JK notifies Land Pooling Policy 2026 to drive planned urban dev
Policy aims to consolidate land through voluntary participation, with 40% earmarked for city-level infrastructure Jammu Tawi, August 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified the Jammu and Kashmir Land Pooling Policy, 2026, aimed at facilitating planned urban development and infrastructure creation through the voluntary participation of landowners. The policy was notified by the Housing [] The post JK notifies Land Pooling Policy 2026 to drive planned urban dev appeared first on Northlines .
Every step to honour veterans sacrifices, dignity: LG Sinha
Jammu, Aug 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired the 81st Meeting of the Jammu Kashmir Rajya Sainik Board at Lok Bhavan, deliberating on key issues concerning veterans, Veer Naris, widows and dependents, covering welfare delivery, grievance redressal, healthcare and institutional strengthening. The meeting was attended by Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command; Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Maj Gen Paramvir Singh Dagar, Chief of Staff, HQ White Knight Corps; Maj Gen KS Dhadwal, Chief of Staff HQ Chinar Corps; Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar; Principal Secretary Home Chanderkar Bharti; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Neena Mishra, Principal Director, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, GoI; Brig Pankaj Chib (Retd.) Director Sainik Welfare Department, J&K; Brig Sandeep Kaushal, Cdr 21 Sub Area; Air Commodore VP Singh; Col Pradeep S Karki, Director, DRZ (North); Brig Virender Singh Slathia (Retd) and other senior officials. The Board deliberated on key issues concerning veterans, Veer Naris, widows and dependents, including the establishment of a ZSWO at Kishtwar and improved coordination on pension-related matters. The Lieutenant Governor reiterated his commitment to the welfare of veterans and their families, assuring that every step will be taken to honour their sacrifices and guarantee a life of dignity. The Board also discussed empanelment of government hospitals including AIIMS Jammu, GMC Rajouri, GMC Doda and Government Hospital Kupwara with ECHS for enhanced healthcare access. The Lieutenant Governor also chaired the State Management Committee (SMC) meeting on the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, with the Committee considering welfare-oriented proposals covering medical and health support, infrastructure, outreach, education and skill development. The Committee also proposed several key initiatives including education and career incentives, psychological counsellors in identified areas, skill-development support and improved welfare infrastructure.
Ganderbal villagers seek macadamisation of link roads
Ganderbal: Residents of Shutkadi and Sonamarg villages in Central Kashmirs Ganderbal district have urged the concerned authorities, including MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali, to expedite the long-pending macadamisation of their link roads, saying poor road connectivity continues to hamper daily life, tourism and basic development in the area. The residents said the roads connecting Shutkadi and Sonamarg with the main road have remained in poor condition for years despite repeated assurances and plans for macadamisation. They said that while other areas have witnessed road development, these villages continue to wait for basic improvement of their road infrastructure. A resident of the area Mushtaq Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that both Shutkadi and Sonamarg are closely linked with tourism and that several families have invested in homestays and other tourism-related activities, often by taking bank loans or selling land. We have been demanding macadamisation of the Sonamarg village road for nearly 10 years. Similarly, the road from the main road towards Shutkadi village is still without proper macadamisation, the resident said. He said the poor condition of the roads is discouraging tourists from visiting the villages and is also causing inconvenience to local transporters. Tourists are hesitant to come here because of the condition of the road. Drivers also complain that their vehicles suffer due to the uneven surface and potholes. If the road is macadamised even once, it will make a huge difference for the people as well as tourism, he said. The residents claimed that the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department had proposed macadamisation work in the area last year and that they had also raised the issue with the concerned MLA, who, they said, had assured them that the work would be taken up in 2026. Last year, the R&B Department had prepared a plan for macadamisation. We also met the concerned MLA, who assured us that the work would be completed in 2026. However, the work has still not started, another resident Riyaz Ahmad said. They said the delay has added to frustration among the people, particularly as the surrounding areas have witnessed improvement in road infrastructure. Residents also highlighted the condition of internal roads, footpaths and drainage systems, claiming that several basic infrastructure facilities have seen little or no improvement for years. Our roads and footpaths are still in the same condition as they were years ago. The drainage system also needs attention. We are not blaming anyone, but we want the authorities to visit the area and see the situation on the ground, another resident Mehraj U Din said. The residents appealed to the district administration, including the Deputy Commissioner, SDM and other concerned officials, as well as the Sonamarg Development Authority, to personally inspect the villages and take up the pending works on priority. They said the issue becomes more important in view of the growing tourist footfall in Sonamarg and adjoining areas. If thousands of tourists visit Sonamarg, they should also be able to visit the surrounding villages and see their natural beauty. But for that, proper connectivity and basic facilities are necessary, another resident said. Residents further demanded the development of a proper drainage system and a playground for children, saying the absence of adequate recreational infrastructure has also affected the younger generation. They pointed out that the four villagesShutkadi, Sonamarg, Nilgrad and Sarbalform an important part of the wider tourism belt but continue to face several basic infrastructure-related issues. The residents appealed to MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali and the Ganderbal district administration to visit the affected villages, assess the problems firsthand and ensure that the long-pending macadamisation work is taken up without further delay. They expressed hope that their demands would be addressed on a priority basis and that improved road connectivity would not only ease the daily difficulties faced by residents but also provide a boost to tourism and local economic activity.
Put Sukajaber Ziyarat on tourism map: MLA Uri
Srinagar, Aug 18: After Baba Fareed Urs, MLA Uri Dr Sajjad Shafi visited Sukajaber Ziyarat Sharief on Tuesday where he received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the local people. Speaking on the occasion, Shafi Uri said that he brought Baba Fareed Ziyarat Sharief onto the tourism map and had facilitated DPRs worth more than 4 crore for tourism-related development. He said that the tourism potential of several other important places, including Bosiya, Chotali, Nambla Waterfall, Mohura, Rangia Mam Ziyarat, Kazinag Ziyarat, Pando Mander and Chatipadshai, should also be explored and developed. Shafi said he would request Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to bring Sukajaber Ziyarat Sharief and its surrounding areas onto the tourism map and ensure necessary development to promote tourism and benefit the local population. The locals expressed gratitude to the MLA for visiting the Ziyarat and appreciated his efforts towards promoting tourism and development in the Uri constituency.
Brig Ghura briefs LG on Amarnath Yatra track
Srinagar, Aug 18 : Brigadier Chirag Ghura, Chief Engineer, Project Beacon of the BRO, on Tuesday called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha here at the Lok Bhawan and briefed him about the track development for the Amarnath Yatra. The chief engineer was accompanied by Brigadier S Deepak, Chief Engineer (designate), Project Beacon, an official spokesperson [] The post Brig Ghura briefs LG on Amarnath Yatra track appeared first on Northlines .
Congress leaders visit Dr Audil, enquire about his health
Srinagar, Aug 18: Senior Congress leaders visited the residence of Srinagar DCC President Dr Audil Farooq Mir to enquire about his health and convey their prayers and wishes for his speedy recovery. Dr Mir had not been keeping well for the past few days. Despite this, he had been actively propagating the Congress ideology and manifesto and mobilising party cadre across Srinagar district, remaining engaged with organisational activities and party workers. Dr Syed Naseer Hussain, AICC General Secretary and In-Charge J&K; JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra; CLP Leader and AICC General Secretary G. A. Mir; AICC Secretary and J&K In-Charge Pargat Singh; Chief Whip Nizam-ud-Din Bhat; and his colleague Abid Imtiyaz Bhat met Dr Mir and enquired about his wellbeing. The leaders conveyed their good wishes and prayed for his early and complete recovery. Dr Audil Farooq Mir thanked the Congress leadership for taking time out to visit him and enquire about his health, saying he was deeply touched by the warmth, affection and concern extended to him. He said the gesture went beyond political and organisational responsibilities and reflected the strong bonds of solidarity and family spirit within the Congress. Such gestures go far beyond politics or organisational responsibilitiesthey reflect the bonds of a family that stands by its members in moments that matter, Dr Mir said. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the visiting leaders for their prayers, good wishes and personal concern, saying their support had reaffirmed the spirit of togetherness and mutual respect within the Congress family. Dr Mir also thanked all those who had expressed concern over his health and wished him a speedy recovery.
Search Ops underway in Udhampur, Reasi, Kathua
Jammu Tawi, Aug 18 : Security forces launched search operations at several locations following reports of the movement of suspected persons in Udhampur, Reasi and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday. The police, in collaboration with the CRPF, began a cordon-and-search operation after receiving information about the movement of two suspected [] The post Search Ops underway in Udhampur, Reasi, Kathua appeared first on Northlines .
Govt Pushes Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Innovation in J&K
New Delhi, Aug 18: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Tuesday participated in the 97th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi. Speaking at the meeting, Javid Dar called for greater focus on J&K-specific agricultural research and innovation, keeping in view the Union Territorys unique agro-climatic conditions, fragile ecosystems and potential in agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors. He proposed establishment of a State Council for Agricultural Research in J&K to coordinate research priorities and strengthen convergence among ICAR institutions, agricultural universities, government departments, scientists, industry and farmers. Highlighting J&Ks research capabilities, the Minister noted that SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir have secured 143 patents over the past four years. He stressed the need to translate such scientific potential into field-level solutions. Javid Dar identified climate-resilient horticulture as a key research priority, with emphasis on disease-free and true-to-type planting material, corm multiplication, climate-resilient saffron, precision irrigation, mechanisation, quality testing, value addition, branding and export-oriented production. He also called for a dynamic, scientific and region-specific plant quarantine system, based on species- and host-specific Pest Risk Analysis, biological Post-Entry Quarantine, molecular indexing and process-based phytosanitary certification. The Minister further sought stronger research and innovation in animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries, post-harvest management, processing and value addition. He stressed that agricultural research should ultimately deliver higher productivity, lower input costs, climate resilience, better market access and increased farmers incomes. He called for stronger collaboration between ICAR, J&Ks agricultural universities, government departments, scientists, industry and farmers to ensure that research remains closely aligned with the specific needs of the Union Territory.
Party Call emergency meet at Srinagar on 23rdAugust Arvind Sharma Jammu Tawi, Aug 18:As the government of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been engaged in the preparations for the successful conduct of the upcoming Assembly session, the main opposition party, the BJP, has now shifted its complete focus on mission [] The post BJP shifts focus on mission Kashmir appeared first on Northlines .
Reaffirms commitment to veterans welfare, dignity Jammu Tawi, Aug 18:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired the 81st Meeting of Jammu Kashmir Rajya Sainik Board, at Lok Bhavan. The Board deliberated on key issues concerning veterans, Veer Naris, widows and dependents, covering welfare delivery, grievance redressal, healthcare and institutional strengthening. These include establishment of a ZSWO [] The post LG chairs meeting of J&K Rajya Sainik Board appeared first on Northlines .
Three Killed as Vehicle Rolls Down Hill in Jammu Kashmir
SRINAGAR: At least three persons were killed after the vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and rolled down a hill in the Thub area of Reasi district on Tuesday evening, officials said. Quoting an official, the news agency KNO reported that the vehicle, bearing registration number JK14B-1284, was travelling from Reasi towards []
Film Festival to foster cultural exchange, creative collaboration: CM
Reviews final preparations for inaugural International Film Festival of J&K Srinagar, Aug 18:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level meeting to review the final preparations for the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026, scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10 across Srinagar and Jammu. The four-day festival is [] The post Film Festival to foster cultural exchange, creative collaboration: CM appeared first on Northlines .
