Tamil Nadu | How the Museum of Chettinad keepsa communitys memoryalive
Housed in an ancestral home in Kanadukathan, the museum looks to connect the Chettiar communitys traditions, global journeys,craft and future generations
Weapons in orbit are forcing old space laws into new struggles for power
The U.S. and other major space powers have long developed counter-space capabilities; but why has this sparked a debate now?
Zhou Jianjun from Huawei: Building a Grid-Interactive AIDC Solution to Maximize Tokens Per Watt
Zhou Jianjun from Huawei: Building a Grid-Interactive AIDC Solution to Maximize Tokens Per Watt
Manoj Jarange calls off 20-day-old fast, gives three months ultimatum to government
Manoj Jarange announced talks with a government delegation which included Ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Dada Bhuse, MLC Prasad Lad and MLA Suresh Dhas and senior officials, at Patoda in Beed district.
Cyber fraud syndicate busted in 12.84 crore Hero FinCorp case, five arrested
Delhi Polices IFSO unit arrests five, including an RBL Bank relationship manager; investigators uncover Chinese Telegram groups and trail of funds converted into USDT
TG SAFE suspends FSSAI licenses of nine food establishments in Hyderabad for food safety violations
Officials identified multiple food safety violations, including spoilt and contaminated meat and vegetables, pest infestations, unhygienic conditions, expired products, and poor record maintenance
TN Pickleball Premier League: Chennai mall set to host 12 teams, 168 players
Chennais Express Avenue Mall turns sporting arena this weekend as the Tamil Nadu Pickleball Premier League returns for its second season, with 168 players and actors Vikram, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Keerthy Pandian among the celebrity team owners backing the sport
USSEC Advances Aquaculture Feed Formulation in Asia
USSEC Advances Aquaculture Feed Formulation in Asia
Madurais Meenakshi Temple kumbabishekam LIVE: Devotees gather in large numbers
The priests are expected to perform the ceremony at the scheduled time between 7.40 a.m. and 8.10 a.m.
West Bengal CM and State BJP president speak in different voices on minority voters
CM Suvendu Adhikari has called the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls a test for minority voters on whether they want to support the State govt or not. BJP State president Samik Bhattacharya said that his party is opposed to any division of minority or majority voters.
Here is a select list of stories to start the day
Why is Rahul Gandhi opposing something his own MPs, including former finance minister P.Chidambaram and former minister in the UPA government Manish Tewari supported within the parliamentary panel, says a senior government functionary
Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple kumbabishekam begins
The priests are expected to perform the ceremony at the scheduled time between 7.40 a.m. and 8.10 a.m
Asian Champions Trophy: Pakistan requests AHF to shift its matches from India
Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh rejected the request, saying there won't be any change in venue for the tournament to be held in Punjabs Mohali and Jalandhar from October 27 to November 5
J&K MLAs decry 18% representation to Kashmir valley in UT officers list
J&K CM Omar Abdullah distributed appointment orders to 55 newly selected candidates of the Combined Competitive Examination entering the Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Service and Jammu & Kashmir Accounts (Gazetted) Service
U.S. House passes Russia sanctions bill seeking to impose up to 100% tariffs on India, others
The Bill, which will now be sent U.S. President Donald Trump for his signature, could result in significant U.S. tariffs on India
BJP MPs raise concerns over slow pace of infrastructure projects in Odisha
Nabrangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi, Bolangir MP Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo and Kantabanji MLA Laxman Bags letters is said to put the Mohan Charan Majhi government in an uncomfortable position
Modinomics transformed India: Rajnath Singh in Kolkata
To celebrate the birth anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party will conduct a one month public outreach starting from September 17.
U.S. troops must prepare to fight around the moon: Trump's top military adviser
Separately, the head of the Space Force's Combat Forces Command said our potential adversaries such as the PRC are actively pursuing activities in the system, in parts of space, referring to the People's Republic of China.
Saudi club Al-Taawon fined and ordered to play behind closed doors after Diogo Jota fan taunts
Al-Taawon was fined 100,000 Saudi Riyals (around $26,700) and ordered to play its next two home games without fans
CS directs time-bound revival action for recoverable MSMEs
Srinagar, Sep 16: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress and functioning of the J&K MSME Health Clinic, a digital initiative aimed at monitoring, diagnosing and revitalizing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the Union Territory through timely assessment and targeted interventions. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department; Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department; Director Industries & Commerce, Jammu/Kashmir; Director Handloom & Handicrafts, Kashmir/Jammu; Representatives from IIM-Jammu, J&K Bank besides other senior officers of the Industries & Commerce Department. The meeting reviewed the expansion of the programmes diagnostic coverage, the status of field-level assessments, institutional arrangements for rehabilitation, financial interventions and the use of digital tools for monitoring and follow-up of stressed industrial units. Taking stock of the progress achieved, the Chief Secretary directed the Industries and Commerce (I&C) Department to accelerate field visits and strengthen the operational capacity of Small Business Development Units (SBDUs). He called for ensuring the mandatory expansion of SBDUs so as to adequately equip them to undertake assessment, handholding and follow-up of MSMEs in a coordinated and result-oriented manner. The Chief Secretary further stressed for completing diagnostic profiling and preparing actionable revival plans for all 6,576 identified recoverable units. He stressed that the assessment exercise should now translate into structured interventions, with periodicalfollow-up and monitoring of the recommendations emerging from the Health Clinic. Earlier, the Commissioner Secretary, I&C, Vikramjit Singh apprised the meeting that the MSME Health Clinic is presently monitoring a portfolio of 3,42,261 registered MSME units, out of which 2,94,014 units have undergone diagnostic assessment. The analysis revealed that 2,87,332 units, constituting 97.7 per cent of the assessed portfolio, have been found completely stable. He further revealed that the assessment has identified 6,682 units requiring active intervention, including 6,576 units classified as recoverable and 106 units identified as prone to chronic sickness. Additionally, he made out that 48,247 units have been referred back to J&K Bank for data correction, enabling further refinement of the database and more accurate assessment of the concerned enterprises. It was also divulged that in order to strengthen the field-level implementation mechanism, District level core teams have been institutionalized across all districts. Each SBDU has Investment Promotion Officer (IPO) from the respective District Industries Centre (DIC) and a District Nodal Officer (DNO) from the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), a consultant and other members of SBDU. In addition to that 60 more consultants are being provided to SBDU out of which 10 have been deployed till date and process of others is underway. The meeting was apprised that the field teams have so far conducted 581 factory visits, resulting in the preparation of 317 comprehensive diagnostic reports. Of these, 34 critical rehabilitation cases have received formal approval from the District Level Advisory Committee (DLAC). On the financial intervention front, the meeting was informed that details of 700 loans restructured by J&K Bank are under detailed analysis to assess the scope for further interventions and align financial support with the requirements emerging from the Health Clinic assessments. The meeting also reviewed the digital systems developed for strengthening the delivery and monitoring of the initiative. The I&C Department has deployed a dedicated end-to-end action-tracking portal, along with an integrated AI-powered chatbot, to facilitate systematic tracking of cases and improve coordination among the concerned stakeholders. Reiterating the importance of timely support to stressed enterprises, the Chief Secretary emphasized that the Health Clinic should evolve into an effective mechanism for early diagnosis, coordinated rehabilitation and sustained monitoring of MSMEs. He stressed that the true measure of the initiatives success would lie in its ability to convert assessments into effective interventions and deliver tangible, visible outcomes in terms of enterprise sustainability, competitiveness and industrial growth across Jammu and Kashmir.
Haj 2027: Medical screening deadline extended to Sep 30
Srinagar, Sep 16: The Haj Committee of India (HCoI) has extended the deadline for completion of primary medical screening and uploading of relevant documents for provisionally selected pilgrims for Haj 2027 till September 30. According to a latest circular issued by the HCoI, the last date for completion of Primary Medical Screening (Stage-I) and submission as well as uploading of prescribed documents has been extended from September 15 to September 30, 2026. The Committee said all provisionally selected pilgrims who have not yet completed the prescribed Stage-I medical screening should undergo the examination at a government healthcare facility by a Government Allopathic Medical Officer, along with the prescribed diagnostic investigations. The pilgrims have been asked to obtain the Fitness Certificate in the prescribed Primary Medical Screening and Fitness Certificate Proforma enclosed with the earlier circular issued on September 1. The HCoI said NRI pilgrims may undergo medical screening in their country of current residence, preferably through a government health facility. Following the medical screening, pilgrims are required to upload the prescribed documents on the HCoI portal or submit physical copies to their respective State/UT Haj Committees on or before October 1, 2026. The documents include the Primary Medical Screening and Fitness Certificate and a copy of the pay-in-slip or online payment receipt. The Committee has also advised pilgrims to keep the original medical screening and fitness certificate, along with all investigation reports, in safe custody. These documents will be required at the time of Stage-II medical screening and vaccination, the circular reads. The circular further stated that the candidature of a pilgrim found medically unfit as per the prescribed fitness criteria shall be cancelled, with the amount deposited by the pilgrim refunded as per applicable provisions. However, pilgrims found to have concealed or furnished false information regarding their health or medical condition may face action, including forfeiture of the deposited amount and prosecution, as per the applicable policy. The State and UT Haj Committees have been directed to coordinate with all concerned agencies and complete the process in a time-bound manner. They have also been asked to liaise with government healthcare facilities, maintain proper records of the screening process and promptly report cases of medically unfit pilgrims to the Haj Committee of India.
