Opinion

Six yrs later, migrant workers still trapped in a cycle of exploitation

Migrant workers are again facing hardship. Protests erupt over low wages and poor conditions. Government policies lag behind rising costs. Welfare programs show limited impact. Housing schemes struggle with implementation. New labor codes bring uncertainty. Rural distress looms. The migrant worker remains in a difficult situation.

Without Special OTS, J&Ks industrial revival remains elusive

Srinagar, Apr 16:Growing concern over mounting financial stress in Jammu and Kashmirs industrial sector has triggered fresh calls for a comprehensive, region-specific Special One-Time Settlement (SOTS) framework to address legacy debt and revive struggling enterprises. With a new industrial policy in the pipeline, stakeholders warn that the absence of a structured debt-resolution mechanism continues to undermine the viability of existing units, even as policy focus remains tilted towards attracting new investments. This is where the role of the lead bank becomes central. J&K Bank, by virtue of its deep regional presence, deposit base, and credit exposure, occupies a unique position in the economic architecture of the Union Territory. A substantial portion of its deposits originates from within the regionmobilized at one of the lowest costs in the banking systemwhile a dominant share of its lending is also deployed locally. In effect, the regions economic ecosystem sustains the bank, just as the bank sustains the regions enterprise base. Yet, when it comes to addressing stress within this very ecosystem, the response has remained narrowly structured. The One-Time Settlement scheme introduced in 2024, though a step in principle, fell short in scope and impact. By imposing upper thresholds and restrictive eligibility conditions, it excluded a significant segment of borrowersparticularly those with larger exposuresmany of whom represent established enterprises with substantial employment and asset bases. These are precisely the units whose revival carries the greatest economic multiplier effect, yet they remain outside the ambit of relief. This selective approach has, in effect, created a paradox: those most in need of resolution remain least covered. The urgency of a renewed and expanded Special One-Time Settlement (SOTS) framework, therefore, cannot be overstated. Such a framework must move beyond conventional limits and thresholds, and instead recognize the exceptional context of Jammu & Kashmir. The financial stress carried by a large number of enterprises in the region is not the outcome of routine commercial cycles, but of prolonged and extraordinary disruptions that impaired their operational continuity. Equally important is the question of cost. For years, borrowers in the region have serviced credit at rates significantly higher than prevailing national benchmarksoften justified under market risk considerations. This differential, sustained over long periods, has compounded the debt burden and contributed materially to the stress now reflected in NPA accounts. When viewed alongside the fact that the banks deposit strength is overwhelmingly drawn from the same region, the case for calibrated concessions within an SOTS framework becomes not only logical, but necessary. A region-specific SOTS must, therefore, be designed with a clear developmental perspectiveone that acknowledges past realities rather than applying uniform templates. It must be comprehensive in coverage, non-discriminatory in access, and free from rigid ceilings that defeat its very purpose. The objective cannot be revenue maximization alone; it must be resolution, restoration, and reintegration of enterprises into the economic cycle. The need for urgency is equally compelling. With a new industrial policy on the anvilone that is expected to prioritize revival alongside new investmentsthe absence of a parallel debt-resolution mechanism would render the exercise incomplete. It is difficult to envision a credible revival roadmap when a large segment of enterprises continues to remain financially impaired, with no viable exit or restructuring pathway. There is also a larger institutional dimension that merits reflection. While regulatory frameworks may justify uniform treatment of borrowers across geographies, they do not preclude context-sensitive interventionsparticularly in regions that have experienced prolonged disruptions. The distinction between willful default and circumstantial stress must inform policy design, especially in a region where enterprise continuity itself has been a challenge. The continued delay in introducing a meaningful SOTS framework raises uncomfortable questionsnot about intent at the highest levels, but about prioritization and initiative within the system. It is difficult to assume that the broader leadershipwhether at the Union level or within the Union Territorywould remain indifferent to the plight of existing enterprises, had the issue been pursued with the urgency and clarity it demands. At its core, this is not merely a banking issue; it is an economic reset waiting to happen. A well-structured, region-specific SOTS offers the possibility of clearing legacy stress, restoring confidence among borrowers, strengthening the banks balance sheet, and aligning the financial system with the broader objective of industrial revival. It provides an honorable exit where required, and a fresh beginning where possible. The question is no longer whether such an intervention is justifiedthe realities on the ground have already answered that. The question is whether the system is prepared to act with the scale, sensitivity, and urgency that the moment demands. Until then, the narrative of Ease of Doing Business will remain incompleteanchored in new beginnings, but disconnected from unresolved pasts.

Military conflicts can't solve any problem: PM Modi

New Delhi, Apr 16:The world is going through a very tense situation impacting all nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, pitching for bringing lasting peace to Ukraine and West Asia as military conflict cannot solve any problem. PM Modi made the remarks after holding wide-ranging talks with Austria's Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker that focused on significantly ramping up bilateral ties in areas of trade, defence and infrastructure. In their talks, PM Modi and Stocker extensively deliberated on the consequences of the conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine on global economy and vowed to work jointly to mitigate them. The Austrian Chancellor landed in New Delhi on Tuesday on a four-day trip. It is Stocker's first official trip outside Europe. The entire world is going through a very serious and tense situation today. And it is affecting all of us, PM Modi said in his media statement. In such a tense global environment, India and Austria are unanimous that military conflict cannot solve problems. Whether in Ukraine or West Asia, we support a stable, sustainable, and lasting peace, he said. We also agree that reform of global institutions is essential to address growing global challenges. And eradicating terrorism is our shared commitment, the PM said. Following the Modi-Stocker talks, the two sides signed six agreements including one on setting up a setting up a fast track mechanism to help Indian and Austrian companies wanting to invest in each other's economies. Another pact was signed on cooperation on military matters. The letter of intent on military cooperation will provide an institutional framework for promoting cooperation building on the momentum of the India-EU defence and security partnership signed in January. In his remarks, PM Modi said Stocker's visit is extremely significant and referred to involvement of Austrian companies in numerous engineering projects in India including in railways as well as clean energy initiatives. Following the historic India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, a new golden chapter has begun in relations between India and the EU. With Chancellor Stocker's visit, we are also taking India-Austria relations into a new era, he said. PM Modi said the Chancellor's visit will inject new energy into bilateral trade and investment ties. We are delighted that he has come to India with a broad vision and a large business delegation. By combining Austria's expertise with India's speed and scale, we will ensure reliable technology and supply chains for the entire world, he said. We will also strengthen our partnerships in defense, semiconductor, quantum, and biotechnology, PM Modi said.

NDA, Opposition leaders spar over women's reservation, delimitation bill

New Delhi, Apr 16:NDA leaders on Thursday defended bills to amend the women's quota law and set up a delimitation commission, saying women have waited for years for reservation, while opposition leaders alleged the way the government was proceeding with it could undermine the country's federal and democratic structure. According to a bulletin issued on April 15, the 'Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026', 'Delimitation Bill, 2026' and 'Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026' will be introduced and debated for passage in the Lower House on Thursday. The three-day sitting of Parliament, during which amendments to the Nari Shakti VandanAdhiniyam, commonly known as the Women's Reservation Act, mandating 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, will be brought for passage so that it can be implemented by 2029. BJP MP Giriraj Singh expressed confidence that the amendments to the Women's Reservation Act for its early implementation will receive broad support in Parliament. I have full confidence that when they come to the House, they will develop sensitivity towards women. Women have been waiting for years, and now their patience is running out. This will be passed collectively, Singh told reporters inside the Parliament House complex. He rejected the opposition's concerns on the delimitation exercise as unfounded. There will be no discrimination against anyone or any state. There will be no loss to the southern states and no one needs to worry, he added. BJP MP Sandhya Roy termed the move historic and said it would significantly boost women's participation in governance. I believe everyone will support this Bill. It is a historic opportunity for women's empowerment and a defining moment for the country. By 2029, women will have a strong share in the nation's participation and progress, she said. According to the draft Constitution amendment bill, the number of Lok Sabha seats will be increased to a maximum of 850 from the current 543 to operationalise the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. Seats will also be increased in state and Union territory assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women, and the seats reserved for women in the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies shall be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a state or Union territory, the draft bill circulated among Lok Sabha members said. JD(U) MP Lovely Anandcriticised the opposition for raising objections. Why is the opposition against delimitation when nothing has happened yet? This is in favour of women -- half the population is finally getting its due. The opposition is worried because it sees the ground slipping beneath its feet, she said. Opposition leaders expressed concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise. Congress leader K Suresh said his party supports women's reservation, but opposes the delimitation plan linked to it. We are not against the women's reservation bill. We are totally opposing the delimitation bill, he said. Congress MP Hibi Eden said he has moved a procedural notice against the proposal. We have given notice under the relevant rules of procedure to oppose this. The delimitation bill is a direct attack on the Constitution. It takes away the rights of southern states and is an attack on the cooperative federal structure of the country, he said. There is concern over the proposed increase in seats and the imbalance it may create between northern and southern states. Proper discussion and consultation with state governments are needed, he added. It also affects the democratic and secular nature of the country. Southern states have performed better in population control and delimitation based on population will penalise them, Eden said. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said his party supports reservation for women, but is opposed to the manner in which the government is proceeding with it. We are not against women's reservation, but we oppose the haste and the way it is being brought. Without a fresh census, relying on 2011 data will not ensure accurate representation, he said. If a census is conducted, there will be a demand for a caste census and appropriate reservation. This is not real empowerment but symbolism, Yadav added. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant spoke in the same vein. We are not against women's reservation, but we have reservations about the delimitation bill. There are concerns about how such exercises are carried out, he said. DMK MP T R Baalu said, Yesterday, our leader M K Stalin burnt the draft Bill at a public rally in Salem, which shows that we have to oppose it. The total strength of the ruling NDA in the Lok Sabha stands at 292, while the major opposition parties have 233 MPs. For the Constitution amendment bill to be passed, it requires a two-thirds majority of those present in the House at the time of voting. Centre using women's quota as smokescreen: Left parties Left leaders on Thursday criticised the Centre's move to link women's reservation with a fresh delimitation exercise, calling it a devious and efarious attempt to alter India's political balance in the guise of a pro-women reform. CPI-M General Secretary M A Baby said the current proposal departs from earlier efforts that had already laid a clear roadmap for implementing women's reservation in legislatures. Referring to the Geeta Mukherjee Committee report, Baby said that it was very clear about how we should go about ensuring representation for women.

No reduction in southern seats: Amit Shah

New Delhi, Apr 16:Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday sought to allay concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise, asserting that the number of parliamentary seats in southern states will not be reduced even as the Centre moves to significantly expand the Lok Sabha. Addressing concerns surrounding the ongoing delimitation process, Shah said the exercise would be carried out strictly in accordance with existing legal provisions. The Delimitation Commission law is strictly in accordance with the existing (old) law. There is no change. It will not impact the ongoing elections, he said. Shah said that the proposed expansion of the Lok Sabha from the current 543 seats to 816 represents a nearly 50 percent increase, aimed at better representation of the population without disadvantaging any region. The number of seats in the southern states will not be reduced, Shah said, amid apprehensions from several states over a possible shift in political balance. He said that a completely false narrative was being spread that the representation of southern states would go down in the Lok Sabha after its strength is increased to 816 seats following the implementation of women's reservation and delimitation of constituencies. Intervening in the debate in Lok Sabha on the three bills introduced for amendment of the women's quota law and to set up a delimitation commission, Shah said the fact is that the number of seats will go up and power will grow. He said the number of Lok Sabha seats in the five southern states will go up from the present 129 to 195 seats while the percentage of power will increase from 23.76 per cent to 23.87 or almost 24 percent. Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka will increase to 42 from the present 28; in Andhra Pradesh, the number of Lok Sabha sets will increase to 38 from 25; in Telangana, it will be 26 from present 17; in Tamil Nadu, the number of Lok Sabha seats will go up to 59 from the present 39; and in Kerala, it will be 30 seats from the present 20, he said. Shah strongly rejected the opposition suggestion that the government will indulge in some kind of mischief during the delimitation exercise, saying the NDA government has not made any changes in the existing law. The delimitation bill is exactly like the previous law brought by your government. There is no change, not even a comma or a full stop, he said. Explaining how the total number of seats in the new Lok Sabha is fixed at 816, the Home Minister said it is exactly 50 percent more than the current total seats. On the issue of caste enumeration, the Home Minister said that the government had already taken a decision to conduct a caste census as part of the ongoing population census exercise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet has decided to conduct a caste census. The ongoing census is being conducted on the basis of caste enumeration. There is no need to spread confusion, he said. Shah said on that Muslims will not be given reservation on the basis of religion as such a quota would be unconstitutional. The question of providing reservation to Muslim women on the basis of religion does not even arise. Our Constitution does not allow at all to give reservation on the basis of religion. I want to make it clear our government's resolve that Muslims will not be given reservation on the basis of religion. Such reservation is unconstitutional, he said after the Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav and Dharmendra Yadav spoke in favour of giving a quota to Muslims. The Home Minister said the Samajwadi Party members were saying that they would place the demand for a caste census but he would like to inform them that the government had already taken a decision to carry out the caste census and it would be carried out along with the population enumeration. Right now, the counting of households is underway and the households do not have any caste. If the Samajwadi Party had its way, they would determine the caste of households as well, he said. Shah also said if the Samajwadi Party gives all its tickets to Muslim women, where do we have any objection, we have no objections at all. He said that during the population enumeration, the census authorities would keep a provision for caste enumeration, which I personally want too. I want to make it clear that this census will be conducted along with caste enumeration, the Home Minister said. Shahs remarks come at a time when the Centres proposed delimitation plan and census-related announcements have triggered widespread political debate, particularly over representation, federal balance, and data transparency. The government has maintained that both exercises are aimed at strengthening democratic representation and ensuring equitable policy planning based on updated demographic data. (With PTI inputs)

Delimitation push to increase J&K Lok Sabha seats but not clout

Srinagar, Apr 16:As New Delhi moves ahead with an ambitious plan to redraw Indias parliamentary map, Jammu and Kashmir is poised for a modest increase in its Lok Sabha representation but without a corresponding rise in its overall share of national political influence. The proposed overhaul, anchored in the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, and an accompanying Delimitation exercise, seeks to expand the Lok Sabha from the current 543 seats to anywhere between 815 and 850 seats. Officials said that the move is intended to correct decades-old imbalances in representation after the freeze on delimitation that has been in place since the 1970s. At present, J&K sends five members to the Lok Sabha and four to the Rajya Sabha, giving it less than 1 percent share in the parliament. Based on emerging policy signals and baseline projections, J&K is expected to see its Lok Sabha seats increase to around 7 or 8, marking a roughly 40 to 60 percent rise in absolute numbers. This aligns with the broader national trend, where most states and Union Territories are projected to witness an average increase of about 50 percent in their parliamentary representation. However, experts caution that this increase, while numerically significant, must be viewed in the context of a much larger House. If the Lok Sabha expands to around 850 seats, even an increase to 7 or 8 seats will leave Jammu and Kashmirs proportional share largely unchanged, a constitutional analyst said. In fact, it could marginally decline. The extent of seat increase is closely tied to population, which remains the primary basis for delimitation. Larger states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are expected to gain disproportionately more seats due to their population size, while smaller regions like J&K will see comparatively modest additions. With a population estimated historically between 1.2 and 1.4 crore, J&K does not carry the demographic weight needed for a major jump in representation. The arithmetic is simple: big states gain more because they have more people, the constitutional analyst said. J&K will gain, but not dramatically. Another limiting factor for Jammu and Kashmir is its current status as a Union Territory. Under the proposed framework, the total number of Lok Sabha seats allocated to all UTs is expected to be capped at around 35. This means J&K will have to share this pool with other UTs like Delhi and Puducherry, further constraining its potential increase. Had J&K remained a full-fledged state, the calculations might have been slightly different, the political analyst said. Taking all factors into account, projections place J&Ks future Lok Sabha strength within a narrow band of conservative estimate of 7 seats, moderate estimate of 7 to 9 seats and upper bound scenario of 8 to 10 seats. However, most analysts consider 7 to 8 seats the most realistic outcome under current proposals. The key takeaway from the proposed changes lies in the distinction between absolute and relative representation. While J&K will gain additional MPs, its share of the total Lok Sabha pie is unlikely to increase. This is because the overall expansion disproportionately benefits larger states. For instance, projections suggest that Uttar Pradesh alone could gain dozens of additional seats, significantly altering the balance of power within Parliament. In percentage terms, J&Ks voice may not get louder, even if it gets more MPs, an observer said. The national exercise could also trigger a fresh round of delimitation within J&K itself, potentially redrawing parliamentary constituencies across the region. Such an exercise could have internal political implications, including shifts in representation between Kashmir and Jammu. This is not just about numbers in Delhi, a New Delhi-based political analyst said. It could reshape electoral dynamics within J&K as well. The proposed expansion brings both opportunities and challenges for J&K. The potential gains include improved constituency representation, greater absolute presence in Parliament, and scope for more localised political articulation. However, the concerns include reduced relative influence at the national level, overshadowing by larger states, and possible internal political realignments. The bottom line is that while India prepares for its most significant parliamentary restructuring in decades, J&K stands to gain in numbers, but not necessarily in clout. From five seats today, J&K is likely to move to around seven or eight Lok Sabha seats in the coming years. Yet, in a House that could soon approach 850 members, that increase may do little to alter its overall standing in the country's political landscape. According to analysts, the real impact would depend not just on how many seats J&K gains, but how effectively those seats are used.

Year on, Machail Mata Yatra resumes, but silence lingers in Chisoti

Srinagar, Apr 16: A year after flash floods devastated Chisoti village in Kishtwars Paddar region, the Machail Mata Yatra has resumed on a subdued note, with fewer pilgrims halting and many residents still struggling to recover. On the opening day, April 14, the idol of Machail Mata was taken in a procession from a local priests house to the main temple in Machail village. Chisoti, once a key halt on the route, would come alive during the four-month yatra, with families setting up food stalls, tents and transport services. This year, activity remains minimal. Only two tea and eatery stalls have been set up so far, Akshay Kumar, a resident told Greater Kashmir over the phone. Pilgrims are not stopping here like before. Most go directly to Machail. The decline follows the August 14 tragedy, when a cloudburst triggered flash floods that swept through the village, destroying homes, shrines and temporary structures. Over 70 people were killed and dozens went missing, mostly devotees. Nothing remained -everything was swept away, Kumar said. Nearly 2,500 pilgrims were present in the area at the time, while thousands more were on the route. Many were near the riverbank when the floods struck. Among those affected is 23-year-old Sawant Singh, who earlier earned a living ferrying pilgrims on his motorcycle to Hamori, the last motorable point before a six-kilometre trek to Machail. On the fateful day, his sister Sangeeta and mother Kamlesha Devi were running their food stall when lightning struck after a cloudburst. Within minutes, floodwaters surged through the area. They were at the stall. I was at home for lunch, Singh said. I survived, but they were swept away. Nineteen houses were damaged, several were completely washed away. Singhs home was among them, and he is still rebuilding. We are trying to recover, but the loss is permanent, he said. My sister was supposed to get married. He has not resumed work this season. Without a proper house, I can neither set up a stall nor ferry pilgrims, he said. His father, a labourer, survived as he was away at work, though the family lost several relatives. Located about 20 km from Gulabgarh-Paddar town and 85 km from Kishtwar district headquarters, Chisoti lies along the BhotNalla stream, a tributary of the Chenab River. Since 1987, it has depended on the pilgrimage season, which supports around 200 households. The floods disrupted this fragile economy. With maize as the primary crop, residents rely on the yatra for income through food stalls- selling indigenous maize roti with vegetables, Dal, tea, and snacksand offering tent services and transport. Those months sustain us for the entire year, Kumar said. Without that income, it becomes very difficult. The disaster also destroyed three shrines dedicated to Kali Mata and Nag Dev, where pilgrims traditionally offer prayers. Two priests managing these shrines were among those killed. Reconstruction work has just started, Kumar said. Residents expect pilgrim numbers to increase from June, when the yatra typically peaks, and some families are preparing to resume work on a smaller scale. For now, Chisoti remains quiet as rebuilding continues. The yatra has resumed, Singh said, but for us, nothing is the same.

Max Hospital Saket doctors restore mobility of patient from Kashmir through bilateral knee replacement

Srinagar, Apr 16: Doctors at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, successfully performed a bilateral total knee replacement on 60-year-old female patient from Srinagar, who had been suffering from severe knee pain for over three months, significantly affecting her mobility and quality of life. As per a press release, she was diagnosed with bilateral knee osteoarthritis accompanied by varus deformity, a condition in which both legs become bow-shaped at the knees, making even routine daily activities increasingly difficult. The patient first consulted D Sujoy Bhattacharjee, presenting with persistent pain in both knees and difficulty in walking. Clinical evaluation revealed advanced joint degeneration with a pre-operative pain score of 8 out of 10. Given the severity of the condition and the functional limitations it imposed, the medical team recommended bilateral total knee replacement as the most effective solution to restore mobility and alleviate pain. The surgery was performed the very next day, said a press release. Speaking on the case, Dr. Sujoy Bhattacharjee, Chairman & Chief Max Institute of Robotic Joint Replacement, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, Delhi, said, Bilateral total knee replacement is an effective solution for patients with advanced osteoarthritis affecting both knees. In this case, the deformity and cartilage damage had progressed to a stage where conservative treatment was no longer effective. The procedure involved replacing the damaged joints with artificial implants, correcting alignment, and restoring function. With careful surgical planning and advanced techniques, both knees were replaced in a single sitting, enabling faster recovery and reducing the need for two separate surgeries. The surgery was completed successfully without complications. Post-operatively, she showed significant improvement and was mobilised early under expert supervision. During follow-up, patient reported a substantial reduction in pain, with her score improving from 8/10 before surgery to 2/10 after the procedure. She is now able to walk comfortably and is gradually returning to her normal daily routine. Dr. Sujoy, further added, With advancements in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and post-operative care, patients today can experience reduced pain, quicker rehabilitation, and improved joint function. Timely intervention in such cases is important to prevent further joint deterioration and help patients regain mobility and maintain an active, independent lifestyle. At Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, we are successfully performing Day Care Robotic Arm-Assisted Total Knee Replacement surgeries with excellent clinical outcomes. This advanced approach enables greater surgical precision, improved implant alignment, and faster recovery, allowing patients to be discharged within a short duration. Additionally, the reduced hospital stay helps minimise the risk of hospital-acquired complications such as infections, gastritis, vomiting, and other post-operative concerns, ensuring a safer and more comfortable recovery for patients. At Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, patients have access to advanced orthopaedic care, including minimally invasive joint replacements and robotic-assisted surgeries. Supported by experienced specialists and state-of-the-art infrastructure, the hospital continues to deliver high-quality treatment, helping patients regain mobility and improve their quality of life.

