BRICS condemns Pahalgam terror attack
New Delhi, Sep 12: In a major diplomatic outcome for India, BRICS condemned the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in its New Delhi Declaration adopted on Saturday and called for zero tolerance towards state-sponsored cross-border terrorism. The comprehensive declaration, titled 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', marked a unified stance by the bloc against global terror, illegal financial flows, cyber fraud, and emerging cross-border scam networks. Leading the security outcomes of the declaration, member nations condemned the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives and left scores injured. The declaration explicitly noted that all acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. Reaffirming their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the BRICS leaders emphasised the urgent need to stop the cross-border movement of terrorists, disrupt terror financing networks and dismantle safe havens. The member states reiterated that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation, or ethnic group, while asserting that all those involved in terror activities must be held accountable under national and international law.
MHA talks fruitful, progress made on UT-level body: Ladakh leader opposes fresh agitation
Leh, Sep 12: Senior Ladakh leader and former MP Thupstan Chhewang on Saturday urged the region's political and social leadership to build on the progress made in recent talks with the Centre instead of returning to the streets, saying the latest engagement with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) produced several positive outcomes. Chhewang, who resigned as chairman of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) in July last year after leading the agitation for demands including statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to Ladakh, participated in the September 9 meeting with the MHA sub-committee. Immediately after the talks, the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) leadership expressed disappointment over the outcome, saying the government failed to produce the much-awaited draft on a proposed elected body for the Union Territory. Climate activist and Leh Apex Body (LAB) member Sonam Wangchuk said there has been o special progress since the May 22 meeting. He warned that the Ladakh groups could resume agitation if major decisions were taken before an elected democratic body is established. Addressing reporters in Leh, Chhewang said the recent meeting between the LAB, KDA and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) was fruitful and witnessed positive discussions on several key issues concerning the Union Territory of Ladakh. He expressed disappointment over how the meeting's outcome was presented to the public by the LAB and the KDA, noting that several positive developments and points of consensus discussed during the meeting were not brought before the people. The Centre and Ladakh representatives had discussed a possible institutional mechanism at the Union Territory level, along with its powers, composition and electoral framework, he said, adding the proposed body could have a role in matters such as land, culture, environment and mineral resources, besides having financial powers. The question of representation, including provisions reflecting Ladakhs tribal character, was also part of the deliberations. Chhewang stated that he had generally refrained from appearing in public on these matters but felt compelled to speak out now because of the positive developments achieved after several rounds of discussions. The recruitment and constitutional safeguards had been discussed extensively, he said, adding that a consensus emerged on several aspects, including the demand for safeguards under Article 371, which was discussed during the May 22 meeting. He mentioned that while demands for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule remained part of the broader political discourse, discussions eventually moved towards finding practical constitutional and administrative safeguards for Ladakh. Highlighting the recent MHA meeting, Chhewang said the proposed UT-level representative body was among the major issues discussed. He said the LAB and the KDA discussed direct elections, and several options were considered regarding the electoral mechanism. He also emphasised Ladakh's tribal character and said that, given the presence of Scheduled Tribes, there should be adequate representation and provisions for nomination in the proposed system. The issue of constituencies and ensuring equal representation and rights across areas was also discussed, with suggestions sought from the participants, he said. Chhewang said that the discussions had reached a stage where there was a clear understanding that the proposed UT-level body should be taken forward. He claimed that the delay in moving forward was not from the MHA side but from differences within the LAB and KDA over the sequencing and implementation of the proposed institutions. The former MP also criticised Wangchuk's 'call' for renewed agitation, including an ultimatum linked to the fulfilment of Ladakh's demands. He questioned the need for another agitation when progress had been made through dialogue with the MHA. Ladakh had already witnessed the serious consequences of the September 24 incident and warned against any development that could lead to a repeat of such a situation, he said. In a pointed statement, Chhewang said that if Wangchuk and the Apex Body still wanted to continue with agitation, they should consider holding it in Kargil, which had greater interest in pursuing certain demands. Leh witnessed the struggles over the years, while Kargil benefited from the developments that followed the movement, he said. Chhewang appealed to the LAB and Wangchuk to exercise responsibility and avoid any action that could create another tense situation in Ladakh. The recent MHA dialogue should be viewed in the context of the progress made through negotiations, he said, adding the focus should now be on finalising the proposed UT-level body, strengthening district councils, securing constitutional safeguards and moving forward through an agreed institutional framework, rather than returning immediately to confrontation.
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BRICS adopts New Delhi Declaration with consensus: Full text here
New Delhi, Sep 12: In a significant diplomatic breakthrough for India, the BRICS grouping on Saturday adopted a joint declaration with consensus, overcoming sharp divisions between Iran and the UAE over the West Asia conflict following a series of back-channel negotiations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption of the declaration at the end of the opening day's deliberations at the two-day India-hosted summit. The negotiations on the text of the declaration went down to the wire as both Iran and the UAE had hardened their positions initially. BRICS is a consensus-based grouping, meaning any single member can block a final joint declaration. Prime Minister Modi was seen shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the conclusion of the inaugural session at the summit. Today's discussion makes it evident that the changing world cannot be steered by outdated institutions; reforms are essential in representation, responsiveness and rule-making, Modi said in his concluding remarks. We also emphasised that the Global South must have equal participation in the development of future technologies and the rules governing them. The prime minister said the gap between decisions and their outcomes must be bridged through partnership and collective action. The New Delhi Declaration adopted today provides a clear direction for our shared resolve. It is now our responsibility to translate these resolutions into tangible results, he said.
Conflicts be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy: President Murmu in meeting with Iran's Pezeshkian
New Delhi, Sep 12: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday met her Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian during which she reiterated India's commitment to the pursuit of enduring peace in the region and called for conflicts to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. President Murmu's remarks came amid escalating tensions in West Asia in view of fresh US airstrikes on Iranian targets as well as Washington's attempts to inflict economic strain on Tehran through crippling sanctions. Welcoming President Pezeshkian on his first visit to India, the president expressed appreciation for the support extended by Iran during India's BRICS presidency. The two leaders discussed the long-standing bonds of friendship between Iran and India, including their strong cultural and people-to-people ties, a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said. The president reiterated India's commitment to the pursuit of enduring peace in the region and called for conflicts to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, it said. The West Asia conflict began in late February this year. Pezeshkian, who is here to participate in the BRICS Summit, called on President Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.
Ladakh board bins report on protected area boundaries; LG says settle local claims in 2 months
Leh, Sep 12: The Ladakh State Board for Wildlife has rejected a sub-committee report on settling boundaries within protected areas, citing discrepancies, as LG Vinai Kumar Saxena directed authorities to resolve the rights and claims of local communities in these areas within two months, an official said on Saturday. Chairing the 16th meeting of the newly constituted Ladakh State Board for Wildlife, the LG said settling the rights and claims of local communities in the Hemis National Park, High Altitude Cold Desert (Changthang) Wildlife Sanctuary and Karakoram (NubraShyok) Wildlife Sanctuary within two months would pave the way for a lawful and participatory process to finalise their boundaries, particularly in the newly created districts. A key agenda of the Board meeting was the consideration of the sub-committee report on finalisation of the boundaries of these three protected wildlife areas, a spokesperson of the Lok Bhavan said. The sub-committee, under the supervision of the chief secretary, was formed in January to identify and delineate core wildlife areas while excluding Army settlements and essential habitations. The spokesperson said the decision is expected to bring long-awaited certainty to local communities, who have been seeking clarity regarding the boundaries of the protected areas and recognition of their longstanding settlements, habitations and traditional rights. The local people contend that settlements and human habitations have existed for a very long time in these areas, which clearly fall outside the purview of the wildlife sanctuary. However, the sub-committee had included all these areas in its report. The erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir government had issued a preliminary notification of the boundaries of these sanctuaries in 1987. However, the Board, while deliberating threadbare on the final notification of the three protected areas, noted that the notification had not correctly mapped the boundaries of the protected areas on the ground, the spokesperson said. Saxena, during the Board meeting, observed that the statutory process prescribed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, for settlement of rights of individuals and communities residing in the proposed protected areas, has not been undertaken by the Committee. He noted that this process was not initiated and that the delineation of boundaries was carried out through a table-top exercise, without adherence to the legal framework. This rendered the exercise inconsistent with the provisions of the Act, inequitable to affected communities, and susceptible to legal challenges, the spokesperson said. He said the Board observed that several of the areas, included in the sub-committee report, are of strategic importance and relate to national security, and the mandatory defence considerations were not duly factored in the report of the subcommittee. Saxena also observed that the international boundaries, as depicted in the Survey of India maps, have not been taken as a reference point, which is essential while determining the limits of any protected area, the spokesperson said. Accordingly, taking a serious note of the discrepancies, the LG directed to set aside the report of the sub-committee. The Board also directed the designated deputy commissioners and settlement officers to resume the process of public hearings and to complete the proceedings within a period of two months. Saxena urged the people to come forth with their claims and titles of land and traditional rights, including those on pasture lands, to enable the administration to arrive at a fair decision on the boundaries of these protected areas. The Board noted that an early completion of the settlement process would be of great significance to local communities, as it would bring greater clarity, certainty and recognition to their bona fide rights in these protected areas. At the same time, it would also provide a clearer framework for wildlife conservation and development activities, within these landscapes, the spokesperson said. He said the Board also ratified 23 important projects and sent them to the Standing Committee of the National Board of Wildlife, Government of India, for clearance. These included proposals relating to power transmission infrastructure in strategically important border areas, defence infrastructure and other essential projects in the Karakoram and Changthang regions, the spokesperson said.
AstraZeneca's breast cancer drug fails in late-stage trial
AstraZeneca's breast cancer drug Etcamah did not meet its main goal in a late-stage trial. The drug showed only a numerical improvement when combined with palbociclib. This marks a setback for the recently approved treatment, which received accelerated approval. U.S.-listed shares of AstraZeneca experienced a decline in aftermarket trading. Trial data will be shared by the company in due course.
NIA searches 10 locations across J&K in LeT-linked terror case
Srinagar, Sept 12 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday conducted searches at 10 locations across Kupwara, Kulgam, Bandipora, Baramulla and Sopore in connection with a cross-border terror conspiracy involving Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) handlers and their alleged network of local Over Ground Workers (OGWs). In a statement issued to the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO), an NIA spokesperson said the searches were conducted to unearth further evidence related to the conspiracy and ascertain the roles of individuals providing logistical and other support to infiltrated terrorists. The spokesperson said the case, initially registered as FIR No. 0024/2026 at Police Station Zakoora, Srinagar, was subsequently re-registered by the NIA as RC-02/2026/NIA/JMU under Section 23 of the UA(P) Act, 1967, Sections 7 and 25 of the Arms Act, 1959, and Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908. He said the investigation commenced following the arrest of an OGW associated with LeT during the late-night hours of March 31, 2026, at a naka point, from whose possession a hand grenade and live ammunition were recovered. Further investigation subsequently led to the arrest of Pakistani nationals linked to the conspiracy and revealed the identities and suspected roles of members of the local support network, he said. The spokesperson said the investigation had so far revealed linkages between Pakistan-based LeT handlers and their local associates, who were allegedly being used for communication, movement and concealment of infiltrated terrorists, provision of shelter, reconnaissance and other logistical support. NIA is also examining the financial trail, communication channels, movement of the accused, and the source and supply chain of arms and explosives, with a view to establishing the complete network and uncovering the extent of its activities, he said. He said the searches were part of the NIAs continuing investigation into the larger conspiracy and the support mechanism facilitating cross-border terrorism. During the searches, further incriminating material relevant to the case was seized and secured, which is being examined and corroborated with other evidence collected during the investigation, he said. The spokesperson said the NIA continues its investigation to identify all persons involved in the conspiracy and establish their respective roles. Further legal action, including arrests and recoveries, may follow subject to the outcome of the investigation.(KNO)
Russian Prez Putin welcomed by PM Modi at BRICS Summit venue
BRICS Summit begins: PM Modi welcomes world leaders
New Delhi, Sep 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping to India on Saturday to kick off a two-day BRICS summit aimed at protecting developing economies from the global impact of wars in Ukraine and West Asia. The other leaders attending the summit in New Delhi are Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, New Development Bank (NDB) President Dilma Rousseff and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Chief Zou Jiayi are also attending the BRICS summit. The theme of India's BRICS presidency is Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. The summit at New Delhi's Bharat Mandapam assumed greater significance as it is taking place against the backdrop of a global economy facing the adverse impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war, the West Asia crisis, especially the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the Trump administration's trade and tariff policies. Global trade can move forward only when sea lanes are secure, supply routes remain open, and seafarers are safe. That is why India is a staunch advocate of freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers, Modi said at the BRICS Business Forum on Friday, indicating India's concerns over the escalating situation in West Asia. India's chairship of the grouping centred on the four pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. Under the resilience pillar, India has been focusing on strengthening collective cooperation in areas such as health, agriculture, food, energy, disaster risk reduction and supply chains, officials said. Enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and high technology will also be high on the agenda of the summit, they said. New Delhi has also been pressing the grouping for deploying new and emerging technologies such as digital public infrastructure, fintech, artificial intelligence and knowledge sharing to enable effective service delivery and future-ready growth. In addition to these areas, the leaders will exchange views on strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation on common priorities and share perspectives on global and regional matters of mutual importance, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, with Indonesia joining in 2025. Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam became BRICS partner countries last year. BRICS emerged as an influential grouping as it brings together 11 major emerging economies of the world, representing around 49.5 per cent of the global population, around 40 per cent of the global GDP and around 26 per cent of the global trade.
PM Modi holds bilateral talks with leaders of UAE, Malaysia, Vietnam and Ethiopia
New Delhi, Sep 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held separate bilateral meetings with leaders from Malaysia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia, focusing on critical minerals, energy, and food security to shield trade and supply chains from rising global tensions. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. In talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Modi discussed with him the overall situation in West Asia and ways to take forward the India-UAE strategic partnership. Discussed taking our strategic partnership forward across defence, AI, space, critical minerals, energy, food security and connectivity, Modi said in a social media post. At a time of uncertainty in West Asia, a strong India-UAE is a symbol of stability, prosperity and peace, he added. In their meeting, Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim reviewed the progress in bilateral cooperation across a range of areas, including trade and investment, defence and security, semiconductors, infrastructure, digital economy, energy and fintech. Ibrahim conveyed to Modi Malaysia's concurrence to the establishment of an Indian consulate general's office in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Prime Minister Modi appreciated Malaysia's continued support in strengthening ASEAN-India relations. The leaders exchanged views on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The two leaders expressed their continued commitment to advancing the India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, it said. The meeting between Modi and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung largely focused on bilateral trade and investment ties. The meeting provided an opportunity for both leaders to review the progress made in bilateral ties, which were elevated to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the MEA said. It said both leaders also exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual importance, and reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthening their partnership. India and Vietnam share a time-tested friendship rooted in shared civilisational heritage, mutual trust and understanding. Vietnam is a key pillar of India's Act East Policy and an important partner in India's broader engagement with Southeast Asia, the MEA said. Modi's talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali too centred around ways to further expand two-way relations in areas of defence and trade. The two leaders held discussions aimed at further strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership. They reviewed progress across key sectors, including economic cooperation, defence and security partnership, and capacity building, the MEA said. The meeting built on Modi's visit to Addis Ababa in December last year. The two leaders also exchanged perspectives on regional and international developments of mutual interest. They reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation in multilateral fora, the MEA noted.
Nalli Nihari To Lotus-Inspired Mithais, This Is What BRICS Delegates Will Eat In Delhi
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Bharat Mandapam to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit.
Sakina Itoo urges NHM employees to end strike, says government examining their demands
Sakina Itoo says NHM staff demands sent to Centre, urges end to strike
Srinagar, Sep 17: Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakina Itoo on Saturday appealed to striking National Health Mission (NHM) employees to return to duty, saying their work is sensitive and that the government is examining their demands, including issues related to remuneration, leave salary and pensionary benefits. Itoo said she had met the protesting employees several times and had tried to persuade them to call off the strike. I have never stopped them. Whenever they came to meet me, I spoke to them. Even before this protest, I spoke to them. I tried to convince them, she said. The minister said the government had already taken up with the Centre the issue of low remuneration paid to NHM employees. There are some issues, such as the issue of leave salary and other pensionary benefits. Our government is examining these, she said. Itoo said she had personally raised the issue of NHM employees' remuneration during a recent conference in Delhi attended by the Union Health Minister. If there was any point I raised and discussed, it was about these NHM employees. I told them that the honorarium they receive is very low. Inflation is very high these days, she said. According to Itoo, the Centre had acknowledged the concern and a proposal had already been submitted. They have also accepted it and our proposal has gone for it. I have once again told them that I will give them a reminder in Delhi so that it can somehow help them, she said. However, she said healthcare workers, including doctors, female multipurpose health workers and pharmacists, perform sensitive duty and should not remain away from work for prolonged periods. Doctors or their other staff, FMPHWs or pharmacists or others are performing a sensitive duty. Their going on protest is not justified, Itoo said. She warned that continued protests could eventually leave the government with fewer options. If they go on protest like this, I don't think it is right. Then somewhere the government also becomes compelled to take steps steps that we do not want to take because they are our own people, she said. Describing the protesting employees as our own children and our brothers and sisters, Itoo appealed to them to resume work while the government pursues their grievances. My request to them again today from here is: come back. The issues they have are already being examined by the government, she said. Itoo also questioned political leaders supporting the NHM employees' protest, asking what the BJP-led government at the Centre had done for the employees since 2019. People come and use you today, and I want to ask those people who go and sit in their protest. Tell me, who has been running the government here since 2019? The BJP has been running the government, she said. If their role is running the government here, directly, the BJP government, what have they done for these employees from 2019 till today? she asked. Itoo said the funding for the NHM scheme ultimately comes from the Centre and argued that political parties supporting the employees should direct their questions to the Union government. She also criticised BJP leaders who, she said, were promising to go to Delhi to secure statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. I was listening to a leader the other day who was saying, I will go to Delhi, I will bring an order. I know you are the BJP's daughter; please go to Delhi and bring statehood for us, she said. She accused the BJP of having caused so much destruction and devastation in Jammu and Kashmir and said political leaders who had been in power at the Centre were not in a position to question the current government over the issue. Statehood was taken away, and you have caused so much destruction and devastation in Jammu and Kashmir. Nothing is on track today, and then you will question us, she said. Itoo, however, reiterated that the government's position towards the NHM employees remained conciliatory. I want to assure the employees that they are our own people, our brothers and sisters. They work in a profession where they take care of people's health, she said. Patient care is becoming difficult, so my request to them is to return to duty. Their issues are already being examined by the government and, God willing, wherever it is possible, we will definitely help them.
12,000 NHM employees continue strike across J&K for third day
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meets President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan
China's Xi arrives in New Delhi, India for BRICS summit
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Chinese President Xi lands in Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 12: Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in the national capital on Saturday for a two-day trip to attend the BRICS Summit, marking his first visit to India in seven years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host him for bilateral talks on Saturday evening with a focus on boosting trade and investment ties. President Xi's visit to New Delhi follows a series of recent high-level exchanges, including the Special Representative dialogue in Beijing between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, even as concerns linger over aggressive Chinese military posturing along the Arunachal Pradesh sector. The Chinese leader is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising government officials and top business leaders. Both sides have rolled out a series of confidence-building measures over the past year to repair ties frayed by the more than four-and-a-half-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh.
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PM Modi holds talks with Malaysian counterpart
New Delhi, Sep 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held talks with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, focusing on boosting bilateral cooperation in sectors such as energy, defence, trade and investment. Anwar is in New Delhi to attend the BRICS summit. Building on Prime Minister Modi's visit to Malaysia in February 2026, the leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral cooperation across a range of areas, including trade and investment, defence and security, semiconductors, infrastructure, digital economy, energy, fintech, education, tourism and people-to-people ties, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on social media. The leaders exchanged views on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, he said.
