Opinion

JJ Foods opens 2nd branch at Hyderpora

Srinagar, May 5:JJ Foods, a wazwan food chain, opened its second branch at the Hyderpora area here today. The branch was inaugurated by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. On the occasion, Mirwaiz praised the owners for promoting authentic Wazwaan. We must strive to preserve our rich culture and tradition. Wazwan is an important part of our culture, and we must ensure to preserve its authenticity, Mirwaiz said. On the occasion, the owner of JJ Foods, Abrar Qadir, stated his objective to provide the best quality wazwan. We use natural spices while preparing wazwan. Its a proud moment for me to expand my ancestral trade from Aali Kadal in Downtown to Hyderpora in Uptown. I will ensure to carry on my familys legacy and serve authentic Wazwan, Abrar said. Abrar said the ambience of the restaurant is a confluence of traditional and modern architecture. We have exclusive space for families and functions. We serve wazwan in traditional copper utensils to promote our culture, he said. Last year, former captain of Indian cricket team Muhammad Azharuddin visited JJ Foods Downtown at the outset and commended it for upholding high standards of hygiene and preserving the authenticity of Kashmiri Wazwan.

Father-son duo among 4 die in Mughal Road accident

Rajouri, May 5: A father-son duo was among four people who lost their lives in an accident near Chatta Pani on Mughal Road following slippery road surface due to snowfall. The ill-fated vehicle had gone missing on the road on Monday evening and was traced in a gorge on Tuesday evening. Police said a cab was on way to Kashmir from Poonch with three members of a family travelling in their car for medical examination of one of the family members. They said that the cab was plying on Mughal Road in afternoon hours on Monday and it went missing with no one aware about the tragic happening. In late evening hours, the family members started to raise hue and cry only after they failed to establish any contact with their travelling members following which a search operation was launched in the morning hours on Tuesday, Police said. Sub Divisional Magistrate Surankote, Farooq Khan told Greater Kashmir that locals, civil administration, Police, and Army started the search operation in the early morning hours to trace the vehicle which was considered missing on the road. In late afternoon hours, one of our team spotted wreckage of a vehicle in a deep gorge after which the teams entered the gorge and succeeded in tracing the ill fated vehicle and two bodies from the site, Khan said. He said that four passengers were travelling in the vehicle at the time of incident and other two bodies were also recovered during further searches conducted in the gorge. Preliminary investigation revealed that only four person including the driver were travelling in the vehicle at the time of accident and there was no evidences that any fifth passenger was present in the ill fated cab, Khan said. Regarding victims, he said that a man from Mangnar village of Poonch was ill and his son and another family members were taking him to Srinagar for medical treatment and they were travelling in the cab with driver among four people in total were on board. The dead include cab driver Showkat Hussain of Hari Surankote; Abdul Majeed, son of Manir Hussain; father-son duo identified as Akbar Hussain, son of Ghulam Haider, and his son Muhammad Bashir, all residents of Mangnar, Poonch. Police said that a case under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Surankote and further legal proceedings are underway. Unseasonal Snowfall in Rajouri, Poonch causes hardships Meanwhile, an unusual spell of heavy snowfall in the upper reaches of Rajouri and Poonch districts on Monday not only caught residents off guard but also led to widespread hardships, damage to property, and a tragic accident on the Mughal Road. May is typically marked by warm weather in the region, with no expectation of snowfall. However, the sudden change in weather brought heavy snowfall across several high-altitude areas, disrupting normal life and taking people by complete surprise. The unseasonal snowfall on Sunday and Monday particularly affected the nomadic communities currently on their seasonal migration, leaving many stranded and struggling amid harsh conditions. In addition, reports of damage to property have also emerged from various areas especially due to winds as the unexpected weather event impacted infrastructure and daily activities. The snowfall, beside taking people by surprise, also caused a major incident as a vehicle travelling on the Mughal Road skidded off the snow-covered slippery surface and plunged into a deep gorge. Mughal Road connecting Rajouri and Poonch with Shopian got blocked for movement of vehicles on Monday and more than 120 vehicles remained trapped. These vehicles with more than 300 on board were rescued after eight hours on Monday late evening. Farmers of Rajouri also expressed concern saying that even their wheat harvest practice was badly affected. We harvested our wheat crop and are going to extract grains from plantlet but heavy rainfall, hailstorm, and windstorm have affected it. We fear damage to the harvested crop also, said Sanjay Kumar, a farmer of Rajouri.

Drugs destroying soul of youth: LG Sinha

Srinagar, May 5: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said that the drugs were destroying the soul of youth. Joining people in Budgam as part of drug-free J&K campaign, LG Sinha said the entire district of Budgam must stand against the poison of drugs destroying the souls of youth. He promised the people that every arm of administration would act with resolve and unity to confront the issue and ensure that the threat is effectively eliminated. I believe that every young person lost to addiction is a loss of strength for our future workforce, and a lost soldier for our police and army. Every family broken by addiction is a crack in the foundation of our society, the LG said. He appealed to every family, social organisation, spiritual and political leaders in Budgam to intensify drug-free J&K campaign across the district and assured them that the administration and its full strength is committed to eradicating drugs. LG Sinha also announced an informal parents brigade in every village and city, wherever possible. He said the aim was to create a voluntary network of parents, women, and youth who would be trained and empowered to identify early signs of drug use in villages or wards, and to immediately connect families with resources. The LG said that in this war against drugs, society must accept the truth that many boys and girls were in the grip of narcotics. There is no harm in accepting this as they are our own children. They are victims, not criminals, and they need our embrace, compassion, and care, he said. Furthermore, the public must eliminate the stigma, so that if a family is suffering, they do not have to endure the pain in silence. This tradition must change because todays circumstances are such that silence will not defeat this; the public must raise its voice. LG Sinha said that drug addiction was not just a health issue but also a crisis of national security. He said drugs entering into society do not only hollow out the aspirations of youth and damage their self-confidence, but the drug trade was also funding terrorism and radicalisation. The entire world knows that our neighbour, a major patron of terrorism smuggling drugs into Jammu and Kashmir. Drug trafficking and terror funding are no longer separate issues-they are two hands of the same enemy. We must remember that when we fight against drugs, we are also fighting against terror. When we protect our youth, we protect our nation, the LG said. He said that he launched the drug-free Jammu and Kashmir campaign 24 days ago on April 11 in Jammu with the faith that no enemy, no matter how conspiratorial, could stand before a united society. The law enforcement agencies alone cannot win this war; the administration alone cannot win it. But together, every teacher, parent, spiritual leader, elder, doctor, youth, and woman becomes an invincible force, and I have full faith that Budgam will carry this campaign forward with this spirit, LG Sinha said. He said that in this 100-days campaign, people had 76 days left and in these 76 days must prove that when society decides to fight against a social evil, every citizen wins. I have directed every police station in the Kashmir Valley to gather full information on active drug smugglers and peddlers in their jurisdiction and take decisive action within 30 days. We are monitoring every financial transaction of drug cartels, and action will be ensured not just against small-time peddlers but against major smugglers. The palaces built with drug money will be razed to the ground, the LG said. He urged people to participate actively in the awareness campaign and become the eyes and ears of the Police and administration. If you see any suspicious activity in any corner of Budgam, report it immediately. With your cooperation, it will be ensured that no drug peddler can remain around any village, neighbourhood, or college in Budgam. I want to tell the drug smugglers, elements linked to the narco-terror network, and drug peddlers active in Budgam that your time on the soil of Budgam has ended. Our agencies know who you are. Our administration is coming after you, and today I promise every resident of Budgam that not a single drug smuggler will escape accountability, LG Sinha said.

From Bengal to Assam, Hindutva rewrites the east: BJP's landslide ends era of regional strongmen

The Bharatiya Janata Party has achieved a significant victory in West Bengal, marking a shift in eastern India's political landscape. Regional leaders have been replaced by the BJP. Actor Vijay's party has secured a remarkable win in Tamil Nadu. The Congress party will now govern three states. These election results reflect a changing political dynamic across India.

Why Indias beauty shoppers scroll more but still buy offline

India's beauty and personal care market is experiencing a digital surge, with online influence tripling since 2021. While 53% of shoppers are digitally influenced, only 33% buy online, highlighting a gap. Brands must bridge this by focusing on omnichannel strategies and catering to diverse consumer segments across metros and non-metros to drive conversion and loyalty.

CM Omar pushes fast-track implementation of budget announcements

Srinagar, May 5: As a follow-up to the budget announcements for implementation during 2026-27, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting at the civil secretariat here to fast-track implementation of key budget initiatives, with a focus on timely delivery of welfare measures for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. At the outset, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar, briefed the Chief Minister, outlining the status of various budget announcements across departments under different grants and status submitted by the departments. Administrative Secretaries briefed the CM on the progress achieved so far and the action taken by their respective departments in implementing the budget proposals. The departments reviewed during the meeting included General Administration, Planning, Development and Monitoring, Information, Science and Technology, Power Development, School Education, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Finance, Agriculture Production, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Culture, Public Works, Jal Shakti, and Housing and Urban Development. During the deliberations, CM Omar issued a series of directions aimed at expediting implementation, strengthening inter-departmental coordination, and ensuring strict adherence to timelines. He stressed the importance of translating Budget announcements into tangible outcomes on the ground, with a focus on efficiency, transparency, and public welfare. The CM also called for equitable development across all regions in terms of funding and resource allocation. Reiterating the governments commitment to development and good governance, he directed all departments to closely monitor progress and remove bottlenecks to ensure that the benefits of Budget provisions reach the people in a timely manner. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary; Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Rana, Javid Dar and Satish Sharma; Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani; Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretaries of Jal Shakti, Public Works and Finance, besides all Administrative Secretaries, senior officers of the Finance Department, heads of departments, and other concerned officials.

Delhi-Kolkata direct flight: Bengal win gives Modi strategic room shrinking for other world leaders

Recent assembly election victories have significantly strengthened Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strategic position. This success provides him with greater flexibility to pursue ambitious trade, energy, and defense deals. The win in West Bengal is particularly strategic, marking a shift in Delhi-Kolkata relations. This political stability allows India to navigate global uncertainties and focus on economic growth.

CEC Kargil Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon meets Kiren Rijiju

Kargil, May 5:Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, met with Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, in Leh and discussed several issues pertaining to minority welfare reach the people of Kargil. During the meeting, CEC Dr Akhoon strongly emphasised the importance of ensuring that the benefits of all Central Government schemes pertaining to minority welfare reach the people of Kargil in full measure. He urged the union Minister to take special interest in expediting the sanctioning of Minority Hostels in Kargil, stressing that such infrastructure would provide crucial support to students from minority communities pursuing education and would serve as a significant step toward their overall development and empowerment. CEC Dr Akhoon also expressed sincere gratitude to the Union Minister for the smooth and seamless facilitation of Haj arrangements for the pilgrims from Ladakh, acknowledging the efforts of the Ministry in ensuring a comfortable and organised Haj journey. He further highlighted the need to make Haj facilities more accessible to the people of the region and called for continued support in this regard.

Sacred exposition unites communities, strengthens harmony in Ladakh: Kiren Rijiju

Kargil, May 5: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday inaugurated the H.E. Bakula Rinpoche Memorial Lecture Series in Leh, paying tribute to the revered Buddhist leader while highlighting the regions deep spiritual heritage amid the ongoing exposition of Lord Buddhas holy relics. The union minister received a warm welcome upon his arrival at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport, Leh, Ladakh by party leaders. He inaugurated the Kushok Bakula Memorial Lecture at Nagarjuna Hall, CIBS Leh organised by the UT Ladakh administration. Kiren Rijiju, attended as the Chief Guest and delivered the memorial lecture. The lecture is being held as part of the ongoing sacred exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha. Privileged to inaugurate the H.E. Bakula Rinpoche Memorial Lecture Series at CIBS, Choglamsar, Leh. Amid Ladakhs profound spirituality & cultural richness, interacted with revered monks, scholars, dignitaries, students & participants. Paid homage to Late Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, a guiding light of peace, compassion & nation-building Rijiju said. Addressing the gathering at CIBS, Rijiju said that there could not have been a better time for him to come to Ladakh as the Holy Relics of Tathagata are on display and the entire region is immersed in the hues of devotion and spirituality. He expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for listening to the long lasting wishes of the people of Ladakh and allowing the relics to be displayed at this land after a gap of more than 70 years. This sacred exposition unites, bringing together people across communities, generations & regions in shared reverence. In Ladakh, where spirituality & cultural identity are deeply intertwined, such moments strengthen bonds of trust, mutual respect & collective belonging. Peace here is not just absence of conflict, but presence of compassion & harmony he said. Talking about the life of H. E. Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, Rijiju said that KBR has made contributions not only for Ladakh and India but also the whole of Buddhism. He expressed an urgent need for his life and contributions to be studied in depth so that the future generations can be made aware of the exemplary work done by him for his region and also his religion. The Minister also made a special mention of KBRs efforts at reviving Buddhism in Mongolia, where he served as Ambassador of India, and said that it is because of his efforts that people of Mongolia look up to Indians and hold them in high regard. Speaking to media later, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says, Today I have come to Leh for a special purpose, and right now the relics of Lord Buddha are kept in Leh. Thousands of Ladakhis are visiting. Ladakhis are fortunate to have the opportunity to see the relics of Lord Buddha here in Leh. The new generations need to understand the life of Kushok Bakula Rinpoche. It's difficult to describe in words how he contributed to the transformation of Ladakh into a modern Ladakh and how he revived Buddhism in Mongolia. He also talked about the schemes introduced by the central government for the development of Ladakh. Senior dignitaries from UT administration including Chief Secretary Ladakh Ashish Kundra, DGP Ladakh Mukesh Singh, CEC Kargil Mohammad Jaffar Akhoon and Administrative Secretaries Sanjit Rodrigues and Bhanu Prabha were also present on the occasion. After concluding his talk at the venue, Sh Rijiju also visited the site of the display of the Holy Relics of the Tathagata at Jivetsal and paid obeisance to the Relics on display.

5300 solar rooftops installed in Srinagar

Srinagar, May 5: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo today chaired a comprehensive meeting of KPDCL Engineers, Banks and scheme vendors here at Meeting Hall of the DC Office Complex to assess progress of target achievements under the PM Surya Muft Bijli Yojana for the financial year 2025-26 in the district. The meeting was attended by Chief Planning Officer, Fayaz Ahmad Dar, Executive Engineers of KPDCL, Zonal Head J&K Bank, Lead District Manager(Banks), empanelled vendors of the scheme and other officials of KPDCL. At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner, who is also the Chairman Monitoring and Management Committee of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana conducted a detailed review of performance across all four Electric Divisions of Srinagar District focused on targets achieved, applications received and installations completed under the scheme during year 2025-26. The DC was informed that as more than 5300 solar rooftops have been installed across Srinagar District under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Emphasizing the need to accelerate implementation, the DC directed all stakeholders to work in close coordination to reach all eligible beneficiaries. On the occasion, the DC emphasized the need to accelerate the pace of implementation to reach the eligible beneficiaries within the stipulated timelines. He urged Banks to clear pending approved applications promptly and ensure swift loan disbursement to facilitate timely installation of rooftop solar systems. During the meeting, the DC also directed KPDCL executing engineers to ensure steady progress, timely delivery of benefits to consumers, promoting the adoption of renewable energy solutions, and minimizing consumers electricity bills. Highlighting the importance of awareness, the DC instructed officers to intensify outreach efforts and improve overall performance under the scheme. He underscored the multiple benefits of rooftop solar installations, including reduced electricity expenses for households, promotion of clean energy and contribution to environmental sustainability.

Major reprieve at Bone and Joint Hospital

Srinagar, May 5:Patients and their attendants at Bone and Joint Hospital Srinagar are set to get relief from long-standing parking and access issues. The hospital has initiated a series of infrastructure upgrades, making patient and attendant movement at the hospital faster and smoother, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, Dr Adil Hassan Kangoo said. Detailing the plan, which is already in execution phase, the MS said, the hospital will now have a dedicated entry and exit from the Bund side. The hospital, till now has a narrow, ill-maintained entry through the airport road, while the Bund connected the road to other parts of the city and not the hospital. This diversion is aimed at streamlining traffic flow, as well as create safety for orthopedic patients. Dr Kangoo said attendants and patient vehicles will be able to enter from the Bund side, drop or pick up patients from the OPD and other sections. The exit, he said, will also be through the same route. We will, for the first time, have entry and exit gates separate, which is very important for a hospital like ours, he said. In addition, in a major step to address the parking crisis at the hospital, around five kanals of land behind the newly inaugurated hospital block have been developed for parking, Dr Kangoo informed. The space will cater to both staff and attendants, he said. He added that the process to formally allot and manage the parking facility is currently underway, with the Rate Contract Committee of Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar. In order to improve patient movement within the hospital, Dr Kangoo said a dedicated trolley and wheelchair-friendly pathway has been developed from patient care areas to the MRI unit. A ramp connecting the new parking area to the hospital has also been constructed to ensure smoother access, he said. This is especially crucial for patients with limited mobility. Over the past weeks, many patients had complained of access issues into the casualty and OPD areas due to rubble and construction work at the entrance. The B&J Hospital officials said the existing, often congested parking area near the OPD and casualty entrance has been dismantled. The space will now be converted into a green zone, the inconvenience is regretted but we assure patients and public that this is temporary, Dr Kangoo said. The changes may have caused some inconvenience, but they are for the greater common good, he said.

Sakeena Itoo inaugurates digital X-ray unit, thyroid analyser at PHC Parigam Pulwama

Srinagar, May 5:Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo undertook an extensive visit of the Pampore constituency of Pulwama district and took stock of works on various public utility projects as well as reviewed healthcare facilities. MLA Pampore, Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi; Director School Education Kashmir, Naseer Ahmad Wani; Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr. Jehangir Bhakshi; CEO/CMO Kulgam senior officers of district administration and other sectoral officers also accompanied the Minister, said an official press release. During her visit, the Minister inaugurated state-of-art Digital X-Ray unit and a Thyroid Analyser at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Parigam. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, the Minister highlighted that the Government led by Omar Abdullah is committed to strengthen the medical infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir, with special focus on rural and underserved areas. She underlined that the introduction of these advanced diagnostic facilities will greatly enhance early detection and timely treatment of diseases, reducing the need for patients to travel to tertiary care hospitals. She emphasized the governments commitment to equipping rural healthcare institutions with modern technology to ensure accessible and affordable healthcare for all. The Minister also took round of the PHC Parigam and took stock of medical facilities available. She also interacted with medical staff and local residents. The Minister outlined the governments commitment to equipping peripheral health institutions with modern technology and adequate manpower. Later, the Minister also inspected the under-construction 50-bedded hospital at Kakapora. She reviewed the progress of ongoing works and directed the executing agencies to expedite construction while maintaining quality standards. Stressing the importance of timely completion, she noted that the hospital will play a crucial role in providing accessible and affordable healthcare services to the people of the area. Meanwhile, Sakeena Itoo also visited the site for 50-bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital and Yoga Training Centre at Ratnipora. She highlighted the growing importance of traditional systems of medicine and holistic wellness, stating that the proposed facility will promote preventive healthcare, wellness tourism, and community well-being through AYUSH practices and yoga. The Minister reiterated the governments resolve to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across all regions, with a special focus on rural and underserved areas. She assured that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure that people receive quality healthcare services closer to their homes.

HC quashes Bijbehara mans PSA detention

Srinagar, May 5: Underscoring that the detaining authority or the government is under legal obligation to consider representation of a detainee, the High Court of J&K and Ladakh Tuesday quashed the preventive detention of a man from Anantnag Districts Bijbehara under the Public Safety Act (PSA). A Bench of Justice M A Chowdhary while quashing detention order under PSA against Tariq Ahmad Rah (35) of Gundnowroz, Bijbehara noted that Article 22(5) of the Constitution of India casts legal obligation on the Government to consider the detenues representation as early as possible. It is obligatory for the detaining Authority or the Government, as the case may be, to consider the representation of the detenue and pass appropriate orders thereon. While the court held that there should be no slackness, indifference and callous attitude in consideration of the representation of a person who is detained, it said: Even unexplained delay would render the continued detention of the detainee as illegal. Every day delay in dealing with the representation has to be explained and the explanation offered must be reasonably indicating that there was no slackness or indifference, the court said. The court noted that although the detainee had submitted a representation against his detention in June 2025 to both the Government and the District Magistrate Anantnag, the same was not considered. This amounted to a clear violation of Article 22(5) of the Constitution. The detention order, issued on May 16, under Section 8 of the J&K Public Safety Act, had been based primarily on two FIRs registered at Police Station Bijbehara involving allegations of cheating. The court held that apart from these cases, no substantive material or specific activities prejudicial to public order were cited. Allowing Rahs habeas corpus plea, the court quashed his detention and ordered that the detainee be released forthwith, provided he was not

NH-44 open, slow movement persists amid congestion

Ramban, May 5:The SrinagarJammu National Highway (NH-44) remained open for two-way movement of light and medium vehicles on Tuesday, though traffic was slow at several stretches due to congestion, vehicle breakdowns and the movement of nomadic herds. Traffic authorities said the highway is expected to remain open on Wednesday for light, medium and heavy vehicles, subject to fair weather and road conditions. Officials said major disruptions were reported on single-lane sections between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, while breakdowns of heavy vehicles between Nashri and Banihal further slowed movement. Nomadic herds crossing the NachlanaBanihal stretch also contributed to delays. With more nomadic herds expected in the coming days, authorities have warned of continued slow traffic. Commuters have been advised to maintain lane discipline, avoid overtaking, travel during daylight hours, and check updates with Traffic Control Units in Jammu and Srinagar. Officials cautioned that night travel remains risky due to shooting stones, landslides and ongoing construction works between Ramban and Banihal. Violations such as wrong-lane driving may aggravate traffic congestion. Meanwhile, on the KishtwarSinthan TopAnantnag route (NH-244), subject to fair weather and road conditions and clearance from NHIDCL, only light motor vehicles (passenger/private cars) will be allowed to ply from Kishtwar towards Srinagar via Sinthan Top. These vehicles will be permitted to move from PP Parana between 08:30 am and 3:30 pm.