Govt extends tenure of Chairman FFRC by 1 month

Srinagar, Apr 16:In a latest development, the Jammu and Kashmir government has extended the tenure of Chairperson Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) of Private Schools Justice (Retd) Sunil Hali for one month or till a new incumbent is appointed, whichever is earlier. The notification in this regard has been issued by commissioner Secretary School Education Department (SED) Ram Niwas Sharma. In exercise of the powers conferred under rule 4(3) of Jammu and Kashmir Private Schools (Fixation, Determination and Regulation of Fee) Rules, 2022 the Government hereby extends the term of Hon'ble Justice (Retired), Sunil Hali, as Chairperson of the Committee for Fixation, Determination and Regulation of Fee of Private Schools, from the date on which his previous term expires i.e. 31.03.2026, for a further period of one month or till a new incumbent is appointed, whichever is earlier, the notification reads. The extension has been granted under Rule 4(3) of the Jammu and Kashmir Private Schools (Fixation, Determination and Regulation of Fee) Rules, 2022. The terms and conditions of the office shall remain unchanged as per the earlier notification S.O. 168 dated March 24, 2023, it reads. As already reported, Justice (Retd) Sunil Hali was appointed as chairman FFRC on March 25 of 2023 for a period of three years. The appointment was made in exercise of the powers conferred by section 20-A of the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Act, 2002, read with Jammu and Kashmir Private Schools (Fixation Determination and Regulation of Fee) Rules, 2022

India-China energy cooperation doesn't require warm relations, or lofty civilisational rhetoric

India and China face a new opportunity in energy markets. Past cooperation in Africa, despite challenges, shows potential. Both nations seek stable energy imports, bypassing geopolitical risks. This shared need can drive future joint ventures. New energy projects in Africa could form a strong foundation for collaboration. This pragmatic approach is vital for securing energy supplies.

J&K Govt abolishes CUET for admission to FYUGP in colleges this year

Srinagar, Apr 16:In a latest development, the Higher Education Department (HED) has done away with the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for admission to Four Year Under Graduate Programmes (FYUGP) in colleges for the current academic session. The decision has been taken in wake of the restoration of the November session for schools. The result of class 12th J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) exams was declared in January this year following which the qualified students have been waiting for the commencement of the admission process in the Degree Colleges across Kashmir. Talking to Greater Kashmir, Director Colleges J&K Prof Sheikh Aijaz Ahmad said that this year Higher Education Department will offer non CUET admission in all the 144 colleges this year. Earlier we used to do CUET admission in only 39 colleges but this year all the colleges will offer admission on the basis of class 12th qualification, he told Greater Kashmir. This newspaper earlier reported that the students who qualified class 12 examination in Kashmir were in a dilemma due to a widening transition gap between the academic calendars of the J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) and the Higher Education Department (HED). As per the academic schedule, class 12 results were declared in January 2026, while the new academic session in colleges was supposed to begin only between July and August in line with CUET. This misalignment would leave qualified class 12 students with an idle period of nearly six to seven months before they can enter college. To address the issue, the HED has now decided to offer non CUET admissions in all the colleges. In this regard, an official notification has been issued by the Director Colleges J&K informing students about the announcement of the admission process for Four-Year Undergraduate Programmes (FYUGP) and Integrated Postgraduate Programmes for the academic session 202627. The admission process will commence shortly across all Government Degree Colleges in the Union Territory, the notification reads. As per the notification, admissions for the upcoming session will be conducted on the basis of 10+2 merit, doing away with the CUET-based process. The department has further clarified that all undergraduate admissions shall be granted purely on the basis of marks obtained in the Class 12 examinations. The decision has been taken to streamline the admission process for which the authorities have introduced a centralised admission system for the aspiring students. All aspirants will be required to register through a Centralised Admission Portal, the link and detailed guidelines for which will be notified separately, it reads. The notification further reads that students will have to submit their preferences for colleges and courses through the portal. The allotment of seats will be carried out on the basis of merit and the preferences indicated by the candidates, ensuring a transparent and structured admission mechanism, the notice reads. As per the notification, the students have been informed that the detailed admission schedule, including dates for registration, preference filling, seat allotment, and fee submission, will be announced later through a formal notification. As of now, the department has issued an early advisory to help students and parents prepare in advance. Students who have passed or appeared in the Class 12 examinations from JKBOSE, CBSE, or any recognised board are advised to explore the academic programmes offered by various Government Degree Colleges across J&K, the notice reads. Authorities have also encouraged students and parents to visit college campuses to gain a better understanding of course structures and interact with faculty members as well. To facilitate the admission process, counselling and facilitation cells have already been established in all Government Degree Colleges. These cells are currently functional and are expected to assist students in choosing courses, understanding eligibility criteria, and addressing admission-related queries, the notice reads. The department has also urged students to familiarise themselves with the key features of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, under which the FYUGP framework operates. These include multiple exit option, certificate after the first year, diploma after the second year, degree after the third year, and honours or research degree after the fourth year along with provisions for major-minor combinations and enhanced academic flexibility. The students have been further advised to visit the official website of the Directorate of Colleges, J&K for further details regarding courses and programmes offered in colleges . The formal admission notification, along with the registration link and complete schedule, will be released in due course through the official portal and print media, the notice reads.

Crores spent, lakes lost: CAG exposes Kashmir's wetland rot

Srinagar, Apr 16: Kashmir's legendary lakes are dying. And according to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, the death is not entirely natural it is being administered, slowly and methodically, by institutional neglect, administrative apathy and a shocking absence of scientific rigour in conservation efforts that were, on paper at least, generously funded. The CAG's reports on Hokersar and Wular two of the most ecologically significant water bodies in Jammu and Kashmir make for deeply uncomfortable reading. They sketch a portrait of governance failure that is as comprehensive as it is damning, raising questions not merely about competence but about intent. At Hokersar, the numbers tell their own grim story. Around 2,528.10 kanals of lake area has been encroached upon for construction, plantations and agricultural activities. Despite issuance of notices, authorities were unable to ensure eviction of encroachers, the CAG report states, in language that barely conceals its exasperation. The wetland, notified as far back as July 1945 and later declared a Conservation Reserve, has been surrendered piece by piece to encroachers while the authorities watched. The ecological consequences of this surrender are now starkly visible in satellite data. Between 2014 and 2020, the open water area decreased by seven per cent, while scrub area increased by 1,157 per cent, siltation by 104 per cent, river area by 103 per cent, built-up area by 102 per cent and aquatic vegetation by 42 per cent, the report recorded, attributing the transformation to anthropogenic pressure and inadequate conservation. These are not gradual, natural changes. They are the statistical signature of an ecosystem collapsing under human pressure. At the heart of the problem, the CAG identifies a planning vacuum. No comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan had been prepared for the lake. Instead, the Wildlife Protection Department relied on annual plans which failed to address core issues such as changes in hydrological regimes, pollution and loss of biodiversity. Annual plans, by their nature, are reactive. They address symptoms, not causes. Without a long-term, science-backed strategy, the lake was left to deteriorate between one budget cycle and the next. The pollution crisis has been compounded by unchecked urbanisation in the lake's catchment. Analysis of satellite imagery and Google Earth Pro data from 2005 to 2022 revealed rapid expansion of built-up areas in Haji Bagh, Soibug and HMT (Zainakot). The lake continues to receive inflows from these areas, aggravating pollution levels, the report noted, adding that research studies have indicated the disappearance of native aquatic species, invasion of non-native plants and declining dissolved oxygen levels due to nutrient loading. Perhaps the most damaging finding concerns the fate of public money. Between 2018 and 2022, Rs 46.29 crore was spent on channel construction, dredging and slope protection. Yet the flood spill channel at PadshahiBagh, designed to carry 17,000 cusecs of water, has seen its capacity reduced to 6,000 cusecs due to siltation and accumulation of debris. Meanwhile, key components such as hydraulic gates, silt retention basins and sewage treatment plants were not executed, affecting water regulation and quality. Money was spent. Infrastructure was not built. The lake continued to suffer. The CAG was equally scathing about the quality of conservation work that was carried out. Expenditure on these works lacked scientific basis, with no vegetation mapping, bathymetric surveys or impact assessments conducted, it observed. Crores were disbursed for de-weeding and dredging without any baseline data to measure against, any methodology to guide the work or any assessment to evaluate its impact. It was conservation in name only. When confronted with the audit findings, the forest department offered little by way of reassurance only that a policy to maintain the ecological character of wetlands was under consideration and that efforts were underway to remove unwanted vegetation. After years of documented decline, the response amounted to an acknowledgement that the authorities had yet to begin thinking seriously about the problem. At Wular Lake, 35 kilometres from Srinagar and among the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, the CAG found a different but equally serious dimension of failure: institutional paralysis. Due to non-constitution of monitoring bodies, the conservation and management programme of Wularlake had suffered as policy matters of Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) could not be decided. Without a functioning oversight structure, the conservation authority drifted, rudderless, while the lake aged around it. This institutional vacuum carried a direct financial penalty. The failure to produce a detailed conservation plan resulted in J&K being denied central government funding for Wular's rejuvenation an act of administrative negligence that compounded ecological damage with fiscal loss at the same stroke. The afforestation record at Wular reads like a catalogue of abandoned commitments. Under the 13th Finance Commission, against a target of 2,620 hectares, only 1,725 hectares were covered a shortfall of 34 per cent. Under the CAPEX action plan for 2020-21, the failure was far more severe: against target for afforestation of 1,870 hectares of land at a cost of Rs 8.53 Cr, Rs 2.42 Cr was spent (28 per cent) to cover 235 hectares (shortfall 87 per cent). Between April 2016 and March 2020, no plantation was carried out in degraded forest areas at all. No physical verification was done to check whether earlier plantations had even survived. The consequences were predictable and predicted. Shortfall in achievement of targets resulted in insufficient afforestation in degraded forests resulting in increase of siltation in the lake by 201.54 hectares between 2016 and 2020 and consequently contributing to hastening ageing of the lake, the CAG noted. Forests are a lake's first line of defence against siltation. When they are neglected, the lake pays the price. WUCMA's defence, when it came, was extraordinary. The authority argued that much of the bare catchment was naturally dominated by shrub growth, that allied departments had supplemented its efforts, and that since 80 per cent of water enters the lake through the Jhelum river, attributing siltation to inadequate afforestation was unfair. The CAG dismissed each argument in turn. The reply that WUCMA need not carry out afforestation plans contradicts the provision of afforestation activities under the CAPEX action plan. Further, it is pertinent to note that even the planned targets under the action plan could not be achieved, which was indicative of failure of implementation of the catchment conservation activity, the report observed with pointed precision. On dredging, the numbers are perhaps the most stark illustration of the gap between expenditure and outcome. Although Rs 185.05 Cr was spent (2011-22) on dredging of lake, only 4.5 sq. km (17 per cent) of 27 sq km of severely silted area has been dredged as of March 2022. What happened to the dredged material was, if anything, worse. Dykes for dumping of dredged out material were not identified and dredged out material was dumped in the auxiliary basins of the lake which remained seasonally submerged. The solution, in effect, became part of the problem. Taken together, the CAG's findings on both lakes reveal something more troubling than isolated administrative failures. They reveal a pattern of targets set and abandoned, of funds spent without accountability, of bodies constituted on paper and paralysed in practice, of scientific recommendations ignored and ecological warnings unheeded. Kashmir's water bodies have survived centuries of history. Whether they survive another decade of this calibre of stewardship is a question the CAG has now placed, with considerable force, before the administration and before the public that depends on these waters for its ecology, its economy and its identity.

Gusty winds sweep Kashmir, wreak havoc, damage property

Srinagar, Apr 16: Strong gusty winds swept across Kashmir on Thursday, causing widespread damage to property and disrupting normal life. Winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph began around 3:30 p.m. in north Kashmir and gradually spread to central and south Kashmir, uprooting trees, blowing away rooftops and damaging shops, makeshift stalls and other infrastructure. The impact of the windstorm was particularly severe in Srinagar and Pulwama districts. The gusty winds rattled Srinagar city and caused severe disruptions to daily life, an official said, adding that traffic movement was affected in several areas. In Srinagars outskirts, including Nagbal, Dara and Harwan, rooftops of at least half a dozen houses were blown away. Shopfronts, signboards and temporary vendor setups were also damaged in LalChowk and other market areas, with street vendors suffering losses as goods were scattered. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched rescue operations in Dal Lake after strong winds disrupted boating. Following the sudden storm, SDRF teams acted swiftly in Dal Lake. Tourists and locals onboard shikaras were safely rescued and brought ashore, preventing any major mishap, an official said. In south Kashmirs Pulwama district, similar damage was reported, with rooftops of several houses blown off. In Pampore, the winds caused damage to several parked vehicles and motorcycles after tin sheets and debris were blown onto roads and parking areas. Tree branches also fell, disrupting movement in some localities. The windstorm triggered power outages in several areas, including parts of Pampore, after electricity lines were affected. Power Development Department teams were pressed into service to restore supply. In some places, the winds were accompanied by rain and isolated hailstorms. The Meteorological Department had issued a nowcast warning earlier, predicting gusty winds, rain and thundershowers across parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities advised people to stay away from electric poles, old trees and loose structures, and suspended boating activities until conditions stabilize. The MET has forecast a wet spell across Kashmir from April 17 to April 19, with generally cloudy skies and light rain or thundershowers expected at many places. On April 17 and 18, light rain or thundershowers are likely during the morning or forenoon hours. On April 19, scattered areas may receive brief spells of light rain or thundershowers, mainly in the afternoon. The department has also warned of gusty winds and possible hailstorms at a few places over the next three days. Dry weather is expected to prevail from April 20 onward, officials said.

War preparedness: Why India must spend smarter, not just more

India's journey towards a modernized defense sector is fraught with obstacles. While military budgets are on the rise, the country's over-dependence on foreign equipment stifles local innovation and fosters economic vulnerabilities. Additionally, outdated strategic frameworks impede progress. To enhance its martial readiness and combat efficiency, India must embrace unconventional strategies and ramp up internal manufacturing initiatives.

Govt committed to promote sports at grassroots level: Satish Sharma

Khour, Apr 16:Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, IT, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Satish Sharma on Thursday inaugurated a state-of-the-art synthetic volleyball court at Government Higher Secondary School Datyal, Khour, marking a significant step towards strengthening the sports infrastructure in the region. The modern facility, as per an official statement, has been developed by the Department of Youth Services and Sports at a cost of Rs 20 lakh and is expected to greatly benefit the students and local youth by providing them with quality training infrastructure. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister highlighted the governments firm commitment to promote sports at the grassroots level, ensuring equitable access to the modern facilities across the rural and far-flung areas. He emphasized that sports play a crucial role in overall development of youth by instilling discipline, teamwork and a spirit of healthy competition. Development of sports infrastructure in rural areas remains a key priority. Facilities like these will help in identifying and nurturing the local talent and providing them opportunities to compete at district, UT and national level, the Minister said. Satish Sharma also interacted with the students, sportspersons and the local residents, encouraging them to make optimum use of the newly created facility. The Minister directed the concerned to ensure proper maintenance of the court and facilitate regular coaching and sports activities so that the facility is fully utilised. The local representatives, officers of the Youth Services & Sports Department, school staff and a large number of students and sports enthusiasts were present on the occasion. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from the local community, reflecting the growing interest in sports in the area.

J&Ks Rasikh Salam shines bright in IPL 2026

Srinagar, Apr 16:Amid the early-season buzz surrounding Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi, who is still searching for impact in IPL 2026, another fast bowler from the region has surged into the spotlight. Rasikh Salam Dar announced himself in emphatic fashion, delivering a game-defining spell to power Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a convincing win over Lucknow Super Giants. Rasikh returned with of 4/24, ensuring LSG were bowled out for a modest 146. In 16th over when Rasikh removed the well-set Ayush Badoni (38). A cleverly disguised slower delivery induced a top-edge, safely collected behind the stumps, halting LSGs momentum at a crucial juncture. He then delivered the knockout blow at the death, picking up two wickets in the final over, including Avesh Khan, to wrap up the innings with precision and composure. The spell now stands as the best bowling performance by an RCB bowler against LSG in IPL history. While Auqib, who earned a high-value contract with Delhi Capitals after a standout domestic season, has featured in just one match without leaving a mark, Rasikh has quietly built a strong case for himself with performances that combine control, variation and game awareness. IPL Career Snapshot Rasikhs IPL journey has been one of gradual evolution. Having represented multiple franchises, RCB, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Mumbai Indians, he has featured in 15 matches so far, bowling claiming 15 wickets. His career-best figures of 4/24, achieved against LSG. Despite a relatively high career economy rate of 10.06, his 2026 numbers signal a significant turnaround. In just two matches this season, he has picked up 5 wickets at an impressive average of 9.40, with an economy of 6.88, making him one of the most effective bowlers early in the tournament. Rising with Recognition His recent performances have drawn praise from former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan and former J&K skipper Samiullah Beigh, who highlighted his tactical awareness and ability to read match situations. Having moved to Baroda in 2025 after securing an NOC from JKCA, Rasikhs domestic exposure appears to be paying dividends. His ability to mix pace, execute slower balls, and deliver under pressure is now translating into tangible success on the IPL stage. As IPL 2026 unfolds, Jammu & Kashmirs fast-bowling pipeline continues to draw attention. But for now, it is Rasikh Salam Dar who has taken centre stage, stepping out of the shadows and making headlines with a spell that could define his season.

The Resilience of Civilization

The ebbing of this tragic war, while offering a measure of relief to Iran and to the wider world, brings into sharper focus enduring questions about the civilizational labour that underpins nation states and the imperative of preserving the order so arduously achieved over time. Civilizations do not disintegrate so long as the normative lifeworld that sustains them retains a degree of organic continuity. Their endurance rests not on coercion but on the quiet and persistent reproduction of meaning through shared understandings, ethical traditions, and communicative practices. This foundational sociological insight, closely associated with Jrgen Habermas, offers a compelling lens through which to interpret the shifting contours of contemporary global politics. What appears most striking in the present moment is the widening disjunction between strategic action and communicative rationality. The spectacle surrounding Donald Trump, who moved from issuing threats of annihilation against Iran to subsequently embracing negotiation and recalibration involving Pakistan, reveals not the assertion of sovereign confidence but a deeper crisis of legitimacy. Such oscillation is not merely tactical inconsistency; it reflects a structural tension between the logic of coercive power and the normative demand for justification that underpins any durable political order. History is unlikely to record such episodes as moments of triumphant will. Rather, they will be understood as instances in which strategic excess yielded to the more enduring logic of discourse. The spectacle of power recedes into quieter processes of negotiation and recalibration, where legitimacy is renegotiated rather than imposed. This paradox becomes particularly evident in the military engagement initiated by Donald Trump in alignment with Benjamin Netanyahu. The declared objectives were expansive, including the termination of uranium enrichment in Iran, the prospect of regime change, and the delivery of a decisive blow to its military infrastructure. Yet these aims remain largely unrealized. While there has been visible destruction and loss of life, the deeper architecture of the Iranian state endures. The clerical establishment remains intact, the collective will of its society persists, and the nuclear question continues as an open field of negotiation rather than a settled conclusion. The strategic paradox deepens when viewed against the evolving geopolitical context. The Strait of Hormuz, long perceived as a vulnerability, now emerges as a potential lever in Irans negotiating posture. What was intended as an act of coercive finality has instead produced renewed capacity for bargaining. Power, when exercised without communicative grounding, often generates consequences that exceed and even subvert its own intent. In this shifting landscape, Pakistans historically consequential role cannot be overlooked. Half a century ago, Henry Kissingers quiet diplomacy helped reshape the global balance of power, facilitating Chinas emergence with Pakistan as a pivotal intermediary bearing significant costs. A somewhat analogous dynamic now appears to be unfolding. Following the gradual thaw in relations with Iran since 1979, the United States seems once again to rely on a regional intermediary. In this context, General Asim Munir has emerged as a consequential figure within evolving strategic alignments. Irans search for respite, combined with a war weary international community, lends urgency to renewed negotiations. Recent dialogue in Islamabad, though prolonged, faltered amid concerns over external influence and compounded mistrust. Yet there is little appetite for continued conflict on any side. A second round of talks appears imminent, with indications of a possible American exit framework, a draft nuclear understanding, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz forming part of the emerging diplomatic horizon. The phase of rhetorical posturing now appears to be receding as key stakeholders, including major global powers, engage in substantive dialogue. The present moment reflects a world in transition, marked by the visible attenuation of American dominance. Europe, along with China and Russia, has refrained from endorsing the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, China, Russia, and even India appear to be contributing to a broader effort to facilitate de-escalation and create conditions for an American exit alongside a cessation of Israeli bombardment. What is unfolding is not a bilateral negotiation between Iran and the United States but role of China ,Russia and India to give directions to the gradual emergence of a reconfigured world order. The Middle East is undergoing transformation, and in this emerging landscape, strategic power is no longer concentrated in a single centre. Europe too is responding to this moment as a call for recalibration within a changing global order. The emergence of Donald Trump on a nativist platform further reveals a profound paradox within the historical self-understanding of the United States. A nation shaped by migration and long regarded as a normative horizon of liberal modernity now exhibits tendencies of exclusion and inwardness. This shift resonates beyond its borders, subtly legitimizing political tendencies in parts of the developing world that privilege majoritarian assertion and instrumental power over civilizational depth. It also marks a moment of testing for Trump himself. In the absence of a clear military victory, which appears unlikely, the long standing perception of unchallenged American dominance, especially as witnessed in the latter half of the twentieth century, stands increasingly unsettled within a more complex and multipolar reality. In India, these reverberations find echoes in strands of public discourse that question pluralism and advocate narrower conceptions of national strength. Such perspectives overlook a fundamental sociological truth. Nations are not constructed through abrupt assertions of power or identity; they evolve through organic continuity sustained by shared ethical frameworks and inclusive traditions. Indias transformation from an ancient civilization into a modern democratic state was anchored in a plural and dialogic ethos nurtured through its national movement and early leadership. The assertion of national ownership must therefore remain tempered by a conscious commitment to this plural ethos. To abandon it in pursuit of immediate ideological or geopolitical gains would risk eroding the very foundations of Indias resilience. Reactive comparisons or adversarial imitation offer only transient mobilization in place of enduring legitimacy. Recent global developments reinforce this caution. Assertive nationalism may yield short term consolidation, but it cannot substitute for legitimacy grounded in inclusiveness, dialogue, and continuity. For India, as for any civilization with a long historical memory, the path forward lies not in imitation but in the renewal of its own plural civilizational resources. Within this broader context, it is reasonable to anticipate that the present ceasefire may endure in the near term. The historical disposition of the United States reveals a limited appetite for prolonged external wars involving sustained human and material costs. The experiences of Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq illustrate a recurring pattern in which initial assertiveness yields to domestic fatigue and eventual recalibration. This structural constraint remains visible even in the present tensions. These episodes illuminate a deeper contradiction within the modern international order. The framework of sovereign nation states governed by international law presupposes adherence to shared norms. When these principles are set aside in pursuit of strategic objectives, the consequences extend beyond the immediate theatre of conflict and return to burden the intervening power itself, generating political strain, moral ambiguity, and economic cost. The crisis thus becomes reflexive rather than merely external. At the same time, it is necessary to acknowledge internal dynamics that have contributed to contemporary tensions. The Iranian Revolution marked a turning point in which ideological projection became an instrument of state policy. Its export generated anxieties and counter responses across the region, mirrored by competing ideological assertions from Saudi Arabia. This reciprocal dynamic extended beyond the Middle East into South Asia, contributing to a wider ecology of instability. The long term consequences are evident in the proliferation of transnational extremism, asymmetrical conflict, and new forms of insurgency. These are not isolated phenomena but structural outcomes of ideological contestation conducted outside the bounds of communicative rationality. When states privilege ideological expansion over internal consolidation and dialogue, they erode stability at both regional and global levels. Yet even within this turbulent landscape, a broader sociological truth endures. Civilizations and nation states alike are sustained not by force alone but by the cultivation of legitimacy. This legitimacy must be secured internally through inclusive processes and externally through adherence to shared norms. Sovereignty, in this sense, is not merely juridical but moral and communicative. The present moment reveals a fundamental paradox at the heart of political modernity. Power may compel compliance, but it cannot secure consent. The durability of political order rests not on domination but on the capacity to justify, persuade, and integrate. Where this balance is lost, even the most formidable structures of power reveal their fragility. Where communicative rationality endures, civilizations retain the capacity to persist, adapt, and renew themselves across time.

