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Morning Digest: Iran vows apocalyptic war if U.S. strikes again; hundreds of applications exposed in censor board data breach, and more

Here is a select list of stories to start the day

Deepavali countdown: an address for mindful festive shopping in Chennai

A thought to keep as Deepavali shopping is likely to gain momentum this week: by buying products at Mathi Experience Store in Nungambakkam, a flagship initiative of Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women, one would be helping women self-help groups

Fresh clashes rock France as protesters march on

Police arrested nearly 1,000 people as officers faced an extremely elevated level of violence from black-clad ultra-left extremists, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said

Andhra braces for very severe cyclonic storm; Odisha activates disaster mitigation machinery | LIVE

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in Tamil Nadu's Chennai, northern, delta and western districts

Obama blasts Trumps chaos and cruelty while campaigning for Democrats

Ohio and Michigan, the 65-year-old former President blamed the Trump administration for the rising cost of living, a top voter concern amid soaring fuel prices

Antarctica miracle: How India established its first scientific base in the frozen continent

An interview with Sourabha Rao, the producer of Miracle in Antarctica, which tells the story of Dakshin Gangotri, on covering how it was built, the challenges encountered, and why the expedition remains relevant more than four decades later

Repeat accidents at same spot : Contractors liable to pay Rs 50 lakh per death

Srinagar, Oct 24: Contractors executing National Highway projects under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode will face financial penalties of up to Rs 50 lakh for each fatality in repeat accidents linked to road defects, under a Model EPC Agreement issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in October 2026. The agreement requires a qualified safety auditor with demonstrable experience in crash investigation to undertake an in-depth study of the causes of any accident involving a motor vehicle on the project highway, as intended under Section 135 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The contractor must provide such analysis to the authority within 15 days from the date of the accident, and the analysis must be hosted on the authority's designated portal or website for public viewing. Under Clause 14.4 of the agreement, the contractor must promptly undertake short-term or long-term remedial measures to prevent recurrence of accidents, including improvement in road design, installing safety features and other traffic management measures, in accordance with the instructions and guidelines issued by MoRTH and the Indian Roads Congress. The agreement provides that if a second accident occurs within one year of the previous accident, or the date of completion of the remedial action based on the crash investigation, as reported by the Authority Engineer, whichever is later, and is within a distance of 500 metres of the location of the first accident resulting in a fatality or grievous injury, and it is indicated in the crash investigation that such accident was caused by any defect or deficiency in the project, the contractor shall be liable to pay Rs 25 lakh for each fatality and Rs 10 lakh for each grievous injury in such accident to the authority. In the event a third or subsequent accident occurs within one year of the second accident, and has occurred within a 500-metre stretch involving both earlier accidents, and such accident results in a fatality or grievous injury, and it is indicated in the crash investigation that such accident was caused by any defect or deficiency in the project, the contractor shall be liable to pay Rs 50 lakh for each fatality and Rs 25 lakh for each grievous injury in such accident to the authority. The agreement states that these liabilities shall be without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to the authority under the agreement or under applicable laws. The agreement also requires the contractor to maintain and operate a round-the-clock vehicle rescue post with at least one mobile crane having the capacity to lift a truck with a gross vehicle weight of 30,000 kg, to promptly remove any damaged vehicles and debris from the project highway to enable safe movement of traffic, and to report all accidents to the police forthwith. The agreement distinguishes between short-term and long-term remedial measures: the analysis and short-term remedial measures undertaken by the contractor shall not be considered a Change of Scope and shall be deemed to be part of the contractor's obligations under the agreement, while long-term remedial measures shall constitute a Change of Scope and shall be paid for accordingly. Where such remedial measures are warranted on account of design deficiencies, the authority shall recover from the contractor an amount equal to 2 per cent of the cost of such remedial measures as damages.

Temp dips as snow blankets upper reaches

Srinagar, Oct 24: The upper reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Saturday, with Sinthan Top, Razdan Pass and other high-altitude areas witnessing an accumulation of 23 inches, as the mercury plummeted across the region and cloudy weather pushed maximum temperatures below normal at most weather stations. The higher reaches of Kashmir, including Sinthan Top, Razdan Top, Peer Ki Gali, Sadhna Top, Affarwat Gulmarg, Zojila Pass and Baltal Pahalgam, received fresh snowfall, with 13 inches accumulating at these places. The fresh snowfall brought the mercury down across Jammu and Kashmir. The maximum temperature remained below normal at most weather stations, with Bhaderwah recording a departure of 6.0 degrees Celsius below normal, followed by Gulmarg at 5.6 degrees Celsius and Kokernag at 5.2 degrees Celsius below normal. Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 26.2C, 3.5 degrees below normal, while Katra recorded 22.0 degrees Celsius, 4.3 degrees below normal. Banihal recorded 21.6 degrees Celsius, 1.2 degrees below normal, and Batote recorded 20.9 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees below normal. In the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 18.1 degrees Celsius, 2.9 degrees below normal, while Kupwara recorded 18.2 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees below normal. Pahalgam recorded 14.2 degrees Celsius, 3.7 degrees below normal, while Qazigund recorded 20.6 degrees Celsius, close to its normal temperature. Gulmarg recorded the lowest maximum temperature at 6.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Bhaderwah at 16.6 degrees Celsius. Director Meteorological Department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, in a detailed forecast, stated that there is a possibility of a brief spell of light rain in a few districts towards Sunday afternoon. He said that from October 2631, the weather is expected to remain generally dry, while cloudy weather is expected towards October 31. Ahmad said that from November 13, generally cloudy weather with light rain and light snow in higher reaches is expected at a few places, while from November 45, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy with light rain and light snow in higher reaches at a few places. The MeT advised farmers to continue harvesting and other farm operations.

Indias unity anchored in constitutional ideals: LG Sinha

Srinagar, Oct 24: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said India's unity is anchored in constitutional ideals and in shared traditions, brotherhood, aspirations and everyday experiences. He called upon citizens to strengthen social trust through dialogue, cooperation and compassion and to view the country's diversity as a source of collective strength. The LG made these remarks in a message delivered for the birth centenary celebration of eminent litterateur Dr Rahi Masoom Raza, organised in Ghazipur, while paying rich tributes to the writer and highlighting his immense contribution to Indian literature and cinema. Urging the youth to remain connected to their roots while pursuing ambitious goals, the Lieutenant Governor said the younger generation should carry the values of their heritage wherever they go and transform opportunities into new possibilities through innovation, hard work and dedication. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is witnessing unprecedented development, with significant progress achieved in infrastructure, digital connectivity, financial inclusion, women's empowerment, housing, sanitation and access to essential services, enhancing the dignity and opportunities available to ordinary citizens, he said. Sinha underscored that the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 requires the active participation of every citizen and the accelerated development of all regions. Today, India is demonstrating its capability in many fields, from space to digital public infrastructure, and the world sees our country as a reliable partner. I want us to move forward with a collective resolve and a single goal to build an India that is developed, prosperous, strong, self-reliant and technologically advanced, he said. Turning to Raza's legacy, the LG said that his writings reflected the spirit of Ghazipur, Purvanchal and India, while carrying a universal vision rooted in humanity and cultural harmony. He said Dr Rahi Masoom Raza, through works such as Aadha Gaon, Topi Shukla and Katra Bi Arzoo, as well as his contribution to the screenplay of Mahabharat, conveyed the message that India's culture, heritage and future belong to every citizen. Dr Rahi Masoom Raza's birth centenary celebration is an opportunity to give a new direction to the future. It should be our resolve to make our diversity our strength, and by choosing dialogue, cooperation and compassion, we will further strengthen social trust, the Lieutenant Governor said.

Trump casts his midterm ballot early in Florida

As for the war in Iran, President Trump said, I may have to finish it off. Or maybe theyll make a deal, but Im not sure. Either way, we win.

