wait Certain signs should never be ignored. If any of these are present after a hand injury, the person should be taken to a hospital with hand-surgery facility as soon as possible: A deep cut where you can see fat, tendon (white cord-like structures), or bone. A finger that looks deformed, twisted, or cannot move normally. Numbness, tingling, or loss of feeling in part of the hand or fingers. A finger or part of the hand that is partially or completely cut off. Crush injuries from machines, heavy stones, or falling objects. Delaying care in these situations can lead to infection, stiffness, loss of function, or even the need for amputation later, when earlier surgery might have saved the part. Prevention is not a luxury For a worker, an injured hand is not just an injury; it can mean lost wages, a closed workshop, or an entire seasons income at risk. In this sense, hand safety is not a factory rule or a government guideline; it is livelihood protection. On this Hand Surgery Day, the message from hand surgeons across India is clear: awareness and early action can prevent a large number of disabilities. Communities that understand basic first aid, recognize danger signs, and respect machines and tools can dramatically reduce the burden of hand injuries. A call to every home and workplace This 23 August, let Hand Surgery Day be more than a date on the calendar. Let it be a day when families talk about hand safety. Let workshop owners remind their workers about guards and gloves. Let farmers show younger members of the family how to hold a tool safely, how to stand while using a chaff cutter, and what to do if something goes wrong. Hands are the first and most important tools. They feed the family, build the home, run the business, and secure the future. So, there is an earnest need to protect them with knowledge, with caution, and with quick, correct action when injury strikes. Because in our town, saving a finger often means saving a job, and saving a hand often means saving a life. P Umar Farooq Baba, Consultant, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar

Canada vows dollar-for-dollar tariff response as US duties take effect

Canada has vowed to respond with dollar-for-dollar tariffs on US goods after fresh US tariffs on a wide range of Canadian products came into effect following the collapse of last-minute trade talks, the BBC reported. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada would impose reciprocal tariffs after suspending negotiations with Washington, accusing the US of making last-minute changes to its proposed terms that were unfair and uneconomic. The new US tariffs, reportedly reaching 50% on several Canadian goods, will affect products including wine, dairy, cement, clothing and hockey equipment, in addition to existing duties on Canadian steel, aluminium, automobiles and lumber. The trade talks had shown signs of progress earlier this week, with President Donald Trump saying the two sides were close to a deal. However, negotiations broke down shortly before the deadline. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer blamed Canada for the failure, saying Ottawa had declined to finalise an agreement despite Washington offering favourable terms. Carney said Canada would defend its interests, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford backed a tariff for tariff, dollar for dollar response. The latest escalation adds to growing trade tensions between the two neighbours, with businesses warning that higher tariffs could raise costs, disrupt supply.

25 years of non stop journey

On Sunday, 26th August 2001, at around 7:45 pm, when the signature tune of Radio Kashmir Pesh Hai JK Bank Diary went on air for the first time, no one imagined that this 15-minute programme would still be on air, without a single break, 25 years later. This Sunday, JK Bank Diary completes its Silver Jubilee. 25 years. 1300+ episodes. 325+ hours of broadcast. Networked on 8 stations of Radio Kashmir Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Kargil, Poonch, Rajouri, Bhaderwah and Kathua. In the history of All India Radio, no commercial sponsored programme of 15 minutes weekly has ever had such an uninterrupted, revenue-generating run. It is, perhaps, a national broadcasting record. And it all began mid-air. Love at first hear: Bangalore to Srinagar, 23rd June 2000 The story is now folklore in broadcasting circles. On 23rd June 2000, this writer was waiting for a flight from Bangalore to Srinagar. In the lounge, I spotted a tall, graceful personality Mr. M.Y. Khan, Chairman, J&K Bank. We boarded together and destiny gave us seats together. For three hours, I poured my heart out. Khan Sahab, Radio Kashmir talks about Chinar, Kehwa, Saffron, Pashmina everything beautiful. But we never talk about the empty pocket of our farmer. We never tell our artisan that his shawl has a price in Paris. Our own bank J&K Bank is our pride, but for a common man in Kupwara, it still looks like a locked government office. Why doesnt J&K Bank itself tell its people what the Bank is and what does the Bank have for them? Mr. Khan did not just listen. He heard it. For the entire flight, we discussed only this. It was, as i later called it, love at first hear. As we landed at Srinagar, he held my hand and said: Rafeeq, come to Zam Zam, my office. The idea born in the air must get wings on the ground. A week later, in his chamber at ZamZam House, Corporate Headquarters, the idea got wings. And in that same chamber, another history was born the immortal tagline that became the voice of Kashmir: JAMMU & KASHMIR BANK BADHIYA, BE-NAZEER BANK It was not written by an ad agency. It was an emotion born in that room. Then it is history. Birth at Tagore Hall: 24th August 2001 For one full year, the format was worked out with my friends Qaiser Mirza and Air Voice Advertising. The brief was clear: No jargon. No preaching. Just 15 minutes of soulful conversation in Kashmiri, Urdu, Dogri and Gojri. Mr. M.Y. Khan showed rare vision. He approved it not as advertisement expense, but as Zimmedari Corporate Social Responsibility, long before the term became fashionable. The programme was formally launched on 24th August 2001 at Tagore Hall, Srinagar. The evening was doubly special it also had a Talha-Majboor comedy show. The Chief Guest was the then Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who blessed it saying, This is the best use of Radio. Next day, 26th August 2001, Sunday, the first episode went on air. I was sitting near my old Philips radio set at home, holding my breath. When I heard the words, my eyes were moist. A new chapter in Indian commercial broadcasting had begun. A team that never let it die A programme does not run for 25 years on one mans idea. It runs on a teams ishq. At Radio Kashmir, the early pillars were G.N. Rattanpuri, Late Bashir Shah, Late Ashraf Bhat, and Anjali Sharma at Jammu. In marketing and production Shakeel Bakshi, Zahoor Zahid, Meraj Din Ahmad, G.R. Akhoon, Wajih Siraj, Bashir Buch, Late Mansoor Ansari and Late Mustafa Ansari. Engineers Late Jamil Baksh, M.Y. Shah, A.K. Handoo, Irshad, Mushtaq supervised by Ayaz Malik, produced it free of cost in our studios. Initially, the Bank hired our studio. When I suggested to Khan Sahab that the Bank should have its own media team, he did it. He created it. And Sajad Bazaz, a brilliant Mass Communication pass-out, carried it brilliantly for years. The first trusted voices were Zahoor Zahid and Ms. Roohi Sultana. Later, fresh voices gave it new colour. 25 years ago the Bank was banking upon us for recording and editing, now it is fully self-sufficient with its own infrastructure. That journey itself is commendable. Through floods of 2014, earthquake of 2005, curfews, snowstorms, and COVID-19 when everything stopped, Radio did not stop. Tapes were recorded in makeshift rooms, but tape ready hai, Sir that call never missed. What did 15 minutes do? The format was simple but powerful: Aghaaz_ an opening note, Bank Aapke Ghar Par scheme explained in mother tongue, Sawal-Jawab listeners letters, and Kamyabi Ki Kahani the soul, a real success story. We never sold loans. We removed fear. We told people Bank se daro mat, Bank tumhara hai. Long before Delhi invented the slogan of Financial Inclusion, J&K Bank and Radio Kashmir were practicing it. The impact? Go to Shopian a farmer knows pledge finance. Go to Zaina Kadal a weaver knows export credit. Go to Rajouri a woman knows how to form a Self Help Group. That awareness was created in those 15 minutes. So much so that for three consecutive years, JK Bank Diary figured in the Balance Sheet and Annual Report presented to the Board and published in The Quest the Banks journal with a noting: Because of this programme, our credits have increased manifold and advances have touched skies. Khan Sahab, I only conceived it, you delivered it on the ground. Whose jubilee is it? If someone asks me today what is my biggest contribution in 40 years of broadcasting, I will say 15 minutes every week for 25 years. But this Silver Jubilee is not mine. It belongs to the listeners of Radio Kashmir that farmer from Anantnag who wrote, Loan ko Kashmiri mein samjhao, that mother from Bhaderwah who asked, Meri beti doctor banna chahti hai? It belongs to the clients of J&K Bank that boy from Baramulla who took Rs. 50,000 and became an exporter, that widow from Kishtwar who now employs 10 women, that student from Kupwara who is now a doctor in Delhi. And it belongs to the J&K Bank family from M.Y. Khan Sahab, my co-passenger who gave it wings mid-air, to every CMD thereafter, every Executive President, every Branch Manager and clerk who said, This programme must go on. Today, as a professional listener, I can say with pride JK Bank Diary still holds priority among listeners for knowledge, information and entertainment. It is still a high-ranking programme of Radio Kashmir. An archive request My only request on this Silver Jubilee is let these 1300 scripts be archived. They are not just scripts. They are the economic history of 25 years of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, told by its own people, in their own voice. And perhaps, the officers of All India Radio, the Bank and record keepers should note JK Bank Diary is perhaps the only programme in Indian broadcasting which holds a record as a commercial and revenue-generating creative for 25 years uninterrupted. If otherwise, please correct me. It started on 26.08.2001. It is still on. It is not a programme. It is a Rishta. A 25-year-old relationship between a Bank and its people, tuned in every week on radio waves. Shukriya listeners. Shukriya J&K Bank family. Shukriya M.Y. Khan Sahab. Dr. Rafeeq Masoodi IBS (Rtd), Former ADG, Doordarshan

