Petrol Langar Leaves Chandigarh Residents Disappointed Amid Rain
A large crowd gathered at a fuel station in Sector 10 amid heavy rainfall. However, no petrol was distributed at the spot, leaving many people upset.
Self-Styled Practitioner Arrested For Exploiting Minor In Ahmedabad Rituals
The accused, Chandrakant Panchal, trapped the family by falsely claiming that their young daughter was possessed by evil spirits.
Fifty years ago | Collection of night soil on Singapore model
A hundred years ago | Encouragement of Indian art
Pressers, meetings cancelled in Kolkata due to BJP pressure: CJP
You cannot stop the cockroaches in this way. The more they try to prevent us, the more youth will come forward, says co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka
57-year-old patient dies 2 days after rape in Haryana hospital
Jharkhand Government releases list of 44 recruitment exams cancelled due to irregularities
The cancelled exams include recruitment for drug inspectors, assistant professors, deputy collectors, dental doctors, assistant engineers, civil judges, and additional public prosecutors, among others
A vision for an inclusive Bangladesh
Under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Bangladeshs democratic journey seeks inclusion, equality, dignity, and accountable governance
Time to push back: On India and the continuing U.S. pressure
The U.S. has been emboldened to make increasing demands on India
80% of Delhi is unplanned, fire preparedness average: ChiefFireOfficer
Delhis fire risks are growing amid unplanned construction, weak compliance, inadequatemanpowerand congested roads, Delhi Fire Services Chief Fire Officer A.K. Malik said on Tuesday.In aninteractionwithThe Hindu, he assesses the citys fire-safety preparedness, gaps in enforcement and infrastructure, changing fire risks and measures to improve response
Last-minute form submissions, missing BLO details, conflicting info leave Delhi voters in limbo
Delhi HC allows JNU to continue admissions based on deprivation points
Kalyanpuri murder: AAP MLA detained briefly; sanitation workers stir to continue
Kuldeep Kumar picked up early morning, let go at 3.48 p.m.; AAP decries abduction; police say the Kondli MLA was taken into preventive custody
80% of Delhi unplanned, fire preparedness average: Chief Fire Officer
80% of Delhi unplanned, fire preparedness average: Chief Fire Officer
Delhi ACB arrests Satyendar Jain, five others over STP tender irregularities
How long will this BJP dictatorship continue? They imprison whomever they please by levelling false allegations, says AAP chief Kejriwal
Widening of road linking Uttarahalli-Mysuru Road to be completed soon: Krishna Byre Gowda
Fake drug racket busted near Bidadi; medicines worth 5 crore seized
New York-based Warner Music Group plans to set up a world-class music tech organisation in Bengaluru
Karnataka forms sub-committee to vet revised minimum wages
Purification row: Congress terms BJP anti-Dalit for not halting protest to adopt resolution
BJP is indirectly supporting the purification episode by not facilitating debate on the proposal for an unanimous resolution condemning the event, said Congress
Kutiyattam festival to begin on August 19
Education must change to account for AI
A future we cannot predict cannot be prepared for by adding ever more material to the curriculum. We should instead give undergraduates the time and freedom to practise entering the unknown.
Youth runs mini truck over father following land dispute
16-year-old girl dies after mixer truck hits two-wheeler near Sriperumbudur
Cement to be provided at 230 per bag for Indiramma Houses
CM allays apprehensions on Section 22A lands, asserts govt. will protect rights of owners
Instructions given to officials to verify lands and register private lands in time, he said
BALM-SFL fellowship given to 7 persons from five States
56 women-only bus services, including 26 for Delhi University, to start today
Commercial films, serials cannot be shot in wildlife sanctuaries: Kerala High Court
Address systemic gaps in criminal laws related to children, Madras HC directs T.N. Chief Secretary
Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan direct the officer to constitute a committee of Home Secretary, Health Secretary and Law Secretary to consider suggestions made by the court
Round 1 of UG medical counselling extended
NTA removes 600 experts from its team in revamp bid
NTA also says it is setting up a four-tier question paper checking system, shifting to more secure premises, and inducting over 20 senior officials
CMs Road Safety Mission to be launched at 500 crore per annum
Tamil Nadu topped the list of States in road accidents in the country, says Sports Development Minister
Kauvery Hospital,The Hinduto hold webinar on healthy ageing tomorrow
Chennais soul remains unchanged, says Aiswarya Rao
Five arrested for double murder in Kancheepuram district
Five arrested over death of inmate at de-addiction centre
Iran fired two ballistic missiles at territory: UAE Defence Ministry
The statement came nearly two hours after a brief phone alert warned UAE residents of a potential missile threat
Every step to honour veterans sacrifices, dignity: LG Sinha