Safety First, Judgment Later

The recent incident at Government Girls Higher Secondary School Sopore has triggered concern, debate, and strong reactions. Allegations of harassment raised by female students against a teacher led to protests that eventually turned volatile. The administration responded by registering an FIR and initiating an inquiry, which is currently underway. At this stage, one principle must guide us: no conclusions before the facts are established. It is neither fair nor responsible to assign blame while the investigation is still on. Any attempt to pre-judge the outcome risks undermining both justice and institutional credibility. At the same time, dismissing the concerns raised by students would be equally problematic. A balanced approach demands that due process is respected and student voices are taken seriously. A situation like Sopore raises an immediate question: Are our educational institutions safe enough for students, especially young women? This issue cannot be addressed only after crises emerge; it requires structural safeguards for safety and protection. Schools must put in place clear and accessible complaint mechanisms so that students can report concerns without fear. Confidential grievance systems, monitored by designated committees, are essential. In addition, CCTV cameras in common areas can serve as a deterrent and provide transparency, while maintaining appropriate privacy boundaries. There is also a need for well-defined protocols governing teacherstudent interactions. Ambiguity in such relationships creates space for both misconduct and misunderstanding. Institutions must eliminate that ambiguity through clear rules and accountability. Equally important are sensitisation programmes. Teachers must be trained in professional boundaries and gender sensitivity, while students should be made aware of their rights and the channels available to them. Safety is not ensured by authority alone; it is built through awareness and systems. At the same time, the dignity of the teaching profession must be upheld. Teachers are central to the moral and intellectual development of society. But respect for teachers cannot mean immunity from scrutiny. In fact, accountability strengthens, rather than weakens, the credibility of the profession. As the Sopore inquiry progresses, restraint is necessary. Public opinion must not run ahead of verified facts. Justice requires patience. This incident should not divide us into camps of accusation and defence. Instead, it should push us toward a common goal: creating educational spaces where students feel safe, heard, protected and where justice is delivered fairly and transparently. Until the truth emerges, one priority must remain non-negotiable: student safety first, judgment later.

Poor, as responsibility

In all religious scriptures and all the religious traditions the emphasis on spending ones wealth on poor of the society, is strikingly dominant. In fact the core of religious teachings is how one can depart from his material possessions in favour of those who need them, as an act of pleasing God. That is the reason that all religious communities through out history and around the world currently have established charity based organisations to help the poor in an institutionalised way. This has seen growth of very famous and not so famous orga nisations helping people across the globe. Kashmir is currently passing through crisis that is singular. It has been more than two months that all the businesses are shut and the disastrous impact of such a thing on our economy, especially on the economically weak, is obvious. This has engendered a social crisis. The efforts of various localities to raise funds and distribute among the poor in the vicinity is a laudable one, but the enormity of the crisis is too huge, and it requires an institutional effort. It goes without saying that an effective institutional help entails matching level of resources. And that can come only if the rich among us come forward in an exemplary way. Here the spirit of spending needs to be in voked. For this the teachings of the Quran, and the Prophet ( SAW) are the best way to appeal the rich. The way these eternal sources of guidance for us, emphasise the need to spend for the uplift of poor is deeply moving. The Quran is full of verses that underline the importance of spending for the poor. It is one of the major means of seeking the pleasure of God. And the way our beloved prophet ( SAW) has explained this, by way of word and deed, is the most effective way to strengthening the spirit of spending in the way of Allah.

Safety Must Precede Instruction

In most schools, the beginning of the day is marked by a bell, coming in uniform, and unquestioned. It signals order, structure, and the start of learning. But in a nursery classroom, the day begins differently. It begins at the gate with hesitation, excitement, resistance, and sometimes, tears. This moment, often overlooked as routine, is in fact one of the most critical transitions in a childs day. It is not merely about entering a classroom; it is about navigating separation, unfamiliarity, and emotional uncertainty. Each child arrives carrying their own rhythm shaped by home environments, attachment patterns, temperament, and prior experiences of being away from caregivers. Some children walk in holding a parents hand, eyes bright with curiosity. They let go easily, stepping into the classroom as though it is an extension of home. Their bodies are relaxed, their attention exploratory. For them, the transition appears seamless. Others arrive differently. A child may cling tightly to their mothers dupatta, their body resisting entry with visible tension. Another may begin to cry at the mere sight of the school gatenot because of anything happening inside, but because of what the space represents: separation. Even children who express excitement about school at home may find the actual moment of goodbye overwhelming. The thought - mummy papa chale jayenge - becomes emotionally too heavy to process. Then there are children who seem calm and composed. They walk in quietly, choose an activity, and remain steady throughout the day. But even this calmness is layered. It may reflect secure attachment, an adaptable temperament, or learned coping mechanisms. No response is simple; each is meaningful. What becomes clear is this: children do not begin their school day in the same way. And yet, many schooling systems expect them to. A sensitive nursery classroom challenges this expectation. It does not impose structure immediately upon arrival. Instead, it prepares the space to receive the child. Toys are laid out in advance blocks, puzzles, soft toys, familiar materials that invite rather than instruct. Caregivers, often referred to as didis, sit nearby. They do not direct activity; they offer presence. A child may sit beside them silently, hold onto their dupatta, or observe other children before joining in. This unstructured play time is not incidental. It acts as a bridge between home and school, between dependence and independence. Modern neuroscience helps explain why this matters. For a young child, separation from a caregiver can activate the brains stress-response system. When perceived as a threat, the amygdala, the emotional alarm centre, becomes active, and cortisol levels rise. This can manifest as crying, clinging, or refusal to enter. These responses are often misinterpreted as misbehaviour. In reality, they are expressions of anxiety and uncertainty. Psychologist John Bowlbys Attachment Theory provides further insight. Children who experience secure attachment at home are more likely to explore new environments with confidence. They use the caregiver as a secure base, allowing them to venture outward. In contrast, children with anxious attachment may experience separation as instability. Their distress is not defiance; it is a question: Am I safe here? Will you come back? The role of the classroom, then, is not to suppress these emotions, but to respond to them. In well-functioning nursery settings, children are not rushed into routine. They are allowed to arrive. A crying child is not immediately silenced. Their emotion is acknowledged, sometimes through gentle holding, sometimes through quiet proximity. This approach aligns with Lev Vygotskys concept of the Zone of Proximal Development, where learning, including emotional regulation, first occurs in a social context. The adult co-regulates before the child learns to self-regulate. Gradually, something shifts. The crying softens. Attention moves outward. A toy becomes interesting; a peers laughter draws curiosity. The transition is complete, not through discipline, but through relationships. This is where autonomy begins. Not as independence from adults, but as confidence built through supportive presence. As the day unfolds, this philosophy continues to shape the classroom experience. The rhythm of the nursery day, while seemingly simple, is deeply intentional. It balances predictability with flexibility, ensuring that children feel secure while remaining open to exploration. The day often begins with movement dance, action songs, and rhymes. These are not mere warm-up activities. Research in neuroscience shows that physical movement enhances neural connectivity, especially in areas related to memory, coordination, and executive functioning. When children jump, clap, and imitate actions, they are engaging their bodies as tools for learning. This idea is not new. Friedrich Froebel, the founder of the kindergarten system, emphasised play and movement as central to early education. Contemporary frameworks such as Indias NEP 2020 echo this understanding. Joy is not separate from learning, it is its foundation. From movement, the classroom flows naturally into rhymes and language activities. Repetition, melody, and gesture help children internalise language patterns. Jean Piagets theory of the preoperational stage highlights how children begin to use symbols - here words, sounds, gestures - to represent their world. In multilingual classrooms, particularly in cities like Delhi, this process becomes even richer. Children move fluidly between Hindi, English, and home languages, finding meaning collectively. Structured activity time follows, but even here, the focus is not on perfect outcomes. Drawing, sorting, matching, or simple worksheets are tools for developing fine motor skills, attention, and early problem-solving. Influenced by Maria Montessoris principles, these activities emphasise hands-on learning and child-led pacing. The teachers role is to scaffold offering just enough support for the child to succeed independently. Perhaps the most underestimated part of the school day is mealtime and yet, in most schools, it is treated as a routine to be managed rather than a space for learning. Children sit together and eat together, often through organised systems such as mid day meals. On the surface, it appears simple. But beneath this simplicity lies a deeply significant pedagogical moment. When children eat together, they are not just consuming food; they are participating in social life. They learn to wait for their turn, to share space, to observe what others are doing, and to imitate behaviours. They notice differences, some like roti, some eat rice more fondly, some prefer eating slowly, others quickly. These are early encounters with diversity, not taught through textbooks but experienced through everyday interaction. And yet, in many classrooms, this moment is rushed. Meals are served quickly, children are expected to finish within a fixed time, and the focus remains on discipline, sit straight, eat fast, do not spill. What is lost in this process is the opportunity for children to develop independence and social understanding at their own pace. Even the act of waiting for food to be served, especially in the context of mid day meals, holds developmental value. Waiting requires patience, self regulation, and the ability to manage desire. For a young child, this is not a small task. It is an early exercise in emotional control and delayed gratification. When we begin to see mealtime not as a break from learning but as a form of learning itself, the perspective shifts. Care, in this context, is not separate from curriculum, it is THE CURRICULUM. . After lunch comes rest time, another space where schools often prioritise order over understanding. Neuroscience confirms that sleep supports memory consolidation and emotional regulation. But beyond biology, rest time is also an emotional space. The stillness after activity, the quiet after social interaction, these moments often bring feelings to the surface. Not all children sleep. Some lie awake, missing home more intensely in the silence. In many schools, this becomes a problem to be corrected, why is the child not sleeping? But the more important question is, what is the child experiencing at this moment? These are moments of vulnerability. They reveal the childs inner world, their attachments, their anxieties, their need for reassurance. A responsive classroom does not react with urgency or correction. It responds with presence. A caregiver sitting nearby, gently patting a child, offering quiet reassurance, becomes a source of emotional stability. This kind of response is not an extra that only a few well resourced schools can provide. It is a fundamental aspect of early childhood care. And yet, it is precisely this sensitivity that is often missing in many institutional settings where efficiency takes precedence over empathy. Following rest, children can be gently encouraged to fold their bedding and organise their space. This may seem like a minor routine, but it carries deep developmental significance. When a child folds their own bedding, they are not just completing a task they are experiencing competence. They begin to see themselves as capable individuals who can take responsibility for their environment. This reflects key ideas from Maria Montessoris philosophy, where independence is cultivated through everyday actions rather than formal instruction. However, in many schools, such opportunities are either overlooked or replaced by adult intervention in the name of speed and order. The afternoon typically moves into free play, storytelling, or light activities. By this time, children are more emotionally settled. They begin to engage more openly with peers. Friendships form, roles emerge, and social dynamics become visible. Conflicts are inevitable, over toys, turns, or space. But these are not disruptions to be eliminated. They are moments of learning. Through disagreement, children begin to understand negotiation, communication, and perspective taking. They learn that others have needs and desires different from their own. As Lev Vygotsky emphasised, learning is fundamentally social. Knowledge is constructed through interaction, not isolation. However, in classrooms where control is prioritised, such interactions are often curtailed. Teachers intervene quickly to maintain order, unintentionally reducing opportunities for children to develop social skills. By the end of the day, a striking transformation often occurs. The same child who cried at the gate in the morning may now resist going home. This reversal is not accidental. It is the result of a day spent in an environment that gradually became safe, predictable, and meaningful. The classroom, once unfamiliar, has become a space of belonging. And this is precisely why these practices matter. It is important to recognise that such approaches are not the norm across all schools. While policies and frameworks may emphasise holistic development, the reality in many classrooms remains focused on control, speed, and measurable outcomes. Emotional transitions are rushed, mealtimes are regulated strictly, rest is enforced, and play is often secondary to structured tasks. In this context, the practices described here, allowing children to arrive slowly, treating care as curriculum, respecting emotional rhythms, are not common. They are choices. And they are choices that require a shift in how we understand education itself. Early childhood education is not about accelerating academics or preparing children prematurely for formal learning. It is about creating environments where children feel safe enough to engage with the world. Before a child can learn to read, write, or count, they must first learn to trust, to trust that they will be cared for, that separation is temporary, that the classroom is a secure space. They must learn to manage emotions, to wait, to share, to express, and to belong. These are not just soft skills. They are foundational capacities without which academic learning cannot sustain. To let children arrive is to recognise that this process cannot be standardised or rushed. It demands patience, consistency, and attentiveness. It requires educators to listen, not only to what children say, but to what they communicate through silence, behaviour, and emotion. For policymakers, this raises a critical question. If mid day meals, rest time, and play are already part of the school structure, why are they not fully recognised as pedagogical spaces? Why are they treated as logistical necessities rather than opportunities for development? The answer lies in how we define learning. In a system that prioritises outcomes, visible performance becomes the measure of success. But early childhood does not operate through visible outputs alone. Its most important processes, emotional regulation, social understanding, a sense of security, are internal, gradual, and often invisible. The nursery classroom, when approached with care, offers a powerful counterpoint. It shows that the foundations of learning are not built through control, but through connection. Perhaps, then, the most important question for educators and policymakers is not how early children can begin formal learning, but how thoughtfully we can design the conditions in which learning becomes possible. Because in that gentle beginning, in the waiting, the sharing, the resting, the observing, lies everything that follows.

The management of feelings

In the emerging structure of the contemporary society, emotional intelligence is no longer optional; it is a core skill. As artificial intelligence and automation slowly replaces routine cognitive and technical functions, it creates a distinct need for humans who have the ability to feel, interpret and respond to emotions. Across workplaces, classrooms and welfare organisations, the ability to empathize, communicate and regulate emotions has become central to both productivity and social cohesion in the contemporary era. This transformation has generated a demand for new labour, which sociologist Arlie Hochschild described as emotional labourthe management of feelings as part of ones professional role. Such labour extends far beyond the traditional service sectors. It is evident in the contemporary professions in corporate, educational, healthcare and social work where employees are expected to showcase patience, empathy and composure, often irrespective of personal strain. Emotional intelligence, in this context, is not merely a personal trait which is required to build personal relationships; it is structurally embedded in the functioning of contemporary society. However, the emerging centrality of emotional intelligence in the contemporary era is also experiencing a contrasting and deeply consequential trend: the rise of emotional politics. If emotional intelligence often manifests through regulation and reflective use of emotions, emotional politics operates by intensifying and mobilizing them. This contradiction is not incidental. Politics continues to shape public consciousness, social relations and everyday subjectivity. When it becomes increasingly driven by emotion, it begins to influence not just what people think but also how they feel. It is evident that political discourse is framed around emotional triggers like fear, resentment, pride and anxiety. Complex social realities are reduced to emotionally charged binaries that are easy to disseminate but difficult to interrogate. As sociologist Arjun Appadurais formulation of the politics of fear is instructive here. In a globalised world marked by uncertainty and rapid change, anxieties about identity and belonging are channelled into narratives of fear. These narratives do not seek deliberation; they demand emotional alignment. The global informational flows further accelerate this change. As Manuel Castells has argued, digital networks often structure the production and circulation of meaning. It is also noticedthat algorithms prioritize content that provokes strong reactions, ensuring that outrage travels faster than reflection. Consequently, political discourse becomes saturated with emotional immediacy, leaving limited space for rational and scientific engagement.This situation creates a risk for emotional intelligence. At its core, emotional intelligence involves self-regulation, empathy and the ability for thoughtful interaction, which is based on rationality and scientific evidence. It requires individuals to process emotions without being overwhelmed by them. Contrary emotional politics rewards immediacy and intensity. It encourages reaction over reflection and a sense of we-feeling over understanding. Eventually, this politics would shrink the habitus, which is required to enhance emotional intelligence. The paradox is evident, on one hand it demands emotionally intelligent individuals capable of cooperation, sensitivity and the ability to tolerate. On the other hand, these individuals find themselves inserted into a political environment that systematically disrupts these abilities. The consequence is a feedback loop: as emotional politics shapes public discourse based on affectivity, it turns reactive individual behaviour in this situation it becomes difficult for people to sustain emotional intelligence in everyday life. Most importantly, this divergence risks producing a new form of inequality. The enhancement of emotional intelligence often needs a stable social structure, access to quality education and the opportunity to engage in rational and reflective discourse. However, for the larger masses, everyday life is shaped by political narratives that prioritize emotional mobilisation. In such conditions, the space for developing emotional intelligence would shrink for the larger mass. The limited access to developing emotional intelligence for the masses creates a new possibility that emotional intelligence may increasingly function as a form of cultural capital. Accessible primarily among those who can regulate their lives beyond emotional politics. For social groups less exposed to the volatility of emotionally driven public life, emotional intelligence can be nurtured and deployed as a cultural trait in professional and interpersonal domains. For the broader masses, however, constant exposure to emotionally charged surroundings may erode precisely these abilities. This divide carries significant implications. Emotional intelligence is not only an individual competency; it is also a foundational trait to establish a democratic society. Rational and inclusive public discourse depends on the ability of citizens to listen, empathise and engage constructively with difference. When discourse is dominated by emotion rather than reasoning, these conditions begin to erode. Emotional responses, when detached from reflection, deepens polarisation and narrows the possibilities for dialogue and negotiation while fueling increased instances of violence and conflict. It is important to note that emotions themselves are not the problem. Emotions can create solidarity, animate collective action and lend urgency to struggles for justice. The issue lies in their instrumentalisation when emotions are used to bypass rationality. Emotional intelligence requires that emotions be understood and channelled; an individual would become capable to map the emotions and emotional politics that often thrive on their amplification and manipulation. Addressing this issue requires recognising that emotional intelligence cannot be developed in isolation from the broader socio-political environment. It depends on public spaces that encourage free communication, discourses based on rationality and meaningful engagement. Educational institutions, media and political actors often play an important role in shaping these conditions. Strengthening media literacy and promoting responsible communication and digital knowledge about algorithmic amplification are essential steps in this direction. Emotional intelligence is to remain the core skill of modern society; it must be supported by a political culture that does not undermine it. Otherwise, emotional intelligence becomes the cultural trait of an elite group, and the masses would not have access to it; they may be labelled as mentally ill, aggressive, unsociable, and most importantly, irrelevant, despite educational qualifications, which may affect their employment, and society would face new disparities. As technological change elevates the importance of emotional intelligence, political life increasingly erodes its foundations. Mapping this contradiction is not merely an individual challenge but a collective one. For if emotional intelligence becomes the preserve of a few, while the many are shaped by emotional politics, the promise of a more human and equal world would be eroded.

Trump says Israel, Lebanon agreed to 10-day ceasefire

Cairo, Apr 16: Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting later Thursday, President Donald Trump said. The truce is scheduled to begin at 5 pm Eastern, Trump said. The president announced the pause in fighting on social media, saying it followed excellent conversations with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington after more than a month of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group. Trump said he has directed Vice President JD Vance others to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE.

Jay Shah named to World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders Class of 2026

Jay Shah, ICC Chairman, has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader for 2026. This honor highlights his significant contributions to international cricket. Shah's work includes expanding the sport's reach and securing its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. His selection underscores India's growing influence on global platforms and propels cricket's development forward.

Aga Ruhullah voices concern over unfair delimitation in Lok Sabha debate

5 services under J&K PSGA denotified

Jammu, Apr 16: J&K Government has de-notified five services, available under its Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA), with timelines and designated officers and appellate authorities vis-a-vis its two departments. The services de-notified included issuance of VAT-65 Form; tax clearance certificate for supply contracts in Form VAT-46 and tax clearance certificate for work contracts in Form 5T-64 of Finance Department (Excise and Taxation) besides Grid Connected Rooftop Solar (Residential) and PM-KUSUM services in case of Science and Technology Department. In exercise of the powers conferred by section 4 read with section 8 of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Services Guarantee Act, 20ll (Act No. IX of 2011), the Government hereby de-notifies the services and timelines and designated officers and appellate authorities of these departments, read the notification issued by Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD) M Raju.