Govt calls for fresh push to boost rural employment
Srinagar, Aug 18: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, on Tuesday chaired a review meeting to assess the progress on the Viksit BharatGuarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G], calling for a renewed and focused push to strengthen the Person Days (PD) generation, activate worksites, ensure timely wage payments and tighten field-level supervision across the Union Territory. Asad directed the Executive Engineers to process wage-component bills without delay, stressing that once the wage component is released, bills should be prepared simultaneously so that payments are not held up. He also asked to ensure that material payments were processed alongside wage payments. The Secretary directed for immediate and focused intervention to ensure timely initiation of works at all worksites. He emphasised that all eligible Panchayats must be enabled to undertake works at the earliest, with a clear focus on strengthening employment generation and ensuring effective implementation of VB-G RAM G at the grassroots level. Holding Assistant Commissioners Development (ACDs) responsible for effective leadership at the block level, Aijaz Asad observed that the districts with proactive ACDs were delivering better results while few others were visibly lagging. He directed the ACDs to take ownership of field-level implementation and cautioned that continued underperformance on certain parameters could invite accountability measures. Supervisory gaps, he stressed, must be promptly identified and corrected rather than allowed to persist. The Secretary also reviewed the e-KYC status of semi-skilled and skilled workers, whose payments will now be routed through the wage component. He directed the Executive Engineers to complete the process within the stipulated timeline. He informed the meeting that MoRD is expected to issue a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) within the next few days regarding the proposed shift under which semi-skilled and skilled workers, currently often booked under the material component, will be reclassified under the wage component. He directed the field officials to ensure that the transition is properly captured and implemented at the ground level. Acknowledging that certain villages in hilly, remote and snow-bound areas may naturally record comparatively lower figures during winters months, Aijaz Asad directed the officers to accord special attention to such parts so that the benefits of the scheme reach all sections of the rural population. Reviewing wage-payment performance, the Secretary directed the district authorities to expedite generation of Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs) against wage claims under VB-G RAM G, stressing that timely FTO processing is essential for ensuring prompt payment of wages to workers. Aijaz Asad emphasised the importance of Panch Sammelans as a platform for strengthening the grassroots participation, direct engagement and coordination among the elected representatives and field functionaries. He directed the concerned officers to ensure that the proceedings and outcomes of all Panch Sammelans are properly documented, with completion reports submitted promptly. The deliberations, he stressed, must translate into concrete follow-up action at the Panchayat level. Reviewing Area Officer Monitoring Reports, the Secretary directed the ACDs to undertake regular field visits and improve the quality of monitoring. He described field monitoring as a routine yet critical responsibility that must be discharged with seriousness and purpose. He also directed the officials to expedite geo-tagging and complete e-KYC within the prescribed timeframe. Regarding administrative discipline, Asad reiterated that no employee would be permitted to leave the place of duty without prior permission. He directed both the Directors to undertake random attendance checks, noting instances of employees remaining away from assigned duties without authorisation. He stressed the need for strict enforcement of workplace discipline and accountability. The Secretary directed the senior officers and field functionaries to implement the instructions with immediate effect and ensure rigorous follow-up at every level to achieve the targets set under VB-G RAM G. Calling for greater field mobilisation and ownership, Aijaz Asad emphasised that the effectiveness of the mission must ultimately be reflected in more active worksites, higher Person Days generation and timely wages reaching rural workers. He called upon the officers and field functionaries to work with renewed commitment, strengthen field-level supervision and ensure that the benefits of VB-G RAM G reach rural communities across Jammu and Kashmir.
Emergency hospitals to come up in Poonch, Uri
Srinagar, Aug 18:The Government is set to establish dedicated emergency and accident hospitals in Uri and Poonch, with the facilities expected to strengthen healthcare access for residents living in the border areas along the Line of Control (LoC). The proposed hospitals are expected to cater to residents of LoC villages, where access to immediate medical [] The post Emergency hospitals to come up in Poonch, Uri appeared first on Northlines .
Employees of new GMCs begin indefinite strike over recruitment rules
Warn strike to continue until service rules notified Srinagar, Aug 18: Employees of five newly established Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Jammu and Kashmir have begun an indefinite strike over the prolonged delay in finalising Service Recruitment Rules (SRRs), warning that the agitation will continue until the rules are formally notified. The strike began on [] The post Employees of new GMCs begin indefinite strike over recruitment rules appeared first on Northlines .
Who is protecting children with special needs?
In Jammu and Kashmir, children with special needs and their parents continue to struggle for inclusive education, early intervention, rehabilitation, and essential medical services , particularly in rural and remote districts where access to early intervention programmes and inclusive education remains severely limited. With the increasing identification of children with developmental disabilities and other special needs, including autism and ADHD, the demand for quality rehabilitation and developmental services has grown significantly. In Jammu and Kashmir, Government Medical Colleges and district hospitals have very limited, and in some places no early intervention services for children with special needs. Even where such services are available, many facilities lack adequate infrastructure, accessibility, trained professionals, and child-friendly support systems. As a result, parents are often left with no option but to seek treatment and rehabilitation services from private centers, placing a significant financial burden on families. The Government must strengthen early intervention services in public healthcare facilities across J&K and ensure that every child with special needs has timely, affordable, accessible, and quality rehabilitation and therapeutic support close to home. Over the past few years, private Child Development and Rehabilitation Centers have increased across both the Kashmir and Jammu divisions , with rehabilitation professionals and medical practitioners establishing centers to provide services to children with special needs. While the availability of such services can be a positive development, it raises a fundamental question: who is regulating and monitoring these Child Development and Rehabilitation centres? Are these Child Development and Rehabilitation Centres properly registered with the competent Government authorities? Are their infrastructure, qualifications of professionals, treatment practices, safety standards, and quality of services being regularly inspected? Who conducts their monitoring and audits, and what action is taken when centers fail to meet prescribed standards? These are not merely administrative questions. These centers deal directly with the lives, development, health, dignity and future of vulnerable children. Parents place enormous trust in rehabilitation professionals and centers, often spending substantial amounts of money in the hope of improving their child's quality of life. Therefore, there must be a transparent system of mandatory registration, professional verification, regular inspection, clinical and administrative audits, grievance redressal, child-safeguarding mechanisms, and accountability . The absence of effective regulation can leave children and their families vulnerable to poor-quality services, unqualified practice, exploitation and malpractice. Every child with a disability has a right to dignity, safety, quality rehabilitation, healthcare and inclusive education, not unregulated services or charity . Several parents have informed me that they visited different Child Development Rehabilitation Centres (CDCs) for their childrens therapy and paid substantial amounts for months and years of services. However, after nearly two months of therapy, some parents reportedly discovered that the individuals providing speech therapy and occupational therapy to their children did not possess the required professional qualifications or degree in speech and language therapy. Parents have also reported instances where they were allegedly abused, humiliated, or treated disrespectfully by CDC management when they asked for information about their childs progress, requested access to CCTV footage, or raised questions about the centres infrastructure, safety, and quality of services. These concerns highlight the urgent need for effective regulation, professional verification, transparent monitoring, proper infrastructure, and a robust grievance-redressal mechanism for Child Development and Rehabilitation Centers. In Jammu and Kashmir and across India, thousands of Child Development Centers (CDCs) are reportedly functioning without adequate registration, qualified professionals, proper infrastructure, accessibility, and effective regulatory oversight. In 2025, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Srinagar, headed by its Chairperson, Dr. Khair-ul-Nisa, along with a four-member team, conducted surprise inspections of several Child Development and Rehabilitation Centres (CDCs) in Srinagar. During these inspections, the Committee reportedly identified several serious deficiencies and loopholes, including inadequate accessibility, lack of proper infrastructure, absence of essential facilities, improper or incomplete registration, and centers functioning without proper formalities and regulatory compliance. Following the inspections, the CWC Srinagar Chairperson, Dr Khair Ul Nisa, organised a meeting with the heads/representatives of various Child Development and Rehabilitation Centres and directed them to complete the required formalities and ensure compliance with the applicable rules and requirements within three months . This intervention highlights the need for regular inspection, monitoring, registration and accountability of such centres to ensure that children with disabilities receive safe, accessible and appropriate rehabilitation and developmental services. Concerned about these serious issues, Advocate Rahul Bajaj from Delhi and Zaheer Jan, a Child and Disability Rights Activist from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, worked to collect information and documentation regarding the functioning and regulation of CDCs pan-India and approached the Supreme Court of India by filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in June 2026. On 16 June, during the first hearing, the Chief Justice of India and Justice V. Mohana heard the matter, took note of the concerns raised, and issued notice to the Government. The Chief Justice also indicated that the issue was already within its knowledge and directed that the matter be listed on priority for the next hearing. The intervention of the Supreme Court is an important step towards ensuring that children with special needs receive safe, qualified, accessible, and dignified rehabilitation and developmental services. The prayers made by both the petitioners in this PIL are aimed at ensuring that Child Development Centres (CDCs) and rehabilitation facilities providing services to children with disabilities operate in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act), Mental Health Act and the applicable regulatory framework governing rehabilitation professionals. The petitioners seek appropriate directions to ensure that every eligible centre providing rehabilitation and developmental services is properly registered with the competent government authorities and complies with prescribed standards relating to infrastructure, accessibility, safety, staffing, and quality of care. The PIL also seeks to ensure that professionals providing regulated rehabilitation services Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Therapy, Special Education to children possess the appropriate qualifications and, wherever applicable, valid registration with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) . No child should receive therapy or rehabilitation services from an unqualified or improperly trained individual, particularly when parents are paying substantial amounts and placing their trust in these centers. The Centre Head of all the Rehabilitation and Child Development centres should have Rehab professional. The petitioners further seek a transparent and effective system of regular inspection, auditing, monitoring, and accountability by the appropriate government authorities. Such inspections should examine the qualifications of professionals, registration status, infrastructure, accessibility, safety measures, records of therapy and progress, fees charged, grievance-redressal mechanisms, and the overall quality of services provided to children. The objective of the PIL is not to stop genuine private rehabilitation centres or professionals from providing services. Rather, it is to ensure that every centre follows the law and that parents can access services without fear of exploitation, negligence, humiliation, or unsafe practices. Parents of children with disabilities should have the right to know who is providing therapy to their child, what qualifications they hold, what services are being provided, and whether the centre meets the required standards. Every child with a disability deserves safe, qualified, accessible, evidence-informed, and dignified care, not unregulated services. Effective registration, professional verification, regular government inspection, independent auditing, and strong accountability mechanisms are essential to protect children and their families. The PIL therefore seeks to establish a system in which the welfare, rights, dignity, safety, and best interests of every child remain at the centre of rehabilitation and developmental services across Jammu and Kashmir and throughout pan India. (The author is Sr. Pediatric Rehab Therapist & Social Worker (MSW) working for Child & Disability Rights. Feedback: zaheerjan2019@gmail.com )
The Transformation of Kashmiri Society Across Generations
Kashmir has never been merely a geographical space. It has been a civilisation of memory, faith, language, poetry, hospitality and shared cultural traditions. Its society was shaped not only by its mountains, rivers and seasons but also by centuries of interaction among communities that inhabited the same landscape, spoke closely related languages, shared cultural practices and participated in one another's joys and sorrows. Yet societies do not remain frozen in time. Kashmir, perhaps more than many other places, has witnessed an extraordinary transformation within the span of just a few generations. The Kashmir known to our grandparents, the Kashmir remembered by our parents and the Kashmir experienced by today's younger generation are, in many ways, three different worlds. The transformation has not been sudden. It has been gradual, sometimes painful, sometimes inspiring and often contradictory. What has changed is not merely the physical appearance of the Valley but the very manner in which its people think, work, communicate, relate to one another and imagine their future. For the older generation, life in Kashmir was deeply rooted in community. The neighbourhood was an extended family. A wedding was never merely a private celebration; the entire mohalla participated. A death brought neighbours together. Festivals created opportunities to visit one another, exchange greetings and share food. Even ordinary life possessed a collective rhythm. People knew one another not merely by name but through generations of association. The carpenter, the teacher, the farmer, the shopkeeper, the artisan and the priest were all connected through an intricate social network that gave the community a sense of belonging. Today, that intimacy has considerably weakened. Urbanisation, migration, economic pressures, changing occupations and modern lifestyles have made individual achievement increasingly important. The young person today is more likely to define himself or herself through education, profession, personal ambition and economic independence than through neighbourhood or traditional community identity. This is not necessarily a decline; it is a transformation. But every transformation carries a price. The Kashmir of the older generation was also a world of slower communication and deeper physical interaction. Letters were treasured. Radio was a window to the outside world. Newspapers arrived with anticipation. Conversations took place in courtyards, kitchens, tea shops, village squares and during long winter evenings. There was little of the instant communication that defines contemporary life. Today's Kashmiri inhabits an entirely different information universe. A smartphone has brought the world into the palm of the hand. A young person sitting in a village in Kashmir can study at a foreign