Opinion

Equal freedom of speech for all?: Gh Hassan Mir questions Farooq Abdullahs remarks on Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 25: Apni Party leader Gh Hassan Mir has questioned whether ordinary Kashmiris enjoy the same freedom of expression as influential political leaders, referring to Dr Farooq Abdullahs statement thanking Pakistan for raising the Kashmir issue at international forums. In a statement, Mir urged people to reflect on the difference between the freedom enjoyed by prominent political figures and the risks ordinary citizens may face for expressing similar views. Are the rules really the same for everyone? he asked, questioning whether an ordinary Kashmiri making similar remarks would enjoy the same freedom to speak or face police action, legal proceedings or detention under laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) or the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Mir said Dr Farooq Sahib and other influential leaders could make controversial statements, while ordinary Kashmiris might fear the consequences of expressing similar opinions. Is this equal freedom, or a privilege reserved for a select few? he asked, stressing that every citizen deserved equal protection under the law. Calling for equal treatment, Mir said democracy must ensure equal rights, freedom and justice for all citizens, irrespective of their position or influence.

Ladakh declared Indias first 100% Organic Union Territory

Srinagar , Oct 25: In a landmark triumph for sustainable agriculture and ecological preservation, the Union Territory of Ladakh has officially transitioned into Indias first fully certified 100% organic Union Territory. The achievement follows a phased, multi-year initiative designed to phase out synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, and toxic soil additives across both Leh and Kargil districts. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday declared the Union Territory of Ladakh Indias first 100% Organic Union Territory, recognising its farmers' dedication and the Administrations sustained efforts to promote chemical-free farming. The achievement marks a significant step towards protecting Ladakhs fragile Himalayan ecosystem, improving soil and water health, enhancing farmers incomes and ensuring a healthier future for generations to come. Building on its traditional farming practices and unique agro-ecological conditions, Ladakh is positioning itself as a model for sustainable high-altitude agriculture. A proud moment for Ladakh as it becomes Indias first 100% Organic Union Territory, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our farmers. This milestone reflects our commitment to fulfilling Honble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi jis vision of chemical-free farming, environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods. Our strict prohibition on chemical fertilisers and continued efforts towards organic certification will protect Ladakhs fragile Himalayan ecosystem, improve soil and water health, and enhance the value of local produce. This would further strengthen market linkages, improve farmers incomes and establish Ladakh as a model for sustainable high-altitude agriculture. My congratulations to all farmers and stakeholders on this historic achievement! LG Ladakh posts on X . Congratulating the farmers and all stakeholders, the Lieutenant Governor said, This is a moment of immense pride for Ladakh and the entire nation. Our farmers have demonstrated that environmentally responsible agriculture can flourish even in the most challenging geographical conditions. Becoming a fully organic Union Territory is not merely a milestone; it is a commitment to protecting our fragile Himalayan ecosystem, preserving our traditional farming practices and ensuring better livelihoods for our farmers. Notably, in a major policy intervention in July 2026, the Lieutenant Governor has ordered a complete prohibition on the procurement, distribution, sale, marketing and use of chemical and synthetic fertilisers for agricultural practices across Ladakh. The move is aimed at safeguarding organic certification, protecting soil and water resources and strengthening the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector. The Administration has also taken steps to support farmers during the transition. In March 2026, consignments of organic fertiliser were flagged off for distribution among farmers across villages of Ladakh to ensure timely availability before the sowing season. The organic transition is expected to create new opportunities for Ladakhs farmers by improving the value of locally grown organic produce, including apricots, sea buckthorn, buckwheat, barley and vegetables. Organic certification, better post-harvest management, value addition, branding and stronger market linkages can help farmers access consumers who increasingly seek authentic, traceable and organically produced food.

IGP Kashmir praises Srinagar Police for support in controlling fire at Medicity Hospital, Karan Nagar

Srinagar, Oct 25: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Sujit Kumar Singh, IPS has praised District Police Srinagar for extending full support to firefighting teams in controlling the fire at Medicity Hospital in Karan Nagar, Srinagar. IGP Kashmir lauded the excellent coordination, prompt response and commendable efforts of all personnel involved in the firefighting operation. Well done, Team Srinagar! District Police Srinagar has extended full support to the firefighting teams in controlling the fire at Medicity Hospital, Karan Nagar. Excellent coordination, prompt response and commendable efforts by all personnel involved, he said.(KINS)

Kashmir Marathon to put J&K runners on global map: LG Sinha

EOW chrgesheets Budgam resident in Rs 2 crore investment fraud case

Budgam, Oct 25: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet against Junaid Ul Islam, son of Nazir Ahmad Baba and a resident of Alamdar Colony, Charar-i-Sharief, Budgam, in an alleged Rs 2-crore investment fraud case, officials said on Sunday. The chargesheet has been filed against the accused in FIR No. 07/2025 under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) before the Court of Forest Magistrate, Srinagar, officials said. According to an official spokesperson, the case pertains to a written complaint received by the agency in which the complainants alleged that Junaid Ul Islam, son of Nazir Ahmad Baba and a resident of Alamdar Colony, Phase 1, Charar-i-Sharief, Budgam, had approached them, claiming to work as an investor with an e-commerce company, Amazon, in Bengaluru. The accused allegedly sought money from the complainants, promising monthly returns of 10 per cent. It was further alleged that the complainants paid him approximately Rs 2 crore, after which he left for Bengaluru and became uncontactable. During the investigation, substantial funds amounting to crores of rupees were traced to bank accounts maintained or operated by the accused, who failed to establish any genuine investment activity or satisfactorily account for the money received, the spokesperson said. Agreements executed and cheques issued towards repayment remained unpaid or were dishonoured due to insufficient funds. The evidence collected established that the accused had allegedly induced the victims through deceptive assurances of high returns, causing wrongful loss to the complainants. The investigation was concluded as proved, and the chargesheet was submitted before the court for judicial determination. The accused was arrested in Bengaluru by a special EOW Kashmir team on August 23, 2026, and is currently lodged in Central Jail, Srinagar. His bail application has been rejected by the City Judge, Srinagar. The SSP, EOW Kashmir, advised the public to verify investment schemes, avoid promises of unrealistic returns and promptly report suspected financial frauds.

Operation Trident busts narco-cartel, uncovers Rs 100-crore hawala transactions; 18 arrested: Amit Shah

Srinagar, Oct 25: Describing Operation Trident as a major blow against drug trafficking, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said government agencies had launched simultaneous crackdowns at 38 locations across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur on October 23, busting an international narco-cartel. Modi government deals another lethal blow against drugs with Operation Trident, Shah said. He said the operation has uncovered hawala transactions worth Rs 100 crore, led to the freezing of 1,424 bank accounts, the attachment of properties worth Rs 17.82 crore, the seizure of 500 detonators and Rs 12 lakh in cash, and the arrest of 18 people. According to Shah, the network trafficked narcotics across the borders of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh through the Death Triangle Corridor. He said the operation reflected India's resolve to eradicate every drug network by December 31, 2029, adding that the fight against drug cartels would continue until they were completely dismantled. Shah congratulated the anti-narcotics team, comprising central agencies and police forces from the three states, on the successful operation. Modi Govt deals another lethal blow against drugs with Operation Trident. Our agencies launched a barrage of simultaneous crackdowns across 38 locations in Assam, Mizoram and Manipur on 23 October, smashing an international narco-cartel. The operation revealed 100 crore worth Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 25, 2026

Chill sets in as Pahalgam, Gulmarg record seasons first sub-zero temperatures

Srinagar, Oct 25: Tourist resorts of Pahalgam and Gulmarg recorded the seasons first sub-zero minimum temperatures, with the mercury settling at minus 0.3 degrees Celsius and minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, respectively, MeT said on Sunday. As per the Meteorological Department, Pahalgam recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.3 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg registered minus 0.4 degrees Celsius. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 2.9 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund recorded 0.0 degrees Celsius. Kokernag recorded a minimum temperature of 3.4 degrees Celsius, while Banihal in the Jammu division recorded 3.7 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperatures recorded on October 24 remained below normal at most stations, with Gulmarg recording the highest departure of 5.6 degrees Celsius below normal, followed by Kokernag at 5.2 degrees Celsius below normal. The weather department has also forecast generally dry weather across Jammu and Kashmir till October 31. Generally cloudy conditions, with the possibility of light rain in the plains and light snowfall over higher reaches at isolated places, are expected from November 1 to 3.(KNO)

NIA files chargesheet against six accused in Shambhu-Rajpura railway line blast case

Mohali, Oct 25: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against six accused in connection with the blast that occurred on April 27 on the railway line between Shambhu and Rajpura stations in Punjab. The incident resulted in the death of Khalistani operative Jagroop Singh, who was assembling explosives. The chargesheet was filed before the NIA Special Court, Mohali, against Gurjinder Singh alias Beant Baba, Satnam Singh, Pardeep Singh alias Khalsa, Kulvinder Singh alias Bagga, Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi and Manjeet Singh, the NIA said in a statement on Saturday. They have been charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Railways Act, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The accused were allegedly involved in a conspiracy that resulted in an explosion on the railway line of the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) between Shambhu and Rajpura stations on April 27 to further the terror activities of the proscribed terrorist organisation Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), disrupt communal harmony and destabilise the law and order situation in Punjab. The terror syndicate is involved in the unlawful activities of raising terror funds, procuring explosives, arms and ammunition, creating terror among common people and threatening the integrity, security and sovereignty of the country, it said. During the course of the investigation, the NIA found that the arrested accused, along with deceased accused Jagroop Singh, were part of a conspiracy hatched by Pakistan-based Ranjeet Singh alias Neeta, who is affiliated with KZF and has been declared a designated individual terrorist (DIT). The conspiracy was aimed at promoting Khalistani ideology and furthering the objectives of the terrorist organisation. Further investigation in this case is continuing.

Trump weighs more strikes or deal with Iran

Washington, Oct 25: US President Donald Trump bristled when asked how far he was from a possible attack on Iran. He recently said on social media he would not hit Iran again before the Nov 3 midterm elections. Do you really think I'm going to tell you if I'm going to do it? Trump told reporters here on Saturday. And there's a possibility I will. There's also a possibility we'll have a nice, big, beautiful agreement, he said in response to a question. Trump repeated his assertion that Iran wants to make a deal, but the problem is, will they hold the deal? Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Washington of disrupting negotiations to end the war but said he still believes we have to go and finish it. In comments aired on state television, he said Iran's supreme leader had instructed Iranian officials to go and finish it (the deal), but these scoundrels broke the rules of the game. We were holding talks, and they disrupted them. Anxiety has been growing in Iran and elsewhere that the US or Israel will resume attacks before or just after Tuesday's elections in Israel or the US midterm elections.

Fresh snowfall blankets Peer Ki Gali

Shopian, Oct 24:Peer Ki Gali, along the historic Mughal Road in south Kashmir, was blanketed with fresh snowfall on Saturday, transforming the high-altitude pass into a winter wonderland and drawing attention to the regions emerging winter tourism potential. An official said snowfall began early in the morning and continued intermittently for several hours. Nearly an inch of snow accumulated along the road, he said, adding that traffic movement remained unaffected. The fresh snowfall brought a wintry charm to the upper reaches of Shopian district, where the Mughal Road winds through mountainous terrain connecting south Kashmir with the Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu division. The road and its surrounding areas offer spectacular views during winter, with snow-covered slopes attracting visitors eager to experience the seasons first snowfall. However, heavy snow accumulation at Peer Ki Gali, situated at an altitude of around 11,500 feet, generally forces authorities to close the road during the winter months. Despite the seasonal closure, areas such as Dobijan and Heerpora continue to draw visitors from different parts of the Valley, particularly when snowfall covers the surrounding mountains and meadows. During the winter months, many tourists visit the Mughal Road to enjoy the snow, said Jahangir Ahmad, a resident of Shopian. He said the influx of visitors also provides business opportunities for shopkeepers and food outlets in Heerpora, the last village on the Shopian side of the road. Over the past few years, several hotels and restaurants have come up along the route, offering food and accommodation to travellers visiting the picturesque stretch. The growing number of such establishments has added to the areas tourism potential, although access to the higher reaches remains dependent on weather conditions. During winter, the road usually remains closed because of heavy snow accumulation around Peer Ki Gali. However, tourists continue to visit Dobijan and Heerpora to enjoy the snowfall, said Mohammad Maqbool, another resident. He said interest in these areas had grown after popular destinations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam received little snowfall during the winter of 2024, prompting some visitors to explore alternative locations. Meanwhile, a cold wave has gripped Shopian district following snowfall in the upper reaches, bringing a noticeable drop in temperatures. We are experiencing a winter-like chill. People have started bundling themselves up in woollens, said Irshad Ahmad Bhat, a local resident. The snowfall in the higher reaches and the accompanying chill mark a shift towards colder conditions in the district, with residents beginning to prepare for the onset of winter.

Snow blankets Kashmir heights as chill grips Valley plains

Srinagar, Oct 24: Fresh snowfall blanketed Kashmirs higher reaches for the second consecutive day on Saturday, while rain and a sharp fall in daytime temperatures brought a wintry chill back to the plains after a week of sunshine and relatively warm weather. Day temperatures dipped up to 6 degrees Celsius below normal in parts of Kashmir and Jammu divisions as a feeble western disturbance kept skies cloudy, bringing light rain and thundershowers to scattered areas and fresh snow to mountain passes and high-altitude regions. Gulmarg recorded a maximum temperature of 6.8 degrees Celsius, 5.6 degrees below normal, while Bhaderwah in Jammu division registered 16.6 degrees, 6 degrees below normal. Fresh snowfall of 3 to 4 inches was reported at Peer Ki Gali along the Mughal Road connecting Kashmir with Poonch, Sinthan Top on the route linking the Valley with Kishtwar, and Margan Top, which connects Kashmir with the twin valleys of Warwan and Marwah. The higher reaches around Aharbal in south Kashmirs Kulgam district also received fresh snow, turning the mountain slopes white. Light snowfall was reported at several other high-altitude locations, including Apharwat peak in Gulmarg, Baltal-Sonamarg, Zojila Pass, Gurez, Tulail, Razdan Top, Sadhna Pass and Karnah. The higher reaches of the PirPanjal range surrounding Rajouri and Poonch districts also witnessed snowfall, while rains lashed low-lying areas. According to Greater Kashmir correspondent SumitBhargav in Rajouri-the snowfall continued for over two hours, bringing a sharp dip in temperatures. The Mughal Road, connecting the twin districts with Kashmir Valley, also received fresh snow, but traffic movement continued despite a thin layer of snow covering stretches of the road, he reported. The cold was felt across the Valley plains, with maximum temperatures remaining below normal at most monitored stations. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a maximum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, 2.9 degrees below normal. Pahalgam recorded 14.2 degrees Celsius, 3.7 degrees below normal, while Kokernag registered the same maximum temperature, 5.2 degrees below normal. Kupwara recorded 18.2 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees below normal. Qazigund, however, recorded a maximum of 20.6 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year. Daytime temperatures also remained below normal across the Jammu division. Jammu recorded a maximum of 26.2 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees below normal, while Katra settled at 22 degrees, 4.3 degrees below normal. Banihal recorded 21.6 degrees Celsius, 1.2 degrees below normal, while Batote registered 20.9 degrees, 0.7 degrees below normal. The Meteorological Department had forecast light rain at isolated places from Friday through Saturday and until Sunday afternoon, followed by predominantly dry weather over the following week. Another spell of light rain or snowfall is possible at a few places between November 1 and 3. With fresh snow covering mountain passes and daytime temperatures falling sharply across the region, Kashmir has seen a distinct turn towards wintry conditions. Mostly dry weather is expected over the coming week, offering a brief respite before the possibility of another spell of precipitation in early November.

Omar Abdullah steps in over stranded J&K Umrah pilgrims

Srinagar, Oct 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed concern over Jammu and Kashmir pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah, saying the J&K Government is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to facilitate their safe and early return. The Chief Minister said the government was in active coordination with the concerned authorities and would take all necessary measures to ensure the stranded pilgrims return home safely at the earliest. He assured the pilgrims and their families that the government stood firmly with them and would extend all possible assistance to facilitate their return.

KDA warns of fresh agitation over delay in Ladakh talks

Kargil, Oct 24:The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Saturday warned of renewed peaceful agitation across Kargil and Leh, accusing the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of delaying dialogue with Ladakhi representatives and failing to issue a formal invitation for the October 22 meeting. Addressing a press conference, KDA leaders expressed disappointment over the absence of official communication, a confirmed agenda or clarity on the next round of talks, saying the uncertainty was eroding people's patience and stalling the process. The MHA had indicated during the October 15 meeting in Leh that the next round of discussions would be held in New Delhi on October 22 to resolve differences over Ladakh's governance structure. However, the proposed meeting did not take place. The delay follows an inconclusive round of talks on October 15, when representatives of the KDA and the Leh Apex Body (LAB) rejected a 32-page draft proposal prepared by the administration. The representatives argued that the proposal merely restructured existing local council arrangements instead of providing Ladakh with a fully empowered elected legislative assembly backed by constitutional safeguards. The people of Ladakh are being subjected to dilly-dallying tactics, and our patience is wearing thin, KDA co-chairman Sajad Kargili said. The alliance warned that if the Centre failed to honour its assurances or provide a transparent schedule for further discussions, it would mobilise public support for a peaceful democratic agitation in Kargil and Leh. The demands include statehood, constitutional safeguards and elected legislative representation for Ladakh. Ladakh MP Mohd Hanifa Jan said the governance proposal failed to reflect the aspirations and rights of the region's people. He said Ladakh needed a democratic system that would allow its people to govern themselves, formulate policies and determine their own development priorities. Our ultimate goal is essential to the future of Ladakh, Jan said, stressing that constitutional safeguards and meaningful democratic powers were necessary for the region's long-term development. Earlier, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other prominent leaders had condemned the uncertainty surrounding the talks, describing the repeated delays as a setback to Ladakh's political aspirations.

