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Fatal Crash Shatters Family: 35-Year-Old Dies in Peerbagh Accident
Srinagar, August 19: A 35-year-old man died after the Alto car he was driving collided with another vehicle in the Peerbagh area of Srinagar on Wednesday evening, officials said. According to an official, the Alto car collided with another vehicle, leaving its driver critically injured. The injured man was shifted to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead, the official said. The deceased was identified as Ziya Ahmad Malik (35), son of Abdul Gafer Malik, a resident of Rawalpora, Srinagar. Meanwhile, police have initiated an investigation into the incident to ascertain the circumstances leading to the collision.
Union cabinet approves quadrupling of Gummidipoondi-Gudur section
Kauvery Hospital launches Regional Epilepsy Centre
Tamil Nadus encroachment problem
The Supreme Court has pulled up the State for not dealing with encroachers in Agasthyamalai
Syndicate member seeks relaxation of punching system for Calicut University faculty
The nature of academic work is fundamentally different from routine administrative duties, and it requires reasonable degree of flexibility in working hours
What is Closing Auction Session? | Explained
CAS should be evaluated not by short-term volatility but by measurable improvements in market quality lower tracking errors, reduced closing-price variance, narrower spreads, improved liquidity and stronger price efficiency.
Chennai is the symbol of religious harmony, says T.N. Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar
Railways raises Katra-Banihal speed limit to 100 kmph
Jammu, August 18: The Railway Ministry has approved an increase in the maximum permissible speed of trains to 100 kmph on the 111-km Broad Gauge rail section between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal under the Jammu Division of Northern Railway. Earlier, the permissible speed was 85 kmph on the Katra-Sangaldan section and 75 kmph on the Sangaldan-Banihal section. The speed enhancement has been approved after the Railways ensured compliance with all prescribed safety conditions on the section. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu, Uchit Singhal said the increase in speed would reduce travel time and strengthen connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir. The increase in speed will not only reduce travel time, but will also strengthen the connectivity of Jammu-Kashmir. Passengers will get faster, safer and more comfortable travel facilities, he said. Singhal said the move would also give a boost to tourism, trade and other economic activities in the region, adding that the Railways remained committed to the safety and convenience of passengers. With the revised speed limit, train journeys between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal are expected to become faster and more convenient for passengers.
Kashmirs traffic jams have long ceased to be a mere inconvenience. They are now a daily reminder of how quickly urban growth can outpace planning, discipline and infrastructure. From Srinagars choke points to the crowded arteries linking residential, commercial and institutional areas, the Valleys roads are carrying far more pressure than they were ever designed to handle. The result is predictable: lost time, wasted fuel, rising frustration and a civic problem that affects everyone, from schoolchildren and office-goers to patients and emergency responders. The knee-jerk response to traffic congestion is usually to demand wider roads, more flyovers or additional parking spaces. While infrastructure upgrades are necessary, they are not a complete solution. Kashmir cannot pave its way out of congestion alone. In a Valley where road space is limited and expansion is constrained by geography, the real answer lies in better traffic management, stronger public transport, and more disciplined use of existing roads. A major reason for the worsening jams is the sheer volume of private vehicles on the road. As car and two-wheeler ownership has increased, public transport has not expanded in a way that can absorb the pressure. When people are forced to rely on private vehicles for even short trips, the roads become clogged far beyond capacity. This is where a dependable, affordable and comfortable public transport system becomes not just useful, but essential. Equally important is the need for order. Illegal parking, roadside encroachments, unregulated loading and unloading, and indiscipline at busy junctions all add to the chaos. Even a well-designed road can turn into a bottleneck if lanes are blocked and traffic rules are treated as optional. Enforcement must therefore be consistent, not occasional. The message has to be clear: traffic discipline is not an inconvenience imposed by authorities; it is the minimum requirement for a functioning city. There is also a planning failure that cannot be ignored. New commercial establishments, schools and institutions have often come up without adequate parking or traffic impact assessments. This has shifted the burden onto roads that were already under strain. Urban planning must stop reacting after congestion appears and start anticipating where pressure will emerge next. Technology can help, but only if used properly. Smart signalling, synchronised lights, real-time traffic monitoring and better deployment of personnel can make a visible difference. So can pedestrian-friendly zones in selected areas, staggered office timings, and stricter checks on encroachments. But no reform will work unless commuters also change behaviour. Honking, lane-cutting, stopping anywhere and treating roads as personal territory only deepen the mess. Kashmir needs a traffic strategy that is long-term, practical and enforced with consistency. Roads must be managed as shared civic spaces, not battlegrounds. If authorities, planners and citizens all do their part, the Valley can begin to reclaim not just smoother roads, but a calmer urban life.