MHA panel formed to draft final agreement on Darjeeling hill issue: MP Raju Bista

The Centre has constituted a committee to draft the final agreement on the Gorkha issue, BJP MP Raju Bista said on Saturday, after a key meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gorkha leaders and the West Bengal government. The meeting aimed to find a roadmap for a permanent political solution to the long-standing issues of the hill people. The meeting, held at a hotel in Sukna in the Darjeeling foothills on the third and final day of Shahs north Bengal visit, was attended by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and leaders of various political parties of the hills and other stakeholders of the region. A committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs has been formed under the leadership of interlocutor Pankaj Kumar Singh. It will work to finalise the drafting of todays agreement, Bista said. In October, 2025, the MHA appointed retired IPS officer and former deputy national security advisor Pankaj Kumar Singh as the official government interlocutor for the issue. His role focuses on leading political dialogue and addressing long-standing demands of the Gorkha community. Bista, the Darjeeling MP, said that Saturdays meeting was held on a historic day since it coincided with the date of signing of the Gorkha accord in 1988. The accord, signed between the Centre, the West Bengal government and the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), had led to the creation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) following a violent agitation for a separate state of Gorkhaland. The history of struggle of the hill communities spans over four decades during which the previous Left and TMC government trampled over the aspirations of the hill people. The sacrifice made by our people involves nearly 2,000 people who were martyred, over 5,000 people displaced and women tortured and raped, he alleged. Bista said that while representatives of the various communities put forth their concerns and expectations at the meeting, Adhikari also spoke on how he intends to address the issues of the hill people. After hearing out all stakeholders, Shah summed up the meeting by elucidating how a permanent solution to the issue would be reached in the days ahead, the MP said. The meeting was expected to address the agenda of finding a permanent political solution to the long-standing issues of Darjeeling hills within the ambit of constitutional framework, in lines with the BJPs pre-poll promise for the affairs of Darjeeling hills. Besides Adhikari, also present at the meeting were Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung, and the partys senior leader Roshan Giri, GNLF chief Mann Ghisingh, several state ministers and BJP MLAs from the hills, besides senior officials of the state government. Attempts made by previous state governments to address the issue through arrangements such as the establishment of the DGHC and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) have, arguably, failed to secure long-term peace, economic prosperity and political stability in the region.

J&K Judicial Academy organises workshop on Arbitration, Mediation Act

The Jammu & Kashmir Judicial Academy, under the patronage of Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and the guidance of Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Judge, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and Chairman, Governing Committee, the J&K Judicial Academy, today a one day workshop on Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996; Mediation: Role of Judges in referral with special reference to The Mediation Act, 2023 at the J&K Judicial Academy, Mominabad, Srinagar. The workshop commenced with the inaugural address by Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Member, Governing Committee, J&K Judicial Academy. In her address, Justice Kazmi emphasised that while adjudication remains central to the rule of law, arbitration, conciliation and mediation should be viewed as appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms suited to the nature and circumstances of each dispute. She observed that mediation enables parties to participate in shaping a resolution, fostering ownership and commitment to settlement. She stressed that its success should be measured not merely by disposal but by the ability of settlements to endure and underscored the need for trained mediators, appropriate judicial referrals and institutional support. She emphasized that adjudication, arbitration and mediation are complementary instruments of justice aimed at making the justice delivery system more accessible, humane, responsive and effective. The first technical session was conducted by Justice Rashid Ali Dar, Former Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, on Arbitration: Basic Principles, Courts Role and Interface with Judicial Proceedings. He emphasized that arbitration is a legally recognized mechanism distinct from, yet closely connected with the judicial system requiring a balance between party autonomy and minimal judicial intervention. He stressed that courts should facilitate rather than obstruct arbitration while ensuring fairness, legality and natural justice. The session covered key provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, including arbitration agreements, referral to arbitration, appointment and jurisdiction of arbitral tribunals, interim measures and the complementary roles of courts and tribunals. Thereafter, Mohan Singh Parihar, Former District and Sessions Judge, conducted sessions on Mediation Role of Judges in Referral and Facilitation of Settlement and Mediated Settlements Recording, Enforcement, Challenges and Implementation. He provided practical insights into mediation as an important ADR mechanism and emphasised the role of judicial officers in identifying suitable cases for mediation. He stressed that before making a referral, the court should understand the facts and nature of the dispute and assess whether there is an element of settlement that can appropriately be explored through mediation. He also explained the procedural framework governing mediation, including referral to District Mediation Centres, the role of mediators and the procedure to be followed in successful and unsuccessful mediations. He highlighted the importance of considering ADR at the appropriate stage of proceedings and discussed the objectives of Section 89 CPC, including providing effective relief to litigants, reducing pendency and easing the burden on courts. He explained the five ADR mechanismsarbitration, conciliation, LokAdalat, judicial settlement and mediationand their appropriate application depending upon the nature of the dispute. Earlier, Director J&K Judicial Academy, Naseer Ahmad Dar highlighted the growing importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the present judicial scenario. He emphasized that ADR should not be viewed merely as a means of reducing pendency but as an effective means of providing parties with timely, consensual and meaningful resolution of disputes. He stressed the importance of judicial officers identifying suitable cases for mediation and making appropriate referrals, while exercising judicial discretion in accordance with the nature of the dispute, applicable law and the interests of justice. He also highlighted the significance of the Mediation Act, 2023 and the need for a balanced and practical approach towards adjudication and settlement. The workshop provided the participating judicial officers with valuable practical and legal insights into arbitration and mediation, particularly the role of courts in identifying suitable cases for ADR, making appropriate referrals, facilitating settlements and ensuring effective implementation of dispute-resolution mechanisms.

Teacher in a Changing World

There was a time when a teacher was considered the gateway to knowledge. If a student wanted to know something, the teacher was often the first person to ask. Books were limited. Libraries were not always accessible. Information travelled slowly. But that world is gone. Today, a student can ask a question to Google, YouTube or an AI tool and get an answer in seconds. A lecture can be watched from anywhere. A difficult concept can be explained in ten different ways. A machine can even write an essay, solve a mathematical problem or translate a paragraph. So, a difficult question has emerged. If technology can deliver knowledge faster than a teacher, what is the teachers role? The answer is that the teacher doesnt need to compete with technology. He or she has to become more human. The teacher of tomorrow cannot simply be a walking textbook. The teacher has to become a guide, a questioner, a mentor, and sometimes a reality check. Technology can tell a student what happened. A teacher can ask, Why does it matter? Technology can provide ten answers. A teacher can ask, Which one should you trust? Technology can write an impressive paragraph. A teacher can ask, Do you actually understand what you have written? This will become the most vital role of the teacher in the age of artificial intelligence. From information to judgement, we are entering an age of information abundance. The problem is no longer finding information. The problem is knowing what to do with it. Students are surrounded by facts, opinions, videos, influencers, algorithms and AI-generated content. Some of it is brilliant. Some of it is wrong. Some of it is deliberately misleading. A teacher who can teach students how to question information may be more valuable than one who can simply provide information. This means teachers themselves must keep learning. Not necessarily by becoming programmers. Not every teacher needs to understand how an algorithm is built. But every teacher should understand how technology is changing the way students learn, think and communicate. They should know what AI can do. More importantly, they should know what it cannot do. There is another danger: teachers should not become machines. In our euphoria about technology, we may try to make education look like technology. Making everything faster. More automated. More measurable. However, we forget that education has never been only about efficiency. A student may remember a teachers explanation for an examination. But they may remember a teachers encouragement for a lifetime. A machine can correct an answer. A teacher can notice that the student has stopped trying. A machine can personalise a lesson. A teacher can notice that a child is unusually quiet that morning. A machine can recommend a career. A teacher can recognise a students hidden ability. These things are difficult to measure. They are also difficult to replace. Teachers must become comfortable being with learners because the biggest change required is psychological. Teachers have traditionally entered classrooms as experts. The future classroom requires them to occasionally say: I dont know. Lets find out together. That is not a sign of weakness. It is a powerful lesson in itself. Students need to see that learning does not stop with a degree or a designation. A teacher who learns openly teaches curiosity without giving a lecture on curiosity. Technology changes every few years. The ability to learn must therefore become a permanent professional skill. The classroom of the future will therefore not disappear. It will become different. Less about delivering information. More about dialogue. Less about memorising. More about thinking. Less about What is the answer? More about How did you arrive at it? That is where teachers can remain indispensable. Technology will continue to change and be an excellent aid. Some jobs will disappear. New ones will emerge. Tools that look revolutionary today may seem primitive tomorrow. But one thing is unlikely to change. Young students will still need someone who believes in them before they believe in themselves. They will still need someone to challenge them when they are capable of more. They will still need someone to tell them, You are wrong, without making them feel worthless. And they will still need someone to tell them, Try again. The future does not belong to teachers who know everything. It belongs to teachers who are willing to adapt to technology while keeping learning, keeping questioning and keeping understanding their students. The best teacher of the future may not be the one who knows the most. It may be the one who knows what technology should do, what it should never do, and where the human being must remain at the centre.

