Short: The Drying Tears of the Himalayas: Why Kashmirs Water Crisis is a Warning to the World
Short: Human-Wildlife Crisis Demands Urgent, Shared Response
Short: AgriStack enrolment surges past 20,000 in J&K
Short: Western Himalaya could warm by 7.18C, lose 95.9 kg/m snow by 2100
Short: At first light, CM takes pulse of Srinagars development
Short: J&K Transport Dept orders probe into JKRTC DEF tender
Short: One District, One Export Hub needs large-scale promotion: LG
Short: Sajad Lone inaugurates 7-bed dialysis centre at GMC Handwara
Short: PDP protests at Jablipora Fruit Mandi, seeks crop insurance
Short: Timely response averts major fire at TRC godown
Short: Parents fee complaints pile up as FFRC remains headless
Calls for dedicated SPV,digital portal to ensure effective monitoring of PPP projects SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting in Srinagar to evaluate the progress and future strategies of the Centre for Innovation and Transformation in Governance (CITaG), Jammu & Kashmir. The focus was on policy formulation, knowledge outputs, public-private []
SKUAST-K transfers exotic mushroom technology to Agri Dept
For scaling up high-value circular bioeconomy SRINAGAR: In a key move to advance Jammu & Kashmirs agriculture sector into a high-value, knowledge-based circular bioeconomy, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on Wednesday transferred its patented exotic mushroom production technology to the Department of Agriculture. This step aims to expand cultivation among []
Pulwama police recover 41 stolen sheep; two booked, vehicle seized
PULWAMA: Police in Pulwama made a major recovery of 41 stolen sheep during naka checking at Urwan, leading to the booking of two persons and seizure of the vehicle used for transporting the stolen livestock. During naka checking, a police party of Police Post Newa intercepted a Tata Mobile vehicle bearing registration number Jk03N-2440. Upon []
Altaf Bukhari warmly welcomes new entrants into party fold
Pays obeisance at revered shrine of Sufi saint Lal Baba Sahib in Zakura SRINAGAR: Several prominent political and social activists from the Zakura area on the outskirts of Srinagar today joined the Apni Party in the presence of party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari. They joined the party during a meeting with the party president []
VC JKLCMA directs intensified lake cleaning operations
SRINAGAR: The Vice Chairman, JKLCMA, Khurshid Ahmad Shah on Wednesday undertook an extensive on-site assessment of Dal Lake to take stock of the ongoing cleaning and conservation activities being carried out by the Authority. During the inspection, the Vice Chairman visited various locations of Dal Lake, particularly the Gagribal Basin, and took stock of the []
CUK organizes blood donation camp
GANDERBAL: Under the theme Blood Donation: A Contribution to the Nation (Raktdaan Desh Ke Naam), Health Centre and Dean Students Welfare (DSW), Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), in collaboration with the Blood Bank department of the Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, organised a one-day blood donation camp at Tulmulla Campus The camp was inaugurated []
No one can take law into their own hands: DGP Makwana assures Valley students SRINAGAR: Two Kashmiri students studying in Bhopal were allegedly subjected to harassment, intimidation and pressure to vacate their accommodation by fringe elements. The matter has since been addressed and brought under control following the timely intervention of the Jammu & Kashmir []
Experts, scholars, artists discuss future of modern theatre in Valley SRINAGAR: A two-day theatre seminar on Modern Theatre and Youth of Kashmir concluded successfully at Kashmir Government Polytechnic College, Gogji Bagh, Srinagar, bringing together prominent theatre experts, artists, scholars, critics and young theatre enthusiasts. The seminar was organised with the objective of creating meaningful dialogue []
Beyond Military Zones : Kashmirs LoC areas emerge as new tourism hotspots
Srinagar, Aug 19: For decades, areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir were known mainly for security installations, checkpoints and military activity. Today, several of these remote areas are slowly gaining attention as emerging tourist destinations. Places such as Keran, Tangdhar, Uri and Gurez are seeing growing interest as improved infrastructure and a sustained ceasefire have made travel easier. The change is giving visitors a chance to explore areas that remained largely outside the traditional tourism circuit. Tangdhar Valley, reached through the Sadhna Pass, offers mountain views, alpine meadows and access to remote villages. Travellers, however, need to plan carefully around security checks and changing weather conditions. Teetwal, located along the Kishanganga River, is also attracting visitors interested in Kashmirs history and culture. The restored Sharada Temple has added to the areas appeal among pilgrims, researchers and heritage enthusiasts. Uri offers another perspective on the regions history. The Aman Setu, associated with cross-LoC links, remains an important landmark reflecting the areas strategic and political past. Further north, Gurez Valley offers visitors an opportunity to experience the culture of the Dard-Shin community. Traditional wooden houses, mountain landscapes and the prominent Habba Khatoon Peak remain among its major attractions. The growing interest in these areasis differentfrom conventional mass tourism. Visitors are increasingly looking for history, culture, local experiences and lesser-known landscapes. The trend could also support local communities through homestays, transport services, guides, handicrafts and small businesses. At the same time, tourism authorities and local residents face the challenge of protecting the fragile Himalayan environment. As more frontier villages enter Kashmirs tourism map, the focus is shifting from security-only narratives to community-led tourism, cultural preservation and sustainable economic opportunities.
JKRTC Diesel Exhaust Fluid tender under scanner
Srinagar, Aug 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department has ordered a detailed examination of the procurement process for Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) for the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporations (JKRTC) BS-VI fleet. Ithasdirected officials to produce the complete tender file and all related records before a committeein the wake ofa complaint alleging irregularities in the tendering process. In a fresh communication dated August 19, Director Finance, Transport Department, Romesh Singh, JKAS, directed the Financial Advisor and Chief Accounts Officer (CAO), JKRTC, Srinagar, to appear before his office on August 20alongwith all relevant records about the DEF procurement process recently concluded through the JK Tender Portal. The communication, issued with reference to JKRTC order no. 257-JKRTC of 2026 dated August 5, specifically seeks the complete tender and procurement file, including the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT), tender documents, technical and financial bids, bid evaluation and comparative statements, proceedings and minutes of the concerned committees, approvals of the competent authority, correspondence with participating bidders, and purchase or supply orders. The department has also sought the Procurement Manual, General Financial Rules (GFR), relevant government orders, circulars and instructions, besides theprovisions relied upon by JKRTCfor determining eligibility, evaluating bids and awarding the contract. The records, according to the order, are required to facilitate a detailed examination and ascertain whether prescribed rules, procedures and government guidelines were followed at different stages of the procurement process. The latest communication follows an earlier order issued by JKRTC on August 5, through which the corporation constituted a committee to examine the procurement process relating to the complaint receivedregardingsupply of DEF for its BS-VI fleet. The August 5 order stated that a complaint had been received alleging irregularities in the procurement process and that the matter required comprehensive examination to ascertain whether prescribed procedures and norms had been followed. The committee comprises the Director Finance of the Transport Department, Joint Director SMG Srinagar and General Manager (Operations), JKRTC Srinagar. It was tasked with examining the complete procurement and tendering process, scrutinising relevant records, documents, approvals and proceedings, and submitting a report with specific findings and recommendations to the Managing Director JKRTC within five days. The committee was formed on the directions of the transport minister. Importantly, the order also directed that no supply order be placed with the tenderer until the matter was closed. Itsaidany immediate requirement was to be met from the open market at ASRTU rates or the after-market rate, whichever was cheaper. The issuecame to the official notice after a written complaint submitted by a Jammubased advocate Aman Thappa to the Transport Minister, alleging irregularities in JKRTCs tender for procurement of DEF/AdBlue. The complaint alleged that Tender Reference No. 10 of 2026-27, dated May 26, 2026, had been awarded to M/s UE Autotech Pvt. Ltd at rates higher than the ASRTU-approved rates applicable during the corresponding period. Among other allegations, the complaint claimed that the tender was initially published on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) but was subsequently withdrawn and re-published on the JK Tender Portal. The complainant alleged that this resulted in the tender being taken away from the reverse-auction mechanism available on GeM. The complaint further alleged that only two bidders participated in the tender, questioned the award price against ASRTU benchmarks, and claimed that the higher rates could result in substantial additional expenditure for JKRTC, whichit saidconsumes around 800,000 litres of DEF annually. It also raised concerns over the quality of DEF supplied by the selected firm to some other State Transport Undertakings. These claims are allegations contained in the complaint and have not been established by the authorities through the inquiry. The complainant also alleged a lack of transparency in the bid evaluation process and sought examination of the role of officials in JKRTCs Purchase and Stores (P&S) Wing. In particular, the complaint named General Manager P&S Parvez Abdullah and Manager P&S Srinagar Siraj-u-din, alleging that they had a role in the tender-related decisions. The complainant claimed to be in possession of video and audio material which, according to the complaint, could establish the alleged role of the officials and offered to produce the material before the competent inquiry or vigilance authority. The complainant subsequently sought an independent inquiry, examination of thewithdrawal of the tenderfrom GeM, scrutiny of comparative rates and participating bidders, review of the award, quality testing of DEF supplied to JKRTC and fixation of responsibility if any procedural violations or wrongdoing were established. The letter further added that he demanded a direct independent inquiry, through the Anti-Corruption Department of Jammu & Kashmir or an officer not connected with the original tender, into the conduct of the DEF tender process and the basis on which the award to M/s UE Autotech Pvt Ltd. was approved at rates higher than the ASRTU-approved rate.
SMVDU 23rd Foundation Day : Research must find solutions to real problems: LG Sinha
Jammu, Aug 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said that in the contemporary world, research and innovation become meaningful whenit findssolutions to real problems, improve the quality of life in society and bring positive change to the lives of ordinary citizens through their contributions across different fields. The LG made these remarks in his address at the 23rd Foundation Day celebrations of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU),felicitating theachievers and delivering a keynote address that outlined a vision for the University's future and its role in nation-building. Extending warm greetings to the University family, the Lieutenant Governor described the day as a celebration of foresight, resolve, and sustained efforts that have transformed SMVDU into a centre of knowledge, innovation, and socialresponsibility, emphasisingthat the University, blessed by Mata Vaishno Devi, carries in its name the tradition of devotion, strength, and faith, inspiring millions across India and the world. He said that a university isnot builtby its buildings but by ideas, dreams, and possibilities, highlighting the role of visionary leadership, dedicated faculty, and curious students in shaping institutions that nurture not only knowledge but also humility, sensitivity, and responsibilitytowardssociety. Reflecting on SMVDU's journey, the LG lauded its achievements in education andresearch, noting that facultymembers have secured around 140 research projects including international collaborations and established a state-of-the-art AI and Deep LearningLab, whilethe University has received 14 patents, incubated 30 start-ups, and launched innovative programmes such as peer-learning, andurged the institution to strengthen industryacademia relations by organising open-house meetings to commercialise patents and innovations. He stressed that the true measure of a university's success lies in its students and alumni, who carry forward its reputation through their contributions to society and the nation, and encouraged SMVDU to leverage government initiatives such as the Rs. One lakh crore research fund announced by the Prime Minister on August 15, 2026, and the PM Research Chairs scheme launched earlier this year, to ensure maximum participation in national innovation efforts. On 15 August, the Hon'ble Prime Minister made a historic announcement from the ramparts of the Red Fort and allocated Rs.1 lakh crore. He called upon the youth of the country to focus on research and innovation, sayingthatthey should come forward with ambitious dreams. The Government of Indiahadcreated a robust system of financial support,andno young personwouldnow face a lack of resources. I would like the Vice-Chancellor to constitute a team comprising faculty members and selected students so that the maximum possible number of applications may be submitted from this University, Sinha said. In his speech, the Lieutenant Governor underscored that education is the most powerful investment for universities, society, and the nation, citing foreign universities' success in generating revenue through innovation and research as an example and urging Indian universities to aspire to similar heights by focusing on research, innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship. He identified key challenges facing Indian universities, including limited research, shortage of faculty, lack of accountability and weak industry linkages, and called for a change in mindset, urging institutions to ask not What should we teach? but What problems must we solve? He said that India's youthful population, creativity, and risk-taking ability are its greatest assets, and universities must transform students into creators of opportunities rather than mere job seekers. Highlighting India's strengths, the LG pointed to the nation's ability to innovate at low cost, its cultural and linguistic diversity, and its vast diaspora, and urged SMVDU to connect these strengths with its research ecosystem and create solutions for real-world challenges in healthcare, rural economy, urbanisation, and digital innovation. Sinha also highlighted the importance of holistic education, calling for the promotion of sports, arts, literature, debates, and cultural activities alongside science and technology, and encouraged the University to engage with rural communities, promote sustainable development, and adopt best practices from global education models such as emphasis on fieldwork, industry partnerships, and a strong vocational training system. Looking ahead, the Lieutenant Governor presented a comprehensive vision for SMVDU by 2040, urging the University to become a leading global knowledge centre, establish advanced research facilities in AI, robotics, biotechnology, and climate science, and develop digital learning networks across rural Jammu and Kashmir, while also calling for international student-exchange programmes to strengthen global collaboration. The ultimate purpose of education is not limited to economic development but also the creation of creative human beings who understand themselves, respect nature, and recognise their responsibility towards humanity, he said. The LG urged SMVDU to harmonise modernity with human valuesand toresolve to become a pilgrimage centre of knowledge, a laboratory of innovation, and a beacon guiding society towards progress. On this Foundation Day, I urge all of youtomove beyond established paths and work courageouslyon theimportant issues. As efforts are undertaken in this direction, we should ask ourselves: What do we possess that other countries do not? Our nation's greatest wealth and strength is the passion, ingenuity and daring spirit of our youth. We must remember, the light of education becomes complete only when it moves beyond the walls of the University and reaches the last person in society, the Lieutenant Governor said. He also invited suggestions from various stakeholders for the establishment of the state-of-the-art International Museum of Goddess at Katra, and inaugurated the Self-Help Group's Bakery unit at SMVDU on the occasion. Among those present were Dr Ashok Bhan, Suresh Kumar Sharma and Gunjan Rana, Members of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Mata Vaishno Devi University; Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP Jammu; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sachin Kumar Vaishya, CEO, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG, Udhampur-Reasi Range; Kumar Abhishek, Deputy Commissioner Reasi; Members of the University's Executive Council; Heads of various educational institutions; senior officials, faculty members, staff, and students of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University attended the foundation day celebrations.
