Opinion

FSSAI notice to 5-star hotels JW Marriott, Andaz over hygiene issues, cockroaches on premises

New Delhi, Aug 26: Food regulator FSSAI on Wednesday said it has issued notices to five-star hotels JW Marriott and Andaz at Aerocity here for serious violations of laws related to hygiene, including presence of cockroaches near freezers. In a social media post, the regulator informed that it has issued a notice to JW Marriott hotel, which is a unit of Aria Hotels and Consultancy Services Pvt Ltd. The notice has been issued over serious food safety violations and non-compliance with FSSAI requirements. In another post, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) informed that it has issued notice to Juniper Hotels Pvt Ltd (Andaz, Aerocity, Delhi) following inspections that uncovered serious food safety violations. The regulator has collected samples from both the hotels and further action would be taken based on lab reports. During the inspection, FSSAI officials found serious deficiencies related to hygiene and sanitation. In the case of JW Marriott, the officials observed inadequate pest control, presence of cockroaches and fruit flies, and poor maintenance of food premises. In the case of Andaz hotel, the FSSAI inspection revealed active cockroaches near freezers, houseflies, mosquitoes in the grinding room, spider webs, and the discovery of a 'gutka' packet inside the bottling plant area. Comments from both the hotels could not be immediately obtained. During the inspection at JW Marriott, FSSAI officials found serious hygiene and sanitation deficiencies, including unclean utensils and food-contact surfaces, visible particulate matter in drinking water, inadequate pest control, cockroaches and fruit flies, and poor maintenance of food premises. The regulator found spoiled/fungal-affected food in the hotel. It also observed improper food storage and cross-contamination risks. These included fungal growth on apples, rotten tomatoes, uncovered food, damaged storage containers, inadequate vegetarian/non-vegetarian segregation, improperly stored cut vegetables and food products not maintained as per prescribed storage conditions, FSSAI said. Moreover, FSSAI pointed out that various kitchens and food preparation areas, including the Chinese, Indian, Italian and bakery kitchens, showed deficiencies such as pest infestation, non-operational exhaust systems, poor sanitation, inadequate allergen segregation, defective storage containers, improper food identification and inappropriate storage of food products. Deficiencies were also observed in the water bottling area, dry store, coffee shop and vegetable preparation area, including rusting of the drinking-water storage tank, deficiencies in imported-food labelling, poor sanitation and fruit-fly infestation. The overall inspection revealed deficiencies relating to licensing/KOB compliance, labelling, food storage, temperature control, sanitation, pest control, personal hygiene, cross-contamination prevention, allergen management, traceability, maintenance and potable-water, the regulator said. Elaborating on the violation, the regulator said that certain food products /materials, including paneer, khoya, chana masala and chilli, were found without the requisite licence/appropriate endorsement available for verification. That apart, the hotel company was found carrying out retail and re-labeller activities without the requisite endorsement in its FSSAI licence, including retailing food products under the JW Marriott brand name. Labelling deficiencies were observed in pre-packaged food products, including misprinted FSSAI licence numbers and non-declaration of the complete manufacturer's address, the regulator said. The FSSAI licence was also not displayed at a prominent place on the premise. During inspection at Andaz hotel, FSSAI said several serious food safety and hygiene deficiencies were observed, including improper segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, pest activity, poor sanitation, inadequate food handler hygiene and improper food storage practices. The officials found expired food products, including about 87 kg of expired sweets, an expired cake base and bread packets. Other deficiencies included inadequate temperature monitoring, improper allergen segregation, poor waste management, structural and maintenance issues, and inadequate supplier verification and receiving practices. The FSSAI's inspection team collected regulatory and surveillance samples including cow ghee, veg mayonnaise, creamy coconut milk powder, honey twigs, yellow masoor dal, tomato sauce, orange marmalade and coconut cookies for analysis. Elaborating further, FSSAI said that inspection revealed active cockroaches near freezers, houseflies, mosquitoes in the grinding room, spider webs, and the discovery of a 'gutka' packet inside the bottling plant area. The FSSAI officials also observed duplicate date-marking applied over expired bread packaging, alongside severe unpleasant odours and chillers situated directly between two bathrooms with exhaust venting into the chiller section. The regulator has asked the hotel company to take immediate corrective actions with respect to the non-compliances observed and submit a compliance report at the earliest along with supporting evidence. In the past few months, FSSAI has cracked down against food business operators as well as e-commerce platforms for misleading claims, labelling and advertisements.

Woman lands on tree after alleged jump from 10th floor, rescued by Mumbai fire brigade

Mumbai, Aug 26: A 26-year-old woman was dramatically rescued by the Mumbai Fire Brigade after she allegedly jumped from the 10th floor of a building in suburban Bhandup on Wednesday morning, only to get caught in a tree. The woman, identified as Pratiksha Hiwrale, landed in an adjacent tree after she allegedly plunged from the window of a flat in Sunshine Building on Lake Road. She was found hanging about 20-25 feet above the ground. The fire brigade was alerted at around 9.32 am. Fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot and used a hook ladder to bring Hiwrale to safety. She was then taken to a private hospital in a private ambulance. Doctors said she suffered an injury to her left leg. She was later shifted to Sion Hospital for surgery, a civic official said.

LG, CM mourn loss of lives in Poonch road accident

Srinagar, Aug 26: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and chief minister Omar Abdullah have expressed pain over the loss of lives in tragic road accident in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. The duo expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. They also directed district administration to provide immediate assistance to those affected. Pained by the loss of lives in a tragic road accident in Poonch. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Have directed the District Administration to ensure immediate assistance is provided to those affected, Office of LG J&K said on X. Pained by the loss of lives in a tragic road accident in Poonch. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Have directed the District Administration to ensure immediate assistance is provided to those affected. Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) August 26, 2026 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed deep grief over the loss of lives. Office of Chief Minister, J&K in a post on X said: Chief Minister has expressed deep grief over the tragic road accident in Surankote, Poonch, which claimed six lives and left several others injured. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured. The Chief Ministers Office is in constant touch with the concerned authorities to extend all possible assistance. Chief Minister has expressed deep grief over the tragic road accident in Surankote, Poonch, which claimed six lives and left several others injured. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) August 26, 2026

Embassy coordinating with Nepal govt for rescue of Indians affected by flash floods: MEA

New Delhi, Aug 26: The Embassy of India in Kathmandu is closely coordinating with government of Nepal for the early rescue and relief of Indian nationals affected by flash floods in the Himalayan nation on Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The embassy earlier in the day issued emergency phone numbers for those seeking assistance and information related to Indian nationals affected by the calamity. Embassy of India in Nepal is closely coordinating with Government of Nepal for the early rescue and relief of Indian nationals affected by today's flash floods in Nepal, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. At least 46 people have died and nearly 500 others, including 105 Indians, are missing after a massive flash flood originating in Tibet swept through central Nepal districts on Wednesday. So far, 46 bodies have been recovered from the flash flood hit areas, security officials said. According to an earlier statement by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 384 travellers, 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalese nationals, have gone missing due to the Rasuwa floods. These travellers include 105 Indian tourists, 37 NRIs and remaining tourists from USA, Malaysia, UK, South Africa, Australia and Netherlands. The Embassy of India in Nepal in a separate post said, it has emained engaged with the relevant authorities of Government of Nepal for early rescue and relief for Indian nationals affected by the flash floods that took place in Nepal today. Rescue and relief efforts continue to be strengthened in coordination with the Government of Nepal. @MEAIndia.

Gold snaps 4-day rally, falls Rs 600 to Rs 1.66 lakh/10g amid profit booking

New Delhi, Aug 26: Gold prices declined by Rs 600 to Rs 1,66,500 per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday, snapping a four-day gaining streak amid weak trends in the international markets. The yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity had closed at Rs 1,67,100 per 10 grams in the preceding session. However, silver rebounded modestly, rising Rs 500 to Rs 2,50,500 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes) from Tuesday's closing level of Rs 2.5 lakh per kg, according to the All India Sarafa Association. Gold has eased in the domestic markets as traders booked profits after a strong multi-week rally, said Akshat Siddhant, Lead Quant Analyst at investment platform Mudrex. He attributed the decline in precious metal prices to a strengthening US dollar ahead of the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation report. Gold has repeatedly reached fresh multi-month highs this year, supported by the US Treasury's expanding debt-buyback program, lower bond yields and steady buying from China's central bank, Siddhant said. In global markets, spot gold fell USD 39.66, or nearly 1 per cent, to USD 4,619.21 per ounce, while silver dropped marginally to USD 68.50 per ounce. Spot gold traded with a loss of nearly 1 per cent around USD 4,621 per ounce as it consolidated after five consecutive days of gains, Praveen Singh, Head of Commodities at Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said. Crude oil has extended its decline on reduced supply concerns as Iran and Oman continue to push for a temporary opening of the Strait of Hormuz, he added. Meanwhile, holdings in yellow metal-backed exchange-traded funds have surged in the last few weeks, Singh said. On the outlook, Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said any indication of the US Federal Reserve's broader approach to inflation and monetary policy could influence the US dollar, Treasury bond yields and precious metals. Investors will also await the US Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium on Friday, Gandhi added.

Massive fire breaks out in Watal Kadal Srinagar, sparks panic among residents

PM Modi condoles loss of lives in Nepal flashfloods, offers all possible help

Srinagar, Aug 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to his Nepali counterpart Balendra Shah and conveyed his condolences on the loss of lives in flashfloods. Taking to micro-blogging site X, PM Modi said: Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts. Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 26, 2026 At least 105 Indians are among the nearly 400 people missing after the devastating flash floods hit Nepals Rasuwa district bordering Tibet on Wednesday. A sudden, massive flood swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet killing dozens of people, causing extensive damage at settlements along the river and damaging at least a dozen hydropower projects.

UGC-NET results for 84 subjects to be announced this week: NTA

New Delhi, Aug 26: The results for 84 subjects of UGC-NET will be announced this week, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said on Wednesday. The final answer keys and results for UGC-NET (84 Subjects), CSIR-NET and ICAR AIEEA (PG) and AICE (PhD) 2026 will be published on NTA's website, this week. Candidates are advised to rely only on official communications from NTA, the agency said in a post on X. The NTA had ordered fresh examinations for candidates who appeared for the English, Commerce and Sociology papers in June this year after an expert committee found factual, typographical, translation and language-related errors in the question papers. The NTA released the UGC-NET answer key on August 16, nearly two months after the examination, while issuing a special notice concerning the Sociology, Commerce and English papers. Later, on the same day, it announced that the three examinations would be conducted afresh in September, citing the errors. The re-examinations are scheduled for September 9 and 10, and candidates will not be required to pay an additional examination fee. The National Eligibility Test (NET) is conducted by NTA to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for the role of assistant professor and for the junior research fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges.

Processions mark Eid-e-Milad (SAW) in Kashmir

Nearly 400 people, including 105 Indians, missing after Nepal floods near Tibet border

Kathmandu, Aug 26: At least 105 Indians are among the nearly 400 persons missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal's Rasuwa district bordering Tibet on Wednesday. A sudden, massive flood swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet killing four people, causing extensive devastation at settlements along the river and damaging at least a dozen hydropower projects early Wednesday. The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi River at around 9 am (local time) coming from the Tibet side affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet and Nuwakot district, southwest of Kathmandu, officials said. According to a statement by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 384 travellers, 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalese nationals, have gone missing due to the Rasuwa floods. These travellers include 105 Indian tourists, 37 NRIs and remaining tourists from USA, Malaysia, UK, South Africa, Australia and Netherlands. The Nepal Tourism Board also issued a toll free emergency number 1234 or hotline 1144 or tourist police 9851289445 for help.

Two arrested as police crack multiple gold theft cases; stolen earrings recovered

Srinagar, Aug 26: Police have achieved a major breakthrough in a series of gold ornament theft and snatching cases reported in and around Sopore town, arresting two persons, including an alleged receiver of stolen property, and recovering seven pairs of gold earrings, officials said on Wednesday. In a press statement, an official spokesperson said that during investigation of case FIR No. 192/2026 under Section 309(4) BNS, registered at Police Station Sopore after a woman from Seelo reported that an unknown person had taken her towards Amargarh, threatened her with a knife and forcibly taken away her gold earrings. During investigation, a detailed investigation involving CCTV analysis, technical inputs, field verification and examination of suspects led to the identification and arrest of Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Majeed Bhat resident of Haripora, Langate, Handwara. The stolen earrings in the case were subsequently recovered at his instance, the spokesperson said. Further investigation and detailed examination of the accused generated leads regarding his alleged involvement in similar incidents, including FIR No. 207/2025 under Section 304(2) BNS and FIR No. 55/2026 under Sections 304(2)/351(2) BNS of Police Station Sopore, the statement said. The spokesperson said that the investigation revealed a recurring modus operandi wherein the accused allegedly targeted elderly and vulnerable women on the pretext of helping them obtain benefits under government welfare schemes. After gaining their confidence, he would persuade them to remove and hand over their gold ornaments and thereafter flee with the jewellery. In some cases, force or intimidation was also allegedly used. During further recovery proceedings, seven pairs of gold earrings were recovered. Some have been linked to the registered cases, while the remaining ornaments have been seized under relevant legal provisions for identification and verification. The investigation also led to the arrest of Sayed Ahmed Khan son of Munna Khan A/P Sangrama, a goldsmith, for his alleged role as a receiver of stolen property. His role and possible linkages with other similar incidents are being investigated. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the involvement of the accused in other cases and to identify the rightful owners of the remaining recovered property, he said. Police reiterated its commitment to professional, evidence-based investigation and prompt action against crimes affecting the life and property of citizens. The public, particularly senior citizens, is advised to remain cautious of unknown persons offering unsolicited assistance and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the nearest police establishment.

Eight dead, several others missing after flash flood hits Nepal

J&K Police attach two-storey house in Budgam under NDPS Act

Srinagar, Aug 26: Police on Wednesday attached a two-storey residential house in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The action was taken against Noor Mohd Dar, son of Mohammad Ismail Dar and a resident of Hapatnar in Charar-i-Shareif, under Section 68-F(1) of the NDPS Act, a police spokesperson said. The attachment is linked to a case registered under Section 8/15 of the NDPS Act at Charar-i-Shareif Police Station. The case pertains to offences relating to the illegal possession, transportation and trafficking of narcotic substances, he said. Continuing its sustained campaign against the menace of drugs and the financial networks supporting narcotics-related activities, Police in Budgam have attached a two-storey residential house, the spokesperson said. As per the provisions of law, the owner of the attached property is prohibited from selling, transferring, leasing, mortgaging or otherwise creating any third-party interest in the attached property without the permission of the competent authority, he added.

Advanced healthcare must reach smaller districts: LG Sinha

Srinagar, Aug 26: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday called for making advanced healthcare accessible beyond major cities and specialised institutions, saying the country must bridge the gap between what modern medicine can provide and what is actually available to people in smaller districts and remote areas. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the National Summit on Quaternary Healthcare: A National Strategy for Advanced Care at SKICC Srinagar, Sinha said the challenge of providing advanced healthcare is not confined to Jammu and Kashmir but was being faced across the country. Recalling his visit to a health centre near Akhnoor during the administrations Back to Village programme amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Sinha said a conversation with doctors there made him realise the difficulties faced by patients requiring diagnosis and treatment for complex diseases. He said one of the doctors had told him that families often brought sick children to the health centre hoping for proper diagnosis and treatment, but the absence of equipment for diagnosing complex diseases left doctors helpless. Sinha said the lack of specialised facilities often forced families from remote areas to undertake long journeys to Jammu, Chandigarh or Delhi in search of treatment. I feel that the patience of the mother and the patience of the father is not just in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, stressing that the issue was much wider and required a national approach. The Lieutenant Governor said India had made significant progress in healthcare over the past 1012 years, including expansion of health insurance coverage, vaccination programmes, medical education and healthcare infrastructure. He said the country had also witnessed a substantial expansion of medical infrastructure, with new AIIMS, medical colleges and MBBS seats being created across the country, including in Jammu and Kashmir. Sinha, however, said a significant gap continued to exist between the capabilities of modern medicine and their actual availability to people. There is a gap and there is a distance. Earlier, perhaps, we did not think in this manner because our resources were limited. But I feel now, as the doctors were saying, the country is thinking on a much larger scale, he said. He said the healthcare sector must now be viewed in the larger context of the vision of a Viksit Bharat, with greater emphasis on advanced care, research and specialised treatment. Referring to institutions such as AIIMS Delhi, PGI Chandigarh and SKIMS Srinagar, Sinha said these institutions represented the countrys specialised healthcare capabilities, but stressed that a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem still required sustained efforts. This programme is important because you have deep knowledge of this subject, he told healthcare experts, researchers, scientists and administrators attending the summit. Sinha emphasised that hospitals should not merely function as treatment centres but should also become centres of research and innovation. We should not only make hospitals. We should also make them centres of research initiatives, he said, adding that clinical treatment and research should go hand in hand. He stressed that advanced healthcare centres should have access to every facility made possible by modern science. Every possibility that science allows should be available in the quaternary care centre, he said. On healthcare infrastructure and funding, Sinha said the government was making provisions through annual budgets to strengthen and modernise the sector. He said the countrys growing economy was creating greater opportunities for healthcare and expressed satisfaction that doctors and specialists were increasingly becoming available across different levels of care. The Lieutenant Governor said institutions such as NITI Aayog could play an important role in developing strategies to strengthen advanced healthcare and integrate it with existing systems. He also called for greater use of telemedicine to connect healthcare facilities across the Union Territory and ensure access to specialised expertise in remote areas. Advanced care without advanced doctors is not possible, Sinha said. Calling for greater cooperation among Himalayan states, he said they could jointly plan biomedical research and identify selected areas for coordinated research to address region-specific healthcare challenges. The summit brought together healthcare researchers, scientists, medical professionals, administrators and representatives of various institutions to deliberate on advanced and quaternary healthcare, clinical care, research and strengthening the overall healthcare ecosystem. Sinha said the ultimate objective should be to ensure that advances in medical science translate into accessible and affordable treatment for ordinary citizens, particularly those living away from major urban healthcare centres.(KNO)

NCB busts cross-border heroin cartel in Jammu; mastermind among 3 arrested with 5.16 kg heroin

The NCB team traced him to Leh district of Ladakh where he was arrested on Monday (August 24), within two days of the seizure

US halts all visa appointments globally amid Trump's immigration crackdown: report

Washington, Aug 26: The Trump administration has paused all immigrant visa applications across the world as the State Department aims to tighten restrictions and limit access to applicants who may become dependent on US public benefits reserved for qualified Americans, according to a report. According to a Financial Times report, the US is training consular officers to evaluate such requests comprehensively and consistently. The training of consular officers is focused on screening individuals who may become dependent on subsistence assistance or come under the definition of public charge, the newspaper reported, quoting US State Department officials. A public charge is a label used by US immigration officials for a person who is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for financial support. Immigrant visa applicants with scheduled interviews at US embassies and consulates have received emails stating their appointments were rescheduled, and that they would receive future notice of a new date and time, the report said. The State Department officials claim this will ensure visa applicants will not end up relying on US public benefits. A more prosperous America means ensuring that visa applicants are not likely to become a public charge, as defined under US law and regulation, and not likely to become dependent on US public benefits reserved for qualified Americans in need, a State Department spokesperson told the FT. The spokesperson said the department launched a global training initiative in August to ensure all consular officers are fully equipped to evaluate every visa applicant comprehensively and consistently. The pause comes as the US has launched a crackdown against illegal immigration and also tightened rules governing the issuance of green cards. This decision to cancel all US visa appointments comes a day after the Trump administration proposed a new USD 103,265 application fee for H-1B visa. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. Since assuming office in 2025, US President Donald Trump have pursued an aggressive crackdown on immigrants in the country. The pause follows an attempt by President Trump to block applications on a similar public charge basis, which included a block on applications from 75 countries, including Brazil, Colombia and Russia, selected by the administration. In January, the State Department paused the issuance of immigrant visas from almost 40 per cent of the worlds nations, in a move that it said would prevent the entry of people who would take welfare and public benefits. Under the law, an immigrant can only be turned away as a likely public charge (someone expected to depend on government support) after a consular officer weighs that persons own finances, age, health, skills and family situation. However, this was struck down by a federal judge on Friday, who ruled it was contrary to law and outside the statutory authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CNN reported.

