West Asia LIVE: Trump vows 'tremendous' economic costs on Iran partners
Iran's armed forces warned Gulf countries against assisting the U.S. military on August 19, hours after the UAE announced it was severing economic ties with Tehran following new attacks on shipping
Tourist assaulted at Pune fort over girl's shorts; 8 members of right-wing group booked
The group also allegedly misbehaved with another couple and attempted to resort to moral policing, police said
Here is a select list of stories to start the day.
Keralam Opposition Leader refutes Chief Ministers charges of delaying Vizhinjam port work
Pinarayi rejects Satheesans claim that previous LDF government delayed road connectivity to the Vizhinjam International Seaport, calling the allegation 'baseless and ridiculous'
Maharashtra FDA suspends licences of two online food delivery facilities
The States Food and Drug Administration suspends licences of two Blinkit facilities in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Mumbai for serious food safety violations, including expired products and poor hygiene
Prince Harry, Meghan returning to U.K. with their children, says British newspaper
The decision comes more than six years after the couple gave up their royal duties and moved to California to pursue lucrative media contracts
Short: The Drying Tears of the Himalayas: Why Kashmirs Water Crisis is a Warning to the World
Short: Human-Wildlife Crisis Demands Urgent, Shared Response
Short: AgriStack enrolment surges past 20,000 in J&K
Short: Western Himalaya could warm by 7.18C, lose 95.9 kg/m snow by 2100
Short: At first light, CM takes pulse of Srinagars development
Short: J&K Transport Dept orders probe into JKRTC DEF tender
Short: LG suggests industry-linked vocational courses
Short: One District, One Export Hub needs large-scale promotion: LG
Short: PDP protests at Jablipora Fruit Mandi, seeks crop insurance
Short: Timely response averts major fire at TRC godown
Short: Parents fee complaints pile up as FFRC remains headless
Ecuador intel chief, five Americans killed in Kenya helicopter crash
Ecuadors Transport Minister Roberto Luque said the Latin American nations intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi, and his wife were among those killed
56 Special E-Buses For Women In Delhi: Check Routes, Services
The services, aimed largely at working women and college students travelling during peak hours, include 30 Ladies Special trips on 15 high-demand routes and 26 University Ladies Special, or U-Spl, trips on 13 routes.
U.S. national debt now stands at $40 trillion
The milestone figure was recorded just five months after the U.S. hit a record $39 trillion debt in March. It reached $38 trillion five months before that, in October
Chhote Lals quiet craft earns him the Dronacharya award
With Mary Kom, the coach had to extend an established champs career, while with Jaismine, he had to rebuild a young boxer after a difficult phase; he chose adaptation over a fixed template
Action against drivers without Marathi knowledge from August 20: Maharashtra Minister
The State Transport Department will send a notice to the drivers who refuse to learn the language or are seen violating the rules
JKRTC Diesel Exhaust Fluid tender under scanner
Srinagar, Aug 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department has ordered a detailed examination of the procurement process for Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) for the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporations (JKRTC) BS-VI fleet. Ithasdirected officials to produce the complete tender file and all related records before a committeein the wake ofa complaint alleging irregularities in the tendering process. In a fresh communication dated August 19, Director Finance, Transport Department, Romesh Singh, JKAS, directed the Financial Advisor and Chief Accounts Officer (CAO), JKRTC, Srinagar, to appear before his office on August 20alongwith all relevant records about the DEF procurement process recently concluded through the JK Tender Portal. The communication, issued with reference to JKRTC order no. 257-JKRTC of 2026 dated August 5, specifically seeks the complete tender and procurement file, including the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT), tender documents, technical and financial bids, bid evaluation and comparative statements, proceedings and minutes of the concerned committees, approvals of the competent authority, correspondence with participating bidders, and purchase or supply orders. The department has also sought the Procurement Manual, General Financial Rules (GFR), relevant government orders, circulars and instructions, besides theprovisions relied upon by JKRTCfor determining eligibility, evaluating bids and awarding the contract. The records, according to the order, are required to facilitate a detailed examination and ascertain whether prescribed rules, procedures and government guidelines were followed at different stages of the procurement process. The latest communication follows an earlier order issued by JKRTC on August 5, through which the corporation constituted a committee to examine the procurement process relating to the complaint receivedregardingsupply of DEF for its BS-VI fleet. The August 5 order stated that a complaint had been received alleging irregularities in the procurement process and that the matter required comprehensive examination to ascertain whether prescribed procedures and norms had been followed. The committee comprises the Director Finance of the Transport Department, Joint Director SMG Srinagar and General Manager (Operations), JKRTC Srinagar. It was tasked with examining the complete procurement and tendering process, scrutinising relevant records, documents, approvals and proceedings, and submitting a report with specific findings and recommendations to the Managing Director JKRTC within five days. The committee was formed on the directions of the transport minister. Importantly, the order also directed that no supply order be placed with the tenderer until the matter was closed. Itsaidany immediate requirement was to be met from the open market at ASRTU rates or the after-market rate, whichever was cheaper. The issuecame to the official notice after a written complaint submitted by a Jammubased advocate Aman Thappa to the Transport Minister, alleging irregularities in JKRTCs tender for procurement of DEF/AdBlue. The complaint alleged that Tender Reference No. 10 of 2026-27, dated May 26, 2026, had been awarded to M/s UE Autotech Pvt. Ltd at rates higher than the ASRTU-approved rates applicable during the corresponding period. Among other allegations, the complaint claimed that the tender was initially published on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) but was subsequently withdrawn and re-published on the JK Tender Portal. The complainant alleged that this resulted in the tender being taken away from the reverse-auction mechanism available on GeM. The complaint further alleged that only two bidders participated in the tender, questioned the award price against ASRTU benchmarks, and claimed that the higher rates could result in substantial additional expenditure for JKRTC, whichit saidconsumes around 800,000 litres of DEF annually. It also raised concerns over the quality of DEF supplied by the selected firm to some other State Transport Undertakings. These claims are allegations contained in the complaint and have not been established by the authorities through the inquiry. The complainant also alleged a lack of transparency in the bid evaluation process and sought examination of the role of officials in JKRTCs Purchase and Stores (P&S) Wing. In particular, the complaint named General Manager P&S Parvez Abdullah and Manager P&S Srinagar Siraj-u-din, alleging that they had a role in the tender-related decisions. The complainant claimed to be in possession of video and audio material which, according to the complaint, could establish the alleged role of the officials and offered to produce the material before the competent inquiry or vigilance authority. The complainant subsequently sought an independent inquiry, examination of thewithdrawal of the tenderfrom GeM, scrutiny of comparative rates and participating bidders, review of the award, quality testing of DEF supplied to JKRTC and fixation of responsibility if any procedural violations or wrongdoing were established. The letter further added that he demanded a direct independent inquiry, through the Anti-Corruption Department of Jammu & Kashmir or an officer not connected with the original tender, into the conduct of the DEF tender process and the basis on which the award to M/s UE Autotech Pvt Ltd. was approved at rates higher than the ASRTU-approved rate.
