Mann slams Delhi Polices Taliban-like attitude over video of cops with shoes inside Bangla Sahib
A controversy had erupted over Delhi police personnel allegedly entering the gurdwara premises in Delhi on Saturday as some protesters, facing police action during demonstrations against the Chief Election Commissioner, sought refuge there.
For Mumbais dementia patients, diagnosis is only the beginning
As the city's population ages, is Mumbai ready for the families who will be asking the same thing? Specialists in the city can diagnose and treat dementia. What can be considerably harder to find is what comes after: accessible, affordable and continuing care
Guimaraes grabs winner as Arsenal rally to beat Leeds
Premier League returned under a cloud, with Manchester City found guilty by an independent commission of over 100 breaches of the leagues financial rules over nine years
Guimaraes grabs winner as Arsenal rally to beat Leeds
Premier League returned under a cloud, with Manchester City found guilty by an independent commission of over 100 breaches of the leagues financial rules over nine years
India condemns attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh
The Ministry of External Affairs called the October 10 attack, which killed 12 and injured over 300, completely unacceptable, as Saudi Arabia blamed Houthi militants
India condemns attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh
The Ministry of External Affairs called the October 10 attack, which killed 12 and injured over 300, completely unacceptable, as Saudi Arabia blamed Houthi militants
Ahead of NE monsoon, Chennais rainwear hub comes into focus
The wholesalers and retailers in this specific trade might be scattered, but George Town is still the place to visit ahead of the monsoon to be stocked up onrainwearandwinterwear. Through their personal experiences, two legacy enterprises illustrate why this is Chennaisrainwearhub. There is also character to the raingear on sale: among the most striking examples are umbrellas customized to reflect the colours representing political parties
A.P. Finance Minister Keshav urges Union Minister Gadkari to build bypasses on NH-42
Payyavula Keshav met Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi and submitted a formal request for the works. The Union Minister has accorded in-principle approval for the proposals, said an official release.
A.P. Finance Minister Keshav urges Union Minister Gadkari to build bypasses on NH-42
Payyavula Keshav met Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi and submitted a formal request for the works. The Union Minister has accorded in-principle approval for the proposals, said an official release.
Karnataka CM Shivakumar, Congress legislators to join Delhi protest against SIR on Oct. 12
Asked whether the Congress was supporting the protest by the CJP, Mr. Shivakumar said the party was taking its own course of action, while some INDIA bloc allies had participated in the other protest
Karnataka CM Shivakumar, Congress legislators to join Delhi protest against SIR on Oct. 12
Asked whether the Congress was supporting the protest by the CJP, Mr. Shivakumar said the party was taking its own course of action, while some INDIA bloc allies had participated in the other protest
Dr. Hanumanthu Lajapathirai, honorary president of the Vizianagaram Reads Community, urges parents to encourage early reading habits in children
Tiger kills man who entered big cat enclosure at English wildlife park
Emergency medical personnel responded to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, but the victim died at the scene, South Yorkshire Police said in a statement
U.S. military says it disabled cargo vessel trying to run Iran blockade
CENTCOM said the cargo vessel had attempted to transit regional waters after leaving an Iranian port
Berlin to BITS Pilani: How Nobel-winning Optogenetics connects to parasite research in Hyderabad
Light has become more than a means of observation; it is a way to intervene, test, and uncover cause-and-effect relationships, said Nishith Gupta, professor of Biological Sciences at BITS Pilan
Parliamentary panel indicts NTA; hope arrogant Modi government takes it seriously: Congress
Jairam Ramesh said a Parliamentary Standing Committee report catalogued grave incompetence and malpractice in the NTA, alleging nine paper leaks and a revenue surplus of 590 crore left unused for students
SITAM Director says Ratan Tata Innovation Hub initiatives encourage students to develop new ideas
In association with RTIH, the college organised the Vizianagaram district-level Ideathon under the Rasthriya Innovation Challenge-2026 for the last three days.
Tushar Gandhi among 12 named in FIR over Mumbai protest; 600 detained and released
The protest was organised by Hum Bharat Ke Log in solidarity with CJP and Left groups protest in Delhi, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and others
2026 Nobel Prize, brain research, and healthcare access | Health Wrap | Episode 54
In the 54th episode of Health Wrap by The Hindu, Ramya Kannan, Health Editor, and Zubeda Hamid, Senior Assistant Editor, discuss the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and the science behind optogenetics, they also discuss an experimental approach to studying human brain development using human brain tissue in mice. The episode also examines healthcare challenges in India, drawing on recent news reports about access to healthcare.
Situation remains tense in violence-hit Manipur as toll rises to nine, CM calls for peace
Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh appealed for restraint after fresh clashes between Kuki and Naga armed groups killed nine people in Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts
The new trailer for Blade Runner 2099, starring Michelle Yeoh and Hunter Schafer, offers a closer look at the dystopian future of the Blade Runner franchise ahead of its November 25 premiere on Prime Video
INDIA bloc to hold protest march in Delhi on October 12, submit memorandum to CJI
On October 12, 2026, the Congress and the entire INDIA bloc and the country's youth will again take to the streets in massive numbers
CJP 'B-Team' of AAP, Congress: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta
Rekha Gupta asserted the Party would fight resolutely against politics that spreads anarchy under the guise of democracy and challenges the public mandate
You [Akhilesh Yadav] should also file your nomination from Ayodhya, and I will too; let us both try our luck once; why fight through disciples, asked Yogi Adityanath
Ahead of local polls, police intensify CASO in Kadapa
Digital reporting of details of arrival, stay and accommodation of foreign nationals in FormIII is mandatory, says SP Shelke Nachiket Vishwanath
Ahead of local polls, police intensify CASO in Kadapa
Digital reporting of details of arrival, stay and accommodation of foreign nationals in FormIII is mandatory, says SP Shelke Nachiket Vishwanath
In Bihar, government school headmaster suspended for selling mid-day meal rice
Disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against him under the relevant provisions of the Bihar Government Servants (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 2005.
In Bihar, government school headmaster suspended for selling mid-day meal rice
Disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against him under the relevant provisions of the Bihar Government Servants (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 2005.
New Zealand unveils special jersey for India ODIs to mark 100 years of sporting ties
Artists Ben Thomason, Shiv Narandas and Jai Pancha have collaborated on the shirt design, New Zealand Cricket said
PM Modi in Chennai LIVE | Inauguration of Chennai Metro Phase II stretch, to launch various projects
The Greater Chennai Traffic Police have announced traffic diversions for commercial and heavy vehicles at several locations in the city on Sunday (October 11, 2026) in view of Prime Ministers visit to Chennai.
Trump says Iran may amp up actions before midterms, hints at renaming Strait of Hormuz
Washington, DC [US], October 11 : US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that Tehran may ramp up its actions against Washington ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, noting that the American administration believes Iran is acting under the impression that such measures would inflict damage on the United States. Speaking at a political event in Tennessee, a traditional stronghold of the Republican Party, Trump maintained that Washington has the capacity to resolve the ongoing war swiftly. They'll probably do a little bit extra before the election, thinking it's going to hurt us, Trump remarked, while adding, But we could end it really quick. The American leader pointed to his administration's restraint despite the degradation of the Iranian naval forces, stating, They don't know how nice I've been to them. He further asserted that 159 Iranian ships have been sunk since late February, marking the commencement of the ongoing war. Addressing developments around the Strait of Hormuz, a primary flashpoint of the war, Trump floated the idea of changing its name, noting, We're thinking about renaming it to the Trump Strait. He had previously hinted that the military confrontation involving Iran could conclude right after the November 3 ballot. The war, which has heavily impacted West Asia, has become a major focal point for the congressional elections. While Trump faces his own political challenges in the midterms, he has actively campaigned to support Republican candidates striving to preserve their majorities in one or both houses of the US Congress. Hostilities erupted on February 28 when the United States and Israel initiated a war against Iran, resulting in the death of the nation's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. The ensuing strikes provoked retaliatory regional missile and drone assaults from Tehran, effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz. Having persisted for over seven months, the war has driven up worldwide energy costs as commercial oil movement through the vital waterway came to a halt. In June, the US and Iran signed a framework agreement aimed at halting hostilities and laying the groundwork for negotiations. Even so, the practical implementation of the deal has since stalled due to lingering disagreements, particularly concerning security and navigation within the Strait of Hormuz. (ANI)
Seema and Neha, born two years apart, grew up together on the streets of Yamuna Bazar in Old Delhi, where they were pushed into a drug habit. In a childcare institution, one sister overcame addiction with education and support; the other slipped deeper into substance use disorder and depression. Shrimansi Kaushik speaks to them about their shared struggle for survival and the warmth they share as sisters
The three were detained from their aircraft seats on October 10 head of the anti-CEC protest called by the outfit; Police are scheduled to produce them before an executive magistrate at Delhi Cantonment police station at 9 a.m.
Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport attack kills 12, injures 309: GACA
Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], October 11 : At least 12 people were killed and 309 injured in an attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said in an update on Sunday. According to GACA, the fatalities included four Saudi citizens and residents of several other nationalities, including two Bangladeshis and one each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. Some of the injured are in critical condition and are receiving medical treatment at several hospitals. In its statement, GACA said, Further to its earlier statement regarding the attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, October 10, 2026, corresponding to 29 Rabi' Al-Thani 1448H, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) clarifies that the attack resulted in (12) fatalities, including (4) Saudi citizens and residents of the following nationalities: (2) Bangladeshi, (1) American, (1) Egyptian, (1) Jordanian, (1) Syrian, (1) Palestinian and (1) Sudanese. The attack also left (309) others injured, including individuals in critical condition. All injured individuals are receiving the necessary medical care at several hospitals. May Allah bestow His mercy upon those who lost their lives and grant the injured a speedy recovery. The attack also caused property damage, the extent of which is currently being assessed, the statement added. The latest attack prompted several countries to condemn the targeting of Saudi Arabia and express solidarity with the Kingdom. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly condemned the attacks, saying they targeted King Khalid International Airport and resulted in the deaths of Saudi citizens and injuries to civilians. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine strongly condemns the attacks that targeted the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and resulted in the martyrdom of several Saudi citizens and the injury of numerous civilians, the statement read. It expressed full solidarity with the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and supported measures taken by Riyadh to safeguard its security, sovereignty and the safety of its citizens and residents. The Ministry affirms the State of Palestine's condemnation of these attacks, declares its full solidarity with the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and supports all measures it takes to preserve its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents on its territory. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates also extends the State of Palestine's sincere condolences to the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabiaits leadership, government, and peoplefor the victims of these attacks, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured, it added. Egypt also expressed strong condemnation, describing the attacks as a flagrant violation of international law and a disregard for civilian safety. It said it stood alongside Saudi Arabia in confronting the attacks. Qatar condemned the attack, which it attributed to the Houthis, calling it a serious violation of Saudi sovereignty and a direct threat to regional security, civilians and civil aviation. The incident follows earlier attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport on October 6 and 7, which GACA said had resulted in three deaths and 36 injuries. Following Saturday's attack, airport operations were temporarily suspended while authorities assessed the damage and conducted safety inspections in coordination with the relevant agencies. Several airlines announced flight cancellations or suspensions, while the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Germany and Spain issued advisories urging their citizens to avoid the airport or exercise caution amid continuing security concerns. Akasa Air extended the suspension of all flights to and from Riyadh until October 13, while Kuwait Airways cancelled its Riyadh-bound and return flights on Saturday due to the airport closure. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia strongly recommended that American citizens avoid King Khalid International Airport and surrounding areas, warning of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. The British Foreign Office also advised British nationals to avoid the airport until it was secure and to monitor guidance issued by Saudi authorities. (ANI)
Outgoing DC Jatin Kishore accorded farewell in Ganderbal
Ganderbal, Oct 10: Outgoing Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jatin Kishore on Saturday bid farewell to the district administration following his transfer to Budgam, crediting officers and officials for the developmental and administrative achievements made during his tenure. Speaking at a farewell function organised by the district administration, Kishore expressed gratitude to Team Ganderbal for its cooperation, dedication and collective efforts in implementing government programmes and addressing public concerns. He said the progress achieved during his tenure was the result of coordinated efforts by officers and officials across departments. Kishore urged the district administration to continue working with honesty, integrity and commitment, stressing that public welfare must remain the foremost priority in the discharge of official responsibilities. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining accountability, strengthening coordination and ensuring effective delivery of public services. During the function, officers from various departments appreciated Kishore's administrative approach and his efforts towards improving governance, expediting developmental works and addressing public grievances. They particularly highlighted his role in overseeing arrangements for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela, two major religious events requiring extensive administrative coordination. Officials said his focus on planning, interdepartmental cooperation and monitoring had contributed to the smooth conduct of these events, particularly in ensuring the convenience, safety and welfare of pilgrims. The officers also acknowledged his contribution towards the implementation and monitoring of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, flagship government programmes and developmental initiatives across Ganderbal. They said Kishore had emphasised timely execution of projects, administrative transparency and ensuring that benefits under government schemes reached eligible beneficiaries. Several officers recalled his accessibility and approach towards resolving public issues, besides his efforts to encourage coordinated functioning among different departments. As a mark of appreciation, the district administration presented a memento to the outgoing Deputy Commissioner in recognition of his services during his tenure. Kishore thanked officers and officials for their support and encouraged them to continue working collectively towards the district's development. The officers extended their best wishes to him for his new assignment as Deputy Commissioner Budgam. The farewell function was attended by officers and officials of the district administration and various line departments.
