Opinion

Waheed Para says youth caught in drug addiction need rehabilitation, counselling and opportunities

Health scare in Pulwamas Parigam over suspected rabid bovine meat

Srinagar, May 14: Panic gripped the Parigam area of south Kashmirs Pulwama district after reports surfaced that meat from an allegedly rabies-infected bovine animal was sold among locals, prompting health authorities to launch an emergency vaccination drive. The incident triggered widespread concern in the locality, with several residents approaching nearby health institutions for medical consultations, anti-rabies vaccination and precautionary treatment following advisories issued by health officials. Officials said a formal FIR has been registered and an investigation initiated to ascertain the facts and identify those responsible for the alleged sale and distribution of the meat. Authorities are also examining whether established health and safety protocols were violated during the slaughtering of the animal. Doctors, while acknowledging public concern, urged people not to panic and said timely medical intervention significantly reduces risks. We heard yesterday that contaminated meat had been consumed by locals. We immediately started a vaccination drive. So far, 108 people have been vaccinated, said Dr. Jureeda, Medical Officer, PHC, Parigam. We used mosques and ambulances to spread awareness among the public. People should not panic because the meat was cooked, so there are fewer chances of contracting the disease, the doctor added. Residents said the reports created anxiety among families who feared possible exposure after consuming or handling the suspected meat. Meanwhile, locals have appealed to the district administration and health department to take swift and transparent action, ensure strict punishment against those found responsible and provide adequate medical support to affected families. Residents also called for greater awareness regarding zoonotic diseases, food safety practices and proper veterinary screening to prevent such incidents in the future. Authorities said the situation is being closely monitored and all necessary measures are being taken while further investigation into the matter is underway.

Residential house damaged in fire incident in Drass

Drass, May 14: A residential house was damaged in a major fire incident in the Murad Bagh area of Drass late Wednesday evening. Reports said that the fire broke out in a residential house in Murad Bagh on Wednesday evening. After being informed, Fire and Emergency Services personnel, along with a fire tender, police teams from Drass, Army personnel and local volunteers, launched a rescue operation. Due to timely and coordinated efforts, the fire was brought under control before it could cause further extensive damage to property or pose a greater risk to human lives. The swift action also prevented the fire from spreading to nearby structures. Superintendent of Police Drass, Kacho Ishtyaq Kacho, personally reached the spot and supervised the rescue and firefighting operation. The prompt response and coordinated action by all agencies were appreciated by the local public, who expressed gratitude to the District Police, Fire Services, the Indian Army and volunteers for their assistance and dedication. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Army officials visited the affected family to assess the losses suffered in the incident and extend humanitarian assistance, including financial aid and other necessary support measures.

Man thrown into air by violent storm in UP; 89 people killed; Shocking visuals surface online

Tanvir Sadiq rejects allegations on constitution of assembly panels

INC Kargil submits no-confidence motion against CEC LAHDC Kargil Dr Jaffar Akhoon

Kargil, May 14 : The Indian National Congress (INC) Kargil has formally submitted a no-confidence motion against incumbent Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC Kargil, Dr Jaffar Akhoon, under Section 27(2) of the LAHDC Act, 1997. Dr Mohammad Jaffar Akhoon is set to face a floor test in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, after the no-confidence motion was submitted to the Deputy Commissioners office. The motion was submitted before the competent authority by Congress councillors along with supporting members, citing differences over the coalition-sharing arrangement between the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) and the Indian National Congress regarding the rotational tenure of the Chief Executive Councillors post. Addressing a press conference, senior Congress leader and Ladakh in-charge Asgar Karbalai, flanked by NC Kargil president and Member of Parliament Mohammad Haneefa, said the decision was taken after detailed deliberations and consultations with party leadership and elected representatives. He said the move reflects the democratic rights of elected councillors and aims to safeguard the interests and aspirations of the people of Kargil district. The Ladakh Congress chief clarified that the alliance between the NC and Congress remains intact, but the no-confidence motion is intended for the removal of the chairman from the post. The council is currently governed by an alliance between the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and the Indian National Congress, which assumed office after securing a decisive mandate in the council elections held in October 2023. The alliance collectively won 22 out of 26 seats, with the National Conference securing 12 seats and the Congress winning 10, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and independent candidates won two seats each. As part of the coalition understanding reached at the time, both parties had agreed to a rotational arrangement for the post of Chief Executive Councillor, the head of the councils executive body. Under the arrangement, the leadership was to be shared for fixed durations during the councils term. Although the tenure of the incumbent CEC ended on April 18, he has not resigned from the post so far, prompting the Congress party to move the no-confidence motion. Member of Parliament Mohammad Haneefa and District Congress president Nasir Munshi also addressed the press conference. Senior Congress leaders and councillors were present during the submission of the motion and expressed confidence that the democratic process would be carried out fairly and constitutionally.

Crime Branch conducts raids in Srinagar, Budgam in land fraud case

Srinagar, May 14: The Special Crime Wing Kashmir of the Crime Branch, Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday carried out house searches in Srinagar and Budgam districts in connection with an alleged land fraud case involving forged documents and criminal conspiracy. According to officials, the searches were conducted in connection with FIR No. 06/2026 registered under Sections 420, 468 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). The case was registered following a written complaint filed by a resident of Humhama in Budgam district, who alleged that a Srinagar resident had fraudulently obtained lakhs of rupees from him on the pretext of selling land located at Narkara in Srinagar, said the Crime Branch, in a statement. Preliminary investigation, as per the statement, revealed that the accused, identified as Tariq Ahmad Sofi, son of Ghulam Ahmad Sofi, a resident of Tulsi Bagh Srinagar, and Tariq Ahmad Wani, son of Mohammad Abdullah Wani, a resident of Narkara Budgam near Unani Hospital, allegedly acted as land brokers and, in connivance with the then Patwari, prepared and used forged documents to deceive the complainant and misappropriate money related to the land transaction. Officials said the searches were conducted at multiple locations in Srinagar and Budgam in the presence of Executive Magistrates to collect incriminating material and other evidence relevant to the investigation. The Crime Branch has advised the general public to remain vigilant against fraudsters and report any such incidents to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Special Crime Wing Kashmir. Victims of fraud can also submit complaints through the official email address of the Crime Branch, officials said.

You may or may not talk to Pakistan, but engage with J&K people: Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar, May 14: Referring to recent remarks by RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale and former Army Chief Manoj Naravane advocating dialogue with Pakistan, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today said that while the government of India may or may not engage in talks with the neighbouring country, it is far more important to initiate dialogue with its own people in Jammu and Kashmir so that the issues and hardships they continue to face can be effectively addressed. In a post on X, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari wrote: RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabales statement on dialogue with Pakistan, and former Army Chief Manoj Naravanes similar views, are matters that the Central government has to decide based on the prevailing domestic and external scenario. However, there should not be an iota of doubt that the Centre urgently needs to talk to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in order to address their genuine concerns and long-pending grievances. Urging the Centre to address the issues confronting the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said, I am saying this again and again because I clearly see growing restlessness among the people, especially our youth. People here are grappling with a range of issues that need to be addressed as soon as possible. Some of our immediate and pressing problems include growing unemployment and, at the same time, the absence of adequate measures for job creation and employment opportunities. He further said, A large number of young people are unable to obtain passports, preventing them from seeking better livelihood opportunities abroad. At the same time, soaring inflation has placed immense pressure on ordinary families. Our agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and industrial sectorsthe backbone of our economyare facing grave challenges that must be addressed urgently. Not only large industries but also the MSME and SSI sectors, which sustain thousands of families, are grappling with severe difficulties, and many are either nearly defunct or on the brink of collapse. Similarly, there are a range of other issues that deserve the Centres immediate attention, he added. These problems are directly affecting the daily lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, thereby creating a feeling that everything is not going well here and that the situation cannot be declared normal, the post added.

Anantnag Police intensifies crackdown; illegal structures of drug peddlers demolished in Larnoo

We hope BRICS puts pressure for peace in the Middle East: Farooq Abdullah

BJP threatens boycott over biased allocation of Assembly committee posts

Jammu, May 14: The tussle over the allocation of chairmanships in the Jammu and Kashmir Assemblys House Committees has intensified, with Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma Thursday saying that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will soon convene a meeting to decide whether to boycott the panels. Speaking to news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO), Sharma said that the distribution of committee chairmanships was unfair and tilted in favor of the National Conference and its allies. We will decide whether to stay away from the proceedings of the committees, he said. The LoP said the Assembly is being turned into the headquarters of the National Conference, and the voice of the opposition is being muzzled to prevent them from highlighting failures and blunders of the incompetent government. Sharma accused the Speaker of acting with bias and violating the principle of proportional representation. The Speaker is undermining democratic norms by openly siding with the ruling alliance, he said. He said negligible representation to opposition in chairmanship of committees was an insult to the mandate of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Sharma questioned how eight committee chairmanships could be given to the ruling alliance, which holds 54 MLAs, while the BJP, with 29 seats, was allotted only one. Those justifying this decision should first read the principle of proportionate representation instead of twisting facts to suit their convenience, he said(KNO)

Successive governments turned Kanyari villagers into homeless prisoners in their own country: Usman Majid

Former minister and ex-MLA Bandipora Usman Majid on Thursday said that for the last twelve years, every government and political setup that came into power used the pain of Kanyari villagers only for statements and false assurances while completely failing to provide any practical relief on the ground. These families have been betrayed again and again. Every regime promised rehabilitation, every leader spoke of justice, but the reality is that these people are still living in darkness, poverty, and uncertainty like forgotten citizens of this country, he said, in a statement. He said the affected families are living without basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, healthcare, proper roads, and permanent shelter facilities. It is heartbreaking that in todays time, innocent families are still forced to live in temporary sheds under extremely harsh conditions while those in power continue to remain silent spectators. This is not governance this is abandonment of human lives, he remarked. Usman Majid further expressed outrage over the fact that the people are not even being allowed to construct permanent homes at the place where they are presently residing. If the government has failed to rehabilitate them elsewhere for more than a decade, then on what moral or legal basis are these poor people stopped from constructing homes for their children and families? How long are they expected to survive under temporary sheds? This reflects the cruel and insensitive mindset of successive political setups, he added. Majid, said the people of Kanyari are being treated as third-class citizens whose dignity and suffering do not matter to the rulers. He termed the continued neglect of these families as a humanitarian failure and demanded immediate intervention from the Jammu & Kashmir Government to either rehabilitate the affected people at a suitable location with all basic facilities or officially permit them to construct permanent homes at their present place of stay. Majid warned that history will never forgive those governments and political setups that ignored the cries of helpless citizens for more than twelve years and reduced their lives to endless suffering, uncertainty, and humiliation.

Investigation Into NEET Paper Leak Must Be Transparent, Culprits Should Be Punished: Sakina Itoo

Srinagar, May 14: Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo on Thursday said that the investigation into the alleged NEET paper leak case should be conducted in a transparent manner and those found involved must be dealt with strictly. Speaking on the controversy surrounding the NEET examination paper leak, Sakina Itoo said the matter has caused serious concern among students and parents across the country and stressed the need for a fair and impartial probe. She [] The post Investigation Into NEET Paper Leak Must Be Transparent, Culprits Should Be Punished: Sakina Itoo appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Iran retains 70% of missile stockpile despite war damage: US intelligence assessment

Washington, May 13: Iran has retained nearly 70 percent of its prewar missile stockpile and continues to operate a substantial number of mobile missile launchers across the country, according to recent US intelligence assessments. The findings reportedly contradict earlier statements by sections of the US leadership claiming that Tehrans military capabilities had been severely degraded during the conflict. According to the assessments, Iran has restored operational access to 30 of its 33 missile facilities located along the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Only three sites are said to remain completely inaccessible. Military intelligence agencies, using satellite imagery and other surveillance technologies, have further assessed that nearly 90 percent of Irans underground missile storage and launch infrastructure nationwide is now either partially or fully operational. The reports said Iran continues to maintain a mix of ballistic and cruise missiles in its arsenal. The ballistic missiles are capable of targeting countries across the region, while cruise missiles are primarily designed for shorter-range strikes against land and maritime targets. Officials familiar with the assessments said Irans mobile launcher systems provide the military with flexibility to relocate missiles from underground facilities to alternate launch points. In some cases, missiles can reportedly be fired directly from launchpads integrated within the underground complexes. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the worlds most strategically sensitive waterways, handling a significant portion of global oil shipments. Any enhancement in Irans missile readiness in the region is likely to heighten security concerns among Gulf nations and Western allies. The intelligence findings emerge amid continued tensions in West Asia and growing concerns over the potential for wider regional escalation.

NIA files 7,500-page chargesheet in Red Fort car bomb blast case

Srinagar, May 14: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday filed a 7,500-page chargesheet against 10 accused in connection with the November 2025 car bomb explosion near the Red Fort area that killed 11 people and injured several others. According to the NIA, the high-intensity Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) blast on November 10, 2025, had also caused extensive damage to surrounding property in the national capital. The chargesheet was filed before the NIA Special Court at Patiala House Courts in New Delhi under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. The agency said all 10 accused, including the alleged main conspirator Dr. Umer Un Nabi, who is deceased, were linked to Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), described as an offshoot of Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). AQIS was declared a terrorist organisation by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2018. The accused named in the chargesheet include Aamir Rashid Mir, Jasir Bilal Wani, Dr. Muzamil Shakeel, Dr. Adeel Ahmed Rather, Dr. Shaheen Saeed, Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay, Soyab, Dr. Bilal Naseer Malla and Yasir Ahmad Dar. Charges against Pulwama resident Dr. Umer Un Nabi, a former assistant professor at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, have been proposed to be abated due to his death. The NIA said the chargesheet is based on an extensive investigation carried out across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and the Delhi-NCR region. Investigators examined 588 oral testimonies, over 395 documents and more than 200 seized material exhibits. According to the probe agency, some of the accused were radicalised medical professionals allegedly inspired by AQIS and AGuH ideology to execute the attack. The investigation revealed that the accused had reconstituted the AGuH outfit as AGuH Interim during a clandestine meeting in Srinagar in 2022 after an unsuccessful attempt to travel to Afghanistan through Turkey. The agency alleged that the group launched Operation Heavenly Hind with the objective of overthrowing the democratically elected Indian government and imposing Sharia rule. Investigators said the accused recruited new members, propagated extremist ideology, stockpiled arms and ammunition and manufactured explosives using commercially available chemicals. The NIA said the explosive used in the blast was Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP), which was allegedly prepared after repeated experiments conducted by the accused. The NIA further stated that forensic analysis, voice examination and DNA fingerprinting helped establish the identity of Dr. Umer Un Nabi. Evidence was collected from the blast site as well as locations in and around Al-Falah University in Faridabad and parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The probe also found that the accused had allegedly procured prohibited weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, a Krinkov rifle and country-made pistols with live ammunition. The agency claimed the group had experimented with rocket and drone-mounted IEDs aimed at targeting security establishments in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country. The NIA said the accused had procured specialised laboratory equipment, electric circuits and switches through offline and online sources to further their activities. The agency added that plans to expand operations to other parts of India were thwarted after the terror module was busted. So far, 11 persons have been arrested in the case, while efforts are continuing to trace absconders whose involvement surfaced during the investigation, the NIA said.

89 killed as storm, rain batter UP; relief work underway

Lucknow, May 14: At least 89 people were killed after a strong storm and heavy rain pounded several districts of Uttar Pradesh, uprooting trees and electric poles and damaging houses, according to the Relief Commissioner's office. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the loss of lives and damage caused by the unseasonal rain, thunderstorms and lightning on Wednesday and directed officials to ensure relief reaches the affected families within 24 hours. In a post on X on Thursday, the Relief Commissioner's office said, Due to bad weather on May 13, including storms, rain, hailstorm and lightning, reports of 89 deaths, 53 injured persons, 114 livestock losses and damage to 87 houses have been received in the state, which has been taken cognisance of by the Hon'ble Chief Minister. It said the chief minister has directed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to verify the incidents with full sensitivity and ensure financial assistance is distributed to affected families within 24 hours while establishing direct communication with them and extending other necessary help. The Relief Commissioner's office said it is continuously monitoring the situation through direct coordination with district officials and necessary funds are being made available to districts. According to a list issued by the Prayagraj district administration, seven deaths were reported in the Handia area, four in Phulpur, three in Soraon, two in Meja and one in Sadar due to the storm and rain. In Bhadohi, district administration sources said at least 16 people died in storm-related incidents. Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Virendra Kumar Maurya said trees and electric poles were uprooted in several areas while many houses were damaged in the storm. Fatehpur Additional District Magistrate Avinash Tripathi said nine people were killed and 16 injured in storm-related incidents in the district. Eight people, including five women, died in Khaga tehsil, while a woman died after a wall of a house collapsed in Sadar tehsil, he said. In Pratapgarh, four people died in separate incidents of wall and cemented shed collapses and lightning strikes amid strong winds and rain, officials said. Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhukar said Bhim Yadav (25) died after he was trapped under the debris of a cemented shed that collapsed in Ojha Ka Purwa village in the Lalganj Kotwali area. He said Bhushan Pandey (56) died after a wall collapsed in Sari Swami village under the Baghrai police station area. Bhukar said Shanti Devi (46) of Narangpur village and Lal Bahadur (44) of Chhatrapur Shivala Raghna village also died in storm-related incidents. In Kanpur Dehat district, two persons died in rain-related incidents, the officials said. Police sources said a 19-year-old woman, Ruchi, died after being struck by lightning in Bhauthari village under the Rasulabad area while standing under a neem tree with goats during heavy rain. Several goats also died in the incident. A 60-year-old man standing nearby was injured, they added. Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Dushyant Kumar said reports regarding human and livestock losses have been sought from local officials and financial assistance will be provided as per government rules. In Deoria, Komal Yadav (62), a resident of Bhimpur Gaura village, died after being struck by lightning, district administration sources said. Two others were injured in the incident. In another incident, Ramnath Prasad (65), a resident of Neruari village, died in a lightning strike. In Sonbhadra district, Madhav Singh (38) died after being trapped under a tree uprooted during the rain and the storm. Adityanath directed the district magistrates and officials of various departments to visit the affected areas and provide all possible assistance to the victims and their families. He also instructed the officials to remain alert and ordered the revenue and agriculture departments, along with insurance companies, to conduct a survey of the damage and submit a report to the government.