Gulmarg Gondola boom leaves traditional workforce struggling for share

Baramulla, Apr 5: The Gulmarg Gondola has emerged as one of Jammu and Kashmirs largest tourism revenue generators, earning over Rs 220 crore during the past two financial years (202223 and 202324). However, despite record earnings, local stakeholders say the economic benefits are not adequately reaching those who depend on traditional tourism services in Gulmarg. Ponywallas, guides, labourers and small traders allege that the tourism surge driven by the gondola has not translated into proportional income growth for them. Official estimates indicate that Gulmargs tourism ecosystem includes around 1,800 ponywallas, 1,100 guides, 1,200 sledge operators, 1,000 helpers and nearly 300 ATV operators. According to Tariq Ahmad, President of the Ponywalla Association Gulmarg, the destinations identity has increasingly narrowed to the gondola experience. He said that earlier, authorities capped gondola rides at around 3,500 visitors per day, ensuring a balanced flow of tourists across other services. He claimed that in recent years, the cap has effectively been removed, with daily footfall rising to 6,0007,000 visitors across the first and second phases of the ride. Gulmarg is not just about the gondola, Ahmad said, adding that limiting rides previously encouraged tourists to explore the destination through pony rides, guided tours and other local services. This ensured income for all stakeholders. Now, most of the revenue flows to the cable car system while others struggle, he said. Local ponywallas say tourist behaviour has also shifted significantly. Mushtaq Ahmad, a pony operator, noted that visitors earlier stayed longer and engaged with multiple services. Tourists used to spend days heretaking pony rides, hiring guides and shopping locally. Now many come only for the gondola ride and leave the same day, he said. Traders in the market echoed similar concerns, stating that although footfall has increased, actual sales have declined due to shorter stays. Visitors are coming in larger numbers, but business has not improved proportionately, a local shopkeeper said. Stakeholders describe the situation as a widening trickle-down gap, where tourism revenues remain concentrated within the gondola system, with limited integration of local services into the broader visitor experience. They have called for policy measures to ensure more equitable distribution of benefits, including better tourist dispersal, promotion of local experiences and structured engagement of traditional service providers in the tourism value chain.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease cases rise among children

Srinagar, May 5: Over the past week, reports of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases among kindergarten children and those yet to join a formal school are on the rise. At least one school in Srinagar has closed down for a week in the wake of clustering of cases. Doctors, however, called the emergence of this viral infection mild and seasonal. Many parents of young children in Srinagar have flagged the unusual number of cases of HFMD in schools. Irfan Ahmed, parent of a four-year-old girl, said her school, located in downtown Srinagar, has been off for the past few days due to several children in kindergarten having HFMD symptoms. It was spreading among children, so the school authorities decided to close down the school for a few days to break the chain of infection, he said. Another school in Srinagar has also had many cases of HFMD; however, the school continues to function. Verbal instructions have been issued to keep sick children home, said Saika Feroz, parent of a child studying in this school. Many parents fear that the spread of this infection is very fast and seek a proactive approach of school authorities to contain the communicable infection. Although the reports are mainly coming in from school children, many children who are yet to join schools have also been affected. Doctors said the spread in schools appears more accentuated due to several children together at one place, risking spread. Prof Parvaiz Ahmed, Head Department of Paediatrics, GMC Srinagar, said the surge in cases over the past weeks is an annual phenomenon. For the past five-six years, we have seen the cases of HFMD rising every Spring, he said. Dr Parvaiz said that sometimes an unusual spike is seen, but the infection as such is not a major threat. He said closing of schools is not advisable. This infection spreads through the faeco-oral route, and hand hygiene, he said. He said parents must keep the child who has symptoms at home for a few days till the infectious period is over. HFMD is a viral infection caused by coxsackievirus. It is contagious and mostly affects children under 5 years of age, that is the reason reports coming from kindergartens. However, it can also affect older children. The symptoms include lethargy, sometimes fever, sore throat, and painful blister-like sores in the mouth and on the hands, feet. Sometimes buttocks are also affected. There is no treatment for this infection, and symptoms last 5 to 7 days. In case a child has fever, paracetamol or ibuprofen is used for symptom relief. Preventive measures revolve primarily around hand hygiene, although ensuring children wash their hand every time they touch a surface is difficult. Contact with sick people must be avoided. Mouth and nose must be covered while sneezing and coughing if sick. Surfaces, such as school desks, door handles, chairs etc must be disinfected regularly. Children must be made to wash their hands regularly.

The rise of coordinator politics

The sacrifice of dissent is without doubt the death of politics, the sacrifice of a concurring but dissenting assent is the pathway to such imminent death In contemporary India, there is no shortage of political speakers if there is any, it is shortage of political authorship.Political voices are widespread on television debates, across social media platforms, and on the campaign trails. Politicians speak frequently, but the ability to be an independent thinker is shrinking. What is missingis not expression, but ownership of ideas. This reflects a structural transformation in contemporary politics in India: the transition from political actors as authors of ideas to coordinators of political parties, and this situation gives birth to the emergence of coordinator politics.It is a mode in which political actors primarily transmit centrally produced messages rather than generating independent insights. The above is in stark distinction with the times in which political leadership demanded not only authority but also articulation. Leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee were not merely representatives of their parties but even more significantly they acted as interpreters of their time and space. They engaged publicly with ideas, expressed disagreement, and influenced the ideological direction of their organisations. Their speech reflected intellectual engagement and personal conviction rather than organisational conformity. The contemporary political cultureis organised differently. Political parties function as highly centralised entities in which strategy, messaging, and communication are designed at the top and disseminated downward. In such aculture, consistency becomes a priority, and deviation,even when thoughtful, is treated as a risk wherein uniformity takes precedence over originality . In this new political culture, the role of political actors has been changing. They are expected to generate ideas and more to ensure that decisions are conveyed effectively. Most importantly, their role is often expected to create coordination between higher leadership and the cadre, policy with the public, and narrative with a positive perception. Alignment is often valued over articulation, while discipline takes precedence over divergence. There are various social processes that have accelerated this transformation. Elections now operate as continuous processes, placing political actors under constant visibility, the presence of hypermedia where every statement is recorded, circulated, and scrutinised in real time often creates a chance of multiple interpretations, with which accrues the risk of the context being detached from its original essence. Ergo, under these circumstances, hyper-controlled messaging becomes a functional necessity for political parties. Political communication is expected to be immediate, precise, and risk-averse, as such, improvisation, once associated with leadership, is increasingly treated as a liability. The prominence of spokesperson-driven communication reflects a shift in which representation substitutes reflection. The professionalization of politics also reinforces this pattern: as politics becomes a career pathway for many politicians, advancement in the same is made dependent upon alignment with organizational priorities, rewarding loyalty and consistency while making divergence costly. Over time, political actors internalized conformity instead of interpreting situations independently in relation to the society. The impact of this change is significant. Political actors may look visible and active in public life, but the nature of their participation changes - speech becomes dissemination-oriented rather than deliberative, and the individual voice recedes behind a collective script. The issue is not the frequency of speech, but the diminishing presence of independent articulation. This change may produce a new formof alienation among the politicians. When political actors function primarily as coordinators, they may become detached from the political processes that define political institutions.They no longer participate directly in the creation of ideas or the construction of social realities; instead, they communicate dispositions of their higher leadership, which is formulated elsewhere. In this way, coordinator politics produces not actual political leaders but rather alienated politicians who often feel separated from their own interpretations. This form of alienation can eventually harm democratic culture. Democratic politics rely not only on representation or communication but also on continuous negotiationa process of dialogue where competing interests and aspirations are articulated and reconciled. Effective political leadership often requires participation in the dialogue process instead of a monologue. It is understood that alienated politicians are structurally less equipped for dialogue, as their expected role is to maintain coherence and transmit decisions rather than create meaning. So, politics may shift from dialogue to one-sided articulation (monologue) wherein, positions are announced rather than debated and imposed rather than negotiated. Apart from the above stated political effects, it may create broader consequences for society. A society evolves through the shaping of the meanings of justice, identity, belonging, and aspiration, alongside institutional decisions. This requires political actors who often engage with peoples subjectivities rather than simply relaying organizational positions. Coordinators may be good at disseminating information, but do not necessarily generate meaning. This results in a lag where the society experiences a gap between living experience and political articulation.As societies become more complex, the need for interpretative engagement increases. Ergo, a system dominated by coordinators reduces this complexity to uniform narratives, simplifying social realities to put them in the framework of communication strategies rather than understanding them in their depth. This transformation also affects internal democratic processes. Political organizations may become efficient in communication but reamain weaker in reflection, and these types of political actors often look for passive participants because their intention is only to present/project their role through these passive/dummy participants Coordination often prioritises stability, while critical engagement introduces friction. When discipline becomes central, dissent becomes difficult to sustain . Author teaches Sociology at UILS, Chandigarh University

Cricket with Courage

It was a vibrant day at the sports stadium of Kulgam, where the Jammu and Kashmir Police had organised a cricket tournament aimed at channelising the energy of young boys towards positivity and steering them away from the growing menace of drug abuse. Amidst the cheers, youthful enthusiasm, and the spirit of competition, I met a young boy whose quiet presence carried a story far more powerful than any match being played that day. His name was Shakoor Bashir. During an interaction on the sidelines of the tournament, Shakoor shared with me a journey that was not just about physical struggle, but about resilience, faith, and an unyielding will to rise above adversity. Born with a locomotor disability, his childhood was marked by pain and limitations that most of us can scarcely imagine. Every step was a challenge, every movement a test of endurance. Yet, what stood out was not his sufferingbut his spirit. Shakoor recounted how his early years were spent in hospitals, undergoing multiple surgeries in a bid to correct his condition. His family, despite financial hardships, held onto hope and did everything within their means to support his treatment. At the Bone and Joint Hospital in Srinagar, a dedicated team of doctors worked tirelessly, performing critical procedures that gradually improved his mobility and gave him a new lease on life. But the road was not smooth. There were pauses in treatment due to financial constraints, moments of despair, and phases where progress seemed painfully slow. Watching others run freely while he struggled to walk left emotional scars. Yet, deep within him, there was a voice that refused to surrendera belief that his life was meant for more than limitations. That belief proved transformative. In his later years, Shakoor made a bold decision to continue his treatment, undergoing a major surgery that would redefine his future. The procedure was complex and risky, but he faced it with courage. By the grace of Almighty Allah and the expertise of the medical team, the surgery was successfulmarking a turning point not just in his physical condition, but in his entire outlook on life. Today, Shakoor Bashir walks with confidence, strength, and purpose. He is currently pursuing B.Sc. Anaesthesia at the Islamic University of Science and Technology, striving to build a future in the medical fieldperhaps inspired by those who once helped him stand on his own feet. Not only that, he has also represented at the national level in special cricket teams, proving that determination can break every barrier that life puts in the way. His journey is a beacon of hope. For countless children and young individuals suffering from locomotor disabilities, Shakoors story sends a powerful message: this condition is not the end. With timely medical intervention, determination, and the right support, lives can be transformed. Dreams can be revived. Futures can be rebuilt. It is also a reminder to societyto parents, institutions, and authoritiesthat awareness, accessibility, and support systems are crucial. Many young lives remain confined not because their conditions are untreatable, but because they lack resources and guidance. That day at the stadium, amidst the noise of cricket and celebration, I witnessed something far more profounda story of courage that deserves to be heard far and wide. Shakoor Bashir did not just overcome a disabilityhe redefined his destiny. And in doing so, he has become a symbol of hope for every young boy and girl who believes that their struggles define them. They do not. Because sometimes, the strongest people are not those who never fallbut those who rise, again and again, until they stand tall. Let this story inspire. Let it awaken hope. And above all, let it remind us that no obstacle is greater than the strength of the human spirit. Author works in J&K police.

Between Connectivity and Connection

On April 30, 2026, a sleek, 20-coach Vande Bharat Express completed its inaugural journey from Jammu to Srinagar, gliding through the Pir Panjal mountains. Flagged off by ministers and rightly so amidst declarations of a historic day and a new dawn, this event marked the culmination of a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar engineering odyssey: the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). For the first time, an all-weather, high-speed rail link connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India, transforming a gruelling 1012-hour road journey, hostage to landslides and snow, into a predictable, sub-five-hour transit. This is, by any measure, an achievement and monumental occasion. It is a triumph of modern engineering over some of the worlds most challenging terrain. For the apple grower, the hotelier, the student, and the tourist, the benefits are tangible and immediate. The train promises to be a powerful engine for the economy, a conduit for tourism, and a lifeline for locals. Officials have proudly noted that the service has seen 100% occupancy from its first run, when the train started between Katra and Srinagar, last year, a clear sign of its utility. And yet, in the streets of Srinagar, in the chatter on social media, in the very air of the Valley, there has been no real fanfare. Beyond the obligatory news reports of the inauguration, the event has passed with a conspicuous lack of public celebration. Even the morning news bulletin from AIR, Kashmir on 02-05-2026 when the service actually started mentioning the news as headline with a three second rail whistle, after the one-liner, news-item nothing more. The arrival of this steel artery, intended to pump life and prosperity into the region, has been met with a collective, almost indifferent, shrug. This muted reception is not born of ignorance or apathy. It is a silent, profound statement that speaks volumes about the chasm between development and dignity, between connectivity and connection. The question is not only whether the Kashmiri people are interested in progress, but whether progress, on its own, is enough to bridge a decade of deep political alienation. The central governments narrative will as per its current political perspective frame this railway as the crowning achievement of its post-2019 Kashmir policy. The message is clear: the abrogation of Article 370, which stripped the region of its unique constitutional status, has paved the way for an uninterrupted flow of development. The Vande Bharat Express is on its way to be presented as Exhibit A in the case for a new, integrated, and prosperous Kashmir. The logic is simple and transactional: in exchange for political autonomy, the Centre offers economic opportunity. In place of political grievance, it offers the ease of travel and the promise of commerce. But the people of Kashmir are not merely economic actors. The past decade has been one of political hibernation and psychological isolation. While the central government in Delhi speaks of Economic Federalism, the sentiment on the ground is one of Political Limbo. There is a widespread perception, even with a restored legislative assembly, that the elected local government is a glorified municipality, with true power residing with the centrally appointed Lieutenant Governor. In this context, mega-projects, however beneficial, are viewed through a lens of suspicion. They are often seen not as projects for Kashmiris, but as instruments for the further integration and control of the territory. This silence, therefore, is not empty. It is filled with the unaddressed anxieties of a populace that feels its destiny is being decided for it, not with it. The narrative of ease and normalcy rings hollow when set against a backdrop of what many feel is a creeping dispossession. Concerns that the railway will facilitate easier movement for security forces or enable demographic shifts are whispered, even if not shouted. The very infrastructure of connection is perceived by some as a tool of assimilation, a means to erase the distinct political and cultural identity that has been the cornerstone of Kashmiri aspiration for generations. To dismiss this as the cynicism of a few is to misread the complex emotional landscape of the Valley. A year after the traumatic Pahalgam attack of April 2025, a sense of living under an invisible lock persists. The public mood has shifted from the raw shock of 2019 to a weary, strategic pragmatism. People will, of course, use the train. They will leverage the economic opportunities it brings. Survival and the pursuit of a better life demand it. But using a service is not the same as embracing the narrative behind it. It is a pragmatic choice, not a political endorsement. The lack of enthusiasm is a quiet reflection of a people who have grown tired of celebrating milestones that feel disconnected from their core political and democratic aspirations. When the fundamental questions of political rights and justice, remain unanswered, a new train, no matter how fast or comfortable, feels like a distraction. Its like offering a gourmet meal to someone who is asking for a voice. The youth, in particular, are a Waiting Generation ambitious and educated, but frustrated by a system that offers them limited opportunities and even less agency, breeding a quiet but potent sense of alienation. The muted response to the Jammu-Srinagar railway is the calm of a deep water. It is a sign that the governments development-first strategy, while delivering tangible infrastructure, has failed to capture the hearts and minds of the people. It suggests that the narrative of ease and economic progress is a fragile veneer over a decade of unaddressed political measures. The Vande Bharat Express will continue its daily passage, a symbol of progress and engineering prowess. It will carry tourists, pilgrims, soldiers, and locals, weaving the valley more tightly into the fabric of the mainland. But until the bridges of trust are built with the same determination as the bridges of steel, until the journey towards political resolution is pursued with the same vigour as the laying of tracks, the train will travel through a landscape of silence. The people of Kashmir may be on board, but they are not celebrating the journey, for they remain uncertain of its ultimate destination. The system dearly providing infrastructure must also create that atmosphere for the connection. Ajaz Rashid is a social entrepreneur based in Mumbai.

Deepening the defence

We like it or we loath it, we live in a digital age. We enjoy it or we hate it, it is to stay. We understand it fully well or we struggle to use it, it is bound to determine our lives. The digital penetration into our lives is now a fact of our life. Even if we try to stay away from it, staying away is not a choice. It means our lives are now integrated within the digital matrix. It is not just entertainment or news, it is everything from education to healthcare, from governance to finance, nothing escapes its gaze and grip. The ease it has brought to our lives, the speed it has bestowed on services, the efficiency it has given to governance; all this is just amazing. But with that it has brought risks. The systems that are virtual carry tremendous risks, and those can cause systemic breakdowns and individual ruin. That is the reason governments and corporate sector invest time, money and mind in raising digital defences. As cyber crimes and cyber frauds become widespread the need to educate people and safeguard systems is attaining criticality. In a move to make financial transactions immune to cyber threat, public sector banks in India are scaling up spending on its IT side. This is to ensure that customer data is protected and financial assets are secured. The authorities are getting increasingly sensitive towards the threats that emanate from intrusion of AI based technologies. This is the need of the hour. In J&K, the banking sector will of course benefit from such defences, but at the same time banking officials here need to step up their efforts on public awareness. On the one hand if we require robust systems to save financial assets, we also need, on the other hand, an informed and alert customer base that can use digital banking services without falling prey to fraudsters. If the two go in tandem, the containment of cyber frauds can be ensured.

MoulMouj Health Corner

Q: I am 74 years old and feel tired even after a full nights sleep. Why? A: Persistent fatigue in elderly can be due to anemia, poor sleep quality, thyroid issues, or chronic illnesses. Even mild depression can present as tiredness. A basic health evaluation is recommended. Q: My mother (81 yrs) complains of frequent body aches without any clear illness. What could be the reason? A: Generalized aches may be due to age-related muscle loss, vitamin D deficiency, arthritis, or reduced physical activity. Regular movement, sunlight exposure, and nutritional assessment help. Q: I feel dizzy when I get up suddenly at 76. Is this serious? A: This may be due to a sudden drop in blood pressure (postural hypotension). It is common in elderly but increases fall risk. Rise slowly and review medications with your doctor. Q: My father (80 yrs) has become quieter and less interested in talking. Is this normal ageing? A: Not always. This could indicate hearing loss, depression, or early cognitive decline. Social withdrawal should not be ignored and needs evaluation. Q: I have frequent constipation at 73 despite eating normally. What should I do? A: Constipation is common due to low fiber intake, reduced activity, dehydration, or medications. Increase fluids, fiber and mobility. Avoid taking medication and syrups for constipation on your own. Persistent cases need medical review. Q: My mother (79 yrs) complains of breathlessness while walking short distances. Should we worry? A: Breathlessness may indicate heart, lung, or anemia-related issues. It should not be dismissed as ageing and requires timely evaluation. Q: I feel my hands tremble slightly at 75. Is this normal? A: Mild tremors can be age-related or due to conditions like Parkinsons disease, thyroid issues, or medication side effects. A neurological assessment is advisable if persistent. Q: My father (82 yrs) has poor sleep and wakes up frequently. Why does this happen? A: Ageing alters sleep patterns. Pain, anxiety, medications, or underlying illness can disturb sleep. Good sleep hygiene and medical review help improve quality. Q: I feel weaker than before at 70 even without illness. What could be the reason? A: Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) is common. Lack of protein intake and inactivity worsen it. Light strength exercises and proper protein-rich nutrition are important. Q: My mother (77 yrs) has swelling in her feet by evening. Is it normal? A: Mild swelling can occur due to prolonged sitting, but persistent swelling may indicate heart, kidney, or venous issues. It needs evaluation. Q: I feel low and uninterested in daily activities after 75. Is this depression? A: It can be. Depression in elderly often presents as lack of interest, fatigue, or irritability rather than sadness. Early recognition and support are important. See your doctor. Q: My father (83 yrs) complains of reduced hearing but avoids using hearing aids. What should we do? A: Hearing loss affects communication and increases isolation. Encourage evaluation and use of aids, as untreated hearing loss can worsen cognitive decline. Note: These responses are for general awareness and do not replace professional medical advice. Ask your questions at: WhatsApp: 6005463346, Email: ask@moulmoujfoundation.org

Prevention of Diabetic Foot

Is your bladder taking control of your life?

There is a question many elderly people begin to ask themselves: Will I find a toilet in time? It sounds simple. Almost trivial. But for thousands of seniors, this single uncertainty shapes their entire daywhere they go, how long they stay, even whether they step out at all. Urinary problems in old age are not just medical issues. They are life-altering conditions that quietly shrink confidence, independence, and social participation. Small changes we ignore It often starts subtly. You begin to wake up once at night. Then twice.Then three times. You feel an urgency to pass urineeven when the bladder is not full. Or you notice a weak stream, a delay, a sense of incomplete emptying. Many dismiss these as normal ageing. But ageing does not mean suffering. What is actually happening? Two of the most common problems behind these symptoms are: 1. Overactive Bladder (OAB): This is not about how much urine you haveit is about how your bladder behaves. The bladder becomes over-sensitive and contracts suddenly , giving: Sudden urgency (you feel you must go immediately) Frequent urination (many times during the day) Night-time urination (nocturia) Sometimes leakage before reaching the toilet Here, the bladder is too active . 2. Prostate Enlargement (in men): With age, the prostate gland enlarges and presses on the urinary passage. This leads to: Difficulty starting urination Weak or interrupted stream Dribbling after passing urine Feeling that the bladder is not fully empty Here, the problem is obstruction , not overactivity. Why do these problems occur? Ageing affects multiple systems: Bladder muscles become unstable Nerve signals become less coordinated Hormonal changes affect control mechanisms In men, prostate enlargement is almost universal with age Chronic illnesses like diabetes and neurological conditions worsen symptoms It is not one causeit is a combination of biological changes. Hidden impact on life What is rarely discussed is the emotional and social cost. Many elderly individuals begin to: Avoid long journeys Skip social gatherings Sit near exits or restrooms constantly Reduce fluid intake intentionally (which worsens health) Feel embarrassed, anxious, or dependent Some even stop attending prayers, functions, or family eventsnot because they cannot walk, but because they cannot trust their bladder . This is not just a urinary issue. It is a quality-of-life issue . Other Common Urinary Issues in Elderly Urinary infections (UTIs) UTIs in the elderly often present with the usual symptoms a burning sensation while passing urine, increased frequency or urgency, lower abdominal discomfort and sometimes fever or chills. The urine may appear cloudy, darker than usual, or have a strong, foul smell , which is often an early clue. Some patients report pain in the lower back or a feeling of incomplete emptying. However, fever may be mild or even absent in older adults, which can make recognition less straightforward. What makes UTIs particularly challenging in the elderly is their unusual or atypical presentation . Instead of clear urinary complaints, patients may develop sudden confusion, agitation, excessive sleepiness or a noticeable change in behaviour often mistaken for dementia or ageing. There may be loss of appetite, unexplained falls, weakness or general decline without any obvious urinary symptoms. In such cases, a UTI should always be suspected, especially when there is an abrupt change from baseline. Early recognition is critical, as timely treatment can rapidly reverse these symptoms and prevent complications. Incontinence involuntary leakage of urine during activities like coughing, laughing, sneezing, or sudden urgency. Nocturia waking up multiple times at night to pass urine, leading to disturbed sleep and fatigue. Medication-related symptoms certain drugs can impair bladder control or increase urinary frequency and urgency. Each of these needs proper assessmentnot guesswork. Warning signs you must not ignore Certain symptoms require urgent medical attention : Blood in urine Sudden unexplained weight loss Severe back or pelvic pain Persistent difficulty in urination Recurrent urinary infections Complete inability to pass urine These may indicate serious conditions including bladder or prostate cancer . Early detection changes outcomes dramatically. What can be done? Simple measures can make a meaningful difference: Lifestyle Adjustments Limit excessive tea, coffee, and caffeine Avoid late-night heavy fluid intake Maintain hydration during the day Keep a regular urination schedule (dont hold urine too long) Bladder Training Gradually increase time between urination Practice pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) Home Adjustments Keep easy access to toilets Use night lights to prevent falls during night urination Medical Management Medications to relax bladder (for OAB) Medications to reduce prostate size or improve flow In some cases, minimally invasive procedures or surgery Treatment today is effective, safe, and often simple if sought in time. Talk about it The biggest barrier is not the diseaseit is silence. Many elderly patients hesitate to discuss urinary problems. They consider it embarrassing or inevitable. Families often overlook it. But these are treatable conditions . A simple consultation can: Identify the exact cause, prevent complications and restore confidence and independence.

