Opinion

India says AI, maritime security key priorities for its UNSC candidature for 202829

United Nations, Oct 30: Maritime security and Artificial Intelligence will be key priorities for India during its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 term, India's envoy to the UN has said. Indias Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, said on Thursday that technology must make shared maritime commons safer, not more contested. Oceans are the arteries of global commerce, connecting economies, sustaining livelihoods and ensuring food and energy security. Their safety and security are indispensable to international peace and prosperity, Parvathaneni said. Addressing the high-level open debate on Emerging Technologies and Maritime Security: Implications for Peace and Security at the Security Council, India has identified Artificial Intelligence (AI) and maritime security as important priorities for its candidature to the Security Council for 20282029. Parvathaneni said that emerging technologies are fundamentally transforming the maritime domain. Artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, satellite-based surveillance and advanced cyber capabilities offer unprecedented opportunities to strengthen maritime security. Equally, their misuse presents new challenges that demand our collective attention, he said. Our objective is clear: technology must strengthen human security, not undermine it; it must expand opportunity, not inequality; and it must make our shared maritime commons safer, not more contested. India stands ready to work with all partners towards this objective, he said. India stressed that technological advances must not deepen existing disparities. Developing countries require access to technology, training and institutional capabilities to secure their maritime infrastructure and participate meaningfully in shaping technological governance, Parvathaneni said. New Delhi has announced its candidature for a non-permanent seat at the Security Council for the 2028-29 term, elections for which will be conducted in June next year, when India and Tajikistan will compete for the sole seat in the Asia-Pacific Group category. Parvathaneni underscored the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and maritime commerce, saying recent attacks against commercial shipping have demonstrated how disruptions at critical maritime chokepoints can have consequences far beyond their immediate geography. They threaten seafarers, disrupt supply chains and disproportionately affect developing countries through higher costs and economic uncertainty, he said, reiterating Indias strong condemnation of attacks against commercial vessels. He said Delhi reiterates the importance of freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful maritime commerce and the safety of seafarers, in accordance with international law. Highlighting the need to harness technology to strengthen maritime security, Parvathaneni said AI-enabled analysis of satellite imagery, radar and vessel-tracking data can improve maritime domain awareness, detect suspicious activities and support search and rescue operations. In this context, India's Information Fusion CentreIndian Ocean Region, located near New Delhi, demonstrates the value of cooperation and information-sharing in strengthening maritime security. Our approach is guided by the vision of SAGAR Security and Growth for All in the Region and the broader commitment to inclusive maritime cooperation, he said. Calling on the international community to address emerging technological vulnerabilities, he said increasing digitalisation and automation also expose ports, vessels, communication networks and undersea infrastructure to cyber threats. The proliferation of autonomous systems raises complex questions of attribution, accountability and unintended escalation. We must therefore ensure appropriate safeguards, meaningful human oversight and clear responsibility in the deployment of emerging technologies, he said. India emphasised that the UN Charter and international law, including the law of the sea as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), provide the essential framework for State conduct. India also called for strengthening international cooperation while respecting institutional mandates, saying the work of the International Maritime Organisation and other relevant institutions must be reinforced, not duplicated. The Security Council should focus on technological developments with demonstrable implications for international peace and security, encouraging practical cooperation, confidence-building and resilience, Parvathaneni said. The debate was held under Greeces Presidency of the Security Council for the month of October. In September, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had co-chaired an event AI in the Context of International Peace & Security, with an Emphasis on Maritime Security, alongside Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis on the margins of the high-level UN General Assembly week. Jaishankar had emphasized the need to harness the possibilities offered by AI, anticipate its consequences and mitigate its risks. He had stressed that in the maritime domain, AI can enhance maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, disaster response, identification of suspicious activity and resilience of ports and critical infrastructure.

Netanyahu, chief rival fall short of parliamentary majority, leaving path to government unclear

Jerusalem, Oct 30: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief rival, Gadi Eisenkot, have both fallen short of securing a parliamentary majority, Israel's final election results show, leaving a path to forming a government unclear. Results released early Friday showed the pro-Netanyahu bloc winning 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, and 48 seats for Eisenkot's bloc. Two Arab-led parties won the remaining 19 seats.

Yemen's besieged Taiz in famine, governor says, as 13 killed by Saudi airstrike

Cairo, Oct 29: A Saudi airstrike in western Taiz killed at least 13 people on Thursday, the Houthi-run health ministry said, as local officials said a siege of the Yemeni city by Houthi rebels has pushed residents into famine. The city is in famine, not on the brink of it, Taiz Gov. Nabil Shamsan said in a briefing, adding that he was speaking a mile away from the front line. The Houthis cannot use the siege of Taiz to justify the humanitarian catastrophe they are causing civilians, said Niku Jafarnia, a Yemen researcher for Human Rights Watch. The group said Thursday that the siege, which started in early October, could amount to the war crime of using starvation as a method of warfare. Shamsan said the city, which hosts about 1 million people, now receives only a fraction of the water it needs after Houthi forces seized its last outside source. Cooking gas has been blocked entirely, forcing restaurants to close and families to burn wood, while hospitals have nearly run out of oxygen to supply to patients. The World Food Programme said it could not reach over 600,000 people in Taiz who depend on humanitarian aid, and that wheat flour stocks were nearly exhausted. Shamsan said 271 people have been killed and 1,129 wounded since the offensive began earlier this month. Even those who could be rescued, they shell them or hit the ambulance with snipers. We've had to use a civilian car as an ambulance - they hit that too, Shamsan said. Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi on Thursday dismissed reports of a siege as Saudi-fabricated claims. As far as food and humanitarian needs are concerned, the way is open, he said in a televised speech on the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, adding that his forces were only cutting off weapons supplies to what he called Saudi-backed militias. The pressure is compounded by people fleeing the fighting elsewhere. Taiz has taken about 124,000 displaced people since August, according to the UN migration agency. Yemen descended into civil war in 2014, when the Houthis seized much of the country's north, including the capital, Sanaa, and forced the internationally recognised government into exile. Taiz has been a focal point of fighting ever since, with government forces holding the city centre while the Houthis control the surrounding roads.

JKEEGA delegation welcomes Power Minister, assures cooperation

Srinagar, Oct 29:A delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir Electrical Engineering Graduates Association (JKEEGA), headed by its General Secretary, Er. Pirzada Mohammad Hidayatullah, warmly welcomed the Power Minister, Ali Mohammad Sagar, and assured him of the Associations full cooperation in working towards the overall betterment of the Power Department. During the interaction, the delegation, as per a statement issued, emphasised its commitment to working in close coordination with the Government to strengthen the power sector, improve operational efficiency, and ensure better electricity services to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation highlighted the importance of collective efforts and constructive engagement between the Government and the engineering fraternity to address departmental challenges and achieve sustainable progress. The Power Minister appreciated the delegations positive approach and assured it that all possible support and assistance would be extended from his side for the betterment of the department and the resolution of genuine concerns of the engineering fraternity. The delegation expressed its gratitude to the Minister for his positive response and supportive assurance, reiterating that JKEEGA would continue to work constructively with the Government in the larger interest of the Power Department and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The others who were part of delegation comprised of Er. Fayaz Wani, Er Nisar A Rather ,Er Hur e Yasrab ,Er. Farhan Shah, Er. Tufail Ahmad Khan, Er. Asif Iqbal ,Er. Mubashir Inam, Er Khuram Nazir ,Er Yawar Fayaz bhat and Er. Aamir Masoodi.

DIPR organises Cultural Programme celebrating humour, music in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 29:The Cultural Unit Kashmir of the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Jammu and Kashmir, organised a day-long cultural programme, Hansi Ke Rang, Sangeet Ke Sang, at Pt. Bhajan Sopori Auditorium, Srinagar, on Thursday. The programme, as per an official statement, dedicated to humour, music and cultural expression, featured a humorous mushaira and live musical performances by Kohinoor Band. The programme was presided over by Director Information and Public Relations, Mamta Yadav, Joint Director Headquarter Zahoor Ahmad Raina, Joint Director Information Kashmir Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari, Deputy Director Information PR Javaid Ahmad Rather, Deputy Director Information (Central) Kashmir Zubair Ahmed, Deputy Director PR Kashmir Mohammad Rafiq Zullah, Cultural Officer Abdul Raqib Bhat, besides other officers, noted artists, writers, poets and scholars, attended the event.

GVEI students win Rs 2.5 lakh at Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 for safety innovation

Srinagar, Oct 29: Green Valley Educational Institute, Srinagar, has earned national recognition as its student innovation, Guardian Bridge, emerged as a winning entry at the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025. Developed at the schools Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL), this safety prototype, as per a statement, uses sensors, an Arduino-based system and automated protective panels to help prevent accidents and suicide attempts on bridges. The project was developed by Arhaan Ahmed, Ahmed Ali, Mohd Muntaha and Mannat Jan under the mentorship of Nauf Nissa, ATL In-charge. The students were accompanied by Mearaj Ud Din. The team received a congratulatory communication from the Innovation Cell, AICTE, Ministry of Education, Government of India, and an invitation to the Buildathons Guinness Presentation Event. GVEI congratulates the young innovators and their mentor on this remarkable achievement.

3.6 magnitude earthquake strikes Kulgam in south Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 30: An earthquake of magnitude 3.6 struck Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir in the early hours of Friday, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The earthquake occurred at 1:00:46 am IST at a depth of 10 kilometres, with its epicentre located at latitude 33.628 N and longitude 74.922 E, the NCS said. Further details were awaited.

Sagar visits Srinagar areas, reviews development projects

Srinagar, Oct 29:The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference senior leader and Cabinet Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar Thursday visited several areas of Srinagar city after assuming charge of ministerial portfolio. During the visit, as per a party statement, he reviewed ongoing construction and development projects at various locations and interacted with local residents to learn about their problems, difficulties and demands. People accorded him a warm and enthusiastic welcome at several places, presenting him with garlands and conveying their best wishes. Later Sagar paid obeisance at the revered shrine of Dargah Hazratbal, Dastgeer Sahib at Khanyar, dedicated to Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA), and Khanqah-e-Moula, associated with Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (RA). He underwent Dastar Bandi at all three revered shrines and offered prayers for the prosperity of the Muslim Ummah, the well-being of humanity, and the peace, progress and prosperity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He was accompanied by MLA Hazratbal Salman Ali Sagar. Party office-bearers and workers also met him at various locations and extended their congratulations. Sagar urged party workers and office-bearers to maintain close contact with the public, remain consistently aware of their concerns and difficulties, and work with sincerity and dedication to meet public expectations. He also stressed the need to further strengthen the National Conference at the grassroots level. Sagar expressed gratitude to party President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for reposing their trust in him and entrusting him with important responsibilities. He said he would make every possible effort to live up to the expectations of the party leadership, the organisation, its workers and the people. He reiterated his commitment to serving the public and further strengthening the party's organisational structure.

Ali Mohammad Sagar assumes charge, vows time-bound redressal of public grievances

Srinagar, Oct 29:Minister for Revenue, Power Development Department (PDD), Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Disaster Management, Monitoring, Relief and Rehabilitation (DMMR), and Elections, Thursday assumed office. Soon after assuming charge, the Minister, as per an official statement, interacted with several deputations representing different sections of society, who called on him to highlight a range of public issues, developmental concerns and administrative grievances. The deputations apprised him of problems requiring the intervention of the concerned departments and sought appropriate measures for their early resolution. The Minister gave a patient hearing to the deputations and took note of the issues raised by them. He assured the representatives that the government is committed to addressing the genuine grievances of the people and ensuring that public concerns receive due attention from the concerned authorities. Emphasising the importance of accessible and responsive governance, Ali Mohammad Sagar said that regular interaction with the public is essential for understanding ground-level challenges and identifying practical solutions. He reiterated that the government remains focused on strengthening public service delivery, improving administrative efficiency and ensuring that people do not face unnecessary difficulties in accessing essential services. The Minister stressed the need for close coordination among departments to facilitate the timely resolution of public issues. He observed that effective governance requires a proactive approach, accountability at every level and sustained engagement with citizens to ensure that their concerns are addressed in a fair and transparent manner. The Minister underscored the importance of ensuring that the concerned departments function efficiently and remain responsive to the needs and expectations of the public. He said that matters brought before him by the deputations would be taken up with the relevant authorities for examination and appropriate action, wherever required. Ali Mohammad Sagar reiterated the government's commitment to public welfare and assured the deputations that genuine issues would receive due consideration. He emphasised that constructive engagement between the government and the people would remain an important mechanism for identifying challenges, resolving grievances and strengthening public confidence in the administration. The Minister also reaffirmed his commitment to discharging his responsibilities with dedication and sincerity, with a focus on public welfare, effective governance and the timely redressal of people's problems. The interaction reflected the government's continued emphasis on maintaining direct communication with citizens and ensuring that public grievances are addressed through appropriate administrative mechanisms.

Downtown Heroes FC calls for collective support for Real Kashmir FC

Srinagar, Oct 29: Downtown Heroes Football Club has expressed its unwavering support for Real Kashmir Football Club, describing the club as a source of pride for Jammu & Kashmir and an important symbol of the regions growing footballing aspirations. In a statement issued by the Downtown Heroes FC, the club stated that Real Kashmir FC represents more than just a football team. It embodies the dreams, passion, and determination of Kashmiri footballers and the hopes of thousands of football lovers across the region. Real Kashmir FC is our pride, and we stand with them. Our support is not limited to one club; it is a message of unity with the entire football fraternity of Jammu & Kashmir. When a club representing our region needs support, the football community must come together and stand united, Downtown Heroes Football Club said. The club has appealed to football clubs, players, coaches, officials, academies, and supporters across Jammu & Kashmir to show their support for Real Kashmir FC. As a symbolic gesture, the club has encouraged members of the football fraternity to change their social media display pictures (DPs) to Real Kashmir FC and spread a message of unity and collective support. Downtown Heroes Football Club emphasised that unity among football stakeholders is essential for protecting the interests of the game, encouraging young talent, and strengthening the future of football in Jammu & Kashmir. The club further stated that football is bigger than any individual, institution, or organisation, and that the collective interests of the regions football community should always remain a priority. Concluding its message, Downtown Heroes Football Club reiterated: We stand with Real Kashmir FC. We stand with the football fraternity of Jammu & Kashmir. This is a time for unity, support, and collective strength.

Building boom puts 300,000 people at risk of Himalayan disasters: study

New Delhi, Oct 29: At least 300,000 people in parts of the Himalayan region could be living in areas vulnerable to floods, landslides and other disasters amid a rapid construction boom, a new study has found, the BBC in an article reported. The peer-reviewed study, published in Scientific Reports, found that built-up land in high-risk areas of northern Nepal, south-eastern Tibet and parts of Uttarakhand increased by around 45 per cent between 2016 and 2023. Development in areas particularly threatened by glacial lake floods rose by nearly 78 per cent. The researchers warned that the actual number of people at risk could be considerably higher. The BBC report attributed the growing danger to rapid urbanisation, poorly planned tourism infrastructure and climate change, which is accelerating glacier melt and increasing the risk of devastating floods. C Scott Watson, the studys lead author and a glaciologist at the University of Leeds, warned that development decisions being taken today would shape disaster risks for decades. The report also highlighted concerns over weak enforcement of building regulations in Uttarakhand, where construction has expanded in vulnerable river valleys.

RKFC to face Nagaland United in IFL opener today

Srinagar, Oct 29: Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC) will take on Nagaland United FC in the opening match of the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026-27 season at TRC Ground, Srinagar, on Friday (October 30). As per a statement issued, the match will kick off at 6:30 pm and will be played under floodlights. The host club has made the necessary arrangements with support from the administration, particularly the J&K Sports Council, J&K Police and other departments. RKFC will be looking to begin its campaign on a positive note in the league, formerly known as the I-League. The squad comprises local, national and international players, with Ishfaq Ahmad serving as head coach. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ishfaq described Nagaland United FC as a good opponent despite the team's first appearance in the IFL. He said RKFC was ready for the challenge and expressed hope that the home side would secure a favourable result. Arshad Nizam Shawl, owner of Real Kashmir FC, said the club's vision extended beyond football, with a focus on creating opportunities for young people and showcasing local talent. Real Kashmir FC has always stood for something bigger than football. Our vision is to create opportunities for the youth of Kashmir, showcase their extraordinary talent and demonstrate to the world the potential of our people. We want the world to see Kashmir through the lens of football a story of hope, resilience and aspiration. Every match is an opportunity to inspire the next generation and bring people together through sport, Shawl said. The club also expressed gratitude to Secretary Tazayun Mukhtar and the J&K Sports Council for their support and cooperation in facilitating its operations and promoting football in the region. We are thankful to Sarmad Hafeez, Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, and Tazayun Mukhtar, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, for their encouragement and continued cooperation. Their support is invaluable as we work towards developing football, nurturing young talent and creating greater opportunities for aspiring players across Jammu and Kashmir, Shawl added. RKFC is the only club from Jammu and Kashmir participating in the IFL and has been providing a platform for local footballers to showcase their talent. The club has appealed to football enthusiasts to turn up in large numbers at TRC Ground and support the home team in its opening fixture.

Rajnath Singh offers Indias counter-terrorism expertise to ASEAN partners

New Delhi, Oct 29: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday reaffirmed Indias commitment to regional security and the elimination of terrorism in all its forms, offering to share the countrys operational experience in counter-terrorism with ASEAN partners. Addressing the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in Cebu, Philippines, Rajnath Singh said Indias counter-terrorism expertise had been gained through decades of confronting complex cross-border security challenges. He said Indias approach had been demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, when the country dismantled terrorist infrastructure and enforced a firm red line against state-sponsored terrorism. Emphasising that terrorism knows no borders, Rajnath Singh said India was ready to strengthen cooperation through joint exercises, capacity-building programmes and intelligence sharing. India and Malaysia are co-chairing the ADMM-Plus Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024-2027 cycle.The Defence Minister reiterated Indias commitment to ASEAN centrality and a secure, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific. He said Indias engagement with ASEAN was rooted in shared interests, mutual respect and practical cooperation. Highlighting maritime security as a key area of cooperation, Rajnath Singh referred to 2026 being designated the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation and the conduct of the second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise. He said the Indian Navy had maintained an uninterrupted presence in volatile maritime corridors such as the Gulf of Aden since 2008. Indian warships had escorted thousands of merchant vessels and thwarted numerous hijacking attempts, extending protection to commercial shipping irrespective of flag or nationality, he added. Rajnath Singh said India would continue to act as a reliable net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region and the wider Indo-Pacific, stressing the importance of freedom of navigation, international maritime law and the protection of global shipping routes. He underlined that Indias support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and freedom of navigation and overflight was aimed at protecting the collective interests of regional stakeholders, rather than targeting any country. Referring to the meetings theme, Navigating Our Future, Together, Rajnath Singh said regional solidarity, mutual trust and collective responsibility were essential to maintaining peace and stability. He also proposed a dedicated defence Youth Bridge to strengthen people-to-people links between India and ASEAN, promote digital innovation and expand capacity-building opportunities for young people in regional peace and security initiatives.

Samad, Lotra rescue J&K from defeat against Baroda

Srinagar, Oct 29: Sensational centuries from Abdul Samad and a fighting knock from Sahil Lotra helped Jammu and Kashmir salvage a draw against Baroda in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group match at the Reliance Cricket Stadium in Vadodara on Thursday. Baroda, however, secured victory on the basis of a first-innings lead after J&K finished their second innings at 316 for six in 96 overs. Forced to follow on after conceding a massive 313-run first-innings lead, J&K were staring at a possible defeat after their top order once again failed to provide a solid foundation. However, Samad and Lotra produced a remarkable fightback, ensuring the visitors batted out the final day to save the match. Samad was the chief architect of the rescue act, hammering a magnificent 143 off just 152 deliveries. His aggressive innings featured 16 fours and seven sixes, as he took the attack to the opposition and shifted the momentum with a display of fearless strokeplay. The right-hander showed his ability to change the course of a match, countering Barodas bowling with an attacking approach when J&K needed it most. At the other end, Lotra displayed tremendous patience and composure, remaining unbeaten on 96 off 240 balls. His innings was built on discipline and resilience, providing the perfect foil to Samads attacking approach. Lotra held his ground and his partnership with Samad proved decisive in taking J&K out of danger. The pair stitched together a crucial 225-run partnership, transforming a precarious situation into one of relative comfort for the visitors. Their contrasting styles, Samads aggression and Lotras calm resistance,proved effective against a Baroda attack that had dominated proceedings for much of the match. J&K had resumed the fourth day under pressure after being asked to follow on. Their first-innings total of 303 had left them 313 runs behind Barodas imposing 616, built around Priyanshu Moliyas unbeaten 321 and Mahesh Pithiyas 102. The visitors second innings initially followed a familiar pattern, with the top order struggling to make an impact. Qamran Iqbal scored 20, Shubham Khajuria managed five, Kawalpreet Singh contributed 22, while captain Paras Dogra fell for one. The early setbacks raised the prospect of Baroda completing a convincing victory. However, Samads counter-attacking century and Lotras determined effort changed the complexion of the contest. After Samad was dismissed for 143, Lotra continued to bat with discipline, ensuring Baroda could not force a result. Rydham Sharma added 11, while Vanshaj Sharma remained unbeaten on one alongside Lotra when the match was drawn. For Baroda, Mahesh Pithiya claimed three wickets, while Rasikh Salam, Bhargav Bhatt and Atit Sheth picked up one wicket each. Priyanshu Moliya was adjudged Player of the Match for his monumental unbeaten 321 in Barodas first innings, which laid the foundation for the hosts first-innings advantage. While J&K managed to avert defeat through a determined batting display, Baroda took the match honours by virtue of their commanding first-innings total.