university, apply for a job in Bengaluru, communicate with someone in London and follow events unfolding thousands of kilometres away. Geographical boundaries that once defined opportunity have become increasingly porous. This has produced a remarkable change in aspiration. The old assumption that one's future must necessarily remain tied to one's immediate surroundings is gradually disappearing. Kashmiri youth are increasingly looking towards other parts of India and the wider world for education, employment and professional growth. The world has become their marketplace. But technology has also produced a paradox. It has connected people across continents while sometimes disconnecting them from those sitting beside them. Families may communicate constantly through messages and video calls while having fewer opportunities for meaningful face-to-face conversation. The problem is not technology itself. The real challenge is ensuring that technological connectivity does not replace emotional intimacy. The transformation is equally visible within the Kashmiri family. Earlier generations generally lived within larger and more interconnected family structures. Grandparents, parents, children, uncles, aunts and cousins often lived close to one another. Elders occupied a central place in family decisions, and children grew up surrounded by stories, memories and experiences that connected them directly with previous generations. The modern Kashmiri family is increasingly nuclear. Education and employment have taken young people away from their ancestral homes. Professional mobility has become a necessity rather than a choice. A son may work in Delhi, a daughter in Bengaluru, another family member may be in Dubai or London, while the parents remain in Kashmir. Physical distance has therefore become one of the defining features of contemporary Kashmiri family life. Yet this separation has created another paradox. Families may be geographically scattered but technologically connected. A video call has replaced the visit; a message has replaced a conversation; a photograph on a screen sometimes replaces physical presence. Technology can bridge distance, but it cannot completely reproduce the warmth of sitting together around a traditional hearth, sharing a meal or listening to an elderly member of the family recounting stories of another era. The position of women has also changed significantly. Earlier generations of Kashmiri women carried enormous responsibilities within the home and community, often without receiving the recognition they deserved. Their contribution was indispensable, but much of it remained invisible beyond the domestic sphere. The contemporary Kashmiri woman is increasingly visible in education, medicine, administration, business, journalism, academia and other professions. Education has transformed not only her opportunities but also her understanding of herself. A daughter is increasingly encouraged to prepare not merely for marriage but for a career, independence and meaningful participation in society. This change has inevitably altered family expectations and social relationships. The Kashmiri woman of today is negotiating a space between inherited traditions and modern aspirations. She is not necessarily rejecting her cultural identity; rather, she is redefining her place within it. That is one of the most significant indicators of social transformation. Another quieter but equally important change is taking place in language. Kashmiri carries within it the memory of an entire civilisation. The poetry of Lal Ded, the verses of Sheikh-ul-Alam, the songs of Habba Khatoon and the mystical traditions of generations of poets are not merely literary treasures. They are repositories of collective memory. Yet younger generations are increasingly growing up in multilingual environments dominated by English, Hindi and other languages. English has become the language of education and professional opportunity, while Hindi has acquired greater importance because of employment, entertainment and wider communication. Kashmiri, meanwhile, sometimes retreats into the home and, in some families, is gradually losing even that space. There is nothing wrong with learning other languages. On the contrary, multilingualism is an asset. The danger lies in acquiring the languages of the world while becoming strangers to the language of one's ancestors. A civilisation does not disappear in a single day. Sometimes it disappears quietlywhen its songs are no longer sung, its proverbs are no longer understood and its children can no longer comprehend the emotional vocabulary of their grandparents. Economic transformation has been equally profound. The Kashmir of earlier generations depended heavily on agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts, small trade and traditional occupations. Education has opened doors to professions that previous generations could scarcely have imagined. Kashmiris are now working as doctors, engineers, academics, entrepreneurs, civil servants, IT professionals, artists and business leaders across India and around the world. The old psychological boundary that one's future must be found within Kashmir has weakened considerably. A young Kashmiri may now see Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Dubai, Europe, North America or Australia as possible destinations for education and employment. This expansion of opportunity is undoubtedly positive, but migration has its own consequences. When young people leave, the Valley loses not only workers but also potential families, ideas and cultural continuity. Some villages increasingly have an ageing population while their younger members build careers elsewhere. The challenge for Kashmir will therefore be to benefit from global mobility without losing its younger generation emotionally and culturally. No discussion of the transformation of Kashmiri society can, however, ignore the profound rupture caused by the violence and turmoil of the late twentieth century. The years of militancy, fear, uncertainty and displacement changed the psychological landscape of Kashmir. The exodus of Kashmiri Pandits created a deep wound in the social fabric, while violence and instability affected the lives, education, employment and aspirations of Kashmiri Muslims as well. An entire generation grew up carrying memories that the next generation may never fully understand. For those who left, Kashmir became simultaneously a homeland and a memory. For those who remained, the Valley continued to be home, but home itself had changed. The younger generation is now inheriting this complicated legacy. It is increasingly trying to look beyond the permanent vocabulary of conflict, grievance and fear. It wants education, employment, normalcy, mobility and dignity. That does not erase history, nor should it. But a society cannot remain permanently imprisoned by its wounds. Remembering the past is necessary; allowing the past to dictate the entire future is another matter. Perhaps the most important question facing Kashmiri society is not whether it should embrace tradition or modernity. It is whether it can carry its traditions intelligently into modernity. There are traditions that deserve to survive because they embody compassion, hospitality, dignity, coexistence and respect for nature. There are also social practices that need to change because they no longer correspond to the aspirations of a modern society. The task of every generation is therefore neither to preserve everything from the past nor to reject everything associated with it. It is to distinguish between heritage and habit. Heritage gives a society its roots. Habit can sometimes become a chain. Kashmir needs its roots, but it must not allow its roots to prevent its branches from reaching the sky. The transformation is also changing the very idea of Kashmiri identity. Earlier, identity was strongly rooted in village, neighbourhood, language, occupation and inherited traditions. Today, identity is increasingly layered. A young Kashmiri can simultaneously be Kashmiri, Indian and global in outlook. He or she can enjoy traditional Kashmiri food, listen to international music, study in an Indian metropolitan city and dream of building a career abroad. Identity is no longer a single room; it is a house with many windows. This does not necessarily weaken Kashmiri identity. It can actually make it more confident, provided the younger generation understands what it has inherited. A secure identity does not fear the outside world. It engages with it without losing itself. Every generation tends to believe that the previous generation lived in a better world. Nostalgia, however, can distort reality. The past had its limitations, just as the present has its contradictions. The challenge is not to recreate an imaginary Kashmir of yesterday but to preserve those values from yesterday that can enrich the Kashmir of tomorrow. Kashmir cannot afford to lose its hospitality, its poetry, its craftsmanship, its sensitivity towards nature, its respect for elders, its oral traditions and its capacity for human connection. Modernisation should change the way Kashmiris live, work and communicate; it should not erase the values that give their civilisation its distinctive character. The greatest challenge, therefore, is not development. It is development without cultural amnesia. Kashmir is changing, and it will continue to change. The generation that once travelled by slow buses now communicates across continents through smartphones. Children who once inherited family occupations are choosing global careers. Women are entering professions their grandmothers could scarcely have imagined. Families are becoming smaller, aspirations larger and the world closer. Somewhere between the old wooden house and the modern apartment, between the kangri and the smartphone, between the handwritten letter and the instant message, between the village courtyard and the global workplace, a new Kashmir is being born. It would be easy to mourn the Kashmir that is disappearing. It would be wiser to ask what kind of Kashmir we want to create. For ultimately, societies are not preserved by resisting change. They survive by carrying their deepest values through change. The Kashmir of tomorrow will not be the Kashmir of our grandparents. Nor should it be. But if the future Kashmiri can walk confidently into the modern world without forgetting the language, memories, compassion, cultural wisdom and human values of those who came before, then the transformation of Kashmiri society will not represent the end of an old civilisation. It will be the beginning of its next chapter. (The writer is RK columnist and can be reached at: sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com )
AJAY RAINA Solid Waste Management (SWM) is one of the most pressing environmental challenges globally as well as locally. Inappropriate SWM practices such as improper incineration and uncontrolled disposal of waste are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions; the waste in landfills produces methane, a gas that is approximately 20 times stronger than carbon dioxide. Toxins from such waste can also leach ( the process where a liquid, usually water, passes through a solid material, dissolving and carrying away its soluble substances or minerals) into soil and water, thereby affecting local wildlife. Solid waste can also cause a number of health issues such as infectious diseases, asthma, cancer and cardiovascular disease through the contamination of the surrounding air, soil and water. The most vulnerable to these issues are children, communities living near waste dumps whose water supply has been contaminated by waste dumping or leakage from improperly managed landfills and waste workers. Roughly 70 percent of municipal solid waste consists of kitchen scraps, food waste and other biodegradable material. Such waste becomes a problem when it gets mixed with plastic wrappers, diapers, sanitary waste and other non-biodegradable materials . Rapid urbanisation has changed consumption patterns throughout the country. Packaged foods, plastic containers and disposable products have become common, while systems for collection and processing remain weak or entirely absent. Mixed waste collection remains common in many places despite rules requiring segregation at source. Garbage loaded into collection vehicles without sorting simply shifts the problem from one location to another. Unfortunately, awareness is limited to workshops, photographs and administrative presentations. Since the environmental, economic and public health consequences touch every household, waste management needs the same approach as 100 days of drug-free campaigning was generated for public participation, and local administration mobilised resources and citizens understood that the government viewed the issue as a priority. While the government had an important role to play, every citizen must also take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and preserving the environment for future generations. We must protect whatever remains of our environment. If we fail to preserve what is left, we will lose that as well. Separate your DRY WASTE and WET WASTE at home. This small habit is key to a cleaner, greener village/city. At-source minimisation is the most preferred strategy of waste management, and its aim is to reduce the quantity of waste generated, thereby reducing the negative effects of solid waste. Effective solid waste management is the segregation, collection and transportation of waste. The transport of solid waste from site to site during collection should be done through vehicles that can keep the waste segregated and that is compatible with existing waste storage facilities. Common waste minimisation strategies include: (1) Public awareness and education programmes in schools, residential associations and commercial and industrial establishments. (2) Encouraging voluntary action by commercial enterprises to reduce packaging in their products. (3) Business assistance programmes for advising businesses on their waste management. When two-bin waste management is adopted, it enables a structured approach that reduces landfill pressure by 70% to 80 %, and Municipalities will also benefit economically, as source segregation can decrease disposal expenses by up to 40%. By using two waste bins, communities, schools, offices, and even households can easily segregate waste into biodegradable, recyclable, and non-recyclable categories. Swachh Bharat can really be achieved only when each one of us takes charge of the waste we generate. Small Actions at Home Create Big Change. (Author can be reached at: rianaajay@gmail.com)
The Missing Bridge between Degrees and Dignity
For years, education in our part of the world has been treated as a single road with one destination: a degree, preferably from a conventional stream, and then a job. That model is increasingly out of step with the economy, with technology, and with the hopes of thousands of young people who finish school and college only to find that their certificates do not translate into work. In that gap lies both frustration and opportunity. Vocational education is the bridge we have spoken about for too long and built too little. The problem is not that our youth lack talent. It is that our education system still rewards memory more than capability, and prestige more than productivity. A student who wants to become a technician, a welder, a designer, a carpenter, a coder, a caregiver, a chef or a solar panel installer is often made to feel that such choices are second-rate. That thinking is costly. It devalues work, ignores market demand and pushes countless students into academic tracks that neither suit their interests nor the needs of the economy. Vocational education should not be seen as an alternative for those who could not do better. It should be recognised as a serious, respectable and future-facing pathway. Across the world, the strongest labour markets are not built only on universities; they are built on well-designed systems that connect classrooms with workshops, industry and apprenticeships. Countries that invest in skills early produce workers who are more adaptable, more employable and often more entrepreneurial. That is a lesson Jammu and Kashmir cannot afford to ignore. The case for vocational education becomes even stronger in a region where employment opportunities are limited, and the private sector remains underdeveloped. We cannot continue to produce graduates only for disappointment. We need schools and colleges that help students learn how to earn, solve problems and create value. A young person trained in refrigeration repair, electric work, healthcare support, hospitality, tourism services, digital marketing, tailoring, food processing or agriculture-linked enterprises is not merely seeking a job; he or she is acquiring a livelihood. But this will require more than slogans. Vocational education must be integrated into mainstream schooling with proper infrastructure, trained instructors, industry linkages and certification that employers respect. It must not be reduced to a token course or a dusty laboratory. Parents also need to be convinced that skills are not a compromise but a route to dignity and independence. Society must stop measuring success only by the size of a degree and start measuring it by the usefulness of knowledge. There is also a larger economic truth. A region that trains its youth in practical skills becomes more resilient. It can support small businesses, local manufacturing, service industries and innovation at the grassroots. It can reduce migration for work, strengthen household incomes and give young people a reason to stay invested in their own communities. If Jammu and Kashmir is serious about tackling unemployment, then vocational education cannot remain a side conversation. It must be at the centre of policy, planning and public imagination. We owe our youth more than promises. We owe them pathways.