Investigation should be transparent, culprits should be booked: Sakina Itoo on NEET paper leak

Differences Over Taiwan Could Bring US, China To Clashes Or Conflict: Xi Warns Trump

BEIJING, May 14: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday warned President Donald Trump that differences over Taiwan could bring the US and China to clashes or conflict, according to Chinese state media. The meeting between the two leaders was behind closed doors, but Xi told Trump during it that, if Taiwan is handled well, US-China relations will enjoy overall stability, according to a readout of their bilateral talks published by the official Xinhua news agency. If not, however, the two [] The post Differences Over Taiwan Could Bring US, China To Clashes Or Conflict: Xi Warns Trump appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

GMC Srinagar holds condolence meet

Government Medical College Srinagar, held a condolence meeting to mourn the untimely demise of Dr. Muzammil, a third-year postgraduate scholar from the Department of Anatomy.* Faculty members, Heads of Departments, postgraduate scholars, students and staff gathered to pay tribute to the young doctor and express solidarity with his family. Principal/Dean Prof. (Dr.) Iffat Hassan Shah expressed deep grief over the tragic loss. Remembering Dr. Muzammil as a sincere, dedicated and promising scholar, she said his humility, commitment to academics and compassionate nature had earned him the respect and affection of everyone around him. She described his passing as a painful and irreparable loss for both the institution and the medical fraternity. She also conveyed heartfelt sympathies on behalf of Government Medical College Srinagar to the bereaved family and prayed that they are granted strength and patience to bear this immense loss. Head of the Department of Anatomy, Prof (Dr.) Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, also paid tribute to Dr. Muzammil, describing him as a hardworking and bright scholar who was deeply involved in academics, research and teaching activities. He said his sudden demise has left the department in shock and created a void that will be difficult to fill. During the meeting, participants observed a moment of silence and offered Fateha prayers for the departed soul. Senior faculty members and colleagues remembered Dr. Muzammil was a humble, respectful and kind-hearted individual whose presence touched many lives.

Electrical safety training imparted to Power Sector employees

Reaffirming its commitment to place safety as the foremost priority in all power sector operations, the Electrical Inspection Wing, PDD Kashmir, organised a two-day training programme on theme Electrical Safety and Accident Prevention for the field employees of Electric Division-I and Electric Division-I at Data Centre, PDD Complex, Bemina. The event was organised on the directions of ACS PDD, Ashwani Kumar, for which a structured training schedule has been devised by the Inspectorate and the present programme forms part of the said training drive under which large-scale training programmes shall be conducted across all districts of J&K to ensure wider participation of field employees at their respective places of posting. The programme witnessed active participation of around 150 field employees and was aimed at enhancing awareness regarding safe working practices, accident prevention measures and adherence to safety protocols during operation and maintenance activities of the power system. During the sessions, the participants were sensitized about the potential hazards associated with electrical works and were trained in various preventive and protective measures aimed at safeguarding human life and minimizing workplace accidents. Informative presentations, practical demonstrations and audio-visual modules on electrical safety practices were also showcased to familiarize the employees with modern safety standards and procedures. The training sessions were organised and conducted by officers of Inspection Wing Kashmir, namely Er. Fayyaz Wani and Er. Adil Bashir Gurkha, who served as master trainers for the programme under the supervision of Er. Malik Habib Ahmad, Executive Engineer, and under the overall guidance of Er. Sanjay Sharma, Chief Electrical Inspector, J&K. Other officers, officials and supporting staff of the Inspectorate also actively participated in conducting the proceedings and coordinating the programme.

Safety measures remain priority for administration amid rising incidents along bridges

Deputy Commissioner(DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo today conducted an onsite review of the proposed fencing along the sides of Budshah Bridge and Noor Jehan Bridge (Cement Kadal) to review measures aimed at enhancing public safety along the bridges. The DC assessed the planned infrastructure upgradation works to ensure improved safety for pedestrians and commuters using the bridges. While reviewing the plan of fencing of the bridges, the DC was informed that the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been formulated for fencing the sides of both these bridges. He was briefed on the status of the works, project timelines and measures being undertaken to ensure public safety. Emphasizing quality execution, durability and timely completion, the DC directed the concerned executing agency to ensure that the fencing not only strengthens safety measures but also maintains the aesthetics, surrounding visibility and heritage value of the structures. The DC further instructed the executing agencies to incorporate all necessary safety measures and complete the works within the stipulated timelines while minimizing inconvenience to commuters. Speaking on the occasion, the DC underscored that public safety remains a top priority of the administration and said that the proposed fencing of bridges is being undertaken as a preventive safety measure in view of rising concerns over suicide incidents from bridges, as well as in response to public demand. He added that the District Administration Srinagar has already taken several similar measures, particularly at vulnerable bridges over the river Jhelum including New Zaina Kadal, Aali Kadal, Old Zaina Kadal, Nawakadal and Safakadal in the Shahr-e-Khaas areas of the District, aimed at creating a safer environment for pedestrians and commuters by ensuring the installation of necessary safety safeguards.

Dumping of garbage on Railway link road at Nowgam triggers health concerns

Heaps of garbage dumped along the Railway link road near Nowgam Bypass on city on city outskirts has turned the busy stretch into an dumping site, triggering serious health concerns among locals. The road, considered an important link route connecting several localities near the highway and railway area in uptown Srinagar, is witnessing unchecked dumping of waste along its sides. Large piles of polythene bags, food waste, tin cans, edible leftovers, plastic scrap and other non-biodegradable material can be seen scattered across the roadside stretch, including patches adjoining agricultural land. Locals said the once-clean stretch, surrounded by open fields and agricultural patches, now presents an ugly picture due to the accumulation of waste. The entire roadside has been converted into a garbage dumping ground. Whenever we pass through this road, the foul smell becomes unbearable. With summer arriving, the situation is only going to worsen, said Altaf Ahmad, a commuter from Nowgam. Residents said the waste dumping has also led to a rise in stray dogs, creating fear among pedestrians and commuters, particularly during morning and evening hours. The garbage attracts dogs from nearby areas. Packs of stray dogs roam around the road, especially during early morning and late evening. This has become a serious problem for people who walk or commute through this stretch daily, said Ishfaq Ahmad, a local resident. Farmers from the area expressed concern that the waste, much of it non-biodegradable, is gradually spreading towards agricultural land and damaging the soil quality. We have fields adjacent to this road. Plastic and other waste materials are entering the land and destroying its fertility. If this continues, the entire patch will turn toxic, said a farmer. Morning walkers and joggers also said the area, once known for its relatively peaceful surroundings and open landscape on the outskirts of uptown Srinagar, has now become unpleasant due to the stink and pollution. This used to be a clean stretch where people would walk in the mornings and evenings. Now the smell and scattered waste make it difficult even to pass through the road, said Faizan, a jogger. Locals said the issue once again highlights gaps in waste management and regulation in Srinagars uptown and peripheral areas. They urged authorities to immediately clear the accumulated waste, prevent further dumping and ensure proper sanitation measures before the problem escalates further during peak summer months. We want the area cleaned and protected before it permanently turns into a toxic dumping site, the residents said. When contacted, senior officials from SMC did not respond to calls of this reporter.

Iranian foreign minister arrives in India for BRICS meet

JKCSF demands immediate survey, compensation for hailstorm-affected areas

The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) has expressed deep concern over the widespread damage caused by the recent hailstorm and gusty winds across several parts of Kashmir Valley. The Forum stated that the untimely weather has badly affected orchards, standing crops, vegetables, and horticulture produce, causing huge losses to farmers and growers. JKCSF Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani urged the Government and district administrations to immediately constitute special teams for an on-ground assessment of the damage and ensure timely compensation to the affected families, orchardists, and farmers. The affected areas include parts of Baramulla, Bandipora, Budgam, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Anantnag districts where hailstorms and heavy rains disrupted normal life and damaged agricultural produce. JKCSF observed that the worst affected areas reportedly include Tangmarg, Kunzer, Pattan, Kreeri, Wagoora and adjoining villages in Baramulla district, besides several orchard belts of Shopian and Pulwama districts where fruit crops suffered extensive damage due to intense hail and strong winds. Abdul Qayoom Wani appealed to the administration to provide immediate relief, crop-loss compensation, and necessary assistance to the affected growers and economically weaker families. He further demanded that the Horticulture, Agriculture, and Revenue departments jointly conduct a transparent and time-bound survey so that adequate relief reaches the victims without delay. JKCSF also appealed to the Government to formulate a long-term protective mechanism and crop insurance support for orchardists and farmers facing repeated weather-related losses in Kashmir Valley.

JKSA briefs Parliamentary Panel on Home Affairs on various issues

A delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday met the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, Parliament of India, and submitted a detailed representation highlighting the pressing concerns of students, youth, aspirants, tribal communities, and marginalised sections of Jammu & Kashmir. The Delegation was headed by the Advisor of the Association, Peerzada Mehboob-Ul-Haq. The delegation comprised National Spokesperson Dr. Zubair Reshi, State President Mubashir Ahmad, Advisor Faizaan Peer, and several national and state office bearers of the Association, including Peerzada Kafeel, Abrar Ahmed, Showkat Reshi, Irfan Ahmad, and others. The delegation extensively briefed the Members of the Committee including Chairman Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, Sanjay Rauta and Neeraj Shekhar,and other distinguished members, on the growing socio-economic challenges confronting the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. The delegation urged urgent institutional intervention to address critical issues relating to unemployment, discrimination, educational distress, mental health concerns, tribal rights, and constitutional safeguards affecting students, aspirants, and marginalised communities in the region. During the interaction, the delegation raised serious concern over the continued incidents of profiling, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination faced by Kashmiri students studying across various parts of the country. The delegation informed the Committee that such incidents create fear, insecurity, and psychological distress among students pursuing education outside Jammu & Kashmir and adversely affect social integration. JKSA urged the Committee to recommend robust grievance redressal mechanisms, sensitisation initiatives, and institutional safeguards to ensure dignity, protection, and equal treatment for Kashmiri students across India. The delegation also highlighted widespread concerns regarding the present reservation policy and rationalisation framework in Jammu & Kashmir. The issue of rising unemployment in Jammu & Kashmir was also strongly raised before the Committee.

Omar Govt empowering women through welfare, opportunity: Shameema Firdous

A special meeting of the Provincial Executive Committee of the Womens Wing of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference was held today at the party headquarters, Nawa-e-Subha, under the chairmanship of Womens Wing State President Advocate Shameema Firdous. The meeting was organised by Provincial President Er. Sabiya Qadri and was attended by provincial office-bearers, district presidents and district secretaries. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the organisational activities of the Womens Wing, party programmes, public outreach campaigns, and the issues and challenges faced by the people. Participants also highlighted the ongoing developmental works in their respective areas, the problems confronting the public, and the demands and aspirations of the people. Addressing the meeting, Firdous said that the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has always remained at the forefront of promoting womens empowerment, female education, social justice, and ensuring a dignified and respectable place for women in society. Praising the performance of the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Firdous said that the government is working with commitment and sincerity for the development of Jammu and Kashmir, public welfare, and the provision of basic facilities to the people. She described the free bus service launched for the convenience and comfort of women as a welcome and people-friendly initiative that is directly benefiting thousands of women, female students and working women across the region. On the occasion, Provincial President Er. Sabiya Qadri, while addressing the gathering, urged women workers to further strengthen their connection with the public and carry the partys agenda and the welfare-oriented achievements of the Omar Abdullah-led government to every doorstep.

JK Bank Heart Clinic on Wheels holds health camp for elderly in remote area of Baramulla

A free specialised health camp for senior citizens was organised in a remote and marginalised area of Baramulla under the ongoing SENIORS Heart Care Project under the aegis of JK Bank Heart Clinic on Wheels. The camp was organised by Moul Mouj Foundation (MMF), Ummeed Foundation and GK Labs with local support from Chinar International. A total of 187 senior citizens were provided free medical consultations, investigations, screening, counselling and free medicines during the camp. The initiative aimed to bring specialised healthcare services to underserved elderly populations who often have limited access to timely medical care. As part of the projects routine rapid screening and diagnostic approach, on-the-spot clinical assessment and investigations enabled doctors to reach preliminary diagnosis and treatment decisions within 1520 minutes of consultation. During the camp, six senior citizens were identified with various cardiac-related conditions requiring immediate medical attention and evidence based treatment was initiated accordingly. The camp also revealed a concerning trend, with nearly 68% of the screened patients having uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension. Their treatment plans and medications were reviewed and optimised by the medical team. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Zubair Saleem, Senior Geriatric Consultant, said that uncontrolled blood sugar and hypertension are increasingly being observed across rural areas of Jammu & Kashmir and are contributing to preventable complications including kidney failure, eye diseases, nerve damage, urinary problems, strokes, heart disease, and cognitive decline. He stressed that patients should strictly adhere to medicines prescribed by doctors and avoid modifying, stopping, or self-adjusting treatment without medical advice. Dr. Saleem also noted that doorstep and outreach healthcare initiatives are essential for early detection and prevention of complications among senior citizens. He thanked Dr. Jehangir Bakshi, Director Health Services Kashmir, for his continued encouragement and support toward community healthcare initiatives, and also acknowledged the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Khurshid Aslam Khan, Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Project Advisor of the SENIORS Heart Care Project. The beneficiaries and local residents expressed gratitude for the camp and appreciated the availability of specialised investigations, medicines, and expert consultations within their locality. The organisers reiterated their commitment to continue healthcare outreach activities across underserved areas of Jammu & Kashmir under the collaborative SENIORS Heart Care Project.

Private partners in sustainable energy need to subsidise domestic installations: Dr Darakhshan

A grand technical seminar was held at Srinagar by CStar Infra Solutions where innovative and sustainable energy solutions were exhibited and discussed for the consumers of Jammu & Kashmir. J&K Waqf Board Chairperson Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi attended the seminar as the chief guest. Deepak Pandey, the Founder & Managing Director, Invergy, Aastik Mani Tripathi, Co-Founder & Director, Prasoon Chaudhary, Director Invergy Syed Muhammad Hussain Waqf Board Member, Ishtiyaq Mohiuddin (JKAS), the Executive Magistrate of the Board, Mohad Asif, Founder & Co-Director Cstar infra solutions and Syed Shafat Haqani, the MD Cstar Infra Solutions spoke on the occasion. Dr Andrabi in her address said that with a non performing government in place in J&K, which has failed even in fulfilling its own election promises about the power supply improvement and facilitation to the people, our only hope presently lies in the alternative power solutions provided by the private players. Since the past two years, we have seen the worst power management by this government and we have to now shift to the alternate sustainable energy facilities like solar power units of the private players. We all have to avail these new opportunities to overcome our energy issues, said Andrabi. She said that Prime Minister's Surya Ghar Yojna is a futuristic public oriented visionary program and we all have to unitedly create awareness among the masses regarding the benefits of the scheme and the innovative solutions available to us. Private parters in sustainable energy sector need to subsidize domestic installations. I appeal to all service providers to consider the subsidizing of the services to domestic users so that together with public private sector partnership we can create reliability in energy sector at the grassroots, said Dr Darakhshan.

Mirwaiz stresses balanced education, moral values; visits Nusrat-ul-Islam Trust

During his visit to Nusrat-ul-Islam trust School in Anantnag, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq said that after eight long years he had been allowed by authorities to visit the institution. As per a press release, interacting with the students present, he expressed happiness and lauded the work being carried out by the Nusrat-ul-Islam Trust for the benefit of students and the community. Mirwaiz said that whether in Srinagar, Anantnag or Bijbehara, the main focus of Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam is to provide balanced education along with strong moral and ethical values to the younger generation. Mirwaiz stressed that taleem and tarbiyat (education and nurturing) must go hand in hand. Education is not only about vocation and degrees, but equally about character building, understanding responsibilities and inculcating human values. He added that Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam since its inception in 1899 was never a commercial or profit-driven enterprise, but about access to education for all, where even today more than 60 percent of its students are first-generation learners from low-income backgrounds, receiving education at a nominal cost. Stressing upon the role of parents, Mirwaiz said that parents have an equal responsibility in ensuring the proper upbringing, including the moral development of their children alongside formal education. Mirwaiz also expressed deep grief over the loss of life and property in the fire incident at a Darul Uloom in Anantnag, in which a student lost his life. He said that he wanted to visit the institution to express solidarity with those affected, but was not permitted to do so by the authorities, which he termed unfortunate. Mirwaiz also inaugurated a business venture on K.P. Road, where he encouraged the youth to earn halal livelihood with honesty and dedication. He said that no work is big or small, and that with sincerity, commitment and hard work, young people can achieve success and contribute positively to society.

