Opinion

France bans Israel's Ben-Gvir from entry

New Delhi, May 24: Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has been placed under travel ban by France. It banned Ben-Gvir following global outrage over his posting of a video mocking detained activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. French Foreign Minister Jean-Nol Barrot announced that Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering the French territory. This decision was driven by anger over Ben-Gvir posting a video of himself taunting bound and kneeling European and French citizens who were part of the Global Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla, As of this day, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from accessing French territory, Barrot said in a statement. Barrot also called on the European Union to impose sanctions on Ben-Gvir, echoing a similar appeal made by his Italian counterpart. Ben-Gvir, a far-right member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus coalition government, has previously drawn international criticism over comments about Palestinians and the war in Gaza among other things. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom have also enacted travel bans and assets freezes t on Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. These actions were implemented in response to the ministers' incitement of violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

LoP should take care of his constituency first before making remarks on CM: Tanvir Sadiq

CM Omar visits Mawar to offer condolences to MP Er Rashid, MLA Sheikh Khursheed

20 killed, 70 injured in blast targeting shuttle train in Pakistan's Balochistan

Karachi, May 24: At least 20 people were killed and nearly 70 injured after a powerful explosion ripped through a shuttle train in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Sunday, authorities said. The shuttle train was heading from Quetta Cantonment to the railway station when it was targeted near Chaman Phatak, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. Pakistan's Railways Minister, Hanif Abbasi, confirmed the explosion and said there were passengers on the shuttle train and the explosion had hit the engine and three bogies. The train was going from Quetta Cantt station to the City Railway station when the explosion took place this morning, Abbasi said. Pakistani TV channels and websites reported that at least 20 people have been killed and 70 injured in the explosion. The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the blast. According to a claim by a BLA spokesperson, the attack was carried out as the train was transporting military personnel from Quetta Cantt. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the explosion and said that such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the resolve of the people of Pakistan. I strongly condemn the heinous bomb explosion near Chaman Phatak, Quetta, which has resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives and left many others injured, Sharif posted on X. Such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the resolve of the people of Pakistan. We remain steadfast in our determination to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the swift recovery of the injured. The entire nation stands in solidarity with the people of Balochistan in this hour of grief, he said in a post. A senior police official speaking on condition of anonymity from Quetta said they had been instructed not to give public statements, and the government spokesperson would make the official statement on the incident while confirming the number of deaths and injuries. From what we know, there are around 18-20 casualties, and dozens were injured in the explosion, he said. The noise and impact of the explosion were so loud that the glass of nearby vehicles and buildings was shattered. The train was carrying passengers to the City Railway Station from where they were scheduled to catch connecting trains to their hometowns for the Eid Holidays. In November 2024, at least 32 people were killed and scores were injured when a suicide bomber hit the Quetta Cantt Railway Station. Railway authorities said the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express was stopped at Quetta Railway Station after the blast as a precautionary measure, Geo News reported. Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi condemned the attack as a cowardly act of terrorism, adding that it would not weaken the nations resolve against militancy. He said hostile forces were involved in malicious activities aimed at spreading unrest and fear in Pakistan. Slamming terrorists as enemies of humanity, the minister asserted they would be brought to a disgraceful end. Babar Yousafzai, the spokesperson to the home minister, said that all relevant institutions have been placed on high alert following an explosion in the city. He urged the public not to gather near the blast site to ensure safety and allow emergency teams to carry out rescue operations without obstruction.

Search for terrorists intensifies in JK's Rajouri after encounter, more troops deployed

Feared Ladakh Would Become Another Manipur, But Recent MHA Talks A Positive Shift: Wangchuk

New Delhi, May 24: The recent talks between Ladakh representatives and the Centre marked a positive step, activist Sonam Wangchuk said, though he cautioned that trust-building in the region remained incomplete, citing unresolved cases from last years protests, seizure of personal devices and action against institutions linked to the movement. In an interview with news agency on Saturday following the latest round of discussions with a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sub-committee, Wangchuk said he noted a shift in his [] The post Feared Ladakh Would Become Another Manipur, But Recent MHA Talks A Positive Shift: Wangchuk appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

WHS Sports Hub Successfully Hosts Prestigious 2-Day Golf Cup in Srinagar

CM Omar Abdullah Visits Residence Of MP Er Rashid, Expresses Condolences

LANGATE (HANDWARA), May 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today visited the residence of Member of Parliament Er Rashid and MLA Langate Khursheed Ahmed Sheikh to offer his heartfelt condolences on the demise of their father, Khizar Mohammad Sheikh, who passed away last week after a prolonged illness. Khizar Mohammad Sheikh, 85, breathed his last at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi where he had been undergoing treatment. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister Javid Ahmed Dar, Member [] The post CM Omar Abdullah Visits Residence Of MP Er Rashid, Expresses Condolences appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

LG Saxena Launches Ecological Restoration Project To Reclaim 800 Acres Of Barren Land In Ladakh

LEH/JAMMU, May 24: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday launched an ambitious ecological restoration project to reclaim nearly 800 acres of barren land near Spituk and transform it into a productive ecosystem through innovative freshwater recharge techniques. This was a major initiative launched by the LG aimed at reversing land degradation in the cold desert region of Ladakh. Officials said that the pilot project has been undertaken on the directions of the LG Saxena after identifying around 800 acres [] The post LG Saxena Launches Ecological Restoration Project To Reclaim 800 Acres Of Barren Land In Ladakh appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

US GoPro Shipped To China Traced To Lashkar Terrorists, NIA Ascertaining Supply Chain: Officials

PAHALGAM, May 24: Even as the NIA has filed a comprehensive chargesheet in the Pahalgam terror attack, investigators are aggressively tracing a global supply chain to determine how a US-manufactured GoPro camera supplied to China ended up in the hands of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit, senior officials said on Sunday. The high-tech camera recovered from the terrorists, who were neutralised in an encounter in Dachigam forests last July following the attack, has opened a critical new line of inquiry into [] The post US GoPro Shipped To China Traced To Lashkar Terrorists, NIA Ascertaining Supply Chain: Officials appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

LG Manoj Sinha interacts with NCC Cadets at Special National Integration Camp

Srinagar, May 24: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today attended the Special National Integration Camp organised by National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate, Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh. During his interaction with NCC cadets from across the country, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised that this special camp is a living symbol of Indias spirit, where every cadet is not just witnessing history but actively shaping it. India places its hope and confidence in its youth, trusting that the young generation will lead the nation to greater heights. NCC cadets must honour that trust by living the values of the NCC and spreading across communities, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor said that for India, diversity is the greatest strength and for many centuries, our greatest strength lies in turning diversity into unity, weaving many cultures into one shared national spirit. The values of unity in diversity and the leadership qualities you have learned at this camp must be put to use in improving society. Equally important is the seed of patriotism sown here must be carried forward with full responsibility and dedication to the youth in your states and cities, the Lieutenant Governor told the NCC cadets. The Lieutenant Governor observed that the youth of the NCC are both Indias strength today and the builders of its tomorrow. He said the youth are inheriting a world of rapid change, which may unsettle many nations but Indias youth are full of confidence, equipped with skills to rise to meet these challenges with courage and capability. I want to emphasize that NCC cadets possess a remarkable creative energy and a strong readiness to move forward. I want that energy to be channeled with clear purpose so you can stand firm against every challenge the future brings. The NCC motto is Unity and Discipline. Guided by this ideal, you should work to foster unity in your states and regions, resolve social problems through dialogue and respect, and build a path for Viksit Bharat, the Lieutenant Governor said. The event featured captivating performances by NCC cadets, vividly showcasing India's rich cultural diversity. The camp brings together 340 cadets and NCC officers from all over the country. Lieutenant General Virendra Vats, Director General, National Cadet Corps (NCC); Lieutenant General Balbir Singh, GoC, Chinar Corps; Major General Anupinder Bevli, Additional Director General NCC J&K and Ladakh Directorate; Major General Abhijit Mitra, GoC 31 Sub Area; Shri Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Dr. GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; Shri Akshay Labroo; Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; Shri Naseer Ahmad Wani, Director School Education Kashmir; Prof Sheikh Aijaz Bashir, Director Colleges, senior officials of NCC Directorates, Army, Police and civil administration, NCC Cadets from across the country were present.

Missing Budgam girl found dead, laid to rest amid tears and sobs

Department of Consumer Affairs expands scope of GATC; verification of CNG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers enabled

New Delhi, May 24: The Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has amended the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013, to further strengthen Indias legal metrology ecosystem and expand the countrys verification infrastructure for weights and measures. Five New Fuel Dispensing Systems Brought Under GATC Framework A key feature of the amendment is the expansion of the scope of Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs) to include verification and re-verification of additional fuel dispensing systems. The move is expected to enhance the availability of verification services, improve efficiency and support the growing adoption of cleaner fuels across the country. Under the amended Rules, the following five categories of dispensing systems have been added to the list of instruments that can be verified by GATCs: Petrol/Diesel Dispensers CNG Dispensers LPG Dispensers LNG Dispensers Hydrogen Dispensers With the inclusion of these instruments, Government Approved Test Centres can now undertake verification and re-verification of a total of 23 categories of weights and measures under the Legal Metrology framework. Supporting Clean Fuel Infrastructure The inclusion of CNG, LNG and Hydrogen dispensers under the GATC framework comes at a time when the use of cleaner fuels is increasing across the country. The measure will help ensure accurate fuel delivery and greater transparency in transactions. Expanding Verification Capacity Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs) are approved facilities with the required infrastructure and technical expertise to undertake verification and re-verification of specified weights and measures under the Legal Metrology Act and Rules. By involving qualified private laboratories and industries, the GATC framework helps expand the country's verification capacity and improve access to verification services. Greater Flexibility and Faster Processing The amendments empower State Governments to notify additional categories of weights and measures for verification through GATCs under their respective Rules. This will help expand verification services based on local requirements. To improve administrative efficiency, officers of the rank of Joint Secretary and above have also been authorised to exercise powers under relevant provisions of the Rules, enabling quicker processing of approvals and related matters. Verification Fees Notified Under the amended Rules, the verification fee for Petrol and Diesel dispensers has been fixed at 5,000 per nozzle, while the fee for CNG, LPG, LNG and Hydrogen dispensers has been fixed at 10,000 per nozzle. Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs) are already playing an important role in providing timely and reliable verification services for weighing and measuring instruments across the country. The expanded scope of GATCs is expected to further strengthen India's verification infrastructure, improve service delivery and reduce delays. The reforms will also enable State Legal Metrology Departments to focus more on inspection, enforcement and consumer grievance redressal. The initiative supports the Government's vision of technology-driven governance, transparency in trade practices and Atmanirbhar Bharat, while strengthening India's metrology system in line with global best practices and recommendations of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). Categories of Weights and Measures Verifiable Through GATCs Existing Categories (18) Water Meter Sphygmomanometer Clinical Thermometer Automatic Rail Weighbridges Tape Measures Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments of Accuracy Class III (up to 150 kg) Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments of Accuracy Class IIII Load Cell Beam Scale Counter Machine Weights (All Categories) Gas Meter Energy Meter Moisture Meter Vehicle Speed Meter Breath Analyzer Multi-Dimensional Measuring Instrument Flow Meter Newly Added Categories (5) Petrol/Diesel Dispenser CNG Dispenser LPG Dispenser LNG Dispenser Hydrogen Dispenser

Delhi Red Fort blast: NIA chargesheet reveals abuse of AI platform for 'terror engineering'

NIA investigation into the Red Fort car blast uncovers a disturbing use of artificial intelligence for terror engineering. Accused individuals allegedly developed and tested rocket Improvised Explosive Devices in Jammu and Kashmir. The probe details a meticulous approach to IED fabrication. This case highlights the evolving methods of terrorist groups.

Rahul Gandhi urges party's Muslim leaders to raise issues concerning their community

New Delhi, May 23: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday urged Muslim leaders of the party to vociferously raise issues concerning their community and to work towards enhancing their representation. Sources said that during a meeting of the advisory council of the party's Minority Department, Rahul Gandhi said that if injustice is done against a Muslim, one should raise their voice specifically as a 'Muslim', rather than merely as a member of a 'minority' group. Similarly, he emphasised that if Dalits, OBCs, or members of the general category face attacks, the issue should be raised by explicitly identifying that specific community. Rahul Gandhi's direct message was that the Congress party should not shy away from using the word 'Muslim'. It has often been observed these days that instead of explicitly saying 'Muslim,' people tend to use the term 'minority', a leader present at the meeting said. Sources further said Gandhi also stressed the need for the Congress party's Minority Department to create a platform that ensures adequate participation for the community within the party structure. According to sources, while touching upon the issue of vote theft, he said that former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had previously not aligned with the Congress on this matter, but has now called for a movement against it. He also remarked in the context of the Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam that these elections were not conducted in a free and fair manner. Sources said that citing the country's current economic situation, the former Congress president claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi lacks the capability to effectively manage the situation over the long term.

LoP making below the belt remarks: DyCM

Jammu, May 23: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday took exception to, what he alleged, below the belt remarks of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in J&K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma about the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He (Sunil) is Leader of the Opposition. Such below the belt remarks dont behove him. His criticism of the Chief Minister is very unfair. LoP, himself, remained missing for around two months during the J&K budget session. He was away in Assam. We did not raise any objection. We did not ask him where he was. Precisely, in healthy politics, there should be no place for below the belt remarks, Choudhary said, while responding to a media query on the sidelines of an official event, about LoPs statement that BJP would file an FIR vis-a-vis missing Chief Minister. Whenever LoP launches a verbal assault against the Chief Minister, he makes below the belt remarks. This is not done. We both, LoP and myself, come from very humble backgrounds. We should be thankful to the Almighty that with His blessings we have reached such respectable posts. We need to maintain the dignity of our positions, the Deputy Chief Minister stated. He rubbished, what he said, the oppositions missing CM propaganda and asserted that the Chief Minister had informed the relevant quarters, before leaving. In the same breath, he threw a string of posers. Does the Chief Minister need to seek permission from the LoP before going anywhere? This is an absurd proposition. As far as the Chief Minister is concerned, he is not missing. He (CM) took the entire cabinet into confidence. During the cabinet meeting, when even the Chief Secretary (CS) was there CM informed all of us that he had some personal engagement and he would be away for a few days. What wrong did he commit? Choudhary questioned. He reiterated that the Chief Minister had informed the relevant quarters - his cabinet colleagues. Does he need to make a public announcement? Should he announce it in a press conference? As per propriety, he informed the relevant persons (cabinet, CS) at the proper platform. LoP and his party BJP are in the habit of threatening people with FIRs and other intimidating measures. There are no takes for these tactics here. The Omar Abdullah government cannot be intimidated by such frivolous statements. We dont need to inform them about our every move. Likewise, they (BJP) dont need to tell us. In fact, we dont ask, the Deputy Chief Minister said. When asked about LoPs another statement that the National Conference government led by Omar Abdullah would not last long and would fall on its own given the simmering discontent within the party among its MLAs, Choudhary said that he and his party were fed up with such rhetoric of the LoP. There is no threat to the Omar Abdullah government. He (LoP) should not bother about us. As far as his statement is concerned that NC MLAs are dissatisfied leading to disintegration of the party and ultimately the fall of government, our simple proposition is Those MLAs, who are in touch with him or are ready to sell; LoP can buy them. Let the government fall- well see. He (LoP) wants to indulge in horse-trading. Let him, we are not afraid. But we are fed up with his everyday boasting. We are averse to his rhetoric. Let him do what he wants, we dont care, the Deputy Chief Minister dared LoP. On May 22, LoP Sunil Sharma had asserted that the NC government would disintegrate on its own and would not be able to complete its term. Im not a broker that I should remain in touch with the dissidents (of a political party). Im the Leader of Opposition so I dont need to coordinate with any dissident. But Im a political animal. I live in J&K and we, too, have our own sources of information. Hence, I reiterate that this government will disintegrate for sure. Im asserting here that it will not be able to complete its full term, at any cost, Sharma had claimed. RAINAS COCKROACH ACT WARNING TO YOUTH Referring to a video featuring his political bete noire and former J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina, crushing a cockroach, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary claimed that it was a symbolic act to ridicule youth of J&K and other parts of India. Youth have recently generated a movement identifying themselves with cockroaches a name given to the unemployed youth. Raina through his act was showing that anyone, who would raise a dissenting voice against them, would be crushed like a cockroach, he alleged. Choudhary had defeated Raina from Nowshera assembly segment in the 2024 elections. Taking dig at Sunil Sharma and other BJP leaders for alleging that even the residence of NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah in Bhatindi was constructed on the encroached forest land, the Deputy Chief Minister said, They (BJP) are known for their holier than thou approach. They pose that only they are above the board, rest everyone else is corrupt. I request the Lieutenant Governor to order an ACB raid on the residence of Raina and his brother. Ask him how his brother created so much wealth, he said.

WHO declares Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern

New Delhi, May 24: In light of the reported outbreaks of Ebola Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO), under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, on 17 May 2026, determined the situation to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also officially declared the ongoing outbreak of Bundibugyo strain Ebola Virus Disease affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). Further, the WHO IHR Emergency Committee on 22 May 2026 issued temporary recommendations to strengthen disease surveillance at Points of Entry to detect, assess, report and manage travellers with unexplained febrile illness arriving from areas with documented Bundibugyo virus detection while also discouraging travel to areas with documented Bundibugyo virus detection. Countries bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, including South Sudan, are assessed to be at high risk of disease transmission. Ebola Disease is a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by infection with the Bundibugyo virus strain of Ebola Virus. It is a serious disease with a high mortality rate. At present, no vaccines or specific treatments have been approved to prevent or treat Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain. India has not reported any case of Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain. In view of the evolving situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other affected countries, and in line with WHOs recommendations, Government of India advises all Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan until further notice. Indian citizens currently residing in or travelling to these countries have been advised to strictly follow public health guidance issued by local authorities and maintain heightened precautions.