Jammu, Aug 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired the 81st Meeting of the Jammu Kashmir Rajya Sainik Board at Lok Bhavan, deliberating on key issues concerning veterans, Veer Naris, widows and dependents, covering welfare delivery, grievance redressal, healthcare and institutional strengthening. The meeting was attended by Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command; Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Maj Gen Paramvir Singh Dagar, Chief of Staff, HQ White Knight Corps; Maj Gen KS Dhadwal, Chief of Staff HQ Chinar Corps; Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar; Principal Secretary Home Chanderkar Bharti; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Neena Mishra, Principal Director, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, GoI; Brig Pankaj Chib (Retd.) Director Sainik Welfare Department, J&K; Brig Sandeep Kaushal, Cdr 21 Sub Area; Air Commodore VP Singh; Col Pradeep S Karki, Director, DRZ (North); Brig Virender Singh Slathia (Retd) and other senior officials. The Board deliberated on key issues concerning veterans, Veer Naris, widows and dependents, including the establishment of a ZSWO at Kishtwar and improved coordination on pension-related matters. The Lieutenant Governor reiterated his commitment to the welfare of veterans and their families, assuring that every step will be taken to honour their sacrifices and guarantee a life of dignity. The Board also discussed empanelment of government hospitals including AIIMS Jammu, GMC Rajouri, GMC Doda and Government Hospital Kupwara with ECHS for enhanced healthcare access. The Lieutenant Governor also chaired the State Management Committee (SMC) meeting on the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, with the Committee considering welfare-oriented proposals covering medical and health support, infrastructure, outreach, education and skill development. The Committee also proposed several key initiatives including education and career incentives, psychological counsellors in identified areas, skill-development support and improved welfare infrastructure.
Brain tumour weighing 890g removed from 54-year-old
Amid residents demands, WRD steps up pre-monsoon waterways cleaning drive
Around 42 crore has been sanctioned to carry out 202 workscovering waterways in five districts, including Cuddalore, ahead of the monsoon
Ganderbal villagers seek macadamisation of link roads
Ganderbal: Residents of Shutkadi and Sonamarg villages in Central Kashmirs Ganderbal district have urged the concerned authorities, including MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali, to expedite the long-pending macadamisation of their link roads, saying poor road connectivity continues to hamper daily life, tourism and basic development in the area. The residents said the roads connecting Shutkadi and Sonamarg with the main road have remained in poor condition for years despite repeated assurances and plans for macadamisation. They said that while other areas have witnessed road development, these villages continue to wait for basic improvement of their road infrastructure. A resident of the area Mushtaq Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that both Shutkadi and Sonamarg are closely linked with tourism and that several families have invested in homestays and other tourism-related activities, often by taking bank loans or selling land. We have been demanding macadamisation of the Sonamarg village road for nearly 10 years. Similarly, the road from the main road towards Shutkadi village is still without proper macadamisation, the resident said. He said the poor condition of the roads is discouraging tourists from visiting the villages and is also causing inconvenience to local transporters. Tourists are hesitant to come here because of the condition of the road. Drivers also complain that their vehicles suffer due to the uneven surface and potholes. If the road is macadamised even once, it will make a huge difference for the people as well as tourism, he said. The residents claimed that the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department had proposed macadamisation work in the area last year and that they had also raised the issue with the concerned MLA, who, they said, had assured them that the work would be taken up in 2026. Last year, the R&B Department had prepared a plan for macadamisation. We also met the concerned MLA, who assured us that the work would be completed in 2026. However, the work has still not started, another resident Riyaz Ahmad said. They said the delay has added to frustration among the people, particularly as the surrounding areas have witnessed improvement in road infrastructure. Residents also highlighted the condition of internal roads, footpaths and drainage systems, claiming that several basic infrastructure facilities have seen little or no improvement for years. Our roads and footpaths are still in the same condition as they were years ago. The drainage system also needs attention. We are not blaming anyone, but we want the authorities to visit the area and see the situation on the ground, another resident Mehraj U Din said. The residents appealed to the district administration, including the Deputy Commissioner, SDM and other concerned officials, as well as the Sonamarg Development Authority, to personally inspect the villages and take up the pending works on priority. They said the issue becomes more important in view of the growing tourist footfall in Sonamarg and adjoining areas. If thousands of tourists visit Sonamarg, they should also be able to visit the surrounding villages and see their natural beauty. But for that, proper connectivity and basic facilities are necessary, another resident said. Residents further demanded the development of a proper drainage system and a playground for children, saying the absence of adequate recreational infrastructure has also affected the younger generation. They pointed out that the four villagesShutkadi, Sonamarg, Nilgrad and Sarbalform an important part of the wider tourism belt but continue to face several basic infrastructure-related issues. The residents appealed to MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali and the Ganderbal district administration to visit the affected villages, assess the problems firsthand and ensure that the long-pending macadamisation work is taken up without further delay. They expressed hope that their demands would be addressed on a priority basis and that improved road connectivity would not only ease the daily difficulties faced by residents but also provide a boost to tourism and local economic activity.
