Opinion

Trump earned over 1 billion dollars from cryptocurrency and business ventures in 2025

New Delhi, Jul 01: US President Donald Trump earned more than $1 billion (about 750 million) last year, with cryptocurrency emerging as his biggest source of income, according to his mandatory 2025 financial disclosure, the BBC reported. The 927-page financial report shows Trump earned about $635 million in royalties from his Trump-themed meme coin, launched just three days before he took office. Although the cryptocurrency has since lost much of its value, it generated substantial income during the reporting period. The disclosure also revealed that Trump received more than $500 million from World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company founded by his sons along with the children of his special envoy, Steve Witkoff. According to the BBC, Trump and his family receive 75 per cent of the firm's net proceeds. Apart from cryptocurrency, Trump reported millions of dollars in earnings from his real estate business as well as sales of Trump-branded Bibles, watches and other merchandise. The White House rejected suggestions that the President had benefited financially from holding office. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said Trump had helped make the United States he crypto capital of the world and denied any conflict of interest. Neither the President nor his family has ever engaged or will ever engage in conflicts of interest, Kelly said, adding that all actions taken by Trump and his administration were in the best interests of the American people. According to the BBC, the latest disclosure marks a sharp increase in Trump's reported earnings compared with the previous year, when he declared more than $600 million in income. The filing also details several smaller cryptocurrency-related transactions involving digital wallets holding crypto assets. The financial disclosure includes the earnings of First Lady Melania Trump as well. She reported income of $10.7 million from a licensing agreement linked to a documentary about her released last year, along with another $6 million from an agreement related to the sale of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), or digital collectibles.

Mbappe scores twice to tie Messi for World Cup lead with 6 goals, France beats Sweden 3-0

East Rutherford, Jul 01: Kylian Mbapp put France ahead with a brilliant crossover step in the 45th minute and then added a second-half goal to break a World Cupknockout round scoring record, and Les Bleus beat Sweden 3-0 Tuesday to set up a round of 16 match against Paraguay. Bradley Barcola added a 53rd-minute goal for France and Mbapp capped the scoring in the 74th minute for his third two-goal game in four matches. His six goals tied Argentina forward Lionel Messi for the tournament lead and gave him 18 in his World Cup career, one shy of Messi's record. Mbapp's 10 knockout round goals are two more than the previous high by Brazilian greats Leonidas and Ronaldo. France coach Didier Deschamps bowed when his star came to the bench after he was substituted in the 85th minute. France, the World Cup runner-up four years ago and a tournament favorite this time, has outscored opponents 13-2, with Michael Olise assisting on five goals. On a brutally hot afternoon at MeLife Stadium, site of the World Cup final in July 19, France outshot Sweden 25-7, including 15-3 in the first half. Seeking to reach its third straight World Cup final, France plays Paraguay on July 4 in Philadelphia, and the winner advances to a quarterfinal against Canada or Morocco five days later at Foxborough, Massachusetts. It was 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), sunny and humid at the 5 p.m. kickoff with poor air quality. During the first half hydration break, France defender Lucas Digne let himself be doused by a sprinkler. Mbapp hit a post in the 32nd minute, raising both hands in disgust, and France nearly went ahead four minutes later on Olise's spectacular bicycle kick from just inside the penalty area, which also clanked off a post. In the first World Cup meeting between the nations, Mbapp scored after goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrm tipped Olise's shot just outside the post. Olise played a short corner kick to Ousmane Dembl, who passed to Mbapp near the byline. Mbapp took a crossover step to get around Viktor Gykeres and from just outside the 6-yard box sent a diagonal shot inside the far post. Mbapp ran up the center of the field to celebrate his 61st international goal, colliding with Dembl, and jogged to the bench to hug Deschamps, who returned for the match after going to France for his mother's funeral. Gustaf Lagerbielke lost the ball ahead of France's second goal. Aurlien Tchouamni passed to Olise, who nutmegged Lagerbielke, and Barcola took a centering touch and sent the ball past Zetterstrm's outstretched right hand. Mbapp entertained the crowd with a backheel pass to Barcola in the buildup to France's third goal. Barcola passed to Olise, who passed to Mbapp as the star sprinted into the penalty area. He steadied the ball with a touch and fired the ball inside the far post. A majority of fans wore France's blue, with a pocket in Sweden's yellow at one end. A crowd of 80,663 raised the record total for the expanded 104-match tournament above 5 million.

Rajasthan: 7 killed, over 15 injured as bus rams into truck on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway

Jaipur, Jul 1: A passenger bus rammed into a truck and caught fire on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan's Dausa district early Wednesday, killing seven people and injuring over 15 others, police said. The accident took place near Dhanawda under the Kolwa police station area. Dausa Superintendent of Police Piyush Dixit told PTI that five victims were charred to death in the blaze, while two others succumbed to severe head injuries. The bus was travelling from Rishikesh in Uttarakhand to Indore in Madhya Pradesh when it collided with a truck moving ahead of it on the expressway, he said. The bus was operated by Hans Travels of Indore, according to the police. The impact of the collision triggered a massive fire in both vehicles, sparking panic among the passengers. The injured were rescued and shifted to the Dausa District Hospital for treatment, the SP said. Police, fire brigade personnel and local administration teams rushed to the spot and carried out rescue operations. The blaze was later brought under control.

Ayodhya Bar Association seeks CBI probe into Ram Mandir donation row

The Ayodhya Bar Association has passed a resolution demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged mishandling of public donations meant for the Ram Mandir, raising concerns over financial transparency and the reported theft of temple offerings from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, reports Bar & Bench. The Association said it would move the Allahabad High Court seeking a court-monitored CBI investigation into the Trusts financial affairs and accounts to ensure accountability. At an extraordinary general body meeting, the Association also resolved that its members would not appear on behalf of those accused in the alleged theft of temple offerings. It further decided that any member representing an accused would be required to deposit a sahyog dhanrashi (contribution) of 5 lakh per accused into the Bar Associations fund. Responding to concerns that the resolution could affect an accused persons right to legal representation, Ayodhya Bar Association Secretary Shailendra Jaiswal clarified that the decision applied only to advocates who are members of the local Bar Association. Our sentiments have been deeply hurt by the theft of temple offerings, not just as professionals, but as Hindus and residents of Ayodhya. I can only request and mandate the advocates within our association not to represent the accused. However, anyone from outside the Bar Association of Ayodhya is completely free to do so, he said. The development comes days after the Supreme Court declined to urgently hear a public interest litigation seeking a CBI probe into alleged financial irregularities and missing funds related to donations made for the Ram Mandir. A vacation bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu on June 29 refused urgent listing of the plea, directing the petitioners to furnish a copy of the petition to the Registry. The court said the matter would be considered in due course.

Amit Shah launches FCRA 2.0 Portal, e-OCI Card to boost digital governance

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched the FCRA 2.0 Portal and the e-OCI Card, saying the two technology-driven initiatives will simplify services for citizens, enhance transparency and strengthen national security. Speaking at the launch, Amit Shah said the initiatives reflect the governments commitment to the principle of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance by leveraging technology to improve service delivery while ensuring stricter monitoring of violations. The Home Minister said the upgraded FCRA 2.0 Portal would make compliance under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act easier for organisations receiving foreign donations by digitising the entire process, including applications, renewals and annual returns. Features such as Aadhaar-based authentication, e-Sign, OCR-based document verification and integration with government databases and banks will reduce paperwork and enable real-time monitoring of foreign contributions, he said. Amit Shah added that the portal, hosted on the governments MeghRaj cloud platform, will improve data security. He also announced that an FCRA mobile application, an AI-powered chatbot and an online dashboard for banks will be introduced in the coming months. The Home Minister also launched the e-OCI Card, describing it as a major step towards providing seamless digital services to more than 50 lakh Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders. Under the new system, applicants can complete the entire process online, while existing cardholders can obtain a digital OCI card in most cases without fresh physical verification. Amit Shah said OCI cardholders will no longer be required to obtain a new OCI booklet every time they receive a new passport after the age of 20. Instead, they will only need to update their passport details online. The digital card will also eliminate the risk of loss or damage to physical documents and facilitate faster verification during travel. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the two initiatives are aimed at making governance more transparent, secure and citizen-friendly through greater use of digital technology.

Vidyadhan Scholarship expands to J&K, SFPI targets 50 students in first batch

In a significant development, the Bengaluru-based Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI) has launched its flagship Vidyadhan Scholarship Programme in J&K, with plans to support 50 meritorious students in its first batch. The move is a major push to improve access to higher education for economically disadvantaged students of Jammu and Kashmir, Addressing a press conference in Srinagar on Tuesday, SFPI Principal Consultant Pankaj Tripathi said the scholarship programme, founded in 1999 by Infosys co-founder S.D. Shibulal and Kumari Shibulal, has now been expanded to Jammu and Kashmir as part of its outreach to newer regions. The programme is operational in 27 states and Union Territories. This year we are launching it in Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland and, if possible, Chhattisgarh, Tripathi said. The Vidyadhan Scholarship Programme provides long-term financial assistance, mentorship, career guidance and internship opportunities to meritorious students from economically weaker families from Class 11 until graduation. Tripathi said students who have secured at least 75 percent marks or 7.5 CGPA in the Class 10 examination are eligible to apply. For students with disabilities, the eligibility has been relaxed to 65 percent marks or 6.5 CGPA. The annual family income should not exceed Rs 2 lakh, certified by the concerned Tehsildar. Selection will be made through an online aptitude test followed by an interview. He said the scholarship support generally continues for five to seven years, enabling students to complete their higher secondary and graduation without financial constraints. Unlike conventional scholarship schemes, Vidyadhan focuses not only on financial assistance but also on mentoring. In the last 27 years, we have learnt that mentorship is equally important. Students receive career guidance, are connected with mentors and later provided internship opportunities, Tripathi said. He said the programme was opened for applications in Jammu and Kashmir in May and around 45 students have already registered. He said the applications will remain open until July 31, 2026 and the entire application process is free of cost. Tripathi urged students, particularly those studying in government schools and living in remote areas, to apply, saying a dedicated helpline has been established to assist applicants facing difficulties with the online registration process. SFPI has also cautioned students that the application process is completely free and that it has not authorised any individual or agency to facilitate selections. Applicants are required to upload a passport-size photograph, Class 10 marksheet, income certificate and a valid email ID while submitting their online application. Tripathi said SFPI has selected 50 students from Jammu and Kashmir for its inaugural batch and plans to induct 50 to 60 fresh students every year, creating a continuous pipeline of beneficiaries from Class 11 through graduation. He said the initiative aims to enable talented students from financially weaker backgrounds to pursue professional careers in medicine, engineering, nursing, civil services and other fields without financial barriers. Headquartered in Bengaluru, SFPI has supported over 18,260 students across the country since the programme's inception. The initiative is currently operational in 27 states and Union Territories through a transparent IT-enabled platform and is supported by corporate partners including UST, Flex India, FANUC India and Intrepid Finance. Students can submit applications online through the Vidyadhan portal or the SDF Vidya mobile application till July 31, 2026.

National Statistics Day observed at SKUAST-K Wadura

The Division of Agricultural Economics and Statistics, Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), celebrated National Statistics Day 2026 here. The event was organised with a focus on the growing importance of administrative data in governance, research and sustainable development. The event, held under the guidance of Dean Faculty of Agriculture Wadura, Prof. Shakeel A. Mir, marked the birth anniversary of eminent statistician Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis and highlighted his contribution to the field of statistics. The programme was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sopore, Shabir Ahmad Raina, as the chief guest, while Commandant CRPF Battalion Wadura, Mr Ravi Mishra, was the guest of honour. Head of the Division of Agricultural Economics and Statistics, Prof. Showkat Maqbool, who coordinated the programme, welcomed the guests and participants. He underlined the significance of statistics in agricultural planning, evidence-based decision-making and improving public service delivery. Prof. Mir appreciated the efforts of the division, stating that such programmes help students understand the expanding role of statistics, data science and analytics in agriculture and policy formulation. Assistant Professor Dr Fehim Jeelani Wani delivered a lecture on Mahalanobis' Vision to the Era of Administrative Data, explaining the evolution of statistical systems from traditional surveys to modern digital data-driven frameworks. Addressing the gathering, ADC Sopore Shabir Ahmad Raina stressed that administrative data has become a vital tool for effective planning, monitoring and evaluation of developmental programmes. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Sajad A. Saraf, with participation from faculty members, researchers and students of various divisions.

Multi-layered security grid in place for Amarnath Yatra: IGP Kashmir

With Amarnath Yatra (SANJY-2026) set to commence on July 3 and continue till August 28, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, V.K. Birdi, on Tuesday said that a comprehensive, multi-layered security architecture has been meticulously put in place to safeguard the pilgrimage routes and ensure the safe passage of lakhs of devotees. Speaking to reporters IGP Birdi said that the Jammu and Kashmir Police, in close coordination with Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), district administration, and other stakeholders, has integrated advanced surveillance systems, intensive mock drills, and robust disaster-response mechanisms across both the Pahalgam and Baltal axes. The purpose of these exercises is to ensure that every stakeholder understands and performs its assigned role effectively. In the event of any contingency, all security agencies must be able to respond in a coordinated and time-bound manner, he said and added that full-scale rehearsals have been conducted to fine-tune inter-agency coordination. The IGP emphasised the enhanced role of technology in the security framework. An extensive network of over 400 CCTV cameras, equipped with facial recognition systems (FRS), has been deployed across key points on the pilgrimage routes, trekking tracks, base camps, and transit areas. This system allows for real-time monitoring from elevated locations and swift identification of flagged individuals, enabling immediate intervention by security personnel. Project Hawk Eye in Anantnag, which includes drone detachments, sniper teams (including 22 specialized teams), Machan Morchas, and strategic deployments, forms a critical component of the ridge domination and area sanitization strategy. Birdi noted that the security grid extends from the Navyug Tunnel across the Valley, covering both Yatra axes through a multi-tiered mechanism designed for comprehensive protection. Additional measures include QR code-based tracking for pony riders and RFID systems for pilgrims, alongside strengthened anti-drone and bomb disposal capabilities. Given the challenging high-altitude terrain, special emphasis has been placed on preparedness for weather-related emergencies, landslides, avalanches, and glacier movements. A joint tabletop exercise involving J&K Police, CAPF, disaster management authorities, and the district administration mapped vulnerable stretches and coordinated response protocols. Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) have been strategically positioned for rapid deployment. Officials have also upgraded infrastructure, including medical facilities at over 100 transit camps, to handle any contingencies effectively. IGP Birdi appealed to all pilgrims to strictly adhere to the cut-off timings notified by the J&K Police and Traffic Department. Pilgrims are advised to familiarise themselves with the notified timings before commencing their journey and plan their travel accordingly. Adherence to these timings is essential for ensuring regulated movement and enabling security agencies to provide complete security cover during the Yatra, he said. Authorities have urged devotees to prioritize fitness, carry valid medical certificates, and cooperate fully with security and administrative personnel. Advance registration for the Yatra is ongoing, with expectations of over 3.5 lakh pilgrims this year. This years security plan builds on directives from Union Home Minister Amit Shah for an impenetrable multi-layered security grid, combining traditional forces with modern technology such as drones and extensive CCTV surveillance. Senior officials, including Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, have reviewed preparations, praising the collaborative efforts of security forces, the Shrine Board, and local communities.

Anantnag court convicts man in 2019 road-rage murder case initially treated as traffic accident

A court in Anantnag has convicted a man in a 2019 road-rage murder case that was initially registered as a road traffic accident and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Principal Sessions Judge, Anantnag, Tahir Khurshid Raina convicted Showkat Ahmed Bhat of Khanabal in FIR No. 09/2019 registered at Police Station Qazigund under Sections 302 and 427 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) for the murder of Naseeb Singh, a resident of Dayal Check, Hiranagar, Kathua. The conviction turned largely on the testimony of the prosecution's sole eyewitness, who had supported the prosecution before the police and a magistrate but turned hostile during trial. Rejecting the defence contention that the witness's testimony had become unreliable, the court observed, The testimony of a witness does not lose its evidentiary value merely because the witness turns hostile in court. It further held: The court is entitled to rely upon such portion of the testimony which is consistent with other material evidence on record. The court said that while the witness retracted parts of his earlier statement during examination-in-chief, he admitted material facts during cross-examination by the prosecution. Those admissions, read with the post-mortem report, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report and recovery of the weapon of offence, established the prosecution case beyond reasonable doubt, it said. According to the prosecution, the case arose out of a roadside altercation during which Naseeb Singh was assaulted with an iron rod, resulting in fatal injuries. Although the case was initially registered as a road traffic accident, the investigation established that the death was caused by a homicidal assault, it submitted. Accepting the prosecution's version, the court held that the medical and forensic evidence corroborated the eyewitness account and completed the chain of circumstances pointing to the guilt of the accused. On the question of sentence, the court observed: Life imprisonment is the rule and death penalty is an exception, reserved for the rarest of rare cases. While awarding life imprisonment, the court took note of the convict's socio-economic background, his responsibility as the sole breadwinner for three minor children and his satisfactory conduct in custody. The case did not fall within the arest of rare category warranting capital punishment, the judge concluded. The court also directed payment of Rs 5 lakh to the victim's family under the Jammu and Kashmir Victim Compensation Scheme.

HC quashes PSA detention of 5 persons

The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has quashed detention of five persons under the Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA) and ordered their release from custody. Allowing their separate petitions, a bench of Justice Rahul Bharti quashed the detention orders passed by various District Magistrates against the persons who were booked under PSA. In response to one of the petitions filed on behalf of Mudasir Ahmad Mir challenging his detention order dated December 3, 2024, issued by the District Magistrate, Srinagar, the court quashed the order as the authorities failed to produce the complete detention record, including the latest order extending his detention. The Home Department of the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir appears to be reckoning and reeling under an impression as if the summoning of detention record by the High Court in a habeas corpus writ petition is a mere formality to be complied with by handing over a photostat copy of the record through a Clerk to the Government Advocate for onward transmission to the Court, without the Commissioner/ Secretary, Home Department......first verifying the record file to ensure that the detention record in its entirety is made available for the perusal of the constitutional court which in turn is under a constitutional obligation to safeguard the personal liberty of citizens, be it an undertrial, a detenue, or a free citizen, the court said while allowing Mirs plea. The Court held that continued preventive detention could not be legitimized in the absence of the order authorizing the latest extension of custody and directed Mirs immediate release from Kot Bhalwal Jail, saying to which effect the Superintendent concerned to act in abidance. While quashing detention order dated October 28, 2025 against Nazir Ahmad Dar of Srinagar, the court noted that that the District Magistrate Srinagar, took nearly two months to act on the detention dossier submitted by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, before issuing the PSA detention order. The court held that preventive detention requires prompt action, but in the present case the District Magistrate offered no explanation for the delay either in the detention order or in the grounds of detention. The unexplained gap indicated that the dossier had been processed as a routine matter rather than one warranting urgent preventive action, rendering the exercise of powers under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978, legally flawed and unsustainable, the court said. Besides, the court quashed preventive detention order against Ishtiyaq Ahmad Malik, issued by the District Magistrate, Anantnag on April 26, 2025; Fayaz Ahmad Lone, who was detained following an order dated May 7, 2025, issued the District Magistrate Pulwama and Uneeb Naseer Mir, who was detained in terms of an order issued by the District Magistrate Srinagar, on 3 May 2025.

Second marriage without dissolution of first may amount to bigamy: High Court

Enticing a married woman away for an illicit relationship is a punishable offence under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and contracting a second marriage without dissolution of the first may amount to bigamy under Section 82 of the legislation, the High Court of J&K and Ladakh has said. A bench of Justice MA Chowdhary made the observations while refusing to quash an FIR registered in an alleged abduction case. The complaint disclosed cognizable offences and required a full-fledged investigation, the court noted while dismissing the petition that had called in question the FIR. Ruksana Bano of north Kashmir's Baramulla, and Nikhil Chokker of West Delhi had petitioned court seeking to quash the FIR registered by Police under Sections 87 and 49 of the BNS. According to the plea, Ruksana, an adult woman, had voluntarily left Kashmir after allegedly being subjected to physical assault, threats and a forced marriage by her relatives and the family of her first husband. She escaped with the help of friends, travelled to New Delhi of her own free will and was never abducted by anyone, she claimed. Father of Rukhsanas first husband as complainant opposed the plea with the contention that she was legally married to his son and had been abducted from her matrimonial home with the assistance of two local persons at the instance of co-petitioner, Nikhil Chokker. During the proceedings, the High Court through a virtual mode recorded Ruksana's statement wherein she maintained that she had not been kidnapped and was residing in Delhi voluntarily. She also said that she apprehended danger to her life if she returned to Kashmir and intended to seek divorce from first husband. Moreover, she alleged that her marriage with him had been forced. In its status report to the court, the police said that Ruksana had telephonically stated she had travelled to Delhi of her own choice and wished to record her statement there due to safety concerns. However, the investigating agency submitted that the probe had remained incomplete because of the interim stay granted by the High Court and sought permission to continue the investigation. The Court also took note of documents placed on record by the complainant, including an Arya Samaj marriage certificate and photographs, indicating that Ruksana had allegedly married Nikhil Chokker in Delhi on May 28, 2025, while her earlier marriage with Baramulla resident was still subsisting. Pointing out that the material on record disclosed issues requiring investigation, the Court said, It is settled legal position that enticing away a married woman with intention to engage her in illicit sexual intercourse with someone else is a recognized criminal offence under Section 84 of the BNS, akin to Section 498 of the repealed IPC. Moreover, the Court noted that if the second marriage was contracted without dissolution of the earlier marriage, it would also constitute the offence of bigamy under Section 82 of the BNS. The Court held that the complaint could not be treated as an abuse of the legal process warranting quashing of the FIR and dismissed the petition and vacated the interim stay on investigation. Even as the court said that the investigating agency may record Ruksana's statement at a place where she feels safe, taking note of her apprehension regarding her personal security, and proceed with the investigation in accordance with law.