Sudan gold mine collapse kills at least 82 people with many more missing
Only one privately owned forklift is available for the rescue efforts, complicating the search for survivors, an official said
28 sittings a year, J&K leads in legislative time: Speaker
Srinagar, Sept 16: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Wednesday defended the duration of the forthcoming Autumn Session, rejecting criticism from Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma that a short sitting reflected a lack of legislative accountability. Rather said Jammu and Kashmir has an average of 28 Assembly sittings a year against the national average of 24, arguing that the Union Territory compares favourably with other legislatures in terms of annual sitting days. The Leader of Opposition should introspect before making statements like that. Jammu and Kashmir has an average of 28 sittings per year against the national average of just 24, Rather toldmedia personsduring an interaction ahead of the Autumn Session. The session is scheduled to be held in Srinagar from September 21 to September 30. Sharma had demanded a month-long session, alleging that the Government was avoiding adequate legislative scrutiny and failing to provide sufficient time for raising public issues. The Speaker said the Autumn Session in J&K had traditionally been relatively short and cited examples from other States to counter the Opposition's criticism. Assam had a one-day session, Rajasthan had a two-day session, and Gujarat, Delhi and Goa had three-day sessions, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh had five-day sessions. These are all BJP-ruled States, he said. He also referred to the period when the BJP was part of the Government in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the Autumn Session had been short during those years as well. In 2015, the Autumn Session was from October 4 to October 10 while in 2017, it was held in July for only four days, Rather said. The Speaker's remarks came a day after Sharma accused the Government of undermining legislative accountability and called for a longer session to enable members to raise issues concerning the public. Rather, however, maintained that the number of sitting days alone should not be viewed as the sole measure of legislative performance, stressing the importance of the quality of debate and the functioning of the House. He also made an appeal to the media to give greater prominence to substantive legislative work rather than disruptions and uproar inside the Assembly. The Presiding Officers will certainly try to bring them under controlthat is indeed their responsibility. However, your responsibility is even greater. Those who create uproar and show no respect for the rules, please write less about them, he said. Rather urged journalists to focus more on the quality of speeches and the legislative performance of members. Give more coverage to whichever member delivers a good performance. That will help us conduct the House in a civilised and orderly manner, he said. The Speaker said excessive coverage of disruptions could encourage other members to resort to similar tactics for publicity. Generally, it is seen that those who create a ruckus receive the most coverage. The consequence of this is that the number of rabble-rousers continues to grow day by day, he said. Rather said new members could get the impression that shouting slogans and creating disruptions was an effective way of attracting media attention, and urged the press to instead highlight members who respect parliamentary rules and contribute substantively to proceedings. The exchange between the Speaker and the Opposition comes ahead of the September 21 opening of the Autumn Session, with the duration and functioning of the House emerging as an early point of political contention.
Pulwama, Sep 16: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said protesters had the right to demonstrate in a democracy but urged them to choose dialogue to resolve their demands, making it clear that the government would not hold talks while protests continued. During a review meeting in Pulwama, Abdullah said Pulwama was likely to figure among the top five of Jammu and Kashmirs 20 districts in terms ofexecution of worksand budget utilisation, praising the Deputy Commissioner and his team. The CM asked the administration to make an additional push during the remaining two to three months of the working season to utilise as much of the allocated funds as possible. If the district exhausted its full budget, additional funds could be arranged through reallocation, he said. Abdullah said the four MLAs from Pulwama hadplacedseveral publicdemands before him,with some resolved during the meeting and others to be decided after the government returned to Srinagar. Around Rs 100 crore worth of projects in Pulwama had either been inaugurated or had their foundation stones laidon theday. These included road, school and hospital works, bridges and a dairy processing village, he said, adding that work was visible on the ground across almost every sector in the district. The Chief Minister's remarkscame in response toa broader question on ongoing protests by different groups in Jammu and Kashmir. While referring to trainee doctors as an example, he said the government was ready to engage with protesters once their agitations ended. On protests, Omar said, In a democracy, telling someone that they cannot protest would be wrong. He urged protesters to choose the path of dialogue, saying, Ultimately, a solution will come through dialogue. While you are protesting, we will not be able to talk to you, he said, adding that allowing people to seek their demands through protests could encourage others to take the same route. Referring to trainee doctors, the CM said talks with them began after they ended their protest. Protest if you want, no one will stop you, but there will be no talks while you are protesting, he said. He added that once protests ended, the government would consider their legitimate demands and hold talks with them. On a statement by the Leader of Opposition, CM Omar said he would respond to one statement from the LoP every month as he did not have time to respond to his daily remarks. He said he had responded to one statement the previous day and would give his next response in October. On tourism, the Chief Minister said Pulwama had received the least focus among Kashmir Valley districts andthatno area in the district hadso farbeen developed as a tourism destination despite its potential. He said MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Naik had raised the issue of bringing some areas of Tral onto the tourism map during the meeting. Omar said he had allocated funds for these areas in this years tourism budget and would provide more funds once the initial allocation was utilised.We want to bring Pulwama district onto the tourism map as well, he said.
Puducherry, Sep 16: The villagers were avoiding the bus. Narendra Modi, then Chief Minister of Gujarat, wanted to know why. They told him they were waiting for the express bus. It cost more, but made fewer stops and got them to their destination faster. For K Kailashnathan, the senior bureaucrat who was with Modi that day, the episode became one of the clearest examples of how the Chief Minister looked at an ordinary interaction and drew a larger policy question from it. People want speed. They don't care about spending extra money if they have speed, Kailashnathan recalled Modi telling him. Nearly two decades later, Kailashnathan, who worked in the Gujarat Chief Ministers Office for 18 years and remained Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister until 2024, remembers the incident as an insight into the way Modi approached governance: start with what people experience on the ground, identify what they value, and then look for a way to build it into policy. The Puducherry Lieutenant Governor was speaking to a group of journalists from Jammu and Kashmir in Puducherry ahead of Prime Minister Modis birthday on September 17. Kailashnathan, a 1979-batch IAS officer, worked as Principal Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary to the Gujarat Chief Minister from 2006 to 2013 and then continued as Chief Principal Secretary from 2013 to June 2024. His official profile also records his association with Gujarats drinking-water grid, urban development, ports and the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam. The bus episode, he said, stayed with him because it was not about a major project or a government scheme but about time. The villagers were willing to pay more to reach their destination sooner. For Kailashnathan, Modi saw in that exchange something larger about public expectations, that people were not merely looking for a service, but wanted it to be faster and more efficient. That way of thinking, he said, was visible in several of the decisions taken during Modis years as Gujarat Chief Minister. Kailashnathan recalled Modis emphasis on connectivity, particularly in rural Gujarat. The idea, he said, was not limited to building major highways between cities. Roads also had to connect farmers to the places where their produce was collected, processed and sold. He cited roads developed to connect villages and farming areas to dairy centres. Milk, he said, could spoil before reaching the dairy because of poor road connectivity and the time taken to transport it. The answer was to bring the road closer to the point of production. Kailashnathan recalled Modi referring to such roads as part of a wider approach to connectivity, including Kisan Path and Pragati Path. The underlying idea, he said, was that infrastructure had to be designed around how people actually used it. Kailashnathan also recalled what he described as a major change in Gujarats drinking-water landscape during Modis tenure. When Modi became Chief Minister, he said, around 85 per cent of Gujarats drinking water came from groundwater. By the time he left office, Kailashnathan said, the proportion had effectively been reversed, with around 85 per cent coming from surface-water sources. The change involved the expansion of the states water network and pipelines, he said, including long-distance pipelines reaching villages in remote areas. Some of those pipelines, he recalled, stretched for nearly 200 kilometres, including towards villages along the Pakistan border. Kailashnathans own official profile records his association with the establishment of Gujarats drinking-water pipeline grid. For the bureaucrat, the water network was another example of the approach he associated with Modi: take a problem that appears local and build infrastructure at a scale that addresses it across a larger area. The same approach, Kailashnathan recalled, was visible in Gujarats electricity reforms. Agricultural and household consumers were initially being supplied through the same feeder system. The arrangement created problems because the needs of farmers and households were different. Agricultural supply was scheduled for a limited number of hours, while households also faced interruptions. Kailashnathan said officials and experts were initially sceptical when the idea of separating the two systems was discussed. Modi, he recalled, did not abandon the proposal because officials said it would be difficult. Instead, a pilot was taken up in one area. Once the experiment worked, the model was expanded. The separation of agricultural and residential feeders later became associated with Gujarats Jyotigram approach, which sought to provide more reliable power to rural households while maintaining scheduled supply for agriculture. For Kailashnathan, the episode illustrated another characteristic he saw in Modis style: when a proposal appeared difficult on paper, test it on the ground before deciding that it could not be done. LG Pondicherry said there was also Kutch. He recalled Modi telling him that the largely arid region could change dramatically. At one point, he told me Kutch will become the Kashmir of Gujarat, Kailashnathan recalled. At the time, he said, the idea appeared difficult to imagine. Kutch was known for its desert landscape and harsh conditions. Modi, according to Kailashnathan, saw the region differently as a place where infrastructure, industry, energy and connectivity could create a new economic geography. Kailashnathan pointed to the subsequent growth of the Kutch region, including its ports, industrial activity and renewable-energy projects, as examples of how that vision was pursued. He also recalled Modi speaking of the regions natural resources and economic potential. Investment was another area where Kailashnathan said Modis approach changed over time. He recalled the first investment pitch in Gujarat being worth around Rs 1,200 crore. The investment summits that followed grew to a vastly larger scale, with commitments running into lakhs of crores. The Gujarat government has held the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit every two years since 2003 as a platform for attracting investment; official Gujarat records describe the summit as an effort to showcase the states investment potential and accelerate domestic and foreign investment. Kailashnathans recollection was less about the figures than about the change in scale.What began as an effort to persuade investors to look at Gujarat, he said, eventually became a much larger exercise in projecting the state as an investment destination.Away from roads, water, electricity and investment, Kailashnathan also remembers Modis personal routine. He recalled once being asked to conduct a security audit of the Chief Ministers residence. Modi told him to do it when he was away on tour. On one occasion when Modi was travelling, Kailashnathan said, he entered the Chief Ministers personal room. What he found surprised him. There was a small prayer space, a computer with internet access, a table and chair and basic arrangements for meals. There was little else, he recalled. It was not the room of someone who, in Kailashnathans telling, spent much time accumulating personal belongings. He also recalled Modis limited sleeping hours, saying he had seen him function on around three-and-a-half hours of sleep. These details, Kailashnathan said, formed part of what he saw during years of working alongside Modi, the public administrator and the person behind the office. Kailashnathan does not describe the Modi he worked with through a single policy or project. Instead, his recollections return repeatedly to the same pattern: a bus stop in a tribal area, a farmer trying to get milk to a dairy, a village without reliable power, a pipeline carrying water across long distances, an apparently impossible pilot project and a dry region that was being imagined differently. I spent 26 years with Modi and found him totally different from others. He has the will to do things and the confidence that he can do it, he added.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam now embraced globally: LG Sinha
Srinagar, Sep 16: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday urged society to remain vigilant against divisive elements, saying unity is India's greatest strength. Sinha made these remarks at the Shri Shiv Mahapuran Katha in Raebareli, in the holy presence of the revered Pandit Pradeep Mishra Ji. He reminded the gathering that Sanatana culture nurtures diversity, harmony, and human welfare. The Lieutenant Governor observed that the divine teaching of Lord Shiva is a sacred pilgrimage for seekers of truth. He extended heartfelt gratitude to Uttar Pradesh Minister Manoj Kumar Pandey for organising the extraordinary spiritual gathering, which, he said, had infused new vitality among the people. Just as gold is refined by fire, holy company rekindles and purifies the spiritual energy within our souls, he said. Highlighting the eternal vision of universal welfare, Sinha recalled that Sanatana Dharma has always emphasised unity and harmony. He noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is manifesting this philosophy globally. Referring to the recent BRICS Summit in Delhi, the Lieutenant Governor observed that the ancient mantra Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam he world is one familyis now being embraced by nations worldwide as a foundation for peace and collective welfare. What our ancestors envisioned millennia ago is now being embraced by nations worldwide, as they step forward to adopt this philosophy for peace and harmony, he said. The LG called upon saints and enlightened members of society to guide the nation in realising comprehensive development. Sinha affirmed his confidence that the spirit of unity will once again make India a developed nation, restoring its ancient glory. A time has come when we shall guide the world, and saints and enlightened members of society will play a vital role and bear great responsibility in this mission. The power of unity and its spirit will once again make India a developed nation, and I am fully confident that we shall regain our ancient glory, the Lieutenant Governor said.
