Opinion

Mehbooba Mufti criticises FIR over remarks at Sheikh Ghulam Hassans last rites

Tired of appropriate time remarks, says Tanvir Sadiq on J&K statehood restoration demand

J&K Govt Orders Administrative Reshuffle, Transfers Several IAS, JKAS Officers

Srinagar, May 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday ordered transfers and postings of several IAS and JKAS officers in a fresh administrative reshuffle across the Union Territory. According to Government Order No. 938-JK(GAD) of 2026 issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), Mr. Anil Banka, IAS (AGMUT:2015), who was serving as Special Secretary to the Government, Finance Department, has been transferred and posted as Director, Industries and Commerce, Kashmir. Ms. Mahima Madan, IAS (AGMUT:2021), Additional Secretary to the [] The post J&K Govt Orders Administrative Reshuffle, Transfers Several IAS, JKAS Officers appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

NCW holds public hearing in Srinagar: Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar

Anti-encroachment drive conducted near Mahamaya temple in Jammu

SC Allows Euthanasia for Rabid, Incurably Ill Stray Dogs

The bench emphatically stated that preventing the euthanasia of stray dogs is the most important direction it is issuing to authorities and officials of civic bodies

EOW Kashmir conducts searches in Rs 93 lakh land fraud case

Srinagar, May 19: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir conducted house searches in Budgam district in connection with an alleged Rs 93 lakh land fraud case involving fake agreements related to migrant land and standing trees. According to officials, the searches were carried out at Semsaan area of Budgam in connection with FIR No. 17/2026 registered under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 340 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Police Station EOW Kashmir. The case pertains to alleged fraud involving accused Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar of Jawalpora, Budgam and Soom Nath Koul of Bangalore North, Karnataka, presently residing in Janipur Jammu. Investigations revealed that the complainant was allegedly induced into purchasing five kanals of migrant land at Drusu in Pulwama district and 300 standing trees at Bijbehara through fake agreements. Officials said the investigation further found that accused Soom Nath Koul had allegedly posed as the attorney holder of the original landowners, while Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar acted as a witness during the transaction. Preliminary findings also revealed that neither the land nor the trees belonged to the accused persons. In continuation of the investigation, house searches were conducted at Semsaan Budgam in the presence of Executive Magistrates to collect incriminating material and other evidence relevant to the case, officials said. The Crime Branch advised the public to remain vigilant against economic fraudsters and report such incidents directly to SSP EOW Srinagar, Abdul Waheed Shah. Victims of economic fraud have also been asked to submit complaints through the official email of the Economic Offences Wing.

Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan: J&K LG Manoj Sinha leads padyatra against drugs in Pulwama

Indian Railways approves Rs 238 crore safety works on Jammu-Katra section

Jammu, May 19: Indian Railways has approved the critical slope stabilisation, tunnel rehabilitation and bridge protection works on the Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra section of Northern Railway at a cost of 238 crore. The approved works include slope stabilisation, rehabilitation measures, treatment of tunnel seepage issues, bridge protection works, and other related safety interventions at vulnerable locations along the Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra route. The Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has said that these works reflect the Government's commitment to ensuring safe and reliable connectivity in the most challenging terrains of the country. Vaishnaw said that following a detailed assessment of cuttings, bridges and tunnels, protection and rehabilitation works have been sanctioned. He said these works will strengthen the long-term safety and reliability of this strategically important section. The section has faced several engineering and operational challenges due to difficult terrain, adverse geological conditions, and extreme weather events. However, Indian Railways has consistently overcome these challenges through timely execution and resilient infrastructure development. With the sanctioning of new protection and rehabilitation works for the existing infrastructure, the route is set to become more resilient than ever, ready to serve the millions who travel it each year with greater safety and confidence.

Gujarat tourist found unconscious at Srinagar hotel, declared dead at hospital

Srinagar, May 19: A tourist woman from Gujarat was found unconscious at her accommodation in a Srinagar hotel late Monday night and was later declared brought dead at a hospital, officials said. The deceased was identified as Nakitaben, 47, a resident of Gujarat. Officials said she was staying at a hotel in the Sonwar area of Srinagar when she was found unconscious by her relatives during late-night hours. She was immediately shifted by family members to Paras Hospital for medical treatment. However, doctors at the hospital declared her brought dead, officials said. Police have initiated legal and medico-legal proceedings to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death. Officials said the exact cause of death would be known after completion of necessary medical and legal formalities. [KNT]

Bus accident in Sangaldan Ramban leaves one dead, 19 injured

Sheikh Al-Hudhaify to deliver Hajj Khutba

Imam and Chief Khateeb of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi , Sheikh Ali Al-Hudhaify , will deliver the Hajj sermon (Khutba) and lead prayers at Masjid Al-Namirah on the Day of Arafah, the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah. The announcement was made by Saudi authorities on Monday. Besides delivering the Khutba, Sheikh Al-Hudhaify will also lead the combined Dhuhr and Asr prayers at Masjid Al-Namirah on the plains of Mount Arafat . The Arafat sermon is an important Sunnah of Hajj that follows the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is delivered from the pulpit of Masjid Al-Namirah at Mount Arafat. The sermon reminds pilgrims of the significance of the day, the importance of seeking forgiveness and the mercy associated with Arafah. The Imam traditionally references the Farewell Sermon delivered by Prophet Muhammad on the same plains more than 1,400 years ago. After the Khutba, the Dhuhr and Asr prayers are combined and shortened, following which pilgrims disperse across the plains of Arafat to engage in supplication until sunset.

Mojtaba Khamenei did not suffer serious injuries in US airstrikes: Iranian officials

New Delhi, May 19: Irans Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei did not suffer serious injuries and sustained only superficial wounds during the first day of the US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, according to Iranian officials. Doctors attending to him described his condition as satisfactory. He was shifted to a hospital following the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel on February 28, Irans ISNA News Agency reported. The wounds were not the kind that would disfigure the supreme leaders face, nor would they leave him disabled or result in limb amputation, said Hossein Kermanpour, head of the Iranian health ministrys public relations and information centre. Several stitches were applied to the injuries. One of the areas that doctors decided to stitch immediately was his leg, he said. Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since the start of the war. During the strikes, his father and former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed on the first day of the conflict. Narrating the events of February 28, Kermanpour said: We were at the Health Ministry when we received a call informing us that areas around Pasteur had been bombed and that the war had officially begun. He added, We were told that both the area around Pasteur, meaning the office of Pezeshkian and members of the government, and the residence of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution had been attacked. Kermanpour said Health Minister Zafarghandi immediately contacted officials to ask whether any injured persons had been brought in. Zafarghandi set off on a motorcycle toward Sina Hospital. If you recall, the streets suddenly descended into chaos that day. I do not know for what reason, but the roads were practically blocked, he said. Around noon, they informed us that Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei would be brought to Sina Hospital, he added.

Three Coaches Of Ujjaini Express Derail Near Rishikesh; No Casualties

RISHIKESH (UKHAND), May 19: Three coaches of the Ujjaini Express derailed near the Yog Nagari railway station here when the train was on its way to the railway yard, officials said on Tuesday. There were no passengers on board when the incident occurred around 9:40 pm on Monday near Khand Gaon area, they said. The train that operates between Lakshmibai Nagar in Indore and Yog Nagari in Rishikesh arrived at the Yog Nagari railway station at 6 pm on Monday [] The post Three Coaches Of Ujjaini Express Derail Near Rishikesh; No Casualties appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Bus accident in Sangaldan Ramban leaves one dead, 26 injured

Banihal, May 19: At least one passenger was killed and around 15 to 16 others sustained injuries after a passenger bus overturned on the GoolSangaldan road near Sangaldan in Ramban district on Tuesday. According to reports, the bus bearing registration number JK02CU-7482 was on its way to Jammu from Dharam in sub division Gool when the driver allegedly lost control over the vehicle, causing it to turn turtle on the roadside. Police officials said that soon after the accident, local residents, police and traffic police personnel rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations. The injured passengers were shifted to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Officials said that one passenger died in the accident, while the condition of some injured persons is stated to be critical. The deceased has been identified as Ashu Singh, son of Kuldeep Singh, a resident of Panara, Udhampur, who was working as conductor of the bus. He died on the spot, officials said. The injured were identified as Rakesh Singh, son of Rajinder Singh, a resident of Pangara, Udhampur, and the driver of the vehicle; Sunny Singh, son of Mulkh Raj, resident of Pangara, Udhampur; Fareed Ahmed, 50, son of Abdullah, resident of Dharam; Mohd Farooq, 48, son of Abdul Aziz, resident of Dharam; Rubina Begum, 45, wife of Mohd Farooq, resident of Dharam; Abdul Ahad, 48, son of Abdul Aziz, resident of Dharam; Mubina Bano, 22, wife of Shahid Shah, resident of Mavalkote; Ghulam Mohammad, son of Habib Mir, resident of Dalwah; Zakir Hussain, son of Jamal Din Mir, resident of Dalwah; Abdul Rehman, son of Noor Alam, resident of Jamlal; Liaquat Ali, son of Mehboob, resident of Jamlal; Naseema Begum, 48, wife of Mohd Fareed, resident of Thatharka; Mohd Waseem, son of Mohd Fareed, resident of Thatharka; Nasreen Bano, 14, daughter of Ghulam Mohammad, resident of Thatharka; Mohd Arbaz, 13, son of Farooq Ahmed; Toushi Devi, wife of Isher Dass, resident of Dalwah; Shakeela Bano, wife of Muzaffar Hussain, resident of Dalwah; Muzaffar Hussain, 40, son of Mohd Ismail; Niki Devi, 45, wife of Shivsaran, resident of Dharam; Arshad Ahmed, 40, son of Mohd Shaffi, resident of Dalwah; Jamal Din, 70, son of Habibullah, resident of Dalwah; Haleema Begum, 25, wife of Showket Ali, resident of Kohli; Amreena Bano, 22, daughter of Mohd Asadullah, resident of Banihal; Shabnam Akhtar, 22, daughter of Gulzar Ahmed, resident of Dharam; and Rizwan, son of Gulzar Ahmed, resident of Dharam, they said.

Three-month-old infant dies, woman injured in Bijbehara road accident

Anantnag, May 19: A three-month-old infant dies while a woman was injured after a tragic road accident took place near Peaks Automobile at Uranhall area of Bijbehara in south Kashmirs Anantnag district on Tuesday. Officials said that two vehicles, an auto load carrier and an Xtreme vehicle, collided with each other under circumstances yet to be ascertained. Following the collision, a three-month-old infant identified as Zaid, son of Shabir Ahmad Dar, and a woman identified as Sumi Jan, aged around 30 years, who were travelling in the load carrier, sustained serious injuries. Both injured persons were immediately evacuated to Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag for treatment. However, the infant later succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Police have taken cognizance of the incident, and further investigation initiated. (JKNS)

Arsenal on the verge of Premier League title after beating Burnley

London, May 19: Arsenal closed in on a first Premier League title in 22 years by seeing out a tense 1-0 win over Burnley on Monday in its penultimate game of the campaign, thanks to Kai Havertz's first-half goal. The result means second-placed Manchester City must end Bournemouth's 16-game unbeaten run on Tuesday to take the title fight into the final weekend. Even so, Arsenal will be crowned champion if it beats Crystal Palace away on Sunday. It would be Arsenal's first league title since 2004, when the Invincibles went unbeaten under Arsene Wenger. Current manager Mikel Arteta is two wins away from delivering the club's greatest ever season as Arsenal also plays Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on May 30. It's been an amazing season so far. We've got one big one left here (in the league) and then the Champions League final, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard told the Emirates crowd in an on-field interview. Just a little bit to go now and we're going to give it all. We have to keep going. Fittingly, the goal against already relegated Burnley came from a corner the source of so many crucial Arsenal goals this season as Havertz rose highest to head in a delivery from Bukayo Saka in the 37th. It was only Havertz's second league goal of an injury-ravaged season, but he was given the start up front ahead of Viktor Gykeres by Arteta. I had a feeling that he had to start, Arteta said. The way they set up, I think he could be really difficult to handle. And he's shown that. Havertz was fortunate not to be sent off when he received only a yellow card in the 67th for a lunging studs-up tackle from behind on Lesley Ugochukwu, a decision that was upheld after a VAR review. While Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya never had a save to make against a toothless Burnley side, the lead never felt completely comfortable as a second goal never came for the host. But Arsenal held on through nearly 10 minutes of added time to take another step toward ending its decades-long title drought. There is one to go unless something beautiful happens tomorrow night, Arteta said, adding he will be the biggest ever Bournemouth fan during the game against Man City.

Masoodi writes to President, seeks Supreme Court representation for J&K

Srinagar, May 19: Former Judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court and MLA Pampore, Justice Hasnain Masoodi, has written to President of India Droupadi Murmu, urging representation for Jammu and Kashmir in the Supreme Court of India. In a letter dated May 18, 2026, Masoodi welcomed the Centres decision to increase the strength of Supreme Court judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India, calling it a significant step towards addressing the huge pendency of cases in courts across the country. He stated that the expansion of the higher judiciary would help strengthen the justice delivery system and termed the move an important milestone. However, Masoodi pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir has remained unrepresented in the Supreme Court since 2017. He stressed that it was high time for the Union Territory to get representation in the countrys highest constitutional court. The former MP said such a decision would provide a sense of empowerment and participation to nearly 15 million people of Jammu and Kashmir. Masoodi expressed hope that the matter would receive kind consideration from the President and that necessary steps would be taken at the earliest. Copies of the letter were also sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. (KNC)

Teenage gunmen open fire on San Diego mosque, killing 3 men and then themselves

San Diego(US), May 19: Two teenage shooters opened fire at a San Diego mosque on Monday and killed three men before killing themselves a few blocks away, police said. The attack at the Islamic Centre of San Diego is being investigated as a hate crime, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said at a news conference at a neighbourhood park across from the mosque. He said the circumstances that led up to this would come out in the days ahead. Wahl said later that officers had been talking to one of the teenagers' mothers earlier in the day after she had contacted police around 9:40 am to say her son was missing along with multiple weapons and her vehicle. She was beginning to develop a bigger picture as to what she was dealing with and was conveying that to our folks, and we were trying to put that together and get out in front of this as quickly as we could, Wahl said. The mother also found a note, Wahl said. He did not disclose its contents but said of the case, There was definitely hate rhetoric that was involved, though there was no specific threat against the Islamic Center of San Diego, Wahl said. Wahl said the teenager whose mom contacted police was a student at Madison High School, about a mile away from the Islamic Centre. Police have not released the names of the teenagers. Among those killed was a mosque security guard, who police believe played a pivotal role in keeping the attack from being much worse, Wahl said. Later he said authorities continued to review the security guard's response, but it's fair to say his actions were heroic. Undoubtedly he saved lives today, Wahl said. The center is the largest mosque in San Diego County and includes the Al Rashid School that offers courses in Arabic language, Islamic studies and the Quran for students ages 5 and up, according to its website. All of the kids are safe, Wahl said, appearing emotional. Our hearts go out to the families that are in this moment being notified of what has happened to their loved ones. Police responded within four minutes of being called, Wahl said. As they arrived, gunshots rang out a few blocks away where a landscaper was shot at but uninjured. The shooters were found dead in a vehicle stopped in the middle of a road nearby, he said. Aerial TV footage showed more than a dozen children holding hands and being walked out of the parking lot of the center as it was surrounded by scores of police vehicles. The white mosque is in a neighbourhood of homes, apartments and strip malls with Middle Eastern restaurants and markets. Parents were directed to a nearby area to retrieve their children. The mosque's director, Imam Taha Hassane called it extremely outrageous to target a place of worship. All the places of worship in our beautiful city should always be protected, he said. He added that the centre focused on interfaith relations and community building, and that a group of non-Muslims had been touring the mosque earlier Monday to learn about Islam. The Islamic Center's website says its mission is to not only serve the Muslim population but also work with the larger community to serve the less fortunate, to educate, and to better our nation. Five daily prayers are held there, and the mosque works with other organisations and people of all faiths on social causes. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, one of the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy groups in the U.S., condemned the shooting. No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school, said CAIR-San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam in a statement. We are working to learn more about this incident and we encourage everyone to keep this community in your prayers. Gov Gavin Newsom's office said he was being briefed. We are grateful to the first responders on the scene working to protect the community and urge everyone to follow guidance from local authorities, his office posted on the social platform X.

Petrol, diesel prices hiked for second time a week, up 90 paise

New Delhi, May 19: Petrol and diesel prices were hiked by about 90 paise per litre on Tuesday, marking the second increase in fuel rates in less than a week after state-run oil firms ended a nearly four-year freeze on revisions. The increase pushed petrol prices in New Delhi to Rs 98.64 per litre from Rs 97.77, while diesel rose to Rs 91.58 from Rs 90.67, according to industry sources. On Friday, petrol and diesel prices were raised by Rs 3 per litre on Friday for the first time in more than four years, as surging global crude prices following the Iran war forced state-run fuel retailers to pass on part of their mounting losses after months of holding rates steady through key state elections. Rates vary across states due to differences in value-added tax. On May 15, compressed natural gas (CNG) prices were also raised by Rs 2 per kg in cities, including Delhi and Mumbai. On Sunday, CNG prices were again hiked by Re 1 a kg. Global crude prices have surged more than 50 per cent since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran's retaliation, disrupting flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil shipments. Despite the surge, retail fuel rates were kept frozen at two-year-old rates as part of what the government said was an effort to shield price-sensitive consumers from higher global energy costs. But the opposition parties saw political motives behind the move as key states went to polls. The Rs 3 a litre increase on Friday followed the completion of elections and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expanding its influence after winning three of five states, including West Bengal. That increase covered just a fifth of the desired hike required to level rates with cost. On Monday, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, had stated that the May 15 hike had cut losses by a fourth and that oil companies were still incurring about Rs 750 crore a day loss. After Tuesday's increase, petrol and diesel prices are now the highest since May 2022. Prices have remained on freeze since April 2022, but for a one-off reduction by Rs 2 a litre each on petrol and diesel in March 2024, just before Lok Sabha elections. Rates were last hiked in April 2022. Petrol in Mumbai now costs Rs 107.59 a litre and diesel costs Rs 94.08 per litre. In Kolkata, petrol now costs Rs 109.70 per litre and diesel Rs 96.07, while in Chennai, prices increased to Rs 104.49 for petrol and Rs 96.11 for diesel. Industry sources said the price hike is modest relative to the rise in crude prices and still leaves retailers absorbing significant losses. According to Crisil, losses on petrol were about Rs 10 per litre and Rs 13 on diesel after May 15 increase. The two price increases follow excise duty cuts announced in March and come as the government rolls out measures to curb fuel consumption and contain the country's oil import bill. Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week urged fuel conservation, work-from-home practices and reduced travel as higher energy prices strain India's foreign exchange reserves and threaten to widen the current account deficit for a third straight year. Some state governments have already instructed departments to limit travel, avoid physical meetings and operate with reduced office staffing. Private fuel retailers had already increased pump prices. Nayara Energy, the country's largest private fuel retailer, in March, raised petrol prices by Rs 5 per litre and diesel by Rs 3, while Shell increased petrol prices by Rs 7.41 and diesel by Rs 25 per litre from April 1. In Bengaluru, Shell sells petrol at Rs 119.85 per litre and diesel at Rs 123.52. Domestic cooking gas LPG prices were raised in March by Rs 60 per cylinder, but they are still way lower than the actual cost. Oil companies are losing Rs 674 per 14.2-kg cylinder of LPG. Industry sources said the price hike appears calibrated - enough to partially ease margin pressure on oil companies without creating a major inflationary shock. The increase, however, will have some impact on inflation, they said. India's retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose to 3.48 per cent in April 2026 from 3.40 per cent in March, while wholesale price inflation (WPI) surged to 8.3 per cent, a 42-month high, driven by a sharp rise in fuel and energy prices amid elevated global crude oil rates.

