Div Com Kashmir chairs meeting to address issues related to Medicity project
Srinagar, Sep 9: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, today chaired a meeting to review and resolve issues related to the Medicity project. Besides Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, senior officers from the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department, SIDCO, Industries & Commerce Deptt and Project Coordinator Sajad Nazir Shah attended the meeting. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the demarcation of land earmarked for the Medicity project, as well as 15-metre Right of Way/the buffer area between new Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Highcourt complex & Medicity. The Divisional Commissioner took note of the issues raised by the concerned departments and the executing agency and directed the officers to undertake a joint inspection of the site to resolve the matter of demarcation of allocated land. He further directed that revenue officers from the concerned departments be associated with the demarcation process to ensure that the land is demarcated strictly in accordance with the approved plan of 2021. Anshul Garg also stressed the need to ensure the requisite right of way to the Medicity project so that the implementation of the project proceeds smoothly and without further impediments. Meanwhile, DC Srinagar assured suppprt to facilitate the resolution of the issue at the earliest. Earlier, project coordinator apprised the chair regarding the approved plan of Medicity and Right of Way.
Kashmirs cinema needs workshops, film school to nurture local talent, says Imtiaz Ali
Kenya's nurses end six-week strike after signing deal with government
A 43-day nurses strike in Kenya that paralyzed public hospitals has ended after the government and the nurses union signed a return-to-work agreement
Two arrested for raping of Class 7 student in J-Ks Poonch
Mendhar, Sep 9: A Class 7 student was allegedly raped by a cab driver and his friend in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said on Wednesday. Both accused were arrested and booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those pertaining to gangrape, kidnapping and wrongful confinement, as well as under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the officials said. They said a man lodged a complaint at Gursai police station late Wednesday afternoon, claiming that his daughter, a Class 7 student, while returning home boarded a cab driven by Zahoor Mushtaq alias Sonu who took her to his house along with his friend Mohd Irfan on September 6. The accused allegedly kept the girl in captivity for three days and raped her repeatedly, the officials said, quoting the complainant. Acting swiftly, the police arrested both the accused and further investigation is on, the officials said.
New Delhi, Sep 9: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Wednesday launched the Aadhaar Face Authentication SDK (Software Development Kit) and Aadhaar Face Authentication Sandbox at the Global Fintech Fest 2026, enabling ecosystem partners to integrate, test and deploy Aadhaar Face Authentication more seamlessly within their digital applications. The Aadhaar Face Authentication SDK brings UIDAIs Face Authentication capability directly into native Android and iOS applications. It eliminates the need for users to switch between applications, enabling a smoother, single-app authentication experience. The ready-to-use SDK simplifies integration for ecosystem partners while incorporating AI/ML-based liveness and anti-spoofing capabilities. It also supports secure handling and encryption of authentication data and is designed to work across consumer smartphones. The SDK is expected to help government departments, banks, fintechs and other organisations deploy Face Authentication-enabled services more efficiently. Alongside the SDK, UIDAI also launched the Aadhaar Face Authentication Sandbox, a secure and controlled environment that allows organisations to integrate, test and validate the complete Face Authentication journey before production onboarding. The Sandbox enables developers and quality assurance teams to test key stages, including user provisioning and consent, face capture, liveness checks, authentication, error handling, and response validation-- without requiring external biometric hardware. It also allows testing of failure scenarios such as invalid digital signatures, network interruptions, timeouts and spoofing attempts. The launch of the SDK and Sandbox fulfills a long-standing demand of the Fintech and banking ecosystem to build a seamless, and secure user onboarding journey from within the user bank/fintech organisations mobile application. It simplifies the journey. The user downloads only one app, say a banking/ insurance/ broking app and does Aadhaar authentication from within the app. Earlier, for a similar experience, a background app called FaceRD app was needed. This made the user onboarding journey longer and dependent on the presence of the Aadhaar FaceRD app. With this launch, it reduces the need for multiple apps for Aadhaar Face Authentication UIDAIs indigenously engineered AI/ML-driven Face Authentication solution, which was launched in 2021, has processed over 500 crore transactions and been adopted by nearly 200 entities, including Union Government ministries and departments, State Governments, Banks, NBFCs, telecom operators, brokerage firms and certifying authorities among others. The technology received the Prime Ministers Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2023 under the Innovation category. Face Authentication is widely used across services like submission of Digital Life Certificate (Jeevan Pramaan) by pensioners, Ayushman Bharat beneficiary onboarding, DBT schemes, Aadhaar-enabled payments, SIM activation through e-KYC, beneficiary authentication for schemes like PM e-Drive, PM Awas Yojana and PM Kisan etc. UIDAI also unveiled a Playbook on ease of Onboarding which will work as a guide for BFSI entities to get onboarded in the UIDAI authentication ecosystem for ID verification of its customers, staff, and other business partners.
Srinagar Smart City: A decade later, what has really changed? | Ep 1
More than a decade after the Smart City vision was launched, Srinagar has seen a dramatic transformationfrom walking plazas and underground wiring to e-buses and a revamped riverfront. But on the ground, broken pavements, waterlogging and questions over maintenance continue to frustrate traders and residents. In Episode 1 of our Srinagar Smart City series, we ask a simple question: Has the Smart City project truly made life smarter for people or is there still a long way to go? Report: Saqib Malik Camera: Mubashir Khan Edit: Afnan Habib
High Heels Affect More Than Your Feet: Here's What They Can Do to Your Hips And Spine
Apart from making you taller, can wearing high heels affect your hips? A doctor explains how heels can change gait, pelvic movement and hip muscle loading.
7 Possible Reasons Why Your Knee Hurts When You Climb Stairs
Knee problems are not an older adults health issue anymore; even young people are experiencing them. If your knees hurt while climbing stairs, read this article to know what a doctor has to say.
Historys Weirdest Weight Loss Diet When People Ate Tapeworm To Stay in Shape
How far would you go to be thin? Dive into the darkest corners of diet history with the tapeworm diet, a terrifying trend with severe medical consequences.
Kashmir ideal destination for filmmaking: Spanish filmmaker at IFFJK
Srinagar, Sep 9: Spanish filmmaker and producer Anna Saura Ramon on Wednesday described Kashmir as an ideal destination for filmmaking, praising its scenic landscapes, lakes, natural light and hospitality while calling for stronger cinematic ties between India and Spain. Speaking to reporters on the third day of the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) at SKICC Srinagar, Saura, according to the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO), said film festivals play an important role in promoting cinema and creating opportunities for filmmakers and audiences to discover films from different parts of the world. This is my vist to Kashmir and India. I hope to come again, Saura said, adding that she was looking forward to exploring Srinagar and experiencing the local culture. On the scope for collaboration between Indian and Spanish cinema, she said there were differences between the two industries, but language should not become a barrier to stronger artistic relationships. I think we can push for better relationships between India and Spain, she said, adding that there were opportunities for filmmakers from both countries to connect and work together. Talking about Kashmir as a filming destination, Saura said the Valley had immense potential for filmmakers because of its landscapes, lakes and quality of natural light. Of course, you have to promote Kashmir. There are great locations, good light for shooting and beautiful lakes, she said. Saura also said she had already shared pictures of Kashmir with a friend, who suggested that the Valley could be explored as a potential location for filmmaking. Asked whether she would consider casting Indian actors in a future India-Spain production, she said there was no reason why filmmakers could not work with actors from India. There are lots of Indian-Spanish films that you will like, she said. On the possibility of international studios and filmmakers coming to Kashmir, Saura said greater cooperation between governments and the film industry could help attract productions to the region. I am sure they will come and shoot here and make a movie, she said. Reacting to IFFJK, Saura described it as a major initiative and expressed hope that the festival would have a long life. It is important for everyone, she said, adding that such festivals provide an opportunity to bring films and filmmakers from outside and expose local audiences to international cinema. Saura also praised the atmosphere and hospitality in Kashmir, saying her first visit to India, particularly to Kashmir, had been a positive experience. Saura is known for her work as a producer and director, including the documentary The Kid in the Photo.
Why Opening Restaurants In Malls Is A Win For Businesses, Burma Burma Founder Reveals
The rent restaurants pay in malls is significantly higher, but, interestingly, it comes with a benefit.
New Delhi, Sep 9: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the National Investigation Agency whether Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid, who is in jail in a terror funding case, could be released on bail with stringent conditions. A bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan asked the NIA counsel to get instructions on the issue and listed the matter on November 3. The bench said there was no doubt that Rashid was an influential person as he has become a member of Parliament. The court is putting to you -- the biggest threat from him is his physical presence in Kashmir because he has a lot of local influence. Suppose there is stringent condition that he will remain only in Delhi, what is your (NIA) response? That he will find a place of residence and remain only in Delhi, the court said. NIA counsel to take instructions on whether the applicant (Rashid) can be released on bail under stringent conditions, including the condition to remain in Delhi, the bench added. It noted that he has been in custody for almost seven years and there are a total of 240 witnesses in the case and the trial would take a long time to conclude. The court was hearing arguments on Rashids plea seeking bail in the terror case lodged under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. During the hearing, NIAs counsel opposed the bail contending that there was sufficient evidence on record to show that Rashid was prima facie guilty. He argued that the allegations made against Rashid were serious in nature and he has allegedly engaged in anti-national activities, funded stone-pelters after receiving funds from Pakistan and also engaged in hate speech. Rashid was earlier granted interim bail to attend the ceremonies related to his fathers demise. Rashid is facing trial in the terror-funding case. He faces allegations that he funded separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir. He has been lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail since 2019 after the NIA arrested him in the 2017 case. After he was named in a chargesheet in October 2019, a special NIA court framed charges against Rashid and others in March 2022 under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government), and 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code and under relevant provisions of the stringent UAPA.
Labourer dies in wall collapse at crusher unit in Mendhar
Mendhar, Sep 9: A 50-year-old labourer died after sustaining serious injuries in a wall collapse incident at a crusher unit in Uchhad area of Mendhar in Poonch district on Wednesday. The deceased has been identified as Tasaduq Hussain, son of Said Mohammad, resident of Chatral village of Rajouri, who was working as a labourer at the crusher unit. According to reports, a cemented wall at the crusher unit suddenly collapsed, leaving Hussain injured. He was immediately shifted to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Mendhar for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries. After completion of necessary medico-legal formalities, the body was handed over to the legal heirs for last rites. Police have taken cognisance of the incident and further proceedings are underway.
Rotten chicken, fish seized in Ladakh's Nubra, shopkeepers warned of strict action
Nubra, Sep 9: The Ladakh administration on Wednesday warned traders against selling rotten or otherwise unfit non-vegetarian food items, after a large quantity of rotten chicken and fish was seized from a shop in Diskit market of Nubra district. An official said that acting on a report regarding the sale of rotten chicken and fish in Diskit Market, Tehsildar Diskit, Tashi Jorgais, issued an order under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, directing the immediate removal and disposal of the unfit food items. As per the order, a shopkeeper, Bilal Ahmed, son of Bashir Ahmed Bhat, resident of Kulgam, Srinagar, was found engaged in the sale and supply of rotten chicken and fish at his shop, Bilal Chicken Shop, located at Diskit, Nubra. The food items were found unfit for human consumption and posed a serious threat to public health. The order directed that the rotten chicken and fish stored or displayed for sale be removed and disposed of immediately in accordance with the prescribed procedure. It further directed that no rotten, stale or otherwise unfit food items shall be stored, displayed or sold in the market in future. The official said the seized food items were subsequently disposed of safely and in accordance with the prescribed procedure, ensuring that they posed no risk or danger to human beings or animals. The disposal was carried out in the presence of the TSO Diskit, Chhering Tundup, FCS&CA Department, a Patwari from the Revenue Department, police personnel and sanitary inspectors. The Tehsildar also warned that any failure to comply with the order or any recurrence of such violations would invite appropriate action under the relevant provisions of law, official added.
Maternal Anaemia May Affect Brain Development in Babies: Study
A lot of women are anaemic during pregnancy, which can cause an indirect but significant effect on their babies' brain development. A study has found that these babies may have smaller brains.
Sun Pharma incorporates global treasury arm at IFSC, GIFT City
On September 8, 2026, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd announced the establishment of its new subsidiary, Sun Pharma Global Treasury Centre IFSC Ltd. Located in Gujarat's GIFT City, Gandhinagar, this wholly-owned indirect unit has seen an investment of around Rs 9.50 crore in its equity share capital. The company is currently awaiting necessary approvals from the International Financial Services Centres Authority to commence its operations.
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Why Are Your Periods Suddenly Heavier After 40? Doctor Explains What It Could Mean
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Waking Up To Pee Every Night? Urologist Explains Nocturia and When Should You Worry
Waking up once to pee may not be a concern, but regularly waking twice or more can have several causes. A urologist explains nocturia, warning signs, tests and ways to manage it.