Kashmir issue remains alive because of Pakistan, says Farooq; BJP slams 'seditious' comment

Srinagar, Oct 24: Pakistan has saved Kashmiris by keeping the issue alive at international forums, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah said on Saturday, sparking a row, with the BJP castigating the comment as seditious and anti-national. Abdullah said there is little hope for Kashmiris from the Centre. What hope will you (people of J-K) have from them (Delhi)? Will you expect that they will do justice for you? the three-time chief minister said while addressing a party event in Baramulla district of north Kashmir. He urged Kashmiris to have courage so that they can confront Delhi. If you don't keep it, you will be erased. Even our trace and identity will disappear. Nothing will be left. They are silent today because there is noise in the world, and our neighbour is constantly behind this. Everywhere they say, 'the decision regarding Kashmir has not been made'. That is what is saving us. Otherwise, their intentions are not good, he said. Abdullah also alleged that Muslims are being oppressed in BJP-led states. Do you see how their mosques are being razed? Their homes are being bulldozed! Their shops are being demolished! Do you see it? he said. Abdullah asserted that the people of J-K never denied being Indian. We never said that we are not Indians. Time and time again, we affirmed that we acceded to India to the India of Mahatma Gandhi, the India of Jawaharlal Nehru, the India of (MaulanaAbulKalam) Azad, he said. We never imagined that an era would come where Muslims and Hindus would be pitted against each other, purely for power -- just for this chair. India's fabric was destroyed; we never imagined this would happen. But this too shall end, God willing; its time will come, Abdullah added. J&K BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur demanded police action against Abdullah: Farooq Abdullah's pro-Pakistan statement is seditious and anti-national, and he should be booked for making such remarks. A leader who has taken an oath under the Indian Constitution cannot be allowed to question the country's intentions towards its own people while giving political legitimacy to Pakistan's narrative, Thakur said in a statement. He said if Abdullah loves Pakistan so much, he should go there. The people living in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir are desperate for freedom from Pakistan's misrule and want to join India. He should understand the ground reality instead of glorifying Pakistan from here, he said. The BJP spokesperson said Pakistan inflicted immense suffering on Jammu and Kashmir through its sponsorship of terrorism, sending the region into decades of violence and targeted killings. Pakistan has given Kashmir nothing but terrorism, bloodshed, fear and uncertainty Does Farooq Abdullah expect the people of Kashmir to forget this painful history and believe that Pakistan is their saviour? the BJP leader said. Pakistan's attempts to raise the Kashmir issue internationally cannot erase its responsibility for the violence that has plagued the region, he said. The BJP leader also alleged the National Conference leadership often fails to acknowledge the sacrifices made by security personnel and civilians in the fight against terrorism. Pakistan cannot be presented as the protector of Kashmiris when its policies have contributed to decades of suffering. The people of Jammu and Kashmir want peace and progress, not another round of political rhetoric that benefits Pakistan's propaganda machinery, Thakur added.

Have todays children fundamentally changed !

We were never like this in our time. It is a familiar lament echoing through staff rooms today. Humare waqt bachche teacher ke saamne thartharate the; baat karne ki himmat nahi hoti thi. Aaj kal ke bachche The sentence often trails off with an exasperated sigh, as though the entire problem of modern education can be neatly summed up in those few words: Aaj kal ke bachche. Before we finish that sentence, neuroscience and sociology invite us to ask a more productive question: have todays children fundamentally changed, or has the world in which their brains are developing transformed so radically that our old expectations no longer fit their realities? The Digital Native Brain: A New Environmental Landscape Every generation of teenagers has been impulsive, sensitive, and eager for independence. Adolescence itself is not new. What is new is the unique neuro-developmental environment of the 21st century. Modern students are growing up with high-speed digital environments that fundamentally shape brain wiring. Neuro-imaging studies show that the adolescent brain undergoes intensive synaptic pruning and prefrontal cortex developmentthe region responsible for impulse control, long-term planning, and emotional regulationwell into a persons mid-twenties. Todays students navigate this vulnerable phase under the constant, high-velocity gaze of social media. Immediate public validation or rejection triggers rapid dopamine loops in the adolescent brain, hyper-sensitizing them to peer evaluation, correction, and criticism. Furthermore, having grown up with instant answers via search engines and AI tools, their brains are conditioned for rapid-fire stimulus. When they walk into a traditional classroom, they are managing cognitive and emotional inputs that previous generations never faced at their age. Yet, we often expect them to respond to authority and regulation with the exact neural maturity and behavioral compliance of a bygone era. At the same time, we must be careful with broad generational labels. No generation is uniform. Many students are courteous, hardworking, and deeply thoughtful, and some behavioral friction is as old as the classroom itself. Sweeping judgments about students are just as unfair as sweeping generalizations about teachers. The Shift None of this excuses misbehaviour. Impatience, impulsive reactions, and a low tolerance for correction make teaching genuinely difficult. Some students mistake healthy disagreement for personal insult, or standard rules for attacks on their autonomy. However, changing times cannot become an excuse for abandoning discipline, responsibility, or mutual respect. A student has the right to question, but not to humiliate; the freedom to express an opinion, but not the license to disregard every boundary. Yet, if we expect students to evolve, can we afford to remain unchanged ourselves? Neuroscience highlights the power of social-emotional learning and relational safety in the classroom. The human brain learns best not through fear or intimidationwhich triggers the amygdalas fight-or-flight response, shutting down higher-order critical thinkingbut through psychological safety and trusted mentorship. For generations, the teacher was the primary gateway to knowledge. Today, information is everywhere, but information is not understanding. An AI answer can be fluent yet completely wrong; a search returns a thousand voices without any moral compass. Students still desperately need human guidance on how to question a source, weigh evidence, and think critically. The teachers role has not shrunk; it has shifted from supplier of answers to guide of judgmenta much harder job, but an infinitely more vital one. Building Trust Over Fear Students watch the person behind the title. They notice how we respond to disagreement, how fairly we treat their mistakes, and whether our conduct matches the values we ask them to uphold. A student may forget the curriculum, but they will vividly remember how we made them feel when they made a mistake or asked an uncomfortable question. The title of teacher gives us the right to be heard. Our daily conduct decides whether anyone actually wants to listen. This does not mean teachers must surrender their authority or mask their humanity. Teachers carry professional pressures, personal burdens, and the daily exhaustion of trying to reach learners who are easily distracted. Patience wears thin, and words can sometimes come out harsher than intended. Recognizing this is not an indictment of teachers; it is an acknowledgment that teaching is deeply human work, and human work requires continuous reflection and emotional resilience. Authority does not need to depend on fear. Correction does not require humiliation, and kindness does not come at the cost of clear boundaries. We can be firm without being harsh, empathetic without being permissive, and open to questions without surrendering our responsibility to guide. Meeting in the Middle Students, too, must meet us halfway. They must learn that disagreement does not justify disrespect, that being heard does not automatically mean being right, and that rights and freedoms always come with responsibilities. Parents and educational institutions share this heavy burden; shaping a resilient generation cannot fall on teachers alone. Ultimately, the real issue is not which generation is etter, but the widening gap between what teachers expect from students and what students need from teachers. When both sides become too busy defending their positions, they forget the shared purpose that brings them together: genuine education. We cannot excuse misbehaviour in the name of changing times, nor can we resist necessary pedagogical evolution in the name of rigid tradition. Our task is not to force Gen Z into a replica of the generation that came before them. It is to help young people build resilient, adaptable brains and characterconfident without arrogance, independent without irresponsibility, and outspoken without losing respect for others. So, the next time we find ourselves saying, We were never like this in our time, let us pause before finishing the thought. Our students are not growing up in our time; they are growing up in theirs. They need the wisdom of our experience, but they also need us to understand the complex digital and neurological landscape they are trying to navigate. The true measure of a teacher is not whether every generation behaves exactly as the previous one did. It is whether, despite all differences, a teacher can still help a young person think more clearly, regulate more wisely, and become a better human being. That is not a demand to abandon the values of the pastit is a challenge to carry their very best into the present. Saaliqa Manzoor, Government Lecturer in Biotechnology, Department of School Education

Spiritual and Social Transformation

The history of Kashmir is enriched by the contributions of numerous saints who played a significant role in shaping its religious, cultural, and social landscape. Among these distinguished spiritual personalities, Mir Syed Hussain Simnani occupies a prominent place. The principal biographical source for understanding his life is Pir Mohammad Yaqub Shahs Urdu work Qalandar-i-Sadat. Remembered for his piety, simplicity, philanthropic activities, and spiritual teachings, he contributed to the spread of Islam in the Kashmir Valley, particularly in the southern region of Kulgam in 14th Century AD. His life represents the convergence of Islamic spirituality, humanitarian service, and the distinctive mystical traditions of Kashmir. Mir Syed Hussain Simnani belonged to a family traditionally regarded as having noble spiritual ancestry. He is described as a descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through his grandson Imam Hussain, son of Hazrat Ali and Fatimah al-Zahra. His association with the Hamdani family is another significant aspect of his background. Mir Syed Ali Hamdani deputed Syed Simnani and Syed Tajuddin to Kashmir to undertake a religious and spiritual mission. Their journey across the Pir Panjal mountains is associated with a remarkable story that continues to be remembered in the region. When the two saints reached Pir Panjal, their horse became tired. They offered prayers on a rock, which, according to the local account, became associated with a miraculous spiritual journey towards an area known as Chatabal. This rock is traditionally known as Pir Pal in Kashmiri and is preserved at Chatabal few miles from Kulgam. One of the most touching stories associated with Syed Simnani concerns his encounter with children at Chatabal. When the saints reached the locality, they saw a group of children playing. The children approached Syed Simnani and requested some apricots from a nearby tree. According to the traditional narrative, the fruit proved beneficial to the families and was associated with healing and relief from illness. The families subsequently approached the saints and received them with great respect. Before leaving Hamdan, Mir Syed Ali Hamdani entrusted him with a copy of Zakhirat-ul-Muluk, a Persian treatise on political ethics and governance associated with Hamdani. The work discusses the moral responsibilities of rulers and the principles of just administration. Syed Simnani delivered it to Sultan Shihab-ud-Din and his brother, Sultan Qutb-ud-Din. The rulers greatly benefitted from the works of Amir Kabeer and sent a formal invitation to him through his cousin Syed Simnani. Amir Kabeer followed his cousins to Kashmir. It was September 1372 and Shihab-ud-Din was ruling Kashmir. But the Sultan was out, probably on an expedition. Muhib-ul Hasan in his book Kashmir Under the Sultans writes Qutb-ud-Din, in-charge ruler went out with his chief officials and received the Amir with great warmth and respect, and brought him and his followers to the city. He started living in Alauddin Pora where a Suffa, a raised floor, was built for his prayers, which the Sultan would usually attend. Syed Simnani settled at Amnoo, a small hamlet approximately one mile from Kulgam. He is also said to have acquired a substantial area of land at Kulgam to support his religious and social mission. His settlement provided a base from which he could interact with the local population, impart spiritual teachings and encourage ethical conduct. Salar Sanz, travelled from Kishtwar and met Syed Simnani at Kulgam. He was deeply influenced by the saint's personality and teachings and subsequently embraced Islam. Syed Simnani solemnized his marriage with Sadder of Daderkote, who later became known as Sadder Mouj. The couple initially lived at Khee Jogipora, a few miles from Kulgam, and subsequently moved to Qaimoh. Salar Sanz and Sader Mouj became parents to a child who later emerged as one of Kashmir's most revered spiritual personalities. When the child was placed in Syed Simnani's lap by LalDed, the saint named him Noor-ud-Din. The child subsequently became known as Sheikh-ul-Alam and Nund Rishi, a major figure in Kashmir's spiritual and literary heritage. According to the account attributed to Pandit Jagannath Azad, Iqbal's ancestors had migrated from Kashmir and were originally Kashmiri Pandits from Sapru clan. The narrative identifies Pandit Ratan Ishwar Sapru as an ancestor of Allama Iqbal who embraced Islam at the hands of Syed Simnani. He is described as an intellectual known for trustworthiness and humility. Following his conversion, Syed Simnani named him Sheikh Abdul Rehman Sapru. A settlement approximately five kilometers north of Kulgam is associated with the name Sopar in this tradition. Syed Simnani married his daughter to Sheikh Abdul Rehman Sapru. They gave birth to many children and one of them was Haji Looli Sapru. Muhammad Azam Didamari, in his Persian chronicle, describes Haji Looli as a friend and disciple of Sheikh-ul-Alam. Both received spiritual instruction from Syed Simnani. Haji Looli Sapru had performed Hajj on foot. He is buried next to his friend and mentor Sheikh-ul Alam at Char-i-Sharief. The historical study Kashmirs Transition to Islam: The Role of Muslim Rishis records that Sultan Shihab-ud-Din extended support to Syed Simnani through a state grant to maintain a kitchen at Kulgam. The kitchen was more than a place where food was prepared. It represented an organized expression of hospitality through which visitors and people in need could receive assistance. The same study observes that his philanthropic activities helped attract people from Kulgam and neighboring villages towards his teachings. In a period when travel was difficult and many families depended upon agriculture and manual labour, a traveller arriving in an unfamiliar village could face considerable hardship. A community kitchen offered relief to those who had travelled long distances, as well as to people who could not easily arrange their daily meals. The tradition associated with Syed Simnani placed the sharing of food at the centre of religious hospitality. Rather than treating a meal as a privilege reserved for the wealthy, it presented hospitality as a responsibility towards fellow human beings. The philanthropic tradition associated with Syed Simnani reminds us that the hungry should be fed, the distressed should be heard and those facing hardship should not be humiliated. Such acts could establish trust between a spiritual teacher and the community more effectively than words alone. His work also extended beyond material assistance. Engineer Mohammad Ashraf Fazili, in his English presentation of the biography originally written in Urdu by Mohammad Yaqub Shah, describes Syed Simnani as a person who guided people, helped set their affairs right and remained engaged in their service. The account also attributes to him efforts to free people from superstitious beliefs and guide them towards true religious understanding. I conclude with the Quranic Verse which Mir Syed Hussain Simnani (RA) frequently refereed : Greatly hateful is it in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do (Surah As-Saff 61:3), reminding us through his life and teachings that true spirituality lies not merely in preaching goodness, but in practicing it through sincere service to humanity. Showkat Rashid Wani, Senior Coordinator, Center for Distance & Online Education University of Kashmir

Omar Abdullah flags off Kashmir Marathon; over 1,800 runners participate

Srinagar, Oct 25: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday flagged off the third edition of the Kashmir Marathon here. More than 1,800 athletes from across the country and abroad are taking part in the event, officials said. The Kashmir Marathon has become one of the elite athletics events of the country. The prize money this year is Rs 3.17 crore, with the winner in the open category bagging Rs 25 lakh. This year, a prize has also been set aside for the local runners from Jammu and Kashmir as the government wants to promote long-distance running in the Union Territory. The routes pass through some of Srinagars prominent locations, including stretches along Dal Lake, Boulevard Road and Nishat Garden. Organisers said the event aims to become an annual fixture on the sporting calendar, offering local athletes an opportunity to compete alongside national and international runners. A separate prize category for runners from Jammu and Kashmir has been introduced to encourage local participation and give regional athletes greater opportunities to showcase their talent. Abdullah, who participated in the first two editions of the event, is not running this year. (PTI)

Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates worlds 1st integrated air pollution analysis facility in Delhi-NCR

New Delhi, Oct 24:Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Saturday inaugurated an integrated air pollution analysis facility in Delhi-NCR that can identify pollution sources in real time and assess the chemical composition and potential toxicity of pollutants. The facility, named the Integrated Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Toxicity Analysis Laboratory (AATAL), has been established at the Delhi branch of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) under Mission Mausam. Describing it as a first-of-its-kind facility globally, Dr Jitendra Singh said it would help authorities move beyond measuring pollution levels to understanding the sources, composition and health implications of pollutants. Earlier, the discussion would largely revolve around whether the pollution level was 100 or 200. This facility will help us understand the composition of pollution as well as the contribution of different sources, he said. The laboratory will help scientists distinguish between pollution caused by vehicles, industries, biomass and crop-residue burning, construction activities, road dust and pollutants transported from neighbouring regions. During a media interaction, Dr Jitendra Singh cited a real-time assessment displayed on a screen, which showed transport contributing around 25 per cent of Delhis air pollution, with the overall pollution level at approximately 180. He said such information would help authorities take targeted measures based on the actual sources of pollution. Equipped with advanced instruments, AATAL will analyse fine particulate matter (PM2.5), atmospheric gases, metals, toxic elements and other pollutants to help scientists understand their composition and potential health effects. The facility is integrated with IITMs AIRWISE (Air Quality Warning and Integrated Decision Support System for Emissions), which combines air-quality observations, forecasts and pollution-source information. The system provides forecasts for the next 72 hours at a spatial resolution of 400 metres, enabling pollution levels and their likely sources to be assessed across different parts of Delhi. Dr Jitendra Singh said the initiative reflected a coordinated approach involving scientific institutions, environmental authorities and pollution-control agencies to address air pollution. Dr Sachin Ghude, Project Director, MAQWS, said the facility would provide scientific evidence to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and other agencies to identify major pollution sources, plan targeted interventions and assess their effectiveness. The information is expected to support air-quality management measures, including preventive action under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The inauguration was attended by Earth Sciences Secretary T Srinivasa Kumar, IITM Director A Suryachandra Rao and India Meteorological Department Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.

