Opinion

Curb your overenthusiasm: Why India must avoid early overregulation while drafting rules for new tech

India faces a critical choice in regulating new industries like AI and genomics. Overly cautious, ex-ante regulations, similar to the historical Red Flag Act, can stifle innovation and lead to economic losses. The country must adopt flexible approaches like regulatory sandboxes and impact assessments. This will determine if India builds these future industries or exports them elsewhere.

PM Modi calls for resolutions by people to save foreign exchange to overcome impact of war

Hyderabad, May 10: Emphasising that the Centre is trying to shield people from the adverse impact of war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for measures by citizens to overcome the challenges and to help the country. Addressing a rally organised by Telangana BJP here, he suggested measures, including judicious use of petrol and diesel, using metro rail services in cities, car pooling, maximum use of EVs, utilising railway services to send parcels, and working from home to save foreign exchange. Due to the war, prices of petrol and fertiliser increased a lot, he said. When there is pressure on the supply chain, difficulties increase despite various measures by the government to overcome the crisis, he said. That's why, during the global crisis, keeping the country above all else, we have to take resolutions, he said. We have developed work from home, virtual meetings, video conferencing and many other methods during corona. We got habituated to it. The need of the hour is to resume those methods, he said. Stressing the need to save foreign exchange due to the crisis, Modi called for postponing the purchase of gold and foreign visits for one year. We have to save foreign exchange by any means, he said. He also called for reducing consumption of edible oil, reducing use of chemical fertilisers, promoting natural farming and swadeshi products to save foreign exchange and to make the country self-reliant. Stating that the BJP govt was formed in West Bengal with a massive majority, Modi asserted that he saw Bengal's enthusiasm in Telangana. He also said that people of Telangana want a change. People of West Bengal defeated the dictatorial model, he said. When he raised the slogan of 'Agli baar' (meaning 'next time'), the crowd responded saying 'BJP sarkar'. Recalling Telangana's early contribution to his party, Modi said that the state gave one MP when the BJP had only two MPs. In a scathing attack on Congress, he said the priority of Congress is not to serve people, but it has become the hub of divisive and hatred politics. Congress has become more Left than the Left. That means it has become a strong Maoist. It has become more 'Muslim leagui' than the Muslim League, he said. People now call Congress as 'MMC - Muslim Leagui, MaoWadi, Congress', Modi claimed.

Mature hands for money: Indias next economic reform lies in building financially aware households

India has achieved significant financial inclusion, opening millions of bank accounts and expanding digital payments. However, a new study reveals a gap in financial maturity. Many households struggle with basic financial concepts like compounding and inflation. This limits their ability to make informed decisions, hindering inclusive growth.

Rain, gusty winds likely during next 3 hrs in J-K parts: MeT

Srinagar, May 10: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has predicted spell of rain, thundershower alongwith gusty winds over many places of Jammu and Kashmir during next 2-3 hours. In a communication, MeT department said: Nowcast J&K @ 2145 hrs: A spell of rain/ thundershower over many places of north, central & south Kashmir, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, many parts of Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar with hailstorm/gusty winds during next 2-3 hrs. The officials advised to suspend boating activity in Dal Lake and other water bodies, and urged people to stay away from electric poles, wires, loose structures etc.

Mehbooba attacks Omar govt over silence on public issue, failure on promises in J&K

Jammu, May 10: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday slammed the Omar Abdullah government for its failure to deliver on key promises such as unemployment, alleging job and transfer appointments were influenced through money and political connections. Criticising Chief Minister Abdullah's silence on inflation, closure of educational institutions, alleged surveillance in mosques and Iran, Mehbooba said the National Conference government was given enough time after coming to power, but had failed to address public grievances. It has been nearly one-and-a-half years since this government came to power. We remained silent and told our people not to oppose the National Conference. We said give them six months, one year, and then we will see what they do. Today they have 50 seats, but even now, they only focus on their own interest and nothing else, she said, addressing party workers during an outreach programme in Poonch. Mehbooba, a former J-K chief minister, alleged that employees were being removed from jobs, surveillance was being carried out in mosques and educational institutions were being shut down without the chief minister raising his voice. A school like Siraj-ul-Uloom, where poor children studied and became doctors and engineers, was shut down, and Omar sahib remained silent. Unemployment has increased so much, yet Omar sahib is silent. Inflation has skyrocketed, yet Omar sahib is silent, she said. A major tragedy happened in Iran, but Omar sahib did not speak a word. Our martyrs were killed, and Omar sahib remained silent. At every stage, Omar Sahib stayed silent. The PDP chief also alleged irregularities in government recruitment and transfer processes. They are secretly and quietly appointing people to jobs you may not know this. How are they doing it? They give contracts, saying, You have to appoint 5,000 employees in this department, we will give you commission. But who actually pays? The National Conference MLAs and their ministers give their lists and you already know this, I do not need to explain it, she alleged. Hitting out at the NC government's poll promise of providing 1 lakh jobs, she said Our youth are waiting, believing that 1 lakh jobs will be provided. But where will these jobs come from, when officials themselves have to beg at different doors for transfers, paying Rs 20 lakh, Rs 25 lakh, even Rs 30 lakh before a transfer takes place? These habits of theirs have still not changed, she alleged. Mehbooba alleged that the Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University lacked permanent faculty, and salaries were not being paid on time. Is it not their responsibility to see why a university named after Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah Sahib does not even have a registrar? Why are salaries not paid on time there? Why are there no permanent professors? This is not my job alone. It is the responsibility of chief minister, she said. The PDP, she said, had brought a bill to protect poor people, especially Gujjars and tribals, from eviction and demolition of their homes. But Omar sahib termed the people of Jammu and Kashmir as land grabbers. Mehbooba reiterated her demand for greater administrative empowerment for the Pir Panjal and Chenab regions, including a separate divisional setup and hill district status for Mendhar. She said unemployment and inflation had pushed people into distress, claiming electricity bills and cooking gas prices had increased sharply over the years. Earlier, electricity bills used to be Rs 500 and now they are Rs 3,000. Gas cylinders which cost Rs 400 now cost Rs 1,000. Even dal and roti have become expensive. But the CM remains silent, she said. The former chief minister urged youth not to lose hope and asked party workers to strengthen grassroots representation in panchayats and local bodies. Referring to the situation in Iran, Mehbooba said courage and determination were necessary to face difficult circumstances. We too will face our challenges with courage, and together we will bring Jammu and Kashmir out of this crisis. She also slammed Abdullah over the Urdu issue. The government has recently announced that any patwari or employee appointed in the Revenue Department must be a graduate in Urdu.

Flood crisis management teams should be constituted in every state: Amit Shah

New Delhi, May 10: At a high-level meeting on Sunday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said flood crisis management teams (FCMTs) should be constituted and activated in every state. At the meeting, Shah reviewed the country's preparedness to deal with potential floods and heatwaves and underlined that efforts should be made to achieve zero-casualty disaster management. Shah said at least 60 lakes should be included in the plan to develop an early-warning system for 30 high-risk lakes in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim with the National Disaster Management Authority's (NDMA) support, according to a government statement. Shah also said there should be an integrated system for flood forecasting at both the central and state levels. FCMTs should be constituted and activated in every state, the home minister said. He asked the NDMA to conduct a study to assess how many states are following the ministry's directives and the NDMA guidelines for dealing with forest fires, heatwaves and floods. Shah said efforts must be made to implement the vision of zero-casualty disaster management. Emphasising that greater possibilities for water conservation and improvement in groundwater levels should be explored through water-storage and check-dam projects, he said the objective should be to conserve water by constructing check dams on rivers, while also minimising the impact of heatwaves. Shah said the CAMPA Fund should be utilised to make efforts aimed at maintaining environmental balance. He said a master plan should be prepared to address the changes in weather patterns caused by climate change and the growing disaster-related challenges arising from those. Shah also said weather forecasts and warnings should be disseminated widely and effectively. Efforts should be made to further improve the assessment of the upcoming monsoon by studying casualties during the season, the accuracy of forecasts and the damage caused to the agriculture sector, he added. The meeting was attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, the Union home secretary, secretaries and senior officials of various ministries, members and heads of departments of the NDMA.

Dhyan Mandir will become centre of peace, solace for generations to come: PM Modi

Bengaluru, May 10: The Art of Living International Center witnessed a historic gathering today as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, joined Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to celebrate 45 years of The Art of Living movement and the 70th birthday of its founder. Prime Minister also inaugurated the magnificent Dhyan Mandir, a unique highvibration meditation space representing one of the worlds largest meditation communities. The dedicated center will allow lakhs of seekers from across countries, cultures and backgrounds to experience deep inner stillness through collective meditation and chanting. Referring to the newly inaugurated meditation space, Dhyan Mandir, PM Modi said, I am confident that the Dhyan Mandir that has been inaugurated today will become a center of peace and solace for thousands of people in the coming generations. In his keynote address, PM Modi paid rich tribute to Gurudev, describing him as a living embodiment of Indias timeless tradition of giving, giving knowledge, giving peace, giving hope.The Prime Minister recalled that whenever he had visited the International Center earlier, he had experienced the same energy of seva that the Rishis once carried into the world. In a light-hearted moment shared with Gurudev, the PM Modi remarked warmly, Main aapka hii hoon aur jahan hoon woh bhi aapki wajah se hii hoon,(I am yours and I am where I am because of you) drawing a cheer from the audience. Speaking about the role of spirituality and mental well-being in nation-building, the Hon. Prime Minister said, A developed India will be built by youth who are mentally calm, socially responsible and sensitive towards society. Spiritual well-being, mental health, yoga and meditation have a very important role in this journey. Organizations like Art of Living strengthen the feeling of connection, belonging and collective responsibility among people. They also give people the opportunity to know and understand their culture. Speaking about the importance of peoples participation in nation-building, he said, I am confident that the society is more powerful than politics and governments. And any government can be successful only when the society is actively participating in the creation of the nation. Appreciating the organisations contribution, he said, It is a great pleasure to see that the Art of Living organization always supports the power of the society. Highlighting Indias rapid growth and the role of youth, PM Modi remarked, Our digital revolution has made India a global leader in digital payment. India has become the third largest ecosystem in the world in terms of start-ups. Our youth are now sending their satellites into space. The biggest reason for such achievements in the country is our youth and the Art of Living. The Art of Living is helping the youth to overcome the challenges of the modern era, he said. Welcoming the Prime Minister, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar spoke warmly about the transformation India has witnessed in recent years and the spirit of confidence that has emerged across the nation. You have taken steps towards bringing peace in the country and abroad. Today, Mother India and the people of India walk with pride because you have taken India to a new level, Gurudev said.Referring to national transformation and public participation, Gurudev added, As soon as you came, you proclaimed Clean India. Today, the country feels cleaner, more beautiful, more secure, and filled with a renewed sense of confidence. Speaking about Indias growing global standing, Gurudev remarked, Earlier, people abroad would say India could never rise like this. You proved them all wrong. In less than ten years, you transformed India from a country that asked, into a country that gives, Gurudev added. Recalling the early days of The Art of Living, Gurudev shared how the organisations very foundation reflected a coming together of diverse worldviews. Among the first trustees of The Art of Living were former Chief Justice of India Justice P. N. Bhagwati and Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer. While one was deeply spiritual and the other known to be a committed rationalist, both were drawn to Gurudevs vision and agreed to serve as founding trustees. The Prime Minister Modi launched nine nationwide service initiatives aimed at bringing inclusive development across education, youth and women empowerment, reforestation, environmental conservation, tribal welfare, healthcare, prison reform and digital literacy. Under Mission Green Earth, The Art of Living has already planted more than 90 lakh saplings across 19 states and 121 districts in the last year. It now aims to plant 45 lakh moringa saplings and 17,500 Panchavati sets comprising 87,500 sacred trees including Banyan, Peepal, Neem, Mango and Audumbar to strengthen climate resilience, biodiversity and community participation. The organisation also launched 12 RuTAGe Smart Village Centers across 11 states as holistic rural transformation hubs. Through its Youth Leadership Program and Women Leadership Program, it aims to train 50,000 youth and women in leadership and highdemand technical skills, building on an existing impact of over 6 lakh beneficiaries. The Sri Abhayam Project is being expanded into a 450-village tribal welfare mission focused on healthcare, education and livelihoods, while the Gram Digital Sevak Initiative will train village youth to help rural communities access welfare schemes, tele-health and digital services through AI-enabled tools. Nine telemedicine centres are also being launched across several states to improve specialist healthcare access in underserved regions. The Art of Living further announced the expansion of its prison reform initiatives through 1,000 programmes across 550 prisons benefiting nearly 60,000 inmates and staff with trauma relief and vocational training. Its free education network, which currently spans 1,356 schools across 22 states and reaches over 1.2 lakh children in 2,754 villages, will now expand to 2,000 schools. Women empowerment initiatives that have already impacted over 6 lakh women and girls across India are also being scaled up with a goal to reach 10 lakh women and girls nationwide. The month-long celebrations have brought together over one lakh participants from 182 countries, including Union Ministers, Governors, Members of Parliament, entrepreneurs, civil servants, farmers, prison inmates rehabilitated through Art of Living programmes and international delegates. Some of the dignitaries include Sukanto Majumdar, Union Minister of State for Education; Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Gov of India; included Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Manipur Governor; Nand Kishore Yadav, Governor, Nagaland; Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.) Governor, Uttarakhand; Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman, Hiranandani Group; among other illustrious leaders. Across four and a half decades, The Art of Living has grown into one of the largest volunteer-driven humanitarian movements reaching more than a billion lives in 182 countries through breath, meditation, education and grassroots service. Todays gathering was an affirmation of the simple yet powerful idea that a calmer mind, a kinder society and a healthier planet is possible.

Homeless Rajouri boxer Mohammad Yasir enters finals of Asian Boxing Championship

Rajouri, May 10: Defying poverty and harsh living conditions, young boxer Mohammad Yasir from Rajouri has scripted an inspiring success story by entering the finals of the prestigious Asian Boxing Championship being held in Uzbekistan. Yasir, who belongs to an economically weak family, lives along with his mother and younger brother in a shabby and unsafe government building in Rajouri. Despite the unhygienic conditions and lack of basic facilities, the young boxer continued his relentless pursuit of excellence in sports. The talented pugilist has been receiving training at the Khelo India Centre Rajouri under the supervision of coach Ishtiyaq Malik, who played a crucial role in shaping his boxing career. Representing India in the Under-15 category in the 58-kilogram weight division, Yasir displayed remarkable skill and determination in the semi-final bout played on Sunday. He defeated his opponent from Iran to secure a place in the finals of the championship and with this victory, Mohammad Yasir has assured himself of a medal and will now fight for the gold medal in the summit clash of the Asian Boxing Championship where he will compete with Uzbekistan. His achievement has brought pride and joy to Rajouri district, with people hailing his dedication, hard work and fighting spirit despite facing severe financial hardships.

Scrap worth Rs 1.8 cr gutted in Qazigund fire Incident

Qazigund, May 10: Scrap material and abandoned vehicles worth over Rs 1.8 crore were gutted in a major fire incident that broke out at a scrap yard in Mirbazar along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Sunday afternoon. Incharge F&ES Headquarters Anantnag, Fayaz Ahmad Bhat as per Kashmir News Corner (KNC) said soon after receiving information about the incident, eight fire tenders from Anantnag and Kulgam were rushed to the spot to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby areas. He said the firefighting operation was carried out with assistance from Kulgam Police led by DO Mirbazar Nisar Ahmad and local residents. According to officials, scrap vehicles and other material stored inside the yard were extensively damaged in the blaze, with losses estimated at over Rs 1.8 crore. After hectic efforts by the firefighting teams, the blaze was brought under control. No casualty or injury was reported in the incident, while the cause of the fire is being investigated.

The biggest challenge in Jammu and Kashmir after the government formation is the governance deficit: Altaf Bukhari

Need of hour is to use petro products with restraint: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for careful use of petrol, gas, and diesel. He stressed that using imported petro products only as needed will save foreign exchange and lessen war impacts. India is also advancing in solar power and ethanol blending. The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation for development projects worth around Rs 9,400 crore in Telangana.

22 security personnel killed in deadly suicide attack in Pakistan

New Delhi, May 10: At least twenty-two security personnel, including senior officials were killed in a suicide car bomb attack at a checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan. A self-proclaimed breakaway group of the Pakistan Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. A suicide bomber and several gunmen detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near the post in Bannu, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, late on Saturday, said senior police official Sajjad Khan. The attack triggered an intense shootout, with some officers being killed in the exchange, while others died later after the building collapsed. Gunmen stormed the police check post after the car blast, opening fire, according to officials who said they also used small drones in the attack. More than 100 militants took part in the attack. Reports quoting media stated that a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a police checkpoint, after which multiple militants entered the post and opened fire, according to officials who said they also used small drones in the attack. While retreating, the attackers took police personnel and weapons from the station with them, he added. Bannu has been gripped in recent years by militant activity that has grown across Pakistan's border regions.

'Nobody being forced to consume alcohol': CM Omar rules out liquor ban

LG Sinha Hands Over Appointment Letters To Newly Recruited J&K Police Constables

SRINAGAR, May 10: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday handed over Appointment Letters to the newly recruited Constables of Jammu Kashmir Police during a landmark presentation ceremony at the Armed Police Complex, Zewan. Around 4000 recruits were selected through a transparent, merit-based process conducted by J&K Service Selection Board. The Lieutenant Governor extended his heartiest congratulations to the new recruits and exhorted them to discharge their duties with absolute integrity, impartiality and unwavering commitment to national service. Joining the Jammu [] The post LG Sinha Hands Over Appointment Letters To Newly Recruited J&K Police Constables appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

J&K | Tribals Hold Mega Assembly In Bhaderwah, Decide Social Boycott Of Drug Traffickers

BHADERWAH (DODA), May 10: Tribal communities in Jammu and Kashmirs Bhaderwah region, mainly Gujjars and Bakarwals, have decided to enforce a social boycott of any community member found involved in drug consumption or trafficking. Tribal groups led by Lumberdar Mohd Hussain Chechi held a mega Jirga (assembly of tribal elders) at Soundhar meadow in the Kellar Forest Range of Bhaderwah, where they pledged to strengthen the fight against substance abuse as part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir [] The post J&K | Tribals Hold Mega Assembly In Bhaderwah, Decide Social Boycott Of Drug Traffickers appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Those leveling allegations should do their homework first: Omar hits back at PDP

Dr. Shahid Choudhary flags off men's football team for national championship

CM Omar hits back at Mehbooba Mufti over backdoor appointment; says outsourcing policy cant be equated with illegal recruitments

Ganderbal, May 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday hit back at PDP president Mehbooba Mufti over her allegations of backdoor appointments in J&K, asserting that the governments outsourcing policy cannot be equated with illegal recruitments. Speaking to media persons in Ganderbal during his constituency tour, Omar said that Mehbooba Mufti was deliberately confusing two separate issues for politics. Outsourcing of manpower for specific projects and registered agencies is a transparent, policy. It is not the same as backdoor appointments. No permanent posts are being filled without due recruitment process, Omar told reporters . Omar challenged the PDP leadership to provide even a single example of alleged backdoor recruitment. There is a difference between backdoor appointments and outsourcing. The outsourcing is done under proper schemes, he said. He also dismissed claims related to transfer postings as factually incorrect and politically motivated. Shami Oberoi is the Treasurer of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and does not hold any ministerial position, he said urging the opposition to verify facts before making public statements. Mehbooba had on Sunday alleged that youth were being denied opportunities while blue-eyed candidates were being adjusted through backdoor appointments. Earlier, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who is also the MLA Ganderbal on Sunday visited Ganderbal and rolled out a major development package worth nearly 40 crore, including the foundation laying of Phase-I of the ambitious Sindh Riverfront Project. During the visit, the Chief Minister inaugurated and inspected several developmental and public welfare initiatives aimed at strengthening tourism, urban infrastructure and healthcare facilities in the district. A key highlight of the visit was the launch of Phase-I of the Sindh Riverfront Project, envisioned to enhance the scenic beauty and tourism potential of the area while creating modern public spaces along the banks of the Sindh stream. In a significant boost to healthcare services, Omar Abdullah also inaugurated advanced DEXA Scan and Fibro Scan facilities at District Hospital Ganderbal.