JKCSF, JKPUF express concern over delay in salaries, pensions ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

Srinagar, May 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum and Jammu and Kashmir Pensioners United Front , under the chairmanship of Abdul Qayoom Wani , have expressed deep concern and anguish over the non-release of salaries to government employees, pensions of retired employees, wages of temporary and casual workers, and long-pending payments to contractors ahead of the sacred occasion of Eid-ul-Azha In a joint statement, the organisations termed the situation highly unfortunate and insensitive, especially at a time when lakhs of families across Jammu and Kashmir are preparing for one of the most important religious festivals of the Muslim community. Eid-ul-Azha is not merely a festival but a sacred occasion associated with sacrifice, compassion, charity and collective happiness. Denial or delay of legitimate financial dues at such a crucial time has pushed thousands of families into severe emotional and economic distress. The organisations said that despite repeated appeals from civil society groups, employee unions, pensioners, contractors and various social organisations, the government has failed to respond seriously to the genuine concerns of the people. They stated that where there is a will, there is always a way, and similar measures had been taken in previous years whenever Eid fell after the 21st of the month. The statement particularly highlighted the plight of low-paid workers including Anganwadi workers, cooks, contingent paid staff, daily wagers, AAYAs, ASHA workers and other temporary employees whose wages have remained unpaid for months together. According to the organisations, these economically weaker sections are facing unbearable hardship during a period when household expenses rise significantly due to Eid preparations. JKCSF and JKPUF further said that contractors and small business owners are also suffering because of the non-clearance of pending bills. The continued delay in payments has badly affected the market economy in Jammu and Kashmir. Small traders, shopkeepers and local business establishments are among the worst affected, as purchasing power among the common people has sharply declined. The organisations criticised the government for allegedly prioritising enhancement of privileges and facilities for legislators and VIP institutions while ignoring the pressing concerns of employees, pensioners and common citizens. They maintained that timely release of salaries and dues is not a favour but a legitimate right of the people. Abdul Qayoom Wani stated that if the government had shown seriousness and commitment towards public welfare, temporary financial arrangements could have been made through institutional support mechanisms, including short-term banking arrangements, to ensure release of salaries before Eid. He added that failure to do so reflects administrative insensitivity towards the aspirations and emotions of the people. The organisations urged the administration to immediately release all pending salaries, pensions, wages and contractors payments without further delay so that families may celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with dignity, peace and a sense of security.

Abdul Ahad Dar, brother of Chadoora MLA, breathes his last

Budgam, May 24: Abdul Ahad Dar, younger brother of Chadoora MLA Ali Mohammad Dar and a resident of Doniwara Chadoora in central Kashmirs Budgam district, passed away on Saturday morning, family sources said. Family sources said that the younger brother of the Chadoora MLA, breathed his last this morning. His demise has sparked grief and sorrow across the area, with political leaders, relatives and well-wishers expressing condolences to the bereaved family. People from different walks of life prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul and strength for the family to bear the loss. (KNO)

Forces bust suspected hideout, recover RPG ammo in Baramulla

Baramulla, May 24: Security forces on Sunday recovered a major cache of explosive ammunition during a joint operation in the Nilsar Kandi area of north Kashmirs Baramulla district. Sources said that the operation was launched jointly by Baramulla Police, 52 Rashtriya Rifles of the Army and the CRPF following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terror-related material in the area. They said the joint team carried out a thorough search operation in the forested belt of Nilsar Kandi, during which a suspected terrorist hideout was busted. During the searches, security forces recovered a substantial quantity of ammunition, including Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) ammunition and other explosive material. The area was later sanitised and the recovered material was taken into custody for further investigation. Meanwhile, a case has been registered and further investigation has been initiated.(KNO)

Missing 12-year-old girl found dead in Budgam field

Budgam, May 24: A minor girl who had been missing since Saturday was found dead in a nearby field in Galwanpora village of central Kashmirs Budgam district on Sunday morning, officials said. An official said that the girl had gone missing on Saturday, prompting family members and local residents to launch a search operation. He said the body was recovered from a nearby field on Sunday, triggering shock and grief across the area. Meanwhile, police have reached the spot and taken cognizance of the incident. Legal proceedings have been initiated and further investigation is underway.(KNO)

A 9-storey building under construction in Philippines collapses, possibly trapping dozens of workers

Manila, May 24: A nine-storey building under construction in a city north of the Philippine capital collapsed early Sunday with 22 workers managing to get out while dozens of others remain missing, police and other officials said. The building collapsed before dawn during a thunderstorm in Angeles City in Pampanga province, north of Manila. More than 100 police and other government personnel were scrambling to rescue those believed trapped in the rubble, police Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez said. Mendez could not immediately say how many workers were trapped in the collapsed building. But Jay Pelayo, who heads Angeles City's information office, said at least 30 workers may still be trapped in the rubble, citing a construction foreman who managed to dash out of the building as it tumbled down. Angeles City used to host one of the largest US Air Force bases outside of the American mainland until it closed in the early 1990s, helping develop Clark and outlying cities and towns into entertainment and commercial hubs in the main northern Philippine region of Luzon. The Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Metro Manila.

Anantnag Police book two under NDPS; seize contraband substance

Anantnag, May 24: Intensifying the crackdown on drug trafficking under 'Nasha Mukht J&K Abhiyan', Anantnag Police, in two seperate incidents, booked two persons under NDPS Act and recovered 3.265 kg Charas like contraband substance from their possession, police officials said on Sunday. Police achieved a significant success in Bijbehara by registering two separate NDPS cases and recovering a substantial quantity of contraband substance, an official spokesperson said in a press statement. The statement said that during routine naka checking at Rakh Nowbug, a police party from Police Station Bijbehara apprehended one drug peddler identified as Umar Rasheed Ganie, son of Abdul Rasheed Ganie, resident of Nowbug Bijbehara. During his search, 295 grams of charas powder-like substance was recovered from his possession.Accordingly, FIR No. 137/2026 under Section 8/20 NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Bijbehara and investigation has been taken up. Acting on a specific tip-off, a police party from Police Post Sangam, in another operation, conducted a search at the residence of Bashir Ahmad Dar, son of Amma Dar, resident of Natipora and recovered approximately 2.970 kilograms of charas powder-like contraband substance from his residential premises. In this regard, FIR No. 136/2026 under Section 8/20 NDPS Act has been registered and investigation has been set into motion. The accused was not present at the time of the search, and efforts are underway to apprehend him. Anantnag Police remains committed to eradicating the drug menace and urges the public to cooperate by sharing information regarding drug-related activities in their areas.

Ujala Cygnus in partnership with Amandeep BR Medicity celebrates milestone

Ujala Cygnus, in partnership with Amandeep BR Medicity Tengpora Bypass, has achieved a remarkable milestone in neonatal care with the successful discharge of over 200 critically ill newborns from its advanced Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), bringing hope, relief, and joy to hundreds of families across Jammu & Kashmir. The NICU has cared for some of the most fragile lives, including babies with birth weights as low as 600 grams, with a majority belonging to the Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW), less than 1.5 kg, and Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW), less than 1 kg, categories. These newborns required intensive, round-the-clock care for complex conditions such as severe respiratory distress, sepsis, and metabolic instability. A significant number also needed advanced respiratory support, including High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV), a highly specialized mode of ventilation reserved for the most severe cases. This milestone has been made possible through expertise in managing high-risk and premature newborns, availability of advanced ventilation strategies including HFOV, implementation of Developmental Supportive Care (DSC) to promote neurodevelopmental outcomes, integration of bedside technologies such as POCUS and Point-of-Care Echocardiography for real-time decision-making, strong infection control and nutritional protocols, and a dedicated multidisciplinary NICU team. Caring for newborns as small as 600 grams requires precision, teamwork, and relentless dedication. This achievement reflects our commitment to bring advanced, compassionate neonatal care to the families of Jammu & Kashmir and give every baby the best possible start in life, said Dr. Altaf Hussain, HOD and Consultant Neonatology, Amandeep BR Medicity. This milestone is a testament to the skill, compassion, and perseverance of our NICU team. Ujala Cygnus, in partnership with Amandeep BR Medicity, remains committed to strengthening advanced neonatal services and ensuring that even the most critically ill newborns receive world-class care close to home, said Dr. Amandeep Kaur, Director, Amandeep BR Medicity.

Voluntary Medicare Society organises distribution of mobility devices for 200 visually impaired persons

Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS) organised a large-scale distribution and training program of Saarthi Smart Canes and smart mobility devices for 200 visually impaired persons from across Jammu & Kashmir at its Head Office, Bemina, Srinagar. The initiative was aimed at promoting independent mobility, safety, dignity, and inclusion for persons with visual impairment through the use of innovative assistive technology. Dr Akramullah Tak, Additional Commissioner, Kashmir presided over the function. Also pnaresent on the occasion were Prof. (Dr.) Mir Mohammad Maqbool President/Founder, VMS, Amit , Zonal Relationship Manager (North) from Hyundai India Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Farooq Ahmad Kaloo,Prof. Masooda Yaseen, Ayoub Bhat Administrator VMS. Businessmen Bilal of Hyundai Show Room and Athwas Promoter Arshad were present on the occasion. Arshad announced that Athwas would sponsor advanced assistive devices for five visually impaired students as a token beginning. Amit told the audience that his company sponsored the distribution of smart canes as first CSR project for visually impaired persons in the North and they made the beginning in Kashmir. Adding that their next camp will be held in Jammu on Monday. Torchit Electronics, a National Award-winning social startup based in Ahmedabad, partnered as the technology and implementation partner for the program. Dinesh K. Bahl from Torchit Electronics supported by VMS conducted a detailed hands-on training session for the beneficiaries regarding the use and functionality of Saarthi Smart Canes and smart mobility devices. The beneficiaries expressed gratitude towards the sponsors and the Voluntary Medicare Society and supporting organizations for bringing advanced assistive technologies to Jammu & Kashmir and enabling greater confidence and independent mobility among visually impaired individuals. The program concluded with a vote of thanks and a reaffirmation of the organizations commitment towards inclusion, accessibility, rehabilitation, and empowerment of persons with disabilities across the region.

Rashid Hanjura's Kashmiri translation of Hazrat Shahi Hamdan ( RAs) Zakhirul Malook released

An impressive literary cum spiritual function was organised here by the Islamic Research and Relief Trust in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Urdu Council, during which the Kashmiri translation of the world-renowned Persian work Zakhirat-ul-Muluk authored by the 14th century revered Sufi saint Mir Sayeed Ali Hamadani (RA) was formally released. The Kashmiri translation of the book has been rendered by noted social reformer and writer Advocate Abdul Rashid Hanjura. The event was organised on the auspicious occasion of the annual Urs of Shah-e-Hamdan (RA) coinciding with the forthcoming Eid-ul-Adha celebrations. Prominent social and religious scholar Dr Syed Shams-ur-Rehman attended the function the as chief guest, while noted writer and scholar Dr.Maroof Ahmad Shah, Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Urdu Council Ejaz Ahmad Kakroo, eminent educationist GN War, religious preacher Molvi Mohammad Ashraf and representatives of Batamaloo and downtown Traders Associations adorned the presidium. Although Zakhirat-ul-Muluk has already been translated into several languages, Abdul Rashid Hanjuras work is believed to be the first authentic Kashmiri translation of its kind , after Molvi Qasim Shah. Comprising ten chapters on political ethics, principles of governance and Sufism, the book has had a profound influence on the social, cultural and political fabric of Kashmir. In the book, Shah-e-Hamdan (RA) has presented the concept of a welfare-oriented society, which not only contributed to the spread of Islam in Kashmir but also played a vital role in reforming rulers and laying the foundation of a welfare state. In his welcome address, Advocate Abdul Rashid Hanjura stressed the urgent need to uphold human values and strengthen the spirit of social service in society.

Adv Maroof Khan calls for immediate release of salaries, urges govt to ensure smooth festive arrangements

Political Youth Leader and Adv Maroof Khan has urged the Jammu & Kashmir Government and concerned authorities to immediately release the pending salaries of employees and daily wagers ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, stating that timely disbursement of salaries is essential to ensure that people are able to celebrate the auspicious occasion with dignity and peace of mind. In a statement issued here, Adv Maroof Khan said that thousands of employees and their families across Jammu & Kashmir are facing immense difficulties due to delay in salaries at a time when households are preparing for Eid-ul-Adha and managing essential expenses. He emphasised that employees form the backbone of the administrative structure and their genuine concerns must be addressed on priority. Adv Maroof Khan further appealed to the administration to make comprehensive and timely arrangements across the Union Territory to facilitate smooth, peaceful, and hassle-free celebrations for the people. He stressed upon ensuring uninterrupted electricity and water supply, proper sanitation, availability of essential commodities, effective traffic management, market regulation, and healthcare preparedness during the festive days. He stated that Eid-ul-Adha is a festival of sacrifice, compassion, and togetherness, and it is the collective responsibility of the Government and administration to ensure that every family across J&K is able to celebrate the occasion without inconvenience or distress. Adv Maroof Khan expressed hope that the Government will take immediate and people-friendly measures in the larger public interest and stand firmly with the people during the festive occasion.

JKSA intervention prompts VCI inspection at SKUAST-K

Following a formal intervention by the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) highlighting large-scale over-admission at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) conducted an on-ground inspection and held interactions with students at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry (FVSc & AH), Shuhama. The Council has assured that currently enrolled students will not face hurdles in securing registration and indicated that the intake capacity will be restored in accordance with approved norms, as per a press release. The development comes after the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association formally raised the issue with the President of the Veterinary Council of India, Dr. Umesh Chandra Sharma, regarding a significant discrepancy in the universitys student intake capacity. In a statement issued on Friday, National President of Association Ummar Jamal said that the association had submitted a formal representation to the VCI Chairman, seeking urgent intervention over what it described as arbitrary and excessive admissions by the university. According to the representation, approximately 180 students had been enrolled in recent batches against the VCI-approved intake capacity of only 75 seats. Jamal stated that the over-admission had created deep uncertainty among veterinary students, particularly final-year students nearing graduation, regarding their eligibility for registration in the Indian Veterinary Practitioners Register.

Drug abuse destroying youth, all narcotics should be banned: Ravinder Raina

Senior BJP leader Ravinder Raina Saturday said that drug abuse was destroying the youth and urged that all forms of narcotics should be completely banned. Speaking to media following his visit to Mawar to offer condolences to MP Er Rashid and MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed on the demise of their father, Raina said that anything that harms the younger generation happens to be wrong and needs strict action. I believe all forms of narcotics should be banned and anything which destroys the youth cannot be tolerated, he said. Raina who was accompanied by several BJP workers said that making political statements during condolence visits was against principles and not appropriate. He, however, did not respond to a question related to the cockroach issue viral on social media.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini calls on Dr Karan Singh

Chief Minister of Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini called on veteran statesman and former Sadr-i-Riyasat and Governor Dr Karan Singh, at his residence in New Delhi. During the meeting, the Chief Minister briefed Dr. Karan Singh on the various developmental initiatives being undertaken by the Haryana Government, particularly the strong policy push aimed at attracting domestic and international investors to further strengthen industry and commerce in the state, said a press release. Nayab Saini also shared his memories and experiences from his travels across Jammu & Kashmir during the early years of his public life and association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Dr. Karan Singh presented the Chief Minister with his recent literary works on Hinduism and discussed various cultural and spiritual themes. Also present during the meeting were Vikramaditya Singh, former MLC and Trustee of the J&K Dharmarth Trust, along with his son Martand Singh. Vikramaditya Singh invited Chief Minister Saini to visit several iconic temples across Jammu & Kashmir that have recently been restored by the Dharmarth Trust, including prominent shrines in Gulmarg and Pahalgam, among others.

Sunil Sharma targets Omar Abdullah, says CM missing amid public issues

Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma on Saturday intensified his attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, alleging that the latter has remained missing from the public eye for the past ten days while people across Jammu and Kashmir continue to grapple with water shortages and prolonged power cuts. Addressing reporters and speaking in a video statement circulated on social media, Sharma said that there has been no public information regarding the Chief Ministers whereabouts and accused him of remaining absent during a period of public distress. I am going to say something serious without involving politics. The people of J&K are worried about where their CM is. If a CM visits anywhere, the public and media generally have an idea about it. We have not seen our CM for 10 days now. There are so many problems here to be solved, and the CM is nowhere to be found, Sharma said. The BJP leader alleged that residents in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir are facing severe hardship due to inadequate electricity and drinking water supply, while the Chief Minister was reportedly abroad on vacation. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are searching for their Chief Minister, who has been missing for the past 10 days. It is the misfortune of Jammu and Kashmir that on one hand, the public is struggling with power outages and water shortages, while on the other, the CM Sahib is enjoying a vacation abroad, Sharma said in the video message posted on X. Sharpening his criticism, Sharma took a swipe at Abdullahs political legacy and accused him of being disconnected from the ground situation. The poor people of J&K who made a prince the Chief Minister are now suffering. The prince who was once rejected has been missing for the past few days, he said. Sharma further claimed that protests over electricity and water scarcity were being witnessed in several areas of the Union Territory and alleged that the administration was failing to respond effectively in the absence of the Chief Minister. He also mocked Omar Abdullahs reported foreign visit, saying, We do not even know whether he is in London or elsewhere in England, but he is sitting outside while people are suffering here. In a symbolic political move, Sharma announced that the BJP may approach the Ram Munshi Bagh Police Station to file a missing report for the Chief Minister if he does not return within the next couple of days. We have decided to file a missing report if he still does not appear in 1-2 days, he said. The remarks come amid an aggressive campaign launched by the Bharatiya Janata Party in Jammu and Kashmir targeting the National Conference-led government over governance and public service delivery. On Friday, the BJP shared missing posters of Omar Abdullah on social media, alleging that the Chief Minister had been absent from the Union Territory for the past ten days. A post shared on the official social media handle of the Jammu and Kashmir BJP on May 21 claimed that the Chief Minister had been missing since last 10 days, triggering a fresh political confrontation between the BJP and the ruling National Conference.

Mehbooba Mufti raises concern over plight of detainees in J&K

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti Saturday raised concerns over the prolonged detention of youths and political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir. She said that many families have suffered due to prolonged imprisonment of their relatives for the last several years with the result they are subjected to severe hardships. Mehbooba was talking to the media in Mawer Langate after visiting the residence of jailed Member of Parliament Er Rashid to offer condolences on the demise of his father. PDP President said that several families have been denied even the opportunity to meet their loved ones during difficult times. Since Er Rashid is a sitting Member of Parliament, the court perhaps allowed him some relief to meet his father and attend the funeral, but there are many others jailed since 2019 whose parents passed away without seeing their sons even once, she added. This situation reflects the hardships being faced by families across Jammu and Kashmir where many people continue to remain in different jails across the country without even facing trial, Mufti said. She said that the prolonged detention of youths and political leaders have caused deep emotional sufferings in Kashmir and it was high time for New Delhi to ease out things. Mehbooba Mufti was accompanied by MLA Kupwara Mir Fayaz, MLA Pulwama Waheed Ur Rehman Parra and MLA Budgam Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi.

Dr Farooq pays obeisance at Khanqa Maula on the Urs of Hazrat Shah-e-Hamadan (RA)

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah paid obeisance at the revered Khanqah-e-Moula in Srinagar on the occasion of the annual Urs of Hazrat Sayadat Panah Ameer-e-Kabeer Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (RA). He was accompanied by party legislators Tanvir Sadiq and Hasnain Masoodi. MLA Habba Kadal Shameema Firdous along with party functionaries and local unit members particularly YNC District President Srinagar Irshad Anchari and his team, felicitated and welcomed him at the shrine complex gate. People from all walks of life and different parts of the Kashmir Valley greeted Dr. Farooq on the occasion. He along with other party leaders, offered Namaz-e-Asr at the revered shrine and prayed for lasting peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir. Party Publicity Secretary Mir G.M. Saqi was also present on the occasion.

