MHA designates 23 Pakistan-based individuals as terrorists under UAPA
Including the names of terrorists in the list will allow the NIA to block their finances, impose embargo on arms sales, and seize their assets
America America 2: Kannada cult classic gets a spiritual sequel
Directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekar, the movie stars Nirup Bhandari, Shanvi Srivastava and Pruthvi Ambar in lead roles
Iran begins dayslong funeral for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Authorities unveiled the casket containing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's body in a glass case before the weeping Mourners
Nedumkandam Miracle: Mohanlal to star in Dileesh Pothans next directorial
The film will be penned by Syam Pushkaran and Paulson Skaria, with Shyju Khalid handling the cinematography
AI hiring outpaces overall IT recruitment in India, report shows
The sectors AI hiring rose 16% year-on-year in June, while overall IT jobs declined 3%, according to job portal Naukris monthly JobSpeak report
Kerala rains: Water from Idukki Pambla dam released; residents along Periyar advised caution
Idukki district administration permits opening of dam shutters as precautionary measure following heavy rainfall in catchment areas. Pambla dam is operated by Kerala State Electricity Board for power generation
Relative of Pakistan Deputy PM Ishaq Dar arrested in alleged gangrape of two foreigners
The suspects, identified as Muhammad Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan and Sajid Ali, were sent to five-day police remand by a Lahore court.
How Underrated Club Grew 400% in FY26: The D2C Streetwear Brand Nobody Saw Coming
How Underrated Club Grew 400% in FY26: The D2C Streetwear Brand Nobody Saw Coming
Protean eGov Technologies and NECTAR partner to accelerate technology-led governance and inclusive development
Sport after the GOATs | Whats next after Messi, Ronaldo, Djokovic, and Kohli?
As Messi, Ronaldo, Djokovic and Kohli enter their last chapters, their sport is set to change dramatically
Watch: Delhi govt. announces 8,300-crore clean air plan
An online petition to saveNageswaraRao park
What is the significance of Delhis Winter Pollution Plan | Explained
The Delhi winter rules kick in automatically on November 1 and run to February 28, irrespective of GRAP and serve as a kind of baseline
Hobby groups decryNageswaraRao Parks makeover
They have sent a jointly signed letter to theMylaporeMLAP.Venkataramananseeking that he prevent any furthercutting of trees and concreting of the ground
Government school built with CSR funds inaugurated in Vijayapura in Karnataka
Has STEM lab and Nali Kali rooms
Trump says American identity under renewed attack as U.S. turns 250
A generation after we fought and won the Cold War against the menace of communism, there is now a resurgence of the communist menace in our land, Trump said
Watch: DMK MLA Anitha Radhakrishnan arrested over remarks against Tamil Nadu CM Vijay
Former Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister and Tiruchendur DMK MLA Anitha R. Radhakrishnan has been arrested over his alleged remarks against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, triggering a sharp political confrontation between the ruling TVK and the Opposition DMK.
Party-appointed BLAs barely present as Delhis month-long SIR exercise clocks four days
The month-long revision exercise, which began on June 30, is under way across 13,033 polling booths in the 70 Assembly constituencies of Delhi
Row over Banyan tree worship at Mahatma Phule Wada: BJP MP Medha Kulkarni faces criticism
The political fallout from the event has been significant
Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce are married in elaborate Madison Square Garden ceremony
Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce officially tied the knot on the night of July 3, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. With actor Adam Sandler stepping in as the surprising officiant
How Indias warehouse boom is fuelling a 7,000 crore storage solutions industry
From e-commerce to manufacturing, Indias warehouse growth is driving demand for taller, automated storage systems
Firing at Pune businessman's office: Suspected Bishnoi gang member apprehended from Rajasthan
The crime branch apprehended the suspect, Pawan Ram, from Hanumangarh district in Rajasthan on Friday (July 3, 2026), an official said
In pictures | Iran pays last respects to slain leader Ali Khamenei
Officials and international dignitaries paid their last respects as part of a marathon six-day funeral ceremony in Tehran to commemorate the slain Supreme Leader, who was killed on the first day of the U.S.-Israeli war on February 28.
Hyderabads work-site schools bring education and safety to children of migrant workers
As migrant workers build Hyderabads skyline, a classroom inside a Narsingi labour camp is ensuring their children are not left unattended or left out of school, with two more such schools set to open soon.
When Hyderabad loved and lost the beautiful game
In a different era, Hyderabad was a powerhouse of football with players like Peter Thangaraj, Tulsidas Balaram, Syed Abdul Rahim, Victor Amalraj and a host of other kicking ball and making their mark. The peak of that success story was in the 1950s
The station that trains pass by: R.K. Nagars long wait for a stop
South Central Railway (SCR) had announced that six express trains would halt at the station, however an inspection before the launch of services the officials found that the new station could accommodate only 18 coaches while most express trains operate with 22 or 24 coaches
Here is a select list of stories to start the day.
High Court Quashes Externment Order, Comments on 'Horse Trading' in Maharashtra
The Bombay High Court Judge Justice Madhav Jamdar also made additional oral remarks on the tendency to curb protests, stating that citizens were being treated as slaves of the Government
Alert locopilots stop train going in the wrong direction in ChennaiDivision
Signal cleared for one route but train got diverted to another: official sources
Running Out Of Time: The Voice Of Sikkim Releases Climate Anthem As Global Heatwaves Intensify
Pakyong, July 4: As record-breaking heatwaves sweep across continents and climate scientists issue increasingly urgent warnings, The Voice Of Sikkim has released an original music [] The post Running Out Of Time: The Voice Of Sikkim Releases Climate Anthem As Global Heatwaves Intensify appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
The tiny African nation put on a fight for the ages with stunning goals against the World Champion, but its fairytale run ends in the Round of 32
Colombia vs Ghana, FIFA World Cup LIVE: Knockout match to get underway
Nestor Lorenzos Colombia have quietly established themselves among the tournaments most convincing teams, combining defensive solidity
Trump reads children's book on Usha Vance's podcast, then riffs on past presidents and himself
I usually read stories about myself, he said when asked if he has much time to read for fun while serving as President
Odisha signs memorandum of cooperation for Japan-backed projects worth 67,000 crore
Adani Enterprises and UAEs International Holding Company (IHC) Group on July 2 signed an MoU with Odisha to invest 1.08 lakh crore in aluminium sector, largest FDI for the State
Delhi High Court rejects challenge to management quota admission rules
The Court held that the statutory scheme under the Delhi Professional Colleges Act clearly distinguishes management quota seats from the remaining 90% seats
Ajit Kumar Shasany appointed new V-C of Central University of Odisha in Koraput
A senior scientist with extensive experience across various CSIR institutions, Dr. Shasany has made notable contributions to botanical research.
Allahabad High Court declines to stay ATS probe into funding of over 4,000 madrassas in U.P.
Accepting the States submissions, the High Court observed that the mere conduct of an inquiry could not be treated as coercive action against the petitioners
ENG vs IND 2nd T20I preview: Samson's inconsistency, Tilak's approach under radar
The first game was abandoned after India posted a healthy 189 for 7 at the Chester-Le-Street in Durham, riding on half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and skipper Shreyas Iyer.