Govt may have to hike fuel prices if West Asia crisis prolongs: RBI Guv

The government might have to hike petrol and diesel prices if the West Asia crisis continues for a longer period, according to Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra. Speaking at a conference in Switzerland on Tuesday, Malhotra highlighted that the government has been rather fiscally prudent and on the path of fiscal consolidation. The West Asia conflict and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted oil and gas supplies, pushing energy prices higher. India is highly dependent on energy and fertiliser imports, Malhotra said, adding that the current disruptions are beginning to affect the country.

Bank officers union seeks 5-day work week, cites national austerity measures

The All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), one of the countrys largest banking unions, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately implement a five-day work week in the banking industry, describing the move as a step towards national austerity, energy conservation and improved public efficiency. In a communication addressed to the Prime Ministers Office, the union said the proposal would help reduce operational expenditure, conserve energy resources and improve the overall efficiency of the banking system while ensuring better work-life balance for employees. We have sent a communication to the Honble Prime Minister requesting immediate implementation of Five-Day Work Week in the Banking Industry as a measure of national austerity, energy conservation and public efficiency, the union said in a public statement. The demand for a five-day banking week has been pending for several years and has repeatedly been raised by banking unions under the umbrella of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). According to union representatives, the Indian Banks Association (IBA) had already agreed in principle to the proposal during bipartite settlement discussions, but formal government approval is still awaited. Bank unions have argued that the present system places immense stress on employees due to staff shortages, rising compliance burdens, expanding business volumes and prolonged working hours. They maintain that a five-day work week would align the banking sector with institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, SEBI, LIC and several other government and financial regulatory bodies that already follow a five-day schedule. The unions have also asserted that banking services would not be adversely affected because a majority of transactions are now conducted digitally through UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and ATM networks.

At RBI Meet, KCC&I seeks easier credit access for J&K MSMEs

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) today participated in the 70th meeting of the Empowered Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, held at Jammu, where the Chamber strongly advocated for enhanced MSME financing, greater awareness regarding RBI-backed digital financing platforms, easier access to collateral-free credit, and a more practical approach towards stressed business accounts in the Union Territory. The Chamber was represented in the meeting by its JVP, Farooq Amin, who raised several issues concerning MSMEs, industrial units, startups, tourism-linked enterprises, handicrafts, and small businesses operating across Jammu and Kashmir. During the meeting, KCC&I highlighted the acute lack of awareness regarding the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), an RBI-regulated digital platform designed to help MSMEs unlock working capital through discounting of trade receivables and invoices with banks and NBFCs in a transparent, paperless and collateral-free manner. The Chamber stated that TReDS has the potential to significantly improve liquidity for MSMEs by enabling suppliers to receive timely payments against invoices raised on corporates, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and government departments. However, KCC&I observed that despite the benefits of the platform, awareness among MSMEs in Jammu and Kashmir remains extremely low. Farooq Amin stated that if proper awareness and outreach regarding TReDS had been created earlier, it would have substantially helped businesses in addressing the severe liquidity constraints currently being faced by the MSME sector in J&K. The Chamber urged banks, financial institutions, TReDS operators, and government departments to undertake aggressive awareness campaigns and stakeholder outreach programmes across industrial estates and business clusters in the Union Territory. Regional Director, RBI J&K, Chandrashekhar Azad, while responding to the concerns raised by KCC&I, emphasized that Udyam Registration is mandatory for MSMEs to avail the benefits of several government and RBI-supported schemes. He directed banks to intensify awareness regarding Udyam Registration and instructed that KCC&I should be actively involved in the awareness campaign to ensure wider outreach among entrepreneurs and business stakeholders. The RBI Regional Director also instructed banks and TReDS-related institutions to increase publicity and awareness regarding the platform among MSMEs and industrial units across Jammu and Kashmir. KCC&I further raised serious concerns regarding the low disbursement of loans under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chamber stated that despite the scheme being designed to facilitate collateral-free loans, entrepreneurs and business units in the region continue to face demands for collateral security, personal guarantees, and cumbersome banking procedures. The Chamber observed that the average loan disbursement figures under MSME schemes in Jammu and Kashmir remain considerably lower compared to several other regions of the country and stressed the need for corrective intervention. KCC&I emphasized that the prevailing unemployment situation in Jammu and Kashmir necessitates easier access to low-interest credit and simplified financing procedures for startups, youth entrepreneurs, and existing business units. The Chamber urged banks to facilitate financial assistance under flexible and entrepreneur-friendly norms without excessive insistence on collateral security and guarantees. The Chamber further stressed that the objective of MSME financing should be to encourage entrepreneurship and economic activity rather than create procedural hurdles that discourage genuine business initiatives. KCC&I also raised the issue of rigid banking practices in relation to MSME financing, particularly the excessive dependence on CIBIL scores and technical classifications without adequately assessing the extraordinary circumstances faced by businesses in J&K. The Chamber pointed out that several sectors, particularly tourism and allied industries, have suffered repeated economic setbacks due to unforeseen developments including the recent impact on tourism following the Pahalgam incident in April last year and other disruptions affecting business activity and repayment capacity. KCC&I urged banks and financial institutions to adopt a pragmatic and humanitarian approach while dealing with stressed MSME accounts and avoid coercive recovery practices, public name and shame measures, and harsh classifications that further damage already distressed enterprises. The Chamber strongly advocated that entrepreneurs facing genuine financial distress should be provided a dignified and consultative resolution mechanism. KCC&I demanded that the Chamber be made part of consultative committees dealing with stressed MSME accounts and NPAs so that banks, entrepreneurs, and trade representatives can collectively arrive at workable solutions. The RBI Regional Director, during the meeting, advised banks to engage more actively with KCC&I and seek the Chambers assistance in resolving issues relating to collateral requirements, MSME distress, and financing bottlenecks. KCC&I also highlighted the importance of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0, which provides 100 per cent government-guaranteed, collateral-free additional credit support to MSMEs, and stressed the need for wider awareness and easier access to the scheme for businesses affected by economic distress and liquidity constraints in Jammu and Kashmir. KCC&I also highlighted the high rejection rates being witnessed under various self-employment and livelihood generation schemes including PM SVANidhi, PM Mudra Yojana, and PM Vishwakarma Yojana. The Chamber stated that many deserving applicants are unable to avail benefits under these schemes due to procedural delays, documentation hurdles, and lack of awareness at the implementation level. KCC&I sought a comprehensive review of rejection patterns under these schemes to ensure that eligible beneficiaries are not deprived of institutional support. KCC&I urged banks and financial institutions to undertake regular financing reviews of industrial clusters and ensure equitable credit flow to sectors that contribute significantly to employment generation and exports from Jammu and Kashmir. KCC&I appealed to all MSMEs, startups, entrepreneurs, traders, artisans, and industrial units in Jammu and Kashmir to complete their Udyam Registration at the earliest so that they are able to avail benefits under various government schemes, RBI initiatives, institutional financing programmes, and credit support mechanisms.

SSP Doda interacts with retired police personnel, reviews welfare issues

Ramban, May 13: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Doda, Kartik Shrotriya, on Wednesday held an introductory interaction meeting with around 40 retired police officers and officials of District Doda to discuss issues related to their welfare, wellbeing and grievance redressal. The meeting, attended by DySP DAR Doda, was organised as part of the district polices initiative to maintain close coordination with retired personnel and address their concerns effectively. Welcoming the retired officers, SSP Kartik Shrotriya appreciated their dedicated service to the police department and society. He said retired police personnel continue to remain valuable assets whose experience and guidance inspire serving officers and officials. During the interaction, discussions were held on several welfare-related matters, including pension issues, medical assistance, healthcare facilities and other grievances being faced by retired police personnel. The SSP assured the participants that all genuine issues would be taken up with the concerned authorities for timely redressal. Emphasising the importance of maintaining strong ties with retired police personnel, the SSP reiterated the departments commitment towards ensuring their welfare and dignity. He also encouraged them to continue contributing positively towards society and strengthening police-public relations through their experience and guidance. Various welfare initiatives and support measures available for retired personnel and their families were also highlighted during the meeting. The retired officers raised several concerns, which were patiently heard by the SSP, who assured that appropriate action would be taken for their resolution.

J&K emerges as high performer in LEADS 2025 rankings

Jammu and Kashmir has been recognised as a High Performer in the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2025 Report released by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal at a function held at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday. Among the Union Territories, New Delhi was adjudged as an Exemplar, while Jammu and Kashmir secured the High Performer status alongside states and Union Territories including Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Haryana, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Puducherry. The achievement marks a major improvement for Jammu and Kashmir in the national logistics rankings. The Union Territory was placed in the Aspirers category till 2023 before moving to the Fast Mover category in 2024. Its elevation to the High Performer category in the latest report reflects sustained progress in logistics infrastructure, policy support, regulatory reforms and overall ease of doing business. The LEADS survey is a flagship annual assessment conducted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry to evaluate logistics performance across states and Union Territories. The initiative aims to improve logistics efficiency and reduce logistics costs across the country. In Jammu and Kashmir, the Department of Industries and Commerce serves as the nodal department for monitoring and evaluating performance under the survey. The assessment is carried out across four major pillars logistics infrastructure, logistics services, operating and regulatory environment, and sustainable logistics. Officials said the recognition reflects the continuous efforts being undertaken in the Union Territory to strengthen road and trade connectivity, modernise logistics infrastructure, improve transport and warehousing facilities, and create a more business-friendly environment. The improved ranking is also being seen as an indicator of growing investor confidence and administrative focus on industrial development and trade facilitation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Cyber Police recover Rs 21.20 lakh in online fraud cases, trace 74 smartphones in Doda

Doda, May 13: In a major success against cybercrime, the Cyber Police Station Doda has recovered online defrauded money amounting to Rs 21.20 lakh and traced 74 lost smartphones worth approximately Rs 12.68 lakh from different states and union territories across the country. The recovery operation was carried out under the supervision of SSP Doda Kartik Shrotriya, Additional SP Doda Mohd Aslam and DySP Headquarters Doda Krishan Rattan. According to a statement issued by District Police Doda, the Cyber Police Station had received several complaints related to online financial frauds and missing mobile phones from different complainants. Acting swiftly, the cyber team launched sustained investigations and conducted technical analysis, which led to the successful recovery of the defrauded amount as well as the lost smartphones. The investigation was led by Inspector Surinder Veer Singh along with PSI Harish Chander. Police officials said the teams technical expertise and persistent efforts played a crucial role in achieving the recoveries. The recovered smartphones were later handed over to their rightful owners during a function held at the Conference Hall PCR Doda by Additional SP Mohd Aslam. The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to District Police Doda for tracing and recovering their lost devices. Interacting with the public on the occasion, Additional SP Mohd Aslam advised citizens to remain vigilant while using online financial platforms and mobile phones, stating that personal data stored in mobile devices could be misused if the phones are lost or stolen. He urged people to immediately report cyber fraud incidents on the National Cyber Crime Helpline number 1930 or through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Citizens were also advised to report lost or stolen mobile phones on the CEIR Portal for timely tracing and blocking of devices. Police said that Cyber Police Station Doda has so far recovered online defrauded money amounting to Rs 85.04 lakh and traced 393 mobile phones worth nearly Rs 62.48 lakh.

DYSS organises sports activities in Shopian

Shopian, May 13:The Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYS&S), Shopian, organised a series of sports activities across different zones of the district under the banner of Nasha Mukt Abhiyan on Wednesday to promote sports culture, discipline, physical fitness and awareness against drug abuse among youth. At Sports Stadium Wathoo in Zone Keegam, as per an official statement, Kabaddi matches were organised with enthusiastic participation from students. The event aimed at spreading awareness regarding the harmful effects of drug abuse through sports activities. Around 130 boys participated in the Kabaddi competitions, while 120 participants also took an anti-drug pledge during the programme. Meanwhile, Inter-School/Zonal-Level Volleyball and Kabaddi competitions for U/17 boys were successfully conducted at HSS Kaprin, witnessing active participation from student players representing various institutions of the zone. The competitions were organised to encourage sportsmanship, teamwork and healthy sporting spirit among students. Similarly, the ISZL Finals were held at HSS Imamsahib under the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan initiative, highlighting the departments commitment towards channelling youth energy into constructive and sports-based activities while spreading the message of a drug-free society. In another event, the Zonal Physical Education Office Shopian organised an Inter-School Zonal Level Chess Competition-cum-Selection for Girls in U/14 and U/17 categories at Gunj Bakash Hanfiya Public School, Arhama, Shopian. Students from various institutions participated with great zeal and enthusiasm. The programme was inaugurated by Mushtaq Ahmad Thoker (PEM), who administered an anti-drug pledge to participants before the commencement of the competitions. Speaking on the occasion, he appreciated the efforts of officials and participants and stressed the importance of adopting a healthy and drug-free lifestyle.

Volleyball tournament begins in Devsar

: Kulgam, May 13: Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Shahzad Alam, on Wednesday inaugurated the Inter-Block Volleyball Tournament at Devsar under the theme of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. The tournament, as per an official statement, is being organised as part of the ongoing 100 Day Special Campaign Against Drug Abuse aimed at encouraging youth participation in sports and spreading awareness against drug abuse. Speaking on the occasion, the DC highlighted the importance of sports in promoting discipline, teamwork and a healthy lifestyle among youth. He urged the participants to actively contribute towards building a drug-free society and inspire others through positive engagement in sports activities. The inaugural event witnessed enthusiastic participation from players, students and sports enthusiasts from different areas. Several teams are participating in the tournament being organised under the banner of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

Pencak Silat Championship gives boost to combat sports in Srinagar

Srinagar, May 13: The 11th District Srinagar Pencak Silat Championship 2026-27 was formally inaugurated Wednesday at the historic Polo Ground, Srinagar, amid great enthusiasm from athletes, coaches, and sports lovers. The championship, as per an official statement, is being organised by the District Srinagar Pencak Silat Association under the aegis of Pencak Silat Association of J&K and J&K Sports Council. The event commenced with a colourful demonstration by national-level Pencak Silat athletes, which drew huge applause from the audience. Over 450 athletes from various schools, clubs, and academies across Srinagar district are participating in Sub-Junior, Junior, and Senior categories for both boys and girls. Polo ground manager attended the event as Chief Guest. In his address, the chief guest lauded the role of Pencak Silat in promoting discipline, self-defence, and fitness among youth and assured full support from the administration for developing combat sports in J&K. The 3-day championship will feature Tanding (Match), Tunggal (Single), Ganda (Double), and Regu (Team) events. Medal winners from the championship will represent Srinagar at the upcoming UT-level Championship.

RSGC to host WHS Sports Hub Golf Cup 2026 on May 23-24

Srinagar, May 13:WHS Sports Hub will host the WHS Sports Hub Golf Cup 2026 on 23rd & 24th May 2026 at Royal Springs Golf Course, a championship golf course designed by legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Jr.. Rapidly emerging as one of Jammu & Kashmirs leading amateur golf events, the tournament, as per a statement is expected to witness participation from around 100 golfers from across the country, bringing together corporates, business leaders, and sports enthusiasts for a premium golfing and hospitality experience in Kashmir. Organised by Farid Singh and Viraj Singh, co-founders of WHS Sports Hub, the event reflects their vision of promoting professionally managed sporting events and positioning Jammu & Kashmir as a destination for sports tourism and elite sporting experiences. The two-day event will feature league-based competition formats including Better Ball Pairs and Greensome Pairs, along with morning shotgun starts, on-course contests, premium hospitality, gala lunches, curated goodie bags, and multiple prize categories. Open to men and women amateur golfers, the tournament aims to further strengthen Jammu & Kashmirs growing presence on Indias sporting map while establishing the WHS Sports Hub Golf Cup as one of the regions premier annual amateur golf leagues.

JKSC launches Kashmir Champions Football League trials

Ganderbal, May 13:The J&K Sports Council (JKSC) on Wednesday flagged off the Kashmir Champions Football League (KCFL) trials at Ganderbal, marking the launch of a district-wide football talent identification drive across the Kashmir Valley. The youth, as per an official statement, from across the district turned out in impressive numbers, registering, competing, and engaging with remarkable enthusiasm, reflecting the growing demand for structured sporting platforms at the grassroots level. The KCFL trial roadmap spans every district of Kashmir from Kupwara to Kulgam and Baramulla to Shopian ensuring that no deserving athlete is denied opportunity. The initiative forms a key pillar of the Government of J&Ks 100-Day Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan which leverages sports, youth engagement, and community participation as a proactive response to the growing drug menace across the Union Territory. JKSCs vision is rooted in a simple but powerful belief that talent exists in every district and it just need a platform. The KCFL provides exactly that structured, government-backed pathway from grassroots trials to organized league competition, giving Kashmirs youth not only a field to compete on, but a future to strive toward. The Council believes that sustained participation in sports builds discipline, confidence, teamwork, and purpose values that act as a strong social shield against substance abuse and negative influences. By creating year-round sporting ecosystems instead of isolated events, JKSC aims to strengthen both athletic culture and youth development across the Valley. Subsequent KCFL trial drives will now move across the remaining districts of Kashmir. Players identified through the trials will enter the full Kashmir Champions Football League competitive structure ensuring sustained engagement, long-term athlete development, and continued mentorship throughout the sporting season. With football and volleyball now reaching deeper into districts and communities, the J&K Sports Council continues to reinforce its commitment to building a stronger, healthier, and more empowered generation through sport. Adding further momentum to the regions growing sports movement, the South Kashmir Volleyball League will commence tomorrow in Shopian. The league is set to witness six teams from different districts of Kashmir region battling for volleyball supremacy, creating a vibrant platform for young athletes to showcase their talent through organized competition.