Urs of Shah-e-Hamdan (RA) observed with religious fervour

The Urs of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA), popularly known as Shah-e-Hamdan and Amir-e-Kabir, was observed with religious devotion and fervour across Kashmir on Saturday. Thousands of devotees from different parts of the Valley thronged the historic Khanqah-e-Moula shrine in Downtown Srinagar, where the largest congregation was held. On the occasion, special prayers, recitations, and religious sermons were delivered throughout the day. The Urs of Shah-e-Hamdan (RA), who is credited with spreading Islam in Kashmir and introducing Central Asian culture and crafts to Kashmir, is observed every year on the 6th of Zil-Hijjah according to the Islamic calendar. Devotees on the occasion participated in Zikr-o-Azkaar, Naat-Khwani and other religious gatherings, seeking blessings and praying for peace and prosperity. It is a blessed day for all of us. We come here every year to offer prayers and remember the teachings of Shah-e-Hamdan (RA), who showed people the path of spirituality, brotherhood and compassion, said Ghulam Nabi, a devotee from Ganderbal who had come to Khanqah-e-Moula with his family. Religious scholars during the gatherings highlighted the life and contributions of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA), particularly his role in shaping Kashmirs spiritual and cultural identity. Devotees said the revered saints teachings continue to inspire generations across the Valley. President of J&K Jamait Hamdani Moulana Riyaz Hamdani delivered a sermon highlighting the contribution of Shah-e-Hamdan (RA), for spreading Islam in Kashmir and introducing Central Asian culture and crafts in the Valley. The markets around Khanqah-e-Moula wore a festive look as devotees were seen purchasing snacks, bakery items and other goods from roadside vendors. The area witnessed heavy footfall throughout the day, with business owners saying the Urs also brings economic activity to the locality. There was a good rush of devotees since morning. On such occasions people buy snacks, tea and other items while visiting the shrine. These holy days are important for us both spiritually and economically, said Sajad Ahmad, a local snacks seller near the shrine. However, many devotees also expressed concern over traffic congestion and lack of adequate parking facilities in the Downtown area. They said more parking spaces should be identified and opened during major religious occasions to avoid inconvenience to visitors. We faced difficulty finding parking near the shrine area. Authorities should make better arrangements during such revered occasions as thousands of people visit here, said another devotee. Officials said special arrangements had been put in place for the smooth conduct of the Urs. Traffic Police personnel were deployed at several locations to regulate vehicular movement, while departments including Srinagar Municipal Corporation, PHE and Power Development Department carried out sanitation, water and electricity arrangements around the shrine premises. Besides Khanqah-e-Moula Srinagar, the Urs was also observed at several shrines and religious places across Kashmir, including Khankah Faizpanah Tral, Jinab Sahab Soura, Aasar Sharif Kalashpora, Khiram Sirhama in Anantnag, Seer Hamdan Dooru, Aham Sharif Bandipora and Khanqah-e-Moula Sopore.

As Delhi swelters, dehydrated birds fall from skies, street animals battle heat distress

As the summer sun scorches rooftops and concrete lanes across Delhi, city veterinarians and animal rescuers say exhausted pigeons are dropping unconscious from the sky, dehydrated eagles are being picked up from roadsides and street animals are suffering from stomach toxicity amid the capitals punishing heatwave. Across the city, veterinarians and rescuers say that distress calls involving birds and stray animals suffering from dehydration, heat strokes, and infections have risen sharply over the past few weeks as prolonged dry conditions and extreme temperatures continue to batter Delhi and the NCR. Delhi has been reeling under heatwave conditions over the past few days, with temperatures crossing the 45 degrees Celsius mark in several areas, leading to heat strokes, extremely dry conditions, and warm nights. A veterinarian at Abhay Daanam Bird and Animal Hospital in the Delhi-NCR region said the facility is receiving nearly 20 bird cases daily linked to heat-related illnesses, marking around a 50 per cent rise in recent weeks. Most of the birds coming to us are pigeons. A large number of them are suffering from pigeon pox, an infection that spreads more during periods of extreme heat and poor conditions. We are also getting other kinds of birds, besides horses and cows that are being brought in with dehydration, heat strokes, and immovable conditions, he told PTI. Pigeon pox is a viral disease affecting pigeons and other birds and causes lesions, weakness, and feeding difficulties. Experts said extreme heat, stress, and unhygienic surroundings often aggravate the spread of such infections. A veterinarian working in the Shahdara and Chandni Chowk areas said he is currently receiving nearly 70 to 80 cases everyday involving birds suffering from dehydration, breathlessness, and heat-related distress. Most of the cases are of pigeons, black kites, and eagles. Many birds are brought to us in unconscious states because of the heatwave. We are giving them ORS and fluids to help them regain consciousness and recover, he said. Some birds arrive in extremely critical condition and we are unable to save them. But when we get calls in the early stages, treatment becomes easier and survival chances improve significantly, he added. Manta Sidhu from People For Animals said the organisation has also been rescuing several stray dogs, cats, and other street animals suffering from dehydration and gastrointestinal infections during the summer. Garbage rots much faster during the summer season. When animals consume food from garbage dumps or trucks, they are getting toxicity and gastro infections. Pig fever is also becoming a major issue, she said. Sidhu urged residents to place bowls of drinking water and create shaded resting spots for animals in their neighbourhoods. Everybody has dogs and other animals in their lanes. People should keep water and some shaded space for them, especially during such harsh weather, she added. Abhishek Jain from Vidyasagar Jeev Daya Parivaar, which runs round-the-clock bird ambulance services across Delhi-NCR along with his brother Amit Jain, said the organisation is currently receiving around 40 distress calls daily related to birds affected by heat strokes and dehydration. We have seen nearly a 30 per cent rise in heat-related cases. Many birds are found unconscious because of dehydration and heat strokes. We rescue them and provide treatment immediately, Abhishek Jain said. He said eagles account for a large share of the birds being rescued during the ongoing heatwave. People sometimes keep food and water for pigeons and other domesticated birds, but eagles do not have such access. They end up severely dehydrated and are often found lying unconscious, he said. Amit Jain, chairperson of the NGO, said the organisation has launched a large-scale outreach campaign to help animals survive the harsh summer. We have started distributing 10,000 pots of water free of cost so that people can keep them outside their homes for birds and stray animals. Once these birds become unconscious, they also become vulnerable to attacks by other animals, leading to injuries that require additional treatment, he said. Pankaj Gupta from Bird Count India said most resident bird species in Delhi are adapted to high temperatures, but rapid urbanisation and reduction in wetlands are making survival increasingly difficult. Most resident birds in Delhi have lived here for thousands of years, so they are adapted to the heat. The real problem is rapid urbanisation, reduction in wetlands and shrinking green cover because of which birds are not able to access enough water, he said. We advise people to keep a bowl of clean water in a shaded area and refill it at least twice a day. Make sure that the bowls are clean. Birds do not need feeding because they are capable of finding food on their own, but water is the major issue during this season, he said. It is very important to place the bowl in a shaded spot. If water is kept in direct heat, bacteria grows quickly. Clean bowls and fresh water twice a day can go a long way in helping birds survive the summer, he added. A Delhi-based veterinarian, who did not wish to be named, said peacocks, kites, and other large birds are increasingly being brought in with dehydration and heat stress, while several street dogs and cats are also arriving with breathlessness and exhaustion linked to the extreme weather. Peacocks, kites, and other large birds are increasingly being found weak or disoriented in open areas. Heat stress affects their movement, feeding, and ability to fly. Dehydration is becoming a common problem this season. We are also treating street dogs and cats coming in with breathlessness and heat-related distress, the veterinarian said. Animal welfare groups and veterinarians have appealed to residents to place earthen water bowls on balconies, rooftops and outside homes to help birds and stray animals cope with the extreme summer conditions.

Nation that manufactures its own weaponry writes its own destiny: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that self-reliance in defence manufacturing is essential for Indias security and economic resilience as minister inaugurated a Defence Manufacturing Complex of private sector company NIBE Group at Shirdi. A nation that manufactures its own weaponry writes its own destiny, Rajnath Singh said while inaugurating the facility along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The complex will manufacture advanced artillery systems, missile and space technologies, rocket systems, energetic materials and autonomous defence platforms. Indias first 300-km Universal Rocket Launching System Suryastra was also flagged off during the event, while the foundation stone for a missile complex for the system was laid. Indigenous TNT Plant Technology, RDX Plant Technology and a Renewable Bio-Energy Compressed Biogas Plant were unveiled on the occasion. An MoU between NIBE Group and Black Sky in the field of satellite assembly was also exchanged. Highlighting the changing nature of warfare, the Defence Minister said future wars would be decided by advancements in munitions and automation rather than the size of armed forces. Referring to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the situation in West Asia and Operation Sindoor, he said modern weaponry and automated systems are becoming increasingly decisive in warfare. Rajnath Singh said the government had opened defence production to the private sector, which was earlier largely limited to public sector undertakings and ordnance factories. He said private industries are now emerging as innovators and manufacturers of advanced weapon systems. There was a time when private sector contribution in defence production was negligible. It has now reached approximately 25-30 per cent. Our objective is to take this figure to 50 per cent in the coming years, he said. The Defence Minister stressed that India cannot remain dependent on other countries for defence manufacturing needs at a time when trade, supply chains and rare earth minerals are increasingly being weaponised globally. Aatmanirbharta in defence production is not merely a requirement for war, but also a necessity for peace, development, and economic resilience, he said. He added that the missile complex and manufacturing facilities inaugurated in Shirdi would strengthen Indias future warfare capabilities and create employment opportunities for youth, MSMEs and ancillary industries. In his address, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Indias defence ecosystem has transformed through the combined participation of the public and private sectors under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India initiatives. The event also featured technology demonstrations, MSME defence capability displays and interactions with industry stakeholders. Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan and DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat were among those present.

Rs 300 Cr payment backlog pushes 60 J&K dialysis centres to brink of closure

Dialysis centres across J&K are on the verge of collapse due to massive pending payments under the Ayushman BharatSehat Scheme, threatening treatment access for thousands of kidney patients who rely on life-saving dialysis services every day, the J&K Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDA. The association warned that continued delay in the release of dues by the State Health Agency (SHA) has pushed private dialysis centres into an unprecedented financial crisis, with several facilities struggling to purchase essential medical consumables, retain staff and sustain operations. General Secretary of JKPHDA, Dr Masood-ul-Hassan, said hundreds of crores in legitimate claims remain unpaid, with some bills pending since 2021, severely disrupting the functioning of dialysis centres that shoulder the bulk of patient care in J&K. Dialysis centres are on the verge of shutting down as legitimate dues under the Ayushman BharatSehat Scheme have remained unpaid for years. Due to this financial chokehold, many centres are unable to purchase essential dialysis consumables such as dialysers, tubing sets and medicines. In several units, there are no funds left even to pay salaries of doctors, technicians and nursing staff, Dr Hassan said. According to JKPHDA, nearly 1,500 dialysis patients are treated every day through around 60 private dialysis centres across J&K, compared to approximately 300 patients in the government sector, highlighting the dependence of the healthcare system on private facilities for renal care. Dr Hassan said private dialysis centres currently handle over 70 per cent of Golden Card beneficiaries and warned that any disruption in services could prove fatal for patients suffering from kidney disease. Dialysis is not optional; it is a life-saving intervention. A single missed dialysis session can become fatal for a kidney patient. Private centres have continued services despite mounting losses because patients lives are at stake, but we have reached a stage where centres are being forced to choose between buying consumables and paying staff salaries. Neither option is sustainable anymore, he said. The association claimed that despite a total healthcare budget allocation of 625 crore for 202526 under the scheme, dialysis centres continue to face acute liquidity stress, alleging that around 200 crore was overspent while pending dues till March 2026 alone have crossed 300 crore. Criticising the existing implementation framework, Dr Hassan said the current Trust Mode system has failed to ensure timely payments and accountability. The present Trust Mode of implementation has completely failed in Jammu and Kashmir. Unlike Insurance Mode, there is no fixed payment timeline or accountability mechanism. Vendors have stopped supplies because of unpaid bills and trained staff are resigning due to months of unpaid salaries. If immediate intervention is not made, we may have no choice but to suspend services, he said. He said healthcare workers in dialysis centres have continued to work for months without salaries to ensure continuity of care for critically ill patients. Our doctors, technicians and support staff have worked without salaries for months simply to keep patients alive. But no institution can survive indefinitely without operational funds. The government must act immediately, he added. The association appealed to Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir to urgently intervene, release all pending dues and shift the scheme to an Insurance Mode system to prevent disruption of dialysis services. JKPHDA warned that failure to address the crisis could trigger a humanitarian emergency, leaving thousands of economically vulnerable kidney patients without access to life-saving treatment.

Farhan Manzoor elected additional secretary of REC/NIT Srinagar Alumni Association

Er Farhan Manzoor Shah has been elected as Additional Secretary of the REC/NIT Srinagar Alumni Association (AANITS) after being inducted into its Executive Committee for the 20262029 term. In his new role, Er Farhan is expected to work towards enhancing alumni networking, fostering meaningful collaboration among members, and contributing to the vision and development of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar beyond geographical boundaries. Describing the opportunity as a privilege, Er Farhan said the responsibility provides him with a platform to serve his alma mater and contribute meaningfully to strengthening alumni ties and institutional development. He expressed commitment to working closely with fellow members of the association to promote greater engagement and collaboration among alumni.

PHDCCI Kashmir raises MSME credit, industries concerns with Parliamentary Panel

Chairman of PHDCCI Kashmir, Vicky Shaw, along with Co-Chairman Himayu Wani, held detailed deliberations with Tiruchi Siva, Chairperson of the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry, and members of the parliamentary panel, focusing on credit guarantee schemes for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), revival of sick industries, and marketing support for Kashmir-based businesses. During the interaction, the PHDCCI leadership briefed the Committee on key economic challenges confronting Kashmir and stressed the need for stronger institutional and financial support to sustain industrial growth and employment generation in the region. Vicky Shaw informed the Committee about PHDCCI Kashmirs efforts to strengthen awareness around credit access mechanisms, particularly through a first-of-its-kind awareness workshop conducted in collaboration with the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) and leading banks operating in Kashmir. He said such initiatives are vital to bridging information gaps, improving financial literacy among entrepreneurs and facilitating easier credit access for MSMEs. Shaw also highlighted pressing concerns affecting Kashmirs industrial ecosystem, including the urgent need for revival of sick industries and stronger marketing support for viable sectors to help them access wider domestic markets. He further informed the Committee that the Jammu and Kashmir administration is working towards improving the ease of doing business and expressed optimism regarding the introduction of a new industrial policy aimed at simplifying business operations in the Union Territory. We are hopeful that a new industrial scheme will be introduced that significantly improves ease of doing business and creates a more enabling ecosystem for industries in Jammu and Kashmir, Shaw said. Special emphasis was laid on the fragile nature of Kashmirs economy, with PHDCCI representatives stressing that sectors such as tourism, horticulture, handicrafts, handloom and allied industries require greater access to affordable and customised institutional finance. Shaw and Himayu Wani said that given Kashmirs unique economic vulnerabilities, generous and accessible funding support through banks is essential for sustaining livelihoods, promoting entrepreneurship and generating employment opportunities. The PHDCCI leadership also sought focused policy support for sector-specific growth and effective implementation of credit guarantee mechanisms to encourage business confidence and industrial revival in the region. Tiruchi Siva and members of the parliamentary committee acknowledged the concerns and assured that the issues raised, particularly regarding implementation of credit guarantee schemes and support for key sectors in Jammu and Kashmir, would be examined in detail.

Kashmir Chamber of Horticulture seeks relief for growers amid hailstorm damage

President of the Kashmir Chamber of Horticulture (KCH), Hakim Khalid Ahmed, has expressed solidarity with growers and farmers across Kashmir who continue to suffer losses due to repeated spells of unfavourable weather, particularly devastating hailstorms that have caused extensive damage to orchards and crops. Expressing deep concern over the destruction caused by repeated hailstorms, Ahmed stressed the urgent need for a multi-pronged, result-oriented short- and long-term strategy to address the crisis confronting the horticulture sector. He said the immediate priority should be an assessment of losses through the deployment of available manpower by the concerned authorities, with a clearly defined timeline for compensation to affected growers and farmers. In the short term, authorities must mobilise available human resources to assess the extent of the damage and ensure compensation is provided within a fixed timeframe to restore confidence among the grower community, Ahmed said. He also urged the government to formally announce the long-awaited crop insurance scheme for the horticulture sector, saying its implementation could provide much-needed relief to stakeholders struggling with recurring weather-related losses. Ahmed further called for the reintroduction of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), stating that the measure would provide crucial support to growers, particularly marginal farmers, who have been severely impacted by the recent adverse weather conditions. Reintroduction of the MIS at this stage would act as a breather for cultivators and help them withstand the financial burden caused by repeated weather-related disruptions, he said. Describing the situation as financially and socially distressing, Ahmed said the latest disaster has pushed growers into an extremely unpredictable situation with wider implications for the entire horticulture economy. This disaster has placed growers in a highly uncertain financial and social situation, with serious consequences not only for farmers but for the entire horticulture sector, he said. While acknowledging assurances extended by the authorities as encouraging, Ahmed stressed that these commitments must now translate into tangible action to restore confidence among growers. He said that, in the long run, authorities must devise effective measures to reduce vulnerability to such recurring weather events, especially in the context of climate change. Ahmed urged the government to adopt a proactive approach and consider subsidised and affordable hail nets under various schemes to safeguard orchards from future damage. Expressing solidarity with growers and representative organisations, he urged immediate action on several fronts, including the introduction of an effective compensation mechanism to mitigate losses and the reintroduction of the MIS to help cultivators sustain the impact of the recent crisis. He also reiterated his earlier demand for the constitution of a committee comprising government officials and stakeholders to urgently identify and assess losses suffered by growers, saying the exercise should be undertaken on priority. Hakim Khalid Ahmed emphasised the need for sustained stakeholder engagement and consultation while framing long-term policies and schemes for the horticulture sector to ensure resilience against future challenges.

Suspect killed after firing near White House, bystander injured

A suspect was shot dead after opening fire near the White House on Saturday evening, the US Secret Service said. According to the agency, the incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue when an individual pulled a weapon from a bag and began firing, reports BBC. Secret Service officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. One bystander was also injured in the shooting, BBC said. The agency said no officers were hurt in the incident. US President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time, but no protectees or operations were affected. The incident remains under investigation, and officials said more information would be released as it becomes available.

Trump says US-Iran deal largely negotiated, details to be announced soon

US President Donald Trump has said that an agreement between the United States and Iran has been largely negotiated and that details would be announced shortly. In a social media post, Trump said he had held a very good call with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and others regarding a Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE, reports BBC. An agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalisation between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries, Trump said, adding that final aspects of the deal were still being discussed. Trump also said the proposed agreement would include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but did not provide further details. He later said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that the conversation went very well. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei earlier said that US and Iranian positions had been converging over the past week, though he cautioned that key disagreements remained and accused Washington of issuing contradictory statements. Speaking to Iranian state television, Baqaei said Tehran was working towards a 14-point framework agreement and expected further talks within 30 to 60 days aimed at reaching a final deal. A ceasefire was agreed in early April, after which Washington and Tehran resumed talks on a long-term peace arrangement.