Two drug peddlers arrested in Budgam
Budgam: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday arrested two suspected drug peddlers and recovered 11.240 kilograms of poppy straw-like substance during a naka checking operation in the Narbal area of central Kashmirs Budgam district. According to police officials, the operation was conducted by a team from Police Post Narbal near the Fisheries Department. During the checking, the police intercepted a truck trailer bearing registration number PB06L-2575, which was travelling from Magam towards Srinagar. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two nylon bags containing a poppy straw-like substance weighing 11.240 kilograms. The contraband was allegedly concealed beneath the seat of the vehicle. The driver and co-passenger were identified as Iqbal Masih, son of Kulla Masih, and Akshay Masih, son of Mohan Masih, both residents of Gurdaspur, Punjab. Police said both were arrested on the spot and taken into custody for further investigation. Police have registered FIR No. 116/2026 under Sections 8/15 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Magam. An investigation has been launched to ascertain the source of the contraband and identify other individuals or links allegedly associated with the drug network. The recovered substance was seized, weighed and duly sealed on the spot in the presence of independent civilian witnesses, police said adding that all requisite legal formalities under the provisions of the NDPS Act were complied with.
GMC Baramulla staff protest delayed recruitment rules
Baramulla :- Aug 19 Non-gazetted employees of Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla have started an indefinite peaceful protest over the continued delay in framing recruitment rules, which they said have been pending for nearly seven years. The employees stated that they had earlier staged a protest following which the administration assured them that the recruitment rules would be finalized within three months. However, they alleged that the assurance was not fulfilled and the process remains pending. The protesting employees said they would continue their agitation until a senior official from the administration or Health Department, including the Health Secretary, intervenes and provides a clear and time-bound assurance on the issue. They claimed that the absence of recruitment rules has hampered the appointment of fresh staff in newly established medical colleges, resulting in significant manpower shortages. According to the employees, several institutions are functioning with around 50 per cent staff shortages. The employees said the shortage has increased the workload on existing staff and is adversely affecting the delivery of healthcare services and patient care. They appealed to the concerned authorities to address the matter urgently, frame the recruitment rules and initiate the recruitment process without further delay.
US ambassador hints at downgrading travel warning for J
Calls J&K important part of India, praises safety measures Jammu Tawi, Aug 19:Describing Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India, United States Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor on Wednesday said Washington would reassess its advisory cautioning citizens against travelling to the region. Speaking to reporters after meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his [] The post US ambassador hints at downgrading travel warning for J&K appeared first on Northlines .
Sinha calls for universities to foster opportunity creators
Says true measure of Universitys success lies in its students, alumni Jammu Tawi, Aug 19:Asking varsities to transform students into creators of opportunities rather than mere job seekers, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said that a university is not built by its buildings but by ideas, dreams, and possibilities. Addressing the 23rd Foundation Day [] The post Sinha calls for universities to foster opportunity creators appeared first on Northlines .
JERC equalizes power tariff, grants industrial rates to Ladakh
Srinagar, Aug 19:The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has mandated that hotels, guest houses, resorts, and homestays registered with the Ladakh Tourism Department will be reclassified for electricity billing. The Commission said that these establishments shall be charged tariffs at par with industrial consumersa move that may alter operational costs for the regions hospitality sector. [] The post JERC equalizes power tariff, grants industrial rates to Ladakhs hospitality sector appeared first on Northlines .
Train speed on Katra-Banihal section raised to 100 kmph: Rlys
Jammu Tawi, Aug 18 : The maximum permissible speed of trains on the 111-km-long new broad gauge rail section between Katra and Banihal under Northern Railways Jammu division has been increased to 100 kmph, officials said. The 111-km-long Katra-Banihal rail section is a crucial and technically challenging component of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) [] The post Train speed on Katra-Banihal section raised to 100 kmph: Rlys appeared first on Northlines .
Holy Mace of Machail Yatra departs for Paddar
Jammu Tawi, Aug 19 : The Pavitra Charri (Holy Mace) of the Shree Machail Mata Yatra, accompanied by thousands of devotees, left the Gori Shankar Temple in Sarkoot for Sub-Division Paddar early Wednesday, an official said. Earlier, the Holy Mace had embarked on its journey from Jain Bazar in Jammu, reached Doda, and arrived in [] The post Holy Mace of Machail Yatra departs for Paddar appeared first on Northlines .
Omar rubbishes corruption charges by BJP, says hold a probe
Srinagar, Aug 19 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday dared the BJP to have a probe conducted into the corruption charges it has levelled, saying his government does not control any investigative agency. Even if we assume for a second that their allegation is true, we dont even have the power to conceal such [] The post Omar rubbishes corruption charges by BJP, says hold a probe appeared first on Northlines .
Fatal Crash Shatters Family: 35-Year-Old Dies in Peerbagh Accident
Srinagar, August 19: A 35-year-old man died after the Alto car he was driving collided with another vehicle in the Peerbagh area of Srinagar on Wednesday evening, officials said. According to an official, the Alto car collided with another vehicle, leaving its driver critically injured. The injured man was shifted to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead, the official said. The deceased was identified as Ziya Ahmad Malik (35), son of Abdul Gafer Malik, a resident of Rawalpora, Srinagar. Meanwhile, police have initiated an investigation into the incident to ascertain the circumstances leading to the collision.
DGP holds operational review of TOBs in Pir Panjal
Srinagar, Aug 19: Director General of Police (DGP) Jammu & Kashmir Nalin Prabhat conducted an operational review of Temporary Operating Bases (TOBs) established on the northern face of the Pir Panjal range, officials said. The DGP was accompanied by Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, VK Birdi, Rajiv Pandey, Hariprasad KK, SSP Budgam, and other [] The post DGP holds operational review of TOBs in Pir Panjal appeared first on Northlines .
Railways raises Katra-Banihal speed limit to 100 kmph
Jammu, August 18: The Railway Ministry has approved an increase in the maximum permissible speed of trains to 100 kmph on the 111-km Broad Gauge rail section between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal under the Jammu Division of Northern Railway. Earlier, the permissible speed was 85 kmph on the Katra-Sangaldan section and 75 kmph on the Sangaldan-Banihal section. The speed enhancement has been approved after the Railways ensured compliance with all prescribed safety conditions on the section. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu, Uchit Singhal said the increase in speed would reduce travel time and strengthen connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir. The increase in speed will not only reduce travel time, but will also strengthen the connectivity of Jammu-Kashmir. Passengers will get faster, safer and more comfortable travel facilities, he said. Singhal said the move would also give a boost to tourism, trade and other economic activities in the region, adding that the Railways remained committed to the safety and convenience of passengers. With the revised speed limit, train journeys between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal are expected to become faster and more convenient for passengers.
PDP delegation visits Batamaloo families of Jalandhar accident victims
Srinagar: A delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday day visited Batamaloo to offer condolences to the families of Ikhlas Qadir and Aneek Amin, who died in a road accident in Jalandhar, Punjab. In a statement, the party said the delegation was led by PDP General Secretary Mohammad Khursheed Alam and included former MLA Noor Mohammad Sheikh, former State Secretary Arif Laigroo and District Coordinator Dr Ali Mohammad. The leaders expressed grief over the deaths of the two young men and conveyed their sympathies to the bereaved families. They prayed for strength and courage for the families to bear the loss. The delegation was accompanied by Mohammad Shafi Kundangar, Khalid Mir, Mohammad Ashraf, Suhail Ahmed and other party workers. The PDP leaders also prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.
Kashmirs traffic jams have long ceased to be a mere inconvenience. They are now a daily reminder of how quickly urban growth can outpace planning, discipline and infrastructure. From Srinagars choke points to the crowded arteries linking residential, commercial and institutional areas, the Valleys roads are carrying far more pressure than they were ever designed to handle. The result is predictable: lost time, wasted fuel, rising frustration and a civic problem that affects everyone, from schoolchildren and office-goers to patients and emergency responders. The knee-jerk response to traffic congestion is usually to demand wider roads, more flyovers or additional parking spaces. While infrastructure upgrades are necessary, they are not a complete solution. Kashmir cannot pave its way out of congestion alone. In a Valley where road space is limited and expansion is constrained by geography, the real answer lies in better traffic management, stronger public transport, and more disciplined use of existing roads. A major reason for the worsening jams is the sheer volume of private vehicles on the road. As car and two-wheeler ownership has increased, public transport has not expanded in a way that can absorb the pressure. When people are forced to rely on private vehicles for even short trips, the roads become clogged far beyond capacity. This is where a dependable, affordable and comfortable public transport system becomes not just useful, but essential. Equally important is the need for order. Illegal parking, roadside encroachments, unregulated loading and unloading, and indiscipline at busy junctions all add to the chaos. Even a well-designed road can turn into a bottleneck if lanes are blocked and traffic rules are treated as optional. Enforcement must therefore be consistent, not occasional. The message has to be clear: traffic discipline is not an inconvenience imposed by authorities; it is the minimum requirement for a functioning city. There is also a planning failure that cannot be ignored. New commercial establishments, schools and institutions have often come up without adequate parking or traffic impact assessments. This has shifted the burden onto roads that were already under strain. Urban planning must stop reacting after congestion appears and start anticipating where pressure will emerge next. Technology can help, but only if used properly. Smart signalling, synchronised lights, real-time traffic monitoring and better deployment of personnel can make a visible difference. So can pedestrian-friendly zones in selected areas, staggered office timings, and stricter checks on encroachments. But no reform will work unless commuters also change behaviour. Honking, lane-cutting, stopping anywhere and treating roads as personal territory only deepen the mess. Kashmir needs a traffic strategy that is long-term, practical and enforced with consistency. Roads must be managed as shared civic spaces, not battlegrounds. If authorities, planners and citizens all do their part, the Valley can begin to reclaim not just smoother roads, but a calmer urban life.
