States

Nepal flash floods LIVE: Death toll surges to 392; nearly 1,500 missing as fresh flood threat looms

The Red Cross launched an emergency appeal for $31 million to respond to the devastating flash floods and landslides

Trump says Putin wont attack NATO territory

Kremlin also dismissed the reports that Washington had warned Moscow against a possible move on Europe, following a rare visit to the Russian capital by CIA Director John Ratcliffe that sparked fevered speculation

1st International Film Festival of J&K : 135 films from 41 countries; DIPR announces cash prizes

Srinagar, Aug 27: Jammu and Kashmir is all set to screen 135 films from 41 countries in its inaugural edition of the International Film Festival, bringing the world of cinema to the Union Territory from 7 to 10 September 2026. Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday reviewed the final arrangements for the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK 2026), directing all concerned departments and agencies to work in close coordination to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for filmmakers, artists, delegates, and audiences. The meeting reviewed the key features, participation, programming, venue arrangements, cultural presentations, publicity strategy, and departmental responsibilities for the four-day festival, which is being positioned as a major international cultural and creative platform for Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Home; Principal Secretary, Culture; Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department; Divisional Commissioners, Jammu and Kashmir; IGP (POS); Commissioner Secretary, Floriculture; Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; Director, Information; Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation; Director, Hospitality & Protocol; Director, Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir; Director, School Education, Kashmir; Director, Estates; Joint Director, Information Jammu and Kashmir; GM, NFDC; and other senior officers of DIPR. The Chief Secretary took detailed note of the arrangements being put in place for the successful conduct of the festival and directed the Divisional and District Administrations to remain fully geared up to ensure seamless, professional, and glitch-free conduct of the marquee event. He stressed the importance of close inter-departmental coordination and directed all concerned agencies to discharge their assigned responsibilities efficiently and in unison. Emphasising the significance of the inaugural edition, Atal Dulloo called upon the NFDC to make special efforts to bring a larger number of acclaimed filmmakers, actors, and other prominent personalities from the film fraternity to Jammu and Kashmir. In addition, the detailed roles and responsibilities of the concerned departments and agencies were also discussed during the meeting. The Chief Secretary emphasised that the success of such a major international event would depend on seamless coordination, timely execution, and a shared sense of ownership among all stakeholders. The Chief Secretary directed all concerned departments to work in close coordination and ensure that every aspect of the festivalfrom hospitality and protocol to venue management, security, civic amenities, transportation, cultural programming, and public outreachis handled with professionalism and efficiency. He underscored that the festival is envisaged as an annual international event from this year onwards, and therefore its inaugural edition should establish high standards of organisation, programming, and audience engagement. Giving a detailed presentation on the festival, Director Information & Public Relations, Shreya Singhal, highlighted the extensive international participation secured for IFFJK 2026. She highlighted that the inaugural edition will showcase an expansive lineup of 135 films representing 41 countries, bringing together diverse cinematic traditions, storytelling formats, and creative voices from across the world. She added that India leads the country-wise participation with 64 films, followed by France with 13 and Iran with 8. Argentina and Spain will contribute four films each, while Brazil, Germany, the Russian Federation, and the United States will have three films each. A further group of countries, including South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Qatar, Colombia, and Trkiye, among others, will each contribute curated films, giving the festival a distinctly global character. A major attraction of the inaugural festival will be its proposed Rs 96 lakh total prize purse, distributed across nine award categories to recognise excellence in filmmaking and cinematic craft. The Best Film award carries the top prize of Rs 25 lakh, while Best Director and Best Debut Film of a Director will carry Rs 15 lakh each. Reflecting the festival's special focus on the region, the Best Film J&K Select category carries a prize of Rs 10 lakh. The performance categories of Best Actor (Male) and Best Actor (Female) carry Rs 8 lakh each, while the technical categories of Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design, and Best Editing carry Rs 5 lakh each. The award structure, she said, has been designed to celebrate artistic excellence as well as the diverse creative and technical dimensions of filmmaking. Adding a distinctive visual and experiential dimension to the festival, a Floating Screen on the waters of Dal Lake near SKICC is also being installed as part of the festival experience. The initiative is expected to provide an iconic setting for film screenings while showcasing the unique cultural and natural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir to visiting filmmakers, artists, and delegates from across India and abroad. The Director Information also elaborated on the festival's masterclass programme, which will provide aspiring filmmakers, students, and cinema enthusiasts an opportunity to engage directly with leading professionals from the industry. The three-day masterclass series will feature acclaimed director Vidhu Vinod Chopra, celebrated editor Namrata Rao, veteran sound designer Baylon Fonseca, in addition to Chittranjan Tripathi from NSD, Supriyo Sen (IDPA), Anil Mehta, and many others from the film industry. A workshop by Canon is also planned, where it will showcase the latest camera gadgets and equipment to students and enthusiasts. The award framework reflects the DIPR's endeavour to create a meaningful ecosystem of recognition for filmmakers across different dimensions of cinematic excellence. The cash prizes seek to appreciate creative achievement, individual performance, technical craftsmanship, and regional talent, making the inaugural IFFJK not merely a celebration of films but a platform for acknowledging the diverse artistic contributions that bring cinema to life. The cash prizes are part of the broader vision of the J&K Government to position Jammu and Kashmir on the international cinematic map, provide opportunities for filmmakers to showcase their work, facilitate cultural exchange, and encourage emerging as well as established talent. The meeting was also briefed about the proposed participation of prominent national and international film personalities, jury members, and members of the Steering Committee. Details of live performances planned for the opening and closing ceremonies were also shared. The cultural programme will feature leading national and local artists, with performances designed to showcase the rich, diverse, and vibrant cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir alongside contemporary artistic expression. The meeting was further briefed about the publicity and branding strategy being undertaken through social media, national and local media platforms, as well as outdoor promotional campaigns, aimed at generating wider public engagement and building anticipation around the festival. With its diverse international film selection, substantial prize purse, leading industry masterclasses, participation of eminent personalities, and unique cultural programming, IFFJK 2026 is set to provide Jammu and Kashmir with a new global platform for cinema, creativity, tourism promotion, and cultural exchange as envisaged as the outcomes of this festival of international repute. Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday announced the eminent five-member Jury for the 1st International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), scheduled to be held from 7th to 10th September 2026. The maiden edition of IFFJK is being organised with the objective of establishing Jammu and Kashmir as an important destination for cinema, creative expression, cultural exchange and meaningful dialogue. The festival will provide a platform for diverse cinematic voices while showcasing the rich cultural heritage, stories and creative potential of Jammu and Kashmir before a national and international audience. The Jury comprises distinguished personalities from the world of cinema, including internationally acclaimed filmmakers, cinematographers, sound artists and film curators. The five-member Jury includes, Santosh Sivan Acclaimed Indian cinematographer, filmmaker, producer, and actor, and a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC). His acclaimed directorial work includes The Terrorist, and in 2024 he was honoured with the Pierre Angnieux Tribute at the Cannes Film Festival. Resul Pookutty, an Academy Award (Oscar) and BAFTA Award winner for Slumdog Millionaire, a Padma Shri recipient, and National Film Award winner. Internationally acclaimed sound designer, he has served on the executive committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), elevating Indian cinemas global recognition. Dorothee Wenner, a German filmmaker, curator, writer, and journalist renowned for her contributions to international cinema and cultural exchange. Since 1990, she has been associated with the Berlin International Film Festival, serving as a programmer and delegate for India and Sub-Saharan Africa. She is also a founding jury member of the Africa Movie Academy Awards and has worked extensively to promote African and Asian cinema globally. As a filmmaker, her notable works include Peace Mission, DramaConsult, and Kinshasa Collection. Keiko Bang, Japanese media entrepreneur, documentary filmmaker, producer, and international curator with over three decades of experience in the global media industry. As the founder and CEO of Bang Singapore Pte Ltd., she has produced more than 50 award-winning documentaries, including Zheng He: Emperor of the Seas, Guge: The Lost Kingdom of Tibet, and Secrets of the Samurai. A leading advocate for international co-productions across Asia, she has worked with governments, broadcasters, and media oganizations in over 25 countries. Himansu Sekhar Khatuaa National Film Award-winning filmmaker, and educator known for his significant contributions to Indian cinema. An alumnus of FTII Pune, he has worked on acclaimed films including Shunya Swaroopa, Ishanou, and several award-winning regional productions. He has also served as a faculty member and mentor, influencing generations of filmmakers through teaching and practice. He has also served as Director of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI). The Jury will evaluate films submitted under various competition and thematic sections of the festival, including international, national and Jammu and Kashmir-focused categories. Their collective expertise is expected to ensure an independent, credible and internationally informed assessment of the cinematic works presented at IFFJK. The festival will feature a diverse programme of film screenings, masterclasses, in-conversation sessions, panel discussions and other cinematic engagements, providing opportunities for filmmakers, students, film professionals and audiences to interact and exchange ideas.

