Pattabiram Military Siding railway station to get foot overbridge at 2.93 crore
Fabrication work for the foot overbridge is under way, and the project is planned to be completed by next March, an official says. Other amenities, including a tactile platform, will also be installed
Temporary accumulation: Delhi PWD Minister says steps being taken to clear rainwater
Supreme Court refuses to interfere in Delhi Race Club plea against eviction
The court directed the club to approach the District Judge on learning that an appeal, along with an application for interim relief, was already pending there
Pharmacy worker arrested for illegally supplying prescription drugs, 4.8 lakh worth of drugs seized
JK Bank Diary at 25: A Retrospective
EXCERPTS RK: JK Bank Diary has completed 25 years and more than 1,300 episodes. What, in your view, explains its unusual longevity when most institutional radio programmes do not survive this long? Abid: I believe its longevity lies primarily in its ability to remain connected with the people while serving the communication needs of the Bank. Institutional programmes often become repetitive because they treat communication as publicity. JK Bank Diary , at its best, treated it as a conversation with the society. Another important factor has been consistency. Twenty-five years and more than 1,300 episodes represent an enormous institutional memory. Generations of listeners have grown up with the programme, and many have developed a sense of familiarity and trust with its voice. Its survival also owes much to the fact that it has adapted to changing times. The programme has never been entirely static. Its subjects, presentation, language, treatment and formats have evolved with the Bank, the economy and the media environment. RK: When the programme was launched in 2001, what gap in the Banks communication with people was it meant to fill? Abid: In 2001, radio was perhaps the most effective medium for reaching people across Jammu & Kashmir, particularly those who were outside the reach of newspapers, television or emerging digital media. The programme was conceived to take the Bank closer to ordinary peopleto explain its products and services, communicate important information and create a direct communication channel between the institution and its customers. But I think its larger significance was that it humanised an institution. A bank can otherwise appear to people as counters, forms, procedures and officials. A radio programme could give the institution a voice, personality and sense of accessibility. RK: Over these 25 years, Kashmirs economy, banking habits and media landscape have changed dramatically. How has JK Bank Diary changed with them? Abid: The change has been enormous. Banking itself has moved from traditional branch-based transactions towards ATMs, digital banking, mobile applications, online payments and increasingly cashless transactions. The communication style therefore had to change as well. The programme could no longer simply announce products or read out institutional information. It needed to explain things in simpler language, use more engaging formats and address issues that mattered to contemporary customers. I also believe the programme gradually moved from being predominantly product-oriented towards being more customer-oriented. That shift is important because today's banking customer wants to know not only what the Bank offers , but also how it affects him or her . RK: The programme has continued through the 2005 earthquake, the 2014 floods and the Covid pandemic. Was there ever a crisis when you genuinely feared it might not continue? Abid: There have certainly been periods when the continuation of any regular production activity could have been questioned because of circumstances beyond our control. The Covid pandemic was perhaps the clearest example, when normal production, movement and interaction became extremely difficult. But the remarkable thing about a long-running programme is that it develops institutional resilience. When circumstances change, the format and method of production can change, but the communication objective remains. In that sense, I never regarded a disruption as necessarily the end of the programme. I regarded it as a test of our ability to adapt. I was Incharge of the Programme those days and would ensure to present myself in the office on Thursday and Friday to make the programme. We were not allowed to record the programme in Radio Kashmir Srinagar (Now All India Radio Srinagar) because of Covid-19 but then necessity became the mother invention and we recorded in the programme either in Conference Hall or in the Auditorium of the Bank. My editing skills came into effect and nobody ever noticed those glitches in the rough recordings. RK: The programme has often been described as more than a publicity exercise. What tangible difference has it made to financial literacy or banking access in J&K? Can you give a concrete example? Abid: Its most important contribution, in my view, has been in making banking information understandable to ordinary people. Financial literacy is not always about complicated financial concepts. Sometimes it is simply explaining a product, a facility, a digital service, a procedure or a customer's rights in language that a person can understand. A good radio programme can reach a listener in a remote area who may never attend a formal financial-literacy workshop. When such a listener learns through the programme how to use a banking facility or understands a new service, the programme has performed a meaningful public-service function. The real measure of such communication is therefore not applause or ratings alone, but whether the information helps somebody make better use of the banking system. RK: You have headed the programme at a crucial stage of its evolution. What is one significant change you personally introduced that you believe made JK Bank Diary better or more relevant? Abid: One of the most important things I tried to do was to make the programmeless like a conventional institutional broadcast and more like a professionally produced radio programme. I introduced and encouraged formats that gave the programme greater variety and a human dimension. Among these was Dil Se , a segment built around conversations and experiences involving customers of the Bank. Introduced our own capable staff instead of paid outside artists. Because from the day-one I believe the Bank has very talented staff and they can prove their mettle whenever given a chance. I also worked on the scripting and presentation and introduced small skits around banking products and services, because I believe people remember a situation or a story much better than a dry description of a product. I also assured that every programme goes on our official website and Banks Intranet site. And from that period, I think every episode is now available on digital platforms of the Bank. Another change I am particularly fond of was refreshing the signature tune with new music and lyrics. Talha Jehangir wrote those beautiful lyrics which Raja Bilal and Shahi Mumtaz sung with thrilling music. The opening credit was also pre-recorded in the remarkable voice of Bashir Arif, the former Deputy Director General of All India Radio. These may appear small changes, but collectively they gave the programme a more contemporary identity. RK: When you had a long standing in writing and broadcasting, why you were not the part of the programme prior to 2018? Abid: That is