57 lakh active workers await e-KYC under VB GRAM G
Centre had earlier assured that existing e-KYC verified job cards will remain validuntil issuance of the new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards; States repeatedly missed e-KYC verification deadlines
Chennai Corporation floated over 14,500 tenders last year, says Commissioner
Ethiraj College signs MoU with US-based public accounting for industry interaction
GCC seeks 300 cr. overdraft as pending bills cross 2,000 crore
Councillors raise concern over faecal contamination of water
Excises special drive flags inflow of illicit liquor into Keralams Ernakulam
The department registered 131 cases in the district under the Abkari Act from August 1 to 27 over alleged illegal manufacturing, sales and trafficking of liquor during the special enforcement drive during the Onam season
1.50-crore project to redevelop Vyttila Junction nearing completion
The widened and redeveloped portions beneath the Vyttila flyover being opened to traffic in a phased manner; a dedicated bus bay to park four buses at a time to be readied on the south-western side of the junction
Woman found dead near Uthukottai
Campus on edge: ongoing stir at IIT Delhi places spotlight on student suicides, mental health
Delhi couple held for nexus with ISI espionage network
The 25-year-old husband and 21-year-old wife were allegedly tasked with providing logistical support to the network in Delhi, recruiting more individuals for espionage and carrying out field operations
T.N. govt. orders DFR for Water Metro link
T.N. govt. orders DFR for Water Metro link
STS: Students of PSBB KK Nagar emerge winners in The Hindu Madras Quiz
STS: Students of PSBB KK Nagar emerge winners in The Hindu Madras Quiz
Renovated holistic wellness centre inaugurated
Threatening slogans: IIT Delhi Director warns protesters of disciplinary action
Tiruppur takes the lead in free coaching for aspirants of TNPSC Group 2 and 2A exams
Tiruppur takes the lead in free coaching for aspirants of TNPSC Group 2 and 2A exams
Recreation spaces for elderly set to come up under new scheme
Delhi University students murder: accused arrested after gunfight in west Delhi
TANSTIA urges government to increase limits for self-certification of land
Vellore International School U-15 inter-school football tournament to begin on August 31
National Federation of the Blind puts forth demands for visually impaired persons
The federation also demanded that the travel be free of charge on all government air-conditioned buses for persons with visual impairment
CM Vijay gaining national recognition for good governance: Sengottaiyan
Chennai should be celebrated as it has the best of everything
Dr. Athiya Agarwal is Director and Consultant, Dr Agarwal Group of Eye Hospitals
Compensation for agricultural land to be utilised for IDPL project increased from 100% to 125%
Shiksha schools hold annual sports meet
Five persons injured near Ambur
VIT signs MoU with Columbia University on dual degree programme
Medical college hostel canteens under food safety scanner
Will call for bandh in Bengaluru: Private transport operators
In cases where parties know the truth, judge is on trial: Supreme Court
Court orders the parties to pay 5 lakh each in costsfor wasting judicial time for 11 years with a 'manufactured controversy' while genuine litigants waited in queue
Singarenis short-supply of quality, quantity coal forces Genco to seek 5 MT supply from CIL, MCL
CMD of TG-Genco writes to Ministry of Power for supply of coal to run its thermal stations at rated capacities
Resignation comes as morale booster for BJP as it tastes first political victory against new regime
IGL hikes CNG prices by 3.89 per kg as LNG prices stay elevated
The revised price for CNG in Delhi would be 86.98 per kg.
