Opinion

16 sheep killed, 17 injured in leopard attack in Chadoora Budgam

Budgam, Sep 10: Sixteen sheep were killed and 17 others injured after a leopard attacked a flock in the Chadoora area of Budgam district during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. Imtiyaz Ahmad Chopan, owner of the flock, said that he believed a leopard had attacked his sheep, though the animals identity is yet to be confirmed. He said the animal entered the livestock enclosure in Badipora village of Chadoora during the night and attacked the flock. We depend on livestock for our livelihood, and the incident has caused significant financial losses for us, he said. Chopan appealed to the government and concerned departments to provide immediate assistance and compensation for the loss of livestock. Meanwhile, locals also urged the Wildlife Department to inspect the site and take necessary measures to prevent further attacks in the area.(KNO)

Flight carrying Zelenskyy to Norway delayed in Moldova because of drone incursion

Moldova, Sep 10: A flight scheduled to carry Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from Moldova to Norway was delayed when authorities closed Moldova's airspace because of a drone incursion, a government spokesperson said on Wednesday. Moldovan police said a Russian drone crashed on Tuesday in a sunflower field on the outskirts of a village in Riscani district, which caused four fires to break out but no injuries. On Wednesday, government spokesperson Dumitru Ciorici said Moldova had closed its airspace on Tuesday afternoon to protect aircraft flying over the country at the time, delaying three departures, including the one carrying Zelenskyy. Moldovan authorities confirmed the drone came down and exploded 160 km from Chisinau International Airport. The airspace restrictions were lifted and Zelenskyy's plane took off later than scheduled. The drone that entered Moldovan airspace on Tuesday crossed into neighbouring Romania, a NATO member, where it was tracked through several northeastern counties. The ministry said two F-18 aircraft of the Spanish Air and Space Forces were raised to track its trajectory before it reentered Moldovan airspace. On Wednesday, Moldova's police said explosives experts discovered fragments of the drone that featured a propulsion system and characteristics similar to a Geran-type drone, which Moscow has used extensively in its full-scale war in Ukraine. Investigations identified the point of impact, where an explosion occurred and a crater of considerable size was formed, police said, adding that specialists are continuing investigations to determine the type and mass of the explosive payload. Ukraine neighbours both Romania and Moldova, and since Russia's full invasion in 2022, both countries have reported dozens of drone incidents.

Anthropic researcher resigns, says AI could kill us all by end of decade

Srinagar, Sep 9 : A researcher who has worked on AI pretraining at both Anthropic and OpenAI has warned that people building advanced artificial intelligence earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade, as he announced his resignation from Anthropic and accused the two companies of racing towards self-improving superintelligence. Jacob Coxon, who said he had spent the past three years conducting pretraining research at the two AI companies, made the remarks in a series of posts on X after announcing his resignation from Anthropic on Wednesday. The people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade, Coxon wrote. This is not a marketing stunt. He claimed that executives and senior researchers often express greater concern about the potential risks of AI privately than they do in public. If anything, many executives and senior researchers will couch their phrasing in the press to sound sensible - but I hear the same people express fear privately, he wrote. No other human activity poses this level of danger. Coxon said his decision to leave Anthropic was driven by what he described as the irresponsible race among leading AI companies to develop increasingly powerful systems. I resigned from Anthropic today, he wrote. I spent the last three years doing pretraining research at both OpenAI and Anthropic. Neither company is acting responsibly. They are racing straight to self-improving superintelligence and gambling with our lives. He urged people not to underestimate what advanced AI systems could eventually be capable of. Do not underestimate the power of this technology, Coxon wrote. These will soon be superhuman systems that can hack anything, revolutionize any field overnight, and acquire real power and resources. According to Coxon, the apparent contradiction between AI researchers fearing the technology and continuing to build it can be explained by differences in how the risks are perceived within the two companies. At OpenAI, many have not deeply internalized the civilizational stakes, he claimed. At Anthropic, the stakes are well-understood, but they are locked in a race to get there first. He said the belief that other companies or countries might not act responsibly was contributing to the race. They believe no one else will act responsibly, so they must do it themselves, despite the risk, Coxon wrote. Coxon criticised the decision to push ahead with what he called the AI endgame, arguing that such a potentially consequential process should not be controlled by private companies. Accepting this race and entering the endgame is a hubristic gamble that should not be launched from a private companys Slack, he wrote. He also questioned whether AI companies should be attempting to rapidly solve alignmentthe problem of ensuring increasingly capable AI systems remain aligned with human interestswhile simultaneously accelerating their capabilities. Attempting to speedrun alignment should require extraordinary confidence that there are no better trajectories available, Coxon said. Despite his warnings, Coxon said he remained hopeful that AI companies and governments could coordinate to slow the race. I am optimistic about the potential for coordination, he wrote, arguing that recent incidents could make agreements between US AI laboratories more viable. However, he warned that the world was not currently on course to prevent a global race for increasingly powerful AI. I dont feel like were on track to prevent a global race, Coxon wrote, saying that avoiding such a scenario might require costly actions such as a temporary ban on improving model capabilities. He ended by directly challenging researchers working at AI laboratories to reconsider their role in developing increasingly capable systems. If you are a lab researcher, I urge you to consider what the next few years will actually feel like, Coxon wrote. Do you want to kick off a superintelligent RL run without a rigorous understanding of its mind? he asked, referring to reinforcement learning. Should you put your head down because its happening anyway - or take this moment to call for different conditions? he added.

India sends fresh tranche of relief material, equipment aboard C-17 to flood-ravaged Nepal

India on Wednesday sent a fresh tranche of humanitarian aid comprising 35 tonnes of relief material and equipment onboard a C-17 transport aircraft to flood-ravaged Nepal, officials said. The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal climbed to 1,365 on Wednesday as more bodies were recovered from the affected areas, according to authorities. The first tranche of relief material was sent by India hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah on August 26, the day flash floods struck the Himalayan nation. Since then, New Delhi has sent multiple consignments, including relief supplies and essential medicines, besides deploying an Indian tunnel rescue team, who are continuing to work alongside the Nepalese Army, and a forensic team to aid in the identification of mortal remains of the victims. India on September 3 night had dispatched its sixth tranche of over 21 tonnes of essential relief supplies on board two military transport aircraft to flood-ravaged Nepal. In continuance of the efforts from India for helping Nepal in HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) work, a C-17 transport aircraft of the IAF departed today, carrying 35 tonnes of relief material and equipment, a defence official said. On Wednesday, rescue teams continued to search for 5,326 people, including at least 589 foreign nationals, who remain missing, according to a Nepal Police news bulletin. Rescue teams recovered 363 bodies from Chitwan district, 226 from Nawalparasi East, 222 from Nawalparasi West and 197 from Nuwakot. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka on Wednesday handed over USD 1 million to Nepal for the ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts following the devastating floods in the Himalayan Nation. The Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal, Ruwanthi Delpitiya, met Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal on Wednesday and handed over the contribution. Ambassador Delpitiya reiterated, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, deep sympathy and solidarity with the people of Nepal and extended heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the disaster, according to an official statement. The financial assistance is intended to support the ongoing humanitarian, relief and recovery efforts of the Government of Nepal and assist communities affected by the floods and landslides, the statement added. The handing over of the contribution further reflects the close and longstanding bonds of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Nepal. Sri Lanka remains committed to standing with Nepal and its people in times of need and strengthening the enduring relations between the two countries. The USD 1 million contribution will support ongoing humanitarian assistance and relief operations for people affected by the floods. The Government of Sri Lanka will continue to remain engaged with the Government of Nepal and explore appropriate avenues to support ongoing relief and recovery efforts. The massive flash flood originating in Tibet swept through central Nepal on August 26, devastating several towns and villages, washing away critical bridges and crippling a dozen hydropower projects, as it gushed downstream, affecting multiple districts. The Bhotekoshi River, which flows south from the Himalayan border region, carried the floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects.

Sanjay Aggarwal re-elected FADA J&K Chairperson

Sanjay Aggarwal has been unanimously re-elected as Chairperson of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), J&K, for the 2026-28 term at the federations 62nd Annual General Meeting held in New Delhi. His re-election marks an unprecedented fourth consecutive term and reflects the confidence of the automobile dealer fraternity in his leadership. Aggarwal, Founder and Managing Director of Jammu Motors Pvt Ltd, has around three decades of experience in the automobile sector. He has also served as Co-Chair of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industrys Jammu Chapter and is associated with CII, Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Jammu Automobile Dealers Association. During his previous terms, FADA J&K took up several issues affecting automobile dealers, including vehicle scrappage policy, used-car regulation, taxation, road tax exemptions for hybrid and CNG vehicles, green tax, trade certificates, EV charging infrastructure, parking, banking and finance, regulatory compliance and ease of doing business. Under Aggarwals leadership, the association has also sought stronger coordination between automobile dealers, government departments, financial institutions and automobile manufacturers. Speaking after his re-election, Aggarwal thanked members for their continued trust and support. I am deeply honoured and humbled by the confidence placed in me by the automobile dealer fraternity of J&K. This responsibility is not merely recognition of the work done in the past, but a renewed commitment to work even harder for the growth and welfare of the entire dealer community, he said. During his fourth term, he said FADA J&K would focus on ease of doing business, reducing regulatory challenges, digitalisation and transparency in government processes, and creating a sustainable business environment for automobile dealerships.

LMD intensifies enforcement drive across J&K

The Legal Metrology Department (LMD) has intensified enforcement and compliance activities across Jammu and Kashmir under the supervision of Controller Legal Metrology, J&K, Shiv Kumar Gupta, with the department reporting revenue realisation of around Rs 44.55 lakh during August 2026. According to the departments consolidated progress report for August, another Rs 9.10 lakh was realised through composition of offences. As part of a shift towards compliance-oriented enforcement under Jan Vishwas 2.0, the department has introduced the Improvement Notice mechanism for minor or rectifiable violations. Under the system, establishments are given a specified period to correct deficiencies before further penal action is considered, where required. The department said the mechanism is intended to encourage voluntary compliance while ensuring that serious and repeated violations continue to attract action under the law. So far, more than 50 Improvement Notices have been served to establishments for minor or rectifiable deficiencies. The enforcement framework has also been strengthened through the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Metrology Enforcement Rules, 2026, along with a revised fee structure aimed at bringing greater uniformity and transparency to regulatory services, enforcement procedures and statutory fees. According to the department, the reforms are intended to simplify compliance, reduce unnecessary regulatory burden and promote a business-friendly environment while protecting consumer interests. During September, the Legal Metrology Unit Kulgam took action against two sellers on the Amazon e-commerce platform over a violation initially detected in July. The sellers had earlier been served Improvement Notices but failed to address the matter to the satisfaction of the department. Both sellers were penalised through a compounding fee of Rs 25,000 each, taking the total recovery to Rs 50,000. In another consumer-protection action, the Consumer Protection wing of Legal Metrology, Jammu, imposed a penalty of Rs 75,000 on a spare-parts establishment for violation of applicable provisions. A separate enforcement action by the Legal Metrology Unit Kupwara followed a consumer complaint against a gas agency in August. During the inspection, officials detected domestic LPG cylinders that were short-filled beyond the permissible limits. The matter was subsequently taken up with the manufacturer/packer, after which the bottling plant opted for compounding of the offence. The department recovered a penalty of Rs 2 lakh in the case. The bottling plant also furnished a written assurance to ensure future compliance with the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and the rules framed under it. The Controller has directed all field formations to maintain sustained market surveillance and ensure effective implementation of the new enforcement framework across the Union Territory.

Mission YUVA accelerates youth enterprise push across J&K

The Apex Committee of Mission YUVA (Youth Upliftment and Vibrant Advancement) met under Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, and reviewed the milestones achieved since the last Committee meeting held in May 2026, with particular focus on the four broad dimensions of the Mission including Culture, Capital, Capacity, and Connectivity through digital commerce and market access. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Finance; Managing Director, J&K Bank; Commissioner Secretary, Planning; Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department; Director, IIM Jammu; Commissioner Secretary, Education; Secretary, Rural Development Department; Managing Director, JKRLM; representatives from Universities, SKUAST, NABARD and other key stakeholders. Deputy Commissioners from all districts participated in the deliberations through video conferencing. Reviewing the progress, the Chief Secretary took a detailed appraisal of the Missions performance across its various components and underscored the importance of sustaining the momentum generated on the ground. He emphasised the need for close coordination among departments, financial institutions, training institutions and field-level functionaries to ensure that the expanding application base translates into viable and sustainable enterprises, meaningful employment opportunities and long-term economic empowerment of the youth. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the district-wise progress through the Deputy Commissioners and stressed the importance of continued field mobilisation, effective handholding of applicants, timely processing of cases and stronger convergence among the institutions associated with Mission YUVA. He called for maintaining the focus on women and youth participation, strengthening the training and mentorship ecosystem and leveraging digital platforms to expand market access for locally created products and services. The Apex Committee also reviewed the institutional mechanisms put in place for field-level implementation and took stock of the emerging requirements for further strengthening the Missions delivery architecture. The Chief Secretary appreciated the progress achieved since the May review and called for continued efforts to convert the Missions growing outreach into sustainable enterprises, stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems and wider livelihood opportunities for the youth across Jammu and Kashmir. Presenting the latest progress, Secretary, Skill Development Department, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, highlighted the substantial expansion of the Missions footprint since the previous review, noting that the programme has continued to gain traction at both the institutional and grassroots levels. He apprised the meeting that under the mission youth mobilisation continued gaining momentum with female participation rising sharply. He revealed that under the Cultural Mobilisation and Public Awareness component, the average daily application intake has increased by 39 per cent over the last three months, rising from 280 to 390 applications per day. A particularly significant feature has been the growing participation of women with female-led applications increasing by 76 per cent, from 91 to 160 applications per day, while 78 per cent of all female applications are being driven by Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Sustained field-level awareness has consequently increased the overall female share of applications from 27 per cent to 31 per cent. The Missions mass youth mobilisation campaign (Yuva Jagriti 5.0) has so far reached 88,300 individuals, marking a 42 per cent increase since the last Apex review. It was also divulged that the ongoing Business Hackathons, launched on August 15, 2026, have also emerged as a major platform for entrepreneurial mobilisation, reaching 18,000 students across more than 255 educational institutions. More than 1,300 innovative business ideas have already been generated, with the campaign continuing until September 16, 2026. Additionally it was highlighted that the total application intake has increased by 37 per cent, rising from 1,04,067 on May 15 to 1,42,196 as on September 7, 2026. SBDU verifications have risen by 34 per cent to 80,965, while DLIC approvals have increased by 39 per cent to 75,791. Moreover the loan sanctions have grown by 53 per cent, reaching 1,992 crore across 37,171 sanctioned accounts, while disbursements have reached 1,826 crore across 32,665 accounts, also registering 53 per cent growth. The meeting was informed that commercial banks are presently processing around 2,800 applications every month, while the final sanction rate has recovered strongly from 23 per cent in July to 40 per cent in August, indicating improved processing efficiency and conversion across the financial funnel. The programme has simultaneously translated financial support into actual enterprise creation, with 13,597 new enterprises now fully operational across J&K, representing a 58 per cent surge since May. Another 6,777 enterprises are currently in the Work-In-Progress (WIP) stage, with WIP report submissions increasing by 70 per cent. The Mission has also witnessed a substantial expansion in its Capacity Building and Business Mentorship component as the trained individuals has increased by 73 per cent since the last review, with 36,474 student/entrepreneur certifications completed so far. The mentorship framework has recorded an especially notable expansion, with enterprise mentorship completion increasing seven-fold (700 per cent) since the previous review. As many as 2,645 entrepreneurs have been mentored by 482 onboarded mentors, strengthening the handholding ecosystem for emerging entrepreneurs beyond the initial stages of enterprise establishment. The number of J&K merchant storefronts onboarded on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has grown by an extraordinary 329 per cent since May, reaching 9,266 digital stores. Significantly, 2,067 dedicated Mission YUVA youth stores have now been fully onboarded on ONDC, providing young entrepreneurs, including those from rural and semi-urban areas, direct access to the national digital marketplace. It is needless to say that the Mission YUVA, through its integrated approach to mobilisation, finance, skills, mentorship and market connectivity, is emerging as a comprehensive platform for enabling young people of J&K to move from aspiration to enterprise and from enterprise to sustainable livelihood.

Floating cinema draws huge crowds as IFFJK brings cinema to Dal Lake

Cinema has found an extraordinary setting in Kashmir, as the tranquil waters of world-famous Dal Lake have been transformed into a floating theatre during the first International Film Festival of J&K (IFFJK). In a setting where the lake, mountains and city lights come together, audiences are experiencing films on a large floating screen, with the banks of Dal Lake serving as an open-air auditorium. The initiative has emerged as one of the most distinctive attractions of the four-day festival that began on September 07, giving the celebration of cinema a setting deeply connected with Kashmirs visual and cinematic heritage. The Floating Cinema opened on the first day of the festival with the screening of the evergreen 1961 film Junglee. The screening drew audiences to the lakefront, creating a memorable spectacle as a classic Hindi film played out against the waters of Dal Lake. As the screen lights up over the waters of Dal Lake, families, visitors, film enthusiasts from different parts of the country and abroad and curious onlookers have been turning up along the banks, making the screenings a lively public experience. The experience goes beyond conventional film viewing, allowing audiences to watch cinema while surrounded by the very landscapes that have inspired filmmakers for generations. The initiative also reflects IFFJKs effort to take cinema beyond traditional theatre spaces and bring it into public and culturally significant settings. On Wednesday, the Floating Cinema featured the timeless Kashmir Ki Kali, bringing to the waters of Dal Lake the infectious energy and charisma of Shammi Kapoor at his energetic best, alongside the effortlessly graceful and captivating Sharmila Tagore. The film, remembered for its romance, music and vibrant performances, offered audiences an opportunity to revisit one of Hindi cinemas most beloved classics in a setting that feels naturally connected to its story. The nostalgia will continue on the concluding day on September 10 with the screening of Yash Chopras Kabhi Kabhie (1976), another celebrated classic associated with the cinematic tradition of Kashmir. With films being projected over the waters and audiences gathered along the lakefront, Dal Lake has become more than a backdrop to the festivalit has become a part of the cinematic experience itself. The Floating Cinema brings together three enduring elements of Kashmirits landscapes, its association with Hindi cinema and its love for storytellingcreating an experience that is as much about the place as it is about the films being screened.

J&K veterinary interns strike enters 3rd day

Protest demonstrations staged by veterinary interns in Jammu and Kashmir entered their third consecutive day on Wednesday, with protesting students boycotting non-essential services to press for an immediate revision of their monthly internship stipends. Organised under the banner of the Jammu & Kashmir Veterinary Students Association (JKVSA), interns from the Sher-e-Kashmir Universities of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)-Kashmir assembled outside main campus blocks clad in uniforms, carrying placards and raising slogans demanding parity and financial justice. Protesters highlighted a severe pay gap compared to veterinary interns across other premier institutions in India. Currently, veterinary interns at SKUAST receive a monthly allowance of 6,000. Protesting students pointed out that the current figure fails to cover basic transportation, living and field posting expenses. In contrast, peer institutions offer significantly higher monthly stipends. We are required to carry out 24/7 emergency duties, clinical rotations and livestock field visits in remote districts, paying travel costs out of our own pockets, said JKVSA President Saqlain Rashid. How can we manage basic survival on a Rs 6,000 allowance when interns in other states draw up to Rs 23,500? Student representatives noted that university leadership submitted a formal proposal for a stipend enhancement to the Finance Department as early as 2023. However, despite multiple assurances and official communications from the Veterinary Council of India (VCI), the file remains unapproved. Demonstrating interns warned that unless the government issues a formal, written order approving a stipend hike, they will escalate their agitation into an indefinite strike, halting emergency clinical services and ambulatory livestock duty across university facilities. The protesting students urged the Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmad Dar to look into the grievance for redressal.

Salvatore International School receives PSAJK recognition for educational excellence

Srinagar, Sep 9: Salvatore International School (SIS), Sumbal, Shilvat, Bandipora, was felicitated on Wednesday at a prestigious event organised by the Private Schools Association of Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK) at the University of Kashmir, under the leadership of PSAJK President Nazrul Islam Baba. The school was honoured for its exemplary contribution to education as a woman-led institution. The event, as per a statement, was graced by Sakina Itoo, Cabinet Minister for Health & Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, and MLA from D.H. Pora, who attended as the Chief Guest. She was joined by MLA Saifudin Bhat, MLA Salman Sagar, Prof. Neelofer Khan, and Director School Education Kashmir Mr Nasir Wani, along with several other dignitaries from the education and administrative fraternity. The award was received on behalf of Salvatore International School by its Chairperson, Ms Haya Qazi. In a short span since its establishment, SIS has carved a distinct niche for itself, earning recognition for consistent excellence in academics, sports, participation and achievement in Olympiads, and a strong focus on life-skills education for its students. Speaking on the occasion, dignitaries lauded the role of women-led educational institutions in shaping the future of the region, and commended SIS for setting a benchmark in quality education in North Kashmir.