Delhi Police had converted multiple sports complexes and community centres across the city into temporary holding facilities as part of arrangements to prevent protesters from assembling at Jantar Mantar
CUK calls for counsellor, confidential helpline to address student mental health
Ganderbal, Oct 10: The Central University of Kashmir (CUK) on Saturday called for strengthening mental health support systems in educational institutions, including the establishment of a confidential helpline, online counselling appointments and a dedicated psychological counsellor, amid concerns over academic pressure, emotional distress and reluctance among students to seek professional help. The recommendations emerged during a programme organised by the university's Student Mental Health Task Force at its Tulmulla campus to mark World Mental Health Day 2026 under the theme Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change. Addressing the gathering, Nodal Officer of the Student Mental Health Task Force and Dean, School of Business Studies, Prof Syed Zahoor Ahmad Geelani, said educational institutions needed to move beyond routine academic assessments and pay greater attention to the emotional well-being of students. He observed that teachers and administrators were often quick to offer advice but less willing to listen patiently to students experiencing personal or academic difficulties. Geelani urged faculty members to enquire about students' well-being instead of focusing exclusively on attendance, assignments, deadlines and academic performance. He highlighted the difficulties faced by students who travel long distances, manage family responsibilities and struggle to balance academic commitments with personal challenges. Calling for stronger institutional support, he proposed improved counselling infrastructure, a confidential mental health helpline, online appointment facilities and the appointment of a dedicated psychological counsellor within the university. Dean Academic Affairs Prof Shahid Rasool said stigma, lack of acceptance and reluctance to discuss emotional difficulties remained major barriers to addressing mental health concerns. There is first, that we don't accept it. Second, we don't share it. And third, that we don't come forward to help each other, he said. Rasool stressed that teachers must recognise the different circumstances and emotional needs of students and respond with patience and compassion rather than harshness. No two students are alike, he said, advocating a more sensitive approach to student welfare. He appreciated the establishment of the university's Student Mental Health Task Force and suggested extending similar support to research scholars, faculty members and non-teaching employees. Registrar Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir said unrealistic expectations, unfulfilled aspirations and social judgements could adversely affect emotional well-being. He urged students to adopt a balanced approach to life and avoid forming opinions about others without understanding their circumstances. Mir said empathy and a non-judgemental attitude were essential for creating a supportive academic environment. Chief Proctor and Dean, School of Legal Studies, Prof Farooq Ahmad Mir, emphasised positive thinking, contentment and emotional balance while dealing with challenging situations. Life has two sides. You may not control everything, but it is up to you which side you will take, he said. He encouraged students to cultivate constructive attitudes and avoid allowing anger and resentment to dominate their thoughts. Clinical psychologist Muzaffar Ahmad cautioned against treating mental health difficulties as personal weaknesses, excuses or failures. He said misconceptions surrounding psychological distress often prevented individuals from acknowledging their difficulties and seeking appropriate assistance. We as a people, don't understand what mental health is, he observed, adding that emotional distress was frequently misinterpreted as indiscipline, lack of motivation or an inability to cope with challenges. Ahmad stressed that motivational advice alone could not substitute for professional assessment, appropriate intervention and sustained psychological support. Earlier, Senior Assistant Professor Dr Gulafroz Jan said student mental health should be treated as an integral part of higher education rather than a secondary welfare concern. She highlighted the emotional pressures associated with academic competition, loneliness, family expectations and uncertainty about future employment. Not every struggle is visible, not every silence signifies peace, and not every smile tells the whole story, she said. The programme also featured technical sessions on physical well-being and mental health, with presentations by Head of the Department of Physical Education Dr Kaukab Azeem and IMHANS consultant psychiatrist Dr Aijaz Suhaff. Dean, School of Education, Prof C Naseema, Dean of Students' Welfare Dr Jehirul Islam, faculty members, research scholars, administrative staff and students attended the programme. Dr Ibraq Khursheed conducted the proceedings, while Medical Officer Dr Sheeba presented the vote of thanks. The discussions emphasised the need for educational institutions to develop accessible, confidential and professionally supported mental health services while promoting empathy, active listening and awareness among students and faculty members.
Director Agriculture orders timely execution of HADP, JKCIP projects across Kashmir
Srinagar, Oct 10: Director Agriculture Kashmir Sartaj Ahmad Shah on Saturday directed officials to accelerate the implementation of agricultural development schemes and ensure timely utilisation of allocated funds, stressing that benefits under government programmes must reach farmers within the prescribed timelines. Chairing a review meeting at the Directorate of Agriculture, Lalmandi, Srinagar, Shah assessed the physical and financial progress of various schemes in Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam and Ganderbal districts. The meeting reviewed the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP), flagship agricultural initiatives and works funded under the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) budget. Chief Agriculture Officers of the four districts and Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) attended the meeting. During the review, Shah examined the status of ongoing projects, expenditure against allocated funds and progress towards targets fixed under different departmental programmes. He directed officers to ensure that all approved activities were implemented according to the current year's action plans and completed within stipulated deadlines. The Director stressed that delays in execution and expenditure should be addressed promptly to prevent disruptions in the delivery of agricultural services and benefits to farmers. He asked district-level officers to maintain close coordination with field functionaries and regularly monitor both physical achievements and financial expenditure. Shah also emphasised optimum utilisation of available resources and adherence to prescribed guidelines while implementing farmer-oriented schemes. The meeting discussed administrative and operational bottlenecks affecting the execution of agricultural programmes, with the Director instructing concerned officers to resolve such issues without delay. He reiterated the need for regular monitoring, accountability and coordinated implementation to improve the effectiveness of agricultural development initiatives across the Kashmir division. The review covered the four districts' performance under major agricultural programmes, although district-wise expenditure figures, achievement percentages and pending targets were not disclosed in the official statement. The Director said the department would continue focusing on timely implementation of schemes and improving the delivery of agricultural services to farming communities across Kashmir.
KU retains 4-star rating under MoEs Innovation Council framework
Srinagar October 10: The University of Kashmir (KU) has retained its 4-Star Rating under the Institutions Innovation Council (IIC) framework of the Ministry of Educations Innovation Cell (MIC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The University secured a total score of 76.79 out of 100 in the latest IIC performance assessment, declared on October 5, 2026. The rating recognises the Universitys initiatives to strengthen its innovation ecosystem and encourage students and faculty members to translate ideas into practical solutions. Institutions securing a 4-star rating are considered among the best-performing institutions with a streamlined campus ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship. The Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), Institute of Technology (IoT), Zakura Campus, which also serves as KUs Institution Innovation Council, facilitates activities aimed at nurturing creativity, entrepreneurial thinking and start-up development across the University. Congratulating the CIIE team, Vice-Chancellor, KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, said the continued recognition reflected the importance the University places on promoting an innovation-driven academic environment. Retaining this rating is an encouraging recognition of our continued efforts to nurture innovative thinking and entrepreneurial talent. We want our students and researchers to feel empowered to explore new ideas, develop practical solutions and contribute to society through their creativity and enterprise, she said. Registrar, KU, Prof. Naseer Iqbal, congratulated the team and said the achievement reflected the varsity's commitment to creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage in innovation and entrepreneurship. Director, IoT, Zakura Campus KU, and Chairman, CIIE, KU, Prof. M. Tariq Banday, said the rating shows the collective efforts of the CIIE team in building a culture of innovation and enterprise. Under the MICAICTE framework, the Council undertakes a range of activities throughout the academic year, including innovation and entrepreneurship awareness programmes, expert interactions, ideation and problem-solving sessions, design thinking, intellectual property rights awareness, exposure visits, idea competitions, hackathons, prototype showcases, mentoring and start-up development initiatives. These activities include those prescribed under the IIC calendar, MIC-driven initiatives, celebrations and self-driven programmes, with outcomes documented and reported through the designated IIC portal.
Chief Justice calls for greater representation of women in legal profession
Srinagar, Oct 10: Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, on Saturday called for greater participation of women in the legal profession and urged judicial institutions to embrace technology to meet changing societal expectations. Addressing a felicitation programme organised by the Kashmir Advocates Association at the District Court Complex in Srinagar, the Chief Justice said encouraging women advocates and ensuring their active participation in the legal fraternity was essential for its progress. His remarks came as the Association announced that it had agreed in principle to induct five women lawyers into its Executive Committee, with the decision to be formalised shortly. Welcoming the move, Justice Bhati recalled the pioneering contribution of Cornelia Sorabji and stressed the importance of creating opportunities for women lawyers to assume greater responsibilities within the profession. Drawing upon his experience as a practising lawyer, the Chief Justice said the legal fraternity must remain responsive to changing societal expectations and technological advancements. He cautioned that institutions failing to adapt to emerging technologies risked being left behind. Describing lawyers as important custodians of constitutional rights and access to justice, Justice Bhati emphasised the need for cooperation between the Bench and the Bar to strengthen the justice delivery system. Earlier, interacting with judicial officers at the District Court Complex, the Chief Justice urged them to discharge their responsibilities fearlessly, compassionately and with an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. He said the judiciary had a crucial responsibility to safeguard citizens' rights, ensure access to justice and maintain public confidence in judicial institutions. Justice Bhati stressed that collective responsibility, mutual trust and institutional harmony were essential for the effective functioning of courts. He encouraged judicial officers to work collaboratively, maintain the highest standards of judicial conduct and create a peaceful and conducive working environment. Expressing satisfaction with the professional competence and dedication of judicial officers serving in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the Chief Justice also highlighted the importance of continuous learning and guidance from senior judicial officers. Principal District and Sessions Judge Srinagar Naseer Ahmad Dar welcomed the Chief Justice and reaffirmed the district judiciary's commitment to quality adjudication, timely disposal of cases and reduction of pendency. At the felicitation programme, Kashmir Advocates Association president Waseem Gul highlighted the role of district courts as the first accessible forum of justice for ordinary citizens. He emphasised the importance of constructive cooperation between the Bench and the Bar and sought the Chief Justice's guidance on improving court infrastructure and facilities for lawyers and litigants. Gul also called for strengthening legal aid services, promoting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and introducing structured training programmes for young advocates. He assured the Association's cooperation in improving the administration of justice and welcomed the newly appointed Principal District and Sessions Judge Srinagar. The Chief Justice appreciated the Association's decision to include women lawyers in its executive body and reiterated the need for professional cooperation, technological adaptation and inclusive participation in the legal system. The interactions focused on strengthening judicial institutions, improving access to justice and preserving the dignity and independence of the judiciary.
