Here is a select list of stories to start the day
Anahat Singh first Indian to reach World Junior Squash Championship final since 2005
Enemys intentions unchanged, proxy war still a challenge: Rajnath
Defence Minister reaches Ladakh, pays tributes to soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1999 Kargil War
Haryana completes SIR phase-I; over 33 lakh names left out due to relocation, death, duplication
Haryana CEO Sreenivas said that 20,629 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) distributed enumeration forms to more than 2 crore electors, out of which over 1 crore enumeration forms have been digitised.
AI and Modern Teaching: Between Promise and Peril
Artificial Intelligence has quietly walked into our classrooms. It sits in the phones of our students, in the lesson plans of our teachers, and in the dashboards of school administrators tracking every mark and every absence. For many, AI feels like the latest in a long line of educational fadsanother buzzword that will fade like smart boards and e-learning portals. But this time is different. AI is not just a tool; it is a way of seeing, measuring, and even shaping learning itself. That is precisely why, especially in a society like ours, we have to ask harder questions about what it means for teaching. In Kashmir and beyond, education has always carried a weight larger than textbooks and exams. It is a route out of conflict, a bridge to opportunity, a fragile promise to our children that their future can be more stable than our past. When AI enters this space, it does not do so into a vacuum. It enters classrooms already marked by inequality, exam pressure, and an education culture that often values memory over understanding. The way we adopt AI, then, will determine whether it deepens these problems or helps us rise above them. At its best, AI can help teachers do what they have always wanted to do but rarely had time for: understand each child as an individual learner. An AI-driven platform can track where a student struggles in mathematics, how often they get stuck on a concept in science, which passages they skim past in an English text. It can then recommend practice questions, explanations, or videos tuned to that students level. In theory, no child is left behind simply because the teacher has forty or fifty faces to manage in a single period. For overburdened teachers, this promise is seductive. Instead of staying up late manually checking notebooks and exam scripts, they can use AI to generate quizzes, summarise readings, or even draft feedback for students. This can free time for what no machine can do: listening to a student who is anxious about an exam, noticing the quiet child who has suddenly become withdrawn, or encouraging a teenager who has begun to believe that science is not for people like us. The real gift of AI, if we choose to use it wisely, could be that it returns teachers to the human core of their profession. Yet the same technology that can liberate teachers can also quietly replace them in the minds of students and policymakers. When an app explains a concept more clearly than a tired lecturer, when a chatbot answers doubts instantly at midnight, it is tempting to ask: why invest in teachers at all? Why not simply put all our faith in personalised learning platforms and AI tutors and imagine that the problem of quality education has been solved with a subscription fee? This is a dangerous illusion. A large language model can produce a competent answer to a textbook question, but it cannot read a classrooms mood after a disruptive week. It cannot adapt its pace because it senses that students are not just confused, but demoralised. It cannot understand the social realities that shape a childs silencethe fear of speaking in English, the weight of family expectations, the trauma of growing up amid conflict. Teaching is not only about transferring information; it is about forming minds and nurturing citizens. No algorithm, however advanced, can replace that complex human relationship. There is another, quieter risk. AI systems are only as fair as the data on which they are trained. If that data carries biasesabout language, region, gender, or classAI-driven assessments and recommendations will quietly reproduce those biases at scale. A Kashmiri students accent on a speech-recognition app, a local idiom used in a written answer, or a different cultural reference in an essay can all be misread by a system trained primarily on Western examples. The result is that students may be judged not for what they know, but for how closely they resemble a narrow, invisible standard. In regions like ours, where connectivity is uneven and schools are unequally resourced, we must also confront the very real danger of a new digital divide. Well-funded private institutions may deploy sophisticated AI platforms, while government schools struggle with basic infrastructure. If AI becomes the new marker of quality education, children who already stand on the margins will be pushed further out. The irony would be bitter: a technology with the potential to personalise learning for every child may instead deepen the gap between those who can afford it and those who cannot. So what should a sensible path forward look like? The first step is to reject the false choice between AI schools and traditional schools. The real debate is not man versus machine, but what kind of partnership we allow between them. We should treat AI as an assistant, not an authority. It can help design practice papers, analyse patterns in learning, and suggest resourcesbut the final judgment about what is good for a particular child must remain with a responsible, trained teacher. Second, we need a deliberate public conversation about ethics and regulation. Education departments, school leaders, teacher unions, and parents should all have a say in how AI is procured and used. What data is being collected on our children? Who owns it? How long is it stored? Can parents opt out if they are uncomfortable? These are not technical questions; they are questions about rights, dignity, and trust. Third, we must invest in training teachers, not bypassing them. An AI-literate teacher is not one who simply knows how to click through a dashboard, but one who can question the output it gives. Why is this student being flagged as low performing? Is it because of genuine struggle, or because the system fails to recognise regional language use? Why is one type of answer rewarded over another? A confident teacher will use AI as a mirror to reflect on practice, not as a master to obey. Finally, we must keep our eyes on the true purpose of education in a place like Kashmir: not simply to produce employable graduates, but to cultivate resilient, thoughtful, and compassionate human beings. AI can help a student master algebra, learn scientific facts, or practice a new language. It cannot teach them how to sit with a grieving friend, to question injustice, or to imagine a future beyond fear. Those capacities are shaped by human relationshipsby teachers who model integrity, courage, and care. AI and modern teaching are now inseparable; the question is not whether we will use these tools, but how. If we allow market hype and administrative convenience to lead the way, we may wake up to find that our classrooms are more efficient but less humane, more data-rich but poorer in wisdom. If, however, we insist that technology must serve the human, that algorithms must answer to teachers and communities, then AI can indeed become an ally. In the end, the measure of any educational innovation is simple: does it help our children become more fully human? If AI in the classroom merely trains them to perform for a machine, we will have failed them. But if it frees our teachers to listen more, to guide more, and to build deeper connections, then this new era of learning may yet be worthy of the hopes we place on it. (The author is a researcher and columnist)