LG, CM extend Raksha Bandhan greetings

Srinagar, Aug 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have extended heartiest greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, which is being celebrated on Friday. In a message, the Lieutenant Governor said: Heartiest greetings and best wishes to all on the sacred occasion of Raksha Bandhan. The joyful festival celebrates the timeless bond between brothers and sisters. The sacred thread of rakhi symbolizes unconditional love, affection, and trust. May the auspicious occasion further strengthen societal ties, deepen the spirit of unity and togetherness across all sections. CM Abdullah, in his message, described Raksha Bandhan as a cherished festival that celebrates the bond of love, affection and mutual respect between brothers and sisters. He said the festival reflects the enduring values of family bonds, trust, care and responsibility that strengthen the social fabric of society. The Chief Minister expressed hope that the occasion would bring happiness, peace and prosperity to every household and further strengthen the spirit of unity, harmony and brotherhood among people across Jammu and Kashmir.

Cybercrime Typhoon hits Kashmir as digital fraud surges

Srinagar, Aug 27: The smartphone that brings the world to the palm is also opening a new battlefield for crime, with cyber fraudsters increasingly turning Kashmirs expanding digital footprint into a hunting ground for deception, manipulation and financial theft. From fake calls and fraudulent links to bogus investment schemes, impersonation, fake customer-care numbers and social-media traps, cybercriminals are constantly changing their methods to stay ahead of unsuspecting victims. In an exclusive interview with Rising Kashmir, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), Zonal Cyber Police Kashmir, Nasir Kirmani said the rapid growth of the internet and social-media usage has brought a corresponding surge in cybercrime, describing the emerging threat as a cybercrime typhoon that requires greater public awareness and quicker reporting. Kirmani said elderly people and youth are particularly vulnerable, although scammers use different approaches to target the two groups. Elderly victims can be exploited through impersonation and fear-based calls, while young people are frequently exposed to fraudulent investment opportunities, fake employment offers, online shopping scams, gaming-related fraud and social-media schemes, he said. The fraudsters, he said, increasingly rely on psychological manipulation rather than sophisticated hacking alone. A caller may pose as a police officer, bank employee, government official or customer-care executive and create a sense of urgency, convincing the victim that immediate action is necessary, he said. In other cases, victims are promised easy money through part-time jobs, investments or online trading. A small initial return may even be paid to establish credibility before the fraudsters persuade the victim to invest larger amounts, Kirmani said. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre has also warned about fraudulent investment platforms in which scammers use mule bank accounts to receive victims money, sometimes making initial payouts to gain trust before cutting off communication. One of the most worrying components of the cybercrime ecosystem is the growing use of mule accounts. These are bank accounts or other financial channels used to receive, transfer or layer proceeds of crime. Account holders may knowingly participate for commissions, while some can be recruited through seemingly legitimate offers of easy earnings, Kirmani said. Once money is stolen, it can be moved rapidly through a chain of accounts, making the trail increasingly difficult to follow. The faster the money moves, the harder it becomes to intercept. Cybercriminal networks are also exploiting social-media accounts themselves. An I4C advisory has warned about scams in which people are offered commissions for linking their WhatsApp accounts through QR codes, after which the accounts can be effectively rented out and abused for phishing, payment fraud and other illegal activities. Kirmani stressed that time is the most valuable weapon available to a cyber-fraud victim. He said the golden hour immediately after a fraudulent transaction is crucial, as swift reporting can enable the cyber police and financial institutions to trace the transaction and initiate efforts to freeze the money before it is transferred through multiple layers. The national cybercrime system specifically advises victims of financial cyber fraud to call 1930 immediately, with the helpline available round the clock. The official cybercrime portal also allows victims to register complaints and provides facilities to report suspicious mobile numbers, bank accounts, UPI IDs, websites, social-media handles and other identifiers linked to suspected cybercrime. The range of frauds is widening by the day. Digital arrest scams use fear of police action or arrest to force victims into transferring money. Fake investment platforms promise extraordinary returns. Job scams demand registration or processing fees. Phishing links harvest banking credentials. Fake customer-care numbers lure people into sharing sensitive information. QR-code and UPI scams exploit digital payment habits, while account-takeover schemes can give criminals access to victims social-media networks. That is precisely why awareness remains the first line of defence. Kirmani urged people never to share OTPs, PINs, passwords, banking credentials or other sensitive information with unknown callers. Any demand involving money, account suspension, arrest, investment or urgent verification should be independently checked through an official channel. For victims, however, the most important message remains simple: do not wait and do not feel embarrassed. Dial 1930 immediately. A cyber fraud may begin with nothing more than a phone ringing in a quiet room, a message appearing on a screen or a link arriving on WhatsApp. But behind that seemingly ordinary interaction could be a sophisticated network waiting to exploit a moment of trust. And once money leaves the account, every passing minute matters.

Haj-2027: Alkhuddam returns to Category-I HGO after 3-year bar

Srinagar, Aug 27: Alkhuddam Hajj & Umrah Services has been included in the Category-I list of Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) approved for Haj 2027, following a three-year bar on its Haj services. The list of approved HGOs for Haj 2027 was released on August 22, 2026, and includes Alkhuddam Hajj & Umrah Services among the Category-I operators. The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, Haj Division, has released the list of 986 HGOs in different categories. Of the total 986, Alkhuddam Hajj & Umrah Services has once again managed to secure the Category-I title. The company had remained barred from providing Haj services for three consecutive years in 2023, 2024 and 2025. After making hectic efforts, its eligibility to provide Haj services has now been restored. The inclusion of Alkhuddam in the approved Category-I list marks its return to the private Haj service sector after the three-year suspension. The company will now be able to facilitate pilgrims for Haj 2027 in accordance with the guidelines and regulations prescribed by the authorities. The approved list is expected to provide clarity to intending pilgrims regarding the HGOs authorised to provide private Haj services for the 2027 pilgrimage season. Reacting to the development, Sheikh Feroz Ahmad Sidiq, Managing Director, Alkhuddam Hajj and Umrah Services, expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah and the Ministry of Minority Affairs for restoring the company's Hajj quota. With a heart full of gratitude and humility, all praise and thanks belong to Almighty Allah, who has blessed us with the restoration of the Hajj quota for Alkhuddam Hajj and Umrah Services. This moment is not just a professional achievement for meit is a sign of Allahs mercy, a ray of hope returned, and a response to sincere duas made in hardship and uncertainty, he said. Sidiq said the approval was both an honour and a responsibility, adding that the company would undertake the responsibility with sincerity, dedication and respect for the faith of the pilgrims it serves. He thanked the Ministry of Minority Affairs for once again placing its trust in Alkhuddam, besides expressing gratitude to patrons, well-wishers, friends, family and the wider fraternity for their support and prayers during the difficult period. Alhamdulillah for this blessing. May Allah accept our intentions, make this responsibility successful, and grant ease, safety, and honour to every pilgrim connected through Alkhuddam, he added.