Rooftop of cold storage unit damaged after strong winds in Pulwama; 1 dead, 4 injured

SIA files chargesheet in Doctors Terror Module case; 10 accused named

Srinagar, Apr 16: The State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir, today filed its charge sheet in a significant terrorist conspiracy case involving a covert module commonly referred to as the Doctors Terror Module .The charge sheet has been filed against ten (10) accused persons in connection with an FIR registered at Police Station Nowgam, Srinagar. The case originates from an incident dated 19-10-2025, wherein provocative and threatening posters were pasted in the Nowgam area in the name of the proscribed terrorist outfit Jaish-e- Mohammad (JeM). The posters were aimed at spreading fear among the public, disturbing public order, and directly challenging the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. According to the statement issued by SIA, a meticulous and sustained investigation has revealed that the poster campaign was not an isolated act, but part of a larger, well-orchestrated terrorist conspiracy aimed at reviving the banned terrorist outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH). The accused persons had formed a highly clandestine module, actively engaged in radicalisation, recruitment, and operational preparations for carrying out terrorist attacks across the country. The investigation further established that the accused deliberately used the name of JeM to exploit its notoriety and create psychological impact, while covertly advancing the re- establishment and operational build-up of AGuH, reflecting a calculated attempt to mislead security agencies and conceal their true objectives. Significantly, the module included highly educated individuals, including medical professionals, who misused their knowledge, access, and institutional spaces for unlawful activities. The accused were actively disseminating extremist propaganda through digital platforms and had undertaken procurement of materials and experimental activities related to explosive fabrication, including within residential premises and facilities linked to Al-Falah Medical College/University. The investigation has revealed that the group had identified Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP)-a highly sensitive and volatile explosive used in several global terror incidents; as a preferred material due to the relative ease of sourcing its precursor components. The scale of accumulation of explosive substances and precursor materials by the module has sent shockwaves across security and investigative agencies nationwide, underscoring the seriousness of intent, level of preparedness, and the potentially catastrophic consequences had the conspiracy not been timely detected and neutralised. Through a comprehensive, evidence-driven investigation, SIA has successfully dismantled the entire terrorist network and its support structure. The investigation has unearthed clinching and irrefutable evidence; comprising recoveries, digital forensics, scientific analysis, and corroborative witness accounts, which firmly establishes the complicity, active participation, and coordinated roles of each accused in the conspiracy. The material brought on record not only exposes the depth and spread of the module. A substantial body of evidence has thus been collected, clearly establishing a strong prima facie case against the accused. Those chargesheeted include (1) Arif Nisar Dar @ Sahil, R/o Bunpora Nowgam, Srinagar; (2) Yasir Ul Ashraf Bhat, R/o Bunpora Nowgam, Srinagar; (3) Maqsood Ahmad Dar @ Shahid, R/o Bunpora Nowgam, Srinagar; (4) Irfan Ahmad Wagay @ Owais, R/o Nadigam, Shopian; (5) Zameer Ahmad Ahanger @ Mutlashi, R/o Wakoora, Ganderbal; (6) Dr. Muzamil Shakeel Ganaie @ Musaib, R/o Koil, Pulwama; (7) Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather @ Javaid, R/o Wanpora Qazigund, Kulgam; (8) Dr. Shaheen Saeed, R/o Lalbagh, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh; (9) Tufail Ahmad Bhat, R/o Diarwani, Batmaloo; and (10) Dr. Umar Un Nabi S/o Gh. Nabi Bhat, R/o Koil, Pulwama (killed in Red Fort suicide attack) The charge sheet has been filed before the competent court of law. The SIA reiterated its unwavering commitment to dismantling terrorist ecosystems, neutralising radical networks, and safeguarding national security. This case highlights the evolving and sophisticated nature of terror conspiracies, including the misuse of professional institutions and digital platforms, and reinforces the need for sustained vigilance and coordinated counter-terror efforts. Further investigation is in progress.

Kashmir valley biggest victim of delimitation: Naeem Akhtar

Bandipora, Apr 16: Former Minister and senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over the delimitation exercise, alleging that the process is being driven by political considerations to strengthen the partys base ahead of the 2029 elections. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a workers meeting in Bandipora, Akhtar described the Kashmir Valley as the biggest victim of the delimitation process. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to redraw constituency boundaries in a manner that would favour its electoral prospects. He further asserted that minorities in India are not demanding reservation on religious grounds but are instead seeking an end to what he termed as systemic discrimination. Minority communities are facing discrimination under the present regime, which has played now become a routine matter, he alleged. Commenting on the Womens Reservation Bill, Akhtar welcomed the initiative, stating that it would create greater opportunities for women to participate equally in the democratic process. However, he added that such a measure should have been implemented much earlier.

Admissions open at SKUAST-Kashmir | Registrar Speaks

Three held for spreading 'misinformation' on social media in J-K's Baramulla

Srinagar, Apr 16: Three persons were arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district for allegedly spreading rumours through various social media with the intent of disturbing peace, police said on Thursday. Police in Sopore area of the north Kashmir district arrested three persons for spreading misinformation and sharing old videos by portraying them as recent incidents, with the intent to disturb public peace and order, a police spokesman said. He said a case was registered at Sopore police station against the accused. Acting swiftly, police identified and apprehended the accused, he said, without identifying them. Further investigation into the matter is underway, he added. The police advised the public to refrain from creating, sharing or amplifying unverified content on social media, warning such actions may attract strict legal consequences.

SC notice to Centre on PIL against Muslim personal law sections being 'discriminatory' against women

New Delhi, Apr 16: The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Centre's response on a PIL challenging the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, on the ground that those are allegedly discriminatory against women. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Panchol took note of the submissions made by lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who appeared in the matter for petitioners Poulomi Pavini Shukla and the Nyaya Naari Foundation, and issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs. The plea says the current Shariat inheritance rules are manifestly discriminatory against women, often granting them only half or less of the share allocated to their male counterparts. Bhushan said the 1937 Act violates Article 14 (right to equality) of the Constitution. He said matters of succession are civil in nature and do not constitute an essential religious practice protected under Article 25. Saying women will get half or even less than half compared to male counterparts is discriminatory, the lawyer said.

Patwar association calls off 3-day pen-down strike, warns of indefinite agitation if demands not met

Srinagar, Apr 16: The All Jammu and Kashmir Patwar Association (AJKPA) on Thursday announced the end of its three-day pen-down token strike, directing members to resume duties from April 17 across all districts. The association had observed the strike on April 13, 15, and 16 to press for the fulfillment of its long-pending demands. Officials said the decision to call off the protest was taken after a meeting with the Administrative Secretary of the Revenue Department held earlier in the day. According to a statement issued by the AJKPA, the meeting was attended by members of its apex body, including the Provincial Presidents of Kashmir and Jammu, along with their respective teams. During the discussions, key issues and demands raised by the association were deliberated upon, and the minutes of the meeting are expected to be shared separately. The association noted that the strike witnessed full enthusiasm and discipline from patwaris across all districts, reflecting unity among its members. Directing all District Presidents to ensure smooth resumption of work, the AJKPA said services will be restored with immediate effect from April 17, formally ending the pen-down protest. However, the association issued a stern warning to the government, stating that if its already accepted genuine demands are not fulfilled within 45 days, it will be left with no option but to launch an indefinite strike. The statement was issued by the Publicity Secretary of AJKPA.

Chief Secretary reviews preparations for Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2026

Jammu, Apr 16: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired a high-level meeting of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), attended by senior officers from the Civil Administration and Police department to review the comprehensive arrangements being made for the smooth, safe, and successful conduct of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra (SANJY)-2026, scheduled to commence on July 3, 2026. During the meeting, the Chief Secretary undertook a detailed review of the preparedness across all sectors, with a particular focus on ensuring the safe and seamless movement of pilgrims along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, as well as the two primary routes to the holy cave via Baltal and Chandanwari. Emphasizing the anticipated increase in pilgrim footfall this year, he directed all concerned departments to augment infrastructure and services accordingly. Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Executive Officer, SASB, delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining key aspects of SANJY-2026. These included registration processes, service provider arrangements, establishment of Yatra camps, langar services, and provisioning of essential facilities. It was informed that registration for the Yatra commenced on April 15, 2026, through both offline (bank branches) and online modes, with 19,402 pilgrims registering on the very first day. The Pratham Puja is scheduled to take place on June 29, 2026. The Chief Secretary directed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to ensure timely snow clearance on all Yatra tracks by May 15, 2026. He also emphasized the need for proper road maintenance, installation of signages and crash barriers, slope stabilization, bridge maintenance, and restoration of shelter sheds along the Yatra routes. The Public Works Department (PWD) was instructed to complete macadamization of roads around base camps and undertake necessary repairs of helipads at Neelgrath, Baltal, and Pahalgam. The Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRR&R) was tasked with identifying and demarcating flood- and disaster-prone areas to prevent the installation of facilities in vulnerable zones. Additionally, it was directed to ensure early debris clearance of nallahs near the holy cave and operationalize the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in Srinagar by June 10, 2026. The Department of Rural Sanitation was asked to ensure high standards of sanitation before, during, and after the Yatra, particularly along both routes during the 57-day pilgrimage period. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Development Authorities at Pahalgam and Sonamarg were directed to implement scientific waste disposal systems. The Labour Department and Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department, in coordination with the concerned district administrations were instructed to ensure registration of all service providers and ponies in collaboration with district administrations of Anantnag and Ganderbal. Deputy Commissioners were directed to implement a digital prepaid system and notify standardized service rates for the convenience of pilgrims and service providers. The Jal Shakti Department and Power Development Department were tasked with ensuring adequate water supply and uninterrupted power through necessary pipeline and cable networks, along with installation of RO filters and backup generators and illumination of tracks and base camps too. The Health Department was directed to operationalize 100-bedded hospitals at Chandanwari and Baltal by June 20, 2026, and ensure deployment of sufficient medical and paramedical staff, along with critical care ambulances at all base camps and along both routes. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) will provide Doppler-based weather forecasting services and install LED display screens at base camps for real-time updates. Telecom service providers have been directed to ensure robust mobile and internet connectivity along the Yatra routes by May 15, 2026. The Food & Civil Supplies Department will enhance the quota of essential commodities such as ration, LPG, and kerosene and ensure their uninterrupted availability throughout the Yatra. The Chief Secretary also directed the Information Department to install an adequate number of public address systems, hoardings, and banners at Yatra camps, lodgement centres, and key locations along the route to facilitate dissemination of information to pilgrims. The Fire & Emergency Services Department was instructed to deploy sufficient firefighting equipment at all camps, lodgement centres, langar sites, tents, and commercial establishments, and to conduct fire safety audits well in advance. Training and capacity building of service providers and langar operators were also emphasized to enable them to act as first responders during emergencies. The Chief Secretary reiterated the importance of coordinated efforts among all departments and directed officials to ensure that all arrangements are put in place well ahead of time. He stressed that the overarching objective is to provide pilgrims with a safe, comfortable, and spiritually fulfilling journey, ensuring the successful and smooth conduct of SANJY-2026.

Labourer killed, four injured as strong winds damage structure in J-K's Pulwama

A 40-year-old labourer died and four others injured after strong winds blew away the roof of a cold storage facility in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, officials said on Thursday. The incident occurred at the Lassipora industrial estate, where the structure suffered damage due to gusty winds, they said. Five persons were trapped under the debris and were later evacuated and rushed to the hospital, where one of them, Sajad Ahmad Mir, 40, was declared dead on arrival, officials said. The four injured are undergoing treatment, they added. Strong winds were reported from several parts of Kashmir, causing damage to structures, officials said.

Akasa Air, SpiceJet planes come in contact at Delhi airport; suffer damages

New Delhi, Apr 16: Wings of an Akasa Air and a SpiceJet plane came in contact on the taxiway at the Delhi airport on Thursday afternoon and both aircraft have been grounded due to damages suffered in the incident, according to officials. The officials said the Akasa Air aircraft was taxiing for take off and the SpiceJet was taxiing towards the parking stand when the incident happened at around 2.15 pm at Terminal 1 of the airport. Akasa Air's plane was to operate flight QP-1406 from Delhi to Hyderabad while the SpiceJet aircraft had arrived from Leh, they added. Akasa Airs aircraft operating flight QP 1406 from Delhi to Hyderabad had to return to the bay on April 16, 2026. Preliminary information indicates that Akasas aircraft was stationary when another airlines aircraft made contact with it, the airline said in a statement. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737 MAX 8. The airline said all passengers and crew were safely disembarked. In line with established protocols, the relevant authorities have been informed, and the matter is under investigation, it added. In a statement, SpiceJet said its Boeing 737-700 aircraft was involved in a ground occurrence while taxiing at the Delhi airport, resulting in damage to its right winglet and the left-hand horizontal stabiliser of another aircraft belonging to a different airline. The SpiceJet aircraft has been grounded at Delhi, it added. According to the officials, the wings of both aircraft came in contact on the taxiway.

PM Modi pitches for lasting peace amid 'very tense' global situation

New Delhi, Apr 16: The world is going through a very tense situation impacting all nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, pitching for bringing lasting peace to Ukraine and West Asia as military conflict cannot solve any problem. Modi made the remarks after holding wide-ranging talks with Austria's Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker that focused on significantly ramping up bilateral ties in areas of trade, defence and infrastructure. In their talks, Modi and Stocker extensively deliberated on the consequences of the conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine on global economy and vowed to work jointly to mitigate them. The Austrian Chancellor landed in New Delhi on Tuesday on a four-day trip. It is Stocker's first official trip outside Europe. The entire world is going through a very serious and tense situation today. And it is affecting all of us, Modi said in his media statement. In such a tense global environment, India and Austria are unanimous that military conflict cannot solve problems. Whether in Ukraine or West Asia, we support a stable, sustainable, and lasting peace, he said. We also agree that reform of global institutions is essential to address growing global challenges. And eradicating terrorism is our shared commitment, Modi noted. Following the Modi-Stocker talks, the two sides signed six agreements including one on setting up a setting up a fast track mechanism to help Indian and Austrian companies wanting to invest in each other's economies. Another pact was signed on cooperation on military matters. The letter of intent on military cooperation will provide an institutional framework for promoting cooperation building on the momentum of the India-EU defence and security partnership signed in January. In his remarks, Modi said Stocker's visit is extremely significant and referred to involvement of Austrian companies in numerous engineering projects in India including in railways as well as clean energy initiatives. Following the historic India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, a new golden chapter has begun in relations between India and the EU. With Chancellor Stocker's visit, we are also taking India-Austria relations into a new era, he said. Modi said the Chancellor's visit will inject new energy into bilateral trade and investment ties. We are delighted that he has come to India with a broad vision and a large business delegation. By combining Austria's expertise with India's speed and scale, we will ensure reliable technology and supply chains for the entire world, Modi said. We will also strengthen our partnerships in defense, semiconductor, quantum, and biotechnology, he said.

SinghporaVailoo tunnel to bypass snowbound stretches around Sinthan Pass | GKTV report

Kabhi maaf nahi karege': PM Modi's warning to Opposition over women's quota bill

Patwar Association Protests in Kulgam, Seeks Fulfilment of Demands

Centre must initiate dialogue for lasting peace in J-K: Mehbooba Mufti

CAG warns of Hokersar lake's ecological decline, flags large-scale encroachment

Jammu, Apr 16: The CAG has expressed serious concerns about the large-scale encroachment of over 2,500 kanals and ecological degradation of Hokersar Lake, warning that the wetland is facing rapid deterioration, and its pristine glory is at risk of extinction. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) pulled up authorities for the failure of conservation and management of Hokersar lake, warning that the ecologically significant wetland is facing degradation due to pollution, encroachment and lack of scientific planning. The CAG report on conservation of lakes in the Union territory for the year 2023-24, said the lack of proper survey and demarcation has led to the encroachment. Around 2,528.10 kanals of lake area has been encroached upon for construction, plantations and agricultural activities. Despite issuance of notices, authorities were unable to ensure eviction of encroachers, it said. The report noted that in the absence of a comprehensive conservation and management programme, significant changes in land use have occurred, resulting in deterioration of the lake's health. The CAG observed that the failure to identify point and non-point sources of pollution, absence of measures to prevent silt inflow, lack of dredging and construction of a flood spill channel through the lake area contributed to a decline in open water area. Highlighting land-use changes between 2014 and 2020, the report recorded a seven per cent decrease in open water area, while scrub area (transitional habitat along the shoreline) increased by over 1,100 per cent and aquatic vegetation by 42 per cent, largely attributed to anthropogenic pressures and inflow of untreated sewage. Between 2014 and 2020, the open water area decreased by seven per cent, while scrub area increased by 1,157 per cent, siltation by 104 per cent, river area by 103 per cent, built-up area by 102 per cent and aquatic vegetation by 42 per cent, it added, attributing it again to anthropogenic pressure, as well as inadequate conservation efforts. The CAG observed that no comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan had been prepared for the lake. Instead, the Wildlife Protection Department relied on annual plans which failed to address core issues such as changes in hydrological regimes, pollution and loss of biodiversity, it said. Analysis of satellite imagery and Google Earth Pro data from 2005 to 2022 revealed a substantial increase in built-up areas in the lake's catchments, including Haji Bagh, Soibug and HMT (Zainakot), which lack sewage treatment facilities. The lake continues to receive inflows from these areas, aggravating pollution levels, the report said. It also highlighted inefficiencies in flood management infrastructure. The flood spill channel at Padshahi Bagh, designed to carry 17,000 cusecs of water, has seen its capacity reduced to 6,000 cusecs due to siltation and accumulation of debris. While Rs 46.29 crore was spent between 2018 and 2022 on channel construction, dredging and slope protection, key components such as hydraulic gates, silt retention basins and sewage treatment plants were not executed, affecting water regulation and quality. Responding to the audit, the forest department said a policy to maintain the ecological character of wetlands was under consideration and efforts were underway to remove unwanted vegetation and retrieve built-up areas. Research studies cited in the report also indicated disappearance of native aquatic species and invasion of non-native plants, along with declining dissolved oxygen levels due to nutrient loading, it said. The CAG, meanwhile, has recommended urgent identification and treatment of pollution sources, scientific dredging to restore open water area and comprehensive survey and demarcation to prevent further encroachments and reclaim the affected 2,528.10 kanals of lake area. The audit pointed out deficiencies in key conservation activities such as de-weeding and dredging. Expenditure on these works lacked scientific basis, with no vegetation mapping, bathymetric surveys or impact assessments conducted, the CAG report said. It also flagged gaps in flood management works under the Comprehensive Flood Management Programme, noting that critical components such as hydraulic gates, silt retention basins and sewage treatment plants were not executed, affecting regulation of water flow and quality. Recommending urgent corrective measures, the audit called for identification and treatment of pollution sources, scientific dredging to restore open water area and comprehensive survey and demarcation to prevent further encroachment. It also stressed the need for a holistic conservation plan addressing hydrology, biodiversity and pollution to safeguard the wetland's ecological balance and livelihood value. The Hokersar lake is located in Srinagar and Budgam districts and is fed by the Doodhganga stream in the east and Sukhnag Nallah in the west. The lake was notified in July 1945 and later declared a Conservation Reserve under the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978.

Shikara rally organised in Dal lake to promote drug-free Jammu and Kashmir

Women's quota law: PM Modi urges opposition not to give 'political colour'

New Delhi, Apr 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged the opposition not to give a political colour to the government's bills for implementation of the women's reservation law and cautioned that they should be mindful that those who had opposed this in the past had suffered badly in elections. Allaying fears on delimitation, he assured that no injustice will be done to any state - from east to west and north to south. Intervening in the debate in Lok Sabha on the three bills moved to amend the women's quota law and set up a delimitation commission, Modi said if all sides support the bills, it will not go in favour of politics of any one side but would be in favour of the country. Since women's reservation came into discussion, those who opposed this in the past, were not forgiven by the women of the country and they ended up badly in the elections that followed, Modi said. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill to tweak the women's quota law was introduced in Lok Sabha on Thursday after a division of votes. Two ordinary bills -- the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill to implement the proposed amended women's quota law in Union territories of Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir -- were also introduced in the House. In his remarks, Modi said there is no need to give political colour to the issue of women reservation in legislatures. Let us all MPs not miss this important opportunity to give reservation to women, the prime minister said. In India's development journey, MPs have got an opportunity to make women part of decision making, he said. I have come to appeal to you that do not see this from a political lens, this is a decision in national interest, Modi said. Earlier, the Bills were introduced after a fiery 40-minute debate following which the opposition pressed for the division of votes to introduce the Constitutional (131st Amendment) Bill. The Bill was later introduced with 251 members supporting it and 185 members voting against the introduction.

Women empowerment PM Modis top priority: Lieutenant Governor

Srinagar, Apr 16: Without women farmers, every plate would be empty, leaving humanity starved. They sustain the world, work harder than their male counterparts and their strength anchors food security, planting seeds of prosperity for families and society in every field. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, women's empowerment is the top priority across all sectors, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Thursday. The Lieutenant Governor said that the global food system rests on women's labor, yet it excludes them from prosperity. He urged every cooperative, government stakeholder to ask, what challenge or barrier in women farmers' lives can be eliminated immediately? By removing them one by one, we can honor their leadership and enrich society and the nation through direct market access, he said. The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the Women Farmers Conference, organised by Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) at Srinagar. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the contributions of women farmers in agriculture and allied sectors, the efforts of women Agri-entrepreneurs, and emphasized developing Agriculture sector under their leadership. The Lieutenant Governor said that the UN General Assembly has fittingly declared 2026 the International Year of Women Farmers, which was a long-awaited dream. I view International Women Farmers Year 2026 as a historic opportunity, proclaiming women as creators, not mere laborers, in agriculture's growth. Prioritize women farmers in every scheme. I trust 2026 will sincerely recognize women's roles in agriculture and allied sectors, fulfilling their aspirations, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor called upon technology innovators to prioritize technical tools for women farmers. He stressed that the agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, and dairy departments must allocate resources to women farmers, while financial institutions design loan products enabling landless women farmers to access credit in their names. We must reinvigorate society with the resolve for women-led development in Jammu Kashmir, enabling women's power to transform it. Significant strides in women empowerment since 2020 has set a national example and our women farmers empowerment project exemplifies the success, the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor exhorted the stakeholders to grant women farmers and entrepreneurs recognition, resources, and agency to work on their terms. Empowered women farmers are bearers of climate resilience, building robust agri-ecosystems with quality seeds, digital tools, and market linkages from cooperatives, he said. The Lieutenant Governor observed that through Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP), Jammu Kashmir advances holistic, tech-driven, farmer-centric transformation for higher production, incomes, and sustainable agriculture. It has registered 14,782 women farmers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched JKCIP on June 20, 2024, targeting climate-smart, market-oriented production; agri-economy ecosystems; sectoral development; and aid for vulnerable groups, women, and youthregistering 5,248 women farmers. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi has over 90,000 women beneficiaries. Over 8,000 women farmers are registered in natural farming and central schemes; 4,472 in horticulture; 128 in sericulture; over 144,000 in SKUAST schemes; 27,500 in dairy; and more than 16,000 in sheep farming and fisheries. Across agriculture and allied sectors, nearly 3,11,000 women are registered, he further said. I recognize millions more unregistered women farmers; I urge them to join central schemes. I take pride in Jammu Kashmir's self-help groups, women-led FPOs, and skill programs in mushrooms, horticulture, beekeeping, food processing, and dairy, empowering rural women as farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and decision-makers. When women control production resources, inputs, and services in agriculture and allied sectors, they ensure food security, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor urged the IFFCO to establish farmers training centre, multi-facility farmers service centre, sheep production unit in J&K and provision of mobile soil testing machine to support local farmers. The Lieutenant Governor also announced that the Mass Movement for Drug Free Jammu Kashmir for the Kashmir Division will be launched from Srinagar on May 3, 2026. He called upon the women, youth and all sections of society to actively participate in this movement to eradicate the drug menace from the Union Territory. On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor felicitated the women agri-entrepreneurs. He also visited the stalls put up by IFFCO and various agri-entrepreneurs. Javid Ahmad Dar, Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj and Cooperative; Dileep Singhani, Chairman IFFCO; K. J. Patel, Managing Director IFFCO; Yogender Kumar, Marketing Director IFFCO, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, Director Agriculture, Kashmir; women farmers & Agri-entrepreneurs, members of women self-help groups and women delegates participated in the conference. Balwant Singh Mankotia, Member of Legislative Assembly from Chenani; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; senior officials and Agriculture experts were also present.

