Opinion

Three injured after hit by speeding car in Ganderbal, accident caught on CCTV

Single protest may not yield results; we didn't wait for August 5 to press our demand: CM Omar Abdullah

Ganderbal, Jul 30: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that a single protest would not yield meaningful results, asserting that the party's campaign for the restoration of statehood is a sustained political effort rather than a one-day event. Speaking to reporters after reviewing various developmental works in his home constituency of Ganderbal, Abdullah said the National Conference took its protest to Delhi knowing that one demonstration alone would not secure the desired outcome. We took our protest to Delhi knowing fully well that we would not get anything from the first one. A promise was made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the restoration of statehood, and that promise remains unfulfilled, he said. The Chief Minister said the NC did not wait for August 5 to register its protest and had consistently raised the issue through every available democratic platform. We passed a resolution in the Legislative Assembly, ensuring that the voice and mandate of the people reached New Delhi formally. A single protest or symbolic political demonstration will not yield results. We did not sit quietly waiting for August 5 to raise our voice; we have used every available platform, including the Assembly, to make New Delhi understand what the people of Jammu and Kashmir genuinely want, Abdullah said. Responding to a question on the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Chief Minister expressed concern over reports of violence and civilian casualties. We are all concerned. We can only hope that peace prevails there as well, he said.

MLA Pulwama Waheed Para thanks housing ministry for approving Rs 18.96 crore Water Supply Scheme for Pulwama Town

Pulwama, Jul 30: Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Pulwama, Waheed Ur Rehman Para, today expressed his sincere gratitude to the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD), Ms. Mandeep Kaur, for according Administrative Approval to the much-awaited Water Supply Scheme for Pulwama Town. Describing the project as a major milestone in addressing one of Pulwamas most pressing civic issues, the MLA said that ensuring a reliable supply of safe drinking water has remained one of his foremost priorities since assuming office. Waheed Para said that for the past two years, he has consistently pursued the matter with the government and concerned departments through sustained follow-ups to secure approval for a long-term, high-capacity water infrastructure project capable of meeting the growing needs of Pulwama town. Under Government Order No. 61-JK (HUD) of 2026, Administrative Approval has been granted for the project at an estimated cost of 18.96 crore (1,896.31 lakh) under the Urban Development Sector (DULBK) Capex Budget. The project is expected to significantly improve drinking water supply and provide lasting relief from the persistent water scarcity faced by residents.

Omar Abdullah defends Delhi protest, says one protest may not yield results

IUST hosts national conference on innovative pedagogies in higher education

J-K DGP orders attachment of properties of five Pakistan-based terrorists

Srinagar, Jul 30: Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat has ordered the attachment of properties belonging to five notorious terrorists currently operating from Pakistan as part of the Jammu and Kashmir Police's continued crackdown on terror networks and their support infrastructure, officials said today. They said the action targets terrorists who have crossed over to Pakistan and are involved in orchestrating terror-related activities in Jammu and Kashmir. In a related development, the J&K Police has also secured Proclamation Proceedings against Mohd Qasim, a top operative of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), who is also operating from Pakistan. Police said Qasim's property had already been attached in March 2026 under the relevant legal provisions as part of efforts to dismantle the financial and logistical networks of terrorists operating from across the border.

Iranian strike hits Chinese firm's building, killing a worker, Kuwait's military says

Cairo, Jul 30: Kuwait's military says an Iranian strike has hit a building for a Chinese firm, killing a worker. The strike severely damaged the building in northern Kuwait, the military said on Thursday morning without elaborating. The attack came after Jordan's air defences shot down five missiles launched from Iran. Jordan's state-run Petra news agency said no casualties were reported. The US military said earlier it had completed a heavy wave of strikes against Iran, conducted in response to an earlier Iranian missile attack on a US base in Jordan. Central Command said in a social media post that the US had struck dozens of targets belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, including military command centers as well as missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance and defence sites.

MLA Sheikh Khursheed protests at PDD Handwara over power disconnections

Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Langate, Sheikh Khursheed Wednesday staged a protest in the premises of Power Development Department (PDD) Division Handwara after electricity connections of several consumers were reportedly disconnected in Gonipora village of Handwara over pending electricity bills. Addressing the media, MLA Sheikh Khursheed expressed concern over the disconnection of power supply to poor families and urged the PDD authorities to adopt a humane approach while recovering pending dues. The economically weaker sections should not be subjected to hardships, he added. While referring to the BJP office functioning from the Fisheries Department premises in Handwara, Khursheed alleged that the office has electricity dues of around Rs 5 lakh pending with the PDD. I am unable to comprehend why the PDD has failed to recover electricity dues from the BJP office being run from Fisheries hut Handwara. I demand equal enforcement of electricity regulations and no individual or organisation should be treated differently under the law, he added. Later authorities disconnected electricity of BJP office Handwara over non-payment of electricity dues.

Ajinkya Rahane Announces Retirement From International Cricket, Says The Truth Is Every Journey Has an End

Mumbai : Veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket. The experienced cricketer made the announcement on July 30 through an emotional social media post after remaining out of the Indian team for the last three years. Rahane was once a key member of Indias Test middle order alongside Virat Kohli ... Read more Ajinkya Rahane Announces Retirement From International Cricket, Says The Truth Is Every Journey Has an End

The digital orchard: Smart irrigation in Kashmirs high density apple farms

In Kashmirs high-density apple orchards, success is increasingly being determined not just by how much water is available, but by how precisely it is managed. As weather patterns become more unpredictable and water availability more uncertain, orchardists are finding that every irrigation decision, from when to switch on a pump to how long the water is delivered, can influence tree health, fruit quality and ultimately the seasons entire harvest. Precision is becoming the new standard for apple cultivation. Unlike traditional apple orchards, high-density plantations contain more trees per hectare and are designed for intensive production in a shorter period of time. This makes the need for precise irrigation even more essential, because even small inconsistencies in water can alter tree health and fruit output. And because the margin for error is much smaller, the need for reliable and well-managed systems is much greater. Although they yield faster returns, high-density orchards also represent a greater financial investment, as initial establishment costs would include specialized planting material, support systems, drip irrigation infrastructure and site preparation. This would make unpredictable weather more consequential than in traditional orchards. Automation is the central part of a broader shift towards smart orchard management. Increasingly, tools such as soil moisture sensors, weather stations, drones and mobile-controlled irrigation systems are being introduced to help farmers make data-driven decisions throughout the growing cycle. These technologies address more than just convenience. It allows farmers to respond more quickly to changing field conditions while reducing the time they spend operating infrastructure manually. Pumps can be scheduled around the specific crops requirements, valves can be managed remotely, and farmers can receive updates on their devices without needing to visit every field. In high-yield apple orchards, where irrigation timing directly correlates with fruit quality and output, this kind of control is becoming more valuable. With digital irrigation and real-time monitoring giving farmers greater visibility over their routine operations, they are then free to focus more on high-value farm work such as pruning or pest management. In a labor-intensive sector such as this, freeing up time and manpower can also help orchardists address workforce shortage issues and time management. The growth of smart irrigation in Kashmir is being driven through collaboration between researchers, technology companies, the government, and growers. Government-backed horticulture programs and subsidy schemes for these high-density plantations have accelerated adoption across Kashmir. Initiatives such as the High-Density Plantation Scheme ushered in the replacement of traditional orchards to high-density plantations through financial assistance and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) helped to promote drip irrigation, fertigation and other precision practices. As these farmers invest in modern orchards, the demand for technologies that reduce labor requirements and simplify management is also growing. Academic institutions, such as Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-Kashmir), continue to study innovative precision irrigation practices and provide technical support to orchardists. At their agri-tech labs, researchers produced an AI-powered robotic sprayer, with built-in detection capabilities, which lowers overall costs as well as runoff. Multinational companies, such as Jain Irrigation, have helped to expand the adoption of smart drip and micro-irrigation systems in the region. Its NutriCare fertigation system allows growers to automate the delivery of nutrients, ensuring trees receive consistent input while reducing manual intervention. Building upon this growing ecosystem, Acres of Ice, an IoT-based climate-tech company, is developing FlowNet, an automated pump and valve controller, designed for micro-irrigation systems. Powered by battery and solar backup, it allows orchardists to remotely schedule irrigation, monitor pumps through a mobile application and receive performance updates without needing to visit the field. Oftentimes, these organizations and universities will also form partnerships to bring low-cost, efficient tools straight to the farmer. As Kashmirs apple industry continues to transition towards high-density cultivation, smart irrigation could become as fundamental as the orchards themselves. Combining generations of traditional horticultural knowledge with digital tools, growers can make more informed decisions, use water more efficiently and build orchards better equipped for an increasingly unpredictable climate. Technologies such as FlowNet represent a small part of this broader shift, one that seeks not to replace the experience of the orchardists, but to give them better control of one of their most valuable resources.

NIT Srinagar gets full-time director after over two years

Srinagar, Jul 30: Ending a prolonged wait for regular leadership, the Ministry of Education has appointed Prof Anurag Misra, Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Jammu, as the new Director of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar. According to an order issued by the Department of Higher Education on July 29, the appointment has been made by the President of India in her capacity as the Visitor of the National Institutes of Technology (NITs). Prof Misra has been appointed on a tenure basis for five years from the date he assumes charge or until he attains the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier. The Ministry has directed the Director of IIT Jammu to relieve Prof Misra at the earliest to enable him to take charge at NIT Srinagar. It has also instructed the Director-in-Charge of NIT Srinagar, Prof Binod Kanaujia, to hand over charge to the newly appointed Director. The appointment fills a key academic and administrative position that had remained without a full-time incumbent for more than two years. On Tuesday, Kashmir MP Mian Altaf raised the issue once again in the Parliament, reminding the House how he took up the issue with the former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In December last year, the Union Ministry of Education informed Parliament that NIT Srinagar had been functioning without a regular Director since the premature departure of the last appointee. Responding to a question by National Conference MP Mian Altaf Ahmad in the Lok Sabha, the Centre said a regular Director had been appointed in May 2023 for a five-year term but returned to his parent institution after serving only eight months due to administrative reasons. Since then, the institute had been functioning under interim leadership, with the additional charge of Director being assigned to the head of another National Institute of Technology to ensure smooth functioning. The Centre had also informed Parliament that a Search-cum-Selection Committee had been constituted under the provisions of the NITSER Act, 2007, and that interviews of shortlisted candidates had already been conducted, indicating that the appointment process was in its final stages.

Weather to stay cloudy till August 5; no major rainfall likely in Kashmir: MeT

Ajinkya Rahane Announces Retirement From International Cricket, Says 'Time to Move On'

Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a remarkable career that included India's historic Test series victory in Australia in 2021.

No major rain spell expected in Kashmir, heavy showers likely in Jammu: MeT

Srinagar, Jul 30: The Kashmir Valley is unlikely to witness any major spell of rainfall over the coming days, although intermittent light rain and brief showers will continue, while the Jammu division is expected to receive heavy rainfall with the risk of flash floods, landslides and mudslides, Director of the Meteorological Department Mukhtar Ahmad said on Thursday. Ahmad said weather conditions would remain largely stable across the Valley, while rainfall activity would be more pronounced in Jammu. Overall, there is no significant weather activity expected in the Kashmir Valley. The weather will remain cloudy, with intermittent light rain and brief showers at some places. It will neither be completely clear nor continuously wet. These conditions are likely to continue until around August 5, he said. He said widespread rainfall activity was expected on Thursday, with brief showers likely across the Valley and different districts of Jammu. Today... there will be a spell of widespread rainfall activity, especially across the Valley and different districts of Jammu division. Most places are likely to receive brief showers, while a few locations may witness intense showers, Ahmad said. According to the MeT Director, the Jammu division could witness another heavy spell of rain during the early hours of Friday, with additional spells likely between August 23 and August 34. Heavy rainfall is expected in the Jammu division, especially during late-night and early-morning hours. This may lead to landslides, mudslides and shooting stones, he said. He cautioned that isolated intense showers could also trigger flash floods in vulnerable areas. Advising farmers, Ahmad said routine agricultural activities need not be suspended. Farmers can continue their routine work, including spraying, field preparation and fertiliser application, he said. He also urged travellers and transporters to exercise caution, particularly in the Jammu region. Travellers, commuters, tourists and transporters should plan their journeys keeping the weather forecast in mind, Ahmad said, adding that people travelling through the Chenab Valley, the Pir Panjal region and the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway should remain alert to the possibility of landslides and mudslides and follow advisories issued by the administration and traffic authorities. On temperatures, Ahmad said daytime and night-time temperatures are likely to rise gradually over the next two weeks before beginning to decline later in August. This pattern is likely to continue until around August 20... After that, temperatures will gradually decline, marking the onset of autumn, which is expected to begin gradually after August 20, he said.

EOW books four in cheating, fake cooking company scam

Srinagar, Jul 30: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a charge-sheet in FIR No. 77/2022 under Sections 420 and 120-B IPC the Hon'ble Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, against four accused persons in a cheating case, officials said on Thursday. The officials said that the accused have been identified as Mohd Amin Bhat, son of Mohd Afzal Bhat, resident of Khanyar, Srinagar;Khalid Hussain Khan, son of Ghulam Hassan Khan, resident of Gasiyar Hawal, Srinagar;Anil Kumar Maheshwari, son of Ganpat Lal, resident of A-38, Satiya Nagar, Ward No. 09, Jhotwara, Jaipur, Rajasthan; and Shashank Kumar, son of Surinder Singh, resident of B-50, Uddai City, Pallapurram-2, Modipurram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. The case originated from a complaint alleging that Mohammad Amin Bhat of Khanyar, Srinagar, along with Khalid Hussain Khan, Area Sales Manager, and Anil Kumar Maheshwari, Regional Sales Manager of M/s Assured Agro Food Industries, induced him to invest Rs. 15 lakh as a security deposit for the supply of cooking oil. The accused represented that the company was a manufacturer of cooking oil and assured delivery of stock within a week. However, no stock was supplied, an official spokesperson said in a press statement. Accordingly, he said, a probe has been ordered to investigate the allegations and during investigation, it was established that the accused persons, acting in conspiracy, cheated the complainant on the pretext of supplying mustard oil. Enquiries with the Registrar of Companies, Rajasthan, revealed that no company by the name of M/s Assured Agro Food Industries was registered. Investigation further disclosed the involvement of the company's purported owner, Shashank Kumar of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. On completion of investigation, the charge-sheet has been presented before the competent court for judicial proceedings, the spokesperson said. The Crime Branch has advised the public to remain vigilant against such economic frauds and report any suspicious activities to the SSP, EOW Kashmir. Victims may also lodge complaints through email at sspeow-kmr@jkpolice.gov.in

Ajinkya Rahane announces retirement from international cricket

The 38-year-old played an overall 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is for India in a career which began in 2013

Northern Railway extends cancellation of three train services on BanihalBudgamBaramulla section till August 14

Banihal, Jul 30: Northern Railway has extended the cancellation of three passenger train services operating on the BanihalBudgamBaramulla section till August 14, 2026, in view of the continuation of scheduled track maintenance works. According to a fresh notice issued by the Office of the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Jammu, the previously suspended train services will continue to remain cancelled from July 31 to August 14 (JCO) to facilitate pre-BCM high-temperature destressing of Long Welded Rails (LWR) in the BanihalBaramulla section. The services whose cancellation has been extended are:Train No. 74615: BanihalBaramulla;train No. 74632: BaramullaBudgam; and train No. 74628: BudgamBanihal The extension means that the 10:50 a.m. BanihalBaramulla passenger train, a key service for daily commuters, students and office-goers travelling between Banihal and various stations in the Kashmir Valley, will also remain suspended during the extended period. Railway officials said the extension is necessary to complete the planned track maintenance and rail destressing works aimed at ensuring the safety and reliability of train operations. Passengers have been advised to make alternate travel arrangements and check the latest train schedules before commencing their journey.

1,795 pilgrims leave Jammu for Baltal; 1,943 return to Jammu as Amarnath Yatra continues

Banihal, Jul 30: A fresh batch of 1,795 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu early Thursday for the Baltal base camp to undertake the ongoing Shri Amarnath Yatra under tight security arrangements, officials said. According to the Joint Police Control Room (JPCR), Jammu, the 23rd batch departed at 2:44 a.m. in a convoy of 83 vehicles, including 41 buses, 11 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 30 light motor vehicles (LMVs), and one two-wheeler. The batch comprised 1,406 male pilgrims and 389 female pilgrims. No pilgrims were scheduled to travel via the Pahalgam route on Thursday. Officials said the convoy is moving under multi-layer security with escort vehicles and an ambulance accompanying the pilgrims. With the departure of Thursday's convoy, the total number of pilgrims who have left Bagwati Nagar base camp Jammu for the annual pilgrimage has reached 1,34,201, according to the JPCR. Meanwhile, the 22nd return convoy carrying 1,943 pilgrims departed from the Baltal base camp for Jammu on Thursday. According to the Joint Police Control Room, Baltal, the return convoy comprised 1,413 male pilgrims, 392 female pilgrims, 12 children, 97 sadhus and 29 sadhvis. The pilgrims were travelling in 63 vehicles, including 40 heavy motor vehicles (HMVs), 11 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), and 12 light motor vehicles (LMVs) under adequate security arrangements. The annual pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath cave shrine is continuing smoothly with authorities maintaining elaborate security and traffic management along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and the Baltal route.

US launches strikes on Iranian targets day after it foiled missile attack on American forces

Baghdad, Jul 30: The US military said early Thursday it had completed what it described as a heavy wave of strikes against Iran conducted in response to an earlier Iranian missile attack on a US base in Jordan. US Central Command said in a social media post that over the span of two hours they struck dozens of targets belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, including military command centres as well as missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance and defense sites. The new strikes came hours after US President Donald Trump vowed to hit Iran very hard after it targeted a base in Jordan that hosts US troops. Iranian state media said two people were injured in attacks on the island of Qeshm in the Strait of Hormuz and that explosions were also reported in Khuzestan province to the northwest. Elsewhere, drone strikes ignited fires on two natural gas vessels at the Egyptian port of Damietta, according to British maritime security firm Ambrey. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the strikes on a US-owned floating storage facility and a Greek-owned tanker. No injuries were reported. The flare-ups on multiple fronts after several days of relative calm raised the risk of a return to all-out war. It also underscored the difficulty of winding down a five-month conflict that has jolted the world economy and is unpopular among Americans. The fighting was also likely to add to concerns that the U.S. is further drawing down already diminished stockpiles of sophisticated munitions needed to defend its bases and allies. Egypt, a close US ally and regional mediator, is one of the only countries in the Middle East to have been spared direct military action during the war. A strike by Iran or its allies, if confirmed, would mark a significant widening of the conflict. Asked during an Oval Office event if Iran was responsible for the strikes on the natural gas vessels, Trump responded: It's a little more of the same. In the meantime, we're going to be hitting them very hard because it's our turn to hit them, he added. Saudi Arabia had accused the Iraqi militias of firing drones against its oil facilities over the past two days. An umbrella group of Iraqi militias initially denied the allegations, while another Iran-backed group the Houthi rebels in Yemen said they had attacked Saudi energy facilities as part of a separate but related conflict. Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman met separately on Wednesday with Trump and Vice President J D Vance, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly. The White House and Vice President's office did not respond to requests for comment. Before the latest eruption, mediators had expressed optimism about bringing the U.S. and Iran back to the negotiating table. An interim agreement collapsed in recent weeks over renewed fighting in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global energy supplies that Iranian attacks have again effectively closed. A regional official said mediators are still trying with both sides to restore calm and get the ceasefire back on track. He gave no details on whether progress was being made and spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door diplomacy. Regional countries will continue to push to de-escalate the situation, said an Arab official, adding that prospects for successful mediation were slim as both sides continue to launch attacks on the other and have shown no inclination to stop. We're in a very bad place right now, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe an internal assessment of the situation. The renewed hostilities sent oil prices spiking. Brent crude, the international standard, jumped 7.3 per cent to USD 88.093 a barrel.

PM Modi extends Global Tiger Day greetings, reaffirms commitment to conservation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended greetings to wildlife enthusiasts on the occasion of Global Tiger Day, highlighting Indias success in tiger conservation and reaffirming the countrys commitment to science-based conservation and sustainable development. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said India was proud to be home to nearly 70 percent of the worlds tiger population, attributing the achievement to the countrys long-standing tradition of living in harmony with nature and the collective efforts of its people. Greetings to all wildlife enthusiasts on Global Tiger Day. The people of India are proud of the fact that we are home to almost 70% of the global tiger population. Indias tiger conservation efforts are inspired by our centuries-old culture of living in harmony with nature and powered by the collective will of our people. We also reaffirm our commitment to science-based conservation, community participation and sustainable development that strengthens tiger conservation, PM Modi said. The Prime Minister also praised the contribution of forest personnel, scientists and conservationists in protecting the countrys tiger population. The efforts and dedication of our forest personnel, scientists and conservationists have also played a key role in tiger protection. In that spirit, India remains committed to empowering local communities and reducing human-wildlife conflict, PM Modi added.