Reflections on Nature, Fate and Freedom

When we contemplate the vastness of space and time, our little existences seem hopelessly insignificant. Where do we then place Man who has only been around for a time which accounts for less than the momentary batting of an eye compared to the cosmic timeframe. But the cosmos in all its infinity can not belittle Man. In a world of a billion living species, who has the courage to unravel and interpret the deepest mysteries within it. Who is it that can contemplate a trillion galaxies some zillion light years away. Who is it that can subjugate all else so completely and collectively in the interest of his own kind. In fact its the man in all his feebleness who seems to have the audacity to belittle the cosmos and not the other way round. Intimidating as it may sound, many within the human race itself would disavow this characterization as delusional self-aggrandizement. For Spinoza, a 17th century Dutch philosopher, human existence when seen sub specie aeternitatis i.e. from the perspective of eternity, without any shifting influences of time or human emotion, appears to be a part of a single all-encompassing continuum called nature or substance or if you like, God. This way of looking at reality was the point of departure for his monism and it succeeded in, if not obliterating completely, fracturing our self-conceived position in the universe for years to come. Instead of identifying man as an outsider observing reality, this idea confines him within the boundaries of the same reality hes trying to observe. Thus the act of observing nature itself becomes an act of nature. In this way, any semblance of objectivity and hence freedom in mans thought or action is reduced to nothing but a self imposed deception. His fate is sealed by the curse of determinism which for him is impossible to escape at whichever cost. A teenage boy from some prehistoric village in the past had the same disquieting desires as any youngster growing up in the modern world. A woman living in some distant age carried the same unsettling apprehensions as a woman of todays day and age. If we fold up the span of time, wasnt it really the nature which was desiring our desires and thinking our thoughts? Even our actions cant escape the leash of determinism. After all, hasnt nature predefined the limits for everything. Things in this world may have great potential but not infinite. You can nurture an apple seed in the best soil and with the greatest care, but it will only bear apples and not plums. We can train our bodies to perform extraordinary feats but we cant make our thumbs twist backwards, can we? This idea of Spinoza is of interest to us on two grounds. On the one hand it somewhat appears to align with the Quranic concept of fate or destiny and on the other hand it presupposes the existence of a fundamental reality that exists by necessity, although it merges both the contingent and the non-contingent beings into a single unity. Nonetheless, Its these aforementioned limits and more that constitute fate. In the Quran the Arabic word used for fate is Qadr. Its not coincidental that this word serves as the root for other words such as quantity and measure or proportion. Fate is unquestionably related to the concept of measure with which each object is proportionated in this cosmos. In 7th century Arabia people had already taken interest in understanding the notion of fate. A man once came to Imam Ali to ask about fate and freewill. He asked the man to lift up his one leg and thus the man did. Ali replied such is freewill. He then asked the man to lift up both his legs at the same time and the man simply said that it cant be done. Ali said such is fate. On yet another occasion, a beggar asking for money, interrupted imam Ali while he was getting off of his horse to offer prayer at the mosque in Kufa. Ali told the man to wait until after the prayer was finished with the intention of giving him some 4 dinars which were in his possession. The beggar grew impatient while waiting and stole away the saddle from Alis horse. When Ali came out of the mosque and saw that his saddle was gone, he went in search for it in the nearby market and incidentally found it with one of the shopkeepers. Upon investigation, the shopkeeper informed Ali that he had purchased the saddle from a man for 4 dinars. Imam Ali concluded with a smile that it was already ordained for the man to receive 4 dinars today but had he been patient he would have received it through just means but owing to his impatience he ended up possessing the same amount through unjust means. The point of this story is self-evident. Everything that happens around us is preordained, no matter how complicated the causes might appear. Essentially, the cause and effect are as much a part of the cosmic drama as everything else. At this point some might feel the mental urge to take refuge in common sense in justifying why some things can and cannot happen. But the fact is that its common only because we have accepted the reality to exist in a certain way i.e. the default way, and this we have taken to exist by necessity. But what gives us the right to contemplate over these matters if we are so unsure or rather unfree in our own selves. For the French philosopher Descartes, the fact that we are able to think and question our own existence could be a case in point. He believed as he famously put it, cogito ergo sum, I think therefore I exist. For him our own existence was the highest form of certainty there was. So he chose to build his whole philosophical system bottom up from this very fact. This idea of a thinking being or an intellectual being could possibly be a differentiating factor in nature. How many philosophical problems of his time Descartes succeeded in solving is out of scope of this discussion, albeit how free he was in his act of cogito, is a question Spinoza would have felt delighted to ask. Leaving out a handful of pantheists and ontological monists, for the majority of thinkers from antiquity till date, God has always existed outside the creation. And for Muslim theologians as well as many western philosophers, intellect is one of the irrefutable attributes of the divine. Perhaps the presence of this spark of divine in man in the form of intellect is what raises him to such a vantage point; allowing him to observe reality despite being intimately woven into it. For a trillion years or more the universe would have operated purely on instinct but along comes a being who in this way was an anomaly in the natural order of things. Bestowed with the power of intellect, he was chosen to represent the divine. Perhaps this was what God intended when he breathed his spirit into him, as he mentioned in his final revelation to mankind. Perhaps before man freed himself from God, it was God who had freed man!

Greenply launches HDMR-core laminate flooring in Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 29: Greenply Industries Limited, one of Indias leading interior infrastructure companies, has launched its laminate flooring range featuring High-Density Moisture-Resistant (HDMR) core technology, targeting moisture-related concerns associated with conventional laminate flooring. Positioned in the mid-premium to premium segment, the new range combines wood-inspired designs with moisture resistance, easy installation and minimal maintenance. Greenply describes it as Indias first laminate wood flooring with an HDMR core. The company said moisture was a major concern for wooden flooring in India, with changing weather conditions, excessive wet mopping, improper installation and inadequate subflooring potentially affecting durability and appearance. The new flooring range has been designed for Indian climatic conditions, including areas experiencing high humidity and seasonal rainfall. It combines water-resistant and fire-resistant properties with antimicrobial and antibacterial features, according to the company. The flooring also features an easy-to-clean surface and is designed to simplify routine maintenance. Greenply said an area of 1,000 square feet could be installed in approximately six to seven hours, without adhesive or curing time, subject to site conditions. The collection offers several wood-inspired designs, including different oak varieties, lighter Nordic shades and darker wood finishes. It is available in classic plank, long plank and herringbone formats, with abrasion-resistance grades ranging from AC-3 to AC-5 and thicknesses between 8 mm and 12 mm. The floating-floor installation system also allows the flooring to be dismantled and reinstalled, subject to installation conditions and product guidelines. Commenting on the launch, Sanidhya Mittal, Joint Managing Director of Greenply Industries Limited, said wood-inspired flooring was becoming an important element of contemporary interiors, but design needed to be matched by performance in everyday conditions. He said the companys HDMR-core laminate flooring combined contemporary designs with a greater focus on moisture resistance and the durability associated with the Greenply brand. The company said the range was intended for residential spaces as well as commercial, hospitality and HORECA projects, offering an additional flooring option for homeowners, architects, interior designers and project developers. For residential applications, warranty coverage against stains, fading, wear and tear ranges from 10 years to a lifetime, depending on the product grade. The AC-5 range carries a lifetime residential warranty, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

CSIR-IIIM Srinagar concludes 5-day health screening camp under Phenome India Mission

Srinagar, Oct 29:The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, concluded a five-day health screening campaign under the Phenome India CSIR Health Cohort Knowledge Base (PI-CHeCK) initiative, aimed at promoting preventive healthcare and advancing personalised healthcare solutions for the Indian population. The programme commenced at CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, on October 25 and concluded at its Srinagar branch laboratory on October 29. The initiative is part of a nationwide health research programme being implemented across 37 CSIR laboratories, with the objective of advancing the vision of Swasth Bharat, Viksit Bharat through scientific research, systematic health monitoring and data-driven healthcare. Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, was the chief guest at the concluding programme in Srinagar. Sixty participants, including serving employees, pensioners and their spouses, voluntarily underwent various health assessments. The screening included oscillometry and spirometry for lung health, FibroScan, kidney and liver function tests, blood biochemistry, pathological investigations and other medical examinations. The assessments are intended to provide insights into individual health profiles while contributing to a research database for studying lifestyle-related and other diseases through advanced genomic and proteomic approaches. The initiative also involves collecting biological samples for future research in disease diagnosis and healthcare. Addressing the participants, Dr. Ahmed highlighted the significance of the national initiative being undertaken under the mentorship of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science and Technology and Vice President of CSIR. He said the Phenome India initiative was an important step towards understanding health patterns among the Indian population and developing improved strategies for disease prevention, early diagnosis and personalised treatment. Dr Ahmed said the programme aims to establish a comprehensive health database by integrating large-scale health information with advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). The data is expected to help researchers identify potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers associated with various diseases and strengthen the scientific foundation for precision medicine tailored to the Indian population. During his visit, Dr Ahmed inspected the various testing stations, reviewed the arrangements and interacted with participating scientists, healthcare personnel and volunteers. The screening camp at the CSIR-IIIM branch laboratory in Srinagar was coordinated by Dr. Fayaz A. Malik, Scientist-G, in collaboration with the PI-CHeCK team from the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB). The national programme is coordinated by Dr. Shantanu Sengupta, Scientist-G at CSIR-IGIB and principal investigator of the PI-CHeCK project, under the supervision of Dr. Souvik Maiti, Director, CSIR-IGIB, New Delhi. The concluding session featured the distribution of certificates to volunteers from CSIR-IIIM and CSIR-IGIB by Dr Zabeer Ahmed.

A noble soul

Death is a certainty of life, yet no certainty can prepare the heart for losing someone it believed would always be there. We know that this worldly existence is temporary and that everyone we love ultimately belongs to Allah and must return to Him. Yet knowing this does little to lessen the pain of separation. On 7 August 2026, I lost my beloved father, Prof. Nazir Masoodi. For an only daughter raised with extraordinary affection and utmost care, this was not merely the loss of a parent. It felt like the destruction of a cherished heaven. I lost the man who had been my safest place in this world, the voice that reassured me, the heart that loved me without condition, and the comforting certainty that, whatever happened, Daddy was there. To be loved by him was one of the greatest blessings Allah gave me. I write these words because my heart carries more love and grief than my tears can contain, and because a man like my father deserves to be remembered for the goodness he left behind. Daddy possessed qualities that are becoming increasingly rare. He was warm, soft-spoken, dignified and deeply compassionate. He treated people with respect regardless of their position or circumstances. His concern for others was genuine and selfless; he helped not because he expected anything in return, but simply because goodness was inherent in his nature. Perhaps what made him even more remarkable was how distinctly his character stood on its own. He was unlike anyone else in his family, a man of a remarkably different nature, with a gentleness, generosity and depth of compassion that were uniquely his own. There was simply no one quite like him. Generosity was one of his defining qualities. Our home was rarely without guests, and everyone who entered was welcomed with warmth and genuine affection. He had the beautiful ability to make people feel welcome, not merely in his home, but in his heart. His compassion extended especially to children who had been deprived of parental or familial care. Looking back, I realise that Daddys fatherly love was never confined to me alone. His heart was large enough to embrace every child who needed affection, protection and a sense of belonging. He gave them love, guidance, dignity and security, never allowing them to feel different from his own daughter. One of the greatest lessons Daddy taught me came not through words, but through the way he lived: true generosity is not about giving what one has in excess; it is about opening ones heart and making space for another persons happiness and dignity. From him, I learnt that relationships are not defined by blood alone, but by the responsibilities we willingly accept and the love we choose to give. My father had an exceptionally gentle and forgiving heart. He carried goodwill for people and treated others with kindness and grace. He lived with a clean heart and left this world having given far more love than he ever asked to receive. But beyond everything others knew about Prof. Nazir Masoodi, there was the man I had the privilege of calling Daddy. And that is the man I miss beyond words. I miss his voice, his advice, his concern for the smallest things in my life, and above all, the security of simply knowing that he existed in the same world as me. People tell me that time will soften grief. But some losses do not become smaller with time; we simply learn to carry them with love, prayer and remembrance. Daddy, I was proud to be your daughter when you were here, and I will remain proud to be your daughter for as long as I live.

Hunar Nama to showcase Kashmirs rich craft heritage on DD Kashir

Srinagar, Oct 29: The Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir has launched Hunar Nama The Craft Story, a dedicated television programme aimed at showcasing Kashmirs rich handicraft and handloom heritage and bringing the stories of its artisans, crafts and traditions to a wider audience. Being undertaken under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme, the programme will be telecast on DD Kashir every Friday from 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM, offering viewers an engaging insight into the craftsmanship, skills and traditions that have shaped Kashmirs distinctive craft legacy. The programme seeks to highlight the exceptional craftsmanship of local artisans and the cultural, historical and economic significance of Kashmirs traditional crafts. It will also provide a platform to showcase the dedication and creativity of artisans who have carried these unique traditions forward from one generation to another. Through Hunar Nama The Craft Story, the Directorate aims to strengthen public outreach, enhance the visibility of traditional crafts and encourage greater appreciation of Kashmirs handicraft and handloom products. The initiative will also contribute towards promoting traditional craft-based enterprises and improving their visibility within the broader MSME ecosystem. The initiative is aligned with the objectives of the RAMP Scheme, which focuses on strengthening MSMEs, enhancing their competitiveness, improving market and institutional outreach, and supporting sustainable growth of enterprises across the country. The Directorate has invited the general public, craft enthusiasts, tourists, researchers and all those interested in Kashmirs rich cultural heritage to watch Hunar Nama The Craft Story on DD Kashir every Friday at 8:30 PM and discover the artistry, heritage and human stories behind Kashmirs world-renowned crafts.

CII Apple Conclave calls for stronger value chain, global market access for J&K apples

Srinagar, Oct 29:The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised the sixth edition of the CII J&K Apple Conclave 2026 in Srinagar, bringing together policymakers, growers, exporters, researchers and industry leaders to discuss ways to strengthen Jammu and Kashmirs apple sector and expand its global market reach. Held under the theme From Orchard to Global Markets, the conclave focused on technology adoption, precision horticulture, post-harvest management, value addition and improved market linkages. Welcoming participants, Dawar Ashraf Mir, Convener, CII J&K Horticulture Panel and Director, Ziraat Agro Ventures LLP, stressed the need to strengthen the apple value chain through innovation, technology and better market access. Iqram Ali Shafiee, Chairman, CII J&K UT Council, highlighted horticultures contribution to the regions economy and livelihoods, noting that high-density plantations, improved infrastructure and better farming practices offered a foundation for further growth. Syed Junaid Altaf, Chairman, CII Northern Region Committee on Horticulture, called for stronger quality standards, improved supply chains and greater export opportunities. Dr N.K. Krishna Kumar, former Deputy Director General (Horticulture), ICAR, emphasised scientific interventions and modern technologies to improve productivity and competitiveness. Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, stressed research, capacity building and reducing production costs to improve the sustainability of apple cultivation. Chief Guest Javid Ahmad Dar, Minister for Agriculture Production and other departments, highlighted government initiatives aimed at strengthening horticulture through technology, infrastructure and farmer-centric measures. He called for coordinated efforts among stakeholders to support the industrys growth. The conclave featured two technical sessions on Future of Apple Cultivation, Precision Horticulture and Smart Farming and Post-Harvest Innovation and Smart Supply Chains. The discussions highlighted the need for stronger industry-academia collaboration, better post-harvest infrastructure and improved market integration to enhance the global competitiveness of J&K apples. The event was attended by Vikas Anand, Director, Horticulture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad, Director, Agriculture, and other government officials and industry representatives. The conclave concluded with a call for sustained collaboration among the government, industry, research institutions and growers to strengthen the apple value chain and position Jammu and Kashmir as a leading producer of high-quality apples.

Sankara, Ibn Arabiand Heidegger on Being

The mysterious relationship between the permanence of Being and the ceaseless flux of Becoming has stirred the human imagination since the dawn of philosophical reflection. In ancient Greece, this tension found one of its most compelling expressions in the contrasting visions of Heraclitus and Parmenides. For Heraclitus, change was the very pulse of reality, the restless movement through which the world disclosed its dynamic unity; for Parmenides, genuine Being had to be un-generated, imperishable and unchanging, for whatever truly is cannot simply emerge from nothingness or dissolve into non-being. Platos theory of Forms offered a profound response to this philosophical tension by distinguishing the changing world of sensible particulars from the enduring intelligible realities through which they could be understood. Yet the question was far from settled. Beneath the multitude of appearances, was there an abiding reality that remained untouched by change? Was Becoming merely the surface of a deeper Being, or was change itself inseparable from the truth of existence? These questions would travel across civilisations, acquiring new languages, new spiritual dimensions and new philosophical possibilities, while retaining their power to unsettle the human mind. Meanwhile, in the forests and contemplative hermitages of ancient India, the sages of the Upaniads were pursuing their own profound inquiry into the mystery of existence. What sustains this universe? What lies behind the powers of nature? What is the source of thought, perception and consciousness? And is the deepest reality of the cosmos somehow related to the innermost reality of the self? From the Bhadrayaka Upaniad to the Kena Upaniad, we encounter a movement towards an underlying principle that cannot be adequately explained through the plurality of cosmic powers alone. The Kena Upaniad, in particular, places even the gods within this inquiry, revealing the limitations of their individual powers before the mysterious reality of Brahman, the ground that makes their powers possible. A comparable, though historically distinct, transformation unfolded within the religious world of the ancient Near East, where biblical traditions gradually developed an uncompromising affirmation of divine unity amid a landscape populated by deities such as Ishtar and Marduk. The biblical declaration associated with the divine name in Exodusoften rendered, I AM WHO I AMwould inspire enduring reflections on divine existence, presence and transcendence. Centuries later, Islamic tawd would affirm Allah as the one, incomparable Creator and Sustainer of all existence, while Christian mystics such as Meister Eckhart would explore the depths of the Godhead beyond the limitations of ordinary conceptual thought. These traditions cannot be reduced to a single historical trajectory, nor can Brahman, Allah and Eckharts Godhead simply be treated as interchangeable names for one metaphysical principle. Yet they converge upon a compelling question: can the bewildering multiplicity of existence be understood in relation to an ultimate reality that exceeds the limits of ordinary experience and thought? It is against this vast intellectual and spiritual horizon that the distinctive visions of akara, Ibn Arab and Martin Heidegger invite us to reopen the mystery of Being. The philosophical journey of akara unfolds against the backdrop of a profound intellectual contest in ancient India, where the Upaniadic vision of an enduring Self encountered the radical challenge of Buddhist thought. The Upaniads had explored the relationship between Brahman, the ultimate ground of reality, and tman, the deepest reality of the self, a relationship famously expressed in the declarations Tat Tvam Asi (That thou art) and Aham Brahmsmi (I am Brahman). The emergence of Buddhism unsettled this metaphysical vision through its doctrines of dependent origination (prattyasamutpda) and non-self (anatt), challenging the assumption that an eternal, independent self could be discovered beneath the changing constituents of experience. The centuries that followed witnessed intense philosophical exchanges among Buddhist, Brahmanical, and Vedntic thinkers. Bdaryaas Brahma Stra systematised the interpretation of Upaniadic teaching, while Gau apdas Mkya Krik developed a radical philosophy of non-duality and non-origination. This long history of debate and reflection reached one of its most influential expressions in di akara, who gave Advaita Vednta its systematic philosophical form. For akara, the ultimate reality is non-dual Brahman, and the plurality of the phenomenal world cannot be understood as independently self-subsistent. His concept of my does not simply reduce the world to absolute nothingness; rather, it challenges our tendency to mistake phenomenal distinctions for ultimate, independent realities. Beneath the apparent multiplicity of existence lies an ontological unity that cannot be comprehended through ordinary distinctions alone. Although akara did not formulate a modern environmental philosophy, his metaphysics invites a contemporary question: might the overcoming of ego-centred perception and the recognition of a deeper unity inform a more responsible relationship with the natural world? A different yet equally profound exploration of unity and multiplicity emerges in the metaphysics of Muy al-Dn Ibn Arab, the great Andalusian Sufi thinker born in Murcia in 1165. Inheriting the Quranic affirmation of tawd, the intellectual traditions of Islamic theology, and the experiential insights of Sufism, Ibn Arab developed an extraordinarily rich account of the relationship between God and creation. His thought would become central to what later interpreters came to call wadat al-wujd, or the unity of being, although the history and precise meaning of this designation require careful qualification. At the heart of his metaphysics lies al-aqq, the Real, whose existence is not dependent upon anything beyond itself, whereas the existence of created things is contingent and dependent. The cosmos, in this vision, is not simply an independent collection of objects, nor is it a corporeal form assumed by God. It is understood through tajall, the self-disclosure of the divine names and attributes in the manifold forms of existence. The world reveals something of the Real without exhausting or containing the divine essence. Here we encounter a delicate balance between transcendence and manifestation: God is incomparable with creation, yet the universe is not metaphysically detached from its Creator. This offers an intriguing point of comparison with akaras distinction between Nirgua and Sagua Brahman, particularly in the attempt to understand how ultimate reality exceeds finite descriptions while the world of plurality remains intelligible in relation to it. Yet the two thinkers must not be collapsed into a single doctrine. akaras non-duality belongs to the framework of Advaita Vednta, while Ibn Arabs account of the Real and divine self-disclosure is rooted in Islamic revelation and Sufi metaphysics. Their possible convergence lies not in the erasure of these differences, but in the depth of the question they share: how can the multiplicity of existence be understood without compromising the ultimacy of the One?

