Opinion

Weather to improve from today, prolonged dry spell likely from Nov 15: MeT

Srinagar, Nov 14: Weather conditions across Jammu and Kashmir are set to gradually improve from Saturday, with the Meteorological Department forecasting a prolonged dry spell from November 15 after two days of widespread rain in the plains and fresh snowfall in the higher reaches, officials said. The latest spell of precipitation, triggered by a Western Disturbance, dumped moderate to heavy snow across several mountainous areas, while rain in the plains pushed temperatures down and intensified the cold across the Union Territory. The Meteorological Centre Srinagar said November 14 is likely to remain generally dry, though brief spells of light rain at isolated places and light snowfall over higher reaches cannot be ruled out. The department has forecast generally dry weather from November 15 to 21, with partly cloudy conditions likely around November 20 and 21. The weather is expected to stay dry between November 22 and 24, offering relief from the wet spell. The precipitation was particularly heavy in north and central Kashmir. Sadhna Top in Kupwara and Razdan Pass in Bandipora recorded more than a foot of fresh snow, while Sinthan Top received around 810 inches. Z-Gali and Margan Top recorded 68 inches each, and Zojila Pass around 56 inches. Pir Ki Gali on the Mughal Road received about 58 inches, affecting vehicular movement. Baltal recorded 46 inches of snow, Gurez Valley 35 inches, and Sonamarg 23 inches, adding to the winter landscape at the tourist destination. Fresh snowfall was also reported from the higher reaches of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Doodhpathri in south Kashmir. In the plains, Baramulla recorded the highest rainfall at 49.5 mm, followed by Gulmarg at 40.6 mm and Kupwara at 37.3 mm. Pahalgam received 22.4 mm and Srinagar 16.3 mm, officials said. Qazigund recorded 5.8 mm, while parts of the Jammu region, including Batote, Bhaderwah and Banihal, also received rain. The wet spell pulled down daytime temperatures. Srinagar recorded a maximum of 15.2 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg registered a minimum of minus 0.5 degrees Celsius the season's lowest so far. Pahalgam recorded a minimum of 4 degrees Celsius. The Mughal Road, linking south Kashmir's Shopian district with Poonch and Rajouri, remained closed to traffic on Saturday after snow accumulated at Pir Ki Gali. Snow clearance operations are underway and traffic will be restored only after authorities declare the route safe. The Kishtwar-Anantnag road via Sinthan Top also remained closed due to snow, while movement on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway was affected by snowfall at Zojila Pass. The Bandipora-Gurez road was restored for traffic late Friday night. The MeT had earlier warned that the Western Disturbance could bring widespread precipitation, isolated heavy snowfall, thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds, and cautioned that snow over higher reaches could disrupt traffic on mountain passes and vulnerable roads. With weather expected to improve, the department has advised farmers to resume agricultural operations from November 15. The recent snowfall is expected to boost winter tourism at destinations such as Gulmarg and Sonamarg, though connectivity to several high-altitude areas remains dependent on weather and snow clearance operations. Authorities have advised travellers, transporters and tourists to check the latest road status and follow official traffic advisories before undertaking journeys through mountainous routes. (KNS)

Carlsen risks losing world No. 1 spot after 15 years as Caruana gains ground

Budapest, Nov 14: Five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen is in danger of losing the world No. 1 spot he has held for 15 years after suffering a defeat to Armenia's Haik Martirosyan on the third day of the Fast Classical competition at the Total Chess World Championship Tour Pilot here. The 35-year-old Norwegian GM has held the top spot since July 2011. However, after five draws and a loss in the Fast Classical section, Carlsen has lost 15.8 rating points and slipped to 2807.2 in the live ratings. In-form American Fabiano Caruana is closing in on Carlsen. The American GM has registered five wins and two draws, gaining 17 points to reach 2800 and is just 7.2 points behind Carlsen. The live ratings are updated in real time while FIDE publishes a monthly rating as well. Playing Carlsen for the first time in a classical FIDE-rated game, Martirosyan defeated the Norwegian in 41 moves in the first game. Playing with white, Martirosyan built a dangerous attack and eventually broke through to secure the victory. Carlsen was in time trouble early in the game and, with the clock ticking, he was forced to make hurried moves that led to errors. He eventually resigned. The two GMs settled for a draw in the reverse fixture. It was a dream for me just to play him in a classical game but to win is even more special. I will think about this moment many times it is very special for me. It was an amazing day and I will remember this day for the rest of my life, Martirosyan said. With the win and a draw, Martirosyan moved to 10 points, taking the outright lead in Group C, while Carlsen slipped to fifth place. The top four from each group will compete for the title, while the rest will play for classification. Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi registered a win and a draw against Wesley So. The Indian GM was under pressure in the first game, but So, who was in a winning position earlier, declined a draw before blundering and resigning a move later. It was an interesting game. In the middle game I felt I did a very good job by sacrificing the exchange..partly I blundered also but then I got very good compensation, I had such good control. It shouldn't have gone the way it did then I totally messed up. I did a good job of not panicking, Erigaisi said. The two drew the reverse fixture. The 23-year-old Indian is third in Group D, behind leader Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Hans Niemann. R Vaishali registered her first win in the Fast Classical section of the tournament. The Indian GM, who will challenge China's Ju Wenjun for the Women's World Championship title next year, defeated Kazakh GM Bibisara Assaubayeva with white pieces. Vaishali had lost to Bibisara in the first game of the day. Despite the win, Vaishali remains at the bottom of Group D. Vaishali's brother, R Praggnanandhaa, extended his winless streak as he drew twice with Vladislav Artemiev. The Indian is on four points, having drawn four games and lost two. Obviously the results aren't great I'm still trying to adapt, Praggnanandhaa said.

Mughal Road temporarily closed due to snow accumulation at Pir Ki Gali

Poonch, Nov 14: The Mughal Road has been temporarily closed to vehicular traffic due to heavy snow accumulation at Pir Ki Gali (PKG). Dysp Traffic Rajouri Poonch Ajaz Choudhary Said Snow clearance operations are currently underway to restore road connectivity. Further updates regarding the reopening of the road are awaited.

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World Diabetes Day | Dr U. Kaul discusses the disease, its warning signs and prevention

PM Modi pays tributes to first prime minister Nehru on birth anniversary

New Delhi, Nov 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to the country's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on his birth anniversary. Nehru was born on this day in 1889 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj). Paying tribute to former PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary, Modi posted on X.

Flights halted at airports across US due to air traffic control communications problems

Washington, Nov 14: The Federal Aviation Administration grounded all flights nationwide Friday afternoon for just the second time since the September 11 attacks, with officials citing extraordinary circumstances caused by communications problems at regional air traffic control centres. The nation's top homeland security official attributed the problem to a telecommunications outage and said there was no indication yet of a nefarious act. But the consequences were profound, disrupting potentially thousands of planned flights through at least late Friday night and upending travel plans for passengers who were heading home, expected as wedding guests or had other weekend plans. It's frustrating. This certainly sounds like it's going to be more than the usual run-of-the-mill delay. I look forward to finding out why, said Jeff Dubner, a Washington, DC, attorney, whose Alaska Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, was already half an hour late and taxiing to the runway when the plane came to a halt. The nationwide ground stop was the first since January 2023, when a key FAA computer system malfunctioned, and the second since the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks. Friday's restrictions were imposed due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety, according to an FAA notice. The agency was investigating a communication issue affecting the 22 regional air traffic control centres that direct planes en route between airports nationwide, said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. A few international flights were taking off Friday evening from international aviation hubs on the East and West coasts. Top official says no sign yet of nefarious act ---------------------------------------------- Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin told reporters at the White House that there was no indication yet that this was a nefarious attack against us. It's just a telecommunications outage as of right now. Everybody's safe. There's no reason to be concerned about your loved ones if they're flying, Mullin said. At least 600 flights have been diverted so far as a result of the FAA's order to ground all air traffic nationwide. As of 5:50 pm Eastern, 496 flights were diverted to the airport from where they originally took off, while 104 were sent to a different airport, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Among the airports where many of the flights ended up being diverted are Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Denver International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Some 11,000 flights carrying more than 1.5 million passengers were scheduled to take off from airports in the US after 4 p.m. Eastern, raising the likelihood of more cancellations and flight diversions. At Chicago O'Hare Airport on Friday afternoon, travellers passing through security learned about the ground stop when they gazed up at screens that showed flight delays across the board. Some called friends or family members, debating whether to stay the night in Chicago or find another way to their destinations. Amber McQuilkin, 27, sat on a bench, disappointed that she might miss a trip with friends to New York for the League of Legends world finals. Her friends, she said, had already arrived there. There's not really any information being passed to me, said the Seattle software engineer, who took a week of vacation for the trip. I contemplated just abandoning the flight and driving, but then the more I thought about it, the more I'm like, that would be miserable. Austin Curtis and his wife were rethinking their trip from South Bend, Indiana, to a friend's baby shower in Denver after getting delayed during a layover in Chicago. They had boarded a flight to Denver from O'Hare International Airport when they were told to get off the plane. We did see them taking luggage off our plane and others, so we're assuming it's going to be a pretty substantial delay, Curtis said. They were unsure whether to get a hotel room or keep waiting out the delay at the airport. With care already in place for their two young children at home, they might stay the weekend in Chicago, he said. We might just make the most of it, Curtis said. Despite the nationwide FAA ground stop, SpaceX launched its Starship rocket from Texas on Friday afternoon on its latest test flight. The government has been working to overhaul outdated technology ----------------------------------------------------------------------- There is no timeline for restarting flights. Mullin said investigators will look at whether there is any link to the FAA's nationwide rollout of a new artificial intelligence system to help identify problems and reroute planes. But that system operates out of one location near Washington, DC, and just sends recommendations to the air traffic control centres. The government has been working to overhaul the outdated technology that air traffic controllers rely on since Congress approved USD 12.5 billion for the project last year. Miles of old copper wires have been replaced with fibre optic lines and old radio systems are gradually being replaced at airports across the country. But much work remains. Duffy has said that another USD 30 billion will be needed to complete the work, and the White House has begun lobbying Congress to approve it. The problem appeared similar to a regional air traffic control communication outage in September that snarled hundreds of flights across the Northeast, aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo said, except this time on a nationwide scale. It may be linked to the outdated technology used by air traffic controllers. If you don't have that ability, whether it's because the old wires that they have are just run down or for whatever reason, you've got to stop airplanes on the ground, said Arroyo, who is a former United Airlines pilot. And not put them in the air where you're going to risk not being able to communicate with them. Friday's ground stop was different from the one after September 11 because planes were not being told to land immediately and pilots likely were able to communicate with ground controllers at airports, Arroyo said.

Bombay HC quashes case against man for protesting poor road conditions, says peaceful protests cannot be criminalised

New Delhi, Nov 13:The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against a 26-year-old man booked for protesting against poor road conditions in Maharashtras Chandrapur district, observing that peaceful civic protests cannot be criminalised in the absence of concrete evidence of unlawful restraint or violence. According to Bar & Bench, Justice MW Chandwani, in an October 29 order, said the constitutional right to protest must not be confused with grounds for launching criminal prosecution. The lines between the constitutional right to protest and the unleashing of penal prosecutions cannot be allowed to be blurred. If this mindset gains traction, it would be a sad day for democracy, the court observed as reported by Bar & Bench. The case, Nishkarsh Kiran Nimgade v. State of Maharashtra, arose from an incident on January 21 this year, when a pickup vehicle overturned near Mauza Nandgaon after hitting an electricity pole, leaving several passengers injured. Following the accident, local residents gathered at the spot and demanded action against Public Works Department (PWD) officials and the contractor over the poor condition of the road. The protesters allegedly tied a rope across the road. Police subsequently registered an FIR against Nimgade for offences including wrongful restraint and unlawful assembly under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), besides provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951. Examining the charge-sheet, Justice Chandwani noted that the prosecution had not recorded statements of any commuters to establish that traffic was obstructed. The accuseds name had also surfaced only after the police dispersed the gathering. Merely because a large number of persons gathered to agitate against the condition of the road and insisting for action against the erring officials of PWD department and the contractor, it cannot be presumed that the people gathered on the spot formed an unlawful assembly, the court said. The High Court further emphasised that Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to assemble peacefully and without arms. It said criminal proceedings should not become a means of suppressing legitimate and non-violent democratic protests. Holding that the prosecution against Nimgade amounted to an abuse of the legal process, the court quashed the FIR and the charge-sheet under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

14 killed, 30 injured in UAE road accident

New Delhi, Nov 13:Indian nationals were among the 14 people killed when a truck lost control and rammed into multiple vehicles in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), prompting the Indian Consulate to reach out to the bereaved families and coordinate assistance with local authorities. According to the BBC and Saudi Gazette, the accident involved 23 vehicles, including five trucks, on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street near the entrance to Fujairah shortly before midnight. Thirty people were injured and taken to hospitals. The injured included nationals of India, the UAE, Oman, Brazil, Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt. Fujairah Police said the truck first collided with another vehicle before overturning and hitting several vehicles held up in slow-moving traffic. The truck caught fire, with the blaze spreading to other vehicles and causing heavy casualties. The Indian Consulate in Dubai said it was deeply saddened by the tragedy, which claimed several lives, including those of Indian nationals. The consulate has reached out to the bereaved families and is closely working with local authorities to provide all possible assistance and support, it said in a statement posted on X. Police said DNA tests were being conducted to identify the bodies. Half of the injured have been discharged after treatment, while the remaining victims continue to receive medical care. Emergency services, including police, paramedics and civil defence teams, rushed to the spot to extinguish the fire, rescue the injured and secure the accident site.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates projects worth over Rs 15,600 crore in Bengaluru

New Delhi, Nov 13:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated, dedicated to the nation, laid the foundation stone and flagged off development projects worth over Rs 15,600 crore in Bengaluru, Karnataka, with a major focus on urban connectivity, railway infrastructure and energy security. Addressing a gathering, PM Modi said the projects would give fresh momentum to the development of Karnataka and strengthen Bengalurus position as Indias technology hub. From projects connected with metro and rail to works of energy security, all these projects are going to give new strength to the infrastructure of Karnataka, he said. The Prime Minister highlighted the inauguration of the Bengaluru Metros new Pink Line, saying it would improve connectivity to IIM Bengaluru, educational institutions and major business and technology centres. He said the new corridor would make daily commuting easier for lakhs of people while saving their time and money. PM Modi said Namma Metro had expanded from just 17 km in 2014 to more than 100 km, making Bengaluru the third Indian city after Delhi-NCR and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to cross the milestone. Describing Bengaluru as the countrys Silicon Valley, he said the city contributes more than one-third of Indias IT exports and remains a major centre of innovation and economic growth. The Prime Minister also paid tributes to former Union Minister Ananth Kumar, recalling his close association with the region. On railway infrastructure, PM Modi said Indian Railways was moving beyond its colonial-era legacy, with modern trains and upgraded stations reflecting Indias identity. He referred to the development of Amrit Bharat stations in Karnataka, saying more than 60 stations in the state were being modernised with improved passenger facilities, including amenities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. He said Karnatakas railway budget allocation had increased ninefold over the past 10 to 12 years. The Prime Minister also flagged off a new Vande Bharat train connecting Karnataka with Goa, saying it would provide passengers along the coastal route, including Mangaluru, a new semi-high-speed travel experience. This comes days after the state received its first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, he said. Referring to the ongoing conflict around Iran and the Gulf region, PM Modi underlined the importance of energy security and said India had been able to withstand global challenges because of steps taken over the past decade to diversify energy sources and strengthen domestic capacities. He highlighted three projects in Karnataka: an LPG facility at Mangaluru that will add 80,000 metric tonnes of storage capacity, the Devangonthi Marketing Terminal to streamline supplies of petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, and a compressed biogas (CBG) plant in Bengaluru with a daily production capacity of 13 tonnes. PM Modi said India was expanding its clean energy capacity to meet the growing electricity requirements of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, data centres, semiconductors and quantum computing. Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, he said, more than eight lakh solar pumps were being provided to farmers in Karnataka to reduce irrigation costs and create additional income opportunities. The Annadatas of Karnataka are now also becoming Urjadatas, he said. The Prime Minister also highlighted the governments measures to improve the purchasing power of middle-class families, including income tax exemption for annual incomes up to Rs 12 lakh, changes in tax deduction rules and GST reforms. He said the removal of GST on individual health and life insurance had made insurance more affordable. PM Modi said the growing aspirations of the neo-middle class were driving demand and generating employment across sectors such as automobiles, electronics, tourism and services. He said the governments focus was to increase middle-class savings and purchasing power so that families could fulfil their aspirations while contributing to the countrys economic growth.

Down Town Heroes Academy win Srinagar Police Football Tournament

Srinagar, Nov 13:Srinagar Police successfully concluded the Football Tournament organised under the Civic Action Programme (CAP) 202627, with the final match played at the Synthetic Turf Football Ground, TRC Srinagar. The tournament, as per a statement issued, commenced with an inaugural ceremony on October 27, 2026, at Rugby Playfield, Polo Ground, Srinagar, witnessing enthusiastic participation from various football teams across District Srinagar. The much awaited final was played between Down Town Heroes Academy, Srinagar, and Sports Council Football, Srinagar, wherein Down Town Heroes Academy emerged victorious, clinching the championship title. Both the winner and runner-up teams were felicitated with trophies and cash prizes in recognition of their performance and sporting spirit. The closing ceremony was graced by Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, IPS, SSP Srinagar, as the Chief Guest. The occasion was also attended by Ghulam Mustafa, JKPS, SP Headquarters Srinagar; Musadiq Majid Basoo, JKPS, SP City East Zone Srinagar; Yasir Parray, JKPS, SDPO Kothibagh; Syed Sleet Shah, JKPS, DySP Headquarters Srinagar; and Nazir Ahmad Teli, DySP DAR, DPL Srinagar, besides other senior officers of District Police Srinagar. Addressing the gathering, SSP Srinagar reiterated the commitment of Srinagar Police towards engaging youth in positive and constructive activities through sports and other community-oriented initiatives. He emphasised the importance of sports in promoting discipline, teamwork, physical fitness and a sense of responsibility among young people. On the occasion, SSP Srinagar urged the youth to stay away from drug abuse and unlawful activities and channel their energy towards sports and other constructive pursuits. He assured the participants that Srinagar Police would continue to extend every possible support and encouragement to budding sportspersons in achieving their goals. The tournament concluded on a positive note, reaffirming Srinagar Polices commitment to strengthening police-public relations, promoting sports culture and providing constructive opportunities to the youth under the Civic Action Programme 202627.

General Bipin Rawat Memorial Fencing Championship begins in Kupwara

Kupwara, Nov 13:The three-day General Bipin Rawat Memorial Fencing Championship 2026 commenced on Friday at Maidan-e-Azam, Vajr Fencing Node, Zangli Garrison, Kupwara. More than 200 young fencers from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir are participating in the event. Organised by the Indian Army in collaboration with the J&K Fencing Association, the championship will conclude on November 15. It aims to provide young athletes an opportunity to showcase their talent, test their skills and gain competitive experience. The championship was formally inaugurated in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Abhishek Sharma, senior Army officers and representatives of the J&K Fencing Association. More than 200 fencers have arrived from across the Union Territory to compete in the three-day event, reflecting growing interest in fencing among young sportspersons. Vajr Fencing Node at Zangli, recognised as the only dedicated fencing facility in the Kashmir Valley has been playing an important role in promoting the sport and nurturing local talent. The facility provides aspiring athletes opportunities to improve their techniques and prepare for higher-level competitions. Organised in memory of General Bipin Rawat, the championship also pays tribute to his legacy while highlighting efforts to promote sports, encourage youth participation and provide a platform for emerging talent in the region. The event is expected to further strengthen the sporting culture among youth and motivate aspiring fencers to pursue excellence at national and international levels.

PHE Handwara warns employees of action over drinking water disruptions

Handwara, Nov 13:Taking serious note of frequent complaints about disruption in drinking water supply and alleged negligence by field staff, the Jal Shakti (PHE) Division Handwara has issued a stern circular directing officials to promptly address public grievances or face disciplinary action. In a circular issued on Friday, the Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti Division Handwara, said complaints about interruptions in water supply continued to pour in despite repeated directions to the concerned officials. The circular also expressed concern over the alleged indifferent attitude of technical and field staff, including Junior Engineers, Assistant Engineers and Sub-Divisional heads. It said failure to address public grievances had, at times, forced people to block roads in protest. The department has directed Assistant Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers and Junior Engineers to ensure adequate deployment of manpower in their respective jurisdictions and take necessary measures to maintain an uninterrupted water supply, reads the circular. Officials have also been asked to issue public advisories on judicious use of water and ensure their dissemination at designated public places. They have further been directed to remain available on their phones round the clock and respond to public complaints promptly and politely instead of merely referring grievances to higher authorities. The circular also directs field officials to inform consumers in advance about scheduled repair and restoration works that could affect water supply. Warning of consequences for non-compliance, the Executive Engineer said failure to follow the directions would be treated as wilful insubordination, negligence of duty and misconduct under the relevant government service rules. Action against defaulting officials may include suspension, withholding of annual increments and imposition of fines. Such instances would also be reflected in their Annual Performance Reports (APRs).

Friendships forged beyond cricket field matter more than trophies: CM Omar Abdullah

Chatha/Jammu, Nov 13:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday inaugurated the 22nd All India Vice-Chancellors T20 Cricket Tournament 2026 at the Cricket Ground, Main Campus of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-Jammu), Chatha. Being hosted by SKUAST-Jammu from November 13 to 23, the prestigious national-level tournament has brought together 24 teams representing universities from different parts of the country, including six teams from J&K and 18 from other states. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister, as per an official statement, congratulated SKUAST-Jammu, the participating universities and their Vice-Chancellors for bringing university employees together on a common sporting platform. He said the tournament was a welcome initiative that provided an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contribution of university employees who work behind the scenes in strengthening academic institutions. Universities are not just about students. They are also built by the people who work behind the scenes to make these institutions shine. Often, these employees do not get the opportunity to come to the forefront. This tournament gives them a platform to showcase their talent and come together through sports, he said. Emphasising that the spirit of the tournament should go beyond competition, the Chief Minister said that while teams would compete against each other on the field, the real achievement would be the friendships and bonds they establish during their stay in Jammu. He observed that victory and defeat were integral to sports and urged participants to treat both with equanimity. Quoting renowned writer Rudyard Kipling, he said, If you can meet with triumph and disaster, and treat both those imposters just the same, adding that success and failure were temporary, while the friendships and memories created through such events endured. Referring to Jammu and Kashmirs recent sporting achievements, the Chief Minister said that if the same team continued to win every time, J&K might not have had the opportunity to bring home the Ranji Trophy last year, underlining that competition and changing fortunes were part of the sporting journey. Welcoming the participating teams to Jammu, he described the city as the City of Temples and invited the players to visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and explore the regions cultural and historical attractions, including the Border Tourism facilities along the International Border. The Chief Minister also encouraged the visitors to experience the hospitality and culinary traditions of Jammu, particularly the rich Dogra cuisine, which he said deserved as much appreciation as the well-known delicacies of Kashmir. Earlier, the Chief Minister conducted the toss between the captains of the host SKUAST-Jammu team and Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University Jalgaon team and interacted with players from the participating universities. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Minister for Agriculture Production, Finance, Mining and Cooperatives Javid Ahmad Dar; Minister for Planning, Development and Monitoring, Culture, Youth Services and Sports, and ARI & Trainings Mir Saifullah; and Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu Prof. B.N. Tripathi, who presided over the function. A major highlight of the ceremony was the impressive parade of participating university teams, reflecting the spirit of unity and sportsmanship. The occasion also witnessed the lighting of the ceremonial torch, which was carried by players around the ground before being handed over to the Chief Minister, who lit the main ceremonial torch. A cultural programme presented by the Madras Regiment added vibrancy to the occasion and was appreciated by the audience. The Ministers appreciated SKUAST-Jammu for hosting the national-level sporting event and emphasised the importance of promoting physical fitness, discipline, teamwork and a healthy sporting culture among employees and educational institutions. In his address, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu Prof. B.N. Tripathi expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and other dignitaries for gracing the occasion. He said hosting the 22nd edition of the tournament was a matter of immense pride for the university and Jammu and Kashmir. He observed that the tournament provided a unique national platform for university employees to showcase their sporting talent, promote physical fitness and strengthen professional relationships beyond their routine academic, research and administrative responsibilities. He also acknowledged the collective efforts of university officers, faculty, staff, students and the organising committee in making the event possible. Director Students Welfare, SKUAST-Jammu and Nodal Officer of the event, Dr Sudhakar Dwivedi; Registrar SKUAST-Jammu Prof. Anil Kumar; other dignitaries; participating teams and delegates from universities across the country were also present. The tournament, exclusively meant for university employees, will continue until November 23, with participating teams competing in a series of T20 matches. Besides promoting healthy competition, the event is expected to strengthen inter-university cooperation and provide an opportunity to showcase Jammu and Kashmirs institutional infrastructure, hospitality and cultural richness.

