Opinion

MP bowlers rattle J&K batting line-up, take 76-run lead

Srinagar, Oct 12: Madhya Pradesh bowlers dismantled Jammu and Kashmir's batting line-up, bundling out the defending champions for 120 runs to take a first-innings lead of 76 runs on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 opener at the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar on Monday. Pace spearhead Avesh Khan led the attack, claiming three crucial wickets, while Aryan Pandey provided excellent support with three wickets of his own as J&K batters struggled to cope with the visitors' bowling attack. Kanhaiya Wadhawan was the highest scorer for J&K, remaining unbeaten on 35, but found little support from the other end as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. The hosts, who had bowled Madhya Pradesh out for 196 in the first innings, failed to capitalise on their bowling effort and were dismissed for 120, handing the visitors a significant 76-run first-innings advantage.

Omar Abdullahs presence at mountain summit reflects commitment to J&Ks ecology: Javid Dar

Overexploitation of Himalayas Behind Climate Change, Natural Disasters: Nasir Aslam Wani

Jantar Mantar denotified as protest site, police names three new venues

Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground are the new designated sites for protests and demonstrations

1987 J&K election was rigged by Congress: Sunil Sharma

1987 polls were rigged in J&K, Congress stole votes: Sunil Sharma

Srinagar, Oct 12: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Monday accused the Congress of rigging the 1987 Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that the National Conference and the Abdullah family had benefited from the electoral malpractice. Speaking to reporters at Dalgate in Srinagar, Sharma made the remarks while responding to the opposition INDIA blocs campaign over alleged electoral irregularities and protests seeking greater transparency in the electoral process. If this allegation applies to anyone, then it applies to the rigging of 1987. The biggest allegation in the country is the rigging of 1987. It is the theft of 1987, Sharma said. He alleged that the Congress had stolen votes in Jammu and Kashmir and questioned the National Conference leadership over its position on electoral transparency. Congress has stolen votes here. 1987 is an example in the whole world, he said, adding that the Abdullah family needed to answer questions about the allegations surrounding the elections. Sharma also targeted Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his participation in the oppositions campaign, questioning his position on the conduct of elections after his earlier remarks praising the electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to Omar Abdullahs previous comments on the Assembly elections, Sharma said the Chief Minister had described the polls as exceptionally good but was now questioning electoral transparency. Two years ago, he said that such a beautiful election had happened for the first time in history. This came out of Omar Abdullah Sahibs mouth, Sharma said. He also referred to Omar Abdullahs reported remarks on the use of electronic voting machines and asked why the Chief Minister was now raising questions about the electoral process.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel If it went wrong, then your election was also bad. You resign on moral grounds, Sharma said. Criticising the INDIA blocs street protests, the BJP leader said political parties should seek public support through democratic processes rather than demonstrations that disrupt daily life. If you want to show your strength, gather two lakh or five lakh people. Gather in a stadium or at Ramlila Maidan if you do not have a place at Jantar Mantar. Raise your slogans, and when people accept you, they will bring you to power, he said. Sharma said protests should not obstruct essential services or inconvenience the public, including students, patients and businesses. People have to go to school, people have to go to hospitals, people have to open businesses. If you close all the roads, no one will allow you anywhere, he said. He also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his reported interaction with a woman police officer during the protests, saying such conduct was unacceptable. On the issue of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Sharma said it would be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir along with the rest of the country, rejecting Omar Abdullahs reported assertion that the legislation would never be implemented in Kashmir. UCC will be implemented in India, and Kashmir will also be part of it, Sharma said. The 1987 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections remain a contentious episode in the regions political history, with allegations of electoral malpractice frequently cited in discussions about the emergence of armed militancy. The Congress and National Conference entered into an electoral alliance for the polls, which were won by the NC-Congress combine.(KNS)

INDIA bloc leaders to file petition against CEC Gyanesh Kumar in SC: Rahul

New Delhi, Oct 12: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said INDIA bloc leaders will march to the Supreme Court and file a petition against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and 'vote chori'. Addressing a press conference at the Indira Bhawan headquarters of the Congress, he also asked the CEC to turn approver and resign as their fight was against the bigger powers that were behind him. Resign, turn approver; you have made a mistake but you are not the mind behind the mistake, he said. Noting that there was resistance earlier too but it had not spilled over the streets in the form of protests, the former Congress president said this fight is not going to stop and will continue even if takes days or years. Gandhi also claimed that 200 officers of the government were in ouch with them and providing them with information. INDIA bloc leaders will take out a Chalo Delhi - March for Democracy to the Supreme Court on Monday. Opposition leaders are scheduled to converge at the Connaught Place-Barakhamba Road junction for the march at 1.30 pm.

Children are the country's future, join fight against drugs: DGP

J&K Govt to consult stakeholders, analyse other states industrial policies before drafting its own

Srinagar, Oct 11: To boost industrialisation and generate employment in Jammu and Kashmir, the government is set to hold discussions with stakeholders and analyse the industrial policies of various states, particularly neighbouring ones, before drafting its own industrial policy, media reports said on Sunday. All stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir will be taken into confidence by government functionaries through discussions before the draft policy is released, the reports said, citing official sources. The functionaries are also expected to study the industrial policies of different states, especially those in the neighbourhood, to incorporate relevant provisions into the draft. The reports said the government is committed to bringing out the policy shortly, as it is about to complete two years in office. However, the incentives the UT government can offer industries under the policy will depend on the funds the Finance Department can spare from its available resources, the reports said. They added that employment generation by industries would be taken into account while preparing the draft industrial policy. Besides benefiting existing units, the policy will be designed to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to establish new units. The roles of the Industries and Commerce Department and the Finance Department remain crucial in framing the policy once government functionaries complete their discussions with stakeholders, the official sources said, according to the reports. They added that, given its limited financial resources, Jammu and Kashmir could not afford to offer incentives on the scale of Punjab but would try to provide whatever was possible within its means. Pertinently, various industrial bodies in Jammu and Kashmir have repeatedly urged the government to introduce an industrial policy in the Union Territory to sustain existing units and support the establishment of new industries.

Ramban aspirants seek local JKSSB exam centres, cite financial burden of distant travel

Banihal, Oct 12: Aspirants from Ramban district have urged the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) and the district administration to establish examination centres within the district for upcoming recruitment tests, citing the financial burden and travel-related hardships caused by allotment of centres in distant locations. Several recruitment examinations, including those for Finance Accounts Assistant (FAA), Sub-Inspector (SI), Police Constable and other posts, are expected to be held in NovemberDecember 2026, prompting aspirants to seek timely intervention from the authorities. Candidates said they are often allotted centres in Jammu, Udhampur, Samba, Srinagar, Budgam and other districts, forcing them to spend additional money on transportation, accommodation and food. We are already spending considerable time and money preparing for competitive examinations. Travelling to distant districts adds to our expenses, particularly for candidates from economically weaker families, aspirant youth said. They added that Rambans mountainous terrain, difficult road conditions and long travel distances make the journey especially challenging for candidates from remote areas, who may have to travel a day before the examination. The aspirants have appealed to JKSSB to establish suitable examination centres in Ramban and urged Deputy Commissioner Ramban to take up the matter with the concerned authorities ahead of the forthcoming recruitment tests. Our demand is for accessible examination facilities, not any relaxation in recruitment standards. Local centres would reduce unnecessary expenditure and help candidates compete on equal terms, irrespective of their financial background, the candidates said. The aspirants expressed hope that the authorities would consider their demand before the NovemberDecember examination schedule, ensuring that financial constraints and geographical challenges do not become additional hurdles for the districts unemployed youth.

139 migrants, including children, die after boat capsizes off Djibouti

Geneva, Oct 12: At least 139 people, including children, have died after a boat carrying more than 300 migrants capsized off the coast of Djibouti in east Africa, the International Organization for Migration said Sunday. That number only includes those buried by authorities in Djibouti. Others have been buried by the migrants themselves but they won't be added to the official count until authorities can verify the bodies, Alexandre Coissac, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti, told the AP via the phone. What is terrible is that they were buried with no names, in a common grave, like in a war situation, Coissac said. They all have a mother, a father, and we may never learn what happened. Coissac said the migrants boarded the ship in the evening of Oct. 8 and that it sank very soon after, close to the shore, mainly because it was overcrowded. The local authorities did their best, Coissac said, but they were overwhelmed with all the bodies that kept coming at once towards the shore. He said authorities were bringing the surviving migrants to the IOM rescue center in Obock where they receive medical assistance after swallowing sea water, and psychological support. They're all in a state of shock, Coissac, who visited the area of the shipwreck Saturday, said. I tried to talk to some of them but it's very difficult. Some of the migrants in the IOM center are already aware that their family members died during the shipwreck. Others were given access to phones to call loved ones back home to notify them they are alive. At least 84 people remained missing in one of the deadliest shipwrecks yet on the popular but perilous crossing from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, where many migrants seek work in rich Gulf nations. The boat was traveling from Djibouti to Yemen when it capsized on Thursday night or Friday morning, according to the IOM. More than 80 people survived, all of them Ethiopian nationals, it said. The Geneva-based U.N. migration agency said the vessel had 305 people on board and warned that the death toll could still rise. Personal items likely belonging to the migrants, including shoes, were seen on a beach in a video shared by IOM. Rescue work continued as fears grew for the missing. Tens of thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa travel every year through Djibouti and across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait towards Gulf countries in search of safety and economic opportunities, the IOM said in its statement. That movement has continued despite newly escalating fighting in Yemen, on the other side of the strait. This is a devastating loss of life, said Coissac. This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants along this migration corridor as they seek economic opportunities. In recent weeks, at least 2,000 Yemenis have received aid in Djibouti as the fighting has escalated in Yemen between the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. That's the opposite direction from the movement of the migrants who died in the shipwreck and the typical migration patterns of recent years: The tens of thousands who cross from eastern Africa toward Yemen each year have typically been looking for work in places like Saudi Arabia. Over 900 migrants died or went missing along the route last year, according to IOM's Missing Migrants Project. No one gets into a boat like that unless they believe there is no other safe way, IOM Director-General Amy Pope said. We cannot keep treating these deaths as normal. Safe and legal pathways save lives. I am asking governments and donors to act before the next boat goes down.

Asian shares mixed, oil prices fall about USD 1.50 as Trump says US will buy diesel from Russia

Bangkok, Oct 12: Asian shares were mixed and oil prices fell about USD 1.50 a barrel Monday as US President Donald Trump's plan to purchase diesel from Russia drew criticism from some lawmakers. US stock futures gained more than 0.3 per cent after Wall Street finished its record-setting week with gains. This week will bring updates on inflation and retail sales in the US. The biggest US banks will report earnings from the most recent quarter. In Asian trading, South Korea's Kospi lost 3.1 per cent to 6,416.17. Markets in Tokyo were closed for a holiday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng edged 0.2 per cent higher to 24,253.70 and the Shanghai Composite index slipped 0.1 per cent to 3,809.08. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 surged 0.9 per cent to 8,790.70. Taiwan's Taiex gave up 0.2 per cent and the Sensex in India inched up 0.1 per cent. On Friday, the S&P 500 climbed 0.6 per cent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.8 per cent. The Nasdaq composite rose 0.6 per cent. Oil prices have continued to yo-yo because of uncertainty about when the war with Iran will allow the global energy industry to return to normal. Trump shocked lawmakers when he announced on social media Friday that he struck a deal to buy Russian diesel with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call, aiming to tamp down a spike in fuel prices ahead of the Nov 3 US midterm elections. The president said Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to the American and global market, followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons immediately thereafter. Russia will deliver an additional 3 million tons within a short period of time after that, he wrote. The plan runs counter to US efforts to cut the flow of money Russia gets from oil and gas sales that can be used to pay for its war against Ukraine. Trump's announcement came just a few weeks after Congress passed legislation that directed Trump to impose substantial tariffs on the top importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with an exception for countries that import less than 15% of Russia's natural gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce those imports. A bipartisan group of six senators called Sunday for the administration to immediately reverse course on the plan. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, was down 1.4 per cent at USD 103.31 per barrel early Monday. US benchmark crude oil fell 1.7 per cent to USD 90.31 per barrel. Share prices have surged upward, supported by expectations of strong corporate profits, even as Americans say they're feeling more squeezed by high inflation. A preliminary report from the University of Michigan said Friday that US consumers are raising their own forecasts for how bad inflation will be over the coming year. They're expecting inflation of 4.7 per cent, up from their forecast of 4.6 per cent a month ago and just 3.4 per cent in February before the war with Iran began. Sentiment among consumers is falling sharply for Americans with lower incomes and smaller investments in stocks, who can least afford the fast increases in the cost of living. The pressure is on companies to deliver strong growth in profits after their stock prices ran toward records despite the downward push from high bond yields. This week will bring high-profile profit reports from big banks, including Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo all on Tuesday. In other dealings early Monday, the U.S. dollar rose to 158.27 Japanese yen from 158.23 yen. The euro climbed to USD 1.1211 from USD 1.1191.

Police organises dental awareness and AI-enabled screening camp at DPL in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 12: Jammu and Kashmir Police, in collaboration with the Safe Hands Team, organised a dental awareness and AI-enabled screening camp for police personnel at the District Police Lines (DPL), Srinagar. IGP Kashmir Sujit Kumar Singh (IPS) inaugurated the camp in the presence of SSP Srinagar Dr G. V. Sundeep Chakravarthy (IPS) and a team of medical professionals from Safe Hands. According to an official spokesperson, the initiative aimed to promote oral health awareness and facilitate the early detection of potential dental health issues among police personnel through AI-enabled screening technology. The camp also highlighted the importance of preventive healthcare and regular dental check-ups in maintaining overall health and well-being, he said. The collaboration reflects the commitment of Jammu and Kashmir Police to the welfare of its personnel and to ensuring access to healthcare initiatives that contribute to their physical fitness and overall well-being, he said. Jammu and Kashmir Police remains committed to prioritising the health, welfare and professional efficiency of its personnel through such proactive, welfare-oriented initiatives, he added.

Son dies, father injured as dumper rams Tata Ace in Pattan

Baramulla, Oct 12: A man was killed while his father sustained injuries after a dumper collided with their Tata Ace vehicle near Hyderbeigh in Pattan area of north Kashmirs Baramulla district on Sunday night, officials said. An official said that the father-son duo sustained injuries after a dumper collided with their Tata Ace vehicle near Hyderbeigh in Pattan last night. He said the injured duo were shifted to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Pattan for treatment, where one of them succumbed to his injuries, while the other was referred to JVC Hospital for advanced treatment. The deceased was identified as Murtaza Shabir Bhat, a resident of Bijbehara in Anantnag district, while the injured was identified as his father, Shabir Ahmad Bhat, also a resident of Bijbehara. The official said the cause of the accident was not immediately known and that cognizance of the incident had been taken.(KNO)

NC leader, ex-minister Sardar Harbans Singh dies in Jammu

Jammu, Oct 12: National Conference leader and former minister Sardar Harbans Singh died at a private hospital here early Monday, his family said. He was 84. Singh, who was appointed as political advisor to National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah in December last year, is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters. Singh's elder son, Kulwant Singh, told PTI that his father had been unwell for some time and was undergoing treatment at the Jammu hospital, where he breathed his last around 2 am. The last rites would be held at the Shastri Nagar cremation ground at 5 pm, he said. Singh served as cabinet minister in the government headed by Abdullah from 1996 to 2002. NC provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta said he was deeply saddened by Singh's passing. His invaluable contribution and dedicated service to society will always be remembered, Gupta said. He prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.

North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles, adding to streak of weapons tests

Seoul, Oct 12: North Korea on Monday fired multiple ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters, South Korea's military said, adding to a recent streak of weapons demonstrations that has heightened tensions during a prolonged freeze in diplomacy. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired from an area around the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, where the country has used its airport as a major launch site in recent years. The joint chiefs did not immediately specify how many missiles they detected or how far they flew. Japan's Defense Ministry said it detected at least two missiles and assessed that the weapons landed in waters outside the country's exclusive economic zone. The launch came days after South Korea on Friday flight-tested its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon, designed to fly at least five times the speed of sound and evade missile defense systems, which President Lee Jae Myung described as an important step in strengthening the South's conventional defense capabilities. While maintaining a hard line toward Seoul, North Korea has been ramping up weapons testing as it seeks to expand its arsenal of nuclear-capable systems, including an October 3 test of what the North described as a hypersonic intermediate-range missile designed to evade missile defenses in South Korea and Japan. North Korea has also conducted other missile tests and live-fire drills and commissioned a new warship as leader Kim Jong Un continues to flaunt his nuclear weapons program while rejecting U.S. and South Korean offers to resume long-stalled diplomacy. Tensions were further worsened after three South Korean soldiers were injured in land mine explosions last month near the heavily armed inter-Korean border. The South's military and the U.S.-led United Nations Command concluded the blasts were caused by devices planted by North Korea, which has denied responsibility and ridiculed the South's demands for an apology. Kim in recent years has halted all diplomacy and cooperation with South Korea and described the neighbor as a permanent enemy during a prolonged stalemate in larger nuclear negotiations with Washington. He has so far rebuffed US President Donald Trump's calls to revive their diplomacy, which broke down in 2019, with his government demanding that Washington abandon its hostile policy toward Pyongyang and drop demands for North Korea's denuclearization as a precondition for talks. The tensions have been a setback for Lee, who favours engagement with North Korea and has tempered his rhetoric toward the North even as public anger grows over the mine blasts. Lee has also called for strengthening South Korea's conventional defense capabilities while reducing its reliance on the United States. Washington unilaterally decided to scale back a major military exercise with South Korea in August, with Trump citing his very good relationship with Kim.

Delhi Metro shuts entry, exit at six stations ahead of Congress' protest

New Delhi, Oct 12: The entry and exit gates at six Delhi Metro stations, including Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk and Patel Chowk, will remain closed till 4 pm on Monday ahead of a protest announced by the Congress against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said the entry and exit facilities at Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk and Patel Chowk will be closed due to security reasons. However, interchange facilities will remain available at all the affected stations, the DMRC said in a post on X. The situation will be reviewed by the security agencies and necessary updates will be shared accordingly. However, interchange facility will remain available at all the concerned metro stations, it further said. The Congress has announced a protest against the chief election commissioner over its allegations of vote chori.

ALLEN extends Tallentex-2027 registration deadline to Oct 14

Srinagar, Oct 11: Students across the country are being given another opportunity to register for the ALLEN Tallentex-2027 exam. In view of the students' enthusiasm, the registration deadline has been extended from October 11 to October 14. As per a statement issued, interested students can register by visiting the website. Tallentex-2027 will be conducted in both offline and online modes; the offline exam is scheduled for October 25, while the online exams will be held on October 25, 28, and 31. Allen Vice President Pankaj Agarwal stated that since its inception, over 2.1 million students have participated in Allen Tallentex. Students from grades 5th to 10th are eligible to participate. After the exam, national and state ranks will be awarded, along with a cash prize of Rs 2.50 crore and a 90% scholarship for admission to Allen courses. In addition to the exam results, each participant will also be awarded a Competitive Success Index. This is a unique performance indicator that helps students assess their competitive ability. Through this index, students can determine their national ranking if they had appeared for JEE, NEET, and other competitive exams. Students already enrolled in Allen's classroom courses will also be eligible to participate. Students can register by visiting https://allen.in/tallentex. After registration, they will also have access to practice test papers available on the portal. The exam syllabus will be based on NCERT, while the exam pattern and detailed syllabus information are available on the website. For more information and terms and conditions, visit the website. The exam will be two hours long and will consist of multiple-choice and integer-type questions covering physics, chemistry, math, biology, and logical mental ability. The paper will be based on the NCERT syllabus.

PDP leader urges early establishment of fire station in Shahabad Bala

Dooru, Oct 11: Senior PDP leader and In-charge of Assembly Constituency 41, Dooru, Mohammed Ashraf Malik, visited the fire-affected site in Shahabad Bala and expressed his heartfelt sympathy and solidarity with the victims who suffered losses in the incident. During his visit, Malik, as per a statement, interacted with the affected families, shared their grief and expressed concern over the repeated fire incidents in the area. He said the absence of a dedicated Fire Service Station in Shahabad Bala has remained a serious concern, leaving residents vulnerable during emergencies. Malik urged the government to expedite the establishment of a Fire Service Station in the area, stating that fire incidents reportedly occur almost every fortnight, posing a recurring threat to the lives and property of local residents. He questioned the continued delay in the project, pointing out that the Honble Lieutenant Governor has already issued directions and land has also been identified for the proposed facility. When directions have already been issued and land has been identified, why are the people of Shahabad Bala still waiting for this essential public service? The safety of people and their property cannot be left at risk, Malik said. He appealed to the concerned authorities and Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, to intervene personally and ensure that the necessary formalities are completed without further delay. Malik observed that Shahabad Bala is an underserved area where the lack of a nearby Fire Service Station can lead to devastating consequences during emergencies. He stressed that timely access to fire services is essential to prevent loss of life and minimise damage to homes and other property. Expressing solidarity with the affected families, Malik urged the administration to take immediate and concrete measures to establish the Fire Service Station at the earliest. He said the repeated incidents and the hardships faced by residents warrant urgent attention from the government.