SMVDU 23rd Foundation Day : Research must find solutions to real problems: LG Sinha
Jammu, Aug 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said that in the contemporary world, research and innovation become meaningful whenit findssolutions to real problems, improve the quality of life in society and bring positive change to the lives of ordinary citizens through their contributions across different fields. The LG made these remarks in his address at the 23rd Foundation Day celebrations of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU),felicitating theachievers and delivering a keynote address that outlined a vision for the University's future and its role in nation-building. Extending warm greetings to the University family, the Lieutenant Governor described the day as a celebration of foresight, resolve, and sustained efforts that have transformed SMVDU into a centre of knowledge, innovation, and socialresponsibility, emphasisingthat the University, blessed by Mata Vaishno Devi, carries in its name the tradition of devotion, strength, and faith, inspiring millions across India and the world. He said that a university isnot builtby its buildings but by ideas, dreams, and possibilities, highlighting the role of visionary leadership, dedicated faculty, and curious students in shaping institutions that nurture not only knowledge but also humility, sensitivity, and responsibilitytowardssociety. Reflecting on SMVDU's journey, the LG lauded its achievements in education andresearch, noting that facultymembers have secured around 140 research projects including international collaborations and established a state-of-the-art AI and Deep LearningLab, whilethe University has received 14 patents, incubated 30 start-ups, and launched innovative programmes such as peer-learning, andurged the institution to strengthen industryacademia relations by organising open-house meetings to commercialise patents and innovations. He stressed that the true measure of a university's success lies in its students and alumni, who carry forward its reputation through their contributions to society and the nation, and encouraged SMVDU to leverage government initiatives such as the Rs. One lakh crore research fund announced by the Prime Minister on August 15, 2026, and the PM Research Chairs scheme launched earlier this year, to ensure maximum participation in national innovation efforts. On 15 August, the Hon'ble Prime Minister made a historic announcement from the ramparts of the Red Fort and allocated Rs.1 lakh crore. He called upon the youth of the country to focus on research and innovation, sayingthatthey should come forward with ambitious dreams. The Government of Indiahadcreated a robust system of financial support,andno young personwouldnow face a lack of resources. I would like the Vice-Chancellor to constitute a team comprising faculty members and selected students so that the maximum possible number of applications may be submitted from this University, Sinha said. In his speech, the Lieutenant Governor underscored that education is the most powerful investment for universities, society, and the nation, citing foreign universities' success in generating revenue through innovation and research as an example and urging Indian universities to aspire to similar heights by focusing on research, innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship. He identified key challenges facing Indian universities, including limited research, shortage of faculty, lack of accountability and weak industry linkages, and called for a change in mindset, urging institutions to ask not What should we teach? but What problems must we solve? He said that India's youthful population, creativity, and risk-taking ability are its greatest assets, and universities must transform students into creators of opportunities rather than mere job seekers. Highlighting India's strengths, the LG pointed to the nation's ability to innovate at low cost, its cultural and linguistic diversity, and its vast diaspora, and urged SMVDU to connect these strengths with its research ecosystem and create solutions for real-world challenges in healthcare, rural economy, urbanisation, and digital innovation. Sinha also highlighted the importance of holistic education, calling for the promotion of sports, arts, literature, debates, and cultural activities alongside science and technology, and encouraged the University to engage with rural communities, promote sustainable development, and adopt best practices from global education models such as emphasis on fieldwork, industry partnerships, and a strong vocational training system. Looking ahead, the Lieutenant Governor presented a comprehensive vision for SMVDU by 2040, urging the University to become a leading global knowledge centre, establish advanced research facilities in AI, robotics, biotechnology, and climate science, and develop digital learning networks across rural Jammu and Kashmir, while also calling for international student-exchange programmes to strengthen global collaboration. The ultimate purpose of education is not limited to economic development but also the creation of creative human beings who understand themselves, respect nature, and recognise their responsibility towards humanity, he said. The LG urged SMVDU to harmonise modernity with human valuesand toresolve to become a pilgrimage centre of knowledge, a laboratory of innovation, and a beacon guiding society towards progress. On this Foundation Day, I urge all of youtomove beyond established paths and work courageouslyon theimportant issues. As efforts are undertaken in this direction, we should ask ourselves: What do we possess that other countries do not? Our nation's greatest wealth and strength is the passion, ingenuity and daring spirit of our youth. We must remember, the light of education becomes complete only when it moves beyond the walls of the University and reaches the last person in society, the Lieutenant Governor said. He also invited suggestions from various stakeholders for the establishment of the state-of-the-art International Museum of Goddess at Katra, and inaugurated the Self-Help Group's Bakery unit at SMVDU on the occasion. Among those present were Dr Ashok Bhan, Suresh Kumar Sharma and Gunjan Rana, Members of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Mata Vaishno Devi University; Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP Jammu; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sachin Kumar Vaishya, CEO, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG, Udhampur-Reasi Range; Kumar Abhishek, Deputy Commissioner Reasi; Members of the University's Executive Council; Heads of various educational institutions; senior officials, faculty members, staff, and students of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University attended the foundation day celebrations.