Arrangements finalised for Veshaw Literary and Trade Festival 2026

In preparation for the upcoming two-day Veshaw Literary and Trade Festival-2026, Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Shahzad Alam, today convened a meeting of senior officers and concerned stakeholders at the DC Office, Kulgam, to finalize the arrangements for the successful conduct of the festival. The meeting was attended by ADC Viqar Ahmad Giri, ACR Reyaz Ahmad Shah, ACD Bilal Ahmad Kamgar, CPO Malik Suheel, Principals of Degree Colleges, Chief Education Officer, Executive Engineers of Jal Shakti and R&B Departments, Tehsildars, Executive Officers of urban local bodies and other district and sectoral officers. During the meeting, a detailed discussion was held on various aspects pertaining to the arrangements for the two-day literary-cum-trade festival. The DC fixed the department-wise responsibilities for the preparations and issued necessary directions for ensuring timely completion of all assigned responsibilities. The DC directed the concerned departments to work in close coordination and ensure that all requisite arrangements, including venue management, sanitation, drinking water, power supply, traffic regulation, security, public convenience and other essential facilities, are put in place well in advance for the smooth, impactful and hassle-free conduct of the literary programmes and other activities scheduled as part of the festival.

Srinagar Film Festival can open new doors for J&K women: Poonam Gupta

Jammu, Sep 9:J&K BJP Mahila Morcha State General Secretary Poonam Gupta said that the International Film Festival being held in Kashmir is a welcome initiative that can open new doors of dreams, creativity and opportunities for the daughters and women of Jammu and Kashmir. Poonam Gupta, as per a party statement, said that Jammu and Kashmir has immense talent among its women and girls, who have the ability to excel in different fields of art, culture, cinema, music, photography, writing and other creative activities. Such talent needs platforms where it can be recognized, encouraged and connected with wider opportunities. She said that the Film Festival can serve as an important platform for local women to interact with filmmakers, artists and other creative professionals from different parts of the country and the world. It can help them learn new skills, understand the changing opportunities in the film and entertainment industry and gain confidence to pursue their dreams. Poonam Gupta said that women of Jammu and Kashmir have always shown courage, talent and determination in every field. From education and sports to entrepreneurship, art and public service, the daughters of J&K are making their presence felt. The growing cultural activities in the region can further encourage them to come forward and showcase their talent. She added that women also need opportunities beyond traditional career choices. The film and creative industries offer possibilities in acting, direction, filmmaking, editing, photography, music, writing, animation, costume designing, technical work and many other areas. Events like the Film Festival can help create awareness among women about these emerging avenues. Poonam said that the Film Festival is also important for Kashmir's tourism and local economy. Such events can attract visitors, promote local culture and provide business opportunities to women working in hotels, restaurants, transport services, handicrafts, artisan activities and other local enterprises. She said that Jammu Kashmir has a rich cultural heritage and extraordinary natural beauty, along with a talented and energetic community of women. Combining these strengths can give Jammu and Kashmir a greater place on India's cultural and creative map. Poonam welcomed the International Film Festival and expressed hope that it would become a regular platform for discovering and promoting local womens talent. She said that when the daughters and women of J&K get opportunities to dream, create and thrive, the entire society moves forward. The Film Festival, she added, can become one such meaningful step towards a more confident, creative and opportunity-filled Jammu and Kashmir.

NHM employees stage 72-hour protest at SDH Sopore

Hundreds of employees working under the National Health Mission (NHM), including doctors and paramedic staff, staged a 72-hour-long protest at the premises of Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Sopore, which commenced on Wednesday, pressing for the resolution of their long-pending demands, including job security, salary revision and social security benefits. The protesting employees raised slogans in support of their demands and expressed disappointment over what they described as the prolonged delay in addressing issues concerning their service conditions and welfare. The employees said they have been rendering their services in the health sector for years and have played an important role in strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly at the grassroots level. Despite their continued contribution, they alleged that their concerns regarding employment security, remuneration and social protection remain unresolved. During the protest, the employees demanded a concrete policy for their job security, revision of their salaries in accordance with their responsibilities and experience, and extension of appropriate social security benefits. The protesters urged the concerned authorities to initiate meaningful dialogue with their representatives and take immediate steps to address their grievances. They warned that failure to consider their demands seriously could lead to further agitation. However, the ongoing strike by NHM employees at SDH Sopore has adversely affected healthcare services, leaving patients and attendants to face considerable inconvenience. With a number of employees participating in the protest over their long-pending demands, routine hospital work has been disrupted, resulting in delays in services and difficulties for patients seeking medical care. The employees appealed to the administration and health authorities to intervene at the earliest, saying that a satisfactory resolution of their long-pending issues would not only provide relief to the workforce but also help ensure uninterrupted healthcare services for the public. BMO Sopore, Dr. Zulfikar, said that on the first day of the 72-hour-long protest by NRHM employees, which began today, healthcare services at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Sopore were managed smoothly. He said that the hospital administration made necessary arrangements to ensure that patients did not face major inconvenience. However, the BMO cautioned that if the protest continues for a longer period, it may have an impact on healthcare services at the hospital.

Small gestures can make meaningful difference to peoples lives: MLA Tanvir Sadiq

Srinagar, Sep 9: The J&K National Conference Chief Spokesperson and MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq Wednesday distributed two electric scooters, computers, laptops, hearing machines and an electric wheelchair among deserving and needy individuals of his constituency at a function held in Doonipora, Zadibal. Speaking on the occasion, Tanvir, as per a party statement, said that it has always been his endeavour to stand by people who need support, particularly educated girls, the elderly, persons with disabilities and families facing difficulties. Sharing the thought behind the initiative, he said, One of our daughters needed an electric scooter because of her physical disability, which was making it difficult for her to travel to university. I had promised her that I would help, and today I am happy that I could keep that promise. Similarly, a student in need of a computer for her studies was provided one, while another family was supported with an electric scooter to help with the daily commute of their children to school. A hearing machine was provided to an elderly person, while an electric wheelchair was given to a young child to help him move around with greater independence and dignity. Tanvir said such initiatives were close to his heart and that he would continue to extend support wherever possible. Sometimes, we have to step forward with our own resources so that people do not have to remain dependent on government schemes or wait for assistance. Even a small gesture can make a meaningful difference to someones life, he said. He wished all the beneficiaries well and urged them to make the best possible use of the assistance provided to them. He further said that another such public assistance programme would be held next week in the Rainawari-Dargah Block. Several prominent members of the party and local residents were present on the occasion.

Delhi Public School Budgam celebrates 18th Founders Day

Delhi Public School, Budgam celebrated its 18th Founders Day on 7th September, 2026, with great fervour and grandeur. The theme was From Vision to Legacy, marking eighteen glorious years of educational excellence. The celebration was graced by eminent statesman and academician Professor Saifuddin Soz as Guest of Honour, along with Founder Chairperson Mrs. Mumtaz-un-nisa Soz, Director Salman Soz, Principal Mrs. Glory George, and other dignitaries, PTA members, parents, staff and students. The programme commenced with a Welcome Address by Principal Mrs. Glory George, followed by Diya Lighting Ceremony and felicitation of dignitaries. A documentary chronicling the 18-year journey of DPS Budgam was screened. The cultural programme featured Kashmiri Rouf, a soulful Qawwali by Class 9th, delightful dance performances by junior school students, and a speech on 'Vision' by a student representative. The highlight was the play The Halogen Family, conceptualized by Dean Mehfooz Aslam, where elements of the periodic table came alive to convey a message on environmental conservation. The school felicitated staff for 10 and 15 years of service and meritorious students for their achievements. Prof. Soz and Mrs. Mumtazunnisa Soz shared memories of the school's journey, while Director Salman Soz lauded the entire DPS family and reaffirmed his commitment to excellence. The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks.

Dr Farooq Abdullah hails J&Ks 98.43% literacy rate

Srinagar, Sep 9: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President, Dr Farooq Abdullah, in his message on the occasion of International Literacy Day, said that education and literacy are the foundations of any civilized, progressive and dignified society. As per a party statement issued, he said that only an educated society can better understand its rights and responsibilities and, while meeting the challenges of a changing world, achieve the goals of progress and prosperity. Dr Farooq Abdullah said it is highly encouraging and a matter of pride that Jammu and Kashmir, just last week, achieved the target of full literacy by attaining a literacy rate of 98.43 percent under ULLASNBSK. He said this achievement is the result of the collective efforts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, teachers, students and all institutions working towards the promotion of literacy. The educational awareness and literacy success we are witnessing today has its foundations in the pioneering efforts of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah decades ago. Today, the light of education kindled by him has spread far and wide and the fruits of his struggle and efforts are visible to all, he said. He accorded special importance to the establishment of educational institutions and promotion of education in Jammu and Kashmir, recognising education as a fundamental means of social transformation, empowerment and eradication of backwardness. He said that since its inception, the National Conference has regarded education as a fundamental pillar of social and economic development. The steps taken during the tenure of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to establish educational institutions, create opportunities for the common people and eradicate educational backwardness ushered in a new era of awareness in the society of Jammu and Kashmir. The National Conference has always maintained that education should not remain confined to privileged sections of society; rather, every child, including those from poor, middle-class, remote and backward areas must have equal access to quality educational opportunities. Dr Farooq Abdullah said that the present government, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, is also taking several measures to strengthen the education sector and provide better educational opportunities to the younger generation. The government is focused on improving the infrastructure of government educational institutions, enhancing educational facilities, promoting quality education, strengthening skill development and vocational education, and creating better opportunities for students. The National Conference President also described the passage of the Private Universities Bill during the last Assembly session as an important development in the education sector. He said the legislation would help expand the higher education sector in Jammu and Kashmir, create new educational opportunities, promote healthy competition in education and provide students with greater choices.

GDC Ganderbal organises awareness programmeon World Literacy Day

The Department of Education and Sociology, Government Degree College (GDC) Ganderbal, organised an awareness programme to mark World Literacy Day on Tuesday in the College Conference Hall. The programme was organised with the objective of sensitising students about the importance of literacy as a fundamental human right and a matter of dignity, while highlighting its crucial role in building an educated, empowered and sustainable society. The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Shaheena Akhter, Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Education, who highlighted the significance of education in empowering individuals and bringing about positive social transformation. She stressed that education not only enhances knowledge and skills but also enables individuals to become responsible and active members of society. The keynote address was delivered by Principal GDC Ganderbal, Dr. Rafiq Ahmad, who highlighted the importance of learning and knowledge in human life. Referring to the first revelation of Allah to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), he cited the word Iqra, meaning to read, emphasising the profound importance attached to knowledge and learning. Dr. Rafiq Ahmad also spoke about the challenges faced by individuals deprived of educational opportunities. He observed that illiteracy can limit a person's ability to access information, employment opportunities and essential services, thereby affecting individual dignity as well as social and economic development. As part of the programme, around 18 students delivered speeches highlighting different dimensions of literacy and its relevance in contemporary society. The students emphasised that literacy is not merely confined to the ability to read and write; rather, it equips individuals with the ability to understand information, make informed decisions, access opportunities and participate meaningfully in social and civic life. The speakers also underlined the need to create a culture that values lifelong learning. They encouraged students to contribute towards educational awareness and support initiatives aimed at extending the benefits of education to disadvantaged sections of society. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Soubiya Yousuf, who expressed gratitude to the Principal, faculty members, students and all those who contributed to the successful conduct of the event.

Woodlands House school celebrates 60-years of excellence

Woodlands House School celebrated 60 years of excellence and a glorious legacy of education on the eve of Founders Day. The occasion was marked by a series of vibrant programmes showcasing the schools rich heritage, achievements and cultural spirit. The celebrations were graced by Former Chief Minister & National Conference President, Dr Farooq Abdullah, Advisor to CM, Mr Nasir Aslam Wani & Director Education, Mr Naseer Ahmad Wani, along with other distinguished guests. The event was also attended by the schools Management Mr. Riki Singh, Chairman; Mrs. Amteshwari Singh, Chairperson; and Directors, Mr. Farid Singh and Mr. Viraj Singh. A special highlight was the presence of several alumni, who returned to their alma mater and shared cherished memories of their school days. The landmark celebration paid tribute to the vision of the Founder, Mrs Rup SP Singh, and reaffirmed the schools commitment to nurturing generations of students with knowledge, values and excellence.

J&Ks Sajid Dar joins elite FIFA Coach Educator Developer Panel

Srinagar, Sep 9:Jammu & Kashmir football has achieved a landmark moment as Sajid Yousuf Dar joins the elite panel of FIFA Coach Educator Developers, becoming the first Coach Educator Developer from North India to deliver on the FIFA Coach Education platform. As per a statement issued, Dar is among just four AIFF Coach Educator Experts in India entrusted with the responsibility of developing and mentoring the next generation of coach educators under the FIFA Coach Educator Development Pathway Project. Together, the four experts have played a key role in developing 16 Coach Educators from across the country. The four-day final module of the FIFA Coach Educator Development Pathway Project, organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), concluded in Bengaluru on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The final module was conducted from September 5 to 8 as part of FIFAs wider initiative to strengthen coach education and create structured pathways for the professional development of coach educators. The AIFF was selected by FIFAs Technical Development Division to implement the Coach Education Programme for its Member Associations. The project, which commenced in 2022, incorporated a combination of e-learning, online and on-site modules, individual mentoring and continuous professional support. The objective of the programme is to provide sustained support to coach educators, enhance their technical and educational competencies, and establish a structured pathway for their professional growth. The final module in Bengaluru was led by four AIFF Coach Educator Experts Sajid Dar, Shakti Chauhan, Shekhar Kerkar and Parthasarathi Thulasi. The programme brought together 16 participants from different parts of India: Altafuddin Ahmed Syed, Kundan Chandra, Pradhyum Reddy, Deepak CM, Derryl Dsouza, Dinesh Nair, Gumpe Rime, Jeddy Almeida, Joshuah Vaz, John Kenneth Raj, Mario Aguiar, Uttam Singh Negi, Prashant J Singh, Shafeeq Hassan Madathil, Shailesh Karkera and Shakti Singh. As part of the programme, FIFA Expert Oscar Gonsalves was appointed to support and guide the participants throughout the assessment process. AIFF Head of Coach Development Vivek Nagul was also present in Bengaluru and extended his support to the programme.

6th Gateball Coaching Camp concludes in Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 9: The 6th Gateball Coaching Camp 2026 concluded at New R.P. School, Zakura, with more than 70 boys and girls participating in the camp, which also featured selection trials for the XII International Open Gateball Tournament 2026 scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, in November. As per a statement issued, athletes from DPMS Gasoo, V.B. Higher Secondary School Rainawari, Legends Schools and New R.P. School took part in the camp organised by the J&K Gateball Union under the aegis of the Indian Gateball Union (IGU). Bashir Ahmad, Principal, New R.P. School, was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony and distributed medals and appreciation certificates among the participants. Members of the association, Muskan Naseer, Miftah Qayoom, Rizwana, Anjum Nisa, Insha Nazir and Arfa Reyaz, were also present on the occasion.

Women leaders have shaped Kashmirs cultural, educational fabric: VC KU

Vice Chancellor Kashmir University, Prof. Nilofer Khan, Wednesday said women leaders, particularly in Kashmir, have played a foundational role in shaping the regions cultural, educational and social fabric. Addressing the Women Edupreneurs Connect 2026, organised by the Private Schools Association Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) at the MERC Auditorium, Prof. Khan called for greater opportunities for women to lead and innovate in the education sector. She said the initiatives like Women Edupreneurs Connect 2026 are aimed at empowering women and are vital for building progressive, inclusive and future-ready educational institutions across J&K. These visionary women have not only enlightened society through their leadership, but their dedication has played a transformative role in shaping generations, she said, She further added that women in Kashmir have historically contributed significantly to the development of society. Referring to the legacy of 14th-century mystic poet and spiritual reformer Lal Ded (Lalleshwari), Prof. Khan said the wisdom of women had helped take Kashmiri society from an earlier era to an enlightened present. She said Lal Deds Vakhs played a foundational role in shaping Kashmiri literature and cultural consciousness while promoting spiritual and moral values, self-realisation and interfaith harmony. Prof. Khan highlighted the contribution of women at KU and said that women including teaching and non-teaching faculty, scholars and students had played a pivotal role in taking the institution to its present position. She said that the university recently achieved NAAC A++ accreditation and attained UGC Category-I status, which, she said, placed it among Indias leading higher educational institutions with enhanced academic, administrative and financial autonomy. Prof. Khan said the varsity was committed to creating an enabling ecosystem for women entrepreneurs by supporting them through different stages, from idea development and pre-incubation to incubation. She also said the universitys Directorate of Lifelong Learning, NewGen and the Centre of Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship were providing training, mentorship and support to women seeking to establish entrepreneurial ventures. 3,380 women have been empowered through women empowerment programmes conducted by the Directorate of Lifelong Learning during the last five years, she said. She added that 261 women had been trained through certificate programmes in community health, with several subsequently working at the mid-level in the health sector. She added that the varsity recently incubated women innovators and provided them seed funding to establish startups. Prof. Khan also recalled the contributions of women educators and social reformers, including Padmashree Mehmooda Ali Shah, Begum Zafar Ali, Atika Bano and Professor Neerja Mattu, for advancing girls education, social reform and womens empowerment. She further added that minister for education Sakina Itoo, who was present at the event, was a perfect role model and inspiration for women seeking to bring positive change to society, citing her contribution in social welfare, healthcare, school education, higher education and other priority sectors. The VC congratulated PSAJK for recognising women education leaders of J&K and called for a collective effort to create an educational and social environment where women could dream, innovate and lead with confidence. She stressed that the development of both government and private educational institutions was essential for preparing the younger generation to meet future challenges. Earlier in his address, president Private Schools Association J&K (PSAJK) Nazrul Islam Baba said the initiative was conceived as the beginning of a broader movement to recognise the contribution of women in education. Women Edupreneurs Connect is our humble attempt to celebrate their success, recognise their leadership and provide them with a platform where they can connect, learn, collaborate and inspire one another, he said.

JU Kabaddi Tournament advances to knockout stage

Jammu, Sep 9: The Inter-Collegiate Kabaddi (Men) Tournament 20262027, being organised by the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu, at the Gymnasium Hall, University of Jammu, witnessed another action-packed day of intense competition as the tournament entered its fourth day. The day, as per a statement, featured high-energy and closely fought encounters, with participating teams putting up an impressive display of strength, speed, agility, endurance and tactical execution. The players showcased excellent teamwork, coordination and determination while maintaining the true spirit of discipline, fair play and sportsmanship throughout the matches. The competitive nature of the encounters kept the spectators thoroughly engaged. The tournament is being conducted under the supervision of Dr Daud Iqbal Baba, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu, whose guidance continues to strengthen the organisation of sporting activities at the University level. The championship provides a valuable platform for talented players from affiliated colleges to compete at a higher level and demonstrate their sporting potential. The tournament has now reached a crucial stage, with the participating teams competing for a place in the final stages of the championship. The Quarterfinal and Semifinal matches are scheduled to be conducted tomorrow, promising further exciting and competitive Kabaddi action.

Own goal hands Athwas India XI 1-0 win over New JK United

Srinagar, Sep 9: Athwas India XI FC secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over New JK United FC in their Kashmir Super League Season 2 encounter on Wednesday, with the decisive goal coming through a own goal by New JK United defender Talib during the end moment of the game. The match, as per a statement, remained closely contested for most of the game, with both sides creating opportunities and battling hard for control. However, neither team could find the breakthrough in regulation time as the contest appeared headed for a draw. In the final minutes, New JK Uniteds Talib inadvertently put the ball into his own net, handing Athwas India XI FC a crucial 1-0 victory. The late setback was a tough result for New JK United FC, who had competed strongly throughout the match. Athwas India XI, meanwhile, held their composure in the closing stages. The victory will provide Athwas India XI FC with valuable momentum as the Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League Season 2 progresses. The league continues on Thursday with United Elegant FC taking on Swift Strikers FC in another eagerly awaited fixture.