CM Omar Abdullah hails Presentation Convents 90-year legacy

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday lauded Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School (PCHSS) Srinagar for evolving from a school into a prestigious institution, saying its growing demand for admissions was a testament to the success it had achieved over nine decades. Omar Abdullah was speaking at the Annual Day-2026 of Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School, organised under the theme 'The Clock Tower Cosmos* to commemorate 250 years of the Presentation Congregation and 90 years of the school in Srinagar. Recalling his own association with the institution,Chief Minister said he studied in the school during his kindergarten years and remained connected with it for nearly five decades through his sisters, cousins, relatives and friends. I was a student of this great institution and I am actually glad that even today when I say this to people, they react with surprise, Omar said. He said that even his party colleague, MLA Tanvir Sadiq, who was present at the function, had only recently learnt that he (Omar) was a former student of Presentation Convent. Omar said he had also learnt a new fact about the school during the function, particularly its connection with the royal family. In all the 50 years that I have been associated with Presentation Convent School in Srinagar, I never knew that Presentation Convent School was set up as a school so that Dr Karan Singh could begin his education, he said. Today I have learnt exactly where Presentation Convent School was born from, and where its rich legacy actually started, he added. The Chief Minister said the school had, over the past 90 years, transformed itself from just a school to an institution. Omar Abdullah also highlighted the institutions reputation saying that difficulty of securing admission could itself be considered a measure of its success. Drawing a comparison with the days when people sought recommendations to secure hotel rooms at prominent establishments, he said parents today approach him seeking help for admissions in some of the Valleys most sought-after schools. I can name four schools where people come to me for recommendations for admission for their children. Those are Biscoe-Mallinson, Burn Hall, now DPS Srinagar, and Presentation Convent School, he said. This is a testament to the success that Presentation Convent School has been able to attain in its 90 years of history, he added. Omar also praised the school for instilling confidence and a questioning spirit among its students, saying education should not merely produce children who follow and obey. We have to teach our children not just to follow, not just to obey, but to question, to ask, to demand, he said. Referring to a musical skit presented by the students during the function, CM Omar said it raised fundamental questions about gender equality and societys treatment of daughters and sons. He particularly highlighted the message, Dont just save your daughters, make your sons human. It is not the girl who is responsible for what happens. It is us who have not been able to teach our sons how to be better human beings, Omar said and described the message as an eye-opening one. He also praised the students performances saying the confidence and composure displayed by them was equally impressive. We are not just producing educated girls, we are producing confident girls, Omar said. He added that their confidence gave him confidence that the future of Jammu and Kashmir would remain secure. He said Presentation Convent produced civil servants, doctors, police officers, engineers, business leaders and sportspersons, besides homemakers, whose contribution was no less an achievement. Recalling his own days at the school, Omar said the institutions iconic clock tower and assembly ground remained deeply embedded in his memories. I remember this very ground, having to walk on for assembly. When I close my eyes, I can still hear the music that used to play when we would march on, he said. He also recalled former Sisters who led the institution, saying the school had left an enduring impression on generations of students. Omar expressed confidence in the safety and future of the girls studying at Presentation Convent, saying the confidence instilled by the institution would help shape the future of J&K. I believe our girls are safe here, and I believe with such confident products of this school, the future of Jammu and Kashmir is safe with girls like this, he said. The Chief Minister congratulated the Presentation Congregation on completing 250 years and the school on its 90th anniversary, expressing hope that the institution would continue its legacy for generations. CM Omar Abdullah said he looked forward to returning a decade later, if the Almighty willed it, to mark the schools centenary. 90 years is a long time. Ten years from now, if the Almighty wills it, some of us will sit here and celebrate the centenary of this great school, Omar said. He also thanked the principal, faculty and students for inviting him to the annual day and congratulated all those who participated in the programme. Praising students confidence, Omar joked that even a wayward microphone failed to shake their composure during the performance. He was referring to technical glitches faced in the microphone during skit performance of the students. The confidence was such that Even Maharaja Sahab (the skit character) did not lose his confidence or composure while passing on his own microphone to other participants, he said. CM Omar Abdullah said he will lose his temper if the same thing happens to him while chairing a cabinet meeting and he will have to pass the microphone to Sakina Itoo and Surinder Choudhary. And after that, the employees of the information department will have to face the action, Omar said amid laughter.

Brilliance of Amir Suhail Wani

The true wealth of Jammu & Kashmir does not merely lie in its majestic mountains, its winding rivers, or its lush valleys. Its most potent, enduring wealth lies in its youth. The brilliant minds that endure countless hardships to emerge as beacons of excellence. When such a mind rises to the top, society should celebrate and utilize it. Yet, in the heart of our administration, a tragedy of bureaucratic rigidity is unfolding, suffocating one of our brightest talents. This is the story of Amir Suhail Wani, a young man whose exceptional intellect is currently being wasted in the corridors of courts rather than being deployed for the progress of our region. Amir Suhail Wani is an engineer by training. He is not just any graduate; he earned his degree on pure merit from the prestigious National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar. But Amir is far more than an engineer. He is a multi-talented polymath, a prolific writer, and a deep thinker. His intellect transcends his formal education. To speak to Amir or to visit his home is to witness a mind entirely devoted to knowledge. His personal collection of books is larger and more comprehensive than many fully functional public libraries. He represents the kind of intellectual capital that developing societies desperately crave. Through sheer hard work and undisputed capability, Amir secured a position as a Junior Engineer (JE). His name proudly appeared on the official select list. He had proven his merit in an open, highly competitive system. But the sweet taste of success was brutally cut short. Amir has a medical condition, a physical disability that has suddenly been transformed by the system into an insurmountable handicap. Because of this medical condition, he has been denied his official appointment letter to join the department. The very government that should be empowering him has instead shut its doors, leaving him stranded on the threshold of a promising career. Rather than accommodating a differently-abled genius, the system has forced Amir to fight for his basic rights. He is currently contesting his case in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). The government, tragically, stands as an opposing party in this legal battle against its own bright youth. Recently, a medical review board was ordered to assess his condition. But the fundamental premise of this legal and medical scrutiny misses the larger, more vital point: Amir Suhail Wani has already proven his mental ability and his professional competence. Let us concede, for a moment, the administrative argument. Amir may or may not be entirely fit for a rigorous field job that requires intense physical exertion, navigating rough terrains, or climbing infrastructure. But does an engineering department run solely on physical labor? Absolutely not. The backbone of any successful engineering endeavour is vision, planning, and intellectual rigor. It is profoundly unfortunate that the Government of J&K is completely ignoring the vast potential Amir holds for the policy framework. Why is his talent not being utilized in the planning department? The Power Development Department (PDD) in J&K is in desperate need of modernization. It requires the framing of new standards, the integration of smart technologies, and visionary policy development. Currently, our local systems are struggling to keep pace with the rapid advancements happening across the rest of the country, let alone the cutting-edge innovations transforming the global power sector in the developed world. Amir is exactly the kind of well-read, innovative thinker, who could draft these modern standards and policies. Yet, his brilliant mind is being left to gather dust while he waits outside courtrooms. Beyond the loss of technical expertise, there is a glaring human angle, the disability factor that the Government of J&K has inexplicably ignored. We live in an era where inclusivity, accessibility, and the rights of differently-abled persons are championed globally. Our laws and our collective morality dictate that physical limitations should never be a barrier to employment, especially when the individual possesses the requisite intellectual merit. To deny a differently-abled person his hard-earned livelihood is not just an administrative failure; it is a moral abdication. Why is a boy with a physical handicap left to prove himself in a court of law against the mighty machinery of the State? Where is the sympathy? Where is the compassionate ground? As individuals occupying chairs of authority, there must remain a fundamental fear of the Almighty when dealing with the vulnerable, the disabled, and the deserving. Power is a trust, and it must be exercised with justice and mercy. As a former military commander with four decades of administrative and leadership experience, I have seen the application of rules in every conceivable scenario. I can confidently say this: rules, manuals, and standard operating procedures are designed to guide normal circumstances. They provide a baseline. But administration is not merely a robotic application of clauses. Special cases, especially those involving exceptional talent and physical disability, require bold, discretionary decisions. Leadership is about finding ways to build people up, not using the rulebook to tear them down. This bold decision-making is entirely lacking in Amirs case. The bureaucracy has chosen the easy path of rejection rather than the courageous path of accommodation. With a stroke of a pen and a dose of administrative wisdom, Amir could be assigned a desk-based, policy-oriented role within the department for which he has already qualified. He would not be a liability; he would be an unparalleled asset. The time has come for logic and wisdom to prevail within the Government of J&K. I urge the administration to view Amir Suhail Wanis situation as a special case on merit. He has earned his place. Let the government of the day re-examine his file, not with the cold, cynical eyes of litigation, but with empathy, on sympathetic and compassionate grounds for a differently-abled citizen. We cannot claim to be building a better, modern Kashmir if we allow our brightest youth to be broken by a system devoid of a heart. Give this young boy his due. Let him contribute to the society he so deeply loves and understands. As an alumnus of REC (now NIT) Srinagar, I stand firmly in support of Amirs cause. I make a fervent appeal to all my fellow NIT alumni, across the globe, to rally behind him. We must raise our voices on social media and utilize every platform available to bring this to the highest levels of governance. I humbly request the Honourable Chief Minister and the Honourable Lieutenant Governor (LG) of J&K to personally intervene in this matter. Let us ensure that Amir Suhail Wani gets justice, employment, and the dignity he rightfully deserves. Lt Gen R. S. Reen is a former DGQA