CM calls for reverse brain drain to bring J&K doctors back home

Srinagar, Aug 27: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday called for a concerted effort to create conditions that could facilitate a reverse brain drain, enabling doctors from Jammu and Kashmir working outside to return and contribute to the healthcare system in their home state. How do we ensure that we provide the best possible facilities, the best possible infrastructure so that we can create a situation where tomorrow there is a reverse brain drain? Instead of exporting our doctors from J&K, we start welcoming many of them back to our own shores, he said, addressing the valedictory function of the Quaternary Healthcare & Research Summit: 4th J&K Medical Conference-2026 at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). The Chief Minister said achieving this objective would strengthen both tertiary and quaternary healthcare in J&K and contribute significantly towards building a self-reliant and advanced healthcare system. He called for a balanced and integrated healthcare strategy that combines the development of advanced quaternary care with strengthening of primary and secondary healthcare services across Jammu and Kashmir. Omar said that while scaling tertiary healthcare into the fourth tier would enhance the capacity to provide highly specialised treatment, it must be accompanied by focused efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots. The three-day summit, held from August 25 to 27, was organised by the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, under the aegis of NITI Aayog, Government of India, in strategic collaboration with AIIMS New Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh, along with AIIMS Jammu and AIIMS Awantipora. The conference was themed Scaling Tertiary into Quaternary Healthcare: A National Strategy for Advanced Care. The Chief Minister said providing quality healthcare to citizens was one of the fundamental obligations of the government, adding that the medical profession was characterised by continuous learning, innovation and advancement. Referring to the concept of quaternary healthcare discussed during the summit, Omar Abdullah said the fourth tier could play an important role in decongesting tertiary care institutions. However, he cautioned that merely creating a higher tier would not adequately address the pressures confronting premier healthcare institutions unless the underlying gaps in the primary and secondary healthcare system were addressed. While there are certain aspects of quality care that can certainly be improved by upgrading SKIMS to a quaternary healthcare institution, the fact is that it will not resolve the pressures that SKIMS finds itself under. These pressures are not because of a top-down vacuum; they are because of a weakness at the foundation level, he said. The Chief Minister observed that institutions such as SKIMS were essentially referral hospitals meant to cater to patients requiring highly specialised treatment. However, gaps at the primary and secondary levels often resulted in premier tertiary institutions having to undertake procedures and treatments that should ideally be available at lower levels of healthcare. He cited routine surgical procedures such as gallbladder and appendicitis surgeries as examples of the burden being placed on tertiary institutions because of deficiencies in the lower tiers of the healthcare system. This defeats the purpose of the entire three-tier model of tertiary, secondary and primary healthcare, he said, stressing that strengthening the foundation of the healthcare system was essential for the successful functioning of both tertiary and quaternary institutions. Omar Abdullah welcomed the conference held under the aegis of NITI Aayog and described the participation of leading institutions such as AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and J&Ks own institutions as an important opportunity for meaningful collaboration. He expressed hope that the engagement would translate into sustained cooperation, knowledge-sharing and institutional partnerships, particularly as J&K works towards strengthening its advanced healthcare ecosystem in line with the vision of a developed India by 2047. The Chief Minister said the government would have to remain equally focused on ensuring access to good-quality basic healthcare beyond the two major urban centres of Jammu and Srinagar. We need to ensure good quality healthcare in rural J&K. I am not saying that we can either target or expect to provide SKIMS quality care in rural J&K. That is not the aim. But what we need to be able to ensure is that we can provide good quality basic healthcare beyond the two twin capital cities of J&K, he said. He said a combination of strong primary and secondary healthcare services with an advanced level of specialised quaternary care would place Jammu and Kashmir in a stronger position to meet the healthcare needs of its people. The Chief Minister also underlined the importance of ensuring that patients from J&K do not have to travel outside for advanced treatment. He recalled that SKIMS was established with the fundamental objective of providing the most needy patients with the best possible healthcare within J&K. That is what we hope going ahead as SKIMS transitions from tertiary care to the fourth tier, he said, assuring that the government would make every possible effort, within the financial limitations of J&K, to provide SKIMS with the infrastructure required for its next phase of development. Omar Abdullah said infrastructure remained one of the principal factors determining the ability of healthcare institutions to retain and attract highly skilled professionals. He expressed confidence in the quality of human resources available in J&K, saying its doctors, nurses and paramedical staff were second to none. Our human resource is second to none. Our nurses, our paramedics and more than anything else our doctors are the best that you will find, he said. Highlighting the presence of J&K-trained doctors in every continent around the world, particularly in the Gulf and Middle East, the Chief Minister said many professionals were compelled to seek opportunities outside of J&K because of limitations in facilities and infrastructure. He also emphasised that the recommendations emerging from the summit should move beyond being a theoretical exercise and be translated into action on ground, practically. I hope that the recommendations are not only a theoretical exercise but are put in a shape where they can be given practical implementation, he said. Omar Abdullah said the summit had provided a valuable platform for collaboration among premier healthcare institutions, NITI Aayog, policymakers, clinicians and researchers, and expressed hope that the deliberations would result in tangible improvements in healthcare delivery and advanced medical services in J&K. On the occasion, the Chief Minister released the book Platinum Pearls in General Surgery Super Specialities and the souvenir SKIMS Journey of Transformation. He also presented awards to nine winners of the Quiz Competition, Poster Presentation and Oral Presentation categories. Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Masood Itoo, MLA Pampore Retd Justice Hasnain Masoodi, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Director SKIMS Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Ganie, Dean SKIMS Medical College Prof. Dr. Fazlul Q. Parray and Organizing Co-Chair Prof. Dr. Aejaz Ahsan Baba were present on the occasion. Former Directors of SKIMS, faculty members, officers of SKIMS and officers and officials of the Health and Medical Education Department also attended the valedictory ceremony. The summit brought together leading medical institutions, clinicians, researchers, policy makers and healthcare professionals to deliberate on advanced care, research, institutional collaboration and the roadmap for scaling tertiary healthcare into a quaternary healthcare ecosystem.

BJD opposes Odisha governments proposal for biometric attendance for college students

Biometric identity-based attendance for college students is an attempt intimidate students in the name of discipline, alleges principal Opposition party

Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary announces the establishment of Bihars first womens university

The Bihar government today also agreed to the main demand of protesting students for conductingTeacher Recruitment Examination-4 (TRE-4)in a single phase

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles unveils TATA.CARS brand identity

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd will remain the legal entity and will continue to be used in statutory, regulatory and investor communications

Police arrest nine in fraud call centre accused of cheating 20 people in lifetime delivery franchise scheme

The police said that they received confidential information about a call centre called Insta Transfer Biz Pvt. Ltd. at Evershine Mall in Malad West and raided it on August 24, 2026

Nepal flash floods: 21 Indians from Tamil Nadu rescued, says Ministry of External Affairs

A 57-member group from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry had travelled to Nepal as part of a tour. Besides this group, another 49 people had travelled to Nepal from Chennai.

Over 1,000 IGDTUW students land plum placement offers

Lieutenant-Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attend valedictory ceremony of the Prabodhan Induction Programme-2026 at IGDTUW

166 fresh H1N1 cases in Delhi in 24 hours

Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh inspects Indira Gandhi Hospital at Dwarka, reviews preparedness

Indias return to its Central Asian neighbourhood

The Prime Ministers visit is an opportunity for India to deepen its strategic presence, expand economic ties and strengthen its diplomatic influence

Danger from above: On the Nepal flood

Natural outbursts in hilly terrain are rising amid climate change

Keralam government issues technical sanction for first phase of KSRTC bus terminal at Karikkamury in Kochi

PWD to invite tenders for construction in early September; project to be commissioned in a year

Goal is to ensure no woman goes unheard : new DCW Chairperson

Five shopkeepers booked for road obstruction at Jahangir Chowk

Srinagar, Aug 27: Srinagar Police have registered a case against five shopkeepers for allegedly obstructing pedestrian and vehicular movement by placing matting material on the road outside their shops at busy Jahangir Chowk. Police Station Shaheed Gunj registered FIR No. 72/2026 under Section 285 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following observations made during routine patrolling in the area. According to police, the shopkeepers had placed matting material on the road, occupying public space and affecting the smooth movement of pedestrians and vehicles. Police said such obstructions can lead to traffic bottlenecks and increase the risk of accidents, particularly at a busy commercial location like Jahangir Chowk. An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the alleged obstruction. Police have also urged shopkeepers and the public to avoid occupying roads and other public spaces in a manner that disrupts traffic or pedestrian movement. The action, police said, is part of efforts to maintain public safety, ensure smooth traffic flow and prevent accidents in busy commercial areas.

New-age fires: On Indias ICU fire accidents

Fire accidents in ICUs need better and more evacuation facilities

Two arrested for firing at man over live-in relationship

IIT Delhi reconstitutes panel to probe students death as protests continue

Institute says it is committed to ensuring students well-being; collecting evidence on insensitive remarks by Dean as well as tone-deaf comments made by faculty on deaths by suicide: students

Tasting childhood

Jairam Ramesh questions conflicting remarks on Pakistan-China cooperation during Operation Sindoor

