States

CPI(M) opposes introduction of Bill to give Vande Mataram legal protection, calls it unconstitutional

John Brittas filed a notice under Rule 67 opposing the introduction of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, arguing it breaches the constitutional settlement on the National Songs status

West Asia war LIVE: U.S. launches more airstrikes against Iran

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that two oil tankers had exploded and been immobilised after attempting to transit what it described as an unsafe southern route through the Strait of Hormuz

The skilling paradox in Indias universities

Vocational education cannot be judged solely by enrolment numbers. The real test is whether universities have invested enough to make the programmes relevant, credible, and attractive.

Faith vs therapy: Inside the Philippine school for exorcists

Priests from countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and India were already lining up for training Father Jose Francisco Syquia said

The E20 transition: fuel for debate

As car and bike owners report clogged injectors, damaged fuel pumps, and contaminated petrol across the country, a look at competing claims on what is driving the complaints, and whether ethanol is really to blame

Ecstatic celebrations as Spaniards fete World Cup triumph

No one in Madrid was likely to get much sleep, such were the celebrations in the city, which erupted close to midnight

Morning Digest: Spain wins World Cup with Ferran Torres goal; thousands gather at Jantar Mantar ahead of CJPs march to Parliament

Here is a select list of stories to start the day.

Spain Crowned FIFA World Cup 2026 Champions: Ferran Torres Sinks Argentina 1-0 in Extra Time

East Rutherford, New Jersey, July 20: Spain are champions of the world once again. La Roja defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in [] The post Spain Crowned FIFA World Cup 2026 Champions: Ferran Torres Sinks Argentina 1-0 in Extra Time appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .

Spain silences Argentina to win World Cup crown

Torres deserved winner came 16 years and eight days after Andres Iniesta also scored in extra time to lift the Spaniards to their first World Championship with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands

Self-help groups to make two lakh national flags ahead of I-Day

It will be organised by the State Urban Livelihood Mission (SULM) of the Delhi Government

Maharashtra panel to study ST benefits after Christian conversion allegations

The notice stated that Christian religious leaders, missionaries, and their institutions in Navapur taluka were using inducements to compel tribals and non-tribals to convert

Government issues a show-cause notice to Janakpuri private school, proposes takeover

When the police visited the pre-primary branch to investigate the crime, all 64 CCTV cameras installed on the premises were found to be completely non-functional. The school had intentionally operated without a maintenance contract, says statement

Srinagars Vichar Nag temple sees puja again, L-G says revival serves as a historic bridge

Scores of Kashmiri Pandits attended the ceremony in an area that once hosted a number of Pandit families who had to leave their homeland due to militancy in the 1990s

Maharashtra govt allows hotels, restaurants, bars to remain open till 4 a.m. for FIFA World Cup final

The Home Department issued the directive onJuly 18) following a request from the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Mumbai, which sought extension of operating hours for hospitality establishments on the night of the final

U.K.'s Burnham drops digital ID scheme to prioritise cost of living, say allies

Dubbed the King of the North for his work as the mayor of Greater Manchester in northwestern England, Burnham will replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister on July 20, when he says he will also unveil his cabinet team of top Ministers

Garry Sobers: crickets greatest a legacy beyond numbers

The unchecked outpouring of grief at his passing, followed almost immediately by tales of his kindness and generosity, are testament to the standing he enjoys in the cricketing ecosystem in which he is the unquestioned emperor

First-of-its-kind Kashmir Theatre Conference from Aug 1-3 in Sgr

Srinagar, Jul 19: A first-of-its-kind Kashmir Theatre Conference will be held at Tagore Hall in Srinagar from August 1 to 3,2026, bringingtogether renowned theatre practitioners, scholars, artists and enthusiasts from across the country to deliberate on the past, present and future of theatre in Jammu and Kashmir. The three-day conference is being organised by the non-governmental organisation ACT: For a Better Tomorrow with support from the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL). Speaking to Rising Kashmir, ACT Chairman Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan said the conference would be the first event of its scale dedicated exclusively to theatre in Kashmir. This conference is unique in many ways. It will provide a platform for young minds to learn, perform and celebrate the art of theatre while also facilitating meaningful dialogue among theatre practitioners, scholars and enthusiasts, he said. Khan said the conference will feature panel discussions, debates and lectures tracing the evolution of Kashmiri theatre from 1947 to the present, examining its artistic journey, achievements and contemporary challenges. The conference will bring together theatre practitioners, lovers and scholars from Kashmir and other parts of the country who have contributed significantly to the growth of theatre. Together, they will deliberate on ways to strengthen the theatre movement in Kashmir, improve the quality of productions and encourage greater youth participation so that the legacy of theatre continues, he said. Among the prominent speakers to address the conference are M K Raina, Ayash Arif, Mohammad Amin Bhat, K K Raina, Nisar Naseem, Ravi Khemu, Bashir Bhawani, Kamal Razdan and Muzamil Bhawani, besides several other noted theatre personalities. Participants and guests are expected to travel from Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Chandigarh and Aligarh, making the conference a national gathering of theatre professionals. The organisers have invited schools, colleges, universities, theatre groups and aspiring young artists from across Kashmir to participate in the event. Educational institutions and theatre groups with stage productions will also be given an opportunity to perform during the conference. The organisers further said they are exploring the possibility of inviting prominent Bollywood actors from Mumbaihavingcontributed to Kashmir theatre, subject to government support.

Historic Vichernag Temple restored after 37 years

Srinagar, July 19: After remaining neglected for nearly four decades, the historic Vichernag Temple in Srinagar has been restored and reopened, rekindling hope among devotees and residents who see the revival as a significant milestone in preserving Kashmir's rich spiritual and cultural heritage. The renovation of the centuries-old shrine, completed after 37 years, has been widely welcomed by residents and members of the Kashmiri Panditcommunity, many of whomdescribed the restoration as an emotional moment that reconnects people with an important chapter of Kashmir's civilisational history. Nestled amid the old quarters of Srinagar, the temple had gradually fallen into disrepair following years of neglect. Weathering, damaged structures and lack of maintenance had reduced one of the Valley's historic places of worship to a shadow of its former self. The restoration has now breathed new life into the shrine. The temple complex has undergone structural repairs, beautification and conservation while retaining its traditional architectural character, allowing devotees once again to offer prayers in a dignified and serene atmosphere. Members of the Kashmiri Pandit community said the reopening was not merely about restoring a place of worship but about reviving a shared cultural legacy that belongs to all Kashmiris. This temple carries the memories of generations. Seeing it restored after 37 years is deeply emotional for those who have remained connected to their roots despite displacement, said a devotee who visited the shrine. Local Muslim residents also welcomed the restoration, saying Kashmir's composite culture has always thrived on respect for each other's religious and historical sites. We have grown up seeing these shrines as part of Kashmir's identity. Preserving them strengthens our shared heritage and sends a positive message of harmony, a resident said. Several devotees expressed gratitude to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for facilitating the restoration work and giving priority to the conservation of religious and heritage sites across Jammu and Kashmir. They said the restoration reflects the administration's commitment to safeguarding the Valley's multicultural legacy and reviving historically significant places that had remained neglected for decades. The reopening of the temple is expected to encourage greater footfall by devotees and heritage enthusiasts while also contributing to cultural tourism in the Valley. Heritage experts believe the revival of ancient temples, shrines and other historical monuments plays an important role in preserving Kashmir's unique civilisational identity, which has evolved over centuries through diverse religious and cultural traditions. For many, the reopening of Vichernag Temple is more than the restoration of a structureit is the revival of memories, faith and a shared heritage that continues to define the soul of Kashmir.

Interfaith Dialogue for Harmony : Rishi-Sufi tradition legacy of every J&K citizen: LG

Srinagar, Jul 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said Jammu and Kashmir embodies harmony and brotherhood. For generations, people of different faiths received respect and experienced spiritual peace. It is the lasting legacy of the saints, Sufis, and Rishis who spent centuries teaching our people the power of love, compassion, and unity, the LG said, addressing the Interfaith Dialogue for Harmony in Baramulla, organised by the Save Youth Save Future Foundation. He commended the foundation for its contribution to the drug-free Jammu Kashmir campaign and stating that through this campaign, trust within families and institutions has been strengthened, youth confidence in their future has been reinforced, and a message has been sent across the country that when a society rises up on its own, it can overcome the biggest challenges. I commend the young volunteers who worked selflessly and took on a great responsibility for a better future for the UT. Through this campaign we have strengthened trust within our families and institutions, reinforced youth's confidence in their future, and sent a message across the country that when a society rises up on its own, it can overcome biggest challenges, the Lieutenant Governor said. In his address, the LG said, Lal Ded's teachings didn't belong to one religion. Her Vakh spoke directly to the human heart. She never judged people by their faith. Instead, Lal Ded focused on bringing different ways of worship together. Similarly, Sheikh-ul-Alam showed us that true devotion isn't about conflict or division. It is found in compassion and in serving every single human being. He added that the flourishing rishi-sufi tradition in Kashmir does not proclaim the superiority of one faith, and its message is that all religions and beliefs draw their strength from the same existence. This heritage does not belong only to Hindus, only to Muslims, only to Sikhs, Buddhists, or Christians. It is the legacy of every citizen born on this sacred land, and protecting this heritage is our moral and spiritual duty, he said. The Lieutenant Governor said that social and religious harmony is the cornerstone on which a strong society, a strong Jammu Kashmir, and a developed India can be built. When the people move in peaceful coexistence then the energy of society becomes the greatest force for development. That is why I strongly believe that harmony is both a moral necessity for the people and the foundation of economic prosperity and it is also a guarantee of a brighter future for coming generations, he said. Sinha called upon youth to believe in themselves and their ability to build a future far brighter than the past they inherited. For a long time, this land suffered from the scourge of drugs and terrorism, and that impacted the consciousness, dreams, and futures of the youth. Today I say with full conviction that that era has now ended. Now the youth of Jammu Kashmir have taken the reins of their future into their own hands, and this Union Territory is moving toward a new era of education, entrepreneurship, innovation, spiritual awareness, and national unity, he said. During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor also met various public delegations and assured appropriate action on issues projected by them. The event was attended by Major General Manoj Joshi, GOC Dagger Division; Principal Secretary Culture Brij Mohan Sharma; DIG North Kashmir Range Dr Vinod Kumar; Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid; SSP Baramulla Gurinderpal Singh; Save Youth Save Future Foundation Chairman Wajahat Farooq Bhat; members of the Foundation; senior officials; civil society members; prominent citizens; and a large number of youth.