Handwara remembers Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Sofi on 9th death anniversary

Family members, political associates and people from different walks of life gathered on Saturday at Sofi Manzil, Handwara to remember former minister and MLA Ghulam Mohiuddin Sofi on his ninth death anniversary. A special prayer meeting was organised on the occasion, where participants recalled the late leaders contribution to public life and his longstanding association with the people of Handwara and Kupwara. The gathering was attended by Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party leaders and workers, including Provincial Secretary Abdul Rashid Bhat, Provincial Coordinator Irfan Sofi, son of the deceased, Constituency Secretary Abdul Qayoom Gilani and Zonal President-cum-Media Coordinator, besides local residents and associates of the late leader. Participants paid tributes to Ghulam Mohiuddin Sofi and remembered his political journey, public service and commitment towards the people. Fateh Khwani and Dua-e-Maghfirat were also offered for the departed soul. Prayers were made for the forgiveness of the deceased and for his elevation in the hereafter. Speakers on the occasion said Sofis contribution to public life would continue to be remembered, adding that his service and association with the people had left a lasting impression on the region.

Dont oppose power tariff hike merely for criticism: Khurshid Ganai

Former Advisor to the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and retired IAS officer Khurshid Ahmed Ganai has defended the recently announced 6.83 per cent electricity tariff hike approved by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), saying the measure should not be criticised merely for the sake of criticism without considering the broader challenges confronting the power sector. Ganai said periodic revision of electricity tariffs was an integral part of power sector reforms and was necessary for building a financially sustainable and robust electricity distribution system. It is rather strange that the NC manifesto carried a promise of free electricity to households up to 200 units, Ganai said, questioning the feasibility of such a commitment in the absence of adequate government resources. He said announcements of freebies were misplaced when governments lacked sufficient own resources to meet even committed expenditures such as salaries, pensions and maintenance. Announcements about freebies are always misplaced unless the governments are flowing with their own resources, he said. Ganai said periodic tariff revision was desirable for a robust power sector, arguing that the basic principle of consumers paying for services and subsequently demanding quality from service providers such as JPDCL and KPDCL could become applicable and justified only when tariffs were fixed after proper due diligence. He said the tariff-setting process undertaken by JERC would have involved consultation with stakeholders, including power suppliers and distribution companies such as JPDCL and KPDCL. Ganai, however, pointed out that the latest tariff hike alone would not materially reduce the revenue deficit in the power sector. It must be remembered that even this hike will not materially reduce the deficit in revenue collection, he said, adding that aggregated commercial losses could still remain around 45 per cent or lower. According to Ganai, this meant that only around 55 per cent of the actual power supplied would be accounted for through collections, while the remaining 45 per cent would continue to remain unaccounted for and classified as aggregated commercial losses. In monetary terms, he estimated that such losses could amount to around Rs 4,000 crore annually. Ganai said Jammu and Kashmir continued to rank among the highest in the country in terms of aggregated commercial losses in the power sector and called for comprehensive reforms to address the issue. He said the government needed to address the challenges across the entire power sector, covering generation, transmission and distribution. The UT government must consider all power sector reforms from generation to transmission to distribution if it wants to ensure reliable power supply to the consumers in Jammu and Kashmir, Ganai said.

Fight for reservation, constitutional rights still on: Aga Ruhullah

National Conference Member of Parliament Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Saturday said his fight for reservation and the restoration of constitutional rights and protections for Jammu and Kashmir was far from over. He, however, launched a sharp attack on the government over the reported hike in electricity tariffs. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a book launch ceremony here, Ruhullah said the biggest fight was for the constitutional rights and protections of J&K, asserting that he would continue to pursue the mandate given to him by the people. The fight for reservation is still going on. I am fighting for reservation. The biggest fight is for the constitutional rights and protections of our state. That fight is still going on, he said. Ruhullah said he had tweeted a few days ago informing his students that he was still with them and on the streets. Last time, they needed me. I was ahead of them. I will continue to be ahead of them. But they need to be brave, he added. The Srinagar MP said he had not abandoned the fight for reservation, recalling that a sub-committee was formed after a protest outside the Chief Ministers residence, but its recommendations had not yielded results. After our protest outside CM residence, a sub-committee was formed and the results did not come. Even after that, we tried to protest again last year, Ruhullah said. Ruhullah, however, said he had come to realise that an even bigger battle facing politics was the erosion of political principles and values. The political character is missing. There is no character in our politics, he said. He further accused the J&K National Conference of making promises and commitments before elections and subsequently abandoning them. He said his political fight was aimed at bringing principles, values and character back into public life and urged the younger generation to take the political system into its hands. I dont have any personal desire. I want this fight to be fought by the new generation of Kashmir, Ruhullah said, adding that journalists, sportspersons, artists, doctors and educationists must contribute to bringing character, conviction and values into politics. On the reservation issue, the MP said he had not abandoned students who had been demanding their rights. He, however, claimed that fear had been created among them following alleged raids on their homes and hostels. He said he was ready to stand with students if they came out peacefully and democratically to protest. I did not stop the fight for reservation, he said. Ruhullah further said he would try to ensure that students did not face punitive action for peacefully raising their demands. He also said that if there were consequences, he would face them along with the students. Ruhullah rejected the suggestion that student protests were a flop show because of low participation, saying the circumstances surrounding the protests needed to be understood. The MP also defended his recent remarks about the possibility of resigning, saying he had not issued a deadline for anyone to step down but had set a timeline for himself to take his advocacy for J&Ks constitutional rights to another stage. I got the peoples mandate and worked inside and outside Parliament, including through lobbying with opposition parties, to build support for restoration of constitutional rights and protections, he said. Ruhullah said his advocacy had yielded results, claiming that opposition parties had joined the debate over J&Ks constitutional status and statehood. He said he needed a couple of parliamentary sessions and a couple of months to take his campaign forward before taking a decision on his political future. Taking aim at his own party leadership, Ruhullah said the party had diluted the issues on which it sought votes. He alleged that the demand for restoration of Article 370 and constitutional guarantees had gradually been reduced to statehood and other issues. They have weakened the fight themselves. Diluted it, he said. He also hit out at the government over the reported increase in electricity tariffs, pointing to the election promise of providing 200 units of free electricity. Instead of giving 200 units free, nearly seven percent increase has been made in tariff, Ruhullah said. He recalled Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs earlier remarks about throwing electricity meters into the river, saying the promise of free power had not materialised even after two years. On remarks by the US ambassador regarding Kashmir, Ruhullah said he did not seek legitimacy from the American administration on the issue. If I get legitimacy from the American ambassador, I want to throw that legitimacy into the sea, he said. He said Kashmirs political status was an internal matter and had nothing to do with the United States. He also questioned the US position on conflicts in Palestine, Iran, Yemen and Lebanon and asked whether the Indian government had raised these issues with the American administration. This is our internal matter. It has nothing to do with America, Ruhullah said. Referring to Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs meeting with the US Ambassador, Ruhullah questioned whether the Chief Minister had raised concerns over the killings in Palestine or submitted a protest note to at least register his protest before the ambassador. He asked whether such issues had been raised during the meeting, saying that if Kashmirs political issues were an internal matter, the same principle should also apply when discussing international issues with foreign representatives.

