Fiorentina draws with Atalanta in dreary end to season for both
It was also a disappointing season from Atalanta, whose top-four finishes in the last two seasons guaranteed it Champions League football
West Bengalgained infamy due to recruitment scams, new recruitment policy in next Budget session: CM
The allegation of corruption in government jobs came to hurt the Trinamool Congress and the party lost the recently concluded assembly elections to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
350 crore investment to generate 2,300 employment opportunities in Bihar
Industries Minister Shreyasi Singh said that the newly approved industrial projects are set to provide fresh momentum to Bihars industrial and technological development
Yang Shuang-zi | Daughter of the soil
The Taiwanese author, who won this years International Booker Prize, says literature cannot be separated from politics
CM reviews projects to curb air pollution
RTA suspends permits of 28 private buses
Govt. to soon bring in an AI policy to transform Bihar: CM
Sarojinitraders find fault withNDMCsvending process
Delhi government plans digital upgrade of sub-registrar offices to curb delays, fraud
Director of Public Health inspects Ebola screening facility at Chennai airport
Public outcry grows louder over power cuts inU.P.;Oppn. parties call it structural failure
Half marathon in Bengaluru on May 24
Three-special drives conducted to apprehend rowdy elements: DGP Sandeep Rai Rathore
Coalition government here to stay in Tamil Nadu like Kerala, says Kader Mohideen
He reiterates that, but for the Muslim votes, the DMK will not have won many seats in the elections
3 held in connection with two murders
World Turtle Day Meetup and workshop on May 24
68% of flyover on Anna Salai completed despite delays due to war, labour shortage
IPL 2026 | Shreyas keeps PBKS alive, puts the ball in RRs courtdv vd
While Inglis brought up his half-century by smashing 17 of the 19 runs in Arshdeeps 12th over, Pant, who was dropped by Shreyas, eventually fell to Marco Jansen
Special drive against history-sheeters, persons with criminal backgrounds conducted in Chennai
Revaluation process proves to be a hassle for Class 12 CBSE students
Students have taken to social media to air their grievances with many noting the blurry images of their scanned copies, the half marks awarded to MCQ questions and the notification of blank pages on a written answer sheet
Vellore man arrested in cyber slavery trafficking case linked to Cambodia
The police said that the victim was trafficked to a cyber scam compound in Cambodia, where Indian nationals were allegedly forced to engage in online financial fraud and cyber scam activities under coercive conditions amounting to cyber slavery
108 ambulance service handles over 25,000 emergency cases across four districts in April
Chennai recorded 7,614 cases, Tiruvallur handled 7,331 cases, while Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram recorded 6,703 and 3,388 cases respectively
Power cuts caused by load issues, not shortage, says Minister R. Nirmalkumar
He says the Electricity Department has constituted seven rapid response teams of engineers in Chennai, and they have been provided vehicles to swiftly reach spots and rectify complaints
Chennai airport builds suite rooms for international transit passengers
AAI officials have held discussions with some of the top hotels in city to explore how the rooms can be leased
Discussion on inclusivity for persons with schizophrenia held
Right, Wrong, and the Age of Excuses..!