an interesting question. My association with broadcasting and writing actually predates my involvement with JK Bank Diary. I had been associated with radio and television as a broadcaster, writer, poet and scriptwriter on a casual basis before I joined the Bank. However, when I joined the concerned Press Relations Cell (Now Corporate Communication Deptt), the JK Bank Diary programme had just started and unfortunately the higher Bank management didnt gave me any chance in the programme despite that I was an approved casual Announcer of Radio Kashmir Srinagar those days doing live programmes like Aap Ki Farmayish, Aaj Ki Surkhiyan, Payame subh, Sports programmes etc. There was, therefore, a gap between my professional background and my opportunity to contribute to the programme. Interestingly, during that period I continued to write and translate for the Bank through outside assignments. In fact, there was an irony in the situation: work involving my writing and translation skills was sometimes being commissioned from me externally, even though those skills were not being utilised within the Bank's own communication setup. Yes, my real opportunity came in 2018, when a restructuring brought me back to what had by then become the Corporate Communications Department. I saw it as a first and foremost opportunity to do what I had wanted to do for years. I was able to bring my broadcasting experience, writing skills and creative ideas into the programme. So, I would say I was not absent from the world of broadcasting during those years; I was simply not given the opportunity to bring that experience to JK Bank Diary until much later. RK: What did you find was not working when you took charge, and what was the first thing you changed? Abid: I felt that some aspects of the programme had become unnecessarily conventional and predictable. For example, long film songs were being used during the programme. In a programme for which the Bank was purchasing valuable broadcast time, I felt that four or five minutes of an unrelated film song was not the best use of that time. I replaced this with the relevant crux or stanza of a song wherever music was required. I also felt that excessive personalisation of the programmerepeatedly identifying the names of narrators and ending with elaborate credits such as Scripted, Presented and Directed by...could sometimes shift attention from the JK Bank to the individuals producing it.My philosophy was simple: the programme should promote the Bank and serve its listeners, not promote the people making the programme. RK: Can you recall one decision or experiment you took a risk on that initially faced resistance but eventually worked? Abid: The introduction of small dramatic skits around banking products and services was one such experiment. Institutional communication naturally tends to favour straightforward narration because it appears safe and controlled. I believed, however, that a short, well-written situation could communicate a banking concept more effectively than several paragraphs of narration. Similarly, introducing customer voices recorded via Call recording throughthe segment Dil Se brought an element of authenticity that conventional institutional presentation sometimes lacks. These ideas required a change in mindset: from simplytelling people about the Banktoshowing them how banking relates to their lives. RK: How much editorial freedom does JK Bank Diary actually have? Can the programme raise uncomfortable questions or discuss customer grievances even when they involve the Bank itself? Abid: Yes, it always had. Thanks to the top management of the Bank, who trust its employees. There is necessarily a balance between editorial responsibility and the programme's institutional character. It is, after all, a programme of the Bank and cannot operate as an entirely independent investigative platform. However, that does not mean communication should be one-sided. Customer concerns, difficulties and grievances are important because they provide the institution with a picture of how its policies and services are experienced on the ground. I believe the right approach is constructive independence within an institutional frameworkraising genuine issues responsibly, seeking clarification and giving customers a voice without turning the programme into an adversarial platform. The credibility of an institutional programme ultimately depends on how honestly it treats its audience. RK: Has the programme ever influenced a decision, policy or practice within J&K Bank because of feedback from listeners? Abid: Not influenced any decision, but yes questions, responses and difficulties communicated through the programme provide an informal but important feedback mechanism. For me, one of the most satisfying aspects of such feedback is when a listener's question exposes a communication gap. Sometimes the problem is not that a facility does not exist, but that people do not know about it or do not understand how to access it. That itself is something the programme can help correct. RK: In 2001, radio was a mass medium. Today people consume information through YouTube, Instagram, podcasts and short videos. Why does JK Bank Diary still need radio in 2026? Abid: Because radio still has something that digital media often struggles to replicate:intimacy and accessibility. A person can listen to radio while travelling, working, driving or carrying out daily activities. It does not require the same level of visual attention as a video platform. More importantly, radio continues to have tremendous relevance in a geographically and socially diverse region like Jammu & Kashmir. That said, I would not argue that the programme should remain confined to radio. In 2026, the wiser approach is to make radio the original communication platform and extend its content through digital platformsshort videos, podcasts, social media clips and other formats. The future is not radioversusdigital. It is radioplusdigital . RK: Do you think the programme has sometimes become too institutional or promotional? What is the biggest criticism you would accept about it? Abid: Yes, that is a criticism I would accept. Any programme owned and sponsored by an institution carries the inherent danger of becoming overly promotional. There is always a temptation to talk about the institution rather than talk to the people. The biggest criticism I would accept is that, at times, the programme could have been more conversational, more questioning and more focused on the listener's perspective. But that is also precisely why I tried, during my tenure, to introduce more human voices, creative scripting, customer interactions and dramatized formats. An institutional programme earns credibility when the audience feels that it is being spoken with , rather than spoken at . RK: If someone wanted to understand Kashmirs economic and banking journey over the last 25 years, how much of that story is preserved in the programmes recordings, scripts and listener interactions? Abid: A considerable amount. The programme has effectively been an audio chronicle of the region's changing relationship with banking. Across more than 1,300 episodes, one can trace the movement from traditional banking towards ATMs, electronic banking, digital transactions, financial inclusion and modern banking services. The value is not confined to the scripted content. Listener interactions, questions and reactions also reflect what ordinary people were concerned about at different points in time. I