Opinion

Rupee rises 24 paise to 93.74 against US dollar in early trade

Mumbai, Nov 9 (PTI) The rupee appreciated 24 paise to 93.74 against the US dollar in early trade on Monday, supported by lower crude prices, improving foreign flows and hopes of de-escalation in the Middle East. Forex traders said the overall outlook for the rupee remains positive as any progress towards peace in the Middle East reduces the risk premium in crude oil and provides further support to the rupee. Over the weekend, encouraging news came from the Middle East, as President Donald Trump indicated that fresh military strikes against Iran are highly unlikely if negotiations make progress and both

Trump says his immigration policy 'too tough' after midterm drubbing

I think it was too tough. I think it might be too tough, Trump told CBS' 60 Minutes in response to a question on his administration's deportation policy

Man held with pistol in Jammu

Jammu, Nov 09: A man was arrested with a pistol in the outskirts of Jammu, police said on Monday. Investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the weapon, its intended use and any possible criminal linkages, a police spokesman said. Asif Ali Chowdhary, a resident of Langotia, Miran Sahib, was arrested with a pistol, a magazine and two live rounds late Sunday night in Bishnah area. An FIR under relevant sections of Arms Act has been registered at Bishnah police station, the spokesman said, reiterating Jammu Police's commitment to maintaining peace and security and taking strict action against illegal possession of arms.

PM Modi visits LK Advani as veteran BJP leader enters 100th year

New Delhi, Nov 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the residence of veteran BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani to greet him as he entered his 100th year. PM Modi met Advani at his residence in New Delhi on November 8 and conveyed his best wishes and regards. The Prime Minister also penned a special tribute, highlighting Advanis long political journey and his contribution to the country. In his tribute, PM Modi recalled Advanis experience of Partition in 1947, when he had to leave Sindh, and his role during the Emergency. He also highlighted Advanis contribution to the Jana Sangh and his role in building the BJP. The Prime Minister also referred to Advanis 1990 Somnath-Ayodhya Rath Yatra, describing it as a major milestone in his political career and the countrys political history. PM Modi paid tribute to Advanis leadership, political acumen and commitment to public life, acknowledging his place in the evolution of the BJP and Indian politics.

Defence Minister celebrates Diwali with soldiers in forward areas of Sikkim

New Delhi, Nov 8:Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday celebrated Diwali with soldiers of the Trishakti Corps (33 Corps) deployed in the forward areas of Sikkim, praising their dedication and vigilance in safeguarding the country's borders under challenging high-altitude conditions. Accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen VMB Krishnan and General Officer Commanding, 33 Corps, Lt Gen Man Raj Singh Mann, the Defence Minister interacted with troops at Sherathang on November 8. Describing the soldiers as the brightest lights of Diwali, Rajnath Singh said their commitment to duty at the borders gave the entire nation a sense of security.Like a lamp which dispels darkness without seeking attention, soldiers perform their duties silently, ensuring that citizens can celebrate festivals with peace and security, he said. The Defence Minister commended the troops for their professionalism, high morale and commitment to protecting the country's borders. He also acknowledged the sacrifices of soldiers who remain away from their families during festivals, placing national duty above personal celebrations.Emphasising the importance of discipline and courage, he said that even the most advanced technology would be of little use if a soldier lacked these qualities. He also stressed that the conduct, uniform, language and restraint of Army personnel shaped the image of the military among local communities. He urged the soldiers to strengthen the bond of trust and goodwill between the Army and people in Sherathang and surrounding areas. During the visit, Rajnath Singh paid homage to soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the nation at the Sherathang War Memorial. He also visited the Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial and paid respects to the revered soldier.Highlighting the importance of war memorials, he said they did more than commemorate past sacrifices as they helped shape collective memory and strengthen national consciousness and pride. He pointed out that the soldiers remembered at the Sherathang memorial belonged to different parts of the country, including Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Assam, but had made the supreme sacrifice to protect people irrespective of their region, language or community.This spirit of unity and selfless service is the very soul and ethos of India, where every citizen considers fellow Indians as members of one family, he said. The Defence Minister also referred to the National War Memorial in New Delhi, established by the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honour soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice. He said approximately 26,000 names of fallen soldiers had been inscribed in golden letters at the memorial, adding that these names evoked a deep sense of pride among their families and people from their native villages and regions. He said such memorials served as a source of inspiration for present and future generations.

SMVDU holds 5-day training programme on energy efficiency, renewable energy

Katra, Nov 8: The School of Electrical Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), organised a five-day Short-Term Training Programme (STTP) on Building Energy Efficiency, Power Electronics, Renewable Energy and Electric Mobility. The offline programme aimed at enhancing technical knowledge and professional competencies, besides providing practical exposure to emerging technologies in electrical engineering and sustainable energy systems. The first two days of the programme featured industrial visits to Electricfield Company and Sudhir Gen Set in Jammu, where participants gained exposure to industrial practices, electrical technologies, generator-set operations and power generation systems. The technical sessions were delivered by Dr Pankaj Kumar, Assistant Professor, NIT Srinagar, and Prof Sachin Shelar, Head, Power Quality Cell, AISSMS Institute of Technology, Pune. The lectures covered emerging developments in electrical engineering, power quality and modern energy technologies. Dr Kumud Ranjan Jha, Head, School of Electrical Engineering and Dean, Faculty of Engineering, SMVDU, extended support and encouragement for the programme. Vice-Chancellor Prof Pragati Kumar appreciated the initiative and congratulated the organising team for promoting technical learning and professional development. Faculty members, staff and students of the School of Electrical Engineering participated in the programme, which provided a platform for interaction and exchange of knowledge on emerging technological applications in teaching, research and industry. The programme was coordinated by Dr Jatinkumar Soni and Dr Prabhu Omer. Mr Shubham Chib was the Co-coordinator, while Mr Akash Deep served as Organising Secretary. The university said the initiative reaffirmed its commitment to technical education, industry-academia collaboration and capacity building in electrical engineering, renewable energy and sustainable mobility.

J&K Bank extends salary banking perks to Encash Automotive staff

Srinagar, Nov 8: J&K Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Encash Automotive Pvt. Ltd. to extend banking benefits to 195 employees under its Corporate Salary Package (CSP), further strengthening their longstanding institutional relationship. The MoU was signed by Zonal Head (Srinagar) Sheikh Mohammad Muzaffar and CEO Encash Automotive Pvt. Ltd. Maham Rouf in the presence of General Manager & Divisional Head (Kashmir) Arshad Qadri, Cluster Head Syed Tasaduq Madni, Branch Head (Hyderpora) Manzoor Ahmad and other senior officials from both organisations. Speaking on the occasion, General Manager & Divisional Head (Kashmir) Arshad Qadri said, Our institutional partnerships gain greater meaning when their benefits reach employees and their families. Through this arrangement, we aim to make banking more convenient and rewarding for our institutional clients, combining preferential financial benefits with personalised service. This association will extend the benefits of our Corporate Salary Package to 195 employees of the company, while further deepening our partnership with one of the regions prominent business organisations, said Zonal Head on the occasion. Under the MoU, eligible employees can avail customised salary accounts, preferential loan rates, waivers and concessions on specified banking charges, overdraft facilities and insurance benefits, subject to applicable terms and conditions. Digital onboarding, dedicated relationship support and family banking benefits further enhance the package. Cluster Head Syed Tasaduq Madni explained the packages features and the process for availing its benefits.

J&K Draft Mountain Policy proposes new authority, law to act against violations

Srinagar, Nov 8:The draft Jammu and Kashmir Sustainable Mountain Development Policy 2026 proposes a dedicated authority empowered to inspect construction sites, impose fines, seal structures, and order restoration of damaged areas, along with a separate law to regulate development in the Union Territory's ecologically fragile mountain regions. The draft policy, dated October 12, proposes the creation of a J&K Mountain Development Council, headed by the Chief Minister, and a Mountain Development Authority to oversee implementation, coordinate government departments and enforce mountain-specific regulations. Emphasising the need for statutory backing, the document states: A policy without legal teeth becomes a document on a shelf. It further declares: This Policy shall move to law within one year. The proposed J&K Sustainable Mountain Development Act is envisaged within 12 months of the policy's approval. It would provide the legal framework for the proposed Authority, mountain sensitivity zones, Mountain Green Cess, Mountain Impact and Risk Screen, a dedicated fund and penalties for violations. Under the proposed governance structure, the Mountain Development Council would provide policy direction and resolve inter-departmental differences, while the Mountain Development Authority would function as the executive arm, translating policy decisions into regulations, permits and monitoring mechanisms. The Authority would also be responsible for notifying mountain sensitivity zones, determining carrying-capacity limits and implementing the proposed Mountain Building Code. A key provision of the draft is the establishment of a dedicated enforcement wing within the proposed Authority. The document proposes that the wing be vested with powers to inspect, fine, seal and order restoration. It envisages graded penalties, with higher fines for repeat violations, while the cost of restoring environmentally damaged areas would be recovered from those responsible. The draft also proposes satellite and drone-based monitoring of construction, road cutting, muck dumping and encroachments in Zones A and B. A public complaint application has also been proposed to enable citizens to report violations through photographs, with time-bound action on complaints. Seeking accountability within the government machinery, the policy states that officials granting permissions in violation of its provisions should face disciplinary action. The proposed enforcement mechanism is intended to strengthen surveillance and action against unauthorised construction, indiscriminate road cutting, dumping of excavated material and encroachments in ecologically sensitive mountain areas. The draft seeks to bring different government departments under a common implementation framework while allowing them to retain their respective responsibilities. The Policy shall set the direction; the concerned Departments shall define the rules, standards, targets and pathways for delivery, in consultation with each other and the designated Mountain Knowledge Centres, the document states. It proposes that each department prepare detailed guidelines and action plans within six months of the policy's notification. These plans would identify the activities requiring regulation, implementation responsibilities, targets, timelines and monitoring mechanisms. The departmental plans would be reviewed by the proposed J&K Mountain Development Authority under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. The Tourism Department has been assigned responsibilities relating to visitor limits, the proposed J&K Mountain Pass, cess collection and regulation of adventure tourism. The Housing and Urban Development Department would be responsible for the proposed Mountain Building Code, hill-town master plans and hotel audits. The Public Works Department would oversee mountain infrastructure standards, including muck disposal and drainage compliance, while the Jal Shakti Department would handle water-resource protection, preparation of a proposed Spring Atlas and sewage treatment. The draft also assigns responsibilities to the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, Disaster Management Department, Transport Department, Rural Development Department and other agencies. The policy proposes a non-lapsable J&K Mountain Green Fund to finance conservation, ecological restoration and other activities under the proposed framework. The fund is envisaged to receive money through the proposed green cess, trekking and expedition fees, penalties, contributions from government departments and Shrine Boards, corporate social responsibility initiatives and climate-related funding. A key provision states that cess collected at a particular destination should be spent at that destination and cannot be diverted elsewhere. The document also proposes publication of site-wise accounts on a public dashboard and annual audits to ensure transparency in the utilisation of funds. The proposed Authority would place an annual report on the condition of J&K's mountains before the Legislative Assembly. The report would cover targets, regulatory compliance, cess collections and expenditure, and disaster-related outcomes. The draft proposes establishing a J&K Mountain Knowledge Centre at the Faculty of Forestry and Environment, SKUAST-Kashmir. The proposed centre would undertake carrying-capacity studies, prepare mountain sensitivity maps and monitor glaciers, springs, biodiversity and land-use changes. It is envisaged as a technical and scientific support institution for evidence-based policymaking and implementation of the proposed mountain regulations. The Draft Jammu and Kashmir Sustainable Mountain Development Policy 2026 has been prepared by the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) in collaboration with the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI), New Delhi. Prof. Nazir A. Ganai, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir, is specifically named among the eight policy draft contributors listed in the document. The other contributors are Prof. A. H. Mughal, Dean, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, SKUAST-Kashmir; Dr. Rajan K. Kotru, Councillor, IMI and Lead Strategist, Redefined Sustainable Thinking; Prof. Akhlaq A. Wani, Head, Department of Natural Resource Management; Associate Professor Nazir A. Pala, Head, Department of Silviculture and Agro-forestry; Dr. Khursheed A. Dar, Professor of Sericulture; Dr. Aasif A. Gatoo, Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resource Management; and Dr. Amir Farooq, Assistant Professor, Department of Wildlife Sciences. The document separately acknowledges the support and guidance of Dr Ashish Chandra Verma, IAS, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Department of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare, Government of J&K, and Babila Rakwal, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, for their support under the Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Science Congress 2026. The draft was reviewed by institutions including the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Policy Research and International Studies, and SYSTEMIQ, London. The individual reviewers named in the document include Ashok Jain, former PCCF, Telangana; Brij Mohan Singh Rathore, former PCCF, Madhya Pradesh; and Dr. S. K. Panigrahi, Director General, Indian Institute of Sustainable Development.

Youths Body Found Under Suspicious Circumstances In Ganderbal

Ganderbal, Nov 09: Body of a 25-year-old youth was found lying at Waripora Damb in Safapora area of Ganderbal district late on Sunday night under suspicious circumstances. Officials said that the deceased has been identified as Uzair Ashraf Khan, son of Mohd Ashraf Khan, resident of Chewa Bandipora. Soon after receiving the information, a police party from Police Station Safapora reached the spot and took cognizance of the matter. The body has been taken for postmortem to District Hospital Ganderbal. Further proceedings have been initiated.(GNS)

Multi-car parking facilitynears completion in Shopian,2nd phase approved

Shopian, Nov 8:Traffic congestion in south Kashmirs Shopian town is expected to ease with the Municipal Council Shopian nearing completion of a multi-car parking facility, while the approval of its second phase has raised hopes of further improving parking infrastructure. The facility, being constructed at an allotted cost of around Rs 386.94 lakh, is expected to provide relief to commuters and residents who often face difficulties due to vehicles parked along roads in the town. Suhail Malik, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Municipal Council Shopian, said that around 95 per cent of the construction work had been completed. We hope it will be completed by the end of this month, Malik told Greater Kashmir . He also confirmed that the second phase of the parking project had been approved, paving the way for further expansion of parking facilities in the town. Residents, however, said that the growing number of vehicles and the limited availability of designated parking spaces continued to contribute to traffic congestion, particularly in busy commercial areas. Due to the lack of adequate parking spaces, people often park their cars on the roads, making the movement of traffic difficult, said Sajad Ahmad, a resident. He said that improperly parked vehicles frequently caused traffic jams, inconveniencing commuters, shopkeepers and pedestrians. Social activist Mitha Gatoo said that residents had already identified a site near Gole Chakri for the construction of an additional parking facility to address the towns growing needs. An old, single-storey building stands there and should be dismantled to make way for an underground parking facility, while a new building could be constructed above it, he said. Gatoo said that developing the proposed site could help make better use of the available space while providing additional parking capacity in a busy part of the town. Residents said that improving parking infrastructure had become increasingly important as the number of vehicles continued to rise, putting pressure on the towns limited road space. They stressed that the completion of the ongoing project, along with the development of additional parking facilities, could help reduce roadside parking and improve traffic movement. They also called for better traffic management and enforcement against improper parking to ensure that the new infrastructure delivers the intended benefits. The Municipal Councils ongoing project and the approval of the second phase are expected to add to Shopians parking infrastructure, although residents say further measures will be needed to address congestion across the town.

New car parking facility fails to resolve crisis of traffic mess in Bandipora

Bandipora, Nov 8:The commissioning of a much-awaited multi-crore car parking facility has done little to resolve the traffic mess in north Kashmirs Bandipora town, as the issue has reached crisis levels. The district headquarters remains choked by illegal street parking, unyielding footpath encroachments, unchecked street vendors and a chaotic web of self-designated auto-rickshaw stands. The daily gridlock has forced the administration to frequently route traffic through narrow alternate links. This desperate measure continues to result in life-threatening accidents rather than providing genuine relief. Meanwhile, the decades-old public demand for a dedicated bypass road to permanently decongest the town remains trapped in bureaucratic red tape, with multiple proposals effectively abandoned. Bandipora Traders Federation President Ali Mohammad Hajam expressed deep frustration over the towns lack of civic discipline, noting that the newly built parking facility is being actively ignored by the public and officials alike. The government built the car parking to facilitate the public, but people have parked their cars right outside it, Hajam said, following a recent meeting with the municipal council. Even the municipalitys own parking staff have their vehicles parked outside. If you are still going to park on the road outside the facility, what is the purpose of building it? However, several complaints suggest the parking fee is too high for daily commuters and shopkeepers to manage. Hajam also urged shopkeepers to stop displaying merchandise on pavements and criticised the failure to regulate street vendors, who routinely abandon their designated operating zones to occupy the jam-packed main roads by mid-afternoon. We made it clear to the municipality that under no circumstances should street vendors be allowed on the main roads, Hajam said. Footpaths are for people to walk. Under the Easements Act, you simply cannot illegally occupy a footpath. Unregulated auto-rickshaws have further compounded the bottleneck. While acknowledging their role in the local economy, Hajam noted that they operate without designated stops, often lining up directly outside storefronts and reducing the towns motorable space to a single, treacherous lane. Aijaz Ahmad, Executive Officer of the Municipal Council Bandipora, acknowledged the systemic indiscipline and pledged immediate corrective action alongside local law enforcement. Regarding the street vendors, we will launch a dedicated joint drive with the police to bring them back on track with proper discipline, Ahmad said. The Executive Officer also promised a severe crackdown on roadside parking. While the parking facility is not completely empty, we will conduct a joint drive with the traffic police to end this wrong parking, Ahmad said. We are also creating a dedicated roster for our own municipal staff so they remain on duty until late evening to manage the area. However, residents argue that cosmetic vendor removal and haphazard parking enforcement mask a much deeper infrastructural failure. For decades, successive governments promised to construct a bypass road to circumvent the suffocating main market. In 2020, the then chairman of the Municipal Council Bandipora formally submitted a Rs 23 crore Detailed Project Report for the Kaloosa-Nebrepora stretch to the Urban Local Bodies and the Roads and Buildings departments. However, the project never received administrative approval. More recently, the bypass issue surfaced in the Legislative Assembly. Responding to a query by Bandipora MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat on the need to decongest the town, the Jammu and Kashmir government officially admitted that urban expansion and frequent traffic congestion necessitate such a project. The government disclosed that a preliminary survey has been conducted for a 7.00 km bypass road from Potushay Junction to Nussu Junction. According to the governments official written reply, this preliminary assessment found the project would require the acquisition of approximately 296 kanals of land. Despite acknowledging the critical necessity and completing the survey, the government effectively shelved the project in the same breath. The official reply explicitly stated that the project shall only be considered after ascertaining the availability of resources. With the 2020 proposal ignored and the newly surveyed 7-kilometre bypass relegated to a waitlist for funds, the Rs 3.5 crore parking facility remains Bandiporas only traffic intervention. Residents warn that without serious, long-term infrastructural investment, the towns roads will remain a daily hazard.

US midterm results may give India trade leverage, but tariff and AI risks remain

The US midterm results may give India some room in trade negotiations by increasing congressional scrutiny of executive action, but they do not remove tariff risks or alter Washington's strategic priorities. AI investment is also unlikely to retreat, with capital expected to remain within the US rather than shift significantly to emerging markets.

Acute staff shortage in Boys High School Wader

Kupwara, Nov 8:Residents of Wader and adjoining villages in the Rajwar area of Handwara have urged the authorities to upgrade Government Boys High School Wader to Higher Secondary level, saying students are forced to travel nearly 10 kilometres to reach Higher Secondary School Zachaldara after passing their Class 10 examinations. The residents said the school was established in 1940 as a primary institution and was upgraded to middle level in 1985 and subsequently to high school in 1988. However, despite serving the educational needs of several villages for decades, it is yet to be upgraded to Higher Secondary level. Students from dozens of villages including Wader Payeen, Nagni, Wader Balla, Bowan, Niechama and Watsar depend on this institution for their education and upgrading it would enable our children to continue their studies closer to home and save them from the hardships of travelling long distances, Mohammad Amin Sood told Greater Kashmir . Residents are also anguished about the shortage of teaching staff. According to available details, 250 students are enrolled in the school, while only four teachers are presently posted here. Although two additional teachers have been deployed to the institution for the current academic session, that doesn't suffice the need and students continue to suffer. Of the three Master Grade posts, all are lying vacant, while three posts of teachers are yet to be filled. Three teachers drawing their salaries from the school are posted elsewhere, further affecting the smooth functioning of the school. Most people in Wader and adjoining villages belong to the labour class and cannot afford daily bus or Sumo fares for their children to travel to Zachaldara for higher secondary education. The absence of a nearby Higher Secondary School, coupled with financial constraints, has made it difficult for our children to continue their education after passing Class 10, said Ali Mohammad Sood, another local of the area. The residents said that, as per reports, five high schools in each district are proposed to be upgraded and urged the authorities to consider Boys High School Wader under the proposed initiative. They have appealed to MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone to personally intervene in the matter and take up the issue with the concerned authorities to ensure the upgradation of the school and address the shortage of teaching staff, enabling students from Wader and adjoining villages to pursue higher education without facing unnecessary hardships. Reacting to the concern, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Kupwara Manzoor Ahmad said that he would certainly look into the staff shortage issue, but regarding upgradation, he said that the same happens to be the prerogative of higher authorities.

People in Budkoot demand playground, seek utilisationof unused HPMC land

Kupwara, Nov 8:Residents of Budkoot village in Handwara have urged the concerned authorities to develop a proper playground in the village, saying that children and local youth do not have a dedicated facility for sports and recreational activities. Locals said that although a circular was earlier issued according to which a playground was to be developed in each panchayat, this has not been done in Budkoot. The unused Horticulture Produce Marketing Corporation (HPMC) land near Madras Qadimul Uloom Budkoot has remained vacant for nearly three decades and could be put to productive use by developing it into a playground. The children of our village dont have a proper playground. The vacant HPMC land near the school can serve a great purpose if developed as a sports ground, a local youth, Mohammad Shafi, told Greater Kashmir . We appeal to the concerned authorities, and particularly MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone, to intervene and address this long-pending demand. Our children and youth in the village lack adequate space for sports and recreational activities, said Arif Wani, another youth of the village. Locals hoped that the concerned authorities would take up the matter on priority and utilise the vacant HPMC land for developing a playground. The initiative can provide local youth with much-needed sports and recreational facilities, they added.