Chief Secretary assesses impact, implementation of PMIS in J&K

Jammu, Apr 16: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today convened a meeting to assess the implementation status of the Prime Ministers Internship Scheme (PMIS) in Jammu and Kashmir and outlined a comprehensive strategy to enhance its outreach and impact across the Union Territory. Those who attended this meeting includes Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department; Secretary, Employment and Skill Development Departments; MD, Skill Development Mission along with other concerned officers. Director, PMIS in Ministry of Corporate Affairs, GoI attended the meeting through video link. The Chief Secretary underscored the importance of the scheme in improving youth employability by providing structured internship opportunities in reputed companies. He noted that PMIS, launched under the Union Budget 202425, offers internships of 6 to 9 months with a monthly stipend of 9,000 and an additional one-time grant of 6,000, thereby enabling young individuals to gain valuable industry exposure. Reviewing the progress, it was informed that Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed encouraging response in terms of registrations, with over 4,400 youth registered on the portal and more than 2,800 profiles completed so far. However, only 68 internship opportunities are currently available in the UT, despite J&K ranking among the top states in registrations. The Chief Secretary took this occasion to impress upon the concerned to bridge the gap between registrations and available opportunities, he also emphasized the need for aggressive industry engagement with the active role of the Ministry in doing the same for J&K. He observed that increasing participation of companies is crucial to ensuring that the registered youth are meaningfully absorbed under the scheme. The Chief Secretary directed the department to significantly scale up registration efforts and set an ambitious target of achieving at least 2 lakh registrations from across the districts of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that this can be achieved through a mission-mode approach involving educational institutions, employment centres, and grassroots-level outreach mechanisms. Highlighting the constraints posed by the limited presence of large corporate houses in the UT, he stressed the need to scale up internship opportunities multifold for the youth across the States/UTs of the country. He called for proactive engagement with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to enhance the number of internship opportunities to at least 1,000 in the coming days, so as to bridge the existing gap between demand and availability. The Chief Secretary directed that PMIS registration be integrated with institutional mechanisms, including ITIs, polytechnics, and colleges, to ensure maximum coverage of eligible youth. He also called for active involvement of District Employment & Counselling Centres, Common Service Centres, and placement cells in facilitating registrations. The Secretary, SDD, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan apprised the meeting of a 100-day roadmap aimed at significantly scaling up registrations and improving outcomes. The plan targets 20,000 registrations in the initial phase, with a structured approach involving campus drives, establishment of help desks, mass awareness campaigns, and deployment of mobile registration units in remote areas. A key focus of the strategy, he revealed, pivots on the convergence with Mission YUVA to leverage its extensive youth database and grassroots network. He further divulged that over 4.73 lakh willing to work youth have already been identified under Mission YUVA, and around 2,000 YUVA Doots will be mobilized to carry out door-to-door awareness and registration drives across all districts. Stressing the need for effective monitoring, he instructed departments to conduct regular reviews and ensure real-time tracking of progress through digital platforms. He further directed that bottlenecks, if any, be promptly escalated for timely resolution. Highlighting the transformative potential of the scheme, the Chief Secretary said that PMIS can play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between education and employment and in preparing the youth of Jammu and Kashmir for the demands of the modern job market.

Mirwaiz visits critically ill father of MP Er Rashid at SMHS hospital in Srinagar

Srinagar, April 16: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Thursday paid a visit to incarcerated Member of Parliament (MP) Engineer Rasheed at Sher-i-Kashmir Medical College Hospital (SHMS) in Srinagar. Mirwaiz said Rashid's father is critically ill and yearns for a meeting with his son lodged in Tihar jail, which, he said could be their last. He urgedthe Government of India to release Engineer Rashid at leaston humanitarian grounds, so that he could meet his ailing father. This silent suffering of political prisoners lodged in jails across India and in Jammu Kashmir and their families, is heartbreaking, he said. May Allah grant shifa to Khazir Mohammad Sheikh Sahab and ease the familys hardship, Mirwaiz prayed. In a post on X, Mirwaiz wrote,Visited the critically ill father of incarcerated MP Engineer Rasheed admitted at SMHS, who yearns for a meeting with his son lodged in Tihar jail, which could be their last. This silent suffering of political prisoners lodged in jails across India and in Jammu Kashmir and their families, is heartbreaking. I urge the Government of India to release Engineer Rashid to meet his ailing father, at least on humanitarian grounds. May Allah grant shifa to Khazir Mohammad Sheikh Sahab and ease the familys hardship Visited the critically ill father of incarcerated MP Engineer Rasheed admitted at SMHS, yearning to see his son lodged in Tihar jail for a meeting which could be their last. This silent suffering of political prisoners lodged in jails across India and in Jammu Kashmir and their pic.twitter.com/CGWPKBLTzd Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) April 16, 2026

PDP organises Kath Ba'ath at Dak Bungalow in Baramulla

Baramulla, April 16: The People's Democratic Party is organising a Kath Baath programme today at Dak Bungalow in North Kashmirs Baramulla district. According to a PDP spokesperson, the aim of the programme is to interact with people and listen to their concerns. PDP supremo Mehbooba Mufti also took part in the programme.During the inaugural address Mehbooba said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir feel choked and isolated, and are living in an atmosphere where they cannot express their feelings and anguish. The aim of the programme is to listen to the people, their concerns, and their vision for the future. she said We are providing this platform to the people so that they can raise their issues without any pressure or hindrance, she added.. The event, which is currently in progress, is being attended by members of civil society, and party functionaries.

Northern Railway to run daily Delhi-Budgam goods train from April 17

Jammu, April 16: The Northern Railway will begin a regular parcel train service between Delhi and Kashmirs Budgam from April 17, offering a faster and cheaper alternative for fruit growers and handicraft exporters who have long complained of erratic road transport. A senior railway officer said the service officially called the Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) will run on a trial basis till May 31 between Adarsh Nagar in New Delhi and Budgam in central Kashmir. If occupancy holds, officials said, it will be made permanent. He said train 00462 will leave Budgam at 6.15 am and arrive at Adarsh Nagar at 5 am the next day, covering the distance in 23-24 hours. Return train 00461 will depart Adarsh Nagar at 5 am and reach Budgam at 10.45 am the following day. The train will stop at Bari Brahmana and Ambala Cantonment for loading and unloading. The halt timing at Bari Brahmana has been revised after trader feedback, the official said. Eight parcel vans and one seating-cum-luggage rake will make up the rake. This is meant to strengthen J&Ks economy and speed up movement of saffron, walnuts, pashmina shawls and handicrafts to national markets, the official further said. Speaking to news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said the decision followed persistent demand. Our primary objective is to give fruit growers and handicraft traders a fast, safe and economical mode of transport, he said. (KNS)

NDA, Oppn Leaders Spar over Women's Reservation, Delimitation Bills

BJP MP Giriraj Singh expressed confidence that the amendments to the Women's Reservation Act for its early implementation will receive broad support in Parliament

Constitution doesnt allow reservation to Muslim women on the basis of religion: Amit Shah in Lok Sabha

Meghwal, Shah move to introduce bills in LS to tweak women's quota law, set up delimitation panel

New Delhi, Apr 16: Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Amit Shah on Thursday moved to introduce three bills in the Lok Sabha to amend the women's quota law and set up a delimitation commission amid protests by the opposition, which termed the proposed legislations anti-constitutional. Congress' K C Venugopal questioned why proposed changes in the women's quota law were not incorporated when it was earlier passed by Parliament. Bills to tweak the women's quota law and set up a delimitation panel are anti-constitutional, he said. Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav questioned the rush to introduce the bills. We are in favour... but why do you not want a Census to be done? he asked. Union Minister Home Minister Amit Shah hit back, saying the Census 2027 is on and the Centre has also decided to go for caste enumeration, but reservation based on religion is unconstitutional. According to the draft Constitution amendment bill, Lok Sabha seats will be increased to a maximum of 850 from the current 543 to operationalise the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. Seats will also be increased in state and Union territory assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women. The seats reserved for women in the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies shall be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a state or Union territory, the draft bill circulated among Lok Sabha members said. Several opposition parties on Wednesday decided to unitedly vote against the delimitation provisions in the Constitution amendment bill in Parliament, while asserting that they are not against reservation for women in legislative bodies.

China urges Iran to ensure safe Hormuz navigation as indirect US-Iran talks continue

New Delhi, Apr 16: Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi to help restore normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that while Irans sovereignty must be respected, the safety and freedom of maritime passage should also be guaranteed, reports the BBC. Wang added that there is unanimous interest in reopening the key shipping route and said Beijing supports maintaining the ceasefire and resuming negotiations. According to BBC, diplomatic activity around the conflict remains intense. US President Donald Trump said the world should expect an amazing two days and indicated a deal to end the war with Iran is preferable, while also announcing that Lebanese and Israeli leaders are set to hold rare talks aimed at easing tensions. The White House, however, denied reports that Washington had requested an extension of the current two-week ceasefire with Iran, though it described ongoing discussions with Tehran as productive. BBC reported that Pakistan has stepped up mediation efforts, with its army chief Asim Munir holding high-level talks in Tehran. A Pakistani delegation has also arrived in Iran for further discussions, with officials expressing optimism that negotiations could resume soon and potentially lead to a breakthrough on Irans nuclear programme. Meanwhile, the US-enforced blockade on vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports remains fully in place, with no ships reported to have passed through since it was implemented. BBC Verify noted unusual maritime activity in the region, including ships switching off tracking systems or attempting to conceal their locations. On the ground, fighting continues between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

US Senate again rejects bid to curb Trumps war powers on Iran

New Delhi, Apr 16: A resolution seeking to limit Donald Trumps ability to continue military action against Iran without congressional approval has failed in the US Senate for the fourth time. The war-powers measure, which would have halted US involvement in the conflict, was rejected 5247, largely along party lines in the Republican-controlled chamber. Democrats said they would continue introducing similar resolutions weekly to put lawmakers positions on record. While most Republicans opposed the move, some indicated they may reconsider if the conflict drags on. US President Trump has given mixed signals on the wars duration, recently telling Fox News it was close to over, even as US continues to maintains, third day running, a military blockade of Iranian ports. BBC said that Rand Paul was the only Republican to vote with Democrats in favour of the resolution, while Democrat John Fetterman voted against it. Under US law, military operations require congressional approval beyond 60 days, though the White House can extend the deadline by 30 days on national security grounds. Democrat Tim Kaine said efforts would continue to force accountability, even if the measures fail.

ISI-Backed Terror Module Busted, One Held With 4 Grenades: Punjab Police

CHANDIGARH, Apr 16: The Punjab Police on Thursday claimed to have busted a terror module backed by Pakistans ISI with the arrest of one person and recovery of four hand grenades. In a joint operation of the State Special Operations cells of Amritsar and Mohali, the Counter Intelligence Wing of the Punjab Police also recovered two foreign-made pistols along with ammunition, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused was acting on the instructions of [] The post ISI-Backed Terror Module Busted, One Held With 4 Grenades: Punjab Police appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

What to know about Atlanta-area attacks that killed 2, including federal worker

Atlanta, Apr 16: A man who had immigrated to the US has been charged in a string of deadly attacks in the Atlanta suburbs that quickly drew the attention of President Donald Trump's administration. UK-native Olaolukitan Adon Abel, whose name appears in different variations in court and government records, is accused of killing two women, including a Department of Homeland Security employee, and critically injuring a man. Homeland Secretary Markwayne Mullin called the shootings acts of pure evil and raised concern that Adon Abel, 26, was granted US citizenship in 2022, when Democrat Joe Biden was president. Here's what is known about the rampage. Three early morning attacks, miles apart The attacks rattled the Atlanta suburbs of Decatur, Brookhaven and Panthersville in the early morning hours on Monday. The first victim, who has not been identified publicly, was found with gunshot wounds near a Decatur-area restaurant around 1 am She was taken to a hospital but died, DeKalb County Police Chief Gregory Padrick said. Then, a 49-year-old homeless man was shot multiple times while sleeping outside a Brookhaven grocery store, about 12 miles (19 kilometres) northwest of the first attack, Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley said. The man, whose name hasn't been released, remains hospitalised in critical condition. DHS worker Lauren Bullis, who was out walking her dog more than 10 miles (16 kilometres) away in Panthersville, was found around 7 am with gunshot and stab wounds. She died at the scene, Padrick said. Investigators in Brookhaven determined that the three attacks were connected, Gurley said. Authorities have said they believe at least one victim was targeted at random. DHS employee remembered for her generosity Bullis served in multiple roles at the DHS Office of Inspector General, including as an auditor and an innovation team leader. DHS posted on social media that she brought a genuine sense of care to her colleagues each day. Her family said in a statement that she loved running, reading and travelling, and her warmth and generosity touched everyone surrounding her. Fellow DHS auditor Ashley Toillion of Denver described Bullis as the nicest, sweetest, most encouraging person I've ever met. Suspect pleaded guilty in California assault Military records show the defendant enlisted in the Navy in 2020, last serving in the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron in Coronado, California, and as a petty officer received a Navy E Ribbon for superior performance for battle readiness. Adon Abel pleaded guilty in October 2024 to assaulting two police officers with a deadly weapon and attacking another person when he was stationed in Coronado, according to California court records. He faces murder, aggravated assault and firearms charges in Monday's attacks, court records show. He waived an initial court appearance on Tuesday, and a public defender listed as his attorney did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Mullin said Adon Abel has a criminal record that includes a sexual battery conviction. Online court records show that someone listed with a similar name and the same birth date pleaded guilty last June in Chatham County, Georgia, to four misdemeanour counts of sexual battery. It wasn't immediately clear if Adon Abel had a criminal record that predated him becoming a US citizen in 2022. The US has long barred people convicted of most violent crimes from attaining citizenship.

US rules out renewal of exemption from sanctions on Russian, Iranian oil

Washington, Apr 16: The United States on Wednesday ruled out granting any further exemption from sanctions for the purchase of Russian or Iranian oil. US Treasury Scott Bessent made the announcement at a press conference at the White House. We will not be renewing the general license on Russian oil, and we will not be renewing the general license on Iranian oil. That was oil that was on the water prior to March 11, so all that has been used, Bessent told reporters here. On March 5, the US issued a 30-day sanctions waiver to India, permitting it to buy Russian oil despite sanctions imposed over the Ukraine war. A few days later, the US extended the sanctions waiver to a few other nations. The waiver from sanctions expired on April 11. India's crude oil purchases from Russia more than tripled to 5.3 billion euros in March as volumes doubled and a surge in oil prices pushed up the import bill. European think tank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), in a report, said after a drop in purchases in February, India was back to a buying binge in March. India was the second-highest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in March 2026, importing a total of EUR 5.8 billion of Russian hydrocarbons. Crude oil products constituted 91 per cent of India's purchases, totalling EUR 5.3 billion, it said. Coal (EUR 337 million) and oil products (EUR 178.5 million) constituted the remainder of their monthly imports. In February, India was the third largest importer, purchasing Russian hydrocarbons worth 1.8 billion euros. After issuing the sanctions waiver, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the US asked India to buy Russian oil to amp down fears of supply shortages and price spikes amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. He said the move was a short-term, pragmatic effort to stabilise the market and did not signal any change in Washington's policy towards Russia.

Natural farming push: KVK Budgam trains 60 tribal farmers

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Budgam of SKUAST-K organised an awareness-cum-input distribution programme under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) initiative titled Promotion of Natural Farming in Tribal Areas of Kashmir. The programme was held under the leadership of Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai. Around 60 tribal farmers from Surasyar, Chadoora, participated and were provided inputs such as drums, buckets, gloves and shoes for preparation of bio-resource inputs for natural farming. Director Extension, SKUAST-K, Prof Raihana Habib Kanth, who was the chief guest, highlighted the importance of adopting climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices. She urged farmers to stay connected with KVK scientists and field officers to ensure proper technical guidance and to benefit from government schemes. She also spoke about the scope and challenges of natural farming in Kashmir, describing it as the farming of microbes, and stressed the importance of soil health, water management and conservation agriculture, including minimum or zero tillage practices. Prof Kanth further outlined SKUAST-Ks role in strengthening agricultural research to support the farming community in the Valley. Head, KVK Budgam, Dr Bilal Ahmad Lone, briefed farmers on the role of KVKs in promoting agriculture and allied sectors through on-farm trials, frontline demonstrations and skill-based training programmes. He encouraged farmers to utilise KVK services for improving farm productivity and income. During the programme, scientists and technical staff interacted with farmers and demonstrated various natural farming practices, with a focus on promoting entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied sectors. Dr Shazia Ramzan presented an overview of the natural farming project being implemented in the district and stressed the need for a clear strategy, stakeholder coordination and development of market linkages for natural farming produce. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof Bhinish Shakeel.

KCCI pushes for OTS scheme, NCSS boost

President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Javid Ahmad Tenga, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhawan here on Wednesday and apprised him of key issues impacting trade, commerce, industry, tourism and the overall economic environment in Kashmir. At the outset, Tenga presented a comprehensive overview of the prevailing business scenario in the Valley, stating that several sectors continue to face structural and policy-related challenges. He said that despite the resilience shown by the business community, there is a pressing need for targeted interventions to restore confidence, improve liquidity and ensure sustainable growth. A major issue raised during the meeting was the need for a long-pending special One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for borrowers in line with MSME norms. Tenga urged the Lieutenant Governor to facilitate necessary directions, noting that many businesses remain financially stressed due to accumulated liabilities over the years. He also raised concerns over the practice by banks of naming and shaming borrowers through public notices, describing it as socially counterproductive and detrimental to already distressed entrepreneurs. He said such measures damage reputations and deepen the socio-economic distress of business families, and called for immediate intervention to halt the practice. The discussion also focused on the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS). While acknowledging its importance in attracting investments, Tenga pointed out that the initial outlay of 28,400 crore had been exhausted by September 2024. The absence of incentives since then, he said, has created uncertainty among investors and slowed new proposals. He urged that the allocation be enhanced to 75,000 crore to sustain industrial momentum, and proposed that at least 25 per cent of the enhanced outlay be earmarked for entrepreneurs from J&K. Tenga also stressed the importance of tourism promotion, describing it as the backbone of the regions economy. He called for a structured promotional strategy, improved infrastructure and stronger policy support to maximise the sectors potential and generate employment. The Lieutenant Governor gave a patient hearing to the issues and assured that the concerns would be examined on priority and appropriate steps taken. Tenga was accompanied by Executive Committee member Zubair Mahajan during the meeting.

J&K sets target to onboard 1,000 MSMEs on TReDS to tackle payment delays

Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a meeting at the Civil Secretariat here to review the implementation and expansion of the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department; Managing Director, J&K Bank; Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce; Secretary, Industries Department; Director Industries, Jammu; Chief General Manager, J&K Bank; Deputy General Manager, RBI, Jammu; representatives from Receivables Exchange of India Limited (RXIL TReDS platform); and senior officers from various government departments. Emphasising the transformative potential of TReDS, the Chief Secretary highlighted its critical role in improving cash flow for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by facilitating the timely realisation of payments through invoice discounting. He stressed the need to fully leverage this digital platform to enhance credit accessibility and strengthen the MSME ecosystem across J&K. The Chief Secretary called for exploring the possibility of participation from Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and large corporate buyers on the TReDS platform, noting that wider adoption would significantly help address the persistent issue of delayed payments to MSMEs and improve their working capital cycle. Underscoring the need for a coordinated approach, he directed the Industries & Commerce Department to take the lead in onboarding key government entities and departments onto the platform. He also emphasised conducting extensive awareness campaigns among MSMEs to educate them about the benefits and operational aspects of TReDS. Setting clear targets, the Chief Secretary instructed the department to ensure onboarding of at least 500 MSMEs from each region of the Union Territory within the next few months, to maximise the reach and impact of the platform. He also appreciated the proactive role played by the Reserve Bank of India and other stakeholders in promoting invoice financing mechanisms for MSMEs in the region, and expressed confidence that sustained efforts in this direction would help in enhancing the financial resilience and growth prospects of the MSME sector in Jammu & Kashmir.