J&K important part of India: US envoy
Srinagar, Aug 19: United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Wednesday indicated that Washington may review its travel advisory for Jammu & Kashmir, citing improved security conditions and describing the region as an important part of India. Gor made the remarks during his maiden visit to Kashmir since taking charge as the 27th US ambassador to India in January 2026. He arrived in Srinagar and met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence on Gupkar Road amid full media glare. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Gor said the United States regularly reviews its travel warnings and that the advisory concerning J&K could be reconsidered. The US puts out travel warnings and every so often we re-evaluatethose travel warnings.I cannot make any big announcements today, but it is something we are going to look at, he said. The US envoy said New Delhi, the J&K administration and the local government had taken significant steps to improve the security situation. We willbe looking to see if the travel warning that is imposed and recommended by the US is something thatshould be downgraded, he said. Calling Kashmir a beautiful destination, Gor added that many Americans would enjoy visiting the region and exploring its beauty and opportunity. The United States has maintained travel advisories for J&K for decades amid security concerns since 1989. In June 2025, following the India-Pakistan military confrontation after Operation Sindoor, the US had listed Kashmir among high-risk areas and advised its citizens against travelling to the region. Gor described his meeting with Omar Abdullah as very good and cordial and said there would be follow-up discussions in Washington and New Delhi. We just had a very good meeting. We have some follow-ups, so we hope to take that back to Washington, back to Delhi, he said. The ambassador also made a significant reference to Jammu and Kashmirs status, saying, It is a pleasure to be here. This is an important part of India, and some of us are visiting for the first time. Gor said he was thrilled to be in Kashmir and praised the region for its natural beauty. The US envoy is scheduled to travel to Ladakh on Thursday after spending the night in Kashmir. CM Omar Abdullah said the meeting focused on India-US relations, particularly the scope for greater American engagement with J&K. We had an opportunity to discuss relations between the two countries with a specific focus on what the US can do in J&K. There are certain legacy issues that over time we will be working to resolve, he said. The Chief Minister expressed hope that engagement between Jammu and Kashmir and the United States would expand in the coming years. But we look forward to taking this conversation further. This is a conversation that will take place both between Gor and Washington and me and the government of India in New Delhi. But we are hopeful and optimistic that the engagement between the USA and J&K will widen and deepen in the years ahead, he said. Earlier, Abdullah had said he would discuss the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with Gor but ruled out taking up internal political issues with the US representative, saying such matters could only be resolved by the Government of India. Gors visit assumes significance as it comes amid efforts to deepen India-US engagement and growing calls within Kashmirs tourism sector for the relaxation of international travel advisories. However, the envoy did not announce any immediate change in the US advisory, making it clear that Washington would first review the existing warning before taking a decision.
23-Year-Old Arrested For Smuggling Illicit Liquor In Delhi
Police recovered 3000 quarters of illicit liquor packed in 60 cartons from a Hyundai i10 Grand car allegedly being used to transport the liquor. The vehicle was also seized.
91 local bodies to compete in Pookalam contest in Keralams Kozhikode
The competition will feature grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities, and the Kozhikode Corporation, grouped into 11 clusters. The winner will be awarded a cash prize of 1 lakh and a trophy
Jharkhand BJP leaders meet Amit Shah in New Delhi
Party sources said that BJP leaders expressed strong support for the student agitation in Jharkhand, both on the streets and in the legislature, by addressing alleged irregularities
Two drug peddlers arrested in Budgam
Budgam: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday arrested two suspected drug peddlers and recovered 11.240 kilograms of poppy straw-like substance during a naka checking operation in the Narbal area of central Kashmirs Budgam district. According to police officials, the operation was conducted by a team from Police Post Narbal near the Fisheries Department. During the checking, the police intercepted a truck trailer bearing registration number PB06L-2575, which was travelling from Magam towards Srinagar. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two nylon bags containing a poppy straw-like substance weighing 11.240 kilograms. The contraband was allegedly concealed beneath the seat of the vehicle. The driver and co-passenger were identified as Iqbal Masih, son of Kulla Masih, and Akshay Masih, son of Mohan Masih, both residents of Gurdaspur, Punjab. Police said both were arrested on the spot and taken into custody for further investigation. Police have registered FIR No. 116/2026 under Sections 8/15 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Magam. An investigation has been launched to ascertain the source of the contraband and identify other individuals or links allegedly associated with the drug network. The recovered substance was seized, weighed and duly sealed on the spot in the presence of independent civilian witnesses, police said adding that all requisite legal formalities under the provisions of the NDPS Act were complied with.
A Palestinian state is the foundation for regional peace
The road to peace in West Asia runs through Palestinian statehood
Before new taxes, making every rupee count
Before Tamil Nadu asks for more, it must collect better and spend smarter
Same restriction will come into effect in Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar from July 1, 2027
India to build hospital in West Bank; seeks to deploy field hospital in Gaza
Palestinian ambassador calls for halting illegal Israeli settlements in West Bank
Vote of trust: On Trumps appreciation, clean electoral rolls in India
Clean electoral rolls are a must, but must not be weaponised by state
Due diligence: On surrogate advertising
Curbs on surrogate advertising must avoid regulatory overreach
ACB finds irregularities in Karimnagar civic body town planning section
Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital completes 300 Bone Marrow Transplants
Cyberabad police recover 1 crore lost in boss impersonation scam
Tamil Nadu Premier League | Trichy Grand Cholas batters redeem themselves
After being bundled out for 85 by Kovai Kings at Dindigul, the team piles up 197 against Dragons;the total proves enough as Antony and Easwaran help secure a much-needed victory
BLOs should explain contents of notices
The IISERs have a leadership problem
While there is no rule that the chairperson of a scientific institution must be a scientist, it matters for each institutions credibility and vision
Medical procurement scam files destroyed, claims AAP
CNG cylinder blast at filling station near Tikri Metro kills three
Pension income ceiling enhanced to 1.20 lakh, set to benefit over 20 lakh people
Satyendar Jain and five others sent to two weeks judicial custody in tender case
Court grants ACB two-day police custody of Ankit Srivastav; AAP leaders counsel questions the circumstances leading to his arrest a day earlier
Delhi SIR: draft roll publication deferred to Aug. 31 amid delay in polling station rationalisation
Delhi HC questions MP/MLA endorsement for Lakshmi Yojana benefits
Police crackdown on KSU: 3 leaders arrested, office raided in Jaiaw
Shillong, Aug 19: Police on Wednesday night arrested three senior leaders of the Khasi Students Union (KSU) in connection with violent incidents during the bike rally in the city. The arrested leaders are President Raymond Kharjana, General Secretary Reuben Najiar and Vice-President Pynkmenlang Sanmiet. According to police, they have been booked under various sections of [] The post Police crackdown on KSU: 3 leaders arrested, office raided in Jaiaw first appeared on Highland Post .