UPDATE 1-Heat wave disrupts Fourth of July events across eastern US
Among the events disrupted by the sweltering heat was the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, a centerpiece of President Donald Trumps efforts to mark the nations 250th birthday
Plea in court argues ZEE5 app and website are inaccessible to persons who are blind or have low vision; highlights judicial precedent that digital access is an integral part of the fundamental right to life
Even though Congress leaders now say that the issue has been resolved and the party is now focused on the byelection on Datia Assembly constituency, a source said that the matter has reached the party national leadership and that there are high chances of an intervention from Delhi
Messi, the World Cup's top scorer of all time, becomes the first player ever to make 30 appearances at the tournament
FIFA World Cup 2026 | Egypt hold nerve to sink Australia 4-2 on penalties
Hossam Abdelmaguid rolled in the winning spot-kick after Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed from 12 yards for the Australians as Egypt recorded their first win in a World Cup knockout match
Trinamool infighting escalates as Ritabrata-led camp takes control over party headquarters
The development comes a day after Ritabrata Banerjee and other MLAs belonging to his camp met the full bench of Election Commission in Delhi and staked claim for the party
PEAK HARVEST SEASON : Growers demand hassle-free movement of fruit trucks
Say perishable fruits cant wait, seek daily movement on NH 44 Srinagar, Jul 03: With the harvesting of plums, early varieties of apples, pears, and other seasonal fruits reaching their peak in Kashmir, fruit growers and traders have urged traffic authorities to ensure uninterrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway amid ongoing restrictions on the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. A delegation of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGDU), led by Chairman Bashir Ahmad Basheer, met Inspector General of Police (Traffic) M. Suleman Choudhary (IPS) in the presence of DIG Haseeb-Ur-Rehman (IPS) to discuss the situation on NH44 in view of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra convoy. Basheer informed officials that plum, early varieties of apple, pear, and other fresh fruits are presently in full swing and are extremely perishable, requiring transportation to various destinations across the country on a war-footing basis. However, only one-way traffic on NH44 is currently being allowed due to the Amarnath Yatra convoy. The delegation said the same situation applies to the transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables arriving from outside J&K to the Valley, which also needs uninterrupted movement. The Amarnath Yatra pilgrims arrive in the Valley annually, and we warmly welcomethem, but at the same time, the transportation of fresh fruits, which are extremely perishable, if not allowed on a daily basis, will getfully damaged, causing heavy losses to poor fruit growers. Not to think of a one-day halt, these fresh fruits cannot be stopped even for the shortest interval, Basheer said. The fruit growers expressed gratitude to the traffic authorities for making suitable arrangements during previous Yatraconvoys forthe uninterrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks. Basheer informed the IGP and DIG that until the commencement of the Yatra convoy, fruit-laden trucks were allowed to ply uninterruptedly, and requested that the same practice be continued in the interest of the horticulture industry and poor fruit growers, who have already suffered losses due to recent climatic changes and natural disasters. IGP M.SulemanChoudhary and DIG Haseeb-Ur-Rehman gave a patient hearing and informed the delegation that the Traffic Department will discuss further measures for the smooth transportation of fruit-laden trucks. They directed that all fruit-laden trucks carrying perishable fruits must have a signboard on the front window indicating the truck number and variety of fresh fruits, with a stamp of the concerned Fruit Association. The IGP further informed that all fruit-laden trucks shall be parked at one particular place initially and then allowed to move forward together towards their respective destinations. A WhatsApp Group will be created by the Traffic Authority, and all Fruit Growers Associations have been urged to remain updated on the group regardingthe transportation of fresh fruits, providing details of truck numbers, contact numbers, and stamps of the concerned Fruit Association.
Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 :Spend on Kashmir, protect Himalayas: PM Modi to Yatris
Urges pilgrims to reserve 10% for local products Links pilgrimage to five sacred resolutions Terms Yatra eternal chapter of Indias spiritual tradition Srinagar, Jul 03: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called upon devotees undertaking the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra to contribute towards Kashmirs local economy and safeguard the fragile Himalayan environment, while linking the sacred pilgrimage with five national resolutions rooted in spirituality, sustainability and social responsibility. In an official statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office, Modi extended his greetings to pilgrims and described the Yatra as an eternal chapter of Indias spiritual tradition and cultural unity. The Amarnath Yatra connected with the darshan of Baba Barfani is an eternal chapter in our spiritual tradition and cultural unity.Myprayers are that this sacred pilgrimage of Shiv devotees remains safe and auspicious in every way, the statement said, quoting PM Modi The PM urged devotees to spend at least 10 per cent of their travel budget on locally made products and services so that the economic benefits of the pilgrimage directly reach Kashmiri families dependent on the Yatra season. Officials said the appeal aims to strengthen the livelihoods of ponywalas, transporters, artisans, hoteliers, traders and small vendors across Kashmir. Modi also emphasised environmental responsibility during thepilgrimage and appealedto pilgrims to maintain cleanliness, reduce plastic waste and protect the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region through responsible tourism practices. On the occasion of the commencement of the Yatra, the Prime Minister also shared a Sanskrit Subhashitam dedicated to Lord Shiva and greeted devotees across the country. Explaining the verse, the Prime Minister said, I daily worship the merciful Lord Amarnath, whose nature cannot be comprehended through speech, intellect, mind, the senses, or even through severe penance, who is easily attainable through devotion, and who is the refuge of those who bow before him. Modi posted the message on X as the annual pilgrimage formally commenced from the twin routes of Baltal and Pahalgam amid elaborate security and administrative arrangements. Officials said the Prime Ministers five resolutions associated with the Yatra revolve around environmental protection, cleanliness, supportforlocal economy, social harmony and national unity. The annual Shri Amarnath Yatra remains one of the countrys most revered spiritual journeys and also serves as a crucial economic lifeline for thousands of families in Kashmir. From Srinagar to the high-altitude routes leading to the holy cave shrine, the pilgrimage season witnesses intense economic activity and cultural interaction. Modis message this year seeks to blend devotion with sustainable development by encouraging pilgrims to become active participants in preserving Kashmirs ecology and supporting its people while seeking the blessings of Baba Barfani.
MLAs, trade, tourism stakeholders call on CM
Omar assures of action on infrastructure, economic issues Srinagar, Jul 03: Several public representatives, delegations, and various stakeholders called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Raabita on Friday, during which a wide range of issues relating to development, public welfare, trade, tourism, and business were discussed. MLAs Rajiv Jasrotia (Jasrota), Shamima Firdous (Habba Kadal), and Mehraj Malik (Doda) apprised the Chief Minister of the developmental priorities and public welfare concerns of their respective constituencies, highlighting issues requiring government attention, including infrastructure development, delivery of public services, implementation of ongoing projects, and other constituency-specific matters. The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing and assured them that all genuine issues would be examined for appropriate action. A delegation led by President of the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), Mohammad Yaseen Khan, met the Chief Minister and raised issues concerning the trade and business community. Another delegation, led by Chairman of the Tourist Trade Interest Guild, Zahoor Ahmed Karnai, discussed measures for the promotion of tourism in Kashmir, including initiatives aimed at boosting tourist inflow, expanding outreach, and strengthening the tourism sector. The Chief Minister appreciated the constructive suggestions put forward during the meetings and reiterated the government's commitment to maintaining regular engagement with public representatives, trade organisations, and other stakeholders to ensure responsive governance, inclusive development, and sustained economic progress across Jammu and Kashmir.
First batch departs from Baltal, Nunwan base camps
Baltal, Jul 03: Amid chants of Bam Bam Bhole and Har Har Mahadev, the first batch of pilgrims undertaking the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra departed for the Holy Cave from the Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camps early Friday morning under a multi-layered security cover, marking the formal commencement of the 57-day pilgrimage in Kashmir. The annual pilgrimage to the Holy Cave Shrine, situated at an altitude of around 13,500 feet above sea level in the Himalayas of south Kashmir, will conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan, when the traditional concluding rituals and special prayers will be held. According to official sources, the first batch of pilgrims from the Baltal base camp in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district was flagged off at around 4:00 a.m. by Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jatin Kishore and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ganderbal Sudhanshu Dhama. The yatris began their journey from Domail towards the Holy Cave amid tight security arrangements. Simultaneously, the first batch of pilgrims from the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, located in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, also commenced their pilgrimage towards the revered shrine. Sources said both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes had already been fully secured and placed under the control of security agencies well ahead of the Yatra. Elaborate three-tier security arrangements have been put in place to thwart any possible threat and ensure the safe passage of pilgrims. Security deployment extends from the Jammu base camps up to the Holy Cave Shrine, with personnel from the CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army, BSF, ITBP, NDRF, SDRF and other security agencies stationed along the entire route to provide comprehensive security and emergency assistance to the pilgrims. Officials said extensive arrangements have also been made for the convenience of devotees. Essential facilities, including medical aid, emergency response teams, shelter, sanitation and other services, have been established from Baltal to Panchtarni and cave to ensure that pilgrims complete the arduous journey without facing any inconvenience. Authorities have expressed confidence that the coordinated efforts of the civil administration, security forces and rescue agencies will ensure the smooth, safe and successful conduct of this year's Shri Amarnath Yatra.