30000 posts referred, 15000 youth recruited in J&K since last year: Deputy CM

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has said that the government is prioritising employment generation, having referred nearly 30,000 posts and facilitated recruitment of around 15,000 through various agencies over the past year in Jammu and Kashmir. The Deputy Chief Minister informed this while addressing a large public gathering at Kunzar in the Gulmarg constituency. He was accompanied by Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Gulmarg Peerzada Farooq Ahmad Shah and senior officers. Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the governments commitment towards creating sustainable employment opportunities for the youth. He emphasized that thousands of vacancies have been referred and filled on merit through recruitment agencies, reflecting the administrations focused efforts towards employment generation in J&K. On the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister felicitated the beneficiaries under Mission Yuva scheme and distributed sanction letters, cheques and keys of commercial vehicles among them. He highlighted that the government is actively strengthening the self-employment ecosystem under Mission Yuva, enabling youth to establish successful business ventures and generate further employment opportunities. During his address, he also underlined the importance of labour cards and urged people to register themselves to avail benefits such as educational scholarships, financial assistance for specially-abled individuals, and other welfare schemes. Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for upgradation of KunzarHardshoora Road in Kunzar. He stated that several road projects in Kunzar and other areas of the Gulmarg constituency were completed last year under NABARD, PMGSY and other schemes while many more are underway this year to further strengthen connectivity in the region. Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Peerzada Farooq Ahmad Shah also addressed the gathering and reaffirmed the governments commitment to infrastructure development and youth empowerment across Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier in the day, the Deputy Chief Minister, accompanied by MLA Tanvir Sadiq, paid obeisance at Gurdwara Damdama Sahib in HMT, Srinagar and appreciated the shrines significance as an important spiritual center for devotees.

Kashmirs CBSE affiliated schools excel in class 10th examinations

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday declared the result of class 10th (phase-I) examinations. The valley based CBSE affiliated schools have performed exceptionally well in the examination. CBSE conducted the phase-I of class 10th exam from February 17 to March 11, 2026 while the phase-II will be tentatively conducted from May 15 to June 1, 2026. As per the official figures, Birla Open Minds International School Pampore has produced 100 percent result in the exam. This was the first batch of the school appearing in the class 10th exam of CBSE. As per the figures, 14 students scored 95 percent and above while 31 students secured 90 percent and above marks. More than 55 students from the schools obtained distinction in the exam as well. The results highlight a structured academic system built on regular assessment, focused mentorship, and disciplined preparation. From classroom delivery to revision strategy, the institution maintained a clear performance driven approach throughout the academic year, Principal BOMIS Pampore, Mehnaz Rehman told Greater Kashmir . The top performers include Maliha Nakshar (98.4%), followed by Rimsha Gowhar (98.2%) while Moomin Bin Javaid and Sheezan Hassan Kuchay scored 97.2 percent. Ayra Ajaz and Ziya Manzoor secured 97 percent each. The school principal said the result was the outcome of a planned academic framework where student progress was tracked closely. Weak areas were identified early and addressed through targeted support. Teachers follow structured lesson plans and maintain regular feedback with students and parents, she said. She congratulated the students and emphasised that academic success should be seen in a broader context. A childs worth is not defined by their 10th board exam marks. These scores do not reflect their unique talents, creativity, or potential. Please support and uplift them with belief in who they are, not just what they scored, she said. The other CBSE affiliated schools have also performed fairly in the exam. Doon School Srinagar has achieved 100 percent result as all the 95 students who appeared in the exam have qualified it. Around 43 percent students have secured above 90 percent marks. Haya Sajad Wani has topped the school by scoring 97.6 percent marks followed by Suwaiba (96.2%), Duaa Shah (96%), Ayesha Rehman (95.6%), Buruj Abrahim Khattab (95.4%), Ahamed Bin Arshid (95.2) Delhi Public School (DPS) Srinagar, Baramulla and Budgam have also recorded 100 percent result in the exam. Around 303 students from DPS Baramulla appeared in the exam and all have qualified it. Also, 205 students from DPS Budgam appeared in the exam and all have been declared qualified. DPS Srinagar students dominate top ranks in CBSE Board exams The first position at DPS Budgam has been shared by two students-Shah Hamza and Afeefa Mukhtiyar as both scored 487 marks. Aisha Riyaz has secured position by scoring 486 marks while Shah Waris Iqbal is third topper of DPS Budgam who scored 483 marks out of 500. Similarly, 131 students from DPS Baramulla appeared in the exam and all have qualified it with 100 percent pass rate. Shayaan Tariq has topped the school by scoring 99% marks, a school official told Greater Kashmir .

Live: Iran Threatens to Disrupt Gulf Trade in Response to US Naval Blockade

Mediators efforts to extend a U.S.-Iran ceasefire made progress as the two sides are expected to hold another round of negotiations, regional officials said.

As Centre approves Singhpora-Vailoo, Sudhmahadev-Dranga tunnel projects, NHIDCL to invite fresh tenders

Srinagar, Apr 15:Fresh tenders will be invited soon for the SinghporaVailoo and SudhmahadevDranga tunnel projects after the Centre approved them, officials said. Now that we have received official communication regarding approval, we will proceed with re-tendering the SinghporaVailoo tunnel, National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) General Manager Raghu Nath Sharma told Greater Kashmir. We would also invite tenders for the SudhmahadevDranga tunnel project, he said. The tunnels are part of National Highway-244 (AnantnagKishtwarBatoteChenani corridor), a key route connecting Kashmir with the Chenab Valley. Sharma said land acquisition for approach roads on both sides of the SinghporaVailoo tunnel has been completed. An amount of Rs 78 crore has been sanctioned, and more than half of the compensation has already been disbursed, he said. On the Jammu side, acquisition is also complete and compensation is underway. The total length of the approach roads for the Singhpora-Vailoo project is over 38.61 km while that of the Sudhmahadev-Dranga project is 12.85 km. Land acquisition for the approach road to the SudhmahadevDranga tunnel has also been completed and compensation is in progress, he said. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for both tunnels already stand finalised, Sharma said. The approval has revived optimism among residents across Jammu and Kashmir regions who have long awaited reliable, year-round connectivity. The SinghporaVailoo tunnel is a lifeline. We have been waiting for it for a decade, but every time our hopes were dashed, said Advocate Sheikh Nasir, President of the Kishtwar Bar Association. He said they are now hopeful that work on the project will begin soon without any further delay. Ishtiyaq Ahmad Dev, a social activist from Doda, said the SudhmahadevDranga tunnel is urgently needed due to frequent road subsidence. The condition of the road is worsening, and this tunnel is essential for safe connectivity, he said. This SinghporaVailoo project has been a dream for us. It will make life easier during harsh winters, said Muhammad Shafi, a trader in Kishtwar, referring to hardships caused by seasonal road closures. Muhammad Amin, a businessman from Kokernag, said improved connectivity would boost economic activity. Better connectivity will strengthen the local economy and improve inter-regional access, he said. On Tuesday the Centre approved construction of the twin-tube tunnels on the AnantnagKishtwarBatote corridor at a total cost of Rs 9779.42 crore. The approval was formalised through an Office Memorandum issued after a Public Investment Board (PIB) meeting held on April 7, 2026. The projects had earlier faced setbacks. A previous tender for the SinghporaVailoo tunnel was scrapped in 2024 after security clearance was denied to the lowest bidder, a joint venture between Transrail Lighting and Azerbaijan-based EVRASCON. In April last year, The Times of India reported that the PIB, chaired by the expenditure secretary, had rejected both tunnel proposals on the AnantnagChenani corridor, citing cost and technical concerns. The decision had triggered political and public criticism across the Chenab Valley and south Kashmir. Despite the setback, NHIDCL had indicated it would re-tender the project and invite bids for the SudhmahadevDranga tunnel. Earlier this month, Union Minister of State Jitender Singh said reports about stoppage of work were incorrect. He said the earlier tender was cancelled due to security issues related to the allottee and that a fresh tender would be floated. On Tuesday, Singh announced that the Centre had approved construction of the uni-directional twin-tube SudhmahadevDranga tunnels and the twin-tube SinghporaVailoo tunnel on NH-244 in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, on March 25, 2026, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Nitin Gadkari told the Rajya Sabha that DPRs for both projects had been completed. He said the projects were at the appraisal stage while responding to a query by National Conference MP Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo regarding their status, including clearances, funding and timelines. The SinghporaVailoo tunnel is expected to bypass snowbound stretches around Sinthan Pass, which currently restrict connectivity during winter months. The AnantnagKokernag-Kishtwar road remains operational only in summer due to heavy snowfall. Once completed, the projects are expected to reduce travel time, improve road safety, provide an alternative to the SrinagarJammu highway ( NH44), and boost tourism and economic activity in the region. Greater Kashmir has extensively covered the projects status and its significance over the past decade.

Kashmiri artisans spin stories of survival and revival

Srinagar, Apr 15:Tanzeela Hussain, who is doing her Masters in Persian from the University of Kashmir, also weaves Waguv, the traditional Kashmiri straw mat, during her spare time to keep the family tradition alive. I learnt the craft from my parents when I was in 12th standard, as I wanted to carry the familys legacy forward, she said at the inaugural ceremony of the Know Your Artisan exhibition organised by the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, at Kashmir Haat in Srinagar, where her family had set up a stall exhibiting how Waguv is woven. Waguv is a 300-year-old Kashmiri craft where reed and rice straw are woven together to make mats that are known to keep one warm in winter and cool in summer. Tanzeela had come to display this craft that her family, hailing from Mir Behri, Dal Lake, has been involved in for generations. Her father, Ghulam Hussain, said that while he had learnt the craft from his father and grandfather in childhood, he had left it within a few years. Hussain credited the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, for reviving the craft. It was only 15 years ago that I restarted weaving Waguv with the departments handholding, he said. Today, along with his wife Amina and daughter, Hussain is involved in keeping the Waguv craftsmanship alive. He said that he had ensured that the craft survives and passes on to his next generation as well as others who want to learn it. Apart from his daughter, Hussain also taught the craft to 20 other apprentices. Thanks to Hussain, they have all started earning a livelihood from the craft. Like Hussain, Abdul Salam Kumar, a potter who has been making pottery goods for the past 45 years, was exhibiting pottery craftsmanship. He said that the craft was witnessing a revival, with people preferring pottery utensils over plastic utensils as it is both environmental-friendly and its usage, unlike plastic, does not have any side effects on health. The earliest evidence of pottery and use of terracotta in Kashmir comes from the Neolithic sites of Burzahom and Gufkral. Over time, pottery-making in Kashmir evolved from early handmade, coarse artefacts to wheel-thrown, burnished, and glazed ware. While Kumar displayed his craftsmanship on the potter's wheel, a dozen-odd young girls expressed keenness to try their hand at the craft. Kumar did not disappoint and shared his expertise with them and helped them craft their own pottery items. He was even generous enough to offer these girls the pottery goods they made on his potter's wheel. At another stall, Mushtaq Ahmad Dar of Kanihama, who weaves Kani shawls, was exhibiting how the Kani shawls are woven. Students from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Srinagar, who were on a study visit, were curious to know about this centuries-old craft, and Dar gave them a demonstration, leaving them mesmerised. Kani shawls, originating from Kanihama village on the outskirts of Srinagar, are woven with small wooden bobbins using colourful Pashmina fibre instead of a shuttle to weave the pattern thread by thread. Nearby, the exhibition stall of Ishfar Ali, a painter and papier-mch instructor at the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, was the cynosure of all eyes, attracting onlookers with his colourful paintings. Ali, who is known for his mastery in realistic portraits, watercolouring, and Islamic calligraphy, said he took to painting after being influenced by famous Kashmiri painter and artist, Masood Hussain. He said that the new generation of educated youth should venture into this field and keep the craft alive with their new and innovative ideas. Kashmir paintings are known to often feature a rich blend of Persian and indigenous Kashmiri styles characterised by vibrant colour landscapes and Islamic calligraphy. Director, Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, Massarat-ul-Islam, said that the department, under its Soulful Kashmir campaign, was organising the Know Your Artisan exhibition to help these artisans and craftspeople connect and interact with buyers and marketing professionals. The idea is to help in the transfer of craftsmanship through these artisans by connecting them to the younger generation and also potential buyers, he said.

Drug abuse a social cancer: LG Sinha

Jammu, Apr 15:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said drug abuse wasn't just a law and order issue but a social cancer requiring every part of society to fight. Speaking at a public meeting in Ramban as part of the drug-free Jammu Kashmir campaign, LG Sinha said, I urge for a 'Whole of Government' and 'Whole of Society' approach. I believe when the governments strength and society's resolve act as one, then even the toughest challenges crumble. He said that for decades, Pakistan had orchestrated drug smuggling into Jammu and Kashmir to fund terrorism and destroy youth. We will map every hotspot. And I promise we will hit each one like a surgical strike. Not a single smuggler will be spared. The entire network will be dismantled, the LG said. He led the walk from District Police Line to District Administrative Complex, Ramban. LG Sinha was joined by public representatives, senior officials of civil and police administration; civil society members, religious leaders, members of business and trade community; ex-servicemen; prominent citizens, various stakeholders, women, students, youth, and people from different walks of life in large number, who were gathered with resolve to eradicate drug addiction at its roots, transform the society, and secure the youth's future. He highlighted society's role in fight against drug menace and called for collective action. If the neighbour's house is on fire, yours is not safe. Because drugs don't spread like flames but they spread like wind. That's why a 'Whole of Society' response is our only real and potent weapon against drug menace. I firmly believe when society stands united behind a cause, the law becomes a thousand times stronger. We must build a society where the dealer fears law, and the one who breaks free from drugs feels proud of themselves, their family, their society, and their government, the LG said. He said history proves that organised societies drive change and women's power plays a crucial role. This fight belongs to mothers and sisters, elders, youth, teachers, panchayats, athletes, and elected representatives alike. It is not the job of just one department. Defeating addiction is our collective responsibility, LG Sinha said. He called upon every panchayat and ward to form women's vigilance committees. Women are the frontline of this war. You know where the household money goes. If anyone in the family showing symptom of addiction, don't hide it. Don't call him a criminal. Call him a patient. But that patient needs society's help, not just four walls, the LG said. He directly addressed the youth and observed that drugs were not cool but slavery to drugs and drug dealers. Channel your energy into sports fields, art, and in study. In schools and colleges, we will make drugs a symbol of cowardice, not cool. Treatment, identification, and rehabilitation will be our priority, LG Sinha said. He said that each drug de-addiction centre must be genuine and equipped with all necessary resources. Strict monitoring of these centres is essential. If any centre is found operating illegally or causing harm to society and the youth, it must be shut down within 24 hours without any hesitation, irrespective of how influential the individual running it. No one should be spared. Action is already underway against all such centres, the LG said. He directed police officials to break drug supply chains, list all Ramban drug traffickers at police stations and dismantle drug networks. The time for silence for society is over. Our divisional and district administration have prepared a comprehensive multi-pronged strategy covering every ward and panchayat. This fight is ours, all of us. If we fail today, future generations won't forgive us. Let us make a pledge today that no drug dealer will find shelter in our village or our street. Every addict will be guided toward healing. Every young person's energy will be channelled toward purpose, LG Sinha said. He also administered the anti-drug pledge and flagged off a bike rally.

Darbar Moves to Srinagar from May 4

Srinagar, Apr 15:The government on Wednesday ordered the annual Darbar Move of offices from Jammu to Srinagar for the Summer Season 2026, laying out a detailed schedule for closure, reopening, transport, security and administrative arrangements. As per Government Order No 786-3K(GAD) of 2026 dated April 15, offices observing a five-day week will close in Jammu on April 30 after office hours, while those following a six-day week will close on May 2. All offices will reopen in Srinagar on May 4. The order states that only 33 per cent of staff strength or a maximum of 10 officials, whichever is less, will move into the camp. The Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) has been directed to provide adequate buses on May 1 and May 3, with bookings to begin from April 20. To ensure smooth transit, each convoy will be accompanied by a crane, two empty buses and mobile workshops to handle breakdowns. J&K Police will escort the convoys and ensure priority passage through key tunnels, including the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel and Banihal-Qazigund Tunnel. Healthcare facilities will be set up along the route at Jhajjar Kotli, Udhampur, Chenani, Ramban, Ramsu, Banihal and Qazigund, with the Health and Medical Education Department tasked with issuing necessary instructions. Employees have been directed not to occupy government or municipal accommodation without proper allotment. However, they may retain their Jammu accommodation for family use under prescribed conditions. Ration counters will also be established in Srinagar for employees undertaking the move. A uniform Special Move Travelling Allowance of Rs 25,000 has been sanctioned for employees shifting within the stipulated timeframe, while advance salary for April will be drawn on April 29. The order further states that leave during the move period will be granted only in exceptional circumstances, though three days of special casual leave will be available to Jammu-based employees opting for it. The General Administration Department will set up the Summer Secretariat in Srinagar, and all departments have been directed to detach attached staff before April 27. Accommodation arrangements in Srinagar will be made as per past practice. Office timings in Srinagar will be from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm for the Civil Secretariat and departments within its premises, and from 10 am to 4:30 pm for offices outside, observing a six-day work week. The move marks the continuation of the Darbar Move practice, which was revived after a four-year hiatus by the NC-led government in November 2025. The tradition, suspended in 2021 by the Lieutenant Governors administration citing high costs of biannual shifting, was restored following a decision by the Omar Abdullah-led government, in line with its electoral promise and subsequent approval by the Lieutenant Governor. The Darbar Move dates back to 1872, when Maharaja Ranbir Singh initiated the practice of shifting the royal court between Srinagar and Jammu to counter extreme weather conditions in both regions.

Govt preparing new industrial incentive policy: CM Omar

Srinagar, Apr 15:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the government was preparing a new industrial incentive policy. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Know Your Artisan exhibition organised by the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, at Kashmir Haat in Srinagar, CM Omar said, The government is working on bringing a new industrial incentive policy. He said that the government was getting proper feedback from both the people who want to set up their industrial units as well as those who had already set up their units. Otherwise, we provide incentives from the top, but it does not translate into benefits for the people working on the ground, the CM said. He said that Kashmiri craftspeople have magic in their hands and urged tourists as well as Kashmiris to attend the Know Your Artisan exhibition. The J&K Industrial Policy 2021-30 along with the Government of India's new scheme for the industrial sector aims to transform J&K into a manufacturing hub, offering 30 percent to 50 percent capital investment incentives up to Rs 7.5 crore. The Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, has brought all Kashmiri crafts, including Kani and Pashmina shawls, chain stitch, copperware, wood carving, papier-mch under a single umbrella, CM Omar said. He said that with the onset of spring, the tourist season had begun in Kashmir, and as the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was set to close on Wednesday, the government was putting in efforts to come up with more experiences to woo tourists. Expressing concern over the decline of traditional markets, the CM said that the heritage marketplace in the area had become defunct over time. Over 80 shops have shut. There is a need to understand where the artisans have gone and how we can bring them back into the system, he said. The new industrial policy aims 100 percent GST-linked incentives for 10 years, 6 percent interest subvention, and 100 percent diesel generator set subsidies to boost investors. The key focus areas include manufacturing, services, and handicrafts, with specific support for MSMEs and women-led units.

Official apathy erodes J&Ks once self-reliant poultry sector

Srinagar, Apr 15:The sharp decline of Jammu & Kashmirs poultry sector - once a model of self-reliance- has brought into focus serious concerns over ease of doing business, with stakeholders pointing to policy disruptions, lack of institutional support and delayed regulatory response as key factors behind the reversal. Until 2014, the sector had achieved nearly 85 per cent self-sufficiency in meeting local demand. This growth was driven by a calibrated policy framework that included the imposition of a toll tax on imported poultry to ensure a level playing field for local producers, along with tax relief on one-day-old chicks. These measures enabled the sector to expand rapidly, creating a robust ecosystem comprising thousands of units and generating large-scale direct and indirect employment across farming, feed supply, transport, veterinary services and local trade networks. However, the post-2014 period marked a turning point, not due to market forces but as a result of policy changes that dismantled the enabling framework without adequate safeguards. The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017, coupled with the abolition of toll and entry taxes, exposed local producers to an influx of cheaper poultry imports from outside markets. This, stakeholders argue, created an uneven competitive environment. Producers in Jammu & Kashmir operate under inherent structural constraints, including higher input costs, dependence on externally sourced day-old chicks and feed, harsh climatic conditions that increase mortality rates, and the absence of integrated infrastructure such as hatcheries and feed mills. Competing with large, vertically integrated producers from other regions under such conditions proved unviable. The consequences were immediate and far-reaching. Local production steadily declined, and a sector that once met the bulk of regional demand now caters to only 1520 per cent of consumption. This shift has pushed the region back into import dependence, resulting in price volatility, supply vulnerabilities and loss of local value addition. The situation worsened further after 2019, when the inflow of dressed and frozen poultry - often from unverified and poorly regulated sources -entered the market unchecked. Over time, this not only eroded the market share of local producers but also raised serious concerns regarding food safety, cold chain integrity and public health. Administrative intervention came only after reports highlighting unhygienic and questionable meat sources surfaced, underscoring a delayed regulatory response. Analysts note that the decline reflects a lack of institutional foresight. At no stage was there a visible effort to assess the likely impact of policy shifts on an existing, functioning and nearly self-sufficient sector. The transition was abrupt, uncalibrated and disconnected from ground realities, leading to systemic disruption. Equally concerning has been the lack of financial and institutional support during the period of stress. Poultry farmers have faced inconsistent and often discouraging responses from the banking system, with no structured accountability despite the sectors importance for agriculture and rural livelihoods. Access to affordable credit, working capital and risk mitigation through insurance has remained uncertain, leaving many units to absorb sustained losses and pushing several towards stagnation or closure. Infrastructure deficiencies have further compounded the crisis. The absence of functional hatcheries, feed mills and parent stock facilities has kept the sector heavily dependent on external suppliers, exposing it to high input costs and frequent supply disruptions. These foundational requirements for long-term viability have remained largely unaddressed. The decline appears particularly paradoxical in light of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), which identifies poultry as a priority segment for transforming farmers into agripreneurs and building enterprise-led value chains. Poultry, with its short production cycles, high labour absorption and strong market demand, aligns closely with this vision and had already demonstrated its potential in the past. However, instead of consolidating these gains, the existing ecosystem was allowed to weaken. The contradiction between policy intent and ground reality is stark. While HADP speaks of strengthening feed infrastructure, hatcheries, credit linkages and market systems, the absence of timely support for existing units has limited its impact on the ground. The fallout has been both economic and social. Thousands of livelihoods have been disrupted, entrepreneurial incomes have weakened, and a significant opportunity for employment generation and trade balance improvement has been compromised. A sector that had the potential to move towards surplus production, processing and even exports has instead slipped into decline. Stakeholders point out that warning signs had been visible for years and concerns repeatedly raised, yet the policy response remained delayed, fragmented and largely reactive. The trajectory of the poultry sector now stands as a cautionary example of how unexamined policy changes and official apathy can undo years of progress. In a region striving for economic resilience, employment generation and self-sufficiency, the decline underscores the critical need for responsive policies, coordinated and grounded in local realities to truly improve ease of doing business.

