Jammu & kashmir

Helpline opened for stranded Umrah pilgrims in Saudi

Srinagar, Oct 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Association of Hajj and Umrah Companies (JKAHUC) has opened a helpline to help more than 300 pilgrims from the Union Territory stranded in Saudi Arabia after flight cancellations, arranging accommodation, food and medical assistance for them. It warned that travel agents cannot bear the mounting expenses indefinitely, even as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern over their plight and said the J&K Government is in active coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate their safe and early return. Addressing a press conference here, JKAHUC President Sheikh Feroz said the expiry of 18-day, 19-day and 20-day Umrah packages had created fresh difficulties for pilgrims, as their existing accommodation arrangements could no longer be relied upon. He said the association had deputed Tanveer Ahmed to coordinate assistance for stranded pilgrims and their families, including arranging rooms, food and medical facilities in emergencies. Feroz said pilgrims would have to bear additional expenses of around Rs 700 to Rs 800 per person for accommodation and food, maintaining that travel agents had already made efforts within their financial means to assist those affected. The travel agents have done what they could. There is nothing in their control when flights are cancelled, he said, appealing to pilgrims to remain patient and cooperate with their respective agents. He said refund-related complications involving IndiGo and Air India were adding to the crisis, as money refunded against cancelled tickets could be adjusted towards hotel expenses instead of being returned in cash, while alternative tickets had to be purchased through cash payments. Feroz said arranging alternative tickets for a group of 50 passengers could require around Rs 20 lakh, depending on fares ranging between Rs 40,000 and Rs 50,000 per ticket. He added that some association members had even borrowed money to purchase tickets, only to face further cancellations. He hoped the situation would improve by November 1, with flight services being restored. Feroz said the association, which has around 150 members, was coordinating with airlines to explore alternative arrangements, adding that the affected passengers would need to be brought back through multiple flights. He appealed to stranded pilgrims and their families to contact the association's designated representative, remain in touch with their travel agents and cooperate with those facilitating their stay until their return arrangements are finalised. The Chief Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to taking all necessary measures in coordination with the concerned authorities and assured the pilgrims and their families that the government stands firmly with them and will continue to extend all possible support to facilitate their return home at the earliest.

Repeat accidents at same spot : Contractors liable to pay Rs 50 lakh per death

Srinagar, Oct 24: Contractors executing National Highway projects under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode will face financial penalties of up to Rs 50 lakh for each fatality in repeat accidents linked to road defects, under a Model EPC Agreement issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in October 2026. The agreement requires a qualified safety auditor with demonstrable experience in crash investigation to undertake an in-depth study of the causes of any accident involving a motor vehicle on the project highway, as intended under Section 135 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The contractor must provide such analysis to the authority within 15 days from the date of the accident, and the analysis must be hosted on the authority's designated portal or website for public viewing. Under Clause 14.4 of the agreement, the contractor must promptly undertake short-term or long-term remedial measures to prevent recurrence of accidents, including improvement in road design, installing safety features and other traffic management measures, in accordance with the instructions and guidelines issued by MoRTH and the Indian Roads Congress. The agreement provides that if a second accident occurs within one year of the previous accident, or the date of completion of the remedial action based on the crash investigation, as reported by the Authority Engineer, whichever is later, and is within a distance of 500 metres of the location of the first accident resulting in a fatality or grievous injury, and it is indicated in the crash investigation that such accident was caused by any defect or deficiency in the project, the contractor shall be liable to pay Rs 25 lakh for each fatality and Rs 10 lakh for each grievous injury in such accident to the authority. In the event a third or subsequent accident occurs within one year of the second accident, and has occurred within a 500-metre stretch involving both earlier accidents, and such accident results in a fatality or grievous injury, and it is indicated in the crash investigation that such accident was caused by any defect or deficiency in the project, the contractor shall be liable to pay Rs 50 lakh for each fatality and Rs 25 lakh for each grievous injury in such accident to the authority. The agreement states that these liabilities shall be without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to the authority under the agreement or under applicable laws. The agreement also requires the contractor to maintain and operate a round-the-clock vehicle rescue post with at least one mobile crane having the capacity to lift a truck with a gross vehicle weight of 30,000 kg, to promptly remove any damaged vehicles and debris from the project highway to enable safe movement of traffic, and to report all accidents to the police forthwith. The agreement distinguishes between short-term and long-term remedial measures: the analysis and short-term remedial measures undertaken by the contractor shall not be considered a Change of Scope and shall be deemed to be part of the contractor's obligations under the agreement, while long-term remedial measures shall constitute a Change of Scope and shall be paid for accordingly. Where such remedial measures are warranted on account of design deficiencies, the authority shall recover from the contractor an amount equal to 2 per cent of the cost of such remedial measures as damages.