AIIMS Awantipora completion:Union Health Minister Nadda assures to examine issue for appropriate action

Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma on Tuesday called on Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda at Parliament House, New Delhi and urged him to expedite completion of AIIMS Awantipora. Nadda assured to examine the issue for appropriate and timely action. Sharma expressed gratitude to the union government for according the highest priority to the Union Territory on that account and for undertaking unprecedented initiatives to strengthen medical infrastructure across the UT. He appreciated the establishment and expansion of modern healthcare institutions, new medical colleges and advanced medical facilities in various districts, stating that these initiatives significantly improved access to quality healthcare for the people. Sat Sharma particularly thanked the Union leadership for the substantial progress made at AIIMS Jammu, noting that the institution had already begun providing advanced medical services to patients from Jammu as well as neighbouring regions. He requested the Union Health Minister to further strengthen AIIMS Jammu by ensuring timely expansion of its facilities, specialised departments and manpower so that it could evolve into a premier healthcare and research institution. Sat Sharma also appealed to the Union Minister to expedite the completion of AIIMS in Kashmir, stating that the people of the Kashmir Valley were eagerly awaiting the operationalisation of the prestigious institution. He emphasised that early completion of the project would significantly enhance access to advanced healthcare facilities for the residents of the Valley and reduce their dependence on institutions outside the region. JP Nadda patiently heard the issues raised by Sat Sharma and appreciated his concern for strengthening healthcare services in Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Health Minister assured him that the government remained committed to further improving the health sector in the Union Territory and that the issues brought to his notice, including the progress of AIIMS Kashmir, would be examined sympathetically for appropriate and timely action, an official statement mentioned.

Er Rashid returns to Tihar Jail after interim bail, AIP appeals for release

Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi Tuesday said that Member of Parliament from Baramulla and AIP President Er Rashid returned to Tihar Jail after the expiry of his five-day interim bail granted by the Court from June 25 to June 30 to attend the Chahlum of his late father. Inam Un Nabi said Er Rashid has always respected the rule of law and every order of the judiciary. However, his prolonged incarceration continues to cause immense hardship to his family and deprives the people of the Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency of direct access to their elected representative. Inam Un Nabi appealed to the Government of India and the Judiciary to release Member of Parliament Er Rashid, enabling him to freely discharge the responsibilities entrusted to him by the people.

Court sentences CRPF constable to life imprisonment for wifes murder

A Session court in Anantnag has sentenced a CRPF constable to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife by strangulation inside their residential quarters at a CRPF camp in 2021. The Court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Anantnag sentenced Shankara Naik to life imprisonment following his conviction in an FIR (57/2021) registered at Police Station Anantnag under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC. According to the prosecution, on March 29, 2021, following a domestic quarrel, the accused allegedly strangled his wife, Sama Bhai, with a scarf inside their residential room at the CRPF Camp in Raghunath Mandir, Sheerbagh Anantnag. He subsequently informed his superior officers, following which police registered the case and launched an investigation. During the trial, the prosecution examined medical experts, forensic specialists, investigating officers and other witnesses. The post-mortem and forensic evidence established that the victim died due to ligature strangulation, conclusively ruling the death as homicidal, the court said. The Court, after evaluating the evidence, concluded that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the deceased suffered an unnatural homicidal death inside the room exclusively occupied by the couple. The chain of circumstantial, medical and scientific evidence pointed solely to the guilt of the accused and was inconsistent with any hypothesis of innocence, the court noted. Moreover, the court underscored that the accused failed to provide any satisfactory explanation for the circumstances in which his wife sustained the fatal injuries while in his exclusive company. The defence version, it said, was neither probable nor supported by evidence capable of creating reasonable doubt. Consequently, the court convicted the accused under Section 302 of IPC and sentenced him to undergo imprisonment for life besides imposing a fine in accordance with law.

PDP Youth wing holds protest in Ganderbal against outsourcing, contentious appointments

The Peoples Democratic Party youth wing staged a protest in Ganderbal on Tuesday against the National Conference-led government, alleging rampant outsourcing and backdoor appointments in key departments. Dozens of PDP youth activists assembled in Ganderbal and marched toward main chowk, carrying placards reading Stop Outsourcing J&Ks Jobs and End Backdoor Entries. Departments like PDD, PHE, Health, and Tourism are being run on outsourced staff while qualified local youth wait. This is systematic disempowerment, the protesting members of PDP said.

JKPC to hold party convention, protest in Handwara on July 2

The Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC) Handwara unit has announced that it will hold a party convention and a peaceful protest on July 2 at Lone Manzil in Handwara against what it termed the anti-people policies of the government. Announcing the decision, JKPC spokesperson Mohammad Amin Khan said that party workers and supporters from across the Handwara constituency will participate in the convention and peacefully register their protest over the government's policies. He alleged that the government has failed to address several public issues and has continued to neglect the concerns of the people. Khan said the convention would provide a platform for party workers and supporters to raise their voice democratically and demand greater attention to public grievances. He appealed to party workers and supporters to participate in large numbers and ensure that the programme is conducted peacefully.

BJP demands cancellation of outsourced recruitment

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jammu & Kashmir Tuesday demanded the immediate cancellation of nearly 24,000 jobs outsourced to private companies, alleging that the National Conference (NC) government has deceived the youth of Jammu & Kashmir by replacing transparent public recruitment with outsourcing. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, BJP State Spokespersons Manzoor Bhat and Danish Bhat said that the people, particularly the youth, voted for the National Conference after being promised employment opportunities and transparent governance. Instead of creating regular government jobs, the government has outsourced thousands of vacancies to private agencies, denying deserving candidates a fair opportunity to compete for secure public employment. The BJP stated that thousands of young people devote years to education and competitive exam preparation with the hope of securing a government job and building a stable future. The party alleged that outsourcing such a large number of posts undermines those aspirations and called upon the National Conference government to immediately cancel the outsourcing process and initiate a transparent, merit-based recruitment process for these vacancies.

Book on radio production by veteran Broadcaster Syed Humayun Qaisar launched at All India Radio

A new book titled Broadcast Media - Radio Program and Production Techniques by renowned public service broadcaster Sayed Humayun Qaisar was launched at All India Radio. The book was formally released by a distinguished panel of guests of honour: Bashir Aarif Former Deputy Director General , All India Radio; Rafiq Masoodi Former Deputy Director General, Prasar Bharati; Mushtaq Ali Khan Filmmaker and Theatre Artist; Shabir Mujahid - Former Director, Doordarshan; Nasir Mirza Department of Mass Communication, University of Kashmir Drawing on the author's three-decade career at Radio Kashmir, Broadcast Media explores the tools and techniques central to the craft. It is described as the first academic book of its kind on radio, offering practical methods and skills aimed at media students and early-career practitioners alike, said a press release. During the event, the guests of honor delivered addresses reflecting on their experiences working with Syed Humayun Qaisar, his contributions to public service broadcasting, and his impact on aspiring young broadcasters over the years. The book is now available for purchase on leading e-commerce platforms.

IUST Convenes 11th Academic Council Meeting

The Islamic University of Science and Technology convened the 11th Meeting of its Academic Council under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, with eminent academicians from across the country participating in deliberations on key academic initiatives, institutional priorities, and the University's long-term growth strategy. As per a press release, the meeting was chaired by Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo Vice Chancellor, IUST, and attended by distinguished academicians and senior university functionaries, including Prof. Talat Ahmad, Former VC, University of Kashmir; Prof. Mehraj Ud Din Mir, Former VC, Central University of Kashmir; Prof. Mohammad Mubin, VC, Cluster University Srinagar; Prof. Ashok Aima, Former VC, Central University Jaamu; Prof. Shobha Bagai, University of Delhi; Prof. Madhav Govind, JNU, New Delhi; and Prof. Ranjan Rawal, CEPT University, Ahmedabad Prof. Manzoor Ahmad Malik, University of Kashmir; Prof. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Dean Academic Affairs IUST, Prof. Shameem A Shah Registrar, Finance Officer, Dean Research, Controller of Examinations, Dean Outreach, Deans of various schools, and various other officers. At the outset, Prof. Romshoo shared a report on the University's progress, informing the members about the various initiatives undertaken, achievements made, and future plans in the pipeline. Prof. Romshoo said, IUST is committed to building a future-ready academic ecosystem that responds to the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education. The introduction of new-age academic programmes and emerging areas of study reflects our endeavour to equip students with relevant knowledge, contemporary skills, and the capacity to drive innovation in a knowledge-based economy. He further said, The steady rise in student enrolment is a strong affirmation of the confidence reposed in the University. We remain equally committed to enhancing the quality of teaching and research, fostering interdisciplinary learning, and creating an enabling environment where every learner can realise his or her full potential. The meeting was coordinated by Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Sheikh Aijaz, who presented the agenda. Speaking on the deliberations, he said, The decisions taken by the Academic Council represent a significant step in broadening the University's academic portfolio. The emphasis on Student-centric support mechanism, frontier disciplines, and curriculum innovation, is fully aligned with the NEP2020 and the evolving needs of society & industry. The Council approved a series of significant academic initiatives aimed at strengthening IUST's teaching, research, and innovation ecosystem. Among the major decisions, the Council approved the establishment of a CoE for Semiconductors and Quantum Materials, aligned with the national Semiconductor and Quantum Missions, to promote innovation, and technology development, in semiconductors and Quantum technology. The Council also approved the introduction of B.Tech. in Cyber Security, M.A. in Mass Communication with AI, a five-year Integrated Law Programme, a Master's Programme in Medical Laboratory Science (MMLS), and the establishment of a Department of Earth Sciences, among other initiatives, thereby expanding the University's academic offerings in emerging and strategically significant disciplines.

Ali Muhammad Sagar chairs NCs District Committee Ganderbal meeting

National Conference General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar Tuesday chaired a meeting of the party's Ganderbal Constituency Working Committee at Nawa-e-Subha to review organisational affairs and discuss public issues concerning the constituency. The meeting was attended by Additional General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Treasurer and MP Shami Oberoi, Provincial President Kashmir Showkat Mir, Advisor to HCM Omar Abdullah Mudassar Shahmiri, District President Sheikh Giyas-Ud-Din, all eight block presidents of the constituency, office bearers and other senior party functionaries. The participants held detailed deliberations on strengthening the party's organisational structure at the grassroots level, addressing emerging challenges, and enhancing coordination among party cadres. The meeting also reviewed key public issues and ongoing developmental initiatives in Ganderbal under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Addressing the meeting, Sagar underscored the importance of a vibrant and active party organisation to effectively serve the people. He urged party functionaries to remain closely connected with the public, listen to their concerns, and ensure that genuine issues are highlighted before the appropriate forums. Our strength lies in our deep-rooted connection with the people. Every office bearer and worker must remain accessible to the public and work with sincerity to address their grievances. The National Conference has always stood with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and we must continue to strengthen that trust through dedicated public service, Sagar said. Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan called upon party workers to remain united and focused on the party's mission of safeguarding the interests of the people and promoting inclusive development. The J&K National Conference has consistently championed the aspirations of the people. Our workers are our greatest strength and by remaining united, disciplined, and committed to public welfare, we can effectively counter challenges and further strengthen the party at the grassroots, he said.

Director SKIMS reviews emergency preparedness for Amarnath Yatra

As part of its comprehensive preparedness for the annual Amarnath Yatra, the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) conducted the first training session on the use and deployment of BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) Cubes at SKIMS Medical College-Hospital, Bemina. The training programme was chaired by the Director SKIMS & EOSG and conducted under the supervision of the Principal and Medical Superintendent, SKIMS Medical College-Hospital, Bemina. The initiative forms an integral part of SKIMS' disaster management strategy to strengthen emergency medical response, mass casualty preparedness, and critical care services during the Amarnath Yatra and other disaster situations. A detailed demonstration and hands-on training session was conducted by the innovator and lead designer of the BHISHM Cubes, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Dr. Tanmoy Roy, along with his team. Participants were trained in the operational features, deployment protocols, components, emergency applications, and critical care capabilities of the BHISHM Cubes to ensure their effective utilization during disasters, medical emergencies, and mass casualty incidents. The programme was attended by Heads of Departments, faculty members, medical officers, nursing officers, and paramedical staff, who actively participated in the practical sessions. The training was aimed at enhancing institutional disaster management preparedness, strengthening emergency response mechanisms, improving interdepartmental coordination, and ensuring the seamless deployment of the BHISHM Cubes whenever required. Speaking on the occasion, the Director SKIMS emphasized that disaster preparedness, effective emergency response, and continuous capacity building are essential components of a resilient healthcare system, particularly during large public gatherings such as the Amarnath Yatra. He appreciated the commitment and active participation of all healthcare professionals and reaffirmed SKIMS' resolve to continually strengthen its disaster management capabilities through regular training, skill enhancement, and adoption of advanced emergency response technologies. In view of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, dedicated BHISHM Cubes have been strategically deployed at SKIMS Medical College-Hospital, Bemina, Shadipora Highway, and the SKIMS Main Campus to provide rapid critical care support and emergency medical services to pilgrims, while also serving as an important resource for disaster response and mass casualty management. The initiative is aimed to ensure robust disaster management, emergency preparedness, and the delivery of timely, efficient, and high-quality healthcare services during one of the country's largest annual pilgrimages.

SSP Srinagar reviews multi-agency mock drill ahead of Amarnath Yatra

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy today oversaw a comprehensive multi-agency mock drill at the Transit Yatri Camp in Panthachowk, demonstrating the districts high state of readiness for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY-2026). Emphasising seamless coordination and swift response capabilities, SSP Chakravarthy expressed strong confidence in the multi-layered security plan, technological integration, and public cooperation to ensure a safe, secure, and peaceful pilgrimage. Todays comprehensive mock drill tested emergency preparedness, inter-agency coordination and response mechanisms. We are confident our multi-layer security plan, technology and public cooperation will ensure a safe and peaceful Amarnath Yatra, SSP Srinagar Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy said following the exercise. As part of the ongoing preparations for the 57-day Yatra beginning July 3, the Srinagar Police, under SSP Chakravarthys leadership, organised the drill in close coordination with all stakeholder departments. The exercise specifically aimed to evaluate operational readiness, communication systems, and the effectiveness of emergency protocols under simulated high-pressure conditions. Key participating agencies included J&K Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Traffic Police, Security Wing, Fire & Emergency Services, Health Department, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Civil Administration, Ambulance Services, and others. Prior to the drill, officers conducted detailed briefings on roles, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), response timelines, and coordinated action protocols.37 The mock scenarios realistically simulated critical situations such as road traffic accidents, fidayeen-style attacks, law and order contingencies, accidental injuries, mass evacuation, rescue operations, and medical emergencies. These drills allowed agencies to test and validate their response mechanisms in real-time, identifying strengths and areas for refinement.33 SSP Chakravarthy highlighted that arrangements for food, shelter, and medical assistance for pilgrims have been meticulously streamlined. This is being achieved through coordinated efforts of the Civil Administration, CAPD, Revenue, and Health Departments, all operating under the unified command of the Joint Police Control Room (Joint-PCR). A detailed debriefing session followed the drill, where stakeholders reviewed performance, identified operational gaps, and incorporated feedback to further strengthen the Emergency Response Plan and SOPs.32 Srinagar Police, under the leadership of SSP Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, reiterated its firm commitment to delivering a safe, secure, and incident-free Amarnath Yatra-2026. The focus remains on proactive policing, seamless inter-agency cooperation, and leveraging modern technology alongside community support.

J&K Bank marks 1-year of Mission YUVA with massive credit drive

Srinagar, Jun 30:Committed to promoting entrepreneurship, self-employment, and inclusive economic growth across Jammu & Kashmir, J&K Bank celebrated the successful completion of one year of the J&K Governments flagship Mission YUVA programme yesterday by observing a UT-wide 'Mission YUVA Mega Disbursal Day', undertaking a focused credit delivery drive across its branch network. The UT-wide campaign culminated with MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee pressing the symbolic button during a virtual event held at the Banks corporate headquarters in presence of Chief General Manager Ashutosh Sareen, General Manager (RAM) Rakesh Magotra, DGMs Tanveer Hussain and Arjun Singh Rathore along with other senior officers. Besides Divisional Heads, Zonal Heads and Cluster Heads from Jammu as well as Kashmir also joined the proceedings virtually from their respective locations. Under the flagship youth employment program, the Bank has so far sanctioned over 28400 cases to the tune of more than Rs 1300 Cr, reaffirming its pivotal role in facilitating timely access to finance for aspiring entrepreneurs across Jammu and Kashmir. During the massive credit drive today, the Bank made disbursement in 2828 cases. Expressing satisfaction over the progress achieved during the first year of Mission YUVA, MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee congratulated and appreciated every member of the Bank's workforce for their commendable contribution towards the successful implementation of the programme. He said, My heartfelt thanks to each one of you for your unwavering support and cooperation in making this remarkable progress possible, he said, adding that the achievements under Mission YUVA have further strengthened the Bank's partnership with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir in promoting entrepreneurship and employment generation. While reviewing the roadmap ahead, the MD & CEO underlined two key priorities for the second year of Mission YUVA. He said that the success of the programme must now be measured not merely by the number of disbursements but by the tangible outcomes generated through the enterprises established under the scheme. He stressed that the beneficiaries should be able to build sustainable businesses, generate steady revenues and create meaningful livelihood opportunities, which remain the primary objectives of Mission YUVA. Setting an ambitious yet achievable goal for the current financial year, he said the Bank should strive to take the cumulative number of Mission YUVA disbursements to 50000 by the end of the financial year, expressing confidence that the target is well within reach given the experience, momentum and institutional capacity built over the past year. The MD & CEO also urged all operational heads to closely monitor the utilization of funds in already disbursed cases and continue extending guidance to entrepreneurs to ensure optimum outcomes from the loans extended under the programme. Earlier, General Manager (RAM) Rakesh Magotra briefed the chair on the Bank's performance and progress under Mission YUVA. Highlighting the significance of sustained post-disbursement engagement, he emphasized that continuous monitoring of sanctioned cases, handholding of entrepreneurs and inculcating financial discipline among beneficiaries are critical to ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of the flagship programme. Meanwhile, lauding the Bank's performance, J&K Mission Director, Mission YUVA, Harvinder Singh (IAS) has also commended its institutional role. He said that J&K Bank has emerged as the principal implementation partner in Mission YUVA.

JKRLM Women SHGs gain global spotlight at JKTPO BuyerSeller Meet

Srinagar, Jun 30:Women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) supported by the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) showcased their products at the J&K International BuyerSeller Meet organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO) at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Srinagar. Held under the Know Your Artisan initiative, the event connected SHGs directly with national and international buyers, helping eliminate intermediaries and create new market opportunities. JKRLM SHGs displayed a diverse range of products, including Pampore saffron, RS Pura Basmati rice, Udhampur Kalari, Kupwara walnuts, Doda essential oils, Rajouri's chir pine needle woodcraft, handloom products, handicrafts and other value-added rural products. Mission Director JKRLM, Dr. Shubhra Sharma, said the participation reflects the growing strength of rural women entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir. Our Self Help Groups are transforming traditional skills into quality, market-ready products with strong national and global potential. Such platforms enable women entrepreneurs to connect directly with buyers, expand their businesses and secure better incomes, she said. She added that JKRLM remains committed to strengthening women-led enterprises through capacity building, branding, market linkages and enterprise promotion to ensure sustainable livelihoods for rural women. The BuyerSeller Meet offered SHG members an opportunity to explore business partnerships, understand market trends and position Jammu and Kashmir's unique products in wider domestic and international markets.