FCIK welcomes Cabinet expansion, calls for new drive to boost enterprise, jobs

Srinagar, Oct 29:The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has extended warm congratulations to the newly inducted members of the Council of Ministers on their appointment and allocation of portfolios, expressing confidence that the expanded team under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will bring renewed energy, commitment and coordination to fostering entrepreneurship, tackling unemployment and accelerating Jammu and Kashmirs economic development. FCIK welcomed the induction of Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shamim Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Wani, while conveying its best wishes to Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Ministers Sakeena Masood Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana and Javid Ahmad Dar in fulfilling their responsibilities. Every portfolio offers opportunities to nurture entrepreneurship, generate livelihoods and strengthen the local economy. Enterprise promotion must become a shared responsibility across the Government, with each department using its policies, procurement, infrastructure and services to encourage local production and employment, FCIK stated. The Federation hoped that the enthusiasm accompanying the Cabinet expansion would translate into timely decisions on pending matters affecting investment, industrial revival and business confidence. It particularly sought coordinated action by the Finance, Power, Industries and Commerce, Forest, Agriculture, Health and Education Departments. FCIK urged Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary to prioritise finalisation of the new Industrial Policy and early notification of rules under the Ease of Doing Business Act. It stressed that the policy must combine support for existing enterprises and revival of sick and stressed units with incentives for fresh investment, stronger local procurement and wider market access. The Chief Ministers commitment to industrial renewal has raised considerable expectations. Entrepreneurs awaiting the policy need clarity, certainty and effective implementation to move ahead with investment and expansion, the Federation said. Congratulating Ali Mohammad Sagar on assuming responsibility for Power Development and other departments, FCIK expressed hope that his experience would help secure reliable industrial supply, address tariff concerns, provide relief on accumulated power arrears and accelerate rooftop solarisation. Affordable and dependable electricity, it emphasised, is fundamental to the competitiveness and survival of local manufacturing. Welcoming the assignment of Finance to Javid Ahmad Dar, FCIK sought early financial concurrence to the proposed Industrial Policy, adequate budgetary provision and timely release of incentives and other dues. It also urged him to pursue with J&K Bank the early launch of a meaningful Special One-Time Settlement scheme, with coverage, concessions and eligibility provisions fully aligned with SBIs OTS-20, without dilution or discretionary riders. Resolving legacy debt through a transparent, formula-based and non-discriminatory settlement framework can enable viable enterprises to resume production, release productive assets and restore employment. Industrial revival must be recognised as an investment in economic recovery, FCIK maintained. The Federation also highlighted the scope for linking Agriculture Production and Cooperatives, held by Dar, with local manufacturing through food processing, cold chains, packaging, storage and value addition. It called for the next phase of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme to strengthen these connections and create viable enterprises around agricultural and horticultural production. Welcoming Altaf Ahmad Wanis stewardship of Forest, Ecology and Environment, FCIK sought timely resolution of pending forest-related and environmental matters affecting enterprises, simpler consent procedures and clear, consistent regulatory requirements, with environmental safeguards upheld. Protecting our fragile ecology and promoting responsible entrepreneurship are shared obligations. Transparent procedures and timely decisions can advance both while encouraging cleaner production and sustainable investment, it said. FCIK urged Sakeena Masood Itoo and Shamim Firdous, responsible for Health and Education respectively, to channel their departments substantial procurement requirements towards eligible local manufacturers. It also sought closer collaboration between educational institutions and industry to align skills with market requirements, encourage innovation and help young people establish enterprises of their own. The Federation expressed hope that Mir Saifullah would use Planning and allied departments to support coordinated development and enterprise creation, while Javed Ahmad Ranas responsibilities for Transport, Food and Civil Supplies and Tribal Affairs could help improve logistics, market access and livelihood opportunities for underserved communities. FCIK called for an early joint interaction between the concerned Ministers and industrial stakeholders to establish a time-bound programme for pending decisions, with clear departmental responsibility and periodic review. The renewed energy of the Council of Ministers must translate into functioning factories, revived enterprises and meaningful opportunities for our youth. Every approval expedited, payment released and avoidable hurdle removed can strengthen an enterprise and protect the livelihoods dependent on it, the Federation stated. Reaffirming its commitment to constructive engagement, FCIK expressed confidence that coordinated ministerial leadership under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would turn reform commitments into tangible gains in investment, employment and public prosperity.

Woman killed, 6 injured in Reasi, Ramban accidents

Ramban, Oct 29:A woman was killed and six persons were injured in two separate road accidents in Ramban and Reasi districts of Jammu division on Thursday, officials said. In the first accident, three persons sustained minor injuries after a truck loaded with heavy paper rolls collided with a road divider and two other vehicles in the Dalwass area of Chanderkote along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) in Ramban district. Official sources said a canter, bearing registration number UP58AT-0870, collided with a Ford Figo (JK02DK-4899) and another vehicle, bearing registration number JK14C-4705, leaving three persons injured. The injured were identified as Kishori Lal, son of Amar Chand; Ranbir Singh, son of Balwan Singh and Maninder Singh, son of Ashok Kumar, all residents of Sawni village in Chanderkote. They were shifted to District Hospital Ramban for treatment. SHO Chanderkote Inspector Vicky Thapa confirmed that three persons had sustained minor injuries in the accident. In a separate incident, a 45-year-old woman was killed and three others, including a minor girl, were injured after a tempo traveller skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge near Last Galla in the Dansal area of Arnas tehsil in Reasi district during the intervening night of October 28 and 29. Officials said the injured were shifted to a hospital, where the woman was declared dead. The other three injured were undergoing treatment. The deceased was identified as Gulshan, a resident of Dhanour. The injured were identified as Subash, also a resident of Dhanour; Altaf, the driver of the vehicle and a resident of Dharore and a minor girl whose identity has not yet been ascertained. Police have taken cognisance of the incident, and further investigation is underway.

Remain mission ready to sustain operational dominance: Lt Gen Pratik Sharma

Rajouri, Oct 29: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Northern Command Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma has asked army troops to remain proactive,vigilant and mission ready to sustained operational dominance in the prevalent security situation. The Northern Army Commander was interacting with troops deployed both on Line of Control (LoC) as well as hinterland sectors of twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Army said that Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visited frontline units along the Line of Control in Poonch and hinterland formations in Rajouri on Thursday. The visit was aimed to review operational preparedness and prevailing security dynamics, army further said. The Army Commander was briefed on operational challenges, joint intelligence frameworks and synergy with security agencies, a statement read. Army informed that while interacting with the troops, Army Commander exhorted all ranks to remain proactive, vigilant and mission-ready to sustain operational dominance.

JPP-RCS scheme: Advance bookings of parcel coaches to entail 50% discount for J&K traders, fruit growers

Jammu, Oct 29:Northern Railway has maintained that in case of advance booking of parcel coaches for both directions through Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) trains, aggregator, trader or logistics service provider in J&K will have to pay only 1.5 times the normal rate (JP scale) as the total round-trip freight. This means full freight for one side and a heavy discount of 50 percent on the return trip under JPP-RCS scheme, aimed at facilitating apple growers and fruit traders of Kashmir. A clarification in this connection was made in an important joint meeting organised by the Jammu Railway Division of the Northern Railway on Thursday, October 29, 2026 in Srinagar, to connect apple growers and fruit traders of Kashmir with safe and economical rail transport. The meeting was held in the chamber of the Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing, Srinagar. According to Raghvender Singh, Public Relations Inspector, Jammu Railway Division, the meeting was attended by the Area Manager, Jammu Railway Division and other railway officials. The Horticulture Department was represented by various Marketing Officers and Assistant Grading Officers of the Kashmir region, including officers from Parimpora, Bandipora and Anantnag besides the cargo aggregators. The main objective of the meeting was to facilitate the transportation of Kashmiri apples and other horticulture products through trains by creating better coordination between the Horticulture Department and Northern Railway. In the meeting, a new arrangement was discussed in detail in the interest of traders. The Railways clarified that if any aggregator, trader or logistics service provider makes an advance booking of parcel coaches for both directions through JPP-RCS trains, then he will have to pay only 1.5 times the normal rate (JP Scale) as the total round-trip freight, official stated. For the convenience of traders, according to the official, the entire process of booking and payment will be completed at once at the originating station itself, which will free them from paperwork and save time. Under this initiative, special emphasis has been laid on concessional freight rates to connect traders to the rail network instead of roadways. It was emphasised in the meeting that a strong and vibrant coordination between Northern Railway and cargo aggregators is extremely necessary, so that this proposed arrangement does not remain confined to papers only but actually gets implemented on the ground and the producers get its direct benefit. All stakeholders present in the meeting expressed positive consent on this proposal of the Railways. At the same time, technical aspects like its commercial viability, freight charges, cargo handling arrangements, train schedule and collection and delivery facilities were also discussed in detail, official said, adding that several important meetings had already been held between the Railways and cargo aggregators on this subject earlier. The Railways assured the fruit growers that the railway administration was committed to provide them with all possible assistance. All stakeholders will be informed in due course about the future action plan and progress of the next phase of this scheme, it was reaffirmed.

J&K deploying upgraded UEM, EDR to safeguard govt endpoints against cyber threats

Jammu, Oct 29:Jammu and Kashmir government is deploying upgraded versions of Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions across all its departments and organisations to bolster its security framework against emerging cyber threats. In view of the increasing cyber security threats to government IT infrastructure, particularly endpoints connected through NICNET and JKSWAN, the deployment of UEM and EDR solutions assumes critical importance. Deployment of upgraded versions of these critical solutions has become necessary as the license support for the existing versions of UEM and EDR solutions is due to expire. NIC cyber security personnel, designated as cyber warriors have been entrusted with the task of installation of these solutions on all endpoints connected to NICNET and JKSWAN. These solutions provide centralised management of government endpoints, facilitate security compliance and vulnerability monitoring, enable early detection of cyber threats and support prompt response to security incidents, thereby strengthening the overall cyber security framework of the government. For the smooth implementation of new versions of UEM and EDR solutions, General Administration Department (GAD) Commissioner Secretary M Raju has issued comprehensive instructions. In this connection, he has sought the attention of all administrative secretaries and Head of Departments, PSUs, Corporations to Circular number 12-JK(GAD) of 2025 dated May 21, 2025, whereby instructions were issued for ensuring adherence to prescribed cyber security practices, discontinuation of unauthorised digital assets and compliance with established IT governance protocols across government departments and organisations. As the license support for the existing versions of UEM and EDR solutions is due to expire, NIC Headquarters has procured the upgraded versions of these solutions to ensure continuity of security services and protection against emerging cyber threats, M Raju has maintained. Pointing out that the upgraded solutions are now ready for implementation, GAD Commissioner Secretary has stated that a dedicated team of NIC cyber security personnel, designated as cyber warriors will visit the concerned government departments or organisations for installation and deployment of the upgraded solutions on all endpoints connected to NICNET and JKSWAN. The exercise will be undertaken in a phased manner. Accordingly, M Raju has asked all Administrative Secretaries and Head of Departments, PSUs and Corporations to notify all officers and officials under their administrative control and to extend full cooperation to NIC team for the installation of new version of UEM and EDR in the interest of secure and accountable e-governance.

Medical camp held at Shalimar, Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 29:In a significant initiative aimed at promoting accessible healthcare and community welfare, the Department of AYUSH, Srinagar, organised a Mega Medical Camp today at Syed Meerak Shah Memorial Public School, Shalimar, Srinagar, in collaboration with NGO Ali Asgar Blood Bank Care Foundation J&K, with the active support and cooperation of the school management. The camp was inaugurated by Dr. Mohammad Sultan Parray, District AYUSH Officer, Srinagar, who highlighted the importance of collaborative healthcare initiatives in extending medical services to the public, particularly students, economically weaker sections and other deserving beneficiaries. During the camp, hundreds of patients received medical consultations, free general health check-ups and medicines. Students and staff members of the institution, along with a substantial number of people from the surrounding community, availed themselves of the healthcare facilities. Preliminary medical investigations were also conducted on the spot to facilitate the initial assessment of beneficiaries' health conditions. The initiative reflected the Department of AYUSH's commitment to strengthening community-based healthcare, promoting preventive health awareness and ensuring that essential medical services reach people at their doorstep. The collaboration with Ali Asgar Blood Bank Care Foundation J&K further demonstrated the importance of partnerships between government healthcare institutions and voluntary organisations in expanding healthcare outreach. The camp was conducted under the leadership of Team Head Dr. Mohammad Ayoub Sofi, whose coordination and guidance, along with the dedicated efforts of the entire team, contributed to the successful organisation of the programme. The AYUSH medical team included Dr. Ruhi Tabassum, Dr. Nustat Kawoosa, Dr. Qurat ul Ain, Imtiyaz Zargar, Mushtaq Ahmad, Qasim Sofi and Mahnaz Qayoom. Their professional commitment, teamwork and patient-centred approach were instrumental in providing healthcare services to the beneficiaries. The volunteers of Ali Asgar Blood Bank Care Foundation J&K extended valuable support in organising and coordinating the camp. The cooperation of the management and staff of Syed Meerak Shah Memorial Public School, headed by Dr. Mohammad Ayoub Sofi, was also commendable in facilitating the programme and ensuring the participation of students, staff members and the local community. Appreciating the collective efforts of all those involved, Dr. Mohammad Sultan Parray, District AYUSH Officer, Srinagar, lauded the dedication and collaborative spirit of the medical team, volunteers and school management. He emphasised that such outreach initiatives are essential for taking healthcare beyond institutional settings and bringing essential medical services closer to communities. The camp underscored how effective coordination between government healthcare institutions, voluntary organisations and educational institutions can create a meaningful impact on public health. Such initiatives not only improve access to essential healthcare but also strengthen public awareness, encourage preventive health practices and foster a spirit of compassion and social responsibility. The Department of AYUSH, Srinagar, reaffirmed its commitment to expanding healthcare outreach, strengthening preventive healthcare initiatives and bringing AYUSH services closer to the people through community participation and institutional collaboration. The organisers expressed their sincere gratitude to the medical professionals, supporting staff, volunteers, school management and all stakeholders whose dedication and cooperation contributed to the successful conduct of this humanitarian initiative.

Kupwara Chemists and Distributors Association organises first-ever Pharma Conference

Kupwara, Oct 29:The Kupwara Chemists and Distributors Association on Thursday organised the first-ever pharma conference at Town Hall Kupwara, bringing together pharmaceutical professionals and officials to discuss drug regulation, public health and the pharmaceutical trade. Tehsildar Kupwara Niyaz Ahmad attended the conference as the guest of honour and participated in discussions on measures to prevent the misuse of medicines and strengthen the monitoring of pharmaceutical outlets. DySP Headquarters Mubashir Ahmad, speaking on the occasion, urged chemists to play an active role in curbing drug abuse and ensuring strict monitoring of medicine sales. He emphasised the importance of responsible dispensing practices and vigilance to prevent the misuse of medicines. Assistant Drugs Controllers Dr Zaffar Ahmad Bhat and Dr Shabir Ahmad Bhat; Hina Hameed, Price Monitoring Resource Unit Project Coordinator, Jammu and Kashmir (PMRU); Reema Gazala, Ishrat Qadri, Field Investigator, PMRU Kashmir Division; and Drugs Control Officers (DCOs) Feroz Ahamad Bhat, Kupwara/Handwara, and Shabir Ahmad Pandit (Manufacturing), Kashmir Division, were also among the key participants. On the occasion, DCO Shabir Ahmad Pandit (Manufacturing), Kashmir Division, presented official data and claimed that no duplicate medicines had been detected in Kashmir based on market samples collected over the past five years. The conference focused on the Nasha Mukth Abhiyan, prescription and scheduled drugs (NRx), and price monitoring through the Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (PMRU). An interactive question-and-answer session was also held to address issues concerning pharmaceutical regulations and the responsibilities of chemists and distributors. The programme aimed to promote the responsible sale and distribution of medicines, strengthen compliance with drug regulations and encourage collective efforts to curb substance abuse. The association emphasised the importance of cooperation among chemists, distributors and drug regulatory authorities in ensuring the availability of safe and affordable medicines while protecting public health.

AI: The Environmental Impact

Artificial Intelligence has become an integral part of the Technology revolution amidst widespread usage touching our daily lives. With an amalgamation of Machine Learning, Deep learning algorithms, natural language processing & Neural networks, it has been instrumental in automating routine tasks, enhancing productivity, analytics and research. AI mimics human decision-making through rule-based algorithms, training with large amounts of data, which became readily available post the advent of Internet. In the past couple of years, AI has made exponential progress and impact in domains like Finance, Healthcare, autonomous systems and predictive analytics. Artificial Intelligence is supported by data centres which are specialised facilities meant for heavy computing, high speed networking and innovative cooling, making them the backbone of large-scale AI training and inference or regular usage. The number of such data centres is seeing a rapid expansion driven by massive investments and government incentives. The four essential components to keep an AI data centre running are compute, storage, power and cooling. These four components consume minerals, energy, water and have a direct impact on our Environment, depleting natural resources and increasing carbon emissions. Compute & Storage Artificial Intelligence requires massive computational power, both for training the models and inference or daily use, which is provided by high computing servers. The boom in building large AI data centres or AI factories has created a spiraling requirement for processors, memory and supporting hardware. Supply of microchips has become a bottleneck in technology expansion and is not able to meet the surging demand since the expansion of production capacity is highly time consuming due to its capital intensive nature. Chip manufacturing is a specialized process carried out under controlled conditions and consumes significant amounts of electricity and water. The manufacturing process uses fluorinated gases, perflurocarbons and etchants with a potential for high emissions and carbon footprint. Moreover, mining for silicon, copper and specialised metals has a major environmental impact. Power The rapid adoption and usage of AI models is resulting in serious concerns for power availability and energy demands. AI chips draw far more power than ordinary servers. The power requirement of a GPU server is 3-10KW, as compared to 300-600W for a CPU server. While a standard server rack consumes 10-15KW power, an AI rack requires 40-250KW. Besides, AI workload demands result in unpredictable cycles, and the power requirements are concentrated to specific locations housing data centres. This non-uniformity in demand creates a pressure on local grids and transmission networks. The Global power consumption for AI data centres is projected to be about 945TWh by 2030, which would lead to 1.6GtCO2 emissions. Water The high power usage of AI chips results in excessive heat generation. GPUs generate a lot of heat and conventional air cooling is not sufficient to control these extreme thermal loads. This requires cooling systems to continuously counter the heat using multiple techniques, predominantly employing water. Chilled water absorbs heat from the servers; some of it evaporates in cooling towers, which requires continuous fresh water to replace what is lost. Further, the power plants supplying electricity use water for their own cooling. Additionally, water is used in manufacturing microchips for computation. Despite resorting to innovative cooling techniques like liquid cooling (immersion and direct-to-chip cooling), AIs water usage is expected to equal the basic water needs of 1.3 Billion people by 2030, Thus, Data centres require specialised cooling and power systems. The infrastructure requirements are massive and pose a major risk by way of high electricity demand, water consumption, and land use. The issue is further convoluted by lack of transparency regarding usage of energy and water. There is also a regional inequality due to disproportionate burden on the environmental resources, depending on the location of data centres vis-a-vis the actual users of AI. The gravity of the situation can be ascertained from SpaceX IPO filing which highlighted water access as a key risk in operating and expanding large-scale AI infrastructure, warning that water scarcity, or regulatory limits for water usage could limit data center cooling and delay expansion. Mitigations AI Power requirements can be optimised by deploying efficient models with reduced inference, improved server utilization and locating data centres according to power & water availability at potential sites. A crucial mitigation would be the adoption of renewable energy to counter high carbon emissions. The usage of water for Data Centre Cooling is becoming a major concern. Several moderation measures have been initiated by using recycled or non-potable water for cooling, besides innovative options for Direct-to-chip or immersion cooling, which reduces temperatures with much lesser evaporation. Another option under consideration is to locate Data centres at sites with cooler climates. Roadmap The future for AI would not only include faster chips and larger models, but considerations for energy and cooling requirements as well. AI data centres ought to be strategically located as per availability of power and water. The entire lifecycle of AI - from chip production, server rack placements, model development, training to deployment and inference creates an environmental footprint, with major concerns around semiconductor manufacturing, electricity, water, minerals and adding significantly to emissions, pollution hazards leading to intensified pressure on energy, water and infrastructure. Unchecked growth and usage of Artificial Intelligence poses a major risk to the environment. We have to strike a balance between innovation and sustainability. Every AI prompt has an environmental footprint. Every compilation, illustration and elaboration by an AI tool is a result of engaging racks of processors depleting minerals, generating loads of heat and consuming plenty of water for cooling the same. Next time you run a simple AI prompt, remember the reply costs you a bottle of water and a chunk of carbon emission. The author is a technocrat with expertise in Data Analytics, Cyber Law and Digital Forensics. He is currently acting as advisor/ mentor to several startups and an ardent supporter of causes pertaining to Environment and Sustainability.