Critical and unsavoury social media chatter also played a role in government conceding to CJPs demands
Thriving Radicalization vs Inadequate Counter Narratives in J&K
CROSS ROADS The face of Islamist radicalization in Jammu & Kashmir has changed over the past two decades, capitalizing on accelerating developments and trends in the realm of communication technologies that have rendered information and digital content almost ubiquitously accessible. These processes have transformed some of the channels through which radicalization of the individual and broader communities as a whole can take place, in particular raising the dangers of self-radicalization. Whilst this raises new concerns for intelligence and security services, especially concerning the early detection of at-risk individuals, it cannot be deduced that the ultimate character of radicalization, namely its social and normative dimension, has changed as well. Radical messages and those espousing them continue to speak to those who perceive themselves marginalized by societies and their institutions, providing a framework to them that provides sense, meaning and context to the suffering of the individual and the individuals partially transnationally imagined social community. Put differently, cyber radicalization in Jammu & Kashmir has shifted aspects of how radicalization technically takes place without fundamentally shifting the underlying reasons for why radicalization takes place. The advent of a globally accessible digital space has not undermined the role and significance of previously more dominant channels of radicalization, including the work of the ever-growing radical Islamist parallel institutions that have increasingly become integrated and accepted into the educational and social fabric of Jammu & Kashmir. Contemporary Islamist radicalization in Jammu & Kashmir can consequently be treated as a hybrid in which both dimensions of radicalization, in-person and online, serve complementing rather than competing functions. Unlike in-person radicalization, cyber radicalization operates more independent from interpersonal linkages and the physical access to extremist ideas or individuals and groups espousing these ideas. Owing to its existence as a networked entity, cyberspace defies boundaries and is hence theoretically open to anyone connected to the internet. As such, advancements in cyberspace have subsequently allowed terrorist organizations to circumvent many of the physical anti-terror measures put in place. In addition, digital access and proficiency have become less coupled to economic income than it has been in previous decades, with the internet now being more accessible to people of lower socio-economic-educational standing as well. Radical thoughts and materials readily and globally available, allow young individuals to radicalize themselves without necessarily being exposed to prior integration into radicalized social contexts, further facilitating the radicalization of these youngsters that have been born and bred in social environments without the degree of violent inter-communal conflict which previous generations in Jammu & Kashmir witnessed and lived through. Although cyber radicalization operates in a territorially less bound and constrained manner, its basic purpose and message overlaps with that of in-person versions of radicalization. Online forms of radicalization in Jammu & Kashmir also engender stories and narratives that situate the perceived experience of the youngsters in Jammu & Kashmir in the struggle of Muslims elsewhere, like Iran, Palestine, Afghanistan, the US and Europe. Cyber radicalization therefore also speaks to sentiments of degradation and exclusion - as such, it is the mode of engagement rather than the underlying messages that manifests the most palpable difference between in-person and cyber radicalization. It goes without saying that cyber radicalization as such is coupled with developments in and the expansion of cyberspace more generally, meaning that as cyberspace expands both in societal use and significance, so will its use by terrorist organizations. Crucial for the purposes of radicalization, both online and offline, is how social narratives situate the struggles and experiences of the to-be-radicalized individual in a grander, more global context. Narratives, regardless of how they are created and disseminated, consequently mark a way of making sense of the world and the individuals place, past, present and future in it. They shape the way individuals think of, and live, their lives. Radicalizing narratives therefore appeal to different cognitive frameworks to incentivize alignment with the radical cause. These narratives rest on mainly Political, Moral, Religious and Social-psychological foundations. It is clear that both online and offline narratives play onto caveats that, at least in Jammu & Kashmir, are connected to perceived feelings of exclusion, marginalization and humiliation. Radical narratives target these negative feelings and re-write them into a radicalized identity that seeks vengeance for the perceived experienced victimization, indicating that radical ideas are enabled by perceived social environments of exclusion. The emergence of cyberspace as a security space manifests new challenges for security and intelligence communities. Previous forms of surveillance, for instance in the form of focusing on at-risk individuals and communities, emerge as an increasingly inefficient mode of operation as with cyber radicalization the essential danger is self-radicalization. This does not mean that necessarily more people will become radicalized but that those that are at risk of radicalization may become radicalized more quickly and more easily. Security and intelligence services would consequently do well by acknowledging that radicalization derives its functioning from situating the individual, and by implication, their broader community, in a narrative that speaks to their sentiments, whereby the main focus of security agencies must lay on identifying these sentiments, understanding them and their root causes, and, ultimately, addressing the perceived social structures that incentivize radicalization, both online and offline. As cyber radicalization fosters more opportunities for at-risk individuals to radicalize themselves quicker and easier and facilitates the access to radicalizing materials without necessarily accelerating public radicalization as such, it raises the stakes for security services to detect early stages of radicalization. This phenomenon of cyber radicalization will require policy responses that consistently account for technological, methodological and procedural changes. Assessing the role of cyber radicalization in relation to in-person radicalization reinforces the analysis that radicalization as a phenomenon is a distinctly social development that consequently requires predominantly social responses. This is not to say that short-term solutions, such as removing content from social media platforms or blocking accounts that disseminate radical narratives, do not matter or should not be continued. That said, radicalization is an issue that must be addressed in its root cause, namely the perceived feeling of exclusion and marginalization. Any other policy response will be a mere short-term fix that does not provide a sustainable way of addressing the issue at hand. Developing independent counternarratives thus differs from other tactical policy approaches such as content