India stands as symbol where all religions flourished: Sinha

Srinagar, Jul 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday attended the Mahayajna Dharma Sammelan in Baramulla, describing it as a spiritual rebirth for the region that sends a powerful message of harmony and national unity from Baramulla across Jammu and Kashmir and the entire country. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said in the Sanatan tradition, a yajna represents selfless sacrifice and shared responsibility aimed at fostering global peace. For many centuries, Baramulla remained a gateway of culture, a confluence of ideas, and a great centre of spiritual knowledge. Through today's Mahayajna Dharma Sammelan, we are revivingour glorious heritage of Baramulla.On this land, where all faiths are respected, the Mahayajna is breathing new life into our spiritual legacy, which has given Jammu Kashmir a distinctive and unique identity in the world, he said. Sinha recalled that our ancestors, sages, and seers prayed LokaSamastaSukhino Bhavantumay all beings everywhere be happy and healthy. The view of our sages was always inclusive and compassionate, and today, as the world struggles with divisions and conflict, the prayers rising from this sacred land of Baramulla and the verses of the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita offer humanity a powerful message of peace, goodwill, and coexistence, he said. The LG added, Our great tradition teaches us to see God in every person andthatthe spirit of our spiritual tradition removes distinctions of language, region, caste, and custom. He said India stands as a symbol where all religions have flourished, and this Mahayajna Dharma Sammelan is a living expression of that national unity. In therapidly changing world, we must strengthen the tradition of brotherhood and cultivate virtues such as patience, compassion, sensitivity, and selfless love in the younger generation. The Lieutenant Governor said conserving nature should be our spiritual duty. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors and sages taught us to revere nature. We called rivers our mothers, regarded trees as life-givers, and the Earth is worshipped as a mother-goddess in the Sanatan tradition. When we leave this earth, we should pass it on in a better condition for future generations, he said. He urged youth to lead the world with innovation and compassion, showing that modernity and spirituality can go hand in hand. The event was attended by Padma Shri Brij Lal Bhat, Principal Secretary, Culture, Brij Mohan Sharma, DIG North Kashmir Range, Dr Vinod Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Syed Fakhrudin Hamid, SSP Baramulla, Gurinderpal Singh, Maharishi Kashyap Colony President Shivanand Rohit Raina, senior officials, civil society members, religious leaders, prominent citizens, and a large number of people.

Mulaqat : J&Ks coexistence heritage can be model for world: LG

Baramulla, Jul 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said Jammu and Kashmir possesses a unique heritage of coexistence and communal harmony that can serve as a model for the world.He called upon citizens to safeguard this legacy while joining hands to eradicate the growing menace of drug addiction. Addressing a programme titled Mulaqat in Baramulla, Sinha said the people of the Union Territory must demonstrate unity through action rather than rhetoric and build a society based on shared heritage, shared culture and equal opportunities for all citizens, irrespective of religion, caste or community. If there is a place in the world that can teach the world that different communities, sects and religions can live together in peace, happiness and faith, that land belongs to Jammu and Kashmir, and that land belongs to India, he said. The LG said social and religious values form the foundation of a strong society and a developed India, adding that self-determination among the people is essential for economic progress, social development and securing the future of coming generations. He stressed the need to strengthen inter-faith harmony and mutual cooperation so that poverty could be removed from every household and social cohesion strengthened across the Union Territory. If we want to encourage brotherhood, then we have to overcome the dreadful challenge of addiction, Sinha said, adding that the message should reach every corner of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing the youth, the Lieutenant Governor urged them to believe in their abilities and shape a future better than the one inherited from the past. For a very long time, this land has seen terrorism, war and addiction. Many have lost their loved ones, and the dreams and future of young people were deeply affected. Today I want to say with confidence that that cycle is now over, he said. Sinha described the emerging transformation in Jammu and Kashmir as a movement towards a new era of unity, entrepreneurship, innovation, spiritual awareness and national unity. He praised the volunteers of the Save Youth Save Future Foundationand said they have shown that meaningful change is possible when young people take responsibility for their own future. The Lieutenant Governor recalled an incident from a visit to Uri during a period of crisis, saying that the Gurudwara Baramulla had offered accommodation and food arrangements to affected people. I believe this is our heritage. We have to carry this heritage forward, he said. LG Sinha concluded his address with a poetic appeal for harmony and said society today needed a great deal of love and urged people to reject hatred and work collectively for a prosperous, peaceful and progressive Jammu and Kashmir.

Monsoon Session : 58 leaders from 40 parties attend all-party meet

New Delhi, Jul 19: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday chaired a meeting of the government with leaders of political parties at the Parliament House Complex here to discuss issues relating to the ensuing Monsoon Session of Parliament, 2026. The meeting was attended by 58 leaders from 40 political parties. The meeting was called by Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, and was attended by Union Health Minister and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Law & Justice and Minister of State of Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Minister of State of Parliamentary Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Dr L. Murugan. At the outset, Rajnath Singh made introductory remarks and welcomed all the leaders. Rijiju informed the leaders that the Monsoon Session, 2026, will commence on Monday, July 20, 2026, and subject to exigencies of Government Business, the session may conclude on Thursday, August 13, 2026, providing a total of 19 sittings spread over a period of 25 days. Rijiju further said that Legislative Business for the ensuing Monsoon Session has already been published in Bulletin Part-II by both the Secretariats of Parliament on July 16, 2026. The minister requested all the leaders for their cooperation for the smooth functioning of Parliament and stated that the Government is ready to discuss any other important issues on the floors of the Houses as permitted under the Rules of Procedure. Leaders of different political parties expressed their views on various issues likely to be raised by them during the forthcoming Monsoon Session and assured the Government of their cooperation. The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs took note of all issues raised by the leaders and thanked them for attending the meeting, expressing their views, and for their active and effective participation. Rajnath Singh thanked all the leaders for their attendance and contributions.

Night of terror : Survivors recall the moment waters swallowed their world

Srinagar, Jul 19: Until Saturday evening, the streams flowing through the hills of Rajouri and Poonch were little more than lifelineswatering fields, sustaining livestock, and quietly winding their way through villages. By midnight, they had transformed into raging torrents, swallowing homes, roads, vehicles and, tragically, lives. For the people of these twin border districts, it was not merely another spell of monsoon rain. It was a night they say will haunt them for the rest of their lives. The rain began as it often does in the hillssteady, persistent and unremarkable. Families finished dinner, children drifted off to sleep and shopkeepers pulled down their shutters. Then came an unfamiliar roar. Within minutes, cloudbursts high in the mountains unleashed walls of water that surged through narrow valleys with terrifying force. Seasonal nallahs overflowed in seconds, carryingwith themuprooted trees, boulders, vehicles and entire sections of houses. There was no warning, recalled Mohammad Yousuf, a resident of a village in Poonch.We heard a loud thunder-like sound coming from the mountains. When we stepped outside, all we could see was water rushing towards us. We had only a few moments to wake our children and run. Another minute and we would not have survived. As floodwaters raced through villages, electricity snapped, plunging entire localities into darkness. The only sounds piercing the night were cries for help, collapsing buildings and the relentless roar of water. For Shabnam Begum, the flood stole everything except her family. The water entered our house so fast that we couldn't even collect our documents or clothes. We ran barefoot carrying our children. Today we don't have a home, but at least we are alive, she said, clutching her youngest son inside a temporary shelter. Across Rajouri and Poonch, similar stories echoed from one devastated village to another. Homes built over generations lay reduced to piles of timber, stone and twisted tin sheets. Vehicles were found wedged between rocks hundreds of metres away. Fields ready for harvest disappeared beneath thick layers of mud, while dead livestock lay scattered across flood-ravaged farmlands. Standing beside what remained of his grocery shop, Ashiq Hussain struggled to hold back tears. This shop was my life's savings. Every sack of rice, every carton, every shelf has been washed away. I don't know how I will feed my family now. We have lost everything in one night. In village after village, survivors described the same terrifying scenepeople running in every direction, parents carrying sleeping children on their shoulders, elderly residents being helped across waist-deep water and neighbours screaming out the names of loved ones lost in the darkness. Yet amid the devastation emerged extraordinary stories of courage. Before rescue teams could reach many remote villages,it was ordinary residents whobecame the first responders. Young men tied ropes around their waists and stepped into the torrent to pull trapped families to safety. Others used tractors, makeshift rafts and even doors ripped from damaged houses to ferry children and elderly people across flooded stretches. Riaz Ahmad, who joined the rescue efforts, said fear disappeared the moment people realised lives were at stake. Nobody asked who belonged to which village or community. Everyone helped everyone. We formed human chains in the water, rescued children, carried elderly people on our backs and searched for those trapped under debris. Those moments reminded us what humanity truly means. Women gathered in schools and community halls converted into temporary shelters, comforting children who had spent the night listening to the roar of floodwaters. Many had escaped with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing. Household utensils, school books, wedding albums, family photographs and treasured keepsakes lay buried beneath mud or scattered across fields. For elderly residents, the emotional loss was even greater. This was the house where my father was born and where my children grew up, said Abdul Rashid, staring silently at the empty patch where his home once stood. A house can be rebuilt with time. But the memories buried under this mud can never be recovered. As rescue teams continued searching for the missing, families waited anxiously near swollen streams, hoping against hope that their loved ones would return. The tragedy has also dealt a severe blow to livelihoods. Standing crops, orchards and livestockthe backbone of the local rural economyhave been wiped out in many villages. Small shopkeepers, labourers and farmers now face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from scratch. Even as the floodwaters gradually recede, fear continues to grip the region. With the Meteorological Department warning of more heavy rainfall over the coming days, many families are reluctant to return to damaged homes, spending nights in schools, community halls and relief camps. For the people of Rajouri and Poonch, the scars of this disaster will linger long after roads are rebuilt and houses reconstructed. As one grieving villager quietly summed it up while watching excavators clear the debris: The floods didn't just take our homes. They took a part of our lives with them.