Sports Minister Satish Sharma, MLA Tanvir Sadiq launch jersey

Srinagar, May 13: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, along with MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, on Wednesday unveiled the customised jersey for the upcoming Khyber Run for ShahreKhaas 2026 at SAMCI, Rajbagh, ahead of the much-awaited heritage run scheduled to be held on May 17 in Srinagars old city. The event, as per an official statement, marks the revival of the iconic Run for ShahreKhaas after nearly a decade and is being organised by Fucan Sports. The initiative has generated tremendous enthusiasm among the athletes across Jammu and Kashmir, with registrations closing within just 48 hours of opening. Around 150 professional athletes from different parts of Kashmir are expected to participate in the 10-kilometre run, which will pass through several historic landmarks of downtown Srinagar before culminating at Islamia College Campus, Hawal. Speaking on the occasion, Satish Sharma lauded the organisers for reviving a sporting event that blends fitness with the rich cultural heritage of Srinagars old city. It is encouraging to see sports activities being organised in downtown Srinagar. Such events play a vital role in promoting fitness, discipline and a healthy lifestyle among the youth while also showcasing the cultural and historical significance of the old city, maintained the minister. Satish Sharma said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the government is committed to strengthening the sports ecosystem across Jammu and Kashmir and encouraging greater youth participation in sports and fitness activities. We are working towards building a vibrant sports culture in Jammu and Kashmir by leading through participation and example. Increasing participation in sports and fitness activities is also helping guide youth away from drug abuse and towards positive and constructive pursuits, he added. The minister also appreciated the overwhelming response received for the event and said such initiatives reflect the growing enthusiasm among young people towards sports and fitness. Speaking on the occasion, Tanvir Sadiq termed it a privilege to once again be associated with the event that he had flagged off nearly ten years ago. The USP of this run is that it highlights the rich heritage of Srinagars old city while promoting a healthy lifestyle. The route starts in my constituency and concludes back in my constituency after covering almost all the historic areas of downtown Srinagar. Last time, I flagged off the event, and this time, I will personally run alongside the athletes, he said. Highlighting the importance of fitness in combating drug abuse, Tanvir Sadiq said awareness against the drug menace should remain a continuous effort. Events like these, where people lead by example, are the perfect way to encourage the youth towards fitness and help them stay away from drugs, he added. Recalling the legacy of the event, he said Run for ShahreKhaas remained a regular feature in Srinagars old city until 2015 and expressed hope that future editions would witness even wider participation and additional categories. The 10-kilometre route will commence from Badamwari Gate and pass through Kathidarwaza, Chattipadshahi, Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowpora, Khayam, Munawarabad, Baba Dawood Khaki Bridge, Baba Demb, Fateh Kadal, Khankah, New Zaina Kadal, Old Zaina Kadal, Budshah Tomb, Saraf Kadal, Bohri Kadal, Malaratta, Nowhatta, Jamia Masjid and Gojwara before concluding at Islamia College Campus, Hawal. All the participants will receive customised finisher medals, T-shirts and participation certificates. The event is supported by NITians Career Institute, Paristaan, Adlife and Media Line, while Khyber is the title sponsor. Among those present on the occasion were J&K SnowShoe Association President Tariq Ghani, General Secretary Dr Altaf-ur-Rehman, Organising Secretary Reyaz Wani, and noted athletes Mushtaq Bhat, Gulzar Khan, Hamid and Suhail Zahid Kota

GMC Baramulla employees strike enters 3rd day, warn of complete clinical boycott

Baramulla, May 13:The indefinite strike by non-gazetted employees of Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla entered its third consecutive day on Wednesday, with employees intensifying their demand for immediate framing of recruitment rules and resolution of long-pending promotion issues. The protesting employees said that despite years passing since the establishment of the new GMCs in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has failed to finalise recruitment rules, leaving hundreds of employees without career progression, promotions and revised pay benefits. They said the absence of recruitment rules has severely affected the functioning of GMC Baramulla, as nearly 50 percent of posts remain vacant out of the total 541 sanctioned posts. These posts were originally sanctioned for 100 MBBS seats and a 300-bedded associated hospital. However, MBBS intake has now increased to 150 seats, while around 200 additional beds have also been added over the years, the employees said. They added that patient inflow has increased significantly as GMC Baramulla is now functioning as a tertiary healthcare institution, while several new departments and units have also been established in recent years, further increasing workload on the existing staff. The employees stated that despite the ongoing strike, they are continuing to manage essential clinical services to ensure that patients do not suffer. The employees further said that despite the strike entering its third day, ironically nothing concrete has come from the administration or the Health Minister regarding our genuine demands. They said they have repeatedly approached the authorities through official channels over the past several years, but no concrete action has been taken so far. The protesting employees urged the government to immediately frame recruitment rules on the pattern of GMC Srinagar and GMC Jammu, fill vacant posts and address staff shortages to ensure smooth functioning of healthcare and academic services at GMC Baramulla and other newly established medical colleges.

SKIMS Medical College & Hospital, Bemina celebrates International Nurses Day

Srinagar, May 13:SKIMS Medical College and Hospital, Bemina, Srinagar Wednesday celebrated International Nurses Day with great enthusiasm and respect, recognising the invaluable contribution of nurses towards patient care and the healthcare system. As per a press release, the programme was organised by the Nursing Administration and was attended by senior faculty members, doctors, nursing officers, students, and hospital staff. The event highlighted the dedication, compassion, and selfless service rendered by nurses in ensuring quality healthcare delivery. Director SKIMS and EOSG was the Chief Guest on the occasion, while Principal Medical College, Prof. Fazl Q. Parray, was the Guest of Honour. On the occasion, the organisers highlighted the vital role of nurses in hospitals. Chesfeeda, in her lecture, described nurses as the backbone of the healthcare system and at the same time called for redressal of the many problems faced by them. Medical Superintendent Dr. Shafa applauded the role of nurses who, despite being fewer in number, have rendered marvelous services to the system and extended full cooperation in introducing new types of services. Dr. Fazl, Principal, in his thought-provoking lecture, highlighted the divine importance of nursing, describing it as a service based on ethics, morals, and love. He praised nurses for their role as COVID warriors and appreciated their commitment to doing for patients what even close relatives may hesitate to do. He assured the nursing staff that, with the support of the Worthy Director and the SKIMS administration, efforts would be made to address their problems of stagnation. Chief Guest Prof. Mohd. Ashraf Ganie, in his address, spoke about the empowerment of nurses and emphasized the importance of care and compassion, comparing nurses to a mother, the first nurse of every child. He assured the nursing staff that all their genuine demands would be addressed and necessary gaps would be bridged. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks.

Valley talent needs guidance, structured mentoring: Seminar on career opportunities held in Sopore for IIT, NDA aspirants

Sopore, May 13:Founder and CEO of Career Group, Er Vinay Rai on Wednesday said that discipline, structured mentoring and early career counselling were key to steering Valley youth towards national-level opportunities such as IITs and the NDA. He stressed that students in Jammu and Kashmir possess immense talent but lack proper guidance and exposure. Talking to media persons on the sidelines of a daylong seminar on Gateway to IIT and NDA opportunities organised by Career Defence School in Sopore, Rai said he was impressed by the curiosity and confidence shown by students from the Valley, particularly younger students from classes 6 and 7. Students from different schools across Kashmir participated in interactive sessions on competitive examinations, scholarships, hostel facilities and career planning. The kind of questions children are asking here shows strong curiosity and potential among them. What these students need is proper guidance, discipline and a system that keeps them engaged in positive activities, he said. Rai said Career Defence School focuses not only on preparing students for examinations like JEE, NDA, NEET and RIMC, but also on personality development, communication skills and leadership training. Career Defence School is not only about defence services. Discipline is required in every field whether one becomes a doctor, engineer, journalist or businessman, he said. He further added that engaging children in sports and structured activities can also help counter social problems like drug abuse. He said the institution integrates academics with sports, NCC training and personality grooming to create an environment where students remain motivated by seeing peers progress into officer ranks and national-level careers. Rai also briefed about the scholarship and subsidy schemes available for students, particularly children of central government employees and security personnel. He claimed many families in J&K remain unaware of hostel and education subsidies provided under existing government provisions. Students from economically weaker backgrounds are also being offered scholarships ranging from 50 to 70 percent based on merit and academic performance, he said. Rai said the level of confidence and communication skills he witnessed among Kashmiri students was better than many parts of north India, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He urged parents to focus on supporting children through the learning process rather than putting them under constant pressure over results. MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar was the chief guest at the occasion while Tehsildar Sopore Shiekh Tariq was the guest of honour. In his address, MLA Sopore said such seminars help students understand career opportunities and encourage them to compete at national platforms. Shiekh Tariq stressed the importance of hard work, discipline and moral values in student life.

Care more, Coerce less

There is a widespread demand in the Valley that Nasha Mukt Abhiyan , a transformative initiative, should not be restricted only to drugs or substance abuse. There is a groundswell of opinion that it be extended to consumption of alcohol also. The aggressive anti-drug campaigns, Nasha Mukt , stands in stark contrast to the state-facilitated expansion of alcohol consumption especially under central administration in 2018-19. If a substance causes social harm, the response should be consistent based on that harm. Just because alcohol is legal, doesnt make it any less harmful. Interestingly, while drinking alcohol is not prohibited and punishable by law, drunk driving is. Getting drunk is not a offence, but getting into a drunken brawl is! But there is a history to this anomaly. It is not based on the moral codification of a society but by the Anglo-Saxon legal tradition. Alcohol production, taxation, and consumption have been protected by centuries of English customary law and royal charters. In this legal framework, adopted by India like all colonies, banning alcohol requires dismantling an ancient, foundational pillar of common liberty and commerce, including revenues to the government. Conversely, drugs have no such historical legal precedents in Western law, making them easy to ban without disrupting traditional legal framework. Also, with drugs being barred, government uses it to expand its surveillance, policing, and incarceration. It strengthens control over the marginalized populations. In the current context, this is a key element in the narco-terror network of Kashmir. Given the history, the drug-and-alcohol contradiction is not an easy one to resolve. From a government policy makers perspective, the focus must be on public health outcomes and individual autonomy. Of course, the political leadership of government may have purely religious or moralistic reasons, but those are personal. The public policy goal is minimising the physical, social, and economic damage caused by addiction. A complete ban or prohibition is not an optimal solution. It must be acknowledged that total prohibition often creates dangerous black markets. The historical lessons of cross-country experience on prohibition are that banning alcohol may not stop consumption. Instead, it will likely lead to the sale of toxic illicit liquor and empower the criminal syndicates. This consequence cant be ignored, especially in Kashmir which could get sucked into the vortex of narco-terror network. It could be a much higher risk than is being discounted. In the context of Kashmir, all the stakeholders, the party in power and the opposition parties should insist that addiction is viewed as a medical condition rather than a moral failing or a criminal act. This done, it will be advocating for more rehabilitation centres instead of just seizures of property and arrests of peddlers. Of course, it goes without saying that if the state wants to fight addiction, it must address the root causes which lie in the thirty-year conflict-related trauma and economic distress. The current compliance framework in Kashmir is the opposite: the state employs the heavy-handed tools as a punitive measure against alleged drug addicts and peddlers. The problem is that an offence -- violation of a regulation is being punished as a crime breaking a codified penal law. The stringent action of the government is welcome but let it not be punitive. For that replaces the social necessity of rehabilitation. If the objective of the state is truly the social reintegration of its citizens and the eradication of a public health crisis, it should not render families homeless and push the marginalized families further into the shadows of the illicit economy. The seized and sealed houses should be repurposed into community-run rehabilitation centres or vocational training hubs. By turning a site of alleged crime into a site of recovery, the state would signal a commitment to healing rather than just retribution. Furthermore, the coercive nature of these drives ignores the cultural and historical nuances of substance use in the region. The current war on drugs is often framed through a lens of moral purity that disregards Kashmirs own history. For centuries, opium, hashish and weed were not viewed through the prism of modern criminality. True, there were no drugs of today heroin, brown sugar, and the rest. The tradition of Takiyas -- social spaces where cannabis was consumed -- formed a part of the local cultural fabric. Under the Dogra regime, hashish was a regulated trade item, and a significant part of the states export economy. To suddenly criminalize these substances through a lens of absolute moralism and religion is to ignore a long-standing indigenous cultural practice. Perhaps the origin of this practice pre-dates Islam as the Vedas list it as a sacred plant. The cultural tolerance in Kashmir stems from the deep-rooted association with Shiva worship. Sadhus emulate Shivas ascetic especially when on the Amarnath yatra, which is due to start in a few weeks. As thousands of sadhus traverse the Valley, the consumption of weed and hashish becomes a common sight and smell right along the pilgrimage route. The state, which at other times might arrest a local youth, always turns a blind eye to sadhus using chillums during Amarnath yatra, Kumbh Melas, and other holy sites. Ultimately, a liberal, rationalist critique of the J&K drug policy must highlight that coercion is not a substitute for care. Moving from a confiscation model to a rehabilitation model requires recognizing that addiction is a byproduct of complex socio-economic traumas. Addicts are neither criminals nor traffickers. Until the state resolves the contradictions between its punitive spectacles and its public health promises, the social intervention movement of Nasha Mukt will remain an exercise in state power rather than a genuine pursuit of social wellness. Footnote: As Finance Minister in 2016, I opposed the ban on liquor on the floor of the house on the grounds of individual liberty and freedom of choice. Revenues was not the main consideration then. It should not be so now. Prohibitions and bans reflect a majoritarian attitude that prioritises collective morality and political agendas, be it alcohol or beef. Even so, contrary to the exceptionally ill-informed and singularly insolent National Conference spokesperson, who reads intent in information on underserved areas, not a single new liquor vend was opened from 2015 to 2018. There was a surge in 2018-19 under the central watch. The numbers are in public domain. I had also suggested then that a regional ban in the Kashmir Valley is a pragmatic policy option. The real issue is that it risks fostering a black market and bootlegging, especially given the proximity to high-consumption areas like Jammu and Punjab. A decade later, the demand for ban on alcohol has more to do with identity as Muslims. Considering this major shift, and the gravity of the situation, a re-examination and a creative solution may be needed. Tail piece: Once in a while, on some days family events like a death anniversary, or commemoration of an Islamic event like Jung-e-Badr , a community ritual of Khatm on the 11 th day of Rabi-us-Sani , (Dastgeer Sahibs urs) -- food would go from our house in Gogji Bagh to a Takiya at Sarai Bala next to the mosque. Nothing very elaborate; rice along with Rogan josh or organ meat like charvan or payas for about 10 to 12 patrons of the Takiya the shodas . Some money would also go with it. Takiyas historically served as retreats for dervishes and mendicants but eventually became synonymous with cannabis culture and marginal social groups. T akiyas were in existence in the 1970s and even 80s. In a way, historically, there was normalisation of opium, hashish and weed, in Kashmir. Not as an addiction or epidemic and medical condition but as an unconventional or non-conformist behaviour. Not deviant or criminal. Modernisation applied a moralizing gaze to these spaces, and they fell into disuse. The author is a Contributing Editor of Greater Kashmir.

Appeals for economic discipline

At a time when the price of crude oil is increasing due to the U.S.-Iran conflict, supply chains are experiencing strain and inflation is threatening the global economy, Prime Minister Modis call for individuals to consume responsibly and to have discipline in their economies was not simply political talk. His call was a reminder that national resilience does not just depend on government policies but that it also depends on the collective participation of the public. Today, India is one of the fastest growing major economies in the world, but it continues to heavily rely on imports for important goods such as crude oil, edible oils, and fertilizers. Currently, India imports approximately 85% of its crude oil requirements and as a result, every geopolitical crisis occurring in West Asia poses an economic issue for households across India. Therefore, the Prime Ministers call to reduce fuel wastage and increase usage of public transportation is practical and visionary. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, India became very adept at working digitally from home and meeting online via the Internet, which reduced commuting costs and demand for fuel. Hence, encouraging the use of work-from-home and virtual meetings again during an energy crisis is a sensible step that balances economic prudence with advances in technology. In addition, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of Over the past decade, significant achievements have been attained by India in respect of industrial development through projects like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. The production of mobile phones, defence items, renewable energy-related goods, and digital technologies has all increased at high rates. Buying Indian made products is viewed as an expression of faith in Indias ability to manufacture industrial products and it can often be an emotional choice as well. The reason for PM Modi to promote the elimination of extravagant spending on overseas travel, such as foreign vacations and destination weddings, is meant to save foreign exchange reserves, which are desperately needed during difficult global economic times. This message was particularly important for rural Indians. PM Modi discussed the fact that the fertilizer subsidies provided by the government have allowed Indian farmers to avoid paying the tremendous increase in fertilizer prices that have been experienced on a worldwide basis. Modis commitment to natural farming, decreased reliance on chemical fertilizers, and greater reliance on solar power to irrigate crops demonstrates that economic self-sufficiency can be achieved while meeting the environmental sustainability legacy goal. The results of these reforming initiatives will be critical for the future of agriculture in India, especially given the challenges facing the world as a result of climate change and declining soil productivity. Some may consider the Prime Ministers message symbolic, while other countries have emerged better and stronger after experiencing catastrophes. An example would be Japans successful efforts in conserving energy as a result of the oil shocks in the 1970s and Indias successful demonstration of following public health advice as a cohesive society during the COVID crisis; both nations were able to create a secure place for the country during very uncertain times. The PMs appeal to eliminate extravagance and practice mindful consumption will ultimately create a culture of sustainability, responsible consumption, patriotic consumption and self-sufficiency through preparedness rather than isolation. Indias rise to become a world super power will be determined not only by the United Nations reports on GDP and/or actions taken by government, but also daily choices made by each citizen. PM Modis message should help remind every citizen of their duties to conserve resources, support their local economy and contribute to the overall health of the economy.