Winter isolation ahead, yet remotest areas without maternity facilities in Kupwara

Kupwara, Nov 8:Residents of several snowbound areas in north Kashmirs Kupwara district face immense hardships due to the absence of gynaecologists and obstetricians at local health centres. This leaves pregnant women particularly vulnerable during the harsh winter months, when these areas often remain cut off from the district headquarters. The affected areas include Keran, Machil, Budnamal, Kumkadi, Jumagund, Moori and several other remote villages along the Line of Control (LoC). Residents have repeatedly demanded the deployment of gynaecologists at local health facilities, stating that the absence of specialised medical care poses serious challenges, particularly during pregnancy-related emergencies. Locals expressed resentment over years of official neglect, alleging that despite repeated representations, no concrete steps have been taken to address the shortage of specialist doctors in these remote areas. Several health centres in the snowbound areas also lack adequate infrastructure and medical facilities, adding to the woes of people, they added. In Machil, residents said that although a Primary Health Centre was established in the area, it was insufficient to cater to the healthcare needs of the local population due to the limited availability of doctors. Whenever we approach the concerned authorities for posting a gynaecologist at PHC Dudi, we are told that there is no sanctioned post of a gynaecologist at the facility, former Sarpanch Habibullah told Greater Kashmir . Residents of Keran voiced similar concerns, saying pregnant women were compelled to face considerable difficulties due to the absence of specialised medical services. We have been demanding the posting of a gynaecologist at the New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) for several years, but our demand has remained unaddressed, Ferhad, a local youth, said. The situation becomes particularly difficult during winter, when heavy snowfall cuts off the area from the rest of the district. Whenever a medical emergency arises during winter, we are forced to carry patients on makeshift stretchers for several kilometres on foot before reaching vehicles near Ferkin Top. From there, patients are taken further for treatment, he said. Mumtaz, another local of the area, said that several pregnant women who developed labour complications during the previous winter had to be airlifted to Kupwara by the district administration. While we appreciate the administrations efforts in airlifting patients during emergencies, we need a permanent solution rather than depending on emergency evacuations every winter, he added. The residents have urged the Health Department to immediately address the shortage of specialist doctors, suggesting that gynaecologists could be deputed to these areas on a rotational basis for a few days every week. They said even a limited weekly deployment of specialist doctors would provide considerable relief to pregnant women and their families and help prevent avoidable hardships during the winter months. Meanwhile, a senior Health Department official at Kupwara acknowledged the difficulties faced by residents but said there were no sanctioned posts of gynaecologists in these snowbound areas. The snowbound areas, including Keran, Machil, Budnamal, Kumkadi, Jumagund, Moori and others, do not have designated posts for gynaecologists. Therefore, we cannot post specialist doctors there. However, with the onset of winter, we issue advisories asking pregnant women to shift to safer and accessible areas in the plains to avoid any eventuality, the official told Greater Kashmir .

JKSA urges LG to intervene, seek age relaxation in J&K Bank recruitment

Srinagar, Nov 8:The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Sunday has expressed serious concern over the upper age limit prescribed in the Jammu and Kashmir Banks latest recruitment notification for Probationary Officers (PO) and Banking Associates, urging Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene and take up the matter with the J&K Bank management and other competent authorities in the larger interest of Jammu and Kashmirs educated unemployed youth. National Spokesperson of Association Dr Zubair Reshi, as per a statement, said that while the announcement of fresh recruitment after a prolonged gap of nearly six years is a welcome development, restricting the upper age limit to 30 years has left thousands of otherwise eligible and deserving aspirants disappointed and effectively excluded from an opportunity they have waited years to pursue. He said that the recruitment process must take into account the extraordinary delay in announcing vacancies and the ground realities confronting educated youth in Jammu and Kashmir.

Beautification, civic development works gather pace in Sopore

Sopore, Nov 8:The beautification and developmental activities in Sopore town are gaining momentum, with several ongoing initiatives aimed at improving the town's overall appearance, strengthening civic infrastructure and enhancing public amenities. The efforts have received appreciation from local residents, who have welcomed the initiatives being undertaken under the leadership of MLA Sopore, Irshad Rasool Kar. Residents have expressed satisfaction over the ongoing development and beautification works, describing them as a positive step towards giving Sopore a cleaner, more attractive and well-organised urban appearance. They said that improving the town's infrastructure and public spaces is essential for a growing commercial centre like Sopore, which caters to a large population from different areas of north Kashmir.

25% reservation for locals in private universities a welcome move: Chowdhary Ramzan

Srinagar, Nov 8:The J&K National Conference Additional General Secretary and MP Choudry Mohammad Ramzan Sunday said the 25 percent reservation in employment and admissions for private universities to be established in Jammu and Kashmir is highly welcome and a commendable initiative. He said NC's core agenda is the all-round development of Jammu and Kashmir, a brighter future, public welfare, prosperity and economic well-being, while the present government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is working towards these goals with dedication and commitment. Chaudhary Muhammad Ramzan, as per a party statement, said this while interacting with public delegations, party leaders, office-bearers and workers from different areas at the party headquarters. He urged party members and workers to strengthen the organisation and maintain close contact with the people to highlight their problems, difficulties and demands at every level and use their influence to ensure their redressal. He said that, in accordance with the directions of party President Dr Farooq Abdullah, National Conference Members of Parliament are consistently raising issues concerning the restoration of people's rights, restoration of statehood, developmental needs and public grievances in the country's highest legislative forum. He maintained that the National Conference government was focused on practical work rather than political theatrics and empty rhetoric, adding that significant progress had been made in improving various sectors over the past two years. He further said that the establishment of private universities would enable students to access quality education within their own region, reducing the need to travel to other states for higher studies. He also congratulated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Education Minister Shamima Firdous for taking what he described as an important and transformative decision. Expressing hope that reputed universities from across the country and abroad would establish their campuses in Jammu and Kashmir, he said this would further strengthen the region's educational infrastructure. The interaction was also attended by party spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, Provincial Secretary Syed Tauqeer Ahmad, Women's Wing Provincial President Er Sabiya Qadri, Srinagar District President Peer Afaq Ahmad, Minority Cell Convenor Jagdish Singh Azad, Dr Muhammad Saeed Makhdoomi, Ghulam Nabi Wani Telbali and other party functionaries.

VaishnaviAdkar-RutujaBhosale become first all-Indian pair to reach WTA Tour doubles final

Chennai, Nov 8: India's Vaishnavi Adkar and Rutuja Bhosale created history by becoming the first all-Indian pair to reach a WTA Tour-level doubles final, beating second seeds Weronika Falkowska of Poland and Alana Smith of the USA in a thrilling semifinal at the Chennai Open here Saturday. The Indian duo recovered from a mid-match slump to prevail 6-2 2-6 10-8, keeping their composure in the deciding super tie-break after the Polish-American combination had threatened to snatch the contest away. The achievement is significant for Indian women's tennis, with no all-Indian combination having previously reached a final at the main WTA Tour level. ShikhaUberoi and her sister Neha had reached the finals of the 2005 Sunfeast Open and Guangzhou Open, but Neha represented the USA, making them an Indo-American combination. Former India player Sania Mirza won 43 doubles titles during her illustrious career but never partnered an Indian in those triumphs. Ankita Raina and Karman Thandi won a WTA 125 doubles title in 2018, a level below the main Tour, while PrarthnaThombare reached three WTA 125 finals with Dutch partner Arianne Hartono. Adkar and Bhosale will take on Swiss pair of Naima Karamoko and Simona Waltert, who defeated Isabelle Haverlag of the Netherlands and Hungary's Panna Udvardy 6-4 6-4. Meanwhile, top seed and defending champion Janice Tjen defeated American Robin Montgomery 6-3 6-4 in the singles semi-finals. In the other last-four clash, third seed Magda Linette of Poland fought back from a set down to beat seventh seed Anastasia Zakharova of Russia 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. Adkar and Bhosale looked in complete control in the opening set, capitalising on the errors of their opponents to take a commanding 4-1 lead. The Indians made the first breakthrough in the third game after Adkar attacked Smith's second serve with a fierce return that Falkowska failed to put back into play. Bhosale then consolidated the advantage with a comfortable hold. A forehand error from Falkowska presented the home pair with another break opportunity, which Bhosale converted with a powerful forehand return to establish a double-break cushion. The second seeds struggled to find their rhythm as the Indians wrapped up the opening set without much resistance. The momentum, however, shifted in the second set. The Indians missed opportunities to break Smith and Falkowska in the third and fifth games, allowing their opponents to grow in confidence. Adkar endured a disastrous sixth game, dropping her serve at love after committing two consecutive double faults. The Indians also struggled to finish points at the net as the Polish-American pair tightened their grip on the contest. Adkar, who had also needed medical attention during her singles second-round match, received a medical timeout for treatment to her strapped left thigh. Bhosale subsequently came under pressure on serve, and the second seeds converted their first of three break points to level the match at one set apiece. In the deciding super tie-break, Falkowska and Smith raced to a 3-0 lead, but the Indians fought back to remain in contention. Bhosale produced a fine point but followed it with a double fault as the Indians slipped to 6-8. She then found a forehand winner, passing Smith to reduce the deficit. Adkar produced a winning volley to earn match point before sealing the historic victory with a superb forehand down the line, sparking celebrations for the home pair.

Police, civil departments book 42 traders during Diwali market inspections in Ramban

Ramban, Nov 8:Police, in coordination with the Revenue, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) and Municipal Departments, conducted joint market inspection drives across several areas of Ramban district on the occasion of Diwali to prevent overcharging, curb irregularities and ensure strict compliance with government regulations. The inspection drives were carried out in Ramban, Batote, Banihal, Gool, Khari, Sangaldan, Dharamkund, Makerkote and Ramsoo, during which officials checked shops and commercial establishments for violations of prescribed norms. During the inspections, action was taken against traders and shopkeepers found using domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes, maintaining unhygienic conditions, failing to display prescribed rate lists and using prohibited polythene. Officials said that a total of 42 violators were booked in Dharamkund, Sangaldan and Banihal, while further enforcement action was also taken in Gool, Ramsoo and Khari. Fines amounting to Rs 20,000 were imposed and recovered from the violators. Meanwhile, in Batote, firecracker stalls at Sarfraz Chowk were jointly inspected by the authorities along with the Naib Tehsildar to ensure adherence to prescribed safety norms and regulations governing the sale of firecrackers. Ramban Police appealed to traders and shopkeepers to strictly follow government guidelines, maintain proper hygiene, display rate lists prominently, avoid the misuse of domestic LPG cylinders and refrain from using prohibited polythene.

Enough of COP Jamborees

Falling solar and battery costs have made renewable energy commercially competitive with coal in India. As COP31 begins in Turkiye, the focus should shift to accelerating electrification of transport, promoting agrivoltaics, investing in transmission and grid stability, and ensuring reliable payments by discoms to sustain the country's green transition.

ARCO FC, ALMUQEET FC register wins in Srinagar Premier Division League

Srinagar, Nov 8:In an exciting day of football action in the MY YOUTH MY PRIDE SRINAGAR PREMIER DIVISION FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2026-27, ARCO FC and ALMUQEET FC registered emphatic victories in their respective matches at TRC ground on Sunday. As per a DFA statement, in the first match, ARCO FC delivered an outstanding performance, defeating Star Kashmir FC by a convincing scoreline of 7-2. ARCO FC dominated proceedings and showcased their attacking strength to secure all three points. In the second encounter, ALMUQEET FC continued the goal-scoring action, producing an impressive display to defeat SCFA by 7-1. ALMUQEET FC controlled the match and secured a comprehensive victory. Both results highlighted the attacking quality and competitive spirit of the Srinagar Premier Division, as teams continue their campaign in the ongoing league.

MP, political parties seek deferment of LAHDC elections in Ladakh

Srinagar, Nov 8:Representatives of major political parties in Kargil have sought the deferment of the forthcoming Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections. Addressing a press conference, leaders voiced deep concerns over the administrative timing, harsh weather conditions approaching the high-altitude region, and unresolved structural issues stemming from recent district reorganizations. Party leaders highlighted that holding elections late in the year poses severe logistical constraints. Heavy snowfall in mountain passes such as Zoji La frequently cuts off Kargil from surrounding regions, disrupting transit, election machinery deployment, and voter turnout in remote valleys. Following administrative restructuring across the Union Territory of Ladakhincluding the notification of new districts and redrawn constituency boundariesrepresentatives argued that the political ecosystem requires adequate time to settle. Conducting polls without finalising electoral rolls and boundary demarcations, they alleged, undermines proper local democratic representation. Speaking on behalf of the united leadership, prominent representatives warned that pushing forward with elections amidst mounting regional dissatisfaction and logistical hurdles could disenfranchise thousands of voters in high-altitude belts. Conducting elections without resolving core delimitation concerns and ensuring accessible weather conditions for our electorate risks compromising the democratic integrity of the Autonomous Hill Council. The combined leadership urged the Election Department and the Lieutenant Governors administration to defer the election schedule until spring, allowing sufficient time for dialogue, fair boundary resolution, and favorable weather conditions. Meanwhile, Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Mohammad Haneefa Jan, has urged Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to reconsider and defer the proposed LAHDC elections, citing harsh winter conditions, seasonal migration and the need for a comprehensive revision of electoral rolls. In a representation dated November 7, 2026, Haneefa highlighted the challenges faced by residents, particularly in remote areas of Kargil and Leh, where heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures and road closures could make it difficult for voters to reach polling stations. He also pointed out that thousands of residents, including senior citizens, traders and businesspersons, migrate to warmer regions during winter, while many students remain outside Ladakh for higher education and competitive examination preparations. The MP expressed concern that holding elections during this period could affect the participation of eligible voters and urged the administration to provide sufficient time for a transparent revision of electoral rolls.

Stray dogs on prowl at Syed Hamidpora

Srinagar, Nov 8: The residents of Syed Hamidpora Nawab Bazar locality in Downtown here have expressed concern over the presence of stray dogs in the area. A delegation from the said that stray dogs chase pedestrians posing risk of injuries to them. They said due to the presence of stray dogs, they face problems in venturing out during evening hours. Students also are afraid to move through lanes which are dotted with scores of stray dogs, locals said. We make a fervent appeal to SMC authorities to look into the matter and direct the concerned to take measures for checking stray dog menace, they said.

Overloading, exorbitant fare pester e-rickshaw passengers

Srinagar, Nov 8: Commuters have expressed concern over charging of exorbitant fare and overloading in e-rickshaws and sought measures to regulate the transport service. The capacity of these e-rickshaws is limited, but many times we see extra passengers being adjusted inside. Some are even made to sit next to the driver. This affects balance and increases the chances of accidents, especially on busy roads, said Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar. Passengers said the problem becomes more serious on stretches where roads have potholes, damaged surfaces and uneven manholes. Residents of several peripheral areas, particularly in Hazratbal outskirts, said there is a need to streamline e-rickshaw services in places where public transport connectivity remains limited. Many areas on the outskirts require better last-mile connectivity. E-rickshaws can play a major role there if their routes are properly planned and regulated, said Abdul Wahab a local resident, Chatarahama Hazratbal. Apart from safety issues, passengers have also raised concerns over the absence of a fixed fare system. They said unlike conventional public transport, there is no clear mechanism for determining charges, leading to variations in fares. Commuters said after petrol-run auto-rickshaws were gradually replaced by battery-operated vehicles, no proper fare regulation or display system was introduced. Earlier also there was no proper meter system in many petrol autos, but now the issue has become more visible because e-rickshaws and other battery-operated autos have become the main mode of short-distance travel. The fare often depends on the driver, rush hours and passenger demand, said Mohammad Yousuf, an office-goer. Another commuter said battery autos charging Rs 20 to Rs 30 for short distances also need a proper fare structure. There should be a route-wise fare list displayed clearly so passengers know what they have to pay. No one should be charged according to the drivers choice, he said. Residents also raised concerns over reports of minors operating such vehicles, calling for strict action against violations. Earlier Traffic Police officials said enforcement drives against overloading, documentation issues and underage driving are being carried out across Srinagar. Our objective is not to discourage e-rickshaws as they have improved connectivity, but to ensure that these vehicles operate within rules and passenger safety remains the priority, an official said.

Healthcare needs stronger partnerships between hospitals and insurers

Aditya Birla Health Insurance CEO and Manipal Hospitals MD-CEO argue that India's healthcare system must move beyond transactional relationships between hospitals and insurers towards patient-centric partnerships. They call for greater clinical coordination, digital integration, transparency and preventive care, with success measured by better health outcomes rather than individual claims or procedures.

Police register FIR over threatening, brandishing of official weapon at Saderbal

Srinagar, Nov 8: Srinagar Police have registered a case following a complaint alleging intimidation and threats involving the brandishing of an official service weapon at Saderbal area of Hazratbal in Srinagar. According to Srinagar Police, the complaint was filed by Hilal Ahmad Mir, son of Mohammad Sultan Mir, a resident of Saderbal, against Junaid Ahmad Band, son of Mohammad Yousuf Band, whose father is a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP). The complainant has alleged that he was intimidated and threatened by the accused, who allegedly brandished the service weapon belonging to a Police Security Officer (PSO) deployed with the retired police officer. Taking cognizance of the complaint, police registered FIR No. 123/2026 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Nigeen and initiated an investigation into the matter. Srinagar Police said the alleged accused has been taken into custody, while the circumstances surrounding the incident are being thoroughly examined. The investigation will also establish the circumstances under which the official weapon was allegedly brandished and examine the role of the concerned PSO deployed with the retired police officer. In a statement shared on its official social media handle, Srinagar Police said the matter was under active investigation and that appropriate legal action would be taken based on facts and evidence established during the probe. Police also urged the public and media fraternity to refrain from speculation and avoid spreading misinformation while the investigation is underway. The case has brought the alleged misuse of an official weapon deployed for security duties under scrutiny, with police examining the circumstances and responsibility of those involved. The allegations are yet to be established through investigation.

NH-44 remains open for 2-way traffic

Ramban, Nov 8:The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained open for two-way traffic of light, medium and heavy vehicles on Sunday, although vehicular movement continued to be slow at several locations between Udhampur and Banihal due to ongoing road construction, widening work and other traffic-related constraints. The uneven road surface at Dewal in Udhampur district and the narrow, single-lane stretch between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather in Ramban district continued to remain major bottlenecks, affecting the smooth movement of vehicles along the highway. According to traffic officials, hundreds of vehicles crossed the Chenani-Nashri and Banihal-Qazigund tunnels during the day. However, traffic movement remained sluggish at several locations due to narrow carriageways, ongoing construction activities, uneven road surfaces and occasional vehicle breakdowns. A 3040-metre stretch of uneven road at Dewal and the single-lane section between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather continued to pose challenges for commuters. Vehicle breakdowns between Nachlana and Ramsoo also contributed to traffic congestion. The movement of nomadic livestock herds along narrow stretches, particularly between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather, may further affect traffic flow. Commuters have been advised to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking. Meanwhile, in view of the ongoing highway widening work on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch, restrictions on the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will continue during daytime hours. As vehicles carrying inflammable materials are not permitted to pass through highway tunnels, Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will be allowed to proceed beyond Chenani only during the designated night window from 5 pm to 5 am. Their movement on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch will remain restricted from 7 am to 7 pm. Tanker operators have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly. Transporters carrying perishable goods and livestock have also been directed to ensure that vehicles are loaded strictly in accordance with the advisories issued by Traffic Police Headquarters.

Demolition of extended footpaths along MA Road raises questions over lack of planning

Srinagar, Nov 8: Demolition of footpaths and cycle tracks, constructed a few years ago, along Srinagar's busy MA Road has sparked criticism from commuters and urban planning experts, who say the latest exercise exposes serious flaws in the planning and execution of projects undertaken under the Srinagar Smart City. Over the past week, authorities have starting removing sections of footpaths and cycle track along the city's principal commercial corridor, one of the busiest roads which witnesses heavy traffic throughout the day, including frequent VIP movement. These are the same footpaths and cycle tracks which were constructed only a few years ago as part of the Smart City facelift. At that time, large portions of the carriageway were converted into wider pedestrian spaces and a dedicated cycling lane, a move that had triggered concerns among commuters who feared it would reduce road space and worsen congestion. With authorities now widening the same road by dismantling the recently built infrastructure, questions are being raised over whether the original project was properly planned. It looks as if there was no long-term vision. A few years ago they narrowed the road to make wider footpaths. Now they have realised traffic cannot be managed and the same structures are being demolished. Why wasn't this assessed before spending public money? said Mohammad Yousuf, a commuter from Rajbagh. Several residents said that crores of rupees were spent on projects that are now being reversed, describing it as a waste of taxpayers' money. Every few years we see the same thing. Roads are redesigned, then dug up again, and rebuilt. Who is accountable for these decisions? If proper traffic studies had been conducted, this situation would never have arisen, said a trader operating on MA Road. Many commuters also questioned the utility of the cycle track itself, saying it rarely served its intended purpose. The cycle lane was hardly used by cyclists. Most of the time it was occupied by parked two-wheelers, while in some places vendors selling snacks and other items had taken over the space. If the infrastructure was not being used as intended, why was there no enforcement or review? said Shabir Ahmad, another commuter. Residents said the latest demolition reflects a pattern witnessed at several locations across Srinagar, including Jahangir Chowk and other city junctions, where footpaths were widened under redevelopment projects before being altered again to address traffic bottlenecks. While people stressed that pedestrian-friendly infrastructure is essential for any modern city, they said such facilities must be based on scientific planning instead of repeated trial-and-error. We need proper footpaths because pedestrians deserve safe spaces. But planning should be practical. It cannot be that one year the road is narrowed and the next year it is widened again after spending huge amounts of money, said Nazir Ahmad, a resident. Urban planning experts have also cautioned against disconnected interventions. Senior town planner Hamid Wani said that urban infrastructure projects should be based on comprehensive planning, detailed traffic assessments and future mobility requirements so that they ease movement instead of creating fresh bottlenecks. The Smart City concept is about better planning, not repeated reconstruction. Public money should create durable infrastructure. These incidents raise questions about the assessment and planning and also points out to cosmetic solutions rather than well throughout plan, Wani said. As work continues on MA Road, commuters hope the latest changes will eventually improve traffic flow. However, many say the demolition has once again revived questions over planning, accountability and whether costly urban projects are being executed with adequate foresight. Chief Engineer, Srinagar Smart City, Qayoom Kirmani told Greater Kashmir that the decision to remove portions of footpaths was based on recommendations made by the Traffic authorities to improve traffic movement along the busy stretch near Sangarmal. The recommendations came to ensure smoother movement of traffic on this particular stretch. The work is being carried out by the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, and every effort is being made to ensure that commuters face minimal inconvenience during the execution of the project, he said.