JK Hoteliers Club reconstitutes executive body, elects Mushtaq Chaya as president

The Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club (JKHC) has reconstituted its office bearers and executive committee for the 20262028 term, with prominent hotelier Mushtaq A. Chaya elected as President of the body. According to the newly announced structure, Riyaz A. Shahdad has been appointed Senior Vice President, Tariq Ghani as Junior Vice President, Abdul Wahid Malik as Secretary General, Mukhtar A. Shah as Joint Secretary General, Naseera A. Khan as Finance Secretary, and Murad Kapra as Joint Finance Secretary. Veteran hotelier Sardar Narinder Singh has been named Founder Chairman, while Zahoor A. Trumboo and Mohd Afzal Parray will serve as Patron and Mentor. The newly constituted executive committee includes Jyotsana Suri and Omer Trumboo as Advisors, while members include Latif A. Bhat, Farooq A. Hafiz, Akib Chaya, M. Shafi Trumboo, Manzoor A. Burza, Amir Gunna, Sadam Zaroo, Aatif Yaqeen, Manzoor A. Shah, Mubi Shaw, Tariq Hafiz, Javed Anim, Khawar Jeelani, Sajad Makaya, Hayat Bhat, Hussain Khan, A.B. Majeed Sofi, Khalid Sheikh, Usman Shahdad, Manzoor Wagnoo, Naseem Chaya, Shabir Bazaz, Manzoor Khan, Zahoor A. Khan, Aazad Malik, Aadil Shah, Asma and Nayeem Putoo. The reconstituted body is expected to work towards strengthening the hospitality sector, improving coordination among stakeholders and promoting sustainable tourism growth in J&K. Speaking on the occasion, JKHC President Mushtaq A. Chaya said the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir has started witnessing signs of recovery after suffering a major setback following last years tragic attack in Pahalgam, which had adversely impacted tourist arrivals and business sentiment. Last year, we faced a tragic incident in Pahalgam, which temporarily derailed the tourism sector and affected confidence among visitors. However, tourism has now started reviving and we are seeing encouraging signs of recovery, Chaya said. He said it was important to collectively sustain the momentum and continue promoting Jammu and Kashmir as a safe and welcoming destination. Tourism is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmirs economy and provides livelihoods to thousands of families. The revival of tourism will not only help the hospitality sector but also transporters, artisans, traders and several allied sectors dependent on visitors, he said. Chaya stressed that tourism growth must go hand in hand with environmental protection, saying preserving the regions fragile ecology is crucial for long-term sustainability. Jammu and Kashmirs natural beauty is our greatest asset. We have to protect our environment, maintain cleanliness and encourage responsible tourism practices so that future generations also benefit from this sector, he said. He further said the tourism and hospitality sector plays a critical role in employment generation and economic growth, adding that sustained recovery would create more job opportunities for youth and support livelihoods across the region. Chaya also urged all stakeholders, including the government, tourism players and local communities, to work collectively to strengthen the tourism sector and reinforce confidence among visitors.

Javid Dar inspects hailstorm-hit orchards in Baramulla

Minister for Agriculture Production and Rural Development, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Saturday visited hailstorm-affected areas of Rafiabad in north Kashmirs Baramulla district to assess the extent of damage caused to orchards and agricultural fields following recent adverse weather conditions. Accompanied by Director Horticulture Kashmir, Vikas Anand, the minister conducted on-ground inspections in several affected villages and interacted with fruit growers and farmers who reported heavy losses after repeated hailstorms battered the region over the past few days. The visit comes amid growing concern among orchardists in north Kashmirs apple belt, where hailstorms have damaged standing crops, bruised fruit and affected tree branches at a crucial stage of the horticulture season. During the visit, farmers urged the government to ensure immediate compensation for losses and introduce stronger preventive measures to safeguard orchards from future weather-related damage. Javid Dar directed concerned departments to immediately undertake detailed field surveys to assess losses so that relief and compensation cases are processed without delay. He assured affected growers that the government would take all necessary steps to support them during the crisis. The minister also stressed the need to enhance awareness among farmers about crop insurance schemes and modern orchard protection mechanisms to reduce vulnerability to climate-related losses. He reviewed the functioning of local horticulture infrastructure and instructed officials to extend technical assistance to orchardists on priority. Speaking during the visit, Director Horticulture Kashmir Vikas Anand said the department is promoting anti-hail protection systems under various horticulture schemes to minimise crop damage and improve orchard resilience. Anti-hail nets help protect fruit-bearing trees from hailstorm damage, reduce bruising and crop loss, and improve fruit quality and market value, Anand said. He said growers are being provided subsidies and technical assistance for the installation of anti-hail net systems under schemes such as the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and other government programmes. In high-density orchards, there is a component of hail protection nets. However, most traditional orchards in Kashmir still lack such infrastructure. Growers should take advantage of government-supported schemes aimed at strengthening orchard resilience against extreme weather events, Anand added.

Hailstorm havoc in Kashmir: Fruit growers demand relief, crop insurance

Massive hailstorms have wreaked havoc across large parts of Kashmir, severely damaging apple orchards and pushing fruit growers deeper into financial distress, prompting the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union to demand an immediate and comprehensive compensation package along with long-pending policy interventions. An intense spell of hailstorms swept through several parts of north Kashmirs Baramulla district, particularly Sopore and Rafiabad, besides affecting orchards in Tral area of south Kashmirs Pulwama district and parts of Shopian on Friday, leaving behind widespread destruction in fruit orchards. The latest hailstorm, described as the third weather disaster to strike the affected districts in recent weeks and the second consecutive spell in Rafiabad, caused extensive damage to developing apple crops, fruit-bearing branches and standing orchards at a crucial stage of the horticulture season. According to growers, several villages in Rafiabad, including Watergam, Lessar, Dandiwacha, Dandoosa, Hadipora and adjoining areas, witnessed intense hail for several minutes, turning orchards white and destroying months of labour and investment within minutes. The recent weather event follows earlier hailstorms and strong winds that struck parts of Kashmir on April 18 and May 12, compounding losses for orchardists already struggling to recover. Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, said the repeated hailstorms had devastated the horticulture sector and placed fruit growers, especially marginal orchardists, in an extremely vulnerable position. The fruit orchards across large parts of Kashmir have suffered severe devastation due to repeated hailstorms and stormy winds. Growers are sinking into debt as natural disasters continue to destroy crops, while there is no crop insurance or market intervention mechanism to support them in times of distress, Basheer said. He said horticulture, regarded as the backbone of Jammu and Kashmirs economy, sustains lakhs of people directly and indirectly and plays a major role in employment generation, particularly in rural areas. Nearly 90 percent of orchard owners in Kashmir are marginal growers whose household expenses, childrens education and daily livelihood depend entirely on income generated from orchards. When crops are damaged, families are pushed into acute hardship, he said. Basheer expressed concern that despite repeated hailstorms in April and May, authorities were yet to comprehensively assess damages in affected areas of north, central and south Kashmir. The government machinery must immediately undertake assessment of losses and ensure relief reaches affected growers without delay. Repeated weather disasters are threatening not only this years harvest but the fragile rural economy dependent on horticulture, he added. The union reiterated its demand for immediate implementation of a crop insurance scheme for the horticulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir and restoration of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), saying both mechanisms were essential to protect growers from recurring losses caused by natural calamities. We have repeatedly urged the government to introduce crop insurance and reintroduce the Market Intervention Scheme so that growers get relief during natural disasters. Without these safeguards, orchardists are being pushed deeper into debt, Basheer said. The union also urged the Union Agriculture Minister, Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir to announce a reasonable and comprehensive compensation package for orchard owners who suffered losses due to devastating hailstorms during April and May this year.

NCC Cadets must lead fight against drugs: Satish Sharma

Srinagar, May 23:Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma on Saturday said that National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets must become soldiers in the fight against drug abuse. Addressing NCC cadets during the Special National Integration Camp (SNIC) at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar, Sharma said that narcotics was a weapon being used to destroy the countrys youth from within. Drug menace is posing one of the gravest threats to society, particularly in border regions. The poison of drugs is being used as a weapon not fired from a gun, but one that destroys from within, he said. He said that drugs corrode potential, breaks families and robs the nation of its most precious resource, its youth. He urged the NCC cadets to take a stand against narcotics, saying that cadet must refuse it, resist it and report it. A nations greatest enemy is not always across the borders. Sometimes it is the one that creeps silently into our homes, he said. The minister also highlighted the role of NCC in fostering discipline, integrity, leadership and national unity among youth. He described the cadets as the true face of India and said the camp reflected the countrys diversity and collective spirit. You come from different regions, different cultures and backgrounds, yet you stand together in one uniform with one purpose and one heartbeat. This is the power of NCC and the strength of India, he said. Recalling some incidents of his personal life, Satish Sharma said he is the son of a soldier and had grown up witnessing the sacrifices made by armed forces personnel. I have seen firsthand the silent courage behind every farewell at the doorstep and the deep love for the tricolour that defines a soldiers soul, he said. The minister also praised the NCC Directorate Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh for organising the camp and lauded the cadets for showcasing Indias cultural diversity through performances during the event. Every dance, every song and every performance is a thread in the rich tapestry of our civilisation, he said. He further said that an NCC Unity Run scheduled on Sunday at Nishat Garden along the banks of Dal Lake will act as a powerful symbol of Indias youthful energy and determination. He also talked about perseverance and discipline while recounting episodes from his childhood in a border area affected by shelling and his struggles before entering politics. Youth must remain resilient despite hardships and never give up in life. The real courage today is saying no, firmly and fearlessly, he said Minister for Sports also made several announcements related to development and employment in J&K and claimed that the government was working on bringing IPL matches to the J&K UT within the next 14 months. He further said two IT parks were being planned in J&K, which, according to him, would generate employment opportunities for around 50,000 people. The minister also referred to plans for a cruise transport system to address traffic congestion in the region. During his speech, Satish Sharma turned poetic and recited couplets while urging cadets to stay strong and disciplined in the face of challenges. This century belongs to our country, he said.

Local labourers protest against Beacon department in Kupwara

Kupwara, May 23:Dozens of residents from Batpora, Jaktiyal-C, Bangam and Bharam Dhari areas of north Kashmir's Kupwara district Saturday staged a protest against the Beacon department alleging discrimination and denial of employment opportunities to local labourers. The protesters said that local workers are being continuously ignored despite the department carrying out road construction and other developmental works in the area for nearly two decades. The officials and mates of the said department are giving preference to their relatives, friends and close acquaintances while genuine local labourers are being deprived of work opportunities, they said. They said that the issue has been brought into the notice of concerned authorities several times but to no avail. The protesters warned that if their demands are not addressed, they would intensify their protest in the coming days. They have sought immediate intervention of Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Shrikant Balasaheb, Local MLA and senior Beacon officials in this regard so that they may get employment opportunities.

No official dinners, lunches, except those hosted by LG, CM: J&K Govt

Jammu, May 23:J&K Government, as a part of its annual fiscal-prudence austere-drill, has ordered complete ban on official dinners, lunches, receptions and similar hospitality functions, except those hosted by the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister. In consonance with the Prime Minister Narendra Modis appeal for fuel and energy conservation, the UT government has also asked all its departments and officials to avoid unnecessary use of official vehicles, generators, air-conditioning systems, lighting and other energy-consuming equipment. While directing all the government offices to ensure optimum utilisation of transport arrangements and reduction in avoidable movement of official vehicles, it has asked all its officers and officials to travel within the UT preferably by road or rail. These directions form part of guidelines and measures for austerity and rationalisation of expenditure as spelt out by the J&K Finance Department. J&K Financial Commissioner (ACS), Finance Department, Shailendra Kumar, in an order, has accorded sanction to the rationalisation of expenditure for fiscal prudence and economy during the current financial year 2026-27 with immediate effect. Contingent expenditure, as per the order, will be restricted strictly to unavoidable operational requirements and all discretionary expenditure will be minimized. Directors Finance or Financial Advisors and CAO or AOs will periodically review expenditure under POL and electricity charges to ensure a strict economy. The Finance department has made the Administrative Secretaries responsible for ensuring compliance of the measures outlined. Directors Finance or Financial Advisors will assist their respective departments in enforcing these measures. They have also been instructed to submit periodic compliance reports to the Finance Department. Going austere, the government, with regard to creation and filling of posts, has ordered that no new post will be created. Filling up of regular posts will be undertaken only through the prescribed recruitment agencies, viz., Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board, Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission and with concurrence of the Finance Department. Departments have been directed to identify posts remaining vacant for more than two years for surrender. Such posts will not ordinarily be revived except under rare and unavoidable circumstances and with prior clearance from the Finance Department. Engagement of consultants, outsourcing agencies, and contractual support services will be undertaken only after careful assessment of functional necessity and availability of in-house capacity. No new PMU creations will be undertaken by any department. Utmost economy, as per guidelines, will be observed in organising conferences, seminars, workshops, training programmes, and similar events. Such activities will be undertaken only where absolutely necessary and after exploring virtual alternatives. Holding of exhibitions, fairs, seminars, conferences, and workshops outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is strongly discouraged. There will be a complete ban on holding meetings and conferences in private hotels and commercial venues. Government buildings, conference halls, and other available government infrastructure will invariably be utilized for such purposes, it has been directed. With regard to purchase of new vehicles, it has been specified that exceptional cases, involving critical operational requirements, may be considered only with the concurrence of the Finance Department and subject to replacement against condemned vehicles with 20 percent reduction in fleet strength. Departments will ensure that condemned vehicles are auctioned and the auction proceeds deposited as Miscellaneous Revenue before submission of any proposal for replacement vehicles. Departments have been asked to ensure optimal utilisation and pooling of available government vehicles and avoid deployment of vehicles beyond functional necessity so as to promote economy in fuel consumption and maintenance expenditure. Guidelines stipulate that international travel will not be permitted unless specific approval is obtained from the Finance Department. Departments will make effective use of Video Conferencing and virtual platforms for meetings, consultations, and reviews so as to minimize avoidable travel expenditure. However, within the country, all officers will travel only by Economy Class irrespective of entitlement if need arises.Departments have been asked to adopt a digital-first approach in official functioning. Physical meetings, printing of bulky documents, physical circulation of files, and avoidable paper consumption will be minimised through maximum use of e-office, video conferencing, and digital communication platforms. Restrictions have been put in place on hiring of office accommodation, furniture and fixtures also. It has been instructed that no furniture will be procured except in case of newly established offices and only with the concurrence of the Finance Department. The Local Funds available with various Departments, Universities, Authorities, Boards, Corporations, and Agencies will also be governed by these austerity measures. Guidelines stipulate strict compliance with GFR provisions, CVC guidelines, e-tendering procedures, GeM-based procurement norms, technical sanctions, and administrative approvals in all cases. It has been specified that budget releases through BEAMS will not be permitted for non-priority new works and activities such as repair, renovation, and upgradation of residential quarters or office buildings, token provisions, lump-sum provisions, and similar non-essential works provided under BE 2026-27, unless specifically approved by the Finance Department. Fresh financial commitments will be made on items, schemes, or proposals which are not provided for in the approved Budget Estimates for FY 2026-27. Any relaxation or deviation from the austerity measures will require prior approval of the Finance Department.

HC designates 15 lawyers as Senior Advocates

Srinagar, May 23:The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Saturday designated 15 advocates as Senior Advocates following approval by the Full Court. The Advocates named as Senior Advocates have been asked to furnish undertaking in terms of Rule 5 of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Designation of Senior Advocates) Rules, 2025, according to a notification issued by Registrar General, M K Sharma. The advocates designated as Senior Advocates are: Arifa Jan, Ajay K Gandotra, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, Rozina Afzal, Pran Nath Bhat, Abdul Rashid Malik, Monika Kohli, Adarsh Kumar Sharma, Pawan Kumar Kundal, Mandeep Reen, Radha Sharma, Ajay Pal Singh, Anshuja Sharma Tak, Manzoor Ali and Vikas Mangotra.

Diplomatic tour aimed at ensuring employment, global exposure for Indias youth: PM Modi

Jammu, May 23:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted that his recent diplomatic tour, spanning five countries, and agreements forged there aimed at creating employment opportunities and global exposure for Indias youth. PM Modi stated that Indias international partnerships were purposefully structured to serve its youth. He was addressing the gathering via video-conferencing during 19th Rozgar Mela where distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly appointed youth in various government departments and organisations. Among 51,000 new recruits, who were handed over appointment letters by the Prime Minister through digital mode across the country, also included 229 J&K youth. These J&K youth selected, through a transparent process from J&K, for appointment in the Ministries of Railways, Home Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, Department of Financial Services and other central government departments were handed over their appointment letters physically in a function held at the Convention Centre, Jammu, following the PMs address. The event was hosted by Jammu Railway Division, as a part of PMs Rozgar Mela- the Government of Indias nationwide employment generation campaign. Divisional Railway Manager, Jammu, Vivek Kumar, who was the chief guest and Chairman, Railway Recruitment Board, Jammu, Sanjay Tyagi distributed appointment letters among the new recruits. Earlier, in his address, delineating the significance of Rozgar Mela (employment fair), the Prime Minister maintained it reflected his governments commitment to empowering the Yuva Shakti with new opportunities. Extending his heartfelt congratulations to each selected candidate, PM Modi also offered his best wishes to the families and parents whose support had been indispensable along the way. Pivoting to address the new appointees directly, the Prime Minister reminded them that the true strength of any institution lies in its people, and that the system they are joining is intimately and directly connected to the lives of crores of citizens. In whichever department you serve, your behaviour, empathy, and way of working will be of immense significance, noted PM Modi. Affirming the nations trust in the new appointees, the Prime Minister called upon every young Karmayogi to view their position as a living responsibility, to understand the growing aspirations of Indias people and to align their work accordingly. He asked them to commit to lifelong learning and continuous adaptation to new technologies, systems, and evolving needs. He asserted that Viksit Bharat would be built through the efforts of youth who considered their work a means of serving the nation. He exuded confidence that the new appointees would impart fresh momentum to Indias development journey, and that through their work and decisions, the resolve of Viksit Bharat would be fulfilled. Sharing insights from a just-concluded diplomatic tour spanning five countries, the Prime Minister stated that the world wanted to be a part of Indias development journey. Elaborating on the diplomatic and economic outcomes of the tour, the Prime Minister outlined sector-specific agreements forged and dialogues held with each nation visited. He made it clear that the purpose of partnerships and agreements was that Indias youth should get employment and global exposure. The Prime Minister emphasised that every new investment, every technology partnership, and every industrial collaboration ultimately creates fresh opportunities for Indias young people. He further underlined the long-range significance of these collaborations. These are the sectors that will shape industries defining global growth for the next 25 years, asserted PM Modi. Noting that each new partnership simultaneously widens global connectivity for Indian startups, researchers, and young professionals, he reflected on a world that respects nations which innovate, build, and deliver at scale. He expressed pride that India was advancing on all three fronts. The greatest force behind this transformation is Indias youth, all of you, affirmed PM Modi. Declaring that the opportunities available to Indias youth across manufacturing, technology, startups, digital services, railways, defence, and space were unprecedented in the countrys history, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the governments commitment to ensuring that the maximum number of young people could seize these opportunities and fully showcase their talent. In his address, Divisional Railway Manager Vivek Kumar said, The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are immensely talented. Events like Rozgar Mela are channeling their energy in the right direction for nation-building. Indian Railways is fully committed to providing world-class opportunities to the youth of this region and to advancing public welfare initiatives.