Govt. cuts windfall tax on export of petrol, diesel and ATF
The duty on diesel exports has been cut to 20 per litre from 25 earlier. The levy on export of petrol been cut to 0.5 per litre from 1.5 earlier
Delhi Police, Chandrashekhar Azad oppose in HC YouTubers anticipatory bail plea in SC/ST Act case
YouTuber Ajeet Bhartis counsel maintained that a caste reference, by itself, would not constitute an offence unless it was accompanied by an intention to insult or humiliate a person on account of caste; the remarks, he said, had to be considered in the context of the social media exchange in which they were made
The Bench, however, cautioned against the participation and influence of political parties in the DUSU elections, and asked DU authorities to take note of a social media post by a candidate of AAP student wing for allegedly displaying not only the name of the party but also its election symbol
Rajasthan urban local body elections: Candidates for mayors, chairpersons file nominations
According to a list containing 989 nominations, multiple nominations have been filed in several urban bodies, including cases where the same candidate figures more than once
NMC sets new norms for PwBD PG admissions
Srinagar, Sep 16: The National Medical Commission (NMC) on Wednesday issued guidelines for assessment of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) seeking admission to postgraduate medical courses, stressing individualised functional assessment, accommodation and patient safety. The guidelines apply to candidates seeking admission to MD, MS and DNB courses under the PwBD category, besides medical colleges, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), State Counselling Authorities and Medical Assessment Boards involved in the admission process. The NMC said PwBD candidates are entitled to equality, dignity, non-discrimination and reasonable accommodation in medical education under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. At the same time, it said postgraduate medical education requires higher levels of clinical competence, decision-making, procedural skills and, in several specialties, the ability to respond rapidly in emergency situations. Under the new framework, disability by itself will not be treated as a disqualification unless it demonstrably prevents a candidate from acquiring essential competencies despite reasonable accommodation. The Commission has also made clear that candidates will not be declared eligible or ineligible solely on the basis of the percentage or category of disability recorded in their Unique Disability Identity (UDID) card. Candidates applying under the PwBD category must have a benchmark disability of at least 40 per cent and possess a valid UDID card. However, the designated Medical Assessment Board will independently assess their functional competency for the particular postgraduate course. The new guidelines provide for discipline-specific assessment, recognising that requirements vary between surgical, clinical, pre-clinical and para-clinical specialties. Surgical disciplines, for instance, may require fine motor skills, bimanual dexterity, mobility, depth perception, endurance and rapid decision-making. For other specialties, the NMC said assessment may include history-taking, examination, documentation, communication, basic procedures and sustained clinical work. Reasonable accommodation may include assistive devices, adaptive equipment, digital accessibility, accessible teaching material, communication support, ergonomic modifications, examination accommodations and accessible clinical learning environments. The guidelines specifically provide assessment criteria for candidates with Autism Spectrum Disorder, mental illness, Specific Learning Disorder, intellectual disability and chronic neurological disorders. Such candidates may be considered eligible where they can demonstrate the competencies required for the relevant course, with reasonable accommodation and support where necessary. The final decision will be taken by a designated Medical Assessment Board after physical verification and functional assessment. The Board can classify a candidate as eligible, eligible with reasonable accommodation, or ineligible. Any decision of ineligibility must be supported by objective medical and functional evidence and recorded through a reasoned and speaking order. NMC said candidates aggrieved by a Medical Assessment Board decision can appeal before an Appellate Authority constituted by the Directorate General of Health Services. The authority can seek additional medical opinions or order a fresh assessment. The NMC has also directed medical colleges to establish accessible grievance redressal mechanisms and designate a Nodal Officer or enabling unit to address issues concerning PwBD candidates and facilitate clinical accommodations. The Commission said the overarching principle would be to balance equality of opportunity, academic standards and patient safety, with assessments based on functional competency, objective evidence and possibility of reasonable accommodation rather than generalised assumptions about disability.
Former TNCC president Selvaperunthagai and Rajya Sabha member Praveen Chakravarty trade barbs
Lack of cleanliness and hygiene keep exporters away from Kasimedu fishing harbour
MLA Nizamuddin backs veterinary interns stipend demand
Ganderbal, Sep 16: MLA Nizamuddin on Wednesday extended support to veterinary interns at SKUAST-K Shuhama who are on strike over their stipend demand, urging the government to address their concerns at the earliest. Speaking to reporters after meeting the protesting interns, Nizamuddin said the students were raising a genuine issue and that veterinary professionals played an important role in the livestock, agriculture and wider economic sectors. These are doctors. They provide services in the animal sector, he said, stressing that veterinary services were essential for livestock, milk and meat production and other related activities. Nizamuddin said the stipend being paid to veterinary interns was not commensurate with the importance of their work and urged the government to consider their demand sympathetically. He acknowledged that administrative and budgetary constraints could pose difficulties but said these should not lead to indefinite delays in resolving the issue. The MLA assured the interns that their demand would be raised in the Legislative Assembly and urged the Chief Minister, concerned ministers and senior officers to intervene. The veterinary interns have been protesting for a hike in their monthly stipend, saying the existing remuneration is considerably lower than that offered to veterinary interns at several other institutions in the country. Their strike entered its 10th day on Wednesday.
BJP takes public outreach to Baramulla
Baramulla, Sep 16: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Wednesday interacted with residents and representatives of different sections of society from Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts as part of the BJP legislative groups pre-session public outreach programme. The interaction was held at Dak Bungalow, Baramulla, where people raised issues related to roads, bridges, water supply, tourism, electricity charges, employment, outsourced workers, NHM and Anganwadi employees and municipal elections. Sharma said the BJP legislative group had decided to visit district headquarters across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the upcoming Assembly session to hear public grievances and raise them in the appropriate forums. A large number of people have come from different parts of North Kashmir with their issues. Our legislative group has decided that before the Assembly session, we will visit every district headquarters, listen to the problems of the people and ensure that their genuine concerns are raised in the appropriate forum, he said. Sharma said the concerns raised during the Baramulla interaction largely related to basic services and governance. He said issues concerning roads, bridges, water supply and civic infrastructure needed attention. The people have brought very basic issues before us. Some have concerns regarding roads and bridges, some regarding water supply, while others have raised tourism and other civic issues. These are basic governance issues and they cannot be ignored, he said. On unemployment and employment-related grievances, Sharma said the concerns of unemployed youth and workers required government intervention. He also stressed the importance of strengthening grassroots democratic institutions, particularly in the context of the absence of municipal elections. Sharma said the issues raised during the outreach would be taken up in the Assembly and at other appropriate levels. Our responsibility as the opposition is to ensure that the voice of the common man reaches the government and the Assembly, he said. The programme was attended by J&K BJP general secretary Anwar Khan, All Cells co-incharge Baramulla Prabhari Bilal Parray and other party leaders.