We condemn corruption in public, but justify it in private at what cost to our collective soul? SAAD ASLAM In our hurried, hyper-connected world, we like to believe that we are more advanced than any generation before us. We carry the sum of human knowledge in our pockets, speak across continents at the touch of a button, and watch events unfold in real time from anywhere on the globe. Yet, despite all this progress, a nagging question haunts our public and private lives: have we grown in ethics and morality, or merely in cleverness and convenience? Across our social and political landscape, we see a disquieting pattern. Corruption is condemned loudly in speeches but normalised quietly in daily dealings. We criticise dishonesty in leaders but tolerate it in ourselves, calling it adjustment or practicality. We demand accountability from the powerful yet turn a blind eye when small acts of dishonesty benefit us or our own. The language of values remains on our lips, but rarely governs our choices. Ethics and morality are often used interchangeably, but they are not quite the same. Morality speaks to our inner sense of right and wrong the voice of conscience that tugs at us in solitude. Ethics, on the other hand, is how we translate that inner voice into rules, norms, and principles for life in society. A morally aware person may feel guilt in private; an ethical society ensures that this guilt is strengthened by accountability, law, and collective disapproval of wrongdoing. The crisis we face today is not simply that individuals sometimes do wrong, that has always been part of the human story. The real crisis lies in the quiet erosion of our shared standards. Wrongdoing no longer shocks us as it once did; it merely trends for a day on social media before being buried under the next outrage. When scandal follows scandal, when injustice becomes routine, people gradually stop expecting better. Cynicism replaces moral outrage, and that cynicism is far more dangerous than any single act of corruption. The roots of this erosion lie in the culture of convenience we have built. We often choose what is easier over what is right. It is easier to stay silent in the face of injustice than to risk our comfort. It is easier to forward an unverified message than to check its truth. It is easier to blame the system than to ask how we, too, participate in its failures. Little by little, a thousand small compromises weaken our moral spine. This culture touches all spheres of life. In politics, we rationalise unethical conduct as the cost of winning. In business, we celebrate success without asking how it was achieved. In education, we reward marks more than integrity, cleverness more than character. Even in our homes, children too often see that the rules we preach are not the rules we practice. What lesson does a young mind learn when it sees adults cutting corners, justifying lies, and shrugging off responsibility as long as they are not caught? Yet it would be wrong to claim that our society has lost all sense of right and wrong. In every crisis, we also see extraordinary acts of courage, honesty, and compassion. We see ordinary citizens returning lost valuables, standing up for victims, or refusing to be part of unjust practices. These are not isolated miracles; they are reminders that the moral core of our people is not dead, only overshadowed. The challenge before us is to bring this moral core back to the centre of our public life. That begins with an uncomfortable acknowledgement: ethics and morality cannot be outsourced to religious leaders, courts, or governments. They must be lived in our own choices. No law can compel a person to act with integrity who has decided that only personal gain matters. No sermon, however eloquent, can substitute for the daily discipline of doing the right thing when nobody is watching. The first step, therefore, is introspection. We must ask, not in abstraction but in specifics: where do I compromise? Where do I justify what I know is wrong because it is convenient, profitable, or socially accepted? It is easier to condemn the failings of the powerful than to confront the small moral failures within our reach. But without that inner work, our calls for clean governance, fair institutions, and just policies will ring hollow. The second step is to rebuild social norms that reward integrity and stigmatise wrongdoing, regardless of who commits it. When we admire only wealth and power, we send a clear message that the means do not matter. When we celebrate honesty, fairness, and courage in our families, schools, and workplaces, we restore the social respect that ethical conduct deserves. The stories we tell our children, the role models we highlight, and the behaviour we tolerate all of these shape the moral climate around us. Ultimately, ethics and morality are not about abstract philosophy but about everyday choices. They are about the decision to speak the truth when a lie would be safer, to stand with the weak when silence would be easier, to follow rules when breaking them would bring quick benefit. A society that treats such choices as optional cannot long remain just or stable. In an age that worships speed and convenience, it may seem old-fashioned to speak of conscience, duty, and moral courage. Yet it is precisely these old virtues that can help us navigate the storms of our time. Technologies will change, systems will rise and fall, but the question at the heart of every age remains the same: what kind of human beings do we choose to be? If we ignore that question, we risk building a future rich in gadgets but poor in goodness. If we face it honestly, we may yet rediscover that the true measure of progress is not what we possess, but how we live. ( The Author is a columnist and teacher by profession)