DM Anantnag declares Bar Association elections null and void

Anantnag, Oct 29:District Magistrate (DM) Anantnag, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, has declared the elections of the District Bar Association Anantnag, reportedly held on October 27, 2026, null and void ab initio and non est in the eyes of law, citing a violation of prohibitory orders issued by the District Magistrate. As per the orders issued by the District Magistrate, the election process of the District Bar Association Anantnag had been prohibited vide Order No. 01-DCA of 2025, dated January 2, 2025, pending fulfilment of mandatory requirements and submission of requisite documents by the organisation. The conditions stipulated in the order included submission of the registration certificate, constitution and memorandum, bye-laws governing the functioning of the organisation, a list of current executive members and members enrolled during the preceding ten years, along with their complete details, and a detailed statement of accounts. The order also required verification of the submitted documents and obtaining the necessary permission from the office of the District Magistrate before proceeding with the election process. However, owing to the non-fulfilment of the prescribed requirements, the election process was again prohibited vide Order No. 62-DCA of 2026, dated September 28, 2026. The said order remains in force. The District Magistrate observed that the elections of the District Bar Association Anantnag, reportedly held on October 27, 2026, as circulated on certain social media platforms, were conducted in violation of the subsisting prohibitory order, without fulfilment of the mandatory prerequisites and without prior intimation to or permission from the office of the District Magistrate. The conduct of the elections, in disregard of the subsisting order and without compliance with the prescribed requirements, has been viewed as a violation of the applicable legal and regulatory provisions, including those referred to under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and the Indian Trusts Act, 1882. Accordingly, the District Magistrate Anantnag has declared the elections of the District Bar Association Anantnag, reportedly held on October 27, 2026, null and void ab initio and non est in the eyes of law. The action underscores the importance of compliance with lawful administrative orders and the fulfilment of prescribed statutory and procedural requirements by organisations before undertaking such activities.

Here! There! Nowhere!

Attribute the inefficiencies in our government hospitals to the crowd. Fair enough. Try to keep the mess in order with a raised voice. Understandable. Help people stay in a queue. Beautiful. I agree, it must be difficult to listen to a patient, with tens of them already pushing and pulling at him. Easier said than done. I am neither a doctor nor an administrator. But some observations stick out. Even the blind can see them, the deaf can hear them, and the dumb can sniff them out. We suffer from hospital-related issues that go beyond controlling the swarm of people or bringing some semblance of order to it. Our government hospitals are so unorganised that youre sent from one department to another, only to find yourself speaking to an entirely different person. The chain of officials caught in the middle of this pillar-to-post drudgery solves little beyond donning their thinking caps and referring you someplace else. If theyre not at fault, the administrators are not at fault, and the people arent at fault, who will solve what, when, and by what means? You see, its not our cup of tea to have an accurate knowledge of things. What departments are assigned what work? Which official is supposed to sign a piece of paperwork? Its beyond our ken to confirm beforehand whether an official can handle a certain task before sending a patient to him. And so, the patient keeps moving, hoping that the next person will have an answer. The result? Here. There. And nowhere. Bear with my bakwaas. Bakwaas observed. Seen. Gone through. Experienced. Every time I visit government hospitals. Dont lay a scientific yardstick over this piece. Dont look for a judiciary-esque analysis. Dont look for evidence. Understand a common man speaking from firsthand knowledge, with no cameras, of course, to capture the kernel of these loopholes. One feels disgusted and exhausted after waiting two hours for a prescription, followed by another hour outside the doctors chamber. Especially at SMHS. And thats not always where the ordeal ends. There may be another counter to visit, another signature to obtain, another person to consult. Another, another and just another, another. In the age of robotics and quantum technology, we suffer from issues that should have long been resolved. Done and dusted. We form governments; governments overlook the everyday inconveniences that carry the weight of public suffering, and we continue to bear the brunt. Big infrastructure projects and inauguration festivals cant hide the puddles patients tiptoe over on a daily basis. You have to be a common man to observe common happenings unfolding every now and then. If I were to flesh out the details of how a common mans dignity is affected, you would probably get bored: the uncertainty, the delay, and the waiting. A little organisation and clarity could save people hours of unnecessary trouble. Just understand the triad: organisation, responsibility, and humility. Work on these, and the rest will follow. Otherwise, limit the number of patients treated each day to what the hospital can reasonably handle. Thanks!

Aga Ruhullah firm on Nov 3 exit from NC, accuses party leadership of 'collective betrayal'

Budgam, Oct 29: Striking a defiant note ahead of his scheduled resignation, estranged National Conference (NC) Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has launched a scathing attack on the party leadership, accusing it of a collective betrayal of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and abandoning the fight for the restoration of Article 370. Confirming he will resign from both the party and his Srinagar Lok Sabha seat on November 3, Mehdi said he remains firm in his decision and accused top party leaders, including NC president Farooq Abdullah, of prioritising comfortable politics over principles and electoral commitments. Mehdi said nothing has changed since he announced his intention to quit the party and Parliament, emphasising that the chosen date holds deep personal and moral significance. November 3 is the death anniversary of my father, the late Aga Syed Mehdi, who was assassinated on this day. His legacy shapes my politics, efforts, and moral compass. Symbolically, that day is synonymous with directions in my life, Mehdi said, adding that the short delay also allowed him time to disburse his MPLADS funds for public development works. Refusing to accept critics' claims that vacating the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat amounts to abandoning his constituents, Mehdi said he felt collectively betrayed by the NCs shift in political stance post the 2024 elections. I felt collectively betrayed, not isolated, Mehdi said, adding, we committed one thing to the people, and after winning elections, we turned away from those commitments. The consistency and conviction with which I fought were maligned by my own party, casting aspersions on my struggle. He claimed that the friction reached a tipping point when the top party leadership explicitly asked him to step aside. When the head of the party asks you to resign and ease them of any accountability, thats when you have to take a call. He precisely said if I think Article 370 can be restored, I should go and fight for that which means they don't want to continue with the struggle or be held accountable to their promises, Mehdi alleged. Commenting on the Jammu and Kashmir government's two-year report card under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the parliamentarian dismissed claims of political and governance achievements. They passed one resolution in 2024 asking for the restoration of special status and two years later passed another resolution diluting the earlier one. They dilute their own stand within two years, Mehdi remarked. Their chief, on record, said multiple times that his fight is only for the restoration of statehood, forgetting the constitutional protections 370 provided us. Mehdi added that his primary lesson from his two years as an MP with the NC was ot to trust individuals in that party at face value. When asked about his critics' warning of a potential political blunder, Mehdi asserted he is unconcerned with electoral calculations or materialistic benefits. Looking ahead, the outgoing MP expressed a desire to return to the grassroots and build a broader, principled political force. I would want to go back to the people and search for like-minded individuals who believe in principles and can fight this fight with conviction, Mehdi said. On the possibility of aligning with other regional parties, he noted that his sole priority remains the restoration of constitutional rights and dignity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and he would explore any route that enables that objective.

Stay Safe and Save Electricity with RCCB

After the installation of smart meters, some consumers have reported higher-than-expected electricity bills. One of the primary causes is earth leakage, which the smart meter records as an Earth Load Event. Such leakage not only results in wasteful consumption and higher electricity bills but also poses a serious safety hazard. It is therefore the owners responsibility to identify and prevent earth leakages to ensure electrical safety as well as accurate meter readings. A Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) is an effective and reliable device for detecting earth leakage and protecting consumers against the associated electrical hazards. RCCB detects earth leakage in the internal wiring of a building and trips the power supply when the leakage current exceeds its rated sensitivity, which is normally 30 mA. A 30 mA RCCB is widely used as the threshold for protection against potentially fatal electric shocks. Higher-rated RCCBs, such as 100 mA or 300 mA, are primarily intended to protect equipment and reduce the risk of electrical fires. This means that if a person at home receives an electric shock and the leakage current through the body exceeds 30 mA, a 30 mA RCCB is designed to trip and disconnect the power supply. The RCCB typically has a short-circuit withstand rating of 10 kA. It can interrupt residual currents of up to 1 kA and can withstand a lightning impulse of up to 4 kV (1.2/50 s). The RCCB is a continuous, online safety device that monitors electrical wiring and appliances for insulation failure and the resulting leakage current. It operates rapidly whenever insulation breaks down in the wiring or an electrical appliance. In the unfortunate event of a person receiving an electric shock, the RCCB detects the resulting earth leakage and immediately trips the power supply, thereby helping to protect the person from serious injury. The RCCB should be installed by an experienced electrician. In the supply chain, the MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) should be installed after the energy meter, followed by the RCCB. After installation, switch on the RCCB and press the test button manually. The RCCB should trip immediately. A functional test may also be carried out by connecting a small test lamp between phase and earth at a suitable point in the house; the RCCB should trip. The earth connection should be through the homes proper earthing system. If no earth connection is available, a temporary connection for earthing should be used for testing. The main sources of electrical leakage are damp areas such as washrooms and kitchens. If the RCCB trips automatically, switch off all branch MCBs on the distribution board. Then switch on the RCCB and the MCBs one by one to identify the circuit which causes tripping of RCCB. Once the faulty circuit is identified, unplug all electrical appliances connected to that circuit. Switch on the MCB again. If RCCB remains ON, reconnect the appliances and switch them on one by one to identify whether any appliance is faulty. The wiring of the affected room or the suspected appliance should then be inspected by an experienced electrician to identify and rectify the leakage or other electrical fault. RCCBs do not protect against overloads or short circuits. You must pair them with an upstream Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) or Main Fuse, or install a combined RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent Protection) unit. Ensure the RCCBs current carrying capacity (e.g., 40A, 63A) matches or exceeds the rating of the upstream main circuit breaker to prevent overheating. RCCB is a nuisance if you have leakages in your home but rather bypassing it due to frequent tripping, you should clear the faults as explained. For houses with a single-phase connection, a 2-pole, 40A, 30mA RCCB is widely used for a single-family floor. However, the exact rating must match the buildings electrical load and cannot be lower than the upstream Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB). An RCCB of this rating from reputed manufacturers typically costs between 2,000 and 3,000. Cheaper options in the 1,0002,000 range are also available in the market. Always ensure that the RCCB carries the ISI mark. For houses with three phases connections, 4 pole RCCB should be used. The RCCB should be tested at least once a month by manually pressing the TEST button provided on the device. When the button is pressed, the RCCB should trip immediately and disconnect the power supply. This confirms that the RCCBs residual-current protection mechanism is functioning properly. Regular testing is important because an RCCB may remain unused for long periods, and its tripping mechanism can potentially become stiff or fail to operate properly. A monthly test provides a simple way to detect such problems before the protection is actually needed. When testing an RCCB, the circuit must be live because the test button operates electrically, not mechanically. Pressing the button injects a simulated leakage current into the internal circuit, causing the device to trip. After the RCCB trips during the test, reset it by moving the operating lever to the OFF position and then back to ON. If it does not trip when the TEST button is pressed, do not rely on the RCCB for protection. Have it inspected or replaced by a qualified electrician as soon as possible. Remember: An RCCB, that is not tested regularly, may give a false sense of security. Test it once a month to ensure that it can protect you when needed. As per the Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023, the use of electricity in an electrical installation is required to be controlled by a Residual Current Device (RCD). Regulation 44 further provides that, in a domestic installation, an RCD having a residual operating current not exceeding 30 mA shall be used, subject to the exception specified in the Regulation. Under Regulation 9.4 of the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission for the UT of Jammu & Kashmir and the UT of Ladakh (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations, 2023, the Distribution Licensee may disconnect the electricity supply where the wiring, apparatus, equipment or electrical installation at a consumers premises is found to be defective or where there is leakage of electricity, subject to the notice and other conditions prescribed under the Regulations. However, it is a matter of concern that only a tiny fraction of buildings in J&K are equipped with RCCBs. In view of this legal framework, the inspectors of JKPDD/Discoms should also verify the availability and proper functioning of RCCBs in every building at the Inspection Clearance stage as well as during Periodic Inspections. This is not only beneficial for the safety of building occupants and owners but also for the reliable operation of the Discoms power distribution system. Multiple earth leakages in the system can cause severe safety and infrastructure hazards, besides creating operational and protection issues. However, this can only be effectively achieved with the cooperation of building owners, who must recognize that the ultimate purpose of this legal framework is to ensure the safety of occupants and to prevent higher electricity bills resulting from electrical leakages. Disclaimer: The RCCB ratings and other specifications mentioned herein are indicative and intended for public awareness only. Since every building has unique electrical requirements, the electrical system should be designed by a qualified electrical professional. For safety and proper functioning; installation, testing, and commissioning should be carried out by an experienced electrician. Er. Bashir Ahmad Dar, Managing Director, JK Green Technologies, Former Managing Director, JKPTCL/ Secretary Technical, JKPDD.

CMs home constituency Ganderbal grapples with 10-hour power cuts despite 142 MW hydropower capacity

Ganderbal, Oct 29:Ganderbal, the home constituency of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, is grappling with prolonged and unscheduled power cuts, with residents reporting outages lasting eight to 10 hours daily despite the district hosting three hydropower projects with a combined installed capacity of 142 megawatts (MW). With winter approaching, residents across Ganderbal, Lar, Wayil, Kangan, Gund and other areas have expressed concern over the deteriorating power supply, alleging that unscheduled curtailments have added to their hardships. The district hosts the 15-MW Old Ganderbal Hydel Power Project, the 22-MW Upper Sindh Hydel Power Project-I at Sumbal and the 105-MW Upper Sindh Hydel Power Project-II at Kangan. However, the three projects are currently generating only 26 MW collectively. Official sources told Greater Kashmir that the decline in generation was primarily due to reduced water discharge. The Old Ganderbal project is generating no power, while USHP-I at Sumbal is producing 6 MW against its installed capacity of 22 MW, with one unit undergoing an overhaul. USHP-II at Kangan is generating 20 MW against its installed capacity of 105 MW. Residents said the situation had compounded their difficulties, questioning the authorities' failure to ensure a reliable electricity supply. It is shocking that instead of ensuring regular power supply, the Power Development Department is resorting to extended and unscheduled power cuts, said Showket Ahmed, a resident of Duderhama. Senior PDP leader and social activist Qaisar Sultan also questioned the authorities' accountability, saying prolonged outages continued even after scheduled shutdowns. Residents said repeated power cuts during morning and evening hours were affecting students' studies and disrupting daily life. They alleged that electricity was being curtailed beyond the announced schedule. Mohammad Altaf, a shopkeeper from Kangan, said residents were struggling despite living close to a hydropower project. We live right in the shadow of the Kangan powerhouse, yet our lamps flicker out every evening. It is a cruel irony to generate power for the grid while studying under candle flame, he said. Residents also reported adverse effects on small businesses, industrial units and healthcare facilities. Meanwhile, officials of the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) attributed the curtailments to the widening gap between electricity demand and available supply across the Valley. An official said load-shedding and grid curtailments were being implemented to prevent overloading at key receiving stations during peak demand hours. Residents have urged the authorities to adhere to the announced curtailment schedule and ensure a reliable power supply as winter demand increases.

Allah: repository of universal trust

Allah being the repository trust rests on being in possession of all things in heavens and earth, and in being full of wisdomacquainted with all things, as is laid down in following Holy Verses: Praise be to the Allah, to whom belongs all things in heavens and on earth: to Him be Praise in the Hereafter: and He is full of Wisdom, acquainted with all things. (Saba 34:1) The extent of Allah (SwT)s knowledge is infinite, as He Knows all that goes on in the earth and all that comes out of it, and He also has the ultimate knowledge of all that comes down from the sky and all that ascends up to it, as is laid down in the Holy Verse following the one noted above: He knows all that goes into the earth: and all that comes thereof: and all that comes down from the sky and all that ascends thereto, and He is the Most Merciful and Oft Forgiving (Saba 34:2) A glaring example of what goes into the earth is water, as it goes in, out of it sprouts forth all kinds of vegetable life of all varieties of which the seeds are sown, it replenishes numerous rills and streams. We may also speak of the vapours that arise from the earth and ascend to the sky, only to descend as rain &/or snowsymbols of Allahs Mercy, and of His Blessings. On a spiritual plane, we may account for the prayers of the devout, as also the call of those in agony for help and light, the calls that ascend to heavens above and get answered by descend of mercy and guidance, as also by help in innumerable forces, light as well to illuminate the path to righteousness. And how often in our acts of omission and commission, He remains Oft Forgiving.

Principal Census Officer stresses accurate Population Enumeration across Srinagars urban jurisdiction

Srinagar, Oct 29:Principal Census Officer (Urban), Srinagar (Commissioner SMC), Dr. Basharat Qayoom, today inaugurated a two-day training programme for Phase II of Census 2027 at the Central Office, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Karan Nagar, emphasising the need for accurate, systematic and comprehensive Population Enumeration across Srinagars urban jurisdiction. During the inaugural session, Dr. Basharat stressed that all census functionaries must discharge their assigned responsibilities with utmost diligence, precision and accountability to ensure the collection of reliable and error-free population data. He underscored the importance of complete coverage of assigned enumeration areas, accurate recording of individual-level particulars and strict adherence to the prescribed census methodology and guidelines. The Principal Census Officer emphasised the need for effective coordination among Charge Officers, Census Resource Personnel, Census Clerks, Technical Assistants and other functionaries to ensure uniform implementation of prescribed procedures. He highlighted the importance of systematic supervision, regular monitoring of progress, timely reporting and prompt resolution of operational challenges during the enumeration process. Dr. Basharat further stressed that particular attention must be given to preventing omissions, duplication and discrepancies in data collection. He underscored the importance of maintaining data quality, following prescribed technical procedures and ensuring the confidentiality and secure handling of census information. The training programme was attended by the City Census Officer (Urban), Charge Officers, Nodal Officers of SMC, Census Resource Personnel, Census Clerks and Technical Assistants. Experts from the Census Department, including Deputy Director, Assistant Director and District Coordinator, imparted detailed training on census methodology, operational procedures, technical requirements and the responsibilities of various census functionaries. The session will cover key aspects of Population Enumeration, including the collection, recording and verification of individual-level information, adherence to prescribed questionnaires, comprehensive coverage of assigned areas and measures to ensure accuracy and consistency in the data collected. Participants were also briefed on field-level procedures, supervisory mechanisms, digital tools and established reporting protocols. Phase II of Census 2027, comprising Population Enumeration, is a crucial component of the nationwide census exercise, involving the collection of individual-level demographic, socio-economic, educational and other prescribed particulars. The accuracy and completeness of this information are essential for developing a reliable population database. Census data provide a vital foundation for evidence-based policymaking, public administration and development planning. For urban local bodies, reliable population statistics are essential for assessing demographic trends, identifying emerging civic requirements and planning infrastructure and essential public services in accordance with the needs of the population. The two-day training programme marks an important step towards strengthening institutional preparedness and building the capacity of census functionaries for the accurate, coordinated and effective implementation of Phase II of Census 2027 across Srinagars urban jurisdiction.

Moul Mouj Foundation to Pilot Project SANMAAN in J&K

Srinagar, Oct 29:Moul Mouj Foundation (MMF), in collaboration with the Geriatric Orthopaedic Society of India (GOSI), will introduce Project SANMAAN, a pan-India initiative promoting senior citizens rights and dignity, as a pilot project in Jammu and Kashmir. Built on three pillarsEmpower, Protect and Sensitisethe initiative aims to raise awareness about the rights of older persons and protect them from neglect, abuse and exploitation. MMF will take the initiative forward through its Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies on Ageing (CISA), integrating it with its Intergenerational Communication Project and collaborating with universities, institutions and civil society organisations.

Caring for the elderly is a blessing, not just an obligation

Srinagar, Oct 29:Emphasising the need to respect, care for and stand by older persons, Vice Chancellor of the Cluster University, Srinagar, Prof. Mohammad Mobin, today called for greater sensitivity towards the elderly, observing that caring for them is a shared responsibility of families and society. Addressing a programme organised at Government College for Women (GCW), MA Road, Srinagar, as the Chief Guest, Prof. Mobin said older persons must not be left behind as society progresses. He reminded the audience that parents spend their most productive years raising their children, making sacrifices and building their futures. The time eventually comes when the younger generation must give back with the same love, patience and commitment, ensuring that their parents age with dignity, security and a sense of belonging. Under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, the programme was organised by RRTCAnugraha, Delhi, in collaboration with the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Government College for Women, MA Road, Srinagar, with Moul Mouj Foundation supporting the broader awareness initiative. Welcoming the participants, Principal GCW, Prof. Yasmeen Farooq Khan said that issues concerning older persons were close to the institutions heart. She observed that caring for elderly should be our priority, calling for greater compassion and understanding towards their needs. A special highlight of the programme was a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Zubair Saleem, Senior Geriatric Consultant, which brought together legal, law-enforcement, social and administrative perspectives on ageing. Kifayat Hussain Rizvi (IAS Retd.), former Commissioner/Secretary, J&K Government, brought the perspective of an experienced public servant, highlighting the need to ensure that retirement does not mean retirement from life. The discussion underscored the importance of respecting the wisdom, experience and continuing contributions of older persons. Tahir Ashraf (JKPS), Senior Superintendent of Police, SIA, addressed the growing threat of cybercrime targeting older persons, particularly digital arrest scams and financial fraud. The discussion highlighted the importance of digital awareness and the need for younger family members to help older persons navigate technology safely without compromising their independence. Tabassum Qadir Parray, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Srinagar, spoke on the legal rights and protection available to senior citizens, including remedies for neglect, abandonment and abuse under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. In her message, Aabha Chaudhary of RRTCAnugraha reaffirmed the organisations commitment to working for the welfare of older persons and spreading awareness about their social and legal rights. The programme featured an emotional skit by GCW MA Road students, cultural performances, a Wakathon and the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam plantation activity, promoting intergenerational bonding, respect and care for the elderly. Winners of the essay-writing competition on issues concerning senior citizens were announced, with Nausheen Qureshi securing first position, Ayesha Faisal second and Shifa Qureshi third. Certificates and cash prizes were distributed among the winners. The programme also recognised the contributions of the colleges alumni, former principals and faculty members, felicitating them for their association with the institution. Senior citizens participating from various organisations, including the Central Government Pensioners Welfare Association (CGPWA), Kashmir and Ahata Waqar, were also felicitated. Among those present were Registrar, Cluster University Srinagar, Prof. Wilayat Hussain Rizvi; Controller of Examinations, Prof. Khurshid Ahmad Mir; Dean, Sciences, Prof. Nighat Nasreen; Dean, Social Sciences, Dr. Javaid Ahmad Bhat; Prof. Masooda Yaseen; Mandip Kaur; GM Dilshad, besides students, senior citizens and representatives of various organisations. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Suhail, who expressed gratitude to the guests, participating organisations, faculty members, students and senior citizens for contributing to the success of the event.