SIET to organise short film fete for students in Keralam
High school, higher secondary, and vocational higher secondary students will take part in fete aimed at creating awareness of Home departments anti-drug drive Operation Toofan.
Shillong, Aug 18:Rebecca V Suchiang, known as the first female Chief Secretary from one of Meghalayas indigenous communities, died early today morning following a prolonged illness. Suchiang was a member of the 1989 batch of the IAS and began her career as Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) at Nongpoh and Sohra. Over the years she held several [] The post Rebecca Suchiang: States first female indigenous Chief Secy dies first appeared on Highland Post .
Congress leaders visit Dr Audil, enquire about his health
Srinagar, Aug 18: Senior Congress leaders visited the residence of Srinagar DCC President Dr Audil Farooq Mir to enquire about his health and convey their prayers and wishes for his speedy recovery. Dr Mir had not been keeping well for the past few days. Despite this, he had been actively propagating the Congress ideology and manifesto and mobilising party cadre across Srinagar district, remaining engaged with organisational activities and party workers. Dr Syed Naseer Hussain, AICC General Secretary and In-Charge J&K; JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra; CLP Leader and AICC General Secretary G. A. Mir; AICC Secretary and J&K In-Charge Pargat Singh; Chief Whip Nizam-ud-Din Bhat; and his colleague Abid Imtiyaz Bhat met Dr Mir and enquired about his wellbeing. The leaders conveyed their good wishes and prayed for his early and complete recovery. Dr Audil Farooq Mir thanked the Congress leadership for taking time out to visit him and enquire about his health, saying he was deeply touched by the warmth, affection and concern extended to him. He said the gesture went beyond political and organisational responsibilities and reflected the strong bonds of solidarity and family spirit within the Congress. Such gestures go far beyond politics or organisational responsibilitiesthey reflect the bonds of a family that stands by its members in moments that matter, Dr Mir said. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the visiting leaders for their prayers, good wishes and personal concern, saying their support had reaffirmed the spirit of togetherness and mutual respect within the Congress family. Dr Mir also thanked all those who had expressed concern over his health and wished him a speedy recovery.
SIR progressing smoothly, says Meghalaya CEO
Shillong, Aug 18:The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Meghalaya is progressing smoothly, Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari said on Tuesday, even as the election machinery has identified over 6.5 lakh cases requiring notices and further verification. Tiwari said that he has already held review meetings with district field officials as well as [] The post SIR progressing smoothly, says Meghalaya CEO first appeared on Highland Post .
Govt Pushes Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Innovation in J&K
New Delhi, Aug 18: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Tuesday participated in the 97th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi. Speaking at the meeting, Javid Dar called for greater focus on J&K-specific agricultural research and innovation, keeping in view the Union Territorys unique agro-climatic conditions, fragile ecosystems and potential in agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors. He proposed establishment of a State Council for Agricultural Research in J&K to coordinate research priorities and strengthen convergence among ICAR institutions, agricultural universities, government departments, scientists, industry and farmers. Highlighting J&Ks research capabilities, the Minister noted that SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir have secured 143 patents over the past four years. He stressed the need to translate such scientific potential into field-level solutions. Javid Dar identified climate-resilient horticulture as a key research priority, with emphasis on disease-free and true-to-type planting material, corm multiplication, climate-resilient saffron, precision irrigation, mechanisation, quality testing, value addition, branding and export-oriented production. He also called for a dynamic, scientific and region-specific plant quarantine system, based on species- and host-specific Pest Risk Analysis, biological Post-Entry Quarantine, molecular indexing and process-based phytosanitary certification. The Minister further sought stronger research and innovation in animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries, post-harvest management, processing and value addition. He stressed that agricultural research should ultimately deliver higher productivity, lower input costs, climate resilience, better market access and increased farmers incomes. He called for stronger collaboration between ICAR, J&Ks agricultural universities, government departments, scientists, industry and farmers to ensure that research remains closely aligned with the specific needs of the Union Territory.