Colombo, Sep 9: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that secure sea lanes, freedom of navigation, respect for international law and unhindered maritime trade should remain pivotal priorities as they are crucial for the growth and prosperity of South Asia. Singh made the remarks at a public event after he held an extremely productive meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during which they reaffirmed that as civilisational twins, close neighbours and maritime partners, India and Sri Lanka would continue to work jointly to ensure the safety, security, peace and prosperity of the region. Speaking on 'India-Sri Lanka Maritime Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region-Civilisational Partners with intertwined destinies in Colombo, Singh also said that Indian and Sri Lankan ports can become engines of shared economic growth, while their maritime industries can become the drivers for the future prosperity of the region. Together, India and Sri Lanka are well positioned to serve as the closest partners in safeguarding peace, security and stability across the Indian Ocean Region, he said. Singh, who arrived in Colombo on Tuesday for a three-day visit, becoming the first Indian defence minister to visit Sri Lanka in 38 years, said that freedom of navigation and ensuring open trade routes are crucial for the growth and prosperity of the region. Therefore, secure sea lanes, freedom of navigation, respect for international law, unhindered maritime trade and commerce should remain our pivotal priorities, he said. It is essential that we work together towards shaping a favourable, secure maritime environment, remaining ready to address emerging maritime challenges in the first instance, before they become a serious threat to our developmental interests and the bright future of our region, he said. Singh said that Sri Lanka occupies a salient strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region, overlooking a vast ocean characterised by crisscrossing busy trade routes. These routes are not only the arteries for global trade, but also determine the trajectory of our growth and development as well as the safety and security of our region, he said. Today, the Indian Ocean is not merely a waterway, but the stage on which the economic and strategic future of our region will be written, he said. For India and Sri Lanka, both maritime nations bound by this shared ocean, this is not a matter of abstract theory but of lived, everyday reality one that shapes our trade, our security and our destinies alike, he said. Sri Lanka, like India, is undoubtedly central to any strategic discourse on maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, the minister said. In Sri Lanka, India sees a friendly neighbour, a longstanding friend and a reliable partner. India-Sri Lanka Maritime Cooperation is thus not only mutually beneficial but quintessential to our collective safety and security, Singh said. In a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, the Indian Ocean has come to occupy a place of immense contemporary relevance. As emerging economies and fellow democracies, we have a shared future, he said. Singh said India would be delighted to share its experience and work closely with Sri Lanka for the continued growth and prosperity of the region. Our development projects in Sri Lanka are always focused on the requirements of the people of Sri Lanka and the priorities set by the Sri Lankan Government. As the Indian Ocean is entering into a period of profound strategic and economic transformation, India and Sri Lanka must synergise their efforts and build upon our collective competencies to tackle the emerging challenges, the minister said. Our ports can become engines of shared economic growth, while our maritime industries can become the drivers for the future prosperity not only of our own people but our region as well. The future of IndiaSri Lanka relations should therefore be based on a simple premise that proximity creates interdependence, which in turn creates immense opportunities for a shared evolution, he said, terming Sri Lanka a trusted global friend. On the fishermen issue, Singh said the two countries need to work together to address fisheries disputes in a mutually beneficial manner, keeping in view the relevant laws and geographic jurisdictions. We need to work together to strengthen our systems to avoid fisheries disputes, handle them with due care and concern as this is a livelihood issue, while at the same time ensure maritime law enforcement, he said. I foresee a future where our two countries move forward as joint stakeholders in developing a mutually beneficial and integrated maritime domain awareness system to provide comprehensive maritime information on a real-time basis. This would entail systematic cooperation and interaction amongst concerned agencies, navies and Coast Guards of the two countries with a view to addressing the challenges of illegal fishing, suspicious vessel tracking, narcotics trafficking, smuggling, terrorism and other security threats, he said. India is always willing to join hands with Sri Lanka in areas like capacity building and exercises, Singh said, adding that India is also committed to assisting Sri Lanka in whichever way possible to further enhance such cooperation. He said that going beyond the traditional template, the two countries need to build upon the existing complementarities and develop new paradigms for a closer and stronger maritime partnership. This is the basis of MAHASAGAR, Prime Minister Modis vision for the Indian Ocean Region. Mutual and Holistic are key words in this concept, underscoring the importance of synergy, cooperation and collaboration, he said. Our two countries can establish a joint maritime HADR system by involving all concerned agencies, disaster management and scientific organisations to cooperate and provide rapid response in cases of natural calamities and man-made disasters, he said. Singh said maritime cooperation should include, in addition to the security framework, an institutionalised structure for deepening and strengthening an economic framework in areas including fisheries and aquaculture, marine biotechnology, ocean science, maritime environment protection and preservation and maritime tourism.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation suspends FSSAI license of 40 establishments
In an alarming development for food lovers in the city, the food licences of 40 establishments, including restaurants and sweet shops, have been suspended by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) for violating food safety norms.
Why Does Your Skin Look Dull Even After Sleeping Well?
Sound sleep and ample rest help rejuvenate the whole body, including skin. While this should make us look well-rested, some people look dull even after hours of sleep. We spoke to a dermatologist to find out potential reasons.
J&K HC bins discharge order, says secessionist slogans alongside separatist leader attract UAPA
Srinagar, Sep 9: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has set aside the discharge of an accused in a UAPA case stating that secessionist sloganeering in a mob in the presence of the head of a banned separatist organisation prima facie falls under the definition of unlawful activity. A division bench headed by acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar set aside the discharge of Mohammad Yousuf Lone in a 2013 UAPA case by the Additional District and Sessions Judge (Designated Special Court under NIA Act) Kupwara. The sloganeering for secession, raised by an accused leading a mob in the company of the head of a proscribed separatist organisation, coupled with incitement of the public and violence against security forces, is capable, on a prima facie appreciation, of falling squarely within this definition, the bench observed in its order. According to the case, a mob headed by Mohammad Yousuf Lone and Late Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of the banned Hurriyat Conference, came out of Jamia Masjid in Kupwara on November 8, 2013, raised anti-national slogans against the Government of India, and pelted stones at police and security forces. The separatist leaders also allegedly instigated the general public against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Union of India, according to the chargesheet. The trial court has recorded, in a single sentence in paragraph 6 of the order impugned, that the facts 'do not fulfil the ingredients of Sections 2(o) of ULA(P) Act' without setting out the reasoning by which the specific statements or conduct attributed to the respondent in the chargesheet were tested against the statutory definition. This amounts to a bare conclusion rather than a reasoned finding, the high court said. It said the material with chargesheet -- including the recorded slogans, the leadership role attributed to the respondent, and the resultant violence -- discloses a strong suspicion sufficient to put the respondent on trial, leaving the question of whether the charges are ultimately proved to be examined at trial and not foreclosed at the threshold. It is trite that an order of discharge must reflect application of judicial mind to the material on record, and that the findings at the charge stage, though summary, cannot be conclusory. However, it is abundantly clear from perusal of the order impugned that the same does not indicate that the specific contents of the chargesheet, the statements of the witnesses to the procession, the site plan, and the material, alleged to link the respondent to the incitement and the resultant violence, were tested against the ingredients of Section 13 read with Section 2(o) of the UAPA before the conclusion of non-applicability was recorded. On this ground, the order impugned is unsustainable and calls for interference, it added. The court said it is neither making any definitive finding on the guilt or innocence of the respondent, nor expressing any opinion on the ultimate merits of the case. However, when specific material is brought on record that, on the face of it, discloses the commission of an offence and the complicity of the respondent, the trial court cannot act as a mute spectator and shut the doors of trial without assigning valid legal reasons, it added. Allowing the criminal appeal filed by the state, the high court directed that the chargesheet be restored and the trial court proceed with the framing of charge against the respondent afresh after considering the material placed on record by the appellant.
Workplace Anxiety Spike? Expert Explains What Your 3 PM Coffee May Be Doing to Your Brain
Caffeine is often linked to anxiety. So can your afternoon cup of coffee be blamed for an anxiety spike at the workplace? Read to know the answer.
India to debut in eleven new skills at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026
Delhi, Sep 09: India is set to expand its global skills footprint with first-time participation in eleven new skill categories at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, to be held in Shanghai, China, from 22 to 27 September 2026. Team Skill India will participate in 63 out of 64 skills, with a contingent of nearly 70 competitors, making it one of Indias largest and most diverse representations at WorldSkills to date. The eleven new skills in which India will compete for the first time are Dental Prosthetics, Digital Interactive Media Design, Intelligent Security Technology, Landscape Gardening, Optoelectronic Technology, Retail Sales, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Industrial Mechanics, Software Testing and Heavy Vehicle Technology, Aircraft Maintenance. Indias participation in these new categories reflects the growing depth and maturity of the countrys skilling ecosystem, which is expanding from strong foundations in traditional trades to advanced technologies, specialised services, creative industries and next-generation industrial capabilities. The participation is being led under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) driving Indias WorldSkills preparation through close collaboration with industry partners, training institutions and domain experts. Speaking on Indias participation, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE, said, Indias participation in these new skills reflects the evolution of our skilling ecosystem towards future-facing and globally relevant capabilities. Through strong partnerships and rigorous preparation, we are enabling our youth to compete with confidence and benchmark themselves against global standards. The new categories represent emerging areas that are shaping the future of work, including healthcare technologies, digital design, intelligent systems, drone technologies, advanced manufacturing, mobility solutions and customer-centric services. Their inclusion underlines Indias focus on aligning skill development with global industry requirements and creating pathways for youth in internationally benchmarked skill domains. Preparation for these first-time categories is being supported by a collaborative ecosystem of specialised training institutions and industry partners, including Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC), Karnataka; Metrowoods Landscape; NAMTECH, Gandhinagar; Bennett University; Croma; Titan Company Ltd Tanishq; Shoppers Stop; Reliance Trends; SANY Heavy Industry India Pvt. Ltd.; Prakhar Software Solutions Ltd.; and Denexpert Dental Lab, among others. Indias performance in global skill competitions has shown steady progress over the years. From being ranked 29th at WorldSkills in 2015, India rose to 13th position in 2024. The country further strengthened its international performance by securing 8th rank in Asia at WorldSkills Asia 2025 and winning five medals at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026. Under the Skill India Mission, India is building a strong preparation ecosystem anchored in industry partnerships, expert-led mentoring, structured training and global exposure. The expanded participation at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 marks another step in Indias journey towards establishing itself as a global hub for skilled talent. Addendum Intelligent Security Technology focuses on planning, installing and maintaining intelligent systems that protect people, infrastructure and assets through technologies such as AI-enabled surveillance, intelligent sensors and automated response mechanisms. Landscape Gardening brings together design, construction and environmental understanding to create sustainable and functional spaces that balance creativity with practical application. Optoelectronic Technology represents a fast-growing field that combines the science of light and electricity and finds applications across advanced manufacturing, healthcare, communication systems and intelligent technologies. Digital Interactive Media Design focuses on creating immersive and interactive digital experiences across platforms through the integration of design, content and emerging technologies. Retail Sales reflects the growing importance of customer engagement and experience-led business models by emphasising product knowledge, communication, merchandising and service excellence. Heavy Vehicle Technology highlights the increasing sophistication of mobility and industrial systems by requiring advanced diagnostic, repair and maintenance capabilities. Unmanned Aerial Systems showcases the expanding role of drone technologies across sectors ranging from infrastructure and agriculture to public services, monitoring and emerging autonomous applications. Dental Prosthetics focuses on designing and producing specialised dental devices like Dental Crowns, Dental Implants, Dentures that restore oral function and improve quality of life through precision and healthcare expertise. Industrial Mechanics centres on precision assembly, maintenance, troubleshooting and optimisation of complex industrial machinery and production systems. Software Testing plays a critical role in ensuring software quality, reliability and user performance through rigorous testing and validation processes. Aircraft Maintenance centres on precision inspection, servicing, troubleshooting, and rigorous airworthiness certification of mechanical, electrical, fluid, and structural aircraft systems to guarantee absolute safety and regulatory compliance.
Salman Sagar apologises over Tanvir Sadiqs one pair of trousers remark
Srinagar, Sep 09: National Conference leader and MLA Salman Sagar on Wednesday apologised on behalf of party colleague Tanvir Sadiq over his controversial remarks that, during the time of party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, poverty in Kashmir was so severe that an entire village would sometimes share a single pair of trousers. If anyones sentiments have been hurt, or rather, if the majority of people feel that Tanvir Sadiq Sahib said something wrong, then I believe there should be an apology, Sagar said. He said Sadiqs remarks were not intended to demean Kashmiris, but were meant to highlight Sheikh Abdullahs efforts towards the economic empowerment of the people. What he meant was that Sheikh Abdullah had made efforts towards the economic empowerment of the people here, Sagar said, referring to education, infrastructure and land reforms.
Sagar apologises on Tanvirs behalf, says issue should not be dragged further
She Once Designed Rockets For Army; Now Her Millet-Based Baby Food Brand Earns Rs 1 Crore Annually
Srivastava recalled that when she was trying to find solid foods for her kids, she was unable to find healthy options.
Every School, A Model School: PM SHRI scheme targets 14,500 exemplar schools; 13,092 selected so far
New Delhi, Sep 09: The Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) Scheme has made significant progress towards its target of developing more than 14,500 existing schools as exemplar institutions aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with 13,092 schools selected across 36 States and Union Territories as of July 2026. Launched on September 7, 2022, the Centrally Sponsored Scheme is being implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, with a total project cost of 27,360 crore for the period 202223 to 202627. The initiative seeks to transform selected schools into model institutions by strengthening infrastructure, pedagogy, inclusion and sustainability, while equipping students with 21st-century skills. The selected schools are also envisaged as mentor institutions for neighbouring schools, sharing best practices through mentoring, handholding, collaboration and clustering. According to the Ministry, the 13,092 selected schools represent around 90 per cent of the schemes envisaged target and are expected to directly benefit more than 20 lakh students. The network includes schools under the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The scheme has a Central share of 18,128 crore. The approved Project Approval Board outlay increased from 2,520 crore in 202324 to 5,224 crore in 202627, marking an increase of around 107 per cent. PM SHRI schools are designed to promote inclusive, equitable and joyful learning, with emphasis on experiential and learner-centred education. They also focus on green and sustainable practices, quality infrastructure, improved learning outcomes, technology-enabled education and exposure to future-ready skills. The initiative promotes experiential learning through activities such as bagless days, internships with local artisans, study of local arts and traditions, and preservation of indigenous knowledge. It also encourages the use of mother tongue and local or regional languages, particularly in the early grades. Technology-enabled learning is another key component, with schools being supported through ICT facilities, smart classrooms, internet connectivity, digital learning platforms and STEM-based programmes. These interventions aim to strengthen digital literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities among students. The PM SHRI network currently covers 725 districts and 8,340 blocks/ULBs. Of the 13,092 selected schools, 1,305 are primary, 3,102 upper primary, 3,141 secondary and 5,544 higher secondary schools. The network also includes 80 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, 913 KVS schools, 620 NVS schools and four NCERT schools. Selection of schools is carried out through a three-stage Challenge Mode based on prescribed quality benchmarks. The process involves signing of an MoU with the Centre, identification of eligible schools using UDISE+ data, and selection through a challenge-based assessment followed by physical verification. For the Challenge Method, schools in urban areas are required to secure a minimum score of 70 per cent, while those in rural areas require at least 60 per cent. The assessment covers infrastructure, learning outcomes, pedagogy, PM POSHAN, vocational education, green initiatives and stakeholder commitment. The scheme also focuses on strengthening teacher capacity and school leadership through professional development programmes. Principals receive training in educational leadership and school management, while teachers are trained in areas including competency-based pedagogy, ICT integration, school safety and the Holistic Progress Card. The government envisages PM SHRI schools as institutions that demonstrate and disseminate innovative educational practices that can be replicated by neighbouring schools, creating a wider impact on the school education system and advancing the vision of an equitable, inclusive and future-ready India.
