Kashmir Reader

One of the greatest weaknesses of contemporary education lies in its continued dependence on a model that places excessive emphasis on examinations, grades, and certificates. For decades, success has largely been measured by academic scores rather than by the ability to apply knowledge in practical situations. Employers are no longer searching merely for graduates with []

DUBAI: The ICCs decision to revamp the format of next years ODI World Cup has come under intense criticism from the Associate nations, with the World Cricketers Association (WCA) saying it fundamentally changes the opportunity originally presented. While the ICC retained the number of participating teams at 14 for next years ODI World Cup []

Questions selective respect for religious sentiments; says people will not accept promotion of alcohol in Kashmir SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, while addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, strongly condemned the reported move to relocate liquor shops from the National Highway to residential areas in and around Pantha Chowk []

SRINAGAR: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) on Friday welcomed the order of the Patiala House Court, New Delhi, permitting MP Baramulla Engineer Rashid to attend the entire Monsoon Session of Parliament while remaining in judicial custody. AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, in a statement issued here, said the order is a victory for democratic principles []

SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday said there is an immediate need to reform the health and education sectors to benefit people living in remote areas across Jammu and Kashmir. These areas lack even basic infrastructure and adequate professional manpower in the health and education sectors, resulting in immense hardship for []

Rich tributes paid at condolence meet SRINAGAR: Hundreds of people from different walks of life participated in the collective Fateha Khawani (prayer meeting) held on Friday at the grave of the late Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal at Gupkar Road adjacent to Kashmir Nursing Home. The gathering was attended by senior National Conference leaders from all []

KULGAM/SHOPIAN: Continuing its relentless crackdown against drug trafficking under the ongoing 100 Days Nasha Mukt Campaign, Jammu and Kashmir Police have attached multiple properties linked to illegal narcotics activities across the region. In Kulgam, police, in coordination with the Revenue Department, attached a two-storeyed residential house worth approximately 1.63 crore belonging to Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, []

New Zealand Minister visits J&K pavilion NEW DELHI: The Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO), under the aegis of the Industries & Commerce Department, government of Jammu and Kashmir, successfully showcased the regions rich handloom, handicraft and textile heritage at Bharat Tex 2026, held from 1417 July 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The []

SRINAGAR: Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Faz Lul Haseeb on Friday conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Integrated Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre and Cattle Pond at Tengpora to review the functioning of the Corporations stray animal management facilities and assess ongoing measures aimed at strengthening animal welfare, public health, and urban sanitation. The Commissioner []

Srinagar: The government on Saturday extended summer vacation for all schools of Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division till Wednesday in view of prevailing heat weather conditions and inclement weather advisory. Education Minister said, Summer vacations have been extended by three more days for schools in Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu []

Srinagar: The Shri Amarnathji Yatra will remain temporarily suspended from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes from Sunday, July 19, following an adverse weather forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), authorities said on Saturday. According to a statement , the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and []

Bandipora: The body of a 10-year-old boy, who had drowned in the Kishenganga River in Gurez earlier this month, was recovered on Saturday after remaining missing for nearly 12 days, officials said. An official said that the body of the missing boy was spotted near the dam site in the Kanzalwan area on Saturday afternoon. []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government will take a final decision on Sunday on whether to extend summer vacations in schools after reviewing the prevailing weather conditions, Education Minister Sakina Itoo said on Saturday. Speaking to reporters, the Minister,said the government is closely monitoring the weather and will take an appropriate decision before the scheduled []

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the Chinar Book Festival has evolved into a movement aimed at fostering a culture of reading, knowledge and youth empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the initiative is helping transform the Union Territory into the countrys crown jewel of education, literature and creativity. Addressing the Chinar []

SRIHARIKOTA :Indias first privately developed orbital rocket, Skyroot Aerospace Vikram-1 will on Saturday soar into a low earth orbit (LEO) to place multiple technology demonstration payloadsboth domestic and foreign. Besides, it will also deploy a micro-art payload and a handwritten postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi bearing the message Vande Mataram, along with postcards from []

Says 3.50 lakh pilgrims had darshan in 15 days Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday visited the Nunwan base camp and inspected the facilities in place for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims. At the Base Camp, he chaired a meeting with senior officials and reviewed the arrangements being made for essential services provided []