Illegal mining has become one of the most damaging and least confronted crimes against our land. It is not merely a question of theft of sand, gravel or stone. It is a larger assault on ecology, public infrastructure, governance and the very idea of law. Where mining is illegal, everything around it eventually becomes illegal in spirit too: permits are bypassed, safety norms ignored, environmental clearances mocked, and local complaints brushed aside. The result is a landscape wounded by greed and a system weakened by complicity. Across the UT, the signs are visible. Riverbeds are being gouged beyond limits, hillsides cut recklessly, roads damaged by overloaded vehicles, and natural drains disturbed in ways that worsen floods and erosion. What begins as the removal of a truckload of material ends in the destabilisation of fragile ecosystems. In a place like Jammu and Kashmir, where geography is sensitive and environmental balance already under pressure, such activity is not a minor violation. It is a serious threat to long-term survival and public safety. The troubling part is not only the scale of illegal mining, but the persistence of it despite repeated warnings, orders and public concern. This points to a deeper failure of enforcement. If illegal extraction continues in broad daylight, it means the system is either unable or unwilling to stop it. In many cases, local residents know who is operating, when trucks move and which routes are being used. Yet action remains sporadic, selective and often temporary. Raids are announced, machines seized, fines imposed, and then the machinery of abuse resumes as before. This cannot be treated as an administrative irritant. It is a governance test. A government that cannot protect rivers from illegal extraction will struggle to convince people that it can protect anything else. The issue also exposes a familiar pattern in which environmental violations are normalised because they generate easy money for a few and inconvenience for the many. But the costs are not abstract. They are paid in collapsing riverbanks, damaged farmland, dust pollution, water depletion, road deterioration and increased disaster risk. What is needed now is not another round of routine condemnation but sustained, transparent and accountable enforcement. Mining zones must be monitored more closely, transport routes checked rigorously, and repeat offenders punished decisively. Technology can help, but only if backed by political will. Satellite mapping, GPS tracking of vehicles, night surveillance and community reporting mechanisms can make enforcement stronger. Yet no instrument will matter if those meant to regulate the sector look the other way. Illegal mining thrives where oversight is weak and accountability thinner still. Ending it requires more than occasional seizures. It requires an understanding that environmental crime is also public crime. The state must send a clear message that rivers are not quarries, hills are not free stores, and public land is not there to be stripped by the powerful. If the law is to mean anything, it must begin with the ground beneath our feet.
The Green Terror: Control and Management
Parthenium Awareness Week: Aug.16-22 Dr. Parveen Kumar* All of us might not be aware of the ill effects of this plant, but we must have seen this plant locally called as Gajar Ghas/Congress Ghas growing wildly in the fields/field bunds, along the roadsides, railway tracks and in fallow or uncultivated lands. It grows [] The post The Green Terror: Control and Management appeared first on Northlines .
A Historian who laughed at the absurdities of the World
Sumit Sarkar interpreted History through lives of common people By Tirthankar Mitra Historian extraordinary, Sumit Sarkar, whose focus extended beyond nationalist icons, is no more. He felt it was more important to explore the limits of mainstream nationalism. He was only too aware that the shining promise of the dawn of independence [] The post A Historian who laughed at the absurdities of the World appeared first on Northlines .
Omkar Dattatray There is, unfortunately, a dual power system and structure in Jammu and Kashmir, largely owing to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. This arrangement has often been criticised as undesirable because it can impair good, efficient and transparent governance and administration. Jammu and Kashmir is perhaps the only Union Territory in the [] The post Dual Power Structure in J&K: A Curse appeared first on Northlines .
The next phase of reforms to strengthen MSMEs
Ms. Shobha Karandlaje 1. The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Amendment Bill, 2026, recently passed by both Houses of Parliament, is a very significant reform and an important step in strengthening the MSME ecosystem. MSMEs make a significant contribution to the development of the nation. Over the past few years, the MSME sector [] The post The next phase of reforms to strengthen MSMEs appeared first on Northlines .
Unpredictable fluctuations in airfares have once again come under the Supreme Courts scrutiny, with the Court making it clear that airlines failing to comply with government directions on fares should face strict action, including grounding. The Centre has informed the Court that final rules governing airfares, surge pricing and excess baggage charges would be notified [] The post Airfares Need Regulation appeared first on Northlines .
LG Reviews Welfare Measures for Veterans, Veer Naris at Rajya Sainik Board Meet
SRINAGAR : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired the 81st meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Rajya Sainik Board at Lok Bhavan, reviewing welfare measures for veterans, Veer Naris, widows and dependents. The meeting discussed issues related to welfare delivery, grievance redressal, healthcare and institutional strengthening, including the establishment of a ZSWO at Kishtwar []
NTA revamps examination team, removes 600 experts to enhance transparency, accountability
New Delhi [India], August 18 : The National Testing Agency (NTA) has revamped its examination team, removing around 600 experts and onboarding new ones as part of efforts to enhance transparency and accountability, sources told ANI on Tuesday. The new premises of the NTA will be located at Minto Road, the sources said. Earlier in the day, in a post on X, the Ministry of Education said Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi had directed that all necessary security and related infrastructural facilities be put in place for the smooth conduct of examinations. Following directions from the Minister, DG, NTA apprised on the action taken by NTA: A revamp of the examination team was undertaken with 600 experts being removed and new experts being onboarded, the Ministry said. The Ministry said a four-tier question paper checking system would be introduced to strengthen the scrutiny of examination papers. A four-tier question paper checking system will be put in place to strengthen the scrutiny of examination papers. 20-25 officials to be inducted in next two to three weeks. Further induction plan was also reviewed, it said. The Ministry said the measures were reviewed as part of a follow-up meeting on the NTA, with the focus on strengthening security and infrastructure for the conduct of examinations. The NTA offices will be shifted to the new premises at Minto Road, while security arrangements will also be strengthened. NTA offices will be shifted to the new premises on a war footing where security will be reinforced with CISF teams, the Ministry said. Meanwhile, on Monday, Education Minister Pralhad Joshi held a meeting with the Secretary, Department of Higher Education, NTA Director General, and other senior officials to review steps taken by the National Testing Agency (NTA) following recent issues and discuss reforms in the examination system. During the meeting, the Minister was apprised that more than 50 NTA staff members had been removed as part of the steps being taken to reform the agency. The NTA was directed to conduct a thorough audit of all examination processes and submit a report on the corrective action taken. Joshi directed officials to ensure strict compliance with established examination protocols. (ANI)
Jammu Kashmir Bank brings 600 FIL Employees Under Corporate Salary Package
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Bank has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FIL Industries Private Limited to bring nearly 600 employees of the Srinagar-based business group under its Corporate Salary Package, strengthening an institutional banking relationship between the two organisations. The agreement was signed in Srinagar by J&K Bank Zonal Head (Srinagar) Sheikh []
Income Tax Department Launches Nationwide Verification Of Suspicious Foreign Remittances
SRINAGAR: The Income Tax Department has launched a nationwide verification exercise into suspicious foreign remittances after identifying several entities that allegedly transferred large sums of money abroad despite reporting very small turnovers. The department said the action was based on ground intelligence and data analysis of outward foreign remittances over the past three years. The []
Omar Govt Focused on Reviving Artisans, Trade and Tourism in Jammu Kashmir: Sagar
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) General Secretary Haji Ali Mohammad Sagar on Tuesday said the Omar Abdullah-led government was committed to improving the economic conditions and livelihoods of artisans, craftsmen, traders and people associated with the tourism sector. Sagar made the remarks while interacting with several public delegations, traders associations and representatives of []
JKBOSE to Hold UFM Committee Meeting on August 20
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) will hold a meeting of its Unfair Means (UFM) Committee on August 20 to examine cases involving alleged use of unfair means by candidates appearing in various examinations. The meeting will cover cases pertaining to Classes 10, 11 and 12 under the Annual Private/Bi-Annual 2026 []
US Ambassador Sergio Gor to Visit Kashmir Tomorrow
SRINAGAR: US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs Sergio Gor is scheduled to travel to the Kashmir Valley on Wednesday, marking his first official visit to Jammu and Kashmir, officials said, according to a report by ETV Bharat. During his stay in Srinagar, Gor is expected to meet Jammu []
SRINAGAR: Environmental activist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat said that the Karewa landscape of Pulwama and Budgam has been subjected to loot and plunder on a scale far greater than the quantities reflected in official records. This, he said, after a joint committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) documented extensive excavation and alteration of []
Five Srinagar Government Schools Get ICT Labs Under NTT Data-ELFA CSR Initiative
SRINAGAR: Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo on Tuesday inaugurated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratories in five government schools under a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative funded by NTT DATA and implemented by ELFA International. The ICT labs were inaugurated at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Nawakadal, with the facilities established at five schools across []
Uri Hit-and-Run Victim Dies at SKIMS Soura, Driver Arrested
SRINAGAR: A 30-year-old labourer who was critically injured in a hit-and-run accident in Salasan area of Boniyar in Uri has succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Soura, officials said on Tuesday. The deceased, identified as Dhaker, son of Ashmali Dhaker, a resident of Salasan, Boniyar, was hit by an unidentified vehicle in the area on []
Hormuz Strait wont be opened until US complies with interim deal conditions: Iran's Ghalibaf
Tehran [Iran], August 18 : Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Tuesday said that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to maritime traffic until all Iranian conditions set forth in the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the US are fully met, tying the reopening directly to the complete removal of foreign sanctions and military operations. Until America's commitments in the memorandum of understanding--including lifting the blockade, releasing frozen assets, lifting oil sanctions, ending threats and military operations on all fronts, and other conditions to which America committed--are implemented, the Strait will not be opened. Ghalibaf said. Warning adversaries against further escalation, the Speaker asserted that the Islamic Republic is eady to impose a heavier defeat on the enemy in proportion to its actions and aggressions. Ghalibaf defended the diplomatic process, noting that the window provided by the MoU to halt military hostilities offered a vital opportunity to strengthen the country's national defences and domestic economy. Of course, it is necessary to clarify that the opportunity gained from the memorandum regarding the lifting of the blockade and the ceasefire was a worthy help in increasing economic resilience and rebuilding Iran's defensive power, he said. Addressing domestic resolve, Ghalibaf emphasised that Iran remains firm on honouring its martyrs and protecting national sovereignty. We will not pass over the blood of the martyred leader, the innocent children of Minab, and other martyrs of the second and third sacred defense. Under the guidance of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution and before the Iranian nation, we pledge to use all our strength to achieve the rights of the Iranian people, eliminate aggression, punish the aggressor, and make the country proud, he said. The Speaker further warned against foreign attempts to disrupt internal stability, stressing that political officials and the public remain united. We will not allow the enemy to target national unity, the presence of the people, the resilience of the nation, and the motivation of officials. Iran is united, powerful, and vigilant, and with trust in Almighty God, the guidance of the Supreme Leader, the willpower of the nation, and the coordination and synergy of the military, diplomatic, and service arenas, it will emerge victorious from this historic test, and divine victory will certainly be realised for these striving people, he added. His remarks come after a vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unknown projectile, resulting in damage to its engine room and a crew casualty, the UK's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. The Company Security Officer has reported that the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile while conducting an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO said in its incident report. The impact caused damage to the engine room and resulted in a crew casualty, it added. The conclusion of the 60 days leaves these core disagreements unresolved. For Tehran, normalising traffic through Hormuz remains contingent on the cessation of the blockade, troop withdrawals, and reparations. (ANI)