Is Modi government trying to capitulate to China, asks Congress leader

Daily wagers to protest over pending regularisation

Srinagar, August 27: Jammu and Kashmir Casual Daily Wagers Forum (JKCDWF) has trained guns against the incumbent regime in the Union Territory, saying that despite employees playing key role for them to get a majority in 2024 elections, it has deceived them by not taking positive decision in favour of thousands of temporary employees. Addressing a news conference here, Forum President Sajad Ahmad Parray announced a peaceful protest on September 1, demanding immediate action on the long-pending issue of regularisation of 61,000 daily wagers. Parray said that on March 11, 2025, a committee headed by the Chief Secretary was constituted to prepare a roadmap for the regularisation of daily wagers and was directed to submit its report and recommendations within six months. He said that the Chief Minister had subsequently assured the Assembly that the process of regularisation would begin during the current financial year. However, despite the passage of 17 months, there is still no trace of the committees report or recommendations. Parray questioned why urgency was shown in matters concerning the salaries and pensions of legislators while the issue concerning thousands of daily wagers continues to remain unresolved. He said that nearly 4.5 lakh employees, three lakh pensioners and 61,000 daily wagers, along with their dependent family members, had placed their faith in promises relating to the regularisation of daily wagers and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. We did not vote to see daily wagers risking their lives on electric poles and in other hazardous duties, only to spend decades in service and eventually retire empty-handed, he said, adding that in the 2024 elections, employees and their families played a significant role in helping the government secure the majority. He said they voted for the government for the resolution of issues pertaining to the employees, but on the contrary the government preferred to hike the salaries of legislators. Highlighting their economic distress, Parray said that surviving on a monthly remuneration of around Rs 9,000 has become nearly impossible amid rising prices, household expenses, medical costs, childrens education and increasing utility bills. He said that successive governments and political leaderships bear responsibility for the continued plight of daily wagers. He also alleged that certain employee and trade union leaders had, at times, used the struggles and sacrifices of daily wagers to advance their own interests, while appreciating those leaders who have genuinely supported the cause with sincerity and commitment. Parray further warned against attempts to divide the collective voice of employees. Certain individuals have plotted and attempted to divide and fragment the collective strength of employees. The hapless daily wagers have suffered the consequences of such divisions in the past. This will not be allowed now. No conspiracy will be permitted to weaken employee unity and coordination, he added. The Forum President further added that unity and collective coordination were the greatest strengths of employees and daily wagers and that every attempt to create divisions would be firmly resisted. Announcing the next course of action, Parray said that the September 1 protest would mark the first phase of a renewed, organised and decisive democratic struggle against prolonged delay, injustice and the failure to fulfil promises made to the daily-wager community. He appealed to the Chief Minister to honour the commitment made in the election manifesto and the assurance given on the floor of the Assembly regarding regularisation. The Forum also appealed to all daily wagers working under different nomenclatures and in various departments to remain united and prepare for a sustained democratic struggle, including peaceful protests, hunger strikes and work-stoppage programmes, if the government continues to delay a just and permanent solution.

Bulldozers roll into Delhi Race Club; stables razed

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Rajinikanth, a secret Chennai park, and a Gandhi impersonator

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DVAC conducts surprisechecks at government offices across T.N.

44-Year-Old Gurugram Woman Dies By Suicide After Argument With Husband: Cops

According to the police, the woman worked at a real estate company, while her husband, Yuvraj, is an employee of an aviation company.

24 kg of ganja seized from passenger at Koyambedu travel office

Lifestyle Diseases: A Public Health Emergency

Lifestyle diseases are no longer a problem of the future. They are here, among us, steadily reshaping the health profile of our society. In Kashmir, where once infections and seasonal illnesses dominated public health conversations, a new and more insidious crisis is taking holdone driven by sedentary habits, unhealthy diets, stress, tobacco use and lack of timely screening. From hypertension and diabetes to obesity, heart disease and certain cancers, lifestyle-related illnesses are rising at an alarming pace. What makes them especially dangerous is that they often develop quietly. A person may feel healthy for years while damage is already underway in the body. By the time symptoms appear, the disease may have advanced to a stage where treatment becomes difficult, expensive and emotionally exhausting. This shift is not merely medical. It reflects the way we now live. Longer hours of sitting, limited physical activity, dependence on processed foods, irregular sleep patterns and growing mental stress have become part of everyday life. In cities and towns alike, fast food has replaced home-cooked meals in many households. Children spend more time on screens and less time in play. Adults, burdened by work pressure and anxiety, often ignore early warning signs. The consequences are visible in hospitals and homes. Families are spending more on medicines than on prevention. Young people who should be in the prime of their lives are being diagnosed with blood pressure and sugar-related complications. The tragedy is that many of these illnesses are largely preventable. Small changes in daily habits can make a big difference. A brisk walk, balanced meals, reduced salt and sugar intake, adequate sleep and regular medical check-ups can protect lives. But individual effort alone is not enough. Lifestyle diseases require a broader public health response. Schools must promote physical education and healthy eating from an early age. Workplaces should encourage movement, stress management and wellness practices. Health departments need to intensify awareness campaigns, screening drives and community outreach, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where diagnosis often comes late. Local media, religious leaders and civil society too have a role in shaping healthier behaviour. There is also a need to break the culture of neglect. Too often, people wait until illness becomes severe before seeking help. Preventive care is still viewed as optional rather than essential. This mindset must change. Health is not only the absence of disease; it is the presence of discipline, balance and awareness in daily life. If Kashmir is to avoid a larger public health burden in the coming years, it must treat lifestyle diseases as a priority today. The warning signs are already visible. What is needed now is not alarmism but actionpersonal, social and institutional. A healthier society will not emerge by chance. It will have to be built, habit by habit, decision by decision, and sustained by a collective commitment to living better.

Nepals Flood Horror Exposes a Wider Warning

Nepals flash floods have again reminded the region that natures fury is often only the first half of the disaster; the second is the scale of human loss made worse by fragility, delay and the limits of response. With 359 dead and 910 still missing or out of contact, the numbers are no longer merely statistics. They are a measure of households shattered, communities displaced and a rescue system racing against time. What makes this calamity especially alarming is not only its magnitude but its geography. The worst-hit districts show how widely the destruction has spread, while the presence of police, army, customs and immigration personnel among the missing underlines how even trained responders were swallowed by the floods force. The rescue of hundreds by helicopter and land shows courage and coordination, but it also reveals the scale of the emergency that demanded such extraordinary effort. Yet the most worrying part may still lie upstream. The formation of a lake after the Lhende River became obstructed has turned an already devastating disaster into a looming threat of another one. That warning should unsettle everyone in the region. It is a reminder that in mountain countries, a flood is rarely a single event. It can trigger a chain reaction of landslides, river blockages, sudden outbursts and secondary disasters that arrive before the first shock has even passed. The broader lesson is painfully clear: disaster response must be matched by serious prevention, early warning and cross-border coordination. When a lake forms overnight and thousands remain on rescue duty, every minute matters. Evacuation plans, river monitoring and rapid communication systems are no longer optional extras; they are lifesaving essentials. For Nepal, this is a moment of mourning. For the region, it should be a moment of reckoning. Climate-linked extremes are becoming harder to dismiss, but what turns them into mass tragedy is still human unpreparedness. The mountains will continue to send warnings. The real question is whether governments will listen before the next one breaks.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW): The Message of Mercy, Love and Humanity

Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) is not merely a religious occasion or a commemoration of a date in history. It is an opportunity to remember the blessed birth of the great personality who showed humanity a path based on love, mercy, justice, brotherhood, equality and noble character. The arrival of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) transformed not only a fragmented Arabian society into a united community but also provided humanity with an enduring moral and spiritual framework founded on human dignity, rights and welfare. The Prophet (SAW) was born and commissioned at a time when society was deeply affected by ignorance, tribal prejudice, oppression, injustice, exploitation of the weak and moral decline. Power often determined a person's worth. Women were deprived of fundamental rights, orphans and the needy were vulnerable, and minor disputes could escalate into generations-long conflicts. Human dignity was frequently measured by tribe, wealth and influence rather than character. In such an environment, the Prophet (SAW) presented humanity with a fundamentally different vision. He taught that all human beings are descendants of Adam (AS) and that no person has superiority over another merely because of lineage, colour, language, wealth or geographical origin. True distinction lies in righteousness, character and good deeds. This message remains profoundly relevant in the modern world. At the heart of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) is love for the Messenger of Allah (SAW). But this love should not remain confined to emotions, slogans or ceremonies. Genuine love for the Prophet (SAW) demands that his teachings be reflected in our individual and collective lives. If we profess love for the Prophet (SAW) while dishonesty, deception, corruption, injustice, arrogance and violation of others' rights remain part of our conduct, we must honestly examine our lives. One of the most defining qualities of the Prophet (SAW) was mercy. The Qur'an describes him as a mercy to the worlds. He treated even his opponents with compassion, stood beside the weak, cared for orphans, supported widows and the needy, and taught people to treat those under their authority with dignity and humanity. He reminded society that its true greatness lies in how secure and respected its weakest members feel. Our society today needs this spirit of mercy more than ever. Around us are people struggling with poverty, unemployment, illness, loneliness and financial hardship. The real message of Milad should therefore encourage us to reach out to such people, share their pain and help them in practical ways. Illuminations, gatherings and religious programmes have their place, but the more important question is: How deeply has the Seerah of the Prophet (SAW) influenced our conduct? The Prophet (SAW) placed justice at the foundation of society. He made it clear that justice cannot be reserved for a particular class, family or individual. Before the law and in matters of rights, human beings must be treated fairly. This principle was central to the community established in Madinah and became one of the foundations of a just and responsible society. In today's world, where societies face complex social, political and economic challenges, the Seerah reminds us that sustainable progress cannot be measured merely by buildings, roads, economic figures or technological advancement. True development occurs when justice is strong, institutions are honest, the vulnerable are protected and ordinary citizens are able to live with dignity. The Prophet (SAW) also instilled a profound sense of accountability among those entrusted with responsibility. Public office, in the spirit of his teachings, is not merely an honour; it is a trust. Anyone entrusted with the affairs of people has a responsibility to protect their rights, listen to their concerns and place public welfare above personal interest. This principle remains highly relevant to modern governance. Public representation is not simply about winning elections. It is about honouring commitments made to the people, understanding their problems and standing up for their rights. An elected representative truly fulfils the responsibility of office when he or she stands with the people in their difficulties and works sincerely for their welfare. The Seerah of the Prophet (SAW) also teaches consultation, tolerance and respect for differences of opinion. The Prophet (SAW) consulted his companions and gave importance to their views. Difference was not to be automatically transformed into hostility. In our time, political, religious and social differences often become sources of hatred and division. We need to learn from the Seerah that disagreement and mutual respect can coexist. The Prophet (SAW) also placed great emphasis on knowledge. The earliest Islamic teachings encouraged humanity to read, learn, reflect and understand. This emphasis contributed to the emergence of a remarkable intellectual tradition in which Muslim scholars made significant contributions to medicine, mathematics, philosophy, astronomy and numerous other fields. For Muslim societies today, this should be a moment of serious reflection. What kind of future are we preparing for our children? The message of Milad also calls upon us to value knowledge, strengthen educational institutions, encourage research and provide the younger generation with education that makes them knowledgeable, capable, ethical and responsible citizens. The Prophet (SAW) attached immense importance to family and social relationships. His teachings emphasised respect for parents, affection towards children, rights of neighbours, kindness towards relatives and care for vulnerable members of society. At a time when modern life and increasing individualism are distancing people from one another, these teachings offer an important reminder to rebuild and strengthen human relationships. The rights of neighbours, repeatedly emphasised in the Seerah, have particular relevance in today's urban and interconnected societies. A good Muslim is not merely someone who performs acts of worship; a good Muslim is also someone from whose hands and tongue other people remain safe. The message of the Prophet (SAW) also encompasses kindness towards animals and responsibility towards the natural world. His teachings encourage compassion towards living creatures and warn against wastefulness and harm. In an age of climate change, pollution, deforestation and growing pressure on water and other natural resources, the Islamic principles of moderation, responsibility and stewardship offer valuable guidance. The world today needs love instead of hatred, peace instead of war, forgiveness instead of revenge and unity instead of division. The life of the Prophet (SAW) offers a powerful example of this path. His conduct towards those who had opposed him demonstrated that true strength is not merely the ability to retaliate; it is also the courage to forgive. On Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) , therefore, we should renew our love for the Prophet (SAW) while also examining our own character. We should ask ourselves: Is there honesty in our business dealings? Is there justice in our conduct? Do we treat our employees, subordinates and vulnerable people with dignity? Do we fulfil the rights of our parents, neighbours and relatives? Do we continue to respect those with whom we disagree? If the answers to these questions are positive, that is among the truest fruits of Milad. Love for the Prophet (SAW) should not mean remembering him on one day and then distancing ourselves from his teachings throughout the rest of the year. Rabi-ul-Awwal should instead become an opportunity for a renewed commitment for the entire year: to avoid falsehood, reject corruption, respect the rights of others, help the poor, seek knowledge, stand with justice and replace hatred with compassion. Connecting the younger generation with the Seerah is particularly important. Young people should not merely be taught historical events; they should be helped to understand the principles and values behind those events. The Prophet (SAW) trusted young people, entrusted them with responsibilities and recognised their abilities. If today's society gives its youth education, opportunities, confidence and proper guidance, they too can become powerful agents of positive change. Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) also reminds us that the strength of the Ummah lies in unity. Differences of language, region, school of thought, political affiliation and social status may exist, but respect for one another and protection of human dignity remain shared responsibilities. No society can become strong by planting seeds of hatred. In a region such as Kashmir, where people have endured prolonged difficulties, uncertainty and diverse social and economic challenges, the Prophetic message of mercy, peace, patience and humanity carries special significance. We need a social environment in which dialogue continues despite differences, hope survives despite difficulties, and no vulnerable person feels abandoned. The most beautiful expression of Milad is therefore the transformation of our behaviour. If a hungry person receives food, a poor family finds hope, an oppressed person receives justice, a sick person receives assistance, a distressed individual receives comfort, or an old hostility gives way to forgiveness, then we are witnessing the practical spirit of the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). As we celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) , we should do so with joy, devotion and love, but also with a sincere examination of our collective conduct. We should pledge that the teachings of the Prophet (SAW) will not remain confined to speeches, writings and gatherings. They must become part of our everyday lives. The blessed birth of the Prophet Muhammad SAW) marked the beginning of an extraordinary chapter of mercy for humanity. He established the foundations of a society in which human dignity, justice, knowledge, compassion, brotherhood and responsibility were given central importance. Even today, many of our individual and collective problems can be addressed if these principles are sincerely incorporated into our lives. Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW is, in essence, about turning love into action, remembrance into character, devotion into service, and the Seerah into a way of life. May Allah Almighty bless us with true love for Prophet Muhammad (SAW), grant us the ability to follow his Seerah, fill our hearts with mercy, our dealings with justice, our speech with truthfulness and our character with sincerity. Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) Mubarak. May Allah Almighty, on this blessed occasion, grant the entire Muslim Ummah, and particularly the people of our region, peace, prosperity, unity, good health and abundant blessings. Ameen. (The author is a Columnist. He can be reached at: ahmadayaz08@gmail.com )

Waste-to-Power Plant in Aminbazar: Electricity Tariff Set at Tk 25 per Unit

China will invest in establishing a waste-to-energy power plant in Aminbazar. A tripartite agreement on the project will be signed in Beijing on September 2. Electricity generation from the plant is expected to begin in 2028, with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) set to purchase the electricity at Tk 25 per unit. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Dr. Abdul Moin Khan at the Secretariat on Thursday. The issues were discussed during the meeting. LGRD State Minister Mir Shahe Alam was also present at the meeting. Speaking to journalists, he said China wants to increase its investment in waste-to-energy projects. A Chinese company will generate 42 megawatts of electricity from waste at the Aminbazar landfill and supply it to the national grid. Power supply is expected to begin between August and September 2028. The state minister said the electricity tariff has been set at Tk 25 per unit. Although the price may initially seem high, it is tolerable considering the overall benefits. They will dispose of our waste and, at the same time, reduce carbon emissions, he said. He added that China has also been invited [] The post Waste-to-Power Plant in Aminbazar: Electricity Tariff Set at Tk 25 per Unit appeared first on Energy Bangla .