removal or blocking accounts by seeking to address the social dimension of radicalization. At present, terrorist organizations have proven effective in winning the contest of socio-political narrative, appealing to sentiments and capitalizing on the echo chamber effect. To reclaim some of the lost control, societies such as Jammu & Kashmir, faced with rampant subterranean Islamist radicalization must seek to reclaim control over the narrative and the normative assumptions of what it means to live in a pluralist society. Scholars identify four key caveats that must be included in any efficient counter narrative: (i) Disparage the idea that Western countries and societies are fighting Islam, (ii) Counter the idea that Muslim terrorists protect the values of Islam and or Muslim societies, (iii) Delegitimize the notion that terrorist attacks on Western civilians or fellow Muslims - in this context viewed as collateral damage - are valid forms of political resistance and expression and (iv) Discourage the idea that non-terrorist Muslims are morally and religiously obliged to aid and or support terrorists in their activities or terrorist narratives. The arguments provided here generate a comprehensive framework through which to counter the way in which terrorist narratives make sense of the societies that surround them. However, it is critical that the creation of counternarratives must not seem imposed in a top-down manner. Although the State and its institutions inevitably will have to play a key role in facilitating these narratives, it is paramount that the narratives are coordinated with, organized and supported by the communities they seek to speak to. In this context, governments and their agencies must work closely with non-state actors within the community to ensure the legitimacy of the narrative and, thus, the legitimacy of the operation. In this context, it is paramount for governmental institutions as well as civil society in Jammu & Kashmir to reclaim the narrative regarding the advantages, rather than the disadvantages, of living in pluralist, heterogeneous and democratic community. Independent counternarratives, created in accordance and engagement with the needs and desires of the Kashmiri community most affected by radicalization, can and should serve a useful practical strategic approach towards this process of reclaiming the narrative and, thus, making sense of the said community in a different way. However, reclaiming a social narrative will be insufficient to generate long-lasting change without an accompanying attempt to genuinely integrate these youngsters and address the perceived structural issues underlying their very radicalization. Only if the emotive roots of radicalization are addressed, namely that of individual and group-based perceived experiences of marginalization and exclusion, counternarratives will be capable of serving their ultimate strategic purpose. Anti-radicalization and de-radicalization are multipronged and multidimensional strategic approaches which require determination, sensitivity and patience by the state. There are, regrettably, no overnight solutions. (The Author is the Director of European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) and can be reached at: j.qureshi@efsas.org )
From Protest to Policy: The Success of the Students Movement and the Road Ahead
The recent student-led protests in Delhi have emerged as one of the most significant democratic movements witnessed in contemporary India. What began as an expression of anguish over systemic failures has evolved into a nationwide call for accountability, transparency, and institutional reform. The movement has demonstrated that Indias youth, particularly Generation Z, are not indifferent spectators but active stakeholders in the nations democratic journey. Their courage, discipline, and unwavering commitment to constitutional values have reaffirmed that peaceful protest remains one of the strongest pillars of a vibrant democracy. The immediate success of the movement lies not merely in drawing national attention but in compelling institutions and governments to respond. Public discourse shifted from routine political rhetoric to serious questions about governance, justice, accountability, and citizens rights. Students succeeded in transforming isolated grievances into a broader conversation on the quality of public institutions and democratic governance. Equally important was the unprecedented solidarity displayed across campuses. Students from diverse educational institutions, social backgrounds, and regions stood together, transcending ideological, linguistic, and cultural differences. Lawyers, teachers, academics, parents, civil society organisations, and concerned citizens joined hands in support of the students democratic right to peaceful dissent. Such solidarity reflects the resilience of Indias constitutional culture. One of the defining achievements of the protests was the maturity displayed by the student leadership. The movement largely rejected violence and embraced peaceful marches, sit-ins, public discussions, legal advocacy, and social media engagement. This reaffirmed Mahatma Gandhis enduring principle that peaceful resistance possesses immense moral strength. It also reminded the nation that democratic dissent is not anti-national but essential to preserving constitutional democracy. The movement also highlighted the growing political consciousness of Generation Z. Unlike previous generations, todays youth are digitally connected, globally informed, and deeply aware of constitutional rights. They demand transparency rather than patronage, accountability rather than slogans, and performance rather than political spectacle. Their aspirations reflect a modern India that seeks efficient governance, equal opportunities, social justice, and institutional integrity. Perhaps the greatest achievement of the protests has been the restoration of faith in collective civic action. In recent years, many believed that public participation had become passive and fragmented. The students disproved that perception. They demonstrated that constitutional methods of protest continue to have the power to influence public policy and shape national conversations. However, every successful movement must now confront its greatest challenge: sustaining momentum without losing direction. History teaches us that protests succeed only when public mobilisation is transformed into long-term institutional reform. Emotional energy alone cannot deliver lasting change. Organisation, dialogue, policy engagement, and constructive participation must now replace street mobilisation as the principal strategy. The first priority should be the establishment of structured dialogue between student representatives, educational institutions, governments, and civil society. Democratic governments must recognise students not merely as beneficiaries of policy but as legitimate participants in policy formulation. Regular consultation mechanisms should be institutionalised to address issues affecting higher education, employment, research, campus governance, and student welfare. Second, the movement should evolve into a nationwide campaign for strengthening constitutional literacy. Many young Indians participated because they instinctively valued justice and fairness. That commitment can be deepened through greater awareness of the Constitution, fundamental rights, fundamental duties, democratic institutions, and the rule of law. Universities should become laboratories of constitutional citizenship rather than arenas of political polarisation. Third, student organisations should broaden their agenda beyond immediate grievances. Issues such as quality education, affordable