12 personalities getPuthiyathalaimurais Tamilan Awards
Human-Wildlife Crisis Demands Urgent, Shared Response
Kashmirs latest figures on human-wildlife conflict are more than a routine departmental update. They are a warning that the Valley is entering a phase where the struggle for space between people and wild animals is becoming increasingly deadly, frequent and socially disruptive. Around 1,700 distress calls this year, more than 14,000 over the past six to seven years, 70 deaths and nearly 700 injuries in that period, and 24 active control rooms across Kashmir together paint a picture of a crisis that can no longer be treated as a seasonal nuisance or a narrow wildlife-management issue. The Wildlife Department deserves credit for responding promptly to distress calls and for maintaining dedicated teams. The claim that all complaints were attended to is reassuring, at least in administrative terms. But the real question is not only how quickly teams respond after an incident; it is why the incidents are multiplying in the first place. A system that is forced to react to hundreds of emergencies every year is already under strain. Control rooms may help in coordination, but they are not a substitute for long-term conflict prevention. Devas comments point to the core of the problem: shrinking and disturbed habitats, changing habitation patterns, and human encroachment into forest areas. Kashmirs expanding human footprint has steadily pushed settlements, orchards and activity corridors closer to animal movement routes. Once that balance is broken, conflict is inevitable. Wild animals are not invading human spaces out of malice; they are searching for food, prey and safer movement paths in landscapes that humans have increasingly fragmented. There is also a growing agricultural dimension to the crisis. The conversion of paddy fields into fruit orchards has altered land use in ways that may have economic logic for farmers but ecological consequences for nearby communities. Fruit-bearing areas can attract animals closer to residential pockets, raising the risk of damage and encounters. This is a reminder that land-use decisions cannot be viewed in isolation from wildlife behaviour. Yet public behaviour matters too. The departments advice to avoid unnecessary movement during early morning and evening hours, travel in groups and keep children indoors in vulnerable areas is practical and necessary. But precautionary appeals will only go so far unless they are backed by sustained community outreach, better local reporting systems, stronger habitat buffers and a more visible presence in conflict-prone areas. The bigger lesson is that human-wildlife conflict in Kashmir is not merely about safety; it is about governance. It tests whether the administration can protect lives while also protecting biodiversity. The answer cannot lie in emergency response alone. It must include habitat restoration, scientific mapping of conflict zones, regulated land use, community education and stricter protection of wildlife corridors. Kashmir wants fewer deaths, fewer injuries and fewer distress calls, it must stop treating this as an episodic problem. The Valley needs a coordinated policy response that brings together the Wildlife Department, local communities, planners, forest experts and district administrations. Otherwise, the statistics will keep rising, and each number will represent another preventable tragedy.
Buildings That Think: When Buildings Begin to Sense, Learn and Respond
A building in Kashmir faces changing conditions. It has to deal with cold winters, snowfall, rain, summer heat and different demands for heating and electricity. Buildings are usually treated as structures. Today, sensors and digital systems can provide information about what is happening inside. Artificial Intelligence can analyse this information and support better decisions. The idea is not to make buildings think like humans. It is to provide information about their condition. ETH Zurich researchers are working on self-aware infrastructure, bringing together sensors, digital models, Artificial Intelligence and maintenance systems. The aim is to understand structures while they are being used, rather than waiting for problems. In Kashmir, where buildings face different weather conditions in different seasons, such information could prove useful. Leading universities are exploring this field. MIT, Stanford, Cambridge, UCL, TU Delft and ETH Zurich are studying sensing, Artificial Intelligence, digital twins, smart buildings and infrastructure monitoring. Their work shows that buildings are becoming sources of information. These developments offer ideas that could eventually be adapted to Kashmirs climate, buildings and practical needs. India is also developing research in this area. IIT Bombay is working on digital construction, smart infrastructure, digital twins and monitoring. IIT Madras is researching Artificial Intelligence, which helps computers analyse information and assist with digital construction. IIT Kharagpur is working on energy, buildings, indoor air quality and thermal comfort. These areas have relevance to Kashmir, where heating and indoor comfort change with the seasons. One important tool is the digital twin. It is a digital representation of a real building or structure. Sensors can provide information about temperature, energy use and equipment. Engineers can use it to understand performance and examine possible changes. Simply put, it creates a digital record of how a structure behaves over time. In Kashmir, this could help build a clearer picture of building performance. This approach could begin on a small scale. A building could be fitted with sensors that record temperature, energy use and system performance. The information could show seasonal changes, wasted energy or equipment needing attention. Such monitoring could help identify areas for improvement. The first step towards intelligent infrastructure is not advanced technology. It is understanding how a building performs. Kashmir already has a wide stock of existing buildings. Intelligent infrastructure does not always mean new construction. ETH Zurich researchers have examined how cities can make better use of existing spaces. One study explored how Zurich could accommodate around 100,000 additional residents by 2040 through planned development. The lesson is simple: existing spaces can sometimes be used more effectively. In Kashmir, a building could be given a health check. Its energy use, heating