Power bank catches fire inside IndiGo plane at Chandigarh airport; all evacuated

Chandigarh/New Delhi, May 05: More than 200 people were evacuated from an IndiGo aircraft at the Chandigarh airport on Tuesday after a passenger's power bank kept in a seat pocket caught fire and filled the cabin with smoke, according to sources. The incident happened soon after the A321 aircraft landed from Hyderabad. It operated flight 6E-108. After landing during taxi into the bay at Chandigarh, a power bank kept in a pouch in the seat pocket by a passenger seated on 39C caught fire. Aircraft was stopped in the bay, aviation watchdog DGCA said in a statement. The regulator said cabin crew used two fire extinguisher bottles to put out the fire, and all six slides of the aircraft were deployed to evacuate the passengers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also said that no passenger injury has been reported. However, in a statement, IndiGo said there was an incident involving a customer's personal electronic equipment catching fire was reported when the IndiGo aircraft was stationary after landing. In the interest of safety, an immediate evacuation was carried out, and all the relevant authorities were immediately informed. All customers have been safely moved to the terminal and are being attended to by the team to ensure their well-being, the statement said. According to the sources, there were more than 200 people on the aircraft, including 6 crew members. Initially, sources had said that smoke emanated from an overhead bin due to the power bank catching fire. In November last year, DGCA advised airlines to prohibit the use of power banks for charging portable electronic devices during flight, in view of safety concerns arising from lithium battery-related incidents. A passenger who was on board the aircraft told the media that the incident took place as soon as the flight had landed. The passenger said his wife, who was also on the flight, suffered a twisted ankle during the evacuation of passengers. He also mentioned that his wife and other passengers were evacuated using sliders. According to him, smoke started to come out from the power bank of a person on the last seat, and the air hostess used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. But a lot of smoke filled up inside the plane, and there was panic, he added. The air hostess tried to calm down the passengers, but there was panic, the passenger said, adding that emergency gates were opened and evacuation was carried out. Sliders were put up to help passengers come down. There were children and elderly people on board the plane, he said. Further, the passenger said his wife was taken to a hospital in Zirakpur, where doctors informed them that she had suffered multiple fractures and surgery could be required.

Father-son duo among four killed in Mughal Road mishap

Rajouri, May 05: A father-son duo among four people lost their lives in a tragic road mishap that happened near Chatta Pani on Mughal Road with slippery road surface due to snowfall is being considered as cause of mishap. The ill-fated vehicle had gone missing on this road on Monday evening and was traced in gorge on Tuesday evening. As per police officials, a cab was on way to Kashmir from Poonch with three members of a family were travelling in the car who were on way to Kashmir for medical examination of one of the member. They said that cab was plying on Mughal Road in afternoon hours on Monday and it went missing with no one was aware about the tragic happening. In late evening hours, the family members started to raise hue and cry only after they failed to establish any contact with their travelling members after following which search operation was launched in the morning hours on Tuesday. Sub Divisional Magistrate Surankote, Farooq Khan said that different teams of police, civil administration, Indian Army and assisted by locals started the search operation in the early morning hours to trace the vehicle which was considered missing on the road. In late afternoon hours, one of our team spotted wreckage of vehicle in deep gorge after which the teams entered the gorge and succeeded in tracing ill fated vehicle and two bodies we are also recovered from the site. SDM said. He added that four passengers were travelling in the vehicle at the time of incident and other two bodies were also recovered during further searches conducted in gorge. Preliminary investigation has revealed that only four person including the driver but travelling in the vehicle at the time of accident and there are no evidences that any fiifh passenger was present in ill fated vehicle. the officer further informed. Regarding victims, he stated that a man from Mangnar village of Poonch was ill and his son and another family members were taking him to Srinagar for medical treatment and they were travelling in the cab with driver among four people in total were on board. Deceased include cab driver Shoket Hussain resident of Hari Surankote, Abdul Majeed son of Manir Hussain and father-son duo identified as Akbar Hussain son of Ghulam Haider and his son Mohammad Bashir, all residents of Mangnar Poonch. Police said that a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in police station Surankote and further legal proceedings are underway.

Cabinet approves proposal to increase number of Supreme Court judges

The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to increase the number of Supreme Court judges. The strength will rise from 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice of India. A bill will be introduced in Parliament to implement this change. This move aims to strengthen the apex court's capacity.

India significant contributor to global growth during uncertain times: Jaishankar

Kingston, May 05: India is a very significant contributor to overall global economic growth during very uncertain, unpredictable times, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said as he voiced concerns over the ongoing conflicts across the world. We are seeing a degree of turbulence, of volatility, of unpredictability which probably most of us have not experienced in our lives, Jaishankar said while speaking at the University of the West Indies in Kingston on Monday. He said that India is actually today a very significant contributor to overall global economic growth amid very, very uncertain, unpredictable economic time, economic circumstances. The IMF estimates that in this current year, if you look at total economic growth in the world, India would contribute 17 per cent to that, which would, I think, make us the second biggest contributor, he said. He said that the eality of politics is very sensitive to the movement of people, hence the Global Capability Centres (GCC) are emerging as the only solution under which economic tasks move to where the people are. India has, in many ways, emerged as a leader of the GCC economy. At the moment, we have about 1800 GCCs whose exports are close to about 70 billion dollars every year, and it's growing at a very, very rapid rate, he added. Jaishankar said that the world in transition unfortunately looks like it's a much more self-centred. Countries tend to look out for themselves in a somewhat extreme manner, in this scenario, he said. He said that India is showing the world in transition that the ational interest and global good are not contradictory and you can contribute to the world even while looking after yourself. Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.

Prominent cleric Maulana Idrees shot dead in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

New Delhi, May 05: Prominent Deoband scholar and importanta leader of Jama'at-e-Ulema Islamia (F) Sheikh Muhammad Idrees was shot in Charsadda area of Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw while traveling to a seminary. He was a close associate of Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman. Two police security guards Pervez and Sher Alam, were injured and shifted to a medical hospital for treatment. The police described it as a targeted killing and stated that assailants opened fire on him in Tariqabad area when he was visiting Darul Uloom Noumania. Authorities said the attackers were linked to the banned TTP, aiming to destabilize peace and spread fear. Police in Charsadda have obtained CCTV footage in connection with the killing of prominent religious scholar Maulana Sheikh Idrees. District Police Officer Waqas Khan, while expressing deep sorrow over the incident, termed it a brutal and intolerable act. He said that immediately after the incident a heavy police contingent reached the site, cordoned off the area and collected evidence, adding that CCTV footage from nearby locations has been obtained and is being thoroughly examined to help identify and arrest the suspects. A special investigation team has been constituted under the supervision of SP Investigation Alamzeb Khan for a comprehensive and transparent probe.

EC Role, Hindu Vote Consolidation Among Factors For BJP Win In Bengal Polls: CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, May 5: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday attributed the BJPs West Bengal win to a significant role played by the Election Commission (EC), alongside a consolidation of Hindu votes and a fractured minority mandate. Abdullah also said the INDIA bloc needs to define its role in the political landscape of the country and make it clear whether the opposition alliance was limited to the parliamentary elections or extended to the state elections as well. Talking [] The post EC Role, Hindu Vote Consolidation Among Factors For BJP Win In Bengal Polls: CM Omar Abdullah appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Mughal Road Car Accident: Two Bodies Recovered, Say Police

Poonch, May 5: District Police Poonch on Tuesday recovered two bodies from a nallah near Chhattapani after a search and rescue operation was launched to trace out the missing vehicle along Mughal Road. Police officials said that four individuals travelling in a vehicle were reported missing yesterday while en-route on the Mughal Road. Acting swiftly on the information, District Police Poonch launched a large-scale search and rescue operation in the area. During the course of the search operation today, the [] The post Mughal Road Car Accident: Two Bodies Recovered, Say Police appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

GOC White Knight Corps reviews security, operational preparedness in J-Ks Udhampur

Srinagar, May 05: The General Officer Commanding (GOC) White Knight Corps Lieutenant General P K Mishra accompanied by GOC Counter-Insurgency Force (CIF) Delta Major General A P S Bal today visited general area of Basantgarh in Udhampur district to assess the current security dynamics and ongoing operational preparedness. The Army commander was apprised of the existing security layout, force disposition, surveillance mechanisms and contingency responses, with focused discussions on optimising the operational framework and reinforcing multi-agency synergy for a stable hinterland. During the visits, the GOC White Knight Corps commended the troops for their high morale, professionalism, and dedication to safeguarding the nation under challenging conditions.

National Conference misled people of J&K to gain power: Altaf Bukhari

Anantnag Police Crack Down on Drugs: 158 FIRs, 3.5 Cr Property Attached | GKTV Exclusive with SSP Anantnag

NC used Article 370 as 'emotional blackmail' to deceive people: Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar, May 5: Apni Party president Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led National Conference of using emotional blackmail over Article 370 and 35A to deceive people in the recent elections. The Apni Party chief said while accusing the National Conference (NC):Did you see the recent elections? They voted on the emotional blackmail of 370 and 35A. They said they would give one lakh jobs, 200 units of free electricity, and increase ration by 10 kg per person. But it was all a lie. Whatever they told the people was a lie, he said. The Apni Party chief alleged that regional parties have consistently abused Delhi to garner votes. Delhi needs Jammu and Kashmir. But if Delhi does not respect our young people, we do not need Delhi. We need a Delhi where our elders are respected, he said. Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari said, Our party and Altaf Bukhari's politics are based on truth. We do not deceive people, he asserted. (KNS)

Strawberry farmers of Kashmir call for youth participation, train services to export their produce

Strawberry growers in Gassu, known as Kashmirs Strawberry Village, say the weather has been favourable for the crop this season. However, they say strawberry farming is labour intensive and want more young people to take it up to keep the tradition alive. Farmers also urge the government to start dedicated train services to help transport their produce to other states

Major drug racket busted in Kulgam; kingpin among three arrested: Police

Kulgam, May 05: In a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, Kulgam Police successfully dismantled a major drug network by arresting three accused, including a key kingpin identified as Sadiq Hussain alias Showki from Vijaypur, Samba, and recovered a significant quantity of heroin along with cash. A police spokesperson said in a statement on the basis of reliable information received from a credible source, it was learnt that two individuals Hilal Ahmad Ganai, son of Ghulam Mohiuddin Ganai resident of Kanispora in district Baramulla and Parvaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohammad Abdullah Bhat, resident of sident Wagoora in the Wagoora area of district Baramulla were involved in smuggling and selling narcotic contraband like Heroin. The information further revealed that they were transporting the contraband from Banihal towards Qazigund via NH-44 in a vehicle (Baleno) with the intention to supply it among local youth. Acting promptly, Police Station Qazigund registered FIR No. 108/2026 under relevant sections of the NDPS Act and initiated investigation, he said. A naka was laid at Choimulla under the leadership of Manav Dhanetiya (IPS Probationer), SHO Qazigund, leading to the interception of the said vehicle. Both accused were apprehended and 50 grams of Heroin like substance was recovered from their possession. The vehicle used in the commission of offence was also seized. During investigation, the spokesperson said, the first backward linkage was established, leading to the identification of a major supplier and kingpin Sadiq Hussain @ Showki S/o Mareed Ali R/o Rakh Barothian, Vijaypur, Samba. Subsequently, a search warrant was obtained from the competent court, and a police team from Qazigund, with the help of Samba Police, conducted a raid at the accuseds residence in Samba. The team successfully apprehended the accused, the statement said. During the search of his premises, particularly a stable,152 grams of Heroin and 52,000* cash were recovered. the spokesperson said. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused kingpin was operating a well-organized drug network with a large number of clients across Jammu & Kashmir, supplying narcotics on a daily basis and causing severe damage to society, especially the youth. Further investigation is going on as more arrests and recoveries are expected. The entire operation was conducted under the supervision of SDPO Qazigund Mansoor Ayaz (JKPS) and Addl. SP NHW Shri Mumtaz Ali Bhatti (JKPS). The vehicle involved is also being processed for legal action under relevant provisions of law. SSP Kulgam, Anayat Ali Chowdhary-IPS appealed people, especially youth, to stay away from drugs and parents must remain vigilant. He urged the public to share any information regarding drug-related activities with the police, assuring that the identity of informers will be kept confidential, and warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found involved in drug trafficking or peddling. The operation showcased the courage, coordination, and dedication of Kulgam Police, police said. Kulgam Police reiterated its firm resolve to eliminate drug abuse and trafficking and warns all those involved in such illegal activities that strict action under law is inevitable

Place hand on Quran if you didn't vote for BJP: NC challenges Mehbooba Mufti over Rajya Sabha polls

Srinagar, May 05: The National Conference (NC) on Tuesday accused Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti of voting for the BJP in last year's Rajya Sabha elections, demanding that she and her three MLAs should place their hands on the Quran and swear that they did not vote for the BJP. NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq alleged that Mufti had joined hands with the saffron party in 2014, becoming the first political leader from Kashmir since 1975 to form a post-poll alliance with the BJP. If she had not joined hands with the BJP in 2014, then perhaps this would not have happened, Sadiq said, referring to the PDP-BJP coalition government formed that year. The NC leader further claimed that the PDP remains silent on larger issues like Article 370 and the restoration of statehood while continuing to target his party over the Rajya Sabha vote. You are constantly criticising the National Conference. But you are silent on big issues whether it is Article 370 or statehood, or the developments that have taken place, MLA Sadiq said. Asserting that Mufti's claim of not voting for the BJP cannot be trusted, Sadiq said, If Mehbooba Mufti and her three MLAs are true to the people of J&K, they should place their hands on the Quran and state that they did not vote for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls. Responding to Congress complaints about a lack of coordination in the opposition alliance, MLA Sadiq said the NC has already decided on its four members for a proposed coordination committee. We are waiting for the Congress to decide among themselves who will be on that committee. If the Congress decides and forms a coordination committee, then whatever is discussed will be resolved, he added. (KNS)

LG Sinha joins mega 'Padyatra' in Budgam, pledges sweeping action against drug smugglers

Budgam, May 05: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha joined a large people's movement in Budgam today as part of drug-free J&K campaign and assured the citizens that every arm of administration would act with resolve and unity to confront the issue and ensure that the threat is effectively eliminated. The Lieutenant Governor appealed to every family, social organization, spiritual and political leaders in Budgam to intensify drug-free J&K campaign across the district and assured them that the administration and its full strength is committed to eradicating drugs. The Lieutenant Governor also announced an informal Parents Brigade in every village and city, wherever possible. He said the aim is to create a voluntary network of parents, women and youth who will be trained and empowered to identify early signs of drug use in villages or wards, and to immediately connect families with resources. The Lieutenant Governor said the entire district of Budgam must stand against the poison of drugs that is destroying the souls of our youth. I believe that every young person lost to addiction is a loss of strength for our future workforce, and a lost soldier for our police and army. Every family broken by addiction is a crack in the foundation of our society, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor observed that in this war against drugs, society must accept the truth that many boys and girls are in the grip of narcotics. He said there is no harm in accepting this, as they are our own children. They are victims, not criminals, and they need our embrace, compassion and care. Furthermore, the public must eliminate the stigma, so that if a family is suffering, they do not have to endure the pain in silence. This tradition must change because today's circumstances are such that silence will not defeat this; the public must raise its voice, the LG said. The Lieutenant Governor further stated that drug addiction is not just a health issue; it is also a crisis of national security. He said drugs entering into our society do not only hollow out the aspirations of our youth and damage their self-confidence, but the drug trade is also funding terrorism and radicalization. The entire world knows that our neighbour, a major patron of terrorism smuggling drugs into Jammu Kashmir. Drug trafficking and terror funding are no longer separate issues-they are two hands of the same enemy. We must remember that when we fight against drugs, we are also fighting against terror. When we protect our youth, we protect our nation, LG Sinha said. He said that he launched the Drug-Free Jammu & Kashmir campaign 24 days ago on 11th April in Jammu with the faith that no enemy, no matter how conspiratorial, can stand before a united society. The law enforcement agencies alone cannot win this war; the administration alone cannot win it. But together, every teacher, parent, spiritual leader, elder, doctor, youth and woman becomes an invincible force, and I have full faith that Budgam will carry this campaign forward with this spirit, Sinha said. He said in this 100-days campaign, people have 76 days left and in these 76 days, we must prove that when society decides to fight against a social evil, every citizen wins. I have directed every police station in the Kashmir Valley to gather full information on active drug smugglers and peddlers in their jurisdiction and take decisive action within 30 days. We are monitoring every financial transaction of drug cartels, and action will be ensured not just against small-time peddlers but against major smugglers. The palaces built with drug money will be razed to the ground, the Lieutenant Governor said. He also urged every citizen to participate actively in the awareness campaign and become the eyes and ears of the police and administration. If you see any suspicious activity in any corner of Budgam, report it immediately. With your cooperation, it will be ensured that no drug peddler can remain around any village, neighbourhood, or college in Budgam. I want to tell the drug smugglers, elements linked to the narco-terror network, and drug peddlers active in Budgam that your time on the soil of Budgam has ended. Our agencies know who you are. Our administration is coming after you, and today I promise every resident of Budgam that not a single drug smuggler will escape accountability, Manoj Sinha said.

LG Sinha leads Nasha Mukht padyatra in Budgam

Delhi HC allows jailed MP Engineer Rashid to visit ailing father under police escort

New Delhi, May 05: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted permission to jailed Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid to visit his ailing father at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) under strict police escort. The court allowed the visit on humanitarian grounds, directing authorities to ensure adequate security arrangements during the movement and stay of the MP. It also specified that the visit should be time-bound and conducted strictly under supervision. Engineer Rashid, who is currently in judicial custody, had approached the court seeking permission to meet his father, who is undergoing treatment at AIIMS. The plea highlighted the critical health condition of his father and requested temporary relief to allow the visit. The High Court, while considering the urgency and medical condition involved, approved the request with conditions, emphasizing adherence to security protocols. Further details regarding the duration and modalities of the visit are expected to be finalized by the concerned authorities.(KNC)

Pakistans passport ranks among the weakest in the world

New Delhi, May 05: Pakistans passport ranks among the weakest in the world, holding the fourth-lowest position globally. According to the Henley Passport Index, Pakistan is ranked 98th out of 102 countries. Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria are the only countries ranked below Pakistan. The Henley Passport Index has once again placed Singapore at the top as the worlds most powerful passport. Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates jointly hold second place, offering access to 187 destinations without a visa. Norway and Switzerland also rank highly, with visa-free access to 185 countries. The report notes that European nations dominate passport strength rankings, with European Union countries averaging access to 183 destinations. At the lower end, Afghanistan ranks last, with visa-free access to only 23 countries, followed by Syria and Iraq. Pakistan has access to 31 countries without a prior visa. Experts say passport strength reflects a countrys economic stability and international relations, while weaker rankings are often linked to political instability, conflict, and migration trends. Countries offering visa-free access to Pakistani citizens include Barbados, Dominica, Gambia, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Visa-on-arrival facilities are available in destinations such as the Maldives, Qatar, Nepal, Rwanda, Cambodia, Madagascar, and Mozambique.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in Leh to deliver Kushok Bakula Memorial Lecture

Kargil, May 05 : Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Minority Affairs, Kiran Rijiju arrived in Leh, Ladakh on Tuesday. The union minister received a warm welcome upon his arrival at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh, Ladakh. He is scheduled to attend Kushok Bakula Memorial Lecture at Nagarjuna Hall, CIBS Leh organised by the UT Ladakh administration. Kiren Rijiju, will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest and deliver the memorial lecture. The lecture is being held as part of the ongoing sacred exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha.

Op Sindoor reflected power of indigenous weapons, says MoS Defence at North Tech Symposium 2026

New Delhi, May 05: Indias military might is forged in the factories of our defence industries, said Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth as he credited the success of Operation Sindoor to the unmatched courage and determination of the defence forces, further bolstered by the effectiveness of indigenously-developed state-of-the-art weapons & systems. Addressing the North Tech Symposium in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on May 05, 2026, he described MSMEs as the backbone of the Indian economy and start-ups as the brand ambassadors of the country. Our start-ups and MSMEs are the driving force for future growth and will play a pivotal role in realising Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modis vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. They are the Vishwakarmas of our age, he said. Raksha Mantri commended the defence forces for dismantling the nefarious designs of Indias adversaries by eliminating terror hideouts duringOp Sindoor. The effective use of Made-in-India equipment is testimony to the resolve of the entire nation - the Government, DPSUs & the private sector, especially innovators, start-ups & MSMEs - to achieve Aatmanirbharta in defence, he said. Raksha Rajya Mantri asserted that record defence production and defence exports figures are proof of the emergence ofNew Indiawhich believes in strengthening its own capabilities to safeguard national interests. This New India does not cast an evil eye on anyone, nor does it look the other way if someone tries to threaten its sovereignty, he added. Emphasising that the technology deployed today may become obsolete tomorrow, Raksha Rajya Mantri urged the industry to think outside-the-box and strive to stay ahead of the technology curve amidst the global uncertainties. He highlighted the Governments initiatives to strengthen the defence ecosystem of the country. Innovation is a continuous process, he said, extending the Governments full support. He acknowledged the transformative impact of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor and exhorted the industry to take the growth to greater heights. Speaking on the occasion, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Central Command Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta urged the industry to join hands with the defence forces to fulfill the current operational requirements in emerging domains and contribute in making the Indian Army a future-ready force. Self-reliance will lead to strategic autonomy, technological sovereignty and operational tailoring, he said. The three-day North Tech Symposium 2026 has been organised by Indian Armys Northern & Central Commands and SIDM on the themeRaksha Triveni Sangam - Where Technology, Industry & Soldiering Converge'. The event, which was inaugurated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on May 04, 2026, features 284 stalls by private defence manufacturers, showcasing cutting edge defence technology. Demonstrations of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), drones, counter UAVs, (All Terrain Vehicles), surveillance equipment and other defence products are also being held as part of the event. GOC-in-C, Northern Command Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma; GOC, 1 Corps Lieutenant General V Hariharan; President, Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) Shri Arun T Ramchandani; industry captains; innovators; start-ups and academia representatives attended the session.