believe the archive of JK Bank Diary therefore has potential historical value. Properly catalogued and preserved, it could become an interesting oral and institutional record of J&K's economic and banking transformation over the last quarter century. RK: After 1,300-plus episodes, what do you think JK Bank Diary has failed to do and what would you change if you were launching it today? Abid: If I were launching it today, I would design it as amulti-platform communication property from day one, rather than primarily as a radio programme. The core radio programme would remain, but every episode would be conceived with multiple outputs: a podcast version, short social-media clips, customer stories, explainers, visual snippets and perhaps interactive digital segments. I would also give greater space to ordinary customers, entrepreneurs, young people, farmers, students and small businesses. Their experiences can tell the story of banking much more powerfully than institutional narration alone. And I would place even greater emphasis on financial literacy, digital safety, responsible borrowing and understanding modern financial services. The programme's next 25 years should be less about simply producing more episodes and more about creating more meaningful conversations . RK: If you had to identify one moment, one episode or one intervention from your own tenure that best represents what JK Bank Diary has achieved, what would it be and why? Abid: I would find it difficult to identify a single episode because what I value most was the transformation in the way the programme was conceived and presented. If I had to choose one intervention, however, I would choose the introduction of Dil Se the idea of bringing the customer's voice into the programme. Those dramatic skits of our services and Products and of course my own couplets mostly loved by the listeners. For me, that represented the philosophy I wanted to bring to JK Bank Diary : The Bank should not always be the only voice speaking. Its customers should also be heard. Alongside that, the refreshed signature tune, the new opening credit, the sharper scripting, the use of short skits and the removal of unnecessary programme filler were all part of the same effortto make the programme sound fresher, more professional and more relevant. Perhaps the most satisfying part of the journey was that a programme which had started as an institutional communication initiative could also become a creative platformone that combined banking information with storytelling, music, customer experiences and the human voice. That, to me, is the real achievement of JK Bank Diary : 25 years later, it is not merely a record of what the Bank wanted to say; it is also a record of how the Bank and the people of J&K communicated with each other through changing times. RK: Thank you for having us Abid: Thank You
Artificial intelligence is fast becoming part of childhood. It is in the apps children use, the homework they complete, the videos they watch and the tools they turn to for answers. For the next generation, AI will not be an optional technology sitting at the edge of life. It will be part of the environment in which they learn, play, communicate and eventually work. That makes the conversation around children and AI far more important than a passing debate about gadgets or trends. The promise is obvious. AI can make learning more accessible, more personalised and, in some cases, more engaging. A child struggling in mathematics may benefit from adaptive tools that explain the same concept in different ways. A student in a remote area may gain access to knowledge that once required expensive coaching or physical libraries. For children with special needs, AI-driven tools can open doors that traditional systems often fail to unlock. Used wisely, it can become a great equaliser. But the risks are equally real. A child who grows up asking machines for answers may slowly lose the habit of asking deeper questions. The danger is not simply overuse, but underthinking. If AI becomes a shortcut for every task, children may learn efficiency without reflection, speed without judgement and convenience without effort. That is a serious loss in an age where human intelligence must not be reduced to prompting a machine. There is also the issue of content, safety and values. Children are vulnerable users. They do not always know how to distinguish fact from approximation, truth from prediction or advice from manipulation. AI systems can make mistakes, reflect hidden bias or feed children material that is not age-appropriate. In such a landscape, digital literacy is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity. Children must be taught not only how to use AI, but how to question it. Parents, teachers and policymakers therefore have a shared responsibility. Schools cannot treat AI as a substitute for learning; they must integrate it as a tool while protecting critical thinking, creativity and writing skills. Parents must remain present, not merely as monitors of screen time, but as guides in shaping judgment. Policymakers must ensure that AI use in education is governed by clear safeguards, privacy protections and child-centred standards. The future will not belong to children who simply know how to use AI. It will belong to those who can use it without surrendering their own intelligence. That is the balance we must aim for. If AI is to serve the next generation, it must strengthen human curiosity rather than flatten it. Children should grow up with machines, yes but not under their spell.
Beyond the Classrooms of OTC: Memory, Camaraderie, and the Lessons of Jaipur (1998)
Looking back at a photograph from May 1998 brings me straight to the Rajasthan Institute of Public Administration (RIPA)formerly known as the Officers Training College (OTC) in Jaipur. With its sprawling campus and fine accommodation, it closely mirrored our own IMPA back home in Jammu & Kashmir. Our delegation had gathered for specialised training in satellite imagery for land records and modern surveying, transitioning away from traditional manual mapping. We were also trained in Disaster Managementa subject rendered unforgettable by Prof. Hassan, the Head of Department, whose mesmerising lectures left an enduring mark. Over the years, Prof. Hassan became a dear family friend. I remain deeply indebted to his immense kindness in 2014 when, upon my request, he and a team of notable Jaipur business figures personally travelled to Kashmir during the devastating floods to distribute relief items across parts of Dal Lake and beyond. Beyond the formal curriculum, in-service training programs serve an irreplaceable purpose. They grant mid-career professionals a vital interlude to refresh their technical skill set while fostering cross-cultural exposure through regional exploration. We learned directly from distinguished officers of the Rajasthan cadreincluding Commissioners and District Collectorsand spent a remarkable day engaging with the late Professor Dhawan, former ISRO Chairman. Our field studies split us into small teams across Collector offices and record centers. To our surprise, much of Rajasthans historical land settlement record was preserved in Urdu, almost identical to our J&K records save for a few regional designations. However, during our visit to the Jaipur District record room, the registers were so thick with dust that we had to abandon our study of the Jamabandi (record of rights). Deeply embarrassed by the inconvenience caused