Statehood no excuse for governance lapses: BJP
Srinagar, Sept 16: Senior BJP leader and the Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Wednesday accused the National Conference-led Government of using the demand for restoration of statehood as an excuse to evade responsibility for governance issues, saying the administration must deliver within the powers and resources presently available to it. Addressing reporters in Baramulla district of North Kashmir, Sharma said the Opposition had launched an outreach to district headquarters to directly hear grievances of people and take up their concerns during the forthcoming Assembly session. A lot of people have come from North Kashmir with their issues. Our legislative group has decided that before this Assembly session, we will go to every district headquarters and listen to the problems of the people, he said. Sharma said people from different sections had approached the Opposition with concerns relating to roads, bridges, tourism, water supply and other basic amenities. This is purely apolitical. We will not call this a political meeting. We have come here to listen to the problems of the people and raise them in the concerned quarters, he said. Taking on the Government, the LoP alleged that corruption had crossed limits and questioned the manner in which the available administrative powers and resources were being utilised. Let them pave the way for us. We will show you how to work. They have the work, but they are not using it, Sharma said. He said the Government could not cite the absence of full statehood as a reason for shortcomings in areas falling within its existing responsibilities. Employment emerged as another major issue in Sharmas remarks. He alleged that the youth were facing distress over job opportunities and accused the Government of filling positions through outsourcing. The LoP said the Opposition would raise the concerns of various sections of employees and workers in the Assembly, including NHM employees, daily wagers and Anganwadi workers. He also alleged that funds provided by the Centre were not being utilised effectively on the ground. Sharma linked the issue with the delay in holding Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies elections, saying the Opposition would seek answers from the Government on these matters. The BJP leader also criticised the increase in electricity charges, alleging that the higher tariffs had added to the financial burden on the people. Sharma said the Opposition would continue its district-level outreach and compile issues raised by people before taking them up in the Assembly and on other democratic platforms. He maintained that the Government must be held accountable for its performance and that the Opposition would continue to highlight what it described as genuine public concerns, irrespective of the wider political debate over restoration of statehood.
Bukhari urges youth to take charge of J&K politics
Jammu, Sep 16: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday called upon the youth to take an active role in the political and social affairs of Jammu and Kashmir, saying meaningful change would require greater participation of the younger generation. Bukhari was speaking at a joining programme at the party headquarters in Gandhi Nagar, where former NSUI joint secretary Tavleen Bobarai, along with nearly 200 youths and around 100 prominent citizens from Arnia, joined the Apni Party. Welcoming the new entrants, Bukhari said the youth should not remain spectators in political affairs and urged them to stay connected with their communities. You have to bring the change. Until you bring the change, the politics of Jammu and Kashmir will also not improve, he said. Speaking to reporters after the programme, Bukhari raised several issues, including unemployment, healthcare, restoration of statehood, electricity, drinking water and governance. On the ongoing strike by National Health Mission employees and their demand for higher remuneration, he termed their demands legitimate and urged the administration to address their grievances. Bukhari also questioned gaps in healthcare services, referring to the reported shortage of specialists and equipment in some hospitals. He said people in remote and hilly areas should have access to essential medical care close to their homes. Referring to the Sub-District Hospital in Bani, he said he had learnt that the facility had been without a gynaecologist for around a decade, while a sonography machine was reportedly lying unused due to the absence of an operator. He also questioned patient referrals from Rajouri Medical College to Government Medical College Jammu and raised concerns about healthcare infrastructure and manpower. On statehood restoration, Bukhari said the issue should be pursued through dialogue and persuasion rather than confrontation. He said political leadership should put forward a reasoned case before the Union Government. On unemployment, he said creating jobs and livelihood opportunities for educated youth should be among the foremost priorities of the government. Bukhari also criticised what he described as the burden of electricity charges and gaps in drinking water supply, saying people were seeking basic necessities rather than unrealistic promises. He called for greater transparency and accountability in government offices and said citizens should not face unnecessary hurdles in accessing public services. Rejecting allegations that the Apni Party was a B team of the BJP, Bukhari said meeting Union leaders was part of democratic politics and that political leaders had the right to raise public concerns with the Union Government. On reservation-related issues, he called for a detailed discussion on the distribution of benefits among different categories. Bukhari also appealed to people to move beyond politics based on religious and regional divisions and said issues such as employment, healthcare, electricity, drinking water and accountable governance should remain at the centre of political discourse. Apni Party Jammu provincial president S. Manjit Singh said the party would support the new entrants and continue its grassroots outreach across Jammu and Kashmir.
Four acquitted in 17-year-old terror funding case
Srinagar, Sep 16: A Special Court in Srinagar has acquitted four persons in a 17-year-old case involving allegations of Cross-LoC trade, criminal conspiracy and funding of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, holding that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The judgment was pronounced on Wednesday by Additional Sessions Judge, TADA/POTA and Special Judge designated under the NIA Act, Manjeet Rai, in a case arising from FIR No. 254/2009 registered at Police Station Saddar. Those acquitted are Mushfiq Ahmad Lone, Vipin Kumar Sharma, Sanjeev Kumar Tandon and Zahoor Ahmad Dar. Proceedings against another accused, Suraj Prakash Badyal, had abated following his death in November 2024. The prosecution had alleged that money generated through Cross-LoC barter trade was being channelled for unlawful activities. Police claimed to have recovered cash, a grenade and other articles during the investigation, with the judgment recording the seized cash at 13.85 lakh. The court, however, found significant deficiencies in the prosecution evidence, noting that the case relied substantially on alleged disclosure statements, recoveries and call-detail records. It observed that no eyewitness had been produced to establish any alleged delivery of money and that no money trail through bank accounts, account books or trade records had been established. The court also noted that no independent witnesses were associated with the arrests or recoveries. The seized currency was not sealed and its numbers were not recorded in the relevant seizure documents, while the grenade was neither properly sealed nor subjected to forensic or expert examination. The prosecution witnesses gave materially different accounts regarding the dates, locations and circumstances of the arrests and recoveries. One witness turned hostile, while several others were unable to identify the accused in court, according to the judgment. The court further found deficiencies in the call-detail records relied upon by the prosecution, noting that the required certification had not been obtained and records concerning Sanjeev Kumar Tandon had not been secured. On the Cross-LoC trade allegations, the investigating officer admitted that the trade was a regulated barter system. He also acknowledged that the business or bank accounts of Sharma and Tandon had not been examined to establish that the recovered money was unaccounted for, and that no business connection between them and Lone had been established. The court also found that the mandatory statutory requirements concerning sanction under the UAPA had not been established. The judgment noted that no sanction order was proved in evidence and the sanctioning authority was not examined. Concluding that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt, the court acquitted the four surviving accused of all charges. It also directed that the 13.85 lakh seized during the case be released to the persons from whom it was seized or their legal heirs, subject to the appeal period and any lawful restraint.
Rising Kashmir's Abid Bashir felicitated on drivers' dignity day
Srinagar, Sep 16: Rising Kashmir Special Correspondent Abid Bashir was felicitated at a glittering function organised by the All India Motor Transport Congress in Srinagar on the occasion of Drivers Dignity Day, with members of the transport fraternity appreciating his contribution to public-interest journalism. The function was attended by ARTO Mubashir Jan, Data Corps Director Anand Shankar and DIG Traffic Haseeb ur Rehman, besides representatives of the transport sector and other guests. Abid Bashir was honoured for his sustained reporting on traffic management and civic issues, particularly a series of stories highlighting the need to streamline traffic movement in Srinagar and improve the commuting experience for residents. The organisers appreciated his efforts to examine traffic-related challenges through detailed reporting, including the use of national and international studies to provide context to issues such as congestion, road discipline, traffic planning and enforcement. Speaking on the occasion, S Umar Bhat, the main organiser of the event in Srinagar, praised Abid Bashir for his commitment to journalism and his efforts to bring issues of public importance into the spotlight. Bhat said Abid had consistently highlighted traffic-related concerns and had used research and expert perspectives to make his stories more informative and relevant for readers. He also praised Rising Kashmir as a credible media platform that, he said, maintains journalistic ethics and gives importance to public-interest reporting. Rising Kashmir is a credible and respected platform that maintains journalistic ethics. Abid Bashir is playing an important role in both print and electronic media and has highlighted several issues concerning the public, Bhat said. Bhat said responsible journalism could help bridge the gap between the public, authorities and different stakeholders by bringing genuine concerns into the public domain. ARTO Mubashir Jan also appreciated Abid Bashirs work and described him as a refined journalist with a professional approach to reporting. Jan said journalists have an important role in creating awareness about traffic discipline, road safety and responsible driving, adding that constructive media coverage can contribute to better understanding of traffic-related challenges. He also acknowledged the importance of highlighting issues faced by drivers and transporters, who remain an integral part of the citys transportation network and wider economy. The function focused on the contribution of drivers and their role in keeping the transport system moving. Speakers also emphasised the need for greater respect for drivers, improved road discipline and cooperation among commuters, transporters and enforcement agencies. The organisers said recognising drivers was not merely a ceremonial exercise but an acknowledgement of the everyday contribution of those working in the transport sector. The felicitation of Abid Bashir also reflected appreciation for field-based journalism covering civic and public-interest issues. His traffic-related reports have examined the challenges confronting Srinagars rapidly expanding transport network and the need for coordinated measures to improve traffic management. Rising Kashmir video journalist Musaib Fayaz was also felicitated during the function for his contribution to visual journalism and field reporting. The event concluded with a call for continued cooperation between the transport fraternity, traffic authorities and the media to promote safer roads, better traffic discipline and a more efficient transport system in Srinagar.