PHDCCI Kashmir organises session on solar energy adoption for MSMEs

Srinagar, Nov 13:PHDCCI Kashmir, in association with Tata Power Solar and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), organised an interactive session titled Solarize Your MSME: Switch to Solar, Cut Costs and Boost Profits at Amar Singh Club, Srinagar, on Friday. The programme aimed to sensitise Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) about the benefits of adopting solar energy to reduce operational costs, improve profitability and promote sustainable industrial growth. The event commenced with a welcome address by A P Vicky Shaw, Chairman, PHDCCI Kashmir, who welcomed the delegates and representatives of Tata Power Solar and appreciated their association in organising the programme for the MSME sector. Mehmood Ahmad Shah, Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), attended the programme as the chief guest. In his address, he highlighted KPDCLs initiatives to promote solar energy adoption among domestic and commercial consumers in Kashmir, besides the ongoing infrastructure development works under the RDSS project. Shah said 8,122 households in Srinagar district had been covered under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. He further informed that rooftop solar installations had been completed or taken up in 656 of the 996 government buildings identified for solarisation. He said incentives for adopting solar energy were expected to encourage MSMEs to transition towards renewable energy and improve their operational efficiency. The programme was also attended by Ajaz Ahmad, SSP; Tariq Ahmad, Assistant Director, MSME DFO; and Junaid Akhtar, AEE and Nodal Officer, PM-SMGBY-KPDCL. Akhtar delivered a detailed presentation on the viability, scope and technical aspects of solar energy adoption by industries. He highlighted the success of rooftop solar installations in the domestic sector and explained their potential to transform the MSME sector. Hakim Khalid Ahmed of the Kashmir Chamber of Horticulture (KCH) highlighted the specific requirements of MSMEs in transitioning to solar energy and stressed the need for customised solutions and technological interventions across sectors. Manzoor Ahmad Pakhtoon, President, Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association, observed that Ladakhs tourism sector had adopted solar technology much earlier than Kashmir. He stressed the need to accelerate the transition to renewable energy in the Valley. He said houseboat owners were willing to adopt solar technology but would require a cluster-based approach to make the transition viable and sustainable. He added that the association was ready to take the initiative forward. Nasir Shah, Chairman, IATO-J&K and Convenor, Hospitality and Travel Committee, PHDCCI, called for greater adoption of solar and green energy solutions in the hospitality sector. Referring to states such as Kerala and Goa, he said the authorities should consider making renewable energy adoption mandatory for hotels in Kashmir, keeping in view the regions fragile environment. Rohit Singh, Area Sales Manager, J&K, Tata Power Solar Ltd, made a detailed presentation on the companys product portfolio and customised solar solutions available for MSMEs. The education sector was represented by Dr Baba Nazrul Islam, State President, Private Schools Association J&K (PSAJK), who attended the session along with his team. The delegation held discussions with Tata Power Solar on developing a dedicated scheme to encourage schools to adopt solar energy. Representing the cold chain sector, Ubair Shah, Director, Super-fresh CA Store, highlighted the high initial capital expenditure involved in installing solar systems at controlled-atmosphere (CA) stores. He called for a dedicated scheme or policy to support initial investments and facilitate the sectors transition to renewable energy. Shahejehan Khan, Director, Hyacinth and Convenor, Food Processing Industry, PHDCCI Kashmir, shared his experience of financing solar and other projects through SIDBI. He suggested that other financial institutions adopt similar technology-driven and simplified financing models to facilitate investment in renewable energy. The interactive session featured detailed deliberations on the benefits of adopting solar solutions across different MSME sectors. Participants also discussed customised installations, financing options and the full-system warranty and insurance facilities offered by Tata Power Solar. The senior technical team of KPDCL was also present during the session. Paresh Kumar, Regional Trade Marketing Head for the North and Central Region, Tata Power Solar Ltd, attended the programme along with Sudesh, Regional Sales Manager for the J&K and Ladakh region. Kashmir Renewable Energy Pvt Ltd, the companys channel partner in Kashmir, also participated in the interaction with MSME representatives. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Qaiser Mir, Co-Convenor, SHE Forum and Renewable Energy Committee, PHDCCI Kashmir, and Director, Orion Valley Solar Pvt Ltd. The event was moderated by Iqbal Fayaz Jan, Deputy Director, PHDCCI.

IUST observes World Diabetes Day with MoU signing, screening drive

Awantipora, Nov 13: The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) observed World Diabetes Day 2026 on Friday with a series of activities, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a felicitation ceremony, expert lectures and diabetes screening. The programme was held at the Conference Hall of the Rumi Library, IUST. The celebrations commenced with an inaugural session featuring a welcome address by Dr Muzafar Macha. Brief remarks were delivered by the District AYUSH Officer, Pulwama, and Dr M. Shafi Malik from the Directorate of AYUSH, followed by a brief yoga demonstration. Addressing the gathering, Prof Sheikh Aijaz Bashir, Dean Academic Affairs, IUST, stressed the importance of health awareness initiatives and the University's role in community health outreach. He said diabetes affects a substantial section of the global population and that, despite widespread awareness about preventive measures and lifestyle modifications, adherence remains a major challenge. Bridging the gap between knowledge and practice continues to require collective intervention, he said. DrShujad Hussain Shuja, Assistant Director, AYUSH, said more than 101 million people in India were affected by diabetes, making preventive interventions particularly important. He stressed the need to move beyond awareness towards tangible action and called for a shift from a treatment-centric to a prevention-driven healthcare model. Sustained lifestyle changes, including balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and effective stress management, were essential for preventing and managing diabetes, he said. A key highlight of the inaugural session was the signing of an MoU and a felicitation ceremony. DrRais Ahmad Ganai, Head of the Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, proposed the vote of thanks. The technical session was chaired by Dr Peer Bilal Ahmad, Director, DIQA, co-chaired by DrMuzafar A Macha, Associate Dean, School of Health Sciences, and coordinated by DrSuhailYousuf, Assistant Professor, FRISS. Four expert lectures were delivered during the session. Dr Mir Shahnawaz from Government Medical College, Srinagar, spoke on 'Early Action on Diabetes... Why It Matters!' Prof ShowkatulNabi from SKUAST Kashmir delivered a lecture on 'Experimental Modeling of Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Pathology in Laboratory Animals'. Prof AnzarKhuroo from the University of Kashmir spoke on the 'Diversity of Medicinal Plants in Kashmir Himalayas', while DrArshid Iqbal Wani from the Directorate of AYUSH delivered a lecture on 'From Prediction to Prevention: An Integrated AYUSH and Modern Metabolic Approach to Type 2 Diabetes'. Later, diabetes screening was conducted for participants and staff using Random Blood Glucose and HbA1c tests. The programme witnessed participation from students, faculty members, health professionals and other staff.

DLSA Budgam holds child rights awareness programme at Beerwah school

Budgam, Nov 13: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Budgam, in collaboration with the Education Department, on Friday organised an awareness programme on child rights and protection at Government Boys Higher Secondary School (GBHSS), Beerwah, with a focus on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The programme was organised under the banner of Surakshit Bachpan Abhiyan on the directions and guidance of Secretary, DLSA Budgam, Tabasum Qadir Parray, to sensitise students and teachers about child rights, protection mechanisms and legal safeguards available to children. During the programme, Panel Lawyers Advocate Naseer Ahmad Khan and Advocate Feroz Ahmad Khan spoke about various aspects of child rights and protection. They explained key provisions of the POCSO Act, the need to prevent child abuse and exploitation, and the legal remedies available to victims. They also stressed the role of educational institutions, teachers and society in ensuring a safe environment for children. Students were sensitised about recognising and reporting instances of abuse and responding appropriately to such cases. The programme was attended by teachers, DLSA staff members, Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) and a large number of students. Earlier, Principal of the institution, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, appreciated the initiative undertaken by DLSA Budgam to promote awareness about child safety and protection. The initiative reaffirmed DLSA Budgam's commitment to promoting legal awareness, protecting children's rights and dignity, and encouraging community participation in creating a safe and child-friendly environment.

DC Budgam reviews Mission YUVA progress, directs clearance of pending cases

Budgam, Nov 13:Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Jatin Kishore, today chaired a District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC) meeting to review the progress of Mission YUVA implementation in the district. The meeting reviewed the status of pending bank cases, subsidy disbursement, hybrid training, capacity building, Udyam Jagriti, onboarding on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and progress reporting. The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned banks to expedite scrutiny, sanction and disbursement of all eligible cases and ensure clearance of pending subsidy claims within stipulated timelines. Reviewing the training component, he instructed the concerned departments and institutions to ensure enrolment and completion of all pending training batches. He stressed that no approved or disbursed case should remain unattended and called for optimum utilisation of available manpower and resources across colleges. Under UdyamJagriti, the Deputy Commissioner directed daily submission of progress reports and intensified awareness activities across the district. He also stressed saturation of eligible beneficiaries under the LakhpatiDidi initiative and accelerated formation of new Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Emphasising the role of educational institutions, he directed all college Principals and other concerned officers to ensure 100 percent student participation in Mission YUVA training, awareness and entrepreneurship promotion programmes. He called for effective mobilisation of students and optimum utilisation of institutional resources. The Deputy Commissioner further directed educational institutions to maximise student participation in UdyamJagriti and instructed the concerned officers to accelerate onboarding of eligible local products and entrepreneurs on ONDC. He also stressed timely submission of Completion and Work-in-Progress (WIP) reports and regular monitoring of progress against approved and disbursed cases. The Deputy Commissioner directed all concerned departments, banks and institutions to ensure effective coordination, accountability and strict adherence to timelines to achieve the objectives of Mission YUVA in the district. The meeting was attended by Joint Director Planning, General Manager DIC, Deputy Director Employment, Chief Agriculture Officer, Principals of all Government Colleges, District Social Welfare Officer, Lead District Manager and other concerned officers.

DC Pulwama reviews Tral development works, resolves 9-year-old Mini Secretariat issue; tender within 7 days

Pulwama, Nov 13:Deputy Commissioner Pulwama K.K. Sidha on Friday reviewed the progress of developmental works across Sub-Division Tral, directing officers to expedite pending projects, resolve bottlenecks and ensure timely completion of public-centric works. The meeting was attended by MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Naik, Additional Deputy Commissioner Tral Sajid Yehaya Naqash, Chief Planning Officer Pulwama Aashiq Khanday and other district and sectoral officers. During the meeting, officers presented block-wise and sector-wise progress reports of works being executed under the District Capex Budget, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and other schemes. The review covered completed, ongoing and pending works, financial achievements, tendering status and issues requiring administrative intervention. Reviewing CDF works, the Deputy Commissioner directed officers to resolve bottlenecks, expedite pending estimates and administrative approvals and ensure early tendering and timely completion of projects. He stressed physical verification and certification of completed works and directed the Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) to update the status of works on the e-Nigrani portal. Officers were also asked to conduct proper field assessments and reconcile discrepancies in Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to ensure that proposed works correspond to actual ground requirements. MLA TralRafiq Ahmad Naik raised various developmental issues and constituency-level priorities, including deficiencies in power infrastructure, transformer requirements and other pending works requiring administrative approvals. The Deputy Commissioner assured necessary intervention and directed the concerned departments to address the issues on priority. A detailed review of the Power Development Department, Roads and Buildings, Health, Education, Jal Shakti, Irrigation and Flood Control, National AYUSH Mission, Rural Development, Social Forestry, Forest and Wildlife, flood restoration and other allied sectors was also undertaken. Officers apprised the meeting of their achievements, ongoing projects and pending issues. The DC directed them to complete pending works, expedite processing of priority DPRs and ensure close monitoring of proposed projects. The issue of the Mini Secretariat at Tral, which had remained pending since 2017, was resolved during the meeting. The tender for the project will be issued within seven days, following which execution of the work will commence. Reviewing winter preparedness, the Deputy Commissioner directed that all available machinery and manpower remain fully geared up to meet any eventuality. He asked the Fire and Emergency Services Department to pursue replacement of its old vehicle and establishment of a dedicated landline facility. The Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Tral, was directed to shift roadside vendors to designated vending spaces. Concluding the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner stressed coordinated functioning among departments, timely completion of developmental works and prompt resolution of public grievances. He directed officers to expedite pending clearances and accord priority to public-centric projects and winter preparedness.

FCIK pays tributes to Saifco founder Khwaja Mohammad Khalil

Srinagar, Nov 13:The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has expressed profound grief over the demise of veteran first-generation entrepreneur Khwaja Mohammad Khalil of the renowned Saifco Group, describing his passing as a major loss to Kashmirs industrial fraternity and the end of an important chapter in the Valleys entrepreneurial history. In a statement, FCIK recalled the remarkable journey of the Saifco Group, founded and nurtured by two visionary brothers, Khwaja Saif-ud-Din and Khwaja Mohammad Khalil, who worked together to build one of Kashmirs most diversified business groups. Their ventures across manufacturing, hospitality, real estate and other sectors, ranging from cement manufacturing at Khunmoh to the prestigious Taj Vivanta overlooking Dal Lake, demonstrated the potential of indigenous enterprise to achieve national recognition. FCIK said their achievements were particularly remarkable given the circumstances in which they built and sustained their businesses. Despite more than three decades of turmoil, shutdowns, disrupted markets and financial uncertainty, the brothers persevered and continued to expand their enterprises. The Federation observed that, had enterprises like Saifco enjoyed the enabling environment, institutional support and opportunities available elsewhere in the country, they could have emerged among Indias leading business houses. Their success must be measured not merely by assets or turnover, but by the industries they sustained, livelihoods they created, confidence they inspired and entrepreneurial legacy they passed on, the Federation said. FCIK also acknowledged the contributions of the founders children and grandchildren, who carried forward and diversified the family businesses. Sustaining and expanding such an enterprise across three generations, despite Kashmirs challenging economic environment, was itself a remarkable achievement, it added. Head of the FCIK Advisory Committee, Shahid Kamili, said the demise of Khwaja Mohammad Khalil, following the passing of his brother Khwaja Saif-ud-Din some years ago, marked the end of an important chapter in Kashmirs entrepreneurial history. Societies remember their political leaders, scholars and reformers, but must equally honour those who built industries, generated employment and advanced economic self-reliance. The contributions of the Saifco founders deserve to be documented and preserved for posterity, Kamili said. He observed that the greatest tribute to such pioneers would be to create an environment in which future generations of Kashmiri entrepreneurs could realise their potential without facing the hardships endured by their predecessors. Former FCIK presidents Shakeel Qalander, Meraj-ud-Din Qureshi, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and Mohammad Ashraf Mir, along with presidents of various industrial estate- and district-based associations, also paid tributes to Khwaja Mohammad Khalil, acknowledging his contribution to industrial development, entrepreneurship and employment generation. Former FCIK president Shakeel Qalander said the contributions of the two brothers must be assessed in terms of what they gave back to Kashmirs economy. Every enterprise they established reduced dependence on outside supplies, every investment strengthened local productive capacity, and every job created provided families with dignity and economic security, he observed. Qalander said the founders had demonstrated that Kashmir need not remain merely a market for goods produced elsewhere but could also emerge as a centre of production, investment and opportunity. He emphasised that their contribution to economic self-reliance was no less significant than achievements in other spheres of public life. Acknowledging such pioneers is not an act of generosity but a debt society owes to those who helped build its economic foundations, he remarked. FCIK prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, particularly Manzoor Ahmad, Altaf Ahmad, Parvez Ahmad, Suhail Manzoor and other family members. The Federation prayed that Almighty Allah grant them strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Mission Vatsalya holds adoption awareness programme in Bandipora

Bandipora, Nov 13:Mission Vatsalya, Bandipora, on Friday organised a capacity-building programme on adoption procedures, with a focus on timely identification of orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children and their declaration as Legally Free for Adoption (LFA). The programme aimed to sensitise stakeholders about adoption procedures, timely identification of eligible children and completion of the legal formalities required for declaring them legally free for adoption. Speakers stressed the importance of timely intervention, coordination among concerned departments and adherence to prescribed legal procedures to ensure that eligible children get an opportunity to grow up in a safe, loving and permanent family environment. They also discussed the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders in the adoption process, emphasising proper documentation, timely reporting and coordinated efforts to safeguard the best interests and welfare of children. The programme concluded with a call for stronger coordination among stakeholders to ensure that no eligible child is deprived of the opportunity to find a secure and permanent family through adoption. Officials from the District Child Protection Unit, Child Helpline, Child Helpdesk and Child Care Institutions (CCIs) attended the programme.

J&K retail inflation climbs to 4.88% in October

Srinagar, Nov 13:Retail inflation in Jammu and Kashmir accelerated to 4.88 percent in October 2026, up from 4.27 percent in September, extending the upward trend in prices for the sixth consecutive month and adding to the financial burden on households. According to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), inflation in the Union Territory increased by 0.61 percentage points during October. The rate stood at 4.87 percent in rural areas and 4.91 percent in urban areas. The latest reading follows a steady increase in inflation since April, when the rate stood at 2.67 percent. It subsequently rose to 2.84 percent in May, 3.52 percent in June, 3.87 percent in July, 4.09 percent in August and 4.27 percent in September before reaching 4.88 percent in October. The increase in the official inflation rate comes amid concerns over the rising cost of essential commodities and the pressure on household budgets. The rural inflation rate increased from 4.12 percent in September to 4.87 percent in October, marking a rise of 0.75 percentage points. Urban inflation, meanwhile, increased from 4.65 percent to 4.91 percent during the same period. The figures indicate that rural areas witnessed a sharper acceleration in inflation than urban areas, although the overall rate remained marginally higher in urban areas. Despite the increase, J&Ks inflation rate remained below the national average of 6.09 percent in October. Indias retail inflation rose from 5.54 percent in September to 6.09 percent in October. Nationally, rural inflation stood at 6.63 percent, while urban inflation was recorded at 5.41 percent. At the national level, food inflation, measured through the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI), increased to 8.94 percent in October from 7.74 percent in September, indicating mounting pressure from food prices. Among individual commodities nationally, onion prices registered an annual increase of 116.22 percent, while garlic prices rose by 60.74 percent. Ginger and lemon prices increased by 48.32 percent and 47.30 percent, respectively. In contrast, potato prices declined by 14.24 percent and cauliflower prices fell by 10.57 percent. The national CPI data also showed that restaurants and accommodation services recorded inflation of 10.06 percent, while personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services registered inflation of 10.14 percent. However, these commodity-wise and category-wise figures are national estimates and do not represent individual inflation rates for Jammu and Kashmir. The October CPI figures are provisional and are based on the revised CPI series with 2024 as the base year. The National Statistics Office collected price data from 1,407 selected urban markets, including online markets, and 1,465 villages across the country. The CPI for November 2026 is scheduled to be released on December 14.

Div Com orders snow clearance, advance stocking in remote areas; 4x4 ambulances, 24x7 control rooms for winter

Srinagar, Nov 13: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Friday directed departments to ensure prompt snow clearance, advance stocking of essential commodities in remote areas and uninterrupted essential services as part of winter preparedness across Kashmir Division. Chairing a high-level meeting, Garg stressed coordinated efforts and timely response to minimise public inconvenience during the winter season. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Director Airport Authority Srinagar, SSP Traffic Rural and senior officers from KPDCL, R&B, MED, PMGSY, ULB, BRO, NHAI, Irrigation and Flood Control, PHE, IMD, FCS&CA, Health, SDA, Police and other concerned departments. Reviewing snow clearance action plans, the Divisional Commissioner directed MED, R&B, PMGSY, ULB, SMC and BRO to ensure prompt clearance of snow and clearly demarcate jurisdictional responsibilities to avoid duplication and confusion. He stressed optimal utilisation of available machinery and manpower and directed agencies to complete all pending stage contracts to strengthen the snow clearance mechanism. Chief Engineers and other officers informed the meeting that adequate arrangements were in place to ensure timely snow clearance on highways, major roads, streets and inner lanes immediately after snowfall. Reviewing winter power preparedness, Garg assessed electricity demand and supply, availability of buffer stocks of transformers, transformer oil, DG sets and HSD in Gurez, besides the status of branch cutting. The meeting was informed that all districts had adequate transformer stocks and 80 percent of branch cutting had been completed. It was further informed that average electricity demand in the Valley during winter was around 1,700 MW against an average supply of 1,300 MW, while peak demand touched 2,400 MW. The Divisional Commissioner directed the Chief Engineer, KPDCL, to augment workshop capacity wherever required, complete the remaining branch-cutting work at the earliest, strictly adhere to scheduled power curtailment timings and ensure prompt repair of damaged transformers. Reviewing the availability of essential commodities in remote and snowbound areas, including Gurez and the Karnah-Machil-Keran belt, he directed FCS&CA to complete advance stocking of LPG, petroleum products, rice and wheat within a week. He stressed that adequate stocks be maintained in all far-flung areas to prevent shortages and inconvenience to the public during road closures. Taking note of delays in the commencement of winter air sorties in Bandipora and Kupwara, Garg directed the Civil Aviation Department to operationalise the facility by December 1 to facilitate emergency transportation from remote and inaccessible areas. Regarding flight operations at Srinagar Airport, he directed the Director, Airport Authority Srinagar, to ensure timely dissemination of information to passengers and the general public about changes in flight schedules due to adverse weather conditions. The Divisional Commissioner also reviewed healthcare preparedness across districts, including heating arrangements in hospitals, availability of essential medicines, deployment of medical staff in far-flung areas and the requirement for 4x4 ambulances. He directed the National Health Mission (NHM) to provide 4x4 ambulances to the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir for distribution among districts, in addition to SANJY ambulances. Emphasising proactive healthcare arrangements, Garg directed the Health Department to undertake comprehensive line-listing of expectant mothers and critically ill patients in vulnerable and remote areas. He also stressed advance shifting of such patients to temporary shelters, wherever required, to ensure uninterrupted access to medical care during heavy snowfall and road closures. Reviewing the preparedness of the Jal Shakti Department, he directed officials to ensure uninterrupted functioning of all PHE schemes, including lift water supply schemes, and make adequate arrangements for deploying water tankers wherever required to ensure drinking water availability. He also directed the Forest Department to ensure adequate stocking of firewood at depots across the Valley. To strengthen interdepartmental coordination, Garg directed all district administrations and departments to ensure round-the-clock functioning of their respective control rooms, including the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC). He also instructed departments to appoint nodal officers and share their contact details to facilitate timely assistance, coordination and dissemination of information. Stressing the importance of timely weather-related advisories, he directed concerned departments to promptly share weather and avalanche forecasts with the public to minimise risks and safeguard lives. Meanwhile, he directed the Commissioner, SMC, to identify waterlogging hotspots across Srinagar city and ensure deployment of adequate dewatering pumps to address any eventuality during winter. The Divisional Commissioner also emphasised accountability and timely grievance redressal, directing officers to properly document the time of occurrence of any issue and the response time taken by the concerned department to resolve it. During the meeting, Deputy Commissioners briefed the chair about winter preparedness measures undertaken in their respective districts and highlighted critical issues requiring intervention and resolution. Garg called upon all departments to maintain close coordination and ensure that necessary arrangements were put in place well in advance to minimise public inconvenience and ensure the safety and well-being of people across Kashmir Division during the winter season.