Neha Jain takes over as SSP Sopore, stresses people-friendly policing

Sopore, Oct 11: Neha Jain-IPS, on Sunday assumed charge as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Police District Sopore, succeeding Iftikhar Talib-JKPS. Upon her arrival at the District Police Headquarters in Sopore, the newly appointed SSP was received by senior police officers and presented with a Guard of Honour. After assuming charge, Neha Jain held an introductory meeting with supervisory officers and emphasised the need for professional, people-friendly policing, enhanced public safety, effective crime prevention and stronger community engagement. She also stressed a zero-tolerance approach towards drug abuse and anti-social activities.

Omar Abdullah-led Govt committed to improving healthcare: MLA Shameema Firdous

Srinagar, Oct 11:The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Womens Wing President and MLA Habba Kadal, Advocate Shameema Firdous Sunday said the elected National Conference government has accorded special priority to improving the education and healthcare sectors. As per a party statement, she said that the healthcare sector had faced several challenges after August 5, 2019, with the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and other major and smaller hospitals also confronting various difficulties. Under the undemocratic system, she said, the bureaucracy paid little attention to the problems, grievances and demands of the people, who were not allowed to raise their voices against the administration. With the establishment of an elected government, people have regained the opportunity to question the government and administration and raise their concerns and demands, she said. She made these remarks while inaugurating the Delhi IVF Centre and Diagnostic Lab at Gol Market, Karan Nagar. Dr Anoop Gupta, noted physician Dr Nazir Mushtaq and other members of the institution were also present on the occasion. Shameema Firdous expressed hope that the establishment of the centre would improve access to medical facilities for local residents and that the institution would play a meaningful role in supporting poor and needy patients. She noted that Karan Nagar already has several healthcare facilities and expressed confidence that the new centre would also benefit the people of the area. She said that the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was working to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, expand medical and diagnostic facilities in hospitals, and ensure better treatment for patients. She emphasised that access to modern medical equipment, diagnostic services and improved treatment facilities was an important public need, adding that strengthening facilities in government healthcare institutions could help ensure timely treatment for patients. She further stated that access to quality healthcare was the right of every citizen and stressed the need to ensure that economically weaker sections were protected, as far as possible, from the financial burden of expensive treatment and diagnostic services. She urged healthcare institutions to place compassion, service and public welfare at the centre of their priorities and discharge their responsibilities effectively to provide better medical care to patients.

MLA Baramulla seeks comprehensive master plan to tackle congestion, boost tourism

Baramulla, Oct 11: MLA Baramulla Javid Hassan Baig has sought an appointment with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to discuss recommendations for the towns proposed Master Plan, focusing on traffic decongestion, public safety, market redevelopment, environmental conservation and tourism-led development. In a press statement issued after holding discussion with the stake holders of Baramulla Master plan at Dak Bunglow Baramulla on Sunday, Baig said a committee comprising prominent members of the community had been constituted to prepare a draft of recommendations to be submitted to the Chief Minister for consideration. He said the proposed recommendations focus on urban decongestion, public safety, traffic management, commercial redevelopment, environmental conservation and tourism promotion, with an emphasis on addressing Baramullas growing civic and infrastructural challenges. Calling for a comprehensive safety audit of buildings and public infrastructure, Baig proposed that government offices, hospitals, educational institutions, commercial establishments and residential structures be assessed to identify potential structural vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of disasters. He also called for a phased decongestion and urban improvement plan for Old Town Baramulla, Khanpora and Khawaja Bagh, taking into account population density, traffic movement, commercial activity and the availability of land. The MLA suggested relocating government offices that do not require a central-town location to suitable alternative sites to ease traffic congestion and parking pressure. He also proposed a town-wide parking strategy and the modernisation and phased redevelopment of major market buildings in accordance with contemporary architectural and safety standards. To improve the organisation of commercial activities, Baig called for planned commercial zoning and specialised market clusters.

Saudi Arabia Airport Attack: Political leaders in Kashmir express concern

Srinagar, Oct 11: Political leaders in Kashmir on Sunday expressed concern over the missile attack on Riyadh International Airport in Saudi Arabia that left at least 12 dead and around 300 injured, asking for dialogue for a fair resolution of the crisis. In a post on X, Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said, The missile attack on Riyadh International Airport, which left at least 12 people dead and 300 injured, is deeply alarming. The fact that this is the third attack on the airport this week makes the situation even more concerning. Bukhari, a former minister, said targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure is a clear violation of international law and must be unequivocally condemned. Saudi Arabia has blamed the Houthis for the attack.

UG graduate numbers in GDCs across J&K decline by over 22% in 2 years

Srinagar, Oct 11: In a startling revelation, the number of students graduating from Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) across Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a significant decline over the past two academic sessions, as the number has fallen from 23655 in 2023-24 to 18312 in 2025-26. The official figures show a decline of nearly 23 per cent. As per the official figures assessed by Greater Kashmir , 21153 students graduated in 2024-25 while the number of students graduating from colleges across J&K decreased to 18312 in 2025-26. The decline in the numbers has been particularly pronounced in several major districts in including Jammu, which recorded 5,930 graduates in 2023-24 and only 4206 in the academic session 2024-25, while the number further declined to 3906 in 2025-26. Similarly, Srinagar district also witnessed a decline from 4190 graduates in 2023-24 to 4002 in 2024-25 and 3352 in 2025-26, respectively. In Baramulla district, the number of graduates from colleges declined from 2188 in 2023-24 to 1866 in 2024-25 and 1553 in 2025-26. Udhampur district saw a decline in the number of graduating students from 1716 to 1054 and then 895 during the three-year period, while in Rajouri the number witnessed a dwindling trend from 1,593 to 799 and 728 from 2023-24 to 2025-2026. Other districts also witnessed notable declines, including Pulwama district in south Kashmir, which saw numbers falling from 1075 in 2023-24 to 802 in 2025-26; Anantnag from 1476 to 1341; Kupwara from 876 to 657; and Kulgam from 756 to 434 graduating students in three academic years. However, some districts recorded an increase over the period. These districts include Kathua, which saw the number rise sharply from 121 graduates in 2023-24 to 1053 in 2024-25, before settling at 1001 in 2025-26. Also, Ramban district saw an increase in numbers from 22 to 205, while Shopian saw an increase from 464 to 511. On the employability of graduates, the Higher Education Department (HED) has, however, stated that no consolidated course-wise employability rate of graduates from government degree colleges, universities and cluster universities of J&K was presently available in a standardised form. The department said employability varies across courses and institutions and depends on factors including further education, competitive examinations, skill acquisition and employment opportunities in relevant sectors. As per the official documents, the government has constituted a committee for rationalisation of subjects and introduction of new industry-aligned, skill-based and future-ready programmes (including under NEP 2020s FYUGP) in Government Degree Colleges across J&K. The committee has issued various recommendations and directives to the Director, colleges, J&K and nodal principals of Jammu and Kashmir division colleges for taking necessary measures regarding the declining trends in admission in various GDCs, particularly those located in rural and remote areas, the official document reads The committee has also recommended a comprehensive programme-wise review of enrolment in all GDCs and deliberated upon the need to adopt a cluster-based academic model as well. The committee recommended introduction of One-Year Postgraduate Programmes for eligible graduates of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) in colleges possessing the requisite academic and infrastructural facilities, it reads. The official document reads that after considering emerging employment opportunities and future workforce requirements, the committee recommended introduction of new programmes in selected Government Degree Colleges in disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cyber Security, Remote Sensing and other emerging technology-oriented fields, particularly in Colleges located around Jammu and Srinagar where adequate infrastructure and faculty can be developed.

Tral residents rue shortage of specialist doctors at SDH

Pulwama, Oct 11: Residents of Tral in south Kashmir have expressed concern over the shortage of specialist doctors and inadequate healthcare infrastructure at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Tral, alleging that patients are being forced to seek treatment at private hospitals or travel to Srinagar. The residents said the hospital lacked specialist doctors and adequate medical facilities to cater to the healthcare needs of the local population. They said the shortage was particularly affecting economically weaker families, who struggle to afford treatment outside the area. Javed Ahmad, a resident of Gujjar Basti in Tral, said financially disadvantaged patients could not afford the high cost of treatment at private hospitals, while travelling to Srinagar for consultations and specialised care was also difficult for many families. We cannot afford treatment at private hospitals. We are also unable to travel to Srinagar due to extreme poverty. We request the government to make specialist doctors available at Sub-District Hospital Tral, Ahmad said. Residents said the hospital lacked specialists, including an orthopaedic doctor and a radiologist, causing inconvenience to patients requiring specialised consultations and diagnostic services. They said the absence of these specialists often compelled patients to seek medical attention elsewhere. They also raised concerns over the hospitals bed capacity, which they put at around 30, and called for an immediate expansion of the facility to meet the growing healthcare needs of Tral and its adjoining areas. The current bed capacity of the hospital is around 30, and it needs to be upgraded immediately, residents said. According to the residents, the hospital caters to more than 120 villages, making the availability of specialist doctors and adequate infrastructure essential for providing accessible healthcare to the regions population. They also alleged that political representatives had failed to address the problems facing the hospital despite its importance to the local population. The residents urged the government and the concerned health authorities to fill specialist vacancies, upgrade medical infrastructure and increase the hospitals bed capacity. They said strengthening SDH Tral would enable patients, particularly those from economically weaker sections, to access essential healthcare services closer to home and reduce their dependence on expensive private hospitals and travel to Srinagar.

11 Indians among 300 injured in Riyadh airport attack that killed 12

New Delhi, Oct 11: At least 11 Indians were injured in the deadly attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport that killed 12 people and wounded more than 300 others, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said on Sunday. In a statement on X, the Indian Embassy said it had been following up on Saturday's attack, in which 12 people were killed and more than 300 injured. It is learnt that 11 Indians are among those injured in the attack. Embassy has been in touch with local authorities to enquire about their well being. Our officials have also reached out to the hospital authorities. We will provide further updates as they become available, the embassy wrote in a statement on X. Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong condemnation of the repeated attacks on King Khalid International Airport over the past several days, including the October 10 strike. We strongly condemn the repeated attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport over the past few days, including the dastardly attack on October 10, which have led to loss of lives, injuries and damage to property. We express our condolences to the families of the deceased and wish speedy recovery to the injured persons, the ministry said. New Delhi also called for an immediate end to attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. The repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are completely unacceptable and must cease immediately, the statement added. India expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, emphasising its support for the kingdoms sovereignty and its hope for a return to peace and normalcy in the region. We stand in solidarity with the people and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in defence of their sovereignty, and hope that peace and normalcy returns to the region at the earliest, the MEA said. Meanwhile, the Houthis renewed warnings to airlines, travellers and airport workers, urging them to avoid Saudi airports and airspace following the deadly attack. We renew our warning to all airlines, experts, employees, workers and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace, as they are vulnerable to attack and have become a theatre of operations for our forces, with the exception of the airports in (the holy cities of) Mecca and Medina, the group said in a post on X. We urge everyone to take our warnings seriously, and Saudi Arabia bears responsibility for any failed interceptions. Saudi authorities have temporarily suspended airport operations while assessing the damage and safety conditions.

Kashmirs Traditional Watermills Keep Grinding Against the Tide of Modernisation

Ganderbal, Oct 11: Amid the growing use of modern machinery and electricity-powered flour mills, traditional watermills, locally known as Aab Gharats or Pani Chakis, continue to operate in parts of Kashmir, preserving a centuries-old practice rooted in sustainable use of natural resources. Powered entirely by flowing water, these traditional mills rely on a simple mechanism that harnesses the energy of mountain streams and springs to grind grains without electricity or fossil fuels. Despite declining demand and the growing dominance of modern flour mills, some Gharats continue to serve rural communities, keeping alive an important part of Kashmirs cultural and agricultural heritage. Scattered across villages in Ganderbal district, these watermills demonstrate how local communities have traditionally used natural resources to meet their everyday needs. Diverted water flows through a wooden channel and strikes a horizontal wooden turbine, locally known as the garad or makkri. The rotating mechanism turns heavy stone grinders used to process maize, wheat, rice and other grains into flour. The process requires no electricity and produces no direct emissions from fuel combustion, making Gharats a traditional example of low-impact technology. One such watermill is operated by 60-year-old Mohammad Iqbal Khatana in Surfraw village of Kangan in central Kashmirs Ganderbal district. Khatana has been associated with the work since childhood and remains determined to continue the familys traditional occupation. These Gharats had great significance in villages in the old days. A Gharat owner enjoyed a better social status in the village, as the family could earn both food grains and money as a service charge for grinding, Khatana said. He said traditional watermills had gradually lost their demand with the expansion of industrial milling and the growing preference for modern processing facilities. Gharats are environment-friendly, but they are largely forgotten. With the advent of industrialisation, they are rapidly losing demand. Modern mills have dealt a severe blow to our traditional occupation, and many Gharats have stopped operating because of a lack of customers, he said. Explaining the working of his mill, Khatana said fast-flowing water from nearby streams was channelled to turn the heavy grinding stones, producing flour without conventional energy sources. Residents of surrounding villages continue to visit his watermill, where he often accepts a share of the flour instead of cash as payment for grinding their grain. Khatana said his family had been associated with the occupation for several generations, with his father and grandfather operating the traditional mill before him. I wish to keep my familys traditional business alive and hope my children will continue it after me, he said. The watermill is a symbol of our centuries-old culture, which is gradually disappearing with the introduction of new technology. There is a need to preserve it so that future generations can also learn about these environment-friendly mills, he added. Beyond their traditional role in rural livelihoods, Gharats are valued by many millers and residents for the quality of the flour they produce. The relatively slow grinding process reduces heat generated during milling compared with high-speed grinding, potentially helping retain some of the grains natural oils and flavour. However, the nutritional quality of the final product also depends on the grain, milling conditions and storage. Historically, Gharats served as more than grain-processing facilities. Villagers would often gather around the mill while waiting for their grain to be ground, exchanging news and maintaining social ties. The spaces also formed part of the everyday rural economy and community life. Despite these cultural and environmental benefits, traditional watermills face mounting challenges. The expansion of commercial flour mills, changing consumer preferences, irregular water flows and the migration of younger people to urban areas for employment have weakened the traditional occupation. Many Gharats in remote areas have fallen silent, while those still operating require regular maintenance of their wooden channels, turbines and grinding mechanisms. Millers often rely on locally available timber to repair worn components and keep the machinery functional. The survival of these watermills depends not only on the dedication of individual families but also on whether traditional milling can remain economically viable. Documentation of the remaining Gharats, support for their maintenance and efforts to promote traditional milling could help preserve both the craft and its associated cultural knowledge. As communities increasingly look towards sustainable ways of using energy and natural resources, Kashmirs traditional Gharats offer a reminder of how local knowledge once met essential needs with minimal dependence on external energy. Their continued operation in villages such as Surfraw reflects the resilience of a traditional practice that remains relevant even as modern technology transforms rural life.

PM Modi says will work with CM Vijay for TN's growth, development my 'mantra'

Chennai, Oct 11:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he has taken development as his 'mantra,' and reaffirmed his commitment to serve the people of Tamil Nadu and ensuring the state's progress by working with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. He listed the rapid strides made in various sectors in the last 12 years, including the significant jump in defence exports. In his address after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for railway, road and petroleum-related projects worth about Rs 13,000 crore with Vijay, the PM underscored his commitment to ensure development. During the inauguration, the prime minister invited Vijay with a gesture to jointly flag off the Chennai Metro Phase-2 network, marking a milestone event carrying immense political and administrative significance for the centre-state ties. He held Vijays hand and jointly flagged off the service. The Chennai Metro Phase 2 network has been executed as a joint venture between the Central and Tamil Nadu state governments. Later, at the launch of infrastructure projects too, the PM held CM Vijay's hand to jointly inaugurate the initiatives. During his subsequent address, Prime Minister Modi said, I have always taken the country's development as my mantra. As chief minister, I understood the expectations of a state. After becoming PM, not only did I try to fulfil the aspirations but also made efforts so that the states meet their aspiration goals, he said. Referring to Tamil Nadu, he said when he was CM, he got the opportunity to interact with late leaders M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa when they headed Tamil Nadu. And, after becoming prime minister, he could work with former CMs O Panneerselvam, Edappadi K Palaniswami and M K Stalin. Governments may change, but my resolve for Tamil Nadu's development, serving its people remains steadfast. With this determination to serve people, together with CM Vijay, we are taking forward the development of the state, he said. TVK founder Vijay had ushered in his maiden government by winning the April Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. Referring to his completion of 25 years as PM and CM, Modi said, As head of government, my trust in people and cooperative federalism has grown strong. A few days ago, with the blessings of the people, I completed 25 years of public service as a head of government - an important milestone. In October 2001, I took the oath as the chief minister of Gujarat. From there onwards, the people allowed me to serve them, first as chief minister and later as prime minister. Over these 25 years, my faith in two great strengths of our democracy has grown even stronger. First, the people of the country; and second, cooperative federalism, the PM said. He said Tamil Nadu has played a significant role in the journey of strengthening port infrastructure to take the shipping sector to new heights. With an investment of around Rs 17,000 crore, V O Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi is being developed into a world-class mega container and green energy hub. Once completed, the port will be able to accommodate the worlds ultra-large container vessels. This will help transform Tamil Nadu into a global hub for industry and transportation, he said. He noted that since 2014, Indias electronics exports increased 11-fold, while defence exports have grown 50-fold. Engineering exports have also reached new records. The growth in manufacturing has created lakhs of jobs for the youth, and the people of Tamil Nadu have played an important role in driving this manufacturing growth. I have always believed that urbanisation is not a challenge but an opportunity, and public transportation plays a crucial role in realising that opportunity. Good public transport improves the ease of living for people. However, better transportation requires more than just widening roads. Modern cities need holistic infrastructure. That is why, over the last decade, we have focused on expanding metro connectivity across the country, he said. In 2014, metro services were available in only five cities, but today, they are operational in 25 cities across the country. From mandir to metro, these experiences of Tamil Nadu reflected the spirit of India, which draws strength and inspiration from its cultural heritage, he said and noted that the Rs 13,000 crore worth of projects that he inaugurated and laid foundations for new ones would make daily travel easier; others will strengthen industry and trade. Together, they will create jobs for young people across Tamil Nadu, Modi said. Following the inauguration, PM Modi took a ride on the Chennai Metro from Porur Bypass Station to Poonamallee Bypass Station and back, accompanied by Chief Minister Vijay and senior officials.

5 months without a chairman, FFRC fails to deliver

Srinagar, Oct 11:The Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC), mandated to regulate fee structures of private schools across Jammu and Kashmir, has been functioning without a chairman for over five months, leaving hundreds of school fee proposals awaiting approval and complaints from parents unresolved. The committee has remained headless since April 30, 2026, when the extended tenure of its chairman, Justice (retd) Sunil Hali, expired. In the absence of a chairman, the FFRC has been limited to receiving applications from private schools and examining the documents submitted for approval. An official at the committee said it was unable to approve fee structures or initiate action against schools without a chairman. No meeting of the committee has been convened during these five months, while complaints lodged by parents and other stakeholders and files submitted by private schools have also remained unattended, the official told Greater Kashmir . The official said hundreds of files submitted by schools for approval of their fee structures were awaiting clearance, as the process could not be completed without the chairmans approval. We continue to receive school files and conduct the requisite analysis, but the process cannot move forward without the chairmans approval, the official said. He added that the committee was also unable to summon school functionaries in connection with complaints. We are not authorised to take any action without the chairman. The committee is completely defunct as of now, he said. The vacancy comes ahead of the new academic session, a period when parents frequently approach the committee with complaints about fee hikes, demands for donations and other charges imposed by private schools. The official said the committee could receive complaints but was unable to take effective action in the absence of a chairman. He warned that the prolonged vacancy could leave parents vulnerable to arbitrary fee hikes, demands for donations and the prescription of textbooks at exorbitant prices without timely regulatory intervention. Any parent who approaches the FFRC with complaints or other grievances regarding school fees returns disappointed, as their issues remain unresolved, the official said. Justice (retd) Sunil Hali was appointed chairman of the FFRC on March 25, 2023, for a three-year term from the date he assumed charge. After the completion of his tenure, his term was extended by one month, until April 30, 2026. However, the government is yet to appoint a successor, leaving the committee unable to discharge its core regulatory responsibilities. More than 5,500 private schools across Jammu and Kashmir fall under the FFRCs ambit. The committee is responsible for determining and regulating tuition fees and other permissible charges levied by educational institutions. Earlier, Education Minister Sakina Itoo had told Greater Kashmir that a panel would be constituted at the departmental level to facilitate the appointment of a new FFRC chairman. However, the position remains vacant more than five months later, with no appointment announced so far.