Delhi police arrest 10 for circulating online child sexual abuse material

Protecting lives top priority: CM Omar

Jammu, Jul 19: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariathereto review the situation arising from incessant rainfall leading to flash floods in Poonch and Rajouri. He assessed thepreparedness of the administrationto deal with any weather-related eventuality across Jammu & Kashmir. The meeting comprehensively reviewed the prevailing weather situation, the impact of heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides reported from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, and the measures being undertaken by various departments to ensure public safety, restore essential services and provide timely relief to affected families. At the outset, the Chief Minister expressed deep condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in flash fllods and conveyed his sympathies to all those affected by the ongoing inclement weather. He said the Government stands firmly with every affected family and remains committed to providing all possible assistance for relief, rehabilitation and restoration. Emphasising that protecting human lives remains the Governments foremost priority, the Chief Minister directed the administration to remain on highest alert andensureswift and effective response to every emergency. He instructed all Deputy Commissioners and field agencies to closely monitor vulnerable areas, particularly those prone to landslides, flash floods and inundation, while ensuring that rescue teams, machinery and essential services remain fully prepared to respond at short notice. The Chief Minister was informed that rescue teams have already been kept on alert in rain-affected areas to respond to any eventuality. He stressed that every possible effort should be made to trace and retrieve missing persons so that affected families receive timely support and they are able to reconcile with the reality of unfortunate death of their loved ones. Reviewing the availability of essential commodities across J&K, the Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to ensure uninterrupted supplies of food grains, medicines, drinking water and other essential items in every district. He also called for the expeditious restoration of roads, power supply, drinking water schemes and communication links wherever these have been disrupted due to heavy rains. The Chief Minister was also informed that sufficient funds have been kept available to meet relief and rehabilitation requirements wherever necessary. He directed that there should be no delay in extending financial assistance and relief to affected families. The meeting was informed that adequate stocks of medicines are available across J&K while surveillance has been intensified to prevent any outbreak of water-borne or communicable diseases in the aftermath of heavy rains. Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo emphasized the need for immediate rescue & relief measures, effective coordination between departments & agencies and furnishing of updated damage reports. He directed Divisional Commissioners to coordinate with Telecom companies for restoration of telecom services in the affected areas immediately. Underscoring the importance of seamless coordination, the Chief Minister said that effective inter-departmental coordination is critical during such situations. He directed all departments, district administrations and field agencies to work in close coordination with one another and maintain constant liaison with the Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other agencies engaged in rescue and restoration efforts. Coordination cannot be emphasised enough, the Chief Minister said, directing all districts to keep their control rooms functional round the clock, maintain constant vigilance and ensure prompt dissemination of information to facilitate timely decision-making and response. Reviewing the status of connectivity, the Chief Minister was informed that all major roads remain open, while clearance operations are underway to remove landslides and debris from affected road stretches. He directed the concerned agencies to expedite restoration works, with particular emphasis on restoring electricity supply in Poonch district at the earliest. To strengthen monitoring during the ongoing weather situation, the Chief Minister directed that, beginning today and till July 24, every district shall submit situation reports every six hours to the respective Divisional Commissioners, who will consolidate and forward the reports to Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRRR). The department will compile the reports and circulate them to the offices of the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. He expressed hope that the reporting mechanism could be discontinued after July 24 if weather conditions improve. Regarding educational institutions, the Chief Minister noted that schools have already been closed till July 22. He directed the School Education Department to review the prevailing weather situation on July 22 and take an appropriate decision regarding opening of schools in both the Summer and Winter Zones, The Chief Minister also announced that, subject to the prevailing situation, Ministers will begin field visits from tomorrow to personally assess the ground situation, monitor relief operations and ensure that all necessary assistance reaches affected people without delay. During the meeting, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, briefed the Chief Minister on the damage caused by heavy rains in Rajouri and deaths in Poonch districts and outlined the ongoing rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures being undertaken by the administration. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, apprised the meeting about the prevailing monsoon situation in the Kashmir Division, preparedness for weather-related emergencies, arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 and other precautionary measures being taken to tackle any emerging situation. Deputy Commissioners of Poonch, Rajouri and Kishtwar also briefed the Chief Minister on the damage reported in their respective districts and the actions initiated by the district administrations to address the situation. Commissioners of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) informed the meeting that men, machinery and emergency response equipment have been kept on standby to deal with any exigency arising from the ongoing spell of inclement weather. The meeting was attended online from the Resident Commissioners Office, New Delhi, by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana and Satish Kumar Sharma, besides Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani. The meeting was also attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioners, Administrative Secretaries of key departments, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM, ADGP Civil Defence & SDRF, Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, Inspector General of Police (Traffic), Deputy Commissioners, Chief Engineers of Irrigation and Flood Control, senior officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), JKPCC, JAKEDA, NBCC, telecom service providers including Jio and Airtel who attended the meeting online along with senior officers from all concerned departments and agencies. The Chief Minister reiterated that the Government is closely monitoring the evolving situation and will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard lives, minimise damage and ensure timely relief and rehabilitation for all those affected by flash floods and the ongoing spell of adverse weather across J&K.

LG directs immediate aid to affected families

Srinagar, Jul 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday reviewed the rescue and relief operations in Rajouri and Poonch following incessant rain and flash floods. He directed Deputy Commissioners and senior officials to provide immediate aid to all affected families and ensure that emergency teams remain fully prepared for any situation. In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said: I spoke to the senior officials and reviewed the situation in Rajouri and Poonch affected by incessant rain and flash floods. In Rajouri, rescue teams from the civil administration, police, army, SDRF, and local volunteers are actively working on the ground. Affected families have already been moved to safety. All departments are on high alert, and they are prioritizing immediate relief and repair work. I urge residents to stay calm and follow official updates. I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in Rajouri and Poonch's Haveli and Surankote areas. My heart goes out to the grieving families. The heavy rains have also damaged several homes across Rajouri and Poonch. I have directed officials to provide immediate aid to all affected families in both districts andensuredthat emergency teams remain fully prepared for any situation, the Lieutenant Governor added. The Lieutenant Governor is closely monitoring the situation and has urged residents to stay calm and follow official updates.

Monsoon Mayhem : 12 dead, 8 from one family, as cloudbursts, flash floods devastate Rajouri, Poonch

Srinagar, Jul 19: At least 12 people, including eight from a single family, lost their lives while several others were reported missing after cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides triggered by incessant overnight rain wreaked havoc across the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch on Sunday, leaving behind a trail of devastation. The torrential downpour, fuelled by an active monsoon system interacting with a western disturbance, caused rivers, streams, and seasonal nallahs to swell dangerously, inundating villages, washing away houses, vehicles, and livestock, besides snapping road connectivity in several areas. The worst-hit pockets witnessed widespread destruction as floodwaters entered residential areas while landslides buried roads and damaged public infrastructure. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Poonch Dr Parvez Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that 11 people have so far died in the district due to flash floods and landslides. The toll could increase. Among the dead are eight members of a single family from Murah in Surankote, whose house collapsed; three bodies have been recovered, while five are still missing. In Sangla area of Surankote, four members of a family died, with two bodies recovered and two still missing. A minor girl drowned after being swept away in a stream in the Marhote area, while the body of an unidentified woman was recovered from a stream near Dhundak bridge. Sub District Magistrate (SDM) Surankote Farooq Khan confirmed that the figure of dead could rise as rescue operations continue. Rescue teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, police, Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services, and district administration workedroundthe clock to evacuate stranded residents, retrieve bodies, and restore connectivity. The worst devastation was reported from several villages in Poonch,whileadjoining Rajouri district also suffered extensive damage. The disaster prompted Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to convene an emergency review meeting with senior civil and police officers, directing speedy rescue, relief, and rehabilitation of affected families. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was in New Delhi for the National Conference's statehood programme, cut short his visit and returned to Jammu and Kashmir to personally monitor the situation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister and assured all possible assistance from the Centre. The extreme weather forced authorities to temporarily suspend both the Amarnath Yatra and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra as a precautionary measure due to heavy rainfall and the heightened risk of flash floods and landslides along the pilgrimage routes. Power supply, drinking water schemes, and road connectivity suffered extensive damage. Floodwaters washed away stretches of roads and bridges, while landslides blocked highways and interior roads, delaying rescue teams from reaching remote villages. The tragedy comes a day after the Meteorological Department issued a detailed weather advisory warning of an extended wet spell from July 19 to July 23, forecasting moderate to heavy rainfall with the possibility of flash floods, cloudbursts, landslides, and mudslides, particularly in vulnerable districts of the Jammu region. Officials advised people living near rivers, streams, and hilly slopes to remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel as intermittent heavy rainfall is expected to continue.