Putin visits China to reaffirm Russia ties as Xi also seeks stable US relations after Trump summit

Vladimir Putin is visiting China this week for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, days after U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his trip to Beijing.

Trump halts strikes on Iran planned for Tuesday at Arab leaders' request

Washington, May 19: US President Donald Trump has said he halted fresh strikes on Iran at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, asserting that serious discussions were underway with Tehran that could lead to an acceptable deal. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social on Monday late afternoon, without any reference to Pakistan, the mediator in the US-Iran war. I have been asked by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to hold off on our planned Military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday), Trump said. We were getting ready to do a very major attack tomorrow. I've put it off for a little while, hopefully, maybe forever, but possibly for a little while, because we've had very big discussions with Iran and we'll see what they amount to, Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump said he was asked by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and some others if the US could put it off for 2 or 3 days, a short period of time, because they think that they are getting very close to making a deal. And if we can do that where there's no nuclear weapon going into the hands of Iran, I think, and if they're satisfied, we will be probably satisfied, he said. The US President said that serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all countries in West Asia and beyond. Trump asserted that the deal will include no nuclear weapons for Iran. I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Daniel Caine, and The United States Military, that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow, but have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment's notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached, he said. Trump was expected to convene his top national security team in the Situation Room on Tuesday to discuss military options, two US officials told Axios. Before his announcement, Trump spoke on the phone with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, two sources with knowledge said, according to Axios. Trump has been threatening for weeks that the ceasefire reached in mid-April could end if Iran did not make a deal, with shifting parameters for striking such an agreement. For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won't be anything left of them, the US President said over the weekend. Trump said the current pause for negotiations was a very positive development, while acknowledging there were times in the past when a deal seemed close but nothing came of it. But this is a little bit different, he said. The US and Israel launched the war with Iran on February 28, with Trump claiming that it would end in four to six weeks. The US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire on April 8 and have been negotiating a peace deal since then.

Startup India, DPIIT to organise TEJAS Workshop in Baramulla on May 21

In a significant step towards strengthening the startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem at the district level, Startup India, DPIIT in collaboration with JKEDI, District Administration is organising the TEJAS Workshop scheduled to be held on 21st May at Dak Bungalow Baramulla. The workshop aims to bring together aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, students, industry experts, institutional stakeholders, and government representatives on a common platform to promote entrepreneurship-led economic growth and innovation. The workshop is being organised with the objective of creating awareness about startup opportunities, government support mechanisms, innovation-driven entrepreneurship, incubation support, and market linkages for emerging enterprises. The event will focus on enabling local entrepreneurs to understand the evolving startup ecosystem and explore pathways for business growth, funding, mentorship, and institutional support. The agenda of the workshop includes inaugural and context-setting sessions highlighting the entrepreneurial landscape and opportunities in the district. Key sessions during the event will cover awareness about Startup India initiatives and benefits, insights into the startup ecosystem, innovation and design thinking processes, intellectual property awareness, incubation and entrepreneurship culture, and promotion of district-specific products under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. The workshop will also feature interactive sessions on business model development, financial planning, investment readiness, startup showcases, founder interactions, and networking opportunities aimed at inspiring aspiring entrepreneurs and strengthening collaboration among ecosystem stakeholders. The TEJAS workshop is expected to serve as a catalyst for fostering innovation, encouraging youth entrepreneurship, promoting women-led enterprises, and building a vibrant startup ecosystem. Entrepreneurs, students, academia, industry representatives, and other stakeholders should actively participate in the workshop and benefit from the knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities being offered through the event.

Over Rs 1,100 Cr disbursed under Mission Yuva: Chief Secretary

Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired the Apex Committee Meeting of Mission YUVA and reviewed the progress achieved under the ambitious initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, generating employment and establishing J&K as a thriving hub of enterprises and sustainable livelihoods. During the meeting, the Chief Secretary took a comprehensive review of the performance recorded under the four foundational pillars of Mission YUVA constituting the creation of Culture, Capital, Capacity and enhancing Connectivity for the ease and welfare of the applicants. Besides this the Chief Secretary assessed district-wise achievements, institutional preparedness, credit facilitation, entrepreneurship development and implementation bottlenecks. He emphasized the need for coordinated efforts by the departments, financial institutions and district administrations to ensure that Mission YUVA evolves into a transformative movement for youth empowerment and economic growth across the Union Territory. During the review, special attention was given to pendency at different stages of application processing. The Chief Secretary directed district administrations, SBDUs and banking institutions to expedite clearance of pending cases and strictly adhere to timelines prescribed under the scheme. He stressed on time-bound verification of applications, DLIC approvals and loan sanctioning to maintain the momentum achieved under the mission. The Chief Secretary also reviewed progress achieved under the capacity-building component of the mission. It was informed that more than 21,000 applicants had completed hybrid-mode entrepreneurship training, while over 300 training centres and more than 200 trainers had been activated across the UT. Plans are also underway for collaboration with JKEDI to strengthen entrepreneurship and management training for Mission YUVA applicants. The Chief Secretary underscored the importance of outcome-based monitoring and directed all Deputy Commissioners to focus on improving application conversion, training completion, market linkage and enterprise sustainability. He reiterated that Mission YUVA should not merely remain a financial assistance programme but must evolve into a comprehensive ecosystem capable of nurturing entrepreneurship culture and creating long-term livelihood opportunities for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. The Secretary, L&E, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan took this occasion to apprise the meeting that Mission YUVA envisions creation of employment opportunities through nano enterprises, new MSMEs, business acceleration initiatives and neo-innovative enterprises. He added that the programme seeks to build an entrepreneurship ecosystem through targeted interventions in awareness generation, credit enablement, capacity building, market linkages and business support mechanisms. The meeting especially reviewed the status of credit facilitation under Mission YUVA. The Secretary informed that over 1.07 lakh applications had been received so far, out of which more than 57,000 applications had been approved by District Level Implementation Committees (DLICs). Banks have sanctioned loans in more than 25,000 cases involving credit support exceeding 1,200 Cr, while loan disbursement of around 1,119 Cr had already been achieved in over 21,000 cases. The meeting was informed that Mission YUVA has set an ambitious target of establishing 50,000 enterprises during 2026-27, including 44,000 nano enterprises, 4,000 new MSMEs and 2,000 existing MSMEs to be supported for expansion. District-wise targets and performance indicators were also reviewed in detail. Reviewing the progress under the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) component, the Chief Secretary was apprised that Udyam Jagriti 4.0 campaign during 2025-26 achieved outreach to nearly 3.4 lakh citizens, while more than 5.3 lakh individuals had been covered cumulatively through various awareness campaigns. It was given out that the campaign covered students, SHG women, certified trainees and existing MSMEs across Jammu and Kashmir. Further it was divulged that more than 2.5 lakh app downloads had also been recorded, while awareness drives covered almost all blocks and a majority of Panchayats across the UT. The meeting was further informed by the Director Employment, Harvinder Singh that Udyam Jagriti 5.0 for the year 2026-27 is going lay focus on targeted mobilization among college students, SHG women, trained youth and existing MSMEs with a special emphasis on converting awareness into enterprise creation and credit linkage. Under the proposed interventions, he gave out that the department is also planning conducting hackathons, entrepreneurship competitions, innovation support systems and application facilitation camps are planned to be organized at institutional and Panchayat levels.

Keeping close watch on supply shock, impact on inflation: RBI Guv Malhotra

The Reserve Bank is keeping a close vigil on whether and when supply shocks get embedded in the general price level, warranting monetary policy action, Governor Sanjay Malhotra has said amid persisting global uncertainties. Malhotra said the RBI has been maintaining a neutral stance since June 2025, which gives it the flexibility to remain nimble in approach and respond judiciously to incoming data and information. During a panel discussion titled 'Monetary Policy in a Time of Heightened Uncertainty' jointly organised by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Switzerland last week, the governor said India is used to frequent supply shocks. In a supply shock, we generally try to 'look through' the first-round impact, if we believe that it is transitory and will dissipate quickly. However, if sustained increase in prices drives up wages, production and transportation costs (second-round effects) and leads to generalisation of inflation pressures, the 'look through' approach is no longer optimal, requiring tighter policy, Malhotra said. The wide tolerance band of 200 basis points around the inflation target of 4 per cent provides the necessary policy space to the RBI to accommodate supply shock-induced volatility in the short run, he said. At the same time, there is a focus on the medium-term objective of price stability, he added. ...we are aware that the global situation is still fluid, and its macroeconomic implications are still unfolding. We are keeping a close vigil on whether and when the supply shock can become embedded in the general price level that may warrant monetary policy action, Malhotra said. The governor further said it is important that policy frameworks focused on price stability are flexible enough to allow central banks to look through transitory shocks while remaining agile and nimble, maintaining a broad policy stance, and avoiding making firm commitments on the future path of policy. In such circumstances, he said, a broad approach is to be even more data dependent and to continuously reassess the balance of risks. Whether to look through or not depends on the duration of inflation and whether it is generalised in the economy.

Fuel, LPG supply across J&K adequate, stable: SLC Oil Industry

State Level Coordinator (SLC) of oil Industry in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Himanshu Sharma, on Monday, stated that the overall fuel supply position in the Union Territory of J&K continued to remain stable and adequate. Assuring uninterrupted supply, Sharma, in a statement issued here, informed that the entire supply chain, including terminals, depots and retail outlets, was functioning efficiently without any disruption. The Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have informed that the availability of essential petroleum products, including petrol, diesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), remains normal and uninterrupted across J&K, he said. Fuel stocks were being continuously monitored and replenishment activities were progressing smoothly across all locations, he added. Himanshu Sharma further stated that LPG supplies to domestic consumers were being prioritised and were being maintained normally across the Union Territory. Necessary steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted delivery to all consumers. The oil industry is maintaining close coordination on logistics, stock movement and retail operations to ensure seamless availability of fuel across the region, SLC Oil industry in J&K and Ladakh said. Appealing to citizens to avoid panic buying, Sharma advised the public to continue with normal consumption patterns and rely only on official communications issued by OMCs for accurate and verified information regarding fuel availability.

Heatwave grips J&K, Jammu sizzles at 41.1C, Srinagar records 31.5C

Data issued by the Meteorological Centre Srinagar showed that Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 31.5 degrees Celsius, which was 6.1 degrees above normal for this time of the season. The minimum temperature in the summer capital settled at 13.6 degrees Celsius.

World Environment Day |Harit, Swachh rail drive pushes for paperless travel, eco-friendly operations

In the run-up to World Environment Day, the Jammu Railway Division of Northern Railway has launched a special environmental awareness campaign from May 15 to June 5, 2026, aimed at promoting sustainable development and eco-friendly railway operations. As part of the campaign, special workshops were organised on Sunday across various railway stations of the Division, where railway officials and employees participated enthusiastically. The workshops focused on creating awareness about climate change, scientific waste management, energy conservation and environmentally responsible practices within railway premises. During the sessions, railway environment experts highlighted various initiatives being adopted to reduce the carbon footprint in day-to-day railway operations, said Raghvender Singh, Public Relations Inspector, Jammu Railway Division. He said that special emphasis was laid on the use of modern waste disposal systems, elimination of single-use plastic and adoption of energy-efficient measures to transform railway stations into fully environment-friendly zones. Singh informed that in a significant move towards digitisation and environmental conservation, ticket checking staff across the Division also encouraged passengers to adopt paperless travel by booking tickets online through the RailOne App, UTS App, IRCTC and other authorised digital platforms. Officials informed passengers that digital tickets, QR codes, and official SMS confirmations on smartphones are fully valid during ticket inspections, eliminating the need for printed tickets and reducing paper consumption, he said. The Jammu Railway Division, according to Singh, has set an ambitious target of achieving 100 per cent digitisation in the near future to ensure greater convenience, transparency, and environmental sustainability. Further strengthening its green initiatives, the Division has completely digitised MSP (Management and Service Procurement) and QSP (Quality System Process), a move expected to make railway operations faster, safer, more transparent, and virtually paperless. The Harit and Swachh Rail campaign is aligned with the national Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative and is expected to contribute significantly towards reducing carbon emissions, conserving natural resources, and combating climate change, Singh said. The Jammu Railway Division has appealed to passengers and the public to actively participate in the green movement and contribute towards making every railway journey cleaner, greener and more sustainable.

Seasonal migration breathes life back into Bhaderwahs high-altitude meadows

After remaining silent and deserted through the harsh winter months, the high-altitude meadows of Bhaderwah and the Chenab region are once again echoing with life as Gujjar and Bakerwal nomadic families return with their livestock for the annual seasonal migration to the Himalayan pastures. As the mercury has started rising in the plains, hundreds of nomadic tribal Gujjar and Bakerwal families have started reaching, with their cattle, high-altitude Himalayan meadows in the Chenab region, especially that of Bhaderwah. High altitude meadows like Jaie, Bhal Padri, Padri, Khanni Top and Thanthera are major tourist attractions during summers and remain abuzz with visitors during summers, but as soon as the tribal nomads start going back to the plains from September, the otherwise crowded Himalayan grassland becomes deserted and gives a ghostly look. Not only visitors and locals but also the tribal nomads enjoy their time during summers at these high-altitude meadows and term this period the best time of the year. Mohd Hussain Chechi, Lambardar tribal Gujjars said, Although we move to the plains near towns for 6 to 7 winter months, we belong to these meadows only and count the days when we will be back to our roots, which are here only. We remain stressed in the plains, but after reaching our Jaie meadow, suddenly a feeling of peace and confidence creeps in. The time we spend here in the vast grasslands is the best time of the year, and we can't even think of living without visiting here, Chechi added. Local vendors who earn their livelihood by opening small makeshift businesses in these meadows are also a happier lot and said that with the arrival of nomads, the business also kickstarts and consider them the catalyst of the rural economy. I'm a zipline operator here and was here during winters as well, but without Gujjars, it was so depressing to be here in these vast meadows. With the arrival of nomads the gloom has suddenly disappeared, and we feel surrounded with good positive vibes beside our business has also got a shot in the arm. Tribals are a good omen for our business as well, Rakesh Kumar, Zipline operator from Padder. According to official figures, every year thousands of nomadic families of the Bakerwal and Gujjar communities, along with their herds of cattle, come to the high-altitude meadows in the Chenab Valley, especially in the twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar, for the summer months. These nomadic families began their journey to the green pastures for grazing their cattle during summers, and they return to warmer places of Jammu in October ahead of winters.

Advisor Nasir Aslam reviews summer, Yatra, Eid preparedness in Jammu

The advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, on Monday chaired a high-level meeting with senior officers to review summer preparedness, arrangements for upcoming pilgrimages, availability of food and essential supplies, and preparedness for Eid-ul-Adha celebrations across the Jammu division. The meeting, as per an official statement, was attended by Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, IGP Jammu Bhimsen Tuti, DIG Traffic J&K Dr Haseeb Mughal, Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation Devansh Yadav, Managing Director JPDCL Gurpal Singh, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Rakesh Minhas, heads of various departments and other senior officers. At the outset, the Divisional Commissioner Jammu briefed the meeting about the overall summer preparedness across the division, including measures being taken by various departments to ensure uninterrupted public services during the peak summer season. He also presented an overview of major developmental works underway in the region, including roads, highways, bridges and other key infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity and public convenience. The meeting was informed that, in view of the prevailing crisis in West Asia, sufficient stocks of essential commodities, including food grains and fuel, are available across Jammu division and supplies are being continuously replenished to avoid any disruption. The officers assured that adequate buffer stocks are being maintained to meet any eventuality during the summer and pilgrimage season. The Divisional Commissioner further briefed the meeting about arrangements being put in place for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Machail Mata Yatra and Budha Amarnath Yatra in Jammu division. He informed that comprehensive preparations are underway to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimages, particularly in view of the monsoon season. Measures relating to road connectivity, sanitation, health facilities, traffic regulation and emergency response systems are being strengthened to facilitate hassle-free movement of pilgrims. The meeting also reviewed the present power supply scenario in Jammu region. The Managing Director, JPDCL, briefed the meeting regarding ongoing measures to improve power supply infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers during the summer months. He informed that steps are being taken for advance maintenance of transformers and strengthening of distribution networks to minimise disruptions. The meeting also discussed arrangements being made for the smooth celebration of the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha in Jammu region. The Divisional Commissioner informed that market checking teams would be constituted to prevent black marketing, hoarding and profiteering during the festival period. He said all departments are working in coordination to ensure availability of essential commodities and smooth civic services during the festival. During the meeting, the IGP Jammu and DIG Traffic J&K briefed the chair about the security and traffic management plans being formulated for the upcoming Eid festival and major Yatras in Jammu and Kashmir. They informed that foolproof security arrangements and comprehensive traffic regulation plans are being put in place to facilitate smooth movement of pilgrims and the general public. Speaking during the meeting, the Advisor directed the Power Development Department and Jal Shakti Department to ensure uninterrupted electricity and drinking water supply during the peak summer season. He stressed the need for advance maintenance of transformers, rational deployment of water tankers and establishment of 24x7 grievance redressal mechanisms to address public complaints promptly. The Advisor also directed the Health Department to keep all hospitals and Primary Health Centres fully equipped to handle heat-related illnesses. He instructed the department to maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines and ensure deployment of mobile medical units in vulnerable areas, particularly during the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and other pilgrimages. He further directed the Traffic Police and Transport Department to properly regulate vehicular movement on vulnerable stretches of the National Highway and ensure adequate public transport facilities during the Yatra period. The Advisor instructed the FCS&CA Department to maintain sufficient buffer stocks of essential commodities and intensify market checking drives to curb hoarding and profiteering of perishables during Eid and the Yatra season. Stressing the importance of coordinated functioning among departments, the Advisor said that real-time monitoring, inter-departmental coordination and prompt response to public grievances are essential to mitigate inconvenience to the public during the summer months and upcoming festival and pilgrimage season. He called upon all departments to work in close coordination to ensure efficient service delivery and seamless management of all arrangements.