Terror Probe: NIA Raids Multiple Locations Across Kashmir
SRINAGAR, Sep 12: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday conducted searches at multiple locations across Kashmir as part of its ongoing probe into a terror-related case, officials said. The raids were carried out at several locations in Kulgam and Bandipora districts and in the Sopore area of Baramulla district, they said. NIA teams carried [] The post Terror Probe: NIA Raids Multiple Locations Across Kashmir appeared first on Northlines .
Body of JeM operative retrieved in Doda, M4 rifle recovered: J&K Police
Doda, Sep 12: The remains of a Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist, who was killed earlier during a joint operation in Doda district, have been retrieved by security forces, Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Saturday. In a post on X, the J&K Police said personnel from the Special Operations Group (SOG) Doda, Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) carried out the recovery operation. You can run but you can't hide! the police said in the post. According to the police, the remains of the Pakistani terrorist, who was neutralised during an earlier joint operation, were recovered during the latest operation. A night-enabled M4 rifle was also recovered from the site, police said.
China Southern Airlines to resume Guangzhou-Delhi flights after 6 years
China Southern Airlines on Saturday announced that it will resume regular passenger services on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route from September 21, restarting the service after a six-year suspension. With the resumption, the airline will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia, the carrier said. China Southern Airlines, headquartered in Guangzhou in China's southern Guangdong province, is one of the country's major carriers. The carrier's announcement coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India on Saturday to attend the BRICS summit and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on further improving bilateral relations. The flight services between India and China were suspended following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and were not restored amid the over four-year military standoff between the two countries in eastern Ladakh, which ended in October last year. The resumption of flights is part of the gradual normalisation of .
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Saudi Arabia shuts down pipeline as Houthis seize island, opening new front in Iran war
Cairo, Sep 12: Saudi Arabia said Friday it shut down a major pipeline a day after it was attacked by drones, and Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels captured a strategic island at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, two officials said, opening a new front in the Iran war. The Houthis made their biggest territorial gains in years along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's key shipping lanes. The advance could boost Iran's strategy of driving up world oil and gas prices to pressure the United States. Saudi Arabia said it had shut down the East-West pipeline after it was attacked the day before. The Saudi Ministry of Energy called the shutdown a precautionary measure. The Saudi Foreign Ministry blamed the attack on several drones that came from Iraq. In a statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, the kingdom said it would not respond to give the Iraqi government an opportunity to take the necessary measures. Iraq's Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who is also commander-in-chief of the military, ordered an investigation into the Maysan province operations command and dismissed its commander after authorities determined that attacks targeting Saudi Arabia were launched from a site in the province, government spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said in a statement early Saturday. Saudi Arabia and the United States bombed Iranian-backed militias in Iraq in July, after blaming them for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities that had been claimed by the Houthis. Regional officials told The Associated Press that the Houthis helped the Iraqi militias plan and execute the attacks. Pipeline was built in the 1980s Built in the 1980s, the East-West pipeline has played an important role in Saudi Arabia's ability to export oil following the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war. By early June, Saudi Arabia had more than doubled oil exports from the Red Sea port at the pipeline's end to more than 5 million barrels per day, according to the International Energy Agency. The Houthis' capture of Mayun, a tiny, barren volcanic island inside the strait also known as Perim, was confirmed by a senior military official with Yemen's internationally recognised government and by a Houthi official. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to journalists. Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, has increasingly relied on the Red Sea to get its crude to market as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been striking ships. Houthi efforts to close the 28-kilometre-wide Bab el-Mandeb channel have made that route more complicated. In a statement Friday, the Houthi armed forces boasted of gains along the coast without mentioning the island, Mokha or the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. They vowed escalation for escalation in the confrontation with Saudi Arabia, while declaring that maritime navigation is safe for all companies except for Saudi vessels. Still, markets are nervous, and experts have described the Houthis as highly unpredictable. Crude prices this week soared again above USD 100 a barrel, giving Tehran more leverage in any talks. Yemen's government was shocked by slow Saudi response The Houthis have been attacking Saudi shipping on the Red Sea since declaring a blockade in July, as well as hitting oil infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia. The rebels said they acted in response to the kingdom's yearslong blockade of Houthi-held parts of Yemen. Saudi Arabia struck the airport in the port city of Mokha after the Houthis seized it Thursday, a Houthi broadcaster said. There were no reports of damage or deaths. A senior military official with Yemen's internationally recognised government told the AP they were stunned that the Saudi air force did not try to prevent the capture of Mokha, about 80 kilometres from the strait. He assessed that Saudi Arabia didn't get a green light from the US to embark on a large-scale air campaign. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't allowed to speak to the media, also blamed lack of coordination between Yemen's army and multiple allied militias, saying it gave the Houthis a priceless opportunity. Shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait had fallen by about 60 per cent since the Houthis began attacking some ships there in late 2023 and expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Shipping increased this year as Saudi Arabia sought alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, but renewed Houthi threats have curtailed that activity, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence. That has forced Saudi Arabia to find yet another alternative, sending its oil north out of the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, either via the Suez Canal or a pipeline through Egypt, a far longer route for its clients in Asia. The Houthis have threatened that route as well, striking a Saudi vessel in the north of the Red Sea in late August. Iran calls for a return to Saudi-Houthi talks Earlier Friday, Iran's government called for an end to Saudi Arabia's blockade of Houthi-held areas in a show of support for its ally. The Iranian Foreign Ministry also called for a return to negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. In a sign of the Houthis' importance to Tehran, the spokesperson for Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard on Wednesday called for any negotiated settlement with the US to include Yemen, the first explicit reference to that front. Saudi Arabia, which said it had always offered opportunities for negotiation, also said it has the right to defend itself. The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia spoke Thursday about diplomatic efforts to restore stability, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on social media. The fighting risks a return to Yemen's civil war As the Houthis swept along the Red Sea coast toward the Bab el-Mandeb channel, Yemen's Saudi-backed government called for international support. In a statement Friday from a meeting the previous day, its National Defence Council said it was on the front line of defending freedom of navigation and condemned the Houthis' renewed attacks on Saudi Arabia. The escalating fighting threatens to end a fragile truce that had largely halted Yemen's civil war since 2022. At stake are 40 million people in the Arab world's poorest country. The conflict killed 150,000 and brought many others to the brink of famine. The surge in fighting in the past week has sent over 46,000 people fleeing, the UN migration agency said Friday. People seeking safety left with whatever they can grab, Abdusattor Esoev, mission chief in Yemen for the International Organisation for Migration, said Friday. He said the number of people displaced more than doubled this week and could still rise sharply. You see the fears in their eyes, and people are scared, Esoev said. Those fleeing included doctors and other medical workers. Lou Cormack, Yemen coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, said Friday that the aid group has prioritised keeping Mokha's hospital open after most of its staff left. The Houthis have been at war with Yemen's government since 2014, when the rebels seized much of northern and central Yemen and the capital of Sanaa. Saudi Arabia entered the war the following year on behalf of the government.
Razaullahs six-hitting debut caps Pakistans stunning fightback in Edgbaston test
Birmingham, Sep 12: Sensational six-hitting by No. 9 batter Razaullah Khan on debut capped an extraordinary Pakistan fightback against England in the Edgbaston cricket test. The Pakistanis were expected to follow the previous two tests in the series and be cleaned up during day three of the third and last test by an England pace attack that has been rampant against the lackluster visitors. But Pakistan finally flexed its batting muscles to be dismissed for 449 in the last over of the day, snatch a lead of 129 runs and force a fourth day of action nobody predicted. England needs 130 runs on Saturday to complete a first three-test whitewash since 2024 on the same ground against the West Indies. Gutsy half-centuries by Shan Masood (95), captain Babar Azam (76) and opener Azan Awais (59) lifted Pakistan to the brink of wiping out a 320-run deficit on the first innings, then Razaullah and No. 10 batter Mohammad Abbas smashed past it in style in a thrilling late-day partnership. The 21-year-old Razaullah, who has a first-class century, hammered nine sixes, tied for the most ever in an innings in England with Ben Stokes in the 2023 Ashes at Lord's. Razaullah was one of the newcomers parachuted into the team last week having got his first passport. I just had to bat. You were the ones who enjoyed it, Razaullah told broadcaster Sky Sports in translated comments. I was planning to take it long and deep. They bowled in the slot so I was eyeing it up. I am enjoying it thoroughly. There was no point I was scared. His first six gave Pakistan the lead and he hit three sixes in an over off Gus Atkinson. His fifth six off Jofra Archer got him a 43-ball fifty. His next six off Archer earned Pakistan's 400. Abbas was out for a career-best 42, including two sixes and five boundaries, ending an entertaining partnership of 121 from 123 balls. It was the highest ninth-wicket stand against England since 1984. Abbas walked off to a standing ovation and Razaullah received the same when he was stumped for 81 off 63 balls just moments before scheduled stumps. The first time he's been out for Pakistan ever, and absolutely lights up the show, former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja told the BBC. This is the attitude that was needed. Someone with a strong body language and who believes in himself. They'll want him playing all formats because he's a natural. England bowling challengedEngland started the day expected to wrap up another innings win in quick time. There was good reason to believe that. Pakistan was blown away in Leeds and Lord's, didn't once make a 200 total or bat 50 overs. The Pakistan Cricket Board pressed the panic button a week ago and yanked home seven players and sacked the head coach. With three debutants, Pakistan's first innings scrounged 133 runs. England replied with 453 on Thursday, a lead of 320 runs, and nobody thought England would need to bat again. But Pakistan, which started the innings 0-2 on Thursday evening, breached 200 after lunch, breached 300 after tea and breached 320 about 40 minutes later. It scored 397 runs in 84 overs on Friday, including its first two century partnerships of the tour. The pitch eased out for batting with hardly any lateral movement for the pace bowlers despite gloomy conditions. The bowling was wayward, Joe Root's captaincy was questioned, and England toiled for the first time in the series. Pakistan advanced to 184-3 at lunch after a 125-run stand between left-handers Masood and Awais. Awais was out after England reviewed, feathering behind. His 84-ball knock featured 10 fours. Masood was moving his feet and looking nimble. He was dropped at point before his half-century in 81 balls and was five runs from a century when he was out caught in the slips by a fantastic ankle-high grab by Dan Lawrence to give Atkinson his first wicket of the match. Babar also looked good for a century, his first in 20 tests, until England set him up with bumpers. He was caught on 69 but substitute fielder Theo Wylie touched the boundary rope, and bounced out on 76 just before tea by Josh Tongue with an acrobatic catch from keeper Jordan Cox. Saud Shakeel frustrated England by plonking balls just out of reach of fielders while passing 2,000 test runs. But he was out on 29 trying to defend his head against an Archer bouncer, and Pakistan lost its last recognized batter at 306-6. Atkinson, with only one wicket in the series before Friday, added newcomers Ghazi Ghori at 312 and Mohammad Imran at 318, with Pakistan still two runs shy of making England bat again. Then Razaullah crashed the party. They've unearthed a gem, former England captain Michael Vaughan told the BBC.
NIA raids multiple locations across Kashmir
Srinagar, Sept 12: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday conducted search operations at multiple locations across Kashmir as part of an ongoing investigation, officials said. An official said that the searches were carried out at several locations in Kulgam, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts. The NIA teams were assisted by local police and security personnel during the search operations, the official said. Further details regarding the searches and the case are awaited. (KNO)
In 1870, Goats were left on a Seychelles Island; by 1920, they were forcibly eradicated
GKTV Morning News | Latest Updates From Kashmir And Beyond | September 12, 202
PM Modi pushes BRICS to tear down trade barriers, backs freedom of navigation and seafarers safety
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for BRICS to turn its growing economic weight into greater investment and expanded business ties, stressing that freedom of navigation, secure sea lanes and the safety of seafarers were essential to keeping global trade running. Addressing the BRICS Business Forum in India, Modi urged the grouping to identify and remove its top 10 trade barriers, scale 100 BRICS startups into other member markets every year and build 1,000 new business partnerships annually. The grouping, he said, should convert its growing economic weight into concrete opportunities for businesses, positioning India as a country building economic bridges at a time when trade barriers are rising globally. Global trade can only progress if sea lanes are secure, supply routes remain open, and seafarers are safe. Therefore, India is a staunch supporter of freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers, he said. The remarks came amid wars in two theatres and geopolitical conflicts disrupting energy and other trade through vital sea lanes, raising prices and disrupting supply chains. Indian ships have been attacked during the US-Iran conflict and the countrys seafarers have been abducted by pirates. Modi highlighted the scale of the expanded BRICS grouping, saying member-countries and partners now represent around half of the worlds population, 40 per cent of global GDP and more than a quarter of global trade. Over the past two decades, he said, the combined GDP of BRICS economies expanded around four-and-a-half times, compared with a roughly two-and-a-half-fold increase in global GDP. Modi placed infrastructure and strategic technologies at the centre of Indias pitch to global businesses, pointing to rapid expansion of roads, railways, ports and airports alongside new capacity in shipbuilding, semiconductors, quantum technology, critical minerals and biotechnology. Make in India, Innovate with India, and Scale for the World, Modi said, presenting India as both a manufacturing base and a source of technology and innovation for global markets. He also sought to use Indias digital public infrastructure as a platform for deeper BRICS cooperation. Modi highlighted UPIs population-scale deployment and said BRICS innovators could draw on Indias experience to develop digital solutions suited to their own markets. The Prime Minister pointed to more than 200,000 startups and over 120 unicorns in India, saying BRICS should help take such innovations to global markets. Initiatives under Indias chairship include the BRICS incubator network, BRICS MSME portal and BRICS Startup Innovation Fund, alongside new cooperation networks in agriculture, health care, skills and smart grids. Trade connectivity was another central theme. Modi said India had pursued free-trade agreements with nearly 40 countries since 2014 and argued that BRICS should similarly focus on reducing barriers and expanding opportunities for businesses. He also stressed the importance of secure sea lanes and open supply routes for global trade, reaffirming Indias support for freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers. Looking ahead, Modi challenged the BRICS Business Council to establish measurable targets rather than limit itself to dialogue: identify the blocs top 10 trade barriers for removal, support 100 BRICS startups each year in expanding into other member markets, and create 1,000 new business partnerships annually. We must review our progress on these three parameters every year, he said. The pitch came as India seeks to make its BRICS chairship centred not only on the blocs economic weight, but on turning that weight into trade, investment, technology and business activity across member economies. When it comes to resilience, Modi said, India has made its supply chains spanning sectors from energy to technology more diversified and reliable. It is a result of this very resilience that, even amidst global uncertainties, India today offers an assurance of growth and stability, he added. At a time when trade barriers are rising globally, India is building economic bridges, he said, adding that since 2014 India has entered into free trade agreements with nearly 40 countries. Our approach within BRICS is the same: to reduce barriers and expand opportunities for businesses, he said. The Prime Minister said that India is rapidly expanding roads, railways, ports, and airports. Simultaneously, we are building new capabilities in strategic sectors such as shipbuilding, semiconductors, quantum technology, critical minerals, and biotechnology. In these areas, India is emerging as a hub of new opportunities for global businesses, he said. Modi said with over 200,000 startups and more than 120 unicorns, India is emerging as a hub for global solutions. Our startups are transforming education and health care through AI, working on Green Hydrogen and batteries, and breaking new ground in the defence and space sectors. Now, we must take these world-class innovations to global markets through BRICS as well, he said. On the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), he said at present 50 per cent of the worlds real-time payments take place using this technology. We have provided an open ecosystem to the industry and startups to develop new solutions on this digital layer. We are proud that many countries are adopting this world-class ecosystem from India. Innovators from BRICS nations can also leverage this experience to create new solutions for their own countries, he said.
UPES hosts global conference on cybersecurity, digital forensics
UPES hosted the International Conference on Advancement in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics (ICACSDF 2026), bringing together researchers, cybersecurity professionals, industry practitioners and students to deliberate on emerging cyber threats and the need for resilient digital ecosystems. Organised by the School of Computer Science, UPES, and sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Uttar Pradesh Section, the conference provided a platform for research presentations, technical exchange and academia-industry collaboration. The conference received 892 research paper submissions, with 186 papers accepted after peer review by 469 reviewers from across the world. Discussions covered AI and machine learning in cybersecurity, cyber-threat intelligence, digital forensics, post-quantum cryptography, IoT security, blockchain, software and web security, incident response, and governance and risk management. Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) highlighted the importance of cybersecurity to Indias technological progress and national security and congratulated the organisers for bringing the subject into focus. UPES Vice Chancellor Dr Sunil Rai said cyber resilience was fundamental to building trust in an increasingly digital society. He stressed the role of universities in combining research, technology and industry expertise to develop practical solutions to emerging threats. Experts from institutions including the University of Auckland, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee and Indian Statistical Institute Kolkata participated in the conference.
16,900 students join HDFC ERGO Insurance Quiz Junior 2026
The 11th edition of the HDFC ERGO Insurance Quiz Junior has attracted over 16,900 students from nearly 4,850 schools across India, with more than 340 students from 151 schools in 15 cities of Jammu and Kashmir registering for the competition. Organised by HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, the flagship initiative aims to promote insurance literacy and financial awareness among students of Classes 8 and 9. Since its launch in 2016, the quiz has expanded from 18 schools in a single city to participants across more than 1,100 cities. Over the past decade, the initiative has reached nearly three million students nationwide. Somesh Surana, Joint President, Digital Business Group & Marketing, HDFC ERGO, said the initiative seeks to help young people understand the importance of preparing for unexpected situations while encouraging curiosity and confidence among students from diverse backgrounds. This year, the quiz content is available in 10 Indian languages, with 26 participating schools from vernacular-medium backgrounds, strengthening its reach at the grassroots level. The preliminary rounds are currently underway. The top 32 teams will advance to virtual zonal rounds, from which six teams will qualify for the national grand finale. The finale is scheduled to be held physically in Mumbai on September 22.
KCCI seeks awareness, clarity on implementation of ToD electricity tariff
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has called for greater awareness and clarity among consumers regarding the implementation of the Time-of-Day (ToD) electricity tariff in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly its impact on electricity billing and costs. The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has introduced the ToD tariff from September 1, 2026, for consumers, except agricultural consumers, having a sanctioned load above 10 kW. Under the system, electricity consumed during Solar Hours (9 AM to 5 PM) gets a 20 per cent rebate, while consumption during Peak Hours attracts a surcharge. KCCI said that while it had earlier opposed the introduction of the ToD tariff, it is now concerned that the mechanism has been implemented without adequate awareness among the affected consumers. What is particularly difficult to understand is that KPDCL had itself communicated to JERC that it did not want to implement the ToD mechanism. We therefore fail to understand why it has nevertheless been implemented and under what circumstances, KCCI said. The Chamber urged KPDCL to immediately undertake a comprehensive awareness campaign through all available platforms, clearly explaining the applicable timings, rebates, surcharges, eligible consumers and billing mechanism. KCCI also sought clarity on how ToD billing will be undertaken for consumers with legacy meters, given the technical difficulties involved in configuring such meters. The implementation of a new tariff regime must be accompanied by transparency, adequate consumer awareness and a proper grievance-redressal mechanism. Consumers should not be left to discover its financial implications only after receiving their electricity bills, KCCI said.