Temp dips as snow blankets upper reaches

Srinagar, Oct 24: The upper reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Saturday, with Sinthan Top, Razdan Pass and other high-altitude areas witnessing an accumulation of 23 inches, as the mercury plummeted across the region and cloudy weather pushed maximum temperatures below normal at most weather stations. The higher reaches of Kashmir, including Sinthan Top, Razdan Top, Peer Ki Gali, Sadhna Top, Affarwat Gulmarg, Zojila Pass and Baltal Pahalgam, received fresh snowfall, with 13 inches accumulating at these places. The fresh snowfall brought the mercury down across Jammu and Kashmir. The maximum temperature remained below normal at most weather stations, with Bhaderwah recording a departure of 6.0 degrees Celsius below normal, followed by Gulmarg at 5.6 degrees Celsius and Kokernag at 5.2 degrees Celsius below normal. Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 26.2C, 3.5 degrees below normal, while Katra recorded 22.0 degrees Celsius, 4.3 degrees below normal. Banihal recorded 21.6 degrees Celsius, 1.2 degrees below normal, and Batote recorded 20.9 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees below normal. In the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 18.1 degrees Celsius, 2.9 degrees below normal, while Kupwara recorded 18.2 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees below normal. Pahalgam recorded 14.2 degrees Celsius, 3.7 degrees below normal, while Qazigund recorded 20.6 degrees Celsius, close to its normal temperature. Gulmarg recorded the lowest maximum temperature at 6.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Bhaderwah at 16.6 degrees Celsius. Director Meteorological Department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, in a detailed forecast, stated that there is a possibility of a brief spell of light rain in a few districts towards Sunday afternoon. He said that from October 2631, the weather is expected to remain generally dry, while cloudy weather is expected towards October 31. Ahmad said that from November 13, generally cloudy weather with light rain and light snow in higher reaches is expected at a few places, while from November 45, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy with light rain and light snow in higher reaches at a few places. The MeT advised farmers to continue harvesting and other farm operations.

Indias unity anchored in constitutional ideals: LG Sinha

Srinagar, Oct 24: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said India's unity is anchored in constitutional ideals and in shared traditions, brotherhood, aspirations and everyday experiences. He called upon citizens to strengthen social trust through dialogue, cooperation and compassion and to view the country's diversity as a source of collective strength. The LG made these remarks in a message delivered for the birth centenary celebration of eminent litterateur Dr Rahi Masoom Raza, organised in Ghazipur, while paying rich tributes to the writer and highlighting his immense contribution to Indian literature and cinema. Urging the youth to remain connected to their roots while pursuing ambitious goals, the Lieutenant Governor said the younger generation should carry the values of their heritage wherever they go and transform opportunities into new possibilities through innovation, hard work and dedication. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is witnessing unprecedented development, with significant progress achieved in infrastructure, digital connectivity, financial inclusion, women's empowerment, housing, sanitation and access to essential services, enhancing the dignity and opportunities available to ordinary citizens, he said. Sinha underscored that the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 requires the active participation of every citizen and the accelerated development of all regions. Today, India is demonstrating its capability in many fields, from space to digital public infrastructure, and the world sees our country as a reliable partner. I want us to move forward with a collective resolve and a single goal to build an India that is developed, prosperous, strong, self-reliant and technologically advanced, he said. Turning to Raza's legacy, the LG said that his writings reflected the spirit of Ghazipur, Purvanchal and India, while carrying a universal vision rooted in humanity and cultural harmony. He said Dr Rahi Masoom Raza, through works such as Aadha Gaon, Topi Shukla and Katra Bi Arzoo, as well as his contribution to the screenplay of Mahabharat, conveyed the message that India's culture, heritage and future belong to every citizen. Dr Rahi Masoom Raza's birth centenary celebration is an opportunity to give a new direction to the future. It should be our resolve to make our diversity our strength, and by choosing dialogue, cooperation and compassion, we will further strengthen social trust, the Lieutenant Governor said.

