RisingKashmir

Jammu, Aug 11: The Jammu State Peoples Movement (JSPM) has submitted a memorandum to the High-Level Committee examining demographic changes in Jammu, seeking a comprehensive and independent demographic audit of the region. A delegation led by JSPM Chairman Col Ajay Raina submitted the memorandum, titled Memorandum on Demographic Change in Jammu Province (19472026): Implications for National Security, Governance and Regional Identity. The delegation included Ashwani Sharma, Shivani Vaid Sharma, V

Srinagar, Aug 10: Elaborate arrangements are being put in place across Srinagar for Independence Day celebrations, with the main Union Territory-level function scheduled to be held at Bakshi Stadium, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg said on Monday. Speaking to reporters, Garg said that preparations for the August 15 celebrations are being carried out on multiple fronts, including the participation of parade contingents, cultural programmes and illumination of important government and

Srinagar, Aug 10: The Rural Business Incubation Centre (RBIC) of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K), with support from NABARD, will organise a one-day interactive ideation programme at Government Degree College (GDC) Uri on Tuesday. The program encourages innovation, entrepreneurship and rural startups among students. Titled From Grassroots Problems to Scalable Startups: RBIC Idea Resonator on Agri & Rural Innovation, the programme aims to provid

Srinagar, August 11: As many as 3,175 rural landless households in Jammu and Kashmir are still awaiting allotment of land for construction of houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), the Centre informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Replying to a question raised by MPs Benny Behanan and Anto Antony, Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that 3,673 landless beneficiaries had been identified as eligible for assistance under PMAY-G in Jammu and Kashmir. Of

Srinagar, Aug 11: The issue of maternity pay for resident doctors in Jammu & Kashmir has once again come to the limelight after the J&K High Court quashed an order denying salary and allowances to resident doctors during maternity leave, observing that motherhood cant be penalised. The Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network (IMA JDN) J&K has requested Health Minister Sakina Itoo, demanding immediate implementation of the High Courts directions and the release of pending salaries and a

Srinagar: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has informed the Lok Sabha that drone surveys have been completed in all 4,497 villages notified under the SVAMITVA Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir, with 81,305 property cards prepared and distributed to property owners in 2,130 villages across the Union Territory. Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh provided the information in a written reply to a question raised by Tangella Uday Srinivas in the Lok Sabha. According to the

Srinagar, Aug 11: A grand 1,200-metre-long Mega Tiranga Rally was held from Gundishart to Teetwal along the Line of Control in Kupwara district on Tuesday drawing enthusiastic participation from school students, ex-servicemen, civil society members and local residents. The rally turned the stretch into a sea of Tricolour as participants walked together carrying the national flag and raising patriotic slogans. The event also brought together people from different sections of the local community,

Shopian, Aug 11: J&K Police, in collaboration with the District Administration Shopian, organised a Tiranga Bike Rally on Tuesday as part of the celebrations ahead of Independence Day 2026. The rally was flagged off from the District Police Lines Shopian and proceeded towards the main town, with personnel from J&K Police, CRPF and the civil administration participating in the event. Deputy Commissioner Shopian and SSP Shopian led the rally and participated along with other senior officers, polic

Leh, Aug 11: The nations first Ladakh Black-Necked Crane Festival 2026 was inaugurated in Ladakh, celebrating the unique high-altitude bird and the revered State Bird of the Union Territory. The festival brings together conservationists, researchers, wildlife experts and environmental stakeholders from India and abroad, including representatives associated with the United Nations, as well as experts from Bhutan, which is home to a significant population of Black-Necked Cranes. The event seeks to

Srinagar, Aug 11: The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suspended its Pulwama district president, Er. Syed Showkat Gayoor, from all official positions following the registration of an FIR alleging extortion against him. The suspension was ordered by J&K BJP president Sat Sharma on the recommendation of party chief spokesperson and disciplinary committee chairman Advocate Sunil Sethi. Sethi said the allegations were serious and warranted immediate disciplinary action,

Srinagar, Aug 11: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq on Tuesday called for an end to what they described as unnecessary harassment and police summons of Kashmiri youth, urging the authorities to build greater trust with the younger generation. Bukhari, speaking to reporters after a workers convention at Wailoo Tangmarg, urged the authorities to allow young people to participate freely in August 15 celebrations and not subject

Srinagar, Aug 11: The J&K Legislative Assemblys Estimates Committee on Tuesday called for a time-bound phase-out of Russian Poplar in the Union Territory, citing concerns over its impact on local biodiversity and public health, and stressed the need for large-scale plantation of indigenous species. The committee, headed by Chairman Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi), met to examine the Action Taken Report submitted by the Forest, Ecology & Environment Department on issues related to forest conservation,

Srinagar: Cabinet Minister Javid Rana on Tuesday said the issues concerning Srinagar city are among the governments priorities, asserting that necessary directions have been issued to the concerned departments to address pending public grievances. Speaking to reporters, Cabinet Minister Javed Rana said discussions were held on various issues raised by senior National Conference leaders, including Sagar, Salman Sagar and General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, with some of the concerns already addr

Srinagar, Aug 11: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued detailed guidelines aimed at balancing forest conservation with the recognition and settlement of the legitimate rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment issued the directions through Circular No. 07-JK(FST) of 2026, directing all concerned departments and authorities to strictly follow applicable laws and presc

Baramulla, Aug 11 (KNO): A 13-year-old girl was injured after being attacked by a leopard in the Kreeri area of north Kashmirs Baramulla district on Tuesday evening, officials said. An official told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that the leopard attacked the girl in the Kokothal area, leaving her injured. She was immediately shifted to a hospital for treatment. He said the condition of the teenager was not immediately known. The girl was identified as Hadiya Mushtaq (13). Earlier, a