KUs 5-day NABL assessor training calls for stronger laboratory standards in J&K
A five-day NABL Assessor Training Programme (ISO 15189:2022) on Strengthening Medical Laboratory Quality Assurance in J&K concluded at the University of Kashmir (KU) on Friday, highlighting the need for quality assurance, standardisation and professional competence in medical laboratories. The programme was organised by the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, KU, in collaboration with the State Allied and Healthcare Council, J&K, and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), Quality Council of India (QCI). It aimed to strengthen professional understanding of ISO 15189:2022 and laboratory assessment and accreditation processes. While presiding over the valedictory-cum-ceremonial session, Vice-Chancellor KU, Prof Nilofer Khan, said quality laboratory systems are critical to accurate clinical diagnosis and effective patient care. She said such specialised training programmes help build professional competence and promote a culture of quality in healthcare. Consistency, quality and adherence to recognised standards are crucial to reliable laboratory practices, Prof Khan said, adding that the University would continue to promote collaborations and capacity-building initiatives with wider societal relevance. Director SKIMS, Prof Mohd Ashraf Ganie in his remarks stressed the importance of institutional collaboration in strengthening clinical and paramedical care. He called for well-equipped laboratories, skilled human resources and stringent protocols, while underlining the importance of human judgement alongside technological interventions. Speaking on the occasion Dean Academic Affairs, KU, Prof Sharieffuddin Pirzada, and Dean Research, KU, Prof Bashir A. Ganaie, emphasised quality-driven training and stronger linkages among universities, healthcare institutions and research organisations. They underlined the need to translate institutional collaborations into better professional practices and move from compliance towards sustained commitment to quality. In their remarks Principal, Government Medical College Srinagar and Dean, School of Medicine and School of Allied Sciences, University of Kashmir, Prof (Dr) Iffat Hassan Shah, and Dean, School of Biological Sciences, KU, Prof Fayaz Ahmad, highlighted the importance of accurate clinical findings in diagnosis and patient care. They said specialised academic and training initiatives can strengthen professional capacities and contribute to better healthcare outcomes. Chairperson, State Allied and Healthcare Council, J&K, Dr Sabhiya Majid, highlighted the Councils role in capacity-building of allied healthcare institutions, while Dr Ritu Kulshrestha, Joint Director, NABL-QCI, presented a brief report of the five-day programme and outlined its major components and outcomes. Earlier, Head, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, KU, Dr Tanveer Ali Dar, welcomed the dignitaries and participants and highlighted the significance of the initiative. Prof Fouzia Rashid, Organising Secretary, delivered the vote of thanks, while Beenish Shakeel conducted the proceedings of the valedictory session. Medical laboratory faculty, laboratory professionals and technologists participated in the programme, which covered ISO 15189 requirements, assessment techniques, documentation, on-site assessment, evaluation of technical competence and reporting of non-conformities.
CS Dulloo reviews framework for UT-level Project Monitoring Group
Jammu & Kashmir is set to establish a dedicated Project Monitoring Group (JK-PMG) on the lines of the National Project Monitoring Group (PMG) to ensure high-level monitoring of mega developmental projects and facilitate smooth, coordinated resolution of bottlenecks affecting their execution. The institutional framework for replicating the national mechanism in the UT was presented before Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, by representatives of the National PMG. The proposed system is aimed at strengthening project oversight, improving inter-departmental coordination and ensuring timely intervention in matters involving land acquisition, statutory clearances, construction approvals and other implementation-related issues. While speaking the Chief Secretary maintained that we should leverage technology to move from periodic status reporting to real-time, milestone-based project monitoring. He exuded hope that this comprehensive digital platform will enable us to track progress, identify critical gaps and take informed decisions based on reliable data. He further observed that a clearly defined escalation framework will ensure that issues are addressed at the level where they can be resolved, while matters requiring higher-level intervention are brought up without unnecessary delay. This will strengthen both administrative responsiveness and project accountability, he appreciated. The Chief Secretary also impressed upon the National PMG team to undertake additional capacity-building sessions for local stakeholders, ensuring that they are fully conversant with the system, its workflow and the escalation mechanism along with adequately equipping them to take over its operations efficiently here. Highlighting the significance of this monitoring group the Commissioner Secretary, PD&MD, R.Alice Vaz revealed that currently the National PMG monitors 61 projects in J&K, involving investments of 3.91 lakh crore with 130 active issues currently under review through National PMG portal. She further added that the proposed JK-PMG would function under the overall supervision of the Chief Secretary, with a dedicated team of project experts and a designated administrative department responsible for day-to-day operations and coordination. The group would monitor identified mega and strategically important projects, track milestones and pending approvals besides facilitating coordination among executing agencies and district administrations, and escalate unresolved issues for appropriate intervention. The framework envisages a structured review mechanism comprising fortnightly departmental-level reviews by Administrative Secretaries/Heads of Departments, monthly reviews chaired by the Chief Secretary, besides the reviews at the highest government level chaired by the Chief Minister himself for matters requiring such consideration. This graduated arrangement would ensure that project-related issues are examined at the appropriate level and escalated wherever necessary.
J&K Bank secures Best Bank Award for Digital Transformation
J&K Bank has won the Best Bank Award for Digital Transformation in Banking at the Navabharat BFSI Summit & Awards 2026 in Mumbai. This accolade highlights the banks successful deployment of cutting-edge technology to transform customer-facing banking services. Zonal Head (Mumbai) Irfan Kawoosa received the award on behalf of the Bank during the ceremony held at Taj President, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai. Commenting on the achievement, MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee said that the recognition belongs to the entire J&K Bank family, whose commitment and adaptability continue to drive the Banks transformation into a future-ready financial institution. He further said, For us, digital transformation is about simplifying banking, improving accessibility and delivering seamless, reliable services across geographies and customer segments. This award recognizes our sustained efforts to build a secure, agile and customer-centric digital banking ecosystem. While we continue to modernise our technology architecture and leverage data-driven capabilities, customer trust and information security remain central to the progress of our digital journey, he added. The Navabharat BFSI Summit & Awards -2026 had brought together thought leaders and experts from banking, financial services, insurance and financial technology to deliberate on the evolving dynamics of Indias BFSI ecosystem. The summit featured knowledge sessions on digital transformation, AI-driven compliance, digital onboarding, fintech innovation and systemic risk mitigation.
J&K auto market accelerates: Retail sales rise 42.84% in August
Automobile retail sales in Jammu and Kashmir registered a strong 42.84 per cent year-on-year growth in August 2026, with all major vehicle segments recording an increase in sales, according to data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) J&K. Total automobile retail in the Union Territory rose to 21,788 units in August 2026 from 15,253 units in August 2025, an increase of 6,535 units. On a month-on-month basis, retail sales also increased by 3.1 per cent, rising from 21,124 units in July 2026 to 21,788 units in August. Passenger vehicles emerged as one of the strongest-performing segments, with retail sales increasing 54.81 per cent to 6,191 units in August 2026 from 3,999 units in the corresponding month last year. The two-wheeler segment, which accounts for the largest share of the market, recorded a 36.28 per cent increase, with sales rising to 12,579 units from 9,230 units in August 2025. Three-wheeler retail sales registered an even sharper increase of 64.68 per cent, rising to 1,655 units from 1,005 units a year earlier. Commercial vehicle sales also maintained strong growth, increasing 29.23 per cent to 977 units from 756 units in August 2025. The construction equipment segment more than doubled its retail numbers, registering a growth of 116.67 per cent, although from a smaller base. Sales increased to 39 units from 18 units in August last year. Total automobile retail in the Union Territory rose to 21,788 units in August 2026 from 15,253 units in August 2025, an increase of 6,535 units. Tractor retail sales rose 41.63 per cent, with 347 units sold in August 2026 compared to 245 units in August 2025. Commenting on the performance, Sanjay Aggarwal, Chairperson, FADA J&K, described August as an encouraging month for the automobile industry in the Union Territory. August 2026 achieved a splendid growth of 42.84 per cent YoY and about 3.1 per cent MoM, Aggarwal said. He said the overall growth reflected strong consumer confidence and improving economic activity across J&K. We are particularly encouraged to see that growth has been recorded across all major segments. Passenger Vehicles grew by 54.81 per cent, while 2-Wheelers registered a healthy growth of 36.28 per cent. The strong performance of 3-Wheelers, Commercial Vehicles and Tractors also reflects increasing economic and business activity in the region, he said. Aggarwal said the industry was now looking towards the upcoming festive and marriage seasons for further momentum. With Navratras, Dhanteras, Dussehra and Diwali approaching, along with the marriage season, automobile dealers expect increased consumer spending and stronger demand for personal mobility. These periods traditionally witness increased consumer spending and higher demand for personal mobility, particularly in the Passenger Vehicle and 2-Wheeler segments. We are hopeful that the positive sentiment generated during the festive season will translate into stronger retail numbers in the coming months, he said. He said the marriage season was another important demand driver, particularly for passenger vehicles and two-wheelers, as families often plan vehicle purchases around weddings and other family occasions. At the same time, he said, commercial vehicles and three-wheelers could benefit from increased economic and commercial activity during the festive period. Dealers across J&K are gearing up to cater to the anticipated increase in customer enquiries and footfall. Attractive product offerings, financing options and festive campaigns by manufacturers and dealerships are likely to further support demand, Aggarwal said. He added that the industry remained cautiously optimistic that the combination of the festive and marriage seasons would help sustain the positive year-on-year growth momentum and potentially offset some of the recent month-on-month softness.
What will they do, carryout Operation Sindoor?:Deputy CM reacts to daily wagers ultimatum
J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Friday reacted to the ultimatum of protesting daily wagers, asking whether they would carry out Operation Sindoor. The Deputy CM was responding to a question asked by media persons on the sidelines of the inaugural ceremony of the three-day Kashmir Expo 2026 at Zabarwan Park on Boulevard Road, Srinagar. Reacting to the ultimatum issued by daily wagers that they would stop work if their services were not regularised, Choudhary questioned what the employees would achieve by resorting to a strike. What will they do? Will they carry out Operation Sindoor? he told media persons here. He appealed to striking daily wagers and other temporary workers to call off their agitation, saying that their demand for regularisation was legitimate and the government was considering a phased approach to the issue. The Deputy Chief Minister said a committee headed by the Chief Secretary was examining the regularisation issue and the government was actively considering the matter. The possibility of regularising eligible daily wagers in phases was also being examined. So the government is thinking about these things and very soon you will see the result, Choudhary said. He appealed to the striking workers to remain engaged with the government instead of resorting to agitation, saying that they were an integral part of the administration and had a role in serving the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I will appeal to the daily wagers that you are a part of this society. You are the pillars of our government. We all have to serve Jammu and Kashmir together, so dont go for strikes, he said. Choudhary further said that the demand of the daily wagers was legitimate and said the Omar Abdullah-led government would address the issue. Your demand is legitimate, Omar Abdullah government will definitely regularise them, he said. On the controversy surrounding Vande Mataram, Choudhary said the song was associated with Indias freedom struggle and the sacrifices made by people during the fight for independence. He said people from different communities and religions had participated in the freedom movement. The focus should not be on who sang the song, how long they sang it or in what manner, he said. He, however, refused to comment on the statement made by the Congress party. I have not heard that statement or read it, but this song is the song of our martyrs. I do not want to comment on it further, he added. Choudhary described Vande Mataram as an important symbol of the freedom struggle, saying people had marched for Indias freedom without distinctions of community or religion. Earlier, he inaugurated the three-day Kashmir Expo 2026 at Zabarwan Park on Boulevard Road in Srinagar. The event is being organised by the J&K Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) under the aegis of the Department of Industries and Commerce. The expo is being held from September 11 to 13 under the theme, Celebration of Craft, Culture & Cuisine Showcasing Rich Kashmirs Heritage by Empowering Golden Hands & Talent. The expo brings together artisans, craftsmen, weavers, entrepreneurs, businesses and other stakeholders, providing them a platform to showcase handicrafts, handloom products, traditional crafts, local produce, cuisine and contemporary products. Speaking at the inauguration, Choudhary said the expo would help provide greater visibility and market access to artisans, entrepreneurs and local enterprises. He said the initiative was aimed at connecting local talent and products with wider markets while creating opportunities for artisans and businesses to expand. He said the event would also enable participating businesses and artisans to interact with visitors, gain market exposure and explore new business opportunities. JKTPO has been working to promote trade, commerce, investment and exports from Jammu and Kashmir by facilitating market linkages and providing platforms for local enterprises to connect with buyers and business stakeholders, he added. He said the organisation was also the nodal agency for initiatives including One District One Product (ODOP) promotion, trade fairs and exhibitions, buyer-seller meets, district export promotion initiatives and digital market linkages.
From across India, officials discover Kashmir beyond its tourism image
As the curtains fell on Jammu and Kashmirs first International Film Festival in Srinagar, officials from various states who attended the four-day event returned with more than memories of films and red-carpet ceremonies. The festival gave them an opportunity to experience Kashmir beyond its conventional tourist image, they say. Officials from the Departments of Information, Culture and Tourism said the festival allowed them to interact with local people, explore different parts of the Valley and gain a closer understanding of its culture, lifestyle and people. Sudhakar T, Director, Information and Publicity, Government of Puducherry, described his participation in the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir as a truly memorable experience, both personally and professionally. From the ceremonial opening at INOX Srinagar to the grand opening ceremony at SKICC, the festival was executed with remarkable precision, he said, referring to the lamp lighting, felicitation of the jury and personalities of Indian cinema, musical performances and the address by the chief guest. It was heartening to see a festival of this scale being hosted for the very first time in the Valley, bringing together filmmakers, artists and industry voices from across the world, Sudhakar said. For him, however, the experience went beyond the festival venues and the glamour surrounding the event. What struck me most, beyond the glamour of the red carpet, was the opportunity the festival gave to explore Kashmir itself both the urban rhythm of Srinagar and the quieter, rural stretches beyond it, he said. He said interacting with local people and understanding their daily lives, warmth and connection with the land added an entirely different dimension to his experience. The festivals focus on Jammu and Kashmirs cinematic heritage also helped visitors understand the region beyond its tourist attractions, he said. Sections such as Cinematic Echoes, celebrating the stories and legacy of J&K cinema, and the J&K Library, documenting local filmmakers and talent, provided a window into the regions creative landscape. The festival was also spread across different venues, including SKICC, INOX Srinagar, Gulmarg and Wave Mall in Jammu. The floating cinema concept, which took films to Kashmirs iconic waterscapes, further connected the event with the regions landscape and culture. A tourism official from Himachal Pradesh, whose department had set up a stall at the festival, said the event provided an opportunity to showcase the state while interacting with filmmakers, visitors and officials from different parts of the country. Alka, an official from Punjabs Department of Information, also described the experience as great, saying the festival provided an opportunity to learn about Kashmir and interact with people from different parts of the country. Officials said the festival had successfully brought together cinema, culture and tourism while creating opportunities for people from different parts of India to engage with Kashmir beyond the usual tourist experience. For Sudhakar, the festivals strongest impression was the sense of place it created. The cinema was world cinema, but the spirit was unmistakably Kashmiri its people, its culture and its landscape formed as much a part of this festival as the films themselves, he said.
Hopes diminish, search continues for 10-year-old boy swept away in Bandipora stream
A simple cricket game turned into a tragedy on Thursday evening when a 10-year-old boy slipped into the fast-flowing Madhumati Nallah in north Kashmirs Bandipora district. By Friday evening, a massive search operation involving marine commandos, police and hundreds of local volunteers was still desperately looking for him. The boy, Momin Aashiq, was playing near the water in Kaloosa Ganai Mohalla around 7:30 PM. Local resident Sameer Wani said Momin was just trying to retrieve his ball when disaster struck. The water flow was high, his foot slipped, and he fell into the Madhumati Nallah, Wani explained. The initial rescue operation continued late into Thursday night before the dark waters forced officials to pause the search. Rescuers and locals were back at the riverbanks in the wee hours of Friday and continued scouring the area into the evening. Specialised MARCOS commandos and civil administration officials also joined the SDRF, local police and dozens of community volunteers. The incident has shaken the entire town. Bandipora MLA Nizamuddin Bhat, along with several other political leaders and activists, visited the site on Friday to monitor the efforts and support the grieving family. Deputy Commissioner of Bandipora Indu Kanwal also visited the scene, expressing deep sorrow while acknowledging the grim reality of the passing hours. It is very unfortunate that within 12 hours we are now likely looking for a body. As time passes, our hopes are diminishing, Kanwal stated. She pointed out that while the banks of the nallah are secured with netting, some gaps were purposely left open so locals could wash their clothes. She issued a strong appeal to parents living near the water to keep a close watch on their children so they do not wander into these dangerous gaps. To give the rescue teams the best possible chance, the district administration took the major step of asking the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) to halt the rivers water flow. We officially took this up and stopped the water last night, Kanwal said. She explained that because the NHPC operates a power project, they had to release some water briefly in the afternoon. Now, we have again asked them to shut off the water completely from 11 AM to 5 PM today. Stopping the water entirely will be helpful for the search operations. As of Friday evening, search teams and locals continued to comb the rocky riverbed, hoping to bring closure to the family.
Walnut falls leave Kashmir with a trail of paralysis
For Kashmirs walnut workers, the harvest lasts a few weeks. A fall from a tall tree can leave them paralyzed for life. Ashiq Hussain was 17 when he fell from a walnut tree in 2002. The fall left him paralyzed. Now 42, Ashiq of Boniyar in Uri lives in a wheelchair with his 80-year-old mother and has no regular livelihood. He spent about a month undergoing treatment before returning home. His father died in 2011 and his brother, who supported the family, died in 2015. Ashiq receives Rs 1,200 a month from the Social Welfare Department. His mother gets Rs 1,500. The 2014 floods washed away their maize field and damaged their house. His brother later built a few rooms for the family. Ashiq is one of many Kashmiris whose lives have been permanently changed by falls from orchard trees. Shahid Maqbool Lone, 28, of Gatipora, has lived with paralysis since a fall during the 2018 walnut harvest. A branch loosened as he climbed, sending him to the ground. He suffered head and back injuries and underwent surgery but remained paralyzed. Shahid had worked as a laborer during the harvest to support his family. He now lives with his parents, younger brother and younger sister. The family also struggles with stomach, kidney and lung problems. He cannot afford a wheelchair suited to his condition. A wheelchair provided through social welfare was also unsuitable. Shaheen, 30, of Verinag in Anantnag, was 19 when he slipped from a walnut tree during the 2015 autumn harvest. The fall left him paralyzed. He said the hardest part is watching his parents and brother struggle to support the family. His brother works as a shepherd. The Voluntary Medicare Society provided Shaheen with a wheelchair. In Hirpora, Shopian, 33-year-old Muhammad Abbas has been bedridden since a fall from an apple tree caused a spinal injury in December 2023. Married with two children, Abbas depends on his father and brothers, who themselves struggle to support the family. Mushtaq Ahmad, an orchardist from Tral, said he knows at least a dozen people who had been paralyzed after falling from walnut trees. A neighbor, he said, also fell and remains bedridden. Most victims were breadwinners who climbed tall trees without helmets, harnesses or other protective gear to earn seasonal income. Seasonal laborers earn Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 for every eight large bags of walnuts they harvest. Fresh cases The danger has returned with this years harvest. Walnut harvesting began about two weeks ago and is expected to continue through October. Hospitals across Kashmir are already treating workers for fractures, and for limb, pelvic, head and cervical spinal injuries sustained after falls from trees. At Bone and Joint Hospital in Srinagar, several patients with walnut-tree fall injuries have been treated this season, including at least three with spinal injuries. At SKIMS Bemina, orthopedic specialists have also reported spinal injuries linked to walnut-tree falls this season. Dr. Shabir Dhar, professor of orthopedics at SKIMS Bemina, said the height of walnut trees makes such falls particularly dangerous. Workers can hit branches on the way down before striking the ground, causing head, spinal, pelvic and limb injuries. The cervical spine is particularly vulnerable because of its mobility and relative fragility. Spinal injuries have also been reported this season at SKIMS Soura. GMC Baramulla and GMC Handwara have reported fractures and spinal injuries among walnut harvest workers. At GMC Anantnag, seven patients with different fractures have been treated since harvesting began. One suffered a spinal fracture resulting in paraplegia, underwent surgery and remains admitted, said Dr. Younis Kamal, Professor of orthopedics. Another case is 50-year-old Abdul Rehman Ganai of Khansahib, Budgam, who suffered paraplegia after falling while harvesting walnuts at Kramsherwar. Ganai was admitted to Bone and Joint Hospital on Sep 2 and underwent surgery. He was discharged after a few days but remains bedridden. A laborer, Ganai has four walnut trees but no orchard of his own. He works during the walnut season to supplement his family income. His wife, six daughters and one son depend on him. His father-in-law, Abdul Rashid, worries about whether Ganai will be able to work again. CARE Foundation JK @ Valley Wheeliez, an organization of more than 200 physically challenged persons, including people with spinal cord injuries, said government support for persons with severe disabilities remains minimal. All of us are wheelchair users who have confronted the physical and emotional realities of severe disability. Despite having no proper source of income, the organization continues to help people with severe disabilities and provide support to wheelchair users, said Dildar Ahmad Shapoo, president of the organization. He said the foundation is dedicated to the rehabilitation and empowerment of wheelchair-bound spinal cord injury persons. A documented hazard Medical studies from Kashmir have documented the dangers of walnut-tree falls for years. Research from SKIMS Soura found spinal fractures in about 45% of patients admitted after walnut-tree falls. About 20% developed quadriparesis and 25% died, with severe brain injuries contributing to many deaths. A study by Dr. Asif Nazir Baba and colleagues at Bone and Joint Hospital found falls from more than 15 meters particularly likely to cause severe injuries because of the impact on hard ground. Common injuries included heel and wrist fractures, head and cervical spine injuries, pelvic fractures and long-bone fractures. Spinal fractures accounted for nearly 40% of cases, with thoracolumbar injuries the most common, followed by cervical injuries. Cervical fracture-dislocations were frequent among workers who landed head-first. The study also recorded brachial plexus injuries when workers tried to catch branches with outstretched hands. Two such injuries were recorded in a series of 115 patients. A 2009 Bone and Joint Hospital study recorded 37 spinal fractures among walnut-fall victims, with neurological deficits in 17%. Another hospital series of 54 patients found that 92.6% were men, with a mean age of 48. Spinal injuries accounted for 44.4% of cases, particularly wedge-compression fractures of the lumbar spine. A larger dataset found spinal injuries in 18.1% of walnut-tree fall cases, including thoracic injuries in 7.8%, lumbosacral injuries in 6.3% and cervical injuries in 3.9%. Dhar said falls from height are among the leading causes of fatal and nonfatal adult injuries, alongside road crashes. In Kashmir, walnut harvesting concentrates such injuries into a few months each autumn, adding to the burden on hospitals. Walnut-tree falls can cause burst spinal fractures, complex long-bone injuries and brachial plexus damage. Many victims land on their heads or shoulders, exposing the cervical spine to severe trauma, Kamal said. Complete spinal cord injuries can cause permanent loss of movement and sensation below the affected level. Only a small proportion of patients with complete injuries regain meaningful function, he said. For Ashiq, the harvest ended 24 years ago. The paralysis did not. And this years harvest is only beginning.
Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, Ghulam Mohiuddin Lone remembered on 24th death anniversary
A congregational memorial programme was held on Friday at Lone Manzil Sogam area of Lolab in north Kashmirs Kupwara district to commemorate the 24th death anniversary of senior National Conference leader and former Home Minister late Mushtaq Ahmad Lone and prominent political and social activist late Ghulam Mohiuddin Lone. The programme was attended by National Conference (NC) District President Kupwara and MLA Lolab Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, who paid rich tributes to the two leaders and remembered their contribution to public service and their enduring bond with the people. Speakers recalled the role played by Mushtaq Ahmad Lone and Ghulam Mohiuddin Lone in the social and political life of the region, saying their commitment to public welfare and service would continue to be remembered. Notably both the deceased leaders were paternal uncles of MLALolabQaiser Jamsheed Lone. A special prayer was offered for the departed souls, with participants praying to Almighty Allah to grant them Jannat-ul-Firdous and give strength and patience to their family members and all those who continue to feel their absence. Scores of National Conference (NC) workers, youth wing members, relatives, local residents and other people attended the memorial programme.
JK Congress chief criticises CM Omar Abdullah over Vande Mataram remarks
Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Friday criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for saying that failure to comply with the Centres direction on singing the full version of Vande Mataram could land Kashmiris in jail, calling his remarks highly unfortunate and detached from reality. Earlier, while reacting to the controversy over the full version of the national song being played at a film festival, Abdullah asserted that it was a statutory requirement, and questioned whether the Congress wanted Kashmiris to be jailed. In response, Karra pointed out that Keralam had decided to sing only the first two stanzas and that no one was put behind bars. Omar Abdullah sahib's comment is detached from reality and, therefore, highly unfortunate, he said. Differences among the alliance partners cropped up after Congress slammed the ruling National Conference over the full rendition of the national song played at the inauguration of the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) here. Abdullah defended the move, saying that the issue was needlessly politicised. The chief minister had said that legally, wherever the national anthem is played, all six stanzas of Vande Mataram have been made mandatory. This is not just for Jammu and Kashmir; it applies across the entire country. In states governed by Congress, the same will happen at government functions. This is now a statutory obligation, he said. Does Congress want Kashmiris to be thrown in jail on this issue? he added. The CM said his party had not adopted the full song and has no objection if the Congress revokes it in the future once it comes to power. When Congress comes to power, and I pray they come to power as soon as possible, they can revoke this in Parliament. Let them do it, we have no objection. In fact, as a party, we have never adopted Vande Mataram, and we won't adopt it in the future either. But whatever our legal and statutory obligations are, we have to fulfill them, he said. Pushing back at the CM's assertion, Karra questioned why Abdullah had framed the controversy around the general population. How did the people of Jammu & Kashmir come into the picture when our expectations were clearly and exclusively from the Government of Jammu & Kashmir? Karra asked, asserting that the public had no role in the debate and that the onus remained squarely on the government to stand upright. Karra drew parallels with other non-BJP-ruled states to challenge the chief minister's stance on statutory compliance. But since Omar Sahib has raised the issue, it begs two questions: One, did a single person in Kerala go to jail when its government chose to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at the Independence Day parade? And second, are we wrong to expect our Hon'ble CM to be equally capable of standing up for secular and inclusive values as the CMs of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and now even Karnataka and Telangana have done by limiting Vande Mataram to first two stanzas at state events? he asked. Karra said the IFFJK was a state event organised jointly by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), J&K, and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), and it was inaugurated by Chief Minister Abdullah himself. So, who else was or wasn't present is irrelevant, it is a superfluous detail meant only to distract from the core issue, he added.
LoP Sunil Sharma conducts public outreach in Kathua, Samba
Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, undertook an extensive public outreach programme across Kathua and Samba, engaging with people from different walks of life and listening to their concerns. Sharma, as per a party statement, was accompanied by BJP MLAs Chander Prakash Ganga, Devinder Manyal, Surjeet Singh Slathia, Darshan Kumar, Satish Sharma, Vijay Sharma and Dr. Bharat Bushan. A large number of delegations representing different sections of society met the BJP leaders and apprised them of a wide range of issues. The delegations included representatives of Village Defence Guards (VDGs), Mahila groups, industrialists, tribal communities, farmers, traders, youth, refugees and transporters, besides representatives from border areas. Concerns regarding non-release of land compensation, development needs in border areas, employment, infrastructure and other local issues were also brought to the notice of the Leader of Opposition. Sharma gave a patient hearing to the delegations and assured them that their genuine concerns would be taken up at the appropriate forums. He also directed the concerned departments to initiate immediate remedial measures wherever required and assured the people that their issues would be raised strongly during the upcoming Assembly Session. Sharma said the people of Jammu & Kashmir had voted with expectations of change, development, employment and better governance. However, he alleged that the National Conference government had failed to address several pressing concerns of the people. He said issues affecting employees, women, industrialists, farmers, tribal communities, VDGs, youth, refugees, transporters and residents of border areas could not be ignored, adding that people needed concrete solutions rather than political rhetoric and excuses. The BJP stands firmly with the people of Jammu & Kashmir and will remain their strongest voice inside and outside the Legislative Assembly, Sharma said. He asserted that the BJP would continue to raise the concerns of the people and would not allow their legitimate demands to be sidelined. Sharma said the BJPs public outreach was aimed at strengthening direct engagement with the people and ensuring that their concerns reached the highest forums of governance. He added that BJP legislators would continue to remain accessible to the public and work for their legitimate rights, dignity, development and a better future for Jammu & Kashmir.
CPCO Amit Sharma reviews population enumeration progress in snowbound areas of J&K, Ladakh
Jammu, Sep 11: Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Amit Sharma on Friday chaired a comprehensive review meeting with the nodal officers and district coordinators of the Directorate to assess the progress of population enumeration of Census 2027 in the snow-bound areas of two Union Territories (UTs). The meeting was moderated by Arun Kumar, Joint Chief Principal Census Officer and Manmeet Singh Loomba, Deputy Chief Principal Census Officer and attended by all Assistant Chief Principal Census Officers and district coordinators from the Directorate of Census Operations, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. A detailed snow bound district-wise review was undertaken by CPCO Amit Sharma regarding the ongoing population enumeration in the whole of Union Territory of Ladakh and the partially snow bound districts of UT of Jammu and Kashmir, along with the status of population enumeration in special charges in their snow bound areas. The district coordinators presented updated status reports on the activities under their respective jurisdictions and informed that the population enumeration exercise was progressing satisfactorily and in accordance with the prescribed census guidelines and training protocols. CPCO Amit Sharma reviewed preparations for the forthcoming District Census Handbook (DCHB) training and fieldwork, as well as the preparedness of the Directorate. According to the district coordinators, the preparations for DCHB training have been planned across most districts during the third and fourth weeks of September 2026 and already in progress in some districts. The training will precede the DCHB fieldwork scheduled to be undertaken during October 2026, and district teams have initiated the necessary preparations to ensure timely commencement and smooth execution of the field activities. Providing an update on special charges, Manmeet Singh Loomba informed that the training of charge officers, supervisors and enumerators of all special charges falling within the snow-bound areas of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir was successfully completed. He further informed that the required census material was also supplied to all such special charges, ensuring their readiness for the population enumeration exercise. Jatinder Kumar, Assistant Chief Principal Census Officer, similarly apprised the meeting that in the UT of Ladakh, training of charge officers, supervisors and enumerators of all special charges was also completed and the required census material was provided to the concerned establishments. CPCO Amit Sharma also reviewed preparations for the forthcoming visit of senior officers from ORGI for inspection of census preparedness and progress in both the UTs of J&K and Ladakh in coming days. It was informed that preparations were in full flow and all concerned nodal officers and district coordinators were fully briefed and were prepared to facilitate the inspection and provide the required updates on census activities. Sharma appreciated the coordinated efforts of the district teams and the progress reported from across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. He stressed the importance of maintaining the same level of preparedness and adherence to census guidelines through the remaining stages of the exercise, particularly in view of the challenging geographical conditions of the snow-bound areas. CPCO emphasised that the simultaneous progress of population enumeration, special charges and preparations for the DCHB exercise reflected the multi-dimensional nature of the census 2027 work programme and called upon all officers and field functionaries to maintain close coordination, timely reporting and strict adherence to the prescribed procedures. Amit Sharma expressed confidence that the continued efforts of the Directorate's officers, district coordinators and field teams would ensure the smooth and successful completion of population enumeration in the snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, while keeping the Directorate fully prepared for the subsequent stages of Census 2027.
SyedMohammadAltaf Bukhari chairs Apni Party meet
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday presided over an important party meeting attended by party leaders and workers from across Srinagar city. During the meeting, participants, as per a party statement, thoroughly discussed and identified various public issues and grievances, particularly the infrastructural and developmental deficit in Srinagar, which is causing grave hardships to residents. The participants also expressed deep concern over growing unemployment and the lack of adequate livelihood opportunities for the youth in Srinagar city. They pointed out that, as the people of Srinagar do not fall under any reservation category, except the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), whose quota has also been reduced by the present government, the youth in the city face further limited opportunities for employment. The meeting also discussed the problems confronting the artisan community. The participants said that the government has failed to take adequate initiatives to support and promote artisans in the city. They further expressed concern over cabs and taxis from outside the Union Territory operating in Srinagar, saying that this is adversely affecting the livelihoods of local youth who have purchased vehicles through bank loans. The participants also raised concern over the lack of modern infrastructure in the city that could help attract more tourists and boost the local economy. They said that most areas of Srinagar continue to grapple with a shortage of basic amenities, adding that even adequate power and water supply is not being provided to residents in many parts of the city. The participants said that despite two years having passed since the present government assumed office, it has failed to take effective measures to address the pressing public issues confronting Srinagar city. After detailed deliberations, the participants decided that Apni Party would start organising public conventions across Srinagar to provide a platform to people to identify and raise their issues. These conventions, they said, would also help put pressure on the government to take concrete measures to address the problems of the people and end its apathy and neglect towards Srinagar. The first such convention will be held at Chinar Colony, Parray Pora on September 20, followed by another convention at Natipora-Rambagh on September 27. Similar public conventions will subsequently be organised in other constituencies of Srinagar as well. During these conventions, local residents will be invited to participate and directly identify and raise the issues that are causing continuous hardships to them. The initiative is aimed at bringing the concerns of Srinagars residents to the forefront and seeking concrete action for their redressal.
All India bank employees strike affects services in Jammu
Jammu, Sep 11: Banking operations were affected on Friday as bank employees and officers in Jammu observed the nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) in support of their long-pending demands, prominently the implementation of a five-day work week in the banking industry. The strike was described by union representatives as a strong and successful nationwide action, with employees and officers staying away from work in support of the call. At Jammu, under the leadership of Rajesh Mehta, All Indian Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC) secretary Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, employees from different banks and constituent unions participated in the local programme. Union leaders said bank employees were forced to resort to strike because their justified demands remained unresolved despite a formal agreement and repeated assurances. The principal demand related to five-day banking, for which an agreement was signed between the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) and the bank unions in March 2024. More than two and a half years later, the agreed arrangement was still not implemented, they rued. They pointed out that five-day working had been in force in central government offices since 1985. It is also followed in state government offices, district offices, courts, Income Tax offices, the stock market, the Reserve Bank of India and LIC. In most of these institutions, there is no alternative physical service available on weekends. Banking services, however, remain available to customers 24 hours a day and seven days a week through ATMs, internet banking, mobile banking, UPI and other digital and alternate channels, they asserted. The unions also noted that five-day banking was the prevailing practice in almost all countries across the world. As part of the March, 2024 agreement, the unions had agreed to extend the working and banking business hours by 40 minutes on each working day so that declaring the remaining Saturdays as holidays would not reduce the total banking hours available to customers. A significant aspect highlighted by the unions was the financial sacrifice made by employees participating in the strike. In the banking industry, wages are deducted for the day of strike. Thus, every employee and officer who joined Friday's action did so knowing that one day's salary would be lost. Union representatives said it underlined the seriousness of the demand and the frustration caused by the prolonged delay in implementing an already agreed measure. Apart from five-day banking, UFBU has also raised objections to the unilateral and discriminatory PLI framework and has sought its review through bilateral discussions with the unions and associations, along with settlement of residual issues pending in the industry. Speaking at the local programme, UFBU leaders said, The success of the strike shows that bank employees are united on these issues. Government must take note of our justified demands. We are not seeking any undue concession; we are asking for implementation of an agreement already reached and for a fair resolution of the pending issues. Simultaneous demonstrations were also held today across J&K and Ladakh UT, from Kathua till Kargil centre. UFBU has already announced further strike action on September 28, 29 and 30, 2026, and an indefinite strike from October 26, 2026, if the issues remain unresolved. Union representatives said the Government and IBA still have an opportunity to resolve the matter through meaningful dialogue and avoid further disruption.
GDC Kathua clinch Inter-Collegiate Kabaddi Championship
The Inter-Collegiate Kabaddi (Men) Tournament 202627, organised by the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu, concluded with an exciting final at the Gymnasium Hall, University of Jammu, witnessing intense competition, impressive performances and a high level of sporting spirit. In the much-awaited final match, GDC Kathua, as per a statement, emerged as the Champions after defeating MIET College by a margin of 15 points, with a final score of 5237. GDC Kathua displayed an impressive combination of teamwork, tactical execution, defensive strength and attacking prowess to secure the Championship title. In the third-place match, PG Department, University of Jammu secured the third position after registering a 1310 victory over GDC Bhaderwah. The tournament witnessed highly competitive encounters throughout, with participating teams demonstrating remarkable teamwork, coordination, determination, tactical awareness and discipline. The players displayed commendable commitment and sportsmanship, maintaining the true spirit of fair play and healthy competition. Dr. Daud Iqbal Baba, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu, was the Chief Guest on the occasion. He presented the Championship Trophy and medals to the winning teams and appreciated the commendable efforts of the participating players, team officials and organising officials for the successful conduct of the tournament. He emphasised the significant role of sports in fostering discipline, teamwork, physical fitness, leadership qualities and sportsmanship among students. The tournament was conducted under his overall supervision and guidance, with the objective of providing student-athletes a platform to showcase their talent and further strengthening the culture of competitive sports at the University. Among those present on the occasion were Raj Kumar Bakshi, Ravish Vaid, Jai Bharat, Sh. Sandeep Sharma, Sukomal Ganguly, along with officials, coaches and players. The matches were officiated by Anil Sharma, Ajay Gupta, Dheeraj Sharma, S. Harpreet Singh, Amandeep Singh, Prajwal Slathia, Ashfaq Hussain and Gagan Kumar, whose professional conduct and efforts contributed to the smooth and successful conduct of the championship.
477 ultra-runners take part in Ladakh Marathons high-altitude endurance races
The 13th edition of the iconic Ladakh Marathon wrapped up on Friday after four days of high-octane high-altitude endurance racing, bringing together over runners from across India and around the globe. Recognised as one of the world's toughest and highest marathon events, this year's edition marked a milestone in scale, international participation, and competitive stakes. Organised by the High Altitude Sports Foundation in collaboration with the Union Territory Administration of Ladakh.A major highlight of this 13th edition was the announcement of a record Rs 1 crore (approx. $100,000) total prize purse by the UT Administrationthe largest prize pool in the marathon's history. A total of 477 ultra-runners participated in the 122-km Silk Route Ultra and 72-km Khardung La Challenge this year. The races test participants on the challenging high-altitude terrain of Ladakh, with the Khardung La Challenge taking runners towards the worlds second-highest motorable pass Khardung La situated at an altitude of 17,618 feet. Nawang Tsering of Ladakh Police, with a timing of 12 hours and 12 minutes and 18 seconds, won the 122-km Silk Route Ultra, claiming the first prize of Rs 5 lakh. Suraj Meena from Rajasthan secured the second position and received Rs 3.5 lakh, while Rigzen Gyurmeth of 2 Ladakh Scouts finished third and bagged Rs 2.25 lakh.In the 72-km Khardung La Challenge, Jigmet Stobdan of Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre (LSRC) emerged victorious, winning the first prize of Rs 2.75 lakh. Shabir Hussain, also from LSRC, secured the second position and received Rs 2 lakh, while Singay Angchok of 2 Ladakh Scouts finished third and was awarded Rs 1.75 lakh. The 13th Ladakh Marathon, being held from September 10 to 13, has attracted 7,500 runners from 28 States and 6 Union Territories, with international participants expected from all six inhabited continents. More than 3,000 family members also visited Leh during the event. Since its inception in 2012, the Ladakh Marathon has grown into a prestigious international sporting event and is recognised as the worlds highest AIMS-certified marathon. This years edition carries a record Rs 1 crore prize pool, the highest-ever prize commitment in the history of the Ladakh Marathon, announced by the UT Administration. The marathon also contributed significantly to the local tourism economy, generating more than 70,000 bed nights. The 2026 edition contributed approximately Rs 4047 crore directly to the grassroots economy. The economic activity benefits local hotels, homestays, family-run guesthouses, taxi operators, restaurants, guides, traditional artisans and small businesses. Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, gave away medals to the winners of the Silk Route Ultra and Khardung La Challenge, organised as part of the 13th Ladakh Marathon. Congratulating the winners and participants, the Lieutenant Governor appreciated their determination and perseverance in taking on the demanding high-altitude races. He said the growing popularity of the two ultra races demonstrates Ladakhs potential to emerge as a leading destination for high-altitude sports and adventure tourism. The Lieutenant Governor said Ladakhs high altitude, dramatic mountains, vast valleys and unique landscapes provide an exceptional setting for endurance and adventure sports. Ladakh Marathon stands as a shining model for responsible, sustainable tourism that empowers our communities while protecting our fragile ecology. This is the exact model of responsible tourism that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi emphasises upon one that creates meaningful experiences and sustainable livelihoods and protects our fragile ecology, our lakes and mountains for the future generations, LG Saxena said. The Lieutenant Governor appreciated the organisers, race officials, volunteers, local communities, medical teams, security personnel, government departments and all other stakeholders for their efforts in conducting the event. He also appreciated the organisers for following a strict zero-single-use-plastic policy and involving local schools and communities in environmental initiatives, stressing that the growth of sports and adventure tourism must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility.