After losing mother to wildlife attack, Sgr engineer builds alert app WildPing
Srinagar, Oct 10: A few steps from home, a tragedy changed Mudasir Alis life forever. His mother was killed in a wildlife attack, leaving behind a loss that no technology could undo. But for the software engineer from New Theed in Harwan, Srinagar, the tragedy also gave rise to a determination: to use his skills to help prevent other families from enduring the same heartbreak. That resolve has taken shape in WildPing, a free web-based application designed to alert communities about wildlife movement and help people take precautions when wild animals are spotted nearby. In a region where encounters between humans and wildlife have become a growing concern, Ali hopes the platform will turn timely information into a potentially life-saving warning. His initiative brings together technology, community participation and a deeply personal commitment to public safety. A Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) and Master of Computer Applications (MCA) graduate from the University of Kashmir, Ali works as a senior software engineer with a multinational company. Yet, beyond his professional responsibilities, he has channelled his technical expertise into a project driven by a loss that remains close to his heart. Since then, I have always thought about developing something as a software engineer that people could actually use to minimise human-wildlife conflict and save as many lives as possible, Ali said. For him, WildPing is not simply another digital product. It is an attempt to ensure that a wildlife sighting reported by one person can become a warning for many others before they unknowingly enter a potentially dangerous area. The idea behind the platform is straightforward. When a person spots a wild animal, such as a bear, they can submit a report through WildPing. The system is designed to share alerts with nearby users, allowing residents to exercise caution, inform family members and neighbours, and remain aware of possible wildlife activity in their surroundings. Its location-based features display the reported sighting and estimate the distance between the reported location and a user. Notifications can also reach users when they are not actively using the application, provided they have installed it and enabled the necessary permissions. In places where people routinely move between homes, orchards, agricultural fields and forest fringes, Ali believes such information can make a difference by encouraging people to pause, reassess their surroundings and avoid unnecessary risks. The real strength of this app is the people. They have to install it, report wildlife sightings and make sure that people around them are also aware of it, he said. The emphasis on community participation is central to WildPing. Its effectiveness will depend on how quickly people report sightings, how responsibly information is shared and how widely the platform is adopted in vulnerable areas. Ali also wants wildlife officials to use the system. Reports submitted by residents, he believes, could help authorities identify areas where animals have been sighted and assess situations more promptly. He envisages WildPing becoming a communication link between local communities and wildlife personnel, including in areas near and beyond protected forest boundaries. The platform is accessible through wildping.org and can be installed on compatible Android and iOS devices, as well as computers, through a web browser. Users do not need to download it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, and Ali says the service will remain free. Behind its simple interface are systems designed to manage user information, location-based reporting and notifications. The platform also incorporates safeguards against bots, spam and potentially misleading submissions, addressing a key challenge for any public reporting network: ensuring that information shared with communities remains useful and credible. Ali acknowledges that WildPing is still in its initial version and will need further improvements. One of his plans is to make the live wildlife activity map accessible to the public without requiring an account to view reported activity, while retaining account registration for submitting sightings. But the engineer knows that building the platform is only the first step. Its real value will be determined by whether residents use it, whether people trust and responsibly share the information, and whether wildlife authorities and conservation groups engage with the initiative. He has also cautioned against treating the application as a guarantee of safety. An alert system can improve awareness, but it cannot replace vigilance, responsible behaviour or official wildlife management measures. Residents living near forest fringes and other wildlife-prone areas, he said, should remain particularly careful while cutting grass, working in orchards or visiting agricultural land. They should stay alert to their surroundings, exercise caution in areas where wild animals may be present and report sightings promptly. The larger purpose, Ali stresses, is not to encourage fear or disturb wildlife, but to promote safer coexistence between people and animals. For a man who experienced the consequences of a wildlife encounter within steps of his own home, the motivation is deeply personal. He has developed the platform himself and wants it to remain free, dedicating the initiative to his late mother. WildPing cannot erase his loss, nor can any digital platform eliminate the risks associated with living alongside wildlife. But Ali hopes it can help create a culture in which a sighting does not remain an isolated observation, a warning reaches beyond the person who first sees the animal, and communities become better prepared to respond. His mothers death gave him a painful reason to begin. Whether WildPing can fulfil its larger promise will now depend on a collective effort one in which residents report responsibly, neighbours stay informed and authorities work with communities to protect both human lives and wildlife.
1997 case against father no ground to bar MBBS student: HC
Srinagar, Oct 10: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the revival of the passport of a Kashmiri MBBS student pursuing her studies in Iran to enable her to complete the remaining part of her medical course, while allowing authorities to conduct a fresh security audit before restoring the travel document. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal passed the directions while disposing of an appeal filed by Ibra Khan, a student at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Kish Campus, Iran. In its order, the court observed that depriving the student of the opportunity to complete her MBBS course would jeopardise her career, particularly when she had already completed half of the programme with the permission granted by the authorities. The student had received show-cause notices on March 27 and April 9, 2026, which culminated in an order dated May 4, 2026, resulting in the impounding of her passport. Appearing for the appellant, her counsel submitted that she had completed two years of her MBBS course on the basis of her passport and admission to the university. The counsel also submitted that the university was recognised by the National Medical Commission and sought the release of her passport solely to enable her to complete her education. The court had called for a report from the government in a sealed cover. The report raised allegations concerning the appellants father in connection with a case registered in 1997 and expressed apprehension that the student might join anti-India forces, potentially jeopardising the countrys security and sovereignty. However, the bench noted that the respondents' counsel could not pinpoint the grounds for such apprehension, particularly as the case referred to in the report dated back to 1997, while the appellant herself was born in 2005. The court said it had the highest respect and concern for the countrys security and sovereignty but considered limited intervention warranted in view of the peculiar circumstances of the case and the student's academic progress. Accordingly, the bench directed that her passport be revived for the remaining period required to complete her MBBS course. It clarified that if the authorities possessed any additional material beyond what was contained in the source report, they could conduct a fresh security audit before reviving the passport. The respondents were also permitted to impose conditions considered necessary on the basis of an expert assessment. The student would be required to undertake to comply with those conditions before the passport was restored. The bench modified the order dated June 5, 2026, passed by the single judge. Clarifying the limited scope of its decision, the court said the order was being passed in the peculiar facts of the case and should not be treated as a precedent. It also directed that the source report be returned to the respondents in a sealed cover.
1 in 3 Kashmir college girls show PCOS symptoms
Srinagar, Oct 10: Nearly one in three female college students surveyed in Kashmir showed symptoms suggestive of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), raising concerns over an under-recognised womens health challenge among young people, a new study has found. The cross-sectional study, conducted among 1,217 students from colleges in Kashmir between July and December 2024, found that 33.6% showed symptoms suggestive of PCOS, while 1.28% had strong indicators of the condition. The research, titled Assessing the Prevalence of PCOS in College Students of Kashmir, J&K, India: A Cross-Sectional Study, was conducted by Mohd Anis Ganaie of the Department of Zoology, Sri Pratap College, Cluster University Srinagar, along with Amrit Sudershan and Ruheena Javid Raina of the Department of Human Genetics, Sri Pratap College. The average age of participants was around 22 years, placing the study population largely within a critical period when menstrual, hormonal and metabolic health can have long-term implications, the study reads. PCOS is a common hormonal disorder that can affect menstrual cycles, ovulation and fertility. But its impact can extend well beyond reproductive health, with links to metabolic complications such as insulin resistance and diabetes and potentially increased cardiovascular risk. It found a significant gap in awareness of these wider consequences. While students were relatively familiar with the more visible gynaecological symptoms associated with PCOS, knowledge of its long-term health risks was considerably weaker. Only 44.5% knew about the association between PCOS and insulin resistance, while around 45% were aware of its link with diabetes. Awareness of the potential connection with heart disease was even lower, at 33%, the research reads. The findings suggest that many young women may recognise menstrual or reproductive symptoms without fully understanding what they could signify or the importance of seeking timely medical advice. Nearly 30% of the participants reported having a previous diagnosis of PCOS, highlighting both the presence of the condition among the surveyed population and the importance of early recognition and appropriate clinical management, the study states. Researchers caution that the 33.6% figure represents students with symptoms suggestive of PCOS and should not be interpreted as a clinically confirmed prevalence rate. Nevertheless, the scale of symptoms identified in the survey points to a need for greater awareness and screening among young women. The study used a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, PCOS awareness and symptoms. The researchers also applied statistical methods, including Kuder-Richardson reliability testing and Item Response Theory, to assess the reliability and performance of the questionnaire. The findings have implications for colleges and healthcare institutions, where targeted awareness programmes could help young women better understand menstrual irregularities, hormonal symptoms and the possible long-term consequences associated with PCOS. Researchers argue that awareness should go beyond reproductive health. Students need to understand that PCOS can also have metabolic implications, making early recognition and sustained health monitoring important. The study concludes that PCOS is potentially underdiagnosed among young women in Kashmir, while significant gaps remain in awareness of its broader health consequences. It calls for stronger health education initiatives aimed at improving symptom recognition, encouraging timely medical consultation and promoting better understanding of the long-term risks associated with the condition. For Kashmirs young women, the study offers a clear public-health message--a menstrual or hormonal problem should not simply be dismissed as a routine inconvenience when it could be an early sign of a condition with implications extending far beyond reproductive health.
Edu must prepare children for life beyond exams: CM Omar
New Delhi, Oct 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday called for a future-ready education system that prepares children for life beyond examinations, equipping them with critical thinking, digital literacy, adaptability and a strong sense of responsibility. The Chief Minister was addressing the School Leader of the Year 2026 Summit & Awards in New Delhi, which brought together leading educators, school principals and institutional heads to celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership in K-12 education. Emphasising the role of school leaders in nation-building, Omar Abdullah said principals and headteachers do much more than administer schools. They shape the learning environment, values, aspirations and future of young minds. Strong leadership, he said, is fundamental to building safe, inclusive, innovative and student-centric institutions. The Chief Minister underscored that education must focus on the holistic development of every child, going beyond academic achievement to nurture creativity, communication, collaboration, problem-solving abilities and digital competence. He stressed that schools must prepare students to meet emerging challenges with confidence and responsibility. Highlighting the opportunities presented by technology and Artificial Intelligence, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to adopt these tools responsibly to improve learning outcomes, personalise education and support teachers, while ensuring that technology complements rather than replaces the human element of education. He also stressed the importance of continuous professional development for teachers and school leaders, noting that exposure to innovative teaching methods, exchange of best practices and opportunities for collaboration are essential to strengthening educational institutions. Omar Abdullah called for an inclusive approach to educational excellence, emphasising that quality education must reach children in rural, remote and underserved communities as well as those in urban areas. He said governments, educators, institutions, parents and communities must work collectively to address the diverse academic, social and developmental needs of children. The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of meaningful collaboration among educational institutions, both within India and internationally, to promote innovation, share successful models and strengthen the quality of education. He observed that recognition of exemplary school leadership helps foster a culture of excellence, encouraging other institutions to learn from successful practices and adapt them to their own contexts. On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated the heads of several educational institutions in recognition of their contributions. Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technologys Achyuta Samanta; Executive Chairman, Association of Indian Principals, (AIP), Dalip Sharma; CTO, AIP and CEO, City Innovates Kashish Jhamb and Managing Director, Macmillan Education India, Rajesh Pasari, were among those present. Chancellors and senior officials from Indian and international universities, officials from Austrade, school founders, directors, principals and heads of schools from across the country also attended the summit.