Dry weather likely in Kashmir from Wednesday: MeT

New Delhi condemns UAE strikes after three nationals injured; PM Modi calls attacks unacceptable

New Delhi, May 05: New Delhi on Tuesday strongly condemned missile and drone strikes on the United Arab Emirates that left three Indian nationals injured, with one attack triggering a fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, officials said. The strikes, blamed on Iran, targeted Fujairah, raising concerns over the safety of civilians and critical infrastructure in the region. In a message on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Strongly condemn the attacks on the UAE that resulted in injuries to three Indian nationals. Targeting civilians and infrastructure is unacceptable. India stands in firm solidarity with the UAE and reiterates its support for the peaceful resolution of all issues through dialogue and diplomacy. Ensuring safe and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is vital for enduring regional peace, stability and global energy security. The Ministry of External Affairs also denounced the incident, stating that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure were unacceptable and called for an immediate halt to hostilities. We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians, the ministry said in a statement, referring to the strikes on Fujairah. New Delhi further emphasised the need to safeguard international shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies and a key concern for India, which relies heavily on imports to meet its energy needs.

EOW Kashmir busts health educator recruitment scam, accused held

Srinagar, May 05: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir on Tuesday cracked a recruitment fraud case in the Health Department and arrested a senior official for his alleged role in facilitating fake appointments, officials said. In a statement, a spokesperson said the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has conducted searches in connection with FIR No. 19/2017 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 RPC of Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir (now EOW Kashmir) and arrested a habitual offender, Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir, Senior Assistant in the Health Department and resident of Tankipora Shaheed Gunj Srinagar, for his involvement in the case. He said the case originated from a communication received from the Deputy Director Health Services Kashmir, indicating that one Bashir Ahmad Sofi of Mazhama Budgam had fraudulently secured his appointment as a Health Educator by producing forged transfer orders and a fabricated Last Pay Certificate. Investigation revealed that the accused illegally entered service at Block Sheeri Baramulla and drew salary, causing wrongful loss to the state exchequer. He said, further investigation has revealed Shahnawaz Ahmad Mirs involvement in multiple similar cases, which are under probe or have been charge-sheeted. Further investigation in the instant case is ongoing.(KNO)

Baramulla youth begin foot march to Doda to meet MLA Mehraj Malik, promote LGs anti-drug campaign

Banihal, May 05: A young man from north Kashmir has embarked on an unusual and determined journey on foot to spread awareness against drug abuse and to meet resently released MLA Doda. Shahid Zahoor, a resident of Rohama in Baramulla, is currently on a long-distance walk arround 270 kilometres to Doda with the aim of meeting MLA Doda Mehraj Malik. His journey, marked by perseverance and public engagement, is drawing attention along the route. During his travel, Zahoor is halting at various locations, interacting with local residents and appreciating their support for the ongoing 100-day drug-free campaign launched by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. He is also using the opportunity to spread awareness about the dangers of substance abuse, urging people to collectively work towards making not just Jammu and Kashmir but the entire country free from drugs. Zahoor said he has been inspired by the anti-drug initiatives underway in the Union Territory and wants to contribute at the grassroots level by directly connecting with people during his journey. Locals who have met him along the way have appreciated his efforts, calling his mission a positive step towards building awareness and encouraging community participation in the fight against drug abuse.

Budgam: Mans body recovered from waterbody

Budgam, May 05: A man was found dead in the Chodrigund area of Chadura in central Kashmirs Budgam district on Tuesday, officials said. The deceased has been identified as Abdul Ahad Wagay, son of Ghulam Hassan Wagay, a resident of Chodrigund, Chadura. According to initial information, the body was spotted lying in the river by locals, who subsequently alerted the authorities. A police team reached the spot and took custody of the body. The circumstances leading to the death were not immediately known, and officials said further investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause of death. The body is expected to be handed over to the family after completion of medico-legal formalities. [KNT]

Russia declares truce in Ukraine to mark Victory Day; Kyiv to cease fire two days earlier

Moscow, May 05: Russia's Defence Ministry declared a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine for Friday and Saturday to mark the 81st anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, but it threatened to strike back at Kyiv if it tries to disrupt the Victory Day festivities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in response said his country would observe a truce beginning at 12 am on Wednesday and respond in kind to Russia's actions from that moment on. He did not put an end date on the truce. The announcements on Monday come as Russia prepares to celebrate its most important secular holiday with a traditional military parade on Moscow's Red Square pared down due to what officials say are concerns over possible Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine has been launching drone attacks deep inside Russia to counter its more than 4-year-old invasion. They also follow a familiar pattern of previous attempts to secure ceasefires most recently around Orthodox Easter that had little to no impact. The Defence Ministry said if Ukraine attempts to disrupt Saturday's celebrations, Russia will carry out a massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv. It warned the civilian population there and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of he need to leave the city promptly. Zelenskyy responded by saying that while Kyiv has not received any official requests for a truce, in the time left until midnight on Wednesday it is realistic to ensure that a ceasefire takes effect. He urged the Kremlin to take real steps to end their war, especially since Russia's Defence Ministry believes it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine's goodwill. For years, the Kremlin has used the pomp-filled Victory Day parade to showcase its military might and global clout, and it has been a source of patriotic pride. But this year, the parade in the Russian capital will take place without tanks, missiles and other military equipment for the first time in nearly two decades. Some of the smaller parades that are held elsewhere across the country have also been pared down or even cancelled for security reasons. Speaking at a summit with European leaders in Armenia on Monday, Zelenskyy said that the Russian authorities fear drones may buzz over Red Square on May 9. This is telling. It shows they are not strong now, so we must keep up the pressure through sanctions on them, he said. World War II remains a rare point of consensus in Russia's divisive history under Communist rule. The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in what it called the Great Patriotic War in 1941-45, an enormous sacrifice that left a deep scar in the national psyche. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has ruled Russia for over 25 years, has turned Victory Day into a key pillar of his tenure and has tried to use it to justify the war in Ukraine. Last year's parade on the 80th anniversary drew the most global leaders to Moscow in a decade, including high-profile guests like Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva and Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico. Fico will attend the parade this year, as well. Putin had declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire starting May 7, 2025, and authorities blocked cellphone internet in Moscow for several days to avert Ukrainian drone attacks. Last week, Putin floated the idea of a ceasefire for Victory Day this year, too, in a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump. Russian media reported Monday that the country's cellphone operators have begun to warn their customers of cellphone internet restrictions in Moscow and St. Petersburg in the coming days.

21 killed, 61 injured in blast at fireworks factory in China

Beijing, May 05: At least 21 people were killed and 61 others injured in a massive explosion at a fireworks factory in China's Hunan province, officials said on Tuesday. The explosion occurred on Monday afternoon at the plant operated by the Huasheng fireworks manufacturing and display company in Liuyang, a county-level city under Changsha, the provincial capital. Videos circulating on Chinese social media showed massive destruction of property spanning several kilometres. More than 480 rescuers, organised into five teams, have been deployed for relief operations, with three rescue robots pressed into service. Rescue officials said 21 people were killed and 61 others were injured. The injured have been rushed to hospitals for treatment, while a second round of search operations is underway. China is a leading manufacturer and exporter of fireworks. As the explosion site is located near two black powder warehouses, the rescuers have evacuated nearby residents and set up a buffer zone to prevent a secondary accident, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The Ministry of Emergency Management has dispatched experts to the scene to guide rescue efforts. The person in charge of the company has been detained by police and the cause of the accident is being investigated, the report said.

CCIK delegation meets LG Manoj Sinha

A delegation of the Chamber of Commerce & Industries Kashmir (CCIK), led by its President Tariq Ghani, on Monday met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhawan to discuss a range of economic, industrial and policy issues affecting the business community in Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation comprised Hussain Khan (Senior Vice President), Dr Imran Nazir (Junior Vice President), Aatif Khan (Joint Secretary), Ashiq Bhat (Chief Coordinator), Aijaz (Treasurer), Umar Jan Wani (Convenor) and Zubair (Youth Representative). During the meeting, the delegation submitted a comprehensive memorandum outlining key concerns and recommendations aimed at strengthening the regions economic landscape. The members appreciated the Lieutenant Governors initiatives, including the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign, and expressed support for efforts to build a drug-free society. They also proposed the establishment of rehabilitation centres in every district. The CCIK highlighted several pressing issues, including the need for fair compensation in land acquisition cases, concerns over provisions of the Master Plan 2035, and the necessity of simplifying procedures related to ease of doing business, particularly hotel renewals and change of land use (CLU) processes.

DMD NABARD reviews RBIC progress at SKUAST-K

Deputy Managing Director (DMD), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Dr AK Sood, visited Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar campus, to conduct a review of the Rural Business Incubation Centre (RBIC). The visit was aimed at assessing the progress of infrastructure creation under RBIC for fostering agri-business and rural entrepreneurship across the region. RBIC at SKUAST-K has been created with the support and funding of NABARD to foster rural entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. At the outset of the visit, Dr Sood held a meeting with Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, who detailed the universitys approach for modernising agriculture with the help of new age technologies. Prof Ganai briefed the visiting dignitary about the RBICs hub and spoke model with Shalimar campus acting as a central hub, while the universitys specialized technical units, including the dairy processing facility, biofertilizer production centre, fur processing unit, and mushroom production wing, serve as practical spokes that provide incubatees with essential support. Dr Sood lauded these efforts, noting that the integration of academic facilities with business incubation is vital for advancing the agriculture sector and modernising the technological landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. He offered full support from NABARD for further strengthening the incubation framework to ensure the long-term success of the startup ecosystem. The occasion was marked by the official release of Ruralpreneur, the inaugural newsletter of the RBIC. Launched jointly by Dr Sood and Prof Ganai, the publication provides a detailed account of the centres achievements over its first six months, highlighting the growth of its startup portfolio and its impact on rural communities. Following the launch, Dr. Sood was accompanied by a senior delegation from NABARD, including General Manager and Office Incharge for J&K Vikas Mittal, Deputy General Manager Surrinder Singh, and Assistant General Manager Kanav Sharma, for an interactive session with the RBIC management team at the Discovery Building. During this session, Dr Jameel Ahmad Khan, CEO of RBIC, delivered a presentation on the centres operational pipeline and its extensive outreach activities. Prof Haroon Naik emphasised the RBICs mission to extend its reach into the most remote areas of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh to identify untapped talent. He also shared insights into future infrastructure plans, specifically the development of a dedicated Techno Park aimed at providing world-class facilities for emerging ventures. The visit concluded with a tour of the Innovation Building, where Dr Sood inspected the newly developed co-working pods, conference halls, and dedicated offices designed to provide a professional environment for the region's next generation of agri-entrepreneurs.

Notorious woman drug peddler arrested; contraband seized: Anantnag Police

Anantnag, May 05: As government intensify crackdown on drug trafficking under 'Nasha Mukhtsar J&K Abhiyan' across the UT, Anantnag Police apprehended a notorious woman drug peddler involved in multiple narcotics cases and seized contraband substances from her possession, officials said on Tuesday. A police spokesperson said in a statement that a police party of Police Post Dialgam had established a routine naka checking point at Laalan Bypass. During checking, one lady was noticed approaching from Bondialgam towards Laalan. On observing the police party, she attempted to flee from the spot, arousing suspicion. However, the alert naka party acted swiftly and tactfully, successfully apprehending her on the spot, he added. During search, he said, contraband substance, apparently heroin-like in nature, was recovered from her possession. Upon sustained questioning, she identified herself as Shugafta Akhter D/O Mohd Hussain Dar R/O Dangerpora, Anantnag. Accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 130/2026 under Sections 8/21 of the NDPS Act has been registered at the concerned police station and investigation has been taken up. police said that the arrested woman is a notorious and most-wanted drug peddler, already involved in multiple NDPS cases, and her arrest is being viewed as a major success in the ongoing drive against the drug menace in the district.

US strikes Iranian boats, Iran denies it as Hormuz tensions again escalate

New Delhi, May 05: US President Donald Trump has said American forces struck seven Iranian fast boats in the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington moves to escort stranded commercial vessels out of the strategically vital waterway, the BBC reported. Trump said US helicopters targeted the boats, though Iran denied any such incident. The development comes amid heightened tensions in the strait, which has remained largely disrupted since US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February and Tehrans subsequent move to block the channel. Shipping giant Maersk told the BBC that one of its US-flagged vessels had safely exited the strait under American military protection as part of what Trump has termed Project Freedom. The company said the transit was completed without incident and that all crew members were safe. Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, however, dismissed the US approach, saying the situation makes clear that theres no military solution to a political crisis, and criticised the initiative as Project Deadlock. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that a tanker linked to state oil firm Abu Dhabi National Oil Company was struck in the strait, while South Korea also confirmed an explosion on one of its vessels nearby. UAE authorities said air defences intercepted multiple missiles and drones, though a strike triggered a fire and injuries at the key oil port of Fujairah. Abu Dhabi described the attacks as a dangerous escalation and said it reserved the right to respond. Iran, however, was quoted by state media as denying plans to target the UAE. International leaders, including Frances Emmanuel Macron and Britains Keir Starmer, condemned the strikes. Oil markets reacted sharply, with Brent crude rising above $115 a barrel. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of global oil and gas supplies pass, has seen limited traffic despite an April ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, with thousands of seafarers and vessels still stranded in the region.

Rising cheque frauds add to distress of apple farmers

Already grappling with erratic weather, pest attacks and transport disruptions, apple growers in Kashmir are now facing a growing financial threat cheque dishonour. Farmers selling produce to local traders report a rise in delayed or failed payments, with bounced cheques becoming increasingly common. Many growers are being forced to seek legal recourse to recover their dues. In south Kashmirs Shopian district, where nearly 80 per cent of the population depends on apple farming, dozens of cheque dishonour cases are reported every season, according to growers and traders. Highlighting the scale of the problem, Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Shopian, Rayaz Ahmad Choudhary, last week convicted two traders in separate cheque bounce cases, sentencing them to two years imprisonment. The cases were filed by apple growers after cheques issued to them were returned unpaid due to insufficient funds. Last year, a trader gave me three cheques, all of which were dishonoured due to insufficient balance, said an apple grower from Shopian, requesting anonymity. I had no option but to approach the court to recover my money. Farmers say such incidents disrupt their financial cycle, affecting their ability to reinvest in orchards and meet household expenses. We spend the entire year tending our orchards, but when it comes to selling produce, we are left chasing payments, said Javed Ahmad, a farmer. It becomes a matter of survival. Trader bodies acknowledge the issue, though they maintain that not all traders engage in such practices. Mohammad Ashraf Wani, president of the Fruit Mandi Shopian, said complaints about bounced cheques peak during the marketing season. Every year, hundreds of farmers approach us with such grievances, Wani said. We advise them to deal only with registered traders or commission agents. He added that improved regulation and awareness could help reduce disputes. Farmers should verify the credibility of buyers before transactions. Proper documentation is essential, he said. Legal experts note a rise in cheque dishonour cases in horticulture-dependent regions, where transactions often involve large sums and informal agreements. Under Indian law, issuing a cheque without sufficient funds is a punishable offence. However, farmers say the legal process remains time-consuming and expensive. Even after filing a case, it takes months or years to get justice, said another grower. By then, the financial damage is already done. With apple farming forming the backbone of Kashmirs rural economy, growers are calling for stronger safeguards to ensure timely payments and protect their livelihoods.

AI Adoption Trends: How are India's Major Industries Using AI?

The answer to this question would have been heavily skewed towards tech companies and startups a few years back. Sure, AI shows up in the types of industries youd expect, but its also popping up in industries that are much less obvious . Today across the country, AI is being used by banks, hospitals, and even SMEs are quietly testing it behind the scenes. And its not always in a flashy, headline-grabbing way either. Most of our AI adoption trends are actually quite practical. Save a bit of time here, reduce errors there, make something just a bit easier to manage. Thats usually how it starts. Heres what that really looks like across some of Indias largest industries at the moment. Marketing and Advertising are Moving Faster (and More Carefully) Marketing was always one of the first sectors to embrace AI. Theres just too much content to produce, too many platforms to manage, and too much pressure to keep things consistent without leaning on generative platforms where the industry can. Thats where tools like a brand-safe text-to-image generator come in. Instead of scrambling to put together visuals on a last-minute timeline or having to brief designers for each and every new campaign, teams are able to whip up the assets in no time while staying copyright-safe and aligned with brand guidelines for their business. But AI integration is about more than just cultivating speed. Brand safety is quickly becoming a major consideration for many of the top brands. All it takes is one off-brand image to slip through the cracks because an AI tool pulled something random from the internet. So what you see now is a more restrained use of AI. Images, text generation, variant testing, all fed through the eyes (and minds) of humans. A lot of it is really just about giving teams a little bit more slack and less about eliminating jobs entirely. Key takeaways: Speeds up content production while maintaining brand consistency Human oversight is still essential for brand safety AI is used more as support than full automation Banking and Finance Are Using AI to Reduce Risk Indias financial sector has been one of the more enthusiastic, yet quieter, pioneers of AI implementation. A lot of it operates behind the scenes, e.g. fraud detection, transaction monitoring or credit scoring. This makes things a little bit more secure, as AI can help systems silently detect and flag unusual behaviour before it snowballs. If youve ever had a transaction blocked and had to confirm it was you, thats usually AI doing its thing. Another one is customer service, which has undergone a pretty big transformation. These days, AI chatbots help to solve many of the basic queries, allowing human staff to focus on more complex issues. This may not be a foolproof system yet, but its improving day by day. Theres also a push towards using AI for personalisation. Tailored loan offers, spending insights, that sort of thing. Its subtle, but its there. And, it is only going to continue growing from here on out. Key takeaways: Improves fraud detection and financial security in real time Automates basic customer support queries Enables more personalised financial services and insights Healthcare is Using AI Where it Actually Helps Healthcare and AI can seem a bit unnerving when you first hear about them. Theres this fear that robots are going to start making medical decisions on their own or replacing doctors altogether, but thats really not the case at all. In practice, it gets used in very specific ways: analysing scans, aiding diagnosis, and organising patient data. Things that support doctors rather than replace them. This is particularly relevant in India , considering the healthcare system is already overstretched in many parts of the country. For example, tools that can review medical images more quickly, or systems that help triage patients based on symptoms. Growth is also evident in telemedicine, where AI can direct patients or provide initial guidance before they speak with a professional. This just makes things a little more efficient for healthcare practitioners. Its definitely not about turning hospitals into tech hubs. Its more about easing bottlenecks. Key takeaways: Supports doctors through diagnostics and data analysis Helps reduce pressure on overstretched healthcare systems Improves efficiency in telemedicine and patient triage Retail and E-Commerce are Getting Smarter About Customers If youve done some online shopping recently, chances are youve interacted with AI without even realising it. AI-driven data decides what products are recommended, the prices displayed, and the order in which they appear as well. AI makes it easier for retailers to understand purchase behaviour. What they see, what they ignore, what theyre likely to purchase. Which then informs everything from marketing to inventory planning. On the back end, its also doing a fair amount of heavy lifting in terms of logistics. A few of the areas where AI is helping are in demand forecasting, stock management, and minimising over-ordering. For customers, it mostly shows up as a smoother experience. Faster suggestions, more relevant options, and just an overall more pleasant shopping experience. Key takeaways: Personalises shopping experiences through recommendations and pricing Improves inventory and demand forecasting behind the scenes Creates faster, more relevant customer journeys Manufacturing is Using AI to Cut Waste and Downtime We typically don't think of manufacturing when we talk about AI, but its actually a surprisingly big adopter of it. In fact, plenty of factories in India are now using AI for predictive maintenance. In simpler terms, AI is helping manufacturers predict when a machine is likely to fail before it actually does. This helps to minimise downtime and prevent costly interruptions. Theres also quality control. Compared to manual checks, AI systems detect product defects much more consistently, especially at scale. This type of efficiency really matters in India, as were a key growth market for manufacturing. Its not about making everything futuristic. Its about reducing waste and stabilising production lines. Key takeaways: Predicts machine failures before they happen Improves quality control and reduces defects Minimises downtime and production interruptions Education is Experimenting (and Still Figuring It Out) Education is one of those sectors that's working out the kinks on how to do AI properly. Theres a lot of experimentation. Automated grading, AI tutoring, individualised learning paths. Some of it works well. It saves teachers time on repetitive work, and it gives students instant feedback. Admittedly, its still in very early development and can seem pretty clunky at times. But the larger (and more critical) discourse centres on how much AI should be involved in learning. Not just how to use it, but how we need to find a balance so that it doesnt become a crutch that replaces true understanding in classrooms. So for now, its a mix of useful tools and ongoing trial and error. Key takeaways: Improves efficiency through grading and tutoring tools Still experimental and inconsistent in many areas Raises important questions about balance in learning Agriculture Is Slowly Catching Up Finally, agriculture might be a little slow to the game, but its getting there. AI is being tested these days for crop monitoring, weather forecasting, and even soil quality management. Better insights help farmers choose when to plant, irrigate, or harvest. Even the smallest improvements can mean a lot in a country where more than 70% of its rural population still make their living from agriculture. Of course, adoption will vary tremendously depending on access to technology and resources. Its not evenly spread as of yet, but its growing. Key takeaways: Supports smarter farming decisions through data insights Helps improve crop yield and resource management Adoption is growing but still uneven across regions Final Thoughts The same pattern can be observed across all these industries. Indias AI breakthrough involves layering these tools on top of existing infrastructures, solving a number of specific problems, and slowly being introduced into the way things are run. Some industries are ahead of the pack. Some are just getting their feet wet. But very few are ignoring it altogether. If anything, the takeaway is pretty simple. The companies that are reaping the greatest benefits from AI aren't necessarily the ones that are doing the most with it. They're the ones who work it into their processes where it makes sense. And that seems to be working just fine at the moment.