In Defence of the Cluster University

There is understandable affection for Kashmirs historic colleges. S.P. College, Amar Singh College and Government College for Women are part of the Valleys educational history and have shaped generations of students. But that affection should not force us into a false choice between preserving our colleges and retaining the Cluster University. We need both. The criticism of the Cluster model raises legitimate questions about administration, autonomy and academic performance. But these concerns do not, by themselves, establish that the University is an unnecessary layer. The more important question is: what has the Cluster University added to higher education in Srinagar that individual colleges could not easily provide on their own? The answer is significant. Created in 2016 by bringing together five existing colleges, Cluster University Srinagar was intended to pool their resources and create a larger, multidisciplinary academic institution. Its mandate went beyond conventional undergraduate teaching to include postgraduate, integrated, professional and research programmes. Today, the University offers programmes across the sciences, humanities, social sciences, management, technology, education and other emerging fields. The Cluster University did not simply create another office. It created another level of education. That distinction is at the heart of the debate. A college may provide excellent undergraduate education. A university can provide something more: postgraduate study, doctoral research, specialised teaching, interdisciplinary programmes and the institutional scale needed to sustain research and new disciplines. Cluster University Srinagar has steadily moved in that direction, including the development of research and doctoral programmes. For students, this is not a minor administrative change. It means a wider academic horizon: more subjects, more pathways and more opportunities to move from undergraduate study towards advanced learning and research within one broader academic ecosystem. The suggestion that becoming part of a university necessarily destroys a colleges identity is equally questionable. St. Stephens College and Lady Shri Ram College remain distinctive and highly regarded institutions within the University of Delhi. They have retained their names, traditions, academic cultures and internal structures while operating within a larger university framework. Being part of a university does not mean ceasing to be a college. The same principle can apply in Jammu and Kashmir. Our constituent colleges can retain their identities while developing distinctive academic strengths within the Cluster University. S.P. College can build on its scientific tradition; Amar Singh College can strengthen its humanities and liberal-arts profile; other constituent institutions can develop their own areas of excellence. That is not institutional dilution. It is specialisation within a larger academic ecosystem. There is another misconception worth challenging. Autonomy and university membership are not opposites. The Cluster Universities Act itself envisages constituent colleges as important institutional units and provides for their participation in university governance. The answer, therefore, is not to assume that college autonomy requires dismantling the University. It is to ensure that the university structure actually allows meaningful participation and decision- making at the college level. The larger question is what kind of higher education Jammu and Kashmir needs. The answer cannot be a return to a system in which colleges are largely confined to traditional undergraduate education. Young people today need access to postgraduate study, professional programmes, technology, interdisciplinary learning, research and new fields of knowledge. The Cluster model was created precisely to widen that academic horizon. This is also consistent with the broader direction of higher-education policy. The National Education Policy 2020 calls for multidisciplinary universities and higher-education clusters while also emphasising institutional autonomy and stronger research. Scale and autonomy are not contradictory goals. The case against the Cluster University therefore needs to demonstrate more than administrative inconvenience. It needs to demonstrate that the academic gains created by the University could be achieved better through fragmentation into separate institutions. That case has not yet been made. Of course, the University should be judged honestly. Student services, infrastructure, faculty strength, research output and administration all matter. But there is a crucial distinction between saying the Cluster University has problems and saying the Cluster University has no purpose. The first may be true. The second does not follow. We should not measure the success of a university by the number of offices it has created, but by the opportunities it creates for students. On that measure, Cluster University Srinagar has already expanded the educational landscape beyond what the earlier college structure offered. The debate, therefore, should be reframed. The choice is not between historic colleges and the Cluster University. It is between a fragmented higher-education system and one in which our existing institutions can grow together. Our historic colleges should retain their identity, character and traditions. But they should also be part of a larger academic enterprise capable of taking students from undergraduate education to postgraduate study, research and new fields of knowledge. The Cluster University was conceived to expand the possibilities of our colleges, not to diminish them. Its real test is not whether it has replaced the old institutions, but whether it has enabled them to do more. On that measure, the story is far from over. We do not need fewer academic ambitions. We need a university system large enough to realise them. That is the idea worth defending. Jammu and Kashmir does not have to choose between preserving its educational legacy and building its academic future; the Cluster University gives us an opportunity to do both. Dr. Rutba Peerzada teaches in P.G Department of Political Science, Cluster University of Srinagar.

NGT issues notice toJ&K government over STP construction at Allochi Bagh

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notice to the Jammu and Kashmir government over the construction of a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Khadi Mill Ground in Allochi Bagh, Srinagar, following objections raised by residents over its location and alleged violations of environmental norms. The petition has been filed by residents of the locality, led by Bhupender Singh and others, who have alleged that the proposed STP is being constructed in proximity to residential houses in Friends Colony and that the project violates prescribed environmental and siting requirements. Senior counsel and environmental lawyer Advocate Saurabh Sharma appeared before a bench comprising NGT Chairman Justice Prakash Srivastava and Expert Member Dr Afroz Alam and argued that the proposed STP is being set up at a distance of only around 5 to 10 metres from the houses of the applicants. The applicants also placed before the Tribunal an inspection report of the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (J&K PCC), which, according to them, found the proposed STP to be located only around 25 metres from residential houses. They submitted that the applicable norms require a minimum distance of 500 metres. The petitioners also relied on a communication dated January 29, 2026, issued by the Regional Director, J&K Pollution Control Committee, Kashmir, to the Superintending Engineer, Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED), Srinagar, in support of their contention regarding violation of the siting criteria. Another issue raised before the Tribunal concerns the consent issued by the Pollution Control Committee for establishment of the plant. According to the proceedings, the J&K PCC had issued Consent to Establish (CTE) for the STP on March 20, 2026, which was subsequently rescinded on May 21, 2026. The applicants have also raised concerns over the location of the proposed plant, describing the Khadi Mill Ground as a low-lying and flood-prone area located adjacent to the Flood Spill Channel. They submitted that the area was completely flooded during the 2014 floods and argued that constructing an STP at the location could create health and environmental risks for nearby residents. The petitioners have also contended that the proposed facility would create a health hazard and violate their right to life. During the proceedings, counsel for the applicants also referred to an order of the Division Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh at Srinagar dated July 1, 2026, in LPA No. 129/2026 in the case of Residents of Allochi Bagh and others versus UT of Jammu and Kashmir and others. The applicants submitted before the NGT that they were not members of the association involved in that case and argued that, in any event, the High Court had directed that the STP be established at the proposed site strictly in accordance with applicable norms and regulations. The NGT, while considering the matter, recorded that the Original Application raised a substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms. The Tribunal has accordingly issued notice to the respondents and directed them to file their response or reply by way of affidavit at least one week before the next date of hearing through e-filing. The NGT further directed the applicant to serve the respondents and file an affidavit of service at least one week before the next hearing. The matter has been listed for hearing before the Principal Bench of the NGT on November 25, 2026. The Alouchibagh project is part of a larger effort to address sewage entering the Doodhganga stream. Two Sewage Treatment Plants are to be established at an estimated combined cost of Rs 140 crore following the NGTs directions in the matter of Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat versus the J&K government and others in OA No. 241/2021. One of the plants is coming up at Kralpora, Chadoora, while the other is being established at Allouhi Bagh in Srinagar. According to the information placed before the Tribunal, work on the Kralpora STP is proceeding smoothly. The Allochi Bagh project, however, has faced opposition from local residents over its location in a low-lying area and its proximity to residential houses in Friends Colony. The latest proceedings before the NGT are centred on the environmental and regulatory concerns raised by the applicants regarding the Alouchibagh site. The Tribunal has not, in the present order, given a final finding on the allegations raised by the petitioners. It has sought responses from the concerned respondents before proceeding further with the matter. The case will now come up before the NGT Principal Bench on November 25, when the responses of the government and other respondents are expected to be considered.

Kashmirs vanishing waters

Kashmir is a land shaped by water. Its rivers, lakes, springs, wetlands, and glaciers are not merely elements of its landscape; they are the foundation of its ecology, economy, and way of life. From the Jhelum to Dal and Wular, and from the springs of Verinag to the glaciers of the Himalayas, water is woven into Kashmirs identity. Yet the valley is increasingly struggling to protect this wealth. Pollution, unregulated construction, waste dumping, unsustainable extraction, tourism pressure, and climate change are placing immense stress on this ecosystem. Development, when guided by sustainability, can coexist with nature. But when the balance is disturbed, the consequences can be severe. Nowhere is this balance more important than in Kashmirs relationship with water. Kashmirs freshwater wealth is extraordinary. Wular Lake, Dal Lake, Hokersar wetlands, alpine lakes of Ganderbal, Kausarnag, and the twin lakes of Tarsar and Marsar define the regions geography. Its springsVerinag, Achabal, and Chashma Shahiare historically significant sources of water. Above these lie glaciers like Kolhoi and Thajiwas, which act as vital freshwater reservoirs. Their condition is directly connected to Kashmirs water security. Yet this system is not insulated from change. Rising temperatures, warmer summers, and increasing heat extremes are placing additional pressure on glaciers and water resources. Kashmirs vulnerability to water-related disasters is not new. The devastating floods of 2014 serve as a painful reminder. But the crisis is also visible in the gradual disappearance of water bodies. According to a CAG report, of the 697 natural lakes identified in 1967, 315 have disappeared and 203 have shrunk518 lakes in total, with a decline of around 2,800 hectares. Dal Lakes water area declined from 15.40 sq km in 2007 to 12.91 sq km in 2020. This erosion weakens ecological balance and reduces the natural systems that store water, recharge groundwater, and moderate floods. Climate change adds uncertainty, but pollution is turning a natural vulnerability into one of human negligence. Charity begins at home. Before blaming tourism, we must clear our own backyards. The valley generates substantial waste, yet waste management systems and civic sense have not evolved. One visible consequence is the dumping of waste into rivers. A river cannot be treated as a drainwhat disappears from our sight does not disappear from the environment. It eventually enters the water systems on which communities and agriculture depend. Unsustainable extraction is another concern. Excessive sand mining from riverbeds, without ecological consideration, disturbs natural river systems. Development must be measured not just by what we build, but by what we leave for the next generation. Tourism is a double-edged sword. It is an important pillar of Kashmirs economy, supporting hotels, transporters, guides, handicraft workers, and countless families. Yet tourism-driven pollution is a reality. The problem is not tourism itself, but an unchecked footprint in ecologically sensitive areas. Plastic waste, inadequate sanitation, and unplanned commercial activity can turn fragile destinations into victims of their own popularity. Kashmir has not escaped the consequences of its own inhabitants and visitors. Unchecked commercial construction in fragile ecosystems sacrifices long-term sustainability for short-term gains. Wetlands, riverbanks, and forests cannot be treated as empty spaces waiting to be exploited. The question is not whether Kashmir should developof course it should. The question is what kind of development we want. It must mean learning to coexist with nature, not conquering it. What can we do individually? The answer is simple, though putting it into practice requires collective discipline. One small act of properly disposing waste may seem insignificant, but when repeated by thousands, its impact becomes enormous. Environmental protection is the collective result of individual choices. In a society where religious and community institutions command moral influence, environmental stewardship must be part of the message from the pulpit. Religious leaders can spread environmental responsibility to even the farthest villages. Many institutions have already engaged in conservation efforts, but much more is needed. Campaigns like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan must be incorporated into peoples lifestyles at the grassroots level. Cleanliness and environmental responsibility must become habits, not activities undertaken only during official campaigns. Local administration must also actinnovative campaigns, strong legal action against unchecked construction, and penalties coupled with awareness and community participation are essential. Tourism in fragile areas must be regulated according to carrying capacity, rather than treating every location as capable of absorbing unlimited visitors. Religious functions held in sensitive areas must be conducted with proper sanitation and care for the ecosystemenvironmental protection must be treated with the same seriousness as crowd management and security. Kashmir does not have to look far for warnings. Nepal, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Kashmirs own history provide examples of what happens when environmental vulnerability is ignored. Nature gives warnings long before it gives disasters. The question is whether we are willing to listen. Kashmirs water bodies cannot be protected by the government alone. It begins with the waste we choose not to throw into a stream, the construction we choose to question, the tourism practices we choose to regulate, and the responsibility we choose to teach our children. If we fail to learn and act, we may find ourselves only a step away from another catastrophic disasterone that may strip us of our homes, our livelihoods, our landscape, and most painfully, the lives of those we love.

BJP demands unconditional apology from Tanvir Sadiq, holds protests

The Bharatiya Janata Partys Jammu and Kashmir unit on Wednesday held protests in Srinagar, Anantnag and other districts against remarks by National Conference leader and MLA Tanvir Sadiq, which the party described as an insult to Kashmiri women. BJP General Secretary Anwar Khan led the charge, terming Sadiqs comments shameful, disgraceful and an insult to every Kashmiri mother and sister. He said the honour of Kashmiri women was not a favour any political party could claim or distribute. Kashmiri mothers and sisters do not owe their dignity, honour or identity to the National Conference. Their dignity is not a political favour that any party can claim credit for, Khan said. Addressing protesters and later speaking to reporters, he said Kashmiri women have a proud history of courage, resilience and sacrifice. Using their honour to glorify a political party, he added, reflected arrogance and contempt for the people of Kashmir. When you have no achievements to show, dont rewrite history by insulting Kashmiri women, Khan said. Our mothers and sisters have faced decades of hardships with courage and dignity. To portray their dignity as something handed out by a political party is morally disgraceful and deeply insulting. The BJP leader demanded that Sadiq immediately withdraw the remarks and tender an unconditional public apology to the women and people of Jammu and Kashmir. Party workers raised slogans against what they called political condescension and carried placards asserting that the dignity of Kashmiri women could not be turned into a tool of propaganda. Protests were organised in Srinagar and Anantnag, with the party saying similar demonstrations would continue in other districts. The anger among the people is genuine and justified. We will raise our voice in every district against this insult to our mothers and sisters. Tanvir Sadiq must apologise publicly and withdraw his statement without excuses, Khan said. He added that political debate was legitimate, but the honour of mothers and sisters could not be dragged into it. Do politics, but do not drag the honour of our mothers and sisters into your political propaganda. Kashmiri women deserve respect, not political condescension. The BJP said the protests would continue until an unconditional apology was issued.

Delhi was good enough for Bukhari. Why not Omar?

The article titled Where is the Omar Abdullah-led NC Government? asks a legitimate question about governance, but then proceeds to answer it with political insinuation rather than facts. If Altaf Bukhari wants to scrutinise the government, he is perfectly entitled to do so. But scrutiny must begin with facts, not selective memory. Because before Altaf Bukhari lectures anyone on the politics of Delhi, perhaps he should be reminded of his own words. When Altaf Bukhari went to Delhi, it was political engagement. When Omar Abdullah goes to Delhi, it is supposedly a photo opportunity. That is not a difference of political philosophy. It is a difference of political convenience. Let us begin with Altaf Bukharis own words. On 24 June 2021, Bukhari attended Prime Minister Narendra Modis all-party meeting with J&K political leaders at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi. After the meeting, he said the Prime Minister had assured leaders that the Centre was committed to restoring statehood to Jammu & Kashmir. Just weeks later, in an interview published by The Indian Express on 1 August 2021, Bukhari defended his own meetings with the Prime Minister and his visits to Delhi. His words were: Just because I went to Delhi and met the prime minister... why are they crying on that. He explained that his Delhi outreach was intended to raise issues concerning the people of J&K, including the release of detainees and protection of jobs and land. So, Mr Bukhari, what changed? When you went to Delhi, it was advocacy. When you met the Prime Minister, it was engagement. When you raised J&Ks concerns with the Centre, it was politics. But when an elected Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir does the same, it becomes a photo op? The people of J&K deserve an explanation for that contradiction. Then came the most revealing statement On 18 July 2023, in a PTI video interview, Bukhari made his political approach towards New Delhi remarkably clear. He said: We have to stand with Delhi. That is in the national interest. That is in the interest of my people. He further said: We are with New Delhi. We are neither with BJP nor with the opposition. And then came the statement that perhaps deserves to be remembered most carefully: Anybody who sits in New Delhi tomorrow, we are with him. Bukhari also argued that any government in J&K would need the support of the Centre. These are not words attributed to him by the National Conference. They are Altaf Bukharis own words. So when he now mocks Omar Abdullah for travelling to Delhi, the obvious question is: does Altaf Bukhari now disagree with Altaf Bukhari of 2023? The BJP question makes the contradiction even harder to ignore. On 8 January 2023, The Indian Express reported Bukharis willingness to work with the BJP. Asked whether he was ready to join hands with the BJP, his response was: Why not? Does the BJP suffer from any disease... that we cant join hands with them? He further said: Except the PDP we are ready to form the government with anyone. There is nothing inherently wrong with considering political alliances. Parties are entitled to make their choices. But one cannot simultaneously keep every political door open and then question another partys political engagement with Delhi as though it were somehow illegitimate. If engagement with Delhi was pragmatism when Altaf Bukhari did it, it remains pragmatism when Omar Abdullah does it. And what has that engagement actually delivered? The article dismisses the governments engagement with the Centre while conveniently overlooking what such engagement can produce. In April 2026, the Union Government approved `3,566 crore in road projects under PMGSY-IV for Jammu & Kashmir, alongside significant allocations for rural development, womens livelihoods and agriculture. The 202627 J&K Budget projects the Gross State Domestic Product at `3.16 lakh crore, with projected growth of 9.5% over the revised 202526 estimate. The Budget also provides for crop insurance covering major crops, fee waivers for eligible students from Antyodaya families and six free LPG cylinders annually for AAY families. These are not arguments that every problem has been solved. Far from it. Jammu & Kashmir continues to face serious challenges in employment, electricity, administrative powers, tourism infrastructure and economic opportunity. The government must be held accountable for these issues and must deliver more. But a government should be criticised for what it has failed to do, not for meetings that the critic chooses to misrepresent. If meeting Union Ministers helps secure roads, infrastructure, financial support or policy interventions for J&K, what exactly is the objection? Should the Chief Minister stop going to Delhi simply because Altaf Bukhari has decided that his meetings are politically inconvenient to acknowledge? Delhi is not a destination for photo opportunities. It is where many of the decisions affecting Jammu & Kashmir are made. An elected Chief Minister has both the right and the responsibility to take J&Ks case there. The statehood charge is particularly weak Bukharis attempt to suggest that the National Conference has abandoned the issue of statehood is equally difficult to reconcile with the record. On 17 October 2024, at its very first Cabinet meeting, the Omar Abdullah government unanimously adopted a resolution seeking restoration of Jammu & Kashmirs statehood. The Chief Minister was subsequently authorised to take the matter up with the Prime Minister and the Government of India. That is not a government that kept mum. One can argue that the government should have achieved more. One can demand faster results. One can question its strategy. But one cannot erase an actual Cabinet resolution simply because it does not fit a convenient political narrative. And the issue has not disappeared from the governments political agenda. Omar Abdullah has continued to raise statehood with the Centre, including in his meetings with the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister. The irony of Bukharis own recent position The contradiction becomes even more striking when one looks at Bukharis recent statements. On 17 June 2026, Bukhari dismissed the proposed NC mobilisation in Delhi for restoration of statehood as a political gimmick and described it as a new political drama. Yet on 16 July 2026, while addressing an Apni Party workers meeting at Dak Bungalow in Poonch, he argued that meaningful dialogue and sustained engagement with the Centre were essential for restoring statehood. He said: Protests and confrontation is not the way forward. Only a dialogue can bring our rights including statehood back. Again, the question is obvious. If dialogue with Delhi is the way forward, why is an elected government engaging Delhi on statehood a political gimmick? If the government does not raise the issue, it can be accused of silence. If it raises the issue in Delhi, it is accused of doing a photo op. If it protests, it is called confrontational. If it chooses dialogue, it is apparently compromising. It seems the only acceptable strategy, in Altaf Bukharis politics, is one in which Omar Abdullah does nothing. The electorate has already answered one question. The article asks: Where is the Omar Abdullah government? The answer is simple: It is where the people of Jammu & Kashmir put it. In the 2024 Assembly elections, the National Conference won 42 of the 90 Assembly seats, while its alliance partners helped take the coalition beyond the majority mark. Apni Party did not win a single Assembly seat. That does not make the NC government immune from criticism. An elected government must be questioned relentlessly on employment, electricity, infrastructure, tourism, administration, prices and public services. But there is a difference between holding a government accountable and pretending the electorate never gave it a mandate in the first place. Perhaps the real question is: Where is Altaf Bukharis consistency? In 2021, he went to Delhi and defended his meeting with the Prime Minister. In 2021, again, he supported engagement with the Centre on J&Ks political future. In January 2023, he said he was willing to form a government with almost anyone except the PDP, including the BJP. In July 2023, he said: Anybody who sits in New Delhi tomorrow, we are with him. In June 2026, he dismissed an NC statehood mobilisation in Delhi as a political gimmick. In July 2026, he said dialogue with the Centre was the way to restore statehood. The issue is not that Altaf Bukhari has changed his position. Politicians are allowed to change positions. The issue is that he appears to apply one standard to himself and another to Omar Abdullah. When Bukhari goes to Delhi, it is outreach. When Bukhari meets the Prime Minister, it is advocacy. When Bukhari seeks engagement with the Centre, it is pragmatism. But when an elected Chief Minister does precisely the same thing, it is supposedly a photo opportunity. That is not accountability. That is selective outrage. Jammu & Kashmir deserves a political opposition that remembers its own words, respects the peoples mandate and debates the government on facts. Altaf Bukhari is perfectly entitled to oppose Omar Abdullah. He is perfectly entitled to question the NC government. But before asking Where is the government?, perhaps he should answer the more uncomfortable question: Where is the consistency in his own politics? Adv. Shriya Handoo, Research Head & Spokesperson, J&K National Conference (JKNC)

All is not lost yet

Environmental pollution poses a grave threat to the survival of humanity in modern times. For centuries, man has remained dependent on his surrounding environment for food, water, air, and shelter. The relationship between man and his environment is of utmost significance, characterized by a free exchange between the ecosystem and human systems. However, in recent decades, this balance has been disturbed, primarily due to the increasing wants and interests of man. Scientific success and technological advancements have made man materially prosperous but have severely damaged his most important companionthe environment. Environmental pollution is increasing with societal growth and development. While progress is essential, it should not come at the cost of life, health, and nature. It is the duty of every civilized person to keep surroundings cleannot only for human beings but also for animals, birds, plants, and trees. The Holy Quran emphasizes this balance. Allah states in Surah Ankaboot (44): Allah created the heavens and the earth in true proportions. In Surah Qamar (49), He declares: Verily, all things have been created in proportion and measure. We take pride in advances in agriculture, medicine, biotechnology, energy, and industry. However, these advances have created problems of pollution, overpopulation, new diseases, imbalance of natural resources, global warming, and destruction of wildlife. The beautiful valley of Kashmir has been richly endowed with nature and environment, sustaining its people for generations. But it is an unpleasant fact that as the people of Kashmir have become more civilized, they have increasingly infested their environment. We have plundered its beauty to such an extent that we are now anxiously concerned about our own survival. The pollution we have inflicted is not confined to our surroundings, rivers, trees, and animalsit has also spread socially, politically, and morally. The unchecked progress of industrialization and consequent urbanization and modernization have stabilized our economy but at the cost of our nature. We have converted farms into shopping complexes and industries. Rice fields and orchards have been replaced by residential colonies without considering the impact on our land. Even tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam have not been spared. Gulmarg, once world-renowned for its scenic beauty, has been turned into a hub of adventure tourism and concrete structures. It no longer retains the naked, natural environs for which it was once prominent. While we may earn money from these ventures, the crowded gatherings and encroachments are becoming sources of pollution. Modern man, full of fret and fever, seeks respite from turbulent lifewhich he could certainly find in Gulmargbut we have perhaps deprived him of this blessing. Pahalgam, with its gushing Lidder stream and picturesque meadows, was once abundant in forests, shrubs, and pure water. It is dismaying that this place is also losing its charm due to concrete structures and unnecessary amusement launches, which have now become sources of pollution. Ecologists have been warning of the total extinction of rare wild animal species in the Kashmir Himalayas, particularly around Pahalgam, unless pollution is checked. Species at risk include the Hangul, Musk Deer, Brown Bear, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Ibex. Avian species such as the Bearded Vulture, Golden Eagle, Gurkakav, and Koklas are also in danger. We have also destroyed the environment of our lakes, particularly Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake, which once possessed absolute allure and natural charisma. For Gods sake, let politically motivated individuals act reasonably and safeguard these graceful lakes, restoring their lost charm. Unnecessary tourist infrastructure, coupled with vested political interests, has dangerously disturbed these mesmerizing water bodies. Our riversmost importantly, the Jhelum, which irrigates our fields and provides water for lifehave turned poisonous due to enormous quantities of waste, oils, and chemicals from industries and factories that flow into it. The Jhelum has lost its purity, signaling disease and death. Kashmir was once a cool place where refreshing breezes would blow. Today, we need air purifiers and disinfectants to escape atmospheric pollution. The fragrance and freshness of winter, which existed twenty years ago, have been lost. This change is the result of the devastation of our forestsour green gold. For construction, we plundered and smuggled this wealth for financial gain. We have left our forests naked, and the day is not far when we will lose the natural beauty of our land. We have hastened our own destruction, sacrificing ecological balance for so-called development. All is not lost yet. Much can be salvaged if we restrict our materialistic pursuits. We must abandon our selfishness, set aside narrow interests, and save our landbecause we are its sentinels.

