Protests in Kishtwar Over Death of Schoolgirl
SRINAGAR: Protests were held after Friday prayers in Chhatroo and Kishtwar town on Friday following the death of a 14-year-old schoolgirl while she was being referred from Kishtwar to Doda for medical treatment related to termination of pregnancy. The girl, a school-going minor, died during the referral, following which police registered a case and arrested []
Vande Mataram never wholeheartedly embraced after Independence: Amit Shah slams Congress
Siliguri (West Bengal) [India], August 21 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday took aim at Congress, alleging that Vande Mataram was not wholeheartedly embraced after Independence. Addressing a gathering in Siliguri, West Bengal, Shah hailed the 80th Independence Day celebration, which included the full rendition of the national song, Vande Mataram. Amid the row over Vande Mataram, the Union Minister said, I have always been present at the flag-salutation ceremony whenever the Prime Minister hoists the flag from the ramparts of the Red Fort. However, the 80th Independence Day celebration this time was truly unique. After 150 years and 80 years into our independence--the nation and the world heard the full rendition of Vande Mataram from the Red Fort. This immortal masterpiece by Bankim Babu not only infused momentum into our freedom movement but also defined the vision of what an independent India would look like. Through this single song, this single literary creation, he established that independent India must move forward by embracing cultural nationalism. It is unfortunate that even after independence and the partition of the country, Vande Mataram was never wholeheartedly embraced, he added. Shah also termed the enhancement of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026 as a historic decision. The legislation makes any obstruction or insult to the National Song, 'Vande Mataram', a criminal offence. The Ministry of Home Affairs steered a bill through Parliament and decided to make the full rendition of Vande Mataram a part of official programs; this is a historic decision. I believe this will ensure that future generations, our children, adolescents, and youth, receive the immortal message of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the Home Minister said. This comes amid a political row between the Congress and the BJP over the recitation of 'Vande Mataram', after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) declared that only the first two stanzas of the song would be sung at party events, citing its 1937 resolution. On Thursday, Amit Shah accused the Congress of politics of appeasement, alleging that the party's 1937 decision contributed to the circumstances leading to thePartition of the country. (ANI)
Supreme Court Reduces Practice Requirement for Entry-Level Judicial Exams to One Year
SRINAGAR: The Supreme Court on Friday reduced the mandatory legal practice requirement for law graduates seeking to appear in entry-level judicial service examinations from three years to one year, modifying its May 2025 ruling. A three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices A.G. Masih and K. Vinod Chandran delivered the decision by a []
10 JKAS Officers Placed At Disposal Of Div Com Kashmir For Int
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has placed 10 Junior Scale JKAS officers at the disposal of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, for duties related to the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled from September 7 to 10, 2026. The deployment was ordered by the General Administration Department through Government Order No. 1423-JK(GAD) []
Motorcyclist Killed in Road Accident in North Kashmir
SRINAGAR: A motorcyclist was killed after his motorcycle collided with a truck in the Kanispora area of north Kashmirs Baramulla district on Friday, officials said. An official said that the rider sustained injuries in the accident and was shifted to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead on arrival. The deceased was identified as []
PDPs 2014 betrayal cost J&K its dignity: Sajjad Shaheen
Banihal, August 21: National Conference leader and MLA Banihal Sajjad Shaheen today said the PDP's alliance with the BJP in 2014 was a historic betrayal of the trust and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a joining function in Banihal, Shaheen said the PDP had sought votes in the name of protecting the political identity, dignity and interests of Jammu and Kashmir, but after the elections chose to enter into an alliance with the BJP despite the fundamental differences between their political positions. The people had voted for the PDP believing that it would stand as a safeguard against forces seeking to undermine Jammu and Kashmirs special position and political identity. Instead, the PDP entered into an alliance with the very forces whose agenda was fundamentally opposed to the aspirations it had claimed to represent. That was the beginning of the betrayal, Shaheen said. He said the consequences of that political compromise were profound and cannot be brushed aside. The PDP cannot escape its political responsibility for the course of events that followed. The party entered into an arrangement with the BJP in 2014, shared power with it and helped create the political circumstances in which Jammu and Kashmirs constitutional and political position was ultimately dismantled. The people will not forget this, he said. Shaheen said the PDPs political narrative before 2014 and its conduct after the elections were two entirely different stories. Before the elections, the PDP spoke the language of resistance, dignity and safeguarding the interests of Jammu and Kashmir. After the elections, the pursuit of power became more important than the principles on which it had sought the peoples mandate. This contradiction exposed the hollowness of its claims, he said. He said the events of August 5, 2019, and the subsequent conversion of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory represented a profound setback to the political status and democratic aspirations of the region. Those who were partners in power with the BJP cannot now wash their hands of the consequences of that partnership. History will judge every political decision, every compromise and every alliance. The people have a right to ask the PDP what it achieved through that alliance and what Jammu and Kashmir lost, Shaheen said. Taking a further dig at the PDP, Shaheen said the party could not selectively remember the past only when it suited its present political narrative. Political memory cannot be convenient. You cannot stand before the people today and speak about dignity after having compromised your political position for power yesterday. The people are intelligent enough to distinguish between genuine conviction and political opportunism, he said. Shaheen said the recent movement of political workers from the PDP and Congress towards the National Conference was a reflection of the changing political mood in Banihal. Welcoming the new entrants, he said their decision demonstrated that political workers were increasingly looking towards the National Conference as a credible platform for representing the aspirations and interests of the people. The National Conference does not need to borrow its commitment to Jammu and Kashmir from election to election. Our history, our struggle and our politics speak for themselves. We have stood with the people in difficult times and will continue to do so, he said. Shaheen said the people of Banihal were primarily concerned with development, employment, roads, power, healthcare, education and better connectivity, but these issues could not be separated from the larger question of dignity and political empowerment. He said as the elected representative of Banihal, he would continue to raise every issue affecting the constituency and pursue projects aimed at improving the lives of people across the region. My politics is not about making tall claims; it is about remaining accessible to the people and delivering wherever possible. I will continue to pursue every genuine demand of Banihal-Gool, irrespective of how difficult the terrain or how complicated the administrative process may be, Shaheen said. He said the people had rejected politics based on betrayal, opportunism and shifting positions and were increasingly looking for leadership that remained consistent in its principles. The message from the ground is clear: people want politics of conviction, not convenience; politics of service, not power; and leadership that stands with them through difficult times. The National Conference will continue to carry that responsibility with sincerity, Shaheen said.
Agriculture Emerging as Major Frontier for Youth Entrepreneurship: LG Sinha
SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday called for greater innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied sectors, saying the fields are emerging as major areas of opportunity for Jammu and Kashmirs youth. Sinha made the remarks while inaugurating new infrastructure at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, and launching the Startup []
LG Sinha inaugurates New Infrastructure and Startup Outreach Prog at SKUAST-Jammu
JAMMU, AUGUST 21: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today inaugurated a series of new infrastructure facilities at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu. He also addressed the launch of the Startup Outreach Programme under JKCIP. The event brought together the researchers, innovators, young entrepreneurs and farmers from across the Jammu division. [] The post LG Sinha inaugurates New Infrastructure and Startup Outreach Prog at SKUAST-Jammu appeared first on Northlines .
Sopore Youth Dies in Road Accident at Kanispora
Baramulla, August 21: A youth from Sopore died in a road accident at Kanispora National Highway in Baramulla on Friday. The deceased has been identified as Mudasir Rasool, son of Ghulam Rasool, a resident of Sopore. He was riding a motorcycle bearing registration number JK05G-8545 when the accident occurred. According to initial reports, Mudasir sustained critical injuries in the accident and succumbed to them. Further details regarding the circumstances leading to the accident are awaited.
Gold Prices Rise in India, Reach Rs 13,985 Per Gram
SRINAGAR: Gold prices in India rose on Friday, with the price of the precious metal increasing to Rs 13,985.11 per gram from Rs 13,904.04 a gram on Thursday, according to data compiled by FXStreet. The price of gold also increased on a per-tola basis, rising to Rs 163,119.60 from Rs 162,174.00 a tola a day []
US Ambassador Sergio Gor visits Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh
Leh , August 21 : United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited Thiksey Monastery on Friday. Situated atop a hill in Thiksey, located in the Ladakh region of northern India, the site stands as the largest monastery in central Ladakh and is widely noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Tibet. Located 19 kilometres from Leh, the monastery was founded in 1433 and houses exquisite age-old images, stupas, scroll paintings and wall paintings, as well as a 15-metre-high (48 ft) statue of Maitreya Buddha installed in the 1980s. Celebrated for its daily morning prayers, where visitors gather to experience the spiritual atmosphere, it also offers panoramic views of surrounding hill villages with the Indus River in the background. Gor arrived in Leh on Thursday following high-profile engagements across Jammu and Kashmir, marking a visit by a top US envoy to the strategic frontier region since the 2020 Galwan clashes and subsequent border standoff with China. Prior to his arrival in Ladakh, Ambassador Gor completed wide-ranging engagements across the Kashmir Valley, including discussions with key regional stakeholders. Delivering an endorsement of New Delhi's position on Jammu and Kashmir, the envoy described the Union Territory as an important part of India upon landing in Srinagar. Speaking to reporters alongside Chief Minister Omar Abdullah following their high-level dialogue, Gor remarked, Kashmir is an important part of India. I am visiting the place for the first time. It is an incredibly beautiful place. Reflecting on the outcome of their discussions, the top American diplomat expressed optimism regarding future bilateral ties, adding, We had a very warm meeting and we look forward to building on our relationship. Significantly, the bilateral meeting marked the first interaction between a serving US ambassador and a sitting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister in over 15 years, with the previous such meeting taking place in 2011 when then US envoy Timothy Roemer met Abdullah. Furthermore, the last standalone visit to Kashmir by a US envoy was undertaken by Kenneth Juster in 2018, shortly after the fall of the PDP-BJP government, before his subsequent visit in 2020 as part of a multi-nation diplomatic delegation. The visit carries strategic significance, occurring seven years after the Centre's decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcate the region into two Union Territories. The initiative signals a revival of direct diplomatic engagement with J&K's elected government, reinforcing international confidence in the region's governance, stability and security landscape. Moreover, the high-level movement underscores peace and stability on the Indian side at a time when neighbouring Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) experiences violent protests by residents over excesses by the army. The engagement takes place against the backdrop of a deepening India-US strategic partnership, demonstrating strengthening bilateral ties following recent high-level interactions between Ambassador Gor and Union Home Minister Amit Shah focused on counter-terrorism cooperation. (ANI)
LG Sinha Inaugurates New Infrastructure and Startup Outreach Programme at SKUAST-Jammu
JAMMU, AUGUST 21: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today inaugurated a series of new infrastructure facilities at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu. He also addressed the launch of the Startup Outreach Programme under JKCIP. The event brought together the researchers, innovators, young entrepreneurs and farmers from across the Jammu division. The newly inaugurated facilities include the Unnati Girls Hostel, Centre for AI and ML in Agriculture, the Centre for Mushroom Research and Innovation, the Advanced Sericulture Laboratory, and the Centre for Digital Media and Publication. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor described the additions as more than physical infrastructure, calling them a commitment to the region's innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and farming families. The Lieutenant Governor drew attention to global examples of technology-driven agriculture, from a dairy innovation hub in the Netherlands that brings together scientists, companies and farmers on AI-based nutrition and animal health solutions, to Israel's integration of data and smart management across agriculture and dairy, New Zealand's digital push in animal husbandry, and a Brazilian irrigation startup that turned a farmer's everyday problem into a scalable solution. The message from these examples, the Lieutenant Governor said, is that agriculture and allied sectors represent the next major frontier for innovation worldwide. At the same time, the Lieutenant Governor cautioned the youth of Jammu Kashmir against simply replicating foreign models, urging them instead to study their own fields, farmers, climate and local challenges, and to build solutions suited to the region's specific needs. Today, there are startups worldwide continuously exploring new possibilities in agriculture and allied sectors. The biggest message from these startups and new innovations is that agriculture and allied sectors themselves are the next big frontier for innovation. You must understand your own fields, farmers, climate, and local problems to prepare your next solution, and customize those models in your own way wherever appropriate. I believe that different countries have innovated for their own problems, and now it is time for Jammu Kashmir to innovate for its own questions and challenges, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted India's changing employment aspirations and observed that today's youth in Jammu Kashmir are increasingly looking to create jobs rather than wait in line for them. He said such shift in aspiration is central to the vision of a Self-Reliant Jammu Kashmir. I want to tell all students that your degree is not your destination; rather, it is like a runway for your flight of success. SKUAST-Jammu will give you knowledge, but your curiosity will give you new thoughts and ideas. Your courage will turn that idea into a startup, and if you continue to advance that startup with patience, honesty, and consistent hard work, one day that same startup will provide employment and dignity to someone who today is sitting exactly where you are. That is why I often say that the truest meaning of a Self-Reliant Jammu Kashmir is a region where every young citizen becomes an employer in some form, according to their ability and talent, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor also spoke at length about diversifying beyond traditional farming activities, encouraging young and progressive farmers to explore cold chains, grading and packaging units, regional branding, and digital marketplaces that could connect Jammu Kashmir's produce with markets in Delhi, Dubai and beyond. He also said that women's participation in the entrepreneurship ecosystem should be the key priority. No entrepreneurship revolution can be complete without the equal and active participation of women. And no economy can truly become strong until women are equal partners in it. I do not just want to see women present in enterprises; I want to see enterprises led by women. You must support those Self-Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organizations that gain equal access to finance, technology, and markets. Support such women through your research and innovation who start their own businesses and then, through those same businesses, create employment opportunities for other women, the Lieutenant Governor said. On the Startup Outreach Programme, the Lieutenant Governor noted its focus on reaching farmers and youth in villages who may have had no prior exposure to concepts such as incubation, mentoring or venture capital. He said the most useful solutions to farmers' problems are often conceived by those who have lived those problems firsthand. The Lieutenant Governor stated that SKUAST-Jammu has so far selected more than 150 students for idea incubation and supported 56 promising startups, while extending its outreach to remote parts of the Jammu region. Calling this a commendable beginning, the Lieutenant Governor urged the SKUAST-Jammu to multiply these numbers and evolve into a genuine bridge between laboratories and markets, scientists and farmers, and technology and ground-level needs. Real success of SKUAST-Jammu will not be measured only by how many students graduate from here, but the success of this campus will be measured by how many new ideas were born here, how many solutions to problems were developed here, how many enterprises were established here, and how many farming families lives were positively changed by those enterprises, he said. The Lieutenant Governor called upon students to ask four questions every day during their time on campus- what problem can I solve, what enterprise can I build, what value can I add to agriculture and how many families can benefit from my idea? If these four questions keep troubling your mind continuously, then no one can stop you from finding the purpose of your career, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor observed that Jammu Kashmir would increasingly be recognised for innovation, agricultural entrepreneurship and youth leadership in the years ahead. Do not make your dreams small. Do not let your circumstances become the limits of your future. Draw strength from your roots, direction from knowledge, speed from technology, and create new paths with your resolve. I am confident that in the coming years, Jammu Kashmir will also be recognized for innovation, agricultural entrepreneurship, science, technology, and youth leadership, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor also felicitated eight startups, FPOs and cooperative/rural enterprises for their contributions to agriculture, allied sectors, value addition and rural enterprise development. Four publications including Policy Document for Promoting Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in J&K, Chronicle of Innovation & Startups under RKVY-RAFTAAR, SKUAST-Jammu, Value on the Vine: Economic and Market Dynamics of Vegetables and Students Rural Exploration Programme (SREP), were also released. Shri Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department; Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu; Dr. Amrish Vaid, Director Extension; Dr. Anil Kumar, Registrar and faculty of SKUAST Jammu; senior officials, students, scientists, entrepreneurs, representatives of startups, FPOs, cooperatives and other stakeholders were present.