DYSS organises multi-zonal sporting events in Baramulla

District Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) Baramulla continues to successfully organise Inter-School Zonal Level Competitions across various educational zones of the district under the inspiring banner of Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan, aiming to channelize the energy of youth towards sports, wellness, and a drug-free future. In a vibrant display of enthusiasm, discipline, and sporting spirit, multiple zones, as per an official statement, conducted a series of competitions in different disciplines, witnessing active participation from hundreds of young athletes from various government and private educational institutions. Zone Dangerpora organised the Inter-School Zonal Level Yoga Competition for Under-14 and Under-17 Boys at High School Shiva, where around 80 students participated with great zeal and showcased remarkable flexibility, focus, and dedication. The event highlighted the importance of yoga in promoting physical and mental well-being among students. Meanwhile, Zone Dangiwacha successfully conducted the Inter-School Zonal Level Kho-Kho Competition for Under-14 Girls at two clustersCluster Bahrampora and Cluster Dangiwacha. The competitions witnessed overwhelming participation, with 156 students competing in Cluster Bahrampora and 120 students participating in Cluster Dangiwacha. The spirited performances and sportsmanship displayed by the young participants added vibrancy and excitement to the event. Adding further momentum to the district-wide sporting campaign, Zone Singpora Pattan organised the Inter-School Zonal Level Kabaddi Competition for Under-14 and Under-17 Boys, where more than 150 students participated enthusiastically. The event served as a platform for students to demonstrate teamwork, strength, and tactical skills while embracing the values of discipline and healthy competition. Similarly, Zone Fatehgarh conducted the Inter-School Zonal Level Sports Competition for Under-14 and Under-17 Boys at Government Higher Secondary School Fatehgarh, with participation from around 70 students. The event witnessed energetic performances and reinforced the departments commitment to nurturing sporting talent at the grassroots level. DYSSO Baramulla, Mushtaq Ahmad Pampori, emphasised that sports play a crucial role in shaping the character of young individuals and serve as a powerful tool in promoting the message of Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir. He applauded the organising teams across all zones for their sincere commitment and stressed the importance of continued engagement of youth in constructive and healthy pursuits.

Shahid Iqbal Choudhary felicitates Asian Boxing Champion Mohammad Yaseer in Srinagar

Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Jammu & Kashmir, IAS Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, on Monday felicitated young boxing sensation 14-year-old Mohammad Yaseer of Rajouri for his historic gold medal at the Under-15 Asian Boxing Championship held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Mohammad Yaseer, a 14-year-old boxing prodigy from Rajouri, scripted history by winning the gold medal in the 58 kg category after defeating the host nation, Uzbekistan, in the final bout. Representing India at the prestigious championship, the young boxer displayed exceptional courage, resilience and determination to bring laurels to the country and Jammu & Kashmir. During the felicitation ceremony held in Srinagar, Commissioner Secretary Youth Service and Sports, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, alongside Secretary J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gul, and other officials from the department, as per a statement, congratulated Yaseer for his remarkable achievement and termed his success a proud moment for Jammu & Kashmir and the entire nation. Yaseers journey is truly inspiring. Despite hardships, he has shown extraordinary dedication and commitment to the sport. His achievement at the Asian level is a testament to his hard work and the immense sporting talent present in Jammu & Kashmir, Shahid Choudhary said. He further said that the achievement would motivate aspiring athletes across the Union Territory to pursue sports with passion and determination. The Commissioner Secretary reiterated the governments commitment towards strengthening the sports ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir and providing better opportunities, infrastructure and exposure to young athletes so they can excel at national and international platforms. The felicitation ceremony also acknowledged the contribution of Yaseers coaches, family members and support staff in shaping his successful journey. Following his win, jubilant scenes were witnessed across the Rajouri town, and large numbers of people gathered outside the temporary accommodation of Yasirs family. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also congratulated the young boxer for his outstanding feat at the Asian Boxing Championship held in Uzbekistan.

KCFL football trials gather momentum across Kashmir

The Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council continued its Valley-wide football talent identification drive under the Kashmir Champions Football League (KCFL) with successful trials conducted in Kupwara and Baramulla, while the NorthEast United FC open selection trials, in collaboration with J&K Sports Council generated massive excitement at the TRC Synthetic Turf Ground, Srinagar. The KCFL initiative, as per a statement is emerging as one of the largest grassroots football movements ever undertaken in Jammu & Kashmir, aims to create a structured pathway for young footballers from local grounds to competitive professional football. At Kupwara, football trials were conducted at Playground Kulangam, where aspiring players from different parts of the district turned up in large numbers to showcase their talent before selectors. Simultaneously, the trials at the Synthetic Turf Football Stadium, Azad Gunj, Baramulla witnessed tremendous enthusiasm and participation from local youth. The Baramulla event was graced by MLA Baramulla Javid Hassan Baig, who interacted with players and appreciated the efforts being made to strengthen grassroots football and provide sporting opportunities to the youth of the region. Meanwhile, Srinagar remained the focal point of football activity as NorthEast United FC, conducted open selection trials in collaboration with the Sports Council, the first time an Indian Super League club has organised such trials in Jammu & Kashmir. Present during the Srinagar event was Naushad Moosa, Technical Director of NorthEast United FC and Head Coach of the India U-23 National Football Team, whose presence added major national significance to the initiative. The KCFL is not merely a tournament but a long-term developmental platform designed to nurture talent, promote youth engagement, and strengthen grassroots football culture across Jammu & Kashmir. The initiative also forms part of the Governments larger youth outreach and anti-drug awareness efforts through sports-based engagement. The next phase of football trials under the KCFL is scheduled for May 19 in Anantnag, Kulgam, and Pulwama, as the Valley-wide talent hunt continues to expand across South Kashmir.

Kashmir Medical College Sempora organises medical camp

Srinagar, May 18: In a massive healthcare outreach initiative aimed at providing accessible and quality medical care to the people, Kashmir Medical College (KMC), Sempora on Monday organised a Mega Free Medical Camp at its campus, witnessing an overwhelming response as thousands of patients from different parts of Kashmir thronged the institution to avail free healthcare services. The day-long camp was inaugurated in the presence of Managing Director KMC, Tausif Ahmad; Executive Director Insha Qazi; Principal/Dean KMC Prof. Dr. Nazir Ahmad Khan; Medical Superintendent Dr. Syed Mubashir, heads of departments, senior faculty members, consultants, and specialist doctors from multiple disciplines. The camp reflected KMCs growing commitment towards community healthcare and social responsibility by bringing advanced medical services directly to the people under one roof. Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director KMC, Tausif Ahmad, said that KMC remains committed to serving society through impactful healthcare initiatives and community outreach programmes. Healthcare should be accessible to every individual irrespective of financial constraints. Through such mega medical camps, our endeavour is to ensure early diagnosis, timely treatment for the people, especially those who have limited access to specialist services, he said. He further stated that all consultations, medicines, diagnostic investigations, X-rays, ultrasound examinations, and eligible surgeries were provided completely free of cost during the camp. He added that patients seen in the camp and requiring surgical interventions would also receive free hospital admission and treatment at the hospital. Executive Director KMC, Insha Qazi, said the institution witnessed an extraordinary response from the public, with patients lining up from 8 a.m. to consult specialist doctors. It is truly satisfying to see thousands of patients benefiting from the free of cost services being provided by our institution. KMC remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering quality and affordable healthcare to the people of Kashmir, she said. About 2,000 patients attended the camp and availed healthcare facilities from highly experienced doctors and specialists. Specialist consultations were available in Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Endocrinology, General Medicine, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, General Surgery, Minimal Access (Laparoscopic) Surgery, Endocrine Surgery, Psychiatry, Orthopedics & Spine Surgery, ENT, Physiotherapy, Dental Care, and several other specialties and sub-specialties. As part of the special benefits offered during the camp, patients were provided zero charges for hospital stay and eligible surgeries, along with a 50 percent discount on surgical medicines and consumables. The camp also featured free health screenings, free medicines, and awareness services aimed at promoting preventive healthcare and encouraging timely medical intervention. The initiative received widespread appreciation from the public, with beneficiaries lauding the efforts of Kashmir Medical College in extending quality healthcare services to the community and reaffirming its role as one of the leading healthcare institutions in the region. The camp was part of KMCs larger mission of community outreach, under which similar health programmes and awareness initiatives have earlier been conducted in district hospitals, educational institutions, and underserved areas across Kashmir.

HED orders transfers of principals, in-charge principals

Srinagar, May 18: The J&K Higher Education Department (HED) on Monday ordered a major reshuffle of principals and in-charge principals besides assigning look after charges of principals to senior most associate professors of the colleges. The order in this regard has been issued Commissioner HED Ram Niwas Sharma. As per the order, Principal Mohammad Zubair presently on deputation to Cluster University of Jammu (CUJ) as Dean, has been transferred and posted as Principal, GDC Ghagwal. Principal GDC Kishtwar Basharat Iqbal has been transferred and posted as Principal GDC Bhaderwah while Principal GDC Nowshera Farooq Ahmed, has been transferred and posted as Principal GDC Sidhra. Principal GDC Udhampur Sanjay Kumar has been transferred and posted as Principal MAM College Jammu while Principal GDC Ramnagar Bhavnaish Chand has been transferred and posted as Principal GDC Udhampur vice Sanjay Kumar. Principal GDC Magam Tasleema Bano has been transferred and posted as Principal GDC Baramulla while Principal GCW Bhagwati Nagar Naveen Anand has been transferred and posted as Principal GCW Parade Jammu. Naveen Anand shall take over charge on June 1 of 2026 after the retirement of Ravender Kumar Tickoo, the order reads. Principal GDC Majalta Shalini Sharma has been transferred and posted as Principal GCW Bhagwati Nagar Jammu vice Naveen Anand and shall assume charge on June 1 of 2026. Principal GDC Pampore Gazala Gayas has been transferred and posted as Principal GDC Kokernag while Principal Government College of Education Jammu Jyoti Parihar shall hold additional charge of Dean Education, Cluster University Jammu ill further orders. Principal GDC Hyderpora Srinagar shall hold additional charge of Principal GDC Budgam with effect from June 1 of 2026 after retirement of Mohammad Amin Malik on May 31 of 2026, the order reads.HED has also ordered posting of Associate Professors holding look-after charge of principals. Mohammad Farooq has been transferred from GDC Bhaderwah and assigned look after charge as Principal GDC Budhal, while Sanjeet Kour Sodhi has been shifted from GDC Ukhral to GDC Vijaypur. Tariq Ahmad Shikari has been transferred from GDC Kralpora to GDC Sogam while Tariq Ahmad Wani has been transferred from GDC Tulail to GDC Hadipora as look after Principal and Bilal Ahmad Sheikh has been transferred from GDC Gurez to GDC Beerwah and assigned look after charge of principal of the college. Ghulam Abas has been transferred from GDC Kokernag to GDC Pampore while Rumania Ashraf of GDC Rajpora has been shifted to GDC Langate. The government has also assigned look-after charge of Principal posts to 22 senior Associate Professors. Syed Muzaffar Ahmad has been transferred from GDC Bemina and assigned charge of Principal GDC Sopore, while Umer Din Rather from GDC Thathri shall look after GDC Chatroo. Abdul Rashid Wani has been assigned look after charge of GDC Khansahib while Mohammad Sadeeq of GDC Nowshera, and Shokit Hussain of GDC Mendhar have also been assigned look after charge of principals. Abdul Gani Kumar from SP College Srinagar shall look after GDC Kralpora while Rajinder Kumar Sharma has been assigned look after charge of GDC Ramnagar. Mansa Ram shall look after GDC Marwah, while Alpana Vohra has been assigned GDC Majalta and shall assume charge on June 1 of 2026. As per the order, Satish Kumar has been assigned look after charge of GDC Ukhral while Manzoor Ahmad Dar will look after GDC Charar-i-Sharief, and Syed Gulzar Ahmad will look after Government College for Women (GCW) Baramulla. Also, Neen Kumar Manhas shall look after GDC Rajpora, Kamal Kishore will look after GDC Kupwara, and Syeed Shouket Rasool GDC Magam. Lekh Raj has been assigned GDC Kishtwar while Sadat Hassan Kar shall look after GDC Tulail. Mubashir Koul has been assigned GDC Soibugh, while Assad Ullah Khan shall look after GDC Tangdar from July 1 of 2026 after retirement of Mushtaq Ahmad Wani. Daljeet Singh, presently on deputation to Cluster University Jammu, shall look after GDC Tangmarg from July 1 of 2026 after retirement of Irfan-ul-Majeed. As per the order, Farooq Ahmad Mir shall continue to look after GDC Gurez, while Raj Kumar Gupta has been assigned GDC Chenani The arrangement of Associate Professors as In-charge Principals on look-after basis shall remain purely temporary till permanent selection of Principals is received from the J&K Public Service Commission, the order reads. The order reads that the arrangement shall not confer any preferential right for promotion and shall automatically cease upon posting of regular Principals. The arrangement shall be reversible in case of any adverse report from investigation agencies and shall remain subject to the outcome of writ petitions pending before competent courts of law, the order reads.

GDA pushes technology-driven tourism management, eco-friendly infrastructure in Gulmarg

Baramulla, May 18: With tourist arrivals witnessing a steady rise at the world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg, the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) is increasingly focusing on technology-driven tourism management, regulation of tourism-related trade and environmentally sustainable infrastructure to manage the growing influx of visitors. Speaking to media persons in Gulmarg, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Gulmarg Development Authority, Tariq Hussain, said the premier tourist destination has emerged as one of the countrys preferred travel destinations and continues to gain national recognition for its scenic beauty, tourism facilities and hospitality. Gulmarg has carved a strong identity for itself across the country in terms of tourism and tourist preference. We are hopeful that the number of visitors will continue to increase in the coming seasons, he said. Hussain said the growth of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir holds significance not only from an economic perspective but also in strengthening confidence, connectivity and cultural integration between the Union Territory and the rest of the country. He said both the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Central Government are making sustained efforts to further expand and strengthen the tourism sector in the region. Highlighting the administrations focus areas, the CEO said efforts are underway to ensure a safer environment for tourists, regulate tourism-related trade and introduce modern, technology-based services for visitors. As part of these initiatives, plans are underway to develop a mobile application that will provide tourists with information and facilitation services directly on their phones, he said, adding that the move is aimed at improving convenience for visitors and streamlining tourism-related services. We are a technologically advanced country today. By using technology, we want to become digitally stronger in tourism management as well, Hussain added. Describing tourism management as a joint responsibility, he said cooperation between the administration, tourism stakeholders and local traders was essential for maintaining Gulmargs reputation as a premier tourist destination. He said Gulmargs major attractions, including the famous golf course, the Gulmarg Gondola cable car project, convention facilities and private tourism infrastructure, continue to serve as the resorts major strengths and attractions for visitors. At the same time, there is a need for discipline within the tourism sector. We must preserve the long-standing reputation of hospitality for which this region is known, he said. The CEO stressed that sanitation, cleanliness, greenery and preservation of forests remain critical to sustaining Gulmargs tourism potential and ecological balance. Gulmargs tourism potential is rooted entirely in its natural environment. Protecting that environment is essential for the future of tourism here, he said. Hussain also said Kashmirs comparatively cool climate could emerge as a major attraction for tourists seeking respite from the intense heatwave conditions prevailing in several parts of the country. If it is hot in other parts of the country, visitors can experience a completely different climate here. Gulmarg offers a natural atmosphere and cooling environment unlike the artificial cooling systems used in cities, he said.

Anti-narcotic checking drive held in Sopore under Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan

Sopore, May 18:As part of the intensified campaign against drug abuse and narcotics trafficking under the 100-Day Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, Sopore Police on Sunday conducted a massive narcotic checking and vehicle frisking operation at Iqbal Market Sopore with the active assistance of specially trained K9 dog squads. The anti-drug operation was launched in view of the growing concern over the spread of narcotic substances among the youth and to strengthen preventive measures against the transportation and illegal circulation of drugs in the town. Police teams, accompanied by trained narcotic detection dogs, established multiple checking points around the busy market area and carried out detailed inspections of vehicles, suspicious belongings, and other movable items passing through the locality. Officials said that the deployment of K9 dog squads significantly enhanced the effectiveness of the operation, as the trained dogs assisted the teams in detecting concealed narcotic substances and suspicious material. Several vehicles, including private cars, passenger vehicles, and two-wheelers, were thoroughly frisked during the drive to ensure strict monitoring of any illegal movement of drugs. The operation was conducted amid heightened vigilance and under the broader strategy of Sopore Police to dismantle the narcotics network operating in the region. Police personnel also interacted with traders, transporters, and local residents during the drive, urging them to remain alert and cooperate in the fight against drug abuse, which has emerged as a serious social challenge affecting families and communities. Officials stated that the 100-Day Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan is not limited to enforcement actions alone but also focuses on public awareness, community participation, and youth engagement to build a collective movement against drugs. They added that regular checking drives, awareness campaigns, sports activities, counselling sessions, and crackdown operations are being conducted across Police District Sopore to prevent youth from falling prey to substance abuse. The drive at Iqbal Market also drew attention from the local public, many of whom appreciated the visible presence of police and K9 squads in the market area. Residents expressed hope that such sustained actions would help curb the drug menace and discourage peddlers from operating in the region.