Tribute to Toth

On a rare sunny Sunday in April Sonth in Kashmir I sat with my family in our ancestral home in Jahangirpora, Baramulla. Spring sunlight rested gently on the lawn, as if nature itself wished to soften the harshness gathering quietly inside our home. My father was unwell again. For the last three years, he had been bedridden. Illness had reduced a once-commanding man into someone dependent upon others for the smallest human needs. My mother, with astonishing patience and dignity, had become his caretaker, nurse, companion and a silent pillar. Saturdays and Sundays with parents had become a routine for me, but beneath that routine was an unspoken fear: the growing realization that even the people who appear eternal in childhood are, in truth, mortal. My relationship with my father was complex, like many relationships between fathers and sons in Kashmir. Love was often hidden beneath discipline, expectation and silence. Yet fathers shape us in ways we only understand when they begin to disappear. A son spends half his life resisting his father and the other half discovering him within himself. That day, my father sat quietly with chachvor , the Kashmiri bread considered gentle on the stomach, and tea before him. My mother tended to him as always. Suddenly, I noticed how weak he had become. The man, who once animated bus journeys between Srinagar and Baramulla with stories and conversations, could barely speak now. In his prime, people listened when he talked. He carried warmth, humour and authority effortlessly. Fathers rarely know that their ordinary habits become sacred memories for their children later in life. A few days earlier he had survived hypoglycaemia and acidosis. A brief recovery had given us hope that dangerous human emotion that survives even against medical evidence. We returned to Srinagar and resumed our routines; pretending normalcy could negotiate with fate. That Sunday, doctors prescribed Protobol and Moxifloxacin. We discussed land disputes in the lawn while my mother, more assertive now with age and necessity, lectured us on compromise and fairness among siblings. Families often continue discussing property even while death quietly waits in the next room. Such is human denial. By evening, the call came. My father had suffered four seizures. An ambulance rushed him to GMC Baramulla- a college in infancy and so in attending to severe health issues. The night became heavy with helplessness; all of us were only lazing around without any purpose. Nobody truly spoke. We merely occupied space, waiting for either mercy or tragedy. I remember feeling anger toward God not disbelief, but the exhaustion of a believer who cannot understand divine timing. My mothers face haunted me that night. Her grief was not dramatic; it was deeper than words. She truly loved him Toth . Illness had not diminished affection; it had purified it. At dawn, the muazzins call for Fajr cut through my unrest. Prayer that morning felt less like worship and more like surrender. Soon my brother called: my father had been referred to SKIMS, the Valleys highest tertiary care hospital, where routine checkups by young medicos and consistent monitoring gave hope a chance and all branches of medicines took stock of his condition. We were shifted to Medical Observation Ward, a high decibel ward where patients are kept under observation for few day. In SKIMS, amid young doctors, blinking monitors and endless tests, hope returned cautiously. Medicine attempts to negotiate with death through numbers, reports and terminology: hypernatremia, aspiration, seizures, sodium imbalance . Yet beneath the language of science stood frightened families praying silently in hospital corridors. The observation ward became a portrait of human suffering. A 75-year-old tumor patient with surgical scars across his head. A 26-year-old pregnant woman suffering from pancreatitis while her mother gently cooled her feet with a wet cloth. A child waiting for chemotherapy for blood carcinoma, his innocent face untouched by the tragedy growing inside him. That child unsettled me profoundly. Why must people suffer? Why are innocence and pain allowed to coexist? Hospitals strip away illusions of uniqueness. One realizes suffering is universal. Wealth, status, education and pride collapse equally beneath disease. In those corridors, everyone becomes merely human. And yet something remarkable survives there too: hope. The same people who questioned God also turned toward Him repeatedly. Between ventilators and prescriptions, they whispered prayers. Between despair and exhaustion, they uttered InshaAllah . Suffering, strangely, does not always weaken faith; often it exposes the limits of everything else besides faith. Caught in exploring the suffering within room, I realized that my father in comparison to thousands of patients is in better position in terms of an ailment he was carrying. hospital corridors, suffering reveals itself as the great equaliser of humanity. A child awaiting chemotherapy, grieving attendants and fading patients all seemed bound by the same fragile mortality. People questioned God in despair, yet turned to Him alone for hope. Pain, like love, is universal; it strips away illusion and reminds us that life is temporary, hope stubborn and death the only certainty shared by all. Doctors prescribed tests, took blood samples and discussed test reports and as days passed, doctors linked my fathers seizures to medication complications and sodium imbalance (Hypernatrima). Water flowed into his body through a Ryles tube while Quranic verses flowed from my lips into the silence around him. He was nearly 78, but he possessed remarkable willpower. Fathers belong to a generation that considered endurance a duty, not an achievement. Even in illness, my father continued teaching me. Not through speeches anymore, but through fragility. A fathers greatest influence is often invisible. He shapes the emotional architecture of his children their resilience, insecurities, ambitions, silences and moral instincts. Long after his voice weakens, a son continues speaking in tones inherited from him. My understanding of dignity, duty and restraint was born less from instruction and more from watching him live. The Medicos and their staff oblivious of this perform their duties, professionally and sometimes ruthlessly. We were shifted to the Neurological Ward and there the depressing rooms can be made more lively by writing quotes on the walls, buying a TV set for patients and attendants and allowing healthy ones to spend time productively. My father gradually is recuperating and so are some of the other ones. Some who had fixed meeting with God left and their attendants wailed despite knowing that it is the only constant in life. Hope lives on and notwithstanding hardships in life nobody wants to leave for a promise in heaven. We returned home with a fragile sense of relief, though the quiet weight of fear continued to linger heavily upon us. Then came another night. On May 12, 2024, my father developed respiratory aspiration. Around midnight we rushed him again to GMC Baramulla. Watching doctors stabilizing him was heartbreaking. For the first time, I wondered whether keeping him alive was mercy or merely our inability to let go. My brother insisted we shift him to SKIMS for ventilator support. We boarded a 108 ambulance in darkness. As the vehicle cut through empty roads toward Srinagar, I began imagining life without my father. My mothers moist eyes haunted me. The ambulance attendant spoke casually about his own father dying after a seizure in SKIMS. In Kashmir, grief often travels alongside ordinary conversation. We reached SKIMS at 4:50 a.m. Inside the emergency ward, another man suffered a fatal seizure before us. Death moved around the room without ceremony. I began reciting Surah Yasin . While I read, my father briefly opened his eyes. I whispered into his ears words I can never fully remember now, perhaps because grief preserves emotion more faithfully than language. Then he closed them again. Moments later, the doctor examined him quietly and declared that my father had returned to his Creator-May 13, 2024. 5:15 a.m, 4th Zeeqada 1445. Suddenly, I felt something terrifying and beautiful: no matter how educated, powerful or accomplished we become, every son eventually stands helpless before the departure of his father. My father rose from a humble village in Baramulla to build a life of dignity, vision, and resilience. Starting as an orderly in the Flood & Mechanical Division, he transformed barren family land into flourishing orchards during Kashmirs horticultural rise, established small businesses, and bought the first truck in our villagelifting us into the middle class through hard work alone. He valued education above all. He made his eldest son a doctor, sent me to boarding school, and stood like a rock beside me. I still remember calling him after my UPSC failure in 2001; his words restored my confidence and helped me eventually join the Civil Services in 2004. His presence during my Jammu interview remains unforgettable. We had our differences, yet he was honest, wise, and deeply devoted to family. Though he has left this world, he lives on through our values, prayers, gestures, and understanding of life. Death is not merely biological cessation. It is the collapse of an entire emotional shelter. A fathers death changes the geography of existence. One suddenly feels exposed to the world. Yet Islam teaches that death is not annihilation but return. Perhaps that is why, despite unbearable grief, there remains strange calmness in faith. We belong to God before we belong to each other. The people we call ours are only entrusted to us temporarily. Love itself is temporary custody. My fathers body left this world, but his presence did not. He remains in my speech, my gestures, my fears, my stubbornness, my prayers and my understanding of manhood. Fathers do not entirely die; they continue through the moral memory of their children. And perhaps that is the answer to the question: Why God? Because in suffering, mortality and helplessness, human beings discover both their limits and their dependence upon something eternal. Hospitals, graves and final breaths force us to confront truths we spend our healthy years avoiding. That life is fragile. That love is sacred. That death is certain. And that hope, even then, refuses to die. Author is a Civil Servant

J&K Bank at a Defining Moment

J&K Bank occupies a unique place in the economic and emotional history of Jammu and Kashmir. Conceived by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1938 with an initial capital of merely five lakh rupees, contributed jointly by the government and local founder shareholders, the institution was established at a time when no other princely state in India possessed its own bank. Beginning its journey as the State Bank of Jammu and Kashmir, it started with ten branches spread across the region, including branches in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur which were later lost after 1947. From its very inception, the Bank grew not merely on financial capital but on public faith. Generations of people across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh treated it as their own institution Apna Bank. Traders, industrialists, farmers, artisans, pensioners, widows and ordinary citizens entrusted their savings to the Bank because they believed it belonged to them and understood their circumstances better than any other institution. That bond became even stronger after the eruption of turmoil in 1989. When many banks either reduced operations or virtually withdrew from large parts of the region, J&K Bank continued to function under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. The people responded with unmatched loyalty. Deposits poured into the Bank because families believed their money was safest there. Businesses depended upon it for survival. The institution became the principal financial lifeline of the region during decades of uncertainty, turmoil, floods and later even the pandemic years. It is heartening that the Bank has once again demonstrated strong financial performance during the financial year 202526 by recording its highest-ever annual profit of Rs. 2363.47 crores along with substantial growth in business, deposits, advances and improved asset quality under the leadership of the incumbent Managing Director Amitava Chatterjee. There is also a growing perception within the business community that the present management has brought some improvement in ease of doing business, customer responsiveness and comparatively lesser harassment and coercive actions than witnessed earlier which needs to be enhanced further. While the financial indicators are encouraging, the larger challenge before the Bank now is to consolidate public confidence and adapt itself to the rapidly changing banking environment. The banking environment in Jammu and Kashmir has changed fundamentally over the last few years. Private Banks and nationalized banks have expanded aggressively into the region. Their officials are directly approaching businesses, traders and entrepreneurs with attractive financing packages, competitive interest rates, faster services and customer-friendly engagement. Unlike the past, customers today have multiple alternatives. In such an environment, emotional attachment alone cannot ensure customer loyalty unless it is reinforced through professionalism, respect and responsive service. The foremost challenge before the Bank today is therefore not financial strength but restoration and strengthening of customer confidence. The management of the Bank must send a clear message across all levels of the institution that customers are not files, liabilities or targets, but the very foundation upon which the Bank stands. The attitude and behaviour of employees from branch-level staff to senior management must reflect humility, patience and a genuine spirit of assistance. A customer entering a branch should feel welcomed, guided and respected, particularly in a region where the Bank historically functioned not merely as a lender but as a partner in peoples survival and growth. Unfortunately, many long-standing customers today complain of indifference, rigid behaviour and, at times, humiliating treatment. Such experiences are proving extremely damaging because private competitors are simultaneously offering courtesy, personalised engagement and speedy service. J&K Bank must realise that in modern banking, behaviour itself has become a competitive advantage. The institution therefore needs a major internal cultural shift from a monopoly-era mindset to a service-oriented and relationship-driven approach. The Bank should immediately undertake a comprehensive customer confidence programme. Branches must become more accessible and responsive. Grievance redress mechanisms should function efficiently and transparently. Senior officers should proactively engage with trade chambers, industrial associations and local business communities to understand concerns before dissatisfaction turns into migration of customers. Employees should be trained not only in banking procedures but also in customer relations, conflict sensitivity and empathetic communication. At the same time, the institution must become more proactive in supporting the next phase of economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir. The Bank has a historic opportunity before it in the shape of the New Central Sector Scheme and the emerging industrialisation process in the region. Instead of allowing outside financial institutions to dominate this space, J&K Bank should position itself as the principal partner in financing new industrial ventures, infrastructure projects, service enterprises and employment-generating sectors. Equally important is the need to nurture and revive the vast base of existing industrial and business units that have survived decades of turmoil and uncertainty. Many traditional business establishments and industrial units require expansion finance, working capital support, technological up-gradation and restructuring assistance to become competitive again. Supporting these units should not be viewed merely as a banking activity but as an investment in the long-term economic stability of the region. The Board of Directors also needs serious introspection. Professional expertise is important, but an institution like J&K Bank cannot be managed in complete disconnect from the social and historical realities of the region it serves. Many of the people shaping policy today may not fully appreciate the extraordinary circumstances under which the Bank survived and expanded during the most difficult periods in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. The sustaining strength of the institution during those years came primarily from local trust and local support. The composition of the Board should therefore reflect a balanced mix of professional competence and regional understanding. Individuals who understand the economic history, social sensitivities and business realities of Jammu and Kashmir should find adequate representation in decision-making structures. Institutions lose their character when they become detached from the societies that built them. The Government of Jammu & Kashmir, being the majority shareholder, also carries a major responsibility in this regard. It cannot remain indifferent to the growing perception among people that the institution is gradually drifting away from its regional roots. Questions regarding declining local representation in the Board, recruitment opportunities for local youth and policy-making structures have created avoidable public distrust. The government must remember that J&K Bank is not merely another commercial bank; it is an institution deeply linked with the economic confidence and aspirations of the people of the region. The Bank must also exercise extreme caution in sanctioning large exposures to outside corporates without adequate safeguards. Past experiences have shown how huge unsecured or inadequately secured loans granted to influential borrowers from outside created stress for the institution. Public money deposited by ordinary citizens must be protected with utmost responsibility. The officers and employees of the Bank are custodians of the savings of millions of people, and prudence in lending should remain a non-negotiable principle. At the same time, while the Bank must protect its financial discipline, it must also recognise the unique economic realities faced by local borrowers over decades of turmoil, uncertainty, natural calamities and prolonged disruptions. Many genuine borrowers who suffered because of circumstances beyond their control seek not waiver of obligations but a fair, dignified and practical framework for resolution. A new beginning between the Bank and its traditional clientele may therefore require innovative restructuring and settlement mechanisms designed specifically around the historical and economic realities of the region, even if that requires the Government and the Bank to engage with regulators for special considerations. Such measures should not be viewed as concessions but as investments in restoring long-term trust between the institution and the society that sustained it through its most difficult years. The people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh too must not forget that J&K Bank stood firmly by them when many banks either scaled down operations or virtually withdrew from the region during the most difficult periods of turmoil. Thousands of its employees continued to work under dangerous conditions, and several even sacrificed their lives in the line of duty while keeping the economic lifeline of the region functioning. Today, competing institutions may appear attractive with lucrative offers and aggressive marketing, but people must remember that many of these very institutions had once left the region in the lurch during adversity. History teaches us that in difficult times only the institutions rooted in the soil and emotionally invested in the welfare of the people alone stand the test of commitment. Whatever criticism may exist today, the historic contribution of J&K Bank in sustaining the regions economy during periods of crisis can neither be erased nor undermined. J&K Bank today stands at a defining moment in its history. Its future cannot rest on record profits and financial indicators alone, important though they are. Its real strength will continue to lie in whether the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh still feel that it remains truly their own bank. That bond can survive only if the institution accommodates the aspirations, sensitivities and economic concerns of its people and evolves not merely as a profit-making entity but as a genuine partner in the regions economic progress, industrial growth, youth aspirations and social stability. Rebuilding this historic relationship requires sensitivity in approach, professionalism in functioning, fairness in decision-making and adequate local participation in board and management, besides recognising that the Banks greatest asset has always been the extraordinary trust and emotional investment of its people. Shakeel Qalander, prominent business leader and a civil society animator

NC handed over power projects to NHPC, now cries over liquor revenue: Mehbooba

Srinagar, May 13:People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the ruling National Conference (NC), accusing its leadership of surrendering Jammu and Kashmirs key power projects to the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and then justifying the continuation of liquor sales on the grounds of revenue generation. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Mehbooba was responding to the NCs allegation that the PDP-led government had issued the highest number of liquor licences during its tenure. Defending her partys position, the former chief minister said the PDP never enjoyed an absolute majority in the Assembly that would have enabled it to take decisive steps like as banning liquor. Addressing the mediamen at party headquarters, the PDP chief said, The PDP formed the government twice, but both times it was in alliance. We never had such a huge majority that we could ban alcohol if we wanted to. Today, the National Conference has around 50 MLAs. Had we enjoyed such a majority, perhaps we could have taken some step. Mehbooba said the NC leadership was now citing dependence on liquor revenue because successive governments led by the party had weakened Jammu and Kashmir economically by transferring major hydropower assets to NHPC. I want to tell Farooq (Abdullah) Sahab that our biggest source of revenue could have been our power projects, but when you were the chief minister in 1996, and Omar (Abdullah) Sahab was a minister in the BJP government, you handed over seven power projects to the NHPC. If we had such resources, there would have been no need for liquor shops, she said. The PDP chief alleged that CM Omar had recently transferred two more power projects to NHPC instead of pressing for financial compensation and greater control over the J&Ks energy resources. Rather than asking NHPC to compensate for the revenue, they handed over more projects. If we had these power projects, there would have been no need to have liquor shops. It would also have resolved the issues of unemployment and the provision for 200 units of free electricity, she said. Mehbooba also welcomed remarks made by RSS General Secretary DattatreyaHosabale advocating continued dialogue with Pakistan, saying the statement vindicated the PDPs long-held political position. We welcome it. It vindicates the stand of PDP, especially that of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, that if peace has to be established in Jammu and Kashmir, the window of dialogue with Pakistan has to remain open always. The negotiations should continue, as there is no other way out, she said. Invoking former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees famous statement, You can change friends, but not neighbours, Mehbooba said it was encouraging that the RSS leadership was now speaking in favour of engagement with Pakistan. She also referred to ongoing global conflicts, saying even powerful nations eventually turn towards diplomacy. There is a small country like Iran on one side and superpowers like the US and Israel on the other. They launched so many attacks on Iran, but after all that, even they want some resolution of the issue through talks, she said. Referring to the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, under which India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan, Mehbooba said there now appeared to be a growing realisation on both sides that dialogue remained essential. When the dialogue process was going on during the tenures of Manmohan Singh and Vajpayee, it had a positive impact on Jammu and Kashmir. We experienced it. There was a decline in militancy; the arrests of people and the atrocities had decreased, she said. The PDP president said that unofficial channels of communication between India and Pakistan had resumed in recent months. I am aware of reports that, since the last two to three months, the process of dialogue has started between retired generals and bureaucrats of India and Pakistan in some third country, she said, expressing hope that such efforts would eventually translate into formal engagement. If this is really put into effect, it will have a positive impact on the atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir. People will get some relief from being suspected and harassed, and called anti-national, Mehbooba said.