Bihar Guv. Hasnain and MoS Margherita attend Ali Khamenei's funeral ceremony in Tehran
Former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid is representing the Congress party at the funeral ceremony
The Long Journey of Human Thought
From myth and metaphysics to modern doubt, the history of philosophy is really the story of how we learned to question everything To speak of the history of philosophy is to speak of the restless history of the human mind itself. Long before we had laboratories and satellites, we had questions. Why is there something rather than nothing? What makes an action right or wrong? How should we live together? These questions first surfaced not in textbooks but in stories around the fire, in hymns to unseen gods, in myths that tried to make sense of the sky, the seasons, and the certainty of death. This is where philosophy begins: in wonder and in fear. The earliest thinkers of ancient India, Greece, China, and the Islamic world did not yet draw a sharp line between religion, science, and philosophy. A Vedic sage meditating on the self, a Chinese scholar reflecting on harmony in society, a Greek thinker searching for the basic substance of the world, or a Muslim polymath debating free will and fate each was trying, in a different idiom, to ask the same thing: what is real, and what does it demand of us? Over time, these questions took a more disciplined form. In classical Athens, Socrates walked the streets, harassing respectable citizens with simple-sounding questions that led to unsettling conclusions. He wrote nothing, but he left behind a method: probe every assumption, expose contradictions, push relentlessly toward clarity. It is no accident that the city condemned him to death. Philosophy, when practised honestly, is rarely comfortable for power. Plato and Aristotle, his intellectual heirs, tried to build complete systems. They dreamed of a universe that was rationally ordered and of a human soul that could be educated into virtue. Their influence, carried through centuries by commentators and translators, entered Christian, Jewish, and Muslim thought. In Baghdad, Cordoba, and later in the universities of medieval Europe, monks and scholars copied, argued, and reworked these texts. The questions became sharper: can reason and revelation coexist? Does morality depend on God, or can it stand on its own? The modern age did not abandon these questions; it only changed their tone. When Descartes doubted everything, even the evidence of his senses, he was not indulging in mere scepticism. He was trying to rebuild knowledge on foundations that no authority king, church, or tradition could shake. The Enlightenment extended this project. Philosophers turned their attention to the rights of individuals, the limits of government, and the idea that ordinary people, through reason, could govern themselves. Yet the same modernity that liberated also unsettled. The 19th and 20th centuries gave us philosophers who dismantled old certainties with a vengeance. Marx looked at history and saw class struggle, not divine purpose. Nietzsche declared that God is dead and challenged Europe to live with the consequences. Existentialists, writing after two world wars, asked how one could find meaning in a world that seemed absurd, violent, and indifferent to human suffering. Today, philosophy is sometimes dismissed as a luxury, overshadowed by the hard edges of technology, geopolitics, and survival. But this is precisely when we need it most. Artificial intelligence, genetic editing, surveillance capitalism these are not just technical developments. They are moral and political choices in disguise. They force us to revisit very old questions: what is a person, what is freedom, what kind of society do we want to build? The history of philosophy, then, is not a museum of dead ideas. It is a living archive of struggle a struggle to see more clearly, to act more justly, to live more meaningfully. Each generation inherits the same ancient questions and adds its own twist. Whether we read a Greek dialogue, an Upanishadic hymn, a Sufi poem, or a modern essay on democracy and rights, we are entering a conversation that began long before us and will continue after we are gone. We can choose to stand outside that conversation, numbed by the noise of the moment. Or we can step into it, with humility and courage, and let it sharpen our own thinking. The history of philosophy is not just about how people once thought. It is a reminder that we, too, are responsible for what comes next in the long journey of human thought. ( The Author is a research scholar and columnist)
Why the Space Economy Matters to Kashmir
While space technology already shapes everyday life, its greatest impact may still lie ahead BEYOND THE HORIZON A summer morning in Kashmir begins like any other. Some people check the weather before leaving home. Others open a map to find the quickest route, make a digital payment, connect with family and friends or simply begin their day online. These everyday moments may seem routine, but they are made possible by technologies that often go unnoticed. Much of this invisible support comes from space. Satellites orbiting high above the Earth help us predict the weather, navigate with GPS, access the internet, make phone calls, watch television and respond more effectively to natural disasters. Quietly and reliably, they have become an essential part of modern life. For generations, people associated space mainly with astronauts, rockets and missions to the Moon. Today, it has become much more than that. Space is now an important part of the global economy, supporting agriculture, healthcare, banking, transport, communication, education and scientific research. Experts believe this sector will continue to expand strongly. According to a joint report by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Company, the global space economy was valued at about 630 billion US dollars in 2023 and is projected to reach around 1.8 trillion US dollars by 2035. Lower launch costs, rapid technological progress and growing private investment are driving this remarkable expansion. The benefits of space already reach almost every sector of society. Farmers use satellite images to understand crop health and water needs. Scientists observe rivers, forests, glaciers and coastlines from space. Weather experts rely on satellite data to improve forecasts and issue timely warnings. Communication satellites connect cities as well as remote communities. A large share of the information used to study Earth's changing climate also comes from satellites. Without them, understanding weather patterns, changing temperatures, and the health of the natural environment would be far more difficult. This has special significance for Kashmir. The Valley is known for its mountains, rivers, lakes and changing seasons. Satellite technology helps scientists observe snowfall, glaciers, forests, water resources and environmental changes across the region. This information strengthens scientific research, improves understanding of the natural environment and supports informed planning for the future. As space technology continues to advance, its value for environmental research, disaster preparedness and sustainable development is expected to grow even further. The future of space is being shaped by collaboration between leading universities, space agencies and private companies. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Harvard University, the California Institute of Technology, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and the University of Colorado Boulder continue to advance work in space science, engineering, robotics and artificial intelligence. Major space agencies, including NASA, the European Space Agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the Canadian Space Agency, continue to expand scientific knowledge through research and international cooperation. Companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, Planet Labs and Maxar Technologies are also helping reduce launch costs and accelerate innovation across the global space sector. India is becoming an important part of this global story. According to the Government of India, the country's space economy is currently estimated at about 8.4 billion US dollars, with nearly 400 startups working in satellite technology, launch vehicles, propulsion systems and space electronics. The opening of the sector to greater private participation has encouraged innovation, investment and entrepreneurship. Alongside ISRO, private companies are strengthening India's space ecosystem and creating new opportunities for scientific research, advanced manufacturing and technology-driven businesses. This progress is expected to support economic growth and inspire a new generation of innovators. The opportunities created by the space economy extend far beyond becoming an astronaut. Engineers, software developers, computer scientists, mathematicians, physicists, environmental scientists, electronics specialists, data analysts and entrepreneurs all have an important role to play. For young people in Kashmir, this opens exciting new possibilities. Success in tomorrow's space sector will depend not only on rockets but also on knowledge, creativity, research, critical thinking and problem solving. These skills can be developed in schools, colleges, universities and research institutions, preparing