JJM in limbo over contractors Rs 35 Cr unpaid dues in Ramban
Banihal, Sep 11:The ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), aimed at providing piped drinking water to every rural household, has hit a major roadblock in Ramban district, with works under several schemes remaining stalled for nearly two years amid mounting unpaid dues of contractors. The situation has left thousands of people in the districts hilly and remote areas, including Banihal, Khari, Ramsoo, Neel, Pogal Paristan, Gool, Sangaldan, Batote, Rajgarh, Gandhari, Chapnari and Thachi Amkote, waiting for reliable tap-water supplies. According to locals and former Panchayat representatives, several newly constructed water storage reservoirs, pumping stations and hundreds of kilometres of pipelines remain either unused or only partially functional. In many villages, people continue to depend on traditional water sources, including springs and streams, as well as ageing water-supply networks. The scale of JJM works in Ramban is considerable. As many as 93 schemes, involving an estimated investment of nearly Rs 500 Cr, are being executed under the Jal Shakti Department. The schemes include water-supply networks, storage reservoirs, filtration plants and pumping stations intended to strengthen drinking-water infrastructure across the district. However, the extensive infrastructure created under the programme has so far failed to translate into dependable water supplies in several areas. Residents of several areas have complained of leaking pipelines, damaged valves and deficiencies noticed soon after trial runs. In some steep and landslide-prone areas, locals alleged that pipelines were not properly buried, leaving them vulnerable to damage from landslides, heavy rainfall, snowfall and soil erosion. Contractors associated with JJM works in Ramban district told Greater Kashmir that they had invested their own resources and raised loans to keep projects moving, but prolonged non-payment made it difficult for them to arrange labour, construction material and machinery currently. They put their outstanding dues at around Rs 35 Cr, relating largely to works completed nearly two years ago. Contractors said a limited release of funds recently provided some relief, but it remained far short of the total liabilities. They claimed that only about Rs 2.40 Cr was sanctioned against the pending amount, covering 35 schemes, while 63 schemes remained without payment. They have also alleged that their earnest-money or security deposits have not been released despite several works having crossed 50 per cent completion, further worsening their financial position. The contractors have urged the government to clear the pending bills and release withheld security deposits so that work on the stalled schemes can resume without further delay. Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti Division Ramban, Naresh Gupta, when contacted, confirmed to Greater Kashmir that a limited amount of funds had recently been released for more than two dozen schemes after a prolonged delay. He expressed hope that the initial release would help address the financial deadlock and pave the way for clearance of the remaining dues to contractors. The situation in Ramban also reflects the larger implementation challenges confronting the Jal Jeevan Mission in Jammu and Kashmir. A recent report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has noted that J&K has achieved only 46 per cent physical completion under the mission, while outstanding liabilities to contractors across the Union Territory have reportedly reached around Rs 1,360 Cr. The parliamentary panel has expressed concern over delays in execution and mounting unpaid bills, stressing the need for expeditious clearance of pending payments and acceleration of works on the ground.
Sanctorum North United, New JK United play out 2-2 draw in KSL
Sanctorum North United FC and New JK United FC played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Kashmir Super League (KSL) Season 2 on Friday, with both sides sharing the points after an evenly contested encounter. As per a statement issued, New JK United fought back strongly, with Furqan pulling one goal back before Aquib found the net to level the score at 2-2. Despite efforts from both sides to find a winner, neither team could break the deadlock in the closing stages, and the match ended 2-2. In the next fixture, Aqua Kashmir Avengers FC will take on Athwas Hyundai XI FC on Saturday. The result adds another competitive fixture to an increasingly intense Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League Season 2, with teams continuing to battle for crucial points as the tournament progresses.
KPDCL announces power shutdowns across Srinagar
Srinagar, Sep 11: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced scheduled power shutdowns on September 12, 13, 14 and 20 in several areas of Srinagar and South Kashmir to facilitate work on various transmission lines. According to the Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL, power supply in several areas of Srinagar will remain affected on September 14 from 9 am to 1 pm due to the scheduled shutdown of the 33 kV Airforce line. The affected areas include Peerbagh, Cooperative Colony, Jeelanabad, Hyderpora, Nadru, PHQ, Airport, Sheikhpora, Friends Colony, Humhama Heights, Tawheed Bagh and adjoining areas. In Shopian district, power supply to Shopian Town, Gagren, Memandhar and adjoining areas will remain affected from 9 am to 3 pm on September 13 due to the shutdown of the 33 kV Batapora-Gagren Tapline. In Ganderbal district, the shutdown of the 33 kV Alasteng-Nagbal line (Gadoora Tapline) will affect power supply to Fethapora, Gadoora, Tulbagh, Shairpathri, Kachan and adjoining areas from 10 am to noon on September 14. Meanwhile, the scheduled shutdown of the 33 kV Sarnal-Akhura Tapline will affect power supply to Anchidora, Chee, Prakashpora, Nambal, Akhura and adjoining areas from 8 am to 2 pm on September 12. KPDCL has also announced shutdowns of the 33 kV Lassipora-Reshipora, 33 kV Lassipora-Keegam and 33 kV Lassipora Buildtech (Pulwama B) lines. As a result, power supply to Zainapora, Chitragam, Awneera, Reban, Aglar, Suggan, Turkawangam, Nagbal, Pakherpora, Hawal, Rajpora, Rahmoo, Keegam, Gulshanabad, Akhal, Chararipora, Hotline, Tenghar, Koil, Tengpuna, Pinglena, Gundipora, Gangoo, Arihal, Achan, Oudoora, Ahgam, Lassipora and adjoining areas will remain affected from 8 am to 2 pm on September 13 and 20. Consumers in the affected areas have been advised to take note of the scheduled shutdown timings.
Yasir saw a football league take off, he decided to join game
For Yasir Hayat Ahangar, the day does not always begin in the boardroom. Some mornings, before the demands of running his businesses take over, he finds time for a workout. Later, when the workday is over, he tries to return home early enough to play badminton with his children. It is a routine that reflects a larger ambition, Ahangar wants sport to become more than a pastime in Kashmir. As the CEO of Swift Multiventures and a football franchise owner in the Kashmir Super League, he sees an opportunity for businesses to help organise, finance and nurture a sporting culture that he believes is rich in talent but still short of sustained corporate support. ForYasir HayatAhangar, business and sport are not two separate worlds. Ahangar, who hails from Rainawari in Srinagar, sees the playing field as an extension of corporate responsibility and community building. A businessman by profession and a sports enthusiast at heart, Ahangar says his association with sport predates his entrepreneurial journey. While he never pursued it professionally, he has always remained closely connected to sporting activities. Watching the success of the Kashmir Super League (KSL) last year convinced him that the corporate sector could play a much bigger role in nurturing local talent. Inspired by the overwhelming public response to the league, Ahangar became the second franchise owner, viewing the investment as more than a commercial venture. I wanted to contribute something meaningful to society, he says, adding that his long-term vision extends beyond football to supporting sports such as cricket and badminton. Managing a growing business alongside sporting commitments, he credits teamwork rather than individual effort for making it possible. With the support of his brother Bilal and a dedicated team, Ahangar says he is able to strike a balance between business and social initiatives. Despite his hectic schedule, he makes time every morning for exercise, believing that personal fitness is essential for maintaining discipline and productivity. He believes Kashmir possesses immense sporting talent that is increasingly being recognised worldwide. However, he feels local corporate participation has not kept pace with the potential. While appreciating the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts of many businesses, he argues that sports deserve far greater attention and investment. Swift Multiventures, he says, intends to strengthen its engagement with grassroots sports. The company also aims to adopt and fully support a local football club, providing sustained backing instead of one-off sponsorships. Ahangar is equally concerned about the mushrooming of unorganised sporting events across Kashmir. While the growing enthusiasm for sports is encouraging, he believes commercialisation without professionalism has created several challenges. According to him, leagues and tournaments should be managed by qualified professionals to ensure transparency, discipline and credibility. We want to be part of that reformation, he says, expressing confidence that structured management can transform the sporting ecosystem in the Valley. Away from boardrooms, badminton remains Ahangar's favourite sport. Whenever time permits, he plays with his children, making it a part of family life. He believes such moments not only strengthen family bonds but also encourage children to embrace active lifestyles from an early age. Concerned by the rise of sedentary lifestyles driven by smartphones and desk-bound jobs, Ahangar advocates regular physical activity. Whether it is a morning walk, gym session or any sport, he believes exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress, improve productivity and maintain overall well-being. His concern extends beyond fitness to one of Kashmir's most pressing social issues, drug addiction. Describing it as a growing threat to the younger generation, he says the first line of defence lies within the family. Parents, he believes, must remain actively involved in their children's lives while communities and local institutions should work together to provide constructive alternatives through sports and recreational activities. For Ahanger, sports are far more than competition. They represent discipline, opportunity and hope. Having built his business from modest beginnings, he believes every individual, regardless of background, has the capacity to contribute to society. Through corporate participation in sports, he hopes to inspire young people to stay away from drugs, pursue healthy lifestyles and realise their potential. His vision is simple but ambitious, a Kashmir where businesses invest not only in economic growth but also in building stronger communities through sport.
Food adulteration takes centre stage at IIPA debate
Srinagar, Sep 11:The J&K Regional Branch of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), in collaboration with the English Debate Club of the Department of Students Welfare, University of Kashmir, organised its Annual IIPA Inter-College/Department/University Debate2026 at Gandhi Bhawan, University of Kashmir. The debate focused on the theme, Food Adulteration is the Biggest Public Health Challenge Facing Jammu & Kashmir Today?, bringing together students from 21 colleges, departments and universities across Kashmir. The event provided participating students a platform to discuss food safety, articulate their views and engage in critical thinking and democratic discourse on an issue directly linked to public health. Among the participating institutions were the Department of Political Science, University of Kashmir; Islamia College of Science and Commerce; Government Degree College Pampore; Government Degree College M.A. Road, Srinagar; Government College for Women, Baramulla; Institute of Technology, Zakura; Institute of Kashmir Studies; Department of Computer Sciences; Islamic University of Science & Technology; Department of Microbiology (CORD), University of Kashmir; Government Degree Colleges Beerwah and Pulwama; Gandhi Memorial College; Amar Singh College; School of Law; Pran Kishore Institute of Music and Fine Arts; FVSC&AH, SKUAST-K; Centre for Distance and Online Education; SSM College of Engineering and others. In the team category, the Department of Political Science, University of Kashmir, won the IIPA Rolling Trophy. The winning team comprised Aaliya Ali and Raashid Rasheed. In the individual category, Syed Aleeza Balkhi of the Institute of Kashmir Studies secured the first prize, while Aaliya Ali of the Department of Political Science, University of Kashmir, stood second. Nimrah of SKUAST-K secured the third prize. Barha Malik of the Department of Law received the first consolation prize, while Janifer Salati, also from the Department of Law, won the second consolation prize. The Guest of Honour, Khalid Jahangir, Commissioner, Food & Drug Administration, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, called for a balanced approach to food safety, combining sustained public awareness with strict, effective and systematic enforcement. Jahangir announced that a structured programme on food safety would be rolled out across Jammu & Kashmir, with particular focus on hotels, restaurants, eateries and other establishments involved in the preparation and sale of food. He said enforcement alone could not adequately address the challenge and stressed the need for active public participation. He urged citizens to become informed and responsible partners in the food-safety effort and called for constructive coordination between the public and the Food & Drug Administration. Jahangir also complimented the participating students for their awareness and understanding of food safety and its wider implications for public health. Chief Guest Prof Nilofar Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, assured the organisers of the Universitys full support in strengthening food-safety awareness. She offered the Universitys technical expertise, academic resources and institutional support for future initiatives aimed at increasing public awareness about food safety and responsible food practices. Dr G N Qasba, Vice Chairman, IIPA J&K Regional Branch, highlighted the branchs continuing engagement with good governance, public policy and stronger public-private coordination. He complimented Jahangir for bringing renewed focus, hope and public confidence to the food-safety scenario in J&K and stressed the importance of involving young people in public-policy discussions on issues affecting society. Prof Seema Singh, Dean Students Welfare, University of Kashmir, delivered the welcome address, while G A Adrabi, Joint Secretary, IIPA J&K Regional Branch, presented the vote of thanks. Bashir Ahmad Shah, Member, Executive Committee, IIPA J&K Regional Branch, and Dr Shahid Khan coordinated the debate and its related activities. The annual debate reaffirmed the commitment of IIPA and the University of Kashmir to providing young people with platforms for intellectual engagement and discussion on contemporary public-policy and social issues.
POCSO court sentences man to 7 years in jail for kidnapping minor
Srinagar, Sep 11: The Fast Track Court for POCSO Cases in Srinagar has sentenced a man to seven years simple imprisonment after convicting him for kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault of a minor girl in a case of 2020. In its decision, the Court of Umi Kulsoom awarded the punishment to Aqib Bashir Sofi of Chattabal here after holding him guilty of offences under Sections 363, 506, 323 and 342 of the IPC and Sections 9(m)/10 of the POCSO Act. According to the prosecution, the minor girl had gone to a tailors shop on December 24, 2020, but did not return home. Sofi had allegedly taken her forcibly to his house at Chattabal. She returned home the next morning, following which the matter was reported to police. A case (FIR No 227/2020) was registered at Police Station SafaKadal on the basis of which investigation followed. During the trial, the prosecution examined the victim, her parents, police officials, a medical officer, the school principal and forensic experts, among others. The school record placed the victims date of birth as December 29, 2008, indicating she was a minor at the time of the occurrence. After hearing the APP Noor-ul-Sajad for the prosecution and the defendant through his counsel, the court in its decision noted that the offences of kidnapping, criminal intimidation, wrongful confinement and causing hurt were proved. It also held that physical contact with the minor was accompanied by sexual intent. However, the court pointed out that the charges of rape under Section 376 of the IPC and aggravated penetrative sexual assault under Sections 5/6 of the POCSO Act had not been proved beyond reasonable doubt. It took note of inconsistencies in the evidence, the absence of spermatozoa in forensic examination and shortcomings in the investigation. The court invoked Section 222 of the CrPC to hold that the accused could be convicted of a lesser cognate offence where its ingredients were established, and consequently recorded his conviction under Sections 9(m)/10 of the POCSO Act. With regard to the quantum of punishment, the court considered the background of the case, the convicts antecedents, age and other mitigating circumstances, as well as the reformative, deterrent and punitive aspects of punishment. The aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating circumstances and that maximum punishment would serve the ends of justice, it noted. Accordingly, the court sentenced Sofi to seven years simple imprisonment for the offence under Sections 9(m)/10 POCSO Act and seven years simple imprisonment under Section 363 of IPC, along with a fine of Rs 10,000 under Section 363 IPC, payable to the victim as compensation. For the offence under Section 506(2) IPC, the convict was sentenced to seven years simple imprisonment with a fine of Rs 500, also payable to the victim as compensation. Moreover, he was sentenced to one years simple imprisonment each under Sections 323 and 342 of IPC. However, the court ordered that all the sentences shall run concurrently. It also directed that the period of custody already undergone by the convict, including the remand period be deducted from his sentence.
Artists question mismanagement, local exclusion at IFFJK
Srinagar, Sep 11:The curtains may have risen on the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) with ambitious promises of global cinema, cultural exchange, and an international platform for filmmakers, but for several local artists, filmmakers, and cultural figures, the experience appears to have been marked by confusion, poor coordination and a deep sense of exclusion. Even as the Jammu and Kashmir government highlighted an overwhelming global response, claiming that the festival had received 875 film submissions from around 50 countries, criticism from members of the local creative community has raised uncomfortable questions about whether the event lived up to the standards expected of an international film festival. At the heart of the criticism is alleged organisational chaos. One participant, Muzakir Ali, expressing strong disappointment over the conduct of the festival, described the event as completely disorganised, poorly prepared and unprofessional. According to him, the programme schedule was released barely a day before the event, only for significant changes to be made without adequate communication. The confusion, he alleged, began with registration and passes. While some participants completed the registration process, passes were reportedly being distributed on unclear grounds. Eventually, the participant claimed, entry appeared to be granted without the passes being strictly required. The larger problem, however, was the absence of information. The participant said it took nearly three hours at the venue to understand which events were taking place and where. With changes in the programme reportedly not communicated clearly, visitors were left searching for information. For an event projected as an international film festival, there was no visible information booth and hardly anyone available to guide visitors about the programme, venues or changes, the participant said, questioning the priorities behind the elaborate preparations. The criticism also extended to the scale of decoration at the venue. While elaborate floral arrangements and large-scale dcor dominated parts of the festival space, critics questioned whether the emphasis on visual grandeur had come at the cost of basic festival management and visitor facilitation. KASHMIR FACING TOTAL WASHOUT Playwright and artist Sohal Lal Kaul struck a more pointed note, contrasting the concerns of visiting filmmakers with those of the local creative community. Outside filmmakers are bothered about issues in subtitling; Kashmir is bothered about a total washout, he remarked, reflecting the growing frustration among sections of local artists over what they see as a missed opportunity. Broadcaster and former producer of Sheharbeen at All India Radio Srinagar, Masood Uri, questioned what the festival had tangibly delivered for the region's own artists, filmmakers and producers. What have the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially local artists, filmmakers and producers, achieved from this festival? he asked. Masood said that while the festival was projected as a major cinematic initiative, the event had not, in his view, produced visible commitments that could strengthen the local film ecosystem. He also questioned why broader concerns relating to local cultural infrastructure and platforms for artists had not found adequate space in the discussions surrounding the festival. More significantly, Masood alleged that local producers, writers and artists were not adequately represented or invited. ALLEGATIONS OF DOUBLE STANDARDS Singer and composer Waheed Jeelani raised concerns about what he described as unequal treatment of local artists. A sad double standard at the so-called Film Festival, Jeelani said. Outside artists were given the main stage and every facility, while our valued Kashmiri artists were confined to peripheral spaces, with some even made to sit on the grass without basic arrangements. He questioned whether such treatment reflected the respect that Jammu and Kashmir's own artists and cultural traditions deserved. The criticism points towards a larger concern repeatedly voiced by local cultural practitioners: whether an event organised in Jammu and Kashmir can truly claim to celebrate cinema and culture if the region's own filmmakers, musicians, writers and artists do not occupy the centre of the conversation. FILM SHIFTED AT THE LAST MINUTE Artist and filmmaker Ramesh Zadoo described his experience as extremely disappointing and unprofessional after his film Batt Koch reportedly underwent a last-minute change in its screening schedule. According to Zadoo, the film had initially been scheduled for screening at SKICC, Srinagar, on September 9. However, he later learnt that the screening had been shifted to INOX Srinagar on September 10 as the closing film. The change, he said, came after he had already circulated the original screening details among his contacts, including guests and invitees. A last-minute change of this nature causes embarrassment not only to the filmmaker but also to everyone who has been informed and made plans accordingly, Zadoo said. He described the development as indicative of a serious lack of coordination, communication and professionalism in the conduct of an event of such scale. What was expected to be the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir increasingly feels like a photo-session-driven event rather than a professionally managed film festival, he said, adding that filmmakers and artists deserved greater respect. For Zadoo, the issue went beyond a single screening. Batt Koch deserves a dignified screening, proper communication and respect for the people behind the film, he said. BIG NUMBERS, BIGGER QUESTIONS The criticism stands in sharp contrast to the optimism projected by the government ahead of the festival. In an official communication, the government said the inaugural IFFJK had received 875 film submissions from around 50 countries, describing it as evidence of growing global interest in Jammu and Kashmirs cinematic potential. Organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the festival was envisioned as a platform to establish Jammu and Kashmir as a vibrant destination for cinema, creativity and cultural exchange. Festival Director Shreya Singhal had described the response as rousing, saying the festival was progressing well. But the experiences shared by artists and participants suggest a striking disconnect between the official narrative and the concerns emerging from the ground. The fundamental question being raised by the artistic community is not whether Jammu and Kashmir should host an international film festival. On the contrary, many believe the region deserves one. The question is whether the festival can succeed in the long term without professional planning, transparent communication and meaningful participation by local artists and filmmakers. An international festival, cultural practitioners argue, cannot be defined merely by the number of countries represented, celebrity appearances, elaborate venues or decorative spectacle. Its success must also be measured by the experience it offers filmmakers, the dignity it extends to artists, the opportunities it creates for local talent and the cultural legacy it leaves behind. For Jammu and Kashmir, the inaugural edition of IFFJK was an opportunity to announce itself on the global cinematic map. For some members of its own artistic fraternity, however, it has also become an occasion to ask whether, amid the lights, dcor and spectacle, the voices closest to home were heard at all. The first edition may have brought cinema to centre stage. The challenge now is to ensure that, in future editions, professionalism, communication and Kashmirs own creative voices are not left behind.