Day temp rises nearly five degrees above normal; weather office forecasts widespread rainfall, flood risks from Jul 19 Srinagar: Srinagar on Friday recorded its hottest day of the season so far as the mercury touched 35 degrees Celsius, while the Meteorological Department predicted a major shift in weather pattern from July 19, warning of heavy []

Anantnag: Jammu and Kashmir has scripted one of its best-ever performances in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2026, with several students from the Valley securing outstanding ranks and inspiring thousands of aspiring doctors across the reion. Among the notable achievers is Hadiya Nisar from Anantnag, who emerged as the highest-ranked candidate from Jammu and []

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha on Saturday reviewed the situation after a Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra convoy vehicle met with an accident near Jakhani in Udhampur district earlier this morning. The Lieutenant Governor spoke with Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Shri Minga Sherpa and medical officials and directed that the best possible medical care be provided []

RAJOURI/JAMMU: Army troops opened fire after noticing a suspicious movement along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday. The small arms firing was reported from the Tarkundi forward area around 10 pm on Friday and continued for nearly one-and-a-half hours. However, there were no reports []

DUBAI: The United States and Iran escalated their attacks across the Middle East on Friday, trading strikes aimed at infrastructure and military targets as their battle over the Strait of Hormuz intensified. The US expanded its attacks against Iran by hitting more bridges and energy sites and collapsing a tower at a key Iranian port, []

Ease of Living, Ease of Doing Business reforms to accelerate Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the best practices adopted by leading States in promoting Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and Ease of Living, with a view to examining their suitability for implementation in Jammu & Kashmir. The []

Srinagar: The growing influx of tourists to Kashmirs lesser-known destinations, driven by soaring temperatures across the plains, has triggered concerns over plastic pollution and inadequate waste management, with locals and environmentalists warning that the fragile ecosystems are coming under increasing pressure. The popular destinations such as Gurez, Tulail, Uri, Sonamarg and Keran Valley in North []

New Delhi: A joint committee of Parliament has raised concerns that the proposed Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025 could concentrate extensive regulatory powers in a single central authority, potentially undermining the institutional autonomy currently available under the existing higher education framework. The observations are part of the draft report of the joint parliamentary []

DUBAI: The United States expanded its airstrike campaign against Iran early Friday by targeting bridges and other infrastructure, as Iran launched new missile and drone attacks against US-allied nations in the Middle East and warned that its retaliation could escalate. The latest strikes marked the sixth consecutive night of US attacks, with Washington increasingly targeting []

TEHRAN: An Iran-backed militia umbrella calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has issued a statement announcing a purported $10 million reward for anyone who kills US President Donald Trump, describing the offer as retribution for the 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Abu-Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy head of Iraqs []

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from the Election Commission, the West Bengal government and the state poll panel on a PIL seeking disclosure of assembly constituency-wise data of claims and objections filed by deleted voters during the SIR process. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and []

NEW DELHI: India on Friday, July 17, hit back at a former Japanese minister for his statement blaming New Delhi for the delay in the highly ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, calling it his individual opinion. Addressing a press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the construction work on the project []

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the city polices stand on student activist Sharjeel Imam plea seeking bail in a case under the anti-terror UAPA law concerning the larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots here. A bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan issued notice on Imams appeal challenging []

Srinagar: Peoples Conference (PC) president Sajad Gani Lone on Friday said Jammu and Kashmirs political struggle should focus on restoring the pre-August 5, 2019 constitutional position rather than statehood alone, alleging that the National Conference (NC) was attempting to bury Articles 370 and 35A by restricting its campaign to statehood. Addressing a press conference, Lone,, []

Pahalgam: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said that over 3.50 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy Amarnath cave shrine during the first 15 days of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, attributing the smooth and peaceful conduct of the pilgrimage to the blessings of Lord Shiva and the coordinated efforts of all []

Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat has sought comments from the Deputy Chief Minister over an alleged breach of privilege filed by MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania. In a notice, the Assembly Secretariat has written to officer on special duty to the Deputy CM to furnish his comments over the matter within seven days. []

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra on Friday welcomed the National Conferences decision to join the campaign for restoration of statehood, saying the movement was initiated by the Congress nearly two years ago and was always meant to represent the aspirations of all 1.4 crore people of Jammu and []