system, insulation and physical condition can be monitored. Regular observation can help identify changes and problems earlier. Sometimes, the smartest building is not the newest one. It is a building that is better understood, maintained and used. Better buildings can come from better design and careful use of materials. ETH Zurich and Holcim developed a new floor system that uses up to 50 per cent less material than traditional structures. The system has an embodied carbon footprint up to 80 per cent lower than traditional structures in the reported comparison. The cement used in the system contains 20 per cent recycled construction and demolition waste. The lesson is clear: thoughtful design can reduce material use and waste. Artificial Intelligence is being explored for building design. TU Delft researchers used Artificial Intelligence to study 9,000 design samples from a high-rise project. Three buildings for 1,800 residents reached a modelled electricity self-sufficiency level of 43.7 per cent. This was a specific study, not a general prediction. The work shows how computers can help examine design options before construction. A building depends on electricity, water, roads, communication and other services. These systems are connected, so a problem in one can affect another. ETH Zurichs Future Resilient Systems programme ran from 2014 to 2025 and produced more than 160 scientific papers examining such connections. In Kashmir, infrastructure also depends on services working together. Artificial Intelligence should remain a tool, not the final decision-maker. It can process information and identify unusual patterns. Digital twins can show how a structure may respond under different conditions. But technology does not automatically understand Kashmirs requirements. Engineers and planners still decide what information matters and what action should follow. Digital tools should strengthen human judgement. Better maintenance is another benefit. Small changes in temperature, energy use or equipment behaviour can be recorded. Digital systems can compare measurements with earlier ones, while Artificial Intelligence can help identify unusual patterns and possible problems earlier. In Kashmir, this could be useful where seasonal conditions place different demands on heating and energy systems. Intelligent infrastructure should not become a race to install the newest technology. A sensor is valuable when it answers a real need. Artificial Intelligence is useful when it makes complex information easier to understand. A digital twin matters when it improves planning or maintenance. In Kashmir, technology should be used when it addresses a real need. The important question is not how much technology can be added, but what it is meant to improve. The buildings of the future in Kashmir may not look futuristic. Their walls and windows may appear familiar. Inside, sensors may record their condition, digital systems may retain information, and Artificial Intelligence may identify patterns. Engineers may use these insights to improve energy use and maintenance. The building would not be alive, but it could have a record of its performance through Kashmirs changing seasons. That is what Buildings That Think can mean. Not buildings with human minds, but buildings that can sense their surroundings, provide information, learn from data and respond to changing needs. In Kashmir, this future can begin with one building that is measured and understood. The idea can grow to wider infrastructure. The future may begin with one sensor and one question: How can buildings in Kashmir work better? (The author is a Columnist. Feedback: bakshisuhaib094@gmail.com )
Plenty of positives for Unnati despite loss to Li
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Natural Farming-Moving Ahead for Sustainable Agriculture and Atmanirbharta
India has made rapid strides in the agriculture sector over the past decade. As per the Economic Survey- 25-26, the growth rate in the past 5 years has been over 4%. There has been bumper production of food grains, horticulture and oilseeds, which is an outcome of adoption of technologies by farmers, supported by concerted government policies such as expansion in irrigated area, better water use efficiency, along with timely and adequate availability of fertilisers. The share of horticulture crops is also rising substantially and witnessing an even higher growth. However, there are rising concerns related to excessive use of chemical fertilisers resulting in declining soil health and plateauing of productivity of major crops. As per the agriculture scientists, the gradual decline in Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) has resulted in a vicious cycle of farmers progressively increasing the dosages of chemical fertilisers with minimal incremental rise in productivity. The Soil Health and Fertility scheme of the Government has enabled distribution of 26 crore Soil Health Cards. The pan-India analysis of the data so generated reveals a highly concerning trend of very low Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) along with deficiencies in other important micro-nutrients. The SOC, which should be more than 1 % in a healthy soil, is hovering around 0.5 % on average, and in some regions declining to critically low levels of 0.3 %. Low SOC reduces the porosity of soil, which has a dual adverse impact of lowering water seepage and water retention capacity. As a result, rains and irrigation water flow away, draining the topsoil, and neither penetrates through to raise the groundwater level nor is readily available for plant development. The other adverse impact of low SOC is to reduce the nutrient uptake capability of plants grown on such soils. More and more fertilisers are required to reach the same levels of productivity. The enhanced dosages of chemical fertiliser further reduce the fertiliser use efficiency, harming soil health while the nation uses its precious foreign exchange to import chemical fertilisers or their raw inputs for domestic production. Excessive chemical fertilisers and unbalanced use of pesticides have also reduced the friendly microbes and insects, which play a role in improving soil porosity and transferring nutrients from deep soil to topsoil, to be absorbed by plants. The other even more worrying impact is that on the quality and safety of produce. The chances of excessive chemical fertilisers and pesticides entering into the food and fodder chain and finally for human consumption, creating a health