SKUAST-K steps up FPO expansion drive in Budgam

More than 200 farmers participated in a major Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) mobilisation drive in Budgam on Tuesday as Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) stepped up efforts to strengthen farmer collectives under the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-supported Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP). The programme, organised by the Ashtar Valley Farmer Producer Organisation Cooperative Ltd., Arigam, Khansahib, focused on expanding FPO membership and promoting collective farming enterprises as a means to improve farmers incomes, enhance market access and ensure sustainable agricultural growth. Addressing the gathering, Director Extension and Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, Prof. (Dr.) Raihana Habib Kanth, said Farmer Producer Organisations are emerging as key institutions for transforming the agricultural sector by enabling farmers to collectively access quality inputs, modern technologies, institutional credit, value-addition facilities and organised markets. She urged farmers to actively join producer organisations and take advantage of the opportunities created under the IFAD-supported JKCIP. She also reaffirmed SKUAST-Ks commitment to providing technical support, capacity building and extension services to strengthen farmer-led institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Budgam, Prof. Bilal Ahmad Lone, highlighted the importance of adopting scientific farming practices, collective marketing and continuous skill development to improve farm productivity, profitability and rural livelihoods. Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Bhat, Coordinator, Upscaling Collectivisation Component, JKCIP, SKUAST-K, outlined the projects strategy for building strong, self-reliant and commercially viable farmer organisations. He said expanding farmer participation and increasing membership are essential to creating sustainable producer collectives capable of effectively addressing challenges related to production, aggregation and marketing. The event brought together officials associated with the JKCIP collectivisation programme, FPO development officers from several districts, scientists, extension experts and members of the Ashtar Valley Farmer Producer Organisation. An interactive session was also held during the programme, during which farmers sought information on FPO membership, governance mechanisms, business planning and market opportunities. Experts addressed their queries and encouraged eligible farmers to join producer organisations to benefit from collective farming and improved market linkages. The mobilisation drive forms part of SKUAST-Ks ongoing efforts under the JKCIP to expand and strengthen farmer-owned institutions with the objective of enhancing agricultural competitiveness, improving market integration and increasing farm incomes across Jammu and Kashmir.

LIC hands over Rs 12,207 Cr dividend cheque to Centre

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on Wednesday handed over a dividend cheque of 12,207.25 crore to the Government of India, representing the Centres share of the dividend approved by shareholders at the corporations Annual General Meeting held on July 27. The cheque was presented by LIC Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director R. Doraiswamy to Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Sanjay Lohiya, was present on the occasion along with LIC Managing Directors Ratnakar Patnaik and R. Chander, and N.S. Raghava, Zonal Manager (In-Charge), Northern Zone. The dividend payment follows shareholder approval at LICs Annual General Meeting held on July 27, 2026. LIC said it is completing 70 years since its incorporation and continues to maintain its position as the market leader in Indias life insurance sector. As of March 31, 2026, the corporation had an asset base of 59.03 lakh crore, underscoring its dominant presence in the countrys insurance industry. The corporation said the dividend payout reflects its continued financial strength and commitment to delivering value to its shareholders, including the Government of India, its majority stakeholder.

CU Srinagar, DBU Punjab ink pact to hold regular job fairs in J&K

In a significant development, Cluster University (CU) Srinagar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Desh Bhagat University (DBU) Punjab to hold regular job fairs, nationwide virtual recruitment drives and industry-oriented skill development programmes. The move comes days after CU Srinagar and DBU Punjab organised a mega job fair at Amar Singh College, Srinagar. The move has come as a major push to strengthen campus placements and expand employment opportunities for youth in Kashmir. Addressing media persons in Srinagar, Vice Chancellor CU Srinagar Prof. Mubin Muhammad said the MoU was signed following the successful conclusion of the universitys mega job fair where around 900 candidates were either selected or shortlisted for employment. He said 5,237 candidates registered for the job fair, which saw participation from 62 companies representing sectors including banking, finance, healthcare, information technology and business services. He said 470-475 candidates secured jobs on the spot while 442 were shortlisted for technical interviews for specialised positions such as junior engineers, mechanical engineers and nursing professionals. He said the latest MoU between the two universities was a major milestone as the agreement would make job fairs a regular feature in Jammu and Kashmir through collaboration between the two universities. He said that under the agreement, students of Cluster University Srinagar will also be able to participate in virtual job fairs organised by Desh Bhagat University across the country, allowing them to attend recruitment drives remotely without travelling outside J&K. The collaboration will ensure our students remain connected with employment opportunities throughout the year. Whenever Desh Bhagat University organises a job fair, our students will be able to register and interact virtually with recruiters, he said. He said that MoU also provides for industry-specific workshops for students and faculty to align academic training with industry requirements and improve the employability of graduates. Prof. Mubin said participating companies would continue mentoring candidates who were not selected during the last recruitment drive by providing guidance for future hiring processes. He said the last job fair was one of the largest open recruitment drives held in J&K and the university deliberately opened participation to all youth from the J&K rather than limiting it to its own students. The drive also attracted registrations from Kashmiri students studying in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other states, he added. The Vice Chancellor said recruiters appreciated the quality of candidates. The highest package offered during direct recruitment was Rs 4.8 lakh per year. The shortlisted candidates for specialised technical positions were offered packages of up to Rs 12 lakh per annum, including overseas opportunities in the nursing sector, VC CU Srinagar said. He said the university would continue organising similar recruitment drives in the future, with the newly signed MoU providing a long-term framework for expanding employment opportunities for students across Jammu and Kashmir.

J&K Bank posts net profit of Rs 424 Cr for Q1

Delivering another quarter of steady financial performance, J&K Bank today posted a net profit of Rs 424.18 Cr for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. The Bank announced the financial results after the Board of Directors approved the quarterly numbers in a meeting held today at the Banks corporate headquarters. Continuing its strong growth trajectory, the Banks advances grew by 25% YoY to Rs 130503 Cr during the quarter while the deposits increased by 17% year-on-year to Rs 173420 Cr. Consequently, the Banks total business registered a healthy growth of over 20%, crossing the historic milestone of Rupees Three Trillion and at Rs 303923 Cr as on June 30, 2026. Speaking on business growth, MD & CEO said, Crossing the landmark milestone of Rs 3 trillion in total business marks another defining moment in the Banks transformation journey. It reflects not merely scale but the deep trust of our customers and the consistent execution of our growth strategy. As we move forward, we shall continue to pursue balanced, customer-centric and technology-led growth while expanding our presence across the country and creating enduring value for all stakeholders. During the quarter, the Banks Net Interest Income (NII) increased 2% to Rs 1497 Cr from Rs 1465 Cr recorded in the corresponding period last year, while Net Interest Margin (NIM) stood at 3.28%. Operating Profit of the Bank grew by 4.5% year-on-year to Rs 703 Cr, while the Cost-to-Income Ratio improved to 58.90% from 60.75%, demonstrating continued operational efficiency. The Banks Yield on Advances also improved to 8.56% sequentially. Commenting on the quarterly performance, MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee said, Driven by robust business expansion and continued improvement in asset quality, we have begun the financial year with our core business fundamentals remaining strong while witnessing sequential growth in deposits in first quarter for the first time in last 6 years. Yet the industry-wide phenomenon of elevated funding costs and sluggish low-cost deposit mobilisation pressured margins, weighing on profitability during the quarter. However, this quarters performance should be placed in the context of our long-term strategic journey rather than viewed solely through the prism of short-term profitability. The choices we have made over the past one year or so were deliberate, disciplined and future-oriented, with a clear focus on accelerating business growth, strengthening our liability franchise and reinforcing the balance sheet. These strategic investments position the Bank to deliver stronger and more sustainable value over the medium to long term, he added. Continuing its consistent focus on strengthening the balance sheet, the Bank further improved its asset quality during the quarter. On a sequential basis, Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) declined to 2.37% from 2.50% as on March 31, 2026, while on a year-on-year basis, it improved from 3.50% recorded during the corresponding period of the previous financial year. Net Non-Performing Assets (NNPA) also improved sequentially to 0.60% from 0.64% recorded in the previous quarter. The Bank maintained a healthy Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR) of 90.53% as against 90.09% recorded last year, reflecting a prudent provisioning policy and conservative approach towards risk management. On the improvement in asset quality, MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee said, The sustained improvement in our asset quality reflects years of disciplined underwriting, robust credit monitoring, focused recovery efforts and a strong risk management framework. With gross slippage ratio for the (annualised) June quarter below 0.5%, our endeavour remains to build a resilient balance sheet that supports quality credit growth while preserving long-term financial stability and safeguarding stakeholder interests. The Banks Capital Adequacy Ratio (CRAR) improved to 16.67% YoY as against 15.98% recorded last year, remaining comfortably above the regulatory requirement. Commenting on the Banks capital position, MD & CEO said, Our strong capital base coupled with the approvals we have for further capital raising provides us adequate headroom and flexibility to support the next phase of our growth journey. It equips us to seize emerging opportunities, meet evolving customer aspirations and sustain profitable expansion while maintaining prudent capital cushion to tide over any future challenges.

Power engineers oppose 11 kV self-certification policy, cite public safety risks

The Jammu and Kashmir Electrical Engineering Graduates Association (JKEEGA) has sought the immediate withdrawal of S.O. 193 of 2026, contending that the governments decision to enhance the notified voltage limit for self-certification of electrical installations from 650 volts to 11 kV could compromise public safety, weaken statutory oversight, and undermine the role of the Electrical Inspection Wing. The association has also called for the notification to be kept in abeyance until a comprehensive technical, legal, and safety review is undertaken. In a detailed representation addressed to the Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, JKEEGA stated that the recently issued notification, which implements provisions under the Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023, appears to have been issued without a comprehensive technical impact assessment, structured stakeholder consultation, or any demonstrable evaluation of the safety implications associated with permitting self-certification of electrical installations up to 11 kV. The association said the issue was deliberated extensively during separate meetings of its Guidance Councils in Kashmir and Jammu, chaired by General Secretary Er. Pirzada Hidayatullah and President Er. Sachin Tickoo, respectively. Following detailed technical discussions, both councils unanimously adopted resolutions opposing S.O. 193 and resolved to seek its immediate withdrawal and a comprehensive review. Copies of the resolutions have also been submitted to the government for consideration. According to the representation, electrical installations operating at 11 kV constitute high-voltage systems that involve significantly greater risks to human life, public property, and the integrity and reliability of the electricity network. JKEEGA argued that such installations require rigorous and independent statutory scrutiny by the Electrical Inspection Wing to ensure compliance with prescribed safety standards. It cautioned that extending the scope of self-certification to 11 kV would substantially reduce independent statutory oversight and weaken the safeguards envisaged under the Electricity Act, 2003, and the CEA Safety Regulations, 2023. The engineering body further maintained that no material has been placed in the public domain to indicate that the enhancement of the notified voltage threshold from 650 volts to 11 kV was preceded by any comprehensive technical feasibility study, safety audit, risk assessment, or comparative analysis of regulatory practices followed by other states. It said a policy decision having far-reaching implications for public safety and regulatory governance should have been preceded by a transparent consultative process involving all stakeholders, including the Electrical Inspection Wing, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL), Jammu and Kashmir Power Transmission Corporation Limited (JKPTCL), engineering associations, technical experts, and consumer representatives. JKEEGA also expressed concern over the practical implications of the notification, observing that certification of high-voltage installations under the revised framework would largely depend upon Chartered Engineers possessing the prescribed qualifications and experience. Given the limited availability of such professionals in the Union Territory, the association apprehended that statutory certification may become concentrated in the hands of only a few individuals, leading to avoidable administrative, technical, and ethical concerns while simultaneously diminishing the institutional role of the Electrical Inspection Wing. While acknowledging that improving the ease of doing business is a legitimate policy objective, the association asserted that it cannot override the paramount considerations of public safety, statutory oversight, and regulatory accountability, particularly in matters involving high-voltage electrical infrastructure. The representation also highlighted a comparative review of the regulatory framework adopted by several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, West Bengal, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh. According to JKEEGA, these states have exercised caution while implementing the discretion available under the CEA Regulations and have retained comparatively lower notified voltage thresholds to ensure continued independent statutory oversight over high-tension electrical installations. The association further pointed out that neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, which has topographical and climatic conditions similar to Jammu and Kashmir, has retained the notified voltage threshold at 440 volts, demonstrating that the CEA Regulations do not prescribe a uniform national threshold of 11 kV. In its representation, JKEEGA urged the government to immediately withdraw S.O. 193 of 2026, suspend its implementation pending a comprehensive technical, legal, and safety review, and constitute a high-level committee comprising representatives from the Power Development Department, Electrical Inspection Wing, KPDCL, JPDCL, JKPTCL, JKEEGA, technical experts, and other stakeholders to examine the implications of the notification. It also sought a comparative assessment of the regulatory frameworks followed in other states before introducing any policy that substantially expands the scope of self-certification. Furthermore, the association requested that any future policy concerning electrical safety and statutory inspection be formulated only after meaningful consultation with all stakeholders and due consideration of technical, legal, and public safety aspects. Reiterating its support for reforms in the power sector, JKEEGA stated that it remains firmly committed to constructive and progressive changes. However, it maintained that such reforms must be founded on sound technical principles, stakeholder participation, statutory compliance, and the paramount consideration of public safety. The association appealed to the government to initiate a transparent, inclusive, and technically informed consultative process to evolve a balanced and consensus-based policy. The association expressed hope that the concerns raised by the engineering fraternity would receive due consideration. However, it warned that if the notification continues in its present form without meaningful stakeholder consultation, JKEEGA would be constrained to register its protest through all lawful, peaceful, and democratic means available under law in order to safeguard public safety, preserve the statutory role of the Electrical Inspection Wing, and protect the legitimate interests of the engineering fraternity. Copies of the representation have also been forwarded to the Advisor to the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary of the Union Territory.

Concerned over HR violations in PoJK, international community silent: BJP

The BJP Human Rights Cell, Jammu and Kashmir has expressed its deep anguish and grave concern over the reports of civilian casualties and the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), particularly in Rawalakot and adjoining areas. Sarfraz Hamid Rather, co-convenor of the BJP Human Rights Cell, Jammu and Kashmir, said that the disturbing reports raised serious concerns regarding the protection of fundamental human rights in the region and warranted the immediate attention of the international community. Rather stated that it was deeply disturbing that despite grave human rights violations, the response of global human rights institutions appeared muted. Human rights are universal, indivisible, and inalienable and cannot be protected selectively on the basis of geography, political considerations or strategic interests, he observed. He further said that the BJP Human Rights Cell called upon the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and other credible international human rights organisations to take immediate cognisance of the reported incidents, ascertain the facts through an independent and impartial process and ensure that a fair, transparent, and credible investigation was conducted. He asserted that those responsible must be held accountable in accordance with international law. Rather emphasised that the people of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir were entitled to the same fundamental rights and freedoms enjoyed by people across the world, including the right to life, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, liberty, dignity and access to justice. He said these rights must be respected and protected without exception. Expressing concern over the silence of the international community, Sarfraz Hamid Rather remarked that the world could not afford to remain indifferent to reports of civilian suffering. He said that every innocent life was precious and every kind of violence deserved a prompt, impartial and credible inquiry. According to him, silence in the face of such allegations only weakened the global commitment to justice, accountability and the protection of human rights. Rather extended heartfelt sympathies to the families of all those who reportedly lost their lives or suffered injuries. He expressed hope that truth would prevail, justice would be delivered and those responsible for the proven violations would be held accountable.

J&K Congress mourns demise of Senior Office Secretary Muhammad Saleem

The Jammu and Kashmir Congress on Wednesday condoled the demise of its senior office-bearer and Office Secretary, Muhammad Saleem, describing him as a dedicated party worker whose contributions would be remembered. In a condolence message, the party said Saleem was a kind, humble and noble-hearted person whose sincerity, dedication and commitment to the Congress and the people earned him respect across the organisation, as per KNS. The Congress leaders said his sudden demise had deeply saddened party leaders and workers and created a void that would be difficult to fill. Expressing solidarity with the bereaved family, the party prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength and patience for his family, friends and all those who knew him. The party also prayed that Almighty Allah forgives his shortcomings and grants him the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous. Meanwhile, PCC President Tariq Hameed Karra, AICC General Secretary & CLP Leader GA Mir besides a number of senior Congress leaders attended the last rites of Mohammed Saleem Khan. Karra termed his death a great loss to the party HQ ,as he was an important bridge of communication with the party cadres. He shared the grief of the bereaved family members and prayed for peace to the departed soul. AICC General Secretary and CLP Leader G A Mir has deeply condoled the sad demise of Saleem and described his untimely demise a great loss to the Congress family and his own family. He described him as an asset to the party. He prayed for peace to the departed soul and shared the grief of the bereaved family. Former Minister and Ex PCC President Peerzada Mohammed Sayeed MLA has also deeply condoled the untimely demise. Prof Soz condoles demise Former Union Minister, Prof Saifuddin Soz has expressed grief over the passing away of Muhammad Saleem Khan of the Congress Party, saying the untimely demise was quite shocking. His absence will mean a vacuum in the Congress Party Office at Maulana Azad Road, Srinagar. He was a person who always had a smile on his face. He served the Congress party with dedication, saif Prof Soz. Saleem Khans demise is a great loss to the J&K Congress Party. I offer my condolences to the bereaved family. May God rest his soul in peace and give fortitude to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss, he added.

Dried branch of Chinar tree at Bagh Ali Mardan poses risk to commuters

Commuters have expressed concern over dried branch of a Chinar tree near Main Mill Stop, Bagh Ali Mardan Khan area saying it poses risk to them. They said the area witnesses heavy movement of people including students and the decayed branch poses risk to them. The branch can fall at any time and cause serious injuries or even loss of life and damage to property if not attended to promptly, said Pir Jan Mohammad, a concerned citizen. Concerned authorities should inspect the tree and arrange for immediate removal of the dried branch in order to safeguard the lives and property of the general public, he added.

University of Kashmir enters new era of academic autonomy with UGC Category-I Status

In a landmark achievement that underscores its sustained pursuit of academic excellence, the University of Kashmir (KU) has been accorded the prestigious Category-I status by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the UGC (Categorisation of Universities for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2018. According to an official communication issued by the UGC Secretary, Prof. Shyama Rath (D.O. No. 91-1/2024(SU-1)/142186), the decision was approved during the Commission's 598th meeting held on July 6, 2026, making the University eligible for enhanced academic, administrative, and financial autonomy available to India's top-performing higher education institutions. The University shall now be eligible for all the benefits as stipulated under Clause 4, i.e., Dimensions of Autonomy for Category-I Universities, of these Regulations, the UGC communication states. Expressing her delight over the achievement, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan described the recognition as a defining moment in the University's journey towards academic excellence. The grant of Category-I status by the UGC reflects the University's sustained academic progress and our collective commitment to quality. I sincerely thank our Hon'ble Chancellor, Shri Manoj Sinha, Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Omar Abdullah, and Minister for Higher Education, UT of J&K, Ms. Sakina Itoo, for their continued guidance and support in strengthening higher education in Jammu and Kashmir. I also congratulate our students, scholars, faculty and non-teaching staff, whose dedication and unwavering commitment have made this recognition possible. We will utilise the enhanced autonomy to further expand academic opportunities, research, innovation, and institutional collaborations, she said. Prof. Khan further noted that the Category-I status would significantly enhance the University's global academic footprint by enabling collaborations with leading international universities, facilitating the engagement of foreign faculty, admitting international students, and offering new Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes in accordance with UGC regulations. She said the enhanced autonomy would further strengthen research, innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and internationalisation initiatives. The recognition follows the University's outstanding performance in the NAAC Re-accreditation Cycle (2025), in which it secured an A++ Grade with a CGPA of 3.68the highest accreditation score in the University's history. Under the UGC Regulations, Category-I status is conferred on universities that achieve a NAAC score of 3.51 or above. With this recognition, the University of Kashmir will enjoy greater flexibility to introduce new academic programmes, revise curricula, promote interdisciplinary education, establish research and innovation ecosystems, forge national and international collaborations, and undertake a range of academic and administrative initiatives with minimal regulatory approvals. The conferment of UGC Category-I status marks a significant milestone in the University's evolution as a centre of academic excellence and innovation, while reinforcing its commitment to the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and positioning it among the country's leading institutions of higher learning. CM Omar Abdullah congratulates KU Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has congratulated the University of Kashmir on being accorded the prestigious Category-I status by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the UGC (Categorisation of Universities for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2018, describing the achievement as a landmark milestone for higher education in Jammu and Kashmir. Congratulating the Vice Chancellor, faculty, students and the entire University fraternity, the Chief Minister said the recognition is a testament to the Universitys sustained commitment to academic excellence, quality research and institutional development. He said the achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of generations of educators, researchers, scholars and students who have contributed to building the Universitys reputation as one of the countrys leading centres of higher learning.

