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Major turning point in India's digital payment journey: PM Modi on 10 years of UPI
New Delhi, Aug 25: On completion of a decade of the Unified Payments Interface, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed it as a major turning point in India's digital payment journey and said its sheer scale is something every Indian must be proud of. The UPI was launched on August 25, 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) under the regulatory oversight of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The UPI has emerged as the backbone of India's digital payments ecosystem and a critical driver of financial inclusion. A decade ago, UPI was rolled out, marking a major turning point in India's digital payments journey. The sheer scale and reach of UPI are something every Indian must be proud of, Modi said in a post on X. The prime minister also asked people to share with him their UPI experience and how it impacted the life. Over a decade of operations, the UPI has demonstrated extraordinary scale and momentum in the country. Annual transaction volume expanded from just 1.78 crore in 2016-17 to over 24,162 crore transactions in 2025-26, representing an almost 13,000 fold surge in transaction volume. Parallelly, transaction value rose sharply from Rs 0.07 lakh crore in 2016-17 to approximately Rs 314 lakh crore in 2025-26, translating into a more than 4,000 fold increase in transaction value. The UPI has emerged as one of the most successful pillars of India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), providing an interoperable, real-time payments platform that enables seamless peer-to-peer and peer-to-merchant transactions through a single application, an official release said on Monday.
No further power tariff hike during my tenure: Omar Abdullah
Tangmarg, Aug 25: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday defended his governments decision to increase electricity tariffs, saying the hike was made out of compulsion rather than choice, while assuring people that his government would not raise power prices any further during its tenure. Addressing a gathering at Tangmarg, Abdullah also hit out at opposition parties for criticising his government over the tariff increase and questioned their record in government, particularly on development projects in the area. They are not wrong in saying that. We increased electricity prices. I accept that. We did not do it out of happiness. We were forced to do it, Abdullah said. He argued that the electricity tariff increase had come after four years, during which inflation had risen substantially across the country. Electricity rates were increased after four years, he said, adding that inflation during the period had risen by around 19 or 20 per cent. Abdullah contrasted his government's decision with previous tariff increases, saying electricity rates had been raised by about 15 per cent when the previous government was in power and by around 13.5 to 14 per cent during the PDP-BJP government headed by Mehbooba Mufti. When these people were in government, when they increased electricity rates four years ago, they increased them by 15 per cent, he said. Referring to the PDP-BJP government, Abdullah said, When the PDP-BJP coalition government was in power, whose sins we are paying for today, electricity rates were also increased when Mehbooba Mufti was chief minister. Why were they silent then? he asked. Abdullah nevertheless acknowledged the burden imposed by the latest increase and sought to assure consumers that there would be no further hikes. I assure you that I will make every possible effort that, God willing, during this government's tenure and thereafter, we will not increase electricity prices any further, he said. The chief minister also sought to counter criticism that his government and its representatives were not doing enough on the ground. He said MLAs from constituencies including Sangrama, Pattan, Baramulla, Beerwah and Uri were continuously working on projects and responding to demands from residents. There is not a single day when my honourable MLAs sitting here whether from Sangrama, Pattan, Baramulla, Beerwah or Uri are not moving around their areas for one project or another, some work or another, or in response to some demand from the people, Abdullah said. He said opposition parties had a legitimate role in criticising the government but accused them of overlooking their own record in office. Their job is to go to a place, close their eyes and say that nothing is happening, he said. Abdullah particularly questioned previous representatives over the failure to establish a fruit mandi in Tangmarg despite the land being available. I ask those gentlemen who have represented people here for 12, 16 or 18 years: if you had the opportunity, why did you not build a fruit mandi here? he said. He stressed that the land on which the mandi is being developed was already available and did not require the government to remove illegal encroachments or acquire fresh land. This land was there. We did not acquire this land. There was no illegal occupation on this land. We did not have to remove anyone from it. The land was already here, Abdullah said. He credited Farooq Shah with pursuing the project with the Lieutenant Governor and said the laying of the foundation stone represented the beginning of a long-awaited development project. Abdullah also listed a range of priorities for the remaining tenure of his government, including drinking water, schools, healthcare, roads, fruit markets and development works through panchayats. All the promises we have made to the people, God willing, over the next three-and-a-quarter years, we will fulfil all those promises and then present ourselves before you, he said. He predicted that Gulmarg-Tangmarg would emerge as one of the most developed Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir by the end of the government's term. When, after 3.5 years, you look at all the Assembly constituencies, you will find that if there is one constituency among the 90 constituencies that has witnessed the most development, the Gulmarg-Tangmarg constituency will be among them, Abdullah said. He also announced that work on a mini-secretariat in the area would begin this year. God willing, this year itself we will start work on this mini-secretariat, the chief minister said.
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Govt mulls drug tests for all commercial pilots
New Delhi, Aug 25: The civil aviation ministry is looking at the possibility of carrying out psychoactive substance tests for all commercial pilots round the year on a random basis. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Tuesday said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is holding discussions with stakeholders on further strengthening the drug-testing standards of pilots. Right now, the rules say 10 per cent (drug tests) across the overall pilot network, but just like I said, DGCA is engaging (with stakeholders)... One of the opinions from our side is that everyone has to go through it (drug tests) the (whole) year at a random time. So, we have to see how all the stakeholders are going to respond to this, the minister said. The issue of possible substance use by pilots has come under spotlight after the captain of a Phuket-Delhi Air India flight, involved in a sudden altitude loss incident, was tested positive for marijuana. Currently, drug tests for pilots are done on a random basis. Under DGCA's present Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), random tests for psychoactive substances have to be done for 10 per cent of pilots and air traffic controllers, among others, annually. Naidu on Tuesday said the regulator DGCA is currently consulting stakeholders to review the existing rules and bring in a stricter policy for the future. There are multiple ways of approaching this dope test (thing), the minister said, responding to queries related to psychoactive substance testing for pilots, on the sidelines of an event in the national capital. There are more than 12,000 pilots with various commercial airlines. In the wake of the Phuket-Delhi flight incident, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) on August 18, urged DGCA to consider oral fluid testing as a complementary method along with the existing urine-based screening under its drug testing framework. FIP had also sought increasing the random drug testing for pilots and other personnel to 25 per cent from the current 10 per cent. Meanwhile, Air India and Air India Express have also started mandatory psychoactive substance testing of all their pilots. Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is probing the Phuket-Delhi flight incident that occurred on August 4 as per Annexure 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It pertains to aircraft accident and incident investigation. The Phuket-Delhi flight AI2379, operated with A320 aircraft VT-EXO, experienced a sudden loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet during cruise, after which the aircraft stabilised and subsequently landed safely in the national capital.
CM Omar flags teacher workload, rural school gaps and vacancies
Why Does Insulin Production Drop After Age 55? And How to Stay Safe??
Managing your health shifts as you blow out the candles on your 55th birthday. Many older adults notice that their fasting blood sugar numbers creep upward, even if their diet hasnt changed. This happens because insulin production and efficiency naturally decline as we age. Understanding why this drop happens helps you make smart choices about your diet, lifestyle, and favourite foods, like sweet corn. The Root Causes: Why Insulin Changes After 55 A drop in insulin effectiveness stems from a mix of your internal organs slowing down and changes in your body composition. 1. Biological Aging of the Beta Cells The pancreas houses specialized beta cells that produce and release [] Why Does Insulin Production Drop After Age 55? And How to Stay Safe??
'I can't send doctor sahib back empty-handed: MP Ruhullah on Farooq Abdullah's resignation call
Srinagar, Aug 25 : A day after National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah asked Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi to resign from the Lok Sabha and seek a fresh mandate, the MP on Tuesday indicated that he would respond to the veteran leaders demand in the coming days, while stressing his deep respect for Abdullah. Speaking to reporters, Ruhullah was asked about Farooq Abdullahs call for his resignation. He did not directly say whether he would accept the challenge, but his response suggested that he was weighing the demand seriously. It is not possible that Doctor Sahib asks me for something and I dont give it to him. It is not possible that I send him back empty-handed, Ruhullah said. He has asked for something at this age. I respect him. I dont want him to ask me for somethingand Ireturn it to him empty-handed, he added. I will give an answer in a few days, Ruhullah said. His remarks came a day after Farooq Abdullah publicly challenged him to resign from Parliament and return to the electorate if he believedthat his 2024 Lok Sabha victory was primarily the result ofhis personal political standing. If you think people voted for you, resign and go back to them.Wewill see how many votes you get, Abdullah had said. The exchange follows a period of increasingly public differences between Ruhullah and the National Conference leadership over the partys political approach, particularly on issues including restoration of Article 370, statehood and the constitutional rights of Jammu and Kashmir. Farooq Abdullah had said Ruhullah was free to raise the issue of Article 370 in Parliament, but questioned his approach to the matter. If he thinks Article 370 can be restored, he should take up the issue in Parliament, Abdullah said. The NC president also defended the importance of party organisation and discipline, arguing that candidates contesting elections on the party ticket benefit from the support of the organisation and its workers. Ruhullah, however, has maintained that his political position reflects the mandate given to him by the people and has repeatedly argued that the fight for Jammu and Kashmirs constitutional rights remains unfinished. In recent days, he has also indicated that he could consider resigning from Parliament after taking his campaign on constitutional rights and protections to a certain stage. On Sunday, he said Jammu and Kashmir had continued to lose powers over the years and alleged that its political leadership had failed to regain them. The latest exchange has therefore raised questions about whether the disagreement will remain an internal debate within the National Conference or develop into a more serious political confrontation. Ruhullah was also asked aboutthe reopening of cases relatingto Kashmiri Pandits. He said justice should be delivered but cautioned against turning the process into an instrument of revenge. Everyone should be aware of Kashmiri Pandits. Justice should be delivered. There should be no revenge in the name of justice, he said. The statement places Ruhullahs position in the context of both accountability and reconciliation, stressing that any investigation or legal process should be aimed at delivering justice rather than settling scores.
Will respond in a day or two: Aga Ruhullah on Farooq Abdullahs resignation remark
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H1N1 Cases Spike in Delhi: Doctor Explains The Reason Behind This Surge
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Fire breaks out at police Housing Corporation Headquarters in Srinagar, three rooms damaged
Srinagar, Aug 25: A fire incident was reported at the Corporate Headquarters of J&K Police Housing Corporation in Peerbagh area of Srinagar on Monday, resulting in damage to three rooms. Officials said that flames broke out on the fourth floor of the building housing the corporation's headquarters. Soon after, teams of Fire and Emergency Services department rushed to the spot and doused the flames, preventing the fire from spreading to other floors. Three rooms on the fourth floor suffered damage in the incident. No loss of life or injury has been reported. The cause of fire is being ascertained. (GNS)
Separatist Shabir Shah should not to be unnecessarily handcuffed: Special NIA court
A special NIA court in Jammu ordered jail authorities to avoid unnecessary handcuffing of Shabir Ahmad Shah. The separatist leader cited advanced age and multiple health ailments causing him pain. Shah was arrested by the NIA in connection with a three-decade-old terror case. He had recently been released on bail after nearly seven years in other cases.
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After Recent Food Scares, Sanjeev Kapoor And Anahita Dhondy Share Tips For Safer Dining
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Govt assigns IAS officer Dr. Sagar Doifode additional charge as IG Registration, J&K
Srinagar, Aug 25: The Jammu and Kashmir government has assigned IAS officer Dr. Sagar Doifode Dattatray, Special Secretary in the Agriculture Production Department, the additional charge of Inspector General of Registration, J&K, until further orders. According to an official order issued by the General Administration Department, Dr Doifode (AGMUT: 2014), who currently serves as Special Secretary in the Agriculture Production Department and holds additional charge as Mission Director for both the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the J&K Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP), will manage this new role alongside his existing responsibilities
Pakistan, Iran discuss ways to reopen Strait of Hormuz, prevent escalation of West Asia conflict
Islamabad, Aug 25: Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has held comprehensive discussions with the Iranian leadership in Tehran, focusing on measures to prevent further escalation of the West Asia conflict and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the army's media wing said on Tuesday. The army chief, who was accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, concluded a day-long visit to Iran as part of Islamabads diplomatic efforts to break the deadlock in the ongoing US-Iran conflict, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. It added that the visit was part of Pakistans diplomatic efforts to end the stalemate in the ongoing US-Iran conflict and explore ways for achieving enduring peace and a permanent end to instability in the region. The army chief called on Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Mohsen Rezaei, Representative of the Supreme Leader on the Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of Iran, and Eskandar Momeni, Minister of Interior of Iran. Comprehensive discussions focused on measures to prevent further escalation, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and expedited termination of the conflict, the statement said. The Strait of Hormuz is a 55-km-wide narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, separating the Persian Gulf from the Arabian Sea. It is one of the busiest and most strategically significant shipping routes in the world, as a fifth of global oil passed through it before the conflict began on February 28. The discussions between leaders from Pakistan and Iran also covered regional peace and possible ways to reach a negotiated settlement to the disputes, the statement said. The Iranian leadership appreciated Pakistan's constructive role in facilitating dialogue, de-escalation and a peaceful resolution of the conflict, according to the statement. Pakistan has been leading the push for peace and reviving its mediation efforts in the stalled US-Iran peace negotiations. In April, a ceasefire was announced with an agreement to end the US-Iran conflict. However, the peace process faltered later on and has not been put back on track. The conflict began when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, triggering Iranian retaliation and choking the vital Strait of Hormuz and entailing a petroleum price hike. An interim peace agreement, which Pakistan signed as a guarantor, derailed last month as tensions escalated in West Asia with the US and Iran resuming military strikes. Pakistan's efforts to revive the talks have so far failed to yield results. The visit by Pakistan's leadership was part of the country's broader diplomatic efforts to help break the deadlock in the conflict and explore ways to achieve lasting peace and an end to regional instability. The visit comes as Washington ramps up pressure on Iran with an expanded round of sanctions, which US officials say are designed to cut off Tehran's economic lifeline and put the world on notice to cease doing business with the country. President Donald Trump has also warned of economic consequences for countries providing what he called any type of lifeline to Iran, as Washington seeks to intensify pressure on Iran. Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have been severely disrupted, while Tehran has threatened to target unauthorised tankers attempting to transit the waterway.
Raktapittantak Ras Ingredients, Preparation, Ayurvedic Properties, Indications & Dosages Raktapitta is a formidable hemorrhagic condition in Ayurveda where aggravated ... Read more The post Raktapittantak Ras appeared first on Planet Ayurveda .
Biocon arm gets Japan nod for cancer drug pegfilgrastim biosimilar
In a significant advancement, Biocon Biologics has gained marketing approval for its pegfilgrastim biosimilar in Japan. This vital cancer supportive care drug is designed to mitigate infection risks following chemotherapy. Developed as a rival to Neulasta, Sandoz KK will handle its exclusive promotion and distribution. This approval marks a pivotal step in expanding Biocon's biosimilar range and improving patient accessibility worldwide.