hazard, also increase. There have been instances reported of fruits, vegetables, foodgrains and other commercial crops breaching the Minimum Residual Levels of pesticides, leading to rejections of exports and consequent impact on Brand India in the global market. While these concerns have been voiced for some time, the Government launched the National Mission for Natural Farming in the year 2024 with overarching objectives of promoting livestock or cow-based chemical-free farming for a more sustainable cultivation that will improve soil health, in particular SOC, increase the nutrient uptake efficiency and reduce the nations dependence on chemical fertiliser and pesticides. Natural farming, commonly termed as prakritik kheti or Zero Budget Farming by many of its proponents, is based on a technology that has been tried, tested and validated by farmers for many years with very encouraging results. Its based on a holistic technological solution utilising materials that are locally available, including cow dung and cow urine of local breed cows, at virtually zero cost to the farmer. While the Beejamrit formulation, used for seed treatment, helps in better germination and hardy plants, cultures of Jeevhamrit, ghan-jeevhamrit and sapthayankur drastically enhance friendly microbe culture and productivity of soil. Plant health is protected by applying saunthastra and khatti lassi for preventing bacterial and fungal infections, while formulations of neemastra, brahmastra, agniastra and dashpani ark are applied for control of insects and pests of various kinds. The careful preparation and application of appropriate doses of each of the above cultures have demonstrated intended results of better soil health, without compromising productivity and improved quality of produce. The mission has been progressing with the collaboration of States/ UT Administrations with targeted coverage of more than 7.5 lakh hectare, covering more than 18 lakh farmers in clusters of a minimum of 50 hectares. A trained team of scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, assisted by Farmer Trainers and Krishi Sakhis as resource persons are acting as foot soldiers, sensitising, training and encouraging the farmers for adoption. While on-farm development of the cultures is encouraged for farmers owning local breeds of cows, a large number of bio-input resource centres have been set up, primarily at local dairies or cattle shelter homes to produce and provide these cultures to farmers at nominal cost. The mission is being implemented through a science-driven strategy so that farmers adopt these practices without any misgivings or hesitation. The Indian Council of Agriculture (ICAR) has developed region- and crop-specific potential maps indicating where natural farming will be effective. Concerted efforts are underway at ICAR Institutes and Agricultural Universities to scientifically validate the efficacy of this indigenous technology for large-scale adoption. Multiple trials taken under the supervision of ICAR institutions have yielded very positive outcomes on many crops, and the same are now being disseminated through the Mission. Marketing of natural products is another critical strategy that will enhance the incomes of farmers and encourage them to continue with these practices. The National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF) has developed protocols for certification for natural farming. Already, a large number of farmers have obtained Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification that will enable them to sell their certified niche product at premium prices. While pure natural farming with certification, marketing and branding linkages is being promoted through the ongoing mission, the strategy of promoting a hybrid model wherein adoption of natural farming practices with reduced dosage of chemical fertilisers can also result in sustained productivity, contributing to improved soil health. This model may also have broad acceptance. Practitioners have affirmatively stated that adoption of natural farming practices in a hybrid model leads to a progressively reduced dependence on chemical fertilisers. So much so that after some time, farmers can completely do away with chemicals in farming, maintaining the same productivity and income levels, in several crops. To face the challenges emanating out of the current ongoing Middle East crisis, our honble Prime Minister has issued a seven-point appeal to the citizens of the country, which includes judicious use of chemical fertilisers and adoption of natural farming. While the adoption of natural farming is encouraging sustainability of agriculture, it is also facilitating enhancement of the economic value of livestock, which are generally abandoned once they cross the milking age. The spin-off impact is that of safe food for domestic consumption and export, while reducing the precious foreign exchange of the nation. (The Author is a former Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Courtesy: PIB)
The Drying Tears of the Himalayas: Why Kashmirs Water Crisis is a Warning to the World
There was a time when summer in Kashmir arrived not as a season, but as a celebration. The gentle snowmelt would breathe life into the Valley, filling the rivers with a rush of crystal-clear water, while the mighty glaciers stood resilient, promising a steady bounty to sustain the land through the sunlit months. Today, that rhythm is broken. Summers now pass in an anxious blur of unprecedented heatwaves and parched earth, reducing once-roaring streams to a trickle, and the vast water towers of Asia are quietly fading. It is because, in the Paradise on Earth, we are choking the very natural systems meant to protect our future. The Vanishing Mirrors of the Valley The tragedy of Kashmirs water is unfolding right before our eyes, but it is moving slowly enough that we risk becoming numb to it. According to a new report published on 30, April 2026, A damning report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) laid bare a terrifying reality: nearly three out of four lakes in Jammu and Kashmir have either entirely vanished or shrunk dramatically. Out of 697 lakes catalogued across Jammu and Kashmir, 518 have either vanished entirely or shrunk to a shadow of their former selves. These water bodies have been swallowed by reckless urban expansion, concrete encroachments, siltation, pollution and decades of institutional indifference. That is 74 per cent of a regions liquid heritage, lost. Of the 697 