PDP has no moral standing to judge us, says NC's Tanvir Sadiq

Top Shia cleric's assassination shows strong presence of IS in Syria

New Delhi, May 10: Top Shia Cleric and imam of Sayyidha Zayanb Shrine Sheikh Farhan Hassan al-Mansour's assassination in the outskirts of Damascus demonstrates the strong presence of The Islamic State (IS) in the troubled nation. The attack revived memories of the groups past hit-and-run operations targeting carefully selected religious and military figures, demonstrating its ability to breach heavy security fortifications in one of Syrias most sensitive areas. Last Friday morning, a powerful explosion echoed through the southern suburbs of Damascus. The blast targeted al-Mansours vehicle while he was traveling near the Safir Al-Zahra Hotel area surrounding the shrine. Syrian security source, who inspected the scene, said that an explosive device had been planted underneath the vehicle and detonated remotely, killing the cleric instantly and injuring several of his aides, as well as civilians who happened to be nearby. The Sayyidah Zaynab shrine is one of the most important religious sites in Syria. The ability to reach and assassinate the shrines leading cleric in the heart of his own stronghold sends a powerful message that ISIS sleeper cells still possess the capacity to monitor, maneuver and strike deep inside Damascus.

Bahrain busts spy network working for IRGC

New Delhi, May 10: Bahrain has dismantled an organisation which it claimed to have links with Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and revoked citizenship of 69 nationals. The Espionage group authorities intensfied crackdown against anti national groups and individuals for colluding with foreign extremist and militant groups.The list included individuals accused of supporting Iranian acts, along with their family members and dependents and most of them belong to the Shia Ajam community. Bahrains Interior Ministry says it has arrested dozens of people in the country accused of belonging to a group linked to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The countrys security services had dismantled an organization accused of links to Irans Revolutionary Guards and arrested 41 of its suspected members. Bahrain, which houses a major US military base, was hard-hit by Iranian attacks on the Gulf, launched in response to US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic. In accordance with previous investigations carried out by the prosecutors office in cases of espionage on behalf of foreign entities and sympathy for Iranian aggression, the security services dismantled an organization linked to the Revolutionary Guards, the ministry said in a statement. Since the conflict war began, Bahrain has cracked down on those expressing support or sympathy for Tehran.

J&K High Court upholds Munsiff Seniority List 2011

Srinagar, May 10: The High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh has dismissed a long-pending writ petition challenging the seniority list of Munsiffs issued in 2011, holding that the petitioners, who were appointed against future vacancies, could not claim seniority over candidates appointed earlier against clear vacancies.Local business directory A Division Bench of Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Sanjay Parihar pronounced the judgment on May 6, 2026, in SWP No. 1577/2018 titled Tabassum Qadir Parray and Others versus High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Another. The petition had been reserved for judgment on April 20, 2026. The petitioners, Tabassum Qadir Parray, Meyank Gupta, Sajad-ur-Rehman and Altaf Hussain Khan, had sought quashing of the seniority list issued by the High Court on November 19, 2011. They argued that their placement in the seniority list should correspond to their merit positions in the selection list prepared by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (PSC) in 2010.

Drug-free J-K campaign: 646 arrested, 260 kg narcotics seized in 28 days

Jammu, May 10: The 100-day drug-free J-K campaign has achieved significant success across the Union Territory, leading to the arrest of 646 persons in 614 FIRs related to drug peddling and seizure of more than 260 kg of narcotic substances, officials said. They added that the campaign also led to the attachment and demolition of properties worth more than Rs 31 crore in the past 28 days. The ongoing Nasha Mukt J-K Abhiyan, one of the largest campaigns against drug abuse in the Union Territory, has also witnessed massive public participation, with 2,16,123 awareness events conducted across Jammu and Kashmir, involving more than one crore participants. According to official figures, 614 FIRs have been registered under the NDPS Act during the campaign, while 646 persons have been arrested and 435 drug peddlers apprehended. Authorities have also identified 160 drug hotspots across Jammu and Kashmir, they said. Officials said security and enforcement agencies have seized over 260 kilograms of various narcotics, including 3.8 kg of heroin, 32.92 kg of charas and 222.31 kg of ganja so far. In addition, 21 marlas of illegal poppy cultivation were destroyed during the campaign. Describing the campaign as a comprehensive whole-of-government initiative and a brainchild of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, they said the drive reflects coordinated institutional action involving departments of health, social welfare, information, police, education and allied agencies. As part of the crackdown on drug networks, authorities sealed or demolished 37 houses linked to drug peddlers. Immovable properties worth approximately Rs 25.97 crore were seized or attached, while additional properties worth Rs 3.70 crore were demolished. Movable properties worth Rs 1.67 crore were also seized, they said. Officials said strict action was also taken against misuse of transport and pharmaceutical channels associated with narcotics activities. During the campaign, 252 driving licences and 111 vehicle registrations were cancelled, while 104 drug store licences were suspended and two cancelled, they said. The outreach programmes included 'padyatras', seminars, rallies, school and college activities, sports and cultural events, village-level campaigns and community interactions to sensitise people about the harmful effects of drug abuse, they said. Officials said counselling and mental health support systems were strengthened under the Tele-MANAS initiative, which received 2,786 calls during the campaign period. Treatment and rehabilitation facilities were also expanded, with the Health Department-run addiction treatment facilities treating 44,602 patients, including 44,263 OPD cases and 339 IPD admissions, officials said, adding that 148 patients were successfully cured and discharged after treatment. The campaign was launched on April 11, 2026, from Jammu as a key initiative aimed at combating drug abuse, particularly among the youth. It began with a mega 'padyatra' led by Sinha from MA Stadium, marking the start of the 100-day drive.

Omar tees off India Golf Carnival 2026 at RSGC, says govt aims to put Kashmir on global golfing map

Israeli drone strikes near Beirut kill 4, southern airstrikes kill at least 13

Beirut, May 09: Three Israeli drone strikes on vehicles just south of Beirut on Saturday killed four people while a series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 13, including a man and his 12-year-old daughter, state media and the Health Ministry said. The three drone strikes south of Beirut marked another escalation since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on April 17. Both Israel and Hezbollah have continued their daily attacks despite the truce. On Wednesday night, Israel's air force carried out an airstrike on a southern suburb in which Israel said it killed a senior Hezbollah military official. It was the first strike near the capital since the ceasefire was reached. Two of the strikes on Saturday took place on the highway linking Beirut with the southern port city of Sidon in which several people were wounded, while the third happened on a road leading to Lebanon's Chouf region killing three, the state-run National News Agency said. An Associated Press journalist at the scene saw a dead body on the highway in the town of Saadiyat. The Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike on the southern village of Saksakiyeh killed at least seven, including a child, and wounded 15. The ministry said this was an initial count. The agency reported strikes in southern Lebanon, including one on the village of Bourj Rahhal that killed three and another in Maifadoun that killed one. The Health Ministry, meanwhile, said three Israeli drone strikes killed a Syrian man who was riding a motorcycle with his 12-year-old daughter in the city of Nabatiyeh. The ministry said that after the initial strike, the man and his daughter managed to move away from the site only to be attacked again by the drone instantly killing the man. The girl then moved about 100 metres away and was hit again by the drone after she had been already wounded. The girl later died in a hospital, NNA said. The Ministry of Public Health denounces this barbaric targeting and the deliberate violence against civilians and children in Lebanon, the ministry said in its statement, adding that the strike marks an ongoing series of grave violations of International Humanitarian Law. The Israeli military said Hezbollah fired explosive drones into Israel near the border with Lebanon adding that three soldiers were wounded, one of them seriously, in one of the attacks. It added that Hezbollah fired drones inside Lebanon as well in which one hit an Israeli vehicle without inflicting casualties. Hezbollah claimed several attacks inside Lebanon as well as firing a drone at an Israeli military post in the northern town of Misgav Am. The latest war between Israel and Hezbollah began on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel, two days after the United States and Israel launched a war on Hezbollah's main backer, Iran. Israel has since carried out hundreds of airstrikes and launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, capturing dozens of towns and villages along the border. Later, Lebanon and Israel held their first direct talks in more than three decades. The two countries have formally been in a state of war since the founding of the state of Israel in 1948. A new round of talks is scheduled to take place in Washington over two days starting Thursday. A 10-day ceasefire declared in Washington went into effect on April 17. The ceasefire was later extended by three weeks. In the Syrian capital of Damascus, Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam held talks Saturday with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in which they discussed strengthening relations between the two neighbours and boosting security cooperation amid regional wars. Speaking to reporters before heading back home, Salam said that Lebanon will not be used again to harm our Arab brothers, on top of them Syria. Salam was indirectly referring to Hezbollah's involvement in Syria's civil that broke out in 2011 by backing the five-decade Assad family rule that ended in December 2024.

CM Omar Abdullah tees off India Golf Carnival 2026 at RSGC

Srinagar, May 10: Chief Minister Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah on Sunday inaugurated the India Golf Carnival 2026 at the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC) in Srinagar, with more than 100 golfers participating in the event, including over 30 players from Jammu & Kashmir. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said Kashmir has long shared a deep association with golf and possesses some of the finest golf courses in the country, including Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam. We are trying to encourage local golfers and use these courses for tourism promotion as well, he said, adding that the tournament was aimed at improving the sport and inspiring a new generation of young golfers in Jammu & Kashmir. Highlighting the growing interest in golf tourism in Kashmir, Omar Abdullah said many golfers from outside the Valley have started visiting Srinagar for long weekends, particularly during holidays in North India, solely to play golf. There is hope that it will definitely benefit tourism, he said. The Chief Minister also that a group of young golfers is also expected to visit Pahalgam in the coming weeks, while the Gulmarg golf course is expected to become fully operational by July after fresh equipment and facilities are put in place. On efforts to place Kashmir on the global golfing map, Omar Abdullah said the government, in collaboration with tourism stakeholders and organisers, is planning similar events for Gulmarg and Pahalgam as well. The idea is that whenever people think about golf tourism, the first thought that should come to their minds is and its three major golf courses, he said. He added that the government would continue to invest in promotion, maintenance and infrastructure to strengthen golf tourism in the region. Responding to a question on the impact of such events on the hospitality sector and employment generation, the Chief Minister said the administration intends to host more such tournaments in the future. Our aim is to see both local golfers and golfers from outside Kashmir play here together. We want to see more and more golfers coming to Kashmir, he added. Director Tourism Kashmir Syed Qamar Sajad said the India Golf Carnival 2026 was being organised as an ice-breaking event for the promotion of golf tourism in Jammu & Kashmir in collaboration with partner organisations, including CII and other agencies. We have around 80 participants from outside from the UT and the rest are from J&K. In total, around 110 golfers are participating in the event. We expect that it will significantly boost golf tourism in the Valley, he said.

KMCH Sempora inaugurates state-of-the-art medical technologies in dermatology, ophthalmology

Kashmir Medical College and Hospital (KMCH), Sempora on Saturday inaugurated state-of-the-art medical technologies in the Departments of Dermatology and Ophthalmology, a step towards strengthening advanced and affordable healthcare in the region. The Department of Dermatology introduced several advanced technologies, including Quadruple Diode Laser for laser hair reduction, Q-Switch ND Laser, Ablative & Fractional CO2 Laser, Dermapen 4 (Microneedling Technology), dermatosurgery facilities, and a Narrow Band UV Chamber. These latest additions are aimed at enhancing treatment options for various skin, cosmetic and dermatological conditions, said a press release. Similarly, the Department of Ophthalmology also launched state-of-the-art facilities and services, including advanced diagnostic systems, Phacoemulsification with Premium IOLs, Retina & Vitreous Care, Squint & Paediatric Eye Care, and Dry Eye & Ocular Surface Management, significantly boosting specialised eye care services at the institution. The special ceremony was presided over by Executive Director KMCH, Insha Qazi, in presence of Principal/Dean KMCH, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Khan; Head Department of Dermatology and Medical Superintendent, Prof. Dr. Syed Mubasir; Head Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Sheikh Sajad; besides Heads of Departments, senior faculty members, specialists, doctors and staff members of the institution. Speaking on the occasion, Executive Director KMCH, Insha Qazi, congratulated both the departments for introducing the latest technologies and said these facilities would greatly benefit patients across Jammu and Kashmir. She said Dermatology and Ophthalmology are vital departments and KMCH is committed to providing world-class healthcare facilities with the support of highly qualified faculty members. This is a moment of pride for KMCH. We have introduced advanced machinery and equipment that are available in premier institutes like AIIMS New Delhi and top corporate hospitals of the country. Patients often have to wait for long dates. With these facilities, quality healthcare will now be available locally, she said. The Executive Director further said that KMCH is going to establish a 1000-bedded hospital and a medical college to further strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the region. We are conducting surgeries at rates comparable to government hospitals so that people from all sections of society can benefit from quality treatment at affordable costs, she added. Insha Qazi also announced that KMCH will organise a massive health camp on May 18 at Sempora and appealed to the general public to take maximum benefit from the initiative. The health camp will provide free consultations, free medicines and free surgeries for patients. Principal/Dean KMCH, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Khan, said the introduction of new technology reflects the institutions commitment towards excellence in patient care and modern healthcare delivery. He said the newly introduced technologies would enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment facilities, enabling patients to access advanced medical care locally. Head Department of Dermatology/Medical Superintendent, Prof. Dr. Syed Mubasir, said the newly installed machines are designed to address pigmentation, laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation and several other dermatological concerns. These advanced technologies will help us provide better patient care, precision-based treatment and improved cosmetic and dermatological procedures. Our core mission is to deliver quality treatment at affordable prices, he said. Head Department of Ophthalmology, Prof Dr Sheikh Sajad, said the department has already started OPD services and the introduction of high-end machinery marks a significant achievement for the institution. We have brought state-of-the-art equipment and we have the best doctors so that patients can avail the best possible eye care facilities and treatment at KMCH at nominal rates. We are planning to soon start vitreoretinal surgeries and other advanced ophthalmic procedures as well, he said.

Specially-abled persons demand implementing Disability Act 2016, stage protest in Baramulla

Scores of Members of the J&K Ittehad Handicapped Welfare Association on Friday staged a protest at Kriyapa Park in north Kashmirs Baramulla district, demanding effective implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 in Jammu and Kashmir. The protesting members said that if a government cannot provide the rights to disabled persons under their own disability act 2016, by delaying its implementation then they don't have the right to claim to represent the aspirations of people. Raising slogans against what they termed as official apathy towards persons with disabilities, the protesters said that despite the enactment of the Disability Act nearly a decade ago, many of its provisions remain confined to papers, leaving thousands of specially-abled persons struggling for basic rights and dignity. The association members said persons with disabilities continue to face immense hardships due to inadequate implementation of welfare measures envisaged under the Act.

Manipal Hospitals Gurugram launches advanced urology, renal transplant OPD in Srinagar

Gurugram-based Manipal Hospitals has launched a specialised Urology and Renal Transplant OPD in Srinagar to enhance access to advanced urological care in the region. The OPD will offer expert consultation for kidney disorders, prostate conditions, renal cancers, and transplant-related concerns. Renowned expert Dr. Arif Akhtar, Principal Consultant Urology, Uro-Oncology, Robotics & Renal Transplant, Manipal Hospitals, Gurugram, will be present to guide patients on advanced treatment options available, said a press release from the healthcare provider. Urological disorders are emerging as a major health concern across the country, with kidney stones and urological cancers witnessing a steady rise due to poor hydration, unhealthy dietary habits, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles. According to the studies under the National Library of Medicine, nearly 1215% of the Indian population is affected by kidney stone disease, with North India considered part of the countrys stone belt due to the high prevalence of cases. Therefore, it is important for people not to ignore symptoms such as persistent back pain, blood in urine, or difficulty while urinating to prevent further complications. Speaking on the launch, Dr. Arif Akhtar, Principal Consultant Urology, Uro-Oncology, Robotics & Renal Transplant, Manipal Hospital, Gurugram, said, Urological disorders are increasingly being observed among younger individuals today. In Kashmir, many patients continue to face challenges in accessing specialised urology and uro-oncology care, often resulting in delayed diagnosis and complications. Raising awareness about early symptoms, regular health check-ups, and timely medical intervention can play an important role. Moreover, advancements in treatment, including minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries, are enabling more precise treatment and improved outcomes for patients.

CUKs Department of English celebrates Tagore Day

Department of English, Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) celebrated Tagore Day at the picturesque Sonamarg on Saturday, paying glowing tributes to Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, through poetry recitations, and scholarly reflections on his timeless literary and humanistic legacy. The programme commenced with the message of Dean School of Languages, Prof Sandhya Tiwari, which was read out by Programme Coordinator, Sunil Kumar Mannil. In her message, Prof. Tiwari described Tagore as a philosopher, novelist, playwright, composer, painter, educator and above all, a humanist whose ideas continue to inspire the world even today and influence our discourses of human rights and philosophy. She highlighted Tagores vision of education that transcended the confines of classrooms and connected learners with nature, creativity and humanity. Referring to the establishment of Visva-Bharati at Santiniketan, she said Tagore envisioned an educational system rooted in holistic learning and cultural exchange. The celebration witnessed enthusiastic participation of faculty members, students and research scholars, reflecting the departments commitment towards promoting literary and cultural awareness among students. Students spoke about Tagores universal outlook, commitment to human values and his enduring relevance in contemporary society and presented recitations of Tagores poems and excerpts from his celebrated works in multiple languages. Sr Asst Prof. Dr. Ihsan ur Rahim Malik, deliberated upon the global significance of Tagores literary legacy and his enduring influence on world literature.