Buddhi Clinic, The Hindu to organise webinar on future of integrative mental health
International conference held at Yadava College
Jashn-e-Adab to mark 15 years with four-day festival in Delhi
TNCC protests against Home Minister Amit Shah
Data operator held in Arakkoknam over bribery charges
New health cover is one step in Tamil Nadus geriatric outreach, says govt.
The steady rise in Indias ageing population requires a healthcare systemthat is differently oriented to address their evolving needs, officials say
Woman held in Tirupattur for pledging fake gold jewellery
614 government school students provisionally allotted MBBS/BDS seats under 7.5% quota
Fatal Crash Shatters Family: 35-Year-Old Dies in Peerbagh Accident
Srinagar, August 19: A 35-year-old man died after the Alto car he was driving collided with another vehicle in the Peerbagh area of Srinagar on Wednesday evening, officials said. According to an official, the Alto car collided with another vehicle, leaving its driver critically injured. The injured man was shifted to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead, the official said. The deceased was identified as Ziya Ahmad Malik (35), son of Abdul Gafer Malik, a resident of Rawalpora, Srinagar. Meanwhile, police have initiated an investigation into the incident to ascertain the circumstances leading to the collision.
Union cabinet approves quadrupling of Gummidipoondi-Gudur section
Kauvery Hospital launches Regional Epilepsy Centre
Tamil Nadus encroachment problem
The Supreme Court has pulled up the State for not dealing with encroachers in Agasthyamalai
Syndicate member seeks relaxation of punching system for Calicut University faculty
The nature of academic work is fundamentally different from routine administrative duties, and it requires reasonable degree of flexibility in working hours
What is Closing Auction Session? | Explained
CAS should be evaluated not by short-term volatility but by measurable improvements in market quality lower tracking errors, reduced closing-price variance, narrower spreads, improved liquidity and stronger price efficiency.
Railways raises Katra-Banihal speed limit to 100 kmph
Jammu, August 18: The Railway Ministry has approved an increase in the maximum permissible speed of trains to 100 kmph on the 111-km Broad Gauge rail section between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal under the Jammu Division of Northern Railway. Earlier, the permissible speed was 85 kmph on the Katra-Sangaldan section and 75 kmph on the Sangaldan-Banihal section. The speed enhancement has been approved after the Railways ensured compliance with all prescribed safety conditions on the section. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu, Uchit Singhal said the increase in speed would reduce travel time and strengthen connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir. The increase in speed will not only reduce travel time, but will also strengthen the connectivity of Jammu-Kashmir. Passengers will get faster, safer and more comfortable travel facilities, he said. Singhal said the move would also give a boost to tourism, trade and other economic activities in the region, adding that the Railways remained committed to the safety and convenience of passengers. With the revised speed limit, train journeys between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal are expected to become faster and more convenient for passengers.
PDP delegation visits Batamaloo families of Jalandhar accident victims
Srinagar: A delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday day visited Batamaloo to offer condolences to the families of Ikhlas Qadir and Aneek Amin, who died in a road accident in Jalandhar, Punjab. In a statement, the party said the delegation was led by PDP General Secretary Mohammad Khursheed Alam and included former MLA Noor Mohammad Sheikh, former State Secretary Arif Laigroo and District Coordinator Dr Ali Mohammad. The leaders expressed grief over the deaths of the two young men and conveyed their sympathies to the bereaved families. They prayed for strength and courage for the families to bear the loss. The delegation was accompanied by Mohammad Shafi Kundangar, Khalid Mir, Mohammad Ashraf, Suhail Ahmed and other party workers. The PDP leaders also prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.
Kashmirs traffic jams have long ceased to be a mere inconvenience. They are now a daily reminder of how quickly urban growth can outpace planning, discipline and infrastructure. From Srinagars choke points to the crowded arteries linking residential, commercial and institutional areas, the Valleys roads are carrying far more pressure than they were ever designed to handle. The result is predictable: lost time, wasted fuel, rising frustration and a civic problem that affects everyone, from schoolchildren and office-goers to patients and emergency responders. The knee-jerk response to traffic congestion is usually to demand wider roads, more flyovers or additional parking spaces. While infrastructure upgrades are necessary, they are not a complete solution. Kashmir cannot pave its way out of congestion alone. In a Valley where road space is limited and expansion is constrained by geography, the real answer lies in better traffic management, stronger public transport, and more disciplined use of existing roads. A major reason for the worsening jams is the sheer volume of private vehicles on the road. As car and two-wheeler ownership has increased, public transport has not expanded in a way that can absorb the pressure. When people are forced to rely on private vehicles for even short trips, the roads become clogged far beyond capacity. This is where a dependable, affordable and comfortable public transport system becomes not just useful, but essential. Equally important is the need for order. Illegal parking, roadside encroachments, unregulated loading and unloading, and indiscipline at busy junctions all add to the chaos. Even a well-designed road can turn into a bottleneck if lanes are blocked and traffic rules are treated as optional. Enforcement must therefore be consistent, not occasional. The message has to be clear: traffic discipline is not an inconvenience imposed by authorities; it is the minimum requirement for a functioning city. There is also a planning failure that cannot be ignored. New commercial establishments, schools and institutions have often come up without adequate parking or traffic impact assessments. This has shifted the burden onto roads that were already under strain. Urban planning must stop reacting after congestion appears and start anticipating where pressure will emerge next. Technology can help, but only if used properly. Smart signalling, synchronised lights, real-time traffic monitoring and better deployment of personnel can make a visible difference. So can pedestrian-friendly zones in selected areas, staggered office timings, and stricter checks on encroachments. But no reform will work unless commuters also change behaviour. Honking, lane-cutting, stopping anywhere and treating roads as personal territory only deepen the mess. Kashmir needs a traffic strategy that is long-term, practical and enforced with consistency. Roads must be managed as shared civic spaces, not battlegrounds. If authorities, planners and citizens all do their part, the Valley can begin to reclaim not just smoother roads, but a calmer urban life.