lakes surveyed, 315, nearly 45 per cent, have not just been reduced or degraded but erased completely. One of the major reasons, the CAGs findings revealed, is a troubling absence of coordination. The Forest Department, Revenue Department, Agriculture Department, Fisheries Department, and the Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing all hold overlapping mandates. Yet the audit found no unified framework binding them together. Lakes fell through the cracks, not because no one owned them, but because too many agencies did. None was willing to take primary responsibility for their decline. Iconic lifelines like the Dal and Wular lakes, which once acted as massive natural sponges, soaking up excess water to prevent catastrophic floods, are suffocating under layers of untreated sewage and silt. When we destroy a wetland, we don't just lose a view; we destroy natures own engineering system for climate resilience. The Melting Lifelines Glaciers in Kashmir act as natural water reservoirs, gradually releasing meltwater into rivers and streams during the summer months. Their continued shrinkage affects irrigation, drinking water supplies, hydropower generation and horticulture-dependent livelihoods across the Valley. The Jhelum river system and several of its tributaries depend heavily on snow and glacier melt originating in the higher Himalayas. Environmentalists say a major and worrying sign is the rapid melting of the glaciers that feed Kashmirs rivers and streams during summer months. Studies and recent observations have shown accelerated ice loss in several glaciers, including the famous Thajwas Glacier near Sonamarg. Researchers have warned that the glacier has lost a substantial portion of its ice volume over recent decades due to rising temperatures and erratic snowfall patterns. Scientists say glaciers initially release more water as they melt rapidly, but over time the shrinking ice reserves reduce long-term water availability downstream. This threatens irrigation, hydropower generation and drinking water supply for thousands of households dependent on glacier-fed systems. Independent weather observers say Kashmirs changing climate pattern is becoming increasingly visible through shorter winters, weak western disturbances and prolonged dry spells. If the valleys are losing their mirrors, the mountains are losing their crowns. Kashmirs glaciers, which have sustained agriculture, orchards, and households for centuries, are retreating at an unprecedented pace. Researchers caution that while accelerated melting may initially increase river flows, the long-term impact could be a decline in water availability as glacier reserves continue to diminish. A report published in National Herald India on 31 May 2026 cites a recent comprehensive study by the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Kashmir, led by noted glaciologist Professor Shakil Ahmad Romshoo (Vice Chancellor, IUST). They analysed nine benchmark glaciers across the Kashmir Himalayas using Landsat satellite data collected between 1980 and 2013. The findings point to a significant climatic shift in the upper reaches of the Valley, where temperatures are rising more rapidly at elevations above 3,000 metres. The study revealed that glaciers in the region have lost nearly 17% of their total area over the past three decades. Even more concerningly, the high Himalayas are warming faster than the low-lying cities. A Global Crisis Hits Home According to meteorological data, Jammu and Kashmir recorded a rainfall deficit of 26 % between March 1 and May 6 this year. The UT also witnessed its seventh consecutive dry winter, with precipitation during December 2025 to February 2026 remaining far below normal. An ETV Bharat news report published on 13 May 2026 highlights that the rainfall shortage has affected districts unevenly, but some areas have recorded alarming deficits. Shopian reported nearly 71 % below-normal rainfall during March-May, making it one of the worst-hit districts. Kathua recorded around 63 % deficiency, followed by Kulgam at 53 %, Anantnag at 46 % and Budgam at 40 %. Kishtwar, Udhampur, Doda, Pulwama, Bandipora and Ramban also remained below seasonal averages. Srinagar recorded a deficit of over 20 % during the same period. If the valleys are losing their mirrors, the mountains are losing their crowns. Kashmirs glaciers, which have sustained agriculture, orchards, and households for centuries, are retreating at an unprecedented pace. This is no longer a distant threat confined to scientific journals. It is an immediate crisis of water scarcity. According to local meteorological data, Kashmir suffered an alarming rainfall deficit of 26% between March and May this year, hot on the heels of its seventh consecutive dry winter. In districts like Shopian, the deficit skyrocketed to 71%. A recent report by The Guardian highlighted that famous Kolahoi Glacier near Pahalgam is thinning rapidly, losing about 0.65 meters of ice thickness annually for every 1 o C temperature rise. Local farmers in Pulwama and Budgam are already facing the consequences. Irrigation canals that used to flow steadily through the summer are running dry by June. Paddy fields are cracking, and apple orchardists are looking at the sky in despair. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has consistently warned that mountain ecosystems are the first responders to climate change. When the Water Towers of Asia fail, the shockwaves will travel far downstream, threatening the drinking water and food security of millions of people across the subcontinent. Moreover If a region historically defined by its glacial abundance, sprawling wetlands, and endless freshwater can face dry taps, cracked fields, and vanishing springs in 2026, no region on Earth is safe. Kashmir is the canary in the coal mine for global climate resilience. So there is a wake-up call asking us to stop trying to conquer nature with concrete and instead design our future in harmony with it. If we protect nature today, nature will protect us tomorrow. If we allow Kashmirs glaciers to melt away and its water bodies to turn into dust, we aren't just losing our heritage; we are compromising our very survival. Therefore, let the drying springs of Kashmir be the wake-up call we can no longer afford to ignore. (The author works as a Science Teacher in the J&K School Education Department and is currently Pursuing Research at the School of Education, Central University of Kashmir)
Border Defines India: But who defines border citizen?