students for careers that combine science with real-world impact. While space technology already shapes everyday life, its greatest impact may still lie ahead. Scientists are using the unique conditions of space to develop new medicines, stronger materials and advanced optical fibres that could improve healthcare, communication and industry. Researchers are also exploring space-based solar power, where large solar panels placed in orbit could one day transmit clean energy back to Earth. Another promising field is asteroid resource utilisation. Scientists believe some asteroids contain water and useful minerals that could support future space missions by providing fuel and construction materials. Although these technologies are still under development, they demonstrate how rapidly scientific ideas are becoming practical innovations with benefits that extend far beyond space itself. These advances are possible because reaching space is far less expensive than it was only a few decades ago. Reusable rockets, better engineering and new technologies have transformed access to space, making it easier for universities, research organisations, startups and private companies to participate. Leading global organisations, including the World Economic Forum, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, continue to study how this growing sector can support scientific progress, innovation and sustainable development. Their research is helping shape international cooperation and expand the practical benefits of space technologies for people around the world. For the Valley, these developments represent more than technological progress. They create opportunities to learn, innovate and contribute to one of the world's fastest-growing industries. Many future careers will involve developing software, analysing satellite images, building sensors, studying climate data, designing advanced technologies and solving practical problems that improve life on Earth. As universities, research centres and technology companies continue to expand their work, young people with strong foundations in science, mathematics, engineering and computer science will find increasing opportunities to contribute to this rapidly evolving field. Success in this new economy will depend as much on curiosity, creativity and lifelong learning as on technological expertise. Every generation witnesses a technological breakthrough that changes the world. The internet transformed communication. Smartphones reshaped everyday life. Artificial intelligence is changing how people work and learn. Space technology is becoming the next great chapter in that journey. The night sky above Kashmir has always inspired wonder. Today, it reminds us that the future belongs to those who continue to ask questions, pursue knowledge and imagine what is possible. (The Author writes on science, technology and innovation. Feedback: bakshisuhaib094@gmail.com )
India-Japan relations should not target third party: China
India and Japan also expressed serious concern at the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea, and opposed unilateral actions that endanger freedom of navigation as well as attempts to change the status quo by force
Indian firms will have to leave comfort zone to achieve $1 trillion export target: Piyush Goyal
Speaking at the Board of Trade meeting, the Commerce Minister said the target was achievable as other countries were keen to trade with India
GST's Invoice Management System: A New Gatekeeper for Input Tax Credit
The Invoice Management System represents the most consequential structural change to India's ITC framework since GST's rollout in 2017 For close to eight years, the Goods and Services Tax regime in India has struggled with one persistent problem: how to ensure that the Input Tax Credit (ITC) claimed by a buyer actually corresponds to tax genuinely deposited by a seller. Fake invoicing rackets, mismatched returns, and disputed supplies have cost the exchequer heavily and clogged the adjudication machinery with notices and appeals. The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has now built a functional answer to this problem the Invoice Management System, or IMS. What began as a facilitative tool in October 2024 has, over the following eighteen months, evolved into a mandatory statutory gateway that decides which invoices a taxpayer may legitimately claim credit on. For tax officers, understanding IMS is no longer optional; it is fast becoming central to how ITC disputes, fraud detection, and compliance monitoring will be conducted going forward. What Exactly Is IMS? The Invoice Management System is a facility on the GST portal that sits between a supplier's outward-supply filing and a recipient's ITC claim. Every B2B invoice, debit note, credit note, and amendment that a supplier saves or files in GSTR-1, GSTR-1A, or the Invoice Furnishing Facility (IFF) now lands on the recipient's IMS dashboard before it is allowed to flow into the recipient's GSTR-2B. The recipient is required to review each record and take one of three actions: Accept, Reject, or keep it Pending. A fourth state, No Action, is the default until the taxpayer intervenes. IMS went live in a read-only form on 1 October 2024, with action functionality opening on 14 October 2024. The first IMS-influenced draft GSTR-2B was generated for the October 2024 tax period. What was initially a convenience feature became a statutory requirement after Section 38 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, was substituted through Notification 16/2025-Central Tax dated 17 September 2025, tying ITC eligibility directly to accepted IMS records. The Central Goods and Services Tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2025 notified vide Notification 18/2025-Central Tax further codified the procedure and inserted a new Rule 67B governing supplier liability adjustments when a recipient rejects a credit note. From 1 April 2026, IMS became mandatory, with hard blocks placed on ITC claims for invoices that do not reflect as accepted in GSTR-2B. How the System Works The workflow follows a fixed sequence: 1. A supplier records an invoice, debit note, or credit note in GSTR-1, GSTR-1A, or IFF. 2. The document instantly appears on the recipient's IMS dashboard under Services Returns Invoice Management System. 3. The recipient may Accept, Reject, or mark the record Pending, either individually or in bulk. Since April 2026, GSTN has also offered an MS Excel-based offline utility, allowing taxpayers with high invoice volumes to download IMS data as JSON, process it offline, and upload their decisions a facility particularly useful for MSMEs with patchy portal connectivity. 4. On the 14th of the following month, a draft GSTR-2B is generated based on the supplier's filed records and whatever actions the recipient has taken up to that cut-off. 5. If a recipient takes no action, the record is deemed accepted and flows into GSTR-2B as eligible ITC placing the onus of verification, not silence, on the taxpayer. 6. A recipient may still act on records after the 14th, right up to the filing of GSTR-3B, but must then click Recompute GSTR-2B to regenerate an updated statement. 7. The moment GSTR-3B is filed for a tax period, all IMS actions for that period are frozen. Two sequencing safeguards, introduced from October 2025, deserve particular attention from officers scrutinising ITC claims. First, GSTR-2B for any period is generated only after GSTR-3B for the prior period has been filed, enforcing strict sequential compliance. Second, where an original invoice and its later amendment fall in different return periods, the recipient must act on the original and file the corresponding GSTR-3B before any action can be taken on the amended record, closing a loophole that previously allowed double claiming of credit across periods. From October 2025 onward, specified downward amendments and credit notes can be kept pending for only one tax period, after which they must be actioned. Taxpayers were also given more precise control: they may now declare the exact ITC actually availed on a credit note and reverse only that proportion, rather than being forced into a blanket reversal a meaningful correction for cases where ITC was never claimed in the first place. Effective from the October 2025 period, a further module was added covering Bills of Entry for imported goods, including imports through SEZs, bringing customs-linked ITC into the same review architecture. The Relationship Between IMS and Auto-Populated ITC (GSTR-2B) This is the crux of the reform. Under the earlier system, GSTR-2B was generated purely mechanically every invoice a supplier filed simply flowed through as eligible ITC, regardless of whether the recipient had actually verified it, received the goods or services, or disputed the transaction. IMS inserts human judgment into that automated pipeline. Accepted records move into the ITC Available section of the recipient's GSTR-2B and auto-populate as eligible ITC in GSTR3B. Rejected records move into an ITC Rejected section of GSTR2B and do not auto-populate as credit in GSTR-3B at all. Pending records stay outside GSTR-2B entirely for that period, until actioned or until the statutory time limit for holding them pending expires. In effect, GSTR-2B is no longer a passive mirror of the supplier's GSTR-1; it is now a curated statement shaped by the recipient's own IMS