Concrete swallows Kashmirs floodplains as natural defences shrink
Srinagar, Oct 10: Kashmirs natural flood defences are steadily coming under pressure as concrete spreads across the Jhelum floodplain, wetlands lose ground and settlements expand into landscapes that once helped absorb excess water. A scientific study of the Jhelum basin has quantified the scale of this transformation: built-up land within the rivers floodplain increased from 55.47 square kilometres in 1972 to 203.30 square kilometres in 2013 nearly fourfold in 41 years. The population living within the floodplain also rose from 11.29 lakh in 1981 to 30.21 lakh in 2011, while the length of metalled roads increased from approximately 745.64 kilometres in 1962 to 1,698.23 kilometres in 2016, the study notes. The findings, published in a study examining the climatic, geomorphic and human-induced drivers of the devastating September 2014 floods, reveal how rapidly development has transformed the Valleys flood-prone landscape. The expansion matters because floodplains are not simply vacant stretches of land beside rivers. They form part of a natural system that accommodates excess water, while wetlands and drainage channels help regulate its movement. Construction, paved surfaces and obstructions can reduce water absorption, increase runoff and expose more people and infrastructure to inundation. The study also found that the area of major wetlands larger than 25 hectares in the Jhelum basin declined from 288.96 square kilometres in 1972 to 266.45 square kilometres in 2013, a reduction of 22.51 square kilometres. Researchers reported that 20 wetlands in and around Srinagar had been converted into urban colonies over five decades. Speaking to Rising Kashmir, senior environmentalist and researcher Dr Tanvir Ahmad Khan said: Kashmir is committing an ecological blunder by allowing concrete to swallow its floodplains, wetlands and natural drainage systems. These are not wastelands available for urban expansion; they are natures own defence mechanisms against flooding. Every encroached floodplain and every reclaimed wetland weakens the Valleys ability to absorb excess water and increases the vulnerability of people and property. He said that the devastating floods of 2014 should have served as a permanent warning. Yet, unplanned construction, indiscriminate land-use changes and the shrinking of natural water-retention areas continue to undermine Kashmirs ecological security. The most disturbing aspect is that development often proceeds at the cost of the very natural systems that protect human settlements, Khan said. The government cannot claim environmental responsibility while allowing ecological buffers to disappear. Flood management must begin with protecting floodplains, restoring wetlands, removing illegal encroachments through lawful processes, and enforcing scientifically informed land-use regulations. Khan said concrete may generate immediate economic gains, but when it replaces natures defences, society ultimately pays the price. Kashmir cannot afford another warning written in floodwater, he said. The tragedy is that we are destroying natures protective infrastructure and expecting engineering and environmental mitigation measures and interventions to compensate for its loss. Embankments and drainage channels cannot fully replace functioning floodplains and wetlands. The environmentalist said that the most alarming concern is the lack of political will to protect Kashmirs floodplains, with short-term development interests repeatedly taking precedence over long-term ecological security and public safety. Dr Touseef Ahmad Bhat, a Kashmir-based environmentalist and socio-environmental activist, has repeatedly highlighted the interconnected nature of the Valleys ecosystems. Entire Kashmir is a wetland, Bhat said, stressing the ecological importance of the regions natural water systems. He also identified urbanisation, pollution, encroachment, land-use change and climate change among the pressures affecting wetlands, warning of consequences for biodiversity, water quality and human health. The concern is supported by research linking urban expansion and wetland loss with greater flood vulnerability. A 2023 study examining surface runoff in the Kashmir Valley found that rainfall exceeding 500 millimetres in the catchments played a key role in flooding, with northern catchments generating approximately 59.6 per cent of total runoff. It also identified built-up areas near rivers and below 1,560 metres as being at high risk of inundation. The evidence underlines the need to examine climate and land-use changes together. Heavy rainfall can trigger flooding, but the condition of floodplains, river channels and drainage networks influences how water moves through settlements. The Jhelums flood-management system also depends on the Flood Spill Channel, which diverts excess water from the main river. Designed to carry 8,000 cusecs, the channel requires adequate maintenance and protection against obstructions to preserve its intended function. Satellite imagery of 63 sampled lakes showed that seven were no longer visible or had almost dried up. The audit also found that 2,528.10 kanals of Hokersar Lake had been encroached upon amid the absence of proper survey and demarcation.
J&K poised to become major GCC destination: LG Sinha
Jammu, Oct 10: Jammu Kashmir is poised to emerge as a significant destination for Global Capability Centres, driven by its young talent, improving infrastructure, investor-friendly policies and growing innovation ecosystem, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday, as he addressed the Valedictory Session of the J&K Global Capability Centre (GCC) Summit 2026. Congratulating IIM Jammu, NASSCOM, partner institutions and the administration for successfully organising the two-day summit, the Lieutenant Governor urged participants to reflect on a key questionwhy companies seeking their next talent hub, innovation centre and capacity destination should choose Jammu Kashmirand work together with a strong resolve to make it a reality. Drawing inspiration from the world's highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River, the Lieutenant Governor said Jammu Kashmir today reflects the confidence and ambition required to pursue transformational goals. He observed that the Chenab itself, formed through the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers, symbolises the spirit of collaboration. In a similar manner, he said, GCCs bring together the global expertise, capital and technology of multinational enterprises with the talent, aspirations and imagination of Jammu Kashmir's youth to create new opportunities for growth and innovation. I see Global Capability Centres in the same spirit of courage and confluence and together they can generate a strength far beyond their separate capabilities, he said. The Lieutenant Governor noted that India is home to more than 2,100 GCCs employing over 19 lakh professionals and contributing substantially to exports. He highlighted that an increasing number of GCCs are expanding beyond metropolitan centres into Tier-II and Tier-III cities, demonstrating that India's talent pool is now widely distributed. He said this presents both an opportunity and a responsibility for Jammu Kashmir to strengthen its institutions, infrastructure and innovation ecosystem. Emphasising the future direction of the sector, he said the journey of GCCs has evolved from questions of cost efficiency to excellence and capability. He expressed confidence that Jammu Kashmir can evolve from being a destination for capability centres to becoming a hub for unique global innovations originating from the region. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the rapid transformation of Jammu Kashmir under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said major infrastructure developments and enhanced connectivity are supporting rising industrial investments and the remarkable growth of the startup ecosystem. The industrial revolution we are witnessing today in parts of the Jammu division and the Kashmir Valley is a living symbol of the new Jammu Kashmir. In 2020, there were only 69 startups and that number has now risen to 1,305, a growth of over 1,800 per cent. When the energy of young, ambitious graduates from IIM Jammu, IIT Jammu, NIT Srinagar and other universities of Jammu Kashmir is added to these figures, you see a ready workforce emerging, he said. The Lieutenant Governor identified six key advantages that position Jammu Kashmir as an attractive GCC destinationstrong financial support, lower operating costs, special incentives for pioneering multinational investors, the return of local talent, first-mover advantages for early GCC entrants, and opportunities in niche sectors such as agri-tech, tourism-tech and handicraft digitisation. Outlining a four-pillar roadmap for the next five years, he stressed talent development through industry-academia partnerships, building trust through credible implementation, leveraging Jammu Kashmir's unique destination advantages, and promoting inclusive growth through a hub-and-spoke development model. Expressing confidence in J&K's future, the Lieutenant Governor said GCCs can become an integral pillar of Jammu Kashmir's industrial ecosystem over the next decade. He stated that the foundation laid during the summit can help build a new, aspirational and innovation-driven Jammu Kashmir that is fully prepared to welcome Global Capability Centres from across the world. Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, J&K; Padma Bhushan Rajendra Singh Pawar, Chairman, NIIT; Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu; Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary, Labour & Employment Department, J&K; Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Faculty and Research, IIM Jammu; Prof. Nitin Upadhyay, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu; Dr Sandeep Ananthanarayanan, CEO, CITaG, IIM Jammu; experts, policymakers, industry leaders, senior officials, faculty and students attended the valedictory session.
Navratri: Complete Guide to Nine Forms of Maa Durga, Puja Rituals and Dussehra
Navratri celebrates the divine power of Goddess Durga through nine sacred nights of devotion, prayer, fasting and spiritual reflection, followed by Vijayadashami or Dussehra on the tenth day. One of Hinduisms most significant religious festivals, Navratri honours the nine manifestations of Maa Durga, collectively known as Navdurga, each representing a distinct aspect of divine feminine [] The post Navratri: Complete Guide to Nine Forms of Maa Durga, Puja Rituals and Dussehra appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
Over 2,500 detained as anti-CEC protesters seek to march to Jantar Mantar
Heavy security, transport curbs fail to prevent protesters from gathering near Jantar Mantar; all detainees released by evening, say police sources
Here is a select list of stories to start the day
What was the Chemistry Nobel Prize given for? | Explained
What are chirality and molecular handedness, and why does life favour one form over the other? Why does the handedness of a molecule matter when developing drugs? What did Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai discover? Can it explain the origins of life?
New session begins against the backdrop of protests in Delhi seeking removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the Kerala High Court order on registering an FIR against Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan in the CMRL-Exalogic pay-off case
4.2-magnitude earthquake hits Uttarkashi, second in Uttarakhand in four days
Officials of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) said no damage had been reported so far
Contract health staff in Andhra Pradesh pause their strike after discussion with officials
The employees JAC says it has not withdraw its major demands, but is giving an opportunity to the government to resolve issues through discussions
Andhra Pradesh govt. accepts Dedicated Commissions recommendations on BC reservation
Headed by Rajeev Ranjan Mishra, the Commission submitted its report on provision of reservation for the BCs local body-wise, in due compliance with the triple test mandate laid down by the Supreme Court and other constitutional provisions
Mass detention of Delhi protesters draws scrutiny from legal experts
Several instances of protesters being picked up and taken away in buses were reported through the day, with some alleging that they were not informed of the grounds for their detention
Cleanliness cannot be achieved without Strict Enforcement: A call for accountability and real action
Cleanliness cannot be achieved through awareness campaigns alone. It requires strict enforcement, public accountability, responsible citizenship, and the effective implementation of existing laws. For years, we have organised cleanliness drives, conducted awareness campaigns, and appealed to people to keep their surroundings clean. Yet, garbage continues to be dumped on roads, in drains, streams, rivers, lakes, and other public places. This raises a fundamental question: If awareness alone were enough, why does irresponsible waste disposal continue despite years of campaigns and public appeals? As a social activist working for the protection of water bodies, I firmly believe that the time has come to move beyond slogans, promises, and temporary cleanliness drives. We need a practical and sustainable system that discourages littering, holds offenders accountable, strengthens waste management, and ensures that environmental laws are enforced consistently. Without these measures, our efforts will continue to produce temporary results rather than meaningful and lasting change. THE GROUND REALITY MUST NOT BE IGNORED The condition of our surroundings demands serious attention. Across towns, neighbourhoods, markets, roadsides, drains, and public spaces, irresponsible waste disposal remains a persistent concern. Plastic wrappers, bottles, food waste, packaging materials, and other forms of garbage are frequently discarded in places where they do not belong. In many locations, waste is thrown on roadsides despite the availability of alternative disposal arrangements. In other areas, garbage accumulates in drains and eventually finds its way into streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. When the same locations are repeatedly used for dumping, they gradually turn into unofficial garbage sites. The problem is not limited to an individual throwing away a single piece of waste. When hundreds or thousands of people behave irresponsibly, the collective impact becomes a serious environmental challenge. We must recognise that a clean environment cannot be maintained if citizens continue to neglect their responsibilities. At the same time, the concerned authorities must ensure that waste collection services are accessible, regular, and effective. Both sides have an essential role to play. Citizens must stop littering, while authorities must provide a reliable system for waste collection, segregation, transportation, and environmentally responsible disposal. WHY STRICT FINES AND ENFORCEMENT ARE NECESSARY One of the most effective ways to discourage irresponsible behaviour is to ensure that rules are implemented consistently. Consider traffic regulations. Rules are established to maintain order, protect human life, and prevent accidents. When violations are detected and appropriate penalties are imposed, people have a stronger incentive to follow the law. Although violations may still occur, consistent enforcement can discourage irresponsible conduct. The same principle must apply to cleanliness and environmental protection. If a person is caught throwing garbage on a public road, into a drain, or directly into a river, stream, or lake, an appropriate penalty should be imposed under the applicable law. Repeat offenders should face stronger action wherever the law permits. The objective should not be to collect money from citizens. The real purpose should be to change behaviour, prevent pollution, and protect public spaces. Every individual should understand that littering is not a harmless act. A person must think twice before throwing garbage in a public place, not merely because someone might be watching, but because the law must be respected and its enforcement taken seriously. There should be no unnecessary delay in taking action when a violation has been established. However, enforcement must remain fair, transparent, proportionate, and consistent. Citizens should know which activities constitute violations, what penalties apply, and how complaints can be reported. A law that exists only on paper cannot deliver the results for which it was introduced. Rules become meaningful only when they are implemented on the ground. AWARENESS WITHOUT ACTION WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM Awareness campaigns have an important role in educating society. They help people understand the consequences of pollution, encourage responsible behaviour, and motivate communities to participate in environmental protection. Such campaigns must continue, particularly among children and young people, because environmental responsibility should be developed from an early age. However, awareness cannot replace enforcement. For years, people have been told not to throw garbage in public places. They have been informed about the harmful effects of plastic pollution