CM Omar meets LG Sinha, says cabinet expansion next week

Srinagar, Oct 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, after meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhawan in Srinagar on Saturday, said the expansion and reshuffle of his Council of Ministers will take place within the first two to three days of next week. He said the decision on ministerial berths has already been made, asking party colleagues and MLAs to stop lobbying him or National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah. I requested time from him for the expansion and told him that in the first two to three days of next week, I will carry out the expansion and certain changes in my Council of Ministers, the Chief Minister told reporters after the meeting. He said the exercise would proceed once a suitable time was fixed by Sinha. The announcement signals that the long-awaited reshuffle is nearing its final stage, with changes expected in the composition of the elected government. Omar made it clear that the list had been finalised after consultations with Dr Farooq Abdullah and that there was no need for legislators to approach either of them seeking ministerial positions. After consultations with Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahib, the list has been finalised. There is no need to knock on Farooq Sahib's door, my door, or anyone else's door. The decision of who will become a minister is not pending; it has already been made. So, I request my colleagues to please be patient, Omar said. In a pointed message to aspirants, the Chief Minister urged MLAs to stop sending WhatsApp messages and making repeated phone calls to press their claims for ministerial berths. Please stop sending WhatsApp messages. I am receiving endless, lengthy messages entire books are being written, sending full bio data as if I don't know who they are! I already know them and their work, he said. Omar added that the outcome would become clear within the next two to three days, asking his colleagues to exercise patience rather than approach the party leadership repeatedly. Whatever has to happen will take place in the next two to three days, he said, adding that what was destined to happen was ultimately determined by the Almighty. The cabinet expansion and reshuffle is expected to be closely watched within the National Conference and the ruling alliance, as legislators await clarity on the allocation of ministerial responsibilities and possible changes in the Council of Ministers. In the UT set-up, Omar can add only three new ministers and keep the number of ministers in his cabinet to nine. However, he can replace the current ministers with new ones.

Sibling Rivalry: When Competition Replaces Companionship

Sibling rivalry is often dismissed as a harmless part of growing up. Children quarrel over toys, attention, privileges and approval, and families tend to see these disputes as temporary storms that will pass with age. Sometimes they do. But when comparison becomes a permanent feature of family life, rivalry can leave deep emotional scars that remain long after childhood has ended. Siblings are expected to share a bond unlike any other. They grow up under the same roof, experience the same family changes and often become one anothers earliest companions. Yet this closeness can also create competition. Children compare marks, clothes, talents, friendships and the affection they receive from parents. Even small differences in treatment can be interpreted as signs of preference. What adults consider minor may become, for a child, evidence that they are less valued. The problem becomes sharper when parents compare their children openly. Statements such as Why cant you be like your brother? or Your sister always performs better may be intended to motivate, but they usually produce shame and resentment. Instead of encouraging improvement, comparison teaches children to view one another as competitors. One child begins to define success by defeating the other, while the other may withdraw, lose confidence or develop anger that is difficult to express. Academic performance is one of the most common sources of rivalry. In many homes, children are judged largely by examination results. A high-scoring child may receive praise and privileges, while another is repeatedly reminded of their shortcomings. Such treatment ignores the fact that children possess different abilities, interests and emotional needs. A child who struggles in academics may excel in art, sport, communication or practical skills. Reducing worth to marks is unfair to every child and dangerous for family relationships. Sibling rivalry can also emerge from unequal responsibilities. Older children may feel burdened because they are expected to care for younger siblings, while younger ones may feel controlled or constantly corrected. Differences in freedom, pocket money or parental trust can further deepen resentment. When these concerns are not acknowledged, children may express them through teasing, hostility, silence or deliberate disobedience. Parents cannot eliminate every disagreement between siblings, nor should they try to make their children identical. Conflict is a natural part of close relationships. The responsibility is to ensure that disagreements do not become cruel, humiliating or violent. Children must be taught to express anger without insulting or harming one another. They should also learn that fairness does not always mean giving everyone the same thing; it means recognising each childs different needs without creating favourites. Individual attention matters greatly. Children often compete because they fear losing their parents love. Spending time separately with each child can reassure them that affection is not a prize reserved for the most successful or obedient. Praise should be specific and sincere, directed at effort, kindness, responsibility and couragenot only achievement. Families must also resist the temptation to turn one child into the standard for another. Every child deserves to be known on their own terms. A siblings success should be celebrated without making it a weapon against someone else. Similarly, a childs failure should be addressed without public humiliation or comparison. As children grow older, unresolved rivalry can take new forms. Adult siblings may compete over careers, property, social status, parental care or family decisions. Old grievances can return during marriages, illness or disputes over inheritance. What appears to be a disagreement about money may actually reflect years of feeling ignored, undervalued or treated unfairly. The answer lies in communication and early correction. Parents should listen before judging, apologise when they have shown favouritism and create space for honest conversation. Siblings, too, must recognise that their childhood roles need not define their adult relationship. They may have competed for attention once, but they need not spend their entire lives competing for validation. A family is not strengthened when one child wins and another loses. It is strengthened when every member feels secure enough to grow without pushing anyone else aside. Rivalry may be natural, but it need not become destiny. With patience, fairness and empathy, siblings can move beyond comparison and rediscover the companionship that should have been theirs from the beginning. ( The author is a retired lecturer)