France confers Legion of Honour on Sunil Bharti Mittal

Srinagar, Oct 29: France has conferred its highest civilian honour, the Legion of Honour, on Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening Indo-French economic ties and his achievements in telecommunications, digital infrastructure and satellite communications. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, presented Mittal with the insignia of Chevalier de lOrdre national de la Lgiondhonneur (Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour) during a ceremony at the Residence of France on October 28. Addressing the gathering, Mathou highlighted Mittals longstanding role in fostering economic partnerships between India and France, particularly through investments and collaborations in telecommunications, insurance and satellite communications. The conferring of the Chevalier de lOrdre national de la Lgiondhonneur on Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal comes in recognition of his outstanding contribution in promoting Indo-French economic ties, Mathou said. He noted that Mittal had strengthened business relations with France through partnerships involving AXA, the French multinational insurance group, and Alcatel-Lucent, the telecommunications equipment company. He also highlighted Mittals investment in Eutelsat, the French satellite communications company, as a contribution to Frances strategic ambitions in the space sector. According to Mathou, the honour reflects Frances appreciation of Mittals commitment to strengthening bilateral business relations through strategic partnerships, high-level diplomatic engagement and investments in satellite communications. Accepting the distinction, Mittal said he was humbled by the recognition from the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron. My association with France began at Airtels inception in 1992, when CompagnieGnrale des Eaux joined hands with Bharti to introduce mobile telephony in India, and continues today through my role as Vice-Prsident of Eutelsat, the European satellite champion, Mittal said. He expressed gratitude to Macron for the honour and reiterated his commitment to deepening economic relations between India and France. I accept this honour with gratitude to President Macron and with a renewed commitment to further deepen the economic ties between India and France, he said. The recognition comes as India and France continue to expand cooperation in strategic sectors, including space and digital technology, under their Special Global Strategic Partnership. Mittals role as vice-chairman of Eutelsat further underscores the growing importance of private-sector partnerships in advancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in satellite communications and digital connectivity.

Iqbalabad Bemina residents complain of unscheduled power cuts ahead of winter

Srinagar, Oct 29:Residents of Lane 4, Iqbalabad in Srinagars Bemina area on Thursday expressed resentment over frequent unscheduled power cuts, saying the irregular electricity supply was causing inconvenience to households and affecting students preparing for examinations ahead of winter. Residents said the area is fully metered and as per the scheduled curtailment, power cuts is to be limited to half an hour. But they said frequent and prolonged outages have become routine despite the prescribed schedule. Electricity is cut off at allmost everyday and such cuts are very common here, Syed Gayoor Iqbal, a local resident said that the situation has persisted despite repeated appeals to the concerned authorities. In a representation issued by the Welfare Committee of Iqbal Abad, Lane 4, residents said they were facing prolonged power cuts almost every night, along with frequent fluctuations in electricity supply during the day. They said the situation was particularly affecting schoolchildren, whose studies were being disrupted during the examination period due to unreliable electricity supply, especially during evening and night hours.

Nearly 1 in 2 health supplement samples tested in J&K fail standards

Srinagar, Oct 29:For people buying protein powders, calcium and vitamins or any other health supplement, the price on the label is just a small part of the equation. What should worry the consumers is whether the product contains what it claims, in the same quantity one requires, and is not laced with dangerous additives and impurities. In J&K, the concern has been exaggerated by the recent findings by the Food and Drugs Administration (Drug and Food Control Organisation). It found of the 328 nutraceutical samples collected over six months, 136 were found non-conforming to prescribed standards. That translates into more than four out of every 10 samples failing the checks, necessary for safety of consumers. Commendably, more samples have been taken by the J&K FDA, for a better clarity on what is in the bottles and strips that consumers pay a hefty amount for. The findings bring to focus the quality of products marketed for health and nutrition. Although the findings do not establish that all the failed products were unsafe or ineffective, the officials in the department said many were found to have active ingredients less than what was written on the label. Many, the officials said, had preservatives that had not even been declared on the label. Further testing, they said, is going on. For consumers, product claims and packaging are the main sources of information available while purchasing. The concerns are not limited to J&K. Just last week, samples of iron injection, multi-vitamins and calcium failed tests carried out by CDSCO, GoI. Haryana, and some other states FDA has also started a drive on testing of neautraceuticals. An independent study led by hepatologistDrCyriac Abby Philipsexamined 36 popular protein supplements sold in India. The results were disturbing there were discrepancies between declared and measured protein content. There also was detection of contaminants in some products. The results of this study were published in the journal Medicine in April 2024. Carried out under the banner - the Citizens Protein Project, it examined protein content, fungal toxins, pesticide residues, heavy metals, steroids and other compounds. The tests, that had been carried out at the most advanced labs in India, found most of the products did not meet their labelled protein content, while some contained higher-than-declared amounts. This raised concerns about possible protein or amino-acid spiking. Shockingly, aflatoxins were also detected in four products, while pesticide residues and heavy metals were also traced in some of the samples. The study, perhaps the only one of its kind in India, highlighted why declared nutritional content and laboratory verification matter to consumers who pay for specific ingredients and quantities. A consumer buying a supplement for its advertised protein content or nutritional composition is, in many cases, not getting exactly what the label promises. Nutraceuticals and health supplements are subject to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's regulatory framework, including the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Foods and Novel Foods) Regulations, 2016, alongside other applicable food safety and labelling requirements.

HC strikes down water usage charges on hydel projects

Srinagar, Oct 29:In a significant decision, the High Court of J&K and Ladakh Thursday struck down the levy of water usage charges on hydropower projects under the Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act, 2010. In response to independent power producers pleas, which it allowed finally, a Division Bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar and Justice Rajnesh Oswal declared the Act of 2010 ultra vires the constitution to extent it imposed water usage charges upon the aggrieved companies and struck it down to that extent. The court noted that the charges effectively amounted to a tax on electricity generation that the erstwhile state legislature was not competent to impose, even as it restrained the government from imposing any tax on the generation of electricity under the garb of water usage charges or any other tax. Eleven independent power producers (IPPs) had petitioned court through their counsel, Shariq J Reyaz while two others had approached it through senior advocate Pranav Kohli, challenging the levy of charges for the use of water in generating hydroelectricity. The companies had questioned the legality of the charges imposed under the 2010 Act, contending that the use of water by hydropower projects was non-consumptive and that the levy, in substance, amounted to a tax on electricity generation rather than a fee for the use of water. They had also challenged the demand notices issued by the authorities in respect of water usage charges for generation of electricity pursuant to the provisions contained in the act. Opposing the pleas, the J&K government defended the levy with the contention that water resources fell within the legislative domain of the state and that the charges were regulatory in nature. In its stand, the Union of India had maintained that the state legislature was not competent to impose a tax on electricity generation, as the relevant constitutional entry empowers states to tax the consumption or sale of electricity, but not its generation. Disagreeing with the J&K governments stand, the court noted that the nature of a levy had to be determined by its substance and actual operation rather than the nomenclature assigned to it. The bench observed that the charges were calculated with reference to the head height from which water was used to propel turbines, rather than the quantity of water drawn or consumed. This indicated that the levy was linked to the electricity-generating potential of the water, it noted. Moreover, the court observed that the charges collected from hydropower projects were intended to fund the establishment of hydel and multipurpose hydroelectric projects, purchase of existing projects, investment in transmission and distribution networks, and procurement of electricity by the government or its entities. Since the levy was not linked to any specific service rendered to the hydropower projects, it possessed the character of a tax rather than a water usage fee, the court underscored. The erstwhile state legislature, it said, lacked the competence to impose such a tax when the legislation was enacted in 2010. Even if it is assumed that usage charges constitute a tax on water and not a tax on generation of electricity, still then the respondent-State does not have a case to save the legislation, the bench said, adding, This is so because even if it is assumed that the land includes water or that water is mineral still then in the face of nature of categorization of various fields in entries appearing in the State List, it becomes clear that waterfalls under a separate and distinct category whereas land and minerals fall under distinct categories. While the water has been categorized separately under Entry 17 of List-II, the court said, the land has been categorised separately under Entry 18 of List-II with taxing Entry 49. Taxing entry for minerals is Entry 50 of List-II. However, there is no taxing entry in the State List in respect of the water, the court said. It also rejected J&K governments argument that the subsequent adoption of the Act of 2010 under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, could validate a provision that was unconstitutional at its inception. The argument appears to be an attempt in desperation to save the impugned legislation. If we have a look at the provisions of the J&K Reorganisation Act, it becomes clear that what is being provided under the said Act is saving of certain State enactments and repeal of certain others, the court said. It also said that the legislation also provides for extension of Central enactments to the UTs of J&K and Ladakh and adoption of State enactments. Merely because the Act provides for adoption of State enactments and saves their application to UTs of J&K and Ladakh, the enactments do not become the enactments passed by the Parliament, the court underlined. If we accept the said argument, it would lead to absurdities. It shall result in a situation where a subject which, as per the Reorganisation Act, is reserved for the UT of J&K for legislative and executive powers, would become a subject of the Union Government, the court said This is not the intention of the J&K Reorganisation Act. In fact, Section 32(1) of the said Act clearly delineates the subjects over which the UT of J&K has legislative and executive powers. Merely because the certain State Acts have been adopted in terms of the J&K Re-organisation Act, which is an enactment of the Parliament, the adopted enactments would not cease to be enactments of the State of UT of J&K. The court concluded by declaring the relevant provisions of the 2010 Act ultra vires the constitution and struck them down insofar as they imposed water usage charges on the petitioners' hydropower projects.

17.76 lakh smart electricity meters installed in J&K

Srinagar, Oct 29:Jammu and Kashmir has installed 17.76 lakh smart electricity meters, while the installation of more than 43,000 meters on distribution transformers remains incomplete, according to an official document accessed by Greater Kashmir. The document, detailing the progress of power-sector works under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and the Prime Ministers Development Package (PMDP), shows that 17,76,576 consumer smart meters have been installed against a target of 20,52,784. The administration aims to complete all sanctioned RDSS smart-meter installations by March 2027. The figures show that consumer metering has progressed further than some of the other works needed to modernise the electricity distribution system. These include installing meters on transformers, replacing old conductors and strengthening the network to improve power supply and reduce electricity losses. The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has completed 85 per cent of its infrastructure works under RDSS, compared with 67 percent by the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL). Overall, 78 percent of the infrastructure work has been completed. The revised cost of these projects stands at Rs 5,842.78 crore. Of this, Rs 2,453.52 crore had been spent by September 30, 2026. Under RDSS, KPDCL has installed 5,70,432 consumer meters against a target of 6,85,700, achieving 83 percent progress. JPDCL has installed 5,73,806 against its target of 7,21,346, completing 79.55 per cent of the planned installations. The gap is wider in the installation of distribution transformer (DT) meters. These meters measure the electricity passing through transformers that supply power to local areas and help electricity departments identify where power losses may be occurring. KPDCL has installed 21,742 DT meters against a target of 40,670, while JPDCL has installed 17,178 against 41,526. Together, the two corporations have installed 38,920 of the 82,196 meters planned under RDSS, leaving 43,276 pending. Meters installed on electricity feeders, which carry power into different parts of the distribution network, are almost complete. KPDCL has installed 1477 of its 1485 sanctioned feeder meters, while JPDCL has completed all 661 installations. The official document also records that the smart-metering component under PMDP Phase I and II has been completed, with 6,32,338 consumer meters and 13,400 DT meters installed. Apart from metering, the programme includes work to strengthen electricity infrastructure. The document records the installation of 3,66,700 electricity poles and the laying of 18,723 kilometres of aerial-bunched cable, which bundles insulated electricity wires together. Such cables can help reduce accidental contact with exposed wires and make certain forms of electricity theft more difficult. Other works include replacing or strengthening 3817 circuit kilometres of conductors, laying 390 kilometres of 11 kV aerial-bunched cable and carrying out work involving 11,780 distribution transformers. Progress varies across these components. Pole installation has reached 80.36 percent, while aerial-bunched cabling is 70.06 percent complete. Conductor works have reached 40.30 percent, and 11 kV cabling stands at 39.37 percent. Distribution transformer-related works have reached 57.71 percent. The document also identifies a further expansion under RDSS Phase III, with 14.95 lakh smart meters approved. RECPDCL has been designated as the implementing agency, tenders have been floated, and Letters of Award have reportedly been issued to Genius for Jammu and Techno for Kashmir. The metering programme is proceeding alongside a revision in electricity tariffs. The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission approved an average tariff increase of 6.83 percent for 2026-27, effective from September 1, 2026. The actual increase in an electricity bill depends on the consumer category, units consumed and applicable tariff rates. Smart meters record electricity consumption electronically and can help improve the accuracy of bills. When used effectively, they can also help power companies monitor consumption, improve revenue collection and identify losses. However, installing a smart meter does not automatically guarantee lower bills, uninterrupted power supply or reduced electricity losses. The J&K Economic Survey 2024-25 reported that aggregate technical and commercial losses fell between 2022-23 and 2023-24 from 55.41 percent to 35.26 percent in Kashmir and from 30.79 percent to 21.18 percent in Jammu. These losses broadly reflect electricity that is lost or for which distribution companies do not receive payment. The improvement coincided with smart-metering expansion and other measures, and cannot be attributed to smart meters alone.

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Indias drug pricing policy must balance affordability, medicine availability and pharma industry growth

The Government of India has recently capped trade margins on anti-cancer medicines at 30%. This decision has reignited the ongoing discussion about drug pricing and accessibility. The existing regulatory framework aims to provide affordable medicines while supporting the pharmaceutical industry. Ensuring pricing transparency and targeted interventions can help address excessive margins in the supply chain. The ultimate goal remains to enhance patients' access to quality medicines at reasonable prices.

Anti-cancer medicines: How to protect the patient today without weakening India's healthcare capacity for tomorrow

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Who guards Indias digital gatekeepers?

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Deputy CM dismisses BJP's charge on representation of Jammu leaders in J-K cabinet

Jammu, Oct 29: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday said the BJP which called Independent MLA Satish Sharma Satish Abdullah is now shedding crocodile tears over his removal from the cabinet in a recent reshuffle. Countering the BJP's charge that the National Conference government had neglected Hindu leaders from the Jammu division, Choudhary alleged that the BJP had attempted to politically damage him and Sharma and had even branded them as Jaichands -- traitors -- in the past. I feel sad that Satish Sharma is no longer part of our cabinet. He was my colleague in the government until yesterday. But I am surprised to see the BJP shedding crocodile tears over his removal when the same party used to call Satish Sharma Satish Abdullah and me Surinder Abdullah, Choudhary told reporters during a visit to a market in railway station area here where a fire erupted. If the BJP had such objections to us, why is it expressing concern now over Satish Sharma's removal? The BJP in Jammu tried to get both Satish Sharma and Surinder Choudhary dropped, he alleged. Choudhary thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah for retaining him in the cabinet and continuing to repose faith in him as deputy chief minister. The National Conference gave Jammu honour and respect by appointing a Hindu leader as deputy chief minister. After the chief minister, the deputy CM holds the second-highest position in the government, he said. Referring to BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi's allegation that the NC had become a Muslim Conference, Choudhary questioned the BJP's claims of secularism and inclusive governance. The BJP talks about Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. I want to ask the party whether it has appointed even one Muslim as a minister, CM or deputy CM in the governments it runs across the country or in central government he said. He challenged the BJP to explain why it was questioning the National Conference's credentials on representation when the party had elected Hindu representatives from Jammu and appointed him deputy CM. Choudhary also asserted that his Jat background did not make him any less Hindu or Dogra. Is Surinder Choudhary not a Hindu? Is a Jat not a Hindu? If I am not a Hindu, then the BJP should explain which communities it considers Hindu and which castes it recognises as part of Sanatan Dharma, he said. I am a devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi and a believer in Mata Durga. Whatever position I have reached today, I believe it is because of their blessings. The remarks made yesterday have hurt me because questions were raised against the entire Jat community, he said. Choudhary also invoked the historical association of the Dogra community with Maharaja Hari Singh's rule, saying members of the Jat community had also served during that period. He questioned the BJP's position on Dogra identity, arguing that the party had repeatedly claimed that Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians in Jammu could all be Dogras. If every person in Jammu, irrespective of religion, can be called a Dogra, then why is a Jat leader being questioned about his Hindu and Dogra identity? he asked. The deputy CM also expressed disappointment with BJP spokesperson Sunil Sethi, referring to his family association with former legislator Krishan Dev Sethi, whom Choudhary said he had admired and learnt from during his formative years. He further challenged the BJP to substantiate its allegations of corruption against him and asked the party to explain the sources of wealth of its own leaders. If the BJP has the courage, let it name the leaders who accumulated wealth after 2014, established stone crushers and factories, acquired vehicles and machinery, or opened big malls. Before pointing fingers at others, the BJP should look into its own affairs, he said. Accusing the BJP of damaging Jammu, Choudhary also questioned its response to the fire at Shiv Market, where several shops were gutted, and said the focus should remain on the suffering of affected traders. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expanded his council of ministers on Tuesday with the induction of four new faces from the Kashmir valley, triggering internal party discontent and protests, even as the opposition BJP hit out at the ruling alliance over egional and cultural imbalance. With all four inductees hailing from Kashmir, the expansion has shifted the balance of the cabinet in the two-year-old government heavily towards the valley. Seven ministers in the now 9-member council hail from Kashmir, while Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary and Javaid Rana remain the only two representatives from the Jammu region. Independent MLA from Chhamb, Satish Sharma, was dropped from the cabinet to accommodate the new inductees.

Four injured in multi-vehicle collision on NH-44 in Ramban

Ramban, Oct 29: Four persons were injured after a truck and two cars collided on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) in the Dalwas area of Ramban district on Thursday, officials said. An official said that the accident occurred near the New Petrol Pump at Dalwas when a truck bearing a Uttar Pradesh registration number collided with two cars travelling from Jammu towards Srinagar. He said four persons sustained injuries in the collision and were shifted to District Hospital Ramban for treatment. Their identities were not immediately known. Police have taken cognizance of the incident and a probe is underway.(KNO)

J&K weather to remain mostly dry after Friday, says MeT

Jammu market fire: Govt to extend assistance to affected shopkeepers, says Dy CM

Jammu, Oct 29: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday said the government would extend all possible assistance to those who suffered losses in the devastating blaze in the Shiva market here, and help them restart their businesses. A massive fire had ripped through the market early Sunday, gutting around 40 shops and reducing a bustling commercial stretch to rubble. Choudhary, who visited the market and interacted with shopkeepers, said the fire had destroyed the livelihood of several middle-class traders who had invested beyond their means in stocking goods ahead of Diwali and other festivals. This is a prominent and very old market near the railway station. I have visited this market many times and purchased goods here. These are mostly middle-class shopkeepers who had invested beyond their capacity in their businesses, he told reporters here. The government will extend whatever special assistance is possible. It is the government's responsibility and duty to stand by people in their time of distress, he said. The deputy chief minister said he had visited the market on the directions of the chief minister, who was currently in Delhi for important meetings and was expected to return to Jammu on November 2. He said he had interacted with Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Arun Gupta, the market president and members of the market committee to assess the losses and understand the concerns of the affected traders. I will arrange a meeting of the affected shopkeepers with the chief minister. I will also call the deputy commissioner and the Jammu Development Authority vice chairman to the Secretariat to discuss what can be done to help them, he said. Acknowledging that the assistance available under the existing guidelines might be limited, the deputy chief minister said the government would explore the possibility of extending relief on a special-case basis. If we strictly go by the MHA guidelines and the existing rules, these poor traders may not receive much assistance. But this is a special case because their livelihood is at stake, he said. However, he cautioned against making unrealistic promises. To say that we can compensate them 100 per cent for their losses would be impossible and would amount to making a false promise. But I can assure you that the government will extend full cooperation, to the extent possible, as a special case to help them restart their livelihoods, he said. He noted that the timing of the fire had compounded the losses as traders had stocked up on goods for Diwali, Vishwakarma Puja and Bhai Dooj. The deputy chief minister said he was informed that one trader had stocked goods worth Rs 50 lakh just two days before the incident. Imagine what he must be going through. The goods have been destroyed, and the damage to the shops is also extensive. Iron rods have come out of the roofs, which gives an idea of how intense and devastating the fire was, he said. The deputy chief minister urged the affected shopkeepers to prepare a memorandum outlining their demands and submit it to the chief minister during the proposed meeting. He also said traders could undertake minor repairs to their shops ahead of Diwali, which falls on November 8. Stressing that the issue should not be politicised, he said his visit was motivated by humanitarian considerations and the responsibility of an elected government towards those affected by the tragedy. This is not a political statement. It is a matter of humanity and the duty of a responsible government. We will try to find a solution so that these traders can resume their businesses, he said.