Muslims gather for rain prayers in Indonesia's wildfire-hit South Sumatra
Palembang, Aug 25: Authorities in Indonesia's South Sumatra, the province with the highest number of wildfire hot spots, turned to spiritual measures on Tuesday as huge blazes in central and western regions scorched wide areas of forests and peatland, creating a choking haze that blanketed some cities in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. The prayer gathering initiative comes as the province faces prolonged dry weather that has heightened the risk of forest and peatland fires. The latest satellite data from the Environment Ministry showed South Sumatra recorded the highest number of hot spots nationwide with 1,429, followed by West Kalimantan with 1,226 and Central Kalimantan with 811. Forestry Ministry data indicated that nearly 940 square kilometres (363 square miles) were burned in July alone, including over 20 square kilometres (8 square miles) in South Sumatra province. About 3,000 residents gathered in Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra province, to perform a special Islamic prayer for rain, known as salat istisqa. They prayed shoulder to shoulder in the courtyard of the governor's office as thick smoke shrouded roads, buildings and public facilities, reducing visibility and forcing motorists to drive with their headlights on during the day. We have done everything we can and worked closely with all relevant parties, South Sumatra Gov. Herman Deru said before the prayer. As people of faith, we are also praying to God to send rain so that life can return to normal. He also said the public prayer would complement ongoing firefighting and drought-mitigation measures and serve as a moment for residents to unite in confronting the environmental challenges facing the province. Emergency services have been battling fires driven by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season, generating dense smoke that crossed into Malaysia and Brunei, according to the National Disaster Management Agency. Indonesia is actively intensifying weather-modification operations to help firefighters combat wildfires by inducing rainfall through the dispersal of salt particles into suitable clouds, with 30 aircraft for cloud-seeding and water-bombing operations over Kalimantan, and another 22 helicopters covering Sumatra. Indonesian police have arrested 72 people suspected of starting some of the forest and peatland fires, while four companies are under investigation for allegedly using fire to clear land at low cost. Plantation owners and traditional farmers often start fires to clear land for farming, triggering hazardous haze that reduces visibility, disrupts land and air transportation and threatens public health. Fires are a regular problem during the dry season in Indonesia, and the haze they generate has periodically drawn diplomatic complaints from neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia.
15 pc decline in Indian students seeking admission to undergraduate courses in US: Report
Washington, Aug 25: 15 pc decline in Indian students seeking admission to undergraduate courses in US: Report A report, representing over 1,100 institutions, released by the Common App, shows that although application volume for undergraduate admission in the upcoming 2026-27 academic year rose overall, the number of international applicants through March 1 fell 10 per cent, the steepest decline on record. The report by a non-profit organisation recorded a 15 per cent decrease in applicants from India -- the top source for international students in the US. India is the largest source of international students in the US, with over 3.63 lakh enrolling for different courses in the 2024-25 academic year. According to the report, international students contributed USD 41.77 billion to the local economy in the Fall 2025-26. The same number is projected to be 38.37 billion in 2026-27. Earlier, a report by an organisation of educators said that stricter visa rules and uncertain policy are expected to lead to up to 1.1 lakh fewer international student registrations at US colleges and universities in Fall 2026. According to a report by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and research firm JB International, international student registrations in Fall 2025-26 were estimated at 11.69 lakh, down this year to 10.57 lakh. In July, the US government announced new rules eliminating the traditional duration of status for student and visitor visas, capping stays at 4 years, which is the usual duration of an academic course. The US is also considering a USD 100,000 fee on foreign students who wish to use the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme to work in the US after their graduation. OPT allows foreign nationals who enter the United States on a student visa to work in the US for 12, or in some cases 24, months. It also allows students to transition to an H-1B visa sponsored by employers. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.
EOW Kashmir chargesheets man for allegedly cheating cancer patients family
Srinagar, Aug 25: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet against a man accused of cheating the family of a cancer patient by promising to provide medicines at a cheaper rate. The chargesheet has been filed before the Court of Sub-Judge, Srinagar, in FIR No. 25/2026, registered under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused has been identified as Afaq Ahmad Thug, son of Ghulam Qadir, a resident of New Colony, Hazratbal, near Shiwala Mandir, Anantnag, presently residing at 10-Green Enclave, Barmuni Road, Sunjwan, Jammu. According to the EOW, the case originated from a written complaint alleging that the accused cheated the complainant after offering to arrange medicines for his wife, who was suffering from cancer, at a comparatively lower price. The accused allegedly induced the complainant to pay lakhs of rupees for the medicines but subsequently failed to supply them as promised, the agency said. Following the complaint, an investigation was initiated. The EOW said its probe prima facie substantiated the allegations levelled against the accused. Interestingly, the investigation also revealed that the accused and the complainant had been schoolmates at a boarding school more than four decades ago, the agency said. After completing the investigation, the EOW presented the chargesheet before the court for judicial determination in accordance with law. The Crime Branch has advised members of the public to remain vigilant against economic frauds and to report suspicious activities to the SSP, EOW Kashmir. Complaints can also be lodged with the EOW through email at sspeow-kmr@jkpolice.gov.in.
J-K covers digitisation of 70 lakh land parcels, 13 lakh discrepancies rectified
Srinagar, Aug 24: Jammu and Kashmir is accelerating the digitisation and updation of nearly 70 lakh land parcels as part of efforts to modernise revenue administration and prepare a verified land database for integration with the Centre's AgriStack framework, officials said. The officials said that more than 13 lakh rectifications have been completed following discrepancies detected during verification and grievances received from the public. The exercise is being undertaken by the revenue department in collaboration with BISAG-N under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), with more than 2,500 revenue field functionaries provided role-based access for data entry, verification and approval, they said. In a major step towards modernising land administration and creating a more transparent, citizen-centric system of Revenue and Agricultural services, Jammu and Kashmir has accelerated the digitisation and updation of land records while simultaneously preparing the verified land database for integration with the AgriStack framework, they added. They said that the exercise, being undertaken by the revenue department in collaboration with BISAG-N, covers nearly 70 lakh land parcels, with more than 2,500 Revenue field functionaries having been provided role-based access for data entry, verification and approval. Officials said the exercise goes beyond scanning or digitising old records and involves updation, verification, public scrutiny and authentication of land records. A dedicated software platform has been developed for village-wise management of land records through a structured database, enabling systematic searching, validation, monitoring and authorised updating. Under the three-tier maker-checker-approver mechanism, the Patwari enters the record, the girdawar and naib-tehsildar verify it against the source revenue record, and the tehsildar provides final approval, they said. The system creates an electronic audit trail at every stage, helping check transcription errors, omissions, incorrect shares and other discrepancies while fixing responsibility for entries and approvals. District-level mentors and prabhari officers have also been deployed to monitor progress and quality, while district committees are undertaking cross-tehsil verification, they added. As part of public scrutiny, more than 6,800 village-level camps have been organised for public reading of jamabandis, allowing landholders to identify discrepancies relating to names, shares and mutations, they said. Digitised land records have also been made available for public viewing through the JK Zameen Sudhaar portal. More than 13 lakh rectifications have been completed following discrepancies detected during verification and grievances received from the public. The government has simultaneously incorporated around seven lakh backlog mutations into the digitised Record of Rights after verification and approval, they said. The verified database is now being transformed to support AgriStack under the digital agriculture mission of the central government. The framework envisages an integrated digital architecture comprising the Farmers Registry, geo-referenced village maps and Crop Sown Registry, they added. A key requirement is to accurately associate farmers with their landholdings. As traditional jamabandis may contain multiple co-owners in a single khasra, the transformation process captures the precise extent attributable to each recorded owner in machine-readable form. So far, 31.26 lakh khasra records have been converted into the required owner-extent format, officials said. Under the farmer-validation process, landholders authenticate through e-KYC, view their landholding particulars and claim the appropriate landholding group before providing voluntary electronic consent. A Farmer ID is generated after completion of the prescribed verification and approval process. Officials said the digitisation exercise would make Records of Rights more accessible and reduce the need for repeated visits to patwari and tehsil offices. For farmers, the AgriStack and Farmer ID framework is expected to facilitate more efficient delivery of eligible schemes, subsidies, agricultural inputs, credit, insurance, procurement-related services and disaster relief. The initiative is aimed at creating a trusted, verified and farmer-validated digital land information ecosystem to make revenue administration more transparent and improve delivery of agricultural services across Jammu and Kashmir.
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US set for largest mass visa revocation in history targeting up to 200,000 foreigners: officials
Washington, Aug 25: The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum status in the United States. If it happens, the move would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history and would likely face legal challenges. Unless challenged or revised, the State Department is expected to announce in the coming weeks the revocation of so-called B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 whose holders have sought asylum or are now seeking asylum, according to State Department documents obtained by The Associated Press and two US officials. The action will be taken in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security. We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who have come to the United States claiming to be short-term visitors, but then file for asylum to stay here permanently, said State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott. He declined to comment on the number of visas that might be revoked, saying as the process will be ongoing, the number of revocations remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis. The revocations would not necessarily result in their immediate deportation, the officials said. Most of those with asylum cases currently pending would be recategorised but would lose their status as business or tourism travellers, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the revocations are not final yet. Since President Donald Trump took office for his second term last year, his administration has steadily ramped up restrictions on visa applicants, demanding more information about their social media histories, requiring the posting of expensive bonds for processing visas, and outright banning the issuance of visas to citizens of certain countries. In a social media post on Monday, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called out people who he said try to use tourist and business visas to get into the United States and then apply for asylum. People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims, Landau wrote on X. Asylum isn't supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law. Landau cited the case of a Colombian citizen who came to the US in 2015 on a tourist visa and then applied for asylum. B1 visas are generally issued for business trips and B2 visas are generally issued for tourism, family visits or medical care. It was not immediately clear from the documents or the officials how many of these visa holders are seeking or have sought asylum in the United States and would be affected by the revocations. Current applicants for B1 and B2 visas are asked to affirm that they will not apply for asylum in the United States and prove that they intend to return to their home countries. In the past 18 months, the State Department has revoked about 175,000 visas for people who have been convicted or accused of crimes ranging from drunken driving to rape and robbery, as well as for people who have spoken out publicly against US policies, particularly in the Middle East. The administration has also moved to crack down on so-called birth tourism, a practice the administration claims is used by foreign pregnant women to come to the United States to give birth so that their child will benefit from birthright citizenship. Trump has tried several times to end birthright citizenship, but those challenges have been rejected by courts, including the Supreme Court. The State Department documents obtained by the AP suggest screening of current B1 and B2 visa holders began after the State Department received information about asylum requests from the Citizenship and Immigration Service.
Canada will announce retaliatory tariffs against US on Tuesday, official tells AP
Toronto, Aug 25: Canada will announce retaliatory tariffs against the United States on Tuesday, an official familiar with the plans told The Associated Press, escalating a trade fight that has sharply worsened since negotiations with the Trump administration collapsed. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the plans publicly. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday that Canada may need to move away from matching US tariffs dollar for dollar and instead use more targeted retaliation aimed at protecting Canadian workers and businesses. President Donald Trump escalated the dispute again Monday, telling Canadian leaders to fall in line or face consequences far WORSE than tariffs already imposed and threatening new 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian vehicles, auto parts and steel. Carney accused Washington of trying to subordinate Canada and said US trade demands had confirmed Canada's fears that the United States was seeking to dismantle major Canadian industries. An attitude at the negotiation table that Canada is a subsidiary of the United States is not something we're going to accept, Carney said. Carney was even more blunt in French. We learned during the negotiations that the Americans want to destroy our major industries, including autos, steel and aluminium, Carney said. That was one of the main reasons we said no. It was a bad deal. The fiery words from both sides show how US-Canada relations have deteriorated since Carney walked away from trade negotiations with the Trump administration late Friday, triggering the president's threatened 50 per cent tariffs the next day on about USD 20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Carney cast doubt on the US's reliability as a partner, saying Canada was finding reliable partners everywhere in the world, except in the United States. Except in the United States. And Russia. Trump unleashes personal attacks on Canadian leaders On Monday, Trump came back with further tariffs, warning that he would impose them on Canada's auto industry beginning next year. Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years, Trump wrote on social media, criticising what he called the country's ridiculously high tariffs on American farmers. Carney said Washington's auto-sector proposals would gradually have the effect of dismantling Canadian production. This is the most successful automotive partnership in history, Carney said, referring to the deeply integrated Canada-US industry. Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford unleashed his own tirade. In an interview with The Associated Press, he said Trump had underestimated Canadians' willingness to endure economic pain rather than give in to US pressure. We're all in, Ford said. Up here, we're at a fever pitch; everyone's in for an economic war. They know they're going to have to sacrifice. Trump responded in a social media post by attacking Ford personally, calling him the less charismatic, intelligent, and overall unimpressive brother of the late, great, Rob Ford, and once again referring to Canada's prime minister as Governor Carney. Ford dismissed the insults: If you think an insult from him hurts me? Well, bring it on, buddy, I'm ready. Ford is a Progressive Conservative whose party differs from that of Carney, a Liberal, but the two underscore broad political unity in Canada over the trade fight with Trump. Ford threatens critical minerals and electricity Ford said everything is on the table if the dispute worsens, including cutting off electricity and critical minerals from Ontario. Critical minerals are increasingly important to US national security and manufacturing. The Pentagon has sought more secure supplies of minerals used in military aircraft, missiles, munitions and electronics as Washington tries to reduce reliance on China, which dominates the mining or processing of several strategically important minerals. Ford said Canada should also consider increasingly severe retaliation if Trump continues targeting Canadian industries, including oil and potash, while Ontario could raise electricity prices or stop sending power south. We power 1.5 million homes and businesses, Ford said. Everything's on the table. I'll do whatever it takes. Ford has used electricity as leverage before. During an earlier phase of the dispute, Ontario imposed a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity exported to Michigan, Minnesota and New York. Trump responded by threatening to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium before both sides backed away. Auto industry becomes a central battleground Ford accused Trump of not simply seeking a better trade deal but aiming to hollow out Canadian industries and move production south. Ford said Trump wants to make Canada a vassal state. He wants to bleed out every single sector and bring them down to the US, Ford said. The auto sector is especially important to Ontario, the centre of Canada's vehicle manufacturing industry. Plants and suppliers in Ontario are tightly integrated with factories in Michigan and other US states, with parts routinely crossing the border multiple times during production. Automakers including Ford, General Motors and Stellantis operate major assembly plants in Ontario, and the wider supply chain supports tens of thousands of jobs. Trump's new threat of a 50 per cent tariff on Canadian vehicles and parts puts that sector directly at the centre of the escalating dispute. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Monday that the only reason Canada has auto production in the first place was because of the 1960s Auto Pact, under which Canada used access to its market to encourage vehicle production north of the border. Ford says he opposed preliminary deal Ford also disclosed that he had opposed the preliminary agreement Carney was considering before Canada walked away from negotiations, and that he was unwilling to restore American liquor to Ontario store shelves as part of an agreement. I wasn't going to put the booze back on the shelves, Ford said. I was ready to go out there and call a press conference and say I'm not buckling over. Ford said he understood Washington had sought language late in the negotiations that would have restricted Canada's ability to negotiate trade agreements with other countries without US approval. Carney has called that demand unacceptable and a question of Canadian sovereignty. Carney said the dispute also exposed a deeper divide over language and culture, saying protections for French and Canadian culture that Washington views as trade irritants are considered fundamental rights in Canada. Who does he think he is? Ford said of Trump. You gotta be kidding.
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President Droupadi Murmu to confer National Awards to teachers on September 5
President Droupadi Murmu will confer the National Awards to Teachers (NAT) 2026 on 21 teachers and faculty members from higher education institutions (HEIs) and polytechnics at Vigyan Bhawan here on September 5, the Ministry of Education said. The awardees include 12 teachers from central higher education institutions, five from state universities and colleges, including three government and two private institutions, and four faculty members from polytechnics, equally divided between government and private institutions. Nominations for the awards were invited online through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal from May 26 to July 20. The process allowed self, institutional and peer nominations as part of the governments Jan Bhagidari initiative. The awards recognise teachers and faculty members for exemplary contribution to education. Selection is based on parameters including teaching-learning effectiveness, outreach activities, research and innovation, sponsored research, faculty development programmes and consultancy teaching. The selection is carried out in two stages. A Preliminary Search-cum-Screening Committee first shortlists nominees, following which a Jury Committee selects the final awardees. The National Awards to Teachers were expanded in 2023 to include teachers and faculty members from higher education institutions and polytechnics. Earlier, the awards were limited to school teachers. The expansion was aimed at supporting the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which calls for incentives, rewards and recognition to promote a culture of excellence across the education ecosystem.