SRINAGAR: The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has upheld the severe displeasure awarded to Brigadier P Acharya, who was commanding a Rashtriya Rifles (RR) Sector in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch region, over the deaths of three civilians during interrogation following a December 2023 militant ambush in which four Army personnel were killed, two of them beheaded. []
Ladakh Moves To Cut Pashmina Costs, Expand National Market Reach
SRINAGAR: Ladakh is set to undertake a coordinated push to strengthen its pashmina sector, with the administration focusing on reducing production bottlenecks, improving raw material availability, expanding spinning and weaving capacity and opening up national markets for local entrepreneurs. Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra reviewed the sector at a meeting involving government departments, SKUAST, SIDCO, entrepreneurs, []
Security Forces Destroy Live Mortar Shell Recovered Near LoC
SRINAGAR: The Army on Friday safely destroyed a live mortar shell recovered from the Mankote sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The unexploded shell was detected in the Dabraj area, following which the Armys Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was deployed to deal with the explosive. []
Keeping Kashmirs Music Alive: 32 Years of Handcrafting Traditional Instruments | Mushtaq Ahmad Dar
#Watch : Meet artisan Mustaq Ahmad Dar from Narbal village in Budgam district, who has been crafting various traditional musical instruments for the past 32 years. He learned this age-old skill from his father at the tender age of eight. Today, through his dedication and craftsmanship, Dar continues to preserve and keep Kashmirs traditional art alive. Report: Arif Rashid
J&K School Enrolment Increases by 17% in 2 Years: Big Statement by Minister Sakina Itoo
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J&K to Remain Hot and Humid; Heavy Showers Likely in Parts of Jammu: MeT
Srinagar, August 21: Jammu and Kashmir is likely to experience generally hot and humid weather over the coming days, with intermittent spells of rain and thundershowers at scattered places, the Meteorological Centre Srinagar said in its latest forecast. For August 21 and 22, one or two spells of light rain or thundershowers are expected at scattered to many places across the Union Territory. Brief intense heavy showers are also likely at a few places in the Jammu division, particularly during the early morning and afternoon hours. From August 23 to 28, the weather is expected to remain generally hot and humid, with brief spells of rain or thundershowers at scattered places, mainly during the early morning and afternoon hours. The MeT has further forecast light to moderate rain and thundershowers at scattered to many places from August 29 to 31. Brief intense showers are likely during the early morning and afternoon hours, mainly in the Jammu division. The weather department has cautioned that brief intense heavy showers over localised areas could trigger flash floods, mudslides and landslides, particularly in vulnerable areas. Meanwhile, farmers have been advised that they may continue harvesting and other agricultural operations. The forecast is broadly in line with the recent weather pattern, with several parts of J&K receiving light to moderate rainfall while hot and humid conditions are expected to persist.
Live Mortar Shell Safely Destroyed Along LoC in Poonch
MENDHAR/JAMMU, Aug 21: The Army on Friday safely destroyed a live mortar shell detected along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Mankote sector of Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district, officials said. The mortar shell was found in the Dabraj area, following which the Armys Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was called in to neutralise the [] The post Live Mortar Shell Safely Destroyed Along LoC in Poonch appeared first on Northlines .
SC Cuts Mandatory Legal Practice for Entry-Level Judicial Exams From 3 Years to 1
NEW DELHI, Aug 21: The Supreme Court on Friday reduced the mandatory legal practice requirement for law graduates seeking to appear in entry-level judicial service examinations from three years to one year, modifying its May 2025 verdict. A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices A.G. Masih and K. Vinod Chandran took the decision [] The post SC Cuts Mandatory Legal Practice for Entry-Level Judicial Exams From 3 Years to 1 appeared first on Northlines .
CJP Team Pushed Out of Jaipur Village During School Inspection
JAIPUR, Aug 21: Locals allegedly pushed a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) team out of Rampura Kanwarpura village in Jaipurs Bagru Assembly constituency on Friday when its members arrived to inspect a government primary school under the partys ongoing School Thik Karo campaign, sources said. The CJP workers had visited the village to assess the condition [] The post CJP Team Pushed Out of Jaipur Village During School Inspection appeared first on Northlines .
NC-led govt biggest enemy of local self-government, delaying polls deliberately: BJP MLA Pathania
Srinagar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Udhampur East, Ranbir Singh Pathania, on Friday accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of deliberately delaying Panchayat and Urban Local Body polls, calling the NC and Congress the biggest enemies of local self-government in Jammu and Kashmir. Pathania said Jammu and Kashmir needs stronger local self-government. Slamming the Congress []
SCW Searches Safakadal House in J
SRINAGAR, Aug 21: The Special Crime Wing (SCW), Kashmir, of the Crime Branch J&K, on Thursday conducted a search at a residential premises in Safakadal, Srinagar, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged forgery of date-of-birth and educational qualification documents used for appointment in the J&K Police Department. Officials said the search was conducted [] The post SCW Searches Safakadal House in J&K Police Appointment Forgery Case appeared first on Northlines .
Two Vessels With 22 Indians On Board Hijacked By Pirates In Yemen, Somalia
NEW DELHI, Aug 21: Two commercial vessels carrying a total of 22 Indian nationals have been hijacked by pirates in separate incidents off Yemen and Somalia, with the Indian crew members reported to be safe, a senior Shipping Ministry official said on Friday. An Eritrea-flagged oil products tanker, M T Sibu 1, carrying 20 crew [] The post Two Vessels With 22 Indians On Board Hijacked By Pirates In Yemen, Somalia appeared first on Northlines .
SCW Kashmir Conducts Search at Srinagars Safakadal Over Alleged Forgery in J&K Police Appointment
Srinagar, Aug 21: The Special Crime Wing, Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K, today conducted a house search at Safakadal, Srinagar, in connection with the investigation of Case FIR No. 10/2026 registered under Sections 420, 468 and 471 RPC. The search was carried out in compliance with a search warrant issued by the Honble Court of Special Mobile Magistrate (PT&E), Srinagar. The case pertains to allegations regarding appointment in the J&K Police Department through submission of forged documents relating to date of birth and educational qualifications. As part of the ongoing investigation, the Special Crime Wing is presently conducting a search at the residential premises of SG Ct. Manzoor Ahmad Najar at Safakadal, Srinagar. The search is being conducted in accordance with due process of law. Further details will be shared as the investigation progresses. The general public is advised to remain vigilant against fraudsters and report any such incidents directly to SSP SCW Kashmir (Crime Branch J&K). If you have been a victim of fraud, you may also send your complaint to the official email: sspscw-kmr@jkpolice.gov.in
Imran Khan returns to Adiala Jail following SC-ordered hospital checkup
Islamabad , August 21: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was transferred back to Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail on Friday following a brief medical evaluation at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, local media reported, Dawn reported, citing media reports. The movement took place under maximum security protocols in strict compliance with directives issued by the Supreme Court of Pakistan earlier in the week. The incarcerated founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was transported via Pitras Bukhari Road and entered the hospital complex through Gate No. 1. Ahead of his arrival, law enforcement agencies established a high-security perimeter around the medical centre. Both Pitras Bukhari Road and Service Road South were completely sealed off to civilian traffic on Thursday night. Over 800 law enforcement personnel--drawn from the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police, city administration, and Rangers--were deployed to secure the facility. According to Dawn, the visual security footprint rivalled the extraordinary arrangements seen during the historic Panamagate proceedings against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Federal Judicial Academy. Joint operational teams comprising capital police and jail officials coordinated the transit logistics to ensure zero breach during the ex-premier's brief stay. The top court had ordered the federal government to move the ex-premier to the private medical facility within two days to conduct a thorough health assessment. Khan, who has been incarcerated since 2023, serving a 14-year sentence linked to the Toshakhana case, was brought to the hospital following concerns regarding fluctuating blood pressure and related symptoms noted in recent prison medical filings. Upon completion of the scheduled checkups and preliminary clinical tests ordered by the court-mandated medical framework, authorities moved Khan directly back to Adiala Jail before daybreak. (ANI)
Crime Branch Searches Constable
Srinagar:The Special Crime Wing Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K on Friday carried out a search at Safakadal in Srinagar in connection with alleged forgery in J&K Police appointment. In a handout, the CBK said the house search was conducted at the residence of SG Ct Manzoor Ahmad Najar at Safakadal in case FIR No []
Security tightened in Rajouri as Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra enters day five
Rajouri, August 21 : Multiple security agencies on Friday conducted rigorous surveillance along the Rajouri-Poonch National Highway as the Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra entered its fifth day, aiming to ensure safe transit for all travellers. On Monday, the annual Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra convoy reached Rajouri under stringent security protocols, with local authorities ensuring smooth traffic flow and strong inter-community coordination across the route. Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Farooq Qaiser confirmed the convoy's safe arrival, noting that comprehensive advisories were distributed through local print media, broadcast channels, and digital platforms to minimise public disruption. The convoy arrived in Rajouri, and traffic along the route is being managed systematically. Despite the convoy comprising around 50 vehicles, including approximately 42 large buses, traffic is flowing at its normal pace, he said. Advisories regarding the Yatra have been issued to print and local media, and are also being circulated via WhatsApp groups. For the locals, the key message is that the arriving pilgrims are our guests, and we must prove ourselves to be excellent hosts. We need to take good care of them; meanwhile, we request the pilgrims to adhere to traffic regulations during the convoy's movement, he said. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) State President Rajesh Gupta commended the collaborative effort between local communities, civil authorities, and security personnel in facilitating the pilgrimage. I believe the coordination between all sections of society and the administration deserves appreciation. While we often live in our own separate spheres, it is remarkable to see all sections of society, along with the police and civil administration, coming together to execute such a noble task, he said. Gupta added that the initiative underscores regional unity, adding that the support provided by the administration is playing a vital role in the endeavour. This initiative arose after attempts were made to sever the bond between this region and the rest of India. The administration has extended its full support and is playing a very proactive role in this endeavour, he said. The commencement of the pilgrimage comes amid heightened preparations by the administration to facilitate the arrival and movement of devotees while ensuring that the annual religious event is conducted peacefully. The Baba Budha Amarnath shrine is located in the Mandi area of Poonch district and holds religious significance for devotees. The annual yatra draws pilgrims from across the country and forms an important part of the region's religious and cultural calendar.
Third Vande Bharat Train Approved Between Jammu and Srinagar
SRINAGAR: Indian Railways has approved a third Vande Bharat Express between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar via Udhampur, providing an additional rail service on the busy Jammu-Kashmir route. The new service will operate as Train Nos. 26407/26408 Jammu Tawi-Srinagar-Jammu Tawi Vande Bharat Express, according to a letter from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared by Union Minister []
Ashok Bhan Welcomes US Envoys J&K Statement, Calls for Focus on Peace, Development and Tourism
Ashok Bhan, Chairman Kashmir (policy and Strategy ) Group warmly welcome the statement of the US Ambassador to India, his excellency Sergio Gor, during his visit to Srinagar, that Jammu & Kashmir is an important part of India. Such a clear and unambiguous statement and acknowledgement is significant that comes at a time when Indias position on Jammu & Kashmir has consistently been that the region is an integral part of the country. Bhan said, The Ambassadors observations on the improving security environment and his appreciation of the efforts of the Government of India and the Jammu & Kashmir administration are equally welcome. His indication that the United States may review its travel advisory for J&K is a positive recognition of the changing ground realities and the growing confidence in peace, stability and normalcy in the region. He said that the statement should also encourage a larger international engagement with Jammu & Kashmir based on development, democracy, economic opportunity, tourism and the aspirations of its people, rather than through the prism of conflict and terrorism. The people of Jammu & Kashmir deserve peace, prosperity, dignity and full participation in Indias democratic,economic and constitutional journey. At the same time, this welcome development must strengthen our resolve to address the remaining political and humanitarian challenges within the constitutional framework. Restoration of democratic institutions, reconciliation among communities and the dignified and secure return of those who were forced into exile must remain important components of the larger process of healing and rebuilding Jammu & Kashmir. The future of J&K must be defined by peace, pluralism, constitutional democracy and an empowered people. Bhan emphasised, The return of the exiled Kashmiri Pandit community must be an integral part of the larger process of peace, reconciliation and reconstruction in Jammu & Kashmir. The Government of India and the J&K administration should evolve a time-bound, secure, dignified and community-sensitive return and rehabilitation module, with assured physical security, protection of property and cultural heritage, livelihood and housing support, and mechanisms for restoring legitimate rights and community institutions. The objective should not merely be the rehabilitation of displaced families outside Kashmir, but enabling the safe and honourable return of the exiled natives to their ancestral homeland, at least in three smart cities in three districts headquarters ie; Srinagar,Baramulla and Anantnag with dignity, equality and a meaningful stake in the social, economic and political life of a peaceful and pluralistic Jammu & Kashmir, Bhan added.