Removing Inconsistencies, Reducing Friction

The 57th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, held on 8 October 2026 in New Delhi under the chairpersonship of Honble Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, marked a decisive shift in Indias indirect tax journey. The participants included Chief Ministers of Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Meghalaya, Deputy Chief Ministers of Manipur and Telangana, the Finance Ministers and senior members of States/Union Territories with Legislative Assembly, Secretary, Department of Revenue, Chairman and Members of Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance. Coming roughly a year after the major rate rationalization that introduced a predominantly two-rate structure (The Next-Gen or GST 2.0 Reforms of September 2025), this meeting deliberately set rate changes aside. Instead, it focused on reforms, refunds, registrations, returns, process, compliance, enforcement, and ease-of-doing-business reforms that many observers are describing as the operational backbone of GST 3.0. Finance Minister made it clear that rate-related matters would henceforth be taken up only once a year in a dedicated meeting. The 57th Council concentrated on removing inconsistencies, reducing friction for genuine taxpayers, speeding up cash flows, and recalibrating enforcement towards a more trust-based system while retaining deterrence against fraud. Most of the recommended process reforms are slated for implementation from 1 April 2027, giving businesses and tax administrations time to prepare. From Rate Rationalization to Process Maturity The 2025 rate reforms had simplified the multi-slab structure, reduced rates on a large number of items, and aimed to correct inverted duty structures in several sectors. Early data presented around the meeting indicated healthy growth in taxable supplies and improved reporting of supplies to consumers, suggesting the rate changes had broadened the base without collapsing revenue. With the rate architecture largely settled, the natural next phase was to address the day-to-day pain points that still plagued businesses like delayed refunds, complex registration amendments, blocked or disputed input tax credit (ITC), high compliance burden on small taxpayers, and an enforcement framework that sometimes felt disproportionate. Enforcement Reforms The most widely reported decisions concerned enforcement. The Council recommended the complete removal of the power of arrest under GST (by omitting the relevant provision, commonly referred to as Section 69 of the CGST Act). Arrest powers had long been a source of anxiety for the business community, their withdrawal signals a clear preference for prosecution only after a proper case is built, rather than anticipatory action. Complementing this, the monetary threshold for launching prosecution was raised five-foldfrom `1 crore to `5 crore. Minimum mandatory punishments were also recommended for removal, leaving the nature of penalty (fine, imprisonment, or both) to judicial discretion. The general penalty under section 125 was proposed to be reduced from `25,000 to `10,000. A materiality threshold of `10,000 was introduced for the issuance of show-cause notices & no notices for demands below this amount (covering CGST, SGST/UTGST, IGST and Cess combined), with existing low-value notices to be withdrawn. These changes collectively aim to reserve criminal and heavy civil proceedings for serious cases while treating routine errors and delays through recovery, interest, and proportionate penalties. Automated Refunds Refunds have historically been one of the biggest sources of working-capital stress, especially for exporters and businesses facing inverted duty structures. The Council approved significant process improvements. The time limit for acknowledging a refund claim (or issuing a deficiency memo) was cut from 15 days to 10 days, with deemed acknowledgement, if the tax authority fails to act. A large proportion of eligible refundsreports mention around 90 per cent in many casesare to be sanctioned automatically within a few working days of acknowledgement on a risk-based basis. Cash-ledger refunds are expected to become fully automatic. Crucially, the inverted-duty-structure refund facility was expanded. Refunds of accumulated ITC on input services will be available for credit availed on or after 1 November 2026. Refunds relating to plant and machinery (for both exporters and inverted-duty cases) are proposed from 1 April 2027, to be spread over 60 months. These measures should free locked-up capital for manufacturers and exporters. Expansion of Input Tax Credit Scope The Council broadened the scope of eligible ITC. Credits will now be available on health and life insurance premiums paid for employees, telecommunication towers, and pipelines laid outside factory premises. Certain other previously restricted items, such as free samples and goods requiring destruction on expiry, also received relief. These changes reduce the cost of doing business and improve the integrity of the credit chain. A standing officers committee was recommended to examine residual issues around ITC eligibility, particularly protection of genuine buyers from supplier defaults under Section 16(2)(c) of GST Act, 2017. Registration, Returns and Small-Taxpayer Relief Registration & cancellation processes are to become more automated. Routine amendments (including addition of places of business) will see a high percentage of automatic approvals. Low-risk registrations already benefit from three-day automated processing, the system is expected to cover a larger share of applicants. Small e-commerce sellers received facilitative norms, including possible use of the operators warehouse as the principal place of business under certain ITC limits. For the smallest businesses, the Council approved in principle an optional scheme under which taxpayers with turnover up to `5 crore, who supply only to consumers (B2C), may file a single annual return while paying tax quarterly. This is estimated to benefit a large number of the smallest filers who collectively contribute a very small share of total tax liability, thereby reducing compliance costs without significant revenue risk. Detailed rules are to be finalized at a subsequent meeting. Movement of Goods and Other Facilitation Physical interception of goods in transit is to be restricted and vehicles may be stopped only by officers of the suppliers or recipients state, and only on the basis of specific intelligence and proper authorization. This should reduce harassment and delays at check-posts. Measures to facilitate export of services and improve GST Seva Kendra support for multi-jurisdictional taxpayers were also endorsed. Faceless assessment for certain CGST taxpayers registered across states is on the roadmap. Significance & Conclusion: In summary, the 57th GST Council decisions represent a maturation of the GST system. After nearly a decade of implementation and a major rate overhaul, the focus has shifted to making the tax administration itself simpler, faster, more predictable, trust based tax regime, and less adversarial for compliant taxpayers. The reforms address long-standing trade & industry grievances while preserving the ability to pursue serious evasion. Implementation from April 2027 will test the systems capacity to deliver automated processes reliably and to maintain revenue buoyancy. Businesses should watch for the detailed notifications, circulars, and statutory amendments that will give legal force to these recommendations. Early preparationupdating internal processes, training staff on new ITC eligibility, and monitoring refund claimswill help capture the intended benefits. For Indias broader ease-of-doing-business agenda and formalization drive, the 57th meetings emphasis on process excellence under the GST 3.0 umbrella is a welcome and necessary evolution. In the 10th. Year of GST since its implementation in July, 2017, the GST 3.0 Process Reforms has moved to much maturity phase for a trust based tax regime. Author is All India Master Trainer in GST & writes on Indirect Taxes. Presently works as State Taxes Officer in Srinagar.

From a Tiny Alga to the Human Brain

What could a tiny green alga swimming towards light possibly have to do with the human brain? At first glance, almost nothing; yet a scientific journey that began with researchers trying to understand how a microscopic alga senses light, eventually led to a technology that allows scientists to control selected nerve cells with light and it subsequently changed the way brain can be studied. Recently, it earned sciences highest recognition as the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026 has been awarded to Karl Deisseroth (Stanford University, USA), Peter Hegemann (Humboldt University, Germany) and Georg Nagel (University of Wurzburg, Germany) for discoveries leading to optogenetics. Beyond the achievement itself, there is a wonderful story about how science actually progresses. Important discoveries do not always begin with attempts to cure a disease or invent a technology. Sometimes they begin with somebody becoming curious about something in nature and asking a seemingly simple question: How does this work? Questions may initially relate to seemingly unrelated fundamental biology, but can ultimately lead to important discoveries directly related to humans and other beings. Following an alga towards the light Chlamydomonas is a microscopic, single-celled green alga. Like many organisms, it can respond to its environment - in this case, to light. Scientists wanted to understand how? That investigation led Peter Hegemann, Georg Nagel and other researchers to proteins called channelrhodopsins. These proteins sit in the cell membrane and respond to light by allowing electrically charged ions to pass through. To a non-scientist, this might sound like an interesting but rather specialised detail about the biology of an alga. But scientists saw another possibility. A friend of mine working at University of Frankfurt during 2003-04 told me of his memories from the time when the researchers from Prof. Nagels team were conducting Electrophysiology experiments to understand the nature of these proteins and then figured these were light sensitive channels. Nerve cells also communicate through changes in electrical activity. So what would happen if this light-sensitive protein could be placed inside a neuron? Could one, quite literally, switch a nerve cell on with light? The question was intriguing and the idea worked. Karl Deisseroth and colleagues demonstrated that channelrhodopsin could be introduced into organismal neurons and used to control their firing with extraordinary precision. From this grew optogenetics - a combination of genetics and optics that allows particular populations of cells to be controlled using light. The implications were enormous. Imagine trying to understand a complicated electrical circuit by watching it from outside. You may see which components become active, but that does not necessarily tell you what each one actually does. Now imagine being able to select one component, switch it on or off, and observe what changes. Optogenetics gave neuroscientists something approaching that ability in the living nervous system. Researchers could begin asking: Which neurons initiate a particular movement? Which circuits influence reward or fear? What happens when a particular neural pathway is activated or silenced? How do circuits change in neurological or psychiatric disorders? An obscure question about how an alga responds to light had unexpectedly opened a new window into the brain. A Fascinating C. elegans (worm) Connection There is another interesting chapter in this journey. In 2005, Georg Nagel and colleagues took channelrhodopsin-2 from Chlamydomonas and expressed it in selected cells of a tiny nematode called Caenorhabditis elegans. (Prof. A. Gottschalk from Goethe University Frankfurt also deserves due credit for this work published in Current Biology in 2005). When the protein was expressed in muscle cells, illumination caused the animals muscles to contract. When it was placed in mechanosensory neurons - the neurons through which the worm normally responds to touch - light itself could trigger the behavioural response. It was the first use of channelrhodopsin optogenetics to control behaviour in an intact animal. There is something beautifully simple about that experiment. A protein from an alga had been transferred into particular cells of a worm. Light was shone on the animal - and the animal responded. Super exciting for a researcher! The experiment helped demonstrate a principle that would subsequently become enormously powerful in neuroscience: genetically identify the cells you want to study, make them responsive to light, and then use light to ask what those cells actually do. From an alga sensing light, to controlling cells in a worm, to interrogating circuits in the mammalian brain - the path of discovery was anything but obvious at the beginning, but ultimately led to fascinating science. Why do scientists study small models like worms, flies and algae? This brings us to a question students often ask: if we want to understand human disease, why study a worm, or a fly, yeast, zebrafish or an alga? The answer lies in one of biologys most fascinating features. Life is extraordinarily diverse, but evolution repeatedly uses and modifies successful biological mechanisms. Organisms separated by hundreds of millions of years of evolution can therefore share fundamental genes, proteins and cellular processes. Scientists beneficially exploit this conservation by choosing organisms in which a difficult biological question becomes experimentally simpler. C. elegans, the organism used in that early optogenetics experiment, is a good example. It is about a millimetre long, transparent and has a rapid life cycle. An adult hermaphrodite has 959 somatic cells and 302 neurons. Individual cells can be identified and followed, genes can be manipulated, and the consequences can often be observed in the entire living animal. Its apparent simplicity has allowed scientists to answer questions that would have been extraordinarily difficult to approach first in humans or even in mammals. Research using C. elegans produced the first complete cell lineage of a multicellular animal, the first complete wiring diagram of an animal nervous system, and the first fully sequenced genome of a multicellular animal. More importantly, experiments with this little worm contributed to discoveries of fundamental biological mechanisms that turned out to matter far beyond the worm itself. When small questions become big discoveries The history of utility of C. elegans in research, is worth reflecting upon. Studies of how cells develop and disappear in C. elegans helped reveal the genetic control of programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Sydney Brenner, John Sulston and Robert Horvitz received the 2002 Nobel Prize for this body of work. Today, apoptosis is fundamental to our understanding of normal development as well as diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. In 2006, Andrew Fire and Craig Mello received the Nobel Prize for discovering RNA interference (RNAi) through experiments in C. elegans. A surprising observation about double-stranded RNA revealed an entirely new mechanism for switching genes off. RNAi became an indispensable laboratory tool and, eventually, the basis of medicines. Another beautiful example came from an entirely different organism. A fluorescent protein had originally been discovered in a jellyfish. Martin Chalfie realised that this Green Fluorescent Protein- GFP-might be used as a biological marker and demonstrated the idea in transparent C. elegans. Scientists could now make selected cells or proteins literally glow inside living organisms. GFP became one of the most widely used tools in modern biology, and the work contributed to the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Then, in 2024, Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun received the Nobel Prize for the discovery of microRNA. That story, too, began not with human disease but with researchers trying to understand developmental timing in C. elegans. A puzzling observation in a worm eventually revealed an entirely new layer of gene regulation. There is an important distinction here: the 2026 Nobel is not a C. elegans Nobel. Its scientific foundations span algal photobiology, ion-channel biophysics, molecular engineering and mammalian neuroscience. But the 2005 worm experiment is a fascinating early chapter in the development of the field - and another example of how discoveries move between apparently unrelated organisms. The unpredictable route from curiosity to medicine There is a broader lesson in all of this, especially for young people entering science. Today we understandably ask researchers about impact. What disease will this cure? What product will emerge? Can it be translated? How soon will it benefit society? These are legitimate questions. But if they become the only questions we ask, science loses something essential. Imagine if these researchers were asked during early days: What is the medical relevance of knowing how an alga swims towards light? Why spend years tracing every cell in a tiny worm? Why investigate a strange developmental mutant? What possible medical value is there in understanding why a jellyfish glows? At the time, nobody could have confidently answered: this will lead to optogenetics, apoptosis biology, microRNAs or GFP. That knowledge emerged because scientists first tried to understand nature. Application followed understanding - not always immediately, and rarely along a straight line or following an easy path. Why this resonates personally? Having worked with C. elegans for many years, I find this aspect of science particularly rewarding. In our laboratory, we use the worm to investigate questions related to neurodegeneration, ageing, proteostasis, glial biology, mitochondrial function and the gut-brain axis. How can events occurring in the gut influence neurons? Can metabolites produced or modified by gut microbes alter neurodegeneration or enhance neuroprotection? Why do some neurons withstand cellular stress better than others? How do mitochondrial function, protein quality control and ageing intersect with neuronal survival? These are large questions. The worm gives us a way of breaking them into experimentally manageable pieces while still studying them in a while organismal condition. One can relatively easily perturb a gene or a metabolic pathway, observe an identified neuron, measure a behavioural consequence and then ask whether the mechanism is conserved in more complex systems. That does not mean that what happens in a worm automatically happens in humans. Model organisms are starting points for discovering principles, not miniature substitutes for people. That distinction is important - and is also what makes good science both cautious and exciting ofcourse validations in higher models provide further understanding and research requirements of regulators have to be met before any fundamental research translates to human use. The pleasure of not knowing where a question may lead Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of the 2026 Nobel story is not simply that scientists learned to control neurons with light. It is the route by which they got there. Someone studied an alga because its response to light was biologically interesting. Others worked out how its unusual proteins functioned. Someone then wondered whether those proteins could work in another kind of cell. Researchers tested the idea in different experimental systems. Neuroscientists recognised what this could make possible. Each answer generated another question. And over time, an observation in a microscopic organism became a technology capable of probing some of the most complex circuitry we know- the human brain. This is how science often advances: not as a straight road from problem to solution, but as a chain of curiosity, observation, experimentation, failure, insight and unexpected connections. That may be the most important educational message of this years Nobel Prize. We certainly need scientists who can translate discoveries into technologies and medicines. But we equally need scientists who remain fascinated enough by nature to ask questions before anyone knows whether the answers will be useful. Because somewhere, perhaps in an alga responding to light, a worm behaving strangely, or another apparently insignificant observation in a laboratory, may lie the beginning of the next major discovery. In science, the size of the question cannot always be judged by the size of the organism in which we first ask it, hence, never under estimate the power of a small model organism. Author is Chief Scientist, Professor and Head, Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow. His research interests include regulatory toxicology, neurodegeneration and ageing using C. elegans model and other experimental approaches to understand disease mechanisms/potential therapeutic strategies.

Rohit Sharma delivers a 5-star show for J&K

Srinagar, Oct 11: Rohit Sharma delivered a decisive performance with the ball, claiming five wickets for 36 runs to help Jammu and Kashmir bowl out Madhya Pradesh for 196 on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy campaign on Sunday. The right-arm seamer bowled 21.2 overs, including eight maidens, and maintained an economy rate of 1.69 as he troubled the Madhya Pradesh batting line-up. His spell came at a crucial stage after the visitors had lost three wickets for 41 runs but attempted to rebuild through captain Shubham Sharma, who scored 79, and Chanchal Rathore, who made 33. Rohit's breakthroughs, combined with Sunil Kumar's four-wicket haul, ensured Madhya Pradesh could not convert their recovery into a bigger total. With J&K looking to defend their Ranji Trophy title, the performance offered an encouraging start to their bowling campaign at home.

J&K bowl out Madhya Pradesh for 196 in Ranji opener

Srinagar, Oct 11:Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir made a promising start to their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 campaign, bowling out Madhya Pradesh for 196 on the opening day of their Elite Group match at the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar on Sunday. After winning the toss, J&K skipper Paras Dogra elected to field first, and his bowlers justified the decision by reducing the visitors to 41 for three before captain Shubham Sharma steadied the innings with a patient half-century. The opening day also marked the formal start of the new Ranji Trophy season in Srinagar, with BCCI president Mithun Manhas present at the venue to officially kick off the campaign. He was accompanied by BCCI and Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) officials and later wished both teams success. Madhya Pradesh lost Harsh Gawali, Yash Dubey and wicketkeeper Himanshu Mantri early, putting the visitors under pressure. However, Shubham Sharma held the innings together with 79 off 174 deliveries, including eight boundaries. Chanchal Rathore contributed 33 off 75 balls, while Aryan Pandey added 35 from 60 deliveries. Their efforts helped Madhya Pradesh recover from the early setbacks, but J&K continued to make inroads and eventually dismissed the visitors in 74.2 overs. Rohit Sharma was among the leading performers for the hosts, claiming five wickets for 36 runs from 21.2 overs. Sunil Kumar took four wickets for 69 runs, while Auqib Nabi, returning to the J&K side, finished with one for 42 from 20 overs, picking 1 wicket. J&K's reply began shortly before stumps, but the hosts suffered an early setback when experienced Madhya Pradesh pacer Avesh Khan trapped Shubham Khajuria leg before wicket for a duck. The hosts ended the day at three for one after three overs, with Qamran Iqbal unbeaten on three and Vanshaj Sharma yet to score. J&K trail by 193 runs with nine wickets in hand. Madhya Pradesh will look to exploit the morning conditions on Day 2 and put the hosts' batting order under pressure. J&K, meanwhile, will aim to negotiate the new ball and build a substantial first-innings total to gain an advantage in the contest.