J&Ks C-Section surge meets soaring childbirth costs

Srinagar, Aug 22:Jammu and Kashmir has Rs 42,746 private childbirth cost in the private sector, and over half of births are through C-section, both higher than accepted norms. Now a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has called for standardisation and regulation of treatment costs in private hospitals, bringing the issue of maternity care affordability here into sharper focus. The latest 176th Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare on 'Affordability and Accessibility of Healthcare Facilities in Public and Private Sector' released on August 7 has important takeaways for J&K. The committee has recommended the immediate formulation of a mechanism to standardise and cap the costs of essential treatments, diagnostics and routine procedures across private hospitals. It has cited wide disparities in healthcare costs and the burden of out-of-pocket expenditure on households. The panel has noted that the latest NSO survey puts average private hospitalisation expenditure at Rs 50,508, compared with Rs 6631 in public facilities. It has highlighted the substantial difference between public and private healthcare expenditure, and pointed to childbirth as one area where the cost gap is particularly pronounced. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) report reveals that 51 percent of births in J&K were through Caesarean section in 2023-24. This is sharply up from 41.7 percent recorded in NFHS-5, and the latest figure is nearly twice the national average of 27.2 percent. Interestingly, J&K's high C-section rate is not an issue of the private sector alone. The government hospitals account for more than 80 percent of institutional deliveries in J&K, and 48.6 percent of deliveries carried out in these facilities are through C-section. This maternity-care pattern cannot be explained simply by the financial incentives. However, data from the National Sample Survey on healthcare expenditure show that childbirth in J&K carries a substantial financial burden. The strain on pockets is particularly high for families using private facilities. The latest leg of this survey showed that in government hospitals, childbirth cost Rs 3867 in J&K, and this cost escalated to Rs 42,746 in private hospitals. The all-India averages of corresponding costs are Rs 2299 and Rs 37,630. By all means, J&K collectively is spending more on childbirths than elsewhere in India. Healthcare experts are of the opinion that there are two important issues that J&K healthcare administration must work on. First, when a large majority use public hospitals for childbirth and the C-section rate remains exceptionally high, what measures can be put in place to audit birthing methods? Second, when childbirth costs, especially in private facilities, are more than the national average, what mechanisms are in place to ensure that every surgical delivery is medically necessary? Also, do the systems need to audit and cap prices of procedures to protect families from high costs? The issue is not merely financial but a public health anomaly. The CS rates above 10-15 percent are not associated with reductions in maternal and newborn mortality, as per WHO. Medical experts have also cautioned that unnecessary surgical deliveries can expose women to risks including infection, excessive bleeding and anaesthesia-related complications. That said, Caesarean delivery is a critical and potentially life-saving intervention when medically indicated.

Hail, heat compound woes for Kashmirs Rs 12,000 Cr apple economy

Kashmir experienced a spell of unsettled weather on Saturday, with temperatures remaining above normal at several stations even as hailstorms battered apple-growing areas of south Kashmirs Shopian and Kulgam districts and heavy rain inundated parts of north Kashmirs Kupwara district. The hailstorm struck nearly a dozen villages in Shopian, including Pandoshan, Mandujan, Feripora, Kanjiullar, Ramnagri and Kaprin, leaving apple growers worried about further losses during the crucial harvesting season. Farmers said the hailstorm lasted around five to seven minutes but was intense enough to damage both trees and fruit. The hailstones stripped the apple trees of their leaves and caused bruises on the fruit, said Abdul Rashid, an apple grower from Mandujan. He said orchards in the area had already suffered repeated weather shocks this season. This is the third time that hail has hit our orchards. Every time we think the weather will remain stable, another spell causes damage, Rashid said. The latest hailstorm comes less than three weeks after a similar spell on August 6, when strong winds accompanied by hail knocked apples from trees across several villages in Shopian. Some farmers had estimated losses from that episode at as much as 90%. Director Horticulture Kashmir Vikas Anand, who visited the affected areas last week, had also said that some villages had suffered damage of nearly 90%. For growers, the repeated weather events have heightened concerns over the lack of an effective mechanism to protect them from crop losses. Apple is the economic lifeline of Shopian, with more than 85% of the districts population dependent on the fruit for their livelihoods. The apple economy in Jammu and Kashmir is estimated at around Rs 12,000 crore and supports hundreds of thousands of people across the value chain. In the absence of crop insurance, farmers are left to bear the entire loss whenever hailstorms or other extreme weather events hit, said Gulzar Ahmad, another grower from Shopian. At least the government should provide anti-hail nets to farmers at subsidised prices. That is the bare minimum that can be done to protect orchards, he said. Farmers have for years been seeking a comprehensive crop insurance scheme to cover losses caused by hailstorms, heavy rain and other weather-related events. In neighbouring Kulgam district, hailstorms also hit Chuglapora, Kund and parts of the main town, damaging apple orchards. The hailstorm has again caused damage to the apple crop. The upper belt of the district has been hit multiple times this season, said Mohammad Shafi, an apple grower. Meanwhile, in north Kashmirs Kupwara district, an intense spell of rain lashed Sanzipora village, inundating streets and disrupting movement. Rainwater also entered a government higher secondary school in the area. The weather also remained warmer than normal across parts of the Valley. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 32.2C and a minimum of 20.6C, with the day and night temperatures 2.2C and 3.2C above normal, respectively. Pahalgam recorded a maximum of 25.5C and a minimum of 15.4C, with the night temperature 3.1C above normal. Gulmarg recorded a maximum of 20.8C and a minimum of 11.4C, with the daytime temperature marginally above normal while the minimum remained near normal.

'A Rainbow in My Eyes' released at Tagore Hall

Tagore Hall in Srinagar hosted a significant literary gathering on Saturday with the formal unveiling of the English poetry collection A Rainbow in My Eyes, authored by noted poet and writer Dr. Nidhi Kansal. The event was organised under the banner of Mansbal Dramatics Safapora. The literary evening brought together poets, writers, intellectuals, artists, media representatives and literature enthusiasts from different parts of the Valley, turning the occasion into a celebration of creativity and cultural fellowship. A distinguished presidium was then constituted, comprising Professor Shafi Shoq as Chief Guest, along with Rafiq Masoodi, Professor Naseem Shifai, Hafizullah Masoodi, Dr. Nidhi Kansal and Nisar Naseem. All members of the presidium were felicitated with traditional shawl presentations. Other distinguished guests received certificates of appreciation and specially selected gifts as tokens of affection. Nisar Naseem delivered the welcome address, extending a cordial welcome to the gathering and reflecting on the literary significance of the newly released collection and the creative journey of its author. In the academic segment, Professor Shafqat Altaf presented a critical paper on the collection, while Mohammad Amin Bhat and Abdul Salam Ahsan shared their literary observations. The proceedings were conducted with grace by Rifat Rahim and Mubashir Riyaz. Among those present were Sanaullah Dar, Rashid Gamgeen, Hasrat Gadda, Kaleem Bashir, Rahim Rehbar, Imtiyaz Sakhi, Hamid Nazir, Mushtaq Bala, Professor Mohammad Ahsan, Engineer Shafi Ahmad, Gulab Saifi and several other eminent personalities from the literary and cultural fraternity. Participants appreciated Dr. Nidhi Kansals creative endeavour, observing that A Rainbow in My Eyes explores the varied hues of human emotions, dreams, experiences and sensitivities through English poetry, giving form to feelings that often remain unspoken. The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by Shadab Yasmin, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to all guests, poets, writers and media representatives, and extended warm felicitations to the author. More than a book release, the occasion emerged as a celebration of poetry, literature and cultural fellowship, reaffirming the enduring place of the written word in the life of Kashmir.