Four skeletons, nine skulls found in sand dumped in Vizag
Govt calls for fresh push to boost rural employment
Srinagar, Aug 18: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, on Tuesday chaired a review meeting to assess the progress on the Viksit BharatGuarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G], calling for a renewed and focused push to strengthen the Person Days (PD) generation, activate worksites, ensure timely wage payments and tighten field-level supervision across the Union Territory. Asad directed the Executive Engineers to process wage-component bills without delay, stressing that once the wage component is released, bills should be prepared simultaneously so that payments are not held up. He also asked to ensure that material payments were processed alongside wage payments. The Secretary directed for immediate and focused intervention to ensure timely initiation of works at all worksites. He emphasised that all eligible Panchayats must be enabled to undertake works at the earliest, with a clear focus on strengthening employment generation and ensuring effective implementation of VB-G RAM G at the grassroots level. Holding Assistant Commissioners Development (ACDs) responsible for effective leadership at the block level, Aijaz Asad observed that the districts with proactive ACDs were delivering better results while few others were visibly lagging. He directed the ACDs to take ownership of field-level implementation and cautioned that continued underperformance on certain parameters could invite accountability measures. Supervisory gaps, he stressed, must be promptly identified and corrected rather than allowed to persist. The Secretary also reviewed the e-KYC status of semi-skilled and skilled workers, whose payments will now be routed through the wage component. He directed the Executive Engineers to complete the process within the stipulated timeline. He informed the meeting that MoRD is expected to issue a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) within the next few days regarding the proposed shift under which semi-skilled and skilled workers, currently often booked under the material component, will be reclassified under the wage component. He directed the field officials to ensure that the transition is properly captured and implemented at the ground level. Acknowledging that certain villages in hilly, remote and snow-bound areas may naturally record comparatively lower figures during winters months, Aijaz Asad directed the officers to accord special attention to such parts so that the benefits of the scheme reach all sections of the rural population. Reviewing wage-payment performance, the Secretary directed the district authorities to expedite generation of Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs) against wage claims under VB-G RAM G, stressing that timely FTO processing is essential for ensuring prompt payment of wages to workers. Aijaz Asad emphasised the importance of Panch Sammelans as a platform for strengthening the grassroots participation, direct engagement and coordination among the elected representatives and field functionaries. He directed the concerned officers to ensure that the proceedings and outcomes of all Panch Sammelans are properly documented, with completion reports submitted promptly. The deliberations, he stressed, must translate into concrete follow-up action at the Panchayat level. Reviewing Area Officer Monitoring Reports, the Secretary directed the ACDs to undertake regular field visits and improve the quality of monitoring. He described field monitoring as a routine yet critical responsibility that must be discharged with seriousness and purpose. He also directed the officials to expedite geo-tagging and complete e-KYC within the prescribed timeframe. Regarding administrative discipline, Asad reiterated that no employee would be permitted to leave the place of duty without prior permission. He directed both the Directors to undertake random attendance checks, noting instances of employees remaining away from assigned duties without authorisation. He stressed the need for strict enforcement of workplace discipline and accountability. The Secretary directed the senior officers and field functionaries to implement the instructions with immediate effect and ensure rigorous follow-up at every level to achieve the targets set under VB-G RAM G. Calling for greater field mobilisation and ownership, Aijaz Asad emphasised that the effectiveness of the mission must ultimately be reflected in more active worksites, higher Person Days generation and timely wages reaching rural workers. He called upon the officers and field functionaries to work with renewed commitment, strengthen field-level supervision and ensure that the benefits of VB-G RAM G reach rural communities across Jammu and Kashmir.
Govt directs Tourism Dept to promote emerging destinations
Srinagar, Aug 18: The Tourism Department has been directed to focus on promoting Kashmirs emerging tourist destinations during the first International Film Festival of J&K (IFFJK), scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10. The direction was issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg during a meeting held to review preparations for the festival, which is being organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations, J&K. Anshul Garg directed the Tourism Department to undertake focused branding of new and emerging tourist destinations to attract filmmakers and international visitors. The move is aimed at giving wider exposure to lesser-known tourist locations and promoting Kashmir as a film tourism destination. The Divisional Commissioner also directed that shikaras and boats being used during the festival be appropriately branded. The branding will help showcase Kashmirs tourism identity to visiting filmmakers, delegates and guests. The meeting also reviewed plans for organising heritage tours for visitors. Locations identified by JKTDC and the Handicrafts & Handloom Department will be included in the tour programme. Officials discussed customised tour packages and sightseeing programmes for national and international guests. Transportation arrangements for visiting filmmakers and delegates were also reviewed as part of the festival preparations. Anshul Garg further called for film tourism initiatives to be incorporated into the festival programme. Kashmirs emerging tourist destinations and heritage locations will be showcased to visiting filmmakers and industry professionals. The meeting also stressed the importance of showcasing Kashmirs handloom and handicraft products at identified venues. Cultural programmes will be integrated with the festival to highlight the regions cultural heritage and tourism potential. The festival will feature curated film screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions, filmmaker interactions, networking sessions and other activities aimed at promoting cinematic and cultural exchange.