Govt committed to develop unexplored, emerging tourist destinations: Sakeena Itoo

In a significant step towards promoting tourism and strengthening public infrastructure in the scenic area of Panchanpatri (Hompathri) of Kulgam district, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo inaugurated several tourism-related facilities in the area to enhance visitors experience. The Minister, on the occasion, inaugurated a newly constructed passenger shed at Panchanpatri tourist resort developed by the Rural Development Department (RDD) for the convenience of visitors and tourists. She also dedicated a newly established viewpoint at Panchanpatri (Humpathri) to the public, aimed at enhancing the overall tourism experience and showcasing the natural beauty of the area, said an official press release. ACD Kulgam, Chief Education Officer, Chief Medical Officer, other senior officers of district administration and large number of locals were also present on the occasion. Addressing a large gathering, the Minister said that the Government is committed towards developing unexplored and emerging tourist destinations across Jammu and Kashmir and ensuring that modern facilities are created for both tourists and local residents. She added that Panchanpatri (Humpathri) and adjoining areas possess tremendous tourism potential due to their scenic landscapes, serene environment and rich natural heritage and our Government is determined to tap this potential to create livelihood opportunities for local communities. Omar Abdullah-led Government is working with a focused vision to transform tourism into a major driver of economic growth and employment generation in Jammu and Kashmir. The development of basic infrastructure and public amenities at tourist destinations is essential for attracting more visitors and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities, Sakeena Itoo stated. She further said that the Government is making concerted efforts to improve road connectivity, tourism infrastructure and civic amenities in remote and rural areas so that these regions are brought onto the tourism map of Jammu and Kashmir. Minister assured people that all genuine issues would be examined on priority and necessary measures would be taken for their early redressal. She reiterated that the Government remains committed towards equitable and holistic development of all regions of Jammu and Kashmir with special emphasis on strengthening rural infrastructure, improving public services and creating employment avenues for youth. The minister also visited Khuribatpora area of the district and met the families affected by recent fire incident. She expressed deep solidarity with them during this difficult time. She assured the victims that the Government stands firmly with them and all possible assistance and support would be extended to help them recover from the losses suffered in the incident.

Murder with rodenticide-tea poisoning: HC denies bail to duo accused of conspiracy

The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has declined to grant bail to two persons accused facing trial in a case involving the murder of a person allegedly due to poisoning in 2020 in Uri, Baramulla. A bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar rejected the bail application of Basharat Ahmad Abbasi and another accused, who are facing trial under sections 302 (murder) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC before the court of Additional Sessions Judge, Baramulla. Abbasi and another accused are allegedly involved in the conspiracy for alluring a man to the residence of a woman he wanted to marry, where he was poisoned to death by the womans brother and sister, according to prosecution. The prosecution story begins with the inquest proceedings following the information the Police Station Bijhama received on January 24, 2020 that an unidentified person was lying unconscious on the roadside near Bela Reshiwari bridge in north Kashmirs Uri. Meanwhile some passersby had shifted the body to Sub-District Hospital Uri, where doctors declared him brought dead. Police took the body in custody, initiated inquest proceedings and later identified the deceased as Muhammad Syed Abbasi. After the postmortem examination, the body was handed over to the family for burial. With postmortem and subsequent investigation revealing that the deceased had died due to poisoning, an FIR (02/2020) under sections 302(murder) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC was registered at Police Station Bijhama. The investigation revealed that the deceased had been in a relationship for nearly five years with a woman and both intended to marry. However, the womans family members opposed their proposed marriage. The womans sister and brother allegedly conspired with the accused Abassi and another accused man to eliminate the deceased. The accused Abbasi and the other man allegedly lured the victim to the house of the brother and sister of the woman with whom he wanted to marry. He was allegedly brought there on the assurance that his marriage would be arranged there. He was served with Lipton tea mixed with rodent killer poison. After consuming the tea, the deceased left the house and was later found unconscious near the bridge at Reshiwari, where he succumbed to poisoning eventually. The accused Abbasi and another had based their bail plea on the contention that they are in jail for last five years, the prosecution case rests solely on circumstantial evidence and that the death of the victim was a result of suicide and not homicide. Moreover, they contended that forensic evidence weakened the prosecution case because the poison recovered from the kitchen of the accused differed from the poison detected in the viscera of the deceased. The court observed as misconceived the contention of counsel for Abbasi and the other accused that there is no material on record of the trial court that would connect the petitioners with the alleged crime. The statements of prosecution witnesses, particularly the statements of prosecution witnesses Altaf Hussain and Muhammad Rafiq, reveal that they have, prima facie, supported the prosecution version, the court noted. The deceased immediately before his death contacted PW Altaf Hussain on his cell phone and asked him to record the conversation. During the conversation, the deceased clearly told him that he had been tricked by the petitioners whereafter he was poisoned. PW-21 Mohammad Rafiq has confirmed the same in his statement. The investigating agency has collected the call data record and has also seized the cell phone of PW Altaf Hussain, in which the conversation was recorded. The said cell phone has been sent to CFSL and as per the report submitted by CFSL, there is no editing in the conversation In response to the submission that in keeping with the forensic evidence the recovery from the kitchen of the accused was Zinc Phosphide whereas the poison detected in the viscera of the deceased was found to be organophosphorus insecticide, the court said: As to whether the poison detected in the viscera of the deceased was the same kind of poison which was recovered by the police from the kitchen of the two accused may not be of much relevance at this stage for the purposes of considering the prayer of the petitioners for grant of bail.

Students opting for legacy colleges defeats goal of taking education to doorsteps: Director Colleges

Director Colleges Jammu and Kashmir, Prof Sheikh Aijaz Bashir, on Saturday said the continued preference of students for legacy colleges over nearby institutions defeats the governments objective of taking higher education to the doorsteps of students across Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Prof Bashir said the Higher Education Department (HED) has formally commenced the admission process for the 202627 academic session under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) in Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) across the Union Territory. The online registration process has started today for admissions to 142 degree colleges, including newly established institutions across Jammu and Kashmir, he said. The Director Colleges said admissions this year would be conducted purely on the basis of merit determined by Class 12 marks, as the department has done away with the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate admissions. As already reported by this newspaper, the Higher Education Department decided to discontinue CUET for admissions in colleges following the restoration of the November academic session by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education and the early declaration of board examination results in January. Earlier, admissions in 39 colleges were conducted through CUET scores, but this year admissions to all 142 colleges will be merit-based, Prof Bashir said. He said the admission portal went live on May 9 and will remain open till May 27. Students can fill in their programme preferences online with a nominal registration fee of Rs 200. They do not need to visit DTP centres as facilitation centres have been established in colleges to provide hand-holding support throughout the process, he said. According to the Director of Colleges, the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide, particularly for students from remote and underserved areas. Students from far-flung areas who earlier depended on DTP shops for online registration can now complete the process directly at facilitation centres established within nearby colleges, he added. Prof Bashir said the first merit list would be released on May 30, followed by the second list around June 9, while the spot admission round is scheduled for June 18. He further said academic sessions in winter-zone colleges would commence from June 15, while classes in summer-zone colleges would begin from July 15. Highlighting the features of the FYUGP framework aligned with the National Education Policy, the Director Colleges said the programme offers flexibility and multiple exit options to students. Students may exit after the first year with a certificate, after the second year with a diploma, after the third year with an undergraduate degree, or complete the fourth year with an honours or honours with research degree, he said. He added that students completing the four-year honours with research programme would also become eligible for direct PhD admissions besides pursuing postgraduate studies. However, the Director Colleges expressed concern over students bypassing nearby colleges in favour of traditional legacy institutions, despite the government investing heavily in new colleges and infrastructure. Students opting for legacy colleges defeats the purpose of taking education to their doorsteps. Nearby colleges are equipped with modern infrastructure, qualified faculty and almost all major programmes, he said. He appealed to parents and students to prioritise accessibility and local infrastructure rather than relying solely on conventional preferences. If a student from a far-off area chooses a distant college unnecessarily, it defeats our goal of delivering education locally, he said. Prof Bashir also said a grievance redressal mechanism has been integrated into the online admission portal to address issues such as payment failures and programme selection concerns. Every seat in every programme will be allocated strictly on merit and with complete transparency. There is no scope for favouritism or intervention, he said. He advised students to carefully review programme availability and intake capacities before finalising their choices on the admission portal.

Dreaming beyond boundaries: Kupwara girl clears NDA written exam

In the remote village of Lone Harie in the Kralpora area of north Kashmirs Kupwara district, a young girls dream of touching the skies is steadily turning into reality. Mir Sehrish, who has cleared the written examination of the National Defence Academy (NDA), is now preparing for the crucial Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, carrying with her the hopes of her family and the inspiration for many young girls across Kashmir. For Sehrish, the dream was never limited to conventional career choices. Since childhood, she had imagined herself in the skies, driven by a fascination with space and aviation. Since my childhood, I wanted to become an astronaut, Sehrish says with quiet confidence. After passing Class 10 with an impressive 98.2 percent from Syed Hyder Public School in 2023, she consciously chose the non-medical stream a decision she says shaped her path toward the NDA. At Sir Syed Memorial Higher Secondary School, she pursued Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, while also opting for Biotechnology as an additional subject. Her academic performance remained consistently exceptional, scoring 97.2 percent in Class 11 and 97.3 percent in Class 12. Unlike many students in the Valley who prepare for NEET or engineering entrance examinations under family pressure, Sehrish says she remained firm about her own ambitions. I never thought of going for NEET. I must thank my parents, especially my father, who respected my decision. Nowadays, many parents impose their choices on children, and ultimately they end up doing nothing, she says. Her journey, however, was not without challenges. Kashmir lacks dedicated coaching facilities for NDA aspirants, forcing many students either to move outside the Valley or abandon the idea altogether. Sehrish chose another route online preparation. Since there is no coaching available for NDA in Kashmir, I joined the JEE batch of [Physics Wallah] for two years, where I received a scholarship covering 75 per cent of the fee, she says. Behind her determination stood unwavering support from her family, particularly her father, Wali Mohammad, a computer science engineer based in Bengaluru. She chose her own path and I supported her throughout. I pray for her success, he says. Now, with the written examination behind her, Sehrish has set her sights firmly on the Indian Air Force, which remains her first preference, followed by the Navy and the Army. For the young girl from a far-off village in Kupwara, clearing the NDA written examination is more than a personal milestone. In a region where opportunities and exposure often remain limited, her achievement reflects a changing aspiration among Kashmiri girls one where dreams are no longer confined by geography, convention or expectations.

Political heat rises in J&K as NC, BJP trade barbs over infighting, governance

The political confrontation between the ruling National Conference (NC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensified sharply on Saturday after Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma claimed that the National Conference government was on a ventilator, prompting a fierce counterattack from Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary. The latest exchange comes amid growing political chatter over alleged infighting within the ruling National Conference, reports of dissatisfaction among legislators and continuing suspense over cabinet expansion in the Omar Abdullah-led government. Addressing reporters, Sunil Sharma alleged that the NC was battling an internal disease and warned that any cabinet expansion would trigger a vertical split within the party. The National Conference is on a ventilator because of an internal disease. If there is any expansion, the party will split vertically, Sharma said. The senior BJP leader linked the recent protests and demonstrations at the NC headquarters, Nawai-e-Subah, to what he described as deepening unrest within the ruling party. Whatever happened at the NC headquarters is because of those who have been given the duty to speak against us. That is the reason for that disease, he said. Sharmas remarks came a day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asserted that cabinet expansion had been delayed due to the absence of statehood Political circles in Srinagar have witnessed intense speculation in recent weeks over differences within the NC, particularly concerning cabinet berths, power-sharing and organisational management. The ruling party had also convened a meeting of its MLAs recently amid reports of growing unease among certain legislators. Hitting back strongly, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary mocked Sharmas remarks and accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise an elected government after having failed Jammu and Kashmir during its tenure in power. I will laugh. Sometimes he (LoP) makes a good joke. He has come from far away. He has come from the journey of Assam. Maybe he could not sleep, Choudhary said in a sarcastic swipe at the BJP leader. The deputy chief minister said the BJP was ignoring core governance issues while focusing only on toppling the NC government. For 11-12 years, Mr Sunil Sharma, your government and the PDP-BJP government gave unemployment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. You do not talk about those unemployed people, he said. Choudhary accused the previous BJP-backed administration of leaving behind a governance crisis, citing unemployment, shortage of staff in hospitals and failures in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission. The Jal Jeevan Mission happened during your time, but people are still not getting water. Hospitals suffered during your tenure. We are trying to cure them. There is a shortage of staff, he said. He further alleged that recruitment processes had stalled during the BJPs tenure, particularly in the education sector. Today, you have frozen the posts of teachers. New teachers cannot get jobs. Mr Sunil Sharma does not talk about this, he added. In a politically charged response, Choudhary said the NC-led government had come to power through a democratic mandate and could not be destabilised through political manoeuvring. It is sad when he has only one goal that the government has to be overthrown. People have chosen us. We are not nominated, we are not selected, we are elected according to the democracy of India and the Constitution of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, he said. The deputy chief minister also rejected insinuations that NC legislators could be divided or influenced. As far as National Conference MLAs are concerned, this is the party of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. These people are associated with principles and vision. They are not so cheap that you can buy them, Choudhary said. In a direct rebuttal to Sharmas ventilator remark, Choudhary questioned the BJPs own political standing in Jammu and Kashmir. If our government is on a ventilator, then which ventilator were you on? Please answer the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said. The sharp war of words reflects the deepening confrontation between the NC and BJP at a time when political temperatures in Jammu and Kashmir remain high over governance issues, cabinet expansion and the continuing debate around restoration of statehood.

Vijay appointed CM after VCK, IUML support; to take oath today

TVK founder-chief Chandrasekar Joseph Vijay was appointed as Chief Minister on Saturday by the Governor and will be sworn in on May 10, after his party clinched key support to cross the magic 118 majority mark in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, ending days of uncertainty over government formation in the southern state. A top-rated actor-politician, the 51-year-old Vijay will be sworn in as the CM at the sprawling Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here at 10 AM on Sunday, the Lok Bhavan said. Capping days of hectic parleying to shore up numbers to usher in the first non-DMK, non-AIADMK government in nearly 70 years, Vijay finally managed to secure the support of four MLAs of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Saturday. Later, he headed to the Lok Bhavan for his fourth meeting with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in as many days to discuss government formation, before the latter appointed Vijay as CM and invited him to form ministry. TVK workers burst firecrackers and distributed sweets and gathered in large numbers in party office to celebrate. The VCK and IUML extended unconditional support, to Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. DMK's allies including the VCK have made it clear that they continue to be part of the Dravidian party led alliance. Quickly after the VCK and IUML gave to TVK, letters of support addressed to the governor, Vijay went to the Lok Bhavan along with leaders from ally Congress, and supporting parties including the Left and VCK handed over the letters to Arlekar. Parties including VCK will not be part of the government and they offer outside support. After deliberations, Arlekar presented to Vijay a letter appointing him as the chief minister and asked him to form the government, a Lok Bhavan press release said. Vijay called on the Governor at Lok Bhavan and submitted a letter informing about his election as the leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Legislature party. He has also submitted letters received from the Congress, CPI, CPI-M, VCK and IUML extending their support to form the government under his leadership. The governor accepting Vijay's claim to form government, appointed him as the CM as per the Constitutional norms and asked him to form the ministry. He also asked the TVK chief to face the vote of confidence on or before May 13. The suspense over government formation ended when the Thol.Thirumavalavan-led VCK, which has two seats, finally extended support after keeping the TVK on tenterhooks and the political circles abuzz over its stand over the last two days. VCK, a long time ally of the Left parties who had extended their support to Vijay on Friday, had earlier announced its decision would be in sync with their stand. Shortly after VCK's decision to back Vijay, another DMK ally, the IUML also extended support to TVK. IUML has two MLAs. While it was expected that the VCK would announce its stand on Saturday morning, the party revealed its decision later in the day.

KTA pushes for repair of damaged city roads

Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) on Friday called on Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, to discuss various issues confronting the trading community in Srinagar. The KTA delegation, led by its President Aijaz Shahdhar, at the outset expressed gratitude to the Divisional Commissioner for issuing directions for reopening the Old Habba Kadal bridge for vehicular movement following repeated demands raised by the KTA. Speaking on the occasion, Aijaz Shahdhar said that business activity in the Old Habba Kadal area had suffered badly due to the closure of the bridge to traffic. The directions issued by the Divisional Commissioner have paved the way for reopening the bridge for motorable traffic, which will significantly improve accessibility and increase customer footfall in the market, he said. The delegation also raised concerns regarding the installation of road dividers from Natipora to Rambagh, stating that the dividers have caused considerable inconvenience to traders as well as customers, adversely impacting business activity in the area. The KTA urged the Divisional Commissioner to issue necessary directions for the removal or rationalisation of the road dividers to ensure smooth accessibility and facilitate ease of doing business. During the meeting, the KTA President also urged the Divisional Commissioner to address the concerns of transporters, who have threatened to go on strike from May 12. KTA pleaded that thousands of individuals are earning their livelihood from the transport sector as drivers, cleaners, etc , their strike will hit their livelihood. It is requested that their greviances may be heard and redressed. The delegation further demanded the repair and restoration of works executed under the Smart City Project at various locations across Srinagar, alleging that damaged roads and incomplete works were causing inconvenience to traders, commuters and residents.

Tissot, Rado showroom opens at The Edition Mall Srinagar

A new showroom of premium watch brands Tissot and Rado was inaugurated at The Edition Mall in Sanat Nagar, Srinagar, marking another addition to Kashmirs growing organised retail sector. The inauguration was attended by Advocate Mohammad Hanief Bhat, who has been associated with legal and corporate facilitation for several national and international brands expanding into the Valley. Over the years, Bhat has handled legal documentation, due diligence and compliance matters for brands and businesses across the retail, banking, hospitality and healthcare sectors. He has also been professionally associated with HDFC Bank for over a decade and has handled matters linked to IndusInd Bank. The opening of premium global brands in Srinagar is being viewed by business circles as a reflection of increasing corporate interest and the gradual expansion of organised retail and investment activity in Kashmir.