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LG felicitates winners of Pedal Through Paradise; calls youth 'greatest strength of the nation'

Srinagar, Oct 29 : Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today felicitated the winners of the Pedal Through Paradise cycling event and lauded the enthusiasm, determination and aspirations displayed by the participants. Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said that the event reflected the optimism, self-confidence and vibrant spirit of a new Jammu Kashmir, driven by the energy and talent of its youth. The Lieutenant Governor commended the Jammu Kashmir Police for extending their role beyond security and law enforcement through meaningful community outreach initiatives. He said that the programmes such as Pedal Through Paradise demonstrate a commitment to strengthening bonds of trust with citizens by combining discipline with inspiration and duty with social responsibility. Initiatives such as Pedal Through Paradise are testimony to the fact that the Jammu Kashmir Police have combined security with compassion, discipline with inspiration, and duty with social commitment, so that bonds of the heart may be forged with the people of the Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir, he said. The Lieutenant Governor said that the achievement of winners symbolises the changing face of Jammu Kashmir and highlighted the potential of youth to contribute to inclusive growth and national development. He observed that the Civic Action Programmes of the Jammu Kashmir Police have created new opportunities for youth engagement, skill development and sporting excellence, fostering confidence and constructive participation in society. The story of Jammu Kashmir is no longer confined to the challenges of the past but it is also the story of the efforts of the present and the possibilities of the future, he said, as per a statement, issued by his office. The Lieutenant Governor noted that Jammu Kashmir is emerging as a land of possibilities where youth are excelling in sports, education, innovation and entrepreneurship. He emphasized that the true progress of any region is secured when its youth have access to opportunities, confidence in their abilities and a strong sense of unity. I have always emphasised that the true upliftment of any region occurs when its youth have faith in their eyes, opportunities in their hands, and a feeling of unity in their hearts. I am confident that events such as Pedal Through Paradise will inspire the youth of Jammu Kashmir to contribute significantly to the development of the nation through their talent, hard work, and determination, he said. The Lieutenant Governor stated that initiatives like Pedal Through Paradise and Jashn-e-Dal are more than sporting competitions and they inspire discipline, perseverance and resilience among participants. He called upon citizens to embrace positive ideas, knowledge and innovation for collective advancement. He said the youth power is the nations greatest asset and encouraged young generation to actively participate in sports and community programmes. He also reiterated the importance of building a drug-free Jammu Kashmir, stressing that society must support and rehabilitate those affected by substance abuse with empathy and care. The Lieutenant Governor urged all stakeholders to work together for peace, progress and a healthy, prosperous and secure Jammu Kashmir, and congratulated all participants for carrying forward the spirit of positive change through sports. It is the collective responsibility of all of us to provide the youth with platforms where their energy receives a positive direction, their talent receives encouragement, and their dreams receive the opportunity to be realised. All sections of society must participate in the fight against drugs. We must take three resolves today- first, we will always move forward for peace, we will move forward for progress and we will move forward to build a healthy, prosperous, secure, and bright Jammu Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor said. Nalin Prabhat, DGP; S.J.M.Gillani, Special DG Coordination PHQ; Abdul Ghani Mir, Commandant General Home Guards; Nitish Kumar, ADGP Armed; Ashok Yadav, ADG, BSF; Alok Kumar, Director, Fire & Emergency Services; senior officers of Police and Civil Administration; members of Cycling Associations, prominent citizens and youth in large number attended the felicitation ceremony.

Sports can help youth overcome mobile phone addiction: DGP Prabhat

Srinagar, Oct 29: Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat on Thursday urged young people to take part in sporting activities to promote physical and mental fitness, overcome mobile phone addiction and steer clear of social evils such as drug abuse and gambling. Addressing participants at the Pedal Through Paradise cycling event in Srinagar, Prabhat said sports instil discipline and resilience among young people while contributing to a healthier society. Cycling is not just a symbol of a healthy lifestyle. Apart from making you physically strong, it also makes you mentally resilient and helps you develop discipline, he said. Highlighting the growing problem of excessive mobile phone use, the DGP said, Today, the biggest problem across the world is smartphone or cellphone addiction. We are constantly on screens, and this is neither good for our health nor for the prosperity of society. He said sporting activities could help people break away from excessive screen time and sedentary lifestyles, which contribute to health problems and impose a burden on society. Prabhat paid tribute to 1,621 police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty, saying their sacrifices had helped create conditions for sporting events and other constructive activities in Jammu and Kashmir. He credited the youth for contributing to the strengthening of peace in the Union Territory and said sports could help them channel their aspirations positively. Our youth are our asset. You are our future, and it is because of you that progress will take place here, a hundred times more than what has been achieved so far, he said. The DGP said Jammu and Kashmir Police was committed to engaging young people through various programmes and helping eliminate social evils. We are committed to continuously engaging with our youth through different programmes and trying to eliminate all the evils in society, whether it is drug abuse or gambling, he said. Prabhat also announced a series of sporting events to be organised in honour of police martyrs, including a hockey tournament and a cricket tournament, besides the Martyrs Memorial Football Tournament in Srinagar. A Run for Unity event is also scheduled to be held in Jammu. He said 28 indoor and open-air games were being organised across the Union Territory. Referring to recent sporting events, the DGP said the Jashn-e-Dal marathon had drawn around 6,000 participants, the highest participation recorded in the police-led activities so far. Women and young people participated across 46 categories, he added. Congratulating the winners and thanking participants, Prabhat said the success of sporting events depended on large-scale public participation. If there is no participation on such a large scale, the programme cannot become what we want it to be, he said. He also thanked the Additional Director General of Police, Armed Police, Nitish Kumar, the organising committee and other partners for making the cycling event successful.

J&K govt forms panel for time-bound resolution of old pension scheme coverage cases

Jammu, Oct 29: The Jammu and Kashmir government has constituted a committee, chaired by the director general of accounts and treasuries, to ensure the time-bound resolution of cases concerning government employees' coverage under the old pension scheme (OPS), an official order said. The finance department issued the committee's constitution order pursuant to an earlier order dated September 28, concerning employees appointed against posts or vacancies advertised or notified before the introduction of the new pension scheme (NPS). The committee will coordinate with administrative departments, the J&K funds organisation, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), and the designated central record-keeping agency, Protean e-gov Technologies Ltd, to facilitate processing and resolving eligible cases, the order said. It will also oversee the transfer of the accumulated pension corpus to the government exchequer and, where applicable, to subscribers' General Provident Fund (GPF) accounts, in accordance with the prescribed procedure. The six-member committee comprises the joint director (central), funds organisation, joint director (central), directorate general of accounts and treasuries, joint director (codes), finance department, deputy director (resources), finance department, chief accounts officer, DGAT, who will serve as member secretary, and Deputy director (budget), finance department. As per the order, the committee will coordinate with the concerned administrative departments to determine employees' eligibility, ensure complete cases are submitted to the finance department, and facilitate the allotment of GPF account numbers to employees whose OPS coverage has been approved by the competent authority. It will also address procedural and technical issues related to the transfer of pension funds and coordinate the completion of NPS-related transactions and financial reconciliation. The committee has been directed to submit periodic progress reports to the administrative secretary, finance department, detailing the number of cases received, scrutinised, recommended and approved, along with those pending at various stages and the reasons for delays. The order reiterates that the concerned administrative departments will remain responsible for verifying service particulars, relevant advertisements or notifications and appointment records, and certifying employees' eligibility under the applicable government orders. The NPS cell of the directorate general of accounts and treasuries will provide secretarial, technical and coordination support to the committee.

EOW Kashmir chargesheets five accused in forgery, fraudulent sale of migrant property

Srinagar, Oct 29: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet five persons accused allegedly involved in cheating, forgery and fraudilent sale of migrant property, officials said on Thursday. The officials said the chargesheet has been filed in FIR No. 34/2017 under Sections 420, 419, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B RPC before the court of CJM Sopore againstBrij Nath, son of Tara Chand, resident of Amit Nagar Muthi Jammu; Gh. Mohi-Ud-din Dar, son of Ab Khaliq Dar, resident of Samson Budgam, Gh. Mohd Sheikh, son of Ab. Ahad Sheikh, resident of Sachin Banit Beerwah Budgam; Zahoor Ahmed Dar, son of Gh. Mohammad Dar, resident of Margipora Pattan; and Reyaz Ahmad Rather, son of Mohd Sultan Rather, resident of Margaripora Pattan Baramulla. In a press statement, an EOW spokesperson said, The case was registered on a written complaint alleging fraudulent sale of 14 kanals and 3 marlas of land bearing Survey No. 349 at Mouza Wussan, Goshbugh Pattan, owned by Jawahar Lal Bhat. Despite payments exceeding Rs. 1 crore, possession was not handed over nor the amount refunded. Investigation revealed that the accused individuals hatched a criminal conspiracy in connivance with each other to cheat the complainant by resorting to impersonation, fabricated identity documents and misuse of a purported Power of Attorney. Two of the accused, Brij Nath @ Soom Nath @ Hadi Nath @ Mohan Lal and Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar were arrested in late September. Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar secured bail, while Brij Nath remains in Central Jail. Other cases against both accused are also under investigation. The Economic Offences Wing Srinagar had earlier filed a chargesheet in Case FIR No. 27/2021 in August 2023 against Brij Nath Bhat, S/o Late Tara Chand Bhat, R/o Indira Nagar, Srinagar (A/P House No. 156, Amit Nagar, Muthi, District Jammu), and Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, S/o Abdul Ahad Sheikh, R/o Sachen Bannet, Beerwah, District Budgam, making this the second chargesheet filed against both accused persons, he said. SSP EOW Kashmir advised the public to verify land ownership and documents thoroughly before property transactions to prevent fraud and financial losses.

Woman killed, three injured, including minor girl, in tempo accident in Reasis Arnas

Reasi, Oct 29: A woman was killed while three others, including a minor girl, were injured after a tempo met with an accident near Alas Galla Mor, Village Dhanour, Tehsil Arnas in District Reasi. Officials said that the accident involved a vehicle bearing registration number JK02-8908, which met with an accident in the area. In the mishap, one woman died on the spot while three persons sustained injuries. The injured, including a minor girl, were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, where their condition is stated to be stable. Police have taken cognizance of the incident and further investigation is underway to ascertain the cause of the accident.(GNS)

US warns allies to prepare for possible Iran strikes, retaliation after elections, AP sources say

The conflict has spread, with Iran-backed Houthi rebels carrying out attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure and airports

Over 3,000 participate in Pedal Through Paradise cycle race at Dal Lake

'Pedal Through Paradise reflects growing fitness awareness in Kashmir: ADGP

Srinagar, Oct 29: Over 3,000 people participated in the Pedal Through Paradise 2026 cycle race organised by J&K Police in Srinagar on Thursday, with ADGP Armed Nitish Kumar saying the turnout reflected growing awareness about fitness in Kashmir. We had around 5,000 entries in this race. And now, as you can see, more than 3,000 people have participated, Kumar told reporters. He said organised under the Fit India initiative, the event featured different categories, including children, women and participants above the age of 45. This is a very auspicious occasion. And it shows how awareness has increased towards fitness in Kashmir. And how people are passionate about health, he said. Highlighting the participation of young children, Kumar said one child had even come in a cradle to participate in the race. He said a concluding ceremony would be held at the Police Golf Course, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was the chief guest, and the participants and winners would be awarded. Kumar congratulated everyone who contributed to making the event successful.(KNO)

AGs Office FC beat JK Bank Academy in Srinagar Premier Division League

Srinagar, Oct 28:AGs Office FC secured a victory over JK Bank Academy in Wednesdays encounter of the My Youth My Pride Srinagar Premier Division Football League 202627 at TRC Synthetic Turf, Srinagar. AGs Office FC, as per a DFA statement, showcased a strong performance to emerge victorious, while JK Bank Academy put up a fight in the ongoing league organised by the District Football Association (DFA) Srinagar.

DC Srinagar attends final at GCoE, felicitates winning teams

Srinagar, Oct 28: Deputy Commissioner (DC), Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, attended the final of the 5th Edition of the Inter-College Mens Volleyball Tournament 2026, held at the Multipurpose Hall of Government College of Education (GCoE), M.A. Road, Srinagar on Wednesday.

Northern Knights top Group B in CBSE National Cricket Tournament

Srinagar, Oct 28: The Northern Knights team is putting up an impressive performance in the CBSE National Boys Cricket Tournament 2026. In the league matches being held at Velammal School in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, the team has secured three victories out of four matches, placing itself at the top of Group B. As per a statement issued, under the able guidance of Coach Manish, the players have demonstrated excellent sportsmanship, discipline, and teamwork.

J&Ks Tabish Mushtaq wins gold at All India University Thang-Ta championship

Srinagar, Oct 28:Tabish Mushtaq, a student of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Kashmir, secured first place and a gold medal at the All-India University Thang-Ta Championship 20262027 held in Manipur. As per a statement issued, her remarkable achievement reflects her dedication, discipline, and years of hard work in martial arts. Representing her university at the national-level competition, Tabish brought pride and recognition to IUST and Jammu and Kashmir. Her victory marks another significant milestone in her sporting journey and serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the region.

SMVDSC athletes shine at Kashmir Marathon, judo championship

Katra, Oct 28:Athletes trained at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sports Complex (SMVDSC) have brought laurels to the institution through their outstanding performances in athletics and judo, showcasing their exceptional talent, determination and competitive spirit at prestigious sporting events. As per a statement issued, in a remarkable performance at the Kashmir Marathon held on October 25, two athletes trained at SMVDSC swept the top two positions in the 21-km (Half Marathon) category. Kriti clinched the first position, completing the race in an impressive time of 1 hour, 37 minutes and 1 second (1:37:01), while Sakshi secured the second position with timing of 1 hour, 39 minutes and 41 seconds (1:39:41).

Ovais Hakak leads winners at District Pulwama Cycling Championship

Srinagar, Oct 28: The Cycling Association of Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday organised the District Pulwama Cycling Championship at Pampore, Pulwama, under the supervision of J&K State Sports Council. The race, as per a statement, was flagged off by Faheem Ali, Retired SSP. In U-12 category Affan Showkat (Khrew), Shamid Amin (Khrew), M. Muneer Bhat (Pampore) got first three positions respectively as Lukmaan Imtiyaz (Konibal), Zaid Bin Hilal (Khrew) Mustafa Syed (Khrew) secured first three positions. In U-14 Yasir Ahmad Wani (Shar-i-Shalli), Taha Bin Showkat (Shar-i-Shalli), Riyaan Muneer (Khrew) got first three positions while as Under-19 Musaib Mushtaq (Pampore), Arif Rehman (Pampore), Zaid Bin Zameer (Namlabal, Pampore) got first three positions. In the Open Category Ovais Hakak, Showkat Ahmad, Ishtiyaq Rasool got first three positions. Speaking on the occasion, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat said that the position holders would be selected to represent the district in the forthcoming State Cycling Championship. He appreciated the efforts of all participants and thanked the concerned police station CMO Pampore for its full cooperation, support and efficient traffic management during the event.

NC leaders, workers congratulate ministers Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamim Firdous

Srinagar, Oct 28: The party leaders, legislators and office-bearers of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference from various areas Wednesday called upon newly inducted Minister Haji Ali Mohammad Sagar at his residence and extended congratulations and conveyed their best wishes. Sagar, as per a party statement, urged party functionaries to further strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level, improve coordination among office-bearers and maintain close contact with party workers and the public across Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasised the need to remain accessible to people, share their joys and sorrows, and utilise their influence at every level to highlight public grievances and ensure their redressal. He reaffirmed his commitment to making every possible effort, in his capacity as a minister, to live up to public expectations. Meanwhile, party leaders, office-bearers, workers and prominent citizens also met Minister Shamim Firdous at her residence in Baghat Barzulla and congratulated her. Both ministers expressed their gratitude to the party leadership, particularly National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

LG Sinha releases Mission Sahasi poster, backs womens safety initiative

Srinagar, Oct 28: A delegation of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday. The delegation, as per an official statement, comprising Gaurav Attri, Zonal Organising Secretary, ABVP; Tilak Thakur, State Organising Secretary, ABVP Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh; Akeel Ahmad Tantray, National Executive Member, ABVP; and Anjum Saqib, Co-Convenor, Students for Seva (SFS), briefed the Lieutenant Governor on the upcoming initiative Mission Sahasi. The Lieutenant Governor commended the ABVPs initiative aimed at womens empowerment, self-defence training, confidence-building, and encouraging greater awareness about personal safety. On the occasion, the poster for Mission Sahasi was also released. As part of the initiative, ABVP will organise programmes with the objective of reaching out to students in educational institutions and local communities. Through self-defence training and awareness activities, the initiative seeks to nurture courage, discipline, confidence, and a sense of security among young women. ABVP will train 25,000 girl students across the Union Territories of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh.

New ministers to improve grievance redressal, speed up development: MLA Tanvir Sadiq

Srinagar, Oct 28:The J&K National Conference Chief Spokesperson and MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq Wednesday said elected National Conference government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, is making sustained efforts to promote public welfare, ensure the delivery of basic amenities and accelerate the pace of development. As per a statement issued, he said the induction of four additional ministers into the Council of Ministers will provide people with more opportunities to bring their issues and grievances to the attention of the concerned authorities and seek their resolution. He said the expansion of the Council of Ministers would create further opportunities to closely monitor the functioning of various departments, regularly review the progress of development projects and expedite the implementation of decisions in accordance with public needs. He made these comments on the sidelines during a visit to various areas of the Zadibal constituency, where he reviewed ongoing development projects. During the tour, Tanvir Sadiq visited the Aasar-i-Sharief Dargah Hazratbal, the shrine of Mehboob-ul-Aalam Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Makhdoomi (RA), Ganesh Temple, the shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi at Machama, Shri Bhat, and Madin Sahib Hawal. He inspected the ongoing construction and development works at these religious sites. He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had released substantial funds for the development of religious places and the restoration of their former glory. He urged local residents to monitor the progress and quality of the works to ensure the effective utilisation of public funds. Tanvir Sadiq also visited Rainawari Hospital, where he reviewed ongoing construction works and sought details regarding the medical facilities available to patients and the hospital's requirements. He urged the hospital administration to ensure better healthcare services and make adequate arrangements for patients, so that they and their attendants could be spared the inconvenience of long queues and unnecessary waiting. Tanvir Sadiq interacted with local residents at various locations, listened to their issues, grievances and demands, and contacted the concerned officials on the spot to initiate necessary measures for their redressal.

At least 64 killed in Spain high-speed train crash

New Delhi, Oct 28: The death toll in a collision involving two trains near Urda, south of Madrid, has risen to at least 64, according to officials as reported by BBC.The toll is feared to rise further. More than 500 passengers were travelling on the two trains, operated by private company Iryo and state-owned Renfe. Emergency services, including firefighters, paramedics and helicopters, were deployed to rescue survivors and assist the injured. Officials said the exact circumstances of the collision were yet to be established. Reports suggested a possible signalling-related human error, but no cause has been officially confirmed. Spain Prime Minister Pedro Snchez expressed shock over the accident and extended support to those affected and their families. Rail services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia remained suspended.

Cyclone Arnab kills 5 in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister announces Rs 5 lakh ex gratia

New Delhi, Oct 28:Five people were killed in Andhra Pradesh due to Cyclone Arnab, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Wednesday, announcing an ex gratia of 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased. The Chief Minister said two deaths were reported in the Visakhapatnam region, while the other fatalities occurred in Bhimavaram, Anakapalli district and Sakretipalli. The victims died in incidents involving falling trees, a collapsed electric pole, electrocution and a wall collapse, reports regional media. Chandrababu Naidu announced relief for affected families, including food supplies for households whose houses were flooded. People staying in relief camps will receive Rs 1,000 each, subject to a maximum of Rs 3,000 per family. Owners of partially damaged houses will get Rs 10,000, while affected farmers growing paddy, cotton, groundnut and sugarcane will receive 25,000 per hectare. According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), Andhra Pradesh bore the brunt of the cyclone, with 31 damaged houses reported in preliminary information received by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). NDRF Inspector General Narendra Singh Bundela said 39 NDRF teams had been deployed across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and neighbouring areas to deal with the impact of the cyclone and continuing rainfall. Four additional teams were sent to Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night. Around 57,000 people were shifted to relief camps in Andhra Pradesh, while 38 people were evacuated from Yanam, PTI reported. The cyclone made landfall near Yanam and weakened from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm. Authorities were preparing for further rainfall in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and adjoining areas.