CRPF DG visits Kulgam attack site, reviews operations as hunt for terrorists enters 3rd day

Srinagar, Nov 13:Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Gyanendra Pratap Singh, on Friday visited the site of the recent terror attack near Mir Bazar in Kulgam district and held detailed interactions with field officers of the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police. The visit came as the joint hunt to track down the attackers entered its third consecutive day, with security forces continuing area-domination and search operations across the south Kashmir belt. During his visit to Kulgam in the Kashmir Valley, the DG CRPF took stock of the ground situation at the attack site in the Nowpora AkhranMir Bazar area. He later interacted with field officers of the CRPF and J&K Police at Sadura in Anantnag district, where discussions focused on the way ahead for intensified counter-insurgency (CI) operations in the Valley. The attack, which took place around 2:15 pm on Wednesday, targeted a CRPF checkpoint of the 46th Battalion deployed as a bridge guard roughly two kilometres off the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Preliminary investigations have indicated that at least three terrorists were involved, with two believed to be foreign nationals. Three CRPF personnel were injured in the firing. Two have since been discharged after treatment, while the third, who sustained wounds to the abdomen and spine, continues to receive care at the Armys 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar. On Friday, joint teams of the Army, CRPF and J&K Police maintained an expanded cordon and continued combing operations in the forested and rural stretches around the attack site, while additional searches were underway at multiple locations across south Kashmir. Officials said several suspects were being questioned as part of the investigation, and technical and human intelligence inputs were being analysed to narrow down the movement of the attackers. Continuing his Kashmir Valley tour, Director General CRPF G P Singh, accompanied by senior CRPF officials, visited Head Constable (GD) Sonbir Singh, who is undergoing treatment at Army Hospital, Srinagar. Singh sustained serious injuries while displaying exceptional courage in repulsing a terrorist attack at Nowpora, Akhran in Kulgam on November 11, 2026. The DG CRPF lauded his courage and presence of mind, saying his swift retaliation foiled the terrorists designs and averted a major incident. He wished him a speedy recovery and also appreciated the Indian Army for providing prompt helicopter evacuation and quality medical treatment at the Army Hospital.

Veshow Festival concludes in Kulgam, celebrates art and heritage

Kulgam Nov 13:The three-day Veshow Festival 2026 concluded at Government Degree College, Kulgam, on Friday, bringing together writers, poets, artists, entrepreneurs, artisans and visitors to celebrate Kashmir's cultural heritage, literature, traditional crafts and local enterprise. The concluding day featured a 'Meet the Author' session with noted writer Satish Vimal, followed by a literary discussion titled 'Kashmiri Literature Kal, Aaj Aur Kal' (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow), which brought together literary voices to deliberate on the evolution of Kashmiri literature, its contemporary landscape and future prospects. The programme also featured a Kul-Hind Mushaira (All India Mushaira), with noted poets from across the country participating in a celebration of poetry and literary expression. Alongside the literary events, four dedicated pavilions hosted keynote addresses, panel discussions and interactive sessions on entrepreneurship and startups, handicrafts and rural enterprise, agri-business and horticulture, and youth, skills and career development. Discussions explored Jammu and Kashmir's potential as an enterprise hub, the role of handicrafts in generating livelihoods, livestock's contribution to the rural economy, emerging opportunities for youth, the importance of Geographical Indication (GI) tags in promoting traditional crafts and the scope of the agri-economy. Experts, entrepreneurs, professionals, students and aspiring youth participated in the sessions, sharing experiences and exploring emerging opportunities. Deputy Commissioner Kulgam Shahzad Alam, along with ADC, DPO, ACR, SDM, ACD, DIO and other district officers, also attended various literary and trade sessions. The trade fair and exhibition remained a major attraction, with stalls displaying local products, traditional handicrafts, Kashmiri cuisine, agricultural produce, art and craft, besides products and services from different sectors. The exhibition provided artisans, entrepreneurs, traders and institutions an opportunity to showcase their products, connect with visitors and promote local businesses. The Antique Village offered visitors a glimpse into Kashmir's traditional lifestyle through household articles, artefacts and objects reflecting the region's cultural heritage. A dedicated children's play area added to the attractions. The festival grounds witnessed enthusiastic public participation, with visitors exploring exhibition stalls, sampling local cuisine, shopping and interacting with exhibitors. Schoolchildren added colour to the celebrations through an off-stage cultural showcase featuring Kashmiri folk songs, traditional dances, drama and other performances, providing a platform for young talent. At the valedictory session, Deputy Commissioner ShahzadAlam and other district officers felicitated literary figures and expert speakers and presented certificates of appreciation and participation to contributors and participants in recognition of their role in the three-day event. The DC appreciated the efforts of artists, writers, poets, artisans, entrepreneurs, students, government departments and the general public, saying their collective participation had contributed to making the annual festival a celebration of Kulgam's cultural and literary heritage. Organised under the theme 'Celebrating Our Heritage', the Veshow Festival 2026 sought to promote local talent, traditional crafts, literary expression, entrepreneurship and cultural traditions while providing a common platform for interaction and public engagement. The valedictory session was attended by ADC, DPO, ACR, ACD, SDM, DIO, Tehsildar Kulgam, AD Employment, AD FCS&CA and other district officers, besides prominent artists, writers, poets, entrepreneurs, students and members of the public.

Swachh Survekshan Awards: Budgam secures Swachh City award

Budgam, Nov 13:In a moment of immense pride, Budgam was awarded the Swachh City Award in the UT Category at the prestigious Swachh Survekshan Awards 202526. The award was conferred by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The prestigious award, as per a statement, was received by Jatin Kishore, Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, and Oruja Mohi-ud-Din, Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Council Budgam. This remarkable achievement reflects the efforts of the Municipal Council Budgam, under the guidance of the Housing and Urban Development Department, Directorate of Urban Local Bodies Kashmir and District Administration Budgam along with the active support and engagement of citizens of Budgam Town. The recognition acknowledges the dedicated efforts towards improved sanitation, door-to-door waste collection, source segregation, solid waste management and active public participation. The achievement is dedicated to the hardworking sanitation workers, municipal officials, field functionaries and citizens whose commitment and cooperation have made this success possible. The Administration reaffirms its commitment to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and making Budgam cleaner, greener and more sustainable. Swachh Budgam A Collective Responsibility, A Shared Achievement!

GMC Handwara introduces advanced cataract surgery

Handwara, Nov 13:Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara has introduced advanced phacoemulsification cataract surgery at its Department of Ophthalmology, expanding access to specialised eye-care services in North Kashmir. Dr Aamina Shah, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at GMC Handwara, told Greater Kashmir that the initiative is part of the institution's efforts to strengthen its surgical capabilities and provide modern treatment facilities closer to patients. She said the facility was made possible through a collective effort to improve healthcare services for the general public. The new facility is expected to benefit patients from Kupwara district and adjoining areas, who previously had to travel to distant tertiary healthcare institutions to access advanced cataract surgery, she said. Explaining the procedure, DrAamina said phacoemulsification is an advanced technique widely regarded as the gold standard in modern cataract treatment. It involves using ultrasonic energy to break down and remove the clouded lens through a small incision, followed by implantation of an artificial intraocular lens. The technique generally involves smaller incisions, less surgical trauma and faster visual recovery compared to conventional cataract surgery, she said. The introduction of the procedure is expected to improve access to specialised ophthalmic care for people in peripheral and underserved areas of North Kashmir, reducing the need to travel to distant hospitals for treatment. Locals have welcomed the development and expressed hope that GMC Handwara would introduce more advanced treatment technologies and strengthen its specialised patient-care services.

MRI Machine installed at GMC Handwara, Rs 9 crore water projects approved: Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan

Srinagar, Nov 13: Member of Parliament and Additional General Secretary JKNC, Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan, during his three-day visit to different areas of Handwara Constituency, expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, and his government for the installation of an MRI machine at Government Medical College (GMC), Handwara. As per a statement issued, he stated that the installation of MRI fulfils a commitment made some time ago to strengthen healthcare facilities in the area. He informed that he had earlier taken up the matter with the Union Health Minister and the State govt, highlighting the need for this important diagnostic facility. He said its installation would provide considerable relief to patients by ensuring access to advanced diagnostic services closer to home. Chowdry Ramzan also expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and the government for the augmentation of three major water supply schemes worth 9 crore for the Rajwar and Ramhall areas which included, NagradiKrumhooraKahipora Water Supply Scheme 3 crore, Kenyal Water Supply Scheme (LilamHurdoona) 3 crore, and SarmargCheck Sarmarg Water Supply Scheme 3 crore. He stated that these schemes are particularly important for water-scarce areas, where people have been facing persistent difficulties in accessing adequate drinking water. Their augmentation will significantly improve water availability and ensure a more reliable supply to households. He further informed that he had earlier taken up the matter with the Minister for Jal Shakti, seeking the augmentation of these schemes. He expressed satisfaction that the government has addressed this important public demand. During his visit, he also informed the people that funds under his MPLADS had already been released for various developmental works, including solar street lights, borewells, road connectivity, improvement of pathways, electricity infrastructure, hospital equipment, block-level development works, protection walls, culverts and assistance under the disability fund.

Diabetic Retinopathy

It is not uncommon to see a young person with diabetes arrive at an eye clinic only after experiencing a significant loss of vision. In many such cases, the problem is not simply the disease itself, but a lack of awareness that diabetes can damage the eyeseven before a person notices any change in vision. Many people seek an eye consultation only when symptoms appear. By then, however, considerable damage may already have occurred. This is why awareness of diabetic eye disease is so important. Our eyesight is precious, and protecting it requires timely action. World Diabetes Day, observed every year on November 14, offers an important opportunity to highlight the link between diabetes and vision loss. The 20262027 theme cited for this year, Early action on diabetes, reinforces a simple message: acting early can help prevent complications. One of the most important sight-threatening complications of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy (DR). It develops when persistently high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels that supply the retinathe light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The condition may progress without obvious symptoms, which makes regular screening essential. Who should be screened? Everyone living with diabetes should have regular eye examinations. Screening is particularly important for people who also have conditions such as high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels (dyslipidaemia) or kidney disease. A trained eye-care professional, ideally a retina specialist can assess the retina and identify changes that may not yet affect vision. When should screening begin? An eye examination should be arranged when diabetes is diagnosed. After the initial assessment, screening is generally recommended at least once a year, or more frequently if advised by the eye specialist. Do not wait for blurred vision or other symptoms before seeking an examination. How is diabetic retinopathy treated? Good control of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol is an important part of reducing the risk of diabetic eye complications. If retinopathy develops, treatment depends on its type and severity. Some patients may require injections into the eye, laser treatment or, in more advanced cases, surgery. Regular follow-up is important, even after treatment. The key message is simple: diabetic retinopathy can threaten sight, but timely detection and appropriate care can help reduce the risk of serious vision loss. This World Diabetes Day, let us spread awareness, encourage everyone living with diabetes to get their eyes checked, and make regular retinal screening part of routine diabetes care. Do not wait for symptomsprotect your vision through early action. Dr Yasfir Bashir is Retina Consultant, Eye Care Centre, Srinagar

Bi Chhus Theek, Doctor Sahib

The first kangri of the season had arrived in our OPD. It was tucked beneath the pheran of Ghulam Rasool sahib, a retired headmaster from Nowhatta, who walked in with his son, Bilal, close behind. Salaam, Doctor sahib. Bi chhus theek, he announced before he had even sat down. I am fine. Bilal had a different account. He gets up four or five times every night. His pheran has become loose on him. Mouj says it is just the cold. We asked Rasool sahib when he had last checked his blood sugar. Shugar? He laughed. Doctor sahib, my father lived to ninety, eating two plates of bata twice a day. Nobody in our family ever had shugar. Hat-hez soun khandaan Zaaneni ye Balai . We hear same version of this almost every week. Our fathers walked to the fields, the masjid and the market. Today, we eat much the same portions but spend far more time sitting- in cars, offices and in front of screens. The plate has stayed the same; the life around it has changed. We arranged an urgent assessment and a lab blood glucose. A finger-prick test took less than a minute. The glucometer showed 420 mg/dL, two hours after his breakfast of nun chai and two kulchas. Khodayo, Rasool sahib said quietly. After a pause, he added, Yi chhu Khodaysund Karun . This is Gods will. We hear that often, too. We told him what we tell our patients: faith also asks us to care for the body we have been given. Finding a health problem early is part of that care, not a challenge to it. Why early matters On 14 November, the world marks World Diabetes Day. The International Diabetes Federations theme for 2026 and 2027 is Early action on diabetes. The message is simple: identify the problem early, act in time and reduce the risk of complications. Rasool sahibs thirst and frequent trips to the toilet at night were not the beginning of his diabetes; they were warning signs that had appeared late. Type 2 diabetes can remain silent for years. During that time, persistently high blood sugar can damage the eyes, kidneys and nerves, and increase the risk of heart and blood-vessel disease. Some of our patients discover they have diabetes only when they present with a foot wound that refuses to healor after a heart attack. So all these years he had it, and we never knew? Bilal asked. Quite possibly. Then what about me? That was the right question. The question every son and daughter should ask Bilal was 34. He worked at a bank desk and drove to the office. His waistline had gradually increased since his wedding, and his fathers diagnosis added another reason for him to get screened. People of South Asian origin are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes at a younger age and at a lower BMI than many other populations. A waist circumference above 90 cm in men or 80 cm in women is a warning signeven when the weighing scale does not seem alarming. We advised Bilal to get a fasting blood glucose or HbA1c test. Doctor sahib, I feel completely fine. So did your father, last year. His report arrived two days later: HbA1c 6.1%. This was in the prediabetes range, not the diabetes range. Wallah, so I have it? No. You have a warning signand the good news is that this is the stage when action can make a real difference. Prediabetes is an important window of opportunity. At this stage, changes in eating habits, physical activity and weight can delay or, in some people, prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes. Large studies, including research from India, have demonstrated this. But taking action early matters. Nun chai, bata and the winter problem Then came the hard part: the kitchen. You will stop my nun chai? Rasool sahib asked, alarmed. Nobody is taking your nun chai away, we reassured him. The tea itself is not the main concern for blood sugar; it is often what accompanies it. Two kulchas, a bakarkhani or sometimes a butter-laden lavasa, repeated two or three times a day, followed by a full plate of bata at lunch and another at dinner.We agreed on small, realistic changes. One kulcha instead of two. Fill half the plate with haakh, nadru, dal or salad, and keep the portion of bata modest. Reduce the sugar in kehwa gradually, a little each week. At a wazwan, enjoy the rista and goshtaba, but be mindful of the rice and avoid making a second helping of phirin a habit.Winter brings its own challenge. Once Chillai Kalan sets in, many of us spend more time indoors, close to the kangri. Daily walking often falls away, and blood sugar control can suffer. We suggested that Rasool sahib begin with a 1015-minute walk after mealseven indoors, or up and down the corridor if the weather is harsh. A short walk after eating can help reduce the rise in blood glucose. Pakiv? At my age, Doctor sahib? he asked with a smile. Pakiv. Especially at your age. But I walk every day, Doctor sahib Before they left, Bilal waved in his mother, Mehmooda, who had been waiting on the bench outside. This was the same Mouj who had blamed the cold. She had a complaint of her own, and it came out in a rush.Doctor sahib, I walk every morning, from our house to Jamia Masjid and back. I have stopped rice at night. I eat half of what I used to. And still my weight goes up. My sisters-in-law say I must be eating secretly.She had gained six kilos in two years. Her knees ached on the stairs, Bilal said she snored, and her fasting sugar was close to the prediabetes range.We hear this frustration often, and it usually comes with a quieter shame: the feeling that the weighing scale is passing judgement on ones character. So we told her what medical science now says plainly. Obesity is not a failure of willpower. It is a chronic disease.The body treats its stored fat as something to protect. When we eat less, the hormones that make us hungry rise and the hormones that tell us we are full fall. The body also starts burning fewer calories at rest, as if preparing for a famine. A morning walk is excellent for the heart, the blood sugar and the mood, but on its own it burns far less than most people imagineroughly the energy in a single kulchaand it often sharpens the appetite later in the day. Weight is also pushed upwards by poor sleep, stress, the hormonal changes around menopause, an underactive thyroid and some commonly used medicines, including steroids and certain drugs for depression, epilepsy and diabetes. And with every passing decade we lose muscle, the tissue that burns energy, unless we work to keep it. None of this means effort is wasted. It means obesity behaves like high blood pressure or diabetes itself: it has many causes, it tends to return when treatment stops, and it needs long-term care rather than a few weeks of starving. In 2025, both an international expert commission and a group of Indian experts, writing in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, moved towards judging obesity by what it is doing to a persons healththe waist, blood sugar, blood pressure, joints, breathing during sleepand not by the number on the scale alone.So we changed the question from Why arent you trying harder? to What is driving your weight? We checked her thyroid and HbA1c and went through every medicine she was taking. We kept the walk and added simple strength exercises twice a weekstanding up from a chair and sitting down again, lifting water bottles filled at the tapto protect her muscle. We moved some protein to breakfast: an egg, a bowl of curd or some dal alongside the nun chai, which keeps hunger away longer than a second kulcha. We talked about sleep. The first goal was simply to stop the gain; losing even five to ten per cent of body weight after that brings real benefits for sugar, blood pressure and knees. And we told her that if these steps were not enough, there are now effective medicines for obesity, and for some people surgeryprescribed and monitored by a doctor, not bought on a neighbours advice or after watching a video on the phone. So it is not just me being greedy? she asked. No. It is a disease. And diseases are treated, not blamed. What we do not say aloud At the door, Bilal lowered his voice. His younger sister had been unusually tired lately. Should she be tested, too? But if anything is found, nobody should know. Her rishta is being discussed.This is the part of diabetes we rarely discuss openly in Kashmir. Some families conceal the diagnosis, particularly in young women, fearing stigma and its consequences for marriage. That fear can delay testing and treatment. A woman whose diabetes is detected early and managed well can study, work, marry and have healthy children. It is delayed diagnosis and poor controlnot the diagnosis itselfthat can cause harm.A word, too, for parents: children can develop diabetes, most commonly type 1 diabetes. A child who suddenly becomes very thirsty, passes urine frequently, starts wetting the bed again or loses weight needs an urgent blood-glucose check. Type 1 diabetes can progress rapidly, and diabetic ketoacidosis can become life-threatening. Three months later Rasool sahib returned in February, through the snow, this time without his kangri. His blood sugars had improved. Bilal had lost a few centimetres around his waist and had started walking to work twice a week. Mehmoodas weight had stopped climbing for the first time in years, and she had lost two kilos. Doctor sahib, Rasool sahib said as he sat down, Bi chhus theek. This time, we believed him. This World Diabetes Day, take one simple step. If you are 30 or older, have excess weight around your waist or have a family history of diabetes, get your blood sugar checked. A fasting blood glucose or HbA1c test is widely available at health centres. And if your weight keeps rising despite honest effort, see a doctor: that is a medical problem, not a moral one. Do not wait for excessive thirst or frequent urination. By then, the disease may have been present for years. Ghulam Rasool, Mehmooda and Bilal are composite characters based on everyday clinical encounters. Dr Muzaffar Amin Shah is Senior Resident and Dr M Hayat Bhat is Head Department of Endocrinology, GMC Srinagar

Ready to sacrifice for restoration of constitutional, democratic rights: Dr Farooq Abdullah

Srinagar, Nov 13:The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah Friday said that the restoration of the constitutional and democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir remains the partys foremost priority. He called upon people from all three regions of Jammu and Kashmir to extend their full support and cooperation in this struggle. He also stressed that the restoration of statehood is an urgent necessity, saying that it would provide considerable relief to the people and enable an elected government to function without hindrance and take effective decisions in the public interest. Dr Farooq Abdullah, as per a party statement issued, made these remarks while interacting with public delegations from different areas, prominent citizens, representatives of traders associations, party functionaries, workers and leaders at his residence in Jammu. He said that the special status of Jammu and Kashmir is the legacy of the National Conference and remains very close to the hearts of its people. He asserted that the struggle for its restoration would continue and that his party was always prepared to make any sacrifice for this cause. Dr Farooq said that the National Conference is not merely a political party seeking public support to secure power. Since its inception, the party has played a guiding role in society, working towards the eradication of social evils and the promotion of humanity, unity and justice. The party has made immense sacrifices for the protection of the fundamental human rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said. He asserted that the National Conference would not hesitate to adopt every peaceful and democratic means to restore the rights taken away from the people of Jammu and Kashmir.We have never changed our position in the face of intimidation or pressure in the past, nor will we do so in the future if it means compromising the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said. He maintained that the National Conference belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and that its agenda would always reflect their feelings, aspirations and expectations. Dr Farooq Abdullah expressed hope that statehood would be restored to Jammu and Kashmir without further delay, enabling the government to serve the people more effectively. He said that the formation of an elected government has brought relief to people at the grassroots level and that they are beginning to feel a positive change. He added that the government remains committed to public service. He urged people to approach their elected representatives and bring their grievances and concerns to their notice, reminding them that the representatives had been elected precisely to address public issues. The National Conference President also urged party functionaries to continue promoting the values of brotherhood, unity, equality, justice and humility.