actions. Since April 2026, this relationship has hardened further through what practitioners term the ero Mismatch Policy GSTR-3B filing is blocked outright where the ITC claimed exceeds what GSTR-2B reflects. IMS therefore functions as the input control, and the zero-mismatch check at GSTR-3B stage as the output control together closing the gap that fraudulent and negligent ITC claims previously exploited. Certain categories of records including those from GSTR-5 and GSTR-6 filers, ICEGATE-linked imports outside the new BoE module, reverse-charge supplies, and invoices ineligible for ITC under Section 17(5) continue to flow directly into GSTR-2B without needing a dashboard action, since no discretionary acceptance is legally relevant to them. Benefits For Taxpayers and for the Department For taxpayers, IMS offers real-time visibility into inward supplies before they harden into a return, a documented audit trail of remarks exchanged with suppliers over disputed invoices, and the ability to reject bogus or duplicate invoices before they inflate a credit ledger that later has to be reversed with interest. The optional remarks feature visible to both parties has meaningfully improved communication between trading partners, replacing what used to be email threads and phone calls outside the compliance system. For the Department, and for officers specifically, the gains are structural. IMS creates a documented, time-stamped record of exactly when a recipient accepted, rejected, or sat on an invoice evidence that is directly relevant in adjudication proceedings involving disputed ITC, fake invoicing chains, or circular trading networks. Because rejection by a recipient now increases the supplier's own liability in a subsequent GSTR-3B under the new Rule 67B mechanism, IMS creates a self-correcting pressure between trading parties that reduces the volume of disputes that would otherwise land directly on an officer's desk. The system also lays the groundwork, as GSTN itself has indicated, for AI-assisted anomaly detection and more automated fraud triage in future return cycles. A Note of Caution IMS is not without friction. The deemed acceptance default, while designed to prevent GSTR-2B generation from stalling, also means that inattentive taxpayers can end up with ineligible or disputed ITC quietly credited to their account, requiring reversal later a more complicated remedy than a timely rejection would have been. Genuine taxpayers, particularly small businesses without dedicated compliance staff, may find the discipline of monthly, invoice-level review demanding. Composition taxpayers and Input Service Distributors remain outside its scope, and officers should bear this exclusion in mind while examining ITC claims from such entities. Conclusion The Invoice Management System represents the most consequential structural change to India's ITC framework since GST's rollout in 2017. By converting GSTR-2B from an automatic pass-through into a recipient-verified statement, and by tying that verification into statutory ITC eligibility under the amended Section 38, GSTN has shifted a meaningful share of first-line verification from the tax administration onto the taxpayers themselves without diminishing the Department's ability to scrutinise, and indeed strengthening the evidentiary trail available for it to do so. For officers handling ITC verification, audit, and anti-evasion work, IMS should now be regarded as a primary reference point, not a peripheral portal feature. (The author is State Taxes Officer, Circle-C, Srinagar. Email: CircleCKashmir@gmail.com )
Harwan Drowning Exposes Our Collective Failure
How many more young lives before J&K takes water safety seriously? The tragedy at Harwans Dachigam Nalla, where two young boys drowned while bathing, one now battling for life, is not an isolated mishap. It is the latest entry in a grim and predictable pattern that unfolds every summer across Jammu and Kashmir. Each year, as temperatures rise, our rivers, streams and canals silently turn into death traps for the young, while authorities respond with the same ritual statements and routine cognisance. Nothing changes on the ground. What happened in Theed is heartbreakingly familiar. Teenagers, seeking respite and recreation, step into an unregulated, unsupervised body of water. There are no clear warning boards, no barricades at dangerous stretches, no lifeguards, no designated safe zones for swimming. When disaster strikes, it is locals and police who rush in, risking their own lives to retrieve bodies or pull out the drowning. We then wait for further details, a few days of shock, and then collective amnesiauntil the next obituary. This is not fate. It is a governance failure. Dachigam Nalla is not a hidden stream in some uncharted wilderness. It flows along the outskirts of the summer capital, in an area that sees regular foot traffic from locals and tourists alike. If such a tragedy can unfold here without any visible preventive infrastructure, what does it say about safety in remote and less accessible stretches of our rivers and streams? The administration cannot continue to hide behind post-incident legal formalities. FIRs and inquiries do not save lives; foresight and systems do. Where is the comprehensive water-safety policy for J&K? Where is the mapping of high-risk spots, the mandatory installation of danger signs in local languages, the fencing of hazardous stretches, the deployment of trained rescue teams during peak summer, and the integration of basic water-safety education into school curricula? Parents and people at large, too, cannot absolve themselves. Allowing unsupervised children to venture into deep or fast-flowing waters is an invitation to disaster. But the burden of blame cannot be shifted onto grieving families while the UT shrugs off its duty to create safe public spaces and regulated recreational options. The Harwan incident must be treated as a turning point, not another statistic. The government must immediately order a time-bound audit of all major water bodies across J&K, publicly notify high-risk zones, and install visible warnings and barriers. District administrations should be tasked with drawing up and enforcing local water-safety plans before more lives are lost. If the loss and suffering in Harwan do not jolt our institutions into urgent action, we will be complicit in the next drowning, not as helpless bystanders, but as willing accomplices of negligence.
Another probe after buscar collision, but still no roadmap for safer highways in J&K Another life lost, three more hanging in the balance. A bus from Rajouri to Jammu and a car from Lamberi to Nowshera collide in the RajalBagnoti stretch of Nowshera sector; a 25-year-old (approx) is killed on the spot, and three co-travellers are rushed to hospital with serious injuries. Police say cognisance has been taken, a probe is underway, and the cause is yet to be ascertained. We have heard this script far too many times. This is not an accident in the sense of the unforeseeable. It is the predictable outcome of a lethal mix: crumbling road infrastructure, indifferent enforcement, overworked commercial drivers, and a system that wakes up only to count the dead, not to prevent the next funeral. The RajouriJammu corridor, like many arterial roads in Jammu and Kashmir, has become a moving graveyard. Every few weeks, there is another crash in Rajouri, Poonch, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar or Udhampur. Committees are formed, reports promised, strict action vowed. Then the headlines fade, the file gathers dust, and the same road, with the same blind curves, broken shoulders and absent signage, is handed back to fate. Why, in 2026, are we still dependent on cognizance has been taken as the highest form of accountability? Where is the district-wise, publicly available road safety audit? Where are speed-calming measures on known black spots like RajalBagnoti? Why are passenger buses allowed to barrel down narrow, damaged stretches without functional speed governors, GPS tracking, or meaningful checks on over-speeding and driver fatigue? The administration cannot hide behind the fig leaf of a detailed probe every time metal meets metal and a young man does not return home. Probes must lead to prosecutions, penalties, and permanent engineering fixes, not just another bland paragraph in a police communiqu. This death should trigger at least five immediate, time-bound actions: Declare and publish black spots on all major routes in Rajouri and adjoining districts, with a clear remedial plan and deadlines. Mandatory technology-based enforcement speed cameras, automatic challans, and GPS tracking for all commercial vehicles on the RajouriJammu axis. Quarterly driver fitness and training audits for bus operators, with suspension of permits for repeat violations. Independent crash investigation for every fatal accident, with findings tabled in the Legislative Assembly and placed in the public domain. Victim support protocols so that families are not left to navigate compensation and medico-legal formalities alone. A society that normalises road deaths as mere mishaps is complicit in them. The Rajouri accident must not become just another line in the growing ledger of avoidable tragedies on J&Ks roads. The government must either deliver a measurable reduction in crashes, or admit that on road safety, it has chosen convenience over human life.