Srinagar, Sep 09: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has nominated four Administrative Secretaries as nodal officers for key themes to be taken up at the 6th National Conference of Chief Secretaries, scheduled to be held in December 2026. The nominations have been approved through Government Order No. 1496-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department on September 8, 2026. According to the government order, the Administrative Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department has been designated as the nodal officer for the theme concerning five specific priority objectives for each State towards the attainment of Viksit Bharat by 2047. The Administrative Secretary, Mining Department has been assigned the theme of development of the mining sector towards economic development and better State finances. For the theme Technology in Governance, the Administrative Secretary, Information Technology Department has been nominated as the nodal officer. Meanwhile, the Administrative Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department will coordinate the theme Good Practices/New Ideas for Expediting Linear Infrastructure Projects. The order states that the concerned departments shall coordinate with the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department and facilitate the timely collection, compilation and finalisation of the requisite inputs for the conference. The 6th National Conference of Chief Secretaries is expected to focus on key governance and development priorities, including mining, infrastructure, technology-driven governance and implementation of reform-oriented initiatives. The government has also forwarded copies of the order to senior officials, including the Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Mining Department; Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Public Works (R&B) Department; Commissioner/Secretary, Information Technology Department; Commissioner/Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, besides other concerned authorities. The order was issued by M. Raju, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, on behalf of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.(KNC)
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51 SMC employees face corruption cases, inquiries: RTI
Srinagar, Sep 8:At a time when the Srinagar Municipal Corporation is grappling with hundreds of vacant posts, its records show that 51 of its employees are facing enquiries or corruption cases before different agencies. The figure has emerged from an RTI application filed by this correspondent, who sought information from the corporation on employees facing corruption cases. In its reply, the SMC Public Information Officer said the records available with the concerned section showed that 51 employees were facing enquiry/cases in different agencies. The response puts the number of employees facing such proceedings at 51, but does not provide case-wise details. The corporation has not disclosed the names of the employees, the agencies before which the matters are pending, the allegations involved or the stage of the proceedings. The disclosure comes against a backdrop of manpower shortages within the civic body. In an RTI reply issued by SMC showed that the corporation had 2240 employees in position against a sanctioned strength of 3110 posts. This left 870 sanctioned posts vacant. The vacancy figure amounts to nearly 28 percent of the corporations sanctioned strength, leaving a substantial gap between the workforce the corporation is authorised to maintain and the number actually in position. The corporation had moved to fill only a small portion of these vacancies. According to the RTI reply, 39 posts of Junior Assistants, two posts of Works Supervisor Grade-IV and 14 posts of Tax Assistants had been referred to recruitment agencies. Together, these account for 55 posts. The figures mean that 815 of the 870 vacant sanctioned posts were not among those referred to recruitment agencies, according to the information supplied by SMC. The workforce figures also reveal the extent to which the corporation relies on workers outside its regular establishment. While 2240 employees were shown as working in the corporation, SMC separately reported 2366 consolidated and daily-wage workers. There were another 1544 consolidated sanitation workers, while the regular strength of safaiwallas stood at 1346. The corporation reported no employees under the contractual category. Taken together, the figures show a civic body with a sizeable workforce operating alongside a large pool of vacancies in its sanctioned structure. At the same time, the disclosure of 51 employees facing enquiries or cases before different agencies adds another dimension to the administration of the corporation. The RTI response does not state that the employees have been found guilty, nor does it provide the outcome of the proceedings. It records that, according to information available with the concerned SMC section, 51 employees are facing enquiries or cases in different agencies.
Vande Mataram respect at govt functions a statutory obligation: Tanvir Sadiq
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Party position, govt obligation are separate: Tanvir Sadiq on Vande Mataram
Srinagar, Sep 9: Senior National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq on Wednesday said respecting Vande Mataram at government functions was a statutory obligation, while maintaining that there should be no compulsion on anyone to sing the national song. Sadiq was responding to criticism over the issue, with the Congress also facing criticism and the BJP alleging that the party had an anti-Pakistan, pro-Pakistan tendency. National Conference has always had a stated position. We have neither adopted a two-stance nor have we ever adopted a six-stance. We understand that the party is separate and the government is a different thing, Sadiq said. He said that once the matter had been accepted by Parliament, it became an obligation for the government to follow it at official functions. When it has been accepted in Parliament, then it becomes a statutory obligation of the government that at any government function, whether it is the Vande Mataram song or the anthem, one has to stand and respect it, and that is what we are doing, Sadiq said. He pointed to the participation of Congress chief ministers in Karnataka and Telangana in Independence Day events, saying they too had stood through the song. If that is the case, before pointing a finger at us, this is a statutory obligation which has become law, and we have to follow that law, he said. At the same time, Sadiq reiterated the National Conferences position that no one should be forced to sing Vande Mataram. As far as the partys own position is concerned, we have always said that whoever wants to sing Vande Mataram should absolutely sing it, but there should be no force or compulsion on anyone who does not want to sing it, he said. On reports that only around Rs 2,400 crore out of an allocation of nearly Rs 10,000-11,000 crore under the Jammu and Kashmir UT budget had been utilised, with around Rs 8,000 crore still pending, Sadiq said he did not have information about the figures. Off hand, I do not know about this. The Finance Department would know about it because you have shared this matter with us. Let us bring some information on it and see what the reality is, because a lot of rumours are spreading these days. It is better that we bring some input first and then share it with you, he said. Asked about the demands of daily wagers ahead of the Assembly session and the ongoing strike by National Health Mission employees, Sadiq said the government wanted to resolve genuine demands. Just as the issue of interns was a very big issue, the Honourable Health Minister resolved it. This government will always want that whatever genuine demands its people have, whether they are employees or anyone else in Jammu and Kashmir, should be resolved in some way, he said. Sadiq said the upcoming Assembly session would provide a platform for raising issues concerning people. Now the Assembly is coming. There are many things. It is a platform where peoples voices are raised, he said. We hope that peoples issues are raised, their bills are passed, resolutions are passed, and some resolution is reached on the important work concerning the people. That is why we will be in the Assembly, Sadiq added.
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Ladakh tourism reaching new heights as over 4 lakh tourists visit in 2026: LG Saxena
Ladakh, Sep 09: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday said that tourism in the Union Territory has reached new heights, with 4.05 lakh visitors visiting the hilly region in the first eight months of 2026. This year-on-year tourism growth is a testament to Hon'ble PM @narendramodi ji's vision for promoting domestic tourism and the Centre's sustained push for infrastructure development, along with the tourism-friendly policy framework in Ladakh, the LG said. Sharing statistics on his X handle, Saxena said that in just eight months of 2026, Ladakh received 4.05 lakh visitors, surpassing the entire 2025 tourist footfall of 3.35 lakh by 20.61 percent. Comparing last year's figures with those of 2026, he said Ladakh witnessed a 50.37 percent growth in tourist arrivals this year. Ladakh received 2.69 lakh tourists between January and August 2025, which rose to 4.05 lakh during January to August 2026, an increase of 50.37%, he said. The total tourist footfall of 45,201 in August 2025 increased to 74,753 in August 2026, marking a jump of 65.38 percent, he shared. Giving further details, he said Ladakh received 25,082 foreign tourists between January and August 2025, which rose to 33,346 during the same period in 2026, marking an increase of 32.95 percent. The numbers reflect the phenomenal surge in tourism, the LG said. Saxena reaffirmed his commitment to building a sustainable, responsible and year-round tourism economy in Ladakh. By promoting off-season festivals and events, we are creating sustained livelihood opportunities for our local youth, artisans and homestays, while offering visitors a peaceful, less crowded and affordable experience, he said. He appealed to all travellers to come and explore the unmatched beauty and culture of Ladakh.
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Kashmir film festival can soon compete with Cannes, says filmmaker Akbar Khan
Srinagar, Sep 09: Renowned Bollywood actor and filmmaker Akbar Khan has hailed the first-ever film festival in Srinagar, saying the event has the potential to grow into an international cultural landmark and eventually compete with the Cannes Film Festival. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Khan congratulated Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the organisers for what he described as a spectacular opening festival. The show was mesmerising, soulful and captured the rhythm and the purpose of this first-ever film festival in Srinagar, Khan said, praising the musical performances at the opening ceremony. He particularly recalled the performances of Dr Janas-e-R Akhtar, Rani and Falak, saying they captured the mood of the festival and the heart of the beginning of such a beautiful initiative. Khan also praised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's speech at the inaugural event, describing it as very heart-rendering. He was so prolific, recollecting the nostalgia of the Indian film industry, the Bollywood film industry, capturing chapter by chapter, moment by moment, how the people of Jammu and Kashmir love the units and the film stars and the directors and the producers who come and make the films here, he said. Recalling Bollywood's long association with Kashmir, Khan referred to films that helped establish the Valley as one of Indian cinema's most evocative locations. He specifically mentioned Junglee, saying the famous Yahoo call by Shammi Kapoor had become a kind of a call of the Valley for every filmmaker to come and shoot. Khan said the festival had been organised in a location uniquely suited to bringing filmmakers and cultures together. I would say that there could not have been a better place than Srinagar to be the chosen city for such a grand first-ever film festival, he said. He predicted that the event would rapidly acquire an international profile. I feel from year to year this festival will grow from strength to strength and very soon would be in competition with the Cannes Film Festival and maybe even get better, Khan said. He argued that Kashmir's landscape itself could become one of the festival's greatest attractions. Because Cannes does not offer such an environment. Such a beautiful landscape, he said. It becomes a source of all filmmakers when they visit such a place. According to Khan, filmmakers attending the festival would not merely watch films from different countries but would also be inspired by Kashmir itself. Besides watching films of each other countries and different great directors, they also get inspired by the soul of Kashmir, he said. Cinema is the most powerful medium Khan placed particular emphasis on cinema's ability to build bridges across communities and countries. I would like to mention that cinema is the most powerful medium that makes bridges between nations and civilisations, he said. It carries across borders, stories, civilisations, culture, people from different parts of the world who interact and meet and bring out, above all, their souls to understand each other. He said film festivals should therefore be judged primarily on artistic and cinematic merit. The greatest part of a film festival is that it should be judged on merits, Khan said. Every film that is being chosen should be judged on merits, on its cinematic excellence, free of prejudice, free from the changing winds of ideology. He said filmmakers, actors, producers and singers should be allowed to present their artistic work without ideological interference. Actors, directors, producers, singers come on to a platform and present their artistic cinema, music, art, culture, he said. Khan also spoke at length about the responsibility of filmmakers when dealing with India's history and communal relations. I am very vocal. I respect every filmmaker. Every filmmaker has the right to present his film, his ideas, but never distort history. Never distort history to serve a purpose of creating disturbance, hatred [against] one another, he said. He added: Cinema which spreads hatred should be discouraged in every nook and corner of the world, especially when it is designed for a specific propaganda. Khan said filmmakers could portray historical figures as heroes or villains, but should not manipulate history for a predetermined narrative. There are people who make films on villains and heroes and give the correct perspective as it is without dabbling it, without the historians and filmmakers diverting [it], he said. Kashmir has a very distinctive identity Khan also spoke about Kashmir's cultural identity, describing it as deeply rooted in Sufi traditions and communal coexistence. Jammu Kashmir is a very, very beautiful concept and identity. Kashmir has a very distinctive identity, he said. Like every state has its lovely identity in different ways. But Kashmir has the Sufism involvement where people of all caste and creed are one. Describing Kashmir as a secular centre which is mixed with warmth, love, affection, Khan referred to Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs living together through its history. He said India's civilisational diversity should be preserved and reflected responsibly through cinema. India is one of the greatest countries, a 5,000-year-old civilisation, he said, before invoking the historical reigns of Ashoka and Akbar. Khan recalled his own work on historical television productions, including The Sword of Tipu Sultan and Akbar the Great, saying his intention had always been nation-building. I first directed the first 22 episodes of The Sword of Tipu Sultan when my brother was struck by an unfortunate hand of destiny, he said, adding that he later made Akbar the Great. At that time, Sulh-e-Kul was the religion of Emperor Akbar, where every religion comes under one umbrella. Peace for all, submission to all, Khan said. I made that serial Akbar the Great again for nation-building. It brought harmony amongst the Hindus, the Muslims. Plans to bring Taj Mahal to Kashmir Khan also announced plans to bring his film Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story to Kashmir for a premiere. My film Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story, inshallah, I will bring it to Kashmir to have a premiere of the film shortly and release it all over India again, he said. He said the film had already begun its international journey and recalled its screening in Malaysia. My film Taj Mahal has already started to take its first international journey on 6th February, 2006, where the Prime Minister of Malaysia had watched the film and he wrote a review, the same with the Minister of Culture, Khan said. He described the Taj Mahal as a symbol of love and said he wanted that message to reach audiences across the world. I want that this symbol of love, Taj Mahal, should sink into the minds and heart and soul of the people of the world, he said. It is the greatest message and Taj Mahal is one of our greatest monuments of pride before all the country. Khan concluded by thanking the organisers and praising Omar Abdullah and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah for what he described as their commitment to an inclusive society. I have enjoyed every moment of my stay here with the warm hospitality of every officer, bureaucrat, he said. He described Farooq Abdullah as one of the tallest leaders of a country who believes in the inclusive society, the love and harmony of a Brahman, of a Muslim, of a Christian, and a Jain. Khan said the presence of both father and son in Jammu and Kashmir's political leadership offered hope for the future. It is an amazing combination of a father and son and I am sure there will be great amount of peace, harmony, success and the people of Jammu Kashmir will soon be seeing a golden period, he said.
Akbar Khan hails Kashmir film festival, calls for cinema free of hatred and propaganda
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Iron transporting protein may help early diagnosis of heart disease, says study
New Delhi, Sep 09: Lower levels of serotransferrin, the blood protein that transports iron through the body, are an early indicator of coronary artery disease (CAD) and can help identify heart conditions earlier than routine clinical diagnoses, say scientists. Iron deficiency is prevalent in patients of CAD, a common cardiovascular condition characterised by a narrowing of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis, primarily resulting from an accumulation of plaque or fatty deposits. An analysis of blood serum proteins by Delhis Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) has revealed the critical role of serotransferrin in identifying cardiac disease. Serotransferrin may have value as an early diagnostic marker, meaning it could potentially help identify CAD earlier than routine clinical diagnosis, Sagarika Biswas, corresponding author on the study, told PTI. A deeper understanding of how CAD develops is crucial for developing effective diagnostics and therapeutics, the IGIB researchers said. Serotransferrin, found in previous studies to contribute to CAD, presents a potential avenue for investigation, they said. Exploring molecular and cellular processes related to serotransferrin may help shed light on how CAD develops and identify new targets for treatment, the team said. Of the total 197 differentially expressed proteins, serotransferrin (TF), an iron transporter, showed downregulation in samples from CAD patients compared to healthy, the authors wrote in the study published in the journal Acta Cardiologica. Downregulation means lower than normal levels The study, involving 50 CAD patients and 40 healthy people, also showed an increased level of the cardiac marker 'troponin I' among those affected by the heart disorder, demonstrating an inverse relationship with serotransferrin levels. Troponin I is a specialised protein present in heart muscle cells, a damage or injury to which causes the protein to leak and enter the bloodstream. TF (serotransferrin) protein was significantly associated with CAD progression and inversely correlated with cTnI (troponin I), suggesting it (serotransferrin) could be a potential therapeutic target pending further molecular and clinical investigation, the authors said. Longitudinal studies would be required to estimate the duration in years before which serotransferrin could help identify CAD, explained Biswas, former distinguished chief scientist and professor at CSIR-IGIB's department of integrative and functional biology. The study linked reduced levels of serotransferrin with the inflammatory environment created due to damage in the inner lining of arteries, which leads to an immune response against the accumulated fatty deposits. According to Biswas, worsening ischaemia -- local anaemia due to a reduced blood flow caused by narrowed or blocked vessels -- and tissue injury can increase troponin I, whereas inflammatory and metabolic stress may suppress serotransferrin expression or availability in CAD. Further, levels of serotransferrin can reflect iron status in an individual. In standard iron studies, transferrin saturation below 20 per cent is commonly taken as evidence of iron deficiency, meaning less than 20 per cent of transferrin's binding sites are occupied by iron, Biswas said. Transferrin refers to the family of iron-binding proteins, while serotransferrin is a subtype found in blood serum and plasma. A region on a protein's surface to which another molecule attaches itself is a binding site. Serotransferrin is an iron-transport protein, so a lower level suggests (a) reduced iron-binding and transport capacity. The protein may contribute to the functional iron deficiency component of CAD by limiting plasma iron transport, but the study did not quantify its contribution as a percentage, Biswas said in response to a question.
