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Peace, public order non-negotiable: IGP Kashmir
Srinagar, Sep 10: Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, Sujit Kumar on Thursday visited the twin districts of south KashmirKulgam and Shopianto comprehensively assess the security landscape, counter-terrorism grid, crime mitigation efforts, and general law and order scenario. On his visit, IGP Kashmir was accompanied by Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Kashmir Range, Javed Iqbal Mattoo, a police spokesperson said in a statement issued here. During the visit, the Kashmir Police chief chaired security and crime review meetings in both districts, attended by respective Senior Superintendents of Police along with other senior and jurisdictional gazetted police officers. The SSPs of Kulgam and Shopian presented comprehensive briefings outlining the prevailing security situation, status of anti-terror operations, counter-insurgency grids, crime prevention strategies, and steps taken to uphold public order. Reviewing operational preparedness, Sujit Kumar called for robust, proactive intelligence gathering, close inter-agency coordination, and swift, decisive responses to neutralise emerging security challenges. He instructed field formations to sustain pressure on terrorist ecosystems and maintain zero tolerance against inimical elements attempting to disturb peace and public order. As part of the tour, IGP Kashmir also visited rural Sub-Division D.H. Pora in district Kulgam, where he held an interactive session with local jurisdictional supervisory officers, station house officers, and jawans of the Special Operations Group.
Kashmir loses nearly 40,000 hectares of paddy land in four decades
Srinagar, Sep10: Kashmir has lost nearly 40,000 hectares of land under paddy cultivation over the past four decades, a comparison of historical agricultural data and the latest Jammu and Kashmir Government figures suggests,pointing to a significant transformation of the Valleys traditional rice landscape. A study on cropping and land-use dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir, based on government agricultural statistics, recorded around 1.69 lakh hectares under paddy in Kashmir Division in 1980-81. By 2008-09, the area had fallen to around 1.14 lakh hectaresa decline of nearly 33 per cent. The acreage subsequently recovered to about 1.36 lakh hectares in 2017, according to a study based on J&K government statistics, before declining again to around 1.29 lakh hectares in 2023-24, the data reads. The latest figure is reported in the J&K Governments Economic Survey 2024-25, which provides district-wise agricultural data. Taken together, the figures indicate that Kashmirs paddy acreage is now roughly 40,000 hectares, or nearly 24 per cent, below the level recorded in the early 1980s. The decline in acreage, however, has not been accompanied by a comparable decline in productivity. According to the J&K Economic Survey 2025-26, Kashmirs average rice yield rose to 26.78 quintals per hectare in 2024-25, from 26.13 quintals in 2023-24 and 26.02 quintals in 2022-23. The figures present a striking paradox--Kashmir is producing rice more efficiently from each hectare even as the area devoted to the crop remains significantly below its historical level. The pressure on paddy land comes from several directions. Rapid urban expansion and infrastructure development have increased competition for agricultural land, particularly around growing towns and cities. Once fertile paddy fields are permanently converted for construction, they are difficult to bring back into agricultural use. At the same time, farmers are diversifying their crops in response to market returns, climate conditions and water availability. The J&K Economic Survey 2024-25 reads that around 1.40 lakh hectares of net agricultural land in Kashmir, excluding waterlogged areas, is being cultivated with mustard during winter under the Yellow Revolution initiative. The shift does not mean mustard has replaced paddy hectare-for-hectare, but it highlights the changing use and intensification of Kashmirs agricultural land, it reads. Water is emerging as another critical challenge. Paddy requires assured water at key stages of cultivation, making farmers particularly vulnerable to prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall. Changes in snowfall, glacier melt and precipitation patterns are adding further uncertainty to the traditional agricultural calendar. The transformation of the rice landscape carries consequences beyond crop production. Paddy fields support farming households, contribute to local food security and form an integral part of Kashmirs rural landscape. They also provide open spaces that retain seasonal water and help moderate the impact of rapid urban expansion. The historical figures therefore tell a larger story. Kashmir has managed to improve rice productivity, but it is doing so on a smaller cultivation base than four decades ago. As the Valley approaches another autumn harvest, the familiar golden paddy fields remain a defining image of Kashmir. But behind that image lies a changing agricultural realityone in which fertile land is under growing pressure and water is becoming an increasingly uncertain resource.
IFFJK will inspire young filmmakers: Santosh Sivan
Srinagar, Sep 10: Veteran filmmaker and cinematographer Santosh Sivan on Thursday hailed the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK), describing it as one of the finest film festivals held in Kashmir and saying such platforms could encourage local filmmakers and inspire the valleys youth to take up filmmaking. Speaking at a press conference at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the concluding day of the festival, Sivan said the event would provide much-needed encouragement to aspiring filmmakers in Kashmir. This is the finest ever film festival in Kashmir. It will push local filmmakers to make films and inspire the youth of the valley to come forward and explore filmmaking, he said. Recalling his association with Kashmir, Sivan said the valleys landscape and people had left a lasting impression on him and eventually influenced his 2008 film Tahaan, which was shot in Kashmir.I was so impressed visually by Kashmir that I made a film called Tahaan in 2008, he said. Sivan recalled that when he came to Kashmir while working on Roja, he had little understanding of the region. However, his experiences during the visit later contributed to the idea for Tahaan. When I shot Roja in Himachal, I didnt have an idea what Kashmir was. When I came to Kashmir, I saw donkeys carrying goods, and that is where an idea came for the film Tahaan. It was my first time in Kashmir, he said. The filmmaker also said Kashmir should not be compared with Himachal Pradesh, as both destinations offered distinct landscapes and visual possibilities for filmmakers. Remembering his experience of shooting in the valley, Sivan said the local people had extended considerable support to the film crew. People were also helpful when we shot the film. They helped us at every moment, he said. Sivan also suggested introducing a dedicated student category at the film festival to provide young and aspiring filmmakers with an opportunity to showcase their work. I want the students category to also be kept here so that they can send their films, he said.
IFFJK concludes with Usha Uthups power-packed performance
Srinagar, Sep 10: The first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 concluded on a high note here on Thursday, with a glittering award ceremony followed by a power-packed musical performance by veteran Bollywood singer Usha Uthup at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). Usha Uthup enthralled the audience with some of her popular numbers, including Ramba Ho, Darling keeping the packed gathering engaged till the end. Responding to repeated requests from the audience, she returned to perform again and also presented the Kashmiri song Huks Buks, drawing loud applause. Expressing her happiness over performing in Kashmir, Uthup said she was delighted to be in the valley and perform before an active audience. The concluding ceremony also witnessed the presentation of awards across various categories, recognising filmmakers and artists for their work showcased during the four-day festival. Baba Tasaduq Hussain won the Best Cinematography award for the documentary Naqsh-e-Daur, while Sara Francis was honoured with the Best Sound Design award for Dead Dog. Dieter Diependaele won Best Editing for the drama film Ttes Brles. The Best Emerging Film award went to Askini: The Guiding Darkness, while The Sustxotin won Best Debut Film of the Director. Khusnora Rozmatova was named Best Director, while Whisper My Name won the Best Film award. Amin Haye was adjudged Best Actor (Male), while Tanya Maniktala won Best Actor (Female) for her performance in Aarifa. The Best Film from Jammu & Kashmir award went to filmmaker Kapil Mattos Tasrufdar The Jinns of Kashmir. The four-day festival, which began on September 7, concluded on Thursday after witnessing participation from filmmakers, actors, directors, cinematographers, technicians, students and cinema enthusiasts from India and abroad. The festival venues recorded a strong turnout throughout the event, reflecting growing public interest in cinema and the diverse programme curated for the inaugural edition. Screenings and festival activities were held at multiple venues, including SKICC and INOX in Srinagar, besides venues in Gulmarg and Jammu. The festival was inaugurated on Monday by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. According to the organisers, the inaugural edition received an overwhelming response from filmmakers across the world, with more than 1,100 film entries from 80 countries. A total of 135 films were screened during the festival. The IFFJK brought together filmmakers and professionals from across the cinematic spectrum, providing a platform for showcasing diverse films while facilitating interaction between filmmakers, students and audiences. The festival was also aimed at strengthening Jammu and Kashmirs engagement with the global film industry and promoting the region as an attractive destination for film production and tourism.