Parents must Lead with Love, Discipline, and Example
Parents are the first teachers, the first protectors, and often the first moral compass a child ever knows. Long before a child enters a classroom, the home begins shaping character, habits, emotions, and ideas about right and wrong. In that sense, parenthood is not merely a private role; it is a profound social responsibility. A family that raises thoughtful, respectful, and emotionally secure children helps build a healthier society. A family that neglects this duty leaves behind wounds that schools, institutions, and governments can rarely fully repair. The responsibilities of parents begin with care, but they do not end there. Food, shelter, and clothing are essential, but they are only the visible part of the task. Children need attention, time, guidance, and a sense of belonging. In an age where distraction has become a way of life, many children are growing up in homes where everyone is connected to a screen but disconnected from one another. Parents must not allow convenience to replace presence. A child may forget a toy or a lesson, but rarely forgets whether they were listened to, comforted, and valued. Discipline is another essential duty, but discipline is not the same as harshness. Children need boundaries, structure, and consistency. They must learn that freedom comes with responsibility, and that manners matter as much as marks. Parents who confuse love with permissiveness often raise children ill-equipped to face the demands of real life. At the same time, fear-based parenting can damage confidence and trust. The best approach is firm but fair, where correction is paired with explanation, and authority is balanced with affection. Equally important is the example parents set in their own behaviour. Children learn more from what they observe than from what they are told. If parents speak respectfully, children absorb respect. If parents resolve disagreements calmly, children learn restraint. If parents are honest, hardworking, and compassionate, these values take root naturally. But if a child grows up witnessing anger, deception, prejudice, or indifference, no sermon can easily undo that lesson. The home must therefore embody the values it expects from the child. Parents also have a duty to stay involved in their childrens education and emotional development. This does not mean controlling every move, but it does mean knowing their struggles, interests, friendships, and fears. In todays world, children face pressures that previous generations often did not academic anxiety, social media comparison, unhealthy influences, and emotional isolation. A parents role is to remain accessible, patient, and alert. A child should feel that home is the safest place to be honest. Ultimately, good parenting is not about perfection. It is about commitment, awareness, and steady effort. No parent will get everything right, but every parent can strive to be more present, more patient, and more principled. A society that wants disciplined citizens, compassionate neighbours, and responsible adults must begin by strengthening families. The future of any community is quietly being shaped today at the dining table, in daily conversations, and in the example parents set when no one is watching.
Lessons from Nepals Flood Catastrophe
The images emerging from Nepal are terrifying, but they are also instructive. Entire settlements washed away, roads cut off, lives lost, and hundreds still missing the scale of the tragedy is a grim reminder that the Himalayas are no longer a distant postcard of beauty, but a living zone of danger. For Kashmir, the lesson is not merely emotional sympathy. It is urgent self-examination. What is unfolding in Nepal should force us to look closely at our own vulnerabilities. Kashmir, too, sits in a seismic, fragile, and flood-prone Himalayan belt. Our rivers swell quickly, our slopes remain unstable, our drainage systems are overburdened, and our unplanned urban expansion continues to ignore the basic logic of geography. Every time disaster strikes elsewhere, we express concern. But concern without preparedness is only a temporary emotion. The first lesson from Nepal is that nature does not wait for governance to catch up. By the time warnings are fully understood, the damage is already done. This is especially true for mountain regions where cloudbursts, landslides, flash floods, and glacial lake outbursts can turn a few hours of rain into a catastrophe. Kashmir has witnessed enough such events to know that this cannot happen here is the most dangerous sentence in public life. The second lesson is the cost of weak infrastructure. Roads, bridges, embankments, drainage channels, and hillside settlements must be planned for extreme events, not average weather. A river does not negotiate with concrete. A slope does not respect political promises. If construction continues to outrun safety planning, then every development project carries within it the seed of future destruction. The third lesson is social preparedness. Communities that know evacuation routes, emergency contact points, and safe shelters survive better than those left to improvisation. Schools, panchayats, local bodies, and disaster management agencies must build a culture of drills and awareness. Relief cannot begin only after the water enters homes. It must begin long before the clouds gather. There is also a deeper moral lesson. Climate change is no longer an abstract debate for seminars and policy papers. It is now lived reality in the mountains. The Himalayas are warming, weather patterns are becoming erratic, and the old assumptions about seasons and safety are collapsing. To treat such disasters as isolated events is to miss the larger warning. Nepals flood tragedy should therefore become a wake-up call for Kashmirs planners, administrators, and citizens alike. We need stronger embankments, smarter land-use policies, better weather forecasting, stricter regulation of construction, and far more serious investment in disaster readiness. Most of all, we need humility before the landscape we inhabit. The mountains are speaking. The question is whether we are listening.