Terror module run by ex-terrorist in hybrid mode busted: Handwara Police
Srinagar, Sep 09: Jammu and Kashmir Police said it has busted a terror module associated with the banned terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), allegedly run by an ex-terrorist operating in hybrid mode in north Kashmirs Handwara. In a statement, an official spokesperson said that Handwara Police received reliable information regarding the activities of an ex-terrorist who was operating as a hybrid terrorist as part of a module of the banned terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in the HandwaraKupwara area. Acting swiftly on the information, Handwara Police, along with 21 RR and 92 Bn CRPF, launched a joint operation at the identified location in Handwara town. Following a meticulous security drill, the accused was apprehended and identified as Manzoor Ahmad Bhat son of Mohd Sultan Bhat resident of Kruhmura Handwara, the statement said During his apprehension, one Chinese-made pistol, two magazines and 16 rounds of pistol ammunition were recovered from his possession, it added. Pertainantly, as per the police statementy, the arrested individual is an ex-terrorist who had previously been arrested by Police in two cases. A case FIR number 232 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Handwara, and further investigation is underway to establish the full extent of the module, its network and other associated activities, police said.
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MeT predicts largely dry weather in J&K till Sep 20, brief showers at few places likely
Srinagar, Sep 09: Meteorological Centre Srinagar on Wednesday said that weather will remain generally dry in Jammu and Kashmir for the next 12 days with brief spells of rain at isolated to scattered places. As per the forecast, September 9-12 will remain generally dry with brief spell of rain at isolated places, while September 13-16 may see brief spell of rain/thundershower at scattered places towards early morning and afternoon hours. From September 17-20, weather is expected to remain generally dry with brief spell of rain at isolated places, a MeT official said. In its advisory, the MeT said farmers may continue harvesting of Apple & Paddy along with other farm operations.(GNS)
Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati sworn in as chief Justice of J-K High Court
Srinagar, Sep 09: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday administered the oath of office to Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati as Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. LG Saxena- who has been appointed to discharge the functions of J&K LG during Manoj Sinhas leave -administered the oath at the Shalimar auditorium of ShereKashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir. The ceremony began with the rendition of the national song, followed by the National Anthem. Later, the Registrar General of the High Court read out the warrant of appointment issued by the President of India. After the reading of the warrant, the LG administered the oath to the Chief Justice, with both signing the oath roll papers. The LG then handed over the warrant of appointment to Justice Bhati. The function concluded with the rendition of the national song and the National Anthem. The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, cabinet ministers, High Court judges, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, and other senior bureaucrats and police officers(KNO)
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Man dies after falling unconscious at Jammu police post, family stages protest
Jammu, Sep 09: A 32-year-old man died after he allegedly fell unconscious at a border police post in R S Pura sector near here early Wednesday, official sources said. The deceased, Uttam Chand, a resident of Rakh village, was called to the Chakroi police post following a complaint filed by a woman neighbour over a property dispute, the sources said quoting the preliminary information. They said the individual fell unconscious and was subsequently taken to the Sub-district Hospital R S Pura at around 4 am. Chand was referred to Government Medical College Jammu but died on way to the hospital, the sources said, adding the body was shifted to a mortuary for postmortem. Following the death, the family members and relatives of the deceased staged a protest, demanding clarity over the circumstances leading to the man's death and seeking appropriate action. Senior police officers have rushed to the spot, while additional personnel have been deployed both at Chakroi and at the hospital mortuary to maintain law and order, the sources said.
What was Kashmir like before turmoil | The Kashmir They Remember | Episode 1: Tahir Mohiuddin
What was Kashmir like before the turmoil, when newspapers shaped public debate, and Srinagars lakes, rivers and culture looked very different? In the first episode of The Kashmir They Remember, veteran journalist and Chattan editor Tahir Mohiuddin takes us through a lifetime in Kashmir from earning his first salary of Rs 100 and launching Chattan in 1985 to witnessing the Valleys political, social and cultural transformation. He recalls his stand against indefinite strikes, his encounters with leaders across the political spectrum, the changing face of journalism, the Kashmir he remembers and what he fears Kashmir may be losing. A conversation about memory, journalism, change and a Kashmir that once was. Host: Saqib Malik Camera: Mubashir Khan
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Midnight blaze destroys three houses, leaves six families homeless in Central Kashmir's Budgam
Khansahib, Sep 09: Three residential houses were completely gutted in a fire that broke out during the midnight hours at Khan Mohalla in Gurwait area of Khansahib in Budgam district, leaving six families homeless. The blaze engulfed the houses during the night and caused extensive damage to the residential structures, along with household belongings and other property kept inside. The fire prompted residents to rush to the spot as the blaze spread through the locality. Locals joined efforts to contain the fire and prevent it from causing further damage to surrounding properties. The destruction of the three houses has left six families without their homes, with their household possessions also damaged in the blaze. The incident has caused substantial disruption for the affected families, who were left without shelter following the complete damage to their residences. Police have taken cognizance of the incident and registered a case. [KNT]
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Tylenol use in pregnancy may be linked with uterus, ovary changes in daughters
A recent study suggests Tylenol use by mothers during pregnancy may affect infant reproductive organ development. Researchers observed smaller ovaries and uteruses in three-month-old girls exposed to the drug. This exposure was also linked to fewer ovarian follicles and lower reproductive hormone levels. Long-term follow-up is needed to determine implications for future fertility and menopause timing. Current guidelines still recommend Tylenol as safe for pregnancy pain and fever relief.
New food pop-up in Mumbai is celebrating Tamil and Malaysian food this September
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Australia reintroduced digging mammals; 8 years later, underground insects changed
US military says it destroyed 5 Iranian oil tankers; Tehran hits back at American targets in Jordan
Washington, Sep 09: The US military said it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday in response to the latest attacks on its warships and Tehran hit back at American targets in Jordan, the latest burst of back-and-forth strikes that have lurched the sides back toward open hostilities in a more than six-month-old war. Following the American strikes, Iran launched missiles toward US targets in Jordan, Iranian state-run media said. Jordan's military said its air defence systems intercepted 18 ballistic missiles launched toward its territory and two others fell in places where no one lives. It said it has no reports of casualties. Jordan is a staunch US ally that hosts American forces, making the kingdom's military bases a target of repeated Iranian strikes. US Central Command said it had no information to offer. The latest strikes are part of a dual economic and military approach by President Donald Trump as he struggles to bring an end to the war. The Trump administration on Tuesday also imposed sanctions on additional elements of Iran's aviation industry, targeting more than two dozen commercial and private airlines as well as foreign cargo service providers, in its new push to isolate Tehran from its remaining trading partners. Both the US and Iran are seeking to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz, where about one-fifth of the world's oil passed before the war began. Rising energy prices are posing political problems for Trump and his Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections. A barrel of international standard Brent crude briefly climbed as high as $99.46 on Tuesday. The US forces also destroyed three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday after Iran's Revolutionary Guards tried to attack a US aircraft carrier and destroyer with ballistic missiles, warning that it would, if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet. Iran later said it planned to announce a new exclusion zone near the Strait of Hormuz aimed at vessels intending to transit. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US will not allow Iran's attacks to go unanswered. Iran continues to try to hit US naval ships. And for every time they do that or try to do that, they're going to lose tankers. And I think you'll see that again today, Rubio told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the latest attacks in Iran while on a trip to Colombia. Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, warned that such back-and-forth strikes can only risk more retaliation and further impact on the global economy. There is no kinetic solution to the Strait of Hormuz problem, he said on social media. Every attempt to impose one only brings Washington and Tehran closer to an escalation that may become increasingly difficult to control. US Central Command said the military struck the tankers on Tuesday after the Revolutionary Guards targeted a Navy warship with ballistic missiles twice over the past two days. The US warship successfully evaded the attempted Iranian attacks and continued to patrol regional waters. No American personnel were harmed, it said in a statement. It said the Iranian tankers destroyed on Tuesday were the Kivik, Charminar, Horizon 1 and the Riesco in the Gulf of Oman. The US military also destroyed the vessel Derya, which was located near Kharg Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement said the crews of the five vessels were told to abandon ship before the attacks. Iranian state television also reported the US strikes, saying US forces attacked Iranian oil tankers near the southern port of Jask and near Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf. It said the crews were evacuated. An Iranian state TV reporter in Jask said an Iranian tanker was struck near the coast of Yekbeni. State TV later reported that the US military attacked a second tanker near waters off Jask. Separately, state television reported that another Iranian tanker was attacked in the Kharg Island anchorage area. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy on Tuesday had warned crews of oil tankers near ports in Kuwait and Bahrain to immediately leave their vessels, saying the ships could be targeted in retaliation for US attacks on Iranian tankers. It accused Kuwait and Bahrain of hosting US forces and assisting in the attacks. A US blockade of Iranian ports has squeezed the country's economy by limiting its oil exports, while the American military has been helping a limited number of ships transit on a route through the Strait of Hormuz off Oman. Tehran wants ships to follow a route that it chooses through the strait, which was considered an international waterway before the war.
Traffic advisory issued for oath ceremony Of Chief Justice in Srinagar today
Srinagar, Sep 09: Traffic Police City Srinagar has issued a traffic advisory for the oath ceremony of Dr. Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati as Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. According to the advisory, the oath ceremony is scheduled to be held at Shalimar Convention Centre, SKUAST Kashmir, Srinagar today at 11:00 AM. In view of the ceremony, motorists intending to travel from Harwan-Shalimar-Nishat and other adjacent areas towards Lal Chowk have been advised to travel via Foreshore route to reach their respective destinations. Similarly, those intending to travel towards Nishat, Shalimar and Harwan have been advised to adopt Foreshore Road via Shalimar Bridge. The police said that no vehicle shall be allowed towards SKUAST Kashmir and no vehicle shall move towards Shalimar via Ishber during the period. The advisory will remain in force for two hours from 10 AM to 12 Noon on September 9 till the oath ceremony is completed. Emergencies shall be allowed to take the shortest route. Citizens can contact Traffic Police Control Room No. 103 for any assistance, officials said.(GNS)
Arifa among 5 J&K films selected for IFFJK competition
Srinagar, Sep 8: Arifa , directed by Rohin Raveendran Nair, has been selected among five films for the J&K Select Section, the competitive category of the maiden International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026. Produced by Gubbara Entertainment and written by Durgesh Singh, Arifa is part of the three-film anthology Kashmir Muhabbat Se, which seeks to present an intimate and humane portrayal of Kashmir beyond headlines and stereotypes. The film follows an estranged daughter who returns to Kashmir to meet her dying father. Her return to the ancestral home brings buried memories to the surface, giving the father and daughter a final opportunity to confront their past and seek reconciliation. The film explores themes of family, memory, reconciliation and belonging against the backdrop of Kashmir. The other films selected for the J&K Select Section are Searching for the Grandpa, directed by Mohammad Wali; Batt Koch (The Lost Lane), directed by Siddarth Koul and Ankit Wali; Tasrufdaar (Djinns of Kashmir), directed by Kapil Mattoo; and Naqsh-e-Daur (The Story of Ghulam Nabi Dhar), directed by Baba Tassaduq Hussain. According to festival organisers, the films were recommended by the Preview Committee after reviewing submissions and assessing their artistic merit and suitability for the competitive section.
Kashmiri films can travel globally with right stories: Sriram Raghavan
Srinagar, Sep 8: Acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan on Tuesday said that Kashmir has the potential to develop on the lines of Malayalam, Marathi and Gujarati cinema and called for greater opportunities for local artists and filmmakers across Jammu and Kashmir. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) on the second day at SKICC here, Raghavan said the film festival could prove to be a significant catalyst for the growth of the local film ecosystem. For me, I think it is a vital thing that has happened. I am wondering why it has not happened yet. But now that it has happened, I think it will just continue and it will flourish, he said. Raghavan said greater interaction between filmmakers from different parts of the country and the local film community would create a beneficial exchange of ideas and exposure to world cinema. He said that Jammu and Kashmir should not be viewed merely as a location for shooting films, but as a place capable of producing its own stories and filmmakers. It is not like that. There should be stories from here. Local artists should also be brought here. We should give them a chance so that more youth can come here, he added. Raghavan said there was no reason why it could not achieve the kind of recognition enjoyed by regional industries such as Malayalam, Marathi and Gujarati cinema, saying that he was confident that a strong Kashmiri film industry will emerge in Kashmirs future. Where are the Kashmiri films? I am sure that the films will come gradually and the initial growth could come through smaller productions, he added. He further said that Kashmiri filmmakers should not feel compelled to make mainstream commercial films to reach a wider audience. Small and distinctive films with compelling stories could have greater potential to travel internationally. Dont think that it has to be a mainstream film. It can be a small film that will go all over the world. Its just a matter of getting the right story, he said. Raghavan also welcomed efforts to streamline the process of obtaining permissions for film shoots in the region, saying such measures could help the industry grow. Referring to Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs address, the filmmaker said he was impressed by the governments intent to bring change and facilitate filmmaking in J&K. I was very impressed with his speech. He really wants to see a change here. He is doing his best to reduce the single window. Lets see how. I think it will all really help, he said. Raghavan said the regions growing tourism and its locations could also provide opportunities for filmmakers, while cautioning that increased tourist activity could make popular destinations challenging for film shoots. He said the impact of initiatives such as IFFJK may become visible over the next few years and local youngsters will gain professional skills and eventually seek employment within the regions film industry. This is the first festival. You can see the difference in five years. In five years, they will be professionals. They will be looking for work here, he said. Raghavan added that while he had not interacted extensively with local people but he believed there was considerable interest in filmmaking among the youth and that more local participation would emerge with time.
Kashmirs stories go beyond scenic beauty: Pankaj Tripathi, Divyenndu
Srinagar, Sep 8:Actors Pankaj Tripathi and Divyenndu on Tuesday said Kashmirs storytelling potential extends beyond its scenic beauty, with the Valley offering rich material for filmmakers and significant scope for regional cinema. Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the second day of the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) at SKICC Srinagar, the actors said local stories, emerging talent and a growing digital ecosystem could create new opportunities for filmmaking in the region. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Kashmir. We loved the food here and the interactions with local people were amazing. We felt a sense of belonging and it was really wonderful, they said. The actors said they would like to see more of their films reach audiences in Kashmir and highlighted the growing opportunities through theatres, OTT platforms and other avenues. There is tremendous scope, they said. They also stressed the importance of film festivals and masterclasses in helping young filmmakers learn from experienced professionals. The actors said Kashmir offered stories rooted in its people, food, culture and everyday life, beyond its landscapes. They noted that while filmmakers had historically visited Kashmir for songs and outdoor shoots, the region now had an opportunity to tell deeper stories about its people and culture. The four-day IFFJK features film screenings, discussions and masterclasses involving filmmakers, actors, technicians, students and cinema enthusiasts.