Sakeena Itoo reviews proposed interventions for transforming, strengthening ECCE

Srinagar, May 18:Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo Monday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the interventions proposed for transforming and strengthening Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) by the Social Welfare department across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare department, Sarmad Hafeez; Commissioner Secretary Education, Ram Niwas Sharma; Mission Director ICDS, Sajad Hussain Ganai; Project Director Samagra, Bhawani Rakhwal; Director School Education Kashmir, Naseer Ahmad Wani; Director Health Services Kashmir, Director Finance/Director Planning of Health, Social Welfare, School Education and Higher Education departments, other senior officers, while as Director School Education Jammu, Director Health Services Jammu, Director Social Welfare Jammu, representatives of BISAG-N and other concerned officers attended the meeting through virtual mode. During the meeting, the Minister undertook a comprehensive review of the ongoing Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) initiatives, infrastructural preparedness, teacher training modules, learning outcomes, enrolment trends and convergence mechanisms aimed at ensuring quality foundational learning for children in the age group of 3 to 6 years. Addressing the officers, Sakeena Itoo underscored the critical importance of ECCE in shaping the cognitive, emotional and social development of children. She stated that ECCE forms the bedrock of the education system and plays a pivotal role in nurturing young minds during their most formative years. Stressing on the proper implementation of ECCE framework in coordination with School Education department, the Minister directed all concerned departments to work in close synergy to achieve measurable improvements in nutrition, school readiness and foundational learning outcomes. She also directed the officers to remove duplicity if any regarding children registered in Anganwadi Centres and schools. Sakeena Itoo stressed the need for strengthening coordination between the School Education department and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare, Sarmad Hafeez gave a detailed on proposed interventions regarding ECCE.

Patients with chronic illnesses asked to stock medicines ahead of Chemists strike on May 20

Srinagar, May 18:In view of the nationwide chemists strike scheduled for May 20, the Jammu and Kashmir Drugs and Food Control Organisation (DFCO) has issued a public advisory asking patients dependent on regular medication to keep essential medicines in stock to avoid inconvenience during the bandh. The one-day strike has been called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) against the online sale of medicines, doorstep delivery of drugs and certain pricing practices, which the association claims are adversely affecting traditional pharmacy businesses. In its advisory, the DFCO urged patients suffering from chronic ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, cardiac diseases, epilepsy and cancer to ensure the availability of their routine medicines well in advance. The organisation also advised people to make necessary arrangements for emergency medicines, particularly for patients dependent on insulin, inhalers, paediatric drugs and other critical pharmaceutical supplies. At the same time, the DFCO clarified that there is no need for panic buying or hoarding of medicines and appealed to consumers to purchase drugs only against valid prescriptions. The organisation also sought public cooperation with pharmacy staff during the strike period. According to the advisory, DFCO field staff will closely monitor the availability of essential medicines and coordinate with hospitals, emergency pharmacies, wholesalers and district administrations to ensure that supply chains remain uninterrupted. Pharmacy operators have been further directed to continue supplying life-saving medicines in emergencies and refrain from spreading misinformation on social media platforms, the advisory added.

J&K crime rate below national average; overall cases drop by over 2,000: NCRB

Srinagar, May 18:Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a significant decline in overall crime, with total registered cognizable offences dropping by more than 2,000 over a two-year period, according to the latest Crime in India reports released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The NCRB data shows that the Union Territorys crime rate remains below the national average, indicating an overall improvement in law and order. As per the report, total cognizable crimes, including cases registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL), declined from 31,675 to 29,595 during the period under review. While SLL cases recorded a slight increase, a substantial reduction in IPC-related crimes contributed to the overall downward trend. In a notable development, the NCRB report recorded zero cases of sedition as well as no incidents of communal or religious violence in Jammu and Kashmir during the reporting period. The report also noted a decline of over 7 per cent in crimes against women, with approximately 3,600 cases registered in the latest reporting cycle. However, domestic violence, cruelty by husbands or relatives, and cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act continue to account for a significant share of offences against women. Officials said awareness campaigns, community outreach programmes and faster disposal of cases are being prioritised to address these concerns. Crimes against children also remain an area of concern, with over 880 cases reported in the latest period. A large number of such cases continue to remain pending before fast-track special courts, highlighting the need for quicker judicial intervention and timely disposal. On the cybercrime front, Jammu and Kashmir emerged among the regions with the lowest incidence of digital crimes in the country. The UT accounted for only a small share of the nearly one lakh cybercrime cases reported nationwide, suggesting relatively effective cyber vigilance and lower exposure to online fraud compared to larger states. Officials attributed the decline in overall crime to improved policing, stronger coordination among security agencies and increased public cooperation in reporting and preventing offences. The report further observed that the improving law-and-order situation coincides with administrative and security measures implemented in the Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the encouraging trend, experts cautioned that under-reporting in certain categories, particularly domestic violence and cybercrime, may still persist. They stressed the need for continued investment in women and child protection units, cyber forensic infrastructure and public awareness initiatives to sustain the downward trajectory in crime figures.

J&K Govt hikes DA for employees, pensioners

Jammu, May 18:J&K government employees and pensioners will get hiked Dearness Allowance (DA) with effect from January 1, 2026. As per four separate orders issued by J&K Finance Department, the government employees working in regular pay levels under 7th Pay Commission recommendations and the pensioners or family pensioners drawing their pension or family pension as per 7th pay commission recommendations will get DA at a revised rate of 60 percent of basic pay or pension from the existing rate of 58 percent while the employees and pensioners continuing to draw their pay and pensions as per 6th Pay Commission, will be paid DA at a revised rate of 262 percent of basic pay and pension from the existing rate of 257 percent. Referring to the decision of the J&K Council of Ministers taken on April 30, 2026, the Financial Commissioner (ACS), Finance Department, Shailendra Kumar) has mentioned that the revised rates of DA in all cases will be effective retrospectively from January 1, 2026. In continuation of the Government Order No 272-F of 2025 dated October 28, 2025, the Financial Commissioner has ordered that the government employees working in regular pay levels under 7th Pay Commission recommendations accepted and notified vide SRO 193 of 2018 dated April 24, 2018 will be paid Dearness Allowance at a revised rate of 60 percent of basic pay. It has been specified that the term 'Basic pay' in the revised pay structure means the pay drawn in the prescribed level in the pay matrix as per 7th Pay Commission recommendations, but does not include any other type of pay like special pay etc. The arrears on account of additional installment of Dearness Allowance from January, 2026 to April, 2026 will be credited into the GP Fund account of the government employees as monthly installment of GPF of the employee. However, additional installment of Dearness Allowance from January, 2026 to April 2026, in favour of government employees covered under NPS will be paid in cash. DA will form part of the monthly salary from May, 2026 onwards. In respect of NPS employees, the employers contribution of 14 percent on DA arrears will also be drawn and 10 percent of the amount, being the employees share, will be deducted at source for credit to the respective PRAN numbers. The payment on account of DA, involving a fraction of 50 paise and above will be rounded to the next higher rupee and the fraction of less than 50 paisa will be ignored. Through a separate order, Kumar ordered that in continuation to Government Order No 273-F of 2025 dated October 28, 2025, the government pensioners or family pensioners drawing their pension or family pension as per 7th pay commission recommendations would be paid Dearness Allowance at a revised rate of 60 percent of basic pension or basic family pension. The arrears on account of additional installment of Dearness Allowance with effect from January, 2026 to April, 2026 will be paid in cash in May, 2026 and will form part of the monthly pension or family pension from May, 2026 onwards. The payment on account of Dearness Allowance involving a fraction of a rupee will be rounded off to the next higher rupee. Other provisions governing the grant of Dearness Allowance on pension or family pension such as the regulations of DA during employment or re-employment where more than one pension is drawn etc., and other provisions of the existing rules or orders (as are not in conflict with provisions of the Order), will continue to remain in force. Through a separate order, it was ordered that the government employees, continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scale or grade pay as per 6th Pay Commission, would be paid Dearness Allowance at a revised rate of 262 percent of basic pay. The arrears on account of additional installment of Dearness Allowance from January, 2026 to April, 2026 will be credited into the GP Fund account of the government employees as monthly installment of GPF of the employee. However, additional installment of Dearness Allowance from January, 2026 to April 2026, in favour of government employees covered under NPS will be paid in cash. DA will form part of the monthly salary from May, 2026 onwards. Through a similar yet separate order, it was ordered that the government pensioners or family pensioners, continuing to draw their pension or family pension as per 6th Pay Commission will be paid Dearness Allowance at a revised rate of 262 percent of basic pension or basic family pension. The arrears on account of additional installment of DA from January, 2026 April, 2026, will be paid in cash in the month of May, 2026 and will form part of the monthly pension or family pension from May, 2026 onwards.

Ahsan Pardesi thanks CM Omar for Rs 361 Cr sanction to ISWMP at Achan

Srinagar, May 18:MLA Lal Chowk, Ahsan Pardesi has extended heartfelt congratulations to the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for sanctioning Rs 361 crore for the Integrated Solid Waste Management Project at Achan with a capacity of 800 TPD, describing it as a landmark and visionary initiative for the future of Srinagar. He said that the project is of immense importance for the city and will play a transformative role in strengthening the solid waste management system of Srinagar. He added that this major initiative will significantly help in reducing pollution, promoting healthier communities, ensuring cleaner streets, and enabling modern waste collection, segregation, and eco-friendly disposal mechanisms, said a press release. The MLA further stated that the project reflects the governments commitment towards sustainable urban planning and environmentally responsible growth for Srinagar. He termed it a long-cherished dream of the people of Srinagar which has finally been fulfilled under the leadership of the dynamic Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference government. On the occasion, Ahsan Pardesi congratulated the people of Srinagar as a whole and expressed confidence that the project will go a long way in addressing the growing challenges of solid waste management in the city while ensuring a cleaner, greener, and healthier Srinagar for future generations.

Grand Husn-i-Qiraatprogramme held at Jamia Masjid Srinagar

Srinagar, May 18:The commemorative events marking the 36th martyrdom anniversary of the eminent religious and political leader and founder of Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar, Shaheed-e-Millat Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq (RA), commenced today at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar with a grand and spiritually uplifting Husn-i-Qiraatprogramme. Students from dozens of Islamic seminaries and educational institutions across Kashmir participated in the event and demonstrated remarkable excellence in the recitation of the Holy Quran. The participating institutions included Dar-ul-Uloom Bilalia, Dar-ul-Uloom Dawoodia, Dar-ul-Uloom Qasmia, Jamia Saadat-ul-Quran, Islamia Oriental College, Dar-ul-Uloom Naqshbandia, Bab-ul-Uloom, Jamia Amir-e-Kabeer, Jamia Imam Azam, Dar-ul-Uloom Furqania, Maktaba Abu Bakr Siddiq, Dar-ul-Uloom Kausaria, Jamia Shams-ul-Uloom, Madrasa Sabeel-ul-Huda, Madrasa Siraj-ul-Uloom and Dar-ul-Uloom Dawood Batmaloo Srinagar, among others, said a press release. The top five positions were secured respectively by Qari Athar Manzoor of Jamia Imam Azam Sarnal Anantnag, Qari Yasir Rashid of Siraj-ul-Uloom Srinagar, Qari Muhammad Usman of Dar-ul-Uloom Qasmia, Qari Ubaid-ur-Rehman of Dar-ul-Uloom Bilalia and Qari Muhammad Abu Bakr of Bab-ul-Uloom Natipora Srinagar. The winners were awarded trophies and cash prizes by the Anjuman, while several well-wishers also appreciated and encouraged the participants. Presiding over the function, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq spoke about the significance of the Holy Quran and the importance of organising such programmes. He said that the central aim of these gatherings is to strengthen the younger generations connection with the teachings, message and understanding of the Quran. Mirwaiz also appreciated the valuable role played by religious seminaries and Islamic institutions across Jammu and Kashmir in promoting Quranic learning and preserving religious education. The competition was adjudged by Qari Saddam Hussain, Qari Ashiq Hussain and Qari Atiq-ur-Rehman. Senior religious scholars and dignitaries present on the dais included Maulana Shaukat Hussain Keng, Mufti Ejaz-ul-Hasan Qasmi Bandy, Mufti Nizamuddin Nadwi, Maulana Qari Muhammad Aslam Rahimi, Maulana Fayaz Ahmad Qasmi, Maulana Ghulam Rasool, Mufti Ghulam Rasool Samoon, Qari Naseer Ahmad Rahimi, Haji Altaf Ahmad, Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi and Maulana M.S. Rehman Shams. The gathering was attended by a large number of prominent citizens and women participants. The programme concluded with collective Fateha prayers for Shaheed-e-Millat (RA) and all the martyrs. Earlier in the day, Quran Khwani was also organised for the Isaal-e-Sawab and elevation of ranks of the martyr leader and other martyrs.

Blood donation can save precious lives

Srinagar, May 18: Khyber Medical Institute (KMI) Srinagar organised its annual 14th blood donation camp in its campus at Khayam today. People from different walks of life donated blood in the camp. Medical Superintendent KMI Dr Showkat Shah said 132 units of blood were collected during the donation camp. Dr Showkat who is a senior critical care specialist said donating blood at least once a year could reduce your risk of a heart attack by 88 percent according to a study conducted by the American Journal of Epidemiology. If youre a blood donor, you are a hero to someone somewhere who received your gracious gift of life. So giving blood is a win-win situation for both the donor and the recipient, Dr Showkat added.

Arrangements for Eid-ul-Adha reviewed in Srinagar

Srinagar, May 18: In view of the forthcoming Eid-ul-Adha celebrations, a meeting of all Sectoral/Zonal Officers was today held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo at here to review the preparations made by different Departments for seamless conduct of the auspicious religious festival.. At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner undertook a detailed review of the arrangements being made by line departments at major shrines and other prominent places across Srinagar where large congregations of devotees are expected to offer Eid prayers. Stressing the importance of coordinated efforts among departments, the DC directed all concerned officers to ensure that requisite facilities and basic amenities are put in place well in advance to facilitate smooth conduct of religious gatherings and provide maximum convenience to the devotees. While reviewing the availability of sacrificial animals and poultry birds, the DC directed the officers of the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Departments to ensure adequate supply of animals and poultry in markets across the District so that the demand during Eid-ul-Azha is met without inconvenience to the public. With regard to ensuring proper and scientific disposal of hides and fleeces during the festive period, the DC directed the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to establish designated collection centres in every Municipal Ward and widely publicise their locations for public convenience.. The DC further instructed the SMC to undertake intensified cleanliness and sanitation drives across the City and ensure that all streetlights are made fully functional well before the festival. He emphasized that special attention should be paid to cleanliness in and around major shrines, mosques and congregation venues. To ensure availability of quality food items in the market and to prevent incidents of overcharging, profiteering and black marketing during the festive period, the DC ordered constitution of special joint market checking teams comprising officers from Police, Food Safety, Legal Metrology, Sheep Husbandry and Revenue Departments. These teams have been tasked with conducting regular inspections across markets and business establishments to strictly monitor quality standards, rates and market practices in order to prevent profiteering and black marketing by business establishments operating in the District. The DC also directed Officers of PHE and KPDCL to ensure uninterrupted supply of drinking water and electricity to consumers, particularly at major shrines, mosques and religious places on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha.

Water scarcity triggers protest at Batamaloo

Srinagar, May 18: Scores of residents, mostly women, from Shigan Mohalla area of Batamaloo on Monday staged a protest against the months-long drinking water scarcity in the area. The aggrieved blocked the main road, disrupting traffic movement for several hours. Witnesses said the protesters assembled on the roadside at Batamaloo and raised slogans against the authorities, demanding immediate restoration of adequate drinking water supply to the locality. The protesting women alleged that despite repeated pleas to the officials, the crisis continues unabated, severely affecting their day-to-day lives. We have been suffering for years, but the situation has turned worse over the past three months, especially since winter. There is hardly any water for drinking, let alone for washing and other household chores, said a female protester. Officials only assure us that new pipelines will be installed and the network upgraded, but nothing changes on the ground. She added. Locals said Batamaloo has remained one of the worst-hit areas in Srinagar in terms of water scarcity and claimed that some households in Shigan Mohalla have been facing the issue since 2017. A resident said the shortage has badly affected basic household functioning. Women are suffering the most because they have to manage homes without water. We are either dependent on water tankers or forced to travel long distances carrying containers to fetch water, he said. There are patients, children and elderly people in the locality. Even basic necessities are not being met. If there is a funeral or any family function, arranging water becomes a nightmare, another aggrieved added. The protest caused massive inconvenience to commuters as traffic movement on the road remained disrupted. Several vehicles were seen stranded while police personnel were deployed to monitor the situation and regulate traffic. We understand the pain of these residents because water is a basic necessity, but authorities should address the issue in time so that common commuters do not suffer due to repeated road blockades, said Irfan Ahmad, a commuter caught in the traffic congestion. The protesting women later formed a human chain and reiterated their demand for immediate intervention by the authorities to ensure regular water supply in the locality. To mention, Greater Kashmir, in a series of reports, has highlighted persistent water shortages in several localities of the area, where residents continue to stage protests over inadequate supply. Officials have maintained that efforts are underway to enhance the water supply network in various parts of Batmaloo to address the recurring crisis.

KU extends deadline for B Tech, M Tech admission applications till May 21

Srinagar, May 18: The Directorate of Admissions and Competitive Examinations (DACE), University of Kashmir (KU), has extended the last date for submission of online application forms for admission to B Tech and M Tech programmes advertised vide Admission Notification Nos 7 and 8 of 2026 dated April 21, 2026. A statement of KU issued here said that the decision has been taken in response to repeated requests from aspirants who could not submit their application forms earlier due to various reasons. The last date for submission and updating of eligibility details has now been extended upto May 21, 2026 (Thursday). The Directorate has further informed that candidates who have already applied but have not updated their eligibility can also do the needful by the extended deadline. No further extension or updation of any kind would be allowed after the said date, the KU statement said.

Massive fire guts sanitary goods godown in Baramulla

Baramulla, May 18:A massive fire broke out at a huge sanitary goods warehouse in Kanlibagh area of Baramulla on Monday evening, causing extensive damage and losses worth crores of rupees. The fire erupted at the godown of BK Traders, a prominent sanitary items trading firm in north Kashmir owned by Ifthikar Ahmad Kakroo and Bilal Ahmad Kakroo. Flames engulfed the warehouse within minutes after the fire broke out, rapidly spreading through the stocked material inside the premises. The godown housed sanitary items and related goods worth crores of rupees, officials said. Soon after the incident, several fire tenders rushed to the spot and launched an operation to bring the blaze under control. Fire tenders were also brought from adjoining areas to control the fire. However, by the time of filing this report, the fire was still raging and firefighters were battling to prevent it from spreading to nearby structures. Eyewitnesses said thick plumes of smoke could be seen from a distance as panic gripped the area. Locals also joined rescue efforts and assisted the fire service personnel during the operation. BK Traders is considered one of the leading sanitary goods traders in north Kashmir, with a large stock of imported and domestic sanitary material stored in the warehouse. The exact cause of the fire was not immediately known. Officials said the assessment of damages would be carried out after the fire is fully controlled. No loss of life or injuries had been reported till late evening.