Bake My Cake Kashmir unveils new website, eyes stronger digital presence
Bake My Cake Kashmir on Monday launched its new website at SSM College of Engineering, Parihaspora Pattan, marking a step towards strengthening its digital presence and making its products, services and business information more accessible to customers and stakeholders. The website was virtually inaugurated by Director Employment, J&K and Managing Director, Mission Yuva, Harvinder Singh. The launch event was attended by students, entrepreneurs, professionals and other distinguished guests. Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director of Bake My Cake Kashmir, Mudasir Naqshbandi, said businesses need to adapt to changing technology as the world increasingly moves towards digital platforms. Today, people want information instantly and businesses need to be accessible beyond physical boundaries. Through our website, we are making it easier for people to reach us, learn about our products and services, understand our journey and stay informed about our future plans, he said. Naqshbandi said the website was not merely a digital platform but part of the companys efforts to build a more accessible, transparent and digitally connected business. He added that Bake My Cake Kashmir would continue to invest in technology, innovation and young talent while creating opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs in J&K. Harvinder Singh appreciated the initiative and congratulated Bake My Cake Kashmir for embracing digital technology and strengthening its online presence. He highlighted the potential of Jammu and Kashmirs youth and encouraged them to make effective use of emerging technologies, government initiatives and new opportunities to build sustainable businesses and generate employment. The launch reflects Bake My Cake Kashmirs focus on digital transformation, innovation and strengthening its engagement with customers and the wider community.
Dr Sajjad Hussain presents IFS SIG roadmap
Dr Syed Sajjad Hussain, National Convenor of the Indian Fertility Society Special Interest Group (IFS SIG) and Managing Director of MED AGE IVF Centre, Srinagar, delivered a presentation at the Mid-Term Meeting of the Indian Fertility Society (IFS) held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Dr Hussain presented the vision, ongoing initiatives, academic activities and future roadmap of the IFS Special Interest Group, highlighting its focus on knowledge sharing, multidisciplinary collaboration and advancements in reproductive medicine. The presentation outlined the groups efforts to strengthen academic engagement and promote collaborative research and professional development in the field of reproductive healthcare. His participation underscored Kashmirs growing contribution to specialised healthcare and its active engagement with leading national professional forums.
Cantabil expands retail presence with new store in Pulwama
Cantabil Retail India Ltd., an apparel manufacturer and retailer, has expanded its retail presence in J&K with the opening of a new store in Pulwama. Spread across 1,185 square feet, the new outlet is located at Shop Nos. 3, 4 and 5, Muzamil Mini Mall, New Colony Road, Pulwama. The store offers a range of mens casual, party and formal wear, along with accessories, catering to customers seeking contemporary and mid-premium fashion. Commenting on the launch, Director of Cantabil Retail India Ltd. Deepak Bansal said the company was pleased to open its new mens and accessories store in Pulwama. We are excited to introduce our new men and accessories exclusive store in Pulwama. Cantabil has garnered immense appreciation in the mid-premium segment, resonating with customers. Our new store will showcase an extensive range of fashion-forward apparel for men and accessories. With a strong presence across India, we are committed to further expanding our retail footprint in the coming years, he said. The company said the new outlet was part of its ongoing expansion strategy and its efforts to strengthen its presence across markets.
JKHARA announces 21 elected Executive Committee members for 20262028
The Jammu and Kashmir Hotels and Restaurants Association (JKHARA) has announced 21 members elected to its Executive Committee (EC) for the 20262028 term following the completion of the election process at Hattrick Banquet Hall, Rajbagh, Srinagar. A total of 25 nominations were received for the Executive Committee, of which four candidates subsequently withdrew. The remaining 21 candidates were unanimously declared elected for the new term. The election proceedings were conducted under the supervision of Chief Election Commissioner G.N. Var. The proceedings were attended by JKHARA Founding President Showkat Chowdhary, Past President Adil Hussain, Patron Khazir Sahib and Advisor Sheikh Shaukat Sahib. The newly elected Executive Committee members include Sheikh Imran, Babar Chowdhary, Dr Lateef Ahmad Lone, Mohammad Shafi Beigh, Imran Majeed Hamza, Mushtafa Badyari, Amir Kaloo, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Muneer Ahmad Guroo, Irfan Rashid Malik and Shahzadi Simon. Others elected to the committee are Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh, Gh. Qadir Lone, Manzoor Ahmad Pakhtoon, Abid Hamid Tantray, Ayesha Saleem, Sajad Ahmad Bala, Mohammad Amin Shah, Bashir Ahmad, Farooq Amin and Nasreen Ansari. The JKHARA leadership extended its congratulations to all the newly elected members and expressed confidence that the new Executive Committee would work with dedication, integrity and a spirit of service to strengthen the organisation and advance its objectives. The association said the successful completion of the election process reflected its commitment to democratic participation, institutional continuity and responsible leadership. The new Executive Committee will serve for the 20262028 term.
FCIK delegation meets Chief Secretary, pushes for review of power tariff hike
The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has urged Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to seek review and reconsideration of the recent electricity tariff order before the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), J&K, besides seeking interim relief against its implementation pending such review. A delegation of FCIK led by Head of its Advisory Committee Shahid Kamili called on the Chief Secretary and discussed at length the impact of the tariff increases on an already stressed industrial sector. The delegation pointed out that while the DISCOMs had sought an increase of around 5 per cent, the tariff increase ultimately approved for industry was substantially higher even without any stakeholder consultation. FCIK submitted that the increase had come at a difficult time when existing enterprises were already grappling with weak markets, industrial sickness, delayed payments and mounting regulatory costs. It urged the Government to take into account the cumulative impact of prolonged disruptions and adverse business conditions faced by enterprises in J&K before burdening them with additional power costs. The meeting was held on the advice of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as a follow-up to FCIKs recent interaction with him on the immediate problems confronting existing industry pending finalisation of the Revised Industrial Policy. Besides the power tariff issue, the Federation discussed with the Chief Secretary four priority areas that had also been taken up with the Chief MinisterEase of Doing Business, public procurement, revival of sick and stressed units, and raw-material availability for mineral-based industries. On Ease of Doing Business, FCIK sought a genuine trust-based regulatory regime providing for self-certification, automatic renewals, deemed approvals, single-window clearances, digitisation and rationalisation of recurring permissions, fees and charges. The Federation stressed that routine regulatory processes should facilitate legitimate enterprises rather than consume their time and resources. On public procurement, FCIK pointed out that many local units established to supply Government departments were starved of orders even as substantial procurement continued from outside J&K. It clarified that local industry was not seeking higher prices or any relaxation in quality, but purchase preference at competitively discovered L1 rates. FCIK proposed strengthening SICOP for identified locally manufactured items, MSME-friendly tendering and segregation of industrial supplies from works contracts. It also offered to furnish examples of GeM tenders carrying conditions that effectively disadvantage otherwise capable local manufacturers. On industrial sickness, the Federation sought early announcement of power and other amnesties to enable stressed units to clear legacy liabilities. It also presented the Chief Secretary with a copy of the SBI OTS Scheme of 2020, seeking a similar transparent and uniform settlement opportunity from banks operating in J&K, particularly J&K Bank. FCIK submitted that relief at least comparable to that extended under the SBI scheme to borrowers across the country should be available to J&K enterprises, if not on more favourable terms, considering the exceptionally difficult business conditions they have endured for over three decades. The Federation also highlighted the acute shortage of raw material faced by mineral-based industries, particularly Plaster of Paris processing and stone-crushing units, because of delays in finalisation or renewal of extraction arrangements. It sought an immediate lawful interim mechanism for regulated supply, cautioning that disruption could force units to close and adversely affect employment and developmental works, particularly during Kashmirs limited working season. The discussions were held in a constructive and positive atmosphere. The Chief Secretary acknowledged the practical difficulties brought to his notice and assured the delegation that the issues raised would be examined on priority with the concerned departments and authorities. He also assured FCIK of his full support and facilitation in mitigating the immediate problems confronting the existing industry.
J&K Banks Outward Surge: Is J&K Paying the Price?
A striking divergence is emerging in the lending pattern of Jammu and Kashmir Bank as its business outside the Union Territory expands at a much faster pace than its traditional home market. While advances in the Rest of India, including Ladakh, grew 30.9 per cent during 2025-26, lending in J&K increased by 9.3 per cent, raising questions over the changing balance between the banks national expansion and growth in its core market. According to the banks March 2026 earnings disclosure, gross advances in the Rest of India, including Ladakh, stood at Rs 48,822 crore as on March 31, 2026, accounting for 39.1 per cent of the banks total gross advances of Rs 1,24,981 crore. Advances in J&K stood at Rs 76,159 crore, accounting for 60.9 per cent of the total. The growth gap is considerably sharper than the difference in the size of the two portfolios. Advances outside J&K increased from Rs 37,292 crore in March 2025 to Rs 48,822 crore in March 2026, registering growth of 30.9 per cent. In comparison, advances within J&K rose from Rs 69,694 crore to Rs 76,159 crore, representing growth of 9.3 per cent. This means the Rest of India portfolio grew at more than three times the rate of the J&K portfolio during the year. The difference becomes even more pronounced when incremental lending is considered. The bank added Rs 11,530 crore to its Rest of India advances during 2025-26, compared with an increase of Rs 6,465 crore in J&K. Consequently, around 64 per cent of the total increase in gross advances during the year came from the Rest of India portfolio, while only around 36 per cent came from J&K. The bank, however, has attributed part of the slower growth in its home market to the disruption caused by the Pahalgam terror attack and its impact on economic activity. A senior bank official, speaking about the impact of the attack on the local economy, said business activity and credit offtake in key geographies had remained affected following the incident. The banks MD and CEO Amitava Chatterjee had also said shortly after the attack that the incident could affect the local economy, although he noted that the banks direct exposure to tourism was relatively limited. The composition of lending also highlights the different character of the two markets. Corporate lending accounts for 79 per cent of gross advances in the Rest of India, according to the banks disclosure. Personal loans account for 12 per cent, while agriculture, SME and trade constitute 3 per cent, 3 per cent and 2 per cent respectively. In J&K, the portfolio is considerably more diversified. Personal loans account for 49 per cent of gross advances, followed by agriculture at 15 per cent, SME at 14 per cent, trade at 12 per cent and corporate lending at 7 per cent. Thus, the banks expansion outside J&K is being driven predominantly by corporate lending, whereas its home-market portfolio has much greater exposure to individual borrowers, agriculture, small businesses and trade. The geographical expansion is also being accompanied by a changing recruitment strategy, according to sources familiar with the banks plans. Sources said J&K Bank is moving towards a pan-India recruitment model for positions linked to its operations outside J&K. According to them, vacancies attached to branches in cities such as Delhi would be filled through a wider recruitment pool rather than being restricted to candidates from J&K. Earlier, regular recruitment was restricted to permanent residents of the erstwhile State of J&K. With the banks expansion outside J&K, the recruitment model is also being aligned with the location of its operations, sources said. The claim, however, needs to be distinguished from the banks current apprenticeship programme. The latest apprenticeship notification already provides geographically earmarked positions outside J&K and Ladakh, but apprenticeships are not regular jobs. J&K Banks 2026-27 apprenticeship notification provides for 614 positions. Of these, 461 are in J&K, 18 in Ladakh and 135 in locations outside J&K and Ladakh. The bank has separately categorised the latter as ROI - Vacancy Distribution (outside UT J&K and Ladakh). The 135 positions outside the two Union Territories include 42 in Delhi, 26 in Mumbai and Greater Mumbai, 20 in Lucknow, 19 in Bengaluru and 28 in Mohali. They account for nearly 22 per cent of the total apprenticeship intake. The present apprenticeship exercise cannot, however, be described as regular employment. The notification provides for a 12-month apprenticeship and states that an apprentice has no right to claim employment with the bank after completion. The recruitment shift being cited by sources would nevertheless represent a significant departure from the banks earlier regular recruitment framework. In its 2018 recruitment notification for Banking Associates, J&K Bank had invited applications from permanent residents of J&K State. The notification also stated that selected candidates could be posted anywhere in India. Thus, before 2019, eligibility for regular recruitment was linked to permanent residency of the erstwhile State, even though employees recruited through the process could subsequently be posted outside J&K. The present model, if implemented for regular recruitment as described by the sources, would represent a different approach, with recruitment for outside-J&K operations being aligned with the geographical location of the vacancies. The broader transformation in the banks geographical footprint is already evident. J&K Banks 2024-25 annual report stated that the bank had 1,019 branches, including IARBs, spread across 18 states and four Union Territories as of March 31, 2025. The developments raise a larger question for J&K, where the bank has historically occupied a much more significant position in the financial ecosystem than an ordinary commercial bank.
Sopore Bar Association strike enters sixth day
The Bar Association Sopore continued its strike for the sixth consecutive day on Monday, protesting alleged misconduct by a Tehsildar during an incident involving an advocate at the Tehsil office. According to a spokesperson for the Bar Association, the incident took place on August 19 when Advocate Mohammad Waseem visited the Tehsil office in connection with a case involving his clients and to attend proceedings before the Tehsildar. The spokesperson alleged that the concerned official used highly objectionable and abusive language against the advocate during the interaction. The Bar further alleged that the official questioned the advocates presence in the office and made derogatory remarks against him as well as the legal fraternity. The association also alleged that the official threatened to send the advocate to the lock-up and warned him of dire consequences. The Bar Association has termed the alleged conduct a serious affront to the dignity of the legal profession and an interference with the professional independence of advocates. The use of abusive, threatening and derogatory language against an advocate while discharging professional duties is condemned in the strongest terms, a Bar representative said. The association has urged the competent authorities to inquire into the matter and take appropriate action in accordance with law. It also called for measures to ensure the dignity, safety and professional independence of advocates are protected while they discharge their duties.
Education sector holds key to progress: Sakeena Itoo
Minister for Education, Health & Medical Education and Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo today addressed the Foundation Day celebrations of Maple Grove Education Institute Rawalpora here. Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that education remains the most important sector for the overall progress and development of society, adding that no amount of discussion on the subject can be considered enough given its far-reaching impact on individuals and communities. She underscored the pivotal role of education in shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir. The Minister said that both government and private educational institutions are making sustained efforts to provide quality education to students, with several private institutions making a significant contribution to the education sector. There are some private institutions whose contribution is so remarkable, she observed, while appreciating institutions that have consistently demonstrated commitment towards academic excellence. Sakeena Itoo said that while a number of government schools, including middle, high and secondary schools, are performing exceptionally well, there is always scope for further improvement. She emphasised that the government and private sectors must continue working together to strengthen the educational ecosystem and provide better opportunities to children. The Minister further said that education must contribute to the holistic development of children by nurturing not only their academic abilities but also their values, character and sense of responsibility. Emphasising the importance of equality and inclusiveness in education, Sakeena Itoo said that every child must be treated equally irrespective of social or economic background. For us, children are one. We should never discriminate. Every child deserves equal opportunity to learn, grow and realise their potential, she said. Referring to an interaction with students during the programme, the Minister said she was particularly encouraged by the aspirations expressed by the children about their future careers. She noted that while some students expressed their desire to become doctors, others aspired to enter public life and become ministers. This is a very encouraging sign. Our new generation is not only dreaming of professional success but is also conscious of its role in public life and governance. Their aspiration to become political leaders and ministers reflects their confidence and belief that they too can contribute to society, Sakeena Itoo remarked. The Minister said that such aspirations need to be nurtured through an education system that encourages children to think freely, dream ambitiously and develop a strong sense of social responsibility. She called upon educational institutions to continue creating an environment where academic excellence, ethical values, inclusiveness and leadership qualities grow together, saying that the children of today will shape the social, economic and democratic future of Jammu and Kashmir. Director School Education Kashmir, other senior officers of School Education department, management and teachers of Maple Grove Education Institute, large number of students and their families were also present on the occasion.