Chhari Mubarak reaches Pahalgam

Srinagar, Aug 22:The Chhari Mubarak, the holy mace of lord Shiva, reached Pahalgam from Srinagar on Saturday, marking the start of the last leg of the Amarnath Yatra. Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the Chhari Mubarak, led the procession for the main religious rituals. A large group of sadhus and devotees accompanied him, chanting devotional hymns. The mace left the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar in the morning after special prayers and Vedic chanting. Enroute to Pahalgam, the Chhari Mubarak was taken to the Shiv Temple in Bijbehara and the historic Martand Tirth in Mattan. Special pujas and traditional rituals were performed at both places. The Chhari Mubarak will stay at the Gourishankar temple in Pahalgam on Saturday and Sunday. It will leave for Chandanwari on August 24, Sheshnag on August 25, and Panchtarni on August 26 and 27. On August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan, the holy mace will be taken to the Amarnath cave shrine for traditional Pujan and Darshan. It will be installed there amid prayers and Vedic chanting. The rituals are associated with the traditional belief that lord Shiva narrated the tale of immortality to goddess Parvati at the Amarnath cave shrine. After the rituals, the mace will return to Panchtarni. It will then proceed through Sheshnag and Chandanwari before reaching Pahalgam on August 29. The annual yatra will conclude on August 30 with prayers followed by the traditional Visarjan ceremony. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag and Yatra Officer for the Pahalgam axis, Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, formally received Giri at Pujteng near Sangam. SSP Amod Ashok Nagpure, Additional Deputy Commissioner Muzammil Maqbool Beigh, SPs Sunny Gupta and Rameez Raja, SE PWD Syed Ishfaq Ahmad, SDM and Tehsildar Bijbehara, CMO, and other civil and police officials were present on the occasion. The district administration has made arrangements for security, traffic management, accommodation, and sanitation. It has also arranged firewood, food, puja material, and drinking water for Giri, the accompanying sadhus and devotees. The Amarnath Yatra was suspended on August 9 on both the traditional Pahalgam and Baltal-Sonamarg routes due to adverse weather and damage to the yatra tracks. More than 4.80 lakh yatris have undertaken the yatra since it began on July 3.

Non-gazetted GMC employees suspend protest after Health Minister assures time-bound resolution

Baramulla, Aug 22: The Non-gazetted employees of Government Medical Colleges have suspended their strike after Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo assured them that the long-pending Model Recruitment Rules for non-gazetted cadres would be notified by September 30. The decision followed a meeting held on August 21 at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar under the chairpersonship of Itoo, where representatives of the employees and senior officials discussed the recruitment rules and related issues. A spokesperson of the Non-Gazetted Employees Welfare Association, GMC Baramulla, said the employees were given a time-bound assurance by the minister that the recruitment rules would be notified by September 30. Since an assurance has been given along with a definite time frame, we are optimistic that our issue will be resolved. Following the assurance, we have decided to suspend our strike, he said. The employees, however, cautioned that they would intensify their peaceful protest if the government failed to meet the deadline. If the assurance is not fulfilled, we will be left with no option but to intensify our peaceful protest, the spokesperson said. He said during the meeting, detailed deliberations were held on the formulation of Model Recruitment Rules for non-gazetted cadres. The minister, according to the association spokesperson, directed the concerned authorities to expedite the process and assured that the rules would be notified by September 30. The employees have been demanding recruitment rules for several years, saying the prolonged delay has affected fresh recruitment and contributed to staff shortages in newly established medical colleges across J&K. Earlier, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar on Friday, Itoo had termed the employees protest justified, acknowledging that the recruitment rules had remained pending for nearly a decade. The protest is justified. The recruitment rules need to be framed immediately as the matter has been pending for the last ten years, she had said, adding that the government was keenly working on the issue. The association expressed gratitude to the minister and other officials for their intervention, while hoping that the latest assurance would result in a time-bound resolution of the issue.

Srinagar a slum in the making

Srinagar, Aug 22:J&K is generating more than 1470 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day, but less than one-fifth of it is being scientifically treated. The figures are based on data submitted to Parliament and raise fresh questions over the capacity to manage the rapidly growing waste burden here. According to data submitted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change in the Lok Sabha, J&K generates 1470.3 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily. Of this, only 283.5 tonnes is scientifically treated. By these calculations, just 19.3 percent is treated, and leaves more than 1186 tonnes a day untreated. The data has been compiled by the Central Pollution Control Board from information provided by pollution-control authorities. The analysis under Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, points to a major gap between waste collection and waste processing. Although, the waste generated in urban areas is reported to be collected from source or a common collection point in entirety. Apart from solid waste, effluent waste remains a significant environmental concern in J&K. In urban centres and industrial areas, untreated or partially treated sewage and industrial effluents enters rivers, streams, lakes and groundwater through drains and nallahs. This has spiked pollution levels and affected aquatic ecosystems. The J&K Pollution Control Committee has identified the need for proper treatment of wastewater from households, commercial establishments, industries and hotels in National Green Tribunal. The gap is especially serious in Srinagar, where the installed sewage-treatment capacity has been reported at 67 MLD, while the estimated sewage generation of 158.3 MLD. The treatment plants operate below capacity or release inadequately treated effluent. Many studies have documented deterioration in water quality in Dal Lake near sewage discharge points, while rivers and streams are increasingly falling victim of sewage that is drained into these, across J&K. Srinagar alone generates around 550 to 600 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day. This data was submitted to National Green Tribunal, while the authorities stated that the existing processing capacity was of only 150 tonnes per day. An NGT-linked joint committee inspection found that around 600 tonnes of waste was generated daily in Srinagar. Aroud 100 tonnes were manually segregated at the site and about 475 tonnes of mixed and unsegregated waste was dumped daily. The committee also calculated that this translated into a legacy waste burden of approximately 14 lakh metric tonnes in eight years. The crisis in making was also highlighted by environmental activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat. He has expressed concern that Srinagar is a slum in the making, while also stating that Kashmir could be heading towards a public-health disaster if immediate steps for the mitigation of the issue are not taken by the Government urgently. Legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para also wrote on his official X handle regarding garbage piling up on roadsides, in open spaces and neighborhoods (and becoming) breeding grounds for disease(s), epidemics and stray dogs. The Achan dumping site has around 11 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste at the site, according to SMC. The corporation has prepared a bio-mining and bioremediation plan for its remediation. J&Ks official data shows the waste-processing capacity here remains far behind the amount of waste generated. After collection and treatment, a major portion of the waste ultimately moves into dumpsites or other disposal streams without scientific processing. The government has announced expansion of waste-processing infrastructure and remediation of legacy dumpsites under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0. This includes door-to-door collection, source segregation and waste processing.

GVEI hosts Stay Fit, Stay Healthy wellness programme

In a compelling call to action against sedentary digital habits, leading medical professionals, law enforcement officers, engineers, and community icons converged at Green Valley Educational Institute (GVEI), Elahi Bagh, to mentor students on physical wellness, athletic discipline, and the critical need to break free from excessive screen addiction. The high impact awareness and interaction session was organized under the banner of the Stay Fit, Stay Healthy initiative, a transformative community wellness campaign conceptualized by reputed Sports Functional Medicine and Musculoskeletal Expert, Dr. Mir Ishfaq Hussain. The campaign has rapidly evolved into a city-wide fitness movement, mobilizing prominent citizens across Srinagars premier sporting hubs, including the NIT Sports Arena, the scenic Dal Lake boulevard, and various athletic facilities. Through active participation in sports and powerful advocacy across digital channels, the core team continues to inspire the public to step out of their comfort zones and embrace daily physical activity. Opening the technical sessions, noted Endocrinologist and former HoD at SKIMS, Prof. (Dr.) Shariq R. Masoodi, presented a detailed visual presentation emphasizing the medical fundamentals of regular movement and metabolic fitness for sustained long term health. Following this, renowned Pulmonologist and Professor of Pulmonary Medicine at GMC Srinagar, Prof. (Dr.) Naveed Nazir Shah, highlighted the role of sports activities in health and mental vitality, reminding students that a sharp, active mind flourishes best in a physically sound body. Senior IPS Officer and SSP Traffic City Srinagar, Mr. Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, addressed the lifestyle challenges of the modern era, strongly cautioning students against excessive screen time and digital dependency while urging them to adopt rigorous outdoor routines. Er. Farhan Manzoor Shah, Assistant Executive Engineer (KPDCL) and Additional Secretary of the NIT Srinagar Alumni Association, shared an inspiring personal reflection during his address. Recalling his childhood, he recounted how his parents had wished to see him become a police officer, whereas his own ambition led him toward engineering. While expressing complete satisfaction with his engineering career, Er. Farhan noted that in the evolving modern era watching global sports icons thrive, he often reflects on the unmatched power of athletics. He expressed that given the immense physical, mental, and professional avenues in modern sports, athletics has emerged as a rapidly growing, prestigious career choice that todays youth should actively explore. Renowned broadcaster, television presenter, and cultural activist, Azhar Hajini, highlighted the dedication behind the initiative, noting that professionals from diverse fields are voluntarily devoting time to ignite mass health awareness. In his engaging interaction, Hajini urged every student to dedicate themselves to at least one sport and take full advantage of school physical education periods. He commended the J&K Governments initiatives that have successfully engaged lakhs of youth across the UT in sporting activities, emphasizing that society as a whole must guide children toward healthy outdoor engagement and peer play. The formal vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Mir Ishfaq Hussain, who expressed sincere gratitude to the school management for providing a vibrant platform to connect with and mentor the younger generation. The event was also graced by prominent figures including famous ophthalmologist Dr.Sajad Quanango, well-known entrepreneur Shoukat Hussain, alongside the Principal and senior faculty members of the institute. Concluding the session, the Chairman of Green Valley Educational Institute Mohammad Yousf thanked all the visiting dignitaries for their valuable contributions and reaffirmed the schools commitment to organizing such vital student-centric wellness programmes in the future.