Kashmirs Green Discourse

At a time when the worlds attention was riveted on Delhi, hosting the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting, and on Beijing, where Donald Trump held a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Kashmir was building an inspiring story of its own. There was a lot of debate whetherTrump-Xi summit ended with a success or it delivered one-sided results in favour of Beijing, the pivot of Asian power. There also was a debate whether BRICS Foreign Ministers were able to convey message of multilateralism more effectively than the emerging reality of G-2- US and China. This debate will go on and analysts will stay divided on these issues. Amidst all this, Kashmir was writing its own story of inspiration, on which there is no debate nor any scope of argument. A new awakening has gripped the people about their future and posterity as they are feeling the heat of climate change. It has twin angles one is natural, and other is man made. Kashmir is determined to reverse the manmade part of it, though it has its own difficulties. This save environment campaign is not all about preserving trees, snow and mountains, it, in essence is the lasting quest for peace of their region. They are now investing in the campaign and practice of saving the environmentin all senses of the word. That is crucial for the geopolitics and geo-economics of the region. It is to stop fighting against the nature and embrace everything that makes Kashmir, the Kashmir. Growing concerns over environmental degradation, rising temperatures, shrinking rivers and melting glaciers found profound expressions in the public discourse. The overwhelming nostalgia for bygone era has given way to a renewed consciousness, inspiring the preservation of everything nature has blessed Kashmir with. What has happened to my Kashmir is the common refrain. Kashmir is talking about the story that world wants to listen to. These concerns about environmental degradation havea geopolitical relevance, which can easily be explained the way West Asian crises have triggered campaigns to reduce use and reliance on fossil fuel. The whole world, without any exaggeration, is thinking of alternatives. Not that Kashmir was the first to talk about itor practice it, but it did something extraordinary by thinking of inland waterways, reducing pressure on fuel and roads. There is a plan to rollout major river transport services across Jammu and Kashmir. The glimpses of these would-be projects were seen at a recent meeting in Srinagar whereJ&Ks modern inland watertransport serviceswere discussed with a big role of the administration andofficials of the Inland WaterwaysAuthority of India (IWAI). The meeting held in Srinagar on May 14 was chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. The projectaims to develop sustainable and eco-friendlytransport along the rivers Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi-with a focus on cruise tourism, passenger mobility and navigational facilities. It wasrevealed thatsignificant progress has been achieved on National Waterway-49 along the river Jhelum, where a 76-kilometre cruise corridor from Pantha Chowk to Wular Lake is under development. Construction of eight floating jetties is underway and expected to be completed by July 2026, while shore infrastructure is targeted for completion by July 2027. IWAI officials further stated that navigational aids are likely to be installed by July 2026, while dredging and fairway maintenance operations are being jointly carried out to ensure smooth navigation. And, as part of the green mobility initiative, IWAI is also procuring ten hybrid electric boats with a capacity of 20 passengers each. The vessels are expected to be delivered by March 2027, read an official release. This is a multi-dimensional environment-friendly, geopolitical and internal resilience project. The river Jhelum, in particular, is in dire need of high-quality and deep dredging in a scientific manner. Thats the need of the hour. The use of the river waters for inland transport is possible only if it is restored and rejuvenated at the earliest. In the aftermath of the devastating floods of September 2014, there was much talk of going in for dredging, and millions were spent, but the result is that the efforts worked in reverse. It became more of an money-minting exercise as the most unscientific approach was adopted dredging in Srinagar city instead of opening the mouthat Wular. Today, the river is shrinking and the water flow is far short of its original flow. The river bed encroachments have reappeared, and the crisis has worsened. The shrinking of the river has reduced people to watch in a state of helplessnesstheir agriculture heartland parch a little more each year. The new project can inject fresh life into the river and add to survival of crops in adverse climatic conditions. This is interlinked to the food security as well. It should be hoped that acceleration of the inland waterways will correct the course. That will also help in saving water, which is needed for various schemes from water supply to augmenting irrigation schemes. More importantly, Kashmir will benefit from its own water.This self-sufficiency in water resources can help stand Kashmir on a bigger pedestal of self-confidence. A huge investment is required in this infrastructural development. Peoples movement is shaping up; aimed at reviving and rejuvenating their natural resources. More water means more trees and green growth too. Kashmir knows that the environmental degradation is one of the biggest threats to its existence. It has witnessed floods, wildfires, and sometimes drought-like conditions. These are becoming more dramatic and frequent in this fragile region. This point has been flagged in the media outlets and some of the NGOs are working earnestly to make population aware of the consequences of acceptance of this degradation as part of life. Newspapers, particularly Greater Kashmir has been laying thrust on this aspect. Other media organisations were also contributing in their own way. The Valley has its own position in setting the narratives. Once it gets into environment protection with the zeal it is promising, I am sure that that will set tone for the rest of the region and neighbourhood. Give it a chance and support its initiatives.

Collapse of Trust

For millions of Indian families, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, NEET-UG, is not merely an examination. It is an aspiration condensed into three hours. It is years of sacrifice, sleepless nights, borrowed coaching fees, parents postponing their own needs, and students surrendering adolescence in pursuit of one dream: medicine. As a doctor, I understand this dream intimately. I know what it means to work through exhaustion, uncertainty, and competition in order to earn the privilege of serving human life. But I also know this: medicine is built on trust. If the process that selects future doctors is itself compromised, what does that say about the institutions meant to safeguard merit? The recent controversies surrounding NEET paper leaks and examination irregularities are not isolated administrative failures; they are symptoms of a deeper institutional decay. In 2024, India witnessed an unprecedented crisis of confidence when allegations of leaked question papers, inflated scores, grace marks, and irregular rank distributions pushed students to the streets and courtrooms. The Supreme Court of India acknowledged that leaks had indeed occurred but declined to cancel the examination, noting insufficient evidence of a systemic breach across the entire exam. Yet for students, the distinction between a localized leak and a systemic leak means very little. Trust, once fractured, does not care for legal nuance. And now, in 2026, the very same examination has once again been cancelled following fresh evidence of paper leaks affecting nearly 2.3 million aspirants, with the matter handed to the CBI. At what point do repeated irregularities stop being anomalies and start becoming policy failures? India often celebrates itself as a global knowledge economy, a nation of engineers, doctors, scientists, and innovators. But behind this narrative lies a brutal educational marketplace where merit is increasingly vulnerable to corruption, privilege, and institutional incompetence. Coaching empires flourish, students begin preparation as early as middle school, and families invest lakhs in an examination system that cannot guarantee the basic sanctity of a question paper. What message are we sending to a generation that studies eighteen hours a day while someone else buys access to leaked papers? As doctors, we are taught that diagnosis precedes treatment. The diagnosis here is uncomfortable but necessary: India does not merely have an exam-security problem, it has a governance problem. When agencies tasked with conducting national examinations repeatedly fail, when accountability is diffused across committees, ministries, and investigations, and when reform arrives only after public outrage, the issue is no longer technical. It is structural. The consequences are not abstract. Every compromised medical entrance examination shapes the future of healthcare itself. The student who loses a seat due to malpractice may have become a compassionate rural physician. The student who enters through corruption may someday hold a scalpel, prescribe medication, or make life-and-death decisions. This is not just about careers. This is about public health. This is about who gets to wear the white coat. The tragedy of NEET is not only that papers are leaked. The real tragedy is that students are beginning to lose faith in the very idea of merit. And when young people stop believing that hard work matters, institutions lose something far more precious than credibility, they lose legitimacy. India does not need another committee. It needs accountability, transparent digital security, independent oversight of testing agencies such as the National Testing Agency, criminal prosecution of organized exam rackets, and most importantly, a moral commitment that education is a public trustnot a marketplace for manipulation. As a doctor, I can tell you this: a body can survive infection if treated early. Institutions are no different. But untreated corruption, like untreated disease, eventually becomes systemic. And by then, the damage is far harder to reverse. Dr. Umer Ahmad works as a doctor at GMC Handwara.

Evidence, Governance and Society

Science and scientific temper are among the greatest forces responsible for the progress of human civilization. Every major advancement in human history, whether in medicine, communication, transport, agriculture, education, or industry, has emerged through observation, experimentation, rational thinking, and the search for truth. Yet scientific temper is not limited to laboratories, scientists, or universities alone. It is a way of thinking and living. It is the ability to examine reality with an open and balanced mind, free from blind imitation, prejudice, fear, and superstition. A society that develops scientific temper among its people becomes more progressive, peaceful, united, and capable of solving its problems wisely. Scientific temper does not mean opposition to spirituality, morality, or human values. Rather, it means harmonizing reason with ethics and knowledge with wisdom. True progress can only occur when material advancement is accompanied by moral development. Science without values may become destructive, while values without knowledge may become powerless. Therefore, society needs both intellectual development and moral consciousness - together. One of the greatest needs of the modern age is the inculcation of scientific temper among the masses. It should not remain confined to a small educated class. Administrators, politicians, teachers, parents, students, religious leaders, and common citizens all need a scientific bent of mind. The quality of leadership in any society largely determines its future. If political leaders think scientifically, they will frame policies based on evidence, consultation, research, and long-term public welfare instead of emotional slogans, prejudice, or temporary popularity. Scientific thinking in governance encourages planning, accountability, transparency, and practical solutions to public problems. Similarly, administrators with scientific temper can transform public institutions. When science and data are applied in planning and administration, problems can be studied objectively and solved systematically. Urban congestion, environmental degradation, unemployment, traffic management, healthcare delivery, waste disposal, water conservation, and educational reforms all require evidence-based approaches. Prospective planning based on research and scientific analysis can help governments anticipate future challenges instead of merely reacting after crises emerge. Scientific administration also reduces arbitrary decision-making and encourages efficiency and fairness. Teachers and educational institutions carry perhaps the greatest responsibility in shaping the intellectual culture of society. The thinking of future generations depends largely on what is discussed in classrooms, assemblies, homes, and public spaces. If schools only focus on examinations and memorization, students may gain degrees but fail to develop independent thinking. However, if schools encourage questioning, creativity, experimentation, and discussion about scientific discoveries, innovation, and social progress, children naturally develop curiosity and constructive thinking. Morning assemblies in schools can play an important role in this regard. Along with moral teachings and discipline, students should regularly hear about scientific achievements, great inventors, medical discoveries, environmental challenges, and examples of service to humanity. Discussions about peace, human unity, social harmony, and the application of science for public welfare can gradually influence the minds of children and youth. Human beings are deeply influenced by the ideas repeatedly presented before them. If society continuously speaks about conflict, hatred, fear, and division, these attitudes become rooted in public consciousness. But if society discusses science, progress, cooperation, peace, and service, the collective mindset also begins to change in that direction. Scientific temper is also essential for overcoming superstition and irrational beliefs. Throughout history, many social evils survived because people lacked scientific awareness and critical thinking. Fear and ignorance often allowed harmful customs and misconceptions to spread unchecked. Scientific temper teaches people to seek evidence, examine causes, and distinguish between fact and assumption. It encourages individuals to ask not merely what happens, but also why and how it happens. This spirit of inquiry protects society from manipulation, exploitation, and blind following. At the same time, critical thinking should not lead to arrogance or disrespect. True scientific thinking is humble because it recognizes that knowledge is always expanding. Many scientific truths accepted today were unknown in earlier centuries. Therefore, a scientific mind remains open to learning, consultation, and correction. Such an attitude promotes tolerance and intellectual maturity. History provides many examples of how scientific awareness changes social behavior. Smoking is one important example. In earlier times, smoking was socially accepted in many societies. People smoked in buses, offices, cinemas, restaurants, and public gatherings. Guests were welcomed with hukka in homes, and smoking was often viewed as a sign of sophistication or tradition. Even educated individuals and religious people participated in it without considering its consequences. Some individuals would smoke immediately after breaking fast during religious observances, considering it entirely normal. However, scientific research gradually exposed the harmful effects of tobacco on the lungs, heart, brain, and overall human health. Medical studies established clear links between smoking and diseases such as cancer, respiratory illness, and cardiovascular disorders. Public awareness campaigns, educational programs, warning labels, and scientific discussions transformed public understanding. Over time, smoking in public places became socially unacceptable in many parts of the world. This change did not occur mainly through force or punishment; it occurred because scientific evidence changed human consciousness. Society began to recognize the dangers through knowledge and awareness. This example demonstrates the immense power of science in reforming social habits and protecting public welfare. Today humanity faces another serious challenge in the form of drug addiction. The spread of narcotic substances among youth is damaging families, weakening communities, and destroying human potential. Since this problem has emerged in new forms, it requires fresh and intelligent solutions. Mere condemnation or emotional speeches alone cannot solve the issue. Scientific temper can play a major role in addressing the drug menace. Society must openly discuss the physical, psychological, social, and economic effects of drug addiction. Scientific studies on brain chemistry, mental health, trauma, peer pressure, unemployment, and social isolation can help society understand the root causes of addiction. Awareness programs should not rely only on fear but should also provide accurate knowledge, emotional support, counselling, rehabilitation, and constructive alternatives. Schools, colleges, universities, media institutions, and community organizations should organize regular discussions about the harmful effects of drugs and the importance of healthy lifestyles. Youth should be engaged in scientific innovation, sports, arts, research, environmental activities, and community service. Human energy must be directed toward creativity and purpose. Empty minds and hopeless environments often become breeding grounds for destructive habits. Scientific temper also encourages a culture of peace and social responsibility. If children and youth are given projects related to environmental protection, cleanliness drives, traffic awareness, conflict resolution, and local development, they begin to see themselves as active contributors to society rather than passive observers. Such participation develops responsibility, cooperation, and empathy. Modern civilization stands at a critical stage where humanity possesses enormous scientific power but often lacks corresponding moral maturity. Technology has connected the world physically, but divisions based on prejudice, hatred, nationalism, sectarianism, and selfish interests continue to create conflict. Therefore, scientific temper must be combined with ethical values and a sense of global responsibility. Knowledge should be used not for domination or destruction, but for the betterment of humanity. In conclusion, inculcating scientific temper among the masses is not merely an academic or intellectual goal; it is essential for the progress and stability of society. A scientific mindset promotes rational thinking, social reform, peace, public health, innovation, and responsible citizenship. It helps eradicate superstition, reduce prejudice, and encourage constructive action. When science becomes part of public culture, discussions, education, governance, and daily life, society gradually moves towards greater harmony and development. The future of humanity depends not only on scientific discoveries, but also on the development of minds capable of using knowledge wisely, ethically, and for the welfare of all humankind. Dr Nasir Shah, Former, Additional Director JKSTIC,DST, has remained actively associated with the promotion of science, scientific temper, innovation, and educational awareness across Jammu and Kashmir.

Unipolar era recedes

There is a photograph of US President Donald Trumps China visit that for many sums up its outcome: It is the image of the American president standing outside the Temple of Heaven, conspicuously silent when reporters asked whether Taiwan had come up in talks. China is beautiful, he offered instead. In that deflection lived a world of meaning, a subtle power shift from the west to the east that has now been made all the more pronounced. Xi, for his part, warned that Taiwan could push the two countries into outright conflict, called it the most important issue in the bilateral relationship, and drew a parallel between Trumps MAGA vision and Chinas own dream of national rejuvenation. This is what the first signs of a multipolar world look like. The Iran war has ironically accelerated this drift. While Washingtons image frays across the developing world, Beijing reaps soft power dividends without firing a single shot. None of this means American power has collapsed. It hasnt. But the unipolar moment is visibly receding. A world where multiple great powers hold genuine agency is not inherently a more dangerous one. Historically, multipolar orders have often generated more negotiation, more coalition-building, and ultimately more restraint than systems built around a single hegemons unchecked confidence. It is good that China followed by Russia, combined Europe and also India have now a vaunted geopolitical heft of their own and this can act as a check on the untrammeled power that the US has grown used to exercise over the past thirty years.