CM Omar watches Mirzapur: The Movie at Inox multiplex
Srinagar, Sep 8:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday watched Mirzapur: The Movie at INOX Multiplex, Shivpora, Srinagar, as part of the ongoing International Film Festival Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK), being held under the theme Rang-e-Cinema. The screening brought the Chief Minister alongside film enthusiasts and audiences attending the maiden edition of the four-day festival, which was inaugurated by him at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on September 7. During the visit, Omar Abdullah interacted with the films lead actors, including Pankaj Tripathi, who reprises his popular role of Kaleen Bhaiya, and Divyenndu, known for portraying Munna Bhaiya in the Mirzapur series. The Chief Minister felicitated the actors and welcomed their participation in the first edition of IFFJK. He appreciated their contribution to Indian cinema and said the presence of leading artistes and filmmakers would help strengthen Jammu and Kashmirs association with the film industry. He also expressed hope that such initiatives would contribute to developing a vibrant and sustainable film ecosystem in the Union Territory. The festival has brought together filmmakers, artists, delegates and cinema enthusiasts from India and abroad. According to the organisers, participants from more than 30 countries are attending, with over 130 films being screened during the four-day event. IFFJK aims to celebrate Jammu and Kashmirs longstanding relationship with cinema while providing filmmakers and audiences an opportunity to engage with diverse cinematic traditions from across the world. Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, Director Information Shreya Singhal and other officials were present on the occasion.
Filmmakers seek policy push to revive local cinema in Kashmir
Srinagar, Sep 8:Filmmakers participating in the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 have called for greater government support, policy incentives and dedicated exhibition space to revive local cinema and create a sustainable film ecosystem in the Valley. Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a masterclass by filmmaker Shriram Raghavan at SKICC Srinagar, filmmaker and college teacher Mudabir said interactions with established filmmakers could help inspire young talent but would need to be backed by concrete opportunities. He said Raghavans experience across genres including thrillers, romance and commercial cinema made the masterclass particularly valuable for students and aspiring filmmakers. However, Mudabir said inspiration alone could not build a sustainable film industry in Kashmir. Cinema has not received much promotion in Kashmir. Local and indigenous filmmakers have limited scope to make films or showcase them before audiences, he said. He called for government measures such as subsidies and incentives for local film productions and suggested that cinema halls in Jammu and Kashmir reserve dedicated screening slots for locally produced films. Such measures can provide young filmmakers with an opportunity to move beyond training and discussions and actually produce and exhibit their work, he added. Filmmaker Shadab Alam said the increasing number of film-related activities in Kashmir was encouraging and indicated that perceptions about shooting in the Valley were changing. Alam said smaller production houses had traditionally been hesitant to shoot in Kashmir, while larger production companies were better placed to undertake productions in the region. I have been coming to Kashmir for the last 10 years and have continuously shot here, he said, adding that the ground reality was different from the apprehensions held by some filmmakers. He also highlighted the growing access to digital content among young people, saying affordable mobile data had brought cinema closer to a wider audience. Gen Z loves cinema, Alam said, while underlining the potential of Kashmirs young population as both an audience and a source of emerging filmmaking talent. The four-day IFFJK commenced in Srinagar on September 7, with the festival being positioned as part of efforts to strengthen Jammu and Kashmirs engagement with the film industry and promote the Valley as a shooting destination.
Sagar thanks NC leaders, office bearers, workers for paying homage to Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah
Srinagar, Sep 8:The J&K National Conference General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar Tuesday expressed heartfelt gratitude to party leaders, office-bearers and workers, including those associated with the Youth and Womens wings, who visited the resting place of the late Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to pay homage on his 44th death anniversary. As per a party statement issued, he said that party office-bearers and workers visited the Mazar in the early hours of the morning and fulfilled their duty towards the revered leader. Sagar said that the National Conference is the name of a movement and has always worked towards safeguarding the integrity of Jammu and Kashmir, communal harmony and the interests of the people. He said that the people of all three regions can never forget, until eternity, the great and sacred sacrifices made by Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
Complaint for remarks against PM Modi: High Court refuses to quash 2019 summons to Rahul Gandhi
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday refused to quash the summons issued to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in 2019 by a magistrate court in a complaint over his alleged defamatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A single bench of Justice N R Borkar dismissed Gandhis petition against the magistrate courts order, but extended by six weeks an earlier directive to the lower court to defer hearing on the defamation plaint. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, sought the extension so that he can file an appeal in the Supreme Court. The direction to defer the hearing on the defamation complaint meant that Gandhi would not be required to appear before the magistrate. Justice Borkar said it did not find any perversity and illegality in the magistrates order and hence no reason to interfere. This court finds no infirmity in the order. Hence, the petition is dismissed, the HC said. The complainant, M H Shrishrimal, had opposed Gandhis plea in the High Court, claiming that being a member of BJP, he too was aggrieved by the remarks made against his leader. The court refused to accept Gandhis contention that the complainant was not an aggrieved party as the remarks were against a person and not the political party. BJP is a determinate body with a class of members, and complainant Shrishrimal is an active member of the party since 2018, Justice Borkar said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a prominent face of the BJP, and any remarks made against him therefore cannot be said to be incapable of affecting those who are members of the party, the court said. The court added that whether the remarks made by Gandhi were of a personal nature intended against PM Modi alone could be determined only during the trial after examination of evidence and witness statements. After the court passed its order, Gandhis counsel Sudeep Pasbola urged it to extend the interim order passed in 2021 for eight weeks so that the Congress leader could appeal in the apex court. Shrishrimals lawyer, however, opposed this and said the trial in the case has been at a standstill since 2021. Justice Borkar continued the interim order for six weeks. Gandhi had challenged a Girgaum magistrates order of August 28, 2019, for a process against him on Shrishrimals complaint. The complaint had alleged that Gandhi defamed PM Modi in a public speech on September 20, 2018, in Rajasthan. Shrishrimal, in his complaint, alleged that apart from the remarks during the rally against PM Modi, Gandhi, on September 24, 2018, also posted a video on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account and repeated the same defamatory remarks. The complainant claimed these statements amounted to direct allegations against all members of the BJP and Indian citizens connected to PM Modi. Gandhis counsel Pasbola and advocate Kushal Mor argued that the complaint was frivolous and the complainant had no locus standi to file it. The complainant was not an aggrieved party and hence cannot file such a complaint, they had submitted.
Why not dialogue with J&K people when Centre talked to Nagaland, Punjab: Iltija Mufti
Kupwara, Sep 8:Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth leader Iltija Mufti questioned Centres approach towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying when New Delhi has talked to the people of Nagaland and Punjab in the past then why not with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. If the central government has talked with the people of Nagaland and Punjab, then why this double standard with regard to the people of Jammu and Kashmir? she asked. Speaking to reporters after a youth interaction programme at Town Hall Kupwara on Monday, Mufti said the Government of India should adopt the same approach towards Jammu and Kashmir as it had done in Nagaland and Punjab. She said the first step towards creating a conducive atmosphere should be the release of all political prisoners from Jammu and Kashmir on compassionate grounds. Lakhs of people are languishing in jails, not only in the jails of Jammu and Kashmir but also in jails outside. Most of these inmates are from marginalised families who cannot even afford litigation, she said. Iltija alleged that PDP was not being allowed to raise its voice against the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A. Whenever PDP raises its voice against the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, we are not being allowed to do so, she said. While slamming Omar Abdullah-led government Iltija said that the present dispensation has miserably failed to live up to the expectations of youth. The government jobs are now being outsourced, causing disappointment among job aspirants, she said. She said that NC government has failed to fulfil promises mentioned in their manifesto, including 200 free units of electricity, 12 free gas cylinders and one lakh jobs.
Srinagar, Sep 8:Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, in a post on X, said that the public statement by the JEI chief is concerning. He said it would be in the interest of peace and stability that New Delhi listen to peoples plea and revisit its policy of bans on social and political organisations in J&K, bringing an end to the harassment and intimidation that accompanies such restrictions. Mirwaiz, as per a statement issued, said that where these forced measures are challenged before the court of law, it is at least expected that due process is allowed to run its course fairly, without taking actions that render legal remedies meaningless. Attached properties and institutions should be treated with restraint and in accordance with law and judicial process. He further said that a sustainable political process cannot be built by excluding genuine voices or replacing them with convenient alternatives. Those who command real social and political presence must be allowed space and engaged through dialogue. Respect for the rule of law, fairness and meaningful political engagement remain essential for any way forward to real peace, Mirwaiz said.
J&K passing through critical phase, August 2019 was major turning point: Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari
Srinagar, Sep 8: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday said that Jammu and Kashmir is passing through a critical phase, describing August 2019 as a major turning point when the Centre revoked the erstwhile states special constitutional status and stripped it of statehood. As per a statement issued by the party, he was speaking at an event organised at the party headquarters in Srinagar, where a number of prominent political and social activists joined the Apni Party. Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and other senior party leaders warmly welcomed the new entrants on the occasion. All these new entrants hail from Srinagars Hazratbal constituency. Addressing the gathering, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukahri said, Unfortunately, our traditional leadership whom people have supported through their blood, sweat, and sacrifice over the past seventy years, chose to remain silent over the developments of August 5, 2019. This silence was deeply disappointing, especially because those developments were an attempt to distort our identity, dilute our culture, and change our demography. He went on to say, Due to the changes made on August 5, J&K had lost its exclusive rights over land and jobs, meaning that anyone from any part of the country had become eligible to buy land and seek employment here. This posed the biggest threat to our identity and demography. Seeing the traditional leadership choose silence, we had no option but to step forward and do our best to protect the interests of our people. We went to Delhi, met with government leaders, and convinced them that the people of J&K should retain their exclusive rights over land and jobs here. Thankfully, we succeeded in convincing the Centre, and eventually, an order was passed to restore exclusive rights of J&K people over the land and jobs here. It was for the first time in seventy years of history that J&K managed to reclaim something that it had lost. This was Apni Partys contribution at that critical juncture, Bukhari said. Speaking about the domicile issue, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that had the people given the Apni Party a mandate in the 2024 elections, it would have extended the residency requirement from the existing 15 years to 50 years. Six years have already passed, yet the present government does not even talk about this issue. They do not consider it a matter of any importance, he said. Giving a warm welcome to new entrants Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, It always gives me immense pleasure to welcome new members into Apni Party. Every time, I sincerely tell our new entrants that they will never be disappointed by this party. Apni Party is a party that stands by its people and its workers. As you step forward to serve the people in your respective areas, I assure you that the entire leadership will stand shoulder to shoulder with you. We will support you, guide you, and remain with you through every challenge as you work for the welfare and betterment of the people, he added. The prominent among the new entrants included Khair-ul-Nisa, Ghulam Mohammad Rather, Adil Fayaz, Fazil Fayaz, Waheeda, Naira Bano, Gulshana, Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, Sajid Fayaz, Asif Ali, Abdul Rashid, Owais Israr, Nayeema Rather, and others.
Indian Football League 2026-27 to begin on October 30
New Delhi, Sep 8: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday said that the 2026-27 Indian Football League (IFL) season will commence on October 30, after meeting with representatives of all 11 participating clubs. The meeting reviewed the 2025-26 season, noting that viewership figures and overall broadcast performance were hugely encouraging, surging to four times higher than the 2024-25 campaign. As part of regulatory updates for the upcoming season, the Council approved a rule permitting a maximum of three foreign players on the pitch at a time during matches. The league's footprint will also expand with the inclusion of Nagaland and Odisha as new venues. Additionally, the IFL Charter, proposed budget, and sponsorship packages for the new season came under detailed discussion. AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan described the gathering as a very cordial meeting.
Civil society members hold prayers outside room housing defunct X-Ray machine at GMC Rajouri
In a unique form of protest against alleged deterioration of healthcare services, civil society members on Tuesday held prayers outside the room housing a defunct digital X-ray machine at Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri. They have alleged that the X-Ray machine has been non-functional for the past seven months. The protestors, led by civil society member Mushtaq Bhat, assembled in the premises of Associated Hospital GMC Rajouri and held prayers in front of the digital X-ray machine installed in the Emergency Ward. The protesters burned incense sticks in front of the machine, praying for its well-being and restoration, highlighting what they alleged as the prolonged failure of the hospital administration to make the vital diagnostic facility functional. The civil society members alleged that the X-ray machine remained defunct due to an electricity earthing-related small issue for the past seven months, but the hospital administration failed to resolve it despite the importance of the facility for emergency patients. They alleged that the administrative system at GMC Rajouri had collapsed completely and accused the authorities of having failed to pay adequate attention to patient care. The protesters also raised concerns over the availability of only one functional Operation Theatre in the Gynaecology Department, saying that the situation was creating difficulties for both medical staff and patients, particularly pregnant women requiring timely surgical intervention. They further questioned the functioning of the institution in the absence of a regular Principal, claiming that the post was lying vacant for around five years and the affairs of the medical college were largely being managed through additional-charge arrangements. The civil society members also highlighted what they described as an acute shortage of staff, alleging that around 60 per cent of sanctioned manpower was not available at the institution. They urged the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Health Department to intervene immediately, restore essential diagnostic and surgical facilities and address the manpower shortage to ensure uninterrupted patient care at the premier healthcare institution of the Pir Panjal region.