Students complain of faculty shortage at Islamic Studies Department of BGSBU

Srinagar, Nov 8:Students of the Department of Islamic Studies at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), Rajouri, have expressed serious concern over the shortage of teaching faculty in the department, saying that the academic activities of the department are affected due to inadequate faculty strength. According to students, the Department is presently conducting Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctorate classes, but there is an acute shortage of teachers to cater to the academic requirements of the enrolled students. The students said the department currently has only one permanent faculty member, who manages the teaching requirements of the UG, PG and Ph.D. programmes. They said that managing the entire academic workload with such limited faculty has become increasingly difficult. The students further said they brought the issue of teacher shortage to the notice of the University authorities through various communications, requesting the appointment of at least three teachers in the Department of Islamic Studies. However, the students expressed concern that more than half of the ongoing semester has already passed, while the required teaching faculty has still not been provided to the department. They apprehended that the continued shortage could affect regular classroom teaching, timely completion of the prescribed syllabus and the overall academic interests of students. The students have urged the University Administration to take immediate steps to address the shortage and ensure adequate faculty strength in the Department of Islamic Studies. The students said the University must consider fast-track recruitment through Walk-in Interviews to meet the immediate requirement for teachers and ensure that students do not suffer academically because of the faculty shortage. The students hoped that the University authorities would treat the matter with urgency and take appropriate measures to strengthen the teaching faculty in the department at the earliest.

Beyond Artificial Intelligence

Recently, I attended a conference on Distance Education where Prof. Tariq Ahmad Chishti, Dean, School of Open Learning, University of Kashmir, made an important observation while addressing the gathering. Referring to the growing influence of Generative Artificial Intelligence and our obsession with it, he emphasised that Man is important, not method. This simple but meaningful observation deserves serious reflection, particularly at a time when artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming part of our educational and research systems. There is no denying that Generative Artificial Intelligence has opened new possibilities in education. It can help students understand difficult concepts, assist researchers in organising information, improve language, analyse data and make knowledge more accessible. For distance learners, especially those living in remote and geographically isolated areas, such tools can provide additional academic support. However, an important question arises: are we using these tools to improve our intellectual abilities, or are we gradually allowing them to think on our behalf? The concern becomes more serious when we look at the way some research scholars and students are using Generative AI while preparing their PhD assignments, research proposals, literature reviews and even research chapters. In several instances, the temptation is to generate pages of academic writing without properly understanding the subject matter. A scholar may ask an AI tool to prepare a literature review, explain a theory, formulate research objectives or interpret findings and then reproduce the generated material without carefully examining its meaning, accuracy or relevance. The real problem is not the use of artificial intelligence. The problem begins when its output is accepted without understanding. A research scholar who cannot explain the arguments presented in a chapter, justify the selection of a research tool or interpret the findings of a study is not demonstrating research competence merely by submitting a well-written document. Academic research is not about producing pages; it is about developing an understanding of a problem, asking meaningful questions and arriving at conclusions through independent investigation .Imagine a PhD scholar researching the relationship between social media addiction and academic performance. Instead of reading the relevant literature, understanding the variables and examining previous studies, the scholar asks an AI tool to generate a literature review. The result may appear impressive, with headings, references and academic language. But when asked why a particular theory has been selected or how the variables are related, the scholar may struggle to explain. Similarly, a student preparing an assignment on educational psychology may generate an entire answer on constructivism without understanding how learners construct knowledge through experience. Such practices may save time, but they do not necessarily develop knowledge. The same concern applies to data analysis. A researcher may upload statistical results and ask an AI tool to interpret correlation, regression or t-test findings. The generated explanation may sound convincing, but unless the researcher understands the statistical procedure, the assumptions involved and the meaning of the results, the interpretation remains intellectually borrowed. Research requires ownership of ideas, not merely the ability to obtain answers. This brings us to the philosophy of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, whose ideas remain remarkably relevant in the present technological age. For Iqbal, human beings are not passive recipients of information. They possess the capacity to think, question, create and transform their surroundings. His concept of Khudi, or selfhood, is particularly important in this context. Khudi is not simply an expression of individual identity; it represents the development of ones inner strength, confidence, intellectual independence and ability to take responsibility for ones actions. Iqbal wanted individuals to develop their own personalities rather than blindly follow others. His philosophy encourages people to discover their potential and develop the courage to think independently. If we examine the present educational environment through this perspective, we find an important contradiction. We have more information available than ever before, yet there is a possibility that our willingness to think independently is gradually declining. Iqbals philosophy reminds us that knowledge must become part of our personality. It should influence how we think, behave and respond to the challenges of life. Merely possessing information does not make a person knowledgeable. True education develops the ability to distinguish between what is correct and incorrect, what is meaningful and meaningless, and what is original and merely repeated. One of the greatest dangers of excessive dependence on Generative AI is the gradual weakening of intellectual effort. Creativity does not emerge automatically. It develops through reading, observation, questioning, experimentation, mistakes and continuous engagement with ideas. Mohammed Amin Andrabi and Nusrat Andrabi were enrolled for PhD programme under the supervision of Prof. Aal-e-Ahmad Suroor. They take us back to a time when academic research was guided by painstaking reading, personal supervision and a deep commitment to originality. They recalled that they would submit handwritten pages of their theses to their teacher Prof. Saroor at the Iqbal Institute, he would read them with in-depth. Corrections were made in green, red and blue ink. These were not merely grammatical or linguistic corrections; the teacher paid particular attention to the meaning, clarity, depth and understanding of what the researchers were attempting to communicate. He wanted every scholar to understand the argument being presented rather than simply reproduce information or use impressive language. This tradition of patient academic mentoring offers an important lesson for contemporary research culture. The culture of originality, intellectual ownership and critical engagement that these teachers practised deserves to be revisited. UNESCO, in its 2023 Guidance for Generative AI in Education and Research, also emphasises a human-centred approach. It draws attention to the possibility that excessive dependence on AI-generated information may weaken independent inquiry, creativity and the development of knowledge through direct experience. The central concern is that technology should strengthen human intellectual abilities rather than undermine them. The future of education, therefore, should be based on a partnership between human beings and technology, with human understanding remaining at the centre. Iqbals relevance in the age of artificial intelligence lies in his belief in human potential. His philosophy of Khudi encourages self-confidence, originality, courage and continuous intellectual development. His emphasis on action reminds us that knowledge must lead to meaningful engagement with the world. We should not be afraid of technological advancement. Every major technological development has changed the way human beings learn and communicate. The printing press transformed access to knowledge, the internet changed information sharing, and artificial intelligence has introduced new possibilities for learning and research. The challenge is to use these developments wisely. Our universities must therefore create an academic culture in which students and scholars are encouraged to use AI responsibly. They should be able to explain their arguments, defend their research decisions, verify sources and demonstrate an understanding of the work they submit. Assignments should encourage personal reflection, field observations, problem-solving and original analysis rather than merely reward lengthy answers. Research supervisors should focus not only on the written chapters but also on the researchers understanding of the subject. Ultimately, the purpose of education is not to make human beings dependent on increasingly sophisticated machines. It is to develop individuals who can use every available resource while retaining their intellectual independence, creativity and moral consciousness. Iqbals message is particularly meaningful at this moment in history. Artificial intelligence may generate answers, organise information and imitate human expression, but the responsibility to question, understand, evaluate and make ethical decisions must remain with human beings. The real danger is not that artificial intelligence may become more intelligent, but that human beings may gradually stop making efforts to become more thoughtful. In the final analysis, we must remember that technology should serve humanity, not define it. The success of artificial intelligence should not be measured merely by how much work it can perform on our behalf, but by how effectively it enables us to think, create and contribute to society. Perhaps this is where Iqbals philosophy becomes most relevant: the future belongs not to those who simply possess information or depend upon machines, but to those who develop the courage, creativity and consciousness to use knowledge meaningfully. Dr Showkat Rashid Wani, Senior Coordinator, Centre for Distance & Online Education, University of Kashmir

What schools must answer for

A school can satisfy many expectations without answering its most important question: what are children learning? It may have an impressive building, orderly records, a recognised affiliation, and strong examination publicity. It may also employ enough teachers to produce a favourable staffing ratio. Each feature tells us something, but none can independently establish the quality of education. My experience of schools has made me increasingly concerned about the ease with which institutional signals become educational conclusions. If accountability is to mean anything, it must connect the resources and promises of a school with childrens actual experience. A recent visit to a government school brought this concern into focus. The school offered classes up to Grade 10 and had 125 pupils and 26 teachers. At first glance, the numbers invite an immediate judgment. Such generous staffing might suggest exceptional provision or inefficient deployment, depending on the observers assumptions. Neither conclusion is justified by the ratio alone. We need to know which subjects teachers cover, how responsibilities are distributed, whether enrolment has changed, and what other duties occupy their time. The figures provide a starting point for inquiry; they cannot substitute for it. The same care is needed when considering what should change. Transferring teachers or merging schools may improve an administrative measure while creating difficulties for children. Distance, transport, age, and local circumstances influence whether a school remains accessible. Conversely, maintaining existing arrangements without examining their educational value can leave resources poorly used. Good planning must hold both concerns together. It should ask how staffing can support learning while preserving reasonable access. The relevant test is not whether a decision makes a chart look more efficient, but whether children receive a better and more dependable education afterwards. Private schools require an equally searching examination. Their public presentation may make quality appear easier to identify: English instruction, disciplined routines, modern facilities, and frequent assessments are readily visible. These features can support education, but they can also conceal weak teaching. A classroom organised around memorised answers may produce apparent progress while leaving understanding fragile. Parents need an honest account of that difference. Accountability should therefore reach beyond the claims made in admission materials and the results selected for publicity. It should examine how children learn, how teachers respond to difficulty, and whether progress is sustained. My working life with a leading education company operating internationally also shaped my view of institutional accountability. In some of the places where we worked, educational outcomes were central to judgments about performance. Commercial purpose existed alongside an expectation that educational commitments would produce demonstrable results. This experience does not establish that profit ensures quality or that commercial providers deserve greater trust. It does suggest that an institutions formal identity tells us less than we sometimes assume. The important questions concern how it behaves, what it delivers, and how convincingly it can account for both. That distinction matters when discussing schools described as charitable or operating without a profit motive. Such a designation expresses an intended purpose. It does not, by itself, demonstrate financial integrity, fair treatment of teachers, or educational effectiveness. Institutions can be influenced by service, conviction, reputation, financial interests, and personal ambition in varying combinations. Regulation must examine this complexity rather than assume that a category settles it. The same principle applies to commercial institutions: their claims must be tested rather than accepted because they promise efficiency. Every organisational form needs scrutiny proportionate to its responsibilities. Financial transparency is one part of that scrutiny. Families should be able to understand the charges they face, the services those charges support, and the reasons for significant increases. Oversight should be capable of examining whether institutional decisions serve educational purposes. Yet financial information alone cannot settle the question of quality. A school can present orderly accounts while providing inadequate instruction. Equally, resources may be constrained even where teachers work conscientiously. Money and learning therefore need to be examined together, with attention to the conditions in which staff teach and the support children actually receive. Defining learning carefully is essential. Examination scores matter because they influence progression and future opportunities, but they cannot carry the entire burden of accountability. Children should understand what they read, reason with numbers, ask questions, and explain their thinking. Their safety, inclusion, and confidence also matter. Schools need to recognise progress among pupils who require additional help, rather than concentrate attention only on those most likely to secure impressive results. An approach that rewards appearances or selected achievements can encourage institutions to neglect the very children whose experience most clearly tests their educational commitment. Teachers must have a voice in this process. Their knowledge of classroom difficulties can explain why a policy succeeds or fails in practice. Listening to them, while maintaining clear expectations, helps turn accountability into a way of improving education rather than merely recording shortcomings after they occur. Public accountability also depends on whose concerns receive attention. When influential families become less connected to government schools, the public system can lose advocates able to press for improvement. The response should not be to blame parents for seeking opportunities elsewhere. It should be to strengthen public institutions until confidence in them becomes reasonable. Reliable teaching, functioning facilities, responsive leadership, and clear communication - all contribute to that confidence. Families need to see that problems are acknowledged and addressed. Public education gains credibility through consistent experience, just as private education must justify the confidence its promises invite. Ultimately, an accountable school should be able to explain what it undertakes to provide, how it uses its resources, and what happens when children struggle. Regulators should support that responsibility through informed scrutiny and practical improvement, rather than treating paperwork as proof of performance. Public schools need resources and oversight; private schools need transparency and honest claims. Neither ownership nor institutional designation can answer for the quality of daily teaching. The standard should remain clear: children must receive an education that expands their capabilities, and institutions must demonstrate that they are fulfilling the trust placed in them. Dr. Farooq Wasil is a published author, educationist, Founding Director and CEO of Thinksite Services Private Limited and Director of BELA, Bharat Early Years Learning Alliance. With over four decades of experience in education managementspecializing in setting up, operating, and managing schoolshe also holds strategic advisory roles for several educational and business entities.

Rs 7.93 Cr tourism push to put Uri on Kashmirs tourist map

Baramulla, Nov 8:Long identified with its sensitive location along the Line of Control (LoC) and decades of cross-border tensions, Uri is seeking to reshape its identity by positioning its natural landscapes, spiritual heritage and adventure tourism potential as the centrepiece of a fresh development initiative. With administrative approval granted for Rs 7.93 crore for tourism infrastructure at five locations, the border town is set to receive a major push aimed at developing it as a distinct destination on Kashmirs tourism map. The project envisages the development of tourist facilities at Uri town, Bosiyan-Gingal, Mahura, Garkote and Bela Boniyar. The proposed infrastructure includes tourist huts, facilitation centres, riverfront and scenic parks, viewpoints, trekking paths and public conveniences, aimed at improving visitor facilities and encouraging tourists to explore the region. Beyond the proposed infrastructure, Uri offers a combination of natural, spiritual and historical attractions that could help it emerge as a tourism destination in north Kashmir. Surrounded by mountains and forests, with the Jhelum flowing through the region, the area offers diverse landscapes for visitors seeking destinations beyond Kashmirs established tourist circuits. Its location along the LoC also gives it a distinctive border tourism character. While Suchetgarh in Jammu has traditionally featured prominently in discussions around border tourism, Uri offers another dimension to the experience, combining its border identity with natural scenery and heritage attractions. The region also has considerable potential for religious and heritage tourism. Pando Mandir, Baba Qazinag and shrines associated with Baba Fareed and Baba Gafoor are among the spiritual destinations that could be developed into a dedicated pilgrimage circuit. The nearby Zehanpora Buddhist heritage site further adds to Uris historical and cultural appeal, offering visitors an opportunity to explore Kashmirs lesser-known Buddhist connections. Uris ecological wealth provides another dimension to its tourism potential. The region is home to rich biodiversity, including the rare markhor, and its mountain ranges, forest stretches and riverfront landscapes could attract visitors interested in nature-based tourism, trekking, photography and other outdoor activities. Connectivity is also expected to play an important role in opening up the region to visitors. The proposed Banali-Gulmarg road is expected to create additional travel opportunities, potentially allowing tourists visiting Gulmarg to include Uri in a wider north Kashmir itinerary. The existing Trade Facilitation Centre, which has already been converted into accommodation for visitors, could further support the initiative by enabling tourists to stay in the area rather than restrict their visits to brief excursions. MLA Uri Sajad Shafi described the tourism initiative as a potential turning point in the development of the border constituency, saying it would help unlock the areas largely untapped tourism potential. He said the project was only the beginning and that the government was committed to bringing lasting change to the region. People in Uri have endured years of hardship. The focus now must be on opening a new chapter in the areas development and taking it in a different direction, he said. For decades, Uri has largely remained in public consciousness because of its sensitive border location and periodic tensions along the LoC. The proposed tourism initiative seeks to broaden that identity by bringing its natural beauty, spiritual landmarks and cultural heritage into greater focus. The government expects the project to stimulate tourism-related economic activity, create livelihood opportunities for local residents and strengthen Uris presence on Kashmirs tourism map.

A healing touch that will live beyond his lifetime

Certain professions carry within them an extraordinary opportunity to remain alive in peoples memories long after ones physical departure. Physicians who relieve suffering, teachers who shape minds, engineers who build enduring structures and craftsmen who create objects of lasting beauty can all leave behind something more meaningful than material possessions. Their work continues to speak for them, and their contributions become part of the lives of generations. Yet, among these professions, medicine perhaps offers the most intimate opportunity to earn lasting gratitude, for a physician touches human life at its most vulnerable moments. Dr. Mir Nisar Ahmad was one such physician whose memory will endure not merely because of the ailments he treated, but because of the humanity with which he treated people. His sudden demise on Friday, November 6, 2026, following a cardiac arrest that morning, has left Alamgari Bazar and its surrounding localities in profound grief. He breathed his last around noon, barely a day after attending patients at his clinic on Thursday. Until the very end, he remained devoted to the profession through which he had served generations for more than four decades. Within a radius of at least five kilometres around Alamgari Bazar, Dr. Nisar was a household name. Many affectionately regarded him as the Dr. Ali Jan of Alamgari Bazar, a comparison carrying considerable significance for Kashmiris familiar with the legendary physician Dr. Ali Jan. He belonged to that earlier tradition of medical practitioners whose clinical judgment, experience and understanding of symptoms often preceded the extensive reliance on laboratory investigations and sophisticated diagnostic equipment that characterises contemporary medicine. Allah had blessed Dr. Nisar with remarkable diagnostic ability. His patients approached him with confidence and generally returned satisfied, reassured and relieved. His reputation grew through personal experience and word of mouth rather than publicity. For countless families, he was the first person to consult whenever illness struck. My association with Dr. Nisar dates back to my younger days. I cannot precisely recollect whether I was still in school or had entered college when he established his clinic, but it was certainly more than four decades ago. Our family lived at M. K. Chowk, barely a few hundred metres from his residence-cum-clinic, and remained among the many beneficiaries of his professional competence and personal affection. What particularly distinguished him was his extraordinary consideration for elderly patients. He would readily visit those unable to reach his clinic, often setting aside his own convenience. I vividly remember his frequent visits to our home to examine my mother or father. These were never merely professional consultations. He would patiently attend to their ailments, offer reassurance and invariably seek their blessings before leaving. In those simple gestures lay the essence of his character: humility, compassion and reverence for elders. Equally admirable was Dr. Nisars freedom from sectarian prejudice. Deeply devoted to his personal faith, he nevertheless embraced religious and social gatherings across different schools of thought with equal warmth and respect. He regularly attended the annual Meelad congregation of Hazrat Mirza Kamil Sahib (RA), where Persian devotional recitations particularly fascinated him. He readily participated in religious conferences and gatherings irrespective of their organisers affiliations and unfailingly visited bereaved families to share their grief. His inclusive outlook reflected Kashmirs cherished traditions of spiritual harmony, mutual respect and human affection. My relationship with Dr. Nisar extended considerably beyond that of a patient and physician. He was the son of the respected Professor Mir Mohammed Jaffer and belonged to a family with which I have enjoyed longstanding bonds of affection. His brothers, including Dr. Mir Manzoor Ahmad, Er. Mohammad Shafi and Er. Mir Javid Ahmad, Er. Mir Iqbal have all been personally known to me. His sister was married to my dear friend, late Er. Ghulam Hassan Mir of Pandrethan, and always treats me with the warmth and affection of a brother. These relationships made Dr. Nisars passing a deeply personal loss. I also cherish affectionate memories of his father, Professor Mir Mohammed Jaffer, who would frequently spend hours in my office discussing life, morality, human relationships and the responsibilities of a good human being. His conversations were filled with wisdom and gentle counsel. Looking back, I find that Dr. Nisar embodied many of those very values. He was cultured, civilised, soft-spoken, humble and considerate, never allowing professional recognition or social standing to distance him from ordinary people. Indeed, Dr. Nisar represented a generation of physicians for whom medicine was as much a moral responsibility as a profession. He understood that patients needed reassurance alongside prescriptions, compassion alongside diagnosis and personal attention alongside treatment. His greatest distinction was perhaps his ability to combine professional competence with an exceptionally humane temperament. His departure has therefore created a void far greater than the loss of a medical practitioner. Alamgari Bazar and its vicinity has lost a dependable physician, an affectionate neighbour, a trusted friend and a human being of rare qualities. Families who relied upon him for decades will particularly miss the reassuring presence of someone who understood not only their medical histories but also their personal circumstances. Our society must learn to recognise and remember such personalities. We often celebrate wealth, power and public prominence while overlooking individuals whose quiet service sustains the moral fabric of our communities. People like Dr. Nisar rarely seek recognition, yet their contributions are far more enduring than many celebrated achievements. Their true memorials exist in the gratitude of patients, the blessings of elders and the affection of generations. For me, Dr. Mir Nisar Ahmads passing marks the loss of an important part of the neighbourhood life and human relationships with which I grew up. His healing touch, gentle disposition and unwavering commitment to humanity will remain etched in my memory. May Almighty Allah accept his lifelong service to humanity, forgive his shortcomings, grant him the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and bestow patience upon his bereaved family including his son Mir Wamiq Hussain, his sister and their mother. Dr. Nisar may have departed from this world, but he will continue to live in the hearts, memories and prayers of those whose lives he touched. Shakeel Qalander, prominent business leader and a civil society animator

Monkey menace grips Kangan villages, damages crops, household property

Kangan, Nov 8:A growing monkey menace has triggered concern among residents of several villages in Kangan subdivision of central Kashmirs Ganderbal district, with large numbers of the animals raiding agricultural fields, damaging crops and entering residential properties. Over the past several months, residents of Akhal, Gund, Sumbal, Surfraw, Ganiwan and adjoining areas have reported frequent incursions by monkeys descending from nearby forested hills. The animals have reportedly been damaging orchards, vegetable gardens and standing crops, particularly maize, besides entering residential compounds and causing damage to household property. Residents said the increasing presence of monkeys has not only resulted in financial losses for farming families but has also created apprehension among people, particularly those living close to forest areas. Monkeys have become a serious threat to crops in Sumbal, Surfraw, Ganiwan, Akhal and other adjoining villages located close to forests. They have been damaging our crops, particularly maize, for the past several months, residents said. A group of locals from Akhal alleged that despite bringing the matter to the notice of the concerned Wildlife Department, no effective measures had been taken to address the problem. Residents said the repeated raids had made it increasingly difficult for farmers to protect their crops and sought immediate intervention by the authorities to prevent further damage. They urged the Wildlife Department to assess the situation, take appropriate measures to control the monkey incursions and ensure the safety of people and their property. The residents said a timely response was necessary to prevent further agricultural losses and provide relief to families affected by the growing menace.