Human-Wildlife Crisis Demands Urgent, Shared Response
Kashmirs latest figures on human-wildlife conflict are more than a routine departmental update. They are a warning that the Valley is entering a phase where the struggle for space between people and wild animals is becoming increasingly deadly, frequent and socially disruptive. Around 1,700 distress calls this year, more than 14,000 over the past six to seven years, 70 deaths and nearly 700 injuries in that period, and 24 active control rooms across Kashmir together paint a picture of a crisis that can no longer be treated as a seasonal nuisance or a narrow wildlife-management issue. The Wildlife Department deserves credit for responding promptly to distress calls and for maintaining dedicated teams. The claim that all complaints were attended to is reassuring, at least in administrative terms. But the real question is not only how quickly teams respond after an incident; it is why the incidents are multiplying in the first place. A system that is forced to react to hundreds of emergencies every year is already under strain. Control rooms may help in coordination, but they are not a substitute for long-term conflict prevention. Devas comments point to the core of the problem: shrinking and disturbed habitats, changing habitation patterns, and human encroachment into forest areas. Kashmirs expanding human footprint has steadily pushed settlements, orchards and activity corridors closer to animal movement routes. Once that balance is broken, conflict is inevitable. Wild animals are not invading human spaces out of malice; they are searching for food, prey and safer movement paths in landscapes that humans have increasingly fragmented. There is also a growing agricultural dimension to the crisis. The conversion of paddy fields into fruit orchards has altered land use in ways that may have economic logic for farmers but ecological consequences for nearby communities. Fruit-bearing areas can attract animals closer to residential pockets, raising the risk of damage and encounters. This is a reminder that land-use decisions cannot be viewed in isolation from wildlife behaviour. Yet public behaviour matters too. The departments advice to avoid unnecessary movement during early morning and evening hours, travel in groups and keep children indoors in vulnerable areas is practical and necessary. But precautionary appeals will only go so far unless they are backed by sustained community outreach, better local reporting systems, stronger habitat buffers and a more visible presence in conflict-prone areas. The bigger lesson is that human-wildlife conflict in Kashmir is not merely about safety; it is about governance. It tests whether the administration can protect lives while also protecting biodiversity. The answer cannot lie in emergency response alone. It must include habitat restoration, scientific mapping of conflict zones, regulated land use, community education and stricter protection of wildlife corridors. Kashmir wants fewer deaths, fewer injuries and fewer distress calls, it must stop treating this as an episodic problem. The Valley needs a coordinated policy response that brings together the Wildlife Department, local communities, planners, forest experts and district administrations. Otherwise, the statistics will keep rising, and each number will represent another preventable tragedy.
Buildings That Think: When Buildings Begin to Sense, Learn and Respond
A building in Kashmir faces changing conditions. It has to deal with cold winters, snowfall, rain, summer heat and different demands for heating and electricity. Buildings are usually treated as structures. Today, sensors and digital systems can provide information about what is happening inside. Artificial Intelligence can analyse this information and support better decisions. The idea is not to make buildings think like humans. It is to provide information about their condition. ETH Zurich researchers are working on self-aware infrastructure, bringing together sensors, digital models, Artificial Intelligence and maintenance systems. The aim is to understand structures while they are being used, rather than waiting for problems. In Kashmir, where buildings face different weather conditions in different seasons, such information could prove useful. Leading universities are exploring this field. MIT, Stanford, Cambridge, UCL, TU Delft and ETH Zurich are studying sensing, Artificial Intelligence, digital twins, smart buildings and infrastructure monitoring. Their work shows that buildings are becoming sources of information. These developments offer ideas that could eventually be adapted to Kashmirs climate, buildings and practical needs. India is also developing research in this area. IIT Bombay is working on digital construction, smart infrastructure, digital twins and monitoring. IIT Madras is researching Artificial Intelligence, which helps computers analyse information and assist with digital construction. IIT Kharagpur is working on energy, buildings, indoor air quality and thermal comfort. These areas have relevance to Kashmir, where heating and indoor comfort change with the seasons. One important tool is the digital twin. It is a digital representation of a real building or structure. Sensors can provide information about temperature, energy use and equipment. Engineers can use it to understand performance and examine possible changes. Simply put, it creates a digital record of how a structure behaves over time. In Kashmir, this could help build a clearer picture of building performance. This approach could begin on a small scale. A building could be fitted with sensors that record temperature, energy use and system performance. The information could show seasonal changes, wasted energy or equipment needing attention. Such monitoring could help identify areas for improvement. The first step towards intelligent infrastructure is not advanced technology. It is understanding how a building performs. Kashmir already has a wide stock of existing buildings. Intelligent infrastructure does not always mean new construction. ETH Zurich researchers have examined how cities can make better use of existing spaces. One study explored how Zurich could accommodate around 100,000 additional residents by 2040 through planned development. The lesson is simple: existing spaces can sometimes be used more effectively. In Kashmir, a building could be given a health check. Its energy use, heating system, insulation and physical condition can be monitored. Regular observation can help identify changes and problems earlier. Sometimes, the smartest building is not the newest one. It is a building that is better understood, maintained and used. Better buildings can come from better design and careful use of materials. ETH Zurich and Holcim developed a new floor system that uses up to 50 per cent less material than traditional structures. The system has an embodied carbon footprint up to 80 per cent lower than traditional structures in the reported comparison. The cement used in the system contains 20 per cent recycled construction and demolition waste. The lesson is clear: thoughtful design can reduce material use and waste. Artificial Intelligence is being explored for building design. TU Delft researchers used Artificial Intelligence to study 9,000 design samples from a high-rise project. Three buildings for 1,800 residents reached a modelled electricity self-sufficiency level of 43.7 per cent. This was a specific study, not a general prediction. The work shows how computers can help examine design options before construction. A building depends on electricity, water, roads, communication and other services. These systems are connected, so a problem in one can affect another. ETH Zurichs Future Resilient Systems programme ran from 2014 to 2025 and produced more than 160 scientific papers examining such connections. In Kashmir, infrastructure also depends on services working together. Artificial Intelligence should remain a tool, not the final decision-maker. It can process information and identify unusual patterns. Digital twins can show how a structure may respond under different conditions. But technology does not automatically understand Kashmirs requirements. Engineers and planners still decide what information matters and what action should follow. Digital tools should strengthen human judgement. Better maintenance is another benefit. Small changes in temperature, energy use or equipment behaviour can be recorded. Digital systems can compare measurements with earlier ones, while Artificial Intelligence can help identify unusual patterns and possible problems earlier. In Kashmir, this could be useful where seasonal conditions place different demands on heating and energy systems. Intelligent infrastructure should not become a race to install the newest technology. A sensor is valuable when it answers a real need. Artificial Intelligence is useful when it makes complex information easier to understand. A digital twin matters when it improves planning or maintenance. In Kashmir, technology should be used when it addresses a real need. The important question is not how much technology can be added, but what it is meant to improve. The buildings of the future in Kashmir may not look futuristic. Their walls and windows may appear familiar. Inside, sensors may record their condition, digital systems may retain information, and Artificial Intelligence may identify patterns. Engineers may use these insights to improve energy use and maintenance. The building would not be alive, but it could have a record of its performance through Kashmirs changing seasons. That is what Buildings That Think can mean. Not buildings with human minds, but buildings that can sense their surroundings, provide information, learn from data and respond to changing needs. In Kashmir, this future can begin with one building that is measured and understood. The idea can grow to wider infrastructure. The future may begin with one sensor and one question: How can buildings in Kashmir work better? (The author is a Columnist. Feedback: bakshisuhaib094@gmail.com )
Natural Farming-Moving Ahead for Sustainable Agriculture and Atmanirbharta
India has made rapid strides in the agriculture sector over the past decade. As per the Economic Survey- 25-26, the growth rate in the past 5 years has been over 4%. There has been bumper production of food grains, horticulture and oilseeds, which is an outcome of adoption of technologies by farmers, supported by concerted government policies such as expansion in irrigated area, better water use efficiency, along with timely and adequate availability of fertilisers. The share of horticulture crops is also rising substantially and witnessing an even higher growth. However, there are rising concerns related to excessive use of chemical fertilisers resulting in declining soil health and plateauing of productivity of major crops. As per the agriculture scientists, the gradual decline in Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) has resulted in a vicious cycle of farmers progressively increasing the dosages of chemical fertilisers with minimal incremental rise in productivity. The Soil Health and Fertility scheme of the Government has enabled distribution of 26 crore Soil Health Cards. The pan-India analysis of the data so generated reveals a highly concerning trend of very low Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) along with deficiencies in other important micro-nutrients. The SOC, which should be more than 1 % in a healthy soil, is hovering around 0.5 % on average, and in some regions declining to critically low levels of 0.3 %. Low SOC reduces the porosity of soil, which has a dual adverse impact of lowering water seepage and water retention capacity. As a result, rains and irrigation water flow away, draining the topsoil, and neither penetrates through to raise the groundwater level nor is readily available for plant development. The other adverse impact of low SOC is to reduce the nutrient uptake capability of plants grown on such soils. More and more fertilisers are required to reach the same levels of productivity. The enhanced dosages of chemical fertiliser further reduce the fertiliser use efficiency, harming soil health while the nation uses its precious foreign exchange to import chemical fertilisers or their raw inputs for domestic production. Excessive chemical fertilisers and unbalanced use of pesticides have also reduced the friendly microbes and insects, which play a role in improving soil porosity and transferring nutrients from deep soil to topsoil, to be absorbed by plants. The other even more worrying impact is that on the quality and safety of produce. The chances of excessive chemical fertilisers and pesticides entering into the food and fodder chain and finally for human consumption, creating a health hazard, also increase. There have been instances reported of fruits, vegetables, foodgrains and other commercial crops breaching the Minimum Residual Levels of pesticides, leading to rejections of exports and consequent impact on Brand India in the global market. While these concerns have been voiced for some time, the Government launched the National Mission for Natural Farming in the year 2024 with overarching objectives of promoting livestock or cow-based chemical-free farming for a more sustainable cultivation that will improve soil health, in particular SOC, increase the nutrient uptake efficiency and reduce the nations dependence on chemical fertiliser and pesticides. Natural farming, commonly termed as prakritik kheti or Zero Budget Farming by many of its proponents, is based on a technology that has been tried, tested and validated by farmers for many years with very encouraging results. Its based on a holistic technological solution utilising materials that are locally available, including cow dung and cow urine of local breed cows, at virtually zero cost to the farmer. While the Beejamrit formulation, used for seed treatment, helps in better germination and hardy plants, cultures of Jeevhamrit, ghan-jeevhamrit and sapthayankur drastically enhance friendly microbe culture and productivity of soil. Plant health is protected by applying saunthastra and khatti lassi for preventing bacterial and fungal infections, while formulations of neemastra, brahmastra, agniastra and dashpani ark are applied for control of insects and pests of various kinds. The careful preparation and application of appropriate doses of each of the above cultures have demonstrated intended results of better soil health, without compromising productivity and improved quality of produce. The mission has been progressing with the collaboration of States/ UT Administrations with targeted coverage of more than 7.5 lakh hectare, covering more than 18 lakh farmers in clusters of a minimum of 50 hectares. A trained team of scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, assisted by Farmer Trainers and Krishi Sakhis as resource persons are acting as foot soldiers, sensitising, training and encouraging the farmers for adoption. While on-farm development of the cultures is encouraged for farmers owning local breeds of cows, a large number of bio-input resource centres have been set up, primarily at local dairies or cattle shelter homes to produce and provide these cultures to farmers at nominal cost. The mission is being implemented through a science-driven strategy so that farmers adopt these practices without any misgivings or hesitation. The Indian Council of Agriculture (ICAR) has developed region- and crop-specific potential maps indicating where natural farming will be effective. Concerted efforts are underway at ICAR Institutes and Agricultural Universities to scientifically validate the efficacy of this indigenous technology for large-scale adoption. Multiple trials taken under the supervision of ICAR institutions have yielded very positive outcomes on many crops, and the same are now being disseminated through the Mission. Marketing of natural products is another critical strategy that will enhance the incomes of farmers and encourage them to continue with these practices. The National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF) has developed protocols for certification for natural farming. Already, a large number of farmers have obtained Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification that will enable them to sell their certified niche product at premium prices. While pure natural farming with certification, marketing and branding linkages is being promoted through the ongoing mission, the strategy of promoting a hybrid model wherein adoption of natural farming practices with reduced dosage of chemical fertilisers can also result in sustained productivity, contributing to improved soil health. This model may also have broad acceptance. Practitioners have affirmatively stated that adoption of natural farming practices in a hybrid model leads to a progressively reduced dependence on chemical fertilisers. So much so that after some time, farmers can completely do away with chemicals in farming, maintaining the same productivity and income levels, in several crops. To face the challenges emanating out of the current ongoing Middle East crisis, our honble Prime Minister has issued a seven-point appeal to the citizens of the country, which includes judicious use of chemical fertilisers and adoption of natural farming. While the adoption of natural farming is encouraging sustainability of agriculture, it is also facilitating enhancement of the economic value of livestock, which are generally abandoned once they cross the milking age. The spin-off impact is that of safe food for domestic consumption and export, while reducing the precious foreign exchange of the nation. (The Author is a former Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Courtesy: PIB)
Soil, Sky, and Impermanence: Ladakh biennale transforms Lamayuru rooftops
Ladakh: A 1,008-square-foot contemporary art installation made entirely with natural soil has transformed the rooftops of a house in Lamayuru into an evolving canvas, as part of the contemporary art activities surrounding the Ladakh Biennale 2026. Titled Rising from the Soil, Soaring to the Sky, the installation has been created by Nepalese visual artist Amrit Karki with support from the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art. The artwork recreates motifs inspired by traditional Himalayan carpets, translating familiar patterns from woven textiles into designs formed directly from soil. The installation brings together elements of Himalayan cultural traditions, contemporary art and Ladakhs distinctive natural environment. The work is intentionally temporary. Foot traffic from visitors, along with wind and rain, gradually disturbs and erodes the soil patterns. As the motifs disappear, the material slowly returns to the earth. The changing form of the installation is central to the artwork, drawing attention to themes of impermanence, memory and the vulnerability of landscapes. Located on the rooftops of a house in Lamayuru, the installation places contemporary artistic practice within the everyday architectural and environmental setting of the Himalayan region. Rather than separating the artwork from its surroundings, the project allows the landscape and weather to become part of its natural transformation. The use of Himalayan carpet motifs also connects the contemporary installation with a long tradition of textile art across Himalayan communities. By recreating those motifs in soil, Karki presents a familiar visual language in a form that is deliberately fragile and short-lived. The project highlights a growing engagement with site-specific and environmentally responsive contemporary art in Ladakh, while bringing together artistic traditions from across the Himalayan region.