From U-19 cricket to Kashmir Golf, Jadeja keeps sport close

Srinagar, May 23:The rain clouds hung low over the lush greens of Royal Springs Golf Course as young golfer from Rajasthan quietly prepared for another round in Kashmir. Dressed casually, speaking softly and carrying none of the intensity often associated with competitive sport, Padmanav Jadeja, better known among friends as Paddy, looked more like a traveller soaking in the mountains than a player about to tee off in a two-day tournament. But golf, for him, is exactly that, travel, connection and escape. I play golf as a hobby which has now become something I really enjoy, he said with an easy smile. I like travelling and playing different courses. Jadeja, from a royal family, is now based in Rajasthan and, had returned to Kashmir after playing here nearly two years ago during the Khyber Cup. That memory, he admits, stayed with him. It was one of the better tournaments I have played, he said. The setting here is beautiful. And honestly, it is also a perfect escape from the Rajasthan and Delhi summer. While temperatures in the plains continue to soar above 40 degrees, Kashmirs cool breeze and rain-soaked mornings have become a welcome refuge for golfers. For Paddy and his friends, the decision to come was almost spontaneous. The kids holidays had started, and we thought, why not go to Kashmir and play golf, he said. What followed was less a carefully planned campaign and more a youthful sporting adventure. A few calls, conversations with organisers, and suddenly a team was formed for the WHS Sports Hub Golf Cup. We are actually just a patched-up team, he laughed. We just got together and said let us go play. There are no dramatic strategies, no intense pre-tournament meetings, and no pressure of expectations. The team, according to him, simply wants to enjoy the course and perhaps turn this visit into an annual tradition. We hope to do well, but you cant get too serious, he said. You just take it as it comes. Yet beneath the relaxed personality lies an athlete shaped by years in competitive cricket. Long before golf entered his life, Jadeja played U-19 cricket and even played a few practice matches at the professional level before deciding not to pursue cricket further. I could not make the big leap, he admitted honestly. But sport has always remained part of my life. That sporting background, he says, made the transition to golf natural. When you grow up playing cricket, you are already used to spending hours on the field, staying patient and focused, he said. But unlike many professionals who struggle to balance work and sport, he believes golf actually complements his professional life. Golf helps you connect with people, he said. Even if you build one meaningful connection in a year through the game, it makes sense. That philosophy perhaps explains why golf attracts him beyond competition. For Jadeja, the sport is less about scorecards and more about people, places and moments. And on a rainy Srinagar morning, with mist floating above the fairways and golfers gathering near the first tee, that moment felt complete. There was no visible nervousness before the round. No bold predictions either. Just a young golfer from Rajasthan, escaping the desert heat, walking calmly into the Kashmiri rain with a golf club in hand and no expectations beyond enjoying the game.

Former JKCA Secretary ML Nehru welcomes new body

Srinagar, May 23:Former Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) secretary and ex-BCCI vice-president ML Nehru has welcomed the formation of the new JKCA body, expressing hope that the association would now function independently and focus on reviving grassroots cricket across Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Nehru said the exit of the BCCI-appointed sub-committee was a welcome step and asserted that the association should now be run by people from within the JKCA setup. The new body has been formed and at least the sub-committee that came from BCCI has gone. Now the association will function on its own. Whoever comes into the body should belong to JKCA and work for cricket, he said. Emphasising the urgent need to revive club cricket, Nehru said tournaments at club and district levels were essential for identifying genuine talent from across the region. Club cricket is very important. We have around 25 clubs and tournaments should be organised regularly so that the best talent emerges. Cricket is now played in every village, so district tournaments are equally important, he said. The former JKCA official stressed that selections should be based purely on merit and observation rather than outside influence. A selector cannot sit at home and select players. Selectors should stay with tournaments, watch players closely, and assess their temperament, physical fitness and performances. There should be no political or any other interference in selections, he added. Nehru said that sports bodies should remain free from political influence and pointed out that cricket associations across India operate independently under their own constitutions. Sportsmen do not like political interference. Sports does not belong to any political party. Every affiliated association has its own administrative setup and constitution, he said. Highlighting regional balance, Nehru said both Jammu and Kashmir divisions should receive equal attention in cricketing activities due to their differing climatic and playing conditions. We should not neglect Jammu or Kashmir. Both regions must have proper cricketing opportunities and tournaments, he said. Nehru, said that he served JKCA for nearly nine years before later becoming vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. He said that senior members like him would continue to guide the younger leadership whenever needed. We elders cannot take posts now. It is the job of young people to run the association, but we are always there to offer advice if required, he added.

When rain fell on Royal Springs, Vicky Shaw chose Shalimar

Srinagar, May 23: The rain had just begun to settle over the emerald greens of Royal Springs Golf Course when Vicky Shaw took his cappuccino in hand and quietly watched golfers warm up for the WHS Sports Hub Golf Cup. At 45 years into the game, Shaw no longer rushes through tournament mornings. There is no visible anxiety, no frantic stretching, no loud team talk. Just a measured calm, the kind only decades on the golf course can teach. Work hard, play hard, he says softly, almost like a life philosophy rather than a sporting quote. For Shaw, golf has never been just a sport. It has been a lifelong companion. Long before he became Chairman of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashmir, Shaw was among the prominent faces shaping professional golf in the region and beyond. He served as Vice President and later President of the Professional Golfers Association of India for nearly a decade, helping organise junior coaching camps and tournaments across India. But on Saturday morning in Srinagar, titles mattered little. What mattered was the game, the weather, and the people beside him. His team, six golfers from different cities, some strangers until this tournament, had spent the previous evening discussing something as simple as a team name on WhatsApp. I suggested two names, Chinar and Shalimar, Shaw said with a smile. Shalimar clicked instantly. I thought if we are playing in Kashmir, the name should reflect the beauty around us. And so Team Shalimar was born. The team, a blend of youth and experience, represented what golf often quietly creates, friendships without introductions and competition without hostility. We have youngsters in the team, and I understand their excitement because I was exactly like that once, he said. My only advice to them was, relax, enjoy the day, and put in your best effort. For Shaw, golf is as much about temperament as technique. If you are stressed, you wont play well. Golf teaches you patience. It teaches you how to stay calm, he said while glancing towards the misty fairways. Outside Kashmir, temperatures in cities like Delhi had crossed uncomfortable summer highs. But here, under cloudy skies and gentle rain, Shaw compared the atmosphere to Scotland, golfs spiritual home. The weather is absolutely marvellous. Golfers never stop, even if it rains, he laughed. His relationship with Kashmir Golf stretches back decades. A member of the Kashmir Golf Club for over 45 years, Shaw also witnessed the rise of Royal Springs Golf Course after its commissioning in 2001. He remembers when the course was recognised among Asias best soon after opening. According to him, golf has played a quiet but powerful role in Kashmirs tourism story. Golf tourists are high spenders. They travel, they stay longer, and they fall in love with Kashmir, he said. This sport is also a tourism multiplier. Watching younger organisers now take ownership of the sport gives him hope. Shaw praised the efforts of the Woodland House School promoters and WHS Sports Hub founders for bringing golfers from Mumbai, Delhi and Chandigarh to Srinagar. For him, however, the beauty of golf still lies in its simplicity. There is no other sport where you spend hours walking and talking with your partner or even your opponent, he said. That bonding is special. Soon after finishing his coffee, Shaw prepared for the tee-off. Around him, younger golfers adjusted gloves, checked clubs and discussed strategy. He remained composed. Forty-five years in golf had taught him that sometimes the best strategy is simply to breathe, enjoy the rain, and walk the course.

Golf tourism, grassroots infrastructure in focus as WHS Sports Hub Golf Cup tees off at RSGC

Srinagar, May 23:Stressing the need to expand sports infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir and promote golf as both a sporting and tourism asset, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani said on Saturday the government is working to create sports facilities from the district to block level while also encouraging newer sporting disciplines in the region. Wani, while speaking to Greater Kashmir after teeing off the two-day WHS Sports Hub Golf Cup 2026 at Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC), termed the tournament an important initiative for golf promotion. Wani said such events will help to revive sporting activities and simultaneously boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. This has now become an annual feature. We are trying to bring golfing activities back on track. We are having tournaments in Srinagar and Pahalgam and are also trying to organise one in Gulmarg. These events help us in two ways, promoting golf in Jammu and Kashmir and supporting tourism, he said. The Advisor said the government is keen to widen sports participation and expose youngsters to different sporting disciplines beyond cricket. We are trying to establish a golf academy here where younger children from schools can be trained and camps can be organised so that they are attracted towards the sport. Golf is a game that can also get us national and international recognition, he said. Highlighting the governments broader sports vision, Wani said infrastructure development remains a priority. The government, under the leadership of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, wants sports activities to spread across the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir. Infrastructure will be developed at district, tehsil and block levels so that children get opportunities to compete at national levels as well, he said. Referring to the ongoing development of indoor facilities, Wani said low-cost multi-purpose sports complexes are being planned to ensure sporting activities continue during winters. Our weather conditions are different, and most outdoor activities stop during winter. We want children to remain active throughout the year. Hopefully, in the next couple of years, we will have strong sports infrastructure in place, he added. Wani also underlined the convergence between sports and tourism sectors, particularly in golf. Sports and tourism will definitely go together, especially golf, which has huge tourism potential, he said. Meanwhile, Viraj Singh, co-founder of WHS Sports Hub, said the second edition of the Golf Cup has attracted golfers and guests from across the country. We hosted the first edition in 2024 with over 100 golfers, and this year too we have similar participation. The idea is to build the ecosystem of golf and showcase Royal Springs Golf Course, which is among the most scenic golf courses in the country, he said. According to Singh, the event features 14 teams comprising around 84 players along with special invitees and corporate partners. It is a team event where each side has six players. Along with competitive golf, the event also creates networking opportunities, he said. Singh said WHS Sports Hub has also been working on football and pickleball infrastructure in Kashmir and aims to use sports as a positive force for youth engagement. We want to create platforms that are accessible to all sections of society. Sports can play a huge role in keeping youngsters away from drugs, he said. He added that the organisation plans to host more tournaments and sporting events in the future to strengthen the sporting ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.

Amit Sharma reviews Census 2027 preparedness with JMC

Jammu, May 23:Amit Sharma, IAS, Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, on Saturday chaired a detailed review meeting with Principal Census Officer, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Dr Devansh Yadav, IAS, and Charge Officers of JMC regarding the ongoing Self-Enumeration exercise and overall preparedness for Census 2027 in Jammu city. The meeting, as per an official statement, was related to the review of the progress of Self-Enumeration, House Listing Block (HLB) demarcation and geo-tagging, training of Enumerators and Supervisors, media and publicity activities, mapping and jurisdictional updations, distribution of Census materials and financial preparedness relating to Census operations in JMC areas. During the interaction, CPCO Amit Sharma appreciated the efforts of Jammu Municipal Corporation and field-level Census teams in promoting Self-Enumeration and implementing preparatory activities for Census 2027 across urban areas. He observed that Jammu city is witnessing encouraging participation in Self-Enumeration and stressed upon maintaining strong momentum by intensifying the campaign in densely populated localities, residential colonies, commercial areas and major urban clusters of Jammu city during the remaining days of the Self-Enumeration period up to 31st May 2026. Amit advised that the final days of the Self-Enumeration exercise in urban agglomerations of Jammu city should be utilised aggressively for public mobilisation, awareness generation and facilitation support so that more households voluntarily complete their Self-Enumeration through the official portal. Special emphasis was laid on thematic campaigns, ward-level outreach activities and coordinated IEC initiatives in urban areas. The meeting also reviewed the status of HLB demarcation and geo-tagging activities, during which it was informed that all identified House Listing Blocks under Jammu Municipal Corporation have been fully demarcated and geo-tagged as part of the preparatory framework for Census 2027 and few officers from ORGI and DCO J&K and Ladakh also assisted online to clarify lot of doubts on the subject. CPCO Amit Sharma also assessed the progress of training programmes for Enumerators and supervisors, which was also discussed in-detail. It was informed that Field Trainer training has been completed successfully and substantial progress has been achieved in operational orientation of field-level Census functionaries regarding digital Census applications and field procedures. Detailed discussions were also held with PCO-cum-JMC Commissioner regarding media outreach initiatives, participation of dignitaries in Self-Enumeration, thematic publicity campaigns and urban awareness activities relating to Census 2027. The DCO team shared the data about receipt and distribution of Census kit items, updation of jurisdictional records and integration of ward maps on the HLBC portal. Necessary directions were issued regarding timely updation of records and systematic maintenance of operational and financial documentation relating to Census activities. Reiterating the importance of accurate demographic data for governance and developmental planning, CPCO Amit Sharma appealed to all residents of Jammu city to complete their Self-Enumeration within the notified timelines and actively participate in this exercise of national importance.

Jammu Srinagar Vande Bharat Express carries over 1 lakh passengers in just 22 days

Jammu, May 23:The state-of-the-art JammuSrinagar Vande Bharat Express has emerged as preferred, reliable and all-weather option, as over one lakh passengers have opted it to travel between the two capitals of J&K since the commencement of its commercial operations on May 2, 2026. In a historic milestone for Indian Railways and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the JammuSrinagar Vande Bharat Express has successfully carried 1,01,050 passengers within just 22 days of its commercial operations, reaffirming its growing popularity as a fast, safe and reliable transport link between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley, stated Raghvender Singh, Public Relations Inspector, Jammu Railway Division. It commenced regular commercial operations on May 2, 2026, after being flagged off by the Union Railway Minister on April 30. Since then, the Vande Bharat Express has rapidly emerged as a preferred mode of travel for passengers, setting a new benchmark in seamless rail connectivity in the region, he said. The official said that the achievement was being viewed as a landmark moment in the history of rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, where travel between Jammu and Srinagar traditionally depended on National Highway-44, frequently disrupted by landslides, snowfall and adverse weather conditions. Over the last 22 days, the train has maintained remarkable punctuality and operational reliability, providing commuters with a comfortable, efficient and dependable all-weather travel alternative, he said. Expressing satisfaction over the achievement, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM), Jammu, Uchit Singhal said the overwhelming public response reflected the trust passengers placed in the service. Carrying 1,01,050 in just 22 days is a moment of immense pride for Northern Railway. This remarkable figure is not merely a statistic but a reflection of our commitment to providing world-class rail infrastructure and services to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said. Singhal maintained that passengers responded positively to the trains comfort, hospitality, safety standards and travel efficiency, significantly reducing the fatigue traditionally associated with the JammuSrinagar journey. Our priority remains maintaining the highest standards of punctuality, cleanliness and passenger safety. We sincerely thank the people for making this service a success in such a short period, he added. Officials said the Vande Bharat Express not only strengthened year-round connectivity between the Kashmir valley and the rest of the country, but also gave a major boost to tourism and trade in the region. Improved rail connectivity is expected to facilitate faster transportation of Kashmirs apple produce and handicrafts to markets across India, benefiting local industries and businesses, they stated.

Qurbani of the Self

I am the animal. I still wait. Not outside the tent of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Its outside the apartment gates. Marble houses. Farmhouses with decorative lights. Luxury cars parked nearby. Children come to take selfies with me. Some are afraid to touch me. Some ask my price before my name. And I wonder what I was meant for that day? That day was not about blood. That day, a father walked toward the impossible. A son walked beside trust. And heavens watched silence become faith. The knife was never the story. Submission was. The trembling of a fathers heart was. The calmness of a son was. The surrender of ego was. The obedience beyond logic was. I was only sent to remind humans: Something inside you must die. Not your child. Not your love. Not your compassion. But actually, your arrogance. Your greed. Your attachment to self. Your illusion that you own what was only entrusted to you. But now I stand watching another Eid. And I am confused. People negotiate my weight more passionately than they negotiate kindness. Families discuss meat distribution while not speaking to relatives for years. Some feed entire neighborhoods. Some post filtered photographs before feeding the poor. I see knives sharpened while hearts remain blunt. I see animals sacrificed while egos survive every Eid. And I ask myself: Was I sent only to become meat? No. I was meant to become a mirror. Look into my eyes before sacrifice. There is fear there. Stillness there. Trust there. Perhaps that was the lesson. Because the son trusted the father. And the father trusted the Almighty. Trust. That is what humanity is losing now. Today, humans sacrifice animals but protect their pride. Protect status. Protect hatred. Protect divisions. Protect inherited prejudices. Protect wealth even from hungry siblings. Then they call it a sacrifice. I hear speeches about Eid al-Adha. But the old parents sit alone in rooms aside. Workers who cleaned the house are forgotten after Eid lunch. The poor receive leftovers wrapped in pity. And social media becomes louder than prayer. Sometimes I think: Perhaps humans no longer understand me. In Ibrahims (AS) time, I arrived to stop death. Today, maybe I arrive to stop deadness. Dead compassion. Dead conscience. Dead relationships. Dead humanity. I am not offended by sacrifice. It is an honor. But sacrifice without transformation is only ritual. The desert of Ibrahim was outside. The desert of modern man is inside. Dry hearts. Thirsty souls. Big homes. Empty conversations. You sharpen knives every year. But when will you sharpen honesty? When will you slaughter hypocrisy? When will you sacrifice cruelty? I have watched poor families share one small portion with dignity greater than kings. I have seen children secretly carry meat to neighbors too ashamed to ask. I have seen tears in prayer after sacrifice. There, I understand my purpose again. Not in slaughter. In softness. In remembrance. In breaking the illusion that life revolves around the self. Perhaps the real Qurbani was never meant to happen on the ground. It was meant to happen inside the human being. Inside jealousy. Inside rage. Inside selfishness. Inside insincerity. Inside the endless greed and malice. And maybe that is why my story survives centuries. Because every generation thinks sacrifice means losing something external. But Almighty was teaching humanity how to lose the animal within themselves. The real animal was never tied outside the house. It lives inside man. And every Bakr Eid asks the same question: What are you willing to surrender for truth?

What more does Auqib Nabi need to do?