Delhi High Court rejects default bail plea of Jasir Bilal Wani in Red Fort blast case
New Delhi, August 18 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday denied default bail to Jasir Bilal Wani, who is an accused in the Delhi Fort Blast case. He sought default bail on the ground of extension of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation. The court had extended the period of NIA investigation. His default bail plea was dismissed by the trial court. The NIA filed a charge sheet on May 14. A division bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan dismissed the plea of Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish. He had challenged the extension of the investigation period beyond 90 days by the Special NIA court in February 2026. He had also challenged the order dismissing his default bail by the NIA court. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Madhav Khurana had appeared for NIA and accepted notice. The counsel for Jasir Bilal Wani had submitted that the order of extension of the period of investigation beyond 90 days is illegal. It was also submitted that, therefore, the order denying default bail is also illegal. The counsel had argued that the application for extension of investigation was moved by the NIA on February 13. The period of 90 days was expiring on February 15. Section 43 (D) of the UAPA comes into picture on the 90 days. If he does not file the charge sheet within 90 days, the accused is entitled to default bail. On the other hand, the NIA had submitted that there is no legal infirmity in both orders passed by the NIA court. Jasir Bilal Wani is charge-sheeted along with other accused in the Delhi Red Fort blast case of November 11, 2025. The NIA court had extended the period of investigation. The default bail application was also dismissed by the court. (ANI)
Action taken against 866 hospitals over Ayushman scheme violations since 2020: UP govt
LUCKNOW: (Aug 18) The Uttar Pradesh government has taken action against 866 hospitals linked to the Ayushman Bharat scheme for alleged negligence in treatment, violation of norms and financial irregularities between 2020 and 2026, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday. The action includes de-empanelment of 648 hospitals, suspension of 61 hospitals and de-empanelment []
Anantnag Police Books Alleged Fraudster Under PSA, Sends Him to Bhaderwah Jail
SRINAGAR: Anantnag Police has booked an alleged habitual fraudster under the Public Safety Act (PSA), citing concerns over his activities and their impact on public order. The action has been taken against Tasaduq Hussain Dar, son of Ab. Gani Dar, a resident of Sadoora in Anantnag, after the District Magistrate, Anantnag, issued a detention warrant []
Pakistan SC Orders Imran Khans Shift To Hospital For Eye Check-Up
Former PM to be taken to Islamabads Shifa International Hospital after court cites health and safety concerns
Pakistan SC Orders Hospital Shift For Imran Khan Amid Health Concerns
ISLAMABAD, Aug 18: Pakistans Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan be shifted to a hospital within 48 hours, accepting a longstanding demand of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and family over concerns about his deteriorating health. The court directed that Khan be moved from jail to Shifa International Hospital [] The post Pakistan SC Orders Hospital Shift For Imran Khan Amid Health Concerns appeared first on Northlines .
Pak SC orders shifting of jailed ex-PM Khan to private hospital for medical checkup
By Sajjad Hussain ISLAMABAD: (Aug 18) Pakistans Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the shifting of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan to a private hospital for medical examination a day after jail authorities said the 73-year-olds eyesight was almost normal. The court issued the directive while hearing several identical petitions following an eye ailment that []
Pakistan SC orders Imran Khan shifted to private hospital for eye check-up
Pakistan SC orders Imran Khan shifted to private hospital for eye checkup
SC dismisses plea challenging hanging as method of death penalty execution
New Delhi, Aug 18: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking the removal of hanging as a mode of carrying out the death penalty. The Court, however, left the door open for the issue to be reconsidered in the future if credible medical or scientific evidence establishes that the existing method [] The post SC dismisses plea challenging hanging as method of death penalty execution appeared first on Northlines .
Pak Supreme Court orders ex-PM Imran Khan to be moved to hospital from jail amid health concerns
ISLAMABAD: Following growing concerns over his medical condition, Pakistans Supreme Court on Tuesday directed authorities to transfer jailed former prime minister Imran Khan to Islamabads Shifa International Hospital for a health evaluation, according to a report by Dawn. A three-member Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Shahid Wahid and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and []
Jammu Kashmir Constitutes District Highway Safety Task Forces To Curb Road Accidents
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted District Highway Safety Task Forces across the Union Territory to strengthen road safety measures, identify accident-prone locations and ensure compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court. The General Administration Department issued Government Order No. 1412-JK(GAD) of 2026 on August 18, in compliance with the Supreme Court []
Rising Human-Wildlife Conflict in Kashmir: Causes & Solutions | Dachigam Ranger Rayees Ahmad Reshi
Pakistan SC orders Imran Khan's transfer to hospital
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from jail to a hospital.
Jharkhand Govt Cancels JSSC-CGL, TDPL Recruitment Exams After Student Protest
RANCHI, Aug 18: The Jharkhand government on Tuesday cancelled the JSSC-CGL examination and all other recruitment examinations conducted by private agency TDPL, following a 24-day student protest over alleged irregularities in the recruitment process. The decision was taken at a special Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren and was welcomed by protesting students [] The post Jharkhand Govt Cancels JSSC-CGL, TDPL Recruitment Exams After Student Protest appeared first on Northlines .
Short: CEO FSSAI reviews food testing facilities in J&K
Short: Only 11.5% of J&Ks 24,228 schools have smart classrooms
Short: Kargil Police file FIR over remarks against Ayatollah Khomeini
Short: J&K trout farming gets boost with 2.5 lakh seeds
by Umaima Reshi SRINAGAR: A 50-acre industrial park proposed at Nowgam in Srinagar is set to be developed as a fully integrated plug-and-play industrial hub at an estimated cost of Rs 104.02 crore. The project is designed primarily to cater to Kashmirs horticulture value chain, food processing, light manufacturing, logistics, warehousing and digital services. The []
Ladakh Marathon Prize Purse Raised To Rs 1 Crore As Registrations Touch Record 10,000
SRINAGAR: The 13th edition of the Ladakh Marathon is set to offer a record prize purse of Rs 1 crore, marking a major expansion of one of the worlds highest-altitude endurance sporting events. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, today launched the official jersey for the 13th edition of the marathon, formally setting the []
Washington, August 18 : Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has utilised the period of relative calm following a June memorandum of understanding with the United States to prepare for a wider confrontation, including formulating plans for pre-emptive strikes and potential operations on enemy territory, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing Iranian and Arab officials. The military preparations encompass accelerated missile production, enhanced missile accuracy, expanded counterintelligence operations, and an enlarged role for the powerful Revolutionary Guard within Iran's military apparatus. We took full advantage of the ceasefire period, Revolutionary Guard spokesman Brig Gen Hossein Mohebbi said in July, according to the WSJ report. We enhanced our capabilities, accelerated our missile production rate and improved missile accuracy. Following the signing of the memorandum of understanding by US President Donald Trump with Iran in mid-June, Washington had anticipated that the arrangement would facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and initiate a wind-down of the conflict. However, Iran's hard-line leadership interpreted the agreement differently, according to Iranian and Arab officials cited by the WSJ. They assessed that the agreement might represent an attempt by the US and Israel to alleviate economic pressure globally while gaining time to prepare a larger attack. Consequently, Iran used the intervening window to prepare for what its leadership views as a potentially larger military confrontation. These measures included assigning the Revolutionary Guard greater oversight over the regular army, appointing veterans of the Iran-Iraq War and past internal crackdowns to senior posts, expanding domestic counterintelligence operations, and ramping up missile and drone manufacturing. According to the report, the Revolutionary Guard also utilised the period to coordinate strategy with allied militias across the region. The Revolutionary Guard used the calm created by the memorandum of understanding to lay the groundwork with allied militias around the region to step up attacks if needed, the WSJ reported, citing officials familiar with recent Arab intelligence findings. Iranian commanders were dispatched to Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon to discuss these operational plans, according to the report. Furthermore, the Revolutionary Guard supervised the deployment of missiles, naval weaponry, and drone launchers overlooking the Red Sea, while providing Yemeni militants with intelligence and targeting lists focused on Saudi ports and energy facilities, the WSJ reported. Iran-backed groups subsequently executed attacks affecting Saudi energy infrastructure, while Iran expanded strikes against US military personnel and hit targets in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, according to the report. The Revolutionary Guard has now prepared fresh options for further military escalation, according to Iranian officials and public statements cited by the WSJ. These options include executing pre-emptive strikes, committing sabotage against undersea internet cables in the Persian Gulf, instigating political unrest in countries with Shia communities such as Kuwait and Bahrain, and potentially undertaking ground operations in Kuwait. Kuwait has treated the possibility of ground operations seriously. In early May, the country stated that its security forces had intercepted six Revolutionary Guard personnel who had used a rented fishing vessel to land on a Kuwaiti island, according to the report. Additionally, some Iranian political figures have indicated that the Revolutionary Guard could initiate ground raids through southern Iraq if the US threatened strategic Iranian territory, such as Kharg Island. The potential for military operations against nations hosting US military bases introduces another dimension to Iran's operational posture as the conflict persists. These preparations have coincided with a structural reorganisation of Iran's security apparatus. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has positioned experienced security and military figures in key roles, while the Revolutionary Guard has secured broader influence over the regular armed forces. New Revolutionary Guard Commander-in-Chief Ahmad Vahidi was formally assigned the position and tasked with executing powerful offensive operations against the enemy, according to the decree cited by the WSJ. The following day, Gen Mohammad Reza Naghdi, an adviser to Vahidi, stated that the paramilitary force must remain prepared to take operations into enemy territory. Iran's leadership has concurrently intensified internal security measures amidst concerns that economic decline and continued US pressure could provoke renewed domestic unrest. (ANI)
BJP Names Poll In-Charges For UP, Punjab, Gujarat
NEW DELHI, Aug 18: BJP president Nitin Nabin on Tuesday appointed senior party leaders as in-charges for Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat, with the move coming ahead of assembly elections in the three states. Rajya Sabha MP Vinod Tawde was appointed in-charge of party affairs in Uttar Pradesh, with newly appointed national secretary Jagdish Ishwarbhai [] The post BJP Names Poll In-Charges For UP, Punjab, Gujarat appeared first on Northlines .