Iran war costs US $29 billion: Pentagon

New Delhi, May 13:The United States' cost of war in Iran has climbed to 29 billion US Dollars, an increase of 4 billion USD from an estimate provided late last month. The Pentagon said the cost of the war with Iran had touched to nearly 29 billion USD. The new figure was revealed by the Defense Department during a budget hearing on Capitol Hill. President Donald Trump faced mounting scrutiny over the conflict and its impact on military readiness. Defence Secretary Peter Hegseth and General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were testifying on a 1.5 trillion USD budget request for 2027 alongside Pentagon finance chief Jules Hurst III. However, the joint staff team and the comptroller team are constantly looking at that estimate, and so now we think its closer to 29 billion USD, he said, citing updated repair and replacement of equipment costs and broader operational expenses. Pressed on when Congress would receive a fuller accounting of the wars costs, Hegseth said the administration would request whatever we think we need separately from the main Pentagon budget, but did not say when that supplemental request would arrive. Several experts, however, questioned the Pentagons ledger, saying the real cost to US taxpayers is likely to bemuch higher than the publicly stated estimate. Some lawmakers have argued the price tag also fails to take into account the knock-on effects to the US economy, including higher prices for consumers caused, in part, by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In April, US representative Ro Khanna claimed the war would cost the US economy about 631 billion USD.

Centre extends CBI chief's tenure by one more year

New Delhi, May 13:The Centre on Wednesday extended the tenure of CBI chief Praveen Sood by one more year, beyond May 24, 2026. This is his second extension in office. Sood, 61, a 1986-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Karnataka cadre, took over as the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on May 25, 2023, for a two-year term. He was given a one-year extension last year. The decision to extend his tenure was taken in a meeting of the selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), based on the recommendations of the selection committee, approved Sood's extension for a period of one year beyond May 24, 2026, an order issued by the Personnel Ministry said. Gandhi had issued a strong dissent note on the process for selecting the CBI director and said he did not want to be part of a iased exercise. Sood has been given an extension to ensure continuity in the top leadership of the CBI, which is probing several high-profile and politically sensitive matters, including the recent National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET UG paper leak case, officials said. Known for his hands-on approach, Sood has been meticulously supervising investigations in these crucial cases, they said. Born in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district in 1964, he joined the IPS at the age of 22 years after completing his civil engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. His extension came under the provisions of a 2021 law, following amendments in the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946, which governs the functioning of the CBI. The Parliament had, on December 14, 2021, passed the DSPE (Amendment) Bill, 2021, to extend the tenure of the CBI director to a maximum of five years. It became the law after receiving the president's assent on December 18, 2021. The amended DSPE law allows the government to extend the CBI director's tenure in public interest on the recommendation of the selection committee, up to one year at a time. However, o such extension shall be granted after the completion of a period of five years in total, including the period mentioned in the initial appointment, it says. The Supreme Court, in its 1997 verdict in the VineetNarain versus Union of India case, had issued a specific order that the CBI director shall have a minimum tenure of two years. Former CBI director R K Raghavan was the first to have been appointed for a fixed two-year tenure. He took over as the head of the federal probe agency on January 4, 1999. Incidentally, his two-year term was extended beyond the initial two years up to his date of superannuation, that is, April 30, 2001, officials said. Similarly, the two-year terms of the then CBI directors Vijay Shankar (from December 12, 2005, to July 31, 2008) and Ashwani Kumar (from August 2, 2008, to November 30, 2010) were also extended up to their respective dates of superannuation.

'Kupwara's border villages will become model hubs of growth'

Kupwara, May 13:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that border villages in Kupwara were being transformed into model hubs of development. During his visit to Trehgam, after leading a mega NashaMuktAbhiyan rally in main town Kupwara earlier in the day, LG Sinha rolled out a series of infrastructure and welfare initiatives aimed at improving connectivity, livelihoods, and public services. Addressing a gathering, he said that the central government was committed to develop the border areas at par with the urban areas. The central government has been taking concrete steps to ensure that people living in border areas receive the same level of development and opportunities as those in urban areas, the LG said. Highlighting the infrastructural improvements in the recent years, he said that electricity coverage in Kupwara had increased from around 70 percent to nearly 95 percent households. Regarding telecom connectivity, LG Sinha said that the facility had reached upto 88 percent in the district. He directed officials to ensure 100 percent coverage by the end of the year. Talking about self-employment initiatives, the LG said that the administration had been focusing on strengthening livelihoods through self-employment initiatives. Trehgam already has over 200 Self-Help Groups and dozens of units under Mission Youth, he said. LG Sinha pointed out that the revival of the Sharda Temple in Teetwal area of border town Karnah had emerged as a major boost to tourism, with visitor numbers in Kupwara witnessing a sharp rise in recent years. Talking about the Vibrant Village Programme, he said that the focus of the initiative lies on livelihood generation, connectivity, and saturation of welfare schemes. The LG emphasised the need for a coordinated approach among departments to ensure comprehensive development of border areas. On the occasion, he inaugurated 26 smart classrooms across six blocks under the Aspirational District Programme. LG Sinha also laid foundation stones for a hilltop playground in Trehgam and the development and preservation of a Shiv Temple, with a combined cost of over Rs 3.5 crore. Later in the day, he distributed appointment letters and sanction orders among beneficiaries. The LG also flagged off a mobile tuberculosis diagnosis and awareness vehicle.

People's movement transforming into revolution against narcotics: LG Sinha

Srinagar, May 13:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said that the people's movement was transforming into a revolution against narcotics. Joining Nasha-Mukt Jammu Kashmir Campaign Padyatra in Kupwara, LG Sinha said that over the past 32 days, civil and police administration struck a devastating blow to the entire drug smuggling ecosystem and this people's movement was transforming into a revolution against narcotics. Addressing a public gathering, he said, Our consistent action is crippling narco-terrorist networks. Properties worth crores have been seized, assets confiscated, and passports of 15 smugglers recommended for cancellation. Over 730 smugglers and peddlers have been arrested. The LG said that at the start of this campaign in April, many doubted the possibility of a mass movement against drugs and underestimated the strength of an awakened public and the impact of determined governance with citizen support. With people's participation and massive support across J&K, a truly organic movement has emerged across villages, urban neighborhoods, schools, colleges, and the streets of Jammu Kashmir. This fight against drugs is a long one. For decades, people in J&K saw drugs and terrorism as separate threats. But they are not two problems but they are the two heads of the same snake. One head makes money through drugs while the other uses that money to fuel terrorism. Our terrorist neighbor is involved in financing terror through drug smuggling, turning both drugs and money against innocent Kashmiris, he said. LG Sinha said that the drug smuggling was destroying families and communities and it was providing terror groups their oxygen. He said by dismantling drug smuggling networks, the administration was cutting the lifeline that feeds the fire of terror. In Kupwara and Handwara areas combined, 28 drug smugglers are now behind bars. I want to urge our police officers, the soldiers guarding Kupwara's borders, and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force warriors that not a single guilty should escape. As a border district, Kupwara must stay extra vigilant and take the harshest action against drug smugglers, the LG said. He said that every police station in Kupwara has been directed to gather full details on active drug smugglers and peddlers in their areas and launch decisive action within the next 68 days. LG Sinha urged people of Kupwara to participate in awareness drive. He also emphasised on rehabilitation and asked the officers and stakeholders to treat drug addicts as a victim trapped in the dark web of narcotics. The drug addicts need our compassion. They are our responsibility. We have to support every young man and woman seeking counseling or treatment. We must ensure they return to society's mainstream. Senior officials must ensure swift action on every complaint and tip coming through the Manas portal and toll-free number. This has to be done with commitment. Every citizen of Kupwara must remember that we will reach every young person extending a hand for help. Together, we will dismantle the drug smuggling networks, free our youth from addiction's clutches, and reconnect them to the path of progress, the LG said. He challenged those criticising Nasha-Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan and said that they should name just one innocent person who was unfairly targeted and effective action would be taken. LG Sinha said if anyone was trying to protect drug smugglers, one must ask whether they should face consequences or not? He said that people of J&K were very clear and firm and they want stringent action against drug smugglers and when the people unite, no force can stop them. In the days ahead, our crackdown against drug smuggling network will grow tougher and more powerful. The women of Dardpora village had met and they shared how drug smuggling funded weapons that slaughtered their families. That's why I say it loud and clear that drug traffickers and terrorists are inseparable partners in crime, the LG said. He also unveiled the trophies of Kupwara Forest League by Forest Department and Youth Service and Sportss Volleyball Championship under NashaMukt J&K Abhiyan. He also felicitated the winner of reel making competition on drug abuse.

'Over 730 drug smugglers arrested, property worth crores seized'

Kupwara, May 13:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that over 730 persons involved in drug smuggling had been arrested across Jammu and Kashmir during the last month as part of the NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan. LG Sinha said that drug trafficking and terrorism were interlinked and were functioning as wo heads of the same snake. Addressing a gathering during the NashaMukt Jammu and Kashmir Padyatra in this frontier district, he said that narcotics money was being pushed to sustain terror activities, making the fight against drugs a critical security priority. The sustained crackdown over the past 32 days has dealt a significant blow to the drug network, with properties worth crores seized, assets confiscated and passports of fifteen drug smugglers have been recommended for cancellation. The NashaMukt campaign has now transformed into a mass movement with people from different walks of life are actively participating in the initiative across Jammu and Kashmir, the LG said. Accusing Pakistan of financing terrorism in J&K through cross-border drug smuggling, he said that terror groups rely on narcotics trade as their financial lifeline. Dismantling this network will certainly weaken the terror infrastructure operating in the region, LG Sinha said. Referring to the ongoing crackdown against drug smugglers, he said that 28 in Kupwara and Handwara had already been nabbed. He directed Police, border guarding forces, and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force to intensify operations so that the aim of drug free society could be achieved. The LG directed all police stations in the district to identify active peddlers and ensure strict action within the next 68 days of the NashaMuktAbhiyan. He urged people to support the campaign and encourage those struggling with addiction to seek treatment. LG Sinha said that the addicts happen to be victims who need rehabilitation and care. He directed the officials to act promptly on inputs received through the Manas portal and helpline services. The LG asserted that people across Jammu and Kashmir stand firmly behind strict action against drug networks. Recalling his interaction with women in Dardpora during his previous visit to the district, he said they narrated how drug money funded weapons used against their families, reinforcing the link between narcotics and terrorism. LG Sinha warned that the crackdown on narco-terror networks would be intensified further in the coming days.

Kashmirs Rs 10,000 Cr fruit sector left uninsured

Srinagar, May 13:Despite repeated promises by the Jammu and Kashmir government and announcements made in the Assembly regarding implementation of a crop insurance scheme for horticulture crops during the 2025-26 financial year, Kashmirs Rs 10,000 crore horticulture sector continues to remain outside any formal insurance safety net, leaving lakhs of fruit growers exposed to recurring weather disasters and massive economic losses. The issue has once again come into sharp focus after severe hailstorms, gusty winds, lightning and thunderstorms caused widespread devastation to apple orchards across north, central and south Kashmir over the past few days. The horticulture sector is regarded as the backbone of Jammu and Kashmirs economy and contributes nearly Rs 10,000 crore annually to the regions economy. The sector directly and indirectly supports lakhs of families associated with apple production, transportation, packaging, cold storage, grading, marketing and export activities. However, despite its enormous economic contribution and repeated weather-related losses suffered by growers over the years, no comprehensive crop insurance mechanism has been implemented for fruit crops in Jammu and Kashmir. In the evening hours of May 12, intense hailstorms and stormy winds hit several areas of north Kashmir including Tangmarg, Pattan, Wagura, Kreeri, Rafiabad, Baramulla and Bandipora, besides the Kangan belt of central Kashmir, causing extensive damage to hundreds of apple orchards. Growers said the hailstorm lasted for nearly five to eight minutes and completely destroyed standing fruit crops in several areas. Only a few days earlier, similar hailstorms had severely damaged orchards in Shopian and Kulgam districts of south Kashmir. Fruit growers from affected areas described the damage as irreparable, saying the sudden weather event shattered hopes of a productive fruit season this year. In a joint representation submitted to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, fruit growers associations demanded immediate implementation of a crop insurance scheme for the horticulture sector. The memorandum also sought re-introduction of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), which earlier provided support to growers during distress situations and market disruptions. The growers further demanded that officials from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKAUST), the Horticulture Department and the Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department be directed to immediately assess losses suffered by orchard owners in affected areas. The memorandum also sought announcement of a reasonable and comprehensive compensation package for affected growers. Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union Bashir Ahmad Basheer said the government had repeatedly been approached for implementation of crop insurance and market support mechanisms, but no concrete system has been put in place so far. It is unfortunate that despite announcements regarding a crop insurance scheme and allocation of budgetary provisions, the scheme has not been implemented so far. Similarly, the Market Intervention Scheme has not been reintroduced, Basheer said. He said the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, which represents fruit growers associations across the Valley, had been consistently urging the government to include the horticulture sector under a comprehensive insurance mechanism to safeguard growers during natural calamities. Basheer said some of the highest quality apple varieties in Kashmir are produced in areas such as Tangmarg, Pattan, Wagura, Kreeri, Rafiabad, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kangan, Shopian and Kulgam areas that have now suffered major losses due to hailstorms and stormy winds. The owners of fruit orchards in these areas are mourning the destruction caused by the hailstorm. Damages to horticulture translate into significant economic setbacks for the entire region, Basheer said. The growers bodies said nearly 90 per cent of orchard owners in Kashmir are marginal farmers whose livelihoods depend entirely on earnings generated from orchards. Poor and marginal fruit growers have to shoulder huge losses without any crop insurance support. Whenever orchards are damaged due to natural disasters, these growers face severe hardships because all their domestic expenses and livelihood depend on horticulture income, the memorandum said.

Hailstorm wreaks havoc in Kashmir

Baramulla, May 13:A massive hailstorm accompanied by strong winds wreaked havoc across several areas of north Kashmirs Baramulla district on Tuesday evening, causing widespread destruction to orchards and agricultural fields and leaving farming families in deep distress. The worst-hit areas include Sangrama, Wagoora, Kreeri, Pattan, Kandi, Choondosa, Pachhaar, Tangmarg, Khaipora, kandi belt and some parts of Rafiabad, where residents reported severe damage to apple orchards and standing crops. Arshad Ahmad, a fruit grower from Kandi Baramulla said that the intensity of the hail storm was so fast that in a moment the orchards presented devastation with a white layer of hail visible everywhere. Locals said nearly 90 percent of fruit crops were damaged within minutes as intense hail hit the area during the peak farming season. Eyewitnesses described heartbreaking scenes after the storm, with orchardists seen weeping while inspecting shattered fruit-bearing trees and flattened fields. Fayaz Ahmad, a resident of SheikhporaWagoora, said the hailstorm which continued for around 10 minutes, left the orchards across the area completely damaged and orchardists are completely devastated. We are devastated, Ahmad said. We are unable to understand what we will do for survival now. Farmers said they were expecting a promising harvest this year, but the sudden hailstorm destroyed months of hard work and investment. Everything has been ruined. We have suffered huge losses, said a grower from Kreeri. The hailstorm, which struck late Tuesday evening, triggered panic across several villages as large hailstones pounded orchards and vegetable farms for a considerable duration. Residents and growers have appealed to the administration and concerned departments to immediately conduct damage assessments and provide compensation and relief to affected families. Meanwhile, MLA Baramulla Javed Hassan Baig expressed concern over the devastation caused by the hailstorm in orchards across Baramulla district. He said the government would do everything possible to aid the affected families.