New Delhi [India], August 11 : The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) tightens Pan Masala packaging norms for Pan Masala under the latest amendment thr plastic-based or plastic-laminated packaging is not included among the permitted/specified packaging materials for Pan Masala According to a press release, now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (k) of sub-section (2) of section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006), and with the pre

Tehran [Iran], August 11: Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday said that Iran had proved itself to the world as a 'tough and invincible power' during the recent war with the US and ultimately forced the enemy to request negotiations, according to Iranian news agency ISNA. Speaking at the 'Cooperation and Synergy of Diplomacy and Health' meeting at the Iranian Ministry of Health on Tuesday, Araghchi said Iran's armed forces had made major sacrifices during the conflict with the US an

New Delhi, Aug 11: National Conference MP Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan on Monday met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and urged the Centre to reconsider the proposed Sopore-Kupwara railway line, highlighting the lack of rail connectivity in Kupwara and the districts socio-economic and strategic importance. Ramzan said Kupwara is among the farthest and strategically important border districts of Jammu and Kashmir and currently has no railway connectivity despite its large geographical area an

Srinagar- The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against a former Patwari in Kishtwar for allegedly demanding Rs 5 lakh in bribe and accepting Rs 3 lakh through a cheque for issuing a land record document, officials said on Tuesday. The case (FIR No. 02/2026) under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended, was registered at the ACB police station in Doda against Muhammad Arif Mir, the then Patwari of Patwar Halqa Trigam in Kishtwar, the AC

DR JUNAID MIRZA For decades, women empowerment has been one of the most repeated phrases in public discourse. It appears in speeches, policy documents, campaign slogans, classroom debates, and television panels. Yet, despite this constant repetition, the reality on the ground remains painfully uneven. We continue to celebrate the idea of empowering women, but we often hesitate when it comes to giving women actual power. That gap between rhetoric and reality is where the real challenge lies. Wome

Budgam, Aug 10: District Administration Budgam, in collaboration with Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 (J&K), MoHUA and Swaaha Resource Management on Monday organized a Capacity Building Session on Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 at DC Office, Budgam. The training session aimed to sensitize stakeholders about identification, regulation and management of Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs), besides strengthening compliance with the SWM Rules, 2026. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Athar Aamir

Ganderbal, Aug 10: The Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign continued across District Ganderbal on Monday with enthusiastic participation of students, youth, government employees and the general public, as a series of patriotic activities were organised at various locations across the district. As part of the days activities, citizens and participants took the Har Ghar Tiranga pledge, reaffirming their commitment to the nation and the values represented by the Tricolour. The pledge witnessed enthusiastic

Srinagar, Aug 10: To assess Tehsil-wise progress on key revenue matters, delivery of revenue-related services and the implementation of AgriStack and Farmer IDs under Digital Crop Survey across the district, a meeting of senior Revenue Officers was held today under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, at the Conference Hall of the DC Office Complex. The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mir Imtiyaz Ul Aziz, Additional Deputy Commis

Srinagar, Aug 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday presented cash awards amounting to Rs 2.71 crore to 580 outstanding sportspersons and international athletes from Jammu and Kashmir at a Special Cash Award Ceremony held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here, recognising their achievements in the field of sports. The cash awards pertain to the years 2023-24 and 2024-25. The Chief Minister personally handed over awards to 22 sportspersons, whilethe awards toth

Ganderbal, Aug 10: Harvesting of premium grape varieties is underway in Repora-Lar area of Ganderbal, with growers busy collecting the seasons produce as the crop reaches its peak. The traditional grape-growing sector continues to provide an important source of livelihood to farming families, with growers expressing optimism over better returns while also highlighting challenges posed by prolonged rainfall and low productivity. Repora Lar has retained its distinct identity as one of the prominen

Quality education has always been the surest route to social mobility, economic resilience and civic maturity. In Kashmir, however, the conversation around education is too often reduced to infrastructure counts, pass percentages and exam schedules. These matter, but they are not enough. The real question is whether our schools, colleges and universities are equipping young people with the knowledge, discipline and curiosity needed to thrive in a fast-changing world. That question has become eve

Srinagar, Aug 10: J&K Police has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining and unauthorised extraction and transportation of minor minerals across Kashmir, seizing 33 vehicles and heavy machinery in separate operations. The action was carried out in Ganderbal, Shopian, Pulwama, Baramulla and Sopore, with cases registered and further proceedings initiated in coordination with the Geology and Mining Department. In Ganderbal, police seized eight vehicles, including two tippers, three tractors and

Srinagar, Aug 10: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference State Womens Wing President and Habba Kadal MLA Shamima Firdous on Monday said the party was committed to fulfilling its election manifesto promises and addressing the concerns of people. She was speaking after inaugurating a newly constructed community hall at Bagh-e-Yas in Chattabal, built by the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) at a cost of 2.37 crore. Firdous announced that furniture for the facility would be provided through her Co

FAZAL BHAT For generations, the idea of career choice in our society was simple, if not simplistic. A good student was expected to become a doctor, engineer, civil servant or teacher. Prestige often mattered more than passion, and social approval outweighed personal aptitude. Many young people walked into professions they neither understood nor loved, not because they were incapable of choosing differently, but because they were never truly guided to choose at all. That is why career counselling

An effective teaching - learning activity rests on two key requirements -- efficient teachers and motivated students. However, this activity never proves a painless experience for a sympathetic and devoted teacher confronting demotivation from students and it is only pure , passionate and potential-rich teachers that can overcome the demotivation of students to make them usefully willing and -- receptive for classroom activities. In effect, teaching at school is physically draining and never a f