Vizag police plan free medical camp for autorickshaw drivers
The Transformation of Kashmiri Society Across Generations
Kashmir has never been merely a geographical space. It has been a civilisation of memory, faith, language, poetry, hospitality and shared cultural traditions. Its society was shaped not only by its mountains, rivers and seasons but also by centuries of interaction among communities that inhabited the same landscape, spoke closely related languages, shared cultural practices and participated in one another's joys and sorrows. Yet societies do not remain frozen in time. Kashmir, perhaps more than many other places, has witnessed an extraordinary transformation within the span of just a few generations. The Kashmir known to our grandparents, the Kashmir remembered by our parents and the Kashmir experienced by today's younger generation are, in many ways, three different worlds. The transformation has not been sudden. It has been gradual, sometimes painful, sometimes inspiring and often contradictory. What has changed is not merely the physical appearance of the Valley but the very manner in which its people think, work, communicate, relate to one another and imagine their future. For the older generation, life in Kashmir was deeply rooted in community. The neighbourhood was an extended family. A wedding was never merely a private celebration; the entire mohalla participated. A death brought neighbours together. Festivals created opportunities to visit one another, exchange greetings and share food. Even ordinary life possessed a collective rhythm. People knew one another not merely by name but through generations of association. The carpenter, the teacher, the farmer, the shopkeeper, the artisan and the priest were all connected through an intricate social network that gave the community a sense of belonging. Today, that intimacy has considerably weakened. Urbanisation, migration, economic pressures, changing occupations and modern lifestyles have made individual achievement increasingly important. The young person today is more likely to define himself or herself through education, profession, personal ambition and economic independence than through neighbourhood or traditional community identity. This is not necessarily a decline; it is a transformation. But every transformation carries a price. The Kashmir of the older generation was also a world of slower communication and deeper physical interaction. Letters were treasured. Radio was a window to the outside world. Newspapers arrived with anticipation. Conversations took place in courtyards, kitchens, tea shops, village squares and during long winter evenings. There was little of the instant communication that defines contemporary life. Today's Kashmiri inhabits an entirely different information universe. A smartphone has brought the world into the palm of the hand. A young person sitting in a village in Kashmir can study at a foreign university, apply for a job in Bengaluru, communicate with someone in London and follow events unfolding thousands of kilometres away. Geographical boundaries that once defined opportunity have become increasingly porous. This has produced a remarkable change in aspiration. The old assumption that one's future must necessarily remain tied to one's immediate surroundings is gradually disappearing. Kashmiri youth are increasingly looking towards other parts of India and the wider world for education, employment and professional growth. The world has become their marketplace. But technology has also produced a paradox. It has connected people across continents while sometimes disconnecting them from those sitting beside them. Families may communicate constantly through messages and video calls while having fewer opportunities for meaningful face-to-face conversation. The problem is not technology itself. The real challenge is ensuring that technological connectivity does not replace emotional intimacy. The transformation is equally visible within the Kashmiri family. Earlier generations generally lived within larger and more interconnected family structures. Grandparents, parents, children, uncles, aunts and cousins often lived close to one another. Elders occupied a central place in family decisions, and children grew up surrounded by stories, memories and experiences that connected them directly with previous generations. The modern Kashmiri family is increasingly nuclear. Education and employment have taken young people away from their ancestral homes. Professional mobility has become a necessity rather than a choice. A son may work in Delhi, a daughter in Bengaluru, another family member may be in Dubai or London, while the parents remain in Kashmir. Physical distance has therefore become one of the defining features of contemporary Kashmiri family life. Yet this separation has created another paradox. Families may be geographically scattered but technologically connected. A video call has replaced the visit; a message has replaced a conversation; a photograph on a screen sometimes replaces physical presence. Technology can bridge distance, but it cannot completely reproduce the warmth of sitting together around a traditional hearth, sharing a meal or listening to an elderly member of the family recounting stories of another era. The position of women has also changed significantly. Earlier generations of Kashmiri women carried enormous responsibilities within the home and community, often without receiving the recognition they deserved. Their contribution was indispensable, but much of it remained invisible beyond the domestic sphere. The contemporary Kashmiri woman is increasingly visible in education, medicine, administration, business, journalism, academia and other professions. Education has transformed not only her opportunities but also her understanding of herself. A daughter is increasingly encouraged to prepare not merely for marriage but for a career, independence and meaningful participation in society. This change has inevitably altered family expectations and