5G network slicing: India's digital highway or a recipe for discrimination?

India's 5G rollout is accelerating with network slicing. This technology creates dedicated network lanes for different services. It ensures predictable performance and priority for critical applications. Network slicing allows for 'fibre-like' broadband and supports public safety. Global examples show its importance for advanced digital services.

US-China talks in Beijing expose fragile balance of global power

A pivotal summit between the US and China kicks off in Beijing today. President Donald Trump's impulsive style is set to clash with President Xi Jinping's meticulous planning. Both leaders are acutely aware of the delicate balance they must maintain to avoid escalating tensions. This meeting comes at a time when America's global standing is perceived to be diminishing.

Modis toughest economic test may demand more than appeals

Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces economic headwinds. Appeals for reduced consumption of imported goods like oil and gold may not suffice. Allowing oil prices to rise or the rupee to depreciate could curb demand but risks inflation. Tax cuts on fuel offer an alternative to protect consumers. Addressing foreign investment outflows requires policy adjustments.

J&K Bank holds interaction with leading car dealers to strengthen vehicle finance outreach

Srinagar, May 13: Reinforcing its focus on strengthening retail lending partnerships and expanding vehicle finance business across the region, J&K Bank today organised an interaction programme with authorized car dealers of Kashmir here at its Corporate Headquarters. The programme witnessed participation from all major automobile dealers of the Valley representing leading brands including Maruti Suzuki, [] The post J&K Bank holds interaction with leading car dealers to strengthen vehicle finance outreach appeared first on Kashmir Media Watch .

Rupee crashes to record 95.80 against USD; settles near all-time low at 95.66

Mumbai, May 13: The rupee on Wednesday slipped to an all-time low of 95.80 against the US dollar, and settled at 95.66 near its record closing low level, as the cumulative strain of elevated crude prices and West Asia geopolitical concerns offset hopes of lower demand for the US dollar due to import curbs. Forex traders said possible RBI intervention and duty-led compression of gold imports helped moderate further weakness for the USD/INR pair, but the rupee was pressured by the trajectory of crude and the West Asia situation. The rupee has become the worst-performing currency in Asia for the year, registering a loss of over 6 per cent so far this year, as elevated crude oil prices, a strong dollar and concerns regarding the West Asia crisis weighed on investor sentiments, traders said. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.52, registering a gain of 16 paise from its previous all-time closing low. In a highly volatile trade, the USD/INR pair witnessed an intra-day high of 95.51 and a low of 95.80 against the greenback before settling at 95.66, up 2 paise from its previous close. The rupee depreciated 40 paise to close at a fresh all-time low of 95.68 against the US dollar on Tuesday. On the rupee, USD/INR around 95.60 reflects the cumulative strain of elevated crude prices and the West Asia geopolitical premium. Active RBI intervention and the duty-led compression of gold imports should help moderate further weakness. The path of the rupee from here will be shaped less by gold and more by the trajectory of crude and the West Asia situation, Anindya Banerjee, Head of Commodity and Currency Research, Kotak Securities, said. The Indian government raised import tariffs on gold and silver to 15 per cent from 6 per cent to curb overseas purchases of the metals and ease pressure on the country's FX reserves. Traders said the hike in gold import tariff could bring down the demand of the yellow metal in the country, which is the world's second-largest consumer of precious metals. On Sunday, PM Modi urged people to avoid gold purchases for a year to help protect foreign exchange as India imports most of the precious commodities with hardly any production of its own. Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading at 98.51, up 0.22 per cent. We expect the rupee to trade with a negative bias amid rising crude oil prices, concerns over inflation and geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran. However, any intervention by the RBI may support the rupee at lower levels. USDINR spot price is expected to trade in a range of 95.45 to 96.15, Anuj Choudhary, Research analyst at Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, fell 0.44 per cent to USD 107.30 per barrel in futures trade. Brent oil prices were stable at USD 107 per barrel levels after rallying for three straight sessions, with traders weighing on continued disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and assessing US inventory numbers, Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director, Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP, said. On the domestic equity market front, Sensex settled marginally up by 49.74 points at 74,608.98, while the Nifty gained 33.05 points to 23,412.60. Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth Rs 4,703.15 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data. On the domestic macroeconomic front, retail inflation inched up to 3.48 per cent in April mainly due to higher prices of gold and silver jewellery as well as some kitchen items, according to government data released on Tuesday. The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation, with base year 2024, was 3.40 per cent in March, 3.21 per cent in February, and 2.74 per cent in January. The data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed that inflation in the food basket was at 4.20 per cent in April, up from 3.87 per cent in the preceding month.

Speaker turning J&K Assembly into 'Nawai Subah': LoP Sunil Sharma

Jammu, May 13: Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Kumar Sharma on Wednesday said that Speaker Abdul Rahim Rathers decision to hand over the chairmanship of eight out of nine House Committees to MLAs of the ruling National Conference-led alliance smacks of a move to turn the J&K Assembly into the National Conferences headquarters, Nawai Subah. In a statement, Sunil Sharma said that the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and that the BJP will resist any move to turn it into the fiefdom of any party. The decision to appoint eight MLAs of the ruling party as heads of the committees is totally unjustified and an insult to the mandate of people of J&K he said, adding that the universally accepted principle of proportional representation has been trampled by the Speaker. He said the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly empower the Speaker to nominate chairmen of House committees, but discretion must be exercised fairly in all decisions. The first-time MLAs from the ruling party have been appointed as heads of different committees, while senior legislators from the opposition have been ignored, he said. He said the ruling alliance, with 54 MLAs, will head 8 committees, while the BJP, with 29 MLAs, has been allotted the chairmanship of only one committee. Out of the eight committees allotted to the ruling alliance, five will be headed by the National Conference, which has 41 MLAs, he said, adding that the move reflects a sinister design to turn the J&K Assembly into the headquarters of the ruling party.

CM Omar Lauds UMEED As Shivraj Chouhan Commends J&Ks Women-Led Rural Development Model

SRINAGAR, May 13: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today congratulated the Rural Development Department and J&K Rural Livelihoods Mission (UMEED) for their remarkable contribution towards transforming rural livelihoods and empowering women across Jammu & Kashmir. The Chief Minister said that the sustained efforts of the Rural Development Department and UMEED have brought about a significant socio-economic transformation in rural areas by strengthening women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) and promoting financial inclusion and entrepreneurship. The Chief Ministers remarks came in the back [] The post CM Omar Lauds UMEED As Shivraj Chouhan Commends J&Ks Women-Led Rural Development Model appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

NEET paper leak, cancellation proof of structural flaws; abolish test, says TN CM

Chennai, May 13: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday said that the NEET exam paper leak and cancellation of the test was proof of structural flaws and demanded that it be abolished and states permitted to fill seats on their own based on Class 12 marks. Vijay said the cancellation of the exam following the alleged leak of the question paper has shattered the hopes of lakhs of medical aspirants across the country. In a statement, the CM said this was not the first time NEET has been compromised. In 2024, the question paper was leaked and FIRs were registered across six States and transferred to the CBI. Pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court, the Union Government constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts under Dr K Radhakrishnan, former Chairman of ISRO, which submitted 95 comprehensive recommendations for reforms. Despite all this, within two years, another paper leak has occurred and the examination has been cancelled. This is conclusive proof of flaws and structural flaws in a national level exam, he alleged. The government of Tamil Nadu has been consistently and unanimously opposing NEET since its very inception. The introduction of NEET has severely disadvantaged the students from rural areas, government schools, Tamil medium backgrounds, and socio-economically disadvantaged families, he said. The CM reiterated what he said was the state's long pending demand to abolish NEET and urged the union government to permit the states to fill all seats under the state quota in MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses on the basis of Class 12 marks. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG 2026) was conducted by the National Testing Agency on May 3, 2026 across 5,432 centres. In Tamil Nadu alone, the examination was held across 31 cities. As many as 22,05,035 candidates appeared for the examination, including approximately 1.4 lakh candidates from Tamil Nadu. The National Testing Agency cancelled the examination with the approval of the Government of India, following investigations by law enforcement agencies into the alleged leakage of the question paper. The matter has been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation for an inquiry, the CM added in the statement.

Hailstorm wreaks havoc on orchards in Pattan, Baramulla; growers seek govt. compensation for losses

Elderly and physically challenged pilgrims to get carts at Prophet's mosque

New Delhi, May 13: Elderly and physically challenged Haj pilgrims will be provided wheelchairs and transport carts at the Prophets Mosque in Madina during the current Haj season.The Hajj and Umrah Ministry has introduced expanded mobility and accessibility services for elderly and disabled pilgrims visiting the Prophets Mosque. The new measures include electric and manual wheelchairs, dedicated transport carts and specially marked routes to help pilgrims move around the mosque and its courtyards more easily. Better facilities are being provided to pilgrims so that they can perform their ritualswithout any hassle.This time transport and accommodation arrangement have been further improved to avoid inconvenience to the elderly pilgrims and women. Meanwhile 13 pilgrims from Bangladesh had died due to natural causes. Of them, 10 were male, and three were female. Among the deceased, 11 died in Makkah and two in Madinah. It said the Saudi medical team had provided treatment to 26,034 pilgrims during the ongoing Haj season.

Imran Khan loses vision in one eye, claims PTI leader

New Delhi, May 13: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan,who is serving jail term in various cases, had reportedly lost vision in one eye due to alleged torture and is facing serious health concerns. Speaking to reporters Pakistan Tehreek Insaf Party (PTI) General Secretary Salman Akram Raja claimed that all avenues of justice appeared closed, alleging that the PTI founder had remained imprisoned for nearly 1,000 days and was being denied basic constitutional and legal rights. The remarks came days after Imran Khan underwent a fourth intravitreal eye injection at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) as part of continued medical treatment. According to a report submitted to the Supreme Court by Khans lawyer and the court-appointed amicus curiae Salman Safdar, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan had been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious eye condition caused by blockage of the main vein draining blood from the retina. This condition is commonly associated with cardiovascular complications including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. During the media interaction, Raja alleged that meetings between Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were being restricted despite court orders regarding visitation rights.

LG Sinha reduces his convoy size to half following PM Modi's appeal

Srinagar, May 13: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday decided to reduce his convoy size to half following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for cutting down fuel consumption and spending more wisely, officials said here. Sinha has decided to cut down the size of his official cavalcade by half following prime minister's appeal to the countrymen for saving fuel, Lok Bhawan officials said here.

Trump arrives in China for talks with Xi

They last met face-to-face in October 2025 in Busan, South Korea

GOC White Knight Corps reviews operational preparedness of troops in Kishtwar

Jammu, May 13: General Officer Commanding (GOC) of White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General P K Mishra accompanied by General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Counter-Insurgency Force (CIF) Delta, Major General A P S Bal today visited general area of Kishtwar to assess the operational environment and review preparedness of forces engaged in ongoing counter-terrorism tasks. During the visit, detailed briefings were conducted on intelligence integration, area domination measures and coordinated actions being undertaken with sister security agencies to ensure peace and stability in the region. The Corps Commander lauded the troops for their unwavering commitment, battle-ready mindset and relentless vigilance.

'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' season 3 set for November debut; show renewed for season 4

Mumbai, May 12: Prime Video has announced that third season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will premiere on November 11 and also renewed the epic fantasy series for a fourth season. The announcement was made at Amazon's annual Upfront presentation. The series, which launched with its first season in 2022 followed by the second chapter in 2024, brings to screens for the first time the legends of the Second Age of Middle-earth's history, set thousands of years before the events of author J R R Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It follows an ensemble cast as they confront the re-emergence of evil across Middle-earth, from the Misty Mountains to the elf capital of Lindon and the island kingdom of Numenor. From the very beginning, this series has embodied the scale, ambition, and cinematic storytelling that define Prime Video's biggest global series, Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television, Amazon MGM Studios, said. We're thrilled to announce an early Season Four renewal, and continue our creative partnership with J D Payne, Patrick McKay, and the entire exceptional cast and crew. Jumping forward several years from the events of season two, the third season is set at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, as the Dark Lord seeks to craft the One Ring to bind all peoples to his will and rule all of Middle-earth. Season Three is produced by showrunners Payne and McKay, alongside executive producers Lindsey Weber, Justin Doble, Kate Hazell, and executive producer-director Charlotte Brandstrom. The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios.

Cabinet approves incentive for coal gasification projects with outlay of Rs 37,500 cr

New Delhi, May 13: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a Rs 37,500-crore incentive scheme to promote coal gasification projects, aimed at boosting clean energy production and reducing dependence on forex-guzzling imports of LNG, urea, and methanol, while insulating the country from global price volatility and supply chain disruptions. The Union Cabinet under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the scheme for promotion of surface coal/lignite gasification projects with a financial outlay of Rs 37,500 crore, an official statement said. An outlay of Rs 37,500 crore has been kept for this scheme, and there will be an investment of around Rs 3,000 lakh crore in this, and the projects will be put up for gasifying 75 million tonnes of coal, Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a media briefing. Vaishnaw said the country has 401 million tonnes of known coal reserves, which is enough for the next 200 years. We all know about the current geopolitical situation. So we have to take all the decisions to become Atma Nirbhar. In this context, a big decision on coal gasification was taken today, he said. Coal gasification refers to the process of converting dry fuel into synthetic gas (syngas), which is used as an alternative fuel and helps reduce carbon emissions. This process supports production of methanol, fertilizers, hydrogen and chemicals, cutting reliance on imports. The scheme marks a major step towards accelerating the country's coal gasification programme, advancing the national target of gasifying 100 million tonnes (MT) of coal by 2030, strengthening energy security, and reducing dependence on imports of key products such as LNG, urea, ammonia and methanol. At present, more than 50 per cent of the LNG is currently imported, it will be reduced. The urea which we import will also start manufacturing in India. Ammonia is 100 per cent imported today. With this development, new avenues for ammonia production will open. Methanol is currently 80-90 per cent imported that will also be made in India, the minister said. Under the scheme, the financial incentive at a maximum of 20 per cent of the cost of plant and machinery will be provided, the statement said, adding that the selection would be through a transparent and competitive bidding process, with an evaluation framework benchmarking project cost, coal input, and syngas output. The incentive will be disbursed in four equal instalments and be linked to project milestones. Under the scheme, financial incentive for any single project (will be) capped at Rs 5,000 crore; for any single product (except synthetic natural gas and urea) (will be) capped at Rs 9,000 crore; and any single entity group (will be) capped at Rs 12,000 crore across all projects. Due to the scheme, the investment mobilisation is likely to be at Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 lakh crore. The utilisation of coal and lignite is likely to generate Rs 6,300 crore annually from 75 million tonnes of gasification envisaged under the scheme, plus downstream revenue from GST and other levies. India holds one of the world's largest coal reserves of 401 billion tonnes and lignite reserves of 47 billion tonnes. Coal accounts for over 55 per cent of the country's energy mix. Gasification converts coal/lignite into syngas, a versatile feedstock for producing fuels and chemicals domestically, enabling India to substitute high-value imports and insulate itself from global supply disruptions and price volatility. India's import bill for key substitutable products, such as LNG, urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonia, coking coal, methanol, DME, and others, stood at approximately Rs 2.77 lakh crore in FY25, a vulnerability further exposed by the ongoing geopolitical situation in West Asia. The incentive builds on the National Coal Gasification Mission (2021) and a Rs 8,500-crore scheme approved in January 2024, under which eight projects worth Rs 6,233 crore are under implementation. In a significant accompanying reform, the government has also extended coal linkage tenure up to 30 years under the 'Production of Syngas leading to Coal Gasification' sub-sector in the non-regulated sector linkage auction framework, providing long-term policy certainty for investment in coal gasification projects.