42-Year-Old Man Found Dead in Srinagars Dughwan Forest
Srinagar, Aug 21 : The body of a 42-year-old man was recovered from the Dughwan forest area on the outskirts of Srinagar early Friday morning, officials said. An official told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that the mans body was found in the Dughwan forest area and was taken to PHC Harwan, where doctors declared him brought dead. He said the body was later shifted to SMHS Hospital for further medical examination. The deceased was identified as Mohammad Lateef (42), son of Mohammad Aalam, a resident of Thugla in Rajouri district. Meanwhile, an investigation has been initiated and further proceedings in the matter are underway.(KNO)
42-Year-Old Man Found Dead in Srinagar
SRINAGAR: The body of a 42-year-old man was recovered from the Dughwan forest area on the outskirts of Srinagar early Friday morning, officials said. An official said that the mans body was found in the Dughwan forest area and was taken to PHC Harwan, where doctors declared him brought dead. He said the body was []
Srinagar: The body of a 42-year-old man was recovered from the Dughwan forest area on the outskirts of Srinagar early Friday morning, officials said. An official said that the mans body was found in the Dughwan forest area and was taken to PHC Harwan, where doctors declared him brought dead. He said the body was []
Baramulla, Aug 20: The historic Chinar Premier League (CPL) 2026 entered its much-awaited knockout stage on Thursday with a spectacular ceremony held at General Bipin Rawat Stadium, Baramulla, witnessing a massive gathering of around 6,000 spectators, including school students and sports lovers. The tournament was inaugurated by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo while Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services & Sports Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, attended the event as the guest of honour. The ceremony commenced with the national song followed by the National Anthem and featured vibrant cultural performances by the local school bands, adding colour and patriotic fervour to the grand sporting occasion. The inaugural knockout match was played between Sheeri Blasters and Downtown Bijbera, marking the beginning of the decisive phase of the tournament. The CPL 2026 has emerged as a major sporting platform, bringing together the young athletes from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and providing them an inclusive space to connect, compete and showcase their talent, asserted the Chief Secretary. The league phase witnessed unprecedented participation and public engagement, with 1.6 million viewers, around 1,600 athletes, 79 competing teams and 81 matches across eight venues. The teams were selected from 130 applicants and divided into 26 pools with 32 teams qualifying for the knockout stage. Spearheaded by the Indian Army in partnership with BCF, the CPL goes beyond competitive cricket by promoting youth engagement, community participation, sportsmanship and social cohesion. The initiative aims to create a vibrant platform where young people can express themselves through sport and contribute towards a positive and empowered society. The event was attended by Major General Manoj Joshi, GOC Dagger Division; Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Dr. S.F. Hamid, Brigadier M.B. Singh, Commander, 79 Mountain Brigade; Gurinder Pal Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police Baramulla; and the Commanding Officer, 46 Rashtriya Rifles, besides other senior officers and officials from the civil administration, police and Army, officers of the Youth Services & Sports Department, sports personalities, players, students and public. The grand commencement of the knockout phase marked another significant milestone for the CPL 2026, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for cricket and the power of sport to bring communities together.
DC Anantnag reviews AgriStack Progress, Directs Time-Bound completion
Anantnag, Aug 20: Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, IAS, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress of AgriStack implementation and other digital agriculture initiatives across the district. The meeting was attended by both Additional Deputy Commissioners, ACR, SDMs, Tehsildars and other concerned officers. During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed the progress achieved in digitisation, AgriStack implementation and Farmer ID generation. He stressed the need for close coordination among revenue officials, field functionaries and agriculture officers to address bottlenecks and ensure the timely completion of pending work. The DC directed the concerned officers to expedite the process and set time-bound targets for achieving 100 per cent saturation of farmer profiles. He also called for intensified Farmer ID registration through village-level camps, along with daily monitoring to maintain the quality and accuracy of the data. The meeting was informed that the implementation of AgriStack has been taken up in mission mode, with the district administration and field functionaries working in a coordinated manner to meet the assigned targets within the stipulated timelines. Out of a total of 5,02,985 entries pertaining to the district, 3,04,720 entries have been completed so far, representing approximately 60.5 per cent progress. The completed entries are being processed through the prescribed three-tier mechanism of submission, verification and approval. The Deputy Commissioner placed particular emphasis on quality control, directing officials to ensure thorough verification and accuracy of records before their incorporation into the system. He stressed that reliable and accurate data is essential for the effective delivery of digital agriculture services. Meanwhile, more than 84 Farmer ID registration camps are currently operational across the district, through which 2,830 registrations have been completed so far. Field teams are continuing their efforts to accelerate the registration process and facilitate greater farmer participation. The district administration has also undertaken awareness and mobilisation activities in coordination with various departments and field functionaries. These efforts are aimed at sensitising farmers about the importance of Farmer IDs and encouraging them to complete their registration at the earliest. Reiterating the administration's commitment to speed, accuracy and quality, the DC directed all concerned to maintain close monitoring and ensure that the assigned targets are achieved within the prescribed timelines. At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Bhat said that AgriStack would serve as an important foundation for modernising the agricultural sector and would provide significant benefits to the farming community by enabling more efficient and targeted delivery of farmer-centric services.
Central Kashmir: Police Crack Down on Illegal Mining, Seize Multiple Vehicles
SRINAGAR: Police in central Kashmirs Ganderbal district have seized four tippers for allegedly extracting and transporting minor minerals illegally within the jurisdiction of Police Station Kheerbawani. The vehicles were found involved in the extraction and transportation of mining material without valid authorisation, in violation of prescribed norms, police said. The tippers were seized on the []
Director NIT Srinagar visits key sections, reviews Mega Hostel work
Srinagar, Aug 20: Director, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, Prof. Anurag Misra, on Thursday visited various administrative and academic sections of the Institute and interacted with faculty and staff members. During his interactions, he took feedback from the staff regarding the functioning of their respective sections and emphasised the importance of coordination, efficiency and timely disposal of work. The Director also visited the Counselling Cell, where the ongoing undergraduate (UG) admission process is being conducted. He reviewed the arrangements made for students and their parents and interacted with the officials involved in the admission process. Prof. Misra appreciated the arrangements put in place by Dean Academic Affairs Prof. Bashir Ahmad Mir and his team for ensuring a smooth and systematic admission process. He also appreciated the efforts of the officials and staff engaged in admission-related duties and stressed the importance of providing all possible assistance to students and parents visiting the institute. The Director also reviewed the ongoing work on the Mega Hostel project. He took an update on the progress of the construction and related works and directed the concerned officials to ensure timely completion of the remaining work. Prof. Misra stressed that the hostel facility is important for strengthening student infrastructure at the Institute and called for close monitoring of the work to ensure that the project is completed at the earliest. He also directed the concerned officers to maintain coordination among different agencies and sections involved in the project and ensure that any pending issues are addressed promptly. Registrar NIT Srinagar Prof. Atikur Rehman and Deputy Registrar (Administration) accompanied the Director during the visit. Later, Prof. Misra was also briefed about the Institutes NBA accreditation, NIRF ranking, digital infrastructure and other key institutional initiatives and achievements. He took feedback on the ongoing efforts towards strengthening the institutes academic, administrative and technological infrastructure. Earlier Director also planted a sapling on the Institute campus, underlining the importance of environmental sustainability and green initiatives.
KUs EMMRC begins 2-day orientation programme on MOOCs
Srinagar Aug 20: The Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMMRC), University of Kashmir (KU), commenced a two-day orientation programme on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) aimed at familiarising academics with digital learning platforms and encouraging greater integration, visibility and enrollment of MOOCs in higher education. Titled Promoting MOOCs in Higher Education: Integration, Visibility and Enrollment, the programme brought together faculty members from universities and colleges across Kashmir. It seeks to strengthen the capacity of teachers to develop and engage with digital learning resources and platforms, while promoting wider access to quality education beyond conventional classroom spaces. In her message Vice Chancellor, KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, emphasised the importance of embracing digital transformation in higher education and highlighted the role of MOOCs in expanding access to quality learning and strengthening the academic ecosystem. MOOCs have emerged as an important instrument for widening access to quality education and connecting learners with knowledge beyond geographical and institutional boundaries. As higher education continues to evolve with technology and AI, it is important that our teachers and institutions remain prepared to embrace these changes and make meaningful use of digital platforms, she said. Speaking on the inaugural session, Dean Academic Affairs, KU, Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, stressed on the need for academic institutions to focus on developing human resources capable of competing at the international level. Initiatives like MOOCs provide us an opportunity to take education to everyone. It provides us an opportunity to build human resources that are digitally equipped, globally competitive and prepared for the changing demands of education, he said. In his remarks Registrar, KU, Prof. Naseer Iqbal, highlighted the valuable role of EMMRC in strengthening digital education at the University and encouraged faculty members to make greater use of the Centres expertise and resources. Speaking on the occasion, Registrar, Cluster University Srinagar, Prof. Wilayat Hussain Razvi, highlighted the digital education initiatives of the Ministry of Education and the changing role of teachers in the digital learning landscape. Senior Producer, EMMRC KU, Shafqut Habib, shared his experiences in MOOC production and highlighted the Centres contribution to digital learning initiatives. Earlier Director, EMMRC, KU, Prof. Syeda Afshana, in her welcome address, emphasised the importance of taking education beyond conventional classroom spaces and described the programme as a beginning towards greater academic interaction and collaboration. Prof Afshana, who recently took over the role of the Director EMMRC KU, stressed on the importance of human resource management in the contemporary times. There is now new technology, challenges, opportunities, and AI. However, we must remember that the most valuable is our human resource, and we must know how to nurture and manage it effectively, she said. The two-day programme features ten technical sessions led by resource persons from within and outside EMMRC, covering diverse aspects of digital learning, MOOC development, integration, visibility and outreach.
CS reviews administrative reforms; launches online DPC Portal to fast-track promotions
Srinagar, Aug 20: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Thursday reviewed the functioning and performance of the Administrative Reforms, Inspections (ARI) & Trainings Department, with a focus on key governance and administrative reform initiatives, including finalization of Recruitment Rules, cadre restructuring, resolution of Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) issues, and operational efficiency of the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) and Government Press. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, ARI & Trainings Department; Chairperson, J&K BOPEE; General Manager, Government Press; and other senior officers. Issuing directions for expediting the ongoing reforms, the Chief Secretary called for smooth and time-bound operationalisation of the online DPC Portal, besides ensuring swift completion of Recruitment Rules for all departments and their respective services. He stressed that the digital mechanisms should translate into tangible improvements in administrative efficiency and timely disposal of service-related matters. Dulloo directed that a comprehensive mechanism be devised to ensure filling up of all available seats/vacancies in professional courses through BOPEE, to achieve optimum utilization of the infrastructure, faculty and other resources available in institutions of higher learning across the Union Territory. The Chief Secretary thereafter took a detailed live demonstration of the DPC Portal's end-to-end workflow. Developed through BISAG-N under the supervision of the ARI & Trainings Department, the portal is designed to fully digitize and streamline the process of holding DPCs across the Union Territory, thereby reducing procedural delays and ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in processing promotion cases. During the demonstration, the Chief Secretary reviewed the portals multi-tiered workflow, under which cases move seamlessly through designated administrative levels of Maker, Checker and Approver. He emphasized that the digital platform should help eliminate administrative bottlenecks and facilitate the time-bound conduct of DPCs. The portal has now been formally handed over to the General Administration Department (GAD), which will function as the Super Admin and issue necessary circular instructions for its immediate adoption and onboarding of all Government departments. The meeting was also apprised of the Online Portal for Processing Recruitment Rules, developed in collaboration with BISAG-N. The portal has successfully cleared its security audit through the Information Technology Department, incorporates active SMS alerts, is hosted at the State Data Centre and is being integrated with the e-Office system. Commissioner Secretary, ARI & Trainings, Shabnam Kamili, apprised the meeting of the ongoing modernization of service guidelines. She informed that the Standing Committee has held 61 meetings since January 2024 and has cleared Recruitment Rules for 36 services, while another 13 services have been cleared through Executive Orders. Preliminary meetings have also been concluded for 88 additional services. On human resource optimization, the Commissioner Secretary stated that a structured calendar is being devised for reviewing individual departments with a view to undertaking budget-neutral cadre restructuring and resolving MTS-related issues in consultation with the concerned line departments. The meeting was further informed that the Union Territory's progress under the national iGOT Karmayogi platform has received appreciation from the Capacity Building Commission, Government of India. The ARI & Trainings Department has successfully onboarded participants and trained 222 officers and officials through five intensive one-day Karmayogi Kartavya Karyakram batches conducted by certified State Master Trainers. Reviewing the functioning of the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE), the meeting was informed that the Board has transitioned completely to digital operations, with all counselling rounds for the 2026-27 session being conducted through the online e-Counselling platform. An advance examination calendar has also been issued, while examination centres are being expanded beyond Jammu and Srinagar to facilitate students from rural and remote areas. The meeting also reviewed intake trends across various professional courses and noted high seat occupancy in streams including M.Sc. Nursing, Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing and CET Engineering. It was observed that the Higher Education Department may engage with AICTE for suitable modifications in course streams in line with emerging market requirements, enabling BOPEE to conduct additional counselling rounds wherever necessary. Taking stock of the functioning of the Government Presses, the meeting was informed that 751 out of 1,146 printing jobs received65.53 per centhave already been executed by the Srinagar and Jammu presses. The two presses have generated combined revenue of Rs 500.78 lakh against a target of Rs 1,300 lakh for the financial year 2026-27. The meeting also deliberated upon several pending administrative matters, including the proposed constitution of the J&K Administrative Reforms Commission, delegation of powers to the Director, Press; recovery of Rs 12.50 crore in outstanding printing charges from various departments; and the possibility of outsourcing heavy printing workloads to ensure uninterrupted operations of the Government Press.