Government to move Bill in Rajya Sabha today to make insult to Vande Mataram a criminal offence

1971 legislation to be amended; Lok Sabha to take up Bill to increase number of Supreme Court judges

When the Clouds Burst, Systems Must Not Fail

The latest spell of cloudbursts and flashfloods across Jammu and Kashmir has once again exposed how fragile our disaster management architecture remains, despite years of warnings and repeated tragedies. Each deluge brings the same images: homes inundated, roads washed away, frightened families waiting for rescue and the same ritual of condolence messages, aerial reviews, and assurances of all possible help. What remains missing is a coherent, efficient, and genuinely timebound disaster management system that saves lives before they become statistics. J&Ks geography and climate make it inherently vulnerable. Steep slopes, encroachments along riverbanks, haphazard construction on floodplains, and a changing climate that is intensifying extreme weather events have together turned cloudbursts and flashfloods into an almost annual nightmare. Yet institutional memory is astonishingly short. Lessons from 2014 and subsequent events have not been translated into robust protocols on the ground. Too often, coordination between civil administration, police, disaster response forces, and local bodies begins only after the skies open, not before. Efficient disaster management must start long before any alert is sounded. This means updated vulnerability mapping of floodprone areas, strict enforcement against illegal constructions near waterways, and preparing detailed evacuation and shelter plans for every district. It also demands investment in early warning systems that actually reach people in time; through sirens, SMS alerts, local radio, mosque loudspeakers, and local volunteers, rather than remaining confined to official files and social media posts. Equally critical is building local resilience. Panchayats, municipal bodies, and mohalla committees should be trained in basic searchandrescue, first aid, and crowd management. Schools and colleges must regularly conduct mock drills so that children and youth know how to respond in those crucial first minutes. Stocking emergency supplies, portable water purification units, and backup power at designated shelters cannot be treated as a postdisaster formality. Accountability, too, has to move beyond inquiries announced in the heat of the moment and forgotten soon after. Every major weather alert must trigger a verifiable checklist: which embankments were inspected, which vulnerable households were informed, which routes were kept clear for ambulances and rescue teams. Officials who repeatedly fail to act on warnings should face consequences, not simply transfers. Jammu and Kashmir cannot control when the clouds will burst, but it can decide how prepared it will be when they do. Preventable loss of life to floods and landslides is an unforgivable failure. The time for ceremonial reviews is over. What this fragile landscape needs is a culture of preparedness, powered by science, public participation, and unwavering political will.

PoonchRajouri ravaged by flash floods and landslides

The dead of Poonch and Rajouri did not die in a freak act of nature. They died in homes built in vulnerable belts, under a governance regime that has long treated disaster management as a ritual, not a responsibility. Eleven lives have already been lost, several more are missing, and an entire border belt is staring at ruin, yet the script is grimly familiar. In Surankotes Lower Murrah, a single landslide buried eight members of a family. In Sangla, a house was simply erased by raging waters, taking with it four members of another household. A young mother in Noonabandi, a youth in Sanglani-Surankote, a minor girl in Marhote, unidentified bodies dragged out of swollen streams, these are not abstract statistics. They are names, faces, stories, wiped out in minutes because we have learned nothing from the calamities of the past decade. The administration has responded with its usual vocabulary: multi-agency rescue operation, review meeting, directions for immediate relief. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has reviewed the situation and ordered assistance. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has cut short his political programme in Delhi, promising to personally monitor the ground situation. MLAs are rushing back from protests to constituencies lashed by rain. All of this may be necessary, but none of it is sufficient. For years, experts and the local population alike have warned of unregulated construction, encroachment on floodplains, and the criminal neglect of drainage and slope stabilisation in the Pir Panjal belt. The present devastation, houses collapsing in Haveli, vehicles swept away, and low-lying areas of Rajouri town inundated, is not just the result of torrential rain but of deliberate policy failure. When rivers are narrowed by unchecked construction, when catchments are stripped of forests, when early warning and evacuation systems remain weak, heavy rain becomes a death sentence for the poorest. The weather advisory had already warned of moderate to heavy rainfall till July 23. Yet, as the skies opened over Rajouri and Poonch, how prepared were we really? Were vulnerable villages mapped and alerted? Were safe shelters identified and stocked? Were bridges, culverts and embankments inspected and reinforced ahead of the monsoon? Or did we once again wait for tragedy to strike before rushing in cameras, convoys and compensation forms? Political parties will now compete in outrage and sympathy. Protests for statehood will resume in Delhi; statements will be made in Srinagar and Jammu; promises of rehabilitation packages will be rolled out. But the people of Poonch and Rajouri need more than rhetoric. They need time-bound accountability: an independent audit of why specific houses collapsed, why specific stretches flooded, who allowed construction in known danger zones, and why disaster preparedness plans remained on paper. This tragedy must be a turning point. The government must immediately relocate families from the most vulnerable belts, enforce a moratorium on construction in floodplains and landslide-prone slopes, and invest in scientific, community-centred disaster management. Anything less will mean that when the next cloudburst strikes, and it will, we will be writing not a rare editorial of outrage, but yet another obituary for a state that refuses to learn.

Bihar CM opens 130.88-cr. link to divert floodwaters, enhance farm productivity

The link, part of a river interlinking project, will reduce intensity of floodsin northern Bihar, saysChoudhary; he also inaugurates 551 schools, lists measures to improve education infrastructure

Children's Screen Use and Why Balance Matters

CONNECTED CHILDHOOD Digital technology is now a part of everyday life in Kashmir. Children and teenagers use phones, tablets and computers to study, learn new skills, access information, communicate with family and friends, and use a wide range of digital resources. It has become an important part of homes, schools and everyday life across the Valley, and children are growing up in a world where digital devices are a normal part of daily life. Screens help children study, learn new skills, stay connected with family and friends, and find information quickly. They also allow students across Kashmir to attend online classes, prepare for examinations and explore educational resources from almost anywhere. However, they have also raised an important question for parents, teachers and health experts: Are children spending too much time on screens? Science suggests that the answer is not as simple as yes or no. Children today spend more time on digital devices than any previous generation. According to Common Sense Media, screen use rises steadily with age and increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic as education and daily life moved online. But experts say the number of hours alone does not tell the whole story. What children watch, why they use screens and what screen time replaces are equally important. Leading international organizations now emphasize not only how long children use screens but also how they use them. The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) all stress the importance of healthy routines, balanced technology use and positive online experiences. The World Health Organization advises avoiding sedentary screen time for children younger than two years and limiting screen time for leisure to no more than one hour a day for children aged two to four. Scientists also say the early years are especially important because most brain development happens before the age of five. During this period, children learn best through conversation, play, reading and time with parents and caregivers. A major review published in the journal Children examined findings from 43 studies involving children and adolescents. It found that excessive screen time for leisure was linked with poor sleep, obesity, anxiety, depression, unhealthy eating habits, eye strain, lower physical activity, attention difficulties and lower academic performance. Importantly, the researchers stressed that more high-quality research is needed to better understand direct cause and effect. The research comes from some of the world's leading universities and research centres. The 2025 meta-analysis published in Psychological Bulletin involved researchers from institutions including the University of Queensland, Australian Catholic University, the University of Helsinki, the University of Otago and La Trobe University. Their findings suggest that the relationship between screen use and children's wellbeing is complex rather than one-dimensional, with family life, sleep, physical activity and emotional health all playing important roles. Other leading institutions have reached similar conclusions. Researchers at Stanford University, the University of Oxford, Bath Spa University and the American Psychological Association say the quality of screen use, family support and healthy routines often matter more than simply counting hours. They also note that many studies rely on self-reported screen time, making it difficult to establish direct cause and effect. Technology has opened new opportunities for students across the Valley. Children can attend online classes, prepare for examinations, access digital libraries and explore educational resources. Smartphones have become important tools for learning and communication. However, parents and teachers across Kashmir often notice changes in children's daily routines. Some children spend less time playing outdoors. Some remain awake late using digital devices, making it more difficult to wake up on time, stay active and concentrate during school hours. These concerns deserve attention, but they should be addressed with balance rather than fear. Experts now encourage families to ask simple questions. Is screen time replacing sleep? Is it reducing physical activity? Is it affecting studies or family time? Does it leave children feeling stressed or unhappy? Or is it helping them learn, create and communicate? The quality of screen time often matters more than the number of hours. Watching an educational programme with parents, attending an online class or learning a new skill are meaningful uses of technology. This is very different from spending long hours scrolling without a clear purpose. Parents can also help children build healthy habits. Family meals can be a time for conversation instead of phones. Bedrooms should remain free from screens at night, while reading, storytelling and outdoor play should remain part of childhood. Children also need to learn how to use technology wisely by checking information carefully, protecting personal information, staying safe online and using digital tools responsibly. Schools across Jammu and Kashmir can support this by teaching online safety, responsible use of technology and critical thinking. Around the world, Australia and the United Kingdom have introduced measures to strengthen children's online safety. Across the country, states including Karnataka and Delhi have also issued guidance to schools and families on healthy technology use and online safety. Together, these efforts reflect a shared commitment to helping children benefit from technology while supporting their overall wellbeing and development. Kashmir has always valued education, strong family relationships and community life. These values provide a strong foundation for helping children develop healthy technology habits while making the most of the opportunities that technology offers. Technology is now part of modern life. The goal is not to keep children away from screens completely but to ensure that technology supports learning and growth without replacing sleep, play, exercise, family time and real-life friendships. The children of Kashmir deserve the best of both worlds. They should grow up confident in using technology for learning and opportunity while also enjoying the simple experiences that make childhood special, playing outdoors, reading books, sharing meals with family and spending time with the people who matter most. A healthy childhood is not defined by the absence of screens, but by the presence of balance. When used wisely, technology can support learning, communication and opportunity while leaving enough room for play, family, friendships and the everyday experiences that help children grow. (The Author writes on technology and digital wellbeing. Feedback: bakshisuhaib094@gmail.com )