As the 80 th anniversary of Independence Day dawns, the country will simply go into an overdrive with customary grandeur. The Tricolour will flutter atop important buildings; schoolchildren will sing patriotic songs, and speeches will extol the sacrifices that won us freedom from our colonial masters. A nation- state is defined by two of its very distinct facetsits people who populate its entire length and breadth and off course the national boundaries/borders. Both of these entities find ample space and discourse in its constitution and are complementary to each other. Not one of them individually can define the concept of a nation-state on its own steam. No wonder eighty years back, when Cyril Radcliffe the British lawyer cum boundary commission chairman set out his task of defining the national boundaries of India and Pakistan in a mere forty five days span , even he wouldnt have realized the importance of carving out such a cartographic lineation. Since this lineation was followed by one of the biggest human displacements with bloody repercussions in modern times across the Radcliffe line, hence the uniqueness of this partition.The borders of a country are not merely cartographic labyrinthine but a place where the republic is tested every single day. It is where the idea of India ceases to be an abstraction and becomes a lived reality. Ironically, while the border defines Indias geography, the border citizen often remains invisible in Indias policymaking. For close to seventy nine years, India has viewed its national borders primarily through the prism of military strategy, investing in troops, weapons, surveillance and other infra to protect its territorial integrity. These investments are indispensible no doubt, but they also reveal a deeper flaw in our national thinking right from 1947. We have treated borders as military spaces to be defended rather than living spaces to be nurtured. This distinction matters, and hence my endeavour to pen down this write up on Indias 80 th Independence day to put under the scanner such a distinction which may not portend well for our country if left untreated. A nation-state is not merely secured by its armed forces guarding its borders. It is secured when citizens choose to live there with dignity, confidence and hope. Every inhabited village on the border is a declaration of national sovereignty. Every family that refuses to abandon its ancestral home despite enemy shelling, infiltration or isolation is performing an act of national service that rarely finds mention from the ramparts of Red fort of India. Nowhere is this reality more visible than in Jammu & Kashmir. Border residents have lived through wars since 1947, terrorist violence, repeated ceasefire violations and prolonged uncertainty. Children have grown up distinguishing mortar fire from festival fireworks, farmers have cultivated fields under the shadow of sniper fire and many more such vagaries as thrown up by our inimical western neighbour at us. These are not isolated tragedies. But represent a way of life that few Indians living hundreds of Kilometers away can fully comprehend. Out of a stated fifteen thousand kilometers of total land boundary of India touching seven neighbouring nations, how much of border is actually under fire of ours? I may dare say only that which abuts our western neighbour in the UT of J&K and now under an uneasy calm punctuated by repeated ceasefire violations. Isnt it suitable time on the anvil of 80 th Independence Day of India, that these hapless people are not left to the mercy of geo-political machinations of this sub-continent which are played with utter disregard to their wellbeing? Be that as it may, yet public policy frequently views border districts through the lens of relief rather than resilience. Compensation is announced after damage, roads are sanctioned after strategic necessity arises. Same is the case with a plethora of welfare schemes involving schools, hospitals and employment opportunities. In the after math of mayhem unleashed by Pakistan last year during Op Sindoor on our border villages abutting both the IB and the LC, stories of continued neglect, administrative cum bureaucratic apathy emanate from media circles regarding laggardly pace of redevelopment of damaged infra. Leave alone relief, resilience is a far cry for us to come on top of the things as they stand today. The contrast with China is instructive. Both India & China threw out the yolk of slavery in the late 1940s. With a gap of only two years in between i.e. 1947 and 1949 respectively, China has pursued an integrated border strategy in which civilian settlements, economic development and military preparedness reinforce each other thereby surpassing India both in thought and action. Many of the readers of my article may argue that being a totalitarian cum communist nation, for China the concept of a nation-state supersedes its denizens. This is pass, simple and straight. For the sake of argument even if I do take this concept as viable, then may I ask why India has woken up lately to emulate the same concept in the format of VVP (Vibrant village programme now? The villages of China all along the LAC in our context present themselves the Chinese instrument of national security, signaling that the writ of mandarins of power in Beijing runs not only in their national capital but right till the last village of theirs. Though India as stated above has lately started in the right earnest to rectify decades of its inertia in such matters, by kicking starting programmes like the VVP it is too late and too less. The intent though commendable, the scheme doesnt inspire that much confidence. As late as a few weeks back, the PM in one of his discourses with the youth of India under the aegis of DIYLD (Developed India Young Leaders Dialogue) presented an idea before them of visiting border villages, staying, and connecting with them instead of using the virtual media to do so. This suggestion