higher education, employability, mental health, technological innovation, environmental sustainability, gender equality, digital rights, judicial accessibility, and electoral reforms deserve sustained attention. By engaging constructively with these issues, the movement can mature into a positive force for nation-building. The legal fraternity also has an important responsibility. Lawyers and bar associations should continue providing legal assistance wherever constitutional freedoms are threatened. Equally, they should mentor young citizens on constitutional methods of advocacy, mediation, and peaceful dispute resolution. The alliance witnessed between students and lawyers during the protests demonstrated how different sections of society can work together to strengthen democracy. Political parties must also draw lessons from these events. Rather than viewing student movements through partisan lenses, they should appreciate them as expressions of democratic participation. Young citizens seek responsive governance, ethical leadership, and inclusive development. Their aspirations should be met through constructive engagement rather than confrontation. The media, too, has a vital role. Responsible journalism should amplify genuine public concerns while avoiding sensationalism or misinformation. A well-informed citizenry is indispensable to the health of any democracy. Most importantly, the students themselves must remain united, disciplined, and focused. Every movement faces attempts to divide, politicise, or delegitimise it. Its credibility will depend upon maintaining peaceful methods, respecting constitutional institutions, rejecting violence, and remaining committed to democratic values. True leadership is measured not merely by the ability to mobilise crowds but by the capacity to transform public aspirations into meaningful reforms. Indias constitutional democracy has always evolved through the participation of its people. From the freedom movement to contemporary social reforms, young citizens have consistently played transformative roles. Todays students are writing the next chapter in that democratic tradition. Their movement has reminded the nation that democracy is strongest when citizens actively participate, question authority respectfully, and demand accountability within the framework of the Constitution. The success of the recent student protests, therefore, should not be measured only by immediate governmental responses. Their real achievement lies in rekindling democratic participation, restoring confidence in peaceful constitutional action, and inspiring a new generation to engage responsibly in public life. If this spirit is sustained through dialogue, institutional reform, and civic engagement, the movement will leave a lasting legacy far beyond the campuses where it began. The way forward is clear: transform protest into policy, convert public awakening into institutional reform, and channel the energy of Indias youth towards building a more just, inclusive, transparent, and constitutionally vibrant Republic. In doing so, the students of today will not merely shape their own futurethey will strengthen the future of Indian democracy itself. (The author is a noted Senior Advocate and a political analyst)
Inclusion is about mental access and emotional access to spaces
Chennai Corporation to start survey of out-of-school children in 418 Chennai schools in August
You should all go home now: big announcement leaves many in disbelief
Police vehicles fitted with loudspeakers rolled through the roads surrounding Jantar Mantar, urging the crowd to return home peacefully
Beerwah traders seek flood compensation
Budgam, July 25: Owners of a shopping complex and traders who lost their businesses in the recent flash floods in Beerwah have urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to provide adequate compensation, waive bank loans and allow reconstruction of the damaged complex at the same site. The shopping complex, located in the heart of Beerwah town, was completely destroyed after flash floods swept through the area, causing extensive damage to more than 32 shops and leaving dozens of families without a source of livelihood. Ghulam Mohammad Wani, one of the owners of the shopping complex, said the entire structure was reduced to ruins in the disaster. The complex housed 32 shops, all of which have suffered extensive damage. We urge the government to provide suitable compensation and grant us permission to reconstruct the complex at the same location so that business activities can resume, Wani said. Among the affected traders is Mohammad Akbar, whose mobile phone business was completely destroyed in the floods. He said the disaster has pushed many families into financial uncertainty. More than 32 shops have been completely damaged. We had established these businesses to earn a livelihood and support our families. We hope the Jammu and Kashmir Government will provide financial assistance, fair compensation, and facilitate reconstruction so that we can restart our businesses. the government intervention is essential to help them recover from the losses, restore their businesses, and bring normalcy back, he said Another affected shopkeeper, Abdul Aziz Sofi, said his son's medical shop was among those badly damaged in the flooding. According to Sofi, more than 40 people were running businesses from the shopping complex before it was destroyed. The families of the affected shopkeepers are facing a severe financial crisis as they have had no source of income for the past five days. They are anxiously waiting for government assistance, compensation, and permission to rebuild their shops at the same location, Sofi said. The affected shopkeepers said immediate government intervention is essential to help them recover from the losses, restore their businesses, and bring normalcy back to their lives following the devastating flash floods.
Drivers in Keralas Kochi demand well-maintained washrooms, common resting spaces at hotels, resorts
The issue is back in the spotlight following a protest by a few tourist taxi car drivers atCrownePlaza seeking adequate restroom facilities
Sheet by sheet, stage that amplified students voices taken down
Two killed, five injured in separate road accidents
Srinagar, July 25: Two persons were killed and five others injured in two separate road accidents reported from Doda and Baramulla districts on Saturday. Officials said two persons lost their lives after a Tempo Traveller met with an accident near Shoonsh on the DodaMahalla Road in Doda district. According to officials, the vehicle reportedly went out of the drivers control and skidded off the road, resulting in the fatal accident. Soon after the incident, police personnel, along with local residents, launched a rescue operation and shifted the injured to Government Medical College (GMC) Doda for treatment. Officials said the condition of some of the injured is stated to be critical. Police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated an investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident. Meanwhile, five persons were injured after a sumo and a tipper skidded off the Baramulla-Handwara road and plunged into a deep gorge near Nadihal in Ladoora area of Baramulla district on Saturday afternoon. Officials said continuous rainfall had rendered the road slippery, causing both vehicles to lose control before falling into the gorge. An immediate rescue operation was launched by Sopore Police, Armys 32 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), and local volunteers, who worked in difficult weather conditions to evacuate all the injured. The injured were shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla for treatment.