Jammu Kashmir: Health Department Orders Probe into Service Book Tampering, Fake Salary Withdrawals
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department has constituted an Inquiry-cum-Audit Committee to investigate alleged tampering of Service Books and financial irregularities, including suspected fake salary withdrawals, at the office of the Block Medical Officer (BMO), Darhal. The committee has been tasked with conducting a detailed inquiry and audit of payroll records []
North Korea fires barrage of missiles toward sea after dismissing overture from Trump
SEOUL: North Korea launched a barrage of ballistic missiles toward the sea on Thursday, South Koreas military said, a day after the North shrugged off a US decision to scale back military drills with South Korea in an apparent bid to resume diplomacy. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launches of about 10 short-range []
Rising Autoz brings premium two-wheelers to Kashmir
Srinagar, Aug 20: Rising Autoz, a new two-wheeler showroom offering a wide range of premium and iconic brands, was inaugurated in Srinagar onThursday, with Apni Party president Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari asthe chief guest. Chairman of the Hotelier ClubMushtaq Chaya attended the inaugural function as the special guest, while SSP Traffic Srinagar Muhammad Aijaz Bhat was the guest of honour. The inauguration was attended by a galaxy of prominent personalities, including Syed Ashiq Bukhari, JunaidQureshi, Editor-in-Chief KNSMuhammad Aslam and prominent journalists representing various media organisations. Piaggios Networking Head Gaetano Pignataro also graced the occasion, along with other senior officials and staff members of the company. Rising Kashmir Editor-in-Chief Ayaz Hafiz Gani, whois also the owner ofRising Autoz, welcomed the guests and thanked them for joining the inauguration of the new venture. Rising Autoz offers customers a diverse range of two-wheelers, including Aprilia 125 and 175 models, besides the legendary Vespa and other Piaggio offerings. The showroom aims to provide customers in Kashmir access to a wider choice of stylish, modern and premium two-wheelers under one roof. Speaking on the occasion, Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari termed the launch of Rising Autoz a welcome development for Kashmir and congratulated Ayaz Hafiz Gani on the new venture. Rising Autoz is a welcome addition to the business landscape of Kashmir. Such ventures are important not only for providing people with quality products and services but also for creating employment opportunities for our youth. I congratulate the entire team of Rising Autoz and wish the venture great success, Bukhari said. Hesaid thegrowthofprivate enterprise and entrepreneurshipwasessential for strengthening the local economy and generating sustainable livelihood opportunities. Mushtaq Chaya welcomed the launch of Rising Autoz, describing it as a positive step towards expanding the automobile and mobility sector in Kashmir. Rising Autoz is a promising venture, and I am confident that it will establish itself as a trusted name among customers. I congratulate Ayaz Hafiz Gani and his team on this new beginning and wish Rising Autoz tremendous success in the years ahead, Chaya said. SSP Traffic Srinagar Muhammad Aijaz Bhat extended his best wishes to the management and team of Rising Autoz on the occasion. The presence of leading media personalities, business figures and distinguished guests added further significance to the inauguration, marking the beginning of what the management described as a new journey in Kashmirs two-wheeler market. Rising Autoz management said the showroom would focus on providing customers with a quality buying experience, a diverse product range and professional after-sales support.
The Man Who Still Repairs Time In Srinagar
In the old lanes of Fateh Kadal in Srinagar, Mohammad Shafi Zargar sits at his workbench surrounded by watches. Some are ticking, some have stopped, while others are waiting to be brought back to life. For more than five decades, Zargar has worked with these tiny timepieces, carefully opening them, examining their delicate mechanisms and repairing them by hand. Zargar learned the craft from his father when he was young. What began as a skill passed down through the family eventually became his profession and livelihood. There was a time when his small shop remained busy, with customers bringing everything from ordinary wristwatches to branded timepieces for repairs. A broken watch was rarely something people simply threw away. They repaired it, preserved it and often kept it for years. Today, there is hardly any work. Earlier, this profession was doing very well, but now it does not. No one would prefer this work today, and my children will not take it up either, because there is no livelihood in it anymore, Zargar says. His words reflect the struggle of a craft that once provided a dependable livelihood but is now slowly losing its place in everyday life. The rise of smartphones, smartwatches and modern gadgets has changed the way people keep track of time. A phone is now enough to tell the time, while smartwatches offer a range of features that traditional watches cannot. As technology moved forward, the demand for traditional watch repair gradually declined. Today, much of Zargars work is limited to changing cells, repairing straps and carrying out minor fixes. The complicated mechanical repairs that once kept him busy have become increasingly rare, and the steady flow of customers has slowed. For Zargar, the decline is not only about fewer customers. It is also about the future of a profession that once supported families. He knows that the work can no longer provide the kind of income it once did. His children, he says, are unlikely to follow in his footsteps because there is little financial security in the trade. Yet Zargar continues to return to his shop every day. His hands still move carefully over tiny mechanisms, just as they have for decades. He continues to repair whatever comes his way, even if the work now comes only occasionally. His story is not simply about an old watchmaker struggling to find customers. It is about a traditional skill slowly disappearing in a world where repairing has increasingly given way to replacing. A watch that once stayed with a person for years can now be discarded or replaced when it stops working, while newer devices constantly take its place. Inside Zargars shop, however, time still has an older meaning. Every watch on his table carries a history, a gift, a memory, a family connection or simply a reminder of another time. For him, repairing these watches is not just about fixing a mechanism; it is the work he has known for most of his life. With smartphones and smartwatches dominating the way people keep track of time, Zargar remains in the old lanes of Fateh Kadal, surrounded by ticking clocks and tiny tools. His profession may no longer provide the livelihood it once did, but for now, he continues to keep these old watches running even as the craft itself slowly runs out of time.
Union Cabinet approves High Court Bench in Ladakh
Leh, Aug 20: In a significant decision aimed at strengthening access to justice in the Union Territory, the Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the setting up of a bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Ladakh. The decision is being described as a major step towards addressing the long-standing demand for greater access to judicial services in the geographically vast and difficult terrain of Ladakh. The establishment of a High Court bench in the Union Territory is expected to reduce the time, distance and logistical difficulties faced by residents seeking legal remedies. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had decided to establish the High Court bench in Ladakh. He said the move would significantly enhance access to justice for citizens living in remote areas of the Union Territory by reducing the time required to avail themselves of legal services to which they are entitled. Shah said the Centre remains fully committed to the all-round development of Ladakh and to ensuring constitutional safeguards for its people. The decision assumes particular significance for Ladakh, where scattered settlements, long distances and challenging geographical conditions have historically made access to institutions, including judicial services, more difficult for people living in remote and far-flung areas. Welcoming the Union Cabinet decision, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for what he termed a historic decision. Saxena said the establishment of a High Court bench in Ladakh would not only facilitate speedy justice but would also reaffirm the government's commitment to the overall development of the Union Territory and to fulfilling the long-standing collective aspirations of its people. The move is expected to bring judicial services closer to the people of Ladakh and strengthen the institutional framework of the Union Territory. It is also likely to ease the burden on litigants who otherwise have to undertake lengthy journeys to access higher judicial forums. The announcement comes amid the Centre's continued focus on strengthening administrative and constitutional mechanisms in Ladakh following its creation as a Union Territory. The establishment of the High Court bench is being viewed as another important step towards building stronger governance and public institutions closer to the people. For residents of Leh, Kargil and remote parts of the Union Territory, the decision is expected to have a direct impact on access to justice, particularly for litigants who face difficulties travelling long distances due to terrain, weather and limited connectivity.
Safety of pilgrims top priority: DGP
Srinagar, Aug 20: Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Thursday chaired a security review meeting at Police Control Room Kashmir to review the security arrangements for the annual Kaunsarnag Yatra, with the meeting being attended by Spl. DG Coordination J&K Shri S.J.M Gillani, IGsP of Kashmir Zone and Jammu Zone, range DIsG of SKR and UR, SSP Kulgam, SSP Reasi, SSP PCR Kashmir, CO 33RR, CO 58RR, CDR 14 Sector RR and other senior officers. The meeting focused on reviewing the existing security arrangements and strengthening the security framework in view of the upcoming Kounsarnag Yatra, with officers briefing the DGP on the security arrangements and preparedness for the forthcoming Yatra at the onset of the meeting. Shri Nalin Prabhat reviewed various security-related aspects and stressed the need for enhanced coordination among all concerned agencies to ensure comprehensive security and effective management of the pilgrimage. The DGP directed the officers to maintain a high level of preparedness, strengthen security arrangements along the Yatra routes, and ensure close coordination and seamless communication among all stakeholders, while underscoring that the safety and security of pilgrims remains a top priority and calling for all necessary security measures to facilitate the peaceful and smooth conduct of the Kounsarnag Yatra. The meeting concluded with directions to all concerned officers to ensure meticulous execution of the security plan.
Punjab delegation calls on LG Sinha
Jammu, Aug 20: A public delegation from Punjab, led by S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Member of Legislative Assembly from Ajnala, Amritsar, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday and briefed him on recurring monsoon overflows from the Ujh River affecting several parts of Punjab. The delegation requested the Lieutenant Governor to take up the matter with the Prime Minister and the Union Minister for Jal Shakti for construction of a suitable dam or reservoir project on River Ujh, or any other technically feasible flood-moderation measure, after undertaking a comprehensive feasibility study and preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR). The delegation highlighted that such a project could help regulate and maintain the flow of River Ujh and mitigate flood situations in several districts of Punjab, including Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Amritsar, particularly Ajnala Sub-Division. It was further submitted that besides flood management, a reservoir project could facilitate the storage of excess monsoon water for future use, while also offering potential for hydroelectric power generation and promoting tourism, water-sports and recreational activities in the area. The delegation said the proposed intervention could contribute to long-term water management, strengthen flood resilience and support sustainable economic development in the region. The Lieutenant Governor assured the delegation that the issue would be given due consideration and taken up with the concerned authorities for technical evaluation.
Srinagar: Pakistan summoning US Charg dAffaires Natalie Baker after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gors remarks is a matter between the two countries, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said here on Thursday. Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the US charg daffaires and lodged a strong demarche over remarks by Gor regarding Jammu and Kashmir []
Any third-party intervention on Kashmir is Centre
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and any third-party intervention is a failure of the central government, J&K Congress chief Tariq Karra said here on Thursday. His remarks came a day after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited Srinagar. Whether it is the US ambassador, the US secretary, or any []
Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should have used his meeting with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor to raise the concerns and hardships faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Mufti said she agreed with the Chief Minister that the issues of Jammu and []
NC will never abandon struggle for restoration of special status: Dr Farooq
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah said that the special constitutional status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir reflected its distinct and unique constitutional relationship with the Union, a legacy that remained central to the National Conferences political vision. Addressing a gathering, Dr Farooq said that even though the constitutional provisions relating []
US envoy Gor arrives in Ladakh on maiden visit
Leh: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, on his maiden tour of Ladakh, undertook a river-rafting activity on Thursday at the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers at Sangam, officials said here. His Ladakh itinerary focused on experiencing the Union Territorys distinctive landscape and rich cultural heritage. The US envoy arrived in Srinagar earlier []
Centre approves High Court bench for Ladakh
Reaffirms commitment to constitutional safeguards Decision to enhance access to justice: Amit Shah New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has decided to establish a high court bench in Ladakh, a move aimed at improving access to justice in the Union Territory, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday, reaffirming the Centres commitment to ensuring constitutional safeguards []
CM Omar lays foundation of mechanized abattoir in Srinagar
25.87 cr facility to conform to modern hygiene standards with capacity for 5000 daily livestock Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the 25.87 crore state-of-the-art mechanized Abattoir here at Allochi Bagh, marking a significant step towards establishing a regulated, hygienic and scientifically managed meat-processing facility for Srinagar city. The []
Committed to make border villages self-reliant: LG Sinha
Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday visited Karol Krishna, a border village in Kathua district. The village along with Rathua, Gujjar Chak, Gajnal, Bobiya, Kadiyala comes under the Vibrant Village Programme-Phase-2 (VVP-2). The Lieutenant Governor handed over benefits under several government schemes to local families and appointment letters to youth. Addressing the residents from []
DGP chairs security review meeting
Calls for high alertness for Kounsarnag Yatra Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu & Kashmir, Nalin Prabhat-IPS, chaired a security review meeting at Police Control Room Kashmir to assess arrangements for the upcoming Kounsarnag Yatra. The meeting was attended by Special DG Coordination J&K S.J.M Gillani, IGsP of Kashmir and Jammu Zones, range DIsG []
J&K sets up State Control Room to enforce Single-Use Plastic ban
Srinagar, Aug 20: In a major push to curb plastic pollution and strengthen enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics (SUP), the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) has established a State Control Room (SCR) that will serve as the central monitoring and coordination mechanism for implementing the ban across the Union Territory. According to an official order available with Rising Kashmir, the State Control Room has been constituted in line with the decisions of the National Task Force taken during its third meeting held on June 26, 2022. The control room has become operational with immediate effect. The initiative marks a significant shift from merely imposing restrictions to ensuring effective enforcement through a dedicated institutional mechanism. Officials believe the facility will improve coordination among enforcement agencies, urban local bodies, district administrations and pollution control authorities whileensuringfaster response to complaints and violations. As per the official order, the State Control Room will provide assistance, guidance, clarification and information to citizens, industries and other stakeholders on all aspects of the single-use plastic ban. This includes details about items covered under and excluded from the ban, availability of environmentally friendly alternatives in Jammu and Kashmir, and guidance on filing complaints through the SUP Public Grievance App and using the SUP Compliance Monitoring Portal, the order reads. The control room will also assist plastic producers and manufacturers on issues relating to consent, registration, regulatory compliance, closure procedures and non-renewal of permissions. It will further facilitate compostable plastic manufacturers by providing information on certification procedures, testing facilities and approved manufacturing standards. Besides offering technical and regulatory support, the order states that the State Control Room will continuously monitor enforcement of the ban through concerned stakeholders and coordinate awareness campaigns to encourage a transition towards sustainable alternatives. Officials said the monitoring mechanism is expected to improve surveillance against the manufacture, stocking, transportation, sale and use of prohibited plastic items while enhancing accountability among enforcement agencies. India prohibited the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of several identified single-use plastic items from July 1, 2022, under the Plastic Waste Management Rules. The ban covers products such as plastic cutlery, straws, stirrers, plates, cups, trays, wrapping films around sweet boxes and invitation cards, earbuds with plastic sticks and several decorative plastic items because of their low utility and high littering potential. The challenge, however, remains enormous. According to figures submitted by the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee before the National Green Tribunal, the Union Territory generates around 34,384 metric tonnes of plastic waste annually, averaging nearly 2,865 metric tonnes every month. A separate audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) revealed that over 2.23 lakh metric tonnes of plastic waste was generated in Jammu and Kashmir between 2017-18 and 2021-22, highlighting the magnitude of the plastic waste management challenge facing the region. Despite the ban, single-use plastic continues to be widely used in markets across Jammu and Kashmir, posing serious environmental challenges. Plastic waste frequently finds its way into rivers, lakes, wetlands and forests, where it remains for decades without decomposing. Over time, it breaks down into microscopic particles known as microplastics, which contaminate drinking water, agricultural soil and the food chain. Environmental experts say the consequences are particularly severe in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region. Plastic waste clogs drainage systems, contributes to urban flooding, degrades landscapes, threatens livestock and wildlife, pollutes rivers and wetlands, and adversely affects tourism, one of Jammu and Kashmir's key economic sectors. Kashmir's iconic water bodies, including the Jhelum River, Dal Lake, Wular Lake, Anchar Lake and several wetlands, have repeatedly witnessed accumulation of plastic waste, raising concerns over deteriorating water quality, shrinking aquatic habitats and the long-term health of the Valley's ecosystems. Environmental expert Dr Touseef Bhat described the establishment of the State Control Room as a welcome and timely intervention but stressed that enforcement alone would not be enough. A dedicated State Control Room can significantly improve implementation of the single-use plastic ban by strengthening monitoring and ensuring better coordination among enforcement agencies. However, its success will ultimately depend on consistent enforcement, public participation and easy access to affordable eco-friendly alternatives, he said. He said plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most serious environmental threats facing Jammu and Kashmir. Single-use plastics not only pollute our rivers, lakes and wetlands but also block drainage channels, harm wildlife and eventually break down into microplastics that enter our food and water. Protecting Kashmir's fragile Himalayan ecosystem requires a combination of strict enforcement, behavioural change and sustained public awareness. Every plastic bag avoided today is an investment in the Valley's environmental future, Dr Bhat added. The official order states that the State Control Room is expected to serve as the nerve centre of Jammu and Kashmir's campaign against single-use plastics by facilitating enforcement, resolving stakeholder issues, promoting eco-friendly alternatives and ensuring that the ban translates into tangible environmental gains on the ground.