by our honourable PM throws an interesting question insteadIs merely encouraging the youth of India to visit these border villages enough? Can these cosmetics change the dismal situation as found present in these frontier areas? I shall not dwell much upon this topic, since it is being tackled by me in a separate article from Rising Kashmir paper. Border citizens per se ought to be placed head and shoulders above the rest of the populace of our country. Their defining attributes being derived from their very stay in the border areas and acting as the sentinels of a democratic dispensation in a region surrounded by theocratic countries. As India enters its eightieth year of independence, perhaps the time is ripe enough to redefine the citizenry of our border areas who, away from the din of the mainstream living of India, are silently carving out an existence for themselves based on true values of nationalism. The strength of a nation cannot be measured in terms of its military or economic might. But from the confidence of its citizens living at its farthest edge. If the border defines Indias territorial identity, then the border citizens define its moral identity. How India treats those who stand at its frontiers reveals what kind of republic it truly is. (The author is a retired army officer and a regular scribe of Rising Kashmir. He can be approached at his email: slalotra4729@gmail.com)
Court grants bail to SFI activists at Sanskrit varsity
They were arrested in connection with a protest at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Ernakulam, on August 13, during which an alleged symbolic funeral of Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas was staged
YSRCP leader accuses Naidu of deceiving BCs on reservation quota
Hockey World Cup: India passes Pakistan test, moves into the next round
Harmanpreet shows his class yet again with two penalty-corner conversionswhile Abhishek also nets a brace; Fultons men stay untroubled barring a spell in the second quarter
Passenger convenience and safety APSRTCs highest priorities, says JMD
Joint Managing Director Siva Prasad reviews the corporations operations and inspects key facilities
Cyberabad municipal corporation takes up road repairs, pothole works on August 19
Visakhapatnam ZP faces major bifurcation challenges as local body polls near
Man injured after gun accidentally goes off
Centac releases draft PG Dental merit list for 2026-27
Final admission will be subject to physical verification of documents
Plantation drive held at Bahour
Israeli strikes hit an air base hours after a Turkish delegation visit, Syrian officials say
Two Syrian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Turkish delegation had visited the air base in the northwestern province of Idlib on August 17 to review rehabilitation work underway at the facility
Training programme held for first-time MLAs ahead of Budget session of Assembly
Pro-tem Speaker A. Anbalagan, DMK legislature party leader A. M. H Nazeem, former Minister R. Viswanathan, former legislator Ilango, and Assembly Secretary Dayalan were among those who took classes
SEBI fines two firms 3.7 crore for CAS manipulation
SEBI charged Copthall Mauritius Investment and Mansi Share and Stock Broking Private Limited as they manipulated the markets during the newly introduced closing auction session
Naidu to tour Anakapalli and ASR districts
Jagan calls on YSRCP cadre to gear up for local body elections
Addressing a meeting, the former Chief Minister alleges that the coalition government had failed to benefit any section of society during its two years in office
Man stabbed to death in Coimbatore district
A look at three movements that have brought about tremendous change over the past few years in North Chennai
Bangladesh to hold presidential election on Thursday
The voting will take place for the first time in a presidential election after a gap of 35 years
Water will be released from Tungabhadra dam in a couple of days, says Karnataka Minister
Sangh Parivar trying to capture educational institutions, alleges Aishe Ghosh
SFI leader accuses Kalady Sanskrit University Vice-Chancellor of not tolerating dissent or holding dialogue with protesting students
RBIs MPC minutes indicate hardening of interest rates
The scope for any further easing does not seem to exist at the current juncture
Naidu to raise bifurcation, infrastructure issues at Southern Zonal Council meet
China successfully recovers rocket stage on land for first time
Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin have been recovering rockets since 2015, helping drive down launch costs by reusing hardware that would otherwise be discarded after carrying satellites and other payloads toward space
Shiprocket shares jump nearly 48% in market debut trade
At the NSE, the stock made its market debut at 131, a premium of 35%
Bengaluru: Poor rains and sowing, festive demand drive up prices of vegetables
Open universities can expand higher education: Abdul Wahab
Open and distance learning offer opportunities for those unable to pursue conventional higher education to continue their studies and acquire new skills, says MP
Visakhapatnam ZPTC faces major bifurcation challenges as local body polls near
J&K: Rivers swell in Samba amid heavy rain
HC declines to vacate stay on Kalyana Lakshmi, Shaadi Mubarak
Russian drone attacks kill five in Ukraine's Kherson, governor says
ED claims to have seized handwritten notes of Veena relating to fund transfer to Dubai
The notes contain the names of persons, amounts handled, spent besides the amount transferred to Dubai. The searches conducted on the premises related to Veena and the promoters of CMRL on May 27, 2026, yielded the documents, it says
SIR: BLO duties extended till final rolls, teachers say students affected, cannot continue
This comes as an order issuedon Wednesday directing all BLOs and BLO Supervisors to continue with SIR until the final electoral rolls are published on October 27.