Centre restricts cough-cold drug combination for children below four

In a significant move to safeguard lives, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI today restricted the manufacture, sale and distribution of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride for use in children below four years of age. The notification issued on Saturday directed manufacturers of the combination to prominently display a warning stating that the Fixed Dose Combination shall not be used in children below four years of age. This combination is commonly used to relieve symptoms associated with the common cold, flu and allergies. In addition, these are also used for blocked or stuffy nose, sneezing and watery eyes. The Health Ministry decision follows expert committee opinion that examined the safety of the combination in young children. The committee flagged potential health risks, and recommended that an appropriate warning be placed on all such medicines that contain the two ingredients. This proposal was subsequently endorsed by the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB). The meeting was held on February 16, 2026. This latest order is aimed at preventing inappropriate use of the fixed-combination in young children. The committee has stated that safer alternatives are available for children. The restriction applies specifically to FDCs containing chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride. These must not be interpreted as a blanket ban on every cough or cold syrup for children below four. The order comes amid increased regulatory scrutiny of cough and cold medicines following concerns over the safety of paediatric formulations. The Centre has also taken action against several other irrational drug combinations earlier, as part of its broader review of fixed-dose medicines.

Multitasking is dead, long live monotasking: Doing one thing well may be the real superpower in 2026

The author argues that multitasking hinders effective task completion and quality. He suggests that focusing on one task at a time offers better results. Societal pressures currently favor parallel workstream management, which is detrimental. The future may necessitate a shift towards monotasking for human endeavors. Employers and educators should encourage and reward this focused approach.

India wasn't always one: The forgotten story of its unification

India's journey to independence in 1947 initiated a challenging process of national unification. Despite gaining freedom, several former Portuguese and French colonies remained distinct entities for years. Additionally, many princely states pursued their own forms of independence, complicating the national formation. Vallabhbhai Patel emerged as a pivotal figure in integrating these varied regions, showcasing India's complex trajectory towards unity.

Several structures gutted in Qaziabad fire incident

A Venice fly trap: Skip Kapoor, see Singh

Anish Kapoor's London exhibition features visceral art and large-scale installations. The author visited the Venice Biennale, exploring diverse artistic expressions. Dayanita Singh's intimate archival works offered a profound contrast to Kapoor's scale. Lee Ufan presented quieter, contemplative pieces bridging painting and sculpture. The journey through art destinations often lingers longer than the art itself.

NIA searches 10 locations in cross-border terror conspiracy case

Srinagar, Aug 22: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today conducted searches at 10 locations across Srinagar, Kupwara, Anantnag, Pulwama and Budgam in connection with the investigation of a cross-border terror conspiracy involving Pak-based handlers and a network of local Over Ground Workers (OGWs) allegedly providing logistical and other forms of support to infiltrated terrorists. As per the statement, the searches were aimed at securing further documentary, digital and material evidence relating to the conspiracy and at ascertaining the roles of persons allegedly associated with the local support network. The case, arising out of FIR No. 0024/2026 of Police Station Zakoora, Srinagar, was subsequently re-registered by NIA as RC-02/2026/NIA/JMU under Section 23 of the UA (P) Act, 1967, Sections 7 and 25 of the Arms Act, 1959, and Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908. The case was initiated following the arrest of an OGW allegedly associated with the proscribed terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) during the late-night hours of 31st March 2026 at a naka point, from whose possession a hand grenade and live ammunition were recovered. During the investigation, Pakistani terrorists allegedly connected with the conspiracy were arrested and the identities and alleged roles of members of the local support network were also ascertained. Investigation conducted so far has indicated alleged linkages between Pak-based handlers and local associates, who were allegedly being used for communication, logistical arrangements, movement and concealment of terrorists, provision of shelter, reconnaissance and other forms of facilitation. The investigation is also examining the financial trail, communication channels, movement of the accused, and the source of arms and explosives, with a view to establishing the complete network and the extent of its activities. The searches conducted today form part of the continuing investigation into the larger conspiracy and the alleged facilitation mechanism supporting cross-border terrorism. Further evidence relevant to the investigation has been secured and is being examined and corroborated with other material collected in the case. NIA is continuing its investigation to identify all persons involved and ascertain their respective roles in the conspiracy. Further legal action, including arrests or recoveries, may follow, subject to the outcome of the investigation, statement added.

LG Saxena launches Zhabstok Ladakh Portal to boost youth participation in governance

Leh, Aug 22: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday launched 'Zhabstok Ladakh', the first of its kind official youth internship portal aimed at institutionalising the participation of young people in governance and providing them with hands-on experience in public administration. Under the initiative, 2,000 youth will be selected for a three-month internship across 25 departments of the Ladakh administration. The interns will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 5,000 during the programme, a Lok Bhavan spokesperson said. With a large portion of our population under 30, I am confident that their ideas and energy would strengthen and enrich each of these departments and help realise the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. With this initiative, Ladakh will lead the way in demonstrating how Government and youth can collaborate for development. The initiative would provide a new avenue for young people to serve Ladakh, gain practical experience and contribute their energy and ideas towards addressing local challenges, Saxena said while launching the portal. The Lt Governor emphasised that Ladakh is a young region and its youth constitute its greatest strength. With a large proportion of the population below 30 years of age, the future of Ladakh rests significantly in the hands of its young people. Launched as part of the Youth Month, the portal (https://internship.ladakh.gov.in/) will provide students and young people of the UT an opportunity to participate directly in the development process by undertaking internships across 25 departments of the UT Administration through a single application platform, the spokesperson said. He said the LG Yuva Internship Programme will be formally rolled out on September 17 coinciding with the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, observed as 'Seva Diwas'. It seeks to move beyond conventional government-citizen engagement and create an institutional mechanism through which young people can become active partners in governance and community development, the official said. The spokesperson said registration for the three-month internship programme will commence from August 22 and continue till September 5, followed by document verification from September 6 to 14. The internship will commence on September 17, with 2,000 youth to be selected for the programme. Selected interns will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 5,000 during the internship period. Based on their performance, the internship of the best-performing candidates may be extended by an additional three months. At the completion of the internship, participants will be provided certificates that can strengthen their academic and professional profiles and support their future employment opportunities, the spokesperson said. The official said the programme will enable interns to work with different departments of the UT Administration, understand how Government functions, gain first-hand exposure to public administration and learn how policies and ideas are translated into programmes and projects on the ground. Candidates will be allotted departments based on their skills and interests, enabling them to contribute in areas where their capabilities can be best utilised, the official said.

J&K LG Manoj Sinha meets PM Modi in New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 22: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The Prime Ministers Office confirmed the meeting in a post on X, stating that the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir had called on the Prime Minister. According to reports, Sinha briefed the Prime Minister on the overall situation in Jammu and Kashmir, including the security situation and other matters concerning the Union Territory. He also apprised Modi about the safe conduct of the ongoing Shri Amarnath Yatra. The meeting comes amid the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to conclude on August 28, with security and other arrangements being closely monitored by the administration.