Of Myths and Manipulators: The Grip of Superstition in Kashmir
Kashmir is a land where breathtaking beauty coexists with a deep-seated culture of myths and folklore. While some of these beliefs are harmless relics of the past, others cast a darker shadow over society. From everyday cultural anxieties to the deeply predatory practices of faith healing, superstition continues to hold a powerful grip on the innocent, often making them victims of fear and greed. The Anatomy of Faith Healing Fraud The most heartbreaking manifestation of this mindset is the phenomenon of the fraudulent pir (faith healer). These charlatans weaponise superstition for financial gain, turning deep-seated anxieties into a lucrative business. 1. Preying on Vulnerability: These fraudsters rarely target the secure; instead, they cast their nets over those experiencing profound distress. Their most frequent targets are desperate or curious individualsparticularly womenseeking relief from chronic, invisible ailments such as severe migraines, mental exhaustion, or prolonged health issues that modern medicine has yet to resolve. When a person is exhausted by pain, they become vulnerable to alternative explanations. The fake pir quickly diagnoses the issue not as a medical condition, but as a spiritual affliction, confidently claiming the victim has been targeted by jadoo (black magic) or shar (evil forces). 2. The Illusion of Proof: The Live Demonstration. The trap closes entirely through the use of calculated, theatrical deception. To convince a desperate mind, these fraudsters perform live demonstrations that mimic spiritual exorcisms but are entirely rooted in sleight of hand. Right before the victims eyes, the pir will magically extract a taweez (amulet), charred needles, or knotted threads from a hidden placesuch as from beneath an undisturbed rug, out of a handful of clay, or from inside a household cushion. To an innocent observer, this physical manifestation of evil feels like undeniable proof of the curse. 3. The Cost of Deception: Once the illusion succeeds, the psychological dependency is absolute. Duped by the live demonstration, the victim willingly pays exorbitant sums for neutralising rituals, protective amulets, and continuous spiritual cleansing. Tragically, while the fraudsters pockets fill with the rewards of their greed, the victims actual medical conditions go entirely untreated. Everyday Omens, Shig, and Cultural Myths Beyond the dark world of exploitative pirs, everyday life in Kashmir has long been woven with smaller, persistent superstitions that dictate daily behavior. These omens, passed down through generations, reflect a subconscious desire to ward off bad luck or foresee the future: The Fragrance of Isband: No Kashmiri milestone is truly complete without the aromatic smoke of isband (wild rue seeds). Historically known to grow in wild abundance across the ancient Malkha area of Srinagar, this sacred herb remains irreplaceable. To this day, during marriages, engagements, and other joyful celebrations, a dynamic swirl of isband smoke is carried through rooms and passed over guests to ward off Nazar (the evil eye) and ensure a blessed beginning. The Bulbuls Announcement: While a cawing crow is noted in some circles, in Kashmir, it is often the bulbul (nightingale) chirping continuously at a door or window sill that serves as a cheerful myth, widely believed to be a sure sign that guests are about to arrive soon. The Ritual of Shig: In the Kashmiri minority community, the concept of Shig (omens) governed the morning routine of the household's breadwinner. If the office-going head of the family crossed paths with a femaleeven if it was his own daughterwhile walking out of the main gates, it was viewed as an unfavourable interruption. To reset his fortune, he would turn back, re-enter his room, and start his journey for the day all over again. The Sudden Sneeze: Even a simple, involuntary bodily function could completely derail a morning routine. If a gentleman was just stepping out for office work or attending to his business and someone in the family happened to sneeze, it was instantly treated as an ill omen. The traveller would immediately turn back, return to his room, sit down to reset the day's energy, and only then restart his journey from the beginning. The Crossing of the Cat: Some superstitions cross continental borders effortlessly. Much like in European countries where a black cat crossing one's path is famously believed to bring bad luck, a cat darting across the road ahead of a Kashmiri traveller carries a similar psychological weight. For many, it commands an involuntary pause, a moment of hesitation, or a silent prayer to ward off whatever misfortune the crossing animal is believed to represent. The Twitching Eye: A sudden involuntary twitch in the eye is often interpreted through a gendered lensa twitching right eye might signify good fortune or impending good news for a man, while a twitching left eye brings anxiety, believed to foretell bad luck or sadness. The Turned Slipper: Seeing a shoe or slipper lying upside down is instantly met with discomfort, as it is believed to invite domestic discord, arguments, or bad luck into the home until it is flipped right side up. Conclusion: The Need for Awakening Ultimately, there is a profound difference between the colourful tapestry of our folklore and the predatory traps of absolute blind faith. The quirky rituals of our elderswhether pausing for a sudden sneeze, respecting the quiet boundaries of Shig, or smiling at the hopeful chatter of a window-side bulbulbelong to a gentler, nostalgic era of collective innocence. They are the harmless eccentricities of a society trying to navigate the uncertainties of daily life, much like the fragrant, crackling embers of isband that bring comfort and blessing to our celebratory halls. However, when this innocence is twisted into a weapon of fear, we must draw a firm line and remember that everythingour health, our trials, and our destiniesrests entirely in the hands of God. In this landscape, genuine, God-fearing souls are true assets to our society. These righteous individuals do not trade in fear or greed; instead, they light the way with wisdom and compassion, consistently advising the faithful to walk the right path and look to divine grace alone to ward off evil and superstitious acts. To protect our communities from the theatre of the greedy, we require a collective awakeningone that embraces the sincere guidance of these true mentors, balances our cultural roots with rationality, and unmasks the manipulators who prey on the innocent. (The author is a former civil servant from the administrative service. Email:nisargilani57748@gmail.com)
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Amarnath Yatra: Where Faith Climbs Higher Than Fear
The path to the Holy Cave is narrow, but the path to spiritual wisdom is even narrower. It demands humility, patience, compassion, and responsibility Every year, when the sacred Amarnath Yatra begins, the Himalayas awaken to an extraordinary spectacle of faith. Men and women from every corner of India, irrespective of age, language, or social background, leave the comforts of their homes to undertake one of the world's most arduous pilgrimages. They walk through steep mountain trails, unpredictable weather, and thin mountain air, driven not by adventure but by an unwavering spiritual conviction. For them, the destination is not merely the holy cave housing the naturally formed ice Shivling; it is an inner journey where devotion rises above physical hardship and faith triumphs over fear. This year's Yatra assumes even greater significance. It comes at a time when Kashmir continues its determined march towards normalcy while still carrying the memories of difficult years. Every successful pilgrimage is therefore much more than a religious event. It becomes a powerful message that the Valley remains a land where spirituality continues to flourish despite every challenge that history has imposed upon it. Yet, every pilgrimage also presents a profound testnot merely of faith, but of governance, civic responsibility, and collective discipline. The true success of the Amarnath Yatra cannot be measured only by the number of pilgrims who reach the holy cave. It must also be measured by how safely they travel, how respectfully they treat the fragile Himalayan environment, how efficiently the administration manages the enormous logistical burden, and how responsibly every devotee conducts himself throughout the journey. The administration shoulders an enormous responsibility. Managing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims through narrow mountain roads, difficult terrain, and unpredictable weather demands planning of the highest order. The highways leading to both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes often witness massive traffic congestion. Long traffic jams not only inconvenience pilgrims but also disrupt the daily lives of local residents whose mobility becomes severely restricted during the Yatra season. Traffic management, therefore, deserves the highest priority. Intelligent scheduling of convoys, timely dissemination of travel advisories, designated parking facilities, and real-time monitoring can significantly reduce unnecessary congestion. Coordination among the police, traffic department, transport authorities, and disaster management teams must function seamlessly because a minor lapse can quickly escalate into a major crisis in mountainous terrain. Medical preparedness remains another critical pillar of the pilgrimage. The high-altitude environment poses serious risks even for physically fit individuals. Sudden breathlessness, dehydration, cardiac emergencies, hypothermia, and altitude sickness can strike without warning. Medical camps should therefore be adequately staffed with experienced doctors, paramedics, oxygen support, ambulances, and emergency evacuation facilities. Helicopter rescue services must remain ready for rapid deployment whenever required. In such a demanding landscape, every minute saved can mean a life saved. Accommodation is equally important. Pilgrims who have travelled thousands of kilometres deserve basic dignity and comfort. Clean resting places, hygienic toilets, safe drinking water, proper sanitation, uninterrupted electricity wherever feasible, and sufficient shelter from rain and cold should remain priorities. Temporary facilities should never become temporary excuses for inadequate management. Equally significant is the challenge of cleanliness. The Himalayas are among the world's most delicate ecological zones. What appears as a small piece of discarded plastic today can remain there for decades, polluting mountain streams, harming wildlife, and permanently scarring nature's beauty. The mountains have silently preserved their purity for thousands of years. They deserve