Border villages are frontline of Indias identity: LG Sinha
Kathua, Aug 20: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said border villages are not India's last villages but its first villages and the frontline of the nation's identity and development, while handing over benefits under several government schemes to local families and appointment letters to youth. Addressing the residents from six strategic villages under the Vibrant Village Programme-Phase-2 (VVP-2) Karol Krishna, Rathua, Gujjar Chak, Gajnal, Bobiya, and Kadiyala the Lieutenant Governor noted that for decades, the word order carried a sense of distance and these villages were far from the priorities ofgovernance, butunder the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, border villages have been brought into the mainstream of development, adding that when the story of India's development is written, its first chapter should begin in villages like Karol Krishna, Rathua, Gajnal, Bobiya, Kadiyala and Gujjar Chak, where India's border breathes and the tricolour flutters. Highlighting progress since 2019, the LG said that all 216 border villages of Kathua district are now connected by road, with full electrification achieved and telecommunication and television access, once limited, now reaching every household. These figures, he said,are not just numbers and reports but represent real change in people's lives. Sinha shared data highlighting that poverty levels have declined sharply, migration to cities has halved, rural incomes have risen by 30 per cent, employment opportunities have expanded with unemployment reduced to nearly half of earlier levels, and more than 2,000 individual and community bunkers have been constructed for the safety of borderfamilies, addingthat the goal shouldbe that the entire population movesabove the poverty line. The Lieutenant Governor also commended the role of Nari Shakti in transforming border economies, stating that under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, over 1,300 self-help groups have been formed benefiting more than 12,000families, with womenengaged in tailoring, embroidery, crafts, and small enterprises strengthening both household and village economies. He urged the young generation of border villages to dream as big as those in metro cities, noting that government schools now have improved facilities, digital classrooms, vocational training and full academic sessions, adding that this is not a minor change but a generational transformation. The Lieutenant Governor outlined four key resolves for the development of bordervillages self-reliance by connecting villages not just to roads but to markets and promoting horticulture and dairy cooperatives; youth empowerment by creating opportunities in agriculture, tourism, defence-support services, and crafts; improved health facilities by strengthening healthcare and tele-medicine connectivity; and robust security infrastructure by enhancing coordination between civil administration and armedforces, statingthat development and security are not separate goals but two pillars of the same goal, and only a secure village can become a prosperous village,and only prosperous villagescan build a self-reliant and developed India. Sinha called upon the youth and families of Karol Krishna and neighbouring villages to take responsibility for shaping their future, stating that their ancestors held this soil through difficulties for many decades after Independence and now it is their responsibility to take it forward. Resources are now in your hands, and if there is any shortfall anywhere, it will be addressed immediately, he said. The LGsaid the big question is how far they will take their village, whether Karol Krishna will be known only as a border village or as a border village that produces the country's finest youth, andassured all families that the light of development will reach every home. The Vibrant Villages Programme is a national resolve, and border villages will not remain behind, as they are India's 'first name' and the frontline from where India becomes visible, he said. During his visit to the Karol Krishna Border Out Post (BOP), the Lieutenant Governor interacted with the Jawans and commended their steadfast commitment to securing the nation's borders and their exceptional service during Operation Sindoor, emphasising the need for continuous vigilance to disrupt and neutralise any hostile attempts by the enemy. Among those present were Advocate Vijay Kumar, Member of Legislative Assembly from Hiranagar; Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Ashwani Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department; Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP Jammu; Asif Jalal, IG BSF; M Raju, Commissioner Secretary, GAD; Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce; Sarmad Hafeez, Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department; R. Alice Vaz, Commissioner Secretary to Government, Planning and Information; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Mohammad Aijaz, Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj; Amitava Chatterjee, MD & CEO, J&K Bank; Rajesh Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Kathua; senior officials and people from different walks of life.
Forest department holds tribal public darbars in Langate
Handwara, Aug 20: The North Kashmir Forest Circle on Thursday held a series of Tribal Public Darbars in the Rajwar and Mawar ranges of Langate Forest Division to address the concerns of forest-dependent communities at their doorstep. The outreach programme was chaired by Conservator of Forests, North Circle Sopore, Irfan Ali Shah. The meetings were held at Galgaza Zachaldara in Rajwar forests and Reshwari tribal village in Nowgam, Mawar, and witnessed participation from tribal representatives, residents and local stakeholders from Sathkoji, Yemlar, Wadder, Rajpora and adjoining areas. A key issue discussed during the public darbars was the settlement of pending claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The Forest Department assured the tribal communities that their statutory rights would be addressed through a transparent and participatory process. The Conservator listened to the grievances and demands raised by tribal representatives and issued directions to field officers for improving infrastructure and livelihood opportunities in tribal areas. He directed officials to develop eco-tourism facilities in Monbal Mawar and Sathkoji Rajwar, including trekking routes, viewpoints, rain shelters, Forest Rest Houses and eco-parks. Directions were also issued for improving forest infrastructure at Reshwari, Nowgam, and upgrading Kashtawaar Forest Huts on the route to Bungus Valley. The CoF also called for the development of eco-cabins in Bungus Valley. During an inspection of the Model Forest Check Post in Handwara, Shah directed officials to establish a Van Dhan Kendra to provide a dedicated platform for marketing organic and indigenous tribal products. Tribal representatives welcomed the initiative and appreciated the on-the-spot directions issued by the Forest Department, particularly for eco-tourism and walnut-based livelihood programmes. DFO Langate, Ihjaj Pajwari, conducted the proceedings and thanked the tribal communities for their continued support to the department's development programmes. Officials from the Revenue Administration, Forest Protection Force, Tourism Department, Army, and Forest Department also participated in the public darbars.
Antibiotic Resistance: A Silent Crisis That Demands Urgent Public Action
DR ASAD ROUF Antibiotics once transformed modern medicine. They turned infections that were once deadly into treatable conditions and made surgeries, childbirth, cancer care and intensive treatment far safer than before. For decades, these drugs were regarded almost as miracles powerful, reliable and widely available. But that confidence is now under severe strain. Around the world, bacteria are evolving faster than medicine can keep up, and antibiotic resistance is steadily undermining one of the greatest achievements in human health. What was once a medical concern confined to hospitals and laboratories has become a public crisis that affects families, patients, farmers, pharmacists, doctors and policymakers alike. Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria adapt in such a way that the medicines designed to kill them no longer work effectively. This does not mean that the body becomes resistant; rather, the germs themselves become stronger, harder to treat and more dangerous. Infections that used to be cured with a simple course of medicine now require stronger drugs, longer treatment, costly tests and, in some cases, hospital admission. In the worst cases, they may become untreatable altogether. The danger lies not only in the spread of resistant bacteria, but in the gradual normalisation of their presence. The problem has not appeared overnight. It is the result of years of misuse, overuse and careless dependence on antibiotics across human health, animal farming and even everyday life. In many places, antibiotics are taken for illnesses they cannot cure, such as viral fevers, colds and flu. Some patients stop treatment as soon as they feel better, rather than completing the prescribed course. Others use leftover medicines from earlier illnesses or take antibiotics without proper medical advice. Each such act gives bacteria more opportunity to survive, adapt and spread. What appears to be a small act of convenience or impatience at the individual level can contribute to a much larger public health threat. In our region as elsewhere, this danger is compounded by gaps in awareness, weak regulation and a culture of self-medication. Antibiotics are often treated as routine remedies rather than powerful drugs that must be used responsibly. A fever, a sore throat or a seasonal infection is sometimes enough to trigger demand for an antibiotic, even when it is not medically required. Pharmacies may dispense medicines without strict checks, while patients often expect immediate relief and may not distinguish between different kinds of infections. This creates a dangerous cycle in which antibiotics are used too often, too casually and sometimes without proper diagnosis. The consequences are already visible. Resistant infections mean longer illness, higher medical costs and greater pressure on an already stretched healthcare system. A patient who might once have recovered at home in a few days may now need repeated consultations, advanced testing and stronger medication. Hospital stays become longer, recovery becomes slower and the risk of complications rises. For families, this means emotional stress and financial burden. For doctors, it means losing some of the confidence that once came with prescribing a known and effective medicine. For society, it means the threat of routine infections becoming harder and more expensive to treat. The matter becomes even more serious when one considers the role of hospitals. Healthcare facilities, which should be places of healing, can also become centres where resistant bacteria spread if infection control is weak. Poor hygiene, overcrowding, inadequate sanitation and careless use of antibiotics can combine to create conditions where dangerous bacteria thrive. That is why antibiotic resistance is not only a matter of prescription habits; it is also a matter of hospital management, public infrastructure and health governance. Animal husbandry and agriculture have added another layer to the problem. In many parts of the world, antibiotics are used not only to treat sick animals but sometimes to promote growth or prevent illness in crowded farming conditions. This practice encourages the development of resistant strains that can spread through food, water and the environment. Human health cannot be separated from animal health or environmental health. Antibiotic resistance is therefore a classic example of why the One Health approach matters. What happens in farms, drains, kitchens, clinics and households is all connected. Another troubling aspect of the problem is misinformation. Many people still believe that stronger medicines mean faster recovery, or that antibiotics are a cure-all for any illness accompanied by fever or weakness. Others discontinue treatment once symptoms ease, not realising that this may allow the most resilient bacteria to survive. Education is therefore critical. Public health campaigns must explain, in simple and practical language, when antibiotics are needed and when they are not. People must be made to understand that taking antibiotics unnecessarily can do more harm than good, not just for the individual but for the wider community. Doctors too carry a heavy responsibility. While patients may demand antibiotics, medical professionals must resist the pressure to prescribe them without proper need. Good clinical practice requires diagnosis, restraint and patient education. In many cases, the most responsible medical decision is not to prescribe an antibiotic at all. But this can only succeed if doctors are supported by a health system that values caution over speed, evidence over convenience and long-term protection over short-term satisfaction. Equally, medical practitioners must stay alert to evolving resistance patterns and choose medicines wisely when treatment is genuinely necessary. Policy intervention is equally urgent. Governments must strengthen regulation on the sale and use of antibiotics, monitor prescriptions more carefully and ensure that medicines are not sold casually over the counter. Surveillance systems are needed to track resistance patterns so that health authorities can respond before the problem becomes unmanageable. Laboratories, hospitals and public health agencies must work together to detect trends early and update treatment guidelines accordingly. Without data, there can be no effective response. Without regulation, there can be no meaningful restraint. The public, however, cannot be left out of this effort. Antibiotic resistance will not be defeated by doctors and officials alone. Households must play their part through responsible use, hygiene, sanitation and trust in medical advice. Handwashing, vaccination, clean water, safe food practices and better awareness all reduce the need for antibiotics in the first place. Prevention is far cheaper and more effective than cure. Every avoided infection is one less opportunity for resistance to grow. The stakes are enormous. If antibiotic resistance continues unchecked, the consequences could be devastating. Minor injuries could become dangerous. Routine infections could become prolonged. Medical procedures that depend on effective antibiotics could become riskier. Progress that took decades to build could begin to unravel. This is not a distant nightmare. It is a present and growing reality. The tragedy is that antibiotic resistance is, to a large extent, preventable. It is driven not by a single enemy, but by many ordinary failures careless prescribing, unnecessary consumption, poor regulation, weak hygiene and public ignorance. That also means the solution lies in collective discipline, not despair. We already know enough to act. What is missing is the seriousness to act consistently. If society treats antibiotics as precious tools rather than casual remedies, if doctors prescribe with caution, if pharmacies follow the law, if hospitals strengthen infection control and if the public learns to respect the limits of medicine, the tide can still be turned. Antibiotic resistance is a silent crisis, but silence is no longer an option. The time to respond is now before the medicines that once saved the world lose their power to do so. ( The author is a registered medical practitioner and health columnist)
The Future of AI: Promise, Peril and the Human Question
ABID ANSARI Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant idea belonging to science fiction. It is already here, woven into everyday life in ways many people do not fully notice. It recommends what we watch, guides what we read, helps diagnose illnesses, filters spam, powers search engines, translates languages and assists in writing, coding, design and decision-making. What once appeared futuristic has become ordinary. And yet, for all its familiarity, AI remains one of the most disruptive technologies ever created. Its future will not simply be about faster machines or smarter software. It will be about how humans choose to use it, regulate it and live alongside it. The conversation around AI is often framed in extremes. On one side are those who see it as the engine of a new golden age a tool that will cure diseases, eliminate drudgery, improve education and unlock creativity on a scale never before imagined. On the other side are those who view it as a threat to jobs, privacy, truth, security and perhaps even human dignity itself. Both views contain a measure of truth. AI is neither an unquestioned miracle nor an uncontrollable monster. It is a powerful tool, and like all powerful tools, its impact will depend on the hands that shape it and the values that guide it. The future of AI will likely be defined first by scale. The technology is improving rapidly, driven by vast data, increasing computing power and constant competition among firms and states. Systems are becoming more capable at understanding language, generating content, recognising patterns and assisting in complex tasks. This means AI will not remain confined to laboratories or elite industries. It will spread into schools, hospitals, offices, courts, factories, media rooms and homes. The question is not whether AI will enter more areas of life. The question is how deeply it will do so, and with what safeguards. One of the greatest hopes attached to AI is productivity. Machines that can handle repetitive, time-consuming or data-heavy tasks could free people to focus on higher-value work. In medicine, AI may help detect disease earlier and support overworked doctors. In education, it could offer personalised learning and reduce gaps in access. In agriculture, it could improve forecasting, crop monitoring and resource use. In administration, it could make systems more efficient, responsive and less wasteful. If guided wisely, AI could help societies achieve more with less and solve problems that have long resisted conventional methods. But productivity gains do not automatically mean social progress. Every technological revolution has created winners and losers, and AI will be no exception. Jobs built around routine clerical, analytical and creative tasks are already under pressure. Workers whose skills are easily replicated by machines may find themselves displaced, while those with advanced technical or adaptive skills may benefit. This raises a serious social question: will AI broaden opportunity, or concentrate it further? If the gains from AI flow only to large corporations, wealthy nations and highly skilled professionals, then the technology could widen inequality rather than reduce it. This is why the future of AI cannot be discussed only in technical terms. It must also be