Convention of pensioners, senior citizens, civil society held in Kulgam
A one-day Convention of pensioners, senior citizens and members of civil society was held today at Kings Palace, Kulgam under the chairmanship of Shri Lenin Sampat, State President. The District President of Kulgam, Abdu Hamid Mir, and District General Secretary, G. M. Parwana, extended a warm and cordial welcome to the State President, State General Secretary Gh. Mohi-ud-din Bhat, senior trade union leaders, and pensioners from across District Kulgam. Chief Patron of the Central Body, Nisar Ali Mir, addressed the gathering. He paid rich tributes to the late Shri Sampat Ji for his dedication and hard work, and urged all present to carry forward and complete his unfinished mission. Several dignitaries addressed the Convention, including Ab. Majid Dar (District President, Anantnag), Mr. Yayah Shafi (Namaji) (District President, Ganderbal), Mansoor Ahmad Magray (District President, Shopian), Malik Gh. Hassan (District Budgam), G. Nabi Bhat (Khanyari) from Srinagar, and Nisar Ahmad Tarfarosh from Srinagar. State President Lenin Sampat and State General Secretary Gh. Mohi-ud-din Bhat assured the pensioners that their legitimate demands would be pursued vigorously. These include: Enhancement of Medical Allowance at par with the Union Territory of Ladakh Enhancement of pension by 5% at the ages of 65, 70, 75 and 79 years respectively Immediate release of 18 months DA withheld during the COVID-19 period Provision of Vaqar houses in all districts of Jammu & Kashmir The Convention also expressed strong resentment over the non-release of balance leave salary of pensioners of J&K Industries (JKI) from 2023 onwards by the present Managing Director, despite repeated requests. The organisation warned that it would be left with no option but to launch a protest if the genuine dues of JKI pensioners continued to be ignored. Members of civil society further demanded a reduction in electricity charges, recalling the assurance given by the Honble Chief Minister during the election campaign. The Convention concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Ab. Gani of Frisal, Yaripora.
JK Cinema Guild meets CM, seeks Film Industry push
A delegation of the J&K Cinema Guild Srinagar, comprising noted artist and art promoter Waheed Jeelani and renowned actor and film director Umar Imtiyaz, called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence and held an extensive discussion on the cultural and creative landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation presented a comprehensive project report and proposal for establishing and developing a vibrant regional film industry in Jammu and Kashmir, on the lines of successful regional film industries in other parts of the country. The delegation strongly urged the Chief Minister to initiate steps for the revival and effective implementation of the existing J&K Film Policy, with greater opportunities for local filmmakers, actors, technicians, musicians and other creative professionals. The delegation also drew the Chief Ministers attention towards the urgent need to revive and strengthen local cultural institutions, particularly Akashwani stations, Doordarshan stations, DD Kashir and the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, and make them vibrant platforms for young and emerging artists. The Guild urged the Chief Minister to take up these issues at the highest level with the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Union Minister for Culture, the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, so that Jammu and Kashmirs rich cultural and cinematic potential receives the institutional support it deserves. The delegation also invited the Chief Minister and other senior ministers to participate in the Artists Convention proposed to be held in September 2026, which will bring together leading artists, politicians, policymakers, filmmakers, musicians, actors and cultural practitioners to deliberate on the issues & future of the creative sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah gave the delegation a patient hearing and assured that the issues raised would be looked into and taken care of. He emphasised that our artists and performers are our assets, underlining the importance of nurturing and supporting the regions creative community. The J&K Cinema Guild expressed hope that the Chief Ministers assurance will translate into concrete policy initiatives and renewed institutional support, paving the way for a strong, self sustaining and professionally organised regional film and cultural industry in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Secretary reviews drug abuse rehab programme
Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness for implementation of the Phase-I Pilot of the Rehabilitation & Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026, being coordinated by the Social Welfare Department. The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Home; Commissioner Secretary, H&ME; Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department; DC, Srinagar; Head, IMHANS, Srinagar; Director, Health, Jammu/Kashmir and other concerned officers. Deputy Commissioners from outside districts along with the Institution heads connected with the meeting through video conferencing. The meeting reviewed the readiness of the identified pilot institutions and districts, availability of human resources and infrastructure, capacity-building initiatives, inter-departmental coordination and the development of a dedicated digital mechanism for end-to-end monitoring of beneficiaries. The Phase-I pilot is proposed to be implemented at IMHANS Srinagar, ATFs at Jammu, Kathua, and in Budgam district. The pilot is aimed at testing the rehabilitation model on the ground, identifying operational gaps, refining the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and generating the necessary learning for its subsequent expansion across the Union Territory. Taking stock of the preparedness in the pilot districts, the Chief Secretary reviewed the availability of infrastructure and manpower at each location and stressed the need for focused training and capacity-building of Medical Officers, Counsellors, Case Managers, ASHA workers and SHG members so that each stakeholder is adequately equipped to discharge the role assigned under the rehabilitation framework. The Chief Secretary directed the Social Welfare Department to coordinate the implementation of the programme and ensure its commencement at the earliest. He further directed the Department to simultaneously identify the requisite human resources and infrastructure for extending the rehabilitation mechanism to other districts, so that the pilot exercise facilitates a smooth transition towards wider implementation. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the capacity-building initiatives undertaken by IMHANS Srinagar for Medical Officers, Counsellors, Case Managers, SHG members and ASHA workers. He directed IMHANS to continue conducting such training programmes across all districts so as to create a sufficiently large and skilled pool of human resources capable of supporting the rehabilitation programme as it expands. On this occasion the Head, IMHANS Srinagar, Dr Arshad Hussain, briefed the meeting about the interventions undertaken so far by the Institute and the facilities covered under the pilot. He also highlighted certain areas requiring focused attention at the participating health facilities. Dr Hussain informed that training modules for different categories of personnel have been developed and several batches have already been trained. He expressed confidence that the ongoing capacity-building exercise would create adequate trained manpower within the next two to three months to satisfactorily operationalise the rehabilitation centres in accordance with the approved policy framework. It was further elucidated that the first phase of the Circle of Care training module has already been completed, with more than 300 frontline workers, including ASHA workers, NRLM/SHG representatives and teachers, trained across Kashmir Division.
India's influenza surge seasonal, not new or deadlier strain: Dr Saumya Swaminathan
The current rise in influenza cases across parts of India is a routine seasonal uptick rather than the emergence of a novel or more dangerous virus, former Director ICMR Dr. Soumya Swaminathan has said. Speaking to media, Dr Swaminathan said that India is recording a seasonal influenza uptick, and this happens every year. The doctors feel that this year it has started a little earlier, but normally in India, we do have a monsoon seasonal increase in influenza cases, and then it continues into winter, she stated while dismissing need for alarm. Dr Swaminathan, who has also served as Chief Scientist at WHO highlighted the improved monitoring as a contributor to a clearer picture of circulating viruses. Thanks to better surveillance through the government ICMR viral laboratories throughout the year, we actually now know which viruses are circulating, which are predominant. And we can also correlate with clinical presentation, with severity, and with hospital admissions. This is a very good resource, she said. She said the predominant driver of the present increase is an H1N1 influenza A virus of the Michigan strain. The current increase in cases is because of H1N1, a Michigan strain. Its an influenza A virus, she said. She assed that the same strain that has been circulating since the pandemic in 2009 and this years Virus is very similar to what was last year. She reassured people that this is not a new strain. I think theres a lot more awareness, more testing, more diagnostics being performed, she said. She added that more cases are being reported from many hospitals in Delhi, Bengaluru, and other cities due to increased testing. People might tend to panic, thinking that, you know, there are suddenly thousands of cases. Its just better testing, she said. The clarification comes amid a rise in H1N1 cases, particularly in Delhi. Over 1,777 H1N1 cases had been reported by August 20 out of 2,392 Influenza A cases this year. ICMR scientists have said the H1N1 viruses currently circulating in India are similar to the A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like strain. They also said the circulating influenza strains are well matched with the vaccine strains recommended for the Northern Hemisphere. Indias National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) continues to maintain seasonal influenza surveillance. It provides technical guidance on H1N1, including patient categorisation, home care, mask use, clinical management and laboratory testing.
Chowdry Ramzan rejects Dulats Article 370 claim
Member of Parliament and National Conference Additional General Secretary Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan on Monday rejected former RAW chief A.S. Dulats remarks on Article 370 as factually incorrect and accused Peoples Conference chairman and Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone of failing to deliver on key development issues in the constituency. Ramzan was speaking to media persons at his residence in Handwara after concluding a three-day visit to the constituency. Reacting to Dulats remarks at a recent seminar organised by MP Aga Ruhullah in Delhi, where the former RAW chief reportedly said that Article 370 was automatically abrogated following the accord between Sheikh Abdullah and the Centre, Ramzan said the claim did not reflect the constitutional position of Jammu and Kashmir at the time. Article 370 and Article 35A were part of the special status and constitutional arrangements of Jammu and Kashmir at that time. They were meant to safeguard the special position of the erstwhile state, he said. Ramzan also responded to criticism by Sajad Lone that issues concerning MLAs were being raised in Parliament for political purposes, asserting that he had raised matters beyond conventional developmental concerns. Let me remind Sajad Lone that I have raised issues in Parliament which perhaps no other MP has dared to raise. I have not confined myself to developmental issues but have also raised issues concerning Muslims across India, Ramzan said. Referring to his intervention in Parliament on Vande Mataram, Ramzan said he had highlighted concerns of Muslims regarding what he described as religious references in the song. Following my speech on Vande Mataram, renowned Islamic scholars, including scholars from Deoband, visited and thanked me for speaking about the issue in Parliament, he said. Ramzan also criticised Lone over the pace of development in Handwara, alleging that several works remained pending during his tenure as MLA. Citing the new bus stand as an example, Ramzan said the facility had not been macadamised during Lones tenures as MLA. He said he had subsequently brought Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary to Handwara, following which the macadamisation work was announced. When the work started, Sajad Lone arrived to inaugurate it. But he must remember that he failed to macadamise the bus stand during both his first and present tenure as MLA, Ramzan said. On railway connectivity, Ramzan said he had recently taken up the demand for extending the railway line to Kupwara with the Railway Minister. I recently met the Railway Minister and requested him to extend the railway line up to Kupwara. He assured me that the demand would be taken forward, he said. On the controversy surrounding the proposed site of Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara, Ramzan said he would oppose any move to shift the project outside the constituency. I will not allow GMC Handwara to be shifted anywhere else whatsoever, he said.
Apni Party stages protest against electricity tariff hike
Apni Party leaders and workers on Monday gathered at Press Colony, Srinagar, and staged a massive protest against the governments recent decision to approve an average 6.83 percent hike in power tariffs for 202627. The protest was led by the partys Provincial President, Mohammad Ashraf Mir. On the occasion, police stopped the protesters from proceeding out of Press Colony in the form of a procession. The protesters raised slogans against the government, denouncing its decision to increase power tariffs and describing it as an anti-people measure. Speaking to reporters later, Mohammad Ashraf Mir lashed out at the government over what he termed its anti-people decision to increase power tariffs. He criticised the move, saying that the tariff hike would add to the financial burden on ordinary consumers. Mir said, It is unfortunate that, despite being fully aware that people are already facing severe financial hardships due to growing unemployment, shrinking business opportunities and rising inflation, the government has chosen to increase power tariffs. He added, This additional burden is simply not tolerable for ordinary citizens. We strongly demand that the government immediately roll back this decision and provide relief to the people. He also slammed the government for its failure to fulfil the promises it had made to the people. The ruling party had promised during the election campaign and in its manifesto that, after coming to power, it would provide 200 units of free electricity and free gas cylinders to every household. However, instead of keeping these promises, the government has now put an additional burden on the people by increasing power tariffs, he said.
Congress opposes power tariff hike, demands immediate rollback
J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra has strongly opposed the recent hike in electricity tariffs announced by the J&K Government, terming it unjustified and an additional burden on consumers. Karra said the decision came at a time when households were already facing rising prices and mounting economic pressures, and argued that the government should have provided relief to consumers instead of increasing their electricity bills. People of J&K were expecting the government to announce relief and curtailment in electricity bills, not an increase in the per-unit tariff. For an ordinary household, every additional rupee on the electricity bill directly affects the family budget. This decision is insensitive to the economic hardships being faced by our people, Karra said. He demanded that the government immediately review and withdraw the tariff hike and introduce measures to reduce the electricity burden on domestic consumers, particularly economically weaker sections. The government must remember that electricity is not a luxury; it is an essential service. The people of J&K deserve affordable and reliable power, not ever-increasing bills. The Congress will stand firmly with the people and oppose every measure that places an unjustified financial burden on them, he said. Karra urged the government to reconsider the decision in the larger public interest and restore relief to consumers, saying essential utilities should not be allowed to become increasingly unaffordable for ordinary households.
6.83% power tariff hike: PDP stages protest, demands withdrawal
Senior leaders and workers of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Party General Secretary Mohammad Khursheed Alam, on Monday staged a protest against the 6.83 per cent electricity tariff hike, describing it as an additional burden on consumers. The protest was attended by former minister Asiya Naqash, Anjum Fazili, Iqbal Tramboo, Noor Mohammad Sheikh, Qayoom Bhat, Syed Tajamul, Shokia Qureshi, Arif Laigroo, Altaf Tambakoo, Bashir Beigh, Sheikh Sabah, Khalid Mir, Umar Dar, Shafi Kundangar and Fayaz Reshi, besides a large number of party workers. Addressing media persons, Alam condemned the tariff hike, saying people had voted for change and relief but were instead facing rising costs. People voted for this government with the hope of relief, but today they feel looted by rising tariffs and increasing costs. The government has failed to honour the expectations of the people who placed their trust in it. At a time when families are struggling with inflation and unemployment, increasing electricity tariffs is completely unjustified, he said. Former minister Asiya Naqash said the government should provide relief to households rather than increase their financial burden. Electricity is a basic necessity, and the government must understand the difficulties being faced by common people. This tariff hike will disproportionately affect poor and middle-class families who are already struggling to meet their daily expenses. The decision should be rolled back immediately, she said. PDP spokesperson Mohammad Iqbal Tramboo said the hike reflected the governments failure to address the concerns of electricity consumers. People are already burdened with high electricity bills and the rising cost of essential commodities. Adding another 6.83 per cent to the tariff will further squeeze household budgets. The government must withdraw this anti-people decision and provide immediate relief to consumers, Tramboo said. PDP leader Arif Laigroo said the tariff hike would further aggravate the difficulties faced by families across Jammu and Kashmir. At a time when people are demanding affordable electricity and relief from mounting expenses, another tariff hike is unacceptable. Electricity is an essential service, not a luxury. Instead of imposing additional burdens on consumers, the government should focus on improving power supply, reducing wastage and ensuring accountability in the power sector, he said. The PDP leaders demanded immediate rollback of the 6.83 per cent tariff hike, asserting that electricity is an essential service and should not become an additional source of financial pressure on households. The party said it would continue to raise public concerns and oppose policies that, it alleged, adversely affect the economic well-being of people in Jammu and Kashmir.
8 injured in Rajouri road accident
Atleast eight people sustained injuries, three of whom are having multiple injuries, after a bus and a car collided with each other at Dalian village of Nowshera in Rajouri district. The accident happened when a bus and a car collided head-on at Dalian on Jammu Rajouri Poonch National Highway. Eight passengers sustained injuries in the collision who all were shifted to Sub District Hospital Nowshera where five were declared as normal an fine while three people were having multiple injuries. Police is said to have taken up investigation and necessary legal proceedings into the matter.