BJP redraws map

The Bharatiya Janata Partys victory in West Bengal marks a turning point in Indian politics. The saffron party has won the state, Indias fourth most populous, for the first time, defeating the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which was in power for fifteen years. For decades, Bengal was under the Left, and then under Mamata Banerjees TMC. Now the BJP has breached the barrier, and it has happened not overnight, but through years of patient groundwork. This victory is thus less a surprise than the culmination of that effort. The prime minister Narendra Modi has once again proved that there is no other leader who can even come close to his political charisma and pan-India appeal that cuts across all social and political divides. As the BJPs performance in the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu has revealed, its victory in these states may no longer be farther into the future. In Kerala, it continues to grow, even if power remains distant. In Tamil Nadu, where politics has long revolved. In Assam, it has won a third consecutive term. It is a no-brainer that the party owes its successive political triumphs to years of groundwork and to the sterling performance once in power. The party has invested heavily in cadre-building, often in difficult terrain, and has shown a willingness to play the long game. At the same time, it has crafted a narrative that speaks to aspiration, development, welfare delivery, and a strong national identity. Overall, the Bengal victory is emblematic of a larger drift in Indian politics, ongoing since 2014, when PM Modi first took power at the centre. in that sense, it is not an isolated story, but a part of a broader shift in which the BJP has moved from being one among many players to the central pole of Indian politics. And as things stand, the party is set to stay in that pole position in the foreseeable future, a feat that PM Modi has made possible by sheer dint of his political acumen and vision.

Clash of Narratives

The occasion was self-speaking and the message was clear that Kashmir cannot stay like this forever. There was lot of nostalgia and a yearning to return to the Vale of yesteryear in which Kashmiriyat in its original-self thrived with vibrancy. The occasion was felicitation of Dr. Sushil Razdan in a hotel in Srinagar on Saturday May 2, 2026 -on the release of his book : Healer in Exile. The title of the book conveyed everything that though the Doctor had shifted away from his roots , yet he continued to heal his compatriots who visited him un Jammu in scores on daily basis. The gathering of political, business and religious leaders of Kashmir outpouring their emotions. These emotions went beyond hailing the healer. There was a call for the reversal of Kashmir to its old days when the communal harmony was at its best and showed the light to the rest of the world. Only Kashmiris can realize and articulate the same. They believe in their own definition of Kashmiriyat ethos and not the imported one centered in fulfilling of their hate-filled agenda . Unfortunately , few in Kashmir too have fallen into the trap of these elements who are keen to sow seeds pf discord while paying lip-service to the unity and solidarity with the idea of Kashmir. They, essentially are proponents and followers of two-nation theory. Kashmir is to be preserved. This is much more challenging task now than it was in 1947 when founding fathers of Pakistan applied this idea or theory in regard to the Muslim majority state of Jammu and Kashmir too. The tallest leader of Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah, speaking on the occasion, reflected on the times of Pakistani invasion, originally meant to implement the two-nation theory by force. It was fortunately repulsed by the Indian army, but alongside the role of Kashmiri Muslims in doing so can be ignored only at the cost of history. Farooq threw light on the events of 1947 and declared: We chose Gandhis path. A pointed difference in the choice that Kashmir made at that time was not as easy as many might think. They made this choice while faced with aggression and uncertainty of worst kind. The history has not adequately recorded these facts and the latter-day historians have selective view of their own . That is the real tragedy. The outcome of the communal violence was not an end to the two-nation theory. Its chilling reminder was served to the Vale in Baisaran, Pahalgam, on April 22, 2025, when the victims were chosen by the perpetrators of the ghoulish incident on the basis of their religion. Even at that time, a local Kashmiri Adil, challenged the perpetrators of Hindu-versus Muslim, and sacrificed his life in that effort. His sacrifice has been lost in the numbers. He is counted among 26 civilians killed in the terror incident . Today, taking Kashmir back to the good-old days is much more challenging than it was in 1947, though those too were difficult times. Today, there is a generational shift in thinking and mindset. What Pakistan could not achieve in 1947, it did succeed to a large extent in 1990s. The complexity of that decade and the following years is seen mostly in terms of the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley. The community that had withstood horrors of the Partition era, felt unsafe, forcing them to flee the land of their forefathers. Their pain is immeasurable; they were separated from their roots, and they are yet to summon the confidence to return. No government schemes and rehabilitation programmes can mitigate their pain nor inspire the faith they had when they left the land. Now these have been reduced to clichs. There were attempts to measure pain of the communities, whether fleeing homes is more painful than graves of nears and dear ones at door steps is more painful. The number of graves of the youth and others lost in the conflict is a reminder of the cost of the conflict and so is living in the faraway lands . This comparative study of the pain only fueled the divisions. And at this moment, the fact that generations born in 1990s and subsequent decades, have no idea what Kashmir was. The hostile narratives driven by the vested interests have diluted rather eliminated the feeling of guilt in Kashmir of the Pandit community having moved out of the Valley, and the other side continues to see only radicalism in the Vale. Farooq Abdullah and elders like Abdul Rahim Rather and hotelier Mushtaq Chaya, and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in his fifties, have foundational idea of Kashmir, its original ethos; the new generation is not clueless but their idea is different. The ides of conflict based on the theory that Hindus and Muslims were different nations because of their religion, customs, traditions, thoughts and ambition, is deep-seated in their minds, and the situation and narratives around them have only deepened this feeling. The ways have to be found to change this feeling. This is all about winning hearts and minds of the people on the two sides. Different tools are required. The tools of compassion and peace are available, but they are not being put to use, rather they are not being allowed to because that will undercut the agenda of the forces of radicalism and hatred. They have no idea what they have done to Kashmir, the cost of which the generations will have to pay. Everything is not lost, if the people of Jammu and Kashmir search for their shared identity, ethos and culture. Customs may be different, but yearning for reconciliation should help drive them to the goal of living in complete harmony. The elimination of clash of narratives, common faith in reaching out to each other , appealing to the sense of goodness will help find a common ground . This needs credible commitment. This is not a footnote approach. It is the foundation.

The illusions wedont call escapism!

Tell something else, and we go against order. For we cannot ignore escapism. It has always been a part of our lives. We subscribe to it. We are built to function that way. The fact that we give meaning to each of our escaping stratagems doesnt translate into their actual reality. Ascribing meaning to some specific directions is yet another way of sidelining the harsh realities of life. What you need to confront remains unattended. The unknown looms large until it develops into a Jungian shadow. Unbeknownst to our inner functioning, we march forward to save humanity, to protect the words of God, to champion for justice, to protect the earth, and even the solar system. Yet when lifes slings and arrows appear, we defend ourselves with a weak shield. Varying discourses take root in our lives: be strong, love yourself, speak to friends, trust in hope, and all the delusional comforts that follow like dessert. We escape into addictions, obsessions, sob stories, isolation, victim-hood, buck passing, and the list goes on. We customize our escapism into perfect shapes and give it a solemn misnomer. Justifications abound: the unpredictable nature of life, its supposed meaninglessness, the endless distractions that seem to validate it. But theres something we ignore: the beauty of life when mediated, the immense human capability to think across dimensions. Its not in our luck to ask what occurred in the first place. The intellectual (or spiritual) dissection of the trouble feels too taxing, too intense to endure. Its here that we miss some crucial questions: what life contains deep down? What gives us pain? Why does it exist? What does it mean to introspect? Do we have ways-forward at our disposal so organic that we forget about adopting cheap substitutes and stop becoming mere surface-level diggers? Meaning comes from treading into the unknown, feeling the dormant magma of our soul and allowing it to reflect back to us. To enter another dimension, where depth is cherished in order to live wholly. To break free from the daily cycle of birth-and-rebirth of our agony. To resist jumping onto popular bandwagons of hollow constructs and weak resolve, and instead adopt the underrated path of inward plunging. Life exists there, the rest is folly. Its not easy, however, to fully confront the nagging animal within you. It brings pain. It advances like a head-shot. It injures you. You trip over. You become a victim of your own analysis. Surroundings begin to feel distorted. Your own sense of identity descends into chaos. You lose touch with your environment. You appear mad before the world. That said, if we remain cautious of the disorder that looms, we can begin to feel the meaning through reflection, a moment of silence, and physical work. Things that once felt like escape wont feel the same; we begin to understand them before they arise. And we move forward - if not always purposefully, then at least non-neurotically: free from confusions, doubt and that relentless, wriggling pain.

From Regulation to Roadblock

With the recent change in leadership at the College Development Council (CDC), University of Kashmir, following the completion of tenure on February 28, 2026, the moment calls for a balanced and honest reflection on the regulatory environment governing affiliated professional colleges in the Valley. Over the past few years, institutionsparticularly Nursing and B.Ed Collegeshave operated under increasing administrative and regulatory pressures. While maintaining academic standards remains essential, regulation must be grounded in practicality, consultation, and a clear understanding of evolving institutional realities. The transition of Jammu & Kashmir from a State to a Union Territory brought with it the need to align with national regulatory frameworks. Such transitions are inherently complex and require time, coordination, and structured institutional support. Many institutions, however, found themselves under pressure to achieve near-total compliance within limited timeframes, often without adequate facilitation or structured guidance. A recurring concern among stakeholders across multiple institutions has been the absence of a pragmatic and consultative approach. Instead of functioning as a bridge between institutions and regulatory systems, the framework was often perceived as rigid and enforcement-driven. This created an environment where compliance became an end in itself, rather than a means to enhance academic quality. There have also been concerns regarding the scope of regulatory intervention. Issues such as internal salary structurestypically determined by institutional capacity and prevailing market dynamicscame under scrutiny. However, such matters generally fall outside the primary domain of the regulatory framework governing affiliated colleges. Intervention in these areas raises important questions about institutional autonomy, clarity of roles, and consistency in regulatory practice. Equally significant is the need for domain expertise in inspections. Professional institutions, particularly in fields like Nursing, require evaluation by subject specialists. A system that does not consistently incorporate expert-driven inspection mechanisms risks creating a disconnect between regulatory expectations and academic realities on the ground. Another important issue that merits attention is the structure of affiliation and fee mechanisms. For professional courses spanning two or four years, the practice of granting affiliation on an annual basisalong with recurring affiliation and inspection feesplaces a continuous financial and administrative burden on institutions. A more rational approach would be to align the validity of affiliation with the duration of the course itself, supported by periodic reviews or mid-term inspections to ensure compliance without unnecessary repetition. Similarly, concerns have been raised regarding the recurring imposition of registration and examination-related fees on students. When a student is already enrolled in a multi-year programme, the rationale for charging registration fees annually requires reconsideration. Such practices increase the financial burden on students and call for greater transparency and standardization. It is also important to note that in many other parts of the country, private educational institutions are treated as partners in expanding access to higher education. Regulatory systems there tend to be facilitativeproviding guidance, support, and a growth-oriented environment. In contrast, institutions in Jammu & Kashmir have often experienced a more restrictive environment, with limited institutional support. A shift toward a more enabling and development-oriented approach is essential to ensure that the region does not lag behind in professional education. Equally important is the need to ensure a culture of institutional respect and facilitation in interactions between affiliated colleges and university or government offices. Chairpersons and Principals, as responsible heads of recognized institutions, should have a formal mechanism of registration and structured access within administrative systems to facilitate smoother coordination. Ensuring professional courtesy, ease of access, and defined channels of communication will not only reduce friction but also promote a more efficient and dignified working relationship. The cumulative impact of these challenges has been significant. A significant number of B.Ed colleges in the Valley have ceased operations in recent years, while the growth of Nursing educationcritical to the regions healthcare needshas slowed despite increasing demand. This is not merely an institutional concern; it has wider implications for access to education, employment generation, and the development of professional capacity in Jammu & Kashmir. As new leadership assumes charge, there is a valuable opportunity to move toward a more balanced, inclusive, and forward-looking regulatory frameworkone that emphasizes: Pragmatism over rigidity Dialogue over unilateral decision-making Respect for institutional autonomy within defined boundaries Supportive alignment with national frameworks during transition periods Capacity-building alongside compliance Affiliated colleges are not passive entities in the system; they are active partners in nation-building. A collaborative and facilitative approach can restore confidence, encourage academic investment, and ensure that quality is enhanced in a sustainable and meaningful way. The need of the hour is not stricter control, but smarter governanceone that combines accountability with understanding, and regulation with trust. Dr. Syed M. Murtuza Bukhari, scholar & analyst

The Uninvited Co-Author of Our Lives

There is a particular kind of dizziness that comes not from falling but from realising the ground has quietly shifted beneath you. Millions of us who studied through power cuts, who prepared lessons without internet access, who climbed through the punishing walls of social and professional stratification and clawed their way up the professional ladder are now sitting across a table from a machine that passed every one of those tests in a jiffy. This is not hyperbole, this is the new reality. To understand what is truly happening, we must resist the temptation of either utopian excitement or apocalyptic dread, and instead think carefully. In the following paragraphs, I have extracted some points from the works of some of the most searching minds of our era, and on the decisions being made right now in the corridors of the world. The Machine That Reasons In their final collaborative work Genesis, Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Craig Mundie issued what amounts to a civilisational warning. Writing near the end of Kissingers extraordinary life, the architects of realpolitik and technological statecraft argued that AI is fundamentally different from every previous tool humanity has wielded. Earlier technologies like the printing press, the steam engine, even the nuclear bomb, extended human capability. They amplified what we could do. AI, by contrast, is beginning to replicate how we think. It reasons, infers, and generates. It does not merely do our bidding; it anticipates our bidding before we ourselves have formulated it. We are at an extraordinary juncture in history The decisions made now about how to develop, deploy, and constrain AI will shape the trajectory of this technology for decades to come. Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt & Craig Mundie, Genesis (2024) This is the first disorientation we must sit with honestly. Many of ours meritocratic imagination , shaped by IIT entrance ranks, UPSC ranks, and the prestige of the hard-won degree, is based on the scarcity of intelligence. We competed because intelligence was rare and difficult to acquire. AI has made intelligence abundant. What does that do to the architecture of human aspiration? The Coming Wave and the Containment Illusion Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind and now head of Microsoft AI, titled his landmark book The Coming Wave for good reason. His central thesis is both simple and devastating: the compounding of AI capability with synthetic biology, robotics, and quantum computing is creating a wave whose force will outpace any regulatory seawall we might build. Suleyman calls this the containment problem , and he is honest enough to say he does not know if it is solvable. The wave metaphor is apt for India in particular. A nation of 1.4 billion people with half its workforce in the informal economy, with 490 million workers whose livelihoods depend on tasks increasingly susceptible to automation, the wave will not wash over the country gently. NITI Aayogs own report on AI for Inclusive Societal Development, released in October 2025, is admirably candid about this. It acknowledges the disruption while arguing that AI can simultaneously be the solution if, and only if, deployed with equity at its centre. That is a large conditional. Technofeudalism and the New Serf The Greek economist Yanis Varoufakis introduced a grimmer frame in Technofeudalism: we are not merely watching capitalism evolve , we are watching it die, replaced by a new order in which ownership of the cloud fiefs(the vast AI infrastructure of Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and increasingly Nvidia) , confers a kind of feudal dominance over everyone who must pass through them to function. The digital peasant is not someone in poverty. It may be a doctor, an architect, a journalist, or a lawyer, all of whom are now tenants on someone elses cognitive infrastructure. The Indian professional who spent fifteen years building expertise may find themselves billing by the hour for tasks an AI completes in seconds, unless they own a piece of the intelligence itself. For India, this structural warning has sharp edges. Nations and individuals who do not own the means of AI production will become dependent, not in the crude colonial sense, but in a subtler, more insidious one. They will use the tools, pay the rents, and generate the data that trains the next generation of models, enriching the cloud lords further. Take for example the monthly iCloud storage one has to buy just to keep their data. The India AI Missions push to build sovereign computing infrastructure (now at 38,000 GPUs with access subsidised to 65 per hour) is, viewed through this lens, not merely an economic decision but an act of civilisational self-preservation. When the Algorithm Goes to War If you want to understand how profoundly AI has already changed the world, look at the skies over Kyiv. Look at the rubble in Gaza. Look at the Persian Gulf, where drones launched by Iran have become a daily occurrence over cities like Erbil, and where the most consequential arms race of our time is no longer measured in aircraft carriers and ballistic missiles, but in algorithms and the cost per kill. The numbers are staggering. By early 2025, drones were accounting for 60 to 70 percent of all damage inflicted on Russian equipment in the Ukraine war, according to the UK-based Royal United Services Institute. These were not sophisticated guided missiles; many were commercial-grade quadcopters costing a few hundred dollars. Ukraine has developed drone interceptors costing as little as $1,000, which progressed from prototype to mass production within months during 2025. Meanwhile, NATO allies were spending millions of dollars in Patriot missiles to shoot down Russian Shahed-style strike drones estimated to cost between $20,000 and $40,000 each. War, the oldest and most brutal expression of human competition, has been democratised by AI in the same way that cloud computing once democratised data storage. This is Kissingers nightmare made literal. Ukraine has become what analysts now call a war lab for the future, where AI-enabled, cost-effective drones have empowered a smaller nation to disrupt traditional military operations typically led by larger, well-funded forces. A captured Russian soldier described the front thus: On the battlefield I did not see a single Ukrainian soldier. Only drones. I saw them only when I surrendered. That sentence deserves to be read twice. The human soldier , that most ancient symbol of national will and sacrifice , is being systematically replaced by a swarm of inexpensive, semi-autonomous machines. This acceleration is not just a military matter, it is a civilisational one. Delegating life-and-death decisions to algorithms represents not an evolution but a devolution, a retreat from the hard-won recognition that violence, even in war, must remain tethered to human conscience and accountability. For India, this has immediate strategic resonance. The Hardest Admission At the Paris AI Action Summit of February 2025 , co-chaired by Prime Minister Modi and President Macron , India signalled unmistakably that the Global South would no longer be a spectator at the table where AI rules are written. The India AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam, drew 22 heads of state, 100+ participating countries, and the senior leadership of every major technology company resulting in the New Delhi Declaration endorsed by 92 nations. And yet. All of this institutional architecture means nothing until we, as individuals, make an internal reckoning that no government can make for us. Let us be honest with ourselves. Many of us in Indias educated professional class; those who cracked the IITs, the IIMs, the UPSC, who built careers in medicine, law, journalism, engineering, academia; carry a particular relationship with our own competence. We earned it. We bled for it. Our identity is inseparable from what we know and what we can do. AI does not merely threaten our livelihood. It threatens our self-story. There is a reason the resistance to AI among accomplished professionals is so visceral: it is not fear of unemployment alone. It is the fear that the meaning we extracted from years of gruelling effort may have been, at least partially, a story we told ourselves about our own irreplaceability. Coexistence is not Surrender Coexistence is not surrender. It is the only form of victory available to us, and it is a victory worth having. What AI cannot do is the thing that most makes us human: to care in the mortal, relational way that consciousness makes possible. The doctor who holds a patients hand when the diagnosis is devastating. The teacher who notices the child who has given up. The diplomat who pulls the world back from the brink. The soldier who refuses an order because it is wrong. That last example is not rhetorical. The fundamental horror of fully autonomous weapons: the reason the UN Secretary-General called them politically unacceptable and morally repugnant , is precisely that they remove the one restraint that has always limited the worst of human violence: the human conscience present at the moment of the kill. When algorithms pull the trigger, accountability disappears. And with it, something essential about what we call civilisation. The same logic applies in every domain. The professionals who will flourish are those who use AI to excavate more time and cognitive bandwidth for judgment, empathy, ethical reasoning, and moral courage rather than competing with the machine on its own terrain.

Time to move beyond Sarkari Naukri mindset!

Over 370,000 young people are registered as unemployed in Jammu andFor years, landing a government job in Kashmir was the ultimate goal. It was a sign of stability, respect, and lifelong security. One secure position could sustain an entire family. But times have changed now. From the standpoint of Kashmir and its young generation, competition is fierce, job opportunities are scarce, and many young people are left with limited choices. Today, the picture is starkly different. Over 370,000 young people are registered as unemployed in Jammu and Kashmir. Government jobs are becoming increasingly rare, and competition has reached to an all time high. Every year, countless young individuals apply for very limited vacancies, leaving the vast majority disappointed. The odds, frankly, are not in anyones favor. Yet the dream persists. Across the Valley, thousands of young people continue to pin their hopes on government exams, clinging to a version of success that no longer exists. Many spend years preparing for competitive exams that may never lead to a job. Some clear the exams but are left waiting indefinitely for appointments that may or may not come. Meanwhile, the private sector in this part of the world is still evolving, still unstable. It offers little solace. Unlike their parents, young Kashmiris today are expected to achieve financial independence without job security, pensions, or generational wealth. They are expected to secure good jobs, build their own homes, get married, and provide for their families, all while navigating a job market that lacks stability. The toll is visible. Ive seen it in my classrooms and among former students. Young men and women feel defeated before they even begin. Some grow frustrated; others grow silent. In tragic cases, a few lose all hope entirely. We need to understand what this generation is facing. And we need to stop telling them that the problem is laziness or ambition. This is not a character flaw, its an economic reality. Whats holding us back, in part, is a deep cultural attachment to outdated ideas of success. In Kashmir, we spend extravagantly on weddings and homes, often at the cost of long-term investments in our childrens futures. A family might pour its life savings into a single ceremony, but balk at the idea of helping a child start a business. What if we reversed that thinking? Imagine the impact if those same resources were used to fund a startup, finance a course, or support a new trade. Imagine if families backed their childrens ideas with the same enthusiasm they reserve for marriage arrangements. That shift in priorities could change lives. We also need to do a better job of encouraging self-employment and entrepreneurship. Theres growing potential in sectors like agribusiness, tourism, tech, and e-commerce. But young people are often discouraged from exploring these paths because theyre not respectable in the eyes of society. This mindset has to go. We cant keep telling young people to chase opportunities that no longer exist while ignoring the possibilities right in front of them. The older generation has a role to play here too. They must stop comparing todays reality with their own past. What worked decades ago doesnt work now. Jobs arent guaranteed. Pensions arent promised. And mental health struggles, once brushed off, are very real. Young people are dealing with pressure, uncertainty, and fear. They need support, not scolding. They need space to try, to fail, and to find their own path. What they dont need is to be told theyre weak or ungrateful. This isnt just about jobs. Its about how we, as a society, respond to the changing world. Its about whether were willing to adapt or insist on a broken system. Change is possible. But it starts with us: parents, teachers, policymakers, and community leaders. We have to expand what we consider a successful career. We have to invest in education that teaches practical skills, not just test preparation. We have to create real opportunities for young people, and we have to support them when they take risks. The youth of Kashmir are not lazy. They are not entitled. They are navigating a world that looks nothing like the one we grew up in. They deserve our understanding, and more importantly, our actions. If we continue to push them toward a future that no longer exists, we risk losing them entirely. Lets not wait for that to happen. The time to act is now. Think Responsibly! Act Immediately! Ikkz Ikbal holds Masters in Biotechnology and is Principal & Academic Head at Maryam Memorial Institute Pandithpora Qaziabad.