Man Killed After Scooty Collides With Truck In Central Kashmir
SRINAGAR: A 50-year-old man was killed after the scooty he was riding collided with a truck at Fruit Mandi in Parimpora area of Srinagar on Tuesday, officials said. Quoting an official, the news agency KNO reported that the accident occurred at Fruit Mandi, Parimpora, when the mans scooty collided with a truck bearing registration number []
Sajad Lone Dismisses Reports Of Boycott Of I-Day Parade in Kupwara as
SRINAGAR: Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming that he had boycotted the Independence Day parade in Kupwara, terming the reports pure gibberish. Lone said that no such incident had taken place and clarified that he was not even present in Kupwara on the day of the Independence Day celebrations. There is []
NEW DELHI, Aug 18: The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Centre, all states and Union Territories, besides social media platforms Meta and X, on a PIL seeking restrictions on police organisations from posting content online that reveals the identities of accused persons or portrays them in a dehumanising manner. A bench headed [] The post SC Seeks Centre, States Response On PIL Against Online Disclosure Of Accused Identities appeared first on Northlines .
Man killed after scooty collides with truck in Srinagars Parimpora
Srinagar, Aug 18: A 50-year-old man was killed after the scooty he was riding collided with a truck at Fruit Mandi in Parimpora area of Srinagar on Tuesday, officials said. An official said that the accident occurred at Fruit Mandi, Parimpora, when the mans scooty collided with a truck bearing registration number JK13C-9806. He said the man sustained injuries and was shifted to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The man was later identified as Mohd Anwar Magray (50), son of Mohd Abdullah Magray, a resident of Kilwar Tangmarg. Police have taken cognisance of the incident.(KNO)
Crime Branch Jammu Cracks Down On Visa Fraud, Files Chargesheet
JAMMU, Aug 18: The Special Crime Wing (SCW) of the Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against a Jammu resident accused of duping several people on the pretext of arranging foreign employment visas, while also registering a separate case against a Srinagar-based enterprise over alleged cheating in Modular Kitchen projects, officials said on Tuesday. The [] The post Crime Branch Jammu Cracks Down On Visa Fraud, Files Chargesheet appeared first on Northlines .
Jammu Kashmir Braces For Prolonged Wet Spell, Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain Forecast
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness a spell of fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rain and thunderstorms over the next several days, with the Meteorological Centre Srinagar forecasting continued wet weather across both divisions. According to the weather bulletin issued by the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, on Tuesday, fairly widespread to widespread []
Drawn by better returns, people living on water-scarce hillsides in Jammu and Kashmir are replacing labour-intensive maize with the relatively low-maintenance lavender. The shift has taken root, but with annual production still around 3,000 litres and turnover barely Rs 10 crore, it may be too early to call it the purple revolution as officials claim []
Searches launched after suspicious movement reports in Udhampur, Reasi
Udhampur, Aug 18 : Security forces on Tuesday launched search operations at several locations in Udhampur and Reasi districts following reports of suspicious movement. Sources told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that a joint team of police and the CRPF launched a cordo and search operation in Talot village of Udhampur after receiving information about the suspected movement last night. Following the inputs, joint teams of police and the CRPF reached the area and launched searches, they said. Meanwhile, security forces also conducted search operations in the Sadini forests of Reasi district following reports of suspicious movement.(KNO)
Crime branch files chargesheet in visa fraud case in Jammu
AMMU: (Aug 18) The Special Crime Wing (SCW) of the Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against an accused for allegedly duping several people on the pretext of arranging foreign employment visas, an official said on Tuesday. The chargesheet was filed on Monday against Kartik Choudhary, a resident of Purana Pind in Jammus RS Pura []
Qazigund , August 18: A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bunker vehicle overturned after it was involved in a collision with a truck in Jammu and Kashmir, officials informed on Tuesday. Some CRPF personnel onboard the vehicle reportedly suffered minor injuries in the incident. The injured personnel were immediately shifted to the 163 Battalion CRPF camp in Qazigund for treatment. Further details are awaited. Earlier, on July 20, two persons were killed, and five others were injured after a massive boulder rolled down a hillside and struck a passenger bus and two light motor vehicles at Ragi Nallah in J&K's Doda district on July 19. The heavy impact caused extensive damage to the vehicles and triggered panic among commuters along the route. Upon receiving information, rescue teams and local police personnel rushed to the spot, initiated immediate relief operations, and evacuated the injured to a nearby hospital for primary treatment. The injured individuals were subsequently shifted to the Government Medical College (GMC) in Jammu for specialised care.
Stock markets decline in early trade as crude oil jumps to USD 91 per barrel
MUMBAI: (Aug 18) Market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade on Tuesday as elevated crude oil prices and rising tensions in West Asia weighed heavily on investors sentiment. The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 278.32 points to 77,450.64 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty edged lower by 57.65 points to 24,230.45. []
Mother killed, son injured as scooty skids off road in South Kashmir's Shopian
Shopian, Aug 18 : A woman died while her son sustained injuries after the scooty they were travelling on skidded off the road in the Amerbugh area of Imam Sahib in south Kashmirs Shopian district on Tuesday. An official told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that the woman was travelling as a pillion rider on the scooty being driven by her son when the vehicle skidded off the road at Amerbugh. He said that the woman sustained critical injuries in the incident and died on the spot, while her son suffered minor injuries. The deceased was later identified as Saja Banoo, wife of Ghulam Qadir Naikoo, a resident of Kharwara, while her injured son was identified as Shakeel Ahmad Naikoo, son of Ghulam Qadir Naikoo. Police have taken cognisance of the incident and further investigation is underway.(KNO)
Mother Dies, Son Injured as Scooty Skids Off Road in South Kashmir
SRINAGAR: A woman was killed while her son sustained injuries after the scooty they were travelling on skidded off the road in Amerbugh area of Imam Sahib in south Kashmirs Shopian district on Tuesday. An official said the woman was riding pillion on the scooty being driven by her son when the vehicle skidded off []
EOW Kashmir Files Chargesheet Over Attempt to Influence Crime Branch Investigation
Srinagar, Aug 18: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet before the Honble Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, in case FIR No. 28/2026, against Ghulam Ahmad Ganie S/o Ghulam Mohammad Ganie, R/o Mirgund, District Budgam, for commission of cognizable offences punishable under Section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 228 and 229 of the BNS. The investigation was initiated on the basis of a written complaint alleging that the accused, who is also an accused in the ongoing investigation of FIR No. 11/2021 of Crime Branch Kashmir, now EOW Kashmir, transferred an amount of Rs. 10,000/- into the bank account of an Investigation Officer with the alleged intention of bribing and influencing the investigation in the said case Upon receipt of the complaint, a probe was ordered. During the course of investigation, the allegations were thoroughly examined and relevant evidence was collected. The investigation established the involvement of the accused in the alleged act, following which the chargesheet was prepared and presented before the Honble Court for judicial determination in accordance with law. The general public is advised not to offer or pay bribes to any public servant for obtaining any favour or service. Any demand for bribe or involvement in corrupt practices should be immediately reported to the competent authorities for necessary legal action. Public cooperation and timely reporting are essential to curb corruption and promote transparency and accountability
Man chargesheeted for attempting to influence Crime Branch probe
Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K on Tuesday said it has filed a chargesheet against a Budgam man for allegedly attempting to influence an ongoing investigation by transferring Rs 10,000 into the bank account of an Investigation Officer. In a statement , a spokesperson said the EOW Kashmir has filed []
EOW Kashmir Chargesheets Man Accused Of Trying to Influence Crime Branch Probe
SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet against a Budgam resident for allegedly attempting to influence an ongoing Crime Branch investigation by transferring money into the bank account of an investigating officer. The chargesheet was filed before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, in FIR No. 28/2026 []
Search operations underway in J-K's Udhampur, Reasi, Kathua
Jammu, Aug 18: Security forces launched search operations at several locations following reports of the movement of suspected persons in Udhampur, Reasi and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday. The police, in collaboration with the CRPF, began a cordon-and-search operation after receiving information about the movement of two suspected individuals. These individuals allegedly knocked on the door of Prakash Chand in Udhampur's Talot village late Monday night and asked for food, officials said. They said that the residents did not respond to the repeated knocks for several minutes. Concerned, they alerted the security forces after the suspected individuals, who were wearing shawls, left the area heading towards the Khuban side. Responding quickly to the information, joint teams from the police and CRPF arrived at the village and initiated the operation, the officials added. Additionally, security forces conducted search operations in the Sadini forests in Reasi and in several villages near the International Border in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua. These operations are ongoing in all areas where recent reports have been received, according to the officials.
Five CRPF Personnel Injured As Vehicle Collides With Truck In South Kashmir
SRINAGAR: A Five Central Reserve Police Force personnel were injured after a Crpf vehicle collided with a truck near Levdura area of Qazigund on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Tuesday morning. Quoting officials, news agency GNS reported that the injured personnel were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The injured have been []
5 CRPF Personnel Injured in Qazigund Road Accident
Qazigund: At least five CRPF personnel were injured after a truck collided with a CRPF bunker vehicle at Levdora area of Qazigund in south Kashmirs Kulgam district on Tuesday, officials said. An official said that the accident occurred at Levdora, Qazigund, involving a truck bearing registration number JK02DU-4386 and a CRPF bunker vehicle bearing registration []
DC reviews Farmers ID Generation Camp under Agristack project at Kulgam
Kulgam, Aug 17: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Shahzad Alam along with Additional Deputy Commissioner, Vikar Ahmad Giri on Monday visited the Farmer's ID generation camp organized under the Agristack Project at Tehsil Kulgam, to take an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing registration and digitisation drive. During the visit, the DC supervised the entire process and interacted with the revenue staff present at the camp especially scheduled for Tamiloo village. He took a detailed overview of the data being submitted, verified and approved on the Agristack portal to ensure accuracy and transparency at every stage. Addressing the officials, the DC described Agristack as a landmark initiative and a milestone in the history of the Revenue Department. He said that generation of unique Farmers ID will create a comprehensive digital database of farmers, which will streamline delivery of all agriculture-related benefits and schemes in a hassle-free manner. The Farmers ID will serve as a single digital identity for every farmer. It will enable direct benefit transfer, crop insurance, soil health cards, and access to institutional credit without duplication and delays, the DC said. Our aim is to ensure that no eligible farmer is left out, he added. The DC directed the revenue officials and field staff to expedite the process and complete the exercise efficiently and within the stipulated timeline. He stressed on maintaining data quality, proper verification, and prompt updation on the portal to avoid pendency. He also urged the field functionaries to create wider awareness among farmers about the benefits of Agristack and to extend full support to farmers, especially elderly and marginal farmers, during the registratpn process. Giving details, it was informed that Farmers ID generation camps are currently underway across all locations in the district. So far, registration and verification for 54 villages have been completed on the Agristack portal, and the remaining villages are being covered in a phased manner. Tehsildar, Kulgam, Nisar Ahmad Wani and other officials were also present on the occasion.