White Knight Corps Commander reviews operational preparedness in Poonch sector
General Officer Commanding (GOC), White Knight Corps, Lt Gen PK Mishra on Monday reviewed the operational preparedness and evolving security dynamics during his visit of forward locations of Line of Control (LoC) in areas of Poonch sector. He was accompanied by General Officer Commanding (GOC) Ace of Spades Division, Maj Gen Manoj Raran. Lt Gen PK Mishra visited forward areas in the Poonch sector to review operational preparedness and the evolving security dynamics. The Corps Commander during the visit interacted with field troops and various stakeholders and commended their high morale, professionalism and operational readiness. The Corps Commander also highlighted the need to maintain high standards of operational preparedness, continuously enhance capabilities and remain ready to meet emerging challenges.
Kounsarnag Vishnu Sarovar Yatra concludes
The annual Kounsarnag Vishnu Sarovar Yatra has concluded peacefully after hundreds of devotees completed the arduous pilgrimage to the high-altitude sacred lake, with pilgrims now making their way back towards Reasi under tight security and comprehensive arrangements. The annual Shoba Yatra commenced on August 21, with devotees from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir participating in the pilgrimage. The yatra witnessed the participation of around 590 pilgrims, including 466 males, including Sadhus, and 124 females.
Prof Sanjeev Sinha takes over as new Executive Director AIIMS Jammu
Professor, Department of Medicine, AIIMS New Delhi, Prof (Dr) Sanjeev Sinha on Monday took over as the new Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu. With this leadership transition, the tenure of Prof (Dr) D N Sharma as Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Jammu ended. The appointment of Prof Sinha as Executive Director, AIIMS Jammu, has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge, or until attaining the age of 70 years, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. With his assumption of charge, AIIMS Jammu is entering a new phase of leadership as Prof Sinha, who is joining AIIMS Jammu on deputation from AIIMS New Delhi, is bringing a rich blend of clinical expertise, academic experience and research orientation to the institution. As Professor in the Department of Medicine at AIIMS New Delhi, Prof (Dr) Sanjeev Sinha has a distinguished academic and clinical background, with experience spanning patient care, teaching, medical training and research. His expertise is expected to bring valuable academic and scientific perspective to AIIMS Jammu, said an AIIMS Jammu spokesperson, hoping, Under his leadership, AIIMS Jammu shall be expanding and strengthening clinical services, enhancing the quality of medical education, promoting high-quality research and innovation, encouraging interdisciplinary academic collaboration and creating greater opportunities for faculty and students to engage in impactful research. Prof Sinhas leadership, spokesperson has stated, is also expected to contribute towards building a strong culture of evidence-based clinical practice, academic excellence and research-driven healthcare, while further strengthening AIIMS Jammu as a centre of excellence. Speaking on the leadership transition, the AIIMS Jammu fraternity expressed its appreciation for the contribution of Prof (Dr) D N Sharma and conveyed its warm welcome to Prof (Dr) Sanjeev Sinha. Prof Sharma had assumed charge of AIIMS Jammu on January 10, 2026 and served the institution during an important phase of its development. AIIMS Jammu fraternity acknowledged his valuable contribution and leadership during his tenure and conveyed its best wishes for his future endeavours. Welcoming Prof Sinha, it expressed confidence that his experience and vision would provide fresh impetus to the institutions journey towards greater excellence. The transition reflects the continuity of AIIMS Jammus institutional journey building upon the contributions of its leadership while embracing new opportunities for growth, innovation and excellence, it added.
Srinagar schools, madrasas told to hand over students only to parents, authorised persons
Srinagar, Aug 24:Authorities have issued a child-safety advisory to schools and madrasas across Srinagar, directing them to ensure that students are handed over only to their parents or authorised drivers and attendants after classes. The advisory calls for heightened vigilance during the dispersal of students and instructs educational institutions not to release children into the custody of unauthorised individuals. Young children have also been advised not to leave school or madrasa premises on their own. Parents have been urged to ensure that younger children are accompanied while travelling to and from educational institutions and to take necessary precautions for their safety. The advisory comes amid heightened security concerns following the reported escape of two undertrial prisoners facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act from the high-security Central Jail Srinagar. The two accused have been identified as Farman Khan, son of Abdul Gani Khan, a resident of Rajasthan, and Mukhtar Ahmad Gujar, also referred to as Mukhtar Ahmed Gujar, son of Mohammad Rafiq, a resident of Chittergul in Anantnag district. Both were facing trial in separate cases registered under Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act, with FIR Nos. 19/2026 and 20/2026 respectively. According to police, the undertrials allegedly escaped after scaling the front wall of the jail. A manhunt has been launched, while cases have been registered in connection with the jailbreak. Security has also been stepped up in and around the facility, with search teams deployed and alerts issued to neighbouring areas.
Kishtwar minor's death: Protests continue for 4th day across Chenab Valley
Protests demanding justice for a minor schoolgirl from Chatroo in Kishtwar district continued for the fourth consecutive day on Monday, spreading across parts of the Chenab Valley as students, tribal community members, traders, political workers and civil society groups stepped up demands for a transparent, time-bound investigation and the strictest punishment permissible under law for anyone found guilty. The protests were triggered by the death of the minor girl, who allegedly suffered sexual assault by a government school teacher and subsequently became pregnant. Her condition reportedly deteriorated following an alleged attempt to terminate the pregnancy, and she died while being shifted for specialised medical treatment. The circumstances surrounding the pregnancy, alleged termination attempt and subsequent death are being investigated. Police have arrested the accused government school teacher and his brother in connection with the case. An FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Education Department has also suspended the teacher and initiated a departmental inquiry. Students hold protests in Kishtwar, Sartingal. On Monday, students from various government and private schools took out a peaceful protest rally in Kishtwar town. Raising slogans seeking justice, the students demanded strict legal action against the accused and all others whose involvement, if established, emerges during the investigation. A major protest was also held in the Sartingal area of Bhaderwah in Doda district, where schoolchildren and members of the Sartingal Trade Union joined hands to condemn the incident. The protesters demanded a fair and impartial investigation followed by a fast-track trial, saying justice should be delivered without unnecessary delay. They also called for the strictest punishment under law for the accused if found guilty, while stressing that the investigation must establish the role of every person involved in the alleged crime or any subsequent attempt to conceal facts. Tribal Community Stages Dharna in Chatroo In Chatroo, members of the tribal community staged a dharna at the native place of the deceased girl. Protesters expressed deep anguish over the incident and demanded that every person found to have participated in the alleged sexual assault, attempted termination of pregnancy, concealment of facts or any other related offence be brought within the ambit of the investigation. The protesters also called for protection of the dignity and privacy of the victims family and urged authorities to ensure that the investigation remains free from pressure or influence. BJP Holds Protest in Gool Meanwhile, the BJP unit of Gool, led by local party leader Mohammad Saleem Bhat, organised a protest march in Gool town. Protesters condemned the alleged crime and demanded stringent legal action against all those found responsible. The Sanatan Dharam Sabha Kishtwar also condemned the incident and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family, urging the administration and investigating agencies to ensure justice and take stringent action in accordance with law. Demand for Fast-Track Proceedings Gains Momentum The demand for a fast-track trial has gained wider support across the region. Senior National Conference leader and Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmed has called for a comprehensive and time-bound investigation and a dedicated fast-track court with day-to-day hearings, saying the guilty, if established through due process, should face the stringent punishment permissible under law. The demand comes amid continuing public anger over the circumstances in which the girl died and questions surrounding the alleged sexual assault, pregnancy and subsequent attempt to terminate the pregnancy. CM Directs Expedited Education Department inquiry Amid the growing protests, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday directed the School Education Department to expedite its inquiry into the Kishtwar incident so that stringent and exemplary action can be ensured wherever wrongdoing is established. The Chief Ministers direction came as protests continued in different parts of the Chenab Valley, with protesters insisting that administrative and departmental action should be accompanied by a thorough criminal investigation and prosecution. Protests Spread Across Chenab Valley The incident has triggered widespread outrage since Friday, with demonstrations reported from Chatroo, Kishtwar, Mughal Maidan, Doda, Bhaderwah and other areas. On Sunday, teachers in Kishtwar held a condolence meeting followed by a candle march to pay homage to the deceased girl. Residents of Bhalra in Bhaderwah also staged a protest, while students and members of civil society continued to demand justice. The protests have remained largely focused on ensuring accountability and seeking legal action against those found responsible. Protesters have repeatedly called upon authorities to ensure that the investigation covers the entire sequence of events and does not stop with the arrest of the two accused. Investigation to Establish Complete Sequence According to police and media reports, the accused teacher allegedly sexually assaulted the minor over a period of time, resulting in her pregnancy. Her condition later deteriorated following an alleged attempt to terminate the pregnancy, after which she was referred for specialised treatment but died while being shifted. Police have said the investigation is continuing to establish the complete circumstances of the case and determine whether any other persons were involved. Reports have also indicated that investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged termination attempt and the girl's subsequent medical treatment. With public anger continuing to mount, protesters across the Chenab Valley have demanded a transparent, impartial and time-bound investigation, a fast-track trial and the strictest punishment permissible under law for every person whose guilt is established. They said justice must be swift, fair and lawful, while ensuring that the bereaved family receives justice and that the case serves as a strong reminder that crimes against children will not be tolerated. Meanwhile, a candle march was taken out by the residents of Bhalessa. The protesters demanded strict action against culprits involved in the crime. Till the filing of this report a candle march is underway in Bhalessa area of Doda district.
Dr Farooq asks dissenting Aga Ruhullah to resign, seek fresh mandate
Srinagar, Aug 24:National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday hit back at party MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi over his recent public statements, asking him to resign from the Lok Sabha and return to the electorate if he believed his victory was secured on the strength of his personal support. Reacting to Ruhullahs positions, Abdullah said the Srinagar MP was free to raise issues such as the restoration of Article 370 in Parliament, but questioned his approach to the matter. If he thinks Article 370 can be restored, he should take up the issue in Parliament, Abdullah said. The NC president also challenged Ruhullah to test his claim of having secured the Lok Sabha mandate through his own political standing. If you think people voted for you, resign and go back to them. We will see how many votes you get, he said. Abdullah said party members were expected to abide by decisions taken by the organisation, particularly during elections, and cited the Budgam poll to underline the importance of party discipline. He said NC workers could not reasonably have been expected to campaign against a candidate officially nominated by the party. On speculation about differences within the NC, Abdullah said disagreements were common in political organisations and should not automatically be construed as a revolt against the leadership. He also maintained that the party and the government had separate roles, saying that as NC president he did not want to unnecessarily interfere in the administration. Abdullah recalled the sacrifices made by generations of NC leaders and workers, saying the organisation had endured because of the commitment of its grassroots cadre. Asked about Ruhullahs political direction, Abdullah advised the Srinagar MP to seek guidance from the Quran, while reiterating his view that he was currently taking the wrong path.
LG Sinha celebrates Raksha Bandhan with DPS Baramulla students
Srinagar, Aug 24:Lok Bhavan Jammu and Kashmir on Monday hosted a special Raksha Bandhan celebration for students of Delhi Public School (DPS), Baramulla, in Srinagar. As part of the celebration, the students tied Rakhis to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and exchanged greetings with him. The Lieutenant Governor urged the students to carry forward the true spirit of Raksha Bandhan and encouraged them to spread the message of peace, love, unity and harmony. With Raksha Bandhan scheduled to be celebrated on August 28, the event provided the students an opportunity to interact with the Lieutenant Governor ahead of the festival. Dr Shashwata Shiva, Principal of DPS Baramulla, along with the schools coordinators, teachers and office-bearers, accompanied the students during the visit.
Monsoon Masters Jammu Pickleball Tournament concludes
The J&K Pickleball Association (JKPA) successfully concluded the Monsoon Masters Jammu JKSPR 500, held on 22nd and 23rd August 2026 at Isle of Ball, Wazir Farms, Rani Bagh, Jammu Cantt. The two-day state-ranking tournament, as per a statement issued on Monday, saw 50+ players compete across multiple age groups and Open categories for valuable points towards the J&K Pickleball State Rankings. In the tournament results, Aman Sharma clinched the 30+ mens singles title, finishing ahead of Pankaj Singh, while Nabeel Shah secured third place. Ramanuj Mahajan emerged champion in the open mens singles category, with Deepanshu Arora finishing runner-up and Rohit Choudhary taking third place. In the open mens doubles, Raksham Gupta and Deepanshu Arora claimed the title, followed by Ramanuj Mahajan and Taresh Baru in second place. Ajay Vaid and Rohit Choudhary finished third. Sidhani Singh won the open womens singles title, while Ridhi Kawatra finished runner-up. Ridhi Kawatra and Sumit Sharma emerged winners in the open mixed doubles, defeating the pair of Sidhani Singh and Indu Bushan, who finished second. In the 30+ mens doubles, Aman Sharma and Pankaj Singh secured first place, followed by Anurag Singh and Taresh Baru, while Gul Yazdan and Nabeel Shah finished third. Sumit Sharma won the 40+ mens singles title, with Upender Singh finishing second and Indu Bushan securing third place.
CM Omar sets deadline for probe into Kishtwar schoolgirl incident
Srinagar, Aug 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday directed the School Education Department to complete its inquiry into the incident involving a schoolgirl in Kishtwar within one month, stressing the need for a thorough and time-bound investigation. The Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to ensure that the inquiry is completed expeditiously and all necessary steps are taken to bring the matter to its logical conclusion. He stressed that the matter must be dealt with firmly and that stringent and exemplary action be taken based on the findings of the inquiry. The Chief Minister also emphasised the need for a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability and prevent any delay in the process.
Day 2 of the 5th Canon C.E. Tyndale-Biscoe Invitational Football Tournament, sponsored by Genius Career Consultancy, witnessed some outstanding football, remarkable goal-scoring displays and intense competition among the participating school teams. The day, as per a statement, began with an emphatic performance by Iqbal Memorial Institute, who registered a convincing 60 victory over Linton Hall School. The winners displayed excellent attacking football, with Mueen emerging as the standout performer after scoring twice and being adjudged Man of the Match. In another impressive encounter, Tyndale-Biscoe School produced a commanding 60 victory over The Legend School. TBS dominated proceedings with excellent ball possession, attacking movement and clinical finishing. Baris was the star of the match, scoring a brilliant hat-trick and earning the Man of the Match award.
Chief Minister reviews roadmap to strengthen senior secondary education in J&K
Srinagar, Aug 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a review meeting of the School Education Department at the Civil Secretariat here to review a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening access to senior secondary education and improving the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the higher secondary level in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting discussed a phased plan to upgrade 714 High Schools into K-12 composite schools, with focus on requirements of teaching and non-teaching staff, infrastructure, laboratories and other essential facilities. The proposed upgradation is aimed at ensuring continuity in school education, expanding access to Classes XI and XII and reducing dropouts at the critical transition after Class 10, particularly in underserved and geographically remote areas. The meeting also deliberated on better utilisation of existing human resources, strengthening academic facilities and improving the overall school network. The roadmap envisages a planned and requirement-based approach to expansion, besides coordination with the Government of India for necessary support under centrally sponsored schemes. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasised the need for a focused and need-based strategy to expand senior secondary education, with particular attention to accessibility and ensuring better educational opportunities for students across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Minister for Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, ACS PWD Anil Kumar Singh, ACS Finance Shailendra Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Planning, Development and Monitoring, R Alice Vaz, Commissioner Secretary Education Ram Niwas Sharma, Mission Director Samagra, Director Education Kashmir and other concerned officers.