CM Omar meets LG Sinha, says cabinet expansion next week

Srinagar, Oct 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, after meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhawan in Srinagar on Saturday, said the expansion and reshuffle of his Council of Ministers will take place within the first two to three days of next week. He said the decision on ministerial berths has already been made, asking party colleagues and MLAs to stop lobbying him or National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah. I requested time from him for the expansion and told him that in the first two to three days of next week, I will carry out the expansion and certain changes in my Council of Ministers, the Chief Minister told reporters after the meeting. He said the exercise would proceed once a suitable time was fixed by Sinha. The announcement signals that the long-awaited reshuffle is nearing its final stage, with changes expected in the composition of the elected government. Omar made it clear that the list had been finalised after consultations with Dr Farooq Abdullah and that there was no need for legislators to approach either of them seeking ministerial positions. After consultations with Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahib, the list has been finalised. There is no need to knock on Farooq Sahib's door, my door, or anyone else's door. The decision of who will become a minister is not pending; it has already been made. So, I request my colleagues to please be patient, Omar said. In a pointed message to aspirants, the Chief Minister urged MLAs to stop sending WhatsApp messages and making repeated phone calls to press their claims for ministerial berths. Please stop sending WhatsApp messages. I am receiving endless, lengthy messages entire books are being written, sending full bio data as if I don't know who they are! I already know them and their work, he said. Omar added that the outcome would become clear within the next two to three days, asking his colleagues to exercise patience rather than approach the party leadership repeatedly. Whatever has to happen will take place in the next two to three days, he said, adding that what was destined to happen was ultimately determined by the Almighty. The cabinet expansion and reshuffle is expected to be closely watched within the National Conference and the ruling alliance, as legislators await clarity on the allocation of ministerial responsibilities and possible changes in the Council of Ministers. In the UT set-up, Omar can add only three new ministers and keep the number of ministers in his cabinet to nine. However, he can replace the current ministers with new ones.

Sibling Rivalry: When Competition Replaces Companionship

Sibling rivalry is often dismissed as a harmless part of growing up. Children quarrel over toys, attention, privileges and approval, and families tend to see these disputes as temporary storms that will pass with age. Sometimes they do. But when comparison becomes a permanent feature of family life, rivalry can leave deep emotional scars that remain long after childhood has ended. Siblings are expected to share a bond unlike any other. They grow up under the same roof, experience the same family changes and often become one anothers earliest companions. Yet this closeness can also create competition. Children compare marks, clothes, talents, friendships and the affection they receive from parents. Even small differences in treatment can be interpreted as signs of preference. What adults consider minor may become, for a child, evidence that they are less valued. The problem becomes sharper when parents compare their children openly. Statements such as Why cant you be like your brother? or Your sister always performs better may be intended to motivate, but they usually produce shame and resentment. Instead of encouraging improvement, comparison teaches children to view one another as competitors. One child begins to define success by defeating the other, while the other may withdraw, lose confidence or develop anger that is difficult to express. Academic performance is one of the most common sources of rivalry. In many homes, children are judged largely by examination results. A high-scoring child may receive praise and privileges, while another is repeatedly reminded of their shortcomings. Such treatment ignores the fact that children possess different abilities, interests and emotional needs. A child who struggles in academics may excel in art, sport, communication or practical skills. Reducing worth to marks is unfair to every child and dangerous for family relationships. Sibling rivalry can also emerge from unequal responsibilities. Older children may feel burdened because they are expected to care for younger siblings, while younger ones may feel controlled or constantly corrected. Differences in freedom, pocket money or parental trust can further deepen resentment. When these concerns are not acknowledged, children may express them through teasing, hostility, silence or deliberate disobedience. Parents cannot eliminate every disagreement between siblings, nor should they try to make their children identical. Conflict is a natural part of close relationships. The responsibility is to ensure that disagreements do not become cruel, humiliating or violent. Children must be taught to express anger without insulting or harming one another. They should also learn that fairness does not always mean giving everyone the same thing; it means recognising each childs different needs without creating favourites. Individual attention matters greatly. Children often compete because they fear losing their parents love. Spending time separately with each child can reassure them that affection is not a prize reserved for the most successful or obedient. Praise should be specific and sincere, directed at effort, kindness, responsibility and couragenot only achievement. Families must also resist the temptation to turn one child into the standard for another. Every child deserves to be known on their own terms. A siblings success should be celebrated without making it a weapon against someone else. Similarly, a childs failure should be addressed without public humiliation or comparison. As children grow older, unresolved rivalry can take new forms. Adult siblings may compete over careers, property, social status, parental care or family decisions. Old grievances can return during marriages, illness or disputes over inheritance. What appears to be a disagreement about money may actually reflect years of feeling ignored, undervalued or treated unfairly. The answer lies in communication and early correction. Parents should listen before judging, apologise when they have shown favouritism and create space for honest conversation. Siblings, too, must recognise that their childhood roles need not define their adult relationship. They may have competed for attention once, but they need not spend their entire lives competing for validation. A family is not strengthened when one child wins and another loses. It is strengthened when every member feels secure enough to grow without pushing anyone else aside. Rivalry may be natural, but it need not become destiny. With patience, fairness and empathy, siblings can move beyond comparison and rediscover the companionship that should have been theirs from the beginning. ( The author is a retired lecturer)

Beyond the Glow: The Enduring Power of Books

Knowledge once lived on wooden shelves, between the covers of books that smelt of paper, dust and time. It waited patiently in libraries, in the schoolbags of children and in the quiet corners of homes. It never rang a bell. Never flashed a notification. Never demanded attention. One had to go looking for it. Today, knowledge has come knocking at our fingertips. The library has escaped its walls, the classroom has outgrown its boundaries, and the world has squeezed itself into a little glowing screen. Everything is available. Almost nothing is out of reach. Yet, in this strange age of information, the more we know where to look, the less we seem to know what to look for. We live in a world that glows but rarely enlightens. The morning begins with a screen, the afternoon disappears into a scroll, and the night ends with a notification that promises to be the last. It seldom is. One message leads to another, one video to a hundred, and one idle glance steals an hour without so much as an apology. Our fingers are busy, our minds are crowded, and our attention has become the most overworked and underpaid servant of the digital age. We have mastered the art of finding information. But have we mastered the art of understanding it? A book asks for something our screens rarely demand: patience. It does not chase us with alerts or interrupt a difficult paragraph with the temptation of something easier. It waits. Page after page, it draws us into a world where thoughts are allowed to breathe, and ideas are given the time to settle. A screen delivers content; a book builds companionship. One offers an endless parade of information, the other invites us to sit down and think. This is not merely the nostalgia of those who grew up turning pages and now regard every charging cable with suspicion. Research, too, has begun to lend weight to the virtues of print. A 2026 network meta-analysis published in Education and Information Technologies found that reading comprehension was generally better on paper than on computers and smartphones. Another study, published in the Journal of Research in Reading , examined 120 students in Grades 46 in Germany and found that those reading informational texts in print achieved better comprehension than those reading on screens, even after accounting for vocabulary and word recognition. Of course, it would be unfair to put technology in the dock and books in the witness box as though one must be guilty for the other to be innocent. The digital world has done wonders. Libraries that once required journeys can now be carried in a pocket. A student in a remote village can reach resources that were once the privilege of a fortunate few. An e-book can travel without a suitcase, and a digital library can open doors that geography had kept shut for generations. To reject technology altogether would be like refusing electricity because one prefers the romance of a candle. Progress is not the enemy. Our blind obedience to it might be. The trouble begins when convenience becomes our favourite excuse, when scrolling masquerades as reading, and when the collection of facts is mistaken for the possession of wisdom. We have phones capable of storing thousands of books, yet storage is not scholarship. We have search engines capable of producing millions of results, yet abundance is not understanding. We can find an answer in seconds, but the patience to question that answer may take a lifetime. There is another danger, quieter but perhaps more serious. A generation raised on headlines may gradually lose its appetite for the whole story. We want history without context, literature without reflection and arguments without the inconvenience of listening to the other side. Everything must be quick, brief and instantly gratifying. Even thought seems expected to fit inside a fifteen-second video. Small habits have a curious way of producing large consequences. A few pages every day can build the concentration that a thousand hurried clicks cannot. A quiet reading hour can teach a child what an endless stream of videos often fails to: that not everything valuable arrives instantly, and not everything worthwhile is designed to hold our attention by force. Perhaps the real contest, then, is not between the book and the screen. It is between depth and distraction, between the patience to understand and the temptation to move on. The screen is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. The book, on the other hand, has never needed to shout to make itself heard. Screens may illuminate our faces. Books illuminate our minds. The future will undoubtedly belong to those who can use the speed of technology without becoming prisoners of its impatience. Let the devices remain in our hands, by all means. Let the world remain at our fingertips. But let us not become so fascinated by the ease of reaching everything that we forget the value of understanding something. For when the notifications fall silent, when the last video has played, and the digital world has moved on to its next distraction, a good book will still be waiting. It will not buzz. It will not blink. It will not beg for our attention. It will simply open its pagesand wait for us to return to ourselves. (Author is a freelance columnist and writes on various issues. He can be reached at: fidahumairawrite@gmail.com )

Modification in pavement goes unnoticed in Nanganallur

Readers Write: B. Ramachandran notes that on a section of Sixth Main Road, from a confectionery to Independence Day Park in Nanganallur, the pavement has been fitted with ramps to facilitate easy parking and vehicle movement.