5 women among 9 injured in Muthi accident

Nine persons, including five women, sustained injuries when a mini-bus suddenly overturned at Muthi dream city area in Jammu outskirts on Wednesday. All the injured were immediately shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) hospital Jammu where their condition was stated to be stable. Though passengers and eyewitnesses alleged that the accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving, yet the Police said that the case was registered and an investigation was underway to ascertain the cause of the accident. The injured have been identified as Rajni, 32, wife of Raj Kumar, resident of Purkhoo camp; Vikram, 33, son of Rajinder Kumar, resident of Patoli Brahmana; Rinku, 30, son of Satpal; Ikhlaq Hussain, 20, son of Mohd Lat, Irfan, 20, son of Abdul Razaq; Avantika, 18, daughter of Radhay Sham all residents of Purkhoo camp; Subi, 27, daughter of Somdas Shivgotra, resident of Patoli Brahmana; Sahil Singh, 19, son of Rakesh Singh and Riya Sharma, 25, daughter of Kuldeep Kumar, both residents of Purkhoo camp.

2,120 houses under PMAY-U 2.0 among 45,982 houses sanctioned for J&K: Centre

45,982 houses, including 2,120 under PMAY-U 2.0, have been sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir so far. Out of these, 43,907 houses have been grounded, while 35,961 have already been completed. Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu has shared this information in Rajya Sabha in reply to a question by Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and MP Sat Sharma. Sat Sharma, while raising important issues concerning the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0 in Jammu and Kashmir, sought details from the Union Government regarding housing for urban residents, migrant workers and middle-class families. J&K BJP president asked about the number of houses sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir under PMAY-U 2.0, the progress towards achieving housing saturation in the Union Territory, the provision of Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) in industrial areas like Samba and Bari Brahmana and measures taken to simplify the Interest Subsidy Scheme for middle-class families purchasing apartments. Replying to the question, Sahu stated that the Centre had encouraged the J&K government to submit more proposals to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries received housing benefits under the scheme. The Minister further informed that 336 housing units were already converted into Affordable Rental Housing Complexes in Jammu and Kashmir. Under PMAY-U 2.0, according to the Union Minister, a separate affordable rental housing vertical has also been introduced and the J&K government has been encouraged to submit proposals for developing rental housing for migrant workers and other eligible beneficiaries. Regarding the Interest Subsidy Scheme, the central government clarified that eligible EWS, LIG and MIG families could avail interest subsidy for purchasing or constructing houses through the PMAY-U 2.0 portal. It also clarified that ownership of land was not mandatory for purchasing approved ready-built or under-construction apartments. Sat Sharma said that the government's reply reflected the Centres commitment to ensuring affordable housing for every deserving family. He said these initiatives would benefit thousands of families in Jammu and Kashmir by making home ownership easier and strengthening urban housing infrastructure across the Union Territory.

Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur witness fresh spell of heavy rains

Fresh spell of heavy showers on Wednesday lashed Jammu, Reasi and Udhampur districts leading to rise in water levels in Tawi and Chenab and other streams and nullahs. The surge in water level remained well below the alarming level. After the rain stopped, the situation turned to normal by evening. However, the Met department has predicted continued wet spells, particularly during late evening and morning hours. As per Met department forecast, on July 30 also, scattered rain showers, with the highest chances over the Jammu region, are anticipated. The met department has cautioned that although prolonged rainfall is not expected, there remains a very high risk of flash floods due to intense localised downpours and isolated cloudburst events cannot be ruled out, with the possibility of landslides and shooting stones in vulnerable hilly areas. Between July 31 to August 2, intermittent rain showers are expected. In a related incident, in wake of incessant rains, a house collapsed in Malhotra Mohalla of old Jammu city, however, there was no loss of life in the incident. Police said that the old house was being used as a godown. The house cum godown was in a decrepit situation. This morning at around 8.30 am amid heavy downpour, it caved in. Though the owner suffered the loss of goods stored in the godown yet no loss of lives was reported, Police said. The owner, joined by the local inhabitants, said that the locality, like many other areas of old Jammu city, housed several old and crumbling structures, many belonging to the pre-1947 era. They pose a persistent threat to the inhabitants and the passers-by. Several times, we have approached the concerned authorities including Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) in this connection yet no action has been taken so far. Many among such structures are custodian houses. The government should allow their renovation or take desired steps to ensure safety of inhabitants, they maintained. Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), in view of the heightened risk of dengue and chikungunya, has asked the citizens to remain vigilant against the stagnant water in and around their homes. JMC Commissioner Dr Devansh Yadav has appealed to citizens to support the Corporations campaign to maintain clean surroundings and report areas prone to water stagnation to prevent the vector borne diseases. Meanwhile, the Police along with NDRF and SDRF teams continued a search operation on Wednesday to trace the missing youth. The youth, identified as Ravi, along with his two friends, late Monday evening had gone to Tawi riverfront area, when he went missing.

Wushu, Kabaddi Championship concludes at Indoor Stadium Handwara

The two-day My Youth My Pride Wushu and Kabaddi Championship concluded on Wednesday at the Indoor Stadium Handwara in Kupwara district, bringing together 120 boys and girls across two disciplines. The championship, as per an official statement, drew strong participation from young athletes who competed in Wushu and Kabaddi events over both days. Organisers reported high enthusiasm throughout, with competitors demonstrating technical skill, discipline and sportsmanship across every round. The closing ceremony was attended by Ajaz Hassan, Incharge, Indoor Stadium Handwara, who distributed medals and certificates to winners and participants. Speaking at the ceremony, Ajaz Hassan appreciated the efforts of participants, coaches, officials and organisers who made the championship a success. He urged the young athletes to keep training and to take part in more competitions in pursuit of excellence in sports. The championship was organised under the My Youth My Pride initiative, which promotes sports participation, fitness and youth engagement across the region. The organisers reaffirmed their commitment to creating further opportunities for young athletes in the district.

J&K Sports Council announces junior boys' football trials

The Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council has announced open selection trials for the formation of the Junior Boys Football Team that will represent the Union Territory in the upcoming Junior Boys National Football Championship for the Dr B.C. Roy Trophy 202627, to be conducted under the aegis of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The Council, as per a statement, has invited talented and eligible young footballers from across Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the trials. Division-level selection trials will be held on 31st July and 1st August 2026 at Mini Stadium Synthetic Turf, Parade Ground, Jammu for players from the Jammu Division, and at Synthetic Turf Football Stadium, TRC, Srinagar, for players from the Kashmir Division. The final UT-level selection trials for shortlisted players from both divisions will take place on 3rd and 4th August 2026 at the TRC Football Stadium, Srinagar. Players born between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2012 are eligible to participate. Applicants must be residents of Jammu & Kashmir and are required to produce their original birth certificate, Aadhaar card with a recent photograph, and two passport-size photographs along with photocopies of all documents for verification. Participants have been instructed to report in complete playing kit, including jersey, shorts, stockings, shin guards and football boots. No TA/DA will be provided for attending the trials. Players selected at the UT level will undergo a coaching camp in Srinagar before the final squad is announced. Selected players may also be required to undergo Bone Age Verification Tests as per AIFF guidelines.

U-17 Subroto Cup Football Tournament 2026 kicks off in Baramulla

Following the successful conclusion of the Under-15 Boys Inter-District Provincial Level Subroto Cup Football Tournament 2026, the Under-17 Boys Inter-District Provincial Level Subroto Cup Football Tournament 2026 commenced on Wednesday at St. Joseph's School, Baramulla, under the aegis of the Directorate of Youth Services & Sports, Jammu & Kashmir, with DYSS Baramulla serving as the host district. The championship, as per a DYSS statement was formally inaugurated by the District Youth Services & Sports Officer (DYSSO), Baramulla, Mushtaq Ahmad Pampori, in the presence of Mubeen Ahmad Khan (PEM), Shabir Ahmad Thoker (PEM), and Showkat Ahmad Waza (PEM) Convener of the Tournament, along with officials, technical staff, coaches, and participating teams. A total of eight districts out of ten are participating in the prestigious Under-17 provincial football championship, providing a competitive platform for young footballers to showcase their talent and sportsmanship. The opening day's first session witnessed six thrilling encounters with Bandipora defeating Anantnag by 4-0, Baramulla registering a commanding 8-0 victory over Shopian, Srinagar outclassing Kulgam by 9-0, Ganderbal and Budgam playing out a hard-fought draw. Srinagar continued their impressive run by defeating Anantnag 4-2, and Baramulla and Budgam shared points after their match ended in a draw. The tournament is expected to witness intense competition in the coming days as participating districts strive to secure the coveted provincial title and earn qualification for the next stage of the prestigious Subroto Cup Football Tournament 2026.

Four Ball Tournament 2026 concludes at RSGC

The Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC) successfully concluded its much-anticipated Four Ball Tournament 2026 (Partners by Choice), one of the club's flagship golfing events, after five rounds of exhilarating match-play competition that showcased exceptional golfing talent, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Played on a knockout basis, the tournament, as per a statement, brought together 66 of the Club's leading golfers, competing in 31 highly competitive matches over five rounds. The event witnessed several thrilling encounters, with many matches extending into extra holes and a number being decided through sudden-death playoffs, underlining the high standard of golf and the competitive spirit displayed by the participants. The championship was deservedly claimed by Adnan Rah and Hamza Shah, who demonstrated remarkable consistency, composure, and teamwork throughout the tournament. In a keenly contested final, the champion pair defeated Shabir Ahmad Bhat and Mushtaq Tramboo on the 17th hole, securing victory by 2 up after an impressive display of precision golf and strategic play. The finalists also earned widespread appreciation for their outstanding performance, resilience, and determination, making the championship match a fitting conclusion to an exciting tournament that captivated members and spectators alike. Congratulating the winners, the Secretary of Royal Springs Golf Course, along with the Tournament Committee, commended the champions for their exceptional partnership, consistent performance, and competitive excellence. They also applauded the runners-up for their spirited challenge and praised all participants for upholding the highest traditions of the game through exemplary sportsmanship, discipline, and camaraderie. The Secretary, RSGC, further acknowledged the efforts of the tournament committee, officials and course maintenance staff whose dedication ensured the smooth and successful conduct of the championship. The Four Ball Tournament 2026 once again reinforced Royal Springs Golf Course's reputation as one of the region's premier golfing venues, providing members with an outstanding platform to compete, foster friendships, and celebrate the spirit of the game. The tournament concluded on a high note, adding yet another memorable chapter to the Club's rich sporting legacy and leaving members eagerly anticipating next year's edition.

Kashmir Super League 2026 | Sanctorum North United FC becomes 4th franchise

The Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League (KSL) 2026, powered by Athwas Retail & Athwas Hyundai, continues to attract some of the Valley's most progressive institutions, with Sanctorum North United FC officially joining the league as its fourth franchise. The franchise agreement, as per a statement, was formally signed by Shakir Ashraf on behalf of Sanctorum, marking the institution's entry into Jammu & Kashmir's premier corporate franchise-based football league. Sanctorum has earned a strong reputation for its commitment to quality education and youth development. Beyond academics, the institution has made grassroots football development an integral part of its vision by identifying, nurturing, and creating opportunities for talented young footballers, particularly from North Kashmir, where access to professional coaching, competitive exposure, and scouting opportunities has traditionally remained limited. Welcoming the new franchise, representatives of the Kashmir Super League said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to empowering young footballers and strengthening the region's football ecosystem. Institutions like Sanctorum understand that sports play a vital role in shaping young minds. Their dedication to grassroots football aligns perfectly with the vision of the Kashmir Super Leagueto provide a professional platform where local talent can showcase its abilities and aspire to play at the national level. The inclusion of Sanctorum North United FC further strengthens the league's mission of bringing together corporate institutions and football development, ensuring that talented players from every corner of Jammu & Kashmir receive opportunities to compete on a professional stage. The Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League was launched to transform the football landscape of Jammu & Kashmir through a professional franchise-based model. Its inaugural edition proved to be a landmark success, attracting widespread public support, providing national exposure to local footballers, and creating new pathways for talented players. Most notably, two players from the league earned selection to the Indian National Football Team, underlining KSL's growing impact on Indian football. Building on that success, the 2026 season promises to be bigger and more competitive, featuring six franchise-based teams and some of the finest footballing talent from across the Union Territory. The Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League 2026, powered by Athwas Retail & Athwas Hyundai, is scheduled to kick off in August at the TRC Ground, Srinagar, further strengthening its vision of making Kashmir a major destination for professional football while inspiring the next generation of players.

RSGC gears up for 5th J&K Open, prize purse raised to Rs 1 crore

The Government of Jammu & Kashmir, through Jammu & Kashmir Tourism together with the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI), the official sanctioning body of mens professional golf in India, on Wednesday jointly announced the fifth edition of the J&K Open. The tournament will be staged at the spectacular Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar from August 4 7, 2026. The total prize purse, as per a statement issued, for the event has been raised from INR 50 lakh to INR 1 crore. The J&K Open 2026 is supported by event title partner J&K Tourism and host venue Royal Springs Golf Course. The tournament is also supported by DP World PGTIs Umbrella Partner and global smart logistics provider DP World alongside Tour Partners Axis Bank, Amul, Amrutanjan Enerlyte, Campa, Air India Maharaja Club and Kalyani. The field is set to feature leading Indian professionals, including 2026 DP World PGTI Order of Merit leader Saptak Talwar, Veer Ahlawat, Om Prakash Chouhan, Manu Gandas, defending champion Shaurya Bhattacharya and Angad Cheema, to name a few. The tournament will also feature 14 foreign players from nine different countries. The foreign countries being represented at the event include the USA, Japan, Czech Republic, Canada and Malaysia, to name a few. Rashid Raina, Deputy Director Tourism (Kashmir), Government of Jammu & Kashmir, said, The Government of J&K is proud to support the J&K Open 2026 golf tournament at the iconic Royal Springs Golf Course, one of India's finest golfing venues. The tournament not only reinforces Jammu & Kashmir's reputation as a leading destination for golf tourism but also highlights our commitment to promoting high-quality sporting events that contribute to tourism growth and economic development. We are confident that the championship will attract widespread attention, further elevate the profile of Kashmir on the national sporting calendar and create memorable experiences for players and visitors alike. Amandeep Johl, CEO, DP World PGTI, said, The DP World Professional Golf Tour of India is delighted to return to the majestic Royal Springs Golf Course for the J&K Open 2026, a tournament that has become one of the most eagerly awaited stops on our schedule. We thank the Honourable Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Shri Omar Abdullah, Government of Jammu & Kashmir and J&K Tourism for their invaluable support in bringing this event back to Srinagar. J&K Open 2026 sets the tone for an exciting second half of the season. Jammu & Kashmir has consistently demonstrated its ability to host world-class sporting events, and the Robert Trent Jones II Designed Royal Springs Golf Course provides a championship venue that is admired by players for both its outstanding playing conditions and breathtaking surroundings. We look forward to a highly competitive week that will showcase India's leading golfing talent while further strengthening Jammu & Kashmir's position as one of India's premier golf destinations. Jammu and Kashmir is home to some of the top tourist destinations in the country. Kashmir, a valley where streams, lakes, flowers and fruits abound, is a place bestowed with the beauty of four seasons. The Valley presents a different view each season: The spectral spring, the sprawling summer, the crisp winters and the rustling autumn. Jammu, bestowed with enthralling scenic beauty amidst the proud mountain ranges exhibits all the qualities that make it a sought-after tourist destination. The tournament is part of J&K Tourisms great initiative of promoting golf tourism in the region. J&K is blessed with some spectacular golf courses such as Jammu Tawi Golf Course, Royal Springs Golf Course (Srinagar), Pahalgam Golf Course (Lidder Valley) and Gulmarg Golf Club. These courses provide a mesmerising experience to golfers. The Royal Springs Golf Course is ranked among the most beautiful courses in Asia. The course designed by Robert Trent Jones II has taken full advantage of the undulating foot spurs of the Zabarwan Mountains that descend onto the shores of the famed Dal Lake. The 6445-metre course, at a par of 72, offers a challenge to all levels of players. The course designer has crafted out of the natural setting a combination of aesthetic delight and golfing pleasure. About DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI): The DP World Professional Golf Tour of India serves as the official governing and sanctioning body for mens professional golf in India and is a recognised member of the International Golf Federation and the International Federation of PGA Tours. DP World PGTI also enjoys a strategic alliance with the DP World Tour (European Tour). DP World PGTI events offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. Global logistics leader DP World is the Title Partner and Official Umbrella Partner of the DP World PGTI. The DP World PGTI is led by its president, Padma Bhushan Kapil Dev, an iconic sporting legend who continues to inspire athletes and audiences nationwide.

Sopore residents demand upgrading road and drainage infrastructure

Sopore, Jul 29:The Residents of Sher Colony in North Kashmir's Sopore today alleged that absence of a proper road and drainage system has turned their daily lives into a constant struggle. According to the residents, the main road passing through the locality has remained in a severely dilapidated condition for years. The residents alleged that despite repeated requests to Municipal Council Sopore, the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department and other concerned authorities over the past three decades, their grievances have failed to receive the attention. We have approached every concerned department time and again, but our repeated pleas have yielded no tangible results. Even today, we continue to live without basic civic amenities, the residents said. The residents further added that the absence of a functional drainage system has affected the school going children the most, results in stagnant water accumulating across the locality creating unhygienic conditions and increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. Appealing for urgent intervention, the residents urged the District Administration Baramulla, the Municipal Council Sopore and the R&B Department to immediately undertake the construction of the road and establish a proper drainage system in the locality.

Committee on Estimates reviews functioning of Health & Medical Education department

Srinagar, Jul 29:The Committee on Estimates of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today convened a meeting under the Chairmanship of Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi) to review the overall functioning of the Health and Medical Education Department, with emphasis on strengthening healthcare delivery and assessing the availability of medical manpower across the Union Territory. The meeting was attended by members of the Committee including Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Ali Mohammad Dar, Javid Hassan Beigh, Irshad Rasool Kar, Sajad Shaheen, Sunil Bharadwaj and Pyare Lal Sharma. Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, M. Raju, Director SKIMS, Managing Director, National Health Mission, Principals of various Government Medical Colleges, Secretary, J&K Legislative Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandita, besides other senior officers of the Health and Medical Education and Legislative Assembly were also present. During the deliberations, the Committee undertook a comprehensive review of the departments functioning, focusing on healthcare infrastructure, availability of human resources, quality of service delivery and the effectiveness of administrative mechanisms across Jammu and Kashmir. The Committee sought detailed information regarding the sanctioned strength of doctors in all District Hospitals, Sub-District Hospitals and Medical Blocks across the Union Territory. It directed the department to furnish district and block-wise data on the sanctioned posts of doctors to facilitate a detailed assessment of healthcare staffing. To evaluate the existing human resource scenario in the health sector, the Committee further called for block-wise details of filled and vacant posts in these health institutions for the last five years. The information will enable the Committee to examine trends in manpower deployment, identify critical gaps and recommend appropriate measures for improving healthcare services across Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking during the meeting, Chairman Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi reiterated the need for timely availability of accurate data to support evidence-based planning and policy interventions aimed at enhancing the efficiency, accessibility and quality of public healthcare services across J&K. He directed the Health department for immediate posting of doctors in rural and underserved areas. The Chairman also called for timely interventions like installation of CCTVs to enhance status of security and monitoring mechanisms in public health institutions. With a focus on strengthening administrative accountability, the Committee also sought information on the measures taken by the Health Department to implement online/Biometric Attendance systems for employees working across healthcare institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief Secretary assesses progress of RIDF projects worth over Rs 4,300 crore

Srinagar, Jul 29: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) constituted for reviewing the implementation of NABARD projects being executed under various tranches of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B); Additional Chief Secretary, Finance; Director General, Resources; Chief General Manager, NABARD; and senior officers from Health, Jal Shakti and other concerned departments. The Chief Secretary impressed upon the concerned departments to maintain a ready shelf of projects complete in all respects, including Administrative Approval and Technical Sanction, so that the same can be submitted to NABARD immediately upon the opening of a new RIDF tranche or receipt of sanction, thereby ensuring timely appraisal, approval and commencement of works without any avoidable delay. The Chief Secretary emphasised that RIDF has emerged as one of the most significant sources of institutional finance for strengthening rural infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. He observed that the successful implementation of these projects is vital for improving rural connectivity, irrigation facilities, agricultural productivity, drinking water infrastructure, horticulture, fisheries and other essential public services. He further instructed the departments to closely monitor the physical and financial progress of each project, conduct periodic field inspections, strengthen inter-departmental coordination and ensure compliance with NABARD guidelines. The executing agencies were also advised to maintain the highest standards of quality, transparency and accountability during project implementation. On this occasion the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar underscored the need for regular monitoring at all administrative levels so that the benefits of RIDF investments reach efficiently to the intended beneficiaries. He suggested constitution of District level monitoring Committees under the respective Deputy Commissioners for time-bound implementation of such projects here. A detailed presentation was made by CGM, NABARD informing the Committee that 908 projects sanctioned under RIDF Tranches XXVIII to XXXI involve a cumulative loan assistance of Rs 4,303.08 crore, against which an amount of Rs 2,301.48 crore has been disbursed so far. Additionally out of the total sanctioned projects, 157 projects have been completed, while 751 projects are presently under execution.