Over 13,000 MSMEs assessed by JKMHC across J&K

CS calls for scaling up interactions and AI-driven interventions Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the functioning and progress of the Jammu & Kashmir MSME Health Clinic (JKMHC), a digital initiative aimed at diagnosing, reviving and strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises across the Union Territory. The []

Darbar Moves to Srinagar

Srinagar, May 4:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah received a warm reception at the civil secretariat in Srinagar on Monday as offices reopened in the summer capital. He was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour on the occasion. The Darbar Move, which was resumed last year in Jammu, marks the restoration of a key governance tradition in Jammu and Kashmir, with the civil secretariat shifting in full to the summer capital after several years. On his arrival, CM Omar inspected the parade and received his first guard of honour in Srinagar following the resumption of the Darbar Move in October last year under his leadership. He was received by his cabinet colleagues, the Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, and other senior civil and Police officers. The reopening of offices in the summer capital signifies the formal commencement of the administrations functioning in Srinagar for the season, underscoring continuity in governance and institutional tradition. Later, the CM toured various floors and sections of the civil secretariat to take stock of functioning and facilities. He inspected the chambers of ministers and administrative secretaries, clerical halls, and the renovated public waiting hall at the main gate. During the visit, he was accompanied by Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary Estates Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Director Estates Kashmir Muhammad Ashraf Hakak, SP Security civil secretariat, and other concerned officers. On the occasion, CM Omar also interacted with officers, staff, and members of the public, assuring them of improved facilities to further streamline and enhance public service delivery. He also chaired a high-level meeting to outline the governance roadmap for the next six months. Addressing the meeting, the CM described the occasion as a significant milestone, noting that this was the first full-fledged Darbar Move to Srinagar after a prolonged gap. He acknowledged the logistical challenges involved but commended departments for successfully managing the transition. This is the first full Darbar Move in Srinagar after a number of years. The departments navigated the transition in Jammu effectively. This time, we were better prepared, having anticipated the move six months in advance, CM Omar said. He said that the coming six months represent the most productive period of the year, with favorable weather conditions enabling maximum execution of development works. The CM also lauded the Finance Department for ensuring timely completion of procedural formalities, including release of funds and approvals ahead of the working season. Now it is our responsibility to execute. Whether departments are under my charge or that of my colleagues, delivery will only happen if we work together. We all sit here with a shared mandate to meet the expectations of the people, he said. Calling for synergy between elected representatives and the administrative machinery, CM Omar urged officers to prioritise coordination. Within our resource constraints, we also have new avenues of funding, and support from the Government of India has enabled us to expand our delivery potential. The key takeaway from this meeting should be to find common ground and work collectively towards our goals, he said. Highlighting key priorities for the upcoming months, the CM said that the Darbar period in Srinagar coincides with critical events, including the annual Amarnathji Yatra and the peak tourism season. He said that both require coordinated efforts beyond security arrangements, involving robust civil administration support. This is not just a working season; it is also a period that defines our governance outcomes. From tourism to pilgrimage management, we must put our best foot forward, CM Omar said. Referring to the recently concluded Budget session, he said the government now has a clear roadmap of commitments to fulfil. He called for efficient utilisation of resources, timely execution of projects, and minimising lapses in funds utilisation. If we work with focus and coordination, we can end these six months with far greater optimism and satisfaction than we began with, the CM said, extending his best wishes to officers for the months ahead. The meeting, held at the civil secretariat, was attended by Deputy CM Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar, and Satish Sharma, Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Administrative Secretaries of key departments including Jal Shakti, PWD, Finance, Tourism and Mining, along with all Administrative Secretaries, Inspector General of Police Kashmir, and senior officers. During the meeting, Deputy CM, Ministers, and Advisor to the CM also shared valuable inputs, feedback, and flagged key issues requiring attention particularly in respect of issuing new Industrial Policy and Mining Policy for J&K. Earlier, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo welcomed the CM, Council of Ministers, and senior officers back to Srinagar and briefed the meeting on administrative preparedness. He said that most officers would remain stationed in Srinagar, while a roster system would ensure availability in Jammu as required. He stressed the need for proper arrangements for accommodation of Darbar Move employees, food supplies, and essential services for people. The Chief Secretary also highlighted preparedness for flood management, particularly in view of the approaching monsoon season, urging district administrations and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department to remain on high alert. He called for focused disaster mitigation efforts, especially in landslide-prone areas. On infrastructure and services, Dulloo said that restoration works be expedited and that electricity and water supply be ensured across both Kashmir and Jammu regions. He emphasised the need for speedy implementation of decisions taken by the Council of Ministers over the past one and a half years. The Chief Secretary also urged departments to strictly implement budget announcements and proactively flag any requirements. Highlighting upcoming administrative priorities, he said that the Census process would commence with self-enumeration from May 17 to May 30, followed by subsequent phases, and called upon Deputy Commissioners and the Planning Department to play a pivotal role. Additionally, he stressed the importance of digitisation of land records as a key governance reform measure and for implementation of agristatproject. Dulloo reaffirmed the administrations commitment, under the guidance of CM Omar, to efficient governance, seamless coordination and effective delivery during the six-month Darbar period in Srinagar.

Balance developmental needs with ecological sustainability: LG

Srinagar, May 4:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday underscored the importance of balancing developmental needs with ecological sustainability. Chairing the 7th meeting of the J&K Wildlife Board at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar, LG Sinha emphasised the need to safeguard and strengthen the unique biodiversity of J&K. The board deliberated on key conservation and development matters and accorded approval for the construction of the Asha-Cheema-Gurdaligali-Aphrawat-Sarson-Anita Road at Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, Baramulla. Now, the proposal would be recommended to the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SCNBWL) for grant of wildlife clearance. The board was also apprised of various initiatives undertaken by the department for the conservation and protection of wildlife resources across J&K. The meeting was attended by Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment, and Tribal Affairs Departments; Devinder Kumar Manyal and Mian Mehar Ali, Members of the Legislative Assembly; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Mandeep K Bhandari, Principal Secretary to LG; Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Ecology and Environment Department; Sarvesh Rai, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force; Chaturbhuja Behera, PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, along with eminent conservationists, ecologists, environmentalists, representatives of the Army, NGOs working in the wildlife sector, and other members of the board.

BJPs Bengal Blitz

Kolkata, May 4:In a mandate as sweeping as it is symbolic, the BJP on Monday scripted history by winning 202 seats to secure more than a two-thirds majority in the West Bengal assembly polls, ending the TMCs 15-year rule, and decisively shifting the states ideological and political centre of gravity. The verdict acquired added political drama and symbolic heft as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was defeated in the prestigious Bhabanipur seat by BJPs Suvendu Adhikari, capping a stunning turnaround after initial trends appeared to favour the TMC supremo. What began as tentative early leads soon hardened into a decisive wave, with the BJP winning 202 seats and leading in five, while the TMC trailed far behind, managing to win 73 and leading in eight seats, according to Election Commission data at 11.10pm. The scale, spread and speed of the BJP surge -breaching the halfway mark of 148 in the 294-member House well before counting reached its midpoint- pointed not merely to a change of guard but to a structural realignment in Bengal politics. For the first time since 1972, West Bengal appears set to be governed by a party that is also in power at the Centre -a shift with deep administrative and political implications. The result also marked the BJPs decisive breach of its last major eastern bastion, completing its saffron arc across 'Anga, Banga and Kalinga' (Bihar, Bengal and Odisha) and significantly altering the national political balance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the mandate, saying the Lotus blooms in West Bengal and that the party would work to fulfil the aspirations of the people. At the heart of the BJPs campaign was Modi himself, whose high-voltage rallies and direct voter connect made him the central face of the partys push in Bengal, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah functioned as the chief strategist -stitching together booth-level networks, candidate selection and social coalitions. The partys rise in Bengal has been neither sudden nor accidental. Since its 2019 Lok Sabha breakthrough, the BJP has treated the state not merely as another electoral target but as a political and ideological challenge. From a marginal vote share of around four per cent in 2011, the BJP surged to nearly 40 per cent in 2019 and then secured 77 seats in the 2021 Assembly elections, displacing the Left and Congress as the principal challenger to the TMC. Yet, converting that expansion into power had remained elusive until now. As counting progressed through the day, early leads consolidated into a near sweep. The BJPs advance cut across geographies -from north Bengal to Junglemahal to south Bengal, from border districts to industrial belt- indicating a statewide wave rather than region-specific gains. Seats such as Dinhata, Gosaba, Baghmundi, Bankura, Binpur and Nayagram pointed to deep inroads in tribal and rural belts, while gains in Asansol Dakshin, Durgapur Purba and other urban pockets reflected consolidation in industrial and semi-urban regions. Early wins in Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Monteswar, Bhatar, Medinipur and Asansol Dakshin reinforced the breadth of the surge. In contrast, the TMCs resistance appeared fragmented. District-level patterns pointed to a sharp erosion, with the TMC struggling to hold ground in several regions of north Bengal and Junglemahal. The vote share data underscored the depth of the shift. The BJPs vote share climbed to around 45 per cent from 38 per cent in 2021, while the TMCs dropped to nearly 40.94 per cent from 48 percent. A key point lay in the 177 constituencies where voter deletions had exceeded past victory margins -a latent factor that appears to have translated into a decisive political shift. In these seats, the BJP not only retained its earlier gains but also made significant inroads into TMC-held territories, suggesting a deeper realignment rather than a mere swing. The scale of the setback was also reflected in the fortunes of senior TMC leaders. At least 20 ministers were defeated, including Bratya Basu, Manas Ranjan Bhunia, Shashi Panja and Chandrima Bhattacharya. In Sabang, Bhunia, a multi-term winner, lost, while in Dinhata, Udayan Guha was defeated. In Kolkata, BJPs Purnima Chakraborty defeated state industry minister Shashi Panja, pointing to cracks even in urban bastions. For a party that had built its dominance on welfare delivery, centralised authority and booth-level control, the erosion appeared simultaneous across organisational layers. In a dramatic, high-stakes contest that mirrored the political theatre of Nandigram five years ago, Adhikari defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur by 15,105 votes after all 20 rounds of counting, according to Election Commission data. I thank the people of Bhabanipur for voting for me and ensuring a margin of over 15,000 votes, Adhikari said after securing victory and collecting his winning certificate. The outcome was a replay of the 2021 Nandigram election, where Adhikari had unseated Banerjee in a fiercely fought battle that reshaped Bengals political narrative. Adhikari, once a close aide of Banerjee and a key architect of the TMCs rise in districts like East Midnapore, now emerges as a frontrunner in discussions over the chief ministerial face of the BJP government. Other names, including state president Samik Bhattacharya, Union minister Sukanta Majumdar and Swapan Dasgupta, are also doing the rounds. The verdict represents a watershed moment for the BJP. From a marginal presence in Bengal in the late 1990s -aided initially by its alliance with the TMC -the party has now completed a steady climb to power and dismantled the very party that once facilitated its entry in the state, three decades ago. Politically, the Monday poll verdict reinforced the BJPs ability to dislodge entrenched regional forces. However, the mandate also brings challenges governing a politically polarised state, managing local leadership equations, and delivering on promises related to development, law and order and administrative reform. For the TMC, the verdict signals a structural rupture. After 15 years in power, the party faces the difficult transition from a dominant ruling force to an opposition formation, with anti-incumbency, corruption allegations, governance fatigue and organisational centralisation converging into a decisive setback. West Bengal, long defined by extended phases of single-party dominance, now appears to be entering a more competitive, bipolar political phase. For the BJP, Bengal is no longer a frontier; it is a governance test. For the TMC, the battle shifts from retaining power to reclaiming relevance. And for Bengal, the moment marks not just a change in government, but a reordering of its political landscape. NDA set to form Govt in Assam for 3rd straight term The ruling NDA is set to form the government in Assam for the third consecutive term after securing a two-thirds majority, with a record high of 102 seats in the 126-member assembly, while the Congress-led Opposition delivered its worst performance in recent times on Monday. The BJP, which contested 90 seats, won 82, while its allies -- the Bodoland People's Front (BPF), which contested 11 seats, and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which fought in 26 seats -- bagged 10 constituencies each. The saffron party secured a majority on its own for the first time in the state. It had won 60 seats in the previous two polls in 2021 and 2016. In the Opposition camp, the Congress, which contested 99 seats, won 19 constituencies, while the Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF and Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal secured two seats each, and the Trinamool Congress bagged one constituency. Raijor Dal, an opposition alliance partner, had contested 13 seats, while the other parties in the camp -- Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), CPI(M) and APHLC -- drew a blank. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma won the Jalukbari constituency for the sixth consecutive term, defeating Congress candidate Bidisha Neog by 89,434 votes. In a major blow to the Congress, its state president Gaurav Gogoi lost in Jorhat to veteran politician and sitting BJP MLA Hitendranath Goswami by 23,181 votes. Among the prominent BJP winners are ministers Ajanta Neog (Golaghat), Ranoj Pegu (Dhemaji), Pijush Hazarika (Jagiroad), Ashok Singhal (Dhekiajuli), Kaushik Rai (Lakhipur), Prashanta Phukan (Dibrugarh), Krishnendu Paul (Patharkandi) and Bimal Borah (Tingkhong). Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary won from Tamulpur constituency by defeating former BTC chief Pramod Boro of the UPPL. Sitting BJP MLAs Mrinal Saikia (Khumtai), Bhuban Pegu (Jonai), Rama Kanta Dewri (Morigaon), Rupak Sarmah (Nagaon-Batadraba), Paramanda Rajbongshi (Sipajhar), Utpal Borah (Gohpur), Biswajit Phukan (Sarupathar), Binod Hazarika (Chabua-Lahowal), Taranga Gogoi (Naharkatia), Bhaskar Sharma (Margherita), Rupjyoti Kurmi (Mariani) and Bhuban Gam (Majuli) also emerged victorious. AGP ministers Atul Bora and Keshav Mahanta retained their Bokakhat and Kaliabor constituencies, respectively, while first-timer Tapan Das won the Dimoria seat. Among the BPF candidates, cabinet minister Charan Boro retained his Mazbat constituency while the others who won are Maneswar Brahma (Baksa), Paniram Brahma (Sidli-Chirang), Thaneswar Basumatary (Manas), Rihon Daimary (Udalguri) and BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary's wife Sewli Mohilary from Kokrajhar. Prominent Congress candidates who won the polls are sitting MLAs Wajed Ali Choudhury (Birsing Jarua), Jakir Hussain Sikdar (Pakabetbari), Rekibuddin Ahmed (Chamaria) and Nurul Huda (Rupahihat). Other winners from the party include Aminul Haque Laskar (Sonai), Joy Prakash Das (Nowboicha), Tanzil Hussain (Samaguri), Asif Mohammad Nazar (Laharighat) and Aftabuddin Mollah (Jaleswar). AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal won from Binnakandi and his party member Mazibur Rahman from Dalgaon. Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi retained the Sibsagar seat, while another party member Mehboob Muktar won the Dhing seat and Trinamool Congress' Sherman Ali Ahmed won from Mandia. Among the prominent candidates who lost the polls are Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing assembly, Debabrata Saikia, Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Saikia, and former Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Ripun Bora. Among the 59 women who contested the polls, only six could manage to win, with four from the BJP, and one each from its allies AGP and BPF, while only one won from Congress. Polling in all 126 assembly constituencies in the state was held in a single phase on April 9 with 722 candidates in fray. UDF sweeps to power in Kerela Lotus blooms in 3 seats Kerala on Monday witnessed a sharp political reset as the state electors voted out the last Left government in the country, bringing back the Congress to the ruling saddle after a gap of 10 years, while the BJP broke through a long-standing electoral drought by winning three seats. The Congress-led UDF swept aside a decade of Left rule under Pinarayi Vijayan with a decisive Assembly victory, with the national party adding the third southern state to be ruled by it, in its kitty. The party is in power in Karnataka and Telangana. While Congress' vote share stood at 28.79 per cent, that of CPI (M) was 21.77 per cent. Congress ally IUML had a voteshare of 11.01 per cent. Apart from strong anti-incumbency against the government, the results of the April 9 polls also indicated a consolidation of support across sections of society in favour of the United Democratic Front, which had been in opposition to the Left dispensation for the past decade. The UDF won 102 seats, while the CPI(M)-headed LDF netted 35 seats, according to Election Commission data on counting of votes for 140 constituencies. The outcome also marked the absence of the Left from governance in any Indian state for the first time in five decades. The ire against the government was so strong that 13 ministers in the cabinet suffered defeat in the political tsunami unleashed by the UDF. Not only the Congress, but its key allies, including the IUML, the Kerala Congress also secured massive victory in the polls, which saw the complete erasure of the LDF in some key districts. At the same time, the LDF partners, including the CPI(M), lost many seats, while a key partner, Kerala Congress (M), was reduced to zero in a humiliating outcome in the polls. Top contenders for the Chief Minister's post, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, won their seats with comfortable margins, setting the stage for the next step in discussions on the post. Of the 21 cabinet members, only Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, P A Mohamed Riyas, K Rajan, G R Anil, K N Balagopal, P Prasad, and Saji Cherian emerged victorious. The ministers who lost the election included Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, Kadannappally Ramachandran A K Saseendran and Roshy Augustine. LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan also lost his sitting seat of Perambra in Kozhikode district. The BJP's bid to make strong inroads in Kerala dominated by UDF and LDF got a slight push with the party winning three seats-- Nemom and Kazhakoottam in Thiruvananthapuram district and Chathannoor in Kollam. BJP candidate from Chathannoor, B B Gopakumar, won by 4,398 votes. In Nemom, party state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar triumphed with a margin of over 3,000 votes, while former Union Minister V Muraleedharan won Kazhakoottam with a narrow margin. Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra thanked the people of the state for their overwhelming support and vowed to work diligently towards building a better future for them. In a post on X, Vadra said, To all my brothers and sisters in Keralam, thank you for your faith and for your overwhelming support. The trust you have placed in us will be the UDF's guiding force as we work hard towards building a better future for each one of you. I sincerely hope that our gratitude to you will be evident each day of the next five years as we strive to fulfil our commitments to you with honesty and humility, she added. Reacting to the outcome, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal said the UDF's sweeping victory was a clear verdict against the arrogance, corruption, and nepotism of the CPI(M)-led government headed by CM Vijayan. Addressing a press conference, Venugopal said the outcome reflected public anger against what he termed 10 years of misrule by the Left government. He claimed that Vijayan's victory in his home constituency, Dharmadam, was only technical, alleging that the CM trailed the UDF candidate in the initial rounds of counting and failed to secure a majority in his own village. He just escaped. He suffered a setback even in his home turf. He was the only person who did not realise the people's mood in this election, Venugopal claimed. In a major political upset for the CPI(M), leaders who had revolted against the party just ahead of the polls and joined the UDF camp, including veteran leader G Sudhakaran, P V Kunhikrishnan and T K Govindan, breached the Left strongholds of Ambalappuzha, Payyannur and Taliparamba seats. CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan said the LDF would examine the reasons behind its defeat and take corrective measures. Speaking to reporters, Govindan said every aspect that led to the defeat would be analysed. He thanked LDF workers and the people who voted for the front. The LDF will evaluate and study the defeat, after which required corrections will be made. We expect the support of the people for it, he said. On defeats in traditional party strongholds, Govindan said the LDF had suffered a major setback across Kerala. We will carry out effective organisational work to correct the issues that led to the defeat, he said. BJP leader Chandrasekhar told reporters that as contended by him from the beginning his was an anti-CPI(M) election as the people were fed up with their corruption and alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala. Chandrasekhar said that right from the start of the election campaign, both the Congress and CPI(M) said that BJP will not get even one seat. He also said that he knew right from the beginning that the CPI(M) will not win this time, no matter what it does. Meanwhile, the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly will have 11 women MLAs, one less than in the previous House. The outgoing Assembly had 12 women legislators, a majority of them from the CPI(M). Vijay's TVK emerges giant slayer in Tamil Nadu Actor-politician Vijay's TVK on Monday created a record of sorts in the electoral history of Tamil Nadu and emerged as the single largest party by delivering a shock defeat to incumbent DMK and its president, Chief Minister MK Stalin in his Kolathur constituency, while the AIADMK was pushed to a distant third spot. This was the first time since 1967, when the first non-Congress government (DMK) came to power in the state, that a party other than the two Dravidian heavyweights emerged victorious in the hustings. Vijay and TVK have many firsts to their credit and the the party founder will be the first person from a minority religion -Christianity- to helm the state. While Vijay won from both Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East constituencies, his party has netted 89 seats and was leading in 18 more and is on course to become the single largest party in the 234-member House. Elections were held on April 23 and the counting of votes done on Monday. Perhaps the biggest shock was CM Stalin being defeated by a margin of 8,795 votes in his Kolathur constituency by little known V S Babu, who was formerly with the DMK and an ex-MLA. More than 10 ministers including Geetha Jeevan and Ma Subramanian were defeated. Stalin had last tasted defeat in 1991. Even Deputy CM Udhayanidhi's prospects appeared dim for a while as he trailed behind the TVK nominee in Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni. Eventually, he won. As soon as it became clear that TVK was inching towards an unprecedented, huge win in its debut polls, party workers and supporters gathered in front of party office at Panaiyur here and burst firecrackers and distributed sweets. Also, Vijay's victory and often-repeated assurance of share in power to like-minded parties is expected to open a new chapter in the history of the state and TVK supporters expect the Congress (5), IUML (2), Left parties (4), VCK (2) and PMK (5) as well to offer support and have a share in power. Together such parties have won or leading in a total of 18 seats. TVK needs 118 seats to form government. This will the first time in Tamil Nadu that a party will assume power a little over two years after its founding. TVK has clocked nearly 35 per cent (34.92) vote share in its debut polls. The TVK was launched in February 2024. While the DMK has won 48 seats and is leading in 12 constituencies (24.20 per cent voteshare), AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami won by a record margin of 98,110 votes in his home segment of Edapadi in Salem district. The AIADMK has won 41 seats and is leading in six segments (21.25 per cent voteshare). While the party's seniors, including C Ve Shanmugam and SP Velumani won hands down, many others, such as former minister P Thangamani, suffered shock defeats. Interestingly, the TVK made heavy inroads in the AIADMK's bastion, western Tamil Nadu that includes Coimbatore, even as DMK emerged victorious in some seats. DMK President and outgoing Chief Minister Stalin took the defeat in his stride and said that his party bowed and accepted the people's verdict. He said he was truthful to all sections of people and had acted as per his conscience and also worked beyond his capacity for people's welfare. He asserted that his party, which worked well as the ruling party would from now on work well as the main opposition party. Stalin said in his public life, he had seen lot of victories and defeats as well and DMK's political journey will continue without any slackness. He said ideology is important rather than victories and defeats alone. AIADMK general secretary Palaniswami said that he accepts the people's verdict in the elections. In a statement here, he said, I express my gratitude to all the people, who rose up and performed their democratic duty in the assembly elections. Stating that the people were judges here, he said, Therefore, I wholeheartedly accept the decision given by the people. He said, We will soon recover from this setback. Meanwhile, scores of tinsel town names, including 'superstar' Rajinikanth greeted Vijay on his poll show. National award winner Dhanush, musician Anirudh Ravichander and many others extended their greetings. Interestingly, among the TVK winners was actor-director Srinath, who defeated state minister P Geetha Jeevan in Thoothukudi. NDA retains Puducherry Riding a pro-incumbency wave, the AINRC-led NDA emerged victorious in the April 9 Puducherry Assembly elections, all set to form the government for a successive term. AINRC leader and Chief Minister N Rangasamy won from both the seats that he contested--Thattanchavady and Mangalam, even as the party won a total of 11 seats and was leading in one, according to latest Election Commission figures. Elections to 30 seats were held on April 9. The territorial assembly also has three nominated members to the House. NDA constituent BJP won from four seats while other coalition members--AIADMK and LJK, won from one seat each. Winners from BJP included party senior and incumbent minister A Namassivayam. The NDA's victory came on a day when actor Vijay-led TVK won in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and also emerged victorious from two seats in the UT. Puducherry, a tiny UT located about 160 km from Chennai, borders Tamil Nadu districts Cuddalore and Villupuram on either sides. Opposition DMK won five seats and Congress one. While the CM trounced Neyam Makkal Kazhagam rival E Vinayagam by 4441 votes in Thattanchavady, his pocket borough seat, Rangasamy emerged victorious in Managalam too, defeating DMK's SS Rangan by 7050 votes. This is not the first time that Rangasamy has sought to contest from two seats. He contested in Yanam and Thattanchavady in the 2021 Assembly polls. He however was trounced in Yanam and was successful in Thattanchavady. He may have to now vacate one of the seats. Key losers include former CM Ve Vaithilingam at the hands of Rangasamy. Time for change, not revenge: PM Modi As the BJP swept the assembly elections in West Bengal for the first time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the state has been finally freed from fear and that it was a time for change, not revenge, as he appealed to all parties to shun the culture of political violence and focus on the future of the state. Addressing the jubilant party workers at the BJP headquarters after the win in assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry, PM Modi said the Congress, TMC, and others had been punished severely for opposing the recent women's reservation bill. He said that the Samajwadi Party would also face the wrath of women very soon, in an apparent reference to the 2027 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. In his nearly 50-minute speech, the PM said the elections in West Bengal had been special this year, as earlier they were marred by violence, fear, and the death of innocent people. But this time the news was different as peaceful voting took place in West Bengal and for the first time, no one lost their life during voting, he said. As Bengal enters a new phase of change, I also want to make an earnest appeal to every political party in Bengal. Over the past decades in Bengal, countless lives have been ruined due to political violence. I firmly believe that this election culture of Bengal must change from today onwards. Today, when the BJP has won, the talk should not be of revenge, but of change; not of fear, but of the future, he said and urged the parties to end the vicious circle of violence. PM Modi said it was a special day in many ways as it heralds a bright future for the country. It is a day of trust in the great democracy of India, trust in the politics of performance, trust in the resolve of stability, trust in the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat. I bow before the people of West Bengal, Assam, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Keralam, he said at the victory celebration event where BJP President Nitin Nabin, Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, among others, were present. PM Modi said on November 14 last year, when the Bihar election results came in, he told the BJP workers from this very spot that the Ganga flows onward from Bihar all the way to Ganga Sagar (in West Bengal). And today, with victory in West Bengal, from Gangotri (Uttarakhand) to Ganga Sagar (West Bengal), it is nothing but the lotus in full bloom. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal today, in these states surrounding Mother Ganga, there are BJP-NDA governments, he said. The PM said winning and losing are a natural part of democracy and politics, but the people of the five states have shown the world why the country is the mother of democracy. He said women's participation in this election had been exceptionally high and this was emerging as the brightest picture of Indian democracy. Women power is now rapidly progressing towards building a developed India. However, a few days ago, the Congress and its allies blocked this momentum of women's power. These anti-women parties prevented the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam from being passed in Parliament. That is why I said a few days ago that parties opposing the women's reservation bill will have to face the wrath of women. Today, sisters and daughters have punished the Congress, TMC, and DMK, PM Modi said. He said the Congress had certainly benefited from the 10 years of misrule by the Left in Kerala, but expressed confidence that the mothers and sisters of Kerala will also definitely teach the Congress a lesson in the next elections. The Samajwadi Party, which has blocked women's reservation in Parliament, will also have to face the opposition of the women of Uttar Pradesh. No matter what the anti-women Samajwadi Party does, it will never be able to wash away its sins, the PM said. Referring to Assam, he said that along with the river Ganga, the Brahmaputra has also showered immense blessings upon the BJP, and the blessings of Maa Kamakhya have been with the party. The people of Assam have trusted the BJP-NDA for the third consecutive time, he said. PM Modi said that in 2021, the NDA put forward the vision of BEST Puducherry. The people of Puducherry trusted in the vision and blessed the alliance. I want to assure the youth and fishermen of Puducherry that we will keep working for your bright future. The prosperity of Puducherry is our resolve, he said. The PM said the BJP-NDA governments are in power in more than 20 states of the country. Our mantra is 'citizen is god'. We are dedicated to serving the people; therefore, the people are placing more and more trust in the BJP. The people are clearly seeing that where there is BJP, there is good governance. Where there is BJP, there is development, he said. PM Modi said that with the BJP's victory in West Bengal, the soul of Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee must be at peace now. I respectfully bow to the people of Bengal, the people of Assam, the people of Puducherry, and the people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala today; I salute them all. Today, I also heartily congratulate the countless workers of the BJP. Every small and big worker of the BJP has once again performed a miracle, has made the lotus bloom. You have created a new history, he said. After his speech, the PM held a meeting at the BJP headquarters with Nabin, Shah, Singh and former party chief J P Nadda. Result aftershocks to be felt all the way up to 2029: CM Omar Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday, while describing the stunning assembly election results in the West Bengal and the Tamil Nadu as political earthquakes, cautioned that their (results') aftershocks would be felt far and wide for a long time, probably all the way up to 2029. CM Omar shared this measured reaction on his personal X handle - where earlier in his instant first reaction, presumably also to the early trends vis--vis assembly election results, he actually created a flutter with his two-word tweet. Bloody hell!! was his ambiguous (the very first) tweet, which he posted with emoticons sharing an expression of disbelief on X handle at 11:01 am on Monday, May 4, 2026. Though the Chief Minister left ample scope for its (tweets) interpretations yet it was read directly in relation to the assembly election result trends by millions of his followers. By evening, CM Omars enigmatic two-word post had already garnered 1.8 million views and 23,200 plus likes. However, later, he posted a guarded post wherein he, probably hinting towards current cacophony that has crept in news bulletins, talked about his imagery of sane and sensible interpretation of the trends and results identifying them with those presented by ace veteran broadcaster Prannoy Roy. In the same post, he mentioned the after-effects of the political-earthquake that shook West Bengal and Tamil Nadu and their lingering impact to be experienced for a long time. Elections in India have always meant @PrannoyRoy7749 for sane, sensible interpretation of the trends & results and thats why today the screens in my office have been tuned to @DeKoderAI to watch the unfolding political earthquake in West Bengal & Tamil Nadu. The aftershocks of these results will be felt far & wide for a long time, probably all the way up to 2029, CM Omar posted. This post too had garnered 380,000 views 4900 plus likes by evening. Notably Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq Abdullah, during media interactions in the past couple of days, had exuded confidence about the victory of TMCs Mamata Banerjee, even after the exit poll results, some of which had predicted her partys rout in West Bengal. As far as DMK was concerned, even the exit polls generally had not predicted the defeat of DMK. The NC is part of the INDIA bloc led by Congress. Trinamool Congress and DMK are also constituents of this alliance.