Airtel partners with YouTube to offer premium entertainment to prepaid customers

Srinagar, Oct 24:Bharti Airtel has partnered with YouTube to bring YouTube Premium to its prepaid customers, expanding its entertainment offerings with ad-free viewing, background play, offline downloads and access to YouTube Music Premium, subject to applicable terms and conditions. The partnership aims to cater to changing mobile consumption habits, as customers increasingly use smartphones to watch videos, follow creators, stream music and discover digital content. With the addition of YouTube Premium, Airtel is expanding its entertainment portfolio, which already includes Prime Video, JioHotstar, ZEE5 Premium, SonyLIV and more than 18 other OTT platforms. The YouTube Premium benefit is available through Airtels 200 OTT top-up, which also provides an additional 30GB of data. The bundle brings together streaming services, music and video entertainment with mobile data in a single offering. According to Airtel, the initiative is aimed at providing prepaid customers with greater value beyond connectivity by combining premium digital entertainment with additional data. The company said the offering reflects how customers increasingly use mobile internet for a range of activities, from watching shows and movies to viewing short-form videos and listening to music. Under the arrangement, Airtel prepaid customers with an active recharge can purchase the OTT top-up across existing prepaid plans. After purchasing it, customers can claim YouTube Premium through the Rewards & OTTs section of the Airtel app. The entertainment benefits will remain valid for 28 days, in line with the top-ups validity. After expiry, customers can purchase the top-up again and reclaim the YouTube Premium benefit if they wish to continue using the service.

Kashmirs aromatic Rice, Mushk Budji showcased during Bharat International Rice Conference

Srinagar, Oct 24:A Kashmiri farmer, Zafar Ahmad Bhat, was felicitated during the Bharat International Rice Conference at New Delhi for his efforts in preserving the iconic, highly fragrant Mushk Budji rice variety. Sagam in Anantnag is celebrated as a major centre and model village for growing this high-altitude, short-grain aromatic rice and was awarded a GI tag in 2023. In this International Rice Conference, Jammu & Kashmir featured alongside other prominent agrarian states, along with Odisha, Assam, and Telangana to highlight indigenous Geographical Indication (GI) and speciality rice varieties. The main objective is to establish robust market linkages to transition these niche local varieties onto mainstream international retail shelves. Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is represented by the Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department and Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah is attending the conference to engage with premier institutions like the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The conference brought together global buyers, policymakers, researchers, and exporters to highlight Indias prominence in the global rice sector.

J&K Auto retail sales plunge 39.3% during Navratri 2026

Srinagar, Oct 24:Automobile retail sales in Jammu and Kashmir declined 39.30 per cent year-on-year during Navratri 2026, with total sales falling to 6,616 units from 10,900 units in the corresponding festive period last year, according to data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), Jammu and Kashmir. The decline was driven by a sharp contraction in passenger vehicle, two-wheeler and commercial vehicle sales. Tractors were the only category to register growth during the period. Passenger vehicle retail sales nearly halved, declining 49.67 per cent to 1,880 units from 3,735 units during Navratri 2025. Commercial vehicle sales fell 48.69 per cent to 254 units from 495 units, while two-wheeler sales declined 35.96 per cent to 3,883 units from 6,063 units. Three-wheeler sales recorded a relatively modest decline of 7.74 per cent, falling to 465 units from 504 units. Retail sales of wheeled construction equipment decreased 5.88 per cent to 16 units from 17 units. In contrast, tractor sales increased 37.21 per cent to 118 units from 86 units, making the segment the sole category to record positive year-on-year growth. Sanjay Aggarwal, Chairperson, FADA Jammu and Kashmir, said the decline needed to be assessed against the unusually strong performance recorded during Navratri last year. While the provisional Navratri 2026 retail numbers for Jammu and Kashmir indicate a year-on-year decline of 39.30 per cent, it is important to interpret these figures in the context of the exceptional performance recorded during Navratri 2025, Aggarwal said. He attributed last years strong sales to the demand impetus associated with GST 2.0, which supported vehicle purchases and created a higher comparison base. Therefore, the current decline should not be viewed in isolation as a definitive indicator of the underlying health of the automobile market, he said. Aggarwal noted that two-wheelers and passenger vehicles had experienced the steepest declines, while commercial vehicle sales had also moderated considerably. Tractor sales, however, had demonstrated encouraging growth. He said the divergent performance across categories highlighted the need to assess demand segment by segment rather than treating the automobile market as a single trend. Aggarwal said sales during the remainder of the festive season and subsequent months would provide a clearer picture of the regions underlying automobile demand. The key question, he said, was whether the current decline represented a normalisation following the elevated festive demand of 2025 or a more sustained moderation in consumer purchases.

Farmvision-Jankowski MoU to bring European nursery technology to Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 24:In a significant development for Jammu and Kashmirs horticulture sector, Farmvision Private Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Poland-based Jankowski, an established European nursery enterprise with approximately 80 years of experience, to bring advanced European nursery technology and expertise to India. The proposed collaboration envisages setting up a joint venture in India to produce high-quality horticultural planting material, with production expected to commence in 2027. The MoU was signed in Poland by Ahsaan Ali Jan, Managing Director of Farmvision Private Limited, in the presence of Dutch horticultural experts and members of the Polish Nursery Association. The partnership seeks to combine Jankowskis experience in nursery production with Farmvisions local expertise, infrastructure and investment in modern agricultural technology. For J&K, where horticultureparticularly apple cultivationis a major contributor to the regional economy, the initiative could support the transition towards high-density orchards and modern plantation systems by strengthening access to advanced planting material. The proposed venture follows Farmvisions experience with the logistical and operational challenges of importing planting material from European nurseries. Transporting live plants over long distances can involve high freight costs, transportation losses, plant mortality and quarantine-related delays. Depending on the plant material and applicable phytosanitary requirements, imported plants may also require extended periods of quarantine or other regulatory procedures before they can be used commercially. These factors can increase procurement costs, delay orchard establishment and tie up working capital for businesses dependent on imported planting material. Through domestic production, Farmvision aims to bring European nursery expertise closer to Indian growers while reducing dependence on long-distance transportation and mitigating associated logistical challenges. The proposed arrangement is also expected to help establish modern nursery production systems adapted to Indian operating conditions, subject to applicable plant health and regulatory requirements. Farmvision has already invested in advanced agricultural machinery, including high-technology spraying equipment, specialised planting machinery and modern weed-management systems. The company said these investments are intended to improve operational efficiency, precision and consistency while supporting large-scale nursery production. The collaboration is expected to facilitate the transfer of technical knowledge and established nursery practices, helping strengthen domestic production capacity and improve access to quality planting material.

Fiscal future of J&K

Jammu and Kashmir stands at a crucial juncture in its economic journey. Blessed with extraordinary natural resources, abundant water reserves, valuable mineral deposits, internationally recognised tourism destinations and immense human potential, the region possesses the foundations of a prosperous economy. Yet, despite these advantages, its financial structure remains substantially dependent upon assistance from the Government of India. This contradiction between enormous economic potential and continuing fiscal dependence raises fundamental questions about developmental priorities and the long-term economic future of Jammu and Kashmir. The real challenge is not merely obtaining larger budgetary allocations but creating an economic structure capable of generating sustainable revenue, attracting private investment and providing productive employment. Financial prosperity cannot be measured by government expenditure alone. It must be reflected in economic productivity, industrial expansion, revenue generation and improved living standards. A considerable portion of Jammu and Kashmirs public expenditure remains committed to salaries, pensions, administrative expenses, electricity procurement and debt servicing. These obligations restrict financial flexibility and reduce the resources available for fresh developmental investment. While Central assistance remains essential because of the regions strategic importance, difficult geography and developmental challenges, long-term fiscal policy must progressively strengthen locally generated revenue. Mining represents one of the most promising opportunities for transforming Jammu and Kashmirs economic fortunes. The region possesses deposits of limestone, gypsum, coal, lignite, marble, granite, sapphire and other minerals. The discovery of lithium-bearing resources in the Reasi district has further highlighted its potential contribution to Indias emerging critical-minerals economy. The Geological Survey of Indias identification of approximately 5.9 million tonnes of inferred lithium-bearing resources in the Salal-Haimna area attracted considerable national attention. Lithium is strategically important for electric vehicles, rechargeable batteries and energy-storage technologies. However, the reported figure represents an inferred mineral resource, not an established quantity of commercially recoverable lithium. Detailed exploration, technological assessment and commercial feasibility remain essential before its economic value can be determined. Beyond lithium, conventional minerals offer more immediate possibilities for industrial development. Limestone can support cement manufacturing, gypsum has industrial applications, while marble and granite can encourage construction-material and decorative-stone industries. Mineral resources in areas such as Kalakot, Kishtwar and other districts require systematic scientific assessment and commercially responsible development. Mining policy must move beyond extraction of raw materials. Establishing processing facilities, mineral-based industrial clusters and associated transportation infrastructure would generate greater economic value within Jammu and Kashmir. Royalties, auction proceeds and other legitimate revenue streams could strengthen public finances while creating employment. However, mineral development must remain environmentally sustainable. Unregulated riverbed mining, illegal extraction and indiscriminate exploitation of fragile mountainous areas can cause irreversible ecological damage. Transparent auctions, scientific mining plans, digital monitoring and strict environmental safeguards are essential. Natural wealth should become a permanent source of prosperity rather than an opportunity for short-term exploitation. Hydroelectric power constitutes another major economic advantage. The rivers flowing through Jammu and Kashmir possess substantial electricity-generation potential, yet the power sector continues to face financial difficulties arising from procurement costs, distribution losses and inadequate revenue recovery. Accelerated completion of hydroelectric projects, improved transmission infrastructure and efficient billing systems can strengthen the sectors finances. Electricity must increasingly become an economic asset supporting industrialisation rather than a recurring burden upon the public exchequer. Tourism remains among the strongest pillars of the regional economy. Kashmirs natural beauty, Jammus pilgrimage destinations, the historical heritage of the Dogra region and opportunities for adventure and cultural tourism provide considerable scope for expansion. However, tourism policy must move beyond celebrating visitor numbers. Its actual contribution should be measured through employment, local income, investment and revenue generation. Jammu requires greater attention towards heritage tourism, recreational infrastructure and pilgrimage facilities, while Kashmir must continue diversifying into winter sports, wellness tourism and year-round cultural experiences. Balanced tourism development can generate opportunities across both regions and reduce excessive dependence upon established destinations. Agriculture and horticulture also possess substantial untapped economic potential. Apples, walnuts, almonds, saffron, basmati rice and other agricultural products enjoy significant market recognition. Yet inadequate processing facilities, insufficient cold storage and dependence upon intermediaries frequently prevent producers from obtaining the full economic value of their commodities. Modern food-processing industries, improved packaging, branding and export infrastructure can transform traditional agricultural activities into profitable enterprises. Industrialisation remains indispensable for achieving meaningful fiscal self-reliance. Jammu possesses geographical advantages for manufacturing, logistics, pharmaceuticals and industries connected with major Indian markets. Kashmir offers opportunities in food processing, handicrafts, tourism-linked enterprises and specialised services. Mineral-based industries could further diversify the industrial landscape wherever commercially viable deposits are established. However, industrial growth requires reliable electricity, affordable land, efficient transportation, transparent regulations and administrative responsiveness. Investment announcements must translate into operational enterprises and sustained employment rather than remaining statistical achievements. The economic future of Jammu and Kashmir is equally dependent upon its educated youth. Government employment cannot indefinitely remain the principal solution to unemployment. Entrepreneurship, technology-based enterprises, professional services, mineral processing, tourism and agricultural innovation must emerge as significant employment generators. Educational institutions should increasingly align professional training with market requirements, enabling young people to participate productively in economic growth. Fiscal discipline must accompany economic expansion. Borrowing for productive infrastructure can generate long-term benefits, but excessive borrowing for recurring expenditure creates financial vulnerability. Delayed projects, inefficient public enterprises and avoidable administrative expenses impose substantial costs upon the economy. Transparent procurement, effective expenditure monitoring and measurable developmental outcomes must become essential features of financial governance. The Government of India will continue to play a crucial role in Jammu and Kashmirs economic development. Its strategic location, mountainous terrain and historical developmental challenges justify sustained national financial support. However, Central assistance should increasingly strengthen productive infrastructure, industrial investment, mineral exploration and economic connectivity, enabling the region to expand its own revenue-generating capacity. Jammu and Kashmir requires a comprehensive ten-year fiscal roadmap with measurable targets for revenue growth, employment generation, industrial expansion and responsible utilisation of natural resources. Regional balance must remain central to this strategy. Jammu and Kashmir possess distinct but complementary economic strengths, and prosperity in either region can contribute towards the economic advancement of the other. The ultimate measure of fiscal success will not be the size of annual budgets or the volume of Central assistance but the economic capacity created through public investment. Jammu and Kashmir must transform its natural wealth into productive economic strength, its educated youth into employment generators and its developmental expenditure into sustainable prosperity. Financial self-reliance cannot emerge overnight, but its foundations must be established through consistent policies, responsible governance and long-term planning. The fiscal future of Jammu and Kashmir must be built upon productivity rather than dependence, enterprise rather than government patronage, and sustainable utilisation of natural resources rather than temporary financial accommodation. That transformation holds the key to a financially stronger and economically prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. Advocate Sunil Sethi, Chief Spokesperson BJP J&K.

Man gets 1-year jail in cheque bounce case

Srinagar, Oct 24: A court here sentenced a man to one years simple imprisonment in a cheque bounce case and directed him to pay double the amount of the cheque as compensation to the complainant. The court of Sub-Judge Srinagar Junaid Imtiaz Mir sentenced Bashir Ahmad Bujal of Nehru Park Srinagar after holding him guilty in a case related to dishonouring of a cheque for Rs 46.50 lakh. The case arose from a complaint filed by Naseer Ahmad Ratta of Nishat, who claimed that the accused owed him Rs 46.50 lakh following settlement of their property-related business dealings. Bujal had issued a cheque for Rs 46.50 lakh which was dishonoured by the bank with the remark Payment Stopped by Drawer. A statutory demand notice was subsequently issued, but the accused failed to make payment within the prescribed period. The accused had denied liability, claiming that he had handed over a signed blank cheque to the complainant in the course of their business relationship and that it was subsequently misused. The court, however, held that the defence failed to rebut the statutory presumption arising from the admitted signature and handing over of the cheque. The court noted that merely filling in the particulars of a signed cheque by the payee does not, by itself, invalidate the instrument or displace the statutory presumption. The accused, it said, had not produced convincing material showing that the cheque had been misused or that the alleged liability did not exist. The court convicted Bujal under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act after concluding that the complainant had established all essential ingredients of the offence.

Make police nakas dynamic, effective, intelligence-driven: IGP Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 24:The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, Sujit Kumar, Saturday chaired a meeting in hybrid mode to review crime disposal, security preparedness and various policing measures across Kashmir Zone. The meeting was attended by all three Range DIGs and District SSPs of Kashmir Zone. During the meeting, IGP Kashmir, as per a statement, reviewed the progress of crime disposal and stressed the need for timely investigation and disposal of cases within the stipulated 60/90-day timelines under the relevant provisions of the new criminal laws (NCLs). He also reviewed theft-related cases, recovery rates and measures to dismantle organised theft networks. IGP Kashmir directed officers to strengthen intelligence gathering and take effective action against overground workers (OGWs), hybrid terrorists and other elements inimical to peace and security. He stressed close monitoring of emerging security challenges and coordinated efforts to maintain peace and public order. The meeting also focussed on winter preparedness, with particular emphasis on heating arrangements and the availability of essential facilities for police personnel deployed at police stations and other establishments. IGP Kashmir stressed that adequate arrangements must be ensured for personnel performing duties under harsh winter conditions. Sujit Kumar further directed officers to make police nakas more dynamic, effective and intelligence-driven while ensuring minimum inconvenience to the general public. He also stressed on the need for strengthened inter-agency coordination and increased synergy on ground to enhance operational efficiency and address security concerns. Reviewing pending cases and cases stayed before courts, IGP Kashmir stressed the importance of proper monitoring and timely follow-up in accordance with judicial directions and established legal procedures. The meeting also deliberated on identifying suitable police stations for development as Model Police Stations as well as upgrading existing police stations and police posts to improve policing standards, infrastructure and public service delivery. Highlighting the importance of community engagement, IGP Kashmir stressed the need for regular police-public meetings to address public grievances, promote community participation and further strengthen public trust in the police. During the meeting, the IGP Kashmir directed all officers of Kashmir Zone to ensure close supervision of crime disposal, strengthen preventive and intelligence-based policing, ensure adequate winter preparedness and maintain coordinated efforts to uphold peace, security and public safety across Kashmir Zone.