discussed in moral and political terms. Who controls these systems? Who benefits from them? Who is accountable when they fail? What happens when an algorithm makes a biased decision, a machine generates false information or an automated system intrudes on privacy? These are not abstract concerns. They affect real lives. An AI system used in hiring, policing, lending or healthcare can shape a persons future in ways that are difficult to challenge if the process is opaque. The more AI influences decisions, the greater the need for transparency and accountability. Another defining feature of AIs future will be trust or the erosion of it. In an age of deepfakes, synthetic voices, automated bots and mass-generated content, distinguishing reality from fabrication is becoming harder. This carries serious consequences for journalism, politics and public discourse. If people can no longer easily tell whether a video, image, audio clip or article is genuine, then shared reality itself becomes fragile. Democratic societies depend on some common ground of facts. AI, if misused, can flood that ground with confusion. That is why media literacy, digital verification and responsible platform governance will become essential public needs, not optional skills. At the same time, AI may also help fight misinformation. It can detect patterns of manipulation, flag suspicious content and support fact-checking efforts. This is another example of AIs double-edged nature. The same technology that can spread falsehood can also help expose it. Whether it becomes an instrument of deception or defence will depend on rules, design and intent. There is also the question of creativity. Many people worry that AI-generated text, art, music and design will cheapen human originality. Others see it as a collaborator, not a replacement. In reality, both can be true. AI may lower barriers to expression and help more people create. But it may also flood the world with endless average content, making authentic human voice harder to distinguish. The future may not belong to machines replacing creativity entirely, but to a contest between scale and soul. Human creativity will remain valuable precisely because it is imperfect, contextual and lived. In regions like ours, where aspiration often runs ahead of infrastructure, AI presents both opportunity and warning. It can help bridge distance, improve service delivery and support young people with tools that were once unavailable. But without investment in digital skills, connectivity and responsible policy, many will be left behind. The future of AI must not become the future of a small elite while the rest of society watches from the margins. Inclusion has to be built into the technologys growth from the beginning. Governments will have a decisive role to play. Regulation must not be so weak that AI becomes unaccountable, nor so rigid that it blocks innovation. What is needed is a balanced framework that protects privacy, prevents abuse, demands transparency and encourages responsible development. Data protection laws, algorithmic audits, safety standards and ethical oversight will all be necessary. At the same time, public institutions must invest in AI literacy so that citizens can understand not only how to use these tools, but also how to question them. Businesses too must act with restraint and responsibility. The temptation to automate everything simply because it is possible should be resisted. Efficiency is important, but not every decision should be handed to a machine. Human judgment remains essential in areas involving compassion, fairness and complex consequence. AI should support human decision-making, not replace conscience. Perhaps the deepest question about AI is not economic or technical, but philosophical. What does it mean to be human in an age where machines can mimic reasoning, language and creativity? The answer may lie in recognising that intelligence is not the same as wisdom, and information is not the same as judgment. Humans do more than calculate. They care, imagine, doubt, forgive, choose and bear responsibility. No machine can fully replicate that moral depth. The future of AI, then, should not be about surrendering our humanity to technology, but about using technology to enlarge what is best in humanity. The coming years will likely bring faster systems, sharper tools and deeper integration of AI into daily life. There will be breakthroughs, setbacks, excitement and fear. There will also be temptation to move too fast, to regulate too little, to trust too blindly or to reject innovation out of anxiety. None of these responses will serve society well. The right path lies in caution without paralysis, ambition without arrogance and innovation with conscience. AI will shape the future, but it should not define human worth. That remains the task of societies, institutions and individuals. If we approach this technology with wisdom, fairness and a sense of responsibility, it can become a force for public good. If we approach it carelessly, it may deepen divisions and weaken trust. The future of AI is still being written. The question is whether we will write it with foresight or let it be written for us. ( The author is a research scholar and freelancer)
Sustainable Urban Planning: Building Cities That Breathe, Grow and Endure
SYED TAHA Sustainable urban planning has moved from being a policy ideal to an urgent necessity. Across the world, cities are facing a difficult reality: rising populations, shrinking open spaces, stressed infrastructure, worsening pollution and a climate that is becoming increasingly unpredictable. In this changing landscape, the way cities are designed, managed and expanded will determine not only how people live today, but also how safely and comfortably future generations will live tomorrow. At its core, sustainable urban planning is about balance. It seeks to meet the needs of growing populations without exhausting natural resources or damaging the environment. It is not merely about constructing more roads, buildings and colonies. It is about creating cities that are livable, inclusive, efficient and resilient. A sustainable city is one where people can move easily, breathe clean air, access public services, find affordable housing and enjoy green public spaces. For regions like Jammu and Kashmir, the debate around urban planning is especially significant. Rapid unplanned growth in urban centres has begun to place immense pressure on roads, drainage systems, water supply, waste disposal and public transport. Once-open spaces are being converted into concrete clusters, while traffic congestion and environmental degradation are becoming more visible with every passing year. In such a situation, sustainability cannot remain a slogan. It must become the foundation of all future planning. One of the most important pillars of sustainable urban planning is compact and mixed-use development. Instead of allowing cities to sprawl endlessly into agricultural land and ecologically sensitive areas, planners must encourage growth that is dense, efficient and well-connected. When homes, workplaces, schools, healthcare facilities and markets are located within reasonable distances, dependence on private vehicles goes down, carbon emissions are reduced and daily life becomes more convenient. Public transport is another crucial element. A city that depends almost entirely on private vehicles is a city headed towards congestion and pollution. Reliable buses, shared mobility systems, pedestrian-friendly streets and cycling lanes can transform the way people move. Sustainable planning must therefore prioritise people over cars. Footpaths should not be an afterthought. They should be safe, wide and accessible to all, including children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. Green spaces also play a vital role. Parks, urban forests, roadside plantations and protected wetlands are not ornamental luxuries. They are essential urban infrastructure. They help moderate temperatures, improve air quality, absorb rainwater and provide much-needed relief in crowded neighbourhoods. In a city under pressure from climate change, every tree and every open space matters. Urban planning must therefore treat environmental protection as a central objective, not a secondary concern. Water management is another area where sustainable planning can make a major difference. Cities must be designed to capture rainwater, protect natural drainage channels and reduce flooding risks. Too often, natural water bodies and drainage systems are encroached upon or ignored until disasters strike. A sustainable city respects the natural flow of water rather than trying to force concrete over it. Rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment and groundwater recharge should become standard features of urban development. Equally important is the question of housing. A sustainable city cannot be built on exclusion. Affordable housing, planned settlements and inclusive neighbourhoods are necessary to prevent the growth of unsafe informal settlements. Urban planning must ensure that the poor are not pushed to the margins, far from essential services and livelihoods. Development should create opportunity, not deepen inequality. Technology can support these goals, but it cannot replace political will and good governance. Smart systems for traffic management, waste collection, building approvals and energy use can improve efficiency. Yet technology must serve a larger vision rooted in accountability, transparency and public participation. Citizens should have a voice in how their cities grow. After all, the people who live in a city understand its needs better than any blueprint drawn in isolation. The urgency of sustainable urban planning lies in the fact that poor decisions today are difficult and expensive to reverse tomorrow. A road widened without planning, a wetland filled without thought or a colony approved without infrastructure leaves behind problems that last for decades. On the other hand, thoughtful planning can create cities that are healthier, safer and more resilient. The challenge is clear: urban growth cannot be stopped, but it can be guided. The future of cities depends on whether planners and policymakers choose short-term expansion or long-term sustainability. If the goal is to build places where people can live with dignity, safety and hope, then sustainable urban planning must move from the margins to the centre of policy and practice. ( The Author is a lecturer in HED)
Social Media Responsibilities: Power, Speech and the Duty to Act Wisely
MUBASHIR SHAFI Social media has become one of the most powerful forces shaping public opinion in the modern world. It influences politics, moulds social behaviour, frames narratives and often decides what people choose to believe before they have had time to verify a fact. What was once meant to connect people has now grown into an arena where influence is measured in likes, shares, comments and followers. In such a space, the question is no longer whether people have the right to speak, but whether they understand the responsibility that comes with that right. The rise of social media has given ordinary people an extraordinary platform. A citizen can now report an event, expose a wrong, support a cause or challenge authority with a single post. This democratisation of voice is one of the great strengths of the digital age. It has made communication faster, wider and more immediate than ever before. Yet the same medium that empowers can also mislead, divide and damage. The speed with which information spreads online has made it easier for rumours to travel as facts and for emotional reactions to overpower reason. This is why social media responsibility matters. Every user, whether a journalist, activist, student, public figure or casual consumer of content, must remember that digital expression is not weightless. A careless post can hurt reputations, inflame tensions, spread panic or deepen prejudice. In societies already dealing with political sensitivity, communal pressures and social fragility, irresponsible online behaviour can have consequences far beyond the screen. Words that may appear harmless in haste can become dangerous once amplified. One of the most important responsibilities on social media is the duty to verify before sharing. In the race to be first, many users forget the far greater value of being right. False information often travels faster than corrections, and by the time a clarification appears, the damage may already be done. This is especially visible in cases involving breaking news, protests, violence, health scares and public emergencies. A responsible user does not forward content merely because it is dramatic or emotionally appealing. He or she pauses, checks the source and asks whether the content is credible, complete and necessary to share. Another crucial responsibility is restraint. Not every thought needs to be posted. Not every disagreement needs to become a public spectacle. Social media has encouraged a culture of instant reaction, where anger is rewarded with attention and outrage is mistaken for strength. But the ability to respond immediately is not always the same as the wisdom to respond appropriately. Responsible use requires discipline: the discipline to avoid abuse, the discipline to resist humiliation, and the discipline to disagree without dehumanising others. The question of tone is equally important. Online spaces often become harsher than real life because anonymity and distance reduce empathy. People say things on screens that they would never say face to face. This has created an environment where insults, sarcasm, threats and ridicule are normalised. Such behaviour does not strengthen free speech; it weakens public discourse. A responsible digital citizen understands that civility is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of maturity. Respectful expression allows disagreement without destruction. Social media responsibility also includes a sensitivity to privacy. Too often, users upload photographs, videos, names or personal details without consent. In doing so, they violate the dignity and safety of others. A viral clip may attract attention, but it may also expose a person to embarrassment, harassment or harm. The right to post does not automatically override someone elses right to privacy. Responsible use means asking whether a piece of content should be shared at all, and if so, whether it can be shared without violating someones dignity. There is also a growing responsibility to resist manipulation. Social media platforms are built to capture attention, not necessarily to promote truth. Algorithms often reward outrage, repetition and sensationalism. This means users must become more conscious, not less. They must learn to distinguish between opinion and evidence, between entertainment and information, between activism and performance. In the digital age, awareness itself has become a form of responsibility. Young people, in particular, must be guided carefully in this regard. They are among the most active users of social media and also among the most vulnerable to its pressures. The desire for validation, popularity and visibility can push them toward reckless sharing, comparison and self-exposure. Schools, families and communities must therefore treat digital literacy as seriously as traditional education. A young user should be taught not just how to use social media, but how to use it wisely, ethically and safely. Public figures and those with a large following carry an even greater burden. Their words travel farther and carry more weight. A comment from such an account can shape public mood, fuel debate or trigger conflict. That is why influence must come with self-awareness. Those who lead digital conversations should avoid feeding hatred, spreading half-truths or exploiting emotion for engagement. Popularity does not reduce responsibility; it increases it. At the same time, social media responsibility does not mean silence or fear. It does not mean that people should avoid criticism or stop speaking up on important issues. On the contrary, social media can be a valuable tool for justice, accountability and civic awareness when used properly. But meaningful speech requires more than passion. It requires accuracy, dignity and a sense of consequence. A responsible user understands that a platform for expression is also a test of character. As society becomes more digitally connected, the need for ethical online behaviour will only grow stronger. Laws can punish some abuse, but no law can replace individual conscience. The final safeguard is not technology, but responsibility itself. If social media is to remain a force for good, its users must treat it not as a playground for impulse, but as a public space shaped by words, memory and impact. In the end, social media reflects the people who use it. If we fill it with falsehood, anger and carelessness, it will become a source of division. If we use it with honesty, restraint and empathy, it can become a platform for awareness, dialogue and change. That choice rests with every user, every day. ( The author is an educationist and social worker)
SEHAT payment delay puts J&K private hospitals, dialysis centres in crisis
Srinagar, Aug 20: Private hospitals and dialysis centres empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir are facing a severe financial crisis as payments amounting to eight months remain pending. A group of private hospital and dialysis centre owners expressed grave concern over what they termed a complete financial breakdown of the State Health Agency (SHA), which is implementing the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY/SEHAT Scheme in J&K. The hospital owners said that while payments to private hospitals empanelled under the scheme have remained pending for the last eight months, salaries of district-level SHA staff have also not been released for the past four months. After releasing a mere 1015 per cent of the dues about a month ago, payments have again been stopped for reasons best known to the SHA, one of the private hospital owners said. If the implementing agency itself cannot pay salaries to its district staff for four months and incentives for years, how can it be expected to clear the dues of private hospitals? It seems there are no funds left with the SHA, he said. The hospital owners said private hospitals were being forced to operate on loans while continuing to provide cashless treatment to poor and needy patients under the SEHAT scheme. We cannot continue to pay our doctors and nurses and maintain critical services such as dialysis without timely reimbursement, they said. The private hospital owners appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and the Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, to intervene immediately and ensure the release of pending payments. They warned that if the funds are not released within a week, it could lead to a crisis-like situation in private hospitals, particularly dialysis centres, affecting essential healthcare services for beneficiaries.