Border Defines India: But who defines border citizen?
As the 80 th anniversary of Independence Day dawns, the country will simply go into an overdrive with customary grandeur. The Tricolour will flutter atop important buildings; schoolchildren will sing patriotic songs, and speeches will extol the sacrifices that won us freedom from our colonial masters. A nation- state is defined by two of its very distinct facetsits people who populate its entire length and breadth and off course the national boundaries/borders. Both of these entities find ample space and discourse in its constitution and are complementary to each other. Not one of them individually can define the concept of a nation-state on its own steam. No wonder eighty years back, when Cyril Radcliffe the British lawyer cum boundary commission chairman set out his task of defining the national boundaries of India and Pakistan in a mere forty five days span , even he wouldnt have realized the importance of carving out such a cartographic lineation. Since this lineation was followed by one of the biggest human displacements with bloody repercussions in modern times across the Radcliffe line, hence the uniqueness of this partition.The borders of a country are not merely cartographic labyrinthine but a place where the republic is tested every single day. It is where the idea of India ceases to be an abstraction and becomes a lived reality. Ironically, while the border defines Indias geography, the border citizen often remains invisible in Indias policymaking. For close to seventy nine years, India has viewed its national borders primarily through the prism of military strategy, investing in troops, weapons, surveillance and other infra to protect its territorial integrity. These investments are indispensible no doubt, but they also reveal a deeper flaw in our national thinking right from 1947. We have treated borders as military spaces to be defended rather than living spaces to be nurtured. This distinction matters, and hence my endeavour to pen down this write up on Indias 80 th Independence day to put under the scanner such a distinction which may not portend well for our country if left untreated. A nation-state is not merely secured by its armed forces guarding its borders. It is secured when citizens choose to live there with dignity, confidence and hope. Every inhabited village on the border is a declaration of national sovereignty. Every family that refuses to abandon its ancestral home despite enemy shelling, infiltration or isolation is performing an act of national service that rarely finds mention from the ramparts of Red fort of India. Nowhere is this reality more visible than in Jammu & Kashmir. Border residents have lived through wars since 1947, terrorist violence, repeated ceasefire violations and prolonged uncertainty. Children have grown up distinguishing mortar fire from festival fireworks, farmers have cultivated fields under the shadow of sniper fire and many more such vagaries as thrown up by our inimical western neighbour at us. These are not isolated tragedies. But represent a way of life that few Indians living hundreds of Kilometers away can fully comprehend. Out of a stated fifteen thousand kilometers of total land boundary of India touching seven neighbouring nations, how much of border is actually under fire of ours? I may dare say only that which abuts our western neighbour in the UT of J&K and now under an uneasy calm punctuated by repeated ceasefire violations. Isnt it suitable time on the anvil of 80 th Independence Day of India, that these hapless people are not left to the mercy of geo-political machinations of this sub-continent which are played with utter disregard to their wellbeing? Be that as it may, yet public policy frequently views border districts through the lens of relief rather than resilience. Compensation is announced after damage, roads are sanctioned after strategic necessity arises. Same is the case with a plethora of welfare schemes involving schools, hospitals and employment opportunities. In the after math of mayhem unleashed by Pakistan last year during Op Sindoor on our border villages abutting both the IB and the LC, stories of continued neglect, administrative cum bureaucratic apathy emanate from media circles regarding laggardly pace of redevelopment of damaged infra. Leave alone relief, resilience is a far cry for us to come on top of the things as they stand today. The contrast with China is instructive. Both India & China threw out the yolk of slavery in the late 1940s. With a gap of only two years in between i.e. 1947 and 1949 respectively, China has pursued an integrated border strategy in which civilian settlements, economic development and military preparedness reinforce each other thereby surpassing India both in thought and action. Many of the readers of my article may argue that being a totalitarian cum communist nation, for China the concept of a nation-state supersedes its denizens. This is pass, simple and straight. For the sake of argument even if I do take this concept as viable, then may I ask why India has woken up lately to emulate the same concept in the format of VVP (Vibrant village programme now? The villages of China all along the LAC in our context present themselves the Chinese instrument of national security, signaling that the writ of mandarins of power in Beijing runs not only in their national capital but right till the last village of theirs. Though India as stated above has lately started in the right earnest to rectify decades of its inertia in such matters, by kicking starting programmes like the VVP it is too late and too less. The intent though commendable, the scheme doesnt inspire that much confidence. As late as a few weeks back, the PM in one of his discourses with the youth of India under the aegis of DIYLD (Developed India Young Leaders Dialogue) presented an idea before them of visiting border villages, staying, and connecting with them instead of using the virtual media to do so. This suggestion by our honourable PM throws an interesting question insteadIs merely encouraging the youth of India to visit these border villages enough? Can these cosmetics change the dismal situation as found present in these frontier areas? I shall not dwell much upon this topic, since it is being tackled by me in a separate article from Rising Kashmir paper. Border citizens per se ought to be placed head and shoulders above the rest of the populace of our country. Their defining attributes being derived from their very stay in the border areas and acting as the sentinels of a democratic dispensation in a region surrounded by theocratic countries. As India enters its eightieth year of independence, perhaps the time is ripe enough to redefine the citizenry of our border areas who, away from the din of the mainstream living of India, are silently carving out an existence for themselves based on true values of nationalism. The strength of a nation cannot be measured in terms of its military or economic might. But from the confidence of its citizens living at its farthest edge. If the border defines Indias territorial identity, then the border citizens define its moral identity. How India treats those who stand at its frontiers reveals what kind of republic it truly is. (The author is a retired army officer and a regular scribe of Rising Kashmir. He can be approached at his email: slalotra4729@gmail.com)
Pakistan summons US envoy over Sergio Gor's 'J-K important part of India' remark in Srinagar
Pakistan on Wednesday (August 19) summoned US Charg dAffaires Natalie Baker and lodged a 'strong demarche' after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as an 'important part of India' during his visit to Srinagar.
J&K: US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor enjoys a Shikara Ride at Dal Lake in Srinagar
J&K: US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor enjoys a Shikara Ride at Dal Lake in Srinagar
US to reconsider travel advisory for J&K: US Ambassador Sergio Gor
The United States will reconsider the advisories on travel to Jammu and Kashmir as the central government and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have taken steps to make it a safer place, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Wednesday. Jammu and Kashmir is an important part of India and an incredibly beautiful place, the US envoy said at a joint media briefing with Abdullah. Gor reached Srinagar earlier in the day on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The United States puts out travel warnings and every so often, we re-evaluate those travel warnings. I cannot make any big announcements here today, but it is something we are going to look at. New Delhi, the chief minister here, the government here, we believe have made some incredible steps to keeping this area safer and making it more safe, Gor said at a joint media briefing with Abdullah. So, we will be looking at if the travel warning that is imposed and recommended by the United States is something that should
MSMEs Must Embrace Technology, Green Growth to Stay Globally Competitive: LG Sinha
SRINAGAR :Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday called for greater focus on technology, green growth, formalisation and export competitiveness to strengthen the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing the second edition of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) MSME Conclave 2026 in Jammu, Sinha said MSMEs were central to []
India-Bangladesh: From liberation war to Sheikh Hasina test
Dhaka wants conducive environment fro PM visit By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers The relationship between India and Bangladesh has arrived at its most delicate moment in decades. A friendship forged in the blood and sacrifice of the 1971 Liberation War is now being tested by the fate of one woman: Sheikh Hasina, the daughter [] The post India-Bangladesh: From liberation war to Sheikh Hasina test appeared first on Northlines .
America may finally be learning to vote like India
Trump pressing Congress to pass enabling law By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers US President Donald Trumps embrace of Indias voter-ID system opens a larger debate: can the worlds oldest democracy borrow election-management lessons from the worlds largest? For decades, Americans have lectured the rest of the world about the sanctity of elections. Now, [] The post America may finally be learning to vote like India appeared first on Northlines .
India pushes coal gasification to reduce import risks
Ripple effects of Gulf tensions spread fast, create crisis By R. Suryamurthy Energy security often becomes a national priority only when a crisis erupts. The current conflict spreading across West Asia has once again reminded India how fragile global energy supply chains can be and how deeply its own economy remains tied [] The post India pushes coal gasification to reduce import risks appeared first on Northlines .
Jammu Kashmir Govt Promotes Assistant Section Officers as In-Charge Section Officers
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has placed two Assistant Section Officers of the JK Secretariat (Subordinate) Service as In-charge Section Officers on an officiating basis for a period of six months or until the posts are filled on a regular basis, whichever is earlier. The decision was issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) []
Man Killed, Pillion Rider Injured After Motorcycle Collide With Vehicle in North Kashmir
SRINAGAR: A 30-year-old man was killed while his pillion rider was injured after the motorcycle they were travelling on was hit by an unknown vehicle at Main Market Hajin in north Kashmirs Bandipora district on Wednesday, officials said. Quoting an official, the news agency KNO reported that the duo were travelling on a motorcycle when []
Jammu Kashmir Govt Promotes 29 Senior Scale Stenographers as Private Secretaries
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has accorded sanction to the regular promotion of 29 Senior Scale Stenographers of the Head of Departments cadre as Private Secretaries in the Jammu and Kashmir Private Secretary to Head of Departments (Gazetted) Service. The promotions have been ordered under Government Order No. 1420-JK(GAD) of 2026, dated August 19, []
Pakistan summoned the top US diplomat after remarks by the US envoy to India. Sergio Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India during his visit. He made these comments while meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar. The US envoy's visit marked his first trip to the region since taking office. Pakistan lodged a formal protest with the United States regarding the envoy's statement.