J&K Select category : Tasrufdaar wins best film award
Srinagar, Sep 10: Kashmiri short film Tasrufdaar (Djinns of Kashmir), directed by filmmaker Kapil Mattoo, has won the Best Film Award in the Jammu and Kashmir Select category at the maiden International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK), marking a significant moment for homegrown cinema. The film, which was among five productions selected for the competitive J&K Select section, stood out for its deeply rooted narrative exploring memory, displacement, loss and the lingering emotional scars of Kashmirs troubled past. The section featured films centred on the regions cultural heritage, social realities and lived experiences. For Mattoo, the recognition comes at a festival that has placed Kashmiri filmmakers and their stories at the centre of an international cinematic platform. Tasrufdaar follows a haunting encounter between two childhood friends, separated by the events of 1990, and uses folklore, memory and the supernatural to explore the pain carried across generations. Mattoo has earlier described the film as a labour of love, saying that the hidden pain carried by people in Kashmir needed to be articulated. We need closure, he said in an interview about the film, underlining its attempt to confront memories that have remained unresolved for decades. The filmmaker had also described the films journey to international platforms as an opportunity for Kashmiri voices to reach a wider audience. Ahead of its UK premiere, Mattoo said its selection felt like the story had found its rightful home. Tasrufdaar was written, directed and produced by Mattoo and has already travelled to international festival platforms, including the UK Asian Film Festival. Its selection at IFFJK brought the film back to Kashmir, where it received recognition on its home ground. The films award assumes added significance as the inaugural IFFJK sought to create a platform for stories from Jammu and Kashmir alongside films from across India and the world. The J&K Select section brought together five locally helmed films, reflecting themes ranging from childhood and family to displacement, identity, heritage and resilience. The recognition for Tasrufdaar also underscores the growing confidence among filmmakers from the region to tell complex Kashmiri stories in their own voices, taking them beyond conventional portrayals of the Valley and placing them on wider cinematic platforms. With its Best Film honour at the maiden IFFJK, Tasrufdaar has added another chapter to the evolving story of Kashmiri cinemaone where memory, identity and lived experience are finding their way from the Valley to audiences beyond it.
Create in India, create for world: MoS Murugan
Srinagar, Sep 10: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan on Thursday said Jammu and Kashmir was no longer merely a filming location but was emerging as an active creator, host and partner in global storytelling. Addressing the concluding ceremony of the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here, Murugan congratulated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the J&K Government for organising the festival and bringing together filmmakers and films from across the world. We see the vision translating into reality. For decades, the silver screen showed us the snow peaks of Gulmarg, the scenic landscapes of Srinagar and the historic temples of Jammu through a camera lens. Today, Jammu and Kashmir is not just a brief shooting location; it is becoming an active creator, host and partner in modern global storytelling, he said. Murugan said the festival had received around 1,100 film submissions from more than 80 countries, describing the response as an indication of the growing significance of the event. Bringing together films from across the continents to this valley requires immense passion, meticulous planning and unwavering conviction, he said, appreciating the jury members, volunteers and administration involved in organising the festival. He said India was emerging as a major global hub for media, gaming, music, digital content and virtual and extended reality, adding that the country must focus on creating in India and creating for the world. The MoS said the Government of India was undertaking several reforms to strengthen the media and entertainment sector and expand opportunities for creators. Referring to the Waves summit held in Mumbai, Murugan said the event brought together stakeholders from across the global media and entertainment industry and would be held in Mumbai again next year. He also highlighted the proposed AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics) content creator labs, saying the initiative would establish such labs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges across the country, with an allocation of nearly Rs 250 crore. Murugan said the Indian media and entertainment industry was projected to require nearly two million professionals by 2030, adding that the government was focusing on modern curricula, industry linkages, world-class infrastructure and quality training to meet the growing demand. Highlighting the India Cine Hub portal, he said filmmakers could now obtain multiple permissions through a single platform instead of approaching different government departments. Earlier, we had to seek permission from the Railways, Forest Department and the state government separately. Now we need not go to different government offices. All the approvals can be obtained through the India Cine Hub portal, he said. Murugan also underlined the government's efforts to strengthen copyright and protect the film and digital content industries, including measures aimed at curbing piracy and protecting independent digital creators and design studios. He said initiatives such as the National Creators Award were helping bring digital content creation, gaming and storytelling into mainstream economic policy. Welcoming filmmakers, investors and producers to J&K, Murugan said the Union Territory offered natural landscapes and infrastructure that could attract more film productions. To the investors and producers present in the room, we welcome you with open arms, ready infrastructure and unmatched natural wonders, he said. He also praised the youth of Jammu and Kashmir for increasingly taking up filmmaking and storytelling. For years, the world came here to capture our valleys through their lenses. Today, our youth are stepping forward to hold the camera themselves, Murugan said, adding that young people from J&K were exploring scriptwriting, digital storytelling and other creative fields. He congratulated the organisers, the Chief Minister and the J&K Government for the successful conclusion of the festival and thanked participating filmmakers for sharing their art with the audience in the valley. Meanwhile, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Chanchal Kumar said Jammu and Kashmir's landscapes, literature, music and traditions offer significant potential to position the Union Territory as a destination for filmmakers and a hub for creative enterprises. He said the region's cinematic journey could be strengthened by connecting local talent with filmmakers, producers, mentors and audiences across India and the world. Referring to initiatives such as the Create Indian Challenge and WAVES Bazaar, Kumar said young creators can develop skills, showcase their work and connect with industry, buyers, investors and collaborators. He also encouraged young people from Kashmir to explore opportunities at the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai, and emphasised the need to take such opportunities closer to youth through outreach, workshops and guidance. The Secretary said professional film productions involving local talent as trainees and crew members could provide practical exposure and strengthen skills. He expressed hope that the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir would evolve into a sustained platform where local stories connect with producers, creative talent with mentors, and promising projects with opportunities.