Sakeena Itoo reviews progress of SASCI, CAPEX, other flagship schemes

Srinagar, Jul 29:Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting at Civil Secretariat here to assess the physical and financial progress achieved under the Strengthening and Augmentation of State Capabilities for Citizen-Centric Infrastructure (SASCI), CAPEX Budget and other flagship developmental schemes being implemented by the Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education departments besides implementation of key budget announcements in these departments. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare, Sarmad Hafeez; Commissioner Secretary Education, Ram Niwas Sharma; Mission Director ICDS, Mission Director RUSA, Mission Director Samagra Shiksha, Director School Education Jammu/Kashmir, Director Health Jammu/Kashmir, Special Secretaries of concerned departments, Director Planning/Finance of concerned departments, and other senior officers. The Minister conducted a detailed department-wise review of the status of ongoing infrastructure projects, expenditure under CAPEX allocations, implementation of SASCI initiatives and other flagship programmes aimed at strengthening the public service delivery across Jammu and Kashmir. Sakeena Itoo directed the officers to ensure timely completion of all sanctioned projects without compromising on quality standards. She stressed that every developmental initiative must translate into tangible benefits for the people and contribute towards strengthening essential public infrastructure here. The Minister underscored the importance of effective planning, inter-departmental coordination and regular monitoring to achieve the desired outcomes. She instructed the officers to remove bottlenecks delaying execution of projects and adopt a result-oriented approach for ensuring optimal utilisation of funds. Sakeena Itoo reiterated the governments commitment towards transparent, accountable and people-centric governance, asserting that development projects must be executed efficiently to maximise public benefit. Maintain strict financial discipline, adhere to prescribed timelines and ensure regular monitoring of the progress of all projects to avoid cost and time overruns, she said.

People rue lack of basic facilities at NTPHC Sarmarg, demand 247 services

Kupwara, Jul 29: Nestled in the foothills of Bangus Valley, the residents of Sarmarg were hopeful of improved healthcare after their health facility was upgraded to a New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) but even after seven years, it continues to lack the most basic infrastructure and services causing immense hardships for the locals. The upgradation had initially raised hopes of better healthcare access for over a dozen villages but nothing has changed during last seven years. Following upgradation of our hospital to NTPHC, we were told that residents will get a fully equipped centre with adequate staff and services but the centre continues to operate from a two room old building, putting both patients and staff at risk, a local told Greater Kashmir . Although a doctor was posted here a year ago but without proper support and facilities, the presence of a single doctor has not made much difference. Our hospital still lacks diagnostic facilities and medical staff, forcing patients to visit Associated District Hospital GMC Handwara by travelling over 25 KMs for treatment, he added. The hospital also doesnt have an ambulance forcing us to hire private cabs to carry patients to other hospitals, Bilal Rasheed, a youth from the village told this correspondent. Administrative confusion also add to the woes of locals here. The locals said that, despite being geographically part of Rajwar and under Zachaldara tehsil, Sarmarg has been placed under Medical Block Ramhall, which has no direct road connectivity with the village. We have time and again requested that our village be realigned with Medical Block Rajwar, so that we are not left out but after numerous representations to the concerned authorities, nothing has changed, they added. Residents have demanded that the health facility be made operational 247 with full staff and infrastructure, including an ambulance and diagnostic services. They urged the concerned authorities to take immediate action to address the long-pending issues and make the NTPHC fully functional in the true sense. Block Medical Officer (BMO) Vilgam, Ghulam Raheem, told Greater Kashmir that only local representative can allocate funds for construction of new building for NTPHC Sarmarg. Regarding round the clock services at NTPHC Sarmarg, he said that the discretion of making it operational 24*7 lies with higher officials. Meanwhile Peoples Conference Chairman and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone when contacted said that the present dispensation has miserably failed to provide better healthcare facilities for the people living in rural areas. Not only people of Sarmarg are suffering, Sub District Hospital (SDH) Kralpora is facing the same human resource crunch putting people to severe hardships, he said adding that he will take up the issue of NTPHC Sarmarg with the Health Department.

Amarnath Yatra: Chari Mubarak taken to Pahalgam for Bhoomi Pujan ceremony

Anantnag, Jul 29:The annual rituals associated with the Amarnath Yatra formally commenced on Wednesday as the saffron-robed silver mace of Lord Shiva, popularly known as the Chhari Mubarak, was taken from Srinagar to Pahalgam for the traditional Bhoomi Pujan ceremony. Amid chants of Vedic hymns, a group of sadhus led by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, custodian of the holy mace, carried the Chhari Mubarak from the Dashnami Akhara temple complex in Srinagar after offering prayers. The procession reached the historic Gauri Shankar Temple in Pahalgam, where the Bhoomi Pujan was performed in the presence of sadhus and members of the Kashmiri Pandit community. Speaking on the occasion, Giri said the commencement of the Chhari Mubarak rituals marks the beginning of the centuries-old traditions associated with the annual pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath cave shrine. On its return journey, the holy mace halted at the ancient Martand Temple in Mattan for the customary holy bath before being taken back to its abode at the Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar later in the day. Giri expressed satisfaction over the smooth conduct of this years pilgrimage, adding that more than 4.25 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Amarnath cave shrine so far. Earlier, the group was warmly received by Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Dr Bilal Mohudin and SSP Anantnag Amol Ashok Nagpure. The 38-day Amarnath Yatra began on July 3 and will conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan, when the Chhari Mubarak will undertake its final ceremonial journey to the holy cave shrine.

Restoration of Statehood, Article 370 must be pursued through dialogue: Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar, Jul 29:Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday asserted that the constitutional and political rights Jammu and Kashmir lost on August 5, 2019, cannot be restored through protests or confrontation, but only through dialogue, consultation and a well-defined roadmap involving the Government of India and the people of the Union Territory. Addressing reporters after a joining programme at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Bukhari said August 5the day Article 370 was abrogated and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two Union Territoriescontinues to be a dark day for Jammu and Kashmir. August 5 is a dark day for Jammu and Kashmir, and it will remain a dark day until our rights are restored, Bukhari said. He, however, stressed that confrontation would not help achieve the restoration of these rights. The rights lost on August 5, 2019, cannot be retrieved through protests or confrontation, but through consultation and a clear roadmap, he said. Bukhari said the Government of India must engage directly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to address their genuine aspirations and bridge the prevailing trust deficit. We firmly believe that the Government of India and the people of Jammu and Kashmir need to engage in dialogue, he said, adding that consultation was the only sustainable way to resolve political issues and restore public confidence. The Apni Party president reiterated that his party would support any political formation that raises genuine issues concerning the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We will always support any party that raises genuine demands such as the restoration of statehood, Articles 370 and 35A, the release of prisoners, creation of employment opportunities and other pressing public issues, he said. Responding to a question on PDP president Mehbooba Muftis recent remarks at Jantar Mantar, where she appeared to justify the use of force against Kashmiris before later issuing a clarification and apology, Bukhari said the matter should now be treated as closed. Since Mehbooba Mufti has apologised for her offensive remarks at Jantar Mantar, the matter should end there, he said. Asked about the BJPs electoral strategy during the 2024 Assembly elections, Bukhari alleged that the party had sought votes from Hindu voters in the Jammu region by invoking religious sentiments. The BJP had persuaded Hindu voters in the Jammu region in the name of religion during the 2024 Assembly elections. However, it appears that a dominant majority of Hindus in Jammu now realise that such politics is harmful to the larger interests of Jammu and Kashmir, he said. Earlier, the Apni Party welcomed a number of political and social leaders and activists from Sopore into its fold during a function at the party headquarters. Speaking on the occasion, senior Apni Party leader and Chairman of the partys Parliamentary Affairs Committee Mohammad Dilawar Mir described Sopore as a town of immense historical and political importance and said its lost stature needed to be restored. Sopore has long been a place of historical and political significance in Jammu and Kashmir. Its importance must be restored, Mir said. He said the youth had a crucial role in restoring Sopores historical identity and political significance. The biggest challenge before us is to ensure a better future for our younger generation. It is our collective responsibility to safeguard their future and create opportunities that enable them to build a better and more prosperous life, he said. The leaders and activists who joined the Apni Party included Mohammad Ramzan Malik, Irshad Ahmad Ganai, Javaid Mohammad Mir, Mohammad Hussain Wandru, Mubashir Ahad Wani, Hilal Ahmad Sheikh, Firdous Ahmad Mir and Rifaz Ahmad Lone, along with their teams and associates. The joining programme was attended by Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Chief Spokesperson and State Secretary Muntazir Mohiudin, Media Advisor Farooq Andrabi, State Youth President and Spokesperson Yawar Dilawar Mir, District President Kupwara Raja Manzoor, District President Baramulla Shabir Ahmad Shah, District Vice President Baramulla Shabir Ahmad Lone, Provincial Youth President Kashmir Jibran Dar, Zonal President Sopore Zubair Ahmad Rawa, Nissar Ahmad Pandith, Showkat Ahmad Dar, Rizwan Bukhari, Liyakat Kaboo, Ilyas Nazki, Firdous Ahmad, Owais Ahmad Wani, Ghulam Mohammad Dar and other party functionaries.

Mehbooba seeks Govt job for children of martyred Beerwah policeman

Srinagar, Jul 29:Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday visited the family of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi at Lolpora in Beerwah, Budgam, to offer condolences and urged the government to provide suitable government employment to his children. Qureshi laid down his life in the line of duty, and Mufti said his sacrifice must be honoured not only through tributes but by ensuring the welfare of his family. She appealed to the administration to provide government jobs to his children so they could live with dignity and financial security. A martyrs sacrifice must be honoured not only with tributes but by standing firmly with those he leaves behind, Mufti said during her visit. She was accompanied by PDPs Beerwah in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Khan. Earlier in the day, the PDP president visited the flash flood-affected areas of Beerwah, where she met families and traders who suffered heavy losses in the recent disaster. Interacting with the affected shopkeepers, Mufti expressed solidarity with those who lost their livelihoods and called for immediate rehabilitation measures. She urged the government to hand over the vacant Municipal Building to the affected traders so they could safely store whatever merchandise and belongings they had managed to salvage from the floods. Mufti also demanded that the administration identify suitable land without delay for the construction of a new commercial complex to rehabilitate the displaced shopkeepers. Calling for adequate compensation for the affected families, she said the governments response must focus on restoring livelihoods rather than limiting relief to announcements. Relief must go beyond announcements. It must restore hope, she said. The PDP chief said timely rehabilitation, financial assistance and permanent infrastructure were essential to help the affected families rebuild their businesses and resume normal life.

ISRO maps over 2,000 glaciers, 3,219 glacial lakes in Ladakh: Centre

Srinagar, Jul 29: The Government of India has mapped more than 2,000 glaciers and 3,219 glacial lakes in Ladakh using satellite and geospatial technologies as part of a comprehensive initiative to strengthen disaster management and climate monitoring in the Union Territory, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. Replying to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, said the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other government agencies are using advanced satellite-based technologies to monitor glaciers, glacial lakes, snowfall, water resources and landslide-prone areas across Ladakh. According to the minister, a database of more than 2,000 glaciers in Ladakh has been generated using satellite data collected between 2020 and 2023. In addition, changes in the extent of more than 1,000 glaciers over the past two decades have been mapped to assess long-term climatic and environmental changes. The minister said an inventory of 3,219 glacial lakes, each measuring more than 0.25 hectares, has been prepared under the National Hydrology Project of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. He informed the House that satellite-based Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risk modelling has also been carried out for high-risk glacial lakes, including Katkar and Suru, to strengthen disaster preparedness and early risk assessment. The government has also undertaken daily satellite-derived snow cover mapping across the Indian Himalayan region, including Ladakh, from 2019 until September 2025 to monitor seasonal snow conditions and water availability. As part of broader environmental mapping, 4,912 wetlands in Ladakh have been identified and mapped in collaboration with the University of Jammu, Dr Singh said. He further informed Parliament that satellite imagery is being used to monitor around 41 waterbodies larger than five hectares. The information is made available through the Bhuvan Waterbody Information System, under which periodic monitoring has been carried out since 2012. The minister also said ISRO is regularly updating Ladakh's landslide inventory using satellite imagery to support hazard assessment and disaster mitigation efforts. The information was provided in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1808, highlighting the Centre's increasing reliance on space-based technologies for environmental monitoring, climate resilience and disaster risk management in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region.

Six Years of NEP 2020

When the Union Cabinet approved the National Education Policy on 29 July 2020, India received its most ambitious educational reform framework in more than three decades. The policy proposed universal school participation by 2030, a 50 per cent gross enrolment ratio in higher education by 2035, foundational literacy, multidisciplinary universities, vocational exposure, flexible academic pathways, greater use of technology and stronger institutional autonomy. Six years later, NEP 2020 has clearly changed the language, structure and direction of education. However, its ultimate success will depend not on the number of frameworks issued, but on whether students learn better, teachers receive adequate support and institutions become more capable and equitable. The first major achievement is that a reform architecture now exists. The 5+3+3+4 curricular structure has formally recognised the educational importance of children between the ages of three and six. Vidya Pravesh, Balvatika, NIPUN Bharat, new curriculum frameworks, competency based assessment, the Academic Bank of Credits and four year undergraduate programmes have moved educational reform beyond general declarations. The challenge is that institutional adoption is still uneven. A new structure cannot transform education when classrooms lack trained teachers, suitable materials, academic counselling or administrative capacity. Recent school data show both progress and unfinished work. UDISE+ 2025-26 reports that India now has approximately 1.027 crore schoolteachers, an increase of 8.3 per cent over 2022-23. The reported pupil teacher ratio has improved to 10 at the foundational stage, 12 at the preparatory stage, 17 at the middle stage and 21 at the secondary stage. Secondary school dropout declined from 13.8 per cent in 2022-23 to 7 per cent in 2025-26, while secondary gross enrolment rose to 71.7 per cent. These are important gains. Yet only 51.9 per cent of students were retained through the secondary stage, and the country still had 1,00,843 single teacher schools. National averages, therefore, conceal serious local shortages and regional disparities. Learning outcomes remain the most important test. ASER 2024 showed a recovery after the disruption caused by the pandemic, but only 48.8 per cent of rural Class V children could read a Class II text. In other words, more than half of the children assessed in Class V had not reached a basic reading standard expected three years earlier. This is not merely a school problem. Weak foundational learning later affects mathematics, science, comprehension, employability and confidence. The next stage of implementation must make regular diagnostic assessment, remedial teaching and support based on the actual ability of children part of normal schooling rather than temporary campaigns. Higher education presents a similar combination of expansion and uneven quality. AISHE 2023-24 recorded 4.50 crore students in higher education, compared with 3.42 crore in 2014-15. The gross enrolment ratio reached 30 per cent, up from 23.7 per cent, but it remains far below the NEP target of 50 per cent by 2035. Female gross enrolment reached 31.2 per cent. The corresponding figures for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students increased to 27.8 and 22.8 per cent respectively. These improvements show that access has widened. However, access cannot be treated as an achievement in isolation. Students require qualified faculty, functioning laboratories, libraries, research support, fair assessment and credible degrees. Flexibility is among the most visible contributions of NEP 2020. By June 2026, the government reported that 170 universities had adopted the National Credit Framework, 2,469 institutions had joined the Academic Bank of Credits and 153 universities were offering biannual admissions and multiple entry and exit options. SWAYAM had expanded to more than 18,580 courses, recording over 6.1 crore enrolments. These platforms can widen access, facilitate academic mobility and support lifelong learning. Yet flexibility must not become academic fragmentation. Students need proper guidance so that credit accumulation leads to a coherent qualification and genuine intellectual depth rather than an unrelated collection of courses. The policys promise of digital education also requires closer attention to inequality. UDISE+ 2025-26 found that 69.9 per cent of schools had computer access and 67.4 per cent had internet connectivity. This represents substantial progress, but it also means that roughly one third of schools still lacked internet access. Only 58.2 per cent had ramps with handrails. Technology cannot produce inclusion when students lack devices, reliable connectivity, accessible content or academic support in Indian languages. Artificial intelligence should strengthen teaching and research, but institutions must also protect privacy, originality, academic integrity and independent thinking. Vocational education is another area where intent must be matched by implementation. Skill courses, internships and certificates have expanded, but employability cannot be created through course titles alone. Institutions need trained instructors, equipment and sustained partnerships with industries, banks, hospitals, startups, local enterprises and public organisations. Internships should involve real assignments, supervision and evaluation. Communication, problem solving, teamwork, ethical judgement and digital competence should be developed throughout an academic programme rather than added as a placement exercise in the final semester. Teachers remain the central agents of reform. They are being asked to manage multilingual classrooms, use digital tools, conduct continuous assessment, teach students with different learning levels and adopt new curricula. These expectations are reasonable only when teachers receive subject specific training, mentoring, manageable workloads and professional security. Universities must also reduce excessive dependence on temporary faculty and protect teaching and research time from avoidable administrative paperwork. The next six years should therefore focus on outcomes. Governments must publish state implementation plans with budgets, timelines and measurable indicators. School systems should prioritise early childhood education, foundational learning, proper teacher deployment and secondary retention. Higher education should focus on faculty recruitment, research capacity, student counselling, employability and transparent institutional autonomy. Public funding must support classrooms, laboratories, libraries, digital access and research rather than expecting institutions to implement reforms through instructions alone. NEP 2020 has given India a valuable direction. Six years of implementation have produced new structures, digital platforms and measurable gains in access. The unfinished task is to convert them into consistent learning and opportunity across every district and institution. India has built the roadmap. It must now ensure that every student and teacher can actually travel on it. Dr. Brajesh Kumar Tiwari, Associate Professor, Atal School of Management, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (The views expressed are personal.)