D2CIA backs J&K Govts push for business reforms

The D2CIA has welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir governments initiative to engage with industry stakeholders on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), industrial reforms and investment promotion in the Union Territory. In a statement, the association appreciated the governments consultative approach in bringing together trade bodies and industry representatives to deliberate on policy measures aimed at accelerating economic growth and industrial development in J&K. D2CIA said the discussions reflected the administrations intent to strengthen the business ecosystem and introduce a more investor-friendly industrial policy framework in the Union Territory. The association particularly welcomed the focus on improving Ease of Doing Business mechanisms and streamlining industrial policies to attract investment and support entrepreneurship. Highlighting key concerns from the industry perspective, Vice President D2CIA Kashmir, Haya Qazi, called for relaxation in annual No Objection Certificate (NOC) requirements for women-owned and women-run educational institutions. She also stressed the need for strengthening digital infrastructure, stating that government portals remain non-functional for extended periods, causing delays and inconvenience to businesses and institutions. D2CIA further urged the government to ensure the timely disbursement of credit facilities and incentives to industries in order to reduce operational costs and ease financial pressure on businesses. The association also flagged delays in obtaining mandatory clearances, particularly pollution-related NOCs, and called for a fixed timeline for issuance of approvals. NOCs should be issued within a stipulated timeframe, as even simple clearances such as pollution NOCs currently take several months, the association said.

Fairdeal Motors holds Sierra rally in Srinagar

Fairdeal Motors organised a Sierra Rally across Srinagar city, bringing together Tata Sierra customers for a community driving experience aimed at celebrating the growing Tata Motors customer base in Kashmir. A statement said that the rally commenced from Fairdeal Motors Parimpora showroom and covered around 30 kilometres through major routes in Srinagar, drawing public attention during the event. Customers who recently purchased the all-new Tata Sierra participated in the rally and shared feedback on the vehicles performance, comfort, technology and road presence. Officials of Fairdeal Motors said the initiative was aimed at strengthening customer engagement and building a stronger community connect with Tata vehicle owners in the Valley. The company said the new Tata Sierra has been receiving a positive response from customers for its design, spacious interiors, panoramic sunroof, infotainment features, connected car technology and safety specifications. Fairdeal Motors also highlighted Tata Motors recently launched Nexon Upgrade Scheme for existing Nexon customers, offering exchange benefits, finance options and EMI plans for customers looking to upgrade to newer Tata vehicles. The dealership reiterated its commitment to enhancing customer experience and expanding mobility solutions in Jammu and Kashmir.

Jan Suraksha schemes cross major milestone

The Centres flagship social security initiatives Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) have completed 11 years, collectively recording more than 94 crore enrolments across the country and emerging as one of Indias largest financial inclusion and social protection programmes. Launched on May 9, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the three Jan Suraksha schemes were designed to extend low-cost insurance and pension coverage to economically weaker and under served sections of society, particularly workers in the unorganised sector. According to official data released by the Union Finance Ministry, cumulative enrolments under PMJJBY have crossed 27.43 crore, while PMSBY has recorded over 58.09 crore enrolments. The Atal Pension Yojana has enrolled more than 9.04 crore subscribers till April 30, 2026. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the schemes were launched with the objective of providing affordable insurance and pension protection to millions of Indians who remained outside formal financial safety nets. The Prime Minister launched the Jan Suraksha schemes comprising PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY to provide low-cost insurance and pension benefits, Sitharaman said while reviewing the schemes 11-year performance. The Finance Minister said PMJJBY alone has settled claims worth over Rs 21,500 crore benefiting more than 10.7 lakh families, while PMSBY has settled accident insurance claims worth nearly Rs 3,660 crore for over 1.84 lakh families. Financial sector experts say the schemes have significantly widened the countrys social security architecture by offering insurance and pension products at extremely low premiums, making them accessible even to low-income households. Under PMJJBY, subscribers receive life insurance coverage of Rs 2 lakh for death due to any cause at an annual premium of Rs 436. The scheme is available to bank and post office account holders in the 18-50 age group and operates through an auto-debit mechanism. Official figures show that PMJJBY has recorded 12.72 crore female enrolments and over 8 crore enrolments from Jan Dhan account holders, reflecting its penetration among financially vulnerable households. Similarly, PMSBY provides accidental death and disability insurance cover of up to Rs 2 lakh at an annual premium of just Rs 20. The scheme is open to individuals aged between 18 and 70 years. As of April 29, 2026, PMSBY had paid claims worth Rs 3,667.52 crore for 1,84,662 claims. The scheme has also witnessed substantial participation from women and Jan Dhan beneficiaries, with female enrolments touching 27.45 crore. The Atal Pension Yojana, meanwhile, was introduced to create a pension safety net for workers in the unorganised sector who often lack retirement security. The scheme guarantees a monthly pension ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 after the age of 60, depending on the subscribers contribution. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority-administered scheme is open to bank account holders aged between 18 and 40 years who are not income tax payers. Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said digitisation and simplification of enrolment and claims settlement processes have played a key role in expanding the reach of these schemes. The launch of the online Jan Suraksha Portal has enabled citizens to enrol conveniently without visiting bank branches or post offices. Digitisation of claims has ensured faster settlements and timely support to families, he said. Banking sector analysts believe the success of the schemes also reflects the rapid expansion of financial inclusion infrastructure in the country over the past decade, particularly through Jan Dhan accounts, direct benefit transfer systems and digital banking penetration. With more than 94 crore cumulative enrolments and claims settlements exceeding Rs 25,000 crore, the Jan Suraksha ecosystem is increasingly being seen as a major pillar of Indias social protection framework for low-income and vulnerable populations.

Gautam Gambhir pays obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishnoo Devi

Jammu, May 9:Head coach of the Indian cricket team, Gautam Gambhir, on Saturday paid obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishnoo Devi in Reasi's Katra. Gautam, along with his family, arrived in the holy town of Katra, from where he was escorted to the shrine cave for paying obeisance and offering prayers. I am quite fortunate to get an opportunity to visit the holy cave and paying obeisance, said Gautam Gambhir in his brief media interaction at Katra.

4 accused, 2 juveniles arrested from Haryana in inter-state operation

Jammu, May 9:In a significant breakthrough in an armed assault case in a Katra hotel, the Police in Reasi district, while conducting an inter-state operation, apprehended six accused, including two juveniles, from Haryana. A team of Police Station Katra arrested 4 accused persons besides it also apprehended 2 Children in Conflict with Law (CICL) from the state of Haryana, in an inter-state operation conducted under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi Mukund Tibrewal, thus achieving a breakthrough by successfully cracking a recent armed assault case reported at RK Palace Hotel, JIJ Chowk, Katra, Police said. According to Police on May 2, 2026, a group of persons armed with sharp-edged weapons forcibly entered RK Palace Hotel and criminally assaulted one Jaswinder Singh alias Sundri, who sustained serious injuries during the attack. The injured was immediately shifted to Community Health Centre (CHC) Katra for medical treatment. In this regard, a case vide FIR No 137/2026 U/S 109, 191(2), 191(3) BNS r/w 4/25 Arms Act was registered at Police Station Katra and investigation was taken up on priority. Police said that following the commission of the offence, the accused persons fled to the state of Haryana in an attempt to evade arrest. Acting swiftly under the close supervision of senior officers, a dedicated team of Police Station Katra launched sustained efforts using Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and technical surveillance, which ultimately led to tracing and apprehension of the accused persons from Haryana. The weapons of offence used in the crime have also been recovered, Police informed. The arrested accused have been identified as Akshay, 21, son of Dildar; Sahil, 21, son of Kewal; Suraj, 26, son of Indru and Rahul, 23, son of Ratan Lal, all residents of Serwad Katra. Additionally, 2 CICL (juveniles) involved in the case have also been apprehended. Their identities are being withheld in compliance with the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act. Further investigation into the case is in progress. The entire operation was carried out by SHO Katra Ranjeet Singh Rao under the supervision of senior officers, Police said, reiterating firm commitment towards maintaining peace, public order and ensuring the safety and security of citizens and pilgrims in the holy town of Katra.

Foundation World School holds Cross Country Run at Kashmir University

Srinagar, May 9:Foundation World School, Illahi Bagh, organised a cross-country run for students from UKG to Grade 3 on Saturday at the University of Kashmir campus. The event, as per a statement, was designed to encourage physical fitness, endurance, discipline, and sportsmanship among young learners, while reinforcing the schools commitment to holistic education and the overall development of every child. The Cross-Country Run witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, who demonstrated exceptional energy, determination, and team spirit. Their spirited involvement reflected the schools ongoing efforts to instill healthy habits and a positive attitude toward physical activity from an early age. The event was graced by several eminent dignitaries from the University of Kashmir and local administration, including, Prof. Naseer Iqbal, Registrar, University of Kashmir, Prof. Pervez Ahmad, Dean, Students Welfare, University of Kashmir, Dr. Shahid Ali Khan, Cultural Officer, University of Kashmir and Ashiq Hussain, SDPO, Zakura. Their presence added prestige to the occasion and served as a source of motivation for the participating students.

DFA Srinagar set to host Premier Division Football League finale today

Srinagar, May 9: The District Football Association Srinagar is all set to host the grand finale of the Srinagar Premier Division Football League 2025-26 on 10th May 2026 at TRC Synthetic Turf, Srinagar, with kick-off scheduled at 4:30 PM. As per a DFA statement issued on Saturday, the much-awaited title clash will feature two top sides JK Bank XI and JK Police XI in what promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams battle for the championship title in the final match of the league.

J&K Sports Council intensifies anti-drug outreach through sporting activities

Srinagar, May 9: Through a sustained, ground-level campaign reaching students, athletes, and communities across J&K, the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council has positioned organised sport as a powerful tool in combating substance abuse across the Union Territory. Over recent weeks, the Sports Council, as per an official statement, has implemented an intensive calendar of activities under the My Youth My Pride initiative and the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, ensuring participation from both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions. The outreach reflects a deliberate strategy to engage youth through structured sporting platforms while reinforcing the message of a drug-free society. Large-scale pledge ceremonies have been conducted at key sports venues, drawing enthusiastic participation from young athletes. In Jammu, thousands of students across all sports disciplines joined the drive and pledged to uphold a drug-free lifestyle. Similar initiatives were held in the Kashmir division, where sports students from Kabaddi, Wush u, and other academies pledged to remain free from drugs and alcohol. Recognising the importance of confidence and safety in youth development, the Sports Council organised a week-long self-defence workshop at Government College

When medical care feels mechanical

In our society, doctors are often regarded as saviours. For a person battling illness, even a reassuring smile or a few kind words from a doctor can ease anxiety and restore hope. While ultimate healing may lie in the hands of the Almighty, the pathway to recovery is largely shaped by the medical professional. Patients approach doctors with trust, expectation, often, desperation. No doubt our doctors work under tremendous pressure and constraints; yet, most of the sick patients and their attendants are aggrieved and depressed, and need empathy and support. However, my recent experience at a famous private hospital in Srinagar has compelled me to reflect on whether this trust is always honoured in practice. A few weeks ago, I scheduled an appointment with a well-known gastroenterologist in a private city hospital. Although I had the option of using personal connections to bypass the queue, I chose to follow the formal process. I was asked to arrive at 3:00 pm. When I reached the hospital at around 2:30 pm, I found more than 50 patients already waiting. After paying the consultation fee, I was assigned token number 55. The doctor arrived early, and consultations began promptly. However, what followed was surprising. Each patient was attended to for barely two to five minutes. The process resembled an assembly line rather than a medical consultation. Patients waited for hours, only to be rushed through a brief interaction. Like many others, I too passed the waiting time scrolling on my phone, watching the queue move slowly. This experience reminded me of a contrasting incident from 2009, when I was working in the Middle East as a senior engineer. I had booked an appointment with a doctor at a private hospital for 4:00 pm. I arrived 15 minutes early and found a very small crowd. At exactly 4:00 pm, I was escorted into the doctors chamber. The doctor greeted me warmly, listened patiently, and spent nearly 45 minutes discussing my condition. By the time I left, I felt reassured, understood, and already on the path to recoverywithout even beginning medication. Back in Srinagar, after waiting for over an hour, my turn finally came. I entered the consultation room with a greeting, expecting a meaningful interaction. Instead, the doctor asked a few direct questions, conducted a quick physical examination, and prescribed medicines along with several tests and scansall within a couple of minutes. There was little opportunity to explain my symptoms, in detail. Moreover, the presence of other patients in the room compromised privacy, making it difficult to discuss personal health concerns openly. I left without a sense of satisfaction. Despite my reservations, I followed the prescribed treatment diligently for three weeks and completed all recommended tests, which returned normal results. Unfortunately, there was no improvement in my condition. Reflections of the just two-minute interaction came to me again and again, and my heart was not convinced by the doctors attitude. When I returned for a follow-up appointment, I encountered the same overcrowded environment and long waiting time. Determined to express my concerns, I entered the consultation room hoping for a more detailed discussion. However, the rushed atmosphere persisted, and once again, I left within minutes with a new prescription but without clarity or satisfaction. Over the course of a month, I spent more than six thousand rupees on consultation fees, medicines, and diagnostic testsyet saw no meaningful progress. Eventually, I decided to seek another doctor. This experience is not unique. Many patients across the valley face similar challenges, even in private healthcare settings. Overcrowded clinics, minimal consultation time, lack of communication, and absence of privacy have become common concerns. While doctors undoubtedly face immense pressure due to high patient volumes, the essence of medical carelistening, empathy, and patient engagementmust not be compromised. Healthcare is not merely about diagnosing and prescribing; it is about understanding patient as a whole. A few extra minutes of attentive listening can make a significant differencenot only in treatment outcomes but also in the patients emotional well-being. As patients, we place immense trust in our doctors. It is only fair to expect that this trust is met with compassion, professionalism, and adequate time for meaningful interaction. Addressing these gaps is essential if we are to ensure that healthcare remains humane and patient-centred, rather than mechanical and impersonal. Dr. Saad Parvez PI and Director, Greenovator Incubation Foundation, iTBI-DST Project, NIT, Srinagar.

Era of Instant Judgment

People nowadays rarely wait anymore. Not for facts. Not for context. Not even for silence. We are living in an age where speed has defeated not only accuracy but patience as well. A video appears. A clip circulates. A sentence is cropped. A photograph is shared without time, place or background. Within minutes, opinions harden. Judgments are delivered. Careers collapse. Affinities sever. Entire communities are emotionally mobilized before the full story even arrives. The dangerous thing about hearing only one side is that it often sounds complete. A single narrative, emotionally delivered, can appear convincing enough to close all doors to doubt. Human beings are naturally drawn toward certainty. Ambiguity makes us uncomfortable. So, when one version of events reaches us first, we unconsciously begin building conclusions around it. And then something subtle happens. We stop investigating. We start defending our first impression. This is not merely a media problem. It has become a human problem. In many situations, truth does not arrive dramatically. It arrives slowly. Sometimes painfully unrushed. Facts emerge in layers. Motivations differ. Context changes interpretation. A sentence spoken before an incident may matter more than a sentence spoken after it. A camera angle may hide what happened seconds earlier. Silence from one side may not mean guilt; sometimes it means fear, legal caution, shock, or even lack of access to platforms. Yet modern communication ecosystems reward immediacy, not accuracy. Today, being first is often valued more than being right. Social media has amplified this tendency. Algorithms favor outrage because outrage keeps people engaged. Calm analysis rarely trends. Nuance is too slow for virality. A person shouting emotionally into a camera can influence millions before evidence is even examined. The crowd often mistakes repetition for truth. There is another uncomfortable reality. People often hear only what confirms their existing beliefs. Psychologists call this confirmation bias. If we already dislike someone, accusations against them feel believable. If we admire someone, evidence against them feels unacceptable. In both situations, objectivity disappears. This is why responsible listening is an ethical act. Listening does not mean agreeing. It means allowing space for complexity before passing judgment. It means understanding that every conflict contains multiple experiences, reasons and interpretations. Mature societies do not fear questions. They encourage them. Even courts of law understand this principle deeply. No judge delivers a verdict after hearing only one witness. Cross-examination exists for a reason. Democracies survive because dissent exists. Journalism exists because power must be questioned from all sides, not selectively. The tragedy of one-sided reporting is not merely misinformation. It is dehumanization. It is spread of kangaroo court. When only one side is amplified repeatedly, the other side gradually loses legitimacy, dignity, and eventually even the right to be heard. Public hostility then becomes easier. Dialogue disappears. Polarization deepens. And once people stop listening to each other, societies begin speaking only through anger. Perhaps the greatest intellectual discipline today is restraint. The ability to say: I do not yet know enough; That is one version; Let us hear the other side to; These are not signs of weakness. They are signs of wisdom. In a noisy world, patience should become revolutionary. The truth is that reality is hardly black and white. Human situations are layered. Intentions are complicated. Facts evolve. Context matters. Responsible communication, therefore, demands humilitythe humility to accept that our first understanding may be incomplete because sometimes the loudest story is not the truest one. And sometimes, the side that speaks last is the side that was never allowed to speak at all.