Why education must die to be reborn

In September 1950, William H. Whyte published an article titled Is Anybody Listening?, where he wrote: The great enemy of communication, we find, is the illusion of it. He could have been describing global education. We have built schools, trained teachers, and filled classrooms. We have celebrated rising enrolment as if it were rising wisdom, but the illusion persists and we believe communication has happened when, in fact, very little has been understood. We have confused enrollment with enlightenment, grading with growth, and schooling with intelligence. If we do not place the child at the center every day, forever, the future will not wait for us. Albert Einstein did not speak until age four. His teachers labelled him mentally slow. Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper for lacking ideas. Beethoven was considered a hopeless student. Rodin, who would become the worlds greatest sculptor failed art school three times. His father called him an idiot. These are not anomalies. They are accusations against a system that confuses conformity with competence. The history of genius reads like a quiet rebellion against schooling. Our schools are, for the most part, tree-climbing academies for fish, and the tragedy is that the fish never learn, they were born to swim. We have expanded reach. We have abandoned quality. The essential elements of scalable transformation are no secret; design for local needs, cost-effective learning structures, flexible adaptation across contexts, honest delivery mechanisms, cross-sector alliances, better data, patient financing, and an enabling environment that rewards innovation. Yet these remain aspirations, not actions. Why? Because we refuse to ask the uncomfortable question; What is the risk of changing compared to the risk of not changing? The four forces reshaping everything, urbanization, demographic shifts, the rise of a middle class, and the ubiquitous use of technology are not distant trends. They are already inside our classrooms, whether we admit it or not. The school of the future will not be a building with rows of desks. It will be personalized, interactive, global, and lifelong. As one observer put it, Life has no holiday; dreams have no expiry date; life has no pause button. But technology alone is not the answer. Ray Kurzweil, the futurist whose predictions have an 86% accuracy rate, now claims that by 2030, nanobots will repair our cellular damage and grant effective immortality. He predicted computers would defeat chess champions by 2000 that came true. If he is even half right, the implications stagger the mind, healthcare becomes the worlds largest industry, traditional insurance and pension models collapse, nations with the technology gain irreversible geopolitical advantage and labour markets transform when people work for centuries. Yet here is the deeper question, the one no futurist answers - what is the point of living longer if we do not learn better? What use is immortality without curiosity, without creativity, without the ability to adapt and grow? Education is not just about jobs. It is about meaning and meaning begins when we stop forcing every child into the same mould. Schools of the future must rest on four foundations: Intellectual capital: The genuine knowledge and skills of educators and not their credentials. Social capital: Strong, formal and informal partnerships among all stakeholders. Spiritual capital: Coherence of values, beliefs, and moral purpose about life and learning. Financial capital: Governance that aligns resources with mission, not with convenience. But above all these, the truth is that the student is the most important unit of organization, not the classroom, not the school and not the system. Technologies that students find encouraging are already extending learning beyond physical walls and the teachers role is shifting from controlling information to influencing behaviour. The most effective schools of the future will not be the richest or the most selective but the ones with excellent teachers and a relentless culture of performance development keeping it real and keeping it human. The Tyranny of the Bell Curve and the Fraud of Grading: Most assessment systems still worship the bell curve, dividing students into winners and losers by design. This is not measurement; it is ritual sacrifice. As researcher Hattie reminds us, The most powerful single modification that enhances achievement is feedback. not grades, not rankings but feedback. Grading promotes a culture of point accumulation, not learning. There is depressingly little evidence that traditional grading makes a meaningful difference to student achievement. High-stakes tests that rate, rank, slot, and humiliate students represent a strikingly limited view of assessment. The fundamental purpose of assessment is not punishment, it is improvement. Productive assessment leaves students feeling in control and optimistic, even when they do not perform well. It is followed by quality corrective instruction. It offers second chances. It is, in short, for learning, not merely of learning. For centuries, educators have known that teaching is both art and science. Yet modern systems have reduced it to certification. Across the world, thousands of teacher training institutions produce credentials, not necessarily competence. We have professionalized the degree, but not the discipline, not the craft, not the courage required to teach differently. Teachers, themselves shaped by narrow systems, often reproduce the very limitations they once endured. We have 18,000 teacher training colleges all over the country, many with little or no impact on classroom practice, yet offering considerable salary rewards. We have professionalized the certificate while abandoning the craft. This is not a system failure. It is a system design. The Parent Paradox and the Courage to Change: Parents remain the most challenging partners. They place all hope on the child yet remain ignorant of their own critical role. Meanwhile, long-held traditions elevate personal preference over evidence. Effective practice and popular practice are two different things. We must ask relentlessly: What evidence justifies our current practices? Are our professional practices actually leading to improved achievement? Carl Jung wrote, To be normal is the ideal aim of the unsuccessful. In education, normal is not enough. Life is a fingerprint that cannot be duplicated. We owe every child the chance to make the best impression with theirs. The future is not 2030 or 2050. It is a dream and a last chance that can still be saved. It can be seen right now in our schools, in the eyes of a child who loves to dance but fails math, in the teenager who builds circuits but cannot write an essay to a template. And it can freeze and go away if we do not make our schools truly best for our children. That means placing the child at the center of the universe, not as a slogan, but as a structural reality, every day, forever. We need curricula that integrate traditionally separate subjects, emphasize real-world application, and serve all students rather than sorting them by ability. We need minds trained in critical reflection (seeing multiple viewpoints), empirical reasoning (testing hypotheses with data), collective intelligence (solving problems together), and metacognition (monitoring and adjusting our own learning). These are not soft skills; they are survival skills for a century that will reward adaptation above all else. David Landes, the Harvard economic historian, closed his masterwork on the causes of wealth and poverty with this: In this world, the optimists have it, not because they are always right, but because, they are positive. Even when wrong, they are positive, and that is the way of achievement, correction, improvement, and success. Educated, open-eyed optimism pays. This is not a call for blind optimism. It is a call for honest reckoning. This is not naive hope. It is clear-eyed resolve. The problem with education is not lack of good intentions. If success were determined by good intentions alone, everyone would be successful. The problem is the illusion that communication has happened, that enrolment equals learning, that conformity equals intelligence, that grading equals growth. Einstein did not become a genius because of school. He became one despite it. Disney was not made by a newspaper, he was unmade by one, and then remade himself. Rodins uncle called him uneducated; Rodins hands called forth The Thinker. We have a choice. We can continue building better tree-climbing tests for fish. Or we can finally ask: What would happen if we let the fish swim? The answer is not a prediction. It is a promise. And that promise is sitting in a classroom somewhere right now waiting for us to stop calling it stupid and start calling it possible. Dr. Farooq Wasil, a published author, and an educationist, currently CAO of Vasal Education Group and Founding Director of Thinksite Services Private Limited. He has over four decades of experience in the field of Education Managementsetting up, operating and managing Schools.

Fragmented Recovery, Forgotten Lessons

When the waters of September 2014 engulfed Srinagar, entire neighbourhoods disappeared under muddy currents, hospitals became inaccessible, bridges collapsed, communication systems failed and the Valley witnessed one of the gravest urban disasters in its modern history. The floods were not merely a natural calamity. It exposed decades of ecological neglect, unplanned urbanisation, institutional fragmentation and weak environmental governance across Jammu and Kashmir. More than a decade later, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the World Bank-assisted Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project raises uncomfortable but necessary questions. The audit does not simply document procedural delays or financial inefficiencies. It reveals something deeper and more troubling. It points to the Jammu and Kash irs recovery architecture which is fragmented, compartmentalised and unable to evolve into a coherent climate-resilient governance framework. For me, the floods were not merely an administrative or environmental event to be studied from institutional files. They were deeply personal. At that time, I was residing in Jawahar Nagar, one of the worst-affected areas of Srinagar. I still remember the growing anxiety of the early morning of 7 September 2014 when I noticed floodwaters rapidly approaching near Dr. Sethis clinic at Jawahar Nagar Chowk. Sensing the gravity of the situation, my family vacated the house in time. That decision probably saved lives, but we lost household belongings, personal records, memories and the emotional security attached to a home built over decades. Yet what remained with me most profoundly was the realisation that this disaster was not entirely natural. The floodwaters exposed years of ecological neglect, shrinking wetlands, unplanned urban expansion, weak drainage systems and fragmented governance structures that had steadily increased Kashmirs vulnerability. The experience transformed my understanding of disaster management from a purely technical subject into a deeply human and ecological concern. The tragedy of the floods was immense. The tragedy of the recovery lies in the fact that many structural lessons still remain insufficiently addressed. The JTFRP was conceived as an ambitious recovery and resilience-building initiative with World Bank assistance running into nearly Rs 1,500 crore. The project aimed to reconstruct damaged infrastructure, restore hospitals and schools, improve roads and bridges, strengthen disaster management systems, rehabilitate drainage infrastructure and create long-term institutional preparedness for future climate-related disasters. On paper, the vision was progressive and timely. In implementation, however, the project became a case study in administrative fragmentation. One of the clearest observations emerging from the CAG findings is the absence of unified institutional coordination. Multiple departments and agencies were involved in implementation including Public Works, urban local bodies, flood control authorities, health agencies, planning institutions and engineering wings. Instead of operating under a tightly integrated command structure, departments often functioned in silos with overlapping responsibilities and weak coordination mechanisms. The consequences were predictable: Delays in approvals and tendering Revisions in project scope Cost escalations Incomplete works Weak monitoring systems Poor interdepartmental communication Delayed utilisation of funds Several projects reportedly suffered because technical clearances, land acquisition issues, procurement processes and administrative sanctions were not synchronised before execution began. In many cases, projects moved at the pace of routine bureaucracy despite being part of an emergency recovery programme. That contradiction is central to understanding the failure. Disaster recovery cannot be governed through ordinary administrative inertia. It requires urgency, continuity, scientific planning and institutional cohesion. The CAG report indicates that while financial resources were mobilised, governance systems were often not prepared to absorb and execute such a complex and multi-sector intervention efficiently. The problem becomes even more significant when viewed through the regional dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir. The floods primarily devastated the Kashmir Valley, particularly Srinagar and surrounding districts, where urban inundation reached catastrophic proportions. Yet the recovery programme increasingly reflected the familiar political balancing act between Kashmir and Jammu that shapes much of the administrative decision-making. This balancing tendency diluted strategic prioritisation. Kashmir urgently required comprehensive floodplain management, restoration of wetlands, strengthening of spill channels, drainage redesign and hydrological restructuring of the Jhelum basin. Jammu, meanwhile, required separate urban flood management planning around the Tawi basin and rapidly urbanising corridors. Instead of evolving a basin-specific ecological strategy, many interventions became fragmented infrastructure packages distributed across sectors and regions. This is where the deeper governance crisis emerges. Floods in Kashmir are not merely engineering failures. They are ecological governance failures. The Srinagar flood exposed decades of encroachment on wetlands, degradation of natural flood absorption systems, narrowing of flood spill channels, unscientific urban expansion and weak enforcement of environmental regulations. The fragile hydrology of Kashmir had already been compromised long before the floodwaters entered homes and hospitals. Yet post-flood reconstruction remained disproportionately infrastructure-centric. Roads, embankments, and buildings were prioritised, but ecological restoration did not receive equivalent urgency. Wetland conservation, floodplain zoning, watershed protection and scientific urban planning remained institutionally fragmented across departments. This disconnect between infrastructure and ecology continues to define disaster governance in Jammu and Kashmir. The CAG findings also point towards weak institutional capacity and poor continuity of expertise. Large-scale climate adaptation and disaster recovery programmes require specialised technical knowledge, interdisciplinary coordination and long-term policy consistency. However, frequent administrative reshuffling, changing institutional arrangements and limited continuity weakened implementation efficiency. As an environmental expert nominated by the Government to the World Bank-assisted JTFRP in 2016, I had the opportunity to engage with ecological and sustainability dimensions linked to flood recovery and resilience planning. My association with the committee, however, remained limited in duration due to subsequent administrative restructuring and evolving institutional arrangements. That experience reinforced a larger concern. The environmental recovery projects in fragile Himalayan regions suffer significantly when continuity of scientific expertise and institutional memory is interrupted midway. Having worked extensively on wetlands, river systems, environmental impact assessment, climate governance and the preparation of the first State Action Plan on Climate Change for Jammu and Kashmir, I have observed that ecological systems cannot be managed through fragmented administrative silos. Rivers, wetlands, urban settlements, forests and climate systems function as interconnected realities. Governance structures must evolve accordingly. Climate resilience cannot be built through fragmented governance. It requires stable institutional ecosystems where technical knowledge survives beyond transfers, restructurings and political transitions. The timing of the project further complicated implementation. Jammu and Kashmir underwent extraordinary political and administrative changes during the project period. The coalition instability, Governors Rule, constitutional reorganization and repeated bureaucratic restructuring led to disruption in control and command. Such transitions inevitably affect continuity in planning and execution. Large recovery programmes require policy stability. Instead many institutional mechanisms were repeatedly adapting to changing administrative realities.The result was uneven progress. Some infrastructure projects advanced, while others stagnated for years. Procurement delays, weak contractor performance, land disputes and procedural bottlenecks slowed implementation. Several works reportedly remained incomplete despite substantial expenditure. Yet perhaps the most serious concern is that the larger ecological vulnerabilities continue to persist even today. Srinagar remains highly vulnerable to future flooding. Wetlands continue shrinking. Urban expansion continues into ecologically sensitive zones. Drainage stress has intensified due to changing rainfall patterns linked to climate change. The Tawi basin too faces increasing environmental pressure from urbanisation and land-use changes. This means the 2014 floods were not an isolated event. They were an early warning. Climate scientists have repeatedly warned that Himalayan regions like Jammu and Kashmir are entering an era of heightened hydrological uncertainty driven by erratic precipitation, glacier changes, cloudbursts, urban heat effects and ecological degradation.Under such circumstances, fragmented recovery models are no longer sustainable. The lessons from the JTFRP therefore go far beyond accounting procedures or audit observations. They raise fundamental questions about the future of governance in Jammu and Kashmir. Do we continue treating disasters as temporary engineering problems? Or do we finally recognise them as systemic ecological and governance crises? The answer requires structural reforms. Jammu and Kashmir urgently needs: Integrated river basin management Wetland-centred urban planning Unified municipal flood authorities Scientific land-use regulation Stronger environmental enforcement Interdepartmental coordination mechanisms Climate-sensitive infrastructure planning Continuity of technical expertise Ecological restoration as core public policy Most importantly, environmental governance must move beyond departmental compartmentalisation. Floods do not recognise bureaucratic boundaries. Water connects forests, wetlands, rivers, roads, urban settlements, agriculture, and climate systems into one interconnected ecological reality. Governance structures must evolve accordingly. The CAG report therefore should not be viewed merely as an audit of expenditure. It should be treated as a policy warning. The next disaster may not offer the luxury of delayed learning. Jammu and Kashmir stands today at a critical crossroads between ecological vulnerability and climate resilience. The region possesses extraordinary natural systems capable of supporting sustainable development if managed scientifically and collectively. But if governance remains fragmented, reactive and politically compartmentalised, future recovery projects may continue reproducing the same cycle of expenditure without transformation. The floods of 2014 submerged roads, homes and institutions. What they truly exposed, however, was the urgent need to rebuild governance itself. And that reconstruction still remains incomplete. Call to Action Jammu and Kashmir can no longer afford a fragmented approach to disaster recovery and environmental governance. The Himalayan ecosystem is changing rapidly under the pressures of climate change, unplanned urbanisation, wetland degradation and institutional inertia. Every delayed reform today increases the scale of tomorrows disaster. The time has come for policymakers, planners, scientists, civil society and citizens to collectively demand a new governance framework rooted in ecological intelligence and administrative coordination. We need: A legally empowered integrated flood and climate resilience authority for Jammu and Kashmir Scientific protection of wetlands, floodplains, and river corridors Climate-resilient urban planning for Srinagar and Jammu Transparent monitoring of all externally funded environmental projects Institutional continuity for technical experts and domain specialists Strong public participation in environmental decision-making Real-time ecological data systems for disaster preparedness Most importantly, environmental governance must move from symbolic response to structural reform. The lessons of 2014 should not remain buried in audit reports, committee files and post-disaster rhetoric. They must shape a new developmental vision for Jammu and Kashmir. The one where ecology is treated not as an obstacle to development, but as the foundation of long-term security, resilience and human survival. The choice before us is stark. Either we build resilience through coordinated ecological governance today or we continue rebuilding the same vulnerabilities after every disaster tomorrow. Mutaharra A W Deva, Certified Independent Director from Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Corporate Affairs Government of India Jammu Kashmir travel

AIIMS Awantipora begins first major faculty recruitment drive

Srinagar, May 18:The much anticipated, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Awantipora has initiated one of its biggest recruitment exercises yet. With 94 Group-A faculty posts advertised across various departments, the Super Specialty institute has inched closer to operationalisation by its new timeline December 2026. The official notification has been issued under Advertisement No 67/2026 dated May 15. The posts that are to be filled include 85 Assistant Professors, five Associate Professors, two Additional Professors, and two Professors in various clinical and non-clinical specialties. Online applications will b accepted from May 20 and continue till June 18. This recruitment is significant one for the institute as it marks a crucial step for AIIMS Awantipora. The long-delayed infrastructure project has begun hunting for human resource for making tertiary-care and teaching institution functional. The faculty appointments are among the final foundational requirements for academic and hospital services to commence. These posts had been sanctioned nearly three years ago: in 2023, the Centre had approved 94 faculty and 244 non-faculty posts for the institute. However, most positions remained vacant as infrastructure development lagged much behind the announced timelines. Till date, all the sanctioned faculty posts at the institute were still lying vacant, while only a handful of non-faculty appointments had been made through centralized AIIMS recruitment processes. The latest recruitment reflects administrative momentum after years of delays. AIIMS is expected to reshape healthcare delivery in Kashmir, addressing specialist shortages, overcrowding at tertiary hospitals and dependence on outside states for treatment of complex medical conditions. The institute is expected to reduce referral pressure on major hospitals with parallel high-end healthcare, research and teaching. It is also expected to expand super-speciality services and postgraduate medical education. Across country, several AIIMS institutions face major faculty shortages, elucidated by recent RTI and parliamentary data. At least one-third to 40 percent of faculty positions remain vacant across multiple AIIMS institutions in India. AIIMS Awantipora is now planning a phased operationalisation in 2026. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently stated that the institute is expected to become operational in 2026, with full construction expected to continue until December 2026. There is no clarity yet on whether the Institute will seek Letter of Permission from National Medical Commission for admitting its first batch of MBBS students this year.

Additional charge syndrome derails MGNREGA execution

Srinagar, May 18:The shortage of Block Development Officers (BDOs) in north Kashmirs Kupwara district is severely affecting the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The authorities have ordered for withholding salaries and honorariums of 10 BDOs and field functionaries over extremely poor performance in execution of works and generation of persondays under MGNREGA. As per the order, only 10 Block Development Officers (BDOs) are currently overseeing 22 blocks in the district. Among them several officers are holding additional charge of multiple blocks simultaneously. In some cases, a single officer is managing four blocks while other BDO is manning three blocks and other BDOs are managing two blocks. As per the order issued by the Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Kupwara, the district administration has found the performance under MGNREGA during the first quarter of the financial year 2026-27 extremely poor and unsatisfactory against the assigned labour budget targets. Despite repeated review meetings, monitoring exercises and strict directions from the authorities, the concerned officers and field-level functionaries failed to improve the pace of developmental works and employment generation under the rural job scheme, the order reads. It reads that the poor performance reflected gross negligence, lack of seriousness and non-compliance towards official duties. The failure of supervision and monitoring adversely affected achievement of targets in the district, the order reads. In wake of this, ACD Kupwara has ordered withholding of salaries and honorariums of all the 10 concerned BDOs along with Assistant Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers and other field staff working under their administrative control with immediate effect till further orders. The move has brought focus on the additional charge syndrome prevailing in the Rural Development Department in Kupwara district as a limited number of BDOs are handling multiple blocks. As per the order, one BDO has been assigned charge of four blocks including Kalaroose, Machil, Wavoora and Sogam, while another officer is simultaneously overseeing Herri Qadirabad, Kralpora and Kupwara blocks. Other BDOs whose salaries have been withheld are also managing two blocks each. The ACD has warned the officers of strict disciplinary action, including attachment or termination if there was no substantial improvement in performance within the shortest possible time. All Block Development Officers are hereby directed to personally monitor the progress on day-to-day basis and ensure immediate acceleration in personday generation and execution of approved works, the order reads. The BDOs have also been directed to submit daily progress reports to the ACD office. Any negligence or non-compliance would invite action under the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Rules and other applicable laws, it reads. Minister for Rural Development Department (RDD), Javid Ahmad Dar was not available for his comments about the dearth of BDOs in the department.