Dal Lake hosts record-breaking reading Marathon
Srinagar, Jul 25: Thousands of students from schools, colleges and universities across Jammu & Kashmir participated in a historic 5-km Reading Marathon along the banks of Dal Lake on Saturday, setting a new record for promoting reading and environmental awareness. The event, organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, in collaboration with Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd was held as part of the Chinar Book Festival 2026 and Shiksha Saptah. In a first-of-its-kind achievement for Jammu & Kashmir, a total of 4,644 children participated in the marathon, earning recognition from both the Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records for the Maximum Children Participating in a Marathon to Promote Reading and Environment. The initiative combined fitness, literature and environmental consciousness, aiming to cultivate reading habits among young people while encouraging sustainable practices. The enthusiastic participation of students turned the scenic Boulevard Road into a celebration of books, learning and nature, reinforcing the festival's theme, Together We Read, Together We Lead. The marathon was flagged off by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, Chief Convenor of the Chinar Book Festival Dr Amit Wanchoo, and CEO of Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. Dr Angelo George. Welcoming the participants, Dr Amit Wanchoo described the Reading Marathon as a unique initiative that combines the joy of reading with the responsibility of protecting the environment. Dr Angelo George lauded the National Book Trust for creating a platform that connects books with environmental consciousness and inspires young readers. Addressing the gathering, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha termed the marathon a unique celebration of knowledge, fitness and responsibility towards nature. He said the initiative reflects the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by demonstrating that education extends beyond classrooms. He urged the young participants to adopt three lifelong resolutions - making reading a daily habit, contributing to environmental conservation, and striving to bring positive change to society. The event also honoured the winners of the Shikarathon, with Tanveer Ahmad Bhat securing the first position, followed by Muzaffar Ahmad and Manzoor Ahmad. The winners of the 5-km Reading Marathon were felicitated in both boys' and girls' categories. In the girls' section, Mansha Zehra of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Kothibagh, claimed the top position, while Aymaan Gulzar and Uribeen Imtiyaz secured second and third places, respectively. In the boys category, Musaib Shabir Bhat of Boys Higher Secondary School, Hazratbal, emerged as the winner. Zubair Ahmad of Higher Secondary School, Shalimar, finished second, while Farhad Latief of Government Higher Secondary School, Palpora, secured the third position. Special recognition was also presented to young participants Azhar Abbas and Fazil Abbas.
Madhya Pradesh SDM sends delivery executive to jail after receiving less items in parcel
Madhya Pradesh SDM jails delivery executive over incomplete parcel, sparking controversy and potential administrative repercussions
District Legal Services Authority begins functioning in Vijayanagara
The newly constituted District Legal Services Authority will take free legal aid to the doorsteps of the poor and promote amicable settlement of disputes before they reach courts, Karnataka High Court Judege Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur said
Post Pradhans resignation, protestors in Chennai say abolishing NEET is their goal
While the Cockroach Janta Party withdraws agitation in Delhi, protestors at Balan Illam look to bigger venues to continue their agitation against NEET
Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations begin in Drass
Drass, July 25: The two-day commemorative events marking the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas commenced on Saturday at Drass in Ladakh, with the nation remembering the unparalleled courage, valour and supreme sacrifice of the soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil War. The Kargil War Memorial, the focal point of the celebrations, has been adorned with special decorations in preparation for the annual tribute, symbolising the nation's gratitude towards the Bravehearts of Operation Vijay. Veterans, next of kin of martyrs, senior Army officers, civil administration officials and invited guests are participating in the commemorative events. The opening day's programme featured Yudh Sansmaran at Lamochen View Point, Gauravmay Sanskriti at Vishwanathan Stadium, Vijay Bhoj, and Shaurya Sandhya at the Kargil War Memorial. The events highlighted the extraordinary bravery of the Indian Armed Forces and celebrated the spirit of patriotism that defined India's victory in the Kargil conflict. Observed annually on July 26, Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorates India's victory in Operation Vijay, during which the Indian Armed Forces successfully recaptured strategic mountain peaks occupied by Pakistani intruders after weeks of intense high-altitude warfare. The commemorative programme will conclude on Sunday with the Shradhanjali Samaroh at the Kargil War Memorial, where tributes will be paid to the fallen heroes. The ceremony will also include interactions with the families of martyrs, inauguration of the Virtual Walkthrough Portal, and the flagging off of the Shaurya Vijay Yatra motorcycle rally.
Mission accomplished, a site clean-up for Jantar Mantars next cause warriors
Worker killed, another injured as construction hoist crashes in Taramani
Tarun Tahilianis secret isnt embroidery. Its context
Having built worlds around his clothes for years, the designer invites his audience to walk through one, with Navaratna at India Couture Week later today
IGCAR event focuses on taking research innovations to industry and space
Conservancy workers decry unpaid workload during festival season, urge public to avoid open dumping
The list of eligible associate professors would be included in the regular panel for promotion to the post of principal Grade II for the year 2026-27. However, this was subject to the outcome of ongoing court cases, a G.O. read
HPCL, IOCL launch 5kg, 10kg LPG cylinders in Chennai
Man from A.P. dies of cardiac arrest near Arunachaleswar temple in Tiruvannamalai
After he fainted, he was rushed to the hospital where he was declared brought dead
Girl dies after being hit by tractor
Children playing with the victim were unhurt
Minor boy held for death of ex-AIADMK MLAs son
Here for future of our children say parents at CJP protest with young children
For many parents, joining the student protest was an act of hope, defiance and a way of demanding a future where their children would not have to endure a broken education system
Why multi-art workshops are catching on in Chennai
Hakeem Yaseen backs NEET aspirants, seeks accountability
Srinagar, July 25: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) President and former Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Saturday expressed support for protesting NEET aspirants, saying their concerns should have been addressed before the situation escalated. In a statement, Hakeem said the grievances raised by students regarding the NEET examination were not addressed in time, leading to distress among lakhs of aspirants and their families. He said the alleged use of force against protesting students could have been avoided through timely intervention and responsible decision-making by authorities. Calling for accountability in the education system, Hakeem said responsibility must be fixed wherever lapses occur. He added that the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had become necessary in view of the concerns raised by students across the country. Hakeem urged the government to ensure a transparent and fair examination system where student grievances are addressed promptly. The youth are the future of the nation. Their voices should not be ignored, and every effort must be made to protect their rights, dignity and aspirations, he said.
CPI(M) hails student protests, demands NTA overhaul
Srinagar, July 25: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) Polit Bureau on Saturday congratulated students and youth across the country for their protests demanding accountability over alleged paper leaks, saying their movement reflected the strength of Indian democracy. In a statement, the CPI(M) said the protests were driven by the determination of students and youth, supported by sections of society, despite facing repressive measures by authorities. The party welcomed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan but said it should be followed by the disbanding of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which it held responsible for repeated paper leak controversies. The CPI(M) reiterated its demand for decentralisation of examinations and called for scrapping the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, alleging that it promoted commercialisation, centralisation and communalisation of education. The party said unless structural reforms were introduced, issues related to paper leaks and denial of opportunities to students would continue. The CPI(M) also urged student and youth organisations to continue campaigning for reforms concerning the future of young people.