The Architecture of Inequity

Background: The Partition of a River System The Indus River System comprises six major riversthe Indus, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlejflowing through the territories of both India and Pakistan. The system sustains drinking water, agriculture, and electricity generation across the Indus Basin, supporting hundreds of millions of people on both sides of the border. When British India was partitioned in 1947, the Indus River System was also divided between the two successor states. The geographic reality was stark: India, as the upper riparian state, held the headwaters of most rivers, while Pakistans agricultural heartlandthe heavily irrigated Punjab plainsdepended critically on continued water flows from the east. India, for its part, required access to the system for its own development objectives in Punjab and Rajasthan, while seeking stability and normalised relations with its new western neighbour. Despite its own pressing domestic needs, India concluded this highly concessionary water-sharing pact with Pakistan on 19 September 1960, an agreement facilitated by the World Bank. Negotiations India paid the price for rationality Pakistans Strategy of Delay and the 1954 World Bank Proposal The trajectory of the negotiations was shaped, from the outset, by the asymmetry between Indias reasonable and constructive approach and Pakistans maximalist, sometimes absurd, demands an asymmetry that anchored outcomes far more favourably to Pakistan than equity would have warranted. The World Banks first substantive proposal of 5 February 1954 illustrates this plainly: even at this initial stage, it required significant one sided concessions from India: All planned Indian developments along the upper reaches of both the Indus and Chenab were to be abandoned, with those benefits accruing to Pakistan instead India was required to forgo diverting approximately 6 MAF from the Chenab River. No Chenab waters at Merala (now in Pakistan) would be available for Indian use. No water development would be permitted in Kutch from the river system. Despite these considerable impositions, India accepted the proposal in good faith almost immediately, signalling its genuine desire for a speedy resolution. Pakistan, by contrast, delayed its formal acceptance for nearly five years until 22 December 1958. As a result of this goodwill gesture of India, the restrictions were imposed on her while Pakistan continued developing new uses on the Western rivers without equivalent constraints. Pakistan absorbed the lesson that obstruction pays and cooperation costsand has applied this lesson consistently ever since. What India Lost: The Scale of Sacrifice The Water Allocation Under the Treatys allocation formula, India received exclusive rights to the three Eastern riversthe Sutlej, Beas, and Raviwhile Pakistan received rights to the waters of the three Western riversthe Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum. India was permitted certain limited, non-consumptive uses of the Western rivers within its own territory, primarily for run-of-river hydropower generation, subject to extensive design and operational restrictions. In volumetric terms, the Eastern rivers allocated to India carry approximately 33 million acre-feet (MAF) of annual flow, while the Western rivers allocated to Pakistan carry approximately 135 MAFgiving Pakistan roughly 80 percent of the systems water. India received 20 percent, in exchange for relinquishing all claim to the vastly larger Western system. The critical point is that India did not gain new water from the agreement. What India received was formal acknowledgment of flows it already accessed, in exchange for relinquishing all claim to the far larger Western system. India was permitted certain non-consumptive uses of the Western rivers within its territoryprimarily run-of-river hydropower generation. The Financial Concession: Paying to Give Away Water Perhaps the most striking anomaly of the Treaty is the financial provision. India agreed to pay approximately 62 million (approximately $2.5 billion in present value) as compensation to Pakistan to build water resources infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This payment represents a unique precedent in which the upstream country, which was already surrendering the majority of the systems water, additionally paid the downstream country for the privilege of doing so. India essentially subsidised Pakistans acceptance of a deal that heavily favoured Pakistan on the fundamental question of water allocation. The Treatys Structural Unfairness Unilateral Asymmetric Restrictions on India The Treaty imposes a series of specific design and operational restrictions on Indias use of the Western rivers that have no corresponding obligations on Pakistans side: India can develop only a limited Irrigated Cropped Area (ICA) in its territory. India faces strict limits on the volume of water that can be held in any storage facility on the Western rivers. India must comply with specific design criteria for any hydropower facilities on the Western rivers, including restrictions on pondage and storage capacity. These restrictions are one-directional: they constrain Indias lawful development of resources within its own territory while imposing no equivalent transparency or restriction requirements on Pakistan. The result is a treaty that treats the upstream stateIndiaas the party requiring oversight and restraint, while the downstream state benefits from guaranteed flows. Pradeep Kumar Saxena, former IWT commissioner.

United Stand Against Drugs

Kashmir is witnessing one of its clearest public messages against drug abuse. The launch of the 100-day campaign against illicit drugs in Jammu and Kashmir, marked by a huge gathering at the football ground in Srinagar, has generated visible awareness and renewed public concern over a crisis that has silently entered many homes. This campaign matters because drugs are no longer a distant problem. They affect families across class, region, and social background. The rich and the poor, urban households and rural communities, educated families and ordinary workers are all vulnerable to this menace. Drug abuse is not merely a law-and-order issue; it is a social crisis that threatens families, youth, and the moral health of society. Awareness programmes, rallies, and public messages are meaningful only when they are supported by firm action. A campaign against drugs cannot remain symbolic. It must be clear, consistent, and uncompromising toward drug suppliers, peddlers, and trafficking networks. Those who profit from the suffering of young people must face strict consequences. For years, many families remained silent because of fear, stigma, or social pressure. Some were afraid to speak because addiction within a family is often treated as shame rather than suffering. Others feared the influence of drug peddlers operating in their areas. This silence helped drug networks grow. The present campaign has begun to break that silence by encouraging people to speak openly, identify culprits, and support action against those involved in the drug trade. This is why the current public mood is significant. Drug peddlers and suppliers are not ordinary offenders. They are silent destroyers of families and futures. In many places, they have operated behind social protection, fear, or influence. A clear public stand against them sends an important message: society will no longer remain passive while its youth are pushed toward addiction. The governments zero-tolerance approach toward drug networks is therefore appreciable. Property seizures, cancellation of passports and licenses, and strict action against those linked to the drug trade send a strong signal that such networks cannot survive through money, influence, or silence. Every lawful step needed to dismantle the drug economy must be pursued firmly. At the same time, the campaign must maintain a careful distinction between suppliers and victims. Those who sell drugs and trap youth in addiction deserve strict punishment. But young people struggling with addiction must not be treated as criminals. They are victims who need treatment, counselling, rehabilitation, family support, and social acceptance. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha rightly emphasized, Every young person lost to addiction is a loss to our workforce and national strength. Every broken family weakens the foundation of our society. These are our children. They are victims, not criminals. They need care, support, and understanding. This statement gives the campaign its moral balance. The fight against drugs cannot be won through punishment alone. It requires a two-track approach: uncompromising enforcement against suppliers and humane rehabilitation for victims. If enforcement breaks the supply chain, rehabilitation must rebuild broken lives. The next major focus should therefore be treatment and recovery. Every sub-district hospital should gradually be equipped with basic de-addiction, counselling, referral, and follow-up facilities. Addiction recovery is not a one-day process. It requires medical care, psychological support, family counselling, community acceptance, and opportunities for affected youth to return to normal life. Families also need support. Many parents do not know how to respond when a child falls into addiction. Some hide the problem because of shame, while others react with anger or helplessness. Society must guide such families instead of judging them. Without proper rehabilitation and emotional support, many victims may fall back into the same destructive cycle. Schools, colleges, religious institutions, local committees, villages, and towns all have a role in this campaign. Teachers, parents, religious scholars, community leaders, and students must work together to spread awareness and discourage drug abuse. Mosques, educational institutions, and youth groups can become powerful platforms for building a drug-free society. The 100-day campaign is therefore more than an administrative drive. It is a call for collective social awakening. Government action is necessary, but it cannot succeed without public participation. Communities must expose suppliers, protect vulnerable youth, support affected families, and create an environment where drug peddlers find no space to operate. A campaign against drugs succeeds only when strict enforcement, rehabilitation, family support, and public responsibility move together. Kashmir today has a clear roadmap: punish the suppliers, support the victims, strengthen rehabilitation, and unite as a society before this menace destroys more of our youth.

Critical healthcare also ailing in Kashmir

At the Super Speciality Hospital Shireen Bagh, an institution designed to represent the highest tier of public healthcare in the Valley, the everyday realities inside its Intensive Care Unit (ICU) raise unsettling questions about what care has come to mean in practice. In a setting where continuous monitoring, technical competence, and clinical precision are indispensable, one expects the strictest adherence to professional standards. Yet, what unfolds instead is a quiet but consequential displacement of responsibility. During a recent visit, I witnessed an inversion of roles that should be institutionally inconceivable. In the apparent absence of adequate nursing staff, family attendants were compelled to undertake basic yet critical caregiving functions: changing diapers, managing urine bags, and attending to hygiene needs. These are not peripheral tasks. They are embedded within a structured chain of clinical care, governed by protocols of sanitation, risk management, and patient safety. Their informal transfer to untrained individuals signals not merely a shortage of personnel, but a systemic dilution of responsibility. To understand the gravity of this situation, it is necessary to move beyond anecdote and situate it within broader workforce realities. The Indian Nursing Council prescribes a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:1 in ICUs for critically ill patients, and at most 1:2 in less acute conditions. These are not aspirational ideals but minimum safety thresholds. However, national and regional data repeatedly demonstrate a persistent gap between sanctioned posts and actual deployment. Reports aligned with the World Health Organisation standards indicate that India faces a significant shortfall of trained nursing personnel relative to its population needs, with public sector institutions bearing the brunt of this deficit. Jammu and Kashmir reflects this structural imbalance with particular intensity. Legislative disclosures and administrative reports over the years have pointed to hundreds, at times thousands, of vacant nursing positions across the Union Territory. Even where posts exist on paper, delays in recruitment, reliance on contractual appointments, and uneven urban-rural distribution create acute shortages at the point of care. Tertiary hospitals, which attract the highest patient load, often operate under sustained pressure, forcing informal adjustments that gradually become normalised practice. What is frequently described as family participation in patient care must therefore be understood more critically as the de facto outsourcing of essential medical labour. This normalisation is not benign. It conceals institutional inadequacies while transferring clinical risk onto those least equipped to bear it. The question of liability exposes the depth of this problem. If a family member, while performing a task ordinarily reserved for trained nursing staff, commits an error, fails to maintain sterility, mishandles a catheter, improperly disposes of biomedical waste, or overlooks a critical symptom, where does responsibility lie? In formal legal doctrine, accountability rests with the institution and its qualified personnel. Yet, the tacit encouragement or at least tolerance of attendant-led care creates a grey zone in which responsibility is diffused. Hospitals can plausibly deny direct culpability, while families, acting under compulsion rather than choice, are left exposed without protection or clarity. This ambiguity is not incidental; it reflects a deeper regulatory vacuum in which norms exist on paper but lack enforceability in practice. The consequences are not only clinical but ethical and psychological. Families, already navigating the emotional strain of critical illness, are compelled to assume quasi-medical roles in high-stakes environments. The burden is both physical and cognitive: tasks requiring precision are performed under stress, without training, and often without supervision. What begins as an emergency adjustment risks becoming an institutional habit, lowering expectations of what public healthcare is obligated to provide. If such conditions prevail within the ICU of a super-speciality hospital, the implications for general wards, district hospitals, and peripheral health centres are even more troubling. The issue, therefore, cannot be reduced to a single instance of administrative lapse. It reflects a systemic misalignment between infrastructural expansion and human resource provisioning. Governments have, over the years, invested in visible markers of progress, new buildings, upgraded equipment, and expanded bed capacity. Yet healthcare systems do not function through infrastructure alone; they depend on the continuous presence of skilled personnel who operationalise care. Addressing this crisis requires more than incremental correction. First, there must be a transparent, publicly accessible audit of staffing patterns across hospitals, including real-time data on nurse-to-patient ratios, vacancies, and deployment. Second, recruitment processes must be streamlined to ensure that sanctioned posts do not remain indefinitely unfilled. Third, institutional protocols must explicitly prohibit the delegation of clinical tasks to untrained attendants, thereby restoring both accountability and patient safety. Finally, grievance redressal mechanisms must be strengthened so that such experiences are documented, escalated, and addressed rather than absorbed into silence. Healthcare, at its core, is not simply about treatment; it is about dignity, safety, and trust. When families are compelled to function as surrogate nursing staff within critical care settings, that trust is eroded. The system does not merely appear strained; it reveals a quiet abdication of responsibility. The more urgent question, then, is not whether these deficiencies exist, but why they persist without acknowledgement and how long they will continue to be normalised before they are treated as the crisis they already are. Shah Daniya, Doctoral Fellow.

India Must Stay Vigilant Against Bangladeshs Measles Surge

A dangerous health crisis unfolding in Bangladesh should serve as a serious warning for our country, being an immediate neighbour. The sharp rise in measles infections across the neighbouring country is no longer merely Bangladeshs domestic problem. Given the long, porous border shared by the two nations, New Delhi must now move swiftly and carefully to ensure that the outbreak does not cross over into vulnerable populations on this side of the border. Reports emerging from Bangladesh paint a deeply worrying picture. Thousands of suspected measles cases have been recorded in recent weeks, while hundreds of children have already lost their lives. The World Health Organisation has assessed the risk level in Bangladesh as high because of widespread transmission across multiple divisions, immunity gaps among children and falling vaccination coverage. Particularly alarming is the fact that a majority of infections are among children under the age of five. For India, the lesson is clear: complacency would be costly. India and Bangladesh share a border stretching over 4,000 kilometres, touching West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. In many areas, cross-border movement of people is a daily reality driven by trade, family ties, seasonal migration and informal transit routes. Infectious diseases do not recognise political boundaries. A virus spreading rapidly in crowded settlements across the border can easily find its way into densely populated Indian districts if vigilance weakens even briefly. Measles is among the most contagious diseases known to medical science. One infected person can transmit the virus to as many as 18 to 20 others. The virus can remain active in the air and on surfaces for hours, making crowded areas particularly vulnerable. Border districts with dense populations, poor sanitation, weak healthcare access and migrant settlements could quickly become hotspots if preventive measures are not intensified immediately. One of the most worrying aspects of the Measles outbreak in Bangladesh is not only the scale of infection but the worrying reason behind it. Most of the Bangladeshi health experts there have linked the crisis to falling vaccination rates. Even a small drop in immunisation coverage can weaken herd immunity and allow measles to spread rapidly. Bangladesh had earlier achieved strong vaccination numbers, yet gaps emerged over time, especially among poorer communities and urban slums. India as a precautionary measure, should not assume it is immune to similar vulnerabilities. Even though, Indias Universal Immunisation Programme has made remarkable progress over the years, gaps still remain in several remote villages, urban slums and migrant communities. In some regions, vaccine hesitancy, lack of awareness, poor healthcare access and disruptions caused during the pandemic years continue to affect immunisation coverage. These weaknesses may appear manageable during normal times, but they become dangerous when neighbouring countries are battling major outbreaks. The government therefore, needs a two-track approach: strong domestic preparedness and active regional cooperation. First, India must strengthen surveillance in all border districts adjoining Bangladesh. Fever-and-rash monitoring systems should be activated at primary health centres, district hospitals and community clinics. Health workers must be instructed to immediately report clusters of suspected measles cases. Rapid response teams should remain ready in vulnerable districts. Second, the Centre and state governments must intensify vaccination drives in border areas. Every child must receive both doses of the measles-rubella vaccine without delay. Special focus should be placed on migrant populations, densely populated settlements, tea garden areas,remote tribal belts where immunisation gaps may exist. Mobile vaccination units may be necessary in difficult terrain and border villages. Third, the continuing awareness campaign, not only through radio, television, and social media in the local language, but also through other media, including word of mouth and religious leaders, needs to be urgently expanded, without creating panic, but only through aggressive preventive practices. Many parents fail to recognise early symptoms of measles or underestimate its seriousness. High fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rashes should never be ignored, especially in districts near the Bangladesh border. Public messaging through schools, anganwadi centres, local administrations, religious places and community leaders can play a critical role in preventing panic while encouraging timely medical intervention. India must also prepare hospitals in sensitive states for possible outbreaks. Isolation wards, adequate vaccine stockpiles and emergency medical supplies should be ensured in advance. One of the major lessons from past health emergencies is that preparedness cannot begin after infections start rising. By then, valuable time is already lost. The concern becomes even greater because measles is not a harmless childhood illness, as many still mistakenly believe. Severe complications can include pneumonia, diarrhoea, brain inflammation and blindness. In malnourished children, the disease can become fatal. Bangladeshs rising death toll among unvaccinated children underlines how dangerous the virus can be when healthcare systems become overwhelmed. Indias border management strategy must therefore include stronger public health coordination and increased preventive awareness amongst the local population, using all available local sources and strengthening and training them. Screening mechanisms at important transit points will also need to be strengthened, especially in areas with heavy population movement. Local administrations in border states should coordinate closely with the Union Health Ministry to maintain updated data on infections and vaccination coverage. Bangladesh is facing a serious health and humanitarian crisis, and regional cooperation is very important at this stage. Disease outbreaks can be controlled more effectively when neighbouring countries work together rather than handle the problem separately. India can help Bangladesh through vaccine support, medical supplies, technical assistance, training of health workers and better coordination in monitoring the spread of the disease. Helping Bangladesh control the outbreak will also help protect people in India. The situation also highlights the need for strong public health systems across South Asia. The COVID-19 pandemic showed how quickly diseases can spread across countries in an interconnected region. Measles may not create the same level of fear as COVID-19, but because it spreads very fast, it can still cause major disruption if timely action is not taken. Public health experts have long warned that declining vaccination rates anywhere pose risks everywhere. In recent years, several countries once considered safe from measles have witnessed outbreaks after immunisation coverage weakened. This is why the World Health Organisation insists on maintaining at least 95 per cent vaccination coverage to sustain herd immunity. Anything below that threshold creates opportunities for the virus to return. India has the institutional capacity and experience to prevent a similar crisis. Large-scale immunisation campaigns have succeeded in the past, including the battle against polio. The country possesses the administrative network, healthcare workforce and vaccine manufacturing strength needed to respond effectively. But success will depend on acting early rather than reacting late. The old principle of preventive healthcare remains especially relevant today: prevention is always better than cure. Waiting for infections to emerge in our border districts before taking aggressive action would be a serious mistake. The outbreak in Bangladesh should therefore be treated as an urgent wake-up call. New Delhi must immediately tighten surveillance, strengthen vaccination coverage, prepare healthcare systems, and increase public awareness without creating panic, but definitely awareness. The objective should not merely be controlling measles after it appears but preventing the disease from crossing the border in the first place. In matters of public health, vigilance delayed can become vigilance denied.

Unchecked loose cigarettes sold to minors hooking a generation

Srinagar, May 9:Just as the public outrage and administrative action against drugs intensifies, provisional stores, departmental stores and road side vendors in Kashmir openly flout the rules and laws meant to decrease the incidence of smoking. The practice of selling loose cigarettes and cigarettes to minors here remains rampant, quietly easing children and teenagers into nicotine addiction. Many shops in Kashmir now display a rate list of single cigarettes, sold without pockets, known as loosies, or per stick. The bustling markets and neighborhood kirana shops across Kashmir have resorted to this practice to help the consumers tide over the hurdles created by law. The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and a specific 2016 notification by J&K government ban the sale of loose cigarettes, beedis, and loose tobacco. The laws also bar sale of cigarettes to minors. A senior official in the Drug and Food Control Organisation said it is this practice of selling loose cigarettes that helps minors buy it. This ways it is affordable, and they dont have to worry about storage and hiding while at home, he said. He said a single cigarette is what the minors start with, and it is their first step towards addiction. Doctors also believe that the easy availability of single cigarettes is fueling tobacco consumption in Kashmir. Kashmir is already grappling with smoking prevalence. Rates among the highest in India. The smoking prevalence is around 20.8 percent in J&K, nearly double the national average. This has earned J&K the tag of the smoking capital of North India in various reports over the years. In February this year, GoI increased the prices of cigarettes by imposing higher taxes and excise duties on tobacco products to discourage smoking and increase public health revenues. However, this has not translated into decrease in consumption as loosies are available. Under COTPA, tobacco products must be sold in original, intact packaging. The packaging must bear prominent graphic health warnings, which loose cigarettes bypass entirely. Selling to minors under 18 is also prohibited. In addition, sale of cigarettes within 100 yards of educational institutions is also banned. Despite periodic enforcement drives, raids, and fines compliance remains poor. Shopkeepers often cite customer demand and thin profit margins on full packs as reasons for the practice. Doctors have expressed alarm over access for young people. A single cigarette is often priced between Rs 8-25 depending on the brand, makes the habit affordable for students and teenagers who cannot afford full packs. Loose sale cigarettes are rampant near schools, stakeholders said. Kashmir already has high stress levels due to various factors; easy tobacco access worsens public health outcomes like respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems, doctors said.