Shifting Weather Patterns are Reshaping Kashmirs Present and Future
The weather has changed. Whether we change with wisdom or merely with regret is now up to us ZAHID MUJTABA The seasons in Kashmir once followed a script everyone knew by heart. Autumns burnished chinars gave way to crisp November mornings, December announced itself with snow on the mountains, and by January the Valley would be wrapped in a thick white quilt. Spring came on time, gentle and gradual; summers were brief, mild, and welcome. Today, that script is being rewritten before our eyesand often, to our alarm. Over the past few years, the people of Kashmir have begun to speak of winter the way they once spoke of politics: with uncertainty, frustration, and a sense that something fundamental has gone wrong. Snow arrives late or in violent bursts. November feels like October, and January sometimes feels like March. Summers are not just warmer, they are harsher, drier, and longer. Rains come when they should not, and stay away when they are most needed. The changing weather patterns in the Kashmir Valley are no longer an abstract debate for conferences and climate reports. They are lived realityin our orchards and fields, in our markets and homes, and in the anxious conversations of ordinary people who sense that the Valley they inherited will not be the same one they leave to their children. Winters that no longer feel like winters Kashmirs identity is intertwined with its winters. The three months of chilay kalan have long been seen as both a test of endurance and a time of quiet beauty. But in recent years, snow has often arrived late, fallen unevenly, or melted too quickly. There have been winters with almost no significant snowfall in the plains, followed suddenly by intense spells that disrupt life instead of sustaining it. These shifts are not cosmetic. Reduced and erratic snowfall means reduced snowpack in the mountainsthe natural reservoir that feeds our rivers and streams through the year. When the snow does not accumulate properly, or when it melts all at once during sudden warm periods, the entire water cycle is thrown off balance. Springs that once flowed reliably in villages across the Valley are weakening or drying. Farmers who planned sowing, irrigation, and harvesting around predictable patterns now find themselves guessing rather than knowing. For an economy and culture built around the rhythm of the seasons, this uncertainty is deeply destabilising. Orchards under stress If one wants to measure climate anxiety in Kashmir, one needs only speak to an orchardist. Apple, the backbone of the Valleys horticulture, is acutely sensitive to both temperature and timing. It needs a certain number of cold hours in winter, followed by a steady, predictable shift to spring. Increasingly, the Valley is witnessing warmer winters, sudden spells of extreme cold, and early or uneven flowering. Unseasonal snowfall in late autumn has damaged trees and fruits right before harvest. Untimely rains during flowering and fruit-setting affect yields and quality. Episodes of intense heat in summer cause sunburn on apples, reduce their size, and disrupt traditional grading standards in the market. Small growers, already squeezed by rising costs and fluctuating prices, now face the added burden of a climate that no longer cooperates. The story is similar for other crops. Saffron cultivation in Pampore has been affected by erratic rains and changes in soil moisture. Paddy farmers worry about irrigation water in critical months. Even everyday vegetables face unpredictable pest attacks as warmer temperatures alter the lifecycle of insects and diseases. From floods to droughts: a cycle of extremes Kashmir has always known floods, but what worries scientists and citizens alike is the increasing tendency of the weather to swing between extremes. Years of deficient snowfall and scant rain are followed by cloudbursts, sudden downpours, or intense snowfall events that overwhelm infrastructure and preparedness. On one hand, there is the fear of drought: receding glaciers, shrinking snowfields, and thirsty fields during the growing season. On the other hand, there is the fear of another catastrophic flood, like the one in 2014, when swollen rivers and poor planning combined to devastate the Valley. The same climate disruptions that reduce water availability overall can also increase the frequency of such extreme events. Kashmir now lives with a double insecurity: not knowing whether the coming months will bring too little water or too much, and whether the state is equipped to handle either. A social and psychological toll Climate change discussions often focus on statisticsrising temperatures, reduced snowfall, and changing rainfall patterns. But in Kashmir, the impact is also emotional and cultural. The older generation speaks nostalgically of winters when snow would reach the windowsill, when children skated on frozen ponds, when the first snowfall was a community event. Todays children may grow up knowing snow more as a disruption than a delightshutting schools abruptly, snapping power lines, or arriving so late that Harud (autumn) and winter seem almost to collide. There is also a quiet but growing anxiety in rural households. When your livelihood depends on the orchard, the paddy field, or the saffron karewa, every unpredictable spell of rain or sunshine becomes a source of stress. Farmers speak of sleepless nights before a forecasted storm, of watching the sky as if it were a capricious employer whose mood can ruin a years labour. What