KVK Bandipora organises awareness programme on Apple Leaf Blotch Miner

Bandipora, Jun 30: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bandipora-1, Sher e Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, in collaboration with the Division of Entomology, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar, today organised a one day awareness programme on Apple Leaf Blotch Miner and its Management. The programme aimed to create awareness among apple growers regarding the identification, surveillance, damage symptoms, and scientific management of the emerging invasive pest. A large number of apple growers from different villages of Bandipora district participated in the programme along with scientists from SKUAST-Kashmir, officials of the Department of Horticulture, Bandipora, and KVK Bandipora 1. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Tariq Sultan, Head, KVK Bandipora-1, emphasized the importance of timely awareness programmes for protecting apple orchards from emerging insect pests. He urged growers to remain vigilant, monitor their orchards regularly, and adopt scientific recommendations for effective pest management. Dr. Barkat Hussain, Professor, Division of Entomology, SKUAST-Kashmir, highlighted the importance of early detection, regular surveillance, and coordinated efforts among scientists, extension agencies, and farmers to contain the spread of Apple Leaf Blotch Miner. Dr. Zewar Hussain, Associate Professor, Division of Entomology, explained the methods of field surveillance, pest identification, and monitoring techniques. He advised farmers to inspect their orchards regularly and seek timely technical guidance whenever infestations are observed. Dr. Sajad Ahmad, Assistant Professor, Division of Entomology, SKUAST-Kashmir, delivered the keynote technical lecture on the biology, life cycle, damage symptoms, and integrated management of Apple Leaf Blotch Miner. He emphasized orchard sanitation, destruction of fallen leaves and infested debris, scraping of loose bark, installation of pheromone and sticky traps, conservation of natural enemies, and timely application of recommended insecticides for effective management of the pest. Dr. Tahir Saleem, Subject Matter Specialist, Vegetable Science, KVK Bandipora-1, highlighted the importance of scientific orchard management practices, balanced nutrition, and timely advisory services for maintaining healthy orchards and improving apple productivity. He encouraged farmers to remain in regular contact with KVK Bandipora-1 for need based technical guidance. Shabnum Mumtaz, Subject Matter Specialist, Entomology, KVK Bandipora-1, emphasized the importance of early pest surveillance, orchard sanitation, and adoption of integrated pest management practices for effective control of Apple Leaf Blotch Miner. She advised farmers to regularly monitor their orchards and report any unusual pest incidence for timely scientific intervention. During the interactive session, farmers raised several queries regarding the identification and management of Apple Leaf Blotch Miner, which were satisfactorily addressed by the experts. The programme concluded with the commitment of KVK Bandipora-1, the Division of Entomology, SKUAST-Kashmir, and the Department of Horticulture, Bandipora, to strengthen farmer awareness and promote sustainable management of emerging pests in apple orchards. The programme was also attended by Mohd Abbas, Horticulture Development Officer (HDO), Bandipora, officials of the Department of Horticulture, Bandipora, scientists from SKUAST-Kashmir, officials of KVK Bandipora-1, and a large number of progressive apple growers from different villages of the district.

VC SKUAST-K reviews KVK Srinagar, Budgam progress at SAC meetings

Srinagar, Jun 30: Vice Chancellor Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, on Monday chaired the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meetings of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) Srinagar and Budgam, to review progress, achievements, and future strategies aimed at strengthening agricultural extension, innovation, and sustainable farming across Kashmir. The meetings were attended by Director Extension Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth; Registrar Prof. Azmat Alam Khan; Additional Deputy Commissioner Budgam Vivek Agarwal; Chief Planning Officer Budgam Javid Ahmad; heads of KVKs; statutory members; scientists from the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH) and Dryland Agricultural Research Station (DARS) Budgam; officers from agriculture and allied departments; progressive farmers; agri-entrepreneurs; representatives of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and civil society organisations; and other distinguished stakeholders. Detailed presentations were delivered by Dr. Shamim Ahmad Simnani, Head, KVK Srinagar, at the 22nd Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting and by Prof. Bilal Ahmad Lone, Head, KVK Budgam, at the 13th SAC. They reviewed the action-taken reports and key achievements of 202526 while outlining priorities and action plans for 202627. The deliberations focused on technology assessment and refinement, frontline demonstrations, capacity building, entrepreneurship development, and the wider dissemination of climate-resilient agricultural technologies. Discussions also highlighted district-specific opportunities such as urban agriculture, Dal vegetable cultivation, niche crop promotion, and natural farming to improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance farmers incomes. Addressing the meetings, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai stressed the need to promote innovation-driven agriculture, strengthen entrepreneurship, and encourage value addition, processing, and market-oriented farming practices to improve rural livelihoods. He appreciated the efforts of both KVK Srinagar and KVK Budgam in expanding doorstep extension services, promoting improved agricultural technologies, and creating meaningful impact through skill development and farmer-centric capacity-building initiatives. Prof. Ganai also emphasized the critical role of KVKs in making the universitys flagship Students Rural Exposure Programme a success, stating that the programme offers students invaluable field-level understanding of rural agricultural realities. He expressed confidence in continued support and cooperation from the KVKs in further strengthening this important initiative. The Director Extension lauded the significant contribution of both KVKs in technology dissemination and strengthening sustainable agricultural practices. She emphasized the need to transform traditional farming into a commercially viable enterprise through targeted skill development, champion farmer models, low-cost organic solutions, and focused capacity-building programmes. Earlier, several facilities at KVK Budgam including a high-density cherry orchard, custom hiring centre, two hi-tech polyhouses, insulated mushroom unit, and bio-resource centre for natural farmingwere were inaugurated. On the occasion, publications from both KVKs were also released. The meetings concluded with interactive sessions in which stakeholders discussed key challenges, emerging opportunities, and collaborative strategies to accelerate agricultural transformation and improve farm livelihoods across Kashmir.

Taxpayers can file appeal before GSTAT till July 31: Fin Min

New Delhi, Jun 30:The government on Tuesday extended the deadline for filing appeals before the GST appellate tribunal by one month till July 31. The Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) was launched in September last year, and the government had then notified June 30, 2026, as the last date for filing of appeals before GSTAT. The government has extended the due date for filing of appeals before the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) to July 31, 2026, the finance ministry said in a statement. The ministry said it has decided to extend the due date after it received representation from various stakeholders highlighting technical difficulties in filing appeals due to rush on the GSTAT portal. In the last 15 days alone, 30,000 appeals were filed, with daily volumes peaking at 5,500. Taxpayers are advised to plan their appeal filings well in advance and not wait until the deadline, the ministry said. The government has already notified 31 state benches of GSTAT, and one Principal Bench located at Delhi. Over 4.80 lakh cases are pending before the appellate authority and all these cases are expected to be filed before GSTAT. The government had in May 2024 appointed Justice (Retired) Sanjaya Kumar Mishra as the President of the Principal Bench of GSTAT. Since the rollout of GST on July 1, 2017, all disputes between a taxpayer and GST department used to go to High Courts or Supreme Court, thus delaying dispute resolution. With the operationalisation of GSTAT in September 2025, the disputes resolution is expected to be faster. AMRG Global Managing Partner Rajat Mohan said the government's decision is a pragmatic move that protects taxpayers' right to appeal while providing certainty during the transition to a fully operational GSTAT. While the additional time offers much-needed relief, taxpayers should avoid waiting until the last date and instead complete their filings well in advance to minimise the risk of portal congestion and technical disruptions, Mohan added. Abhishek Jain, Indirect Tax Head & Partner, KPMG said: The extension will provide taxpayers and professionals adequate time to adapt to the newly operational Tribunal, ensure that genuine appeals are not lost on limitation, and support a smooth transition to the GSTAT framework.

Beyond Tulips: Ganderbal's Lavender bloom captivates tourists

Ganderbal, Jun 30:A sprawling lavender farm in Nunner village of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district is fast emerging as one of the Valley's newest seasonal tourist attractions, drawing visitors, photographers and nature enthusiasts eager to witness its vibrant purple bloom. Developed under the CSIR-Aroma Mission, the lavender fields have reached peak flowering this week, transforming the landscape into a sea of purple against the backdrop of the Sindh Nallah and the snow-clad Haramukh mountains. From the early hours of the morning, tourists and local residents flock to the farm for photography, social media reels and leisurely walks amid the fragrant blossoms. The growing popularity of the site received a major boost recently when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the Lavender Festival organised by the Agriculture Department Kashmir at the Model Floriculture Centre (MFC), Nunner. During the visit, he also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several agriculture infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening the medicinal and aromatic plants sector and improving farmers' livelihoods. Drawing comparisons with internationally renowned lavender destinations, the Chief Minister said the scenic lavender fields of Ganderbal have the potential to become a major attraction for travellers heading to Sonamarg. He said such initiatives could generate new livelihood opportunities for local communities while promoting rural tourism in the region. Local farmers said the farm has witnessed a steady rise in footfall, with many travellers halting along the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway to explore the fields and capture photographs. This is better than any garden in Srinagar. The whole valley looks painted purple, and the scent is calming, said Ayesha Khan, a tourist from Mumbai who visited the farm on Saturday. With the annual Amarnath Yatra and the peak summer tourist season underway, officials and residents believe the lavender fields could emerge as an attractive offbeat destination for pilgrims and tourists travelling to Sonamarg. We came for Kheer Bhawani at Tullamulla. A local told us about the Nunner lavender fields. It's Kashmir's best-kept secret, said Ritesh Kumar, a devotee from Jammu. The Agriculture Department is encouraging more farmers in Ganderbal to adopt aromatic crop cultivation by providing free lavender saplings and facilitating buyback arrangements for lavender oil through CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), making the transition economically viable. Agriculture experts said aromatic and medicinal plants offer significant economic potential and can play a key role in diversifying Kashmir's agricultural economy. They said commercial cultivation of these high-value crops, coupled with greater participation of educated youth, could provide sustainable livelihoods and improve the financial security of farming families. Experts also highlighted the environmental benefits of lavender cultivation, noting that the crop requires relatively little pesticide, improves soil health and attracts bees, thereby enhancing pollination of neighbouring crops. Officials said Kashmir's thriving tourism industry offers a ready market for ornamental and floriculture products. They added that the department is intensifying efforts to encourage more farmers to diversify into ornamental, medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation to tap both tourism and commercial opportunities.

Dialogue only way to resolve issues; India-Pakistan should return to talks: Mirwaiz

Srinagar, Jun 30:Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Tuesday reiterated that dialogue remains the only viable way to resolve disputes, urging the leadership of India and Pakistan to return to the negotiating table and pursue peace through engagement rather than conflict. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, the Mirwaiz referred to renewed diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran, saying the development reinforces the importance of dialogue even after periods of heightened tensions. As we speak about global peace, I am pleased that efforts are underway to revive dialogue between the United States and Iran. Once again, talks between the two countries are expected to take place this week. We have always supported such efforts, he said. Drawing a parallel with South Asia, the Mirwaiz said that if the US and Iran can resume talks after escalation, India and Pakistan can also engage in dialogue to address their differences. Recalling his address at Srinagar's Jamia Masjid last Friday, he said his appeal to India's leadership was made in the same spirit, stressing that wars do not resolve disputes and that lasting solutions can only emerge through negotiations. The Mirwaiz said the Indian subcontinent possesses enormous economic potential and human resources, which can only be fully realised if regional leadership demonstrates political vision and improves bilateral relations. He maintained that better ties between India and Pakistan offer the most effective path towards resolving longstanding issues, including the Kashmir issue, and expressed hope that the leadership in India, Pakistan and Kashmir would support efforts aimed at strengthening peace and resolving disputes through peaceful means.

Mehbooba alleges PDP leaders put under house arrest ahead of protest over 'backdoor' appointments

Srinagar, Jun 30:People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday alleged that several party leaders and workers were placed under house arrest to prevent them from staging peaceful protests against the Jammu and Kashmir government's alleged ackdoor appointments. In a post on X, the former chief minister accused the National Conference (NC)-led government of acting in coordination with the police to suppress democratic dissent whenever youth or opposition parties raise issues of public concern. The NC government repeatedly hides behind the excuse that the police department is beyond its control whenever questions of accountability arise. Yet, whenever young people peacefully raise their voices for justice, be it the rationalisation of reservations or opposing backdoor appointments, the same government functions in complete coordination with the police to crush every democratic expression of dissent, she said. Mehbooba claimed the government's hypocrisy stood exposed as PDP leaders and workers across the Valley were allegedly confined to their homes to prevent protests against what the party describes as the outsourcing of government jobs through private agencies. She also alleged that various government departments readily seek police assistance during anti-encroachment drives targeting poor and vulnerable families. The PDP has accused the government of making backdoor appointments in several departments through outsourcing agencies. However, the government has rejected the allegations. On Sunday, Chief Minister's Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, along with ministers Sakina Ittoo and Javed Ahmad Dar, addressed a press conference to refute the opposition's claims. Meanwhile, police prevented PDP leaders and activists from holding a protest march at Srinagar's Press Enclave, foiling the party's planned demonstration against the alleged recruitment process.

YS&S holds U-19 cricket tournament in Kishtwar

Kishtwar, Jun 30: The Department of Youth Services & Sports (YS&S) Kishtwarorganised the Inter-Zonal District-Level Cricket Tournament for U-19 Boys at Chowgan Ground Kishtwar under the 100-Day NashaMukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan and Youth Engagement Programme. District Youth Services & Sports Officer (DYSSO) JafferHaider Sheikh, as per an official statement, visited the tournament and interacted with participating players, team officials and technical staff. He appreciated the discipline, dedication and sporting spirit displayed by the young cricketers, encouraged them to pursue excellence through hard work, fair play and regular participation in sports and underlined the importance of staying away from drugs and adopting a healthy lifestyle in line with the objectives of the 100-Day NashaMukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan. The tournament provided a competitive platform for budding cricketers and strengthened the message of youth empowerment through sports.

4 Jammu players win bronze at North Zone Soft Tennis Championship

Jammu, Jun 30:Four young players from the Khelo India Soft Tennis Centre at MA Stadium, Jammu, have brought fresh pride to Jammu and Kashmir by clinching the bronze medal at the 3rd North Zone National Soft Tennis Championship held at Gindun Stadium, Srinagar, from June 26 to June 28, 2026. Madhavendra Singh Sambyal, Harikesh Dutt Sharma, Aditya Dutt Sharma and Vihan Parihar competed with the discipline and tactical sharpness of seasoned professionals, earning their place on the podium against some of the strongest teams from across North India. The quartet trains, as per an official statement, under Khelo India mentor and international soft tennis player Indu Bhushan Padha, whose coaching has been widely credited for Jammus decade-long dominance in the sport at the Union Territory level. On the Srinagar courts, that training was evident in every rally, as the team combined composed doubles coordination with aggressive net play and smart point construction that belied their age. Their performance was not just a win for J&K but a clear signal that the structured, grassroots system being built through Khelo India Centres is producing athletes ready for the national stage. At the heart of this team is 17-year-old Madhvendra Singh Sambyal, already one of the most decorated young names in Indian soft tennis. His record reads like a blueprint for the aspiring athletes Madhvendra, at just 17, stormed to the Under-17 final at the National School Games in Dewas, MP, settling for silver after an intense title clash. His composure against the countrys best put J&K on the national soft tennis map. That silver came close on the heels of his silver at the Senior National Championships in Srinagar, a rare feat for a school-level player competing with the adults. Hes the reigning state gold medallist and top seed for J&K and previously won gold in the senior category mens singles at the 9th UT Level Championship. Alongside his sister Sidhani Singh, Madhvendra has earned selection to represent India at the 2nd Asian Junior Soft Tennis Championship, Feb 38, 2026, in Punjab. His athleticism isnt limited to soft tennis. In September 2025, the DPS Jammu student won gold in the Under-16 Boys Singles Pickleball Championship and qualified for Nationals in Bengaluru. Madhvendra credits his growth to his coaches, the Soft Tennis Association, the J&K Sports Council and the Department of Youth Services and Sports. Today, hes become an inspiration for a new generation of young athletes in Jammu and Kashmir to dream big and compete fearlessly. HarikeshDutt Sharma has been on Jammus radar since his sub-junior sweep at the 9th UT Championship, where he and Svadhi Sharma swept all three events, singles, doubles and mixed doubles. He also reached the U/17 Boys' final at the Inter District UT Level meet, facing teammate Madhvendra. Aditya Dutt Sharma and Vihan Parihar round out a squad where every player is battle-tested at district, UT and now zonal levels. Their bronze is not a finish line, but its a foundation. Jammus clean sweep of 25 gold medals at the 9th UT Level Championship proved the regions depth. This North Zone bronze proves its breadth that J&K talent can travel, compete and medal beyond the UT. With this bronze, the team has laid a foundation that goes beyond a single tournament. They return now to MA Stadium to prepare for the national circuit, with Madhvendra setting his sights on the upcoming national and international championships this year.

Ask the Doctor Hot Weather Special

Q: I dont feel thirsty during hot weather. Do I still need to drink water? A: Yes. Thirst is a late sign of dehydration. Drink water regularly, especially if you are outdoors, exercising, or elderly. Q: Which is better during extreme heatplain water or ORS? A: For most healthy people, water is enough. ORS is useful if you have excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, or symptoms of dehydration. Q: I sweat a lot. Does that mean my body is unhealthy? A: No. Sweating is your bodys natural cooling mechanism. However, excessive sweating without fluid replacement can lead to dehydration. Q: Can hot weather increase blood pressure? A: In some people, blood pressure may actually fall due to dehydration and widening of blood vessels. Those taking blood pressure medicines should stay well hydrated and seek medical advice if they experience dizziness. Q: Can medicines behave differently in summer? A: Yes. Some medicines, including diuretics, can increase the risk of dehydration. Never stop medicines yourself, but discuss concerns with your doctor. Q: Are elderly people more vulnerable during hot weather? A: Yes. Older adults may not feel thirsty, sweat less, and often have chronic illnesses or take medicines that increase dehydration risk. They should drink fluids regularly and avoid prolonged heat exposure. Q: My elderly parent says they avoid drinking water because they have to urinate frequently. Is that safe? A: No. Reducing water intake can lead to dehydration, urinary infections, kidney problems, and confusion. The underlying urinary problem should be evaluated instead. Q: Can hot weather cause confusion in older adults? A: Yes. Dehydration may cause dizziness, weakness, confusion, drowsiness, and even delirium. These symptoms require prompt medical attention. Q: Can I leave bottled water inside my parked car? A: It is better to avoid it. Water stored for long periods in a very hot car may develop an unpleasant taste, and repeated heating of plastic bottles is not recommended. Q: Why does diarrhoea become more common during summer? A: Heat allows bacteria to multiply rapidly in food and water. Eating contaminated food or drinking unsafe water is one of the commonest causes of summer diarrhoea. Q: How can I prevent food poisoning during hot weather? A: Wash hands before eating, drink safe water, eat freshly cooked food, refrigerate leftovers promptly, and avoid food that has been left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Q: Can leftover Wazwan be eaten the next day? A: Yes, but only if it has been refrigerated within two hours of cooking and reheated thoroughly before eating. Wazwan dishes kept at room temperature overnight should be discarded. Q: Is it safe to buy cut fruits from roadside vendors during summer? A: Be cautious. Cut fruits exposed to heat, flies, and dust can become contaminated. Freshly washed, home-cut fruits are a safer option. Q: Do soft drinks and packaged fruit juices keep the body hydrated? A: They provide fluid but often contain large amounts of sugar. Water, lemon water (with little sugar), coconut water, or unsweetened lassi are healthier choices. Q: Can dehydration increase blood sugar levels in people with diabetes? A: Yes. Dehydration can make blood sugar more concentrated and increase the risk of serious complications. People with diabetes should drink adequate fluids, especially during hot weather. Q: Can children become dehydrated faster than adults? A: Yes. Children lose fluids more quickly and may not recognize or communicate thirst. Encourage frequent water intake, especially during outdoor play. Q: Can eating too much spicy or oily food increase discomfort in summer? A: Yes. Heavy meals may worsen acidity, indigestion, and dehydration. Light, freshly cooked meals are generally better tolerated. Q: What should I do if someone develops diarrhoea in hot weather? A: Start oral rehydration solution (ORS) or plenty of safe fluids immediately, continue eating light meals, and seek medical attention if there is persistent vomiting, blood in stools, high fever, severe weakness, or signs of dehydration. Q: Can I rely on energy drinks to prevent dehydration? A: No. Many energy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine and sugar. They are not a substitute for water or ORS. Q: What is one simple summer habit every family should adopt? A: Keep a bottle of safe drinking water with you, eat freshly prepared food, refrigerate leftovers promptly and check on elderly family members at least once a day during heatwaves. Q: What are the warning signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke? A: Heavy sweating, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea, headache, confusion, fainting, or a body temperature above 40C are warning signs. Heat stroke is a medical emergencyseek immediate medical care. Public Advisory: Most heat-related illnesses are preventable. Drink adequate water, avoid unnecessary outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, wear light clothing, never leave children or elderly persons inside parked vehicles, and check regularly on older family members living alone. Note: These responses are for general awareness and do not replace professional medical advice. Ask Your Question: WhatsApp: 6005463346, Email: ask@moulmoujfoundation.org