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Our stories will bring filmmakers back: CM Omar
Srinagar, Sep 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) must grow beyond a four-day annual event into a year-round platform for screening, training, learning and collaboration, with a focus on nurturing local filmmaking talent. Addressing the concluding ceremony of the inaugural IFFJK at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here, Omar said the festival had succeeded in finding both an audience and a purpose during its first edition. Four days ago, we gathered here to raise the curtain on the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir. At that time, the festival was an idea being tested, an invitation, an experiment and, above all, a hope that Jammu and Kashmir could create a meaningful platform for cinema, he said. He said the festival had brought filmmakers and audiences together and connected established professionals with young aspirants from Jammu and Kashmir. Over these last four days, IFFJK has brought filmmakers and audiences together, connected established professionals with young aspirants and created a space where cinema from Jammu and Kashmir could engage with India and the world, Omar said. The CM said the participation of young people from J&K had been particularly encouraging, adding that the festival had provided opportunities for discussions on storytelling, filmmaking, technology and collaboration. With 120 films from more than 30 countries, Omar said the scale of the festival was significant, but its deeper value lay in the connections created among filmmakers, writers, artists and aspiring professionals. A young writer meeting a director, an aspiring filmmaker learning from a professional, or two people meeting here who may one day make a film together - these are the connections that give a festival its lasting value, he said. Omar congratulated filmmakers and others who were recognised during the festival and thanked the jury, delegates, filmmakers and members of the film fraternity for participating in the inaugural edition. Reflecting on Kashmirs long association with cinema, Omar said the screening of classic films against the backdrop of Dal Lake during the festival had created a special experience. He referred to the screening of films including Jama, Arzoo, Kashmir Ki Kali and Kabhi Kabhie, saying that cinema which had once carried the image of Kashmir to audiences across the country had, in a sense, returned to the valley. For decades, Kashmir travelled to audiences through a cinema screen. This week, in a sense, the screen came back to Kashmir, he said. However, Omar said nostalgia could not define the future of J&Ks relationship with cinema. Our ambition must go beyond being a beautiful filming location. Jammu and Kashmir must increasingly become a place from which stories emerge, talent is discovered and films are conceived and created, he said. He said J&K had much more to offer cinema than its landscapes, with stories rooted in its cities, towns and villages, as well as its languages, literature, music, crafts, history and everyday lives. Our landscapes may bring filmmakers here, but our stories, our people and our professional filmmaking environment can bring them back, he said. The CM emphasised the need to create greater opportunities for young filmmakers and storytellers from J&K. He said the success of IFFJK over the next decade should not be measured merely by the number of celebrities attending the festival or the films screened, but by the careers, opportunities and collaborations it helped create. Ten years from now, the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmirs success will be measured not by the personalities who join us, but by the careers that we had here, the opportunities and collaborations that we created, and the stories from Jammu and Kashmir that reached audiences across India and the world, he said. Omar said the presence of filmmakers and artists had given the first edition stature, but the real tribute to their contribution would be to ensure that a new generation from J&K found its place in the film industry. He called for IFFJK to evolve into a continuous platform for screening, learning, training and collaboration throughout the year. Omar also highlighted the wider economic opportunities associated with the film industry, saying filmmaking could support local professionals, artists, service providers, businesses and employment. Films coming to Jammu and Kashmir should therefore leave behind not only valuable images but also skills, enjoyment and stronger local capabilities, he said. He invited visiting filmmakers, actors and delegates to return to J&K to shoot films, write, teach, collaborate and discover more of the region. To our visiting filmmakers, actors and delegates, my invitation is simple: come back to shoot, write, teach, collaborate and discover more of Jammu and Kashmir, he said. Addressing young filmmakers and storytellers, Omar urged them to learn the craft, experiment and begin telling stories rooted in their own surroundings. Tell the stories of your neighbourhoods, villages, families and generations. Some of cinemas most powerful voices are intimate and local. What matters is that the voice be authentic and the craft remains strong, he said.
Srinagar, Sep 10: When the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) opened at SKICC on September 7, it was, as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described it, an idea being tested, an invitation, an experiment and, above all, a hope. Four days later, as the curtains came down on Thursday, that experiment had found both an audience and a purpose. The numbers tell one part of the story. Over 1,100 film entries from more than 80 countries, 135 films screened across Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg, and a line-up of masterclasses, panel discussions and cultural performances featuring names like Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Imtiaz Ali, Ramesh Sippy, Pankaj Tripathi, Santosh Sivan, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Usha Uthup. For a maiden edition, the scale was ambitious and the response overwhelming. But the deeper significance of IFFJK lies beyond numbers. For decades, Kashmir's relationship with cinema was one of separationits landscapes travelled to audiences through screens, while the industry itself stayed away. This week, in a sense, the screen came back to Kashmir. The presence of filmmakers, actors and technicians from across India and abroad, interacting with local aspirants, suggested the beginning of a reconnection that the government hopes to institutionalise. The government's intent was visible in the policy conversations that ran alongside the screenings. The J&K Film Policy, single-window clearances, financial incentives linked to shooting days and local expenditure, and the push for local employmentall were discussed as practical tools to transform the region from a scenic backdrop into a working film destination. The India Cine Hub portal, as MoS I&B L. Murugan noted, now allows filmmakers to secure permissions through a single platform, removing a long-standing bottleneck. The festival also placed local stories at the centre. The J&K Select category, won by Kapil Mattoo's Tasrufdaar, showcased five films exploring memory, displacement, identity and heritage. Performances of Bande Pather, Kashmir's centuries-old folk theatre, reminded audiences that the Valley's storytelling traditions predate cinema by generations. The message was clear: Kashmir has stories worth telling, not just locations worth filming. Yet, the real test begins now. A festival can create momentum, but it cannot sustain an industry on its own. The Chief Minister's call for IFFJK to grow into a year-round platformfor screening, training and collaborationis the right ambition. So is the emphasis on creating a local workforce of cinematographers, sound engineers and technicians, so that filmmakers arriving with a script can find everything else in Kashmir. For the youth of the Valley, the festival offered something intangible but invaluable: exposure. A young writer meeting a director, an aspiring filmmaker learning from a professional, two strangers discovering a shared creative languagethese connections, as Omar noted, are what give a festival its lasting value. IFFJK 2026 did not just celebrate cinema. It declared that Kashmir intends to be part of the conversation, not just its backdrop. Whether that declaration becomes a movement will depend on what happens between now and the next edition. The festival has set the stage. The work of building an industry must now follow.
UDP to hold emergency meeting with defection on its mind
Shillong, Sep 10: Amid reports that eight to nine its MLAs are preparing to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the United Democratic Party (UDP) will hold an emergency meeting of its central executive committee (CEC) here on Friday. UDP general secretary and Sohra MDC Titosstarwell Chyne informed reporters today that all MLAs, MDCs and [] The post UDP to hold emergency meeting with defection on its mind first appeared on Highland Post .
19 cancer cases in Byrnihat area, High Court seeks water test reports
Shillong, Sep 10: The Meghalaya High Court was informed that 19 persons are suffering from cancer in the Byrnihat area as it heard a PIL on pollution in Umtrew river. A bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh took on record status reports filed by Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) [] The post 19 cancer cases in Byrnihat area, High Court seeks water test reports first appeared on Highland Post .
VPP calls for top Education official to go
Shillong, Sep 10: The opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) has demanded the removal of Vijay Kumar Mantri as Commissioner and Secretary of the Education Department. The party said it is seriously concerned over the current state of affairs of education in Meghalaya. The manner in which education is being handled and administered, particularly [] The post VPP calls for top Education official to go first appeared on Highland Post .