better than becoming victims of human negligence. Plastic and polythene pose perhaps the greatest environmental threat during the Yatra. Every year, enormous quantities of disposable bottles, food wrappers, carry bags, and other waste accumulate along pilgrimage routes despite repeated appeals. The administration must strictly enforce restrictions on single-use plastics, provide adequate waste collection points, ensure timely disposal of garbage, and impose meaningful penalties on those violating environmental norms. However, no amount of governmental effort can succeed unless pilgrims themselves become conservation partners. True devotion begins with respectfor the deity, for fellow pilgrims, for the local population, and for nature itself. A pilgrim who throws plastic into a mountain stream while chanting sacred hymns contradicts the very essence of spirituality. Lord Shiva, who is worshipped as the eternal ascetic residing amidst snow-clad mountains, hardly needs offerings wrapped in plastic. The greatest offering to the Himalayas is to leave them as pristine as we found them. The role of volunteers, civil society organisations, religious groups, security personnel, healthcare workers, sanitation staff, and local service providers also deserves heartfelt appreciation. Thousands work tirelessly behind the scenes so that pilgrims may concentrate solely on their spiritual journey. Their contribution often goes unnoticed, yet without them, the Yatra would simply not be possible. Security remains another indispensable dimension. Given the history of attempts to disturb peace in Jammu and Kashmir, the enormous deployment of security forces reflects both necessity and preparedness. Their presence should reassure pilgrims while ensuring that the sanctity of the pilgrimage remains protected from any threat. Behind every peaceful Yatra stand contless men and women in uniform who spend sleepless nights safeguarding those they have never met. Climate change has added a new layer of uncertainty. Erratic rainfall, flash floods, landslides, cloudbursts, and rapidly changing weather patterns have made Himalayan travel increasingly unpredictable. Continuous weather monitoring, early warning systems, emergency shelters, and rapid communication networks must therefore become integral components of pilgrimage management rather than emergency responses after disasters occur. Technology can also become an invaluable ally. GPS-enabled monitoring, digital registration, health tracking, live traffic updates, weather alerts, mobile medical assistance, and integrated control rooms can substantially improve efficiency while reducing risks. Faith belongs to eternity, but its management must embrace modernity. Above all, the Amarnath Yatra calls for discipline. Pilgrims must recognise that spirituality is not measured by impatience, crowding, or disregard for rules. Maintaining queues, following official advisories, respecting convoy timings, avoiding unnecessary risks, and cooperating with authorities are themselves acts of devotion. The path to the Holy Cave is narrow, but the path to spiritual wisdom is even narrower. It demands humility, patience, compassion, and responsibility. When the final pilgrim returns safely home, when no mountain stream is polluted, when no life is lost because of negligence, when local communities feel respected rather than burdened, and when every visitor carries back not only divine blessings but also cherished memories of Kashmir's warmth and hospitality, only then can the Amarnath Yatra truly be called successful. Faith has always climbed higher than fear. Now it must also rise above carelessness, pollution, indiscipline, and indifference. The sacred cave of Amarnath teaches humanity the timeless lesson of eternity. It is for us to ensure that our conduct during this pilgrimage reflects the same reverence that draws millions to those majestic Himalayan heights year after year. For the greatest pilgrimage is not merely the ascent to a holy shrine; it is the ascent of human character. (The Author is RK Columnist and can be reached at: sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com )
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Govt mulls lifting Jhelum water to revive Kashmirs only olive belt
29-kanal plantation hit by irrigation shortage since 2005 earthquake Srinagar, July 3: To revive Kashmirs only olive cultivation belt, the Horticulture Department is planning to draw water from the Jhelum River to irrigate the olive plantation at Salamabad in Uri area of north Kashmirs Baramulla district. Officials said a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared for lifting river water to the plantation, which has suffered declining productivity over the years due to the absence of a reliable irrigation system. They said the 29-kanal plantation, established under an Indo-Italian collaboration in 1987, has seen a steady fall in output as rainfall remains its sole source of moisture following the damage of its original water supply system in the 2005 earthquake. Since there is no irrigation facility in the area, we are exploring the possibility of using water from the Jhelum River. We will prepare a DPR and submit it to the higher authorities. Lifting water from the river is the only viable option available to restore irrigation to the plantation, a senior Horticulture Department official told Rising Kashmir. The growth and productivity of olive trees have reduced considerably. Without a dependable source of irrigation, sustaining the plantation has become increasingly difficult, another senior official said. Officials said the plantation had access to a natural stream before the devastating 2005 earthquake. Water from the stream was stored in a tank and used to irrigate the orchard. The department also explored alternative options. In 2024, the Irrigation Department inspected the site to assess the feasibility of developing a groundwater source. They had proposed digging a borewell, but the plan could not be implemented because of the areas higher elevation, which makes groundwater extraction technically infeasible, another official said. The decline in irrigation has not only affected fruit production but has also impacted olive oil extraction, one of the key objectives of the plantation project. Olive cultivation in Kashmir is unique to the Uri region, where the comparatively warmer climate and suitable soil conditions support the Mediterranean crop. The plantation was established in Salamabad in 1987 under an Indo-Italian collaboration after a British team conducted soil studies and identified the area as suitable for olive cultivation. Local residents and growers have expressed concern over the future of the plantation, saying timely intervention is essential to preserve the valleys only olive-growing region. Irrigation is the lifeline of olive cultivation. The trees require timely watering for healthy growth and better yields. Without a proper irrigation system, the plantation will continue to suffer, said 80-year-old Azad Khan, a resident of Shadra village in Kamalkote area.
Birth planning can save Mothers, newborns: Experts
Preparedness strategy aims to reduce delays in accessing emergency healthcare Srinagar, Jul 3: Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR), a strategy that aims to ensure safe pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care, has the potential to improve maternal and child health indicators in J&K by reducing delays in accessing timely healthcare, health experts have said. In an advisory, Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan, Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, highlights that BPCR enables pregnant women, their families and healthcare workers to jointly plan for a safe birth and respond quickly during emergencies. The initiative carries the message, Better Planning Today, Safer Motherhood Tomorrow, Healthier Children Always. BPCR is a comprehensive birth plan prepared by the pregnant woman in consultation with her family and healthcare workers to ensure safe pregnancy, institutional delivery and appropriate newborn care, Dr Khan said. He said that the approach focuses on anticipating potential complications and making necessary arrangements well in advance to prevent avoidable maternal and neonatal deaths. The preparedness plan emphasizes early registration of pregnancy, regular antenatal care (ANC), identification of the preferred health facility for delivery, recognition of danger signs during pregnancy, labour, the postpartum period and in newborns, transportation, availability of a skilled birth attendant and encouraging active participation of family members. Dr. Khan noted that BPCR is particularly important for Jammu & Kashmir due to the region's unique geographical and healthcare challenges like difficult terrain, remote habitations, harsh winters, seasonal road closures, long travel distances to referral hospitals, delays in ambulance access etc. The advisory said implementation of BPCR can substantially improve maternal health outcomes by increasing antenatal care coverage and ensuring more women complete at least four or eight ANC visits with appropriate screening. It can also increase institutional deliveries where skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care are available, facilitate early identification and referral of high-risk pregnancies, and reduce obstetric complications such as haemorrhage, eclampsia, sepsis and obstructed labour. It said that the strategy can help reduce the Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) through skilled care at birth, newborn resuscitation, thermal care and early initiation of breastfeeding. It is also expected to lower Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) by strengthening newborn care, promoting timely immunization and ensuring early identification and management of sick newborns. It said that initiating breastfeeding within one hour of birth improves nutrition and immunity, while timely birth-dose vaccinations enhance protection against preventable diseases. The advisory also underlines the critical role of community health workers in implementing BPCR. Their responsibilities include counselling families during home visits, preparing individualized birth preparedness plans, identifying high-risk pregnancies, coordinating referrals and transportation, and promoting postpartum and newborn care. Dr. Khan said the impact of BPCR follows a clear pathwayfrom a prepared family to timely access to healthcare, quality treatment at health facilities, healthier mothers and babies, and ultimately improved maternal and child health indicators. He stressed that planning ahead and acting promptly can save lives, urging families to recognize danger signs, avoid delays in seeking care and work together to build a healthier future for every mother and child in Jammu & Kashmir.