What an election, SIR-Ji: Even as Bengal and Tamil Nadu opt for fresh options, SIR deletions hang in the air for future polls

Indian state elections saw unexpected outcomes. However, electoral roll issues and a special revision process have cast doubt on the results. Millions were reportedly removed from voter lists, especially in West Bengal. This raises serious questions about the fairness of the electoral process. The integrity of democratic institutions is now under scrutiny.

Can West Bengal reclaim its economic glory? a look at the challenges and hopes

West Bengal once led India's economy but lost its way due to industrial issues and policy uncertainty. A recent election signals a public desire for economic opportunity, not handouts. The state's people want jobs and growth. This verdict offers a chance for revival, leveraging its talent and culture. A clear path forward requires policy clarity and investment.

X-Ray services disrupted at SDH Banihal, patients face hardship

Banihal, May 4:Patients at the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Banihal have alleged serious lapses in basic diagnostic care, claiming that non-functional X-ray services are affecting treatment and causing hardship, particularly for those arriving from remote areas. The issue came to light after a video went viral on social media in Monday showing a father from Gool who had brought his son to SDH Banihal for treatment following a fracture caused by a fall. The attendant alleged that the hospital denied them X-ray examination, citing the expiry of the contract for digital X-ray services. Speaking to the media, the father expressed anguish over the situation, stating that in the absence of X-ray facilities, proper diagnosis was not possible. He said it was disappointing that despite having a sizeable hospital infrastructure, essential services remained defunct, forcing patients to seek alternatives elsewhere. Hospital sources indicated that the X-ray services have been suspended due to the expiry of a tender allotted to a private company responsible for diagnostic services across Jammu and Kashmir. The services are likely to remain affected until the tender process is renewed. When contacted, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Ramban, Dr Kamal Ji Zadoo, acknowledged the issue and said the situation is not limited to Banihal but prevalent in several parts of the Jammu division. He attributed the disruption to the expiry of a contract awarded through the National Health Mission (NHM). Dr Zadoo said that all Block Medical Officers have been directed to make interim arrangements by procuring necessary equipment, including printers, from hospital development funds to resume digital X-ray services. He added that hospitals equipped with manual X-ray plants have been instructed to conduct examinations without delay. The CMO assured that efforts are underway to restore X-ray services across all healthcare facilities and that necessary arrangements will be made until fresh tenders for digital X-ray operations are floated

Leh Apex Body accepts Thupstan Chhewangs resignation as Chairman

Kargil, May 4: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has accepted the resignation of senior leader Thupstan Chhewang as its chairman amid ongoing talks with the Centre on Ladakhs statehood and Sixth Schedule demands, while urging him to continue as a key member of the organisation. The LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have been leading the talks with the Central government on behalf of Ladakhs residents. Chhewang is a former Member of Parliament from Ladakh and holds significant influence in the regions politics and was the chairman of the LAB. Chewang had back in July 2025, tendered his resignation following internal differences and his absence from key meetings due to health and personal reasons. The LAB tried to convince him however he choose to stay away from active participation in meetings of the LAB.

People voted against corruption, anarchy in West Bengal: LoP

Jammu, May 4:Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the J&K Legislature and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma asserted on Monday that the people in West Bengal voted against corruption and the anarchy spread by the Trinamool Congress. However, overall, the election results in the four states and a Union Territory have exposed the weakening foundations of the opposition alliance across the nation, Sharma said while responding to media queries as the J&K BJP celebrated the partys massive gains and victories in the Assembly elections held across West Bengal, Assam, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Sunil Sharma, who was also the Seh-Prabhari for the Assam elections, said that despite spreading misinformation and fear among the people, opposition parties failed to counter the credibility and performance of the BJP-led governments. He asserted that the BJP emerged stronger because it consistently worked for the poor, youth, farmers, women and marginalised sections without discrimination. At the celebrations at the party headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, the BJP leaders and activists danced, distributed sweets and congratulated one another over what they termed as a historic endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visionary leadership and the BJPs people-centric governance model. The celebrations were led by J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma, Leader of Opposition in J&K Assembly Sunil Sharma and BJP national secretary and MLA Dr Narinder Singh. Sat Sharma, while congratulating the party activists, said that the resounding mandate in favour of the BJP across the country reflected the unshakeable trust of the people in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJPs development-driven governance. He said that BJPs remarkable performance in West Bengal and Assam, along with impressive gains in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, proved that the nationalist ideology of BJP was continuously expanding across every region of the country. He credited BJP workers for tirelessly taking the achievements of the government to every household and strengthening the connection between the party and the public. Launching a sharp attack on opposition parties, Sat Sharma accused them of indulging in opportunistic and divisive politics merely to secure power. He said that the opposition repeatedly ignored public aspirations, particularly the sentiments of women, by opposing transformative initiatives like the Women Reservation Bill. He stated that the people of the country rejected politics of appeasement, corruption and dynasty. Senior party leaders including vice-presidents Rajiv Charak and Rekha Mahajan, general secretaries Sanjita Dogra and Baldev Singh Billawaria, MLAs Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal, Dalip Singh Parihar, R S Pathania, Vikram Randhawa and Shagun Parihar, along with hundreds of BJP activists, participated enthusiastically in the celebrations. Similarly, BJP senior leaders led by J&K BJP General Secretary (Organization) Ashok Koul led the victory celebrations in Kashmir. Ashok Koul said that the massive support received by BJP in politically challenging states clearly indicated that people wanted decisive leadership, nationalism, and development-orientated governance. He added that the opposition parties stood completely disconnected from public sentiment and continued to survive only on false narratives and political theatrics. Dr Narinder Singh said that the BJPs electoral success was a victory of nationalism, good governance and organisational strength. He stated, Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP has become the most trusted political force in the country because of its commitment towards integrity, accountability and public welfare.

3 Ministers, CMs Advisor to station at Jammu Civil Secretariat in May

Jammu, May 4: After the move of Darbar to the summer capital for the next six months, three Ministers and the Advisor to the Chief Minister will hold the fort in the Civil Secretariat, Jammu, representing the elected government. As per the roster issued by the J&K government for ministers, the Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, the Minister for Health Sakeena Itoo, the Minister for Agriculture Javid Ahmad Dar and the Advisor (to the CM) Nasir Aslam Wani will remain stationed at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu, during the month of May. Separately, the government has also issued a roster of Administrative Secretaries, who will remain available at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu, for the month of May. Post Darbar Move from Jammu, all the government offices started functioning in Srinagar from Monday, 4 May 2026. Meanwhile, the General Administration Department has established a summer secretariat at Civil Secretariat, Jammu. As per the roster of Ministers for the month of May 2026 at Civil Secretariat, Jammu, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister, J&K, will be available from May 4 to 8, 2026; Sakeena Masood (Itoo), Minister for Health and Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare Departments from May 11 to 15, 2026; Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to the Chief Minister from May 18 to 22, 2026 and Javid Ahmad Dar, Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments from May 25 to 29, 2026. It is hereby ordered that these Ministers shall make it convenient to remain available at Civil Secretariat, Jammu, for the month of May, 2026, as per the schedule, GAD order read. As per the roster of Administrative Secretaries for the month of May, 2026, senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers Ashwani Kumar, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Power Development Department and Mohammad Aijaz, Secretary, Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, from May 4 to 8, 2026, and Shaleen Kabra, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Jal Shakti Department, and Dr Piyush Singla, Secretary, Information Technology Department, from May 11 to 15, 2026, will remain stationed at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu. Similarly, senior IAS officers Dr Ashish Chandra Verma, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Tourism Department, and Naveen S L, Secretary Civil Aviation Department from May 18 to 22, 2026, and Shailendra Kumar, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance Department, and Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, Administrative Secretary, Labour & Employment Department, from May 25 to 29, 2026, will remain available at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu, as per the roster.

Srinagar MLAs call on CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, May 4: Several Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Srinagar city today called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Civil Secretariat here and expressed their gratitude for the resumption of the traditional Darbar Move after a gap of several years. Those who met the Chief Minister included MLA Eidgah Mubarak Gul, MLA Habba Kadal Shamim Firdous, MLA Hazratbal Salman Sagar, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, MLA Lal Chowk Sheikh Ahsan Ahmed Pardesi and MLA Channapora Mushtaq Guru. Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani was also present on the occasion. The legislators appreciated the restoration of the traditional Darbar Move, which was resumed last year in Jammu, and the subsequent reopening of offices in Srinagar. They observed that the revival of the Darbar Move is expected to boost economic activity, particularly in the hospitality sector, and enhance overall market vibrancy in the region.

Srinagar Police demolish structure of habitual drug peddler

Srinagar, May 4:In a strong enforcement action under the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, Srinagar Police demolished an illegal residential structure belonging to a notorious drug peddler in the Palpora Noorbagh area on Monday. The move underscores the administrations zero-tolerance policy against narcotics trafficking and the use of illicit gains for property development. Police said the accused, Mohammad Irfan Sheikh alias Iff, son of Mohammad Ashraf Sheikh and resident of Pamposh Colony, Palpora Noorbagh, faces multiple cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Key cases include FIR No. 134/2024 under Sections 8/21, 29 NDPS Act at Police Station Safakadal and FIR No. 48/2025 under Section 8/21 NDPS Act at Police Station Sangam. Investigations revealed that the demolished structures a two-storey house with associated land was constructed illegally on revenue land using proceeds from drug trafficking. Authorities carried out the demolition after due verification, completion of legal formalities, and coordination with revenue and other departments. Properties built from the proceeds of drug trafficking will not be spared. This demolition sends a clear message that those involved in the narcotics trade will face strict and visible consequences, Senior Superintendent of Police , Srinagar Dr G V Sundeep Chakraborty said. The officer reiterated the commitment to dismantling the entire ecosystem, including supply chains, financial networks, and logistical support. This operation forms part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, a flagship campaign launched by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to combat the drug menace through enforcement, awareness, rehabilitation, and community participation. Srinagar Police emphasized that the action was taken strictly as per law after all codal formalities. We remain committed to a drug-free Kashmir and urge citizens to come forward with information to safeguard our youth and society from this menace, Police said. This latest demolition follows similar actions where properties of drug offenders have been attached or seized under the NDPS Act, signaling a multi-pronged strategy that combines punitive measures with community mobilization. As the Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan gains momentum, such visible actions are expected to deter potential offenders while encouraging public support in what authorities describe as a peoples movement against narco-trafficking and its devastating impact on families and the future of the region.

Heavy rain disrupts normal life in Srinagar

Srinagar, May 4: A spell of heavy rainfall amid thunderstorms lashed Srinagar on Monday, throwing normal life out of gear and exposing the citys fragile civic infrastructure. The downpour, which began early in the day and intensified during peak hours, kept temperatures below normal, offering a brief respite from rising heat but at the cost of widespread disruption. From downtown to uptown and the city center, roads were inundated, traffic slowed to a crawl, and commuters struggled to navigate waterlogged streets. Several areas in Downtown Srinagar, outskirts of Hazratbal, and parts of uptown witnessed water accumulation, with dilapidated road stretches turning into cesspools. The brief yet intense rainfall was enough to choke drainage systems, leading to overflowing drains and stagnant water on major roads. Commuters, particularly two-wheeler riders, bore the brunt of the weather. Many were forced to halt mid-journey and seek shelter under shopfronts and makeshift covers as rain lashed the city. I was on my way to Lal Chowk when the rain suddenly intensified. Within minutes, the roads were flooded, and I had to stop and wait it out, said Adil Ahmad, a motorcyclist. The situation worsened due to the Monday rush, with heavy traffic jams reported from multiple locations, including Downtown areas, the city center, and key uptown roads. Vehicles were seen inching forward as waterlogged stretches and reduced visibility slowed movement. It took me nearly an hour to cover a distance that usually takes 15 minutes. The traffic was chaotic, and there seemed to be no regulation at crucial junctions, said MuzaffarAhmad, a commuter from Downtown. Local markets also felt the impact, particularly in downtown and commercial hubs. Vendors were seen scrambling to protect their goods, hurriedly covering stalls with polythene sheets and tarpaulin. The rain caught us off guard. We had to quickly cover everything to prevent damage, said a roadside vendor in the old city. Even then, some of our items got wet. In areas around Hazratbal, residents complained of inadequate drainage infrastructure, saying the rainfall once again exposed long-standing civic issues. Meanwhile, residents from several localities, especially on the outskirts, said they lack a proper drainage network, leading to frequent waterlogging even after brief showers. There is no proper drainage system here. Every time it rains, water accumulates and overflows onto the roads, said a resident of Gousia Colony in the Hazratbal outskirts Officials have repeatedly acknowledged drainage concerns in these areas, but residents say little has changed on the ground.

Non-demarcation, absence of Master plan expose Manasbal lake to encroachments

Jammu, May 4:Absence of Master plan, non-demarcation of 7 km of lake and the Wular Manasbal Development Authority (WMDA) not having a specific legal framework and clear-cut responsibility for its conservation and management exposed the Manasbal lake to encroachments. These critical observations delineating the sorry state of affairs of the helmsmen towards the pristine water bodies of the Union Territory were made by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in its report on the Conservation and management of lakes in Jammu and Kashmir for the period ended March 2022. Audit report found that no comprehensive plan was in place for the conservation and management of Manasbal lake. WMDA did not have a specific legal framework and clear-cut responsibility for conservation and management of the lake. Lake management plans were formulated, financed and implemented through annual plans in which only marginal lake related activities such as sanitation of the area, de-weeding and dredging of the lake were included. Non-demarcation of seven km of length of the lake had exposed it (lake) to encroachments, it pointed out. The WMDA, as per audit report, had not identified sources of sewage entering the lake, which were mainly responsible for pollution in it (lake). Due to non-finalisation of the Master plan of the area, unrestricted development and construction work was going on around the lake and there were 40 cases of encroachment and unauthorised construction works, it mentioned. INCREASE IN OPEN WATER AREA? Interestingly, while pointing out grey areas in the conservation and management of the lake, the audit has referred to a positive development also yet with scepticism. It noticed that even though conservation and management of the lake had suffered from inadequacies, there was positive change in the open water area of the lake which showed an increasing trend i.e., from 185.29 hectares in 2014 to 216.81 hectares in 2020. However, causes of increase in water area, whether due to siltation, choking up of lake outlets, melting of glaciers or heavy rainfall in the areas of these lakes, were not monitored or analysed by WMDA. In absence of monitoring of these parameters by WMDA, the audit could also not ascertain whether increase in the surface area of lakes had actually led to increase in water volume of the lake or not, the CAG report observed. FRESH WATER MANASBAL DEEPEST LAKE IN KASHMIR Manasbal, a fresh-water lake, is located in district Ganderbal and is the deepest lake in Kashmir. The major source of water of the lake is Lar Irrigation Khul and 1,200 springs existing in and around the lake. Rainfall and melting snow in the catchment area of the lake also form a source of water for the lake. It has an outlet from where water leaves the lake and enters the river Jhelum. It (lake) is looked after by the Wular Manasbal Development Authority (WMDA) which was created under Development Act, 1970. The administrative control of WMDA vests with the Commissioner Secretary of the J&K Tourism Department. After creation of WMDA in January 2006, 1,192 kanals and six marlas of land was transferred to it by the Tourism department. ENCROACHED LAKE FRINGES Audit observed that WMDA did not have details of land which formed part of the lake and its fringes and details as to whether it was government or proprietary land. As per directions of the High Court, no construction can be raised within 500 square yards from the fringe of the lake and WMDA has to grant permission for any development or construction work carried out around it (lake) in accordance with the master plan of the area. Due to non-finalisation of the Master Plan of the area by WMDA, unrestricted development and construction work was going on around the lake. Records of WMDA showed that there were 40 cases of encroachment and unauthorised construction works. WMDA had not demarcated 500 square yards from the fringes of the lake area resulting in illegal construction of bathrooms, latrines, cowsheds and in dumping of cow dung on the fringes of the lake. Joint inspection of the area by audit along with WMDA officials also revealed that huge structures had come up close to the lake, the audit revealed. It pointed out that non-demarcation of seven km of length of the lake had exposed it to encroachments. An expenditure of Rs 0.51 Cr between 2015-2022 was incurred on de-weeding during the months which were not specified months for de-weeding. WMDA had spent Rs 0.64 Cr (2006-22) on dredging without any bathymetric survey. It (WMDA) had not identified sources of sewage entering the lake, which were mainly responsible for pollution in the lake. For over 15 years, no outcome-based action had been taken to either shift the inhabitants of Kondabal village from the lake area or to get Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) constructed resulting in continuous discharge of untreated sewage into the lake, the audit stated. It stated that Manasbal lake was demarcated except for a length of seven km (from Kanabal to Naninara) which had not been demarcated due to land dispute and paucity of funds. Non-demarcation of a part of lake exposed it to encroachments Comprehensive plan for conservation and management of Manasbal lake was not framed but lake management plans were formulated, financed and implemented on an annual basis. Works included in the annual plans were mostly related to tourism development with only marginal lake-related activities such as sanitation of the area and de-weeding dredging of Lake. The annual plans did not address the root causes of degradation such as change in hydrological regimes, pollution or loss of biodiversity of the lake, another critical finding in the audit revealed. WMDA did not have a specific legal framework and clear-cut responsibility for conservation and management of the Lake. No meeting was held by WMDA after the year 2017. As such, policy decisions including those in respect of preparation of master plan and finalisation of proposals for conservation and management of the lake, could not be taken, the audit flagged.