and the importance of protecting natural resources. But what happens when someone deliberately ignores these messages? What happens when a person continues to dump garbage despite knowing that it is wrong? What happens when a public place is cleaned in the morning and becomes dirty again by the evening? If no meaningful action follows repeated violations, the message conveyed is that environmental rules can be ignored without consequences. This is precisely why awareness and enforcement must go hand in hand. Awareness teaches people what is right, while enforcement ensures that irresponsible actions are addressed. We cannot expect sanitation workers to clean the same locations indefinitely while those responsible for repeatedly polluting them face no consequences. The purpose of a cleanliness campaign must be to create lasting behavioural change, not merely to remove garbage temporarily. OUR RIVERS, STREAMS, LAKES AND WETLANDS ARE AT RISK The situation becomes even more alarming when waste enters our natural water bodies. Rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands are not dumping grounds. They are valuable ecosystems that support aquatic life, contribute to environmental balance, and form an essential part of our natural heritage. When plastic and other waste enter these water bodies, the damage may extend far beyond what is immediately visible. Waste can accumulate along shorelines, harm aquatic organisms, obstruct waterways, and degrade natural habitats. Pollution can also affect people whose livelihoods depend on healthy water bodies, including fishing communities, houseboat owners, and others associated with traditional occupations and tourism. In Kashmir, our lakes and waterways are deeply connected with our environment, economy, tourism, cultural identity, and traditional way of life. Their protection is therefore not simply a matter of maintaining scenic beauty. It is a matter of environmental security, public welfare, and our responsibility towards future generations. We cannot celebrate the natural beauty of Kashmir while allowing the very resources that sustain it to deteriorate. If garbage continues to enter rivers and streams, if drains carry waste into lakes, and if wetlands are neglected, the cumulative environmental damage may become increasingly difficult and expensive to reverse. Prevention is always better than restoration. Protecting a water body before it becomes severely polluted is far more sensible than waiting until extensive and costly intervention becomes necessary. Our water bodies deserve protection every day, not only when an environmental event is organised or public attention is focused on them. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE DO NOT ACT NOW? This is a question that every responsible citizen and institution must seriously consider. What will happen if we continue throwing garbage into drains? What will happen if plastic waste keeps entering our streams and rivers? What will happen if our lakes become places where garbage accumulates rather than ecosystems that we protect? What will happen if our wetlands are damaged and natural waterways become obstructed? The consequences may include worsening pollution, damage to aquatic ecosystems, blocked drainage channels, unhealthy surroundings, and increasing pressure on public authorities and local communities. Improperly managed waste can contribute to flooding when drainage systems become obstructed, although flooding also depends on other environmental and infrastructure-related factors. Polluted surroundings can create sanitation concerns, while degraded water bodies can threaten livelihoods and undermine the appeal of destinations that depend on a healthy natural environment. Perhaps the greatest danger is that continued neglect gradually makes environmental destruction appear normal. People may begin accepting dirty roads, polluted drains, accumulated garbage, and waste along water bodies as an unavoidable part of everyday life. We must never allow such a mentality to take root in our society. A polluted environment is not our destiny. It is a problem that can be addressed through responsible behaviour, effective public services, proper waste management, and firm implementation of environmental laws. If we fail to act today, future generations may inherit environmental problems that could have been prevented through timely decisions and collective responsibility. CLEANLINESS IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY Cleanliness cannot be the responsibility of sanitation workers alone. Every citizen has a role to play in maintaining a healthy environment. Households must dispose of their waste responsibly. Shopkeepers must ensure that waste generated by their businesses is properly managed. Hotels, restaurants, markets, educational institutions, and other commercial establishments must comply with applicable waste-management requirements. People must stop throwing waste from vehicles, dumping garbage beside roads, and using drains, streams, rivers, and lakes as convenient disposal points. At the same time, public authorities must ensure that waste collection systems operate effectively and that illegal dumping is addressed promptly. Wherever collection services are inadequate, the gaps must be identified and corrected. There should be regular monitoring of locations where repeated dumping occurs. If a particular roadside, drain, or public space repeatedly becomes dirty, the response must address both the people responsible for dumping waste and any shortcomings in the existing waste-management system. Responsibility must be shared, but accountability must be clear. No individual, business, or institution should consider itself above the law. Environmental rules must apply fairly to everyone. RESPECT THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP OUR SURROUNDINGS CLEAN We must recognise and appreciate the contribution of sanitation workers and everyone involved in maintaining our public spaces. These workers perform an essential public service. They help maintain hygiene, protect public health, and contribute to the well-being of our communities. Their work deserves dignity, respect, appropriate equipment, safe working conditions, and proper institutional support. However, their efforts cannot produce lasting results if people continue to litter irresponsibly. It is unfair to expect sanitation workers to clean the same location repeatedly when others deliberately make it dirty again. The solution cannot be limited to sending more workers to collect the same waste every day. We must also prevent avoidable littering, improve public behaviour, and take appropriate action against those who violate the rules. A successful cleanliness system must focus on prevention as much as collection. It must reduce the amount of waste entering public spaces in the first place rather than relying entirely on cleaning it up afterwards. A PRACTICAL ROADMAP FOR LASTING CHANGE To address the problem effectively, the following measures deserve serious consideration and implementation: 1. Strict enforcement of anti-littering laws: Appropriate penalties should be imposed for littering and illegal dumping, in accordance with existing legal provisions. Enforcement must be visible, consistent, and fair. 2. Stronger action against repeat offenders: Individuals and establishments that repeatedly violate waste-management rules should face appropriate action under the law. 3. Reliable waste collection services: Authorities must ensure regular collection, accessible disposal facilities, and effective transportation and processing of waste. 4. Protection of water bodies: Drains, stream banks, riverbanks, lake edges, and wetlands must receive regular monitoring to prevent waste from entering natural ecosystems. 5. Accountability of commercial establishments: Hotels, restaurants, markets, and other major waste generators must fulfil their legal responsibilities for managing and disposing of waste. 6. Public reporting and follow-up: Citizens should have accessible channels to report illegal dumping, and complaints should receive timely and appropriate attention. 7. Waste segregation and responsible disposal: Household and commercial waste should be managed in accordance with applicable waste-management rules, with greater emphasis on segregation, recycling, and reducing avoidable plastic waste. 8. Awareness linked to measurable results: Public awareness programmes should continue, but their effectiveness must be assessed through visible improvements in cleanliness, reduced littering, and better protection of the environment. These measures require coordination among the concerned departments, local authorities, communities, businesses, and citizens. The ultimate objective must be to prevent irresponsible dumping rather than repeatedly responding after pollution has already occurred. CLEANLINESS MUST NOT REMAIN A ONE-DAY CAMPAIGN A cleanliness drive can be valuable. It brings people together, removes accumulated waste, and draws attention to environmental problems. However, a one-day campaign cannot solve a problem that continues throughout the year. If an area is cleaned today and garbage returns tomorrow, we must ask why the system is failing. Is waste collection inadequate? Are people continuing to dump garbage illegally? Is monitoring insufficient? Are existing laws not being enforced? Are the concerned authorities responding effectively to repeated complaints? These questions require honest answers and practical solutions. The real measure of success is not the number of cleanliness events organised, photographs taken, or slogans displayed. It is whether our roads remain clean, our drains function properly, our public spaces are maintained, and our rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands are protected from avoidable pollution. We need measurable and lasting improvements, not temporary results that disappear within a few days. Cleanliness must become a daily practice supported by a dependable public system and a culture of accountability. OUR NATURAL HERITAGE MUST BE PROTECTED THROUGH ACTION As someone working for the protection of water bodies, I believe that environmental conservation requires more than expressions of concern. It requires sustained effort, practical solutions, public participation, and accountability at every level. Our natural resources are not the property of one generation alone. They are a shared inheritance that we must protect and pass on to those who come after us. Every piece of plastic thrown into a drain, every bag of garbage dumped beside a stream, and every act of irresponsible disposal contributes to a wider problem. Similarly, every responsible decision, every properly managed waste collection point, and every instance of effective enforcement can contribute to a cleaner environment. The change we need will not happen overnight. However, it is achievable if environmental protection becomes a consistent priority rather than an occasional campaign. We must encourage responsible citizens, support sanitation workers, improve public services, and ensure that those who deliberately violate environmental rules are held accountable through lawful and proportionate action. Our rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands cannot speak for themselves. It is our responsibility to protect them. A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY AND REAL ACTION My message is straightforward: we must stop treating cleanliness as merely a slogan and start treating it as a serious public responsibility. We need awareness, but we also need enforcement. We need public participation, but we also need accountability. We need sanitation workers, but we must also ensure that citizens stop creating avoidable waste and disposing of it irresponsibly. Our natural resources cannot protect themselves from human negligence. Their protection depends on informed citizens, responsible institutions, effective waste-management systems, and the consistent implementation of environmental laws. Let us protect our roads and public spaces. Let us prevent garbage from entering drains, rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands. Let us respect the people who work to maintain cleanliness. Let us demand effective waste-management services and ensure that those who deliberately pollute public spaces face appropriate consequences under the law. Most importantly, let us act before environmental damage becomes more serious and difficult to reverse. A clean environment is not a luxury. It is essential to public health, ecological balance, community welfare, and the future of our children. Cleanliness is not just a slogan; it is a responsibility. Awareness must lead to action, action must be supported by accountability, and accountability must deliver a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment for future generations. ( The author is a social activist working for the Protection of Water Bodies)
Former Mayor alleges bid to move Thiruvananthapuram Zoo animals to Vantara, Puthur
He says meeting will be held at Sathyan Memorial Hall at 5 p.m. on Monday to form a Thiruvananthapuram zoo protection committee
Tangible Reforms For The Safety, Welfare And Dignity Of Sanitation Workers
A clean and healthy nation rests on the shoulders of thousands of sanitation workers who perform essential services every day, often under difficult and hazardous conditions. Their contribution to public health, cleanliness and the functioning of our cities and communities is invaluable. Ensuring their safety, welfare and dignity is therefore not merely a matter of social responsibility; it is an essential part of building an inclusive and humane society. Recognising this responsibility, the Central Government has undertaken a comprehensive set of measures to protect the lives and livelihoods of sanitation workers through the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) and the financial assistance programmes of the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC). These interventions represent a decisive shift from hazardous manual practices towards a safer and more dignified sanitation ecosystemone built around mechanisation, occupational safety, healthcare, skill development and sustainable livelihoods. Building a Safer Sanitation Ecosystem The central objective of NAMASTE is clear: to eliminate hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks and work towards zero fatalities in sanitation work. The scheme seeks to formalise the sanitation workforce and ensure that workers have access to safety equipment, occupational training, healthcare and livelihood opportunities. It also promotes the use of machines and safety devices so that no worker is exposed to hazardous conditions unnecessarily. More than 91,000 sewer and septic tank workers have been profiled under the scheme, out of which more than 90,000 have been validated. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits have been provided to more than 87,000 workers, while around 77,000 workers have been covered under health-insurance schemes. This process of profiling and validation is significant because it gives workers formal recognition and creates a pathway through which they can access government welfare and social-security programmes. It also enables implementing agencies to understand their requirements and provide appropriate interventions in occupational safety, healthcare, training and livelihoods. Institutional preparedness is equally important. More than 750 safety devices have been dispatched to Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSU) established in larger municipal corporations and districts. These units strengthen emergency-response mechanisms and support the safe and mechanised execution of sewer and septic-tank cleaning operations. Awareness and behavioural change are another important pillar. More than 1,600 workshops on prevention of hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks have been conducted across the country. These workshops have brought together workers, officials and other stakeholders to highlight the risks associated with unsafe sanitation practices and reinforce the importance of mechanised and safe cleaning. Mechanisation: From Hazardous Labour to Safer Enterprise Mechanisation is central to transforming sanitation work. No worker should have to enter a sewer or septic tank manually when technology can perform the task safely. The Central Government is therefore extending financial support to enable sanitation workers to become owners and operators of sanitation-related machinery and vehicles. An upfront capital subsidy of nearly This assistance is doing more thanproviding equipment. It is helping workers move from hazardous labour towards mechanisedsanitation services, entrepreneurship and sustainable income generation. The larger objective is to recognisesanitation workers not merely as recipients of welfare but as skilledprofessionals, service providers and entrepreneurs. Ownership of sanitationvehicles and equipment can improve workplace safety while creatingopportunities for greater financial independence and long-term economicsecurity. This is the essence of empowerment: notsimply providing support, but creating the means for individuals and familiesto build secure and dignified livelihoods. Extending Welfare to Waste Pickers Sanitation and cleanliness extend beyondsewer and septic-tank cleaning. Waste pickers also perform an indispensablepublic service by collecting, sorting and facilitating the recovery andrecycling of waste. Yet, for far too long, many of them have worked withoutadequate recognition, occupational protection or social-security coverage. Recognising their contribution, theGovernment expanded NAMASTE in 2024 to include waste pickers engaged insolid-waste management. The objective is to provide them with safer, moredignified and sustainable livelihoods through profiling, occupational-safetymeasures, healthcare, skill development and livelihood support. Under the expanded component, more than 3.80Lakh Waste Pickers have been profiled, of whom nearly 2.60 Lakh Have BeenValidated Through E-KYC. More than 1.30 Lakh Waste Pickers have received PPEkits, while the data of more than 1.20 Lakh has been processed for generationof Ayushman Cards. The inclusion of waste pickers under NAMASTEis an important step towards recognising their contribution to the circulareconomy and solid-waste management. It is helping connect them with identitydocumentation, occupational safety, healthcare and other welfare measures,while opening pathways towards more sustainable livelihoods. Economic Empowerment through NSKFDC Safety and dignity must be accompanied byeconomic empowerment. The National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation(NSKFDC) has an important role in this regard by providing concessionalfinancial assistance for income-generating activities, entrepreneurship, skilldevelopment and the acquisition of sanitation-related vehicles and equipment.NSKFDC is a Government of India undertaking under the Ministry of SocialJustice and Empowerment. Between 201415 and 202526, NSKFDCreleased financial assistance of more than