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Legacy waste clearance gains momentum across Kashmir
1.58 lakh MT legacy waste treated; work underway in 18 municipalities Srinagar: The Urban Local Bodies (ULB) Kashmir has completed the bio-mining of 0.79 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of legacy waste at five municipal dumping sites, marking a significant step towards scientific solid waste management and the reclamation of old dumping grounds across the Valley. An official from Urban Local Bodies Kashmir said the department has undertaken large-scale bio-remediation of legacy waste in municipalities to eliminate decades-old dumps and improve environmental conditions. The bio-remediation of approximately 2.98 lakh MT of legacy waste has been taken up in 18 municipalities across Kashmir. So far, 1,58,343 metric tonnes of legacy waste has been remediated by the executing agency, while work on the remaining legacy waste is in progress, official said. He said that 12 Solid Waste Management (SWM) Centres are currently operational in different municipalities, where municipal waste is scientifically segregated and processed. Municipal committees across Kashmir have stopped using open dumping sites after the Solid Waste Management Centres became functional. Waste collected from households is now being processed through these facilities in a scientific manner, the official said. To strengthen the door-to-door waste collection system, the department has procured 245 garbage hoppers, which have been distributed among municipal committees across the Valley. We have already supplied 245 garbage hoppers to municipal committees across Kashmir for door-to-door collection of waste. The collected waste is segregated at the SWM Centres. Wet waste is processed through compost pits, while dry waste is treated at Material Recovery Facility (MRF) plants, the official added.
1,114 Brick Kiln Children Vaccinated in Budgam
Budgam, July 3: In a focused effort to ensure complete immunization coverage among vulnerable populations, the Health Department in Budgam district has administered Pulse Polio Immunisation (PPI) to 1,114 children residing in 118 brick kilns across the district. Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Budgam, Dr Shahid, said special teams were deployed to ensure that every child in the age group of 05 years, particularly those belonging to migrant labour families, receives vaccination. Our field teams visited 118 brick kilns across Budgam district, where 1,114 children of migrant labourers were administered Pulse Polio drops, Dr Shahid said. He added that health officials, along with field teams, also conducted visits to brick kilns and temporary settlements to ensure complete coverage of migrant populations in line with government directions. In addition to brick kiln settlements, 208 children living in slum areas of Chadoora and Sumerbugh were also vaccinated. Officials said Chadoora has two identified slum clusters, while Sumerbugh has multiple such settlements where migrant families from other states are currently residing. Dr Shahid further informed that the district-wide immunization drive was carried out in phases between June 28 and June 30. On June 28 alone, 115,209 children were vaccinated at designated booths. This was followed by house-to-house coverage on June 29, during which 6,246 children were reached. On June 30, an additional 966 children were administered polio drops.
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Akashvani starts Yatra broadcast
Dedicated studio, FM transmitters to provide updates , advisories for pilgrims Srinagar, July 3: Akashvani Srinagar on Friday inaugurated its Special Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) 2026 transmission with the launch of a dedicated broadcast studio to provide round-the-clock radio and digital coverage for pilgrims during the annual pilgrimage. The studio was inaugurated by Deputy Director General (Engineering) and Head of Office, Gurbinder Singh, in the presence of senior officers from the Engineering and Programme wings. Speaking on the occasion, Singh said the special transmission is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted, high-quality broadcasts for pilgrims and devotees through multiple terrestrial and digital platforms. He said two special FM transmitters have been installed at Baltal and Pahalgam to provide reliable coverage along the entire pilgrimage route, including remote and high-altitude areas. The special broadcasts will be available on FM Baltal (103.7 MHz), FM Pahalgam (100.1 MHz), the WAVES OTT platform, DTH services, the NewsonAir mobile app and the Akashvani Aradhana channel. The transmission will feature devotional programmes, live updates from the Yatra routes and base camps, weather forecasts, traffic advisories, interviews with pilgrims and officials, and other information to assist devotees throughout the pilgrimage. Senior officials, including Director (Engineering) Pramod Kumar, Senior Programme Officer Samina Shah, Regional News Unit Head Ishfaq Ahmad Shah and other officers and staff of Akashvani Srinagar, were present on the occasion.
Rescue teams provide medical aid to Yatris
Srinagar, July 3: Rescue and security agencies remained on high alert as the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra commenced on Friday, with personnel providing medical assistance, oxygen support and physical help to pilgrims along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. Teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF) and other agencies were deployed at vulnerable and high-altitude points to ensure the safety and well-being of devotees undertaking the pilgrimage. Throughout the day, SDRF personnel administered oxygen therapy to several pilgrims who developed breathing difficulties at Sangam Top and Rail Pathri, while JKP teams provided similar medical assistance to yatris at Nagakoti. Rescue personnel also assisted elderly, exhausted and physically challenged pilgrims in negotiating the steep staircase leading to the Holy Cave. In one instance, a Jammu and Kashmir Police rescuer carried a devotee on his back to help him reach the shrine for darshan. In a separate incident, a joint rescue team of the JKP and SSB rescued an injured labourer following a stone-fall incident at Mid Rail Pathri. The injured labourer was provided first aid before being shifted to the nearest medical camp for further treatment. Officials sources said SDRF teams stationed at Sangam Top, Rail Pathri and the Holy Cave continued to assist pilgrims by providing oxygen support, first aid and other emergency services, ensuring the yatra progresses in a safe, smooth and well-coordinated manner.
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Urges online registration; 80,000 pilgrim capacity, token system in place Pahalgam, July 3:- Urging devotees to complete online registration before undertaking the Shri Amarnath Yatra, Divisional Commissioner (Div Com), Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Friday said priority is being given to pre-registered pilgrims, while the administration has made accommodation for nearly 80,000 pilgrims at transit camps and introduced a token system for those arriving without prior registration. Speaking to reporters at the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, Garg said the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board has been issuing repeated advisories through social media, radio, public address systems and registration counters, informing pilgrims that the number of devotees allowed on the yatra each day is governed by the carrying capacity fixed under the directions of the Supreme Court. He said pilgrims who have completed advance registration, e-KYC and RFID formalities are being given first priority, followed by those arriving from Jammu in escorted convoys. The remaining quota available for a particular day, he said, is being allotted through on-spot registration. Garg said the administration had arranged a token system for devotees arriving without registration because of the large response to this year's pilgrimage. He said pilgrims are being issued tokens sequentially for the next two to five days so they can report on the date allotted to them instead of waiting at the base camp every day. He said around 2,500 pilgrims stayed at the Nunwan base camp on Thursday night and similar arrangements had been made for pilgrims arriving with Friday's convoy from Jammu. He added that accommodation and langar facilities had been expanded, while district administration teams and security agencies were working continuously to ensure that pilgrims did not face any inconvenience. The carrying capacity is limited and no pilgrims can be allowed beyond that number. However, if the number of online-registered pilgrims comes down in the coming days and we have more scope, we will register more pilgrims on the spot. For example, we registered only 1,000 pilgrims on the spot yesterday, while nearly 2,000 are being registered today. We expect an increasing trend in the on-spot registration quota in the coming days, which will help us accommodate pilgrims who have arrived without registration, Garg said. Appealing for patience, Garg said faith and patience were integral parts of the pilgrimage. He assured devotees that the administration was making every effort to ensure they did not face inconvenience while facilitating the yatra within the prescribed carrying capacity. He said advance registration had been open across the country since March and advisories had repeatedly urged pilgrims to register before travelling. However, he acknowledged that some devotees had arrived without registration, while others who had come to Kashmir as tourists later decided to undertake the pilgrimage. Garg said the administration had increased the capacity of transit hubs and maintained accommodation capacity for nearly 80,000 pilgrims across transit camps in Srinagar, Ganderbal, Bandipora and Anantnag, keeping various contingencies in view. He said every effort was being made to facilitate the pilgrimage of every devotee and send them for Baba Barfani darshan at the earliest within the prescribed carrying capacity. He was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, Chief Executive Officer of the Pahalgam Development Authority, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pahalgam and other senior officers during the inspection of the frisking point, eKYC verification and RFID registration counters, where he reviewed pilgrim facilitation arrangements and interacted with yatris to obtain first-hand feedback on the facilities and services being provided.
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