Jammu Kashmir Govt Forms Panel to Examine Career Progression of PM Package Employees
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a committee to examine issues affecting the career progression of employees appointed under the Prime Ministers Package for Kashmiri Migrants and employees of the JK Relief Organisation (DMRRR). The committee has been constituted under Government Order No. 1419-JK(GAD) of 2026, dated August 19, and has been given []
Train Speed Limit Raised to 100 Kmph on Katra-Banihal Rail Section
SRINAGAR: The Railway Ministry has approved an increase in the maximum permissible speed of trains to 100 kmph on the 111-kilometre Katra-Banihal broad gauge rail section under the Jammu Railway Division of Northern Railway. The revised limit replaces the earlier permissible speeds of 85 kmph between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Sangaldan and 75 []
Pakistan summons US envoy over Sergio Gor's 'J&K important part of India' remark
Pakistan summons US envoy over Sergio Gors JK important part of India remark
Wedding Joy Turns to Grief as Groom
Hajin: Wedding celebrations in Sadunara, Hajin, turned into mourning on Wednesday after a 28-year-old manthe grooms cousindied in a road accident, leaving the family devastated on what was meant to be a joyous day. The victim, identified as Mohammad Yawar Mir, had stepped out to buy a new pair of slippers for his father when []
Jammu Kashmir: Govt Orders Transfer and Posting of Engineers in Power Development Department
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the transfer and posting of three engineers, all holding the charge of Executive Engineer, in the Power Development Department with immediate effect. According to Government Order No. 179-JK(PDD) of 2026, Er. Sunil Gupta has been posted to STD-I, Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL), Jammu, after being []
Gor met CM Omar Abdullah and said they discussed deepening economic collaboration and creating mutually beneficial opportunities. The visit marks the first by a US envoy to J&K since the abrogation of Article 370
Pulwama Roars Again as Royal Premier League Opens
SRINAGAR: Pulwama came alive on Tuesday evening as the second edition of the Royal Premier League cricket tournament opened under floodlights, drawing thousands of spectators to the Sports Stadium and turning the conflict-affected district into a venue of sport and celebration. MLA Pulwama Waheed Para claimed more than 20,000 people attended the inaugural match of []
Srinagar: US envoy Sergio Gor says J&K important part of India
After meeting CM Omar Abdullah, Gor said, It's a pleasure to be here. US will reconsider its advisories on travel to Jammu and Kashmir. This is an important part of India. The US envoy said he was visiting the region for the first time and described it as an incredibly beautiful place
Div Com Kashmir Reviews Eid Milad-un-Nabi Preparations
Srinagar, August 19: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Wednesday reviewed preparations for Eid Milad-un-Nabi and the following Friday, directing Deputy Commissioners and concerned departments to ensure adequate arrangements and uninterrupted availability of essential commodities and services across the Kashmir Division. Garg chaired a high-level meeting attended by Deputy Commissioners, Commissioner SMC, SSPs, VC LCMA and senior officers from KPDCL, PHE, FCS&CA, PWD, Food Safety, Legal Metrology, LCMA, Wakf Board, Health, Police and Traffic departments, besides religious representatives. The meeting reviewed arrangements at major religious sites, including Hazratbal Shrine, Jenab Sahib Soura, Assar-i-Sharief Kalashpora, Aham-i-Sharief Bandipora, Kabamarg Anantnag and Pethmakhama Budgam, which are expected to witness large gatherings and night prayers. Special focus was placed on Hazratbal Shrine, where more than one lakh devotees are expected to participate in congregational and night prayers. The Divisional Commissioner directed all concerned agencies to ensure that essential facilities remain fully functional throughout the occasion. The Chief Engineer, KPDCL, was directed to ensure uninterrupted power supply at Hazratbal, along with reliable backup through DG sets. PHE authorities were asked to establish adequate drinking-water points and keep water tankers ready for emergencies. For the convenience of devotees, SSCL, SRTC and ARTO were directed to deploy sufficient buses and e-autos, including late-night services. Traffic Police Srinagar was asked to prepare a comprehensive route plan for visitors arriving from different districts to ensure smooth traffic movement and prevent congestion. Garg also directed Wakf authorities to make advance arrangements for tents and adequate shelter at designated religious locations. The Commissioner SMC was instructed to undertake an extensive cleanliness and sanitation drive around Hazratbal Shrine and adjoining areas. To ensure food safety and protect consumers, joint market-inspection teams were directed to monitor food quality, hygiene and prices around markets and religious sites. Strict action was ordered against traders violating prescribed standards or resorting to overcharging. The Health Department was asked to establish medical camps and deploy personnel as per duty rosters, while Fire & Emergency Services were directed to position fire tenders at vulnerable and strategically important locations for prompt response to any emergency. Religious representatives expressed satisfaction with the arrangements being undertaken for the occasion. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioners briefed the Divisional Commissioner on preparations and facilities being put in place in their respective districts. Garg reiterated that all departments must work in close coordination to ensure safe, smooth and hassle-free observance of Eid Milad-un-Nabi and the following Friday across the Kashmir Division.
Father Dies While Saving Son from Drowning in South Kashmir
Qazigund, Aug 19: A man drowned while attempting to rescue his five-year-old son after the child accidentally fell into Nallah Sandran at Nussu Badragund area of Qazigund in south Kashmirs Anantnag district on Wednesday. According to officials, the father-son duo had gone to the area to attend a marriage ceremony when the child, identified as Imad Zahoor, accidentally fell into the water channel. The child was rescued and shifted to Emergency Hospital Qazigund, where he is undergoing treatment. Officials said his condition is stable and he remains under observation. The father, identified as Zahoor Ahmad Ganie, a resident of Nigenpora, drowned while trying to save his son. Police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated proceedings.
New Delhi [India], August 19 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday reiterated the need to institutionalise the National Testing Agency (NTA), with secure infrastructure, dedicated testing centres, cyber-security systems, institutional expertise and a permanent mechanism for examination-related operations to prevent future paper leaks. A vibrant system and institutionalisation is what needs to be done, a bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe said while hearing pleas concerning the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The Court directed the Union Secretary for the Ministry of Education to file an affidavit setting out the steps being taken to implement the Radhakrishnan Committee's recommendations, as nuanced by the Nandan Nilekani Committee. The Court said its objective was to ensure that the country has a robust examination institution capable of retaining expertise and adapting to technological changes. Our duty is to ensure that there is a vibrant institution that the country can be proud of. If you don't institutionalise, experienced people get transferred, and the entire experience is lost. There are a lot of technological changes that have to be brought about, it said. The matter will be listed on a date after three weeks. During the hearing, the Court emphasised that its concern was not merely the safeguards currently in place for the preparation, printing, transportation and distribution of question papers, but it is the institutionalisation of the NTA, including its infrastructure, manpower, technology and institutional memory. Our concern is how you institutionalise the conduct of the examination. Secure office premises, confidential operational infrastructure, cyber security. They have suggested 10 verticals to be created. Testing centres, central network operators, etc. Each of these the committee said that you need to create this infrastructure, Justice Narasimha said. The K Radhakrishnan Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of former ISRO chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan after the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy. It submitted its report to the Ministry of Education in October 2024, making 101 recommendations to overhaul the NTA and strengthen the security and integrity of public examinations. The recommendations include measures concerning the examination infrastructure, security of question papers, technology, manpower and institutional mechanisms within the NTA. Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and NTA, explained the safeguards currently in place for the preparation, printing, transportation and distribution of question papers. He said the question paper is prepared through multiple layers of moderation. For a Physics paper comprising 100 questions, several moderators first prepare a question bank of around 500 questions. Different moderators then select questions and prepare four question papers, out of which two are finally selected by the Director General of NTA. Mehta said the identity of the final question paper remains unknown until it is sent in sealed boxes to identified printing presses, which are monitored through CCTV and CISF surveillance. He said the printing process is video-recorded and outsiders are not allowed inside once the sealed box is opened. Mehta also explained that question papers are packed in iron boxes with non-openable locks and transported in GPS-tracked vehicles. Two sets of papers are kept in separate boxes in bank strong rooms, generally at SBI or Canara Bank branches. On the morning of the examination, the DG, NTA informs the city coordinator about which set is to be used. The papers are then taken in a motorcade involving district officials, with the movement videographed, before being distributed to class coordinators, Mehta submitted. The Court said that these safeguards were already within the scope of the Radhakrishnan Committee's recommendations, which has rightly suggested institutionalisation of NTA. It thus inquired about what is being done in that regard. What you have told us is something which is already in the purview of the Radhakrishnan Committee. It has correctly said it is a systemic problem which needs institutionalisation. That's why these are matters which need to be institutionalised. What is the body, how many officers, how much staff, what is the security, etc.? the court asked. The Court specifically sought details on the implementation of recommendations relating to a permanent committee for sealing question papers, the appointment of senior officers and the creation of institutional expertise. The method by which you do sealing of the papers has to be undertaken by a permanent committee. How many DGs, etc. have been appointed? This is what we want to know by way of regular affidavits, the Court said. Stressing the need to preserve institutional memory and expertise, the Court noted that frequent transfers of officials could result in the loss of experience within the examination system. What really needs to be done is institutional memory, institutional expertise. All that we need to see is, has it been set up? You'll have to have R&D infrastructure, the Court said. The Court also asked about the creation of a sovereign database and infrastructure for storage and security. It said that a director-rank officer should be responsible for security-related issues. So far as security is concerned, you need to have a director-rank officer. Then you will realise what the pitfalls are, it explained. The Court also questioned the need to rely on artificial intelligence for translating question papers into Indian languages. Do you need AI translation for question papers? In our country we don't need to blindly rely on AI for this, it asked. Mehta said the translation process was being done by humans. The Court reiterated that institutionalising the NTA was a matter of importance and that the examination agency must be strengthened in a manner that prevents a recurrence of the problems. Mehta informed the Court that the Nandan Nilekani Committee was meeting on Wednesday and would work on reforms to improve upon the Radhakrishnan Committee's recommendations. Advocate Tanvi Dubey, appearing for FAIMA, pointed out that the Radhakrishnan Committee had recommended conducting examinations entirely in computer-based mode, but that recommendation was still under consideration. Mehta responded that moving completely to CBT mode could itself carry greater risks. We are concerned with the institutionalisation of NTA. With all infrastructure, manpower, technological requirements etc. we have b een informed that the Nandan Nilekani Committee has recommended reforms relating to AI, blockchain etc, it noted. (ANI)
US Ambassador Sergio Gor takes a Shikara ride on Dal Lake in Srinagar
Lieutenant Governor Chairs 37th Executive Council Meeting of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University
Jammu, August 19, 2026: Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha, today chaired the 37th meeting of the Executive Council of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, at SMVDU, Kakryal, Katra. The meeting was attended by Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU; Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu; Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir; [] The post Lieutenant Governor Chairs 37th Executive Council Meeting of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University appeared first on Kashmir Media Watch .
'May Review Travel Advisory For Americans Visiting J&K': US Envoy Sergio Gor
New Delhi, the chief minister here, the government here, we believe have made some incredible steps to keeping this area safer and making it more safe, Sergio Gor said.