A Test of Indias Democratic Conscience

An ordinary Indian does not need to believe that the country is either perfectly democratic or already lost. A more honest position is this: India still has elections, constitutional rights, courts, political parties, a lively society and the capacity for peaceful political change, but the fairness of that system depends on whether institutions remain strong enough to restrain whoever holds power. The central question is therefore not only who wins elections. It is whether citizens can still change governments, criticise leaders, organise collectively, receive reliable information and expect the law to treat them equally. Modern democracies rarely disappear overnight through tanks in the streets. More often, an elected government gradually weakens the institutions that could defeat or restrain it, the media, courts, election systems, civil society, opposition parties and public education. The first warning sign is often political language. When a leader presents himself or his party as the only authentic voice of the real nation, and describes opponents as traitors, enemies, vermin or illegitimate citizens, ordinary disagreement is transformed into a struggle between patriots and enemies. This makes compromise appear immoral and allows the ruling side to justify changing the rules in its own favour. The second warning sign is the spread of political nihilism, the belief that nothing can improve, every politician is corrupt, every institution is fake and voting is pointless. Such propaganda does not always ask people to support a particular policy. Sometimes its purpose is simply to make citizens withdraw from public life. A person who believes that participation is useless is less likely to vote, organise, question authority or defend someone elses rights. Indias Present Tension Indias political environment contains both democratic strength and serious institutional strain. Elections remain competitive, and governments can face defeat; however, organisations such as V-Dem and Freedom House have raised concerns about civil liberties, media freedom, institutional independence and the space available to dissent. V-Dems 2025 report classified India as an electoral autocracy, while Freedom Houses 2025 assessment rated India Partly Free; these are external assessments, not universally accepted judgments, but they identify concerns that should not be dismissed merely because elections continue. The practical meaning is important. A country may hold elections and still become less fair if money, media access, investigative agencies, public institutions and political information are distributed unequally. The question is not whether India has democracy in a formal sense, but whether an ordinary citizen has a meaningful chance to use democratic rights against concentrated power.At the same time, criticism should not become fatalism. Indias voters have repeatedly surprised powerful parties, regional movements remain influential, courts and journalists continue to contest official claims, and citizens still organise around employment, prices, education, land, identity and local rights. Democratic decline is a danger, not an irreversible destiny. The RSS and its allied organisations must be understood as a long-term social and cultural project, not merely as an electoral machine. The BJP is the principal electoral arm, but the broader Sangh Parivar has worked through schools, student groups, labour organisations, service networks, cultural bodies and local institutions. Vidya Bharati, established formally in 1977 and linked to earlier Saraswati Shishu Mandir initiatives, says it operates more than 12,000 schools and serves over 3.5 million students; these figures are associated with the organisation and should be read as institutional claims rather than independent government statistics. This strategy matters because elections change governments, while education and social institutions shape habits, identity and ideas about the nation over decades. The RSSs centenary is therefore not simply a celebration of organisational longevity; it is also evidence of the power of patient institution-building. There is nothing inherently undemocratic about building schools, social-service organisations or cultural institutions. The democratic question is what they teach, whom they include, whether they encourage critical thought, and whether public institutions remain open to competing visions of India. A plural democracy must allow Hindu cultural organisations to exist, but it must also protect Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, Adivasis, regional communities, atheists and all others from being treated as lesser citizens. Jammu and Kashmir gives this national question an especially sharp form, because political authority, identity, security and constitutional status are deeply intertwined. The Supreme Court upheld the Union governments 2019 changes concerning Article 370 in December 2023, directed that Assembly elections be held by September 2024, and stated that statehood should be restored at the earliest; later proceedings continued to focus on the unresolved question of restoration. The 2024 Assembly election demonstrated that political participation in Jammu and Kashmir has not disappeared. The National Conference won 42 of the 90 seats, the BJP won 29, Congress won 6, the PDP won 3, and smaller parties and independents won the remaining seats. The regional pattern was also significant: the National Conference-led alliance dominated the Valley, while the BJP was strongest in Jammu. But elections alone cannot settle the question of democratic confidence. Many people in Jammu and Kashmir want not only representatives but also dignity, security, economic opportunity, accountable administration and a clear restoration of political powers. For residents, the difference between a full state government and a Union Territory administration is not abstract constitutional theory, it concerns who controls decisions affecting land, employment, policing, development and everyday life. A fair democratic settlement must also reject two simplifications. Jammu and Kashmir cannot be reduced either to a security problem or to a single political narrative. Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have different histories, aspirations and political experiences; within each region, minorities, women, young people, displaced communities, border residents and economically vulnerable groups have different concerns. Yet Jammu and Kashmir must confront an uncomfortable reality. Much of its political discourse remains trapped in the past while India is undergoing profound political, economic and technological change. Across both government and opposition, there is a visible shortage of fresh political thinking. Electoral calculations and familiar slogans often substitute for a coherent vision of the future. The future of Jammu and Kashmir will not be secured by elections alone. It requires a new generation of political thinkers, civic leaders, educators and entrepreneurs capable of imagining a future beyond grievance and dependency. Democracies thrive when they create space for new ideas, new leadership and new possibilities. The real question is not whether Jammu and Kashmir has a future. It is whether we possess the vision, courage and intellectual honesty to shape it. Dr. Farooq Wasil is a published author, and an educationist.

J&K Bank inaugurates fresh currency facility at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine

Jammu, Oct 11: On the eve of Navratri, J&K Bank further strengthened its services for pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine by inaugurating a fresh currency counter at Bhawan in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB). CEO SMVDSB Sachin Kumar Vaishya and Banks MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee jointly inaugurated the facility in the presence of Vice Chancellor Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Prof Pragti Kumar, Banks DGM Arjun Singh Rathore and SDM Bhawan Anshumali Sharma. Tehsildar Bhawan Mukesh Kumar Thapa, Head Pandit Gopal Sharma and Banks Branch Head Gourav Modi, besides other officials and devotees, were also present on the occasion. The counter will facilitate access to fresh currency notes for offerings, rituals and routine transactions, adding to the banking services available to pilgrims and the local community. Commending the collaboration between the Bank and the Shrine Board in enhancing convenience for pilgrims, MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee said, Our association with the Shrine Board reflects the Banks commitment to serving pilgrims and supporting the institution that facilitates their journey. This facility is another step towards addressing their everyday banking needs and enhancing convenience at the holy shrine. Highlighting the Banks presence along the pilgrimage route, he added, Through our branches, ATMs and Cash Recycler Machines from Katra to Bhawan, we continue to provide convenient access to banking services for devotees and Shrine Board employees. Our dedicated team also assists the Board in managing cash received as offerings at the shrine. CEO SMVDSB Sachin Kumar Vaishya said the Board remained committed to improving the pilgrimage experience through better amenities and institutional partnerships. He acknowledged the Banks initiative and appreciated its continued support in providing banking services to the Shrine Board, its employees and visiting devotees. Following prayers, the programme concluded with a vote of thanks by DGM Arjun Singh Rathore, who expressed gratitude to the Shrine Board and the dignitaries for their support and presence.

Climate Change Action Plan

As Jammu and Kashmir is facing extreme impact of climate change, it was heartening to see top brass of government brainstorm to revise Jammu & Kashmir State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC 2.0). Leading from the front, Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, chaired a meeting to assess the revised Jammu & Kashmir State Action Plan on Climate Change and called for further refinement of the plan by incorporating clearly defined, department-wise actions, outcomes and timelines up to 2030. Being prepared by the Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment, Jammu & Kashmir State Action Plan on Climate Change envisages providing a comprehensive framework for strengthening climate resilience in J&K while aligning the Union Territorys climate response with the countrys Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Paris Agreement and the emerging climate risks specific to the region. The Action Plan on Climate Change assumes significance as J&K ranks third among the Himalayan areas which are vulnerable to climate change and fall in the highest seismic zones. J&K is a multi-hazard prone Himalayan region which is vulnerable to natural disasters especially earthquake, floods, landslides, windstorms and soil erosion besides Glacial Lake Flood Outbursts. The climate projections based on IPCC pathways, including SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 state that under the moderate-emission scenario, temperatures are projected to rise by around 1.5C during 20212050. And there will be implications for water resources, agriculture, health and ecosystems. The annual precipitation is projected to increase by around 5 per cent under the moderate-emission scenario and up to 15 per cent under the high-emission scenario. Projections point towards shorter cold seasons and greater variability and intensity of rainfall events in J&K. The climate vulnerability assessment has evaluated 42 indicators across agriculture, water, health and forest sectors, identifying district-specific vulnerabilities and risks to facilitate targeted interventions. The revised climate action plan proposes 55 emission mitigation strategies, with an estimated mitigation potential of 2.6 million tonnes of CO equivalent by 2030. These include promotion of solar energy, including floating solar plants, greater utilisation of small hydropower and wind energy, strengthening of grid infrastructure, reduction of transmission and distribution losses, promotion of electric mobility and deployment of Intelligent Traffic Management Systems. Government has proposed 100 adaptation actions across five key sectors along with Disaster Risk Reduction measures including expansion of micro-irrigation, achieving universal household tap-water coverage, rainwater harvesting, strengthening health facilities in underserved areas, restoration of degraded catchment forests with native species. Besides construction of retaining walls and other slope-protection measures at vulnerable locations have also been proposed. The Chief Secretary has rightly emphasised that a climate action plan should translate into clear, actionable and time-bound interventions. Departments have been directed to incorporate actions to be undertaken along with their expected outcomes and milestones, over the period up to 2030. The revised framework should clearly establish who will do what, by when and with what measurable outcome, while ensuring that the interventions are aligned with J&Ks specific ecological, geographical and socio-economic realities. We have observed erratic changes in climatic patterns in J&K for the last several years. Peak winter periods passed snowless with rise in temperatures. Summers too have been warmer and prolonged spells of heat waves. There has been a rise in flash floods triggered by cloudbursts mostly in mountainous regions causing loss of over 30 lives. Kashmir has recorded a 33.4% rainfall deficit and Jammu 21.4% in September. The combined 20-district shortfall of 24.4% falls in the IMDs deficit category. Under IMD classification, rainfall departures of -19% to +19% are normal, -20% to -59% are deficit and below -60% are large deficits. Departures of +20% to +59% are excess and +60% or more are large excess. Kashmirs eight districts received 252.8 mm against 379.6 mm normal, a 33.4% deficit. J&K recorded a 24% deficit in June, followed by 35% excess rainfall in July, bringing cumulative June-August precipitation into the normal category despite another shortfall in August. In August, Kashmir recorded a 25% deficit and Jammu 16% below normal. Experts blames changing climatic patterns coupled with El Nio for August and September rainfall deficits. Less snowfall in winter coupled with rain deficit in rains in summer has severely affected irrigated agriculture, horticultural productivity, and hydropower generation, thereby posing serious challenges to the regions water security and climate resilience. It is to be noted that snowmelt accounts for 50 percent of streamflow in Kashmir, making winter snowfall critical for sustaining hydrology and water availability. Reduction of snow cover or snowfall directly translates into diminished spring and summer runoff. Snowfall deficit and higher temperatures in winter poses risk of increased cryosphere-related hazards like permafrost degradation triggered slope failures including debris flows, mudflows, and rock falls and also trigger Glacial Lake Outburst Floods. J&K Government and stakeholders must be serious on implementation of the State Action Plan on Climate Change. Process must be expedited to provide institutional mechanism under SAPCC 2.0, envisaging a Governing Council headed by the Chief Minister to meet annually and an Executive Council chaired by the Chief Secretary to meet twice a year for overseeing implementation and inter-departmental coordination. The revised SAPCC 2.0 must be placed at the earliest before the State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) for formal approval before its submission to the National Level Steering Committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for its early implementation on ground. We must wake again and join efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. We need to contribute our bit to maintain ecological balance and prevent any activity aimed at endangering nature. Our existence depends on nature and we must co-exist! Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir

Saheb International offers up to 25% off on HIRA products

Srinagar, Oct 11: Saheb International has announced its Summer Clearance Sale, offering discounts of up to 25 per cent on home dcor and bed linen products under its newly introduced brand, HIRA. The company, which has been manufacturing furniture since 2003, has expanded its product portfolio with HIRA, a range of home textiles and decorative products aimed at combining style, comfort and affordability. The collection includes designer bedsheets, bed covers, bedspreads, comforters, duvet covers, pillow covers, mattresses, blankets, quilts and other bedding essentials. Its home dcor range features decorative cushions, carpets, rugs, table linen, showpieces, artificial flowers, decorative plants, wall hangings, clocks, photo frames, mirrors, candle holders and other accessories. Saheb International said the collection offers a variety of designs, colours and finishes to suit different customer preferences and interior styles. The company also offers a 30-month warranty, EMI options, multiple shades and designs, and customisation according to customer requirements. It describes itself as an ISO-certified company. Announcing the sale, Sheikh Showkat, Founder and Managing Director of Saheb Group of Industries, said customers look forward to the annual clearance sale as an opportunity to refresh their homes at attractive prices. Through our new brand HIRA, we are bringing an extensive collection of home dcor and bed linen products to our customers, with discounts of up to 25%. Our vision is to make elegant home essentials accessible at reasonable prices while offering a wide variety of designs, styles and choices, he said. Customers can visit Saheb International at Saheb Complex, opposite Jamkash, Hyderpora, Srinagar, or contact customer care at 9419707031 for further details.

'J&K needs Rs 1.44 lakh Cr investment over 5 years'

Srinagar, Oct 11:Jammu and Kashmir would need an estimated Rs 1,43,849 crore investment over five years to promote sustainable economic growth, regenerate natural resources, and strengthen social development, according to a report by the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies (RGICS). The report, titled Hara Bhara Swaraj: A New Vision for J&K and a New Strategy for Realising that Vision, estimates that the proposed investment programme could generate approximately 9.27 lakh jobs and add Rs 34,206 crore to the Union Territory's annual Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) by the end of the fifth year, over and above normal growth. The study proposes an annual investment of approximately Rs 28,770 crore, equivalent to around 11 percent of J&K's 2025-26 GSDP of Rs 2.65 lakh crore and about 27 percent of the government's expenditure budget for the year. The report cautions that the proposed investment cannot be financed through government spending alone, recommending a combination of public funding, private investment, institutional credit, community contributions and climate finance. RGICS, based in New Delhi and established under the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, undertakes policy research on socio-economic development, governance and public policy. Its report on J&K forms part of the institute's NEW LENS series of studies examining development challenges in Indian Himalayan regions. Enterprises account for 66% of proposed investment The report divides the proposed investment into three pillars: nature regeneration, enabling social development and wealth creation through enterprises. The largest allocation of Rs 94,764 crore, accounting for 65.9 percent of the total, is proposed for agricultural and non-farm enterprises. This includes Rs 20,970 crore for agricultural enterprises and Rs 73,794 crore for non-farm manufacturing and service enterprises. The strategy seeks to strengthen small farms, micro-businesses and other enterprises through improved access to credit, equipment, infrastructure, skills and markets. It also proposes helping businesses move beyond subsistence-level operations towards more productive and commercially viable models. The report identifies the scale of the informal business sector as a major reason for focusing on enterprise development. Citing the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises 2023, it records 8,99,874 unincorporated enterprises in J&K, including 7,87,032 own-account enterprises operating without hired workers. The study proposes upgrading locally oriented micro-enterprises while helping larger small and medium-sized businesses access wider domestic and export markets. Rs 29,953 crore proposed for social development. The second pillar, enabling social development, carries a proposed investment of Rs 29,953 crore, or 20.8 percent of the total. This includes Rs 13,733 crore for strengthening health and education, Rs 15,396 crore for social development and Rs 824 crore for institutional capacity and accountability. The report calls for improvements in public services, learning outcomes, healthcare, community participation and local governance. It also emphasises strengthening institutions such as Gram Panchayats, Block Development Councils, District Development Councils and Urban Local Bodies. The authors argue that economic growth must be accompanied by improvements in human capabilities and social infrastructure if its benefits are to reach a wider section of the population. Rs 19,131 crore for nature regeneration The remaining Rs 19,131 crore, representing 13.3 percent of the proposed investment, is earmarked for nature regeneration. Of this, Rs 4,046 crore is proposed for water commons, Rs 12,899 crore for forest commons and Rs 2,186 crore for common and private land. The proposed interventions include restoration of damaged water bodies and springs, catchment treatment, forest regeneration, soil conservation, sustainable farming practices and climate-resilient infrastructure. The report argues that environmental protection cannot be treated as separate from economic development in a region whose livelihoods depend heavily on agriculture, horticulture, water resources and fragile Himalayan ecosystems. Explaining the rationale behind the strategy, the report states: The deliberate sequencing of these allocations reflects the argument of the report. Unless the first two sets of investment are made, in nature and in people, investment in enterprises will not succeed at scale, and to the extent that it does succeed it will serve only the top few percent of the population. Government contribution estimated at Rs 32,940 crore The financing framework proposes that the Jammu and Kashmir and Central governments together contribute 22.9 percent of the total investment, amounting to approximately Rs 32,940 crore over five years, or Rs 6,588 crore annually. Bank and financial institution loans to private entities are projected to account for 40.2 percent of the total, while community and household contributions are expected to provide 22.4 percent. The remaining sources include climate finance at 8.3 percent, philanthropy and corporate social responsibility at 3.5 percent, and individual giving and volunteering at 2.7 percent. The report envisages different funding arrangements for different sectors. Government financing would play a larger role in nature regeneration and social development, while enterprise upgrading would rely more heavily on bank credit and private contributions. The proposed financing model is intended to mobilise resources beyond the public budget, although the report's estimates do not represent confirmed funding commitments. Report projects 9.27 lakh jobs The investment programme is projected to generate 9,27,477 additional jobs, expressed in the report as person-years of employment on an ongoing basis after five years. The estimated annual earnings vary across sectors, from Rs 1.54 lakh per worker in nature regeneration to Rs 6.89 lakh in enterprise upgrading. The report also projects that the programme could generate Rs 4,273 crore annually through carbon sequestration and emission-reduction credits from the sixth year onwards, if credits are aggregated and sold through the proposed AMSER mechanism. This would depend on the applicable international climate framework and India's carbon-credit regulations. The authors describe the proposed approach as the NEW Strategy, centred on Nature regeneration, Enabling human, social and institutional development, and Well-th creation through entrepreneurship. The report acknowledges that its financial estimates are based on collated unit costs from existing government programmes and published estimates, rather than independent, ground-up costing exercises. It says they should be treated as broad estimates for public discussion, not implementation-ready budgets.

Athawale defends ECs voter roll revision, says Gyanesh Kumar wont resign

Srinagar, Oct 11:Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Sunday defended the Election Commissions exercise of deleting names from electoral rolls, accusing the Congress and other opposition parties of targeting the poll body to corner the government. Addressing media persons here, Athawale said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would not resign despite protests by the Congress-led Opposition, asserting that the deletions were based on scrutiny of electoral rolls. If you continue to protest, Gyanesh Kumar will not resign, Athawale said, responding to the Oppositions demand for accountability from the Election Commission. Claiming that around 13 crore entries had been removed from electoral rolls across the country, Athawale said the exercise covered people who had shifted residences, duplicate registrations, untraceable voters and deceased individuals. He claimed that approximately six crore entries related to people who had migrated from their original places of residence, while another one crore involved alleged duplicate registrations at multiple locations. Around three crore voters could not be traced, he said, adding that nearly 2.8 crore entries related to deceased persons had also been identified during the scrutiny. Defending the exercise, Athawale said it was not directed exclusively against opposition parties and argued that voters affiliated with his own party could also have been affected. Why object to the Election Commission when the exercise has been carried out across the country? he asked, questioning the Oppositions contention that the deletions would necessarily benefit the ruling party. Athawale accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders of targeting the government and creating difficulties for the public through their protests. While acknowledging that protests were a democratic right, he said political parties should avoid actions that could lead to disorder and inconvenience for ordinary citizens. Everyone has the right to protest in a democracy, but creating anarchy is not right, he said. Athawale also criticised the participation of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in the Oppositions protest, saying the group should not have joined the agitation demanding Kumars resignation. He said the CJP had earlier raised issues concerning students, including the alleged NEET paper leak, which had prompted a response from the government. However, he argued that joining the Oppositions current agitation against the Chief Election Commissioner was unjustified. Earlier, they raised student-related issues concerning the NEET paper leak, and the government reacted to that as well. But now, protesting with the Opposition and demanding Gyanesh Kumars resignation will not be accepted, Athawale said.

2 killed, 2 injured in Handwara accident

Kupwara, Oct 11:Two persons were killed and two others injured after a car collided head-on with a motorcycle in the NeeliporaMagam area of Handwara in north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Sunday evening. A police official said that a car, JK05A-9562, collided head-on with a motorcycle, JK09E-8313, resulting in the on-the-spot death of two youth who were motorcycle riders. The deceased have been identified as Tahir Ali Sheikh, son of Ali Muhamnad Sheikh, and Amir Bashir Najar, son of Bashir Ahmad Najar, both residents of Sulkoot, Kupwara. The injured have been identified as Adil Rashid Dar, son of Abdul Rashid Dar, a 28-year-old resident of Sopore and Liyakat Ahmad Dar, son of Sanaullah Dar, a 30-year-old resident of BadraPayeen area of Kralgund. Both injured persons were shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara for treatment.