Reading the mountain before we build on it

Jammu and Kashmir is often described in poetry, but its mountains also speak in a language of numbers. One recent set of numbers deserves the attention of every planner, engineer, farmer and traveller who cares for this land. In August 2026, the journal Scientific Reports, part of Nature Portfolio, published a study on landslide risk in our region. The paper is titled GIS based multi criteria landslide susceptibility assessment in the northwestern Himalaya, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It was led by Prof Avtar Singh Jasrotia and researchers from the Department of Geology at the University of Jammu, and it appeared on August 28. The study mapped 42,950.43 square kilometres of mountainous terrain across Jammu and Kashmir. The researchers looked at slope, rock type, rainfall, rivers, land use and the distance of each place from roads, and then asked a simple question. Where is the ground most likely to give way? The answer was clear. About 28.08 per cent of the mapped area, or roughly 12,062 square kilometres, falls in the high or very high landslide susceptibility zones. In plain words, more than one fourth of the mapped land needs extra care before any digging or building begins. Proximity to roads was found among the important variables in the modelling, which means that slopes disturbed by road construction deserve special attention. It is important to read this finding in the right spirit. It does not say that roads are bad. A road is a lifeline in the mountains. It carries the patient to the hospital, the child to school and the apple to the market. The study only tells us that the hill has its own temperament, and that good planning works best when it begins with a good map. The same spirit was visible at the 13th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit, held at the Shalimar campus of SKUAST Kashmir on October 12, 2026. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spoke there about making Jammu and Kashmir the first Himalayan region with a full Mountain Development Policy. The talk included scientific road building, safe waste handling at new tourist places and respect for the carrying limits of fragile slopes. A policy of this kind grows stronger when it rests on evidence, and the new landslide map offers exactly that. Many hands have been working on this subject. Last year, a study on landslides was completed with the contribution of engineers and assistant professors of Geology and Geography, and the writer was glad to be one of its authors. A related paper on landslide risk along the national highways of Jammu and Kashmir was presented at a conference in New Zealand on February 3 and 4, 2026. These are modest efforts, meant as one more brick in a wall of knowledge that many scholars are building together. Some years ago, the Environment Committee of the Legislative Council was headed by this writer. The committee met forest officers, universities and climate experts, including some from Hyderabad, and held awareness programmes at nearly a dozen district headquarters. A document for the region was prepared. Its recommendations did not turn into policy, and perhaps a little more energy from the chair would have helped. The lesson is a happy one all the same. Good reports are never wasted, and the new policy could begin by reading them afresh alongside the new landslide map. Weather adds urgency. Rain and snow are behaving differently now, and dry springs, cloudbursts and flash floods are becoming more common. Roads, tunnels, hotels and homes can all be checked against hazard maps before approval. A geological check before work, good drainage and safe dumping of soil will keep slopes steady and families safe. The economy of the region also has a stake in this. Horticulture earns about 10,000 crore every year, supports around 35 lakh people and adds about 6 to 7 per cent to the regions GDP, according to the NITI Aayog roadmap. Land in Kashmir is limited, and once an orchard becomes concrete it does not come back. Compact towns and sensible tall buildings can save farmland, as long as water supply, sewage and earthquake safety are checked first. Tourism, too, can grow with the mountains and not against them. It feeds hoteliers, drivers, guides, artisans and pony handlers, and it deserves full support. New places beyond Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg can share the benefits more widely. A place should be ready before guests arrive, with working sewage treatment, waste disposal, water and parking. A published study of how many visitors a place can comfortably take, reviewed from time to time, would be a big help. All these threads need one hand to hold them. Roads, forests, tourism, farming, towns and disaster management work best under a common plan. That plan can have clear targets, open data, a voice for villagers and farmers and a yearly report card that everyone can read. The choice before us is not between development and nature. It is between development that understands the mountain from the beginning and development that learns about it later. With the new policy, the new research and the goodwill of many institutions, Jammu and Kashmir has a fine chance to choose the first path. If it does, the results will show in stable slopes, green orchards, clean rivers and secure livelihoods. Caring for our mountains is not just a nice idea. It is a matter of safety, income and our future. Let us keep learning from the hills, and from each other. Dr S Bashir Ahmad Veeri is a serving legislator from South Kashmir and contributes occasionally on public policy and governance.

KTA delegation meets Commissioner SMC, seeks redressal of traders' issues

Srinagar, Oct 28: A delegation of the Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA), led by its President, Aijaz Shahdhar, today met Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Dr Basharat Qayoom, and discussed various issues concerning trade and commerce in Srinagar city. During the meeting, the delegation sought the Commissioners intervention in addressing issues affecting traders and the general public, particularly the upkeep and maintenance of Smart Street infrastructure in commercial areas. The delegation highlighted the problems caused by the stray dog menace in marketplaces, which has become a matter of concern for traders, shoppers and pedestrians. It also raised issues related to sanitation and cleanliness, urging the SMC to ensure regular and effective sanitation services across commercial hubs. KTA President Aijaz Shahdhar stressed the need for expeditious repairs and maintenance of damaged Smart Street infrastructure, emphasising that the works already undertaken must be properly maintained to ensure their intended benefits. He urged the Commissioner to prioritise the repairs and ensure timely action by the concerned departments. KTA delegation urged the Commissioner, SMC, that steps should be initiated to ensure adequate parking facilities in the Srinagar Market. The delegation emphasised that clean marketplaces, properly maintained infrastructure and effective civic services are essential for facilitating trade, improving the shopping environment and supporting the citys commercial activity. The KTA delegation included Manindar Singh Bhasin, Sajad Din, Sajad Hyder, Imtiyaz Bhat and Mehraj Din Wani. The KTA urged the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to take prompt and concrete measures to resolve these issues in the larger interest of the trading community and the public.

HK Hyundai unveils BAYON in Srinagar at Rs 9.99 lakh

Srinagar, Oct 28:HK Hyundai unveiled the Hyundai BAYON at its showroom on Athwajan Bypass, Srinagar, with a starting price of 9,99,900 (ex-showroom). Positioned as an Intelligent Utility Vehicle, the BAYON has been developed around Hyundais philosophy of Intelligence That Moves, combining connected technology, advanced safety features, comfort and performance. Speaking at the launch, Umar Yaqoob Mir, Managing Director, HK Hyundai, said the new vehicle brings advanced technology and safety features to customers in Kashmir. He highlighted the BAYONs artificial intelligence-powered voice assistant, which enables natural, conversational interactions, along with advanced driver assistance systems designed to enhance road safety. Mir said the vehicle is manufactured in India and will be exported to more than 50 countries, reflecting the countrys growing role in global automobile manufacturing. He expressed confidence that its technology and connectivity features would appeal to customers seeking a modern and feature-rich vehicle. Shabir Baba, General Manager, HK Hyundai, said the BAYON had been developed around five key pillars: Intelligence On, Safety On, Comfort On, Performance On and Style On. The vehicle features Hyundai Motor Indias first generative AI voice assistant, incorporating intelligence by Perplexity and voice AI powered by SoundHound AI. The system is designed to enable users to interact with the vehicle through natural conversations. The BAYON also integrates structural safety engineering, driver assistance technologies and active and passive safety features. Its cabin has been designed to offer a spacious and refined experience, with a dual-tone black and olive grey interior, a cascade-flow centre console, premium leatherette seat upholstery and a soft-touch dashboard insert. The vehicles styling features an upright stance, defined character lines and contemporary proportions, while its performance package combines Hyundais engineering with transmission technologies and driver-focused controls.

SKUAST-K secures prestigious Indo-US collaborative research grant for AI-powered soybean breeding

Srinagar, Oct 28:In a significant boost to its international research engagement, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has secured a grant under the Indo-US Collaborative Research Programme to advance AI-powered soybean breeding through smart sensing technologies. The project, SoyWatch: Smart Sensing Network for Precision Soybean Breeding, is jointly supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), USA, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, and brings together leading research institutions from both countries to develop technology-driven approaches for crop monitoring, disease detection and precision breeding. The three-year project brings together researchers from leading institutions in India and the United States to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and smart sensing technologies into soybean research and crop improvement. The international consortium comprises investigators from the University of Memphis, the University of Missouri and Kennesaw State University in the United States. The Indian partners include the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, SKUAST-K and the ICAR-National Soybean Research Institute, Indore. Representing SKUAST-K in the project are Dr Ajaz Ahmed Lone, Professor, Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Dryland Agriculture Research Station (DARS), Rangreth, and Dr Shabir Hussain Wani, Associate Professor, Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops (MRCFC), Khudwani. Their participation brings the University's expertise in plant genetics and breeding to an international research effort focused on developing technology-driven solutions for crop improvement. Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K, congratulated the investigators on securing the international grant and commended their contribution to strengthening the university's research collaborations. He said that engagement with leading institutions in India and the United States would further enhance SKUAST-K's research capabilities, promote innovation and expand opportunities for collaborative work in emerging areas of agricultural science. The project aims to establish a smart sensing network integrated with multimodal AI tools to transform field-generated data into actionable insights for plant breeders. The technology is expected to facilitate precise monitoring of crop performance, early identification of pest and disease challenges, and improved yield forecasting. These capabilities can help researchers make more informed breeding decisions, assess crop traits efficiently and accelerate the development of improved soybean varieties. Scheduled to commence in October 2026, the project will run for three years and draw on the complementary expertise of participating institutions in plant breeding, smart sensing and artificial intelligence. The grant marks a significant addition to SKUAST-K's international research engagement and underscores the University's efforts to advance agricultural research through scientific collaboration and technological innovation.

The Philosophy of Optogenetics

Optogenetics is a technique that uses light to control the activity of cells by inserting light-sensitive proteins into their membranes. When light of a particular wavelength strikes these proteins, they open or close the gates on the membranes, allowing ions to flow and the cell to fire or fall silent. This assertion is titillating enough to pause and wonder: how much of an impact can our environment play upon our gene expression? Revisiting the earlier philosophers who treated light, water, and earth not just as settings but as the very conditions of intelligibility and being. Parmenides considered light the medium of truth itself. If light can be engineered to switch cells on and off in a laboratory, what is it already doing to us? Melanopsin-containing cells in the retina report the brightness and colour of our surroundings to the brains master clock, and that clock keeps time through genes such as PER2, which rise and fall with the day managing our circadian rhythm. My mind moves immediately to the light we live inside now, the blue glow of screens, the flicker of LEDs, the omnipresent cell phones and to the emerging evidence that this ambient light is not passive. If light can shape gene expression, could the mass incorporation of digital tools, on the pretext of learning aids, accelerated overnight by COVID-19, produce the behavioural shifts we are seeing in students? The fatigue, the disengagement, the fractured attention may that be a response to a changed photic environment. The architecture of life does not merely receive light; it emits it. Every living cell, in the quiet of its own metabolism, releases ultra-weak photons. Mitochondria, the engines of the cell, produce reactive oxygen species whose excited electrons shed light as they settle. So optogenetics is not the introduction of light into darkness. It is the discovery of a language the body already speaks. If the preceding analysis holds, then the significance of optogenetics cannot be framed as the introduction of light into an otherwise dark system. This is where the concept of nurture becomes unavoidable. If luminosity is constitutive of living matter, it is also plastic, shaped by the conditions under which that matter develops and persists. What strikes me most is not the experiment or its conclusion, the choreography of neurons firing on command but the instrument used: the light. And this is where I find myself wishing for something: a platform where the East and the West could truly meetnot to compete, not to convert, but to learn from each others wisdom with an open and holistic mind. A space where the insights of one tradition are not treated as exotic ornaments to another, but as genuine contributions to a shared inquiry into what light is and what it does. With that wish in mind, I invoke the ancient Greeks, for whom light was the medium of truth itself, the condition under which things become manifest. Parmenides, whose philosophy begins as a journey towards the light. His poem opens with a young seeker carried in a chariot by the daughters of sun , out of the house of night, through the gates of day and night to the goddess who reveals the truth. For Plato light is a condition of intelligibility, the sun becomes great analogy of the mind, as light makes things visible to the eye, the good makes them intelligible to the soul. I invoke the Quran, where light is woven through the whole Quran in different registers. As divine reality: God is named the light of the heavens and the earth {25:35}, as guidance: bringing people out of darkness into light {2:257,14:1}and as creation and life {6:1}.Light is thus Divinity, path of rightness illumination to believers heart and to manifestation. Shia tradition holds that true knowledge is a light placed in the heart , not just information. The illuminationist school of Suhrawardi, taken up by Mulla Sadra in Shia philosophical tradition, treats reality itself as graded luminosity, culminating in the light of lights. Within the Shia tradition, this light takes a human face. Believers read the Quranic call to follow the light We have sent down as pointing to the Imams, the Prophets family, remembered as people in whom righteousness became visible: just, truthful, and steadfast under oppression. A righteous life illuminates as a lamp does: it shows others what is possible and makes the path visible where it was dark. Imam Husayn, remembered as a lamp of guidance, is the clearest example, a person whose moral clarity continues to light a path centuries later. In the celebrated supplication of Imam Ali, the believer asks by the light of Gods face through which all things are illumined, and calls on God simply as Light. I invoke the Vedas, where the Self is said to shine in the heart, glorious like the sun, and where the highest light is not a thing seen but the light by which all seeing happens. The Gayatri asks that the radiance of the sun inspire our understanding and the upanishadic prayer asks to be led from darkness to light. When asked what light a person has, the Sage Yajnavalkya names the sun, then the moon, then fire, then speech and finally the self, which shines in the heart and by which all seeing happen. Emerald green and glistering white Can illume our feeble sight; But they rather leave the mind In its native darkness blind. For the fairest beams they shed In earths lowest depths were fed; But the splendour that supplies Strength and vigour to the skies, And the universe controls, Shunneth dark and ruined souls. He who once hath seen this light Will not call the sunbeam bright. {Boethius, consolation of philosophy III} Optogenetics is a window onto how intricate light is. A single wavelength, delivered to the right cells, can make a neuron speak or fall silent. And yet we have reconfigured the light we live in. The older traditions did not make that mistake. For them it was nur, the Qurans light of the heavens and the earth, the Vedic radiance by which all seeing happens, the Greek realm in which truth is received. They honored it as part of how creation and life are sustained and made manifest. Science has begun to show how deeply light is woven into life, and the traditions have long said it was woven deeper still. This is why I wish for a meeting of East and West, of laboratory and scripture, in which neither treats the other as ornament. If light is as intricate as both suggest, we cannot afford to learn about it from only one side. Sabahat Fida, an educator based in Kashmir.

Kashmir Pashmina testing rises sharply as GI certification demand grows

The Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC) at the Craft Development Institute (CDI), Srinagar, has recorded a sharp rise in the testing of Geographical Indication (GI) products, especially Kashmir Pashmina, Kani and Sozni embroidered shawls, during the current financial year. The surge reflects stronger institutional capacity, upgraded laboratory infrastructure and growing demand for authentic GI certification and QR coding. In a detailed press statement issued here today, a spokesman of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, stated that the testing rate, which was 40-45 per day in 2024-25, has now risen to 170 per day in 2026-27. In 2024-25, PTQCC conducted 13,369 tests at an average of 40-45 tests per day. This rose to 22,351 tests in 2025-26, with the daily average increasing to 75-85 tests. In the current financial year, PTQCC has already performed approximately 21,000 tests. With another 21,000 tests projected between November 2026 and March 31, 2027, the annual total is expected to reach around 42,000 tests, nearly doubling the testing rate achieved in the previous year, the spokesman explained. To support this expansion, the spokesman further stated that Pashmina Laboratory has been strengthened with advanced equipment, including a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and two High-Resolution Digital Microscopes. The Department is in the process of procuring another OFDA 2000 fibre analyser and an additional digital microscope during FY 2026-27 under CAPEX. These additions are expected to further accelerate testing, improve precision in fibre identification and quality assessment and meet the rising demand for GI testing and QR coding of certified products, he said, adding that those GI Authorised Users who submit hand-spun, hand-woven Pashmina products with Sozni embroidery are being given preferential treatment. In order to bring greater transparency in GI testing, certification and QR coding at PTQCC, the Department has developed an in-house Online Appointment Token Management System to further streamline the operations across all testing labs of the Department, including IICT and QCD (Quality Control Division). The web application has been developed by the Resource Cell of the department, which shall be operational shortly on a pilot basis, he added. The Directorate is in the process of augmenting additional manpower to operate the machines, for which technical staff is being sent to Wool Research Association (WRA), Thane, Maharashtra, for technical training. With trained manpower, we shall have more teams in place to conduct tests in PTQCC so that the rising demand for GI testing and QR coding post aggressive media campaign, by GI Authorised Users is met. The enhanced testing capacity strengthens the authentication of Kashmirs prized handicrafts, protects the interests of artisans and weavers and builds greater consumer and buyer confidence in genuine GI-tagged products, the spokesman stated. Faster and more reliable certification is particularly important for exports and premium domestic markets, where authenticity is a key differentiator for Kashmir Pashmina and related handicraft products, the spokesman concluded.

Qaziabad milk farmers seek hike in procurement rates

Handwara, Oct 28: Milk farmers in Qaziabad area of north Kashmirs Kupwara district have sought an immediate revision of milk procurement rates, saying rising costs of cattle feed, fodder and veterinary care have made dairy farming increasingly unviable. The farmers said procurement rates had remained unchanged despite a significant increase in input costs over the past few years, squeezing their earnings and threatening their livelihoods. While the prices of feed, fodder and medicines have increased considerably, the rates paid to milk producers have remained stagnant, the farmers said. We are currently paid only Rs 35 per litre, while the same milk sells in the market for around Rs 50-55 per litre. We work hard but receive very little in return. The gap between procurement and market prices is too wide and is affecting our livelihoods, said Sajad Ahmad, a young farmer from Mandigam in Qaziabad. Sajad Abdullah of Yaroo said he had purchased two cows in the hope that dairy farming would help support his family, but rising expenses and low procurement rates had made it difficult to sustain the business. I bought two cows believing dairy farming would provide a stable source of income. However, with low procurement rates and increasing feed costs, it has become extremely difficult to continue, he said. He added that higher transportation and veterinary expenses had further increased the financial burden on small dairy farmers. If the situation continues, many small dairy farmers like me may be forced to abandon the profession, he said.

Yaarbal: Where Water, Words, and Memories Met

In the social and cultural history of Kashmir, certain places that once formed an integral part of everyday life have gradually disappeared from public memory. The yaarbal was one such place. Usually situated along the banks of the Jhelum or a stream, it served as a common point where women gathered to collect water in traditional vessels known as nout, wash clothes, clean utensils, and carry out other domestic chores. Yet, to understand the yaarbal merely as a riverside washing place would be to overlook its wider social, cultural, and communicative significance. It was a space where the routines of domestic labour intersected with companionship, oral communication, and the social life of traditional Kashmiri communities. For women, the yaarbal was much more than a place to fetch water or wash clothes. The necessity of carrying out daily domestic chores outside the household compelled women to visit the yaarbal. Where the demands of household labour also brought them into regular contact with friends, neighbours, and acquaintances, making it an important space for social interaction and the exchange of information. While performing their daily chores, women exchanged news about their families, discussed household affairs, shared personal experiences, and talked about developments in their neighbourhoods and villages. Matters that began as private conversations often travelled beyond the riverside, reaching other households and eventually becoming part of the wider communitys knowledge. In this way, the yaarbal functioned as an informal network of communication through which news, opinions, rumours, and local knowledge circulated. This aspect of the yaarbal deserves particular attention because womens contribution to the transmission of information in traditional societies has often remained underrepresented in written histories. Much of this communication took place orally and left little documentary evidence. Nevertheless, the absence of written records does not diminish its social importance. Through repeated encounters and everyday conversations, women maintained relationships, exchanged information, and participated in the collective life of their communities. The yaarbal thus provides an interesting point of departure for exploring the relationship between gender, domestic labour, and informal public spaces in Kashmirs social history. The cultural world associated with the yaarbal also extended beyond household affairs and community gossip. Such places could provide opportunities for personal encounters and romantic relationships. In a society where social interaction was often shaped by familial expectations and established conventions, the ordinary routines of visiting a riverside location could create occasions for conversation and discreet meetings. The yaarbal therefore occupied an ambiguous but significant position in the social landscape: it was simultaneously a place of domestic work, female companionship, community interaction, and personal intimacy. The literary and oral traditions of Kashmir offer valuable insights into the everyday social worlds in which places such as the yaarbal acquired meaning. The vakhs of Lal Ded, the fourteenth-century Kashmiri mystic poet, remain an important part of the regions vernacular heritage. Alongside her poetry, stories transmitted across generations preserve popular memories of her life, including accounts of domestic hardship and the social circumstances in which she is believed to have lived. One such story, often recounted by elders, connects Lal Ded with the yaarbal. According to this oral tradition, her mother-in-law kept a nilwat (stone) in Lal Deds dinner plate for twelve years, covering it with a thin layer of rice to make the plate appear full. The stone concealed the meagre food available to Lal Ded, creating an appearance of abundance while leaving her inadequately fed. In the story, the nilwat becomes a powerful symbol of deprivation concealed beneath outward appearances. The anecdote reaches its climax during a feast at her in-laws home. When Lal Ded went to the yaarbal, her female companions remarked that she would surely enjoy a good meal that day, given the preparations taking place. Lal Ded is said to have responded with a Vaakh - Hund maertan ya hakur, Lalli nilwath tchalye ne zanh (Whether they slaughter a large ram or a small calf, Lalla will still receive her stone.) Beyond its poignant humour, the story offers a glimpse into the social significance of the yaarbal. The exchange between Lal Ded and her companions evokes a setting where women could share personal experiences, express grievances, and speak about domestic hardships through conversation and humour. The nilwat becomes a striking image of deprivation: while the household prepared a feast, the stone in Lal Deds plate represented the contrast between abundance within the household and her own experience of scarcity. The anecdote thus invites reflection on domestic hierarchies and the unequal distribution of food and care within the family. At the same time, the presence of her female companions suggests how the yaarbal could provide a setting in which women shared and recognised one anothers experiences. Although this story cannot, without corroborating evidence, be treated as a verified episode from Lal Deds life, its continued transmission is itself significant. Oral accounts do not always preserve the past as a precise record of events; they may also express the social meanings, values, and experiences through which communities remember it. The story is therefore valuable not only for what it may suggest about Lal Deds remembered domestic life but also for what it reveals about the place of womens experiences in Kashmiri cultural memory. The gradual decline of yaarbal reflects the transformation of domestic life in modern Kashmir. The introduction of piped water into households reduced the necessity of visiting rivers and streams for everyday water-related activities. The spread of washing machines and other domestic technologies further diminished the need to undertake routine household chores at communal water points. Improvements in infrastructure, changing settlement patterns, and the transformation of everyday routines also contributed to the changing relationship between people and their traditional surroundings. Yet, the disappearance of the yaarbal cannot be understood solely as the replacement of older technologies by newer ones. Modern conveniences reduced the time and physical effort required for domestic work, but they also removed some of the occasions on which people gathered naturally in shared spaces. Activities that once brought neighbours together became increasingly private within individual households. The riverside, once animated by conversations and repeated encounters, gradually lost its place in the everyday social life of many communities. This transformation raises an important question: when a traditional space disappears, what else disappears with it? In the case of the yaarbal, the answer may include not only an older way of fetching water and washing clothes but also a particular form of sociability. The spontaneous exchange of news, the maintenance of neighbourhood relationships, and the opportunities for informal interaction were all connected to the physical practice of gathering at the waters edge. Modern communication technologies have made the circulation of information faster, but they have also changed the settings in which people encounter one another and sustain their relationships. Dr. Zahid Iqbal Sheikh, Faculty, Department of History, Government College VKB, Hyderabad.