Beyond Blood Sugar

Diabetes, known since antiquity, was described by Sushruta in 6th-century BCE in India as Madhumeha. The Greek physician Apollonius coined the term diabetes around 250 BCE, while Thomas Willis added mellitus in 1675. Insulins discovery by Banting and Best in 1921 revolutionised treatment, earning them the 1923 Nobel Prize. Today, diabetes is a global epidemic. Diabetes mellitus is broadly categorized into two main forms: Type 1, resulting from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, and Type 2, driven by impaired insulin secretion and cellular insulin resistance. Though Type 1 diabetes starts at relatively young ages like children, adolescents and young adults and Type II in Middle Ages around 45 years but there are no real cut offs. The key is an early recognition. The World Health Organization in a study of worldwide trends in diabetes prevalence and treatment from 1990 to 2022 estimates that diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death. In India in 2023, a report by the ICMR on Metabolic and non-communicable diseases data highlighted an overall weighted prevalence of 11.4% (Jammu region 18.9 %) alongside a prediabetes prevalence of 15.3% (Jammu region 10.8%). As per the updated National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) across the combined Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, (2023-24) survey reported that 13% of women and 11.3% of men aged 15 and above in Jammu and Kashmir have elevated blood sugar levels or are taking medication for diabetes. To confront this growing crisis, World Diabetes Day is observed annually on November 14th coinciding with the date of birth of Sir Fredrick Banting. The campaign theme this year emphasizes Early action on diabetes, underscoring the critical need for earlier diagnosis, expanded access to comprehensive care, and the reduction of social stigma. It is alarming that according to a global health data published by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and analytical medical research organizations 40% of individuals with diabetes remain undiagnosed. This proportion is likely to be even higher in our Indian settings. Early diagnosis hinges on public awareness of classic symptoms: excessive thirst (polydipsia), frequent urination (polyuria), unexplained fatigue and weakness, and rapid weight loss despite a good appetite. Recommended screening milestones include a basic blood sugar check where every individual should know their baseline levelsin a healthy adult, fasting blood sugar should ideally be below 100 mg/dL, and random samples (2 hours post meal) should remain under 140 mg/dL as per the American Diabetic Association (ADA) 2026 guidelines. Those ADA recommends a blood sugar estimation at age 35 years regardless of weight. However, in persons with a higher risk overweight or obese (BMI 25 kg/m or >85th percentile for youth) and have additional risk factors such as: Family history of diabetes, High-risk race or ethnicity, like us in India, history of gestational diabetes, Conditions associated with insulin resistance (such as polycystic ovary syndrome or high blood pressure), screening should start at in youth/ adolescence starting at age 10 years or the onset of puberty. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Timely diagnosis is only valuable when paired with accessible, affordable care and sustained lifestyle integration. Effective management requires a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach: Lifestyle Optimization: Adopt a healthy diet low in refined carbohydrates and sugars, rich in seasonal fruits, vegetables, and fibre. Combine this with regular physical activityaiming for more than 8,000 steps per day at least 5 days a week, supplemented by strengthening exercises for a minimum of 2 hours per weekand absolute avoidance of tobacco in any form. These foundational steps reduce reliance on medications. Pharmacological and Clinical Targets: Modern therapeutics effectively minimize the risk of heart failure, heart attacks, and strokes. For established diabetics, maintaining glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels close to 6.5% to 7% is paramount. Comprehensive Vascular Protection: Blood sugar control must be coupled with keeping blood pressure at or below 130/80 mm Hg and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels below 70 mg/dL. Many essential medications are readily available as high-efficacy, low-cost generics manufactured by reputable Indian pharmaceutical companies. Environmental and Policy Support: Curbing Type 2 diabetes requires healthier community environments, calling for active contributions from health, urban planning, and rural development ministries to ensure universal access to healthy food, safe recreational spaces, and quality health services. Beyond the physiological toll, individuals with diabetes frequently face psychological burdens due to social stigma. Well-meaning family members and peers often attribute the condition to poor dietary self-indulgence, lack of willpower, or sheer carelessness. This social pressure frequently drives patients into secrecy: avoiding insulin injections or skipping blood glucose monitoring in public or social gatherings. Left unaddressed, this cycle fosters denial, anxiety, and depressive states, which ultimately compromises metabolic control and accelerates complications. The paradigm shift needed requires empathetic counselling, ensuring patients are counselled that diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder shaped by intricate genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factorsit is never a personal failure. Treating physicians should provide compassionate clinical care by dedicating adequate time to educate patients thoroughly without inducing fear. The message of acceptance must be clear and unwavering: diabetes is nothing to be ashamed of, but simply a condition to be understood, accepted, and effectively managed. Conclusion: The battle against diabetes cannot be won by medicines and medical interventions alone. It requires a collective commitment involving individuals, families, healthcare professionals, communities and policymakers. We must move from a reactive approach, where treatment begins after the disease is detected, to a proactive way of prevention, early screening and sustained health awareness. Equally important is the need to replace judgement with empathy and stigma with understanding. No individual should ever feel embarrassed or discriminated against for living with diabetes. Humanity has travelled a remarkable journey from recognizing the sweetness of urine in ancient India to discovering insulin and developing sophisticated therapies by a joint effort so that we can prevent life-threatening complications. Yet, despite these extraordinary scientific advances, the real challenge remains ensuring that their benefits reach every individual. Our ultimate goal should not merely be to help people live with diabetes, but to prevent diabetes wherever possible and enable those affected to live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives. Early awareness, timely action and compassionate care must become the cornerstones of this global fight. Author is Founder Director, Gauri Kaul Foundation

Dogra identity cannot be held hostage to separatist pressure: Rajni Sethi

Jammu, Nov 13: J&K BJP spokesperson Friday raised concerns over the uncertainty surrounding the Dogra certificate issue saying that the historical identity, cultural heritage and legitimate rights of the Dogra community must be protected and respected. She said the identity and dignity of the Dogra community cannot be compromised under political pressure or separatist influence. The Dogra Certificate is not merely an administrative matter but closely connected with the historical recognition, social dignity and legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu, she said. Referring to the orders issued by the National Conference led coalition government in 2011, Sethi said that after issuing orders on March 25 and April 7 of 2011, concerning the issuance of Dogra certificates, the Central government extended certain recruitment-related physical standard relaxations to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. The earlier state government order was withdrawn on April 28, 2011, she added. She said these developments created considerable uncertainty among the Dogra community. The political opposition and controversy surrounding the issue at that time further complicated the matter. The historical record must be examined objectively, without ignoring the concerns and aspirations of the people of Jammu, she added. She said the Dogra community has made an invaluable contribution to the history, culture, administration and national integration of Jammu and Kashmir. The legacy of the Dogra rulers, their contribution to the region and the sacrifices of the people of Jammu deserve recognition and respect. Any attempt to undermine this identity for political convenience is unacceptable, she added. She said the developments surrounding the Dogra certificate issue since August 2025 have once again highlighted the need for clarity and transparency. The J&K government must establish a clear policy regarding eligibility criteria, purpose, recognition and the practical benefits associated with the certificate, she said. She said that young people belonging to the Dogra community deserve equal opportunities, particularly in matters relating to recruitment and government-related benefits. Any policy concerning their identity and entitlements must be implemented fairly, transparently and without discrimination, she added. She further said the government must clarify the status of previous orders, subsequent decisions and the present administrative position. A transparent and accessible mechanism for issuing and recognizing Dogra Certificates is essential to end uncertainty among the people, she added. She said the BJP firmly believes that the historical identity and dignity of the Dogra community deserve recognition and protection. This issue must be addressed through concrete policy decisions rather than political ambiguity or selective approaches. The Dogra community deserves justice, recognition and equal opportunities. Protecting its heritage is not merely a regional concern but an important part of preserving the historical and cultural identity of Jammu and Kashmir, she added.

Diabetes, Ageing Parents and Winter

He was 78. A familiar face in Moul Mouj Health Centre. His first question was not about his blood sugar report. He wanted to know what should he eat. Doctor Sahib, my children have stopped me from eating almost everything. Even my cup of tea has become a problem. He smiled, but there was a sense of helplessness in his voice. I looked at his reports. His diabetes was reasonably controlled. But his blood pressure was high, bad cholesterol was abnormal and an ultrasound had revealed fatty liver. He was concerned about sugar. I was equally concerned about the bigger picture. This is where diabetes management in old age needs a fundamental change. We have become too obsessed with sugar numbers and sometimes too indifferent to everything happening around them. Diabetes in an elderly person is rarely a solitary disease. It is often part of a cluster of metabolic and cardiovascular problems. Hypertension, dyslipidaemia (high LDL Cholesterol), fatty liver, obesity and kidney disease frequently coexist. Together, they increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, kidney failure and disability. A reasonably controlled sugar reading can create a false sense of security if blood pressure and cholesterol remain neglected. Consider hypertension. Many elderly people with diabetes have high blood pressure without experiencing any symptoms. They feel perfectly normal, even when their arteries are under considerable strain. Over time, uncontrolled blood pressure damages the heart, kidneys, brain and blood vessels. Regular monitoring and appropriate treatment are essential. However, treatment must be individualised, particularly in frail seniors who may experience dizziness or falls when blood pressure drops excessively. Then comes dyslipidaemia, or abnormal cholesterol. Diabetes increases cardiovascular risk, and the combination of high LDL (bad) cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes is particularly dangerous. A person may have no chest pain, no breathlessness and no obvious warning, yet atherosclerosis may be silently progressing. Cholesterol management, including statin therapy where indicated, is an important part of preventing heart attacks and strokes. It should not be ignored simply because the patient feels well. Fatty liver is another frequently overlooked companion. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is common among people with Type 2 diabetes. It is not merely an ultrasound finding to be forgotten. In some individuals, it can progress to liver inflammation, fibrosis and even cirrhosis. Weight management where appropriate, physical activity, good diabetes control and management of associated metabolic conditions can help reduce the risk of progression. Those at higher risk need further assessment. The message is simple: Do not treat diabetes in isolation. Treat the person and the entire metabolic risk profile. Another side to this story. Older people do not always need more medicines. Sometimes they need simpler treatment. Many are already taking five, six or even ten tablets daily. Adding another prescription without reviewing existing medicines can create confusion, adverse effects and poor adherence. We must also remember hypoglycaemia. Families are often terrified of high sugar but remain unaware that low blood sugar can be more dangerous. In an elderly person, it can cause confusion, falls, fractures, loss of consciousness and hospitalisation. Treatment targets should therefore be individualised according to frailty, cognitive status, other illnesses and functional ability. And please, let us stop making food a punishment. An elderly person should not have to negotiate every meal with anxious family members. Rice, traditional food and an occasional favourite dish need not disappear from life. What matters is portion size, balance, regular meal timings and individual dietary advice. Adequate nutrition, protein rich diet is particularly important in older people, who are also vulnerable to muscle loss and frailty. Winter, diabetes, Kashmir. Cold weather keeps many seniors indoors. Walking reduces, physical activity declines and meals often become heavier. Some older people skip meals, while others forget medicines. Those taking insulin must ensure that it is stored correctly: it should never freeze or be exposed to extreme temperatures. Blood glucose should be monitored when food intake or activity changes. Foot care becomes especially important. Warm, comfortable footwear, daily inspection of feet and avoiding barefoot walking can prevent injuries that may otherwise go unnoticed. Hydration should not be neglected simply because the weather is cold. Families should also ensure that elderly people have an adequate supply of medicines and do not miss follow-up appointments. Do not just ask, What is your sugar level? Also ask about blood pressure. Check cholesterol. Look at the liver. Assess kidney function. Review medicines. Examine the feet. Ask whether the person is eating properly, walking safely and sleeping well.

Div Com Jammu stresses timely execution of road infrastructure projects, effective implementation of Govt schemes

Doda, Nov 13:Divisional Commissioner Jammu Vikas Kundal Friday chaired a review meeting here to assess the progress of developmental projects and ground impact of government schemes in this mountainous District. During the meeting convened in the conference hall of DC Office Complex Doda, Divisional Commissioner Jammu inquired about the ongoing and completed infrastructure projects and other government initiatives being implemented in the district. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Krishan Lal, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Anil Kumar Thakur, ADC Bhaderwah Sunil Kumar Butyal, Chief Planning Officer Manesh Kumar Manhas, ASP Headquarters Mohammad Aslam, DPO Akhtar Hussain Qazi, ACR Ashraf Pervez, ACD Din Mohammad Afaqi, CEO BDA Sanjeev Verma, SE Jal Shakti, SE PWD (R&B), GM NHIDCL, DFOs, district heads of line departments and representatives from the executing agencies. During the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Doda presented a comprehensive overview of the district's developmental profile, ongoing projects, physical and financial achievements and implementation status of the government schemes through a detailed PowerPoint presentation. He highlighted key infrastructure projects, sector-wise progress, achievements and challenges requiring focused intervention. The Divisional Commissioner reviewed the progress of major infrastructure projects, with emphasis on the completion of the Multi-Storey Car Parking Project, which has been flagged as the important public utility project for Doda town. The alignment of NH-244, road upgradation works and progress of ongoing projects along the highway were also discussed. The Divisional Commissioner directed the General Manager NHIDCL to expedite the execution of ongoing works, remove bottlenecks and ensure timely completion while maintaining prescribed quality standards. The status of ongoing heritage projects was also reviewed. The review also covered SASCI projects, NABARD-funded works and the road infrastructure projects. The Divisional Commissioner inquired about the ongoing and completed projects taken up under PMGSY-I and PMGSY-II, road development works being executed by PWD, BRO and PMGSY, besides the macadamisation of roads across the district were discussed. The Divisional Commissioner stressed the need to accelerate road macadamisation and upgradation works, directing the concerned departments to ensure timeline completion of the projects. He also emphasised proper road maintenance, improved connectivity and exploration of all available schemes for strengthening road infrastructure, particularly in remote and far-flung areas. Issues related to land compensation and forest clearances were also reviewed, with directions to resolve pending matters within a stipulated timeframe to avoid delays in project execution. Reviewing the Jal Shakti sector, the Divisional Commissioner assessed the physical and financial progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), including progress made in providing Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC), the status of ongoing water supply schemes and implementation challenges. The AMRUT scheme and Irrigation and Flood Control initiatives were also reviewed. The progress of power projects was also discussed in detail, particularly under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDS). The Divisional Commissioner directed the concerned officers to prioritise distribution infrastructure, strengthen the power distribution network, improve reliability of electricity supply and expedite pending works to ensure uninterrupted power supply, especially during the winter season. He also inquired about the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) and directed the concerned officers to put in extra efforts to achieve set targets and ensure timely construction and completion of houses for eligible rural beneficiaries.

A celebration for the fruit from heaven

Kashmir and Apples are synonymous. History has it that apple cultivation in Kashmir is 2000 years old, which gained momentum in early 15th century when Zain ul Abidin brought the grafts to patch with local apple trees for a better variety, the Mughals encouraged the growth of apple orchards on a large scale and later the Britishers brought the English variants and gave the modern scientific outline and outlook to this industry. A separate Department of Horticulture is looking after this huge industry that besides the fruit generates livelihood and lots of employment. The department has been pivotal in managing, supporting and regulating the success of the apple industry on all fronts and lately in establishing the cold storage units meant for storing apples after they are harvested. The fruit can be kept for variable period of time in the unit and later withdrawn and thawed and regularly dispatched throughout the season rather than limiting it to a particular month. Though Kashmir has a huge area under cultivation for apples, two regions are famous worldwide for the quantum that grows in there, Sopore and Shopian, each having a separate fruit mandi to help the apple growers to sell their yield. The apple production has hit a high with over 17 lakh metric tonnes produced every year. The famous varieties are ambri, delicious, golden delicious, maharaja, chemora, hazartbali, american trael, and many hybrids. Since few years the orchards have changed from these typical variants to the now scientifically done and easier growing European variants which go on to give a good yield in less time. October is the month of harvesting the apples and then sending them to different parts of the country or storing them in now available cold storage units. 70% of the total production harvested is brought and assembled in sheds, sorted, packed and then transported or nowadays railed to the various mandis of the country. 20 % goes to cold storage units. The month of October is full of activity in the apple hubs of the valley. The harvest season of different agricultural products and fruits falls at different times of the year depending upon region, climate, and crop. It marks the end of growing season, collection of the agricultural/horticulture bounty and gratitude to the Almighty for the produce. World over at the time of harvest of first fruits/crops, festivals are held, true for our country as well, which is celebrated by the locals in various ways. The celebrations can last for a day or days together and can be a fair, carnival, parties, singing, dancing, local folk tales and local cultural events done to an audience from far and wide. This infuses an enthusiasm of worthiness amongst the farmers, growers, wholesalers and all the people involved in the business. And puts that area onto the world map. Among the international festivals held are Thanksgiving in US, , crop over in Barbados, mid-autumn festival in China and Vietnam, rice harvest festival in Indonesia, Incwala in Eswatini, a traditional first-fruit ceremony where the king tastes the new seasons crops before the nation can harvest theirs, Moussem hab lmuluk a cherry harvest festival in Sefrou, Morocco, Moussem tamrata date harvest festival at Arfoud, in Morocco, Moussem tamrat faghit a date harvest festival in Saoura, Algeria, Moussem lnab a grape harvest festival at Benslimane,Morocco, Moussem lfrizat a strawberry harvest festival in Skikda, Algeria. Likewise, in our country we do have fixed calendar for these harvest festivals, Makar Sankranti, Bihi, Pongal, Lohri, Baisakhi, Onam. Local preparations, songs, dance, cultural skits, fairs, children arena, food stalls, handicrafts form the core on these festive occasions. Kashmir per se does not have a particular harvest festival, that is famous on the national or international arena. Rice harvesting used to be celebrated locally but presently is not. There is some resurgence of having a festival at the time of trees flowering like the famous almond blossom of Badamwari, and the now world famous tulip festival at Indira Gandhi garden, but no administration led harvest festival is in the time table. I read about an initiative Jashen Harud held this year on 7th of November at the Sports Stadium in Shopian. This is a good beginning but we need this on a large and better scale, an apple harvest festival for a week or 10 days to really allow people from other parts of Kashmir to visit these areas and check for themselves various aspects of cultivation, harvesting and other aspects. We can have a week of this festival at Sopore and Shopian, every year in the month of October to celebrate the harvest. It can be a mega carnival with school children coming for picnic, college students take it as part of their scientific projects, locals as guests and buyers, tourists and outsiders as ambassadors. This will go a long way in encouraging the growers, have attendees cherish the heritage, traditions and culture, bring in entrepreneurs with their developmental initiatives, allow government to announce welfare schemes and better the ways of handling the fruit and also bring these areas more on the national and international map. Dr Muzafar Maqsood Wani, Consultant Nephrologist, SKIMS, Soura

Truck driver found dead inside parked vehicle at Batote

Ramban, Nov 13:A truck driver was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside his vehicle at Chakwa Nala in Batote area of Ramban district on Friday evening. According to officials, the incident came to light at around 6:15 pm when information was received about a person lying unresponsive inside a truck bearing registration number JK21-0884, which was parked at Chakwa Nala. The truck was reportedly travelling from Jammu towards Doda when the driver stopped the vehicle at the location to take a rest. Following the information, a police team immediately reached the spot and initiated necessary legal proceedings. The deceased driver was identified as Tilak Raj, son of Jaishi Ram, a resident of Jhaloon village in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Police shifted the body to Community Health Centre (CHC) Batote for further medico-legal formalities. SHO Police Station Batote Inspector Sanjay Manhas confirmed the incident. The officials said the circumstances surrounding the death were not immediately known.

Greater reliance on clean energy

The 31st meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is currently underway in Turkiye. The UNFCCC was concluded in 1992 and, through it, the international community, especially the advanced countries, committed themselves to controlling climate change. By the late 1980s environmental scientists had conveyed a strong message to the global political class that unless serious steps were taken to control the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) global warming would increase to levels that would endanger life on the planet as humanity had known it so far. The countries that signed the UNFCCC, which came into force in 1994, agreed to hold annual meetings so that policies and programmes could be evolved to operationalise its basic principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. This meant that the advanced countries accepted their historical responsibility of contributing to climate change through the use of hydrocarbons. Hence, as the COP process beganits first meeting was held in 1995 in Germanythe developing world, which is now known by the term Global South, pressed the advanced countries to ensure that climate change mitigation and adaptation to its consequences should not be at the cost of the reduction and elimination of poverty. The advanced countries accepted in COP 1997 held in Kyoto, Japan that, as a UN document states they are largely responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere. The document further stated that these countries also agreed on targets that add[ed] up to an average 5 per cent emission reduction compared to 1990 levels over the five year period 20082012. Far from controlling GHG, the advanced countries emissions increased. They also did not fulfill their financial commitments to the Global South for mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. With the rise of China and the emerging economies gaining greater strength, the advanced countries began to link climate change to geo-politics and effectively moved away from the principle of common but differentiated responsibility. At COP 2015, in Paris, they compelled the Global South to accept nationally determined goals to reduce GHG emissions. At the same time they held that global temperatures should not exceed 1.5% Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Two years later, in 2017, President Donald Trump, who believes that climate change is a hoax, pulled the US out of the Paris Accord. His successor took the US back to it but Trump, in his second term, has not only not re-instated his approach to climate change but has asked US oil and gas companies to increase production. With the worlds most powerful country and the worlds highest per-capita emitter currently turning its back on climate change control endeavours and behaving irresponsibly in respect of the greatest existential crisis facing humanity, the present COP meeting is being held in unpropitious circumstances. Linked to climate change is the entire issue of sustainable development. That means that there should be ever greater reliance on clean energy but also that human development has to avoid damage to the environment. The result of environmental damage is paid, especially by the poor. This is witnessed in North India every winter when air pollution takes an enormous toll on all but particularly the poor people. Air pollution damages human health. This aspect was strikingly illustrated by one of Indias foremost thoracic surgeons, Dr Arvind Kumar who is based in the National Capital Region. He told a TV news channel that now more than half of his patients have black lungs. He is finding them in non-smoker patients, including some who are young. He said that he was not involved in politics but as a doctor he was finding the current state of air pollution dangerous for all. Till three decades ago the north Indian winter was generally considered as a pleasant part of the year. Except for a few days when it became bitterly cold during winter rains the temperatures were bearable and there was sunlight and blue skies. The air was crisp too. Now that is a distant dream for the better part of the winter months The path to the improvement of air quality can only be realistically achieved through a whole of the year approach when polluting industries are compelled to effectively put in effluent treatment mechanisms for all kinds of pollution. This also means encouraging sustainable agricultural and animal husbandry policies and preventing pollution by the construction industry. This will require enormous political and administrative will and the adoption of a responsible attitude by the business class. All this will not be easy but is achievable. Indeed, there is no escape from this comprehensive policy approach because the alternative is to damage the health prospects of the younger and coming generations. That will have an unacceptable negative impact on national interest. The Modi government is committed to clean energy. It has promoted solar energy and within India the contribution of renewable energy to the national grid is increasing annually. Indeed, India is also achieving, if not exceeding, its targets for the national goals it has laid down on the energy front. The same seriousness has to be shown in controlling air pollution in the winter months. But it can only be so if all authorities in India and the people become aware of the comprehensive dangers it poses to the lives and health of the people. That will need a change in attitudes and action all the year not palliatives during the winter months alone. To handle climate change and pursue sustainable development action at all levelsglobal, regional, national and localis needed.