ACB books officials, beneficiaries over illegal construction in Srinagar
Srinagar: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday said it had registered an FIR against several officials and beneficiaries over alleged illegal construction, encroachment of State land and other violations in the Rajbagh area of Srinagar. In a statement, a spokesperson said the ACB, Srinagar, had registered FIR No. 10/2026 following a Joint Surprise Check and []
Omar Abdullah to discuss Jammu and Kashmir situation with US envoy Sergio Gor
CM Abdullah told reporters here during his visit to review the developmental works in the city that the issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir have to be resolved by the Centre and not by Washington, as he ruled out raising any grievances with the US Ambassador during their scheduled meeting
ACB Registers FIR Against Officials Over Rajbagh Land Encroachment
Srinagar, August 19: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Srinagar has registered an FIR against several officials and beneficiaries in connection with alleged illegal construction and encroachment in the Rajbagh area of Srinagar. The case, registered as FIR No. 10/2026, follows a Joint Surprise Check and subsequent verification into allegations concerning the construction of a multi-storey building in the flood basin/fringe area of the River Jhelum at Rajbagh. According to the ACB, the verification revealed alleged irregularities in the grant and subsequent modification of building permissions. The investigation found that the plinth area and height of the building were allegedly increased substantially without obtaining mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the concerned departments. The verification also allegedly established encroachment over approximately 2.9 kanals of State/Kahcharai land, besides construction over drainage infrastructure and within the prohibited river-fringe area. The FIR names then Senior Town Planner, Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), Muneer Ahmad Khan, then Joint Commissioner Planning, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), R.K. Tutoo, then In-charge Assistant Town Planner, SMC, Ulfat Jan, along with other concerned officials. The beneficiaries, Gulzar Ahmad Sheikh and Parveena Akhter, have also been named in the case. The ACB has alleged abuse of official position, criminal conspiracy and facilitation of unauthorized construction and encroachment. The case has been registered under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act Svt. 2006, besides Sections 447-A, 468 and 120 RPC and other applicable provisions. The ACB said that further investigation into the matter is underway.
Iran Warns Regional Countries Against Supporting US Military
Tehran, August 19 : Iran has warned countries across West Asia against providing assistance or facilities to the United States, saying any such support could be viewed as complicity with American military operations. Ali Abdollahi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, issued the warning in a social media post on Wednesday and said Tehran was closely monitoring military movements throughout the region. Abdollahi stressed that Iran does not seek confrontation with neighbouring countries but reiterated that any regional location used to launch attacks against Iran could be considered a legitimate target. The warning comes amid heightened tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel. Iran has accused Washington and Tel Aviv of destabilising the region, while regional governments have expressed concerns about the possibility of the conflict spreading further. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei rejected a UAE claim that Iran had fired a missile towards its territory. The UAE had earlier reported detecting two ballistic missiles launched from Iran. Baghaei criticised the allegation as unfounded and said such accusations could damage efforts by regional countries to improve relations and reduce tensions. He urged neighbouring states to exercise restraint, particularly given what Tehran described as the continuing actions of the US and Israel. The UAE Ministry of Defence said one of the missiles landed outside its territorial waters, while another fell within them. According to the UAE, the missiles were believed to have been directed at maritime traffic. No casualties or material damage were reported. The UAE subsequently announced that it had suspended trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran until further notice. The country's Foreign Ministry said the move followed a rise in regional tensions that it believes threatens peace and security. Despite the escalation, the UAE reiterated its support for dialogue, cooperation and regional integration as key avenues toward restoring stability and promoting peace in West Asia.
Recruitment Rules Delay Sparks Indefinite Protest at GMC Baramulla
Baramulla , August 19 : Non-gazetted employees of Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla have started an indefinite peaceful protest over the continued delay in framing recruitment rules, which they said have been pending for nearly seven years. The employees stated that they had earlier staged a protest following which the administration assured them that the recruitment rules would be finalized within three months. However, they alleged that the assurance was not fulfilled and the process remains pending. The protesting employees said they would continue their agitation until a senior official from the administration or Health Department, including the Health Secretary, intervenes and provides a clear and time-bound assurance on the issue. They claimed that the absence of recruitment rules has hampered the appointment of fresh staff in newly established medical colleges, resulting in significant manpower shortages. According to the employees, several institutions are functioning with around 50 per cent staff shortages. The employees said the shortage has increased the workload on existing staff and is adversely affecting the delivery of healthcare services and patient care. They appealed to the concerned authorities to address the matter urgently, frame the recruitment rules and initiate the recruitment process without further delay.
Ladakh First UT To Fix 4% Govt Jobs Quota For Sportspersons
SRINAGAR : In a first-of-its-kind move among Union Territories, Ladakh has approved 4 per cent horizontal reservation for outstanding sportspersons in direct recruitment to Group C non-gazetted government posts, officials said on Wednesday. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the reservation under the new Ladakh Sports Policy, 2026, with the administration subsequently notifying the Union []
CM Omar Conducts Extensive Early-Morning Tour of Srinagar
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 19: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today undertook an extensive early-morning tour of Srinagar city, covering all eight Assembly constituencies, to take stock of ongoing development works, inspect key infrastructure projects and assess the delivery of public facilities and civic amenities on the ground. Beginning the tour at around 6:30 am, the Chief Minister visited a number of important project sites covering road and traffic infrastructure, healthcare, heritage conservation, sports facilities and other urban development works. He reviewed the physical progress of the projects with officers and executing agencies and sought timely completion of works so that their intended benefits reach the people at the earliest. At Barbar Shah in Habba Kadal, the Chief Minister inspected the site for the proposed multi-span bridge over Choont Khul, a project aimed at improving connectivity to Shehar-e-Khaasand easing traffic congestion in the area. The bridge is being executed by the PW(R&B) Department, Srinagar Core Division, at an estimated cost of 32.50 crore, Designed as per IRC codal standards and MoRTH specifications and taking into account the requirements of Seismic Zone-V. The Chief Minister was briefed that the bridge is expected to facilitate smoother movement of commuters heading towards Shehar-e-Khaas, streamline traffic flow, improve road safety and strengthen urban mobility in the historic core of the city. The Chief Minister also inspected the newly constructed building of the Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC), Maharaj Gunj. The upgraded facility, located in the historic heart of Shehar-e-Khaas, is intended to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and improve patient care through enhanced infrastructure. The project has an estimated cost of 262.54 lakh under UT CAPEX and is being executed by the Public Works Department (R&B), Kashmir. Work commenced in November 2024 and is scheduled for completion by November 20, 2026. During his inspection of the medical facility, the Chief Minister was informed that brickwork, internal plastering, door and window framework, tile work on all three floors and window fixing have been completed. Electrical works are about 85 per cent complete, while the fire-fighting system has been completed. Roofing of the adjacent building (Structure-B) has also been completed and overhead water tanks installed. At Mirza Kamil Sahib Chowk, Hawal, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the beautification, upgradation and junction improvement project, aimed at improving traffic management, pedestrian movement and the overall appearance of the important urban junction. The project, under the UT Sector, has a cost of 132.85 lakh. The proposed works include upgradation of the existing road pavement, development of pedestrian-friendly footpaths, new kerbs and drainage arrangements, road markings, traffic signage, bollards, delineators and glow studs. The project also provides for modern LED street lighting, decorative illuminated butterfly and tree sculptures, and solar traffic blinkers at pedestrian crossings to enhance pedestrian safety. At Sub District Hospital (SDH) Habak, Hazratbal, the Chief Minister inspected the ongoing construction of the new hospital building and reviewed the progress of the long-pending project. The project had remained stalled for a considerable period and was revived after the present Council of Ministers granted the required norm relaxations, paving the way for its resumption and eventual strengthening of medical services in the area. The Chief Minister inspected the ongoing upgradation of SDH Habak, Hazratbal, which has a revised project cost of 54.49 crore and envisages a two-phase facility comprising two basements, four storeys and a 50-bed hospital. He directed the concerned authorities to maintain momentum and ensure that the upgraded facility is completed within the stipulated timelines. The Chief Minister next inspected the ongoing conservation and restoration of the historic Aali Masjid at Eidgah, being undertaken by the Department of Culture. Reaffirming the immense historical, architectural and spiritual importance of the centuries-old monument, he directed the authorities to ensure meticulous conservation and timely completion of the project while maintaining the character and heritage value of the structure. The first phase of the conservation and restoration project has a cost of 487.94 lakh and is being executed by the Public Works Department (R&B), Kashmir, under the Archives head. Work commenced in July 2025 and is expected to be completed by October 2026. The scope of the project includes waterproof cement concrete works, wooden flooring, CGI sheets and painting, KhatamBand work, papier-mch, chiselling of Devri, strengthening of roofing, ashlar stone work and Devri cornices. The Chief Minister was informed that roofing, wooden flooring inside the mosque and Khatam Band work have already been completed. The Chief Minister also reviewed the major road-safety infrastructure project involving construction of flyovers at Parimpora and Shalteng Junctions on the Srinagar Bypass (NH-44). The project, being executed under Road Safety Works on EPC mode, has an approximate total length of 2,000 metres, with elevated portions of 105 metres at Parimpora and 92 metres at Shalteng. The six-lane facility has a deck width of 14 metres for the specified carriageway arrangement and provides for approaches, service roads, drainage and utility corridors. The estimated cost of the project is 85 crore with a project duration of 48 months. The Chief Minister was also briefed that strengthening of the truss has been completed. At SKIMS Medical College and Hospital, Bemina, the Chief Minister reviewed the progress of two major institutional buildingsthe 250-bedded IPD Block and the College/Laboratory Block. The 250-bedded IPD Block has an approved cost of 83.94 crore. The project has achieved 80 per cent physical progress and is targeted for completion by December 2026. The College/Laboratory Block has an approved cost of 88.23 crore, The project has achieved 66 per cent physical progress and is targeted for completion by December 2027. The Chief Minister also inspected the site of the new High Court Complex at Rakh-i-Aksha, Bemina, a comprehensive project having an approved cost of 908.20 crore. The main building, comprising two basements, ground floor and six upper floors, will house courtrooms, Judges chambers and lounge, Bar rooms, meeting rooms and podium parking. The proposed Western Block, comprising two basements, ground floor and five upper floors, will accommodate the judicial branch, Registrar chambers, library, lawyers chambers, cafeteria, medical branch, archives and podium parking. The Eastern Block, also comprising two basements, ground floor and five upper floors, will house the administration branch, Registrar chambers, meditation chamber, lawyers chambers, cafeteria, archives and podium parking. These two blocks are yet to be tendered. The project also envisages, in Phase-II, a police constabulary, judicial block, guest house, auditorium and residential quarters. The overall complex is planned to provide 1,600 car-parking spaces, including 265 spaces in Podium-1 and 115 spaces in Podium-2 of the main building. The Chief Minister subsequently inspected the site for the proposed Mominabad Vehicle Underpass (VUP), intended to reduce traffic congestion and facilitate seamless movement along the National Highway. The proposed four-lane RCC T-Beam Slab type underpass will have a 22.50-metre main carriageway, service roads with paved shoulders on both sides, a one-kilometre total main-carriageway approach length and drainage/utility corridors. The viaduct will have a vertical clearance of 5.5 metres. The Chief Minister also reviewed associated traffic infrastructure proposals, including the underpass at Nowgam Railway Station and the Foot Over Bridge at Children Hospital, Bemina. The Nowgam underpass will have a 25-metre main carriageway, service roads on both sides and a 5.5-metre vertical clearance, besides a 270-metre railway approach road. The proposed FOB at Children Hospital, Bemina, will have a length of 48.5 metres and width of 3.19 metres, with steel fabrication and staircases on both sides. Lift provision has also been envisaged for persons with disabilities, senior citizens and women. The combined sanctioned amount for these works is 31.52 crore. At Gindun Sports Complex, Rajbagh, the Chief Minister inspected the recently completed main swimming pool, a state-of-the-art aquatic facility aimed at promoting competitive swimming, diving and other aquatic sports in Jammu and Kashmir. The project, which was initiated in 2014 and had remained languishing during 201920 due to paucity of funds, was subsequently revived. Completed in November 2025 and commissioned in July 2026, the facility has been developed at a cost of 20.60 crore. The international-standard swimming facility has a 50-metre by 25-metre pool with 10 lanes, a maximum depth of 3.88 metres and minimum depth of 1.40 metres, along with 1-metre, 3-metre and 5-metre diving platforms. It includes gender-based changing rooms and washrooms, 50 storage lockers, seating capacity for 300 spectators, modern filtration, circulation and disinfection systems, lifeguard and pool management facilities, equipment storage, barrier-free access and fire-safety and emergency provisions. The Chief Minister also reviewed the Training-cum-Toddler/All-Weather Heated Pool facility and inspected the newly completed Gymnastic Hall at Gindun, Rajbagh. The gymnastic hall, measuring 110 feet by 70 feet and covering around 8,700 square feet, has been developed as a dedicated facility for gymnastics training and indoor sports activities. The project was initiated on June 19, 2023, at an advertised cost of 328.77 lakh, and was completed in July 2026. Speaking after the tour, the Chief Minister described the extensive visit as a recognition of the importance of Srinagar and the need to give focused attention to both capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir. We are the only area in this country where there are two capitalsSrinagar in the summer and Jammu in the winter. It is obvious that both cities need to be given special attention. We left at 6:30 in the morning to inspect some important projects, and around 1012 projects were reviewed in the city. Most of the projects are in good progress. We need to give a push to one or two of them, he said. He said that field visits provide an opportunity to assess the actual position of projects and compare it with the information available at the Secretariat. The benefit of these tours is that we get a chance to compare what is told in the Secretariat and the ground reality. I assure the people of Srinagar that similar projects will be taken up. The big bottlenecks will be corrected. We need to decongest Srinagar from traffic jams, for which some important steps have to be taken. In Shehar-e-Khaas, there is a huge problem of parking, and we will address and resolve that issue also, the Chief Minister said. During the tour, the Chief Minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Minister for Sports Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Khanyar Ali Mohammad Sagar, MLA Habba Kadal Shamim Firdous, MLA Eidgah Mubarik Gul, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, MLA Hazratbal Salman Ali Sagar, MLA Chanapora Mushtaq Guroo and MLA Lal Chowk Sheikh Ahsan Ahmed. Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary Youth Services & Sports, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Director Health Services Kashmir, Engineer-in-Chief R&B, Secretary Sports Council, senior engineers of executing agencies and other concerned officers and officials also accompanied the Chief Minister during the tour.