12 years of PM Jan Dhan Yojana: Banking for All, Empowerment for All
Today, the aim of this programme goes beyond focusing on household, but every adult who did not yet have a bank account In January 2015, a remarkable thing happened in India that more than one crore eighty lakh bank accounts were opened across the country within a week, this feat was also recognised by the Guinness World Records. This didnt happen in a big-city alone, but across small towns and remote villages, where families who had never possessed a bank account gained access to banking for the first time. That January week-long drive is now popularly known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, or simply PM-JDY. A large number of those who opened accounts had no prior experience of dealing with banks; they had never owned a debit card, and never had a place to keep money safe other than at home. Since then this drive has grown into a nationwide movement that has assisted the lives of hundreds of millions of Indians. The trajectory of PM-JDY As of August this year, the number of PM-JDY accounts across the country stands at 59.09 crore, this number was recorded to be 14.72 crore in 2015. The numbers have gone four times. Of these bank accounts, nearly 46 crore belong to people in rural and semi-urban areas, the places where access to banks was hardest to come by. As per the official records, around 33 crore of the account holders are reportedly women, a number that has kept rising year after year. When the scheme started, at that time the goal was deemed to give every household a bank account. A few years later, in 2018, that goal grew bigger. Today, the aim of this programme goes beyond focusing on household, but every adult who did not yet have a bank account. This shift meant more people, especially women and workers in informal jobs, could open an account in their own name, not just through the head of the family. Opening the account is only the beginning of what the scheme offers. Other benefits of this scheme According to this scheme, every account holder gets a RuPay debit card, which works at ATMs and shops across the country. So far more than 41 crore such cards have been given out. Along with the card comes accident insurance, worth up to two lakh rupees for accounts opened after August 2018, and the account holder does not pay anything for this cover. After six months of regular use, account holders can also apply for an overdraft of up to ten thousand rupees, giving a small cushion of credit to families who may never have had access to a loan before. The scheme also acts as a window to other government support. Money meant for pensions, subsidies, and welfare payments reaches people directly through these accounts, cutting out delays and middlemen. Account holders can also join pension and insurance schemes such as the Atal Pension Yojana, the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, and the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, all built around the same bank account. Money in these accounts has grown too, and grown fast. Deposits have gone from about fifteen thousand crore rupees in 2015 to over three lakh sixteen thousand crore rupees in 2026. This tells us something beyond numbers on a balance sheet. It tells us that people are saving more, trusting banks more, and relying less on cash kept at home or informal moneylenders. India's Financial Inclusion Index, a measure of how well people across the country can access banking, credit, insurance, and digital payments, has moved from 53.9 in 2018 to 67 in 2026. Global institutions like the IMF and the World Bank have also spoken about the role PM-JDY has played in this change. What began as a week of opening accounts has turned into a permanent shift in how India banks. A scheme that started with a simple idea, that every family deserves a place to keep their money safe, has grown into a wide network of savings, credit, insurance, and pensions reaching the parts of the country that needed it most. Twelve years is a long time in the life of any government programme, but for the person who opened their first account in that record-breaking week in 2015, it has been the start of something that continues to shape how they save, borrow, and plan for the future. (Courtesy: PIB Srinagar)
RAJINDER HINDU The history of Jammu and Kashmir is often narrated through a narrow political lens. Certain personalities are celebrated, others are condemned, and complex historical developments are reduced to convenient slogans. Yet some of the most important questions surrounding the events of 1947 remain insufficiently examined, particularly from the perspective of Jammu. Among these questions is the political relationship between Jawaharlal Nehru and Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the circumstances surrounding the tribal invasion of Jammu and Kashmir in October 1947, and the consequences of the political decisions taken during those critical months. These issues are not merely matters of historical curiosity. They lie at the heart of Jammu and Kashmir's subsequent political trajectory and continue to influence debates about representation, identity, autonomy, democracy and national integration. History must be examined with evidence, context and intellectual honesty. Political interpretations may differ, but uncomfortable questions should not be buried simply because they challenge established narratives. A Princely State at a Historic Crossroads In 1947, Jammu and Kashmir was one of the largest and most strategically important princely states in the Indian subcontinent. It was geographically diverse and politically complex. The state contained Jammu, the Kashmir Valley, Ladakh and frontier regions, each possessing its own history, culture, linguistic traditions and political aspirations. Maharaja Hari Singh ruled a state whose population was religiously diverse. Like the rulers of other princely states, he faced the historic choice created by the end of British paramountcy: accession to India, accession to Pakistan, or, as initially hoped by some rulers, an attempt to preserve independence. The Maharaja's position during the early months of 1947 has been interpreted differently by historians. What is beyond dispute is that Jammu and Kashmir had not acceded to either India or Pakistan by August 15, 1947. Pakistan's leadership regarded the state's geographical contiguity and Muslim-majority population as reasons for its accession to Pakistan. India, on the other hand, argued that the legal decision of accession rested with