Beyond One-Time Relaxation

Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with a severe crisis of educated unemployment. The worst affected are the youth, many of whom are slipping into depression for want of timely job opportunities. Through this Op-Ed, I wish to bring some genuine concerns to the notice of the Honble Lieutenant Governor-led UT Administration. Since Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory, the youth have more expectations from the Raj Bhavan than anywhere else. The issue of age limit in JKAS As per SRO 103 of 2018, which governs the J&K Combined Competitive Examination, the upper age limit for Open Merit (OM) candidates is 32 years, 34 years for reserved and in-service candidates, and 35 years for physically challenged candidates. This is arguably the lowest upper age limit for any State Civil Services Examination in the country. For comparison, the upper age limit is 42 years in Haryana, 40 years in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, and 37 years in Punjab. The UT Government itself gave one-time relaxation up to 37 years in the past, which shows the need for a permanent solution. Recently, in February 2026, the Government informed the Legislative Assembly that the proposal to enhance the upper age limit is under examination. To end this annual distress and uncertainty, there is a need for a permanent solution under Article 309 of the Constitution. I humbly request the LG Administration to enhance the upper age limit for JKAS (OM) to 40 years, at par with other states. An officer selected at 40 will be more mature, knowledgeable and dedicated. While his service tenure will be shorter, his commitment to the system will be far greater. Need for yearly recruitment in education sector The problem is more acute for science stream students. In J&K, there is virtually no private sector for them. The only viable career option is in the education sector as 10+2 Lecturer or Assistant Professor. However, these posts are advertised almost once in ten years. By the time they are advertised, a student who completed post-graduation between 2016 and 2020 has already become overage and cannot even compete. This is how an entire generation has become overage without getting a single fair chance. As per Article 320 of the Constitution and Section 93 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, JKPSC is mandated to conduct recruitment. The General Administration Department has also instructed all departments to refer vacancies to PSC/SSB by January 15 every year, but the instruction is not being followed in letter and spirit. The JKPSC should adopt a yearly recruitment calendar on the directions of the LG Administration. Even if there are only two vacancies in a subject, the posts of Lecturer and Assistant Professor should be advertised every year. This will give hope to the youth, keep them engaged with academics, help the UT get quality academicians and protect youth from depression. Need to Amend SRO 481 At present, under the J&K School Education (Gazetted) Service Recruitment Rules, 2010 issued vide SRO 481, posts of Headmaster, Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), Principal and Chief Education Officer (CEO) are filled 100% by promotion. This has resulted in a culture of in-charge arrangements, with hundreds of schools and zones remaining headless for years. The LG Administration should amend SRO 481 and earmark at least 25% quota for direct recruitment through JKPSC for these posts. This would involve no financial burden but will help create a dedicated and qualified J&K Education Service cadre for the largest department of J&K, besides creating employment opportunities for highly qualified youth. These reforms involve no additional financial burden on the exchequer, but they will go a long way in securing the future of thousands of educated youth in Jammu and Kashmir. I humbly request the Honble Lieutenant Governor to kindly consider these suggestions in the larger interest of the educated youth of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Emerging Violence of Himalayan Hazards

The sudden flash flood in Rasuwa, Bagmati Province, Nepal, in August 26, 2026 has highlighted the emerging and unpredictable nature of cryospheric hazards in the Himalaya. It demonstrates how sudden glacier- and ice-related processes, combined with weak geological foundations, can rapidly generate destructive floods, posing serious risks to communities and critical infrastructure. The Himalaya is changing, and so is the nature of its disasters. In recent years, landslides, debris flows, flash floods, cloudbursts and cryosphere-related hazards have become more frequent, intense and complex. Since around 2020, the Himalaya has experienced repeated extreme events. The South Lhonak GLOF in Sikkim (2023), Thame GLOF in Nepal (2024), and recent disasters in Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir etc., clearly show this changing Himalayan hazard environment. The concern is not only the increasing number of disasters, but also their changing and difficult-to-predict behaviour. Every major event generates scientific studies/literature to understand its causes and mechanisms, yet each event can follow a different pathway. The Himalaya has highly variable geology, land use land cover, steep terrain, glaciers, snow, permafrost, unstable slopes and river systems. These interacting conditions make disaster prediction increasingly challenging and highlight the need for better monitoring, risk assessment and adaptation. Cryosphere is no longer only a water resource For decades, glaciers and snow have mainly been viewed as important water resources and indicators of climate change. Glacial lakes, meanwhile, were recognised as potential sources of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). But this understanding is now expanding. The glacier/snow itself can become the source of a disaster. Earlier, the 2021 Chamoli disaster was also triggered by the collapse of a large rock-ice mass from Ronti Peak, transforming rapidly into a destructive debris flow and flash flood. The August 2026 Nepal event provides a striking example of this emerging hazard. A large glacier/ice-rock mass collapsed and generated a powerful avalanche, followed by debris mobilisation and flash flooding. The event propagated rapidly downstream, damaging settlements, roads, bridges and infrastructure and killing hundreds. These events demonstrate the cascading nature of glacier-related hazards. Their occurrence without intense rainfall also highlights the limitations of relying solely on rainfall-based warning systems. More importantly, they send a clear message that glaciers should now be assessed not only as water resources but also as potential sources of catastrophic disasters. From glacier to flash flood in minutes A glacier situated on a steep slope, hanging valley or ice cliff may appear stable for years. However, warming can alter the structure and stability of ice and surrounding rock. Glacier thinning, increased meltwater generation, crevassing, changing ice conditions, and associated permafrost degradation may further contribute to glacier instability. When a large mass of ice and rock suddenly detaches, gravity takes over. The material can accelerate rapidly down a steep slope. As it moves, it may entrain water, ice, rock and loose sediment. Once the mass enters a river valley, it can rapidly transform into a highly destructive debris flow or flash flood. The enormous energy and changing lapse-rate conditions can accelerate melting of the entrained ice, generating additional meltwater and increasing the volume and destructive power of the downstream flood. The most concerning aspect is the speed/velocity of the process. A disaster may begin high in the mountains and reach downstream settlements within minutes. There may be little or no time for communities to react. Bridges, roads, hydropower projects and houses located in the flow path can be destroyed almost instantaneously. These are not simply floods. They are cascading disasters-one process triggering another like glacier instability, ice-rock avalanche, water release, sediment mobilisation, debris flow and finally a destructive flood. Given the steep Himalayan terrain, active tectonics, complex geology and rapidly changing cryosphere, these hazards are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected. Several parts of the region have experienced repeated cloudbursts, flash floods, debris flows and landslides in recent years, particularly during 2026. In Jammu & Kashmir, for example, heavy rainfall events have affected districts such as Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Kathua, Poonch and Rajouri etc. These events demonstrate that hazards cannot always be treated as separate processes. A cloudburst may trigger a landslide; a landslide may block a river; the failure of such a blockage, sometimes combined with an ice avalanche, may generate a flash flood; and the resulting flood can rapidly mobilise large quantities of sediment downstream. The hazard is therefore no longer a single event-it is a chain of interconnected processes. Towards better adaptation and resilience Our planning needs to change: We cannot stop the Himalaya from being an active mountain system. We cannot prevent every landslide, glacier collapse or flash flood. But we can reduce the number of people and assets exposed to these hazards. The first step is to reconsider where and how we build. Settlements and infrastructure located on floodplains, alluvial fans, river corridors, debris-flow channels, confluences and other active landforms require careful reassessment. Future planning must consider changing rainfall, glacier and snow conditions, sediment availability and cascading processes. The question should no longer be only Where can we build? It should also be Where should we not build? Communities must be at the centre: Scientific monitoring is essential, but technology alone cannot save lives. The people living in mountain valleys are the first to experience these disasters and often have only minutes to respond. Community-based monitoring, local warning systems, evacuation routes, hazard awareness and regular preparedness exercises must therefore become an integral part of Himalayan disaster management. Scientific information must reach people in a form that is simple, clear and actionable. Climate change is changing the risk: Climate change is an important part of this emerging picture. Glaciers are among the most sensitive indicators of climate change, but their response to warming may also create new hazards. Glacier thinning, retreat, changing meltwater pathways and instability of hanging glaciers can increase the potential for sudden ice and ice-rock failures. This means that the role of glaciers must be understood in two ways 1) as water reservoirs and 2) as potential hazard sources. A new generation of glacier-risk assessment is therefore needed. Monitoring should consider not only glacier area and retreat, but also slope, ice thickness, surface velocity, crevassing, hanging-glacier geometry, meltwater pathways, surrounding rock stability and the population and infrastructure located downstream. We need to learn from every disaster: The biggest weakness in disaster management is not always the lack of scientific knowledge. Often, it is the failure to convert knowledge from one disaster into preparedness for the next. Every disaster should therefore become a learning event. When a glacier collapses, we should ask which other glaciers have similar characteristics. When a debris flow destroys a settlement, we should identify other settlements located on similar fans. When a flood damages infrastructure, we should examine whether similar infrastructure exists elsewhere in the same hazard zone. The Himalaya is repeatedly showing us where our vulnerabilities lie. We need to listen. The Himalaya does not recognise borders: Himalayan hazards do not respect political boundaries. Rivers, glaciers, mountains and atmospheric systems connect communities across India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and China. A disaster originating in one part of the mountains can rapidly affect people and infrastructure far downstream and across borders. The recent Rasuwa-disaster is a powerful reminder that disasters do not recognise nationality, religion or political boundaries. Effective risk reduction therefore requires regional scientific cooperation, shared monitoring systems, common data platforms and coordinated early-warning mechanisms. Understand the mountain before building on it: The future of Himalayan disaster management must be interdisciplinary. Geology, geomorphology, hydrology, cryosphere science, meteorology and ecology cannot work in isolation. The strength or weakness of one component can influence the behaviour of the entire mountain system. The geological foundation is particularly important. Weak rocks, faults, fractured slopes and unstable terrain can amplify the effects of rainfall, glacier melt and earthquakes. Understanding this interconnected system is essential for developing safer infrastructure and better risk-management strategies. Learning to live with the Himalaya: The Himalaya is an active and dynamic mountain system. Its hazards cannot be completely eliminated. Climate change is further increasing the complexity and uncertainty of these processes. Therefore, our goal should not be to control the Himalaya. Our goal should be to understand it, respect its limits and adapt our way of living to its behaviour. Every disaster leaves destruction behind, but it also leaves knowledge. The real failure occurs when we experience one disaster and continue planning as if the next one will behave in exactly the same way. Every passing disaster is a wake-up call. We must learn from it before the next warning arrives. The future of the Himalaya will depend not only on how the mountains change, but on how intelligently we respond to those changes. The choice is before us; either continue reacting after every disaster, or learn from the past and prepare for the next one. Dr. Riyaz Ahmad Mir, Former Sr. Geologist- GSI, Scientist-In-Charge, National Institute of Hydrology, Western Himalayan Regional Centre, Jammu, J&K.

Srinagars roads in crisis: Potholes, open manholes turn commute into daily hazard

Pothole-ridden roads, uneven surfaces and open manholes have made daily travel increasingly difficult for commuters across Srinagar, with residents complaining that poor road conditions are affecting traffic movement, damaging vehicles and creating safety risks. From the congested downtown areas to busy uptown roads and newly developed residential colonies on the citys outskirts, several stretches are in need of urgent repairs, according to residents. In downtown Srinagar, roads in and around Nowhatta, Hawal, Gojwara and adjoining areas continue to have uneven surfaces, with residents attributing parts of the deterioration to drainage and utility works carried out in recent months. While underground works were completed, many roads were left inadequately restored, making driving difficult and slowing traffic movement, said Fayaz Ahmad, a commuter. Similar complaints have been reported from Maisuma and nearby areas, where motorists said uneven road patches force vehicles to slow down and contribute to traffic bottlenecks, particularly during office and school hours. The condition of the Bemina-Qamarwari road has also come under criticism, with commuters pointing to potholes that have widened over time along the busy corridor. Residents said the Noor Bagh stretch is similarly affected, with damaged road surfaces making movement difficult and increasing vehicle wear and tear. In Hazratbal and its surrounding areas, residents said the rapid expansion of residential colonies has not been matched by improvement in road infrastructure. Roads leading towards Batapora and Gosiya Colony, besides several interior roads serving newer residential areas, have multiple damaged stretches, residents said. Our colony and nearby residential areas have expanded over the years, but the roads remain in a miserable condition. We keep hearing that tenders are being processed, but people want to know when the actual macadamisation will begin, a resident of Gosiya Colony said. Open and uneven manholes have added another layer of risk. In Batapora, an uncovered manhole on a road curve has been marked only with a wooden stick and a piece of cloth to alert motorists. It is shocking that such a dangerous spot has been left like this, said Bilal Ahmad, a daily commuter. Residents said open manholes can become particularly dangerous during rainfall when they are covered by water and become difficult to identify. They said pedestrians, cyclists and motorists unfamiliar with the affected stretches face the greatest risk. Beyond safety concerns, commuters said deteriorating roads are increasing vehicle maintenance costs. Every few months I have to spend money on suspension repairs, wheel alignment and tyre maintenance because of these roads. The wear and tear on vehicles has increased considerably, said Mohammad Yasin, a commuter from Bemina. Residents also said several link roads in Gojwara and other downtown localities remain in poor condition despite repeated complaints to the concerned authorities. The issue is not limited to major roads. Residents said many smaller link roads and interior streets are being overlooked even as work progresses on some prominent city roads. An official said macadamisation work was underway on several stretches and that additional roads had been identified for improvement. We have already completed macadamisation on some important road stretches, while additional roads have been identified and are being taken up in phases depending on available resources and priority, the official said. Officials have also maintained that road works are being carried out in phases, with priority given to important routes and areas requiring immediate attention. Residents, however, said the condition of several interior roads remains poor and urged the authorities to speed up repairs and restoration. They also stressed the need for proper restoration after underground utility and drainage works, arguing that freshly repaired roads should not be left with uneven patches or unfinished surfaces. With winter approaching, residents said timely repairs have become more urgent. Rain, snowfall, freezing temperatures and repeated traffic movement can further damage already weakened road surfaces, they said. For commuters, the problem extends beyond traffic delays. Potholes, damaged road edges and open manholes can result in accidents while also increasing the cost of maintaining vehicles. As Srinagar continues to expand, residents said road maintenance needs to keep pace with the citys growth. They have called for faster macadamisation, proper restoration following utility works, and immediate covering or securing of dangerous manholes. The condition of the roads, residents said, has made what should be an ordinary daily commute a recurring test of patience and safety.

Direct from Sun

We need enough electricity. We need affordable electricity. We need non-hazardous electricity. We need environment-friendly electricity. We need electricity for every household, everywhere in J&K365 days a year, 30 days a month, 7 days a week, and 24 hours a day. No outage, no drop in voltage, no pilferage, no transmission losses. Is that wishful thinking? No, it is a wish that the sun in the sky grants to the people living under a roof on the earth. The demand for electricity is ever increasing, and there is always a gap between supply and demand. In J&K, we have enough water resources to produce as muchin fact, moreelectricity than we need. But there are structural, financial, and administrative problems that come in the way. The result is that when the Kashmir region needs more power during the winter season, there is a sharp dip in supply. The same is the case in hot zones. When Jammu and such regions need electricity in summers, there isnt enough to be supplied. Like our capital cities, the suffering on account of electricity shortage also shifts its space. Now comes the element of environmental sensitivity. Hydropower has its own downside. The way we have seen landslides and flash floods, the danger of a dam burst is real. If we keep playing with our mountains and rivers the way we are, by undertaking massive developmental projects while compromising environmental safety, we are inviting a catastrophe of immense magnitude. So hydropower generation has a limit, and crossing that limit is not a wise option. The option currently available to us is solar electricity. The government is already putting lots of emphasis on this, and that needs to be further prioritised. There is a subsidy offered by the government on individual solar units. The government is also mapping rooftop space on its own buildings to utilise it for solar electricity generation. In addition to making the two efficient, we need to find more ways to generate solar electricity. Perhaps the government can incentivise solar electricity generation in more attractive ways than merely offering a subsidy.

Lot-I tender first step towards Rs 35,000 Cr project: MLA Ramban

Ramban MLA Arjun Singh Raju on Wednesday said the opening of the technical bid for Lot-I of the much-awaited project would mark an important first step towards its implementation, while clarifying that the Lot-I tender should not be confused with the main project. Speaking to reporters, Raju said the technical bid for Lot-I, involving works worth around Rs 5,000 Cr, was expected to be opened on Wednesday. He said the financial bid would be processed after completion of the technical evaluation, following which the work under Stage-I, Lot-I, would be allotted and taken up. The MLA said the project had witnessed repeated delays over the past several years due to a number of pending issues, including matters related to land possession. He said these issues had also affected the progress of the Lot-I tender. According to Raju, the overall project is estimated to cost around Rs 35,000 Cr, with the government having approved subordinate debt of approximately Rs 18,000 Cr for NHPC at a relatively low rate of interest. He further said the proposal for the main project was presently awaiting consideration by the Public Investment Board, which examines major projects of the Central Government and public sector undertakings on various parameters, including financial viability and cost-effectiveness. I expect the Public Investment Board to clear the proposal by the end of October, Raju said, adding that after the required approvals, including Cabinet approval, the main project tenders would be floated and work on the main project could commence. The MLA also urged people not to link the Lot-I tender with the entire project, saying that Lot-I represented an initial stage and would enable work worth more than Rs 5,000 Cr to begin. He said the development was a positive step after years of uncertainty and would provide momentum to the overall project. Lot-I is an important beginning, but the main project will still require some more time and the necessary approvals, Raju said.

5 firms submit bids for Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project

The tendering process for Lot-I of the Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project (HEP) in Jammu and Kashmir) has moved forward with five major infrastructure companies submitting bids for the package. The technical bids for Lot-I of the proposed 1,800-MW Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project were opened on Wednesday, marking a significant step forward in the long-pending project. According to the Government e-Procurement System, the technical bids for Lot-I were opened by the duly constituted Tender Opening Committee (TOC). The five bidders include Adani Infra India Ltd, Hindustan Construction Co Ltd, Larsen and Toubro Ltd, Patel Engineering Ltd, and Rithwik Projects Pvt Ltd. All five bids have been admitted under the fee, pre-qualification and technical categories. The tender has been floated by NHPC Limited, Corporate Office, Faridabad, under Tender ID 2026_NHPC_8906835_1, with the tender reference number NH/CCW/CC-III/CO439/PRI 4325/91. The e-procurement tender summary report, updated on September 9, stated that the technical bids of all five bidders had been opened by the duly constituted TOC. The development marks a significant step forward in the tendering process for the long-awaited Sawalkot HEP project. The opening of the technical bids will now pave the way for scrutiny and evaluation of the bidders' technical and eligibility documents before the tendering process proceeds to the subsequent stages. The Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project is among the major proposed power projects in the Chenab basin and has remained a subject of considerable public and political interest, particularly over delays in taking the project forward. Welcoming the development, president of the Sawalkote Joint Action Committee (SJAC), advocate Fairoz Khan, congratulated the people of Ramban and members of the committee for their continued efforts and support for the project-related issues. Khan said the opening of the technical bids was an important development, but stressed that the tendering process should now proceed without further delay and the government should announce a firm timeline for execution of the project. He reiterated that the SJAC was not opposed to development or nation-building, but wanted the rights and interests of the people affected by the project to be protected. He pointed out that nearly 88 per cent of the projects submergence area falls in Ramban district, making local participation and adequate safeguards particularly important. The SJAC president demanded fair and timely compensation to all affected landowners in accordance with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. He also sought first preference for local youth of Ramban in project-related employment, contracts and services, besides a comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement package for displaced families, including livelihood and wage security. Khan further called for clarity on road connectivity and diversion plans, saying there should be transparent communication regarding infrastructure that would be affected by the project. He also demanded a review of land acquired earlier but remaining unused, with such land either returned to the owners or compensated afresh as per law. The SJAC also stressed the need for adequate environmental and social safeguards to ensure that the project does not adversely affect local ecology and communities. We are ready for dialogue, but we will not accept empty promises, Khan said, asserting that Ramban should be treated as a stakeholder and not a sacrifice zone. He said the SJAC would continue to pursue its demands through peaceful and legal means and would remain engaged with the government and project authorities to safeguard the interests of the people of Ramban. Ramban is not a sacrifice zone; it is a stakeholder, and its people deserve their rightful share, Khan said. The committee also thanked supporters and the media for highlighting the concerns of the people of Ramban and reiterated its resolve to continue pursuing the issues related to compensation, rehabilitation, employment and development benefits.