must be donebeyond rhetoric Acknowledging the problem is no longer enough. The Valley needs a clear, practical response to changing weather patternsone that combines science, governance, and local wisdom. First, there must be a serious investment in climate-resilient agriculture and horticulture. This means: Second, water management has to move from ad-hoc reactions to long-term planning. Protecting wetlands, restoring traditional water bodies, regulating construction along riverbanks, and upgrading drainage and flood control systems are no longer optionalthey are essential to survival in a climate-uncertain future. Third, the Valley urgently needs reliable, localised data. Weather forecasting, early warning systems, and village-level climate advisories can help farmers and residents make informed decisions. Decisions about sowing, harvesting, or even travel should
Over 2,700 citizens attend GBAs second e-khata drive
Walkability: The Missing Backbone of Future-Ready Indian Cities
It is time for India to build cities that respect the dignity of the pedestrian. Our future mobility depends on it S UMAR BHAT For decades, the Indian urban dream has been paved with asphalt, designed for the internal combustion engine, and measured by the speed of vehicular flow. We have built flyovers that bypass our neighbourhoods and highways that cleave through our social fabric. But as we stand in 2026, amidst a global landscape scarred by energy volatility, soaring inflation, and a deepening climate crisis, it is time to admit a hard truth: our obsession with the vehicle has left our citizens stranded. Walkability is not a boutique urban design concept or a luxury for the elite. It is the fundamental infrastructure of survival and the primary metric of a truly civil society. In a world where crude oil prices fluctuate unpredictably and economic pressures squeeze the common man, the humble footpath is our most resilient asset. Our streets must serve life, not just engines. The Paradigm of Active Travel To reclaim our cities, we must pivot toward a framework of Active Travel. Active Travel focuses on promoting walking, cycling, and other non-motorised modes of transport as key elements of sustainable urban mobility. By encouraging the development of safer streets, accessible infrastructure, integrated transport systems, and healthier urban environments, Active Travel directly contributes to reduced congestion, improved public health, enhanced road safety, and environmentally sustainable cities. It is the foundation upon which future-ready transit must be built. I. The Economic Imperative: From Oil Dependency to Pedestrian Independence The recent global instability has exposed the fragility of a transport system tethered strictly to fossil fuels. As nations grapple with energy security, the private vehicle lifestyle is becoming an unsustainable economic burden for the Indian middle class. Inflation is not just a market phenomenon; it is a spatial one. When a city is designed so that a citizen must drive or take a motorised taxi just to buy a loaf of bread, that city layout has failed its people. Minimising the Cost of Living: Walkable cities act as a natural hedge against inflation. By providing safe, high-quality pedestrian infrastructure, cities allow residents to eliminate forced transportation costs. In Indian commercial hubs, well-designed sidewalks do more than just facilitate movement; they foster street vibrancy and local micro-economies that remain resilient to global economic shocks. Decarbonising the Last Mile: Indias commitment to Net Zero pathways requires a radical modal shift. Walking is the most energy-efficient, zero-emission form of transport in existence. By prioritising the pedestrian within an integrated Active Travel network, we reduce the national drain on foreign exchange reserves spent on crude oil and move steadily toward a truly Viksit Bharat. II. Inclusive Design: A Moral Necessity A city that is not safe for a five-year-old child or an eighty-year-old grandmother is a city that is fundamentally broken. For too long, urban planning has socially segregated those with functional diversity by designing streets that operate as obstacle courses rather than accessible pathways. Safety for the Vulnerable: While walkable neighbourhoods paradoxically see higher pedestrian density, they are associated with lower overall traffic fatality rates when designed correctly. We must move away from rigid, car-centric engineering standards and embrace universal design that inherently considers the user journey of the disabled, children, and the elderly. The Social Public Space: Streets should not be mere movement corridors. They are the living rooms of our citiesplaces where people sit, talk, and watch over their neighbourhoods. Inclusive design restores the unique vibrancy of Indian streets, turning a mundane daily commute into a meaningful social interaction. III. Climate Resilience: The Shaded Footpath as Infrastructure As urban heat islands intensify, walking in an Indian city can frequently feel like a feat of endurance. The widespread use of high-thermal mass materials in roads and pavements traps heat, raising local air temperatures by several critical degrees. Comprehensive pedestrian infrastructure must double as climate infrastructure. Climate-Resilient Strategies: Walkable Urban Cool Spots (WUCS): By integrating dedicated shading, urban vegetation, and cool-surface materials, planners can create localised cool spots that actively protect pedestrians from extreme heat. Green Infrastructure: Strategically allocated green cover can achieve up to a 2C cooling objective in dense urban environments, provided