When attendancebecomes the goal

Every morning, the gates open and the campus begins to breathe. Corridors fill with hurried footsteps. The canteen stirs before the first lecture. Students settle beneath old trees, greet familiar faces, continue conversations left unfinished the previous day, and slowly disperse towards their classrooms. From a distance, it is a reassuring picturea thriving institution where young minds gather with a shared purpose: to learn. But appearances, especially in education, can be profoundly deceptive. Ask students why they came that morning and the first answer is almost instinctive: to attend classes, to study, to build a future. Stay with the question a little longer, however, and a different answer quietly emerges. They came because their attendance has fallen to seventy-three percent. Dropping below seventy-five may cost them their examination eligibility. They came, quite simply, to protect a number. That number has acquired extraordinary significance. Many students know their attendance percentage with greater certainty than they remember yesterdays lecture. This is not because attendance matters to them more than learning. It is because the institution has taught them that it does. Every institution reveals its priorities not by what it proclaims, but by what it consistently rewards. We speak of curiosity, critical thinking and intellectual growth as educations highest ambitions. Yet the consequences attached to attendance are immediate, measurable and unavoidable, while learning remains difficult to recognise and even harder to quantify. Faced with that imbalance, students respond exactly as any rational person would: they begin paying closest attention to the thing that carries the greatest consequence. This is why the debate surrounding attendance has always missed the more important issue: not whether attendance policies should exist but what their growing importance reveals about our classrooms. Somewhere along the way, attendance ceases to support learning and quietly becomes its substitute. Institutions established to cultivate minds have increasingly found themselves counting the numbers. There is, after all, a profound difference between inviting someone into a classroom and compelling them to enter it. One is earned through relevance, inspiration and intellectual engagement. The other depends upon regulation. A system that must consistently enforce what it cannot naturally attract has already answered the question it refuses to ask itself: the question of whether they are really offering what they are meant to offer. People rarely need to be persuaded to return to places that genuinely enrich them. Nobody monitors attendance at conversations that matter, books that absorb us, or teachers whose words continue to shape us long after the lesson has ended. We return willingly because they offer something we are afraid to miss: ideas that resonate, perspectives that deepen our understanding, and skills that help us navigate the world with confidence. The evidence that many classrooms fail to do this is visible every afternoon, in plain sight. When lectures end and classrooms empty, the campus does not. Benches remain occupied. Lawns continue to host conversations. Students linger for hours, debating ideas, discussing careers, sharing anxieties about the future, or simply trying to make sense of the lives they are preparing to lead. The same student who appeared detached inside a lecture hall often becomes remarkably engaged outside it. Their attention has not disappeared; it has simply shifted to spaces that feel meaningful. This observation challenges one of the most persistent assumptions about todays studentsthat they have become indifferent to learning. They have not. The capacity to be curious, to question, and to commit still exists. What has diminished is their confidence that the classroom will reward that curiosity. The problem is not an unwillingness to learn; it is a growing disbelief that learning, in its truest sense, is what the institution is offering. The structural reasons for this are worth naming. The first is the collapse of relevance. Too often, knowledge is delivered without any visible connection to the world students are preparing to enter. The bridge between academic ideas and lived experience is left unbuilt. Students are expected to construct that bridge themselves or, as many eventually do, to stop believing it exists at all. The second is invisibility. In a classroom of sixty students, only a handful become truly known. They answer questions, occupy the front rows, and are remembered by name. The rest move quietly through semesters without once being directly addressed, intellectually challenged, or genuinely seen. An institution that fails to engage all of its students does not merely lose their attention; it gradually erodes their belief that their presence matters. The third is the narrowing of what teaching has come to mean. There is a profound difference between a teacher who instructs and one who shapes. Instruction transfers information. Shaping cultivates judgement, confidence and the capacity to think independently. The former prepares students to reproduce answers; the latter prepares them to confront a changing world. Students recognise that difference remarkably quickly and they respond accordingly. Yet what makes this situation worth examining is not the disengagement itself, but what persists despite it. Students still come, sitting through classrooms that no longer inspire their imagination. That is not apathy; apathy would simply stay away. They arrive carrying something no institution can manufacture: hope. They come with energy and a willingness to learn, however cautious, however already disappointed. They hope these institutions will help them make sense of the world, equip them to navigate its complexities, and offer some clarity about who they might become. These are the very hopes upon which the idea of education rests. When those hopes go unmet, the withdrawal is rarely dramatic. Students do not revolt; they quietly lower their expectations. They attend because they must, participate because they are expected to, and disengage because they no longer expect to learn. The body remains present long after the mind has found somewhere else to be. There is a quality that distinguishes a classroom that merely functions from one that truly educates: in the latter, students do not want to leave. Not because attendance is compulsory, but because something meaningful is unfolding before them. The real measure of an institution is not how many students it can persuade to enter through its gates each morning. It is whether, once inside, it gives them a reason to keep walking towards the classroom. An undergraduate student, Anieqa Farraz is part of the current batch of GK School of Communications. anieq

Stripped Scripture Set to Song

There is a particular kind of theft that does not announce itself. It does not burn manuscripts or ban languages. It simply rewrites a poet until his God disappears, and hands the world a softer, saleable version of him. This is what has happened to centuries of Islamic poetry. In many ways, this poetry was not simply translated into Western languagesit was rewritten to fit Western expectations. The result has been the gradual colonisation of one of the richest literary traditions in human history. To understand how Islamic poetry was colonised, one has to look at two moments: the moment Islam shaped Arabic poetry into a canon, and the much later moment the West un-shaped that canon to make it palatable for itself. Poetry before the canon Before Prophet Muhammads (Peace Be Upon Him) arrival, poetry was the principal cultural institution of Arabia. Tribes preserved their history, honour and values through verse. Poets were public intellectuals whose words shaped collective memory. With the advent of Islam, poetry did not disappear; rather, it underwent a moral and intellectual transformation. While the Quran distinguished divine revelation from poetry, it did not reject poetry itself. Instead, poetry became infused with new ethical concerns, spiritual reflection and a profound consciousness of God. The frank descriptions of womens bodies and wine that filled pre-Islamic verse became unacceptable; a poet like Labid ibn Rabia, who lived long enough to convert, simply stopped writing about what the new faith forbade. Others, like Hassan ibn Thabit, turned their pens entirely toward defending the Prophet, treating verse as a weapon as serious as the sword. Later, under the Umayyads and Abbasids, poetry became a tool of statecraft. None of this was a betrayal of poetrys pre-Islamic soul; it was a continuation of it, reshaped by a new moral universe. The tragedy came later, when outsiders inherited this later, devotional layer of the tradition and decided to discard the very faith that had produced it.When poets spoke of love or longing, these images often carried spiritual meanings that readers within the tradition readily understood. Love symbolised the souls yearning for God. Separation represented the human condition away from the Divine. Beauty reflected the perfection of creation. These metaphors belonged to an established theological vocabulary rather than to abstract romanticism. Rumi without Islam No case illustrates this better than Jalaluddin Rumi, routinely marketed today as the best-selling poet in America, adored on greeting cards and by celebrities who have never opened a page of the Masnavi in its original Persian. Rumi was, in the plainest sense, a Muslim scholar by several accounts he had the Quran memorised, and his fifty-thousand-line Masnavi is so thick with Quranic reference that older readers nicknamed it the Persian Quran. Yet the Rumi most Western readers encounter has been carefully unstitched from all of this. The most cited case is a line from Coleman Barks hugely popular versions, rendered roughly as an invitation to meet beyond ideas of rightdoing and wrongdoing. The actual Persian, however, speaks of something considerably sharper: a plain beyond iman and kufr faith and unbelief categories drawn directly from Islamic theology. Barks, by his own admission, worked without any training in Persian or Islamic scholarship, refashioning earlier scholarly translations into what he called new moods captured from the original. The scholar Omid Safi has a blunter name for this: spiritual colonialism bypassing and occupying a devotional world that has been lived by Muslims from Bosnia to Konya to Kashmir, while insisting that whatever is beautiful in it must belong to some generic, faith-free mysticism instead. This was not simply a modern marketing accident. Scholars who have traced the erasure back further note that it was Victorian-era translators and theologians, uneasy with reconciling a desert religion to the mystical brilliance of Rumi or Hafez, who first decided that these poets were profound in spite of Islam rather than because of it a convenient explanation at a time when Muslims were being treated with open legal hostility in both Europe and America. The habit, once established, simply outlived its original prejudice and was absorbed into the New Age publishing industry a century later. A familiar wound, recognisable from home Readers in Kashmir do not need to travel far to recognise this pattern. Anywhere a mystical poet has been claimed by an audience larger and more powerful than the faith that produced him, the same editing takes place: the verse is kept, the theology is quietly dropped, and what remains is marketed as a placeless, universal wisdom that owes nothing to anyone in particular. It is a mechanism, not a one-off lapse by one careless translator take the poetry, discard the politics and the faith that gave it its edge, and sell back a decaffeinated version to the very tradition the poet once spoke from within. For Kashmir, where Rumi, Hafez, and homegrown Sufi poets such as Lal Ded and Nund Rishi occupy a similarly contested space between devotion and marketable spirituality, this history should feel urgent rather than academic. The lifting no longer happens only in translated books. It happens on stage, at weddings, and on streaming playlists. A qawwali built entirely around a Quranic allusion gets performed at a concert as generic Sufi soul music, its audience clapping along to the melody while the specific address to the Prophet (Roohi Fidak) inside it goes unremarked and unexplained. A line from Rumi or Lal Ded is looped over a lo-fi beat or dropped into a rap verse as an aesthetic flourish mystical-sounding, vaguely Eastern, safely undefined. At Kashmiri weddings, couplets once written as devotional yearning are sung as romantic filler between the henna and the reception, their Islamic register quietly retired for the evening. None of these settings are wrong in themselves poetry has always been sung, danced to, and borrowed but each one repeats the same manoeuvre as Barks Rumi: take the music of the words, discard the faith that gives them their weight, and let listeners assume the resulting warmth is simply spirituality, belonging to no one and everyone. Every time a verse is lifted from a Sufi poet and stripped of its Quranic or Islamic register to fit a yoga studios wall, a wellness retreats brochure, a concert setlist, or a wedding playlist, a small act of that same colonisation repeats itself. Reclaiming the fuller text None of this is an argument against translation, or against readers of other faiths finding meaning in Rumis verse. Poetry has always travelled. The argument is against translation that quietly amputates the faith a poet lived and wrote inside of, and then sells the amputation as universalism. Translators like Jawid Mojaddedi, who mark every Arabic or Quranic phrase in Rumis original with italics and footnotes, offer a better model one that asks readers to sit with the difficulty of the original rather than have it smoothed away for their comfort. To read Islamic poetry honestly is to accept that its beauty and its faith were never separate things to begin with. The moment we insist otherwise, we are not translating a poet. We are colonising him. Fayiq Wani, freelance journalist whose work focuses on International Relations and public policy

Jantar-Mantar, another perspective

As a follow up of the agreement reached between the agitating students at Jantar-Mantar and the government of India recently, some pertinent and important questions have arisen that need answers. These answers have to come from the government, the leaders of the agitators of Jantar-Mantar, New Delhi, the political class of the nation, the civil society and the parents of the agitators. The way things were let loose by the organisers at the venue of the agitation and especially during the Sansad-Chalo march on 20 July 2026, they have disturbed the very edifice of decency in public life, importance of moral values in society and also the public order. In a democracy like India where diversity is a part of our civilization and culture, difference of opinion is a fact of life. We have existed despite and inspite of all these differences and diversity and marched ahead for the last thousands of years as a great civilization. When we got freedom from the British colonial rule in 1947, we chose parliamentary democracy and also adopted the constitution that showed us the way to run the chosen democracy and the democratic way of life. However, though unfortunately, some politicians and their families after 1947 took it for granted to be in the government for all the times to come. The Congress led this notion successfully for a long time. The first family of Congress party, the Nehru-Gandhi family, took it as its entitlement to be in the government on a permanent basis. This false notion also travelled to other regional parties in the country in their own context. Congress always treated the intermittent rule by parties other than it at the Centre as a time-gap arrangement. This theory of time-gap arrangement was for the first time seriously challenged by the BJP in and after 2014. The whole fuss among the parties in opposition and particularly the Congress is about the continuation of the Modi-led NDA-BJP government at the Centre for the third time continuously coupled with the establishment of same governments in most of the states in the country. The opposition, due to its own shortcomings, has failed to convince the general masses of the country about its genuineness in public life and has consistently failed to win elections in a row. Frustration in this regard has led it, and particularly the Congress party, to adopt means that are socially, politically and morally unethical and unconvincing. The first thing the opposition led by the Congress did over the last 12 years was to resort to oral diarrhea and using unparliamentary language that it adopted as a means to embarrass the government in power. Its statements, speeches, public behavior, role in the parliament and interactions with the government and in the media created a number of questions about the standards that it has set for itself. A number of times their leaders had to apologize in courts for their baseless statements issued against the Prime Minister and the other ministers in the cabinet. Its spokespersons on debates and discussions in the media followed their leaders and stooped extraordinarily low in their presentations. This scenario over the last more than a decade has definitely impacted the social fabric of the country; and mostly negatively. Gone are the days when editors in charge of news and views would scrutinize the matter and take extra care about the content that would be published, broadcast or telecast on their domains. Live debates have become a big social nuisance in addition to creating noise pollution. Entertainment media, which includes TV channels and films in particular, has also added to this indecency and unbecoming conduct that is exhibited on a daily basis on them which families throughout the nation watch willingly and unwillingly. TRP has taken control of reason, logic, ethics, tradition and morality. This scenario has further worsened the family and social standards in general. Protests, their content and outbursts and the kind of demonstrations held at Jantar-Mantar and outside were reflective of this social and family degradation at large. The upbringing of children by their families and also their schooling were brutally exposed bringing shame to the society. The demonstrators assembled there made it sure to put on record their indecent behaviour, ugly utterances and naked invectives against men, women, institutions and the government. They didnt spare even the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, his late mother and his international acquaintances and friends notwithstanding the hard fact that he was elected for the third time as Prime Minister by virtue of the peoples mandate and was a highly recognized figure internationally. It was stunning to note that besides the boys, some young girls in their fit of agitational craze at Jantar-Mantar used filthy language which even hardened criminals desist to use. They went berserk with their ugly body language, offensive overtures, vulgar dances and participation in violent acts against the police and the administration who were performing on the ground in line of their duty. Those protesters who had no relation whatsoever with the NEET and paper leaks were in command on 20 July 2026 on different routes to the parliament to damage public and private property. An internal report of the police suggests that criminals and anti-social elements with the background of serious crimes joined the protests and received patronage of the organisers of the event. According to an official report submitted by the Delhi Police to the government, an analysis of 2,873 participants at the July 20, 2026 Parliament protest march revealed that 989 individuals had prior criminal records involving heinous offenses, including 101 murder accused and others booked for robbery and assault. The following detailed break up is highly disturbing in this context for anyone concerned. The details include: Murder-101, Attempt to murder-62, Dacoity/Robbery-284, Rape-61, POCSO-6, Molestation of women-25, Arms Act-229, Snatching-135, Kidnapping-19, NDPS-67 and other IPC/BNS & Special laws-1884. Police stated that no permission was granted for the Parliament march, leading to clashes that injured 118 police personnel. Law enforcement agencies also said that the presence of these individuals involved in rioting on 20 July 2026 is being scrutinized to determine if external criminal elements infiltrated the demonstration to trigger violence, attack police, and vandalize vehicles. Meanwhile, student cases without a criminal history are reportedly being reviewed or dropped amid separate legal scrutiny. Surprisingly, the organisers of the agitation, the CJP, publicly pressed for dropping of all FIRs against individuals which under the circumstances seems unlikely to happen. Sonam Wangchuk, who already left for Ladakh is on record suggesting that the peaceful agitators need not to be booked by the police. However, he chose to be silent about the violent ones against whom the police have moved as per the law of the land. The fact of the matter is that this is not an end in itself. The way things moved during the month of July 2026 even after the end of the agitation raises a number of doubts about the future course of events. Forces, in and outside the country, bent upon disturbing the advance march of India and the Indian society need only an excuse to play their games. The course correction so far as reform in educational policy and NEET system is concerned was tried to be bulldozed when the Congress and some other opposition parties in parliament opposed the very introduction of the Bill to deal with the issue. But they know it better that the treasury benches can bulldoze their very opposition to it by passing the Bill on their own strength. The forces that are hell bent upon to make anarchy in the country, abuse in the parliament and indecency on roads the new normal need to be told categorically that it cant happen whatsoever be the cost. The government of the day is required to take the necessary corrective and decisive action forthwith. Damage is already done; the society needs to have a deep introspection, so the families as well. This is clearly the responsibility of all the organs of the society to respond to the historical call that awaits resolution for the generations to come. The author is a senior BJP & KP leader, Human Rights Defender and a columnist.

A place where time slows down

There are places in Kashmir that attract tourists with excitement. And then there are places that quietly call to the heart. Yemberzalwari, tucked away in the Zainageer belt of Sopore in Baramulla district, belongs to the second kind. Around 18 kilometres from Sopore and about 38 kilometres from Baramulla district, this small mountain village remains hidden behind thick forests and high ridges, almost as if it has chosen silence over fame. It does not try to impress anyone. It simply exists, wrapped in nature, history and faith. My first visit to Yemberzalwari is one I will remember for a long time. The road climbed gently through evergreen forests, each bend opening another marvelous view.The tall Deodar and Pine trees stood motionless, their branches touching the sky. Murmuring mountain streams slipped gently over stones.The cool breeze carried the fragrance of pine, damp earth and wild herbs. For a while I stopped speaking. Some places ask for words, others ask for silence, and Yemberzalwari belongs to the latter. The village breathes with nature. Walnut, apple and pear trees grow around homes, while colourful wildflowers spread across the meadows. Birds sing from the branches and bushes and whisper of flowing water follows visitors through the forest paths. Time seems to move slowly in this mountain homelet, alllowing one to notice small things that often go unseen in everyday life. The most fascinating treasure of Yemberzalwari is a limestone cave. A short walk of nearly 200 metres through the forest leads to its entrance. Hidden beneath the mountain, the cave is both mysterious and beautiful. Its natural rock formations, shaped drop by drop over countless years, leave visitors wondering how patiently nature creates its finest works. An explorer who surveyed the cave some years ago could cover only about 150 metres of one passage during an hour-long exploration. Much of the cave still remains untouched, keeping its secrets safely beneath the mountain. That mystery itself becomes part of the experience.Yet Yemberzalwari is not remembered only for its landscapes. Its mountains also carry stories of devotion. Local people lovingly point towards a dark rocky height known as Muqdam Saeben Waer. They believe that Hazrat Sultan-ul-Aarifeen Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoom (RA) came here and gathered a wild vegetable called Wopal Hakh. This is a simple story, but this quietly speaks of a saint whose greatness rested in humility and whose life remained close to nature. The elders of the village also narrate that two of his devoted disciples, Hazrat Sheikh Ahmad Chogali (RA) and Hazrat Khawaja Hassan Qari (RA), spent long periods in meditation among these mountains. They lived with very little, surviving on wild grasses and herbs while dedicating themselves to prayer and remembrance of Allah. Whether one comes here as a traveller or a believer, the silence of these hills seems to preserve the memory of those forgotten days. Even today, standing there, one feels that the mountains have learned how to pray. What touched me equally was the warmth of the people. Their hospitality comes naturally. Their smiles are unforced, their words gentle and their lives simple. They still preserve values that many places are slowly losingkindness, respect and contentment. A visitor is welcomed not as a stranger but as someone expected. When I returned home, I realised I had carried back more than photographs. I had brought with me the coolness of mountain air, the murmur of forest streams and the quiet wisdom of a place where nature and spirituality continue to walk together. This picturesque village reminds us that the soul of Kashmir is not found in her famous destinations. It still lives in her forgotten villages, where every stone,every winding path and every tree tells a story. Khursheed Dar writes on Kashmiri sufism, culture and society.

An apology must answer a question

Every human being makes mistakes. No one, however wise or experienced, is immune from error. Civilisations have advanced not because people stopped making mistakes, but because they learnt to acknowledge them, correct them and move forward. That is why an apology occupies such an honoured place in every moral tradition. It is not merely a social courtesy; it is an act of accountability. Yet, not every apology achieves that purpose. There are apologies that heal wounds, restore trust and bring closure. There are others that merely seek to silence criticism or defuse a controversy without addressing its substance. The difference between the two lies in one simple question: What exactly is the apology for? This question assumes particular importance when the apology comes from a public figure. Unlike ordinary citizens, political leaders do not speak in a purely personal capacity. Their words often reflect the policies they defended, the decisions they implemented and the principles by which they governed. Consequently, when they apologise, the public is entitled to know precisely what they regret. The recent controversy surrounding the statement of a senior PDP leader at Jantar Mantar brings this issue into sharp focus. The reported remarks comparing police action against protesters in Delhi with the security response to stone-pelting incidents in Kashmir during the years of militancy generated widespread criticism. Initially, it was suggested that the statement had been misunderstood. Later, an apology followed. The apology undoubtedly deserves appreciation to the extent that it recognises the value of public accountability. In an age where many public figures refuse to admit even the most obvious mistakes, an apology is preferable to stubborn silence. Nevertheless, the apology leaves an important question unanswered. What exactly was being apologised for? Was the apology confined to the manner in which the statement was expressed? Was it intended to withdraw the comparison itself? Or did it signify a reconsideration of the policies that were defended and implemented when the speaker occupied constitutional office? These are not questions born of political hostility. They arise naturally from the very purpose of an apology. An apology that does not identify the wrong leaves the listener uncertain about its meaning. If the error was one of language, that should be stated. If the error lay in the comparison, that should be acknowledged. If the regret extends to the underlying policy, that too should be expressed with equal clarity. Otherwise, the apology remains suspended between words and intention, inviting more speculation than understanding. This is not merely a political issue. It is a philosophical one. The primary function of an apology is to restore truth before it restores relationships. Before forgiveness can begin, there must first be clarity. The injured personor, in the case of public life, the public itselfis entitled to know what wrong has been recognised. Without that clarity, an apology risks becoming an instrument of convenience rather than an expression of conscience. Many people avoid apologising because they believe it diminishes authority. The opposite is often true. It is not the apology that weakens a leader; it is the refusal to confront the truth. A leader who acknowledges an error demonstrates confidence in moral principles rather than dependence upon political infallibility. Citizens rarely expect perfection from those who govern them. They do, however, expect honesty. History offers countless examples of leaders who have apologised for governmental actions committed decades earlier. Such apologies carry moral weight because they identify the specific act being regretted. They do not merely say, I am sorry. They say, in effect, This was wrong, and this is why it was wrong. That specificity transforms apology from a public relations exercise into an act of moral responsibility. Public office carries with it a special obligation. Decisions taken in government affect not one individual but entire communities. Therefore, any subsequent expression of regret inevitably invites questions about those decisions themselves. That is neither unfair nor unreasonable. Accountability cannot be separated from authority. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the political decisions taken during those difficult years is a matter of legitimate public debate. What is beyond debate, however, is that an apology should tell the public, with unmistakable clarity, what exactly is being regretted. The issue, therefore, is larger than one political party or one political leader. It concerns the standard by which we judge public apologies. A sincere apology should leave fewer questions than existed before it was made. It should illuminate rather than obscure. It should close the gap between action and accountability instead of widening it. For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, these questions carry a special significance. Ours is a society that has lived through decades of violence, militancy, counter-insurgency, political upheaval and immeasurable human suffering. Every public statement on those years inevitably touches old memories and deep emotions. Precisely for that reason, public discourse must aspire to the highest standards of honesty and clarity. If an apology is offered, it should leave no room for doubt about what is being acknowledged and what is being regretted. History may continue to debate the compulsions of governance and the necessity of difficult decisions, but an apology should not itself become another subject of interpretation. Its purpose is to bring clarity where there is confusion, truth where there is doubt, and reconciliation where there is hurt. An apology is not a confession of weakness. It is a declaration that truth matters more than pride. But for truth to prevail, an apology must do one thing above all elseit must answer the question that the controversy itself has raised. Only then does an apology cease to be a political response to public criticism and become what it is truly meant to be: a moral act of courage. Farooq Ahmad Khan is an Advocate practising before the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Disease Audit

Every other day we have a news story about one or the other disease impacting people in Kashmir, in numbers. We have been pursuing the rise of different cancers in Kashmir and that is a very alarming situation. Then we have cases of Hepatitis B. We have a number of cases that call for a renewed, and urgent, attention towards the problem. Needless to say that diseases like Hepatitis B are embedded in certain factors that can be addressed only at the societal level. A deep and widespread awareness campaign, a sensitisation that reaches every family and each individual, an alarm that is raised with high pitch in the concerned departments everything needs to be done. Then we have pulmonary diseases that affect a good number of people in Kashmir. So, cumulatively we are under a tremendous burden of diseases that consume lives, livelihoods and all the savings people keep aside for their children or for a rainy day. And once disease strikes ruin knocks at the door. In this scenario there are two option. Treat each disease separately, follow each patient individually. In this case we have to develop infrastructure, get the latest diagnostic equipment, make sure we have the best of human resource. Not just that, we have to ensure that the facilities are available at the lower rungs of healthcare and not just in the tertiary care hospitals. While this option can never be dropped, as we need to keep adding to our healthcare infrastructure, there is another option. This option is to nip the evil in the bud. A comprehensive health audit that reflects clearly why there is a rising burden of these disease. A graphic presentation of which diseases hit us more, why, and what is the spatial and demographic distribution of such diseases. If this study is conducted professionally, and the problem is looked at not just medically, but from other perspectives as well, we can have better outcomes. After all we have reasons that dot in areas like societal, economic, and environmental.