After meeting CM Omar, US envoy Sergio Gor signals review of travel advisory for J&K
J&K Important Part Of India: US Ambassador Sergio Gor In Srinagar
Praising the improving security situation in the Valley, Gor said US may look at downgrading its advisory to US citizens on J&K travel
US-J&K Engagement to Widen in Years Ahead: CM Omar Abdullah
Srinagar, Aug 19 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said he was very hopeful and optimistic that engagement between the United States and Jammu and Kashmir would widen and deepen in the years ahead. Speaking to reporters outside his residence in Gupkar after meeting US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, Omar said the discussions focused on India-US relations, with particular emphasis on what the United States could do for Jammu and Kashmir. It was, as Ambassador Gor has said, a very good meeting. We had an opportunity to discuss the relations between our two countries, but with specific focus on what the U.S. can do with Jammu and Kashmir, Omar said, as per the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO). He said there were certain legacy issues that would be addressed over time, while expressing willingness to continue the conversation. There are obviously certain legacy issues that over time we will be working to resolve, but we look forward to taking this conversation further, he said. Omar said the engagement would involve discussions between the US envoy and Washington, as well as between him and the Government of India in New Delhi. This is a conversation that will take place both between Ambassador Gor and Washington and between me and the Government of India in New Delhi, he said. We are very hopeful and optimistic that the engagement between the United States of America and Jammu and Kashmir will both widen and deepen in the years ahead, Omar added(KNO)
J&K Travel Advisory to Be Reassessed: US Envoy Sergio Gor
Srinagar, Aug 19: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Wednesday said Washington would reassess its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to reporters, as per news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO), after meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence in Gupkar, Gor said the United States periodically reviews its travel advisories. The United States puts out travel warnings and every so often we re-evaluate those travel warnings. I cannot make any big announcements here today, but it is something were going to look at, Gor said. He said the Government of India and the J&K government had taken some incredible steps towards making the region safer. We will be looking at whether the travel warning that is imposed, that is recommended by the United States, is something that should be downgraded, he said. Gor, who is on his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir, described the region as incredibly beautiful and said many Americans could enjoy visiting it. This is a beautiful area. I think a lot of Americans would enjoy coming here and seeing the beauty and opportunities that exist here, he said. The envoy described his meeting with Omar as very good and very cordial, saying follow-up issues would be taken up with Washington and New Delhi. We have some follow-ups that we hope to take back to Washington, back to Delhi, but very warm, very cordial, and we look forward to building this relationship forward, Gor added. (KNO)
US Ambassador Sergio Gor visited Jammu and Kashmir for the first time. He met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and described the interaction as very good. The ambassador expressed his pleasure and excitement about visiting the beautiful region. He mentioned follow-up actions to be taken back to Washington and Delhi. The meeting aimed to build and move the relationship forward.
As US Envoy Visits Kashmir, Omar Abdullah Says 'Washington is Not Going to Solve Our Problems'
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said issues concerning the Union Territory must be resolved by New Delhi and not Washington during his meeting with US Ambassador Sergio Gor. Meanwhile, former CM Mehbooba Mufti urged Gor to review and withdraw the US travel advisory for Kashmir, saying it was hurting tourism and the livelihoods of thousands of families.
US envoy Sergio Gor hints at downgrading J-K travel advisory after meeting Omar Abdullah
After meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor said, The United States puts out travel warnings and every so often we re-evaluate those travel warnings. I cannot...
Dozens of PDP, Congress, BJP and AAP Workers from Gool-Sangaldan Join National Conference in Banihal
Banihal, August 19: In a significant political development, around 150 political workers and activists, mainly from the PDP, besides Congress, BJP and AAP, joined the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference at a joining function held in Banihal. Welcoming the new entrants into the party fold, MLA Banihal-Gool Sajjad Shaheen said the continued joining of political workers from different political parties reflects a clear shift in the political mood across the Banihal-Gool constituency and growing confidence in the National Conference. This is the second major joining in just two weeks, with prominent political activists from different parties from Gool-Sangaldan choosing to join the National Conference. This is not merely a change of political affiliation; it reflects the growing trust people have placed in the NCs politics of dignity, representation and public service, Shaheen said. Among those who joined the National Conference were PDP Block President Mohd Rafiq Ganai, senior PDP leader Jamaldin Mir, PDP ST Block Vice President Choudhary Mumtaz, AAP Youth Block President Ishad Malik and senior BJP leader Uttam Singh Rai, besides dozens of other activists and workers. Shaheen said the growing support for the National Conference is also linked to the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, whose government, he said, has ushered in a new phase of development across Jammu and Kashmir despite the limitations and difficulties of the present Union Territory set-up. Under the leadership of Omar Abdullah, a new era of development has begun across regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the limitations of the present UT framework and the challenges before the government, the focus remains firmly on development, connectivity, public services and addressing the long-pending needs of the people. People are witnessing this change on the ground, Shaheen said. He said the continuing exodus of political workers from the PDP carries a strong political message and reflects growing disappointment with the partys past political choices. People have not forgotten how the PDP entered into an alliance with a right-wing party despite making political commitments to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. That alliance contributed to the political disempowerment of the people and eroded public trust. People have understood the difference between those who stood by their aspirations and those who compromised them for political convenience, he said. Shaheen said the joining of workers from different political backgrounds demonstrates that the National Conference continues to remain a strong and credible political platform for people who believe in democratic values, political dignity and the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. People are making their choice based on experience. They want politics that is rooted in the soil, respects their aspirations and remains accountable to them. The National Conference has always stood for these principles, and we will continue to strengthen this bond with the people, he said. Welcoming the new members, Shaheen assured them that their experience and contribution would further strengthen the party organisation at the grassroots level. He said the doors of the National Conference remain open to everyone committed to public service, democratic politics and the welfare of the people. Former DDC Chairperson Shamshada Shan, Block President Sangaldan Jan Mohammad Chandail, Mohd Afzal Giri, Musyad Ahmed Naik, Mehboob Ul Mukhtiar Bhat and Abdul Gani Khakmat, along with other senior party leaders, functionaries and workers, were present on the occasion.
In Srinagar, US envoy Sergio Gor says travel advisory for Kashmir should be downgraded
Srinagar, Aug 19 : US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Wednesday indicated that Washington could review and downgrade its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, saying improved security conditions should pave the way for greater American travel to the region. His remarks came during his first visit to J&K, where he met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and expressed hope of strengthening US engagement with the Union Territory. Gor, who is on his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir, described the Union Territory as an important part of India and praised its beauty, saying he was thrilled to be here. Its a pleasure to be here. This is an important part of India. Its my first time. Its a beautiful place and Im thrilled to be here, Gor said while speaking about his visit.He said his meetings in J&K had been productive and indicated that discussions would continue at higher levels.We had beautiful meetings. We hope to take follow-ups to Delhi and Washington, he said. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, describing his meeting with the US envoy as very good, said discussions covered India-US relations as well as areas where the United States could contribute to Jammu and Kashmir. #WATCH | In Srinagar, US envoy Sergio Gor says Washington hopes to strengthen engagement with J&K, describing his meeting with CM Omar Abdullah as very good. Gor also said follow-up discussions will be held in New Delhi and Washington and indicated the US travel advisory for pic.twitter.com/ltOvSR0ivU Greater Kashmir (@GreaterKashmir) August 19, 2026 It was a very good meeting. We discussed relations between the two countries and what the US can do for us, Abdullah said. The Chief Minister said the discussions also touched upon legacy issues that continue to require attention.We have legacy issues which we will be talking to resolve, Abdullah said, expressing optimism about the future of engagement between Jammu and Kashmir and the United States. We are hopeful and optimistic that the relationship between J&K and the US will go up, he added. Gor, meanwhile, stopped short of making any major announcement during his visit, but acknowledged the security improvements undertaken by the authorities. I cannot make big announcements today, he said, while noting the steps taken by New Delhi and the Chief Minister to improve the security situation.Delhi and CM have made incredible steps to keep it safer and more safer, Gor said. A key issue discussed in the context of US engagement with J&K is Washingtons travel advisory for Americans visiting the region. Gor indicated that the advisory could be reviewed as the security situation improves. We will see about the advisory and it should be downgraded, he said. Appreciated the opportunity to meet with Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister @OmarAbdullah and to learn more about his priorities. We discussed ways to deepen economic collaboration and create opportunities that would mutually benefit both of our nations. pic.twitter.com/dmLnyBHjc9 Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) August 19, 2026 Gor also suggested that there was considerable interest among Americans in visiting Jammu and Kashmir, provided security concerns and travel advisories are addressed. Lot of Americans would like to come here, he said. His remarks assume significance as Jammu and Kashmir seeks to expand its international tourism footprint and attract visitors from the United States and other Western countries. The US envoys visit and meeting with the Chief Minister come amid efforts to deepen engagement between J&K and international stakeholders. While Gor did not announce any specific initiative, his comments pointed towards continued discussions in Delhi and Washington and a possible reassessment of the US travel advisory in light of the evolving security situation. The visit also assumes significance for Jammu and Kashmirs tourism sector, which has been seeking greater international confidence and a return of foreign tourists following disruptions caused by security concerns. Both Gor and Abdullah struck an optimistic note on the future of engagement, with the US envoy indicating that further discussions would follow and the Chief Minister expressing hope that ties between J&K and the United States would strengthen in the coming period.
Mehbooba urges US Ambassador to withdraw highest-level travel advisory against Kashmir
SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday urged US Ambassador Sergio Gor to review and withdraw the highest-level travel advisory issued by his country against visiting Kashmir. In a post on X, she said thousands of families in Kashmir depend on tourism for their livelihood and a travel advisory was not merely []
US Ambassador Sergio Gor Makes Maiden Visit to Kashmir
Sergio Gor, the United States Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs, arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday afternoon for his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since taking charge earlier this year. The trip marks a significant moment in India-US engagement with the region, as it is the first visit [] The post US Ambassador Sergio Gor Makes Maiden Visit to Kashmir appeared first on Tfipost.com .