PM Package employees seek enhanced security after fresh online threat
Srinagar, Aug 24:Employees recruited under the Prime Ministers Rehabilitation Package have sought enhanced security and protection following the circulation of another online threat targeting Kashmiri Pandits. In a letter addressed to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday, the All PM Package Employees Forum sought a comprehensive review of security arrangements at their workplaces, residences and transit routes. The Forum said a fresh threat poster, purportedly issued by a militant outfit, had surfaced on social media and reportedly contained threats against Kashmiri Pandit employees, along with personal details such as names, addresses and vehicle registration numbers. Security agencies have yet to verify the authenticity of the poster. The employees body expressed concern over the repeated circulation of such threat communications, particularly those containing sensitive personal information. It said the matter had been brought to the notice of the concerned police and security agencies for verification and necessary action. The latest development comes a day after another threat communication targeting Kashmiri Pandits surfaced online, nearly two weeks after a similar message warned community members working in the Kashmir Valley to change their ways. Officials and community representatives have noted that the recent communications have reportedly included specific personal details of employees, including house numbers and street names. The Forum said the threats had created a deep sense of fear and insecurity among PM Package employees and their families. It sought immediate verification of the latest threat and identification of those responsible for circulating it. It also demanded immediate protection for employees whose names, addresses or vehicle details may have appeared in the alleged threats, along with necessary security advisories. The Forum urged the government to treat the matter with seriousness and take immediate measures to ensure the safety and confidence of PM Package employees and their families.
J&K UT Thang-Ta Championship 2026 concludes in Srinagar
The J&K UT Thang-Ta Championship 2026, organised by the Jammu & Kashmir Thang-Ta Association and sponsored by the J&K Sports Council, concluded successfully on Monday at the Multipurpose Indoor Hall, Polo Ground, Srinagar. The three-day championship, as per a statement, held from 22nd to 24th August 2026, witnessed an enthusiastic participation of more than 550 athletes from different parts of Jammu & Kashmir. The championship provided a valuable platform for young and senior athletes to showcase their talent, discipline and competitive spirit in the traditional martial art of Thang-Ta. Ahsan Pardesi, MLA, Lal Chowk Constituency, graced the concluding ceremony as the Chief Guest. He distributed prizes and medals among the winners and congratulated all the participating athletes for their commendable performances. A special highlight of the championship was the selection of the overall Champions of Champions in the mens and womens categories. Ifra Jan from Pulwama was declared the Womens Champion of Champions, while Hammad Bashir bagged the title of Mens Champion of Champions for their outstanding performances throughout the championship. Speaking on the occasion, Ahsan Pardesi appreciated the efforts of the J&K Sports Council and the J&K Thang-Ta Association for promoting sports and providing opportunities to young athletes across the Union Territory. He congratulated the winners and participants and encouraged them to continue working hard and bringing laurels to Jammu & Kashmir. The concluding ceremony was also attended by distinguished guests, dignitaries, coaches, instructors, officials, referees, parents and sports enthusiasts. The organisers expressed their gratitude to all the guests, officials, coaches, volunteers, parents and participants whose cooperation contributed to the successful conduct of the championship. The J&K Thang-Ta Association congratulated all the medal winners and appreciated the dedication and sportsmanship displayed by every athlete throughout the three-day championship. The successful conclusion of the championship marks another significant step towards strengthening Thang-Ta and promoting sporting talent across Jammu & Kashmir.
Srinagar Indoor Taekwondo Academy finishes 2nd runner-up at Chenab Open
Srinagar Indoor Taekwondo Academy clinched the second runner-up trophy at the Chenab Open Taekwondo Championship after its athletes won 17 medals, including eight gold, four silver and five bronze. As per a statement issued, the gold medal winners included Suvaid Ahmad, Abbas Khursheed, Aleena Nisar, Hafida Rafiq, Ajiya Nasir, Aayat Jan, Mehreen Jan, Seerat Ayub and Zain Nazir. Zaheeb Javaid, Essa Bin Sajid, Aiman Bashir and Suvaid Ahmad secured silver medals, while Mohammed Musineen, Mohammed Eesa Bhat, Aftab Malik, Zunaira Fatimah and Aleena Nisar won bronze medals in their respective events. In the Poomsae event, Suvaid Ahmad and Aiman Bashir secured silver medals, while Aleena Nisar won bronze. The academy team was led by international Taekwondo player and coach Zain Nazir, who is currently coaching at the Taekwondo Centre, Gindun Stadium, Rajbagh. Coach Zain Nazir congratulated the athletes on their performance and lauded their determination and hard work.
J&K Sports Council conducts football trials
The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council on Monday conducted and concluded a series of sporting activities across the Union Territory, including Sub-Junior Football trials, the J&K Thang-Ta Championship and the District Budgam Badminton Championship. The divisional-level Sub-Junior Football trials, as per a statement, were concluded at TRC Srinagar and Mini Stadium, Parade, Jammu. A total of 46 girls were selected for the Union Territory-level trials, scheduled to be held in Srinagar from August 26, 2026. In Budgam, the two-day District Badminton Championship is underway at the Indoor Sports Hall. The championship was inaugurated in the presence of Chief Guest Bashir Ahmad Ganie, Chief Education Officer. A total of 150 players and 10 officials are participating in the championship, while around 100 spectators witnessed the inaugural proceedings. The events are part of the J&K Sports Council's continued efforts to provide competitive platforms to young sportspersons and promote sporting activities across the Union Territory.
Arrangements finalised for Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) at Hazratbal
Srinagar, Aug 24:Ahead of the observance of auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) and the Friday following, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo today conducted an on-site review of the arrangements at Hazratbal Shrine and took stock of the facilities being put in place for devotees. During the visit, the DC reviewed the arrangements related to availability of drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, sanitation and cleanliness measures, traffic management, parking, transportation, healthcare, fire safety, security and other essential services required for the smooth conduct of the auspicious occasion. While chairing a meeting at the Shrine, the DC took a department wise comprehensive review of the arrangements from the Officers of the concerned departments and the DC directed the Officers to ensure that all necessary facilities are put in place well in advance to cater to the large number of devotees expected to visit Hazratbal for prayers. Emphasizing the importance of meticulous coordination, the DC called upon all concerned departments to work in close synergy to ensure adequate facilities for devotees and seamless observance of auspicious occasion. He directed the concerned agencies to put in place a comprehensive traffic management plan to facilitate smooth movement of devotees and emergency vehicles. Adequate parking arrangements and effective regulation of vehicular movement around the shrine were also emphasized. In order to assist and facilitate senior citizens, specially abled visiting the shrine, the DC instructed officials from Transport department to arrange e-Rickshaw services from designated parking areas to the shrine during their visits to the Hazratbal shrine on the auspicious occasion. The DC stressed on ensuring uninterrupted power and adequate drinking water supply at the shrine and other congregation points so that devotees do not face any inconvenience. The DC also directed the Health Department to ensure adequate medical arrangements, including deployment of medical teams, availability of essential medicines, first-aid facilities and deployment of critical care ambulance services at the Shrine to respond promptly to any medical emergency. The SMC authorities were further directed to maintain proper sanitation and cleanliness within the shrine premises and along the adjoining roads and congregation areas. In addition, the directions were also passed for deployed of sufficient men, machinery, and Mobile Toilet Units at the venue. Special attention was sought to cleanliness before, during and after the observance. The DC also reviewed security and fire-safety arrangements and directed the concerned agencies to remain vigilant and ensure adequate preparedness to deal with any eventuality.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah calls for mission-mode action to address Srinagars stray dog menace
Srinagar, Aug 24:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called for a focused, coordinated and humane response to the growing stray dog menace in Srinagar, directing the concerned departments and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to accord the issue top priority and work towards tangible results. Chairing a review meeting on the issue, the Chief Minister observed that the stray dog menace has emerged as one of the foremost practical concerns for residents of Srinagar, with the issue affecting the daily lives and sense of security of citizens across the city and beyond. The Chief Minister noted that the progress in addressing the issue in Jammu through better handling of sterilisation coverage needs to be replicated in Kashmir division. He questioned why the relatively better implementation of Animal Birth Control being followed in Jammu has not been implemented efficiently in Kashmir. Within the same territory, we have success of having achieved around 80 per cent sterilisation in Jammu, while Srinagar has not been able to make comparable progress. If we have demonstrated that it can be done in Jammu, we should be able to replicate that success in Srinagar, the Chief Minister said. Seeking a clear assessment of the requirements of the concerned departments in terms of veterinary surgeons, paravets and other support staff needed in Kashmir division, Omar Abdullah assured full government support for the resources needed to undertake the work in a sustained manner and directed to immediately engage the requisite staff and take immediate action on ground to address the issue of dog menace including measures for quick disposal of garbage dumps so that dogs do not thrive on road side piles of food waste. CM exhorted SMC and JMC to deal with garbage disposal within municipal areas in quick time, which is seen as a major hazard by the public as giving rise to dog menace and giving an impression of polluted cities. He directed that a dedicated team be constituted within SMC to address the issue in mission mode, with emphasis on substantially increasing the number of trained dog catchers, scaling up sterilisation operations and strengthening the availability of veterinary doctors and trained personnel. The Chief Minister stressed that the response must be humane and in accordance with established procedures, while remaining focused on effectively controlling the stray dog population and addressing the concerns of citizens. He called for greater coordination among the Housing & Urban Development Department, Health and Medical Education Department, SMC and other concerned agencies to ensure that the measures adopted translate into measurable improvement on the ground. The Chief Minister said the objective should be to develop a sustainable and effective mechanism for addressing the stray dog issue not only in Srinagar but across Jammu and Kashmir. Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary Housing & Urban Development Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner Secretary Health & Medical Education M Raju, Commissioner Secretary Education, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Inspector General of Police Jammu Zone, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation and other concerned officers attended the meeting. Jammu based officers took part in the meeting through video conferencing.
On a recent summer afternoon, I shut my laptop, bunked off work a bit early, downed a mug of virgin-mojito and began the walk to Simrans study space. Simran has grown used to the offensive jokes and slurs. They came at school, at university and more recently, at work. It is dressed as harmless teasing but it is not. Her pronouns are She/they. Simran is pansexual. She remembers being bullied, threatened and physically hurt because of her sexual orientation. Yes, I was treated unfairly at school, college and now at work,she says. We leave their home after a brief chat and sit under a cluster of chinars near a popular eatery in the uptown locality of Srinagar. The conversation is not easy. There are long pauses, moments when she appears to search for the safest way to describe something that has been part of her life for years. Simran occupies a complicated space in Kashmir. She is queer, disabled and devout Muslim. None of these identities exist in isolation. Each affects the way the others are understood by the people around her. In this part of the globe, sexuality is rarely discussed openly and disability is still frequently approached through pity and protection, being both queer and disabled can mean living under layers of scrutiny. Add faith, family expectations and the realities of living in a region shaped by over three decades of turmoil, and even ordinary things like friendship, intimacy, privacy, can become difficult negotiations. For many transgender Kashmiris, invisibility is not a metaphor. It is a survival strategy. I do not want to be misread but the truth is that for a community that remains largely unseen, there is little visible queer infrastructure in Kashmir. There are few spaces where transgender people can meet openly, few dedicated support systems and limited access to professionals equipped to understand the particular pressures associated with sexuality and gender identity. Mental-health services are already stretched, while conversations around queer identities remain limited. For a disabled queer person, the gaps are even wider. The informal networks that do exist often work with limited resources. Queer support groups may not be equipped to address disability. Disability organisations have little space in their work for questions of sexuality, gender or intimate relationships. This leaves people like Simran moving between two worlds without belonging completely to either. We can now answer questions that were genuinely a no-go thirty years ago but today, we can talk about the woes of Kashmirs invisible gender minority. The problem is not simply the absence of a physical centre or support group. It is the absence of a place where someone can walk in without having to explain every part of themselves separately. Judgemental looks from my colleagues almost on a daily basis hurt me the most. Simran says. DISABILITY BRINGS MORE SURVEILLANCE Disability itself can bring intense family supervision. All eyes on me. That statement rings true for me. I feel watched, monitored and controlled all the time. Why is everyone awkwardly looking at me? Why dont they mind their own business. In conservative households, a disabled woman, for instance, is already seen as someone who needs protection. Marriage, mobility and independence can become subjects of family concern. Her movements may be watched more closely. Her phone may be checked. What is described as care can therefore become surveillance. You know why that happens? Because they rob you off of your own agency. Simran concludes. For a queer person, this creates another layer of difficulty. The very restrictions imposed in the name of safety can make it harder to develop a private life or form relationships away from family scrutiny. In Kashmir, families and neighbourhoods often remain closely connected, privacy is difficult to come by even without these additional pressures. People know where their neighbours live. Relatives know one anothers routines. Questions about marriage, relationships and family reputation are rarely considered intrusive. For a queer person, however, an apparently ordinary question can carry a very different weight. Why arent you married?, Who were you with? , Why are you going there?, Why are you always on your phone? The questions may sound familiar. The consequences of answering them honestly are not. FAITH IS NOT THE ENEMY There is a tendency to assume that a queer Muslim must choose between faith and sexuality. For many queer Kashmiri Muslims, the reality is more complicated. Faith can be a source of comfort rather than conflict. Prayer can provide a private space in which a person does not have to explain themselves to anyone. The relationship with God can be deeply personal, even when the social interpretation of religion feels restrictive. For Saqib, Simrans best-friend, faith does not necessarily cancel out queerness. The two can exist together, even when society insists they cannot. This reconciliation is rarely public. It happens privately, through prayer, reflection and an attempt to understand ones identity without surrendering another part of oneself. Family, however, can be harder to negotiate. True, that family reputation carries considerable weight. Marriage is not viewed simply as an individuals decision. It is tied to parents, siblings and the standing of the household. A persons choices can be perceived as affecting the prospects and reputation of other family members. For someone who is queer, coming out may therefore not be a single conversation. It can instead become a lifetime of omissions. A relationship that is never mentioned. A name that is never spoken. A photograph that is kept hidden. A question that is answered with silence. The person remains present, but an important part of their life is kept outside the family narrative. WHAT DOES SAFETY MEAN? For people living at the intersection of disability and queerness, safety cannot simply mean the absence of physical violence. It can mean having a room where nobody asks questions. Do we have those safe social spaces here? The answer is no. It can mean being able to make a phone call without lowering your voice. Does society respect privacy? Not really. It can mean having one person who knows the truth and does not leave. Do you have reliable people whom you can bank upon? I have seen snakes. Simran answered this question. It can mean finding a doctor who does not treat sexuality as a problem to be corrected. But you always find people who think disability is a medical problem and look at you with pity and they assume not being straight means it is wrath from God. It can mean being able to travel somewhere without calculating who might see you. That is impossible. And sometimes, safety can simply mean being allowed to exist without explanation. These systems were not designed to address the safety concerns of queer or disabled people. THE MISSING INFRASTRUCTURE The absence of support is perhaps most visible in the lack of intersectional services. A queer person may find a small support network. A disabled person may find a disability organisation. But someone who is queer and disabled may have to explain their needs twice. Disability networks face their own challenges and frequently operate within a framework centred on rehabilitation, welfare and assistance. Questions of sexuality and desire can remain almost completely outside that conversation. The result is a person who is constantly translating themselves. In one space, they are asked to explain their disability. In another, their sexuality. In another, their faith. Very rarely are they allowed to simply be all three. Official recognition of transgender people in Jammu and Kashmir remains limited. The last census, now fifteen years old, recorded around 4,000 people in the region under the third gender category. But numbers cannot tell us how many people remain invisible because they are afraid to disclose their identity. They cannot record the person who has never told their family. They cannot count the relationship that exists only through messages. They cannot measure the psychological cost of constantly editing ones life. And they cannot capture people who have learned that being visible can carry a price. Even language can become a barrier. Derogatory terms such as laanch or chakke continue to be used for transgender people, reducing complex human lives to insults. The state has also not created adequate rehabilitation homes or meaningful income-support structures for the community. Apart from a monthly pension of around Rs 1,250, the support available remains limited. There are also questions about representation. There is no Kashmiri on the National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTE). These absences matter. You are a human being, an Indian citizen but the state and the society you live with treats you indifferently. Why does that happen? Arent we created by the same creator? Simran asks as evening melted into night. RESPECTING OUR AGENCY What does it take to live as a queer Muslim in Kashmir with a disability? It is a loaded question but has a simple answer. Simran beautifully answers it. Do not dictate what faith means? We know it really well. We are also highly connected to God. Allow us to use Khan-e-Khoda (Allahs Abode) and do not judge how we walk or talk. Just because you are straight doesnt mean you will take high moral ground and start policing us. Most of us are not accepted in our own families, so the only option left with us is to leave our homes and live in rented accommodation and we find it difficult to get housing. Does any welfare organization come forward to help us find a safe and dignified space? Being disabled doesnt mean we are incapable. People around us, unfortunately, do not understand this. OUTRO Kashmirs queer community remains so difficult to see. It is not absent. It is everywhere yet nowhere. And behind that invisibility are people negotiating the same things as everyone elselove, faith, family, work, loneliness and the simple desire to live without having to divide themselves into acceptable pieces. For someone living at the intersection of queerness and disability, as Simran puts it, being yourself is the most radical form of resistance. [Note: This work is funded by Queerbeat and Keshav Suri Foundation]. (Names in the article may not be real)