Sagar reviews Hazrat Hamza Urs preparations
Srinagar, 25 July: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar Saturday asked the district administration to ensure comprehensive arrangements for the smooth observance of the annual Urs of Hazrat Mehboob-ul-Aalam, Sultan-ul-Arifeen Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA), scheduled to be observed in the coming days. In a statement issued from the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha, Sagar said that thousands of devotees from across Jammu and Kashmir are expected to visit the revered shrine at Makhdoom Sahib, Srinagar and called upon the administration to make all necessary arrangements well in advance to facilitate people visiting the revered shrine. He stressed the need for uninterrupted electricity and drinking water supply, sanitation, adequate healthcare facilities, proper traffic regulation, parking arrangements, security and cleanliness in and around the shrine precincts. He also urged the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, PHE, PDD, Health, Traffic Police, and other line departments to work in close coordination to ensure that devotees do not face any inconvenience during the Urs. Sagar said the annual Urs of Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA) is a spiritually significant occasion that attracts devotees from every corner of the Valley, reflecting the revered saint's enduring message of piety, compassion, communal harmony, and service to humanity.
Former actress Mateena Jeelani joins Apni Party
Srinagar, July 25: Former actress, model and social media influencer Mateena Jeelani joined the Apni Party on Saturday along with her associates during a function held at the party headquarters. Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, along with senior party leaders, welcomed Jeelani into the party and extended their best wishes. Jeelani, a native of Rajwar in Handwara, has a background in acting, modelling and social media, and enjoys a significant public following. Welcoming the new entrants, Bukhari expressed confidence that Jeelani's induction would strengthen the party's organisational base in Rajwar and enhance its outreach among the people. The joining programme was attended by senior party leaders and party workers.
After winning polls, Srinagar MLAs forgot people: Bukhari
Srinagar, July 25: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday accused Srinagar MLAs of neglecting public issues, alleging that elected representatives had failed to fulfil promises made during the 2024 Assembly elections. Addressing a gathering at the party headquarters in Srinagar, organised to felicitate newly elected District President Srinagar Zaffar Habib, Bukhari said the citys residents were facing several challenges, including unemployment, poverty, inadequate housing and civic issues. He alleged that the ruling party leaders had made several promises during the elections, including free electricity, LPG cylinders, additional ration quota, government jobs and regularisation of daily wagers, but had failed to deliver after coming to power. How do you sleep while the people who voted for you continue to suffer? Bukhari asked while targeting Srinagar MLAs. He said the Apni Party remained connected with people at the grassroots and would continue to highlight their concerns at every forum. He particularly flagged issues faced by youth, including unemployment and alleged harassment. Bukhari assured that the party would work towards addressing public grievances through immediate relief measures and long-term solutions. Congratulating Zaffar Habib on his election as Srinagar district president, Bukhari expressed hope that his appointment would strengthen the partys organisational base in the city. Apni Party General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir also congratulated Habib, saying his election through a democratic process reflected the partys commitment to internal democracy. He assured him of full support in carrying out his responsibilities.
NC hits out at opposition, highlights Omar govts flood response
Srinagar, July 25: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) Provincial President Kashmir Showkat Ahmad Mir on Saturday accused opposition parties of indulging in political gimmickry and said the Omar Abdullah-led government was focused on governance, development and addressing public concerns. In a statement issued from the party headquarters at Nawa-e-Subha, Mir alleged that the PDP, Apni Party and Peoples Conference were raising issues unrelated to the aspirations and day-to-day problems of the people. He said the NC government was working on multiple fronts, including strengthening civic infrastructure and pursuing the constitutional demand for restoration of statehood. Mir said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had taken the issue of statehood to New Delhi through a peaceful and constitutional battle, while the government continued development and public welfare initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to the recent flash floods, landslides and heavy rains, Mir said the natural calamity had tested the administration but the government responded with resolve and compassion. He said the Chief Minister and his cabinet members were personally monitoring rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts, adding that ministers had visited affected areas despite difficult conditions. Mir also mentioned that MP Mian Altaf Ahmad and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary had a narrow escape while visiting flood-hit areas, saying it reflected the governments commitment to stand with affected people. He said restoration work was being expedited and urged opposition parties to rise above political differences and contribute constructively during the crisis instead of spreading propaganda and misinformation.
Govt working for long-term flood mitigation plan: Rana
Poonch, July 25: Continuing his visit to flood- and landslide-hit areas, Minister Javed Ahmed Rana on Saturday called for long-term disaster mitigation measures, directing officials to identify vulnerable locations and prepare permanent protection plans against landslides and flash floods. The Minister visited Dhara Sangla in Surankote and interacted with the families who suffered losses in the recent landslides and flash floods. The visit formed part of the Ministers extensive tour of flood and landslide-affected Pir Panjal region over the past several days, aimed at assessing the ground situation, reviewing relief and restoration efforts and ensuring timely assistance to the affected population. At Dhara Sangla, Rana offered condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and assured them that the Government shares their grief and stands firmly with them during this difficult time. He was accompanied by MLA Surankote, Choudhary Mohammad Akram along with officers from various departments. The Government stands firmly with every family affected by this tragedy. We will remain with you through this difficult time and ensure timely support, including immediate relief, rehabilitation assistance and compensation, to help you rebuild your lives, the Minister said. He also told the residents that the Government is closely monitoring the situation and remains fully committed to restore normalcy at the earliest. During the ongoing tour, the Minister has been visiting some of the worst-hit villages and remote habitations, interacting with the affected families and inspecting damage to homes, roads, water supply schemes, irrigation facilities and agricultural land. He is also reviewing the pace of relief and rehabilitation works being carried out by the district administration and line departments. While taking stock of the restoration of essential services, Rana emphasised that the relief process must remain people-centric and responsive. He directed the officers to ensure that genuine cases of loss are assessed promptly and that eligible families receive relief and compensation without unnecessary delay. He reiterated that the Government will continue to monitor the situation closely until normalcy is fully restored. He directed the concerned to restore damaged roads, drinking water schemes, power infrastructure and other public utilities on war footing to ease hardships for the affected population.