Apni Party will push Centre to restore J-K rights: Bukhari

Srinagar, July 19: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday said his party would continue to press the Centre for restoration of the constitutional rights of Jammu and Kashmir while ensuring protection of its demographic character. Addressing a workers convention in Bandipora, Bukhari said the solution to the issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir lay in New Delhi, and urged the Government of India to initiate a meaningful dialogue with people to address their concerns. Jammu and Kashmir is destined to remain a part of India, and the solutions to all our problems will also come from New Delhi. Apni Party will compel the Centre to restore the constitutional rights of J&K, he said. He said concerns regarding demographic changes and any attempt to alter the Muslim-majority character of Jammu and Kashmir would be taken up with the Centre. Bukhari also referred to the Prime Ministers assurance of bridging the Dili aur Dil Ki Dooriyan, saying it was the right time for the Centre to engage with people and address their grievances. Targeting the National Conference, Bukhari questioned its silence on the restoration of statehood after August 5, 2019, saying the party had raised the issue only after coming to power following the 2024 Assembly elections. He alleged that the NC had failed to protect the rights of Jammu and Kashmir over the decades and accused it of misleading people with promises made during the 2024 election campaign. Highlighting local issues in Bandipora, the Apni Party chief demanded early construction of the Gurez Tunnel to provide all-weather connectivity to Gurez Valley and also sought completion of the Bandipora-Sogam road. He blamed successive governments for neglecting the districts development and raised concerns over inadequate infrastructure in hospitals and schools besides lack of basic amenities in tribal areas. On mining, Bukhari alleged that locals had been deprived of their traditional rights while outsiders were allowed to extract resources from rivers. He demanded that traditional mining rights be restored to local people. Expressing concern over unemployment, he said lack of job opportunities among youth was contributing to growing frustration and the drug menace. During the convention, Kashmir Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir urged party workers to intensify public outreach and remain connected with people at the grassroots level. On the occasion, youth leader Sameer Iqbal from National Conference in Kuloosa, Bandipora, joined the Apni Party along with his supporters.

Congress takes statehood battle to Jammu streets

Jammu, July 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Sunday staged a massive protest in Jammu, demanding the immediate restoration of statehood to the Union Territory, with hundreds of party leaders and workers taking to the streets under the banner of Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq (Our State, Our Right). Led by JKPCC president Tariq Hameed Karra, the protesters assembled in large numbers carrying party flags, banners and placards while raising slogans in support of statehood. They later attempted to march towards Lok Bhavan, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor, to submit a memorandum addressed to President Droupadi Murmu. Police, however, erected barricades and prevented the procession from moving ahead. As Congress workers attempted to proceed, police detained several leaders and activists before dispersing the gathering. Addressing the protesters before the march, Karra said the demand for the restoration of statehood was not merely a political issue but a constitutional and democratic right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Congress had been spearheading the Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq campaign for nearly two years and would continue its peaceful struggle until statehood was restored. Karra urged all political parties and civil society organisations to unite on the issue, saying the restoration of statehood transcended political affiliations and represented the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Senior Congress leaders said the successful conduct of Assembly elections and the formation of an elected government had removed every justification for delaying the restoration of statehood. They alleged that despite repeated assurances from the Centre, no concrete roadmap had been announced. The protest comes a day ahead of the National Conference's proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, with the Congress reaffirming its support for the joint demand for the restoration of statehood and vowing to intensify its democratic movement in the coming days.

A hundred years ago | Labourers in Ceylon

Fifty years ago | Indian tea industry sets many records

Quiz organised for students

A written round was followed by a final round with the top six teams

Deputy Commissioner of Police stresses on strict rotation of duties

The Timeless Wisdom of Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Alam's Shrukhs

Every civilization preserves its soul in the words of those rare individuals who rise above the limitations of their age and speak to humanity across generations. Empires crumble, political systems undergo change, and social structures evolve, yet the wisdom of great thinkers continues to illuminate the path of mankind. Kashmir, a land celebrated for its unparalleled natural beauty and rich intellectual heritage, possesses such a timeless treasure in the Shrukhs of Sheikh-ul-Alam, also known as Nund Rishi. These short yet profound poetic compositions have transcended the boundaries of religion, language, and time to become an enduring source of moral, spiritual, and literary inspiration. The significance of the Shrukhs lies not merely in their devotional character but in their remarkable ability to address the eternal questions of human existence. They explore the relationship between man and God, between humanity and nature, and between the individual and society. Their appeal is universal because they concern themselves with values that remain relevant irrespective of historical period or cultural background. One of the most remarkable achievements of Sheikh-ul-Alam (R.A) was his decision to communicate in Kashmiri, the language of ordinary people. At a time when scholarship and religious discourse were largely confined to Persian and Arabic, he transformed the spoken language of the common people into a vehicle capable of expressing profound philosophical thought. In doing so, he democratized wisdom. Spirituality was no longer the exclusive domain of scholars and theologians; it became accessible to farmers, artisans, shepherds, and labourers. This choice alone marks him as not merely a saint but also a pioneering literary figure whose influence helped shape the evolution of Kashmiri literature. The Shrukh as a poetic form possesses extraordinary literary merit. Characterized by brevity, rhythmic elegance, symbolic richness, and philosophical depth, these verses demonstrate how profound truths may be conveyed through the simplest of expressions. Their language is free from unnecessary ornamentation, yet every line carries multiple layers of meaning. This artistic economy gives the Shrukhs an enduring freshness. Each reading reveals new dimensions, allowing successive generations to discover meanings relevant to their own experiences. Unlike lengthy philosophical treatises, the Shrukhs condense wisdom into memorable aphoristic expressions. Their musical cadence enabled them to be preserved through oral tradition long before they were systematically compiled. In villages across Kashmir, generations memorized these verses not because they were required to do so but because they found in them guidance for everyday living. Thus, the Shrukhs became part of the cultural consciousness of Kashmir, shaping ethical conduct as much as literary taste. At the heart of Sheikh-ul-Alam's poetry lies an unwavering commitment to moral integrity. He repeatedly reminds his readers that genuine spirituality cannot be measured by outward rituals, elaborate ceremonies, or displays of religious identity. True devotion, according to him, manifests itself through humility, compassion, honesty, self-restraint, and service to others. Such teachings remain strikingly relevant in an age where external appearances often overshadow inner character. His poetry consistently warns against the dangers of greed and excessive attachment to material possessions. Human beings, he suggests, frequently mistake wealth for happiness and status for fulfilment, only to discover that neither provides lasting peace. Real contentment arises not from accumulation but from moderation and inner discipline. This philosophy appears particularly significant in today's consumer-driven society, where success is often measured by material acquisition rather than ethical conduct. Another distinguishing feature of the Shrukhs is their profound concern for social justice. Sheikh-ul-Alam rejected discrimination based on wealth, caste, occupation, or social standing. He affirmed the dignity of labour and emphasized that every individual deserves respect by virtue of being human. His verses challenge arrogance, exploitation, hypocrisy, and injustice with remarkable courage. Rather than offering abstract sermons, he addressed the practical realities of everyday life, encouraging individuals to cultivate fairness, kindness, and compassion in their dealings with others. This concern for social harmony is perhaps one reason why the Shrukhs continue to resonate across diverse communities. Their ethical vision is inclusive rather than exclusive. They do not seek to divide humanity into opposing camps but instead emphasize the common moral responsibilities shared by all people. Such a perspective holds immense significance in contemporary societies increasingly marked by polarization and intolerance. Among Sheikh-ul-Alam's most enduring contributions is his remarkable ecological consciousness. His celebrated dictum, often translated as Food will last as long as forests last, has acquired almost prophetic significance in the twenty-first century. Long before environmental conservation emerged as a global concern, he recognized the inseparable relationship between human survival and the preservation of nature. This insight demonstrates that ecological awareness is not merely a scientific concern but also an ethical responsibility. Forests, rivers, mountains, and fertile lands are not resources to be exploited without restraint but sacred trusts upon which future generations depend. In an era confronting climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, Sheikh-ul-Alam's wisdom appears astonishingly contemporary. His message reminds us that sustainable living begins with humility before nature and recognition of humanity's dependence upon ecological balance. The literary greatness of the Shrukhs also lies in their remarkable use of imagery and symbolism. Everyday objects become metaphors for profound philosophical ideas. Agriculture, seasons, flowing streams, mountains, birds, flowers, and trees acquire symbolic significance, enabling readers to perceive spiritual truths through familiar experiences. This intimate connection with the natural environment gives the poetry both authenticity and emotional resonance. Equally significant is the close intellectual relationship between the Shrukhs of Sheikh-ul-Alam and the Vakhs of Lal Ded. Although they belonged to different religious traditions and employed distinct symbolic vocabularies, both sought to awaken the human conscience through introspection rather than dogmatism. Both rejected empty ritualism and emphasized direct spiritual experience. Together they laid the foundations of Kashmir's unique mystical and literary tradition, demonstrating that truth cannot be confined within narrow sectarian boundaries. The dialogue established by these two towering figures helped shape the cultural ethos often associated with Kashmir's tradition of coexistence, mutual respect, and shared spirituality. Their writings continue to remind us that literature possesses the extraordinary capacity to build bridges where ideological divisions create walls. From a literary perspective, the Shrukhs deserve recognition alongside the finest examples of mystical poetry produced anywhere in the world. Their philosophical subtlety, emotional restraint, linguistic precision, and symbolic richness invite serious scholarly engagement. They reward literary criticism as much as spiritual reflection. Every verse offers opportunities for interpretation, making them fertile ground for researchers interested in philosophy, linguistics, comparative literature, ethics, and cultural studies. Yet perhaps the greatest achievement of the Shrukhs is that they never lose sight of ordinary human life. Their wisdom is practical rather than abstract. They speak to farmers cultivating fields, craftsmen pursuing honest work, parents raising children, students seeking knowledge, and individuals struggling with doubt, ambition, and suffering. Their enduring appeal lies precisely in this ability to unite philosophical reflection with everyday experience. Modern society, despite unprecedented technological advancement, faces profound moral challenges. Loneliness persists amidst digital connectivity. Material abundance often coexists with emotional emptiness. Public discourse is increasingly shaped by hostility rather than understanding. Environmental degradation threatens future generations, while ethical considerations frequently yield to immediate self-interest. Against this backdrop, the Shrukhs acquire renewed significance. Their message is neither nostalgic nor outdated. Instead, it offers an alternative vision of human progressone rooted not merely in economic development but in ethical maturity. They remind us that genuine civilization depends not solely upon scientific innovation or material prosperity but equally upon compassion, honesty, humility, and respect for both humanity and nature. For contemporary readers, therefore, the Shrukhs should not be approached as historical relics preserved within the pages of old manuscripts. They are living texts whose wisdom continues to challenge, inspire, and guide. Their relevance increases rather than diminishes with time because they address permanent dimensions of the human condition. Every generation must rediscover its classical heritage in the light of contemporary realities. The enduring greatness of Sheikh-ul-Alam's Shrukhs lies precisely in their capacity to participate in this ongoing dialogue between past and present. They neither imprison us within tradition nor encourage the rejection of tradition. Instead, they invite us to cultivate wisdom capable of responding creatively to changing circumstances while remaining anchored in enduring moral values. In remembering Sheikh-ul-Alam(R.A), we do more than honour a revered saint or celebrate a literary pioneer. We acknowledge a voice that continues to speak with extraordinary clarity to an increasingly uncertain world. His Shrukhs remind us that the highest purpose of literature is not merely aesthetic pleasure but the awakening of conscience. Their enduring message affirms that societies flourish not through power or wealth alone but through compassion, justice, humility, and reverence for life. That is why the Shrukhs remain not only among the greatest achievements of Kashmiri literature but also among humanity's enduring moral inheritancesa timeless compass pointing towards a more humane and harmonious future. (The writer is RK Columnist and can be reached at: sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com )