Agha Ruhullahs Rebel Arithmetic
Every generation in Kashmir produces a politician who mistakes applause for arithmetic. Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Member of Parliament from Srinagar, is the latest to conflate the two in public. He styles himself a rebel for a cause, accuses his own National Conference leadership of ideological drift, and insists the party is reneging on a mandate it once campaigned to secure. It is theatre of a high order, but not, by itself, a strategy for political permanence. Before Kashmir anoints another custodian of its conscience, it is worth interrogating what such dissidence actually purchases and what history has done to everyone who attempted it before him. Dissent without departure Ruhullahs censure of his own party has been unusually indiscreet for a sitting MP within a ruling coalition. He has accused the National Conference of normalising the post-2019 status quo, claimed the party is abdicating a mandate for constitutional restoration and complained openly of exclusion from internal deliberations. He has demanded that coalition allies apologise for their complicity in the abrogation. This is a rebuke landing as forcefully on his own alliance as on the opposition. This is not the idiom of a contented party man. It is, however, the idiom of a man who has never once threatened to leave. That omission is the entire story, since Kashmirs political ledger is crowded with ambitious men who spoke like insurgents and discovered what insurgency without institutional scaffolding is worth. The graveyard both parties built If we begin with the National Conference itself. When Ghulam Mohammad Shah engineered his 1984 defection with Delhis blessing and briefly occupied the chief ministers chair, it appeared, momentarily, to herald a genuine challenge to Abdullah hegemony. It collapsed within two years and Shah lapsed into irrelevance. This is an objective lesson that patronage-fuelled secessions cannot manufacture the street legitimacy that took the original party decades to accumulate. Sajad Lone chose a more autonomous exit and has endured but endurance is his ceiling and not his floor. His Peoples Conference remains, decades on, a modest, Handwara-centric outfit but never a genuine claimant to power across the Valley. Even Omar Abdullah, the partys dynastic inheritor, forfeited the familys Ganderbal citadel within weeks of assuming the NC presidency in 2002. This was a humiliation that ought to have retired the fantasy that popularity is a birth-right. The PDPs record is, if anything, more instructive. After the 2019 abrogation and Mehbooba Muftis prolonged detention, the party haemorrhaged nearly its entire senior leadership. Altaf Bukhari, once its finance minister and a formidable power centre, departed to construct the Apni Party. Years later, that party remains peripheral and its own founders have since abandoned it too. They have found none of the durability they had bargained for. Imran Raza Ansari, scion of an influential Shia political dynasty, rebelled against Mehbooba Mufti and forecast a tsunami that would engulf her leadership. It never materialised; he drifted instead into Sajad Lones smaller house. Muzaffar Hussain Baig, a founding member of the PDP and its former deputy chief minister, quit in 2020, joined the Peoples Conference. He was then expelled from it and rejoined the PDP at Mufti Sayeeds grave, then publicly disowned it again weeks later after a perceived slight over seating at a BJP rally. A man instrumental in founding a major regional party ended his second act quarrelling over a chair. The pattern across both parties is uniform and unsentimental. Kashmirs electorate does not transfer allegiance from institution to individual, however eloquent that individual proves on a given evening. Cadre and generational goodwill remain with the party. The leader who departs discovers he owns nothing beyond his own voice. The cost of departure In the near term, an exit would almost certainly be politically ruinous for Ruhullah. His 2024 victory in Srinagar was built upon the National Conferences organisational apparatus. It was not a personal following assembled independently. When stripped of that apparatus, what remains resembles Ansari after his revolt or Bukhari after his own: a charismatic figure without the machinery to convert charisma into seats. This is precisely why Ruhullah dissents loudly from within rather than departing outright. It lets him accrue the reputational dividends of defiance while the partys infrastructure still carries him electorally. It is a shrewd calculation. It is not a principled one. A promise no one intends to honour Here candour is unavoidable: Article 370 is not returning and framing its restoration as an achievable objective is either a serious misreading of constitutional arithmetic or a deliberate strategy of keeping an old wound lucrative. The Supreme Court affirmed the abrogation in December 2023. Its reversal would demand a two-thirds parliamentary majority no plausible coalition, including one led by the Congress, has any realistic prospect of assembling. This is where Ruhullahs positioning reveals its essential hollowness. Even a Congress-led government in Delhi would be unlikely to expend national capital reopening a question the country has largely filed away as settled. Congress governments have historically subordinated regional constitutional restitution to national electoral calculus once the courts have spoken, and nothing in the partys contemporary conduct suggests Kashmir would be the exception. To construct a political identity around a pledge that no plausible government intends to redeem is not idealism. It is a calibrated method of keeping grievance perpetually serviceable and insulated from ever being tested. The likely reckoning Can Ruhullah convert present visibility into mass support that survives beyond a single electoral cycle? The raw materials exist: fluency in the vernacular of grievance, a national profile unmatched by most NC leaders outside the Abdullah lineage and a willingness to provoke his own leadership that reads as authenticity to a disenchanted electorate. What remains unproven is whether this popularity extends beyond Srinagar and central Kashmir or survives the transition from parliamentary commentary to the compromises of governance. If this is Judged against every predecessors record in both major parties, two outcomes seem most probable and neither is triumphant. He is gradually reabsorbed into the NC mainstream once the leadership judges him more useful inside than outside thereby trading rebellion for office. Or he eventually departs and discovers, as Bukhari, Ansari and Baig discovered before him that insurgency without institutional backing contracts rather than expands. Kashmir has shown remarkable consistency here for four decades. It rewards parties. It punishes men who wager everything on their own voice. Whether Agha Ruhullah becomes the exception depends on something his rhetoric has not yet evidenced: an organisation capable of outlasting his popularity, rather than one merely lending it to him for the present. Malik Daniyal is an economics graduate from Delhi University. He writes at the intersection of economy, politics and policy issues of valley.
Div Com reviews development proposals for heritage sites in Budgam, Pulwama
Srinagar, Aug 24:Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg on Monday chaired a meeting to review proposals for the development, renovation and upgradation of heritage sites including Asar-i-Sharief Peth Makhama Budgam and Khoo Sahb Yarwan Shadimarg, Pulwama. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Superintending Engineer PWD South Kashmir, Tehsildar Waqf Board, officers from Budgam district and representatives of the District Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, Pulwama. During the meeting, members of the Prabandhak Committee submitted a detailed proposal for the development and renovation of the Holy Spring at Khoo Sahb Yarwan. They sought inclusion of several components in the Detailed Project Report (DPR), including construction of Nishan Sahib, development of the Holy Spring, a langar room, glass room, cottage rooms, footpath and fencing. Taking note of the demands, the Divisional Commissioner directed the Superintending Engineer, PWD South Kashmir, to incorporate the requirements in the proposal and conduct a site visit in coordination with the concerned district administration. He also stressed the need to involve community representatives during the process to ensure that their requirements are appropriately reflected in the development plan. Regarding Asar-i-Sharief Peth Makhama, the Divisional Commissioner directed the Tehsildar, Waqf Board, to engage with local community members, assess the requirements of the proposed project and examine the feasibility of facade development and renovation of the shrine. The Divisional Commissioner emphasised coordinated efforts among the concerned departments and stakeholders for the timely and effective development of both religious and heritage sites.
SIA reopens Wandhama massacre case
Jammu, Aug 24:The State Investigation Agency (SIA) has reopened the investigation into the 1998 Wandhama massacre in which 23 Kashmiri Pandits were killed, as part of a wider move to revisit long-pending cases of targeted killings during the peak of violence in the Valley. According to an India Today report, the SIA is pursuing fresh leads in the Wandhama case, including attempts to identify the terrorists and those who allegedly assisted them and establish their roles in the killings. The report said the agency recently conducted raids at multiple locations in the Kashmir Valley in connection with the Wandhama massacre and the killing of Kashmiri Pandit leader Tika Lal Taploo. The SIA has also stepped up investigations into the killings of Taploo and Justice Neelkanth Ganjoo, while recently reopening cases related to Kashmiri Pandit nurse Sarla Bhat and writer Sarwanand Koul Premi and his son Virender Koul, India Today reported. 23 Pandits killed in Wandhama The Wandhama massacre took place on January 25, 1998, when heavily armed militants entered the homes of Kashmiri Pandit families in Wandhama village of Ganderbal district and killed 23 people, including nine women and four children. The killings took place on the eve of Republic Day and during Shab-e-Qadr, one of the holiest nights of Ramadan. The case remained unresolved for decades. The renewed investigation comes amid intensified efforts by the SIA to revisit cases of targeted killings dating back to the late 1980s and 1990s. Taploo, Ganjoo killings also under probe Taploo, a prominent lawyer and then Jammu and Kashmir BJP vice-president, was shot dead near his residence in Srinagar in September 1989. His killing was among the early targeted assassinations of prominent Kashmiri Pandits during the onset of militancy in the Valley. The SIA has also intensified its probe into the killing of Justice Neelkanth Ganjoo, who had sentenced JKLF terrorist Maqbool Bhat to death. Justice Ganjoo was shot dead by suspected JKLF militants at Hari Singh Street in Srinagar on November 4, 1989. The renewed probes follow recent investigative activity in other decades-old cases. In June, the SIA filed a 737-page chargesheet in the 1990 killing of Sarla Bhat, naming jailed JKLF chief Yasin Malik as the alleged mastermind. Earlier this month, the agency conducted searches at nine locations in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with the killing of writer Sarwanand Koul Premi and his son Virender Koul. According to India Today, investigators are examining old cases and pursuing leads that could help identify surviving accused, militants and their associates in the killings.
Sainik School a launchpad producing leaders across professions
Jammu, Aug 24:Where discipline shapes character and young minds grow into leaders, Sainik School Nagrota has been nurturing ambition for over five decades. From NDA cadets to generals, doctors and civil servants, Nagrotas alumni have carried its legacy far beyond the parade ground. Major General Ramesh Raina (retired); Maj Gen J S Bedi (retired); Maj Gen Mohinder Kumar Sagoch; former J&K Advocate General Jahangir Iqbal Ganai; former J&K minister Harsh Dev Singh; former IGP (Personnel) PHQ, J&K J P Singh; former IG Security, J&K Jagjit Kumar; renowned oncologist Padma Shri Dr Ashok Vaid and senior IAS officer currently serving as Director, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Bhupinder Kumar are just a few names in a long list of distinguished professionals sharing a mutual link. This illustrious band of individuals, who carved a niche for themselves in diverse spheres of life and earned acclaim, has a common strand - their alma mater, Sainik School Nagrota. Famed as Gateway to NDA in J&K, the Institute, during its proud journey of over five decades, has evolved from armed forces feeder school to a holistic residential educational institution whose alumni have distinguished themselves in the Armed Forces, civil services, medicine, engineering, education, law, business and other professions. The school itself records that a large number of its alumni are IAS and IPS offi cers, doctors and engineers serving in India and abroad. The school Principal Captain (IN) Shibu Devasia, while defining the institutes illustrious profile, asserts, True to the spirit of its motto i.e., Gyan, Veerata Aur Anushasan (Knowledge, Courage and Discipline), for over five decades, Sainik School Nagrota has sought to transform young minds into responsible, confident and capable citizens by integrating knowledge, courage and discipline with academic education, physical fitness, leadership and character building. FEEDER TO ARMED FORCES From its campus in Jammu and Kashmir, the institution has contributed more than 600 officers to the Armed Forces and has produced distinguished alumni across the diverse spectrum of life including civil administration, academia, law, business and public life. It was inaugurated on August 22, 1970 by the then Defence Minister, late Jagjivan Ram. Its founder Principal was Cdr NN Seth. The school was established as part of the national Sainik School movement, whose broad purpose was to provide quality residential education, inculcate discipline and leadership and create a wider and more socially representative feeder base for the Armed Forces officer cadre. It was conceived in the same spirit as the Sainik School system - to combine academic excellence with physical fitness, character formation, discipline, leadership and preparation for entry into the Armed Forces, particularly through the NDA and other military academies. The uniqueness of Sainik School Nagrota lies not simply in its association with the Armed Forces. It is the combination of education, discipline, residential life, leadership development, physical training, competitive-examination preparation and national integration, Captain Devasia points out. He asserts that the schools identity as the Gateway to NDA is well justified by its long record of producing Armed Forces officers. The school officially records over 600 ex-Nagrotians as officers in the Armed Forces, through various commissioning routes, including the National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Air Force Academy and Indian Naval Academy. The school's contribution through the NDA route alone is particularly significant. Over the years, more than 300 cadets of Sainik School Nagrota have joined the National Defence Academy, making the school one of the important feeder institutions for the country's premier tri-services officer-training academy. In addition, approximately an equal number of Nagrotians have entered the Armed Forces through Combined Defence Services (CDS) and other direct-entry or commissioning routes. The school's performance, according to Captain Devasia, has remained particularly strong in recent years. For NDA 154, 35 Nagrotians cleared the UPSC NDA written examination, 11 subsequently cleared SSB and eight joined NDA in June-July 2025. Several achieved impressive All India ranks, including Ikhlaq Hassan (AIR 50), Hussainin (AIR 145), Pranav Sharma (AIR 150), Aditya Singh (AIR 239), Prithvi Raj (AIR 268) and Divyansh (AIR 292). Most significantly, this performance earned Sainik School Nagrota the Raksha Mantri Trophy-2025 for sending the highest percentage of cadets to NDA in NDA 154. The trophy was presented in May, 2026. This was particularly significant because the school had last won the trophy in 2009, making the 2025 achievement a return to the top after approximately 17 years. The school won both Best Band Contingent and Best Marching Contingent at UT level Republic Day celebrations at Jammu in 2026. DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI While naming a long list of celebrated professionals churned out by the institute, Principal Captain Devasia proudly states that rather than limiting the Hall of Fame to military officers, Sainik School Nagrota's real strength is the breadth of achievements of its alumni. It ranges from Generals to doctors, from civil servants to academics, from Police leaders to entrepreneurs, lawyers, engineers and professionals working across India and overseas. Among its illustrious alumni also include Maj Gen Ramesh Raina (retired) - a member of the first batch; Maj Gen J S Bedi (retired) who also served as Additional Director General of Recruiting; Maj Gen Mohinder Kumar Sagoch, former Director General, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence; Brigadier Dr Vijay Sagar Dheman; Dr Ashok Vaid, well known oncologist known for pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation; Brig Gurmeet Singh Shan - associated with Nagrota Ex-Students Association(NEXAS) and working as Director, Sainik Welfare, J&K; Prof Keshav Sharma of Jammu University; Prof Deepak Raj Gupta associated with the Department of Tourism and Travel Management, Central University of Jammu; V K Seghal, founder chairman of the J&K and Ladakh Tourism Promotion Council and Randheer Singh Billoria - associated with the banking, IT sector and NEXAS leadership. Captain Devasia shares that the school's alumni association, NEXAS (Nagrota Ex-Students' Association), now provides an organised network for this worldwide fraternity. Its alumni portal currently describes a network of over 4,300 alumni, with facilities for alumni networking, mentorship, career opportunities and institutional support. NATIONAL INSTITUTE IN J&K Principal Devasia emphasises that the school is a national institution, not merely a J&K institution. Under the current admission framework, 67 percent of seats are for home State or UT (J&K) candidates and 33 percent for candidates from other States or UTs. The government introduced girls' admission in the existing Sainik Schools from the academic session 202122. In the first year, 312 girls were admitted to Class VI across the then 33 existing Sainik Schools. Sainik School Nagrota admitted eight girl cadets in the first batch. Cadet Vamika achieved All India Rank 15 in NDA/NA written examination and Rank 2 among girls. The present residential strength of the school is 480 cadets, including 52 girls. The girl-cadet strength can rise to 70 while the overall residential strength remains 480. With regard to admission to Sainik School Nagrota, he informs that it is through the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) conducted by the National Testing Agency. The admission is made to Classes VI and IX. VISION AHEAD Sharing the possible institutional vision, Captain Devasia states that for the future, Sainik School Nagrota can position itself around six major pillars. These include strengthening NDA, Armed Forces preparation; girls' education and leadership; STEM and innovation; academic excellence; alumni engagement and emergence as a centre of excellence. Sainik School Nagrota is an institution where character is built, leadership is nurtured and service to the nation becomes a way of life, Captain Devasia asserts, while summing up the profile of the institute.