Place between gratitude and grief

Every year on the first of July, the messages begin arriving early. Some come from patients I have not seen in years. Others are from families whose faces I remember immediately, even when their names take a moment longer to return. A few are brief; a few stay with me long after I have read them. Most carry the same feeling: gratitude. For a few hours, medicine feels softer than it usually does from the inside. But this day also draws my thoughts back to the hospitalto the corridor outside the intensive care unit, where families spend the night waiting for news, to the soft murmur of prayer, and to that familiar moment when a door opens and a pair of eyes searches your face before you have spoken a word. What they are searching for is not information; it is certainty. People come to us when certainty has already begun to slip away. Beneath every question lies another one, rarely spoken aloud: Will everything be all right? We wish we could answer that more often than we can. Early in my training, I believed medicine was about knowing enoughthat with effort and experience, uncertainty would gradually retreat, but the time had other lessons. Medicine is not about removing uncertainty; it is about standing inside it without stepping away from the person beside you. No one speaks much about this at the beginning. We are taught anatomy, physiology, diagnoses, and decisions and what remains unspoken is how many people we carry long after they are gone. Not because their illnesses were unusual, but because something about them remainsa conversation, a gesture, a look that refuses to fade. An elderly man who thanked every member of the team before a procedure, he did not survive, a mother who worried more about her children than herself and a young life interrupted long before its time. Years pass, and details blur, but some faces remain untouched by time. It is often assumed that repeated exposure to suffering creates distance in my experience, it creates something else: silence. Medicine does not remove fear. It introduces you to it again and again. You see how suddenly lives change, how quickly plans disappear, how a single phone call can divide a familys story into a before and an after. Then you leave the hospital and attempt to return to ordinary life, carrying that knowledge with you. What people usually see are the visible parts of medicinethe consultation, the prescription, the procedure. What remains unseen are the birthdays missed because an emergency arrived, family dinners interrupted by a phone call, a child already asleep when you finally return home, a parent you keep promising to spend more time with. Medicine rarely takes from doctors all at once. It does so gradually, in fragmentsan hour here, a day there. Years pass, and one day you realize how much of your own life has been spent standing beside the lives of others. There is no bitterness in that realization. What I struggle with is the slow weakening of trust. Fear often accompanies illness. Sometimes, when grief finds no place to rest, it becomes suspicion. A complication occurs and intentions are questioned. An outcome is poor and effort is doubted. Increasingly, opinions are formed before evidence is examined. Clinical decisions grounded in science are judged by people who possess only fragments of the story and narratives spread faster than facts. Doctors are not above scrutiny; nor should they be. Medicine must constantly examine itself because lives depend upon it. But judgment should follow evidence, not precede it. Doctors and patients were never meant to stand on opposite sides. They were meant to stand together against illness. At the end of the day, the hospital grows quieter. Another shift begins, another family waits, another difficult conversation approaches. Then I leave, carrying things that cannot be recorded in a file: a face, a conversation, a question without an answer, a loss that refuses to settle. When the white coat comes off, nothing extraordinary remainsjust another tired man driving home. A man who sometimes sits in his car for a few extra minutes before going inside. A man who has learned to explain death to strangers but occasionally struggles to explain his own sadness to the people he loves. A man who remembers more names than he admits and wakes some nights thinking about someone he could not save. On Doctors Day, gratitude is welcome. But understanding matters more. To understand that doctors do not stand outside sufferingthey walk through it every day. They carry fragments of other peoples grief alongside their own. They miss moments they never get back. And still they continue, because someone is always waiting. Perhaps that is all I ask on this daynot admiration, not protection from criticism, not even gratitude. Only this: when you look at the doctor standing before you, try to see the person behind the white coat. Because for all the distance medicine sometimes creates, we remain bound by the same fragile things: love, fear, loss, and the need to be understood. And sometimes, though we rarely say it aloud, a patient needs a doctors skillbut a doctor needs a patients trust. Dr Showkat Hussain Shah is a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, GMC Anantnag

Behind the White Coat Lies a Human Heart

While families gather to celebrate Eid, Christmas, Gurpurab or Diwali, someone is absent from the dining table. While most of us spend Sundays with our children, someone is making hospital rounds. While heavy snowfall blocks roads in Kashmir, ambulances still move. While rain lashes the streets at midnight, lights remain on in emergency rooms. While the world sleeps, monitors continue to beep, operating theatres remain occupied, and doctors continue to fight battles that most people never see. That is the life behind the white coat. A doctor misses birthdays to attend emergencies. Cancels holidays because a patient cannot wait. Leaves a childs school function because an accident victim has arrived. Answers calls at two in the morning, knowing that every ring may mean the difference between life and death. The profession is not confined to working hours. Illness does not respect weekends, festivals or family occasions, and neither can those entrusted with treating it. These sacrifices rarely make headlines. Patients remember the doctor who saved a loved one. They may not know that the same doctor had already worked a thirty-hour shift, had not eaten since morning, or had not seen his or her own family for days. Medicine demands knowledge and skill, but it also demands endurance, emotional strength and personal sacrifice. Perhaps that is why the theme widely cited for National Doctors Day 2026Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?is so timely. The question is simple but profound. Who listens to the doctor after breaking the news that a patient could not be saved? Who comforts the physician who quietly carries the burden of losing a child in the intensive care unit? Who supports the surgeon after hours of operating, knowing that despite every effort, medicine has its limits? Who cares for those who spend their lives caring for everyone else? Behind every stethoscope is a human being. Doctors experience grief. They experience anxiety. They experience exhaustion. They worry about their own ageing parents while treating someone elses. They miss family weddings and childrens birthdays. They return home carrying stories they cannot even share because confidentiality is part of their duty. Society often expects doctors to be superhuman. But they are not. They are ordinary human beings asked to perform extraordinary responsibilities every single day. The 2026 theme reminds us that caring for doctors is not a favour to the medical profession; it is an investment in better healthcare. A physically exhausted, emotionally drained and mentally overburdened healthcare workforce cannot provide its best to patients. Supporting doctors well-being, acknowledging their emotional burden, respecting their humanity and valuing them beyond their prescriptions ultimately benefits every patient who walks into a hospital. Unfortunately, we are living in an age where years of dedicated service can be overshadowed within minutes. A short, unverified video. A cropped photograph. A few sentences on social media. Within hours, accusations spread across platforms. Opinions become judgments. Headlines are written before investigations conclude. The court of public opinion often delivers its verdict long before facts emerge. Responsible journalism has never been more important. The role of the media is not merely to report first but to report accurately. Verification must precede publication. Context must accompany controversy. Sensationalism may generate clicks, but it can also destroy reputations built over decades of sincere service. Every allegation deserves investigation. Every patient deserves justice. Equally, every healthcare professional deserves fairness until facts are established. Justice is strongest when it is patient, not impulsive. This does not mean that the medical profession is beyond criticism. It is not. Like every profession, medicine has individuals who betray the trust placed in them. There are doctors whose conduct falls below ethical expectations. There are instances of negligence, misconduct and behaviour that no patient should ever have to experience. Such actions deserve accountability, and the profession itself must never defend wrongdoing simply because the wrongdoer wears a white coat. However, it is equally unjust to allow the actions of a handful to define lakhs of honest, hardworking doctors across the country. One dishonest banker does not make banking dishonest. One unethical teacher does not define education. Likewise, a few erring individuals cannot become the face of an entire medical fraternity that serves millions of patients every day with integrity and compassion. The overwhelming majority of doctors enter medicine with a simple purposeto reduce suffering. Every day they diagnose illness, comfort families, perform surgeries, deliver babies, revive failing hearts and stand beside patients during the most difficult moments of life. These quiet acts of service rarely trend online, yet they are the true story of medicine. At the same time, this is also a moment for reflection within the profession itself. Compassion is one of medicines greatest strengths. Doctors often feel compelled to go beyond expectations when trying to help a patient in distress. Yet compassion must always walk hand in hand with professional ethics, institutional protocols and legal guidelines. Good intentions should never place either the patient or the doctor at unnecessary risk. The noblest act is one that is compassionate, ethical, transparent and within accepted standards of care. The medical profession must also continue strengthening the trust between doctors and patients. Trust grows when doctors communicate clearly, explain treatment options honestly, obtain informed consent, listen patiently and treat every individual with dignity. Clinical excellence alone is not enough. Compassionate communication is equally therapeutic. Every positive interaction strengthens confidence not only in one doctor but in the profession as a whole. On this Doctors Day, let us celebrate the countless physicians whose names never appear in newspapers because they quietly continue doing what they have always doneserving humanity. Let us remember the doctor who left an Eid lunch halfway through because an emergency call arrived. The physician who drove through snowfall to reach a rural hospital. The resident who stayed awake through three consecutive nights in the intensive care unit. The family doctor who has cared for generations under one roof. These stories deserve as much attention as any controversy. The white coat is neither a shield from accountability nor a target for instant condemnation. It is a symbol of responsibility, sacrifice and hope. As we observe Doctors Day 2026, let us ask not only how doctors heal society, but also how society can protect the trust that allows doctors to heal. Let us demand accountability where it is due, fairness where it is deserved, responsible journalism where facts are still unfolding, and compassion on both sides of the consultation table. Because behind every mask is a healer. And behind every healer is a human heart.

USChina Relations: Key to World Economic Order?

The contemporary global economic order is deeply influenced, if not defined, by the relationship between the United States and China. Together, the two largest economies account for nearly forty percent of global GDP, dominate international trade flows, shape technological innovation, influence financial markets and impact geopolitical stability across continents. Whether the world experiences economic growth or recession, stability or disruption, cooperation or confrontation increasingly depends upon the trajectory of AmericaChina relations. Their relationship has therefore become one of the most consequential bilateral dynamics of the twenty-first century. Yet this relationship is marked by paradox. The United States and China are simultaneously partners, competitors and strategic rivals. They are economically interdependent while politically distrustful. Their cooperation sustains global commerce, but their rivalry threatens fragmentation of the international economic system. Understanding the strengths and shortcomings of this relationship is essential to understanding the future of the global order itself. One of the greatest strengths of the AmericaChina relationship lies in its extraordinary economic interdependence. Over the last four decades, the integration of Chinese manufacturing capabilities with American capital, technology and consumer markets created one of the most productive economic partnerships in modern history. China emerged as the worlds manufacturing hub, while the United States remained the centre of global finance, innovation and consumption. This arrangement accelerated globalisation, reduced production costs and lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, especially in Asia. American companies benefited immensely from access to Chinas vast labour force and expanding consumer market. Chinese exports, in turn, provided affordable goods to American consumers and helped maintain lower inflation for decades. Supply chains spanning both nations became essential to industries ranging from electronics and automobiles to pharmaceuticals and renewable energy. The relationship thus became a cornerstone of global economic stability. Another major strength is the role both countries play in sustaining international financial systems. The United States dollar remains the worlds primary reserve currency, while China is among the largest holders of American treasury bonds. This financial interdependence has helped stabilise global markets during times of crisis. During the 2008 global financial meltdown, coordinated actions by Washington and Beijing contributed significantly to restoring investor confidence and preventing deeper economic collapse. Their cooperation in institutions such as the G20 has often been vital in managing international economic turbulence. The two powers also drive global technological advancement. American leadership in advanced research, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and higher education complements Chinas strength in large-scale manufacturing, digital infrastructure and industrial execution. Competition between them has accelerated innovation in electric vehicles, renewable energy, telecommunications and biotechnology. In many respects, the world benefits when both nations compete constructively within an open global system. Climate change presents another area where AmericaChina cooperation remains indispensable. As the worlds two largest carbon emitters, meaningful global climate action is impossible without collaboration between Washington and Beijing. Joint commitments in clean energy transitions, carbon reduction and green technologies can significantly influence global environmental outcomes. Their cooperation before the Paris Climate Agreement demonstrated how coordinated leadership between major powers can shape international consensus. However, despite these strengths, the AmericaChina relationship is burdened by profound shortcomings that increasingly threaten the stability of the world economic order. The foremost challenge is strategic mistrust. The United States views Chinas rapid economic and military rise as a challenge to the liberal international order established after the Second World War. China, on the other hand, perceives American policies as attempts to contain its legitimate aspirations for greater global influence. This mutual suspicion has transformed economic competition into a broader geopolitical rivalry. Trade disputes over the past decade illustrate these tensions clearly. The trade war initiated during the Trump administration exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains and disrupted international commerce. Tariffs imposed by both sides affected businesses worldwide and increased uncertainty in global markets. Although some tensions eased periodically, the deeper structural disputes concerning technology transfer, industrial subsidies, intellectual property rights and market access remain unresolved. Technology has become perhaps the most sensitive battleground between the two powers. The United States has imposed restrictions on Chinese technology companies and semiconductor access, citing national security concerns. China, in response, has accelerated efforts toward technological self-reliance. The result is a growing risk of technological decoupling a division of the global economy into competing technological ecosystems. Such fragmentation could reduce efficiency, increase costs and weaken the integrated global market that has driven economic growth for decades. Another shortcoming is the weaponisation of economic interdependence. Economic tools once designed for cooperation are increasingly used for strategic pressure. Sanctions, export controls, investment restrictions and supply chain disruptions have become instruments of geopolitical competition. This trend undermines confidence in global trade norms and creates instability for smaller economies dependent on open international markets. The rivalry also places immense pressure on developing nations. Many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America seek economic ties with both Washington and Beijing. Chinas Belt and Road Initiative has expanded infrastructure investments across the developing world, while the United States continues to influence international financial institutions and security alliances. Smaller nations often find themselves navigating competing expectations and strategic pressures from both sides. This polarisation risks dividing the world into rival economic blocs reminiscent of Cold War alignments. Human rights and ideological differences further complicate the relationship. Issues relating to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea remain deeply contentious. These disputes are not merely political disagreements; they directly affect investor confidence, regional stability and international trade routes. The Taiwan Strait, in particular, represents one of the most dangerous flash points in contemporary geopolitics. Any serious conflict there would have catastrophic economic consequences for the entire world, especially given Taiwans central role in semiconductor production. Moreover, the global economic order itself is undergoing transformation. The post-Cold War era was characterised by relatively open markets, multilateral institutions and rules-based trade largely influenced by Western economic thinking. Chinas rise has challenged this framework by promoting alternative institutions and development models. Institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and expanded BRICS cooperation indicate growing demand for a more multipolar economic architecture. Yet neither the United States nor China can independently sustain global stability. America retains unmatched military strength, technological leadership and financial influence, but faces internal political divisions, rising debt and questions about long-term global commitments. China possesses enormous industrial capacity and economic ambition, but confronts demographic decline, debt pressures, slowing growth and concerns regarding transparency and governance. Both powers therefore require cooperation as much as competition. The future world economic order may ultimately depend on whether the United States and China can establish a framework of managed competition. Total confrontation would damage global growth, fragment markets and increase geopolitical instability. Complete partnership, however, appears unrealistic given ideological and strategic differences. The challenge lies in balancing competition with cooperation in areas of shared interest such as climate change, financial stability, public health and technological standards. A stable relationship between the two powers is not merely desirable; it is essential for global prosperity. The world economy today is too interconnected for prolonged hostility between its two principal engines. Financial markets, manufacturing networks, energy transitions and digital systems all depend on a degree of predictability between Washington and Beijing. In conclusion, AmericaChina relations are indeed central to the future of the world economic order. Their partnership has been one of the driving forces behind globalisation, economic growth and technological advancement. At the same time, their rivalry represents one of the greatest risks to international stability. The strengths of their relationship lie in interdependence, innovation and global influence, while its shortcomings stem from mistrust, strategic competition and ideological divergence. The defining question of our time is therefore not whether America or China will dominate the world economy, but whether both can coexist within a stable and cooperative international framework. The answer to that question will shape not only the future of global economics, but the broader future of peace, prosperity and international order in the twenty-first century. Author is a Sr Advocate and Geo-political analyst

The Quiet Betrayal of the Self

How often does a person truly question their own existenceand its validity? Not as an abstract idea, but as a lived, immediate experience that unsettles everything they take for granted. Today, once again, I felt the strangeness of this body. It did not feel like menever truly mebut rather something I have been placed inside. A vessel, unfamiliar... almost foreign. And I, trapped within it, pressed against its walls like a prisoner who has begun to doubt the reality of his own existence. Reason and the senses did not confirm this feeling. Everything external remained ordinary, coherent, intact. And yet, something beyond themsomething less tangible, but no less certainseemed to signal the presence of something deeper. A quiet awareness that refused to be reduced to mere sensation or thought. For a moment, it felt as though I could not breathe. There is a me withinsomething restless, something awarethat longs for this prison to rupture, to crack open, to collapse entirely so that it may finally be free. This me strains against its confinement, not only seeking escape, but demanding recognition. It wants to know itself without distortion, without mediationfree from the limits imposed by this body it inhabits. But beneath this intensity lies a quieter, more unsettling truth. This feeling will pass. It always does. This is not because the feeling proves itself false, nor because I choose to reject it. It fades under the quiet weight of ordinary life. The body begins to demand my attention again and again. Hunger returns. Fatigue settles in. Conversations resume. Responsibilities, routinesthe countless claims of the world slowly reclaim me. Their pull is irresistible. They do not refute this quiet awareness or persuade me that it was an illusion. They simply become louder. Gradually, almost without noticing, my attention is drawn outward once more, away from the identity I claim as me. What, only moments ago, felt more real than anything else is gently pushed into the background, eclipsed by the relentless presence of the world before me. The suffocation will end. The urgency will dissolve. And with it, something far more precious will be lost. I will lose my sense of distance from this body. I will forget this clarity, this sharp and painful awareness of being something other than what I appear to be. The question itself will fade. The suffocation will die... and with it, the me that felt it. And then, I will continue to existbut not as myself. What makes this loss more disturbing is that it does not feel like a loss at all. There is no rupture, no moment of realization. It happens quietly, almost imperceptibly. I will return to speaking, acting, and living as though nothing has changedbecause, from within that state, nothing seems to have been lost. I will begin, once again, to address this body as me. I will accept it, identify with it, and mistake it for my own being. I will speak as it, defend it, and inhabit it so completely that the distinction between myself and it disappears. And in doing so, I will remain entirely unaware that something deeper has been abandoned. Perhaps this is not an experience confined to a single individual. Perhaps it reflects a more general conditionone in which the self is not discovered, but gradually assumed. We inherit identities, inhabit them, and rarely question the foundations upon which they stand. If so, then the problem is not simply that we are confined, but that we no longer recognize the confinement. The tragedy, then, is subtle. Not in the existence of the cage, but in the ease with which it becomes indistinguishable from the self. Not in being deceived, but in no longer recognizing the deception. In the end, I deceive no one but myself. And in that quiet, unnoticed betrayalthe gradual erasure of what once questioned, once resistedI do not merely remain confined. I disappear. Dr Ahsan Ul Haq, Assistant Professor (English) in JK HED, presently posted at GDC Dangiwacha.

Scientific solutions to traffic congestion in Srinagar

Traffic congestion has become one of the most serious challenges facing Srinagar. With the rapid increase in the number of vehicles, growing commercial activities, and expanding population, traffic jams have become a daily experience for residents and visitors alike. The problem requires a scientific, long-term, and people-oriented approach rather than temporary measures. The Government should immediately engage professional traffic and urban planning consultants to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for managing traffic in Srinagar. Such a roadmap should be based on traffic surveys, data analysis, road engineering, and future urban growth. Once successfully implemented in Srinagar, the same model can be adopted in other towns and cities of Jammu and Kashmir. If the problem is not addressed at this stage, it may become much more difficult and expensive to manage in the future. One of the major causes of congestion is the absence of properly planned U-turns at many locations. Scientific studies should be conducted to identify suitable places for U-turns so that vehicles can move smoothly without creating bottlenecks. Similarly, traffic signals across the city need modernization. Intelligent traffic signals that adjust according to traffic volume can significantly reduce waiting time and improve traffic flow. Pedestrian safety must also receive priority. Clearly marked zebra crossings should be installed throughout the city, especially near schools, colleges, hospitals, markets, and busy intersections. People should be educated about where to cross roads and where not to cross. Proper signboards and public awareness campaigns can help develop better traffic discipline among pedestrians. Passenger vehicle stops should also be properly identified and regulated. Buses, minibuses, and other passenger vehicles often stop at random locations, causing unnecessary congestion. Clearly designated stops will improve traffic movement and provide greater convenience to commuters. Traffic management should not be considered the responsibility of the Traffic Police alone. Non-governmental organizations, voluntary organizations, resident welfare groups, and civil society institutions should be involved in traffic awareness and management programmes. Public participation is essential for creating a culture of road discipline. College and university students, both boys and girls, can also play an important role. They may be involved in traffic awareness and management activities on a phased basis without affecting their academic work. Such participation will help young people understand traffic problems at an early stage and encourage them to become responsible citizens. Their involvement can also contribute to innovative solutions and greater public awareness. Street vendors are an important part of the local economy, but they should be trained in civic manners and proper use of public spaces. Vendors should be educated about where stalls can be placed and how public pathways and roads should remain free for pedestrians and vehicles. Causing inconvenience to others through encroachments should be discouraged through awareness and proper regulation. Kashmir is one of the most important tourist destinations in the country. A large part of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir depends directly or indirectly on tourism. Therefore, our roads, markets, and public spaces must reflect discipline, good management, and civic manners. At present, tourists often face long traffic delays on important roads, including Boulevard Road and Foreshore Road leading to the famous Mughal Gardens. Tourist vehicles frequently remain stuck in traffic for long periods, creating inconvenience and affecting the overall visitor experience. An efficient traffic system will benefit both residents and tourists. Better road planning, improved public transport management, modern traffic signals, pedestrian facilities, and public participation can greatly reduce congestion. Traffic is not merely an engineering issue; it is also a matter of civic responsibility and public behaviour. Special attention must be given to the Dr. Ali Jan RoadEidgah Road corridor, which serves as a vital lifeline for patients travelling to Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences. This route should be kept free from unnecessary congestion through proper traffic management, removal of bottlenecks, and strict regulation of roadside encroachments. Every minute is precious for critically ill patients being transported to hospitals. Traffic jams often delay ambulances and emergency vehicles, reducing the chances of timely medical intervention. Similarly, fire service vehicles frequently face difficulties in reaching their destinations on time because of traffic congestion. The creation of dedicated emergency corridors on major roads leading to hospitals, along with strict enforcement of traffic rules, can save lives and improve emergency response services across the city. The time has come for a scientific and coordinated approach to traffic management in Srinagar. With proper planning, modern technology, community participation, and strong public awareness, Srinagar can become a cleaner, safer, and more visitor-friendly city. The roads belong to all of us, and their orderly use is a shared responsibility. By acting today, we can prevent a much bigger problem tomorrow and ensure a better future for the city and its people. Dr Nasir Shah, Former Additional Director JKSTIC, DST, has remained actively associated with the promotion of science, scientific temper, innovation, and educational awareness across J&K.