it is seamlessly integrated directly into the pedestrian and cycling networks. The Canopy Effect: Shaded footpaths are not a luxury; they are a public health necessity. Natural tree shade reduces surface temperatures by up to 13C, making the choice to walk viable even in the height of summer. IV. The Path Forward: Making the Choice A safer, more walkable city is a choice we must make collectively. We have struggled for decades to secure even the most basic footpaths, a reality caused by urban planning frameworks that routinely ignore pedestrian infrastructure, leaving conditions both unsafe and inconvenient. This is no longer acceptable. To achieve a sustainable urban future, we must demand: Mandatory Accessibility Standards: Following the progressive models of cities like Varanasi, we need updated city bylaws that hold planners and contractors legally accountable for building inclusive, unobstructed infrastructure. A Shift in Budgetary Priority: Municipal and state funding must pivot away from building car-centric flyovers and look toward funding expansive, interconnected people-centric networks. Cultural Transformation: We must reject the unsustainable lifestyle of unnecessary vehicle consumption and return to a simpler, more grounded way of living where the street is recognised as a shared, democratic resource. Walking is a universal, affordable activity that directly supports both mental and physical well-being. It is time for India to build cities that respect the dignity of the pedestrian. Our future mobility depends on it. (The author is a renowned social reformer/activist with over two decades of experience in community advocacy and mobility reforms. For feedback, email: umarbhat07@gmail.com)
Government will ensure maximum punishment for accused in Coimbatore girl murder case: Sampath Kumar
He says the government will provide adequate relief to the family; it will also launch the Singa Penn Special Force scheme soon to strengthen surveillance and safety measures across T.N., he adds
Remembering Ibn Khaldun and His Enduring Wisdom
His timeless wisdom calls us to conscious action rebuilding social cohesion for a stronger, more resilient future DR HARJEET SINGH Ibn Khaldun (13321406), born in Tunis on 27 May 1332, stands among historys most profound thinkers. A judge, diplomat, statesman, and scholar, he lived through intense political turmoil, plagues, and the repeated rise and fall of dynasties across North Africa and Muslim Spain. These firsthand experiences sharpened his analytical mind. He understood that history is not driven by random chance or blind fate. Instead, it follows clear, observable patterns rooted in human nature, environment, and social forces. He is rightly celebrated as a pioneering historian, a brilliant philosopher of history, and a true forerunner of sociology and modern social sciences. Ibn Khaldun as Historian and Philosopher Traditional historians before him mainly produced simple chronicles. They listed events in sequence, praised rulers, or repeated unexamined stories without critical scrutiny. Ibn Khaldun firmly rejected this superficial method. He insisted that genuine history must explain why events occur by carefully investigating underlying causes. These include social dynamics, economic conditions, environmental factors, psychological elements and geographical influences. In his masterpiece, the Muqaddimah (Introduction to his larger historical work Kitab al-Ibar), he treated societies as living organisms that naturally pass through cycles of growth, maturity, and decline. This scientific and philosophical outlook was revolutionary in the 14th century. He emphasized critical evaluation of sources, avoidance of exaggeration and bias, and the search for universal patterns in human civilization, which he called umran. His groundbreaking ideas laid strong foundations for modern social analysis centuries before Western thinkers such as Montesquieu, Marx, Durkheim, or Comte developed similar concepts. Contributions to Historiography through the Muqaddimah and Asabiyyah The Muqaddimah is far more than a mere introduction. It offers a comprehensive philosophy of history and society. Ibn Khaldun examined economics, education, politics, geography, and social bonds as key forces shaping civilizations. At the core of his theory stands Asabiyyah group solidarity, social cohesion, or collective feeling that binds people together. It usually begins with kinship ties and shared hardship in difficult environments but can be strengthened by religion, common purpose, or alliances. According to Ibn Khaldun, strong Asabiyyah emerges among tough, nomadic or rural groups facing constant adversity. This powerful cohesion enables them to conquer territories, build states, and establish dynasties. Yet success brings its own dangers. Luxury, urbanization, comfort, and sedentary life gradually erode the bond. Rulers grow isolated, indulge in pleasures, depend on mercenaries, and lose touch with their people. Over generations, moral decay spreads widely. Selfishness replaces self-sacrifice, corruption increases, honesty declines, and internal divisions multiply. Eventually, a new group with fresher and stronger Asabiyyah overthrows the weakened dynasty. This cyclical theory of rise through unity, peak of power, and decline through decadence forms Ibn Khalduns most important contribution to historiography. He warned that luxury is particularly destructive because it shifts priorities from the collective good to personal pleasure. This change breeds moral degeneration, widespread corruption, and loss of courage. Religion, he observed, can powerfully reinforce Asabiyyah by creating larger unity