12 personalities getPuthiyathalaimurais Tamilan Awards
Human-Wildlife Crisis Demands Urgent, Shared Response
Kashmirs latest figures on human-wildlife conflict are more than a routine departmental update. They are a warning that the Valley is entering a phase where the struggle for space between people and wild animals is becoming increasingly deadly, frequent and socially disruptive. Around 1,700 distress calls this year, more than 14,000 over the past six to seven years, 70 deaths and nearly 700 injuries in that period, and 24 active control rooms across Kashmir together paint a picture of a crisis that can no longer be treated as a seasonal nuisance or a narrow wildlife-management issue. The Wildlife Department deserves credit for responding promptly to distress calls and for maintaining dedicated teams. The claim that all complaints were attended to is reassuring, at least in administrative terms. But the real question is not only how quickly teams respond after an incident; it is why the incidents are multiplying in the first place. A system that is forced to react to hundreds of emergencies every year is already under strain. Control rooms may help in coordination, but they are not a substitute for long-term conflict prevention. Devas comments point to the core of the problem: shrinking and disturbed habitats, changing habitation patterns, and human encroachment into forest areas. Kashmirs expanding human footprint has steadily pushed settlements, orchards and activity corridors closer to animal movement routes. Once that balance is broken, conflict is inevitable. Wild animals are not invading human spaces out of malice; they are searching for food, prey and safer movement paths in landscapes that humans have increasingly fragmented. There is also a growing agricultural dimension to the crisis. The conversion of paddy fields into fruit orchards has altered land use in ways that may have economic logic for farmers but ecological consequences for nearby communities. Fruit-bearing areas can attract animals closer to residential pockets, raising the risk of damage and encounters. This is a reminder that land-use decisions cannot be viewed in isolation from wildlife behaviour. Yet public behaviour matters too. The departments advice to avoid unnecessary movement during early morning and evening hours, travel in groups and keep children indoors in vulnerable areas is practical and necessary. But precautionary appeals will only go so far unless they are backed by sustained community outreach, better local reporting systems, stronger habitat buffers and a more visible presence in conflict-prone areas. The bigger lesson is that human-wildlife conflict in Kashmir is not merely about safety; it is about governance. It tests whether the administration can protect lives while also protecting biodiversity. The answer cannot lie in emergency response alone. It must include habitat restoration, scientific mapping of conflict zones, regulated land use, community education and stricter protection of wildlife corridors. Kashmir wants fewer deaths, fewer injuries and fewer distress calls, it must stop treating this as an episodic problem. The Valley needs a coordinated policy response that brings together the Wildlife Department, local communities, planners, forest experts and district administrations. Otherwise, the statistics will keep rising, and each number will represent another preventable tragedy.
Buildings That Think: When Buildings Begin to Sense, Learn and Respond
A building in Kashmir faces changing conditions. It has to deal with cold winters, snowfall, rain, summer heat and different demands for heating and electricity. Buildings are usually treated as structures. Today, sensors and digital systems can provide information about what is happening inside. Artificial Intelligence can analyse this information and support better decisions. The idea is not to make buildings think like humans. It is to provide information about their condition. ETH Zurich researchers are working on self-aware infrastructure, bringing together sensors, digital models, Artificial Intelligence and maintenance systems. The aim is to understand structures while they are being used, rather than waiting for problems. In Kashmir, where buildings face different weather conditions in different seasons, such information could prove useful. Leading universities are exploring this field. MIT, Stanford, Cambridge, UCL, TU Delft and ETH Zurich are studying sensing, Artificial Intelligence, digital twins, smart buildings and infrastructure monitoring. Their work shows that buildings are becoming sources of information. These developments offer ideas that could eventually be adapted to Kashmirs climate, buildings and practical needs. India is also developing research in this area. IIT Bombay is working on digital construction, smart infrastructure, digital twins and monitoring. IIT Madras is researching Artificial Intelligence, which helps computers analyse information and assist with digital construction. IIT Kharagpur is working on energy, buildings, indoor air quality and thermal comfort. These areas have relevance to Kashmir, where heating and indoor comfort change with the seasons. One important tool is the digital twin. It is a digital representation of a real building or structure. Sensors can provide information about temperature, energy use and equipment. Engineers can use it to understand performance and examine possible changes. Simply put, it creates a digital record of how a structure behaves over time. In Kashmir, this could help build a clearer picture of building performance. This approach could begin on a small scale. A building could be fitted with sensors that record temperature, energy use and system performance. The information could show seasonal changes, wasted energy or equipment needing attention. Such monitoring could help identify areas for improvement. The first step towards intelligent infrastructure is not advanced technology. It is understanding how a building performs. Kashmir already has a wide stock of existing buildings. Intelligent infrastructure does not always mean new construction. ETH Zurich researchers have examined how cities can make better use of existing spaces. One study explored how Zurich could accommodate around 100,000 additional residents by 2040 through planned development. The lesson is simple: existing spaces can sometimes be used more effectively. In Kashmir, a building could be given a health check. Its energy use, heating system, insulation and physical condition can be monitored. Regular observation can help identify changes and problems earlier. Sometimes, the smartest building is not the newest one. It is a building that is better understood, maintained and used. Better buildings can come from better design and careful use of materials. ETH Zurich and Holcim developed a new floor system that uses up to 50 per cent less material than traditional structures. The system has an embodied carbon footprint up to 80 per cent lower than traditional structures in the reported comparison. The cement used in the system contains 20 per cent recycled construction and demolition waste. The lesson is clear: thoughtful design can reduce material use and waste. Artificial Intelligence is being explored for building design. TU Delft researchers used Artificial Intelligence to study 9,000 design samples from a high-rise project. Three buildings for 1,800 residents reached a modelled electricity self-sufficiency level of 43.7 per cent. This was a specific study, not a general prediction. The work shows how computers can help examine design options before construction. A building depends on electricity, water, roads, communication