When the Indian squad for the Afghanistan Test was announced on Tuesday evening, cricket followers in Jammu & Kashmir went straight to the fast bowlers list. Mohammed Siraj was there. Prasidh Krishna too. Then came Gurnoor Brars maiden call-up. Auqib Nabis name never arrived. For many in Kashmir cricket, that was difficult to digest. Only a few months ago, Nabi was the bowler tearing through batting line-ups in the Ranji Trophy and leading Jammu & Kashmirs charge towards a title nobody thought possible at the start of the season. In the final against Karnataka, he bowled with the kind of intensity that changes matches early. KL Rahul edged one. Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair too followed. By the end of the match, J&K had created history with their first Ranji Trophy title, and Nabi had finished with a five-wicket haul in the biggest game of his career. Normally, that sort of season pushes a player into the national conversation automatically. This time, it did not. The numbers are not ordinary either. Nabi has taken more than 100 wickets across the last two Ranji seasons. Last season alone, he finished with 60 wickets in 10 matches, the highest in the tournament. The previous year, he had already picked up 44 wickets in eight matches. There was also that hat-trick in the Duleep Trophy which briefly made people feel the India cap was now only a matter of time. Instead, the wait continues. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar admitted Nabis name did come up during discussions. According to Agarkar, India preferred going with only three seamers because the match is at home. That explanation has not ended the debate. Former India opener Aakash Chopra publicly questioned the decision and openly wondered what more Nabi needed to do after becoming one of the countrys most successful domestic bowlers over the last two years. Even former J&K captain Samiullah Beigh reacted strongly, calling the omission grossly unfair. Inside Kashmir cricket circles, the disappointment is obvious. Players from the region have always felt they need extraordinary seasons to get noticed nationally. Nabi seemed to have delivered exactly that. Not just wickets, but impact wickets. Match-winning spells. Big performances in knockout games. That is why many expected this to finally be his moment. To be fair, selectors do not pick teams purely on statistics. They look at pace, conditions, combinations and long-term planning. Gurnoor Brar is a promising bowler and clearly somebody the selectors see potential in. Still, comparisons were always going to happen because the gap in first-class output between the two bowlers is significant. Indian cricket repeatedly talks about the importance of domestic cricket. Every season, players are told that performances in the Ranji Trophy matter. Nabis case has now become part of that larger discussion. Because if a fast bowler can take over 100 wickets in two seasons, lead his side to a historic Ranji Trophy win and still remain outside the Indian team against Afghanistan, then naturally people will ask where exactly the reward for domestic cricket lies. For now, Nabi will go back to doing what he has done for two years, bowl long spells, keep taking wickets and wait for the next squad announcement. Author is Sub-Editor at Greater Kashmir

Dream of Safe Drinking Water

India today is seen as a rising global power. It is one of the worlds fastest-growing major economies, a digital leader, a space power, a strong military nation, and an increasingly important player in global politics. Highways are expanding, airports are increasing, metro rail networks are changing cities, and the vision of becoming a developed country by 2047 is shaping national discussions. Even though all these achievements are visible, one harsh reality still remains millions of Indians do not trust the water coming from their taps. Most people still prefer bottled water, water purifiers, or boiling water before drinking it. This lack of trust shows that an important part of our countrys development journey is still unfinished. The day every citizen, as well as every tourist visiting India, can confidently drink water directly from a tap at home, a railway station, school, hotel, airport, office, or roadside public place without fear of illness, that will be the day India can truly call itself a fully developed nation. Safe tap water is not just a basic service. It is a sign of good governance, strong public health systems, environmental responsibility, and civic discipline. Civilisations have always grown around water. From the Indus Valley civilization to the banks of the Nile and the Tigris-Euphrates, access to clean water determined the survival and prosperity of societies. Even today, developed countries such as Germany, Australia, the United States, and much of Europe take immense pride in the fact that their citizens can drink water directly from the tap. In cities such as Berlin, public fountains and household taps symbolise public trust in governance and infrastructure. However, despite our rapid transformation, individual and society development are still far from that stage. To be fair, the government has made major achievements in expanding access to drinking water, and these efforts deserve recognition. Since the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission in 2019, tap water connections in rural India have increased at a very fast pace. According to official figures, only around 3.23 crore rural households had tap water connections in August 2019. By March 2026, this number had reportedly crossed 15.82 crore households. The Union Budget for 202627 has allocated more than 67,000 crore for the mission, which has now been extended till 2028. This is no small achievement. Villages in remote regions of Ladakh, Sikkim, Jharkhand and Gujarat are now receiving piped water connections that were unimaginable a decade ago. Women no longer have to walk several kilometres carrying pots of water. Schools and anganwadis now have better access to drinking water. Local participation through village committees and womens groups has strengthened rural water governance in many regions. The government is right to celebrate these achievements. But there is a difference between water reaching a household and water being safe enough to drink directly from the tap. That remains the biggest challenge. India continues to face a severe water quality crisis. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, more than 70% of Indias surface water is unsafe for direct consumption. Hundreds of river stretches remain polluted due to untreated sewage, industrial waste, agricultural runoff and poor urban planning. Groundwater contamination from arsenic, fluoride and nitrates still continues to affect several states despite the government taking several checks. India is home to some of the worlds largest rivers, receives substantial monsoon rainfall, cleanest water from the foothills of Himalayas, and has invested massively in dams, pipelines and treatment systems. Yet ordinary citizens rarely trust the water flowing from their taps. Instead, our country has quietly built a parallel economy around unsafe drinking water. Nearly every household today uses a purifier, reverse osmosis system, or boils water before drinking it. Restaurants routinely serve filtered or bottled water instead of direct municipal supply. Offices install expensive filtration plants. Travellers buy packaged water bottles at railway stations, airports and roadside shops. The bottled water industry and domestic water purifier market are booming precisely because public confidence in tap water remains weak. This is perhaps the most honest fact-check of Indias drinking water reality. If Indias tap water were genuinely safe, millions of households would not feel compelled to spend additional money every month filtering water that has already supposedly been treated by civic authorities. The problem is not merely infrastructure. It is also governance, monitoring, enforcement and public behaviour. Our country already has strong legal frameworks. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 and the Environment Protection Act of 1986 empower authorities to regulate pollution and water quality. The National Water Policy speaks about integrated water management and conservation. Missions such as Namami Gange Programme and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation have sought to improve water infrastructure and urban sanitation. However, the implementation of many water and sanitation programmes still remains uneven across the country. Untreated sewage continues to flow into rivers. Lakes and ponds are disappearing because of encroachments and unchecked construction. Plastic waste blocks drains and pollutes water ecosystems. In many cities, damaged and leaking pipelines allow sewage water to mix with drinking water supplies. Water testing and monitoring systems are still weak, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. The government alone cannot solve this challenge unless citizens also change their habits and behaviour. A developed nation is not built only through government spending and big infrastructure projects; it is also built through public responsibility and civic discipline. Clean surroundings and safe drinking water are closely connected. Throwing garbage into drains, dumping waste into rivers, polluting lakes, and ignoring sanitation rules all lead to water contamination. Many people demand world-class facilities but continue practices that harm the environment. At the same time, there are positive examples that prove India can achieve global standards in safe drinking water. Odisha has emerged as a leading example through its Drink From Tap mission implemented by the Water Corporation of Odisha. Cities like Puri and Bhubaneswar have shown that round-the-clock safe tap water supply is possible in India when technology, efficient governance, and public trust work together. By using real-time monitoring systems, SCADA technology, GIS-based mapping, strict water quality checks, and transparent communication with people, Odisha has shown that Indian cities do not need to depend on bottled water forever. The success of cities like Puri and Bhubaneswar proves that safe tap water for everyone is possible in India. This model should now be expanded to other parts of the country. But providing safe drinking water to every Indian will require much bigger efforts. India needs major investment in sewage treatment plants, recycling of wastewater, cleaning of rivers, protection of groundwater, and better city planning. Water quality checking systems should work in real time and the information should be easily available to the public. Local authorities must be held responsible whenever drinking water gets contaminated. Schools should also teach water conservation and sanitation as basic civic responsibilities, not only as environmental subjects. Most importantly, India must rebuild public trust in its water systems. In developed countries, people drink tap water because they trust public institutions and water quality systems. In India, that trust is still weak because failures happen too often and without warning. Restoring this confidence may be the countrys biggest challenge. Indias ambitions are very large. The country aims to become a 10-trillion-dollar economy, a global manufacturing hub, a major tourism destination, and a developed nation by 2047. But development cannot be measured only through GDP growth, highways, airports, or skyscrapers. Real development must also be reflected in everyday life. There are many ifs that can be the measuring marks. Can a child safely drink water from a school tap? Can a tourist fill a water bottle at a railway station without worrying about falling sick? Can ordinary families stop spending large sums on water filters and bottled water? Can Indias rivers become clean and healthy again? When the answer to all these questions becomes yes across the country, India will not only appear developed, it will truly feel like a developed nation. Safe drinking water from every tap is not a luxury. It is one of the most basic signs of a civilised society. Surinder Singh Oberoi, National Editor Greater Kashmir

A fresh peace effort?

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) mentor advocating peace efforts with Pakistan! And that too one year after Operation Sindoor launched by the Indian Armed Forces. It might sound unbelievable given the hardline and anti-Pakistan agenda driven by the current regime which had embarked on a hot-pursuit against Islamabad, ever since PM Modis futile attempt at extending an olive branch by inviting the then Pakistan Prime Minister Mr Nawaz Sharief to his swearing-in ceremony in 2014. And later a failed unscheduled but certainly not unplanned sudden visit to Lahore to attend a family function at Mr Shariefs residence. Even after a decade, the insiders story on who advised Mr Modi to visit Pakistan contrary to his hardcore image, based on hyper-nationalism and Hindutva which was for everyone to see in the 2014 Lok Sabha poll campaign, has still to see light of the day. Or who fixed the timing for the same just in the beginning of his innings as Prime Minister. It did pay electoral dividend to the Modi-led BJP as it scored series of poll victories subsequently, pursuing the hardcore anti-Pakistan line. Nevertheless, it was a welcome move. It amplified the fact that the dialogue has no alternative. The only issue is how and when to hold peace talks. Here comes into play the surprise statement of one of the top leaders of the RSS. So, RSS general secretary Mr Dattaterya Hosabales recent call for peace talks with Pakistan took everyone, including a sizable section within the broader Sangh Parivar and hardcore Hindutva support base of the BJP, by surprise. It has given rise to questions whether the move is of the RSSs own making or done at the behest of the current dispensation? Or more importantly, the RSS acted under an external pressure, ostensibly the USA given the overriding Donald Trump phenomena dictating terms? There are some interesting accompaniments attached to Hosabales statement. It found immediate endorsement in the words of former army chief Gen M M Naravane who underlined the importance of maintaining communication and people-to-people ties between India and Pakistan. Ordinary citizens on both sides share similar everyday concerns and aspirations, he said giving strength to the RSS move. Indo-Pakistan relation, war or peace, has never been short of theatrics, star-studded shows and high-profile summits. Nehru-Liaquat Pact, Shimla Agreement, Vajpayee-Musharraf summit, or the famous Amritsar-Lahore Bus yatra led by the then Prime Minister Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee that included prominent persons from diverse fields including the evergreen cine-star, Mr Dev Anand; and last but not the least the controversial Inder Kumar Gujral doctrine. The current government did not dare to undertake a new initiative till the time the international scenario started undergoing dramatic changes particularly after Operation Sindoor and the West Asia conflict involving Iran, USA and Israel directly, and Pakistan, China and Russia by proxy. Is Mr Hosabales ice- breaking observation an indication of a fresh peace overture in the offing? Yet, another significant and related development has taken place across the border with Pakistan, during the same time, deciding to rename some locations in Lahore to their historic Hindu, Sikh, Jain and British colonial era origin. It has been done under the garb of a massive Lahore Heritage Areas Revival project. If Mr Hosabales call for peace talks with Pakistan, and its endorsement by none other than a former army chief, has great significance, particularly as it has received a silent endorsement from the Centre, no less important is restoration of old identity of some localities in Lahore. Since the localities, some related to Hindu, Sikh and Jain religions (RSS considers it as part of larger Hindu pantheon despite protestations from the other side), the Pakistani authorities, probably, have done this to pander to the Hindutva agenda vigorously pursued by the BJP with the backing of the RSS, in order to provide them elbow space with their hardcore support base in mind. Certainly, if RSS, found a fertile ground to establish itself by exploiting the sentiments in the aftermath of the 1947-partition and all-along pursued a hardline against Pakistan and a vice-versa role played by extremist Islamist elements on the other side of the border, and it now authors a peace initiative, its significance cannot be lost on anyone. Does it reflect a tectonic shift in the Sangh Parivar- current governments outlook towards Pakistan? What has led to this sudden yearning for peace talks with Islamabad, and the sudden love of Pakistans current dispensation for Hindu-Sikh-Jain heritage after its systematic destruction in pandering to the hardcore anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiment? Past history suggests that no peace effort, including ceasefire after the wars, between India and Pakistan has taken place without external influence. It will be naive to think that the RSS acted on its own to open a window for the Narendra Modi government to act, thereby shunning the hardcore image of the Sangh Parivar and the central dispensation. By doing so the RSS seems to have not only taken load off Prime Minister Mr Modis shoulders but also opened a safe passage for him to wade into hitherto forbidden territory to initiate peace efforts. Whatever be the reason or compulsion, a peace effort should be welcomed by all desiring peace in the Indian sub-continent. It is important given the vulnerability to become a flash-point and added interest shown by the world- powers due to its strategic location. Despite the fact that Mr Modi, through his sheer dominance has created a situation where RSS needs him more than he needs the RSS, the Sangh coming on board on a sensitive issue such as peace-talks with Pakistan, is a tactical move of great significance for him also. These are the starting moments. How would Mr Hosabales advocacy for peace with Pakistan or the restoration of old symbols particularly of Hindus, Jains and Sikhs in Lahore to be followed elsewhere in Pakistan also (as claimed in reports from Pakistan), really unfold and lay the table for peace talks, will be keenly watched. All Prime Ministers, since 1947, including Mr Modi did take initiatives at restoration of peace with Pakistan. In fact, he went a mile ahead, keeping aside his hardcore ideological beliefs and Hindutva based politics, to visit Pakistan which many of his predecessors either avoided (for good reasons) or did not get an opportunity to do so, speaks volumes about the necessity for peace between Indian and Pakistan. This is so given the strategic location of the sub-continent and ever-growing interest of super-powers namely USA, China and Russia. This is not to suggest that hot-pursuit will not be an option if Pakistan indulged in any misadventure, directly or indirectly. You can change friends, but not neighbours. Former Prime Minister Mr Vajpayees golden words hold significance and should be rooted in any future peace endeavour with Pakistan. The other side must realise that it needs two to tango and Pakistan has much to deliver to establish its credibility.