beyond blood ties. However, when religious and moral values weaken, societies quickly fragment. Asabiyyah, Moral Degeneration, and the Crisis of Modernity Ibn Khalduns insights feel strikingly relevant in contemporary societies facing fragmentation and moral decline. Many communities today still possess resilient cultural and communal bonds, yet the concept of Asabiyyah clearly reveals both their strengths and growing vulnerabilities. Traditional solidarity rooted in shared values, culture, faith, and collective memory has historically helped societies endure hardships. However, modern realities closely mirror the luxury-induced decay Ibn Khaldun described centuries ago. Rising consumerism, easy money, and general complacency act as dangerous accelerators of moral and social degeneration. These forces fracture families, destroy the potential of young people, and steadily erode trust within communities. What begins as personal comfort soon becomes a broader societal crisis that weakens the mutual support and shared purpose at the heart of Asabiyyah. Luxury in its various forms promotes extreme individualism, hedonism, and moral laxity. As Ibn Khaldun warned, when personal comfort overrides collective responsibility, societies lose their inner resilience and invite decline through internal collapse or external pressures. The results are visible in broken families, diminished social cohesion, and a generation of youth trapped in cycles of despair. Asabiyyah as a Cure and Ibn Khalduns Lasting Legacy Thankfully, Ibn Khalduns theory also points toward renewal and hope. Reviving healthy Asabiyyah not narrow tribalism but positive, inclusive social cohesion grounded in shared values, justice, ethical leadership, education, and genuine mutual support can act as a powerful cure. Families, communities, and leaders must actively rebuild bonds of trust and responsibility. Faith and cultural heritage, when practiced with wisdom and inclusivity, can transcend divisions and restore deeper purpose, exactly as Ibn Khaldun observed about religions unifying role. Education plays a vital part. Teaching the young their rich heritage while equipping them with practical skills and moral strength helps counter moral decay and modern distractions. Community initiatives such as ethical governance programs and collective development projects can rebuild lost resilience. By nurturing Asabiyyah with justice and Tawhid-inspired unity (oneness of purpose beyond narrow interests), societies can interrupt destructive cycles. Ibn Khalduns legacy endures because his ideas speak honestly to universal human nature. On his birthday, we remember a thinker who saw civilizations as dynamic realities shaped by social bonds. His concept of Asabiyyah provide both a mirror to our weaknesses and a practical guide for renewal. Unity builds greatness while fragmentation and moral decay invite decline. For societies worldwide, the message is clear and urgent: strengthen human connections with wisdom, purpose, and ethics, or watch the historical cycle turn against us. His timeless wisdom calls us to conscious action rebuilding social cohesion for a stronger, more resilient future. (The Author is an independent researcher and writes on Sikh Empire, Historiography, Social, Philosophical and Cultural Issues and hails from Tral. He can be reached at:aishxing@gmail.com)
Parenting, AI, and the Weight of Modern Expectations
Between fear, convenience, and the child, we might be forgetting DR SAJAD QAZI In the Kashmir valley and far beyond, a quiet negotiation is underway. On one side are parents, exhausted by long working hours, economic anxiety, and the constant buzz of digital life. On the other side are children growing up in a world where screens are not a luxury but a landscape, and now, where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a new, unseen presence in their education, entertainment, and even emotional lives. Between them lies a powerful, unsettling question: What does good parenting mean in an age when an app may know more about our childrens preferences than we do and when algorithms begin to shape their thoughts before we can? This is no longer a distant, science-fiction worry. AI now quietly powers the videos our children watch, the games they play, the learning apps they use, and the social media feeds they will soon join. It can correct their essays, simplify their homework, translate their doubts into polished answers, and offer suggestions before they can form their own. To some, this is a miracle of convenience. For others, it is a creeping fear: Are we outsourcing what it means to be a parent to a machine? The new pressure cooker of parenting Modern parenting was already under strain long before AI entered the nursery. Parents today are expected to be everything at once: caretakers, income earners, emotional counsellors, career planners, tutors, and moral guides. In our own context, where political upheavals, economic constraints, and social expectations weigh heavily, these pressures multiply. Into this pressure cooker steps AI, promising relief. AI tutors offer personalised learning paths. Language models help children write essays or complete assignments. Recommendation systems promise the right content at the right time. Tired parents can easily be forgiven for seeing AI as a helping hand in an exhausting race. Yet the same technology that lightens the load also raises the bar. If your neighbours child is using AI for exam prep, are you failing your own child by not doing the same? If online platforms boast of AI-enhanced learning outcomes, does a parent who relies only on old-fashioned books suddenly feel inadequate? A new form