J&K statehood may be restored in near future, says Ramdas Athawale

Srinagar, Oct 11:Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Sunday said the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir could take place in the near future, while stressing that the final decision on timing rested with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Athawale, who heads the Republican Party of India (Athawale) and is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, said the Centre had earlier committed in Parliament to restoring statehood at an appropriate time. He added that he was not in a position to announce any specific timeline. After the abrogation of Article 370, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji had given this assurance that statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will be restored. And it can definitely be decided after a few days, Athawale said. He noted that Modi and Shah were fully aware of the commitment and that the government would consider the issue. The remarks come weeks after the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, on September 28, passed a resolution seeking the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood. The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, was adopted amid a walkout by BJP legislators. It followed the 2024 Assembly elections held after the Supreme Courts December 2023 directive that elections be conducted and statehood restored at the earliest. Athawale said political differences should not affect the allocation of funds or the implementation of development projects. He highlighted the Centres ongoing infrastructure push, including improvements in road networks, national highways, tunnels and railway connectivity. He also said the government was working to generate employment for youth by attracting private investment, with several investors expected to invest thousands of crores of rupees in the Union Territory. Referring to the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Athawale said the decision had brought Jammu and Kashmir fully under the Indian Constitution and extended various constitutional provisions and benefits to the region. He maintained that the overall security situation had improved considerably, with a significant reduction in violence, though challenges remained. On the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed at Baisaran, Athawale said the Centre had taken necessary steps and urged Pakistan to stop supporting terrorism. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, and Pakistan should focus on improving its own economy rather than interfering in Indias internal affairs, he said. He added that people in Pakistan also wanted peaceful relations with India, but political interests were preventing normalisation, and that India did not seek conflict. Athawale said the Centre was ready to extend assistance to the Union Territory and urged the local administration to formulate concrete proposals to address developmental needs. He said he had sought time from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to discuss issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir and planned to meet Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to convey the regions requirements. Recalling his earlier visits to several districts, the minister said he continued to interact with people to understand their concerns and reiterated that development initiatives must benefit people at the grassroots level.

2-day special intensive voter enrolment drive concludes across J&K

Srinagar, Oct 11: The two-day Special Intensive Voter Enrolment Drive concluded on Sunday across Jammu and Kashmir, with a strong response from electors and election functionaries undertaking extensive outreach to facilitate voter registration, address public grievances and raise awareness about electoral services. Organised on October 10 and 11, the drive was conducted at polling stations across the Union Territory from 9 am to 5 pm on both days. It provided eligible citizens with an opportunity to enrol as voters, seek correction or updation of their electoral particulars, and obtain assistance with matters related to electoral registration, in keeping with the guiding objective of the Election Commission of India: No Eligible Voter to Be Left Behind. The drive was conducted under the overall supervision of Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, SanjeevVerma with the district election machinery coordinating arrangements and facilitating the delivery of enrolment services across the Union Territory. District Election Officers, Electoral Registration Officers, Deputy Director Information (Nodal Officer SVEEP), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers and Election NaibTehsildars (ENTs) oversaw the exercise in their respective jurisdictions, while Booth Level Officers (BLOs) played a key role in assisting electors at polling stations and at the grassroots level. BLOs remained available at polling stations to guide citizens through the prescribed electoral registration formalities. Assistance was provided regarding Form 6, Form 7 and Form 8. Citizens were also guided on accessing digital services through the Voter Helpline App. During the drive, grievances and queries raised by electors were taken up by the election functionaries concerned for redressal and appropriate action. Contact numbers of officials concerned were also shared with the public to facilitate direct communication and enable citizens to seek assistance regarding their electoral particulars and enrolment-related matters. The Election Department reiterated that the election machinery across Jammu and Kashmir remains available round-the-clock to assist the public, address grievances and provide guidance on voter enrolment and other electoral matters. The Election Department further clarified that any eligible person, including young and first-time voters, may apply to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) concerned for inclusion of their names in the electoral roll under the process of continuous updation. Meanwhile, a significant component of the special-drive exercise was door-to-door outreach, inspection by election officers and election functionaries to identify and reach eligible voters. The outreach also focused on encouraging eligible voters to avail themselves of the enrolment facilities. Salam Din, Deputy Director Information (Nodal Officer SVEEP) in the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, interacted with the media during the drive and highlighted the importance of voter awareness, accessible enrolment facilities and sustained public participation in the electoral process. He also acknowledged the medias role in ensuring that information about the drive reached the public and in encouraging greater awareness about voter enrolment. The two-day exercise reflects the continued efforts of the Election Commission of India and the Election Department, J&K, to make electoral registration more accessible and inclusive. It also underscores the importance of accurate and comprehensive electoral rolls in ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. With the conclusion of the current drive, the Election Department reiterated its commitment to making such camps and voter facilitation exercises a regular feature in the future.

Haphazard cable-laying work by cellular companies damages road infrastructure in Ganderbal

Ganderbal, Oct 11:The frequent and haphazard digging of roads by various cellular companies along the Srinagar-Leh National Highway in Ganderbal district continues to cause extensive damage to road infrastructure and inconvenience to commuters. Reports said that roads along the Srinagar-Leh Highway have been repeatedly dug up by various cellular companies for laying cables over the past several years, without proper restoration work afterwards, compounding problems for commuters. While roads in Ganderbal district were upgraded and repaired to some extent after remaining in a dilapidated condition, cellular companies are compounding the problem by digging up roads for laying cables without carrying out repair work after completing the work, local residents told Greater Kashmir . They said frequent digging leads to traffic jams and makes roads prone to accidents, adding that the work is carried out during the day, causing considerable inconvenience to commuters. Locals from Hariganiwan, Gund, Rayil and other areas said these companies were undertaking haphazard digging of roads using machinery such as JCBs, causing extensive damage to roads and inconvenience to commuters. The road from Ganderbal to Sonamarg has borne the brunt of digging by service providers. However, when it comes to repairing the roads, they shy away from their responsibility, while the authorities fail to enforce their writ, Aijaz Ahmad, a local resident, said. Sources said cellular companies had also come under severe criticism for violating the Right of Way Act, which requires telecom companies to repair roads damaged by them while laying cables. The residents have urged the administration to look into the matter and take measures to stop such practices so that people do not suffer.

AI adoption in journalism must go hand in hand with ethics: Dean Media Studies CUK

Ganderbal, Oct 11: Dean Academic Affairs and Dean, School of Media Studies, Central University of Kashmir (CUK), Prof ShahidRasool stressed the need for media professionals to critically engage with artificial intelligence (AI), emphasising that its adoption in journalism must be guided by effectiveness, ethics and responsibility. AI implementation cannot be escaped. It is the elephant in the room and cannot be kept under the carpet, he said, underlining the need to examine the ethical implications of using AI to produce journalistic content. Prof Rasool was speaking at a special lecture 'AI for the Newsroom: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in the Newsroom', organised by the Department of Communication and Journalism (DCJ) at the universitys Tulmulla campus on Wednesday. The lecture was held as part of the departments weekly research round table, which provides scholars and students an opportunity to interact with media scholars and practitioners from across the country. Jatin Gandhi, a journalist and journalism trainer from New Delhi, was the resource person. Vice-Chancellor Prof A RavinderNath conveyed his wishes for the successful conduct of the session and highlighted the importance of AI in the field. Head of the Department of Communication and Journalism, ArifNazir, highlighted the need for media and information literacy in the age of artificial intelligence. He stressed the importance of understanding the complex information cycle to ensure the consumption of credible and relevant information. Gandhi, in his address, discussed the growing adoption of AI in the journalism industry.

Central University of Kashmir observes World Mental Health Day

Ganderbal, Oct 11: The Central University of Kashmir (CU Kashmir) observed World Mental Health Day 2026 with a one-day programme at its Tulmulla campus, focusing on the theme Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change. Organised by the universitys Student Mental Health Task Force, the programme highlighted the importance of empathy, active listening and accessible mental health support for students and the wider university community. Dean of Academic Affairs Prof. Shahid Rasool said stigma and reluctance to discuss emotional difficulties often prevent people from seeking help. He urged teachers to respond to students with patience and sensitivity, recognising that each student has different needs. Not every struggle is visible, not every silence signifies peace, and not every smile tells the whole story, was the message underscoring the need for greater understanding of mental health challenges. Registrar Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir urged students to maintain a balanced approach to life and avoid judging others without understanding their circumstances. Chief Proctor Prof. Farooq Ahmad Mir emphasised positivity and contentment. Nodal Officer of the Student Mental Health Task Force Prof. Syed Zahoor Ahmad Geelani stressed the importance of active listening and urged faculty members to look beyond attendance and academic performance to assess students well-being. There is first, that we don't accept it. Second, we don't share it. And third, that we don't come forward to help each other, he said, highlighting barriers that prevent people from acknowledging mental health difficulties and seeking support. He called for stronger counselling infrastructure, a confidential helpline, online appointment facilities and a dedicated psychologist at the university. Clinical psychologist Muzaffar Ahmad cautioned against dismissing mental health difficulties as weakness or lack of motivation, stressing the importance of professional assessment and sustained support. Earlier, Senior Assistant Professor Gulafroz Jan said student mental health should be treated as an integral part of higher education. She highlighted academic pressure, loneliness, family expectations and uncertainty about the future as challenges affecting students. The programme also featured presentations by Physical Education Department Head Dr. Kaukab Azeem on physical well-being and mental health, and consultant psychiatrist Dr. Aijaz Suhaff of IMHANS on the events central theme. Faculty members, research scholars, administrative staff and students attended the programme.

Sumbals missing bridges: Villagers risk lives on boats as projects remain stalled for years

Bandipora, Oct 11:For thousands of residents across the Sumbal division in north Kashmirs Bandipora district, the Jhelum remains a daily hurdle. The chronic lack of bridges has left villagers, schoolchildren and traders reliant on wooden boats to cross the river. The stalled development of bridges connecting habitations divided by the Jhelum has fuelled widespread frustration over the years, with administrative promises repeatedly going unfulfilled. In Banyari village, the Jhelum divides the community into two parts Banyari Sharqi and Banyari Garbi. Largely inhabited by fishermen, sand excavators and orchardists who live hand to mouth, the village has waited more than 15 years for a promised bridge. The daily commute is fraught with danger. With the local middle school on one side of the river and the high school on the other, hundreds of students are forced to cross by boat in all weather conditions. The river has already claimed multiple lives. We can count our dead on our fingers, said Muzamil Ahmad Dar, a resident of Banyari Garbi. He recalled how a local man, Javid Ahmad Dar, drowned when his boat capsized years ago. Another resident, Abdul Ahmad Dar, lost two children to the river because of the lack of a safe crossing. Moulana Farooq Ahmad, 65, recalled a chilling incident in which a boat full of people capsized in front of a visiting deputy commissioner. He immediately ordered the construction of a bridge, but it never happened, Farooq said. Locals have repeatedly urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and sanction a footbridge to prevent further tragedies. Their demands grew louder after the 2024 Srinagar boat-drowning tragedy. The crisis is not restricted to Banyari but extends across Sumbal, including its main town. A vital footbridge connecting the local market with surrounding villages such as Nesbal, Naninar, Safapora, Hakabara, Asham and Tengpora was demolished in 2013 after developing cracks. Thirteen years later, it remains incomplete. Despite the project being allotted for construction the following year, in 2014, progress on the ground remained negligible. Nazir Ahmad, president of the Sumbal Traders Federation, calls it a heritage bridge that was crucial to the local economy. Without the bridge, local movement across the river has been hindered, which has directly affected businesses, he said, noting that residents are still forced to use boats to reach the market. Construction is likely to resume following efforts by local MLA Hilal Akbar Lone a few months ago. However, the original construction had begun during his father Akbar Lones tenure. Administrative delays have also stalled progress in other villages. In Tundpora-Hakbara, schoolchildren continue to cross the river by boat while a detailed project report for a 240-metre bridge, estimated to cost over Rs 10 crore, remains pending. Officials had previously said the file was awaiting forwarding to NABARD authorities for sanction and funding. Meanwhile, residents of Asham village, which already has a pedestrian footbridge, are pleading for a motorable bridge to connect them with Sumbal. Locals say the lack of road connectivity causes dangerous delays during medical emergencies, forcing ambulances to take long detours to reach hospitals in Srinagar. Acknowledging the stalled infrastructure projects, Executive Engineer of the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department in Sumbal Tanveer Ahmad told Greater Kashmir that steps were being taken to address the demands. He said a list of two bridges, one in Asham and another in Banyari, had been compiled and sent to the Central Government for funding. These projects will get centrally allocated funds, the executive engineer said. Regarding the long-delayed Sumbal footbridge, he added that the design work was currently underway, but the construction process would have to restart from scratch. Several other villages in Sumbal have also been demanding footbridges over the Jhelum for hassle-free connectivity.

Pattan youth keeps calligraphy, handwriting alive in digital age

Baramulla, Oct 11: In an era dominated by digital screens and keyboards, a young educator from Mamoosa village in the Pattan area of Baramulla district is on a mission to revive the fading art of calligraphy and the timeless value of handwriting. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad has dedicated the past 17 years to nurturing this art among students and is determined to ensure that the elegance of writing by hand does not disappear in the age of digital education. His journey began in school, when his handwritten assignment was showcased during the morning assembly and praised by teachers and the principal. That moment marked the beginning of a lifelong association with calligraphy and his focus on improving the handwriting of other students as well. From writing names on certificates to crafting wedding cards, Maliks elegant style of writing quickly became his identity. People began to know me by my handwriting, he said. Whenever my students write their names in the same way I train them, it gives me a unique feeling which cannot be described in words, he added. After completing his post-graduation in Urdu and B.Ed from the University of Kashmir, Malik established his own institute dedicated to handwriting and calligraphy. He now conducts workshops across colleges and schools in the Valley, inspiring students to rediscover the confidence and pleasure that come from writing by hand. Despite running my centre, I move from one place to another to conduct workshops for young children, generate their interest in calligraphy and improve their handwriting, he told Greater Kashmir . Mukhtar Ahmad currently runs two centres, one at Nowgam on the outskirts of Srinagar and another in the Magam area of Budgam district. I have around 50 students enrolled at the Nowgam centre, while 30 to 40 students also attend my calligraphy classes at the Magam centre, he said. Over the past few years, Mukhtar was invited by the National Book Trust of India to conduct workshops during the Chinar Book Festival at SKICC. I have trained many students during these short-duration workshops, in which I provided hands-on guidance in calligraphy in English, Urdu and Arabic, he told Greater Kashmir . His initiative has received strong support from students and parents. It is my dream to see people, especially students, return to the legacy and essence of handwriting and calligraphy. Malik has received several awards for his work, and his success stories have been featured in local, national and international media. Excessive reliance on the internet has led to a decline in handwriting skills among the younger generation. The internet cannot be an alternative to handwriting, as it has its own value, he said. Mukhtar has dedicated the past 17 years to helping younger generations improve their handwriting, nurture creativity and instil pride in this timeless skill. It is my aim to serve my community and train students everywhere. I try to ensure that the art of calligraphy and handwriting continues to flourish in Jammu and Kashmir. This art must not fade away with the advent of modern education, he added.

HC quashes Anantnag mans pre-execution detention under PSA

Srinagar, Oct 11:The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has quashed the detention of a man from south Kashmirs Anantnag at pre-execution stage under the Public Safety Act (PSA), holding that nearly two-decade-old criminal antecedents and the absence of a demonstrated threat to public order could not justify his detention. A bench of Justice Sanjay Parihar quashed Rouf Ahmad Wanis preventive detention, while allowing his plea against the order dated October 24, 2024, passed by the District Magistrate, Anantnag. The court noted that the principal incidents relied upon by the detaining authority pertained to 2005, 2006 and 2007, nearly two decades before the detention order was issued. It noted that Wani had been acquitted in three criminal cases cited against him. The court pointed out that Wani was acquitted in FIR No 35/2006 on September 16, 2009, FIR No 89/2007 on May 13, 2017, and FIR No 82/2007 on December 30, 2013. While the court underscored that acquittal in a criminal case does not automatically make the underlying conduct irrelevant for preventive detention, it held that the authorities were required to demonstrate a continuing and proximate connection between the past incidents and the alleged necessity for detention. The Court also examined FIR No. 16/2020, registered at Police Station Achabal under Sections 420 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, but found that its mere registration did not establish a threat to public order warranting preventive detention. Distinguishing between a breach of law and order and a disturbance of public order, the court pointed out that every criminal act does not necessarily affect the even tempo of life of the community or the public at large. The court further took note of the fact that the detention order, issued on October 24, 2024, had remained unexecuted for a considerable period, with the authorities failing to provide a satisfactory explanation for the delay. It held that unexplained delay in executing a detention order could weaken the link between the grounds of detention and the alleged necessity to prevent prejudicial activities, particularly when the order was substantially based on stale incidents. Accordingly, the court allowed the petition and quashed the detention order passed by the District Magistrate, Anantnag against Wani.

Best of Opinion: Feedback ignored may return as friction, mistrust, failure

Healthy systems do not just impose, regulate or command. They also listen, learn and adjust before feedback becomes breakdown

Exploring the urgency of police pursuit in The Clash's 'Police on My Back' from Sandinista!

The Clash's track 'Police on My Back' offers a unique interpretation of police pursuit through music. Originally written by Eddy Grant, the song captures the urgency of being chased. The Clash's version features a mix of punk energy and urban themes. Its concise lyrics reflect a continuous experience of persecution throughout the week. This adaptation has turned the original song into a powerful statement of resistance.

If It quacks like a duck, notice dekho

Accurately identifying animals or situations requires official verification rather than relying on appearances or assumptions. Many entities mistakenly assume their nature, leading to misunderstandings and miscommunications. Precision in terminology is crucial for administrative efficiency and effective governance. Similar principles apply to various aspects of life, including business and law enforcement. Thus, it is essential to seek clarity and avoid jumping to conclusions.

The art of leading

During the vibrant festival of Navratri, devotees honor Goddess Shakti, recognizing the eight divine powers that dwell within them. These spiritual attributes empower individuals to tackle obstacles and maintain resilience against negativity. They promote the release of emotional weight and encourage compassion and understanding among people. Ultimately, awakening these strengths not only conquers personal flaws but also signifies true triumph as celebrated during Dussehra.

Go slow on rate hikes: Make capital accessible and affordable to drive investment and job creation

India is witnessing a notable increase in active companies, driven by the easing of regulations and lower capital costs. The government's fiscal consolidation has led to a reduction in the general government fiscal deficit, which has encouraged entrepreneurship. Despite these positive changes, there are concerns regarding the impact on job creation and wage growth. Capital availability for smaller businesses has improved, facilitating their growth and expansion.

Centre of forging partnerships

India's leaders are forging new international economic partnerships, particularly in technology, energy, and manufacturing sectors. The country is experiencing significant growth in renewable energy, further enhancing its energy security. Domestic investments are rising, with GIFT City attracting considerable international capital. Collaborations between government and business can lead to mutual benefits in various sectors. A focus on dialogue and cooperation is crucial as India seeks to expand its global influence.

One Delhi day of 'police state'

GoI displayed administrative strength while revealing political weakness in handling citizen dissent. Restrictions in Delhi included turning areas into containment zones to manage protests. Police actions, including detaining Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, demonstrated a lack of sensitivity to disagreement. Despite Supreme Court orders, the government imposed unwarranted limitations on public assembly. The occurrence raises concerns over democratic principles and freedom of expression in India.

What is RBI seeing that markets aren't?

RBI has imposed new restrictions on forex trading and opened a special window for oil marketing companies. These abrupt measures have confused market participants regarding the rupee's underlying strength. Many are questioning the rationale behind using crisis-era tools so soon after accumulating record forex reserves. The central bank's recent actions suggest it may see pressures that others do not.

Solidarity with Delhi protestors shouldnt come at the cost of erasing Kashmirs painful history: PDPs Zuhaib Yousf Mir

Srinagar, Oct 11: PDP youth leader Zuhaib Yousf Mir on Sunday said that suffering of protestors in Delhi deserves justice in its own right, but solidarity shouldnt come at the cost of erasing Kashmirs distinct and deeply painful history. The suffering of protestors in Delhi deserves scrutiny, solidarity, and justice in its own right. But solidarity should not come at the cost of erasing Kashmir's distinct and deeply painful history. One injustice does not diminish another, equally, one cannot invoke Kashmir merely as a metaphor for every instance of state repression elsewhere, PDP youth leader said on X. He termed the ongoing protest in Delhi and elsewhere in the country as Kashmirisation of India. To call what is happening in India today the Kashmirisation of India is, therefore, both a misnomer and an oxymoron. It risks turning decades of Kashmiri suffering into a political slogan while overlooking the specificity of what Kashmiris have endured, PDP leader added.