15 infants killed in fire at Pakistan hospital

Islamabad, Aug 26: At least 15 infants were killed on Wednesday after a fire broke out in a gynaecology ward of a major hospital in Pakistan's capital Islamabad. The fire incident occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), the largest and well-equipped public hospital in the capital. Geo News reported that 15 babies died in the inferno. However, there was no official confirmation of the casualties. PIMS Spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil told the Dawn newspaper that 15 babies were in the ward where the fire occurred. Some of the babies may have been discharged during the night so the exact number [of casualties] cannot be shared right now, she said. Asked about the cause of the incident, she said the fire appeared to have erupted due to a short circuit, adding that the fire erupted at around 7 am. She said that the flames had been extinguished but the cooling process would take some time.

Eid-e-Milad (SAW): Thousands gather at Dargah Hazratbal for morning prayers

CM Omar, LG Sinha extend greetings on occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW)

Srinagar, Aug 27: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and J&K Leutanant Governor Manoj Sinha today extended warm and heartfelt greetings on the sacred occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), both praying for peace, harmony and brotherhood among the people of the Union Territory. On the sacred occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), the Chief Minister extended warm greetings to the people of Jammu & Kashmir, Office of Chief Minister, J&K, said. Emphasising the Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) timeless message of peace, compassion, and brotherhood, the Chief Minister prayed for lasting peace, prosperity, and communal harmony in Jammu & Kashmir. Extending his greeting on the occasion, LG Sinha wrote on X, Heartfelt greetings and best wishes to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Milad-un-Nabi. He said the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) remain an eternal beacon of peace, equality, and compassion for all humankind. On this sacred day, let us pledge to live by his values of love, kindness, and universal brotherhood and work together to foster a more harmonious, inclusive and united society. Eid Mubarak! Sinha said.

International community must work collectively to safeguard critical sea lanes: India tells UNSC

United Nations, Aug 26: India has called on the international community to work collectively to safeguard critical sea lanes, emphasising that secure and predictable maritime trade routes are indispensable for uninterrupted movement of food, fertilisers and fuel. Food insecurity remains one of the gravest humanitarian consequences of armed conflict. Todays conflicts increasingly generate ripple effects far beyond the immediate theatre of hostilities, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni said. Addressing the UN Security Council High-Level Open Debate titled Food Under Fire: The Security Council's Role in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises on Tuesday, Parvathaneni said disruptions to energy markets, fertiliser supplies, maritime transport, humanitarian logistics and agricultural trade have demonstrated how regional conflicts can threaten food security across the world, with the greatest burden falling on developing countries that are highly import-dependent. India emphasised that the immediate priority of the UN Security Council should be to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of conflict. This requires facilitating safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, supporting de-confliction arrangements where appropriate, and ensuring that the Council's own measures, including sanctions regimes, do not inadvertently impede humanitarian assistance or legitimate food and agricultural trade. Underscoring the need to preserve the safety and freedom of navigation for commercial shipping in accordance with international law, Parvathaneni said, Secure and predictable maritime trade routes are indispensable for the uninterrupted movement of food, fertilisers, fuel and other essential commodities. Disruptions to commercial shipping during conflicts can have cascading effects far beyond the immediate region, disproportionately affecting food-importing developing countries and humanitarian operations, he said. The international community must therefore work collectively to safeguard critical sea lanes and maritime infrastructure, while ensuring that legitimate commercial trade and humanitarian shipments are able to proceed without undue impediment, he said. Addressing the debate, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that the year 2025 saw not only the highest number of armed conflicts since World War II, but also among the highest levels of global acute hunger on record, with at least 266 million people facing acute food insecurity. The year 2025 also marked the first time this century that two famines were confirmed simultaneously, in Sudan and Gaza, which Guterres described as a shameful milestone. He added that the UNs latest Hunger Hotspots report shows that conflict and violence are the primary drivers in 12 out of 13 hunger hotspots of greatest concern. As the US-Israel war against Iran continues, Guterres said the Strait of Hormuz carries around a fifth of global oil supplies, and a third of global fertiliser trade. Restrictions and closures have driven up commodity prices, and made availability plummet. And attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea are further threatening supply chains for food and other commodities, the UN Chief said. India told the Council that food insecurity is fundamentally a consequence of conflict, political instability and underdevelopment, not their root cause. Parvathaneni called for timely assessments of disruptions to critical supply chains, including food, fertiliser, fuel and humanitarian logistics, drawing upon the technical expertise of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the World Food Programme, and other relevant agencies. Such assessments must remain objective, evidence-based and free from politicisation, he said. India further said that member States, international financial institutions, regional organisations and development partners must work together to strengthen domestic agricultural production, diversify supply chains, improve storage and logistics infrastructure, and promote climate-resilient agriculture. Predictable and affordable access to fertilisers, quality seeds, technology and concessional finance remains indispensable, particularly for developing countries. Open, transparent and rules-based trade in food and agricultural inputs also remains critical to global food security, he said. Parvathaneni also cautioned against over-reliance on any single model of production, saying this would be counter-productive as they are vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions, economic coercion and weaponisation. We must encourage small and marginal farmers to enhance their productivity and contribute to ensuring food security in developing countries of the Global South. We must also encourage climate-resilient crops such as millets rather than limit conceptions of food security to the biggest staple, grain crops such as rice, wheat and corn, he said.

Trump submits civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for review

Under law, Congress has 90 days while in session to review the agreement.

Spandan League concludes in Udhampur

Srinagar, Aug 25: The three-day Spandan League, organised by STC BSF Udhampur under the theme Sports for Peace and Development Across Nation, concluded at Subhash Stadium on Tuesday, witnessing the participation of around 550 young boys and girls in badminton, kabaddi and volleyball. As per a statement, the league was held for boys and girls of District Udhampur on August 22, 24 and 25. The Chief Guest at the concluding ceremony was Sandeep Channan, IG, STC BSF Udhampur. The Guests of Honour included Suraj Bhan Singh, Chief Judo Coach and In-charge Manager, Subhash Stadium, Udhampur; Dinesh Sharma, International Judo Player; Tarsim Singh, DSO, DYSS Udhampur; S.S. Gill, retired SP, BSF; and Tajinder Singh, retired DSP, BSF. A total of 550 players participated across the three sporting disciplines. The league witnessed participation from 18 schools, with 18 teams in badminton, 24 teams in kabaddi and 16 teams in volleyball, taking the total number of participating teams to 58. The event also saw the participation of around 90 officials and was witnessed by approximately 650 spectators.

District sports championships held across Kulgam, Anantnag, Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 25: District-level badminton and Yogasana championships were held across Kulgam, Anantnag and Srinagar, witnessing the participation of around 1,000 players and officials across the three sporting events. As per a statement, the 8th District Kulgam Badminton Championship commenced at the Indoor Sports Hall, Qaimoh, on Tuesday. The three-day championship was inaugurated in the presence of Nisar Ahmad Khan, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kulgam. Around 150 players and 10 officials are participating in the event, which is being witnessed by approximately 100 spectators. Meanwhile, the 7th District Anantnag Yogasana Sports Championship concluded at the Indoor Sports Hall, Nilandrushu, Bijbehara, after witnessing the participation of 250 players and 30 officials. The closing ceremony was attended by Sheikh Mudassir, SDPO Anantnag, as the Chief Guest. The 7th District Srinagar Yogasana Sports Championship also concluded at SKISC, Srinagar. The two-day championship, held from August 24 to 25, witnessed the participation of around 600 players and 40 officials and was attended by approximately 100 spectators. The closing ceremony was graced by Mohammed Iqbal, Manager, SKISC, as the Chief Guest.

U-17 Girls Cricket Tournament inaugurated in Anantnag

Anantnag, Aug 25: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, on Tuesday inaugurated the Inter-District Provincial Level (IDPL) Under-17 Girls Cricket Tournament at Government Higher Secondary School, Bijbehara. The inaugural ceremony, as per an official statement, was attended by SE R&B Syed Ishfaq Ahmad, ACR Tariq Ahmad Malik and DYSSO Zahoor Ahmad Wani, besides sports officials, players and accompanying staff. The tournament is being organised by the Department of Youth Services & Sports (YSS), J&K, in collaboration with the District Administration, Anantnag, with the objective of providing young girl cricketers a competitive platform and identifying promising sporting talent from across the districts. Speaking on the occasion, the DC appreciated the YSS Department for organising the tournament and providing young girls with opportunities to excel in sports. He interacted with the participants and encouraged them to play with passion, discipline and dedication and make the most of the platform. Emphasising the importance of sports and games, Dr Bilal said such activities play an important role in youth empowerment by inculcating discipline, leadership and other positive values. He said sports activities are also instrumental in keeping youth away from drugs and other negative influences while promoting a healthy society. As many as 20 district teams are participating in the tournament. The host district has made arrangements for players and accompanying officials of visiting teams to ensure the event is conducted smoothly. The tournament is being held at multiple well-maintained venues, with matches being played on a league basis, giving each team adequate opportunities to showcase their talent and compete at the provincial level. A dedicated selection process involving experienced selectors and officials has also been planned following the conclusion of the tournament. The tournament is expected to contribute to the promotion of womens cricket and grassroots sports, while helping identify promising talent and providing young athletes with opportunities to compete and progress in their sporting careers.

5th Canon C.E. Tyndale Biscoe Football Tournament: DPS Srinagar, 3 others win on Day 3

Srinagar, Aug 25: Day 3 of the tournament witnessed intense action, with four matches decided through a combination of dominant attacking displays and nail-biting penalty shootouts. As per a statement, DPS Srinagar delivered a dominant performance, securing a resounding 6-1 victory. Shahriyar was the standout player, scoring an incredible five goals, including one from the penalty spot. Qazi and Amaan added one goal each, while GD Goenka scored a consolation goal. DPS Srinagar showcased superior ball control and clinical finishing throughout the match. New Bonvivant 1-1 Bomis Srinagar New Bonvivant won 6-5 on penalties In a fiercely contested encounter, New Bonvivant English School (NBS) and Bomis Srinagar (BOM) were level 1-1 at full time, forcing the match into a penalty shootout. New Bonvivant held its nerve to edge past Bomis Srinagar 6-5 on penalties. Arsalan was named Man of the Match for his crucial performance. Iqbal Memorial Institute 1-0 International Islamic School Iqbal Memorial Institute (IMI) secured a narrow 1-0 victory over International Islamic School (IIS). The only goal of the match came in the 59th minute, when Mueen converted a penalty. He was subsequently named Man of the Match for his match-winning contribution. Foundation World School 0-0 Minto Circle School Foundation World School won 4-3 on penalties A tactical and tightly contested encounter between Foundation World School (FWS) and Minto Circle School (MCS) ended goalless after regulation time. The match was eventually decided by a penalty shootout, with Foundation World School emerging victorious 4-3 on penalties. Ali Ahmed of Foundation World School was named Man of the Match. The day produced a mix of high-scoring action and tense penalty shootouts, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the tournament.

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J&K Police hold PCPG meetings across Handwara

J&K Police conducted Police Community Partnership Group (PCPG) meetings across police stations and posts in Handwara ahead of Eid Milad-un-Nabi to discuss security, traffic management and law and order arrangements. The meetings, held under the supervision of senior officers, were attended by Lumberdars, Auqaf Committee members, traders and other community representatives. Police urged participants to ensure that religious gatherings, processions and programmes are held peacefully and in accordance with prescribed rules. Auqaf representatives were asked to coordinate with police on programmes at mosques and other religious places and ensure proper crowd management. Lumberdars were directed to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity or developments that could affect public order. Participants assured police of their cooperation in maintaining peace, communal harmony and public order. Local issues and suggestions raised during the meetings were also discussed, with directions issued for their resolution. Police appealed to people to celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi peacefully and uphold brotherhood, harmony and tranquillity across the police district.

3 injured in separate bear attacks in Ganderbal, Kulgam

Three people were injured in separate bear attacks in Ganderbal and Kulgam districts on Tuesday. In Ganderbal, a 50-year-old man was injured in a bear attack in Watalbagh village of the Lar area, officials said. The injured was identified as Mohd Maqbool Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat of Watalbagh. Officials said the attack took place around 11 a.m. Bhat sustained injuries. He was shifted to District Hospital Ganderbal for treatment. The attack triggered concern among residents of Watalbagh and adjoining areas. Residents said wild animals were moving close to residential areas. They urged the Wildlife Department to intensify surveillance. They also sought preventive measures in vulnerable areas. Residents called for timely intervention and better safety measures. In Kulgam, two people were injured after a wild bear attacked a group working in an orchard in Ahmadabad village. The injured were identified as Abdul Salam Teeli of Ahmadabad and Bilal Ahmad Kholi of Danipora, DH Pora. Both were shifted to Sub-District Hospital Damhal Hanjipora. Officials said their condition was stable. Wildlife Control Room in-charge DH Pora, Syed Irshad, said a cage was installed in Ahmadabad village to trap the bear. There has also been a spurt in bear attacks across Kashmir. The ongoing apple harvest is drawing bears toward orchards and nearby villages. This has increased the chances of human-wildlife encounters. The attacks have raised concern among residents, who have sought stronger surveillance to prevent further attacks.

Free eye check-up camp held at Degree College Budgam

Government Sheikh Ul Alam Memorial Degree College Budgam organised a free eye check-up camp under its Road Safety Awareness Programme on Tuesday. The camp was organised by the colleges Road Safety Club, Transport Committee, Health Care Committee and NSS Unit in collaboration with ASYM District Hospital, Budgam. A medical team comprising ophthalmologist Dr. Shabnum Nabi and ophthalmic technician Nazir Ahmad conducted vision screening and eye examinations of students and staff. The camp aimed to raise awareness about the importance of good vision for road safety and overall health. Participants were provided medical consultation and necessary advice. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Syed Mohmad Javad, Dr. Aijaz Rashid, Dr. Saima Gazanfer and NSS Programme Officer-II Mahvish Altaf. Principal Prof. (Dr.) Shareif Ud Din Khan supervised the programme.

Budgams Nagam school to getRs 30 lakh auditorium

Legislative Assembly Speaker and Chrar-i-Sharief MLA Ab Rahim Rather on Tuesday announced the construction of a modern auditorium at Boys Higher Secondary School, Nagam, in Budgam district at an estimated cost of Rs 30 lakh. Speaking at a literary function organised at the school, Rather said strengthening educational infrastructure and providing modern teaching and learning facilities were among the governments priorities. He said science laboratories and smart classrooms were also being promoted. Paying tribute to noted local poet Abdul Ahad Gulshan on his death anniversary, Rather stressed the importance of quality education and preserving the mother tongue. Addressing students, he urged them to safeguard their language and literature, saying poets and writers were repositories of knowledge, wisdom and experience. The programme was organised jointly by the Kashmir Concern Foundation and the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. Chairman of the foundation Advocate Abdul Rashid Hanjura, school Principal Syed Muzaffar Hussain Rizvi and several writers, poets and literary personalities attended the event. Rather also unveiled one of Gulshans literary works. Poet Syed Riyaz Krala Wari was presented the Muqbool Shah Krala Wari Award for his literary contributions and efforts to promote social awareness. Papers highlighting Gulshans life, literary contributions and works were presented during the programme. In his keynote address, Hanjura urged students and the public to promote and preserve their literature, culture, history and language. The programme concluded with a mushaira, in which several poets recited their works.

Handwara children park without basic amenities, safety measures

The Childrens Park in Handwara continues to lack basic facilities despite attracting families from across the subdistrict, residents said. The park is frequently visited by children and their families, but the absence of drinking water, adequate dustbins and proper lighting has caused inconvenience to visitors. Since there is no other park in the main town, people bring their children here. But the lack of facilities causes inconvenience. The absence of drinking water adds to their woes, said Showkat Hassan, a local. Residents have also raised concerns over an uncovered drain passing through the park, saying it poses a safety risk to children. Parents remain apprehensive about their children because of the uncovered drain. Some toddlers have fallen into it in the past and suffered injuries, but no concrete step has been taken to cover it, said Mohammad Rustam, another resident. The residents said more than 6 crore had been spent on construction of the park, but basic amenities were still lacking. They urged the authorities to provide essential facilities and address the safety concerns. Tehsildar Handwara Zeeshan Khan told Greater Kashmir that he would take up the matter with the concerned department and hoped concrete steps would be taken soon.