Srinagar: An 18-year-old labourer died after accidentally coming into contact with a high-tension (HT) power line while installing a smart electricity meter in the Khimber-Zakura area of Srinagar on Friday, officials said. An official said that the labourer sustained an electric shock after coming into contact with an HT line while installing a smart meter. []

Srinagar: Srinagar Police on Thursday attached four immovable properties valued at 3.34 crore in connection with NDPS cases, as part of the ongoing _Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan 100 Days Campaign. In a handout, the police said that the properties were attached by Police Station Safakadal under Section 68F of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances []

New Delhi: Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday asserted that he would stay alive till July 20 at any cost, even as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 20th day amid a warning from doctors that his prolonged fast has reached a critical stage. The Cockroach Janta Partys (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar []

Srinagar: In shocking remarks, National Conference Member of Parliament Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan on Thursday said, If they want to bury anybody in the earth, nobody can save him. The NC MP made these remarks during a condolence meeting called by the National Conference in Handwara over the death of party leader Dr. Mustafa Kamal. They []

Budgam: A Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel was killed and another injured in a road accident at the Bailey Bridge in Chadoora area of central Kashmirs Budgam district on Friday, officials said. An official said that the two SOG personnel were travelling in an official vehicle when it hit the steel girder of the Bailey []

Doda: A civilian was killed and three police personnel were injured in a firing incident during a police operation in the Jai Valley area of Bhaderwah in Jammu and Kashmirs Doda district on Friday, with police ruling out any terror angle. A senior police officer said that the incident occurred after a police team detected []

NEW YORK: President Donald Trumps media company is planning to charge for special high-speed access to Truth Social posts, including possibly his own affecting national security and financial markets. The move announced Thursday would allow Wall Street trading firms and other institutions to get news from Truth Social contributors in milliseconds so they could profit []

Kulgam: The All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Soybean, Dryland Agriculture Research Station (DARS), Rangreth, SKUAST-Kashmir, organized a Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) Programme at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kulgam. The programme was attended by more than 40 tribal farmers along with subject matter specialists of the Kendra. During the programme, essential agricultural inputs including []

Says party wont hold protest in hiding; will raise voice in national capital Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday asserted that the proposed protest plan of his party in Delhi on July 20 over the alleged delay in the restoration of statehood would not change, but said there can be changes []

Statehood peoples issue, not party matter: Mir Srinagar: AICC General Secretary and Jammu & Kashmir Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Thursday said the Congress will participate in the National Conferences proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, asserting that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs statehood is a peoples issue and not confined to any political []

Srinagar: The School Education Department and the Higher Education Department have issued comprehensive circulars prescribing a structured institutional framework for the academic evaluation, content verification and periodic review of books and other educational resources across schools, colleges, universities and public libraries in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The initiative has been taken in []

Reviews donations management, transparency protocols Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting with the Members of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and senior officials, and reviewed the Offerings and Donations Management System at the holy Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ji Shrine. The meeting was attended by the Members of the []

All pilgrims safe Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the situation after a Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrim bus from Rajasthan caught fire at Karol in Ramban due to tyre burst while returning from the holy cave. The LG spoke with the Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Shri Mohammad Alyas Khan and senior officials, and directed them []

Srinagar: The 57-day long Amarnath Yatra continued to witness an overwhelming response from devotees as 19,357 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine on Thursday, taking the total number of yatris who have performed darshan during the first 14 days of the pilgrimage to 3,43,882. According to official figures, those who performed darshan on []

Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting attended by the former IAS Officer, P.W.C. Davidar, to deliberate over the roadmap for simplifying government processes across departments with the objective of ensuring greater Ease of Living for citizens and creating a more efficient, transparent and technology-driven governance framework in the Union Territory. []

Srinagar: In a significant development in the fight against narco-terrorism and cross-border terrorism, a Special NIA Court has ordered the framing of charges in FIR No. 19/2022 of Police Station SIA Kashmir. This decision paves the way for the commencement of trial against members of a Pakistan-backed narco-terror syndicate that financed terrorist activities in Jammu []

Budgam: National Conference Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Thursday defended the remarks he made during a condolence visit at the residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah after the demise of his uncle, Mustafa Kamal, saying he would continue to raise the issues of the people of Jammu and Kashmir despite criticism over []