Sub-Committee meeting on Ladakh issues held in New Delhi

Srinagar, Sep 9:The crucial sub-committee meeting convened by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to address the political and constitutional future of Ladakh ended late Wednesday without any major breakthrough, according to representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The meeting in the national capital brought together senior officials from the Home Ministry, representatives of the Ladakh administration, and a joint delegation of the LAB and KDA. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the leadership from Ladakh arrived at a consensus that the Union Territory, which was carved out following the 2019 reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir, is set to receive a customised constitutional framework under Article 371, complete with its own elected legislative body. Those who attended the Sub-Committee meeting in New Delhi included senior MHA officers, senior officials of the Ladakh administration, including Chief Secretary Ladakh Ashish Kundra, besides three members each from LAB and KDA, LokSabha member from LadakhMohdHanifa Jan, former MP ThupstanChhewang, Kargil Hill Council Chairman MohdJaffarAkhoon and former Leh Hill Council chief TashiGyalson, sources said. They said that the Centre reiterated the proposal for a unique, sui generis governance structure under Article 371. This special framework is designed to legally insulate the fragile cold-desert region from external demographic and environmental pressures. Attended the sub-committee meeting with leaders of Ladakh at MHA in Delhi today. A general air of positivity prevailed as the broad contours of a sui generis model of governance under Article 371 of the Constitution were discussed. Deepening democracy is the goal, Chief Secretary Ladakh Ashish Kundra said. Sources said it was noted that the next logical step would be to further empower the Union Territory through a democratic institutional framework that provides a political voice. After detailed deliberations, it was unanimously decided that while statehood would remain the long-term aspiration of Ladakh, in the present situation, as a first step, an appropriate customised model of governance by establishing a UT-level elected body with executive, financial and legislative powers would be established. During the meeting, the model of constitutional safeguards under Article 371 was also discussed. There have been instances of invoking Articles 371(A) to (J), and it was agreed that a customised sui generis model most suitable for Ladakh would be adopted. It was decided that a draft proposal covering the powers and functions executive, financial and legislative of this UT-level elected body in harmonious relations with the PRIs would be prepared for further discussion and fine-tuning. Speaking to Greater Kashmir about the overall atmosphere of the meeting, Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Muhammad Jaffar, said that most of their reservations regarding constitutional safeguards, legislative powers and administrative issues were addressed during the discussions. He said the government agreed in principle that all bureaucrats in Ladakh would function under an elected executive authority once the proposed governance framework is established. The meeting also witnessed discussions on the withdrawal of cases registered against more than 83 individuals detained during the protests of September 24. The government assured them that the cases will be studied and assured withdrawal of the cases in a phased manner, Jaffar said. Sources said that the next meeting will be held in October, for which the dates will be announced later. Notably, two previous meetings of the Sub-Committee were held in Leh on July 3 and August 19. They were attended by representatives of the MHA, senior officers of the UT administration, including the Chief Secretary, Sub-Committee members from the LAB and KDA, among others. Meanwhile, a statement was issued by the Ladakh leaders after the sub-committee meeting concluded. LAB and KDA met with representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs today in furtherance of the in-principle understanding arrived at in the meetings dated May 22 and July 3 on restoring democracy in Ladakh and providing constitutional safeguards by way of special provision under Article 371. The MHA stated that the intended UT-level body would be elected by direct election and would have legislative powers with respect to land, culture and language, forest, environment, natural resources, and any other subject matter reserved for the UT under Article 240. The elected body at the UT level would also have executive, budgetary, planning and financial powers. However, LAB and KDA observed that there is no clarity on overall areas, including law and order, as seen in the UT of Puducherry, which is necessary for proper governance, the statement said. The MHA also assured that a compensation package for those who lost their lives and were injured in the September 2025 agitation would be given. LAB and KDA sought that all cases registered against persons in respect of the September 2025 incident be withdrawn at once and not be done in phases. MHA assured that the same was being looked into. The MHA has assured that further talks will be held in the first week of October, during which a draft Article would be discussed. The MHA is expected to seek further comments on some broader issues from LAB and KDA shortly. The LAB and KDA unanimously stated that no major irreversible restructuring should be done in governance mechanisms, land transfers, etc., before an elected body at the Union Territory level is in place. LAB and KDA have unanimously declared that in the event of any such irreversible changes being made to the administrative and political setup of Ladakh before the UT-level democratic body is constituted, they would be compelled to call upon a public protest against such moves, it said.

Magisterial probe ordered after youth dies in Police custody in Jammu

A magisterial probe was ordered on Wednesday after a youth died in Police custody in the Border Police Post (BPP) Chakroi of R S Pura in Jammu, where he was called for questioning in a complaint. After the family and relatives of the deceased youth, identified as Uttam Chand, held a protest demonstration seeking impartial probe into the incident and action against the guilty Police officials, the Superintendent of Police (SP) Headquarters Anna Sinha maintained that a magisterial inquiry was ordered into the custodial death and full justice would be served to the bereaved family as no guilty would be spared. Before completion of the inquiry, we cannot term anyone accused or guilty. We have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death. The statements of the victim's family, witnesses will be recorded during the investigation. After culmination inquiry, whosoever found guilty whether from Police or the other side, will be punished as per established procedure of law, SP Sinha asserted, while responding to media queries. She stated that she along with senior Police officers had come to meet the family which lost its son and assure it that full justice would be served to them. Protesting locals stated that the youth (deceased) was taken into Police custody after he confronted a person, who allegedly tried to molest his (deceaseds) sister on September 8, 2026. However, the Police maintained that the (deceased) youth was called for questioning in a case of physical scuffle while the runaway accused in an alleged molestation case was arrested on Wednesday. Earlier during the day, the Police in its brief statement said that on September 9, 2026, Uttam Chand of Rakh, Chakroi was called for questioning at BPP Chakroi on a complaint. He suddenly became unconscious and was admitted to SDH R S Pura, then referred to GMC Jammu, where he died during treatment, Police said. After receiving the news of his death, the deceaseds family, relatives joined by inhabitants of the area held a dharna at Chakroi Chowk, raising slogans against the Police. They demanded dismissal of the Chowki (Police Post) in-charge and other (Police) personnel responsible for the incident. Seeking an independent probe, they also demanded a government job for the Next of Kin of the deceased youth and a compensation of Rs 1 Cr for the aggrieved family. With regard to demands for an SPOs job to a member of the deceased youths family and compensation, SP Sinha said, These demands do not pertain to me. But they will be taken up with the higher authorities after completion of inquiry. Local MLA Gharu Ram, MLA and former minister Sham Lal Sharma, former Sarpanchs and Panchs of the area along with the locals joined the protesting family and relatives. The protesters took exception to the Police claim that the deceased was in an inebriated condition and was not able to properly walk even when he was brought in to the Police Post; his medical test was conducted yet he died during treatment. Why was the family not intimated about his condition if he was so critical? They got to know about his death in the morning not from the Police but from some other source, one of the protesters posed a query to SP Sinha. Yesterday an attempt to rape was made on a girl but instead of taking action against the accused, her brother (deceased) was taken into custody, the protesters alleged. SP headquarters Anna Sinha, while trying to pacify the protesting family and relatives of the deceased, stated that the Police Post Chakroi incharge and all other police personnel deployed there were removed with immediate effect. Asserting that she could well understand the pain of mother (of the deceased), she assured that a committee to probe into the death of Uttam Chand in Police custody, would be constituted. A request for holding a magisterial enquiry has already been sent to the Deputy Commissioner. Proper departmental action would be taken against the officers found guilty in the probe. Rest assured that no guilty will be spared. If people face some problem, they suffer on any account, Police share their problem and try everything to resolve it. The person, who had molested the girl, too has been arrested. Action will be taken against him, she maintained. The person concerned (deceased) was in inebriated condition and was not able to walk even properly, when he was brought in the Police Chowki. He was immediately taken up for medical check-up by the Police officer, without any delay. During the medical check-up, he was given CPR (CardioPulmonary Resuscitation). Despite CPR, he was in such an inebriated condition that his oxygen saturation level had reached 52 percent. He was taken for medical check-up for the second time and again given CPR. Yet he could not be saved and he collapsed, SP Sinha stated. She, however, assured the protesting family and others that all desired legal actions in the case, as were being demanded, would be taken. We will also enquire into the public complaints of irregularities in the functioning of the Police Post and action will be taken, she said. With regard to molestation case, SP Sinha clarified that after the complainant approached the Police alleging attempt to rape, the wrongdoer, who had fled after the incident, was arrested. Since morning, the Police team was after him as he fled to escape arrest. Just minutes ago, he was arrested. He too will be taken to task as per law. None will be spared. From whichever side, any wrong has been committed, be it Police, proper legal action will be taken after enquiring into all aspects. CCTV footage will be scrutinised. Post-mortem will be conducted. The Medical Board, comprising 5-6 doctors, will be constituted for the purpose. I assure that the Police will ensure full transparency in this case, SP Anna Sinha reaffirmed.

Best of BS Opinion: India must again prepare for higher oil prices

Today's opinions examine rising oil risks, the balance between pharmaceutical innovation and affordability, Karnataka's uneven growth, women-focused welfare and misinformation

Springs vanish, streams choke

Anantnag, Sep 9:On a humid September Wednesday afternoon, a group of young men sat along the banks of the Arpaeth nullah behind a playfield in south Kashmirs Anantnag town, sipping soft drinks and eating chips. When they finished, they tossed the empty bottles and wrappers onto the riverbank and walked away. They were hardly alone. Plastic bags, bottles, food wrappers, and other discarded material lay strewn along both sides of the nullah, turning its banks into a makeshift dumping ground. For 47-year-old Nazir Ahmad of Anantnag town, the scene is a stark reminder of how much the area has changed. Some 30 years ago, our school used to organise picnics near this waterbody. The area now paints a dismal picture. And it is not only about this waterbody. Many streams, springs and rivers have met with the same fate, Ahmad said. Tributaries of the gurgling Lidder river are increasingly choked by household waste, while springs in areas such as Kokernag, Achabal and Kaipora have either depleted, disappeared or come under pressure from encroachment. The larger question, however, is not merely how much water has been lost, but why so little is being done to protect what remains. Former IAS officer Khurshid Ahmad Ganai said solid waste management does not appear to be on the priority list of the J&K government and despite repeated appeals and memoranda from community and environmental groups, there has been no major initiative in this direction. While people elsewhere have moved from the three Rs - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - to the four Rs, including Recover, and are discussing segregation through four bins for food waste, other biodegradable waste, non-biodegradable waste and e-waste, Jammu and Kashmir appears to be lagging behind, he said. Ganai said there was little visible action on implementing the ban on single-use plastics, extended producer responsibility and the polluter-pays principle. The UT-level Pollution Control Committee is also conspicuous by its absence from any visible action. It appears that the government is following a laissez-faire approach, as though these problems will resolve themselves. They will not, he said. We are damaging our environment, ecology and biodiversity through inaction, and this is not sustainable. If we do not act now, the consequences will soon become much more difficult, if not impossible, to reverse, Ganai said. He also linked poor civic infrastructure to the pressure on the environment, particularly in tourist areas. International film festivals are welcome, but where are the decent wayside public toilets for tourists? Visitors are often left with no option but to relieve themselves in the open. The UT government could easily have asked hotels and other tourism establishments to help create such facilities, including through corporate social responsibility in appropriate cases, Ganai said. He said the problem was not a lack of ideas but a lack of political and administrative will. The government is not short of ideas. It knows what needs to be done, but there appears to be a reluctance to act, perhaps because action is considered politically risky or simply because of an attitude that things will somehow continue as they are, Ganai said. He warned that neglecting Kashmirs springs, streams and rivers could have long-term consequences for its water resources and ecology. Failure to give adequate attention to springs, lakes and rivers will have serious consequences for Jammu and Kashmirs water resources, wetlands and ecology. The government should also be encouraging people not to pollute or encroach upon these waterbodies, Ganai said. It is increasingly being left to environmental groups and the media to create awareness among people and warn them about the water crisis that could emerge if corrective measures are not taken now, he said. Anantnag, historically known as the land of countless springs, is particularly vulnerable to the decline of these water sources. Kokernag, Achabal, and Verinag are among its best-known springs and have been developed as tourist destinations over the years. But Ganai said even these iconic springs needed greater protection, particularly as climate change adds to existing pressures. Hundreds of springs have depleted or disappeared over the past three to four decades across Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, and Pulwama, which broadly constituted the erstwhile Anantnag district and are now referred to as south Kashmir. Yet there appears to be little concern, including among communities living around these springs, he said. A few decades from now, people could be searching for the springs that are disappearing today. Streams and rivers will also face increasing pressure from climate change, compounded by waste pollution, encroachments, illegal mining and siltation. We need to act before the damage becomes irreversible, Ganai said. He suggested that the responsibility for protecting and reviving springs should be decentralised and placed with local institutions. The most effective way to revive and restore springs in both rural and urban areas would be to assign responsibility to local institutions - panchayats in rural areas and municipal authorities in urban areas - backed by dedicated funding from the government, he said.

One strike ends, another starts

Srinagar, Sep 9:With the suspension of strike and protest of MBBS interns in GMCs of J&K, a workforce has re-entered the strained pool of healthcare workers in hospitals. However, with the limited time, yet significant strike of NHM employees, patient services are on the brink again. J&Ks public healthcare system is under disruption once more. The National Health Mission (NHM) employees across J&K, their numbers running into at least 11,000 in Kashmir division, have begun a 72-hour strike from September 9. NHM staff forms one of the largest pools of healthcare workforce in J&K. Their portfolio includes immunisation, mother and child health services and other disease control programs. Their concentration in peripheral areas keeps the healthcare delivery smooth, and healthcare schemes available to masses. The health sector in J&K continues to face a striking gap between sanctioned manpower and actual staffing. By governments own figures, nearly 16,000 posts are lying vacant across the Health and Medical Education Department. The shortage is not limited to doctors: thousands of paramedical and non-gazetted posts are also unfilled. In the absence of timely regular recruitment, the system leans heavily on NHM and academic and contractual arrangements to keep hospitals functioning. Young medical and paramedical professionals are pushed towards contractual NHM appointments or other relatively less secure positions. They continue to wait for advertisements of sanctioned government posts lying vacant, and cross the age of eligibility in waiting. The NHM association has said the government had failed to respond to a final ultimatum set for September 5. The committee said the strike would cover all district, block and field-level NHM staff, and across health facilities, across the J&K. Spokesperson of J&K NHM Employees Association (JKNHMEA), Abdul Rauoof said that many of the NHM employees were serving for nearly 18 years without a comprehensive regularisation or job-security framework. He said the workforce had contributed significantly to J&K healthcare delivery and their demands were most genuine. The demands of the association include a time-bound process for regularisation and long-term job security of eligible NHM employees. They have also demanded equal pay for equal work, in addition to the extension of 7th Pay Commission benefits to eligible NHM staff. Furthermore, a financial assistance of Rs 30 lakh to the family of an NHM employee who dies in service also features in the list of demands. In April this year, NHM employees went on strike, but called off the stir only after a day following assurances from the government. They told us our demands are genuine, and that these will be addressed within two months. However, five months have passed, and we dont see any progress, a representative of NHM employees told Greater Kashmir. We are not left with any option but to strike, he said. Earlier, the MBBS and BDS interns across J&K's government medical colleges began an indefinite strike around August 31. They demanded that their monthly stipend be raised from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000. Interns said the stipend has not been revised in nearly seven years and is far less than what their counterparts are paid in medical colleges in other states of India. A committee formed by the Health and Medical Education Department in 2023 had recommended raising the stipend to around Rs 25,000. However, no order has been issued to implement it. Interns have been alleging that they are being redirected between the Chief Minister's office and the Finance Department. However, on Tuesday the Health and Medical Education Department promised a solution within 30 days, prompting an end to the strike by interns.

Swiss Alps inspire J&Ks plan for high-altitude revolving restaurant

Srinagar, Sep 9:The Jammu and Kashmir government is planning an iconic high-altitude revolving restaurant at Gulmargs Apharwat Top Station, inspired by a famous revolving restaurant in Saas-Fee, a mountain resort in Switzerlands Swiss Alps. Saas-Fee is a mountain tourism town in Switzerland, surrounded by snow-covered peaks. At the nearby Mittelallalin mountain station, about 11,500 feet above sea level, is the Revolving Restaurant Allalin, where the dining area slowly turns 360 degrees, giving visitors changing views of the mountains while they eat. The J&K Cable Car Corporation Limited (JKCCC) cited this concept in its tender to develop a new revolving restaurant at Apharwat. The corporation has invited consultants to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR), architectural and engineering designs and tender documents for the proposed Iconic High-Altitude Revolving Restaurant. According to the Saas-Fee tourism authority, the Revolving Restaurant Allalin at Mittelallalin completes one full rotation in an hour and has around 200 indoor seats. Visitors can enjoy views of the surrounding Swiss Alps from different directions without moving from their tables. The Gulmarg project is based on the same broad idea of combining dining with panoramic mountain views. However, JKCCCs tender says the proposed facility should have its own identity for Gulmarg and must be designed according to local climatic, seismic and operational conditions. The proposal is planned at Apharwat Top Station, where JKCCC says an existing foundation structure has remained unutilised for several years. The corporation wants the consultant to determine whether the structure can be safely used for the proposed facility. Before it can be reused, the structure will undergo a detailed structural audit, non-destructive testing, material testing and assessment of its remaining strength. The consultant will then recommend whether it can be reused as it is, needs strengthening or retrofitting, or requires reconstruction. The difficult mountain conditions at Apharwat are a major part of the project planning. The consultant will have to assess the impact of heavy snow, strong winds, earthquakes and extreme temperature changes. Detailed topographical, geotechnical and sub-soil studies will also be carried out to determine whether the site can support a large revolving structure. The planned facility will be more than a restaurant. The design brief includes panoramic seating and dining areas, visitor circulation, toilets, changing facilities, cloakrooms and visitor information facilities. Accessibility for persons with disabilities is also part of the requirements. The building will require specialised systems because of the severe cold at Apharwat. JKCCC has asked for passive-heating measures, suitable solar orientation, an insulated building envelope and energy-efficient systems. Electrical, heating and ventilation, plumbing, firefighting, drainage, sewerage and water-supply systems will also form part of the engineering design. Environmental considerations have also been included in the project. The consultant will assess the possible impact on Gulmargs alpine ecosystem, visual landscape and cultural heritage. Water requirements and the feasibility of renewable-energy systems, including solar power, will also be examined. The government has not yet fixed the final construction cost of the proposed restaurant. The consultant will prepare estimates covering the building, engineering systems, specialised revolving equipment, fit-out and external works. It will also assess operating and maintenance costs, possible revenue from the restaurant and related tourism activities, and the projects financial and economic viability. The consultant will be selected through Quality and Cost Based Selection, with 70 percent weightage for technical capability and 30 percent for the financial proposal. Only bidders scoring at least 60 marks out of 100 in the technical evaluation will qualify for financial evaluation. The consultancy is expected to be completed within 45 days of the Letter of Award. During this period, the selected consultant will conduct the structural and site studies and prepare the architectural concept, DPR, engineering drawings, cost estimates and tender documents. The project comes months after a revolving restaurant-cum-multipurpose facility was inaugurated at Apharwat in December 2025. The new tender does not describe itself as a re-tender and does not state that the earlier facility will be replaced or discontinued. Instead, it seeks a fresh DPR and design for an iconic high-altitude revolving restaurant and refers to an older foundation structure at the site. The Swiss model offers a simple tourism idea: take visitors to a high mountain, give them a meal and allow them to enjoy changing views of the surrounding peaks as the restaurant slowly rotates. JKCCC now wants to adapt that idea for Apharwat, combining panoramic dining with a structure capable of operating in Kashmirs heavy snow, strong winds, seismic conditions and extreme cold. The project will first have to pass through the DPR, structural, environmental and financial assessment stages before construction begins.