Free textbook distribution begins 8 days after session starts

Srinagar, Nov 8: The distribution of free textbooks among government school students in Kashmir for the academic session 2026-27 will begin on November 9, eight days after the commencement of the new academic session, with education zones in Baramulla district scheduled to receive the books only in the last week of November. As per the schedule issued by the Textbook Section of the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on November 7, the distribution will be carried out in phases across the Valleys districts, with Srinagar being the first to receive the textbooks. The process will begin in Srinagar on November 9, followed by Bandipora on November 10, Kulgam on November 11 and Kupwara on November 12 and 13. The distribution will subsequently cover Anantnag on November 14 and 16, Budgam on November 17 and 18, and Pulwama on November 19 and 20. Ganderbal is scheduled to receive the textbooks on November 20, while the distribution in Shopian will take place on November 21, placing both districts towards the third week of the month. Baramulla figures among the last districts in the distribution calendar, with its education zones scheduled to receive the textbooks in three phases between November 23 and 26. According to the schedule, Pattan, Kunzer, Rohama, Sopore, Singpora (K) and Singpora (P) education zones will receive the books on November 23. Similarly, Uri, Jhulla, Boniyar, Chandanwari, Baramulla and Chandoosa zones have been assigned November 25, while Dangiwacha, Wagoora, Tangmarg, Fatehgarh, Nihalpora and Dangerpora will receive the textbooks on November 26. The free textbook supply covers students from Classes 1 to 8 in government schools. The Deputy Secretary, Textbook Section, JKBOSE, has asked the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to depute representatives from the concerned Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) offices, along with proper authorisation letters, to collect the textbooks from the Boards textbook store at New Campus, Bemina, Srinagar, on the designated dates. Meanwhile, teachers have expressed concern over the delay, saying the phased distribution process would further postpone the availability of textbooks in schools and affect classroom teaching during the initial weeks of the academic session. This is not for the first time that textbook distribution has started late. It has become a routine for the government, a government school teacher told * Greater Kashmir *, requesting anonymity. The teacher said that the dates notified by JKBOSE were only for supplying textbooks to the respective education zones, after which the books would have to be distributed among individual schools, a process likely to consume additional time. For Baramulla, the textbooks will reach the concerned zones in the last week of this month. The supply will then have to reach the schools. Through this process, nearly a month goes to waste for students, the teacher said. Teachers have repeatedly demanded that textbooks be made available in schools by the end of October so that students can begin the academic session with the prescribed learning material. They said delays in textbook distribution disrupt classroom teaching, particularly during the initial weeks when students are expected to begin studying the new syllabus. It seems the government is not concerned about the issue. The process gets delayed every year, which ultimately takes a toll on students, the teacher added.

Trump Era: Beginning of the End

As the counting of votes for the American midterm elections was only almost over, it was clear that the Democratic Party won both the House of Representatives and the Senate by a huge margin. This big victory brings a major shift in the power corridors of Washington and marks the beginning of the end of the Trump era. Donald Trump has been a great disruption to the liberal world order that had guided international relations for several decades. That world order was built after terrible conflicts to ensure peace, open discussion, and mutual respect among democratic countries. Instead of strengthening friendly ties and working with age old partners, his administration treated global diplomacy like a private business deal. Every international agreement was questioned, long standing friendships were strained, and democratic institutions faced constant pressure. The American public has now given a firm and mature verdict against this disruptive style of governance. By placing both houses of Congress in the hands of the opposition, the voters have put a strong check on absolute presidential power. Common citizens across the United States have grown tired of continuous political drama, sudden midnight announcements on social media, and social division. This election demonstrates that the people genuinely want calm administration, democratic decency, and respect for established rules rather than daily noise and political arrogance. The sphere of global commerce suffered very badly during these past few years because of his erratic decisions. His trade policies were completely unpredictable and brought immense headaches to businesses across the globe. One day steep duties were imposed on goods from partner countries, and the very next day angry warnings were issued against friendly nations. In doing so, he delivered a very serious blow to the well established Washington consensus. For decades, this consensus had encouraged open markets, reduction of custom tariffs, and smooth commercial exchange through bodies like the World Trade Organization. By launching bitter trade disputes and adopting narrow protectionist attitudes, his administration harmed international supply chains, increased expenses for everyday consumers, and created severe difficulties for developing economies like India. Along with this chaotic approach to commerce, his immigration policies will hurt America as well. The United States grew into a global superpower mainly because it opened its doors to bright minds and dedicated workers from all over the world. Thousands of skilled Indian techies, doctors, scientists, and researchers have spent decades building American software empires, healthcare networks, and academic centers. By creating endless troubles for work visas, bringing hostile rules, and treating immigrants with needless suspicion, his policies have driven away top talent. Instead of strengthening national security, this narrow vision has harmed the creative spark and economic future of America itself. In the field of global diplomacy, his foreign policy has been nothing short of a total disaster. There was no coherent strategy, no consultation with career diplomats, and no calm calculation of ground realities. As the foreign affairs analyst Fareed Zakaria correctly observed, Donald Trump took the country dangerously close to an Iran war without any clear goals, sensible thinking, or realistic exit strategies. Foreign policy cannot be run like a reality television show where sudden impulses dictate national security decisions. Such dangerous actions created severe panic across West Asia and badly damaged the trust of international allies who look up to Washington for steady leadership. His disregard for multilateralism made matters worse. By sidelining the United Nations, cutting support for global institutions, and preferring one-on-one bargains with weaker nations over collective decision making, he weakened the very forums where shared problems are meant to be solved. Multilateralism has long been the only real voice that small and middle powers have in world affairs, and undermining it left them more exposed to the will of the strong. Along with this diplomatic adventurism, his environmental policies have been a tragic setback to the hard won commitments and collective progress achieved since the early 1990s. International summits and environmental leaders had spent thirty years building landmark treaties like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Climate Agreement to protect our earth. Donald Trump simply walked away from these crucial pacts, dismissed sound environmental science, and weakened essential pollution controls. At a time when countries of the Global South, who contributed least to global emissions, bear the heaviest burden of erratic rainfall, rising seas, and deadly heat waves, and are still waiting for the climate finance and technology promised to them, turning a blind eye to climate change was an act of complete irresponsibility. The clear message from this midterm election reaches far beyond the borders of America, and indeed the world must heave a sigh of relief. Today our world faces massive global challenges such as rising temperatures, economic uncertainty, and regional unrest, which no single country can resolve on its own. We cannot afford a superpower that acts in a reckless manner and plays politics with planetary safety. The world deserves a better political hegemon that will work sincerely to make the entire planet more safe and secure for everyone. A genuine global leader ought to behave like a mature and responsible guardian who respects global agreements, supports fair commerce, and cooperates with all nations big and small. The loss of both legislative chambers shows that the American public has chosen to return to common sense, stability, and institutional balance. It will certainly take many years of hard work to heal old diplomatic wounds and restore trust in global treaties, but this electoral result gives genuine hope to peace loving people across the globe. Dr Sajad Padder, an academic based in Kashmir, teaches Political Science in Higher Education.

Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visits Army units in north Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 8:Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma on Sunday visited Army units deployed in North Kashmir to review the prevailing security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and in the hinterland. During the visit, the Army Commander was briefed on key operational aspects, including vigilance, training, coordination and innovative practices being adopted by the formations to maintain a dominant posture and ensure robust security in the region. According to the Armys Northern Command, Lt Gen Sharma interacted with personnel from all ranks and extended warm festive greetings to the troops on the occasion of Diwali. He lauded the soldiers for their unwavering commitment, operational alertness, professionalism and dedication to duty, appreciating their efforts in maintaining a strong security presence under challenging conditions. The Army Commander also acknowledged the sacrifices made by personnel deployed in forward and remote locations, who remain away from their homes and families while guarding the countrys borders. The Northern Command, in a post on X, said soldiers of the Indian Army remained resolute in their commitment to safeguarding the nation, exemplifying the spirit of courage, sacrifice and selfless service.

Protect J&Ks fragile mountain ecosystems

Amid spurt in erratic weather patterns triggered by climate change, it is imperative to ensure conservation of mountain ecosystems in Jammu and Kashmir. Most of the tourist destinations in J&K are facing a threat to the fragile ecosystem due to unregulated tourist flow. Famous ski-resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir has been bearing the brunt of unregulated flow of visitors. The number of visitors exceeds the carrying capacity of the tourist destination surrounded by mountains and forests. This not only overwhelms solid waste generation but triggers rise in temperature causing rapid snow melt off and avalanches in winter. A study has shown that there is a rise in Black Carbon levels in Gulmarg in winter due to massive movement of vehicles, snowmobiles, All Terrain Vehicles and biomass burning for heating purposes. Similarly increasing numbers of visitors, especially to Sonamarg and Pahalgam, which host major glaciers of Kashmir, are taking a heavy toll on the environment. . Thajiwas glacier in Sonamarg is retreating fast and collapsing frequently in the last several years. Kolhai glacier in Pahalgam has traces of Black Carbon emissions and has lost almost 23 percent of its area since 1962 and fragmented into smaller parts. Kolhai glacier feeds Lidder river which is one of the main sources of river Jhelum considered to be the lifeline of Kashmir. Kolahai is losing mass at the rate of about 1.0 m water equivalent annually, which is significantly higher than the glaciers in the rest of the Himalayas. Most of the tourist destinations especially Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Patnitop and Doodhpathri are facing threat to the environment due to unregulated tourist flow. The problem has been compounded as authorities are struggling to promote lesser known destinations to reduce pressure on popular tourist destinations. Construction of roads in mountains affects stability of slopes and triggers frequent landslides. Amid the gloom, there is a ray of hope! An initiative has taken roots to ensure sustainable development in ecologically sensitive areas. The Jammu & Kashmir Sustainable Mountain Development Policy (JK-SMDP 2026) prepared by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir and Integrated Mountain Initiative proposes an integrated framework for ensuring that the mountains of J&K remain ecologically secure, economically productive and socially resilient. It recognises mountains as the foundation of J&Ks water security, food and horticultural production, forests and biodiversity, tourism, cultural heritage and mountain livelihoods. It proposes a major overhaul of tourism management, infrastructure development and environmental protection including daily visitor limits at popular destinations, restrictions on private vehicles, a green cess of up to Rs 2,000 for foreign tourists and tighter controls on construction in mountainous areas. One of its key proposals is to introduce carrying-capacity limits at 15 high-pressure tourist destinations, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, Yusmarg, Gurez, Bangus, Sinthan Top, Patnitop, Katra, Paddar, Basoli and Bhaderwah. The draft proposes that scientific carrying-capacity studies be completed within 12 months. Pending these studies, interim daily visitor limits could be introduced within 100 days of the proposed policys approval, based on the capacity of roads, parking facilities and sanitation infrastructure. The draft policy recommends that private cars, taxis and buses be stopped at designated green gateways located approximately 10 kilometres below fragile destinations. Beyond these gateways, movement would be restricted to electric or CNG vehicles, walking, ponies or cycles. It proposes electric vehicle fleets be operated by local youth cooperatives, self-help groups and registered local operators, while outside operators would not be licensed. Tangmarg has been identified as a possible green gateway for Gulmarg, Pahalgam town for Aru, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari, and Sonamarg market for the Thajiwas area. The draft also proposes a Mountain Green Cess, with different rates for domestic and foreign visitors to regulate movement to fragile areas. The policy estimates that the cess could generate approximately Rs 750 crore annually, based on an estimated 1.5 crore to 2.5 crore tourists and a conservative average collection of Rs 500 per visitor. It proposes that the revenue be ring-fenced for destination-level environmental management, with 40 per cent allocated to waste collection, toilets and sanitation, 20 per cent to ecological restoration, 20 per cent to local employment, 10 per cent to visitor safety and rescue systems, and the remaining 10 per cent to monitoring and administration. The document also proposes restrictions on new construction in high-risk and ecologically sensitive areas, including glacier forelands, stream corridors and identified hazard-prone zones. It calls for stronger land-use planning and environmental safeguards to prevent unregulated construction in mountain regions. The draft identifies Gulmarg, Patnitop and Bhaderwah as possible model destinations. Pilgrimage management has also been addressed, with the draft proposing science-based daily limits for yatras and religious destinations, including the Amarnath Yatra, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Machail Mata, Shiv Khori and Buddha Amarnath. Decades ago, most of our tourist destinations like Pahalgam and Gulmarg had mostly wooden hut-type accommodations which gelled with the environment. Now most of the natural landscape has been concretised in fragile mountainous zones in absence of regulation. Over the last several months, several tourist destinations have been witnessing erratic weather patterns. There were several flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in Pahalgam. If the carrying capacity of eco-fragile areas is disturbed, damage will be irreparable. Subsequently it results in disasters like flash floods, water shortage and massive waste generation. It is high time to promote eco-tourism in eco-fragile areas and reduce carbon footprints. This way we can promote our mountains, forests, springs and rivers. Our tourism is dependent on our unique ecosystem and natural beauty. We have to learn to live in harmony with nature. Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir

A Home After Being Homeless

Srinagar, Nov 8:For 75-year-old Abdul Rashid (name changed), evenings were once marked by loneliness and isolation. Today, he spends them sitting on a sunny bench, sharing tea and conversations with fellow residents. Like several others at the facility, Rashid has found a sense of belonging at the Old Age Home in Pandach, which has emerged as a shelter for elderly people left without family support or a place to call home. Located on the outskirts of Srinagar, the two-storey facility, operated by the Department of Social Welfare, Jammu and Kashmir, is currently providing shelter to around six to seven elderly people. Many of its residents were reportedly found living alone in dilapidated houses, abandoned by their families or struggling to survive on the streets. For these elderly men, the facility offers more than accommodation. It provides food, medical assistance, a degree of security and, perhaps most importantly, companionship during a stage of life when many have been left without anyone to turn to. The facility assumes significance amid changing family structures, increasing urbanisation and the migration of younger members of families for employment. These changes, coupled with economic and social pressures, have left some elderly people vulnerable to neglect, isolation and inadequate access to healthcare. At Pandach, residents are provided with meals, assistance with daily activities and healthcare support. The facility also provides medical check-ups, physiotherapy sessions, visits by doctors and emergency assistance, while staff members help residents who require support with routine activities. We do not view this centre merely as a shelter, but as an extension of home where every individuals life experience is honoured. Our aim is to ensure our elders live with self-respect, happiness and peace of mind, an administrator associated with the welfare facility said. Officials said the home receives referrals from the police, hospitals and local mosque committees. Some elderly people are brought to the facility during winter when living alone, particularly in inadequate housing conditions, becomes increasingly difficult. We get referrals from the police, hospitals and local mosque committees. Many are brought in during winters when living alone becomes life-threatening, officials of the District Social Welfare Office, Ganderbal, said. District Social Welfare Officer Ganderbal, Bashir Ahmad, could not be reached for comment. For the residents, however, the value of the facility goes beyond the services it provides. Here, I have a bed, medicine and food on time. But more than that, I have quiet. And sometimes, quiet is all a tired mind asks for, said Ghulam Nabi (name changed), another resident. Social workers say the facility reflects a wider but often overlooked concern in Kashmir, where elderly people without adequate family support are increasingly finding themselves vulnerable. Traditionally, Kashmirs social fabric has been associated with strong family and neighbourhood support systems, with elderly people often cared for by extended families and members of their local communities. However, social workers say changing lifestyles, migration and growing economic pressures have weakened some of these support networks. Earlier, an elderly person without family support would often be taken care of by the neighbourhood. Today, people have their own struggles. Old age homes were once considered taboo in Kashmir, but they are increasingly becoming a necessity, social workers said. The growing importance of such facilities also points to the need for stronger community-based support systems, accessible healthcare and institutional mechanisms to protect senior citizens who have no dependable caregivers. For those living at the Pandach facility, the home represents something more fundamental than institutional care: a place where they are not left to face illness, old age and loneliness alone. In its quiet courtyard, where residents now spend their evenings in conversation, the facility offers a measure of dignity and security to people who have experienced the uncertainty of being without a home.

Trumps moment of reckoning

The American electorate has sent President Donald Trump a message that he can no longer afford to ignore. The Democrats sweeping victories in the midterm elections, amid widespread disapproval of his administrations decision to wage war on Iran, should serve as a moment of reckoning. More than a setback for the Republican Party, the results reflect growing public fatigue with a conflict that has exacted a heavy price without offering a convincing path to lasting peace. Trump came to power promising to keep America out of foreign wars, bring down living costs and put American interests first. The war with Iran has undermined all three promises. With the Strait of Hormuz closed, energy prices soaring and billions of dollars of American taxpayers money spent on military operations, the consequences have travelled far beyond the battlefield. What began as a military confrontation has become a threat to regional stability and the global economy. The Gulf is particularly vulnerable. Its economies, energy infrastructure, maritime routes and international trade networks are deeply interconnected. Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz threatens oil and gas supplies, raises transportation and insurance costs and feeds inflation across continents. For countries including India, which are already struggling with economic uncertainty, another sustained energy shock could have serious consequences. The poorest nations, which have the least capacity to absorb higher food and fuel prices, would suffer disproportionately. The Gulf needs stability, not another cycle of confrontation. The world needs predictable energy markets, functioning trade routes and an international order in which disputes are settled through diplomacy rather than force. Trump still has an opportunity to change the course of events. Ending this war would not be an admission of weakness; it would be an act of political responsibility and strategic wisdom. The measure of American leadership should not be how long it can sustain a war, but whether it can bring one to a just and lasting end. The world is waiting for Washington to choose peace.

Why shelf life matters for Kashmirs apples

Srinagar, Nov 8:Kashmir's indigenous Ambri apple has an amazing shelf life - it can retain its quality for up to six months under ordinary storage conditions. Red Delicious, the dominant commercial variety, has a normal shelf life of around 2025 days. However, the temperatures need to stay below 25 degrees Celsius. Fruits, apart from their taste, shape and color, have varietal features, and for growers, these matter more as production diversifies. With the prolonged journeys at times due to highway disruptions and limited storage facilities at home, the variety can affect the quality and market value of produce. A Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Jammu study published in the Indian Journal of Horticulture few years concluded that the king of apples is Ambri. It is as an indigenous Kashmir variety with crisp texture, sweet flesh and excellent aroma, and keeps its quality of up to six months under ordinary storage conditions. Ambri once enjoyed considerable popularity in Kashmir. However, due to its pallor in comparison with the red delicious, it gradually disappeared from commercial orchards. Its color is neither golden, nor green, and definitely not red. It has hues of pink on a pale majority. The growers have increasingly shifted to varieties such as Delicious, Red Delicious and Golden Delicious for their higher production. These are also the varieties that markets in non-apple producing areas of India prefer. These have better market returns as well. Red Delicious, remains the Valley's dominant commercial variety. It has a normal shelf life of approximately 2025 days. However, temperatures must remain below 25 degrees Celsius, sans which the flesh starts losing its crispiness. The shelf life is particularly relevant for apples transported to distant markets. Fruit harvest, packing, transportation and delivery often over 1520 days. During this period, the fruit can lose firmness and juiciness. For farmer, thats a disaster, financially. A 2023 study evaluated eight exotic apple cultivars under high-density planting conditions in Kashmir. These included Mitch Gala, Elrosa, Wiltons Star, Golden Delicious Reinders, Red Delicious Camspur, Red Braeburn, Jonagold A and Jonagold DC Robijin. However, these important imported cultivars have not been assessed in detail regarding their shelf life. Granny smith for example has assumed growing cult status. It is a firm crisp sub-acidic apple. It ripens in first week of October and is usually considered to have a good shelf life, However, grown in Kashmir and in Kashmir temperatures, how long will this popular variety retain its charm is yet to be estimated. Gala Redlum recorded 6075 days of shelf life under ambient conditions. It had life of 110170 days under cold storage. Another study examined exotic varieties Gala Redlum, Red Velox and Super Chief under Kashmir's temperate conditions. It found that storage life varied with harvesting maturity and storage conditions. The findings show that shelf life is not determined by variety alone but also depend on maturity level at harvest, temperature, handling, grading and storage conditions.

3 crafts account for 60% of registered artisans

Srinagar, Nov 8:Nearly six out of every 10 artisans and weavers registered in Kashmir are associated with just three traditional occupations, while some indigenous crafts have fewer than 25 registered practitioners, revealing a sharp concentration in the Valley's traditional craft economy. An analysis of the district-wise and craft-wise registration database of the Jammu and Kashmir Handicrafts and Handloom Department, updated up to October 31, 2026, shows that 4,14,276 artisans and weavers have been registered across Kashmir's 10 districts since inception. Of these, 3,15,366 are registered under handicrafts and 98,910 under handloom. The most striking feature of the database is the dominance of Sozni embroidery, carpet-making and Crewel embroidery. Together, these three crafts account for 2,46,629 registrations, representing 78.2 per cent of the handicrafts workforce recorded in the database and 59.5 per cent of all handicraft and handloom registrations combined. The figures also reveal distinct geographical concentrations, with Budgam emerging as the largest centre for handicrafts, Srinagar leading the overall and handloom categories, and Anantnag accounting for an overwhelming share of registered Chain Stitch artisans. The database provides a detailed picture of the distribution of traditional occupations across Kashmir, but also raises questions about the vulnerability of smaller crafts, the diversification of the artisan economy and the extent to which registration is translating into sustainable employment. Sozni alone has 1.36 lakh registrations Sozni embroidery is by far the largest individual craft category, with 1,36,356 registered artisans. This represents 43.2 per cent of all handicrafts registrations and almost one-third of the entire registered artisan and weaver base in Kashmir. Budgam has the highest concentration, with 42,711 Sozni registrations, followed by Baramulla with 32,004, Ganderbal with 19,558, Srinagar with 18,937 and Bandipora with 15,934. Budgam alone accounts for approximately 31.3 per cent of all registered Sozni artisans. Carpet-making occupies the second position with 58,132 registrations, while Crewel embroidery has 52,141. The geographical distribution of carpet artisans is particularly interesting. Budgam has 13,788 registrations, Bandipora 13,336, Baramulla 8,935 and Srinagar 7,699. Crewel embroidery, meanwhile, is heavily concentrated in Srinagar and Anantnag. The two districts together account for 31,097 of the 52,141 registrations. The remaining major categories include Zari work with 24,127 registrations, Chain Stitch with 15,089 and Staple embroidery with 14,530. The concentration in these occupations means that a large part of the registered handicraft workforce depends on a relatively narrow group of traditional skills. Anantnag accounts for nearly four-fifths of Chain Stitch registrations One of the most revealing findings in the district-level data is the concentration of Chain Stitch artisans in Anantnag. Of the 15,089 artisans registered under this category across Kashmir, 11,911 are from Anantnag. This means that approximately 78.9 per cent of the registered Chain Stitch workforce is concentrated in a single district. Shopian has 904 registrations, Pulwama 662 and Kulgam 511, while Srinagar has 257. The distribution suggests that Anantnag has a particularly significant occupational cluster in Chain Stitch, making it an important location for targeted skill development, design interventions and market-linkage programmes. A similar geographical concentration is visible in other crafts. Budgam accounts for the largest share of Sozni registrations, while Bandipora has 22.9 per cent of all carpet registrations. Shopian has 4,491 Zari registrations, representing nearly 18.6 per cent of the Valley-wide total for the craft. Srinagar leads overall, but Budgam dominates handicrafts Srinagar has the highest combined number of registered artisans and weavers, with 86,077 registrations. Budgam follows with 82,086, while Baramulla has 58,454. Anantnag accounts for 42,972 registrations and Bandipora 42,050. The remaining districts are Ganderbal with 30,311, Pulwama with 24,726, Kulgam with 20,445, Kupwara with 16,878 and Shopian with 10,277. Srinagar and Budgam together account for 1,68,163 registrations, or 40.6 per cent of the total. However, the district rankings change significantly when the two sectors are examined separately. Budgam leads handicrafts with 68,843 registrations, followed by Srinagar with 55,211 and Baramulla with 47,400. Srinagar, on the other hand, dominates handloom with 30,866 registrations, accounting for 31.2 per cent of the entire handloom registration base. This distinction is important because it shows that the geographical distribution of Kashmir's craft economy is not uniform. Different districts have developed different occupational strengths. Handloom: Tailoring and cutting account for 37,285 registrations The handloom database, comprising 98,910 registrations, reveals another important dimension of the traditional textile economy. Tailoring and cutting is the largest listed category, with 37,285 registrations, accounting for 37.7 per cent of the handloom total. Pashmina spinning follows with 21,033 registrations, while Pattu weaving has 20,076. Kani shawl weaving accounts for 10,488 registrations. Other categories include handloom weaving with 5,528, Pashmina weaving with 3,287, readymade garments with 1,152 and tweed weaving with just 61 registrations. Pashmina spinning and weaving together account for 24,320 registrations, representing approximately 24.6 per cent of the handloom total. The district distribution again shows considerable concentration. Srinagar leads with 30,866 registrations, followed by Budgam with 13,243, Baramulla with 11,054, Bandipora with 8,728 and Anantnag with 7,307. Traditional crafts with fewer than 25 registrations While the major crafts have thousands of registered practitioners, the database reveals a much smaller recorded presence for several traditional occupations. Filigree has 22 registrations, Darning (Rafugari) 18, Willow Bat 14, Calligraphy eight, Stone Carving seven and Tracer five. Glazed Pottery and Kharadi have four registrations each, Pinjrikari has three and Carpet Darning just two. Five of the 52 listed handicraft categories have zero registrations: Handmade Aromatics, Handmade Soap, Modern Art, Turquira Ware and Toy and Doll Making. The department has also separately listed a category called 'Languishing', which has only 25 registrations across Kashmir. Budgam accounts for 20 of these registrations, while Kulgam has two and Anantnag three. The figures do not establish that these crafts have disappeared or that no practitioners exist outside the registration system. However, the extremely small recorded numbers raise concerns about documentation, transmission of traditional skills and the ability of these occupations to attract younger generations.