Govt, Opposition set for delimitation duel in Parliament

New Delhi, Apr 15:The government and the Opposition are set to cross swords in the Lok Sabha on Thursday as a three-day special sitting of Parliament begins with a debate on a key Constitution amendment bill that has provisions for the women's quota law implementation and the contentious delimitation exercise. While the government is set to push The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 as a big-ticket reform, the Opposition has decided to oppose the bill due to its provisions on delimitation. Both sides are rallying support at Centre as well as in states amid concerns in the southern part of the country that a delimitation exercise under the provisions of the bill would reduce their political standing because of a better performance on population control. On the eve of the special three-day sitting of Parliament, top Opposition leaders met here at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss and evolve a joint strategy on the bills brought for the implementation of the womens quota law and delimitation. Besides Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, the other leaders at the meeting included DMK's T R Baalu, the RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, Trinamool Congress's Sagarika Ghosh, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Sanjay Raut and Arvind Sawant, and the NCP-SCP's Supriya Sule, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav joining virtually. CPI leader Annie Raja, the CPI-M's Nilotpal Basu, AAP leader Sanjay Singh, Independent MP Kapil Sibal, the IUML's E T Mohammed Bashir and the RSP's N K Premachandran also attended the meeting, other than Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh. Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Kharge said the Opposition parties decided to unitedly vote against the delimitation provisions in the Constitution amendment bill in Parliament, asserting that they were not against women's reservation but opposed to the politically motivated manner in which the bill was being brought. All Opposition parties want that one-third reservation be given to women, and it be implemented based on the current Lok Sabha strength of 543 for the next general election in 2029, Ramesh told reporters after the meeting. In a post on X, Gandhi alleged that the government's proposed amendments to the Constitution constitute an attempted power grab through the use of delimitation and gerrymandering. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha emphasised that his party would not permit southern, northeastern, northwestern, and smaller states to be treated unfairly. The government plans to bring a Constitution amendment bill, a bill on delimitation law and an enabling bill for Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry -- three Union territories with a legislature -- on Thursday in the Lok Sabha to fast-track implementation of the women's reservation Act of 2023. Lok Sabha seats will be increased to a maximum of 850 from the current 543 to operationalise the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls following a delimitation exercise to be carried out on the basis of the last published census. According to the draft Constitution amendment bill, which will be introduced and is expected to be passed in the upcoming special sitting of Parliament, seats would also be increased in state and Union territory assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women. Amending the Constitution requires a special majority in both Houses of Parliament: a majority of the total membership (more than 50 per cent) and a two-thirds majority of members present and voting. So if all 540 members, that are there in the House currently, are present and voting, the two-thirds majority mark would be 360. The total strength of the NDA in the Lok Sabha stands at 292, while the major Opposition parties have 233 MPs. There is discomfort and growing opposition among southern states over apprehensions that a delimitation would reduce their political weight vis-a-vis their northern counterparts. Two prominent non-BJP chief ministers from the south -- the DMK's M K Stalin (Tamil Nadu) and the Congress's A Revanth Reddy (Telangana) -- have sharpened their attack on the Centre over the issue of delimitation, with the Tamil Nadu CM warning of a massive agitation if the state was harmed and his Telangana counterpart flagging injustice. Reddy has written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to convene an all-party meeting to deliberate on the proposed delimitation, alleging that an increase in Lok Sabha seats based on pro rata, without considering economic contribution, would lead to a distortion in the country's federal balance. Reddy has also written to his counterparts from Andhra Pradesh (Chandrababu Naidu), Karnataka (Siddaramaiah), Kerala (Pinarayi Vijayan), Puducherry (N Rangasamy) and Tamil Nadu, calling for collective engagement among southern states to ensure that their concerns are articulated effectively at the national level. The ruling NDA has also closed ranks and rallied behind the prime minister, pitching the move for early implementation of the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' as a historic step. In a letter to the women of the country, Modi has asserted that Indian democracy will become stronger and more vibrant if elections to the Lok Sabha and the various assemblies in 2029 are held with the women's quota fully in place. Modi said that when women become active participants in policy and decision-making, the journey towards Viksit Bharat (developed India) is strengthened.

Decontrol oil prices and replace cross-subsidies with targeted DBTs for needy households

During recent global crude price volatility linked to West Asia tensions, retail fuel prices in India remained largely unchanged, unlike in other countries or even private retailers, raising questions about the credibility of market-linked pricing.

Hundreds participate in Kudo Martial Arts event in Srinagar

Srinagar, Apr 15: Over 400 students from several schools across Srinagar participated in district-level Kudo martial arts event, highlighting both sporting talent and a strong message against drug abuse among youth. The event, as per the organisers witnessed participation of around 400450 students representing institutions including Presentation Convent, IDPS Zakura, Birla Open Minds, Doon International, Dubai Grand, SSM, and others. Arshad Ahmad, CEO of the organising association while speaking to Greater Kashmir said that the initiative aims to provide a structured and recognised platform for young athletes. He noted that the association is aligned with national-level bodies and follows recognised frameworks, enabling participants to benefit from certification that can support academic admissions and career opportunities. Kudo is a Japanese martial art with multiple categories, allowing a large number of students to participate and grow competitively, he said, adding that such events have been conducted in the region over the past several years, with Srinagar hosting its second district-level competition after a previous edition in Zakura. He said that selected participants from the district-level competition will advance to state-level events, scheduled to be held at the Indoor Stadium, and may eventually represent the region at national competitions, including upcoming events in Pune. Highlighting the broader purpose of such initiatives, Arshad stressed the role of sports in steering youth away from substance abuse. With growing concerns over drug use among youngsters, engaging them in sports is crucial. When children remain involved in constructive activities and see a future in sports, they stay away from harmful influences, he said.

DC Srinagar hands over AI based X-ray units to major City Hospitals to strengthen TB screening

Srinagar, Apr 15: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo today handed over advanced diagnostic equipments, including three Truenat machines and handheld X-ray unit with AI technology to major City hospitals of the district, aimed to significantly enhance early detection and treatment outcomes of tuberculosis. The three Truenat Machines have been sponsored by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) under their CSR initiative. The machines were formally handed over to the Medical Superintendents of Super Speciality Hospital, Children Hospital and District Tuberculosis Office Srinagar in a function held here at Meeting Hall ozf the DC Office Complex. On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner also felicitated senior officers of District Administration, Block Development Officers, Senior functionaries and other healthcare workforce in recognition of a remarkable public health achievement to attain TB-Free Panchayat status in 21 Gram Panchayats in District Srinagar. Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner urged healthcare personnel to continue their dedicated efforts under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and assured full support from the District Administration in sustaining and further advancing these achievements. The DC also expressed gratitude to Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Power Grid Corporation of India for their consistent support under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in providing advanced diagnostic equipments. It is pertinent to highlight that District Srinagar is among the few districts in the country to be conferred with the prestigious Gold Status under the TB Mukt Panchayat initiative for all the 21 gram Panchayats.

Run for Health, Walk for Change: Srinagars Youth unites for Nasha Mukt J&K

Srinagar, Apr 15: It wasnt just about running or walking. It was about reclaiming lives. A powerful wave of unity and determination swept through the heart of Srinagar as the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports J&K, under the direct and compassionate supervision of the departments Director General Anuradha Gupta, organised a heartfelt Mega Unity March and a spirited Mini Marathon. The event was held in close collaboration with the District Administration Srinagar, as part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan. The morning came alive at the historic Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk, where the flag-off ceremony was led by DYSSO Srinagar, Ghulam Hassan Lone, alongside the Chief Education Officer Srinagar Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Bhat. But the real heroes of the day were the young participants over 1,159 determined girls and 718 motivated boyswho poured into the streets with a single, loud message: we choose life over addiction. Parents, teachers, and officials from the Youth Services and Sports Department walked shoulder to shoulder with the students, turning the rally into a true peoples movement. The march concluded at Sher-i-Kashmir Park, where the air was filled not just with exhaustion, but with pride. Winners of the mini marathon were honored with medals, but every participant left with something greater a renewed sense of purpose. This initiative is a vital part of the 100 Days Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan launched by the J&K Administration. Before the actual start of the marathon, every attendee took a solemn anti-drug pledge, a promise to themselves, their families, and their society. Speaking to the gathering, DYSSo Srinagar didnt just deliver a speech; he shared a heartfelt appeal. He spoke of the urgent need to pull the younger generation away from the grip of substance abuse, and urged every student to become a torchbearer of change in their neighborhoods and schools. The event wasnt a one-day affair. It was the beginning. A loud, clear, and hopeful beginning of a drug free Jammu & Kashmir built by its youth and led by its mentors.

CM rededicates renovated War Memorial at JAK LI Regimental Centre

Srinagar, Apr 15:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today rededicated the renovated War Memorial and attended the 78th Raising Day celebrations of the Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) Regimental Centre at Srinagar. The programme was held at the Regimental Centre, where the Chief Minister, as Chief Guest, unveiled the renovated War Memorial and participated in a wreath-laying ceremony to pay homage to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the nation. The function was attended by several distinguished dignitaries, including former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Colonel of the JAK LI Regiment Lt. Gen. Manish Erry, Chief of Staff 15 Corps Maj Gen Saurabh Sharma, GOC 31 Sub Area Maj Gen Abhijit Mitra, Commandant JAK LI Regimental Centre Srinagar Brig. Ved Beniwal and Officers of the Regiment. The Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment, one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army, has a rich legacy of valour and sacrifice. Originating from the J&K Militia raised during the 1947 conflict, the Regiment has played a pivotal role in major military operations, including the wars of 1965 and 1971, Operation Meghdoot in Siachen, and Operation Vijay during the Kargil conflict. The Regimental Centre has also been recognised for its outstanding training standards and its contribution to shaping a new generation of disciplined and committed soldiers.

Indias gig economy boom must start working for the women behind it

Female gig workers face challenges like limited mobility and financial access. Initiatives providing affordable asset finance and tailored savings products are crucial. These interventions empower women, increasing their income and job opportunities. Scaling these solutions can unlock the full potential of India's female gig workforce, fostering economic security and inclusivity for a brighter future.

KDA calls for resumption of talks with MHA

Kargil, Apr 15: The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has rejected the proposal of a Territorial Council for Ladakh and reiterated that that their primary demands remain the restoration of statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to safeguard the regions land, jobs, and cultural identity. KDA leaders firmly opposed the proposal of any territorial council, stating that it does not address the aspirations of the people. Addressing a press conference, The Kargil Democratic Alliance on Wednesday called for the immediate resumption of talks, asserting that it remains open to any fresh proposal from the Centre, excluding council-based arrangements. The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), along with the Leh Apex Body (LAB), is jointly spearheading an agitation for statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh, following its separation from Jammu and Kashmir and the grant of Union territory status in 2019. The two groups have been engaged in talks with the Centre since 2021. If the government of India brings any new proposal other than territorial, regional, or any council-based framework we are ready to discuss it with an open mind and open heart, KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai told reporters here. Flanked by senior leaders, including Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa Jan and Sajjad Kargili, Karbalai said the KDA has conveyed to the Centre that its core demands of statehood and Sixth Schedule are non-negotiable and represent the constitutional rights and aspirations of the people. At the same time, he said, the leadership underscores its willingness to engage constructively. No further action has been taken after the last meeting on February 4. The government of India, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), had promised that the next meeting would be convened within 10-15 days, where Ladakhis aspirations and demands would be considered seriously and sincerely. However, that day has not come yet, Karbalai said. We have been engaging in talks with the MHA in good faith since 2021, and we continue to do so, he added. Referring to their recent meeting with Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, Karbalai said they made it clear that if the government is serious and sincere, and truly intends to consider the aspirations of the people of Ladakh, it should immediately initiate the dialogue process. Ladakh MP, Haneefa Jan, stressed that issues must be resolved through sustained and meaningful dialogue rather than limited interactions that yield no concrete outcomes. It is not our intention to create unrest. The priority is that dialogue should begin as soon as possible. And once the dialogue starts, it should not be limited to just one meeting with two or three hours of discussion, which does not lead to any concrete outcome. The process must continue consistently, Jan said. Sajad Kargili highlighted the absence of constitutional safeguards and meaningful democratic representation in Ladakh, stating that the region continues to lack a proper democratic voice. Ladakh has long lacked adequate safeguards. Even today, there are no constitutional protections in place. The government had promised inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, but that commitment remains unfulfilled. Moreover, democratic rights remain largely absent, with democracy effectively missing in Ladakh for the past six years, Kargili claimed. Pressing for the resumption of talks, he said their experience with the government had been unsatisfactory, citing a gap between assurances and action, with promised timelines often delayed by months. The dialogue must resume, and it must be meaningful, Kargili said. The leaders also said they urged L-G Saxena to release the detained youth and withdraw the cases stemming from the September 24 violence in Leh last year as a goodwill measure to restore trust and facilitate talks.

Women reservation bill to end struggle for political representation for women: LoP Sunil Sharma

Jammu, Apr 15:Leader of Opposition (LoP) in J&K Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma Wednesday, while crediting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing revolutionary Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, asserted that it (Bill) ended a protracted struggle to ensure rightful political representation for women in the country. He was addressing Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Mahila Samvad organised by an amalgam of womens organisations at the Central Mahajan Sabha, Shalamar Road, Jammu. The initiative by J&K Bharatiya Janata Party was aimed at expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring enhanced political representation for women through the historic Naari Shakti Vandan Act, 2023. Sunil Sharma asserted that the Modi government fundamentally transformed the discourse on women empowerment, from symbolic inclusion to real, institutional participation. He emphasised that while previous governments kept the issue of womens reservation entangled in political deadlock, it was Prime Minister Narendra Modis strong will and commitment that translated this long-pending demand into reality. In a strong endorsement of womens political empowerment, the Leader of Opposition hailed the Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 as a historic and visionary reform driven by the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It marks the culmination of decades of struggle to ensure rightful political representation for women. Delaying womens representation weakens the very foundation of democracy and the Modi governments push for early implementation of the Act reflects its seriousness in ensuring inclusive governance, he said. Sunil Sharma, who graced the occasion as special guest, remarked that the legislation completed the journey from social and economic empowerment to full political empowerment of women, laying the foundation for a stronger, more balanced democracy. The event witnessed the participation of a wide cross-section of women representation from society including five Inner Wheel teams, ex-DDCs, ex-BDCs, ex-Councillors, former Sarpanches, ex-Panchs, heads and members, Self-Help Groups, social activists, members of Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Durga Vahini, Modi Jagran Manch, WWAO, BJP Mahila Morcha, advocates, doctors and citizens from different walks of life. Prominent among those present on the occasion included BJP J&K vice president and former minister Priya Sethi, BJP spokespersons Purnima Sharma (former Deputy Mayor) and Rajni Sethi, Veenu Khanna, Veena Handa, Amita Sharma, Saavmya Pramukh besides others. Purnima Sharma, in coordination with other women organisations organised the whole event. Earlier, welcoming the gathering, Purnima Sharma, termed the Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam a historic structural reform, stating that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India moved from women development to women-led development, ensuring womens rightful place in governance. Ritu Singh, entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of Delhi Public Schools said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a decades-old demand for womens political reservation was fulfilled. She highlighted that earlier attempts had failed due to political deadlock, but this legislation paved the way for equal participation of women in governance. She remarked that the Act would lay the foundation for a stronger and more inclusive democracy. Varsha Bansal, chairperson of FICCI FLO J&K-Ladakh, elaborated on the core provisions of the Act, stating that the legislation aimed at providing 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, including within SC and ST reserved seats, made possible under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She highlighted that despite women forming nearly 50 percent of Indias population, their representation in Parliament remained around 1314percent, calling the Act a much-needed corrective step. She said the move from 14 percent to 33 percent represented a structural correction in Indian democracy and would ensure inclusive and balanced governance. Educationist Anthony emphasised that the Act, brought under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would go beyond representation and had the potential to transform governance outcomes. She noted that greater participation of women would strengthen sectors like education, healthcare, nutrition and social welfare. She said, India, which currently lags behind the global average of womens representation, will benefit significantly from this reform. The initiative will inspire young girls to aspire for leadership roles. A representative from Vidyarthi Parishad stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, a long-pending reform was finally realised after decades of delay. Referring to the success of womens reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions, the speaker said the Act would take the empowerment from grassroots to Parliament and urged youth to support this transformation. The speakers also highlighted that under the policies and initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, women empowerment was strengthened across sectorsbe it financial inclusion, social dignity, healthcare support, or economic opportunitiesand the Act would be a natural extension of those efforts into political representation.

Lok Bhavan J&K marks Himachal Pradesh Foundation Day with cultural fervour

Jammu, Apr 15:Jammu Kashmir Lok Bhavan on Wednesday celebrated the Foundation Day of Himachal Pradesh, at Jammu. The cultural evening, as per an official statement, celebrating the spirit of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat', was attended by students, senior officials, and the people of Himachal Pradesh living in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir, who were the special invitees on the occasion. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha extended his heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of Himachal Pradesh. Cultural confluence on Himachal Diwas build the bedrock of a strong nation. When citizens and artists from varied states intertwine traditions, they weave invisible threads that bind civilization together, the Lieutenant Governor said. Paying tribute to the iconic personalities of Himachal Pradesh, the Lieutenant Governor said that the state's history brims with richness and diversity and spirituality and rituals anchor Himachal Pradesh's social fabric. Himachal Pradesh's sacred earth, cradle of sages' austerities, abounds in ancient heritage and temples. Pilgrims worldwide revere its every stone as infused with divine energy. The state's history, indigenous culture, arts, and architecture stand pristine and many masterpieces are untouched across millennia. Centuries of traditions have gifted Himachal Pradesh unparalleled folk arts, dances, and songs, he said. The Lieutenant Governor emphasized that India stands as a rare treasure trove of pluralism with diverse languages, cuisines, customs, and art forms. He urged the people to embrace and share this vibrant mosaic, sustained by endless community celebrations. The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative aptly recognizes cultural exchange as a dynamic catalyst for prosperity. When local festivities transcend borders, they captivate citizens and spawn livelihoods. Interstate collaboration equips small communities with platforms and resources to scale their events, amplifying both reach and pride. A village's art, admired nationwide, yields not just income but enduring honor, the Lieutenant Governor said. On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor also released the activity calendar of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.

CS sets outcome-driven agenda for 100-Day Nasha Mukt J&K Campaign

Jammu, Apr 15:Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high-level meeting to review the implementation of the UT-wide 100 Days Nasha Mukt J&K campaign, which was kick-started by the Lieutenant Governor on April 11 from MA Stadium, Jammu. The meeting was attended by all Administrative Secretaries designated as District Mentors by the Government, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir, Director, Information, Director, School Education, Jammu/Kashmir; HoDs from Social Welfare and Health Departments along with Deputy Commissioners of all districts. Emphasising the importance of the initiative, the Chief Secretary called upon all stakeholders to transform the campaign into a mass movement reaching every household across Jammu and Kashmir. He underscored the need for a robust and result-oriented implementation plan to be prepared by each department and district for execution during the three-month campaign period. Taking a detailed review, the Chief Secretary sought inputs from each District Mentor and Deputy Commissioner regarding their respective calendars of activities planned during the campaign. He directed that all Panchayats and Urban Local Body wards must be covered to ensure no area remains untouched. Highlighting the need to make the campaign outcome-driven, he directed that data generated during these 100 days be distinctly captured on the Nasha Mukt J&K portal of the Information Department. He asked the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to handhold the districts in uploading and maintaining real-time data. He stressed that measurable outcomes such as number of people reached, victims counselled, treated or rehabilitated, and action taken against drug peddlers must be systematically recorded and showcased. The Chief Secretary further directed key departments, including Health, Social Welfare and Home, to intensify their efforts during this period and work towards achieving quantifiable targets. He also called for a comprehensive review of all Drug De-Addiction Centres to assess the availability of facilities and ensure adherence to prescribed norms and standards. Principal Secretary, Home, Chandraker Bharti, emphasised strengthening enforcement alongside Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities. He highlighted the need to popularise the Tele-MANAS helpline among affected individuals and proposed its integration with the emergency response number 112 for centralised monitoring. He also encouraged citizens to report drug-related activities, assuring that their identities would be kept confidential. He further stressed adherence to directions issued during UT-level NCORD meetings and asked districts to regularly review their implementation during the campaign. He informed that all such directions would be shared with District Mentors and field functionaries for effective execution. Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sarmad Hafeez, presented a detailed overview of the three-month campaign, which commenced with a Padh Yatra led by the Lieutenant Governor. He informed that the campaign aims to reach every district through extensive awareness and mobilisation programmes. Departments have been directed to prepare specific action plans with a focus on participation of students and youth, NCC/NSS volunteers, NYKs, Scouts and Guides, PRIs and elected representatives, he added. He further informed that a key component of the campaign involves intensified action by law enforcement agencies against drug trafficking networks in a mission mode. Elaborating on the guidelines, he stated that districts will identify and refer drug abuse victims to Drug De-Addiction Centres and Addiction Treatment Facilities in coordination with the Health Department, while also engaging influencers, sportspersons and youth icons for awareness generation. The campaign will focus on youth mobilisation, hotspot interventions, and activities at schools, colleges, Panchayats and urban wards. Wide publicity will be ensured through print, electronic and social media in coordination with the Information Department. He also informed that each district will nominate a nodal officer for coordination, monitoring and reporting. A robust daily reporting mechanism will be established with uploading of reports, photographs and videos on the Nasha Mukt J&K portal to ensure comprehensive coverage of all Panchayats and wards without exception.

AJKSA delegation meets Iranian Ambassador, expresses solidarity

New Delhi, Apr 15:A delegation of the All J&K Shia Association (AJKSA), led by its President Molvi Imran Ansari, visited the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi and met Ambassador H.E. Dr Mohammad Fathali. The delegation also met Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, representative of Irans Supreme Leader in India. A statement said that the delegation expressed deep condolences over the martyrdom of Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei and other individuals who lost their lives in recent incidents in Iran. They also paid tribute to children killed in an attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls Elementary School in Minab. Prayers and Surah Al-Fatiha were offered for the departed souls. Speaking on the occasion, Molvi Imran Ansari said the people of Jammu & Kashmir share a deep emotional and spiritual bond with Iran and its leadership. He said Irans resilience and commitment to justice continue to inspire people across the region. Ansari said he conveyed solidarity with Iran on behalf of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, adding that contributions made by Kashmiris reflect their unity and faith. He also reiterated that Kashmiris have consistently supported oppressed communities, including Palestine, and would continue to extend moral and humanitarian support. Ambassador Mohammad Fathali thanked the people of Kashmir for their support and contributions, stating that such gestures would not be forgotten. He also acknowledged the assistance extended by the Government of India, particularly the supply of essential medical aid, including shipments of medicines, during difficult times in Iran. The delegation also prayed for unity among Muslims and for peace across the world, particularly for the people of Palestine and Lebanon. The delegation included AJKSA Vice President Molvi Irfan Ansari, spokespersons Sheikh Zakiri and Syed Taib Rizvi.