Health department employee charge sheeted for security job against forged certificates

Jammu, Oct 24: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Jammu has filed a charge-sheet against an employee of J&K Health Department for securing a job against forged certificates. The chargesheet, according to an official spokesperson, has been produced before the court of 4th Additional Munsiff Jammu against Sohan Lal Singh and his father Veer Singh (now expired) for allegedly obtaining government job as a dental assistant using a forged 10th class mark sheet and certificate in case FIR number 55/2025 U/S 420,465,467,468,471,120- B, RPC Police Station Crime Branch (EOW) Jammu. The case originated from a communication received from the CID Headquarters, J&K, alleging that Sohan Lal Singh had been serving as a Dental Assistant at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Arnia for nearly two decades based on a fraudulent matriculation certificate purportedly issued in Bihar or Uttar Pradesh. The investigation led by DySP Vishal Sharma revealed that the accused completed 8th class examination and never passed the 10th class through his school. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Jammu, confirmed erasure and chemical alterations on the mark sheet and school records exposed discrepancies in his date of birth. Statements and evidence corroborated that the Veer Singh (now expired) working as driver in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, procured forged credentials for his then minor son and subsequently used the falsified records as a major, completed Dental Assistant training and secure appointment through J&K Service Selection Board. On the basis of evidence collected during the investigation, offenses U/S 420,465,467,468,471,120-B RPC have been established against the accused persons. Accordingly, the Crime Branch has filed the chargesheet in the court of 4th Additional Munsiff Jammu against Sohan Lal Singh and his father Veer Singh (now expired) for judicial determination, spokesperson said. SSP Crime Branch EOW Jammu has cautioned the general public to remain vigilant against such economic frauds and report any such incident to Crime Branch EOW Jammu (Crime Branch, J&K). Victims of economic frauds may also submit their complaints via email at sspcrimejmu@jkpolice.gov.in or contact on telephone No. 0191-2578901, he said.

BJP questions NC MLAs record over healthcare crisis in Gurez

Srinagar, Oct 24:BJP spokesperson Danish Bhat on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the National Conference leadership over the continuing healthcare crisis in Gurez, questioning the accountability of its MLA, Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, who has represented the constituency across four Assembly elections since 2002. Nearly two decades of political representation should have translated into reliable healthcare, functioning emergency services and dignity for the people of Gurez. Instead, residents are now forced to sit on a hunger strike to demand a gynaecologist, a radiologist, a functional operation theatre, a blood bank and even appropriately equipped ambulances. This is not merely a healthcare failure; it raises serious questions about political accountability, Bhat said. Expressing concern over the death of 30-year-old Haseena Begum and her unborn baby on October 14, Bhat said the tragedy had brought the regions longstanding healthcare deficiencies into sharp focus. An expectant mother should not have to depend on uncertainty when she needs emergency medical care. No family should have to endure such a devastating loss while questioning whether timely treatment and adequate facilities were available. The allegations surrounding this tragic incident must be investigated impartially, and responsibility must be fixed wherever lapses are established, he said. Bhat questioned the National Conferences claims of representing the aspirations of the people of Kashmir, saying that representation must be measured by results on the ground, not by election victories or political rhetoric. When people have to demand a permanent specialist, a functioning operation theatre and emergency transport after years of representation, the elected leadership owes them answers. Gurez is a remote and strategically important region where difficult terrain and winter conditions make dependable medical infrastructure indispensable. These challenges are well known; they cannot be invoked indefinitely as an excuse for inadequate preparedness, he added. The BJP spokesperson demanded that the government urgently address the protesters genuine concerns, ensure the availability of specialist doctors, operationalise essential hospital facilities, strengthen emergency referral arrangements and deploy suitable ambulances in Gurez, Tulail and Bagtore. He also called for a time-bound investigation into the deaths of Haseena Begum and her baby, with the findings made public and appropriate action taken in accordance with the law. People of Gurez are not asking for favours. They are demanding basic healthcare, accountability and the assurance that their lives matter. Their hunger strike must not be reduced to another headline that disappears after a few days. The government must act, and the elected representative must answer for the condition of the constituency he has represented for so many years, Bhat said.

Exploring untapped tourism potential key to boosting rural economy: MLA Sajjad Shaheen

Gool, Oct 24:MLA Banihal-Gool, Sajjad Shaheen, Saturday laid the foundation stones of two major eco-parks at Narsingha and Dungali in Gool at a combined cost of Rs 70 Lakh and the building of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Sangaldan, being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 Crores, marking significant steps towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure, promoting tourism and accelerating development across the constituency. He was accompanied by former DDC Chairperson Shamshada Shan, along with other local senior party functionaries and office bearers. Emphasising the importance of accessible healthcare, Sajjad Shaheen, as per a statement issued, said that improving health infrastructure remains a key priority, particularly in the remote and far-flung areas of Banihal-Gool, where people often face difficulties accessing timely medical attention. He said that the construction of the PHC building at Sangaldan at an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 Crore would be an important step towards strengthening local healthcare facilities and improving access to essential medical services. He reiterated that sustained efforts are being made to improve healthcare infrastructure across the constituency, alongside addressing staff shortages and the need for better medical facilities. He stressed that people in remote areas deserve accessible and quality healthcare and that strengthening public health institutions is essential for improving the overall well-being of local communities. On tourism development, Shaheen said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the government is giving focused attention to developing tourism destinations across Jammu and Kashmir, with particular emphasis on areas possessing immense natural beauty and tourism potential. He said that Banihal-Gool, blessed with picturesque landscapes, lush green meadows, forests and scenic destinations, has enormous potential to emerge as an important tourism circuit. The development of eco-parks and recreational facilities is part of a broader initiative to bring these unexplored destinations onto the tourism map and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for local residents. Highlighting the initiatives undertaken during the past two years, the MLA said that work on Dubawn Park in Banihal has been taken up, while the tendering process for Tanji Maidan Park has been completed. A government park at Pogal, with an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh, has also been approved. He further informed that several other tourism-related projects are being pursued across the constituency. These include the proposed Tulip Garden at Nogam in Banihal, a park at Neel, a park at Rajbalan in Mahu, and another park at Supal Mando in Bangit. The beautification and upgradation of Goda Gali Park is also underway with an allocation of approximately Rs 1.25 crore. Located at a historic site associated with the sixth century and the period of the Huns, the park is expected to become an important tourist attraction. The project aims to improve visitor facilities, preserve the area's historical significance and enhance its recreational appeal. Shaheen said that several more initiatives are in the pipeline and would be taken up in a phased manner to bring tourism-related areas across the constituency onto the tourism map. He said that focused efforts are being made to develop such destinations, improve basic facilities and ensure that the benefits of tourism reach local communities, thereby improving their socio-economic conditions. Referring to the development of Tatapani as a health and wellness destination, Shaheen said that construction of a bathing ghat, estimated to cost approximately Rs 3.25 crore, is already underway. He added that a sarai is also being developed to facilitate visitors coming to benefit from the area's natural hot-water springs. These initiatives are aimed at strengthening Tatapani's identity as a prominent wellness destination and ensuring that its tourism potential translates into visible development and economic opportunities for local communities. The MLA emphasised that tourism development is being pursued alongside sustained efforts to improve road connectivity, electricity, drinking water, education and healthcare facilities across the constituency. He said that balanced development requires simultaneous attention to essential public services and economic opportunities, with healthcare and education remaining among the foremost priorities. Our objective is to ensure that the people of Banihal-Gool benefit from improved healthcare facilities, better infrastructure and sustainable economic opportunities. While tourism can generate employment for local youth, encourage homestays and promote local products, strengthening our health institutions is equally important to ensure accessible and quality medical care, especially for people living in remote and far-flung areas, he said. He added that the development of tourism infrastructure would help strengthen the local economy while showcasing the region's natural beauty, cultural heritage and hospitality to visitors from across the country. The foundation stone-laying ceremonies were attended by senior Forest Department officers, including the Chief Conservator of Forests, Chenab Circle, the Divisional Forest Officer, Ramban, and the Range Officer, Gool. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Gool, Tehsildar Gool, other officers, prominent party functionaries, public representatives and a large number of local residents were also present. Among those present were DFO Ramban, Executive Engineer R&B, BMO Gool, Range Officer Gool and officers of various departments.

Decolonisation must widen Indias choices

Indias debate on decolonisation needs a test more demanding than the replacement of names, symbols or syllabi. Does a proposed change give citizens greater freedom to learn, question and shape their lives? Political independence transferred the authority to govern. The unfinished task is to make that authority answerable to people and to widen the knowledge on which public decisions rest. The World Decolonization Forum, held in Istanbul on May 1112, 2026, examined the production and circulation of knowledge. Its concerns resonate in India, where the end of empire did not erase inherited hierarchies of language, education and authority. But the debate must move beyond identifying colonial legacies. It must explain which institutions need changing, whose exclusion those changes address and how citizens will benefit. Without that discipline, decolonisation can become an elastic label for every injustice or a defence of anything described as indigenous. Both uses weaken its value. A society cannot achieve intellectual freedom by treating the geographical origin of an idea as proof of its worth. Indias task is to enlarge its choices while retaining the freedom to judge them. Education is an immediate starting point. Students should encounter Kant and Weber alongside Ambedkar and thinkers from African, Islamic and other intellectual traditions. Such encounters matter because different traditions illuminate different questions about power, justice and social life. The aim should be to equip students to compare arguments, examine evidence and recognise the limits of any single account. Adding names to reading lists will accomplish little unless the conditions of scholarship change. Serious investment in translation, research in Indian languages and access to neglected archives is essential. Students should not have to abandon the languages in which they think to participate in serious intellectual inquiry. Multilingual education must also give them access to knowledge and opportunities beyond their immediate linguistic communities. Dalit writing, Adivasi knowledge, womens intellectual traditions and oral histories deserve sustained engagement as sources of ideas and inquiry. Their inclusion should change the questions institutions ask, rather than supply occasional illustrations of cultural diversity. Communities whose knowledge is studied should have a meaningful say in how it is recorded, interpreted and shared. Critical scrutiny must apply equally to every tradition. Antiquity cannot establish truth; indigenous origin cannot excuse exclusion. Traditions contain disputes as well as insights, and those disputes deserve to be taught. A university that replaces one unquestionable canon with another has changed the reading list without expanding intellectual freedom. Universities should make these choices through transparent academic deliberation. Teachers need resources to revise courses, and students need room to challenge what they are taught. Otherwise, curricular reform risks becoming an administrative instruction rather than an opportunity for independent thought. Indias Constitution offers a public standard for this work. Liberty, equality, fraternity and dignity provide grounds for evaluating inherited institutions and proposed alternatives. A project that challenges foreign domination while overlooking caste, gender or religious exclusion leaves its promise of freedom unfulfilled. The right to question domestic authority is integral to decolonisation. Development policy requires similar clarity. Economic growth matters because it can create jobs, finance public services and reduce poverty. Yet aggregate growth cannot establish whether employment is secure, schools teach well or neighbourhoods have clean air. What governments measure influences what they pursue. Health, learning, livelihoods and ecological resilience should therefore carry greater weight in evaluating policy. International comparisons can inform these judgments, but cannot replace attention to local conditions. Economic sovereignty should mean the capacity to make and sustain public choices. Trade, investment and scientific exchange can strengthen that capacity. Vulnerability arises when dependence limits a countrys ability to maintain essential services or respond to shocks. Investment in public health, energy security, research and smaller firms productive capabilities can give India more room to act. These choices involve costs. Protecting an industry may build capacity, but may also raise prices or shelter inefficiency. Regulation should be judged by evidence of public benefit, with its burdens openly assessed. Domestic ownership offers no automatic guarantee of fair competition, decent labour conditions or accountability. Citizens need protection from concentrated power wherever its owners are based. Technology brings this question into everyday life. Digital systems mediate access to services, information and work. Those who collect data, design algorithms and set the terms of participation exercise power that convenience can make difficult to see. A person denied a service needs an explanation and a workable means of appeal. Indias Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, makes the protection of personal data an explicit legislative concern. The public test for the framework is whether it delivers understandable protections and effective redress. Digital sovereignty must also address decisions that data protection alone cannot resolve. Keeping data within national borders gives citizens little control if institutions remain opaque or complaints go unanswered. Public agencies and private platforms should face scrutiny proportionate to their power and the risks they create. Public or cooperative digital services merit support where they can provide reliable alternatives and meaningful choice. Their ownership should never exempt them from safeguards against misuse. Cultural memory demands the same care. Preserving regional literature, local archives and oral histories can broaden Indias understanding of itself. Digitisation can improve access, but collecting a communitys knowledge without its participation risks repeating the very appropriation that decolonisation challenges. Preservation should respect both access and the rights of those who hold that knowledge. Indias many languages, faiths and histories also make any claim to a single authorised national past untenable. Historical interpretation must remain open to evidence and disagreement. Replacing an imperial account with a domestic orthodoxy would restrict the freedom that this project seeks to secure. The practical agenda is demanding: fund multilingual scholarship, strengthen public capabilities, protect digital rights and judge policy by its effects on peoples lives. Each requires patient institutional work and public accountability. India can learn from the world while examining its own traditions with confidence and candour. Decolonisation will earn its place in public life when more citizens gain the knowledge, security and freedom to decide their future. Dr. Farooq Wasil is a published author, educationist, CEO Thinksite Services Private Limited and Director of BELA Bharat Early Years Learning Alliance.

Work after the work

Imagine a hospital emergency. A doctor writes a prescription. The medicine is urgently needed. The prescription reaches the counter. The doctor returns to other duties. But what if the medicine is never given? The prescription was written. The duty was performed. The record may even show that the doctor acted on time. Yet the patient may still be waiting. Now imagine another doctor. After writing the prescription, the doctor makes sure the medicine reaches the patient. The prescription is not the end of the task. It is the beginning of a responsibility. Both doctors have done their assigned work. But only one has followed through to the intended outcome. This is an analogy, not a judgement about doctors. It reflects how we approach our responsibilities in everyday life. There is a difference between completing an assignment and ensuring that it serves its purpose. Some people see work as an obligation. They do what is asked, submit what is required, and move on. In their minds, the responsibility ends when the task is completed. They are category A people. Category B sees work differently. They ask what happens next. They want to know whether the effort made a difference. They follow through, not because someone is watching, but because they feel answerable for what has been entrusted to them. Yet another category stays occupied with peripheral activities while neglecting its core responsibilitiesa reflection of misplaced priorities and a lack of professional work ethic. They fall beyond the purview of this discussion. For categories A and B, the difference is not always visible in biometric attendance, office files or performance reports. Both may arrive on time. Both may complete their assignments. Both may appear equally busy. The difference becomes visible when something goes wrong, when a deadline approaches, when nobody is supervising, or when a task requires one extra effort beyond the prescribed duty. That extra effort often separates a worker from a professional who truly owns the work. Consider a journalist who publishes a report but never considers whether it has informed the public. An administrator who forwards a file but never checks whether the decision has been implemented. A project officer who organises an event but never asks whether it achieved its objective. In each case, the assigned task may be complete. However, has the purpose been fulfilled? Work is not always finished when the file closes. Sometimes, that is precisely when responsibility begins. This does not mean that every employee, private or public, must do everything alone. Nor does it mean that people should work without boundaries or carry the burden of an entire institution on their shoulders. Organisations and institutions need clear roles, reasonable workloads and accountability at every level. Yet, within those boundaries, there is room for ownership. Ownership means caring about the outcome, communicating when something is not working, seeking clarification when necessary, and following up when the situation demands it. It means not confusing the completion of a task with the fulfilment of its purpose. There is also a quiet dignity in this approach. People who take responsibility do not always announce what they have done. They may not seek applause. Often, they simply make sure that things work. They understand that trust is not built merely by accepting responsibility. It is built by honouring it. The results of our efforts may not always be dramatic. Sometimes, a small intervention after completing our assigned work can make all the difference. It could be a problem resolved, a person helped, a decision that moved forward, or a task that would otherwise have remained incomplete. Often, it is not the magnitude of what we do, but the difference we make through that little extra effort, that truly matters. A job may give us a designation. An assignment may give us a deadline. An institution may give us a responsibility. What we bring to it is a matter of character. Obligation makes us perform. Responsibility makes us follow through. And ownership ensures that the work entrusted to us does not lose its purpose along the way. And this is what makes all the difference!