the ruler of a princely state, subject to the constitutional framework established at Partition. Amid this uncertainty, political tensions within the state continued to grow. Sheikh Abdullah had emerged as the most prominent political leader in the Kashmir Valley through the National Conference. His movement had challenged the Dogra monarchy and demanded representative government. The political conflict between the Maharaja's administration and Sheikh Abdullah was therefore already intense before the tribal invasion. At the national level, Sheikh Abdullah enjoyed a particularly close political and personal relationship with Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru strongly identified with the National Conference's political aspirations and viewed Sheikh Abdullah as a progressive, secular and popular leader in Kashmir. This relationship would acquire enormous importance during the crisis of 1947. The Tribal Invasion and the Collapse of Security In late October 1947, armed tribal forces entered Jammu and Kashmir from the direction of Pakistan. The invasion created panic and devastation across large areas of the state. Muzaffarabad and other strategically important locations were quickly affected as the invading forces advanced towards Srinagar. The tribal invasion represented a decisive turning point. The state's military resources were limited and unable to effectively confront the advancing forces. Communication networks were disrupted, civilian populations faced immense danger, and the administration struggled to respond to the rapidly deteriorating situation. The advance towards Srinagar created an emergency of historic proportions. It was under these circumstances that Maharaja Hari Singh sought military assistance from India. The Government of India insisted that military intervention required a formal constitutional basis. Consequently, the Instrument of Accession was signed by the Maharaja, and India accepted the accession. On October 27, 1947, Indian troops were airlifted into Srinagar. The military operation to defend Kashmir remains one of the most important episodes in the history of independent India. Had the airport fallen into the hands of the invading forces, the political and military situation could have changed dramatically. Yet the military crisis and the political crisis were unfolding simultaneously. While soldiers defended territory, political leaders in Delhi were shaping the future structure of governance in the state. The Rise of Sheikh Abdullah as the Central Political Figure Sheikh Abdullah's release from imprisonment shortly before the invasion and his subsequent emergence as the central political authority in Kashmir marked a major transformation in the state's politics. Jawaharlal Nehru placed extraordinary political confidence in Sheikh Abdullah. In Nehru's view, Abdullah represented a modern, secular and democratic political force capable of mobilising popular support against Pakistan and against communal politics. This confidence, however, created a fundamental political question: did the Government of India become excessively dependent upon one political leader and one regional political movement in determining the future of the entire state? This question is particularly significant from Jammu's perspective. Jammu was not politically identical to the Kashmir Valley. Ladakh was not politically identical to either Jammu or Kashmir. The future of the state required a framework capable of recognising the aspirations of all its regions. Yet the dominant political relationship that emerged in 1947 and the years immediately afterwards was between New Delhi and Sheikh Abdullah. For Jawaharlal Nehru, Sheikh Abdullah was not merely a regional leader. He became the principal political partner through whom the Government of India sought to establish popular legitimacy within Jammu and Kashmir. The consequences of this relationship were profound. Was Jammu Adequately Represented? One of the unanswered questions in Jammu's political history concerns representation. Who spoke for Jammu during the crucial negotiations over the political future of the state? Who represented the concerns of Jammu's population when constitutional arrangements were being discussed? Who ensured that political authority would not become excessively concentrated in the hands of leaders whose primary base lay in the Kashmir Valley? These questions became increasingly important after Sheikh Abdullah assumed political authority as the head of the Emergency Administration and subsequently as Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. The political structure of the state increasingly generated concerns in Jammu that the interests of the region were being subordinated to the political priorities of the Kashmir Valley. This was not simply a communal question, as it is sometimes portrayed. Jammu contained people of different religions, communities and social backgrounds. The larger issue was one of political representation and regional balance. A geographically diverse state required a political system capable of respecting diversity. Instead, many people in Jammu gradually came to believe that the state's politics were being interpreted internationally and nationally almost exclusively through the lens of Kashmir Valley politics. The result was a widening sense of political alienation. The NehruSheikh Relationship and Its Political Consequences The close relationship between Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah has been described in various ways by historians and political commentators. Some regard it as a necessary partnership that helped India secure popular support in Kashmir during a dangerous military crisis. Others argue that Nehru's personal confidence in Sheikh Abdullah influenced national policy to an extent that weakened institutional balance. The truth may lie somewhere between these interpretations, but the question deserves serious examination. In politics, personal trust can be valuable during moments of crisis. However, democratic governance requires institutions that are stronger than personal relationships. A state as diverse and strategically sensitive as Jammu and Kashmir could not permanently depend upon the political understanding between two individuals. Yet for a significant period, the NehruSheikh relationship became central to the state's political direction. This had consequences for the Maharaja, whose authority was gradually reduced. It had consequences for political opponents of the National Conference, who often felt excluded. And it had