Security, Stability or Statehood

Jammu and Kashmir occupies a unique place in Indias national consciousness. It is not merely a territorial unit or a constitutional subject. It is one of Indias most sensitive strategic frontiers geographically vulnerable, politically symbolic, and central to the countrys sovereignty and national security architecture. For more than three decades, the region suffered the devastating consequences of terrorism, separatism, foreign interference, political instability, and institutional collapse. Thousands of civilians, soldiers, police personnel, and innocent young Kashmiris lost their lives in a conflict fuelled not merely by local failures, but by Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and sustained geopolitical hostility toward India. Entire generations grew up amid curfews, shutdowns, stone-pelting campaigns, fear, economic stagnation, and uncertainty. Tourism repeatedly collapsed. Investment disappeared. Schools remained shut. Public institutions weakened. Radical narratives occupied public space while governance often became secondary to political symbolism. No serious nation can afford to ignore that painful history. That is precisely why the future of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be approached through emotional constitutional politics or electoral sentimentality. It must be approached through the larger lens of national security, institutional stability, governance reform, and irreversible peace. Jammu & Kashmir Is Not Comparable to Ordinary States Those demanding immediate restoration of full statehood often overlook a fundamental strategic reality: Jammu and Kashmir is not an ordinary administrative unit. It borders Pakistan and China two nuclear-armed adversaries. It remains one of the worlds most targeted regions for cross-border terrorism, radical propaganda, infiltration networks, and geopolitical destabilisation. Pakistans military establishment has historically treated Jammu and Kashmir not as a democratic issue, but as a proxy conflict theatre against India. Terror infrastructure across the border remains active. Sleeper cells continue operating. Radical ecosystems continue targeting vulnerable youth. Even today, infiltration attempts and terror incidents continue despite major improvements in the security environment. The April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack was a grim reminder that terrorism has not disappeared. It is waiting for opportunities to exploit instability. In such circumstances, weakening central administrative coordination or politicising security management would not be democratic maturity it would be strategic recklessness. The Union Territory framework exists not merely as an administrative arrangement, but as a stabilising national-security architecture designed to protect both the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Indias sovereignty. The Home Department Is About Security Not Civic Governance A major misconception deliberately encouraged in political discourse is that the Union Territory structure prevents governance delivery. This is factually misleading. The sectors retained under stronger Union supervision primarily involve: Internal security; Intelligence coordination; Counter-terror operations; Law and order; Paramilitary deployment; and Strategic security management. These are matters directly linked to national security. However, the elected government already exercises substantial powers over virtually every major governance sector affecting daily life, including: Urban development Municipal administration Public works Education Healthcare Tourism Agriculture Rural development Welfare delivery Environmental management Employment initiatives Public service delivery Therefore, if Srinagar floods after moderate rainfall, if garbage remains unmanaged, if illegal construction flourishes, if Dal Lake deteriorates, if unemployment rises, or if municipal systems fail the issue is not the Home Department. The issue is governance failure within departments directly controlled by the elected administration. Urban Governance: Massive Spending, Poor Outcomes. One of the clearest examples of governance failure lies in urban management. The urban centers projects projected as transformative initiatives intended to modernise urban infrastructure, mobility, drainage, public spaces, and civic systems. But needs more attention and focus top realise full potential. Meanwhile, residents themselves increasingly criticised the absence of green urban planning, pedestrian-friendly development, and ecological sensitivity in Srinagars redevelopment model. Compare this with Chandigarh also a Union Territory. Chandigarh consistently ranks among Indias cleanest and best-planned cities because of: Scientific urban zoning; Strong municipal discipline; Effective waste management; Planned green spaces; Regulated construction; and Administrative continuity. Its Union Territory status did not prevent effective urban governance. Similarly, Delhi despite constitutional limitations significantly improved: Mohalla clinic healthcare systems; Government school infrastructure; Public transport integration; and Digitised public service delivery. The lesson is simple: governance outcomes depend on administrative competence, not constitutional slogans. Environmental Governance: A Systemic Failure Perhaps the gravest governance failure in Jammu and Kashmir lies in environmental management. A recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit revealed that Jammu and Kashmir lost 315 lakes since 1967, while another 203 lakes significantly shrank, resulting in a loss of nearly 2,851 hectares of lake area. The report concluded that: 74% of lakes in J&K have either disappeared or shrunk; Only six lakes receive serious conservation attention; Fragmented governance and weak coordination remain major causes; Encroachments and illegal construction continue unchecked; and Environmental monitoring remains deeply inadequate. This is not a constitutional failure. Environmental management lies directly within the functioning domain of the elected administration. The government could have already implemented: Strict ecological zoning laws; GIS-based encroachment monitoring; Urban wetland protection systems; Scientific tourism carrying-capacity frameworks; Independent environmental oversight authorities; and Climate-resilience planning. Instead, environmental governance remains reactive and fragmented. Compare this with Puducherry, which despite being a small Union Territory, consistently performs better in urban sanitation, environmental management, and human development indicators through focused administrative execution. Tourism Growth Without Planning Is Becoming Unsustainable Tourism is frequently cited as evidence of post-2019 normalcy and rightly so. Jammu and Kashmir recorded more than 2 crore tourist visits in 2023, creating employment for transporters, artisans, hoteliers, guides, handicraft workers, pony operators, and thousands of small businesses. Yet tourism growth without infrastructure discipline is becoming environmentally and administratively unsustainable. Visitors increasingly report: Traffic congestion; Waste accumulation; Poor sanitation; Overcrowding at destinations; and Weak civic management. Tourism policy remains heavily concentrated around a few destinations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam, while enormous untapped potential across Jammu division and lesser-known Kashmir regions remains underdeveloped. The government could have: Developed heritage tourism circuits; Expanded winter sports infrastructure; Professionalised adventure tourism; Improved sanitation systems; Built international-standard convention infrastructure; and Linked tourism growth to local skill-development ecosystems. These are governance functions already fully available under the present framework. Electricity Sector: Financial Mismanagement on a Massive Scale The power sector remains one of Jammu and Kashmirs biggest administrative failures. Official figures acknowledge nearly 28,000 crore in liabilities and off-budget borrowings due to: AT&C losses; Power theft; Weak billing systems; and Unsustainable subsidies. This financial crisis is not linked to constitutional status. Power distribution, billing reform, transmission management, and anti-theft enforcement are governance responsibilities already available to the elected administration. Compare this with Chandigarh and Daman and Diu, where tighter administrative controls and modernised systems significantly reduced utility inefficiencies. Jammu and Kashmir could have aggressively expanded: Smart metering; Solar rooftop systems; Energy-efficient public infrastructure; Billing digitisation; and Anti-theft enforcement mechanisms. Instead, politically difficult reforms continue to be postponed. Youth Employment: Political Mobilisation Without Economic Vision Perhaps the greatest long-term risk facing Jammu and Kashmir is youth unemployment. More than 3.5 lakh educated youth reportedly remain unemployed across the Union Territory. Yet instead of creating a serious long-term economic transformation strategy, political discourse remains overwhelmingly centred on constitutional politics. The government could have already prioritised: IT and remote-work infrastructure; Startup incubation ecosystems; Horticulture value-chain industries; Food processing; Renewable energy sectors; Handicraft export modernisation; and Tourism-linked entrepreneurship. Governance requires building opportunity not merely amplifying grievance narratives. The Fiscal Reality and Dilemma One issue rarely discussed honestly is fiscal sustainability. Jammu and Kashmirs FY 202425 budget crossed approximately 1.18 lakh crore, yet the region remains heavily dependent on financial support from the Government of India. Massive expenditures continue in: Salaries Pensions Subsidies Welfare schemes Power-sector liabilities. At present, the enormous financial burden of: Counter-terror operations Intelligence infrastructure Paramilitary deployment Strategic policing Security logistics is substantially borne directly by the Government of India. Premature restoration of full statehood would gradually transfer far greater fiscal responsibility for internal security management onto Jammu and Kashmirs already strained finances. Would that reduce resources available for: Healthcare? Education? Urban infrastructure? Environmental restoration? Employment programs? These are serious governance questions not emotional slogans. Governance Must Come Before Political Reward In conflict-sensitive regions, constitutional evolution must follow demonstrated stability, institutional maturity, governance credibility, and fiscal discipline. Not precede them. The correct sequence is simple: First: Peace; Stability; Deradicalisation; Governance reform; Institutional accountability; Fiscal sustainability; and Economic modernisation. Then: Greater constitutional transition. Not the reverse. Because if there is one lesson history repeatedly teaches Jammu and Kashmir, it is this: Whenever governance weakens and political uncertainty grows, hostile forces exploit the vacuum. Above Politics Stands the Nation. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve peace more than perpetual political mobilisation. They deserve: Clean cities; Functioning hospitals; Reliable electricity; Stable schools; Transparent institutions; Employment opportunities; Safe tourism; Environmental protection; and Freedom from fear. None of these aspirations are prevented by Union Territory status. But all of them can be destroyed by renewed instability. National security is not anti-democratic. It is the shield that protects democracy itself. India cannot afford another cycle of uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir. Too much blood has already been shed. Too many families have suffered. Too many soldiers have sacrificed their lives defending the region from terrorism and separatist violence. The future of Jammu and Kashmir must now be guided not by emotional constitutional politics, but by strategic wisdom, governance delivery, institutional maturity, and national responsibility. Because above politics stands the nation. And above every political demand stands Indias unity, integrity, and security. The author is freelancer and Independent Political Analyst.

J&K House Chanakyapuri gets modern VVIP makeover

New Delhi, May 23:Jammu and Kashmir House at Chanakyapuri unveiled its newly redeveloped VVIP accommodation facilities on Friday, adding critical capacity to the J&Ks hospitality infrastructure for the dignitaries visiting the national capital. Resident Commissioner, J&K, Ramesh Kumar, inaugurated the modernised 4th floor of C-Block in the presence of Additional Resident Commissioner Anil Kumar Sharma and senior officers of the Resident Commission. The upgrade has come after the reorganisation of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, when A and B Blocks were transferred to the Union Territory of Ladakh. That left J&K with only the ageing C-Block, sharply cutting accommodation for the visiting Ministers, MPs, senior civil and police officers, judicial officers and official delegations. To address the gap, the administration undertook a comprehensive revamp of the 4th floor. The redesigned level now houses three suites, including Pashmina, Hangul and Chinar and two VVIP rooms named Trikuta and Saffron. These all have been built on contemporary hospitality standards for comfort, security and a professional environment. Jammu and Kashmir House in Chanakyapuri has long served as J&Ks principal official residence and reception centre in New Delhi, hosting ministers, legislators, senior bureaucrats, judicial officers, and official delegations. Following the 2019 reorganisation of the erstwhile state, A and B Blocks of the complex were allocated to the Union Territory of Ladakh, substantially reducing accommodation available to J&K guests. With only C-Block remaining under its control, pressure on existing infrastructure increased sharply. The latest redevelopment is part of efforts by the J&K administration to augment accommodation capacity and modernise facilities to meet growing official requirements in the national capital.

Srinagar-Jammu National Highway open for 2-way traffic

Ramban, May 23: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open for two-way movement of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) on Saturday, although traffic movement continued to remain slow at several stretches due to congestion, vehicle breakdowns, and the movement of nomadic herds between Ramban and Banihal. Traffic authorities said that, subject to fair weather and favourable road conditions, the highway is likely to remain open for two-way movement of light, medium and heavy vehicles on Sunday as well. Officials said heavy congestion was witnessed between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, where single-lane road conditions created bottlenecks and hampered smooth vehicular movement. The situation further worsened after two heavy vehicles broke down at Ramsu and Nachlana, causing prolonged delays for commuters. Traffic movement was also affected by the large-scale migration of nomadic herds along the Nachlana-Banihal stretch. Officials said around 13 livestock herds crossed the highway on Thursday, while more such movements are expected in the coming days, likely to further impact traffic flow on the busy highway. Traffic movement on the single-lane stretch between Marog and Kishtwari Pather is expected to remain slow due to the continued movement of nomadic herds, officials said. Authorities have advised commuters to maintain strict lane discipline and avoid overtaking, warning that wrong-lane driving and traffic violations could lead to further congestion and traffic jams. Passengers and operators of LMVs have also been advised to undertake travel only during daylight hours and avoid night travel due to the risk of shooting stones, landslides, ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal, and the continued movement of nomadic herds along the highway. Traffic Control Units in Jammu and Srinagar, in coordination with the Ramban district administration, are closely monitoring the situation. Commuters have been urged to check the latest traffic and road status before undertaking their journey on the highway. Meanwhile, the Kishtwar-Sinthan Top-Anantnag National Highway remained open for vehicular movement.

Romance redefined: The rise of dark and unconventional romantic stories in cinema, where love is not just candlelight dinners

Recent films like Send Help, Sanctuary, and The Drama explore intense love stories. These movies feature unconventional relationships and power dynamics. Some even reverse traditional gender roles. For those seeking sweeter tales, The Sheep Detectives and Remarkably Bright Creatures offer inter-species love. Broadening the definition of a love story reveals many engaging films.

Two old dudes hydrocarbonding: Listening in on a 15-mn-year-old chitchat about why Modern Civilisation is up for a crude awakening

An ancient algae-zooplankton discusses its future transformation into fossil fuels. This will power a future 'Modern Civilisation' driven by human invention. This civilisation will become dependent on these fuels, leading to conflict. Ultimately, this civilisation will exhaust the fuels and become a fossil itself, a cycle of poetic irony.

I know what you'll be talking about while you drink this summer

The cocktail party or bar soiree is, bar none, the most cosmopolitan space where conversations fizz and sips can spill over into scripted slips of the tongue - but remember, some universal club soda rules apply.

Ministry of questionable questions: Satire on India's press conference culture

A sharp satire on Indian press conferences, where tough questions are dodged with grand civilisational rhetoric, scripted patriotism, and theatrical defensiveness instead of direct answers.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence visits Gulmarg, reviews troop preparedness

Rajouri encounter: Heavy deployment made, operation underway

Aga Ruhullah slams J&K Leadership after Centre-Ladakh talks achieve breakthrough

Coal mine gas explosion in China kills 90

Beijing, May 23: Ninety miners were killed in a gas explosion in a coal mine in north China's Shanxi Province, while all-out rescues are underway to reach those still unaccounted for, official media in Beijing reported on Saturday. A total of 247 workers were underground when the accident occurred on Friday evening at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County, Changzhi. Mining disasters are common in energy-hungry China, and are largely attributed to poor working conditions and a weak regulatory framework. The death toll rose to 90 following the accident, while around 123 people of those rescued are receiving treatment at hospitals, including two in critical condition and two in serious condition. Nine people remain unaccounted for as rescue operations continue to locate them, state-run media reported. As long as there is hope, we will make every possible effort, one rescuer told Xinhua. Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued instructions for a comprehensive rescue operation and treatment of the injured. He has called for proper handling of the aftermath of the accident and sought a thorough investigation into its cause, with accountability pursued in accordance with the law. Xi has stressed that authorities across the country must learn from the accident, remain vigilant on workplace safety, and intensify efforts to identify and eliminate potential risks to prevent major accidents. As China enters its flood season, Xi also called for strengthened emergency preparedness and solid flood control and disaster relief measures to safeguard people's lives and property. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has led a team to the site to oversee the rescue efforts. While such incidents take place almost every year, the worst mining disaster was in 2005, resulting in the death of 214 people, following a gas explosion at the Sunjiawan coal mine in Liaoning province in China's northeast.

Ladakh Set For A Major Clean Energy Boost As LG Extends ONGC Pact For Geothermal Power Project

Leh/Jammu, May 23: Ladakh is set to take a significant step towards clean energy generation with Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approving the setting up of Indias first geothermal power project by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation at Puga valley in Ladakh, at an altitude of over 14,000 feet. LG approved a five-year extension of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation for the construction of the countrys first geothermal power project, officials said. [] The post Ladakh Set For A Major Clean Energy Boost As LG Extends ONGC Pact For Geothermal Power Project appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Summer vacations announced for Jammu summer zone schools from June 1

Srinagar, May 23: Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Saturday announced summer vacations for schools falling under the Summer Zone of Jammu Division in view of the prevailing weather conditions and rising temperatures. Education Minister Sakina Itoo, according to news agency JKNS, said that summer vacations for Primary Classes will commence from June 1, 2026, while students of Classes 6th to 12th will observe vacations from June 8, 2026. Keeping in view the prevailing weather conditions, summer vacations for schools falling under Summer Zone of Jammu Division shall commence w.e.f. 01.06.2026 for Primary Classes. She said that, vacations for for students of Classes 6th to 12th will commence w.e.f. 08.06.2026, the Minister said.

1.6 million pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for hajj pilgrimage

1.6 million pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for hajj pilgrimage Over 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from outside the kingdom for the upcoming Hajj, according to a Saudi official, exceeding the number of international visitors last year despite the war in the Middle East. The conflict triggered by the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February saw Tehran order waves of strikes on targets in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf, prompting widespread air traffic disruptions and causing travel costs to surge. Major Gulf airlines in the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain have worked to quickly restore much of their operational capacity after weeks of airspace closures and flight cancelations. Despite the complications, pilgrims have continued to flock to Saudi Arabia to participate in this years Hajj. The total number of pilgrims arriving from abroad has reached 1,518,153, Saleh Al-Murabba, the commander of Saudi Arabias Hajj Passport Forces, told a press conference late Friday. These figures are expected to rise further over the next two days as pilgrims continue to arrive from abroad ahead of the formal rituals that mark the beginning of the Hajj on Monday. Last year, the total number of pilgrims at the Hajj reached 1,673,320, including 1,506,576 from outside Saudi Arabia.

US Secretary of State invites PM Modi to visit White House

New Delhi, May 23: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and extended an invitation on behalf of US President Donald Trump for the Prime Minister to visit the White House in the near future. The development was announced by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in a post on X, where he said: News! Secretary Marco Rubio extended an invite on behalf of President Donald Trump, for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House in the near future! During the meeting, Rubio briefed the Prime Minister on progress in bilateral cooperation across sectors including defence, strategic technologies, trade and investment, energy security, connectivity, education and people-to-people ties. The US Secretary of State also shared the American perspective on various regional and global issues, including the situation in West Asia. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed Indias support for peace efforts and reiterated the need for peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. He also requested Rubio to convey his warm greetings to President Trump and said he looked forward to continued exchanges with him. Earlier in the day, Rubio arrived in Kolkata for a four-day diplomatic visit to India, marking the first visit by a US secretary of state to the city in 14 years since Hillary Clinton visited in 2012. According to PTI, Rubios India tour from May 23 to 26 includes visits to Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi, and is expected to focus on trade, technology, defence, energy cooperation and the Quad partnership. Before departing for India, Rubio described India as a great partner and said the US wanted to sell India as much energy as it could buy. The Quad meeting is scheduled for May 26 and is expected to be attended by Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Omar govt failed to deliver, will not last long: Sunil Sharma

Jammu, May 22: Leader of Opposition (LoP) in J&K Legislative Assembly and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Friday reiterated that the government led by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah failed to deliver and it would not last long. Sharma, while speaking to a private national news channel, asserted that the NC government would disintegrate on its own and would not be able to complete its term. Im not a broker that I should remain in touch with the dissidents (of a political party). Im the Leader of Opposition so I dont need to coordinate with any dissident. But Im a political animal. I live in J&K and we, too, have our own sources of information. Hence, I reiterate that this government will disintegrate for sure. Im asserting here that it will not be able to complete its full term, at any cost, he stated, when asked if he was in touch with the NC dissidents. Sunil Sharma maintained that he did not have any doubt or misperception on this account. I dont need to be in touch with the dissenters. The MLAs, themselves, are dissatisfied with their family (party). That is why the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is frustrated. To overcome that frustration, he is on an England or Paris tour, he said, adding, This is unfortunate for J&K and its people, who are suffering for want of power, water and basic amenities and their CM is vacationing in England or Paris. UT and its people had asked for a Chief Minister. Their house will disintegrate on its own, Sunil Sharma reiterated. Will BJP take over in case of collapse of the present government and what are the preparations underway for that probability? Sharma responded to this query with a counter-question. How can we name a child, who is not born yet? he questioned. But what was the basis of his presumption? Im answering queries of a senior media person on the basis of my thinking. I, too, have a political acumen to observe happenings around, LoP said, while leaving behind a trail of conjectures. ON DEMOLITION DRIVE IN JAMMU Responding to a question about the recent demolition drive in Jammu and the flutter it created in the political corridors, the Leader of Opposition said, Ill make BJPs stand clear on the issue. We believe that the action against any unlawful, illegal or anti-national act should never be seen through a religious prism. Law should take its own course and should never succumb to outside pressures. The approach against drugs, encroachments should be non-compromising. He, however, refused to comment on Sidhra demolition drive in particular. Ill not comment on this particular case as Im not aware about the exact documentation of this drive by the officials. But generally speaking, Im strongly against encroachments. One should not allow encroachments anywhere. If someone relates anti-encroachment drive to a religion or supports it, it indicates the malafide intentions of the person (opposing it). Im in support of stringent action against all kinds of encroachers including the high and mighty, Sharma said. He stated that the committee was constituted and hoped that it would bring all facts to the fore. If the encroachment was aimed at bringing a demographic change in Jammu, it would not be tolerated by the administration and all legally sound action as per constitution should be taken. Even earlier I had stated in the Legislative Assembly that Jammu had been facing an assault in the form of Land Jehad after the nineties, by a specific community, he reiterated. Talking about Tawi riverbed, he said on the basis of evidence, he mentioned earlier also that 2091 encroachers had occupied it. High Court and Supreme Court have identified those encroachers. Encroacher remains an encroacher always. Proper investigation has already taken place in case of encroachments, Sharma said. He said that in the Legislative Assembly, in an answer to a related question, the names of political bigwigs, ministers too had come to the fore in the list of encroachers. In Bhatindi, even the house of the father of the incumbent Chief Minister is also questionable. This knowledge is in the public domain. Another former minister encroached on a big chunk of land in Beli Charana. Encroachers are supported in the Legislative Assembly, the pattern, which I referred to as Legislative Jehad, LoP recalled. With regard to a question about the Congress leader and LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi calling the PM a traitor, Sharma described it a shameful act. There is no place for such a shameful language in a civilised society. The usage of unparliamentary language for a person, who holds a pivotal place not just in the society but in the politics of the country, reflects how low he (Rahul) has stooped in his public discourse. Using such language, he (Rahul) is not ridiculing himself, his party but the entire country globally, he said. He asserted that it was reprehensible, more so, because he (Rahul), himself, held a constitutional position. His disgraceful conduct in a public space, using such language even brings the constitutional propriety to question. The PM is leading 140 Cr people in the country. This is unfortunate and shameful for the country that the Leader of Opposition is resorting to such atrocious conduct and using condemnable expressions, Sunil Sharma said. He asserted that the visit of the Prime Minister was a part of hard diplomacy to serve the interests of the country, a subject simply alien to Rahul Gandhi. Earlier Sunil Sharma informed that he held a productive meeting with BJP MLAs at the party headquarters in Jammu. We discussed various issues and strategies to further our partys mission of serving the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