Sakeena Itoo calls for optimal utilisation of resources, strengthening healthcare infrastructure

Jammu, Nov 13:Minister for Health and Medical Education and Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo Friday chaired a comprehensive review meeting at the Civil Secretariat Jammu to assess the functioning, progress and implementation of various components of the National Health Mission (NHM) in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education Saugat Biswas, Mission Director National Health Mission J&K Athar Aamir Ul Shafi Khan, Director Finance H&ME, Director Planning H&ME, Director Family Welfare and Immunization J&K, Director Health Services Jammu, Director Health Services Kashmir and other senior officers of Health and Medical Education department. During the meeting, the minister undertook a detailed assessment of the performance of NHM across various sectors, with particular focus on public health planning, financial management, human resource availability, healthcare infrastructure, supply of medicines and essential logistics, diagnostic facilities, patient transport services and punctuality of healthcare personnel, besides other critical aspects of public healthcare delivery. While taking stock of the progress achieved under different NHM interventions, Sakeena Itoo emphasised the need for strengthening implementation mechanisms and ensuring that the resources being provided under the mission translate into tangible improvements in healthcare services at the grassroots level. She stressed on optimal utilisation of financial resources, manpower and available infrastructure and directed the officers to identify existing gaps and take time-bound corrective measures to address them. NHM is an important instrument for strengthening the public healthcare system. Our focus must be on ensuring that every resource allocated under the mission is utilised efficiently and delivers measurable benefits to the people. There should be no gap between the availability of resources and delivery of healthcare services, the Minister said. She further called for greater accountability and inter-departmental coordination to improve the overall functioning of healthcare institutions and ensure the availability of essential services, medicines and diagnostic facilities, particularly in areas where access to healthcare remains a challenge. She emphasised the importance of equitable healthcare delivery saying that people living in remote, far-flung and underserved areas must receive the same attention and quality of healthcare services as those residing in urban centres. Our priority is to make quality healthcare accessible, affordable and dependable for every citizen. The benefits of NHM must reach the last person in the queue and no individual should be deprived of essential medical facilities due to geographical or infrastructural limitations, she said. The minister also stressed the need for maintaining punctuality among healthcare personnel, improving patient transport facilities and ensuring adequate availability of medicines and diagnostic services in public health institutions. She directed the concerned officers to revisit all issues and bottlenecks highlighted during the meeting, formulate appropriate action plans and ensure their timely resolution. She also called for close monitoring of the implementation of various NHM initiatives and fixing responsibility at appropriate levels to ensure effective service delivery. Reiterating the government's commitment towards strengthening the public healthcare system, the Minister called upon the officers to adopt a coordinated, result-oriented and people-centric approach, ensuring that NHM fulfils its objectives of improving healthcare access, quality and outcomes across Jammu and Kashmir.

MLA Budhal, CAASPI delegation meet LG Manoj Sinha

Jammu, Nov 13:Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Budhal Javed Iqbal Choudhary and a delegation of Centre for Activities for Advanced, Strong and Progressive India (CAASPI) Friday called on J&K Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha in Jammu. MLA Budhal projected various issues related to enhancement of facilities to Haj pilgrims from Jammu Kashmir. Also, the CAASPI delegation consisted of prominent citizens including Shri Justice Tashi Rabstan, Retired Judge, J&K and Ladakh High Court, Kuldeep Khoda, B R Sharma, Dr S. P. Vaid, Dr Ashok Bhan, Maj Gen S.K. Sharma (Retd), K.B. Jandial, Adv Rameshwar Singh Jamwal, and submitted a proposal for the creation of Social Defence Volunteer Groups to provide support to existing Home Guards and Civil Defence personnel at the district level and in border areas. These Groups can act as Joint Quick Reaction Teams to work with Home Guards and Civil Defence teams in the event of a disaster or any situation requiring trained manpower. They also highlighted the important matters pertaining to the extension of facilities under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) for the welfare of Pensioners.

Ten Years After the Note Ban

On 8th November 2016 at 8 oclock in the evening, the Prime Minister announced that 500 and 1000 notes would become invalid from midnight. These notes constituted around 86% of the currency. Ten years later, we take a serious look at how well the policy met its objectives. Black Money The government had three objectives to achieve: remove black money, remove fake notes and remove terror funding. It later became a reason to increase digitisation. Its main aim was to utilise the fact that black money is mostly kept in cash and therefore would have to be deposited as it would be exposed. However, the Reserve Bank of India annual report shows that out of 15.41 lakh crore of specific notes in circulation, 15.31 lakh crore (99.3%) were returned. This suggests that there was very little cash in circulation that hadnt been declared or more likely there was some laundering done. Economists have always argued that black money is mostly kept in property, gold and foreign assets. Therefore, swapping the currency was never going to be effective. The state also had high costs. The RBI had to print 7965 crore in 2016-17 compared to 2015-16 which was 3421 crore. It also increased to 4912 crore in 2017-18. Fake Notes and Terror Funding In 2017-18 fake notes were detected down by 31.4% to 5.22 lakh. However, in 2024-25, 2.17 lakh were detected. Fake notes arent easy to attribute, but it is true that there has been a decrease. There have been some fake notes of the new 500 design. These increased by 37.3% to 1.18 lakh in 2024-25. Terror funding is difficult to verify. The onus was on the policy maker to prove their point. Digitisation This is the best reason to support the policy. However, it is the least causal. The UPI was launched on 25th August 2016. In 2016-17 there were 1.78 crore transactions, however this increased to 24162 crore in 2025-26. The value of these transactions increased from 0.07 lakh crore to around 314 lakh crore. This is due to the fact that there is a lot of interoperability in public infrastructure. The Note Ban just gave a push to this. However, there was an increase in the amount of money in circulation. At the end of 2025-26, there was 41.68 lakh crore in circulation. This was more than double what there was ten years ago. The increase was 11.9% in 2025-26. This was the highest increase since 2017-18 when there was a recovery after the Note Ban. This increase was partly caused by increased consumption, lower interest rates and the fact that 2000 notes were replaced. India has become more digitised. GDP Growth GDP growth in the first quarter of 2016-17 decreased to 7.5%, 7.0% and 6.1%. Supporters argue that the full year was later revised to show an increase to 8.3% and the RBI acknowledged that there was a slowdown in the first quarter of 2016-17. This is true, however, you should be cautious about saying there was a precise decrease in output. The data isnt great to look at. Critics argue that the informal sector is the largest part of the economy to use cash and is estimated using the national accounts. These are mostly estimated using the formal sector as a basis. This could mean that there wasnt as big of a shock as there could have been. There was a decrease in growth in 2017-18 and 2018-19. This was due to a number of factors including the Note Ban and the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax. Supporters Arguments Supporters argue that it increased the amount of cash in banks, increased the information available to tax authorities and increased digital payments. This seems like a reasonable argument. However, there isnt much evidence to show that there wasnt already a trend. There isnt evidence to show that this was genuine cash. By March 2018 the amount of money in circulation had increased beyond the amount before the Note Ban. A reasonable argument could be made that there could have been a more targeted approach using enforcement, analytics and incentives to increase the amount of cash in the formal sector. Legality A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court ruled on 2nd January 2023 that the decision was legal (4-1). The majority argued that there was a reasonable connection between the aims of the policy and that it passed the test of proportionality. They also argued that the courts should stay out of economic policy. The minority opinion was given by Justice B.V. Nagarathna who argued that the action was vitiated and unlawful. This is due to the fact that the action shouldnt have been taken in a Gazette Notification and should have been done through legislation. She also argues that the RBI didnt give independent consideration to the action. Section 26(2) of the RBI Act 1934 states that the centre can only demonetise a series of notes if recommended by the central board of the RBI. This is a clear question about whether there was any real protection. The judgement shows that it was a legal policy. However, this doesnt mean it was a good policy. 2000 Notes The 2000 note was introduced in 2016 but was demonetised on 19th May 2023. This was due to the RBIs Clean Note Policy. By 31st March 2025 98.2% of the 3.56 lakh crore in circulation had been returned. This raises questions. If high value notes were the issue in 2016 why was a higher value note introduced? Why was it recalled in just 7 years? What We Can Learn Overall, if we look at the theory of change, this policy has failed. The main aim of it was to get rid of cash, however, nearly all of it was returned. The benefits were either small and difficult to attribute (fake notes) or real but mostly not related to the policy (digitisation). The costs were immediate and widespread. There were long queues, quarterly growth slowed and there were high printing costs. We can learn that surprise isnt the way to go. A policy that involves 86% of the currency by value should be rolled out in stages and there should be plenty of replacement notes. We can also learn that it is important to involve the right institutions. The RBI should have a clear and meaningful role in the process. Finally, any large economic intervention should have clear metrics and independent evaluation. This means that in ten years time we will be debating the evidence rather than the inference. The biggest legacy of the Note Ban may be the lack of evidence. Malik Daniyal is a regular contributor to GK.

Police calls for operational synergy among all stakeholders for robust security of SMVDY

Jammu, Nov 13:Police authorities have asked all the stakeholder forces to ensure effective communication and operational synergy for robust security of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra (SMVDY), biggest religious pilgrimage of J&K with millions of people from across the world arrive in holy town Katra for the pilgrimage. The directions were issued days after twin terror incidents reported in Jammu and Kashmir. The directions were issued by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Udhampur Reasi range, Swarn Singh Kotwal who conducted comprehensive security review of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine on Friday. The security review was conducted both of Yatra track and Bhawan covering the entire route from Katra to Bhawan. During the review, DIG undertook a detailed foot patrol along the route from Katra to Bhawan and inspected each security point to assess the existing security arrangements and operational preparedness, police said. The review focused on security arrangements at the main entry points, including at Ardhkuwari and Bhawan, besides assessing area domination and security deployment in the upper reaches and surrounding areas of the shrine. Other officers who were part of the review included Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi Mukand Tiberwal, officers of Army, Deputy Commandant of CRPF 6th Battalion, officers from Intelligence Bureau, SDPO Katra Dr. Bhishma Dubey, DySP Bhawan Mahesh Sharma, DySP CID SB CI Reasi, SDPO Railways Katra, SHO Katra, SHO PS Bhawan alongwith representatives of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Police said that after a detailed field visit and extensive patrolling, the DIG Police Swarn Singh Kotwal also chaired a coordination meeting in which he emphasized the importance of maintaining close coordination, effective communication and operational synergy among all stakeholders to ensure robust security arrangements along the entire pilgrimage route and at the shrine. The officers were briefed to discharge their respective duties with utmost alertness, professionalism and dedication, while ensuring a well-coordinated and proactive security mechanism. The police official said that special emphasis was laid on maintaining effective area domination, vigilance at sensitive locations and seamless coordination among all security agencies. The review reaffirmed the commitment of J&K Police and all concerned security agencies towards ensuring a safe, secure and peaceful pilgrimage for the devotees visiting the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, police further said.

Ladakh witnesses tourism boom, records 66% rise in tourist arrivals till October

Srinagar, Nov 13:The Ladakh Union Territory has witnessed a major tourism boom this year, registering a 65.90 per cent surge in tourist arrivals during the first ten months of 2026 compared to the corresponding period last year, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said on Friday. Addressing the sharp upward trajectory in visitor footfall, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted that growth has been recorded across both domestic and international segments. Earlier official figures from the Lieutenant Governor's Secretariat showed that Ladakh surpassed its entire 2025 tourist footfall of 3.35 lakh within the first eight months of 2026, climbing past 4.61 lakh visitors by the end of September. According to the UT Administration, the sustained growth is the result of targeted tourism reforms, expanded road infrastructure, and improved near year-round connectivity across the high-altitude region. Notably, the annual winter closure of the strategic KargilZanskar Road has been reduced from 154 days to just 11 days, opening up remote destinations for longer stretches of the year. Alongside infrastructure upgrades, flagship cultural and sporting eventsincluding the Ladakh Festival, Ladakh Marathon, Ladakh Bike Week, and the Zanskar Festivalhave played a key role in extending the traditional tourist season and boosting Ladakh's visibility in domestic and global markets. An official said the surge in arrivals was directly translating into grassroots economic gains. The number of registered homestays in the Union Territory has expanded from 128 in 2019 to 2,275 in 2026, generating new livelihood opportunities for local households and rural communities. With ongoing investments in visitor facilities, adventure tourism, and sustainable travel initiatives, Ladakh administration expects the positive momentum to continue through the winter season. The LG attributed the growth to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to promote domestic tourism and the targeted policy initiatives of his administration aimed at strengthening the local tourism industry.

Additional charge syndrome galore in SED, 26 headless schools in Jammu get DDOs on temporary arrangement

Srinagar, Nov 13:The additional charge syndrome galore in the School Education Department (SED) as the government has assigned the powers of Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) to officers of equivalent ranks from other institutions to facilitate financial operations in 26 headless schools across the Jammu division. As per the order issued by Commissioner Secretary SED Ram Niwas Sharma, the decision to assign DDO powers will be temporary and will remain in force till regular arrangements are made by the department. As per the order, the DDO powers of the 26 institutions have been delegated to principals and headmasters of other government schools in their respective districts. The schools include three institutions each in Kathua, Kishtwar and Poonch, six in Rajouri, five in Jammu, two each in Reasi and Udhampur besides one each in Samba and Doda. As per the order, the Principal of Higher Secondary School (HSS) Salal has been assigned DDO powers for HSS Bhallar in Reasi, while the Principal of BHSS Rajouri will exercise the same powers for GHSS Dhandkote. Similarly, the Principal of HSS Samote has been assigned the financial responsibilities of GHSS Budhal in Rajouri. In Jammu district, the financial powers of five headless institutions, including schools at Gurah Brahmana, Haripur, Chandu Chak, Udheywala and Rangpur Maulaniyan, have been entrusted to heads of other government schools. The delegation of powers will be restricted exclusively to financial and DDO-related functions and does not confer any administrative powers upon the officers concerned, the order reads. As per the order, the officers concerned shall be Gazetted Officers in accordance with the applicable rules and instructions governing the J&K UT. The delegated DDO powers shall be exercised against the existing DDO Code of the respective institution, and no separate DDO Code shall be created on account of such delegation unless otherwise authorised by the competent authority, it reads. The order reads that the delegation shall be restricted strictly to drawing and disbursing salaries, operating authorised funds, and processing or handling bills and other permissible financial transactions through the existing financial and treasury systems of the J&K. The delegation shall be confined exclusively to financial and DDO-related functions and shall not confer any administrative powers, including powers relating to appointment, posting, transfer, promotion, disciplinary matters or any other service-related matter, unless separately authorised under the applicable rules, it reads. As per the order, the officers exercising the delegated DDO powers shall ensure strict compliance with the applicable Financial Code (GFR), Treasury Rules, Delegation of Financial Powers, Government instructions and other relevant statutory or procedural provisions, as amended from time to time.

Shivpora residents decry drinking water shortage

Srinagar, Nov 13: Residents of lane 5 Ward 2 of Shivpora near the water tank have complained of acute shortage of drinking water supply for the last several days. A delegation from the area said that they have been facing immense problems in the absence of drinking water supply. We have to fetch water from neighbouring areas. Despite complaints to concerned authorities, water supply has not been restored so far. We make a fervent appeal to PHE authorities to look into the matter and direct the concerned officials to restore the water supply at earliest, they said.

J&K unemployment nearly double national average at 9.4%; youth joblessness at 26.2%: PLFS

Srinagar, Nov 13:Jammu and Kashmir recorded an unemployment rate of 9.4 percent during July-September 2026, nearly twice the national average of 5.1 percent, while unemployment among young people aged 15-29 stood at 26.2 percent, highlighting the continuing employment challenge in the Union Territory, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). The Quarterly Bulletin of the PLFS for July-September 2026, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, shows that unemployment in J&K remains considerably higher than the national average across both rural and urban areas, with women and young people facing a particularly difficult situation in the labour market. The unemployment rate among persons aged 15 years and above in J&K stood at 9.4 percent, against 5.1 percent at the all-India level. The gap was particularly pronounced in urban areas, where the rate reached 14.1 percent, compared with 8.3 percent in rural areas. The gender-wise figures reveal an equally sharp disparity. Female unemployment in J&K stood at 14 percent, more than twice the male unemployment rate of 6.6 percent. In rural areas, unemployment among women was 11.5 percent against 6.2 per cent among men. In urban areas, the gap widened substantially, with female unemployment reaching 31.3 percent compared with 8.2 percent among men. The situation is particularly concerning among the youth. The unemployment rate for the 15-29 age group was 26.2 percent in J&K, against the national average of 15.3 percent. The rate was 24.3 percent in rural areas and 35.8 percent in urban areas. Among young women, unemployment stood at 38 per cent across rural and urban areas, compared with 19.4 percent among young men. The urban gender gap was especially pronounced. Unemployment among urban women aged 15-29 reached 65.3 percent, against 24.4 percent among urban men. In rural areas, the corresponding rates were 34 percent for women and 18.3 percent for men. The figures indicate that the employment challenge is not confined to the overall availability of jobs but is also marked by significant differences across gender, age and location. Despite the high unemployment rate, J&K recorded a Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of 60.5 percent among persons aged 15 years and above, higher than the national average of 55.5 percent. The LFPR measures the proportion of the population that is either employed or seeking and available for work. In J&K, the rate was 75.4 percent among men and 45.5 per cent among women. The rural LFPR stood at 62.5 percent, compared with 53.1 percent in urban areas. The gender gap was visible in both segments: rural male participation was 75.3 percent against 49.8 percent among women, while in urban areas the corresponding rates were 75.8 percent and 28.3 percent. The Worker Population Ratio (WPR), which measures the proportion of the population that is employed, stood at 54.9 percent in J&K against 52.7 percent nationally. The WPR was 70.4 percent among men and 39.1 percent among women. In rural areas, it stood at 57.3 percent, while the urban ratio was 45.6 percent. Among young people aged 15-29, the WPR in J&K was 35.3 percent, compared with 34.9 percent nationally. The youth WPR was 47.6 percent among men and 22.3 percent among women. The surveys industry-wise distribution of employed persons presents another important dimension of J&Ks employment structure. Agriculture continued to be the largest source of employment, accounting for 39.1 percent of all employed persons aged 15 years and above. The secondary sector, including manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying, accounted for 27.3 percent, while the tertiary or services sector contributed 33.6 percent. The dependence on agriculture was considerably higher among women. As many as 74.6 percent of employed women in J&K were engaged in agriculture, compared with 19.5 percent of employed men. Among employed men, the services sector accounted for 44.5 percent and the secondary sector for 35.9 percent. For women, the corresponding shares were only 13.7 percent and 11.7 percent. The rural employment structure was more heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounted for 44.5 percent of employed persons. The secondary sector contributed 28.1 percent and services 27.4 percent. In urban areas, the employment pattern was markedly different. Services accounted for 63.4 percent of employment, followed by the secondary sector at 23.6 percent and agriculture at 12.9 percent. The gender divide was also evident in the urban employment structure. Among employed urban women, 49.6 percent were in services and 36.9 percent in agriculture, while 13.5 percent were in the secondary sector. The state-wise figures show that J&Ks overall unemployment rate of 9.4 percent was higher than the rates recorded in the other states and Union Territories included in the bulletin. Kerala recorded 8.7 percent, Punjab 7.8 percent and Himachal Pradesh 5.9 percent. In the youth category, however, J&Ks unemployment rate of 26.2 percent was among the highest. Kerala recorded 28.9 percent and Himachal Pradesh 26.4 percent. The all-India unemployment rate for the 15-29 age group was 15.3 percent, with the rural rate at 13.6 percent and the urban rate at 18.9 percent. The PLFS estimates are based on the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach. Under this measure, a person is considered unemployed if they did not work even for one hour on any day during the reference week but sought or were available for work for at least one hour on any day during that week. The survey covered 198 first-stage units in Jammu and Kashmir and 2373 households, with 10,713 persons surveyed during the July-September 2026 quarter.

Indias election calendar needs a reset. Is 'One Nation, One Election' the answer?

India frequently holds elections, affecting the governments ability to implement long-term reforms effectively. Competitive populism emerges as states pursue similar welfare programs to match opponents promises. The proposal for 'One Nation, One Election' aims to increase political efficiency and reduce costs associated with separate elections. Challenges remain regarding early dissolution of assemblies and maintaining state-specific issues. Achieving synchronization by 2034 requires careful planning, political consensus, and public trust.

Sanatan and Children

The speaker describes Sanatan as the eternal Truth, not a religion or cult, and says following it requires truthfulness, honesty and integrity. Citing the Vedas, the Gita, Guru Granth Sahib and Pali texts, the speaker argues that the term has a broader meaning than commonly understood.

The secondary market is filling a funding gap and changing Indian venture capital for the better

Indias startup exit market has relied largely on IPOs, as mergers and acquisitions (M&A) remain limited. However, the growth of private secondary transactions over the past three to four years is giving venture capital (VC) investors another way to exit and return money to their backers.

Centre revamps PM Awards for Excellence in Public Administration, adds nine schemes

New Delhi, Nov 13: The Centre has revamped the Prime Ministers Awards for Excellence in Public Administration and added nine new schemes under the 2026 awards, according to an official statement issued on Friday. The total number of awards will be 16, and the period of consideration will be from April 1, 2024, to November 30, 2026, it said. The Holistic Development of Districts category has also been comprehensively revamped, the statement issued by the Personnel Ministry said. The nine newly included schemes under the Prime Ministers Awards for Excellence in Public Administration (PMA) 2026 are Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Gyan Bharatam, PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, Crop Diversification under three components, PM SHRI, Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), National Mission on Natural Farming and Capacity Building under iGOT (Integrated Government Online Training), the statement said. Three schemes from PMA 2025 have been retained for 2026 -- Har Ghar Jal Yojana, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, it added. The schemes approved under PMA 2026 will also continue for the 2027 awards, the statement said. Districts with Aspirational Blocks will participate in the Aspirational Blocks Programme category, which covers 513 blocks across 331 districts in the country, it said. The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) launched the portal (https://pmawards.gov.in/) for the PMA 2026 on November 13 to begin the registration process. The launch ceremony was held through video conferencing and attended by officials from various Union ministries and departments, principal secretaries (administrative reforms) of states and Union territories, and district collectors and district magistrates. More than 2,000 officers from 750 locations across the country attended the session, the statement said. The ministries were requested to submit quantitative, qualitative and governance parameters to DARPG by November 17 to facilitate the formulation and uploading of the application form on the awards portal for submission by districts, it added. The PMA 2026 will comprise a trophy, a scroll and an incentive of Rs 20 lakh for each awarded district or organisation. The amount is to be utilised for implementing a project or programme or bridging resource gaps in any area of public welfare. The awards are presented on Civil Services Day, observed on April 21.