Raksha Bandhan in Kashmir: A Festival That Travelled with People

Raksha Bandhan arrives every year with the full moon of Shravan, carrying with it a simple yet profound messagethe bond of protection, affection and responsibility between human beings. Across India, the festival is most commonly associated with the relationship between a brother and sister. A sister ties the sacred thread around her brothers wrist, offers a prayer for his well-being, and the brother, in return, promises to stand by her. Yet, like many Indian festivals, Raksha Bandhan has meanings that go far beyond the ritual itself. For the Kashmiri Pandit community, its significance is inseparable from the memories of a homeland where festivals were woven into the ordinary fabric of life. Yes, Kashmiri Pandits did observe Raksha Bandhan in Kashmir. It was not necessarily among the most prominent festivals of the Kashmiri Hindu calendar in the manner of Herath, Navreh or other distinctly Kashmiri observances, but Shravan Purnima and the sacred-thread tradition were familiar parts of religious and family life. The celebration existed within the larger spiritual culture of Kashmir, where festivals were rarely merely social occasions. They were expressions of faith, family, community and continuity. For a Kashmiri Pandit growing up in the Valley, the festival would not have stood apart from the rhythms of everyday life. The house, the courtyard, the neighbourhood and the extended family were all part of the celebration. Festivals were experienced collectively. Relatives visited one another, children moved from house to house, elders blessed the younger generation, and food became another language through which affection was expressed. The ritual itself might have been brief, but the emotions surrounding it could remain in the memory for decades. This is what makes the recollection of Raksha Bandhan particularly moving for those Kashmiri Pandits who left the Valley. Migration did not merely mean leaving behind houses, orchards, fields and ancestral property. It also meant leaving behind a particular way of celebrating life. Festivals had been attached to places. A particular courtyard had witnessed a particular Raksha Bandhan. A sister had tied a rakhi to her brother in a room whose walls had absorbed generations of family conversations. An elderly grandmother had blessed the children. A mother had prepared something special for the occasion. A neighbour had arrived unannounced. These seemingly insignificant moments eventually became the fragments from which the memory of an entire homeland was reconstructed. This is perhaps the deeper meaning of festivals in the life of a displaced community. When people lose their physical landscape, rituals often become their portable homeland. A festival can travel where a house cannot. A prayer can survive when an ancestral courtyard has been abandoned. A family tradition can cross mountains and generations without requiring a piece of land. Raksha Bandhan therefore acquired an additional emotional dimension for many Kashmiri Pandit families after their migration. It became not simply a celebration of the brother-sister relationship but also a reminder of the world that once existed around that relationship. The thread tied on a brothers wrist could evoke memories of a Kashmir that had been left behind. There is an important distinction, however, between the traditional observance of Raksha Bandhan among Kashmiri Pandits and the highly commercialised version of the festival that has become increasingly visible in contemporary India. In Kashmir, the sacred-thread tradition existed within a religious and cultural framework shaped by the unique practices of Kashmiri Hindu society. The modern rakhiwith elaborate gifts, advertisements, social-media celebrations and commercial packagingis only one contemporary expression of a much older tradition. The word raksha itself carries a meaning far deeper than the exchange of gifts. Protection is not necessarily a one-way obligation from brother to sister. In the older civilisational understanding, protection is reciprocal. Families protect one another; communities protect their traditions; elders protect memories; and younger generations protect what has been handed down to them. A sacred thread can therefore become a symbol of responsibility rather than merely a decorative object. This understanding becomes particularly meaningful in the Kashmiri Pandit context. A community that experienced displacement had to protect something more fragile than property: its collective memory. Language, rituals, cuisine, religious practices, festivals, family stories and ancestral memories all became part of a cultural inheritance that needed to be carried forward. The Kashmiri Pandit calendar itself contains many distinctive festivals and observances that developed within the Valley's particular cultural environment. Herath, for example, occupies an extraordinary place in Kashmiri Pandit consciousness. Navreh marks the Kashmiri New Year and carries associations with renewal and continuity. There are numerous other observances connected with particular seasons, deities and local traditions. Raksha Bandhan therefore should not be presented as though it historically occupied exactly the same position in Kashmiri Pandit life as it did in every other part of northern India. Its place was real, but its cultural expression was shaped by Kashmir's own religious universe. What is remarkable is how such traditions survived geographical separation. A child who grew up in Jammu, Delhi, Dehradun or another city after migration could still participate in Raksha Bandhan without ever having experienced the Kashmir of his or her parents. The festival thus became a bridge between generations. Parents could tell their children how festivals were observed in Kashmir. Grandparents could recall relatives who were no longer there. Old photographs could emerge from cupboards. Names of villages and neighbourhoods could become part of family conversations. In this manner, a simple thread could become an instrument of remembrance. The younger generation may not always understand the emotional weight carried by such memories. For them, Raksha Bandhan may simply mean a rakhi, sweets, gifts and a family gathering. But for those who remember Kashmir before migration, the festival can contain another layer of meaning. It can take them back to a time when distance between relatives was measured not in hundreds of kilometres but in a short walk from one house to another. There is also a wider lesson here about Kashmiri culture. Kashmir has often been described through its mountains, lakes, gardens, poetry and mysticism. But the real culture of a people resides equally in its small ritualsthe way a lamp is lit, the way elders are greeted, the food prepared on a particular day, the words spoken during a ceremony, and the manner in which one generation passes something to another. When people are displaced, these small things become enormously important. A culture does not disappear simply because its people leave a particular geographical space. It disappears when its memories cease to be transmitted. This is why the continuation of festivals among Kashmiri Pandits matters. Every observance becomes an act of cultural preservation. Every child who learns why a festival is celebrated becomes a link in a chain that stretches backwards into history. Raksha Bandhan, in this sense, can be seen as one of those threadsnot merely the thread tied around the wrist, but the invisible thread connecting generations. It connects the sister with the brother, the child with the parent, the present with the past, and the displaced family with the homeland that continues to live in memory. There is something profoundly poetic about this. The physical thread is small and fragile. It can be broken with almost no effort. Yet the idea represented by it can survive decades of separation. A house can be locked. An orchard can be abandoned. A village can become distant. But a ritual remembered by a family can continue to exist. For Kashmiri Pandits, therefore, Raksha Bandhan is not only about asking who will protect whom. It can also prompt a larger question: who will protect the memories of the culture that our ancestors entrusted to us? Perhaps the answer lies with every generation. The brother and sister who exchange a rakhi today may not know all the stories associated with the festival's past. But if they preserve the ritual, tell their children about it, remember how their parents celebrated it and connect it with the wider cultural heritage of Kashmir, they are doing something far greater than observing a festival. They are keeping alive a fragment of a civilisation. And perhaps this is why festivals become especially precious after displacement. In one's homeland, traditions can sometimes be taken for granted because they surround us everywhere. In exile, their value becomes clearer. A festival becomes a doorway through which one can briefly return to a lost world. Raksha Bandhan will once again arrive with the full moon of Shravan. Sisters will tie threads, brothers will offer gifts, families will gather and sweets will be exchanged. But for many Kashmiri Pandits, somewhere beneath these familiar celebrations there may also be another, quieter ritualthe remembering of Kashmir. A Kashmir of homes, courtyards, grandparents, siblings, neighbours and festivals. A Kashmir that may have been left physically behind, but which continues to live in memory. And perhaps that is the most enduring raksha of all:the protection of memory itself. (The writer can be reached at: sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com )