Rs 14-crore daily livestock trade disrupted, Wazwan under stress

Srinagar, Jun 30:As the wedding season reaches its peak in Kashmir, a disruption in the supply of mutton has laid bare one of Jammu and Kashmir's biggest food security challenges - its heavy dependence on livestock imported from outside J&K. The immediate trigger is a dispute over alleged illegal charges imposed on livestock carriers passing through Punjab. However, the crisis has also highlighted the structural gap between Kashmir's appetite for mutton and its limited domestic production. Wholesale mutton dealers have suspended fresh imports of live sheep and goats after alleging that transporters are being forced to pay between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000 per truck while crossing Punjab. General Secretary of the Wholesale Mutton Dealers Union, Mehraj Ganie, said traders have been compelled to halt supplies despite the ongoing marriage season. We have stopped importing livestock for the last few days. Whatever stock was available within Kashmir has almost been exhausted. Marriage functions are getting affected, but we have no option. Trucks carrying livestock are being charged Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 while passing through Punjab. These charges are illegal and have made transportation unviable, Ganie told Greater Kashmir. According to the union, Kashmir imports nearly 70 truckloads of livestock every day during the peak marriage season. Each truck carries sheep worth around Rs 20 lakh, taking the total value of daily livestock imports to nearly Rs 14 crore during this period. Most of these consignments originate from Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh before entering Jammu and Kashmir through Punjab. Any disruption along this route immediately affects wholesale markets, retailers and consumers across Kashmir. The issue has now reached the highest political level. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has written to the Punjab Government seeking immediate intervention to ensure the smooth movement of livestock transport vehicles through the state. In his letter, the Chief Minister urged Punjab authorities to prevent unauthorised levies and facilitate unhindered movement of livestock carriers, warning that the disruption could adversely affect traders as well as consumers in Jammu and Kashmir. While the current dispute revolves around transportation, it has once again exposed a long-standing weakness in J&K's livestock economy. J&K has consistently failed to produce enough mutton to meet local demand. Available government figures and industry estimates show that J&K produces around 30,000 to 32,000 tonnes of mutton annually, whereas consumption is estimated at 51,000 to 60,000 tonnes every year. This leaves a deficit of nearly 21,000 to 30,000 tonnes. In simple terms, local production meets only about half of the Valley's annual requirement, forcing J&K to depend on imports for roughly 40 to 50 percent of its mutton consumption. Official estimates released over the years present a remarkably consistent picture. Earlier figures showed annual consumption at around 51,000 tonnes against local production of 30,000 tonnes, requiring imports of nearly 21,000 tonnes. More recent estimates indicate that consumption has climbed to nearly 60,000 tonnes while production has remained almost stagnant at around 30,000 tonnes, widening the supply gap further. The shortfall is bridged through the import of live sheep and goats rather than processed meat. Industry estimates indicate that Jammu and Kashmir imports nearly 14 lakh sheep and goats every year. These animals are transported by road, slaughtered within J&K and supplied through local wholesale and retail markets. The annual value of these imports is estimated at around Rs 1400 crore, making mutton one of the largest food commodities imported into J&K. Economists say this also represents a significant outflow of wealth, as hundreds of crores of rupees leave J&K every year to purchase livestock from other states instead of circulating within the local rural economy. Ironically, J&K has one of India's strongest sheep-rearing traditions. J&K accounts for nearly 4.2 percent of the country's sheep population and ranks among the leading sheep-rearing regions. Annual mutton production stands at around 320 lakh kg, equivalent to approximately 32,000 tonnes. However, experts attribute the production deficit to low productivity, dependence on traditional breeds, slower genetic improvement and limited adoption of modern breeding technologies. While natural grazing resources are abundant, meat yield per animal has remained comparatively low. Research studies suggest that dependence on imported livestock is not a recent phenomenon. Academic analyses have shown that imports of sheep and goats have steadily increased since the early 2000s as local production failed to keep pace with rising consumption. The demand for mutton in Kashmir also differs from most other parts of the country.

Only Div Coms, IGPs authorised to brief on Amarnath Yatra: Govt

Jammu, Jun 30:J&K Government has designated the Divisional Commissioners (Div Coms) and Inspectors General of Police (IGPs) of Kashmir and Jammu divisions as the only authorised officers (spokespersons) to interact with media regarding any aspect of Shri Amanathji Yatra, 2026. As per a circular issued by the Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), J&K Tourism Department, Dr Ashish Chandra Verma, the move is aimed at ensuring dissemination of authentic information about the annual pilgrimage. They have been asked to coordinate with the J&K information Department and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. To ensure the dissemination of authentic information regarding the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 2026, only the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and Inspector IGP Kashmir for the Kashmir Division and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and IGP Jammu for the Jammu Division are hereby authorised to interact with the media and conduct press briefings concerning all aspects of the Yatra, Verma ordered. These officers shall also closely coordinate with the Information Department, J&K and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, he further instructed.

On-spot registration for yatra token holders to begin today

Jammu, Jun 30:Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar on Tuesday informed that on-spot registration of pilgrims for annual Shri Amarnath Yatra would begin from Wednesday morning at the Tawi river front. In Jammu, the main registration centre has been established at Tawi riverfront with proper facilities to ensure that the citizens in Jammu dont face any inconvenience. Token system has already been initiated today to manage daily quotas for pilgrims seeking registration. Those, who have received tokens today, will come for on-spot registration tomorrow. They will also get their RFID cards there which is imperative for tracking to ensure pilgrims security. Registration centres have also been also set up at Mahajan Sabha for the general public and at Geeta Bhawan and Purani Mandi for Sadhus, he shared in a press conference here. He pointed out that the pilgrims, who would reach Jammu through rail, would get their RFID cards at Railway Station Jammu besides at Tawi riverfront and Bhagwati Nagar base camp. Inspector General of Police Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti, DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Shridhar Patil and Deputy Commissioner Jammu Dr Rakesh Minhas accompanied the Divisional Commissioner in the press conference. Those, who have registered online, can receive their RFID cards at Lakhanpur, Chichi Mata temple, Samba, Jammu Railway Station, Tawi Riverfront or Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas. Pilgrims must complete their e-KYC and collect their RFID tags from these centres before entering the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas by 10 pm a day before departing for Pahalgam or Baltal base camps in the Yatra convoy under proper security protocol, he said, adding that the pilgrims would be able to receive the RFID cards at Chanderkote and Banihal in Ramban also. Earlier heavy rush was witnessed at registration centres on Tuesday to get tokens for on-spot registration. Though ten token distribution centres were set up at the Tawi riverfront amid heavy security cover, it proved to be quite tough for the security personnel to manage the crowd as the counters opened to exhaust a days quota. Many people, waiting in serpentine queues for the tokens, maintained that they gathered there during midnight to avail tokens so as to be the part of the first batch of Yatra. Today it was the first day and there was great enthusiasm among the people, arriving here for on-spot registration. So far, 4000 people have arrived here and all arrangements are in place for their comfortable stay and pilgrimage, said DC Jammu Rakesh Minhas. Reiterating the appeal to pilgrims to strictly follow the Shrine Board guidelines and carry mandatory health certificates, Minhas said, Those above 70 years of age and the children below 13 years are not allowed to undertake Yatra. Token distribution process is going on in a transparent manner and the on-spot registration process too will begin tomorrow.

Sujit Kumar inspects security at yatra camps at Baltal, Manigam

Srinagar, Jun 30:In ongoing preparations for the Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY-2026), Inspector General of Police (IGP) Security, J&K, Sujit Kumar on Tuesday conducted a detailed on-ground review of the yatra base camp at Baltal and the transit camp at Manigam. The visit underscored the remarkable improvements implemented by the Security Wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police to ensure a safe and seamless pilgrimage experience for devotees. This years security arrangements at both key locations reflect a heightened focus on technology-driven surveillance, multi-layered access control, and seamless inter-agency coordination, aligning with the broader multi-tiered security grid established across the yatra routes. During his inspection, IGP Sujit Kumar took stock of the upgraded facilities and operational readiness. The Security Wing has introduced several state-of-the-art measures: that include joint CCTV Control Rooms have been established for real-time monitoring, providing comprehensive coverage of the camps and surrounding areas. Face Recognition Technology Advanced Face Recognition Cameras have been deployed at strategic points to identify flagged individuals and enable prompt intervention. Triple Layer Security Checks A robust three-tier access control system has been put in place to regulate entry into the camps, significantly enhancing perimeter security. Dedicated Anti-Sabotage Teams Specialised teams are actively operating on the ground to counter any potential threats through proactive sweeps and rapid response capabilities. Synergistic Coordination Excellent synergy and coordination among all security forces, including J&K Police, CAPFs, and other stakeholders, ensuring unified command and efficient operations. Additional infrastructure upgrades include clear earmarked macadamised roads from the highway up to the Yatri Shivir, well-defined security AC check spaces equipped with galleries and sheds, and structured lady frisking chambers for smooth and dignified screening of women yatris. IGP Security Sujit Kumar appreciated the efforts of the Security Wing and field officers, directing them to maintain the highest standards of vigilance and preparedness. He emphasised that these enhancements, combined with ongoing mock drills and inter-agency rehearsals, will contribute to an incident-free yatra. The visit comes as part of intensified reviews by senior police leadership, including IGP Kashmir V KbBirdi and district SSPs. These measures complement Kashmir-wide initiatives like Project Hawk Eye in Anantnag, extensive drone surveillance, sniper deployments, and disaster response mechanisms. With the yatra scheduled to begin on July 3 and conclude on August 28, authorities have rolled out one of the most extensive security plans in recent years.

LG Sinha to flag off 1st batch of Amarnath Yatris on July 2 from Jammu

Jammu, Jun 30:Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar on Tuesday stated that the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), would flag off the first batch of pilgrims for Pahalgam and Baltal axis, from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on July 2, 2026 at 4 am. The Yatra to pay obeisance to Baba Barfani (Lord Shiva) at Shri Amarnath shrine, would formally commence from both the routes (Pahalgam and Baltal) on July 3, the Divisional Commissioner said and asserted that fool-proof arrangements were put in place for seamless annual pilgrimage. The divisional and district administrations and the Police besides other security agencies were fully geared up to ensure safe, smooth, incident-free Yatra, offering a spiritually blissful experience to the pilgrims. All desired arrangements, including logistics and security, were made in all five districts (part of the yatra route) of the division, Ramesh Kumar said, while addressing a press conference here. Inspector General of Police Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti, DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Shridhar Patil and Deputy Commissioner Jammu Dr Rakesh Minhas accompanied the Divisional Commissioner in the press conference. From Jammu division, the Yatra (route) begins from Lakhanpur where Kathua district administration and the Police have made elaborate preparations to welcome pilgrims coming from outside J&K. Similar arrangements are in place in Samba, Jammu, Udhampur and Ramban districts. Jammu, being the major base camp and from where the Yatra will be flagged off, the comprehensive arrangements with regard to on-spot registration, RFID card, KYC centres, accommodation, langar facility, medical room, sanitation, power and water supply and security have been made, he shared, while detailing about preparations for the hassle-free Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2026. Kumar urged the pilgrims to strictly follow the cut-off timings and guidelines issued by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and the district administrations to ensure a spiritually enriching and convenient experience. He said that at Lakhanpur entry point, the Kathua district administration and police were implementing full security and welcome protocols. The pilgrims are required to enter Lakhanpur from 6 am to 8 pm for proceeding towards Jammu in mini convoys. After 8 pm they can spend the night at Lakhanpur in the government accommodations especially set up for the pilgrims, Kumar explained. With regard to the pilgrims, travelling in personal vehicles towards Srinagar, the Divisional Commissioner asserted, they would have strictly adhere to cut-off timings set by the traffic department, with vehicles required to cross the Nagrota TCP between 6 am to 12 pm, Jakhani by 1 pm, Chanderkote by 2 pm and Banihal by 3 pm. He said that the accommodation for approximately 55,000 pilgrims was made across the Jammu division, comprising government centres, temporary facilities and shelters set up with the cooperation of civil society organisations. A total of 2100 toilets have been set up for pilgrims at the accommodation centre, yatri niwas, halt points and along the National Highway-44. The Tourism Department has introduced dedicated AC buses operating on four routes with guides and refreshments to facilitate visits to regional destinations including the Suchetgarh Border, Gharana Wetland, Akhnoor Fort, Raghunath Bazaar, Bahu Fort, and Mahamaya temple, the Divisional Commissioner informed, adding that Transport Department had issued fixed rate lists for autos, e-rickshaws, and taxis to prevent overcharging. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Bhim Sen Tuti, while responding to media queries, stated that layered security was in place to ensure a peaceful Yatra. The pilgrimage is an annual event. Extensive security arrangements are made for the pilgrimage every year yet this year, it has been bolstered with extra layers to make it a fool-proof pilgrimage in terms of security as well, IGP said. He asserted that Yatra would be conducted in a regulated manner for which meticulous planning, resources and arrangements were put in place. He also stressed on adherence to the cut off timings publicised by the Traffic department for smooth movement of yatra vehicles. Proper security arrangements have been made across the entire 260-kilometre route, transit camps and langar sites. Pilgrims must travel strictly via National Highway 44 (NH-44). Alternative routes such as Dhar Road or Mughal Road are strictly out of bounds for Yatra vehicles. Drivers must ensure full fuel tanks before joining convoys and strictly avoid driving under the influence, he said. He further cautioned the pilgrims to beware of fraudulent websites and unauthorised WhatsApp groups offering fake registrations. He urged the pilgrims to rely solely on the official Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board platform for all registration-related matters. IGP informed that the pilgrims reaching Lakhanpur between 6 am and 8 am would be escorted to Jammu under security cover, while those arriving after 8 am would have to halt there due to security restrictions. He said that mini-convoys would also operate between Udhampur and Banihal under a fixed schedule. Earlier, the Divisional Commissioner Jammu and the Inspector General of Police Jammu also held an interaction session with the civil society members, heads of religious, social and other prominent organisations. Kumar emphasised the role of civil society members, social and religious organisations and the people of Jammu as the host to the national event in which people from all over the country and world participate with immense devotion and spirituality. During the meeting, members of the Civil Society shared their views and suggestions for providing the best and memorable experience to the pilgrims. The Divisional Commissioner said that their valuable suggestions would be incorporated. IGP Traffic, Managing Director JPDCL, DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, SSP Jammu, senior officials from civil and Police administration and representatives of religious, social organisations, transporters, Taxi Union, traders, Bazaar associations, hoteliers, and other prominent citizens attended the meeting.

CM Omar writes to Union Minister, seeks UNESCO tag for Kashmiri Sufiyana Music

Srinagar, Jun 30:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the Union Ministry of Culture to initiate the process for securing UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) status for Kashmiri Sufiyana Music, describing the classical art form as one of Jammu and Kashmir's most distinguished cultural and spiritual traditions. In a letter addressed to Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Chief Minister sought sympathetic consideration of a proposal submitted by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Jammu and Kashmir Chapter, for inscription of Kashmiri Sufiyana Music, also known as Sufiana Kalam or Sufiana Mousiqi, on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Chief Minister said Kashmiri Sufiyana Music represents a unique synthesis of Sufi philosophy, devotional poetry and classical melody, reflecting Jammu and Kashmir's composite cultural heritage and centuries-old traditions of harmony and inclusiveness. Recognition by UNESCO would not only ensure international visibility and safeguarding of this invaluable tradition but would also facilitate its preservation, documentation, promotion, and transmission to future generations, the letter states. CM Omar acknowledged that the nomination process requires preparation of a comprehensive dossier through the prescribed institutional mechanism and noted that INTACH Kashmir had expressed willingness to provide technical assistance in preparing the nomination documents, drawing on its previous experience with UNESCO-related heritage initiatives. The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to have the proposal examined sympathetically and initiate the necessary action through the appropriate channels, saying international recognition of the musical tradition would be a matter of pride not only for Jammu and Kashmir but for the country as a whole. The proposal was originally submitted to the Chief Minister by Saleem Beg, Convenor INTACH Kashmir Chapter on May 26. In its communication, the heritage body said Kashmiri Sufiyana Music fulfils the core eligibility criteria for inscription under UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage framework, which recognises oral traditions and performing arts of outstanding cultural value. INTACH explained that under the prescribed procedure, the nomination has to be forwarded by the state government to the Sangeet Natak Akademi under the Union Ministry of Culture, following which a detailed nomination dossier is prepared and submitted for further processing before being forwarded to UNESCO for final consideration. The organisation said it had previously prepared UNESCO nomination dossiers for Srinagar under the Creative Cities Network and for other heritage initiatives, including crafts and media arts, and was prepared to undertake the documentation and research required for the Sufiyana Music nomination as well. According to the concept note attached with the proposal, inscription on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List would provide international recognition to the tradition, strengthen community pride, encourage documentation and research, and support sustainable cultural tourism. The note describes Kashmiri Sufiyana Music as a classical musical tradition rooted in Sufi mysticism that embodies Kashmir's composite culture and long-standing ethos of spiritual harmony.

J&K Govt moves to replace existing Lease Policy

Srinagar, Jun 30:Leasing government-owned land and properties in Jammu and Kashmir is set to become significantly more expensive, with the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD) proposing a new Uniform Lease Policy that replaces the existing concessional framework with a market-linked regime aimed at maximising returns from public assets while bringing uniformity in the management of Government properties. The HUUD has placed the draft Jammu and Kashmir Uniform Lease Policy, 2026, along with the Jammu and Kashmir Rental and License Policy, 2026, in the public domain on June 5, inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders and the general public within 15 days before the policies are finalised. The proposed policies have been framed under the provisions of the J&K Development Act, 1970, the J&K Housing Board Act, 1976, the J&K Municipal Corporation Act, 2000 and the J&K Municipal Act, 2000, which empower the Government and authorities constituted thereunder to regulate the management, allotment, lease, rental, licence and disposal of immovable properties vested in or under their control. Among the most significant proposed changes is the revision of the lease premium, which is expected to increase the cost of leasing government land substantially. At present, lease premium is generally calculated on the basis of the government-notified circle rate of land. Under the proposed policy, however, the premium will be calculated at 1.5 times the prevailing residential or commercial circle rate, or on the basis of land acquisition cost, infrastructure development cost and other associated costs, excluding any discount, whichever is applicable. The draft also proposes a change in the lease tenure. While government land is presently leased for 40 years with provision for extension, the new policy fixes the initial lease period at 33 years. It, however, allows two further extensions of 33 years each, enabling leaseholders to retain possession of the property for a maximum of 99 years, subject to payment of revised charges and compliance with prescribed conditions. The policy also restructures annual lease rent. Residential, hovernment, public, and semi-public properties will attract annual lease rent at 0.10 percent of the lease premium, while commercial properties will pay 0.50 per cent annually. The annual lease rent will increase with every renewal. After completion of the first 33-year term, residential lease rent will rise to 0.25 percent of the premium and commercial lease rent to one percent. Following the second renewal after 66 years, annual lease rent will further increase to 0.50 percent for residential properties and 1.50 percent for commercial properties. The draft further provides that the authority may increase the annual lease rent rate by a maximum of 200 percent from the previous term while renewing leases. The proposed policy also tightens conditions relating to construction on leased land. While extensions for commencement or completion of development will continue to be available, they will now be subject to payment of a surcharge, making delays financially more expensive for allottees. To ensure uniformity in allotments, the draft provides that government properties shall primarily be allotted through e-auction or by inviting applications followed by a draw of lots, replacing varying procedures currently followed by different agencies. The government has also proposed restrictions on outright sale of public land. Direct sale will be permitted only in the case of developed residential dwelling units or residential built-up areas. Commercial properties will continue to be allotted only on lease and will not be eligible for outright ownership. Residential leaseholders will, however, be allowed to convert leasehold plots into freehold property upon payment of three per cent of the applicable circle rate, provided construction of the dwelling unit has been completed. The policy specifically prohibits freehold conversion of commercial properties. The draft also introduces a uniform framework for transfer of leased properties. Leaseholders will be permitted to transfer their properties on payment of a transfer fee of three per cent of the prevailing circle rate. Transfer charges have been proposed at five percent for residential multilevel flatted properties and ten percent for commercial multilevel properties. Properties allotted under the Economically Weaker Section category will remain under a mandatory five-year lock-in period before they can be transferred. Alongside the lease framework, the Housing and Urban Development Department has also proposed a separate Jammu and Kashmir Rental and License Policy, 2026, to regulate government properties rented or licensed by various authorities. The draft policy makes e-auction mandatory for allotment of government properties on rent or licence. The standard rental period has been fixed at 11 months, although authorities may grant tenancy for up to five years, extendable once for another five years and subsequently twice for 10 years each. Licence agreements will ordinarily remain valid for one year. Annual rent and licence fee have been capped at a maximum of 6.5 percent of the property's cost. The policy also imposes a complete prohibition on transfer of tenancy or subletting of rented government premises. The draft further introduces a one-time settlement mechanism for expired rent agreements. Original allottees may continue by paying revised rent or participate in an e-auction for conversion of their occupancy into a lease or a fresh rental arrangement. In cases where government properties have been illegally sublet, the premises will be put to e-auction. However, the existing occupant will be given the first right of refusal upon payment of five percent of the property's value. Transfers through natural succession, including legal heirship or testamentary succession, can be regularised by paying a one-time charge of 1 percent of the property's value.