Road Safety Measures: Saving Lives Beyond Slogans

Road safety in Kashmir can no longer be treated as a seasonal concern, a police advisory or a subject that returns to public discussion only after a fatal accident. Every day, roads across the Valley carry schoolchildren, workers, patients, tourists, pedestrians, cyclists, two-wheeler riders and commercial vehicles. For many, a journey that should take a few minutes becomes a test of patience, discipline and survival. The growing number of road accidents is not merely a traffic problem. It is a public safety crisis that exposes failures in planning, enforcement, infrastructure and civic responsibility. The response to road accidents has often followed a predictable pattern. After a tragedy, officials visit the spot, statements are issued, condolences are expressed and instructions are circulated. Temporary barricades may appear. A few drives against overspeeding or drunk driving may be conducted. But once public attention moves elsewhere, the old practices return. Roads remain poorly marked, dangerous bends remain unprotected, illegal parking resumes and traffic rules continue to be treated as optional. This cycle must end. Road safety cannot depend on public outrage after lives are lost. It requires a permanent system that anticipates danger and prevents accidents before they occur. The first requirement is better road design. Several roads in Kashmir have developed into busy corridors without corresponding improvements in width, drainage, lighting, pedestrian space or traffic management. Urban expansion has pushed homes, shops, schools and markets closer to highways and busy link roads. In many places, pedestrians are forced to walk along the carriageway because footpaths are either absent or occupied. This is especially dangerous for children, elderly people and persons with disabilities. A road is not safe simply because it has been blacktopped. Its safety depends on visibility, lane discipline, shoulder space, signage, lighting and the protection it offers to vulnerable users. Blind curves require reflectors and warning signs. School zones need speed-calming measures, marked crossings and trained crossing personnel. Busy markets require designated parking and loading areas. Roads passing through settlements must be designed for people, not only for vehicles. The condition of many roads during bad weather adds another layer of risk. Potholes, loose gravel, waterlogging and damaged shoulders force drivers to make sudden manoeuvres. In mountainous areas, weak retaining walls, falling stones and unprotected edges can turn ordinary travel into a dangerous undertaking. Road agencies must conduct regular safety audits rather than waiting for complaints or accidents. Every major route should be inspected not only for engineering quality but also for the behaviour it encourages. Enforcement is equally important. Traffic rules lose their meaning when violations are visible and punishment is uncertain. Overspeeding, driving on the wrong side, dangerous overtaking, using mobile phones while driving, carrying passengers in unsafe conditions and riding without helmets continue to endanger lives. In some cases, drivers treat the presence of traffic personnel as the only reason to obey rules. This reflects a deeper failure: enforcement has not become consistent enough to shape public behaviour. The aim of enforcement should not be to collect fines. It should be to prevent dangerous conduct. Fines must be proportionate and unavoidable. Repeat offenders should face stronger penalties, including suspension of licences where necessary. Commercial drivers who repeatedly violate rules should not be allowed to continue operating without review. At the same time, enforcement must remain transparent and free from selective application. If rules are enforced only against ordinary citizens while influential violators escape scrutiny, public trust will weaken further. Driving licences also need to be treated as a responsibility, not an entitlement. A licence should be issued only after a meaningful assessment of driving skills, knowledge of traffic rules and awareness of road conditions particular to the region. The process must not become a formality. A person who cannot understand basic road signs, manage a vehicle safely or demonstrate responsible driving should not be placed behind the wheel merely because they have completed paperwork. The issue of underage driving deserves special attention. Children on motorcycles and cars are a common sight in many parts of Kashmir. Parents who permit this are not showing trust; they are exposing their children and others to grave danger. Schools, local authorities and families must work together to discourage the practice. A childs convenience can never justify a risk that may have irreversible consequences. Two-wheeler safety also needs a stronger public campaign. Helmets are not decorative accessories, and wearing one only to avoid a fine defeats the purpose of the rule. Riders and pillion passengers must understand that a helmet protects against the most serious consequences of a crash. Similarly, seat belts must be used by all occupants wherever available. The culture of short-distance exceptions has cost many lives because accidents do not recognise distance. Public transport must be brought into the centre of the road safety debate. Overloaded buses, unregulated stops and competition among drivers for passengers create unsafe conditions. When public transport vehicles are poorly maintained or driven recklessly, the risk is multiplied because one careless decision can affect dozens of people. Fitness checks, route discipline, driver rest requirements and regular inspection of commercial vehicles should be enforced without compromise. Driver fatigue is often ignored. Long working hours, insufficient rest and pressure to complete multiple trips can impair judgement as seriously as alcohol. Commercial transport regulations must therefore address working conditions, not only vehicle documents. A tired driver is a road hazard, and forcing drivers to work beyond safe limits is an institutional failure. Technology can strengthen road safety, but it cannot replace governance. Speed cameras, traffic surveillance, digital challans, emergency response systems and accident mapping can help identify dangerous behaviour and locations. Data should be used to determine where accidents are recurring, what times are most dangerous and which violations are most common. Road safety planning must be based on evidence rather than assumptions. Emergency response is another neglected area. The minutes immediately after a crash often determine whether an injured person survives or suffers permanent disability. Ambulances must be available near vulnerable routes, and emergency numbers must function reliably. Police personnel, highway workers and local volunteers should receive basic training in first aid and safe rescue practices. Hospitals along major routes should be linked to a coordinated trauma-response network. Yet infrastructure and enforcement alone will not solve the problem. Road safety is also a matter of social conduct. Drivers must learn to see pedestrians not as obstacles but as fellow citizens. People must stop parking at turns, blocking crossings or driving against traffic to save a few minutes. Shopkeepers and residents must recognise that encroaching on road space increases danger for everyone. Civic discipline is not an abstract virtue; on a road, it is a condition for survival. Educational institutions can play a major role in shaping this discipline. Road safety should be taught through practical awareness rather than occasional lectures. Children can learn how to cross roads safely, why helmets and seat belts matter and how to respond responsibly when adults violate rules. They can also influence family behaviour. A child who insists on wearing a seat belt or refuses to ride with an intoxicated driver may help prevent a tragedy. Religious leaders, community organisations, transport unions and civil society groups should also be involved. Messages about safe driving must reach people in familiar spaces and languages. Campaigns should focus on real consequences without becoming moralistic or repetitive. A photograph of a damaged vehicle may attract attention for a day; sustained local engagement is more likely to change behaviour. Accountability must remain at the heart of the road safety agenda. When a dangerous road remains unrepaired despite repeated complaints, responsibility must be fixed. When a school zone lacks a crossing or a known accident spot has no warning signs, the failure cannot be dismissed as unfortunate. When an unfit vehicle continues to operate, the question must extend beyond the driver to the officials and systems that allowed it. The government should publish a district-wise road safety action plan with clear responsibilities, timelines and measurable targets. Accident-prone locations should be identified publicly. Progress on black-spot treatment, signage, lighting, enforcement and emergency response should be reviewed at regular intervals. Citizens should have a simple mechanism to report hazards and track whether action has been taken. A safer road culture will not emerge from one campaign or one department. It requires coordination among the traffic police, road agencies, transport authorities, municipal bodies, schools, hospitals, elected representatives and the public. Each institution has a role, and each must be judged by outcomes rather than announcements. Every road accident is not preventable. But many deaths caused by overspeeding, reckless overtaking, poor visibility, unsafe design, weak enforcement and delayed medical help are preventable. Calling them unavoidable only protects the failures that produced them. Kashmirs roads must become spaces of movement, not corridors of fear. The measure of development is not only how quickly a road is built or how many vehicles it carries. It is whether people can travel on it safely and return home. Road safety measures must therefore move from paper to practice, from reaction to prevention and from scattered action to sustained public policy. Every journey deserves that commitment. (The author is a columnist and holds PhD in public administration)