DGP reviews counter-terror grid in south Kashmir

Srinagar, May 9:Director General of Police (DGP) NalinPrabhat on Saturday reviewed the counter-terrorism (CT) operational grid in south Kashmir during a high-level security meeting attended by senior officers of the Police, Army, and other security agencies. Official sources said the review meeting was held in South Kashmir and was attended by General Officer Commanding (GOC) XV Corps, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone, GOC Victor Force, besides senior officers from the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), Armys Rashtriya Rifles (RR), intelligence agencies and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Sources said the meeting focused on the prevailing security scenario in south Kashmir districts, including Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam, with special emphasis laid on counter-terror operations, intelligence coordination, area domination exercises and measures aimed at preventing attempts by terrorists to revive activities in south Kashmir. The DGP, according to sources, took a comprehensive review of the anti-terror operations carried out in recent months and assessed the effectiveness of the joint operational mechanism between the J&K Police, Army, and paramilitary forces. Officers briefed the meeting about the existing militant landscape, movement patterns, infiltration attempts and the security preparedness ahead of the summer season. Sources said discussions also revolved around strengthening the intelligence network at the grassroots level, intensifying surveillance in vulnerable areas and ensuring seamless coordination among different agencies operating in the Valley. The officers are understood to have stressed the need for sustained operations against the residual terror ecosystem and overground worker (OGW) networks. The security review assumes significance as forces have intensified anti-terror operations across the Kashmir in recent months. Security agencies have been maintaining heightened vigil along infiltration routes and hinterland areas to prevent any disruption to peace and stability. During the meeting, the officers also reviewed preparedness for upcoming public events, movement on major highways and security arrangements in sensitive areas. Sources said emphasis was laid on maintaining a people-friendly approach while ensuring robust security measures on the ground. The DGP appreciated the synergy between the Police, Army, and other security agencies and reiterated the commitment of the security establishment towards maintaining peace and eliminating the terror ecosystem. He is learnt to have directed field officers to maintain a high level of alertness and continue coordinated operations based on actionable intelligence. Senior officers briefed the meeting on recent operational successes and said the joint security grid remains fully prepared to deal with any emerging challenges in south Kashmir.

Srinagar sizzles at 31.7 C, 7.6 notches above normal

Srinagar, May 9:Several parts of Kashmir recorded temperatures well above normal on Saturday as dry and warm weather conditions continued across Jammu and Kashmir. According to Meteorological Department (MeT) data, the summer capital ,Srinagar witnessed one of the hottest days of the season at 31.7 degrees Celsius, 7.6 notches above normal for this time of the year. The mercury touched the 30-degree mark on Friday for the first time this season before climbing past 31 degrees Celsius a day later. Qazigund in south Kashmir recorded 31 degrees Celsius, 7.8 degrees above normal, while the tourist resort of Pahalgam registered 25.2 degrees Celsius, 4.5 degrees above normal. Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded 29.5 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag settled at 28.6 degrees Celsius; both stations remained above seasonal averages. The ski resort of Gulmarg also recorded unusually warm conditions as the mercury settled at 23 degrees Celsius, 8.3 degrees above normal. Among other areas, Sopore recorded 32.1 degrees Celsius, Budgam 28.7 degrees Celsius and Bandipora 30.3 degrees Celsius. In the Jammu region, Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 35.1 degrees Celsius, which was 1.7 degrees below normal. Banihal registered 30 degrees Celsius, more than four degrees above normal, while Bhaderwah recorded 28.8 degrees Celsius. Batote and Katra settled at 24.6 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius, respectively. Officials said the prevailing dry weather conditions led to a sharp rise in daytime temperatures across most parts of the Union Territory. The weather is expected to remain dry on Sunday, with temperatures likely to stay around the same level, although cloud cover may increase later in the day. The MeT forecasts a fresh western disturbance from May 11 to May 13, likely to bring rain and thundershowers to several parts of Jammu and Kashmir. There is also a possibility of hailstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 40 to 50 kmph at a few places, an official said.

LG Manoj Sinha asks people to break silence against drug menace

Anantnag, May 9: Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Saturday led a massive anti-drug rally in south Kashmirs Anantnag district, urging people to break the silence against substance abuse and join a collective movement to protect the younger generation from addiction. The walkathon, organised under the 100-day Drug-Free Jammu and Kashmir - NashaMuktAbhiyan campaign, drew participation from students, traders, transporters, civil society groups, voluntary organisations, religious groups, tribal representatives, teachers, and government officials. Participants assembled at Shaheed Muzamil Memorial Government Degree College (Boys), Khanabal, from where the Padyatra started before moving towards Khanabal-Pahalgam (KP) Chowk amid anti-drug slogans and placards carrying messages such as No to Drugs, Save Life. Addressing the gathering, LG Sinha said drug addiction could only be tackled through collective social responsibility and sustained public participation. The challenge of drug addiction can be eradicated only through a whole-of-society approach. Schools, colleges, families, sports grounds, villages and wards must raise a united voice against drugs with firm resolve, he said. The LG said teachers, parents, religious leaders, and youth groups had a crucial role in spreading awareness and helping rehabilitate those affected by addiction. He also linked the narcotics trade to terrorism, alleging that Pakistan was attempting to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir by pushing drugs into the region. Drug money is financing terrorism and radicalisation. On one side drugs are destroying the future of our youth, and on the other, terror outfits are using this money to buy weapons that spill the blood of innocent people, LG Sinha said. Describing narco-terrorism as a long-standing challenge in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the administration would continue its crackdown on drug networks. According to the LG, authorities have registered 108 NDPS cases in Anantnag district since April 11. He said properties worth Rs 3.5 crore allegedly created through drug money had been demolished, while 22 vehicles were seized, eight driving licences and vehicle registrations cancelled, and 13 drug stores sealed for violations. Not a single drug smuggler will be spared and the entire machinery involved in drug trafficking will be uprooted, LG Sinha said. He also laid the foundation stone for sports infrastructure projects worth Rs 20.60 crore in Anantnag district. The projects include development of Khel Gaon modern sports infrastructure and Khel Bhawan at Jablipora in Bijbehara, expansion of sports facilities at Chaki-Kamal Monghal, reconstruction of the sports complex at Nillandrusu in Bijbehara, and construction of a stadium at HarmohallaRanbirpora. The LG said the facilities would help channelise the energy of youth in a positive direction and strengthen discipline and sportsmanship. He said that all sections of society must speak in one voice about the dangers of drug addiction. The challenge of drug addiction can be eradicated only through a Whole of Society Approach. From now on, every corner of J&K, whether schools, colleges, families, sports grounds, wards, villages, or theater stages, should give a voice to the cause with firm resolve, LG Sinha said. He said that in this war against drugs, administration and society must understand the link between drugs and terrorism and everyone should join hands to defeat it. Our neighboring country is smuggling drugs into Jammu Kashmir by design. The drug money has been used to build narco-palaces by drug smugglers and a large portion of drug money is being used for terrorism and radicalisation. While drugs are ruining the future of J&Ks youth on one hand, on the other, terror outfits are using that money to buy weapons and that are shedding the blood of our brothers and sisters in J&K. This narco-terror network has inflicted suffering on generations of Jammu Kashmir for decades. That is why I always say: drug addiction and terrorism are not separate challenges but they are two faces of the same problem. And I promise all of you that we will not rest until we defeat it, the LG said. He called upon Police and civil administration to cover every panchayat of Anantnag, and especially reach out to vulnerable areas of the district in next 71 days of campaign. A decisive blow is being dealt to the drug smugglers network in Anantnag district. Since 11th April, the highest number of 108 NDPS cases have been registered in Anantnag. Narco-palaces worth Rs 3.5 crore, built with the black money from drugs, have been reduced to dust. Twenty-two vehicles have been seized, eight driving licenses and vehicle registrations have been cancelled. Thirteen drug stores have been sealed for violating the law. I assure the people of Anantnag that not a single smuggler will be left untouched, and the entire machinery involved in the drug smuggling will be uprooted from its roots, LG Sinha said. He said that the women and youth were the greatest strength of this war on drugs. The LG said if a family member or a neighbors youth is going astray, women and youth club members should bring them back onto the path of correction, and seek the administrations help if needed. I appeal to sportspersons, teachers, and all religious leaders to dedicate the next 71 days with wholehearted commitment to the awareness and rehabilitation campaign, and to pledge to make Jammu Kashmir drug-free. Religious leaders are regarded as the peoples leaders and guides. I want them to provide spiritual and moral guidance to the youth and to warn them about the dangers of drugs. I want to reiterate that this battle is not just the administrations. It is a collective battle of society. Lets make a collective promise that we will not allow drug peddlers to thrive in our villages and neighborhoods. We will rehabilitate the youth who are victims of drugs. I firmly believe that when the people stand up for a purpose, their power increases a thousandfold, he said. LG Sinha also reiterated his commitment to ensure justice to every terror victim family. He said that these sports facilities would channel the energy of the youth in the right direction and strengthen the spirit of discipline and sportsmanship. The LG also felicitated the youth icons and distributed sports kits to the youth. Senior civil and Police officers, including Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Director General of Police (DGP) NalinPrabhat, Inspector General of Police (IGP) V K Birdi, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Kashmir Javid Iqbal Matoo and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) AnantnagAmod Ashok Nagpure, participated in the rally. Political leaders and legislators from the National Conference (NC), Congress, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) including Altaf Ahmad Kaloo, Abdul MajeedLarmi, Riyaz Ahmad Khan, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, ShaheenaNadaf, Muhamad Amin Bhat, Sofi Yousuf, and RafiqWani-also joined the march. Students performed skits, awareness songs and street plays highlighting the harmful effects of drug abuse, while artists staged traditional performances including NukadNatak, BaandPather, and mime acts as part of the awareness drive. We want young people to focus on studies and sports and stay away from addiction. Youth themselves have to lead this fight, said one of the student participants. Traders Federation Chairman Sajad Ahmad said the business community would support all efforts aimed at curbing drug abuse. This menace is affecting families across society. Everyone has to contribute towards saving the younger generation, he said. Farooq Ahmad, a tribal representative who attended the rally, said people from tribal areas were equally concerned about the increasing drug abuse among youth. The campaign has created awareness among people and tribal communities are ready to support every initiative against drugs, he said. Artists through traditional NukadNatak, BaandPather and a Mime play centered on the NashaMukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan raised awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, encouraging young people to stay healthy and contribute to a drug-free society. DC Anantnag Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat thanked people for participating in large numbers and said the response reflected a collective resolve against drug abuse. The campaign has reached villages and panchayats across the district. Todays participation shows people want to fight this menace together, he said.

In the age of parasocial fame, nepo kids are the new comfort TV

Celebrity families now offer a shared reference point in a fragmented world. The public emotionally inhabits these lives, finding reassurance in familiar surnames. Nepotism is now domesticated, making celebrity inheritance palatable. This shift provides narrative stability and a sense that stories will continue. Aspiration has been democratised, but connection remains elusive. Celebrity offers reassurance that the story will go on.

Gen ex gets the gadgets, even if it means sometimes getting things tangled up

Beneath the comedy of keeping up with the iJoneses lies the determination with which a generation is trying to keep up and stay tech-relevant - at times gracefully, at times chaotically, but always with intent.

Jai Shibram: Remembering Bengals great satirist in a changed Kolkata

Shibram Chakraborty, a celebrated Bengali writer, is largely unknown outside his native language. His genius in wordplay and satire is highlighted. Stories like 'Debotar Jonmo' and 'Gokhale, Gandhiji and Gobindababu' showcase his sharp social commentary. His memoir emphasizes humanity. A call is made to renovate his Kolkata residence into a museum.

Katra armed assault case: 6 accused including 2 juveniles arrested from Haryana

Jammu, May 09: In a significant breakthrough in an armed assault case in a Katra hotel, the Police in Reasi district, while conducting an inter-state operation, apprehended six accused, including two juveniles, from Haryana. A team of Police Station Katra arrested 4 accused persons besides it also apprehended 2 Children in Conflict with Law (CICL) from the state of Haryana, in an inter-state operation conducted under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi Mukund Tibrewal, thus achieving a breakthrough by successfully cracking a recent armed assault case reported at RK Palace Hotel, JIJ Chowk, Katra, Police said. According to Police on May 2, 2026, a group of persons armed with sharp-edged weapons forcibly entered RK Palace Hotel and criminally assaulted one Jaswinder Singh alias Sundri, who sustained serious injuries during the attack. The injured was immediately shifted to Community Health Centre (CHC) Katra for medical treatment. In this regard, a case vide FIR No 137/2026 U/S 109, 191(2), 191(3) BNS r/w 4/25 Arms Act was registered at Police Station Katra and investigation was taken up on priority. Police said that following the commission of the offence, the accused persons fled to the state of Haryana in an attempt to evade arrest. Acting swiftly under the close supervision of senior officers, a dedicated team of Police Station Katra launched sustained efforts using Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and technical surveillance, which ultimately led to tracing and apprehension of the accused persons from Haryana. The weapons of offence used in the crime have also been recovered, Police informed. The arrested accused have been identified as Akshay, 21, son of Dildar; Sahil, 21, son of Kewal; Suraj, 26, son of Indru and Rahul, 23, son of Ratan Lal, all residents of Serwad Katra. Additionally, 2 CICL (juveniles) involved in the case have also been apprehended. Their identities are being withheld in compliance with the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act. Further investigation into the case is in progress. The entire operation was carried out by SHO Katra Ranjeet Singh Rao under the supervision of senior officers, Police said, reiterating firm commitment towards maintaining peace, public order and ensuring the safety and security of citizens and pilgrims in the holy town of Katra.

DPS Srinagar celebrates 23rd Founders Day with grandeur and excellence

Srinagar, May 09: Delhi Public School, Srinagar, celebrated a landmark milestone as it hosted its 23rd Founders Day on Saturday, May 9 2026, within the Indoor Stadium. This prestigious gathering paid tribute to the life and enduring spirit of the visionary founder, Durga Prasad Dhar, while honouring the schools journey as a cornerstone of educational excellence in the region. The day was defined by a profound sense of reverence and a zealous display of student talent that bridged the schools historical heritage with its future aspirations. The ceremony opened with a traditional entry izband welcome and a soulful morning prayer, followed by an address that reflected on the grandeur aura of the late D.P. Dhar. The reflections further described the institution as a heritage of excellence and persistence meticulously dressed in grace for decades while extending deep gratitude to Vijay Dhar and Kiran Dhar for their audacity to build a platform that empowers Kashmiri youth to find their truest voices. Artistic expression took centre stage as students from Classes 11 and 12 captivated the audience with an energetic Music Mashup Performance led by Aisha and her group. This was followed by a joyful Hula Hoop dance by students from the Learning Resource Centre (LRC), which underscores the institutions pride as the only school in the region providing specialised education for the specially-abled. These performances highlighted the schools role as a visionary pioneer that consistently paves the way for inclusive excellence. Cultural storytelling continued with a performance of Habba Khatoon by Grade 4 students and a spirited cultural dance by Grade 8, which beautifully showcased the rich heritage and traditions of Kashmir. The celebration also served as a stage for recognising extraordinary achievements in both sports and academics. Students Tarahum Sadiya and Mehran Zargar were felicitated for recently receiving the Kiran Dhar Sports Scholarship. The school also held a special ceremony to acknowledge academic excellence, where students who secured above 95% in the CBSE Grade X Examinations 20252026 were formally honoured for their dedication and outstanding achievement. Two visually impaired students of the Learning Resource Centre (LRC), Zainab Bilal and Rafees Rafiq, were also felicitated for passing the CBSE Grade X Examination 20252026 with flying colours. Furthermore, the institution honoured staff members who have been the heartbeat of the school for twenty glorious years through their unwavering commitment and service. Chairman Vijay Dhar reminded the gathering that while previous generations lacked modern resources, the current students are equipped with tools to turn the world upside down and lead with confidence. He stated, Our goal has always been to build more than a school and instead create a platform where the Kashmiri youth can realise their truest potential. As we celebrate twenty-three years of excellence we reaffirm our promise to provide the world-class sanctuary our children deserve so they may lead the way in turning the world upside down for the better. Adding to this visionary outlook Principal, Shafaq Afshan remarked Founders Day serves as a powerful manifestation of our belief that education must transcend the boundaries of textbooks to foster a spirit of inquiry and resilience. Our commitment remains to provide a space where every child feels empowered to articulate their dreams and pursue them with unwavering confidence while remaining rooted in empathy and service. Conclusively, following a sincere vote of thanks, the event transitioned into a post-program walkthrough and tea gathering that allowed visitors to engage deeply with the schools evolving legacy and fostered a sense of togetherness among the staff and guests.

Muslim population in India may match that of Indonesia after Census: Kiren Rijiju

Mumbai, May 09: Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said that the Muslim population in India is likely to be nearly the same as that of Indonesia after the Census. The Muslim population in the country is likely to be nearly on par with Indonesia's population. Once the Census (data) is out, it will be the likely outcome, the Union minister for Minority Affairs told reporters after a programme here. As the last Census was conducted in 2011 and the decennial exercise could not be conducted in 2021, the population would have grown, he said. Whatever the numbers of whichever (community) are, all are Indians, Rijiju added. Highlighting concerns over the declining population of the Parsi community, he stated that their numbers stand at around 52,000 to 55,000 in the country. The Parsis are the smallest minority community in India and the government is working to protect them and ensure their numbers do not shrink further, he added. Rijiju also dismissed claims that minorities are under threat in the country, alleging that some political organisations are trying to create fear among the Muslims and Christians. All citizens are equal before the Constitution and no one is treated differently on the basis of religion or caste, the BJP leader said. The Bharatiya Janata Party forming a government in West Bengal was also a victory for the country as it is a very sensitive state sharing border with Bangladesh from where a lot of illegal migrants enter, the minister said. The BJP winning the election in the state was a crucial development for national security, he added. The party has long been raising concerns about illegal migration and the new state government would help address the issue effectively, Rijiju said. The earlier Mamata Banerjee-led government did not implement certain central schemes, he claimed, citing the National e-Vidhan Application as an example, and added that the Union government would ensure their implementation now.

Mehbooba Mufti questions bulldozer action against drug peddlers

Srinagar, May 09: People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said on Saturday that strict action should be taken against drug peddlers, but innocent families should not suffer by having their houses demolished. While addressing a party convention in central Kashmir's Budgam district, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said, If anyone is involved in drug trafficking, they should be jailed, but you should also ask those police personnel who release them after taking money from them. Why are their houses being bulldozed? What is the fault of the family members? Why are you demolishing their houses? There is no justice. She also criticised chief minister Omar Abdullah over the coercive action, saying, Omar, if the people had liked bulldozer baba, why would they have voted for you? People voted for you and gave you 50 MLAs thinking you will safeguard them. Referring to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha's padyatra as part of the Nasha Mukt J-K Abhiyaan in south Kashmir's Anantnag district earlier in the day, the PDP president alleged that government employees, school teachers and students were directed to arrive for the event at 6:30 am. I will not name the person who messaged me at midnight last night. That person said the LG is organising Nasha Mukt Abhjiyaan event in Anantnag, but all employees and schools, including women and girls, have been directed to arrive at 6:30 am. I want to tell the LG that the campaign is a good initiative, but... making them wait, I think, is an excess, she said. The PDP chief accused the government of ampant corruption, saying deserving youths are denied opportunities while political favoritism dominates recruitment.