and other services. These systems are connected, so a problem in one can affect another. ETH Zurichs Future Resilient Systems programme ran from 2014 to 2025 and produced more than 160 scientific papers examining such connections. In Kashmir, infrastructure also depends on services working together. Artificial Intelligence should remain a tool, not the final decision-maker. It can process information and identify unusual patterns. Digital twins can show how a structure may respond under different conditions. But technology does not automatically understand Kashmirs requirements. Engineers and planners still decide what information matters and what action should follow. Digital tools should strengthen human judgement. Better maintenance is another benefit. Small changes in temperature, energy use or equipment behaviour can be recorded. Digital systems can compare measurements with earlier ones, while Artificial Intelligence can help identify unusual patterns and possible problems earlier. In Kashmir, this could be useful where seasonal conditions place different demands on heating and energy systems. Intelligent infrastructure should not become a race to install the newest technology. A sensor is valuable when it answers a real need. Artificial Intelligence is useful when it makes complex information easier to understand. A digital twin matters when it improves planning or maintenance. In Kashmir, technology should be used when it addresses a real need. The important question is not how much technology can be added, but what it is meant to improve. The buildings of the future in Kashmir may not look futuristic. Their walls and windows may appear familiar. Inside, sensors may record their condition, digital systems may retain information, and Artificial Intelligence may identify patterns. Engineers may use these insights to improve energy use and maintenance. The building would not be alive, but it could have a record of its performance through Kashmirs changing seasons. That is what Buildings That Think can mean. Not buildings with human minds, but buildings that can sense their surroundings, provide information, learn from data and respond to changing needs. In Kashmir, this future can begin with one building that is measured and understood. The idea can grow to wider infrastructure. The future may begin with one sensor and one question: How can buildings in Kashmir work better? (The author is a Columnist. Feedback: bakshisuhaib094@gmail.com )
Plenty of positives for Unnati despite loss to Li
Supreme Court turns to Gen Z, Gen Alpha to educate elders on solid waste management
Court questions the notion that waste is a problem of the sanitary workers alone; says every individual should take responsibility and asks District Collectors to engage with households and educational institutions
The Drying Tears of the Himalayas: Why Kashmirs Water Crisis is a Warning to the World
There was a time when summer in Kashmir arrived not as a season, but as a celebration. The gentle snowmelt would breathe life into the Valley, filling the rivers with a rush of crystal-clear water, while the mighty glaciers stood resilient, promising a steady bounty to sustain the land through the sunlit months. Today, that rhythm is broken. Summers now pass in an anxious blur of unprecedented heatwaves and parched earth, reducing once-roaring streams to a trickle, and the vast water towers of Asia are quietly fading. It is because, in the Paradise on Earth, we are choking the very natural systems meant to protect our future. The Vanishing Mirrors of the Valley The tragedy of Kashmirs water is unfolding right before our eyes, but it is moving slowly enough that we risk becoming numb to it. According to a new report published on 30, April 2026, A damning report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) laid bare a terrifying reality: nearly three out of four lakes in Jammu and Kashmir have either entirely vanished or shrunk dramatically. Out of 697 lakes catalogued across Jammu and Kashmir, 518 have either vanished entirely or shrunk to a shadow of their former selves. These water bodies have been swallowed by reckless urban expansion, concrete encroachments, siltation, pollution and decades of institutional indifference. That is 74 per cent of a regions liquid heritage, lost. Of the 697 lakes surveyed, 315, nearly 45 per cent, have not just been reduced or degraded but erased completely. One of the major reasons, the CAGs findings revealed, is a troubling absence of coordination. The Forest Department, Revenue Department, Agriculture Department, Fisheries Department, and the Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing all hold overlapping mandates. Yet the audit found no unified framework binding them together. Lakes fell through the cracks, not because no one owned them, but because too many agencies did. None was willing to take primary responsibility for their decline. Iconic lifelines like the Dal and Wular lakes, which once acted as massive natural sponges, soaking up excess water to prevent catastrophic floods, are suffocating under layers of untreated sewage and silt. When we destroy a wetland, we don't just lose a view; we destroy natures own engineering system for climate resilience. The Melting Lifelines Glaciers in Kashmir act as natural water reservoirs, gradually releasing meltwater into rivers and streams during the summer months. Their continued shrinkage affects irrigation, drinking water supplies, hydropower generation and horticulture-dependent livelihoods across the Valley. The Jhelum river system and several of its tributaries depend heavily on snow and glacier melt originating in the higher Himalayas. Environmentalists say a major and worrying sign is the rapid melting of the glaciers that feed Kashmirs rivers and streams during summer months. Studies and recent observations have shown accelerated ice loss in several glaciers, including the famous Thajwas Glacier near Sonamarg. Researchers have warned that the glacier has lost a substantial portion of its ice volume over recent decades due to rising temperatures and erratic snowfall patterns. Scientists say glaciers initially release more water as they melt rapidly, but over time the shrinking ice reserves reduce long-term water availability downstream. This threatens irrigation, hydropower generation and drinking water supply for thousands of households dependent on glacier-fed systems. Independent weather observers say Kashmirs changing climate pattern is becoming increasingly visible through shorter winters, weak western disturbances and prolonged dry spells. If the valleys are losing their mirrors, the mountains are losing their crowns. Kashmirs glaciers, which have sustained agriculture, orchards, and households for centuries, are retreating at an unprecedented pace. Researchers caution that while accelerated melting may initially increase river flows, the long-term impact could be a decline in water availability as glacier reserves continue to diminish. A report published in National Herald India on 31 May 2026 cites a recent comprehensive study by the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Kashmir, led by noted glaciologist Professor Shakil Ahmad Romshoo (Vice Chancellor, IUST). They analysed nine benchmark glaciers across the Kashmir Himalayas using Landsat satellite data collected between 1980 and 2013. The findings point to a significant climatic shift in the upper reaches of the Valley, where temperatures are rising more rapidly at elevations above 3,000 metres. The study revealed that glaciers in the region have lost nearly 17% of their total area over the past three decades. Even more concerningly, the high Himalayas are warming faster