Srinagars Smart City makeover loses its sheen
Srinagar, Sept 16: Three years into Srinagars ambitious urban makeover under the Smart City Mission, several projects executed by the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) are facing questions over delays, maintenance and upkeep, with residents and traders complaining that some much-publicised interventions have either remained incomplete or begun showing signs of deterioration. From the long-pending Traditional Souq Market and Craft Centre at Batamaloo to damaged wooden decking at the revamped Habba Kadal, defunct fountains at clock tower and missing tiles and flower pots along the riverfront, several Smart City assets are now drawing public criticism. The concerns come at a time when the city has seen crores of rupees spent on creating modern public spaces, pedestrian corridors, riverfronts and heritage-themed infrastructure. The Traditional Souq Market and Craft Centre at Batamaloo remains one of the prominent examples of a project whose completion and operationalisation have taken considerably longer than initially envisaged. The project, tendered by SSCL in March 2022, was awarded in May that year. The tender covered construction of the Traditional Souq Market and Craft Centre at Batamaloo, including landscaping, parking, a central plaza and pedestrian seating spaces. The awarded value was reported at around Rs 29.46 crore. In January 2024, officials had said that around 80 percent of the work had been completed and that the complex would have around 52 shops, besides public plazas, eateries, heritage shops and other facilities. The district administration had also directed the authorities to complete the project by March 2024. However, the project is yet to become operational with its opening also facing a legal hurdle, according to officials familiar with the matter. The revamped Old Habba Kadal, inaugurated in January 2024 as a pedestrian corridor and public space, is another project now facing complaints over upkeep. Locals said that the restoration had included structural retrofitting, new wooden decking, heritage-style gazebos and kiosks, traditional balustrades and grill work, entry plazas, lighting and improvements along the adjoining riverfront. Residents and shopkeepers in the area, however, have raised concerns over worn and damaged wooden planks on the bridge. They have sought an immediate inspection of the structure and repairs wherever required, arguing that a heritage asset renovated at considerable public expense cannot be allowed to deteriorate soon after its redevelopment. At Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk, fountains developed as part of the citys beautification efforts have reportedly remained defunct, leaving traders concerned about the upkeep of one of Srinagars most prominent public spaces. Their fountains in Dal Lake are also defunct. They only withdraw their payments and rest they forget to maintain them later, said Suhail Ahmad Shah, Vice President Traders Association Lal Chowk. Along the Lal Chowk bund, residents have also pointed to places where tiles have reportedly been removed or damaged, affecting the appearance and usability of the redeveloped stretch. It is a pathetic condition there, said Awais Ahmad who works in a private company in Lal Chowk. The Rajbagh Jhelum Riverfront, another prominent Smart City intervention, has also witnessed instances of flower pots being removed by unidentified persons, raising questions not only about vandalism but also about surveillance and maintenance of public assets. The citys roadside parking system has also become a source of concern for people visiting commercial areas. Commuters and shoppers have complained about parking charges, particularly when combined with the limited availability of convenient parking spaces in busy parts of the city. The issue has added to the difficulties faced by people visiting Lal Chowk and adjoining commercial areas. Conductors working with the Srinagar Smart City bus service have reportedly remained without salaries for the past few months, putting additional financial pressure on employees. We are without salaries. We have to feed our families too, said a conductor. However, a senior SSCL official, while acknowledging concerns over the projects, said funding to the department had been stopped and that the organisation was currently functioning with limited resources and taking up smaller projects. The official, however, did not provide details about the extent of the funding shortfall or a timeline for resolving the pending maintenance and project-related issues.
Ganderbal, Sep 16: Away from the hustle and bustle of commercial tourism, Sarbal, a remote village in Ganderbal district, is offering visitors a glimpse of a quieter and more traditional way of life, with tourists describing the hamlet as a peaceful escape from the fast-paced urban lifestyle. For visitors travelling through the Kashmir-Ladakh route, Sarbal has emerged as a destination where homestays, local food, greenery and interaction with villagers provide an experience different from conventional hotel-based tourism. Sandeep Gupta, a solo traveller from Mumbai who had travelled to Ladakh for a marathon, told Rising Kashmir that he chose to stay in a homestay in Sarbal after hearing about the area and reading positive reviews. I usually prefer local stays and homestays. You get to know about the food, local culture and authentic things. Local tourism also gets a boost through homestays, Gupta said. Gupta said he had already spent two days in the village and explored the surrounding areas, including the Sindh River, where he said he was impressed by the natural beauty. It is a very beautiful place. It is full of flowers and the hospitality is very good. I dont like commercial things. As a solo traveller, everything I need is available here, he said. He said the peaceful surroundings were a major attraction for him, particularly compared to the highly commercialised and fast-paced lifestyle of Mumbai. I didnt want a show-off market. That happens a lot in Bombay. It is peaceful here and within a few hours it started feeling homely, Gupta said. Describing his experience of village life, Gupta said the traditional lifestyle of Sarbal offered something that modern cities often struggle to provide. I am the owner of an IT company and my lifestyle is very fast-paced. I leave home, sit in the car, go to the office and come back. That is my life. There is no fresh air in Mumbai, he said. Gupta said he could see himself eventually moving away from city life and settling in a village after retirement. I will try to retire after my fifties and settle here. I want a quality life. I want to leave city life and retire in a village like this, he said. He also highlighted the changes in connectivity and infrastructure in the area, saying that despite its remote location, visitors could remain connected through mobile networks and other basic facilities. The tourist said the village also gave him an opportunity to understand local traditions and stories directly from residents rather than through conventional tourist narratives. My main intention is that I want to know about local stories. I want to know how people live here. Talk to the local people. They will tell you so many things that you will not find in the news, he said. He said the villages greenery, low pollution levels, fresh air and traditional homes added to its appeal. Other visitors from Delhi, who travelled by road towards Ladakh, also shared a similar experience, saying improved roads and the availability of homestays had made travel to remote areas more accessible. They said they had booked accommodation at different locations along the route and found homestays to be comfortable and welcoming. Earlier people were afraid of travelling such long distances towards Ladakh, thinking what would happen if something went wrong. But the roads have improved and accommodation is available almost everywhere, one visitor said. The tourists said staying with local families allowed them to experience Kashmir beyond conventional tourist destinations and gain a different perspective on village life. Sarbal, located along the route towards Baltal and Ladakh, is known for its natural surroundings and traditional village setting. Residents continue to depend on agriculture and other local activities, while the area has a relatively small population. Visitors said the simplicity of life, greenery and direct interaction with locals were among the biggest attractions of the village.
Srinagars traffic problem has reached a point where every practical intervention deserves attention. The proposal to introduce slip lanes at Sangarmal, Jehangir Chowk and along the route towards Munawarabad is therefore welcome. At a time when commuters remain caught in long queues around Lal Chowk and MA Road during peak hours, even modest improvements can make a visible difference. The plan, discussed by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Srinagar Smart City Limited, engineers and the Roads and Buildings Department, recognises an important reality: urban traffic does not always require grand infrastructure projects for immediate relief. A properly designed slip lane, a better-managed junction or a small adjustment in road use can reduce bottlenecks and improve the movement of vehicles and pedestrians. Such measures are especially valuable in a city like Srinagar, where roads are under constant pressure and widening them is often neither feasible nor desirable. But the success of the initiative will depend on how carefully it is planned and implemented. Traffic congestion is rarely caused by a single road-design problem. It is also linked to roadside parking, unregulated stopping, encroachments, weak lane discipline, poor pedestrian crossings and the absence of consistent enforcement. A slip lane can ease movement only when it remains free from illegal parking, unauthorised vending and random halts. Without enforcement, a useful intervention can quickly become another obstructed space. The proposed enforcement plan with the Traffic Police must therefore be prepared alongside the designs, not after the work is completed. The agencies involved should set clear responsibilities, establish measurable timelines and monitor the results after implementation. Traffic arrangements around Lal Chowk, MA Road and Jehangir Chowk also need to be assessed during different hours of the day, because a solution that works during normal traffic may fail during school timings, office hours or the evening rush. Equally important is the safety of pedestrians. Srinagars roads are shared by vehicles, walkers, vendors and public transport users. Any redesign must include safe crossings, visible signage, proper markings and sufficient space for pedestrians. Traffic efficiency cannot be measured only by the speed of vehicles; it must also be judged by how safely people move through the city. The proposed slip lanes offer a useful beginning, but they should not be treated as a complete answer to Srinagars congestion. The city needs a comprehensive mobility policy that combines junction redesign, parking management, public transport improvement, pedestrian infrastructure and strict enforcement. Small interventions can deliver quick relief. Sustained relief, however, will come only through coordinated planning and disciplined execution. The authorities now have an opportunity to demonstrate that practical, well-monitored measures can improve daily life. Srinagars commuters need not another announcement, but visible change on the ground. If the proposed designs are implemented with care and followed by firm enforcement, the citys most congested junctions may finally begin to breathe.