Saqib Sultan, Musadiq Mehraj get new roles in DCC Srinagar

The Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has appointed Saqib Sultan as General Secretary and Musadiq Mehraj as Spokesperson of the District Congress Committee (DCC) Srinagar. The appointments, as per a statement, have been welcomed by Congress leaders and workers across Srinagar, who expressed confidence that both leaders will play a vital role in strengthening the partys grassroots organisation and effectively raising public issues. The District Congress Committee Srinagar congratulated Saqib Sultan and Musadiq Mehraj, wishing them success in their new responsibilities and reaffirming its commitment to serving the people of Srinagar with unity and dedication.

Glacier melt to farmland: Ladakh plans 36 check dams for irrigation

Kargil, Aug 25:The Ladakh administration has submitted a proposal worth more than Rs 56 crore to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for the construction of 36 check dams aimed at conserving snow and glacier meltwater and expanding assured irrigation across the Union Territory. The proposal, prepared under the Pradhan MantriKrishiSinchayeeYojana (PMKSY) on the directions of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, envisages seven Himalayan rock check dams along the Indus River in Leh district and 29 reinforced cement concrete (RCC) check dams and weirs along the Suru River in Kargil district. According to the administration, the proposed structures are expected to bring more than 18,600 acres of agricultural land under irrigation while helping capture a larger share of Ladakhs seasonal snow and glacial meltwater. Despite its extensive glaciers and heavy winter snowfall, Ladakh currently utilises less than one per cent of its annual snow and glacial meltwater, with much of the water flowing downstream during the summer months. The administration has identified this as a major challenge for farmers who face water shortages during critical sowing and growing periods. Ladakh cannot afford to let its precious glacier and snowmelt water flow away unused while our farmers face water shortages during the agricultural season, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said. We must harness every possible water resource and create a water-secure, agriculturally prosperous, and climate-resilient Ladakh, he added. Kargil accounts for the larger share of the proposed infrastructure, with 29 check dams planned along the Suru River. The administration said the focus follows representations from villagers and farmers who raised the issue of acute irrigation shortages during the Lieutenant Governors recent visit to the district. Saxena said the proposed projects would help address the regions agricultural water requirements while improving long-term water and agricultural security. The UT Administration has taken a monumental step to ensure a water-secure, agriculturally prosperous, and climate-resilient Ladakh, he said, adding that the 36 projects would help impound a significant volume of currently untapped snow and glacier meltwater. The proposal builds on the administrations experience with five pilot rock check dams, which, according to officials, can store up to 30 million litres of water while withstanding high seasonal river pressure. The pilot structures have also helped increase cultivable command areas by up to 30 per cent. The administration expects the proposed check dams to improve water availability for agriculture, reduce seasonal shortages and strengthen the resilience of farming communities in the high-altitude region. Saxena said the initiative was aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modis emphasis on water conservation and stressed the need to maximise the use of glacier meltwater while protecting Ladakhs fragile environment. Guided by PM Narendra Modi Jis visionary principle of conserving water for our future security, the Administration is committed to conserving and harnessing every drop of our precious glacier meltwater, he said. He added that the proposed interventions were intended to be eco-friendly and cost-effective and expressed confidence that they would help address persistent water shortages faced by farmers across Ladakh.

Strengthen booths, intensify public outreach: Ashok Koul tells BJPs Rajpora cadre

Kangan (Pulwama), Aug 25: BJP General Secretary (Organisation), J&K, Ashok Koul, chaired a Constituency Review Meeting of Rajpora Constituency at Kangan, District Pulwama, with the constituency team, Booth Presidents and Shakti Kendra teams, stressing that a strong booth-level organisation is the foundation of BJPs political strength and public outreach. Ashok Koul, as per a statement, while addressing the meeting, said that the BJP must further intensify its grassroots activities in Rajpora and ensure that every booth becomes an active centre of organisational work and public connect. He called upon party workers to move beyond routine organisational activities and work with greater commitment, discipline and coordination to establish a strong and vibrant BJP presence across the constituency. Koul said that the strength of the BJP is its dedicated cadre and its direct connect with the people, and every worker must remain continuously accessible to the public. He emphasised that Booth Presidents and Shakti Kendra teams have a crucial responsibility in understanding local issues, communicating the partys policies and achievements, and strengthening public confidence in the BJP. Ashok Koul took detailed feedback from the constituency functionaries regarding the functioning of booths and Shakti Kendras and directed the teams to maintain close coordination, regular communication and a result-oriented approach. He stressed that organisational gaps must be identified and addressed promptly, while grassroots engagement should be made more consistent and effective. Koul asked the workers to work as one coordinated team and said that the BJPs organizational expansion in Kashmir will be driven by dedicated workers, disciplined teamwork and sustained engagement with the people. He called for renewed efforts to strengthen the party at every booth and constituency level. J&K BJP General Secretary Kisan Morcha Arshad Bhat, Rajpora Constituency President Junaid Ahmad, and other senior leaders and party functionaries were present. Later, Ashok Koul distributed certificates and awards to talented Paper Machie artisans at Town Hall, Pulwama, organised by Noora Foundation Trust, recognising their exceptional craftsmanship and contribution towards preserving the regions rich traditional art and cultural heritage. Arshad Bhat and other senior leaders were also present. Koul appreciated the artisans for keeping the traditional Paper Machie craft alive and emphasised the need to encourage such indigenous skills, which represent the rich cultural identity and heritage of Kashmir.

70 lakh land parcels go digital as J&K prepares land database for AgriStack

Srinagar, Aug 25:In a major step towards modernising land administration and creating a more transparent, citizen-centric system of Revenue and Agricultural services, Jammu and Kashmir has accelerated the digitisation and updation of land records while simultaneously preparing the verified land database for integration with the AgriStack framework of the Government of India under its Digital India Land Records ModernisationProgramme (DILRMP). The exercise, being undertaken by the Revenue Department in collaboration with BISAG-N, covers nearly 70 lakh land parcels, with more than 2,500 Revenue field functionaries having been provided role-based access for data entry, verification and approval. The initiative has been designed not as a mere exercise in scanning or data entry, but as a comprehensive process of digitisation, updation, verification, public scrutiny and authentication of land records. FROM LEGACY RECORDS TO A TRUSTED DIGITAL DATABASE Land records form the foundation of a wide range of public services, including ownership verification, mutations, agricultural benefits, credit, insurance, compensation and land-related transactions. Recognising the importance of an accurate and accessible Record of Rights, the Revenue Department has adopted a departmental, field-driven model for the present exercise. A dedicated software platform has been developed in collaboration with BISAG-N, providing for village-wise management of land-record data through a structured relational database. Unlike a simple scanned copy of a physical register, the digital record captures individual particulars in defined data fields, enabling systematic searching, comparison, validation, monitoring and authorised updating. THREE-TIER INSTITUTIONAL VERIFICATION A key feature of the exercise is the MakerCheckerApprover mechanism, designed to ensure that a record is not accepted merely on the basis of data entry. Under the system, the Patwari acts as the Maker, entering the record; the Girdawar/Naib-Tehsildar acts as the Checker, verifying it against the source Revenue record; and the Tehsildar acts as the Approver, providing final approval. This segregation of responsibilities creates successive checks against transcription errors, omissions, incorrect shares, spelling discrepancies and other inconsistencies. Every stage is electronically recorded, thereby creating an audit trail and fixing responsibility for the information entered and approved. The Department has supplemented this institutional workflow with additional layers of supervision. Regular reviews have been undertaken at the highest administrative levels, while District-level Mentors and Prabhari Officers have been deployed to monitor both progress and quality. District committees have also undertaken cross-Tehsil verification to provide an additional layer of independent scrutiny. PUBLIC VERIFICATION MADE INTEGRAL TO DIGITISATION The Government has also placed the landholder at the centre of the verification process.More than 6,800 village-level camps have been organised for public reading of Jamabandis, enabling landholders to examine the records and report discrepancies relating to names, shares, mutations and other particulars. This public verification mechanism has been complemented by making digitised land records available for public viewing through the JK ZameenSudhaar portal. Over 13 lakh rectifications have already been completed on the basis of discrepancies detected during verification and grievances received from the public. UPDATION OF RECORDS ALONGSIDE DIGITISATION The Government has simultaneously addressed the critical issue of pending mutations so that digitisation does not result in merely reproducing an outdated physical record in electronic form. Approximately 7 lakh backlog mutations have been incorporated into the digitised Record of Rights and subjected to the prescribed verification and approval process. LAND RECORDS BEING TRANSFORMED FOR AGRISTACK The verified digital land database is now being transformed to support the AgriStack framework under the Digital Agriculture Mission of the Government of India. AgriStack envisages an integrated digital architecture comprising the Farmers Registry, geo-referenced village maps and Crop Sown Registry. At its foundation is the ability to reliably associate a farmer with the landholding recorded in the official land records. Traditional Jamabandis may contain several co-owners in a single khasra and may reflect shares at the holding or khata level. The AgriStack architecture requires the precise extent attributable to each recorded owner to be available in machine-readable form. Through the transformation exercise, 31.26 lakh khasra records have so far been converted into the required owner-extent format. For the farmer the process significantly simplifies the experience of viewing and claiming multiple land parcels associated with his or her name. FARMER VALIDATION ADDS ANOTHER LAYER OF TRUST A significant feature of the AgriStack implementation is that the process does not end with government-side verification alone. The farmer or landholder authenticates through e-KYC and is able to view the relevant landholding particulars on the registration interface. After examining the information, the landholder can claim the appropriate landholding group and provide voluntary electronic consent.A Farmer ID is generated only after the prescribed verification and approval process is completed. DIRECT BENEFITS FOR CITIZENS AND FARMERS The digitisation of land records is expected to substantially improve the everyday experience of citizens dealing with Revenue and agricultural services. With land records available digitally, citizens will have easier access to their Record of Rights and will increasingly be able to obtain Revenue services without repeated visits to Patwari or Tehsil offices. Updated records, electronic audit trails and defined responsibility are expected to enhance transparency and reduce avoidable delays and disputes. For farmers, AgriStack and the Farmer ID framework will provide the foundation for a more integrated delivery of agricultural services. A farmers verified identity and landholding information can facilitate more efficient targeting and delivery of eligible schemes, subsidies, procurement-related services, agricultural inputs, credit, insurance and disaster-relief measures. TOWARDS CITIZEN-CENTRIC REVENUE AND AGRICULTURE SERVICES The ultimate objective is to make land records more accurate, accessible, transparent and useful, while placing the citizen and farmer at the centre of the digital transformation. The ongoing exercise thus marks a transition from simply maintaining land records in digital form to creating a trusted, verified and farmer-validated digital land information ecosystem, capable of supporting transparent Revenue administration and more efficient delivery of agricultural services across the districts for the long-term welfare of farmers and citizens of the UT.

Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari pays obeisance at Asar-e-Sharif Hazratbal

On the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, along with senior party colleagues on Tuesday paid obeisance at Asar-e-Sharif Hazratbal in Srinagar, where Shab-e-Milad is being observed tonight. The Apni Party leaders offered Asr and Maghrib prayers at the revered shrine, praying for peace, prosperity, and stability in Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, in his message on the auspicious occasion, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, as per a party statement, said, Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), the blessed occasion marking the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is one of the most revered occasions for Muslims across the world. It reminds us of Allahs infinite mercy and His guidance to humanity through the Prophet (SAW), who showed us the path of peace, compassion, kindness, and harmony for all creation. He added, On this auspicious occasion, I extend my warm greetings to everyone, particularly to the Muslim community. May Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) bring peace, harmony, and prosperity into our lives, and may the blessings and mercy of Allah fill our hearts and guide us towards the path of righteousness and compassion. During his obeisance at Asar-e-Sharif Apni Party President was accompanied by the party's Vice President Mohammed Syed Akhoon, General Secretary Rafi Ahmed Mir, Chief Spokesperson and State Secretary Muntazir Mohiuddin, Media Advisor Farooq Andrabi, Party leaders including Provincial Secretary Mohammad Saleem Lone, Mohammad Yousuf Abdullah, Constituency In-charge Hazratbal Mohammad Sidiq Mir, Provincial Coordinator Shabir Ahmad Reshi, Constituency In-charge Khanyar Aamir Bhat, Senior Worker Sohail Ahmad, Sameer Iqbal Bhat, Zonal President Farooq Ahmad Magray, Abdul Hamid Dar, Er.Rayees Rafiq, Dr.Oveas Ahmad, Mohammad Lateef Hajaam, Hilal Ahmed Gojree, Mohammad Imran Mir, Ashiq Ahmed Bhat, Danish Ahmad, and others.

J&K Cabinet Ministers extend Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) greetings

J&K Cabinet Ministers Surinder Choudhary, Sakeena Itoo, Satish Sharma and Javid Ahmad Dar on Tuesday extended warm greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), calling for upholding the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and strengthening the values of peace, harmony, brotherhood and service to humanity. As per official statements issued, Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, extended warm greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW). In his message, Deputy Chief Minister said that the sacred occasion is a reminder of the noble teachings of the Holy Prophet (SAW), who showed humanity the path of truth, compassion, and service to mankind. He expressed hope that the blessed day will inspire people to uphold the values of peace, harmony, mutual respect, and brotherhood, thereby fostering unity and collective progress in society. Deputy Chief Minister added that the true way of celebrating this day is by practicing patience, spreading goodwill, and extending support to those in need. Surinder Choudhary also prayed for peace, prosperity, and well-being of all citizens, especially the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo also extended her heartfelt greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), marking the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In her greeting message, the Minister said that this sacred day reminds us of the timeless values of compassion, kindness, and service to humanity, which form the essence of the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet (SAW). She expressed hope that this pious occasion will inspire people to strengthen bonds of brotherhood, promote peace and harmony, and work collectively for the welfare of society. On this revered occasion, let us pledge to walk on the path of truth, compassion, and selfless service shown to us by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), she said. The Minister also highlighted that true way of celebrating this blessed and sacred day is to uphold the values of empathy, patience, and mutual respect in our daily lives. Sakeena Itoo also prayed for the peace, prosperity, and well-being of all citizens, particularly the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports, Science & Technology and ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma, has extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), marking the blessed birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In his message, the Minister said that Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) is a sacred occasion that reminds humanity of the timeless message and noble teachings of the Holy Prophet (SAW), centred on compassion, peace, justice, kindness, brotherhood and selfless service to humanity. Satish Sharma said that the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) provide enduring guidance for building a society founded on mutual respect, harmony, tolerance and concern for the welfare of others. He expressed hope that the occasion would inspire people to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and work collectively for peace, prosperity and the well-being of society. On this blessed occasion, let us reaffirm our commitment to the noble values of compassion, truth, patience, forgiveness and service to humanity taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and strive to incorporate these values in our everyday lives, the Minister said. He emphasised that the true spirit of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) lies in extending kindness to others, helping the needy and underprivileged, promoting social harmony and working for the welfare of all sections of society. The Minister also prayed for peace, progress, prosperity and well-being of all citizens, and particularly prayed for continued peace, development and happiness in Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed hope that the sacred occasion would strengthen the spirit of unity, brotherhood and mutual understanding among the people and inspire everyone to contribute towards building a peaceful, compassionate and prosperous society. Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar has extended his warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi (SAW). In his message, the Minister, as per an official statement, said that the blessed occasion offers an opportunity to reflect upon the exemplary life and timeless teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which continue to inspire humanity towards peace, compassion, brotherhood, tolerance, justice, humility and service to mankind. Javid Dar said the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasise respect for human dignity, care for the vulnerable, forgiveness and peaceful coexistence. He called upon people to imbibe these values in their daily lives and work collectively towards strengthening the bonds of social harmony, mutual respect and communal amity in society. The Minister expressed hope that the auspicious occasion would usher in peace, prosperity, happiness and well-being for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and further strengthen the spirit of unity and brotherhood across the Union Territory.

Dr Farooq greets people on Eid-e-Milad Un Nabi (SAW) observance

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday extended warm and heartfelt greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW). Dr. Farooq, as per a party statement, while conveying his greetings said that Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi ( SAW) is a sacred occasion to reflect upon the timeless message of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the profound values he embodied. The life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) are a beacon of mercy, compassion, justice and equality for all humanity. His message transcends every distinction of colour, creed, status and race, reminding us that all human beings are equal in dignity and deserving of justice and compassion. On this blessed occasion, let us renew our commitment to the values of brotherhood, peace, tolerance and service to humanity, and strive to build a society founded on justice, dignity and mutual respect. Dr Farooq prayed for peace, prosperity and well-being for the people, and expressed hope that the sacred occasion would bring happiness, harmony and renewed faith to every home. Party Rank and file has also extended warm greetings to people on the auspicious occasion.

JKEDI Pulwama conducts Startup Idea Challenge 2.0

The Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), in collaboration with Government Degree College for Women, Pulwama, today successfully organised the Startup Idea Challenge 2.0. The programme forms part of JKEDIs broader efforts under the J&K Startup Policy 202427 to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth-led startups across the Union Territory. Professor (Dr.) Sami Jan, Principal, Government Degree College for Women, Pulwama, attended event as the Chief Guest. The event was attended by distinguished experts and faculty members from various domains, including Nafia Nazir, Range Officer (South Kashmir), JKEDI; Raiyees Manzoor, District Nodal Officer, JKEDI Pulwama; Dr Tariq H. Ganai, Associate Professor and Former Head, Department of Food Technology, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST); Dr Nisar Ahmad Wani, Head, Department of Economics, GDC Women, Pulwama; Dr Tanveer Bilal, Head, Department of Bio-resources, Government Degree College for Women, Pulwama; Professor Surya Shafi, Department of Commerce, GDC Women, Pulwama; Professor Iftikhar, Department of Sociology, GDC Women, Pulwama and M. Ayoub, Senior Bank Official, Cluster office, J&K Bank Pulwama. The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, who presented a diverse range of innovative ideas before the selection committee. Out of the ideas pitched, seven were shortlisted to represent District Pulwama at the state-level competition. Professor (Dr) Sami Jan congratulated the selected candidates and encouraged them to put in their best efforts to excel in the final round. Raiyees Manzoor, District Nodal Officer, JKEDI also appreciated the innovative concepts presented and congratulated the participants for taking their first step towards innovation and emerging as the startups of tomorrow. The Startup Idea Challenge 2.0 provides selected innovators with opportunities for mentorship, incubation support, and pathways to seed funding and co-working facilities at JKEDI hubs, helping transform promising ideas into viable entrepreneurial ventures.