Nepal Floods: A Natural Warning from the Himalayas

The High Himalayas as the World's Early Warning Engine For centuries, humanity viewed the Himalayas as an eternal, immutable fortress of rock and ice. We wrote poetry about their permanent silence, built shrines along their roaring torrents, and treated their towering elevations as an unyielding backdrop to human enterprise. That static conception of geography is now violently obsolete. What the world witnessed across the river valleys of Nepalfrom the swollen banks of the Bagmati and Koshi rivers to devastated mountain hamlets across the mid-hillsis neither an isolated meteorological anomaly nor an unpreventable stroke of bad luck. It is a distress signal broadcast in the deafening language of debris flows, glacial lake bursts, and sheared hillslopes. The High Himalayas, often termed the Third Pole and the water tower of Asia, are heating at nearly double the global average rate. The cryosphere is destabilising in real time. When climate breakdown collides with the worlds youngest, most tectonically active mountain belt, the hydrological cycle ceases to behave with seasonal predictability. Monsoon depressions are supercharged by unprecedented thermal energy in the Indian Ocean, delivering concentrated cloudbursts where months of rain crash down in a matter of hours. Simultaneously, thousands of high-altitude glacial lakes, precariously held back by loose moraine dams of gravel and unconsolidated ice, swell toward hydraulic failure. To label these cataclysms merely as Nepal floods is to miss the entire scope of the crisis. Nepal is not suffering in isolation; it is serving as the frontline canary in the planetary coal mine. The surges ripping through Nepali valleys are an advance dispatch to every downstream civilization across South Asia. The mountains are speaking with absolute ecological clarity: the thermodynamic stability that enabled modern human settlement in these valleys has broken down, and our developmental paradigms must urgently evolve to survive it. The Anatomy of Catastrophe: Natural Hazard vs. Human Vulnerability Every time muddy waters swallow a village, topple a bridge, or bury a highway under thousands of metric tons of slurry, public discourse falls into a dangerous, well-worn semantic trap: we brand it an unavoidable natural disaster. This vocabulary is an abdication of institutional accountability. Disaster Risk = (Hazard Vulnerability Exposure) / Institutional Adaptive Capacity. The Natural Hazard: A cloudburst, a slope shear, or a glacial outburst flood (GLOF) is a natural, geophysical phenomenon. It belongs to the domain of atmospheric physics and mountain geomorphology. The Disaster: The loss of human lives, the destruction of uninsurable homes, the isolation of agrarian communities, and the collapse of generational livelihoods is a political, spatial, and developmental failure. A flood only transforms into a catastrophe when dynamic water collides with static, unprotected human vulnerability. The tragedy in Nepal unfolded because decades of developmental decisions systematically placed vulnerable populations directly in harm's way without the systemic capacity to evacuate them. When rivers swell beyond historical baselines, they are not invading human settlements; they are reclaiming their natural floodplainsspaces that human planners recklessly paved, channelled, and monetised. We cannot stop an atmospheric river from discharging its moisture over steep topography, nor can we weld a fracturing moraine dam back together when millions of cubic meters of meltwater exert pressure behind it. But we can decide whether thousands of families are sleeping in the historical path of that surge. We can decide whether a settlement has six minutes or six hours of advance warning. And we can decide whether our roads act as emergency escape routes or deadly choke points. The Fatal Hubris of Fixed Concrete in Shifting Geographies The ongoing vulnerability of the Himalayan belt stems from an engineering philosophy rooted in brute-force conquest rather than ecological alignment. For half a century, regional infrastructure development has mirrored a lowlands playbook: pour concrete, blast bedrock, wall off waterways, and force the landscape into compliance. In the fragile geology of the Himalayas, this approach is disastrous: 1. Unscientific Linear Infrastructure and Hillside Blasting Across fragile hillsides, thousands of kilometres of unengineered rural roads have been carved out by excavators and dynamite without hydrological surveys, adequate slope retention, or cross-drainage culverts. These brutal incisions sever the natural subterranean drainage of mountain slopes. When torrential rain hits, these roads turn into artificial riverbeds, gathering velocity before triggering cascading landslides that wipe out entire settlements downstream. 2. The Choking and Encroachment of Riparian Corridors In rapidly urbanizing basins like the Kathmandu Valley, as well as burgeoning transit hubs along the Gandaki and Koshi river networks, real estate expansion has systematically colonised riverbanks. Floodplains that historically served as natural flood-attenuation sponges have been asphalted over. Natural channels are forced into narrow concrete canals, stripping the river of its dissipation zones and turning standard seasonal surges into destructive, high-velocity torrents. 3. Ill-Sited Infrastructure Assets Hydropower projects, transmission corridors, and heavy industrial facilities continue to be sited directly in dynamic hazard zones without factoring in upstream cryospheric collapse. When a glacial lake bursts or a landslide dam breaches upstream, these fixed assets transform into battering rams, collecting debris and amplifying the downstream destruction. Beyond Sympathy: The Moral Insolvency of Post-Disaster Condolences Whenever disaster strikes the Himalayan foothills, the global script follows a predictable, sterile cycle: expressions of deep sorrow from state officials, pledges of international solidarity, photographs of emergency distribution camps, and nominal compensation checks handed to grieving families. Its victims deserve more than sympathy. Sympathy is an emotional luxury that demands nothing of the powerful. It requires no regulatory changes, no land-use reform, and no redistribution of municipal resources. Sympathy accepts catastrophe as an inevitable act of fate, reducing human beings from citizens with rights to passive recipients of charity. The victims of the Nepal floods deserve systemic accountability and climate justice. The burden of every Himalayan flood falls unequally along lines of class, caste, and spatial marginalisation: The wealthy live on stable ridges, in engineered structures with access to vehicles, private insurance, and alternative real estate. The urban poor, landless labourers, and informal migrants are pushed onto precarious river terraces, floodplains, and unstable slopesthe only land the market makes affordable to them. When the waters rise, the lack of private vehicles, non-existent public evacuation transit, and total absence of localised early warning turn their economic exclusion into a death sentence. Furthermore, on the global stage, Nepal contributes less than 0.1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet its citizens bear the catastrophic brunt of an overheating cryosphere driven by industrial emissions thousands of miles away. Offering relief packages while dragging feet on loss-and-damage financing, transboundary ecological protection, and decarbonization is bad-faith diplomacy. The transition from passive sympathy to structural justice requires recognising that every preventable death in a known hazard zone represents a breach of the social contract. The Mobility Imperative: Shifting from Static Defence to Dynamic Flow As a social reformer and mobility expert, I view disaster risk reduction not as a static civil engineering challenge, but fundamentally as an issue of human kinetic capacity and spatial planning. Traditional disaster management relies on static defence: building taller flood walls, thicker gabions, and stronger concrete revetments. In high-energy mountain environments, static defense will always fail against the raw mechanical forces of gravity, mud, and water. When a hillside saturated with millions of litres of water liquefies, no retaining wall will hold it. Resilience in the Anthropocene requires a shift to dynamic flow and human mobility: If a community is located within a 30-minute flood transit zone, but the local road network is a narrow, single-lane dead-end blocked by parked commercial vehicles, and the warning alert arrives 10 minutes before the crest, mass casualties are practically guaranteed. To manage mountain disaster risks, mobility must be designed across three distinct operational layers: 1. Velocity of Information (The Pre-Event Layer) Telemetry must move faster than the water. The integration of high-altitude automated weather stations, radar altimetry on glacial lakes, and river-gauge sensors must trigger decentralised, local public address systems, mobile alerts, and physical sirens. A warning that rests on an administrative dashboard in a distant capital is worthless; it must be instantaneously actionable in the river basin. 2. Velocity of Evacuation (The Real-Time Event Layer) Communities need designated, permanently cleared, elevated vertical evacuation walkways and redundant escape corridors that do not rely on motorised transport. In mountain terrain, reliance on standard roadways during a storm is lethal due to flash washouts and falling boulders. Settlements must have elevated footpaths, pedestrian suspension bypasses, and reinforced communal refuge hubs (safe-haven platforms) positioned above historical high-water marks. 3. Velocity of Relocation (The Long-Term Spatial Layer) True mobility includes the political and economic capacity to move out of permanent hazard zones entirely. When a geographical zone is identified by geomorphologists as terminally unstable, forcing families to ebuild back better on the exact same plot of doomed land is negligent. We must provide the legal frameworks, subsidised land exchanges, and mobility infrastructure to enable dignified, community-wide managed retreat. A Six-Pillar Policy Blueprint for Himalayan Resilience To transform these insights into actionable policy for governments, regional coalitions, and municipal bodies across the Himalayan arc, we must implement a structural roadmap built on six pillars: Pillar 1: Decentralised Real-Time Hydrological Sensor Networks: High-Altitude IoT Stations: Deploy ruggedised, solar-powered radar water-level sensors and rain gauges across every major glacial lake and upper tributary watershed. Direct-to-Community Alert Protocols: Bypass bureaucratic multi-tier authorisation chains. If an upstream gauge detects water-level anomalies exceeding safe thresholds, it should automatically trigger siren networks and broadcast cellular emergency beacons directly to downstream villages within seconds. Pillar 2: Statutory River Buffer Corridors and Zero-Encroachment Zones Demarcation of 100-Year Floodplains: Ban all new permanent residential and commercial construction within scientifically established high-water impact corridors. Ecological Reversion: Reclaim encroached floodplains through eminent domain and voluntary buyouts, converting vulnerable riparian banks into public flood-absorption parks, bamboo forests, and sports fields that can submerge without loss of life. Pillar 3: Resilient Evacuation Spines and Dynamic Transit Design Grade-Separated Safe-Escape Routes: Construct elevated, non-motorised pedestrian evacuation spines connecting river-adjacent communities to high ground, completely independent of road traffic. Redundant Aerial Logistics: Invest in gravity-based and motorised cargo ropeway systems capable of transporting medicine, food, and people across severed valleys when highway bridges are washed away. Pillar 4: Dignified Managed Retreat and Spatial Land Banking State-Backed Land Swaps: Establish national spatial land banks on geologically stable terrain. Offer vulnerable riverbank and cliff-edge households title deeds to secure land outside hazard corridors, accompanied by financial support for resettlement. Collective Community Relocation: Move neighbourhoods as social units to preserve cultural networks, communal support systems, and economic relationships, rather than scattering displaced people into isolated urban slums. Pillar 5: Nature-Based Slope Stabilisation (Bio-Engineering) Vegetative Slope Reinforcement: Mandate that all road-building projects replace pure concrete walls with deep-rooting native vegetation (such as Vetiver grass and alder species) combined with flexible wire gabions to absorb soil shear forces naturally. Catchment Hydrology Restoration: Construct hillside recharge pits and check-dams to slow the velocity of surface runoff before it collects into destructive mudflows. Pillar 6: Cross-Border Himalayan Data Treaties Open Upstream Data Sharing: Form a unified Himalayan Early Warning Coalition between Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and China. Glacial outbursts and atmospheric rivers pay no heed to national borders. Joint Disaster Logistics: Standardise cross-border search-and-rescue communication protocols and supply lines to ensure immediate response without customs delays during regional disasters. Moving with the Mountains: The Civilizational Shift The catastrophe in Nepal has delivered an unmistakable verdict on human development in high-altitude environments. The mountains are not shrinking; they are dynamic, living landscapes responding to global ecological imbalances. We may never be powerful enough to prevent mountains from moving. But we should be intelligent enough to move people out of their way. To continue building unyielding concrete cities in historical floodplains, carving unengineered roads through fragile slopes, and reacting to predictable floods with empty condolences is an outdated way of governing. It treats human life as an expendable variable in an unsustainable developmental model. Resilience does not mean building higher walls against nature; it means developing the humility to step back, the spatial discipline to plan with natural topography, and the logistical competence to move populations out of danger well before the waters rise. The technology, the engineering, and the resources exist. What remains to be proven is our political and moral will to act before the next valley gives way. (The author is a renowned social reformer & Mobility Expert with over two decades of experience. For feedback, email: umarbhat07@gmail.com)