Saudi-led coalition says a projectile struck passenger terminal at Riyadh airport

There were no immediate details about the latest strike, which hit the same complex housing terminals 3 and 4 for domestic flights.

INS Trishul arrives in UK for India-UK Maritime Exercise KONKAN-26

New Delhi, Oct 11: Indian Navys guided missile stealth frigate INS Trishul arrived at Plymouth, United Kingdom. The ship is scheduled to participate in Exercise KONKAN-26 with the Royal Navy. India-UK annual bilateral maritime exercise KONKAN-26 is a testament to the enduring maritime partnership between India and the UK. Over the past two decades, the exercise has grown significantly in scale and complexity, fostering enhanced interoperability and mutual understanding in maritime operations between the two Navies. Since its inception, KONKAN has evolved into a cornerstone of cooperation, showcasing the commitment of both Navies towards enhancing maritime security. The exercise is being conducted off Plymouth, UK, in two phases from 08-15 Oct 26. The Harbour Phase includes a broad spectrum of professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, cultural engagements and the ship being open to visitors. The Sea Phase will encompass complex maritime operational drills across all three domains air, surface and sub-surface. Flying operations involving cross-deck landings, firing serials, air defence exercises, complex seamanship evolutions and anti-submarine exercises will add further complexity to this edition of Exercise KONKAN. The exercise is a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to ensuring secure, open and free seas and exemplifies the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership outlined in the India-UK Vision 2035. By fostering the exchange of Best Practices and mutual understanding, KONKAN-26 will reinforce the ability of both Navies to operate seamlessly in complex maritime scenarios. The exercise stands as a testament to the enduring bonds between the Indian and UK Navies and their shared commitment to maritime peace and security.

Indias youth can provide solutions to emerging global challenges: PM Modi

New Delhi, Oct 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the world is looking for solutions to emerging challenges and expressed confidence that Indias youth have the talent and potential to provide them. Hei was speaking at Golden Jubilee celebrations of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya in Chennai this evening. PM Modi stressed that the youth will play a crucial role in realising the vision of a Viksit Bharat, or a developed India. He said, India offers immense opportunities for young people, and urged them to realise their potential and contribute to the nations development. He asserted that the innovative ideas and solutions developed by young people would shape not only Indias future but also the future of the world. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the countrys aspirations could be achieved through collective efforts. Highlighting Indias manufacturing growth, Modi said, the expansion of the sector has generated direct and indirect employment opportunities for young people. He noted that Indias defence exports had increased 50-fold, while engineering exports had also reached a new record. The Prime Minister said India has become the worlds second-largest mobile phone manufacturer. He added that electronics exports have increased 11-fold since 2014. Modi also highlighted the expansion of Metro rail services, saying the number of cities with Metro connectivity had increased from five in 2014 to 25 at present. Referring to Tamil Nadus development, the Prime Minister said governments may change, but his commitment to the states progress and the welfare of its people remained steadfast. He said he will work with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to take the states development journey forward. On the occasion, Modi also congratulated Vishwa Hindu Vidya Kendra on completing 50 years. Recalling its beginnings in 1975 as a small school in Chennais West Mambalam area, he said the institution had started with just seven students, limited facilities and no permanent building. He credited its growth to determination and a strong spirit of service.

Trump says Russia and Ukraine reach energy ceasefire' but gives no details

Washington, Oct 11: US President Donald Trump on Sunday said Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an energy ceasefire without offering specifics on terms. Neither side immediately commented on such an agreement. The announcement comes a day after Trump blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for attacking diesel facilities in Russia and contributing to a global shortage. Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly attacked each other's energy infrastructure during the war. Trump's brief post said only that the ceasefire takes effect immediately and that both sides had agreed to it. Do not break it! he said in his social media post. The White House did not immediately clarify the president's post or add detail. (AP)

Saudi Arabia extends airport closure, moves Riyadh schools online after deadly strike

Cairo, Oct 11: Saudi Arabia on Sunday kept its main international airport closed and moved Riyadh schools online as Yemen's Houthi rebels threatened new strikes across the kingdom, a day after a missile attack killed 12 people and wounded more than 300. Saturday's strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh marked a major escalation in the war between Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis and the kingdom and further complicated sputtering efforts to halt the US-Iran war. US President Donald Trump said he was considering whether to join Saudi strikes against the rebels, a scenario that could prompt the Houthis to halt shipping through a crucial waterway and further restrict the flow of oil out of the Persian Gulf. Later Sunday, the Houthi-run health ministry reported that a child was killed and six people wounded in a suspected Saudi airstrike on a house in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. There was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities. The ministry says 91 Yemenis have been killed and 168 injured by the Saudi-led coalition in five weeks. It said that 60 per cent of those killed were women and children. Riyadh shutters airport, schools as Houthis threaten more strikes The kingdom said Sunday that schools in the capital would hold classes online until the end of the week. Meanwhile, authorities extended an ongoing airport closure until at least 9 pm Sunday, according to Flightradar24. While the Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for Saturday's attack, they have acknowledged targeting Saudi airports and oil installations in the past. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the group's military spokesperson, warned: all airlines, experts, employees, workers and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace, as they are vulnerable to attack and have become a theatre of operations for our forces. He wrote on X that airports in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina were exempt. The latest attack on the Saudi airport drew condemnations from Arab countries, including Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Attacks by Iran's proxies are pushing the region into a spiral of violence, von der Leyen wrote Sunday on X. They are destabilising crucial global transport and energy nodes. Details surface about airport fatalities The attack struck an airport complex housing terminals 3 and 4 for domestic flights, a regional official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorised to speak to the media. A Saudi statement said the dead included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, a Palestinian, a US citizen, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian and a Sudanese. It said several hospitals were treating the injured. The Egyptian woman was a flight attendant identified as Azza Ramzy, 28, who worked for the Saudi airline Flynas, according to the Egyptian state-run TV. The Syrian woman was a widowed mother of four who had been living in Saudi Arabia for five years, a relative told The Associated Press. The Syrian Embassy in Riyadh identified her as Buthaina Ahmad Oweida. Her niece, Nisreen Oweida, said her aunt was 56 years old, from Syria's northern Idlib province, and had left during the country's civil war. She was living in Mecca and had been returning from a visit to her sister in Riyadh when she was killed in the attack on the airport, her niece said. Trump said he would consider joining strikes against rebels The attack is expected to increase Saudi pressure on allies, including the United States, to provide military support for the kingdom. Shortly after the attack, Trump said he was evaluating whether the US should join Saudi strikes against the rebels. We're going to look at it, he said. We just found out about the recent attack. So we'll make a decision. We move very quickly. Trump said later Saturday he planned to speak with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Asked if the US might get involved, Trump responded, We'll find out. A US attack would deepen American involvement in an unpopular regional war that has threatened Trump's Republican party in upcoming American midterm elections. Both Trump and Iran insist the American election calendar has no effect on their decisions on how to end the seven-month-old conflict. The Houthis claimed attacks earlier in the week on King Khalid International Airport that killed three Saudis, including a pilot. The airport has no military facilities. The surge in attacks, including against other Saudi airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure, has come in the week since a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive against the Houthis. Iran can use Houthis to pressure a key US ally The latest fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis comes as negotiations between Iran and the US aimed at ending their war appear to be at a standstill. Until recently, the Houthis had been largely on the sidelines of the Iran war. Now, the rebels are helping Iran to pressure a key US ally. Houthi attacks, along with their control of the Bab el-Mandeb waterway, also threaten to add new disruptions to the flow of oil from the region. The Saudis and the Houthis began fighting in 2015, when the kingdom entered Yemen's civil war on behalf of the internationally recognised government. Relative calm after a 2022 ceasefire ended in July, when the Houthis resumed attacks, saying the Saudis fired on the Sanaa airport as a plane from Iran was trying to land. That revived anger over the Saudi-led blockade that has largely isolated Houthi-run areas. Now, fighting has escalated, with the Saudi-led coalition providing air support for Yemeni government forces attempting to reverse recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea. Those gains gave the rebels better surveillance of shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb, a corridor that is a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been attacking ships. Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air defence support to the region, regional officials told The Associated Press last month, with one noting that the US has seen its own stock dwindle during the war with Iran. But Ahmed Nagi, the International Crisis Group's senior analyst for Yemen, said the Houthi pressure tactics could backfire. Rather than pushing Riyadh to step back, attacks on critical Saudi infrastructure could make the Saudis more determined to continue the campaign, he said.

Two killed, four injured in Handwara road accident

Handwara, Oct 11: Two persons died on the spot after a car collided with a bike in the Nelipora Magam area of Handwara in north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Sunday evening. A police official said that an Alto vehicle bearing registration No. JK05A-9562 collided head-on with a motorcycle bearing registration No. JK09E-8313 at Nelipora Magam, resulting in the on-spot death of two persons, reportedly the bike riders and four others injured. The deceased have been identified as Tahir Ahmad and Mohammad Aamir, both residents of Salkoot, Kupwara. The injured have been shifted to GMC Handwara for treatment. More details are awaited.

Kashmir engineer launches free WildPing platform for real-time wildlife alerts to help save lives

'This is not development: Mehbooba flags food security risks in ease of doing business reforms

Srinagar, Oct 11: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has raised concerns over the opening up of orchards and agricultural land in Jammu and Kashmir for commercial high-rise construction, warning of potential risks to food security, the environment and public safety. In a post on X, Mehbooba shared a post by PDP MLA Waheed Para on the governments Ease of Doing Business laws and questioned the implications of allowing commercial development on agricultural land. In the name of development, J&Ks orchards and agricultural land are being opened up for commercial high rises, even as experts warn of catastrophic seismic and liquefaction risks, she wrote. This is not development. It is a dangerous betrayal of our land, our food security and our peoples lives, she added. Mehbooba also questioned who would be held accountable if the changes in land-use and construction regulations resulted in a disaster. Who will take responsibility when this reckless experiment turns into a disaster? she asked. Her remarks came after Para criticised the new Ease of Doing Business framework, arguing that provisions easing construction approvals and permitting commercial activities in residential areas could weaken regulatory oversight and urban planning. Para had also warned that construction affecting drainage channels, wetlands and floodplains could increase Kashmirs vulnerability to flooding, recalling the devastating floods of 2014. The concerns raised by the PDP leaders come amid a wider debate over the implications of the governments regulatory changes for land use, building permissions and environmental safeguards in Jammu and Kashmir. The government has projected ease-of-doing-business reforms as a means of simplifying procedures and facilitating investment. The opposition, however, has questioned whether the changes provide adequate safeguards for agricultural land, fragile ecosystems and densely populated urban areas.

Waheed Para flags environmental risks in J&Ks 'Ease of Doing Business' bill

Srinagar, Oct 11: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Para has criticised the Jammu and Kashmir governments new 'Ease of Doing Business' bill, alleging that the provisions could weaken land-use regulations, compromise urban planning and increase environmental risks in the region. In a post on X, Para reiterated his opposition to the legislation, arguing that provisions allowing commercial activities in residential areas and easing construction approvals could have serious implications for Kashmirs fragile ecology and flood protection systems. Para shared a news report on the platform and questioned the extent of commercial development that could be permitted under the new framework, including concerns over the use of agricultural land for commercial structures. Investment is welcome, but not at the cost of people's homes and safety, Para said, arguing that planning regulations were essential to protect neighbourhoods and the environment. He claimed that shops and commercial establishments could operate in residential areas under the new provisions, with certain categories of industries and activities remaining excluded. Para also raised concerns over provisions that, according to his interpretation, allow residential buildings of up to 24 metres in height and 5,000 square metres to be constructed without conventional floor area ratio (FAR) or coverage limits, subject to certification by a government-approved consultant. He further questioned the approval requirements for malls of comparable size, arguing that the changes could reduce government oversight of large construction projects. Para linked the changes to Kashmirs experience of the devastating September 2014 floods, warning that construction affecting drainage channels, wetlands and floodplains could aggravate future flooding. We lived through the 2014 floods. We know what happens when drains choke and wetlands and floodplains are built over, he said, adding that the provisions could put neighbourhoods, the environment and flood protection infrastructure at risk. Questioning the proposed reliance on consultant certification, Para asked who would ensure accountability and monitor compliance with construction norms. A signed paper is not oversight, he said, arguing that faster approvals should not come at the expense of regulatory safeguards. The PDP leader maintained that while investment was necessary for Jammu and Kashmirs economic development, planning regulations were essential to protect residents and ensure sustainable growth.

J&K CM Omar Abdullah condemns alleged Delhi Police assault on MP John Brittas

Srinagar, Oct 11: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday condemned the alleged use of force by Delhi Police against Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, calling it unacceptable and indefensible. Unacceptable use of force by Delhi Police. Beating up an unarmed protestor, setting aside the fact that in this case the victim is actually an elected member of Parliament, is unacceptable under any circumstances and is indefensible, Omar said in a post on X. I join all my JKNC colleagues in condemning this reprehensible brutality, he added. Omars remarks came after the Communist Party of India (Marxist) alleged that Brittas was brutally attacked by Delhi Police and later left by the roadside in an injured and distressed condition. Delhi Police has crossed all limits, the CPI(M) said in a post on X.

Woman jumps from house to escape blaze in Noorbagh Srinagar, dies

Kashmir: Leaders express concern over attack on Saudi Arabia airport that left 12 dead

Srinagar, Oct 11: Political leaders in Kashmir on Sunday expressed concern over the missile attack on Riyadh International Airport in Saudi Arabia that left at least 12 dead and around 300 injured, asking for dialogue for a fair resolution of the crisis. In a post on X, Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said, The missile attack on Riyadh International Airport, which left at least 12 people dead and 300 injured, is deeply alarming. The fact that this is the third attack on the airport this week makes the situation even more concerning. Bukhari, a former minister, said targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure is a clear violation of international law and must be unequivocally condemned. Saudi Arabia has blamed the Houthis for the attack. Kashmir's chief preacher Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also expressed deep concern over the attack, saying it risks widening an already grave regional crisis. The deeply distressing attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, resulting in tragic loss of life and injuries to hundreds, is a dangerous escalation that only adds to the suffering of civilians in the region and risks widening an already grave regional crisis, Mirwaiz said in a post on X. Calling for restraint, he urged the rivals to enter into dialogue for a fair resolution of the crisis. All sides must exercise restraint and engage in dialogue and diplomacy for a fair resolution of the crisis, and prevent further escalation and loss of precious human lives, he added.

Heavy rains disrupt normal life in Jammu; waterlogging, landslides hit several areas

Jammu, Oct 11: Heavy rainfall disrupted normal life in several parts of Jammu on Sunday, inundating roads and residential areas, damaging vehicles and triggering landslides at multiple locations, officials said. A 27-year-old woman was reported missing from the Raipur Domana area after allegedly being swept away by flash floods while crossing a road with her husband, a resident said. The woman and her husband were crossing the road when they were swept away by flash floods. The man was saved but the woman remained untraced, he said. Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams rushed to the area and launched efforts to locate the missing woman, officials said. Heavy rainfall lashed Jammu from around 8.30 am and continued for over three hours, leaving several major roads waterlogged and disrupting traffic movement. Rainwater also entered houses and shops in several localities across the city. Panjtirthi, Nagrota, Roop Nagar, Dogra Chowk, Durga Nagar, Shakti Nagar and Raipur Domana were among the areas severely affected by the downpour, the officials said. Residents reported damage to cars and two-wheelers due to the heavy rainfall and ensuing waterlogging. Videos shared on social media showed rainwater gushing through narrow lanes, flooding roads and entering residential premises and commercial establishments. Landslides were reported on the Panjtirthi-Sidrah and Sidrah-Nagrota road stretches, disrupting vehicular movement and triggering traffic congestion, officials said. Authorities deployed personnel and machinery to clear the debris, with efforts underway to restore traffic movement along the affected stretches, they said. Commuters were advised to exercise caution while travelling through vulnerable stretches amid concerns over unstable slopes and slippery road conditions, the officials added. The heavy rainfall once again highlighted the vulnerability of several neighbourhoods to waterlogging. Residents of Durga Nagar, Shakti Nagar and Raipur Domana reported rainwater entering their houses and shops, raising concerns over damage to belongings, disruption to daily activities and the safety of people living in low-lying areas. The rainwater started flowing through the lanes with considerable force, and it became difficult to move around. Water entered residential areas, leaving people worried about their homes and belongings, Vijay Kumar, a resident of Shakti Nagar, said. Another resident, Sohan Singh of Domana, said waterlogging had made movement difficult and the situation deteriorated rapidly. Within a short time, the roads were filled with water. People were trying to protect their belongings while also ensuring that their families remained safe, he said.

Pak president declares emergency in KPK, provincial govt ceases to exist

Islamabad, Oct 11: Pakistan on Sunday declared an emergency in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province over the deteriorating law and order situation, bringing the provincial government led by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party to an end. An emergency allows Pakistan's federal government to assume key executive and legislative powers in a province during a security crisis or breakdown of constitutional governance. President Asif Ali Zardari issued a proclamation under Articles 232(1) and 234(1) of the Constitution, citing rising terrorist attacks and a breakdown of constitutional machinery in the northwestern province, according to the presidential declaration. Under the proclamation, the chief minister, provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants and advocate general will immediately vacate their offices. The move comes amid an ongoing protest march led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who is pressing for Imran Khan's release and access to medical treatment for him. The march began in Lakki Marwat on October 4 and has passed through several districts of the province. Afridi on Saturday vowed to continue peaceful protests and rejected military operations as a solution to the province's problems. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party had initially planned to take the march to Islamabad for a sit-in, but the federal government said it would not allow protesters to enter the capital. The presidential declaration on Sunday said the emergency was imposed in view of rising terrorist incidents and the grave law and order situation in the province. The extraordinary intensity of terrorist incidents poses serious threats to the lives and property of the public, the declaration stated. It cited an increase in attacks on government installations, infrastructure and law enforcement agencies, accusing the provincial government of failing to demonstrate the resolve and take the measures needed to curb terrorism and lawlessness. The declaration said a report by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor had highlighted a breakdown of constitutional machinery and the provincial government's inability to function in accordance with the Constitution. Under the proclamation, the federal government may direct the provincial governor to assume all or some functions of the provincial government. The governor may also exercise powers of other provincial institutions and officials, including those of the Provincial Assembly, as directed by the federal government. The powers of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly will be exercised by Parliament or under its authority, according to the declaration, which took effect immediately. The federal cabinet endorsed the emergency proposal earlier on Sunday after a special meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the worsening security situation. The cabinet said the provincial government had deliberately disengaged from the fight against terrorism and recommended that the prime minister advise the president to impose an emergency. The Cabinet recommended that the Prime Minister advise the President to exercise his constitutional authority and impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution of Pakistan, given the gravity of the situation, an official statement said. Sources said the cabinet decided to pursue the move after exploring other options, including a last-ditch effort to engage the provincial government through mediation by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). The efforts failed to yield a breakthrough, they said. Earlier, Sharif told the cabinet that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was not doing enough to tackle terrorism and called for decisive action. The KP government is not saying a word against militancy It is time to take a decision as we have reached a moment of now or never, he said. Sharif said the law and order situation was deteriorating and accused the provincial government led by Khans party of failing to address the threat. He added that the federal government had provided at least PKR 800 billion to the province over the past 10 years to fight terrorism and improve security, but the situation had not improved. The partys key demands include an immediate meeting with Khan, access for his personal doctors, the release of his sisters and supporters arrested ahead of the protest, a proper medical check-up for his wife, Bushra Bibi, and hearings in their cases without interference. Khan, the 73-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician, has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since 2023 and faces more than 100 cases, including corruption and charges related to inciting violence. The long march followed the failure of two rounds of talks between Khans party and the federal government. The discussions broke down over the party's demand for access to Khan before calling off the protest, while the government insisted that the demonstration be ended first. The federal government had warned that protesters would not be allowed to enter Islamabad, where security was tightened and roads along the planned route blocked with shipping containers.

J-K Dy CM dismisses resignation reports, says cabinet expansion is leadership's call

Jammu, Oct 11: J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Sunday dismissed speculations around the resignation of ministers amid talks of cabinet expansion, asserting that no minister had been asked to quit. Choudhary made the remarks while speaking to reporters after paying obeisance at Kali Mata Mandir, Bahu Fort, on the first day of Navratra. As the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, I am standing here at the feet of Mata and making it clear that no minister has been asked to resign, Choudhary said, rejecting reports suggesting that all ministers have submitted their resignations to the chief minister ahead of the proposed cabinet reshuffle. He said the matter was for the National Conference president and chief minister to decide. Their decision will be final. Whoever they decide to induct will be inducted, and whoever they decide to remove will be removed, he said, urging media organisations not to give undue prominence to speculations. Choudhary also referred to developments in the national capital, where a police crackdown on demonstrators disrupted CJP's plan to hold a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 10. He questioned the medias limited coverage of the incident and the reported treatment of children who had gone to Delhi to demand their rights, urging news outlets to focus on these issues rather than political speculation. Earlier, while speaking about his visit to the temple, Choudhary said he had come to seek the blessings of Mata with his family, including his two sons.