Josh Kerr of Britain breaks the men''s mile world record that stood since 1999

At a Diamond League meet in London, Kerr broke Moroccan great Hicham El Guerrouj's mark of 3 minutes, 43.13 seconds, set in Rome in 1999. The 28-year-old native of Edinburgh celebrated with a lap of honour at London Stadium

When a Photon Becomes a Thought: Could Black Holes Hold the Universe's Deepest Secret?

A single photon, after travelling across space for probably billions of years, reaches the human eye. The instant it enters the eye and strikes the retina, it loses itself forever as a photon. It never returns or reflects into the universe. Instead, it surprisingly starts to be transformed. Photon makes light that transforms into an electrical signal, perception, memory, and ultimately conscious experience. Ah, a piece of the cosmos turns into an idea. This straightforward observation prompted a query that has persisted in my thoughts. Photons are also absorbed by a black hole. Additionally, those photons never return in their original form into the universe. Could these two seemingly unconnected incidents have a deep connection? One is the source of human awareness, while the other is still one of the biggest mysteries in physics. I do not claim that this is proven science. I offer it as a philosophical investigation. It seems that human consciousness develops not just from the absorption of photons but also from the transformation, integration, memory, and experience of the information those photons carry. The language of light is transformed into the language of meaning by the human brain. Black holes could be amazing information stores, according to modern physics. Many scientists concur that information itself is crucial to comprehending black holes, despite ongoing disagreements about how information is stored there. John Archibald Wheeler, a physicist, has said that we live in a participatory universe, where reality is shaped by observation itself. If Wheeler was correct, awareness is an essential aspect of the universe itself rather than just an accidental consequence of biology. Take a moment to consider how unlikely it is that you exist. Every atom in your body was created in the nuclear furnaces of extinct stars that dispersed their rich remnants around the galaxy after they perished spectacularly. The calcium in your bones, the carbon in your cells, and the oxygen in your lungs all originated from stellar catastrophes billions of years ago. The universe gradually accumulated the chemical components required for life across innumerable generations of stars. Then, over the course of an uninterrupted evolutionary process that lasted about four billion years on Earth, those components arranged themselves into the complex brain networks that enable you to comprehend these words and consider their meaning. This is not just a matter-and-energy tale. We can never fully comprehend the hing-in-itself, the noumenal reality that exists apart from our perception, according to renowned philosopher Immanuel Kant. We only ever encounter phenomena, which are the outward manifestations of objects mediated by our senses and organised by our minds. You don't actually experience the old photon when it hits your retina. Your brain reconstructs that photon using chemical gradients, electrical signals, and synaptic firings, and you experience the neural representation of that photon. Instead of the actual world, you encounter a meticulously constructed imitation of it. Nevertheless, this imitation or simulation's effectiveness is astounding. It makes it possible for you to move around your surroundings, identify faces, admire beauty, fall in love, make art, develop ideas about black holes, and pose meaningful queries about the essence of life. We have constructed entire civilizations on the simulation because it is so effective. We have created mathematical languages that describe the subatomic world and the distant galaxies, surveyed the universe with our instruments, and even started to decipher the neurological circuitry that makes it all possible. However, as we acquire more knowledge, we become more aware of how much we do not know about the reality. A reality that is essentially probabilistic, non-local, and possibly even observer-dependent is what quantum mechanics offers us. Furthermore, theoretical paradoxes presented by black holes, those mysterious areas of spacetime where gravity grows so strong that not even light can escape, threaten our most treasured beliefs, such as the conservation of information. Herein lies the fresh relevance of our philosophical investigation. If black holes are, in fact, stores of vast amounts of information that are arranged and integrated in ways that are difficult for us to comprehend, we must ask: Could such remarkable information integration lead to the emergence of something similar to consciousness? A daring inquiry is raised by this. If the integration of information is closely linked to consciousness, is it possible that the cosmos has forms of consciousness that are very different from our own? I'm not saying that black holes think like people do. Such a claim would be unsupported by logic or evidence. Instead, I question if our biological conception of awareness is too limited. Maybe the concept of awareness is just one way that nature expresses a more fundamental idea. Neurons are the building blocks of human organisation. Could the cosmos possess other architectures of organization beyond biology? Consciousness is produced by billions of neurons arranged in a brain; it cannot be found in a single neuron. In a similar vein, a single star lacks consciousness, but billions of stars arranged in a galaxy may exhibit some kind of cosmic awareness that functions on spatial and temporal scales that are beyond our comprehension. About 86 billion neurons make up the neuronal network of the human brain, each of which is coupled to thousands of other neurons to form an astounding 100 trillion synaptic connections. Each of the galaxy's roughly 100 billion stars is gravitationally connected to every other star, forming an incredibly intricate cosmic web. Is there any possibility that the galaxy has consciousness? Though that may sound like science fiction, keep in mind that the universe has had 13.8 billion years to organize itself. Only in the last few hundred thousand years has human consciousness appeared on Earth; it is a fleeting moment in cosmic time. The universe continued to change even if there was no life on Earth as we know it prior to it. Planets came together, stars ignited, and galaxies emerged. Was there any ambiguous consciousness inherent in the structure of matter itself, or was this merely mechanistic and unaware? Some philosophers, especially those who support panpsychism, contend that consciousness is a fundamental feature of the cosmos and can be found in nature to varied degrees. Similar to how mass and charge are intrinsic properties of matter, consciousness may also exist in its most basic form and develop into more complex awareness as complexity rises. Therefore, the photon that transforms into a thought might not signify the emergence of awareness but rather the discovery of a more profound unity already present in reality. Baruch Spinoza shared this worldview, viewing mind and matter as two manifestations of the same underlying reality rather than as distinct things. If this is the case, we are participants in a universe that is progressively becoming aware of itself through our ideas, discoveries, and creative endeavours rather than detached viewers of the universe that appears to frighten you.The great poet Rainer Maria Rilke once wrote: Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love. This sentiment can be extended to the universe itself. The cosmos, in all its vastness and mystery, may be something that wants to be known, understood, and loved. Now let us get back to the black hole. The photon is lost to our view when it passes through the event horizon. The entire structure of spacetime keeps information from escaping the gravitational abyss, so we can never know what happens to itnot because physics forbids it. In contrast, the photon that entered the human eye started a series of brain processes that led to conscious perception. With our tools, we can measure, trace, and comprehend that pathwayat least in principle. However, there may be a deeper affinity between these two photons. Both are taken up, changed, and included into a bigger system. Both help to organize the data. Both take part in reality's continuous growth. One leads to human awareness, whereas the other causes a black hole to grow. Is it possible that black holes are cosmic wombs rather than cosmic prisons, where information is processed, changed, and reborn in different forms? The Orch-OR theory, put forth by physicist Sir Roger Penrose and anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff, suggests that quantum events in neuronal microtubules are the source of consciousness. If this theory is correct, then quantum processes that also function close to black hole event horizons are necessary for awareness. The emergence of mind and the quantum qualities of matter may have a profound relationship. Even though it may seem radical, let's consider one more idea. Black holes may be the world's most sophisticated quantum computers if they are areas of spacetime where quantum gravity takes over and if quantum gravity entails significant information processing. And if advanced quantum computing is a prerequisite for consciousness at the cosmic scale, then black holes might indeed be consciousnot in any biological sense, but in a manner appropriate to their nature. How might such awareness manifest itself? It would exist on timescales that are incomprehensible to humans. It could take millions of years for an idea to develop. Our world would be dwarfed by the spatial sizes at which it would function. It would see space and time in ways that are beyond our comprehension. It would be completely real, completely alien, and completely ambiguous. Some people might reject this notion right away. It could be interesting to others. Both answers are worthwhile. Advancement has never relied solely on consensus; rather, it has relied on intelligent inquiry carried out with integrity. Science advances through evidence. Philosophy advances through reason. I am presenting it as an invitation to broaden your perspective, challenge your presumptions, and enjoy the mystery of life. When someone dared to pose an absurd question, the greatest scientific revolutions got underway. What would it be like to ride a beam of light, Einstein wondered? Heisenberg questioned if the act of observing itself could influence what was seen. Hawking questioned whether black holes could emit light. At the time, each of these queries seemed ridiculous. They all changed the way we perceived the world. Now, I want you to think about this: what if consciousness is not limited to the brain? What if there is more life, awareness, and significance in the universe than we have ever dreamed? What if our search for understanding is not merely a human pursuit but a cosmic imperative? The photon that enters your eye and the photon that vanishes into a black hole are both components of the same narrative, that of a universe that is constantly organizing, changing, and maybe even reflecting on itself. The information that forms a black hole and the information that creates your idea are both components of the same information, the information that makes up reality. We don't know if black holes have consciousness. Whether the universe thinks or not is unknown to us. However, we are aware that we are here, posing these queries, and that by doing so, we are taking part in something remarkable. The answer lies in the query. The destination is the journey. Both the photon that turns into a black hole and the photon that turns into a thought are journeys into the unknown. It is a voyage from existence to awareness, from matter to meaning, from physics to philosophy. Every day, every sunrise, every glance, and every question we dare to ask are all part of this trip. I propose a philosophical possibility: every orbit may conceal a deeper orbit, and every centre may seek a deeper centre. Beyond the final centre may lie not just another black hole, but the only reality that needs no centre, the Absolute Centre of Consciousness. (The Author is a PhD in Physics, Principal at the Government Higher Secondary School, Qaimoh, Kulgam. E-mail: sajadphysics@gmail.com )