Capitalism and the Cost of Progress

Capitalism has become the organising principle of much of the modern world. It shapes what is produced, how labour is valued, where investment flows and which ambitions are celebrated. Its defenders point to innovation, enterprise, competition and rising prosperity. Its critics point to widening inequality, insecure work, environmental destruction and the growing influence of wealth over public life. Both sides recognise a basic truth: capitalism has enormous productive power, but without social responsibility and democratic regulation, that power can serve a few while leaving many behind. The debate, therefore, should not be reduced to a choice between capitalism and no capitalism. The more important question is what kind of capitalism society is willing to accept. An economy must create wealth, but it must also decide how that wealth is distributed, whose labour produces it, who bears the risks and whether growth improves the lives of ordinary people. Economic success that leaves citizens insecure, indebted and excluded cannot be called complete progress. Capitalisms greatest strength lies in its ability to encourage initiative. Entrepreneurs invest money, take risks, develop new products and create employment. Competition can improve efficiency and bring better goods and services to consumers. Technological progress, medical advances, communication networks and modern industries have often expanded because people and institutions had incentives to experiment and innovate. But the same system can produce deep disparities when profit becomes its only measure. Wealth accumulates faster in the hands of those who already own property, capital and technology. Those who depend mainly on wages struggle to keep pace with rising costs. A society may become richer in aggregate while large sections of its population remain unable to afford decent housing, healthcare, education or secure retirement. This contradiction is visible across the world. National economies grow, stock markets rise and corporate profits expand, but workers may face temporary contracts, stagnant wages and uncertain futures. The language of opportunity often hides the reality that people do not begin from the same position. A child born into wealth has access to better schools, networks, nutrition and safety. Another child may possess equal ability but remain trapped by poverty. In such circumstances, competition does not begin on a level playing field. The celebration of individual success also tends to conceal the social foundations that make success possible. No entrepreneur builds alone. Roads, universities, public health systems, legal institutions, electricity networks and skilled workers all contribute to private enterprise. Businesses benefit from public investment, yet the gains are often privatised while the costs are shared by society. When a company succeeds, its owners claim the reward; when a community suffers pollution, displacement or unemployment, the public is expected to absorb the damage. Labour remains at the heart of every economy, but workers are frequently treated as costs to be reduced rather than people whose dignity must be protected. The growth of informal work, gig platforms and contract employment has created income opportunities, but it has also weakened job security. Many workers have no paid leave, health insurance, pension or protection against sudden dismissal. They are praised for flexibility while carrying the entire burden of economic uncertainty. A delivery worker may be called an independent partner even when an algorithm determines their schedule, route and performance rating. A contract employee may perform the same duties as a permanent worker without enjoying the same benefits. A young graduate may accept unpaid or poorly paid work because competition is intense and opportunities are scarce. Such arrangements may lower costs for firms, but they transfer risk from corporations to individuals. The language of merit often makes this inequality harder to challenge. Success is presented as proof of talent, while failure is treated as personal weakness. This ignores the role of inheritance, social connections, geography, health, gender and access to education. A humane society must value effort without pretending that effort alone determines outcomes. People can work hard and still remain poor when wages are low, prices are high and essential services are commercialised. The commodification of basic needs is one of capitalisms most serious consequences. Housing, healthcare, education and even clean water are increasingly treated as markets. Those with money receive quality and choice, while those without it are forced to accept inadequate alternatives. A home becomes an investment before it is a shelter. Medical treatment becomes a financial calculation. Education becomes a competition for access rather than a public right. Housing pressures illustrate the problem clearly. When land is treated chiefly as an asset, homes become unaffordable for ordinary families. Investors may profit from rising property prices, but young people delay marriage, families move into overcrowded spaces and workers travel long distances to find affordable accommodation. A city can appear prosperous while its residents struggle to remain in it. In developing regions, including Kashmir, the consequences of market-driven development are particularly complex. There is a need for investment, industry, employment and better infrastructure. At the same time, unchecked commercialisation can weaken agriculture, damage the environment and widen the gap between those who own land and those who depend on wages. Traditional livelihoods are disrupted without adequate alternatives. Local resources generate wealth, but communities often receive only a small share of the value. The growth of consumer culture has added another dimension. People are constantly encouraged to measure happiness through acquisition. Advertising turns insecurity into demand, persuading individuals that they need newer phones, larger homes, expensive brands and endless upgrades. Consumption may stimulate production, but when identity becomes tied to purchasing power, social life becomes more unequal and psychological pressure increases. Families compare lifestyles, young people face debt and basic dignity is confused with visible wealth. Capitalism also depends on continuous expansion, but nature has limits. Companies are encouraged to extract resources, increase production and expand markets. The resulting profits may be private, while environmental costs are widely distributed. Forests are cleared, rivers polluted, farmland consumed and the climate destabilised. Economic growth that destroys the ecological foundations of life is not sustainable prosperity. It is the postponement of crisis. The climate emergency has exposed the weakness of a system that often discounts long-term damage. A factory may calculate the cost of fuel and labour but ignore the health effects of pollution. A developer may profit from construction while communities bear the cost of flooding and water scarcity. A consumer may enjoy cheap goods without seeing the environmental and human exploitation embedded in their production. Regulation is necessary because markets do not automatically protect interests that have no purchasing power. The financial sector has also grown increasingly powerful. Money moves rapidly across borders in search of higher returns, often with little connection to local needs. Speculative investment can raise asset prices without creating productive employment. When financial institutions take excessive risks, ordinary citizens may suffer through inflation, unemployment or public spending cuts. The rescue of powerful institutions is often justified as necessary to protect the economy, while struggling households receive limited support. This double standard damages democracy. If people believe that rules apply strictly to the poor but flexibly to the wealthy, faith in institutions declines. Economic power can influence political decisions, public policy and media narratives. Campaign financing, lobbying and corporate concentration may allow private interests to shape laws that affect millions. Democracy becomes weaker when citizens have the vote but major decisions are effectively controlled by wealth. The answer is not to reject enterprise or private ownership. It is to establish a social compact that places economic activity within clear ethical and democratic limits. Markets can play an important role, but they cannot decide everything. Public institutions must guarantee essential services, protect labour rights, prevent monopolies and ensure that businesses pay the true social and environmental costs of their operations. Progressive taxation is one instrument for reducing extreme inequality. Those who benefit most from the economy should contribute more towards education, healthcare, public transport, housing and social protection. Tax policy must also prevent wealth from escaping through loopholes and opaque financial arrangements. A fair tax system is not punishment for success; it is the price of maintaining the infrastructure and stability from which success benefits. Strong labour protections are equally essential. Minimum wages must reflect the cost of living. Workers need the right to organise, safe workplaces, paid leave and protection against discrimination. New forms of employment should not become a way to avoid responsibility. Technology may change how work is performed, but it should not erase the basic rights of those who perform it. Small businesses and local producers also require support. An economy dominated by a few large corporations is vulnerable to monopolies and less responsive to community needs. Local enterprises create employment, preserve skills and keep wealth within communities. Access to affordable credit, training, digital tools and markets can help them compete without surrendering their independence. Economic policy must also recognise unpaid labour, much of which is performed by women. Household care, child-rearing and support for the elderly are essential to the functioning of the economy, yet they rarely appear in national accounts. A system that benefits from unpaid work while denying it value reinforces gender inequality. Public childcare, parental leave and social support can make both families and labour markets fairer. Education should prepare citizens not only for employment but also for participation in public life. A society cannot be governed responsibly if people are taught to compete without learning to cooperate. Students should understand economics, labour rights, environmental responsibility and the relationship between public policy and private wealth. Economic literacy can help citizens question promises that reduce every problem to personal effort or market choice. A humane capitalism must be judged by the lives of those at the bottom, not merely by the fortunes of those at the top. It should be possible for a person to work hard without living in fear of illness, eviction or hunger. It should be possible for children to receive quality education regardless of their parents income. It should be possible for the elderly to live with dignity and for workers to retire without anxiety. The challenge is not to prevent people from becoming prosperous. It is to ensure that prosperity does not depend on the exploitation of others or the destruction of nature. Wealth creation and social justice can coexist, but only when institutions are strong enough to distribute opportunity and restrain abuse. Capitalism will continue to shape the world, but its future legitimacy will depend on whether it can respond to the inequality and insecurity it has helped produce. Economic freedom cannot mean freedom for powerful actors to impose costs on everyone else. Competition cannot be fair when some begin with inherited wealth and others begin with debt. Growth cannot be celebrated when it leaves behind broken communities and a damaged planet. The real measure of an economy is not the size of its profits but the quality of life it makes possible. A system that rewards enterprise while protecting dignity, supports innovation while preserving nature and creates wealth while sharing opportunity can serve society. A system that places profit above people will eventually face not only economic resistance but also a crisis of moral legitimacy. Capitalism does not have to be abandoned, but it must be answerable. It must serve the public, not rule over it. ( The author is a research scholar and teacher by profession)