CII delegation calls on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha

A delegation of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) J&K UT Council, led by its Chairman, Iqram Ali Shafiee, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and briefed him on the upcoming 3rd Edition of the CII J&K Health Conclave, scheduled to be held on 29 August 2026 in Srinagar.

Excise Commissioner J&K launches quarterly Newsletter

The Excise Department, Jammu and Kashmir, has launched (unveiled) the inaugural issue of its Quarterly Newsletter, an initiative aimed at strengthening institutional communication, facilitating dissemination of information and systematically documenting the Departments key achievements, initiatives and operational activities. The Newsletter was formally released by the Excise Commissioner, J&K Vaibhav Kohli, in presence of the Principal, Excise & Taxation Training Institute (ETTI), Deputy Excise Commissioner (Executive), Deputy Excise Commissioner (Distillery), Excise & Taxation Officers and other officers and officials of the Department. Speaking on the occasion, the Excise Commissioner expressed satisfaction over the launch of the Departments first-ever Quarterly Newsletter and emphasised its importance as an effective instrument for institutional communication, knowledge sharing and organisational excellence. He observed that the publication would provide a consolidated account of the Departments performance, achievements and major initiatives undertaken during each quarter. Earlier, Principal, Excise & Taxation Training Institute (ETTI) Priyanka Bhat highlighted the objectives and significance of the publication and gave a comprehensive overview of its various sections and contents. The inaugural issue, inter alia, highlights the Departments revenue performance during the first quarter of FY 202627, comparative trends in revenue collection, enforcement activities, awareness initiatives undertaken under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and various capacity-building programmes organised by ETTI. The Newsletter is also envisaged as a platform for showcasing best practices, strengthening institutional memory and promoting greater awareness of the Departments multifaceted activities.

DLIC approves 180 sheep husbandry cases in Budgam

A meeting of the District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC) was held today under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan, to consider and approve cases under various development schemes being implemented in the district. During the meeting, a total of 180 cases pertaining to the Sheep Husbandry Department, Budgam, were approved under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Integrated Sheep Development Scheme (ISDS), and J&K Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP). The approved cases comprise 100 cases under ISDS, 65 cases under HADP, and 15 cases under JKCIP. Speaking at the outset, the Deputy Commissioner said that the approval of these cases reflects the District Administrations commitment to strengthening the livestock sector and extending the benefits of government schemes to farmers and aspiring entrepreneurs in a timely and transparent manner. He said that sheep husbandry has immense potential for employment generation and sustainable livelihood creation, particularly in rural and far-flung areas of the district. The DC stressed upon the concerned department to ensure effective implementation and close monitoring of the approved cases so that the intended benefits reach the beneficiaries on the ground. He further urged the beneficiaries to make optimum use of the assistance provided under the schemes and develop their enterprises on scientific and sustainable lines, thereby contributing to increased production, productivity and the overall growth of the rural economy.

Children must feel safe: Sakina Itoos message to teachers after Kishtwar incident

Srinagar, Aug 25:Minister for Education, Sakina Itoo, on Tuesday said that teachers carry a huge responsibility as parents entrust their children to them with the belief that they will understand, protect, and care for them. In her address during a day-long educational conference organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) at SKICC here, Sakina Itoo expressed deep anguish over the recent incident in Kishtwar, saying that the incident brought shame to the entire society. Children and daughters must feel safe in educational institutions. Parents trust a teacher a lot. When they send their children from home to school, they think that if there is someone who understands them more than their parents and takes care of them, that is their teacher, she said. Referring to the Kishtwar incident, the minister said, All of us bow our heads in shame. She said while the alleged wrongdoing of an individual teacher cannot be generalised to the entire teaching community, such an incident was a matter of collective concern. If our children and daughters are not safe and secure in todays environment, then I feel that it is a huge concern for us, Itoo said. She urged the teachers to treat students with the same care and dignity as they would extend to their own daughters and sisters. She said the government would take the strictest possible action if the inquiry establishes the person concerned as guilty. Sakina Itoo said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had already convened a meeting on the issue and directed that strict action be taken against the accused if found guilty after due inquiry. I want to assure the sisters and mothers of Jammu and Kashmir that when the inquiry is completed, the Chief Minister has given the direction to take strict action and it will definitely be implemented, she said. The minister also assured teachers that their concerns over the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) requirement would be addressed, saying the Chief Minister had intervened after an order was issued in the matter. Referring to her conversation with Chief Minister, She said that CM Omar Abdullah told her that teachers were the honour and pride of the government and directed that the order, issued by the department, be withdrawn. Itoo said the government had also approached the Supreme Court in connection with the matter and assured teachers that their dignity would not be compromised. On the challenges facing school education, the minister said declining enrolment and closure of schools was a concern and efforts were given by the present government to reverse the trend. The government alone cannot increase enrolment. Teachers have an important role to ensure that no child remains deprived of education. Teachers can contribute to increasing enrolment, she added.

SSI Bonafide unit holders urge Govt to launch marketing assistance

SSI Bonafide Group of Unit Holders have urged the government to launch marketing assistance through SICOP for promotion of their units. The SSI Bonafide Group is registered with the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Jammu and Kashmir. The unit holders said marketing assistance for providing boost to their units. In this regard, a delegation of SSI Unit Holders recently took up the matter with Director Industries Anil Banka and discussed various issues confronting them. During the meeting, the unit holders discussed various issues and gave suggestions for development of SSI Units, including launching marketing assistance. We appreciate the positive attitude of Director Industries Kashmir towards working for the welfare of SSI Unit holders. We assure him full cooperation for development of the SSI sector in the valley, they said. The delegation also met MD SICOP, Shahid Saleem regarding marketing assistance for SSI Sector and Pan-India price preference of 25 per cent for the local MSME SSI Sector. MD SICOP assured to redress the marketing assistance and other demands at the earliest, the unit holders said. The unit holders delegation comprised Chief Coordinator Shabir Abdullah, Vice Chief Coordinator Shoaib Hakak, Central Coordinator Sheikh Showkat, Convener Syed Ayaullah Rizvi, Treasurer Imran Qureshi and other members.

Stop burdening teachers with duties beyond teaching: CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Aug 25:Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said teachers in Jammu and Kashmir were being burdened with responsibilities far beyond teaching, while the government must do more to address their grievances and provide support needed to perform their duties effectively. Addressing a day-long educational conference organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) at SKICC here, Omar said the future of Jammu and Kashmir rested on its children, but placing the entire responsibility for shaping that future on teachers would be unjust. If we put all our responsibility on you and say that our teachers will decide what Jammu and Kashmir will be like in the future, then I think there will be a lot of injustice with you, and we will put more pressure on you, he said. Referring to former President APJ Abdul Kalams emphasis on the role of parents and teachers in shaping children, Omar said the teaching profession had become considerably more challenging compared to the past. He recalled a time when students and parents rarely questioned teachers authority, saying that in his own childhood he could not remember complaining about a teacher to his parents. Omar cited an anecdote involving his father Dr Farooq Abdullah and his grandfather Sheikh Abdullah to underline the change in attitudes towards teachers. He said when his father was beaten by a teacher during school days and complained to Sheikh Abdullah, the latter instead appreciated the teacher for disciplining his son. Today, if something happens to the children, parents immediately go to the police station to file an FIR and file a case in the court, he said. He said that such situations have made it increasingly difficult for teachers to perform their duties. The Chief Minister said teachers were now competing with smartphones, social media, television channels and a host of other distractions to keep students focused. The new challenge is Artificial Intelligence. How difficult it must be for a teacher to decide whether the childs assignment is his own creation or the help of artificial intelligence, he said. Omar also criticised the practice of assigning teachers a wide range of duties not related to classroom teaching. He said teachers were routinely called upon to prepare students for Independence Day and Republic Day functions, International Yoga Day programmes, anti-drug addiction campaigns, besides being deployed for election duties, often at remote polling stations. When it comes to your problems, unfortunately, your files dont move forward as fast as the files that we have to put you somewhere else, he said. CM Omar Abdullah said the government has a responsibility to address teachers concerns with the same urgency with which it assigns them official duties. If you have problems with transfers, DPCs, or vacancies in schools and other things, then we have to solve those problems with the same intensity, he said. Omar assured the teachers that he and the minister for education, Sakina Itoo, would work to resolve the teachers issues. He further highlighted the difficulties faced by teachers posted in remote rural schools, saying that those without influence often remain in village schools while those with connections (influence) manage to secure postings in urban institutions only. He however, expressed concern over dummy admission in government schools, saying that students enrol themselves in government higher secondary schools largely for examination purposes but spend their time at private tuition centres. There are schools where children take admission only to enter the name and to sit for the board exam. They never come to class. They sit in the tuition centre and spend the whole day there. But we cannot blame teachers for this, he added. CM Omar Abdullah also acknowledged infrastructure gaps in schools while talking about rented school buildings and unsafe structures being used for students. It is the responsibility of the government to fix it. We talk about smart classes, but how far have we been able to take smart classes in schools? Smart classes are far away. In some places, we are not able to provide the right structure for schools, he added. He said that plugging infrastructure gaps was not the responsibility of the teachers but his as the chief minister of J&K. Filling the vacancies is not your responsibility; it is my job. It is my responsibility to strengthen your hands so that you can do your work properly, he added. He, however, urged teachers to prepare students to meet the rapidly changing demands of the future and contribute positively to Jammu and Kashmirs development. Omar also spoke about the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), saying the issue was linked to laws applicable across the country. A deadline has been set for this till August 2028, and the government has repeatedly raised its concerns. We will continue to put up the case before the Supreme Court and hope that the issue could be resolved in the interests of teachers and students, he added. CM Omar Abdullah said that improving the education system required a collective effort and cannot be left to teachers alone. If we can improve your situation and school infrastructure, then only you will be able to improve the future of your children. But if we fail to deliver and ask you to fix everything, that will not solve the problem, he added.

Dont pass AT&C losses on to consumers: PHDCCI to JERC

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Regulatory Commission (JKERC) to review recent power tariff revisions and ensure that consumers are not burdened with costs arising from systemic distribution losses. In a representation to the regulator, PHDCCI Kashmir Chairman Vicky Shaw said the near-completion of smart metering across Jammu and Kashmir has enabled more accurate billing based on actual electricity consumption. He argued that consumers should not be made to bear the financial burden of aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses arising from ageing transformers, outdated conductors and transmission and distribution inefficiencies. These losses are not a consequence of consumer behaviour but reflect infrastructure deficits that fall under the Power Development Departments operational ambit, Shaw said, adding that the regulator and the department should work together to address these structural shortcomings without placing additional pressure on households and businesses. PHDCCI proposed a series of measures to improve the efficiency and reliability of the power distribution system, including completing 100 per cent metering across all consumer categories, modernising ageing infrastructure and strengthening the distribution network. The Chamber called for the timely implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), along with the replacement and upgradation of old transformers, feeders and distribution lines to reduce technical losses and improve network reliability. It also recommended stronger measures to curb technical faults and unauthorised electricity usage, arguing that reducing the gap between energy supplied and revenue realised should be achieved through system improvements rather than repeated tariff increases. The Chamber expressed concern that additional financial pressure on industries and domestic consumers could constrain commercial activity and affect household budgets amid prevailing economic pressures. PHDCCI said the Power Development Department should focus on improving governance, technological upgradation, administrative oversight and the targeted completion of RDSS and IPDS schemes. Strengthening the grid and plugging loopholes is the sustainable path forward, the representation stated, arguing that consumers should not be made to compensate for losses rooted in deficiencies within the power distribution system. The Chamber said a coordinated approach, in which the department improves infrastructure and consumers are billed transparently for their actual consumption, would help create a more efficient and equitable power system in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sanctuary for the Soul

When the sweltering summer heat settles over the Kashmir Valley and Srinagar pulses with urban hustle, the urge to find sanctuary becomes irresistible. For our group of twentya retreat team comprising doctors and healthcare professionals from Gauri Heart Centre and Prasad Joo Khan Heart Centrethat relief was found in the serene, untouched highlands of Khag Tehsil in Badgam district. Located approximately 4550 km from Srinagar. The route passes through Magam and Khag towns via well-connected roads suitable for cars and light buses. Nestled amidst towering conifers, verdant meadows, and whispering mountain streams lies Kastoorwan , an extraordinary haven where nature's beauty seamlessly intersects with spiritual heritage and peaceful tranquillity. All of us had packed comfortable walking shoes, light woolens for the cooler evenings, and a reusable water bottle to taste the local spring water. The place is located in the heart of Badgam district, the village of Nowroz Baba in Khag Tehsil feels like a world frozen in time. The area takes its name from the revered Sufi saint, Hazrat Nowroz Baba (RA), whose spiritual legacy permeates the entire landscape. Local folklore and historical memory credit Nowroz Baba with performing remarkable miraclesmost notably bringing clean, perennial water streams to the arid patches of the region through his spiritual devotion. Today, his mausoleum stands as a beacon of faith, drawing visitors seeking solace, healing, and reflection. The ambient energy around the Asthaan sets a contemplative tone, reminding one of the deep mystical traditions that define Kashmirs rich culture. The best time to visit this place is between May to September, this period offers ideal weather, vibrant green meadows, and a perfect escape from Srinagars summer warmth. Though peak of winter is also recommended by some because of the white firs and everything white if you have adequate heating systems in your cottage but reaching from Srinagar can be a challenge. Our home base for this picnic was the Kastoorwan Cottage, a charmingly comfortable lodge positioned opposite the Kastoorwan forests and just a stones throw from Nowroz Babas mausoleum. It had been booked well in advance because the place is in a good demand during this season. Tucked beneath a canopy of dense pine and fir trees, the cottage offered our group a perfect blend of modern comfort and rustic wilderness living. Sitting on its verandas, surrounded by endless stretches of emerald meadows, a late evening barbeque in an atmosphere with a nip of chill around a bonfire. The daily pressures of clinical work of all of us quickly dissolved into the cool mountain air with a group of artists singing choicest Kashmiri songs with pleasant music. An out-door dinner with several delicacies was followed by a very comfortable sleep in the cottages. No fans needed in fact a blanket was welcome. Next day started as a lazy morning. A few of us like me with my bosom friend from medical college days Dr Shabbir Ahmad went out for a walk along the zig zag road. It had pine forests on both the sides interspersed with small houses a middle school and some villagers cutting grass to feed the cattle. They were all very pleasant and greeted us with smiles. After coming back and getting ready for the day we assembled for a sumptuous north Indian breakfast and boiled eggs. Took a few pictures and as the leader of the group I settled the bills which were very reasonable. It was time to leave now and the group decided to go to a few neighbouring touristic spots. While Kastoorwan itself provides an idyllic setting for rest, Khag Tehsil is a treasure chest of unexplored natural wonders. Ranging from 25 to 40 kilometers from our base, several hidden gems offer breathtaking landscapes that rival Kashmirs most famous tourist destinationsyet remain blissfully uncrowded. Tosamaidan: Once a restricted area, this massive, sprawling meadow is encircled by dense forests and high mountain passes. Its vast rolling pasturelands offer unobstructed views of the Pir Panjal range, making it a paradise for trekkers, campers, and nature enthusiasts. Basmal Gali: A scenic high-altitude mountain pass on the trail deeper into the mountains, offering dramatic vantage points overlooking the entire forest belt of Badgam. Sukhnag Waterfalls & River Streams: Known locally as the cascade of health, the roaring Sukhnag River flows through the region, fed by glacier meltwater. Its cascading waterfalls create natural cooling spots ideal for mid-day gatherings. Naranag and Pushkar Nag: High-altitude Mountain springs famed for their crystal-clear waters and sacred local history, surrounded by ancient birch and alpine flora. Sita Haran (Sitharan): Beyond its natural charm, this village holds immense historical and mythological significance. According to local lore, Lord Rama, Mata Sita, and Lakshmana spent part of their exile (Vanvas) in these peaceful forests, leaving behind a legacy that connects the valley to timeless epic narratives. Doodhpathri (The Valley of Milk): Located just across the regional border, Doodhpathri is famous for its fast-flowing, frothy white river streams and smooth, sloping meadows that stretch as far as the eye can see. As our journey through the untouched highlands of Khag Tehsil came to an end, the return to our demanding routines felt far less daunting. For healthcare professionals who spend their lives guarding the hearts of others, Kastoorwan offered a rare opportunity to mend and refresh our own. Beyond the crisp mountain air, the tranquil pine forests, and the timeless spiritual legacy of Hazrat Nowroz Baba (RA), this hidden corner of Badgam reminded us of the profound healing power found only in nature. As we left behind the serene meadows, clear streams, and warm local hospitality, we carried back to Srinagar more than just pleasant memorieswe returned with restored spirits, strengthened bonds, and a renewed capacity to care. Kastoorwan is not merely a scenic getaway from the summer heat; it is a sanctuary for the soul, waiting quietly to restore anyone seeking solace. Prof Upendra Kaul, Founder Director- Gauri Kaul foundation

Ladakh eyes bigger Sea Buckthorn economy with proposed National Research Centre

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has initiated an assessment of a proposal to establish a dedicated National Sanjeevani Research Centre for Sea Buckthorn in Ladakhs Nubra Valley, in a move aimed at turning the high-altitude crops medicinal, nutritional and commercial potential into a larger source of scientific research and rural livelihoods. The proposal was submitted by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on August 14. Following the request, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) constituted a high-level committee on August 21 to examine the feasibility of the proposed centre and recommend an appropriate institutional framework. The committee is headed by Dr V.B. Patel, Additional Director General, ICAR, and includes Maheshwar Singh, Dean (Agriculture), University of Ladakh; Tsering Stobdan, Scientist-F, DRDO, Leh; and Tsewang Punchok, Director of Horticulture in the Ladakh administration. The panel conducted its first field visit to Ladakh on August 24. It has been tasked with assessing the regions Sea Buckthorn genetic resources, natural distribution, cultivation, production, utilisation and ongoing research. The committee has also been asked to prepare a comprehensive feasibility report and a five-year action plan within 45 days, covering the proposed centres institutional structure, infrastructure, research priorities and mechanisms for value addition and commercialisation. Nubra Valley, recognised as Ladakhs largest Sea Buckthorn-producing region, has emerged as the proposed location for the centre. The initiative seeks to shift the sector from dependence on wild collection towards scientific cultivation, improved processing, value addition and organised market development. Known locally as a Wonder Plant and popularly described as Sanjeevani, Sea Buckthorn is a naturally occurring Himalayan plant with applications in food, cosmetics, nutraceuticals and other products. Its berries are known for their nutritional content and antioxidant properties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously highlighted the plants potential during his Mann Ki Baat programme, referring to its importance for Ladakh and its medicinal and nutritional value. Welcoming the development, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said the proposed centre could provide a national platform for research, development, value addition and commercialisation of Sea Buckthorn. Glad to share that on our request, the Union Agriculture Ministry has constituted a High-Level Committee to examine setting up of a dedicated National Sanjeevani Research Centre at Nubra in Ladakh, for research, development, value addition and commercialisation of the high-value organic and medicinal Himalayan crop, Sea Buckthorn, Saxena said. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for recognising the medicinal and nutritional potential of Ladakhs Sea Buckthorn and thanked Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for acting on his request and directing the constitution of the committee within a week. Saxena said Sea Buckthorn is rich in nutrients, including vitamins A, C and E, and contains Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9 and Omega-7 fatty acids. He said the crop has significant agricultural and commercial potential. If approved, the proposed centre could help develop improved cultivation techniques, strengthen processing and storage infrastructure, promote research into medicinal and nutritional applications and create stronger value chains connecting local producers with national and international markets. Officials, however, have emphasised that commercial development would need to be balanced with ecological conservation. Given Ladakhs fragile high-altitude environment, scientific cultivation and sustainable harvesting will be critical to ensuring that increased demand does not put additional pressure on naturally occurring Sea Buckthorn resources. The proposed research centre is therefore being viewed not only as a scientific institution but also as a potential catalyst for rural employment, local enterprise and sustainable economic development in Ladakh.