Central officials to visit State to understand scientific mining difficulties
Shillong, Sep 10: Officials from the Union Ministry of Coal are likely to visit Meghalaya to get a first-hand understanding of the difficulties the state is facing when it comes to scientific coal mining. Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla held a video conference today with Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Coal, to [] The post Central officials to visit State to understand scientific mining difficulties first appeared on Highland Post .
State boasts largest community-led tobacco control initiative again
Shillong, Sep 10: The Tobacco-Free Village (TfV) Programme, has strengthened its position as a national leader in community-led tobacco control for a second consecutive year, the state government said in a press release today. The programme was initiated in 2024 in East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills by the National Health Mission (NHM) Meghalaya, [] The post State boasts largest community-led tobacco control initiative again first appeared on Highland Post .
Meghalaya emerges as major rubber-growing state with 23,000 ha under INROAD
Kerela, Sep 10: Meghalaya has emerged as one of the major rubber-growing states in the Northeast with 23,106.89 hectares planted under the Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development (INROAD) project between 2021 and 2025. The figures were shared by Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) officials during an interaction with a media delegation from [] The post Meghalaya emerges as major rubber-growing state with 23,000 ha under INROAD first appeared on Highland Post .
CCTV Cameras or Cameras of Accountability?
By Augusten Blah Before Meghalaya expands its surveillance network, the public deserves to know how well the existing one is working. There is an uncomfortable question at the heart of Meghalayas growing reliance on technology for public safety: Are we building a larger surveillance system or are we first making sure that the system we [] The post CCTV Cameras or Cameras of Accountability? first appeared on Highland Post .
The hills of the Northeast have always been governed by community, not by files and signatures in distant offices. For tribal communities in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Assam, land is not just property. It is identity, livelihood, culture and memory. Any attempt to weaken the role of village institutions in deciding what [] The post Consent Diluted first appeared on Highland Post .
Has the burden of teachers increased
Editor, After six decades of celebrating Teachers Day many questions have become vital today . And the most important of all is that in this contemporary world, has the role of teachers changed? The answer is a definite yes. Decades ago the picture of a teacher was imagined as someone holding a stick, giving [] The post Has the burden of teachers increased first appeared on Highland Post .
Women take the controls as farms embrace new tech in Telangana
Drones are opening a new frontier for women in self-help groups, giving them a chance to enter technology-led agriculture and build independent businesses. From crop-spraying to farm services, the new skills are taking them beyond the traditional activities of SHGs
9/11report fromthe ground:Smoke, shock spread over New York
The Hindu article Smoke, shock spread over New York, published on September 12, 2001, captured the chaotic atmosphere on the streets of New York City
Alleged trafficking network targets protected
Dibrugarh: Serious allegations have emerged regarding the alleged illegal capture and trafficking of Channa barca, locally known as Cheng fish, a rare species found in Assams aquatic ecosystems of the Brahmaputra Valley. The alleged operation is reportedly linked to a network based in Tinsukia district that is said to be sourcing the fish from different [] The post Alleged trafficking network targets protected Channa barca fish from Assam, Arunachal appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Tribal people from hamlet in Keralams Malappuram live in makeshift sheds seven years after flood
Over two dozen Paniya tribal families are living in plastic sheds set up in forested areas across the Chaliyar river in Malappuram district. Abdul Latheef Naha takes a trip to the tribal settlement to bring out the plight of the tribespeople
Protein: Reel, reality and what constitutes a wholesome meal
From recommending adding fish and chicken into the diet, to protein shakes, and lately a Profee (protein and coffee), the online space has become a hyperactive protein-pushing zone; experts and doctors stress the need to seek medical guidance and make wholesome food choices without falling prey to trends
Iran President Pezeshkian and UN Secretary-General Guterres are among the leaders expected to arrive later in the day
Commissioner/Secretary to Government, YSS accorded warm farewell on transfer to Arunachal Pradesh
Jammu, Sep 10: The Department of Youth Services & Sports accorded a warm and cordial farewell to Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Youth Services & Sports, on his transfer to Arunachal Pradesh. The farewell was attended by Director General, Youth Services & Sports, Special Secretary, Youth Services & Sports, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, Director Finance and all officers and officials of the Department. Officers and officials of the Department expressed their gratitude for his leadership, guidance and valuable contribution towards strengthening the Youth Services & Sports sector during his tenure. The officers recalled his professional approach, simplicity and accessibility, and appreciated the encouragement and support extended by him to officers, field staff, sportspersons and other stakeholders. His efforts to promote sports activities, improve sports infrastructure and provide greater opportunities to young sportspersons were also acknowledged. During his tenure, the Department made significant progress under his guidance, including the completion of numerous sports facilities and infrastructure projects across the Union Territory. His leadership also contributed to the successful conduct of various sports activities, events, conferences and youth-oriented programmes, thereby providing wider opportunities for participation and talent development among young people. The officers also acknowledged his important role in the effective implementation of various Khelo India programmes, along with other initiatives related to sports promotion, youth engagement, capacity building and the development of sports facilities. These efforts helped strengthen the sports ecosystem and encouraged greater participation of young people in sporting activities. The officers and staff appreciated the positive working environment created under his leadership and stated that his guidance and support would be remembered by the Department. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary expressed his gratitude to the officers and officials of the Department for their cooperation, support and dedication during his tenure. He appreciated the collective efforts of the Department in advancing sports and youth-oriented initiatives across the Union Territory and stated that the progress achieved was the result of teamwork and sustained commitment at all levels. He also conveyed his appreciation to the field functionaries, coaches, sportspersons and other stakeholders for their contribution to the growth of sports in Jammu & Kashmir. He expressed confidence that the Department would continue to build on the initiatives undertaken and work with the same spirit and commitment towards providing better sporting opportunities and facilities to the youth. The Commissioner/Secretary further stated that his tenure in the Department had been a professionally enriching and memorable experience. He expressed gratitude for the cooperation and goodwill extended to him by the officers and staff. On the occasion, the officers and officials of the Department conveyed their best wishes to him for his new assignment in Arunachal Pradesh. They expressed confidence that his experience, administrative acumen and commitment to public service would enable him to make a valuable contribution in his new place of posting. The farewell concluded with a vote of thanks and wishes for his continued success and good health in his future endeavours.