Vanishing Farmlands: Kashmirs Agricultural Crisis

The disappearance of farmland in Kashmir is taking place quietly, almost routinely. A field is sold, divided, levelled and gradually covered with concrete. A new house rises where crops once grew. A commercial structure appears beside an orchard. A road cuts through agricultural land, and the loss is described as development. By the time the consequences become visible, another productive patch has already vanished. This is not merely a change in land use. It is a transformation of Kashmirs social, economic and ecological character. Farmlands are not empty spaces waiting for construction. They are sources of food, employment and rural stability. They absorb rainwater, support biodiversity, moderate local temperatures and preserve the open landscape that has long defined the Valley. When they disappear, society loses much more than a harvest. Kashmirs population is growing, and the need for housing, roads, schools, hospitals and commercial spaces is real. No serious policy can deny the importance of development. But development that consumes fertile land without planning is not progress. It is the transfer of todays convenience to tomorrows crisis. The most visible pressure comes from unplanned urban expansion. Towns are spreading into surrounding villages, often without a clear distinction between residential, commercial and agricultural zones. The areas closest to roads and urban centres are particularly vulnerable because landowners can obtain higher prices by selling plots than by cultivating them. Once one parcel is converted, neighbouring fields face similar pressure. Agriculture becomes fragmented, expensive and increasingly difficult to sustain. For many families, selling farmland is not an easy or careless decision. Farming incomes are uncertain. Input costs have risen, labour is difficult to find, and markets do not always reward the effort invested in cultivation. A farmer may receive an attractive offer for land within weeks, while the income from crops may take months and remain vulnerable to weather, disease and price fluctuations. Without a dependable agricultural support system, selling land can appear to be the only practical choice. This is where policy must look beyond the individual transaction. A landowner may have a right to seek financial security, but society has a collective interest in preserving productive farmland. Once converted, agricultural land is rarely restored. The decision may benefit one household in the short term while weakening the food system and rural economy for everyone. The problem is particularly serious in the case of orchards. Fruit cultivation is not only an agricultural activity; it is a long-term investment involving trees, water, soil and generations of knowledge. When orchards are replaced by buildings, the loss cannot be measured merely by counting the trees cut down. It includes reduced production, lost employment, diminished biodiversity and the weakening of a sector that sustains thousands of families. Kashmirs farm economy already faces multiple pressures. Climate variability has affected flowering, fruit development and crop cycles. Unseasonal rain, hailstorms, drought-like conditions and changing temperatures create uncertainty for farmers. Water availability is becoming a concern in several areas. At the same time, many young people are moving away from agriculture because they see little dignity or financial security in it. The conversion of farmland adds another burden to a sector that is already under stress. When farmland disappears, food security becomes more dependent on supplies from outside. Transport disruptions, extreme weather, market fluctuations or emergencies can expose the weakness of such dependence. A region that once produced a significant share of its food begins to rely increasingly on distant markets. Consumers then face higher prices, while farmers lose the opportunity to produce for local demand. The contradiction is stark: fertile land is lost even as food costs rise. The ecological cost is equally important. Open fields and orchards allow rainwater to seep into the ground. Concrete surfaces accelerate runoff, increase waterlogging and place additional pressure on drainage systems. In areas already vulnerable to flooding, the conversion of natural absorption zones can worsen the impact of heavy rainfall. The removal of trees and vegetation also contributes to heat, dust and poorer air quality. Unplanned construction changes the character of villages. Traditional settlement patterns, irrigation channels and common paths are disrupted. Buildings come up without adequate drainage, parking or waste-management arrangements. Agricultural roads are narrowed or blocked. Water sources are polluted by sewage and construction debris. A village loses the functions that made it liveable and becomes an overcrowded extension of the town. The absence of effective land-use planning has allowed this process to continue. Regulations may exist, but weak enforcement, unclear records and fragmented authority create space for violations. Different departments often deal with roads, housing, agriculture, environment and revenue matters separately, without a shared vision for the landscape. A permission granted in one context can undermine the purpose of another policy. There must be a clear and publicly available land-use map for the Valley. Agricultural land, orchards, wetlands, forests, water bodies, grazing areas and settlement zones should be identified and protected through enforceable plans. Such mapping should not remain a technical exercise confined to offices. Local communities, farmers, panchayats and urban planners must participate in deciding how land is used. Protection, however, cannot mean imposing restrictions on farmers while offering them no support. Farmers must receive better returns, access to modern technology, reliable irrigation, storage facilities, crop insurance, affordable credit and stronger market links. If agriculture remains financially unattractive, legal restrictions alone will not prevent land conversion. A farmer who cannot earn a stable livelihood from the land will continue to face pressure to sell it. The agricultural economy also needs diversification and value addition. Cold storage, grading, packaging and processing can reduce post-harvest losses and improve returns. Local products should be connected to larger markets without allowing intermediaries to capture most of the value. Young people can be encouraged to enter agriculture through support for nurseries, greenhouse cultivation, beekeeping, food processing and farm-based enterprises. The government must also examine the role of speculative real estate. Land prices rise rapidly when agricultural parcels are treated as future construction sites. This encourages distress sales and makes farming increasingly unaffordable for those who wish to continue. Transparent registration, strict scrutiny of land conversion and penalties for illegal construction are necessary to limit speculation. Development permissions should be based on a broader assessment of infrastructure and ecological impact, not merely ownership documents. Urban growth should be directed towards existing settlements and low-value land wherever possible. Vacant plots, underused buildings and degraded areas should be prioritised for construction before fertile fields. Town planning must encourage compact, serviced growth rather than uncontrolled outward expansion. Every new residential colony should have adequate roads, drainage, water supply, waste management, public transport and open space. Without such planning, development simply creates new civic problems while consuming productive land. The preservation of farmland is also connected to cultural memory. Fields and orchards are woven into Kashmirs seasons, festivals, food habits and village relationships. They provide more than income. They sustain knowledge about seeds, soil, water and weather. When agricultural landscapes disappear, younger generations lose contact with the work that produces their food. A society that knows only the market price of food but not the labour behind it becomes more vulnerable to indifference. There is also an important question of social justice. The benefits of construction often go to a limited number of landowners, builders and investors, while the costs are spread across the wider public. Everyone bears the consequences of traffic congestion, flooding, higher food prices, reduced green space and environmental degradation. Public policy must therefore prevent private gain from creating collective loss. Local bodies should be empowered to monitor land-use changes and report violations promptly. Community participation can make enforcement more effective because residents know where new construction is taking place and which fields are under threat. But local institutions must also have technical support and protection from political pressure. A rule that cannot be enforced against influential violators is not a rule; it is an invitation to selective compliance. The language used around farmland also needs to change. A field is often described as vacant land when it is temporarily uncultivated. This is misleading. Agricultural land may be left fallow for a season, awaiting planting, recovering its fertility or remaining part of an orchard cycle. Treating it as unused makes conversion easier to justify. Land must be valued for its ecological and productive function, not only for its current appearance. Public awareness can support policy, but awareness campaigns should not become a substitute for action. Citizens should understand that buying a house on converted farmland may appear beneficial at the individual level while contributing to a larger crisis. Builders and buyers must be held accountable for violating zoning rules. Authorities must publish information about approved land-use plans so that people are not misled into purchasing illegal plots. The preservation of farmland does not require freezing Kashmir in time. Villages need better homes, modern facilities and improved connectivity. Farmers need access to markets, technology and education. Young people need opportunities beyond subsistence cultivation. The challenge is to provide these while protecting the land that sustains the region. Conservation and development are not enemies when planning is intelligent, and the public interest is placed above short-term profit. Kashmirs agricultural landscape is being lost parcel by parcel, often without a public debate. The damage becomes visible only after fields have been divided, trees removed, and drainage systems overwhelmed. By then, the possibility of reversal is small. The Valley must decide what kind of development it wants. If every open field is treated as a construction opportunity, Kashmir will eventually face the consequences in the form of food insecurity, environmental stress, traffic congestion and weakened rural livelihoods. If farmland is treated as a protected public asset, development can proceed in a manner that respects both people and place. The disappearance of a field may not make headlines. But each lost field is part of a larger storythe erosion of food security, ecological balance and rural dignity. Saving Kashmirs farmlands is therefore not a sentimental demand. It is an economic necessity, an environmental obligation and a responsibility to the generations that will inherit the Valley after the last fields have been built over. (The Author is a lecturer in HED and a columnist)