US advisory review raises hope for Kashmir tourism revival
Srinagar, Aug 20: Tourism stakeholders in Kashmir have welcomed the positive remarks by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor over a possible review of the travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, saying the move could open the door for a fresh rise in American and other foreign tourist arrivals. During his recent visit to Srinagar, Gor indicated that the US travel advisory for the valley would be reviewed. Tourism stakeholders said the statement has created fresh optimism among hotels, travel operators, guides, handicraft sellers and other businesses dependent on international visitors. They said a favourable change in the US advisory could also encourage other countries to reconsider their travel warnings, helping restore confidence among foreign travellers planning visits to Kashmir. The Ambassadors remarks have raised hopes across the tourism sector. If the advisory is eased, we expect more American tourists and a gradual return of visitors from other international markets, tourism stakeholders said. Foreign visitors currently in Srinagar have also spoken positively about their experiences, describing the city as peaceful and welcoming. Many have expressed appreciation for Kashmirs natural beauty, Sufi traditions, local music, culture and hospitality. Stakeholders said foreign tourists are particularly important for Kashmirs traditional handicraft sector, which includes products such as carpets, shawls, papier-mch and other locally made crafts. An increase in international visitors could provide fresh business opportunities for artisans and traders. They also pointed to the different travel patterns of domestic and foreign tourists. While domestic visitors largely arrive between April and June, foreign tourists traditionally visit Kashmir from July onwards, with trekking, cultural experiences and nature-based activities among the major attractions. Tourism players said an improvement in international travel advisories, combined with continued improvements in the security situation, could help Kashmir strengthen its position as a destination for global travellers. They expressed hope that the positive developments would translate into increased bookings and a stronger international tourism season in the months ahead.
Sensible Driving Habits Matter More Than Speed
On Kashmirs roads, where traffic has grown heavier and temper has grown thinner, driving has become more than a matter of reaching a destination. It has become a test of discipline. Every day, we witness a troubling mix of impatience, recklessness and disregard for basic road etiquette. Overtaking from the wrong side, overspeeding on narrow stretches, using mobile phones while driving, jumping signals, and treating lanes as optional are no longer rare exceptions. They have become part of the daily commute. The result is predictable: accidents, injuries, traffic snarls and avoidable deaths. Driving, at its core, is a responsibility, not a performance. Yet many motorists behave as if the road is a stage and speed is a virtue. It is not. A sensible driver knows that the purpose of a vehicle is safe movement, not display. The few extra minutes saved by rash driving are never worth the risk to ones own life or the lives of others. A hurried response, a careless turn or a moment of distraction can change families forever. In that sense, road safety is not just a transport issue; it is a social and moral one. What makes the problem more worrying is that bad driving habits are often normalized. People honk endlessly, block intersections, stop wherever they please, and expect others to adjust. Pedestrians are ignored. Two-wheelers weave through traffic without helmets. Seatbelts are treated as optional. Children are carried without proper restraint. Even in adverse weather or on congested roads, caution gives way to urgency. This casual attitude reflects a larger failure: we have learned to tolerate danger instead of demanding order. The solution does not lie in slogans alone. It requires a change in behaviour, backed by consistent enforcement. Traffic rules must be applied fairly and firmly. Repeat violators should face real consequences. But enforcement by itself will not solve the problem unless citizens also accept their share of responsibility. Schools should teach road safety early. Driving tests must be made stricter and more credible. Public awareness campaigns should focus not only on penalties, but on the everyday habits that save lives maintaining distance, using indicators, avoiding distractions, respecting speed limits and yielding to pedestrians. There is also a need to rethink the culture of aggression on the road. Patience is not weakness. Caution is not delay. Courtesy is not submission. In fact, the most sensible driver is often the most efficient one, because he or she avoids confusion, conflict and danger. Roads function best when every user understands that safety is shared. Kashmirs roads do not need more speed. They need more sense. They need drivers who understand that every rule ignored is a risk multiplied. Sensible driving is not merely about avoiding fines or accidents. It is about valuing life, one careful decision at a time.
Self-Medication: Bad Habit with Loud Consequences
In every household, there comes a familiar moment when illness knocks, and the first response is not a doctors appointment, but a glance at the medicine shelf. A headache, a fever, a sore throat, a bout of acidity and before long, pills are swallowed on the advice of a neighbour, a pharmacist, or ones own past experience. Self-medication has become one of the most common, and most casually accepted, health habits of our time. It appears harmless, even practical. But beneath that convenience lies a growing public health concern. The problem is not that people wish to feel better quickly. That is natural. The danger begins when symptoms are treated as if they all mean the same thing, when antibiotics are taken for viral infections, painkillers are used without limit, or sedatives are consumed without any understanding of side effects. A medicine that helps one person in one condition may harm another in a different context. Without proper diagnosis, the line between relief and risk becomes dangerously thin. In places where access to healthcare is limited, self-medication often looks like a necessity rather than a choice. Long queues, high consultation costs, and the inconvenience of travel can push people toward quick fixes. Yet necessity does not make the practice safe. In fact, it can make it more dangerous, because repeated unsupervised use of medicines may hide a serious illness, delay treatment, or create drug resistance. The misuse of antibiotics, in particular, has turned into a silent threat, making common infections harder to treat and putting the larger community at risk. There is also a cultural element to this habit. Many people trust old prescriptions, shared advice, and over-the-counter availability more than medical judgment. A medicine once prescribed for one ailment is stored away and reused months later for a similar complaint. But the body changes, conditions change, and doses matter. What is self-assurance in one moment can become self-harm in another. The way forward is not panic, but awareness. People must be reminded that medicines are not ordinary household items; they are tools that need guidance, restraint, and responsibility. Pharmacies must exercise caution instead of encouraging casual purchase of prescription drugs. Health authorities must strengthen public awareness campaigns, especially in schools, colleges, and rural communities. And families must learn to distinguish between minor discomfort and symptoms that require proper medical attention. Self-medication is often seen as a shortcut. In reality, it can become a detour that leads to greater illness, higher expense, and avoidable suffering. A responsible society must replace this habit with informed care. The safest remedy is not always the quickest one.
Third-party Kashmir intervention a Centre failure: Congress
Srinagar, Aug 20: Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Karra on Thursday said any third-party intervention in the Kashmir issue would reflect a failure of the Central Government, while asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Reacting to US Ambassador to India Sergio Gors recent visit to Srinagar and his remarks on Jammu and Kashmir, Karra said the envoys assertion that J&K is an important part of India was nothing extraordinary. Whether it is the US Ambassador, the US Secretary or any diplomat in the world who says today that J&K is an integral part of India, they havent said anything out of the ordinary. It has always been an integral part of India and the whole world knows this, Karra told reporters. Gor, during a joint media briefing with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday, described Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India and praised its beauty. He also said the United States would reconsider its travel advisory for J&K in view of steps taken by the Centre and the Omar Abdullah-led government to improve security. Karra, however, attributed what he described as confusion over the Kashmir issue to the alleged failure of the Centres foreign policy. For quite some time, US intervention in the Government of India has been very high. This happens only because our country has a failed policy today, he said, referring also to what he described as US involvement during Operation Sindoor. He said any intervention by a third country or any offer of mediation on Kashmir should be viewed as a failure of the present dispensation. On Pakistan summoning the US envoy over Gors remarks, Karra said it was an internal matter of the neighbouring country. Our policy is that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, was an integral part of India and will remain an integral part of India, he said. Karra maintained that India and Pakistan were the relevant parties to bilateral issues concerning the two countries, citing the Shimla Agreement. When it comes to the matter between India and Pakistan, after the Shimla Agreement, if there are any relevant parties, they are India and Pakistan, he said. The Congress does not recognise any third-party intervention because that has been our stated policy ever since. Today, if an intervention takes place anywhere or an offer is made, that is the failed policy of the present dispensation, Karra said. Pakistan on Wednesday summoned US Charge dAffaires Natalie Baker and lodged a strong demarche over Gors remarks on Jammu and Kashmir.
Govt pushes anti-hail nets for Orchards
Kulgam, Aug 20: Minister for Social Welfare, Education, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Thursday conducted an extensive tour of villages of Kulgam to assess the damage caused to orchards due to adverse weather conditions during the current season. The Minister visited several affected villages including Harvaith, Nihama, Samnoo, Gopalpora, Lakhdipora, Tengam, Bathipora and Chogalpora. During the visit, Sakeena Itoo interacted with the fruit growers, inspected the orchards and had detailed feedback regarding the losses suffered by the farming community. The growers apprised her of the severity of damage to fruit crops, defoliation and damage to fruit-bearing trees following repeated spells of hailstorm and high-velocity winds. The Deputy Commissioner briefed the Minister about the damage reported from different areas of the district and the measures undertaken by the district administration for damage assessment and relief. The Chief Horticulture Officer informed the Minister that the preliminary assessment of the damage has already been submitted to the concerned authorities. Besides, village-wise and asam-e -wise details of the losses are being compiled to facilitate further action as per the applicable norms under SDRF/UT norms, he added. The Minister expressed solidarity with the affected growers and said that horticulture is the backbone of Kashmirs economy and the government fully understands the distress of the farming community. She assured the affected farmers that all possible assistance and relief would be extended to the eligible beneficiaries under the applicable rules and provisions. She informed that the matter has been taken up at the appropriate level for redress. On long-term preventive measures, the Chief Horticulture Officer apprised the Minister of the importance of anti-hail nets in protecting the orchards from recurring weather-related damage. He urged the farmers to adopt anti-hail nets, for which the government is providing substantial subsidy under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and other applicable schemes. Emphasising the importance of horticulture to the regions economy, Sakeena Itoo said that the government remains committed to strengthen the horticulture sector, protect the livelihoods of fruit growers and extend all possible institutional support to the affected farming community. Later, the Minister inaugurated the key healthcare and infrastructure facilities at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Nehama, Kulgam, aimed at further strengthening healthcare delivery in the remote area. These included 30 KVA Genset, installed at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh, a 20-bedded inpatient ward and a CBC Analyzer at the health centre. The facilities are expected to significantly enhance the power backup, inpatient capacity and diagnostic services, thereby benefiting the local population.
Javid Dar advocates adoption of modern, scientific agri-practices
Srinagar, Aug 20: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Thursday flagged off a group of 250 farmers for a one-day training programme at the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), Rangreth, Srinagar. The initiative was aimed at strengthening the farmers technical capacity and familiarising them with the modern, scientific and sustainable agricultural practices. MLA Lal Chowk, Sheikh Ahsan Ahmad Pardesi besides others was present during the flag-off ceremony. During the training programme, organised by the Kisan Advisory Board, J&K, the farmers will interact with the agricultural and horticultural experts and scientists. They will find solutions to various issues, challenges and field-level concerns being faced by them in crop cultivation in their respective areas. Addressing the participating farmers, Javid Ahmad Dar emphasised the importance of continuous capacity building, knowledge enhancement and exposure to the emerging technologies in agriculture and allied sectors. He said that such programmes are aimed at providing the farmers with practical and scientific knowledge of modern farming techniques, including improved crop management practices, balanced and judicious use of fertilisers and pesticides, adoption of advanced technologies and promotion of sustainable agricultural methods. He stressed the need to encourage environmentally sustainable and natural farming practices while simultaneously ensuring higher productivity, improved quality of produce and enhanced profitability for farming families. Javid Dar said that it is being ensured that such training programmes, exposure visits and farmer-oriented capacity-building initiatives are organised on a regular basis so that the farming community remains abreast of the latest innovations, technologies and best practices. He maintained that strengthening the knowledge, skills and technical capabilities of farmers is vital for transforming the agricultural sector, enhancing farm incomes and making farming more productive, resilient and sustainable. The Minister urged ipon the participating farmers to interact freely with the experts and scientists, seek technical guidance and share their field-level experiences and concerns. He said that such direct interactions would help in developing practical and locally relevant solutions to the challenges confronting the farming community. He underscored the importance of strengthening the linkage between research institutions, extension agencies and farmers so that scientific innovations and technologies reach the field effectively and translate into tangible benefits for the farming community. The Minister appreciated the Kisan Advisory Board and the concerned departments for organising the training programme. He called for sustained efforts towards empowering the farmers through knowledge, technology and institutional support. Director Horticulture Kashmir, Secretary Kisan Advisory Board, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Managing Director JKHPMC, Director J&K Horticulture Marketing and Processing and other senior officers of the concerned departments were present on the occasion.