of competition is emerging: not just Which school? but Which app? Which AI tool? Which subscription? In societies like ours, already sensitive to comparison and social status, this digital race risks deepening inequality between those who can pay for premium AI-driven tools and those who cannot. Children growing up in the algorithmic cradle For todays children, AI is not a separate technology; it is part of the air they breathe. Their cartoons are auto-played, their games are adaptive, and their search results are tailored. Long before they understand what an algorithm is, they live inside one. This has deep implications. Attention and imagination: AI-powered platforms are designed to maximise engagement, not necessarily growth. The more a child watches, scrolls, or plays, the more data is collected and the more accurate the predictions become. The result is a cycle where the machine learns to serve exactly what holds the childs attentioneven if that means content that is shallow, hyper-stimulating, or addictive. Imagination, which once grew out of boredom and unstructured time, now competes with the instant gratification of machine-curated entertainment. Learning and effort: AI tools can summarise chapters, solve maths problems, or even write essays. Used wisely, they can be powerful aids for understanding. Used lazily, they can erode a childs relationship with effort. If the answer is always a click away, the habit of struggling through a difficult conceptso crucial for building resiliencemay quietly fade. Identity and self-worth: As children grow older, AI-driven social media platforms play a decisive role in shaping how they see themselves. Algorithms amplify what gets attention and silence what does not. A teenagers sense of worth becomes entangled with likes, shares, and viewsmetrics optimised by machines, not guided by human compassion. In such a world, parenting cannot remain a passive act. If AI is always present, then so must be the parents conscience, curiosity, and courage. Between fear and dependence Public discourse around AI and children often swings between two extremes. On one side, there is an alarm: AI as a threat to jobs, privacy, mental health, and even democracy. On the other hand, there is enthusiasm: AI as the great equaliser, bringing high-quality education, translation, and information to every home, even in remote regions like ours. Parents are caught in between, trying to balance fear and dependence. They do not want to deprive their children of tools that might help them compete in a globalised, tech-driven world. At the same time, they sense that something intimate may be slipping away: the slow, human process through which a child discovers who they are, not just what the world expects them to be. The essential question, then, is not whether children should use AIthat debate is already settled by reality. The question is how they should use it, and under whose guidance. Rethinking what we expect from children, and from ourselves Modern expectations from children have quietly expanded. We want them to excel academically, speak global languages, master technology, be emotionally intelligent, physically active, socially aware, and morally uprightall while navigating a digital world more complex than anything their parents ever knew. AI often enters the picture as a tool to meet these expectations faster: faster learning, faster homework completion, faster exposure to information. But in this rush, we risk turning childhood into a project, not a journey. What if our expectations themselves are part of the problem? What if, rather than asking, How can AI help my child achieve more?, we began asking, How can AIand Ihelp my child become more human? That shift in question changes everything. Instead of measuring success only in grades and achievements, we begin to value qualities that no algorithm can automate: empathy, patience, ethical judgment, the ability to listen, to doubt, to create something original even when it
Ahead of Eid, Consumers Seek Uninterrupted LPG Supply
Idrees Bukhtiyar Srinagar, May 23: Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, residents across Kashmir have appealed to LPG gas agencies and authorities to ensure uninterrupted supply and timely delivery of cooking gas cylinders to avoid inconvenience during the festive days. People from several areas of the valley told Rising Kashmir that any disruption in LPG supply ahead of Eid causes significant hardship, particularly for families preparing for the celebrations and hosting guests. Residents expressed concern over possible delays in home deliveries due to the increased demand during the festive season. They urged gas agencies to make advance arrangements and streamline distribution so that consumers do not face shortages at the last moment. We appeal to the authorities and gas agencies to ensure smooth and timely cylinder deliveries before Eid. Cooking gas is an essential requirement during the festival and any delay creates unnecessary problems for families, a resident from Srinagar said. Locals also said that many consumers face long waiting periods during festive occasions and requested the agencies to deploy additional staff and delivery vehicles to meet the rush in demand. Consumers further urged the administration to monitor the supply process and ensure that black marketing or overcharging does not take place during the Eid rush. Meanwhile, residents hoped that the concerned departments would take proactive measures to maintain adequate stock and hassle-free distribution across the valley in the coming days. However, many parts of the valley have complained about the irregular supply of LPG.