Govt accords approval for Rs 17.24 crore Industrial Estate at Barsoo

Srinagar, Oct 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has accorded Administrative Approval for the development of a new Industrial Estate at Barsoo in Ganderbal district at an estimated cost of 17.24 crore. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the project marks a significant step towards strengthening industrial infrastructure and creating new employment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir. The proposed Industrial Estate, equipped with modern infrastructure and essential facilities, is expected to provide fresh opportunities for entrepreneurs, attract industrial investment, generate employment for local youth and contribute to sustainable industrial growth and economic development across Jammu and Kashmir.

Protect Kashmir handicrafts from machine-made imitations, waive artisans loans: Mehbooba Mufti

Srinagar, Oct 28: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday called for a ban on machine-made handicraft products, saying they devalue traditional crafts, cause heavy losses to artisans, and threaten their livelihoods. Speaking outside the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, Mufti demanded strict enforcement of safeguards reserving the production of 26 notified handicraft items exclusively for manual craftsmanship. Her late father, former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, introduced the provisions to protect traditional artisans from machine-made competition. She said the growing availability of machine-produced alternatives had severely affected the earnings of craftsmen, many of whom depend on small workshops to sustain their families. Our artisans are important, and we need to promote them, Mufti said, stressing the need to protect the traditional skills that have been passed down through generations. Highlighting the decline in artisans incomes, she said craftsmen who once earned around Rs 1,000 a day were now struggling to make even Rs 200. She warned that allowing machines to replace handmade production was undermining the value of traditional craftsmanship and making it increasingly difficult for artisans to sustain their livelihoods. These artisans hands are worth their weight in gold, she said, emphasising the importance of preserving skills that form an integral part of Kashmirs cultural and economic heritage. Mufti urged the government to restore and strictly implement the safeguards introduced during her fathers tenure, arguing that traditional handmade products needed protection from industrial competition. She also invoked the legacy of Shah-e-Hamadan, whom she credited with bringing handicraft traditions to Kashmir, and called for greater efforts to preserve the Valleys artisanal heritage. Seeking financial relief for the struggling artisan community, Mufti demanded a waiver of loans amounting to around Rs 1.8 lakh extended to artisans. She also called for artisans to be brought under the labour category so that they could access welfare benefits available to workers. The demands come amid concerns over declining earnings in the traditional handicraft sector, where competition from machine-made products has put pressure on craftsmen who rely on labour-intensive production. Mufti stressed the need for government intervention to provide immediate financial relief while protecting the market for handmade goods. Mufti also questioned the condition of roads and civic infrastructure in Downtown Srinagar, particularly around Jamia Masjid, pointing to damaged roads and uncovered or hazardous manholes. Look at the condition of the roads here. I do not know what has happened to the roads, she said, criticising the state of basic amenities in an area of major religious, historical and cultural significance. Taking a dig at the Omar Abdullah-led government, she questioned the delivery of civic services despite the electoral support received by Srinagars representatives. You have been elected with so much support and so many votes. Now, at the very least, please take care of these roads, she said, urging the administration to undertake proper repairs and address infrastructure deficiencies in Downtown Srinagar.

Sell across states without an office

A papier-mch seller in Srinagar can reach buyers in Bengaluru through an online marketplace, but stocking goods in the marketplaces Karnataka warehouse has meant taking GST registration there, which in turn demanded a principal place of business of the sellers own in Karnataka. Renting premises in every State merely to register has kept small sellers confined to their home States. The 57th GST Council meeting, held on 8 October 2026, has addressed this by recommending a new Rule 14B in the CGST Rules, 2017, building on the in-principle approval of its 56th meeting. A senior Finance Ministry official has said the facility will go live on the GST portal from 1 November 2026. The scheme is optional. An eligible seller can register in a State or Union Territory where it has no physical presence by declaring an e-commerce operators (ECOs) warehouse there as its Principal Place of Business (PPoB); other ECO warehouses in that State may be added as Additional Places of Business. Three conditions apply. First, the seller must supply only goods, and only through ECOs collecting tax at source under Section 52 of the CGST Act; offline sales cannot be made on this registration. Second, output tax (CGST, SGST/UTGST and IGST together) on supplies to registered persons must not exceed 2.5 lakh a month, excluding stock transfers to the sellers own registrations under the same PAN; in effect, the seller cannot pass on more than 2.5 lakh of input tax credit monthly. Third, the ECO must consent. Only one Rule 14B registration per PAN is allowed in a State. The seller must also hold a regular registration in its home State; one registered there under Rule 14A must first withdraw that option in FORM GST REG-32. The application is filed in FORM GST REG-01, quoting the home-State GSTIN and warehouse details. The ECO must decide within seven working days; without consent, the application is deemed rejected. The home-State jurisdictional officer then completes biometric Aadhaar authentication and verification of documents and of the home-State premises, unless already done. On successful verification, the portal grants registration electronically, and the certificate shows both the warehouse addresses and the home-State PpoB. Books of account for every such registration are kept at the home-State PPoB and produced when the proper officer of the State of registration asks. The certificate and GSTIN need not be displayed at the warehouse. A change of warehouse is made in FORM GST REG-14 with fresh ECO consent. The ECO must appoint an authorised representative in each State to furnish information to tax authorities and report any withdrawal of consent on the portal. The seller then has 30 days to amend, failing which the registration is deemed cancelled in FORM GST REG-38; cancellation of the home-State registration has the same effect. A seller may exit voluntarily through REG-32. Two cautions. Council recommendations are not law; Rule 14B operates only once notified, and the Ministry has said the notification and an explanatory circular will follow shortly, so practitioners should read the notified text before filing. Officers should note that verification rests with the home State, while the warehouse State relies on records called from the home State and on the ECOs representative. For Jammu and Kashmirs sellers, whose products enjoy national demand but limited reach, the scheme opens the national market without a national chain of offices. The author is a JKAS officer, presently posted as State Taxes Officer, Circle Budgam. Views are personal.

DGP Nalin Prabhat, GOC XV Corps review ongoing operations in south Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 28:Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, along with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Armys XV Corps, reviewed ongoing security operations with formations deployed across South Kashmir, according to a post shared by Kashmir Zone Police on X. The review assumes significance amid continued security efforts in the region, where the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Army work in coordination to address security challenges and maintain peace and stability. The review brought together the leadership of the police and the Army to assess ongoing operations involving formations deployed across South Kashmir. The engagement underscores the importance of coordination between the two forces in operational planning and the implementation of security measures on the ground. South Kashmir, comprising Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian districts, has remained a key focus of counter-terrorism efforts. Security agencies have continued to maintain operational preparedness and coordinate their activities to respond to emerging challenges. The joint review by the DGP and the GOC XV Corps highlights the continued engagement between the police and the Army in monitoring the operational situation and assessing the functioning of formations deployed in the region. The Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Army have been working together on security-related operations across the Valley, with coordination between field formations remaining an important component of their efforts. Kashmir Zone Police, in its post on X, stated that Nalin Prabhat, along with the GOC XV Corps, reviewed ongoing operations with all formations deployed in South Kashmir.

Curtains on a cadre

The merger of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir cadre into AGMUT in 2021, and the recent appointment of the first AGMUT-cadre officer as Chief Secretary in 2026, mark more than a change of personnel or merely a supersession of many senior officers. An institution that had long mediated access to state authority and resources in the Valley stands replaced. The overhaul of the bureaucracy forms part of a wider effort to change the local configurations of power and influence. The erstwhile J&K cadre functioned not merely as an administrative tier but as a network of personal ties, political affiliations and institutional memory. This network was shaped by decades of interaction with the regions political class, and the regions particular historical experience. Indeed, it facilitated and even enabling the reproduction of local power structures at the interface between society and the state. The bureaucracy wielded an embedded influence through which regional elites reflected and reinforced prevailing power hierarchies. By superseding almost all the senior-most officers of that cadre, decisive authority has been shifted to those drawn from outside its ranks. By doing so, the Centre has effectively mutated the administrative DNA of J&K. In a way it completes the institutional eclipse of the erstwhile J&K cadre. The J&K cadre was a consequence of the Presidential Order issued in 1958 under Article 370 of the Constitution of India. It specifically modified the application of Article 312 to bring J&K within the All-India Services framework and enabled recruitment and service conditions for the Indian Administrative Service (and IPS) to J&K giving birth to the J&K cadre. The J&K Reorganisation Act of 2019 Act initially allowed existing J&K cadre but an ordinance in 2021 merged it with AGMUT; a cadre of three small Union Territories. The erstwhile JK cadre structures of local bureaucratic framework were rooted in domain knowledge, a certain continuity of administrative practice and personal networks. These have been now displaced by a more externally directed apparatus. What remains is not simply a change of personnel but a reconfiguration of the institutions through which power is exercised, and legitimacy is mediated in the region. The IAS officers, mostly outsiders, were a crucial link between the Centre and the state. While the IAS officers were the eyes, ears and hands of Delhi, they also played the role of intermediaries. With their feet on the streets in Kashmir, many of them articulated the local sentiment in New Delhi. Overtime, representing the Kashmir sentiment got identified with the constitutional status of state an autonomist political ideology. With warts and all, the J&K cadre was as much an instrument of control as it was a channel of influence. Overtime it was increasingly felt that the J&K cadre had been co-opted by the local political class, especially by the National Conference under Farooq Abdullah. During his tenure the bureaucracy was politicised and some officers who had powers well beyond ordinary bureaucratic limits, acted like the card-carrying members of the National Conference. Their proximity to a regional political dynasty largely influenced the bureaucracies approach to Kashmir. Around 19891990, when protests and public uprisings were at their peak, at least top four of the senior most officers were signatories to a representation addressed to the United Nations protesting against human rights violations by security forces in the Valley. At least six IAS officers of the local cadre also submitted a report to the Governor condemning excesses by men in uniform on civilians. A further memorandum by all senior officers reached the Governor after the assassination of Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq and the subsequent firing on mourners. While Kashmiris later remembered the gesture fondly; critics within the establishment saw it as an instance in which serving officers of the All-India Services publicly aligned with local sentiment against the actions of the Indian security apparatus. Delhi saw such instances as serious chinks in the steel frame. The national purpose of the All-India Services providing an administrative backbone that could stand above regional political alignments was steadily eroded. The post-2021 structure systematically reduces the space for officers who had both long local tenures and career incentives tied to the region. Once the last cohort with significant Valley socialisation exits around 2029, the channel that once carried local sentiment upward (however imperfectly) narrows further. This is less a question of individual officers attitudes and more a structural outcome of shorter average tenures and joint-cadre career paths. The J&K cadre officers, though outsiders, often socialised into the regions political culture and patronage networks. Overtime these officers frequently shared the outlook of the dominant political class on questions of autonomy, land, employment, and the framing of security. Of course there were exceptions; some outsiders were treated as transient or suspect. This proximity eventually led to a certain bureaucratisation of politics. The pattern of co-option resulted in at least three former Chief Secretaries joining politics after (or even before completing) their tenures. While two became legislators and law makers, one became the finance minister. These transitions illustrate how the top of the service had become a revolving door into regional politics rather than a permanent national steel frame. These structural features explain why the cadre merger of 2021 and the recent appointments and consequential change are read by many as more than administrative rationalisation. They are understood as a dismantling of an institution whose interests had become aligned with local political power. The decimation of the erstwhile J&K cadre is therefore double-edged. On one side, it removes officers who carried deep local domain knowledge be it of the revenue systems, forest settlements, irrigation, power, and the historical sediment of special status. On the other, it removes a cadre that had, in critical periods, become a channel to communicate the local sentiment. Whether this produces better governance is an open question. An administration less entangled with local political regimes may prove more responsive to national priorities. It may also prove less capable of reading the social and historical texture of the territory it administers. Once the last substantial cohort of the old IAS cadre departs around 2029, the Union Territory will be governed by a bureaucracy whose professional formation occurred largely elsewhere and whose political allegiances, whatever they are, will no longer be those of a co-opted state cadre. That is the structural choice now being made. It resolves one long-standing problem of politicisation only by creating a new problem of administrative distance. In a region where history is an active force, the distance is not costless. The absorption of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir cadre into the AGMUT cadre in 2021, and the appointment of the first AGMUT-cadre officer as Chief Secretary in late 2026, reconfigure the permanent executive as the primary instrument of governance in the Union Territory. By dissolving the erstwhile distinct J&K cadre that had long embodied local institutional memory and mediated access to administrative authority, the Centre has integrated senior officers into a joint service whose rules, postings and career trajectories are determined from Delhi. This structural change subordinates local bureaucratic networks to central cadre control, limiting the elected governments ability to direct the civil service on key matters of implementation and personnel. Such a reconfiguration of the bureaucracy as the principal instrument of governance signals that the restoration of full statehood requiring the return of cadre autonomy and political control over the civil service remains deliberately deferred well beyond 2029. The institutional architecture now in place treats the administrative apparatus itself as the durable mechanism of authority, rendering the revival of state-level cadre independence a distant prospect. For the return of cadre autonomy and political control over the civil service is not merely one among several requirements of statehood; it is the necessary starting point of any genuine process of restoration. Without the capacity to direct the permanent executive, an elected government cannot exercise effective authority over the institutions that implement policy and allocate resources. The author is a Contributing Editor of Greater Kashmir.

The lasting mental health toll in Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 28:For many people in Kashmir, the trauma they experienced years ago is re-lived every day, unknowingly, unpleasantly, uncannily. A review of 16 studies on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among civilians in Kashmir has found that trauma-related mental health difficulties remain a significant concern. The review calls for better mental health support networks. The review was published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry on September 15, 2026. It is based on quantitative research published between 2006 and 2025 to examine PTSD prevalence and associated risk factors. It explores the relationship between trauma exposure and mental health outcomes. Authored by Tamkeen Sakeena, Aneeza Pervez and Cecilie Lolansen. It found that reported PTSD prevalence varied considerably depending on the population studied and the assessment methods used. It also leaned heavily on the extent of exposure to conflict-related trauma. The reported prevalence ranged from 15.9% to 24.5% in studies in adults. Higher screening-based estimates were reported in selected groups, including college students. Among these, up to 49.8 % met a screening threshold for probable PTSD. Children in certain samples had a prevalence of 40%. These figures are not directly comparable, the authors cautioned. That is because the studies differed in sampling, study design and methods of assessing PTSD. The higher estimates among students and children do not represent prevalence across the general population. Greater exposure to traumatic events was associated with higher levels of PTSD, the review found. Many studies reported a relationship between cumulative trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms. Symptoms persisted years after exposure. Women, socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, orphans and individuals who had sustained conflict-related injuries had higher prevalence. However, the strength of evidence varied across studies. PTSD was also frequently associated with depression, anxiety and substance misuse. The review found that substance use was reported among some individuals experiencing PTSD symptoms. It suggested that trauma-related distress may be accompanied by difficulties in coping. One community-based study included in the review reported maladaptive coping behaviours, including substance use. This was more frequent among people with PTSD symptoms. The authors also found that PTSD was often present in individuals with depression and anxiety. However, the review does not establish that trauma directly causes substance use. The association does not confirm a cause-and-effect relationship. The authors have said the available evidence indicated a substantial mental health burden among the general population in Kashmir. However, they identified limitations in the research - considerable variation in study quality and the predominance of cross-sectional studies. This restricts the ability to establish how symptoms develop or change over time. The researchers did not combine the findings into a single pooled prevalence estimate because the studies used different populations and assessment methods. They called for more consistent assessment methods and longitudinal research to improve PTSD understanding in Kashmir. There is a need to explore community-based and task-shared approaches to mental health care, the review advocates. It has elaborated on the limitations of relying solely on specialist-led services in a scenario where mental health resources are limited.

Srinagar Airports Rs 1,677 Cr expansion awaits PMC bids

Srinagar, Oct 28:The proposed Rs 1,677-crore expansion of Srinagar International Airport is awaiting the appointment of a project management consultant (PMC), with bids scheduled to open on November 18, while the new terminal project at Jammu Airport has achieved around 70 per cent physical progress. According to official details, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a second tender for appointing a PMC for Srinagar Airports new integrated terminal building and allied works after cancelling the earlier tender on August 17 due to an insufficient number of bids. The revised tender, published on August 18, provides for submission of bids until November 12, with opening scheduled for November 18, according to the latest tender schedule. The Srinagar expansion project received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in February 2026. It envisages a new terminal complex spread over 71,500 square metres, with an annual passenger-handling capacity of 10 million and the ability to handle 2,900 passengers during peak hours. The project also includes apron expansion, additional aircraft parking facilities and a multi-level parking structure with space for 1,000 vehicles. Allied infrastructure, including residential quarters for Airports Authority of India staff and barracks for Central Industrial Security Force personnel, is also planned. The expansion is aimed at addressing capacity constraints at Srinagar Airport, which has witnessed substantial passenger traffic in recent years. According to the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of Indias September 2026 consultation paper, the airport handled 3.38 million passengers during the 202526 financial year. The proposed terminal is expected to improve passenger movement, expand aircraft-handling capacity and provide modern airport facilities. However, the project remains at the consultancy procurement stage, and the latest tender schedule does not establish a confirmed date for the commencement of the main construction work. Separately, the construction of residential quarters for AAI staff and CISF personnel has also faced delays over a height-related no-objection certificate from the Indian Air Force, according to the project details. Meanwhile, Jammu Airports new terminal project has achieved approximately 70 percent physical progress and is targeted for completion by November 2026. During a media delegations visit on September 22, AAI Jammu Airport Director Devender Yadav said construction was progressing according to schedule. The Jammu project, sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 864 crore, will have a terminal area of 42,000 square metres, in addition to a 14,500-square-metre basement. Its annual passenger-handling capacity is expected to increase from 2.6 million to 4.5 million, while peak-hour capacity will rise from 1,080 to 2,000 passengers. The upgraded facility will include six aerobridges, 36 check-in counters, four baggage conveyor belts and parking for more than 500 vehicles.

BDO Sangaldan dies; Block Diwas meeting at Gagarsullah postponed

Ramban, Oct 28:The sudden and untimely demise of Mohammad Urfan Malik, Block Development Officer (BDO) Sangaldan, has plunged the Sangaldan and adjoining areas of Gool in Ramban district into grief. Malik, a resident of the Bani-Basohli area of Kathua district, was found dead at his rented accommodation in Sangaldan on Wednesday morning. Officials said Malik was found unconscious at his rented residence. After receiving information, police reached the spot and shifted him to a hospital for medico-legal formalities. Necessary proceedings have been initiated, and the circumstances and cause of death are being investigated, Police said. Meanwhile, the district administration Ramban expressed profound grief over the officers demise. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Varunjeet Singh and officers and officials from various departments observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed soul and prayed for his eternal peace. The Deputy Commissioner conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, relatives and friends of the deceased. Describing Malik as a sincere and dedicated officer, he said his valuable contributions and services to the district would always be remembered. He also prayed for strength and courage for the family to bear the irreparable loss. MLA Banihal-Gool Sajjad Shaheen also expressed deep sorrow over Maliks untimely demise and extended his condolences to the bereaved family. He prayed to the almighty to grant the departed soul the highest place in Jannah and give the family the strength to cope with the loss. Residents of Sangaldan and adjoining areas also mourned the officers death, expressing shock and grief over his sudden demise. Meanwhile, the scheduled Block Diwas meeting at Gagarsullah in the Gool area was postponed following the BDOs death.

Will take up matter with CM to seek compensation for Jammu fire victims: Sat Sharma

Jammu, Oct 28: Reaffirming his partys commitment to standing with people in times of distress, J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma, accompanied by MLA Vikram Randhawa, on Wednesday visited Shiv Market near Jammu Railway Station to assess the damage caused by the recent devastating fire that gutted shops and inflicted massive losses on traders. The leaders interacted with affected shopkeepers, assessed the destruction and assured them of all possible assistance. Expressing deep concern, Sat Sharma said the fire had wiped out years of hard work, hard-earned savings and livelihoods, leaving several families facing an uncertain future, particularly during the ongoing festive season. The traders of Shiv Market have suffered a devastating blow, with years of hard work and their savings reduced to ashes in moments. We cannot allow these families to feel abandoned in their hour of distress. The BJP stands with people when they face the toughest challenges and will make every sincere effort to help them, Sat Sharma said. He assured the traders that he would take up this matter with the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and pursue every possible avenue to secure financial relief for the affected traders. Whether through an appropriate relief fund, assistance under an available government scheme, or a special relief and rehabilitation package from the UT government, we will press for all feasible options, he said. J&K BJP president asked the administration to assess the losses promptly and extend all permissible assistance. He reiterated that the BJP would pursue the matter with the concerned authorities to ensure that the genuine demands of the affected traders received due attention. Randhawa also expressed solidarity with the victims, stating that the tragedy had reduced years of hard work and valuable merchandise to ashes. He assured the shopkeepers that their genuine demands would be raised with the concerned departments and efforts made to facilitate relief and compensation. District president Naresh Singh Jasrotia, senior leaders Parduman Singh, Gourav Balgotra, Vikrant Gupta and others were also present.