Srinagar-Jammu NH open for 2-way traffic

Ramban, Jul 29:The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open on Wednesday for the scheduled Amarnath Yatra convoy and two-way movement of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and heavy vehicles. However, traffic continued to move at a slow pace due to bottlenecks at the landslide-affected Dewal area in Udhampur district and other vulnerable stretches along the highway. Traffic officials said vehicular movement remained sluggish because of the single-lane carriageway and the uneven, undulating road surface at Dewal, where restoration work is still underway after extensive damage caused by recent heavy rains and landslides. Slow movement was also reported on the single-lane stretch between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, while the breakdown of a few vehicles between Ramban and Banihal further affected the smooth flow of traffic. The Dewal stretch continues to be the most critical bottleneck on the highway after heavy monsoon rains triggered a major landslide last week, washing away a portion of the carriageway and forcing the closure of the highway. The disruption had left hundreds of passenger vehicles and trucks stranded on both sides before the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) restored traffic through a temporary single-lane alignment. Since then, traffic has been regulated carefully while restoration and strengthening works continue. In view of the India Meteorological Department's forecast predicting another spell of rainfall over the coming days, the Traffic Police advised commuters to undertake journeys on the highway only after confirming the latest road status from the Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Jammu, Ramban, and Srinagar. Travellers have also been urged to follow official traffic updates issued through the J&K Traffic Police's social media platforms. Authorities said that owing to the extensive damage at Dewal and the resulting congestion on the narrow temporary carriageway, inter-district movement of local commuters towards Srinagar will not be permitted after the cut-off time of 1 pm from Nagrota, Jammu, following the passage of the Amarnath Yatra convoy. The restriction will be enforced after verification of valid photo identity cards, which commuters have been advised to carry during travel. Private vehicle owners travelling towards Srinagar have been advised to use the old Jawahar Tunnel road to avoid screening and delays at Lamber, Banihal. Similarly, commuters heading from Jammu to Batote, Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, and adjoining areas have been advised to use the Patnitop route instead of the Nashri corridor. Passengers and operators of LMVs have also been advised to travel only during daylight hours, as night travel continues to remain risky due to shooting stones, the possibility of fresh landslides, and ongoing highway construction works between Ramban and Banihal. Temporary traffic restrictions may also be imposed during the movement of Amarnath Yatra convoys. Meanwhile, goods carriers transporting fresh fruits, vegetables, and livestock have been directed to follow the traffic advisory issued by the Traffic Police Headquarters, as heavy vehicles continue to be regulated on an alternate-day basis. Fruit growers and transporters carrying perishable produce from Kashmir towards Jammu have been advised to load and park their vehicles before 9 am at designated locations between the Navyug Tunnel and Levdoora to facilitate smooth movement during the downward convoy schedule. Authorities appealed to motorists to drive cautiously, cooperate with traffic personnel, and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rainfall, as restoration work on the damaged Dewal stretch is still in progress and weather conditions remain unpredictable.

Downpour batters Kulgam, Bandipora

Srinagar, Jul 29:Less than four hours after intense rainfall triggered flash floods in north Kashmirs Bandipora district, another heavy downpour battered south Kashmirs Kulgam, damaging houses, orchards and standing crops besides sweeping away cowsheds and a cow.The flash floods struck Dardgund village in Devsar area late Tuesday night after heavy rainfall caused Nallah Sadhnag to swell suddenly, sending torrents of muddy water through the village.. The gushing waters washed away two cowsheds and killed a cow. Floodwaters entered residential areas, damaged paddy fields, orchards, and vegetable gardens, and left behind mud, stones, and debris across farmland.Residents said the flooding occurred suddenly, leaving them little time to move cattle or save their belongings.It was around 10 pm that torrents of water suddenly swept through the village. Within a blink of an eye, we lost everything. Our cowshed was washed away and our paddy crop also suffered extensive damage, said Bashir Ahmad Lone, a farmer.He said a cow belonging to Waseem Ahmad Lone also died in the floods.All our household belongings were washed away. We had no time to save anything, said Abdul Ahad Mir, a local. The affected families appealed to the administration to assess the losses and provide compensation at the earliest.Teams from the SDRF, police and district administration immediately reached the village and launched rescue and relief operations.The teams evacuated villagers from houses to safer locations, an official said.The official said debris was being cleared and damage to houses, cattle sheds, orchards, and agricultural land was being assessed.Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, Shahzad Alam, who visited the affected village, said the losses would be assessed before compensation is finalised for affected families. He directed concerned departments to expedite restoration of damaged roads, drinking water supply and electricity infrastructure, while asking officials to remain alert amid the prevailing weather conditions.Immediate relief, including cash assistance and food kits, was provided to affected families.MLA Devsar Peerzada Feroze, who also visited the area, assured residents that their losses would be taken up with the government. Houses have also been damaged besides crops and livestock. We did provide some immediate relief, though it is not enough. I will take up the issue with the Chief Minister so that the affected families are duly compensated, Feroze said.The Kulgam incident followed flash floods in Aloosa area of north Kashmirs Bandipora district on Tuesday evening after intense rainfall caused local streams and irrigation canals to overflow.The heavy downpour triggered panic among residents as muddy waters entered paddy fields, kitchen gardens and residential compounds. No casualties were reported.Independent weather forecaster Faizan Ahmad said the flash floods in Bandipora and Kulgam were triggered by intense downpours and not necessarily by cloudbursts. A cloudburst is about 100 mm of rain in an hour. But even lower amounts of intense rainfall over a short period can trigger flash floods in mountainous terrain, he said.Ahmad said torrential rains and cloudburst events can both occur during the ongoing wet spell, but every flash flood is not caused by a cloudburst.Several incidents during the current and even previous spells appear to be linked to intense localized rainfall rather than cloudbursts, he said.The incidents came as the Meteorological Centre Srinagar forecast unsettled weather across Jammu and Kashmir through August 4, with intermittent spells of rain and thundershowers expected at many places.Torrential rains have already been lashing parts of Jammu division, particularly Doda, Kishtwar, Samba, Katra, Udhampur and Jammu. Brief intense showers were also reported at isolated places in Kashmir since Tuesday evening.There is no forecast of any major widespread weather activity, and the rainfall will largely remain localized, Director Meteorological Centre Srinagar Mukhtar Ahmad said.He said Kashmir is likely to receive generally light to moderate rainfall, while parts of Jammu division could witness intense showers between July 30 and 31, with peak activity expected during the night of July 30. The MeT has warned that intense rainfall may trigger more flash floods due to sudden rises in streams and nallahs, besides landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and rockfalls across vulnerable areas of Jammu and Kashmir.It advised residents, tourists, travellers, and transporters to avoid streams, nallahs, and landslide-prone areas and follow advisories issued by the administration.

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CRPF vehicle hits Chinar tree in Sheikhpora Budgam, 3 jawans injured

Budgam, Jul 29: Three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured after their vehicle crashed into a Chinar tree in the Sheikhpora area of Central Kashmir's Budgam district on Wednesday. Officials told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that the accident occurred after the driver reportedly lost control over the vehicle, causing it to crash into the roadside Chinar tree. They said three CRPF personnel sustained injuries in the incident. One of the injured personnel, was shifted to a hospital in Srinagar for advanced treatment, while the other two were admitted to a nearby hospital and are stated to be under medical care. Meanwhile, local residents, along with police personnel, immediately rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Eyewitnesses said the rescuers helped evacuate the injured CRPF personnel, who were trapped inside the damaged vehicle, before shifting them to hospitals for treatment.

PM FB post issue: Meta writes to govt, outlines rigorous safeguards for posts by prominent accounts

New Delhi, Jul 29: Meta wrote to the government on Wednesday outlining the specifics of enhanced and rigorous safeguards it has now implemented for content posted by the Prime Minister and other prominent accounts, according to sources. Meta has informed the IT Ministry that posts by the Prime Minister and prominent accounts will have additional oversight on the platform and that multiple checks will take place at levels of senior company officials, sources said, citing the social media firm's communication to the ministry. Meta team is likely to meet government officials later this week or early next week over the Prime Minister's Facebook post issue, sources added. An email sent by PTI to Meta seeking comments did not elicit a response. The government on Tuesday summoned a top Meta executive after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent post addressing India's youth and promising stringent measures against paper leaks was briefly restricted by Facebook, and although the US-headquartered social media giant blamed it on a technical glitch and apologised, the IT Ministry had found the explanation inadequate. Prime Minister Modi's Instagram post of July 23, later shared on Facebook, marked his first direct selfie video aimed at engaging with the youth and underscoring the government's commitment to crack down on paper leaks amid students' protests, was restricted briefly by Meta on Facebook. Following this, the global head of public policy of Meta (Facebook and Instagram) was summoned by the IT Ministry. IT Secretary S Krishnan on Tuesday said that while Meta has apologised and admitted that they have made a mistake, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity) is not happy with the explanation given and is seeking more details from the company. It is good that they have apologised and admitted what they did was a mistake. But we are not happy with the explanation...it is not adequate, and we are seeking more details, Krishnan had said. Meanwhile, sources had said Meta has told the government that a glitch in its automated content filters caused the removal of Prime Minister Modi's Facebook post for a brief while. According to a Meta spokesperson, the content was removed in error and has since been restored on the platform. IT Ministry sources had said on Tuesday that Meta's explanation to the government, citing a technical glitch in the automated content filters, was ot reasonable, and that the matter was ot settled and done. They further said that if indeed a glitch in the automated system caused the error, then Meta, being a technology company, must hasten to improve its tools. Meta officials, it is learnt, attributed the error to AI-powered automated content filters that were reviewing shared posts and subsequent content that circulated following the original post by the Prime Minister. Sources had said that Meta claimed that its automated filters inadvertently ended up briefly removing the original post itself.

Iran resumes missile attacks as US and Saudis strike Tehran-backed militias in Iraq

The flare-up on multiple fronts, after several days of relative calm, raised the risk of a return to all-out war. It also underscored the difficulty of winding down a five-month conflict that has jolted the world economy and is unpopular among Americans.

Lok Sabha passes anti-paper leak Amendment Bill; govt says open to learning from experiences

New Delhi, Jul 29: Lok Sabha on Wednesday approved a bill to amend the anti-paper leak law with stricter punishment with government asserting that the measure was taken as it is open to learning from experiences. The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in the House by Union minister Jitendra Singh on July 27, days after large-scale student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party forced Dharmendra Pradhan to resign as the education minister. Speaking in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Singh said the government acted swiftly in the NEET paper leak case, and as many as 52 FIRs have been lodged since the anti-paper leak law came into force in 2024. The amendment bill indicates that the government is open to learning from experience, he said, noting that the rate of suicide related to paper leaks has also reduced over the last few years. Singh criticised Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, stating that he lacks knowledge of parliamentary norms and the functioning of the government. Expressing disappointment over sloganeering by the opposition parties during the passage of the bill, the minister said, Instead of debating it seriously and offering suggestions, attempts are being made to politicise it. I am surprised by the behaviour of the leader of opposition..., he said. Immediately after the passage of the bill, Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day On Monday, Singh introduced the bill to amend the anti-paper leaks law with stricter punishment of up to 10 years in jail and Rs 50 lakh fine amid protests and sloganeering by the Opposition demanding a response from the government over the police crackdown on students during the CJP-led July 20 protest march to Parliament. Protests by opposition parties over the NEET issue led to daily disruption of proceedings in the first week of the Monsoon session of Parliament. The 2024 law was brought in when the government faced raging paper leak controversies. Before this legislation, there was no specific substantive law to deal with unfair means adopted or offences committed by various entities involved in the conduct of public examinations by the central government and its agencies. The Act aimed to prevent unfair means in the public examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the railways, banking recruitment examinations and the National Testing Agency (NTA), among others. Responding to Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi's remarks alleging that on innocent children atrocities and oppression were inflicted, Singh said, utmost restraint was exercised and it was made sure that casualties do not happen. According to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, investigations into paper leak cases are to be completed within two months. The bill says that individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means in exams will get jail terms for a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 10 years, and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh. For organised crimes, the bill proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore. The amendment bill seeks to empower all the state governments and UT administrations to designate any court of session to be a special fast-track court to try offences under the proposed law. It also provides that the proceedings in such courts are continued on a day-to-day basis and the trial is completed within three months from the date of filing of the charge sheet. It also empowers the central government to constitute a special task force for investigation of any offence, if necessary.

SC rejects J&K plea challenging quashing of FIR against Olympic judge Bilquis Mir

New Delhi, Jul 29: The Supreme Court has dismissed a Jammu and Kashmir administration petition challenging the quashing of an FIR in a corruption case against Bilquis Mir, India's first female judge for kayaking and canoeing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The petition was moved before the apex court challenging the Jammu and Kashmir High Court's last July order quashing the FIR filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) against Mir. The high court had delivered a scathing rebuke to authorities saying it seems that the people at the helm of affairs are leaving no stone unturned in harassing such talented people. The Jammu and Kashmir administration had moved the top court requesting for condoning delay in filing the appeal against the high court order and exemption from filing a certified copy of the judgment. While condoning the delay in challenging the high court order, a division bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi dismissed the petition on merits. Having heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, we are not inclined to entertain this petition. Hence, the special leave petition stands dismissed, the order dated July 27 said. In the strongly-worded 20-page order last year, Justice Sanjay Dhar of Jammu and Kashmir High Court had said it was alarmed to note that the ACB has even tried to go into the issue as to whether the answer scripts of Mir in her graduate examination have been properly evaluated by the examiners. This attitude of ACB clearly smacks of wreaking vengeance upon the petitioner (Mir). The present case appears to be nothing but a witch-hunt launched against the petitioner by vested interests, the court had said. Invoking Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which deals with the inherent powers of the high court to prevent the abuse of the legal process and to secure the ends of justice, the court said the continuance of criminal proceedings against Mir in these circumstances would be nothing ut an abuse of process of law and quashed the FIR. Justice Dhar, in his judgement, had referred to a February 16, 2024, letter from vice president of Indian Olympic Association to the chief secretary highlighting the achievements of the petitioner by conveying that selection of Mir to officiate at the Olympics is a matter of pride for the country as a whole and Jammu and Kashmir in particular. The court had also referred to the communication that it is a celebration and triumph for all women of India that she has achieved what no one else has in over a hundred years of the Olympics. Coming down heavily on authorities, the court had said this country has produced very few sports personalities and coaches of the level of Mir and instead of honouring them and celebrating their achievements, it seems that the people at helm of affairs are leaving no stone unturned in harassing such talented people. No surprise that even after more than 75 years of Independence, this country has failed to develop a sporting culture, as a consequence whereof, we have failed to produce sportsmen/women of international standards in proportion to our population, it had said. The court had said the attitude of ACB in criminalising non-acquisition of a technical qualification by Mir speaks volumes about the manner in which we are treating our sporting heroes.

Yak population in Ladakh's Nubra rises 20 pc, authorities push for conservation

Nubra, Jul 29: The yak population of Nubra valley in Ladakh has registered a 20 per cent increase, with authorities calling for efforts to promote yak rearing as a sustainable source of livelihood, officials said Wednesday. Yak is one of the most important livestock species found in Ladakh, particularly in the high-altitude regions above 3,000 metres in Nubra valley and Changthang region, they said.. There is importance for preserving the yak as a symbol of Nubra valley's heritage. We appreciate the 20 percent increase in the yak population, Deputy Commissioner (Nubra) Mukul Beniwal said. Beniwal emphasised the need to promote yak rearing through incentives, strengthen market linkages for yak wool and develop yak-based products as a sustainable source of livelihood and economic tourism for local communities. Describing the yak as an integral part of Nubra Valley's identity and traditional way of life, the authorities emphasised that continued support for yak husbandry would not only help preserve the region's unique heritage but also provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for tribal communities living in the remote Himalayan region. An awareness-cum-technology demonstration programme on yak husbandry was held at the Yak breeding farm in Nubra with the deputy commissioner calling yak conservation vital for preserving the unique cultural and ecological heritage of the region. Senior scientist on conservation of Yak, Dr Mukhtar Hussain highlighted various technologies developed for scientific yak husbandry and conservation. He also underlined the importance of regular vaccination to prevent disease outbreaks among yak populations. Block Veterinary Officer, Nubra, Dr Motup Angmo informed the gathering about the increase in the yak population and stressed the need for registration and tagging of yaks to enable herders to avail benefits under various government schemes. More than 135 yak herders from Diggar Tangyar, Khema, Khunru, Khardong, Khalsar, Largab, Waris Fastan, Hunder Dok, Turtuk and Bogdang villages participated in the programme, officials said. As part of the event, 200 bags of cattle feed, 100 tarpaulins, 100 solar lights, mineral mixture and veterinary medicines were distributed among the yak herders under the STC scheme.

Rajnath launches India's 1st military medicine facility to bolster defences against 'emerging threats'

New Delhi, Jul 29: The threat of weapons of mass destruction persists in the current era, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, as he inaugurated the country's first academic and operational facility exclusively for military medicine. The defence minister virtually inaugurated the Department of Military Medicine at the Command Hospital (Central Command) in Lucknow, asserting it will serve as a hub for research and development, preparing the nation to deal with emerging threats. Highlighting the growing importance of military medicine, Singh said the discipline studies the physical and mental stresses on soldiers during combat situations. Our soldiers are deployed in some of the world's most complex regions and harshest climates, exposed to diverse challenges. This new department will develop medical protocols tailored for these operational environments, he said. The defence minister emphasised that alongside traditional weaponry, the threat of weapons of mass destruction persists in the current era. In such a situation, the department will serve as a hub for research and development, equipping the nation to deal with emerging threats arising out of the rapid technologies advancements, he said. As the world's largest democracy and a responsible power, India is one of the largest military contributors to United Nations' peacekeeping missions, and at the forefront of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations far beyond national borders, the defence ministry said. The Department of Military Medicine will prove invaluable in enhancing expertise in disaster response, field hospital deployment, mass casualty management and epidemic control, it added. The newly-established department has been conceived as a centre of excellence in military medicine and will serve as the principal academic, research and doctrinal hub for Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). It will provide structured education and training in military and operational medicine, facilitate postgraduate programmes in domains such as combat medicine, combat surgery and trauma care, and promote indigenous research tailored to India's operational requirements, the defence ministry said in a statement. Singh expressed hope that the department will act as a training facility for young doctors of the Army Medical Corps in battlefield healthcare and advanced life support. The department will open up a new career pathway for young medical professionals. Students will now be able to pursue super-specialisation in military medicine. This will not only enhance intellectual capital within the military, but also elevate India's stature in medical research on the international stage, he added. The Department of Military Medicine aims to enhance combat medical readiness, advancing research, developing indigenous doctrines and creating specialised expertise for future battlefields and humanitarian contingencies. Established under the aegis of the Directorate General of Medical Services (Army), it marks a significant step in strengthening the operational medical preparedness of the AFMS, the ministry statement said. In his address, Singh emphasised that while economic and social development are essential aspects of nation-building, the fundamental basis of any nation's sovereignty and progress rests on the strength and morale of its military. He asserted that the establishment of the Department of Military Medicine reflects a evolutionary shift in the country defence capabilities, exuding confidence that the newly-established facility would strengthen national security by ensuring advanced medical support for the troops, while reinforcing their confidence that that they would receive timely care during operations. Underscoring the critical need for preventive healthcare, Singh asserted that it should be viewed as the first line of defence. He called for developing a system that can identify and mitigate health risks at early stages through disease surveillance, vaccination, sanitation, nutrition, physical fitness, occupational health and regular health screenings. Preventive healthcare is directly linked to combat readiness and national security. We can leverage technologies such as AI, wearable devices, predictive analytics, and advanced diagnostics to enhance real-time monitoring of soldiers health and the early identification of potential health risks, he said. The department will focus on key disciplines including military trauma and damage control, combat psychiatry and resilience, environmental and operational medicine, military medical logistics, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNe) medical response, emergency medicine and critical care, disaster medicine and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) as well as research, audit and data analytics, the ministry said. It will also foster innovation in technology-enabled battlefield medicine, simulation-based training, telemedicine, prolonged field care and medical decision support, it said. The department will be developed in a phased manner, with the initial phase focusing on establishment and commencement of academic programmes, followed by creation of centres of excellence in HADR and CBRNe medicine, it added.