RBI opens bank lending for acquisitions under new framework

India's banking sector is set for a major overhaul with the RBI's new acquisition finance framework, effective today. This move integrates acquisition funding into regulated banks, previously dominated by specialized lenders. While offering greater certainty and potentially lower costs for corporate growth, the framework includes safeguards like financing caps and equity contributions. This reform aims to balance expansion with financial stability, reshaping the acquisition financing market.

No sudden shelter from storms: What protected India's oil supply during Hormuz crisis

India successfully navigated the Hormuz Strait closure, avoiding fuel shortages despite initial fears. This resilience wasn't due to last-minute decisions but years of strategic diversification of its oil supplier base, expanding from 27 to 41 countries. Robust infrastructure and refinery flexibility allowed for seamless redirection of supplies, proving that proactive, long-term planning is the true key to energy security, not just stockpiles.

Summer vacations in Kashmir schools from July 6 to 19: DSEK

Srinagar, June 30: The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to announce the summer vacations for Kashmir schools from July 6 to 19 of 2026. Talking to Greater Kashmir , Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Naseer Ahmad Wani said the proposal has been approved and order will be issued as well. The proposal submitted by the Directorate has been approved by the Administrative Department. Official order will be issued as well, Wani told Greater Kashmir . Earlier, Minister for Education Sakina Itoo said that the summer vacations will be announced from the second week of July. We have planned to announce the vacation from July second week but the date has not been finalized yet, she had told Greater Kashmir .

IGP Kashmir reviews Amarnath Yatra security arrangements in Ganderbal

Ganderbal, June 30: In view of the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone V K Birdi-IPS today conducted a comprehensive on-ground review of the security arrangements and deployment plan in district Ganderbal. He was accompanied by DIG Central Kashmir Range, DIG North Kashmir Range, SSP Srinagar, SSP Ganderbal, SSP Bandipora, SP Ops Srinagar and other senior officers from Police and Civil Administration. During the visit, IGP Kashmir inspected the Transit Camp Manigam and took a detailed assessment of the arrangements being put in place for the smooth, secure and hassle-free movement of pilgrims. He also reviewed the deployment of Police, CAPFs and other security components at important locations along the Yatra route.

IGP Traffic reviews traffic management for smooth conduct of Amarnath Yatra

Srinagar, June 30: Inspector General of Police (IGP), Traffic J&K, M. Suleman Choudhary, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess and finalize traffic management arrangements for the smooth, safe and seamless movement of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026 pilgrims along the Kashmir axis. The meeting was attended by DIG South Kashmir Range, Javed Iqbal Matoo, DIG CRPF Anantnag, SSP Kulgam, SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir, SSP Traffic National Highway Ramban, SP Headquarters Anantnag, SP NHW Qazigund, besides other senior officers of the Civil Police, CRPF, Traffic Police and district administration of Anantnag and Kulgam. During the meeting, a detailed review of the traffic management plan was undertaken with emphasis on ensuring close coordination and effective synergy among all stakeholder agencies for the safe and uninterrupted movement of Yatra convoys. The implementation and strict adherence to the notified convoy cut-off timings were discussed at length and all officers were directed to ensure their meticulous enforcement without exception. The IGP stressed the importance of seamless inter-agency coordination, real-time information sharing, prompt clearance of traffic bottlenecks and effective regulation of civilian traffic to facilitate hassle-free movement of Yatra convoys. He also emphasized the need for continuous monitoring of road conditions, swift response to emergencies and efficient deployment of police personnel at all vulnerable and congestion prone locations. The officers were instructed to maintain close liaison with the district administration, CRPF, road maintenance agencies and other concerned departments to ensure immediate response to any unforeseen situation. Special emphasis was laid on effective dissemination of traffic advisories, regulation of stranded vehicles whenever required, and ensuring minimum inconvenience to the general public while maintaining the highest priority for Yatra convoy movement. The IGP Traffic reiterated that the safety and convenience of the pilgrims remain the foremost priority and directed all officers to work in close coordination, maintain high standards of professionalism and ensure flawless execution of the traffic management plan throughout the Yatra period.

ACB arrests patwari, associate while accepting Rs 70,000 bribe in Jammu

Jammu, June 30: In a significant action against corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu & Kashmir, today trapped and arrested Shashi Kumar, Patwari, Patwar Halqa Gole, and his assistant, Harkeerat Singh, for demanding and accepting a bribe of 70,000. According to the spokesperson, the ACB received a written complaint alleging that the accused had demanded 70,000 as illegal gratification from the complainant for issuing two Fards (revenue extracts). Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB and sought legal action against the accused officials. Following the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which established a prima facie case of bribery. Accordingly, FIR No. 08/2026 was registered at Police Station ACB Central, Jammu, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and an investigation was initiated. During the course of the investigation, the ACB constituted a trap team, which successfully laid a trap. The accused public servants were caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of 70,000 from the complainant. Both accused were arrested on the spot, and the bribe money was recovered from their possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team. Following the arrests, searches were conducted at the residential premises of both accused in the presence of Executive Magistrates. Further investigation into the case is in progress, spokesperson added.

Div Com Anshul Garg says foolproof arrangements, intensive monitoring in place for Amarnath Yatra

Div Com Kashmir reviews facilities for Amarnath Yatris at Srinagar airport

Srinagar, June 30: In preparation for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Tuesday conducted a comprehensive review of the arrangements put in place at Srinagar International Airport to ensure a safe, seamless, and hassle-free travel experience for pilgrims. During the inspection, the Divisional Commissioner assessed the facilities established for Yatris, including dedicated eKYC counters, Yatra Facilitation Centre, passenger reception areas, and other essential facilities available at the airport. On the occasion, senior officials from the Civil Administration, Airport Authority, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) briefed the Divisional Commissioner on the preparedness and coordination measures undertaken by their respective departments to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims at the Airport. Speaking on the occasion, the Div Com stressed the need for coordination and robust communication mechanisms to ensure the timely resolution of issues and uninterrupted services for the pilgrims. Pertinently, in a major step towards facilitating the seamless and pilgrim-friendly Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, the local Administration have substantially augmented the registration infrastructure across Kashmir. The total number of pilgrim facilitation counters has been increased from 54 in 2025 to 131 in 2026, which includes a significant increase in E-KYC counters from 21 to 59, RFID counters from 20 to 32, and on-spot registration counters from 13 to 40. The additional registration facilities have been established at key locations including Pantha Chowk, Srinagar International Airport and Railway Station Nowgam. During the visit, the Div Com was accompanied by DC Budgam Athar Aamir, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Budgam, and other officers from the concerned departments.

ACB files chargesheets in two separate corruption cases

Srinagar, June 30: Anti-Corruption Bureau, Jammu & Kashmir, today filed charge sheets in two separate corruption cases before the competent Special Courts after completion of investigations and obtaining the requisite prosecution sanctions. The spokesperson said that in the first case, the ACB presented a charge sheet before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, against five accused persons, including the then District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, in Case FIR No. 08/2017 of Police Station ACB Baramulla under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006, and Section 120-B RPC. The case pertains to the alleged illegal and fraudulent regularization of a person initially engaged on a temporary basis as an Orderly in District Bandipora. Investigation revealed that official records were allegedly manipulated to facilitate unauthorized Government service benefits, including regular salary, promotion and other service benefits, resulting in wrongful gain to the beneficiary and corresponding loss to the Government exchequer. He said the charge sheet has been filed against Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh, the then District Development Commissioner, Bandipora (Retired); the then Executive Engineer, Irrigation Division, Sumbal (Retired); Mohammad Ramzan Ganaie, then Head Clerk (Retired); Tariq Ahmad Khan, then Establishment Clerk (now Senior Assistant); and beneficiary accused Nisar Ahmad Itoo, presently serving as Junior Assistant. The Court admitted the charge sheet, furnished copies to the accused, admitted them to bail and fixed 13-08-2026 as the next date of hearing. The spokesperson also said that in the second case, the ACB presented a charge sheet before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, in Case FIR No. 20/2023 of Police Station ACB Srinagar against two police personnel, SgCt. Mohammad Ayoub Dar and SgCt. Abdul Hamid Tantary, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 120-B IPC. The case arose from a complaint alleging demand of a bribe of 9,000 for allowing a loaded truck to cross TCP Sonamarg and proceed towards Ladakh. During a trap, SgCt. Mohammad Ayoub Dar was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe. The tainted money was recovered on the spot, and the investigation established the involvement of both accused in the conspiracy. The charge sheet was presented before the Court, and the next date of hearing has been fixed for 28-07-2026, spokesperson added.

Amarnath Yatra-2026: Heavy motor vehicle movement restricted on Jammu-Srinagar NH-44 from July 1 evening

Banihal, June 30: In view of the commencement of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, with the first batch of pilgrims scheduled to leave from Jammu on July 2, traffic authorities have issued a fresh advisory regulating movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44). As per the advisory, no movement of Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) will be allowed from Qazigund towards Jammu and from Jakheni (Udhampur) towards Srinagar after 1900 hours on July 1, 2026. However, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) will be permitted to move till 2300 hours. The Traffic Police said that after the movement of the Yatra convoy on July 2, up-direction LMVs, private cars and passenger service vehicles (HPSVs) will be allowed from Nagrota (Jammu) towards Udhampur once the tail of the up Yatra convoy crosses Jakheni (Udhampur). Similarly, down-direction LMVs, private cars and HPSVs will be allowed from Qazigund towards Jammu after the tail of the down Baltal Yatra convoy crosses Marog. Commuters have been advised to follow daily traffic advisories for exact cut-off timings. Regarding heavy vehicles, the advisory stated that HMVs will be allowed to ply on alternate days only, depending on the prevailing traffic situation. No HMV will be permitted from Qazigund or Jakheni after 7 PM during the Yatra period. The Traffic Police has advised operators carrying fresh produce, perishable goods and livestock to plan their movement accordingly to avoid inconvenience. It further stated that after the cut-off timings, intra-district movement of local commuters across Jammu and Kashmir will be facilitated only after verification of valid photo identity cards, which commuters must carry during the Yatra period. The authorities have appealed to the public to plan their journeys in advance and cooperate with Traffic Police and other agencies for smooth and safe conduct of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026.

Is Your Baby Born with Clubfoot? Here's What Every Parent Should Know | Doctor's Mic

Dr. Zubair Saleem speaks with Dr. Asif Nazir, Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, GMC Srinagar, about clubfoota treatable condition present at birth. In this informative conversation, they explain how early diagnosis and timely treatment can help children lead normal, active lives A must watch for expecting parents, new parents, and families, this episode dispels common myths and highlights why seeking treatment as early as possible can make all the difference

Facilitate interaction between local talent, eminent filmmakers: J-K CM to IFFJK organisers

Srinagar, Jun 30: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday reviewed preparations for the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK)-2026, envisaged as a landmark initiative to revive the region's cinematic legacy. Abdullah chaired a meeting here in which extensive deliberations were held on the festival's vision, its screening and programming strategy, branding, digital outreach, industry partnerships and international participation, an official spokesperson said. Director of Information and Public Relations, Shreya Singhal, gave a comprehensive presentation outlining the proposed framework for the inaugural edition of the festival. Reviewing the proposals, the chief minister said the film festival should evolve into a globally recognised cinematic event celebrating storytelling while showcasing Jammu and Kashmir's breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, artistic traditions and emerging creative talent. He stressed the need to deliver a professionally curated festival of international standards capable of attracting renowned filmmakers, producers, artists and cinema enthusiasts from across the world. Abdullah underlined that the event must not be viewed as a mere film festival but as a defining cultural and economic platform for Jammu and Kashmir. He said it should generate opportunities in tourism, investment, employment and the creative economy while reaffirming Jammu and Kashmir's historic place as India's preferred destination for film production, creative pursuits and cinematic tourism. Emphasising the importance of nurturing the local creative ecosystem, the chief minister directed that local filmmakers, writers, directors, actors, cinematographers, technicians, photographers, designers, artisans, craftsmen and other creative professionals be meaningfully integrated with the film festival through exhibitions, facilitating networking opportunities and business engagements. He also instructed the organisers to facilitate structured interactions between local talent and eminent national and international filmmakers, producers, directors, actors and industry experts through masterclasses and in-conversation sessions, workshops, panel discussions, mentoring sessions and knowledge-sharing programmes. Such engagements would provide aspiring professionals from Jammu and Kashmir with global exposure, technical expertise and industry networks while encouraging innovation and excellence in filmmaking, he added. The chief minister also called for instituting a special segment to recognise distinguished actors, filmmakers, directors, producers, cinematographers, musicians and other cinema personalities who have played a significant role in keeping Jammu and Kashmir's cinematic legacy alive by creating memorable films in the region over the decades. Recognising their contribution would celebrate Kashmir's enduring association with Indian cinema while inspiring a renewed partnership between the film industry and Jammu and Kashmir, he said. Highlighting the festival's wider developmental potential, the chief minister said it should also create meaningful opportunities for local artisans, craftspeople, entrepreneurs, and tourism stakeholders, ensuring that the benefits of the event extend well beyond the film fraternity. He directed the departments concerned to make the festival a comprehensive celebration of Jammu and Kashmir's artistic, cultural and entrepreneurial excellence. The proposed festival will feature international competition, Indian cinema, documentaries, short films, student films, animation, regional cinema, industry forums, workshops and cultural programmes. The proposed four-day festival, scheduled to be held in September 2026, will host screenings across multiple venues, offering an immersive experience for filmmakers, delegates and audiences.

Amarnath Yatra Dry Run Conducted; Full-Fledged Convoy Reaches Qazigund to Assess Preparedness

Invasion of the penalty snatchers

Morocco's dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands marked another surprising World Cup upset. Meanwhile, Brazil, despite a shaky second half, ultimately overcame a spirited Japan. Germany's World Cup journey ended in a penalty shootout loss to Paraguay, a result that felt almost fated. The author reflects on the importance of taking shots, especially on target, in these high-stakes matches.

WhatsApp to introduce usernames, allowing users to connect without sharing phone numbers

Srinagar, June 30: WhatsApp has announced a major privacy-focused update that will allow users to communicate using unique usernames instead of sharing their phone numbers, giving them greater control over who can contact them. The Meta-owned messaging platform said it has started allowing users to reserve unique usernames ahead of a wider rollout later this year. Once the feature is fully available, users will have the option to be discovered and contacted using only their chosen username, without revealing their phone number. The move is aimed at enhancing privacy for WhatsApp's more than three billion users worldwide, particularly when interacting with people they do not know personally. According to WhatsApp, there will be no public directory of usernames or autocomplete suggestions. Users will need to know a person's exact username to initiate contact for the first time, reducing the chances of unsolicited messages. We have designed this as a core privacy feature, Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp's Vice President of Product, said while announcing the update. Currently, anyone with a user's phone number can send them a message on WhatsApp. While the platform offers end-to-end encryption and allows users to block contacts or silence unknown callers, it has long required phone numbers as the primary identifier. The new username system is expected to offer an additional layer of privacy, particularly for users who want to communicate without sharing their personal mobile numbers. WhatsApp said usernames must be between three and 35 characters long. To prevent impersonation, the company will reserve usernames associated with high-profile individuals, celebrities, public figures, government entities and organisations. The platform also plans to allow businesses, organisations and creators with existing Meta accounts on Facebook and Instagram to claim matching usernames on WhatsApp. The company has not announced an exact date for the global rollout but said the feature will be introduced gradually over the coming months. Users can begin reserving their preferred usernames before the wider launch to secure their desired handles.

EvaraPartners Reviews: A Universal Broker for Systematic Trading

Managing investments online requires an honest and reliable intermediary. A commitment to fulfilling financial obligations, multi-asset versatility, and technological stability are key criteria when choosing a brokerage company. This is the exact paradigm under which EvaraPartners operatesa UK-based broker aiming to create a comfortable trading space for users from various countries around the world. EvaraPartners does not require large initial investments at the start, yet it offers institutional-grade conditions. Online reviews of EvaraPartners are highly commendable. Customer Reviews of EvaraPartners The experience of real users provides the most objective evaluation of a broker's performance. In EvaraPartners reviews on web platforms such as hackmd.io , Reddit, and Blogspot, online traders frequently highlight timely payouts, a user-friendly interface, and highly responsive support: I've been trading here for several months. I mostly execute trades on currencies and indicesthe platform remains stable even during peak load periods. The support team answers to the point, without using generic templates. I reached out with questions about the trading terminal's functionality, and everything was explained calmly and clearly. It's highly convenient to be able to trade across different markets from a single account. It saves time and simplifies portfolio management. I havent had a single issue with withdrawing funds in six months. First, I withdrew 20,000 Indian Rupees, and it arrived in three days. Later, I withdrew amounts around 40,00050,000 INR, and everything went smoothly. The majority of review authors definitively recommend EvaraPartners for cooperation. Software and Technical Stability EvaraPartners' software infrastructure is developed to meet the needs of users with various levels of experience. The trading terminal interface is intuitive, yet it contains a wide assortment of tools for financial market analysis. Clients can customize their workspace to suit their own tasks, utilizing interactive price charts, technical indicators, and geometric pattern templates at no extra cost. Special attention is dedicated to the quality of order execution. The software demonstrates resilience and responsiveness during both calm market periods and times of heightened volatility. This mitigates operational risks and allows the trader to focus on decision-making rather than technical glitches. All Markets in One Terminal EvaraPartners positions itself as a multi-asset broker providing access to various classes of financial assets. Thanks to a selection of over 300 investment instruments, online traders can apply diverse strategies and never miss an investment opportunity. The platform is equally suitable for scalping and long-term investing. The broker does not impose a specific trading style on its clients, leaving them with the absolute freedom to choose their own strategy, pace, and risk tolerance level. Transparency of Interaction In its daily operations, EvaraPartners adheres to internal control and transparency standards established within the legitimate modern brokerage industry. The company implements user identification procedures and monitors internal platform operations aimed at maintaining a proper and secure trading environment. This policy clearly defines the rules of engagement between the broker and the trader in advance, eliminating uncertainty throughout their work together. For many market participants, this highly predictable operational behavior is a key trust factor. Security of Funds and Data EvaraPartners takes the protection of client funds and data extremely seriously. The company utilizes advanced encryption protocols and multi-layered account protection systems. As a result, risks of unauthorized access are minimized, and cyber threats are effectively neutralized. Additionally, internal activity-monitoring mechanisms are deployed, which is highly valued by traders who operate with substantial volumes and wish to maintain complete control over their funds. Analytical Support and Information Environment Beyond its core trading infrastructure, EvaraPartners successfully develops its analytical services. Clients have the opportunity to receive fresh daily analytical market overviews, economic calendar commentaries, and unique investment ideas. While this analytical support serves an auxiliary purpose, it proves to be highly beneficial. It helps online traders better navigate the news background, macroeconomic factors, and the interrelations between different investment instruments, without interfering with independent investment decision-making. A Unique Bot for Algo-Trading The EvaraPartners algo-trading bot is a program that trades autonomously by following a pre-defined algorithm. The trader programs specific rules into it: the conditions under which to open or close a position, the volume to use, and how to limit risks. From there, the bot operates without human intervention, analyzing quotes and executing trades in milliseconds. The main advantage of the bot is the complete absence of emotion in decision-making. The program is not afraid to lock in a loss, nor does it get greedy by holding a profitable position longer than planned. It strictly follows its pre-programmed logic, making trading more predictable and systematic. An additional benefit is the ability to backtest a strategy on historical data before risking real money. Today, the broker's bot is in high demand among users. Ultimately, however, success is determined not by the technology itself, but by the quality of the strategy and capital management discipline. Flexible Conditions and Risk Management EvaraPartners' trading conditions take into account the interests of traders at all levels of preparation. The broker provides tools for position control and risk management, alongside negative balance protection. Clients determine their own acceptable capital load and level of market involvement, building their strategy on calculations rather than emotions. This model fosters a more disciplined and conscious approach to investment management. To begin investing, a minimum deposit of 17,000 Indian Rupees (or its equivalent in hard currency) is required. This is the baseline requirement for opening an investment account. Special conditions are available for traders with larger capital. 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It offers a highly functional platform, broad access to various financial markets, and a straightforward logic of interaction. EvaraPartners is not involved in any high-profile scandals or market manipulation. Its reputation remains solid, and its industry rating continues to climb.