than the low-lying cities. A Global Crisis Hits Home According to meteorological data, Jammu and Kashmir recorded a rainfall deficit of 26 % between March 1 and May 6 this year. The UT also witnessed its seventh consecutive dry winter, with precipitation during December 2025 to February 2026 remaining far below normal. An ETV Bharat news report published on 13 May 2026 highlights that the rainfall shortage has affected districts unevenly, but some areas have recorded alarming deficits. Shopian reported nearly 71 % below-normal rainfall during March-May, making it one of the worst-hit districts. Kathua recorded around 63 % deficiency, followed by Kulgam at 53 %, Anantnag at 46 % and Budgam at 40 %. Kishtwar, Udhampur, Doda, Pulwama, Bandipora and Ramban also remained below seasonal averages. Srinagar recorded a deficit of over 20 % during the same period. If the valleys are losing their mirrors, the mountains are losing their crowns. Kashmirs glaciers, which have sustained agriculture, orchards, and households for centuries, are retreating at an unprecedented pace. This is no longer a distant threat confined to scientific journals. It is an immediate crisis of water scarcity. According to local meteorological data, Kashmir suffered an alarming rainfall deficit of 26% between March and May this year, hot on the heels of its seventh consecutive dry winter. In districts like Shopian, the deficit skyrocketed to 71%. A recent report by The Guardian highlighted that famous Kolahoi Glacier near Pahalgam is thinning rapidly, losing about 0.65 meters of ice thickness annually for every 1 o C temperature rise. Local farmers in Pulwama and Budgam are already facing the consequences. Irrigation canals that used to flow steadily through the summer are running dry by June. Paddy fields are cracking, and apple orchardists are looking at the sky in despair. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has consistently warned that mountain ecosystems are the first responders to climate change. When the Water Towers of Asia fail, the shockwaves will travel far downstream, threatening the drinking water and food security of millions of people across the subcontinent. Moreover If a region historically defined by its glacial abundance, sprawling wetlands, and endless freshwater can face dry taps, cracked fields, and vanishing springs in 2026, no region on Earth is safe. Kashmir is the canary in the coal mine for global climate resilience. So there is a wake-up call asking us to stop trying to conquer nature with concrete and instead design our future in harmony with it. If we protect nature today, nature will protect us tomorrow. If we allow Kashmirs glaciers to melt away and its water bodies to turn into dust, we aren't just losing our heritage; we are compromising our very survival. Therefore, let the drying springs of Kashmir be the wake-up call we can no longer afford to ignore. (The author works as a Science Teacher in the J&K School Education Department and is currently Pursuing Research at the School of Education, Central University of Kashmir)
Soil, Sky, and Impermanence: Ladakh biennale transforms Lamayuru rooftops
Ladakh: A 1,008-square-foot contemporary art installation made entirely with natural soil has transformed the rooftops of a house in Lamayuru into an evolving canvas, as part of the contemporary art activities surrounding the Ladakh Biennale 2026. Titled Rising from the Soil, Soaring to the Sky, the installation has been created by Nepalese visual artist Amrit Karki with support from the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art. The artwork recreates motifs inspired by traditional Himalayan carpets, translating familiar patterns from woven textiles into designs formed directly from soil. The installation brings together elements of Himalayan cultural traditions, contemporary art and Ladakhs distinctive natural environment. The work is intentionally temporary. Foot traffic from visitors, along with wind and rain, gradually disturbs and erodes the soil patterns. As the motifs disappear, the material slowly returns to the earth. The changing form of the installation is central to the artwork, drawing attention to themes of impermanence, memory and the vulnerability of landscapes. Located on the rooftops of a house in Lamayuru, the installation places contemporary artistic practice within the everyday architectural and environmental setting of the Himalayan region. Rather than separating the artwork from its surroundings, the project allows the landscape and weather to become part of its natural transformation. The use of Himalayan carpet motifs also connects the contemporary installation with a long tradition of textile art across Himalayan communities. By recreating those motifs in soil, Karki presents a familiar visual language in a form that is deliberately fragile and short-lived. The project highlights a growing engagement with site-specific and environmentally responsive contemporary art in Ladakh, while bringing together artistic traditions from across the Himalayan region.
Border Defines India: But who defines border citizen?
As the 80 th anniversary of Independence Day dawns, the country will simply go into an overdrive with customary grandeur. The Tricolour will flutter atop important buildings; schoolchildren will sing patriotic songs, and speeches will extol the sacrifices that won us freedom from our colonial masters. A nation- state is defined by two of its very distinct facetsits people who populate its entire length and breadth and off course the national boundaries/borders. Both of these entities find ample space and discourse in its constitution and are complementary to each other. Not one of them individually can define the concept of a nation-state on its own steam. No wonder eighty years back, when Cyril Radcliffe the British lawyer cum boundary commission chairman set out his task of defining the national boundaries of India and Pakistan in a mere forty five days span , even he wouldnt have realized the importance of carving out such a cartographic lineation. Since this lineation was followed by one of the biggest human displacements with bloody repercussions in modern times across the Radcliffe line, hence the uniqueness of this partition.The borders of a country are not merely cartographic labyrinthine but a place where the republic is tested every single day. It is where the idea of India ceases to be an abstraction and becomes a lived reality. Ironically, while the border defines Indias geography, the border citizen often remains invisible in Indias policymaking. For close to seventy nine years, India has viewed its national borders primarily through the prism of military strategy, investing in troops, weapons, surveillance and other infra to protect its territorial integrity. These investments are indispensible no doubt, but they also reveal a deeper flaw in our national thinking right from 1947. We have treated borders as military spaces to be defended rather than living spaces to be nurtured. This distinction matters, and hence my endeavour to pen down this write up on Indias 80 th Independence day to put under the scanner such a distinction which may not portend well for our country if left untreated. A nation-state is not merely secured by its armed forces guarding its borders. It is secured when citizens choose to live there with dignity, confidence and hope. Every inhabited village on the border is a declaration of national sovereignty. Every family that refuses to abandon its ancestral home despite enemy shelling, infiltration or isolation is performing an act of national service that rarely finds mention from the ramparts of Red fort of India. Nowhere is this reality more