'Ensure essential services in Kashmir remain unimpeded': Senior official during winter preparedness review

Srinagar, Nov 13: Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg on Friday reviewed winter preparedness in the Valley and called for timely and coordinated response to ensure uninterrupted essential services. The divisional commissioner chaired a meeting to review winter preparedness across the Kashmir division, emphasising the need for coordinated efforts, timely response and adequate arrangements to ensure uninterrupted essential services during the winter season, an official spokesman said. During the meeting, the divisional commissioner reviewed snow clearance action plans of various agencies and directed prompt snow clearance and clear demarcation of duties to avoid confusion. Garg stressed optimal utilisation of available machinery and manpower and directed concerned agencies to complete all pending contracts to strengthen the snow clearance mechanism. Garg assessed electricity demand and supply, availability of buffer stocks of transformers, transformer oil, and DG sets in Gurez, besides the status of tree trimming operations. He was informed that the average electricity demand in the Valley during winter is around 1,700 MW against an average supply of 1,300 MW, while peak demand reaches 2,400 MW, the spokesman said. The divisional commissioner directed the authorities to augment the capacity wherever required, complete the remaining tree-trimming work at the earliest, strictly adhere to scheduled power curtailment timings and ensure prompt repair of damaged transformers. While reviewing the availability of essential commodities in remote and snowbound areas, including Gurez and the Karnah-Machil-Keran belt, the divisional commissioner directed the food and consumer affairs department to complete the advance stocking of LPG cylinders, petroleum products, rice and wheat within one week. He stressed that adequate stocks of essential commodities be ensured in far-flung areas to prevent any shortage or inconvenience to the public during road closures. Taking note of delays in the commencement of winter air sorties in Bandipora and Kupwara, the divisional commissioner directed the civil aviation department to operationalise the facility by December 1 to facilitate emergency transportation from remote and inaccessible areas. Regarding daily flight operations at Srinagar airport, he directed the director, Airport Authority Srinagar, to ensure timely dissemination of information to passengers and the public about changes in flight schedules due to adverse weather conditions. The divisional commissioner also reviewed healthcare preparedness across districts, including heating arrangements in hospitals, availability of essential medicines, deployment of medical staff in far-flung areas and the requirement for four-wheel drive (4x4) ambulances. He directed the National Health Mission to provide 4x4 ambulances to the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir for further distribution among districts. Garg stressed their advance shifting to temporary shelters, wherever required, to ensure uninterrupted access to medical care during heavy snowfall and road closures. Reviewing the preparedness of the Jal Shakti department, the divisional commissioner directed officials to ensure uninterrupted functioning of all schemes, including lift water supply schemes, and adequate arrangements for the deployment of water tankers wherever required. He also directed the forest department to ensure adequate stocking of firewood at depots across the Valley. To strengthen interdepartmental coordination, the divisional commissioner directed all district administrations and departments to ensure round-the-clock functioning of respective control rooms, including the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC). He also instructed appointment of nodal officers and sharing of their contact details to facilitate timely assistance, coordination and dissemination of information. Stressing the importance of timely weather-related advisories, Garg directed concerned departments to ensure prompt sharing of information regarding weather and avalanche forecasts with the public to minimise risks. He also directed the Srinagar municipal commissioner to identify waterlogging hotspots across the city and ensure deployment of adequate de-watering pumps to address any eventuality during winter. During the meeting, deputy commissioners briefed the chair about winter preparedness measures undertaken in respective districts and highlighted critical issues requiring intervention and resolution. The divisional commissioner called upon all departments to maintain close coordination and ensure that all necessary arrangements are put in place well in advance to minimise public inconvenience and ensure the safety and well-being of people across Kashmir division during winter.

Kulgam terror attack: CRPF DG interacts with field officers, discusses way ahead

Srinagar, Nov 13: CRPF chief G P Singh on Friday visited Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district where three personnel were injured in a terror attack earlier this week. Singh, Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), also interacted with field officers of the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police at Sadura in Anantnag, and discussed the way ahead for intensified counter-insurgency operations in the Valley, the paramilitary force said on X. Terrorists opened fire at a CRPF post in the South Kashmir district on Wednesday, injuring three personnel, one of them critically. Later, the CRPF chief visited the Army's 92 base hospital at Badami Bagh cantonment in Srinagar to meet the injured CRPF jawan, who is being treated there. DG CRPF @gpsinghips visited 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar today & met with #CRPF jawan injured in the terrorist attack at #Kulgam & enquired about his health & treatment & wished him a speedy recovery, the CRPF said. The force said Singh also assured all possible assistance to the injured jawan and his family.

NPPA directs strict monitoring of implementation of TMR on 137 anti-cancer drugs

New Delhi, Nov 13: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, has directed strict monitoring of the implementation of Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR) on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs, notified vide Gazette Order dated 17 October 2026, with revised prices effective from 9 November 2026. The latest revised price lists, based on submissions received from companies up to 11 November 2026, are available on the NPPA website and Pharma Sahi Daam app/portal. All manufacturers, retailers, dealers, stockists, hospitals and medical institutions have been directed to comply with the revised prices and prominently display the updated price lists at their premises and websites. State Drug Controllers to Ensure Compliance and Protect Patients' Interests: State Drug Controllers (SDCs) have been directed to strictly monitor compliance by manufacturers, dealers, hospitals and medical institutions to ensure that the benefits of revised MRPs are passed on to patients. Any violation may attract overcharging proceedings under the provisions of DPCO, 2013. Complaints regarding overcharging, shortage or non-availability of medicines can be reported through the Pharma Sahi Daam app/portal, NPPA helpline (1800-111-255) or email (monitoring-nppa[at]gov[dot]in.) State Drug Controllers have been asked to submit their Action Taken Reports to NPPA by 16 November 2026.

MHA extends ban on Islamic Research Foundation for another 5 years under UAPA

New Delhi, Nov 13: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday extended the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for further five years as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The ministry said the organization led by Dr. Zakir Naik has been involved in sinister anti-India designs, including inciting communal hatred and promoting terrorism. The Home Ministers Office (HMO) posted on X, In steadfast adherence to Modi Ji's vision of zero tolerance towards terrorism and anti-national activities, the MHA hereby extends the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation as an unlawful association under the UAPA. Led by fugitive terror preacher Dr. Zakir Naik, the organisation has been involved in sinister anti-India designs, including inciting communal hatred, fostering hostility and promoting terrorism. The group has been found to be propagating a venomous ideology of terrorism and separatism, instigating violent unrest, encouraging the regrouping of absconding terrorists and fomenting communal discord.

Mirwaiz welcomes Waza communitys move to regulate wedding feast timings

Those contesting elections against me are not my enemies, says Omar Abdullah

Srinagar administration fully prepared to tackle winter challenges: DC

CRPF chief visits Kulgam, reviews counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir

Ladakh records 66 percent rise in tourist arrivals in first 10 months of 2026: LG Saxena

Leh, Nov 13: Ladakh has registered a significant surge in tourist arrivals, recording a 65.90 per cent increase during the first ten months of 2026 compared to the corresponding period last year, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena said on Friday. In a post on X, the LG said the Union Territory received 4.91 lakh tourists between January and October 2026, against 2.96 lakh during the same period last year. ...Ladakh has recorded an extraordinary tourism growth for the sixth consecutive month, this year. Compared to the corresponding months in 2025, the tourist arrivals in 2026 increased by 121 percent in May, 43 per cent in June, 56 per cent in July, 65 per cent in August and 61 percent in September., he said. He said the growth momentum continued in October, with tourist arrivals reaching 30,623 compared to 17,537 in October last year, registering an increase of 74.62 per cent. Saxena also highlighted the month-wise growth in tourist arrivals, stating that Ladakh witnessed a 121 per cent increase in May, 43 per cent in June, 56 per cent in July, 65 per cent in August and 61 per cent in September compared to the corresponding months of 2025. The LG attributed the growth to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to promote domestic tourism and the targeted policy initiatives of his administration aimed at strengthening the local tourism industry. He said the increase in tourist footfall is also creating new employment opportunities and supporting sustainable livelihoods for local communities. We extend a warm welcome to all travellers to experience the breathtaking beauty and rich culture of Ladakh, while practicing responsible tourism, he said in the post.

DIG inspects twin tracks on foot after comprehensive security review of Vaishno Devi shrine

Jammu, Nov 13: A comprehensive security review meeting was held on Friday to assess the overall preparedness at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir with top officers also undertaking an extensive on-foot inspection of the twin yatra tracks from Katra to Bhawan, police said. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Inspector General of Police (Udhampur-Reasi Range) Swarn Singh Kotwal along with Senior Superintendent of Police (Reasi) Mukund Tibrewal at Katra, the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the shrine atop Trikuta hills. It was also attended by senior officers and representatives of the CRPF, Army, CID, Intelligence Bureau (IB), other security agencies and District Police Reasi, a police spokesman said. On November 11, three CRPF personnel were injured in a terror attack on their post in south Kashmir's Kulgam district while on the next day, bullet-riddled bodies of two special police officers were recovered from the remote Dachhan forest area of Kishtwar district. The spokesman said the prevailing security scenario was thoroughly reviewed and directions were issued to all officers and agencies concerned to further strengthen security arrangements, enhance inter-agency coordination, maintain heightened vigilance and ensure effective security management in view of the prevailing security requirements. Subsequently, the senior officers, accompanied by representatives of various security agencies, undertook the extensive on-foot security review of both the old and new yatra tracks from Katra to Bhawan, the spokesman said. He said the inspection included foot patrolling and a detailed assessment of security deployment, surveillance arrangements and other security-related measures along the tracks. Pilgrim footfall at the Vaishno Devi shrine has witnessed a significant increase, with 83.20 lakh devotees visiting in the first 10 months of this year (January-October), already surpassing the 69.78 lakh recorded during the entire year of 2025. The figure is also approaching the 94.84 lakh figure recorded during the whole of 2024. The DIG also reviewed the arrangements pertaining to frisking of pilgrims, baggage screening and security checks at designated points along the yatra routes. The functioning and deployment of personnel at various police posts established along the tracks were also assessed, with particular emphasis on maintaining effective access control, ensuring round-the-clock vigilance, facilitating the safe movement of pilgrims and providing immediate assistance in case of any emergency, the spokesman said. He said directions were issued to ensure that all security infrastructure and personnel remain fully operational and responsive to the safety and security requirements of the yatra. The exercise aimed at assessing ground-level security preparedness, identifying potential vulnerabilities and ensuring seamless coordination among all security agencies for the safety and security of pilgrims visiting the shrine, the spokesman said. He said all agencies concerned were directed to maintain close coordination, remain alert and ensure prompt response to any emerging security challenges.

Srinagar Police organize meetings to strengthen police-public relation, promote community-oriented policing

Srinagar, Nov 13: In a continued effort to strengthen Police-Public relations and promote community-oriented policing, Srinagar Police on Friday organised Thana Diwas cum Lok Darbar programmes across various Police Stations and Police Posts of the district, providing a platform for direct interaction with the public and redressal of their grievances. As part of the initiative, a special Thana Diwas cum Lok Darbar was held at Anchar, Soura, chaired by SSP Srinagar, Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, accompanied by SP Hazratbal, SDPO Hazratbal and SHO Police Station Soura. The programme witnessed active participation from local residents, traders, religious leaders, Masjid committees and other prominent members of civil society. Addressing the gathering, SSP Srinagar emphasised that peace, security and development are shared responsibilities of the police and the public. He reiterated that Srinagar Police remains committed to people-friendly policing, building mutual trust and ensuring a safe and secure environment for every citizen. He highlighted the importance of sustained community engagement, particularly involving youth, religious leaders and other stakeholders, in preventing drug abuse, criminal activities and other social evils. He urged the public to remain vigilant and share credible information with the Police to help maintain peace and public order. During the interactive session, participants raised various grievances and issues concerning their localities. SSP Srinagar patiently heard their concerns and directed the concerned officers to ensure prompt and time-bound redressal of Police-related grievances. He further assured that matters concerning civil administration would be taken up with the respective departments for necessary action. The participants appreciated the initiative and expressed satisfaction over the opportunity to interact directly with senior police officers. They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, communal harmony and social cohesion, besides extending full cooperation to Srinagar Police in combating drug abuse and criminal activities. A written assurance reflecting this commitment was also submitted by the participants. SSP Srinagar assured the gathering that the doors of Srinagar Police would always remain open to the public, stressing that regular dialogue, mutual respect and collective responsibility are essential for building lasting peace and public confidence. The programme concluded on a positive note, reaffirming the collective resolve of Srinagar Police and the community to work together towards a peaceful, drug-free and secure Srinagar.

Vehicular movement restored from Peer Ki Gali to Bufliaz after snow clearance on Mughal Road

Poonch, Nov 13: The vehicular movement from Peer Ki Gali to Bufliaz was restored on Friday after Border Roads Organisation (BRO) successfully cleared snow from the historic Mughal Road. The heavy snowfall in the region on November 12, 2026, resulted in a thick accumulation of snow and slippery conditions on this vital highway connecting Poonch and Shopian districts, severely disrupting traffic. Recognizing the strategic importance of the road, the 79 Road Construction Company (79 RCC) of the 31 Border Roads Task Force (31 BRTF)operating under 'Project Sampark'immediately deployed specialized snow-clearing teams and heavy machinery to carry out the clearance operations. Despite severe cold and challenging mountainous conditions, personnel worked tirelessly to clear snow and layers of compacted ice from the road. As a result, the road was reopened for vehicular traffic by this afternoon. The restoration of the road has not only provided relief to local travelers but has also resumed the supply of essential goods and movement for security forces deployed in forward areas. According to the BRO, the 79 RCC and 31 BRTF are fully prepared to handle any adverse weather conditions during the winter season. Personnel and machinery have been stationed at key locations to ensure immediate action can be taken whenever necessary.

Future of students at stake: Aspirants, parents seek NMC nod for Kashmir Medical College

Kishtwar Police announces Rs 30 lakh reward for three wanted terrorists after killing of two SPOs

Kishtwar, Nov 13: In the aftermath of the killing of two Special Police Officers (SPOs), Kishtwar Police has issued posters of three wanted terrorists and announced a cash reward of Rs 30 lakh for information leading to their arrest. The wanted terrorists have been identified as Mohammad Amin alias Jahangir, Riyaz Ahmed alias Hazari and Mudasir Hussain. Police have appealed to the general public to share any information regarding the whereabouts and movements of the three terrorists to help security agencies track them down. The move comes amid intensified security measures in Kishtwar district following the killing of two SPOs.

Reimagining tax compliance through trust

In 2025, the Income Tax Act sets the stage for a new paradigm in tax compliance within India. This legislation prioritizes transparent dialogue and collaboration between taxpayers and governmental bodies, aiming to restore trust and foster compliance. A comprehensive outreach strategy is set to engage diverse populations across the country. The effectiveness of this framework will rely on reinforcing the fiscal bond shared between the State and its citizens.

Brazil gives workers their lives back; India gives more work

Brazil has implemented a constitutional amendment to reduce the maximum working week from 44 to 40 hours. This change aims to enhance the work-life balance for over 30 million workers. In contrast, Indian employees often endure extended hours and find it challenging to disconnect from work. The shift in Brazil raises questions about work culture in India and employee well-being.

PM Modi lauds Yoga's global acceptance, highlights country's efforts to promote Ayurveda

Bengaluru, Nov 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded Yoga's growing global acceptance following India's initiatives and highlighted the country's efforts to promote traditional systems of medicine, including Ayurveda. He said many countries have adopted Yoga as a sport and family members of the head of states were also practicing it daily. Addressing the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Prashanti Kutiram, the Yoga and research centre run by Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA) here, he said the institution had evolved from an ordinary Yoga centre into a major movement dedicated to service, research, education and healthcare. Highlighting yoga's international acceptance, PM Modi said India had presented its cultural heritage and traditional knowledge to the world with confidence over the past 12 years, resulting in the global observance of International Yoga Day. Yoga has become a gateway for people across the world to understand India, he said. He said yoga had reached schools, institutions and workplaces in several countries, while Saudi Arabia had recognised it as a sporting activity and entered into an agreement with India's Ministry of AYUSH to promote it. Recalling his interactions with foreign dignitaries and world leaders, Modi said yoga frequently figured in discussions. Whichever country I go to, people discuss about Yoga with me over lunch and dinner. Several leaders had told him that their family members were learning and practising yoga. He also referred to the growing interest in yoga among foreign nationals, including members of Qatar's royal family, and said some foreign practitioners had been honoured with the Padma Shri for their contributions. The Prime Minister said greater global familiarity with yoga was generating interest in India's culture and traditional knowledge and opening new avenues of engagement between India and other countries. On Ayurveda, he said more than 150 Ayurveda training courses had been recognised in different countries, while India had signed memoranda of understanding with 28 countries to promote cooperation in the sector. He said holistic healthcare had emerged as a global movement, increasing interest in Ayurveda and naturopathy. India had also recognised yoga as a competitive sport, with provisions for its inclusion in events such as Khelo India and the National Games. Referring to an international yoga competition held recently in Ahmedabad and his visit to Uzbekistan, Modi said yoga was increasingly becoming a subject of global interest and competitive participation was opening new opportunities for those associated with the discipline. He said the government had established a separate Ministry of AYUSH for the first time and encouraged Ayurveda-related research and patents. Exports of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy) and herbal products were increasing, while the sector had grown into an economy worth several lakh crore rupees, he said. Citing turmeric as an example, Modi said its demand was rising internationally, given its traditional use in Indian households. The National Turmeric Board had been established to strengthen production, quality and exports, he added. The government had also introduced the e-AYUSH Visa facility to facilitate foreign nationals seeking treatment in India. The World Health Organization's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar was promoting research and international cooperation in traditional medicine, he said. Stressing the need to combine ancient knowledge with modern research, the PM said India should ensure that the benefits of its traditional sciences reached humanity while creating opportunities for young people. Referring to the World Bank's latest report, he said nearly 50 crore Indians had come out of extreme poverty over the past 12 to 13 years. Our endeavour is to make a healthy lifestyle a priority for every family, and yoga can play a very significant role in achieving this, he said. Describing yoga as a healthcare solution available at zero cost, Modi said it could help people overcome diseases as well as excessive indulgence and attachment to material pleasures. Lauding Prashanti Kutiram, he said, how an ordinary yoga centre evolved into such a large movement is an inspiration in itself. He described its 50-year journey as an extraordinary and unprecedented saga of service and dedication. On the occasion, he digitally laid the foundation stone of the Golden Jubilee Administrative Block and launch the S-VYASA Off-Campus at Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam. He said Karnataka had been a centre of Yoga for centuries and had produced several acharyas and scholars who enriched the tradition. Referring to the state's cultural heritage, he also recalled Kannada cinema legend, the late Dr Rajkumar and personalities who had served both the arts and yoga. At the event, PM Modi paid tributes to former RSS general secretary late H V Seshadri on his birth centenary, recalling his contribution to nation-building through individual development. He said Seshadri believed that the country needed dedicated, capable and disciplined citizens to reach the pinnacle of success. Describing him as a person of exceptional simplicity and humility, Modi said bringing people together and preparing them to serve the nation had been his life's mission. Recalling the contribution of spiritual leaders such as Swami Vivekananda in awakening India's spiritual consciousness and popularising yoga, Modi said institutions like Prashanti Kutiram had drawn inspiration from their teachings. He hailed S-VYASA for popularising Yoga, undertaking scientific research to establish its benefits and training practitioners, teachers, trainers, doctors and researchers.

Mughal Road remains closed as snowfall continues at Pir Ki Gali

Kulgam manhunt enters third day after attack on CRPF party

Proposed Rent a Cab reforms to expand business opportunities and improve passenger services

New Delhi, Nov 13: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed reforms to make cab rental businesses easier to start and operate, expand rental choices and strengthen passenger safety. The proposed framework combines simpler procedures with better customer support. Key provisions Easier entry and more choice: Operators may offer cabs with or without drivers. The minimum fleet falls from 50 to 5, with at least 2 cabs per place of operation. The requirement for branches in five tourist cities is removed. One electronic licence: A single licence, valid across the State or UT for a uniform fee, replaces separate main and branch licences. Approved places of operation may include airports, stations and bus terminals. Timely approvals: Licence grants and renewals have a proposed 60-day timeline. Adding or removing cabs or places of operation has a 30-day deemed-approval mechanism. Less paperwork: Electronic VAHAN registers and automatic data retrieval simplify compliance. Safer journeys: Cabs must have location tracking, child restraint systems (optional) and first-aid kits. Operators must provide a website, 24-hour grievance support, emergency repairs and towing. Driver welfare and accountability: Operator-provided drivers would require police verification, with welfare under the Code on Social Security, 2020. Specified serious offences involving a cab or operator-provided driver will reduce operators licence validity. Fairer enforcement and easier appeals: Operators get time to correct non-material violations before suspension or revocation is considered. An appellate mechanism with electronic hearings is also introduced. Intended impact Ease of Living: Wider rental choices, safety equipment and round-the-clock grievance support will benefit renters. Ease of Doing Business: Lower entry barriers and simpler licensing will support smaller businesses and employment opportunities. Stakeholders affected Renters, operators, drivers and State and UT transport authorities. Implementation requirements State and UT oversight, electronic licensing and VAHAN records will support implementation.

Mughal road remains closed for second consecutive day due to snowfall at Pir Ki Gali

Poonch, Nov 13: The Mughal Road remained closed for the second consecutive day on Friday due to snowfall at Pir Ki Gali. Officials said that the road, which connects Shopian in Kashmir with Poonch in Jammu, was closed yesterday after fresh snowfall at Pir Ki Gali and other higher reaches. Snowfall was also recorded at many places including Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Razdan Top and other higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir. Traffic movement on the road has been suspended till the weather improves and snow clearance operations are completed. Authorities have advised commuters not to travel on the Mughal Road until it is reopened.(GNS)

Jensen Huang, global salesman for artificial intelligence, resigns from Nvidia after affair

Hong Kong, Nov 12: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigned Thursday, capping a spectacular downfall for a poster boy of the artificial intelligence boom whose exit following reports of extramarital affairs now thrusts the chipmaker into an uncertain future. After a dizzying series of headlines about Huang's infidelity and ties to an alleged Chinese spy, his departure sets off a scramble to find a permanent replacement to lead the multitrillion-dollar colossus that grew from obscurity to a perch between Apple and Microsoft at the top of the S&P index. The resignation sent shares of Nvidia plummeting 14 per cent at the opening bell, before stabilizing. The stock was down about 4 per cent around midday Thursday as investors pondered the lawsuits, investigations, likely corporate jockeying and the resilience of a market driven by the gains of a few tech giants. Huang's departure introduces uncertainty well beyond the company itself, said Asa Hiken, senior analyst for research firm eMarketer, reflecting fears of wider implications and the possibility of an AI bubble. The company named Colette Kress, the executive vice president and chief financial officer, as interim chief executive. She became CFO in 2013, overseeing the company's global finance operations. Before that, she worked for three years at Cisco and spent 13 years at Microsoft. Nvidia had no succession plan to prepare for the possibility of the departure of Huang, who was synonymous with Nvidia for more than 30 years in much the same way Steve Jobs embodied Apple. Nvidia said its board would consider internal and external candidates to replace him. In a statement Thursday, Kress said that Nvidia's strength has always come from its people and that she was committed to building on the extraordinary foundation Jensen created over the last 33 years. The board of directors said Thursday it had also named its first-ever chairman, Harvey C. Jones, an entrepreneur and venture investor. Drumbeat of scandals grew louder Huang is one of the world's wealthiest people, with a personal fortune that Forbes estimates at more than USD 150 billion. He is the single largest individual shareholder of Nvidia stock. A drumbeat of scandals around him had grown louder in recent weeks after The New York Times reported Huang's relationship with a woman the paper said US officials had concluded was a Chinese spy who was recruited to influence California-based Nvidia to make its most advanced chips more available in China. The discovery set off alarms as high as the White House. US President Donald Trump said Monday that the FBI was investigating but remained complimentary of Huang on Thursday, saying he has done a fantastic job. Like many top tech CEOs, Huang is close to Trump. Nvidia's board announced an investigation into the allegations on Sunday, but said it remained confident in Huang's leadership. Then pressure compounded late Wednesday after reports surfaced of another alleged affair by Huang, this time with an Nvidia employee who reported to him. The company has said it had no reason to believe that either national security or its secrets were compromised, but that its inquiry would examine all available information. Nvidia is due to report earnings Tuesday. Lawmakers still want to question Huang After Huang's exit, US lawmakers were still insisting on questioning him about his interactions with a Chinese businesswoman named Alice Huang and the company's security protocols against espionage. Rep. Brian Mast, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said the committee was in contact with Huang's team as recently as Wednesday night after putting in an initial request for an interview on Nov. 5. Mast said Huang would receive a subpoena to compel his appearance, if necessary. Alice Huang, the suspected spy at the center of the scandal, is a former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed International. Jensen Huang acknowledged an affair but did not identify her. The two are not related. Megaspeed faced allegations last year that it was illicitly shipping advanced Nvidia computer chips into China, but in December said there was no evidence of such exports. Singaporean authorities said Thursday that they questioned Alice Huang and confiscated her passport last year as part of an investigation into Megaspeed. They concluded that there wasn't enough evidence that she had committed a crime but suspected she provided inaccurate information to downplay her role at Megaspeed and barred her from returning to the country. China denies attempting to ensnare executive China has denied that it attempted to ensnare Jensen Huang. Nvidia has become a leader in making chips that power AI, and Huang has lobbied Washington to loosen limits on sales of Nvidia chips to China. In January, he won Trump's approval to sell Nvidia's H200 chips to China. Megaspeed said Thursday that it has cooperated with the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), which handles enforcement of national security restrictions on technology exports, and was ready to cooperate fully with any other relevant US government authority. The company said it has hired a US law firm to conduct a comprehensive census of its computer chips and to verify its export controls. Megaspeed welcomes appropriate government scrutiny and is committed to demonstrating through concrete actions that it operates responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with applicable US laws, it said. Apart from questions over national security, Megaspeed's finances also have drawn attention. Its total assets soared roughly 90-fold from late 2023 to 2024, to almost USD 3 billion, according to Singapore corporate records. Revenue surged to over USD 294 million in 2024 from none in 2023.