Brothers criminal case hits candidates police job

Srinagar, Nov 8:Emphasising that the fundamental rights being bedrock of Rule of Law cannot be permitted to be tampered with in any manner, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) here has directed the government not to fill up a post on which a candidate was selected as constable but not appointed for his brothers trial in an alleged criminal case. Invoking Victor Hugos novel Les Miserables and Lord Dennings book Due Process of Law, a division bench comprising Judicial Member M S Latif and Administrative Member Prasant Kumar observed that the modern approach should be to reform a person instead of branding him as a criminal all his life The Bench made the observations in response to a plea by Mudasir Bashir Sheer Gojri, who has challenged the authorities action denying him appointment as constable in the Home Department. Gojri, according to his plea, being eligible under OBC Category participated in a written examination, Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET) for the post of Constable in pursuance of an advertisement dated July 16, 2024 issued by the J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB). His name reflected in the Boards final select list dated February 20, 2026 and thereafter his candidature was recommended to the Home Department for further action. After the Boards recommendations, an adjustment order dated March 21, 2026 was issued by the Office of the J&Ks Additional Director General of Police, Armed Police Headquarters and Gojri was adjusted in 18th Battalion, Indian Reserve Battalion (IR18). While other similarly situated candidates selected and adjusted pursuant to the same adjustment order, were issued formal appointment orders by the respective Commandants, Gojri was denied the same without any written communication, order or reason. The officials of the department orally informed him that the formal appointment order had not been issued because his brother was facing trial in a criminal case and, therefore, the requisite security clearance had allegedly not been granted. Gojri through his counsel Ishtiyaq Ahmad Mir approached the CAT, assailing the bar on his appointment by the authorities. He submitted that fairness in every action is the hallmark of justice and the authorities action depriving him of his right has to be justified in law and the same has to be backed by reason. In response to Gojris plea, the Tribunal noted the competent authority was within its powers to act in case there was any cogent reason against the applicant to deprive him of his right for consideration of his appointment. But the same, it said, had to be in accordance with law and not on any flimsy ground. Finally, the Tribunal issued notice to the government, seeking its objections to the plea by February 25, next year. Holding that prima facie a case for indulgence was made out, the Tribunal ordered that that the post on which Gojri has been selected, though not appointed, in pursuance to advertisement notification dated July 16, 2024, shall not be advertised or filled up by any mode.

Aharbal waterfall retreated 538 metres over 57,000 years: Study

Srinagar, Nov 8:The Aharbal waterfall in south Kashmir has retreated nearly 538 metres upstream over the past 57,000 years, with fractured rocks, nearby faults and unstable slopes posing potential hazards to the popular tourist destination, a scientific study has found. The waterfall, popularly known as the Niagara Falls of Kashmir, has been retreating at an estimated average rate of 0.94 cm a year, driven by river erosion, the structure of underlying rocks and tectonic activity, according to the research. Published in Results in Earth Sciences in November 2025, the study, 'Climatic, tectonic, and fluvial controls on the origin and retreat of the Aharbal Waterfall, Himalaya,' was conducted by Omar Jaan Paul, Reyaz Ahmad Dar and Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo of the University of Kashmir and associated research institutions. The authors describe it as the first attempt to quantify the origin and retreat of a waterfall in the Himalayas. Located on the Vishav River in the PirPanjal range, about 75 kilometres south of Srinagar in Kulgam district, Aharbal attracts thousands of tourists every year. The river drains a basin of around 1060 sq km and is a major tributary of the Jhelum. Glacial deposits shaped the waterfall The study traces the waterfalls origin to the erosion of glacial deposits, which exposed the underlying bedrock comprising basalt and agglomeratic slates of the Permian-age Panjalvolcanics. Evidence of past glaciation, including rochemoutonne, erratic boulders and glacial striations, is visible upstream. The exposed bedrock is extensively fractured, with three prominent sets of joints dividing it into blocks of varying sizes. Water enters these fractures, weakens the rocks and helps detach blocks from the waterfall face. Flowing water carries away the loosened material, while gravity causes larger blocks to topple. This process gradually shifts the waterfall upstream while maintaining its steep, near-vertical face. Smaller cascades, step-falls, knickpoints and plunge pools downstream may mark its earlier positions. Some abandoned plunge pools and potholes are now located on rock blocks more than 10 metres above the present riverbed. Using these features, the researchers reconstructed five stages of migration and placed the waterfalls original position about 538 metres downstream of its present location. Retreat rate based on river data The estimated annual retreat of 0.94 centimetres was calculated using an empirical model that balances the erosive force of flowing water against the resistance of the underlying rock. The researchers used 43 years of Vaishav River discharge data, along with measurements of the waterfalls width, height and rock strength. A high-resolution drone survey conducted in 2021 measured the waterfall at 7.01 metres wide and 7.62 metres high. Annual river discharge ranged from 7.34 to 63.24 cubic metres per second during the period studied, averaging 23.32 cubic metres per second. The researchers caution that the estimated rate is a long-term average based on the assumption of constant retreat. The waterfall does not necessarily move upstream at the same pace every year. The detachment of large fractured rock blocks can cause sudden changes, making the process uneven over time. Rock-strength tests recorded an average strength of 70.91 megapascals in fresh basalt and agglomeratic slate, compared with 65.75 megapascals in partly weathered rock. The researchers found the estimated retreat relatively high for a waterfall formed in basaltic rocks. The study also examined the river basin's geomorphology using stream-length gradient and channel-steepness indices. Higher values along the Aharbal stretch and some upstream reaches indicated pronounced river incision and possible tectonic influence. Faults and unstable slopes pose risks The researchers identified several structural weaknesses around the waterfall. A fault crosses the Vishav River a few metres upstream of the present fall, while sheared rocks and fault traces are visible along both banks, particularly the right bank. While the waterfall's formation is attributed to the erosion of glacial deposits and exposure of jointed bedrock, the authors identify nearby tectonic structures as an important factor contributing to the area's instability. Field observations documented subsidence along a road, displaced retaining walls, fractured rock surfaces and signs of rock creep. Trees with bent, pistol-shaped trunks were also observed, which the researchers interpreted as possible evidence of gradual ground movement towards the waterfall. A landslide along suspected fault traces on the left bank of the Vishav was another feature recorded during the investigation. However, the study cautions that a landslide alone does not establish the presence of active faulting. The researchers warn that continued slope instability could trigger rockfalls or larger landslides, potentially blocking the river and causing water to accumulate upstream. A sudden release of the impounded water could trigger flooding and alter the river's flow. Earthquake-induced ground shaking could further weaken water-filled fractures and dislodge rock blocks, accelerating the waterfall's retreat, the study says. In an extreme case, a major slope failure could threaten the stability of the waterfall. The authors call for detailed geotechnical investigations, continuous monitoring of vulnerable slopes and targeted mitigation measures to reduce risks and protect Aharbal as a geo-heritage site. The study concludes that the waterfall's evolution is shaped by the combined influence of climate, tectonic activity, river erosion and the geological structure of the area.

CDS Gen Subramani reviews security grid in Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 8:Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani visited the Kashmir Valley to review the prevailing security situation, operational preparedness and deployment posture of the Armed Forces across forward areas and the hinterland, in what was his first visit to the Valley. During the visit, the CDS assessed the operational readiness of troops deployed in strategically important locations. He focused on the security environment, existing deployments and the preparedness of forces operating in the Valleys challenging terrain and demanding conditions. The review covered both forward areas along the Line of Control and the hinterland, underscoring the need for a robust security grid to safeguard the nations frontiers and address emerging challenges. Interacting with personnel from all three services Army, Navy and Air Force General Subramani conveyed his Diwali greetings to the troops deployed in forward areas. He lauded their steadfast commitment to safeguarding the nations frontiers and maintaining a strong security presence despite the difficult conditions. The dedication and professionalism of our personnel, who continue to perform their duties with resilience even during important festivals while remaining away from their families, is truly commendable, the CDS told the troops, according to official accounts of the interaction. He acknowledged their sacrifices and emphasised the importance of jointness among the three services for operational effectiveness and high morale in sensitive areas. General Subramani, who assumed charge as the third Chief of Defence Staff on May 31, 2026, succeeding General Anil Chauhan, has been driving efforts towards greater integration, jointness and synergy among the Armed Forces. A highly decorated officer commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles, he has held key operational and strategic appointments, including as Vice Chief of the Army Staff, and is known for his expertise on regional security challenges. The visit, coinciding with Diwali, highlighted the Armed Forces ethos of service before self. Troops deployed in the Valleys remote and high-altitude areas continued their vigil while the nation celebrated the festival of lights. Officials said the CDSs presence and interaction boosted the morale of personnel who remain on duty round the clock to maintain the security grid. The review reaffirmed the focus on operational effectiveness across forward and hinterland areas, with the CDS stressing the need for sustained preparedness to protect national interests in the region. The visit also reflected the integrated approach of the three services in securing Jammu and Kashmir under challenging conditions.

Srinagar's iconic clock tower area illuminated as tourists, locals celebrate Diwali

Srinagar, Nov 8: Thousands of lamps illuminated the iconic clock tower at Srinagar's Lal Chowk as tourists and locals celebrated Diwali here on Sunday. Dozens of tourists assembled at the clock tower, popularly known as Ghanta Ghar, in the evening and lit earthen lamps, turning the area around the city's iconic tourist spot luminous. Local Hindus and Muslims joined the celebrations by lighting firecrackers. Ankush Chatterjee, a tourist from Kolkata, said, We are delighted to celebrate this year's Diwali in Kashmir. The atmosphere here is radiant. Over the last few years, Diwali is being celebrated at Ghanta Ghar as tourists and locals assemble here for the festival. Elsewhere in the Valley, security forces celebrated Diwali by lighting lamps in their camps and distributing sweets.

GOC Northern Command reviews operational preparedness in north Kashmir, extends festive greetings to troops

Srinagar, Nov 8: General Officer Commanding (GOC) Northern Command Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma today visited north Kashmir to review operational preparedness and prevailing security scenario, officials said. They said the GOC was briefed on key operational aspects, including vigilance, training, synergy and innovative practices adopted to maintain a dominant posture for robust security along Line of Control (LoC) and hinterland. Extending warm festive greetings, the Army Commander interacted with all ranks & lauded their unwavering commitment, operational alertness, professionalism and dedication to duty. Officials added that serving far from their homes and families, amidst challenging conditions, the brave soldiers of the Indian Army remain resolute in their commitment to safeguarding the nation, exemplifying the true spirit of courage, sacrifice and selfless service.

Police vehicle escorting LoP Sunil Sharma meets with accident on NH-44 in Ramban

Four DPS Srinagar shuttlers qualify for national badminton championships

Srinagar, Nov 8: Delhi Public School, Srinagar, celebrated a major sporting milestone this November as four student shuttlers secured coveted places in two prestigious national badminton tournaments. These consecutive qualifications at the Union Territory level highlight the rigorous sports training culture at the school and place its young athletes at the forefront of regional competition. The latest triumph unfolded during the Union Territory Level Badminton Championship held from 5 to 6 November 2026 at the Sher-i-Kashmir Indoor Sports Complex in Gogji Bagh, Srinagar. The Directorate of Youth Services and Sports organised the two-day tournament to identify top regional talent for the upcoming National Level SGFI Badminton Championship. Three DPS Srinagar students distinguished themselves in the Under-14 category through superior court coverage and tactical discipline. Yahya Ajaz of Class VI, Inaaya Raafi Baba of Class VII and Mohammad Moosa of Class IX claimed top honours and earned direct entry into the National School Games. This November victory built upon an earlier breakthrough at the Union Territory selection trials conducted from 10 to 14 October 2026. Following five days of intense matches against top contenders from across the region, two students from the school earned the right to represent the Union Territory at the Federation National Badminton Championship scheduled for December 2026. Yahya Ajaz of Class VI achieved a rare double qualification across both national circuits through his relentless speed and shot precision. Tarahum Sadiya of Class XI distinguished herself in the senior category with remarkable composure and secured her place on the Union Territory squad through decisive victories. Securing multiple berths across both the School Games Federation of India circuit and the Federation Nationals reflects the structured athletic programme at Delhi Public School Srinagar. These achievements have been made possible, in no small measure, by the sporting facilities available at the school, including a dedicated indoor badminton court and the guidance of a dedicated badminton coach. The physical education faculty and coaching staff work closely with student-athletes to combine high-intensity conditioning with academic focus. The four qualified shuttlers have now begun specialised training sessions as they prepare to represent both the school and the Union Territory on the national stage this winter. Congratulating the students on their achievements, Principal Ms Shafaq Afshan remarked, True education extends far beyond the classroom walls and finds expression in the resilience of our athletes on the court. Watching Yahya, Inaaya, Moosa and Tarahum earn national representation fills our entire academic community with immense pride. Their success proves that disciplined preparation and mental fortitude yield extraordinary results when young minds receive the right guidance. Chairman Mr Vijay Dhar also expressed his appreciation for the students achievements, stating, Sportsmanship builds the foundational character required to lead in the modern world. Our students will carry both the banner of Delhi Public School Srinagar and the sporting aspirations of the entire Union Territory when they step onto the national stage this winter. We remain committed to providing world-class athletic infrastructure so our youth can compete and triumph at the highest levels of national and international sport.

Sonia Gandhi recalls Diwali tradition of Kashmiri food and sweet rice

Srinagar, Nov 8: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has recalled how her family celebrated Diwali with Kashmiri food and sweet rice, saying the tradition continues to this day. In a video shared on X on Sunday, Sonia is seen reminiscing about Diwali celebrations at 1, Safdarjung Road, the former residence of her mother-in-law and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She is accompanied by her daughter, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and granddaughter, Miraya Vadra. Recalling the family's festive food traditions, Sonia said, And then, on festivals, we always used to have Kashmiri food and that sweet rice, like that, which we still make, by the way. She also recalled how the family would light diyas around the garden, pond, veranda, rooftop and pathways, beginning the celebrations by lighting the first diya near a Ganesh idol. In those days, we didn't have those little lights everywhere, but we had diyas everywhere, she said, describing the decorations as very pretty. The conversation also touched upon childhood memories of buying firecrackers from Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi. Priyanka recalled how her father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, would take the children to buy crackers. Sonia said she particularly enjoyed phuljharis (sparklers), while recalling how people would go berserk with firecrackers during the festivities. She also remembered the clear blue skies and pleasant weather during Diwali in those years, saying such skies were rarely seen now. Sharing the video on X, Sonia Gandhi wrote: Revisiting my early memories of celebrating Diwali - the traditions, the festivities and the little moments that made it so specia. Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali

Aga Ruhullah says resignation was the right decision, accuses NC of abandoning its promises

They wanted my resignation, not reforms: Aga Ruhullah on exit from National Conference

Srinagar, Nov 8: Former Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah has defended his decision to quit the National Conference (NC), saying he resigned after the party leadership refused to act on its promises and instead sought his resignation when he demanded accountability. Responding to questions about the NC's allegations against him following his resignation, Ruhullah said he had no intention of engaging in a war of words with the party. I have no reaction. People will respond to them, and time will respond to them, he said. Asked why he had not resigned earlier, particularly when the party had been in power for two years, Ruhullah said he had taken the decision at the appropriate time. I took the right decision at the right time, Alhamdulillah. When was I supposed to resign? he said. Referring to the events of 2010 and the killing of protesters, Ruhullah said he had already explained his position in detail in his resignation speech. He said the political circumstances following 2019 had created an expectation that the National Conference would fight for people's rights and fulfil the commitments it had made to them. After 2019, we had nothing left. We needed to fight, and we needed to fulfil the promises we had made to the people. Those promises were not being fulfilled. I asked the organisation why they were not being implemented. In response, I was told to resign, he said. Ruhullah said the party leadership had made its position clear when it chose to seek his resignation instead of addressing the issues he had raised. It is a simple matter. They did not want to walk that path. When they announced that they did not want to follow that path and did not want to fulfil the promises, that was the right time to resign, he said. When they were asked to implement their promises, they did not do so. Instead, they asked for my resignation. That was their declaration that they did not want reforms; they wanted to continue the same politics of deception, he added. Ruhullah also dismissed speculation that he could join hands with former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Engineer Rashid to form a new political party. Ask those who are making these claims. I have not taken any such decision, he said. Without disclosing details of his future political plans, Ruhullah indicated that he was exploring possibilities and holding discussions with people. Let us move beyond all these things. I do not want to respond to the National Conference's statements. The people will respond to them, and time will give its verdict. The National Conference was given a responsibility by the people, but it failed to fulfil it. We will have to take responsibility ourselves and find a way forward, he said. Gradually, you will come to know. We are working towards finding a way forward and are talking to the right people, he added. Ruhullah said his departure from the National Conference would not mean abandoning the political struggle for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We will fight our legitimate battle, the battle for our rights. The organisation that was given an opportunity betrayed the people once again. But that does not mean the people will give up this struggle. We will continue to fight for our rights, InshaAllah, he said. On the ongoing war in the Middle East and its economic consequences, Ruhullah said the conflict was affecting not just the region but the entire world, including India. The impact of this war is not limited to that region. It is being felt across the world. It is affecting this country as well. It has an impact on prices and trade, and its consequences are visible in every sphere, he said. Referring to the political response in the United States, Ruhullah said American voters had delivered a verdict against the political leadership responsible for the war. The people of America have taken a decision on this issue. They have punished this regime, which started this war at Israel's behest, he said. He also referred to the response within Israel, saying the leadership had faced rejection from sections of its own population. Ruhullah expressed hope that people would similarly defeat what he described as arrogant centres of power, whether in Kashmir, India or at the international level. I hope people will defeat these arrogant forces everywhere in Kashmir, in our country and at the international level. I hope people will reject them in the same way. That process has begun there in the West as well, he said.

Two held with arms, explosives in Kulgam: Police

Kulgam, Nov 8: Two persons were apprehended with arms and explosives during joint naka checking in Kulgam on Sunday. In a handout to GNS, the police said that at about 11:30 am, a joint team of Police Station Kulgam, 09 RR and CRPF 18 BN laid a naka, during which two suspicious persons tried to flee after noticing the naka party but were tactfully apprehended. During preliminary questioning, they were identified as Muneeb Yaseen Rather and Tahir Bilal, both residents of Bugam. Upon search, one pistol along with a magazine and two live rounds were recovered from Muneeb Yaseen Rather, while two live hand grenades were recovered from Tahir Bilal. In this regard, FIR No. 213/2026 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Kulgam and further investigation has been taken up.

Kulgam Police solve hit-and-run case, two drivers arrested, vehicles seized

Kulgam, Nov 8: Kulgam Police has solved a hit-and-run case that occurred on the evening of November 07, 2026, at Badarmuna near Prime Steel, falling under the jurisdiction of Police Post Jawahar Tunnel, Police Station Qazigund, resulting in the death of Shabir Ahmad Sheikh S/o Late Ab Kareem, R/o Baihama. A police spokesperson said that on November 07, Police Post Jawahar Tunnel received information regarding a road accident in which one person had sustained injuries. The injured was shifted to SDH Dooru, where he was declared brought dead. Accordingly, FIR No. 273/2026 under relevant sections of law was registered at Police Station Qazigund. He said during investigation, CCTV footage and other reliable inputs revealed that the deceased was travelling as a pillion rider on a scooty. While crossing a brick-loaded tipper, the scooty tilted due to loose gravel on the road and came into contact with the middle portion of the tipper, resulting in fatal injuries to the deceased. He also said that CCTV analysis and reliable inputs led to the identification of the scooty bearing registration No. JK03M-1577 and its driver, Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh S/o Lassi Mohd Sheikh, R/o Chingund, Dooru. The tipper bearing registration No. JK02BL-1557 was traced through CCTV footage and investigation of the brick kiln from where it had loaded bricks. Its driver was identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, R/o Kaschipora. Both drivers, who had fled the spot, have been arrested, and both vehicles have been seized. Further investigation is underway, spokesperson added. Kulgam Police appealed to motorists not to flee accident sites, to immediately inform the Police and ensure timely medical assistance to the injured. They advised heavy vehicle drivers to maintain safe speeds and exercise due caution.