Over 5.7 Lakh Stakeholders Participate in Mass PTMs Across Kashmir
RK News Service SRINAGAR, May 23: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) on Friday said that over 5.7 lakh stakeholders participated in the third round of Mass Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) conducted across schools in the Kashmir Valley. According to DSEK, a total of 6,892 PTM events were organised simultaneously across Kashmir in line with the academic calendar for the 2026 session. The meetings witnessed participation from 3,32,173 students, 1,64,365 parents and 73,479 teachers and school heads. Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani expressed gratitude to parents and the community for their overwhelming participation and termed the response a reflection of growing trust between schools and society. The meetings focused on students academic performance, behavioural development and overall well-being. Schools also held awareness sessions on the ongoing anti-drug campaign in Jammu and Kashmir to sensitise parents and students about the dangers of substance abuse. Senior education officials, including Chief Education Officers (CEOs), attended the meetings and interacted with parents to address their concerns. DSEK said the successful conduct of the PTMs reaffirmed the departments commitment towards transparency, inclusivity and community participation in the education sector.
Staff Shortage, Medicine Scarcity Hit Health Services In Sopore
Mansoor Peer Srinagar, May 23: Healthcare services in north Kashmirs Sopore town have been severely affected due to persistent neglect of three major health institutions, with residents raising concerns over inadequate staffing, shortage of medicines, and non-functional facilities. Locals said that serious deficiencies at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Sopore, PHC Tarzoo, and PHC Maharajpora have been causing immense hardship to patients and affecting the delivery of essential healthcare services. Recently, a public delegation from Sopore met the Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department and sought urgent intervention to address the issues confronting the three healthcare facilities. The lack of basic healthcare facilities at SDH Sopore, PHC Tarzoo and PHC Maharajpora is causing immense hardship to the people of the area, said Hakim Rizwan Illahi, a resident of Sopore. He alleged that SDH Sopore is facing a shortage of experienced staff during night hours, resulting in difficulties for emergency patients. He further claimed that essential medicines are often unavailable and that inadequate staffing at ticket counters leads to long waiting times for patients. There is also a need for a female employee or operator for ultrasonography (USG) services to facilitate female patients, he said. The healthcare services at PHC Tarzoo are in deplorable condition, causing significant inconvenience to patients. According to residents, the facilitys X-ray room remains locked and non-functional, depriving people of a basic diagnostic service. Furthermore, out of the 17 medical tests that should be available at the centre, only one is currently being conducted, severely limiting its diagnostic capabilities. The situation is further aggravated by the shortage of essential medicines, including commonly prescribed drugs such as Pantoprazole and antibiotics. Residents also said that the wards at the health centre remain closed, preventing patients from accessing admission and inpatient care facilities. They expressed concern that these deficiencies are adversely affecting healthcare delivery and forcing many patients to seek treatment elsewhere. At PHC Maharajpora, locals alleged that an acute shortage of staff has severely affected healthcare services. They said the lack of adequate medical and support personnel is hampering patient care and limiting the centres ability to cater to the healthcare needs of the local population. Residents urged the Health and Medical Education Department to ensure proper staffing, availability of medicines, functional diagnostic facilities and overall improvement in healthcare services at the three institutions. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Baramulla, Dr. A.G. Raina, refuted the allegations regarding the shortage of medicines, stating that adequate stocks are available in government health institutions. He said that medicines are available in large quantities and that additional supplies are procured at BMO level whenever required to ensure uninterrupted patient care. SDH Sopore caters to nearly 2,500 patients and all of them are provided medicines free of cost, Dr. Raina said. Responding to concerns about the non-functional X-ray facility at PHC Tarzoo, he said that he would look into the matter and verify its status. He also assured that necessary steps would be taken to ensure that all prescribed diagnostic tests are conducted at the health centre.
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J&K House Chanakyapuri Gets VVIP Makeover
RK NEWS Service New Delhi, MAY 23: Jammu and Kashmir House at Chanakyapuri unveiled its newly redeveloped VVIP accommodation facilities on Friday, adding critical capacity to the Union Territorys hospitality infrastructure for the dignitaries visiting the national capital. Resident Commissioner, J&K, Ramesh Kumar, inaugurated the modernized 4th floor of C-Block in presence of Additional Resident Commissioner Anil Kumar Sharma and senior officers of the Resident Commission. The upgrade has come after the reorganization of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, when A and B Blocks were transferred to the Union Territory of Ladakh. That left J&K with only the ageing C-Block, sharply cutting accommodation for the visiting Ministers, MPs, senior civil and police officers, judicial officers and official delegations. To address the gap, the administration undertook a comprehensive revamp of the 4th floor. The redesigned level now houses three suites including Pashmina, Hangul and Chinar and two VVIP rooms named Trikuta and Saffron. These all have been built on contemporary hospitality standards for comfort, security and a professional environment.
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