Sergio Gor in Kashmir today, 1st US envoy visit since Article 370 abrogation
Sergio Gor in Kashmir today st US envoy visit since Article abrogation
FSSAI Chief Assures Support To Expand Food Testing Infrastructure In Jammu Kashmir
SRINAGAR: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO Rajit Punhani on Tuesday assured Jammu and Kashmir of technical and financial support to strengthen the Union Territorys food testing infrastructure and improve food safety compliance. Punhani made the assurance during an interactive meeting with food business operators (FBOs), trade and industry associations and other []
Srinagar, Aug 19: Ahead of the scheduled visit of US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor to the Valley, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday flagged the highest-level travel advisory against visiting Kashmir, saying the least the Ambassador can do is review and withdraw the advisory, which is adversely affecting the regions tourism-dependent families. For Kashmir, where thousands of families depend on tourism, the travel advisory on Kashmir is more than a warning , it is a wall between Kashmir and the world, the former Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir said. Mehbooba said the withdrawal of the policy would send a powerful message of confidence, help bring back international tourists and give much needed relief to countless families whose livelihoods depend on tourism. In a post on X, Mehbooba wrote, The least the US Ambassador Sergio Gor @USAmbIndiacan do is review and withdraw the highest level travel advisory against visiting Kashmir.For Kashmir, where thousands of families depend on tourism, the travel advisory on Kashmir is more than a warning , it is a wall between Kashmir and the world. Lifting it would send a powerful message of confidence, help bring back international tourists and give much needed relief to countless families whose livelihoods depend on tourism, she concluded.
US ambassador to India Sergio Gor arrives in Srinagar for two-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir
Cancer Health Insurance: Financial Protection Against Critical Illness
Cancer treatment can affect savings, income planning, and family budgets within a short time. Costs may include hospitalisation, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, scans, medicines, consultations, and follow-up visits. Regular health policies may cover eligible hospitalisation expenses, while selected plans may offer cancer-focused benefits. A cancer health insurance policy helps buyers prepare for these costs through structured medical and financial protection. The cover may work through a base policy, critical illness benefit, or optional add-on. Since benefits differ across insurers, buyers should compare inclusions, exclusions, limits, waiting periods, and claim conditions before applying. Let's learn how cancer cover works, what benefits it may offer, and what buyers should check before choosing a plan. What is Cancer Health Insurance? Cancer health insurance refers to insurance protection that supports eligible cancer-related medical expenses. Depending on the policy, it may cover hospitalisation, daycare procedures, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, diagnostics, and post-treatment care. Some plans work through reimbursement, where eligible medical bills are paid through cashless or reimbursement claims. Other plans work as critical illness cover, where a fixed amount is paid after diagnosis of a listed cancer stage. Cancer Cover may be Available as an Add-on Cancer health insurance is not always sold as one standard, standalone product. In many cases, cancer protection is available as an add-on, rider, or critical illness benefit with a health insurance plan. A general health plan may cover cancer hospitalisation, but it may not provide a lump sum payout. A critical illness add-on may offer fixed financial support, but only for listed cancer types or stages. Always check how the benefit is structured before buying. Why Cancer Cover Matters Cancer care often involves repeated treatment cycles, specialist consultations, long medication schedules, and regular diagnostic tests. The financial pressure can continue even after hospital discharge. Cancer health insurance can reduce dependence on savings during treatment. It may also support planned treatment decisions through better access to eligible hospitals. For families with dependants, added cover can protect household finances during a difficult medical period. Key Benefits of Cancer Health Insurance Cancer health insurance can offer practical support, depending on the insurer, plan type, and selected benefit. Hospitalisation Support: Covers eligible admission and treatment costs. Cashless Treatment: Allows care at network hospitals, subject to approval. Chemotherapy and Radiation: May cover eligible cancer treatment procedures. Daycare Cover: Supports treatments completed without 24-hour admission. Critical Illness Payout: May provide a fixed amount after diagnosis. Recovery Support: Helps with follow-ups, medicines, and related costs. Family Protection: Reduces pressure on emergency savings. Tax Benefit: Premiums may qualify under applicable tax rules. Popular Health Insurance Plans to Compare These popular health insurance options can help buyers compare claim settlement ratios, hospital access, and key features. Cancer-specific benefits must still be checked in each policy document. Insurer Claim Settlement Ratio Cashless Hospitals Key Feature Aditya Birla 98% 12,354 Up to 6X cover, health returns Care 100% 11,851 Up to 7X cover, unlimited restoration ICICI Lombard 98.53% 10,302 Unlimited restoration, one-time unlimited claim Niva Bupa 100% 10,645 Up to 10X cover, lock-the-clock Star Health 99.21% 13,456 One-time unlimited claim These details help with initial comparison, but they do not confirm cancer coverage. Check exact benefits, limits, add-ons, and exclusions before applying. Types of Cancer Cover Options Available Cancer health insurance can be structured in different ways, based on the insurer and product type. Regular Health Plan: Covers eligible hospitalisation and treatment costs. Critical Illness Add-on: Pays a fixed amount for listed serious illnesses. Standalone Cancer Plan: Focuses mainly on cancer-related benefits. Super Top-up Plan: Adds extra cover after the deductible is crossed. Family Floater Plan: Covers multiple members under one sum insured. A reimbursement plan supports actual medical bills. At the same time, a lump sum plan can support income loss, travel, home care, and non-hospital expenses. Things to Check Before Buying A cancer-related benefit should be checked line by line before purchase. Policy Wording: Read inclusions, exclusions, and benefit tables carefully. Cancer Stages Covered: Check early, major, and advanced-stage coverage. Waiting Period: Confirm when cancer claims become eligible. Survival Period: Check conditions for critical illness payouts. Sub-limits: Review disease-wise and treatment-wise limits. Room Rent Limits: Check hospital room eligibility. Co-payment: Confirm if you must share claim costs. Network Hospitals: Prefer trusted hospitals near your city. Renewal Rules: Check lifetime renewability and premium revision terms. Important Disclaimer to Consider Before Applying Cancer health insurance benefits differ across insurers, products, and add-ons. Before applying, check exact coverage, covered cancer types, covered stages, waiting period, survival period, exclusions, sub-limits, co-payments, network hospitals, claim process, and renewal conditions. Read the official policy wording and brochure before paying the premium. Common Mistakes to Avoid Many buyers choose health insurance only by premium, which can create problems during treatment. Choosing Only by Price: Low premiums may include limits or co-payments. Ignoring Exclusions: Check what the policy does not cover. Skipping Disease Definitions: Confirm covered cancer types and stages. Missing Waiting Periods: Claims may become eligible only after a defined period. Overlooking Co-payments: Some policies require shared claim payment. Trusting ads Blindly: Do not rely only on promotional claims. Buying too Late: Cancer health insurance works better before diagnosis or medical concern. Compare Cancer Cover Before you buy Choosing Cancer health insurance requires more than checking the premium, claim ratio, or hospital count. Buyers should compare treatment coverage, critical illness benefits, restoration features, waiting periods, exclusions, claim support, and long-term affordability. The plan should match age, city, income, health profile, family history, and expected treatment costs. Online insurance brokers such as Jio Insurance Broking Ltd. can help users compare health insurance plans and review key features before purchase. Before applying, check the exact cancer coverage, covered stages, limits, waiting periods, and exclusions carefully. A clear comparison today can protect savings, support treatment decisions, and reduce financial stress during serious illness.
New Delhi , August 19 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday reiterated the need to institutionalise the National Testing Agency (NTA), with secure infrastructure, dedicated testing centres, cyber-security systems, institutional expertise and a permanent mechanism for examination-related operations to prevent future paper leaks. A vibrant system and institutionalisation is what needs to be done, a bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe said while hearing pleas concerning the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The Court directed the Union Secretary for the Ministry of Education to file an affidavit setting out the steps being taken to implement the Radhakrishnan Committee's recommendations, as nuanced by the Nandan Nilekani Committee. The Court said its objective was to ensure that the country has a robust examination institution capable of retaining expertise and adapting to technological changes. Our duty is to ensure that there is a vibrant institution that the country can be proud of. If you don't institutionalise, experienced people get transferred and the entire experience is lost. There are a lot of technological changes that have to be brought about, it said. The matter will be listed on a date after three weeks. During the hearing, the Court emphasised that its concern was not merely the safeguards currently in place for the preparation, printing, transportation and distribution of question papers, but it is the institutionalisation of the NTA, including its infrastructure, manpower, technology and institutional memory. Our concern is how you institutionalise the conduct of the examination. Secure office premises, confidential operational infrastructure, cyber security. They have suggested 10 verticals to be created. Testing centres, central network operators, etc. Each of these the committee said that you need to create this infrastructure, Justice Narasimha said. The K. Radhakrishnan Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of former ISRO chairman Dr K. Radhakrishnan after the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy. It submitted its report to the Ministry of Education in October 2024, making 101 recommendations to overhaul the NTA and strengthen the security and integrity of public examinations. The recommendations include measures concerning the examination infrastructure, security of question papers, technology, manpower and institutional mechanisms within the NTA. Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and NTA, explained the safeguards currently in place for the preparation, printing, transportation and distribution of question papers. He said the question paper is prepared through multiple layers of moderation. For a Physics paper comprising 100 questions, several moderators first prepare a question bank of around 500 questions. Different moderators then select questions and prepare four question papers, out of which two are finally selected by the Director General of NTA. Mehta said the identity of the final question paper remains unknown until it is sent in sealed boxes to identified printing presses, which are monitored through CCTV and CISF surveillance. He said the printing process is video-recorded and outsiders are not allowed inside once the sealed box is opened. Mehta also explained that question papers are packed in iron boxes with non-openable locks and transported in GPS-tracked vehicles. Two sets of papers are kept in separate boxes in bank strong rooms, generally at SBI or Canara Bank branches. On the morning of the examination, the DG, NTA informs the city coordinator about which set is to be used. The papers are then taken in a motorcade involving district officials, with the movement videographed, before being distributed to class coordinators, Mehta submitted. The Court said that these safeguards were already within the scope of the Radhakrishnan Committee's recommendations, which has rightly suggested institutionalisation of NTA. It thus inquired about what is being done in that regard. What you have told us is something which is already in the purview of the Radhakrishnan Committee. It has correctly said it is a systemic problem which needs institutionalisation. That's why these are matters which need to be institutionalised. What is the body, how many officers, how much staff, what is the security, etc.? he court asked. The Court specifically sought details on the implementation of recommendations relating to a permanent committee for sealing question papers, the appointment of senior officers and creation of institutional expertise. The method by which you do sealing of the papers has to be undertaken by a permanent committee. How many DGs, etc. have been appointed? This is what we want to know by way of regular affidavits, the Court said. Stressing the need to preserve institutional memory and expertise the Court noted that frequent transfers of officials could result in the loss of experience within the examination system. What really needs to be done is institutional memory, institutional expertise. All that we need to see is, has it been set up? You'll have to have R&D infrastructure, the Court said. The Court also asked about the creation of a sovereign database and infrastructure for storage and security. It said that a director-rank officer should be responsible for security-related issues. So far as security is concerned, you need to have a director-rank officer. Then you will realise what are the pitfalls it explained. The Court also questioned the need to rely on artificial intelligence for translating question papers into Indian languages. Do you need AI translation for question papers? In our country we don't need to blindly rely on AI for this, it asked. Mehta said the translation process was being done by humans. The Court reiterated that institutionalising the NTA was a matter of importance and that the examination agency must be strengthened in a manner that prevents a recurrence of the problems. Mehta informed the Court that the Nandan Nilekani Committee was meeting on Wednesday and would work on reforms to improve upon the Radhakrishnan Committee's recommendations. Advocate Tanvi Dubey, appearing for FAIMA, pointed out that the Radhakrishnan Committee had recommended conducting examinations entirely in computer-based mode, but that recommendation was still under consideration. Mehta responded that moving completely to CBT mode could itself carry greater risks. We are concerned with institutionalisation of NTA. With all infrastructure, manpower, technological requirements etc. we have been informed that Nandan Nilekani Committee has recommended reforms relating to AI, blockchain etc, it noted.
Why is Zaira Wasim so upset about Kashmiri schoolgirls dancing on Independence Day?
Why is Zaira Wasim so upset about Kashmiri schoolgirls dancing on Independence Day