Omar-govt failed to construct individual bunkers approved by Centre: LoP Sunil Sharma
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma on Tuesday criticised the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government for, what he alleged, having failed to realise on ground the project related to construction of individual bunkers approved by the Centre. The individual bunkers, which were approved by the central government after Operation Sindoor, have not been constructed by the Omar Abdullah-government. The elected government despite its huge mandate has failed to deliver good governance as it is focussed only on corruption, alleged LoP, who was leading a senior BJP delegation on a mass public outreach programme Jan Samvad in Poonch and Rajouri. Following his meeting with delegations at Dak bungalow Poonch, Sharma stated that he listened to victimised and ignored sections of society as part of BJPs district wide outreach programme. Weve noted their genuine issues including delay in Panchayat elections, demands of daily wagers, rampant corruption, need for individual bunkers in border areas post Operation Sindoor and meagre stipend of intern doctors. We will become the voice of these poor and deprived people in the upcoming assembly session and force this failed NC government to act, LoP asserted. He described the problems of unemployed youth, daily wagers and early conduct of Panchayat polls as the burning issues in the current scenario. Previously during our (BJPs) post Operation Sindoor visit to border districts, there were demands of immediate compensation, job and bunkers. I, myself, raised these demands with the Union Home Minister. He (Home Minister) not only agreed to these demands but even personally reviewed progress on compensation and handed over job letters during his visit. However, the construction of bunkers was to be realised on the ground by the current elected government in J&K. We had constructed community bunkers but the demands were specific for individual bunkers. However, this (elected) government failed to do so although they (individual bunkers) were approved by the Centre, LoP maintained. He assured that the issue would again be raised with the central government. BJPs outreach programme was aimed at taking its campaign against, what the LoP and other party leaders described as, the failures, misgovernance and anti-people policies of the National Conference-led government directly to the people. Sunil Sharma was accompanied by senior leader Vibodh Gupta, district presidents Gurdeep Singh Khalsa and Dev Raj Sharma, former MLC Pardeep Sharma and other senior BJP functionaries. During the outreach, the BJP delegation interacted with several public delegations, listened to their grievances and took detailed feedback on issues confronting the people, particularly relating to development, basic public services, employment and welfare. Sunil Sharma said the programme marked the beginning of an extensive grassroots campaign by the BJP to expose the widening gap between the tall promises of the NC before elections and its performance in government. The NC came to power making big promises to the people, but today the public is asking where is the promised development, where are the jobs and where is the relief in their day-to-day problems? The growing public dissatisfaction is a direct reflection of the governments failure to deliver, Sunil Sharma maintained. He claimed that instead of addressing peoples genuine concerns, the NC government failed to provide effective, accountable and responsive governance. The BJP will not allow the government to hide its failures behind political rhetoric. We will go to every district, every constituency and every section of society, listen to the people and bring their issues before the government and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he asserted. Sunil Sharma said the grievances raised in Poonch and Rajouri clearly demonstrated that people were increasingly questioning the functioning and priorities of the NC government. The BJP is not sitting in offices and making political statements. Our leaders and workers are reaching the people, hearing them directly and standing with them in their hour of need. The peoples voice will become the BJPs strongest weapon against NCs misgovernance, he said. LoP further announced that the public outreach would be expanded across Jammu and Kashmir, with senior BJP leaders undertaking visits to different administrative districts to highlight the governments failures and ensure that genuine public issues are raised at every appropriate forum. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve performance, accountability and developmentnot excuses and empty promises. The BJP will remain the strongest voice of the people and will continue to hold the NC government accountable, Sunil Sharma said.
Turn pressure into performance, sports minister tells Asian Games-bound contingent
New Delhi, Sep 8:Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday urged the Indian contingent for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya to fear no opponent, turn pressure into performance and build on the countrys impressive medal surge at the continental showpiece. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) organised a send-off ceremony for the 503-member contingent, with several athletes and teams in attendance. Mandaviya said Indias medal tally had risen significantly from the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon to the 2023 edition in Hangzhou and called for the upward trend to continue. The athletes success also becomes the nations success. We have a contingent of 503 athletes competing at the upcoming Asian Games. I am confident that we will put up a good performance which will bring about a quantum change in the sports sector, Mandaviya said at the ceremony.
Aqua Avengers Kashmir beat Swift Strikers 3-1 in Kashmir Super League
Srinagar, Sep 8:Aqua Avengers Kashmir produced a commanding display of attacking football as they defeated Swift Strikers 3-1 in Match 5 of the Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League on Tuesday. Playing in front of an enthusiastic crowd, Aqua Avengers Kashmir, as per a statement, showed greater attacking intent from the outset, combining movement, pressure and clinical finishing to take control of the contest. Their three-goal performance proved decisive as they maintained their advantage and closed out the match with a convincing victory. Swift Strikers fought back and found the net once, giving themselves an opportunity to make a contest of the game. Aqua Avengers, however, responded with composure and continued to dictate the tempo, eventually securing a 3-1 result. The scoreline reflected a match in which Aqua Avengers Kashmir made their attacking opportunities count. Their ability to maintain pressure across the game and finish key chances separated the two sides on the night. The fixture also carried a strong off-field presence, with noted personalities from the Indian film industry and media attending the match as special guests.
Nairang-e-Tameer architecture festival begins at IUST
The second edition of Nairang-e-Tameer, the annual architecture festival of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), began Tuesday, bringing together architects, academicians, artisans and students. Organised by the Department of Architecture, the three-day event, being held from Sept. 8 to 10, provides a platform for students and professionals to showcase their work, exchange ideas, build networks and explore the relationship between traditional knowledge and contemporary architectural practice. Assistant Professor Mehraan Qureshi, while welcoming participants, described the event as a platform for students and architects to share their work and learn from one another. IUST Vice Chancellor Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo stressed the need to preserve the character of Kashmiri architecture while addressing contemporary challenges. There is a growing homogenisation of architectural forms, Romshoo said, calling for greater integration of modernity with traditional practices and stronger focus on disaster resilience. He also called for exposing architecture students to emerging technologies so that modern tools can be meaningfully blended with traditional architecture, and stressed the need to make such initiatives more student-centric. Dr. Kuldeep, director of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, highlighted ongoing efforts to develop an ethnographic gallery documenting artefacts and cultural materials. He stressed the importance of bringing architects, craftsmen and other stakeholders together, particularly in a region where architectural and cultural heritage remain closely interconnected. Kuldeep said Jammu and Kashmir currently has only two schools of architecture, at IUST and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, underscoring the need to strengthen opportunities for students and professionals. Earlier, Qazi Qammer Iqbal, dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics, spoke about the significance of the festivals Persian-derived name, Nairang-e-Tameer. He said the terms Nairang, associated with deception and magic, and Tameer, meaning construction, have particular relevance to architecture and the ways spaces, forms and perceptions are created. Dean Outreach Dr. Ruheela Hassan congratulated the organisers and appreciated the theme. Highlighting the wider social role of architecture, she said meaningful work emerges when knowledge meets society and that architects do not merely construct buildings but also give us hope. Dean Research Dr. Abid Hussain Shalla appreciated the initiative and the Department of Architecture for creating a platform for academic and professional exchange. The opening day featured architects conclave sessions, with accomplished architects and professionals showcasing their work and sharing insights.
Postal department invites entries forletter writing,philately schemes
The Department of Posts, J&K Circle, has invited public participation in the Dhai Akhar Letter Writing Competition and Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana for 2026-27. The Dhai Akhar competition is open to Indian citizens in two age categories up to 18 years and above 18 years. Participants can submit handwritten letters in English, Hindi or any regional language on the theme, A Letter to Mother Earth: My Promise to Protect Nature. Entries can be submitted on an Inland Letter Card of up to 500 words or in an envelope of up to 1,000 words. They must include an age declaration as of Jan. 1, 2026, and the envelope should be superscribed DHAI AKHAR Letter 2026. Entries will be accepted from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31 and sent to the Chief Postmaster General, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Postal Circle. Circle-level winners will receive Rs 25,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 for first, second and third places, respectively. The top three entries will advance to the national round, where winners will receive Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000. The Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana offers an annual philately scholarship of Rs 6,000 to students of Classes VI to IX with at least 60% marks, with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST students. Applicants must be members of a School Philately Club or hold a personal Philately Deposit Account. Selection will be based on a philately project and quiz assessed by a Circle-level committee. Up to 40 students per postal Circle will receive the scholarship, paid quarterly into a joint account with a parent.
Can Diet and Gut Health Actually Improve Acne?
Almost every household in Kashmir has heard some version of this advice: what you eat shows on your skin. For years this was dismissed by modern dermatology as folk wisdom rather than fact. Acne was treated as a topical problem: excess oil clogged pores; bacteria managed with creams and tablets; diet left largely out of the conversation. That is changing. A growing body of research now shows that our grandmothers werent entirely wrong; what happens in the gut does show up on the face. The honest answer based on current evidence is a qualified yes. Diet and gut health genuinely influence acne but they work alongside proper treatment not instead of it. The gut-skin axis: what the science shows The gut and skin communicate through what researchers call the gut-skin axis, a two-way relationship carried largely by the immune system and inflammatory signalling. A systematic review on diet and acne in JAAD International (2022) found consistent links between certain dietary patterns and acne severity noting that foods with a high glycaemic index or load dairy products fatty foods and chocolate promote acne lesions while fruits and vegetables appear protective. Newer research in Dermatology Practical & Conceptual (2025) examined gut-microbiota markers in acne patients versus healthy controls adding evidence that gut imbalance may contribute to acne through systemic inflammation. In practical terms high glycaemic foods raise insulin and IGF-1 which increase oil production and clog pores, dairy particularly skim milk is linked to acne through naturally occurring hormonal components and an imbalanced gut may drive the inflammation that surfaces as breakouts. Diets richer in fibre fruits and vegetables are consistently associated with calmer skin. Where this hit close to home: our own diet This is worth sitting with honestly because much of what the research flags maps closely onto our everyday plate. Maida-based roti and bakery items, a staple in most Kashmiri kitchens are refined flour foods with a high glycaemic load exactly the category linked to worse acne. Rice eaten at nearly every meal is itself high glycaemic and our portions are rarely modest. Our cooking is traditionally oil heavy particularly the mustard oil used generously in wazwan style preparation. And dairy noon chai milk and paneer are part of daily life here often in large quantities which matters given the specific dairy-acne link noted above. None of this means giving up what we grew up eating, this food is part of who we are. But a patient with persistent acne on a fairly typical Kashmiri diet heavy in maida rice oil and dairy is without realising it combining several of the dietary factors most consistently tied to acne in the literature. Small realistic shifts more vegetables alongside the rice rather than instead of it a lighter hand with oil noticing whether dairy correlates with your own flare ups go further than people expect without asking anyone to abandon their kitchen. Two overlooked habits: touching the face and facial massage. Beyond diet two everyday habits deserve more attention than they usually get. Touching the face happens far more than most people realise. Studies measuring spontaneous self-touch found people touch their faces several hundred times a day the forehead nose and chin most of all. Hands carry bacteria and surface contaminants picked up all day and repeated friction on the same spot can itself trigger a distinct pattern of breakouts known as acne mechanica. This was seen clearly during the pandemic when prolonged mask use caused a rise in acne along the cheeks nose and chin maskne attributed partly to occlusion partly to the repeated touching and adjusting of the mask encouraged. The lesson extends well beyond masks resting the chin on a hand or holding a phone to the cheek through long calls is a small correctable habit that keeps skin irritated in that same pattern. Facial massage common in salons across Srinagar is more nuanced. Gentle massage with clean hands and proper products can support circulation without harming the skin. But massage done with heavy occlusive creams or poor hygiene not uncommon in some parlour settings has been linked to a distinct inflammatory eruption. A dermatology case series (Khanna N Datta Gupta S. Acneiform eruptions after facial beauty treatment) documented patients developing deep inflammatory nodular lesions on the cheeks chin and forehead beginning as early as their very first massage session often leaving dark marks behind that took a long time to fade. The likely cause occlusive creams and manual pressure pushing sebum deeper into the follicle rather than clearing it out. For acne-prone skin the product and the hands doing the massage matter as much as the massage itself. A word of caution Acne is never caused by one thing alone, genetics hormones stress and skincare habits all play their part alongside diet and it would be misleading to suggest otherwise. Cutting out entire food groups without medical guidance can leave nutritional gaps without meaningfully clearing the skin. Any real dietary change is best made alongside a proper evaluation of the skin itself not in place of one. In simple terms diet doesnt replace treatment but it helps it work better. And sometimes what our hands are doing to our face matters just as much as whats on our plate. Dr. Mir Waleed Mansoor is a medical professional and Chairman Hair of Kashmir Clinic Aesthetic & AYUSH Wellness Clinic Srinagar.
CS inaugurates Socio-Economic Rehabilitation Centre for drug abuse victims at IMHANS Srinagar
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday dedicated the Socio-Economic Rehabilitation Centre for drug abuse victims at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Srinagar, marking the launch of the Phase-I pilot of the Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026. The centre has been established by the Social Welfare Department in coordination with the Health and Medical Education Department, district administration and other stakeholders to provide structured rehabilitation and socio-economic reintegration support to persons recovering from substance abuse. Principal Secretary Home, Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education, Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Principal Government Medical College Srinagar, Head IMHANS and senior doctors and faculty members attended the inauguration. After inaugurating the facility, Dulloo inspected the doctors rooms, counselling spaces, group therapy facilities and referral and emergency linkage arrangements. He said the centre would serve as the beginning of a sustained rehabilitation journey, helping beneficiaries regain confidence, reconnect with families and communities and return to productive lives. He described the pilot as an important step towards translating the rehabilitation policy into a functional ground-level mechanism and said the experience gained at IMHANS would help strengthen and expand the model across other districts of Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed the need for sustained coordination among departments, health institutions, district administrations and community stakeholders for the initiatives success. Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, M. Raju said the centre has been designed as a comprehensive support mechanism that goes beyond de-addiction treatment to include rehabilitation, recovery, family engagement and socio-economic reintegration. He said IMHANS was identified as one of the principal pilot institutions following directions issued during a high-level review chaired by the Chief Secretary. Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare, Sarmad Hafeez said the centre will provide a multidisciplinary framework comprising medical assessment, counselling, social work intervention, family engagement, case management, referral and follow-up through an Individual Rehabilitation Plan for every beneficiary. He said the initiative aims to support recovery while helping beneficiaries rebuild family and community relationships and access education, skill development, livelihood opportunities and sustainable reintegration. Principal, GMC Srinagar, Prof. (Dr.) Iffat Hassan Shah said the centre will coordinate with community-level stakeholders, including ASHA workers, Self Help Groups and other frontline functionaries, to extend rehabilitation beyond institutional care. She said the framework also envisages training medical officers, psychiatrists, counsellors and social welfare officials in screening, assessment, counselling, family engagement, case management and relapse-risk identification. Officials said the centre will function as a bridge between clinical care and community-based rehabilitation, with a focus on continuity of care after treatment and reducing the risk of relapse and social exclusion. The scheme also includes collaboration with the National Drug De-addiction and Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS New Delhi, for training, mentoring, observer ships and joint research in addiction psychiatry and rehabilitation interventions. The government said IMHANS Srinagar will serve as the institutional anchor for the pilot, providing beneficiaries with a structured pathway from treatment and stabilisation to rehabilitation and socio-economic reintegration.
HC declines to entertain PIL over AI driven justice delivery system
Observing it as premature, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir has declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a slew of reforms in the justice delivery system, including the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools for advocates, litigants, legal aid and court administration. In response to the PIL titled Yang Burzhome (Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Handoo), a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Muhammad Yousuf Wani held that the PIL was premature at present as the digitisation of court records and development of applications aimed at augmenting the justice delivery system are already underway. The PIL had sought the court's intervention to direct the Registrar General of the High Court, Bar Council of India, Union of India and National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) for implementation of a broad AI-powered justice modernisation framework. Although the petitioner sought several directions through the PIL, the main proposals included the creation of an AI-powered Know Your Advocate Card (KYA), containing information relating to advocates' professional profiles, disposal rates, adjournment history, disciplinary records and fee structures. It also sought to put in place an AI-powered Case Health Card through a proposed Nyaya Mitra Solution Explorer, which would assess the legal foundation of cases, precedent alignment, evidence and procedural readiness, limitation and jurisdiction issues, and provide plain-language summaries and estimates concerning case disposal. The PIL also sought proposals that included mandatory Continuing Legal Education (CLE) for advocates, greater access to legal databases and AI-assisted legal research, transparent fee and billing guidelines, automated monitoring of unnecessary adjournments, independent disciplinary and ethics tribunals, expansion of the public defender model and multilingual AI legal assistants. Moreover, it had sought strengthened e-Sewa Kendras for marginalized and rural litigants and advocated increased financial support for the judiciary, including enhanced judicial infrastructure and measures to address vacancies and case pendency. In response to the plea, the court observed that some of the issues raised could be helpful in improving and reforming the justice delivery system in the long run. It, however, noted that the PIL was premature as digitisation of court records and development of applications aimed at improving justice delivery were already underway. The E-Committee of the Supreme Court and NALSA are already seized of these issues, it noted. Observing that issuing directions while existing initiatives are underway may not be conducive to their implementation, the court declined to entertain the PIL at this stage. It, however, gave the petitioner the liberty to raise the issues again after awaiting the outcome of the measures already initiated by the concerned authorities.