Testing a double harvest: Saffron fields, solar yields

Srinagar, Sep 9:Jammu and Kashmir could begin testing whether its agricultural land can produce both crops and electricity, with a small proposed saffron agrivoltaics project at Pampore offering a possible starting point for combining farming with solar power. Agrivoltaics, also known as Agri-PV, involves installing solar panels above or between crops so that the same piece of land can continue to be cultivated while also generating electricity. The approach is gaining attention in India as policymakers look for ways to expand renewable energy without taking productive agricultural land out of farming. For Jammu and Kashmir, the idea could be particularly relevant because land is under pressure from agriculture, horticulture, settlements, infrastructure and other competing uses. Instead of permanently converting farmland into conventional solar parks, agrivoltaics offers a model in which agricultural production could continue alongside power generation. A small experiment proposed at the Advanced Research Station for Saffron and Seed Spices (ARSSSS), SKUAST-K, Pampore, seeks to examine whether the concept can work in Kashmirs saffron-growing areas. A Detailed Project Report titled Detailed Project Report for Saffron-Based Agrivoltaics System has been prepared for a research project involving ARSSSS, SKUAST-K, NIT Srinagar and JK Green Technologies. The proposal envisages an approximately 16.74-kilowatt pilot installation in saffron fields. The experiment proposes testing three different solar-panel arrangements, each involving around 5 kW of capacity. One would use vertically installed bifacial panels oriented towards the east, another would use vertical bifacial panels facing west, while the third would use conventional panels tilted 30 degrees towards the south. The comparison is intended to establish how different panel designs affect both electricity generation and saffron cultivation. According to the project proposal, the south-facing panels could generate around 8.1 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, substantially higher than the approximately 3.2 MWh expected from each of the east- and west-facing vertical arrangements. However, the project is not designed simply to identify which panel produces the most electricity. Its larger purpose is to determine which arrangement offers the best combined outcome for agriculture and power generation. A vertical panel system could produce less electricity but may take up less agricultural space and allow greater access to sunlight, rain and snow on the soil. It could also interfere less with regular farm operations. A partially elevated or tilted system, meanwhile, could provide shade and potentially influence soil moisture and temperature, but could also reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the saffron crop. The proposed research is therefore intended to provide evidence on whether saffron production and solar generation can practically coexist under Kashmirs conditions. The project could have wider importance because saffron cultivation in Kashmir faces challenges linked to climate variability, water availability and productivity, while valuable saffron-growing land is also under pressure from changing land use. If farmers can generate additional income from solar electricity without significantly reducing saffron production, agrivoltaics could potentially strengthen the economic case for retaining agricultural land under saffron cultivation. The DPR makes a much larger theoretical calculation by considering around 3200 hectares of saffron land and assuming a solar potential of 0.5 MW per hectare. On that basis, it estimates a theoretical potential of around 1600 MW. However, the figure remains a projection rather than an established resource potential. The proposed 16.74-kW pilot cannot by itself demonstrate that 1600 MW of solar capacity can be installed across saffron fields while maintaining commercially viable cultivation. The assumed 0.5 MW per hectare density would also need to be tested under actual Kashmiri conditions. The proposed pilot is estimated to cost around Rs 10.42 lakh, making it a relatively small investment for generating evidence that could guide much larger agricultural and renewable-energy programmes. Researchers could strengthen the experiment by comparing the solar plots with a nearby saffron plot without panels. Such a control plot would allow researchers to assess whether changes in crop performance are actually linked to the solar installation. The study could also examine results over several crop cycles and record flower production, stigma yield and quality, corm health and multiplication, soil moisture and temperature, irrigation requirements, disease incidence, snowfall behaviour and changes in the local microclimate. From an economic perspective, the most important measure would be the total income generated from the same piece of land income from saffron combined with revenue from electricity, after accounting for additional investment, maintenance and agricultural costs. The proposed research comes as the Centre is also exploring a wider role for agrivoltaics. ICAR-IARI has established a 100-kWp Agri-PV research facility in New Delhi with MNRE, NISE and GIZ to study different crop and solar configurations. The union government is also preparing PM-KUSUM 2.0 with a proposed dedicated 10-GW Agri-PV component. The policy direction could provide an opportunity for J&K to develop its own crop-specific research before larger schemes are rolled out. Experts involved in such work would need to consider that different crops require different designs. Panel height, spacing, orientation and density suitable for saffron may not be appropriate for apple orchards, vegetables, floriculture or medicinal and aromatic plants. For J&K, the proposed Pampore pilot could therefore serve as a first research platform for studying how solar generation can be integrated with agriculture without compromising crop production. The central proposition is simple: rather than choosing between agricultural land and solar power, Jammu and Kashmir could explore whether the same land can support both. The answer will depend on scientific evidence, crop performance, economics, and careful site-specific design.

Justice Bhati takes the gavel

Srinagar, Sep 9:Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati was sworn in as the 39th Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at a solemn function held at SKUAST, Srinagar, on Wednesday. The oath of office was administered to Justice Bhati by Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh with additional charge of Jammu and Kashmir. The proceedings were conducted by Shashanka Ala, Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh, while the Warrant of Appointment of the Chief Justice was read out by M K Sharma, Registrar General, High Court of J&K and Ladakh. The occasion was graced by the Chief Minister of J&K, Judges of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh along with their spouses, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Advisor to Chief Minister of J&K, Chairperson J&K Waqf Board, State Election Commissioner, former Chief Justices and Judges of the High Court and a distinguished gathering representing the judiciary, Bar, civil and police administration, and academia. A large number of sitting and former Chief Justices and Judges from several High Courts across the country, particularly from Rajasthan besides the High Courts of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Allahabad, attended the event. The presence of Justice Nupur Bhati, Judge of the Rajasthan High Court and spouse of the Chief Justice, his parents, close relatives and other family members added special significance to the occasion. Among other dignitaries present were the Chief Secretary, J&K; Director General of Police of J&K; Commissioners Secretaries to Government of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Vice Chancellors of universities; Members of the Central Administrative Tribunal besides Executive Members of the Kashmir Advocates Association and the J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu; Law Officers of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh; Judicial Officers, and officers of the High Court Registry. A sizeable representation of senior advocates, government advocates and other members of the Bar from Rajasthan besides staff members and other distinguished guests, also attended the event. The Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, issued the notification regarding the appointment of Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati as Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on September 5, 2026. Born on September 21, 1970, Justice Bhati enrolled as an Advocate in 1992 and practised primarily before the Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur, acquiring extensive experience in diverse areas of law. These included constitutional and writ jurisdiction, service matters, public interest litigation, election, revenue, mining, education, Panchayati Raj, family and criminal law. Before his elevation as a Judge of the Rajasthan High Court on November 16, 2016, Justice Bhati served as Additional Advocate General for the State of Rajasthan from October 13, 2008 to December 29, 2008, and again from January 6, 2014. During his distinguished career at the Bar, Justice Bhati was elected as Member of the Bar Council of Rajasthan for the period 2009-2015. He also served as President of the Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Association from 2011 to 2013 and as General Secretary of the Rajasthan High Court Advocates Association in 2001. Justice Bhati holds BA, LLB and LLM in Mercantile Law besides a PhD. He served as Visiting Faculty at the Faculty of Law, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, for 19 years from 1997 to 2016 and as Visiting Faculty at National Law University, Jodhpur, for one year. He is also a Member of the Executive Committee of the Rajasthan Chapter of the Indian Law Institute.

Arkhe Adelaide

Arkhe in Adelaides Norwood suburb puts live fire at the heart of a modern Australian dining experience. Chef Jake Kellie, formerly of Singapores Burnt Ends, combines flame-kissed vegetables, seafood and fermented elements with standout dishes including scallop toast with caviar, Mayura Station intercostal skewers and a signature dry-aged tomahawk.

Subhash Chandras Zee pledge saga: How promoter leverage turned growth ambition into a debt trap

Subhash Chandras Essel Group expansion was fuelled partly by borrowing against pledged Zee shares, with personal guarantees adding to the promoters obligations. When the IL&FS crisis tightened liquidity and Zees share price fell, lenders enforced pledges, eroding Chandras stake. The episode offers lessons on promoter leverage, collateral risk and investing.

Vi, index to measure the truly rich

A new formula redefines wealth for high-net-worth individuals based on view quality. This index prioritizes aesthetic delights over financial earnings for true affluence. A college teacher with a balcony view scores higher than a hedge fund titan. The formula considers window and balcony view scores, and a floor multiplier. Prosperity is measured in daily, everyday delights, not just ownership.

NSE IPO is selling a monopoly. Investors should watch the referee

NSE's upcoming listing presents investors with a dual business model. The exchange operates as a profit-generating toll booth and a regulatory referee. Global evidence suggests demutualisation creates conflicts, especially in weaker regulatory environments. Sebi's strength will determine if NSE can effectively police itself post-listing. The price band remains the critical factor for investors to consider.

Man's search for God

The 20th century witnessed a perceived eclipse of Gods presence, often attributed to scientific progress and material concerns. Nevertheless, the essence of faith in God has endured, perhaps stronger than ever. Although the ways that people worship and connect with the divine have transformed, the intrinsic desire to encounter God remains.

Part 'cream' from Dalit quota mix: Why Chirag Paswan & Jitan Ram Manjhi are clashing over SC reservations

A lively discussion among Dalit leaders is underway regarding the sub-classification of Dalits and the implementation of a creamy layer principle for reservations. Recent data highlights notable disparities in job quotas among various Dalit sub-castes. In a significant move, the Supreme Court has authorized states to sub-classify Scheduled Castes, aiming to funnel resources to those Dalit communities facing the most challenges.

UPI can do more tricks among BRICS

India is championing the integration of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for cross-border digital transactions within BRICS countries. This forward-thinking initiative is designed to cut down the hefty costs associated with traditional international money transfers. Preliminary discussions with nations like Brazil indicate promising potential for adoption. However, technical challenges such as backend system compatibility and data flow management present hurdles that need to be addressed.

Regression can't be peddled as diversity

A Hindu temple organization has initiated a controversial request to impose gender-specific restrictions on female employees at the Eiffel Tower, igniting widespread outrage. This situation underscores a vital principle: visitors should respect local customs and regulations of the host country. Enforcing ones cultural norms can undermine the values of the nation being visited, emphasizing the need for consistent standards to foster cultural harmony and uphold diversity.

Div Com Kashmir chairs meeting to address issues related to Medicity project

Srinagar, Sep 9: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, today chaired a meeting to review and resolve issues related to the Medicity project. Besides Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, senior officers from the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department, SIDCO, Industries & Commerce Deptt and Project Coordinator Sajad Nazir Shah attended the meeting. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the demarcation of land earmarked for the Medicity project, as well as 15-metre Right of Way/the buffer area between new Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Highcourt complex & Medicity. The Divisional Commissioner took note of the issues raised by the concerned departments and the executing agency and directed the officers to undertake a joint inspection of the site to resolve the matter of demarcation of allocated land. He further directed that revenue officers from the concerned departments be associated with the demarcation process to ensure that the land is demarcated strictly in accordance with the approved plan of 2021. Anshul Garg also stressed the need to ensure the requisite right of way to the Medicity project so that the implementation of the project proceeds smoothly and without further impediments. Meanwhile, DC Srinagar assured suppprt to facilitate the resolution of the issue at the earliest. Earlier, project coordinator apprised the chair regarding the approved plan of Medicity and Right of Way.

Kashmirs cinema needs workshops, film school to nurture local talent, says Imtiaz Ali

Two arrested for raping of Class 7 student in J-Ks Poonch

Mendhar, Sep 9: A Class 7 student was allegedly raped by a cab driver and his friend in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said on Wednesday. Both accused were arrested and booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those pertaining to gangrape, kidnapping and wrongful confinement, as well as under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the officials said. They said a man lodged a complaint at Gursai police station late Wednesday afternoon, claiming that his daughter, a Class 7 student, while returning home boarded a cab driven by Zahoor Mushtaq alias Sonu who took her to his house along with his friend Mohd Irfan on September 6. The accused allegedly kept the girl in captivity for three days and raped her repeatedly, the officials said, quoting the complainant. Acting swiftly, the police arrested both the accused and further investigation is on, the officials said.

Srinagar Smart City: A decade later, what has really changed? | Ep 1

More than a decade after the Smart City vision was launched, Srinagar has seen a dramatic transformationfrom walking plazas and underground wiring to e-buses and a revamped riverfront. But on the ground, broken pavements, waterlogging and questions over maintenance continue to frustrate traders and residents. In Episode 1 of our Srinagar Smart City series, we ask a simple question: Has the Smart City project truly made life smarter for people or is there still a long way to go? Report: Saqib Malik Camera: Mubashir Khan Edit: Afnan Habib

In conversation: Asif Ali Haider Khan on theatre, playwriting and adapting stories for the stage

Kashmir ideal destination for filmmaking: Spanish filmmaker at IFFJK

Srinagar, Sep 9: Spanish filmmaker and producer Anna Saura Ramon on Wednesday described Kashmir as an ideal destination for filmmaking, praising its scenic landscapes, lakes, natural light and hospitality while calling for stronger cinematic ties between India and Spain. Speaking to reporters on the third day of the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) at SKICC Srinagar, Saura, according to the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO), said film festivals play an important role in promoting cinema and creating opportunities for filmmakers and audiences to discover films from different parts of the world. This is my vist to Kashmir and India. I hope to come again, Saura said, adding that she was looking forward to exploring Srinagar and experiencing the local culture. On the scope for collaboration between Indian and Spanish cinema, she said there were differences between the two industries, but language should not become a barrier to stronger artistic relationships. I think we can push for better relationships between India and Spain, she said, adding that there were opportunities for filmmakers from both countries to connect and work together. Talking about Kashmir as a filming destination, Saura said the Valley had immense potential for filmmakers because of its landscapes, lakes and quality of natural light. Of course, you have to promote Kashmir. There are great locations, good light for shooting and beautiful lakes, she said. Saura also said she had already shared pictures of Kashmir with a friend, who suggested that the Valley could be explored as a potential location for filmmaking. Asked whether she would consider casting Indian actors in a future India-Spain production, she said there was no reason why filmmakers could not work with actors from India. There are lots of Indian-Spanish films that you will like, she said. On the possibility of international studios and filmmakers coming to Kashmir, Saura said greater cooperation between governments and the film industry could help attract productions to the region. I am sure they will come and shoot here and make a movie, she said. Reacting to IFFJK, Saura described it as a major initiative and expressed hope that the festival would have a long life. It is important for everyone, she said, adding that such festivals provide an opportunity to bring films and filmmakers from outside and expose local audiences to international cinema. Saura also praised the atmosphere and hospitality in Kashmir, saying her first visit to India, particularly to Kashmir, had been a positive experience. Saura is known for her work as a producer and director, including the documentary The Kid in the Photo.

Terror funding case: Delhi HC asks NIA if Er Rashid can be released on bail with stringent conditions

New Delhi, Sep 9: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the National Investigation Agency whether Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid, who is in jail in a terror funding case, could be released on bail with stringent conditions. A bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan asked the NIA counsel to get instructions on the issue and listed the matter on November 3. The bench said there was no doubt that Rashid was an influential person as he has become a member of Parliament. The court is putting to you -- the biggest threat from him is his physical presence in Kashmir because he has a lot of local influence. Suppose there is stringent condition that he will remain only in Delhi, what is your (NIA) response? That he will find a place of residence and remain only in Delhi, the court said. NIA counsel to take instructions on whether the applicant (Rashid) can be released on bail under stringent conditions, including the condition to remain in Delhi, the bench added. It noted that he has been in custody for almost seven years and there are a total of 240 witnesses in the case and the trial would take a long time to conclude. The court was hearing arguments on Rashids plea seeking bail in the terror case lodged under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. During the hearing, NIAs counsel opposed the bail contending that there was sufficient evidence on record to show that Rashid was prima facie guilty. He argued that the allegations made against Rashid were serious in nature and he has allegedly engaged in anti-national activities, funded stone-pelters after receiving funds from Pakistan and also engaged in hate speech. Rashid was earlier granted interim bail to attend the ceremonies related to his fathers demise. Rashid is facing trial in the terror-funding case. He faces allegations that he funded separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir. He has been lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail since 2019 after the NIA arrested him in the 2017 case. After he was named in a chargesheet in October 2019, a special NIA court framed charges against Rashid and others in March 2022 under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government), and 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code and under relevant provisions of the stringent UAPA.

Labourer dies in wall collapse at crusher unit in Mendhar

Mendhar, Sep 9: A 50-year-old labourer died after sustaining serious injuries in a wall collapse incident at a crusher unit in Uchhad area of Mendhar in Poonch district on Wednesday. The deceased has been identified as Tasaduq Hussain, son of Said Mohammad, resident of Chatral village of Rajouri, who was working as a labourer at the crusher unit. According to reports, a cemented wall at the crusher unit suddenly collapsed, leaving Hussain injured. He was immediately shifted to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Mendhar for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries. After completion of necessary medico-legal formalities, the body was handed over to the legal heirs for last rites. Police have taken cognisance of the incident and further proceedings are underway.

Rotten chicken, fish seized in Ladakh's Nubra, shopkeepers warned of strict action

Nubra, Sep 9: The Ladakh administration on Wednesday warned traders against selling rotten or otherwise unfit non-vegetarian food items, after a large quantity of rotten chicken and fish was seized from a shop in Diskit market of Nubra district. An official said that acting on a report regarding the sale of rotten chicken and fish in Diskit Market, Tehsildar Diskit, Tashi Jorgais, issued an order under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, directing the immediate removal and disposal of the unfit food items. As per the order, a shopkeeper, Bilal Ahmed, son of Bashir Ahmed Bhat, resident of Kulgam, Srinagar, was found engaged in the sale and supply of rotten chicken and fish at his shop, Bilal Chicken Shop, located at Diskit, Nubra. The food items were found unfit for human consumption and posed a serious threat to public health. The order directed that the rotten chicken and fish stored or displayed for sale be removed and disposed of immediately in accordance with the prescribed procedure. It further directed that no rotten, stale or otherwise unfit food items shall be stored, displayed or sold in the market in future. The official said the seized food items were subsequently disposed of safely and in accordance with the prescribed procedure, ensuring that they posed no risk or danger to human beings or animals. The disposal was carried out in the presence of the TSO Diskit, Chhering Tundup, FCS&CA Department, a Patwari from the Revenue Department, police personnel and sanitary inspectors. The Tehsildar also warned that any failure to comply with the order or any recurrence of such violations would invite appropriate action under the relevant provisions of law, official added.

Freedom of navigation and respect for international law should remain pivotal priorities: Rajnath Singh

Colombo, Sep 9: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that secure sea lanes, freedom of navigation, respect for international law and unhindered maritime trade should remain pivotal priorities as they are crucial for the growth and prosperity of South Asia. Singh made the remarks at a public event after he held an extremely productive meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during which they reaffirmed that as civilisational twins, close neighbours and maritime partners, India and Sri Lanka would continue to work jointly to ensure the safety, security, peace and prosperity of the region. Speaking on 'India-Sri Lanka Maritime Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region-Civilisational Partners with intertwined destinies in Colombo, Singh also said that Indian and Sri Lankan ports can become engines of shared economic growth, while their maritime industries can become the drivers for the future prosperity of the region. Together, India and Sri Lanka are well positioned to serve as the closest partners in safeguarding peace, security and stability across the Indian Ocean Region, he said. Singh, who arrived in Colombo on Tuesday for a three-day visit, becoming the first Indian defence minister to visit Sri Lanka in 38 years, said that freedom of navigation and ensuring open trade routes are crucial for the growth and prosperity of the region. Therefore, secure sea lanes, freedom of navigation, respect for international law, unhindered maritime trade and commerce should remain our pivotal priorities, he said. It is essential that we work together towards shaping a favourable, secure maritime environment, remaining ready to address emerging maritime challenges in the first instance, before they become a serious threat to our developmental interests and the bright future of our region, he said. Singh said that Sri Lanka occupies a salient strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region, overlooking a vast ocean characterised by crisscrossing busy trade routes. These routes are not only the arteries for global trade, but also determine the trajectory of our growth and development as well as the safety and security of our region, he said. Today, the Indian Ocean is not merely a waterway, but the stage on which the economic and strategic future of our region will be written, he said. For India and Sri Lanka, both maritime nations bound by this shared ocean, this is not a matter of abstract theory but of lived, everyday reality one that shapes our trade, our security and our destinies alike, he said. Sri Lanka, like India, is undoubtedly central to any strategic discourse on maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, the minister said. In Sri Lanka, India sees a friendly neighbour, a longstanding friend and a reliable partner. India-Sri Lanka Maritime Cooperation is thus not only mutually beneficial but quintessential to our collective safety and security, Singh said. In a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, the Indian Ocean has come to occupy a place of immense contemporary relevance. As emerging economies and fellow democracies, we have a shared future, he said. Singh said India would be delighted to share its experience and work closely with Sri Lanka for the continued growth and prosperity of the region. Our development projects in Sri Lanka are always focused on the requirements of the people of Sri Lanka and the priorities set by the Sri Lankan Government. As the Indian Ocean is entering into a period of profound strategic and economic transformation, India and Sri Lanka must synergise their efforts and build upon our collective competencies to tackle the emerging challenges, the minister said. Our ports can become engines of shared economic growth, while our maritime industries can become the drivers for the future prosperity not only of our own people but our region as well. The future of IndiaSri Lanka relations should therefore be based on a simple premise that proximity creates interdependence, which in turn creates immense opportunities for a shared evolution, he said, terming Sri Lanka a trusted global friend. On the fishermen issue, Singh said the two countries need to work together to address fisheries disputes in a mutually beneficial manner, keeping in view the relevant laws and geographic jurisdictions. We need to work together to strengthen our systems to avoid fisheries disputes, handle them with due care and concern as this is a livelihood issue, while at the same time ensure maritime law enforcement, he said. I foresee a future where our two countries move forward as joint stakeholders in developing a mutually beneficial and integrated maritime domain awareness system to provide comprehensive maritime information on a real-time basis. This would entail systematic cooperation and interaction amongst concerned agencies, navies and Coast Guards of the two countries with a view to addressing the challenges of illegal fishing, suspicious vessel tracking, narcotics trafficking, smuggling, terrorism and other security threats, he said. India is always willing to join hands with Sri Lanka in areas like capacity building and exercises, Singh said, adding that India is also committed to assisting Sri Lanka in whichever way possible to further enhance such cooperation. He said that going beyond the traditional template, the two countries need to build upon the existing complementarities and develop new paradigms for a closer and stronger maritime partnership. This is the basis of MAHASAGAR, Prime Minister Modis vision for the Indian Ocean Region. Mutual and Holistic are key words in this concept, underscoring the importance of synergy, cooperation and collaboration, he said. Our two countries can establish a joint maritime HADR system by involving all concerned agencies, disaster management and scientific organisations to cooperate and provide rapid response in cases of natural calamities and man-made disasters, he said. Singh said maritime cooperation should include, in addition to the security framework, an institutionalised structure for deepening and strengthening an economic framework in areas including fisheries and aquaculture, marine biotechnology, ocean science, maritime environment protection and preservation and maritime tourism.