Architecture Festival Nairang-e-Tameer concludes at IUST
Awantipora, Sept 10: The Department of Architecture, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), successfully concluded the second edition of its annual architecture festival, Nairang-e-Tameer 2026, held from September 810 on the theme Traditions in Practice: Celebrating Craft, Culture and Community. The three-day festival brought together architects, heritage professionals, craftspeople, academicians, students, entrepreneurs and members of the wider community to engage in dialogue on the relationship between architecture, traditional knowledge systems and contemporary practice. The festival was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor, IUST, Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, in the presence of Dr. Kuldeep, Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, university officers, deans, faculty members, students and invited guests. Addressing the gathering, Prof. Romshoo emphasized the importance of preserving the distinct character of Kashmiri architecture while responding to contemporary challenges through innovation, sustainability and disaster resilience. He also highlighted the need for architecture students to engage with emerging technologies while remaining rooted in traditional knowledge systems. Over the three days, the festival hosted the Architects Conclave: Perspectives in Practice, featuring presentations and discussions by invited architects Biley Menon, IDEA Design, Kochi; Sridevi Changali, Masons Ink Studio; Akshay Heranjal, The Purple Ink Studio; and Saima Iqbal, INTACH, Kashmir Chapter. The sessions provided students and practitioners an opportunity to engage with diverse approaches to architectural practice, heritage conservation, design innovation and community-centred development. Another highlight was the exhibition Works in Practice: Student Work, Professional Practice and Emerging Ideas, showcasing professional projects, student work, heritage documentation and photography entries from IUST, participating institutions and invited architects. The Entrepreneurship Forum: PracticeAcademia Dialogue further facilitated discussions on architectural practice, entrepreneurship, industry-academia engagement and emerging trends in the profession. The festival also featured competitions, cultural programmes and sporting events, including singing, Scrapescape, Stack Attack, Clue Prints, table tennis, badminton, carrom, chess, basketball and human ludo, providing opportunities for creativity, interaction and collaborative learning. Hands-on workshops formed an important component of the festival. A COB construction workshop conducted by Mamoon Ahmad of Zyen Materials Collective introduced participants to sustainable earthen building techniques. The Waguv-making workshop, led by Ruksana Bano and Zameer Hussain Bhat, highlighted traditional Kashmiri craft practices, while artist Shahran Dahlani conducted a collaborative mural workshop that transformed a section of the Department of Architecture into an artistic installation reflecting themes of culture, community and identity. Students and faculty from various institutions of the Valley, including the Institute of Music and Fine Arts, University of Kashmir; SSM College of Engineering; and NIFT Srinagar, participated in the festival. The Department of Architecture acknowledged the valuable contribution of the participating faculty members and students whose enthusiastic participation enriched the festival. The festival concluded with a valedictory ceremony graced by Prof. Romshoo; Registrar, Prof. Shamim Ahmad Shah; Dean, School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics, Qazi Qamar Iqbal Qari; university officers; faculty members; representatives of participating institutions; and students. Prof. Romshoo distributed prizes and certificates to the winners of various competitions and sporting events and congratulated the participants, organisers and volunteers for the successful conduct of the festival. The organisers expressed gratitude to the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Boton Furnitures, Antique by Studio X and Rehman Foundation for their generous support.
SKUAST-K charts national-to-global transformation roadmap by 2030
Shalimar, Sep 10: The 46th Academic Council meeting of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) was held on Thursday at Vice-Chancellors Conference Hall, Main Campus, Shalimar, with deliberations focused on academic transformation, research and innovation for Universitys transition from National to Global by 2030. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K and Chairperson of the Academic Council, and attended by members of the Academic Council, representatives from sister universities and institutions, and officers and heads of various Divisions of the University. Ram Niwas, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, attended the meeting as special guest. In his address, Prof. Ganai said the University has achieved the goal set in 2022 of moving from Local to National and was now repositioning its goalpost from National to Global. He said that the next phase of transformation would be driven by six key pillars: student diversity, faculty diversity, curriculum transformation, research and innovation, world-class infrastructure, and financial sustainability. Prof. Ganai outlined the milestones to be achieved by 2030, including increasing the international students enrollment to 5% and students from other States/UTs of the country to 35%, taking the Universitys IPR portfolio to over 250 and H-index to 250+, and strengthening faculty diversity by attracting 50+ faculty members from outside the Union Territory, including Professors of Practice and Adjunct Faculty. He further stressed the need for a sustainable mountain development policy, keeping in view the changing global climatic scenario and the growing challenges confronting mountain ecosystems. He said the University should contribute its expertise towards developing sustainable and climate-resilient approaches for mountain agriculture and development. Prof. Ganai expressed gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha; Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah; Minister for Agriculture, Javid Ahmad Dar; Chief Secretary, J&K; other Administrative Secretaries; and ICAR for their continued support and guidance to the University. He also thanked Ram Niwas for his valuable suggestions and inputs during the Council deliberations, which, he said, would help the University advance its vision of becoming a globally recognized institution. Addressing the Council, Ram Niwas said SKUAST-K has demonstrated how an agricultural university could take on a larger role in the higher education landscape and acknowledged the Universitys shift in its goalpost from national to the global level. He said the proposed Centre for Faculty Training and Pedagogy at SKUAST-K has the potential to serve as a model for universities across the country. He also suggested the creation of an Indian Teachers Service on the lines of other national services such as IAS, IFS and IES, to strengthen academic capacity-building across the country. Ram Niwas further suggested that universities should develop predefined five- or ten-year action plans, with clear goals and measurable outcomes, to provide a structured roadmap for institutional development and long-term transformation. Earlier, Prof. Mohd. Altaf Bhat, Director Education, SKUAST-K, delivered the welcome address. Prof. Azmat Alam Khan, Registrar and Member Secretary, Academic Council, presented the University Progress Report, followed by the Agenda and Action Taken Report of the previous Academic Council meeting. The meeting also witnessed the release of the revised uniform format for postgraduate theses, prepared by Dr Heena Hamdani, aimed at ensuring greater uniformity and standardisation in thesis preparation and submission at the University. A Ph.D. thesis of Agricultural Engineering student Er. Riyaz Ashraf was also displayed as a model for other research scholars, particularly in view of its additional chapter focusing on research outcomes. Umer Ibni Assad, Deputy Registrar (Academics), proposed the vote of thanks.