The Pilgrim and the Camera

A young cyclist from Kashmir's Lolab valley recently set out on a journey of several thousand kilometres toward Makkah to perform Umrah. A GoPro (camera) was already fixed to his handlebars. Within days, clips of his departure travelled faster than he did, gathering views while he was still pedalling from Kashmir to Delhi. He is not alone. Across Kashmir, Kerala, Pakistan, Malaysia and Turkey, a growing number of young men have taken to bicycles and their own feet to reach the holy cities, each journey filmed, narrated and watched by an audience that will perhaps never follow. This is not just a story about faith, though faith runs through every mile. It is a story about what happens when an old religious practice gets pulled into a modern game built around visibility, attention and reward. We spent time reading comment sections under posts about this cyclist who is perhaps accompanying a friend too. Roughly five out of every ten comments from young followers had nothing to do with faith. They treated the journey as an adventure sport, a bid for reels fame, or a stepping stone toward becoming an influencer. The pilgrimage has never been more visible, yet the pilgrim has rarely been so pulled in two directions, caught between his wheels and an audience waiting for updates. Pilgrimage has always involved hardship and witnesses. Earlier travellers kept diaries later pilgrims cherished. Documentation itself is not new. What has changed is who it is recorded for. Today's pilgrim broadcasts almost in real time to strangers scrolling on their phones. The room no longer has walls. A pilgrim on a bicycle performs not only for family and hosts along the way, but for a scattered, invisible audience checking in from their screens, until performance and pilgrimage start happening at the same moment. Classical Islamic thought has its own word for this drift: ghaflah, heedlessness, where one can travel without truly arriving, worship while the mind rehearses captions and imagines how the next clip will land. Its opposite is hudur, presence, the quiet discipline of letting the heart travel with the body, needing no audience. None of this is necessarily dishonesty. It rarely looks like vanity. It arrives dressed as sincerity, in prayers for safe passage and honest talk of sacrifice. But sincerity and performance are not opposites. They walk together more than we admit, as a private act gets pulled into a public marketplace where devotion becomes something to be liked, shared and counted. When millions of Muslims now fly to the holy cities each year, arriving by bicycle or on foot after months on the road becomes a rare, costly way of signalling sacrifice that a plane ticket cannot. These pilgrimage videos follow a familiar shape: the emotional send-off, the gruelling middle stretch, the triumphant arrival. The religious content sits inside a format built for something else entirely. Consider Shihab Chottur, a young man from Kerala who in June 2022 set out on foot for Hajj, walking roughly 8,650 kilometres through Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait over 382 days, reaching Makkah in June 2023. His journey, documented daily on YouTube and Instagram, drew crowds in town after town. Chottur shows this is not new, but the spectacle around his walk shows how thoroughly pilgrimage and broadcast had merged. However, none of this means the sincerity on display is fake. Many of these travellers describe the experience as among the most meaningful of their lives, and that deserves to be taken seriously. What often drives the urge to film every mile inside the holiest spaces, from Tawaf around the Kabah to prayer inside Masjid an-Nabawi, is a quieter fear: that hardship left unrecorded might go unnoticed, that sacrifice unseen counts for less. This is a generation raised to believe experience only becomes real once someone else has seen it. Not every step toward Makkah needs to concern a following back home. Devotion does not need an audience to prove it was real. It can be a subtle form of riya (show-off) too. The fix is not throwing the camera away entirely, since even the earliest pilgrims left letters travellers cherished. It is putting the journey and its documentation back in the right order. Before filming, a traveller might ask honestly: am I recording this because it deserves to be remembered, or because I fear nobody will believe it happened unless they see it? Some hours, certainly those spent in Tawaf and prostration, are better left undocumented, held only in memory and in God's sight, which was always sufficient before any camera existed. What matters here is niyyat (the intention). Islamic law is built on the principle of istita'ah, capacity; Hajj becomes obligatory only on those who are financially secure enough to go without debt, physically able, and travelling a safe route, never on those who seek out hardship as a virtue in itself. The law and the principle of capacity are clear. The Hajj and Umrah should be a time for growth and reflection, not just a way to show off on social media. Even as a section of the new generation seeks costly, hardship-laden routes to Makkah for visibility, a much larger and quieter crisis sits closer to home. In much of South Asia, Hajj and Umrah have been steadily over-ritualised into an economic burden that has little to do with scripture. Customs like elaborate farewell feasts, expensive new wardrobes, gold jewellery and gifts for all relatives on return, and days of hosting guests before departure and after return, can cost as much as the pilgrimage itself. Our ulema should speak openly on these over ritualised issues. For a poorer believer without a following to build or a story to sell, these unnecessary customs, not walking or cycling, genuinely place Hajj and Umrah out of reach. If this generation's spectacular journeys teach us anything, it should be to ask why we have made an already difficult obligation harder still through custom, while chasing an entirely different kind of difficulty for an audience of strangers. Is it fair to turn such sacred journeys into mere adventure purely for social media following? If such adventures become a trend among young people, we must ask what the consequences could be for parents waiting at home and for the safety of travellers, always male youth, walking or cycling through dangerous zones to reach the pilgrimage. The question that many neitzens pose is whether such pilgrims will continue their journey to Makkah without broadcasting it live on social media platforms? Dr. Adfer Shah is a Sociologist at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and was awarded the George Greenia Research Fellowship in 2019 for his contribution to Pilgrimage Studies reseach. Dr. Aamir Habib is Assistant Professor at the International Centre for Spiritual Studies, IUST, Kashmir.

Kashmir's Hospitals

Over the past few months, I have found myself in and out of several hospitals across Kashmir not as a patient, but as an attendant. Each time I entered a hospital, one question kept repeating itself in my head: when will the hygiene and conditions of our hospitals improve? Our hospitals have started to resemble sewage sites. Ironically, a sewage site might be more hygienic than a hospital corridor. As an attendant, you learn quickly that the role is, in some ways, heavier than being the patient yourself. Doctors sometimes scold you for things outside your control. Paramedics tell you different versions of the same instruction. Other support staff make you feel like you are in their way rather than a person trying to help someone survive. This has become usual. I am not blaming the system here I am trying to describe what it actually feels like to stand in that corridor, day after day. Being an attendant is a role most of us in Kashmir know intimately, because illness here is rarely a private affair. When one person is admitted, it isn't just one attendant who shows up a single admission can pull in three, four, sometimes six family members at once, who take turns sleeping on floors and staircases, living out of hospital corridors for days at a stretch. And it is this crowding, more than anything else, that I saw wearing the hospitals down. Each time I walked in, the wards carried the same unhygienic look: attendants littering waste without a second thought, people spitting inside the wards, corridors holding onto a smell that never quite leaves, because so many people are occupying a space built for far fewer. Toilets, in particular, have stopped being toilets. They have become dumping sites smokers leaving behind cigarette butts, women disposing of polythene waste directly into the drains, clogging them within days. To be honest about my own experience: when I stayed with my uncle at the ICU, I had to travel five kilometres back and forth just to find a usable washroom. Every single time I needed to go, something in me would tighten before I even reached the door, just thinking about what condition it would be in. That is not a small thing to carry, night after night, while your relative is fighting for their life a few feet away. I say this without blaming the system, and without blaming the people either. What I am asking is that we should rethink something basic: hospitals are our property. They are built for our safety. And the machines, the toilets, the washrooms we use inside them deserve the same regard we give our own home appliances, our own houses. Nobody leaves a tap running or dumps waste on the floor of their own bathroom. Yet inside a hospital, that same instinct for care seems to switch off as if because the space is public, it belongs to no one, and therefore needs protection from no one. This shift in attitude would do more than make hospitals more pleasant to be in. It would genuinely ease the burden on hospital budgets. Every blocked drain, every toilet damaged by misuse, every additional cleaning shift required because attendants have treated a ward like an open dumping ground all of this is money and staff time that could otherwise go toward actual patient care. Hygiene, in this sense, is not a side issue. It is a resource question cloaked up as a behavioural one. There is another layer to this that is particularly Kashmiri, and worth being honest about. Our hospitality is well known but the same hospitality, when it walks into a hospital, gets misapplied. A patient admitted on day one will often have fifteen attendants crowding the ward, everyone wanting to be seen doing their part ishtedar gasan na wanin patte yea aaw khabri (so that no relative can later say that this partucoalr relative came to look after them?). A friend of mine jokes about this: hopitalich hazare che zaroori, natte maryan rishterdar pamou seath (attendance at the hospital is compulsory otherwise the relatives will mock us even after we're dead). But if that same patient stays admitted for weeks, the crowd thins out considerably. By then, only a handful of close kin remain, and the rest have quietly left the rest to Almighty. That early, overwhelming rush and the later, sparse presence are both patterns I have seen repeatedly, and neither one is really about how much people care. It comes down to something we say without thinking twice: ishtedar gasi na naaraz gasun the relative must not get offended. So, everyone shows up on day one, as. A formality it is the attendance that matters, more than anything else. That overwhelmingness fills the corridor, uses the single working washroom, and adds to the load on a system that was never built to host fifteen people around one bed. It is generosity turned into logistics for which no hospital was designed to absorb. A major problem in hospitals is how attendants handle meals. Obviously, a patient with two or three attendants needs food to survive the stay that much is fair. But the leftovers routinely end up in the toilets. I have seen someone dump a chicken bone straight into a toilet, blocking the entire drain. Someone reading this will probably think, his man is exaggerating. But honestly, this is a regular occurrence in every single hospital. Show me one hospital that is simply clean, and I will happily be proven wrong. None of this requires a new government scheme or a fresh round of budget allocation. What it asks for is smaller and, in some ways, harder: that we as attendants and patients start treating the hospital as an extension of our own home, not a public space where our habits go unaccounted for. That we carry our waste to a bin instead of the nearest floor. That we think about who else needs that washroom five minutes from now. That when we visit a patient, our presence is help, not just headcount. I am not writing this from the outside. I have been that attendant, tired and impatient, in a hospital that gave me every reason to complain. But somewhere between the fifth trip to a distant washroom and watching another wrapper hit the ICU floor, it became clear that the shortage we don't talk about enough is not just doctors or beds it is a shared sense of responsibility for the spaces that are supposed to keep us alive. Kashmir's hospitals do not just need more infrastructure. They need us to show up for them the way we show up, uninvited but well-meaning, for each other. The author works with a bank on rural self-employment

Prolonged power cuts pester Srinagarites

Prolonged maintenance-related power shutdowns and outages extending well beyond officially notified timings have emerged as major concerns for electricity consumers across Srinagar. Consumers from various areas of Srinagar including Downtown and Uptown localities decried power outages. We understand that maintenance of the power infrastructure is necessary. However, lack of information dissemination and prolonged outages are causing avoidable inconvenience to households, businesses, students and patients amid hot weather, they said. Although KPDCL issues shutdown notifications through its official social media, many consumers said they remain unaware until electricity is actually snapped. Most households do not check social media throughout the day. In many homes, elderly family members are at home and they neither use X nor follow official handles. By the time they come to know about the shutdown, the electricity has already gone, said Ishfaq Ahmad, a resident of Hazratbal. Consumers said that with smart meters already linked to registered emails and mobile numbers, KPDCL should introduce an automated SMS and email alert system informing consumers at least a day or two in advance about scheduled maintenance. If a small internet service provider charging only a few hundred rupees every month can send maintenance alerts through SMS, why can't the power department do the same when consumers are paying electricity bills worth thousands? another resident said. They said advance notifications would allow families to charge inverters, make alternative arrangements for elderly persons and patients, plan work schedules and minimise disruption to daily life. Apart from communication, consumers said that maintenance shutdowns frequently continue beyond the timings mentioned in official orders. Residents said most notifications specify that electricity will remain suspended from 8 am to 2 pm, but in many cases supply is restored much later, sometimes after 3:30 pm, 4 pm or even towards the evening. The official order says one thing, but on the ground the shutdown continues much longer. People organise their day expecting electricity to return by the notified time, but they are left waiting without any update, said Faisal Ahmad another consumer from Harwan. Residents said such prolonged outages become even more difficult during the ongoing summer, when fans, coolers and other electrical appliances are essential. Consumers also pointed to repeated maintenance shutdowns in the same receiving stations within short intervals, particularly in the Burzhama area, where residents said different feeders have witnessed back-to-back shutdowns on consecutive days. They questioned whether better planning could reduce the frequency of repeated outages affecting the same localities. The repeated shutdowns, residents said, have affected almost every section of society Families with elderly members and patients requiring electrically powered medical equipment are suffering. The prolonged outages become particularly challenging during periods of high temperatures, said another local. While acknowledging the need for infrastructure upgrades, they urged KPDCL to make consumer convenience an integral part of its maintenance planning. We are not against maintenance. We only want proper prior information, adherence to the notified schedule and better planning so that consumers are not made to suffer unnecessarily, residents said. A senior KPDCL official said Power Shutdown notices are presently disseminated through official social media platforms and other available channels to maximise public outreach,. The officials said the suggestion of introducing more robust ways like SMS-based will be looked into.

My Journey Through AKI

Suddenly diagnosed with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) marked a significant turning point in my life. The diagnosis arrived unexpectedly, accompanied by a surge of fear, confusion, and uncertainty about the future. Prior to this, I had never considered the possibility of such a health crisis affecting me personally. The journey to recovery from AKI was difficult and filled with obstacles. Initially, I experienced a profound sense of hopelessness, overwhelmed by the physical toll of the illness and the emotional strain of uncertainty. Sleepless nights became common as I pondered whether I would regain my previous health and vitality. A pivotal moment in my recovery was the intervention and support of Dr. Tajamul Hussain Mir. From our very first consultation, Dr. Tajamul's calm demeanour, extensive medical knowledge, and genuine compassion provided a sense of reassurance and clarity. Dr. Tajamul's expertise and unwavering support became the foundation of my healing journey. The ability to explain complex medical conditions in a way that was easy to understand helped my family and me make informed decisions throughout the recovery process. Under careful supervision, each stage of my treatment was handled with precision, patience, and a personal touch that truly made a difference. Looking back, I realize that recovery from AKI encompasses more than just physical healing. It involves nurturing resilience, maintaining hope, and embracing the support of medical professionals and loved ones. The journey not only tested my patience and strength but also revealed the profound impact of compassionate medical care and family support. I learned that even in the darkest moments, hope can be found, and strength can be cultivated. This experience has taught me the importance of perseverance, the value of expert medical guidance, and the power of a supportive community in overcoming adversity. A Heartfelt Thank You to Dr. Tajamul Guiding Light in My Recovery from AKI I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Tajamul, an exceptional Nephrologist, for the expert care and unwavering support during one of the most challenging times in my life my recovery from Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). I am especially grateful for the dedicated monitoring, timely interventions, and individualized care plan that Dr. Tajamul put in place. Thanks to this expertise and commitment, I was not only able to recover but also gain a deeper understanding of how to care for my kidney health moving forward. It's rare to find a medical professional who combines such outstanding clinical skills with genuine empathy and kindness. Dr. Tajamul is a true leader in the field, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been under his care. Thank you, Dr. Tajamul, for being a beacon of hope during my recovery. Your dedication has made a lasting impact on my life, and I will always remain deeply thankful. I would also like to extend my warmest thanks to Dr Fayaz Ahmad War, Dr Faisal, Dr Abbass and the entire team at Nephrology Department of Super Speciality Hospital, Shireen Bagh, Srinagar for their support and individualised attention and to all the dedicated medical staff and support staff who played a vital role in my recovery from Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Their collective efforts, professionalism, and compassion provided invaluable support during my most challenging days. Every nurse, technician and support staff member contributed to my healing journey with kindness and commitment, ensuring that I received the best possible care at every stage. Dr Faisals role was especially significant, as his supportive presence and compassionate care provided reassurance and encouragement during the most difficult phases of my recovery which made a lasting impact on my healing process. I am grateful for the meticulous attention and kindness shown by Dr Faisal. The teamwork and dedication displayed by the entire staff not only aided my physical recovery but also uplifted my spirits and gave me hope. I am deeply appreciative of their tireless work, attention to detail, and the genuine empathy they showed throughout my treatment. Thank you all for being an essential part of my journey from illness to renewed health and wishing you all the very best in your life ahead.