Rape-death of J-K minor: Dy CM says govt won't tolerate violence against girls

Jammu, Aug 22: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday condemned the recent death of a minor girl during an alleged attempt to terminate her pregnancy after she was raped by her school teacher, saying the government would not tolerate any form of violence, injustice or cruelty against children. Calling the incident unfortunate and disturbing, Choudhary said police have already taken action in the case. Any injustice or cruelty against girls -- or children in general -- will not be tolerated, the deputy chief minister said, asserting that none should assume that they can mistreat and violate anyone with impunity. A 15-year-old girl from a tribal community was allegedly raped repeatedly by a teacher in her school for several months resulting in pregnancy, and death following a botched abortion, in Chatroo area of Kishtwar district on Thursday. Police have arrested the accused teacher, besides the headmaster of the school and his brother. There are no words to adequately condemn what happened, he said, stressing that the government would never tolerate such incidents. The deputy chief minister also clarified that the police do not come under the administrative control of the elected Jammu and Kashmir government. However, he said this could not be an excuse for allowing injustice to be committed against people, particularly girls. If such things continue to increase, the Omar Abdullah government will not tolerate it. We will go to whatever extent necessary to stop such incidents, he said, adding that the government would take every step to prevent such acts. Talking to reporters after conducting a surprise inspection at a government hospital in Jammu, the deputy chief minister further said he has taken strong exception to deployment of girl students at reception counters at the hospital and has ordered immediate corrective measures. Choudhary said he visited the hospital following complaints that the facility was not being properly managed. I came here because there had been complaints of mismanagement. I wanted to see the situation myself, he said, adding that he has observed several issues and directed the hospital superintendent for urgent rectification. I was particularly surprised to see that girls who have come here to study have been made to sit at the reception. That is not their job, he said. The deputy chief minister directed that students should no longer be assigned reception duties, saying security personnel should instead be deployed for the task. He said guiding patients and visitors about the availability and location of doctors was responsibility of security staff or personnel specifically assigned for the purpose. Choudhary said the hospital administration had been instructed to address the issue and ensure that students were not assigned duties unrelated to their purpose at the facility. On the other hand, protests continued for the third consecutive day in different parts of the Jammu region, including Jammu, Kishtwar and Doda districts, with demonstrators -- many among them students -- expressing outrage over the rape of the 15-year-old girl and demanding an impartial inquiry to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Protesters called for the strictest possible punishment for the culprits, besides seeking accountability from those found to have been negligent. They also urged authorities to ensure a transparent investigation and effective measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

What's the point of elections if elected representatives arent respected: J-K Dy CM

Jammu, Aug 22: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday rejected claims that the National Conference (NC) led government was delaying the elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) but stressed that there should be an administrative and political structure in which elected representatives could genuinely exercise their powers. Citing the existing Union Territory arrangement, he said, Today, this is the Omar Abdullah government, but we do not have the police, nor do we have our own IPS or IAS cadre. So what kind of government is this? So the NC government would not want PRI elections to be held only for the elected representatives o later be ignored, denied respect and not even recognised by the officers, he told reporters while responding to a question about BJP charging the NC-led government of deliberately delaying the elections to panchayat and urban local bodies. We have never said we do not want elections. We have said, give us statehood. They (BJP leadership) tell us it will be given at an appropriate time, Choudhary said. Earlier, the government had said the process to hold local bodies elections was underway, and polls would be conducted after the completion of administrative formalities such as voter lists, reservations, and delimitation. Today, if we make someone a sarpanch or a DDC (district development council) member, would the officers actually listen to them. What is the point of holding such elections, he asked, adding that the people wanted genuine and meaningful elections, not merely symbolic elections. Choudhary was speaking to reporters after conducting a surprise inspection of a government hospital here.

It is definitely a shock: Sajad Lone censures govt over power tariff hike

Srinagar, Aug 22: Peoples Conference chairman and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone today censured government over power tariff hike in Jammu and Kashmir. He said despite two years have been passed but not a single rupee worth of benefit in terms of free electricity has been provided to consumers. In a post on X, Lone said: People in Jammu and Kashmir will now have to pay more from their pockets for electricity. The regulator has approved a 6.83% hike in power tariff and says it has avoided a tariff shock. It is definitely a shock for those who were promised 200 units free in 2024 by the ruling party. Almost two years have passed and till date not a single rupee worth of benefit in terms of free power has been passed on to the consumers. Not only that. Load has been increased in non metered areas, which has increased the monthly bill.

TGBWF demands child-safety audit in educational institutions post rape & murder of tribal girl in Kishtwar

Jammu, Aug 22: The Tribal Gujjar Bakkarwal Welfare Foundation, a forum working for the welfare and advancement of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community and for the preservation and promotion of its culture, language and traditions, today convened an urgent online meeting to discuss the deeply disturbing reports concerning the alleged sexual exploitation, pregnancy and tragic death of a 12-year-old child belonging to the Gujjar community and studying in Class 5. In a statement issued, the members of the Foundation expressed profound shock, anguish and grave concern over the incident and stated that according to information appearing in various media reports, the child was allegedly subjected to sexual assault by her school teacher, Khalid Hussain, over a prolonged period, resulting in pregnancy. It has further been reported that the child was allegedly administered pregnancy-termination medication in circumstances involving Khalid Hussain and his brother, Tariq Hussain, following which the child and the newborn child tragically died. The Foundation emphasised that these are matters requiring a thorough, impartial and expeditious investigation, with responsibility being fixed strictly in accordance with law. The Foundation also expressed serious concern over media reports and allegations that the family of the accused persons is influential and that attempts are allegedly being made through threats, pressure or other influence upon the economically vulnerable nomadic family of the deceased child to hush up the matter. The Foundation demanded that the Police and Civil Administration immediately ensure the safety and security of the victim's family and material witnesses, and ensure that no person, irrespective of his social or political influence, is permitted to interfere with the investigation, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the course of justice. The members observed that the allegations are particularly disturbing because one of the persons accused is stated to have been the teacher of the deceased child. A teacher occupies a position of trust, responsibility and authority and is expected to protect and guide children entrusted to his care. Any sexual exploitation of a child by a person occupying such a position of trust constitutes an extremely grave betrayal of that relationship and demands the strictest response permissible under law. The Foundation also expressed serious concern over media reports and allegations that the family of the accused persons is influential and that attempts are allegedly being made through threats, pressure or other influence upon the economically vulnerable nomadic family of the deceased child to hush up the matter. The Foundation demanded that the Police and Civil Administration immediately ensure the safety and security of the victim's family and material witnesses, and ensure that no person, irrespective of his social or political influence, is permitted to interfere with the investigation, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the course of justice. The members observed that the allegations are particularly disturbing because one of the persons accused is stated to have been the teacher of the deceased child. A teacher occupies a position of trust, responsibility and authority and is expected to protect and guide children entrusted to his care. Any sexual exploitation of a child by a person occupying such a position of trust constitutes an extremely grave betrayal of that relationship and demands the strictest response permissible under law. The Foundation further expressed concern regarding the particular vulnerability of children belonging to nomadic and economically weaker sections of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community. Owing to economic hardship, seasonal migration, geographical isolation, interrupted access to institutional safeguards and dependence upon local educational arrangements, many such children may be particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. The Foundation stressed that the present incident must therefore not be viewed merely as an isolated criminal case, but should also prompt the authorities to examine whether adequate child-protection mechanisms are actually reaching children in remote, migratory and marginalised communities. Considering that one of the accused is reportedly a teacher and the deceased child was his student, the Foundation called upon the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the concerned Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Police and other competent child-protection authorities to take cognisance of the matter. The Foundation demanded an appropriate and sensitive inquiry to ascertain whether any other child studying in the school may also have been subjected to sexual abuse, harassment or other inappropriate conduct and if during such inquiry any information suggesting abuse of another child comes to light, immediate action should follow in accordance with law. Taking a wider view of child safety, the Foundation urged the NCPCR, CWCs and the concerned administration to evolve an appropriate mechanism for periodic child-safety audits, awareness programmes and confidential counselling/outreach in schools and other institutions formal as well as informal where children are imparted education, tuition, religious instruction or otherwise remain under the supervision of adults, statement said. The forum stated that they stands firmly in solidarity with the family of the deceased child and assures them of its support in their pursuit of justice. The Foundation demanded a fair, transparent, time-bound and uncompromised investigation, preservation of all relevant evidence, protection of the victim's family and witnesses, and prosecution of every person found involved in the commission of the offence, destruction or concealment of evidence, intimidation of witnesses or obstruction of investigation. The foundation also demanded immediate termination of the accused from the service. The urgent online meeting was attended, among others, by Dr. Nasib Ali, Kabir Choudhary, Fazal Hussain, Mustafa Ali, Noor Ahed Chouhan and Sajad, who unanimously expressed their anguish over the incident and reiterated the Foundation's resolve to stand with the victim's family and to work for the safety, dignity and protection of children of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community, statement added.