J&K may get statehood back soon, final call with PM Modi and Amit Shah: Athawale

Protests in Delhi: SC directs no illegal detention, restoration of internet and metro services

SC asks Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to also ensure that lawyers, journalists and others shall not be impeded in discharging their professional duties

Police on My Back

'Police on My Back' by The Clash ignites a visceral sense of urgency that few songs can. Originally composed by Eddy Grant in 1967, this punk rendition intensifies the concept of being hunted. The powerful lyrics eloquently describe the ongoing pressure of law enforcement, making a striking intersection of melody and intensity. This song remains a powerful rallying cry for resistance, echoing the struggles against authority.

Executive magistrate releases CJP leaders on condition they 'maintain peace' for 1 year

New Delhi, Oct 11: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were under preventive arrest following their detention at the Delhi airport ahead of the Jantar Mantar protest, but were later released after being produced before the executive magistrate on Sunday. They were released on condition that they would not reach peace for a year, CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh said. Earlier on Sunday morning, police said that the CJP leaders were put under preventive arrest after being detained by Delhi Police after their flight landed in the national capital and that they will be produced before the executive magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station. Section 126 (security for keeping peace) and 170 (arrest to prevent commission of cognisable offences) of the BNSS were invoked against the CJP leaders, according to sources. Executive Magistrate court releases Abhijeet, Saurav and Ashutosh, Singh said in a post on X after the three leaders were produced before the executive magistrate. The CJP leaders' detention on Saturday came amid an unprecedented security clampdown in Delhi, where more than 7,000 protesters were detained at multiple locations, foiling protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar. Several opposition leaders, including former chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar, were also detained while attempting to join the protest. The CJP has renewed its call for a protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday as police continued its heavy security arrangements with over 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel to be deployed in the city. The CJP and opposition parties have been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls.

No demolition planned for proposed BC Road-Roop Nagar flyover

Jammu, Oct 11: The Public Works Departments concept plan has ruled out the demolition of any existing structures for the construction of the proposed BC RoadRoop Nagar flyover in congested Jammu city, media reports said on Sunday. The clarification came amid growing apprehensions over the possible demolition of existing structures for the proposed flyover, providing relief to residents and business establishments. Sources said that the flyover will be supported by single pillars of small diameter, which will come up along the middle of the existing road. This arrangement is aimed at enabling construction of the elevated corridor without disturbing the structures located along both sides of the road, they added. The proposed flyover will originate on BC Road a few metres before Rehari Chungi Chowk and proceed toward Roop Nagar, where it will land at the T-junction. The elevated facility will provide two-way movement, with each tube having a width of around 5.5 metres, allowing traffic to move over the existing congested road network. The second tube of the flyover will rest a few metres ahead of Ambphalla Chowk towards Manda, forming part of the overall elevated traffic arrangement planned for the area. The project is being viewed as an important intervention for the chronically congested Ambphalla-Janipur corridor, which carries heavy traffic throughout the day and witnesses frequent bottlenecks at major junctions. The movement of vehicles through Ambphalla, Janipur, BC Road, Rehari and adjoining areas has increased substantially over the years, while the available road space has remained largely unchanged.

Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Defending champions J&K opt to bowl against Madhya Pradesh in Ranji opener

Srinagar, Oct 11: Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir began their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 campaign against Madhya Pradesh in Srinagar at SK Stadium on Sunday, with skipper Paras Dogra winning the toss and opting to field first. J&K will look to begin their title defence on a positive note, with the return of pace spearhead Auqib Nabi boosting the team's bowling attack. Captain Paras Dogra said the pacer's presence has lifted the team's morale ahead of the season opener. Squads J & K - Playing XI - (Abdul Samad, Auqib Nabi, Kanhaiya Wadhawan (Wk), Lone Nasir Muzaffar, P K Dogra (C), Qamran Iqbal, Rohit Sharma, Shubham Khajuria, Shubham Singh Pundir, Sunil Kumar, Vanshaj Sharma) Madhya Pradesh - Playing XI - (Akshay Sharma, Aryan Pandey, Atharva Mahajan, Avesh Khan, Chanchal Rathore, Harsh Gawali, Himanshu Mantri (Wk), M RAVI KIRAN, Saransh Jain, Shubham Sharma (C), Yash Dubey)

Press bodies condemn detention of journalists covering Delhi protests; demand apology, inquiry

New Delhi, Oct 11: Four journalists' organisations, including the Press Club of India (PCI) and the Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC), condemned the detention and harassment of several journalists covering protests in the national capital demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the organisations highlighted that police detained several journalists despite their displaying press identity cards, and seized the phones and equipment of some reporters. The statement was issued by the PCI, IWPC, Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) and the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (Delhi unit). The organisations said Delhi Police detained hundreds of protesters demanding Kumar's resignation on Saturday. Journalists covering the police action were also bundled into buses and taken to detention centres, including the Chhatrasal Stadium and the Chanakyapuri police station. Reporters from The Quint, The Wire, Scroll, Reporter TV, Navbharat Times, Newslaundry, and senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta were among those detained. The reporters said they were detained while filming detentions, despite prominently displaying their press cards, the statement said. It pointed out that police dismissed the journalists' claims of being members of the press, with some officers reportedly saying, Everybody claims to be a journalist these days. The organisations also said they received complaints that official reporting phones belonging to the detained journalists were snatched and seized. Describing the detentions as a blatant attack on the freedom of press, the organisations questioned Delhi Police's earlier position that only journalists accredited by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) would be allowed to cover the protests. Press freedom in India cannot be conditional on PIB accreditation. A large section of digital and independent media does not have PIB cards, yet they are recognised press under the law, the statement said. The organisations said they had raised these concerns in a joint memorandum submitted to the Delhi Police commissioner earlier this week but alleged that the police disregarded their suggestions. They demanded immediate and unconditional release of all the detained journalists, return of the seized phones and equipment, and a public apology from Delhi Police. The organisations also sought an inquiry into the conduct of senior police officers who allegedly ordered the detention of journalists despite being shown press identity cards. They also demanded a clear assurance that journalists wont be prevented from covering protests. The statement also criticised the extensive security arrangements in the capital, alleging that 22,000 police and paramilitary personnel had been deployed, metro stations closed and internet services shut down to prevent protests. Preventing journalists from doing their job, detaining them without reason, and creating a fortress-like situation in the capital with 22,000 police and paramilitary, closed metro stations and unprecedented internet shutdowns, to stop peaceful questioning of institutions is reminiscent of a fascist state, the organisations said. Expressing solidarity with the detained journalists, the four bodies asserted that reporters must be allowed to discharge their professional duties without intimidation or interference.

Saudi authorities say attack on Riyadh airport killed 12 people and wounded over 300

Cairo, Oct 11: Saudi authorities say an attack on Riyadh airport killed 12 people and wounded over 300 more. According to a statement by Saudi authorities, the dead included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, and one each from Palestine, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan. It said some of those injured were in critical condition. The international airport in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, was attacked again Saturday as the kingdom faces an extraordinary series of assaults in the new front in the Iran war. President Donald Trump said he was evaluating whether the US should join Saudi strikes against the Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen. The Houthis claimed attacks earlier in the week on King Khalid International Airport that killed three Saudis, including a pilot. On Saturday, a missile struck a complex housing terminals 3 and 4 for domestic flights and many people were wounded, a regional official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the media. We may. We're going to look at it, Trump said of intervening. We just found out about the recent attack. So we'll make a decision. We move very quickly. The surge in attacks, including against other Saudi airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure, has come in the week since a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive against the Houthis. There was no immediate statement from the rebels, who earlier Saturday accused Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa International Airport in the Houthi-held Yemeni capital. Riyadh airport operations have been suspended Saudi civil aviation authorities said airport operations were suspended and the extent of injuries and damage was being assessed. An official notice to aviators said the suspension was through midnight. The airport had a heavy police presence, with all entrances blocked, and lights around the complex were dimmed. Flights diverted elsewhere, the Flightradar24 tracker said. Countries including the United States, Britain, Germany, Australia and Canada warned citizens to avoid the airport. The attacks on Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, have rattled markets and the region. And yet the Saudi energy ministry hours after the latest one was still promoting a major international energy conference set to begin in Riyadh on Sunday. Fighting in Yemen between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces has escalated, with the Saudi-led coalition providing air support for government forces attempting to reverse recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea. Those gains gave the rebels better surveillance of shipping on a corridor that is a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been attacking ships. Though the Houthis have told the AP and others they are only targeting Saudi shipping as part of a blockade in retaliation for one imposed on them, concerns about wider attacks persist. The Houthis previously attacked other ships after the war in Gaza began, calling it solidarity with Palestinians. A U.S. bombing campaign sharply limited that. Saudi Arabia has run low on interceptors, officials say Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air defense support to the region, regional officials told the AP last month, with one noting that the US has seen its own stock dwindle during the war with Iran. Officials have said US assistance has included intelligence sharing, target identification and planning for the latest offensive against the Houthis. On Saturday, Saudi Arabia said its foreign minister and Omani counterpart spoke by phone about the importance of supporting diplomatic solutions to de-escalate tensions in the region. Oman, which lies across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, has played a mediator role at times in the region. Meanwhile, Saudi authorities warned the public this week that filming, publishing or sharing information related to countering missiles and drones and their impact sites exposes you to legal liability. Flight disruptions are growing The Houthis this week warned global airlines for the last time about the potential consequences of operating in Saudi airspace, which they described as a theater for their military operations. At least 291 flights at the Riyadh airport had been canceled over the past 24 hours, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. Before the latest attack, Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines were among airlines suspending flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports for varying periods. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency had expanded its guidance on Saudi airspace, noting the Houthis' ability to strike targets deeper inside the kingdom, including Riyadh, and a greater focus on aviation infrastructure. The missile and drone attacks and interception efforts create an increased risk of misidentification of civil aircraft, it said.

Waseem Qadri assumes charge as SSP Security Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 10:Senior JKPS officer Waseem Qadri today assumed charge as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Security Kashmir, taking over from Sajad Khaliq Bhat. The posting was ordered by the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department as part of a major reshuffle of 100 IPS and JKPS officers vide Government Order No. 499-Home of 2026, dated October 9, with immediate effect. A 2001-batch JKPS officer, Qadri brings extensive experience across district policing, intelligence, railways and armed police formations. He was previously serving as SSP Railways Kashmir, a post he took over in November 2024. MohdYousuf has now been posted as SSP Railways Kashmir in his place. Prior to his railways assignment, Qadri served as SSP Ganderbal. He assumed charge there on August 18, 2024, succeeding IPS officer Sandeep Gupta. During his tenure in Ganderbal, he held introductory meetings with officers, emphasised teamwork and public accessibility, inspected District Police Lines, interacted with personnel on welfare and operational issues, and participated in civic action programmes, including flagging off students for Bharat Darshan tours. Earlier in his career, Qadri served as SP CID (CI) Kashmir before being posted as Commandant of the JKAP 11th Battalion around mid-2020. He has also held the charge of Additional SP Bandipora in earlier postings. On assuming the new role, SSP Qadri is expected to oversee security arrangements in the Kashmir Valley, including the protection of vital installations, VIP security and coordination with other security agencies. The outgoing SSP, Sajad Khaliq Bhat, has been transferred and posted as SSP Handwara.

AIHCEF felicitates new Chief Justice

Srinagar, Oct 10:A delegation of the All India High Court Employees Federation (AIHCEF), led by its Secretary General, Asif Iqbal Mahajan, on Friday felicitated Dr Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati on assuming office as Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The delegation, which included Deputy Registrar Shah Ji Bhat and Assistant Registrars Altaf Hussain Khan and Bashir Ahmad Beigh, extended a warm welcome to the Chief Justice and conveyed its best wishes for his tenure. The Federation expressed confidence that under Justice Bhatis leadership, the High Court would continue to uphold the principles of justice, integrity and institutional excellence. It also emphasised the important role played by High Court employees in the effective functioning of the institution and expressed hope that their dedication and contributions would continue to receive due recognition. The Federation wished the Chief Justice a successful tenure, expressing hope that his leadership would further strengthen the institutions traditions and foster an atmosphere of dignity, mutual respect and collective commitment.

Degrees alone not enough, skill-based education key: Sakina Itoo

Srinagar, Oct 10: Minister for Education Sakina Itoo on Saturday stressed the need to shift the focus of higher education from degree-oriented learning to skill development, saying academic qualifications alone would not help young people secure livelihoods unless they were equipped with practical skills. Talking to reporters in south Kashmir on the sidelines of the re-inauguration of a project, Sakina Itoo said thousands of educated youth were struggling to find opportunities after completing their degrees. She said some educated youth were suffering from depression, while the government was working to introduce skill-based courses to help them become self-reliant. It is not just about getting degrees. We have lakhs of young people who get degrees and then sit at home and suffer from depression, she said, adding that the government was trying to help such youth acquire skills and stand on their own feet. The minister said the higher education sector had witnessed mushrooming growth of degree colleges in the past, and many institutions lacked adequate faculty, infrastructure and subjects aligned with students interests and emerging demands. But over the past two years, the government worked hard to address these shortcomings by providing faculty members and introducing subjects according to demand, she told reporters. She, however, acknowledged that some gaps were yet to be plugged in the higher education sector. Itoo said the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was also working to strengthen college infrastructure by providing buildings, desks, laptops, internet connectivity and smart classrooms. With regard to the newly established colleges, we faced land disputes and other local issues which continued to affect a few colleges, but efforts are being made to improve facilities in these colleges across Jammu and Kashmir, she added. She said there had been an improvement in student enrolment, with admissions in colleges increasing by 17 per cent this year. She attributed the increase in admissions to the collective efforts of the department and its officers since the formation of the National Conference government. The minister said the Higher Education Department (HED) had started the process of reviewing the availability of academic streams in colleges. We will focus on introducing subjects that students really want to pursue instead of continuing courses with little or no enrolment, she said. We are introducing subjects such as horticulture, agriculture, tourism and music, she added. She said there was a need to align higher education with local economic opportunities and students talents. Itoo said horticulture, which forms a key part of Kashmirs economy, could provide significant livelihood opportunities for educated youth, while music and other specialised subjects could help students develop their abilities and build careers. Itoo also underlined the importance of sports alongside academics, saying students needed opportunities to remain physically and mentally fit. She said the government had inaugurated sports facilities, including a hall in the Tangmarg-Gulmarg constituency, to enable students to participate in sporting activities, particularly during winter, when snowfall often restricts outdoor movement among youth. The department will continue to introduce changes aimed at making higher education more relevant to students needs. The support and participation of young people is important for the success of these initiatives, she added.

High Court extends OPS benefit to employees appointed against posts notified before Dec 24, 2009

Srinagar, Oct 10:The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has extended the benefit of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to the District Judiciary employees appointed against the posts advertised or notified prior to December 24, 2009, but subsequently joined service under the New Pension Scheme (NPS). The District Judiciary employees appointed against the posts or vacancies advertised for recruitment prior to the issuance of SR0-400 dated December 24 2009, introducing the NPS, and are covered under the NPS upon joining service on or after January 1, 2010, shall be entitled to exercise a one-time option for coverage under the OPS, according to an order issued by Haq Nawaz Khan Principal Secretary to Chief Justice. The order issued in keeping with the direction of the Chief Justice underscores that the option shall be exercised by the concerned eligible District Judiciary employee within the stipulated period of three weeks, that is up to October 30, 2026 from its issuance date. The order further emphasises that the eligible employee shall exercise the option for coverage under the OPS by submitting the duly completed form along with the requisite supporting documents, to the concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO)/ Presiding Officer. District Judiciary employees who are eligible to exercise the option, but do not exercise the same within the stipulated time, shall continue to be covered by the NPS. The order indicates that upon receipt of the option forms, along with the requisite supporting documents, from eligible employees, the concerned DDO/Presiding Officer shall verify and certify the forms, prepare a list of employees who have exercised the option, and forward these to the Chief Justice Secretariat through the concerned Principal District and Sessions Judge, on or before November 12, 2026. The Chief Administrative Officer/Accounts Officer/S.O. (Administration), as the case may be, shall also prepare a consolidated list of eligible employees of the district who have exercised the option and forward the same to this Secretariat for cross-verification, it says. Upon receipt of the option forms seeking coverage under the OPS, the Secretariat shall scrutinise each case and determine the eligibility of the applicant in accordance with the instructions contained in the related Government Order and issue appropriate orders accordingly. On issuance of the requisite order(s) by this Secretariat, the concerned DDO/Presiding Officer shall initiate the process for closure of the NPS account(s) of the employee(s) concerned through the respective Treasury Officer and undertake such further action as may be required under the Government order. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir, vide SR0-400 dated December 24, 2009, introduced the Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (New Pension Scheme) in place of the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (Old Pension Scheme) for all Government employees appointed or brought on the regular establishment on or after January 1, 201 0. The said Scheme became applicable to the staff of the District Judiciary by virtue of Rule 14 of the Jammu and Kashmir Ministerial and Other Staff of the Subordinate Courts (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2016, the order said. The High Court has now extended the benefit of the OPS to the District Judiciary employees in pursuance of the order ( No. 305F of 2026 dated September 28, 2026, issued by the Finance Department (Codes Department), which has introduced a one-time option for coverage under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (Old Pension Scheme) for those Government employees who were appointed against posts for which recruitment had been advertised prior to the issuance of the notification introducing NPS vide SR0-400 dated December 24, 2009, and are covered under the NPS upon joining service on or after January 1, 2010.

11 of 14 development projects worth Rs 24.62 Cr unfinished in Baramulla

Baramulla, Oct 10:Eleven of the 14 development projects taken up in Baramulla town under the Capex Budget remain incomplete, with land-transfer issues, local opposition, security constraints, and a court-related dispute delaying key infrastructure work, the Jammu and Kashmir government has informed the Legislative Assembly. In a written reply to a starred question raised by MLA Javid Hassan Baig during the recently concluded Assembly session, the Housing and Urban Development Department said the 14 projects, with a combined estimated cost of Rs 24.62 crore, were at different stages of implementation. Only three projects have been completed so far. The department reported cumulative expenditure of Rs 4.45 crore on the projects up to March 2026. During the current financial year, the department spent Rs 25 lakh of the Rs 1.30 crore released for the works. Among the key projects facing delays is the proposed multi-level car parking facility near the Roads and Buildings (R&B) office. Although the project received administrative approval on October 10, 2025, work has not started because the land owned by the Public Works Department (PWD) is yet to be transferred to the Municipal Council Baramulla. The site also requires the valuation and removal of poplar trees and the disposal of an existing old building before construction can begin. The three proposed gateway structures have also encountered implementation hurdles since receiving approval in September 2025. Work at Janbazpora and Khowjabagh was held up following objections from local residents, while the proposed gateway at Khanpora faced opposition from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The government said alternative sites were being identified for the affected locations, while work at Khowjabagh was progressing at a new site. Meanwhile, construction of the Municipal Council Baramullas double-storey office building, approved in December 2021, was halted until March 2026 due to a court-related land dispute and security restrictions. Work resumed after the council submitted an affidavit undertaking compliance with military security conditions, the government said. The structural framework of the building was completed in November 2024. Truss work has since been completed, while brickwork has reached around 80 per cent, according to the department. The government attributed the delays to site-specific, statutory, judicial, security-related and inter-departmental issues, stating that these were largely beyond the immediate control of the executing agencies.