consequences for regions such as Jammu, where political movements increasingly demanded greater representation and equal treatment. The relationship also became complicated when differences eventually emerged between Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah. The political partnership that had appeared indispensable in 1947 entered a period of serious disagreement by the early 1950s. The eventual dismissal and arrest of Sheikh Abdullah in 1953 demonstrated how dramatically the relationship had changed. This later rupture itself raises an important historical question. If Sheikh Abdullah had been regarded as the indispensable representative of Jammu and Kashmir in the early years, how did the political relationship deteriorate so rapidly? The answer cannot be found merely in the personalities of the two leaders. It must also be sought in the structural weaknesses of a political arrangement that relied too heavily upon personal confidence rather than broad-based institutional consensus. The Forgotten Political Voice of Jammu The story of Jammu and Kashmir is frequently presented as though the state consisted of one political problem and one principal region. This approach is historically inadequate. Jammu's political movements, social concerns and demands for representation played an important role in shaping the state's later history. The Praja Parishad movement, which emerged as a major political force in Jammu, reflected deep dissatisfaction with what many perceived as unequal political treatment. The famous demand for complete integration with India was not merely an abstract ideological slogan. It was rooted in a belief among many people in Jammu that they were being denied equal political status within the constitutional framework of the state. The political mobilisation of Jammu during the 1950s demonstrated that the state's future could not be determined exclusively through the political priorities of the Kashmir Valley. The sacrifice of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee during the agitation against the permit system further transformed the debate over Jammu and Kashmir into a national political issue. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the ideological positions of the Praja Parishad and other political movements, their historical importance cannot be ignored. They represented a significant regional challenge to the assumption that Sheikh Abdullah's political position automatically represented the entire state. This distinction is essential. Sheikh Abdullah was unquestionably an important leader of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Kashmir Valley. But an important historical question remains: to what extent could anyone leader legitimately claim to represent the political aspirations of every region of such a diverse state? The Cost of a Kashmir-Centric Narrative The international dispute over Jammu and Kashmir further contributed to the dominance of a Kashmir-centric narrative. The conflict came to be described globally as the Kashmir issue, even though the former princely state included Jammu, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-administered territories. Language shapes political understanding. When the entire historical and territorial dispute is reduced to the word Kashmir, the political experiences of Jammu and Ladakh can easily become invisible. This problem was not merely international. It also affected political discourse within India. For decades, major decisions concerning Jammu and Kashmir were often discussed primarily in terms of their consequences for Kashmir Valley politics. Jammu's concerns were frequently addressed as secondary questions. The imbalance contributed to resentment. A durable political system cannot demand loyalty from citizens while consistently making them feel politically invisible. The history of Jammu therefore demands recognition not as a footnote to Kashmir Valley politics but as an integral part of the larger history of Jammu and Kashmir. The Question of Responsibility The events of 1947 were shaped by extraordinary circumstances. Partition had produced violence and displacement across the subcontinent. Political institutions were new and fragile. Military resources were limited. Communication was difficult, and leaders were making decisions under enormous pressure. It would therefore be simplistic to judge every decision of that period without considering its historical context. Jawaharlal Nehru faced a military crisis, an international dispute and intense domestic political pressures. Sheikh Abdullah faced the challenge of establishing political authority while supporting resistance against the invading forces. Maharaja Hari Singh confronted the collapse of his administration and a direct military threat to his state. History should acknowledge these complexities. However, acknowledging complexity does not mean abandoning criticism. The central question is whether the political arrangements created after accession sufficiently reflected the diversity of the state. Did New Delhi give excessive importance to one political leadership? Were alternative voices adequately consulted? Did Jammu and Ladakh receive the institutional guarantees necessary to prevent political marginalisation? Could a broader political consensus in 1947 and the years immediately following have reduced the conflicts that later emerged? These are legitimate historical questions. They should not be dismissed as partisan simply because they challenge familiar narratives. History Must Allow Difficult Questions The NehruSheikh Abdullah question is ultimately not a question about condemning one individual or glorifying another. It is a question about the relationship between personality and institutions, between regional representation and political power, and between historical necessity and long-term consequences. Nehru's faith in Sheikh Abdullah may have been understandable during the crisis of 1947. Sheikh Abdullah possessed political influence and a mass base in the Kashmir Valley. His opposition to Pakistan's designs made him an important ally for India. But political necessity in one moment does not automatically justify permanent political dominance. The entire state required a broader constitutional and political vision. Jammu required recognition. Ladakh required recognition. Different communities required security. Political opponents required democratic space. The tragedy of Jammu and Kashmir's subsequent history is that many of these questions remained unresolved for decades. An Unanswered