Govt introduces uniform building permission fee across J&K

Srinagar, July 29: In a significant move aimed at ensuring uniformity and transparency in the building permission process, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved a common building permission fee structure for the entire Union Territory, bringing all Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, Municipal Committees and Development Authorities under a single policy framework. According to an order issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department on Tuesday, the revised fee structure will be applicable uniformly across J&K and has come into effect from July 29, 2026. As per the new notification, residential houses and housing colonies will attract a building permission fee of 80 per square metre, while commercial and institutional buildings, including shops, offices, industrial units, hospitals, schools and other public establishments, will be charged 270 per square metre. For mixed-use buildings comprising both residential and commercial components, the government has fixed the fee at 150 per square metre. However, religious structures have been completely exempted from payment of the building permission fee. The government has also introduced a uniform debris and construction waste management charge. Under the revised norms, residential projects will be required to pay 3,000, whereas commercial, institutional and other non-residential buildings will have to deposit 10,000 towards waste management. The order further stipulates that any construction undertaken without obtaining prior permission will attract a compounding fee equivalent to 40 per cent of the prescribed building permission fee, in addition to the regular charges, for cases eligible under the relevant provisions. Officials said the fee will be calculated on the total approved built-up area of the proposed construction and will be collected exclusively through the Online Building Permission System (OBPS) to ensure transparency and ease of compliance. The government has also made it clear that no Urban Local Body or Development Authority will be permitted to revise or alter the notified fee structure without obtaining prior approval from the Housing and Urban Development Department. The decision is aimed at eliminating disparities in fee structures across different urban areas, streamlining the building approval process, and establishing a transparent, uniform and citizen-friendly regulatory mechanism throughout Jammu and Kashmir. (KNC)

Ensure timely transport of horticultural produce, Mehbooba says amid Srinagar-Jammu NH disruption

Srinagar, Jul 29: People's Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday expressed concerns over the repeated disruptions on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, calling for immediate steps to ensure that horticultural produces reach markets without delay. In a statement, Mehbooba expressed deep concern over the growing distress among Kashmir's fruit-growing community as repeated disruptions on the national highway, triggered by landslides and adverse weather, continue to obstruct the timely dispatch of horticultural produce to markets across the country. The present situation demands an extraordinary administrative response. Apples and other fresh produce cannot remain stationary for days without affecting quality, market competitiveness and growers' earnings, she said. The burden of a natural disaster should not be compounded by the absence of a specialised transport strategy for one of Jammu and Kashmir's most vital economic sectors, the PDP chief said. Every harvesting season represents a year of patience, investment and hope for our orchardists, she said. Today, many growers are anxiously watching truckloads of their produce remain immobilised because the Valley's road connectivity has been severely affected. The administration must recognise that this is not merely a traffic management issue but an economic emergency, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said. She called for immediate steps to ensure that horticultural produce reaches markets without further delay, and that all safe alternatives, including the Mughal Road for suitable commercial vehicles, should be actively considered. Mehbooba said Kashmir's fruit industry generates livelihoods for lakhs of people, from orchard owners and labourers to transporters, commission agents and packaging workers. Any prolonged disruption in the supply chain sends financial shockwaves across the rural economy, particularly during the peak marketing season, she asserted. The party urged the authorities to establish a dedicated operational framework for the evacuation of horticultural produce, involving traffic management agencies, civil administration and transport authorities, so that commercial consignments carrying perishable fruit receive planned and uninterrupted passage whenever road conditions permit.

Lok Sabha Passes Anti-Paper Leak Amendment Bill 2026 Amidst Opposition Criticism

New Delhi, July 29: The Lok Sabha passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by voice vote on Wednesday. Following extensive discussions, the proceedings of the House were adjourned until 11 AM on Thursday. During the debate, Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched a sharp attack on the opposition, particularly targeting the ... Read more Lok Sabha Passes Anti-Paper Leak Amendment Bill 2026 Amidst Opposition Criticism

Delhi Police registers FIR over abusive posts against PM, seeks X account details

New Delhi, Jul 29: Delhi Police has registered an FIR against several social media handles for allegedly posting derogatory, malicious and defamatory content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought complete details of account holders from X, official sources said on Wednesday. The case was registered by the Special Cell's Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit, which also issued notices to X and directed it to remove or disable access to identified posts and preserve all related electronic records for investigation, the sources said. X, formerly Twitter, has been directed to remove or disable access to the content within three hours of receiving the notices while ensuring that all relevant data, logs and subscriber information are preserved, they said. The FIR against seven to eight handles has been filed under Sections 351(3) (criminal intimidation), 353(2) (circulating false information, rumours, or alarming news-including via electronic media) and 356(2) (whoever defames another person) of the BNS. The case follows a complaint alleging that objectionable content aimed at constitutional authorities was being circulated on the social media platform. Some social media posts under scrutiny were uploaded during and after the July 20 Sansad Chalo protests spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party in which abusive language was used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and security personnel. During the clashes at the protest, at least 65 protesters and over 200 police personnel sustained injuries, officials maintain. The notices to X, under the relevant provision of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), seek complete subscriber information of the accounts, including names, addresses, contact details, email IDs, and login and logout records with date and time stamps. Police has also sought any additional information that may assist the investigation and asked the platform to preserve the relevant data for evidentiary purposes, he added. According to the notices, the complaint alleges that derogatory, malicious and defamatory content was circulated on X targeting constitutional functionaries. Investigators are examining whether the posts attract offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other applicable provisions of law, the source said. In a parallel exercise, the IFSO issued Intimation to Intermediary for Disabling Access to Unlawful Information notices under the rules of the IT Act, Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021, directing X to disable access to several identified URLs, according to one of the notices. The notices state that the content hosted on the platform allegedly contained false, manipulated and objectionable material intended to defame public personalities. One notice refers to an FIR registered by the Special Cell under various sections and their sub-sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, alleging that circulation of the content had caused serious harm to the reputation, dignity and public image of the prime minister and had the potential to disturb public order and fuel unnecessary controversy, the sources said. Police said the investigation is underway and further action will be taken based on the digital evidence and information received from the social media platform.

IFFJK receives overwhelming global response; 875 film entries received from around 50 countries

Srinagar, Jul 29: The first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 has evoked an enthusiastic response from filmmakers across the globe, with 875 film submissions received from around 50 countries so far, reflecting the growing international interest in the J&K Governments flagship cinematic initiative. The film submission window for the festival will remain open till tomorrow i.e; July 30, 2026, providing filmmakers with the final opportunity to register their entries for participation in the inaugural edition of the festival. The IFFJK, organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in collaboration with National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), is scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10, 2026. The festival aims to establish Jammu & Kashmir as a vibrant destination for cinema, creativity and cultural exchange while providing a prestigious platform for filmmakers from across the world to showcase their work. The encouraging response from both national and international filmmakers underscores the growing confidence in Jammu & Kashmir as an emerging hub for film production, cinematic excellence and creative collaboration. The diversity of submissions received from around 50 countries is expected to enrich the festival with a wide spectrum of storytelling traditions, artistic perspectives and innovative filmmaking. The four-day festival will feature screenings of selected films, interactive sessions, masterclasses, panel discussions and cultural engagements, offering opportunities for filmmakers, industry experts, students and cinema lovers to exchange ideas and explore new avenues of collaboration. The IFFJK is envisioned as a significant step towards promoting artistic excellence, strengthening cultural dialogue and showcasing the rich heritage, scenic grandeur and creative potential of Jammu & Kashmir before a global audience. The festival also aims to promote the culture of Jammu & Kashmir through Cinema, promote artistic excellence, cultural exchange, and cinematic innovation by exhibiting and recognising outstanding films from around the world. It also envisions to contribute to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations within the context of their social and cultural ethos, besides promote friendship and cooperation among the people of the world through the medium of cinema. Pertinent to mention, the curtain raiser ceremony of the festival was held on July 17, 2026, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah formally launching the first-ever international film festival of Jammu & Kashmir and inviting filmmakers, artists, producers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world to participate in the landmark event.

Omar Abdullah declares lowest assets among India's 31 Chief Ministers: ADR

Srinagar, Jul 29: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has declared the lowest assets among all 31 Chief Ministers in the country, with total assets worth 55 lakh, according to an analysis of election affidavits released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The report, based on the self-sworn affidavits filed by the Chief Ministers during their most recent Assembly elections, found that Omar Abdullah is one of only two Chief Ministers with declared assets of less than 1 crore. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has declared assets worth 85 lakh, while Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's assets stand at around 1 crore. The ADR analysis also noted that Omar Abdullah has not declared any immovable property in his election affidavit. In contrast, the average assets of the country's 31 Chief Ministers stand at 118.07 crore, with their combined declared wealth amounting to nearly 3,660 crore. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar emerged as the wealthiest Chief Minister, with declared assets worth 1,413 crore. He was followed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu (931 crore), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay (648 crore) and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu (332 crore). These four are the only Chief Ministers with declared assets exceeding 100 crore. According to the report, 15 Chief Ministers have declared assets between 11 crore and 49 crore, while only Omar Abdullah and Suvendu Adhikari have assets below 1 crore. On liabilities, 11 Chief Ministers have declared dues exceeding 1 crore. D K Shivakumar tops the list with liabilities of 265 crore, followed by Pema Khandu with 180 crore and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with 16 crore. Among the neighbouring states, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has declared assets worth 7.81 crore and liabilities of 22.42 lakh. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has assets of 5.80 crore and liabilities of 74.82 lakh, while Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has declared assets worth 5.31 crore and liabilities of 1.20 crore. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has declared assets of 1.97 crore and liabilities of 30.35 lakh. The ADR report analyses the financial, criminal and educational backgrounds of all serving Chief Ministers using information disclosed in their election affidavits.

August 5 a black day, Apni Party will fight until Article 370, statehood are restored: Altaf Bukhari

Amarnath Yatra: 'Chhari Mubarak' taken to Pahalgam for annual rituals

Srinagar, Jul 29: Rituals for 'Chhari Mubarak', age-old traditions associated with the annual Amarnath Yatra, formally began on Wednesday, Mahant Deependra Giri said. 'Chhari Mubarak', the saffron-robed silver mace of Lord Shiva, was taken from its abode at Dashnami Akshara here to Pahalgam in Anantnag district for the bhoomi pujan ritual. Chanting Vedic hymns, a group of sadhus led by Giri, custodian of the holy mace, left for Gauri Shankar Temple, Pahalgam, where the bhoomi pujan of the holy mace will be held, Girri said. He said the holy mace will stop at Martand temple in Mattan area for a holy bath on its return journey to the abode here later in the day. Giri expressed satisfaction that more than 4.25 lakh pilgrims have performed the Yatra this year. The Amarnath yatra, which began on July 3, will end on August 28 coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.

Schools in Doda closed today due to heavy rain; online classes to continue

Doda, Jul 29: Authorities have ordered the closure of all government and private schools across Doda district on Wednesday as a precautionary measure in view of the prevailing adverse weather conditions caused by continuous rainfall. Authorities have ordered the closure of all government and private schools across Doda district on Wednesday as a precautionary measure in view of the prevailing adverse weather conditions caused by continuous rainfall. The order, however, said that online classes will continue as per the prescribed schedule in all schools across the district. Officials advised students and parents to follow the instructions issued by the district administration and school authorities.

Pentagon ties new casualty category for renewed US-Iran fighting to end of 'Operation Epic Fury'

Washington, Jul 29: The Pentagon said a new, separate category was created in its official casualty system to account for those killed and wounded in the renewed US-Iran fighting because Operation Epic Fury, the military's name for combat operations against Tehran, has ended. The Defence Casualty Analysis System, or DCAS, has removed the four soldiers killed and dozens of troops wounded in the latest exchange of fire from its official Iran war tally and placed them in a new category called Overseas Operations. The overall total of wounded from the conflict now stands at 642 troops, between the figures listed under Operation Epic Fury and those listed in the new category in the Pentagon's online system. A Pentagon official said Tuesday that because Operation Epic Fury has concluded, the military has decided to classify casualties tied to the latest strikes in the new category. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters, would not offer a date for the formal end of the operation. That characterisation raises questions about properly counting the impact to US service members after the US military carried out nearly two weeks of consecutive strikes against Iran in a bid to gain control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by striking neighbouring countries in the Middle East that host US forces. After a few days of paused hostilities and efforts by mediators to get both sides back to negotiations, US Central Command said Tuesday that it intercepted multiple ballistic missiles fired at American troops in the region. The US and Iran had agreed to a tenuous ceasefire in April and signed an interim deal to end the war in mid-June before strikes began again this month when Iran attacked ships in the crucial shipping route. After the four soldiers who were killed this month were removed from the Iran war death toll in the online system, Pentagon spokespeople said last week on social media that it was not an effort to hide the growing human cost of the conflict but rather the result of anomalies and temporary data disruptions that were being resolved imminently. On Sunday, those troops appeared by name in the new Overseas Operations category. Three soldiers were killed after a base in Jordan was struck July 17 by Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, and one died in Iraq a day later during a controlled detonation of an Iranian drone. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters at a White House briefing in May that the operation had concluded, saying that we achieved the objectives of that operation. When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before Congress last week, he didn't argue that the Iran war had concluded and even offered lawmakers some cost estimates for the conflict that ran through Sept 30.

US military says American and Saudi forces struck sites used by Iran-backed militias in Iraq

Washington, Jul 29: American and Saudi forces struck sites used by Iran-backed militias in Iraq to carry out attacks in recent days, the US military said Tuesday. US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours, US Central Command said in a statement, using an acronym for Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. It said the Revolutionary Guard and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further US military response. Saudi Arabia said earlier Tuesday that it for a second day shot down drones fired by Iran-backed militias in Iraq, which had attempted to target petroleum facilities in the nation's eastern region. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered security agencies to investigate after the Saudis alleged a similar attack on Monday.

Death toll rises to 13 as rescuers search for the missing after Japan earthquake

Yame, Jul 29: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said 13 people have been found dead after a powerful quake shook part of southwestern Japan and rescue work was continuing Wednesday morning for the missing. A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on the southern main island of Kyushu late Tuesday afternoon. There are people who are still waiting to be rescued, and it's a race against time, Takaichi said. We will go all out to find and rescue as many people as we can. Takaichi offered her condolences to the victims and sympathy to their relatives, while urging those affected by the quake to take care of themselves under the hot weather. Japan's Self Defence Forces joined rescue workers in the search and rescue operations at a badly damaged shopping mall and were delivering water, food and other necessities to the hard-hit areas, she said. The quake collapsed the second floor of the Aeon Mall in Kashima Town, trapping people, according to the fire department in the prefectural capital of Kumamoto. A chimney collapsed at the Nippon Paper Industries Co.'s Yatsushiro factory, trapping people under the debris, the Kumamoto emergency team said. The affected area is about 900 kilometres (540 miles) southwest of Tokyo. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said major public facilities or infrastructure were not damaged, and the Nuclear Regulation Authority said no abnormalities were found at three nearby nuclear power plants. Kyodo News said a hospital in the city of Yatsushiro took in about 40 people with injuries and about 50 others were taken to a hospital in Kumamoto city. Many major manufacturers in Kyushu suspended operations Tuesday but found no major damage and planned to resume work Wednesday. The runway at Aso Kumamoto Airport was closed, with no immediate word on when it would resume operations. A train derailed and fell on its side at Yatsushiro station, and stone walls were damaged at Kumamoto Castle, a main tourist destination that was badly damaged in the 2016 quake and is still being repaired, Kyodo said. The shaking reminded me of the Kumamoto quake (10 years ago) and I was frightened, said Hiroki Shimoda, an official at Mifune town hall, who saw roof tiles of nearby homes crash to the ground. Kumamoto was hit with a deadly quake in 2016 that killed at least 50 people. Shinji Kiyomoto with the Japan Meteorological Agency urged residents to be cautious over the next two to three days due to potential aftershocks.

2,051 pilgrims leave Jammu in 22nd batch for Amarnath Yatra

Banihal, Jul 29: A fresh batch of 2,051 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu early Wednesday for the Baltal base camp to undertake the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra under tight security arrangements, officials said. According to the Joint Police Control Room, the 22nd batch departed at 2:45 a.m. in a convoy of 82 vehicles, comprising 48 buses, eight medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 25 light motor vehicles (LMVs), and one two-wheeler. The batch included 1,570 male pilgrims, 369 females, two children, 58 sadhus, 21 sadhvis, one sadhu child, and 30 foreign nationals (14 males and 16 females). All the pilgrims are travelling via the Baltal axis, while no convoy was scheduled for the Pahalgam route. With the departure of the latest batch, the total number of pilgrims who have left the Jammu base camp for the holy cave shrine during this year's Yatra has reached 1,32,406, officials added.

SC order reaffirms rule of law, constitutional rights: Ashok Bhan

Senior Advocate Ashok Bhan on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Courts order on the recent nationwide student protests, saying it reaffirmed the judiciarys commitment to upholding the rule of law, constitutional values and the protection of civil liberties. In a statement, Advocate Bhan said the Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India had recognised the need for a fair, impartial and independent investigation into allegations of injuries suffered by both students and police personnel during the protests. He said the Courts indication that it may constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the leadership of a former Supreme Court judge, along with directions to preserve CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-camera footage and police communication records, reflected the seriousness with which it viewed the matter and would help ensure a transparent investigation. Senior advocate Bhan also welcomed the interim directions protecting the privacy of student protesters, preventing disclosure of their personal data, directing the release of students without criminal antecedents and restraining coercive action against peaceful protesters. He said these safeguards were rooted in the constitutional guarantees of dignity, liberty, privacy and freedom of expression. Calling the order a powerful reminder of the Supreme Courts role as the guardian of fundamental rights, advocate Bhan said it would strengthen public faith in the judiciary and reaffirm that constitutional remedies remain available to every citizen.

YourStory Founder Shradha Sharma inspires JK Startups during interactive session at JKEDI

The Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) organised an inspiring interaction session with Shradha Sharma, Founder and CEO of YourStory, here at its Sempora campus on Tuesday. The session witnessed enthusiastic participation from innovators, entrepreneurs and startup founders from across the region. The programme was held in the presence of Mohammad Younis Malik, Director JKEDI, who in his welcome address, emphasised that the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir has been steadily evolving and urged the startup community to move beyond the survival mode and embrace a mindset focused on growth and long-term sustainability. Highlighting the transformative role of entrepreneurship, Director JKEDI observed that several startups from the region have successfully broken conventional stereotypes by emerging as job creators rather than job seekers. He remarked that building a vibrant startup ecosystem is a continuous process and meaningful interactions with accomplished entrepreneurs and industry leaders play a vital role in motivating young innovators, broadening their perspectives and equipping them for future challenges. Addressing the gathering, Shradha Sharma described it as nothing short of a miracle to be interacting with the vibrant startup community of Jammu & Kashmir. She appreciated the resilience, determination and innovative spirit displayed by entrepreneurs from the region and expressed her admiration for the remarkable entrepreneurial journeys emerging from Jammu & Kashmir. Laying special emphasis on women-led enterprises, Sharma said that the stories of women entrepreneurs from the region deserve to be showcased on national and global platforms. She observed that for women entrepreneurs, stepping forward with innovative ideas and successfully scaling them into sustainable businesses is a significant achievement. She assured the participants that YourStory would be keen to highlight and amplify such inspiring entrepreneurial journeys, enabling them to reach wider audiences and inspire many others. Sharma further stressed that interaction sessions of this nature are instrumental in strengthening the confidence of startups, helping them understand the value of storytelling, visibility and perseverance in building successful ventures. The programme concluded with an engaging one-to-one interaction between Shradha Sharma and the participating startups, during which entrepreneurs shared their business ideas, challenges, growth aspirations and success stories. The interactive session provided valuable insights on entrepreneurship, brand building, scaling businesses and effectively communicating startup journeys, leaving participants motivated and better equipped to navigate their entrepreneurial path.