Your peace is our purpose, aspirations our mission: Lt Gen Sharma
Srinagar, Sept 11:Armys Northern Command remains firmly committed to ensuring peace and tranquillity in Jammu and Kashmir while contributing to nation-building and creating greater opportunities for the regions youth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma said on Friday. Addressing a function at Army Goodwill Public School (AGPS), Pahalgam, Lt Gen Sharma said the Armys commitment to Jammu and Kashmir extended beyond security and included empowering the people through education, development and opportunities for the younger generation. As we march towards Viksit Bharat, Northern Command will continue to remain committed to nation-building while ensuring peace and tranquillity, Lt Gen Sharma said. He underlined the people-centric nature of the Armys mission in the region, saying, Your peace is our purpose, your aspirations are our missions, and your success is our pride. The Army commander was speaking at an event marking 10 years of the educational partnership between Army Goodwill Schools (AGS) and the Bharti Airtel Foundation, an association aimed at strengthening the educational ecosystem and expanding opportunities for children and youth across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. The event was attended by Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Co-Chairman, Bharti Airtel Foundation, Shinei Sharma, Regional President AWWA, Northern Command, besides senior officials of the Army and the Foundation. Lt Gen Sharma congratulated the students for their achievements and appreciated the role of parents and teachers in helping them excel. He said the success of AGS students reflected the impact of quality education, dedicated teachers and sustained efforts to nurture talent. He highlighted that AGS Wuzur secured third position and AGS Uri sixth position nationally in Young Scientist India 2025, while AGS Wuzur also recently figured among the top 10 schools in the Innovation category. The decade-long partnership between AGS and the Bharti Airtel Foundation has expanded considerably, from an initial engagement covering 14 schools to educational initiatives across all 43 Army Goodwill Schools in the region. The collaboration has focused on strengthening institutional leadership, classroom practices, academic management and teachers capabilities, besides promoting technology-enabled learning and implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. A key component of the initiative has been encouraging scientific temperament and creativity among students. AGS Innovation Clubs have facilitated more than 160 student-led projects, with students participating in national platforms such as ISRO YUVIKA, INSPIRE-MANAK and Young Scientist India. Sharing his own experiences as a student, Lt Gen Sharma spoke about the challenges he faced and how determination helped him overcome difficult circumstances. He urged the students to dream big and remain committed to their goals. Dream higher and remain committed to your dreams, he told the students, encouraging them to make the most of the opportunities available to them. Rakesh Bharti Mittal assured continued support to Army Goodwill Schools for the next decade and announced a series of initiatives by the Bharti Airtel Foundation. These include providing books for libraries, sports coaching, additional smart classes, scholarships for higher education and cash incentives for meritorious students of classes 10 and 12.
NHM health workers extend strike another 72 hours in J&K
Srinagar, Sep 11:Just as the ongoing strike of National Health Mission healthcare workers was coming to an end, their Association has announced one more strike, starting 12 September, and ending 72 hours later. The government might have hoped J&K's health worker strike would quietly wind down after 72 hours. However, the contractual backbone of health centres, hospitals and field units across J&K will remain off duty in a standoff over pay, pensions and permanence. The strike is stretched into its second phase without a breakthrough. The Jammu and Kashmir National Health Mission Employees Association (JKNHMEA) announced the decision on Thursday. It said that the agitation will roll on for another three days, starting September 12. The extension will keep thousands of NHM staff unavailable for over-stretched hospitals and health facilities across Jammu and Kashmir regions. It will also have a bearing on central healthcare schemes that lean on NHM staff for implementation. These include programs on tuberculosis, immunisation and mother and child services. The Association has said that the demands raised are neither new nor unjustified. The officials have already agreed the demands are legitimate, at multiple levels, and simply haven't followed through, spokesperson for the Association, Abdul Rauoof said. He said nearly 18 years into NHM being the major healthcare support in J&K, employees are still doing work that is equal to government employed workers, but not treated equally. The work is indistinguishable from our permanent counterparts, minus the pay, the pension and the security, he said. In April this year, NHM employees went on strike, but called off the stir only after a day following assurances from the government. They told us our demands are genuine, and that these will be addressed within two months. However, five months have passed, and we dont see any progress, a representative of NHM employees told Greater Kashmir. We are not left with any option but to strike he said. The demands of the association include a time-bound process for regularisation and long-term job security of eligible NHM employees. They have also demanded Equal pay for equal work, in addition to the extension of 7th Pay Commission benefits to eligible NHM staff. Furthermore, a financial assistance of Rs 30 lakh to the family of an NHM employee who dies in service also features in the list of demands.
J&K Govt plans major revamp of building rules
Srinagar, Sep 11: The government has proposed a wide-ranging overhaul of the rules governing construction and development in the Union Territory, introducing changes in building permissions, plot development, parking, professional responsibilities, waste management and the activities allowed in different land-use zones. The Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD), in a notification issued on September 9, has proposed amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Unified Building Bye-Laws, 2021, under the relevant provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000, and Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000. The proposals have been placed before the public for objections, suggestions and comments. Stakeholders and members of the public have 15 days from publication of the notification to submit their views, meaning the proposed changes are not yet final. One of the key changes is an attempt to make the building permission process more digital and integrated. The proposed amendments provide for processing NOCs from the Revenue Department, Fire and Emergency Services Department and Town Planning Organisation through the designated Building Permission Portal, with online payment and time-bound processing. For other utility-related clearances, registered technical persons would have to certify that a proposed building does not conflict with existing public utilities or statutory requirements. These include electricity and water supply infrastructure, sewerage, storm-water drainage, PWD roads, heritage, water bodies and buffer zones, and requirements concerning tree felling and transportation. Geo-tagged photographs would also form part of the certification process. The amendments introduce a new definition of Bulk Waste Generator. It would cover establishments having a built-up area of 20,000 square metres or more, water consumption of 40,000 litres per day or more, or generating 100 kg or more of solid waste per day. The category includes government departments and undertakings, local bodies, public-sector undertakings and private companies, schools, colleges and universities, community places, railways, airports, industrial units, malls, multiplexes, hotels, hospitals and nursing homes, hostels, wholesale markets, stadiums, sports complexes, community and convention halls, marriage and banquet halls, conference and exhibition centres, tourist spots and residential societies or group housing. The proposed rules also define a waste generator to include persons, residential premises and non-residential establishments generating solid waste, including Indian Railways and defence establishments. The department has proposed clearer responsibilities for architects, engineers, structural engineers, town planners, supervisors and surveyors. Architects registered under the Architects Act, 1972 would have to register on the designated building permission portal for online services. The notification makes clear that such registration would not itself amount to a licence or authorisation to practise architecture. Complaints involving professional misconduct by registered architects may be referred to the Council of Architecture under the Architects Act. The proposed rules also clarify that action under the building bye-laws would not override the Councils powers under the Architects Act. The proposed framework specifies the work different professionals can undertake. Architects would prepare building, subdivision and layout plans and issue specified certifications. Engineers would handle prescribed municipal and structural work, including structural drawings and calculations within specified limits. Structural engineers would be responsible for structural designs and calculations, while town planners would handle land-development layouts. Landscape architects, urban designers, supervisors and surveyors would also have defined areas of competence. For homeowners, the proposed revision of residential building controls is particularly important. The new table divides plots into different size categories and prescribes requirements relating to setbacks, road width and building height. For plots above 75 square metres, the proposed height limit is 1.5 times the existing road width or G+2, whichever is higher, subject to the bye-laws. For plots above 125 square metres, a minimum three-metre road width is specified, while larger plots generally attract an aggregate setback requirement of 10 per cent. The amendments also propose allowing stilt floors within the building envelope to meet parking requirements for individual residential houses, with such space to be used exclusively for parking. In areas where mixed-use zones have not been identified in the Master Plan, the proposal allows mixed use in a 50:50 ratio, both horizontally and vertically, on roads having a right-of-way of six metres or more. Commercial construction rules have also been revised. The proposed maximum FAR for single shops is 220. Shopping clusters and commercial complexes have a proposed maximum FAR of 300, with different height and setback requirements based on plot size and road width. Commercial layouts exceeding 1100 square metres would have to provide 15 percent of the plot as public green area or park. Parking norms have been substantially rewritten. Parking may be provided in basements, stilts, upper floors or podiums and uncovered spaces, while stack or mechanical parking would be allowed subject to prescribed conditions. The proposed requirement is one car space per dwelling unit for residential and group housing where FAR area exceeds 100 square metres. Single shops would require one space per 100 square metres, shopping clusters and commercial complexes 1.5 spaces, cinemas two spaces, hotels one space and mall-cum-multiplexes three spaces per 100 square metres. Community and banquet halls would require five spaces per 100 square metres, while restaurants and fast-food outlets would require five spaces per 100 square metres or one space for every five seats, whichever is higher. Hospitals would require two spaces per 100 square metres, along with ambulance parking. Separate requirements have also been proposed for schools, colleges, universities, coaching centres and diagnostic laboratories. The proposed rules prescribe different space requirements for ground, basement, stilt, mechanised and rotating parking. Basement parking would be permitted on plots abutting roads of at least six metres. Requirements have also been laid down for fire safety, ventilation, lighting and air circulation in basements. Waste management has been made a major part of the proposed framework. Bulk waste generators would have to register with the local body, segregate waste at source and arrange its collection, processing and disposal. Wet waste would have to be processed on site wherever applicable, while dry, sanitary, special-care and construction-and-demolition waste would have to be handled separately. The proposed rules also place responsibilities on developers and owners to provide waste-management facilities in residential, institutional, commercial and public projects. The department has also proposed a new negative list specifying activities prohibited in different zones. Residential areas would exclude, among other activities, nightclubs, discotheques, dance bars, liquor shops, specified Orange and Red category industries, funeral homes and certain large freight-related activities. Commercial areas would restrict specified industries, hazardous biological activities and cremation or burial grounds. Similar restrictions have been proposed for transportation, public-semi-public, institutional, agricultural and recreational zones. Significantly, the proposal provides that there would be no negative list for industrial use, with industrial areas to be governed by their own norms. Permanent structures would generally not be permitted in water bodies except specified facilities such as kiosks, cafeterias, toilet units and other public utilities. Areas governed by special laws relating to defence, forests, wildlife, archaeology and heritage would continue to follow those laws. The proposed amendments, if finalised, would therefore affect almost every stage of construction from obtaining permission and professional certification to determining building size, height and parking, and ultimately managing waste. For now, however, the provisions remain open to public scrutiny, with the government inviting objections and suggestions for 15 days.
Mirwaiz attends interaction with Iranian President in New Delhi
Srinagar, Sep 11:Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday attended the interaction with Iranian President in New Delhi. A statement of the Mirwaiz issued here said that on the invitation of the Iranian ambassador to India, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq left for New Delhi on Friday to participate in an interaction with the President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, who was in the capital to attend the BRICS Summit. The interaction of religious leaders, intellectuals, and other dignitaries, hosted by the Ambassador of the Iran to India, Mohammad Fathali, took place in New Delhi late Friday that was followed by a dinner reception.
From top-4 to 26, Srinagar falls in Centres clean-air ranking
Srinagar, Sep 11:Just three years ago, Srinagar was counted among the countrys top-performing cities in GoI survey regarding air quality, city-wise, across India. Now it has found itself at 26th position in the latest Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026.The striking reversal for a city synonymous with pristine mountains, lakes and fresh Himalayan air throws uncomfortable in the air here. The health of citizens and environment in Srinagar is once again under scanner.The latest ranking Of Swatch Vayi Sarvekshan has Srinagar behind Delhi.Delhi has for long made headlines with toxic winter smog and features among Indias most persistent air-pollution hotspots. Strikingly, Delhi secured the 21st rank with 172 points. Shockingly, Srinagar scored 162.6 points and is now at 26th among cities with a population of over 10 lakh.In the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023, Srinagar had clinched the fourth rank nationally in its population category. It was lauded for being one of the country's leading cities in the clean-air initiative.Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC), Vasu Yadav while speaking to Greater Kashmir, said the ranking does not reflect the air quality of Srinagar. He said that Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan does not rank cities based on the measurement of how good or bad their air quality is.It is not a linear, simple addition but a number of factors are assessed while giving points to the cities, he said. Yadav said the Sarvekshan measures the initiatives taken by cities to control pollution and the implementation of air-quality improvement programmes, under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The assessment is based on measures to address road dust management, solid waste management, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, construction waste, demolition waste and other other emission sources, he said. More importantly, he said, it has a very strong connection to Solid Waste Managemnet measures taken by the cities. If the waste is not managed scientifically, it is a pollution hazard, and a negative impact on air quality as it will eventually be burnt, he said. The Chairman said the municipalities have to list what all they have done to control air pollution over the year. The process is heavily based on self-assessment by city municipalities, he said. It is also a reflection of the scrutiny at the state level, evaluation by the Central Pollution Control Board and importantly, field verification by independent committees, he said. Three years ago, the parameter of ranking just the air quality and thats how Srinagar was among the top, he said.The latest survey has placed Srinagar above major metros such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata.However, it trails behind Delhi and Hyderabad. Lucknow has topped the category with 198 points. Other top cities with notable clean air measures are Indore and Jabalpur.At the bottom are Chennai, Jamshedpur, Kota, Kolkata and Madurai.The pollution in Srinagar has often been blamed on the ever-increasing number of vehicles and traffic congestion to road dust.The construction activity, waste burning in autumn and emissions are considered the major culprits. The fifth edition of the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan, 2026, assessed 130 cities covered under NCAP, in three population categories. The Union Environment Ministry said 108 of the 130 cities showed improvement in PM10 levels during 2025-26.
PM, Iranian President back dialogue, diplomacy
New Delhi, Sep 11:Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Friday. This was the second meeting between the two leaders in under two weeks.They had met earlier on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek on August 31. The two leaders discussed various aspects of the bilateral relationship.PM Modi thanked Iran for its regular, high-level participation in BRICS-related meetings despite the challenging circumstances. He noted the potential for BRICS in building the spirit of resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability among countries in the Global South.The PM also thanked President Pezeshkian for his participation in the Leaders Session of the BRICS Business Forum. The two leaders exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia.PM Modi reiterated Indias consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He also underscored the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region, safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce, and the safety and well-being of seafarers. The PM appreciated the continued cooperation between the two sides on issues of mutual interest in multilateral organisations, including BRICS.
World leaders arrive in Delhi for BRICS summit
New Delhi, Sep 11:Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and several other leaders arrived in Delhi on Friday to attend the two-day BRICS summit that gets underway from September 12. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Vice President of Uganda Jessica Alupo and Vice President of Nigeria Sen Kashim Shettima have also reached the national capital for the mega conclave. India is hosting the 18th BRICS summit at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13. India assumed its fourth BRICS Chairship on January 1. The year 2026 also marks a milestone as BRICS completes 20 years since its establishment. Warmly welcome President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa for the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. He was received by MoS Jayant Singh at the airport. India and South Africa share warm and historic ties anchored in Strategic Partnership. Our commitment as BRICS partners to the Global South remains steadfast. #BRICS2026 #BRICSIndia2026 #IndiaBRICSChairship, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X. On President El-Sisi's arrival, it said, Warmly welcome President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. He was received by MoS Sanjay Seth at the airport. India and Egypt share deep bonds of friendship, as we work together to build a stronger BRICS partnership. #BRICS2026 #BRICSIndia2026 #IndiaBRICSChairship. BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with Indonesia joining in 2025. Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam became BRICS partner countries last year. BRICS has emerged as an influential grouping as it brings together 11 major emerging economies of the world, representing around 49.5 per cent of the global population, around 40 per cent of the global GDP and around 26 per cent of the global trade. In a media statement, the MEA had said India's BRICS Chairship is guided by the theme of 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a people-centric approach rooted in the spirit of 'Humanity First'. Russian President Putin arrived in Delhi on a three-day visit early in the morning. Warmly welcome President Vladimir Putin of Russia for the 18th BRICS Summit. He was received by MoS Kirtivardhan Singh at the airport. India and Russia share multifaceted and longstanding ties anchored in Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. #BRICS2026 #BRICSIndia2026 #IndiaBRICSChairship, the MEA said. Iranian President Pezeshkian also arrived in the national capital. Besides attending the summit, he will hold bilateral talks with PM Modi to advance two-way trade and strengthen overall ties. It is Pezeshkian's first visit to India as president. The visit assumes significance as it comes amid a sudden spike in tensions in West Asia following the US slapping new punitive economic measures against Iran. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and their counterparts from Burunudi, Ethiopia and Nigeria have also reached Delhi. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, President of New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Chief Zou Jiayi have also reached the capital for the summit.
PM Modi, Putin push ties towards USD 100-billion trade
New Delhi, Sep 11:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held wide-ranging talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on enhancing annual bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030 and ramping up existing cooperation in areas such as defence, energy, critical minerals, and fertiliser supplies. The meeting took place hours after Putin landed in New Delhi on a three-day visit to participate in the high-stakes BRICS summit. Following the talks, the two leaders travelled in the same car inside the Bharat Mandapam complex to reach the venue of a business forum. It is understood that during the talks, Putin briefed Modi on the overall situation regarding the Ukraine war and ongoing peace initiatives, while Modi reiterated India's position on resolving the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. Modi and Putin previously met last week on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek, where the prime minister called for an immediate end to the conflict and urged the Russian leader to shift from an endless war towards the end of war. The two leaders also deliberated on ongoing cooperation in trade and investment, energy, and fertiliser security, among other areas. Ways to boost trade and investment ties dominated the talks, with the Indian side pitching for greater market access for Indian exporters in Russia to address the ballooning trade deficit in Moscow's favour, it is learnt. The two sides also deliberated on strategies to reach the ambitious bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030. The current annual trade volume stands at around USD 65 billion. In addition, the two sides delved into expanding their already strong defence cooperation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday said both sides are exploring BrahMos missile upgrades, adding that Moscow remains committed to fulfilling its remaining S-400 system deliveries and discussing the proposed supply of Su-57 fighter jets. In the energy sector, the two sides reviewed the overall scenario and agreed to further ramp up cooperation in civil nuclear energy. Expanding industrial cooperation, collaboration in the rail and tunnelling sectors, developing the steel value chain, and broadening access to the Russian market for Indian exporters also figured in the talks, it is learnt. Increasing the mobility of skilled Indian labourers to Russia and cooperation in critical minerals were also understood to have been discussed.