Chapter of Jammu's History Today, as India continues to debate the history and future of Jammu and Kashmir, the people of Jammu have every right to revisit the events of 1947 and the political choices that followed. This does not require hostility towards Kashmir or a denial of the historical suffering experienced by any community. On the contrary, a mature understanding of history requires recognition of every region's experience. Jammu's history cannot be reduced to a geographical extension of Kashmir Valley politics. Its people have their own political memories, sacrifices, movements and aspirations. The tribal invasion of 1947, the accession to India, the arrival of Indian troops, the rise of Sheikh Abdullah, the role of Jawaharlal Nehru and the subsequent political transformation of the state must therefore be examined as interconnected developments. The unanswered questions remain significant. Was the relationship between Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah too central to the political future of the state? Did personal political confidence overshadow the need for broader regional consultation? Were the aspirations of Jammu adequately protected? Could a more balanced political settlement have prevented decades of regional resentment? History may not provide simple answers. But it must allow the questions to be asked. The people of Jammu do not seek a rewritten history based on resentment. They seek a complete history based on facts, evidence and the recognition that Jammu, too, was a central participant in the making of modern India. The events of 1947 changed the destiny of Jammu and Kashmir forever. The tribal invasion created the immediate military emergency. The accession established the state's constitutional relationship with India. The NehruSheikh Abdullah partnership shaped the political arrangements that followed. Understanding this period requires more than repeating established narratives. It requires examining who made decisions, whose voices were heard, whose concerns were postponed and which regions bore the long-term consequences of political choices made during a moment of extraordinary crisis. That examination is not an attack on history. It is history. And until Jammu's political experience is given the attention it deserves, one of the most important chapters in the history of Jammu and Kashmir will remain unanswered. (The Author is a columnist)
MBBS counselling: KNRUHSs first-phase web options from today
MBBS counselling: KNRUHSs first-phase web options from today
Prime Business Voice magazine launched in Srinagar
Srinagar, Aug 28: A new quarterly business magazine, Prime Business Voice, dedicated to Kashmirs evolving economic landscape, was formally launched in Srinagar on Friday. Founded by media professional Rouf Majid, who has nearly 15 years of international media experience, the publication aims to provide an editorial platform for entrepreneurs, businesses and professionals across Jammu and Kashmir. The launch event brought together business leaders, government officials, healthcare professionals, architects, engineers, legal experts and representatives of the hospitality sector. The magazine will cover business, technology, policy and economic affairs, with a focus on investment, tourism, environmental issues, governance, corporate social responsibility, legal frameworks and emerging market opportunities. Speaking at the launch, Editor and Publisher Rouf Majid said Kashmir had a strong community of entrepreneurs and professionals whose contributions often remained under-reported. He said the publication would seek to highlight their stories while providing analysis of the regions economic challenges and opportunities. Industry and professional representatives at the event welcomed the initiative, saying a dedicated business publication could help strengthen dialogue between entrepreneurs, policymakers and different professional sectors. Prime Business Voice will be available in print and digital formats. Its inaugural edition has an initial print circulation of 1,000 copies and features profiles, interviews and sectoral analyses focusing on Kashmirs business and economic growth.
Bukhari calls for Centre-J&K dialogue
Srinagar, Aug 28: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday said the abrogation of Article 370 had inflicted a deep wound on the emotions of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, while calling for renewed dialogue between the Centre and the people of the Union Territory. Addressing a public convention in Tral, Bukhari said both the Congress and BJP were responsible for the erosion of Article 370, alleging that the Congress had hollowed out the provision over the years while the BJP revoked it completely in 2019. Article 370 provided constitutional protection to our land and jobs, and that is why, following its abrogation along with Article 35A on August 5, 2019, the Apni Party pursued the matter with the Centre and ensured that the people of J&K must retain exclusive rights over land and employment in J&K, he said. Bukhari claimed that the party had succeeded in convincing the Centre to protect these rights, leading to the introduction of the domicile law. He, however, stressed the need for dialogue between New Delhi and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the youth, saying it was necessary to bridge the existing trust deficit. There is an urgent need to make New Delhi understand the importance of initiating a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the youth, to address their genuine issues and concerns, Bukhari said. He alleged that the elected government had failed to address pressing public issues and said his party would continue urging the Centre to engage directly with the people of J&K. Bukhari also criticised the ruling National Conference, accusing it of prioritising power over the interests of the people and failing to fulfil its election promises. He cited promises of one lakh jobs, 200 units of free electricity, free gas cylinders and regularisation of daily wagers, alleging that these commitments had remained unfulfilled. He also criticised the NC's position on restoration of Article 370 and 35A, saying the party had sought votes by promising restoration of the provisions but was now focusing primarily on statehood. This is nothing but political drama, and they have always resorted to such tactics, he said. Bukhari urged people to move away from what he described as traditional political parties that had allegedly relied on false promises and emotional slogans.