Sabalenka pushes past Pegula into U.S. Open final
No complaints, said Sabalenka, who earned the respect of the partisan fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama in the crowd. I'm super happy to pull out that kind of tennis
DSW KU hosts IIPA debate 2026 at KU
Srinagar, Sep 10: The Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), J&K Regional Branch, in collaboration with English Debate Club, Department of Students Welfare (DSW), University of Kashmir, organised the Annual IIPA Debate2026 at University of Kashmir on the topic, Is Food Adulteration the Biggest Public Health Challenge Facing Jammu & Kashmir Today? The debate, which carries a rich legacy of over two and a half decades, brought together students from different universities, colleges and institutions, providing them a platform to deliberate on an issue of direct relevance to public health, society and everyday life. Addressing the gathering, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nilofer Khan, who was the Chief Guest, appreciated IIPA J&K Regional Branch and the Department of Students Welfare for sustaining the debate as an important academic tradition of the University. A university is not only a place where students acquire degrees; it is a place where young minds learn to think, question and express themselves. Platforms such as the IIPA Debate help our students develop confidence, clarity of thought and the ability to appreciate viewpoints different from their own. I congratulate all the participants and organisers for keeping this meaningful tradition alive. The Vice Chancellor observed that the theme chosen for the 2026 debate was particularly relevant, as food adulteration affects every household and calls for greater public awareness, responsible citizenship and effective institutional action. Khalid Jahangir, Commissioner, Food & Drug Administration, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, and Guest of Honour, appreciated the choice of the topic and emphasised the importance of collective efforts in ensuring food safety. Food safety is not merely a regulatory responsibility; it is a shared responsibility. Awareness among consumers, ethical practices in the food sector and effective enforcement by regulatory agencies must work together. It is encouraging to see young students engaging with such an important public health issue through informed debate. Dr. G. N. Qasba, Vice Chairperson, IIPA J&K Regional Branch, highlighted the longstanding association between IIPA and the University of Kashmir and the role of debate in nurturing democratic values and informed public discourse. The IIPA Debate has grown into a meaningful academic tradition because it gives young people the freedom to think, question and articulate their views. IIPA is proud to be associated with the University of Kashmir in sustaining this platform, which encourages informed discussion, democratic dialogue and responsible citizenship. Speaking on the occasion he said, Food adulteration is not only a matter of food safety and public health, but also of awareness, ethical responsibility and effective enforcement, and it is encouraging to see our young students engaging with the issue so thoughtfully. Prof. Naseer Iqbal, Registrar, KU said that the debate reflected the University's commitment to providing students with opportunities for learning and intellectual engagement beyond the conventional classroom. The real strength of a university lies in creating spaces where students can engage with contemporary issues and learn from one another. The IIPA Debate provides exactly such a space. It encourages students to read, research, reason and communicate, qualities that remain valuable throughout their academic and professional lives. Earlier, Prof. Seema Singh, Dean Students Welfare, KU, delivered the welcome address. She welcomed the distinguished guests, jury members, faculty members and participating students and appreciated the continued association between DSW and IIPA J&K Regional Branch. The debate proceedings were coordinated by Dr. Shahid Ali Khan, Cultural Officer, Department of Students Welfare and Organising Secretary, who also conducted the proceedings of the function. The programme was attended by Prof. S. M. Afzal Qadri, former Dean Students Welfare, University of Kashmir; S. G. M. Andrabi, Joint Secretary, IIPA J&K Regional Branch; Bashir Ahmed, Member, Executive Committee, IIPA J&K Regional Branch and A. M Watali, Senior Member, IIPA. The jury comprised Prof. Farzana Gulzar, Director, Womens Studies and Research Centre; Prof. Javid Ahmed, Head, Department of Public Administration; and Dr. Gazzala Hassan, Scientist, Pollution Control Committee. The competition witnessed enthusiastic participation from students representing different universities of the valley, colleges and institutions. The participants presented arguments both in favour of and against the motion, demonstrating considerable preparation, confidence, clarity of thought and awareness of the subject. In the team category, the Department of Political Science, KU emerged as the winner of the prestigious IIPA Rolling Trophy. The winning team comprised Aaliya Ali and Raashid Rasheed. In the individual category, Syed Aleeza Balkhi of the Institute of Kashmir Studies secured the First Prize. Aaliya Ali of the Department of Political Science, KU, won the Second Prize, while Nimrah of SKUAST-K secured the Third Prize. The First Consolation Prize was awarded to Barha Malik of the Department of Law, while Janifer Salati, also from the Department of Law, received the Second Consolation Prize. The valedictory function concluded with the distribution of prizes and certificates among the winners and participants. The event once again reaffirmed the importance of the IIPA Debate as a sustained platform for intellectual engagement, public speaking and leadership development, while highlighting the commitment of the University of Kashmir and IIPA J&K Regional Branch to nurturing informed and confident young voices. The organisers expressed their gratitude to the distinguished guests, jury members, faculty members, participating institutions, students and volunteers whose support contributed to the successful conduct of the debate.
SMC launches online waste bin booking service for Srinagar City
Srinagar, Sep 10: Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Faz Lul Haseeb, along with Joint Commissioner SMC, Suhail Ul Islam on Thursday launched the Online Waste Bin Booking Service, a digital facility aimed at making the process of requesting waste bins simpler, faster and more accessible for citizens. The service enables residents to submit their requests online without physically visiting SMC offices. The initiative is part of SMCs efforts to expand digital services and make civic service delivery more transparent, efficient and citizen-friendly. The system will also help the Corporation maintain a structured digital record of requests, monitor their status and facilitate better deployment of resources and field staff. Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner said the initiative reflects SMCs commitment to citizen-centric governance and technology-driven service delivery. Our focus is to bring municipal services closer to citizens through technology. The Online Waste Bin Booking Service is a simple yet significant step towards ensuring that residents can access essential civic services conveniently, while SMC is able to respond to their requirements in a more efficient, transparent and accountable manner. Citizens can submit their waste bin requirements along with necessary details, including their location and contact information, through the official SMC website: smcsrinagar.jk.gov.in The Commissioner directed the concerned officers and field functionaries to ensure the timely and efficient implementation of the service. He also stressed the need for wider public awareness so that residents can make full use of the digital facility. The initiative is part of SMCs ongoing efforts to strengthen sanitation and solid waste management through digital services, transparency, accountability and greater citizen participation, with the broader objective of building a cleaner, smarter and more responsive Srinagar.
Who is the Gloria Steinem of India?
For more than five decades, Indian women have built a feminist movement without a single figurehead a sprawling collective that continues to reinvent itself, and whose very decentralisation may be its greatest strength
U.S. removes advertisement asking Mr. Singh to self-deport after backlash
Advocacy groups such as the Hindu American Foundation, the Sikh Coalition, HinduAction, and the Coalition of Hindus of North America dubbed the advertisement as un-American and racist
Here is a select list of stories to start the day
U.S. proposes new rule to scrap 60-day grace period for H-1B workers after job loss
If the rule is finalised, foreign workers facing job loss before the expiry of their visas would need to leave the United States immediately, unless they have separate authorisation to remain
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in New Delhi to attend BRICS summit
The summit in New Delhi is taking place against the backdrop of a global economy facing the adverse impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war, the West Asia crisis, especially the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the Trump administrations trade and tariff policies.
Supreme Court declines pre-arrest relief to Abhishek Banerjees PA
The West Bengal government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, argued that Mr. Roys answers were proving evasive and his custodial interrogation was necessary to the investigation.
Maratha protesters will head to Mumbai, says Jarange Patil
We are not waiting for governments delegation to visit his protest site, but waiting for supporters to assemble and then decide the next course of action, said Mr.Jarange Patil.
Four-day Kashmir film festival sharpens spotlight on filmmakers destination, local storytellers
Besides the screening of 120 movies from around 30 countries, scores of locals, including students, film enthusiasts, artists and filmmakers, were provided a platform to meet and learn from the big names of Bollywood like Ramesh Sippy, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Imtiaz Ali etc.
Under-construction bridge collapses in Bihars Vaishali, seven injured
Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav criticised the state government, alleging that as expected, the corrupt NDA government will once again cover up its corruption.
Noida workers stir: hold officials accountable for illegal detention, say lawyers and activists
Call comes following the Allahabad High Courts ruling on September 2 that quashed the detention of 25-year-old Delhi University law student Akriti Chaudhary under the National Security Act in connection with the protest
The conference will offer a closer look at the latest developments, emerging opportunities and diverse career pathways in biotechnology
Kamlesh Jain quits as India team physio
Jain replaced Nitin Patel as the physio in June 2022, with Patel moving to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Patel has since left the CoE to join Mumbai Indians.