2 drown in Kishtwar river

Two residents of Kither village in the Bunjwah area of Kishtwar district drowned in the Kalnaey river, leaving their families and the local community in deep shock. The deceased have been identified as Mohd Yasir (22), son of Ismaeel, and Mohd Umer (12), son of Farooq Ahmed, both residents of Kither, Bunjwah. According to officials, the incident occurred on Monday. The body of 12-year-old Mohd Umer was recovered on the same day, while efforts are continuing to trace the body of Mohd Yasir, who remains missing. The tragedy has once again brought into focus the difficulties faced by residents of remote areas following the recent flash floods, which damaged several wooden bridges and disrupted connectivity in parts of Bunjwah and adjoining areas. Expressing deep grief over the incident, political leaders advocate Sheikh Nasir Hussain and G M Saroori conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls. They also prayed for strength and courage for the families to bear the irreparable loss. The leaders urged the district administration to take immediate measures for the reconstruction of all damaged bridges and restoration of safe connectivity in flood-affected areas. They stressed that the restoration work should be undertaken on a priority basis to prevent further loss of life and ensure the safety of residents, particularly children, elderly people and others dependent on these crossings for their daily movement. The leaders also called upon the administration to provide adequate compensation and all possible assistance to the bereaved families under the applicable relief and rehabilitation norms. The incident heightened concerns among residents, who have urged the authorities to expedite the restoration of damaged infrastructure and ensure safe passage across rivers and streams in the affected areas.

PDP protests against power tariff hike in Jammu

J&K Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Jammu unit on Tuesday held a protest demonstration in Jammu against the decision of J&K government to hike power tariff from September 1, 2026. The protesting PDP leaders and workers, while raising slogans Bijli Mehangi, Awaam Pareshaan, 200 unit Bijli Do Warna Kursi Chhod Do, alleged that the National Conference led government had betrayed the people by working against its poll promises. We want to ask the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that you, in order to come to power, had promised to provide the people with 200 units of free electricity. Now after the formation of the government, you conveniently forgot your promise. Instead of giving free power, you have raised (power) tariff by over six percent. You have betrayed people with your false promise. Now you are claiming that the rise in power tariff is compulsion, the J&K PDP spokesperson Varinder Sonu stated, while responding to media queries during the protest. NC was given votes to heal the wounds of poor people. But they have taken a U-turn and now they are burdening people with irrational hikes. Through our peaceful protest, we are agitating against this injustice with the poor people. If they cannot provide free power as promised, they should better resign, Sonu demanded.

NCST issues notices to J&K Chief Secretary, DGP, SSP Kishtwar over rape, death of Chatroo girl

Ramban, Aug 25: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has taken cognisance of the alleged sexual assault and death of a minor Gujjar Scheduled Tribe girl in Chatroo area of Kishtwar district and issued notices to the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Director General of Police (DGP) J&K and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kishtwar. The notice, issued on August 25 under File number NCST/ATY-4600/JK/3/2026-RU-IV, follows a complaint submitted by the Tribal Gujjar Bakkarwal Welfare Foundation (TGBWF) through its member trustee, Kabir Ahmed on August 24. The Commission has stated that it has decided to investigate and inquire into the matter in exercise of the powers vested in it under Article 338A of the Constitution of India. The notice was also transmitted to the three authorities through email. The Chief Secretary, DGP and SSP Kishtwar have been directed to submit the relevant facts, information and details of action taken on the allegations raised in the complaint within five days of receipt of the notice. The Commission has further cautioned that failure to submit the requisite response within the stipulated period could lead to the exercise of its powers as a civil court under Article 338A, including issuance of summons requiring the concerned authorities to appear before the Commission personally or through authorised representatives. The TGBWF welcomed the intervention of the Commission, terming it an important institutional step towards accountability and justice for the deceased child and her family. The complaint pertains to FIR number 34/2026 registered at Police Station Chatroo against Khalid Hussain and Tariq Hussain. It raises allegations concerning repeated sexual assault of the minor, her pregnancy, an alleged attempt to terminate the pregnancy and circumstances leading to her death. The complaint has also sought examination of allegations relating to threats, monetary inducement, possible attempts to suppress the matter and the role of persons who may have allegedly facilitated, concealed or attempted to compromise the offence. A key issue highlighted by the Foundation is the reported non-invocation of provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, despite the victim belonging to the Gujjar Scheduled Tribe. The Foundation has sought verification of the victim's tribal status and the social status of the accused, examination of the applicability of the relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, protection of the victim's family and witnesses, preservation of digital and medical evidence, and payment of legally admissible compensation, relief and rehabilitation benefits. The Foundation said the NCST notice marks the beginning of a constitutional inquiry and expressed hope that the Jammu and Kashmir administration and police authorities would provide a factual and time-bound response and cooperate fully with the Commission. Our objective is not to cause any interference with the investigation. Our sole concern is that no statutory safeguard should remain unenforced, no responsible person should escape scrutiny, and justice should be delivered to the child and her family, the TGBWF said. The Foundation further stated that it would continue to monitor the proceedings before the Commission as well as the ongoing investigation and would place relevant material before the competent authorities to safeguard the rights, dignity and rehabilitation of the bereaved family.

Where Feelings Live

Put your hand here, a teacher told us when I was a child, guiding our small palms to our chests. This is where your feelings live. I believed her. Children do not separate the body from what they feel. Happiness rises from the chest, fear tightens there, and when someone we love is no longer around, something in the same place seems to fall quiet. I learned this painfully as a teenager, when my mother was suddenly taken from us by proxy violence. Much of that time has blurred, but I remember the pain in my chest. I knew nothing about grief or how the body carries loss. I only knew that the voice I had grown up hearing, the presence I had taken for granted, had suddenly become a memory. Strangely, I felt that absence exactly where my childhood teacher had told me feelings lived. Life went on, as it quietly does, and I learned to live around my mothers absence. Somewhere in those growing years came a small, unspoken attachmenta familiar face that could brighten an ordinary day, a few words that stayed longer than expected. It never became a story, but it taught me gently that some people do not remain in our lives and still leave something tender behind. Then I entered medical college, and the heart became something else. I learned its chambers and valves, traced its arteries and electrical pathways, held it in the anatomy lab and later watched it beating on screens. It was muscle, rhythm and flow it did not love, grieve or remember . I was taught feelings and emotions belonged to the brain. The science was right, but it could not erase what I had already felt. As medical college gave way to years of training in medicine and later cardiology, the heart became the centre of my working life. I learned to read its rhythms, study its arteries and recognise when it was beginning to fail. The heart I had once known through feeling was now something I examined through ECGs, echocardiograms and angiograms. As I moved into clinical practice, these two understandings slowly began to meet. Patients would place a hand over their chest and say, Doctor, something here does not feel right. Often, evaluation gave us an answera blocked artery, an abnormal rhythm or a weakened heart. But quite often ,the investigations were reassuring while the heaviness remained, the hand still resting over the chest as if pointing towards something medicine could not quite measure. I remember an elderly man who came after his wife died whose examination and tests were normal. As he was leaving, he stopped at the door, placed his hand over his chest and said quietly, Doctor, something here feels empty. I understood him in a way that had little to do with cardiology he was not describing disease but absence. The woman with whom he had shared his life was no longer beside him, and this was where he felt her loss. There was no scan for it, no medicine to prescribe, no procedure that could restore what life had taken away. There was little for me to say and I pulled my chair closer and let him speak. That conversation changed the way I listened to patients. People rarely come to hospital carrying illness alone. They bring their lives with themthe people waiting at home, things left unfinished, private fears and hopes they are still holding on to. A father facing a high-risk procedure in the cath lab worried more about reaching his daughters wedding than about himself. A widow spoke calmly until she mentioned eating alone. Another man feared becoming helpless before the children he had once carried in his arms more than he feared death. Their illnesses mattered, of course. I still had to read the ECG, study the arteries and weigh the risks. But a diagnosis tells only part of the story it tells us what is wrong with the body, not what the person is hoping to return to. For one patient, recovery means walking to the mosque without stopping for breath. For another, returning to work, holding a grandchild or sitting with family again. Sometimes it means living long enough to see a daughter married. These ordinary wishes rarely appear in medical notes, but they are often what makes treatment matter. Medicine can do extraordinary things we can open a blocked artery, replace a failing valve and restore a rhythm that has lost its way. I have spent much of my life learning how to do these things but the longer I practise, the clearer it becomes that treating the heart and understanding the person carrying it are part of the same work. As the years have passed and grey has found its way into my hair, I have come to understand this differently. Life had begun teaching me about the heart long before I became a doctorthrough the pain in my chest when I lost my mother, through the quiet attachments of youth, and later through the stories my patients trusted me to hear. Sometimes, when a patient places a hand over the chest and struggles to explain what hurts, I remember the boy I wasthe boy who knew nothing about anatomy, arteries or the brain, but knew exactly where grief seemed to hurt. And so I listen. Years later, I find in Khalil Gibrans words something that boy could feel long before he could understand it: The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Khalil Gibran, The Prophet, On Joy and Sorrow Author is a Senior Interventional Cardiologist, GMC Anantnag

Urban waste costing J&K's lakes a heavy price

Srinagar, Aug 26:J&Ks water bodies and fragile aquatic ecosystems are facing a pollution crisis triggered by rapid urban expansion, rising consumption and nearly inexistent waste and sewage infrastructure. The recent government audits and proceedings before the National Green Tribunal show that the problem extends far beyond visible garbage. A recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit found that 50 of 63 test-checked lakes in J&K were being dumped with untreated sewage. Of these, sewage from around 91,000 households, with approximately 4.55 lakh people, was entering 34 lakes. The audit identified 69 specific pollution source points at 29 of these lakes, where waste was getting directly dumped into the water bodies. In the 63 test-checked lakes, authorities had not assessed water-carrying capacity in any of them, reflecting broader neglect. Shockingly, the water budgeting had not been undertaken for 62 of the 63 lakes. These lakes had no flushing system, no de-weeding and dredging was being carried out and the lakes and their falling ecosystems were not part of any academic or research pursuits. The damage is being done in more than one way: the CAG's assessment found that 518 of 697 natural lakes in J&K had either disappeared or shrunk since 1967. Of these, 315 lakes had vanished completely, and the remaining 203 had shrunk in size. Of the shrinking lakes, 63 had lost more than half of their area. The audit blamed the changes in land use within lakes and their catchments, deforestation, climate change and unregulated human activity for this crisis. The catastrophe of J&Ks lakes is a work of Governments inaction over decades, and peoples apathy towards natural resources, the report aply proves. The most visible decline remains Dal-Nigeen. A J&K Pollution Control Committee assessment placed before the NGT stated that water samples taken from 24 locations in Dal and Nigeen between January and May 2024 had a shocker: only one location conformed to Class B water-quality criteria. Class B water quality criteria means that the surface water standards of the location is safe for bathing and swimming. The water from entire Dal and Nigeen Lake, as per the report, is not even fit for bathing, let alone cooking and consumption in other forms. The report further detailed that the biological oxygen demand ranged from 2.1 to 23.5 mg/litre. The total coliform levels ranged from 200 to 36,000 CFU/100 ml and faecal coliform from 20 to 2,000 CFU/100 ml. The acceptable fecal coliform in water for body contact is fewer than 200 colonies per 100 ml. J&K generates 1470.3 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily according to data submitted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the LokSabha. Of this, only 283.5 tonnes is scientifically treated. Srinagar generates roughly 158.3 MLD of sewage, while the installed treatment capacity of only 67 MLD. Even the treatment plants function below capacity or have become defunct. In Jammu city, 77.8 MLD of sewage are generated with an installed capacity of 72.6 MLD. However, the oversight reports from NGT note that actual functional efficiency is lower. In J&K, ecosystems and water bodies are getting destroyed due to a mismatch between an expanding urban population and consumption economy. Parallelly, the capacity of municipal systems to collect, process and safely dispose-off the resulting waste and wastewater remains primitive.

Chatroo Kishtwar minor girls death |Protests surge, leaders welcome SIT constitution

Chenab Valley witnessed surge in public protests and demands for justice in case of alleged rape and death of a minor girl in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the political, social and tribal leaders welcomed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Police administration to probe into the sensitive case. The latest development comes after sustained protests, shutdowns, candle marches, dharnas and demonstrations across Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban over the past five days. Students, tribal representatives, civil society groups, political workers and social organisations have been demanding a transparent investigation, a fast-track trial and stringent punishment for all those found responsible. The case had earlier led to the arrest of two persons, including a government school teacher and his brother, while the Education Department suspended the teacher following the allegations. Police registered a case at Police Station Chatroo under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The investigation also involved post-mortem examination and collection of DNA samples. Amid continuing public pressure, the Police administration had constituted an SIT to conduct a specialised investigation into the matter. During a joint press conference in Chatroo on Tuesday, leaders including advocate Sheikh Nasir, advocate M. Zulkarnain Chowdhary, Aamir Malik and Nayeem Malik welcomed the constitution of the SIT and appreciated the administration for initiating a special probe into the case. The leaders demanded that the SIT conduct a transparent, impartial and time-bound investigation, stressing that no person found involved should be spared irrespective of position, influence or status. They called for the strictest action permissible under law against all those found guilty. Meanwhile, tribal and political leader Choudhary Talib Hussain, who has been sitting on dharna in Chatroo in support of the demand for justice, demanded that the investigation be handed over to the Crime Branch for an independent and comprehensive probe. Talib Hussain said the investigation must establish the complete facts surrounding the case and identify every person found to be involved. He further demanded that any alleged criminal network or other persons connected with the case, if established by evidence, should be thoroughly investigated and brought to light. The demand for a wider probe comes amid continuing public anger over the death of the minor girl and allegations of sexual abuse. Leaders and protesters have repeatedly maintained that the investigation should not be confined only to the arrested accused if evidence points towards the involvement of other persons. Over the past four days, protests have been reported from several parts of the Chenab valley. On the first day, Chatroo observed a shutdown and demonstrations were held at Chatroo, Mughal Maidan and Kishtwar town. On the second day, students and residents held protests in Doda, Bhaderwah and Kahara. The third day witnessed condolence meetings, candle marches and protest rallies, while on the fourth day demonstrations continued in Kishtwar, Chatroo, Gool and other areas. Several political, religious, tribal and social organisations have also condemned the incident and demanded strict legal action against all those found responsible. The leaders who sat on dharna in Chatroo on Tuesday appealed to the administration to ensure that the investigation remains free from any external influence and is completed within a fixed timeframe. They said a credible and impartial probe was essential not only to deliver justice to the victim and her family but also to restore public confidence in the investigation process. They also reiterated their demand for a speedy trial and stringent punishment under the law for every person whose involvement is established during the investigation.

30 missing a year after Chisoti flash flood

Srinagar, Aug 25:Thirty people remain missing a year after a cloudburst-triggered flash flood swept through Chisoti village in Paddar-Gulabgarh tehsil of Kishtwar district. The disaster left 63 bodies recovered and 127 injured, according to an RTI reply from the Kishtwar district administration provided to Jammu-based activist Raman Kumar Sharma. Of the 30 missing, 27 are yatris and three are local residents. The yatris included people from Jammu and other districts of the Jammu division, Uttarakhand, and Delhi who had travelled to Chisoti for the Chandi Mata Machail Yatra. For their families, a year has brought no closure. We are still waiting for closure, said Pawan Kumar, whose father, Somnath, 50, ran a seasonal tea stall. We havent got any relief yet, he said. Somnath is among the three missing locals. The others are Tulsi Devi, 50, and priest Bodhraj, 79. Tulsi was selling food to pilgrims when the BhotNallah - a tributary of the mighty Chenab river - overflowed. My wife was selling food to pilgrims when the floodwaters came crashing through the village, said her husband, Masti Ram, 55. We waited for months hoping her body would be found. We are yearning to find even a body part so that we can perform her last rituals. Tulsi left behind her 23-year-old son, Mandeep Singh, who has a neurological disability. Bodhraj, a longtime priest at the Kali Mata temple, was leading prayers when the flood struck. He was our caretaker, protector, and spiritual guide, said his granddaughter, Priya, 20. We only want to find him so we can cremate him with full honour. Otherwise, our souls will never rest. SashastraSeemaBal Head Constable HussanDass of Jammu lost seven family members. Only his wifes body was recovered. I desperately tried to contact my family, but their phones were switched off, Dass told media personnel. SDRF, NDRF, and SSB teams searched for more than a month but found no trace of the others. Sonu Kumar lost his wife, son, and daughter. Initially, we held on to the agonising hope that they might still be found alive, he said. As the days passed, that hope slowly faded. Kumar said death certificates were issued for his missing family members, but compensation had not been released. Chisoti, 15 km from Gulabgarh-Paddar and 85 km from Kishtwar, serves as the base camp for the Chandi Mata MachailYatra, which draws more than 2 lakh devotees annually. Hamori, surrounded by six Buddhist-dominated villages, is the last motorable point- 6 kms from Chisoti, with Machail another 6 km ahead. Yatris cross a bridge, travel 5 km by dirt road, and trek another 6 km to Machail. The yatra is also a key source of livelihood. Residents run food stalls and ferry yatris on motorcycles. On August 14, 2025, about 2500 yatris were in Chisoti when the flood struck at 12:38 pm and nearly 15,000 had set out for the yatra. The torrent tore through the village, destroying homes, shops, a langar, and a security outpost. Survivor Sawant Singh said the force of the Chenab and its tributaries made recovery difficult. The Chenab and its tributaries are so ferocious that once they wash someone away, it becomes extremely difficult to recover the body, he said. You may find a body or its fragments in the first day or two. After that, the chances become very slim. Locals said some fragmented remains were recovered, but many victims were never found. The administration sanctioned Rs. 2.52 crore in exgratia relief for families whose relatives bodies were recovered, according to the RTI reply. A year later, families of the 30 missing continue to wait for their loved ones remains and closure.