social relationships. The Kashmiri woman of today is negotiating a space between inherited traditions and modern aspirations. She is not necessarily rejecting her cultural identity; rather, she is redefining her place within it. That is one of the most significant indicators of social transformation. Another quieter but equally important change is taking place in language. Kashmiri carries within it the memory of an entire civilisation. The poetry of Lal Ded, the verses of Sheikh-ul-Alam, the songs of Habba Khatoon and the mystical traditions of generations of poets are not merely literary treasures. They are repositories of collective memory. Yet younger generations are increasingly growing up in multilingual environments dominated by English, Hindi and other languages. English has become the language of education and professional opportunity, while Hindi has acquired greater importance because of employment, entertainment and wider communication. Kashmiri, meanwhile, sometimes retreats into the home and, in some families, is gradually losing even that space. There is nothing wrong with learning other languages. On the contrary, multilingualism is an asset. The danger lies in acquiring the languages of the world while becoming strangers to the language of one's ancestors. A civilisation does not disappear in a single day. Sometimes it disappears quietlywhen its songs are no longer sung, its proverbs are no longer understood and its children can no longer comprehend the emotional vocabulary of their grandparents. Economic transformation has been equally profound. The Kashmir of earlier generations depended heavily on agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts, small trade and traditional occupations. Education has opened doors to professions that previous generations could scarcely have imagined. Kashmiris are now working as doctors, engineers, academics, entrepreneurs, civil servants, IT professionals, artists and business leaders across India and around the world. The old psychological boundary that one's future must be found within Kashmir has weakened considerably. A young Kashmiri may now see Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Dubai, Europe, North America or Australia as possible destinations for education and employment. This expansion of opportunity is undoubtedly positive, but migration has its own consequences. When young people leave, the Valley loses not only workers but also potential families, ideas and cultural continuity. Some villages increasingly have an ageing population while their younger members build careers elsewhere. The challenge for Kashmir will therefore be to benefit from global mobility without losing its younger generation emotionally and culturally. No discussion of the transformation of Kashmiri society can, however, ignore the profound rupture caused by the violence and turmoil of the late twentieth century. The years of militancy, fear, uncertainty and displacement changed the psychological landscape of Kashmir. The exodus of Kashmiri Pandits created a deep wound in the social fabric, while violence and instability affected the lives, education, employment and aspirations of Kashmiri Muslims as well. An entire generation grew up carrying memories that the next generation may never fully understand. For those who left, Kashmir became simultaneously a homeland and a memory. For those who remained, the Valley continued to be home, but home itself had changed. The younger generation is now inheriting this complicated legacy. It is increasingly trying to look beyond the permanent vocabulary of conflict, grievance and fear. It wants education, employment, normalcy, mobility and dignity. That does not erase history, nor should it. But a society cannot remain permanently imprisoned by its wounds. Remembering the past is necessary; allowing the past to dictate the entire future is another matter. Perhaps the most important question facing Kashmiri society is not whether it should embrace tradition or modernity. It is whether it can carry its traditions intelligently into modernity. There are traditions that deserve to survive because they embody compassion, hospitality, dignity, coexistence and respect for nature. There are also social practices that need to change because they no longer correspond to the aspirations of a modern society. The task of every generation is therefore neither to preserve everything from the past nor to reject everything associated with it. It is to distinguish between heritage and habit. Heritage gives a society its roots. Habit can sometimes become a chain. Kashmir needs its roots, but it must not allow its roots to prevent its branches from reaching the sky. The transformation is also changing the very idea of Kashmiri identity. Earlier, identity was strongly rooted in village, neighbourhood, language, occupation and inherited traditions. Today, identity is increasingly layered. A young Kashmiri can simultaneously be Kashmiri, Indian and global in outlook. He or she can enjoy traditional Kashmiri food, listen to international music, study in an Indian metropolitan city and dream of building a career abroad. Identity is no longer a single room; it is a house with many windows. This does not necessarily weaken Kashmiri identity. It can actually make it more confident, provided the younger generation understands what it has inherited. A secure identity does not fear the outside world. It engages with it without losing itself. Every generation tends to believe that the previous generation lived in a better world. Nostalgia, however, can distort reality. The past had its limitations, just as the present has its contradictions. The challenge is not to recreate an imaginary Kashmir of yesterday but to preserve those values from yesterday that can enrich the Kashmir of tomorrow. Kashmir cannot afford to lose its hospitality, its poetry, its craftsmanship, its sensitivity towards nature, its respect for elders, its oral traditions and its capacity for human connection. Modernisation should change