Villagers oppose new stone quarry, crusher unit near Cheyyar in Tiruvannamalai

The quarry might pollute groundwater and waterbodies, and affect agricultural activities, say residents

Much more than Melbourne meets Modi

The Melbourne momentum is opening new chapters in security, business, education and culture

Kajal bags gold in 76kg, Antim Neha clinch silver in Budapest Ranking Series

Facing USA's Dymond Precious Guilford in a gripping gold medal clash, the young Indian wrestler exhibited immense tactical composure under pressure

CMRL ropes in consultant to procure trains, upgrade stations in phase 1 network

It plans to buy 28 six-coach trainsas commuters demand improved frequencyduring peak hours. AECOM India and Nippon Koei joint venture likely to be project management consultant: officials

In 71% of T.N. classrooms, teachers do not check childrens work: report

GCC begins removal of encroachments on key stretches in city

Continuous action will be taken especially against encroachment in footpaths and non-vending zones, said GCC Commissioner G.S.Sameeran.

Spain vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup final LIVE updates: Argentina makes three changes

Spain has reached this stage by mastering every situation. Argentina has reached it by surviving every situation

SMVDU secures 28 lakh AICTE grant for automotive research

Jammu, July 20: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) has secured a 28 lakh Research Promotion Scheme (RPS) grant from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for an advanced research project aimed at developing innovative 3D-printed solutions for the automotive sector. The project, titled 3D Printed Functionally Graded Lattice Structures for Enhanced Energy Absorption and Acoustics for Automotive Applications, will be led by Dr Ankush Raina as Principal Investigator, with Dr Mir Irfan ul Haq as Co-Principal Investigator. The research will be carried out in collaboration with IIT Ropar, NIT Kurukshetra and an industry partner, combining academic and industrial expertise to develop lightweight structures that improve vehicle safety, reduce noise and promote sustainable design. Vice Chancellor Prof. Pragati Kumar congratulated the research team, describing the AICTE grant as a significant achievement for the university and a reflection of its growing research capabilities. Dr Ankush Raina thanked AICTE for its support and acknowledged the encouragement of the university administration. He said the project would advance research in additive manufacturing while providing students and young researchers with opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies with real-world applications. University officials said the project marks another milestone in SMVDU's efforts to strengthen research and innovation in engineering while contributing to national priorities in technology, sustainability and industrial development.

Anna Nagar residents seek lasting solution to traffic congestion

PMK organises signature campaign urging State govt. to notify extent of Pallikaranai marshland

Speaking during the campaign, the PMK president criticised former DMK minister P.K. Sekarbabu, who was in-charge of the CMDA, for not playing the crucial role of being the watchdog in the State for real estate development

From tennis-ball tricks to TG20s breakout star: Ved Reddys rise as a teenage spin sensation

Tourist rush grows at Dubjan, Peer Ki Gali, visitors seek better facilities

Shopian, July 19: Tourist footfall at the scenic destinations of Dubjan and Peer Ki Gali along the historic Mughal Road has witnessed a sharp rise this year, with thousands of visitors from across the country and different parts of Jammu and Kashmir flocking to the picturesque locations. Locals attributed the growing popularity of the destinations to the Winter Carnivals organised by the district administration in 2025 and 2026, which helped showcase Dubjan's tourism potential. Since then, visitor numbers have increased significantly during both the winter and summer seasons. Tourists praised the area's lush meadows, cool weather and serene surroundings but expressed concern over the lack of basic infrastructure. They pointed to the absence of public toilets, dustbins, mobile connectivity and proper waste management facilities, saying these shortcomings affect the overall visitor experience. A newly married couple from Rajasthan, who also visited Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar, described Dubjan as one of the most beautiful destinations in Kashmir but urged the government to develop essential tourist facilities. Safety has also emerged as a major concern, particularly near the stream adjoining the Dubjan bridge, where tourists frequently gather. Earlier this year, a three-year-old boy drowned after slipping into the stream, prompting fresh calls for protective railings and other safety measures. Social activist Mitha Gatto urged the administration to install permanent safety barriers around the bridge, while Wildlife Department employee Zubair Ahmad Punoo appealed to visitors, especially families with children, to exercise caution near the fast-flowing stream. Responding to the concerns, Chief Executive Officer of the Shopian-Dubjan-Peer Ki Gali Development Authority, Mohammad Rouf, said development works are constrained as much of the area falls under the Forest and Wildlife Departments. He said the authority is coordinating with the concerned departments to provide essential facilities, including toilets and other public amenities. Rouf also said a proposal has been submitted to the government for the construction of a Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) at Peer Ki Gali to cater to visitors from both the Shopian and Rajouri sides of the Mughal Road.

MTC bus overturns in Sholinganallur, commuters sustain injuries

Chinar Book Festival draws big crowd despite rain

Srinagar, July 19: Persistent rain and overcast skies failed to deter book lovers as the second day of the Chinar Book Festival witnessed a strong turnout at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) on the banks of Dal Lake on Sunday. Families, students, teachers and literature enthusiasts thronged the festival venue, where the day featured thought-provoking literary discussions, interactive childrens workshops and cultural performances celebrating Kashmir's rich artistic heritage. The literary sessions at the Authors' Corner opened with a panel discussion titled Beyond the Headlines: Journalism as Storytelling, offering students an insight into the changing landscape of journalism. Moderated by senior journalist Javaid Malik, the session featured Sanjeev Gupta of Dainik Jagran, Naresh Kaushik of PTI, Prashant Asthana of Navbharat Times and Nayanika Sengupta of Hindustan Times. The panellists discussed the evolution of print, television and digital journalism, the growing influence of social media and the responsibilities that come with reporting in the digital age. Students from BHSS Mujgund, Sultan-ul-Arifeen School, Kashmir Harvard Educational Institute, Blue Bells School, GHSS Rainawari, Government Polytechnic College Bemina and Government Degree College Kulgam actively participated, raising questions on newsroom ethics, career opportunities, reporting skills and the future of journalism. The speakers encouraged aspiring journalists to uphold curiosity, integrity and a strong commitment to factual reporting. Another major attraction at the Authors Corner was a session titled Urdu, Kashmiriyat and the Rich Tapestry of Shared Cultural Tradition. Moderated by Dr Hafeezur Rahman, Convenor of the Khusro Foundation, New Delhi, the discussion featured Prof Mufti Mudassir Farooqui, Head of the Department of English at the University of Kashmir, and educationist Asiya Qadir, Academic Head of Birla Open Minds International School. Prof Farooqui highlighted the close relationship between Kashmir's Sufi and Rishi traditions, describing them as the foundation of the Valleys culture of coexistence and communal harmony. Asiya Qadir underscored the importance of multilingual learning, saying languages help broaden perspectives and strengthen social and cultural bonds. Festival organisers said more than 4,000 students from schools, colleges and universities across Srinagar and adjoining districts participated in various activities on the second day. Of them, over 2,500 children attended interactive sessions at the Childrens Corner. Young participants engaged in an Art Safari paper craft workshop organised by the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, where they created colourful paper butterflies while learning creative craft techniques. Students were also introduced to the Ministry of Educations digital library, which offers free access to more than 7,000 e-books in 23 languages. The Childrens Corner also hosted a Book Cover Design Workshop conducted by the National Centre for Children's Literature (NCCL), followed by Harf-o-Hunar: English Calligraphy Workshop led by Malik Mukhtar, where students explored the art of elegant lettering. The festivals cultural programme showcased Kashmir's vibrant folk traditions through performances by Raja Art and Culture, Dilshad Cultural Forum, Kalidas Theatre Group and Pompoush Folk Theatre. The evening concluded with musical performances by Dr Shazia Hameed, Rashida Akhter and Abid Ali, adding a festive atmosphere despite the rainy weather.