Upto 6% conviction in UAPA cases nationally: SC

New Delhi, May 18:The Supreme Court on Monday flagged low conviction rates under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and said that more than 90 percent of such trials culminate in acquittals. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan made the observations while granting bail to a Jammu and Kashmir resident, Syed Iftikhar Andrabi, accused in a narco-terrorism case. The top court referred to data compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and said that the country-wide percentage of convictions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for the five years from 2019-23 hovers between 2 percent and 6 percent. In other words, there is a 94 percent to 98 percent possibility of acquittal in such cases in the country. When it comes to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the percentage of conviction is abysmal, to say the least. For the aforesaid period, the annual rate of conviction is always less than 1 percent. It means that at the end of the trial, there is a 99 percent possibility of acquittal in such cases. With such statistics staring at our face, the question is, should we continue the detention of the appellant or defer the consideration to a later stage, simply because the charges are serious? the bench said. The top court also said that, on due consideration, it believed that Andrabi has made out a case for the grant of bail during the pendency of the trial, as there is no recovery of cash or contraband from the person of the appellant or from the premises used by the appellant, either as his residence or place of work. All statements implicating the appellant have been made before the police, including the confessions allegedly made by the appellant himself, which, prima facie, are self-incriminating and hit by Section 25 of the Evidence Act, 1872. The appellant has no prior antecedents of being connected with the narcotic trade or in terrorist activities. At least, no such material has been placed on record. On the contrary, it is stated that the appellant is an ardent advocate of the constitutional, federal and democratic set-up of India. He is a supporter of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference, a registered mainstream political party, the bench noted. Andrabi had challenged an order passed by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, which dismissed his bail plea, saying the scrutiny of cellphone records indicated that he had been in touch with terror operatives across the border. Narrating the sequence of events leading to the apprehension of the accused, the NIA had said that on June 11, 2020, police intercepted a car belonging to Abdul Momin Peer at Kairo Bridge, Handwara. During a search, Rs 20.01 lakh in cash and 2 kg of heroin were seized, and Peer was arrested. Later, on his disclosure, the police arrested Andrabi and Islam-ul-Haq Peer. Investigation revealed that the accused were allegedly involved in cross-border smuggling and supply of heroin in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country after procuring the same from their associates in Pakistan, the chargesheet said. Andrabi and Abdul Momin Peer had visited Pakistan several times during 2016-17 to meet the operatives of terrorist organisations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, it said, adding that the amount generated from the sale of heroin was used by the accused to further the terrorist activities of Lashkar-e-Taiba. GREATER KASHMIR ADD TO THE REPORT The appellant was represented by senior advocate Shadan Farasat along with other advocates including Talha Abdul Rahman, Umair Andrabi, Tanisha, Naseer H Jafri, Dilwar H Barlaskar, Uzair, Sudhanshu Tewari, Deepesh Kasana, Faizan Ahmed and M Shaz Khan. The senior counsel vehemently argued that four of the co-accused have been granted bail; one by the Apex Court and three by the High Court. Therefore, there was no reason why the appellant should continue to languish in jail, he said. To the allegations levelled against appellant being accused no 2 in the case, it was submitted that there was no material on record to show even a prima facie case against him under the NDPS Act. The recovery of cash and contraband allegedly on June 11, 2020 from the bedroom of accused No 1 was already reported in the public domain as having been recovered from the accused No 1, on June 10, 2020 at Bemina, Srinagar. In any view of the matter, it was argued that there was no recovery either from the person of the appellant or from any premises used by the appellant as his residence or working place. It was further argued the charge of terror cannot stand independent of the charge under the NDPS Act. When there is no evidence of sale or purchase of narcotics nor is there any admissible evidence of recovery of narcotics or funds from the appellant, not to speak of having found him in conscious possession of any narcotic; the whole premise of terror funding charges against the appellant under the UAP Act collapses.

Statehood will be restored to J&K at appropriate time: LG

Srinagar, May 18:Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha Monday said that statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be restored at an appropriate time, saying that people should trust the assurance given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue. In an interview to News18 J&K, LG Sinha said the Centre had already laid out a roadmap after the abrogation of Article 370, including delimitation, elections, and restoration of statehood. The Prime Minister had clearly said delimitation first, elections second, and statehood at the appropriate time. Delimitation took time, elections were held, and a government was formed. People should trust that assurance, he said. Referring to the Assembly elections held in Jammu and Kashmir, the LG termed them historic, saying there was not a single incident of violence or re-polling despite apprehensions over security. The elections were held in peaceful manner. For the first time in the Valley, people came out in large numbers till late hours to vote, he said. On Chief Minister Omar Abdullah raising the demand for restoration of statehood, LG Sinha refrained from direct comment saying that commitments made in Parliament would be honoured. He also spoke about administrations anti-drug campaign, saying authorities were simultaneously targeting supply chains, public awareness and rehabilitation of addicts. We are working on a systematic basis and not taking random action, the LG said. He said that over the last 37-38 days, 766 FIRs had been registered, 856 accused arrested, and 677 kg narcotics seized across Jammu and Kashmir. LG Sinha said properties worth over Rs 52 crore linked to drug smugglers were attached while demolition proceedings were underway in several cases. He said that 19,400 psychotropic substances had been seized while detention under PIT and NDPS was 31 and property worth Rs 52.41 crores was attached. Number of property attached is 117, property demolished is approximately worth Rs 17-18 crores, the LG said. He said that bulldozers are not in operation but illegal structures linked to narcotics trade were being demolished through legal procedures. LG Sinha said awareness drives had reached over 4.5 lakh people through schools, sports activities, and community outreach programmes. However, he said that rehabilitation, remained the biggest challenge, with the administration finalising a policy to track recovering addicts for three years and support them with treatment and employment opportunities. The administration will bear rehabilitation expenses. There will be no shortage of money, the LG said. He said that more de-addiction and rehabilitation centres were being planned. LG Sinha described narcotics as part of an international conspiracy aimed at destroying Indias youth. Recruitment into terror outfits has now come down to single digits from three-digit figures earlier, he said. However, the LG said that most top terrorist commanders were eliminated. On security challenges following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, he accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir but said security forces responded decisively. Our Army, J&K Police and CRPF gave a strong message that Indias security cannot be challenged, LG Sinha said. He also said the security grid in the Jammu region was strengthened following infiltration attempts and terrorist incidents in Kathua, Udhampur and Kishtwar districts. On suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty provisions and ongoing hydropower projects, LG Sinha termed it a historic decision reflecting strong political willpower by the Centre. He said several short, medium, and long-term infrastructure and hydropower projects were being taken up and claimed that Jammu and Kashmirs economy would significantly benefit from enhanced power generation. The LG said that peace and development transformed J&K over the last few years, citing improvements in tourism, agriculture, private investment and the financial performance of Jammu and Kashmir Bank. When I came here, J&K Bank was in losses of Rs 13-14 billion. Now it is earning profits of over Rs 2,000 crore, he said. LG Sinha said that hostility and separatist sentiment had substantially declined, saying that people in Jammu and Kashmir increasingly viewed their future with India. People now openly say their future is with India, he said.

India's shock absorbers are not working

India's external sector faces unprecedented pressure. Shock absorbers that previously aided recovery have weakened simultaneously. This includes shifts in Yen funding, AI's impact on EM allocation, and reversing passive globalisation. Stable trade architecture is fragmenting, and secure Gulf energy flows are challenged. India's reliance on financing deficits, not eliminating causes, is a core issue.

Indias $1 trillion import dependence makes green transition a strategic necessity

India faces significant import reliance across key sectors. Aatmanirbharta requires a growth model shift, with the green economy offering a powerful solution. This pathway can attract substantial investments and create millions of jobs. Focusing on renewable energy, bioeconomy, and circularity will reduce import dependence and enhance economic security.

Xi Jinping's 'Thucydides Trap' warning: Is China outsmarting the US without engaging in actual conflict?

China employs a strategy of subduing rivals without fighting, a tactic evident in its diplomatic approach. This method has allowed China to achieve strategic growth intervals. The recent meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump signals a new phase for China. India and other nations must prepare for China's evolving global role and the US's shifting strategic posture.

Fresh initiative to break deadlock in US-Iran peace talks

New Delhi, May 18: In an effort to break the impasse, fresh diplomatic initiatives have been launched to bring the US and Iran back to the negotiating table in search of a durable and peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict. President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected Irans latest proposal, describing it as unacceptable and not worthy of consideration, thereby dimming hopes for an immediate breakthrough in the stalled talks. Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi,who rushed to Teheran to convey Americas concern and objection to the Iranian peace plan, held a series of meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pewzeshkian and Speaker Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf and other leaders to discuss fresh peace proposals He also met Iranian Interior Minister and senior security officials. President Pezeshkian was hopeful that the diplomatic efforts would play an important role in establishing lasting peace in the The Iranian president said that Iran seeks sincere and stable relations with Islamic countries in the region, adding that unity among Muslim nations could reduce the chances of interference by external powers. He emphasized that coordination and solidarity among Islamic countries could form the foundation for durable peace and stability.

Fire guts warehouse in Baramulla, spreads to adjacent structures

PM Modi calls for early end to conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine

Oslo, May 18: India and Norway have firmed up a Green Strategic Partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store held wide-ranging talks during which they called for resolving the tensions in Ukraine and West Asia through dialogue and diplomacy. The two leaders held talks on Monday focusing on expanding cooperation in areas such as clean energy, climate resilience, blue economy, green shipping, digital technology, space and Arctic research. India and Norway both believe in a rules-based order, dialogue, and diplomacy. We are in agreement that no issue can be resolved through military conflict, Modi said in his televised media statement after the talks. Whether it is Ukraine or West Asia, we support and will continue to support, every effort toward an early end to the conflicts and the restoration of peace, he said. Delving into India-Norway ties, Modi said the relations are being elevated to a Green Strategic Partnership. Through this strategic partnership, our companies will develop global solutions across sectors - from clean energy to climate resilience, and from the blue economy to green shipping - by combining India's scale, speed, and talent with Norways technology and capital, he said. The prime minister said the 'Green Strategic Partnership' will be beneficial for the entire world. The prime minister also touched upon the upswing in India-Europe ties and described it as a golden era of the relationship. Today, the world is passing through a period of instability and uncertainty. Whether it is Ukraine or West Asia, many parts of the world continue to face conflict. At such a time, India and Europe are entering a new golden era in their relationship. In his remarks, Modi thanked Norway for supporting India after last year's Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. I was scheduled to visit Norway last year, but the trip had to be postponed due to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. During that difficult time, Norway stood firmly with India against terrorism, reflecting the strength of our friendship, he said. Today, as I visit Norway, I express my heartfelt gratitude for that solidarity, he added. In his remarks, Modi also underlined the need for reform of global institutions to deal with emerging global challenges. We are also in agreement that reform of global institutions is essential to address the growing global challenges. And eliminating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is our shared commitment, he said. The prime minister met Store hours after landing in Oslo. Modi also referred to the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association, describing it as a blueprint for ensuring shared progress and prosperity. He said the pact envisages USD 100 billion investment in India and creation of one million jobs over the next 15 years. The prime minister said both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in sustainability, ocean energy, geology and health, while linking universities and start-up ecosystems in sectors such as engineering, artificial intelligence, cyber and digital technologies. He said cooperation in skill development and talent mobility would also expand further. Highlighting Arctic cooperation, Modi described Norway as an important country in the Arctic region and thanked it for supporting the operation of India's Arctic research station Himadri. He also welcomed the signing of an MoU between ISRO and the Norwegian Space Agency, saying it would give a new dimension to bilateral space cooperation. Modi also hailed Norway's decision to join the India-led Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. As two major maritime nations, we will work together to strengthen cooperation in the marine economy, maritime security, and capacity building, he said. The prime minister said the two sides also signed a triangular development cooperation agreement under which they would work together in countries of the Global South through India's digital public infrastructure projects. From the Arctic to outer space, and from green shipping to food and energy security, cooperation between India and Norway was reaching new frontiers, Modi said. A joint statement said the two prime ministers unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. The leaders called for dismantling of terror infrastructure and safe havens, and for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner and in accordance with international law, it said. They reiterated their commitment for strong and concerted action against terrorists and terrorist groups, including those listed in the UNSC 1267 sanctions regime and their affiliates, proxies, sponsors, backers and financiers. They reaffirmed strong commitment to continue taking active measures to disrupt the terror financing channels, including at the UN and FATF, it added.

Car gutted in mysterious fire incident in J-K's Rajouri

Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026: UPSC to release provisional answer key soon after exam

New Delhi, May 18: The Union Public Service Commission, for the first time, will release the Provisional Answer Key for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, soon after the Exam, to enhance transparency and uphold the highest standards of conduct of examination. Terming it as a new beginning, the UPSC Chairman, Dr. Ajay Kumar, said, For the first time, the Union Public Service Commission will release the Provisional Answer Key for the Civil Services Examination. This initiative reflects the Commissions ongoing endeavour to bring greater transparency, responsiveness, and timely communication with candidates. He further added, The policy aims to make the examination process more participative while upholding its sanctity, integrity, and merit-based framework. After the release of provisional answer key, candidates of the Civil services examination, can submit their representations, if any, till May 31, 2026, 6PM, through a dedicated online portal i.e. Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) available at https://upsconline.nic.in/login. Candidates will be able to submit their representations by indicating the correct key as per their understanding, along with a brief description and supporting documents from three authentic sources. This will not only enable candidates to make an early and informed assessment of their performance in the examination but also provide them adequate time and opportunity to submit their representations. All representations received from candidates will be placed before the team(s) of subject expert(s) for a comprehensive and meticulous review. These experts possess domain knowledge and subject expertise. They will carefully examine each representation, assess the supporting documents, and record their considered views regarding the correctness of the Answer Key for the concerned questions. The Answer Key will thereafter be finalized only after due consideration of all representations received. This new reform has been introduced to address, the long-standing demand from candidates for publication of Provisional Answer Keys. This was also, in furtherance of the Commissions commitment towards transparency, accountability, and strengthening the confidence of candidates in the examination system, the Commission has implemented the policy of publishing the Provisional Answer Keys.UPSC Chairman, Dr. Ajay Kumar terms early release of provisional answer Key, a new beginning towards greater transparency

Gold flat at Rs 1.62 lakh/10g; silver edges higher on import curbs

New Delhi, May 18: Gold prices remained flat at Rs 1.62 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital on Monday, while silver rates edged higher to Rs 2.76 lakh per kilogram amid fresh restrictions on imports of the white metal and weakness in the rupee. According to the All India Sarafa Association, the white metal appreciated by Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,76,000 per kg (inclusive of all taxes) from Friday's closing level of Rs 2,75,000 per kg. Gold of 99.9 per cent purity was unchanged at Rs 1,62,800 per 10 grams in the bullion market, according to the association. Analysts said domestic bullion prices remained relatively resilient despite weakness in global markets. Gold prices in the domestic market traded flat on Monday, following a sharp sell-off in the previous session, tracking weakness in the international bullion market, Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said. However, losses in local prices remained limited as the Indian rupee weakened further to a record low of about 96.37 against the US dollar. The weaker rupee continued to cushion the decline in domestic gold prices, he added. Market participants also reacted to the central government's decision to impose immediate restrictions on silver imports in nearly all forms, a move aimed at easing pressure on the rupee and curbing non-essential imports. The move is expected to lower silver imports and tighten domestic availability, which could lead to higher premiums in the local market, Gandhi added. In the international market, spot gold was trading marginally lower at USD 4,535.23 per ounce, while silver fell nearly 1 per cent to USD 75.42 per ounce. Spot gold fell on Monday as the US dollar and oil prices extended their gains from the previous week, Praveen Singh, Head of Commodities at Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said. Meanwhile, the US-China summit concluded on a somewhat positive note as President Donald Trump did not raise contentious issues like technology, trade and tariffs. Consequently, global bond yields surged, which further boosted downside pressure on the yellow metal, Singh added. Investors remain focused on ongoing US-Iran developments, along with rupee-dollar movement, which continue to drive volatility across bullion markets, according to Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities.

Amarnath Yatra: LG Sinha reviews construction work at Pantha chowk yatri niwas

Srinagar, May 18: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday reviewed the ongoing construction works and pilgrim facilities at Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) Yatri Niwas at Pantha Chowk here. Sinha visited the Yatri Niwas and interacted with the officials. He directed them to expedite the progress and ensure completion of pending works well before commencement of the Amarnath Yatra, an official spokesperson said. He said the LG also reviewed the arrangements for sound and light show dedicated to Baba Barfani. The lieutenant governor was accompanied by CEO SASB M K Bhandari, board member Mukesh Garg and senior police and civil administration officers of Srinagar district. The annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir will commence on July 3 and conclude after 57 days on August 28.

Nimaz-e-Jinazah of Er Rashids father at 2 PM tomorrow in Mawar Payeen Handwara: AIP

Srinagar, May 18: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi has informed that the Nimaz-e-Jinazah of Mohammad Khazir Sheikh, father of jailed Member of Parliament Baramulla, Er Rashid, shall be offered tomorrow on 19th May (Tuesday) at 2:00 PM at their ancestral village Mawar Payeen, Tehsil Qalamabad, Handwara. Inam Un Nabi said late Mohammad Khazir Sheikh was a respected personality and veteran teacher whose demise has caused deep sorrow across Jammu and Kashmir. Sharing details regarding Er Rashids arrival, Inam Un Nabi said that Er Rashid will arrive at Srinagar Airport in the morning and shall later proceed directly towards his ancestral village Mawar Handwara where he will participate in the Nimaz-e-Jinazah and other funeral rites of his late father. The AIP Chief Spokesperson appealed people to pray for the departed soul and requested well-wishers and supporters to maintain discipline and dignity during the funeral proceedings. Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajioon. May Almighty Allah grant the departed soul the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous, Inam Un Nabi said.

Indian students in Gulf can study Arabic under revised CBSE policy

New Delhi, May 18: Thousands of Indian students in the Gulf studying in scores of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)-affiliated schools can now study Arabic under the revised language policy. The new framework is proving to be more flexible than initially expected and has eased concerns among school managements, according to Emirates media reports quoting school authorities. The CBSE has introduced three major revised policies for Gulf and overseas schools a newly mandated three-language formula, a specialised global curriculum and a hybrid evaluation system. The language policy for Classes 9 and 10 had initially raised concerns about how the new rules would affect thousands of Indian students studying in schools across the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf nations from the 202627 academic session. One of the major concerns among UAE schools was the requirement for students to study two native Indian languages. However, school principals said the revised guidelines provide sufficient flexibility for Gulf schools to continue teaching Arabic, while ensuring students would not have to appear for an additional board examination in the subject in Grade 10. Pramod Mahajan, principal of Sharjah Indian School, said there was no issue for foreign schools under the revised policy, explaining that only one Indian native language would be mandatory for overseas institutions. He said R1 (First Language) can be English, while R2 can be Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu or Tamil, adding that R3 for UAE students can be Arabic. R3 will not be evaluated by the board but will appear on the final mark sheet based on internal assessment and grading, he said. Mahajan added that CBSEs international presence across 26 countries had been taken into account while framing the policy. In Grade 10, only R1 and R2 will be board-evaluated. R3 will differ from country to country, as CBSE operates in 26 nations worldwide, he said. He also noted that the policy includes exemptions for People of Determination and students shifting between overseas schools and India. Educators reiterated that one of the biggest concerns was how the rule would apply to students of non-Indian nationalities studying in CBSE schools in the UAE. Muhammad Ali Kottakkualm, principal of Cosmopolitan International Indian School, said schools had already begun preparations to implement the three-language formula, though the earlier requirement had posed challenges. The requirement that two of the R1, R2 and R3 should be Indian languages posed a major challenge, especially for students of other nationalities, he said.