AIP reviews party expansion, expresses hope for early verdict on Er Rashids bail plea

Srinagar, Nov 12: The Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Thursday convened an Executive Committee meeting in Srinagar under the chairmanship of Party Vice Chairman Advocate G N Shaheen. The meeting, as per a statement, was attended by General Secretary (Org) Prince Parveez General Secretary Nazir Ahmad Khan, Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, State Secretary Sheikh Ashiq, senior party leaders including MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed, Peerzada Firdous Ahmad Baba, Mir Nazir Ahmad, Parvez Ahmad Bhat and Advocate Dawood Ahmad. The Executive Committee expressed concern over the continued incarceration of Party President and Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid. Taking note of the fact that the Delhi High Court has reserved its judgment on his regular bail application, the committee expressed hope that the verdict would be delivered at the earliest, paving the way for his release and enabling an elected Member of Parliament to resume his public responsibilities. The meeting also reviewed the ongoing membership drive across Jammu and Kashmir. Members expressed satisfaction over the encouraging public response and described the growing interest in joining the party as a positive indication of its expanding organisational reach. Detailed discussions were also held on strengthening the party organisation, reviewing existing party structures and improving coordination at different levels. Special emphasis was laid on expanding AIPs organisational presence and building a stronger base across the Jammu Province. The Executive Committee reiterated its commitment to organisational consolidation, grassroots outreach and strengthening the partys presence across all regions of Jammu and Kashmir.

BJP Kashmir spokespersons meet Sunil Sethi to discuss political situation, party strategy

Srinagar, Nov 12:The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Kashmir-based spokespersons on Thursday held a meeting with the party's Jammu and Kashmir Chief Spokesperson, Sunil Sethi, to discuss the prevailing political scenario and key organisational matters in the Union Territory. The meeting, as per a statement, was attended by BJP spokespersons Altaf Thakur, Manzoor Bhat, Sahil Bashir and Danish Bhat. Party spokesperson Pramoksh Sethi was also present. The interaction featured a brief but wide-ranging discussion on the evolving political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, with particular focus on important political developments and issues concerning the party's organisational functioning. The participants exchanged views on the prevailing political atmosphere and the need for effective communication of the party's positions on matters of public importance. The discussion also touched upon organisational priorities and the role of party spokespersons in presenting its policies, responding to political developments and taking its message to the people. The meeting assumes significance amid an evolving political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, where political parties are seeking to consolidate their positions and strengthen their public engagement. Spokespersons play an important role in shaping the party's public narrative, articulating its response to emerging issues and communicating its stand on governance, development and political developments. Their coordination is particularly important in a politically sensitive region where public discourse frequently revolves around governance, employment, development and the restoration of statehood. The interaction with Sethi provided an opportunity for the Kashmir-based spokespersons to exchange perspectives on the current political environment and discuss organisational matters with the party's senior communication leadership. The meeting concluded with discussions on the importance of maintaining coordination and ensuring that the party's views and positions are communicated effectively across the region.

Dr Farooq Abdullah, CM Omar Abdullah condole demise of Muhammad Khalil

Srinagar, Nov 12:The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah, along with party Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has expressed profound grief over the demise of prominent businessman and social figure Haji Muhammad Khalil (Saifco), a resident of Batwara. As per a party statement, they conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and relatives, praying for the eternal peace of the departed soul and the elevation of his status in the hereafter. Paying tribute to the deceased, Dr. Farooq Abdullah described Muhammad Khalil as a noble, kind-hearted, charitable and humanitarian personality who was always concerned about the welfare of the underprivileged. He also spoke over the telephone with the deceased's son, Parvez Ahmad, and brothers Haji Altaf Ahmad and Haji Manzoor Ahmad, expressing his condolences and offering support to the grieving family. National Conference General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar, Additional General Secretary Advocate Chowdhary Muhammad Ramzan, Treasurer and Rajya Sabha Member Shammi Oberoi, and Provincial President Showkat Ahmad Mir also expressed their condolences. Party Chief Spokesperson and MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq and MLA Sonawar Ahsan Pardesi visited the bereaved family at their residence and offered their condolences. Meanwhile, a delegation of Jamait Hamdani led by its president Haji Farooq Ahmad Gani, Parvez Ahmad Gani and chief spokesperson Mir GM Saqi participated in Nimaz-e-Jinaza of Haji Muhammad Khalil. Saqi said the deceased was a philanthropist besides being a prominent businessman. He prayed for peace to the departed soul and expressed sympathies with the bereaved family. JKNC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah also expressed profound shock and grief over the demise of Pandit Madan Lal Mantoo. Dr. Farooq Abdullah visited the bereaved family at their residence in Jammu and attended the Dashwan ceremony.

Rs 5.09 crore released for developmental works: MP Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan

Srinagar, Nov 12:MP and Leader J&K National Conference Party in Rajya Sabha, Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan has taken strong exception to the incorrect and misleading reports circulated by certain news channels and digital news portals regarding the utilisation of his Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds. As per a statement issued, he clarified that the figures being circulated, showing an expenditure of merely 26 lakh, are entirely misleading and far removed from the actual financial position and the developmental initiatives undertaken through his MPLADS allocations. Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan explained that he took oath as a Member of Parliament on 1 December 2025. The process of obtaining access to and securing the release of MPLADS funds involves several mandatory formalities, including the selection of a nodal district, completion of requisite administrative procedures and creation of the MPLADS account. The entire process takes approximately five to six months, following which the funds are released and made available for developmental works. The actual funds became available only few months ago. He further clarified that MPLADS-funded works involve several administrative and procedural requirements, including examination of proposals, approval by the concerned authorities and tendering. Consequently, a substantial number of works are presently at different stages of the tendering process. This is a procedural requirement and should not be misconstrued as non-utilisation or lack of developmental activity. As per the revised financial statement, against the total available funds of 7.35 crore, an amount of 5.091 crore has been released. The MPLADS allocations have been extended across different districts including Srinagar, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara and Budgam covering a wide range of public welfare and developmental sectors. These include drinking water supply, road connectivity, electricity, construction and improvement of pathways, solar and street lights, fire and emergency services, hospital equipment, block-level development works, protection walls, culverts and assistance under the disability fund. Furthermore, an allocation of 60 lakh for SKIMS Soura has also been made for developmental purposes, and the project is presently under the tendering process. Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan emphasised that MPLADS funds are being channelled towards addressing essential public needs and strengthening basic infrastructure across different areas. Several works are at different stages of execution, while others are undergoing administrative and tendering processes. He also pointed out that the same procedural timeline and administrative requirements apply to his fellow Members of Parliament belonging to the party, whose developmental proposals are similarly at different stages of processing and tendering. The actual status of these works can be independently verified from the concerned Deputy Commissioners of Different Districts who are the nodal authorities responsible for MPLADS implementation. Therefore, portraying the entire MPLADS utilisation through a selective figure of 26 lakh, without considering the broader financial position and developmental allocations, presents a grossly distorted picture. He urged the concerned news channels and digital news portals to exercise due diligence, verify official records before publishing financial figures and immediately correct the misleading report which have been Circulated/published.

CM Omar Abdullah working to address public issues: NC

Srinagar, Nov 12:The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Thursday urged the Divisional Administration to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential commodities during the winter season, including electricity, drinking water, quality food supplies, cooking gas and firewood. Party's provincial President Showkat Mir, as per a party statement issued, said that adequate stocks should be made available to the public, particularly residents of remote and snowbound areas, so that they do not face hardships during the harsh winter months. He said that the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is working to address the difficulties and problems faced by the people. He said that development activities are underway across the region with the objective of improving public welfare and ensuring people's well-being. He added that the National Conference government believes in delivering relief to people at the grassroots level rather than making tall promises. He said that several areas in the Kashmir Valley and North Kashmir, including Machil, Tangdhar, Keran and Gurez, as well as Marwah, Warwan and Dachhan in the Jammu region, often remain cut off due to heavy snowfall, causing immense difficulties for residents. Keeping these challenges in view, he urged the government to take effective and timely measures to ensure that sufficient stocks of essential food items, medicines and other medical supplies are delivered to these areas well in advance.

Board of Peace urges Israel, Hamas to protect civilians after Gaza hospital strike kills seven

New Delhi, Nov 13:At least seven people, including a doctor and a 13-year-old boy, were killed and 40 others injured in an Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, prompting the US-led Board of Peace to urge Israel and Hamas to honour their commitments under the Comprehensive Peace Plan and protect civilians, reports CNN. The strike, hit the hospital's surgery unit in Khan Younis, according to Gaza's Civil Defence. Two doctors were among the injured and are in critical condition. The Board of Peace, which is tasked with overseeing the Gaza ceasefire, on Thursday called on both sides to uphold their commitments and ensure civilian protection. It also urged all parties to cede the necessary authority and operational space to the board so that it could implement its plan to provide medical care in secure, demilitarised facilities. The board's intervention comes amid continuing violence in Gaza despite the US-brokered ceasefire. According to the United Nations, Israeli forces have killed more than 1,400 Palestinians since the ceasefire came into effect. The Israeli military said it had targeted Muhammad Abu Ismail, commander of Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade, along with other militants allegedly operating from inside Nasser Hospital. It accused him of planning and advancing attacks against Israeli forces and civilians. CNN reported that Gaza Civil Defence spokesman Ezz Eddine Abu Sabha said the strike killed 52-year-old Dr Rizk Abu Shaira and a 13-year-old boy who was due to undergo surgery. He said the attack damaged the hospital's surgery unit, leaving debris scattered across the facility. The attack drew angry reactions from Palestinians aand international organisations. The Board of Peace criticised Israel's response to severe flooding in Gaza, calling it insufficient. In a statement, the board said the urgent entry and distribution of shelter, sanitation, drainage and winterisation supplies were essential to protecting civilians as seasonal rains flooded thousands of tents housing displaced Palestinians. Nearly two million Palestinians remain displaced in the enclave, according to the United Nations. Israel has said more than 91,000 tents have entered Gaza ahead of winter but has refused to allow heavy equipment required for large-scale clearance of debris and rubble. Israel's Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories said reconstruction could begin only after Hamas fully disarms, reports CNN. The latest developments underline the challenges facing the Board of Peace as it seeks to oversee the ceasefire, address Gaza's humanitarian crisis and establish arrangements for medical care and reconstruction.

Meeting convened to streamline preparations for 70th National School Games

Jammu, Nov 12:Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, Jammu, Inderjeet Singh Parihar, Thursday convened a high-level meeting of conveners and officials of various committees to review and streamline preparations for the 70th National School Games U-17 Girls Cricket Tournament, scheduled to be organised by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports at Jammu from November 15 to November 20, 2026. Addressing the meeting, Parihar, as per a statement, directed the committee members to work with utmost dedication, coordination and professional excellence to ensure that the prestigious national-level tournament is conducted in a befitting manner. He emphasised that the event should not only meet the highest standards of organisation but also leave a lasting impression on the visiting players, coaches and officials. The Joint Director exhorted the conveners to lead from the front and ensure safe, comfortable and hospitable arrangements for the contingents arriving from different parts of the country. He said that every possible effort must be made to make the visiting athletes feel at home, adding that their comfort, security and overall experience should remain the top priority of all committees. Issuing strict directions to the Technical Committee, Parihar asked its members to set a benchmark in the conduct of the tournament and ensure that all matches are organised in accordance with the prescribed rules, protocols and sporting standards. He said that meticulous planning, timely execution and seamless coordination among all stakeholders would be crucial to the success of the event. The conveners of various committees briefed the chair that all requisite arrangements have been put in place to conduct the championship in a most befitting manner. They assured the Joint Director of their full commitment and readiness to extend all possible support for the smooth conduct of the tournament. Reiterating the Governments commitment to the promotion of sports across every nook and corner of the Union Territory, Parihar said that the Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez, and Director General, Youth Services and Sports, J&K, Anuradha Gupta, have been leaving no stone unturned to translate this commitment into concrete action on the ground. Lauding the initiatives taken by the Department under the dynamic leadership of the Director General YSS, the Joint Director said that the floodlit matches, conceptualised by Anuradha Gupta, will illuminate Jammu city and its adjoining areas from November 15, 2026 onwards. He said the initiative will not only add grandeur to the championship but also provide an enthralling spectacle for sports lovers and the general public. Describing the visiting athletes as ambassadors of their respective States and Union Territories, Parihar said that their conduct, participation and experience would reflect the sporting spirit and hospitality of Jammu and Kashmir. He called upon all officials to extend courteous, efficient and athlete-friendly services throughout the tournament. The meeting, among others, was attended by Assistant Director, Virender Kumar; District Youth Services and Sports Officers (DYSSOs); Lecturers; and Zonal Physical Education Officers.

PCHSS, VMS organise wheelchair basketball match

Srinagar, Nov 12:The scoreboard may have recorded a winner, but the real victory at Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School (PCHSS) belonged to inclusion, friendship and the spirit of sport. In a heart-warming initiative, Friends of Nano (PCHSS), in collaboration with Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS), organised a friendly wheelchair basketball match on the PCHSS campus, bringing together PCHSS girls and women with diverse physical disabilities from VMS. As per a statement issued, Bisma Qazi, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Traffic, Srinagar, graced the event as the chief guest. In an engaging and spirited contest, the women representing Voluntary Medicare Society emerged victorious. However, the occasion was much more than the final score. It was about discovering common ground, building friendships and celebrating the joy of participation. For the VMS women, the match offered an opportunity to showcase their sporting abilities, inclusion, determination and team spirit. For the PCHSS girls, it was a meaningful experience of understanding disability and inclusion through interaction, teamwork and friendly competition. The winning team (VMS) was awarded with trophy, certificates and medals recognising their enthusiasm, participation and sportsmanship. Principal Sr Mary Jarsi, acknowledged that experiences like these leave a lasting impression on young minds. She emphasised that education is also about learning kindness, respect and acceptance, and that her students would carry the lessons of this shared sporting experience beyond the school gates. Masooda Yaseen, Vice President VMS, expressed her delight at seeing the women take to the court with such confidence and enthusiasm. She highlighted that women with disabilities have much to offer when given the right opportunities. She emphasised that they should be recognised for their talents, achievements and contributions rather than defined by their disabilities. Bisma Qazi appreciated the spirit displayed by all the participants and remarked that Kashmir needs more initiatives like this that bring people together and make inclusion part of everyday life. She emphasised that every woman, irrespective of her physical abilities, deserves the opportunity to participate, pursue her aspirations and be part of society without barriers. The event offered a simple yet powerful reminder that inclusion is not merely about providing access; it is about creating spaces where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to participate. As the players left the court, they carried home something more valuable than the result of a matchthe experience of being together, competing as equals and celebrating one another.

Gold falls Rs 2,200 to Rs 1.43 lakh/10gm; silver remains steady

New Delhi, Nov 12:Gold prices extended their losing streak for the third session, declining by Rs 2,200 to Rs 1.43 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital on Thursday as persistent weakness in the domestic market weighed on bullion. The yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity depreciated by Rs 2,200 to Rs 1,43,400 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Wednesdays close of Rs 1,45,600 per 10 grams, according to local traders. Silver, however, remained unchanged at Rs 1,87,500 per kg. Traders said gold prices remained under pressure amid subdued buying interest and a decline in international rates. In global markets, spot prices slipped below USD 3,950 an ounce, down by USD 39.93, or 1 per cent, amid a strong US dollar, adding pressure on the bullion, Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said. Silver fell by 1.17 per cent to USD 51.06 an ounce. Praveen Singh, Head of Commodities at Mirae Asset Sharekhan, said that if the dollar index decisively breaches the stiff resistance around 103, it could rise to 104.50, intensifying downside pressure on the precious metal. The US dollar index traded lower at 102.88 on Thursday.

Tourism Department Kashmir introduces Junior Golf initiative in Gulmarg

Gulmarg, Nov 12: The Department of Tourism Kashmir has introduced a Junior Golf initiative at Gulmarg to encourage young local talent and promote grassroots participation in the sport. The initiative, launched alongside the Winter Caddy Golf Tournament 2026, will see junior golf sessions organised every weekend, providing local students an opportunity to learn and experience the game. As per a statement issued, the event was graced by MLA Gulmarg, Farooq Ahmad Shah, as the Chief Guest, while MLA Pattan, Javed Reyaz Bedar, and Director Tourism Kashmir, Syed Qamar Sajjad, attended as Guests of Honour. The tournament was formally inaugurated with the ceremonial tee-off by the Chief Guest, marking the commencement of the sporting activities. The event was specially organised in recognition of the invaluable services rendered by golf caddies, who play an important role in supporting and promoting golf tourism in Gulmarg. The initiative provided them with an opportunity to participate in the sport and showcase their own golfing abilities. Competitions were organised for caddies, with winners felicitated through awards and cash prizes. A major highlight of the event was the Junior Golf Initiative, aimed at introducing local children to the sport and nurturing young golfing talent in Gulmarg. Students in the age group of 1218 years participated enthusiastically in the junior golf activities. Dedicated junior golf kits were also made available to encourage their participation and provide them with an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game. As part of this initiative, regular golf learning sessions will be organised for the participating children every weekend, providing them with sustained exposure to the sport and an opportunity to develop their skills under proper guidance. A separate competition was also organised for the junior participants, with winners receiving awards. Reaffirming its commitment towards responsible tourism and environmental conservation, the Directorate also undertook a cleanliness-oriented initiative during the event, distributing paper bags to promote environmentally responsible practices and encourage visitors and stakeholders to help keep Gulmarg clean. Through this initiative, the Directorate of Tourism Kashmir sought to combine sports promotion with community participation, recognising the contribution of local stakeholders while creating opportunities for the younger generation to engage with golf. The event reflects the Directorate's continued efforts to position Gulmarg not only as a premier winter tourism destination but also as a centre for sporting activities, youth engagement and sustainable tourism practices.

TAAK seeks intensified nationwide campaign to boost Kashmir winter tourism

Srinagar, Nov 12:The Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) has urged the UT and Central governments to intensify tourism promotion campaigns across major Indian cities to attract visitors to Kashmir during the ongoing winter season. In a statement, TAAK President Farooq A. Kuthoo said that while the Tourism Department had continued participating in major travel marts across the country, dedicated promotional campaigns and roadshows in key tourism markets had remained limited in recent years. He said roadshows and promotional activities organised earlier by the Tourism Department in collaboration with local tourism stakeholders had played an important role in showcasing Kashmirs tourism potential and attracting visitors from across the country. During Diwali, Kashmir would traditionally witness a good tourist rush. However, both last year and this year have seen a significant decline in tourist arrivals during this period. Even bookings for the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, as well as the overall winter season, are not picking up at the expected pace. This is a matter of concern for the tourism industry, particularly for the thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on tourism, Kuthoo said. He called for immediate steps to intensify promotional campaigns in major cities, stressing that timely marketing initiatives, roadshows and destination-specific promotional activities were essential to generate demand and attract tourists during the winter season. Kuthoo said participation in travel marts alone might not be sufficient, emphasising the need for sustained promotional outreach through roadshows, destination presentations, business-to-business meetings and targeted campaigns in major source markets. Tourism is one of the key drivers of Jammu and Kashmirs economy. Its benefits extend far beyond the tourism industry, supporting allied sectors such as handicrafts, horticulture, agriculture, transport and other small businesses. A healthy tourist inflow directly contributes to the livelihoods of thousands of people, he said. The TAAK president urged the Lieutenant Governors administration and the Chief Ministers Office to take up the matter on priority and launch an extensive winter tourism promotion campaign across major tourist-generating markets in the country. He also called for closer coordination between the government and tourism stakeholders to ensure sustained marketing efforts and strengthen Kashmirs positioning as a preferred winter destination.

SKUAST-Kashmir trains 70 Kishtwar farmers in modern horticulture practices

Srinagar, Nov 12:Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Kashmir) organised an exposure programme for 70 farmers from Kishtwar district to familiarise them with scientific horticultural practices, sustainable orchard management and digital agricultural advisory services. The programme was organised by the Directorate of Extension in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Kishtwar, as part of a five-day educational exposure visit. The delegation comprised 60 farmers sponsored under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and 10 under the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA). During the programme, farmers were sensitised to vermicomposting, scientific apple orchard management and high-density apple cultivation, with particular emphasis on improving soil health, optimising resource utilisation and enhancing orchard productivity. They were also introduced to digital extension services, particularly the universitys AI-powered e-Plant Health Clinic App, which provides expert guidance on crop health, pest and disease management, nutrient deficiencies and improved horticultural practices. The programme concluded with an interactive session during which farmers highlighted field-level challenges and discussed practical solutions to improve orchard productivity and farm incomes.

SBI General Insurance steps up road safety initiatives in Ladakh

Leh, Nov 12:SBI General Insurance has launched a road safety and emergency healthcare initiative in Ladakh in collaboration with humanitarian organisation Doers, the Ladakh Police and the Health Department to strengthen emergency medical response and promote safer roads in the region. As part of the initiative, the company handed over a fully equipped Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance to the Health Department on October 28 to ensure timely medical assistance to road accident victims during the critical golden hour. The ambulance was flagged off at Sonam Norboo Memorial (SNM) Hospital in Leh under the project titled Road Safety: Ambulances in the Indian Himalayan Region. Recognising the challenges posed by Ladakhs high-altitude terrain, long distances between settlements and extreme weather conditions, the initiative also focuses on accident prevention and improving road safety infrastructure. Under the programme, 40 retro-reflective road safety warning signboards have been installed at accident-prone locations identified in coordination with the Ladakh Police. The signboards are aimed at alerting motorists to potential hazards and encouraging safer driving practices, particularly on vulnerable stretches used by residents, tourists and other travellers. The flag-off ceremony was attended by Dr Laltinkhuma Franklin, IAS, Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, Union Territory of Ladakh. Dr Rinchen Chosdol, Chief Medical Officer, Leh; Shatrughna Singh, Head of Compliance, SBI General Insurance; and Anuradha Bhardwaj, Head of Programmes, Doers, were also present, along with representatives of the concerned departments and organisations. Speaking on the initiative, Rathin Lahiri, Head-Marketing and CSR, SBI General Insurance, said timely emergency support could save lives in a region like Ladakh, where difficult terrain and long distances often delay access to medical care. He said the companys responsibility extended beyond providing insurance to supporting communities through interventions addressing critical needs on the ground. Through the initiative, SBI General Insurance aims to strengthen emergency response mechanisms and promote safer roads in Ladakh, while working in partnership with Doers, the Ladakh Police and the Health Department. The programme will also be extended to six other Himalayan statesHimachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Sikkim, Meghalaya and Uttarakhandto strengthen road safety measures and emergency medical response across the Himalayan region.