Maoists gone, but 'dimagi Naxals' instigating people against Constitution and democracy: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the elimination of armed Maoists while addressing the ideological threat of 'dimagi Naxals'. He emphasized the need to identify and defeat these elements infiltrating various organizations and political parties. Modi referenced past failures in addressing Naxalism while stating that strong policies and political will led to significant improvements.

Four alleged drug peddlers arrested in J-Ks Anantnag, Kupwara

Srinagar, Nov 08: Police on Sunday arrested four alleged drug peddlers in Anantnag and Kupwara districts of Jammu and Kashmir and recovered heroin and charas from their possession, officials said. Continuing its sustained crackdown against drug trafficking, J&K Police arrested four drug peddlers in Anantnag and Handwara (Kupwara) and recovered contraband substances from their possession, a police spokesperson said. A police team from Mattan police station intercepted a motorcycle during naka checking at Gopalpora Crossing in Anantnag and recovered 14 grams of heroin from its rider and pillion, the spokesperson said. The two men were arrested and identified as Ubaid Ahmed Khan and Yawar Sultan, he said. A case under Sections 8/21 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Mattan police station and an investigation is underway, the spokesperson added. In another incident, a police team from Sangam police post intercepted a vehicle travelling from Jammu towards Srinagar during naka checking at Sangam Chowk, he said. The vehicle was being driven by Waseem Bashir Bhat, a resident of Lal Chowk in Srinagar. During a search, 6.15 grams of charas was recovered from his possession, the spokesperson said. In Handwara, police apprehended a man during naka checking at Champora Crossing, under the jurisdiction of Vilgam police station, and recovered a charas-like substance from him. The accused was identified as Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, the spokesperson said. An FIR under Section 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Vilgam police station. The accused has been arrested and further investigation is underway to ascertain the forward and backward linkages of the case, he added.

Banner seeking info on four wanted terrorists surfaces in Srinagar's Lal Chowk

Srinagar, Nov 08: A banner surfaced on Sunday in Srinagar's Lal Chowk area, seeking information about the whereabouts of four terrorists wanted by security forces in Kashmir. A flex banner was found hanging this morning on the wall of Pratap Park here, seeking information about the four terrorists, including Mohammad Lateef Bhat, who was involved in the killing of a cop in Anantnag in July this year. The others featured on the banner include Bilal Ahmad Mir, Mohammad Umar Mir and Abid Qayoom Lone, all from Baramulla district. Anyone who can provide credible information regarding the movement/presence of these terrorists, the identity of the informant will be kept strictly confidential and a handsome reward will be given for reliable information, the banner reads.

Driver killed as tipper rams into three-wheeler in Budgam

Budgam, Nov 08: A three-wheeler driver was killed after his vehicle collided with a tipper at Hajibagh area of Budgam district on Sunday, officials said. An official said that the accident occurred at Hajibagh when the three-wheeler collided with a tipper, leaving the driver critically injured. He said the driver was shifted to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Medico-legal formalities are underway. The deceased was identified as Mohammed Umar Hajam, a resident of Soibugh, Budgam. Meanwhile, cognisance of the incident has been taken and an investigation has been initiated.(KNO)

End of Maoist terror victory of right policies and strong political will: Modi

Jagdalpur, Nov 08: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the end of Maoist terror and Naxal menace was a victory of the countrys right policies and a strong political will. Our government took decisions which dealt very big blows to the funding of Naxals and secessionists, Modi said, while celebrating Diwali with security personnel at a CRPF camp in Chhattisgarhs Bastar district. Decisions taken by the government destroyed fake currency nexus and choked the supply line of Naxals and secessionists, Modi said. The fight against Maoist terror and Naxalism was not easy; there was a time when more than 230 districts in nearly 20 states were affected by Naxalism, he said. To move the country forward, the nations enemies must be crushed with unwavering determination and a well-planned strategy, Modi said. The lack of political will that the country had faced was addressed in 2014, when you gave this Pradhan Sevak the opportunity to serve Mother India, Modi said. For the first time in 47 years, not a single CRPF jawan lost his life in the line of duty over the past year, he said. Bastar, long known as the epicentre of Left-Wing Extremism (Naxalism) in Chhattisgarh, has undergone a major transformation following aggressive counter-insurgency operations, massive surrenders, and development push.

Four policemen, including SHO, injured as patrol vehicle overturns on NH 44; LoP joined rescue operation

Banihal, Nov 08: Four police personnel, including Station House Officer (SHO) Chanderkote Inspector Vicky Thapa, sustained minor injuries after a police patrol vehicle overturned following a collision with a bus on National Highway-44 near Chanderkote in Ramban district on Sunday. The police vehicle, which was engaged in highway patrolling duty, was hit by a bus, causing it to overturn on the highway and sustain damage. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma, who was travelling from Srinagar to Jammu, stopped his convoy and personally joined the rescue operation, extending assistance to the injured policemen. The injured personnel were shifted to District Hospital Ramban with the assistance of police personnel, CRPF, Army, Team Hamdard volunteers and local residents. In-charge Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Ramban, Dr Mohammad Rafi Wani, said that all four injured policemen, including the SHO, were brought to the hospital for treatment. He said that all the injured were out of danger and were discharged after first aid and necessary scans.

Mehbooba holds Diwali get together with media in Jammu

Physically challenged man found dead in Jammu

Jammu, Nov 08: A 50-year-old physically challenged man was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Jaswan village of Kanachak area in Jammu on Sunday morning, officials said. An official said that the man was found dead in the area, following which police reached the spot and took the body into custody. He said the body was shifted to a hospital for medico-legal formalities to ascertain the exact cause of death. The deceased was later identified as Jay Singh (50), son of Bhag Singh, a resident of Jaswan village. Meanwhile, police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated an investigation.(KNO)

PM Modi greets all citizens on Diwali, says will celebrate festival with soldiers

New Delhi, Nov 08: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday conveyed Diwali greetings to all citizens of country. Heartfelt Diwali greetings to all my family members across the country. Happy Diwali, Modi said in a post on X. While conveying Diwali greeting on Saturday, the prime minister said like the previous year, he would celebrate the festival along with the brave soldiers of the country. In a video message posted on his social media handles, Modi had said like everyone, he will also celebrate Deepavali with great enthusiasm. My heartiest greetings to all of you for Deepavali. I wish for peace, prosperity and happiness for all of you in the coming days. I also celebrate Deepavali like you with great enthusiasm, he said. The prime minister said every year he celebrates Deepavali with the brave soldiers of the country. This time also I will continue the tradition, he said. He, however, did not disclose in which military station or post he will celebrate the Deepavali.

Commissioner SMC reviews NGT Action Plan, AMRUT 2.0 Projects

Srinagar, Nov 7: Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Dr. Basharat Qayoom, on Saturday chaired a review meeting at SMC Headquarters, Karan Nagar, to assess the implementation of National Green Tribunal (NGT) Action Plan and review progress of ongoing AMRUT 2.0 projects. The meeting took stock of the progress achieved under various components of both initiatives, with particular focus on water supply augmentation, quality parameters, inter-departmental coordination and timely execution of approved works. Reviewing the progress under AMRUT 2.0, the Commissioner stressed that strengthening the citys water supply infrastructure and addressing areas facing water shortages must remain a priority. He directed the concerned executing agencies to expedite the ongoing works and ensure that all projects are completed within the stipulated timelines while maintaining the prescribed technical and quality standards. The Commissioner observed that the commissioning of the approved AMRUT 2.0 projects is expected to bring further improvement in supply of different localities of Srinagar, including Batamaloo, Aloochibagh, Jenab Sahab Soura, Bagwanpora, Lal Bazaar, Natipora, Malbagh, Jawahar Nagar, HMT and Lawaypora. Emphasising the importance of quality in public infrastructure, Dr. Basharat directed the concerned officers to ensure that all prescribed quality parameters are duly addressed during execution, with no compromise on technical specifications or standards. He called for closer field-level supervision, regular assessment of physical and financial progress and prompt resolution of bottlenecks affecting the pace of work. The Commissioner remarked that the people of Srinagar deserve better basic civic facilities and that ongoing developmental initiatives must translate into tangible improvements in the quality of services delivered to citizens. He stressed that all concerned departments and executing agencies must work in close coordination and with a clear sense of responsibility to address existing infrastructure gaps and improve the availability and reliability of essential civic services. Taking up the NGT Action Plan, the Commissioner reviewed the status of various environmental interventions and stressed the need for coordinated efforts by all stakeholder departments to ensure effective implementation of the prescribed measures and compliance with the directions of the National Green Tribunal. He called for regular monitoring and timely action on all pending issues. The Commissioner further directed the concerned departments and executing agencies to submit comprehensive and updated reports on the status of works under their respective jurisdictions, clearly indicating the progress achieved, pending activities, implementation-related challenges and proposed timelines for completion. The reports shall facilitate a detailed assessment of project implementation, identify areas requiring intervention and ensure effective monitoring and timely follow-up. Reiterating the need for accountability and effective project management, the Commissioner directed all concerned officers to maintain close coordination, strengthen monitoring at the field level and ensure that ongoing projects are completed expeditiously without compromising quality. The meeting was attended by Joint Commissioner, Administration; Joint Commissioner, R&E; Joint Commissioner, Works); Joint Commissioner, H&S); Financial Advisor/Chief Accounts Officer; Superintending Engineer, Drainage Circle; Divisional Forest Officer; Executive Engineer, Mechanical/SWMO; Executive Engineer, UEED; Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti-PHE; Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti-Masterplan; Assistant Legal Remembrancer; and Chief Enforcement Officer, Srinagar Municipal Corporation.

Dr Farooq Abdullah visits Ahsan Pardesi's residence, attends condolence gathering

Srinagar, Nov 7: JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah visited the residence of MLA Lal Chowk, Ahsan Pardesi, at Shivpora, Srinagar, to attend a Majlis-e-Isal-e-Sawab held on the fourth day following the demise of veteran party leader and former MLC Haji Sheikh Ghulam Qadir Pardesi. Addressing the gathering, Dr Farooq Abdullah, as per a statement, emphasised the importance of religious education and urged the youth to learn and follow the teachings of the Holy Quran and Hadith for success in this world and the hereafter. He expressed concern over the growing addiction among young people to drugs and excessive mobile phone use, stressing the need to guide them towards positive values, knowledge and spirituality. On the occasion, Dr Farooq Abdullah presented the Holy Quran to Ahsan Pardesi, while Dastar Bandi was also performed for him. Among those present were Party Additional General Secretary Advocate Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan, MLA Eidgah Haji Mubarak Gul, MLA Hazratbal Salman Ali Sagar, State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, District President Peer Afaq Ahmad, In-charge Constituency Langate Shafaqat Watali and In-charge Constituency Sangrama Khawaja Mohammad Yaqoob Wani, along with other party functionaries and local residents. Ahsan Pardesi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who stood by the family during this difficult time and prayed for the departed soul.

Apni Party leaders, workers visit Altaf Bukhari to offer condolences

Srinagar, Nov 7: On the second day of condolence visits following the demise of the sister-in-law of Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, several prominent party leaders and senior workers from different parts of the Valley on Saturday visited the bereaved family at Sheikhpora Budgam, to express their sympathies and solidarity. The deceased passed away on Friday following a brief illness. As per a statement issued, Apni Party leaders and senior workers expressed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, reaffirming their solidarity with the party president and his family during this difficult time. They also prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength and patience for the family to bear the irreparable loss. Meanwhile, several political, social, and religious leaders, besides people from different walks of life, also visited Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and other members of the bereaved family over the past two days to offer their condolences and express sympathy.

Ravinder Raina visits bereaved family in Sopore

Sopore, Nov 7: BJP National Executive Member and senior party leader Ravinder Raina on Saturday visited Sopore and met the bereaved family of Adnan Rather, an MBBS student from Dangerpora, Sopore, who tragically lost his life in Bangladesh. During the visit, Raina expressed his heartfelt condolences to the grieving family and shared their sorrow over the demise of the young medical student. He conveyed his deepest sympathies to the family members and prayed for strength and courage for them to bear this irreparable loss.

Equitable development of all regions, sections of society Govts priority: Ali Muhammad Sagar

Srinagar, Nov 7: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary and Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar Saturday said that the National Conference government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is utilising all available resources to ensure public welfare, relief and overall development. He said the government's priorities include ensuring equal development of every region and every section of society across Jammu and Kashmir. He made these remarks while addressing a reception organised at the party headquarters, Nawa-e-Subh Complex, for Block B workers of the Khanyar Assembly constituency. Addressing the gathering, Sagar, as per a statement, said the government was committed to ensuring equitable development in key sectors, including infrastructure, roads, electricity, drinking water, healthcare, education, employment and other public services. He said considerable progress had been made in various sectors over the past two years and several projects concerning public welfare had been implemented, with positive results being felt at the grassroots level.

Public representatives must listen to people, address their grievances: Dr Farooq Abdullah

Srinagar, Nov 7: The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah Saturday said for building a better and peaceful society, it is essential not only to follow religious teachings but also to promote mutual respect, humanity, compassion, brotherhood and concern for the poor. He said these values form the foundation of human dignity, respect and social harmony. He made these remarks while addressing a function in Srinagar. Expressing serious concern over the growing social evils and undesirable practices in society, particularly the increasing trend of drug abuse, he expressed hope that every section of society would play an active role in the ongoing fight against drugs. He said collective efforts could help eradicate this menace from its roots. Dr Farooq Abdullah, as per a party statement issued, also expressed concern over the adverse impact of excessive and irresponsible use of mobile phones and social media on the younger generation. He said this trend was affecting the precious time and future of young people. He stressed the need for parents, teachers and responsible members of society to guide youngsters properly and encourage them to participate in positive activities. Dr Farooq Abdullah said that Allah had given the party MLAs the opportunity to serve the people, which was both a great responsibility and a sacred trust. He said the primary duty of public representatives was to listen seriously to people's problems and difficulties and make every possible effort to resolve them.

Amit Shah reviews Gujarats internal security, directs action against drug networks, illegal migrants

New Delhi, Nov 7:Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday reviewed the law and order and internal security situation in Gujarat at a high-level meeting in Ahmedabad, directing security agencies to strengthen coastal and border surveillance and intensify action against drug trafficking, cybercrime and illegal migration. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Union Home Secretary and senior officials of the Union Home Ministry and Gujarat government attended the meeting. Several key issues, including border and coastal security, implementation of new criminal laws, drug trafficking, cybercrime, terrorism, illegal migration and disaster management, were discussed. Taking note of Gujarats nearly 2,340-km-long coastline and its international border with Pakistan, Shah stressed the need for stronger surveillance and better coordination among the Border Security Force (BSF), state police, Coast Guard and central agencies. Appreciating the states performance in implementing the new criminal laws, Shah said 92 per cent of chargesheets in Gujarat were filed within 60 days and 86 per cent within 90 days. He, however, directed the state government to launch a special drive to clear more than 25,000 pending forensic cases. On drug trafficking, the Home Minister said action should not be limited to small-time peddlers but must target the entire network and its main kingpins. He also called for prioritising financial investigations to identify and seize their illicit assets. Shah directed authorities to strengthen the capacity of the State Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (S4C) and the 1930 cybercrime helpline. He also called for strengthening counter-terrorism agencies and expediting the identification and deportation of illegal foreign nationals in accordance with the law. He appreciated Gujarats efforts in deporting 2,412 illegal foreign nationals during special drives. The meeting also reviewed disaster management, fire safety, the Ahmedabad Urban Flood Management Project and the survey and disposal of enemy properties. At the conclusion of the meeting, Shah directed Central and state agencies to work in close coordination and regularly review progress against prescribed targets. He reiterated the commitment to building a secure India through a safe, developed and drug-free Gujarat.

Court dismisses complaint against BCCI President over DOB allegations

Jammu, Nov 7: The Court of Special Railway Magistrate, Jammu, has dismissed an application seeking directions for registration of an FIR against Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Mithun Manhas over allegations of discrepancies and alleged manipulation in his date-of-birth records. The court, while examining the complaint, supporting documents and police inquiry report submitted by the Station House Officer, Police Station Nowabad, observed that there was no prima facie material to warrant registration of an FIR against Manhas. As per a statement issued, the police inquiry found no material indicating manipulation or fabrication of his date of birth. According to the inquiry report, Manhass date of birth was consistently recorded as September 12, 1977, in his official documents, including educational records, PAN card, Aadhaar card and employment records. The court observed that the complainant had relied substantially on a photocopy of information purportedly obtained from the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) website, which was insufficient to establish that Manhas had submitted any fabricated document or made a false declaration before the association.

Trump appoints hardliner Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff after Republican election setback

New Delhi, Nov 7:US President Donald Trump has appointed his longtime adviser and hardline political operative Stephen Miller as the new White House chief of staff, signalling a tougher political approach following the Republican Partys sweeping defeat in Tuesdays midterm elections, the BBC reported. The appointment on Friday comes just days after Trump said he was willing to work with the newly strengthened Democrats in Congress following the Republican setback. Miller will replace Susie Wiles, who played a key role in managing Trumps successful 2024 presidential election campaign and was widely regarded as a steadying influence in his administration. The BBC said Millers elevation, rather than indicating a willingness to compromise with Democrats, could suggest that Trump is preparing for political battles by placing a staunch loyalist in one of the most powerful positions in Washington. The mission now is more clear than ever: Fight with all of our soul to support our president and defend this magnificent republic, Miller wrote on X, describing his appointment as an honour. Announcing the decision, Trump said Miller had been with him from the beginning of his political journey. He gets it, the President told reporters. The White House chief of staff controls access to the President, helps set the administrations agenda and plays a crucial role in negotiations with Congress and other political stakeholders. Miller is best known as the principal architect of Trumps aggressive immigration policies, including expanded enforcement operations and increased funding for deportations. He also attracted criticism after describing Alex Pretti, who was shot dead by federal immigration officials during a major deportation operation in Minneapolis, as a domestic terrorist and an assassin. Miller later softened his remarks, acknowledging that federal agents might not have followed proper procedures. According to the BBC, Miller has also reportedly played a leading role in US military operations in Venezuela and against suspected drug-trafficking operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which critics have condemned as unlawful killings. Miller joined Trumps political campaign in 2016 as a strategist and became known for his fiery speeches at campaign rallies. He was among the few senior officials who remained with Trump throughout his first presidential term and continued to support him after his defeat in the 2020 election. He returned to the White House in Trumps second term as deputy chief of staff for policy. Wiles, meanwhile, had earned a reputation for professionalism and for avoiding the internal conflicts, frequent staff changes and policy reversals that marked Trumps first term. However, Trump reportedly became increasingly dissatisfied with her in recent months as his political standing weakened, culminating in the Republican defeat in Tuesdays elections. He was also said to be unhappy over reports that people close to Wiles were securing lucrative consulting assignments through their links to the President. Millers appointment is likely to strengthen the influence of hardliners within the administration as Trump faces a more assertive Democratic opposition in Congress.

DCW Anantnag lifts Inter-College T-10 Cricket title

Srinagar, Nov 7:DCW Anantnag emerged champions of the Inter-College T-10 Cricket Tournament organised by Abdul Ahad Azad Memorial Degree College, Bemina defeating the host colleges womens team by 30 runs in the final. Chasing a score of 108 runs to win, Bemina Womes team could manage only 77 runs. The tournament concluded on November 7 at the college sports ground, with eight teams competing. SSP Srinagar Dr G. V. Sandeep Chakravarthy (IPS), as per a statement, attended the concluding ceremony as Chief Guest. Imtiaz Ahmad, SP West Srinagar, was the Guest of Honour, while Aditi Verma (IPS), SDPO West Srinagar, attended as Special Guest. The Principal of the college, Prof. Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat warmly received the dignitaries and presented mementos to them on the eve of the event. The guests presented medals to the deserving players and handed over the winners trophy to the DCW Anantnag team. Nadiya Nazir of the host college was the declared the Player of the Series while as Farzana Itoo of DCW Anantnag, who scored a half-century, secured the Player of the Match award. The ceremony celebrated the participants sporting spirit and the growing presence of women in competitive sports. Dr Rayees Ahmad Sheikh, Assistant Professor in Chemistry, officiated as umpire, while Dr Niyaz Ahmad Khan, Secretary, Staff Council, conducted the proceedings of the presentation ceremony. The successful tournament was hailed as an encouraging initiative towards womens empowerment and greater participation in sports within the college and across the Higher Education Department, Jammu and Kashmir.

Prices of anti-cancer medicines to be reduced from November 9

New Delhi, Nov 7:Prices of 1,031 formulations of anti-cancer medicines have been reduced following the governments decision to cap trade margins on 137 drugs, with consumers expected to save an estimated Rs 3,502.31 crore annually. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, has capped trade margins on these medicines following recommendations of an expert committee constituted by the Directorate General of Health Services. The revised prices will come into effect from November 9, 2026. According to the government, 76 pharmaceutical companies have so far reported revised maximum retail prices (MRPs) for 1,225 formulations covering 121 drugs. Of these, 600 brands have reported price reductions of more than 50 per cent, with the highest reduction being 96.45 per cent. The trade margin rationalisation measure will also apply to the remaining drugs among the 137 identified medicines that have not yet been launched in India, once they enter the market. Among the major reductions, the price of Zydus Lifesciences Bevacizumab injection (Bryxta), used for lung, colon, ovarian and cervical cancers, has been reduced from Rs 25,995 to Rs 3,318. The price of Abiraterone acetate tablets, used for prostate cancer, under the brand Abirone has come down from Rs 41,250 to Rs 3,218.23. The price of Palbopro, used for breast cancer, has been reduced from Rs 40,421.33 to Rs 2,720. The NPPA said the measure was aimed at improving the affordability and accessibility of essential anti-cancer medicines. Retailers, dealers, hospitals and medical institutions have been directed to prominently display revised price lists on their premises and websites. State Drug Controllers will monitor compliance by manufacturers and sellers. Consumers can check revised prices through the Pharma Sahi Daam mobile application and the NPPA website. Complaints regarding overcharging or non-compliance can be lodged through the NPPA helpline at 1800-11-1255 or by email at monitoring-nppa@gov.in .

J&K Sports Council Secretary reviews infrastructure, interacts with footballers in Jammu

Jammu, Nov 7: Continuing her extensive inspection tour of sports infrastructure in Jammu, the Secretary of the J&K Sports Council, Tazayun Mukhtar, visited the Mini Stadium Parade, Green field Gandhi Nagar and K.K.Hakhu Stadium. The site visits, as per a statement, covered key sporting venues, including Mini Stadium Parade, Green Field (Gandhi Nagar), and K.K. Hakhu Stadium. During the inspections, she reviewed the progress of ongoing works on-site. She instructed the concerned officers and executing agencies to strictly adhere to timelines while upholding high-quality construction standards. Emphasising the importance of rigorous monitoring and cross-departmental coordination, she noted that the upgraded infrastructure must be tailored to meet the evolving needs of athletes and active sporting programs. At the Mini Stadium Parade, the Secretary took time to interact directly with local football players. She listened to their feedback and specific requirements concerning football development in the region. Assuring the athletes of the Council's full backing, she stated that focused efforts are underway to strengthen football infrastructure, enhance training facilities, and expand competitive opportunities for young talent. Reiterating the Council's broader mandate, the Secretary emphasised that these infrastructure upgrades are designed to foster grassroots sports development. By providing reliable access to quality training environments, the J&K Sports Council aims to create a robust foundation for young athletes across Jammu and Kashmir to excel at regional national and international levels.