CULTURE In the bustling streets of Kashmir, amidst the clamour of modernity, there exists a relic of our cultural richness, a symbol of our culinary tradition that refuse to be forgotten the customary Chochvor or telvora traditional savoury yeast-leavened local bread that thrives even today in the vibrant culinary delights. Compared to other kinds of local bread, Kandar Tchot like bakirkhani, lawasa, sheermal, kulcha, etc, Chochvor serves as reminder of the importance of preserving our rich cultural roots. Chochvor is more than just a kind of local bread; it is a symbol of antiquity, sustainability, community and resilience. As we cherish the aroma of the freshly baked bread and savor the flavors of tandoori delicacies, Chochvor keeps the flame of local bread baking custom burning bright even today. Although Chochvor is small in size; it is famous all over the Valley for its taste. Compared to a dense doughnut, it is soft in texture, savory in taste usually with a hole in the middle and stretchy with a crusty top with sesame seeds Til, sprinkled over it during baking that gives it another name Telvor. Best served with traditional Nun Chai or Kahwa as a morning or evening tea snack, Chochvor in Kashmir is a gift to have, straight journeyed from Iran with Shah-e-Hamadan (RA) where it too is baked in tandoor. Unlike other kinds of local bread, Chochvor hold a special place in the hearts of Kashmiris. It gets sold like hot cakes, and people love to take it fresh for breakfast. It is a stomach-friendly bread that is in great demand everywhere in the valley. Chochvor is one of the most loved breads from our bakers. Its more than breadit carries our culture, taste, tradition, hospitality, community life and is symbol of our heritage. In the past, when people traveled anywhere, they carried Chochvor along because it stayed fresh and satiated their hunger. Back then, only the Kandar community baked it in tandoors. But, now, it is baked at home too. I recall, when in childhood, I had fever. My parents would give me Chochvor with Nun Chai. They believed it helped cure us. Every Friday at our village Madrasa, we were served Chochvor with Kahwa. We sip Kehwa with Chochvor even today. But, honestly, the unique taste, and aroma in the Kehwa of that Darasgah with Chochvor won't be found anywhere. Each district of Kashmir has its special bread. While Pompore is famous for Sheermal, Shopian for Kripan, Anantnag for Katlum, Baramulla for Kulcha, Srinagar for Bakirkhani & GirdaSopore & Bandipora is famous for the best quality Chochvor in the whole valley.Today, Chochvor isnt just baked in the Valley.Our women abroad carry the sweet tradition forward, baking it in their home ovens. One often misses Kashmiri bread, especially Chochvor outside, because it symbolizes Kashmiriyat. It is our identity, and happens to be a significant part of Kashmiri culture. As far as the other kinds of local bread, Chochvor is the crown. It is everyone's favorite, says Dr Rafiq Masoodi, noted writer, erstwhile secretary, cultural academy & ADG Doordarshan. Come; lets pass on our age-old flavors and keep the tradition of baking bread that ties us to our culinary heritage. (The author is an educator and can be reached at: manzurakash@yahoo.co.in )
Beyond Apples: Kashmir's Blueberry Opportunity
Few fruits have shaped the destiny of a region the way the apple has shaped Kashmir's. For decades, orchards stretching across the Valley have sustained an entire economy, providing employment, income and identity to hundreds of thousands of families. Yet this very success has bred a vulnerability of its own. A warming climate, shrinking and increasingly degraded land, rising input and labour costs and a market that swings between glut and scarcity have all combined to remind growers and planners alike that an economy built around a single crop is an economy perpetually at risk. The search for alternatives that can sit alongside, not replace the apple, has therefore become urgent. Among the contenders, one small, dark fruit is quietly making a strong case for itself: the blueberry. Turning a Soil Constraint Into an Opportunity Apples do best in soils that are neutral in pH, precisely the conditions that define most of Kashmir's traditional orchard belts. Blueberries, by contrast, are unusually adapted to acidic conditions and require soils with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5, a range that is unsuitable for many conventional fruit crops. This apparent limitation is, in fact, a major opportunity for Kashmir. The Valley contains substantial areas of acidic and degraded lands, including certain Karewa uplands, brick-kiln-affected sites, eroded hill slopes, and other marginal lands with poor soil fertility and low suitability for traditional horticultural crops. Many of these areas remain underutilised or are left fallow because crops such as apple perform poorly under such conditions. Blueberry cultivation offers a unique opportunity to bring these lands into productive use. By exploiting the crop's natural adaptation to acidic soils, these otherwise unproductive areas can be transformed into economically viable horticultural enterprises, thereby expanding Kashmir's horticultural area without competing with the prime agricultural lands already devoted to apple production. A Small Fruit with an Outsized Market What makes the proposition genuinely attractive is the blueberry's standing in the global marketplace. Marketed worldwide as a superfood on account of its rich antioxidant, anthocyanin and vitamin content and linked to benefits ranging from better heart health to sharper cognitive function, the blueberry has ridden the global wellness wave to become one of the most sought-after fruits on supermarket shelves. The numbers reflect this appetite. The global blueberry market, valued at well over three billion dollars in 2025, is projected to nearly double within a decade, while worldwide production crossed two million tonnes for the first time only recently. India's own import bills for the fruit have risen sharply over the past year, a clear sign that domestic demand is racing ahead of domestic supply. For Kashmiri growers, this gap represents an opening: fresh blueberries routinely command prices well above those of conventional fruit, and the potential rewards multiply further when linked to organised retail, the hospitality sector and processing units producing jams, juices and dried berries. Easier on the Farmer, Kinder to the Land Beyond economics, blueberries bring agronomic advantages that matter in a Valley where farm labour is becoming scarcer and costlier by the year. Unlike apple trees, which demand intensive pruning, canopy management and elaborate training systems through much of the growing season, blueberry bushes are naturally compact and far less labour-intensive to maintain. Once established, they ask for comparatively modest care, a