23-yr-old elected youngest Indian-origin mayor of British town

LONDON, May 18: A 23-year-old politician representing a local council in eastern England has created history by becoming the youngest Indian-origin Mayor in the United Kingdom. Tushar Kumar, a former student of Political Science from Kings College London, took charge as the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood at a ceremony last week. The Labour councillor joined the Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council in 2023 and previously served in the role of Deputy Mayor. An incredible honour to officially become the [] The post 23-yr-old elected youngest Indian-origin mayor of British town appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

ROC J&K directs all NIDHI companies to close unauthorised operations immediately

Srinagar, May 18: In an enforcement action, possibly on the inputs shared by market intelligence and in collaboration with sister enforcement agencies, Registrar of Companies (ROC) J&K, Jammu issued notices to all the Nidhi Companies incorporated in J&K warning them to show cause as why they should not be prosecuted for violating the relevant laws as they are not authorised by the Central Government to function as Nidhi and collect money, an official statement said. Nidhi companies are NBFCs and they are incorporated to Collect & lend the money amongst their members. They are supposed to file their half yearly returns with the ROC and it is reliably learnt that such returns called as NDH-4 have not been filed. In 2013, ROC J&K raided the premises of Nidhi Company operating from Jalandhar during an Inspection and later filed a detailed report with the Central Government recommending stringent provisions against the fraudulent Company and its directors. This is seen as first such action on the part of ROC.

J&K Traffic Police Gets 350 Modern Vehicles, 685 Bodycams To Strengthen Road Safety

JAMMU, May 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police has received 350 modern vehicles equipped with road safety gadgets, including 685 body-worn cameras, interceptor vehicles and patrol units, to strengthen traffic monitoring, management and regulation, officials said. The Union Territory has registered a steady decline in accidents over the last three years owing to intensified induction of modern equipment, enforcement measures, awareness campaigns and strengthening of road safety infrastructure. As many as over 350 vehicles and over 1000 enforcement assets [] The post J&K Traffic Police Gets 350 Modern Vehicles, 685 Bodycams To Strengthen Road Safety appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

UAPA conviction rate below 1% in J&K, under 6% nationally: SC

Srinagar, May 18: Supreme Court of India on Monday said that the conviction rate in Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) cases in Jammu and Kashmir stands at less than one percent, far lower than the national conviction rate, which is below six percent, accordibng to a report in the Live Law. The court made these observationswhile granting bail to a Jammu and Kashmir man accused in a narco-terror case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and who was incarcerated for over 5 years. The Court also noted that UAPA conviction rates across India ranged between 1.5% and 4% between 2019 and 2023, while conviction rates in Jammu and Kashmir remained below 1%. Referring to NCRB data placed before Parliament by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, a bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan observed that these statistics point to a high probability of acquittals in such cases at the end of trial. Therefore , for all India figures, we have 2% to 6% conviction, meaning thereby that there is 94% to 98% possibility of acquittal in such cases in the country. In so far as the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, the annual rate of conviction is always less than 1%. It means that at the end of the trial there is 99% possibility of acquittal in such cases, the Court observed. The Court referred to the low conviction rates in UAPA cases while emphasising that courts could not allow prolonged incarceration solely on the basis of allegations and held that bail is the rule and jail is the exception even under the anti-terror law. The Court reiterated the observation in Union of India v. KA Najeeb that Section 43D(5) of UAPA could not be used as the sole basis for denying bail, resulting in prolonged pre-trial incarceration. There is one more good reason why we should follow KA Najeeb. And for this we have referred to a few statistics of the last 5 years placed before the Parliament by the Minister of State for Home Affairs based on the statistics of the National Crime Records Bureau. For the 5 years 2019 to 2023, all India figures, the rate of conviction minimum is 1.5% and a maximum is 4%. Whereas in the case of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the rate of conviction in 2019 was zero and the maximum was in 2022 0.89%, the Court observed. The Court directed release of the appellant on bail subject to conditions to be imposed by the Special NIA Court. It directed him to deposit his passport and appear before Handwara police station once every fortnight. The Court also disapproved of the judgment in Gulfisha Fatima v. State which denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. The Court expressed serious reservations regarding various aspects of the judgment, including the direction effectively preventing the accused from seeking bail for one year. Background The appeal arose from a Jammu and Kashmir High Court judgment dated August 19, 2025, which had refused bail to the appellant, Syed Iftikhar Andrabi, in an NIA case alleging narco-terror activities. The High Court had held that the prosecution material prima facie showed the appellant's complicity in narco-terror activities and noted allegations regarding recovery of heroin and cash as well as alleged links with persons operating from across the border. The High Court had also noted that more than 320 witnesses had been cited in the case and only a small number had been examined during trial. Case no. SLP(Crl) No. 1090/2026 Case Title Syed Iftikhar Andrabi v. National Investigation Agency, Jammu upto-6-conviction-in-uapa-cases-nationally-in-jk-conviction-rate-less-than-1-supreme-court-534581

Bihar Legislative Assembly Committee On Minority Welfare Calls On Sakina Itoo, Advisor To CM

SRINAGAR, May 18: The Committee on Minority Welfare of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, led by its Chairman Akhtarul Iman, today called on Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani during its visit to Jammu and Kashmir. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the developmental scenario in Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir, with particular focus on welfare initiatives, healthcare, education and issues concerning minority communities. Matters of mutual interest, [] The post Bihar Legislative Assembly Committee On Minority Welfare Calls On Sakina Itoo, Advisor To CM appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Woman allegedly murdered in Bari Brahmana Jammu; family dispute suspected

Jammu, May 18 : A woman was allegedly murdered in broad daylight in theLower Kartholi area of Bari Brahmana in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. A police official identified the deceased as Annu Singh, wife of Ajay Singh, resident of Lower Kartholi, Ward No 7, Krishna Nagar, Bari Brahmana. Initial inputs suggest a family dispute could be behind the murder of woman, who was a mother of two children. Police have registered a case in this connection, said the official, adding that they were investigating the case from all angles.

MeT predicts heat weave in Jammu, hot and dry weather in Kashmir in coming days

Hantavirus-stricken cruise ship expected to arrive in Netherlands

Crew members who are unable to return home will be quarantined in the Netherlands, the Dutch Health Ministry said last week

Speakers clarification smacks of a cover-up of wrongdoing instead of addressing reservations: Sunil Sharma

Jammu, May 18: Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma on Monday said the Speaker Abdul Rahim Rathers claims on the issue of appointing chairpersons of House committees smack of an attempt to cover up wrongdoing rather than to respond to the reservations of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over it. He said the Speakers discretion to appoint heads of six non-financial House committees cannot be driven by party interests, but must be guided by fairness and well-established conventions. Responding to the Speakers claims, Sharma said that an attempt has been made to portray as if he was oblivious to the process of constitution of three financial committees. He said that he had clearly mentioned in his handout issued to media on Friday that the opposition has been ignored while appointing heads of six non-financial committees. He said the Speakers claim that the post of chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been given to the Bharatiya Janata Party is not a favour to the party, but a well-established convention across the country. The post of PAC chairman has always been held by the opposition, whether it is in Parliament, states, or Union Territories with legislatures, he said. He said the Speakers assertion that senior BJP members were adjusted in financial committees and couldnt be appointed as heads of other committees on the same ground was questionable, asking why the yardstick of seniority was not applied to the ruling alliance whose first-time MLAs have been appointed as heads of House committees. There are several second-time MLAs of BJP who are not part of financial committees, but the Speaker has chosen first-timers from the ruling alliance as heads of non-financial committees, he said. Sharma said the Speaker has powers to nominate chairpersons and members of non-financial committees, but discretion cannot be guided by party interests and should be exercised on the basis of well-established conventions and the principle of proportionate representation. The chairpersons of committees are appointed on the basis of the principle of proportionate representation, he said.

JKCSF condoles demise of father of MP Er Rashid, MLA Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh

Srinagar, May 18: In a condolance press statement, Chairman of Jammu & Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) and President Pensioners United Front, Ab Qayoom wani expressed grief and sorrow on the demise of prominent social fugure and great teacher, Haji Khazar Mohd. Shiekh of langate Handwara. The deceased was also father of Member of Parliament Er Rashid and MLA khurshid Ahmad shiekh. Wani prayed for Jannatul Firdous to the departed soul and courage to the berieaved family members espacially Er Rashid and Khurshid sahib to bear this loss. Wani also urged upon the govt of india and govt of jammu kashmir for immidiate release of jailed leader Er Rashid on human tarian grounds to attend the jinaza and Taziyat of his belowed father. All the leaders of JKCSF and JKPUF showed sympathy and solidarity with the berieaved family members at this time of grief and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.

Woman killed, two critically injured after car plunges into gorge on Udhampur highway

Udhampur, May 18: A woman died while two other persons sustained critical injuries after a speeding car plunged into a deep gorge along the Udhampur Highway on Monday, officials said. The accident involved a car bearing registration number JK02AR-5777, which reportedly lost control before skidding off the road and falling into a deep gorge. Officials said the vehicle rolled and glided down the slope several times before finally crashing at the bottom, leaving the car completely mangled. Three persons were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the accident. One woman died on the spot, while the two injured occupants were rescued in critical condition and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Rescue teams and local authorities rushed to the scene soon after the accident and launched an operation to retrieve the victims from the gorge. Officials said the identities of the deceased woman and the injured persons were being ascertained. The accident briefly disrupted movement in the area as rescue operations continued along the highway stretch. Police have initiated proceedings to ascertain the circumstances that led to the accident. Further details were awaited. [KNT]

J&K govt hikes DA to 60% for employees, pensioners; arrears to be paid

Srinagar, May 18: In a major financial relief ahead of the mid-year, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has announced a 2 percent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for regular employees, pensioners and family pensioners. According to two separate orders issued by the Finance Department, copies of which were accessed by JKNS, the DA rate has been enhanced from the existing 58 percent to 60 percent of Basic Pay/Basic Pension. The orders state that the revision will take effect retrospectively from January 1, 2026, following the Council of Ministers decision No. 065/06/2026 dated April 30, 2026. With the latest revision, DA has increased by 2 percent, from 58 percent to 60 percent. The revised DA will form part of the monthly salary and pension from May 2026 onwards. The orders also outline separate mechanisms for the payment of arrears accumulated from January 2026 to April 2026. For GPF subscribers under the traditional pension scheme, the additional DA arrears for the four-month period will be credited to their General Provident Fund (GPF) accounts in monthly installments. For employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS), the arrears for the same period will be paid entirely in cash. The orders further clarify that the employers 14 percent share on DA arrears will be drawn, while the employees 10 percent contribution will be deducted at source and credited to their respective PRAN accounts. For pensioners and family pensioners drawing benefits under the 7th Pay Commission recommendations, the arrears from January to April 2026 will be paid in cash in May 2026. The orders also state that fractions of a rupee in DA calculations for pensioners will be rounded off to the next higher rupee.

Visually-impaired singer from Poonch dies in road accident

Poonch, May 18: A well-known singer from Poonch died in a tragic road accident in the Rajpora area of Mandi tehsil in Poonch district late last night. According to police sources, a Tata Magic vehicle bearing registration number JK12E was travelling from Poonch towards Balanai. Renowned visually-impaired singer Nazir Hussain, son of Mohammad Shafi and a resident of Kamsar, Poonch, was on his way to attend a wedding function in Balanai when the vehicle reportedly went out of the drivers control near Kazian Mohalla in Rajpora and met with an accident. The singer sustained serious injuries in the accident and was immediately shifted to Sub-District Hospital Mandi for treatment. After initial medical aid, he was referred to District Hospital Poonch, where he succumbed to his injuries. Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Poonch, Dr Shafiq, said the injured was brought to the hospital late at night from SDH Mandi but could not survive due to the severity of his injuries. After completion of legal formalities this morning, the body was handed over to the family for last rites. Meanwhile, police have registered a case at Police Station Mandi and started further investigation into the incident.

Delhi High Court grants interim bail to MP Er Rashid to attend fathers last rites

Srinagar, May 18: The Delhi High Court on Monday granted interim bail to Baramulla Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid to enable him to attend the last rites of his father, Haji Khazir Mohammad Sheikh. Family sources told news agency JKNS, that Haji Khazir Mohammad Sheikh passed away on Monday morning after prolonged illness. His demise has been widely condoled across Jammu and Kashmir. Following the death, appeals were made on humanitarian grounds seeking permission for the jailed MP to participate in the last rites and funeral prayers of his father. Er Rashid, presently lodged in Tihar Jail in connection with a terror-funding case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), was subsequently granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court to attend the funeral and related rituals. (JKNS)

Former J&K PDC Superintendent Engineer chargesheeted for forgery, destruction of evidence

Srinagar, May 18: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against a former In-charge Superintendent Engineer of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation in connection with an alleged forgery and destruction of official records case. According to officials, the chargesheet was submitted before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar in FIR No. 09/2015 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 201 RPC. The case was registered following a written complaint alleging manipulation of the date of birth in the service records of the then In-charge Superintendent Engineer. During investigation, conducted by the then Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir, now Economic Offences Wing Kashmir, it was found that the accused had allegedly manipulated his date of birth in official records from October 28, 1955 to October 28, 1958 to obtain undue service benefits. Officials said the alleged manipulation was confirmed through verification reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) Srinagar and Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education . The investigation further revealed that the accused had allegedly destroyed his original service book to conceal evidence, leading to the invocation of Section 201 RPC related to destruction of evidence. Crime Branch officials said the investigation established the allegations against the accused, following which the chargesheet was presented before the court for judicial determination. Meanwhile, the Economic Offences Wing advised the public to remain vigilant against economic fraud and report such incidents to the authorities. Victims of economic offences have also been asked to submit complaints through the official channels of Crime Branch Kashmir.

PDPs Waheed Para expresses anguish over Er Rashids absence during fathers final moments

Srinagar, May 18: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Ur Rehman Para on Monday expressed anguish over jailed Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid being unable to be with his father during his final moments, saying the tragedy reflected the deep human cost of conflict and incarceration in Kashmir. In a statement, Para said Er Rashid, an elected MP, remains behind bars while his father returns to the earth without the touch of his sons hands, without one final embrace, without the comfort of seeing him beside his deathbed. There are sorrows that death brings and then there are sorrows that outlive death itself, Para said, adding that losing a parent from afar leaves behind a wound time never closes. The PDP leader said the pain of absence during the death of a loved one is something many families in Kashmir understand deeply. In Kashmir, politics does not stay in parliaments or prisons; it enters homes, sits beside hospital beds, and breaks families in silence, he said. Para further remarked that while the personal is political, in Kashmir the political becomes heartbreak itself. He said Rashids father carried both pride and pain pride in his sons political journey and pain in not having him beside him during his final moments. Some prisons are built with walls. Others are built with distance, helplessness, and the cruelty of being unable to say goodbye, Para added. Engineer Rashid, who is lodged in Delhis Tihar Jail in a terror funding case, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Baramulla constituency while in custody.

Short: Trump warns Iran Time Is Running Out as Tehran says US offers no concessions

Truck carrying poultry overturns near Khudwani Bypass, hundreds of birds die

Kulgam, May 18: Hundreds of poultry birds died after a truck transporting poultry overturned near the Khudwani bypass area in South Kashmirs Kulgam on Monday, reports said. Officials said the vehicle met with an accident while passing through the bypass stretch, resulting in the death of a large number of birds on the spot. The truck was being driven by Nisar Ahmad Chopan, son of Ghulam Mohammad Chopan, a resident of Ompora area of Budgam. Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident and further investigation has been initiated.(KNC)

Deeply concerned: India on drone strike near UAE's Barakah nuclear plant

New Delhi, May 18: India on Monday voiced deep concern over a drone attack targeting the Barakah nuclear facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as it marked a dangerous escalation in the West Asia conflict. New Delhi's reaction came a day after a drone struck a generator near the Gulf nation's sole nuclear power plant, sparking a fire on the complex's perimeter. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. The UAE's Ministry of Defence said it is working to determine the source of the drone strike. The incident triggered fears of a sharp escalation in tensions across West Asia. India is deeply concerned at the attack targeting the Barakah nuclear facility in the UAE, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Such actions are unacceptable and represent a dangerous escalation. We urgently call for restraint and a return to dialogue and diplomacy, it said.

Traditional 'tongas' gather popularity in Jammu border belt amid PM's appeal to save fuel

R S Pura, May 18: Traditional horse-driven tongas, once a common mode of transport in the border areas of Jammu, are seeing an increase in the number of takers in the R S Pura sector following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for fuel conservation. The tongas, which historically ferried passengers between Jammu and Sialkot before Independence, have continued to survive in parts of R S Pura for more than seven decades. Locals and tourists alike have been opting for the eco-friendly transport for entertainment as part of border tourism and for short-distance travel in villages near the International Border. We have been running tongas here for decades. Before 1947, people used to travel from Sialkot to Jammu in tongas. Over the years, this tradition went out of fashion, but now, after the Prime Minister's appeal, locals are once again using tongas for short-distance movement in villages, said Teja Singh, a traditional tanga operator. He said tonga operators continue to assemble in the area every Saturday and Sunday to keep the tradition alive. Another operator, Rattan Singh, said people have started preferring tongas again as fuel-saving measures gain momentum across the country. From Zero Line to R S Pura, people use tongas for commuting. Earlier, people depended more on fuel-powered vehicles, but now, with the emphasis on saving fuel, tongas have started running again. Horse-driven tongas do not require fuel. So, people are considering them a better option, he said. The renewed interest comes amid wider efforts to conserve fuel, including reduced vehicle movement and awareness campaigns encouraging alternatives to petrol and diesel-run transport. Many tourists who visited the border belt welcomed the revival of the traditional mode of transport. A group of tourists -- Davain, Dharmi, Lacha Patel, Rahi and Pavitra -- said tonga rides not only help save fuel but also offer a glimpse into the region's heritage and rural lifestyle. Such traditional modes of transport help in conserving fuel. Arrangements like tongas are not only better for the environment but also keep our traditions alive. Such rides should be promoted in tourism and border areas, said Rahi. The visitors said riding a tonga reconnects people with their cultural roots and reflects the bond between humans and animals while remaining environmentally friendly. A tonga ride is not just a means of travel, but also a part of our old cultural identity. Modern technology has its own place, but it is equally important to preserve our culture and traditions, they said.