Real Kashmir, Sreenidi Deccan play out 1-1 draw

Srinagar, Nov 7: Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC) and Sreenidi Deccan FC shared points after playing out a 1-1 draw in an Indian Football League (IFL) match at TRC Ground in Srinagar on Saturday. The match, as per a statement, played under floodlights, witnessed a large turnout of spectators who gathered at the venue to support the home side amid cold weather. RKFC made an aggressive start to the encounter and put Sreenidi Deccan under pressure from the opening minutes. The home side's attacking approach paid off early as they found the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead. The Snow Leopards maintained their advantage throughout the first half, heading into the break with a one-goal cushion. However, Sreenidi Deccan FC staged a comeback in the second half, managing to find the equaliser and bring the contest back on level terms. Following the equaliser, RKFC pushed forward in search of a winner and created several opportunities. The home side dominated large parts of the game and looked determined to secure all three points, but failed to convert their chances into goals. Despite sustained efforts from both teams in the closing stages, neither side could find the decisive breakthrough. The match eventually ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams settling for a point each. The result denied RKFC a home victory despite a promising performance in front of their supporters.

Horticulture skill programme held in Bandipora

Bandipora, Nov 7:In an initiative aimed at promoting modern horticultural practices and strengthening farmers livelihoods, Chinar Uphar Foundation (CUF), in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Jammu and Kashmir, organised a skill development programme on modern horticulture, high-density plantation and the formation of Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) at Panchayat Ghar, Benlipora, Aloosa, Bandipora. Described by the organisers as a first-of-its-kind initiative in the area, the programme witnessed the participation of more than 50 farmers, who were sensitised about modern horticultural techniques, collective farming and opportunities available under various government schemes. Officials from the Department of Horticulture briefed participants on the importance of Farmer Interest Groups, highlighting their role in promoting collective farming, improving orchard management, facilitating access to government schemes and introducing technological interventions to enhance agricultural productivity. A key outcome of the programme was the formation of three Farmer Interest Groups. In another significant development, three borewells were sanctioned at an estimated project cost of around Rs 75 lakh to strengthen irrigation facilities and support horticultural activities in the area. The programme also focused on high-density plantation techniques, modern horticultural practices, capacity-building and sustainable orchard management, with an emphasis on improving productivity and creating better economic opportunities for farmers. Speaking on the occasion, Altaf Bhat, President of Chinar Uphar Foundation, thanked the Department of Horticulture, Jammu and Kashmir, for its cooperation and support. He also expressed gratitude to Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Indu Kanwal Chib for her administrative support and encouragement towards initiatives aimed at rural development and farmers welfare. Bhat said the formation of three FIGs and the sanctioning of three borewells were important outcomes of the initiative, demonstrating the potential of collaboration between government departments and civil society organisations in addressing grassroots development needs. He reiterated that Chinar Uphar Foundation would continue working with government departments and local communities to promote skill development, sustainable livelihoods, rural empowerment and inclusive development across Jammu and Kashmir.

Contractors seek relief over pending payments, mining restrictions in J&K

Srinagar, Nov 7:The J&K Contractors Coordination Committee (JKCCC) has urged the government to address a range of issues confronting the contractor fraternity, including long-pending payments, restrictions on construction material availability, unrealistic tendering practices, inadequate budgetary allocations and delays in renewal of contractor cards. In a statement issued to the press, Purza welcomed J&K Banks recently launched Rahat Scheme but urged the banks Chairman and Managing Director and its management to extend similar relief to contractors facing financial distress due to substantial payments pending with the government. He said several contractors had been struggling with mounting financial liabilities as payments for works executed over the years, including those dating back to 2014, remained unsettled. The prolonged delays, he said, had pushed many contractors into financial difficulties, with several bank accounts turning into Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). We welcome the Rahat Scheme launched by J&K Bank. However, the contractor fraternity should also be brought within its ambit. Our payments have remained pending with the government for years, and many contractors are struggling with financial liabilities, with their bank accounts having turned into NPAs. The contractor community also needs financial relief and institutional support, Purza said. Highlighting the difficulties faced by contractors in procuring essential construction materials, Purza said restrictions on mining activities and the absence of a clear regulatory framework had severely affected the availability of sand, bajri and other construction materials. He alleged that vehicles transporting construction materials were being intercepted and subjected to heavy penalties, with fines sometimes reaching Rs 50,000 and even Rs 1 lakh. Development cannot progress without the availability of essential raw materials. If the government wants developmental activities to continue, it must clearly establish where contractors are supposed to procure sand, bajri and other construction materials. There is an urgent need for a concrete and transparent mining policy so that contractors can execute government works without unnecessary uncertainty and harassment, he said. Purza said the issue had repeatedly been brought to the attention of the government, but contractors were still awaiting a concrete resolution. He maintained that uncertainty over mining regulations and the availability of construction materials was directly affecting project execution and contributing to the lapse of development funds. The JKCCC Chairman said substantial liabilities pertaining to 2014, 2018 and subsequent years remained unsettled, creating serious financial hardships for contractors who had already completed the assigned works. He said the issue had earlier been taken up with the Lieutenant Governor-led administration, following which the pending liabilities were examined and a phased payment mechanism was proposed. According to Purza, the matter was also raised with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, but contractors were still awaiting further payments. Contractors have already executed the works on the ground, and the Anti-Corruption Bureau has also submitted its report confirming the execution of the works. A decision had been taken to release the pending payments in instalments, and the initial instalments were released during the Lieutenant Governors administration. However, no further instalments have been released during the present governments tenure, he said. Appealing to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene personally, Purza sought the immediate release of genuine pending liabilities, saying timely payments would help financially distressed contractors recover and resume developmental activities. Raising concerns over tendering practices, Purza questioned the practice of contractors quoting exceptionally high discounts, sometimes ranging between 40 and 50 per cent below the government-approved Schedule of Rates. He said such bidding practices raised serious questions about the financial viability of projects, particularly when the prices of construction materials, fuel and transportation had increased substantially. How can a contractor execute quality work after quoting discounts of 40 or 50 per cent when the prices of construction materials and other essential inputs have increased considerably? Such practices compromise the workability of projects and raise serious concerns about the quality and sustainability of developmental works. The government must examine this issue and ensure that projects are awarded on realistic and workable financial terms, Purza said. He urged the authorities to review the tendering mechanism and ensure that bidding remained within financially viable limits so that contractors could execute works without compromising quality or standards. The JKCCC Chairman also flagged what he described as a mismatch between the value of tendered works and the actual budgetary allocations available for their execution. Citing instances, he said works worth Rs 1 crore were being tendered against allocations of merely Rs 10 lakh or Rs 20 lakh, leaving contractors uncertain about the availability and release of the remaining funds. He said such practices placed an unreasonable financial burden on contractors, who were expected to execute projects despite inadequate initial allocations and uncertainty over subsequent payments. The tender value must correspond with the actual budget allocation. If only Rs 20 lakh is available for a project, the tendering process should be planned accordingly. How can a contractor execute a work worth Rs 1 crore when the available allocation is only Rs 10 lakh or Rs 20 lakh and the remaining amount may take years to arrive? This creates unnecessary financial pressure and discourages contractors from undertaking developmental works, he said. Purza said that under the previous administrative arrangement, tenders were generally issued in accordance with the funds available for the particular financial year, providing contractors greater financial certainty for planning and executing projects. He urged the Chief Secretary, Finance Department and other concerned authorities to ensure that tendering was aligned with realistic budgetary provisions and the availability of funds. Purza also expressed concern over difficulties in the renewal of contractor cards, stating that even experienced contractors with 30 to 50 years of professional experience were facing administrative hurdles due to additional verification requirements. He questioned the requirement of verification by the Additional Director General of Police (ADG), CID, for the renewal of contractor cards, arguing that the procedure was causing delays and unnecessary hardships. He said the matter had been brought to the attention of senior government authorities, including the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, but the contractor fraternity continued to face difficulties. Contractors who have been serving the system for decades should not be subjected to unnecessary procedural hurdles. There must be a reasonable and transparent mechanism for the renewal of contractor cards. Repeated orders and additional requirements are creating uncertainty instead of facilitating the functioning of the contractor fraternity, he said. Making an appeal to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Purza urged the government to accord priority to resolving the issues concerning mining regulations, pending payments, contractor card renewals, unrealistic tendering practices and inadequate budgetary allocations. He said contractors were an essential component of the developmental process and that their financial and operational difficulties had a direct bearing on the execution of public infrastructure projects and the livelihoods of those associated with the sector. If the government genuinely wants Jammu and Kashmir to progress and developmental activities to continue at the desired pace, the genuine concerns of contractors must be addressed without further delay. Payments should be released, a clear mining policy should be formulated, contractor card renewal issues should be resolved and the tendering process should be made realistic and transparent, Purza said.

J&K auto retail falls 28.5% in October; 2-wheeler sales plunge 34%

Srinagar, Nov 7:Automobile retail in J&K witnessed a sharp contraction in October 2026, with total vehicle registrations declining by 28.50 per cent year-on-year and 6.50 per cent month-on-month, reflecting subdued consumer demand across most vehicle categories. According to the October 2026 retail data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), total automobile retail in the Union Territory stood at 19,856 units, compared to 27,771 units in October 2025, marking a decline of 7,915 units. The month-on-month performance was also negative, with registrations falling from 21,234 units in September 2026 to 19,856 units in October, representing a contraction of 6.50 per cent. The downturn was primarily driven by a sharp decline in two-wheelers and passenger vehicles, which together accounted for the bulk of the overall contraction. The two-wheeler segment, traditionally a major contributor to automobile retail in the region, recorded a decline of 34.10 per cent, with sales falling to 10,472 units in October 2026 against 15,890 units in the corresponding month last year. Passenger vehicle retail also remained under pressure, registering a year-on-year decline of 27.98 per cent. Registrations in the segment fell to 6,488 units from 9,009 units in October 2025, translating into a reduction of 2,521 vehicles. The commercial vehicle segment recorded a relatively moderate contraction of 3.73 per cent, with retail declining to 930 units from 966 units a year earlier. Tractor registrations also remained in negative territory, falling by 12.04 per cent to 336 units in October 2026 compared to 382 units in October 2025. However, two categories bucked the broader downward trend. Three-wheeler retail registered a growth of 6.21 per cent, increasing to 1,590 units from 1,497 units in October 2025. Construction equipment emerged as the fastest-growing category in percentage terms, recording a 48.15 per cent increase, although on a relatively small base. Registrations in the segment rose to 40 units from 27 units in the corresponding month last year. Commenting on the October performance, Sanjay Aggarwal, Chairperson of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), J&K, said the industry had not achieved the retail targets set for the month, with registrations declining both annually and compared to September. He said Octobers performance reflected a relatively cautious phase for the automobile industry in J&K, with the sharper year-on-year contraction indicating that demand recovery remained uneven across vehicle categories. Festive periods traditionally play an important role in driving automobile sales. However, this year, the timing of purchases and delivery schedules appears to have influenced Octobers retail numbers. We remain hopeful that deferred purchases will translate into improved retail activity in the coming weeks, Aggarwal said. He observed that consumer sentiment remained an important factor influencing automobile demand in the Union Territory. While customers continued to show interest in personal mobility and vehicle upgrades, purchasing decisions were increasingly being influenced by affordability, financing options and prevailing economic conditions. According to Aggarwal, these factors were shaping buying behaviour across vehicle categories, with consumers exercising greater caution before committing to purchases. Despite the overall contraction, Aggarwal identified the growing acceptance of electric vehicles as a positive development for the automobile industry in J&K. He said increasing consumer interest in electric mobility reflected a gradual shift in purchasing preferences, adding that improved charging infrastructure, wider product availability and greater consumer awareness would be important in accelerating EV adoption in the region. The industry, he said, remained hopeful that improvements in the supporting ecosystem would strengthen the electric vehicle market in the coming months. Looking ahead, the FADA J&K Chairperson expressed cautious optimism about the automobile retail outlook, identifying the upcoming festive and marriage seasons as potential drivers of renewed demand. He said periods such as Dhanteras, Diwali and the marriage season traditionally witnessed increased consumer spending and higher demand for personal mobility, particularly in the passenger vehicle and two-wheeler segments. Dealers across Jammu and Kashmir, he added, were preparing to cater to the anticipated increase in customer enquiries and showroom footfall. Aggarwal said attractive product offerings, financing options and festive campaigns by manufacturers and dealerships could further support purchasing activity. We are hopeful that the combination of the festive and marriage seasons can help the industry regain momentum and improve retail performance in the coming months, he said.

J&K moves to build GCC ecosystem, constitutes apex committee to attract investors

Srinagar, Nov 7:Jammu and Kashmirs ambition to emerge as a destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) has entered a new phase with the Government constituting a high-level apex committee to attract investments, identify prospective companies and prepare a time-bound action plan for developing the sector. The move follows the two-day J&K GCC Summit held at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu on October 9 and 10, which brought together policymakers, industry representatives, technology experts and academic institutions to explore the regions potential in the rapidly expanding global services industry. The General Administration Department, through Government Order No. 1683-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated October 28, constituted the apex committee under the chairmanship of NIIT Chairman Rajendra Singh Pawar. The committee includes the Administrative Secretaries of the Information Technology and Labour and Employment departments, Directors of IIM Jammu and IIT Jammu, a NASSCOM representative and the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Innovation and Transformation in Governance (CITaG), who will function as its secretary. The committee has been mandated to identify prospective companies, GCC operators and technology firms and facilitate engagement with them to explore opportunities for establishing centres in J&K. Significantly, its responsibilities extend beyond investment promotion. It will prepare and oversee a time-bound action plan specifying priority interventions, expected outcomes, institutional responsibilities and measurable targets. It will also examine policy, regulatory and infrastructure requirements and recommend measures to address bottlenecks affecting the establishment and expansion of GCCs. The constitution of the committee provides an institutional mechanism for pursuing the GCC agenda. However, the larger challenge will be translating the initiative into actual investment, operational centres and sustainable employment. From summit discussions to an implementation roadmap The IIM Jammu summit brought the issue of GCC development into a structured government-industry discussion, with six major themes covering the global GCC landscape, policy enablement, talent and workforce development, technology and innovation, investment and growth, and a roadmap for Jammu and Kashmir. The discussions placed particular emphasis on the need for closer coordination between government, industry and educational institutions. While the Government has identified several sectors for GCC development, including artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, software and product engineering, financial and business services, and research and development, the availability of reliable infrastructure will remain critical. Global Capability Centres increasingly undertake complex functions for multinational companies, including technology development, financial operations, analytics, cybersecurity and research. Their requirements extend well beyond conventional office accommodation. Reliable power supply, high-speed connectivity, data security, business continuity arrangements, transport facilities and suitable office infrastructure are essential for companies operating across international time zones. A September 2026 report by Moneycontrol, citing research by 3AI QuantX, highlighted infrastructure and specialised talent shortages as two major obstacles to the expansion of GCCs into Tier-II cities. The report estimated a 20-25 percent gap in advanced artificial intelligence and data roles, with shortages in specialised areas such as MLOps, LLMOps and agentic AI. It also pointed to the importance of housing, commuting and social infrastructure in attracting and retaining skilled employees. These challenges are relevant to J&K, where the development of a GCC ecosystem will require more than financial incentives. The availability of plug-and-play office space is another immediate concern. As highlighted in the earlier assessment of J&Ks IT infrastructure, the proposed IT park in the Kashmir division has not yet reached the stage where companies can access ready-to-use commercial office space. For an investor evaluating multiple locations, the ability to commence operations within a predictable timeframe can be as important as the cost of setting up a centre. Universities and industry must work together The Governments apex committee has also been tasked with coordinating with academic institutions, NASSCOM and other stakeholders to align educational programmes and skill-development initiatives with industry requirements. This is particularly important because the nature of GCC employment is changing. Companies are increasingly moving towards artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data engineering, cybersecurity and product development rather than limiting their Indian operations to routine back-office functions. The summit also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between IIM Jammu and KPMG Advisory Services Private Limited to strengthen industry-academia engagement through academic programmes, executive education, research, consultancy and skill development. Such collaborations could help bridge the gap between academic qualifications and the competencies required by multinational companies. However, their effectiveness will depend on whether training programmes are designed around actual industry requirements, accompanied by internships, practical exposure and employment pathways. Indias GCC industry has expanded into a major employment and services segment. The Nasscom-Zinnov FY26 landscape estimates cited in the first part of this series put the countrys GCC count at 2,117, with a workforce of 2.36 million and annual revenue of $98.4 billion. Although the established metropolitan centres continue to dominate the sector, the growing interest in Tier-II locations provides an opportunity for regions such as Jammu and Kashmir to attract a share of future expansion. For J&K, the immediate priority should be to convert the newly constituted committees mandate into measurable deliverables: identifying potential investors, assessing infrastructure requirements, establishing industry-linked training programmes and creating a predictable approval mechanism. The region does not necessarily need to compete with Bengaluru or Hyderabad by replicating their entire technology ecosystems. It can instead build on specialised delivery capabilities, remote operations and partnerships with established GCC operators before moving towards larger independent centres. The apex committee now provides a formal platform to coordinate this effort. Its success, however, will ultimately be judged not by the number of meetings held or proposals discussed, but by the number of companies that establish operations, the quality of jobs created and the extent to which local talent becomes part of the global technology and services economy.

Early detection can significantly improve cancer treatment outcomes

Srinagar, Nov 7: A painless lump, persistent change in voice, unexplained weight loss, anaemia or prolonged fatigue may indicate an underlying health problem, including cancer, and should not be ignored, an AIIMS New Delhi expert has cautioned, emphasising that early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Dr Atul Batra, Additional Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology at Dr B.R.A. Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH), AIIMS New Delhi, highlighted the importance of recognising early warning signs and seeking timely medical attention in a video message released by the institute on National Cancer Awareness Day on Friday. In the video shared on AIIMS New Delhis official social media handle, Dr Batra explained that cancer is a group of diseases characterised by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, which can spread to other parts of the body if not detected and treated in time. He said that growing awareness about common warning signs, combined with timely screening and medical consultation, could help identify cancers at an earlier stage, when treatment is generally more effective. Emphasising that cancer-related symptoms should not necessarily be accompanied by pain, Dr Batra cautioned people against dismissing a painless lump or persistent changes in their voice. He also stressed the importance of regular screening and urged people to consult qualified healthcare professionals if they notice unusual or persistent symptoms. The oncologist also highlighted the role of preventive measures, including avoiding tobacco, maintaining a balanced diet and remaining physically active, in reducing cancer risks. National Cancer Awareness Day is observed every year on November 7 to promote awareness about cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. The observance is associated with the birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Marie Curie, whose pioneering work in radioactivity contributed significantly to cancer research and treatment. The message assumes particular significance for Jammu and Kashmir, where the cancer burden has emerged as a growing public health concern. Health-related estimates and official records have pointed to around 51,000 cancer patients in the region over recent years, while oncologists have frequently highlighted an average of 35 to 38 new cases being diagnosed daily. Cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly oesophageal and stomach cancers, along with lung and breast cancers, figure among the commonly reported malignancies in Kashmir. Doctors have also expressed concern over patients frequently approaching healthcare facilities at advanced stages of the disease, limiting treatment options and affecting outcomes. Delayed diagnosis, lack of awareness and social stigma surrounding the disease remain among the factors contributing to late presentation. While screening initiatives, awareness campaigns and efforts to strengthen cancer treatment infrastructure are underway, the existing facilities at SKIMS Soura, SMHS Hospital and hospitals in Jammu continue to face considerable patient loads. The upcoming AIIMS at Awantipora is expected to strengthen access to specialised cancer care in Kashmir once fully operational. However, healthcare experts maintain that improving infrastructure must go hand in hand with public awareness, timely screening and early medical consultation to address the growing disease burden.

NHM staff get 5% annual increment; employees call it routine exercise

Srinagar, Nov 7: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday sanctioned a 5 per cent annual increment for eligible contractual employees engaged under the National Health Mission (NHM). However, the announcement triggered a sharp reaction from the NHM Employees Association, which termed the move a routine administrative exercise rather than a fresh concession to employees. The order, issued by Mission Director NHM J&K Athar Aamir Khan, covers contractual employees working at the state, divisional, district and block levels. Employees engaged under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) and various disease control programmes have also been brought under its ambit. As per the order, employees who completed one year of service on or before March 31, 2026, will be entitled to the increment with effect from April 1, 2026. Those completing one year of service between April 1 and September 30, 2026, will receive the benefit from October 1, 2026, while employees completing one year after September 30, 2026, will become eligible from April 1, 2027. The increment follows the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfares approval dated June 19, 2026, regarding the NHM State Programme Implementation Plan for 2026-27. Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo described the decision as fulfilment of the governments commitment to NHM employees. In a post on X, she termed the increment an important step towards recognising the contribution of NHM staff to the healthcare system. However, the J&K National Health Mission Employees Association (JKNHMEAK) rejected the governments portrayal of the decision as a significant achievement, maintaining that the 5 per cent annual increment was already part of the existing NHM framework. Chief spokesperson of the Association, Abdul Rauoof, said the increment was a routine annual provision and could not be presented as a special concession. There is nothing new or extraordinary in this announcement. The 5 per cent increment is already part of the annual NHM budgetary framework and has been approved by the Government of India. It cannot be projected as a special concession or a historic achievement, he said. Speaking to * Greater Kashmir *, Association members said the Health Minister had earlier informed the Legislative Assembly that NHM employees were being paid a consolidated honorarium with a provision for a 5 per cent annual increment. They pointed out that a similar increment for 2025-26 had also been ordered in September last year, arguing that the latest decision merely continued an existing arrangement. Expressing disappointment over what they termed the governments failure to address the broader grievances of NHM employees, Rauoof said their long-pending demands for salary enhancement, equal pay for equal work, job security, social security and retirement benefits remained unresolved. He also referred to a meeting held on September 18, 2026, at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar, during which, he said, various employee-related issues were discussed and assurances were extended by the government. The government must honour the commitments made during that meeting instead of expecting NHM employees to remain silent indefinitely. The continued delay, despite repeated assurances, is pushing employees towards the streets once again. We do not want confrontation, but the patience of NHM employees is not unlimited, Rauoof said. He urged the government to take concrete decisions on the employees demands without further delay, warning that continued inaction could leave them with no option but to resume protests.