to visiting officers, the young IAS Deputy Commissionerhimself a native of Kashmirsuspended the record keeper on the spot. Then came the sweltering May heat, an overwhelming shock to those of us accustomed to the cooler Valley breeze. Four of us were sharing an air-conditioned hut. One morning, my colleague Mr. Maqbool Wani (then Assistant Commissioner) caught me in a rather ridiculous struggle: attempting to shave with my body inside the air-conditioned bedroom and my face leaning into the sweltering washroom, whose exhaust fan had broken down. Taking pity on me, Mr. Wani went to the local market, bought a small handheld mirror, and solved our daily dilemma. That trip also bore witness to a quiet personal triumph inside our shared hut. Our colleague Mr. Hafiz was a heavy smoker, and during the early hours of the morning, the closed AC room would fill with thick smoke, leaving a stale air that made me feel deeply nauseous. Realising the intense discomfort it caused us, Hafiz Sahaba true gentlemandecided then and there, on my insistence, to give up smoking entirely. He made a solemn promise that morning, and remarkably, that truce holds to this very day. Our weekends offered rich cultural excursions across Rajasthans heritage landscape. We embarked on a full-day trip to Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the celebrated 13th-century shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. Renowned for its breathtaking Indo-Islamic architecture, grand deg-chi (cauldrons) for community feasts, and spiritual serenity, the shrine attracts millions seeking peace. As we gathered for Friday Jumu'ah prayers, I was momentarily startled by the sudden, sharp boom of a cannon shota traditional local custom fired to notify devotees that prayer is commencing. Unfamiliar with this practice, I stood numb for a second until my colleague, Mr. Hafiz Bakhshi, clarified the source of the bang. From Ajmer, we proceeded to the serene shores of Pushkar Lake and visited the sacred Brahma Templeone of the extremely rare shrines in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma. Other holidays were spent exploring Jaipurs majestic hill forts, the iconic facade of the Hawa Mahal, and the legendary Raj Mandir Cinemaa movie palace world-famous for its opulent, meringue-style interior architecturewhere we enjoyed Dilip Kumars film Qila. We also visited Jaipurs famed Albert Hall Museum, a masterpiece of Indo-Saracenic design opened in 1887. Housing rare Persian carpets, intricate metalware, and ancient stone sculptures, its grand halls provided us with a vivid window into Indias rich artistic history. The trip yielded curious memories tooincluding a colleague who purchased a massive, monolithic marble replica of the Taj Mahal and arranged for its transport back home to Jammu. Looking at the photograph today brings both warmth and a touch of sadness. Time has claimed several dear colleagues pictured there: Mr. Hafiz-ur-Rehman (retired Assistant Commissioner), a gentleman par excellence; Mr. Katoch and Sardar Mohan Singh Wazir, both retired Tehsildars; and Dr. Kavida, the then-Director of RIPA. May their souls rest in eternal peace. None of these transformative experiences would have been possible without the vision of our then Financial Commissioner, Madam Sushma Choudharythe first lady IAS officer of the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir state. She was instrumental in arranging multiple specialised training programs for young revenue officers of our batch, continually pushing us toward modern administrative excellence. We remain deeply grateful to her for her foresight and leadership. May her legacy live on. Decades later, that Rajasthan journey stands as a testament to the fact that while professional courses sharpen our careers, it is the shared laughter, unexpected discoveries, and enduring camaraderie that truly stand the test of time. (The author is a former civil servant. He can be reached at: nisargilani57748@gmail.com )
FUTURECRAFT For most of last year the Reserve Bank ran what was effectively a national literacy campaign built around a single sentence. If the address does not end in .bank.in, it is not your bank. A circular dated 22 April 2025 gave every commercial and cooperative bank until 31 October to migrate, with IDRBT named as the only registrar. The thinking was sound: take the address bar, which people already squint at, and make it carry proof. Then last week Reuters reported that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre had directed Google to shut hundreds of accounts on Firebase, the platform Google gives developers for building apps and hosting websites. Three notices in August covered at least 57 sites and databases. Seven of them imitated SBI, ICICI and Axis. Others sat quietly collecting card numbers and one time passwords. What matters is where those pages were living. They were not squatting on a misspelt domain bought from some registrar abroad. They were sitting inside Googles own, on the free subdomain the platform hands out with every new project. India built a list of addresses worth trusting. The fraudsters stopped trying to get onto it. The list is still half empty By February this year more than 400 banks had completed the move, and the major public and private lenders were done, some of them after the October deadline had passed. That reads like progress until you look at the denominator. India had 1,457 urban cooperative banks at the end of March 2025, along with 34 state cooperative banks and 351 district central cooperative banks. The circular covered all of them. So the rule a customer is being taught holds for her HDFC login and does not yet hold for the district cooperative bank her father has used for thirty years. Handing a population a check that is right most of the time is an odd way to fight fraud. What a free subdomain buys you Firebase itself is ordinary infrastructure and there is nothing sinister about it. A student in Srinagar can open a project this afternoon, get a working database and a live website on a Google subdomain, and pay nothing at all. It sits inside a Google cloud business that made close to $25 billion last quarter. That free tier is also the whole trick. The page arrives with a working padlock because the certificate is genuine. It resolves through Googles infrastructure, so nothing in the path looks wrong to a browser or a corporate filter. The fraudster borrows credibility that already exists, for free, in about the time it takes to make tea. The governments own assessment, as reported by Reuters, is that scam operators have been shifting to Firebase from other free tools since last year, drawn by the generous free plan and better database features. He is not forging a padlock. He is borrowing one that is already real, from a company that gives it away for nothing. The payload has changed with it. An I4C notice dated 17 August described Android malware dressed up as banking services, aimed at credit card users through offers of new cards and higher limits. One campaign built itself around PM-KISAN, promising small farmers help in collecting their instalment if they installed an app. The app then fed the phones contents into a Firebase database the scammers controlled and opened the door to everything else on the device. Researchers have a name for that level of access. They call it Android God Mode. None of this is abstract in the Valley. J&K Police reported finding 7,200 mule accounts active in Kashmir since January 2025, the