2 labourers killed, 1 injured in under-construction flyover, bridge mishaps in Samba, Jammu

Two labourers were killed and one was critically injured in two separate mishaps involving under-construction flyover and Tawi bridge, as part of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway in Samba and Jammu districts on Tuesday. Two incidents in a single day at two different stretches of under-construction (DelhiAmritsarKatra) Expressway raised some serious questions over the safety provisions for labourers engaged even in big-ticket infrastructure projects. In the first incident, the mishap occurred on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) morning at around 10 am during the installation of a span at an under-construction flyover near Jakh Morh, Vijaypur in Samba district. During the installation work, the span collapsed and fell down. In the incident, one labourer identified as Gautam Sao, 25, son of Paltan Sao, resident of Ward number 10, Godah, Bihar, died on the spot. Another labourer namely Bisht Sao, son of Naresh Sao, resident of Bihar, sustained critical injuries. The injured labourer was immediately shifted to Vijaypur hospital for treatment. Senior Police and NHAI officials immediately rushed to the spot. Police also registered an FIR in this connection and initiated proceedings to ascertain the circumstances that led to collapse. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) project director Jammu Rajiv Kumar, while responding to media queries on the site, said flyover span collapsed at Jakh during minor adjustment (of the span) in which one labourer died. He said Rs 5 lakh compensation was awarded immediately while rest of financial aid will be provided as per the Work Compensation Act after accounting. However, the labourers, working at the site, demanded that an adequate compensation and pension should be given to the wife of the deceased. They alleged that in the past too such incidents took place but adequate compensation was not given. In the second incident, one labourer died when a part of fresh concrete slab of the under-construction Tawi bridge, also a part of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, at Sidhra in Jammu outskirts, fell while he was engaged in construction work. Officials stated that the labourer Budhi Singh, 45, a resident of Ramban sustained critical injuries after he fell from a height at the under-construction Tawi bridge. Regional Officer NHAI J&K, R S Yadav stated that under the package 18 of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, the work was underway at Tawi bridge. Pier of the new bridge was cast a day ago. Work is underway amid traffic congestion. Today an oversized truck hit the shuttering leading to the fall of a part of a fresh concrete slab. In the incident, a labourer sustained injuries and he was immediately rushed to the hospital, Yadav stated. He clarified that it was not a bridge collapse incident. During construction, first pier-casting is done and span launching is undertaken. In this case, it was at the pier-casting stage. It was a fresh concrete slab. It takes at least 28 days to get it stabilised, he said. Later critically injured Budhi Singh, who was rushed to GMC Jammu hospital, was declared brought dead there. Meanwhile, with regard to the Jakh incident, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) Jammu also issued an official statement. It stated that an unfortunate incident occurred on Tuesday at the construction site of package-15 of the DelhiAmritsarKatra (DAK) Expressway, near village Jakh, tehsil Vijaypur in district Samba. According to NHAI, at the Raya Morh elevated highway project, an elevated structure comprising 14 spans, with each span consisting of 15 segments, is under construction. Of the 14 spans, 10 spans have been successfully launched. NHAI said the launching work on the 11th span is currently in progress. It said that during the lifting of the end portion of one of the segments, the segment slipped from the launching machine and fell to the ground. Regrettably, one worker lost his life in the untoward incident. NHAI expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved family. The next of kin of the deceased worker shall be appropriately compensated in accordance with the applicable norms, the official statement read. It stated that the bridge segments already launched in the 11th span remained intact and all previously launched elevated bridge spans were also intact. NHAI clarified that reports describing the incident as a collapse of the bridge were incorrect. There has been no structural failure of the bridge. NHAI remains firmly committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety in the execution of the project. An expert team is being deputed to the site to examine the incident and review the launching process so that appropriate corrective measures can be implemented and the recurrence of such an incident is prevented, the statement added. NHAI also reiterated its commitment to the safe, quality-driven and timely execution of the DelhiAmritsarKatra Expressway and said that it would continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the highest standards of construction and worker safety.

I can't send Dr Sahab back empty-handed: Ruhullah weighs Farooq Abdullah's resignation challenge

Srinagar, Aug 25:A day after National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah asked Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah to resign from the Lok Sabha and seek a fresh mandate, the MP on Tuesday indicated that he would respond to the veteran leaders demand in the coming days, while stressing his deep respect for Abdullah. Speaking to reporters, Ruhullah was asked about Abdullahs call for his resignation. He did not directly say whether he would accept the challenge, but his response suggested that he was weighing the demand seriously. It is not possible that Dr Sahab asks me for something and I dont give it to him. It is not possible that I send him back empty-handed, Ruhullah said. He has asked for something at this age. I respect him. I dont want him to ask me for something and I return it to him empty-handed. I will give an answer in a few days. His remarks came a day after Farooq Abdullah publicly challenged him to resign from Parliament and return to the electorate if he believed that his 2024 Lok Sabha victory was primarily the result of his personal political standing. If you think people voted for you, resign and go back to them. We will see how many votes you get, Abdullah said. The exchange follows a period of increasingly public differences between Ruhullah and the NC leadership over the partys political approach, particularly on issues including restoration of Article 370, statehood, and the constitutional rights of J&K. Abdullah had said Ruhullah was free to raise the issue of Article 370 in the Parliament, but questioned his approach to the matter. If he thinks Article 370 can be restored, he should take up the issue in the Parliament, Abdullah said. The NC President also defended the importance of party organisation and discipline, arguing that candidates contesting elections on the party ticket benefit from the support of the organisation and its workers. However, Ruhullah has maintained that his political position reflects the mandate given to him by the people and has repeatedly argued that the fight for J&Ks constitutional rights remains unfinished. In recent days, he has also indicated that he could consider resigning from Parliament after taking his campaign on constitutional rights and protections to a certain stage. On Sunday, he said J&K had continued to lose powers over the years and alleged that its political leadership had failed to regain them. The latest exchange has therefore raised questions about whether the disagreement will remain an internal debate within the NC or develop into a more serious political confrontation. Ruhullah was also asked about the reopening of cases relating to Kashmiri Pandits. He said justice should be delivered but cautioned against turning the process into an instrument of revenge. Everyone should be aware of Kashmiri Pandits. Justice should be delivered. There should be no revenge in the name of justice, he said.

Best of BS Opinion: Limits of 'Economic D-Day' lie at China's gates

Today's Best of BS Opinion examines US sanctions on Iran, H1N1 risks, aviation regulation, hard-to-abate sector transition plans and India's software product journey.

Indias Reinsurance: Hidden tax or treaty? Best way to expand tax base is to redraw map of where business is done

Indian insurers transfer risk to global reinsurers, impacting tax treaties. These international agreements often prevent India from taxing reinsurance profits. Foreign reinsurers without a permanent establishment face fewer tax obligations. India aims to attract reinsurance business to GIFT City for taxation. This strategy seeks to increase domestic underwriting expertise and capital.

Abdul Jabbar IPS posted to J&K segment of Joint AGMUT Cadre

New Delhi, Aug 25: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ordered the posting of Abdul Jabbar, IPS (AGMUT: 2008) to the Jammu & Kashmir segment of the Joint AGMUT Cadre with immediate effect. According to an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on August 25, 2026, the posting comes following Abdul Jabbars repatriation from Central Deputation. Abdul Jabbar has worked extensively in Jammu & Kashmir, and mostly in the Kashmir Zone. His assignments included (i) ASP in Srinagar (2010-2012); (ii) Addl. SP Kulgam, South Kashmir (2012-2013); (iii) District SP Kupwara, North Kashmir (2013-2014); (iv) District SP Anantnag, South Kashmir (2015-2016); (v) DIG in Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban (DKR) Range (2020-2021); and (vi) DIG South Kashmir Range (2021-2022). The officer has remained part of all the notable efforts of the security forces in Kashmir in dealing with large scale law and order of 2010 and 2013 (post hanging of Afzal Guru); anti-terrorists operations; and supervision of four Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY). Abdul Jabbar has received 05 Gallantry medals, the most notable being the PPMG for leading the operation in which terrorist Burhan Wani was neutralised in July 2016 in Anantnag. He has done two central deputations, one with IB at the rank of SP (2016-2020) and another with CBI at the rank of DIG (2022-2026).

Mumbai autowalas' multilingual meter

Mumbais auto-rickshaws reflect the citys multilingual character, with drivers routinely switching between Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati and Hinglish.

Starlink's satcom needs earthly fixes

Starlink seeks India's approval for its advanced satellite services. The company needs landing rights and spectrum assignment for its new technology. India has allowed current services but not the Satcom 2.0 proposal yet. Regulatory issues and spectrum assignment remain key challenges for Starlink. Clearances are essential before satcom can bridge India's digital divide.

Five roles that a board leader alone must don, instead of merely being at the helm of meetings

A strong chairperson can shape a boards effectiveness through five key roles: choosing the right directors, setting the boards focus, seeking feedback, building a culture of open debate and dissent, and managing the CEO relationship.

Enough of Gurugram as Potemkin village

Gurugram's modern facade crumbles during heavy rains, revealing inadequate infrastructure and poor upkeep. Over-concretisation and insufficient drain maintenance contribute to severe urban flooding issues. Cities require green and blue infrastructure to manage extreme rainfall events effectively. Ecosystem restoration and reviving natural water bodies will enhance urban water-carrying capacity. Future urban planning must incorporate climate change projections and essential maintenance tasks.

Nature adores a vacuum

James Dyson's journey to creating iconic products involved extensive prototyping and persistence. He views failure not as a setback but as a crucial part of the invention process. The inventor's career challenges conventional thinking about how things have always been done. His approach emphasizes questioning established wisdom and radical improvement in design. This mindset of failing, rethinking, and redesigning drives innovation and creation.

PM Modi chairs 53rd PRAGATI meeting, reviews 6 key infrastructure projects across Railway, Road and Power sectors

New Delhi, Aug 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 53rd meeting of PRAGATI, the ICT-enabled, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, at Seva Teerth earlier today. During the meeting, Prime Minister reviewed six key infrastructure projects across the Railway, Road and Power sectors, spanning nine States with a cumulative cost of more than 30,000 crore. The projects, significant for strengthening connectivity, supporting industrial and economic activity and improving public services, were reviewed with particular emphasis on adherence to timelines, inter-agency coordination, resolution of pending issues and expeditious completion. Prime Minister emphasised that delays in infrastructure projects have consequences beyond cost escalation, as they also postpone the benefits intended for citizens, businesses and the economy. He said that infrastructure projects should be viewed and monitored as an integrated whole, rather than as isolated sections, stretches or packages. He noted that progress in individual packages should ultimately translate into timely completion and operationalisation of the entire project. Ministries and States were therefore asked to adopt an end-to-end approach, and address critical gaps that could delay the overall commissioning and delivery of benefits. He called for fostering a proactive work culture across Ministries and State Governments, with greater ownership at every level of project implementation. Prime Minister stressed the need to explore common utility corridors for infrastructure services, wherever feasible, particularly while planning major transport and infrastructure projects. He called upon Ministries and States to examine such integrated approaches at the planning stage itself, keeping in view their technical and economic feasibility. Prime Minister said that speed of execution must be accompanied by uncompromising quality. He called upon Ministries, States and implementing agencies to adopt modern technologies and strengthen quality assurance and supervision at every stage. While reviewing AgriStack under the Digital Agriculture Mission, Prime Minister emphasised the need to leverage the latest digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to derive greater value from agricultural data. He stressed that the data ecosystem should be effectively utilised across the agricultural value chain, from input planning to processing, enabling more informed interventions, better targeting and data-driven decision-making. He appreciated the efforts of the States and the Central Government in building the AgriStack ecosystem and called for further strengthening its use for delivering better outcomes for farmers. During the review of cyber fraud cases, including incidents of digital arrest, Prime Minister said that prevention must be strengthened through a sustained focus on training, awareness and education. He stressed the need for continuous and targeted public-awareness campaigns, particularly for senior citizens, youth and other vulnerable sections, to familiarise them with common fraud techniques, warning signs and safe digital practices. He also called for regular capacity-building of personnel involved so that emerging modes of cyber fraud are identified and acted upon swiftly.

Eid-e-Milad (SAW): Thousands gather at Dargah Hazratbal for nightlong prayers

NC and BJP are two sides of the same coin: Altaf Bukhari

Azad condemns rape, murder of minor girl in Chatroo

Jammu, Aug 25: Former Chief Minister of J&K, Ghulam Nabi Azad, has strongly condemned the horrific rape and murder of a minor girl from the ST community in Chatroo, Kishtwar, describing the incident as absolutely horrifying and shameful. Azad appreciated the police for swiftly arresting the culprit and said that the accused must face exemplary punishment for the heinous crime. He said, The rape & murder of a minor girl from the ST community in Chatroo, Kishtwar, is absolutely horrifying and shameful. I appreciate the police for swiftly arresting the culprit. The culprit deserves exemplary punishment. Azad further stressed that society as a whole must take a strong stand against such crimes and said, Society across the country must rise to the occasion and ensure that people with such dirty mindsets find no place in our society''. He expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and urged that justice be delivered swiftly and firmly in accordance with law.

President Murmu greets citizens on eve of Onam, Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW)

New Delhi, Aug 25: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday greeted citizens on the eve of harvest festival Onam and Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In a message, she said Onam is an occasion to express gratitude to nature on arrival of the new harvest. Onam celebrates our rich culture and spirit of brotherhood. It promotes unity in diversity. Boat races, folk dances, music and sports are important traditions associated with this festival. They showcase the culture and values of Keralam, President Murmu said. The president prayed that this auspicious festival brings happiness, peace, good health and prosperity to all, and inspire the citizens to contribute to the nation's progress, according to a statement issued by her office. On the auspicious occasion of Onam, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all citizens, especially the brothers and sisters of Keralam living in India and abroad, she added. In another message, President Murmu said the festival of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) is an occasion to recall the preachings of Prophet Muhammad. His teachings inspire us to follow the path of pious conduct and dutifulness. May the noble ideals of Prophet Muhammad inspire us to contribute actively towards building an inclusive and developed India, the president said. She extended warm greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens living in India and abroad, especially the Muslim brothers and sisters, on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW).

DGP reviews security preparedness for Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), other forthcoming events

Srinagar, Aug 25: Director General of Police (DGP) J&K Nalin Prabhat chaired a security review meeting at PCR Kashmir to assess and further strengthen security arrangements for the upcoming Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) and other forthcoming events across the UT of Jammu & Kashmir, including the Friday following Eid Milad-un-Nabi, Raksha Bandhan, and other events. The meeting was attended by Spl DGP Coordination J&K, IGP Kashmir Zone, IGP Jammu Zone, all Range DIGs, and all district SSPs/PDs of J&K, SSP PCR Kashmir, AIG (Ct & Int) PHQ, besides other senior officers. Detailed discussions were held on security preparedness, deployment strategy, crowd management, and traffic regulation measures to ensure the safe, peaceful, and smooth conduct of the events. The DGP stressed heightened vigilance, proactive policing, and foolproof security arrangements, particularly at major shrines, mosques, and other religious places. Special focus was laid on Dargah Hazratbal and other prominent religious sites where nightlong prayers and large congregations are anticipated. Officers were directed to ensure adequate security coverage and close coordination among all field formations for timely response to any emerging situation. The DGP directed officers to strengthen surveillance at sensitive and vulnerable locations and ensure effective deployment at strategic and high-footfall areas. DGP J&K further directed officers to put in place effective traffic regulation and route management plans around major religious places and along procession routes to facilitate seamless movement of devotees. The DGP also reviewed arrangements with regard to Raksha Bandhan and passed directions for advance security and traffic arrangements at markets and temples, besides enhancing security and surveillance at prominent religious places. The meeting concluded with the DGP J&K reiterating that all necessary arrangements must be put in place well in advance to ensure the peaceful, safe, and secure conduct of all forthcoming events across the UT of J&K.

New smart technology can make diagnosis of Alzheimers disease more accessible

New Delhi, Aug 25: A novel smartphone-enabled platform employing afluorescence-responsive tiny molecule as a probe offers a simple, cost-effective, and accessible approach for the detection of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker amyloid- (A). Upon interaction with A, the tiny molecule called TZ-48undergoes changes in fluorescence intensity, which are captured and quantified using a dedicated smartphone application. This enables rapid and user-friendly detection, with potential applications in the screening and staging of AD. AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioural impairment. Central to its pathology is the misfolding and aggregation of amyloid- (A), which self-assembles into fibrils and deposits as extracellular plaques that trigger neurotoxic cascades leading to synaptic dysfunction and neurodegeneration. The National Institute on Aging-Alzheimers Association (NIA-AA) framework identifies A, tau, and neurodegeneration as core biomarkers for definitive AD diagnosis across brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and blood. Importantly, A pathology is an early and AD-specific biomarker, making A a more reliable diagnostic indicator. Although positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide valuable diagnostic information, their high cost, need for specialized infrastructure, technical expertise, and limited accessibility restrict widespread use. Blood-based assays targeting A and tau, have emerged as promising alternatives, but are expensive and complex. These limitations highlight the need for simple, sensitive, scalable diagnostic platforms capable of early and accurate detection of A for AD diagnosis. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) has emerged as a powerful sensing modality because fluorescence lifetime is largely independent of probe concentration and photobleaching, enabling robust detection of biomarkers and enhancing diagnostic precision. Scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have developed a smart fluorescence lifetime-responsive probe that enables highly selective, sensitive, and differential detection of A fibrils (Af) through turn-on fluorescence and distinct lifetime signatures. The probe called TZ-48 published in the journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience exhibits excellent BBB permeability, robust labelling of A plaques in transgenic AD mouse brains, and compatibility with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and FLIM for quantitative mapping of A burden across disease stages. Beyond tissue imaging, TZ-48 enables sensitive detection of A in CSF and blood serum, accurately distinguishing AD from healthy mice. To facilitate clinical translation, the team of scientists consisting of Krithi K. Bhagavath, Madhu Ramesh, Yogendra Kumar, Sabyasachi Mandal, Hiriyakkanavar Ila and Thimmaiah Govindaraju developed ADxFluor, a smartphone-integrated platform leverages the fluorescence response of TZ-48 for rapid, unbiased quantification of serum A load. The system combines dual-mode brain imaging, biofluid detection, and smartphone-based quantification of A in biofluids, establishing it along with ADxFluor, a smartphone-integrated platform as a foundation for next-generation smart diagnostics for AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. The integration of TZ-48 with the smartphone-based ADxFluor platform further establishes a portable, low-cost, and user-friendly point-of-care diagnostic system, representing a significant technological and translational innovation in AD diagnostics.