Ladakh will get special provisions under Art 371: Union Minister
Leh, Aug 28:- The Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh is very close to the heart of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will soon get special provisions under Art 371 as an exceptional case. This was stated by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Sh Kiren Rijiju in Leh on Friday. The Minister was speaking at the Silver Jubilee Founders Day function of the Druk Padma Karpo School at Shey in Leh district where he was the Chief Guest. Rijiju said during his address that Prime Minister Modi always believed that regions like Ladakh need special attention and he has been working towards this ever since he first assumed charge as Prime Minister. He said that it is because of his vision that the development landscape of Ladakh is witnessing change like never before, both on the economic and the social front. The Minister said that under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Home Affairs is working towards providing special provisions for the UT of Ladakh. He said that it is only because of PM Modi's affinity for the region that such provisions are being considered for the region. Expressing hope that these provisions will materialize soon and the people of Ladakh will be able to take benefit from them, the Minister said that the PM has been wanting for a long time to visit the region and share his thoughts with the people and this desire may also see the light of day soon. Rijiju said that there is a sea change in the way people used to look at Ladakh and the scenario now is entirely different from what it was 25 years ago. He said that a lot of development has taken place in the region, especially in the last 10 years. He made special mention of improvements in road connectivity and said that journeys from one part of the UT to the other which would earlier take days can now be completed in a matter of hours. The Minister said that recent developments like the creation of new districts in Ladakh will greatly benefit the population and people will realize that such changes have been brought in only for their benefit. He said that UT status had also been a long pending demand of the people of Ladakh and that demand has also now been fulfilled. He added that a bench of the High Court will also be established in Ladakh in the near future and this will greatly benefit the local population. Rijiju mentioned that he is the first Buddhist ever to hold a position in the Union Cabinet of Ministers and it is only because of PM Modis care and concern for the minorities that such a thing has become possible. He added that all minorities have equal opportunities in the country and that the government is committed to the development of all minorities and a lot of work is being done towards making that possible.
TNPL: Andre Siddarth gifts Vida Kovai Kings its third title
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Probe launched after group stops Keralam CM Satheesans convoy in Thiruvananthapuram
The group, organising another Sree Narayana Guru event at Chenthi, signalled the CMs vehicle which was heading to Chempazhanthy to stop and attend their event
Unkind cuts: On the Telangana and Karnataka electoral rolls
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Third Wave Coffee opens two new community-focused cafes in Vizag
Expedite Gopalapatnam-Old Goshala road expansion works: GVMC chief to officials
Bombay High Court grants bail to PFI accused, cites lack of evidence
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Mohammed Iqbal Ibrahim Khan in September 2022 under various sections of the IPC and UAPA
21 residents of Tamil Nadu rescued from Nepal arrive in Chennai
The pilgrims, who are from Chidambaram and Mayiladuthurai, were part of a group of friends and relatives who were travelling together
DGP lays foundation stone for Vihara, Vihari and Central police canteen at Mangalagiri
Engineering students urged to plan careers from first year
Dr. Farooq offers Friday prayers at Hazratbal
Srinagar, Aug 28: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Friday joined thousands of devotees in offering Salatul-Jumuah at the Asar-e-Sharief Dargah Hazratbal following Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) observances. Dr Abdullah prayed for lasting peace, prosperity and brotherhood in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and beyond. Later, he visited the refreshment stall set up by the National Conference Zadibal unit, led by MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, where refreshments were being served to devotees and visitors during the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi observances.
Ministry eases norms for defence exports, licences
Exporters can self-generate a one-time authorisation for multiple consignments without seeking separate approval for each batch; licence validity increased to two years
Ministry eases norms for defence exports, licences
Exporters can self-generate a one-time authorisation for multiple consignments without seeking separate approval for each batch; licence validity increased to two years
Union Bank of India raises $600 mn via bonds
Nepal flood toll rises to 579; nearly 2,000 still missing
More than 4,500 people, including 85 Indians, were rescued; 98 Indian tourists are still unaccounted for; the Nepal govt. allows foreign experts to join the search operation following intense diplomatic pressure
3.02-cr bio-fertilizer lab to come up at Yendada
Food safety: Hotel owners propose test labs at meeting with Khader
Vinay Kulkarni returns to Dharwad after five years
Watch: Nepal Flash floods: Indian pilgrims rescued from Nepal welcomed by Jaishankar
Devastating flash floods in Nepal have triggered a massive rescue and relief operation, with hundreds dead or missing and several Indian nationals still unaccounted for.India is stepping up efforts to trace its citizens, bring stranded Indians home andassistNepal in its rescue operations.