plumbing through which stolen money moves. In February a Ganderbal complaint opened an investigation into a transnational investment scam of more than 209 crore, which investigators said could climb past 400 crore. Up the ladder, one rung at a time Enforcement has been climbing steadily: individual scam URLs, then apps, now accounts on a development platform. The rung above that already has a recent precedent. On 24 February this year the government ordered internet providers to block Supabase, the open source alternative to Firebase, under Section 69A of the IT Act. No public reason was given, and none is required. Roughly 120,000 Indian developers were estimated to be affected across a week of patchy access. Production apps stopped authenticating users, and nobody was told why. Firebase has had its own version of this. Googles status page records that from 13 October 2024, Firebase Hosting sites became unreachable on some Indian ISPs. Googles engineers reported that the services were healthy and that the problem appeared to be localised to India. Most ISPs could reach the sites again only on 21 October. Google never said what caused it. The clock has tightened meanwhile. Under the IT Amendment Rules notified on 10 February 2026, an intermediary has three hours to act on a government takedown notice, down from thirty six, with safe harbour at risk if it misses. In July the Supreme Court stayed four High Court challenges to the takedown regime and the Sahyog portal these notices travel through, leaving the legality of the mechanism unsettled while its use expands. The case for the crackdown I4C is not being unreasonable. When the payload is full device takeover, three hours is defensible, and a leisurely review window has a cost measured in emptied savings accounts. The Home Ministry says its financial fraud reporting system had saved more than 11,158 crore across 32.80 lakh complaints as of 30 June 2026. Going after the hosting rather than the individual page is the right instinct, since an account level takedown kills more of an operation than a URL level one. The difficulty is arithmetic. A notice takes an investigator hours to prepare and Google minutes to action. A fresh Firebase project takes a scammer four minutes and costs nothing. Enforcement can win every individual case and still lose on throughput. Bottom Line The .bank.in project was a good attempt at building a small piece of Indian trust infrastructure. What Firebase exposes is that a whitelist only works when the attacker needs to be on a list at all. So long as a foreign platforms free tier confers instant credibility, Indias financial security runs through a policy team in Mountain View, and the only lever reaching it also switches off Indian developers. Finishing the .bank.in migration is a cheaper place to start than blocking another platform. (The Author studies Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA. He is interested in emerging technologies and innovation, and can be reached on LinkedIn at @arssh-kumar14)
Cyberabad civic body demolishes 17 unauthorised constructions across three zones
Koul reviews BJP Organisation in Rajpora, calls for stronger booth-level presence
Kangan, Aug 25: BJP General Secretary (Organization), J&K, Ashok Koul, on Tuesday chaired a Constituency Review Meeting of the Rajpora Assembly Constituency at Kangan in Pulwama district, calling for intensified grassroots activities and stronger booth-level organisation. The meeting was attended by the constituency team, Booth Presidents, Shakti Kendra teams and senior party functionaries. Addressing the gathering, Koul said a strong booth-level organisation remains the foundation of the BJPs political strength and its direct connection with the people. In a statement, Koul urged party workers to ensure that every booth functions as an active centre of organisational activity and public outreach. He called upon workers to move beyond routine organisational programmes and work with greater commitment, discipline and coordination to strengthen the BJPs presence across Rajpora. He said the partys strength lies in its dedicated cadre and continuous engagement with the public. Booth Presidents and Shakti Kendra teams, he added, have an important responsibility to understand local issues, communicate the partys policies and achievements, and build public confidence in the BJP. During the meeting, Koul sought detailed feedback from constituency functionaries on the functioning of booths and Shakti Kendras. He directed the teams to maintain close coordination and regular communication while adopting a result-oriented approach. He also stressed the need to identify and address organisational gaps promptly and make grassroots engagement more consistent and effective. Koul called upon party workers to function as a coordinated team, saying that the BJPs organisational expansion in Kashmir would depend on dedicated workers, disciplined teamwork and sustained engagement with the people. J&K BJP General Secretary Kisan Morcha Arshad Bhat, Rajpora Constituency President Junaid Ahmad and other senior leaders and party functionaries were present at the meeting. Later, Koul distributed certificates and awards to talented paper Machie artisans at Town Hall, Pulwama, at an event organised by Noora Foundation Trust. The artisans were recognised for their exceptional craftsmanship and contribution to preserving Kashmirs traditional art and cultural heritage. Arshad Bhat and other senior leaders were also present on the occasion. Appreciating the artisans for keeping the traditional paper Machie craft alive, Koul emphasised the need to encourage and promote indigenous skills, describing them as an important part of Kashmirs cultural identity and heritage.
Anbumani seeks additional 2 kg sugar through ration shops amid price rise
Dr Farooq, Omar greets people on Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi
Srinagar, Aug 25: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday extended warm greetings to people on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW). In his message, Dr Farooq Abdullah said the occasion provides an opportunity to reflect on the timeless message and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the values he embodied. He said the life of the Holy Prophet (SAW) remained a beacon of mercy, compassion, justice and equality for humanity, transcending distinctions of colour, creed, status and race. Dr Farooq urged people to renew their commitment to brotherhood, peace, tolerance and service to humanity and work towards building a society based on justice, dignity and mutual respect. Omar Abdullah, in his message, said Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) offers an opportunity to draw inspiration from the exemplary life and teachings of the Holy Prophet and reaffirm the values of compassion, equality and justice. He said the Prophets life remains an eternal example of compassion towards the vulnerable, fairness towards all and respect for the dignity of every individual. Omar called upon people to imbibe these values in their daily lives, rise above divisions and collectively work towards a society where equality, justice, peace and harmony prevail. Both leaders prayed for peace, prosperity and well-being of the people and expressed hope that the sacred occasion would bring happiness, harmony and renewed faith to every household. The National Conference rank and file also extended warm greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW).