I wanted Mamata Banerjee to win: Sajad Lone

Kupwara, May 4: Peoples Conference chairman and Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone on Monday said, I wanted Mamata Banerjee to win, reacting to the West Bengal election outcome, which he said did not align with his expectations. Lone was speaking to reporters during an inspection of developmental works in Handwara town. Taking a dig at the Omar Abdullah-led government, he alleged an absence of governance on the ground. The government is missing, and Omar Abdullah is busy running marathons across different parts of the country, he said. Responding to a question about a recent FIR against PDP leader Iltija Mufti over sharing separatist content on social media, Lone said the law must be applied equally to all. She is like my daughter, but I want to ask if a common Kashmiri had done the same, would they not have been behind bars by now? Many poor people face prolonged detention for minor actions. If there is a law, it should be the same for all. Any deviation creates a sense of injustice among ordinary citizens, he said. He cited instances where youth were allegedly detained for months over social media activity, including liking posts. Lone questioned what he described as selective enforcement of the law and asked whether governance was tilted in favour of the wealthy. He said he wanted to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha whether they were leaders only for the rich. Lone, however, reiterated that he does not support violence in any form, stating that what is wrong for one child is wrong for every child. He urged the government to act within the framework of law and avoid selective enforcement.

Mughal Roads scenic charm marred by lack of basic tourist infrastructure

Shopian, May 4:As tourist footfall increases at Dubijan, Peer Ki Gali and other scenic spots along the historic Mughal Road, the absence of basic infrastructure including mobile connectivity, medical facilities and essential amenities has emerged as a major concern. The gaps are not only affecting the overall travel experience but also raising questions about the regions preparedness to handle a sustained rise in tourism. In recent years, the serpentine Mughal Road, known for its sweeping views of snow-capped mountains, dense pine forests and cascading waterfalls, has gained popularity as an alternative tourist destination. Connecting the Kashmir Valley with the Pir Panjal region, the route offers both natural beauty and historical significance, attracting travellers seeking less-crowded landscapes. Despite its growing appeal, infrastructure along the road remains inadequate. Tourists frequently report a lack of emergency services, reliable transport support, and basic facilities such as clean drinking water and sanitation. Visitors and local stakeholders have repeatedly urged authorities to improve connectivity and establish health and rescue services to ensure safe travel along the route. Social activist Mitha Gatoo said the absence of mobile network coverage remains a critical issue. We have been demanding mobile connectivity along the road for years, but there has been no progress, he said, adding that emergency response can be significantly delayed. He also highlighted the lack of basic facilities for travellers. While the Sheep and Animal Husbandry Department sets up temporary medical facilities for livestock in Dubijan, there are no such arrangements for humans, Gatoo said. Ashiq Hussain, a resident of Shopian, pointed to the absence of wayside services. Even a minor issue like a tyre puncture can leave travellers stranded for hours, he said, citing the lack of repair facilities and assistance points. Despite these shortcomings, the Mughal Road has begun to generate local economic activity, with small vendors, food stalls and seasonal businesses emerging along parts of the route. Stakeholders believe that with proper infrastructure and planning, the road has the potential to develop into a major tourism corridor while ensuring safety and convenience for visitors.

Heavy rainfall disrupts normal life in Rajouri, Poonch

Rajouri, May 4:Normal life was disrupted in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch on Monday afternoon after heavy rainfall lashed the region for several hours. Widespread rain was recorded across both districts, leading to a sharp rise in water levels in rivers, streams and other water bodies, particularly in Rajouri and Poonch. Authorities and residents reported a significant increase in flow across most major rivers, prompting advisories urging people to maintain distance from swollen waterways as a precaution. The downpour also triggered waterlogging in several parts of Rajouri town and adjoining areas, submerging key roads and disrupting vehicular movement. Locals said several vital stretches of road were inundated, severely disrupting traffic flow and routine activities. Commuters faced considerable inconvenience as rainwater overflowed onto roads, making it difficult for two-wheelers to ply safely. Drivers of four-wheelers also reported difficulty navigating waterlogged stretches. Parts of the JammuRajouriPoonch National Highway were submerged, with water-filled potholes posing a risk to motorists and increasing the likelihood of accidents, residents said.

Unseasonal snowfall blocks Mughal Road; over 110 vehicles, 250 passengers rescued

Rajouri, May 4: Fresh snowfall in the higher reaches of Rajouri and Poonch led to the closure of the Mughal Road, a key link connecting the twin districts with Shopian in the Kashmir Valley. According to reports, unseasonal snowfall affected the upper reaches, with the Pir Ki Gali stretch receiving heavy accumulation. The sudden snowfall blocked the road, leaving more than 100 vehicles stranded on both sides and catching commuters off guard. The stranded vehicles included private cars, goods carriers and passenger vehicles, with over 250 people on board. Several commuters issued distress calls seeking immediate assistance. The administration launched a rescue operation and initiated snow clearance work to restore traffic movement. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Surankote, Farooq Khan, said the road was cleared after sustained efforts and all stranded vehicles were safely evacuated. He added that around 110 vehicles were rescued, ensuring the safety of all passengers. Authorities have advised commuters to check weather and road conditions before travelling on hilly routes, as further snowfall could lead to additional disruptions.

Wet spell grips J&K; higher reaches receive light snow

Srinagar, May 4:Intermittent rain lashed the Kashmir plains and parts of the Jammu region on Monday, with higher reaches receiving fresh snowfall, the Meteorological Department said. Srinagar and other areas in the valley plains experienced intermittent spells of light to moderate rainfall, a Met official said, adding that some areas also witnessed hail and gusty winds. Higher reaches, including the Gulmarg ski resort and mountain passes such as Sadhna Top, Pir Ki Gali along Mughal Road, Sinthan Top and Margan Top, received light snowfall. Srinagar recorded 10.2 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, followed by Qazigund (8.2 mm), Pahalgam (6.0 mm), Kupwara (9.2 mm), Kokernag (8.6 mm) and Gulmarg (4.3 mm). The impact of a western disturbance was more pronounced in the Jammu division, where widespread rainfall was reported in most areas. Jammu recorded 23.3 mm of rainfall, while Udhampur received 41.6 mm, Rajouri 50.0 mm, Poonch 16.0 mm, Katra 8.3 mm, Reasi 36.5 mm and Banihal 0.9 mm. Kathua also received significant rainfall. Temperatures dropped across both regions. Srinagar recorded a maximum of 20.5C, 2.2 degrees below normal. Qazigund reported 19.6C, Pahalgam 16.8C and Gulmarg 11.0C. In Jammu, the maximum temperature settled at 30.4C, 5.7 degrees below normal. Banihal recorded 22.2C, Batote 19.1C, Katra 25.6C and Bhaderwah 18.5C. Intermittent light to moderate rain, along with snowfall in higher reaches, will continue on Tuesday, accompanied by thunder, hail and gusty winds at a few places, the official said. Some areas in Kashmir may receive light to moderate rainfall, while higher elevations could see light to moderate snowfall until Tuesday. Director of the Meteorological Department Mukhtar Ahmad said the weather is expected to remain largely dry from May 6 to 9, although brief afternoon showers cannot be ruled out. Between May 10 and 12, conditions are likely to stay mostly dry, with scattered light rain or thundershowers at a few places. Authorities issued an advisory warning of thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds reaching 40-50 km/h at isolated locations. There is also a risk of landslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas. People have been advised to suspend boating and shikara activities during adverse weather and to avoid weak structures, electric poles and overhead wires. Residents are urged to remain indoors during lightning activity. Farmers have been advised to resume agricultural operations after May 5. A gradual rise in daytime temperatures is expected from Wednesday.

Zephyr Cricket Academy wraps up 3-day coaching camp

Srinagar, May 4:The three-day cricket coaching camp organised by Zephyr Cricket Academy concluded successfully on Monday, marking the culmination of an intensive and engaging programme designed to nurture budding cricket talent across Jammu & Kashmir. The event, as per a statement, wrapped up on a high note with a lively and interactive Fun & Fair session, celebrating both learning and participation. The camp witnessed an overwhelming response, with more than 500 young cricketers taking part over the three days. Participants were systematically divided into Under-16 and Under-23 categories, enabling coaches to tailor training modules and skill development sessions according to age-specific requirements. The structured approach ensured focused attention on technical, tactical, and physical aspects of the game for each group. The final day featured an extensive one-to-one interactive question-and-answer session, where participants engaged directly with experienced coaches. Budding cricketers availed the opportunity to seek clarity on technical nuances, match temperament, fitness regimes, and career pathways in cricket. The depth and quality of questions reflected a growing awareness and maturity among young players. Speaking on the occasion, former Ranji Trophy captain and BCCI Level-2 certified coach Samiullah Beigh expressed his admiration for the participants, stating: I always knew Jammu & Kashmir had immense cricketing talent, but what truly impressed me in this camp was the level of awareness and the advanced nature of questions asked by these young cricketers. It speaks volumes about their passion and how closely they are following the game. Former first-class cricketer Omar Aalam, who has represented Jammu & Kashmir across all age groups, also shared his enthusiasm: When youngsters travel from far-off areas like Uri, Shopian, Kulgam, Kokernag, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Poonch and Rajouri and attend all three days with such dedicationoften accompanied by their parentsit clearly shows how awareness and commitment towards cricket have grown manifold in recent times.

India, Jamaica linked by cricket, friendship: S Jaishankar

Kingston, May 4: Cricket serves as a bridge between India and Jamaica, fostering a relationship written in runs, respect and friendship, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said as he dedicated a digital scoreboard, gifted by New Delhi, to the Caribbean nation. Speaking at the unveiling of the scoreboard at the iconic Sabina Park cricket stadium in the Jamaican capital Kingston on Sunday, Jaishankar highlighted the unifying role of sports, particularly cricket, which he said is followed passionately by over a billion people in India. Sports bring nations together by creating shared experiences and fostering mutual respect. And cricket, in particular, has a special meaning for India and Jamaica, he said. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness was also present at the event. Sabina Park is the home of the Jamaica cricket team and is the only Test cricket ground in the island nation. Recalling the historic significance of Sabina Park, Jaishankar noted that the ground holds special memories for Indian cricket, including a century by legendary cricketer Rahul Dravid and the start of Virat Kohli's Test career in 2011. Describing these moments as symbolic of the India-Jamaica connection, he said the relationship between the two countries is written in runs, respect and friendship. Jaishankar said the state-of-the-art electronic scoreboard would enhance the viewing experience for cricket lovers in Jamaica and stands as a testament to the enduring cricketing partnership between the two nations. Highlighting Jamaicas rich cricketing legacy, he said the country commands immense respect globally for producing great players such as George Headley, Michael Holding, Courtney Walsh, Chris Gayle and Andrew Richardson. Jamaican cricketers receive enthusiastic support from Indian fans, including in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Jaishankar said. As nations cooperate and compete globally, India and Jamaica will always continue to seek special connections that define our ties, and cricket is very much one of them, he said. Calling the scoreboard a symbol of solidarity, Jaishankar expressed hope that it would witness many memorable innings, including those reflecting the growing friendship between India and Jamaica. May the scoreboard count many great innings to come. Among them, that of India-Jamaica friendship, he said. In a social media post after the unveiling ceremony, Jaishankar noted the absence of cricket legend Gayle at the event, saying he was missed. Cricket has long been a strong cultural bridge between India and Jamaica, which is part of the West Indies cricket team. Jaishankar, in his speech, underlined that despite geographical distance, India and Jamaica share close ties rooted in a common history and aspirations as developing nations of the Global South. We may be geographically some distance apart, but in spirit, in our struggle, in our aspirations, we are indeed very close. Both our nations have come out of a shared history. We are proud developing nations of the Global South today. We have made a place for ourselves in the international community, he said. The minister also recalled India's support to Jamaica during challenging times, including assistance during hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic through medicines and vaccines. Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday evening, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.

J&K to boost sports infrastructure, expand events to engage youth: Satish Sharma

Sopore, May 4:Jammu and Kashmir Sports Minister Satish Sharma on Monday said the government is set to take sports to new heights this year with major investments, expanded events and new initiatives aimed at youth engagement and tackling drug addiction in J&K. Speaking to media on the sidelines of the inauguration of a hotel in Sopore, the minister emphasised that sports can play a transformative role in society. If we truly want to fight drug addiction, we must promote sports among the youth, he said, adding that the allocation of Rs 900 crore for sports development in J&K is a significant and commendable step towards guiding the younger generation onto a positive and healthy path. Highlighting upcoming initiatives, Sharma announced that the government will introduce 62-kilometre-long steamer and cruise services across the Jhelum River as well as the iconic Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake. He said the project aims to boost tourism, generate employment opportunities, and reduce congestion along the banks of these water bodies. The minister further revealed that J&K is witnessing the introduction and expansion of several sporting disciplines. Water sports, and downhill biking have been organised here for the first time, opening new avenues for talent and adventure sports enthusiasts, he noted. In a push to strengthen winter sports, Sharma said that existing four-day winter events will be expanded into 15-day festivals to attract more participation and tourism. Additionally, the government plans to develop indoor stadiums at the block level to provide accessible infrastructure for aspiring athletes across the region. Reaffirming the governments commitment, Sharma said that these initiatives will not only promote sports culture but also help in youth engagement, employment generation, and overall socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir.

Will see how we can help teachers: Education minister on fresh SC guidelines

Srinagar, May 4: In a significant development, the minister for education Sakina Itoo on Sunday said the government will come to the rescue of the in-service Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers asked to pass TET within three years. The statement comes in wake of the fresh orders of the Supreme Court directing the J&K government to issue appointment orders to candidates selected under the erstwhile Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) scheme, citing that closure of scheme cannot retrospectively deprive empanelled candidates of their rights. The court directed the J&K government to complete the process within eight weeks, bringing relief to hundreds of aspirants whose appointments were stalled following the closure of the ReT scheme in November 2018. The apex court has however imposed strict conditions that all such appointees must acquire the minimum qualifications prescribed by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), including clearing the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), within three years and a maximum of three attempts. The Court further said the directions would apply to all similarly situated candidates appointed under the ReT scheme after August 23, 2010, who do not yet possess the prescribed qualifications. Under these circumstances, all the Ret Teachers appointed post August 23 of 2010 have to pass the TET to continue their services in the School Education Department (SED). The move has left the teaching fraternity, falling under this group, in a state of despair. Amid this, minister for education Sakina Itoo told Greater Kashmir that the government will file a writ petition in Court and seek a relief for the in-service ReT teachers. It does not look good to ask teachers to appear in exam who are already teaching students for more than a decade now. The government will come forward to help them like we help other employees of different government departments, she told Greater Kashmir . She further said that such decisions bring disrepute and humiliation to the fraternity. These teachers have been taking exams of thousands of students over these years and now they are being asked to appear in exam themselves, she said. The education minister said they will come up with a mechanism to help these ReT teachers, falling under this category. The matter will be discussed in the department, she told Greater Kashmir .

DIG NKR Baramulla visits Sopore; reviews security, crime scenario

Sopore, May 4:Deputy Inspector General of Police, North Kashmir Range (NKR) Baramulla, Dr Vinod Kumar visited Police District Sopore and held a detailed security and crime review meeting. The meeting was attended by SSP Sopore, Iftkhar Talib, Addl. SP Sopore, SDPOs, DySP Ops and SHOs of the district. This marked the first field visit of DIG NKR to Police District Sopore after assuming charge of North Kashmir Range. During the meeting, a comprehensive review of the security scenario, crime situation and ongoing operations was undertaken. Special emphasis was laid on maintaining a robust security grid, strengthening intelligence gathering and ensuring prompt and effective response to emerging challenges. The progress of investigations in important cases, including those under NDPS and other major crimes, was also reviewed. Officers were directed to ensure quality investigation, timely completion of cases and effective prosecution. DIG NKR stressed the need for enhanced coordination among all units, increased vigilance, and sustained efforts to curb crime and maintain law & order. He also emphasised the importance of public engagement and community-oriented policing. The officers were instructed to continue focused enforcement under the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, along with proactive measures to ensure peace, stability and public confidence across the district.

Traffic chaos outside GMC Baramulla hampers emergency movement

Baramulla, May 4:Persistent traffic congestion on the approach road of Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla is causing serious hurdles for the smooth movement of vehicles, including ambulances. The congestion is causing severe inconveniences to those rushing to the hospital, hindering the smooth flow of ambulances, and endangering the lives of patients. With no action from the government, the traffic congestion at the spot has become order of the day, raising serious concerns among patients and attendants. The hospital road, which is already narrow, is frequently blocked due to wrong parking along both sides. Locals said that vehicles are often left unattended, leaving little space for emergency passage. Besides this, roadside vendors have occupied parts of the road, further reducing the available space for traffic. Adding to the concern, locals claim that not a single policeman is deployed on this crucial stretch to regulate traffic, despite the constant rush and the sensitive nature of the location. On Monday, an ambulance carrying a critically ill patient was reportedly stuck for several minutes due to congestion outside the hospital. Eyewitnesses told Greater Kashmir that despite the siren, the vehicle struggled to pass through the crowded stretch. This road is not an ordinary road; it is directly linked to saving lives. Even a delay of a few minutes can prove critical, said an attendant at the hospital. Residents and visitors expressed concern over the lack of effective traffic management in the area. They urged the district administration to take immediate steps to regulate parking, remove encroachments, and ensure proper deployment of traffic personnel to facilitate smooth movement, especially for emergency vehicles. This newspaper has carried a series of news reports about the issue but the traffic congestion persists in the stretch, giving tough time to the patients and attendants. Earlier, the district administration launched an anti encroachment drive on the stretch, but the initiative was short-lived following which the narrow stretch is again being used by visitors for parking their cars. The approach road to the GMC at Kanth Bagh Baramulla has turned into a nightmare for patients and emergency services due to the rampant illegal parking of vehicles. The problem extends beyond inconvenience as it poses a significant threat to emergency cases, especially when ambulances struggle to navigate through the narrow lanes due to the parked vehicles.

3 Indians injured after fire breaks out in UAE's Fujairah due to drone attack

A drone strike originating from Iran has caused a fire at the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone in the UAE. Three Indian nationals sustained moderate injuries in the incident. Fujairah authorities confirmed the drone attack and the subsequent fire. Civil Defence teams are working to control the blaze. The UAE's Ministry of Defence reported intercepting missiles launched towards the country.

Saffron wave deepens erosion of secular norms

The Bharatiya Janata Party has achieved a significant victory in West Bengal, solidifying its influence across eastern India. This win strengthens the party's position nationally, following recent successes in other state elections. The outcome marks a shift in West Bengal's political landscape.

Suvendu defeats Mamata in Bhabanipur, replaying Nandigram script amid BJP surge

Kolkata, May 04: In a dramatic, high-stakes contest that mirrored the political theatre of Nandigram five years ago, BJPs Suvendu Adhikari on Monday defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her home turf Bhabanipur, delivering a blow to the Trinamool Congress amid a sweeping saffron surge across the state. Adhikari won by a margin of 15,105 votes, according to data available on the Election Commission website, capping a stunning turnaround in a contest where Banerjee had led comfortably in the early rounds. While Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the outgoing assembly, bagged 73,917 votes, the CM secured 58,812 votes. I thank the people of Bhabanipur for voting for me and ensuring a margin of over 15,000 votes, Adhikari said after his victory in the high-profile constituency, and after holding the winning certificate. The result marks a virtual action replay of the 2021 Nandigram battle, where Adhikari had unseated Banerjee in a fiercely fought contest that redefined Bengals political narrative. In Bhabanipur, the chief minister had surged ahead by over 17,000 votes by the end of the seventh round, building what appeared to be a decisive cushion. However, the advantage steadily eroded through the subsequent rounds as Adhikari clawed back, narrowing the gap sharply before overtaking her in the final stages. By the 14th round, Banerjees lead had shrunk to under 4,000 votes, setting the stage for a tense finish. The BJP leader then edged ahead, consolidating his lead in the closing rounds to seal the contest. The seat witnessed intense drama throughout the day, with both leaders present at the counting centre at Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls High School, underscoring the high-voltage nature of the battle. As trends turned against her, Banerjee alleged large-scale irregularities in the counting process, launching a sharp attack on the Election Commission. Do you think this is a victory? It is an immoral victory. More than 100 seats have been looted. The Election Commission is the BJPs commission, she said. Claiming that the mandate had been manipulated, she alleged that one of her partys counting agents had been forced out and that she was pushed and berated inside the centre. There was no immediate response from the Election Commission or the BJP to the allegations. Adhikari, emerging from the counting centre after his victory, thanked the voters of Bhabanipur and said the mandate reflected a desire for change. The Bhabanipur result assumes added significance as it comes alongside a broader statewide trend that has put the BJP well past the majority mark, positioning it to form its first government in West Bengal. For the TMC, Banerjees defeat in her own constituency marks a major political setback, both symbolically and organisationally, raising questions about the partys grip over its traditional urban strongholds. For the BJP, Adhikaris victory not only reinforces his stature as the partys principal face in Bengal but also underscores the partys deepening inroads into territories long considered impregnable for the opposition. As the dust settles on a fiercely contested election, the Bhabanipur verdict is set to remain one of its defining moments a contest that began with a commanding lead, turned into a cliffhanger, and ended in a result that could reshape Bengals political trajectory.