After Japan Open triumph, Sindhu targets a sixth Worlds medal next

Congress criticises Puducherry govt. for failure to crackdown on illegal drug companies

Cloudburst hits Daksum, tourist movement suspended

Anantnag, July 19: A cloudburst hit Bangidar in Daksum on Sunday, prompting authorities to assess the situation on the ground amid an India Meteorological Department forecast of heavy rainfall over the coming days. The Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Kokernag, visited the affected area along with the Deputy Superintendent of Police, personnel of the CRPF's 164 Battalion, the Assistant Executive Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control, and officials of the Forest, Wildlife and Sheep Husbandry departments. An official said no loss of life or damage to property had been reported from the area, and that the water level had started receding, with the situation presently under control. The concerned departments have been directed to remain on alert and continue close monitoring of the area, the official added. In view of the adverse weather conditions and the risk of landslides, shooting stones and flash floods in the upper reaches of the sub-division, the SDM has barred tourists from travelling beyond Bidhard. A complete ban has also been imposed on trekking to Sinthantop, Choharnag, Fambar Valley and Margantop till further orders.

Puducherry govt. notifies policy framework for engaging private players in infrastructure development

The Public-Private Partnership policy framework allows any private firm or individual to propose a potential project in an industrial estate in Puducherry

Watch: Inside the Jantar Mantar protest: Why hundreds gathered in Delhi

Thousands gathered at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 19 ahead of CJPs planned march to Parliament, even as the Delhi Police issued a prohibitory order against marches.

Fishers seeks withdrawal of nod for large fishing vessels off Kerala coast

West Bengal BJP government is implementing the promise of Sonar Bangla, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister virtually lays the foundation stone of the 700-crore Amul dairy project at Sankrail in Howrah

Neha, a prominent face of the CJP protests, presses on with hunger strike

The All India Students Associations national president and two of her colleagues continue the hunger strike demanding reforms in education. She vows to continue the fight to remind people that the divisive politics that the BJP has taught is not their legacy

13-year-old found dead in Kasaragod

Molotov cocktail hurled at Tasmac outlet in Krishnagiri

Oppose move to adopt Prevention of Insults to National Honour Bill

Former DMK Minister challenges Nirmalkumar to substantiate bribery allegations against him

The Minister had charged that Mr. Moorthy had appointed his men in every Sub-Registrar office to collect commission of 20% during DMK regime

Cuban dissident artist Otero Alcantara lands in U.S. exile

Otero Alcantara, designated a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022 for insulting national symbols, contempt and disturbing the public order

CIC directs IITs to form high-level committees to curb student deaths by suicides

It says information on panels must be proactively disclosed on the institutes official websites. The direction came while disposing of appeals filed by an IIT-Kanpur alumnus, who is the founder of a non-governmental organisation engaged in student rehabilitation and mental health counselling

Will end fast if education accountability issue raised in Parliament Monsoon Session: Wife Gitanjali conveys Wangchuks message

Sonam has requested all of us to take out tomorrow's march peacefully and ensure that the protest is not misused, she said, conveying his message at the Jantar Mantar protest

Farmers body urges the DMK to drop its demand to form Mekedatu tribunal

P.R. Pandian, president of the Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations of Tamil Nadu, says it will jeopardise the farmers of the State and is against the law and farmers interests

UTT: Goa, Kolkata secure semifinal berths

Watch: Sonam Wangchuk may end hunger strike if MPs assure support, says wife

On DU campuses, students create spaces for mental health

South Africa says radioactive contamination at nuclear plant was minor

Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said the incidents were handled efficiently and reinforced confidence in the management of the plant and South Africa's capacity to move into a new phase of nuclear generation

Heartstopper Forever movie review: A tender, bittersweet farewell to a show unlike any other

Despite rushed character arcs, Alice Osemans serotonin capsule delivers one last, tear-soaked dose of tender love and queer euphoria, while reminding us that love can endure uncertainty

Kristu Jayanti University inaugurates new campus on HAL Road

Iran says missile attack targets outskirts of Abadan, reports no casualties

Tehran [Iran], July 19 (ANI): Iranian authorities said an area on the outskirts of Abadan in Khuzestan province was hit in a missile attack on Sunday, according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB. Valiullah Hayati, Deputy Security and Police Officer of the Khuzestan Governorate, said, A few minutes ago, an area outside the city limits and on the outskirts of Abadan was attacked with missiles by the terrorist enemy of America. He said the attack did not result in any casualties.Hayati added that further information would be announced later. The allegations of strikes come as Iran on Sunday claimed that the errorist and criminal regime of the US has attacked the under-construction Darkhovin nuclear power plant in Khuzestan province, according to the state broadcaster IRIB. In a statement carried out by IRIB, the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) alleged that the strike took place at around 3:39 am (local time) on Sunday. The terrorist and criminal regime of the US, which has no nature other than bullying and lawlessness, in an aggressive and brutal act contrary to international law, attacked the Darkhoin power plant site under construction - one of the symbols of the dignity and scientific self-sufficiency of the Iranian nation - with a number of projectiles, AEOI said. The strike comes as US President Donald Trump said that he couldn't care less about Iran's decision to stop abiding by the US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU), reiterating that Washington's priority remains preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, Al Jazeera reported. Speaking in a brief phone interview with US cable network NewsNation, Trump was asked about Tehran's announcement that it would no longer adhere to the interim agreement signed with the United States last month. I couldn't care less, Trump said. He added that the war's primary objective is ever allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon. The MoU was signed between Washington and Tehran in mid-June to end the war launched by the US and Israel in February. The latest exchange of deadly strikes began amid disagreements over the management of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the latest updates, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it has intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-9 drone in Ahvaz, a city in the Khuzestan region that borders Iraq, state-run Press TV reported. Earlier on Sunday, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called the United States Great Satan and said it was no longer capable of maintaining a rouble-free, domineering presence across West Asia. In a written communication addressed to the citizens of Iraq on Sunday, Khamenei, who was selected in March to succeed his father, Ali Khamenei, following his killing on February 28 in the US-Israel strikes, stated, The Great Satan--the criminal US--has now realised that the continuation of its trouble-free, domineering presence in the region is nothing but a naive fantasy. Pointing to the large crowds of mourners who gathered across Iran and Iraq for the funeral of his father, Khamenei remarked that the events had opened a new chapter of awakening and active engagement to alter the equations that had been designed by the Arrogant Powers. He further remarked, Undoubtedly, the leaders of Global Arrogance witnessed the magnificent scenes of this massive gathering in Iraq with trepidation, seeing how the vast resources they've invested to undermine relations between the two nations have proved entirely futile and ineffective. The development comes amid a sharp escalation in regional hostilities, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) carrying out a series of military operations targeting Iranian assets. The strikes mark an eighth consecutive night of kinetic actions against Tehran-backed facilities in the region. The attack came in the follow-up of an announcement that the two US military personnel were killed in Jordan and another was missing following an Iranian strike. (ANI)

The Hindu Lit for Life Unplugged launches with Usha Uthup and Anand Puri at Kolkatas Trincas

From stories of Satyajit Ray, Sharmila Tagore, and Uttam Kumar to memories of Kolkatas historic live music scene in the 1970s, singer Usha Uthup and historian Anand Puri brought Trincas remarkable history back to life at The Hindus Lit for Life Unplugged

Argentina vs Spain: World Cup fever grips U.S. ahead of 2026 final

The stage is set for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final as Argentina and Spain prepare to battle for footballs biggest prize at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Government committed to uninterrupted power supply, strengthening SCCL: Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka

Iran announces execution of two anti-government protesters

The indictment stated that the two individuals had filmed the scene of the killing and transmitted the footage to television channels abroad.

Thousands gather at Jantar Mantar ahead of CJPs march to Parliament

The Cockroach Janta Partys designated protest site overflowed with unprecedented crowds following activist Sonam Wangchuks forced hospitalisation

Inter-State narcotics racket busted in Kodaikanal

High Court Advocates Association hits dislike on lawyers reels

Watch: Geetanjali Angmo questions hospital treatment, to challenge HC order

Sonam Wangchuks wife, Geetanjali Angmo, has questioned the governments handling of the activists medical treatment.

Boat mishap: YSRCP distributes 7 lakh each to missing fishermen kin

'Adopt electric cooking, mobility for clean energy transition'

563 drug cases, narcotics worth 22.17 crore seized in Hyderabad in a year

Jagga Reddy asks KTR not to wish harm to the Gandhi family who gave Telangana