Root causes: On Indias youth crisis
Indias youth crisis is about the absence of jobs, not just examination reform
U.S. country music legend Dolly Parton dies at 80: family
The multiple award-winning artist had opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life, said Dolly Partons nephew
Dy CM visits Sain Miran Ziyarat, hails Poonchs spirit of communal harmony
Poonch, Aug 25: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Tuesday visited the revered Sain Miran Ziyarat near the Line of Control in Poonch and paid obeisance at the historic shrine. During his visit, Choudhary said he had earlier visited Budha Amarnath Chattani and Nangali Sahib Gurudwara before proceeding to Sain Miran Shrine, underscoring the regions diverse spiritual traditions. Describing Poonch as a true reflection of Mini India, the Deputy Chief Minister highlighted its longstanding tradition of communal harmony, spiritual diversity and peaceful coexistence. Choudhary said it was his first visit to the Sain Miran Shrine and expressed appreciation for the work being carried out by the Sain Miran Baba Darvesh Ghulam Qadir Trust to maintain the shrine and preserve its spiritual and cultural significance. He particularly praised the Trust Management for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene at the shrine and for undertaking educational and community-oriented initiatives aimed at the welfare and empowerment of local residents. I am short of words to express my appreciation for the work being done by the Trust Management, Choudhary said, commending the trustees for their dedication and commitment to public service. The visit underscored Poonchs enduring traditions of peace, brotherhood, inclusivity and shared heritage, with the Sain Miran Ziyarat continuing to serve as an important symbol of the regions composite cultural ethos. The Trust Management thanked the Deputy Chief Minister for visiting the shrine and acknowledging its efforts towards the development and upkeep of the religious site, as well as its initiatives in cleanliness, education and community welfare.
Dhinakaran represents to Governor Arlekaragainst horse trading
Escape velocity: On what Indias space sector must focus on
Indias space sector must focus on reliability and regular launches
Omar govt betraying people with power tariff hike: BJP
Jammu, Aug 25: J&K BJP Spokesperson Dr. Abhijeet Singh Jasrotia on Tuesday accused the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government of betraying the people of Jammu and Kashmir by increasing electricity tariffs instead of fulfilling its election promise of providing 200 units of free power. Addressing a press conference at the J&K BJP headquarters in Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, along with J&K BJP Media Incharge Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, Jasrotia said the tariff hike would put an additional burden on the common people, particularly poor and middle-class families already struggling to manage their monthly household expenses. Displaying a light bulb before the media, Jasrotia said several villages, including Karen, Dooru in Anantnag and areas of Reasi, had received electricity only decades after the invention of the electric bulb. He questioned the governments decision to increase tariffs when people in many areas had struggled for years to access basic electricity facilities. Jasrotia also displayed the NC's 2024 Assembly election manifesto and alleged that the party had misled voters by making promises that it failed to implement after coming to power. He particularly highlighted the manifesto commitment of 200 units of free electricity, saying that instead of providing relief to households, the government had imposed an additional financial burden through the tariff hike. He further alleged that the NC government had failed to deliver on other commitments, including employment generation, ration distribution and LPG cylinder-related promises. Referring to assistance being provided by the Centre for strengthening the power sector and upgrading infrastructure, Jasrotia questioned why the government was passing the burden of its alleged losses on to consumers instead of improving efficiency and recovering losses. Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's recent guldasta remark concerning media persons, Jasrotia also made a sarcastic reference to the statement during the press conference. Jasrotia demanded that the Omar Abdullah government immediately withdraw the electricity tariff hike and fulfil the commitments made in the NC's election manifesto.
Rana pushes for Forest Rights Act implementation in J&K
Pulwama:Aug 25: Minister Javaid Rana on Tuesday called for strict implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, in Jammu and Kashmir and questioned the Centres delay in restoring statehood to the Union Territory. Rana was addressing a tribal convention on the implementation of the FRA at Sangerwani village in south Kashmirs Pulwama district. Rana said the Forest Rights Act was enacted by the Parliament of India and expressed concern over what he described as the legislation being taken lightly. Sometimes I am really surprised why this Act has been taken lightly. Is it because it deals with tribal and Pahari people that we take it lightly? he said, asserting that the government would ensure its implementation in Jammu and Kashmir. He also thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for accepting in the Cabinet a proposal submitted regarding implementation of the legislation. The minister warned that the Forest Department would not be permitted to take action against people without following the prescribed legal procedure. He said officials found violating due process would face strict action. Any violation found anywhere will invite strong action against the officials concerned, Rana said. Rana also strongly questioned the delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, saying promises made by the Centre to the people of the Union Territory remained unfulfilled. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modis earlier remarks about reducing the Delhi se Doori, Dil se Doori, Rana said the distance between the Centre and the people of Jammu and Kashmir was instead increasing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken about reducing the distance between Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, but the distances are increasing, he said. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Rana also responded to concerns over the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), saying the first instalment for a single-village project had been received and funds released. He said the process would now be streamlined. Rana said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had been visiting New Delhi and meeting Union ministers over various issues, while some new schemes had also been introduced. On statehood, Rana said the demand should not be confined to the National Conference and urged all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to come together on the issue.
Whats missing in T.N. for intersex babies? Genetic tests at government hospitals
Karyotyping and other genetic tests that need to be performed on children with intersex tests are not available at most government hospitals in T.N., forcing families to rely on expensive private labs. This needs to change to ensure better care for these babies, say experts
The perils of over-imaging your spine: when do you really need an X-Ray, CT scan or MRI?
Sometimes incidental findings can cause unnecessary anxiety in patients who may believe that their spine is damaged when in fact, the finding may simply be a normal part of ageing. Imaging that does not change treatment can therefore add cost, worry and sometimes unnecessary interventions
Guntur police launch anti-drug awareness ad film
TDP will win Vizag Mayors post, says MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao
TDP will win the GVMC elections with a massive majority, says the Bhimili MLA
West Bengal SIR: Supreme Court demands data on appeals as municipal polls close in
A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed the Election Commission (EC) to file an affidavit segregating the exact number of appeals seeking inclusion in the West Bengal electoral rolls and those wanting more voters to be excluded from the rolls
BIS awareness meet for MSMEs held in Erode
U.S. delays Lockerbie bombing trial over new evidence
Judge Dabney Friedrich cited ewly discovered evidence and evidence located in other countries as the reason for postponing the trial.
Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approves lifelong free bus travel for women aged 60 and above
The decision will provide financial relief to senior women while giving them greater independence and convenience in commuting, says an official statement
Real-time waterlogging alerts, alternative routes planned for school buses in Gurugram
A.P. Star Hotels Association calls for swift reforms to boost tourism sector
AU invites applications for final-phase BBA admissions
Sri Lanka Easter Sunday blasts case verdict set for mid-September
On the Easter Sunday of 2019, suicide bomb attacks were carried out by the local jihadi group NTJ on three main churches and three leading five-star hotels in Colombo
Peoples Watch urges State to ensure CCTV cameras are installed in all police stations
President says Syria shakes off past with removal from U.S. terror list
Today, Syria shakes off a dark stain and tears away a painful chapter of its past to embark on a path of development, reconstruction and rebuilding, said Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa
India transitioning as global destination for R&D: Kris Gopalakrishnan
HILs third edition on shaky ground
Womens Andhra Premier League auction held
Kishan keen to regain place in Test squad
The dashing stumper-batter says the competition is something else in the longest format; the 28-year-old adds he is happy for Jurel and Pant
India and China are looking to reset ties, with the latest Doval-Wang talks focusing on the boundary question and the broader relationship. Can the talks pave the way for a renewed partnership between the two neighbours?
AMI orders 9,000 NVIDIA Rubin GPUs for Hyderabad facility
The facility is expected to be among Asias first frontier AI computing clusters using the Vera Rubin platform, the company said in a press release
Plea in HC to demolish and reconstruct dilapidated hostels
Prashant Kishor challenges Samrat Choudhary and Tejashwi Yadav to clear Class 10 exam
Prashant Kishor challenges Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav to clear the Class 10 examination, sparking a fresh political row in Bihar.
Canals desilted before water release from Mordhana Dam in Vellore, says WRD
At present, the dam has 235.03 mcft of water as against its total storage capacity of 261.3 mcft of water
Farmer electrocuted in Ranipet
SC takes up Abhishek Banerjees plea seeking action against 20 rebel TMC MPs
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear Abhishek Banerjees plea seeking a time-bound decision on the disqualification of 20 rebel TMC MPs under the anti-defection law. The MPs had merged with the NCPI, while the TMC argues their move amounts to voluntarily giving up party membership.
Boy dies in Tirupattur after swallowing balloon
CMC performs first heart transplant in Vellore
The patient was taken off ventilatory support following the transplant and the condition progressed steadily
CMC performs first heart transplant in Vellore
The patient was taken off ventilatory support following the transplant and the condition progressed steadily
Chennai Canvas: Madras Week Episode 3 | Food, films and memories of Chennai
In Episode 3 of Chennai Canvas: Madras Week, we explore three different threads that reveal the citys enduring character. From the unmistakable flavours of Chennais beachside food, shaped as much by the sea, salt air and atmosphere as by the food itself, to the story of how National Theatre brought cinema to the western suburbs, the episode travels through the citys culinary and cinematic past. Actors Nalini Nair, Nassar and Pasupathy also revisit favourite Chennai food memories, connecting personal nostalgia with the citys changing food culture.
Chennai Canvas: Madras Week Episode 3 | Food, films and memories of Chennai
In Episode 3 of Chennai Canvas: Madras Week, we explore three different threads that reveal the citys enduring character. From the unmistakable flavours of Chennais beachside food, shaped as much by the sea, salt air and atmosphere as by the food itself, to the story of how National Theatre brought cinema to the western suburbs, the episode travels through the citys culinary and cinematic past. Actors Nalini Nair, Nassar and Pasupathy also revisit favourite Chennai food memories, connecting personal nostalgia with the citys changing food culture.
Chennai Canvas: Madras Week Episode 2 | Nights, Beaches & Cinema
In Episode 2 of Chennai Canvas | Madras Week, we explore three stories that offer a glimpse into the changing face of the city from how Chennai transformed from a city that went to bed early into one that stays awake, to the beach as a shared space for everyone, and the memories of Udhayam Theatre that remain part of Chennais cinema culture.
Chennai Canvas: Madras Week Episode 2 | Nights, Beaches & Cinema
In Episode 2 of Chennai Canvas | Madras Week, we explore three stories that offer a glimpse into the changing face of the city from how Chennai transformed from a city that went to bed early into one that stays awake, to the beach as a shared space for everyone, and the memories of Udhayam Theatre that remain part of Chennais cinema culture.
Residents said that despite a gradual increase in local taxes on par with core areas within the Corporation, affected villages still lack civic amenities
Residents said that despite a gradual increase in local taxes on par with core areas within the Corporation, affected villages still lack civic amenities
Why Urvashi was Bengalurus best single screen
Urvashi Cinema, one of Bengalurus most iconic single-screen theatres, is set to close its doors after 50 years.
Opposition, BJP spar in Home Affairs panel over demand for discussion on Delhi protest crackdown
The panel chairperson rejected the demand for discussion on police action during the July 20 protest, saying the issue is sub judice. This prompted strong objections by Opposition members
Opposition, BJP spar in Home Affairs panel over demand for discussion on Delhi protest crackdown
The panel chairperson rejected the demand for discussion on police action during the July 20 protest, saying the issue is sub judice. This prompted strong objections by Opposition members
Chennai Canvas: Madras Week Episode 4 |How cinema became part of Chennai
Cinema is woven into the fabric of Chennais cultural memory. From romance, longing and movie-inspired moments on the citys beaches to the dramatic shift from celluloid reels to digital projection, Chennais relationship with the big screen has constantly evolved. At the heart of that journey are theatres that became landmarks in their own right, including Royapettahs Pilot Theatre. Episode 4 of Chennai Canvas, for Madras Week, revisits these spaces, memories and technological changes to explore why, for generations of Chennai residents, the city and cinema have been inseparable.