J&K government notifies sweeping business reforms, allows start of enterprises on self-declaration

Srinagar, Nov 7:The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified a series of significant changes to the business regulatory framework, providing for the establishment of eligible enterprises through self-declaration, time-bound in-principle approvals, protection from routine inspections for three years and removal of multiple licensing requirements for businesses holding specified statutory registrations. Through three separate notifications issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), the government has operationalised key provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026, covering the Right to Business, appointment of a Single Nodal Agency for investment-related approvals and dispensation of duplicate licences. The notifications, issued by the Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, M Raju, seek to address procedural delays, overlapping regulatory requirements and the need for investors to approach multiple departments for approvals at different stages of establishing and operating an enterprise. The first notification, concerning the Right to Business, provides that an enterprise can obtain a Certificate of In-Principle Approval (CIPA) on the basis of a self-declaration furnished through a Declaration of Intent to the District Empowered Committee. The provision is based on Sections 9 and 11 of the Act, which establish a mechanism for eligible enterprises to initiate the process of setting up their businesses without waiting for all conventional approvals before commencing establishment activities. Under Section 11, the Certificate of In-Principle Approval will act as approval for such regulatory services as may be prescribed and will remain valid for three years. During this period, an enterprise can establish its unit, undertake construction and commence operations, while obtaining the applicable regular approvals at any time, but not later than three years from the date of issuance of the certificate. The government has prescribed different timelines for issuing the certificate depending on the location of the proposed enterprise. In approved industrial parks, the certificate must be issued within three working days, while enterprises located outside industrial parks must receive it within 30 days. A significant feature of the provision is the introduction of deemed approval. Under Section 11, if the District Empowered Committee fails to take a decision within the stipulated period, the Certificate of In-Principle Approval shall be deemed to have been issued. The notification further clarifies that the concerned enterprise will have the facility to download the deemed approval from the designated portal. The government has also provided safeguards against arbitrary rejection of applications. A Certificate of In-Principle Approval cannot be refused except through a reasoned order in writing, after the applicant has been given an opportunity to rectify deficiencies and be heard. Another significant provision of the notification relates to protection from routine inspections. Under Sections 13 and 14 of the Act, an enterprise holding a valid Certificate of In-Principle Approval will be protected from routine inspections for three years from the date of grant of the certificate. The protection, however, is subject to specified exceptions. Inspections are permitted upon complaints of a serious nature. The notification also provides for inspections through the competent authority or officers authorised by it, with the approval of the Deputy Commissioner or Additional District Development Commissioner, wherever such authorisation is required by the government. The notification further refers to Section 23 and Schedules III and V of the Act, which provide for compliance through self-certification or third-party certification in respect of specified activities and approvals. The government has identified six broad elements of the framework: establishment on self-declaration, time-bound approvals with deemed grant upon expiry of the prescribed period, protection from routine inspections, facilitation through the Single Window System and Invest, district-level decision-making through District Empowered Committees, and reliance on self-certification and third-party certification. In a separate notification, the government has designated the Executive Committee as the Single Nodal Agency for all investment-related approvals required by enterprises in Jammu and Kashmir. The notification acknowledges that enterprises, particularly those establishing units in industrial areas and clusters, presently have to obtain approvals from multiple departments and agencies. These approvals relate to land, building plans, fire safety, electricity, water supply, effluent disposal, environment, factory licensing and municipal matters. It notes that each department and agency operates with its own checklists, timelines, portals and documentation requirements, leaving investors to coordinate independently with multiple authorities. There is no single authority accountable for taking an enterprise from project conception to commencement of production. To address this fragmentation, the government has notified that the Executive Committee shall function as the Single Nodal Agency for all pre-establishment, construction, connection and operation-stage approvals required by enterprises across Jammu and Kashmir. The arrangement will also cover enterprises located within notified industrial areas, industrial parks and clusters. The notification invokes the One State Principle under clause (b) of Section 3 of the Act, under which the government is required to function as a single entity for regulatory compliance. It also refers to clause (a) of Section 8, which provides that the Executive Committee shall function as a single point of contact for investors of eligible enterprises, in coordination with District Empowered Committees, and ensure that necessary approvals are granted in a time-bound manner. The notification further refers to Section 9, sub-section (1) of Section 11 and sub-clause (i) of clause (a) of sub-section (5) of Section 10, under which the District Empowered Committee is responsible for receiving Declarations of Intent and issuing Certificates of In-Principle Approval under the supervision of the Executive Committee. The arrangement is intended to provide investors with a central coordination mechanism for securing approvals instead of requiring them to independently pursue different departments at every stage of establishing their enterprises. The third notification deals with implementation of Section 24 of the Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026, and provides relief from duplicate licensing requirements for enterprises holding specified valid registrations. The government has directed that recognised registrations and licences under the laws identified in the notification shall be deemed sufficient compliance for the corresponding activities, establishments and regulatory purposes. For food businesses, a valid registration or licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, will be sufficient compliance. Such businesses will not be required to obtain separate municipal or local trade licences, health trade licences, eating house licences, restaurant licences or hotel licences for the same food business activity and premises. Similarly, GST registration under the Central or Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax laws will be sufficient, and no separate municipal or local trade licence will be required. The exemption also covers registration, licence or approval under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, and the specified labour legislation. These include the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020, the Code on Wages, 2019 and the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. For enterprises covered by these provisions, no separate municipal or local trade licence will be required. Importantly, the notification states that no competent authority shall require an enterprise holding a valid recognised registration to obtain any additional licence, registration or approval, or levy any fee, in respect of matters covered by Section 24. The government has directed that the provisions of Section 24 be given full effect to remove the burden of duplicate licences on enterprises.

Pro-Poor Growth

Few economic statistics capture a nation's transformation as vividly as this one. According to the World Bank's October 2026 Poverty and Equity Brief, about 496 million Indians rose above the $4.20-a-day poverty line between 2011 and 2023, the benchmark for lower-middle-income economies. The headcount ratio of extreme poverty, measured at $3 a day in purchasing power parity terms, fell from 27.1% to 2.6%. In twelve years, India went from one in four citizens living in destitution to one in forty. It is among the fastest poverty reductions ever recorded. Nor is the World Bank alone. Its 2.6% is the highest of the recent estimates. Economists Surjit Bhalla and Karan Bhasin, writing for the Brookings Institution in 2024, put extreme poverty at about 2% and declared it eliminated, even without counting free rations. SBI Research estimated in early 2025 that overall poverty had fallen below 5%. Arvind Panagariya, chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, found that it fell from 21.9% to 2.3% by 2023-24 and called it virtually eliminated. Different poverty lines, different methods, one conclusion: extreme poverty in India is now close to zero. The engine was pro-poor growth. Real monthly per capita consumption expenditure rose by about 45% in rural India and 38% in urban India between 2011-12 and 2023-24. Crucially, the gains were largest at the bottom of the distribution: in 2023-24 alone, consumption among the poorest 5% of rural households grew about 22%. The consumption Gini coefficient fell in both rural and urban areas, and the urban-rural consumption gap narrowed from 84% to 70%. This is the textbook definition of inclusive growth: an expanding economy whose benefits reached those who needed them most. The growth elasticity of poverty tells the same story. A 43% rise in average real consumption was associated with a roughly 90% fall in extreme poverty, an elasticity of about minus two. Because millions of households were clustered just below the poverty line, broad-based income growth carried them across it in large numbers. Rural demand, long the weak link in India's growth story, became its driving force. Labour markets amplified the effect. Employment expanded by about 134 million between 2017 and 2023, nearly twice the growth of the working-age population, with rural women entering paid work in unprecedented numbers. More earners per household meant higher household consumption, even in years when real wages moved slowly. Public investment in human capital and basic services did the rest. Toilets, clean cooking fuel, electricity, housing, piped water and bank accounts reached poor households at a scale few developing countries have attempted. Multidimensional poverty, which measures deprivation beyond income, fell from about 29% to 11% in under a decade. Financial inclusion through Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar and mobile phones built the digital rails for direct benefit transfers, reducing leakages and putting resources straight into beneficiaries' hands. A food security net covering about 81 crore people provided a consumption floor that proved decisive during the pandemic, when a temporary income shock could otherwise have pushed millions back into poverty. Improvements in statistical measurement have also played a part. India's redesigned Household Consumption Expenditure Survey captures spending more accurately, and the World Bank's updated purchasing power parities reflect India's price levels better. These refinements make the data more reliable. They do not change the direction of travel, which every independent estimate confirms. The policy agenda now shifts from eliminating destitution to building prosperity. India should adopt an official national poverty line based on the new survey, so that progress is measured on its own terms. The focus must move to productivity: labour-intensive manufacturing, rural non-farm enterprise and skills that turn new jobs into better-paid ones, especially for the millions of women who have joined the workforce. Welfare can now evolve from a broad safety net into a targeted ladder, with a stronger emphasis on nutrition, health and education to deepen human capital. And as India approaches the $8.30 benchmark used for upper-middle-income economies, the ambition should rise with it. India has achieved one of the defining goals of the Sustainable Development Goals well ahead of 2030. The world spent decades asking whether growth in a large, diverse democracy could reach the poor. India's answer, written in the consumption data of half a billion people, is a resounding yes. Lokesh Dhar is a public policy consultant.

Mortar teams on high alert

Rajouri, Nov 7:Amid Diwali festivities across the country, the Indian Army is maintaining a high level of operational preparedness along the Line of Control (LoC), with mortar teams remaining on alert to respond to any emerging security situation. Given the sensitive nature of the border and the possibility of attempts by terrorists to infiltrate or disturb peace, the Army has maintained heightened vigilance across forward locations, with the readiness of mortar teams forming an important component of its operational preparedness. Mortars remain an important part of the Army's firepower and response mechanism, particularly in situations requiring an effective response to hostile activity along the LoC. Their operational readiness is considered crucial for strengthening security at sensitive forward locations. To maintain preparedness, mortar teams regularly undertake drills and practice exercises, ensuring coordination and the ability to respond swiftly whenever required. These specialised teams remain prepared to move to designated positions and undertake assigned operational tasks at short notice, while regular exercises help maintain their coordination and combat readiness. Amid the festive season, when security forces are maintaining heightened alertness along the LoC, these exercises form part of the Army's broader efforts to ensure operational readiness and prevent any attempt to disturb peace along the borders.

National Conference at a crossroads

The National Conference is passing through one of the most uncertain phases of its political history. What began as dissatisfaction over the recent Cabinet reshuffle has gradually developed into a wider crisis involving leadership, internal democracy, ideological differences and the future direction of the party. The departure of Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has added another dimension to an already complicated situation, raising questions about whether the National Conference can retain its political coherence and organisational unity. For a party that returned to power in October 2024 with considerable political expectations, the present developments are significant. The crisis is no longer confined to a few disappointed legislators or one prominent leader. It has exposed differences over the manner in which the party is being run, the distribution of political authority and the extent to which its elected representatives participate in important decisions. The uncertainty surrounding the National Conference is therefore not merely about its present government. It concerns its future as a political organisation. A cabinet reshuffle that opened a pandora's box The October 27 Cabinet reshuffle was expected to strengthen Omar Abdullah's government by filling vacancies and accommodating competing political interests. Instead, it exposed dissatisfaction that had apparently been simmering within the party for some time. The meeting of 18 legislators on October 30 was an important indication of the depth of discontent. Subsequent meetings suggest that the differences have not been resolved. The dissatisfied legislators have raised concerns about the exclusion of senior leaders, ministerial performance, regional representation and the influence of individuals outside the elected legislature. The situation is particularly sensitive because the discontent involves experienced legislators who have contributed to the party's political fortunes over several years. The appointment of Mubarak Gul as general secretary was apparently intended to address some of the dissatisfaction, but his reported reluctance to accept the position demonstrated that organisational appointments alone may not resolve the underlying grievances. The question now is whether Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah can persuade the dissatisfied legislators to return to a common political understanding or whether the differences will acquire a more permanent organisational character. Ruhullah's exit While the legislators' dissatisfaction is primarily connected with the functioning of the government and the distribution of political authority, Ruhullah's departure represents a different challenge. His objections concern the ideological commitments and electoral promises of the National Conference, particularly Article 370 and the constitutional aspirations associated with the party's political programme. Ruhullah had been an important face of the party, particularly among sections of the younger electorate. His public disagreement with the leadership and subsequent decision to leave the organisation have exposed a gap between competing understandings of the party's political direction. His departure also raises a difficult question for the NC leadership: how does a regional political party maintain the confidence of supporters whose expectations were built around promises that cannot necessarily be implemented through the existing institutional arrangement? Ruhullah's proposed political initiative could create an additional centre of political activity. However, whether it develops into a substantial alternative will depend on its organisational strength, political programme and ability to attract support beyond his immediate constituency. The Abdullah leadership The National Conference has historically drawn considerable strength from the Abdullah family's political legacy. Sheikh Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah have each occupied important positions in the party's political evolution. However, historical legacy and contemporary political authority are not necessarily the same thing. The present situation raises questions about whether the party has sufficiently developed a second line of leadership capable of independently managing organisational responsibilities and accommodating competing political interests. The perception among some dissatisfied legislators that decision-making is concentrated around the Chief Minister and his immediate circle is particularly relevant. Whether every allegation is justified is a separate matter, but the fact that such concerns have surfaced publicly is itself an organisational challenge. Farooq Abdullah's intervention may help facilitate reconciliation, but the longer-term question concerns the institutional structure of the party. Can the NC develop a decision-making system in which elected representatives have a meaningful voice? Can it accommodate ideological disagreements without treating them as personal confrontations? Can it create space for emerging leaders without weakening established organisational structures? These questions will influence its future beyond the present political controversy. A political breakaway? The most uncertain aspect of the present situation is the possibility of different forms of dissent developing into separate political initiatives. The legislators dissatisfied with the Cabinet reshuffle may eventually reach an understanding with the leadership. Their immediate demands appear to involve ministerial representation, administrative functioning and organisational consultation. Ruhullah's disagreement, however, concerns the party's ideological direction and political commitments. These two streams should not automatically be treated as one rebellion. Their objectives are different, and their political interests may not necessarily converge. Nevertheless, prolonged dissatisfaction could create opportunities for new political alignments. If the party fails to resolve its differences, individual leaders may explore political options outside the established organisational framework. The National Conference therefore faces a challenge that cannot be addressed simply by distributing positions or making temporary adjustments. Changing political space The internal uncertainty within the NC also has implications for the wider political environment of Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP, PDP and other political formations will naturally examine the developments for their implications on the government's functioning and the opposition's role. For the BJP in particular, the situation provides an opportunity to raise questions concerning the performance of the government, its regional balance and the fulfilment of electoral commitments. However, political criticism will have to be accompanied by a clearly articulated alternative programme. The PDP, meanwhile, operates in a political space where questions of regional representation, constitutional aspirations and the performance of the ruling party remain important. Ruhullah's possible political initiative could further complicate the established political equations. It remains uncertain whether his future course will produce an independent platform or some form of wider political understanding. What is becoming clear is that the existing political arrangement should not be assumed to remain unchanged. Jammu's representation The uncertainty within the NC cannot be examined exclusively through developments in Kashmir. The recent Cabinet exercise has also brought questions of regional representation into focus. The exclusion of certain areas and the dropping of the Jammu-based minister Satish Sharma have generated discussion about the political balance within the government. For a Union Territory comprising diverse geographical and political interests, regional representation is not merely an arithmetic exercise. It has a direct bearing on public confidence in governance. The political future of Jammu and Kashmir requires a framework in which Jammu, Kashmir and the erstwhile Doda district, Poonch-Rajouri and other regions receive meaningful representation. Any political organisation seeking a long-term mandate must recognise this diversity. Three possible directions The coming period could broadly produce three different developments. 1. Reconciliation: Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah may succeed in addressing the grievances of legislators through consultation and organisational adjustments. This could restore immediate stability, although ideological differences may continue. 2. Prolonged internal instability: The legislators may remain within the party but continue to question the leadership's decisions. Such a situation could weaken organisational coordination and create uncertainty around government functioning. 3. Political fragmentation: If disagreements become irreconcilable, some leaders could explore separate political platforms or alignments. Ruhullah's departure has already demonstrated that a prominent leader can choose to leave rather than continue an internal struggle. None of these outcomes should be treated as inevitable. Much will depend on the response of the party leadership and the decisions of the dissatisfied legislators. The future The National Conference has survived many political challenges in its long history. It retains an established organisation, an electoral base and the advantage of being in government. These factors cannot be ignored when assessing its future. But the present developments demonstrate that electoral strength does not automatically translate into organisational unity. The party must confront questions of accountability, collective leadership, regional balance and the credibility of its political commitments. It must also decide how much space it is prepared to give to dissenting voices and emerging leadership. The most important question is whether the National Conference can adapt to changing political expectations or whether its internal contradictions will continue to shape its future. The political future of the National Conference is no longer a question confined to its next election or its present Cabinet. It is a question of organisational identity, leadership succession and ideological direction. A party that has played such a central role in Kashmir's political history now faces the challenge of redefining its relevance in a changing political environment. The coming weeks will be important. Whether the present crisis ends in reconciliation, prolonged factionalism or the emergence of new political formations remains uncertain. One thing, however, is evident: the National Conference cannot take its political future for granted. Its historical legacy may explain its past influence, but its ability to accommodate dissent, deliver governance and maintain public confidence will determine its future. Advocate Sunil Sethi, Chief Spokesperson BJP J&K.

Army intensifies LoC surveillance amid Diwali festivities, infiltration alert

Rajouri, Nov 7:With Diwali celebrations underway across the country, Indian Army troops, deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch, have intensified surveillance and security measures amid intelligence inputs suggesting possible infiltration attempts by terrorists and attempts to disturb peace during the festive season. In the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district, Army troops have stepped up foot patrolling, with teams maintaining round-the-clock vigilance to ensure effective domination of sensitive stretches along the LoC, particularly vulnerable locations that could potentially be exploited for infiltration. Besides ground surveillance, the Army is also using drones to monitor areas along the LoC, keeping a close watch on vulnerable routes and suspected infiltration corridors. A media visit was also conducted through Public Relations Unit Jammu at some forward LoC locations in Nowshera sector wherein the visiting journalists had a close understanding of Army's alertness. At LoC locations, Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have also been positioned at strategic locations to ensure an immediate response to any emerging situation. Equipped with armoured vehicles, these specialised teams remain on standby to move swiftly towards vulnerable spots whenever required. The multi-layered security arrangements, combining intensified foot patrolling, aerial surveillance and rapid response capabilities, are aimed at maintaining effective area domination and ensuring a high level of operational preparedness along the LoC during the festive period.

Security bolstered ahead of Diwali in Ramban

Ramban, Nov 7:In the wake of upcoming Diwali festival and winter preparations underway, Police have intensified security arrangements, evening foot patrolling and preventive measures across Ramban district to ensure peaceful celebrations and public safety. Sharing details of the ongoing security drive late Saturday evening, SSP Ramban Anna Lata Sinha said that during the past seven days, police had issued 449 challans for traffic violations, seized 36 vehicles under relevant legal provisions and initiated preventive proceedings against 44 persons identified as potential troublemakers. SSP said that police personnel, SOG teams, police lines personnel and officials of the concerned police stations were working in close coordination to strengthen security arrangements. Evening foot patrolling has been intensified in busy market areas and other vulnerable locations, particularly during peak business hours. The SSP said that special attention was being given to areas identified as vulnerable hotspots, including locations where complaints regarding alleged drug peddling had been received. Concerned Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) are personally leading evening foot patrols in these areas to maintain vigilance and prevent unlawful activities. Sinha added that SOG teams and other police units were also actively engaged in security-related operations to ensure that people could celebrate Diwali in a safe and peaceful atmosphere. Search operations, including those assisted by sniffer dogs, and cordon-and-search operations were being conducted in sensitive and vulnerable areas as part of the enhanced security arrangements. Regarding winter preparedness, SSP Anna Lata Sinha said that the district had a comprehensive winter preparedness strategy in place. While operational details could not be disclosed due to security considerations, she assured that the entire police and security machinery was working in coordination to ensure the safety and security of people throughout the winter season. The SSP was accompanied by Additional SP Mujeeb Ur Rehman, DySP Headquarters Waqar Younus Bhat, DSP DAR Kuldeep Kumar, SHO Vikram Parihar and other police officers during evening foot patrolling in market areas, public places and sensitive locations.

Uneven Dewal road, Maroog-Kishtwari Pather narrow stretch hamper traffic flow on Srinagar Jammu NH

Ramban, Nov 7:The Srinagar Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remained open for two-way traffic of light, medium and heavy vehicles on Saturday, although vehicular movement continued to be slow at several locations between Udhampur and Banihal due to ongoing road construction, widening work and other traffic-related constraints. The uneven road surface at Dewal in Udhampur district and the narrow, single-lane stretch between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather in Ramban district continued to pose major challenges to the smooth movement of traffic. According to traffic officials, hundreds of vehicles crossed the Chenani-Nashri and Banihal-Qazigund tunnels during the day. However, traffic movement remained sluggish at several points due to narrow carriageways, ongoing construction activities, uneven road surfaces and occasional vehicle breakdowns. A 3040-metre stretch of uneven road at Dewal and the single-lane section between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather remained the major bottlenecks. Vehicle breakdowns between Nachlana and Ramsoo also contributed to congestion. The movement of nomadic livestock herds along narrow stretches of the highway, particularly between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather, may further affect traffic flow. Commuters have been advised to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking. Meanwhile, in view of ongoing highway widening work on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch, restrictions on the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will continue during daytime hours. As vehicles carrying inflammable materials are not permitted to pass through highway tunnels, Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will be allowed to proceed beyond Chenani only during the designated night window from 5 pm to 5 am, while their movement on the Digdol-Khooni nullah stretch will remain restricted from 7 am to 7 pm. Tanker operators have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly. Transporters carrying perishable goods and livestock have also been directed to ensure that vehicles are loaded strictly in accordance with the advisories issued by Traffic Police Headquarters. Traffic authorities have advised passengers and light motor vehicle operators to undertake their journeys during daylight hours and avoid night travel, particularly in view of the possibility of shooting stones, landslides, movement of nomadic herds and ongoing construction work along the Ramban-Banihal stretch. Heavy vehicle operators have been directed to avoid overloading, ensure proper vehicle fitness and carry sufficient fuel before starting their journeys. Commuters have also been advised to avoid unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, especially near landslide- and shooting-stone-prone locations. Traffic authorities have indicated that NH-44 is scheduled to remain open for two-way traffic on Sunday, subject to favourable weather and road conditions.