General Dhiraj Seth takes over as Chief of the Army Staff

Delhi, June 30: General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, took over as the 31 st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) from General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, who superannuated after more than four decades of distinguished service to the nation on 30 Jun 2026. General Dhiraj Seth is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Over a distinguished military career spanning nearly four decades, he has had extensive experience across the operational, strategic, capability development and institutional domains, contributing significantly to the Indian Army's combat effectiveness and long-term transformation. The General Officer has commanded at every level in diverse operational environments. His command assignments include an Armoured Regiment in the Desert Sector, an Armoured Brigade in the Western Theatre, and a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu & Kashmir. As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Indian Army's premier strike formations. He subsequently served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, overseeing key national and international military engagements and ceremonial responsibilities. On elevation to the rank of Army Commander, the officer commanded South Western Command and Southern Command, earning the rare distinction of commanding two operational Army Commands and providing strategic oversight across critical theatres for over a period of two and half years. He has held several key staff and strategic appointments that have significantly influenced operational planning, force management and capability development. Widely recognised for his contributions to force modernisation, the General Officer has tenanted pivotal appointments in the Strategic Planning and Capability Development verticals of the Army Headquarters, shaping its modernisation trajectory, capability roadmap and long-term force structuring initiatives. His contributions have been instrumental in aligning operational requirements with emerging technologies and future battlefield imperatives. An accomplished military professional, General Dhiraj Seth has consistently excelled in professional military education, securing top positions in courses of instruction. He is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College and has also attended the prestigious Command & Staff Course in Paris, reflecting his broad strategic outlook and understanding of contemporary military affairs.

JKCSF urges govt to announce summer vacations, keep education beyond politics amid heatwave

Srinagar, June 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) on Tuesday expressed concern over the delay in announcing summer vacations for schools despite the prevailing heatwave, urging the government to take a timely decision in the interest of students' health and safety. In a statement, JKCSF Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani said it was unfortunate that the government appeared to be waiting for public pressure before acting on an issue that directly affects lakhs of students across Jammu and Kashmir. He said decisions concerning children's welfare should be proactive and guided by scientific and humanitarian considerations rather than public outcry. The Education and Health Departments are among the most sensitive departments as they directly deal with human life, well-being and the future of society. These departments should remain insulated from political considerations, and decisions affecting students must always prioritise their health and welfare, Wani said. Expressing concern over the prevailing weather conditions, Wani urged the government to immediately review the situation and announce summer vacations if required in the larger public interest. He said protecting children from extreme weather was a collective responsibility and called for governance that reflects sensitivity, foresight and compassion. Reiterating the forum's appeal to keep education beyond politics, Wani urged policymakers to adopt a child-centric approach while taking decisions concerning students, particularly during periods of extreme weather.

Security mechanisms, emergency response tested ahead of Amarnath Yatra: SSP Srinagar

Student survey highlights growing awareness of AI-related cyber risks in Kashmir

Srinagar, June 30 : A classroom survey conducted by second-semester students of Amar Singh College, Srinagar, has highlighted growing awareness among respondents about the cyber risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI), including deepfakes, misinformation, online scams and identity theft. The study was carried out as part of a Skill Enhancement Course on Cyber Crime, guided by Prof. Zubair Nazeer. The student team, led by Tuba and including Numair, Numan, Shah Rakeeb, Maliha Rasool, Hadika Zehra, Rafiya Riyaz, Mawiya, Aris, and Inayat Shafi, surveyed 400 people across three locations: 150 students at Girls High School Ichgam in Budgam, 200 students at Amar Singh College itself, and 50 members of the public at the Local Market Area and City Mall in Srinagar. Hours lost to the scroll The survey paints a picture of heavy daily social media use. Roughly 27.5% of respondents said they spend about an hour a day on social platforms, while a quarter spend closer to four hours, and another 22.5% reported about three hours daily. The remainder fell anywhere between 25 minutes and five hours underscoring just how embedded social media has become in daily routines across age groups and backgrounds. Students struggle to spot what's real At Girls High School Ichgam, students told researchers they primarily use social media for education, entertainment, and staying in touch with friends but many admitted they often can't tell the difference between authentic content and material generated by AI. That difficulty wasn't confined to school-age respondents. College students at Amar Singh reported regularly running into AI-generated images, fake news, misleading ads, and suspicious links while browsing. Public worried about AI-driven scams Among the general public surveyed in Srinagar's commercial areas, concern centered specifically on AI-assisted scams, suggesting that fears about artificial intelligence's misuse extend well beyond the classroom and into everyday commercial life. Deepfakes and the misinformation problem The report flags deepfake technology as one of the most alarming risks now facing social media users, noting that AI can generate videos, images, and voice recordings realistic enough to be mistaken for genuine content. The researchers also point to the accelerating spread of misinformation, and note that cyberbullying itself has evolved alongside AI tools, taking on new and harder-to-trace forms. A double-edged sword The survey's authors conclude that AI has simultaneously strengthened social media as a tool for communication and learning while creating fresh openings for cybercriminals. Whether the technology ultimately becomes a net positive or a vector for harm, they argue, depends entirely on how responsibly it's deployed.

Mock drills conducted, multi-tier security deployed for Amarnath Yatra: IGP Kashmir

Srinagar, June 30: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi , on Tuesday said a robust, multi-tier security grid has been put in place for the annual Amarnath Yatra, complemented by extensive mock drills to ensure seamless coordination among security agencies and effective response to any emergency. IGP Birdi, while interacting with media, said extensive mock drills have been conducted to clearly define their respective roles and responsibilities in case of any emergency or contingency. He said the objective of these mock drills is to ensure that every stakeholder understands their responsibility and responds in a coordinated manner during any unforeseen situation. Birdi said monitoring and supervision are also being carried out from elevated locations to maintain a watch over the Yatra route and surrounding areas. The IGP kashmir also said that several stretches along the pilgrimage route remain vulnerable to natural calamities, including landslides, avalanches and glacial movement. To address these risks, tabletop exercises have been conducted by the agencies concerned, he added. He further said Medical Response Teams (MRTs) and other emergency rescue units have been strategically deployed at sensitive locations to provide immediate assistance in case of any weather-related emergency or other incident.

Amarnath Yatra secured by multi-layered security system, says IGP Birdi

Vistadome Special train to run only between Banihal and Budgam during Amarnath Yatra

Banihal, June 30: In view of security arrangements and crowd management measures for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026, Northern Railway has decided to temporarily short-terminate and short-originate the popular Vistadome Special train service operating between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Budgam. As per an official communication issued by Northern Railways Firozpur Division, Train No. 04688/04687 SVDKBDGMSVDK Vistadome Special will operate only between Banihal (BAHL) and Budgam (BDGM) from July 1 to August 31, 2026, or until further orders. The decision has been taken following security inputs and recommendations conveyed by the Jammu and Kashmir Police Headquarters, Srinagar, aimed at facilitating smooth security arrangements and avoiding crowd-management challenges during the pilgrimage period. The railway authorities stated that the train service will continue to operate on the Banihal-Budgam section during the period, while operations on the remaining stretch will remain temporarily suspended. The Vistadome train, known for its panoramic glass windows and scenic journey through the Kashmir Valley, is a popular attraction among tourists and passengers. Railway authorities are expected to review the arrangement after the completion of the peak Yatra period.

Mirwaiz urges Shia-Sunni harmony, repeats call for India-Pak dialogue

PDP holds protest, accuses NC government of selling jobs, destroying future of youth

Kashmir school summer vacations likely from second week of July, date yet to be finalised: Sakina Itoo

Srinagar, June 30: The Jammu and Kashmir government is mulling to announce the summer vacation for schools across Kashmir in the second week of July. In an exclusive conversation with Greater Kashmir from New Delhi, minister for education, Sakina Itoo said the department was planning to announce the summer vacations for schools from second week of July. The final date has not be selected. We will select a date and take a final decision once I return from New Delhi, Sakina Itoo told Greater Kashmir. She also urged students and parents not to pay any heed to rumours being circulated on social media platforms. The message which is being circulated in what'sapp groups and other social media platforms is fake. We will announce the decision officially, she said. While the government is yet to announce the vacation for schools, the office of the Regional Transport Officer in a public advisory asked people to avoid office visits citing heatwave.

Rats, cockroaches, expired food: FDA cracks down on 6 Mumbai eateries

Mumbai, June 30: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of six restaurants and eateries, including a posh establishment in south Mumbai, after finding unhygienic kitchens, expired stock and misbranded products during raids, officials said on Tuesday. The action was taken against Flint & Waarsa, a restaurant in the posh Nariman Point area, and five other establishments, including hotels, restaurants and a bakery in the eastern and western suburbs, as part of a special statewide enforcement drive, they said. Officials inspected Flint & Waarsa on June 27, and upon finding misbranded products, collected five samples for laboratory analysis and seized stock worth Rs 11,350. The team also found stock worth Rs 16,201 that had been stored beyond its expiry date and was disposed of there itself, the FDA statement said. The FDA on Monday raided premises in Borivali, Santacruz, Andheri, Bandra, and Bhandup, where officials came upon cockroaches, rats, and unhygienic storage of raw food. Moreover, the establishments did not possess the necessary documents, and the staff had not undergone mandatory health check-ups, it stated. As per the FDA release, the food business licences of these establishments were suspended due to grave shortcomings in cleanliness, poor refrigeration, and a lack of a mechanism to address customer grievances. According to the FDA, as many as 31 raids were conducted across Maharashtra between June 26 and June 28, during which prohibited food items, including pan masala and gutkha, worth Rs 34.87 lakh were seized, and 19 people were arrested in connection with the sale, distribution and transportation of banned food products, sealed one establishment and seized three vehicles. The department said it would continue strict enforcement to ensure the availability of safe, high-quality food products and would take legal action against violations that pose a risk to public health.

Two killed, several injured in truck-tractor collision on Jammu-Srinagar NH-44 near Peerah

Banihal, June 30: Two persons were killed and several others, including a woman, were injured after a truck collided with a tractor late Monday night on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Peerah area of Ramban district. According to police, the accident took place around 10:35 PM near New Khajuria Dhaba at Peerah when a truck bearing registration number RJ37GA-7418, en route from Jammu towards Srinagar, hit a tractor. Police officials said that an unidentified male person died on the spot, while 23 others sustained injuries in the accident. The injured persons and the body of the deceased were shifted to District Hospital Ramban, where another injured person identified as Subash, son of Norang Lal, a resident of Rajasthan, was declared dead by doctors. SHO Chanderkote Jatinder Singh Rakwal told Greater Kashmir that soon after receiving information, a police team reached the spot and launched rescue operations. He said the damaged vehicles were later removed from the middle of the highway to facilitate smooth movement of traffic. The SHO added that the identity of the other deceased person is being ascertained. Police have registered an FIR at Police Station Chanderkote and initiated further investigation into the matter.

Jammu and Kashmir heatwave to ease as rain spell begins today: MeT Director

Srinagar, June 30: After several days of intense heat across Kashmir, the weather is set to turn wetter, with intermittent rainfall expected across Jammu and Kashmir over the coming days, Director of the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Mukhtar Ahmad, said on Monday. Ahmad said the rise in temperatures had been anticipated in the department's earlier forecasts. As already expected, from the 27th onwards there has been a likelihood of a rise in temperatures. For the past three to four days, intense heat has been prevailing, especially in the Kashmir Valley, he said. According to Ahmad, heatwave conditions were recorded on Sunday at a few stations, particularly in Srinagar, Qazigund and Kukernag. Today as well, the heat is expected to persist until the afternoon. After that, there is a possibility of a brief spell of rain in some districts, which could provide some relief, he said. The MeT Director said another spell of rainfall is likely late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Late tonight and around tomorrow morning, another spell of rainfall is likely, especially over the Jammu division, where intense showers may occur. Similarly, in the Kashmir Valley, some districts may experience light rain from time to time, with the possibility of a few intense showers, Ahmad said. He said the wet spell is expected to continue for several days. As already forecast, a wet spell is expected in the coming days. From July 2 to July 6, intermittent showers are likely, particularly during the late-night and early-morning hours, as well as during the late afternoon and evening, he said. Ahmad said the Jammu division is likely to receive the heaviest rainfall during this period. Heavy rainfall is likely, especially over the plains of Jammu and the adjoining hilly areas of the Pir Panjal range, including districts such as Reasi and Udhampur. Moderate to heavy rainfall is also expected in the Chenab Valley, he said. The MeT Director said the expected rainfall would bring significant relief from the prevailing heatwave conditions. Overall, the ongoing spell of intense heat is likely to ease considerably over the coming days. The weather is expected to remain generally cloudy, although humidity levels are likely to increase, Ahmad said. He noted that nights continue to remain unusually warm, with the minimum temperature hovering around 25C in Central Kashmir, including Srinagar and adjoining areas. In the coming days, there should be some relief as maximum temperatures are expected to decline. The drop in minimum temperatures may not be as significant, but night-time conditions are also likely to become somewhat more comfortable, Ahmad added.

Kashmir heatwave to end this week as rain likely, says MeT Director

Twenty-three parties, Independent MP write to CJI on SIR, role of EC

New Delhi, Jun 30: Twenty-three political parties along with an Independent MP on Tuesday sent a joint letter to Chief Justice Surya Kant on the SIR process, the role of the Election Commission and other election-related issues. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh gave this information in a post on X and said the Opposition parties are firmly anchored in SURE' Solidarity, Unity and REsistance. 21 political parties plus one Independent attended the INDIA janbandhan meeting on June 8, 2026 where a decision was taken to address a joint letter to the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India on the SIR process of the Election Commission of India and other election-related issues, Ramesh said on X. Accordingly, a joint letter now signed by 23 political parties plus one Independent has been sent to the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India today, he said. The joint letter has been signed by Independent MP Kapil Sibal. TMC leader Derek O Brien said the letter has also been signed by the Aam Aadmi Party and the DMK. Good going from INDIA. And yes, @AamAadmiParty @arivalayam DMK also signed the joint letter to CJI, he said on X. The letter also talks about the role of the EC, sources said. The Congress and other opposition parties have been questioning the EC over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

US and Iran pause strikes but disagree over next steps on talks

Dubai, June 30: The United States and Iran on Monday separately announced they will send delegations to Qatar this week, though Tehran insisted it has not agreed to meet with the US at any level after attacks across the Persian Gulf over the weekend challenged negotiations to end the war. US President Donald Trump said the Islamic Republic had requested a meeting with US counterparts and that they planned to convene Tuesday in Doha, Qatar. But one of Iran's senior negotiators denied talks had been scheduled. And the spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry said Tehran was sending its delegation to Qatar, a key mediator in the negotiations, to discuss terms of the interim deal without involving the US Hostilities mounted in recent days in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil had been shipped before war began. After four days of trading strikes, both sides appeared to pause their attacks Monday. The US and Iran agreed to an interim deal earlier this month that calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of enriched uranium. It also waives US-backed oil sanctions on the country, calls for free traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and gives each side 60 days to hammer out broader agreements. Confusion mounts over next round of Iran-US talks After Trump said Monday morning on social media that the US and Iran planned to meet, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News' Fox & Friends that special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, were flying to Qatar. Pakistan, also a key mediator, had said talks between Iran and the US would resume Tuesday. But Kazem Gharibabadi, a senior negotiator for Iran, said in comments published by Iranian state media that no talks had been confirmed. And Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, said that its delegation was traveling to Qatar this week to discuss the planned release of frozen Iranian assets and other issues related to the deal. There are no negotiation meetings with the US side at any level scheduled in the coming days, Baghaei said. However, that left open the possibility messages being passed to the Qataris between the two sides. Increased tension in waterway vital to world energy supplies During the war that began Feb. 28, Iran's attacks and threats stopped cargo ships and tankers from moving through the Strait of Hormuz, creating a global energy crisis. In recent days, Iran has twice attacked vessels in the strait including a tanker filled with Qatari crude following efforts to open Oman's territorial waters to both inbound and outbound traffic from the Persian Gulf. The attacks drew retaliatory American airstrikes and raised concerns that negotiations to reach a formal end to the war could be disrupted. Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday. The strait has long been considered an international waterway despite being in Iran and Oman's territorial waters. The Trump administration was operating Monday on the understanding that the US and Iran are standing down after the recent back-and-forth strikes and that vessels can move freely through the Strait of Hormuz, said a US official who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations. Iran's president, US official say USD 6 billion coming to Iran The US official also said that Qatar planned to release USD 6 billion in frozen Iranian assets that would be used to purchase US food products for the Iranian people. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had announced the expected release of funds earlier Monday in comments published by the state-run IRNA news agency. Pezeshkian, a reformist within Iran's theocracy, is the highest-ranking official within Iran to reference the release of the funds held by Qatar. Oman, Iran discuss possible fees for ships transiting the strait Oman's foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, said Monday that Oman and Iran are considering charging service-related fees for commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Al-Busaidi said services could include water safety measures, pollution prevention, navigational assistance and preparedness for incidents such as fires. He told Radio Monte Carlo that Oman does not support imposing transit fees on ships. This is internationally forbidden, he said, and we are abiding by these rules. But there had never been any fees charged in the strait and other Gulf Arab states and the US firmly oppose the imposition of any costs for transit. Iran and France clash over clearing mines from strait An Iranian official warned France against provocations Monday after French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X that France and others were coordinating efforts to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz. Kazem Gharibabadi, an Iranian deputy foreign minister, said on X that under the interim deal demining is carried out solely by Iran and by no other country. Macron's post came after he greeted Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman ahead of high-level diplomatic talks in Paris. Lebanon's president says it will deploy troops as part of deal with Israel Lebanese President Joseph Aoun separately said Monday that Lebanon is determined to deploy troops along its entire southern border as part of a framework agreement with Israel signed Friday. He made the remark while meeting with Adm. Brad Cooper, the top US military commander in the Middle East. The deal was rejected by the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, which triggered the latest war with Israel on March 2 when it fired rockets across Lebanon's southern border and into northern Israel. The Israel-Lebanon deal calls for Hezbollah to be disarmed before Israel will withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon. Israel agreed to withdraw initially from a couple of pilot zones where the Lebanese army would then deploy, but no details have been shared about how that will work in practice. Hezbollah officials have warned that attempts to implement the plan could lead to civil war.

Heroin worth Rs 20 crore seized; drug smuggler arrested: Anantnag Police

Anantnag, June 30: Continuing its relentless efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs from the Union Territory under the 'Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan', Anantnag Police arrested an inter-district drug smuggler and recovered heroin worth approximately rupees20 crore, officials said on Tuesday. In a major breakthrough in its sustained drive against drug trafficking, Anantnag Police arrested an inter-district drug smuggler and seized 2.613 kilograms of heroin (brown sugar), with an estimated market value of approximately 20 crore, the officials said In a prress statement, an official spokesperson said, the recovery was made during routine naka checking at Halmulla, where a police party intercepted a suspicious vehicle bearing registration No. JK09B-2808 (Ignis) for inspection. During the search of the vehicle, four packets containing heroin (brown sugar) were recovered. The driver was identified as Ishtiyak Ahmad Moghal, son of Abdul Rasheed Moghal, resident of Prada, Tangdar. Following the recovery, FIR No. 195/2026 under Sections 8/21 of the NDPS Act was registered and investigation was immediately set into motion, the spokesperson said. During the course of investigation, the statement said, the accused was served a notice under Section 50 of the NDPS Act, following which his personal search was conducted in accordance with the prescribed legal procedure. During the search, one additional packet containing heroin (brown sugar) was recovered from his possession.The total quantity of heroin recovered is 2.613 kilograms. The accused has been arrested, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the contraband, its intended destination, and to identify the entire network involved in the smuggling operation, including both backward and forward linkages, the statement said. Anantnag Police remains committed to taking stringent legal action against those involved in the illicit drug trade and appeals to the public to continue supporting the police by sharing credible information regarding narcotics-related activities, the spokesperson said.