Food Safety Cannot Be A Periodic Exercise
The Food & Drugs Administrations inspection of 229 hotels, restaurants and other food establishments across Jammu and Kashmir is a welcome step. But it should not be treated as the conclusion of an enforcement campaign. It must mark the beginning of a sustained and credible food safety regime in the Union Territory. The figures released by the department are significant. Officials lifted 124 samples covering milk and milk products, spices, edible oils and prepared food, while 38 Improvement Notices were issued for violations of prescribed sanitary and hygienic requirements. Five cases were filed under Section 56 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and 29 cases were compounded under Section 69, with fines imposed in these cases. These figures point to the scale of the responsibility before the authorities. Food safety is not merely a regulatory requirement. It is a public health obligation. Every day, thousands of people eat at hotels, restaurants, food outlets, canteens and roadside establishments. The safety of the food served at these places directly affects the health and confidence of consumers. The decision to send the collected samples to NABL-accredited laboratories is important. However, inspections and sampling will have little meaning if laboratory testing is delayed or if the findings are not made public within a reasonable time. Consumers have the right to know whether commonly used food products meet the required standards. Transparency is essential for building trust in the regulatory system. The 38 Improvement Notices also reveal that hygiene violations remain a concern. Clean kitchens, safe storage, proper handling, potable water and trained staff are not optional requirements. They are the basic conditions under which a food business should operate. Compliance cannot be reduced to preparing for an inspection and returning to old practices once officials leave. The penalties imposed must also serve as a genuine deterrent. While legal action under Sections 56 and 69 is necessary, repeated violations should invite progressively stronger measures. A fine should not become merely another business expense for establishments that knowingly compromise public health. Enforcement must be consistent, impartial and free from influence, regardless of the size or reputation of an establishment. The FDAs direction to continue inspections within different jurisdictions is therefore encouraging. Yet the success of the campaign will depend on continuity. A short-term drive may produce numbers, but regular inspections, timely sampling, follow-up action and public disclosure are what change behaviour. The exercise should cover large hotels and restaurants as well as smaller eateries, caterers, street vendors and food units in remote areas. Food business operators must understand that food safety is part of the service they provide. Consumers, too, can assist by reporting suspected adulteration or unsafe food through helpline 104 and the FDAs official channels. But the primary responsibility rests with regulators and businesses. Safe food is a basic right, not a seasonal concern. Jammu and Kashmir needs a food safety system that is visible, responsive and continuous. The latest inspections are a welcome beginning. Their real value will be measured by what follows.
Online Gaming Addiction in Children: A Growing Concern
Online gaming has become one of the most popular forms of entertainment among children and teenagers. With smartphones, tablets, computers and gaming consoles easily available, children can access games almost anywhere and at any time. Gaming itself is not necessarily harmful; age-appropriate games can provide entertainment and may help develop skills such as problem-solving, coordination and strategic thinking. The real concern begins when gaming becomes excessive and starts interfering with a child's normal daily life. Online gaming addiction, sometimes described as problematic or disordered gaming, refers to a pattern in which a person has difficulty controlling gaming and continues to play despite negative consequences. A child may repeatedly choose gaming over homework, sleep, exercise, family activities or other hobbies. Some children may become upset when asked to stop playing or may spend increasing amounts of time thinking about games. One of the most visible drawbacks is the effect on education. Children who spend many hours gaming may postpone homework, revision and other school responsibilities. They may find it harder to concentrate because their minds remain focused on the game. Late-night gaming can be particularly troublesome because insufficient sleep can leave students tired and less attentive in class. Over time, poor routines may contribute to declining academic performance. Excessive gaming can also influence a child's physical health. Long periods of sitting in front ofa screenmean less time for outdoor play and physical activity. Children may experience tired eyes, headaches, neck or back discomfort and disrupted sleep schedules. A balanced routine thatincludes regularmovement, adequate sleep and breaks from screens is therefore important. There can also be emotional and psychological effects. Some children become frustrated or irritable when they lose games or when parents limit their playing time. Constant competition, rankings, rewards and the desire to reach the next level can make it difficult for some children to switch off. Gaming should remain one activity among many rather than becoming the main source of enjoyment or achievement. Another important concern is the effect on family and social relationships. When a child spends most of their free time gaming, opportunities for conversations, family activities, friendships and outdoor recreation may decrease. A child may gradually prefer online interactions to face-to-face activities. This does not mean that online friendships are always negative, but children need healthy opportunities to build communication and social skills in the real world as well. Online safety is another issue parents should consider. Multiplayer games may allow children to communicate with people they do not know. Depending on the platform, children may encounter bullying, inappropriate language, unwanted contact, scams or attempts to obtain personal information. Parents should therefore use appropriate privacy and parental-control settings and talk openly with children about safe online behaviour. The solution is not necessarily to ban all video games. Instead, children need balance, supervision and healthy boundaries. Parents can establish reasonable gaming schedules, keep gaming from interfering with homework and sleep, encourage outdoor activities and ensure that children have time for hobbies and family life. Schools can also educate students about responsible technology use and the importance of maintaining a healthy digital routine. Children should also learn to recognise when gaming is becoming a problem. Warning signs can include repeatedly losing track of time, neglecting responsibilities, giving up other activities, regularly losing sleep because of gaming, or finding it very difficult to stop. If these problems become persistent or seriously affect daily life, parents should seek advice from a qualified health or mental-health professional. Technology is now an important part of modern childhood, and learning to use it responsibly is an essential life skill. Online games can be enjoyable when played in moderation, but they should never replace sleep, education, exercise, family relationships, hobbies and real-world experiences. A healthy childhood requires variety and balance. Online gaming addiction is therefore not simply a question of how many hours a child spendsholding adevice; it is about whether gaming is taking control of important parts of the child's life. Parents, teachers and children must work together to create healthier digital habits. With awareness, reasonable limits and supportive guidance, children can enjoy the positive side of technologywithout allowinggaming to dominate their childhood. (The author is a former tutor, Department of Health Services, Kashmir)
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Can Technology Replace Teachers?
The teaching-learning process has existed since time immemorial. It is a lifelong and continuous process that began long before recorded history through informal interactions, observations, imitations, and oral traditions. History bears witness to the arrival of remarkable teachers who made significant contributions to shaping the destinies of millions of learners and inspired revolutions that transformed the world. The relationship between a teacher and a learner has always been regarded as sacred and revered. Teachers always steered the boat of knowledge, guided their students towards the shore of wisdom and prepared them to confront the challenges of their times. The teaching profession is always considered a prophetic profession , as its primary objective is to lead students from the slough of darkness and ignorance to the gardens of enlightenment. Teachers guide their students towards the path of truth, honesty, wisdom, and morality. They not only impart knowledge but also shape the character, values, and personality of their students. The teachers are always revered and honored by their students. To highlight this exalted and dignified status of a teacher, Kabir, one of Indias remarkable mystic poets, asserts: God and my teacher both stand before me. Whose feet should I touch first? I bow to my teacher, who guided me to God. These lines beautifully express the profound influence of a teacher in a students life. It is teachers who dispel the darkness of ignorance and bestow upon their students the vision to recognize truth, goodness and spiritual wisdom. Through their guidance, teaching experience and mentorship, teachers help students understand the deeper meaning of life and discover their potential. Thus, a teacher is not merely a source of academic knowledge and information but a mentor, guide, and moral compass who illuminates the path of life with wisdom, truth and ethics. The contribution of a good teacher often remains with a student forever, making teaching one of the noblest and most influential professions. This long-standing tradition of teaching and learning remains valid and relevant even today. However, with the advent of modern technology and its rapid transformation of almost every aspect of human life, an important question arises: Can the role of a teacher be diminished, or can a teacher eventually be replaced by technology? This question naturally arises in the minds of everyone who is directly or indirectly associated with teaching learning process. Everyone has a different perspective and perception. But what I believe is the answer to the above statement is a big No. Technology cannot replace a teacher. It can assist the process of teaching learning, but it certainly cannot replace a teacher. Though the emergence of artificial intelligence, digital classrooms, online learning platforms, and other technological tools has undoubtedly transformed the educational landscape, yet the role of a teacher remains profound in shaping the career of students. UNESCO has rightly asserted, Teachers must remain at its core, guiding students with empathy, creativity and judgment that no machine can replace. There is no denying the fact that modern technology can support the learning process and facilitate teachers in almost every aspect of their profession; however, it cannot substitute for them. The genuine learning needs and intellectual curiosity of students can be best nurtured only by teachers of flesh and blood, within the classroom environment rather than by machines. Nevertheless, teachers are required to continuously update their knowledge and information in order to address the emerging challenges faced by students. They must also be well versed in modern technologies so that they can effectively integrate them into their teaching and make the learning process more engaging, effective, inclusive and knowledge oriented. Thus, technology should be regarded not as a replacement for teachers but as a powerful tool that enables them to perform their roles more effectively. The primary and paramount role of a teacher is to train students morally, ethically, socially, intellectually and emotionallyan area that no machine can fully accomplish. Teachers foster the holistic development of students, nurturing their diverse talents rather than restricting learning to rote memorization for academic pursuits only. Teaching remains incomplete without transforming students into valuable and responsible members of society. This can be achieved only when teachers mould and develop the character of their students. Teachers play an imperative role in the character building of students, and this aspect of