Rules every businesses must know
In Goods & Services Tax (GST) regime, Input Tax Credit stands as one of the most significant reforms aimed at eliminating the cascading effect of taxes. Introduced in July 2017, Input Tax Credit (ITC) is one of the foundational pillars of Indias Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. It enables registered businesses to offset the GST paid on their purchases (inputs, input services, and capital goods) against the GST liability on their outward supplies (sales). This mechanism ensures that tax is levied only on the value added at each stage of the supply chain, eliminating the cascading effect of taxes (tax on taxes) that existed under the earlier indirect tax system VAT & Service Tax. In simple terms, when a registered taxpayer pays GST on inward supplies used for business purposes, that tax amount can be claimed as credit in the electronic credit ledger. The net GST payable becomes Output Tax minus eligible ITC. This seamless flow of credit across the supply chain is central to GSTs design as a multi-stage, destination based value-added tax on each stage of the supply chain, with input tax credit (ITC) available to offset prior-stage taxes, ensuring only the final consumer bears the burden & cascading is avoided. Section 16(1) of the CGST Act, 2017 provides that every registered person is entitled to take credit of input tax charged on any supply of goods or services (or both) used or intended to be used in the course or furtherance of business. The credit is credited to the electronic credit ledger. Composition scheme dealers under Section 10 are not eligible for ITC. The supply must have a clear business nexus, personal or non-business use does not qualify for ITC claim. Mandatory Conditions under Section 16(2): Section 16(2) lays down cumulative conditions. All of them must be satisfied & failure on even one disallows the credit for that invoice. Businesses must know that there are six conditions for claiming the Input Tax Credit (ITC) and no registered person shall be entitled to the credit of any input tax in respect of any supply of goods or services or both to him/her unless:- (a) He is in possession of a tax invoice or a debit note issued by a supplier registered under GST Act 2017 or such other tax paying documents (Rule 36 to Rule 45); (b) The details of the invoice or debit note has been furnished by the registered supplier in the statement of outward supplies and such details have been communicated to the recipient of such invoice or debit note; (c) He has physically received the goods or services or both; (d) The details of input tax credit (ITC) in respect of the said supply communicated to such registered person under section 38 has not been restricted; (e) Subject to the provisions of section 41 , the tax charged in respect of such supply has been actually paid to the Government, either in cash or through utilization of input tax credit admissible in respect of the said supply; and (f) He has furnished the valid return under section 39. Possession of a valid tax document [Section 16(2)(a)], the recipient must hold a tax invoice, debit note, or other prescribed document (such as a bill of entry for imports or a self-invoice under reverse charge) issued by a registered supplier. The document must contain the prescribed particulars under the invoice rules, including GSTIN of supplier and recipient, description, value, tax amount, and place of supply where relevant invoice details furnished and communicated to recipient [Section 16(2)(aa)],effective from 1,January 2022, the supplier must have reported the invoice or debit note in their GSTR-1 (or IFF), and the details must appear in the recipients GSTR-2B. This matching requirement is critical & ITC is generally restricted to the amount reflected in GSTR-2B. Receipt of goods or services [Section 16(2)(b)], the Goods or services must have been received. For goods delivered in lots or installments, credit is available only upon receipt of the last lot. Bill-to-ship-to model transactions are covered through a deeming provision, delivery to a third party on the direction of the registered person is treated as receipt of the supply by that registered person for purpose of claiming ITC. As per section 16(2)(ba), the details of input tax credit (ITC) in respect of the said supply communicated to such registered person under section 38 has not been restricted. The tax charged in respect of such supply must has been actually paid to the Government by the supplier, either in cash or through utilization of admissible ITC [Section 16(2)(c)] in respect of the said supply. Recent judicial pronouncements have upheld the strict application of this condition. Even honest buyers can face denial of credit, if the supplier defaults, though mechanisms exist to re-avail credit once the supplier pays. The supplier must have filed the valid return under section 39 to facilitate the recipient for seamless flow of ITC. [Section 16(2)(d). Additional provisions also apply, if the recipient fails to pay the supplier the value of supply plus tax within 180 days from the invoice date (except reverse charge supplies), the claimed ITC must be reversed with interest. Credit can be reclaimed upon subsequent payment. There is also a time limit under Section 16(4), ITC cannot be claimed after the 30th day of November following the end of the financial year to which the invoice pertains, or the date of filing the relevant annual return, whichever is earlier. Restrictions and Blocked Credits: Even when the above conditions are met, section 17 imposes restrictions. ITC is not available (or is restricted) on certain goods and services listed in Section 17(5), such as motor vehicles (with exceptions for specific uses), food and beverages in many cases, membership of clubs, works contract services for construction of immovable property (except plant and machinery), goods or services used for personal consumption, and goods lost, stolen, destroyed, or given as gifts/free samples. When inputs or capital goods are used partly for taxable supplies and partly for exempt or non-business purposes, then the proportionate reversal is required under Rules 42 and 43. Practical Compliance: Businesses must regularly reconcile purchase registers with GSTR-2B/2A before claiming ITC in GSTR-3B. Supplier compliance has become a shared responsibility. Maintaining proper documentation, tracking the 180-day payment window, and ensuring timely returns are essential. Newer systems such as the Invoice Management System (IMS) further tighten the linkage between supplier reporting and recipient credit. In summary, ITC under GST is a powerful tool that reduces the cost of doing business and promotes seamless credit flow of ITC. However, it is strictly conditional & registered taxpayers must satisfy every requirement of Section 16 and remain vigilant about blocked credits and reversals. Understanding and complying with these conditions is indispensable for accurate GST compliance and optimizing tax costs. The key compliance rules are non-negotiable & businesses must meet these conditions or lose the credit. Author, designated as All India Master Trainer in GST, works as State Taxes officer in Srinagar.
Big Budgets, Zero Responsibility?
We spend huge money on our weddings, but when it comes to waste, that is thrown in rivers, streams or on roadside by people in Kashmir? Last week my friend from Harwan Srinagar sent me a video of a huge trash thrown on the Srinagar-Harwan road. This was waste from a wedding feast, probably from a nearby area. The organisers of the event didnt even bother to hand over this trash to the sanitation staff of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), who collect waste from the area in small vehicles every morning. I immediately uploaded the video on social media and requested the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and local police to identify the culprits so they could be booked under the law. But even after almost eight days or more no action has been taken? This is not the case of Harwan area alone but I have been witnessing this wedding waste dumping around public places for the last many years. In villages the waste is dumped in forest areas, village common land (kahcharai) or waterbodies like streams, canals or small lakes. Jhelum and Dal, dumping site for wedding waste In Srinagar and other towns many families carry the waste to be thrown into Jhelum, Dal Lake, or around roadsides? In fact, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) provides a service to carry this waste but people are adamant about dumping waste unscientifically and unethically. Ironically, people sensitive about this also make the mistake of not segregating the waste after the wedding function is over. The leftover food mostly rice and bones, is mixed with plastic trash which municipal vehicles carry to landfill sites. In Srinagar this waste is carried by municipal trucks and small lorries to the Achan Syedpora landfill site which has become the most ridiculed area of Kashmir now due to official apathy. This site is choked with around 11.50 lakh metric tons of waste as per official figures while as unofficially this is more than 15 lakhs MTs. This author took this case to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) two years ago, which imposed huge penalties on the SMC and now Rs 361 crore have been sanctioned to restore the huge legacy waste through biomining. SMC has sought 2 years from NGT to clear the waste. Sustainable Weddings As our weddings have turned into waste generation events, many environmentally conscious people across the world are opting for eco-friendly and green weddings where very less use of plastic and non biodegradable material is made. In India as well, these types of weddings have many takers and this shift shows love and care of many environmentally conscious people. Managing waste isnt a big challenge in the plains of India where there is enough land to create scientific landfill sites, but in a place like Kashmir valley which is itself a kind of massive wetland surrounded by huge mountains, managing waste is indeed a challenging task. In such a situation people of Kashmir should be more conscious about waste and its safe disposal. We cannot afford to generate huge plastic waste, food waste which will finally get dumped into the Jhelum, Dal Lake , Wullar Lake or inside other small wetlands, streams, canals, and forests. What can we do? Kashmiri weddings are incomplete if we dont use items made of plastic or other non- biodegradable material. In fact, some items have been replaced with wooden, paper, or cardboard products, but we still use dangerous plastic products that are not disposed of properly, allowing them to enter our land, forests or waterbodies. Even the ceremonial dining spread commonly known as Dastarkhan which was essentially made of white cloth in the past, has also been replaced with plastic material. We can again use white cloth as the Dastarkhan. The yogurt that used to be served in clay vessels 15 to 20 years back has been replaced by plastic curd bowls. One clay vessel with half litre of curd can replace these plastic curd bowls. This use of plastic glasses and packed water bottles can be replaced by reusable glass, copper or steel glasses. In addition to it two to three filtered water cans can be made available in the hall / tent to serve the water. The most dangerous among all these items is the thick plastic pouch bag with aluminium coating used to pack the leftover mutton dishes. This item takes at least 1000 years to degrade. This item is the most harmful used in our weddings; placing hot wazwan dishes in this bag makes it more dangerous. It can be replaced with a thick butter paper bag. This paper bag / pouch can be carried in a thin cardboard type carry bag which is already available in the basket served during the wazwan feast. Only thing is that we have to handle the butter paper with care and allow the dishes to cool down on a plate (trami). Only cotton towels should be served during the weddings and let us avoid using wet tissues, etc., because their packaging is a highly non-biodegradable item and one has to struggle a lot to open it as well. No wet tissues, manage leftover rice To clean hands let wet soap and hot water be used. The wet tissues has a hard plastic cover which is a dangerous waste. The leftover rice should either be carried by people or the host must make sure the tramis with leftover rice are cleared in a separate tub, which would then be disposed of inside a deep pit somewhere. That is why we need a proper planning for waste management a month before the wedding function. The plastic waste like bottles can be collected and given to ragpickers. Rest of the dry waste can go to material collection centre -MRC in a dry form where it can be shredded to be used to make lots of things. Even the non-recyclable plastic is shredded and converted into useful products like flower vases, roof sheets and much more. This is only possible when we segregate the waste and send it for processing Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat is Chairman J&K Climate Action Group.
President Donald Trumps posts on social media and comments to the mainstream media are, to put it mildly, often difficult to interpret. If that were to be stated straightforwardly they can be bizarre, completely contrary to what is expected of the holder of the worlds most powerful office. But even by his own standards he excelled himself when on September 7, in a post on Truth Social, he placed the US flag over a large part of the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, Greenland and Iceland. In the Caribbean the post covered British, French and Dutch territories too. Reactions to the post varied. The government of Iceland was enraged. It summoned the US ambassador to protest against what it considered as an affront to its sovereignty. Its Prime Minister Kristrum Frostadottir said There is nothing funny or normal about making fun, especially today, when sovereignty cannot be taken for granted. Clearly, being in Europe but not part of the European Unionindeed, recently the people of Iceland decided against joining the EUFrostadottirs reference was to the Ukraine war. The Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the people of Greenland had repeatedly made it clear that they do not want to be part of the US. Greenland is an autonomous part of Denmark. Its autonomy is increasing but the Danish connection is there; hence, Frederiksen had the right to comment on Trumps post. Mexicos President, Claudia Shaunbaum, was also not amused by Trumps post. She forthrightly said Mexico will never be a protectorate or a colony. The Mexicans are sometimes treated disrespectfully by the American administrations but in contemporary times never has any US president spoken so derisively about them. The Canadians do not seem to have reacted. This post has been part of a series of provocations which began with Trump asserting that Canada would be better off if it became a constituent state of the US. The two countries are in the midst of great tensions on trade. Both are taking action through imposing increasing tariffs against the other. Also, Trump has renamed Lake Ontario as Lake America. Canadian Prime Minister, Mike Carney, is dealing with Trumps statements and actions through increasing the countrys contacts with other states to reduce its dependence on the US. He has also maintained dignity in his responses to Trump. The Caribbean states and the Dutch, British and the French seem to be brushing off Trumps comment. Perhaps that is not a bad way of dealing with it because it is puerile but is unlikely that the people of various states which are sensitive on issues of sovereignty consider it so. This is because sovereignty is always connected with a peoples pride and self-esteem. Trump should understand this but does not. Trumps latest tweet raises the issue of how countries should react to Trumps provocative comments. The respected US daily The New York Times in its report on the matter stated that Icelands Foreign Minister Katrin Gunnarsdottir told reporters ...Trump administration officials had repeatedly offered her advice about their boss: We should perhaps not take the current U.S. president literally, but we should take him seriously, she said she was told. During Trumps first term he tweeted erratically in the early hours of the morning. US officials spent the day attempting to clarify US policies and positions amidst the confusion and even turmoil which the tweets caused. From that to saying that Trumps words and posts should be taken seriously but not literally is making confusion worse. For, if they are not taken literally then how he be taken seriously? The fact is that while leaders may not be dour and drab and like ordinary people laugh and crack jokes on domestic and foreign policy matters they do not have the luxury of creating confusion or wounding the honour of other peoples. Certainly, this has to be avoided, especially by the leaders of great powers, because their words can wreak havoc nationally and internationally in the security, financial and diplomatic sectors, among others. That is why in the pre social media age leaders seldom spoke off the cuff. When they spoke each word was carefully chosen because they represented the distilled decisions of their countries. These decisions were not easily or often changed. In the realm of foreign relations the official positions of states were left to be stated, in the normal course, by official spokespersons of the Foreign Ministries. The top professional diplomats of the Foreign Ministries also briefed the media on important issues. On very major issues the Foreign Ministers spoke and sometimes on issues of vital importance Heads of Governments articulated their views. Now this structure remains but alongside social media is also used by political leaders and Foreign Ministries. Thus, in India the Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministries uses social media platforms but not the professional diplomats. However, the External Affairs Minister and the Prime Minister have social media handles and invariably post comments on their meetings with other world leaders. More often than not these are of an innocuous nature and consist of good words. It seems that political leaders all across the world feel the need to be on social media, if for nothing else, than to be in touch with their followers. Certainly, Modi has millions of them. While all political leaders tread warily on global issues and do not give offence in their choice of words on social media platforms Trump is a case apart. He will not change and the world will have to deal with his ways. Different leaders are seeking to do so in different ways.
J&K Bank, a New Industrial Dawn and Renewed Trust
Jammu and Kashmir is again standing at the threshold of an industrial promise. The New Central Sector Scheme of 2021, with an outlay of Rs 28,400 crore, was presented as the beginning of a new era of investment, employment and manufacturing. Five years later, the J&K Government is preparing a new industrial policy which is expected to address a question the central scheme largely left behind: what happens to thousands of existing enterprises carrying the legacy stress of more than three exceptionally difficult decades? The forthcoming policy reportedly acknowledges this accumulated distress and envisages revival, rehabilitation and capacity-building support capable of reaching more than 20,000 existing industrial units. Alongside it, the J&K Startup Policy 2024-27 aims to nurture 2,000 startups, backed by incubation, seed support and a proposed Rs 250-crore venture fund. Other entrepreneurship and self-employment programmes are also encouraging a new generation to enter business. Together, these initiatives can create a continuum from startup to established enterprise and from stressed unit to renewed production. But fiscal incentives and rehabilitation orders cannot restart factories by themselves. Revived units will require working capital, modernisation finance, enhanced limits and long-term credit; startups will require patient finance suited to their early stage. This creates both an opportunity and a historic responsibility for J&K Bank. No financial institution is better placed to become the banking partner of this renewal. Incorporated in 1938, J&K Banks defining period began after 1989, when turmoil disrupted commerce and many other banks reduced their exposure or became largely inactive in the Valley. J&K Bank continued to serve its customers. People responded by shifting their savings and confidence towards it. The deposit windfall of the 1990s gave the Bank near-monopoly status across much of J&K for almost three decades. It was a compact forged in adversity: the Bank supported the economy, while local households and businesses provided the loyal deposit base upon which it expanded. That historic bond now faces a changed banking market. Public and private banks are approaching established J&K Bank customers with lower rates, loan takeovers, concessions, quicker decisions and customised service. In my Greater Kashmir article of 14 May 2026, I had cautioned that emotional attachment cannot retain customers indefinitely unless supported by competitive terms, respect and responsiveness. Competition cannot be wished away through sentiment; it has to be met through better banking. This is why the proposed revival offers J&K Bank a defining opening. Thousands of enterprises moving towards rehabilitation and capacity-building would have substantial appetite for fresh credit, while startups will become tomorrows established customers. By financing viable units and new ventures, the Bank can expand sound local lending, strengthen employment and renew its relationship with the business community that stood by it for decades. The recent interaction between FCIK and the Banks top management created genuine hope. I joined the delegation led by the FCIK President and comprising Presidents of industrial estates and district associations across Kashmir. Managing Director and CEO Amitava Chatterjee was accompanied by the Executive Director and a full team of Chief General Managers, General Managers, Deputy General Managers and other officers. FCIK shared its memorandum only hours before the meeting, yet the officers arrived prepared to respond. The discussion was candid: shortcomings were acknowledged, several matters addressed on the spot and corrective directions issued. This reflected the professionalism at the top for which the Bank had long been craving. Even more encouraging was what followed. The agenda quickly percolated to zonal and district offices and then to branches. Controlling heads began meeting representatives of industrial estates and districts to identify genuine problems and solutions. This transformed a meeting into an institutional response, conveying that the Bank understands its industrial customers and will assist wherever a lawful and commercially viable solution exists. The FCIK memorandum sought competitive rates, proportionate collateral, greater use of CGTMSE and other government-backed guarantees, timely renewal and enhancement of limits, and prompt restoration of regularized accounts. It proposed an empowered MSME Facilitation and Resolution Cell for finance, restructuring, revival and settlement. These measures can prepare the Bank for the credit demand that serious industrial revival will generate. The central obstacle remains legacy debt. J&K enterprises endured turmoil, shutdowns, the 2014 floods, the disturbances of 2016, post-2019 disruption and Covid-19. Liabilities accumulated while businesses could not operate normally. Repeated restructuring often deferred the problem without final closure, sometimes converting unpaid liabilities into further debt. Borrowers cannot take a new flight while chained to an unserviceable past. The Reserve Bank of India has not so far provided J&K borrowers a region-specific and respectable closure. National norms governing CIBIL scores, ratings, restructuring and risk appraisal do not adequately reflect an economy that lost thousands of working days to circumstances beyond entrepreneurs control. Applying identical standards to unequal circumstances produces neither fairness nor sound revival. The J&K Government must therefore take the matter beyond its industrial policy. It should approach the Union Finance Ministry and RBI, and seek the intervention of the Prime Minister and Home Minister, for a ten-year region-sensitive banking dispensation. This should ease CIBIL and rating conditions in genuine legacy-stress cases, facilitate restructuring and fresh funding, expand guarantee cover, rationalise collateral and provide concessions that make rehabilitated enterprises bankable. Relaxation must be transparent and protected against fraud or willful diversion. One-Time Settlement is an essential part of that larger framework. FCIK demanded that J&K Bank introduce a similar OTS as SBI OTS-20, the uniform settlement opportunity extended by Indias largest public-sector bank to eligible borrowers across the country. The Managing Director did not commit to copying SBI OTS-20 or disclose the contours of the Banks proposed scheme. He did, however, assure the delegation that the Bank was contemplating a good and attractive OTS for local borrowers which will be unveiled with new Industrial policy. A credible non-discretionary and non-discriminatory OTS, with clear eligibility and uniform calculations, could provide honorable closure where existing debt cannot be revived. It would improve recovery, reduce enforcement costs, release locked assets and allow entrepreneurs to return to productive activity. Fresh finance must follow for viable enterprises; settlement without a route back to economic participation solves only half the problem. Some political leaders have raised issues concerning the Banks constitutional and ownership structure, regional deployment of credit and greater representation of local professionals on its Board. While some of these concerns may merit serious consideration, they largely fall beyond the operational domain of the management. The J&K Government, as the majority shareholder, certainly has an important role in addressing them in consultation with the Banks Board, RBI and other competent authorities. The business community including FCIK has consistently maintained that the Bank should remain insulated from political interference from every side. Governments and political organisations should not dictate individual lending, recruitment, posting and other such decisions. However, such autonomy cannot mean freedom from accountability. The Government must remain a vigilant shareholder and advocate for the regional economy, while the Board and management must preserve professional credit discipline. The present management has demonstrated encouraging professionalism. The Bank has improved priority-sector lending, its credit-deposit ratio, profitability and asset quality. More importantly, its leadership listened, acknowledged lapses and transmitted decisions down the hierarchy with unusual speed. The next test is measurable resolution: competitive credit, an effective MSME facilitation mechanism and early introduction of a fair OTS. The new industrial policy and J&K Bank can thus become partners in a common project. Government support can revive and rehabilitate enterprises; the Union Government and RBI can create enabling credit conditions; the Board can provide region-specific concessions; and a professionally managed J&K Bank can supply the fresh finance that turns policy into production. If these institutions act together, the promised new dawn of industrial development need not remain another announcement. It can revive thousands of enterprises, generate employment, expand the Banks sound local credit portfolio and restore the historic compact between J&K Bank and its people. With professionalism inside the Bank and purposeful advocacy outside it, J&K Bank can renew its historic bond with the business community and rebuild the trust needed to become the financial anchor of J&Ks industrial future. Shakeel Qalander, prominent business leader and a civil society animator
AI, trauma, bionics: Indias top institutes join forces to develop medical care for soldiers
Top Indian health institutions are partnering with the Armed Forces Medical Services. These collaborations focus on developing advanced medical solutions for soldiers. Research areas include trauma care, infectious diseases, and digital health technologies. This initiative aims to address India's specific climatic and battlefield conditions. The government is expanding defense-oriented medical research for operational needs.