When Parents Become a Responsibility Rather Than a Relationship
There was a time when parents were the centre of a family's world. Their presence gave a home its warmth, their words offered reassurance, and their sacrifices quietly shaped the lives of their children. They rarely spoke of what they gave up, nor did they keep an account of the years spent raising their children. Their love found expression in the smallest of thingsin waiting for a child to return home, saving the choicest portion of a meal, staying awake through a feverish night, or offering comfort when the world seemed unkind. These gestures were so ordinary that their true worth often went unnoticed. It was only with the passage of time that their significance became clear. Today, as family structures change and the pace of life grows increasingly demanding, the relationship between parents and children is undergoing a subtle but profound transformation. Education, employment, migration, financial pressures, and the pursuit of personal aspirations have altered the way families live. Children leave their ancestral homes in search of better opportunities, settle in distant cities or countries, and build lives shaped by responsibilities of their own. Such changes are neither inherently wrong nor avoidable. Every generation must find its own way of living. The concern arises when distance gradually becomes emotional indifference, and when caring for ageing parents begins to feel like an obligation to be managed rather than a relationship to be cherished. Ageing brings changes that are difficult for parents to accept and sometimes even more difficult for their children to understand. The hands that once held a child's fingers while teaching them to walk may begin to tremble. Eyes that watched over the family with confidence may grow dim. Steps that once crossed the length of a house without effort may become hesitant, requiring support. Along with these physical changes comes a quieter transformation: parents begin to depend on the very children whose dependence once gave their own lives purpose. For parents, this reversal is not always easy. Having spent much of their lives making decisions, solving problems, and protecting their families, they may find it painful to ask for help with the simplest of tasks. They may repeat themselves, become forgetful, grow impatient, or seek reassurance more frequently than before. Sometimes they ask the same question several times, not because they expect a different answer, but because they long to prolong a conversation with someone whose time has become increasingly scarce. What appears to be unnecessary interference may, in fact, be an expression of loneliness. What seems like unreasonable dependence may be an attempt to hold on to a place in a world that is moving forward without them. Children, meanwhile, have their own burdens. They struggle to balance professional commitments, financial obligations, the needs of their spouses and children, and the demands of an increasingly competitive world. Many genuinely love their parents and make sincere efforts to provide for them. They arrange medical appointments, pay for treatment, send money, organise domestic assistance, and ensure that essential needs are met. These acts matter, and they should never be dismissed. Yet, somewhere between the practical arrangements and the daily pressures, an important question often remains unanswered: have we cared for our parents' needs without sufficiently attending to their feelings? There is a difference between ensuring that an elderly parent has everything necessary to live comfortably and ensuring that the parent feels wanted. A well-furnished room cannot always compensate for the absence of companionship. Regular financial support cannot entirely replace an unhurried conversation. A telephone call made merely to confirm that medicines have been taken may fulfil a practical purpose, but a conversation in which a parent is allowed to speak, reminisce, complain, laugh, or even repeat an old story can fulfil an emotional one. The difference may appear small to the person making the call, yet it can mean a great deal to the person waiting for it. Parents do not always expect their children to abandon their ambitions or sacrifice their own families. More often, they seek reassurance that growing old has not made them irrelevant. They want to feel that their opinions still matter, that their presence is not an inconvenience, and that they are remembered even when they have nothing left to offer except their company. In their younger years, they measured their days by what they could do for their children. In old age, they may begin to measure them by how often their children find time for them. Perhaps the most painful form of neglect is not the absence of care but the presence of care without affection. A parent may receive meals on time, medicines regularly, and every necessary facility, yet still feel like a burden. No harsh words may be spoken, no obvious injustice committed, and no essential need ignored. Nevertheless, an atmosphere of impatience can settle over everyday interactions. A question is answered hurriedly, a request is met with irritation, a story is interrupted, and a moment of confusion becomes an occasion for reprimand. Gradually, parents learn to ask for less. They stop expressing certain wishes, conceal their discomfort, and hesitate before seeking help. Their silence may be mistaken for contentment when it is, in reality, an effort not to trouble those they love. This is where the distinction between responsibility and relationship becomes painfully clear. Responsibility asks whether we have done what is necessary. Relationship asks whether the other person has felt our concern. Responsibility can be scheduled, divided, delegated, and recorded. A relationship, however, must be nurtured through attention, patience, tenderness, and the willingness to remain emotionally present. One may fulfil every practical duty and still leave an emotional emptiness that no arrangement can fill. The problem is not confined to children who live far away. Physical proximity does not necessarily guarantee emotional closeness. In some homes, elderly parents share the same roof with their children yet spend long hours in silence. Everyone is occupied with a screen, a deadline, a personal concern, or a world that seems to exist elsewhere. The family may sit together at the same table without truly meeting one another. Parents become familiar presences in the background of daily life, noticed when something needs to be done but rarely approached simply for the pleasure of being together. Nor should this concern be turned into an accusation against an entire generation. Many adult children are loving, attentive, and deeply committed to their parents. Others are struggling with circumstances beyond their control, including financial insecurity, demanding employment, geographical separation, or the emotional exhaustion of caring for a seriously ill family member. Caregiving can be difficult, and those who provide it also need understanding and support. The answer cannot be to impose guilt upon children or romanticise the past as though every earlier household were free of neglect. Rather, it is to recognise that changing circumstances require us to become more conscious of the emotional needs that remain unchanged. An elderly parent may need professional medical care, assistance with daily activities, or a living arrangement that ensures safety and dignity. In certain situations, residential care may be the most appropriate option. Such decisions should not automatically be interpreted as abandonment. What matters is the manner in which these decisions are made and the quality of the relationship that continues afterwards. A parent can live in a well-managed care facility and still feel deeply loved if children remain involved, visit regularly, listen attentively, and preserve the parent's sense of belonging. Conversely, a parent living in the family home may feel abandoned if treated as an inconvenience. Love cannot be measured by an address alone. What, then, does it mean to care for ageing parents in a way that preserves the relationship? It begins with recognising that their needs are not exclusively physical. They need companionship, respect, reassurance, and the freedom to retain as much independence as their circumstances permit. They need to be consulted rather than merely instructed, included rather than simply accommodated, and heard rather than silenced. Sometimes the most meaningful gift is not an expensive present or an elaborate arrangement, but the willingness to sit beside them without repeatedly checking the time. It also requires patience with the changes that accompany ageing. The parent who once corrected every mistake may now make mistakes of their own. The person who once guided every family decision may now need guidance. This reversal can test the patience of both generations. Yet it offers an opportunity to practise the very values that parents may have taught their children through their own conduct: kindness, forbearance, respect, and compassion. To respond gently when a parent repeats a question, to explain something without humiliation, or to allow an old story to be told once more is not a grand sacrifice. It is a small act of recognition that the person before us deserves the same dignity that we expect for ourselves. There is another truth worth remembering. Children who are raising families of their own are also shaping the understanding of love that their children will carry into the future. Young people learn not only from what adults say but also from what they observe. When they see ageing grandparents treated with warmth and respect, they witness a living example of intergenerational care. When they see them dismissed, ignored, or discussed as burdens, they may gradually come to regard dependence as an inconvenience rather than a natural part of human life. The way we care for our parents today becomes, in some measure, a lesson in how human vulnerability should be treated tomorrow. Ultimately, the question is not whether children owe their parents something in return for the sacrifices of the past. Love should not be reduced to a ledger in which every act of care must be repaid. Parents did not raise their children merely to collect a debt in old age. The deeper question is whether we can recognise their humanity beyond their former roles as providers, protectors, and decision-makers. Can we see them not merely as elderly people requiring assistance, but as individuals with memories, fears, preferences, humour, dignity, and an enduring need for affection? Time has a way of changing the meaning of ordinary moments. A conversation that once seemed repetitive may one day become a treasured memory. A visit postponed for convenience may become an opportunity that can never be recovered. The familiar voice from another room, the request for a little company, or the simple question about when we will return may not seem significant while we are busy living our lives. Yet these are often the very things we remember when the house grows quiet. No one can remain forever in the role of a child, just as no parent can remain forever strong enough to protect the family. Life moves through its seasons, and every generation eventually encounters the vulnerability it once witnessed in those who came before it. The measure of our progress should therefore include not only how efficiently we live, how successfully we work, or how much material comfort we accumulate, but also how we treat those whose strength has diminished and whose need for companionship has grown. Perhaps the greatest tribute we can pay our parents is not to remind them how much we do for them, but to make them feel that they still matter to us. Let us not wait until their voices fall silent to realise the value of listening, nor until their absence changes the character of our homes to understand the comfort of their presence. Parents should never have to earn their place in the lives of their children by remaining useful. Their place is secured by the relationship itself.Caring for them may be a responsibility, but making them feel loved is the heart of that responsibility. And when duty is accompanied by tenderness, ageing need not become a journey into loneliness; it can remain a season of life in which dignity is preserved, affection is renewed, and the bond between generations continues to give meaning to both. (The Author is RK Columnist and can be reached at: sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com )
The morning train from Katra reaches Srinagar a little after eleven. On the platform at Nowgam last week I watched a grandmother from Kupwara step down from it, having crossed the Chenab on a bridge higher than the Eiffel Tower, sitting, with a cup of tea, in three hours. For most of my life I took the train to Srinagar was a sentence nobody in the Valley could say. The line was sanctioned in 1994. Every government since owned a piece of it. This one finished it. On 7 October 2001, in Gandhinagar, a man who had never sat in a legislature took oath as Chief Minister of a state nine months out from an earthquake that had killed fourteen thousand people. Twenty-five years later he is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, and there has not been one day in that quarter century when he was not the elected head of a government. No Indian, not Jyoti Basu, not Pawan Chamling, has been continuously answerable to voters for so long. The anniversary invites praise, and praise is the one thing he has never shown any sign of needing. It deserves instead an argument that can be tested. Here is mine. These twenty-five years are the story of the Indian state learning to reach its last citizen, first in one state and then in all of them. What travelled from Gandhinagar to Delhi was a method, not a mood: saturation targets instead of coverage ratios, technology used as an equaliser, several schemes converging on one household, deadlines reviewed in person. It is the method, more than the man, that explains the numbers. And the numbers that settle the argument are not the government's own; they are the Census, the Registrar General's and the World Bank's. Remember the country of 2001. Fifty-six households in a hundred had electricity, thirty-six a latrine, thirty-seven a tap, eighteen a gas connection. One child in fifteen died before its first birthday. A bank account was a favour, and a gas cylinder came with a politician's letter. That was the baseline. Then Gujarat. In 2003 the state separated the farm feeder from the village feeder and gave the village twenty-four-hour power; agricultural output grew at 9.6 percent a year between 2000 and 2007, by IFPRI's count, against 2.9 percent for India. The Soil Health Card was a Gujarat card before it was an Indian one. The grievance screen in the Chief Minister's office became PRAGATI. The Garib Kalyan Mela became the saturation camp every state now runs. Gujarat was the laboratory. India was the canvas. On the canvas, the household became the unit of delivery. Jan Dhan, mocked as a zero-balance gesture in 2014, holds 59 crore accounts today, more than half of them women's, and they are the rails on which every later transfer ran. A woman who has sat in those kitchens counts the cylinder in hours returned, not in connections. Ujjwala put 10.57 crore cylinders into kitchens that had cooked on wood. Rural households with a tap went from 3.23 crore in 2019 to 15.85 crore. Ayushman Bharat has paid for 13.25 crore hospital admissions. Direct transfer has removed 3.48 lakh crore rupees of leakage. The national highway network grew from 91,287 