Ex-MP Margni Bharat detained amid clash between TDP, YSRCP cadres
Durand Cup: East Bengal sneaks into the final
SEBI wraps Dhenu Buildcon on roundtripping charges
SEBI alleged that Dhenu Buildcon created a 1000 crore unsecured loan in the books through 46 transactions over eight days
NAARM workshop highlights need for authentic farm information
Photojournalists play key role in documenting history, says NTR District Collector
The Hindus photojournalists K.V.S. Giri and G.N. Rao win prizes in photography competitions
IDFC FIRST Bank raises $500mn thru maiden global bonds
The issuance marks the banks first international bond offering and strengthens its access to global debt capital markets.
Bengaluru: Minister gives GBA August 30 deadline to clear waste, encroachments
The August 30 deadline also applies to two other city-wide drives the Freedom from Waste campaign and the removal of abandoned vehicles.
Watch: PM CARES Fund Audit: Where Is the Money Going? | Above the Fold | Aug 19, 2026
After a two-year delay, the PM CARES Fund audit report was made public yesterday. The report revealed that there is over 8,000 crore in the funds corpus, and only 0.01 percent of the money was used in FY 2024-25. In this episode, we unpack the findings of the audit report.
Iran warns Gulf countries against helping U.S. after UAE cuts trade ties
Regular reading habit can help shape students future, says Guntur DEO
The Hindu and VIT-AP organises English Language Development Initiative at Zilla Praja Parishad High School, Mandadam, in Amaravati
Bridge collapses in Ampati, road closed
Shillong, Aug 19: Vehicular movement on a section of the GandhiparaPuthimari road via ChengaBenga has been halted after SPT Bridge No. 1/4 collapsed at Ch. 400.00 metres. The Public Works Department (Roads), Ampati Division, said the bridge on the 01.00 km kutcha stretch gave way, making the road unsafe. Commuters have been advised to avoid [] The post Bridge collapses in Ampati, road closed first appeared on Highland Post .
Karnataka State Human Rights Commission team visits Hanur to probe death of three suspected poachers
The team, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Ashwath Narayana, has been tasked with conducting a detailed inquiry and submitting a report following the suo motu case registered by the SHRC.
Jagan should explain APPSC exam lapses to Assembly, says Andhra CM
The government has placed documentary evidence of the alleged lapses before the Assembly, says Naidu
Operation Toofan to end drug trafficking networks in Kerala: Ramesh Chennithala
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has announced Operation Toofan, aimed at ending drug trafficking networks in Kerala.
Provide quality insulin to children with Type 1 diabetes: Keralam child panel
Cheruvumadharam will be developed as model solar village: Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy
Cheruvumadharam will be developed as model solar village: Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy
Union Ministers to visit universities in Centres 'One Day, One University' Gen Z outreach
A Union Minister will visit an assigned university to interact with students, listen to their views on different subjects, and inform them about government welfare schemes, particularly those for youth and students
Union Ministers to visit universities in Centres 'One Day, One University' Gen Z outreach
A Union Minister will visit an assigned university to interact with students, listen to their views on different subjects, and inform them about government welfare schemes, particularly those for youth and students
Two arrested for alleged drug peddling
Two arrested for alleged drug peddling
Telangana BJP demands higher stipends for AYUSH PG doctors, immediate release of arrears
Telangana BJP demands higher stipends for AYUSH PG doctors, immediate release of arrears
Drug menace spread far and wide in Keralam, says Home Minister
Claiming broad political support for the anti-drug campaign Operation Toofan, Ramesh Chennithala says no individual would receive protection on political grounds; the initiative has received strong public backing, particularly from parents and womens groups, he adds
Drug menace spread far and wide in Keralam, says Home Minister
Claiming broad political support for the anti-drug campaign Operation Toofan, Ramesh Chennithala says no individual would receive protection on political grounds; the initiative has received strong public backing, particularly from parents and womens groups, he adds
Traffic around KBR Park in Hyderabad eases as motorists adapt to new one-way system
Traffic police reported lower vehicle volumes and fewer bottlenecks on the second day, with 60-70% of motorists adapting to the diverted routes; around 400-450 personnel were deployed at key junctions, while additional signage and public announcements helped guide commuters
Traffic around KBR Park in Hyderabad eases as motorists adapt to new one-way system
Traffic police reported lower vehicle volumes and fewer bottlenecks on the second day, with 60-70% of motorists adapting to the diverted routes; around 400-450 personnel were deployed at key junctions, while additional signage and public announcements helped guide commuters