The Trump method

India and the United States are talking the language of friendship again, but the question is whether the relationship is becoming more equal or simply more transactional. After months of tariff disputes, disagreements over Russian oil and the controversy surrounding President Donald Trumps claims of having stopped the India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025, Washington is now signalling that a long-pending trade agreement could finally be within reach. The timing is significant. US Secretary of State Marco Rubios visit to India this week, his meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his outreach to business leaders have revived hopes of a breakthrough. Rubio has described the agreement as incredibly close, saying that the two sides are weeks, rather than months, away from finalising it. Trump, too, has said that the countries are pretty close to a deal, although he has indicated that it will be different from other agreements Washington has concluded. This is encouraging, but India has heard optimistic signals before. The real test will be the terms of the agreement, not the enthusiasm with which it is announced. Pressure first, partnership later? Trumps approach to diplomacy is increasingly familiar. He creates pressure through tariffs, public statements and threats, then presents the prospect of a negotiated settlement as an opportunity that the other side should not miss. Last year, the US heavily imposed tariffs on Indian goods, still hurting the business companies, more so when additional tariffs linked to New Delhis purchase of Russian oil were imposed. The move definitely affected Indian exporters and created uncertainty among businesses. It also raised questions about the reliability of a strategic partner that had for years encouraged India to strengthen economic, strategic and defence ties with Washington, which India followed dutifully. India should definitely be worried not only about tariffs but also about the uncertainty surrounding the USs fluctuating decisions or pressure tactics. Any relationship or trade needs trust to plan investments and exports, however difficult the negotiations be. However, if access to the American market can suddenly become a tool to put pressure on India, it naturally raises eyebrows and concerns. The US wants India to be a trusted strategic partner, but its trade policies risk making that partnership appear conditional. In other words, Washington wants India to remain close, but seems keen to ensure that it does so largely on American terms. Trump believes that earlier administrations gave away too much and that even friendly countries should be pressed to offer better commercial terms. During his current visit, Rubio acknowledged in an interview with Network18 that both countries would defend their national interests and that a sustainable agreement must benefit both sides. The outcome is that pressure can produce concessions without necessarily producing trust. Political observers feel that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen not to engage in a public confrontation with Trump. He has continued to engage Washington, while Indias diplomatic establishment has defended the countrys position on trade, energy security and relations with Pakistan. PM Modi perhaps is avoiding a direct clash with the American President. To some extent, it seems, the restraint is deliberate. India has substantial interests in the United States, from defence technology and advanced manufacturing to investment, education and the opportunities available to Indian professionals. A public exchange of accusations between the two leaders might generate headlines but would do little to resolve the underlying disagreements. PM Modi also knows that the United States remains important to Indias wider strategic calculations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and in managing the challenge posed by China. Allowing a trade dispute to damage cooperation across these areas would be costly. But restraint should not be confused with acceptance. Indias position on strategic autonomy means that it cannot allow another country to dictate its energy choices, regional relationships or security decisions. The challenge for PM Modi is to remain personally measured while ensuring that Indias negotiating position remains firm. There is, however, a political cost to excessive silence. When an American President repeatedly makes claims that conflict with Indias account of important events, New Delhi must ensure that its own position is communicated clearly enough to prevent another countrys version from becoming the accepted international narrative. Trumps repeated claims of having stopped the India-Pakistan hostilities continue to remain an irritant in bilateral ties. Following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7. The military confrontation ended on May 10, following direct contact between the two countries Directors General of Military Operations. Trump, however, in every reference to India or Pakistan, claims credit for stopping the fighting. He goes further, claiming that he threatened to withhold trade benefits. Media reports counted more than 60 such claims by January 2026. India has consistently maintained that the ceasefire understanding was reached directly between the two countries, without US mediation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also made it clear that no trade deal was discussed in connection with ending the hostilities. For India, the issue is not merely about who takes credit for the ceasefire. It is unnecessarily internationalising the India-Pakistan dispute. Trumps repeated claim has put Modi and his team in a delicate position. India wants to avoid a confrontation with the US President, while silence could be seen as acceptance of Washingtons version. New Delhi has therefore chosen to maintain its position through official statements while keeping diplomatic channels open. Is a trade deal finally within reach? There are reasons for cautious optimism. During the October 21-23 visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Mumbai and Gujarat, Rubio said the agreement was down to a small number of unresolved issues, including differences over the precise language of the text. Trump has also indicated that a deal is close. These are the clearest recent signals that both governments want to move beyond the prolonged impasse. The negotiations, however, remain difficult so far. Washington has been insisting on greater access to Indias market and has pressed for increased purchases of American energy and technology. India, for its part, continues to protect the interests of domestic producers, especially farmers and exporters while securing competitive terms for its goods in the US market. Agriculture, industrial products, tariff treatment and regulatory differences have all been sensitive areas in the negotiations between the two countries. India cannot afford an agreement that offers headline benefits but imposes disproportionate costs on farmers, smaller manufacturers or other vulnerable sectors. The US, which has recently lifted US sanctions on Russia, linked to purchases of Russian energy, has definitely eased pressure. Rubio, in his recent visit and several of the media interviews, has acknowledged that sanctions and tariffs can have consequences for countries beyond their immediate targets. That recognition matters because Indias energy decisions are shaped by global availability and national requirements, not simply by Washingtons preferences. Yet it is too early to be optimistic. Beyond the trade deal: India-US ties need mutual respect India and the US have strong reasons to remain close partners. Defence cooperation, new technology, semiconductors, maritime security and the Quad bring the two countries together. The large Indian community in America and strong business ties also strengthen the relationship. But friendship between the two countries cannot depend only on common interests or good words. It also requires trust, respect and stability in policies, even when differences arise. The US needs to understand that India will not agree to every American demand. Similarly, India must stand firm on its national interests and maintain its freedom to take independent decisions, while continuing to work with the US. So far, PM Modi has taken a wise decision to avoid direct confrontation with Trump. Many strategic analysts and political observers support this sensible approach. But this restraint must go hand in hand with a firm stand during negotiations. Diplomacy is not about exchanging sharp words in public; it is about protecting national interests and finding solutions. There is fresh hope for a trade deal following Rubios positive remarks and Trumps latest signals. But much will depend on whether both sides are ready to make reasonable compromises without putting pressure on each other. Finally, India-US friendship will be judged not by how often the two leaders call each other friends, but by how much respect they show for each others interests, their subjects, when it comes to making difficult decisions. Author is National Editor, Greater Kashmir

Women golfers seek greater participation, coaching facilities in Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 24:Calling for greater opportunities for women in golf, Srinagar-based golfers Haya Qazi and Rubina Farooq Rafiquee have urged schools, colleges and golf courses to encourage female participation and establish proper training facilities to nurture young talent in Kashmir. Participating in the invitational Labaika Cup Golf Tournament 2026 at the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC), the two golfers said that while the sport offered considerable opportunities at national and international levels, more women needed to take it up in Kashmir. Haya Qazi, Rubina Farooq Rafiquee call for early training, dedicated academies to nurture female talent Qazi, who has been playing golf for the past 15-16 years, said the organisers were encouraging towards women participants. She also had a successful outing at the tournament, winning the longest-drive accolade. There is a lot of scope because there are many opportunities for female golfers in India and internationally. I would suggest that those who want to start should do so at a young age so they can develop their skills and learn to love the sport, Qazi said. Describing golf as a mentally demanding sport, she said it was unique because players were often competing against themselves. She called on schools and colleges to send female students to golf programmes and urged RSGC and other courses to introduce dedicated training initiatives for women. Rafiquee, a member of Royal Spring Golf Course who has been playing for the past eight years, said the Labaika Cup was around her 20th tournament and provided an excellent experience. She praised the organisers for encouraging women to participate. I have never felt that golf is a male-dominated game. Male golfers have always encouraged me. They often tell me that I play well and should bring more women into the sport, she said. Rafiquee also welcomed the reported initiative to open registrations and offer free membership to women, describing it as a significant step towards increasing female participation. However, she stressed that access to membership needed to be complemented by professional coaching and structured training. It is very necessary to start this game at an early age. There should be an academy where women receive proper coaching and facilities, as happens in other states. Children should also be encouraged to take up the sport, she said. Rafiquee said participating in a professional tournament in Kashmir, where amateurs competed alongside professionals, had provided her with valuable exposure. Both golfers stated that sustained encouragement, early exposure and dedicated coaching programmes could help more women take up golf and progress to competitive levels.

Fathers encouragement fuels young Husnains golfing journey

Srinagar, Oct 24: At eight, Syed Husnain Kubravi is already testing his skills on the golf course, taking on older competitors and looking forward to more opportunities to play the sport. Kubravi participated in the invitational Labaika Cup Golf Tournament 2026 at the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC), Srinagar, where he competed alongside golfers of different age groups and experience levels. The young golfer said he had expected to encounter slightly older players but was keen to take part in the competition. Asked about his performance, he spoke about making birdies during his round. Kubravi credited his father for inspiring him to take up golf and encouraging him to participate in tournaments. It was also his father who suggested that he compete in the Labaika Cup. The eight-year-old expressed a desire to participate in more tournaments, indicating that he wanted to continue improving his game. Asked when he thought he would be able to beat his father on the golf course, Kubravi estimated that it might take another three to four years.

GCC clinches Srinagar Police T20 Cricket championship title

Srinagar, Oct 24:Srinagar Police successfully concluded the T20 Cricket Tournament organised under the Civic Action Programme (CAP) 202526 at MPML Higher Secondary School Playground, Shamswari, Srinagar. The tournament, as per a statement, which commenced on October 17, witnessed enthusiastic participation from eight teams representing different areas of District Srinagar. The closing ceremony was presided over by Dr. G. V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, IPS, SSP Srinagar, in the presence of Senior police officers, participating teams and members of the local community. The tournament was organised as part of Srinagar Police's continued efforts to promote sports, encourage positive youth engagement and strengthen police-public relations through community-oriented initiatives. In an exciting final, Gojwari Cricket Club emerged victorious, defeating Krashbal Cricket Club to clinch the championship title. Both teams demonstrated commendable skill, discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. On the occasion, SSP Srinagar distributed trophies, medals, mementos and cash prizes among the winners, runners-up and outstanding performers. The winning team was awarded the championship trophy along with a cash prize, while the runners-up received a trophy. The Man of the Series was also felicitated with a trophy and cash prize for his outstanding performance. Addressing the gathering, SSP Srinagar congratulated the winning team and appreciated all participating players for their enthusiasm, discipline and sporting spirit. He emphasised that sports play a crucial role in shaping the character of young people by instilling discipline, teamwork, leadership and a sense of responsibility. He further encouraged youth to channel their energy and potential towards sports, education and other constructive pursuits, while staying away from drugs and other social evils. He reiterated that Srinagar Police remains committed to providing meaningful platforms for young talent and fostering a culture of healthy competition. SSP Srinagar also appreciated the support extended by the local community and highlighted the importance of such initiatives in building mutual trust, strengthening Police-public cooperation and bringing the police closer to the people. The statement added, Srinagar Police reiterates its commitment to youth empowerment, promotion of sports, a drug-free society and stronger community partnerships through sustained initiatives under the Civic Action Programme.

At 7, Mohammad Azam Bari finds his game in Golf

Srinagar, Oct 24:At just seven, Mohammad Azam Bari is already swapping football for golf and taking his first steps in a sport that demands patience, precision and concentration. Bari was the youngest participant at the invitational Labaika Cup Golf Tournament 2026 held at the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC), Srinagar, where around 80 golfers competed in the event. Speaking on the sidelines of the tournament, the young golfer said he played nine holes with a friend, winning three to four holes, while his opponent won five. Bari said golf had now become his favourite sport and expressed a desire to participate in more tournaments in the future. Asked about his golfing role models, he named professional golfer Khalin Joshi and his uncle, Shabaz Sikandar, among his favourites. Despite his young age, Bari is already thinking about how to continue practising when weather conditions make it difficult to visit the golf course. He said he would practise at home during rain and snowfall. With his enthusiasm for the game and eagerness to return to the course, Bari offered a glimpse of how early exposure can help nurture the next generation of golfers in Kashmir.

RSGC hosts Labaika Invitational Golf Tournament

Srinagar, Oct 24:The invitational Labaika Cup Golf Tournament 2026 brought together around 80 golfers at the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC), Srinagar, as the organisers sought to promote the sport among youngsters, women and professional players while reconnecting with customers and well-wishers. Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani teed off the tournament, while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah distributed prizes at the concluding ceremony. The Chief Minister was accompanied by MP Gurwinder Singh Oberoi, Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq and party spokesperson Imran Dar. Organised by the Labaika Group, the tournament marked two decades of the business and served as a platform for interaction among its customers, patrons and supporters. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Labaika Group Director Umar Nazir Tibetbaqal said the tournament was aimed at strengthening relationships with people the business had served over the years while using sport as a means of bringing communities together. Sports connects people. It is like a third religion in India, where people connect with each other and greet each other. Most of the people participating here are customers whom we have served over the years, he said. The four-ball tournament began at around 9 am, with Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani teeing off to mark the start of the event. Highlighting the tournament's inclusive format, Tibetbaqal said the event featured separate categories for children, youth, women and professional golfers. A seven-year-old golfer was also among the participants. He said the group had previously supported sporting events, including cricket at Bakshi Stadium and football tournaments, while the Labaika Cup was organised as an exclusive initiative to engage with its clientele and promote sports. stressing the need for greater corporate participation in sports, Tibetbaqal said youth development should remain a priority and called for more initiatives to encourage young people to take up golf. Kashmir is fortunate to have several golf courses, but our children need more opportunities to compete at higher levels. The proposed golf training academy, as recently mentioned by the Advisor, can help take Kashmir golf to international standards and give local youngsters a much-needed boost, he said. He expressed hope that initiatives of this nature would encourage greater participation in golf and help nurture local talent for higher-level competitions. On the occasion, Secretary Royal Springs Golf Course Haris Ahmad Handoo, Director Tourism Kashmir Syed Qamar Sajjad, Secretary Amar Singh Club Srinagar Nasir Hamid Khan , golfers were present.

Police organise quiz competition at GDC Kangan

Kangan, Oct 24:As part of civic outreach and national integration initiatives, Police in Ganderbal organised a comprehensive educational event at Government Degree College (GDC) Kangan on Saturday. The programme featured a competitive quiz on the life and contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as the Iron Man of India, alongside a debate and seminar on 'Role of Police in Nation Building.' The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, faculty members, and senior officers of District Police Ganderbal. The programme was chaired by SDPO Kangan, Rajeev Raina and was attended by faculty members of Government Degree College Kangan and senior police officers. The morning session kicked off with a quiz competition dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patels pivotal role in integrating the princely states and forging a unified nation post-independence. Students tested their historical knowledge through several challenging rounds covering Patels leadership during key historical movements, his administrative vision, and his enduring legacy as a founding architect of modern India. Following the quiz, a seminar and debate were held on the broader responsibilities of law enforcement. Student speakers and faculty members deliberated on how policing has evolved beyond routine law and order maintenance into a vital pillar of social development, community safety, and youth empowerment. speakers underscored that law enforcement acts as a catalyst for social progress by upholding the rule of law, fighting drug abuse, ensuring public security, and safeguarding fundamental rights. Participating police officers emphasised the importance of fostering strong police-public partnerships, urging the youth to act as proactive partners in building a safe and progressive society.

KUs CIRI awarded ICMR Centre of Excellence status

Srinagar, Oct 24:The Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations (CIRI), University of Kashmir (KU), has been awarded Centre of Excellence status by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, Government of India, in recognition of its work in biomedical research in the region. A statement of KU issued here said that congratulating the CIRI team, Vice-Chancellor, KU, Prof Nilofer Khan, said, This recognition by ICMR reflects the quality of research being undertaken at CIRI and the dedication of its researchers. The University will continue to support the Centre in expanding its research activities and collaborations. She said that the recognition would encourage CIRI to pursue new research directions, strengthen collaboration across scientific disciplines and contribute to addressing important biomedical research challenges through evidence-based scientific inquiry. Prof Khan congratulated CIRI Coordinator Altaf Bhat and researchers Abdul Wajid, Javaid Bhat, Ayub Qadri, and Tanzila Mukhtar on the achievement. Dean Academic Affairs, KU, Prof Shariefuddin Pirzada, Dean Research, KU, Prof Bashir Ganaie, and Registrar, KU, Prof Naseer Iqbal, also congratulated the team, noting the importance of strengthening interdisciplinary research and biomedical innovation at the university.

NLCO seeks urgent removal of muck to resume Taploo Mohalla spring restoration

Srinagar, Oct 24:Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO) has expressed concerned on temporary pause in restoration work at Taploo Mohalla spring in Anchar due to accumulation of muck removed during the ongoing work. In a statement, NLCO said the accumulated material is obstructing the teams efforts and has raised concerns among local residents about possible health and sanitation issues. Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation has approached the Municipal Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), requesting the urgent deployment of vehicles to remove and properly dispose of the muck. NLCO hopes for SMCs prompt cooperation so that restoration work can resume without delay and this traditional spring can once again serve the community. Conservation is a shared responsibility. Let us work together to give this spring the care and attention it deserves, NLCO added.