ROC J&K leads Tiranga Yatra at Jammus Bahu Plaza
Jammu, Aug 17: As part of the nationwide Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign 2026, the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ROC), Jammu & Kashmir, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with the local chapters/branches of Professional Institutes (ICAI) and (ICSI) on Monday organised and led a vibrant Tiranga Yatra at Bahu Plaza, Jammu. The Tiranga Yatra witnessed enthusiastic participation by officers and officials of the ROC J&K office, along with Jammu-based members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) led by CA Amit Gupta and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) led by CS Sahil. Carrying the National Flag with pride, the participants spread the message of patriotism, national unity and collective responsibility. Speaking to the media on the occasion, Registrar of Companies, J&K, Haamid Bukhari, said that the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign is a unique initiative that seeks to deepen the emotional connect of every citizen with the National Flag and the nation. He noted that the 2026 campaign marks the fifth edition, continuing the initiative that began in 2022. This year, special feature of the initiative is the 150th Anniversary of Vande Mataram, the national song through which we cherish the cultural history of our nationalism and the values of patriotism of which, we all should be proud of. He said that such initiatives inculcate a feeling of patriotism in the heart of every Indian and inspire citizens to cherish the ideals, sacrifices and values of the freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the countrys independence. He further emphasised the message Culture Unites Us All, observing that the values of unity and patriotism should remain above everything else for every citizen of the country. Bukhari further highlighted the growing reach of the 2026 Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign, observing that the initiative has evolved into a peoples movement extending beyond the territorial borders of India. He said that the National Flag has been proudly displayed at various Indian embassies across the world, bringing together members of the Indian diaspora and citizens in a shared celebration of the Tricolour and the spirit of national pride. CA Amit Gupta and CS Sahil, Chairpersons representing the Jammu-based CA and CS fraternities, respectively, also emphasised that the participation of professional bodies such as ICAI and ICSI reflects the important role that professional communities can play in strengthening the spirit of responsible citizenship and contributing to nation-building. The Tiranga Yatra concluded with a renewed commitment by all participants to uphold the values embodied by the Tricolour and the cultural ethos of Vande Mataram, and to carry forward the spirit of unity, integrity and patriotism in their professional and public lives. The event formed part of the nationwide celebrations under the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign 2026, aimed at encouraging citizens to proudly display and carry the National Flag and reaffirm their commitment to the nation.
Road safety awareness program held at Anantnag Railway Hub
Anantnag, Aug 17: In a major outreach aimed at reinforcing commuter safety and transit discipline, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), ARTO Anantnag, in collaboration with the Secure Path Civil Society Organization, conducted a high-impact road safety awareness programme at Railway Station Taxi Sumo Stand. The day-long initiative brought together scores of commercial drivers, Officers of Railway Police Force (RPF), local trade leaders, and civil society representatives. Addressing the gathering, ARTO Anantnag Mohammad Iqbal Daing highlighted the transformative role of public transport operators: Professional and responsible public transport drivers hold the key to overhauling our transit system and building a safer future for all. Senior Motor Vehicle Inspector Manzoor Ahmad Qureshi reiterated the necessity of strict compliance with traffic regulations, urging operators to adopt proactive road discipline. RPF officials, including the Dy. SP and SHO, reinforced the need for mutual vigilance and inter-agency cooperation to guarantee commuter safety. Renowned mobility expert and social reformer S-Umar Bhat moderated the proceedings and administered a collective road-safety pledge, urging participants to serve as civic ambassadors for safer roads across the J&K. Departing from standard enforcement routines, the organizers hosted a felicitation ceremony to award compliant and disciplined drivers for exemplary road conduct. Transporters and please attendees lauded the administration's proactive engagement, urging authorities to institutionalize regular, rotational sensitization programs across the District Anantnag.
CEO FSSAI reviews food testing facilities in J&K
Srinagar, Aug 17: Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Rajit Punhani on Monday visited Food Laboratory, Kashmir during his visit to Srinagar, to have on spot assessment about its functioning. During the visit, the CEO FSSAI took round of various sections, including Microbiological Section, Chemical Section and HEE Sections and interacted with the technical staff of the Laboratory. Subsequently, the CEO FSSAI chaired a meeting which among others was attended by State Drug Controller J&K, Joint Commissioner Food Safety, Deputy Commissioner Food Safety Kashmir, Accounts Officer FDA and Food Analyst Food Testing Laboratory Srinagar and Jammu. Commissioner, Food & Drugs Administration, J&K, made a detailed presentation outlining the laboratory's analytical capabilities, testing performance, NABL accreditation, infrastructure, manpower position and the roadmap for strengthening food testing facilities across the Union Territory. It was informed that the Food Laboratory, Kashmir is an FSSAI-notified and NABL-accredited facility equipped with advanced instruments, including GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS and ICP-MS. The laboratory presently has a NABL scope covering 354 parameters, comprising 77 quality and 277 safety parameters. The presentation highlighted the testing workload handled during the last three financial years. The laboratory analyzed 11,479 samples in 202324, 9,938 in 202425 and 6,722 in 202526, out of which, 440, 266 and 381 samples respectively, were found to be non-conforming. The meeting was informed that the steps have been initiated to expand the scope of Laboratory to 3500 parameters by end of 31st March, 2027 covering key commodities including milk and milk products, fruits and vegetables, cereal and cereal products, oils and fats and Indian sweets and achieve wider coverage of 5,000 parameters in the long run. The Commissioner brought to the notice of the CEO, FSSAI the key constraints affecting the laboratory's functioning, including inadequate infrastructure, shortage of technical manpower. He also sought his intervention in approval of the proposal for hiring of Technical Manpower, Chemicals, CRMs Consumables etc. He requested the CEO, FSSAI for providing financial and technical assistance for construction of new laboratory building at Srinagar and Jammu and upgrading the facility to improve quantity and volume of testing. The Food Laboratory, Kashmir is presently housed in an old, shared Drug & Food Laboratory complex, with limited space for modern equipment and dedicated instrument sections. As part of the long-term strategy, the Department proposed developing an integrated Food Testing Laboratory network across Jammu and Kashmir by leveraging the existing facilities in government institutions, including SKUAST and IUST, with suitable technical and manpower support. The initiative is intended to expand the overall testing capacity and facilitate timely analysis of samples received from different parts of the Union Territory. The Commissioner, Food & Drugs Administration, J&K, expressed gratitude to Rajit Punhani, CEO, FSSAI, for visiting the Food Laboratory, Kashmir and for taking a keen interest in its functioning, analytical capabilities and capacity-building requirements. The CEO, FSSAI expressed satisfaction on the working of laboratory and called upon the J&K FDA officials to continue their efforts for strengthening it further. The visit and review are expected to provide further impetus to the departments efforts towards modernization of food testing facilities, expansion of NABL-accredited analytical capacity and establishment of a robust, integrated and scientifically strengthened food laboratory network across Jammu and Kashmir.
Div Com Kashmir reviews arrangements for Ist Intl. Film Festival of J&K
Srinagar, Aug 17: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Monday chaired a meeting to review preparations for the Ist International Film Festival of J&K (IFFJK), scheduled to be held from Sept 7 to 10 and organised by Department of Information and Public Relations Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting deliberated on the objectives of the festival, proposed programme of events, and coordination among various government departments and stakeholders to ensure its successful conduct. At the outset, Director Information and Public Relations Shreya Singhal, made a detailed presentation outlining the vision and objectives of the festival, including promotion of cinematic excellence, cultural exchange, creative collaboration, emerging filmmaking talent and international industry engagement. She apprised the meeting of the planned activities, including the opening and closing ceremonies, curated film screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions, jury and filmmaker interactions, film tourism initiatives, networking and business meetings, and dedicated engagement with students and young filmmakers. While reviewing the arrangements, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir directed all the concerned departments to designate nodal officers for effective inter-departmental coordination and seamless execution of the film festival-related activities. He also directed the Director Information and Public Relations to prepare a comprehensive work chart for the event manager and participating departments, clearly defining roles, responsibilities and timelines. Emphasising the promotion of Kashmir's tourism potential, particularly emerging destinations, Anshul Garg directed the Tourism Department to undertake focused branding of new tourist locations to attract filmmakers and international visitors. He also called for appropriate branding of shikaras and boats being utilised during the festival. The Divisional Commissioner further stressed the need to integrate cultural programmes with the festival and showcase Kashmir's rich handloom and handicraft products at identified venues. He advised the preparation of food menu suited to national and international guests and directed that bilingual service providers be designated through the outsourced agencies to facilitate effective communication. Anshul Garg also called for organising heritage tours to locations identified by JKTDC and the Handicrafts & Handloom Department. He reviewed plans for customised tour packages, sightseeing programmes and transportation arrangements for visiting guests. The Divisional Commissioner issued a series of directions to officers from the Airport Authority, District Administrations of Srinagar and Baramulla, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Floriculture, KPDCL, Transport, Health, LCMA, AACL, Handicrafts & Handloom, Hospitality & Protocol, Education and Police departments regarding their roles and responsibilities. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Baramulla, Commissioner SMC, Director Information and Public Relations J&K, Director Floriculture, Director Airport, Managing Director KPDCL, Vice Chairman LCMA, Joint Director Information Headquarters, Joint Director Information Kashmir, besides senior officers of the Information Department and other concerned departments.
Budgams Kani Craft shines on National Stage: DC hails artisans for National Handloom Award
Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan, has extended warm congratulations to renowned Kani artisans of Kanihama village, Fayaz Ahmad Wani and his student Manzoor Ahmad Hajam, on being conferred the prestigious National Handloom Award 2025 by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. The award was presented to the duo in New Delhi on August 7 in the weaving category for their exceptional craftsmanship showcased through a Chanddar Kani Shawl, reflecting Kashmirs exquisite artistic heritage and centuries-old weaving tradition. The DC felicitated both artisans during the award ceremony of the Independence Day function at Sports Stadium Budgam and lauded them for bringing distinction to Budgam and Jammu & Kashmir at the national level, describing the honour as a proud moment for the district and a significant recognition of Kashmirs rich handloom legacy. He appreciated their dedication and perseverance in reviving a nearly 400-year-old Kani design and transforming it into a masterpiece through traditional techniques. The award-winning shawl reportedly took over 15 months of painstaking work to complete. The Deputy Commissioner particularly commended Fayaz Ahmad Wani for keeping the traditional craft alive and passing the skill to successive generations. Having trained more than 50 people in Kani weaving, his contribution has helped preserve the craft while creating avenues for sustainable livelihoods. He also appreciated Manzoor Ahmad Hajam, who has been associated with his teachers Kani weaving unit for the past 25 years, describing their achievement as a fine example of the traditional Guru-Shishya tradition through which Kashmirs indigenous crafts have been preserved across generations. The DC stressed the importance of promoting traditional crafts among the youth, encouraging young artisans to take up Kani weaving and other indigenous crafts as avenues for livelihood, entrepreneurship and cultural preservation. He said national recognition to local artisans provides renewed impetus to efforts aimed at safeguarding Kashmirs unique artistic traditions and ensuring that traditional knowledge and skills continue to flourish among future generations. The District Administration Budgam reiterated its commitment to supporting artisans, weavers and craftsmen and creating an enabling environment for the promotion of local handlooms and handicrafts.