Javed Rana Reviews Implementation Of Forest Rights Act In J&K

SRINAGAR, May 23: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today chaired an exhaustive meeting to review implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Minister took a comprehensive review of the status of claims filed under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), functioning of various committees constituted under the Act and measures being taken for safeguarding [] The post Javed Rana Reviews Implementation Of Forest Rights Act In J&K appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Millions across J&K determined to eradicate narco-terrorism: LG Sinha

Srinagar, May 23: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today Joined Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Padyatra in Shopian where citizens from all walks of life vowed that narcoterrorists will be driven out from every corner of UT of Jammu Kashmir. Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said this collective resolve heralds the dawn of a new era. From every lane and bylane of UT, voices are rising in unison, demanding that not a single drug smuggler be spared. What began 43 days ago in Jammu has now surged into a powerful grassroots movement, echoing across communities with unstoppable force, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor stated that united by a single purpose and a common goal, millions across Jammu Kashmir are determined to eradicate narcoticsterrorism from this land of paradise. It is now firmly etched in the minds of our people that this is not a distant issue but a challenge confronting us at our very doorstep, one we must face headon with courage and resolve, he said. The Lieutenant Governor observed that the poison of drugs is diverting our youth from the path of progress. He said terrorist groups use proceeds from drugs to buy weapons, and with those weapons the blood of ordinary Kashmiris is being spilled. Today I want to state unequivocally: whether an official or anyone in public life, if they are in any way connected to the drug network or lend it support, they will face strict legal consequences. I assure the people that if even the slightest trace of this infection has seeped into our system, it will be mercilessly cut out without hesitation, the Lieutenant governor said. The Lieutenant Governor said that by destroying the lives of our children, thousands of smugglers and narco-terrorists have built their own dark fiefdoms. He said each brick of that sordid realm is being pulled down. The cup of suffering borne by the people at the hands of drug smugglers has overflowed; their collective cry of no more has risen into an unstoppable roar. He further stated that every drug sold in our towns and villages is like a bullet pressed against the chest of the people. Wherever drug smugglers and drug traffickers take root, their first victims are our youth. I know that many parents across Jammu Kashmir live under this shadow of fear, constantly worried that their family could be the next target. We must banish that fear completely and ensure safety for every household in the Union Territory, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted that more than 7,000 womens committees have been formed in Jammu Kashmir and it is now the administrations duty to empower these committees and ensure they can work effectively. In the past 43 days, 797 FIRs have been registered and 894 drug smugglers and peddlers have been sent behind bars. 59 traffickers have been arrested under PITNDPS provisions. 81 narcotic palaces built with the traffickers black money have been demolished. 101 immovable properties have been attached and seized. Other assets worth crores have been attached. 457 driving licenses have been suspended. Recommendations have been made to cancel passports of 22 smugglers and to cancel registrations of 606 vehicles. Large quantities of drugs have been seized. About 5,641 drug stores were inspected; licenses of 268 stores were suspended or cancelled, and FIRs filed against 6 drug stores. A comprehensive rehabilitation policy is also being prepared. The Lieutenant Governor said that our aim is not only to free addicted youth through deaddiction programs but also to reintegrate them into the mainstream by providing employment and jobs.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Prime Minister Modi

New Delhi, May 23: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Prime Minister Modi US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Saturday after arriving for his first official visit to India -- a trip aimed at recalibrating the bilateral relations that have faced headwinds since mid-last year. The top US diplomat is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in addition to attending a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers in New Delhi. Landed in India. Looking forward to a great visit, Rubio said in a social media post after he reached Kolkata this morning. He visited the Mother House -- the headquarters of Saint Teresa's Missionaries of Charity -- before flying to the national capital. Warmly welcome Secretary of State Marco Rubio of the USA to New Delhi. His visit will add further strength to India-USA Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jasiwal said on X. US Ambassador Sergio Gor, welcoming the Secretary of State, outlined a forward-looking agenda aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. He underlined the upcoming Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Washington's focus on realising President Donald Trump's strategic vision for a stronger US-India partnership. Rubio called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after reaching the national capital. On Sunday, he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Jaishankar and attend the US Embassy's Independence Day celebrations. The Secretary of State will travel to Agra and Jaipur on Monday before returning to Delhi on Tuesday morning for the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Ways to bolster India-US ties in energy, trade, investment, critical technology and people-to-people exchanges are likely to dominate the talks between Jaishankar and Rubio, people familiar with the matter said. The two sides are also expected to deliberate on the West Asia crisis and its economic impact, including on energy supplies, they said. Rubio's trip to India comes over five weeks after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri undertook a three-day visit to Washington DC that focused on stabilising the ties after a spell of uncertainty and strain. The relations between the two countries witnessed a major downturn after Washington imposed punitive tariffs on India and President Donald Trump made controversial assertions regarding his role in de-escalating the India-Pakistan military clashes last May. Over the next few months, the US president repeatedly and publicly claimed that he had resolved the military conflict between the two neighbours and saved millions of lives as it was heading towards a full-scale war. New Delhi stoutly maintained that the cessation of the hostilities was a result of talks between India and Pakistan, and the US involvement had nothing to do with it. Washington's new immigration policy and its decision to increase the H1B visa fee also contributed to the slide in India-US ties. However, both sides have made efforts in the last few months to repair the ties. The two sides have also resolved to firm up a mutually beneficial trade deal soon. President Trump and PM Modi held a nearly 40-minute phone conversation on April 14. Following the call, Modi said he and Trump reviewed the substantial progress in the bilateral ties and that both sides are committed to further strengthening the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership in all areas.

Centre Offers Constitutional Safeguards, Legislative Body For Ladakh; Talks Still Underway, Say Activists

NEW DELHI, May 23: The Centre has made an offer for constitutional safeguards under Article 371, instead of the Sixth Schedule, and a legislative body for Ladakh, activists from the region said on Saturday, while stressing that discussions were still underway and no final agreement had been reached. Talking to news agency a day after their meeting with a sub-committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), activist Sonam Wangchuk said the government had proposed safeguards for Ladakh on the [] The post Centre Offers Constitutional Safeguards, Legislative Body For Ladakh; Talks Still Underway, Say Activists appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

J&K Forest Minister boycotts department event over Jammu demolitions

Srinagar, May 23: Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana boycotted a Forest Department event in Srinagar in protest against the recent demolition of structures belonging to Gujjar and Bakarwal families in Jammus Sidhra area, The Hindu reported. According to the report, the minister decided not to attend the International Day for Biological Diversity event held at Dachigam on Friday despite being invited as the chief guest. The event was attended by senior Forest Department officials, including Commissioner Secretary Forests, Ecology and Environment Sheetal Nanda and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sarvesh Rai. The boycott came days after a joint team of the Forest Department and Jammu and Kashmir Police demolished 32 structures at Raika Bandi in Sidhra on May 19, displacing more than two dozen Gujjar and Bakarwal families. The Hindu reported that Ranas decision reflected growing differences between the elected government and officials who directly report to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha . Following the demolition drive, the minister also constituted a committee to ascertain the factual position regarding the eviction operation at Raika Bandi. The committee includes senior officials from the Forest Department and Revenue Department and has been directed to examine the legality of the demolition drive and submit its report within seven working days. The report stated that another fact-finding committee had also been constituted by the Tribal Affairs Department to investigate alleged violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and constitutional safeguards available to Scheduled Tribes. Meanwhile, Rana said electricity and water supply to the affected families, which had reportedly been disconnected by the Jammu Development Authority, were restored following his intervention. The demolition drive has triggered sharp political reactions across Jammu and Kashmir, with opposition parties accusing the administration of targeting nomadic communities and questioning the role of the elected government in preventing such actions. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also criticised the Omar Abdullah-led government over the issue, alleging that the BJP continued to wield greater influence over administrative decisions in the Union Territory.

Encounter breaks out in J-Ks Rajouri

Rajouri, May 23: An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Gambhir Muglan area of Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. According to officials, the operation, codenamed Op Sheruwali, was launched jointly by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. Officials said contact with the terrorists was established around 11:30 am, following which the troops launched a calibrated response. A firefight ensued after contact was established with terrorists in the general area of Gambhir Muglan in Rajouri during an intelligence-based joint operation conducted along with J&K Police and CRPF, officials said. Security forces have laid a cordon around the area to prevent the terrorists from escaping. Officials said the operation was continuing till the filing of this report, and further details were awaited. The Rajouri-Poonch region has witnessed several anti-terror operations over the past few years due to attempts by militants to infiltrate and establish hideouts in the mountainous terrain.

J&K govt announces austerity measures, bans official dinners and restricts spending

Srinagar, May 23: The Jammu and Kashmir government has introduced a series of austerity measures for the financial year 2026-27 aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, reducing non-essential expenditure and promoting digital governance across departments. According to a government order issued by the Finance Department, all departments and government institutions have been directed to strictly rationalize expenditure with immediate effect. The order imposes restrictions on conferences, seminars, official travel, purchase of vehicles, hiring of office spaces and hospitality functions. Under the new guidelines, government departments have been asked to avoid organizing seminars, workshops and conferences unless absolutely necessary and to prioritize virtual meetings wherever possible. The government has also imposed a complete ban on holding official meetings and conferences in private hotels and commercial venues, directing departments to use government buildings and conference halls instead. The order further states that expenditure on ceremonial functions, excessive publicity, souvenir printing and promotional material must be minimized. In a major cost-cutting measure, the Finance Department has discouraged the purchase of new government vehicles. Replacement vehicles will only be allowed in exceptional cases with prior approval and subject to a 20 percent reduction in fleet strength. Departments have also been instructed to auction condemned vehicles before seeking replacements. The government has additionally tightened rules related to official travel. International travel by officials will not be permitted without specific approval from the Finance Department, while all domestic air travel must be undertaken in economy class irrespective of entitlement. The order also directs departments to maximize the use of video conferencing and digital communication platforms to reduce travel expenditure. As part of energy conservation measures, departments have been instructed to avoid unnecessary use of official vehicles, air-conditioning systems, generators and lighting equipment. The Finance Department has also imposed a complete ban on official dinners, lunches and receptions except those hosted by the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister. The order states that no new posts will be created during the current fiscal year and vacant posts lying unused for more than two years may be surrendered unless exceptional circumstances exist. It also restricts fresh consultancy engagements, outsourcing arrangements and creation of new Project Management Units without prior approval. To promote e-governance, departments have been directed to adopt a digital-first approach by minimizing physical file movement, printing of bulky documents and paper consumption through increased use of e-Office systems and virtual communication platforms. The government has further barred release of funds for non-priority works under the Capex Budget, including renovation and upgradation of residential quarters and office buildings, unless specifically approved by the Finance Department. The order said administrative secretaries and financial advisors will be personally responsible for ensuring strict compliance with the austerity guidelines. The austerity measures have been introduced amid growing focus on fiscal prudence and efficient utilization of government resources in the Union Territory.

Major Abhilasha Barak of India to receive 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award

United Nations, May 23: Indian peacekeeper serving with the UN mission in Lebanon, Major Abhilasha Barak, has been named the recipient of a prestigious military gender advocate award by the world body. Barak has been honoured with the 2025 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for her outreach efforts with women and girls during her deployment in the West Asian nation. Proud to announce that Major Abhilasha Barak has been awarded the 2025 @UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. She is being recognised for her outreach and community engagement activities for women and adolescent girls and gender sensitisation training for peacekeepers, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN said in a post on X Friday. Barak is serving with the Indian Battalion as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team (FET) in UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). She is also the first woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army. She will be honoured at the UN headquarters when the world body commemorates the International Day of UN Peacekeepers that is marked annually on May 29. In a moment of pride for India, Barak is the third recipient of the award from the country, following Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen, who were honoured for their commendable work while serving in UN Peacekeeping missions. Gawani had served with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and received the 2019 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. She was a co-recipient of the 2019 recognition along with Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo, a Brazilian Naval officer working in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Major Radhika Sen, who served with the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), received the prestigious 2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. Created in 2016 by the Office of Military Affairs within the Department for Peace Operations (DPO), the award recognises the dedication and efforts of an individual military peacekeeper in promoting the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. It underlines the contribution of the military peacekeeper who has best integrated a gender perspective into peacekeeping activities. Each year, the awardee is selected from among candidates nominated by Force Commanders and Heads of Mission from all peace operations, according to UN Peacekeeping. India is among the largest troop and police contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions. As of February 2026, UNIFIL's force consists of 7,538 peacekeepers from 48 troop-contributing countries, including 642 personnel from India, the fourth highest after Italy (784), Indonesia (756) and Spain (660). In March, India had condemned attacks on UN peacekeepers deployed in Lebanon, urging all parties to ensure safety and security of the Blue Helmets. India had joined nearly 30 troop-contributing countries to the UN peacekeeping Force in Lebanon to express deep alarm at the escalation of hostilities in the West Asian country and strongly condemn Hezbollah's reckless decision to join the Iranian attacks against Israel.

NCs Salman Sagar dubs BJPs evidence on corruption in transfers as political gimmick

War on drugs cannot be won by law enforcement alone; it must begin in our homes and workplaces: LG

Nasha Mukht Abiyan: Police attach Rs 5 crores worth properties under NDPS Act in Srinagar

Srinagar, May 23: Continuing its intensified crackdown on narcotics networks under the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan 100 Days Campaign, Srinagar Police has attached multiple immovable properties worth approximately 5 crore belonging to individuals involved in drug trafficking and related unlawful activities across Srinagar and adjoining districts, police officials said In a press statement, an official spokesperson said that Srinagar Police attached two residential properties comprising a single-storey and a double-storey house belonging toBilal Ahmad Sheikh, son of Ghulam Ahmad Sheikh and Aneek Ahmad Sheikh, son of Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, both residents of Larbal Beerwah, Budgam. They said the accused were involved in FIR No. 37/2024 U/S 8/20 NDPS Act of Police Station Saddar Srinagar. The properties, valued at approximately 30 lakhs and 50 lakhs respectively, were attached under Section 68(F) of the NDPS Act after completion of due legal formalities. The proceedings were conducted in the presence of the concerned Tehsildar and respectable members of the locality. the statement said. In another action, Srinagar Police attached a double-storeyed residential house, valued at approximately 1 crore, belonging to Suhaib Farooq Khan, son of Farooq Ahmad Khan, resident of Mini Colony, Chanapora, involved in FIR No. 15/2023 U/S 8/21 NDPS Act of Police Station Chanapora. The property was attached under Section 68-F(1) of the NDPS Act vide Attachment Order No. 02/2026 issued by Police Station Chanapora. The proceedings were carried out in the presence of police officials, Executive Magistrate and local witnesses, the statement said. Similarly, Srinagar Police attached a 1 crore worth of three-storeyed residential house with attic belonging to Mohsin Ibrahim Naqash, son of Mohammad Ibrahim Naqash, resident of Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar. the accuse was involved in FIR No. 42/2026 U/S 8/21, 29 NDPS Act of *Police Station Saddar Srinagar. The property, was attached under Section 68(F) of the NDPS Act in the presence of the Naib Tehsildar Rambagh and respectable locals, ensuring transparency and due legal process, the statement said. Further, in another major action, Srinagar Police attached a three-storeyed residential house belonging to Farhan Manzoor Pandit, son of Manzoor Pandit, resident of Kursoo, Rajbagh, involved in FIR No. 18/2026 U/S 8/21 NDPS Act of *Police Station Rajbagh. The attached property has an estimated market value of approximately 50 lakhs and was attached under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act. Additionally, Police Station Karan Nagar attached a double-storeyed residential house belonging to Fayaz Ahmad Rather, son of Farooq Ahmad Rather, resident of Patoo Mohalla Ajas, Bandipora, involved in FIR No. 01/2025 U/S 8/21, 29 NDPS Act and Section 111 BNS. The attachment proceedings were conducted strictly in accordance with legal provisions as part of the ongoing anti-drug campaign, the spokesperson said in the statement. In a separate action, Srinagar Police attached a double-storeyed residential house situated at Bakshiabad, Bemina, belonging to Abid Hassan Dar, son of Gh. Hassan Dar, involved in FIR No. 18/2022 of Police Station Batamaloo under Sections 8/21, 29, 27-A NDPS Act and Sections 468, 471, 473 IPC. The property, valued at approximately 1.7 crores, was attached under Sections 68-F(1) and 68-E of the NDPS Act for alleged forfeiture of illegally acquired property. Investigations in these cases have revealed that the attached properties were acquired through proceeds generated from illicit drug trafficking. Acting under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, Srinagar Police has formally attached these assets as part of sustained efforts to dismantle the financial infrastructure of drug peddlers and narcotics networks. These actions reflect the firm resolve and unwavering commitment of Srinagar Police towards eradicating the drug menace and safeguarding the youth from the harmful effects of narcotics. Srinagar Police reiterated that any individual found involved in drug peddling or related unlawful activities shall face strict legal action, including attachment and forfeiture of illegally acquired properties under the NDPS Act.

Leadership crisis, 'loot' in BJP govt: Kharge attacks after 3rd fuel price hike

Fuel prices have surged for the third time in eight days. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticizes the government, accusing it of looting citizens. He highlights international examples where countries provided relief. India's petrol and diesel prices have increased by nearly Rs 5 per litre. This rise follows a prolonged freeze and impacts transportation costs and inflation.

Hailstorm aftermath: Crop insurance scheme likely within two months in J&K, says Minister Javed Dar

Sopore, May 23: Minister Javed Ahmad Dar on Saturday said the government is likely to implement the crop insurance scheme in Jammu and Kashmir within the next two months, while assuring relief to farmers affected by recent hailstorms after completion of damage assessment surveys. Speaking to reporters amid widespread crop damage caused by repeated hailstorms in several parts of Kashmir Valley, the minister said officials from various departments have already started visiting affected areas to assess losses suffered by farmers and growers. The department has been trying since yesterday to reach every affected area and conduct assessments. Once the final assessment is completed, relief will be provided to the affected farmers, Dar said. He said the government is also expediting the process for implementation of the crop insurance scheme in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the minister, the bidding process for the scheme is scheduled to begin on June 1, and the entire procedure is expected to be completed within one-and-a-half to two months. The minister said the government has already made budgetary provisions for the scheme, under which the premium amount will be shared by the Government of India, the Jammu and Kashmir administration and farmers. On the horticulture sector, Dar said the government is in touch with the Centre regarding a market intervention scheme for C-grade apples. He said a team from NITI Aayog had visited Jammu and Kashmir two months ago, during which discussions were held on fixing prices for C-grade apples to support growers. On the delay in extending insurance coverage to apple crops, Dar said horticulture comes under a separate weather-based crop insurance scheme. He added that apples and saffron have now been included under the proposed insurance framework in Kashmir. The minister said the government had been attempting to introduce the scheme for years, but the process was delayed due to poor participation by insurance companies during the tendering process. Last year also, the process had almost been finalized, but then the Government of India revised the insurance policy framework, forcing us to issue fresh tenders, he said. Dar expressed hope that the fresh tendering process would conclude successfully and the scheme would soon be implemented to safeguard farmers and growers from weather-related losses. (KNO)

We have evidence of corruption in transfers, says BJP's Ravinder Raina