High Court upholds bail to 70-year-old accused in UAPA case
The High Court of J&K and Ladakh Tuesday dismissed the governments plea calling in question the bail granted to elderly accused in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Muhammad Yousuf Wani rejected the appeal filed by the government through Police Station Bijbehara against the bail order in favour of the 70-year-old accused, Ghulam Nabi Sumji, passed by the Special Judge designated under the UAPA at Anantnag, The bench held that the trial court committed no illegality or perversity in granting bail to the accused. The case relates to FIR No. 54 of 2024, registered at Police Station Bijbehara under Sections 10 and 13 of the UAPA and Sections 121 and 121-A of the IPC. Initially, the trial court had granted an interim bail to the accused on December 6, 2025, which was subsequently made absolute on December 29, 2025. After examining the record and rival submissions, the High Court, in its decision noted that there was no illegality or perversity in the orders passed by the trial court and dismissed the UT's appeal. The Court held that offences under Sections 10 and 13 of the UAPA fall under Chapter III of the Act and therefore do not attract the statutory embargo contained in Section 43-D(5), which applies to offences falling under Chapters IV and VI. The bench noted that the offences under Sections 121 and 121-A of the IPC were not established during the investigation and were subsequently dropped from the FIR. While considering bail, a court is not required to conduct a preliminary trial or determine the guilt or innocence of the accused, which can only be decided after trial, it said. The Court observed that prima facie true, in the context of Section 43-D (5) UAPA, means something more than mere suspicion or conjecture and something less than proved. The expression has to be assessed on the facts of each individual case. Furthermore, the Court observed that in non-bailable offences which do not carry the punishment of death or imprisonment for life in the alternative, bail is the rule and its denial an exception, particularly where there is no material showing that the accused would flee from justice or tamper with prosecution evidence. The personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution is a fundamental value and that the power to deny bail must be exercised judiciously and not casually, the court said. The court observed that the conditions imposed by the trial court were sufficient to address the prosecution's apprehensions regarding misuse of bail. Observing that there seemed to be no merit in the appeal, the bench dismissed the same and upheld the bail granted to the accused.
When Modern Medicine Cannot Cure, It Must Still Care
Every practising physician eventually encounters the difficult othing more we can do moment. A patient with advanced malignancy, end-stage renal disease, or progressive motor neuron disease is discharged from a tertiary centre because active curative interventions have reached their ceiling. They return home, many a time to a distant village, with uncontrolled pain, breathlessness, nausea, and an overwhelmed family watching helplessly. This phrasethere is nothing more we can dois fundamentally flawed. Modern medicine may run out of disease-modifying therapies, but it never runs out of ways to relieve suffering. That is the core of palliative care. Redefining the Scope: It Is Not Giving Up Palliative care is frequently confused with hospice or immediate end-of-life care. While terminal care is a part of it, palliative medicine is much broader: it is specialized medical care focused on symptom relief, psychological support, and quality of life for anyone living with a serious, life-limiting or terminal illness and their family. Ideally, palliative care should begin at the time of diagnosis, delivered alongside curative or life-prolonging treatmentsnot merely when they fail. It offers: Symptom Control: Managing refractory pain, breathlessness, nausea, fatigue, and delirium using evidence-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological protocols. Goal Setting & Communication: Helping patients and families make informed choices about difficult medical decisions, including invasive interventions, feeding tubes, and resuscitation before an acute crisis occurs. Caregiver Support: Addressing the emotional, physical, and financial burnout borne by family members managing prolonged illnesses at home. Why Jammu & Kashmir Needs a Robust Palliative Network The need for structured palliative medicine is universal across India, but the unique topography, climate, and healthcare delivery landscape of Jammu & Kashmir make it critical. 1. The Barrier of Geography and Climate For a bedridden patient residing in interiors of Dal Lake, Gurez, Kishtwar, or any other difficult-to-reach areas of Kashmir, travelling to a tertiary health care facility in Srinagar or Jammu for symptom control is not just inconvenientit is physically agonising and financially devastating. Winter roadblocks, difficult connectivity and logistics leave patients stranded with poorly managed symptoms. Palliative care must be decentralised down to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) and home-care level. 2. A Changing Disease Burden J&K is witnessing a notable rise in non-communicable diseases. Beyond high rates of specific malignancies (such as oesophagal, gastric, lung, and colorectal cancers), there is a growing population living with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and stroke-related disability. These patients often suffer for years with heavy symptom burdens that fall outside traditional oncology-centric palliative discussions. 3. The Opioid Availability Gap Despite the 2014 amendment to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act simplifying access to Essential Narcotic Drugs (ENDs), oral morphine and fentanyl remain difficult to procure outside a few tertiary institutions. Bureaucratic hesitation, unjustified fear of addiction (opiophobia) among prescribers, and a lack of Recognised Medical Institution (RMI) certifications mean thousands still endure severe, treatable cancer pain. 4. Sustaining the Family Care Model In our region, strong social and familial ties mean families prefer caring for their ailing elders at home. However, goodwill alone cannot manage severe neuropathic pain, malignant ascites, or complex wound care. Without professional home-based palliative support, family caregivers experience intense psychological trauma and financial distress. The Path Forward Building a functional palliative infrastructure in J&K does not require massive capital investment in new hospital towers. It requires sensitization, training, sensible drug policy, and community integration: Raising Awareness and Sensitisation: Public health campaigns must demystify palliative care as an active, supportive service that works in parallel with disease-directed treatments. Simultaneously, institutional sensitisation must target doctors, administrators, nursing staff and community elders to dismantle social stigma, alleviate irrational fears surrounding essential opioid analgesics, and normalize early goals-of-care conversations. Training Frontline Clinicians: Basic palliative care competenciespain assessment, opioid dosing, and difficult communicationshould be integrated into training for medical officers, postgraduates, and nursing staff under the National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC). Empowering District Hospitals: Every district hospital should maintain an active RMI license, stock oral morphine, and run designated palliative outpatient and consultation services. Mobilizing Home-Care Teams: Utilizing Community Health Officers (CHOs) and ASHA workers to identify bedridden patients, assist with basic nursing needs (catheter care, pressure sore management), and coordinate with PHC doctors. Modern medicine cannot promise a cure for every condition. But it can- and it should- promise that no patient is left alone to suffer manageable symptoms associated with chronic, lifelong, or terminal illnesses. Palliative care is not a luxury or an afterthought; it is a basic clinical standard and a fundamental human right. Dr Mubashir Hussain Sofi is a Radiation Oncologist with Post-MD Fellowship in Palliative Medicine, focusing on cancer & supportive care in Jammu & Kashmir
7 years on, Bilal Colony Soura link road still awaits blacktopping
Residents of Bilal Colony in Soura have expressed frustration over the continued delay in blacktopping the link road connecting their locality with the 90 Feet Road, saying the stretch has remained neglected for nearly seven years. Residents said the road was last macadamised in 2019 and has since deteriorated considerably. Despite repeated assurances from the concerned authorities, they said no fresh blacktopping has been carried out so far. They have assured us several times that the work would be taken up, but seven years have passed since the road was last macadamised. We are still waiting, a resident said. Locals said the condition of the road becomes particularly difficult during rainy weather, when potholes and uneven portions fill with water and parts of the stretch turn muddy. Even a spell of light rain makes the road difficult to use. Schoolchildren, elderly people and pedestrians face problems while moving through the area, another resident said. Residents pointed out that several adjoining roads and bylanes in the locality have already been blacktopped, while the link road connecting Bilal Colony to the 90 Feet Road continues to await repairs. They said the road serves as an important access route for the locality and its poor condition has caused inconvenience to residents and motorists for years. The residents have appealed to Hazratbal MLA Salman Sagar, the District Development Commissioner Srinagar and the Chief Engineer of the Roads and Buildings Department to intervene and ensure early macadamisation of the road. It is a basic civic requirement. We have been waiting since 2019, and there is no reason for the road to remain in this condition for so long, the residents said. They urged the authorities to conduct an on-site inspection, take up the pending work on priority and ensure that the road is restored before further deterioration during the rainy season.
GBHSS Zainakote wins National Youth for Earth honour for 2nd time
Government Boys Higher Secondary School (GBHSS), Zainakote, Srinagar, has secured second rank in the Junior Category of the Youth for Earth Award 2026, earning national recognition for the second time after its earlier success in 2024. The school received the award at the International Conference on Sustainability Education (ICSE 2026), held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The award carries a cash prize of 30,000. The recognition was conferred for the school's innovative project to develop a plant-based sustainable packaging material from Typha, locally known as Petch, a wetland plant found abundantly across Kashmir. The project was recognised for its potential to provide an environmentally sustainable alternative to plastic packaging while addressing concerns related to waste generation and ecological degradation. According to the organisers, the initiative stood out for its practical application and its integration of environmental conservation with community welfare. By using Typha as a raw material, the project seeks to reduce dependence on plastic-based packaging while also reviving traditional weaving practices associated with the plant and potentially creating livelihood opportunities for local artisans. The award-winning team, SABZ: The Green Guardians of Kashmir, represented the school under the mentorship of Nyla Ali, Eco Club Incharge at the institution. The International Conference on Sustainability Education brought together educators, researchers, policymakers and student innovators from India and abroad to deliberate on contemporary environmental challenges. The conference also provided a platform for young innovators to showcase projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Reacting to the achievement, Principal Tahira Manzoor said the recognition reflected the commitment of the school's students and teachers to innovation and environmental responsibility. Receiving this award for the second time is a matter of immense pride for our institution. It demonstrates the capacity of our students to develop meaningful solutions to real-world challenges and compete successfully at national forums, she said. Mentor teacher Nyla Ali said the award would encourage young innovators working on sustainability-related issues. The project demonstrates how locally available resources can be transformed into sustainable products that benefit both the environment and the community. We hope this recognition inspires more students to engage with environmental problem-solving and social innovation, she said.
Preventing Sudden Cardiac Deaths
A sudden cardiac arrest is more than a medical emergencyit is a moment that can change an entire family forever. One moment, a loved one is talking, smiling, working or returning home; the next, they may suddenly collapse. For the family, the loss is not a statistic. It is an empty chair, an unanswered phone call and memories that remain for a lifetime. Every life is precious because every life is someone's loved one. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively. Unlike many illnesses, it can become fatal within minutes. But those same minutes can also provide an opportunity to save a life. Although cardiac arrest often happens without warning, some people may experience symptoms beforehand, such as chest discomfort or pressure, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness or light-headedness, fainting, Unusual weakness or fatigue. Sudden cardiac arrest is not merely an individual medical tragedy; it is a major public-health challenge. Yet, in India, the true burden remains difficult to quantify because systematic nationwide cardiac-arrest surveillance has historically been limited. Indian evidence suggests that the problem is not simply the cardiac arrest itself, but what happens during the critical minutes afterwards. Low rates of bystander CPR, limited pre-hospital resuscitation capability and poor access to defibrillation remain major barriers to survival. A 2023 review specifically examined OHCA in India and proposed reforms. It identified low bystander CPR, inadequate emergency medical services, limited public awareness and the absence of a comprehensive national sudden-cardiac-arrest registry as important challenges. It recommended improving public education, emergency infrastructure and data collection. Sudden cardiac death is likely multifactorial, involving smoking, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, stress, environmental factors, possible post-infectious effects, and unrecognised heart disease. Prevention must begin before the emergency As a community, we need to move from simply reacting to sudden deaths to preventing cardiovascular disease and preparing for emergencies. Regular monitoring and control of blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, staying physically active and seeking medical advice for concerning symptoms or a strong family history of heart disease are important steps. But prevention is not only about individual lifestyle. Community preparedness can save lives. Every school, college, workplace and community should promote basic awareness of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). People should know that if someone suddenly becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, they should immediately call for emergency medical help and begin CPR rather than simply waiting for an ambulance. Where available, an automated external defibrillator (AED) can provide life-saving defibrillation for certain cardiac arrests. Public-access AEDs, along with trained personnel and an efficient emergency response system, should be considered at appropriate high-footfall locations. Kashmir needs preparedness, not panic Sudden deaths understandably create fear, particularly when they involve young or apparently healthy people. However, we must respond with evidence rather than speculation. Kashmir needs better documentation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests so that we know how often they occur, where they happen, whether CPR was attempted, how quickly emergency services arrived and what the outcomes were. A systematic cardiac-arrest registry for Jammu & Kashmir could help health authorities design targeted prevention and emergency-response strategies. As a Community Medicine professional, I believe cardiac arrest should not be viewed only as a hospital problem. It is a community-health problem. We cannot prevent every cardiac arrest, and we cannot save every person. But we can create communities where people know how to recognize an emergency, start CPR, access an AED and seek immediate professional help. Behind every number is a person. Behind every person is a family that loves them. A mother waiting for her child. A father expecting a phone call. A spouse waiting at home. A friend expecting to meet again. Let us work towards a Kashmir where awareness replaces helplessness, prevention replaces neglect, and every citizen has the knowledge to act when a life suddenly hangs in the balance. Sometimes, the first person who can save a life is not a doctor. It is the person standing next to you. Every minute matters. Every heartbeat matters. Every loved one matters. Dr Misbah Yousuf, PG Resident, Department of Community Medicine, GMC Srinagar
Use of loudspeakers for sales promotion by vendors irks Srinagarites
What was once an occasional call by street vendors has increasingly turned into an unrelenting stream of loud announcements across Srinagar's residential areas. Residents of various areas are complaining that blaring public address systems mounted on kiosks of vendors and vehicles, and civic utility vans, have made people's lives miserable. From fruit and vegetable sellers to vendors dealing in clothes, utensils and household items, many now use high-volume speakers to advertise their products while moving through residential lanes. Residents said the problem is compounded by civic vehicles engaged in garbage collection, which also use loud public address systems while passing through neighbourhoods. Locals said the continuous announcements, repetitive recorded messages and loud music have significantly added to noise pollution, affecting students, professionals, patients and people who work night shifts. The issue is no longer limited to vendors alone. Garbage collection vehicles also use loudspeakers every day. One vehicle passes, then another follows shortly after. The constant noise has become a part of our daily lives, said Basit Ahmad, a resident of Bemina. Residents said the situation has become more noticeable over the past few months, particularly with the increased movement of seasonal vendors through residential areas. For students attending online classes or preparing for examinations, the interruptions have become a recurring challenge. I attend online lectures from home and also prepare for competitive examinations. The announcements are so loud that I often lose focus, especially when the same message keeps playing repeatedly, said Sadia Mushtaq, a student from Hazratbal. Professionals working from home said the loudspeaker announcements often interfere with virtual meetings and office calls. I regularly attend online meetings with clients. There have been occasions when loud promotional announcements suddenly filled the background during important discussions, putting me in an embarrassing situation. It affects professionalism and there is little we can do, said software engineer Umar Hassan. The problem is equally distressing for those employed in night shifts. I return home early in the morning after completing my night shift and try to get some sleep during the day. Just when I manage to fall asleep, loudspeaker announcements begin outside. Proper rest has become difficult, said Afzal Bhat, a paramedic. Families with elderly and ailing members said the persistent noise causes unnecessary stress. My father is unwell and gets very little sleep at night. During the day, whenever he finally manages to rest, these loud announcements wake him up. Patients need a peaceful environment, but that is becoming increasingly difficult, said a resident of the Downtown locality. Residents said while they understand the importance of street vending and municipal services, the unrestricted use of high-volume public address systems in residential areas requires regulation. There has to be a proper mechanism. Announcements should be brief, the volume should remain within permissible limits, and there should be designated timings. Public convenience should not come at the cost of people's peace, another resident said. Many residents also stressed the need for greater public awareness, saying vendors, civic agencies and the public must collectively recognise that excessive noise affects mental well-being, productivity and the quality of life. Members of civil society, they said, should also help spread awareness about responsible use of loudspeakers and encourage practices that minimise unnecessary noise in residential localities. Residents have urged the district administration and Srinagar Municipal Corporation to formulate and strictly enforce guidelines governing the use of loudspeakers on vendor and civic vehicles, particularly in residential areas. Despite repeated attempts, concerned officials of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation did not respond to calls for their comments on the issue.