J&K HC bins discharge order, says secessionist slogans alongside separatist leader attract UAPA

Srinagar, Sep 9: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has set aside the discharge of an accused in a UAPA case stating that secessionist sloganeering in a mob in the presence of the head of a banned separatist organisation prima facie falls under the definition of unlawful activity. A division bench headed by acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar set aside the discharge of Mohammad Yousuf Lone in a 2013 UAPA case by the Additional District and Sessions Judge (Designated Special Court under NIA Act) Kupwara. The sloganeering for secession, raised by an accused leading a mob in the company of the head of a proscribed separatist organisation, coupled with incitement of the public and violence against security forces, is capable, on a prima facie appreciation, of falling squarely within this definition, the bench observed in its order. According to the case, a mob headed by Mohammad Yousuf Lone and Late Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of the banned Hurriyat Conference, came out of Jamia Masjid in Kupwara on November 8, 2013, raised anti-national slogans against the Government of India, and pelted stones at police and security forces. The separatist leaders also allegedly instigated the general public against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Union of India, according to the chargesheet. The trial court has recorded, in a single sentence in paragraph 6 of the order impugned, that the facts 'do not fulfil the ingredients of Sections 2(o) of ULA(P) Act' without setting out the reasoning by which the specific statements or conduct attributed to the respondent in the chargesheet were tested against the statutory definition. This amounts to a bare conclusion rather than a reasoned finding, the high court said. It said the material with chargesheet -- including the recorded slogans, the leadership role attributed to the respondent, and the resultant violence -- discloses a strong suspicion sufficient to put the respondent on trial, leaving the question of whether the charges are ultimately proved to be examined at trial and not foreclosed at the threshold. It is trite that an order of discharge must reflect application of judicial mind to the material on record, and that the findings at the charge stage, though summary, cannot be conclusory. However, it is abundantly clear from perusal of the order impugned that the same does not indicate that the specific contents of the chargesheet, the statements of the witnesses to the procession, the site plan, and the material, alleged to link the respondent to the incitement and the resultant violence, were tested against the ingredients of Section 13 read with Section 2(o) of the UAPA before the conclusion of non-applicability was recorded. On this ground, the order impugned is unsustainable and calls for interference, it added. The court said it is neither making any definitive finding on the guilt or innocence of the respondent, nor expressing any opinion on the ultimate merits of the case. However, when specific material is brought on record that, on the face of it, discloses the commission of an offence and the complicity of the respondent, the trial court cannot act as a mute spectator and shut the doors of trial without assigning valid legal reasons, it added. Allowing the criminal appeal filed by the state, the high court directed that the chargesheet be restored and the trial court proceed with the framing of charge against the respondent afresh after considering the material placed on record by the appellant.

India to debut in eleven new skills at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

Delhi, Sep 09: India is set to expand its global skills footprint with first-time participation in eleven new skill categories at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, to be held in Shanghai, China, from 22 to 27 September 2026. Team Skill India will participate in 63 out of 64 skills, with a contingent of nearly 70 competitors, making it one of Indias largest and most diverse representations at WorldSkills to date. The eleven new skills in which India will compete for the first time are Dental Prosthetics, Digital Interactive Media Design, Intelligent Security Technology, Landscape Gardening, Optoelectronic Technology, Retail Sales, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Industrial Mechanics, Software Testing and Heavy Vehicle Technology, Aircraft Maintenance. Indias participation in these new categories reflects the growing depth and maturity of the countrys skilling ecosystem, which is expanding from strong foundations in traditional trades to advanced technologies, specialised services, creative industries and next-generation industrial capabilities. The participation is being led under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) driving Indias WorldSkills preparation through close collaboration with industry partners, training institutions and domain experts. Speaking on Indias participation, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE, said, Indias participation in these new skills reflects the evolution of our skilling ecosystem towards future-facing and globally relevant capabilities. Through strong partnerships and rigorous preparation, we are enabling our youth to compete with confidence and benchmark themselves against global standards. The new categories represent emerging areas that are shaping the future of work, including healthcare technologies, digital design, intelligent systems, drone technologies, advanced manufacturing, mobility solutions and customer-centric services. Their inclusion underlines Indias focus on aligning skill development with global industry requirements and creating pathways for youth in internationally benchmarked skill domains. Preparation for these first-time categories is being supported by a collaborative ecosystem of specialised training institutions and industry partners, including Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC), Karnataka; Metrowoods Landscape; NAMTECH, Gandhinagar; Bennett University; Croma; Titan Company Ltd Tanishq; Shoppers Stop; Reliance Trends; SANY Heavy Industry India Pvt. Ltd.; Prakhar Software Solutions Ltd.; and Denexpert Dental Lab, among others. Indias performance in global skill competitions has shown steady progress over the years. From being ranked 29th at WorldSkills in 2015, India rose to 13th position in 2024. The country further strengthened its international performance by securing 8th rank in Asia at WorldSkills Asia 2025 and winning five medals at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026. Under the Skill India Mission, India is building a strong preparation ecosystem anchored in industry partnerships, expert-led mentoring, structured training and global exposure. The expanded participation at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 marks another step in Indias journey towards establishing itself as a global hub for skilled talent. Addendum Intelligent Security Technology focuses on planning, installing and maintaining intelligent systems that protect people, infrastructure and assets through technologies such as AI-enabled surveillance, intelligent sensors and automated response mechanisms. Landscape Gardening brings together design, construction and environmental understanding to create sustainable and functional spaces that balance creativity with practical application. Optoelectronic Technology represents a fast-growing field that combines the science of light and electricity and finds applications across advanced manufacturing, healthcare, communication systems and intelligent technologies. Digital Interactive Media Design focuses on creating immersive and interactive digital experiences across platforms through the integration of design, content and emerging technologies. Retail Sales reflects the growing importance of customer engagement and experience-led business models by emphasising product knowledge, communication, merchandising and service excellence. Heavy Vehicle Technology highlights the increasing sophistication of mobility and industrial systems by requiring advanced diagnostic, repair and maintenance capabilities. Unmanned Aerial Systems showcases the expanding role of drone technologies across sectors ranging from infrastructure and agriculture to public services, monitoring and emerging autonomous applications. Dental Prosthetics focuses on designing and producing specialised dental devices like Dental Crowns, Dental Implants, Dentures that restore oral function and improve quality of life through precision and healthcare expertise. Industrial Mechanics centres on precision assembly, maintenance, troubleshooting and optimisation of complex industrial machinery and production systems. Software Testing plays a critical role in ensuring software quality, reliability and user performance through rigorous testing and validation processes. Aircraft Maintenance centres on precision inspection, servicing, troubleshooting, and rigorous airworthiness certification of mechanical, electrical, fluid, and structural aircraft systems to guarantee absolute safety and regulatory compliance.

Salman Sagar apologises over Tanvir Sadiqs one pair of trousers remark

Srinagar, Sep 09: National Conference leader and MLA Salman Sagar on Wednesday apologised on behalf of party colleague Tanvir Sadiq over his controversial remarks that, during the time of party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, poverty in Kashmir was so severe that an entire village would sometimes share a single pair of trousers. If anyones sentiments have been hurt, or rather, if the majority of people feel that Tanvir Sadiq Sahib said something wrong, then I believe there should be an apology, Sagar said. He said Sadiqs remarks were not intended to demean Kashmiris, but were meant to highlight Sheikh Abdullahs efforts towards the economic empowerment of the people. What he meant was that Sheikh Abdullah had made efforts towards the economic empowerment of the people here, Sagar said, referring to education, infrastructure and land reforms.

Sagar apologises on Tanvirs behalf, says issue should not be dragged further

Every School, A Model School: PM SHRI scheme targets 14,500 exemplar schools; 13,092 selected so far

New Delhi, Sep 09: The Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) Scheme has made significant progress towards its target of developing more than 14,500 existing schools as exemplar institutions aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with 13,092 schools selected across 36 States and Union Territories as of July 2026. Launched on September 7, 2022, the Centrally Sponsored Scheme is being implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, with a total project cost of 27,360 crore for the period 202223 to 202627. The initiative seeks to transform selected schools into model institutions by strengthening infrastructure, pedagogy, inclusion and sustainability, while equipping students with 21st-century skills. The selected schools are also envisaged as mentor institutions for neighbouring schools, sharing best practices through mentoring, handholding, collaboration and clustering. According to the Ministry, the 13,092 selected schools represent around 90 per cent of the schemes envisaged target and are expected to directly benefit more than 20 lakh students. The network includes schools under the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The scheme has a Central share of 18,128 crore. The approved Project Approval Board outlay increased from 2,520 crore in 202324 to 5,224 crore in 202627, marking an increase of around 107 per cent. PM SHRI schools are designed to promote inclusive, equitable and joyful learning, with emphasis on experiential and learner-centred education. They also focus on green and sustainable practices, quality infrastructure, improved learning outcomes, technology-enabled education and exposure to future-ready skills. The initiative promotes experiential learning through activities such as bagless days, internships with local artisans, study of local arts and traditions, and preservation of indigenous knowledge. It also encourages the use of mother tongue and local or regional languages, particularly in the early grades. Technology-enabled learning is another key component, with schools being supported through ICT facilities, smart classrooms, internet connectivity, digital learning platforms and STEM-based programmes. These interventions aim to strengthen digital literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities among students. The PM SHRI network currently covers 725 districts and 8,340 blocks/ULBs. Of the 13,092 selected schools, 1,305 are primary, 3,102 upper primary, 3,141 secondary and 5,544 higher secondary schools. The network also includes 80 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, 913 KVS schools, 620 NVS schools and four NCERT schools. Selection of schools is carried out through a three-stage Challenge Mode based on prescribed quality benchmarks. The process involves signing of an MoU with the Centre, identification of eligible schools using UDISE+ data, and selection through a challenge-based assessment followed by physical verification. For the Challenge Method, schools in urban areas are required to secure a minimum score of 70 per cent, while those in rural areas require at least 60 per cent. The assessment covers infrastructure, learning outcomes, pedagogy, PM POSHAN, vocational education, green initiatives and stakeholder commitment. The scheme also focuses on strengthening teacher capacity and school leadership through professional development programmes. Principals receive training in educational leadership and school management, while teachers are trained in areas including competency-based pedagogy, ICT integration, school safety and the Holistic Progress Card. The government envisages PM SHRI schools as institutions that demonstrate and disseminate innovative educational practices that can be replicated by neighbouring schools, creating a wider impact on the school education system and advancing the vision of an equitable, inclusive and future-ready India.

J&K Government names four Administrative Secretaries as nodal officers for 6th National Conference of Chief Secretaries

Srinagar, Sep 09: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has nominated four Administrative Secretaries as nodal officers for key themes to be taken up at the 6th National Conference of Chief Secretaries, scheduled to be held in December 2026. The nominations have been approved through Government Order No. 1496-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department on September 8, 2026. According to the government order, the Administrative Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department has been designated as the nodal officer for the theme concerning five specific priority objectives for each State towards the attainment of Viksit Bharat by 2047. The Administrative Secretary, Mining Department has been assigned the theme of development of the mining sector towards economic development and better State finances. For the theme Technology in Governance, the Administrative Secretary, Information Technology Department has been nominated as the nodal officer. Meanwhile, the Administrative Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department will coordinate the theme Good Practices/New Ideas for Expediting Linear Infrastructure Projects. The order states that the concerned departments shall coordinate with the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department and facilitate the timely collection, compilation and finalisation of the requisite inputs for the conference. The 6th National Conference of Chief Secretaries is expected to focus on key governance and development priorities, including mining, infrastructure, technology-driven governance and implementation of reform-oriented initiatives. The government has also forwarded copies of the order to senior officials, including the Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Mining Department; Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Public Works (R&B) Department; Commissioner/Secretary, Information Technology Department; Commissioner/Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, besides other concerned authorities. The order was issued by M. Raju, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, on behalf of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.(KNC)

Goods train wagon derails in J-K's Kathua, rail traffic disrupted for hours

Jammu, Sep 09: Rail traffic on the Jammu-Kathua link was disrupted for several hours on Wednesday after a wagon of a goods train derailed at Chhan Arorian railway station in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The derailment occurred around 9:30 am. The vital route connects Jammu and Kashmir with other parts of the country. Railway authorities and officials reached the spot soon after the incident and initiated an assessment of the situation. The derailed wagon was subsequently moved aside, clearing the track for resumption of rail traffic around noon, the officials said. No damage to railway property has been reported. The incident is being investigated and the exact cause of the derailment is being ascertained, they said.

51 SMC employees face corruption cases, inquiries: RTI

Srinagar, Sep 8:At a time when the Srinagar Municipal Corporation is grappling with hundreds of vacant posts, its records show that 51 of its employees are facing enquiries or corruption cases before different agencies. The figure has emerged from an RTI application filed by this correspondent, who sought information from the corporation on employees facing corruption cases. In its reply, the SMC Public Information Officer said the records available with the concerned section showed that 51 employees were facing enquiry/cases in different agencies. The response puts the number of employees facing such proceedings at 51, but does not provide case-wise details. The corporation has not disclosed the names of the employees, the agencies before which the matters are pending, the allegations involved or the stage of the proceedings. The disclosure comes against a backdrop of manpower shortages within the civic body. In an RTI reply issued by SMC showed that the corporation had 2240 employees in position against a sanctioned strength of 3110 posts. This left 870 sanctioned posts vacant. The vacancy figure amounts to nearly 28 percent of the corporations sanctioned strength, leaving a substantial gap between the workforce the corporation is authorised to maintain and the number actually in position. The corporation had moved to fill only a small portion of these vacancies. According to the RTI reply, 39 posts of Junior Assistants, two posts of Works Supervisor Grade-IV and 14 posts of Tax Assistants had been referred to recruitment agencies. Together, these account for 55 posts. The figures mean that 815 of the 870 vacant sanctioned posts were not among those referred to recruitment agencies, according to the information supplied by SMC. The workforce figures also reveal the extent to which the corporation relies on workers outside its regular establishment. While 2240 employees were shown as working in the corporation, SMC separately reported 2366 consolidated and daily-wage workers. There were another 1544 consolidated sanitation workers, while the regular strength of safaiwallas stood at 1346. The corporation reported no employees under the contractual category. Taken together, the figures show a civic body with a sizeable workforce operating alongside a large pool of vacancies in its sanctioned structure. At the same time, the disclosure of 51 employees facing enquiries or cases before different agencies adds another dimension to the administration of the corporation. The RTI response does not state that the employees have been found guilty, nor does it provide the outcome of the proceedings. It records that, according to information available with the concerned SMC section, 51 employees are facing enquiries or cases in different agencies.

Vande Mataram respect at govt functions a statutory obligation: Tanvir Sadiq

Party position, govt obligation are separate: Tanvir Sadiq on Vande Mataram

Srinagar, Sep 9: Senior National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq on Wednesday said respecting Vande Mataram at government functions was a statutory obligation, while maintaining that there should be no compulsion on anyone to sing the national song. Sadiq was responding to criticism over the issue, with the Congress also facing criticism and the BJP alleging that the party had an anti-Pakistan, pro-Pakistan tendency. National Conference has always had a stated position. We have neither adopted a two-stance nor have we ever adopted a six-stance. We understand that the party is separate and the government is a different thing, Sadiq said. He said that once the matter had been accepted by Parliament, it became an obligation for the government to follow it at official functions. When it has been accepted in Parliament, then it becomes a statutory obligation of the government that at any government function, whether it is the Vande Mataram song or the anthem, one has to stand and respect it, and that is what we are doing, Sadiq said. He pointed to the participation of Congress chief ministers in Karnataka and Telangana in Independence Day events, saying they too had stood through the song. If that is the case, before pointing a finger at us, this is a statutory obligation which has become law, and we have to follow that law, he said. At the same time, Sadiq reiterated the National Conferences position that no one should be forced to sing Vande Mataram. As far as the partys own position is concerned, we have always said that whoever wants to sing Vande Mataram should absolutely sing it, but there should be no force or compulsion on anyone who does not want to sing it, he said. On reports that only around Rs 2,400 crore out of an allocation of nearly Rs 10,000-11,000 crore under the Jammu and Kashmir UT budget had been utilised, with around Rs 8,000 crore still pending, Sadiq said he did not have information about the figures. Off hand, I do not know about this. The Finance Department would know about it because you have shared this matter with us. Let us bring some information on it and see what the reality is, because a lot of rumours are spreading these days. It is better that we bring some input first and then share it with you, he said. Asked about the demands of daily wagers ahead of the Assembly session and the ongoing strike by National Health Mission employees, Sadiq said the government wanted to resolve genuine demands. Just as the issue of interns was a very big issue, the Honourable Health Minister resolved it. This government will always want that whatever genuine demands its people have, whether they are employees or anyone else in Jammu and Kashmir, should be resolved in some way, he said. Sadiq said the upcoming Assembly session would provide a platform for raising issues concerning people. Now the Assembly is coming. There are many things. It is a platform where peoples voices are raised, he said. We hope that peoples issues are raised, their bills are passed, resolutions are passed, and some resolution is reached on the important work concerning the people. That is why we will be in the Assembly, Sadiq added.

Ladakh tourism reaching new heights as over 4 lakh tourists visit in 2026: LG Saxena

Ladakh, Sep 09: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday said that tourism in the Union Territory has reached new heights, with 4.05 lakh visitors visiting the hilly region in the first eight months of 2026. This year-on-year tourism growth is a testament to Hon'ble PM @narendramodi ji's vision for promoting domestic tourism and the Centre's sustained push for infrastructure development, along with the tourism-friendly policy framework in Ladakh, the LG said. Sharing statistics on his X handle, Saxena said that in just eight months of 2026, Ladakh received 4.05 lakh visitors, surpassing the entire 2025 tourist footfall of 3.35 lakh by 20.61 percent. Comparing last year's figures with those of 2026, he said Ladakh witnessed a 50.37 percent growth in tourist arrivals this year. Ladakh received 2.69 lakh tourists between January and August 2025, which rose to 4.05 lakh during January to August 2026, an increase of 50.37%, he said. The total tourist footfall of 45,201 in August 2025 increased to 74,753 in August 2026, marking a jump of 65.38 percent, he shared. Giving further details, he said Ladakh received 25,082 foreign tourists between January and August 2025, which rose to 33,346 during the same period in 2026, marking an increase of 32.95 percent. The numbers reflect the phenomenal surge in tourism, the LG said. Saxena reaffirmed his commitment to building a sustainable, responsible and year-round tourism economy in Ladakh. By promoting off-season festivals and events, we are creating sustained livelihood opportunities for our local youth, artisans and homestays, while offering visitors a peaceful, less crowded and affordable experience, he said. He appealed to all travellers to come and explore the unmatched beauty and culture of Ladakh.