Mojtaba Khamenei recovers, takes charge of Irans affairs

New Delhi, May 09: Irans supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reportedly recovered from serious injuries sustained during US-Israel airstrikes and is now playing a central role in directing the countrys political and security affairs, according to multiple intelligence and Iranian official sources. Khamenei, who was critically wounded in strikes that also killed his father and several senior military commanders at the start of the conflict, has remained out of public view for weeks, fueling widespread speculation about his health and his position within Irans leadership structure. However, officials close to the leadership say the supreme leader has resumed oversight of key state matters and is actively shaping Irans wartime and diplomatic strategy alongside senior political figures and top military generals. According to intelligence sources familiar with the matter, Khamenei has been personally directing Iranian authorities on how to handle negotiations with the United States aimed at ending the war.The sources said his guidance has become increasingly influential in recent weeks as Tehran weighs military pressure against diplomatic engagement. Despite his recovery, Khamenei continues to operate under strict security precautions. Sources said he is avoiding the use of electronic communications due to fears of surveillance and assassination attempts. Instead, he is reportedly communicating only through trusted individuals who meet him in person or via handwritten and courier-delivered messages. One source described the supreme leader as remaining in isolation while continuing medical treatment for injuries suffered during the attack. The injuries reportedly included severe burns affecting one side of his face, arm, torso and leg. Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol in the office of Irans supreme leader, confirmed that Khameneis condition had significantly improved. He is now in complete health, Hosseini said, adding that Khamenei had suffered injuries to his foot and lower back and that a small piece of shrapnel had hit him behind the ear. He said the wounds were healing steadily. In another sign that Khamenei has resumed leadership duties, President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly held a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with him earlier this week. The meeting marked the first known in-person discussion between the Iranian president and the countrys new supreme leader since the outbreak of the war. The reported recovery and reemergence of Khamenei comes at a critical moment for Iran, as the country faces mounting international pressure, ongoing military tensions, and delicate negotiations over a possible ceasefire.

Mythos: A challenge for the Indian banking system

Claude Mythos, a cutting-edge AI tool, has unearthed significant weaknesses in cybersecurity systems. In response, Indian authorities are swiftly mobilising to safeguard the integrity of the financial sector. With the Reserve Bank of India's robust framework in place, the emphasis now shifts to the implementation of comprehensive AI standards.

India conducts successful flight-trial of advanced variant of Agni missile

New Delhi, May 09: India conducted the successful flight-trial of an Advanced Agni missile with Multiple Independently Targeted Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) system from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha on May 08, 2026. The missile was flight-tested with multiple payloads, targeted to different targets spatially distributed over a large geographical area in the Indian Ocean Region. The telemetry and tracking was carried out by multiple ground and ship-based stations. These systems tracked the entire missile trajectory from lift-off till the impact of all payloads. Flight data confirmed that all mission objectives were met during the trial. With this successful trial, India once again demonstrated the capability to target multiple strategic targets using a single missile system. This missile is developed by DRDO laboratories with the support of Industries across the country. The trial was witnessed by senior scientists of DRDO and the Indian Army personnel. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented DRDO, Indian Army, and Industry on the successful flight-test. This will add an incredible capability to the country's defence preparedness against the growing threat perceptions, he said.

Mehboob Beg slams Dr Farooq, NC over 1987 'electoral malpractices'

Srinagar, May 09: PDP chief-spokesperson and former Parliamentarian, Dr. Mehboob Beg came down heavily on Dr. Farooq Abdullah and the ruling National Conference for having betrayed and eroded the trust of the people by indulging in electoral malpractices in the 1987 election. While addressing an impressive gathering at PDPs Budgam rally, Dr. Beg blamed the 1987 election manipulation, one that he attributed to the National Conference as being the reason for discontent and cynicism amongst the common Kashmiri, besides having turned Mohd. Yusuf Shah into Syed Salahuddin. He said the manipulation deprived people of their democratic rights and caused permanent damage in how people in Kashmir perceive local elections. He further remarked that a fair investigation on who did what at that point of time might still help catch the real culprits. Dr. Beg also blamed Omar Abdullah for not missing on a single opportunity to appease those sitting in New Delhi while constantly suffocating even his own party MLAs who even make an attempt to bring forth any public grievance. It is insulting for every Kashmiri to see the Chief Minister who was elected to give a democratic voice to their sufferings and grievances bend backwards and make desperate attempts to please those at the helm, said Dr. Beg.

SSP Anantnag orders first-ever auction of vehicle used in drug trafficking

Anantnag, May 09: In a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking, Senior Superintendent of Police Anantnag, Shri Amod Ashok Nagpure (IPS), has ordered the auction of a vehicle used in drug-related offences, marking the first such initiative in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir under the provisions of the NDPS Act. Police said the vehicle bearing registration number DL8CR0936, which had been seized in connection with a narcotics case, has been ordered for disposal after obtaining the necessary legal sanction from the competent court under Section 52-A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Officials termed the move a significant step towards dismantling the infrastructure supporting the illegal drug trade and ensuring that vehicles and other assets used in narcotics trafficking are not reclaimed or reused for criminal activities. The action reflects Anantnag Polices intensified anti-drug campaign and its zero-tolerance policy against drug peddling and trafficking in the district. Police reiterated that stringent legal action will continue against all individuals involved in the drug menace, while stressing that every possible measure is being taken to curb the spread of narcotics in society. (KNC)

Properties of 3 notorious drug peddlers attached in Srinagar: Police

Srinagar, May 09: Continuing its sustained crackdown against drug trafficking under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, Srinagar Police has attached immovable properties worth over Rs 3.50 crores belonging to three notorious drug peddlers involved in multiple cases under the NDPS Act. Officials said that in the first action, property worth approximately Rs 80 lakhs belonging to a hardcore drug peddler namely Shahid Mushtaq Dar S/o Mushtaq Ahmad Dar R/o Barthana, Qamarwari was attached under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act. The property was found to have been acquired through proceeds generated from illicit drug trafficking activities. In another significant action, Police Station Nowgam attached property belonging to drug peddler Mehraj ud Din Ganie S/o Mohammad Ismail Ganie R/o Wagoora, involved in FIR No. 156/2025 U/S 8/20 NDPS Act of PS Nowgam. The attached property comprises 18 marlas of land, one single-storeyed residential building and one cow shed situated under Survey No. 273 at Wagoora, Tehsil BK Pora, valued at approximately Rs 1.50 crores. Investigations revealed that the said property had been procured through proceeds of illicit drug trade and was accordingly attached under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act. Further, in connection with FIR No. 08/2026 U/S 8/21, 29 NDPS Act of Police Station Saddar Srinagar, a double-storeyed residential house worth approximately Rs 1.20 crores belonging to accused drug peddler Tawqeer Ahmad Mir S/o Late Feroz-u-Din Mir R/o Rawathpora, Baghat Barzulla was attached under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act in the presence of Executive Magistrate Chanapora and independent witnesses. The officials said these actions reflect the firm commitment of Srinagar Police towards dismantling the financial infrastructure of drug networks and ensuring that properties acquired through narcotics trade are identified and confiscated strictly as per law. Srinagar Police reiterated its unwavering commitment to continue its relentless drive against the drug menace and appealed to the general public to cooperate with police in eradicating drugs from society and making Jammu & Kashmir drug-free.

Govt will not rest until narco-terrorism is defeated: Lieutenant Governor

Srinagar, May 09: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, today joined Padyatra at Anantnag as part of Drug-Free J&K Campaign. Addressing a public gathering, the Lieutenant Governor appealed to the people to break the silence to win this war against drugs and all sections of society must speak in one voice about the dangers of drug addiction. The challenge of drug addiction can be eradicated only through a Whole of Society Approach. From now on, every corner of Union Territory, whether schools, colleges, families, sports grounds, wards, villages, or theater stages, should give a voice to the cause with firm resolve, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor said that in this war against drugs, administration and society must understand the link between drugs and terrorism and everyone should join hands to defeat it. Our neighboring country is smuggling drugs into Jammu Kashmir by design. The drug money has been used to build narco-palaces by drug smugglers and a large portion of drug money is being used for terrorism and radicalization. While drugs are ruining the future of Jammu Kashmir's youth on one hand, on the other, terror outfits are using that money to buy weapons and that are shedding the blood of our brothers and sisters in the UT. This narco-terror network has inflicted suffering on generations of Jammu Kashmir for decades. That is why I always say: drug addiction and terrorism are not separate challenges but they are two faces of the same problem. And I promise all of you that we will not rest until we defeat it, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor called upon police and civil administration to cover every panchayat of Anantnag, and especially reach out to vulnerable areas of the district in next 71 days of campaign. A decisive blow is being dealt to the drug smugglers network in Anantnag district. Since 11th April, the highest number of 108 NDPS cases have been registered in Anantnag. Narco-palaces worth Rs. 3.5 crore, built with the black money from drugs, have been reduced to dust. 22 vehicles have been seized, 8 driving licenses and vehicle registrations have been cancelled. 13 drug stores have been sealed for violating the law. I assure the people of Anantnag that not a single smuggler will be left untouched, and the entire machinery involved in the drug smuggling will be uprooted from its roots, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor stated that the women and youth are the greatest strength of this war on drugs. He said if a family member or a neighbors youth is going astray, women and youth club members should bring them back onto the path of correction, and seek the administrations help if needed. I appeal to sportspersons, teachers, and all religious leaders to dedicate the next 71 days with wholehearted commitment to the awareness and rehabilitation campaign, and to pledge to make Jammu Kashmir drug-free. Religious leaders are regarded as the peoples leaders and guides. I want them to provide spiritual and moral guidance to the youth and to warn them about the dangers of drugs. I want to reiterate that this battle is not just the administrations. It is a collective battle of society. Lets make a collective promise that we will not allow drug peddlers to thrive in our villages and neighborhoods. We will rehabilitate the youth who are victims of drugs. I firmly believe that when the people stand up for a purpose, their power increases a thousandfold, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor also reiterated his commitment to ensure justice to every terror victim family. On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor laid foundation stone for various sports infrastructure development projects worth Rs 20.60 crore in the District. These include Khel Gaon Modern Sports Infrastructure and residential facility (Khel Bhawan) Stage-I at Jablipora; Expansion of Sports Facilities at Chaki- Kamal Monghal; Reconstruction of Sports complex at Nillandrusu and development of stadium at Harmohalla Ranbirpora. The Lieutenant Governor said that these sports facilities will channel the energy of the youth in the right direction and strengthen the spirit of discipline and sportsmanship. He also felicitated the youth icons and distributed sports kits to the youth. Artists through traditional Nukad Natak, Baand Pather and a Mime play centered on the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan raised awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, encouraging young people to stay healthy and contribute to a drug-free society.

Indian cricket team coach Gautam Gambhir visits Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra

PDPs Zuhaib Yousuf questions NC govt over promises made in its manifesto

Dy CM hits back at Sunil Sharma over ventilator remark

Kashmirs falling birth rate triggers rare public debate in Kashmir

PM Modi touches feet of 98-year-old BJP veteran at swearing-in of party's first govt in Bengal

Kolkata, May 09: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday touched the feet of 98-year-old BJP veteran Makhanlal Sarkar and sought his blessings at the swearing-in ceremony of the partys first government in West Bengal. Sarkar was arrested in Kashmir in 1952 while accompanying Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee during the movement to hoist the Indian tricolour there, the BJP said. Sarkar is one of the early grassroots figures associated with the nationalist movement in post-Independence India, the party said in a statement. Felicitating Sarkar on the stage at the Brigade Parade Grounds here before the oath-taking ceremony of the Suvendu Adhikari government, the PM touched his feet to take his blessings and hugged the veteran leader before exchanging pleasantries. After the formation of the BJP in 1980, Sarkar became the organisational coordinator for the then West Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts in Left Front-ruled West Bengal. From 1981 onward, he served continuously for seven years as district president, an exceptional achievement at a time when BJP leaders generally could not remain in the same organisational position for more than two years, the statement said.

J&K LG Manoj Sinha leads mega anti-drug rally in Anantnag

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan appointed as Chief of the Naval Staff

New Delhi, May 09: The Government has appointed Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM as the Chief of the Naval Staff. The present Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM will be retiring from service on May 31, 2026. Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumed charge as the 34th Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command on July 31, 25. The Flag Officer was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 01, 87 and is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla; the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; the College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; and the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode lsland. A recipient of Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, the Admiral has held several key operational, staff and training appointments in his naval career including the Command of missile vessels INS Vidyut and Vinash; the missile corvette INS Kulish; the guided missile destroyer INS Mysore and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. On promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served as the Chief Staff Officer (Training) at Headquarters, Southern Naval Command, Kochi and played a key role in the conduct of training across the Indian Navy. He was also instrumental in raising the Indian Naval Safety Team that oversees operational safety across all verticals of the Navy. He then went on to head the Work Up Organisation of the Navy as the Flag Officer Sea Training after which he was privileged to be appointed as the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Fleet. After commanding the Sword Arm, he was appointed as the Flag Officer Offshore Defence Advisory Group and Advisor, Offshore Security and Defence to the Government of India. On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral, the Flag Officer was Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command, Controller of Personnel Services and Chief of Personnel at NHQ. Prior to his current assignment, he served as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters. Vice Admiral Swaminathan's educational qualifications include a BSc degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; MSc in Telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology. Kochi; MA in Defence Studies from King's College, London; MPhil in Strategic Studies from Mumbai University: and PhD in International Studies from Mumbai University.

Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as first BJP CM of West Bengal, 5 other MLAs sworn in

Kolkata, May 9: Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday took oath as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal, marking a watershed moment that redrew the state's political landscape after decades of resistance to saffron politics. Governor RN Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adhikari at a grand ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, chief ministers of NDA-ruled states and senior BJP leaders. Soon after Adhikari's swearing-in, senior BJP leader and party's former state unit chief Dilip Ghosh took oath as a minister in the new cabinet. BJP MLAs Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Nisith Pramanik and Kshudiram Tudu were also administered the oath as ministers. The BJP chose Brigade Parade Grounds - once the citadel of massive Left rallies and later a key battleground of the TMC - for the swearing-in ceremony. Thousands of BJP supporters thronged the venue, waving saffron flags and raising the 'Jay Shri Ram' slogan as Adhikari, one of the principal architects of the BJP's rise in Bengal, took oath amid elaborate security arrangements. Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal since independence. @narendramodi @SuvenduWB #bengal pic.twitter.com/IV6dQv103C SansadTV (@sansad_tv) May 9, 2026 The BJP secured 207 seats in the 294-member assembly in the recently concluded elections, ending the Trinamool Congress' 15-year rule and scripting its most significant breakthrough in eastern India. The ceremony was attended by senior BJP leaders, MPs, industrialists and film personalities, with the saffron camp projecting the event as the beginning of a Sonar Bangla under a double-engine government. Adhikari, who defeated TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee in the assembly Bhabanipur seat and retained his Nandigram constituency, was unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party on Friday in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

NC on ventilator, expansion will split party: Sunil Sharma

Srinagar, May 09: Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sunil Sharma on Saturday alleged that the National Conference (NC) is on a ventilator due to an internal disease and warned that any expansion would lead to a vertical split in the party. The senior BJP leader claimed that only a few individuals, assigned the task of speaking against the BJP, are responsible for infecting the NC's internal health. He linked the recent protests at the NC headquarters, Nawai-e-Subah, to the deepening crisis. Whatever happened at the NC headquarters is because of those who have been given the duty to speak against us. That is the reason for that disease, he added. LoP Sharma asserted that the malady had spread beyond cure. If they do a small expansion, there will be two outbreaks. The National Conference will be divided into two parts. It will fall like a bag. The disease has gone so deep that they have no cure, he said. Drawing a parallel with the Shiv Sena's split, he said the party had created the crisis itself. Two Shiv Senas were made by themselves. No matter how much they try, the house is broken. There is a major hole in it, and at any time you will see that this wall has fallen, Sharma said. He, however, ruled out any intervention from his side. Neither do we believe in it, he added. (KNS)

Trump says Russia and Ukraine have agreed to his request for 3-day ceasefire and prisoner swap

Washington, May 09: President Donald Trump has said that the leaders of Russia and Ukraine have agreed to his request for a three-day ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners, adding that such a halt to hostilities could be the beginning of the end of the long war between them. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Yuri Ushakov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign affairs adviser, both confirmed the agreement. I asked and, President Putin agreed. President Zelenskyy agreed -- both readily, Trump said on Friday as he departed the White House to attend a dinner at his Virginia golf club. And we have a little period of time where they're not going to be killing people. That's very good Trump earlier Friday had announced on social media that the ceasefire would run Saturday through Monday. Saturday is Victory Day in Russia, a holiday that commemorates the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE DAY CEASEFIRE (May 9th, 10th, and 11th) in the War between Russia and Ukraine, Trump wrote. The Celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II. The Republican president said the ceasefire includes a suspension of all kinetic activity and the exchange of 1,000 prisoners by each country. Russia had announced a ceasefire for Friday and Saturday, but it quickly unravelled, with both sides blaming the other for the continued fighting, just as they had when Ukraine's own unilateral ceasefire had swiftly collapsed earlier in the week. Trump said he made his request for the ceasefire directly to the two presidents. Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War, he said. Trump added that talks continue over ending the war that began in February 2022 and we are getting closer and closer every day. Trump has gone back and forth over whether the war will end, at times expressing optimism and at other times saying Russia and Ukraine should be left to fight it out to the bitter end. Zelenskyy said Ukraine's decision on how to engage with those discussions was shaped in part by the prospect of freeing its prisoners. Ukraine has made the return of prisoners of war a central demand throughout the conflict. Red Square matters less to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war who can be brought home, Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. Red Square is where Russia holds its traditional military parade to celebrate Victory Day, one of the biggest holidays of the year. After releasing his statement, Zelenskyy issued a formal presidential decree authorising Russia to hold the parade, declaring Red Square off-limits for Ukrainian strikes for the duration of the event. The framing of the decree appeared designed to underscore Kyiv's claim that it holds effective targeting reach over the Russian capital, while publicly tying Ukrainian restraint to the ceasefire terms. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later shrugged off Zelenskyy's decree as a silly joke. We don't need anyone's permission to be proud of our Victory Day, Peskov told reporters. Zelenskyy said the deal for a ceasefire was reached through a US-mediated process and thanked Trump and the American team for what he called effective diplomatic engagement. He said Ukraine expected Washington to hold Russia to the terms of the agreement. We are counting on the United States to ensure that Russia fulfills its commitments, Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy said he had instructed his team to prepare everything necessary for the exchange without delay. Trump's announcement came hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a much more somber tone about negotiations to halt Russia's 4-year-old war in Ukraine, saying US mediation efforts have not led to a fruitful outcome so far. While we're prepared to play whatever role we can to bring it to a peaceful diplomatic resolution, unfortunately right now, those efforts have stagnated, Rubio told reporters at the end of a visit to Rome and the Vatican. But we always stand ready if those circumstances change.