kilometres to 1,46,572; airports from 74 to 165; UPI, which did not exist in 2014, moved 314 lakh crore rupees last year. Infant mortality fell from 39 to 24 per thousand. Three crore rural women have crossed the Lakhpati Didi line. Left-wing extremism, which touched 126 districts in 2013, is confined to eleven. NITI Aayog's poverty index fell from 29 percent to 11, which is 24.82 crore people; the World Bank's three-dollar line fell from 27 percent to just over five. Neither figure is the government's own. What was the method's hardest test? I can answer that, because I live inside it. In 2001 Jammu and Kashmir recorded 4,522 terrorist incidents and 996 civilians killed. In 2025 it recorded 35 incidents and 92 deaths in all, the least violent year in more than two decades. Local recruitment into militancy, 125 young men in 2021, was seven in 2024. Stone-pelting has gone. The G20 met in Srinagar in May 2023. Since 2019, 34,260 people have been elected to panchayats and councils in a territory that for decades had almost none, and 7.85 crore visitors came to the Union Territory in the three years to 2025, against 4.76 crore in the three years to 2018, even though the Valley's own arrivals halved in 2025 after Pahalgam. The men who send killers across the Line retain the capacity: twenty-six civilians were murdered at Pahalgam in April 2025, and the answer, Operation Sindoor, came on 7 May. Normalcy here is a trend that has to be defended every year, not a settled fact. But the trend is real, and a Kashmiri who denies it forfeits the right to be believed on the rest. The rest is this. In August 2019 the Valley's communications were restricted, the internet did not fully return for eighteen months, and the leaders of the mainstream parties, three former Chief Ministers among them, were placed in preventive detention. Those were hard months, and I do not write around them. They were also the reason a change that every earlier turn in this Valley had paid for in blood passed without it. Elections followed as the Supreme Court directed; turnout was 64 percent; an elected government took office in October 2024. Statehood has not yet been restored. The Prime Minister and the Home Minister have given their word that it will be, at the appropriate time, and the Court asked for it at the earliest in December 2023. When the Assembly voted on 28 September, my party objected to a resolution that reached back to the position before 2019, not to statehood itself. I belong to the party that gave the word, and I have no doubt it will be kept; the security data in this essay is the case that the time is approaching. When it comes, let it come with the Pandits' return built into it, with houses and not only posts, and with the jobs that keep young men on the platform and off the hill. Nor should the national ledger be read without its debit side, and a member of the governing party should be the first to read it. Four crore rural households still wait for a tap, and the mission that reached 15.85 crore will be judged on the last four, which are the hardest. The labour survey still finds a quarter of the young in neither work nor training, and no government should be comfortable with that. Manipur tested the state's reach harder than anywhere else, and the peace there is still being rebuilt. The second wave of 2021 found the one shortage, oxygen, that nobody had been counting, and the state learned to count it. Demonetisation is still argued over; what nobody argues about is the digital habit it built, which became UPI. By the IMF's own tables India is third in purchasing power, within a few hundred billion dollars of fourth place in current dollars, and growing faster than every economy above it. An argument that cannot survive its objections is not an argument. This one does, because not one of them is an objection to reach, scale or speed. So what will outlast him? The rails: identity, account, payment, which no successor can switch off. The direct transfer, which made the intermediary politically expendable. The GST Council, in which the Centre holds one vote in three and almost every decision has been taken by consensus. The doctrine that an attack is answered across the Line. The three criminal codes of 2024, and a temple at Ayodhya built after a unanimous Supreme Court judgment, which are the same confidence turned inward. And one thing larger than all of these: Indians now expect their state to arrive. In 2001 a tap was a favour. In 2026 its absence is a grievance that a Collector in Nuh expects to be ranked on. That change in expectation is the structural achievement, and a people who have learned to expect delivery do not unlearn it when the deliverer changes. What must now be built into the state is the dashboard itself, so that the deadline holds when the review passes to other hands. The Prime Minister has said that the goal is a developed India by 2047, and that no one man is the goal. The next decade will show whether the method has been made the state's own, as he intends. The afternoon train leaves Srinagar at two. I went back to watch it go: students for Jammu, pilgrims, a box of apples wrapped in newspaper, a soldier asleep before the platform had cleared. The state learned, over a quarter century, to arrive. It has not yet learned to stay. That is the work of the next twenty-five years, and it belongs to everyone who will still be here when the man who taught it to arrive is not. The train is pulling out. The platform is ours. (The Author is Vice President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Jammu and Kashmir. She can be reached at: sganai19@gmail.com)
Noora Hospital marks World Mental Health Day
Srinagar: The Department of Psychiatry at Noora Hospital, HMT, Srinagar, celebrated World Mental Health Day under the leadership of Dr Imtiaz Hussain Mansur, Senior Consultant and Clinical Lead, Psychiatry, with the participation of consultants, doctors and hospital staff. The programme highlighted the importance of mental health awareness, early intervention and professional support, with patients and school students sharing their lived experiences to underline the need for empathy, understanding and a supportive environment for people facing mental health challenges. Addressing the gathering, Dr Imtiaz Hussain Mansur stressed that the practice of suffering in silence due to social stigma must end. He urged people to speak openly about mental health concerns and seek timely professional treatment, emphasising that early intervention plays an important role in improving outcomes and ensuring better mental well-being. He highlighted the need to create an environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their mental health concerns without fear of judgement or discrimination. He also emphasised the importance of collective efforts by healthcare professionals, families, educational institutions and society in promoting awareness and encouraging people to seek help when needed. The sharing of personal experiences by patients and school students emerged as a key highlight of the programme. Their accounts brought attention to the challenges faced by individuals dealing with mental health issues and reinforced the importance of compassion, timely support and access to appropriate care. Mr Manzoor Ahmed, Managing Director of Noora Hospital, also addressed the gathering and highlighted the significance of mental health awareness. He stressed the need to promote greater understanding of mental health issues and encourage a supportive approach towards individuals seeking professional assistance. As part of the programme, a presentation showcasing the activities and achievements of the Department of Psychiatry during 2026 was delivered, highlighting the departments efforts in providing mental healthcare services and promoting awareness among the public. The event also featured a cake-cutting ceremony, followed by the presentation of mementos to patients and doctors in recognition of their trust, courage and contribution to mental healthcare. The gesture acknowledged the role of patients in sharing their experiences and the dedication of healthcare professionals in supporting individuals through their mental health journeys. The programme concluded with a renewed call to make mental health conversations more open and accessible, reinforcing the message that speaking up requires courage, seeking help is a sign of strength, and eliminating stigma is a shared social responsibility. Dr Ashraf presented the vote of thanks, while Dr Aqib moderated the event.
Shameema Firdous provides relief to fire-hit families
Srinagar, Oct 10: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Womens Wing President and Habba Kadal MLA Advocate Shameema Firdous on Saturday distributed financial assistance worth 13.70 lakh among 15 families affected by fire incidents in Watalkadal, Safakadal, and Mallah Pora, Chinkral Mohalla, Habba Kadal. In Watalkadal, she provided 1 lakh each to 12 families whose residential houses were gutted in a fire last month. She also distributed a total of 1.70 lakh among three fire-affected families in Mallah Pora, Chinkral Mohalla. The assistance was provided from her Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Interacting with the affected families, Shameema Firdous said the provision of financial assistance to fire victims had become easier following the formation of the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. She said the Chief Minister had taken a decision allowing Members of the Legislative Assembly to extend financial assistance to fire-affected families from their respective Constituency Development Funds, providing much-needed relief to people facing distress. The MLA reiterated her commitment to addressing public grievances and extending support to those in need. She assured the affected families that she would make every possible effort to take up their concerns with the concerned authorities and facilitate their rehabilitation and access to essential assistance.
Sakeena calls for constructive engagement of students
Kulgam, Oct 10: Education, Social Welfare, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, inaugurated Multipurpose Indoor Sports Hall at Government Degree College (GDC), Frisal. The occasion marked a significant milestone in the colleges efforts to promote sports, physical fitness and the holistic development of students with the facility coming up at the estimated cost of Rs.1.94 crore. The ceremony was attended by MLA Devsar Peerzada Feroze Ahmad Shah, Secretary in Higher Education Department Shafqat Iqbal, and others. Speaking on the occasion, Sakeena Itoo highlighted the importance of quality educational infrastructure and the role of sports in shaping confident, disciplined and responsible citizens. She called upon the College management to engage the students in sports activities and other positive endeavours and channelise their potential in the right direction so that they excel in their studies and contribute towards the best of the society. Sakeena Itoo said that Multipurpose Indoor Sports Hall provided improved facilities for indoor games and encouraged greater participation in sporting activities of the students. MLA Devsar also addressed the gathering, emphasising the importance of educational institutions in empowering young people and creating opportunities for academic and extracurricular excellence. MLA also announced Digital X-Ray Machine worth Rs. 24 lakh for Primary Health Center (PHC) Frisal. Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Butt, Principal, GDC Frisal, welcomed the distinguished guests and expressed gratitude to the Minister and other dignitaries for their presence. He highlighted the importance of sports infrastructure in fostering discipline, teamwork, physical well-being and the all-round development of students. The programme also featured cultural performances by students. The programme also included the felicitation of students for their achievements, recognizing their dedication and bringing attention to the importance of encouraging young talent.
Dr. Farooq calls for strong, empowered opposition
Srinagar, Oct 10: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said good governance and effective administration require a strong, active and empowered opposition to highlight public grievances,represent people's aspirations and hold the government accountable. He said the role of the opposition in a democracy was not confined to criticism but also included reviewing governmentpolicies, safeguarding constitutional values and ensuring that public concerns receive due attention. Abdullah said suppressing the opposition's voice, refusing to tolerate dissent and denying people the right to raiselegitimate concerns undermined the spirit of democracy and rendered claims of good governance meaningless. Emphasising the importance of democratic institutions, he said a strong democratic system rested on freedom ofexpression, respect for differing opinions, public participation and institutional accountability. Any departure from theseprinciples, he added, was detrimental to democracy. He also expressed concern over what he described as the use of intimidation, pressure and excessive force to silencedissenting voices and create an atmosphere of fear. Abdullah said the alleged attempts to suppress people's voices in the national capital reminded him of the treatmentpeople in Kashmir had faced over the years. He observed that silencing public voices, restricting dissent and ignoring legitimate demands did not resolve problems butinstead widened the gap between people and those in power. The strength of democracy, he said, lay in ensuring that every citizen could express their views and pursue their rightsthrough peaceful and constitutional means. The NC president also underscored the importance of protecting the sanctity of the vote, describing it as a valuable trustplaced by the people and the foundation of democracy. He said ensuring transparency in the electoral process, restoring public confidence and safeguarding the credibility of democratic institutions were essential for strengthening the country's democratic framework. Abdullah reiterated that the National Conference would not compromise on the constitutional and democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the party would continue its efforts to secure the legitimate constitutional rights of the people, strengthendemocratic institutions and work towards the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Waqf Board plans common themes for Friday sermons
Srinagar, Oct 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board has decided to constitute a core committee of religious scholars to finalise common themes for Friday sermons across mosques, shrines and other religious institutions under its administration, aiming to promote coordinated religious messaging and address pressing social issues. In a statement, the decision was taken during a meeting of Muftis, Imams, Khateebs and other religious scholars chaired by Waqf BoardChairperson Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi at the Board's central office in Sonwar, Srinagar, on Saturday. Under the proposed arrangement, the committee, as per the statement, will identify and finalise topics for Friday (Juma) sermons in advance and communicate them to religious scholars associated with Waqf-managed institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. The initiative aims to bring greater consistency to the subjects addressed during Friday congregational prayers,particularly those relating to religious awareness, moral responsibility, social harmony and the eradication of social evils, reads the statement. Speaking at the meeting, Andrabi said the decision was intended to bring Imams from different sects together on a common platform to strengthen religious values and promote social reform. This is a decision to bring Imams across sects together to strengthen faith, reform society, uphold humanity and eradicate social evils, she said. The Board said the proposed committee would focus on selecting subjects of public and community interest in accordance with Islamic teachings, while encouraging religious scholars to address contemporary social concerns through their sermons. The meeting also discussed the need for closer coordination among religious institutions and the role of religious scholars in promoting unity, responsible conduct and mutual understanding within society. According to the Board, the common themes will be communicated in advance to the concerned Imams and Khateebs for incorporation into their Friday sermons. The decision applies to religious institutions associated with the Waqf Board and does not extend to all mosques and religious institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Waqf Board members Dr Ghulam Haleem and Syed Mohammad Hussain Haqani, besides religious scholars from different districts of Kashmir. The Board said the initiative was intended to strengthen coordination among religious scholars and encourage Friday sermons that address shared social concerns. However, the Board has not yet announced the composition of the core committee, the date of its formation or the first set of common sermon themes. The proposed system will introduce advance coordination of sermon topics across Waqf-associated institutions, with the committee responsible for determining the subjects to be addressed during Friday congregations.