Budgam water tank collapse disrupts supply

Budgam, Oct, 24: An Overhead Water Tank (OHT) collapsed in Mazhuma village of central Kashmirs Budgam district two days ago, disrupting drinking water supplies to several nearby villages and leaving residents without water for the past 48 hours. The collapse has disrupted daily life, forcing residents to fetch water from neighbouring areas to meet their basic household needs. Locals have urged the authorities to restore the water supply at the earliest and investigate the cause of the incident. Nazir Ahmad Malla, a resident of Mazhuma village, told Rising Kashmir that the water tank collapsed during the late evening hours, creating panic among people living in the vicinity. When the tank collapsed, we felt as if an earthquake had struck our house. People rushed to the spot and began helping those living in tents close to the site, Malla said. He said the overhead water tank was constructed by the government in 2006 to provide drinking water to several villages in Narbal tehsil. However, the structure collapsed after nearly two decades, raising concerns among locals about its structural integrity and maintenance. He added that all villages dependent on the tank for drinking water had been without supply for the past two days. We do not have even a single drop of water in our homes. People are facing considerable difficulties and are being forced to fetch water from other areas to cook food and meet their daily needs. We appeal to the authorities to restore the supply as soon as possible, Malla said. Assistant Engineer of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Sub-Division Beerwah said repair and restoration work had been initiated to resume the drinking water supply. We have started the work and are hopeful that the water supply will be restored within two days. However, the pressure may remain lower than it was before the collapse of the overhead tank, the Assistant Engineer said. He advised residents who continue to face low water pressure to temporarily collect water from neighbouring households until the situation is resolved. The Assistant Engineer confirmed that no casualties had been reported in the incident, although the fencing of a nearby house was damaged. He estimated that government property worth nearly Rs 2 crore had been damaged in the collapse. The department, he said, would also prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the construction of a new overhead water tank, which is expected to cost around Rs 3 crore.

Starshield | The non-state sovereigns

Elon Musk limited Ukraines access to the military-grade network of Starlink after Trum pcriticised Kyivs strikes on Russias energy infrastructure

Dual power bills burden seasonal families in Sonmarg

Ganderbal, Oct 24: Residents of Shutkadi village in Sonamarg have appealed to the Power Development Department (PDD) to review electricity billing arrangements for seasonal migrant families, saying it has become difficult for them to pay electricity bills for two houses when they live in each location for only six months a year. The residents said many families spend part of the year in Gagangir, Kullan, Gohipora, Rezan and Gund before migrating to Shutkadi for the remaining months. During their stay in Shutkadi, their houses in these areas often remain locked, yet they continue to receive electricity bills for both locations. Local resident Abdul Ahad said it was becoming difficult to bear the additional financial burden of paying electricity bills for a house that remains unoccupied. My house in Gagangir remains locked when I move to Shutkadi, but I still have to pay the electricity bill there. At the same time, I have to pay the bill for the house where I live in Shutkadi. It is difficult for an ordinary person to manage expenses at two places, he said. Another resident Riyaz Ahmad also expressed concern over the issue, saying seasonal migrant families should receive appropriate relief when they use their houses at different times of the year. We cannot afford to pay electricity bills for two houses when we live in one place for six months and in another place for the remaining six months, he said. An elderly resident, Zuna Begum appealed to the department to consider the difficulties faced by economically weaker families. We are poor people. How can we afford to pay electricity bills for two houses? We come to Shutkadi for a few months and pay the electricity bill here as well. Our difficulties should be understood, she said. Responding to the concerns AEE Kangan Farooq Ahmad Raina said that residents who own properties in two locations have separate electricity agreements and are required to clear their outstanding dues. If they have a house in Shutkadi, there is an electricity agreement for that property. Similarly, if they have a house in Sonamarg, there is a separate agreement for that as well, Raina said. He clarified that electricity connections in Shutkadi Village had been disconnected in certain cases due to pending arrears and appealed to consumers to clear their dues. He added that residents facing difficulties in paying large outstanding amounts could approach the department for payment in installments. Addressing the concerns of seasonal residents, Raina suggested that consumers install digital electricity meters in their houses in Gagangir and other areas where smart-meter installation under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) has not yet started. Bring a digital meter and get it installed in your house. We will provide technicians to assist with the installation. Once the meter is installed, the electricity charges can be reduced during the period when the house remains unused, with only the applicable demand charges being levied, he said. The residents have urged the department to examine their grievances and consider a practical billing arrangement for families that migrate seasonally and use their two houses at different times of the year.

Experts stress AI skills amid technological shift

Srinagar, Oct 24: Experts at the University of Kashmir have stressed the need for people to upgrade their skills and adapt to emerging technologies as Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes education, employment, creativity and communication. The observations were made during a two-day National Seminar-cum-Workshop titled Artificial Intelligence, Creativity and Content Generation: Opportunities and Challenges of a New Tomorrow, organised jointly by the Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC), New Delhi, and the Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC), University of Kashmir, on October 21 and 22. The deliberations focused on the growing role of AI, the need for responsible adoption of the technology, and the importance of critical thinking, effective communication and continuous skill development. Director EMRC, Prof Syeda Afshana, said AI imitates human intelligence and emphasised that its future should not be shaped by technologists alone. Educators, researchers and scholars also have an important role in determining how the technology develops and is used, she said. Registrar, University of Kashmir, Prof Naseer Iqbal, observed that challenges posed by AI could also create new opportunities, adding that the education system was responding to the emerging technological landscape. Delivering the keynote address, Director CEC, New Delhi, Prof Parikshat Singh Manhas, said AI should not be viewed merely as a threat to employment, but also as a technology capable of generating new opportunities. He stressed that people who learn to use AI effectively would be better positioned in the future job market. Effective prompting, clear thinking and strong communication skills, he said, would be essential to improving productivity and completing tasks with fewer resources. Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Prof Nilofer Khan, said AI had significance for humanity as a whole and could simplify complex educational concepts and help address everyday challenges. On the first day, Director EMRC, University of Calicut, Dr Damodar Prasad, described AI as a paradigm shift with significant implications for learning and professional development. Dr Asif Assad of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) introduced participants to locally developed AI tools and chatbots, including PashmNet and RiceNet, highlighting their potential to address local needs. Prof Umesh Arya of Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Haryana, said AI differed from earlier technologies because of its ability to perform tasks associated with human thinking. He noted that its impact on employment could vary across countries depending on workforce skills. On the second day, Dr Archana Kumari of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) discussed concerns about AI replacing human workers and cautioned against growing dependence on algorithms at the expense of human judgement. The legal implications of AI-generated content were discussed by Dr Mir Junaid Alam of the Department of Law, University of Kashmir, who highlighted complex questions concerning copyright, authorship and ownership. Dr Jatinder Jit Kour, Senior Producer at EMPC, IGNOU, stressed the judicious use of technology, noting that the quality of AI-generated responses depends significantly on the user's understanding and ability to frame prompts. Dr Bilal Ahmad Malik of the University of Kashmir discussed emerging regulatory concerns surrounding AI users and AI-generated products, underlining the need for appropriate legal frameworks. During the valedictory session, academicians, media professionals and researchers reflected on the implications of AI for education and creative practices. Shafqat Habib, Senior Producer, EMRC, University of Kashmir, spoke about AI's transformative impact on society, while Prof Tariq Ahmad Chisti, Dean, School of Open Learning, and Prof M Tariq Banday, Dean, School of Engineering, stressed the need for educational institutions to adapt to technological advancements. Delivering the valedictory address, Prof Sharief-ud-din Pirzada, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Kashmir, emphasised the importance of engaging with emerging technologies in higher education and equipping educators and learners to navigate an increasingly AI-enabled environment. The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates among participants and resource persons. The organisers reiterated their commitment to promoting capacity-building, innovation and technology-enabled learning.