Can't Decide Between Kashmir and Ladakh? Read This Before You Book

Want to get away in the Himalayas but don't know where to go? It can be hard to choose between the lush valleys of Kashmir and the dramatic scenery of Ladakh. Whether you want to see calm lakes or rough mountains, picking the right place to go is important. With carefully planned trips, you can easily see both areas. When you're ready to make a choice, this guide will help you compare Kashmir tour package and Ladakh tour packages. Paradise on Earth: Why Choose Kashmir? Kashmir is the best place for you to visit if you like beautiful scenery, flowering fields, and calm lakes. In a Kashmir tour package , you can see breathtaking views and have unforgettable experiences that show why this place is called Paradise on Earth. Highlights of Kashmir Srinagar's Dal Lake: Enjoy a romantic shikara ride and stay in charming houseboats. Gulmarg: A haven for skiing, gondola rides, and snow adventures. Pahalgam: Known for lush meadows and scenic trekking trails. Sonmarg: A serene retreat surrounded by majestic glaciers. Mughal Gardens: Marvel at the timeless beauty of Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh. A well-planned Kashmir tour package is great for honeymooners, families, and nature lovers who want to rest and enjoy the scenery. The Land of High Passes: Why Choose Ladakh? Ladakh offers a trip that thrill-seekers and adventure fans will never forget. Ladakh tour packages offer rough natural beauty and one-of-a-kind cultural experiences. The area is in the Trans-Himalayas. Highlights of Ladakh Pangong Lake: Famous for its ever-changing hues and cinematic beauty. Nubra Valley: Experience double-humped camel rides on sand dunes. Magnetic Hill: Witness the mysterious optical illusion of gravity. Khardung La Pass: One of the world's highest motorable roads. Ancient Monasteries: Explore spiritual gems like Hemis, Thiksey, and Diskit. People who like to take risks and appreciate rugged, beautiful scenery often choose Ladakh tour packages because they offer exciting experiences. Best Time to Visit: When Should You Travel? The best time to visit the Himalayas depends on your tastes, the weather, and the activities you want to do. At different times of the year, each place has its own special charm. Kashmir March to October: Enjoy pleasant weather, blooming tulip gardens, and lush green valleys perfect for sightseeing. December to February: Experience magical snowfall, skiing in Gulmarg, and serene winter landscapes. A Kashmir tour package in the spring or summer includes unforgettable stays on houseboats and views that will take your breath away. Ladakh May to September: Ideal for road trips, trekking, and visiting Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley. Winter Months: Suitable for seasoned travellers seeking the thrilling Chadar Trek and frozen landscapes. Most Ladakh tour packages are planned for summer, when roads remain open, and travel conditions are at their best. Experiences That Set Them Apart Kashmir and Ladakh are both amazing places to visit, but they are very different from one another. They are perfect for different kinds of tourists. Ladakh's rough terrain, high-altitude deserts, and spiritual peace draw travellers, while Kashmir's lush greenery, calm lakes, and romantic charm draw tourists. By learning about what makes each place special, you can pick the ideal Himalayan getaway for your needs. Feature Kashmir Ladakh Landscape Lush valleys and lakes Rugged mountains and deserts Climate Pleasant and temperate Cold and arid Ideal For Honeymooners and families Adventurers and bikers Cultural Influence Mughal and Persian heritage Tibetan and Buddhist traditions Popular Activities Shikara rides, skiing, sightseeing Trekking, biking, camping A Kashmir tour package is popular with people who want to rest and enjoy the scenery, while Ladakh tour packages are popular with people who want to get their adrenaline pumping. How to Choose Between Kashmir and Ladakh? Still not sure where you want to go? Think about these things to help you make the right choice. Choose Kashmir If You Prefer: Romantic landscapes and tranquil surroundings Comfortable travel and moderate altitudes Family-friendly attractions and leisure activities Pleasant weather and lush greenery A Kashmir tour package is ideal for travellers seeking a peaceful and rejuvenating holiday. Choose Ladakh If You Prefer: High-altitude adventures and thrilling road trips Unique cultural experiences and monasteries Stark, dramatic landscapes and desert mountains Trekking, biking, and offbeat exploration For those craving adventure and extraordinary terrains, Ladakh tour packages offer an unparalleled experience. Conclusion: Which Destination Should You Book? Both Kashmir and Ladakh offer trips through the Himalayas that you will never forget. The best way to find peaceful beauty, romantic landscapes, and relaxing activities is to book a Kashmir tour package. But if you want to experience adventure, see beautiful high-altitude scenery, and learn about other cultures, Ladakh tour packages will go above and beyond your hopes. Your final choice will rely on how you like to travel, what you're interested in, and what you want to experience. When you make your trip through Thomas Cook, you can be sure that it will be smooth, well-planned, and memorable, no matter where you go. Make a plan, pack your bags, and get ready for the trip of a lifetime in the Himalayas.

Cabinet clears upgradation of Nagpur International Airport

With the extension of the lease period, the Civil Aviation Ministry said it would now become co-terminus with the 30-year concession period of GMR Nagpur International Airport Ltd

Gold soars by Rs 8,550, silver by Rs 20,500 after import duty hike

New Delhi, May 13: Gold prices soared by Rs 8,550 to a little over Rs 1.65 lakh per 10 grams in the local market here on Wednesday after the government increased the import duty on precious metals to 15 per cent. Silver prices jumped by Rs 20,500 to Rs 2,97,500 per kg in Delhi markets from Rs 2,77,000 per kg (inclusive of all taxes) on the previous day, according to the All India Sarafa Association. Gold of 99.9 per cent purity increased by Rs 8,550, or over 5 per cent, to Rs 1,65,350 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from the previous close of Rs 1,56,800 per 10 grams. The government on Wednesday sharply hiked import duty on gold and silver to 15 per cent from 6 per cent earlier to discourage purchase and trim non-essential imports in the backdrop of a ballooning import bill amid the West Asia crisis. Also, import duty on platinum has been raised to 15.4 per cent from 6.4 per cent. Consequential changes have also been made to other items such as gold/silver dore, coins, findings, etc. The new duties are effective from Wednesday. The duty hike follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clarion call for curbs on gold purchases, along with other austerity measures, to reduce avoidable foreign-exchange expenditure. Local traders said the actual impact of the higher levy would play out over the coming days once the increased duty begins reflecting in purchase bills. The recent hike in India's gold import duty is likely to raise local prices and temporarily dampen physical demand. However, investors should not view this as a reason to panic. Gold continues to hold its appeal as a safe-haven asset, particularly in times of global uncertainty and domestic currency pressures, Hareesh V, Head of Commodity Research, Geojit Investments Ltd, said. A weak rupee also inflated the prices of precious metals, analysts said. The rupee dropped to a low of 95.80 against the US dollar amid concerns over forex outflows and high crude oil prices. India is the world's second-largest consumer of precious metals, and prices have rallied in recent months amid an unabated rise in demand, including for investment purposes. Gold is India's second-largest commodity import after crude oil, and rising purchases have added to foreign-exchange outflows, pressuring the rupee to record lows. The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council cautioned that raising gold import duty does not curb imports but inflates prices. Jewellery retailers stated that imposing quantitative restrictions on gold and silver imports, rather than raising import duties, would be a more effective way to curb the country's current account deficit. Brent crude traded above the USD 107 per barrel level in global markets on Wednesday. However, in the overseas markets, Spot gold slipped by 0.3 per cent to USD 4,700.86 per ounce while silver gained 1 per cent to USD 87.45 per ounce.

Air India cuts international flights; suspends services on 6 overseas routes

Air India said the latest announced rationalisation of services will be in place during the June-August period

Mian Altaf expresses grief over tragic death of boy in Darul Uloom fire incident in Anantnag

Srinagar, May 13: National Conference Member of Parliament, Mian Altaf Ahmad has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the death of a child in an unfortunate fire incident in Darul Uloom in Anantnag district. In a statement issued, Mian Altaf conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and expressed solidarity with all those affected by the incident. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. Deeply saddened about a boy lost his life and three others sustained burn injuries in a fire incident at a Darul Uloom in Mattan Anantnag. My deepest condolences go out to the family of the deceased boy. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured children Mian Altaf said.

Anti-narcotics drive intensified; over 730 drug peddlers arrested: LG Sinha

Mehbooba welcomes RSS leader's statement on dialogue with Pakistan

Tanvir Sadiq hits back at Sunil Sharma, says LoP sahab should wake up

Over 85 pc students clear class 12 board exams; pass percentage dips: CBSE

New Delhi, May 13: The CBSE class 12 exam results were declared on Wednesday as a senior official announced that over 85 per cent candidates have cleared the exams this year. The results show that the overall pass percentage dipped by over three percentage points compared to the last year. Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said that while more than 85 per cent of the students have passed the exams, over 94,000 students scored above 90 per cent marks. Further, 17,000-plus candidates secured more than 95 per cent score, according to Bhardwaj. He said over 1.63 lakh students have been placed in the compartment category, marking an increase of nearly two percentage points from last year. Girls once again outperformed boys in the examinations, recording a pass percentage of more than 88, while for boys, it stood at 82.

NIA arrests Hizbul Mujahideen-linked 'narco-terrorist' after securing his extradition from Portugal

New Delhi, May 13: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested wanted narco-terrorist Iqbal Singh alias Shera after successfully securing his extradition from Portugal following sustained diplomatic and legal efforts, officials said in a press release. Mastermind in a major Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terror financing case, Shera was brought to India today following the due legal process. He was taken into custody by an NIA team at the Delhi airport immediately on his arrival from Portgual, to where he had absconded in 2020. His successful extradition and arrest come as a major shot in the arm for NIAs fight against Pakistan-backed narco and cross border terrorism. an official spokesperson said in a statement The arrested fugitive had a non-bailable warrant of arrest (NBW) against him in the case RC-23/2020/NIA/DLI (HM Narco-Terror Module) since October 2020. An Interpol Notice had also been in place for his arrest since June 2021, the statement said. In its investigation in the case, NIA had found Shera to be a key conspirator and handler of an India-based narco-terror module engaged in smuggling heroin from Pakistan. A native of Amritsar in Punjab, Shera had masterminded the conspiracy involving smuggling of narcotics from Pakistan into the border state. He had coordinated and overseen the trafficking and distribution of the smuggled drugs, and channelised the proceeds through hawala networks to Pakistan and Kashmir based operatives of HM to facilitate terror activities, it said. To carry forward the anti-India narco terror conspiracy, Shera had formed a terror gang and operated a Punjab-based network of associates engaged in the trafficking of large quantities of heroin, collection of sale proceeds, and transfer of funds to handlers and terror operatives. He had maintained closed links with Pak-based HM terror operatives. The case was originally registered by Punjab Police following the arrest of an HM overground worker, identified as Hilal Ahmed Shergojri. The police had also recovered Rs. 29 lakhs of drug proceeds from the possession of Hilal a close aide of deceased terrorist commander Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo. Further investigation had led to the recovery of another Rs. 32 lakhs as narco terror proceeds from various Punjab-based members of the terror gang. NIA, after taking over the case, had launched massive efforts to dismantle the module and secure Sheras extradition. Further investigation in the case is continuing.

Amit Shah cuts convoy size by over 50% amid Centres austerity push

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday reduced the size of his official convoy by more than 50 per cent, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent call for austerity and responsible fuel consumption amid the ongoing West Asia crisis. Visuals captured by ANI showed the scaled-down convoy as Shah left his Delhi residence to attend a Cabinet meeting. Despite the reduction, all mandatory vehicles required under the Central Reserve Police Forces Z+ security protocol remained part of the convoy. Officials, while declining to disclose specific security details, said the move marks one of the first visible implementations of the Prime Ministers austerity directive. Earlier, Modi had urged citizens and government departments to adopt measures aimed at conserving fuel and reducing unnecessary expenditure. According to reports, the Prime Minister had also reduced the size of his own convoy during recent visits to Gujarat and Assam, while directing officials to incorporate electric vehicles into official convoys wherever feasible without making fresh purchases. The austerity measures come amid rising global crude oil prices and economic concerns triggered by tensions in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. India, one of the worlds largest oil importers, is closely monitoring the situation as higher energy prices threaten to impact inflation and economic growth.

West Asia conflict: Satish Sharma urges people to take austerity measures

J&K registers over 93 pc revenue record digitisation

Jammu, May 13: The Jammu and Kashmir government has achieved 93.39 per cent progress in the digitisation of revenue records, with more than 64 lakh such records approved across the Union Territory, official data said. The officials said digitisation of revenue records is one of the flagship reforms under the modernisation of land records programme aimed at ensuring transparency, accuracy and efficiency in land record management. As per the official data, out of a total of 68,59,915 khasras (revenue records), approvals have been given for 64,06,641 khasras, while 3,04,549 cases are pending at the maker level, 1,10,587 with checkers, and 38,138 at the approver stage. The government, on December 26, 2025, laid down comprehensive guidelines for rectification of errors, entry of backlog mutations, public verification and final freezing of Jamabandis. The process is being updated daily through a monitoring mechanism supervised by divisional commissioners and the financial commissioner (Revenue), they said. Ramban, Shopian and Ganderbal districts have achieved 100 per cent completion with all khasras approved and no pendency reported, the data said. In Srinagar, out of 2,58,221 khasras, 2,58,135 have been approved with only 78 pending at the maker level and five with checkers, taking the completion rate to 99.97 per cent, it said. Budgam recorded 99.96 per cent progress with 4,83,790 approvals out of 4,83,998 khasras, while Poonch achieved 99.95 per cent completion with 2,27,932 approvals and 117 cases pending at different stages, data said. Udhampur registered 99.73 per cent progress with 3,48,812 approved khasras and 951 pending with makers, it said. Kathua achieved 99.25 per cent completion with 4,50,289 approvals, while 3,337 cases are pending at the approver stage. Kupwara recorded 99.13 per cent progress with 5,41,337 approved khasras, while 1,210 cases are pending with makers, 1,595 with checkers and 1,941 with approvers. Samba registered 99.06 per cent completion with 2,70,203 approved khasras and 2,553 pending cases at various stages. Rajouri achieved 98.79 per cent progress with 3,20,466 approved khasras, while 3,915 cases remain pending. Baramulla, one of the largest districts in terms of khasras, recorded 98.70 per cent completion with 6,69,193 approvals and 8,846 cases pending at different stages. Bandipora achieved 98.61 per cent progress with 1,90,592 approved khasras, while Kulgam registered 98.58 per cent completion with 2,17,353 approved cases. Kishtwar recorded 94.11 per cent progress with 1,73,167 approved khasras and 10,839 cases pending. Jammu district, which has the highest number of khasras at 8,26,563, achieved 91.64 per cent completion with 7,57,434 approvals, while over 69,000 cases are pending at various stages. Doda recorded 84.58 per cent progress with 2,29,832 approved khasras and 41,897 pending cases. Pulwama achieved 80.54 per cent completion with 3,71,156 approved khasras, while 89,683 cases are pending. Anantnag registered 74.65 per cent progress with 3,61,685 approvals and more than 1.22 lakh cases pending at different levels. Reasi recorded the lowest progress at 39.38 per cent with only 57,357 approvals out of 1,45,645 khasras, while over 88,000 cases are still pending. The officials further said that 5,989 villages have been completely approved, accounting for 87.87 per cent of total villages, while grievance collection has been initiated in 3,311 villages across Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan receives USD 1.3 bn loan from IMF: Central bank

Pakistan has recieved USD 1.3 billion from the International Monetary Fund. This funding comes from two separate programs, the Extended Fund Facility and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. The money will help stabilize Pakistan's economy and address climate-related challenges.

LG Manoj Sinha Joins Nasha-Mukt Jammu Kashmir Campaign In Kupwara

Srinagar, May 13: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, today joined Nasha-Mukt Jammu Kashmir Campaign Padyatra in Kupwara. The Lieutenant Governor also addressed a public gathering. The Lieutenant Governor said that over the past 32 days, civil and police administration struck a devastating blow to the entire drug smuggling ecosystem and this peoples movement is transforming into a revolution against narcotics. Our consistent action is crippling narco-terrorist networks. Properties worth crores have been seized, assets confiscated, and passports of 15 smugglers [] The post LG Manoj Sinha Joins Nasha-Mukt Jammu Kashmir Campaign In Kupwara appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Timely action by CRPF saves precious life in Kulgam

Personnel of CRPFs 90 Battalion acted with remarkable speed and professionalism after a man suffered a serious cardiac emergency on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The jawans immediately administered CPR, provided emergency medication, and shifted the patient to a nearby hospital within the crucial golden hour. Their alertness, training, and humanity played a vital role in saving the mans life.

Police dismiss conversion angle in Udhampur case, warn against rumours on social media

Police have dismissed what they described as misleading and false narratives circulating on social media regarding an alleged conversion angle in a recently registered case at Police Station Udhampur. In a statement, police said FIR No. 175/2026 dated April 26, 2026, was registered at PS Udhampur on the basis of a written complaint filed by the complainant. The FIR includes offences under Sections 351, 352, 137(2) and 62 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s) and 3(1)(za)(A) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. According to police, the complaint contains allegations of criminal intimidation, abuse, assault and attempted kidnapping. The matter is under investigation by a Gazetted Officer as per law, the statement said. Police cautioned the public against circulating or believing unverified and communal content related to the case, saying such misinformation could disturb public harmony. At this stage, circulating unverified, communal or misleading content is irresponsible and may disturb public harmony, the statement said, urging people to allow the investigation to proceed fairly and impartially under the law.

Hailstorm hits Baramulla hard, fruit growers report over 90 percent crop loss

Baramulla, May 13: Hailstorm hits Baramulla hard, fruit growers report over 90 percent crop loss. The worst-hit areas include Sangrama, Wagoora, Kreeri, Pattan, Kandi, Choondosa, Pachhaar, Tangmarg, Khaipora, kandi belt and some parts of Rafiabad, where residents reported severe damage to apple orchards and standing crops. Locals said nearly 90 percent of fruit crops were damaged within minutes as intense hail hit the area during the peak farming season. Eyewitnesses described heartbreaking scenes after the storm, with orchardists seen weeping while inspecting shattered fruit-bearing trees and flattened fields. Fayaz Ahmad, a resident of Sheikhpora Wagoora, said the hail storm which continued for around 10 minutes, left the orchards across the area completely damaged and orchardists are completely devastated. We are devastated, Said Ahmad. We are unable to understand what we will do for survival now, added Ahmad. Farmers said they were expecting a promising harvest this year, but the sudden hailstorm destroyed months of hard work and investment. Everything has been ruined. We have suffered huge losses, said a grower from Kreeri. The hailstorm, which struck late Tuesday evening, triggered panic across several villages as large hailstones pounded orchards and vegetable farms for a considerable duration. Residents and growers have appealed to the administration and concerned departments to immediately conduct damage assessments and provide compensation and relief to affected families.