Srinagar-Jammu NH open for 2-way traffic

Ramban, Oct 24: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open to regulated two-way traffic on Saturday, but vehicular movement continued to be slow at several locations between Udhampur and Banihal due to ongoing road repair and widening work, damaged and narrow stretches, vehicle breakdowns, and the movement of nomadic livestock herds. Traffic congestion persisted at vulnerable points where restricted carriageway width and maintenance work by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) hampered the smooth flow of vehicles, causing delays for commuters travelling along the Udhampur-Ramban-Banihal corridor. In the Udhampur sector, the rain-damaged stretch at Dewal continued to pose difficulties for motorists, with traffic passing through a narrowed single-lane section. The uneven road surface further slowed movement. Similar conditions prevailed along the Marog-Kishtwari Pather stretch in Ramban district, where vehicles had to negotiate narrow sections cautiously. Vehicle breakdowns between Nashri and Banihal also contributed to delays on the already congested highway. Meanwhile, nomadic livestock herds continued their seasonal movement through the Banihal-Nachlana sector towards the Jammu plains, affecting traffic at several locations, particularly along narrow and construction-affected stretches. Traffic authorities advised commuters to maintain lane discipline, avoid unnecessary overtaking and refrain from wrong-side driving. Motorists were urged to exercise caution on stretches vulnerable to shooting stones and landslides, particularly between Ramban and Banihal, and avoid unnecessary halts at vulnerable locations. Meanwhile, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers remained subject to restrictions in view of ongoing widening work along the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch. As per the traffic advisory, these tankers faced daytime restrictions from 7 am to 7 pm. Tankers carrying inflammable material were not permitted to pass through tunnels, while up-bound tankers were allowed to proceed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am. Operators transporting perishable goods and livestock were advised to follow official instructions. Heavy-vehicle operators were also urged to avoid overloading and ensure their vehicles were mechanically fit and had sufficient fuel before starting their journeys. According to the traffic advisory, subject to favourable weather and satisfactory road conditions, passenger Light Motor Vehicles, private cars, and goods carriers were proposed to be allowed to ply in both directions on the highway on Sunday.

DC Srinagar, Principal GMC inspect newly built 15-Bedded Additional NICU Block at Lal Ded Hospital

Srinagar, Oct 24:Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, along with the Principal, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, Dr Iffat, on Saturday visited Government Lal Ded Hospital and inspected the functioning of the newly built additional 15-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) block for new born babies established by the District Administration at a cost of Rs 75 lakh using convergence of funds available at district level. During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner and Principal GMC Srinagar reviewed the functioning of the newly established facility, which has been created to augment the hospitals existing capacity and address the growing demand for specialised neonatal healthcare services, catering not only to patients from Srinagar district but also to newborns from across the Kashmir Division. The Officers assessed the operational status of the additional NICU beds and reviewed the facilitys role in strengthening the hospitals capacity to provide specialised medical care to newborns requiring intensive monitoring, treatment and support. The additional beds are aimed at improving the availability of critical neonatal care services for patients from Srinagar and other Districts of the Kashmir Division. On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said that the establishment of the additional 15-bed NICU block at a cost of Rs 75 lakh marks an important step towards strengthening neonatal healthcare infrastructure at Lal Ded Hospital, one of the major healthcare institutions catering to expectant mothers and newborns from across the Kashmir Valley. The DC added that the facility has been created to augment the hospitals existing neonatal care capacity and facilitate the provision of specialised medical services to newborns requiring intensive care. He also emphasised the importance of strengthening healthcare infrastructure to ensure better access to essential medical facilities. The Deputy Commissioner further stated that the District Administration is also set to establish another 15-bedded NICU block at JLNM Hospital Rainawari soon, further expanding the availability of specialised neonatal healthcare facilities in Srinagar. He underlined that the proposed facility is expected to supplement the existing healthcare infrastructure and enhance the capacity to cater to newborns requiring specialised medical attention. Earlier, the Principal, GMC Srinagar also highlighted the importance of additional 15 NICU beds at Lal Ded Hospital. She appreciated the continued support extended by the District Administration towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving the availability of specialised medical facilities for newborns. She also highlighted the assistance provided by the District Administration in completing various infrastructure upgradation projects and supporting other developmental initiatives at GMC Srinagar. She noted that these efforts are contributing towards strengthening the overall institutional infrastructure and improving facilities for both staff and students, besides the patient at tertiary care hospitals.

HC protects IUST librarian post for candidate

Srinagar, Oct 24: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has quashed an order passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in contempt proceedings involving issuance of non-bailable warrants against Shakeel Ahmad Romshoo, vice Chancellor IUST Awantipora, even as it protected the post of librarian for the candidate, Dr Imran. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Muhammad Yousuf Wani passed the direction while disposing of a plea filed by Romshoo against CAT order in a case related to Librarian Sheikh Muhammad Imran. The bench directed the tribunal to finally decide the pending original application within three months. The dispute concerns Imrans right to serve at IUST as librarian. The High Court noted that the substantive controversy remains pending before the CAT and has yet to be finally adjudicated. The court was informed that Imran had joined back at the University of Kashmir on September 22 this year, and was discharging his duties as Librarian there. His counsel Faizan Majeed Bhat informed the court that he was compelled by noncompliance of CAT orders to join back at KU. His subsequent joining constituted a later development and that any further movement could prejudice his rights, Bhat said. Imrans counsel submitted that the joining at KU was under protest and in pursuance of the CATs September 14 order. The counsel argued it would be appropriate either to decide his right to serve at the IUST as librarian. The court observed that, in the larger interest of Dr Imran, the pending Original Application should be decided expeditiously The court further ordered that the Original Application be finally decided within three months. It also protected Imrans right to the post of Librarian at the Islamic University, subject to the final outcome of the OA.

World sees India as a reliable partner: LG Manoj Sinha

Srinagar, Oct 24:The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha paid rich tributes to eminent litterateur Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza on the occasion of his birth centenary celebration event and highlighted his immense contribution to Indian literature and cinema. In a message delivered for the commemorative programme organised in Ghazipur, the Lieutenant Governor noted that Rahi Sahabs writings reflected the spirit of Ghazipur, Purvanchal, and India, while carrying a universal vision rooted in humanity and cultural harmony. The Lieutenant Governor said that Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza, through works such as Aadha Gaon, Topi Shukla, and Katra Bi Arzoo, as well as his contribution to the screenplay of Mahabharat, conveyed the message that Indias culture, heritage, and future belong to every citizen. Highlighting the relevance of Rahi Masoom Razas message and vision in present time, the Lieutenant Governor stated that the countrys unity is anchored in constitutional ideals and in shared traditions, brotherhood, aspirations, and everyday experiences. He called upon citizens to strengthen social trust through dialogue, cooperation, and compassion, and to view Indias diversity as a source of collective strength. The Lieutenant Governor urged the youth to remain connected to their roots while pursuing ambitious goals. He said the younger generation should carry the values of their heritage wherever they go and transform opportunities into new possibilities through innovation, hard work, and dedication. Under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is witnessing unprecedented development. Significant progress had been achieved in infrastructure, digital connectivity, financial inclusion, womens empowerment, housing, sanitation, and access to essential services. The massive efforts for inclusive development have enhanced the dignity and opportunities available to ordinary citizens, he said. The Lieutenant Governor underscored that the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 requires the active participation of every citizen and the accelerated development of all the regions so that they can play a vital role in Indias transformation. Today, India is demonstrating its capability in many fields, from space to digital public infrastructure and the world sees our country as a reliable partner. I want us to move forward with a collective resolve and a single goal to build an India that is developed, prosperous, strong, self-reliant, and technologically advanced. Dr. Rahi Masoom Razas birth centenary celebration is an opportunity to give a new direction to the future. It should be our resolve to make our diversity our strength, and by choosing dialogue, cooperation, and compassion, we will further strengthen social trust, the Lieutenant Governor said.

Who is Sajjan Singh Yadav?

Sajjan Singh Yadav, is a 1995-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, who has been appointed Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir. He will take charge from November 1, 2026, (or the date of joining, whichever is later), succeeding 1989-batch Atal Dulloo, who retires on October 31. Yadav will be the first officer from the AGMUT cadre to hold the post in J&K. Born on January 5, 1969, in Haryana, Yadav brings a strong academic profile having done an MBA in Finance from Delhi Universitys Faculty of Management Studies, an MPA in Public Policy from the Hubert H Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota, an MPA in Economics from Harvard University, and a doctorate in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He is also an author whose national bestseller Indias Vaccine Growth Story: From Cowpox to Vaccine Maitri has been translated into multiple languages, alongside Scaling Mount UPSC on aspirants journeys. He has received many awards including the National e-Governance Award (2017-18) and the Presidents Medal for census work. His service record spans more than 30 years across field and policy roles. His early postings included Assistant Commissioner in Mizoram and Deputy Commissioner in Arunachal Pradesh districts like East Kameng and Tawang, and South Delhi. His central deputation featured key roles as Mission Director of POSHAN Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission), Director of the National Rural Health Mission, and senior positions (Joint Secretary, Additional Secretary, and Special Secretary) in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. In Delhi, he served as Finance Commissioner, Commissioner of Food and Supplies, VAT, Excise and Luxury Tax, East Delhi Municipal Corporation, and CEO of the Delhi Jal Board, a role he resumed in June 2026 after repatriation from the Centre at the MHAs request. On seniority, Yadav ranked around 20th on the AGMUT gradation list. Officers from the 1991-1995 batches, including 1992-batch Shaleen Kabra, the Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner in J&K, was speculated as a frontrunner due to his local experience, stood ahead of him. The appointment surprised observers tracking the succession, underscoring that the Centre weighs competence, domain expertise, especially in finance, public health, nutrition, and urban governance, and institutional confidence alongside pure seniority. He has no prior direct posting or specific engagement with Jammu and Kashmir and his experience has been concentrated in other AGMUT areas and the Centre. As the first AGMUT-cadre Chief Secretary, Yadavs tenure will test how an outsider navigates the J&Ks unique administrative, developmental, and political landscape.

GoI appoints Sajjan Singh Yadav as J&K Chief Secretary

Srinagar, Oct 24:The Government of India on Saturday appointed Sajjan Singh Yadav as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, replacing Atal Dulloo and ending weeks of speculation over J&Ks top administrative post. The order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs said that Yadav was transferred from Delhi to Jammu and Kashmir and appointed as Chief Secretary from November 1, 2026, or the date he assumes office. Yadavs appointment marks a major change in J&K's administrative structure. Yadav becomes the first of the core AGMUT officers to take charge of the J&K administration after the exclusive J&K cadre was abolished in 2021 and merged into the broader AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories) pool. The decision also ends speculation supporting some other senior candidates in the succession race. Officers currently hold ing positions in J&K belonging to earlier batches and senior to Yadav include Shaleen Kabra of the 1992 batch who is Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Ashwani Kumar of the 1992 batch, who is Financial Commissioner (ACS), Power Development Department (PDD); Dheeraj Gupta of the 1993 batch who is Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister; Ashish Chandra Verma of the 1994 batch who is Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; Sheilender Kumar of the 1995 batch who is Additional Chief Secretary Finance Department; and Anil Kumar Singh of the 1995 batch who is Additional Chief Secretary Public Works Department (PWD). Apart from them, Bipul Pathak of the 1992 batch, Navin Chowdhary of the 1994 batch, and Rohit Kansal of the 1995 batch, all currently on deputation are also seniors to Yadav. The AGMUT cadre is responsible for Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and eight Union Territories: the NCT of Delhi, Puducherry, J&K, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Lakshadweep. Yadav, who is experienced in dealing with the complicated administrative arrangements of Union Territories, held the positions of Additional Chief Secretary and Chief Executive Officer at the Delhi Jal Board. He has done a postgraduate diploma in Public Policy from the Hubert Humphrey School from Minnesota University, a Masters in Finance from Delhi University, and a Masters in Economics from Harvard University. The bureaucratic transition takes place at a politically sensitive time in J&K. After years of direct central rule, when an elected assembly was restored, the new Chief Secretary had to deal with a special kind of power-sharing situation. In the present arrangement under the Union Territory system, the Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the Centre, maintains control over important matters like Police, public order, and the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) bureaucracy, while the elected Chief Minister leads the civilian government. The Chief Secretary in J&K is responsible for coordinating the work of the various government departments. The post is essential for putting administrative decisions into effect and for handling the relationship between the bureaucracy, the elected government, and the Lieutenant Governors administration. That a senior officer drawn from the wider Union Territory cadre has been appointed to lead J&K bureaucracy is significant at a time when administrative coordination and the allocation of responsibilities between the elected government and the Centre are still politically sensitive. No reason was given in the order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs for refusing to grant an extension to the outgoing Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, a member of the original J&K batch who turned sixty on Saturday and is set to retire on October 31. Dulloo has held the position of Chief Secretary since December 2023. Earlier, it was reported that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had suggested a one-year extension for Dulloo. However, the final decision had to be made by the competent authority in charge of approving the appointment and the arrangements for service. Dulloo has left behind an administrative legacy of handling the large-scale security and logistical requirements of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and of J&Ks first Assembly elections in 10 years. However, a rift started between him and the civilian government during his last weeks in office. Dulloo was involved in a row concerning a proposal aimed at restoring J&Ks statehood, a politically sensitive matter. Dulloo and the administrations Law Secretary had sent a letter to Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to oppose the introduction and discussion of the resolution, citing legal concerns as the reason. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly objected to the intervention, and the action in question aroused criticism from the Members of Parliament as well as leading to a privilege-motion notice being tabled against the officials. The controversy intensified the questions concerning the relationship between the bureaucracy and the elected government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, which came into office in 2024 after a period of direct administration by the central government. Although the Government of India has not officially confirmed that the dispute over statehood was the reason why the government rejected Dulloos extension, the fact that the transition has taken place shows that administrative control in J&K is still being readjusted. It also raises questions regarding Dulloos next task. According to reports, Dulloo is being considered for the post of Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, which currently has no chairman. However, there has not been any official announcement regarding the matter.

Anahat Singh rises in squash, defeats champion Nour El Sherbini ahead of Olympic dreams

Anahat Singh, an 18-year-old squash player, achieved significant victories at the Silicon Valley Open in California. She defeated her childhood idol, Nour El Sherbini, and another higher-ranked player, Salma Hany. Anahat's recent performances include winning medals at the Asian Games and breaking into the worlds top 20. With aspirations set on the 2028 Olympics, she is recognized as a rising talent in squash.

Remember, for every Gulliver there are many Lilliputians

Jonathan Swift's novel, Gulliver's Travels, presents themes of survivorship bias and the importance of acknowledging failures. Survivorship bias can impact our understanding of success and lead to misconceptions about achievement. The adventures of Lemuel Gulliver reflect this bias through his survival amidst numerous dangers while ignoring the silent stories of those who did not survive. This concept has historical implications, influencing how we interpret data and events today.

Why London restaurant Veeraswamys got a notice from the Crown Estate

Veeraswamy, a famous Indian restaurant in London, is facing eviction from its premises by the Crown Estate. The Crown Estate cites the need for renovations as the reason for not renewing the lease. Ranjit Mathrani, the restaurant's owner, claims that the treatment reflects culinary discrimination against Indian cuisine. Mathrani has appealed to the monarchy, emphasising the restaurant's historical significance and royal connections.

Air India and AI Express cancel Riyadh, Dammam flights till Nov 7

Air India and Air India Express on Saturday extended the cancellation of their flights connecting Riyadh and Dammam till November 7, while services to Jeddah will remain suspended till October 31. IndiGo and Akasa Air have also cancelled their services to Saudi Arabian cities amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the region and attacks at airports in the Gulf country. In view of the prevailing situation in the region, Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until 7 November 2026, while services to and from Jeddah will remain suspended until 31 October 2026, Air India said in a post on X. The airline said passengers holding confirmed bookings issued on or before October 24 may avail flexible rebooking options or opt for a full refund upon cancellation of their bookings. Earlier, the two airlines cancelled their services to Saudi Arabia till October 24. IndiGo on Saturday said that after a careful assessment, flights to and fr

It's time Delhi set the pace in scaling up businesses

India is working towards improving the ease of scaling businesses to boost economic growth and employment. The role of Delhi is critical in fostering a supportive business environment that enhances investment. Effective infrastructure, skilled labor, and access to finance are essential for businesses to grow confidently. Collaboration between education and industry will also expand opportunities and inclusivity in the workforce.

Why I am not a Bhagat Singh kind of atheist

Casual atheism is being examined through personal experiences and cultural interactions within Indian society. The author reflects on the coexistence of atheists and believers, highlighting mutual acceptance. Additionally, the article notes the current lack of significant tension surrounding atheism in India. There is a discussion about differing perspectives on beliefs and rituals that showcase cultural appreciation. Overall, the author presents a unique view on faith and its cultural significance.

If Romeo can love, why must Juliet die?

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has become a significant success, achieving box-office records for a Malayalam film. The story centers on a young college student named Ashley who falls in love with her neighbor, Justin. Their relationship, while unconventional, explores themes of societal expectations and personal choice within their community. The film is praised for its character-driven narrative and thoughtful writing.

Centre extends defence secretary's tenure by one year

Centre extends defence secretary's tenure by one year New Delhi, Oct 24: The Centre has extended the tenure of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh by one year, till October 31, 2027, according to an official order issued on Saturday. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the extension of Singh, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, beyond his scheduled tenure ending on October 31, 2026. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved extension in the service of Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS (KL:89) as Secretary, Department of Defence, Ministry of Defence, for a period of one year beyond 31.10.2026, i.e. up to 31.10.2027 or until further orders whichever is earlier, the order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) read. The extension was granted in relaxation of the provisions of Fundamental Rule 56(d) and Rule 16(1A) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, the order said.