China removes high-ranking officers from key military body
In January, though, the Defence Ministry said that Zhang and Liu were suspected of serious violations of discipline and the law, a common euphemism for corruption
AMUDA jurisdiction expanded to 1,765 sq. kms in Konaseema dist.
Ramachandrapuram municipality and five Mandals have been included in AMUDA limits
Raidurg auction sets record with 269 crore per acre
Syria's President appoints Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi as his adviser
Mustafa Khalil Abdi is appointed as adviser to the presidency of the republic, says sources
Hosur MLA opposes airport plan citing farmers concerns
He says the State government should not pursue the project after Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has cancelled the Parandur airport project near Chennai
HC permits kodiyettram to be conducted as per timings indicated in invitation
CSR spending lacks deep impact, job creation: Amitabh Kant
India must prioritise technology-driven, job-rich entrepreneurship in rural areas to achieve its ambition of growing from a $4 trillion economy to a $30 trillion economy by 2047.
Karnataka Minister B. Nagendra resigns again over alleged Valmiki Corporation scam
Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra has resigned from the Cabinet again over his alleged involvement in the multi-crore Valmiki Corporation fund embezzlement case, barely 25 days after returning to the ministry.
PML-N's Iftikhar Gillani elected as PoK 'prime minister'
Mr. Gillani, of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), secured 30 of the 44 votes in the so-called legislative assembly during its session in Muzaffarabad, the regions capital
Fresh glacial lakes form at source of Nepals ice-rock avalanche
NDMA head confirms the formation of two new lakes and moraines, but says no information is available on water volume; monitoring limitations mean that early warning systems may not be able to prevent another such disaster
Celebrating ability through sport
Police falling back on village vigilance committees to uphold law and order
Chief Minister bats for helipads on high-rises, likely to be made mandatory
Tilted apartment wing: Developer begins demolition, 49 flats to be rebuild
A source in the GBAs town planning section confirmed to The Hindu that the external agency that had given the soil investigation report had discrepancies, which led to the tilt
Arunachal: AAPSU warns of agitation if new APSSB recruitment rules are not implemented
Guwahati: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) has asked the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) to follow the state governments recently issued eligibility rules for direct recruitment to Group A, B and C posts. The demand was made in a letter sent to the APSSB Chairman after the Department of Administrative Reforms & [] The post Arunachal: AAPSU warns of agitation if new APSSB recruitment rules are not implemented appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Nagababu takes charge as Andhra Pradesh Green Executive Committee chairman
He says steps will be taken to raise green cover to 50% by 2047, and calls for inter-departmental coordination and peoples participation
VOC Port strengthens infrastructure to meet rising cargo traffic
Hockeys magician Dhyan Chands legacy endures in Visakhapatnam
OBC creamy layer income-test issue stuck between Ministries, says House panel chief
Chief of the House panel on welfare of OBCs Ganesh Singh said the Social Justice Ministry should formulate the policy based on the Supreme Courts reading of the income test in March and then bring it to the Cabinet
BJP A.P. chief releases poster for nine-day mahayagam event
TG-iPASS 2.0 to be single digital platform for 96 approvals
MLA Ganta questions late-night shifting of Marikavalasa Tribal Welfare School students
Students of A.P. Tribal Welfare Residential School for Boys at Marikavalasa shifeted following its upgradation into a Centre of Excellence
Watch: Chennai Canvas: Madras Week Episode 7 | Language, coast and cinema
In Episode 7 of Chennai Canvas: Madras Week, we explore three distinct threads that have shaped the citys identity. From the colourful evolution of Madras bashai and the many languages that have enriched Chennais everyday vocabulary, to the citys coast as a vast open-air arena where people gather, relax and celebrate, and the nostalgia surrounding Anand Theatre, once a landmark destination for generations of film buffs. Together, these stories capture the language, spaces and memories that make Chennai unique.
Mangaluru-Ahmedabad weekly specials service extended
Three-day flagstaff consecration at Siddavatam temple from today
Operation to capture tiger enters eighth day in Gudalur
The second tiger, which was spotted near Athipalli a few days ago, has so far had no negative interaction with humans