teaching requires special focus and attention, particularly in the present times when students are exposed to numerous sources of distraction. Shaping and building the character of students can only be done by teachers and technology can never replace this role of a teacher. Teachers facilitate the overall development of students character and equip them with the fundamental values and qualities required to succeed in all aspects of life. Effective teachers can act as positive influencers, mentors, and role models who motivate learners to set meaningful goals and work towards achieving them. The relationship between teachers and learners creates a supportive, caring, and conducive learning environment that cannot be fully replicated through virtual learning. The classroom interaction between teachers and students cannot be replaced by computers and human skills cannot be taught by technology. Teachers are not merely transmitters of knowledge and information. Their contributions as guides, mentors, counsellors, role models, and sources of inspiration cannot be overlooked. They understand the individual needs, emotions, abilities, and difficulties of their students and provide appropriate guidance accordingly. No technology, regardless of how advanced it may become, can completely replace this human connection and personal influence. Furthermore, students always need teachers to develop essential life skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, time management, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Technology can provide information, activities, and tools to support the development of these skills, but teachers play a crucial role in nurturing and applying them in real-life situations. Through questioning, discussion, encouragement, feedback, and personal guidance, teachers stimulate students to think independently and critically which no machine can replace. Therefore, technology should be considered a powerful aid to teaching rather than a replacement for teachers . While machines can deliver information and facilitate learning, teachers inspire, motivate, guide, and shape the character of students. The true purpose of education is not merely to create knowledgeable individuals but to develop responsible, ethical, emotionally mature, and socially productive human beings. In this respect, the role of the teacher always remains indispensable. (The Author is an Assistant Professor in the J&K Higher Education Department. Email: tahirqureshi00@gmail.com)
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A Saint of the Valley: The Life and Legacy of Swami Nand Lal Ji
A Lineage of Faith and Fortune Swami Nand Lal Ji was born in 1902 at Gurgari Mohalla, Zaina Kadal, Srinagar, to Pandit Sahaj Koul and Smt. Radha Mali. His birth fell during a particularly harsh Kashmiri winter, and family tradition holds that it coincided with the festival of Tilla Ashtami, when Pandit households along the Vitasta lit ceremonial fires to mark the occasion. The Koul family- known locally as the Kothdars - were prosperous and well regarded. Nand Lal Ji's forefathers had served as bankers to Maharaja Pratap Singh, and the household was known for its devotion to Goddess Sharika Devi of Hari Parbat. In every season, family members, men and women alike, would undertake the Parikrama to the shrine. Tragedy struck early: his mother died while he was still young, leaving behind two sons and a daughter. It was his stepmother, however, who became his first spiritual guide - her simple, disciplined way of life is said to have quietly shaped the boy who would later renounce the world altogether. Nand Lal Ji's granduncle, Ram Koul, had earlier built a temple and dharamshala near the Maha Lakshmi shrine at Hari Parvat - structures that reportedly still stand today, testament to the family's long-standing piety. A Restless, Commanding YouthAs a boy, Nand Lal Ji was energetic and somewhat imperious, the kind of temperament often seen in the sons of well-off families. At school he studied up to the eighth class, and among his juniors were his cousin, the late Pandit Naranjan Nath Koul, and Pandit Sham Lal Sapru - known affectionately as Boetoth Ji - both of whom he tended to dominate as boys. In time, both would become his devoted followers once he had transformed into a realized yogi. After a brief, roughly eighteen-month attempt at business, Nand Lal Ji left home at age of fourteen in pursuit of Sadhana. Once he walked out of his father's house, he never returned to worldly life - and for nearly twenty years afterward, he was largely untraceable, a wandering ascetic somewhere in the hills and forests of the region. Initiation Under Swami Lal Ji of Banaras Nand Lal Ji took the vow of brahmacharya and was formally initiated into sainthood by Swami Lal Ji of Banaras, himself a great yogi. So struck was the guru by his disciple's spiritual attainments that he is said to have once offered Nand Lal Ji his own aasana - an honour the disciple, mindful of the proper guru-shishya relationship, declined to accept. Swami Lal Ji reportedly remarked that Nand Lal Ji had accomplished, in a remarkably short span, a level of kriya yoga that had taken him personally years of practice to master. He is remembered to have said, in Kashmiri, that true greatness belonged only to one who could match Nand Lal Ji's will and discipline - a measure of how far the young ascetic had progressed. Sadhana at Bomai and the Ashram at Sharada Much of Nand Lal Ji's deep spiritual practice was carried out at Bomai Sadhamaleun near Sopore. He lived close to nature throughout his life - in his food, dress, and daily habits - and remained a strict vegetarian. He had a particular fondness for Sufiana music, and accomplished musicians of the tradition would travel to sit before him and perform. After completing his Sadhana, Swami Ji settled at Sharada, in the Tangdhar area, establishing a small ashram at the historic Sharada temple - still known locally, largely among the Gujjar community of the area, as the Sharda Mai temple. His following there drew heavily from traders of Tikker village in present-day Kupwara. Displacement in 1947 and a New Ashram at Tikker When Pakistani raiders occupied the Sharada area in 1947, Swami Ji relocated with his followers to Tikker village in 1948, where he established a new ashram atop a hill. Interestingly, a Namberdar named Zaman Lone of Sharda gave his horse to Swami Ji to help him cross the LoC and reach Tikker. Among the few precious belongings he brought with him from Sharda was a silver Mukut from Sharda Peeth. The same silver Mukut was installed by Swami Nand Lal Ji at the Sharda Mandir in Tikker when the temple was reconstructed in 1949. Due to unavoidable circumstances in the 1990s, the Mukut was kept in the safe custody of devotees. An episode from this period of upheaval is remembered vividly by his devotees: a Sikh man fleeing armed raiders took refuge in Swami Ji's ashram at Sharada. When the raiders demanded he come down to be shot for being a Kafir, Swami Ji calmly told him not to fear and to go down as instructed. As the story goes, the gunmen's weapons repeatedly failed to fire; astonished, they eventually fell at Swami Ji's feet, begged forgiveness, and left the Sikh man unharmed - though they urged Swami Ji himself to leave the area, warning him of the violence that would follow into the Valley. During the construction of the new ashram at Tikker, workers digging the foundation reportedly encountered snakes and other creatures that departed without causing harm, after Swami Ji had reassured his devotees beforehand not to be afraid. A few feet underground, the diggers uncovered a fire tongs, a kangri, a chillum, scattered rice, a dhooni with ash, and a saligram along with fresh flowers - items his followers took as a sign that Swami Ji had performed Sadhana at that very spot in a previous life. Turning to one bewildered devotee, Pandit Niranjan Nath, Swami Ji is said to have remarked, in Kashmiri, that there was no way to describe how much was hidden in that place. He instructed the workers to set the recovered articles - the chillum, kangri, tongs, and saligram - aside and proceed with laying the plinth. The ashram commanded a sweeping view stretching as far as Sopore and Handwara. Swami Ji later established a second ashram at Hushoora, near Budgam, again showing what devotees describe as an unusually keen eye for site and setting. Tales of Healing and Revival Many miracles are attributed to Swami Ji by those who knew him, though his followers acknowledge that not all such accounts can, or should, be told. Among those still recounted: At Sopore around 196061, a temple priest ran to Swami Ji in distress, saying his wife had died. Swami Ji sent him to fetch a tumbler of water from the Vitasta and told him to sprinkle it on her face. She is said to have revived within minutes and outlived her husband. On another occasion, a devotee who had passed away suddenly stirred back to life as his body was being ritually bathed, startling those present. He asked only for clothing, saying he would explain what had happened though because his revival had not been sanctioned by Swami Ji, he permanently lost the power of speech even as he lived on for many years. This is said to have occurred after Swami Ji had already attained Nirvana. A teenage boy in Jawahar Nagar, who privately doubted that a photograph of Lord Shiva on his wall held any real significance, later experienced a night of overwhelming light in his room, in which Lord Shiva himself reportedly appeared, seated and smiling. The next morning, Swami Ji, aware of the boy's earlier doubt, asked him whether he still questioned the photograph's meaning - leaving the boy to beg forgiveness at his feet. A government employee facing certain conviction for misconduct came to Swami Ji in desperation the night before his court judgment. Swami Ji drew on his chillum, producing a burst of flame, and told him to set his worries aside. The court building and its records were destroyed by fire before the verdict could be delivered. Perhaps the most elaborate account concerns a retired police officer from Kupwara who was rushed to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar and pronounced dead one night, to his wife's anguish - only to show signs of life again as his body was being moved, terrifying those present. He later described being led by two figures through a vision of his own life, shown a hilltop with a lush garden on one side and a dark forest on the other, and being pushed toward the forest, where a thorn (later found to be an iron nail) pierced his foot - at which point he glimpsed Swami Ji in the distance and was allowed to return. He kept the nail until his death. An Open Kitchen and Quiet Miracles at Tikker Those close to Swami Ji recall an ashram where food was never denied to anyone - the langar ran daily, free of charge, feeding fifteen to twenty people or more at both morning and evening meals, and Swami Ji himself never accepted money from visitors or sought attention from important people. One devotee, Jai Kishan, is remembered to have silently wondered about the identity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar. One evening, three elderly Pandits in traditional dress appeared to be conversing with Swami Ji over tea; when Jai Kishan was asked to walk them partway down the hill, they vanished the moment he looked away. Swami Ji later told him this had been the answer to his unspoken question - the three visitors, he said, had been the Trikoti itself. In another account, Jai Kishan was unexpectedly transferred from Civil Aviation to the security detail of the Prime Minister's office not long after Swami Ji had asked him, in passing, whether he would like to see the world - a posting that eventually took him abroad in the Prime Minister's entourage. A young airman from Hoshura who wished to volunteer for a peacekeeping post in Congo was told by Swami Ji, Congo alone? Why not a world tour? He was later inadvertently carried aboard a cargo flight to Washington, spent time under Indian Embassy care in the United States, and was eventually routed home via Brazil - before returning to India to serve, more prosaically, as a postmaster. A Secular and Compassionate Outlook Swami Ji's following was never confined to one community. At Bomai, a Muslim resident named Mohammed Gosain is said to have once seen him in a vision resembling Lord Shiva astride Nandi, and became a devoted follower from that day. Another Muslim devotee, troubled that his cow had stopped giving milk, was told simply to place a pot before the animal and ask her, in Swami Ji's name, to give milk - which she did at once. Swami Ji is also remembered for a prophecy made in early 1967 warning that Kashmiri Pandits faced difficult times ahead - a warning his followers later connected to the community's upheavals later that decade. A Personal Testimony One devotee, recalling