'Yazar' remark: BJP JK unit holds protests in Srinagar, Anantnag against Tanvir Sadiq

Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati sworn in as chief Justice of J-K, Ladakh High Court

Kashmir film festival can soon compete with Cannes, says filmmaker Akbar Khan

Srinagar, Sep 09: Renowned Bollywood actor and filmmaker Akbar Khan has hailed the first-ever film festival in Srinagar, saying the event has the potential to grow into an international cultural landmark and eventually compete with the Cannes Film Festival. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Khan congratulated Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the organisers for what he described as a spectacular opening festival. The show was mesmerising, soulful and captured the rhythm and the purpose of this first-ever film festival in Srinagar, Khan said, praising the musical performances at the opening ceremony. He particularly recalled the performances of Dr Janas-e-R Akhtar, Rani and Falak, saying they captured the mood of the festival and the heart of the beginning of such a beautiful initiative. Khan also praised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's speech at the inaugural event, describing it as very heart-rendering. He was so prolific, recollecting the nostalgia of the Indian film industry, the Bollywood film industry, capturing chapter by chapter, moment by moment, how the people of Jammu and Kashmir love the units and the film stars and the directors and the producers who come and make the films here, he said. Recalling Bollywood's long association with Kashmir, Khan referred to films that helped establish the Valley as one of Indian cinema's most evocative locations. He specifically mentioned Junglee, saying the famous Yahoo call by Shammi Kapoor had become a kind of a call of the Valley for every filmmaker to come and shoot. Khan said the festival had been organised in a location uniquely suited to bringing filmmakers and cultures together. I would say that there could not have been a better place than Srinagar to be the chosen city for such a grand first-ever film festival, he said. He predicted that the event would rapidly acquire an international profile. I feel from year to year this festival will grow from strength to strength and very soon would be in competition with the Cannes Film Festival and maybe even get better, Khan said. He argued that Kashmir's landscape itself could become one of the festival's greatest attractions. Because Cannes does not offer such an environment. Such a beautiful landscape, he said. It becomes a source of all filmmakers when they visit such a place. According to Khan, filmmakers attending the festival would not merely watch films from different countries but would also be inspired by Kashmir itself. Besides watching films of each other countries and different great directors, they also get inspired by the soul of Kashmir, he said. Cinema is the most powerful medium Khan placed particular emphasis on cinema's ability to build bridges across communities and countries. I would like to mention that cinema is the most powerful medium that makes bridges between nations and civilisations, he said. It carries across borders, stories, civilisations, culture, people from different parts of the world who interact and meet and bring out, above all, their souls to understand each other. He said film festivals should therefore be judged primarily on artistic and cinematic merit. The greatest part of a film festival is that it should be judged on merits, Khan said. Every film that is being chosen should be judged on merits, on its cinematic excellence, free of prejudice, free from the changing winds of ideology. He said filmmakers, actors, producers and singers should be allowed to present their artistic work without ideological interference. Actors, directors, producers, singers come on to a platform and present their artistic cinema, music, art, culture, he said. Khan also spoke at length about the responsibility of filmmakers when dealing with India's history and communal relations. I am very vocal. I respect every filmmaker. Every filmmaker has the right to present his film, his ideas, but never distort history. Never distort history to serve a purpose of creating disturbance, hatred [against] one another, he said. He added: Cinema which spreads hatred should be discouraged in every nook and corner of the world, especially when it is designed for a specific propaganda. Khan said filmmakers could portray historical figures as heroes or villains, but should not manipulate history for a predetermined narrative. There are people who make films on villains and heroes and give the correct perspective as it is without dabbling it, without the historians and filmmakers diverting [it], he said. Kashmir has a very distinctive identity Khan also spoke about Kashmir's cultural identity, describing it as deeply rooted in Sufi traditions and communal coexistence. Jammu Kashmir is a very, very beautiful concept and identity. Kashmir has a very distinctive identity, he said. Like every state has its lovely identity in different ways. But Kashmir has the Sufism involvement where people of all caste and creed are one. Describing Kashmir as a secular centre which is mixed with warmth, love, affection, Khan referred to Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs living together through its history. He said India's civilisational diversity should be preserved and reflected responsibly through cinema. India is one of the greatest countries, a 5,000-year-old civilisation, he said, before invoking the historical reigns of Ashoka and Akbar. Khan recalled his own work on historical television productions, including The Sword of Tipu Sultan and Akbar the Great, saying his intention had always been nation-building. I first directed the first 22 episodes of The Sword of Tipu Sultan when my brother was struck by an unfortunate hand of destiny, he said, adding that he later made Akbar the Great. At that time, Sulh-e-Kul was the religion of Emperor Akbar, where every religion comes under one umbrella. Peace for all, submission to all, Khan said. I made that serial Akbar the Great again for nation-building. It brought harmony amongst the Hindus, the Muslims. Plans to bring Taj Mahal to Kashmir Khan also announced plans to bring his film Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story to Kashmir for a premiere. My film Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story, inshallah, I will bring it to Kashmir to have a premiere of the film shortly and release it all over India again, he said. He said the film had already begun its international journey and recalled its screening in Malaysia. My film Taj Mahal has already started to take its first international journey on 6th February, 2006, where the Prime Minister of Malaysia had watched the film and he wrote a review, the same with the Minister of Culture, Khan said. He described the Taj Mahal as a symbol of love and said he wanted that message to reach audiences across the world. I want that this symbol of love, Taj Mahal, should sink into the minds and heart and soul of the people of the world, he said. It is the greatest message and Taj Mahal is one of our greatest monuments of pride before all the country. Khan concluded by thanking the organisers and praising Omar Abdullah and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah for what he described as their commitment to an inclusive society. I have enjoyed every moment of my stay here with the warm hospitality of every officer, bureaucrat, he said. He described Farooq Abdullah as one of the tallest leaders of a country who believes in the inclusive society, the love and harmony of a Brahman, of a Muslim, of a Christian, and a Jain. Khan said the presence of both father and son in Jammu and Kashmir's political leadership offered hope for the future. It is an amazing combination of a father and son and I am sure there will be great amount of peace, harmony, success and the people of Jammu Kashmir will soon be seeing a golden period, he said.

Akbar Khan hails Kashmir film festival, calls for cinema free of hatred and propaganda

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Iron transporting protein may help early diagnosis of heart disease, says study

New Delhi, Sep 09: Lower levels of serotransferrin, the blood protein that transports iron through the body, are an early indicator of coronary artery disease (CAD) and can help identify heart conditions earlier than routine clinical diagnoses, say scientists. Iron deficiency is prevalent in patients of CAD, a common cardiovascular condition characterised by a narrowing of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis, primarily resulting from an accumulation of plaque or fatty deposits. An analysis of blood serum proteins by Delhis Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) has revealed the critical role of serotransferrin in identifying cardiac disease. Serotransferrin may have value as an early diagnostic marker, meaning it could potentially help identify CAD earlier than routine clinical diagnosis, Sagarika Biswas, corresponding author on the study, told PTI. A deeper understanding of how CAD develops is crucial for developing effective diagnostics and therapeutics, the IGIB researchers said. Serotransferrin, found in previous studies to contribute to CAD, presents a potential avenue for investigation, they said. Exploring molecular and cellular processes related to serotransferrin may help shed light on how CAD develops and identify new targets for treatment, the team said. Of the total 197 differentially expressed proteins, serotransferrin (TF), an iron transporter, showed downregulation in samples from CAD patients compared to healthy, the authors wrote in the study published in the journal Acta Cardiologica. Downregulation means lower than normal levels The study, involving 50 CAD patients and 40 healthy people, also showed an increased level of the cardiac marker 'troponin I' among those affected by the heart disorder, demonstrating an inverse relationship with serotransferrin levels. Troponin I is a specialised protein present in heart muscle cells, a damage or injury to which causes the protein to leak and enter the bloodstream. TF (serotransferrin) protein was significantly associated with CAD progression and inversely correlated with cTnI (troponin I), suggesting it (serotransferrin) could be a potential therapeutic target pending further molecular and clinical investigation, the authors said. Longitudinal studies would be required to estimate the duration in years before which serotransferrin could help identify CAD, explained Biswas, former distinguished chief scientist and professor at CSIR-IGIB's department of integrative and functional biology. The study linked reduced levels of serotransferrin with the inflammatory environment created due to damage in the inner lining of arteries, which leads to an immune response against the accumulated fatty deposits. According to Biswas, worsening ischaemia -- local anaemia due to a reduced blood flow caused by narrowed or blocked vessels -- and tissue injury can increase troponin I, whereas inflammatory and metabolic stress may suppress serotransferrin expression or availability in CAD. Further, levels of serotransferrin can reflect iron status in an individual. In standard iron studies, transferrin saturation below 20 per cent is commonly taken as evidence of iron deficiency, meaning less than 20 per cent of transferrin's binding sites are occupied by iron, Biswas said. Transferrin refers to the family of iron-binding proteins, while serotransferrin is a subtype found in blood serum and plasma. A region on a protein's surface to which another molecule attaches itself is a binding site. Serotransferrin is an iron-transport protein, so a lower level suggests (a) reduced iron-binding and transport capacity. The protein may contribute to the functional iron deficiency component of CAD by limiting plasma iron transport, but the study did not quantify its contribution as a percentage, Biswas said in response to a question.

ACB traps Treasury clerk for demanding, accepting Rs 20,000 bribe

Rajouri, Sept 09: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday trapped and arrested a clerk posted at Government Treasury Kalakot for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000. An official said that the accused clerk, identified as Khadam Hussain, was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe from a complainant. The official said that following a complaint regarding the alleged demand for illegal gratification, the ACB laid a trap and apprehended the accused during the transaction. He said the accused was taken into custody and a case has been registered in the matter, while further investigation is underway.(KNO)

MeT predicts largely dry weather in J&K till Sep 20, brief showers at few places likely

Srinagar, Sep 09: Meteorological Centre Srinagar on Wednesday said that weather will remain generally dry in Jammu and Kashmir for the next 12 days with brief spells of rain at isolated to scattered places. As per the forecast, September 9-12 will remain generally dry with brief spell of rain at isolated places, while September 13-16 may see brief spell of rain/thundershower at scattered places towards early morning and afternoon hours. From September 17-20, weather is expected to remain generally dry with brief spell of rain at isolated places, a MeT official said. In its advisory, the MeT said farmers may continue harvesting of Apple & Paddy along with other farm operations.(GNS)

Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati sworn in as chief Justice of J-K High Court

Srinagar, Sep 09: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday administered the oath of office to Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati as Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. LG Saxena- who has been appointed to discharge the functions of J&K LG during Manoj Sinhas leave -administered the oath at the Shalimar auditorium of ShereKashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir. The ceremony began with the rendition of the national song, followed by the National Anthem. Later, the Registrar General of the High Court read out the warrant of appointment issued by the President of India. After the reading of the warrant, the LG administered the oath to the Chief Justice, with both signing the oath roll papers. The LG then handed over the warrant of appointment to Justice Bhati. The function concluded with the rendition of the national song and the National Anthem. The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, cabinet ministers, High Court judges, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, and other senior bureaucrats and police officers(KNO)

Man dies after falling unconscious at Jammu police post, family stages protest

Jammu, Sep 09: A 32-year-old man died after he allegedly fell unconscious at a border police post in R S Pura sector near here early Wednesday, official sources said. The deceased, Uttam Chand, a resident of Rakh village, was called to the Chakroi police post following a complaint filed by a woman neighbour over a property dispute, the sources said quoting the preliminary information. They said the individual fell unconscious and was subsequently taken to the Sub-district Hospital R S Pura at around 4 am. Chand was referred to Government Medical College Jammu but died on way to the hospital, the sources said, adding the body was shifted to a mortuary for postmortem. Following the death, the family members and relatives of the deceased staged a protest, demanding clarity over the circumstances leading to the man's death and seeking appropriate action. Senior police officers have rushed to the spot, while additional personnel have been deployed both at Chakroi and at the hospital mortuary to maintain law and order, the sources said.

What was Kashmir like before turmoil | The Kashmir They Remember | Episode 1: Tahir Mohiuddin

What was Kashmir like before the turmoil, when newspapers shaped public debate, and Srinagars lakes, rivers and culture looked very different? In the first episode of The Kashmir They Remember, veteran journalist and Chattan editor Tahir Mohiuddin takes us through a lifetime in Kashmir from earning his first salary of Rs 100 and launching Chattan in 1985 to witnessing the Valleys political, social and cultural transformation. He recalls his stand against indefinite strikes, his encounters with leaders across the political spectrum, the changing face of journalism, the Kashmir he remembers and what he fears Kashmir may be losing. A conversation about memory, journalism, change and a Kashmir that once was. Host: Saqib Malik Camera: Mubashir Khan

Midnight blaze destroys three houses, leaves six families homeless in Central Kashmir's Budgam

Khansahib, Sep 09: Three residential houses were completely gutted in a fire that broke out during the midnight hours at Khan Mohalla in Gurwait area of Khansahib in Budgam district, leaving six families homeless. The blaze engulfed the houses during the night and caused extensive damage to the residential structures, along with household belongings and other property kept inside. The fire prompted residents to rush to the spot as the blaze spread through the locality. Locals joined efforts to contain the fire and prevent it from causing further damage to surrounding properties. The destruction of the three houses has left six families without their homes, with their household possessions also damaged in the blaze. The incident has caused substantial disruption for the affected families, who were left without shelter following the complete damage to their residences. Police have taken cognizance of the incident and registered a case. [KNT]

Fire damages four residential houses in Budgams Gurweth Kalan

US military says it destroyed 5 Iranian oil tankers; Tehran hits back at American targets in Jordan

Washington, Sep 09: The US military said it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday in response to the latest attacks on its warships and Tehran hit back at American targets in Jordan, the latest burst of back-and-forth strikes that have lurched the sides back toward open hostilities in a more than six-month-old war. Following the American strikes, Iran launched missiles toward US targets in Jordan, Iranian state-run media said. Jordan's military said its air defence systems intercepted 18 ballistic missiles launched toward its territory and two others fell in places where no one lives. It said it has no reports of casualties. Jordan is a staunch US ally that hosts American forces, making the kingdom's military bases a target of repeated Iranian strikes. US Central Command said it had no information to offer. The latest strikes are part of a dual economic and military approach by President Donald Trump as he struggles to bring an end to the war. The Trump administration on Tuesday also imposed sanctions on additional elements of Iran's aviation industry, targeting more than two dozen commercial and private airlines as well as foreign cargo service providers, in its new push to isolate Tehran from its remaining trading partners. Both the US and Iran are seeking to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz, where about one-fifth of the world's oil passed before the war began. Rising energy prices are posing political problems for Trump and his Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections. A barrel of international standard Brent crude briefly climbed as high as $99.46 on Tuesday. The US forces also destroyed three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday after Iran's Revolutionary Guards tried to attack a US aircraft carrier and destroyer with ballistic missiles, warning that it would, if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet. Iran later said it planned to announce a new exclusion zone near the Strait of Hormuz aimed at vessels intending to transit. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US will not allow Iran's attacks to go unanswered. Iran continues to try to hit US naval ships. And for every time they do that or try to do that, they're going to lose tankers. And I think you'll see that again today, Rubio told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the latest attacks in Iran while on a trip to Colombia. Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, warned that such back-and-forth strikes can only risk more retaliation and further impact on the global economy. There is no kinetic solution to the Strait of Hormuz problem, he said on social media. Every attempt to impose one only brings Washington and Tehran closer to an escalation that may become increasingly difficult to control. US Central Command said the military struck the tankers on Tuesday after the Revolutionary Guards targeted a Navy warship with ballistic missiles twice over the past two days. The US warship successfully evaded the attempted Iranian attacks and continued to patrol regional waters. No American personnel were harmed, it said in a statement. It said the Iranian tankers destroyed on Tuesday were the Kivik, Charminar, Horizon 1 and the Riesco in the Gulf of Oman. The US military also destroyed the vessel Derya, which was located near Kharg Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement said the crews of the five vessels were told to abandon ship before the attacks. Iranian state television also reported the US strikes, saying US forces attacked Iranian oil tankers near the southern port of Jask and near Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf. It said the crews were evacuated. An Iranian state TV reporter in Jask said an Iranian tanker was struck near the coast of Yekbeni. State TV later reported that the US military attacked a second tanker near waters off Jask. Separately, state television reported that another Iranian tanker was attacked in the Kharg Island anchorage area. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy on Tuesday had warned crews of oil tankers near ports in Kuwait and Bahrain to immediately leave their vessels, saying the ships could be targeted in retaliation for US attacks on Iranian tankers. It accused Kuwait and Bahrain of hosting US forces and assisting in the attacks. A US blockade of Iranian ports has squeezed the country's economy by limiting its oil exports, while the American military has been helping a limited number of ships transit on a route through the Strait of Hormuz off Oman. Tehran wants ships to follow a route that it chooses through the strait, which was considered an international waterway before the war.

Traffic advisory issued for oath ceremony Of Chief Justice in Srinagar today

Srinagar, Sep 09: Traffic Police City Srinagar has issued a traffic advisory for the oath ceremony of Dr. Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati as Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. According to the advisory, the oath ceremony is scheduled to be held at Shalimar Convention Centre, SKUAST Kashmir, Srinagar today at 11:00 AM. In view of the ceremony, motorists intending to travel from Harwan-Shalimar-Nishat and other adjacent areas towards Lal Chowk have been advised to travel via Foreshore route to reach their respective destinations. Similarly, those intending to travel towards Nishat, Shalimar and Harwan have been advised to adopt Foreshore Road via Shalimar Bridge. The police said that no vehicle shall be allowed towards SKUAST Kashmir and no vehicle shall move towards Shalimar via Ishber during the period. The advisory will remain in force for two hours from 10 AM to 12 Noon on September 9 till the oath ceremony is completed. Emergencies shall be allowed to take the shortest route. Citizens can contact Traffic Police Control Room No. 103 for any assistance, officials said.(GNS)

Arifa among 5 J&K films selected for IFFJK competition

Srinagar, Sep 8: Arifa , directed by Rohin Raveendran Nair, has been selected among five films for the J&K Select Section, the competitive category of the maiden International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026. Produced by Gubbara Entertainment and written by Durgesh Singh, Arifa is part of the three-film anthology Kashmir Muhabbat Se, which seeks to present an intimate and humane portrayal of Kashmir beyond headlines and stereotypes. The film follows an estranged daughter who returns to Kashmir to meet her dying father. Her return to the ancestral home brings buried memories to the surface, giving the father and daughter a final opportunity to confront their past and seek reconciliation. The film explores themes of family, memory, reconciliation and belonging against the backdrop of Kashmir. The other films selected for the J&K Select Section are Searching for the Grandpa, directed by Mohammad Wali; Batt Koch (The Lost Lane), directed by Siddarth Koul and Ankit Wali; Tasrufdaar (Djinns of Kashmir), directed by Kapil Mattoo; and Naqsh-e-Daur (The Story of Ghulam Nabi Dhar), directed by Baba Tassaduq Hussain. According to festival organisers, the films were recommended by the Preview Committee after reviewing submissions and assessing their artistic merit and suitability for the competitive section.

Cultural activities signal changing social atmosphere in Kashmir: Darakhshan Andrabi

Srinagar, Sep 8:J&K Waqf Board Chairperson Dr Darakhshan Andrabi on Tuesday said the growing cultural activities and public participation in Kashmir indicate a changing social atmosphere, as the Valley hosts its maiden International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK). Addressing the four-day festival, themed Rang-e-Cinema, at SKICC Srinagar, Andrabi said Kashmir had once again regained its vibrancy and that such platforms could showcase the regions cultural heritage, creativity and evolving identity to a global audience. Such platforms offer a vital opportunity to present the Valleys rich cultural heritage, creativity, and evolving identity to a global audience, she said. The festival has received more than 1,100 entries from 80 countries and also features a floating cinema on Dal Lake, an initiative being showcased as a first for the region. Andrabi described the public participation in IFFJK as a significant cultural development in Jammu and Kashmir, saying such initiatives could help reconnect Kashmir with the global community while creating new opportunities for local youth. She said the visible public participation and increasing cultural activities reflected the changes taking place in the region. I really feel good today for the first time. The happiness seen on the faces of people here, I credit it to PM Modi, she said. Andrabi said the people of Kashmir carried happiness in their hearts and eyes. People are really happy here, she added.

Kashmiri films can travel globally with right stories: Sriram Raghavan

Srinagar, Sep 8: Acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan on Tuesday said that Kashmir has the potential to develop on the lines of Malayalam, Marathi and Gujarati cinema and called for greater opportunities for local artists and filmmakers across Jammu and Kashmir. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) on the second day at SKICC here, Raghavan said the film festival could prove to be a significant catalyst for the growth of the local film ecosystem. For me, I think it is a vital thing that has happened. I am wondering why it has not happened yet. But now that it has happened, I think it will just continue and it will flourish, he said. Raghavan said greater interaction between filmmakers from different parts of the country and the local film community would create a beneficial exchange of ideas and exposure to world cinema. He said that Jammu and Kashmir should not be viewed merely as a location for shooting films, but as a place capable of producing its own stories and filmmakers. It is not like that. There should be stories from here. Local artists should also be brought here. We should give them a chance so that more youth can come here, he added. Raghavan said there was no reason why it could not achieve the kind of recognition enjoyed by regional industries such as Malayalam, Marathi and Gujarati cinema, saying that he was confident that a strong Kashmiri film industry will emerge in Kashmirs future. Where are the Kashmiri films? I am sure that the films will come gradually and the initial growth could come through smaller productions, he added. He further said that Kashmiri filmmakers should not feel compelled to make mainstream commercial films to reach a wider audience. Small and distinctive films with compelling stories could have greater potential to travel internationally. Dont think that it has to be a mainstream film. It can be a small film that will go all over the world. Its just a matter of getting the right story, he said. Raghavan also welcomed efforts to streamline the process of obtaining permissions for film shoots in the region, saying such measures could help the industry grow. Referring to Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs address, the filmmaker said he was impressed by the governments intent to bring change and facilitate filmmaking in J&K. I was very impressed with his speech. He really wants to see a change here. He is doing his best to reduce the single window. Lets see how. I think it will all really help, he said. Raghavan said the regions growing tourism and its locations could also provide opportunities for filmmakers, while cautioning that increased tourist activity could make popular destinations challenging for film shoots. He said the impact of initiatives such as IFFJK may become visible over the next few years and local youngsters will gain professional skills and eventually seek employment within the regions film industry. This is the first festival. You can see the difference in five years. In five years, they will be professionals. They will be looking for work here, he said. Raghavan added that while he had not interacted extensively with local people but he believed there was considerable interest in filmmaking among the youth and that more local participation would emerge with time.