Pregnant, Employed and Exhausted
Pregnancy is not an illness, and working women neither expect nor ask to be treated as patients. But pregnancy does bring genuine physical demands, and a humane workplace must recognise them. For many women employees in Kashmir, particularly those posted far from their homes, pregnancy can turn an ordinary working day into an exhausting journey. Some women travel 70 to 80 kilometres each way, changing buses more than once before reaching their place of work. They then complete a full working day, often without an adequate lunch break or a suitable place to rest, before undertaking the same long journey home. For a healthy person, such a routine is tiring. For a pregnant woman dealing with nausea, fatigue, backache, swelling, frequent urination or other common difficulties of pregnancy, it can become extremely demanding. The question we need to ask is simple: Can our posting and workplace policies be made more humane without compromising the functioning of our institutions? Surely, the answer is yes. Pregnant employees should, wherever administratively possible, be given temporary postings closer to their homes or at workplaces that are reasonably accessible. This should not be viewed as favouritism or special treatment. It is a reasonable accommodation during a temporary but important stage of a womans life. Particular consideration should also be given to night duties during pregnancy, especially where transport is difficult or adequate rest and medical facilities are unavailable. No woman should have to choose between protecting her pregnancy and fulfilling her professional responsibilities. Especially for medical and Para medical employees night duties are strenuous especially in tertiary care hospitals where doctors and paramedical staff work under enormous pressure for a pregnant women. This could be a nightmare risking her life as well as wellbeing of her baby increasing chances of abortion pre-term labour and bleeding during pregnancy which is an expensive price to pay. Night duties must be abolished for the pregnant women. The difficulties do not necessarily end with childbirth. Women who return to work while breastfeeding face another challenge. Many workplaces have no private, clean space for expressing breast milk, and sometimes even adequate breaks are difficult to obtain. A woman may therefore have to remain away from her infant for many hours without the basic facilities required to continue breastfeeding comfortably. Providing a small private lactation space and reasonable breaks does not require enormous expenditure. It requires awareness, sensitivity and administrative willingness. Kashmir has made significant progress in womens education and employment. Women today serve in hospitals, schools, offices and numerous other institutions, often balancing demanding professional responsibilities with responsibilities at home. Our workplace policies must evolve alongside this progress. This is not a demand that pregnant women should stop working. Quite the opposite. Women should be able to continue working with dignity and safely throughout pregnancy and after childbirth. Departments could consider clear guidelines allowing pregnant employees, particularly in the later months of pregnancy, to request temporary postings nearer their residences where feasible. Similar consideration could be given to nursing mothers for a reasonable period after they return from maternity leave. Workplaces should also ensure proper meal breaks, access to clean toilets, appropriate rest facilities and private lactation spaces. Such measures would not weaken workplace discipline. They would strengthen institutions by showing that efficiency and compassion can coexist. A society is often judged not only by the opportunities it gives women, but also by the conditions in which it expects them to exercise those opportunities. A woman travelling 70 or 80 kilometres during pregnancy, changing buses, working an entire day and returning home exhausted is not asking for privilege when she seeks a more reasonable posting. She is asking for reasonable accommodation, dignity and humanity. And that should not be too much to ask. Women carry future generations in their wombs; her wellbeing means healthy individuals and healthy individuals make robust societies and that should not be too much to ask. The author is Director Kashmir Assisted Reproductive Technology & Research Centre, Hyderpora Srinagar
Beyond Equivalence | Where Education, Fairness and Justice Meet
The recent judgment of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court regarding the eligibility of a Home Science degree for the post of Principal in a Government Polytechnic has brought the issue of educational equivalence into public discussion. The judgment has clarified the position under the existing Recruitment Rules: M.Sc, Phd in Home Science cannot be treated as equivalent to an Engineering degree for the post of Principal unless such equivalence is specifically declared by the competent authority. The judgment has to be respected. At the same time, it also provides an opportunity to look at a larger policy issue: Do recruitment rules remain suitable when institutions, courses, technology and responsibilities change over time? Recruitment rules are framed to meet the needs of institutions at a particular point of time. They are not permanent or unchangeable. When the structure and functioning of an institution change, the rules governing its employees should also be reviewed periodically. This issue is particularly important in the case of Government Polytechnics in Jammu and Kashmir. When the present recruitment framework was developed, there were only a few Government Polytechnics and technical education was largely focused on conventional Engineering disciplines. Today, the situation is very different. There are 22 Government Polytechnics, offering a much wider range of programmes, including Food Technology, Wood Technology, Garment Technology, Travel and Tourism and other skill-based and non-engineering courses. Naturally, the faculty structure has also changed. Teachers with qualifications in different disciplines have been appointed to teach these new programmes. Many of them have spent 20 or 25 years in the polytechnic system. During this period, they have not only taught students but have also performed administrative duties and contributed to the development of their institutions. This brings us to the important question of what we actually mean by the word equivalent. Two degrees may not be academically identical but may still be suitable for a particular purpose. For example, an M.Sc. in Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry and an M.Tech. in Computer Science are clearly different qualifications. Their syllabi, subjects and areas of specialisation are different. If equivalence is decided only by comparing syllabi, they will naturally be declared non-equivalent. But the more important question should be: Equivalent for what purpose? If a person is required to teach a specialised Engineering subject, the appropriate Engineering qualification is obviously necessary. A person appointed to teach Computer Science, Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering must have the required technical knowledge. The role of a Principal, however, is different. A Principal is primarily responsible for institutional leadership and administration. The Principal has to manage staff, students and resources, implement government policies, coordinate different departments, maintain discipline, monitor academic activities and ensure the overall functioning of the institution. The Principal does not personally teach every subject offered by the institution. Specialised academic and technical responsibilities remain with qualified teachers and experts. This distinction between academic qualification and administrative responsibility deserves greater attention. The same principle can be seen in universities. A modern university may have departments of Engineering, Science, Humanities, Social Sciences, Management and many other disciplines. Yet a Vice-Chancellor is not expected to possess a separate degree in every subject taught by the university. In fact, Vice-Chancellors today are performing a tremendous and increasingly complex responsibility. Their work involves academic planning, administration, research, finance, infrastructure, human resources, students, government departments and many other matters. Their effectiveness depends not simply on the subject in which they obtained their original degree, but also on their experience, leadership, judgement and ability to manage a large and multidisciplinary institution. The changing education system itself supports this broader approach. The National Education Policy 2020 has placed greater emphasis on multidisciplinary education and flexibility. The old rigid boundaries between Science, Arts, Commerce and other disciplines are gradually becoming less important. Students can increasingly study subjects from different areas according to their interests and future requirements. This does not mean that professional qualifications have lost their importance. A doctor needs medical training, an engineer needs appropriate technical training and a teacher of a specialised subject must have adequate knowledge of that subject. The qualification must, however, be related to the actual nature of the job. Therefore, when equivalence is being considered for an administrative post, the question should not be limited to whether two degrees have similar syllabi. The level of education, professional experience, administrative exposure, performance, competence and leadership ability should also be considered. This confusion regarding equivalence is not limited to polytechnic education. Similar questions arise in several government departments. Whenever the qualification of an employee is questioned, the matter is often referred to the Higher Education Department. The usual method is to compare the syllabus of one course with another. Such comparison may be useful for deciding academic equivalence, but it may not answer the question of functional suitability. For example, an M.Sc. in Physics cannot have the same syllabus as an M.Tech. in Computer Science. But if the post is purely administrative, is syllabus similarity really the only relevant consideration? The more practical question should be whether the candidate possesses the educational level, experience, competence and leadership required to perform the duties of that particular post. The distinction between academic equivalence and functional suitability therefore needs to be clearly recognised in government policy. A possible approach in polytechnic education could be to retain Engineering qualifications as the normal requirement for the majority of Principal posts, while making limited provision for experienced faculty from non-engineering and skill disciplines. Such candidates could be considered only if they fulfil clearly defined conditions relating to educational qualifications, seniority, administrative experience, performance and leadership ability. This would not reduce the importance of Engineering. It would simply recognise that Government Polytechnics today are broader institutions than they were when the existing rules were framed. The same concern applies to the Recruitment Rules for Skill Development, which were framed in 2001. Much has changed since then. New technologies have emerged, new courses have been introduced and the skill sector has expanded considerably. The process of revising these rules was initiated in 2017, but the revised rules are still awaited. If the need to revise the rules was recognised nine years ago, there is a genuine need to complete that exercise. Rules governing a changing sector cannot remain frozen for decades. There is also a human side to this issue. Many employees joined the system when the institutions were very different. Some faculty members from non-engineering disciplines were given administrative responsibilities when new polytechnics were established and there was a shortage of Engineering personnel. They accepted these responsibilities and helped keep institutions functioning. If a person has spent more than a decade serving the institution, teaching students and carrying administrative responsibilities, that experience should not become completely irrelevant when career progression is considered. This does not mean that long service alone should make anyone eligible for promotion. Experience cannot replace a qualification where specialised technical knowledge is essential. But where the post is primarily administrative, relevant experience, competence and demonstrated leadership should reasonably be taken into account. The Government therefore needs to maintain a balance between professional standards and changing institutional realities. Specialised qualifications should remain compulsory wherever the nature of the job demands them. At the same time, unnecessary rigidity should be avoided where the responsibilities are mainly administrative. There should also be no discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, gender, region or social background. The system should focus on qualifications, merit, experience, competence and suitability for the post. The central question is simple: Can recruitment rules framed for a much smaller and largely Engineering-oriented polytechnic system adequately meet the requirements of 22 institutions offering Engineering, technology, tourism, food, garment, wood and other skill-based programmes? This question deserves serious consideration by the Government. Institutions change. Technology changes. Education changes. The needs of students change. Even the understanding of knowledge is changing, with increasing interaction between different disciplines. Recruitment rules must therefore evolve with these changes. The solution is not to declare every degree equivalent to every other degree. Nor is it to disregard specialised professional qualifications. The need is to review the rules periodically, distinguish between specialised and administrative responsibilities, and assess qualifications in relation to the actual duties of the post. A rule framed in 2001 may have been completely appropriate at that time. But the same rule may require modification in 2026 if the institution it governs has changed substantially. Good governance does not mean simply following old rules for all time. Good governance also means reviewing those rules when circumstances change and ensuring that they continue to serve the purpose for which they were created. The present discussion should therefore not be seen merely as a dispute about one degree or one post. It is an opportunity for the Government to examine whether existing Recruitment Rules across departments remain relevant to present-day institutions. Rules should protect standards, but they should not become barriers to reasonable and fair career progression. The objective should ultimately be to strengthen institutions by giving capable, experienced and competent people an opportunity to contribute at the level of responsibility they are capable of handling.The Equivalence Committee constituted by the Higher Education Department should first clearly determine equivalence for what purpose? Equivalence cannot be decided in isolation from the nature of the post or the responsibility attached to it. If equivalence is being considered for teaching a particular subject, then it is reasonable to compare the syllabus, course content, practical components and academic competencies of the two disciplines. In such a case, the academic requirements of the teaching position should be the basis for determining equivalence. However, if the post is primarily administrative or managerial in nature, the approach should be different. A Principal, Director or other administrative head is not appointed to teach a particular technical subject. The role involves administration, leadership, financial management, coordination, supervision, decision-making and overall institutional development. Therefore, comparing the syllabus of two entirely different academic disciplines may not be an appropriate method for determining eligibility. Thus, before declaring two qualifications equivalent or non-equivalent, the Committee should first examine the purpose of equivalence, the nature of the post and the duties attached to it. The same qualification may not be equivalent for teaching a specialised subject, but it may be relevant and suitable for an administrative position. Dr Nasir Shah, Former Additional Director JKSTIC, DST, has remained actively associated with the promotion of science, scientific temper, innovation, and educational awareness across J&K.
Bajaj Finances Arthsutra Samvad takes financial literacy, cyber safety to Leh villages
With cyber fraud emerging as a growing financial threat in Ladakh, Leh Police has urged residents to immediately dial 1930 after any financial cyber fraud, stressing that the first 60 minutesthe golden hourcan improve the chances of tracing and blocking fraudulent transactions. The advisory was issued during Bajaj Finance Ltd.s Arthsutra Samvad, a financial literacy and awareness programme held at Chuchot Yokma Panchayat Ghar, Govt Higher Secondary School Chuchot and Panchayat Ghar Phayang. The programme brought together cyber police officials, students, women representatives, village leaders and youth representatives to promote financial awareness, responsible money management and safe use of digital financial services. SHO Shamim Ahmed, Cyber In-charge, Leh, said cyber fraud had become a serious concern in Ladakh. The first 60 minutes are the golden hour. If a victim reports the fraud on 1930 within this period, it significantly increases the chances of tracing and blocking the money, he said. He urged victims not to hesitate or feel embarrassed after losing money through digital transactions. According to the release, cyber fraud in Leh resulted in losses of around 10 crore between 2021 and 2026, involving 1,077 complaints. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the establishment of a dedicated Cyber Police Station in Ladakh in view of rising cybercrime, including financial fraud, online scams, digital arrests and identity theft. The station will have jurisdiction across the Union Territory. Leh Police and Bajaj Finance urged citizens to remain vigilant and report fraudulent transactions without delay.