Amid outcry, poll body orders re-poll at three polling stations under Agra Teachers MLC seat

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Andhra Pradesh braces for very severe cyclonic storm; landfall likely between Bapatla and Vizag on October 28

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RSS marks centenary with programme in Leh

Leh, Oct 24: A programme marking the completion of 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was organised in Leh on Saturday, focusing on character-building, social harmony, cultural heritage and the role of citizens in nation-building. Titled RSS @100: Vision and Mission Organising Society, Building Character, Serving Bharat, the programme brought together speakers to deliberate on Bharats civilisational heritage, national consciousness and the importance of collective responsibility. His Eminence Palga Rinpoche attended the programme as the chief guest, while Dr Manmohan Vaidya, National Executive Member of the RSS, delivered the keynote address. Padma Shri Dr Padma Gurmeet, Vibhag Sanghchalak, Ladakh Vibhag, delivered the introductory address. Dr Dawa Wangmo, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations at the University of Ladakh, moderated the programme. Addressing the gathering, Palga Rinpoche stressed the importance of understanding Bharats ancient civilisation, respecting cultural values and fostering a sense of national responsibility. He also highlighted the dedication and sacrifices of Indian Army personnel in safeguarding the country, particularly in challenging geographical and climatic conditions, and appreciated the RSSs contribution to social service and nation-building over the past century. In his keynote address, Vaidya elaborated on Panch Parivartan, or the Five Transformations, emphasising character-building, social harmony, collective responsibility and awareness of Bharats historical and civilisational legacy. He also spoke about the countrys historical economic strength, indigenous skills and the contributions of women to social, cultural and economic development. Stressing that national commitment should be reflected in everyday conduct, he called for translating values and ideals into meaningful action for society. The message Bharat ko maano, phir jaano underscored the importance of recognising the countrys civilisational significance and developing a deeper understanding of its history, cultural traditions and diversity. The address also stressed the need for citizens to actively contribute to the nations progress. The discussions highlighted the role of discipline, mutual respect, individual integrity and sustained community service in building a harmonious and self-reliant society. Participants also emphasised preserving cultural heritage, promoting indigenous knowledge, supporting education and encouraging community participation. The programme also highlighted the relevance of these themes to Ladakh, given its distinctive cultural heritage, geographical conditions and strategic importance, stressing social cooperation, intergenerational learning and responsible citizenship. The centenary programme concluded with a call for national unity, respect for the armed forces, cultural awareness and dedicated service, emphasising that nation-building requires sustained individual responsibility and collective effort.

Six held over alleged banned outfit links

Bandipora, Oct 24: Bandipora Police have arrested six persons in connection with an alleged clandestine module linked to the banned organisation Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen, which police claim was operating under the directions of a Pakistan-based handler. According to police, the investigation has revealed suspected links involving coordination from within prisons, covert meetings to propagate separatist ideology and financial transactions. A case, FIR No. 168/2026, has been registered at Police Station Bandipora under Sections 10 and 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, as amended. The arrested persons have been identified as Mubeena Bano, daughter of Gh Ahmad Dar, resident of Dachigam, Bandipora; Waheed Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohd Maqbool Bhat, resident of Bhat Mohallah, Kachloo Qazipora, Handwara; Kushboo Jan, daughter of Ab Rashid Sheikh, resident of Check Panzigam, Bandipora; Mehak Jan, daughter of Mohd Sultan Sheikh, resident of Check Panzigam; Aliya Jan, daughter of Ab Rashid Sheikh, resident of Check Panzigam; and Irfan Ahmed Reshi alias Rayees, son of Gh Nabi Reshi, resident of Ananwan, Handwara. Police said further investigation into the case was underway.

Dr. Farooq urges NC workers to stay loyal

Baramulla, Oct 24: National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday urged party workers to remain loyal to the organisation regardless of political circumstances, asserting that commitment to the party should be guided by honesty, principles and public service rather than the pursuit of power. Addressing a gathering in Baramulla, Abdullah said workers who had made sacrifices for the party must stand by it with sincerity, even when it was not in government. If you have really given your blood for this Jamaat, then walk with it with honesty. Do not walk with dishonesty, he said. Questioning the tendency of some workers to associate with a political party only while it holds power, the NC president asked whether their commitment would endure if the government changed. Today there is a government, and you are with us. If you want to remain with this Jamaat, will you remain only as long as this government is there? he asked. Abdullah said the real strength of the National Conference lay in the dedication and integrity of its workers, adding that political commitment should not be dictated by positions, personal gains or changing circumstances. He called upon party members to remain courageous and steadfast in their beliefs, urging them to prioritise the interests of the people over individual ambitions. Emphasising that his political concerns went beyond holding public office, Abdullah said his primary objective was to address the economic hardships faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I am not asking you to make me Chief Minister. I am not asking you to make me President. I am asking you to remove our poverty, he said.

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SRM Medical College holds national geriatric summit

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BJP says textbooks meet quality norms; AAP seeks lab testing

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Citizens and experts discuss ways to boost Chennais climate resilience

Participants discussed the importance of strengthening heat action planning, improving public awareness and using research and local data to identify vulnerable communities

Corporation RDCs inspect drain cleaning across Chennai

Delay in government order for free bus travel causes difficulty for men with disabilities

Woman killed in hit-and-run case on ECR in Neelankarai

Residents flag safety risk as silt removed from canals piles up along city roads

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Missing KRIDL engineer traced to Mumbai after 40 days

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BRS hits back at govt., terms as lies claims on energy, water for irrigation

Former energy minister Jagadish Reddy rejects Congress argument on YTPS location

Chennai Corporation readies drones, zonal control rooms ahead of heavy rain forecast

GCC is coordinating with other departments and monitoring reservoirs and waterbodies in the suburbs, including Poondi, Puzhal, Cholavaram, Kesavapuram and Thervoy Kandigai, in real time

Eight KLE tech varsity researchers feature in global top 2% list of scientists

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Health Department to create four Regional Director of Medical Education posts

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Dharavi man booked for filing 24 voter roll objections in a single day, exceeding ECI limit

BMC further alleged that the applications contained false and incorrect information, prompting authorities to initiate legal action

Fire breaks out at blanket shop in Srinagars Karan Nagar, F&ES on job

Srinagar, Oct 24 : A fire broke out at a blanket shop near in the Kaka Sarai area of Karan Nagar, Srinagar, late Saturday night, officials said. An official said that the fire broke out at a blanket factory near Medicare Hospital in Karan Nagar, Srinagar. He said Fire and Emergency Services personnel are on the job to douse the flames, while patients were evacuated from the nearby hospital as a precautionary measure. The official said that, as per preliminary information, no casualties or injuries had been reported and firefighting operations were underway when the report was filed.(KNO) Further Details Awaited.