J-K Crime Branch files chargesheet against health worker over alleged forged Class 10 certificate

Jammu, Oct 24: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch Jammu on Saturday filed a chargesheet against a health department employee for allegedly securing a government job as a dental assistant using a forged Class 10 certificate nearly two decades ago, an official said. The chargesheet was filed against the employee, Sohan Lal Singh, and his deceased father, Veer Singh, before the court of the fourth Additional Munsiff, Jammu, in a case registered last year, a Crime Branch spokesperson said. The case originated from a communication received from the CID Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that Singh had been working as a dental assistant at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Arnia, Jammu, for nearly two decades on the basis of a fraudulent matriculation certificate purportedly issued in Bihar or Uttar Pradesh, the spokesperson said. The investigation revealed that Singh had passed Class 8 but had never cleared the Class 10 examination through his school, he said. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Jammu, confirmed erasures and chemical alterations in the mark sheet, while school records revealed discrepancies in his date of birth, the spokesperson said. Statements and other evidence corroborated that Singhs father, who has since died and worked as a driver in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, had allegedly procured forged documents for his minor son. The falsified records were subsequently used to establish his eligibility for dental assistant training and secure an appointment through the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board, he said. The spokesperson said offences under various sections of law had been established against the accused based on the evidence collected during the investigation. The chargesheet has been filed for judicial determination, he added.

Drone found abandoned near IB in Jammu, probe underway

Jammu, Oct 24: A drone was discovered in a paddy field near the International Border in Jammu on Saturday evening, prompting the police to launch an investigation. Officials have not yet determined whether the drone originated from Pakistan or was operated by a local. The object was spotted at around 4.40 PM in a field belonging to Vijay Kumar, a resident of Makhyal village. Upon noticing the object, Kumar informed the Kana Chak Police Station. A police team quickly responded to the scene, took custody of the drone, and transported it to the police station. Authorities have begun an investigation to establish the drone's origin, its possible flight path, and the circumstances surrounding its abandonment in the field, officials stated.

Jitendra Singh inaugurates world's first-of-its-kind 'Air Pollution Analysis' facility for Delhi NCR

New Delhi, Oct 24: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today inaugurated the world's first- of -its-kind 'Air Pollution Analysis' facility for Delhi NCR. Known as 'Integrated Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Toxicity Analysis Laboratory ' (AATAL), it is also equipped to identify real-time sources of air pollution. Describing it as a first-of-its-kind integrated facility in the world, the Minister said Delhi-NCR had been chosen in view of the serious public concern over air pollution. He said the facility would take air-quality assessment beyond simply reporting pollution levels to identifying the composition of pollutants, their sources, their relative contributions and their potential health implications, while providing real-time information and advance forecasts to support timely action. The inauguration took place at IITMs Delhi Branch in the presence of Dr. T. Srinivasa Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr. A. Suryachandra Rao, Director, IITM and DG IMD Dr Mahapatra. The facility has been established under 'Mission Mausam' announced by PM Sh Narendra Modi to strengthen scientific understanding of atmospheric pollution and provide actionable evidence for air-quality management in Delhi-NCR. The laboratory brings together advanced atmospheric measurement instruments, detailed chemical analysis, pollution-source identification and decision-support capabilities within an integrated framework. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jitendra Singh said India had made substantial progress over the past 1012 years in air-quality forecasting and analysis. He said the new facility represented a significant step forward because it would help establish not only how much pollution is present in the atmosphere, but also what it consists of and where it originates. Earlier, the discussion would largely revolve around whether the pollution level was 100 or 200. This facility will help us understand the composition of pollution as well as the contribution of different sources. This is important for addressing the concerns of the people of Delhi and ensuring that action is based on scientific evidence, the Minister said. AATAL will help scientists distinguish between different sources of air pollution, including vehicular emissions, industrial activity, biomass and crop-residue burning, construction and road dust, and pollutants transported from surrounding regions. By estimating the relative contribution of these sources, the facility will help authorities understand which activities are driving poor air quality at a particular time and where interventions may be most effective. Explaining the significance of real-time source apportionment, Dr. Jitendra Singh cited an instance, while talking to the reporters, the screen showed that at that precise moment, transport was contributing approximately 25 per cent of Delhi air pollution, with the overall pollution level recorded at around 180. He said such information could help move the response to air pollution from general assessments to more targeted interventions based on the actual sources contributing to the problem. The laboratory is equipped with advanced instruments for analysing the chemical composition of atmospheric gases and aerosols, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), metals, toxic elements and other components. Its capabilities will help scientists investigate how pollutants interact and transform in the atmosphere and how different components contribute to the overall pollution burden. Dr. Jitendra Singh said the facility would provide information on the smaller constituents of air pollution, including metallic elements and other potentially harmful components. He explained that pollutants can differ in their health implications, making it important to understand not only their concentration but also their composition and potential toxicity. The resulting scientific evidence can help health authorities better understand the potential risks associated with different types of particulate pollution. It can also support closer coordination between scientific institutions, health agencies and environmental authorities in assessing the implications of air pollution for public health. The laboratory is integrated with IITMs AIRWISE, Air Quality Warning and Integrated Decision Support System for Emissions, which combines air-quality forecasts, observations and source-apportionment information to support pollution management. The project team explained that AIRWISE provides air-quality forecasts at a spatial resolution of 400 metres for the next 72 hours, enabling the system to assess how pollution may vary across different pockets of Delhi. It can also help identify the sources expected to contribute to deteriorating air quality in specific locations. Dr. Jitendra Singh said the integrated capability would provide real-time information as well as forecasts for the next four days, helping authorities prepare for changing pollution conditions. Dr. Sachin Ghude, Project Director, MAQWS, said the integrated facility would strengthen air-quality management in Delhi-NCR by providing early warnings and detailed information on the sources contributing to pollution, including stubble burning, vehicular emissions, construction and road dust. He said the information would help the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and other implementing agencies identify the major sources of pollution, plan targeted interventions and assess their effectiveness. He added that the associated air-quality forecasting system provides forecasts at a 400-metre resolution for the next 72 hours, enabling pollution levels and their likely sources to be assessed for individual pockets of Delhi. Describing the forecasting capability as a major technological advance, Dr. Ghude said India had developed a high-resolution system comparable with global forecasting systems, with the potential to extend similar capabilities to other cities. Emphasising the importance of coordination among government agencies, Dr. Jitendra Singh said air pollution could not be addressed by a single department working in isolation. He described the initiative as an example of the whole-of-government approach advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bringing together scientific institutions, environmental authorities, pollution-control agencies and disaster-management stakeholders. The Minister said coordinated engagement among the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, pollution-control authorities and disaster-management agencies would be important for translating scientific information into effective action. For the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and other implementing agencies, the facility will provide measurement-based evidence to identify the sources responsible for deteriorating air quality, prioritise sectors and locations for intervention, and support coordinated measures across Delhi-NCR. When combined with AIRWISE forecasts, this information can strengthen decisions relating to preventive measures and responses under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The inauguration of AATAL marks an important step towards connecting advanced atmospheric science with public policy and on-ground action. By bringing real-time measurements, chemical characterisation, source apportionment and forecasting together, the facility will help authorities move towards a more precise understanding of air pollution and a more coordinated response to the challenge facing Delhi-NCR.

Altaf Bukhari appeals to PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar for safe, early return of stranded Umrah pilgrims

Srinagar, Oct 24: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to intervene and ensure the safe and early return of Kashmiri pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia after their return flights were cancelled due to the prevailing uncertainty in the region. In a statement, Bukhari expressed concern over the difficulties faced by the stranded pilgrims, who had travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. He said their prolonged stay had left many of them facing uncertainty and financial hardship, with reports indicating that they are struggling to afford accommodation, food and essential medicines. He urged the Union government to take immediate steps to facilitate their return and provide necessary assistance to those affected. I appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to intervene and ensure that the Kashmiri pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia are brought back home safely and at the earliest. The government must take all necessary measures to help them during this difficult time and ensure that they do not continue to suffer due to the cancellation of their flights, he said. Bukhari stressed that the stranded pilgrims, many of whom may be facing financial difficulties, need timely support and assistance until arrangements are made for their safe return.

Cabinet expansion is the discretion of Chief Minister: Javed Dar

Congress rules out joining Omar Abdullah-led Cabinet, reiterates statehood demand

Jammu, Oct 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Congress on Saturday reiterated its demand for the restoration of full statehood, making it clear that the party would continue to stay out of the Omar Abdullah-led Cabinet until its concerns over statehood and constitutional safeguards were addressed. J&K Congress working president Raman Bhalla said the party remained firm on its position that the restoration of full statehood was essential to ensuring justice for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and protecting their land, jobs and natural resources. The Congress has always maintained that the people of Jammu and Kashmir must get back their full-fledged statehood, Bhalla told PTI, reiterating the partys long-standing position on the issue. He stressed the need for safeguards to protect the employment opportunities for the local youth, land rights and the regions resources, saying these concerns remained central to the Congress political position. We need a full-fledged state, headed by a governor, with a single power centre rather than a dual power structure, Bhalla said, adding that further decisions concerning the region should be taken after the restoration of statehood. He maintained that the Congress had not deviated from its position and remained committed to securing the rights and safeguards of the people. The Congress decision to stay out of the Omar Abdullah-led Cabinet has been linked to the delay in restoring full statehood to J&K. Despite the National Conference (NC) and the Congress securing a comfortable majority in the Assembly following the 2024 elections, the NC formed the government while the Congress chose to extend support from outside rather than join the Council of Ministers. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the Cabinet would be expanded and reshuffled next week. Speaking to reporters after meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Lok Bhawan, Abdullah said he had requested time from the former to carry out the exercise. Yes, it certainly was discussed. I requested time from him for the expansion and told him that in the first two to three days of next week, I will carry out the expansion and make certain changes in my Council of Ministers, Abdullah said.

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Stranded pilgrims: JKAHUC president urges authorities to intervene

Imran Reza Ansari urges govt to address genuine, long-pending demands of daily wagers, casual labourers

Srinagar, Oct 24: All J&K Shia Association president and JKPC General Secretary Imran Reza Ansari today urged government to address the genuine and long pending demands of daily wagers and casual labourers, including regularization of their service. He said the decades of service rendered by daily wagers and casual labourers in Jammu & Kashmir cannot continue to be met with uncertainty and unfulfilled assurances, and added that their demands for regularisation, a fair and revised wage structure, timely salary disbursement, job security and a dignified future are genuine and long overdue. I stand firmly in solidarity with these hardworking employees and support their peaceful struggle for justice. Those who have dedicated the prime years of their lives to public service deserve more than promises. They deserve dignity, security and concrete action, Ansari said. He said the government must rise to the occasion and address their long-pending grievances with sincerity, sensitivity and urgency. Justice delayed for these workers is justice denied to their families, he added.

Kashmir Marathon: Traffic police urge public to follow guidelines

CS Atal Dulloo has till Oct 31 to submit report on dailywagers: Tanvir Sadiq

Man booked in Pulwama for impersonating govt official, duping Rs 28 lakh

Srinagar, Oct 24: A person has been booked in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama for allegedly impersonating a government official and duping a man and his son of Rs 28 lakh in a land compensation case, officials said on Saturday. Pulwama Police have registered a case under Sections 319 and 336(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in an alleged Rs 28 lakh fraud linked to a land compensation dispute, following directions from the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Pulwama, the officials said. CJM Muzamil Ahmad Wani on Friday passed the order on the complaint of Mohammad Yousuf Thoker and his son, Tariq Ahmad -- residents of Frastabal, Pampore, who alleged that Haroon Rashid Bandh, a resident of Kachachkoot, Awantipora, impersonated ADC Pulwama, and allegedly obtained money from them by misusing the purported official position. The complainants said that a portion of Thoker's land at Pulwama's Gudoora was acquired for the widening of National Highway-444, for which compensation was payable. They further alleged that approximately Rs 28 lakh was obtained in connection with land compensation and a property transaction. After examining the application and supporting material, the court observed that the allegations prima facie disclosed cognisable offences requiring investigation and directed the SHO to proceed according to law, they added.

Police apprehend 6 drug peddlers in Anantnag and Kulgam; charas, heroin-like substance recovered

Srinagar, Oct 24: Continuing its sustained campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse, Jammu and Kashmir Police has apprehended six persons in separate operations in Anantnag & Kulgam, and recovered contraband substances from their possession. A police spokesperson said that a police party from Police Post Khanabal established a naka at Harnag, where a suspicious person travelling towards Khanabal was apprehended. He was identified as Adnan Nazir Shora, son of Nazir Ahmad Shora, resident of Safakadal, Srinagar. During search, approximately, 300 grams of a Ganja was recovered from his possession. Accordingly, FIR No. 384/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Anantnag. Meanwhile, a naka party of Police Station Mattan apprehended Ali Mohd Sheikh, son of Ghulam Mohd Sheikh, resident of Gopalpora, Mattan, and recovered approximately 17.4 grams of charas from his possession. FIR No. 120/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Mattan. Moreover, a police party from Police Post Sangam, during patrolling at Natipora, apprehended Shahid Hussain, son of Liyaqat Hussain, resident of Kundanpora, Uttar Pradesh. Approximately 5.22 grams of charas was recovered from his possession. In this regard, FIR No. 319/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered, and further investigation is underway. In Kulgam, during dynamic naka checking at Shampora Crossing, NHW, Kulgam Police intercepted a black Scorpio-N bearing registration number JK01BE-1097, travelling from Shampora towards Panzath, with three persons on board. During checking, 4.6 grams of heroin-like substance was recovered from the driver, Aaqib Mushtaq son of Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, resident of Guzarbal Noorbagh, Srinagar; 4.6 grams from the front-seat co-passenger, Aamir Ashraf son of Mohd Ashraf Bolaki, resident of Nawa Kadal Tarabal, Eidgah; and 4.5 grams from the rear-seat passenger, Uzair Bashir son of Bashir Gojri, resident of Habba Kadal, Srinagar. The total recovery amounted to 13.7 grams of heroin-like substance. Accordingly, Case FIR No. 258/2026 under Sections 8/21/29 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Qazigund, and further investigation has been set into motion, a police spokesperson added. J&K Police reiterated its commitment to intensifying action against drug peddlers and urged the public to cooperate with the police in the collective fight against the drug menace.

Operation Sindoor features in Trump's midterm poll rallies, regrets no Nobel for efforts

Washington, Oct 24: Indias Operation Sindoor has featured in election rallies for the US midterm elections, with President Donald Trump once again claiming to have stopped two nuclear-armed neighbours from going to war by threatening them with steep tariffs. India launched Operation Sindoor in May 2025, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed several lives. Addressing an election rally in Florida on Friday, Trump once again took credit for stopping India and Pakistan from escalating their war last year by threatening them with steep tariffs. He said the two nuclear-armed nations were angry but stopped shooting, adding that eleven planes were shot. You stop India and Pakistan, two nuclear nations... I said, 'Fellas, if you guys are going to do that, you're not going to trade with the United States...I'm going to put massive tariffs on both of you, 250 per cent, so you won't be able to do any business', Trump said. He said India and Pakistan were very upset and very angry, but they stopped shooting, and the war was over. Eleven planes were shot. I stopped all these wars, and it's really an honour to do so... Trump said, adding he did not get any help from the United Nations in this effort. I'd never made one phone call to the United Nations. But we got them all stopped, and a couple more left. I had no idea when I was running, I had no idea that they had so many wars, Trump said. Trump also expressed disappointment over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for his claimed diplomatic interventions. I've settled eight wars. Did I get the Nobel Prize? No, he said. India has repeatedly rejected Trump's assertions that he brokered a ceasefire between New Delhi and Islamabad, maintaining that the understanding to stop military action was reached directly between the two countries. After Indian strikes targeted key terror launchpads, military action was paused on May 10 following a request from Pakistan, according to India's account of the developments.

Additional NICU block at LD Hospital to become operational next month: DC Srinagar

8th All India Conference of GRP chiefs concludes in New Delhi, focus on intelligence-led policing to strengthen railway security

New Delhi, Oct 24: The 8th All India Conference of Government Railway Police (GRP) Chiefs, convened by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), concluded successfully in New Delhi on 23 October 2026. It provided a platform for discussing emerging security challenges, sharing best practices and strengthening coordination among RPF, GRP and State Police. The high-level conference was presided over by Director General, RPF, Sonali Mishra, and attended by Chairman and CEO, Railway Board, Satish Kumar, members of the Railway Board, and GRP chiefs from various States and Union Territories. A key highlight was the onboarding of GRP personnel onto the RailMadad platform by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), aimed at improving passenger grievance redressal, timely information-sharing and complaint monitoring. Detailed deliberations were held on various initiatives aimed at enhancing railway security and passenger safety. South Central Railways Pink Patrol: Eyes in the Sky, SHAKTI on the Ground showcased a women-led model integrating drone-assisted surveillance with rapid-response teams under the SHAKTI framework. Stone-pelting on trains was highlighted as a challenge, with emphasis on hotspot-based patrolling, enhanced surveillance, strict action against offenders, youth outreach and stronger RPF-GRP coordination. Community awareness and preventive engagement were recognised as important deterrents. The conference also deliberated on crowd management during Diwali, Chhath and other festivals. Northern Railways Delhi Division highlighted coordinated efforts with Delhi Police, GRP and Delhi Metro authorities, supported by CCTV surveillance, public announcements, barricading, designated holding areas and dedicated control rooms. Emphasis was laid on advance planning, efficient passenger-flow management and coordinated deployment of security personnel to ensure safe and orderly passenger movement during peak periods. Central Railways Pune Division highlighted Project DISHA (Dedicated Initiative for Safety, Harmony & Awareness), an initiative aimed at engaging children living near railway tracks through educational and recreational activities, safety awareness sessions and community-based interventions. Collaboration with NGOs, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers and local communities fosters awareness about railway safety and responsible behaviour, while discouraging stone-pelting, theft, trespassing and other unsafe practices. Deliberations also covered joint RPF-GRP training, sabotage prevention and prompt information-sharing on narcotics detection. Digital evidence handling, standardised procedures, intelligence-sharing, strengthened investigative capabilities and supporting infrastructure were emphasised. Addressing the gathering, the Chairman and CEO, Railway Board, highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts, technological advancements, innovation and a shared commitment among railway authorities, RPF, GRP and State Police to effectively address the evolving security challenges on Indian Railways. He also emphasised the need to build passenger confidence, ensure courteous and professional policing, and leverage technology and innovation to enhance productivity and operational efficiency. The conference concluded with closing remarks by DG/RPF, who emphasised the need for intelligence-led policing to strengthen railway security.