Sarhad to establish school in Kashmir to honour Nana Patekar

Srinagar, Oct 10: Sarhad, a Pune-based organisation working in Kashmir for more than four decades, has announced plans to establish a school in the Valley in memory of late actor Nana Patekar, in recognition of his affection for Kashmir and his vision of contributing to the education of children in the region. According to a press release issued by Sarhad, Patekar had envisioned working for schoolchildren in Kashmir and had taken initial steps towards realising the initiative. We, Mayur Masurkar, Zahid Bhat, Salim Raina and Raju Farande, had personally met and discussed this initiative with Nana Patekar and Malhar Patekar. We are confident that Malhar Patekar and his associates will make every effort to fulfil Nanas dream following his untimely demise. As a tribute to the legendary actor and his deep affection for Kashmir, Sarhad has also resolved to establish a school in his name, Zahid Bhat said. As part of the initiative, Zahid Bhat and Salim Raina, coordinators of Sarhad in Kashmir, have expressed their willingness to offer their own land for establishing the proposed school. The organisation has been working in Kashmir for over four decades and currently runs two schools in the regionone in Dardpora village of Kupwara district and the other in Aragam village of Bandipora district. The proposed school is intended to honour Patekars association with Kashmir while carrying forward his vision of contributing to the education and future of children in the region. The announcement was made by Zahid Bhat and Salim Raina on behalf of Sarhad through a press release issued on Saturday.

ICMR plans twin breast cancer projects in J&K

Srinagar, Oct 10:The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will launch two breast cancer projects in Jammu and Kashmir next month, allocating Rs 8 crore to four Government Medical Colleges (GMCs), with each college receiving Rs 2 crore for both projects combined. The allocation for each project has not been specified separately. The first project will focus on screening and diagnosis, while the second will assess whether standardised treatment, coordinated care and timely follow-up can improve patient survival. According to estimates from ICMRs National Cancer Registry Programme, Jammu and Kashmir was projected to record 938 new breast cancer cases and 403 deaths from the disease in 2025. Under the treatment projects hub-and-spoke model, GMCs Anantnag and Baramulla will link with the Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, while GMCs Jammu and Kathua will work with AIIMS Jammu. An ICMR official said institutions across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh would participate in the initiatives. The two high-powered projects of ICMR will be launched by November. All J&K and Ladakh institutes will participate. The heads of ICMR and AIIMS will be here, the official said. The projects were discussed at the October 7-8 workshop held at GMC Jammu. Attendees included Principal and Dean Dr Ashutosh Gupta, ICMR scientists Dr Nisha Jose and Dr Pramit Ghosh, and ICMR headquarters official Dr Pulkit Verma. Other participants included cancer specialists Dr Supriya Malik of the National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar; Dr Bhawana Sirohi of BALCO Medical Centre, Raipur; and Dr Bisavjit Dubashi of JIPMER, Puducherry. Dr Gupta said early detection and timely intervention were vital to improving breast cancer survival. Late diagnosis remains a major concern in Kashmir. A review of clinical studies from the region found that more than 70 percent of breast cancer patients presented at advanced stages. ICMR has cited five-year survival rates of 66 to 70 percent for Stage II breast cancer in India, compared with 90 to 99 percent in developed countries. GMC Anantnag began oncology services in 2019 and became fully operational in 2022. According to institutional figures, it registered more than 3,500 cancer patients and recorded 730 new cases in 2025. GMC Baramulla also made its oncology services functional around the same time. Principal GMC Anantnag Dr Junaid Salam Wani described the initiative as a historic milestone and said the college was committed to developing a dedicated Radiation Oncology Block and a regional cancer centre. We had sent the proposal in June this year. Survival rates for breast cancer vary across different parts of the world. We will assess whether there is an improvement in survival, and if the results are encouraging, we will scale up the project, Dr Shahid Bashir Wani, head of oncology at GMC Anantnag, told Greater Kashmir . GMC Baramulla Principal Dr Majid Jahangir said the project would strengthen diagnosis, treatment and follow-up through closer coordination with SKIMS Soura.

The legacy of a studio that captured a century in image

I recall feeling a profound sense of anticipation when I captured the quintessential aerial shot at a Reliance refinery nearly a decade ago. In my quest for the perfect photograph, I climbed a water tank, captured the image and felt a deep sense of satisfaction. I was unaware that the endeavour would turn me into a target for a swarm of bees. As I turned to climb down the tank, a swarmor, more precisely, a stormof bees enveloped me. I tried to flee, but all I received in return were more stings. As Mr. Pavan Mehta showcases his remarkable collection of 900 camerasranging from a Yashica from the 1960s to a Rolleiflex dating back to 1905he recounts the above incident as one of the defining moments of his photographic journey. He follows it with another story, equally compelling but deeply personal that traces the history of his family's enduring relationship with photography. Mehtas at the Maharajas Service Amarnath Mehta, a young man from Gurdaspur, travelled to Dalhousie, where a member of the military introduced him to the intricate craft of photography. In 1915, he began documenting Srinagar, establishing his studio on a houseboat on the Jhelum. As the studio expanded, it went on to preserve countless moments from Gulmarg and Pahalgam in Kashmir, extending its reach to Rawalpindi and Murree, now in Pakistan. Before Partition, the Mehtas held the prestigious position of official photographers to Maharaja Hari Singh, the last reigning Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. In the early 1940s, amid the upheaval of the Second World War, authorities in Srinagar restricted the sale of photographic film to one roll per person to curb hoarding and the black market that often accompanies scarcity. A historical photograph of Europeans queuing for film remains preserved in the studio's collection. Following India's independence, Amarnath established a studio in Connaught Place in 1948, while the studio in Pakistan was eventually closed. Mr. Mehta recalls an era when family photography was a ritual woven into the fabric of everyday lifefrom celebrations to moments of grief. Around Diwali, families would gather to have their photographs taken and framed. Newly married couples would arrive in their finest attire, with women dressed in traditional ensembles and men in formal suits. Those who believed they had little time left would often choose to have their portraits taken, while relatives sometimes hurried to capture the final moments of a loved one's life in the hope of preserving the memory forever. With the arrival of smartphones, however, such practices have largely faded into the past. The Challenges of Smartphones and AI Although digital photography has made image-making more accessible than ever, it has also created a new challenge: preservation. While photographic negatives can survive for centuries under the right conditions, the long-term storage and organisation of millions of digital images present a different set of problems. Mr. Mehta emphasises the need for systematic cataloguing to ensure that these visual records are not lost in the digital age. For him, adapting to technological change is essential to survival. The studio has responded by publishing books and expanding into corporate, wedding, fashion and event photography, as well as food photographyareas that have helped make the business both commercially viable and sustainable. The studio's official Instagram account also carries short explainer reels featuring Mr. Arjun Mahatta, Pavan Mehta's son, who introduces viewers to a selection of vintage cameras. The initiative seeks to keep alive the enduring legacy of film photography at a time when digital technology dominates image-making. Photography as a profession, Mr. Mehta observes, is intensely competitive. Simply holding a camera, he argues, does not make one a photographer. A fundamental understanding of photography, acquired through study and practice, is essential to mastering the craft. Equally challenging is the task of developing a distinct photographic identity, particularly in an era increasingly shaped by AI-generated imagery. For aspiring photographers, Mr. Mehta offers a simple principle: Before you shoot, see. Prior to engaging the shutter, it is essential to meticulously contemplate your composition. You observe, you anticipate, and you click. In his view, patience, composition and an element of chance must come together to produce a photograph that approaches perfection. Asked to define photography in a single term, Mr. Pavan Mehta describes it as art cultivated by curiosity and a discipline in itself. It is, quite literally, the act of creating imagery through the manipulation of light, he says. To achieve this, it is essential to comprehend the nature of light itself. Drawing on Walter Benjamin's influential essay Little History of Photography, one can view photographs as visual records of existencefragments of time preserved for future generations. It is precisely this quality that makes photographs valuable tools for remembering and interpreting history. Picturing a Century Pavan Mehta's book, Picturing a Century (19152015), offers a compelling illustration of this idea. The book chronicles a century of the Mahatta family's photographic journey alongside the social and political transformations of the country. Mr. Mehta points out that the family did not operate as an extension of any political party, yet its cameras documented pivotal moments in India's history, including the Kargil War and the funeral procession of Jawaharlal Nehru. Through their lenses, the photographers became observersand chroniclersof events as they unfolded. The story of Mahatta began with formal studio portraits captured on fragile glass-plate negatives and has since travelled through successive technological revolutionsfrom hand-painted photographs and film to digital imaging, selfies and, eventually, artificial intelligence. The studio has continually adapted to technological change. In 1954, it began hand-painting black-and-white photographs, carefully adding colour and detail by hand. It later became India's first authorised distributor of Kodak products. When photography moved from analogue to digital, Mahatta once again adapted, embracing India's first digital imaging system. Today, Mahatta & Co. operates from M-Block in Connaught Place, in a building leased from the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). The family has operated its studio from the premises for generations. LIC, however, maintains that the studio is an unauthorised occupant. The Mahatta family disputes the claim, pointing to its longstanding presence in the building. Pavan Mahatta says the family occupied the premises even before LIC came into existence. He fears that forcing the studio to leave would mean Delhi losing an important part of its photographic heritage. The irony is difficult to miss. In the 1980s, Mahatta & Co. photographed the construction of the LIC building, designed by renowned Indian architect Charles Correa. Decades later, the studio finds itself on the other side of a dispute concerning the very premises from which it documented the city's transformation. The premises represent far more than a commercial establishment. They embody generations of the Mahatta family's photographic history in Delhi. For a studio that has spent more than a century documenting the lives, celebrations, tragedies and transformations of others, the present moment offers an unexpected turn: Mahatta & Co. has itself become part of the story it has spent generations recording. Syeda Shua Zaidi and Sadiya Tahseen are pursuing master in Convergent Journalism from AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

PDP: The cry baby of Kashmir Politics

The Peoples Democratic Party entered the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir with the promise of providing an alternative political narrative. It projected itself as a party capable of challenging the traditional dominance of the National Conference and claimed to represent a softer, more responsive and people-oriented politics. Over the years, however, the PDP has increasingly transformed itself from a party seeking to shape political events into one perpetually complaining about them. Its political vocabulary today appears dominated by grievance, victimhood and accusations against almost every other political force. In that sense, the PDP increasingly resembles the cry baby of Kashmir politicsa party that finds reasons to complain about developments but struggles to offer a convincing political roadmap of its own. The PDP was created in 1999 under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and quickly occupied an important space in Kashmir politics. It challenged the National Conference at a time when the latter had long dominated the Valley's electoral landscape. Its promise of a healing touch appealed to sections of society looking for an alternative. After the 2002 Assembly elections, the PDP became part of the coalition government with Congress, and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed became Chief Minister under a rotational arrangement. The party had arrived as a serious political force. The difficulty for the PDP has been reconciling its rhetoric with its record in government. While in opposition, it frequently adopted an aggressive posture against those exercising power. Once in government, however, it was itself required to function within the same constitutional and administrative system it had criticised. This contradiction became particularly visible after the 2014 Assembly elections. The PDP had fought the 2014 election largely by presenting itself as a political barrier against the BJP's expansion into Jammu and Kashmir. Yet, after the election produced a fractured mandate, the PDP entered into an alliance with the BJP and formed the government. The alliance may have been justified at the time as an attempt to reconcile the electoral mandates of Jammu and Kashmir, but politically it exposed the enormous distance between the PDP's electoral rhetoric and its willingness to exercise power with the very party it had opposed. The BJP's ideological position was hardly a secret. Its views on Article 370, nationalism and the constitutional integration of Jammu and Kashmir had been publicly articulated for decades. The PDP nevertheless chose to share governmental responsibility with it. That historical fact makes some of the PDP's later political rhetoric difficult to separate from its own record. The death of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in January 2016 was a turning point. Mehbooba Mufti eventually became Chief Minister and inherited not only the government but also the contradictions of the coalition. The unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July 2016 created one of the most difficult periods of her tenure. As Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti had responsibility for maintaining law and order and defending governmental action. Her language as head of government was naturally very different from the language the PDP would subsequently employ from opposition. That contrast illustrates the central problem confronting the party. When exercising power, it has defended the compulsions of governance; when out of power, it frequently portrays similar governmental compulsions as evidence of injustice. A political party is entitled to change its position when circumstances change, but repeated shifts inevitably invite questions about consistency. The collapse of the PDP-BJP coalition in 2018 pushed the PDP into a political crisis from which it has struggled to recover fully. The constitutional changes of August 5, 2019 fundamentally altered Jammu and Kashmir's political environment. Article 370 was rendered inoperative in its earlier form, Article 35A ceased to operate, and the former State was reorganised into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The PDP responded by placing these developments at the centre of its political narrative. Opposition to the August 2019 changes is a legitimate political position within democratic discourse, and the party is entitled to advocate its constitutional viewpoint. But a political organisation ultimately has to tell people not merely what it opposes but what it proposes to accomplish under existing circumstances. This is where the PDP's present difficulty becomes visible. Its politics increasingly appears centred around a catalogue of grievancesArticle 370, detention of political leaders and other persons, relations with the Centre, security measures, administrative decisions, the functioning of the elected government and the political positions of rival parties. On almost every major issue, the PDP presents itself as the aggrieved party. When the Centre acts, PDP complains. When the National Conference acts, PDP complains. When political space shifts towards another party, PDP complains. When its leaders leave, the party portrays itself as the victim of circumstances. When other parties appropriate issues once identified with PDP, it again complains of political betrayal or inconsistency. Politics, however, cannot permanently operate on grievance. A political party has to create hope, provide solutions and persuade people that it possesses a credible programme for the future. The younger generation of Kashmir is increasingly concerned about employment, education, entrepreneurship, tourism, technology, infrastructure and opportunities in the wider Indian and global economy. Constitutional and political questions remain important, but they cannot be the sole content of politics indefinitely. The PDP also faces a fundamental contradiction in its relationship with the National Conference. For years, it sought to distinguish itself from the NC. The PDP offered self-rule; the NC traditionally advocated autonomy. The PDP claimed to represent a different political approach and repeatedly attacked the Abdullah-led party for its historical record. Yet today the political space separating the two parties has narrowed considerably on several major issues. Both criticise the constitutional changes of August 2019. Both speak about restoration of constitutional protections, though their formulations and political strategies differ. Both compete for substantially overlapping segments of the electorate in Kashmir. The result is an identity problem for the PDP. If it takes positions similar to the National Conference, voters may ask why they need the PDP when the NC possesses a larger organisation and a longer political history. If it moves further towards sharper rhetoric merely to distinguish itself, it risks restricting its ability to expand beyond a particular political constituency. This dilemma has contributed to the politics of constant complaint. Instead of defining an entirely new political agenda, PDP frequently reacts to what the NC, BJP or Central Government is doing. Reactive politics may keep a party visible in newspapers and television debates, but visibility is not the same thing as political revival. The 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election demonstrated the scale of the challenge. The National Conference emerged as the dominant force in the Valley, while the PDP's representation was sharply reduced compared with the position it once occupied. That electoral result cannot simply be explained away by circumstances. It represented a message from voters that the PDP needed serious political introspection. The party has nevertheless shown that it retains pockets of political relevance. Its later success in the Budgam Assembly by-election demonstrated that political space in Kashmir remains fluid and that no party can permanently take voters for granted. But an isolated electoral revival cannot substitute for rebuilding a broad political organisation and developing a coherent long-term programme. The PDP must also confront the consequences of its own political history. It cannot erase the years during which it exercised power. It cannot speak as though every controversial decision in Jammu and Kashmir was taken by somebody else. Governments headed by the PDP faced protests, security challenges, administrative controversies and difficult political decisions. Political accountability does not disappear merely because a party moves from treasury benches to opposition benches. That is precisely why perpetual victimhood becomes politically unconvincing. A mature political party accepts responsibility for its own record while criticising its opponents. It explains what it did right, acknowledges what went wrong and tells voters what it would do differently in the future. Constantly locating responsibility elsewhere may provide immediate political convenience, but it does not necessarily rebuild credibility. Kashmir itself is changing. A new generation has emerged that did not experience many of the political events which shaped the leadership of older parties in the same way. Its aspirations are increasingly connected with education, economic mobility, technology, entrepreneurship, employment and access to opportunities beyond Jammu and Kashmir. Any party seeking a durable future must speak to these aspirations. The PDP therefore faces a choice. It can continue to define itself principally through grievancesagainst New Delhi, against BJP, against NC, against administrative decisions and against changing political circumstancesor it can rediscover the reformist political energy with which it originally entered Kashmir politics. A party that once challenged the established political order cannot indefinitely survive by complaining that the political order has changed against it. The description of PDP as the cry baby of Kashmir politics is therefore not merely a rhetorical expression. It reflects a deeper political criticism: the transition of a once agenda-setting party into an increasingly reactive political organisation. Kashmir does not need political parties competing over who can articulate the greatest grievance. It needs political organisations capable of offering competing visions of development, governance, employment, peace and democratic participation. The PDP has every democratic right to oppose policies with which it disagrees. It has every right to campaign for its constitutional positions and criticise both the Government of India and the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. But opposition acquires credibility when it is accompanied by an alternative. The real challenge before PDP is therefore not to prove that it has reasons to complain. Every opposition party can find reasons to complain. Its challenge is to prove that it still has something new to offer. Until it succeeds in doing so, the image of the PDP as the cry baby of Kashmir politics will remain a political criticism that the party will find increasingly difficult to answer. Advocate Sunil Sethi, Chief Spokesperson BJP J&K

Artificial Intelligence & evolving Data Centres

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence and its widespread usage has created a major demand for faster processing and computing capabilities. As a consequence, we see specialised Data Centres coming up across the globe, especially employing GPUs (Graphical Processing Units). Such Data centres house thousands of GPUs working synchronously to address the computational workload of enormous complexity and volumes, spanning across diverse domains like Healthcare, Finance and Analytics. GPU data Centres have been in the limelight by virtue of their significant contribution to Artificial Intelligence. In fact the strong correlation makes GPU Data Centres and Artificial Intelligence go hand in hand, to the extent that their survival is inter-dependent on each other. A Graphical Processing Unit or GPU was initially created for developing high resolution graphics and video games, but now it has moved far beyond gaming, due to its enhanced processing capabilities, and has become an essential participant in AI adoption. Architecturally, a GPU is comprised of multiple cores or processors and distributes tasks across these cores, allowing these to be computed concurrently. This multi-processing capability gives GPUs a significant advantage over traditional CPUs, especially in areas with high computation load like image recognition, natural language processing, predictive analytics etc. AI needs to analyse massive amounts of data and perform billions of calculations with large datasets and complex algorithms. The need is addressed by GPUs which can perform thousands of calculations at the same time, making AI models train much faster than using CPUs. The ability to process vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently makes it an ideal hardware component for heavy workloads in the data center. Besides faster data processing, they also augment innovation in deep tech areas. Massive expansion of data centres has led to an exponential growth in the requirement of GPU chips and storage units. Adoption of Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Models and autonomous systems has changed the basic blueprint of Data Centres. GPUs have become the foundation and an essential component of upcoming Data Centres, which form the backbone of AI Infrastructure. The functionality of data centres has moved from traditional general-purpose computing to high demand zero latency computing for training large language models, running real-time inferences and predictive analytics. While traditional Data Centres relied primarily on computing power, the current scenario requires parallel processing of thousands of chips with massive storage and high-speed network. However, these data centres face their own challenges due to high energy demand, heat generation and space. AI centric data centres have very high rack density (energy consumption per server rack) as compared to traditional models, implying higher power consumption and heat dissipation. This calls upon technology to optimise the infrastructure by yielding more computing power while managing adequate cooling to counter the massive amount of heat generated by GPUs and energy consumed to operate the same. Thus, Data Centre architecture is evolving to include massive compute power, ultra-fast low-latency networks, advanced cooling, large scale storage and resilient infrastructure. Today, the success of a data centre revolves around four key pillars of computing speed, cooling, power consumption and sustainability. Currently there are about 10000 data centre facilities worldwide. AI comprises about 15% of the total work load of these Global Data Centres, which is likely to go up to 40% in the next five years. As of now, major Cloud providers are investing heavily into AI centric Data Centres, as AI workloads are pushing data centre growth. The model has evolved into Compute-as-a-service, where organisations rent the computing power for their AI training and modeling. While conceiving an AI data centre one needs to consider computing capacity, storage, connectivity, Bandwidth, Space, Water, Electricity and space. Upcoming Data centres would need heavy investment in infrastructure, power, GPUs, Network and Cooling systems. The heavy resource demands are being addressed with innovative concepts like liquid cooling, renewable energy and a unified AI fabric combining compute, storage and network. Data Centres are playing a key role with the increase in volumes and complexity of datasets and evolution of Artificial Intelligence, becoming a backbone for such systems, thereby making AI ready Infrastructure a necessity. The sector is expanding rapidly, with an expected three-fold growth over next few years and will change the digital infrastructure landscape. Author is a technocrat with expertise in Data Analytics, Cyber Law and Digital Forensics. He is currently acting as consulting advisor/ mentor to several startups and an ardent supporter of causes pertaining to Environment and Sustainability.