Kupwara, Sep 10: At least 15 shops were completely gutted after a major fire broke out in Warnow area of Lolab in Kupwara district on Thursday, leaving local traders facing heavy financial losses and uncertainty over their livelihoods. The blaze destroyed commercial establishments and property belonging to several shopkeepers, reducing years of hard work and investment to ashes. Many affected traders said they had lost everything in the fire and were now struggling to figure out how to restart their businesses. The incident has caused distress among the local trading community, with shopkeepers seeking immediate government assistance, compensation and rehabilitation. We have lost everything. Our shops and belongings were completely destroyed. We have no means to restart our businesses, affected shopkeepers said, while appealing to the administration for urgent support. Officials from the Fire and Emergency Services department confirmed the fire incident. They said an assessment of the losses was being carried out to determine the extent of damage caused to the affected establishments. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Peoples Conference chairman and Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone expressed concern over the incident and urged the district administration to provide immediate relief to the affected traders. Lone called for a prompt assessment of the losses and urged the administration to extend all possible assistance to the shopkeepers. He said timely intervention was important to help the affected families recover from the financial setback and rebuild their businesses. The affected traders have urged the administration to treat the incident as an emergency and ensure rehabilitation support at the earliest. They said immediate financial assistance would help them meet basic needs and begin rebuilding their sources of income.
Mayawati frees her nephew Akash Anand from BSP after his father-in-law quits politics
The development comes a day after the BSP chief asked former Rajya Sabha member Ashok Siddharth to take sanyas from politics for his son-in-law to get any important responsibility in the party
The global war on terror, an empowered Iran
Americas post-9/11 wars created strategic openings that Iran exploited
Leopard attack leaves 16 sheep dead in Budgam
Budgam, Sep10: Sixteen sheep were killed and 17 others injured after a leopard attacked a flock in the Badipora area of Chadoora Tehsil in central Kashmirs Budgam district during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. According to officials, the incident occurred when the leopard entered the and attacked the flock, leaving several sheep dead and others injured. Bashir Ahmad, Block Officer, Wildlife Control Budgam, said that a team from the Wildlife Department visited the spot after receiving information about the attack. We have visited the spot where the leopard attack took place. We have also installed two cages at the spot to capture the leopard alive, Bashir Ahmad said. He said that the department has launched a search operation in the area to trace and capture the animal. People should contact the Wildlife Department immediately if they spot the leopard anywhere in the district so that such incidents can be prevented, he said. The incident has caused concern among residents, particularly livestock owners, who have urged the authorities to take necessary measures to capture the leopard and prevent further attacks.
MLA Mehdi backs veterinary interns demands
Ganderbal, Sep 10: PDP MLA Budgam Agha Muntazir Mehdi on Thursday backed protesting veterinary interns at SKUAST-Ks Shuhama campus, urging the government to enhance their stipend and ensure parity with interns elsewhere in the country. Speaking to reporters during his visit to the protesting interns, Mehdi said it was unfortunate that members of the medical fraternity, including veterinary and medical doctors, were being forced to take to the streets to seek what he described as their legitimate rights. The way they are performing their duties, whether in hospitals or clinics, the remuneration they are getting is very less, he said, adding that veterinary interns should receive the same kind of internship benefits as those available to students elsewhere in the country. The veterinary interns have been protesting at the Shuhama campus for the past four days, demanding an increase in their stipend and urging the government, particularly Agriculture Minister Javed Dar, to intervene in the matter. Mehdi said he had visited the protesting interns to hear their concerns directly and take up their demands with the government. Highlighting the nature of veterinary work, Mehdi said interns and veterinary professionals face considerable risks while dealing with animals and diseases that can potentially affect human beings. He questioned the adequacy of the existing stipend, saying that a monthly payment of around 6,000 was not commensurate with the responsibilities and risks involved in their work. Animals are also vectors of diseases. They stop those vectors and protect society from diseases, he said, arguing that the role of veterinary professionals was an important component of public health.
Ganesh celebrations from Sept. 14; immersion on Sept. 25
GMC Jammu emerges as faculty training hub
Srinagar, Sep 10: Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu has emerged as an important regional centre for faculty development and competency-based medical education (CBME), strengthening capacity building among medical teachers across Jammu and Kashmir. Functioning under the framework of the National Medical Commission (NMC), GMC Jammu has so far trained 206 medical faculty members through eight Basic Course in Medical Education (BCME) and Revised Basic Course Workshop (RBCW) programmes. The NMC Regional Centre for Faculty Development was allotted to GMC Jammu in June 2025, marking a significant milestone in the institutions role in strengthening medical education and faculty capacity in the region. Principal and Dean GMC Jammu, Dr Ashutosh Gupta, said the Regional Centre was not merely a training platform but an opportunity to build a sustained culture of quality medical education, academic collaboration and faculty development across the region. The Centre has been mandated to support faculty development and facilitate the effective implementation of CBME across medical colleges and institutions under its regional network. The eight BCME/RBCW programmes conducted at GMC Jammu were held in July 2019, November 2021, May and September 2024, September and November 2025, and May and September 2026. Together, these programmes have trained 206 faculty members from medical institutions in the region. He said GMC Jammu has also conducted two Curriculum Implementation Support Programmes (CISP), in July 2019 and August 2020, aimed at helping faculty translate the principles of competency-based education into classroom and clinical teaching. The Regional Centre currently supports medical institutions across J&K, including GMC Srinagar, SKIMS Soura, SKIMS Medical College Bemina, GMC Anantnag, GMC Baramulla, GMC Handwara, GMC Kathua, GMC Rajouri, GMC Doda, GMC Udhampur, ASCOMS Jammu and GMC Jammu. The initiative is expected to further strengthen competency-based teaching, innovative learning methodologies, assessment practices and continuous professional development of medical faculty across the region. With its expanded mandate, GMC Jammu is now positioned to play a larger regional role in shaping medical educators and strengthening the implementation of competency-based medical education across Jammu and Kashmir.
Walnut harvest turns deadly in Kashmir
Srinagar, Sep 10: At least five walnut harvesters have died in separate tree-fall incidents across Kashmir since the harvesting season began in August, highlighting the dangerous conditions faced by seasonal workers who climb towering traditional walnut trees without protective safety equipment. The latest tragedy occurred in Jaibal Lammer area of south Kashmirs Kulgam district, where 46-year-old Mukhtar Ahmad Najar, son of Ghulam Nabi Najar, died after falling from a walnut tree while plucking walnuts. Najar sustained serious injuries in the fall and was shifted to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. His death comes amid a series of similar incidents reported from different parts of the Valley during the ongoing walnut harvesting season. Mohammad Maqbool Bhat of Damjan, Qazigund, was among those killed after falling from a walnut tree. Bhat was reportedly the sole breadwinner of his family and is survived by two young children. In Laribal, Tral, Ghulam Mohammad Ganai died after falling while threshing walnuts. He was shifted to SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, where he later succumbed to his injuries. In north Kashmirs Uri, 35-year-old Ashiq Hussain of Pawadan village died after falling from a walnut tree while threshing walnuts. Another worker, Hilal Ahmad Mir of Puchal, Pulwama, also died after sustaining serious injuries in a fall during walnut harvesting. Walnut harvesting in Kashmir remains heavily dependent on traditional methods. Workers climb tall trees, move from one branch to another and use long sticks to knock walnuts from the branches. But the absence of safety harnesses, ropes, helmets and other protective equipment leaves workers vulnerable to fatal falls. Labourers involved in the harvest say the economics of the short season makes it difficult for them to purchase safety equipment themselves. Gulzar Ahmad, who has been working as a walnut-harvesting labourer for the past decade, said the harvesting season generally lasts for only about a month. I have been working as a labourer and harvesting walnuts during the walnut season for the last ten years, Ahmad said. The walnut harvesting season starts around August 20 and continues until September 20. It is only a one-month season during which some labourers get an opportunity to work. We earn a small amount of money during this period, and it is not possible for every labourer to purchase safety equipment, he said. Ahmad said the height of traditional walnut trees makes harvesting particularly dangerous. Workers have to move from one branch to another and can lose their balance while working. Some sustain serious injuries, while others lose their lives, he said. With fatalities being reported during the harvesting season, workers are calling for intervention by the Horticulture Department Kashmir. Ahmad said the department should identify workers who are regularly engaged in walnut harvesting, provide them with basic training and ensure access to protective equipment. The deaths have underscored a wider safety concern surrounding one of Kashmirs important seasonal activities. For families dependent on the short walnut harvest for their livelihood, the season has increasingly become a period of both opportunity and danger.