HC upholds ED jurisdiction, dismisses Reach Dredgings plea
Srinagar, Aug 24:The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has upheld the Enforcement Directorates (ED) Jurisdiction to investigate a money-laundering case originating from alleged corruption in a project involving construction and dredging works at Hokersar Wetland here. A bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar maintained the central agencys authority in response to a plea filed by M/s Reach Dredging Limited, which it dismissed finally being devoid of merit. The company had called in question the summons issued by the ED and the underlying Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR). The case related to an e-NIT issued in July 2018 by the Executive Engineer, Flood Spill Channel, Narbal, for construction of a channel across Hokersar Wetland along the old alignment, including side-slope protection and dredging of drainage and escape channels flowing into the wetland. According to the Reach Dredging plea, its bid was found to be the lowest, following which the company was awarded the work in 2019 and the same completed it in 2020. Subsequently, the Anti-Corruption Bureau registered a case (FIR No. 7/2025) under Section 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120-B of the RPC. The company later received summons from the ED under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Before the court the question to determine was whether upon repeal of the provisions contained in Section 13(1)(d) of the Central PC Act, there was no corresponding provision in the Central PC Act similar with the provisions contained in Section 5(1)(d) of the J&K PC Act. If the answer to the question was in affirmative, whether, after coming into force of the Amendment Act No 16 of 2018, whereby the provisions contained in Section 13(1)(d) of the Central PC Act have been omitted and Section 13 of the Central Act has been recast, the proceedings launched by the ED under the provisions of the PMLA could be sustained. The companys argument was that the alleged offence under Section 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act was not a scheduled offence under the PMLA after Section 13(1)(d) of the Central Prevention of Corruption Act was omitted through the 2018 amendment. The ED, it said, consequently lacked jurisdiction to register the ECIR or issue summons. Opposing the plea, the ED in its counter argument maintained, Section 5(1)(d) of the J&K law corresponds to the amended Section 7 of the Central Prevention of Corruption Act, which is a scheduled offence under the PMLA. Following the arguments, the court rejected the companys contention, holding that the 2018 amendment, which omitted Section 13(1)(d) of the Central Prevention of Corruption Act, did not remove the corresponding offence from the statutory framework. The amended Section 7 was made comprehensive enough to cover conduct previously dealt with under Section 13(1)(d), it said. The court noted that the amended Section 7 covers cases where a public ser vant obtains or accepts an undue advantage by abusing his position or through corrupt or illegal means, thereby corresponding to Section 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act. The court observed that since the amended Section 7 of the Central Prevention of Corruption Act is included in the PMLA Schedule, an offence under Section 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act also qualifies as a scheduled offence by virtue of Section 2(2) of the PMLA. Finding no merit in the plea, the court, accordingly, held that the ED had jurisdiction to issue summons and register the ECIR against Reach Dredging Limited.
Srinagar-Jammu NH open for two-way traffic
Ramban, Aug 24:The Srinagar Jammu National Highway remained open for regulated two-way traffic on Monday, with vehicular movement continuing at a slow pace at several vulnerable stretches in Udhampur and Ramban districts due to ongoing restoration, construction activity, and damage caused by recent rains. According to traffic authorities, traffic remained slow at Dewal in Udhampur district, where an approximately 30-40 metre portion of the highway has been affected by road damage, an uneven surface, and undulations. The affected stretch is being managed through single-lane traffic to facilitate the safe movement of vehicles. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed men and machinery at the affected locations and is carrying out restoration and road improvement works. Officials said efforts were underway to repair the damaged portions and improve the road surface at the earliest. In Ramban district, traffic movement remained regulated along the MaroogKishtwari Pather stretch, where vehicles were negotiating restricted single-lane portions amid ongoing construction and road improvement works. Restoration work on the Srinagar-bound tube at Dewal and Dhramthal is also progressing. The down tube has been reduced to single-lane movement at two to three locations due to erosion caused by recent rains, requiring careful regulation of traffic. Officials at the Traffic Control Unit (TCU), Ramban, said the highway continued to remain open and traffic was being regulated through the available carriageways to maintain connectivity. A large number of vehicles crossed the Udhampur-Banihal corridor during the day, although intermittent slowdowns were witnessed, particularly at damaged and construction-affected stretches. Traffic personnel remained deployed at vulnerable locations to regulate vehicle movement, manage congestion and ensure the safe passage of commuters. The authorities advised commuters to check the latest highway status before undertaking their journey. Passenger vehicles and Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) have been advised to travel between Ramban and Banihal during daylight hours and avoid unnecessary night travel in view of the possibility of shooting stones, landslides, mudslides, and other weather-related hazards. Motorists have also been urged to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking, wrong-lane driving, and unnecessary stoppages at vulnerable locations as such practices could aggravate congestion and hamper the smooth movement of traffic. Truck operators carrying fresh and perishable commodities and livestock have been directed to adhere strictly to prescribed loading norms. Heavy vehicle operators have been advised against overloading and asked to ensure proper vehicle fitness and adequate fuel in view of possible delays caused by road or weather-related disruptions. Meanwhile, in view of widening work being undertaken by NHAI on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla axis, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will remain restricted during daytime hours between 7 am and 7 pm. The restriction has been imposed as tankers carrying inflammable material are not permitted to pass through tunnels during the specified period. Accordingly, the movement of up tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani only after 5 pm and up to 5 am, and tanker operators have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly. Traffic authorities, however, cautioned that movement on the highway would remain subject to prevailing weather and road conditions and could be regulated or suspended in case of fresh landslides, shooting stones, mudslides, or any other obstruction. Commuters have been advised to remain in touch with the Traffic Control Units at Jammu, Ramban, and Srinagar and follow official advisories before and during their journey on the highway.
J&K leading in dementia prevalence in India
Srinagar, Aug 24:One in nine people in Jammu and Kashmir aged 60 years and above in J&K have dementia, the prevalence highest in India. This triggers questions about the escalating burden of brain and vascular disease as the population ages, and the risk factors that are pushing the memories of a significant proportion of the population into oblivion. The World Health Organisations updated dementia guidelines were released in July 2026, and identified new risk factors associated with dementia. Tobacco use, high blood pressure, diabetes, physical inactivity, and air pollution are among factors that can contribute to dementia risk. As per this health body, 45 percent of dementia risk globally can be attributed to modifiable factors. J&K has one of the highest prevalence of smoking, a factor that adds to the risk of dementia. Many studies put J&K among the top regions in India in terms of smoking. Dr Sheikh Hilal Ahmed, Assistant Professor Department of Neurology at GMC Srinagar said J&Ks addiction to cigarettes is an important risk factor for vascular dementia. Vascular dementia, he said, is a significant cause of dementia here. Every puff narrows the blood vessels to your brain, Dr Ahmed said. He said it was like starving the memories of the oxygen they need to survive. J&K has had substantial tobacco exposure. NFHS-5 found that 31.6 percent of men aged 15-49 used some form of tobacco, with cigarette smoking reported by 26.6 percent. A study published in Alzheimers & Dementia estimated that 11.04 percent of people aged 60 and above in J&K were living with dementia. This compares starkly with 7.43 percent prevalence elsewhere nationally. The estimate was derived from Indias Longitudinal Aging Study and its dementia assessment component. It used detailed neuropsychological testing and informant interviews to model dementia status. The study estimated that J&K had about 1.16 lakh people aged 60 and above living with dementia a decade ago. Even if the prevalence remains unchanged, demographic ageing alone could double the numbers and take it to about 2.53 lakh by 2036, by population projection estimates. NFHS-6 shows that people aged 60 years and above accounted for 11.9 percent of J&Ks population in 2023-24. This was higher compared with 9.5 percent in 2019-21, and gives more weight to the concerns of a swelling number of people suffering from dementia. Dr Ahmed said, changing lifestyle and eating habits, decreasing family size and loneliness are important factors associated with dementia in J&K. In addition, the increasing life expectancy leads to increased incidence of dementia. No wonder nationally , J&K is among states with highest prevalence of dementia, he said. J&Ks vascular health is another avenue for investigation: a study of 600 patients with hypertension in six rural districts of J&K found that 63.5 percent of those diagnosed and advised treatment had uncontrolled blood pressure. In addition, smoking diabetes and bad fats (dyslipidemia) were among factors significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension.
CM Omar defends 6.83% power tariff hike, calls it a compulsion
Srinagar, Aug 24:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday defended the recently announced 6.83 percent increase in electricity tariff, saying the hike was unavoidable and comparatively lower than the revisions effected during previous governments. Speaking to reporters, CM Omar said the tariff adjustment had been necessitated by the rising cost of electricity and broader inflationary pressures, while maintaining that his government had kept the increase to the minimum possible level. He hit back at criticism from opposition parties, recalling that electricity tariffs had been raised by considerably higher margins during earlier administrations. Those criticising us have also been in government. During the PDP-BJP coalition, the tariff was increased by 14 percent. Four years earlier, there was a 15 percent hike, the CM said, adding that the present government had raised tariffs by around 6 percent after a gap of four years. He said the government was not taking the tariff increase as an achievement, but had been compelled to take the decision in view of the prevailing economic circumstances. CM Omar said the burden on consumers could be reduced in the future if losses in the power distribution system were brought down substantially. The more we reduce transmission and distribution losses, the less we will have to resort to such measures, he said. The CM also rejected any suggestion that the tariff increase contradicted the government's commitment to provide 200 units of free electricity to poor and needy households. He said the government had never promised that electricity tariffs would remain unchanged, but had committed itself to providing free power to eligible households. According to CM Omar, the free-power commitment would be implemented through solar panels under the Muft Bijli Yojana, and therefore should not be linked with the revision in electricity tariffs. On reports of threats issued by militant groups against Kashmiri Pandit employees, the CM asked the security agencies to treat such threats seriously and investigate their origin. He said the police and intelligence agencies had a responsibility to ensure the safety of government employees, recalling that similar threats in the past had preceded attacks on Pandit employees. CM Omar also ruled out any immediate reshuffle of his council of ministers, saying the government was functioning normally and that a change would be made whenever the situation warranted it. He clarified that his earlier statement that there would be no reshuffle before August 15 should not be interpreted as an assurance that one would necessarily follow immediately after the date. The work has not stopped; there is no crisis in the government. A reshuffle will take place when needed, he said.
Power cuts intensify across Kashmir
Srinagar, Aug 24:Unscheduled power cuts have intensified across Kashmir as the shutdown of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project has stretched into its fourth day, putting additional pressure on an already strained power supply system, senior officials of the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) said. According to the officials, the shutdown of the 900-MW Baglihar project had initially been approved for one day for maintenance and de-silting work. However, the shutdown has now continued for four days, affecting power generation and forcing the distribution utility to resort to additional cuts to manage the supply-demand gap. The shutdown was initially approved for one day for maintenance and de-silting work, but it has now stretched to the fourth day. This has affected generation availability and resulted in additional cuts, senior KPDCL officials said. The officials said the prolonged unavailability of Baglihar generation had added considerably to the pressure on the power system, particularly as electricity demand remains high across Jammu and Kashmir. According to power-system data available with the authorities, the total load of J&K was around 2324 MW, while power imports stood at about 2055 MW. Kashmirs total load was around 1095 MW against local generation of only 197 MW. Significantly, Baglihar Generation-I and Generation-II remained unavailable during the period, with the project contributing no generation to the system. With the two Baglihar generating units unavailable, the 900-MW project was effectively out of the generation mix, further tightening the supply position. Senior KPDCL officials said the extended shutdown had consequently contributed to the unscheduled power cuts being experienced in different parts of Kashmir. The officials said the situation was being managed by balancing available generation and power purchases against prevailing demand, but the prolonged outage of a major generating station had reduced the flexibility available to the distribution system. The available data also showed central-sector generation at around 1336 MW, while state-sector generation was about 206 MW. Against the total J&K load of 2324 MW, the system was relying heavily on power imports to meet demand. The figures underline the extent of J&Ks dependence on electricity sourced from outside, particularly when major generating stations are unavailable. Baglihar is among the largest hydropower generating projects associated with J&K, with an installed capacity of 900 MW. Its prolonged shutdown therefore represents a significant loss of available indigenous generation, adding pressure on the system to procure electricity from outside sources. The impact is being felt by consumers across Kashmir, who are facing interruptions beyond the scheduled curtailment programme. The additional cuts have affected households as well as commercial establishments and businesses that depend on a stable electricity supply. The unscheduled interruptions have added to the disruption already caused by regular power curtailment. The development has also highlighted the vulnerability of the power distribution system to prolonged outages at major generating stations. With local generation already falling short of demand, any extended shutdown increases the requirement for power purchases and puts additional pressure on the grid. The officials said efforts were underway to complete the maintenance work and restore Baglihar generation at the earliest. The restoration of the project is expected to provide some relief to the supply system, given its significant installed capacity. Until generation resumes, however, the loss of Baglihar output is likely to continue contributing to the pressure on the system and the need for additional cuts. The disruption comes at a time when the power sector in J&K is already grappling with a substantial gap between demand and available indigenous generation.
Trump moves toward levying new tariff on China for flooding market with cheap goods
Donald Trump is considering setting the new tariff at 7.5%, according to sources
Trump moves toward levying new tariff on China for flooding market with cheap goods, AP sources say
8-year-old Louisiana girl dies from rare brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater
An 8-year-old girl in Louisiana has died after being infected by an extremely rare brain-eating amoeba that is found in warm freshwater
Govt eases loan licence requirement for 'outsourced' sterilisation of medical gear
Medical device makers now avoid loan licenses for outsourced sterilization services. This change simplifies business while industry leaders express concerns about new labeling rules. Printing sterilizer license numbers on device labels may hinder export flexibility and cause shipment delays. Manufacturers worry about losing the ability to choose the fastest available sterilization facility. The government also recognized the European Union for clinical investigation waivers.