Public cooperation aids theft detection
Srinagar, Oct 10: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla Gurinderpal Singh on Saturday credited public cooperation for the successful detection of theft cases in Pattan and Kreeri, resulting in the recovery of stolen properties. Addressing a press conference in Pattan, the SSP said the cooperation of local residents played a crucial role in the investigation, with people providing CCTV footage, assisting in recording statements and sharing information that helped police develop leads in the cases. He said the recovery would not have been possible on such a scale without the public approaching the police and extending their support during the investigation. The police can be successful only when local people stand with us. We are here to serve them, and I urge everyone to maintain faith in the police and approach us with their issues and complaints. We are available 24/7, throughout the year, and will make every possible effort to resolve their cases, Singh said. The SSP said police were committed to helping people whenever they faced any wrongdoing or required assistance. He also urged people to report any grievances regarding police functioning, saying they could approach senior officers if their genuine complaints were not addressed or if they were dissatisfied with the response of officials at the junior level. There is a proper hierarchy in the police department, with officers assigned specific responsibilities. If a junior officer is not addressing an issue, people can bring it to the notice of the next senior officer. This will also help us improve the policing system, he said. Emphasising the importance of public trust in crime detection, Singh said community participation was essential not only in reporting offences but also in providing evidence and information that could assist investigators. The theft cases were solved by police in the Pattan and Kreeri areas, with the recovery of stolen copper utensils, mobile phones, cash and other property collectively. The SSP thanked the residents for approaching the police and assisting investigators, describing public support as the key factor behind the recoveries.
Internet curbs restrict access to Google Maps, hit digital payments
With navigation apps and digital payments disrupted, autorickshaw drivers lose business, while visitors struggle to reach their hotels and access booking details amid heightened security restrictions
FDA cracks down on unsafe street food
Srinagar, Oct 10: Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), J&K, continues its special inspection, enforcement and awareness drive targeting street food vendors operating in busy markets and high-footfall areas across all the districts to ensure the availability of safe, hygienic and wholesome food to consumers. In a statement, the department said, during the drive, 106 inspections were conducted, 18 cases were compounded and fines amounting to 20,000 were imposed. Further, six cases were recommended for adjudication under Sections 56 and 58 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, while 22 food samples were lifted for laboratory analysis to assess their compliance with the prescribed food safety standards. The inspection teams focused on personal hygiene, cleanliness of vending premises, safe food preparation and handling practices, and the use of food-grade utensils and cutlery. Vendors were also sensitized against the use of newspapers for wrapping or serving food, unauthorized synthetic food colours and non-food-grade materials that may compromise food safety. As part of the drive, the teams also promoted the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) initiative. Used cooking oil samples were tested on the spot using oil-testing meters to assess Total Polar Compounds (TPC). Vendors were sensitized that cooking oil exceeding the prescribed limit of 25% TPC must not be used for food preparation and should be channelled to authorised aggregators in accordance with applicable requirements. FDA, J&K, reiterated that the ongoing drive is aimed at strengthening regulatory compliance, improving hygiene standards among street food vendors and safeguarding public health. All Food Business Operators have been directed to comply strictly with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and regulations. Consumers have been encouraged to actively participate in safeguarding public health by reporting suspected food adulteration, unsafe food or unhygienic food-handling practices email at cfsjandk.fnd@jk.gov.in.
Kashmir expands floral tourism beyond spring
Srinagar, October 10 : The Department of Floriculture, Gardens and Parks in Jammu and Kashmir has generated a cumulative revenue of 62.76 crore over five reporting periods, from 202122 to November 2025, through entry tickets, permissions for videography and video shooting, and the sale of plant material, according to official figures. The department recorded revenue of 6.70 crore in 202122, 13.46 crore in 202223, 14.35 crore in 202324 and 23.71 crore in 202425. During the current financial year, 202526, revenue stood at 4.54 crore up to November 2025. The figures show a steady increase in annual revenue over the four completed financial years, with the highest collection of 23.71 crore recorded in 202425. The cumulative amount of 62.76 crore covers all five reporting periods and does not represent revenue generated in a single financial year. Meanwhile, official data indicate that 11,889 growers are registered with the department across Jammu and Kashmir, of whom 2,270 are actively engaged in commercial flower cultivation. The total area under commercial floriculture has been reported at 356.41 hectares. The department maintains 278 gardens, parks and lawns spread across 10,628.30 kanals of land in the Union Territory. These green spaces are among Jammu and Kashmir's major tourism attractions, drawing visitors with their landscaped lawns, seasonal flowers, historic architecture and scenic surroundings. Among the prominent sites maintained by the department are the world-famous Tulip Garden and the historic Mughal gardens of Nishat, Shalimar, Pari Mahal and Chashme Shahi, along with Verinag and Achabal gardens. The department also maintains botanical gardens, including the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden at Chashme Shahi and the Botanical Garden at Kokernag, besides lawns at important government establishments. Visitor statistics provided in the official figures indicate that 60.48 lakh people visited the department's gardens and parks in 202223, while the number increased to 65.74 lakh in 202324. The gardens recorded 61.38 lakh visitors in 202425. During 202526, 48.01 lakh visitors were recorded up to the end of November 2025. In a bid to diversify the region's floral tourism offerings and extend the tourism season beyond spring, the first-ever Chrysanthemum Garden, known as Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood, was opened to tourists in October 2025. The garden features more than 50 varieties of chrysanthemums and has been developed to promote autumn tourism by offering visitors another seasonal attraction. While the Tulip Garden remains a major draw during the spring season, Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood is intended to strengthen Kashmir's appeal in autumn and encourage tourism beyond the traditional spring flowering period.
Women police personnel lead crowd control efforts during protest
Around 3,500 women personnel, including those from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, were deployed across central Delhi; officers took the lead in negotiating with protesters and carrying out detentions
CJP member moves Supreme Court on whereabouts of Dipke, Das, Ranka
Filing a habeas corpus petition in the top court, CJP coverage coordinator Gaurav Bharti seeks urgent hearing on October 11
From kitchen staple to cash crop
Doda, Oct 10: Rajmash (Rajma) farming has turned into a significant source of livelihood in the hilly belts of Doda district. Remunerative market prices have driven a sharp rise in enthusiasm among growers this season. In the region, the crop is more commonly known as Rajmash rather than Rajma, the term used across most of the country. This local usage has stuck and now appears in the GI tag itself, registered as Bhaderwah Rajmash. In higher-altitude areas such as Dhandal and Gurmul, the crop has become an important economic lifeline. A government push to expand its acreage has helped drive this shift. Under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), the Department of Agriculture distributed seeds of the GI-tagged Bhaderwahi Rajmash across these areas. The aim was to ensure the variety, long associated almost exclusively with Bhaderwah town, takes root in suitable hilly pockets across the wider district. The Bhaderwahi Rajmash was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Chennai-based GI Registry in August 2023. It was recognised as a product specific to the region, known for its distinct taste and texture. The crops reputation extends well beyond Doda district. Travellers on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway have long stopped at Peerah, a small roadside halt in neighbouring Ramban district, for its Rajma Chawal, a dish so well known that even Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has publicly praised it. The Rajma served at Peerah's dhabas traces back to the same Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban hill belt, with the Bhaderwahi variety from the Chinta Valley long regarded as among the finest grown anywhere in the region. As a result of the department's efforts, farmers in Dhandal, Gurmul and adjoining areas have harvested a bumper crop this season. The departmental farm-gate procurement price for raw produce has been fixed on a per-kilogram basis, while cleaned, graded and packaged Rajmash fetches a significantly higher rate in the open market. Farmers in the region typically dibble Rajmash seeds alongside maize stalks. The maize provides natural support for the vines to climb, making intercultural operations easier. With favourable weather and just one or two rounds of weeding, yields have multiplied this season, with several growers harvesting produce in quintals. Local farmer Sheikh Shabir said the Agriculture Department distributed seeds across Dhandal, Gurmul and the surrounding block this season, resulting in a massive harvest across the area. He said the crop requires minimal effort and can be easily managed by farming families. The GI-tagged seeds, brought in from Bhaderwah, have adapted well to the local soil and climate, he said. They are conveniently intercropped with maize. After dibbling the seeds alongside maize, only one or two hoeings are needed, and with good weather, the crop turns out well. He said some farmers in the area have harvested multiple quintals on a commercial scale this season. Another farmer, Amir Hussain, said the local climate is highly conducive for growing high-quality Rajmash. Cultivation had previously remained limited to a small scale, he said, due to a lack of awareness about modern techniques and yield-enhancement practices, with most of the produce earlier going toward self-consumption. He said that changed once the Agriculture Department stepped in under HADP, providing free quality seed and technical guidance, along with periodic field inspections and timely plant protection advice. Every farmer is now harvesting substantial yields, he said, of markedly better quality than in previous years. Aamir Rafiqi, Sub-Divisional Agricultural Officer, Pranoo, Doda, said area expansion and promotion of Bhaderwahi Rajmash has been a key focus under HADP. He said around 28 to 29 quintals of seed stock were procured last year. The total area under Rajmash cultivation across the sub-division now stands at nearly 3,000 hectares, involving roughly 15,000 farmers, Rafiqi said. Several Farmer Producer Organisations are actively working with growers on aggregation and marketing. Rafiqi said that across every zone where seeds were distributed under the area expansion drive, reports of a bumper crop have come in from field visits conducted by departmental teams. This drive covered nearly 2,500 kanals, or around 1,263 hectares, and benefited over 850 registered farmers. He said the government has fixed competitive base rates. FPO-led direct marketing has allowed growers to secure better prices without exploitation by middlemen, while also meaningfully engaging unemployed rural youth in agribusiness. The department has also targeted area expansion under the JKCIP programme, Rafiqi said, with similarly promising results expected. He credited the Agriculture Department, the district administration and field functionaries for the success of the drive. Addition reporting by Parvaiz Bhat from Doda
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The mobile internet shutdown was among the largest web blackouts in the national capitals history
Locked out of central Delhi, daily-wage workers lose days earnings
Modi to unveil projects worth 13,000 crore in Chennai on Sunday
Teams from IIT Madras win at quiz
More than 1,100 teams participated in the competition
Police constable arrested for black-flag protest over daughters treatment
He allegedly staged the protest to draw attention to medical negligence in the treatment of his 10-year-old daughter at the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children in Egmore
Dept. of Posts celebrates National Postal Week in Chennai
Udyog Utsav 2026 gets under way
Meeting held to review special bus arrangements for festivals
In the meeting held at Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus at Kilambakkam, discussions were held regarding the operation of special buses, omni buses, and basic amenities to be provided for passengers
Right-wing group members assault protesters amid heavy police presence
Walkathon organised on mental health day
Noted mridangam artiste Guruvayur Dorai passes away
PM Modi to launch Chennai Metro Rail Phase 2, to share ride with Tamil Nadu CM Vijay
In the initial period, 15 trains will be run from Poonamallee to Vadapalani, and commuters can access a train every 10 minutes during the peak hours
Tamil Nadu has shown that government can be corruption-free, says J.C.D. Prabhakar
Speaking at the School Voice Educational Conference, he says the live telecast of Assembly proceedings has created an awareness among the youth on being a part of the government
Doctors body seeks release of pending salaries for govt. medical college teachers
Draft rules for ride aggregators in six months: Madras HC to T.N. government
The order was issued while disposing of a PIL petition seeking a direction to the T.N. govt. to enforce a regulatory framework for digital aggregators
Marathas blank Chiefs; Yodhas win a thriller
Rainwater enters ASIs C site in Adichanallur amid delay in protective shelter work
A senior ASI official blames the delay in building the shelter on procedural requirements, including obtaining approvals and completing the tender process