Actress Hina Khan visits Army school in Boniyar, praises students

Srinagar, Aug 27: Film and television actress Hina Khan on Thursday expressed happiness over visiting the border area of Boniyar in north Kashmir and interacting with students at Army Goodwill School. The actress, who hails from Srinagar, interacted with students and later spoke to the media, praising their confidence, intelligence and clarity about their career goals. I was happy to meet the students here and see their confidence level. I got to know a lot about the school and its infrastructure, Khan said. She said the students were confident and intelligent, adding that she was impressed to learn that several of them had qualified for the NEET examination. Children are very confident and intelligent. I learnt that many of them have qualified NEET. They are clear about their goals in life. Some want to become doctors, while others want to become engineers. They are all clear about their careers, she said. Khan credited the defence forces for establishing and maintaining schools in remote and border areas and providing quality education to children. I think the credit goes to the defence forces for the way they have planned so many schools in such small and remote areas. I was telling them to do something similar in the main city as well so that students can get good education in Srinagar too, she said. Praising the teachers and facilities at the school, she said, They have wonderful teachers and the way the students are being taught is amazing. The defence forces are maintaining everything so well. Recalling her interaction with the students, Khan said many of them had been studying at the school since nursery and had continued their education there up to Classes 10 or 12. When I asked the kids about their studies, they said they had been studying in the school since nursery and had now reached Class 10 or 12. When you dont leave a school, you can understand its importance, she said. The actress also encouraged the students to remain focused on their ambitions and not lose their desire to achieve something in life. They have a thirst to do something in their life and that thirst should not vanish. I know it is a bit tough and hard. We have also crossed this phase and they too have to cross it. The fruit of this hard work is going to be very fruitful, she said. Khan advised the students to maintain a balance in life while keeping their parents happy and taking care of their own well-being. The 38-year-old actress is known for her appearances in television shows including Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and her participation in Bigg Boss. Khan, who originally hails from Srinagar, has also recently shared videos of herself singing Kashmiri songs during a marriage ceremony in the city.

Javid Dar calls for farmer-centric approach to boost horticulture

Jammu, Aug 27: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Thursday called for a focused, farmer-centric strategy to harness the vast horticultural potential of Jammu division, enhance farm incomes and transform horticulture into a more productive and remunerative economic activity. The Minister was speaking at an interactive session with the farmers organised by the Department of Horticulture Jammu at Kisan Kendra, Talab Tillo, here. The interaction provided a direct platform to the farmers to share their concerns, difficulties and suggestions regarding the horticulture sector. The farmers highlighted issues related to incentives, availability of quality planting material, market support and measures required to improve production, productivity and profitability. Responding to the concerns, Javid Dar assured the farmers that their genuine issues would be examined and addressed through coordinated interventions. He stressed that the department must maintain continuous engagement with the farming community so that policies and schemes are aligned with the ground realities and emerging needs. On the occasion, Javid Dar released the Handbook of the Department of Horticulture Jammu, a practical reference document for farmers containing information on modern horticultural practices, departmental schemes, technologies and other farmer-oriented interventions. In another farmer-oriented initiative, the Minister flagged off buses carrying farmers for an educational and exposure visit to Government Fruit Plant Nurseries in Jammu and Samba. The visit is aimed at providing the farmers with practical exposure to modern nursery management, quality planting material, scientific fruit production and advanced horticultural technologies. The Minister directed the officers to intensify enforcement against the sale and distribution of fake and spurious pesticides and ensure stringent quality control in the market. He called for regular inspections and effective monitoring mechanisms to safeguard farmers from substandard agricultural inputs and protect horticultural production. Javid Dar also laid special emphasis on regulating the agencies involved in supply of planting material. He directed the concerned officers to ensure that only quality and certified planting material reaches the farmers and that suppliers strictly adhere to prescribed standards. He called for strengthening the government nurseries and expanding the availability of quality fruit plants at subsidised rates. The Minister said that development of a robust nursery infrastructure and timely supply of healthy planting material would be crucial for improving productivity and accelerating the expansion of modern horticulture in Jammu division. Calling for a scientific assessment of horticultural potential, the Minister directed the department to identify areas best suited for fresh and dry fruit cultivation. He stressed the need for location-specific and crop-specific plans based on agro-climatic conditions, available resources and market demand, so that farmers can be encouraged to adopt crops offering better and sustainable returns.

Altaf Bukhari visits Watal Kadal fire victims

Srinagar, Aug 27: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday visited Watal Kadal in Srinagar, where at least seven houses were gutted in a major fire incident on Wednesday evening. Bukhari, accompanied by several party colleagues, met the affected families and expressed solidarity with them, offering condolences and support during the difficult time. He urged the administration to provide immediate relief and necessary rehabilitation assistance to the families who lost their homes in the blaze. Bukhari said concrete and prompt measures were needed to help the affected families rebuild their lives and ensure that they received all necessary assistance from the administration. Those accompanying the Apni Party president included District President Kupwara Raja Manzoor, Provincial Youth President Kashmir Jibran Dar, Joint Secretary District Srinagar Sumaira Ji and other party leaders.

Srinagar faces 2,500-km drainage deficit : SMC

Srinagar, Aug 27: Srinagar: Srinagar faces a significant gap in its stormwater drainage infrastructure, requiring nearly 2,500 km of additional drains to meet the future needs envisaged under Master Plan 2035, according to a presentation made by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC). The city currently has around 680 km of stormwater deep-drainage network, highlighting the substantial infrastructure deficit. The figures were presented to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during a high-level meeting held on Thursday to review Srinagars drainage sector. The meeting focused on tackling waterlogging, strengthening stormwater infrastructure and adopting both immediate and long-term measures to improve the citys drainage resilience. SMC Commissioner Fazlul Haseeb gave a detailed presentation on Srinagars existing drainage network and outlined a comprehensive five-year integrated roadmap aimed at addressing key infrastructural and environmental challenges related to stormwater management in the city. The presentation highlighted that Srinagar currently has around 680 km of stormwater deep drainage network, while the city faces a deficit of nearly 2,500 km of drain length in view of future development envisaged under Master Plan 2035. Around 15 per cent of the existing stormwater network is presently not functioning at optimum hydraulic capacity due to inadequate drain dimensions, ageing infrastructure, silt deposition and solid-waste ingress. The review also highlighted the impact of rapid urbanisation on the citys natural drainage system and stressed the need for conservation and restoration of remaining natural drainage corridors. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that, to the best extent possible, the drainage system must be strengthened so that the city does not face inundation after a few hours of rainfall. He directed SMC to adopt the proposed short-term measures as its Standard Operating Procedure and ensure its timely implementation. He further directed that whenever an alert regarding high precipitation is received, SMC should immediately activate these measures to minimise waterlogging and mitigate its impact. While these measures will help address some of the immediate problems, the major challenge is infrastructure, the Chief Minister said, directing the SMC to proceed with the proposed long-term interventions, engage a competent agency and prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR). He stressed that the DPR and proposed interventions should form part of the overall drainage plan rather than becoming a standalone emergency measure. He directed SMC to take all concerned departments on board and, once the DPR and financial requirements are finalised, work out the funding mechanism, including resources available with the departments. The Chief Minister also emphasised the need for a sustained citizen awareness campaign, particularly regarding disposal of solid waste, plastic bottles and polythene bags. He observed that polythene bags are a major cause of choking in the drainage system and called for greater public participation in keeping drains free from waste. The proposed immediate measures include cleaning and de-silting of existing drains, clearing blockages, daily lifting of solid waste, prioritising missing links, installation of mechanical screens in large open drains and ensuring backup power for dewatering stations. Long-term interventions include construction of additional dewatering stations, segregation of sewerage and stormwater networks, upgradation of old and natural drains, prevention of encroachments and conservation and rejuvenation of lakes. The proposed integrated programme is to be implemented in two phases over five years, with priority accorded to commercial and densely populated areas followed by low-lying areas. The meeting was attended by Srinagar district MLAs, including MLA Khanyar Ali Mohammad Sagar, MLA Eidgah Mubarak Gul, MLA Habba Kadal Shamim Firdous, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, MLA Hazratbal Salman Sagar, MLA Chanapora Mushtaq Guroo and MLA Lal Chowk Sheikh Ahsan Ahmed, who provided their feedback and inputs on the drainage system of Srinagar city. Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Jal Shakti Shaleen Kabra, ACS to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, ACS PDD Ashwini Kumar, ACS PWD Anil Kumar, and other concerned officers also attended the meeting.

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Tura Medical College faculty strength less than half of requirement

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