T.N. awaits Centres response to letters regarding Chennais existing and proposed airports

The State governments letter in August asked the Centre to replace the AAI as the airports operator; in September, it sent a letter asking for a pre-feasibility study on two sites Gummidipoondi and Cheyyur shortlisted for Chennais second airport

Tiruvannamalai Corporation sets up 10 temporary shelters for families in Arunachala Hills

Sudden showers for the past few days have inundated key stretches in the town

Locals bid farewell to Durga idol at Chorbagan with a heavy heart

Emotional scenes unfolded when the Durga Puja idol was taken out of the pandal for immersion. People brought out a candlelight procession in memory of the deceased at the Durga Puja Pandal on October 17. 19 people had lost their lives in the stampede

Sumangala Steel commits 2.8 crore for scholarships for 70 engineering students

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Residents demand demolition of encroachments on pathway, hold protest

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Teachers death in Pinakota vehicle blast exposes lack of transport in Agency villages

Teachers allege that they face difficulties in reaching schools located in interior villages, where transport facilities are inadequate and road connectivity is poor

We only tried to make Thirumavalavan the Chief Minister, says Dhinakaran

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Centre backs A.P.s semiconductor push, approves rail links for nine ports

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Women entrepreneurs urged to focus on attractive, quality packaging at SARAS Mela

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In Assams Barekuri, gibbons swing through homes and hearts

Three weeks after release, Buxa tigress ventures towards Assam

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Buxa tigress on Assam border, nears Raimona

BJP seeks probe into death of mother, baby in Kashmirs Gurez, flags healthcare gaps

On October 14,a 30-year-old Haseena Begum and her unborn baby died due to a lack of maternity care in the Gurez valley

14-year-old killed in road accident at Kommadi in Visakhapatnam

Manipur forces take over Kuki-Zo militant camp, plan statewide audit

Imphal, Oct 24 (PTI): For the first time since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023, security forces have taken control of a camp meant to house Kuki-Zo militants under a nearly two-decade-old truce and plan to audit all 14 such camps across the state, top security officials said on Saturday. This rare takeover [] The post Manipur forces take over Kuki-Zo militant camp, plan statewide audit first appeared on Highland Post .

Udhayanidhi alleges free ration rice being polished and sold at 30 per kg across T.N.

He alleges that people have also been returning the rice in several places

Insurer liable to pay compensation even if driver crashes while trying to save stray dog: Delhi HC

Ex- Minister Ismail Marak joins BJP

Shillong, Oct 24: Former Meghalaya Minister Ismail R. Marak on Saturday joined the BJP in a bid to boost the partys base in Garo Hills. Marak was inducted in Tura in presence of BJP Meghalaya in-charge and MP Kanad Purkayastha, state co-in-charge Numal Momin and state president Rikman G. Momin. A veteran from Rongram, Marak [] The post Ex- Minister Ismail Marak joins BJP first appeared on Highland Post .

ASPF seeks regular BDO at Songsak

Shillong, Oct 24: The Achik State Peoples Front (ASPF) has extended support to the joint complaint filed by VEC Presidents and Secretaries of Songsak C&RD Block, East Garo Hills, over irregular functioning of the Block office. In a representation to the C&RD Commissioner & Secretary, ASPF General Secretary Bernita Marak stated that the present BDO, [] The post ASPF seeks regular BDO at Songsak first appeared on Highland Post .

NEC Secretary reviews Lakadong turmeric project in WJH

Shillong, Oct 24: NEC Secretary Satinder Kumar Bhalla on Thursday reviewed the progress of the Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Value Chain Enhancement Project in West Jaintia Hills. Bhalla inspected the proposed site for the Centralised Processing Unit and Curcumin Extraction Plant at Thadmuthlong C Phramer village, where officials said tendering will begin after finalisation of plans [] The post NEC Secretary reviews Lakadong turmeric project in WJH first appeared on Highland Post .

ICAR scientist visits Ri-Bhoi village to promote better farming practices

Shillong, Oct 24: A team from ICAR visited Umsarang village in Bhoirymbong Block, Ri-Bhoi as part of the Khet Bachao Abhiyan Rabi Campaign to promote better farming practices and soil health management. Altogether 20 farmers were sensitised on soil testing, nutrient management and liming to correct soil acidity. The team stressed on farm mechanisation for [] The post ICAR scientist visits Ri-Bhoi village to promote better farming practices first appeared on Highland Post .

Gandhi Shilp Bazaar showcases Northeast craft traditions

Shillong, Oct 24: The ten-day Gandhi Shilp Bazaar 2026 showcasing the rich handloom, handicraft and cultural heritage of Northeast began today at Mopin Solung Ground, Itanagar. Organised by the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd in association with the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, the bazaar will continue till [] The post Gandhi Shilp Bazaar showcases Northeast craft traditions first appeared on Highland Post .

1,469 students to graduate at USTM

Shillong, Oct 24: The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) will hold its 12th Convocation on October 31 A total of 1,469 students and scholars will receive degrees, including 42 PhDs, 584 postgraduates, 798 undergraduates and 45 diplomas. Supreme Court Judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan will be the chief guest and confer degrees, while Association [] The post 1,469 students to graduate at USTMs 12th Convocation first appeared on Highland Post .

Arsenal sink Everton to join Manchester City at Premier League summit

Ezri Konsa bundled the ball into the net in the opening minutes for his first goal for the club since joining from Aston Villa in August

Christian families in West Bengal get police protection after alleged attacks to renounce religion

An FIR was registered at the Chandrakona police station based on a complainant which accused 13 persons connected with the Bajrang Dal of attacking Christian families and pressured them to return to Hinduism

Central Sericultural Germplasm Resource Centre shares knowledge on non-mulberry sericulture with FCRI, Mettupalayam

Podanur Train Users Association submits key demands on stoppage of express trains

Invitation Cup weekend: Royal Legacy runs to glory in the Mysore Derby

Rieko trumps the favourite Stud Poker for a stunning win in the Sprinters Cup; Dyf lives up to the billing in the Stayers Cup

More than 400,000 protest across France, challenging Macron as Paris clashes erupt

Protests against school funding and living costs drew over 400,000 people across France on Saturday. The Paris march started peacefully but escalated into clashes with police using tear gas and water cannons. Arrests included those accused of preparing for violence, further increasing tensions surrounding President Emmanuel Macron's government. Protesters demand better educational conditions and higher wages as inflation rises.

Passenger association seeks memorial stupa at Podanur Railway Junction in remembrance of Wagon Tragedy

A distant Pacific phenomenon may be drying Indias north, says study

Semi-arid areas are expanding in north-west India as oceanic cycle Victoria Mode affects flow of moisture; this can dent food supply and cause displacement of people, say scientists from IMD and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology

Advocacy group questions Medanta MD Naresh Trehans inclusion in panel on pharma marketing practices

In a representation to the Department of Pharmaceuticals, the group urges the government to replace Medanta chairman with a member free of potential conflicts of interest.

AU Small Finance Bank Q2 profit jumps 53% to 858 crore

Total income rose to 6,382 crore in the quarter under review from 5,224 crore in the same period a year ago, AU Small Finance Bank said in a regulatory filing

Suspension of ADGP Ajithkumar extended by 120 days

Congress leader seeks action against Chief Secretaries of six States for skipping PAC hearing

Absence of officials despite being summoned amounts to breach of privilege, Congress leader and panel chair Venugopal tells Speaker seeking appropriate action

Police seize over 48 kg of ganja in two cases, arrest four

CM Omar attends prize distribution ceremony of Labaika Invitational Golf Cup 2026

Srinagar, Oct 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today attended the prize distribution ceremony of the Labaika Invitational Golf Cup 2026 at the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC), Srinagar. The day-long tournament witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 100 golfers, including professionals, women and junior golfers from Jammu and Kashmir. Besides professional golfers from other parts of the country also participated, bringing together golf enthusiasts in a celebration of sportsmanship and camaraderie amid Kashmirs scenic surroundings. The main aim of the day-long tournament focused on local golfers and emerging talent and provide emerging players with opportunities to showcase their abilities. The Chief Minister highlighted the growing interest among golf enthusiasts from j&K and other parts of North India in visiting Srinagar for weekend golfing, noting that such sporting events contribute to the local tourism economy. He also underscored the importance of encouraging local golfers and nurturing young talent, observing that initiatives of this kind can help popularise the sport and provide emerging players with opportunities to showcase their abilities. The championship was organised by Labaika Haj & Umrah Services. Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Gurwinder Singh Oberoi, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, Secretary Royal Springs Golf Course Haris Ahmed Handoo, Director Tourism Kashmir Syed Qamar Sajjad,, and golfers, among others, were present on the occasion.