Where Faith Finds a Common Tongue

A one-day conference organised by Maraaz Adbi Sangam, a respected cultural forum of South Kashmir, on December 10, 2026, asked a question that is at once literary, historical and urgently contemporary: what can Kashmirs spiritual and intellectual inheritance contribute to the future of its society? Any serious answer must place Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Alam Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA), revered as Nund Rishi, at its centre, together with Lal Ded, the mystic poetess who preceded him. Their significance lies first in the ethical imagination they gave voice to in Kashmiri. Neither spoke in the courtly Persian or the learned Sanskrit of their age. Through the Shruks and Vakhs, philosophy, devotion and moral instruction entered the language of the field, the spinning wheel and the hearth. Sheikh-ul-Alam spoke of greed, vanity, injustice and hypocrisy, and of the distance between professed belief and lived character. He affirmed humility, restraint, compassion, labour and responsibility towards every living being. Such verse is memorable because it compresses experience into an ethical proposition that can be recited, remembered and tested against everyday life. That is why it became a repository of collective memory, and why many Kashmiris, Hindu and Muslim alike, still carry a few of these verses on the tip of the tongue. The bond between the two saints is told in Kashmiri memory through a tender tradition. The new-born Nund is said to have refused his mothers milk until Lal Ded nursed him. Whatever its historical weight, the story is a parable of spiritual motherhood. Sheikh-ul-Alam himself, in a well-known Shruk, remembers the Lalla of Padmanpora as one who drank deep of divine nectar and prays for a share of her grace. A Muslim saint honouring a Shaiva yogini in such words says a great deal about the society that produced him. This reverence is more than literary courtesy. It points to a culture in which spiritual authority could be recognised across inherited boundaries. Muslims know her as Lalla Arifa, Pandits as Lalleshwari, and ordinary Kashmiris simply as Lal Ded, Mother Lalla. That reverence still marks our public life. The maternity hospital in Srinagar carries her name, as do residential colonies, including those in predominantly Muslim neighbourhoods. When the Afghan governor struck coins in Sheikh-ul-Alams name in the early nineteenth century, he was recognising a devotion that no ruler had commanded. Tradition holds that Pandits regarded Nund Rishi as a sanyasi in all but name, while Muslims call his Shruks the Koshur Quran. Speakers at the conference rightly cautioned against a lazy reading of this history. Lal Deds idiom drew upon Kashmir Shaivism, while Sheikh-ul-Alam spoke within an Islamic framework shaped by the Rishi tradition. Their Vakhs and Shruks emerged from distinct religious and philosophical locations and should not be collapsed into a single doctrine. Their relationship is evidence not that differences had disappeared, but that differences need not prevent mutual recognition. The shared mother tongue did not erase theological distinctions. It let wisdom travel across them. This is a far more durable understanding of syncretism than the convenient claim that all traditions are identical. Kashmirs plural inheritance rests on dialogue, ethical affinity and respect. Mere tolerance, which grudgingly puts up with the other, falls short of that standard. What united the two was a turn inward. Lal Ded mocked ritual that had gone hollow, asking what a stone idol could do for a restless mind, and she insisted that the Divine does not distinguish between Hindu and Muslim. Sheikh-ul-Alam taught that the Creator is One and that the real enemy is the unruly self, in the form of greed, anger, lust and pride. Both challenged empty formalism and directed attention to truthfulness and the transformation of the self. This is why their message bears so directly on peaceful co-existence. Conviction need not become contempt, and identity need not depend upon denigrating another. A person who has mastered his own ego has little appetite for hating his neighbour. Kashmiriyat, speakers noted, should therefore not be reduced to a slogan or an idealised picture of a conflict-free past. It is a living ethical inheritance, sustained when people practise dignity, fairness, hospitality and regard for one another. The shared reverence for these saints is a powerful cultural resource, but it cannot substitute for justice, equal citizenship or protection of the vulnerable. Nor should either legacy be appropriated to silence legitimate differences, or flattened into a generic symbol of harmony that strips the saints of their time and place. A culture is plural only when its weakest member feels secure. The same moral vocabulary extends to the land. The Rishi traditions emphasis on simplicity, service and reverence for life offered a critique of domination and ostentation, and Sheikh-ul-Alams ecological sensibility speaks directly to a Valley confronting polluted waterways, depleting forests and unplanned construction. To invoke him while treating the land as a resource to be consumed would be to separate his message from its substance. Reverence for creation must translate into public responsibility. The same holds for governance and development. Roads, institutions and economic growth are indispensable, but they alone cannot constitute progress. A society also needs honesty, trust, compassion and responsibility towards future generations. Sheikh-ul-Alams insistence on aligning belief with conduct challenges public life as much as private behaviour. It asks leaders to practise humility, institutions to act justly, and citizens to resist greed, prejudice and indifference. His poetry offers no ready-made administrative programme. It offers a moral standard by which programmes and power may be judged. The conference will prove worthwhile if it leads beyond ceremonial homage towards serious engagement with texts, history and present-day realities. Universities, literary forums and cultural institutions must preserve, translate and critically study the Shruks and Vakhs. The task is not to turn the saints into distant icons, but to recover the questions they placed before society. Lal Ded and Sheikh-ul-Alam remain enduring voices because they asked human beings to look inward before judging others. Their legacy does not promise effortless harmony. It demands the difficult work of building one. If Kashmir is to shape a future worthy of its inheritance, it must recover that discipline of conscience: a literature rooted in the peoples language, a society measured by its compassion, and a culture confident enough to honour difference without surrendering shared humanity. Dr. S. Bashir Ahmad Veeri is a founding member of Maraz Adbi Sangam and a legislator representing South Kashmirs Bijbehara Constituency.

Representation of reality in the western literature

Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in the Western Literature is at once an easy and a difficult read. Easy because the premise seems to be simple: informing the reader how writers in the western canon have represented the world around them. Difficult because the pattern does not seem to be easily comprehensible. Auerbach, the author does start and move forward chronologically. He begins by writing about the Greek epic Odyssey, and the legendary Greek king, Odysseus, and then framing his point in the context of the Bible, journeying through the literature of the Roman period, then Dante, Boccacio, Shakespeare, and eventually stopping at the twentieth century literature. The method is simple. The author takes a quotea representative quote, difficult to do so but with the subsequent analysis the selection appears plausible from the canonical author, and subjects the quote to a clinical examination with the aim of culling general insights about the culture to which the text belonged, and the worldview informing the text. The simplicity of the method belies the magisterial character of the book. Unless a reader is familiar with the canonical authors of the western canon, the book wont be an easy read. Even for someone like me who is somewhat conversant with the important texts of the western canon, given a bit of training in the field, the author poses challenges which are not easy to circumvent. A scuba-dive kind of reading is the sine qua non to apprehend the drift of the text. As Odysseus returns to his homeland Ithaca after more than twenty years, Homer provides precise details of the recognition scene of Odysseus. With a trope so typical of Greek literature, Odysseus is recognized as his feet and legs are being washed. Auerbach drops the long quote from Homers epic, drawing the reader to know all the details of the conversation until the scar is noticed during washing. Following the recognition, the reader is returned to the scene when Odysseus long back had received the scar. The point that Auerbach makes is that everything that Homer gives to the reader is fraught with foreground. There is a certain distinctive smoothness in the narrative. Nothing is left out for the reader to imagine. The element of suspense and mystery is for the most part conspicuous by absence. Before the reader wonders about the provenance of the scar, Homer takes a direct flight to the hunting scene earlier on in the life of Odyssey and explains all the fine details before returning to the scene of washing. Compare this to the narrative of the Old Testament. The latter is rife with background. Only echoes of the background are audible leaving the reader to wonder about origin of certain elements in the foreground. The smoothness of Homers narrative is substituted by the depths and heights in the Old Testament. When the reader encounters, in the beginning there was the word, the suspense and mystery is front and center. An abundance of imagination is unfolded to fathom the origin of the words uttered. The reader is confronted with the urge to decipher the meaning from an almost empty background. What is Auerbach actually saying is that the style masks, and then reveals the zeitgeist of the two civilizations that produced the two distinctive narratives. The representation of reality is contingent on the worldview of the two cultures. The representation does not emerge from the vacuum. An observation which, on the face of it, does not appear to be singularly unique but Auerbach uses representative literary samples to bolster the statement. With Homer, the characters are almost flat. Agamemnon, Odysseus lack that multi-layeredness, that complexity; Odysseus is the same as he was before he left Ithaca. However, come to think of Jacob or Moses or Abraham or even Joseph of the Old Testament. The journey and the passage of time are instruments of metanoia and metamorphosis. The transformation is at the fundamental level. Doctrine and promise are incarnate in the style of representation of the Old Testament. The second meaning, the concealed information is missing in Homer. There is no second or third order of reality. Everything is given, the concrete reality, without leaving any unexplained gap for the reader to cull from the background. The reality is uniformly illuminated and externalized, with a spatial and temporal fixity. There is no long or deep shadow of the background hanging about the present and the immediate. That is why Auerbach says that Homer allows the reader to analyze while the Old Testament demands interpretation. Further, Homer uncovers the domain of the ruling class, the lower classes are removed to the margins. It is either the gods and goddesses or the ruling classes which saturate his narratives. The genres too remain isolated, with particular spheres of life and action allotted to certain genres and others provided different generic spaces. In the New Testament the high and the low mingle and mix, which had remained separated in the case of Homer. Of low birth, with an imbibition of the lay and the ordinary, for Jesus Christ the common was not unfamiliar, Passion of Christ fuses the two domains. If feet of Odysseus are washed in Homer, it is the reverse in the New Testament; the feet of Peter are washed by the God incarnate. The sublimitas merges with the humilitas. This is an iconic and paradigmatic shift in the mode of representation with erasure of boundaries as had been congealed in the Homeric representation. The sublime effect of God permeates everything including the domestic space, leaving no space for separation of the sublime and the ordinary. These two styles are, we are informed, two basic types that cast an influence on the long journey of the western literature. In other words, the Athens style and the Jerusalem or the Biblical styles offer two visions through two styles, which reach a kind of climax in the narratives of Dante, where the mixing of the styles is deep and thoroughgoing. The twentieth century style of depicting reality is markedly different, in that the writers take random events, hours from the lives of characters, and in a technique reminiscent of the philologists, draw interpretations about the entire work or corpus of the author. So, we come to know that Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, Proust and others, using multiple consciousness, taking ordinary events, without reclining on the external continuum or chronology, make the job of the reader an uneasy one. Scarcely, is there mention of external events, the great historical forces which shape individual lives, instead the reader is on a voyage on a set of discontinuous events. This is a style not uninfluenced by the great and stunning chain of events that have swept human existence especially since the sixteenth century that to rely on the impact of the great blow of times on individual characters in not a credible technique. The book originally written by Auerbach in Germanand translated into English by Willard R. Trask with an introduction by Edward W. Said in the 1940s in Istanbul while living in exile is indicative of, as are the essays in the book or for that matter the extracts analyzed in the book, the tempo of the times in which it was written. While objections have been raised against the claims in the bookwhich the author has tried to address in the appendixit is true that, within the limitations under which it was written, the author has done well to enunciate the stylistic differentiations and stylistic mixing in the different epochs of western literature.

Kashmirs saffron legacy wilts under climate stress, shrinking fields

Pampore, Nov 12:The purple bloom that once transformed Pampores landscape into a sea of colour is increasingly being overshadowed by growing concerns over the future of Kashmirs prized saffron crop. As this years harvest season draws to a close, farmers concerns extend beyond the quantity of flowers harvested and spice produced. They are increasingly worried about changing climatic conditions, shrinking cultivation areas and the lack of sustained government intervention to safeguard a crop that has remained central to Kashmirs agricultural heritage for centuries. On Monday, a senior National Conference leader and Pampore MLA chose to stay away from Jaish-e-Saffron amid concerns over the declining fortunes of the heritage crop. Climate change has spelt doom for saffron production, said Bilal Ahmad, a saffron grower. He said prolonged dry spells and inadequate soil moisture had taken a heavy toll on cultivation. Saffron, he added, is particularly vulnerable to changing rainfall patterns, as adequate moisture is crucial for corm development and vegetative growth. This years harvest, however, has brought some relief to cultivators following a particularly poor season last year. Irshad Ahmad, another saffron farmer, said production had improved this year, raising hopes among growers. The improvement, however, comes against the backdrop of a sustained decline in the area under saffron cultivation. Official statistics show that the area under saffron cultivation has declined from 5,707 hectares in 1996-97 to around 3,715 hectares in recent years, marking a reduction of nearly 35 per cent. The shrinking cultivation area, driven partly by urbanisation and the conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes, has compounded the challenges posed by erratic rainfall and declining soil moisture. For farmers, the decline is not merely an agricultural statistic. It threatens a traditional livelihood that supports an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 families across saffron-growing areas. Declining production has affected the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on this crop, another farmer said. The governments intervention through the National Saffron Mission, launched in 2010, had raised hopes of reversing the decline. The mission envisaged improving productivity through scientific cultivation practices, better irrigation facilities and the introduction of drip irrigation to address water scarcity. However, cultivators allege that a key component of the initiative failed to achieve its intended objective. According to farmers, although a network of pipes was laid across some saffron fields under the mission, the drip irrigation system was never made fully operational. It was a scam. We are clueless about what happened to the scheme, a farmer alleged. The alleged failure of the irrigation project remains a major grievance among cultivators, who say the infrastructure could have helped them tackle prolonged dry spells and protect their crops. The issue has also figured in the Legislative Assembly, where Pampore MLA and senior National Conference leader Hasnain Masoodi has demanded an investigation into the implementation of the mission. Farmers maintain that reviving saffron cultivation requires more than government announcements. They want the existing irrigation network made functional, effective safeguards against the conversion of saffron land and sustained scientific intervention to help the crop withstand changing climatic conditions. On Wednesday, Agriculture Production Minister Javed Ahmad Dar told reporters that the government would revive the National Saffron Mission, offering a fresh ray of hope to cultivators. However, farmers say the real test lies in translating the announcement into tangible action on the ground. The real test will be whether the renewed mission translates into functioning irrigation facilities and tangible support in the fields, said Abdul Majeed, another cultivator.

A Conversation Across Three Philosophical Worlds

The decisive differences emerge when we ask what kind of self is revealed through this inward inquiry. Heideggers Dasein is fundamentally characterised by being-in-the-world: it exists through concrete involvements, inherited possibilities, historical circumstances, language and temporality. It does not first exist as a self-contained essence and subsequently enter the world; its existence is already shaped by its thrownness into a particular situation and by the possibilities towards which it projects itself. Temporality is therefore central to the disclosure of its Being. akaras tman, by contrast, cannot be reduced to a historically situated or temporally unfolding individual. The empirical person is subject to change, but the deepest Self, understood through Advaita Vednta, is not ultimately defined by the changing conditions of body, mind or history. Its identity with Brahman points towards a reality that is unconditioned by these limitations. A comparable transcendental dimension appears in Ibn Arabs metaphysics, where the Real cannot be confined within the succession of temporal events or the categories through which the human mind seeks to comprehend existence. Yet an important qualification is necessary: the divine self-disclosure unfolds in the changing multiplicity of the cosmos, even though the divine essence is not exhausted or circumscribed by those manifestations. Thus, whereas Heidegger investigates Being through the finite, historical and temporal structure of human existence, akara directs inquiry towards the realisation of an unconditioned non-duality, and Ibn Arab explores how the transcendent Real becomes disclosed without ceasing to exceed every disclosure. The contrast is not simply between a temporal Heidegger and two thinkers who reject time; it concerns three different understandings of the relationship between finite existence and what cannot be reduced to its conditions. The theological implications of the thought of akara and Ibn Arab extend far beyond an abstract understanding of ultimate reality. Both thinkers insist, in their distinctive ways, that intellectual knowledge of the Divine, however necessary, does not exhaust the depth of spiritual realisation. In akaras Advaita Vednta, liberation emerges through the realisation that tman, the innermost Self, is non-different from Brahman, the ultimate reality. In Ibn Arabs Sufi metaphysics, the journey towards God involves the unveiling of deeper dimensions of the Real, whose signs are disclosed throughout creation without the divine essence ever being exhausted by its manifestations. These are not identical conceptions of divine-human unity: akaras non-duality and Ibn Arabs account of the relationship between the Real and creation belong to different theological and metaphysical frameworks. Yet both challenge the assumption that the Divine can be adequately grasped as merely one object standing opposite an independent human subject. Such realisation need not diminish reverence for God; rather, it may deepen it by transforming the very meaning of the relationship between the human being and the ultimate. The language of Martin Bubers I and Thou offers a suggestive parallel here: authentic relationship emerges when the other is encountered not merely as an object to be classified, possessed or used, but as a presence demanding openness and response. Bubers dialogical philosophy should not be conflated with either Advaita or Ibn Arabs metaphysics, but it helps illuminate a shared possibility: that spiritual understanding may transform the subject-object relationship without reducing the Divine to an object of human knowledge. The result is not the disappearance of devotion, but its deepening into humility, wonder and a more profound awareness of the sacred significance of existence. The ethical implications of this vision are equally compelling. If the deepest understanding of reality unsettles the absolute divisions through which the ego separates itself from others, then our moral relationship with fellow human beings can no longer rest solely upon utility, convenience or self-interest. akaras non-dualism invites us to question the ultimate independence we attribute to our individual identities, while Ibn Arabs understanding of divine self-disclosure encourages us to recognise the diverse forms through which the divine names are reflected in creation. Read as ethical inspirations rather than as identical doctrines, these insights can become a powerful impulse for coexistence, compassion and the rejection of exclusionary boundaries. The stranger, the neighbour and the person whose beliefs or circumstances differ from our own cease to be merely instruments within our personal projects; they become beings whose existence calls for recognition and responsibility. Here, Heideggers critique of an exclusively instrumental understanding of the world can be brought into conversation with the ethical philosophies of Buber and Emmanuel Levinas. Buber reminds us of the difference between an IThou encounter and an IIt relationship, while Levinas places the ethical demand of the Other at the centre of philosophical responsibility. Their approaches differ significantly from akaras and Ibn Arabs metaphysical visions, and Levinas in particular resists reducing the irreducible Other to a totalising system of unity. That caution is important: a philosophy of unity must never become an excuse for erasing human difference or silencing the particular voice of another person. Properly understood, unity does not demand uniformity. Instead, it can inspire us to move beyond the divisions of caste, creed, community and identity that turn contingent differences into walls of hostility. The recognition of a deeper kinship among beings can become an ethical summons to coexistence, without requiring us to deny the plurality of human experience. In this sense, the metaphysical intuition of interconnectedness acquires its true social significance when it becomes a practice of dignity, justice, dialogue and care. The environmental implications of this philosophical conversation are particularly urgent in an age when nature is increasingly approached as a storehouse of resources, a commodity to be exploited or an obstacle to economic expansion. Heideggers critique of technological enframing offers a powerful diagnosis of this instrumental outlook: the natural world is reduced to a standing reserve, valuable primarily for its availability to human purposes. akaras Advaita, although it did not formulate a modern ecological programme, may offer a different orientation by challenging the assumption that our ordinary, ego-centred perception reveals the ultimate structure of reality. If the boundaries through which we define the isolated self are not ultimately absolute, the human relationship with the wider world can be reconsidered in less possessive terms. Ibn Arabs vision provides another resource: creation may be contemplated as a field of divine signs and self-disclosure, whose forms invite recognition rather than careless domination. These perspectives resonate with the tradition of sacred ecology associated with thinkers such as Frithjof Schuon, whose perennialist approach sought to recover the spiritual significance of the natural world across religious traditions. Comparable possibilities can be explored within Indian philosophical traditions, including Advaita Vednta, where the unity of reality may support an attitude of humility towards the more-than-human world. Yet such an ecological ethic must be developed thoughtfully rather than simply attributed to akara or assumed to follow automatically from non-dualism. Metaphysical unity does not by itself supply the practical principles required for conservation, environmental justice or sustainable living. It can, however, transform the sensibility from which such principles emerge. A river then becomes more than a channel for water, a forest more than a supply of timber, and an animal more than an instrument of human convenience: each can be encountered within a wider order of significance that exceeds its immediate utility. The task of a contemporary sacred ecology is not to abandon scientific knowledge or practical environmental policy, but to bring them into conversation with a renewed sense of reverence. When the world is no longer viewed merely as an It to be mastered, but encountered as a living field of relationships, the recognition of interconnectedness may become the foundation of a more responsible relationship between humanity, nature and the cosmos. Perhaps the real beauty of these great seers and thinkers lies not in finding a final answer to the mystery of Being, but in allowing that mystery to change the way we live. akara invites us to look beyond the divisions that separate us, Ibn Arab teaches us to recognise the traces of the Divine in the vastness of existence, and Heidegger reminds us to recover our sense of wonder before a world we have grown accustomed to using rather than understanding. Their paths are different, yet each, in its own way, asks us to look again: at ourselves, at the people around us, and at the fragile world we share. Perhaps the deepest realisation is not that we have finally understood Being, but that we have become a little more humble before its mystery, a little more tender towards one another, and a little more grateful for the simple miracle of being here.

Vice Chairman JKLCMA reviews development works at Dole Demb

Srinagar, Nov 12:Vice Chairman, JKLCMA, Khurshid Ahmad Shah, visited the Dole Demb area of Dal Lake to review the ongoing works related to the removal of bushes, clearance of the identified area for its proposed development, and dredging of internal channels to facilitate smooth navigation and flushing of water. During the visit, the Vice Chairman inspected the site and took stock of the progress of the ongoing operations. He was briefed by the concerned officers on the work being undertaken, including the removal of aquatic vegetation, bushes, and dredging of internal channels. Emphasizing the importance of planned and sustainable development, he stressed that the works should be carried out systematically, with due attention to the ecological sensitivity of the area. He underscored that the proposed park should enhance the scenic and recreational appeal of the identified stretch while preserving the natural character of Dal Lake and to promote Tourism. He also stressed the importance of dredging internal channels and flushing of waters to ensure smooth navigation and improve connectivity within the lake. He directed the concerned officers to maintain close supervision of all ongoing activities and ensure timely progress while adhering to appropriate environmental safeguards. The initiative is aimed at improving the overall lake environment, enhancing navigational facilities and developing a designated recreational space to promote tourism and provide an attractive experience for visitors. It also forms part of the Authority's efforts towards the responsible and sustainable utilisation of Dal Lake's surrounding spaces as tourism attractions.