the way Kashmiris live, work and communicate; it should not erase the values that give their civilisation its distinctive character. The greatest challenge, therefore, is not development. It is development without cultural amnesia. Kashmir is changing, and it will continue to change. The generation that once travelled by slow buses now communicates across continents through smartphones. Children who once inherited family occupations are choosing global careers. Women are entering professions their grandmothers could scarcely have imagined. Families are becoming smaller, aspirations larger and the world closer. Somewhere between the old wooden house and the modern apartment, between the kangri and the smartphone, between the handwritten letter and the instant message, between the village courtyard and the global workplace, a new Kashmir is being born. It would be easy to mourn the Kashmir that is disappearing. It would be wiser to ask what kind of Kashmir we want to create. For ultimately, societies are not preserved by resisting change. They survive by carrying their deepest values through change. The Kashmir of tomorrow will not be the Kashmir of our grandparents. Nor should it be. But if the future Kashmiri can walk confidently into the modern world without forgetting the language, memories, compassion, cultural wisdom and human values of those who came before, then the transformation of Kashmiri society will not represent the end of an old civilisation. It will be the beginning of its next chapter. (The writer is RK columnist and can be reached at: sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com )
AJAY RAINA Solid Waste Management (SWM) is one of the most pressing environmental challenges globally as well as locally. Inappropriate SWM practices such as improper incineration and uncontrolled disposal of waste are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions; the waste in landfills produces methane, a gas that is approximately 20 times stronger than carbon dioxide. Toxins from such waste can also leach ( the process where a liquid, usually water, passes through a solid material, dissolving and carrying away its soluble substances or minerals) into soil and water, thereby affecting local wildlife. Solid waste can also cause a number of health issues such as infectious diseases, asthma, cancer and cardiovascular disease through the contamination of the surrounding air, soil and water. The most vulnerable to these issues are children, communities living near waste dumps whose water supply has been contaminated by waste dumping or leakage from improperly managed landfills and waste workers. Roughly 70 percent of municipal solid waste consists of kitchen scraps, food waste and other biodegradable material. Such waste becomes a problem when it gets mixed with plastic wrappers, diapers, sanitary waste and other non-biodegradable materials . Rapid urbanisation has changed consumption patterns throughout the country. Packaged foods, plastic containers and disposable products have become common, while systems for collection and processing remain weak or entirely absent. Mixed waste collection remains common in many places despite rules requiring segregation at source. Garbage loaded into collection vehicles without sorting simply shifts the problem from one location to another. Unfortunately, awareness is limited to workshops, photographs and administrative presentations. Since the environmental, economic and public health consequences touch every household, waste management needs the same approach as 100 days of drug-free campaigning was generated for public participation, and local administration mobilised resources and citizens understood that the government viewed the issue as a priority. While the government had an important role to play, every citizen must also take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and preserving the environment for future generations. We must protect whatever remains of our environment. If we fail to preserve what is left, we will lose that as well. Separate your DRY WASTE and WET WASTE at home. This small habit is key to a cleaner, greener village/city. At-source minimisation is the most preferred strategy of waste management, and its aim is to reduce the quantity of waste generated, thereby reducing the negative effects of solid waste. Effective solid waste management is the segregation, collection and transportation of waste. The transport of solid waste from site to site during collection should be done through vehicles that can keep the waste segregated and that is compatible with existing waste storage facilities. Common waste minimisation strategies include: (1) Public awareness and education programmes in schools, residential associations and commercial and industrial establishments. (2) Encouraging voluntary action by commercial enterprises to reduce packaging in their products. (3) Business assistance programmes for advising businesses on their waste management. When two-bin waste management is adopted, it enables a structured approach that reduces landfill pressure by 70% to 80 %, and Municipalities will also benefit economically, as source segregation can decrease disposal expenses by up to 40%. By using two waste bins, communities, schools, offices, and even households can easily segregate waste into biodegradable, recyclable, and non-recyclable categories. Swachh Bharat can really be achieved only when each one of us takes charge of the waste we generate. Small Actions at Home Create Big Change. (Author can be reached at: rianaajay@gmail.com)
The Missing Bridge between Degrees and Dignity