Ganesh festival preparations stepped up in Hyderabad; police review traffic, immersion plans
A Festival in Kashmir Must Also Be a Festival of Kashmir
The ongoing film festival in Kashmir is a welcome development and, in many ways, a moment of cultural significance. For a region that has witnessed long periods of disruption in its artistic and cinematic life, the return of cinema to the Valley in such an organised and visible form carries a meaning that goes beyond the screening of films. It brings artists together, opens windows to different cultures and gives Kashmir an opportunity to reconnect with the wider world through the universal language of cinema. But precisely because the festival is being held in Kashmir, one question cannot be ignored: where, in this celebration, is Kashmir's own creative community? This is not a question against artists or filmmakers who have come from outside the Valley. Their presence is welcome. A truly meaningful film festival must be open to the world, and Kashmir should certainly become a destination for filmmakers, actors, critics and cinema enthusiasts from across India and beyond. The concern is different. It is about whether the local artistic community is receiving the visibility, recognition and space that it deserves. A festival held in Kashmir should not merely be an international festival located in Kashmir. It should also, in some meaningful measure, become a festival of Kashmir. That distinction is important. Kashmir has a long and often insufficiently acknowledged artistic tradition. Its contribution to theatre, television, music and cinema did not begin with the arrival of contemporary film festivals. There was a time when Kashmiri theatre and television had a remarkable relationship with their audience. Actors, directors, writers, musicians and technicians created a body of work that reflected the Valley's language, humour, social realities, traditions and collective sensibilities. Many of those artists worked without the resources or visibility available to the larger film industry outside Kashmir. Yet they continued to create. Their work became part of the cultural memory of generations. The years of turmoil severely affected this creative ecosystem. Cinema halls fell silent, cultural institutions struggled, and opportunities for artists diminished. An entire generation grew up without experiencing the vibrant cinematic and theatrical culture that had once existed in the Valley. That is why the revival of cinema in Kashmir should ideally be accompanied by a revival of recognition for those who sustained its artistic traditions. A festival offers the perfect opportunity for this. Imagine a dedicated retrospective celebrating the history of Kashmiri cinema and television. Imagine veteran actors and directors being invited to share their journeys with younger filmmakers. Imagine screenings of important Kashmiri productions, discussions on the evolution of Kashmiri theatre, sessions on the role of radio and television in preserving the Kashmiri language, and conversations about the challenges faced by local filmmakers. Imagine young Kashmiri filmmakers being given the opportunity to present their work before national and international audiences. Such initiatives would not diminish the international character of the festival. On the contrary, they would give it a distinctive identity. The world does not come to Kashmir merely to see another film festival. It comes to a place with a unique cultural history, a landscape that has inspired generations of artists and a society with stories that have rarely been given adequate space on the larger cinematic canvas. Kashmir must therefore be more than a backdrop. It must become a voice. There is another dimension to this question that deserves attention. Cultural recognition is not merely about honouring the past; it is also about shaping the aspirations of the future. A young Kashmiri who wants to become a filmmaker should be able to look at a major festival in the Valley and see people from his or her own cultural environment occupying meaningful spaces on its stage. A young actor should know that talent from Kashmir can receive recognition without first having to migrate elsewhere and establish itself. A local writer should feel that stories emerging from the Valley have a legitimate place in the national and international cinematic conversation. Otherwise, there is a danger of creating an unfortunate psychological impression: that recognition comes from outside and that local achievement becomes important only after it has been validated elsewhere. That is not the message a cultural festival should send. At the same time, it would be unfair to suggest that every artist from Kashmir must automatically receive prominence merely because the festival is being held here. Recognition must ultimately be based on merit. But merit and opportunity must be allowed to meet. Local artists need platforms where their work can be seen, discussed and evaluated on its own strength. The issue, therefore, is not local versus non-local. It is visibility versus invisibility. It is about ensuring that the established names arriving from outside do not unintentionally eclipse those who have spent years contributing to Kashmir's own artistic landscape. Perhaps this is where the organisers and cultural institutions need to think differently. A successful festival should not only bring celebrated names to Kashmir; it should also discover and celebrate the names that Kashmir itself has produced. There are veteran artists whose contributions deserve documentation. There are filmmakers whose experiences could provide invaluable lessons to younger generations. There are actors and directors whose work formed an important part of Kashmiri cultural life. There are young filmmakers today experimenting with new subjects, new technology and new cinematic languages. All of them deserve a place in the larger conversation. Kashmir's cultural revival cannot be built entirely through imported visibility. It has to be built by strengthening the confidence of its own creative community. This is particularly important because cinema can do something that political discourse often cannot. It can allow people to encounter one another through stories rather than arguments. It can preserve memory without turning it into confrontation. It can bring different generations together. It can allow a society to look at itself honestly while also allowing the outside world to see it beyond stereotypes. For Kashmir, cinema can therefore become not simply an industry but a form of cultural dialogue. And if that dialogue is to be meaningful, Kashmiris must be allowed to speak in their own artistic voices. The international character of the festival should be preserved and encouraged. Let filmmakers from every part of India and the world come to Kashmir. Let audiences discover new cinema. Let Kashmir become an important destination on the cinematic map. But alongside the visiting stars, filmmakers and dignitaries, let the local artists stand in the light as well. Let their stories be screened. Let their journeys be heard. Let their contribution be documented. Let their experience become part of the festival's institutional memory. A cultural festival should illuminate the place in which it is held, not merely use that place as its setting. Kashmir has given cinema its landscapes for decades. It has given artists, writers, musicians and filmmakers who have enriched its cultural life. It has preserved traditions through difficult times and carried its stories from one generation to another. Now that cinema is returning to the Valley in such a significant way, it is time for the Valley's own creative voices to return to the centre of the frame. The world should certainly see Kashmir through cinema. But Kashmir must also be given the opportunity to see itself through its own cinema. That would make the festival not merely an event taking place in Kashmir, but a genuine celebration of Kashmir's place in the world of art and cinema. (The author is RK columnist and can be reached at: sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com )
Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan disapprove of the practice of magistrates fixing uniform fee for all advocate commissioners