visible than in Jammu & Kashmir. Border residents have lived through wars since 1947, terrorist violence, repeated ceasefire violations and prolonged uncertainty. Children have grown up distinguishing mortar fire from festival fireworks, farmers have cultivated fields under the shadow of sniper fire and many more such vagaries as thrown up by our inimical western neighbour at us. These are not isolated tragedies. But represent a way of life that few Indians living hundreds of Kilometers away can fully comprehend. Out of a stated fifteen thousand kilometers of total land boundary of India touching seven neighbouring nations, how much of border is actually under fire of ours? I may dare say only that which abuts our western neighbour in the UT of J&K and now under an uneasy calm punctuated by repeated ceasefire violations. Isnt it suitable time on the anvil of 80 th Independence Day of India, that these hapless people are not left to the mercy of geo-political machinations of this sub-continent which are played with utter disregard to their wellbeing? Be that as it may, yet public policy frequently views border districts through the lens of relief rather than resilience. Compensation is announced after damage, roads are sanctioned after strategic necessity arises. Same is the case with a plethora of welfare schemes involving schools, hospitals and employment opportunities. In the after math of mayhem unleashed by Pakistan last year during Op Sindoor on our border villages abutting both the IB and the LC, stories of continued neglect, administrative cum bureaucratic apathy emanate from media circles regarding laggardly pace of redevelopment of damaged infra. Leave alone relief, resilience is a far cry for us to come on top of the things as they stand today. The contrast with China is instructive. Both India & China threw out the yolk of slavery in the late 1940s. With a gap of only two years in between i.e. 1947 and 1949 respectively, China has pursued an integrated border strategy in which civilian settlements, economic development and military preparedness reinforce each other thereby surpassing India both in thought and action. Many of the readers of my article may argue that being a totalitarian cum communist nation, for China the concept of a nation-state supersedes its denizens. This is pass, simple and straight. For the sake of argument even if I do take this concept as viable, then may I ask why India has woken up lately to emulate the same concept in the format of VVP (Vibrant village programme now? The villages of China all along the LAC in our context present themselves the Chinese instrument of national security, signaling that the writ of mandarins of power in Beijing runs not only in their national capital but right till the last village of theirs. Though India as stated above has lately started in the right earnest to rectify decades of its inertia in such matters, by kicking starting programmes like the VVP it is too late and too less. The intent though commendable, the scheme doesnt inspire that much confidence. As late as a few weeks back, the PM in one of his discourses with the youth of India under the aegis of DIYLD (Developed India Young Leaders Dialogue) presented an idea before them of visiting border villages, staying, and connecting with them instead of using the virtual media to do so. This suggestion by our honourable PM throws an interesting question insteadIs merely encouraging the youth of India to visit these border villages enough? Can these cosmetics change the dismal situation as found present in these frontier areas? I shall not dwell much upon this topic, since it is being tackled by me in a separate article from Rising Kashmir paper. Border citizens per se ought to be placed head and shoulders above the rest of the populace of our country. Their defining attributes being derived from their very stay in the border areas and acting as the sentinels of a democratic dispensation in a region surrounded by theocratic countries. As India enters its eightieth year of independence, perhaps the time is ripe enough to redefine the citizenry of our border areas who, away from the din of the mainstream living of India, are silently carving out an existence for themselves based on true values of nationalism. The strength of a nation cannot be measured in terms of its military or economic might. But from the confidence of its citizens living at its farthest edge. If the border defines Indias territorial identity, then the border citizens define its moral identity. How India treats those who stand at its frontiers reveals what kind of republic it truly is. (The author is a retired army officer and a regular scribe of Rising Kashmir. He can be approached at his email: slalotra4729@gmail.com)
Court grants bail to SFI activists at Sanskrit varsity
They were arrested in connection with a protest at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Ernakulam, on August 13, during which an alleged symbolic funeral of Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas was staged
EJH bans loose petrol, diesel sale amid KSU agitation
Shillong, Aug 19: The East Jaintia Hills District Magistrate has banned the sale of petrol and diesel in loose quantities across the district with immediate effect. In an order issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, DM Manish Kumar cited inputs from police about the KSU rally and likelihood of intensified [] The post EJH bans loose petrol, diesel sale amid KSU agitation first appeared on Highland Post .
YSRCP leader accuses Naidu of deceiving BCs on reservation quota
Hockey World Cup: India passes Pakistan test, moves into the next round
Harmanpreet shows his class yet again with two penalty-corner conversionswhile Abhishek also nets a brace; Fultons men stay untroubled barring a spell in the second quarter
Passenger convenience and safety APSRTCs highest priorities, says JMD
Joint Managing Director Siva Prasad reviews the corporations operations and inspects key facilities
Visakhapatnam ZP faces major bifurcation challenges as local body polls near
Man injured after gun accidentally goes off
BJP govt. blames Trinamoolslegacy of negligence for back-to-back incidents of fire
Leaders of Opposition parties say the Suvendu Adhikari government cannot entirely put the responsibility for such incidents on the previous Trinamool Congress government
Centac releases draft PG Dental merit list for 2026-27
Final admission will be subject to physical verification of documents
Plantation drive held at Bahour
Israeli strikes hit an air base hours after a Turkish delegation visit, Syrian officials say
Two Syrian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Turkish delegation had visited the air base in the northwestern province of Idlib on August 17 to review rehabilitation work underway at the facility
Training programme held for first-time MLAs ahead of Budget session of Assembly
Pro-tem Speaker A. Anbalagan, DMK legislature party leader A. M. H Nazeem, former Minister R. Viswanathan, former legislator Ilango, and Assembly Secretary Dayalan were among those who took classes
SEBI fines two firms 3.7 crore for CAS manipulation
SEBI charged Copthall Mauritius Investment and Mansi Share and Stock Broking Private Limited as they manipulated the markets during the newly introduced closing auction session
Naidu to tour Anakapalli and ASR districts
Jagan calls on YSRCP cadre to gear up for local body elections
Addressing a meeting, the former Chief Minister alleges that the coalition government had failed to benefit any section of society during its two years in office
Man stabbed to death in Coimbatore district
ICC says U.S. sanctions 'flagrant attack' on court independence