For years, education in our part of the world has been treated as a single road with one destination: a degree, preferably from a conventional stream, and then a job. That model is increasingly out of step with the economy, with technology, and with the hopes of thousands of young people who finish school and college only to find that their certificates do not translate into work. In that gap lies both frustration and opportunity. Vocational education is the bridge we have spoken about for too long and built too little. The problem is not that our youth lack talent. It is that our education system still rewards memory more than capability, and prestige more than productivity. A student who wants to become a technician, a welder, a designer, a carpenter, a coder, a caregiver, a chef or a solar panel installer is often made to feel that such choices are second-rate. That thinking is costly. It devalues work, ignores market demand and pushes countless students into academic tracks that neither suit their interests nor the needs of the economy. Vocational education should not be seen as an alternative for those who could not do better. It should be recognised as a serious, respectable and future-facing pathway. Across the world, the strongest labour markets are not built only on universities; they are built on well-designed systems that connect classrooms with workshops, industry and apprenticeships. Countries that invest in skills early produce workers who are more adaptable, more employable and often more entrepreneurial. That is a lesson Jammu and Kashmir cannot afford to ignore. The case for vocational education becomes even stronger in a region where employment opportunities are limited, and the private sector remains underdeveloped. We cannot continue to produce graduates only for disappointment. We need schools and colleges that help students learn how to earn, solve problems and create value. A young person trained in refrigeration repair, electric work, healthcare support, hospitality, tourism services, digital marketing, tailoring, food processing or agriculture-linked enterprises is not merely seeking a job; he or she is acquiring a livelihood. But this will require more than slogans. Vocational education must be integrated into mainstream schooling with proper infrastructure, trained instructors, industry linkages and certification that employers respect. It must not be reduced to a token course or a dusty laboratory. Parents also need to be convinced that skills are not a compromise but a route to dignity and independence. Society must stop measuring success only by the size of a degree and start measuring it by the usefulness of knowledge. There is also a larger economic truth. A region that trains its youth in practical skills becomes more resilient. It can support small businesses, local manufacturing, service industries and innovation at the grassroots. It can reduce migration for work, strengthen household incomes and give young people a reason to stay invested in their own communities. If Jammu and Kashmir is serious about tackling unemployment, then vocational education cannot remain a side conversation. It must be at the centre of policy, planning and public imagination. We owe our youth more than promises. We owe them pathways.
Illegal mining has become one of the most damaging and least confronted crimes against our land. It is not merely a question of theft of sand, gravel or stone. It is a larger assault on ecology, public infrastructure, governance and the very idea of law. Where mining is illegal, everything around it eventually becomes illegal in spirit too: permits are bypassed, safety norms ignored, environmental clearances mocked, and local complaints brushed aside. The result is a landscape wounded by greed and a system weakened by complicity. Across the UT, the signs are visible. Riverbeds are being gouged beyond limits, hillsides cut recklessly, roads damaged by overloaded vehicles, and natural drains disturbed in ways that worsen floods and erosion. What begins as the removal of a truckload of material ends in the destabilisation of fragile ecosystems. In a place like Jammu and Kashmir, where geography is sensitive and environmental balance already under pressure, such activity is not a minor violation. It is a serious threat to long-term survival and public safety. The troubling part is not only the scale of illegal mining, but the persistence of it despite repeated warnings, orders and public concern. This points to a deeper failure of enforcement. If illegal extraction continues in broad daylight, it means the system is either unable or unwilling to stop it. In many cases, local residents know who is operating, when trucks move and which routes are being used. Yet action remains sporadic, selective and often temporary. Raids are announced, machines seized, fines imposed, and then the machinery of abuse resumes as before. This cannot be treated as an administrative irritant. It is a governance test. A government that cannot protect rivers from illegal extraction will struggle to convince people that it can protect anything else. The issue also exposes a familiar pattern in which environmental violations are normalised because they generate easy money for a few and inconvenience for the many. But the costs are not abstract. They are paid in collapsing riverbanks, damaged farmland, dust pollution, water depletion, road deterioration and increased disaster risk. What is needed now is not another round of routine condemnation but sustained, transparent and accountable enforcement. Mining zones must be monitored more closely, transport routes checked rigorously, and repeat offenders punished decisively. Technology can help, but only if backed by political will. Satellite mapping, GPS tracking of vehicles, night surveillance and community reporting mechanisms can make enforcement stronger. Yet no instrument will matter if those meant to regulate the sector look the other way. Illegal mining thrives where oversight is weak and accountability thinner still. Ending it requires more than occasional seizures. It requires an understanding that environmental crime is also public crime. The state must send a clear message that rivers are not quarries, hills are not free stores, and public land is not there to be stripped by the powerful. If the law is to mean anything, it must begin with the ground beneath our feet.
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