SIA arrests narco-terror operative evading arrest for 4 years
Srinagar, Aug 17: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmirhasarrested an absconding narco-terror operative who had been evading arrest for nearly four years,in amajor breakthrough aimed at dismantling the narco-terror financing network operating in Jammu and Kashmir. Manoj Kumar Bhat @ Pintu,a resident of Rehari Colony, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu, was arrested in a special operation conducted in Jammu. He is wanted in connection with FIR No. 13/2022 registered by SIA Kashmir on June 3, 2022, concerning the smuggling of narcotics from across the Line of Control (LoC) and the alleged channelisation of proceeds from their saletowardsfinancing terrorist activities, the SIA said in a statement issued here. The probe agency said the arrest is an important development inthe investigation ofa wider narco-terror conspiracy allegedly backed by Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir-based operatives of the banned terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen. The investigation has revealed a sinister nexus in which narcotics are trafficked into J&K, distributed through an established network, and the proceeds generated are subsequently pumped into activities intended to sustain and further the terrorist ecosystem, it said. Bhatwas evading arrest for almost four years since the registration of the case, theSIAsaid, adding that his apprehension is the result ofsustained and strenuous efforts by SIA Kashmir, involving continuous technical surveillance, human intelligence and coordinated investigative measures. The accusedis alleged to haveplayed a role in facilitating the sale and distribution network of narcotics in the Jammu division, thereby contributing to the financial pipeline of the larger narco-terror network. The investigationhasalso established linkages with Pakistan/PoK-based terrorist handlers, including Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo @ Kandoo of Sopore and Manzoor Ahmad Khan of Baramulla, who allegedly arranged and facilitated the trafficking of narcotics from PoK. The case was initially registered following the recovery of 1 kg of heroin from Zeeshan Ahmad Sofi and Waseem Ahmad Khan at Nowpora, Sopore. Subsequent investigation resulted in the recovery of 7 kg of poppy straw and 4 kg of poppy seeds.Earlier, 15 grams of heroin had also been recovered from Bhat's residential premises by SIA.One motorcycle and electronic gadgets have also been seized and are presently under forensic examination. SIA Kashmir has filed multiple charge-sheets against six accused persons in the case. The investigationhasfurther revealed the involvement of a broader network associated with Hizbul Mujahideen and its Pakistan/PoK-based handlers. Notably, SIA Kashmirhasalso secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against terrorist handler and narco-terror kingpin Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo in a separate terror-related case, reflecting the Agency's sustained efforts to pursue Pakistan-based handlers and other fugitives. The latest arrest is expected to assist the investigating agency in unravelling further layers of the conspiracy, identifying additional linkages, tracing the financial trail and establishing the complete chain connecting narcotics trafficking with terror financing. SIA Kashmir reiterated its resolve to continue its relentless campaign against the terror ecosystem, its facilitators and financiers.
Amarnath Yatra 2026 : Baltal base camp records zero food safety violations
Srinagar, Aug 17: The Food Safety Department has recorded zero non-conforming food samples during the 2026 Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra at the Baltal base camp, with officials testing 576 samples as part of the SANJAY-2026 food safety exercise. According to the departments consolidated figures, all 576 samples tested during the Yatra were found to be conforming to prescribed food safety standards, with no non-conforming sample detected. The department conducted an intensive surveillance and inspection drive covering langars and food establishments catering to pilgrims. A total of 354 langar inspections were carried out, including repeated inspections of the same langars to ensure continued compliance with food safety and hygiene norms. The department also focused on awareness and capacity-building among food handlers and other stakeholders. 142 awareness programmes were conducted, benefiting 1,225 participants, while 103 training programmes were organised for 858 participants. As part of the regulatory exercise, the department also issued 67 registrations to food-related establishments/operators associated with the Yatra. The extensive exercise was aimed at ensuring that pilgrims visiting the Baltal base camp were provided safe and hygienic food during the pilgrimage. Officials monitored food preparation, handling and serving practices through regular inspections and sampling. The departments approach combined enforcement with preventive measures, including repeated inspections, awareness programmes and training sessions for those directly involved in food preparation and distribution. With thousands of pilgrims relying on langars and other food facilities during the Yatra, maintaining food safety at the base camp remains a critical component of the overall pilgrimage arrangements. The 2026 figures highlight the scale of the operation undertaken by the department576 samples tested with zero non-conforming results, 354 langars inspected, 142 awareness programmes conducted, 1,225 participants covered, 103 training programmes organised, 858 participants trained and 60 registrations issued.
Only 11.5% of J&Ks 24,228 schools have smart classrooms
Srinagar, Aug 17: Rural Jammu and Kashmir is leading the Union Territorys smart classroom expansion, but the overall reach of digital infrastructure remains limited, with only 2,783 of 24,228 operational government-run schools equipped with smart classrooms. The data shows that 2,422 rural schools have the smart classroom facility compared to 361 urban schools, while 7,890 teachers were trained in digital pedagogy, digital teaching methodology and use of technology during 2025-26. Computer facilities are available in 6,203schools, or around 25.6 per cent, while 8,550 schools, accounting for about 35.3 per cent,have internet connectivity, according todetails accessed by Rising Kashmir. The rural-urban divide is particularly notable. Of the 2,783 schools with smart classrooms, 361 are in urban areas and 2,422 in rural areas. Computer facilities are available in 644 urban and 5,559 rural schools, while internet connectivity is available in 577 urban and 7,973 rural schools. The figures assume significance as Jammu and Kashmir has been pursuing digital transformation in school education, including the expansion of ICT labs and smart classrooms. The Union Ministry of Education prioritises 100% internet connectivity in secondary and senior secondary schools to bridge the digital divide and support modern learning. The data on teacher training, however, shows some improvement after a sharp decline. As many as 97,141 teachers in J&K were trained in digital pedagogy, digital teaching methodology and use of technology in 2020-21, followed by 84,882 in 2021-22. The number fell to 1,483 in 2022-23 and 401 in 2023-24. Training numbers subsequently increased to 6,443 in 2024-25 and 7,890 in 2025-26. The figures indicate that while efforts to strengthen teachers digital skills have resumed, infrastructure remains a major challenge. A recent NCERT-published study on rural schools in Jammu Division also identified inadequate ICT infrastructure, internet connectivity problems and limited teacher training as key barriers to technology adoption. The Jammu & Kashmir government has planned further expansion of digital infrastructure, including ICT labs and smart classrooms, under its education initiatives. The gap highlights the need to ensure that expansion of digital teaching is matched by reliable internet, computers and smart classroom facilities, particularly in schools serving remote and rural communities.
Khoja Digar: A prayer that brings generations together
Srinagar, Aug 17: Thousands of devotees gathered at the Hazrat Naqshband Sahib (RA) Shrine in Khwaja Bazar area of Old Citys Nowhatta locality here on Monday afternoon to offer the annual Khoja Digar, filling the historic Shehr-e-Khaas with an atmosphere of faith and devotion. In the congested roads,the trafficwas suspended for hours to ensure smooth prayers in the old city as the people from different walks of life flooded the Shrineas well asthe roads to offer the special prayers. The men, womenand children from across the Valley thronged the Shrine,who spreadtheir prayer mats andwaitedpatiently to participate in the centuries-old ritual. The sermon started at 4:00 pm while the congregational Asr prayers were offered at 5:30 pm at the historic Astaani Aaliya. Manyof the devotees, who were seen offering prayers on this day,have never missed the special prayers on the occasion. Abdul Raheem Dar, who hails from the Beerwah area of Budgam district, said he has never missed the 'Khoja Digar at the shrine. Sharing his childhood memories, Raheem said his father used to bring him to the shrine decades ago. My father and Ihavejoined the prayersfor years together.But since he left this world in 2010, I have been visiting the shrine all alone to rejuvenate my childhood memories and pray for my deceased father on this occasion especially, Dar said. He added that this occasion not only brings back his childhood memories but also gives him peace by joining thousands of people to offer the prayers. Like him, hundreds of devotees from different parts of life always join the Muslim community here at the Shrine to offer the special prayers. Similarly, dozens of street vendors had opened their temporary shops to sell local food and delicacies like Halwa-Paratha, Mounje Goole, Pakoras and otherthings.Theseadded tothe charm on the roadsalongthe Shrine. Meanwhile, the administration had made adequate arrangements for the prayers. The traffic diversion was planned, and tight security arrangements were put in place to ensure the special prayers were offered peacefully.
Raabita: CM meets tourism, trade, labour delegations
Srinagar, Aug 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday met several delegations and individuals at Raabita here and discussed a range of issues concerning public welfare, tourism, sports, labour, trade and industry in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister met emerging professional MMA fighter from Pulwama, Owais Yaqoob, and congratulated him on his achievements inthe field ofmixed martial arts. He felicitated Yaqoob with a cash award of Rs 1 lakh in recognition of his impressive performances on the international stage. Yaqoob recently secured a first-round TKO victory over Bulgaria's Delian Georgiev. Earlier, the Chief Minister met MLA Beerwah Dr Shafi Ahmad Wani, who apprised him of various matters concerning his constituency. A delegation from the constituency also accompanied the Legislator during the meeting. A delegation of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), led by its Secretary General Sajad Ahmad Kralyari, called on the CM and discussed various issues concerning the tourism sector. The Chief Minister also met a delegation of the Kashmir Labour Union's Federation, led by its President Mohammad Ashraf Ganai. The delegation apprised him of its concerns and suggestions regarding the Draft Code on Social Security (Jammu and Kashmir) Rules, 2026. Senior Vice President of the Bari Brahmana Industrial Association, Tarun Singla, also called on the Chief Minister and discussed various issues related to trade and industry in Jammu and Kashmir. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani were also present on the occasion. The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to the delegations and individuals and assured them that their genuine concerns would be examined and addressed on priority.
LG Sinha flags off Budha Amarnath Ji Yatra
Jammu, Aug 17: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday flagged off the first batch of devotees for the holy Shri Budha Amarnath Ji Yatra from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, marking the commencement of the annual spiritual journey. Extending warm wishes to all pilgrims for a safe and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage, the LG said the sacred journey to Baba Budha Amarnath's abode is a deeply enlightening experience that brings profound transformation and reveals life's deepest truths to every devotee. The sacred journey to Baba Budha Amarnath's abode is a deeply enlightening experience.Ifirmly believe this pilgrimage brings profound transformation and reveals life's deepest truths to every devotee, the LG said. The Lieutenant Governor expressed deep appreciation to the Baba Amarnath and Budha Amarnath Yatri Nyas, along with the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, local authorities, langar organisations and civil society groups for their meticulous coordination and comprehensive arrangements ensuring the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and the Budha Amarnath Ji Mela. A large gathering of eminent spiritual leaders, religious heads, public representatives, senior civil and police administrators, security officials, prominent citizens, and enthusiastic devotees attended the flag-off ceremony.