Marengo Asia Hospitals raises Rs 400 crore from LeapFrog Investments to double bed capacity
Marengo Asia Hospitals has raised Rs 400 crore from LeapFrog Investments to expand its hospital network, with plans to more than double capacity to over 4,000 beds within two years. Backed by Samara Capital and Godrej and Havells family offices, Marengo operates five hospitals across the NCR, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Iran will not surrender to bullies: President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 11: Iran will not surrender to ullying and arrogance and will stand firm to protect its national interests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday in a direct message to the US and Israel amid a sudden spike in West Asian hostilities. In an address at a gathering of religious leaders, intellectuals, academicians and business figures, Pezeshkian outlined Tehran's vision for the Gulf region, emphasising a commitment to peaceful coexistence while vowing to defeat foreign forces seeking to sow the seeds of discord within Iranian society. We will not surrender to oppression. Iran is standing up to Israel and the US because we will not be bullied, and if they push us, we will push them back, the Iranian president said. He labelled the US and Israeli forces as eal militants, pointing to a US strike near a primary school in southern Iran that left 168 children dead. They should take on our soldiers instead of targeting hospitals, infrastructure and livelihoods. They think people will surrender because of the lack of supplies but the people of Iran will not surrender, he said. Pezeshkian's remarks came amid escalating tensions in West Asia in view of fresh US airstrikes on Iranian targets as well as Washington's attempts to inflict economic strain on Tehran through crippling sanctions. The Iranian president said the United States and Israel are making errors like someone riding a wild horse without reining it in. That will lead them to doom and the fires of hell. God created Iranians, Chinese, Indians and others, and we have to live with each other. We will not surrender to oppression, we will keep supporting the oppressed, the Iranian leader said. The event was attended among others by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Kashmiri separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Patanjali Ayurved co-founder and managing director Acharya Balkrishna and ORF Director General Sujan R Chinoy. Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi on Friday morning on a three-day visit primarily to attend the BRICS summit. Ahead of the event, the Iranian president held wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that mainly focused on the overall situation in West Asia as well as bilateral ties. The Iranian president said he had ice talks with Modi that will pave the way for cooperation and development of relations in trade, technology and culture. With its vast reserves and strategic location, Iran is ready to play the role of a strategic partner in supplying energy and food in the region, he said. Earlier, speaking at the BRICS Business Forum, Pezeshkian called for a stronger shift towards local currencies in BRICS trade, while pitching Iran's geography, energy resources and transport links as a strategic bridge for the bloc's economic connectivity. The BRICS must move beyond its economic potential and build a more integrated network of trade, investment and joint financing, he said. Separately, speaking to reporters, Araghchi said Iran considers India as a great emerging country, which is helming the BRICS as its current chair. The BRICS is a very important institution and is playing a very important role. I am sure that India is able to lead the BRICS and the countries that are members of this group in an excellent way, he said. Inside the BRICS, there are different opinions, but all members of the group believe that national currencies should be strengthened and trade between the member states should be conducted through national currencies, he said. Araghchi said having a single currency for trade among the BRICS nations is still under consideration.
Crayfish invaded Crater Lake 100+ years ago; newt now vanishing from 95% shore
PM Modi calls for safeguarding freedom of navigation in talks with Iranian President Pezeshkian
New Delhi, Sep 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday pressed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to resolve the West Asia conflict through dialogue and diplomacy while highlighting the vital need for safe navigation and safety of seafarers. Meeting for the second time in under two weeks, the two leaders discussed India-Iran relations, with the overall situation in West Asia taking centre stage. The talks took place hours after the Iranian leader arrived in the national capital to attend the BRICS summit. This is Pezeshkian's first visit to India as the president. His visit assumes significance as it comes amid sudden spike in overall tensions in West Asia following fresh hostilities and the US slapping new punitive economic measures against Iran. Shortly after the meeting, Modi described Pezeshkian's trip to India as more special because it is his first visit to the country. We talked about the India-Iran friendship. We believe that we should move forward with a long-term and win-win strategy, Modi said on social media. The prevailing situation in the region was also discussed. India remains steadfast in its commitment to the pursuit of enduring peace, he said. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the wo leaders exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia. The Prime Minister reiterated India's consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, it added. Modi also underscored the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region, safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce, and the safety and well-being of seafarers, it said in a statement. Following the West Asia conflict that began in late February, India had to strike a delicate balance between maintaining its historic ties with Iran and extending solidarity with Arab states which were targeted by Tehran for housing US military bases. At the same time, India has been critical of Iranian attacks on merchant vessels near the Strait of Hormuz that have killed and injured Indian seafarers. Ten Indian seafarers are among the 16 Indians killed so far in the West Asia conflict. The MEA said Modi and Pezeshkian discussed various aspects of the bilateral relationship and that the Prime Minister thanked Iran for its regular, high-level participation in BRICS-related meetings despite the challenging circumstances. He noted the potential for BRICS in building the spirit of resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability among countries in the Global South, it said. The MEA said Modi appreciated the continued cooperation between the two sides on issues of mutual interest in multilateral organisation, including BRICS. Modi had met the Iranian leader on the sidelines of SCO summit in Bishkek on August 31 and conveyed that India supports all efforts toward ending the conflict. Pezeshkian, on his part, had urged Modi to use India's extensive contacts with various parties to help them move away from the path of war and bloodshed and return to the path of dialogue and agreement. In the talks this evening, the Indian side is learnt to have again underlined the importance of free flow of shipping. Global oil supplies have suffered severe disruptions following Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz -- considered the world's most critical energy chokepoint, through which roughly 20 per cent of global petroleum flows.
PM Modi meets UN chief ahead of BRICS Summit; discusses ongoing conflicts, freedom of navigation
New Delhi, Sep 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of the BRICS Summit, as both leaders held discussions on various issues, including ongoing conflicts and freedom of navigation, sustainable development, human-centric AI and global food security. Both leaders also underscored the significance of multipolarity and the need to reform multilateral institutions, including the UNSC, to eflect contemporary realities, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13. Prime Minister Modi met with the UN Secretary-General on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit here, it said. UNSG Guterres congratulated PM Modi for India's chairship of the BRICS for the fourth time. Both leaders underscored the significance of multipolarity and the need to reform multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council, to reflect contemporary realities, it said in a statement. They also held discussions on various issues, including ongoing conflicts and freedom of navigation, sustainable development, human-centric AI, progress in renewable energy and global food security, the MEA said. PM Modi also wished UNSG Guterres the very best for the remainder of his tenure. In a post on X, he wrote, Had a wonderful meeting with UN Secretary-General Mr. Antnio Guterres. Discussed multiple subjects including the ground covered in Indias BRICS Presidency, Indias commitment to strengthening multilateralism and the urgent need for UN reforms. @antonioguterres @UN @BricsIndia2026. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and several other leaders arrived in Delhi on Friday to attend the two-day BRICS summit that gets underway from Saturday. President of New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Chief Zou Jiayi have also reached the capital for the summit.
Climate Justice is Disability Justice
Dear readers, I am coming to you a little less upbeat than usual. The news has been heavy and so has the work of making sense of it. I am writing this piece from a sweltering Kuala Lumpur. In a typical Kashmiri, dam chu sahi ( it is too humid). Extreme weather events like cloudbursts, heatwaves, flash floods and this years super elnino killed hundreds in the sub-continent in the past few weeks. I am invited to be part of the workshop, convened under Chatham House Rules, discussing climate resilience. I am representing Indias 27 million Persons with Disabilities. Kashmir lives on a Powder Keg Kashmir has always known rain. What it did not know was humidity that clings to the skin, flash floods that erase roads overnight or summers that feel less Himalayan and more tropical. Growing up in the Valley, summer evenings carried a familiar coolness. Ceiling fans gathered dust, and the idea of oppressive humidity belonged to distant cities on Indias coast. Today, the air feels heavier. The seasons no longer arrive when they should, nor do they leave when expected. Climate change, once something I reported on through statistics and scientific studies, has become something I can feel on my own skin. Every few minutes, my phone vibrates with another news alert. A cloudburst in Chenab and landslides in Pir Panjal range. Roads swallowed by flash floods in the Central part of Kashmir. Rivers overflowing down south. Families searching for missing relatives. Rescue teams racing against time. Every notification carries a question that rarely appears in newspaper headlines. Who cares for PwDs? When disasters strike, we measure rainfall, wind speed, heavy snowfall, damaged roads and economic losses. Television cameras focus on helicopters hovering above flooded towns or rescue workers carrying children to safety. These stories matter. But they often miss another story- the telling tale of PwDs who are not considered stakeholders in the first place because they are forgotten when policy makers write the disaster response plans. The wheelchair user whose home has become inaccessible long before floodwater reaches the front door. The deaf woman who never hears the evacuation siren. The blind commuter is stranded because public transport has stopped functioning. The person with epilepsy who watches their medication run out while roads remain blocked for days. The child living with severe ADHD whose parents cannot carry both their child and the assistive devices that make everyday life possible. Climate disasters do not create these vulnerabilities. They expose barriers that already existed. For persons with disabilities, climate change is not simply another environmental challenge layered onto ordinary life. It magnifies inequalities that society has long ignored. Every broken footpath, every government building without a ramp, every disaster warning available only in one format becomes more dangerous as temperatures rise and extreme weather becomes more frequent. Climate change does not affect everyone equally because society has never treated everyone equally. Does SDRF Kashmir possess the latest data of PwDs? What is their progress report? How do they rescue PwDs when any natural calamity strikes Srinagar? Persons with disabilities are up to four times more likely to die during natural disasters than people without disabilities. Healthy people on a sick planet? Indias Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 requires district disaster management authorities to maintain records of persons with disabilities within their jurisdictions. The idea is simple but profoundly important: before a flood, cyclone or landslide occurs, authorities should already know who may require additional assistance, where they live and what support they might need during an emergency. In practice, however, this remains one of the weakest links in disaster preparedness. In many districts, disability data is incomplete, outdated or simply unavailable. When flash floods wash away roads or cloudbursts isolate villages, local officials often do not know how many disabled residents remain trapped, let alone whether they need wheelchairs, oxygen support or sign language interpretation. Rescue operations become exercises in improvisation rather than preparedness. You cannot rescue people whom the system has never bothered to count. When disability is invisible in government records, it becomes invisible in disaster planning. When it is absent from planning, it disappears from budgets, emergency drills and evacuation protocols. Eventually, it disappears from public memory itself. What remains visible are the collapsed bridges, submerged houses and damaged highways. What remains invisible are the disabled people who spent hours waiting for someone to remember that they existed. Climate change exposes many inequalities, but perhaps none more starkly than the difference between those whom the state anticipates and those whom it remembers only after tragedy has struck. The toxic air we breathe Much of the conversation around climate change begins with dramatic images rivers bursting their banks, forests consumed by fire, murky waters entering our lanes and eventually our homes. But for many disabled people, climate change begins much earlier. It begins with the air we breathe. Air pollution is an invisible passenger. It enters through our lungs but travels throughout the body, damaging nearly every organ. It knows no borders. Five years ago, while researching at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), an environmental think-tank based in New Delhi, I learned that air pollution was responsible for an estimated 8.1 million premature deaths in 2021, making it the second-leading global risk factor for death. Yet its toll often goes unrecognized. Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, a nine-year-old girl from London, became the first person whose death certificate officially identified air pollution as a cause of death. Her death might have been prevented had her family understood the risks posed by the toxic air. When pollution remains invisible in public discourse, it becomes even deadlier. Now imagine breathing that same polluted air while living with a disability. A person with muscular dystrophy often has reduced respiratory capacity. Someone living with cerebral palsy may already struggle with recurrent respiratory infections. People with compromised immune systems, neurological conditions or chronic heart disease frequently have far less room to absorb additional environmental stress before their health deteriorates. Yet despite growing research on climate and public health, disability remains remarkably absent from the conversation. Disabled people, however, frequently disappear into statistical silence. We know polluted air harms everyone. We know disabled people often experience poorer health outcomes. What we rarely know is how these two realities intersect because disability is so often omitted from environmental research itself. That absence of knowledge has consequences. If governments do not understand how pollution uniquely affects disabled communities, they cannot design public health interventions that protect them. What goes unmeasured rarely becomes a political priority. Earth feels feverish Heatwaves are double-whammy for disabled population. During the record-breaking summer of 2024, Delhi crossed 49 degrees Celsius. Newspapers reported record-breaking temperatures, overloaded hospitals and soaring electricity demand. What received far less attention was what extreme heat meant inside the homes of disabled people. Imagine depending on an electric wheelchair during prolonged power cuts. Imagine medication that must remain refrigerated when refrigerators stop working. Imagine living alone on the third floor of a building without an elevator, unable to relocate to a cooling centre because simply leaving home requires assistance. You can beat the heat by jumping into your village canal, what option is left for your peer with a wheelchair? Heat hurts. I have reported from some Adivasi belts. I know some people with disabilities do not move an inch on their own in this unforgiving heat. Last year in Jharkhand, I saw women and children with disabilities living in abject poverty spending entire afternoons beneath tin roofs that trapped heat well after sunset. Elderly residents were unable to sleep because indoor temperatures remained dangerously high. Families who never appeared in official heat-related statistics because no one was looking inside their houses. For someone with limited mobility, home is not always a sanctuary. During a prolonged heatwave, it can become a prison. Public discussions often present air conditioning as the obvious solution. But adaptation cannot depend upon appliances that millions cannot afford. Persons with disabilities in India continue to experience significantly lower employment rates and greater economic insecurity than the general population. Cooling technologies remain financially inaccessible for many households already struggling to meet healthcare expenses. Even where air conditioning is available, widespread dependence on energy-intensive cooling creates another paradox. Individual homes become cooler while cities themselves become hotter. The solution for some cannot deepen vulnerability for everyone else. Climate adaptation that ignores economic inequality merely redistributes comfort rather than creating resilience. Natural disasters and mental health Climate calamities have made the life of PwDs extremely difficult sans proper disaster preparedness plans. Everyday life already involves negotiating inaccessible infrastructure, discrimination and bureaucratic indifference. Climate change layers another uncertainty onto that experience. It transforms ordinary anxieties into persistent fears. Have we ever paused to reflect on something nobody cares to notice: mental health of PwDs in natural disasters. It doesnt feature in disaster recovery. Recovery is measured by rebuilt roads, restored electricity and compensation packages. Nobody measures what it did to someone who cant speak his pain out. Eco-ableism As climate anxiety grows, we are increasingly encouraged to adopt environmentally responsible lifestyles: cycle instead of driving, walk instead of using vehicles, avoid air conditioning, and consume differently. Many of these changes are valuable. But they often assume that everyone has the same body. A wheelchair user cannot simply choose to cycle. A visually impaired commuter cannot always depend on inaccessible public transport. Someone living with chronic illness may require diets that do not fit neatly into popular sustainability campaigns. When environmental conversations ignore these realities, they unintentionally create a hierarchy of good citizens based upon physical ability. In trying to build a greener future, we risk reproducing the same exclusions that disabled people have spent decades fighting. Disability inclusion cannot become an afterthought within climate activism. It has to shape the movement itself. After all, accessibility is sustainability. Universal design is not merely a disability issue. It is climate adaptation. Climate justice must include disability justice India ranked 176th out of 177 countries in the environmental performance index 2026, placing it among the lowest performing nations globally. We deserve a thundering applause for this achievement. No? Truth be told, we have harmed earth beyond measure but there are reasons for cautious optimism. The Apex court has increasingly recognised extreme heat as a question of constitutional rights rather than seasonal inconvenience. In Beat the Heatwave and Climate Change vs Union of India, it directed governments to strengthen heat action plans, establish cooling spaces and prioritise vulnerable populations. The National Human Rights Commission has similarly urged states to improve preparedness before heatwaves claim more lives. These are encouraging developments. But meaningful change will not come only from courtrooms. Disabled people should not be consulted only after climate policies have already been drafted. They should help design those policies from the beginning. That means early warning systems available through text, audio, visual alerts and sign language. It means relief camps with accessible toilets, ramps and adequate lighting. It means district disaster authorities maintain accurate disability data before emergencies occur rather than searching for vulnerable residents after disaster strikes. It means ensuring uninterrupted access to medicines, electricity and assistive devices during extreme weather. Most importantly, it means recognising disabled people not as beneficiaries of climate policy but as experts in resilience. Outro The climate crisis is forcing us to rethink how we build cities, design transport, organise healthcare and prepare for disasters. It also demands that we rethink something more fundamental: whose lives are imagined when the future is planned. The floods will return. The heat will become more intense. The rains will grow more unpredictable. Nature will continue to test our resilience. Whether disabled people are once again left waiting, however, is no longer a question of nature. It is a question of political will. Of public imagination. And ultimately, of whether we believe every life is equally worth protecting before the storm arrives. Over 1.3 billion PwDs are among the most vulnerable to climate impacts yet remain the least represented in climate solutions and policy decisions. Climate justice cannot be achieved without disability justice. Inclusion is not optional. It is a necessity. Nothing About Us, Without Us. Note: This work is supported by the Center for Planetary Health, Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The author was invited by Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
DGP Nalin Prabhat reviews border protection grid along Jammu region
Jammu, Sep 11: Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat on Friday chaired a high-level security meeting here to review the border protection grid along the International Border and Line of Control in the Jammu region, officials said. The meeting reviewed the security arrangements and coordination among the forces deployed along the border to prevent infiltration of terrorists from across the border, they said. The Border Protection Grid comprises the Army, BSF, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police, while the anti-infiltration obstacle system along the International Border and Line of Control forms a key component of the security arrangements. DGP reviewed the Border Protection Grid, with the concerned formations of BSF, CRPF and JKP, the Jammu and Kashmir Police Media Centre said in a post on X. The meeting was attended by the inspector general of police (Jammu Zone), senior officers of the BSF and CRPF, DIGs of police ranges and SSPs of the border districts, it said.
White Knight Corps commander reviews security grid, operational preparedness in Kishtwar
Jammu, Sep 11: The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Armys White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General P K Mishra, on Friday visited general areas of Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar district and reviewed the security situation, counter-terrorism grid and operational preparedness of the troops. The Corps Commander assessed the security architecture, contingency preparedness and infrastructure, and directed the troops to take further measures to enhance operational effectiveness, safety and support in the hinterland, the White Knight Corps said in a post on X. The GOC Mishra urged all ranks to remain vigilant and mission-ready at all times, it said.
Kashmir's Mirwaiz meets Iranian President in New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 11: Mirwaiz Kashmir, Dr Mohammad Umar Farooq on Friday visited New Delhi where he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The Kashmirs chief cleric left for New Delhi on the invitation of Iranian Ambassador to India Dr Mohammad Fathali, to participate in an interaction with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, who is currently in New Delhi to attend the BRICS Summit. Photo Source: @mirwaizmanzil/X The interaction- of religious leaders, intellectuals and other dignitaries is being hosted by the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to India, Dr Mohammad Fathali. At the occasion, Mirwaiz Umar visited an exhibition commemorating the innocent children killed in Minab. Photo Source: @mirwaizmanzil/X
Chicken Leg Piece In Jhalmuri? Viral Video Shows Unique Street Food From Bangladesh
This food video featuring a delight from Bangladesh is viral on social media
Video: Woman Carries Pots Of Chicken Curry And Rice On Train, Internet Reacts
The video posted on X showed a woman seated on the upper berth with several pots and pans filled with food.
Feeling Sluggish After 3 PM? Expert Shares Simple Ways To Stay Energised All Day
If you often struggle to stay focused after lunch, your gut health could be playing a bigger role than you think. Here's what an expert recommends.
Three-day 'Kashmir Theatre Conference' begins in Srinagar