Competent Kashmir Automobiles launches New Brezza

Competent Kashmir Automobiles on Tuesday launched the new Brezza Turbo Boosterjet at its Parimpora showroom, introducing Maruti Suzukis latest compact SUV with enhanced performance, advanced safety features and next-generation technology. The vehicle was unveiled by Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, Qazi Irfan, in the presence of the Station House Officer (SHO), Parimpora, and customers. Speaking on the occasion, Irshad Peerzada, Chief Operating Officer of Competent Kashmir Automobiles, said the new Brezza has been designed to meet the aspirations of modern customers by combining sporty styling, improved performance and advanced technology. He said the Turbo Boosterjet variant has been conceptualised around the theme of Spontaneous Play to appeal to young buyers seeking an exciting driving experience, while the K15C Dual Jet Dual VVT engine with Progressive Smart Hybrid Technology continues to cater to customers looking for refinement and fuel efficiency. Powered by the Turbo Boosterjet engine, the SUV develops 81 kW of power and 170 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The company claims a fuel efficiency of 20.47 km per litre. The K15C Smart Hybrid variant is available with both six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, including steering-mounted paddle shifters, with a claimed mileage of 21.09 km per litre. The new Brezza has been engineered for a five-star Bharat NCAP safety rating and features Blind Spot Warning, Lane Change Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Emergency Stop Signal, Exit Support Warning, a 360-degree camera and front and rear parking sensors. The SUV also comes equipped with a 10.1-inch SmartPlay Pro X touchscreen infotainment system, built-in internet connectivity, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Alexa voice assistant, premium speakers, Arkamys Surround Sense audio and a 64-colour ambient lighting system, offering customers a connected and premium driving experience.

SKUAST-K scientist Mudasir Andrabi bags JC Bose Fellowship

Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has earned national recognition after its senior scientist, Prof Syed Mudasir Andrabi, was awarded the prestigious JC Bose Fellowship, one of Indias highest scientific honours, for his pioneering contributions to biotechnology, innovation and translational research. Prof Andrabi, Professor and Head of the Division of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, has been selected for the fellowship in recognition of his sustained excellence in research, technological innovation and scientific leadership. The fellowship is awarded to outstanding scientists whose work has made significant contributions to advancing science and technology in the country. An internationally acclaimed researcher, Prof Andrabi has built an extensive body of work spanning animal biotechnology, molecular diagnostics, vaccine development, regenerative medicine, bioengineering and translational biomedical research. His research has focused on developing technologies that address critical challenges in human and animal health while supporting agricultural development and public welfare. Currently, he leads several major research projects funded by premier national agencies, including the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). His ongoing work covers antimicrobial resistance, gene editing, regenerative medicine, vaccine development and the One Health approach. Prof Andrabis research has resulted in several notable innovations, including SalOvac, a recombinant Lactobacillus-based vaccine against poultry salmonellosis, the RealTick Multiplex Real-Time PCR Diagnostic Kit for human rickettsial infections. LungHealth-MDx, a digital PCR-based epigenetic diagnostic platform, advanced burn recovery bandages and regenerative biomaterials. He holds 13 granted patents, including two US patents, besides several international patent applications and licensed technologies with commercial potential. Over the years, he has received several national and international honours, including the Technology Transfer Impact Award (2026), Linghard Memorial Award (2024), Mid-Career Scientist Award (2023), the Young Scientist Award and the DBT-CREST Overseas Fellowship. He also serves on expert committees of the ANRF, DBT, DST, the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) and other scientific advisory bodies. A prolific academic, Prof. Andrabi has published nearly 175 research papers in leading international journals, contributed to several books, and mentored numerous doctoral, postgraduate, and postdoctoral researchers, thereby strengthening research capacity in biotechnology and allied sciences. Congratulating Prof. Andrabi, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai said the honour reflects the growing stature of SKUAST-K in frontier scientific research and innovation. He said the recognition would further inspire the universitys research community to pursue high-impact science and accelerate the development of technologies that benefit agriculture, livestock and society. The university described the fellowship as a landmark achievement for both SKUAST-K and Jammu & Kashmir, noting that it reinforces the institutions emergence as a national hub for translational research, innovation and technology development.

J&K explores global best practices to modernise horticulture sector, enhance farmer income

A high-level delegation from Jammu and Kashmir, led by Minister for Agriculture Production Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, has recently concluded an official visit to Europe aimed at strengthening the Union Territorys horticulture sector through adoption of advanced technologies, modern production systems and strategic international collaborations. The delegation was comprised of Vikas Anand, Director Horticulture, Kashmir; Nodal Officer, JKCIP/HADP; Professor Haroon Rashid Naik, former Director Research, SKUAST-Kashmir and Dr. A. Raouf Malik, Principal Investigator, HADP and Expert Member. During the visit, the delegation toured internationally reputed commercial nurseries producing premium-quality planting material and designer plants. Detailed interactions were held with the leading experts on nursery management, modern propagation techniques, certification systems, phytosanitary protocols, quality assurance and integrated management of nursery pests and diseases. The visit provided valuable insights into the production of disease-free, true-to-type planting material, which forms the foundation of a productive and globally competitive horticulture sector. The visit assumes particular significance for Jammu and Kashmir as a substantial proportion of the high-density apple planting material presently introduced in the Union Territory originates from European nurseries. A first-hand understanding of the nursery production system, quality control mechanisms, certification standards and traceability practices adopted in Europe will help the government strengthen the domestic nursery infrastructure, improve the quality of locally produced planting material and progressively reduce dependence on external sources while ensuring the availability of superior planting stock for growers. The delegation also visited Koppert Biological Systems, where discussions focused on biological crop protection, integrated pest management (IPM), bio-inputs and other sustainable horticultural practices. The exposure is expected to accelerate the adoption of environmentally sustainable technologies, reduce dependence on chemical pesticides and promote climate-smart horticulture across J&K. As part of the technical programme, the delegation also examined the state-of-the-art horticultural machinery designed for nursery operations, precision orchard management, planting, pruning, spraying, harvesting and post-harvest handling. The technologies evaluated have considerable potential to improve productivity, reduce production costs, enhance labour efficiency and promote greater mechanisation of the horticulture sector. The delegation further visited internationally acclaimed research and breeding institutions engaged in apple and temperate fruit improvement. Discussions centred on developing long-term collaborations between SKUAST-Kashmir, the Department of Horticulture and European institutions in areas such as germplasm exchange, advanced breeding technologies, genomics, climate-resilient fruit production, precision horticulture, nursery development, researcher exchange, capacity building and joint research initiatives. Speaking on the occasion, Javid Ahmad Dar said that the study visit marks an important milestone in the governments efforts to position Jammu and Kashmir as a globally competitive horticulture hub. The Minister informed that the expert members of the delegation will prepare a comprehensive post-visit roadmap incorporating the key learnings from the exposure programme. The report will include actionable recommendations and a phased implementation strategy for adoption under HADP, JKCIP and other flagship initiatives to facilitate the introduction of globally proven technologies and best practices across the Union Territory. The study visit is expected to pave the way for the introduction of internationally benchmarked nursery production systems, robust phytosanitary standards, biological crop protection technologies, precision mechanisation and collaborative research initiatives, providing a strategic foundation for the next phase of sustainable, technology-driven horticulture development in J&K.

SWD Srinagar organise Business Women Interaction with young girls

Social Welfare Department (SWD), SANKALP-HEW Srinagar, organized an interactive session on Business Women Interaction with Young Girls from Minority Communities at Check-i-Sangri, Khonmoh, Srinagar in collaboration with the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) on Tuesday. The programme, organized under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative, aimed to motivate and empower young girls from minority communities by exposing them to inspiring entrepreneurial journeys and creating awareness about opportunities for self-employment, skill development, and economic empowerment. The session featured a successful women business entrepreneur, who shared her experiences, highlighting the importance of determination, innovation, and perseverance in establishing a successful enterprise. The resource person from the Women Development Corporation provided valuable insights into various government schemes, financial assistance, entrepreneurship development programmes, and support mechanisms available for aspiring women entrepreneurs. The interaction was highly engaging, with participants actively discussing career aspirations, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and the role of women in contributing to economic growth. The resource persons encouraged the young girls to develop confidence, acquire relevant skills, and make use of government initiatives designed for their socio-economic upliftment. Officials of SANKALP-HEW Srinagar emphasized the departments commitment to promoting womens empowerment and creating platforms that inspire young girls to become financially independent and active contributors to society. The participants expressed gratitude to the Department of Social Welfare and NRLM for conducting the informative and motivational session, describing it as an enriching experience that broadened their understanding of entrepreneurship and available livelihood opportunities.

TTIG hails Mushtaq Chayas contribution to J&K tourism sector

The Tourist Trade Interest Guild (TTIG) on Tuesday lauded the contribution of prominent hotelier and tourism entrepreneur Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya to the growth of Jammu and Kashmirs tourism sector, while asserting that recent remarks by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had been misinterpreted. In a statement, TTIG Chairman Zahoor Ahmad Karnai said he was personally present during the interaction in which the Lieutenant Governor made his remarks. He said an initial media report had misunderstood the context of the Lieutenant Governors comments regarding hotels constructed over the past six years, but the same media person later corrected the report after realizing the actual context. Karnai maintained that the Lieutenant Governor had, in fact, praised Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya for his role in promoting peace and reviving confidence in Jammu and Kashmirs tourism industry. According to the TTIG chairman, the Lieutenant Governor acknowledged Chaya as a Peace Ambassador and appreciated his efforts in attracting investment by the Radisson Hotel Group, generating employment opportunities for local youth, and strengthening the Union Territorys hospitality sector. Describing Chaya as a visionary entrepreneur and an inspiring leader, Karnai said his leadership and commitment to ethical business practices had motivated countless stakeholders associated with the tourism and hospitality industry. As Chairman of TTIG, I believe individuals who dedicate themselves to promoting tourism, creating employment and showcasing Jammu and Kashmir on the global stage deserve recognition and appreciation, Karnai said. He added that Mushtaq Ahmad Chayas sustained efforts had made a significant contribution to the development of the tourism industry and that the trade fraternity remained grateful for his continued guidance and leadership.

KREPL solar reaches 5 MW rooftop solar milestone in J&K

Kashmir Renewable Energy Private Limited (KREPL Solar), one of Jammu & Kashmirs leading renewable energy companies, has become the first vendor from the Union Territory to successfully complete 5 MW of cumulative rooftop solar installations under the Government of Indias flagship PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PM-SGMBY), marking a major milestone in the regions clean energy journey. The achievement establishes KREPL Solar as the leading implementation partner under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in J&K and reflects the companys more than 15 years of commitment to clean energy, engineering excellence and customer satisfaction. Today, KREPL Solar serves more than 5,000 consumers across Jammu & Kashmir, delivering rooftop solar solutions for residential, commercial, industrial and institutional sectors. The company is certified under ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, demonstrating its adherence to internationally recognised standards of quality management, environmental responsibility and professional service delivery. According to the company, the 5 MW rooftop solar portfolio is expected to generate over 75 lakh units (7.5 million kWh) of clean electricity annually. The installations are projected to help 1,500 to 1,700 households significantly reduce or nearly eliminate their electricity bills while delivering annual savings of approximately 56 crore to consumers. The company said the project will also prevent nearly 6,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO ) emissions every yearan environmental benefit equivalent to planting nearly three lakh mature trees. The milestone is expected to strengthen Jammu and Kashmirs transition towards clean, reliable and sustainable energy while reducing dependence on conventional fossil-fuel-based electricity. KREPL Solar said the achievement also reflects the growing acceptance of rooftop solar technology in the Union Territory and contributes to Indias broader vision of energy security, environmental sustainability and the national goal of achieving Net Zero emissions. Over the years, KREPL Solar has received several prestigious national and state-level awards for its contribution to renewable energy and sustainable development. Among its recent recognitions is the PM Surya Ghar Implementation Excellence Award, presented on July 8, 2026, by the Commissioner/Secretary, Science and Technology Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, during a function held at Radisson Blu, Jammu. The company has also received the Highest Achiever Award under the 20 MW Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Programme from the Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA). Other honours include the India 5000 Best MSME Award for excellence in business performance and sustainable growth, the Best MSME Enterprise (Energy) Award at the India Business Awards 2024, the Pride of Bharat Award 2024 for excellence in renewable energy and entrepreneurship, and the MSME Ratna Award Green & Sustainability, presented on September 1, 2025, recognising its outstanding contribution towards environmental sustainability and renewable energy. Speaking on the occasion, Mustafa Ali, Managing Director of Kashmir Renewable Energy Private Limited, said the achievement represents a milestone not only for the company but for the entire Union Territory. Achieving the historic 5 MW milestone is not merely a company accomplishmentit is a proud achievement for the entire Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. It reflects the trust of thousands of consumers, the dedication of our team, and the collective commitment of our stakeholders towards building a cleaner and more sustainable future. Every solar installation represents lower electricity bills, reduced carbon emissions and a stronger, greener tomorrow. We remain committed to making renewable energy affordable, accessible and reliable for every household, institution and business, he said. Building on the milestone, KREPL Solar said it plans to accelerate rooftop solar adoption across Jammu and Kashmir by expanding its engineering capabilities, strengthening after-sales services, creating green employment opportunities and supporting the Government of Indias renewable energy mission through innovative, customer-centric solar solutions. Established in 2010, Kashmir Renewable Energy Private Limited (KREPL Solar) is one of Jammu & Kashmirs leading renewable energy Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) companies. It specialises in the design, engineering, procurement, installation, commissioning and maintenance of rooftop solar power systems for residential, commercial, industrial and government sectors. With 15 years of industry experience, ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications, more than 5,000 satisfied consumers, multiple national and state awards, and the distinction of becoming the first vendor from Jammu & Kashmir to achieve 5 MW under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the company continues to play a leading role in advancing clean energy across the Union Territory under its vision of Roshan Bharat, Roshan Kashmir. For more information, consumers can contact Kashmir Renewable Energy Private Limited (KREPL Solar) at Plot No. 117, Post Office Building, Natipora, Srinagar-190015, Jammu & Kashmir. The company can be reached through its toll-free helpline 1800 572 6461, office number 0194-3147629, or by email at [info@krepl.co.in](mailto:info@krepl.co.in). Additional information on rooftop solar solutions, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana benefits and other renewable energy services is available on the companys official website, [www.kreplsolar.com](http://www.kreplsolar.com).

KMCH Sempora observes World Hepatitis Day

Kashmir Medical College and Hospital (KMCH), Sempora, on Tuesday observed World Hepatitis Day with an awareness programme highlighting the importance of hepatitis prevention, early detection, timely treatment, and public awareness to eliminate the disease. The programme, organised by the Department of Microbiology, brought together senior faculty members and health professionals who emphasised the need to strengthen public awareness, promote routine screening, and encourage preventive measures to reduce burden of viral hepatitis. The event was attended by Executive Director KMCH Insha Qazi, Principal Prof. (Dr.) Nazir Ahmad Khan, Head of the Department of Microbiology Prof. (Dr.) Syed Khursheed, Medical Superintendent Dr. Syed Mubashir, Heads of various departments, faculty members, and doctors. Addressing the gathering, Executive Director Insha Qazi underlined the importance of regular screening and timely medical intervention in preventing complications associated with viral hepatitis. She said awareness, early diagnosis, vaccination, and access to appropriate treatment are essential to achieving the global goal of eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat. Speaking on the occasion, Principal Prof. (Dr.) Nazir Ahmad Khan described hepatitis as a dangerous disease that spreads silently and gradually damages the liver. He said creating awareness about hepatitis is a shared responsibility of healthcare institutions and doctors. He urged doctors to make hepatitis screening a part of routine clinical practice to ensure early diagnosis and timely treatment. Doctors have to become the first line of defence in protecting liver health and preventing liver diseases. It is our duty to promote awareness, encourage regular screening, and work towards eliminating hepatitis, he said. Head of the Department of Microbiology, Prof. (Dr.) Syed Khursheed, said many people infected with hepatitis remain unaware of their condition, making routine screening crucial to prevent the spread of the infection. At KMCH, we strongly advocate routine screening for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. These tests are already available at our hospital, and we will soon introduce molecular diagnostics along with other advanced conventional testing methods to further strengthen our diagnostic services, he said. Describing hepatitis as a silent killer, he said the disease can be effectively controlled through early detection, vaccination, timely treatment, and sustained public awareness. Programmes like these are vital to sensitise people and convey the message that awareness, regular screening, and early treatment are essential to eliminating hepatitis, he added. Medical Superintendent Dr. Syed Mubashir congratulated the Department of Microbiology for organising the World Hepatitis Day programme and appreciated its efforts in spreading awareness about the disease. At KMCH, we are providing free vaccines under the Universal Immunisation Programme. In addition, vaccines for both children and adults are available free of cost. We are also offering hepatitis screening at highly subsidised rates compared to the market, making early detection and prevention more accessible to the public, he said. The programme concluded with a renewed commitment by KMCH to continue organising awareness initiatives, expand community outreach programmes, and strengthen preventive healthcare efforts to promote liver health and encourage timely healthcare-seeking behaviour.

JKCEGA holds seminar on sustainable construction

The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Engineering Graduates Association (JKCEGA), in collaboration with UltraTech Cement Limited, organised a technical seminar on 'Building a Sustainable Jammu & Kashmir Blended Cement for Durable Construction' at Tagore Hall here on Tuesday. The seminar brought together civil engineers, academicians, government officials, consultants, contractors, students and representatives of the construction industry to deliberate on sustainable construction practices, modern technologies and the use of blended cement for durable and environment-friendly infrastructure. Chief Engineer, Public Works (R&B) Department, J&K Government, Er. Narinder Kumar, was the chief guest on the occasion. Chief Engineer PMGSY Kashmir Ashwani Kumar, Chief Engineer R&B South Kashmir Noor Ali, Chief Engineer R&B North Kashmir Sushil Kumar, Chief Town Planner Kashmir Iftiqar Hakim and Chief Engineer UEED Samiullah Beigh were the guests of honour. Former Chief Engineer PWD Rafiq A Rafiq, former president and chief patron JKCEGA Nasir Amin and Chairman, Institution of Engineers (India), J&K State Centre, Firdous Ahmad, were also present. Welcoming the participants, the General Secretary of JKCEGA highlighted the associations efforts towards professional development, knowledge sharing and capacity building among engineers. He stressed the need for sustainable construction materials and adoption of modern engineering practices in Jammu and Kashmir. Technical presentations were delivered by A K Singh, Bashir Ahmad Dar, Gurdeep Singh, Manamohan R Kalgal, Majid Farooq and Ramachandra V. The experts discussed blended cement technology, green building practices, concrete durability and carbon credit perspectives. Addressing the gathering, the chief guest appreciated JKCEGA for organising the seminar on a subject of contemporary relevance. He stressed the importance of continuous learning, modern construction technologies and adherence to quality standards for developing safe, durable and sustainable infrastructure in J&K. The programme concluded with an interactive discussion and valedictory session, during which the chief guest felicitated the speakers and representatives of UltraTech Cement Limited. JKCEGA reiterated its commitment to organising similar technical programmes to promote engineering excellence, professional capacity building and sustainable infrastructure development in Jammu and Kashmir.

CUK organises POSH awareness programme on gender sensitisation

The Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Tuesday organised an awareness programme on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) and gender sensitisation. The session was coordinated by CUs Internal Committee and was presided over by Prof. (Dr.) Sandhya Tiwari, Presiding Officer, Internal Committee (IC), CU Kashmir, and featured Prof. (Dr.) Savita Nayyar, Professor, Department of Law and Director, Centre for Womens Studies, University of Jammu, as the keynote speaker. Chairperson of the Internal Committee, Prof. (Dr.) Sandhya Tiwari, welcomed the resource person, Prof. (Dr.) Savita Nayyar, and thanked Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath for his continued support in organising such awareness programmes. Delivering the session, Prof. Nayyar highlighted that sexual harassment is a serious violation of dignity, equality and fundamental rights. She discussed the importance of gender sensitisation, constitutional safeguards, the Vishaka Guidelines and the key provisions of the POSH Act, including complaint procedures, the role of Internal Committees, employer responsibilities, confidentiality, and the need for institutional policies to ensure a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace. The programme concluded with Prof. Sandhya Tiwari expressing gratitude to the speaker and participants. She also briefed the gathering on the role and functioning of the University's Internal Committee and reaffirmed CUK's commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive and harassment-free environment for all members of the University community.