Chennai Canvas: Madras Week Episode 4 |How cinema became part of Chennai
Cinema is woven into the fabric of Chennais cultural memory. From romance, longing and movie-inspired moments on the citys beaches to the dramatic shift from celluloid reels to digital projection, Chennais relationship with the big screen has constantly evolved. At the heart of that journey are theatres that became landmarks in their own right, including Royapettahs Pilot Theatre. Episode 4 of Chennai Canvas, for Madras Week, revisits these spaces, memories and technological changes to explore why, for generations of Chennai residents, the city and cinema have been inseparable.
Some Meitei, Naga groups oppose Census process, call for NRC-type exercise first; must use 1951 Census data to identify original Indian citizens in the State, they say, expressing concerns about migration from Myanmar
17 NEHS Employee Mitra helpdesks to be set up at super-specialty hospitals in Hyderabad
Smash patriarchy is a war cry: Supriya Shrinate
Actor Prakash Raj alleges flaws in SIR process, says voter rights must be protected
Kakinada MP calls for death penalty in family suicide case
Residents celebrate cancellation of Parandur airport project
Chinese humanoid robots break human records at World Humanoid Robot Games
Chinese humanoid robots have broken human sporting records at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, including Usain Bolts 100-metre record, highlighting the rapid progress of Chinas robotics industry.
Jailing AAP leaders is BJPs toolkit when elections near: Somnath Bharti
CWMA asks Karnataka to release at a rate of 9,000 cusecs a day for next 15 days
After an MSc Physics students death, IIT Delhi students seek answers
Hockey India Leaguesthird edition on shaky ground
CM wants officials to expedite land acquisition for Musi project
He favours land pooling policy
Villagers help trace two missing students in Vijayapura
Govt. notifies Keralam as new name for State effective Tuesday
Karnataka to bar political affiliations in student polls; first phase in PU, degree colleges
All the provisions will be made clear once the government order is passed, in about 15 days: Minister
State urges Centre to rationalise price of fertilizers for balanced use
Altaf Bukhari Offers Prayers at Asar-e-Sharif Hazratbal, Greets People on Eid-e-Milad
Srinagar, August 25: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, accompanied by several senior party colleagues, on Tuesday paid obeisance at Asar-e-Sharif Hazratbal in Srinagar on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), where Shab-e-Milad is being observed tonight. Bukhari and the accompanying party leaders offered Asr and Maghrib prayers at the revered shrine and prayed for peace, prosperity and stability in Jammu and Kashmir. In his message on the auspicious occasion, Bukhari extended warm greetings to the people, particularly the Muslim community, and said Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi reminds believers of the Prophet Muhammads (PBUH) message of peace, compassion, kindness and harmony. Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), the blessed occasion marking the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is one of the most revered occasions for Muslims across the world. It reminds us of Allahs infinite mercy and His guidance to humanity through the Prophet (SAW), who showed us the path of peace, compassion, kindness, and harmony for all creation, he said. He prayed that the occasion would bring peace, harmony and prosperity into peoples lives and that the blessings and mercy of Allah would guide everyone towards righteousness and compassion. Bukhari was accompanied by Apni Party Vice President Mohammed Syed Akhoon, General Secretary Rafi Ahmed Mir, Chief Spokesperson and State Secretary Muntazir Mohiuddin, Media Advisor Farooq Andrabi, Provincial Secretary Mohammad Saleem Lone, Mohammad Yousuf Abdullah, Hazratbal Constituency In-charge Mohammad Sidiq Mir, Provincial Coordinator Shabir Ahmad Reshi, Khanyar Constituency In-charge Aamir Bhat and several other party leaders and workers. Among others present were Sohail Ahmad, Sameer Iqbal Bhat, Zonal President Farooq Ahmad Magray, Abdul Hamid Dar, Er. Rayees Rafiq, Dr. Oveas Ahmad, Mohammad Lateef Hajaam, Hilal Ahmed Gojree, Mohammad Imran Mir, Ashiq Ahmed Bhat and Danish Ahmad.
Environmentalists write to Supreme Court committee about inadequate public consultation on Aravallis
As the August 31 deadline for the committee approaches, conservationists have urged the panel to seek more time, broaden the consultation process, involve independent experts, listen to rural and adivasi communities and include knowledgeable local citizens in field visits
Two accused absconding for long arrested by Belagavi, Vijayapura police
The police use modern tech tools in both the arrests
Private bus drivers and conductors stage protest in Salem
Long-pending demand of people fulfilled
MCR TIMS Sanathnagar sees 600 outpatients daily, surgeries likely to begin soon
Plans afoot for construction of desalination plant, borewells, says Puducherry Chief Minister
Steps are being taken to establish the plant this year itself, the CM said in the Assembly. He further said experts were studying the pattern of tides along Puducherrys coastline before deciding on constructing the plant
India must own its trade, add 100 ships to merchant fleet: Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
India pays 75 billion per year to foreign shipping lines, says NSB, proposing a five-year roadmap to reduce dependence on foreign ships for critical cargo; however, it is 16% to 20% costlier to operate ships under an Indian flag
Four held for hunting wild boar in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
NGT directs TNPCB to submit DPR on abandoned quarries in Tiruppur district utilised as dumping sites
T.N. to establish Tamil Nadu Mineral Resources Development Corporation Ltd, says Minister
Prabhu says the new PSU would undertake mining operations, mineral extraction, quality enhancement, import, value addition, marketing and sale of minerals
NMDC launches 3-month campaign ahead of Vigilance Awareness Week
Vettangudis migratory birds arrive early and await rains
While the official migratory season starts in the last week of October, recent shifts in weather patterns have brought water to the tank as early as southwest monsoon season
Junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh call off 16-day strike, to resume duties on August 26
A.P. Junior Doctors Association calls off strike after the High Court orders the government to address the doctors concerns within two weeks