AISA chief Neha Bora refuses to sign peace bond, questions curbs on dissent

All India Students' Association president Neha Bora on Saturday said she will not sign a peace bond before a special executive magistrate, a day after the Delhi High Court dismissed her plea challenging a police notice directing her to provide a personal bond of Rs 10,000 with one surety. Questioning the rationale behind the notice, Bora asked, Whose peace am I being asked to keep? The police notice, issued on October 17 under Section 126 of the BNSS, asked the student leader to appear before a special executive magistrate (SEM) on October 19 and show cause as to why she should not execute a personal bond of Rs 10,000 with one surety for keeping peace for a period of inquiry. Addressing the press at the CPI(ML) Liberation Parliamentary office here, Bora said demonstrating peacefully on the streets is a democratic right, and questioned how raising concerns against the government could be construed as a threat to peace. If we do not ask the government any questions, whose peace

Two absconders arrested after 16 years: Bandipora Police

Bandipora, Oct 24: In a significant breakthrough in a long-pending case, Bandipora Police has arrested two absconders who had been evading arrest for the past 16 years in connection with a cheating and forgery case registered at Police Station Sumbal, officials said on Saturday. According to an official statement, the accused have been identified as Ghulam Nabi Ganie, son of Ghulam Qadir Ganie, and Mst. Misra alias Sarwa, wife of Ghulam Nabi Ganie. Both are residents of Ganj-Lalpora Berua, Budgam, and are currently residing at Pamposh Colony, Palpora, Srinagar. They were apprehended in Srinagar during the intervening night of October 23 and 24, 2026. Both accused had been absconding for the past 16 years, it said. Following their arrest, both the accused were produced before the Court of JMIC Sumbal for further legal proceedings. Bandipora Police reiterated its commitment to pursuing long-pending cases and ensuring that absconders are brought to justice in accordance with the law.

Stay loyal to NC, not just when in power: Farooq Abdullah to party workers

Baramulla, Oct 24: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday cautioned party workers against changing their political loyalties according to which party holds power, saying commitment to the organisation must be based on honesty and principles rather than personal interests. Addressing a gathering in Baramulla, Abdullah said those who had devoted themselves to the National Conference must remain steadfast in their commitment, irrespective of political circumstances. If you have really given your blood for this Jamaat, then walk with it with honesty. Do not walk with dishonesty, Abdullah said. In a pointed message to party workers, the former Chief Minister questioned the tendency to remain associated with a political organisation only when it is in government. Today there is a government, and you are with us. If you want to remain with this Jamaat, will you remain only as long as this government is there? he asked, stressing that political loyalty should not depend on positions of power. Abdullah said the strength of a political organisation lay in the sincerity and dedication of its workers, not merely in electoral victories or government formation. He urged party members to demonstrate courage and conviction, saying they should not allow fear or personal considerations to influence their political conduct. The NC president also said his political objectives were not centred on securing positions of authority but on addressing the economic difficulties facing the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I am not asking you to make me Chief Minister. I am not asking you to make me President. I am asking you to remove our poverty, he said. Abdullah further questioned why Jammu and Kashmir continued to face electricity shortages despite generating power from its own resources. Electricity is being produced, yet we are deprived of electricity, he said. Recalling his tenure as Chief Minister, he referred to efforts to develop major hydropower projects and discussions with the Centre over their eventual transfer to Jammu and Kashmir. We will take the projects back, he asserted. Abdullah also recalled the political understanding between Jammu and Kashmir and India, saying it had been founded on the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. We made peace with Gandhi's India. We made peace with Nehru's India. We never expected that a time would come when Hindus and Muslims would be made to fight each other, he said. Calling upon people to speak without fear, Abdullah said political workers must stand by their convictions and remain committed to the welfare of the people rather than the pursuit of power. (KNS)

Bandipora Police bust alleged clandestine module linked to banned Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen

Bandipora, Oct 24: Jammu and Kashmir Police in Bandipora have uncovered an alleged module associated with the banned organisation Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen, reportedly operating under the directions of a Pakistan-based handler. According to an official spokesperson, Bandipora Police busted an alleged prison-linked module of the banned organisation that was targeting women to promote separatist ideology and propaganda. Police said the investigation has revealed suspected links involving prison-based coordination, covert meetings to propagate separatist ideology and financial transactions. In this connection, a case vide FIR No. 168/2026 under Sections 10 and 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, as amended, has been registered at Police Station Bandipora. So far, according to the police statement, six persons have been arrested in the case: Mubeena Bano, daughter of Gh Ahmad Dar, resident of Dachigam, Bandipora; Waheed Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohd Maqbool Bhat, resident of Bhat Mohallah, Kachloo Qazipora, Handwara, District Kupwara; Kushboo Jan, daughter of Ab Rashid Sheikh, resident of Check Panzigam, Bandipora; Mehak Jan, daughter of Mohd Sultan Sheikh, resident of Check Panzigam, Bandipora; Aliya Jan, daughter of Ab Rashid Sheikh, resident of Check Panzigam, Bandipora; and Irfan Ahmed Reshi alias Rayees, son of Gh Nabi Reshi, resident of Ananwan, Handwara. Further investigation into the case is underway. *BANDIPORA POLICE*

Scooter hits woman to death in Baramullas Sheeri

Baramulla, Oct 24: A 45-year-old woman died after being hit by a scooter in the Malpora area of Sheeri in north Kashmirs Baramulla district on Saturday. An official said that the woman was injured after being hit by a scooter and was shifted to PHC Sheeri, where doctors declared her brought dead. She was identified as Gulshan Begum (45), wife of Mohammad Ramzan Lone, a resident of Malpora, Sheeri. Meanwhile, police have taken cognisance of the incident and a probe has been initiated.(KNO)

Man found dead in Samba

Samba, Oct 24: A man was found dead inside an office room at the SIDCO Industrial Complex in Samba district on Saturday, officials said. An official said that the deceased was working at the Phase III of the SIDCO Industrial Complex, Samba. He was found unconscious by fellow workers, who later informed the police. He was subsequently identified as Kamal Kumar, a resident of Jalandhar, Punjab. Meanwhile, police have taken cognisance of the incident and medico-legal formalities are underway.(KNO)

Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav appointed J&K chief secretary

Srinagar, Oct 24: The Government of India has transferred Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, from Delhi to Jammu and Kashmir and appointed him as the Union Territorys Chief Secretary. According to an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on October 24, Yadavs posting will take effect from November 1, 2026, or from the date he joins, whichever is later. The order, issued with the approval of the competent authority, was signed by Anish Muraleedharan, Director (S), Ministry of Home Affairs. Copies of the order have been forwarded to the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Secretary of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and other concerned authorities, including the Lieutenant Governors Secretariat in J&K.

Omar says J&K may fund return tickets for stranded Umrah pilgrims

Srinagar, Oct 24: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said his government would consider using its own budget to help bring back pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia because of flight cancellations and a sharp increase in airfares. Omar said the issue was being taken up with the Union Ministry of External Affairs, adding that pilgrims who had booked tickets with budget airlines were struggling to afford replacement tickets. We are taking up this matter with the Ministry of External Affairs because it is not that flights are not operating at all, Omar told reporters. But the problem now is that ticket prices have increased substantially. Those who are stranded there and had booked their tickets with budget airlines are finding it difficult to book fresh tickets at the new prices, he said. The chief minister said the government would explore ways to facilitate the pilgrims return in coordination with the Centre. We will speak to the Ministry of External Affairs and find some way to resolve this, he said. Omar said the Jammu and Kashmir government could step in financially if assistance from the Centre was insufficient. If the Ministry of External Affairs does not have the budget to bring our people back or help them with their tickets, we will set aside some money from our own budget and make arrangements to bring them back, he said. The chief minister noted that the problem was not limited to pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir, with people from several states reportedly stranded in Saudi Arabia following flight cancellations. I know this is an issue, a problem, and it is not just our pilgrims who are stranded. People from different states across the country are stuck in Saudi Arabia because of flight cancellations, he said. His remarks indicate that the state government is considering financial assistance for affected pilgrims, particularly those unable to afford the higher cost of replacement tickets.

Omar Abdullah offers J&K budget support to bring back stranded Umrah pilgrims

Omar Abdullah says J&K cabinet expansion likely in first two-three days of next week

Delhi court orders trial against Yasin Malik, six others in money laundering case

New Delhi, Oct 24: A special NIA court in New Delhi has ordered a trial against Yasin Malik, Zahoor Ahmed Shah Watali, Abdul Rashid Sheikh, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Naval Kishore Kapoor, Trison Farms and Construction Pvt Ltd, and Masarat Alam Bhat in Rs 8.9 crore money laundering case, according to a report in The News Mill. According to the report, the accused received the said amount through hawala channels from the Pakistani establishment. The charges stem from a case initially registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2017. The accused are charged under Sections 120B, 121, and 121A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as Sections 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 38, 39, and 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma, as per the report, ordered the trial to begin, with prosecution evidence recording scheduled to start on November 19. The hearing was conducted in a closed courtroom. Malik appeared via video conferencing from Tihar Jail and denied the charges, stating he will contest the case. In September, the court had framed charges against Malik and six others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). It is alleged that the accused received funds from the Pakistani establishment and other terrorist organisations to support secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The court found sufficient prima facie evidence to charge all seven accused under Section 3 of the PMLA, punishable under Section 4.

Omar Abdullah meets LG Manoj Sinha ahead of cabinet expansionmo

PM Modi extends greetings to ITBP personnel on their Raising Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today extended his greetings to all personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on their Raising Day. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the ITBP Himveers for distinguishing themselves through their exceptional valour and noted that they have always risen to every challenge with remarkable determination. He added that their selfless []

34 Kashmiri Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia after flight cancellations, seek urgent help

Srinagar, Oct 24: At last 34 Kashmiri pilgrims who travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah remain stranded after the cancellation of their return flights, with dwindling financial resources making it increasingly difficult for them to meet daily expenses. The pilgrims were scheduled to return to Kashmir on October 13 but could not board their flights amid prevailing security concerns, as per news agency JKNS. The stranded pilgrims have appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Government for urgent intervention to facilitate their safe and early return home. The prolonged stay has left the group under financial strain, with several pilgrims reportedly struggling to afford accommodation, food and medicines. They said their available funds were running low, leaving them uncertain about how to manage their expenses until their return. According to an updated flight cancellation schedule shared by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, IndiGo flights to and from Riyadh will remain cancelled until October 31, 2026, while services connecting Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah will remain cancelled until October 27. While some passengers have managed to return through indirect routes and connecting flights, the stranded pilgrims said the high cost of these alternatives was beyond the means of many members of the group. They have urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the airlines concerned to ensure their safe and early return to Jammu and Kashmir. The pilgrims said the prolonged uncertainty had compounded their financial difficulties and caused considerable mental distress, urging the authorities to take immediate steps to resolve the issue.

G Manoj Sinha greets ITBP personnel on 65th Raising Day, hails their unmatched courage

Srinagar, Oct 24: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday extended warm greetings to all ranks of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel and their families on the occasion of ITBP Raising Day. In his message, the Lieutenant Governor said that the ITBP's steadfast vigil along the nation's formidable borders exemplifies unmatched courage, valour and excellence in the line of duty. On ITBP Raising Day, my greetings to all ranks of @ITBP_official personnel & their families. The ITBP's steadfast vigil along formidable borders exemplifies unmatched courage, valour & excellence in the line of duty. I salute your dedication & selfless service to the motherland, LG said. The LG said the nation is proud of the force for its dedication, selfless service and commitment to safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of the motherland in the most challenging terrains and adverse weather conditions. The ITBP, which guards the India-China border, is celebrating its 65th Raising Day today.(GNS)

Shooting in Paris suburbs kills 1, wounds 5 in suspected racist attack

Paris, Oct 24: A gunman firing from a vehicle at three locations in the Paris suburbs killed one person and wounded at least five others, including a 12-year-old girl, in what French authorities described as a racially-motivated attack. The suspect was arrested soon after the shooting, and France's National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's office took charge of the case. President Emmanuel Macron said it was a racist terror attack and that the suspect's statements suggested it was premeditated. These people were targeted because of their skin colour or perceived religion, and for no other reason, Macron said following a meeting with officials and residents in the suburb of Trappes, west of Paris. There is no place for this in France. The shootings took place over the course of about 15 minutes at three separate locations in the towns of Trappes and La Verrire, a suburban area about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Paris, Interior Minister Laurent Nuez said. One person died and five were wounded, three of them with life-threatening injuries, he said. A deadly rampage took place this morning, Nuez told reporters in Trappes. The suspect, who was arrested by police less than 20 minutes after he first started shooting, has been identified only as Kvin T, born in 1987, the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's office said. Authorities did not disclose the man's last name. His criminal record shows four previous convictions that had been automatically expunged under French law, the statement said. A search of his car uncovered a Sten-type submachine gun and a canister of tear gas, and investigators found his apartment had been booby-trapped with three gas cylinders and electrical wires connected to a timer, according to the Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's office. Another person, a member of the suspect's immediate family, also was taken into police custody during the afternoon, it said. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's office said the person who died was a French man born in 2000. The medical condition of the people injured had not yet stabilised on Friday evening, it said. Nuez praised the five officers from the anti-crime brigade who stopped the suspect. I commend them for their swift response, he said. Aurore Berg, the minister for gender equality and fight against discriminations, said the 12-year-old girl was very seriously injured. If a racist motive is established, I hope that the whole nation will stand alongside the residents of Trappes, La Verrire, and the victims. We cannot tolerate even the slightest racist remark in the French Republic, she said. Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh said the gunman appeared to have fired relatively randomly, targeting passersby at several locations including a playground, possibly because of their apparent African origin. This is probably one of the first attempted mass killings motivated by Islamophobia and racism, he told reporters. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's office said it opened a criminal investigation into several offences, including murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise with the aggravating circumstance that the act was committed on account of the victim's actual or perceived membership of a particular race, ethnic group, nationality or religion. The shooting happened as France braces for another day of protests against the high cost of living on Saturday, with major museums closing their doors and the government deploying a significantly larger security presence to prevent a repeat of last week's violent unrest, which shocked the country.

MHA to build 60,000-strong civil defence network in 12 states, UTs; Army to train volunteers

New Delhi, Oct 24: The home ministry will conduct a first-of-its-kind joint training with the Army to build a civil defence network of around 60,000 volunteers in 12 states and Union Territories (UTs) as part of a pilot project, according to an official statement. In the first phase, a three-day specialised training will be given for civil defence master trainers from the participating states and UTs, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement. The initiative stems from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech, in which he announced the vision of a vibrant civil defence network equipped with modern systems, technologies and contemporary preparedness capabilities to address emerging security challenges. In furtherance of this vision, the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, Ministry of Home Affairs, is undertaking a first-of-its-kind pilot initiative to strengthen civil defence preparedness through specialised training of civil defence master trainers by the Indian Army, it said. Six hundred civil defence master trainers -- 50 from each participating state and UT -- will be trained by the second week of November 2026 through a three-day specialised training programme at designated Indian Army training establishments. The participating states/UTs are Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, it said. The initiative seeks to enhance civil defence personnel's preparedness to respond effectively to contemporary security threats, hostile situations and emergencies, it said. The personnel will receive training in three broad areas: threat awareness, protection and emergency response, and communication and coordination. Each master trainer will have to train 100 civil defence volunteers in their respective state or UT. The initiative aims to prepare 60,000 civil defence volunteers across the participating states and UTs, significantly expanding its reach and impact, the statement said.

Best of Opinion: Global prosperity can no longer be taken for granted

Today's columns examine India's growing cyber risks, uncertainty over Nitish Kumar's political succession, the strategic value of Reliance's Jamnagar refinery and the changing language of Gen Z.

eMudhras security lapse highlights need for homegrown technology to meet global standards

eMudhra's private-key leak reveals serious vulnerabilities within India's digital trust architecture and certification processes. The incident exposes weaknesses in the handling of cryptographic keys and compliance audits, raising trust issues. Many Indian citizens use outdated devices that may not receive necessary security updates for compromised certificates. As digital infrastructure evolves, the country must ensure stronger competitive practices and resilience against future threats.

Listing nothing

Zero Innovations launched its IPO at a valuation of 12,000 cr without any products or registered office. The company's prospectus highlighted an asset-light business model, leading to substantial investor interest and oversubscription. Shortly after, a food-delivery startup went public at a higher valuation despite historical delivery issues. As share prices plummeted, many retail investors faced significant financial losses.