his own school days in 1965, described being caught apparently cheating during a Matriculation physics examination - only to find, when the invigilator opened his answer book, that the concealed material had simply vanished, sparing him from punishment. Visiting Swami Ji's ashram afterward, he was startled to be asked directly what had become of the book he had hidden during the exam - proof, in the devotee's telling, that Swami Ji's awareness and protection extended far beyond his physical presence, and continued for his followers even after his passing. Nirvana and Succession Swami Nand Lal Ji attained Nirvana in January 1966, on the day of Gauri Tritiya, at the Malviya Nagar residence of his disciple Pandit Prem Nath Sadhu in New Delhi. He left behind a wide circle of disciples and named three successors: Shri Vibhishan Ji, who continues at an ashram in Bordi; Swami Kral Bab Ji, who established an ashram at Gaddi, Udhampur, before his own passing some years ago; and Swami Mast Ram Ji, who has carried his guru's name and teaching to ashrams in Jammu, Karala (Delhi), and Haridwar - the last able to host up to 2,000 pilgrims at a time, free of charge. Among his earliest and most senior disciples were two men initiated in his own lifetime: Swami Sedhmol, born Vedh Lal, and Swami Sham Lal Sapru, Boetoth Ji - both of whom, like their guru, are remembered for quiet spiritual power exercised without any desire for recognition, and for their lasting contribution to the Kashmiri Pandit community. A Living Tradition: Smriti Yatra & Sharda Ashtami Mahotsav 2026 Six decades after his Nirvana, Swami Nand Lal Ji's memory continues to draw pilgrims back to the hills he once walked. The Mata Kheer Bhawani Asthapan Committee, Tikker, Kupwara, is organising theSwami NandLal Ji Smriti Yatra & Sharda Ashtami Mahotsav 2026, a spiritual and cultural yatra from 14th to 19 th September, held in remembrance of the saint's lifelong dedication to Kashmir's spiritual and cultural revival. The yatra will begin at Tikker on 14th September and proceed to Hushroo in Budgam, before moving on to Bomai (Sopore), Chandigam (Lolab), Kariham, and the Gaurishankar Mandir at Gotingoo, with devotees returning to Tikker thereafter. From there, the pilgrimage continues toward Jumagund and the banks of the Krishan Ganga, taking in Pushkar Naag, Kindreshwar Dham, Rudrawan (Ladewan), and Mokhta Sar, culminating in puja at the Krishan Ganga. The route then turns to Ramchandrun (Sita Sarayain) and Meeyal for further puja, Guru Vandana, and the offering of prasad. Devotees are scheduled to return to Tikker on 18th September to begin preparations for the Sharda Ashtami celebrations, which will include a Maha Aarti, Sharda Abhishek, Vedic chanting, a talk on the life of Swami Nand Lal Ji, and the formal conclusion of the yatra (Yatra Sampan). After decades, the same sacred Mukut is now set to be reinstalled at the Sharda Mandir in Tikker on the 19 th September. The organisers have extended an open invitation to devotees and well-wishers of the land to join the pilgrimage - to walk together, remember together, and help preserve the spiritual heritage that Swami Nand Lal Ji devoted his life to nurture. (The Author is a columnist)
When Students Speak, Governments Must Listen: Chhatron Ki Goonj in Jammu & Kashmir
For the youth of Jammu & Kashmir biggest question is no longer what the government promises but is when the promise will finally become an opportunity. Behind every recruitment notification is a young person who has spent months, years, preparing for a competitive examination. Behind every delayed result is a family waiting for financial independence, every cancelled or disputed examination is a generation being asked to start again. And behind every unemployment statistic is a young man or woman wondering how long they must wait before their education translates into a livelihood. This is why Rahul Gandhis Chhatron Ki Goonj initiative, which brings students into a direct conversation on education, recruitment and unemployment, has significance far beyond the political stages of the country. It raises questions that Jammu & Kashmirs political establishment can no longer afford to ignore. The youth of J&K are not demanding special treatment but a system that works, institutions they can trust and an economy that gives education a meaningful destination. At a time when political leaders are often more comfortable unveiling schemes, issuing statements and trading accusations than sitting down with students and listening to them, an initiative centred on the voice of the student offers a necessary challenge to the established style of politics. The real test of any government is not how loudly it speaks about the youth, but how seriously it listens when the youth speaks. For the youth of Jammu & Kashmir, the recruitment question is particularly important because government employment continues to be a one of the most stable and accessible avenues for educated young people. When recruitment is delayed, vacancies remain unfilled or examination processes become uncertain, the consequences are far greater than an administrative inconvenience. A delayed examination can mean another year of preparation, delayed result can mean another year of uncertainty and cancelled examination can mean that months or years of hard work have to begin again. Many students also face an age-related pressure that cannot simply be ignored. A young person may remain eligible for one recruitment cycle but lose that opportunity if the process is repeatedly delayed. The government must therefore establish a clear, annual and publicly accountable recruitment calendar for Jammu & Kashmir. Vacancies should be identified and communicated transparently and examinations should be conducted according to predetermined timelines also results should be declared without unnecessary delay and appointments should follow promptly. Where allegations of malpractice and irregularities arise investigations must be credible, independent and swift, while innocent candidates must not be made to suffer indefinitely. The principle should be simple government must protect both the integrity of the examination and the future of the candidate. Unfortunately, political leadership across the country often remembers students when an election approaches and forgets them once the campaign ends. This is precisely where initiatives such as Chhatron Ki Goonj can create a different political culture. Students do not need leaders who arrive once, make a speech, take photographs and disappear. They need leaders who return, listen, follow up and demand answers until the problem is resolved. In Jammu & Kashmir this type of distinction matters enormously. The larger issue, however, is not simply government recruitment. Jammu & Kashmir needs a comprehensive strategy for education, employment and economic transformation. It is neither realistic nor desirable to suggest that every graduate should depend upon a government job. The objective must be to create an economy in which a young person can choose between public service, private employment, entrepreneurship, research, skilled professions and new sectors of the economy. Our universities and colleges must become centres of opportunity rather than merely institutions that award degrees. Students should have access to modern laboratories, research opportunities, internships, career counselling, technology, industry exposure and entrepreneurship support. Skill development programmes must be judged not by how many certificates they issue but by how many young people actually find sustainable employment afterwards. J&K has enormous potential in tourism, horticulture, agriculture, handicrafts, food processing, information technology, renewable energy, logistics, creative industries and small and medium enterprises. Yet potential alone creates nothing. It must be supported by investment, infrastructure, credit, market access, professional training and predictable policy. A young entrepreneur should not have to spend more energy navigating bureaucracy than building a business. A graduate should not be told that a certificate itself is an achievement when what they desperately need is a livelihood. A modern employment policy for J&K must also recognise regional disparities. Opportunities cannot remain concentrated in a handful of urban centres. Students and young people in remote and rural areas must receive comparable access to education, coaching, digital resources and employment support. There is also a fundamental constitutional dimension to this debate. The promise of India is not simply that every citizen will be allowed to dream; it is that citizens should have a fair and equal opportunity to pursue those dreams. Equality of opportunity must be experienced, not merely quoted. A student from Budgam should believe that merit can take them as far as a student from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi or Indore. A young woman from a rural district should have the same access to educational and professional opportunities as anyone else. A graduate from Jammu should not have to leave home simply because there is no serious employment ecosystem available locally. And a student preparing for a competitive examination should be able to trust the institution conducting it. This is why the political response to student grievances should never be dismissive. When young people ask questions about recruitment, examination integrity, education costs or unemployment, they are not creating problems; they are identifying the problems that governments are responsible for solving. It is particularly disappointing when political leaders respond to such concerns with ridicule, slogans or counter-slogans. Calling a youth campaign a jhooth ki goonj may make for a political soundbite, but it does not answer a single unemployed graduate. If the concerns of students are false, answer them with facts. If they are genuine, answer them with action. The language of democracy should be dialogue, not dismissal. This is also why the absence of sustained student engagement from many political formations deserves criticism. Leadership should not be confined to assemblies, press conferences and election rallies. It must be present in classrooms, universities, coaching centres and communities where young people are actually experiencing the consequences of policy decisions. The youth of Jammu & Kashmir should not have to wait for an election season before someone asks them what they need. Their concerns should be part of governance every day. The real opportunity before the Congress and its leadership, therefore, is to transform the spirit of Chhatron Ki Goonj into a sustained national and J&K-specific movement for educational opportunity, transparent recruitment and dignified employment. Jammu & Kashmir should have its own structured student dialogue, involving universities, colleges, professional institutions, young graduates and aspirants preparing for competitive examinations. Their concerns should be documented district by district and converted into a concrete J&K Youth Employment and Education Charter with measurable commitments, a transparent recruitment calendar, time-bound filling of vacancies, safeguards for examination integrity, support for students affected by cancelled examinations, stronger public universities, affordable professional education, expanded career and skill programmes, entrepreneurship support and a deliberate strategy to attract private investment and create jobs across the Union Territory. Most importantly, there must be a culture of accountability in which governments are judged by outcomes rather than announcements. Jammu & Kashmirs youth do not need pity, political tokenism or another round of empty assurances. They need a fair system in which hard work has meaning. They need leaders who will stand with them when cameras are absent, when examinations are delayed, when recruitment processes stall and when a young graduate is wondering whether to continue preparing or abandon the dream altogether. Rahul Gandhis Chhatron Ki Goonj can become the beginning of that conversation. From Indore to Jammu & Kashmir, the message should be unmistakable: students are not merely the future of India but are citizens of India today, and their voices deserve to shape the policies that determine their tomorrow. Let their concerns be heard, let governments be held accountable, and let the politics of promises finally give way to the politics of performance. J&Ks youth are not asking for favours. They are asking for opportunity, equality, dignity and a fair chance to build their own future. That is not too much to ask from a democracy. It is the very least it owes them. (The Author is the Central Kashmir head of the Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association, a UPSC educator and a political analyst)
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