Is It a crude pressure tactic?: Iran FM questions Trump as US-Iran tensions escalate in Hormuz

New Delhi, May 09: Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the U.S. opts for a reckless military adventure. Is it a crude pressure tactic? Or the result of a spoiler once again duping POTUS into another quagmire? With these sharp remarks posted on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi directly targeted US President Donald Trump amid escalating military tensions between Iran and the United States in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The exchange followed fresh US military action against Iranian-linked vessels and renewed clashes in the Gulf region despite an existing ceasefire framework aimed at facilitating negotiations. According to United States Central Command (CENTCOM), US forces disabled two Iranian-flagged oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman for allegedly violating the ongoing US blockade. CENTCOM said M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda were stopped before entering an Iranian port. It said a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS George H.W. Bush fired precision munitions into their smokestacks to disable the vessels. U.S. forces in the Middle East remain committed to full enforcement of the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran, CENTCOM quoted commander Admiral Brad Cooper as saying. The US military command further claimed that more than 70 tankers carrying an estimated 166 million barrels of Iranian oil worth over $13 billion were currently being prevented from entering or leaving Iranian ports. The latest confrontation came after both sides accused each other of launching attacks in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. CENTCOM accused Iran of carrying out missile, drone and small boat attacks against three US warships in what it termed an unprovoked attack. Iran, however, rejected the allegation and accused Washington of violating the ceasefire agreed upon on April 8, 2026. According to Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Irans Foreign Ministry condemned what it called the aggressive action of the US terrorist army against Iranian oil tankers and coastal facilities near the port of Jask and the Strait of Hormuz. The ministry claimed the attacks were met with a strong response and a heavy slap from Iranian armed forces and asserted that the US failed to achieve its objectives. The statement said the attacks constituted a clear violation of the ceasefire and a flagrant breach of the UN Charter. The continuation of aggressive actions, coupled with contradictory behavior, ridiculous rhetoric, and scandalous blame-game of senior U.S. officials, proves the depth of their desperation and confusion, the Iranian Foreign Ministry statement said. Araghchi, in his X post, further said, Iranians never bow to pressure and diplomacy is always the victim. He also dismissed reports about weakening Iranian missile capability. The CIA is wrong. Our missile inventory and launcher capacity are not at 75% compared to Feb 28. The correct figure is 120%. As for our readiness to defend our people: 1,000%, he wrote. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei also strongly criticised the United States. Vermin-like nocturnal scheming and naive euphemisms such as a light slap can do nothing to erase the profound disgrace born of narcissism, greed, reckless miscalculation, and lawless irresponsibility, Baqaei wrote on X, according to IRNA. The consequences of this whimsical adventurism and roguish behavior have now become clear to the entire world, he added. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran remained committed to diplomacy and regional cooperation. The definitive policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to expand friendly relations based on mutual respect and shared interests, Pezeshkian wrote on X. Just as tolerance is deeply rooted in Iranian peoples culture, the struggle against oppression shines throughout the history of this land, he added. IRNA also reported that the Iranian Navy seized the oil tanker Ocean Koi, accusing it of trying to disrupt Iranian oil exports. The Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran will vigorously defend the interests and assets of the Iranian nation in the territorial waters of the country and will not tolerate any violator or aggressor, the Iranian Army Public Relations Office said. According to a report by BBC News, Iran blamed Trumps rhetoric and Washingtons military approach for worsening the crisis even as diplomatic discussions remained possible. BBC quoted Araghchi as saying the US repeatedly chose reckless military adventure whenever diplomacy appeared achievable. The report noted that despite the clashes, Trump insisted the ceasefire remained intact and claimed negotiations were still possible. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said US forces had destroyed multiple Iranian boats, missiles and drones. Just like we knocked them out again today, we'll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don't get their Deal signed, FAST! Trump wrote. BBC also reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran was expected to respond to American proposals aimed at ending the conflict. I hope it's a serious offer, I really do, Rubio said during a visit to Italy. The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the confrontation, with nearly 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through the strategic waterway, making the escalating crisis a major concern for global energy markets and regional stability.

Piping ceremony held at SKPA Udhampur, DIG Shiv Kumar Sharma decorates Promotee 0fficers

A ceremonial piping function was held at Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy Udhampur, to honour police personnel who were recently promoted to higher ranks. As per a statement, on the occasion, Shiv Kumar Sharma, IPS, DIG, Udhampur-Reasi Range, Incharge Director, SKPA Udhampur, formally decorated the promotee officers with their new ranks. The officers promoted to the rank of Sub-Inspector included Rajinder Singh, Tariq Ahmed and Sanjeev Kumar, while Balbir Singh, Ashok Kumar, Bhupinder Kumar and Rakesh Kumar were promoted to the rank of Assistant Sub-Inspector. While congratulating the promoted officers, Shiv Kumar, highlighted that promotions in the Police Department are not only a recognition of dedication and professional competence, but also bring greater responsibilities and challenges. He urged the officers to discharge their duties in their new roles with commitment, integrity and enthusiasm. The ceremony was attended by senior officers of SKPA Udhampur, including Rajesh Sharma, IPS, SSP, Dy. Director (Indoor/Trainings); Shri Benam Tosh, JKPS, SSP, Dy. Director (Outdoor); Shri Rakesh Sambyal, CPO; along with Gazetted Officers, RI, LO and other staff members of the Academy.

DGPC Rajouri delegation meets DC, DIG

A delegation of the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC) Rajouri, led by its president and retired professor Hardial Singh met Deputy Commissioner Rajouri and DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range Sandeep Wazeer. As per a statement issued, during the meeting some important issues were discussed pertaining to common Sikh sangat including construction of link roads and renovation & preservation of Tehsil Qila Darhal's Historical Fort' & others development issues on priority basis. The statement added that another meeting was held with DIG Rajouri Poonch range Sandeep Wazeer. DIG Rajouri was welcomed by DGPC Rajouri and was presented with a bouquet of flowers. The President, Prof. Hardial Singh, discussed various issues pertaining to the Sikh community of District Rajouri. Singh also emphasised making society drug-free and that the DGPC Rajouri is always ready to extend support to the District Administration and Police Department.

GOC White Knight Corps reviews air defence preparedness, LoC security

Rajouri, May 8: On the eve of first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, General Officer Commanding White Knight Corps, Lt Gen PK Mishra visited the White Knight Air Defence Brigade followed by Centre of Expertise for drone fabrication to review operational preparedness, Counter UAS capabilities and emerging technology integration. As per an official statement, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) reviewed key operational measures, various initiatives and maintenance facilities critical to sustaining operational readiness and preserving a technological edge. He commended all ranks for their professionalism, technological ingenuity and high standards of skill, while emphasising continuous innovation, capability enhancement and preparedness to meet evolving challenges of future warfare. Earlier, GOC White Knight Corps Lt Gen PK Mishra along with GOC Ace Of Spades Division, Maj Gen Kaushik Mukherji visited forward areas along the Line of Control to review the prevailing security situation, infrastructure development and operational preparedness of formations under Krishna Ghati Brigade. Army said that the GOC was briefed on operational deployment, surveillance architecture and measures instituted to maintain a robust counter infiltration grid. Army stated that along the Line of Control (LoC), where resolve is tested every day, troops of White Knight Corps continue to maintain unwavering vigilance, effective domination and psychological ascendancy over the adversary through superior professionalism, combat readiness and unflinching morale.

Session on Relevance of Research Publication held at Jammu University

The Department of Psychology, University of Jammu, organised an interactive session on the topic Relevance of Research Publication in Higher Education. Dr Vishnu Narayan Kucheria from the Department of Psychology, Central University of Haryana, was the resource person. The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, research scholars, and faculty members of the department. Welcoming the resource person, Prof. Prakash Chand Anthal, Head, Department of Psychology, as per a statement, highlighted the growing significance of quality research publications in the academic and professional development of students and scholars. Further, he emphasized that research publications not only contribute to the advancement of knowledge but also strengthen the standards of higher education institutions. He encouraged students and scholars to actively engage in meaningful research and develop a scientific temper and academic integrity. During the session, Dr. Vishnu Narayan Kucheria highlighted the importance of publishing research in reputed journals and discussed contemporary trends, challenges, and ethical concerns associated with academic publishing. He stressed the need for originality, methodological rigor, and critical thinking in research work. He reflected on the process of research. Dr. Kucheria guided participants regarding selecting journals and enhancing the visibility as well as the impact of scholarly work. He also elaborated on how publishing in reputed journals enhances visibility, fosters collaboration, and opens avenues for academic growth. In addition, he encouraged the participants to convert research ideas into patents. The interactive session provided an enriching platform for students and scholars to engage in meaningful discussions and seek guidance on various aspects of research writing and publication. Participants actively interacted with the resource person and raised queries related to research methodology, publication ethics, indexing, and career opportunities in academia. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Sarita Sood, appreciating the valuable insights shared by Dr Kucheria and the active participation of the students, scholars, and faculty members of the department.

IGP Jammu stresses inter-agency coordination during Tri-Range Security review

The Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone Bhim Sen Tuti, IPS, chaired a high-level Tri-Range security review meeting at Sunderbani along with DIG JSK Range, Shridhar Patil, IPS; DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, IPS; DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range, Sandeep Wazir, IPS; DIG BSF, K. S. Nautiyal; DIG CRPF, Naresh Kumar; SSP Rajouri, Gaurav Sikarwar, IPS; and SSP Reasi, Mukund Tibrewal, IPS. As per a statement issued, detailed discussions were held on the prevailing security scenario in the region, with special emphasis on strengthening operational coordination and intelligence-based policing across the three police ranges. The IGP reviewed the overall security grid and deliberated upon measures aimed at further enhancing preparedness, response mechanisms, and coordinated operational capabilities in the Jammu region. During the meeting, the IGP Jammu Zone stressed the importance of seamless jointness among the Jammu and Kashmir Police, BSF, CRPF, and other security agencies operating in the region. He underscored the need for continuous intelligence sharing, synchronized area domination, and real-time coordination to effectively counter emerging security challenges and maintain peace in the region. The meeting also focused on strengthening the anti-infiltration grid with special emphasis on deployment along the second-tier and maintaining heightened vigil in vulnerable areas. Discussions were held regarding robust NH security measures and ensuring enhanced preparedness ahead of the forthcoming Yatra season. The IGP further emphasised the importance of maintenance and regular updating of databases, timely sharing of actionable intelligence, and strengthening inter-agency communication channels to ensure swift and coordinated responses during operational contingencies. Discussions also focussed on maintaining a robust and integrated security framework through close inter-agency cooperation, regular operational reviews, and unified efforts aimed at ensuring safety, stability, and public confidence across the border and hinterland areas of the Jammu region. The meeting also emphasized sustained training and capacity building of Village Defence Guards (VDGs) to further strengthen the security architecture at the grassroots level.

Nomadic herd movement, single-lane stretches cause traffic snarls on NH-44

Ramban, May 8:The SrinagarJammu National Highway (NH-44) remained open for two-way movement of light and medium vehicles on Friday, although traffic movement was slow at several stretches due to congestion, vehicle breakdowns and the movement of nomadic herds. Traffic authorities said that, subject to fair weather and favourable road conditions, the highway would remain open for two-way movement of light, medium and heavy vehicles on Saturday as well. Officials said traffic snarls were witnessed at multiple locations, particularly between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, where single-lane road conditions led to major bottlenecks. The situation was aggravated by the breakdown of heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) at Mininest. The movement of nomadic herds along the NachlanaBanihal stretch also contributed significantly to delays. According to officials, 16 nomadic herds crossed the stretch during the day, while at least four more herds are expected to move through the area in the coming days, likely causing further slowing of traffic on the single-lane sections. Authorities advised commuters to maintain strict lane discipline and avoid overtaking to minimise congestion and prevent traffic jams. Passengers and light motor vehicle operators have also been urged to undertake journeys during daytime only and avoid travelling at night in view of the risk of shooting stones, landslides, ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal, and continued nomadic movement along the highway. Officials said that, subject to favourable weather and road conditions, all categories of vehicles, including passenger and heavy vehicles, would be allowed to ply from both sides of the highway. However, they warned that violations such as wrong-lane driving and overtaking could trigger further traffic disruptions. Traffic Control Units in Jammu and Srinagar, in coordination with Ramban district authorities, are closely monitoring the situation. Commuters have been advised to check the latest road status with traffic control authorities before undertaking their journey.

Jammu phase ends, spotlight turns to Kashmir

Srinagar, May 8:After drawing an enthusiastic response in Jammu, the Senior T20 selection trials of the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) have now shifted to Kashmir, where the next phase of the process began on Friday with fitness assessments for aspiring cricketers. According to JKCA officials, the Jammu leg of the trials witnessed participation from more than 100 cricketers. Following the mandatory fitness tests, the pool was reduced to 65 players, then 23, and then finally top performers were shortlisted after open-net assessments during the Jammu phase. As per the JKCA schedule, the Kashmir leg commenced on May 8 with fitness testing and will continue on Sunday as well. Officials said players clearing the fitness benchmarks will subsequently appear in the cricket trials and open-net sessions. With the trials open to all and no upper age limit in place, the Kashmir phase is expected to witness significant participation from aspiring cricketers from different districts of the Valley. However, fitness remains the first and most crucial filter in the selection process, officials said. Meanwhile, the ongoing exercise has also highlighted a two-tier structure in the selection system. JKCA officials stated that players who have already represented J&K in the Ranji Trophy are exempted from the trial process and will be considered directly during final team selection. In contrast, fresh aspirants and players who have moved beyond the U-23 category are required to undergo the complete process, including fitness tests and skill-based assessments. Officials said performances from both Jammu and Kashmir phases, along with evaluations of established players, will help selectors prepare the final pool for the Senior T20 squad. Trial matches are also expected before the final team is announced. With the Kashmir leg now underway after a strong turnout in Jammu, attention will remain on the number of participants and the level of competition emerging from the Valley trials.

DYSS organises sports activities across Udhampur

:As part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Udhampur, has been organising a series of awareness campaigns and pledge ceremonies, besides sports activities under the aegis of Mini Olympics. In continuation of the drive, as per an official statement, a number of activities were held across various zones of the district on Friday. Students, teachers and sports field staff actively participated in the events and took a solemn pledge to work collectively towards building a drug-free society. Sports competitions including Athletics, Volleyball, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Chess, Yoga and other games were held in different zones with enthusiastic participation from boys and girls. Awareness rallies and motivational sessions were also organised to encourage students to stay away from drugs and adopt sports as a way of life. Zone Babey organised a pledge ceremony where students and sports field staff participated. Zone Panchari conducted Inter-School Zonal Level Athletics competitions at local GHSS and GHS Dubigali, witnessing overwhelming participation from Under-14 and Under-17 students. Similar awareness and sports activities were also organized in Ramnagar and Majalta Zones.

Collective efforts must to end drug menace, save youth: Mirwaiz

Srinagar, May 8:Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq said collective efforts by all sections of society are must to end drug menace and save youth from destruction. Addressing the Friday congregation at historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz said the states drive against drug peddlers and narcotics networks in Jammu and Kashmir is a welcome initiative. Every sincere effort aimed at protecting the younger generation from the menace of addiction, which today is one of the gravest challenges facing society, is welcome, he said. At the same time, Mirwaiz said one cannot ignore the fact that a generation raised among political conflict, uncertainty, stress and limited economic avenues is highly prone to substance abuse. This crisis cannot be seen only through the law and order prism and headline grabbing of arrests and property confiscation. Elaborating Mirwaiz said many youth today are struggling with anxiety, hopelessness, and psychological distress as a fallout of political uncertainty and anxiety about their future. Therefore, while strict action against drug traffickers and dismantling of their networks is necessary, policing alone cannot solve this health emergency, nor heal a wounded society. He said the situation demands a holistic approach where the younger generation sees settlement and opportunities that will rekindle hope and the promise of a bright future, which in itself will deter them away from drugs. Mirwaiz said that with these objectives in mind, a campaign against drug abuse and for social reformation was also started around 2014, under the aegis of Muthahida Majlis Ulema stressing the role that masjids and imams can play in this endeavour. He said collective efforts from all sides can go a long way in dealing with this problem. Simultaneously, Mirwaiz said, society must also honestly acknowledge that addiction is not limited only to narcotic drugs and that alcohol too is an intoxicant and a dangerous social evil. Islam has always strongly prohibited intoxicants because of the damage they cause to both the individual and society. Kashmir has historically been a society rooted in spirituality, morality, and social values and therefore, while action against drugs is necessary and welcome, the increasing normalisation and availability of alcohol in society is equally concerning, he said. Mirwaiz said official figures indicate that there are now hundreds of licensed liquor vends across Jammu and Kashmir, and revenues from liquor sales have increased substantially in recent years, raising an important question: can one form of addiction be fought while another is simultaneously expanded? Mirwaiz pointed out that many states including Gujarat, Bihar and Nagaland, have implemented prohibition or strict restrictions on alcohol, showing that governments can adopt policies guided not merely by revenue considerations, but also by social welfare and public wellbeing. Therefore, while supporting strong action against drug trafficking and addiction, Mirwaiz urged the government to seriously reconsider its alcohol policy in J&K, and impose a total ban saying that a meaningful strategy to protect the youth must address all forms of intoxicants together. Our youth need education, opportunity, counselling, spiritual grounding, and constructive engagementnot substances that destroy their future, Mirwaiz said. Earlier, Mirwaiz said the banning of Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom under the stringent UAPA is a serious matter. Referring to yesterday's protests on this, Mirwaiz said that the dare by students and their parents to protest in these times, shows the urgency and deep distress it is causing to them. Those at the helm should understand that if they are not seeing open resentment to such moves, it is because there is no space for people or leadership to express their disagreement and anguish with such policies. The undercurrent of resentment against these policies can consolidate, if the state does not revisit this approach and allow the reopening of this institution and such others, letting them function as educational institutions everywhere do, he said. He urged those in power to reconsider this approach and earn peoples trust and goodwill rather than alienate them by such distressing measures.