HDFC Bank board picks up ex-Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar to steer bank

The HDFC Bank board on Monday appointed former Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar as its new chairman, who had been instrumental in revitalising public sector banking and the financial sector. The board approved the appointment of Rajiv Kumar as an Independent Director of the bank for a period of 4 years, with effect from June 30, 2026, HDFC Bank said in a regulatory filing. It also cleared, subject to the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the appointment, including remuneration of Kumar as a Part-time Chairman of the bank for a period of 3 years, effective from the date as approved by the central bank, it said. Kumar, who later served as the 25th Chief Election Commissioner of India, is also credited with creating a world record of overseeing a general election where the largest number of voters were involved globally. He would replace Atanu Chakraborty, who abruptly resigned citing ethical concerns in March. As Secretary, Department of Financial Services (2017-2020), Kumar assumed charge at a time when public sector banks were grappling with high levels of unrecognised NPAs, capital inadequacy, equity and debt being diverted, governance challenges, including large consortiums, NBFCs struggling to fill micro credit gaps post demonetisation, ponzy schemes sucking poors little savings, etc, the bank said in his profile. Within a fortnight of Kumars joining the Department of Financial Services, accounts of about 3.38 lakh shell companies were frozen, hitting at the architecture of black money itself. Curb on ponzy schemes followed by getting the Banning of Unregulated deposits Schemes Act, 2019, passed, it said. Through decisive policy direction and execution, Kumar led a comprehensive clean-up of bank balance sheets by mandating transparent recognition and provisioning of NPAs and by enforcing accountability among borrowers under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code framework, it said. His approach addressed the long-standing twin balance sheet problem by restoring credit discipline and rebooting the creditor-debtor relationship. These efforts, structured around the 4R strategy of Recognition, Resolution, Recapitalisation, and Reforms, enabled a sharp turnaround in the banking sector, with public sector banks returning to sustained profitability and improved asset quality, it said. His tenure saw decisive action against illicit financial practices, strengthening regulatory oversight of cooperative banks, and enforcing accountability in high-profile default cases. For loans of Rs 50 crore and above, passport details became mandatory, closing the door on big borrowers who might flee before action caught up, it added. Fraud checks, specialised monitoring above Rs 250 crore, and IT-based risk scoring on 34-plus factors replaced soft signals with loose controls, built into lending by large consortiums of often more than 25 banks. Opacity, suddenly, carried a cost. A total reset of the Creditor-Debtor relationship with a loud and clear message that money has to be lent prudentially and debtors must pay back, it added. A key pillar of this transformation was the unprecedented recapitalisation of public sector banks, involving capital infusion exceeding Rs 3 lakh crore, which helped restore solvency and lending capacity, the lender noted. This was complemented by a far-reaching consolidation exercise, under which 27 public sector banks were merged into 12 stronger entities, alongside rationalisation of Regional Rural Banks into a more efficient one-state, one RRB structure. These measures significantly improved operational efficiency, scale, and competitiveness across the public banking system, according to the bank.

Mission YUVA gets fresh push in Baramulla

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, S.F. Hamid, and Director, Employment and Mission Director (MD), Mission YUVA, Harvinder Singh, on Monday jointly reviewed the implementation of the flagship Mission YUVA scheme in the district, with emphasis on strengthening outreach, promoting self-employment and improving application tracking. The review meeting, held at the Deputy Commissioners Office in Baramulla, assessed the overall implementation of the programme, progress achieved so far, challenges in execution and measures required to ensure effective outreach and timely delivery of benefits to aspiring entrepreneurs and youth. During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner directed officers to focus on generating employment opportunities through the apple industry under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. He also instructed departments to intensify awareness campaigns at the grassroots level so that more eligible youth are informed about the opportunities available under Mission YUVA and encouraged to avail themselves of the schemes benefits. Mission Director Harvinder Singh directed officials to closely monitor not only sanctioned and disbursed applications but also those that had been rejected. He asked officers to identify the reasons for rejection, provide guidance and handholding support to applicants and facilitate the resubmission of eligible applications. He further instructed officials to organise large-scale awareness and outreach campaigns under **Udyam Jagriti 5.0** by actively involving Mission YUVA Motivators and Yuva Doots across the district. The Mission Director said the campaign should focus on identifying, motivating and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, including students and Self-Help Group (SHG) Lakhpati Didis, to encourage sustainable self-employment and livelihood generation.

Govt Polytechnic for Women begins 5-day ToT programme under PM Vishwakarma

Government Polytechnic for Women, Srinagar, on Monday commenced a five-day Advanced Training of Trainers (ToT) programme in the Tailoring Trade under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, aimed at strengthening vocational training and enhancing the skills of trainers across the Kashmir division. Organised under the theme Skill Development for Nation Building, the programme seeks to build the capacity of prospective trainers and promote quality skill development in traditional crafts. The PM Vishwakarma Scheme supports artisans and craftspeople through skill training, technology, credit assistance and market linkages. A total of 28 prospective trainers from various institutions across the Kashmir division are participating in the programme. The advanced training is designed to equip them with enhanced technical expertise and modern training methodologies, enabling them to effectively impart vocational skills in their respective institutions and communities. The training is being conducted by Uma Sharma, Master Trainer for Advanced Training of Trainers in the Tailoring Trade under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. Participants will receive hands-on training and advanced inputs in tailoring, trainer development and trade-specific skill enhancement. Principal of Government Polytechnic for Women, Srinagar, Er. Imtiaz Ahmad, said the institution remains committed to promoting vocational excellence and strengthening the capacity of trainers through quality skill development initiatives. He said the programme reflects the institutions commitment to contributing to the vision of a skilled and self-reliant nation under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.

PSAJK launches outreach programme, engages school leaders on key issues

The Private Schools Association of Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK) on Monday launched its outreach programme in the Chenab Valley, holding a series of meetings with school leaders and stakeholders to discuss challenges facing private educational institutions and promote greater academic collaboration. The PSAJK central delegation, led by President Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam, visited the region as part of the Associations ongoing outreach initiative across Jammu and Kashmir. During the visit, the delegation participated in the golden jubilee celebrations of Green Model Higher Secondary School, Doda, and Swiss International School, Bhaderwah. The delegation also held an extensive meeting with the executive members of the PSAJKs Chenab Valley unit in Doda, where members discussed a range of issues affecting private schools in the region. The deliberations focused on matters relating to No Objection Certificates (NOCs), regulatory compliance, administrative bottlenecks, and the need for a more transparent and facilitative policy framework for private educational institutions. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam assured members that the Association would continue constructive engagement with the government to seek timely and practical solutions to the concerns raised by private schools. He said private educational institutions are important stakeholders in the education sector and deserve a supportive policy environment that enables them to deliver quality education. The meeting also explored ways to strengthen academic cooperation among member schools across the Chenab Valley. Participants agreed to promote teacher capacity-building programmes, exchange of best practices, student enrichment initiatives, leadership development, and joint academic activities aimed at improving educational standards in the region. The executive members welcomed the PSAJK leaderships outreach initiative, saying direct engagement with grassroots stakeholders would strengthen coordination within the Association and help address district-specific issues more effectively. The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to work for the promotion of quality, inclusive and holistic education while safeguarding the interests of students, parents, teachers and private educational institutions across the Chenab Valley.

SKUAST-K, IFPRI launch Advanced Economic Modelling Programme to boost policy research

Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), on Monday launched a one-week advanced capacity-building program on Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) Modelling for Economic Policy Analysis at its Shalimar campus. Organised by the Institute of Business and Policy Research (IBPR), SKUAST-K, the program will run from June 29 to July 4, bringing together researchers, academicians, policymakers, and development professionals from across the country for intensive training in advanced economic modelling and policy analysis. The programme aims to strengthen participants capacity to apply CGE models for evidence-based research, policy simulation, and informed decision-making across sectors such as agriculture, trade, rural development, and public policy. The inaugural session was presided over by Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir A. Ganai, while Prof. Anjani Kumar, Senior Research Fellow at IFPRI, attended as Guest of Honor. Prof. Azmat Alam Khan, Registrar, SKUAST-K, and Prof. Raihana H. Kanth, Director, Extension and Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, were also present. Underscoring the institutional significance of the initiative, Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir A. Ganai said, Advanced economic modelling is central to designing sustainable and inclusive policy solutions. This program reflects SKUAST-Ks commitment to research excellence and policy relevance. Welcoming participants, Course Director Prof. Farhet A. Shaheen highlighted the programs practical focus and its relevance to strengthening analytical capacity among researchers and policy professionals. Highlighting the broader policy relevance of such analytical tools, Prof. Anjani Kumar said, CGE modelling has become indispensable for understanding economic complexity and strengthening policy decisions through data-driven insights. Expanding on the technical significance of the framework, Dr Barun Deb Pal, Lead Resource Person from IFPRI, noted, CGE models provide a powerful framework to assess economic linkages and policy impacts across sectors. The collaboration with IFPRI further reinforces SKUAST-Ks expanding global research partnerships and its growing role in economic policy research and institutional capacity building. The inaugural session was moderated by Dr. Aiman Fayaz, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Farheen Naqash.

Private hospitals defer strike for 2 weeks after CEO assures release of pending SEHAT payments

The Jammu & Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDA) on Monday deferred its proposed strike for two weeks after receiving assurances from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY)/SEHAT Scheme that pending payments to empanelled hospitals would begin to be released from Tuesday. The decision came after a meeting convened by the CEO at his office chambers, attended by the Chief Accounts Officer and a delegation of the Association led by its General Secretary, Dr Masood-ul-Hassan. The delegation, acting on the directions of Faizan Mir, President (Kashmir region), and Sandeep Mengi, President (Jammu region), included executive members Dr. Ibrahim Guru, Sajad Lone, Dr. Mushtaq Purzgar, Dr Nazira and Dr Bilal. During the meeting, the Association highlighted the financial difficulties faced by private hospitals due to nearly six months of pending reimbursements under the ABPMJAY/SEHAT Scheme. It also stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted dialysis, chemotherapy, emergency surgeries and intensive care services for beneficiaries of the scheme. According to the Association, the CEO assured the delegation that all genuine demands would be examined at the highest level and addressed in a time-bound manner. As an immediate confidence-building measure, he confirmed that pending payments to empanelled hospitals would start being disbursed from Tuesday. Announcing the decision to defer the strike, Dr. Masood-ul-Hassan said the Association had chosen to prioritise patient welfare. We are not here to fight. We are here to treat. We thank the CEO for his patient hearing and swift assurance. Our hospitals were on the verge of collapse due to six months of unpaid dues. The CEOs commitment to release funds gives us hope. In the interest of poor patients of J&K, we are deferring our strike by two weeks, he said. He, however, cautioned that the Association would closely monitor the implementation of the assurances. We will closely watch the disbursement over the next 14 days. Our dialysis and cancer patients cannot wait. If the assurances translate into action on the ground, we will continue services without disruption. If not, we will be forced to review our decision, Dr. Hassan added. The Association appealed to patients not to panic, stating that dialysis, chemotherapy, surgeries and all other services under the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT Scheme would continue uninterrupted in private hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir during the two-week period. JKPHDA also thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Health Minister Sakina Itoo, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Secretary, Health and Medical Education, for facilitating the meeting. The Association further acknowledged the role of the media and civil society in highlighting the concerns of patients and private healthcare institutions.

Ahata Waqar honours founder of Gaash Welfare Foundation Dr Shugufta

Ahata Waqar Chanapora, a day care and recreation center for senior citizens, on Monday honoured reputed Opthalmologist and founder of NGO Gaash Welfare Foundation at a function held here. Commissioner / Secretary Social Welfare department, Sarmad Hafeez was chief guest on the occasion. Honoured personalities who constituted the presidium included Convenor Sahitya Academy kashmiri advisory board, Prof Shaad Ramzan ,former commisioner SMC, Dr. Gh Nabi Qasba, Chairman BOSE, Shiekh Gh Hassan (JKAS) , Director social welfare, Mohd Akbar, District Social welfare officer, srinagar Mohd Yousf ( JKAS ) , Secretary DLSA Tabasum Qadir Parray and others. Earlier, Qazi Ab Rashid on behalf of Ahata Wqar presented a memorandum of demands to Sarmad Hafeez for further augumenting facilities for senior citizens at the center especially physiotherapy equiments. Sarmad Hafeez in his inspiring presidential address hailed the members of Ahata Waqar for providing day care and recreational facilities to the elderly persons at the center. He assured every possible help from the social welfare department to the Ahata Waqar in a mission mode, for the convenience of senior citizens. . Sarmad Hafeez stated that about Rs 10600 crore budget has been earmarked for paying monthly pension to widows, old age persons, persons with disabilities and scholarships to BPL students during the current fiscal. Likewise, Rs 540 cr have been earmarked for ameliorating the lot of girls under Ladli Beti scheme. All the payments are made to the eligible persons through on line direct benefit transfer. He said the society owes a lot to the elders, in view of their huge contribution adding that younger generation should imbibe the spirit to serve and respect elders with passion and compassion. He hailed the contribution of Dr. Shugufta Rather in the fields of medical education and social services The speakers including Shiekh Gh Hassan, Dr Gh Nabi Qasba , Farooq Ahmad Peer,Tabasum Qadir Parry hailed commitment and contribution of Dr Shugufta Rather towards her humanitarian service.They underscored the need for more humanitarian initiatives towards elderly people adding that philanthropists and NGOs should come forward in a big way to ameliorate the lot of elderly people, underprivileged and destitute sections of the society. They urged the need to promote holistic well-being among senior citizens and vulnerable populations adding that community support and collaboration in advancing societal welfare initiatives was key to achieve the goal. While sharing his lifelong journey and experiences, Dr Shugufta Rather underscored the need for social commitment ,consistency and hardwork to achieve and enrich cherished goals in life. She said through her foundation and clinical work, free medical treatments (including cataract surgeries) and eye care, thousands of underserved and remote villagers have been benefited so far. The NGO is also active in empowering youth, promoting education, and organizing academic award functions for top-performing students in the valley, Dr Shugufta added. The Chairman senior citizens council - Ahata Waqar Ab Gani paray also spoke on the occasion. Former Media consultant, Ahata Waqaar, Mushtaq Shah Mehram presented a brief resume about the mission of Dr Shugufta adding that she was actively engaged with the public to raise awareness on eye health, sharing insights on topics like screen time management and using blue-cut lenses. In recognition of her contributions, she has received the prestigious ACOIN President's Gold Plaque Award at the International Conference of Community Ophthalmologists. Stressing the transformative role of technology, he advocated for the development and adoption of bilingual digital tools and innovative software solutions to facilitate official work in Hindi.

CUK holds workshop on Role of IT Tools in progress of Rajbhasha Hindi

Rajbhasha Cell, Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), organised a one-day workshop on Role of IT Tools in Progress of Rajbhasha Hindi for the administrative staff at the Tulmulla campus here Monday. Addressing the participants, Incharge Registrar, Prof. D. K. Madaan, lauded the University's sustained efforts in promoting Rajbhasha and hailed the progress achieved under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath. He observed that language serves as a powerful medium for national integration and effective governance, adding that multilingual competence broadens intellectual horizons and facilitates seamless communication across regions.

North Kashmir residents seek extension of Vande Bharat service up to Baramulla

The residents of north Kashmir have urged the Union Government and Railway Minister to extend the services of Vande Bharat train up to Baramulla so that it can benefit lakhs of people living in three districts including Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora. The residents said that presently the Vande Bharat Express stops its operation at Srinagar thus causing severe hardships for the people of north Kashmir. The residents said that at a time when Kashmir has been connected to Jammu by train, passengers travelling beyond Srinagar are subjected to de-board at Srinagar station and then continue their journey via passenger cabs making the journey less convenient, particularly for the elderly, women, children and those carrying luggage. I appreciate the historic rail connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir; however it is disheartening that the superfast Vande Bharat Express stops at Srinagar station which causes severe inconvenience for the people of Kupwara, Handwara, Sopore and even Bandipora, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth General Secretary for north Kashmir Advocate Azad Parwaz told Greater Kashmir. Parwaz, who is also in charge of Handwara constituency, said that north Kashmir has a large population and a growing number of daily commuters, students, patients and tourists. So extending the Vande Bharat service up to Baramulla will ensure seamless connectivity and benefit thousands of people every day, he added. The residents appealed to the Union Railway Minister to extend the Vande Bharat train service up to Baramulla at the earliest so that the hardships being faced by the people may end. The residents expressed hope that the Railway Ministry would consider their demand on priority. They said that improved rail connectivity would strengthen regional development, boost tourism and make travel more comfortable for people living in north Kashmir. Reacting to the concern, Rajya Sabha Member and Additional General Secretary National Conference (NC) Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan said that he will not only raise this issue in the parliament but will personally meet the Railway Minister to get this genuine demand of people addressed.

St Soldier Group of Institutions announces scholarships, safe campus initiatives for J&K students

In a special media address, Dr Manhar Arora, Managing Director of the St. Soldier Group of Institutions, Jalandhar, Punjab, extended a warm invitation to the students of Jammu and Kashmir who have recently cleared their 10+2 examinations from any recognized board of senior secondary education. Highlighting the groups commitment to accessible, high-quality professional education, Dr. Arora unveiled a series of robust scholarship schemes and specialized student support initiatives tailored specifically for the youth of J&K. Speaking to the press, Dr Manhar Arora shared that St. Soldier Group of Institutions stands as the largest educational group in the region, mentoring over 42,000 students across 22 higher education colleges and 36 schools. He emphasized that Smt. Sangeeta Chopra, Chairperson of the St. Soldier Group, takes personal interest in the well-being and academic journey of J&K students, fondly praising them as exceptionally intelligent, wise, and courteous individuals who bring great value to the campus community. To ensure that financial constraints do not hinder deserving talent, the institution has launched landmark financial aid programs. A comprehensive 100% scholarship is being offered to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students across all courses. Furthermore, a generous 50% scholarship is available for General, BC, and OBC category students enrolling in high-demand technical streams, including Engineering, Polytechnic, Paramedical, Physiotherapy, Hotel Management, and Nursing. Alongside these academic benefits, the management reassured parents that the institution provides the safest and most secure campus environment for students coming from Jammu and Kashmir. Beyond academics, the group is deeply invested in the holistic growth and physical fitness of its pupils. The institution offers free professional sports training in various disciplines, including Basketball, Volleyball, Judo, Body Building, Wrestling, Boxing, and Swimming. Aspiring cricketers can also enroll in the premier St. Soldier Cricket Academy at a highly subsidized fee, giving them exclusive access to top-tier cricket grounds equipped with modern arrangements for both day and night matches. St. Soldier Group of Institutions continues to expand its academic horizons by offering diverse, industry-aligned programs in technical and higher education. Admissions are currently open for comprehensive courses in Engineering, Law, Hotel Management, Pharmacy, Paramedical science, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Teacher Education, Physical Education, Fashion Designing, Mass Communication and Journalism, Hospital Management, Digital Marketing, E-Commerce, IT, Management, and ITI. Students who wish to secure these scholarships or learn more about the specific courses, eligibility criteria, and campus facilities are encouraged to explore their options immediately. Detailed information can be found by visiting the official website at www.stsoldiergroup.com, or applicants can directly contact the admissions helpline by calling 9814003681.

DIG Maqsood ul Zaman chairs review meeting on yatra arrangements at Baltal

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Maqsood ul Zaman, Overall Supervisory Officer for security arrangements on the Baltal Axis for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026, chaired review meeting of all stakeholders at Baltal. As per a press release, the meeting was attended by senior officers and representatives from key departments including Police, CID, Army, CAPFs, SASB, Traffic Police, Telecom, NDRF, UTDRF, MRT, Fire & Emergency Services, Civil Administration, Health Department, KPDCL, PHE, RDD and other departments associated with the conduct of SANJY-2026. Police Yatra Officer, Asstt. Police Yatra Officer and I/C JPCR were also present in the meeting. Detailed deliberations were held on security arrangements, traffic management, disaster preparedness, medical facilities, communication network, sanitation, power/ water supply, emergency response mechanisms and overall pilgrim facilitation. It was stressed on all departments to work in close synergy, maintain effective communication and remain fully prepared to facilitate smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. Special focus was laid on ensuring pilgrim safety, convenience and adherence to standard operating procedures. It was reiterated that success of the Yatra depends on collective efforts and urged all officers to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and professionalism, ensuring a safe, smooth and spiritually fulfilling experience for all pilgrims.

Devotees throng Mata Roopa Bhawani temple on festive occasion

Hundreds of devotees on Monday thronged the Mata Roopa Bhawani temple at Khan Kahi Sokhta, Nawa Kadal, to celebrate the birth anniversary of the revered saint. The temple witnessed a heavy rush of devotees throughout the day, who gathered to perform special puja and offer prayers on the auspicious occasion. The religious proceedings were led by members of the Alakh Sahiba Trust. Following the culmination of the puja and special prayers, prasad was distributed among the devotees.