J&K GMCs fail to match faculty requirements with rapid seat expansion

Srinagar, Apr 15:Even as MBBS seat capacity in Jammu & Kashmirs Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) has expanded significantly over the past four years, the absence of a matching increase in faculty and infrastructure has raised serious concerns over the quality of medical education and compliance with National Medical Commission (NMC) norms. The number of MBBS seats in the Union Territory has increased by 1,676from 1,085 seats in government medical collegesyet faculty strength and facilities have not kept pace with this expansion. GMCs across J&K are grappling with substantial shortages in teaching and support staff. With the NMC tightening regulatory standards, these gaps could have serious implications, including risks to accreditation and future seat approvals. The extent of these shortages was recently highlighted in the J&K Assembly. The Parliamentary Standing Committee, in its 172nd report, has lauded the overall increase in MBBS and MD seats across the country. However, it has emphasised the need for uniformity in facultystudent and patientstudent ratios across medical institutions to ensure quality and consistency in medical education. This will further strengthen the quality and consistency of medical education in the country, the Committee noted, adding that such uniformity would promote equitable clinical exposure, adequate academic mentorship, and consistent training opportunities. As per NMC norms, faculty strength must correspond to student intake. For instance, a 150-seat medical college requires over 200 teaching faculty members and residents combined, along with department-wise staffing benchmarks. However, an analysis of official data reveals wide gaps between sanctioned and actual staff strength across GMCs in J&K. At GMC Srinagar, nearly 1,300 posts remain vacant, including 193 Assistant Professors. Despite an increase in MBBS and MD seats, the large number of unfilled teaching positions raises concerns about the quality of medical training. GMC Jammu faces 366 vacancies among doctors, including 84 Assistant Professors. At GMC Anantnag, 222 posts are vacant, including 63 Assistant Professors, while GMC Baramulla has 258 vacancies out of 482 sanctioned posts, including 65 faculty positions. At SKIMS Soura, 250 faculty positions are vacant, and SKIMS Bemina has 132 vacancies. GMC Rajouri is also facing a significant staff crunch, with 309 vacancies out of 804 sanctioned posts. This includes 62 faculty posts and 36 registrar/tutor positions. The situation at GMC Udhampur is equally concerning, with 183 out of 242 posts lying vacant, including 39 Assistant Professors. At GMC Handwara, around 600 posts are vacant, including 83 Assistant Professors. With the Parliamentary panel pushing for uniform standards and the NMC intensifying inspections, the medical education system in J&K is under increasing pressure. Experts believe that expedited recruitment of faculty and strengthening of infrastructure are essential to ensure quality medical education and sustain the recent expansion in seat capacity.

The Sage Guides

The moral lesson from the story of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali (R.A.) is that all of us are born to serve humanity. The aim of our existence is to serve people in one or the other form. All of us are different from each other so are our ways of serving people. Some dedicate their whole life to the service of people. Some do selfless attempts for the betterment of needy. Some work hard to make worthwhile inventions in order to bring ease to life. Whichever way once chooses to serve, one should never forget the principles of truth, justice, love and sacrifice - as all of these are pillars of a happy and spiritually blissed life. The story of this pious sage reveals the fact that whatever be the circumstances we always need to survive the situation. In tough times one should never lose hope, one should always put trust in God. Because hardship comes to those who are chosen by God. So never ever leave a single opportunity to prove yourself. By analyzing all the legendary, remarkable attempts of Shaikh Noor -ud- Din Wali, we come to know that spiritual happiness and contentment of soul can be attained only through worship - connecting to the Lord.

Shaping Words, Shaping Futures

Every journey of self-discovery begins with a decisive step, mine led me to the Greater Kashmir School of Communication (GKSC). What began as a desire to refine my abilities gradually unfolded into a transformative experience, one that reshaped my identity as a writer, editor, and communicator. My time at GKSC extended far beyond academics; it became a journey of intellectual growth, professional discipline, and creative awakening. With a background in English Literature, I arrived with a deep appreciation for language and storytelling. Yet, it was at GKSC that this passion acquired direction and purpose. The institution fostered a dynamic learning environment where theory seamlessly intersected with practice. Through engaging lectures, thought-provoking discussions, and hands-on assignments, I developed the confidence and clarity required to navigate the evolving landscape of media and communication. A defining aspect of my experience was the rigorous refinement of my writing and editorial skills. From crafting articles to editing content and articulating ideas, each task demanded precision, critical thinking, and adaptability. This process cultivated in me a keen eye for detail, a command over language, and an understanding of impactful storytelling competencies that continue to inform my professional aspirations. Beyond the classroom, GKSC played a crucial role in strengthening my confidence and expanding my perspective. Meaningful interactions with mentors and peers enriched my understanding of the media ecosystem and deepened my ability to communicate with authenticity and intent. The intellectually stimulating environment encouraged me to explore my creative instincts and embrace challenges with conviction. Equally significant were the values the institution instilled, professionalism, discipline, and ethical responsibility. GKSC underscored that media and journalism are not merely career paths but powerful instruments for shaping narratives, influencing public discourse, and amplifying underrepresented voices. In reflection, GKSC stands as a pivotal chapter in my journey one that transformed passion into purpose. It enabled me to evolve from a student of literature into a confident communicator equipped to inform, engage, and inspire. More than an institution, it was a catalyst that refined my voice, sharpened my vision, and laid a strong foundation for my future. As I step into the professional world, I carry forward not only the skills and knowledge I gained but also a renewed belief in the power of words to create meaningful impact.

A Seat inside the Temple of Democracy

For nearly four decades, the idea of reserving seats for women in India s legislative bodies has remained a recurring promiseraised in debates, acknowledged across party lines, yet rarely translated into action. Our democracy takes pride in being inclusive, participatory, and representative. However, the representation of women is one gap that continues to stand out. Women who make up nearly half the population, are still far from equally represented in the country s political institutions. As Parliament gears for holding special session, from 16 th -18 th April 2026, the issue of women s reservation in legislature returns with renewed urgency. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or Women Reservation Act passed in 2023, which provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, was widely welcomed and received support from across the political parties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while introducing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam bill in Parliament in 2023, described it as a historic step towards strengthening Nari Shakti . But passing a law is only the first step. What matters now is whether political parties are willing to come together and ensure that it is implemented in both letter and spirit from 2029 Lok Sabha elections onwards. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his recent address on this issue stated that delay in implementation of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam would be unfair to women. Prime Minister called for collective, cross-party cooperation to implement the law as a national duty rather than a political issue. Equity and Not the Favour: Women which constitute around 50% of the population currently hold only about 14% of seats in the Lok Sabha. This is not because women do not have capability or lack interest in politics but because of limited access to resources, fewer opportunities within party structures, and social expectations that still make public life harder for women. Reservation, in this context, is not about giving special treatment, it is about correcting an imbalance that has existed in India for over decades. From the freedom struggle to the decisions of the Constituent Assembly, womens power has made immense contributions to laying the foundation of independent India. During the freedom movement, Sarojini Naidu inspired people across the country, while Aruna Asaf Ali became a symbol of courage during the Quit India Movement. Kasturba Gandhi, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur etc., played a crucial role in mobilizing women at a time when stepping into public life was itself a challenge. Even after independence, the women who were given opportunities for representation did outstanding work for the country. From President to Prime Minister, wherever women have served, they have created their own legacy. Even today, from the President to the Finance Minister, women hold key positions in our country. They have enhanced both the dignity and the pride of the nation. Smt. Indira Gandhi led the country for more than a decade and demonstrated that women have equal capability to be able leader and administrator. It was under her leadership that initiatives like Green Revolution, Operation Smiling Buddha took place. It was under Indira Gandhi that India defeated Pakistan in 1971 and helped in creation of Bangladesh. Our Current President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Late Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, Former Speaker of Lok Sabha Meera Kumari, current Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Current and former Chief Ministers like Mamata Banerjee, Rekha Gupta, Vasundhra Raje, Mayawati, Jayalalithaa, Mehbooba Mufti to name a few have shown different styles of leadership, but each have left a deep impact and have demonstrated how women can reshape politics in a better way provided they are given opportunity. Current Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently presented the record 9 th consecutive budget in Parliament. It is under her tenure as Finance Minister India has become the 4 th largest economy in the world. These examples show it is not about capability but about getting opportunity. Lessons from other Countries and within the Country Other countries offer useful lessons. Rwanda, for example, has one of the highest levels of women s representation in Parliament and has made notable progress in areas like healthcare and education. Countries such as Sweden and Norway, where women are well represented in politics, consistently perform well on human development indicators. Closer to India, Bangladesh s system of reserved seats has helped bring attention to issues like girls education and maternal health. These experiences suggest that when women are part of decision-making in meaningful numbers, governance often becomes more balanced and responsive. At the local level, we have already seen what women reservation can achieve. In our country, over 14 lakh women are currently serving in local bodies, with participation reaching nearly 50 per cent in several states. Women in Panchayati Raj institutions have often focused on everyday concernswater, sanitation, schools, and healthcare. The implementations of Jal Jeevan Mission in villages is prime example of leadership skills of women at the local level. Conclusion Prime Minister Narender Modi in his letter addressed to the women of the country stated that women are already shaping Indias progress in multiple fields, startups, science, education, arts, sports, and grassroots entrepreneurship. He pointed to the rise of women-led startups, achievements of women athletes, and the success of self-help groups and Lakhpati Didis as proof of Indias changing social and economic landscape. He said this growing contribution naturally strengthens the case for greater political representation . The upcoming special session of Parliament offers a rare opportunity for implementation of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam from 2029 . Women s reservation is not an issue that belongs to any one party or ideology. It is a shared democratic responsibility. At a time when politics is often sharply divided, this is one area where consensus is both possible and necessary. Supporting women s reservation does not weaken political competitionit strengthens democratic legitimacy. For too long, women have been present in the story of Indian politics, but not equally present in its institutions. The 2023 law opened the door, what would happen now will depend on whether political parties are willing to walk through it together and support the amendments in the upcoming special session for its implementation from 2029 onwards . As Prime Minister Shri Narendera Modi rightly said that The daughters of India cannot be asked to wait endlessly for what is rightfully theirs. When the voice of women becomes stronger in our legislatures, the voice of democracy itself becomes stronger, If democracy is to truly represent the people, then it must begin by ensuring that women are not just participants, but equal partners in shaping the nation s future. If representation in legislatures is important, representation in the executive is equally crucial. There is a strong case for ensuring that important ministerial positions are also held by women, both at the Union and state levels. After all, it is within the executive that key decisions are taken and policies are implemented. Without adequate presence there, representation risks remaining incomplete.

A Pulse of Hope

This April marks a significant milestone in the healthcare landscape of Jammu and Kashmir as the Gauri Kaul Foundation (GKF) celebrates its fifth anniversary. What began as a grassroots level initiative to tackle cardiac care gaps has evolved into a robust non-governmental organization that has transformed thousands of lives across the region. The Foundations journey started with the Gauri Healthy Heart Project, a mission defined by its reach into the most difficult terrains. Early diagnostic camps brought specialist care to underserved areas, including Dudi village in Machil (Kupwara), Kremshore and Ringzabal in Budgam, and the backwaters of Dal Lake. The project also extended its compass to the Leper Home in Bhagwanpora on the banks of Nigeen lake, Banihal, and the Jagti Migrant Colony in Jammu , ensuring that no community was left behind due to geography or social standing. As the project transitioned into the GKF, its infrastructure expanded rapidly. In collaboration with the Rashtriya Rifles and Helpline Humanity, the Foundation established vital Telemedicine units in Machil and Jagti, bridging the gap between remote villages and expert consultants. The unit in Machil has been incorporated with the Sahi Memorial Hospital with admission facilities and run by the Rashtriya Rifles and is meant for health care of all the surrounding villages. Today, the Foundation operates two premier facilities: The Gauri Heart Centre in Srinagar and the Prasad Joo Heart Centre in Village Hawal. The Hawal centre, located strategically beyond Pulwama near Shopian, has become a lifeline for a population of approximately 1.2 million across the districts of Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam. Its reputation for excellence even draws patients from Rajouri and Poonch via the Mughal Road. The GKF model prioritizes a complete care philosophy: providing thorough investigation, precise diagnosis, and empathetic treatment delivered by a highly trained team of physicians and technical staff. In 2025, the Foundation launched the IOCL-Heart Clinic on Wheels, a mobile diagnostic powerhouse. This initiative takes non-invasive investigations and point-of-care blood tests directly to the doorstep of those in outreach areas. The mobile unit is instrumental in the early diagnosis of heart failure, diabetes, and pre-diabetes, utilizing advanced bio-markers to detect muscle damage. A cornerstone of this mobile service is the School Heart Screening Program. By conducting on-site physical exams, ECGs, and echocardiograms, GKF has already evaluated around 750 school children in South Kashmir, catching potential cardiac issues at the earliest possible stage. The unit also has started the mission of visiting the community Health and Wellness Centres in South Kashmir districts. The aim is to find gaps in the treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes and existing heart disease. No fees are charged for carrying out investigations like echocardiography and point of care blood tests. A three monthly follow up of these patients will be done. The long-term plan is to expand to all the 20 districts as per a calculated sample size. A final report will be generated and submitted to the health authorities of the UT for pointing out the areas needing attention. For carrying out all these activities the foundation is sustained by the wisdom of our directors and trustees which include Mrs Devaki Jain, Mr M A Pathan, Mr Amod Kanth and Mrs Meera Shah whose guidance remains our North Star, our selfless volunteers and generous supporters especially the Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Oil and Natural Gas corporation and the Interventional Cardiology Foundation of India. We invite more philanthropic organizations to be part of this pulse of change. Our endeavour is that no heart is left behind due to poverty or distance. To commemorate these achievements, the GKF will release a comprehensive Five-Year Report during its Foundation Day celebrations on April 17th. The Path Ahead While the last five years have been defined by a sustained growth and response to the healthcare needs of the outreach areas of the valley, the foundations leadership looks toward a future of sustainability. The years ahead will focus on deepening existing programs, extending geographical reach, and strengthening the institutional foundations necessary to ensure GKF remains a permanent sanctuary for heart health in the region.

Law, Governance, and AI

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) marks one of the most consequential transformations of the 21st century. No longer confined to laboratories or speculative fiction, AI now permeates governance, commerce, security, and everyday life. It shapes how we communicate, how we are policed, how opportunities are allocated, and even how truth itself is constructed in the digital age. This expanding technological domainan empire of algorithms, data, and automated decision-makinghas brought with it immense promise, but also profound risks to human rights. The central question before policymakers and societies is whether this empire will be governed by the enduring values of human dignity and liberty, or whether it will erode them in subtle but irreversible ways. The modern human rights framework, articulated through instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights under the aegis of the United Nations, is premised on the inherent dignity and equality of all individuals. However, AI systems increasingly mediate access to rightsbe it employment, healthcare, finance, or justice. When algorithms determine who gets a loan, who is shortlisted for a job, or who is flagged as a security risk, they are not merely technical tools; they are instruments of power. If left unchecked, this concentration of decision-making authority in opaque systems risks undermining the very foundations of equality before the law and procedural fairness. Among the most pressing concerns is the right to privacy. AI thrives on datavast quantities of itoften collected, processed, and analyzed without meaningful consent. From facial recognition technologies deployed in public spaces to predictive analytics that infer personal behavior, the scope of surveillance has expanded dramatically. While governments justify such measures in the name of national security or administrative efficiency, the potential for abuse is undeniable. Mass surveillance regimes, enabled by AI, can chill free expression and dissent, fundamentally altering the relationship between citizens and the state. Regulatory frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation offer important safeguards, but global standards remain fragmented and unevenly enforced. Equally significant is the problem of algorithmic bias. AI systems are trained on historical data, which often reflects entrenched social and economic inequalities. As a result, these systems can reproduce and even amplify discrimination. Instances of biased facial recognition misidentifying individuals from certain ethnic backgrounds, or hiring algorithms disadvantaging women, are well documented. Such outcomes strike at the heart of the right to non-discrimination, raising questions about fairness, accountability, and the ethical limits of automation. Addressing bias requires not only technical fixes but also a deeper commitment to inclusivity in data collection, model design, and institutional oversight. The opacity of AI systems compounds these concerns. Many advanced algorithms operate as black boxes, producing decisions without offering intelligible explanations. This lack of transparency undermines the right to due process, particularly when AI is used in high-stakes domains such as criminal justice, immigration control, or welfare distribution. Individuals affected by such decisions often have little recourse to challenge them, creating a democratic deficit in governance. Emerging regulatory initiatives, including the EU AI Act, seek to impose obligations of transparency, risk assessment, and human oversight. Yet, the effectiveness of such measures will depend on their implementation and the willingness of states and corporations to adhere to them in spirit, not merely in form. The impact of AI on labor ri ghts introduces another layer of complexity. Automation is reshaping the global workforce, displacing traditional jobs while creating new forms of employment that are often precarious and poorly regulated. Gig economy platforms, driven by algorithmic management, blur the boundaries between employer and contractor, raising concerns about job security, fair wages, and working conditions. The right to work, enshrined in international human rights law, must be reinterpreted in this new context. Governments must invest in reskilling, education, and social protection systems to ensure that technological advancement does not exacerbate inequality or marginalization. Freedom of expression, a cornerstone of democratic societies, is also being redefined in the AI era. Content moderation algorithms play a critical role in shaping online discourse, determining what content is amplified, restricted, or removed. While such systems are necessary to combat misinformation, hate speech, and harmful content, they also carry the risk of overreach and censorship. Moreover, AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media pose new challenges to the integrity of information ecosystems, threatening to erode public trust and manipulate political processes. Safeguarding freedom of expression in this context requires transparent moderation policies, accountability mechanisms, and a commitment to pluralism. At a broader level, the governance of AI raises fundamental questions about power and accountability in a digital age. A handful of technology corporations wield enormous influence over AI development and deployment, often operating beyond the effective reach of national regulators. This concentration of power necessitates a rethinking of global governance frameworks. Institutions such as UNESCO have emphasized the need for ethical AI principles grounded in human rights, inclusivity, and sustainability. However, translating these principles into enforceable norms remains a work in progress. The Global South, including countries like India, faces unique challenges and opportunities in navigating the AI-human rights nexus. On one hand, AI can be a powerful tool for developmentenhancing public service delivery, improving healthcare outcomes, and expanding access to education. On the other hand, weak regulatory frameworks and limited institutional capacity can exacerbate vulnerabilities, particularly for marginalized communities. Indias evolving data protection regime and its approach to digital governance will play a crucial role in shaping how AI impacts human rights in the years to come. Ultimately, the question is not whether AI will transform societyit already hasbut how that transformation will be governed. The metaphor of an empire is instructive: empires can either be instruments of order and progress or engines of domination and inequality. The AI empire, if left unchecked, risks becoming the latter. Yet, with thoughtful regulation, ethical design, and democratic oversight, it can be harnessed to advance human rights and human flourishing. The path forward requires a multi-stakeholder approach. Governments must enact robust legal frameworks that prioritize transparency, accountability, and rights protection. Technology companies must embrace ethical responsibility, integrating human rights considerations into the design and deployment of AI systems. Civil society must remain vigilant, advocating for the rights of those most affected by technological change. And international cooperation must be strengthened to address the transnational nature of AI challenges. In conclusion, human rights must serve as the compass guiding the development and governance of artificial intelligence. The values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are not relics of a bygone era; they are enduring principles that must be reaffirmed in the face of new technological realities. The empire of AI is still being built. Whether it becomes a force for emancipation or a mechanism of control will depend on the choices we make today.

Bleeding through pen

To write is to cut your vein and bleed. To witness the shades of black and grey emerge from that blood. To notice each cell dance, squirm in pain, crave endless connection, wallow in loneliness, and dissolve as if it never existed. To write is to dissect the widening gap between your emerging personas. To understand the dissonance. To crave synchronization. To beg for a guiding light. To refuse to let hope die. To write is to construct something that might pierce the wall of agony eating away at you. To build a scaffold against a collapsing life. To water your heart on fire. To loosen the noose, if only for a moment. To taste a fleeting normalcy before slipping back into chaos. To write is to capitalize on your ups and downs. To turn them into a commodity. To relish recognition. To crave feedback. To feel connected, yet feel alone. To live off reality. To walk into the unknown. To touch thorns. To lie on roses. To hear roars, shrieks, and melody. To live in paradise. And hell at once. To write is to offer prescriptions of all kinds. To shoot forth what we cannot follow. To teach swimming while drowning. To urge others for a climb while struggling to take a step. To reveal gaps while living with your void. To love people. And to dissolve just as quietly. To write is to return to instincts long murdered. To embrace subjectivity. To lose control. To unleash the animal in you. To darken the page with the shadow long carried. To accept that humans arent arithmetic but unpredictable, unfixed, and alive. To write is to bleed quietly. Treat it lightly, and it will expose you.

Haamid Bukhari posted as ROC J&K

Srinagar, Apr 15: Syed Haamid Bukhari, a notable officer of Indian Corporate Law Service Cadre, recruited through UPSC All India Civil Services Examination 2016, has been posted as Registrar of Companies (ROC) for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. A native of J&K, Haamid is a Management graduate from IUST Awantipora & has a PGD in Business and Allied laws from NLSIU Bangalore. Before clearing All India Civil Services Examination in 2016, he was pursuing his Masters in Politics and International Relations from Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi. With over eight years in Government of India, he has served in Srinagar and New Delhi, including as Deputy ROC Srinagar, where he is credited for making effectively operational the Ministry of Corporate Affairs field office in Kashmir in 2019 post-Article 370 abrogation. He also served as Deputy Official Liquidator attached to the High Court of J&K and Ladakh. Currently in the Northern Directorate of the Ministry, he primarily oversees corporate fraud investigations, inspections, DIN scrutiny, and few security related clearances besides handling the significant corporate governance policy matters as well as leading the enforcement actions. He is also the Nodal Officer (North India) for the implementation of Prime Ministers Internship Scheme in Government of India.

Omar Abdullah refuses to cut inaugural ribbon bearing tricolour, instead unties it

Visually-impaired Kashmir girl scores big in class 10 as CBSE declares results