quality that could make them especially attractive to smallholders and to families where younger members are increasingly reluctant to take up the demanding routines of traditional orchard work. Two Roads Into Cultivation Kashmir's geography offers growers more than one way in. Where field soils are unsuitable, blueberries can be grown in grow bags or containers filled with specially prepared acidic media; a method that has gained popularity worldwide precisely because it allows precise control over soil acidity, drainage and nutrition, sidestepping the limitations of native soil altogether. Where naturally acidic mountain soils already exist in the upland regions, direct field planting becomes a real possibility. Combined with the Valley's temperate climate, its reliable winter chilling essential for the plant's fruiting cycle and access to irrigation water, several upland pockets could emerge as genuine commercial cultivation zones, not merely experimental plots. Getting the Basics Right None of this potential will be realised without attention to fundamentals. Healthy, true-to-type planting material from reputable nurseries is the starting point; poor-quality stock, whether from seeds or unreliable sellers, can doom a plantation before it begins. Growing media rich in organic matter like pine bark, peat moss, cocopeat and similar acidic substrates need to be incorporated to recreate the conditions blueberries demand. Mulching helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds and stabilise root-zone temperatures, while regular irrigation is non-negotiable given the plant's notably shallow root system, particularly during flowering and fruit development. Planting more than one compatible variety, even where some cultivars are self-fertile, can noticeably improve pollination, fruit set and berry size, details that, taken together, separate a thriving plantation from a struggling one. Comparative Advantage of Blueberry Cultivation Blueberries possess significant comparative advantages as a high-value fruit crop for Kashmir. Under suitable management, blueberry plants start bearing fruit in the second year after planting, producing approximately 0.5 kg of berries per plant. As the plants attain full bearing at around 45 years of age, yields can increase to 2-3 kg per plant. The plants can be spaced at 0.7 m x 1.5 m accounting for approximately 482 plants/kanal (9500 plants/ha), keeping a minimum yield of 1-1.5 kg/ plant, we could harvest around 14000 kg/ha. With a modest farm gate price of Rs 1000/kg, we are looking for a revenue of more than a 50 lakh/ha. Financial Feasibility and Initial Costs Blueberry is emerging as a promising alternative fruit crop in Kashmir, particularly as growers seek diversification beyond traditional apple cultivation. Several private companies and progressive farmers have already started commercial blueberry plantations in the valley, indicating increasing interest in the crop. While rabbiteye blueberries are predominantly cultivated in many parts of India due to their lower chilling requirements, they generally produce lower yields and are considered inferior in flavour and fruit quality compared to highbush blueberries. In contrast, Kashmir's temperate climate provides adequate winter chilling required for highbush blueberry cultivars, enabling their successful cultivation. Highbush blueberries are known for their superior taste, higher yields, larger berry size and greater antioxidant content, making them more desirable in both domestic and premium markets. These favourable agro-climatic conditions, coupled with the crop's high market value and nutritional benefits, make blueberry an excellent candidate for large-scale cultivation and commercialisation in Kashmir. Recognizing its potential, SKUAST-K has initiated research on blueberry cultivation and performance under Kashmir conditions. Three highbush blueberry cultivars: Spartan, Liberty, and Toro have been evaluated and have shown promising growth, adaptability and yield performance. Furthermore, the university is currently undertaking a project on the establishment of a Smart Blueberry Farm to develop advanced production technologies and demonstrate the crop's commercial viability. The initial establishment cost of a blueberry farm is relatively high, primarily due to the cost of planting material. At present, each blueberry plant costs approximately 600, although this price is expected to decrease in the future as domestic production and availability improve. With a planting density of approximately 400 plants per kanal at a spacing of 2.5 ft 5 ft, the total expenditure on planting material is about 240,000. In addition, the cultivation system requires grow bags and cocopeat, costing around 100 per grow bag and 100 worth of cocopeat per bag, resulting in an additional 80,000 (40,000 for grow bags and 40,000 for cocopeat). Thus, the combined cost of plants, grow bags, and cocopeat is approximately 320,000 per kanal. Furthermore, the installation of a drip irrigation system is estimated at 10,000 per kanal, while another 10,000 should be allocated for miscellaneous activities such as site preparation, planting, and other establishment expenses. Therefore, the overall initial investment required to establish a one-kanal blueberry farm is approximately 340,000. A Complement, Not a Competitor It would be a mistake to frame this as apples versus blueberries. The case for the blueberry rests precisely on its ability to thrive where apples cannot-on acidic, degraded and non-traditional land that currently contributes little to the horticultural economy. Used this way, blueberries do not compete with the apple sector for land, water or attention; they expand the productive base around it, giving farmers an additional, high-value income stream and the Valley's horticulture a measure of resilience it currently lacks. Realising this, however, will take more than enthusiasm. It calls for sustained research support from institutions such as SKUAST-Kashmir to identify and popularise cultivars suited to local conditions, reliable access to quality planting material, structured training for farmers willing to experiment with a crop most have never grown and market linkages that ensure the premium the fruit commands abroad and in metropolitan India also reaches the grower in the Valley. Existing schemes for horticultural diversification and irrigation support could be steered, with some intent, toward exactly this kind of initiative. The story of Kashmir's apple economy was written over decades through vision, experimentation and the willingness of farmers to adapt. The blueberry, small as it is, may be offering the Valley a chance to write a new chapter in that same tradition one berry at a time. (The author is Head, Division of Fruit Science, SKUAST-K. Feedback: ashaqpandit@gmail.com)
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