Dr. Farooq reiterates NCs demand for restoration of constitutional rights
Srinagar, Aug 20: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday reiterated the partys demand for restoration of the constitutional status and rights of Jammu and Kashmir, saying the issue remained central to its political agenda. Addressing a gathering here, Abdullah said the special constitutional status earlier accorded to Jammu and Kashmir reflected its distinct constitutional relationship with the Union and remained an important part of the National Conferences political vision. He said that although the constitutional provisions relating to J&K had been altered unilaterally, the National Conference would continue its political and constitutional struggle for their restoration. The issue remains at the top of the partys agenda, he said, adding that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had the right to raise their voice for restoration of their constitutional rights. Abdullah said the party had repeatedly reiterated its position through meetings, rallies and conventions and would stand by the commitments made to the people. He said the NC would not retreat from its position and would continue its struggle through political and constitutional means. He also highlighted the issues and difficulties faced by the people, saying the prevailing circumstances required an elected government with a strong mandate and adequate powers to address public concerns, promote development and ensure good governance. The NC president stressed the need for political institutions to respect the aspirations of the people and ensure that their voices were heard. He also called for strengthening democratic institutions and protecting the rights of the people. Abdullah said progress in society was possible only through collective efforts and called for greater focus on education, social welfare and youth empowerment. He described young people as an important part of the regions future. He appealed to party workers and the public to remain united and work towards peace, social harmony and development, saying the NCs political struggle was a collective responsibility of its leadership, workers and the people.
Congress Observes Sadbhavana Diwas in Srinagar
Srinagar, Aug 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Thursday observed Sadbhavana Diwas at its headquarters here to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Congress leaders and workers, led by JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra, paid tribute to Gandhi and recalled his vision of a united, peaceful and progressive India. Senior leaders including Chaudhary Lal Singh and Nizamuddin Bhat, along with party functionaries and district presidents, attended the programme. Addressing the gathering, the leaders emphasised the importance of national integration, communal harmony, peace and goodwill, describing these values as particularly relevant in the present circumstances. Karra said Gandhis legacy remained relevant in safeguarding pluralism, democratic values and social harmony. He said Indias strength lay in its diversity and called upon political and social leaders to work towards strengthening unity rather than creating divisions. Chaudhary Lal Singh said Sadbhavana Diwas should be viewed not merely as an occasion to remember Rajiv Gandhi but as a reminder to uphold the ideals of peace, brotherhood and communal harmony. Nizamuddin Bhat stressed the need to carry forward Gandhis message of goodwill and inclusive development, saying lasting progress was possible only when all sections of society felt respected, secure and included. The leaders said the spirit of Sadbhavana should extend beyond a single commemorative day and called for sustained efforts to promote unity in diversity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
Yasha Mudgal emphasizes strengthening of Cooperative Credit Institutions
Srinagar, Aug 20: Commissioner Secretary, Cooperative Department, Yasha Mudgal, on Thursday chaired a meeting of the High-Level Committee (HLC) to review the performance, functioning and developmental initiatives of Cooperative Credit Institutions across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Vikas Mittal, General Manager/Officer-in-Charge, NABARD; Ram Swaroop, Deputy General Manager, Reserve Bank of India (RBI); Managing Director, J&K State Cooperative Bank (JKStCB); Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), J&K besides other senior officers of the Department. During the meeting, Vikas Mittal made a detailed PowerPoint Presentation covering the financial and developmental performance of cooperative banks in Jammu and Kashmir. Ram Swaroop, emphasized the importance of robust corporate governance, regulatory compliance and effective supervisory mechanisms. He called for expediting the constitution of the Boards of Directors of the J&K Central Cooperative Bank (JCCB) and the J&K State Cooperative Bank (JKStCB). Yasha Mudgal emphasized that cooperative credit institutions have a critical role in promoting inclusive economic growth and strengthening rural livelihoods in Jammu and Kashmir. She stressed that cooperative banks should focus on expanding financial inclusion, improving customer service, ensuring institutional sustainability and making timely and affordable credit available to farmers, rural households, entrepreneurs and other eligible beneficiaries. Taking a detailed review of the PACS Computerization Project, the Commissioner Secretary directed all concerned to strictly adhere to the prescribed implementation timelines and ensure compliance with T-7 and T-1 requirements related to end-of-day processes and financial reconciliation. She directed that districts showing slower progress be accorded priority attention and instructed the system integrators to expedite reconciliation, provide effective handholding and training to PACS personnel and maintain continuous coordination with NABARD for resolving technical and implementation-related issues. The Commissioner Secretary also reviewed the operational issues related to Sahakar Sarthi Private Limited. She directed the concerned cooperative banks and the Office of the Registrar, Cooperative Societies, J&K, to coordinate closely and resolve all pending issues in a time-bound manner. She made it clear that operational bottlenecks should not affect the delivery of services to members and beneficiaries. Reviewing the progress of newly established Multipurpose PACS, Yasha Mudgal directed the concerned institutions to make these entities fully functional and economically viable at the earliest. She emphasized the need to augment rural credit flow, increase agricultural term lending and diversify into suitable non-agricultural loan portfolios to ensure the long-term sustainability of M-PACS and enable them to serve as effective multipurpose institutions for rural communities. The Commissioner Secretary also reviewed compliance with various supervisory and regulatory requirements. She directed for strict adherence to the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and applicable guidelines. She called for expeditious disposal of non-banking assets, transfer of eligible unutilized funds to the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund (DEAF) and strict compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) norms. She directed the concerned institutions to identify regulatory deficiencies and ensure their rectification within clearly defined timelines. Emphasizing institutional accountability, Yasha Mudgal directed that future recapitalization of cooperative banks should be closely linked with measurable financial and performance indicators. She also directed the concerned authorities to expedite the convening of the Special General Meeting (SGM) and take necessary steps for the subsequent election of the Board of Directors of the J&K State Cooperative Bank in accordance with the applicable provisions. The Commissioner Secretary called upon all cooperative banks to adopt a coordinated and outcome-oriented approach towards reducing Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), improving Credit-Deposit (CD) ratios, strengthening recovery mechanisms and enhancing the overall net worth of cooperative banking institutions. She stressed that improving asset quality, mobilizing deposits and expanding quality lending should remain key priorities. Yasha Mudgal underscored that cooperative credit institutions must progressively transform into technologically enabled, member-centric and financially resilient institutions capable of responding effectively to the changing requirements of farmers, rural communities and entrepreneurs. She called for greater adoption of digital banking services, improved customer interface, strengthened internal systems and enhanced transparency and accountability in institutional functioning. She emphasized that a robust and efficient cooperative banking network should serve as a strong instrument for expanding financial inclusion, strengthening rural livelihoods, promoting entrepreneurship and contributing to sustainable socio-economic development across Jammu and Kashmir.
JDA seals Blinkit store at Surya Towers
JAMMU TAWI: The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) on Thursday sealed a Blinkit store operating from the basement of Surya Towers at Bahu Plaza, Jammu, for functioning in violation of the sanctioned building permission and applicable building norms. The premises form part of a building that also houses the Aakash Coaching Centre, where a large number [] The post JDA seals Blinkit store at Surya Towers appeared first on Northlines .
Govt proposes corridor connecting GMC-J & its Hospitals: Principal Arvind Sharma Jammu Tawi, Aug 20: In a revolutionary step for patient care in the Jammu division, the government has decided to construct a corridor/over-bridge across the road starting right from the premier hospital of the region, the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) Jammu, its [] The post Patient care in Jammu to be revolutionized appeared first on Northlines .
Police cannot investigate offences under PCPNDT Act: SC
NEW DELHI: Police cannot commence an independent investigation of the offences under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, the Supreme Court said on Thursday. A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N Kotiswar Singh held that authorities designated under the law must take action in such cases. The PCPNDT Act was enacted with [] The post Police cannot investigate offences under PCPNDT Act: SC appeared first on Northlines .
Agriculture Department Promotes Direct Marketing of Exotic Mushrooms
Srinagar, Aug 20: In a significant step towards strengthening direct farmer-to-consumer marketing, Director Agriculture Kashmir Sartaj Ahmad Shah on Thursday flagged off a consignment of exotic King Oyster mushrooms produced by Shally Farm, Zakura, Srinagar. Speaking on the occasion, the Director underscored the importance of promoting innovative and value-added mushroom cultivation in Kashmir. He said such initiatives would provide mushroom growers with better marketing opportunities, encourage entrepreneurship and strengthen direct linkages between producers and consumers. He appreciated the efforts of the Agriculture Department in supporting mushroom entrepreneurs and said direct marketing would help growers secure better returns while encouraging consumers to opt for locally produced exotic mushrooms. The event was organised by Joint Director Mushrooms Madan Gopal Singh, who briefed the Director on various initiatives being undertaken for the promotion and development of mushroom cultivation in Kashmir. Singh said the department was taking all possible measures to promote the cultivation and marketing of different varieties of mushrooms. He added that technical guidance and necessary support were being extended to existing entrepreneurs as well as new mushroom growers. He urged aspiring entrepreneurs and farmers interested in mushroom cultivation to approach the Office of the Joint Director Mushrooms for expert technical guidance and assistance. The initiative is expected to provide further impetus to commercial mushroom cultivation in Kashmir and encourage more farmers and youth to take up mushroom farming as a viable and remunerative enterprise.
Nari Shakti transforming border economies in J
Calls upon young generation to dream big like people in metro cities Jammu Tawi, Aug 20:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said women are scripting a new chapter in Jammu and Kashmir by transforming border economies, while calling upon youth in frontier villages to dream big and actively shape their future. Addressing residents of six [] The post Nari Shakti transforming border economies in J&K: LG appeared first on Northlines .
Pakistan-US row matter between Islamabad-Washington, not mine: Omar
Says Rs 31-Cr Srinagar abattoir revived; Private Universities likely soon; Srinagar, Aug 20:Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Thursday said Pakistans summoning of the US Charge dAffaires following his meeting with the American envoy was a matter between Pakistan and the United States. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, CM Omar said that Pakistan had summoned [] The post Pakistan-US row matter between Islamabad-Washington, not mine: Omar appeared first on Northlines .
PAC reviews functioning, Audit Paras of PWD (R&B) department
Srinagar, Aug 20: The Committee on Public Accounts (PAC) of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday conducted a detailed review of various Audit Paras pertaining to the Public Works (R&B) Department. The meeting was also attended by DGAT, Engineer in Chief, Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers, Director Finance PWD and other senior officers of PWD, besides Secretary JKLA, Manoj Kumar Pandit and other officers of Assembly Secretariat. During the meeting, the Committee examined the Action Taken Reports (ATRs) furnished by the Department on various observations contained in the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India and reviewed the status of pending Audit Paras. While examining one of the Audit Paras, the Committee took serious note of the issues involved and directed the Department to institute a departmental inquiry to fix responsibility. The Chairman directed the department to submit the Action Taken Report within two months for consideration and appraisal of the Committee. Emphasizing the importance of financial discipline and transparency in the execution of public works, the Chairman observed that public money must be utilized with utmost responsibility and accountability. He stressed that all developmental works should be executed strictly in accordance with prescribed rules, procedures and codal formalities. The Chairman also underscored the importance of environmental responsibility while undertaking construction and infrastructure projects. He observed that it is the collective moral responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that developmental activities do not compromise environmental sustainability. He further directed the Department to ensure that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are prepared through a proper and well-defined mechanism, with all necessary technical, financial and administrative requirements duly complied with, so as to minimize procedural deficiencies and avoid audit objections in future. The Chairman laid particular emphasis on strengthening the capacity of field-level functionaries. He called upon senior officers to provide regular guidance, handholding and mentoring to ground-level staff, particularly newly recruited Junior Engineers, to enhance their technical capabilities and ensure adherence to prescribed procedures.
US Ambassador Gor arrives in Leh
Jammu Tawi, Aug 20:United States Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor reached Leh on Thursday as part of his visit to Ladakh. Gor, who met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar on Wednesday, flew to Leh today after his flight was delayed due to adverse weather conditions. Sources said that the Ambassador took part in river [] The post US Ambassador Gor arrives in Leh appeared first on Northlines .
MeT forecasts hot, humid weather till Aug 27
Jammu Tawi, Aug 20:Rain lashed parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, with several areas receiving light to moderate showers as the Meteorological Centre forecast generally hot and humid conditions with intermittent rainfall across the Union Territory till August 27. The weather department said one or two spells of light to moderate rain or thundershowers [] The post MeT forecasts hot, humid weather till Aug 27 appeared first on Northlines .
Sportspersons end hunger strike after Minister
Jammu Tawi, Aug20:Outstanding sportspersons in Jammu on Thursday called off their prolonged hunger strike after Youth Services and Sports Minister Satish Sharma gave a written assurance that the controversial SO 12 selection list would be reviewed and kept on hold. According to the details available, Minister Satish Sharma had earlier visited the protest site on [] The post Sportspersons end hunger strike after Ministers assurance appeared first on Northlines .