Study identifies uniqueness of South Asian gut microbiome, critical for lifestyle disease treatment

New Delhi, Aug 25: One of the largest and most geographically diverse investigations has found that South Asian gut microbiomes are distinct from those reported in other parts of the world and are shaped by local culture, diet, geography, and lifestyle. The findings provide an important scientific foundation for developing microbiome-based diagnostics, personalized nutrition, and precision healthcare for South Asian populations, specifically for lifestyle disorders. South Asia is undergoing rapid urbanization while simultaneously experiencing a sharp increase in obesity, diabetes, and other cardiometabolic disorders. Although urbanization is known to influence the gut microbiome, it was unclear whether these changes occur similarly across diverse South Asian populations. Until now, most microbiome research has been conducted in European and North American populations, leaving South Asia largely underrepresented despite housing nearly one-fourth of the world's population. Scientists from Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) along with the University of Chicago, and collaborating institutions across India, Sri Lanka, and the USA, designed a study to understand how changing lifestyles influence the gut microbiome across different cultural, dietary, and ecological settings and to generate a comprehensive microbiome resource representing the diversity of South Asia. They discovered that changes in the gut microbiome of each community follows its own unique microbiome trajectory shaped by local culture, diet, geography, and lifestyle. Researchers collected stool samples together with dietary, lifestyle, and health information from 575 healthy adults belonging to ten South Asian communities. Using the South Asian MicroBiome ARray (SAMBAR)launched for the first time in India by the scientists of BSIP, the gut microbiomes of 575 adults from ten culturally and geographically distinct communities across India and Sri Lankawe analysed. The gut microbiome was characterized using high-throughput DNA sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes, followed by advanced bioinformatic analyses. The researchers compared rural and urban individuals within each community and also compared South Asian microbiomes with global datasets. The project involved a large international collaboration among scientists from India, Sri Lanka, and the United States led by Dr. Niraj Rai, Group Head, Ancient DNA from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow. Field teams worked closely with local communities across India and Sri Lanka to recruit participants and collect biological samples and lifestyle information. A community-engaged approach was followed throughout the study, with researchers sharing study findings back with participating communities. Laboratory analyses, DNA sequencing, and computational methods were then used to characterize gut microbial diversity and identify associations with geography, diet, urbanization, and metabolic health. This approach enabled the team led by Shreya L. Ramachandran, Nagarjuna Pasupuleti, Richard J. Abdill, Niraj Rai and Maanasa Raghavan to identify both community-specific microbial signatures and common microbial changes associated with urbanization and metabolic health. The study published in the journal Gut Microbes, highlights the importance of including underrepresented populations in global microbiome research. This is the first baseline gut microbiome data from India generated from the healthy individuals in India with huge medical and evolutionary impacts. By demonstrating that different communities respond differently to urbanization, the study suggests that future microbiome-based therapies should be tailored to regional populations rather than adopting approaches developed solely from Western populations. The SAMBAR resource will also support future research on diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other lifestyle disorders that are rapidly increasing across South Asia.

Omar says no further electricity tariff hikes during current governments tenure

Protesters demand capital punishment for teacher accused in Kishtwar rape case

J&K education minister promises action on teachers grievances, RET transfer orders within days

Govt mulls drug tests for all commercial pilots

New Delhi, Aug 25: The civil aviation ministry is looking at the possibility of carrying out psychoactive substance tests for all commercial pilots round the year on a random basis. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Tuesday said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is holding discussions with stakeholders on further strengthening the drug-testing standards of pilots. Right now, the rules say 10 per cent (drug tests) across the overall pilot network, but just like I said, DGCA is engaging (with stakeholders)... One of the opinions from our side is that everyone has to go through it (drug tests) the (whole) year at a random time. So, we have to see how all the stakeholders are going to respond to this, the minister said. The issue of possible substance use by pilots has come under spotlight after the captain of a Phuket-Delhi Air India flight, involved in a sudden altitude loss incident, was tested positive for marijuana. Currently, drug tests for pilots are done on a random basis. Under DGCA's present Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), random tests for psychoactive substances have to be done for 10 per cent of pilots and air traffic controllers, among others, annually. Naidu on Tuesday said the regulator DGCA is currently consulting stakeholders to review the existing rules and bring in a stricter policy for the future. There are multiple ways of approaching this dope test (thing), the minister said, responding to queries related to psychoactive substance testing for pilots, on the sidelines of an event in the national capital. There are more than 12,000 pilots with various commercial airlines. In the wake of the Phuket-Delhi flight incident, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) on August 18, urged DGCA to consider oral fluid testing as a complementary method along with the existing urine-based screening under its drug testing framework. FIP had also sought increasing the random drug testing for pilots and other personnel to 25 per cent from the current 10 per cent. Meanwhile, Air India and Air India Express have also started mandatory psychoactive substance testing of all their pilots. Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is probing the Phuket-Delhi flight incident that occurred on August 4 as per Annexure 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It pertains to aircraft accident and incident investigation. The Phuket-Delhi flight AI2379, operated with A320 aircraft VT-EXO, experienced a sudden loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet during cruise, after which the aircraft stabilised and subsequently landed safely in the national capital.

Omar Abdullah backs teachers, says government must fix schools before expecting better outcomes

Srinagar, Aug 25: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said teachers cannot be made solely responsible for determining the future of the Union Territory, arguing that the government must first improve their working conditions, school infrastructure and staffing before expecting them to shoulder greater responsibility for children's futures. Addressing a gathering of teachers and office-bearers of the J&K Teachers Forum, Omar said teachers already faced an expanding list of responsibilities beyond classroom teaching, including election duties, government functions and social campaigns. It is a fact that the future of Jammu and Kashmir is our children, Omar said. What will be the future of our children? You all have a very big role in that. But if we put all our responsibility on you and say that what Jammu and Kashmir will be like in the future will be decided by our teachers, then I think that would be a great injustice to you and would put excessive pressure on you. He said the role of teachers had become considerably more difficult with the proliferation of smartphones, social media, television channels and, increasingly, artificial intelligence. Today, look at what you are competing with. You are competing with phones, social media, channels and so many other things. And now there is a new thing artificial intelligence, he said. Omar said AI had created a new challenge for teachers in assessing whether students were submitting their own work. I say, how difficult will it be for a teacher to determine whether an assignment submitted by a child, what they have written, is their own work or whether artificial intelligence helped them? he said. The chief minister also criticised the practice of continually assigning additional duties to teachers while their own service-related grievances remained unresolved. There is an August 15 function, there is a January 26 function, and the first thing we tell you is: prepare the children, organise a cultural programme, have them march past, he said. He also cited International Yoga Day, anti-drug campaigns and elections as examples of duties routinely assigned to teachers. When there is election work, we put you in booths in far-flung areas, Omar said. Whenever there is some other work, whenever we have to do something, we do not find anyone else our eyes fall on you. At the same time, he acknowledged that teachers' files did not always move with the same urgency. But when your issues come up, unfortunately, I have to say that your files do not move forward as quickly as the files that are moved when we have to post you somewhere else, he said. Omar said the government had a responsibility to resolve teachers' grievances relating to transfers, departmental promotion committees and vacancies. If you have issues concerning transfers, if you have issues concerning DPCs, if you have issues concerning vacancies, or other matters, then we have to resolve those issues with the same seriousness, he said. And I assure you that as long as Sakina is here and I am working with her, none of your issues will be ignored, he added, referring to Education Minister Sakina Itoo. The chief minister also highlighted the disparity between teachers posted in rural areas and those able to secure postings in urban schools through influence. Providing education in remote rural schools is not easy. Working there is difficult, Omar said. He said some teachers without political or social influence remained in remote schools for long periods, while those with access and influence often managed to remain in urban schools. Perhaps they have never even seen a rural school. They work only in city schools, he said. Omar also drew attention to the problem of so-called ghost schools, where students remain formally enrolled but do not regularly attend classes. He said some students enrolled in schools primarily to appear for board examinations while spending much of their time at private tuition centres. The teacher comes to school. The teacher wants to do their work. But students enrol there only for paperwork, he said. The chief minister acknowledged continuing infrastructure deficiencies, including rented school buildings, unsafe structures and inadequate access to smart classrooms. We talk about smart classrooms, but how far have we been able to take smart classrooms to our children? he said. Smart classrooms are a distant thing; even today, in some places, we are unable to provide proper school structures. Omar said responsibility for those shortcomings rested with the government rather than teachers. But these shortcomings are not your fault. They are ours, he said. Repairing infrastructure is not your responsibility; it is mine. Filling vacancies is not your job; it is mine. Strengthening your hands so that you can perform your work properly is the responsibility of me, Sakina and Nasir. He urged teachers, meanwhile, to prepare students for a rapidly changing world, saying the pace of change expected over the next two or three decades would exceed that witnessed in recent decades. We have made a lot of progress from 1947 to today, Omar said. But the world is changing very rapidly. The change that has taken place in the last 30, 40 or 50 years will happen much faster in the next 20 to 30 years. We have to prepare our children for that, he said, adding that students needed to be equipped to make a positive contribution to Jammu and Kashmir. Omar also addressed concerns over the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), saying the requirement had not originated with the Jammu and Kashmir government and that his administration had repeatedly opposed its application. This is not something that we have created. We have repeatedly tried to fight against it, he said. He linked its applicability in Jammu and Kashmir to the post-2019 constitutional and legal changes, saying that because laws applicable across the country now apply to J&K, the TET requirement had also been extended to the region. Perhaps the Supreme Court's order so far is that this has to be implemented by August 28. So, for the moment, we have time to take our campaign to the Supreme Court, Omar said. He said the government would continue to raise its objections before the Supreme Court. As Sakina has assured you, we continue to raise our voice against this here and in the Supreme Court, he said. Omar's remarks placed the government's responsibilities alongside those of teachers, arguing that better educational outcomes would depend not merely on what teachers did inside classrooms but also on whether the administration succeeded in improving the broader conditions in which they worked. You will be able to do it, you will succeed, only if we succeed, he said. If we are able to improve your conditions, if we are able to improve your infrastructure, if we are able to improve the schools, then you will be able to improve the future of the children. If we fail and then tell you, Now you go and fix everything, that will not happen, he said. Omar also acknowledged financial constraints facing Jammu and Kashmir, saying the government's fiscal position was not as strong as it would like it to be. The financial condition of Jammu and Kashmir is not as strong as we would like it to be, so there are some restrictions, he said. But he maintained that those constraints could not absolve the administration of its responsibility towards teachers. His broader message to the gathering was that teachers should be supported rather than burdened with every expectation surrounding education, social development and the future of Jammu and Kashmir. This is not your responsibility alone, Omar said.

CM Omar flags teacher workload, rural school gaps and vacancies

JMC seals 46 shops in prime market place for 4-year rent default in Jammu

Jammu, Aug 25: The Jammu Municipal Corporation on Tuesday sealed 46 shops at the vegetable market in Indira Chowk for failing to pay rent for more than four years, officials said. A JMC team pasted notices and put locks and seals on the shops after they failed to clear their outstanding dues despite repeated notices, including a final notice, they said. The shopowners subsequently approached Deputy Commissioner (North), JMC, Sanjay Badyal, and assured the corporation that they would pay the rent regularly for the allotted shops, following which the sealing was lifted. The 46 allottees of the open spaces at Indira Chowk had not been paying rent for more than four years, Badyal told reporters here. Due to non-payment of rent, sealing action was carried out on the directions of the municipal commissioner, he said. Later, a delegation of affected shopowners submitted a written request offering to clear the rent dues and pay some amount in advance. After considering their request, the corporation decided to lift the sealing, subject to the payment of the outstanding rent and compliance with the agreed terms, Badyal said.

Eight over ground workers arrested in separate operations in south Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 25: Security forces have arrested eight overground workers in three separate operations across Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday. On a tip off, police and army personnel launched a joint operation in an orchard at Imamsahib in Shopian district. During the search operation, security forces recovered one grenade, two AK magazines, four mobile phones and posters of a banned terror outfit from the orchard belonging to Nazir Ahmad Wani. The three suspected overground workers (OGWs) were identified as Ashiq Hussain Kumar, Arif Kumar, and Harris Manzoor. Security forces had also arrested three OGWs from Shopian district late on Monday night. The officials said three motorcycle-borne individuals were taken into custody after their search led to recovery of two hand grenade and some incriminating materials linked to Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit. The arrested persons were identified as Junaid Ahmad Dar, Amir Yousuf and Junaid Muzaffar. In another operation, security forces arrested two suspected over ground workers of terrorists in a forest area of Pulwama district, disrupting the terror network in the region. In a significant success towards disrupting terror networks and preventing attempts to disturb peace and security, police, Army and CRPF apprehended two terrorist associates and recovered one pistol, 12 pistol rounds and one hand grenade from their possession in the Yarwan forest area of CB Nath, Rajpora, the officials said. Acting on coordinated security inputs, a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched in the general Yarwan forest area, the officials said. During the operation, the joint teams noticed two individuals emerging from the forest towards CB Nath village in a suspicious manner. The alert teams swiftly moved in and apprehended both individuals, they said. The apprehended individuals have been identified as Latif Ahmad Deedad and Aejaz Ahmad Bajad. During their search, one pistol, 12 pistol rounds and one hand grenade were recovered from their possession, the officials said, adding the suspects were taken into custody. A case under relevant sections of the Arms Act and Unlawful activities Prevention Act was registered and investigation set into motion to ascertain their activities, establish the source of the recovered arms and ammunition, and identify further linkages.

'I can't send doctor sahib back empty-handed: MP Ruhullah on Farooq Abdullah's resignation call

Srinagar, Aug 25 : A day after National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah asked Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi to resign from the Lok Sabha and seek a fresh mandate, the MP on Tuesday indicated that he would respond to the veteran leaders demand in the coming days, while stressing his deep respect for Abdullah. Speaking to reporters, Ruhullah was asked about Farooq Abdullahs call for his resignation. He did not directly say whether he would accept the challenge, but his response suggested that he was weighing the demand seriously. It is not possible that Doctor Sahib asks me for something and I dont give it to him. It is not possible that I send him back empty-handed, Ruhullah said. He has asked for something at this age. I respect him. I dont want him to ask me for somethingand Ireturn it to him empty-handed, he added. I will give an answer in a few days, Ruhullah said. His remarks came a day after Farooq Abdullah publicly challenged him to resign from Parliament and return to the electorate if he believedthat his 2024 Lok Sabha victory was primarily the result ofhis personal political standing. If you think people voted for you, resign and go back to them.Wewill see how many votes you get, Abdullah had said. The exchange follows a period of increasingly public differences between Ruhullah and the National Conference leadership over the partys political approach, particularly on issues including restoration of Article 370, statehood and the constitutional rights of Jammu and Kashmir. Farooq Abdullah had said Ruhullah was free to raise the issue of Article 370 in Parliament, but questioned his approach to the matter. If he thinks Article 370 can be restored, he should take up the issue in Parliament, Abdullah said. The NC president also defended the importance of party organisation and discipline, arguing that candidates contesting elections on the party ticket benefit from the support of the organisation and its workers. Ruhullah, however, has maintained that his political position reflects the mandate given to him by the people and has repeatedly argued that the fight for Jammu and Kashmirs constitutional rights remains unfinished. In recent days, he has also indicated that he could consider resigning from Parliament after taking his campaign on constitutional rights and protections to a certain stage. On Sunday, he said Jammu and Kashmir had continued to lose powers over the years and alleged that its political leadership had failed to regain them. The latest exchange has therefore raised questions about whether the disagreement will remain an internal debate within the National Conference or develop into a more serious political confrontation. Ruhullah was also asked aboutthe reopening of cases relatingto Kashmiri Pandits. He said justice should be delivered but cautioned against turning the process into an instrument of revenge. Everyone should be aware of Kashmiri Pandits. Justice should be delivered. There should be no revenge in the name of justice, he said. The statement places Ruhullahs position in the context of both accountability and reconciliation, stressing that any investigation or legal process should be aimed at delivering justice rather than settling scores.

Will respond in a day or two: Aga Ruhullah on Farooq Abdullahs resignation remark

Flyover collapses in Samba; one killed, three injured

Arms, ammunition recovered during search operation In Shopian; 3 persons detained

Srinagar, Aug 25: Security forces recovered arms and ammunition during a search operation in south Kashmir's Shopian district on Tuesday. Officials said that during a search operation at Narwani area, jointly conducted by 34 RR and SOG Imam Sahib, arms and ammunition including a grenade, four mobile phones, two magazines of AK-47 rifle and four posters of HM organisation were recovered from an orchard belonging to Nazir Ahmad Wani son of Ghulam Mohammad Wani resident of Narwani. Meanwhile, three persons have been detained in connection with the recovery as Ashiq Hussain Kumar son of Late Abdul Rashid Kumar resident of Laram Ganjipora, Kulgam, Arif Kumar son of Ghulam Rasool Kumar resident of Laram Ganjipora, Kulgam and Harris Manzoor son of Manzoor Ahmad resident of Anchidoora, Anantnag. Further investigation has been taken up. (GNS)

Fire breaks out at police Housing Corporation Headquarters in Srinagar, three rooms damaged

Srinagar, Aug 25: A fire incident was reported at the Corporate Headquarters of J&K Police Housing Corporation in Peerbagh area of Srinagar on Monday, resulting in damage to three rooms. Officials said that flames broke out on the fourth floor of the building housing the corporation's headquarters. Soon after, teams of Fire and Emergency Services department rushed to the spot and doused the flames, preventing the fire from spreading to other floors. Three rooms on the fourth floor suffered damage in the incident. No loss of life or injury has been reported. The cause of fire is being ascertained. (GNS)