Road Safety Measures: Saving Lives Beyond Slogans

Road safety in Kashmir can no longer be treated as a seasonal concern, a police advisory or a subject that returns to public discussion only after a fatal accident. Every day, roads across the Valley carry schoolchildren, workers, patients, tourists, pedestrians, cyclists, two-wheeler riders and commercial vehicles. For many, a journey that should take a few minutes becomes a test of patience, discipline and survival. The growing number of road accidents is not merely a traffic problem. It is a public safety crisis that exposes failures in planning, enforcement, infrastructure and civic responsibility. The response to road accidents has often followed a predictable pattern. After a tragedy, officials visit the spot, statements are issued, condolences are expressed and instructions are circulated. Temporary barricades may appear. A few drives against overspeeding or drunk driving may be conducted. But once public attention moves elsewhere, the old practices return. Roads remain poorly marked, dangerous bends remain unprotected, illegal parking resumes and traffic rules continue to be treated as optional. This cycle must end. Road safety cannot depend on public outrage after lives are lost. It requires a permanent system that anticipates danger and prevents accidents before they occur. The first requirement is better road design. Several roads in Kashmir have developed into busy corridors without corresponding improvements in width, drainage, lighting, pedestrian space or traffic management. Urban expansion has pushed homes, shops, schools and markets closer to highways and busy link roads. In many places, pedestrians are forced to walk along the carriageway because footpaths are either absent or occupied. This is especially dangerous for children, elderly people and persons with disabilities. A road is not safe simply because it has been blacktopped. Its safety depends on visibility, lane discipline, shoulder space, signage, lighting and the protection it offers to vulnerable users. Blind curves require reflectors and warning signs. School zones need speed-calming measures, marked crossings and trained crossing personnel. Busy markets require designated parking and loading areas. Roads passing through settlements must be designed for people, not only for vehicles. The condition of many roads during bad weather adds another layer of risk. Potholes, loose gravel, waterlogging and damaged shoulders force drivers to make sudden manoeuvres. In mountainous areas, weak retaining walls, falling stones and unprotected edges can turn ordinary travel into a dangerous undertaking. Road agencies must conduct regular safety audits rather than waiting for complaints or accidents. Every major route should be inspected not only for engineering quality but also for the behaviour it encourages. Enforcement is equally important. Traffic rules lose their meaning when violations are visible and punishment is uncertain. Overspeeding, driving on the wrong side, dangerous overtaking, using mobile phones while driving, carrying passengers in unsafe conditions and riding without helmets continue to endanger lives. In some cases, drivers treat the presence of traffic personnel as the only reason to obey rules. This reflects a deeper failure: enforcement has not become consistent enough to shape public behaviour. The aim of enforcement should not be to collect fines. It should be to prevent dangerous conduct. Fines must be proportionate and unavoidable. Repeat offenders should face stronger penalties, including suspension of licences where necessary. Commercial drivers who repeatedly violate rules should not be allowed to continue operating without review. At the same time, enforcement must remain transparent and free from selective application. If rules are enforced only against ordinary citizens while influential violators escape scrutiny, public trust will weaken further. Driving licences also need to be treated as a responsibility, not an entitlement. A licence should be issued only after a meaningful assessment of driving skills, knowledge of traffic rules and awareness of road conditions particular to the region. The process must not become a formality. A person who cannot understand basic road signs, manage a vehicle safely or demonstrate responsible driving should not be placed behind the wheel merely because they have completed paperwork. The issue of underage driving deserves special attention. Children on motorcycles and cars are a common sight in many parts of Kashmir. Parents who permit this are not showing trust; they are exposing their children and others to grave danger. Schools, local authorities and families must work together to discourage the practice. A childs convenience can never justify a risk that may have irreversible consequences. Two-wheeler safety also needs a stronger public campaign. Helmets are not decorative accessories, and wearing one only to avoid a fine defeats the purpose of the rule. Riders and pillion passengers must understand that a helmet protects against the most serious consequences of a crash. Similarly, seat belts must be used by all occupants wherever available. The culture of short-distance exceptions has cost many lives because accidents do not recognise distance. Public transport must be brought into the centre of the road safety debate. Overloaded buses, unregulated stops and competition among drivers for passengers create unsafe conditions. When public transport vehicles are poorly maintained or driven recklessly, the risk is multiplied because one careless decision can affect dozens of people. Fitness checks, route discipline, driver rest requirements and regular inspection of commercial vehicles should be enforced without compromise. Driver fatigue is often ignored. Long working hours, insufficient rest and pressure to complete multiple trips can impair judgement as seriously as alcohol. Commercial transport regulations must therefore address working conditions, not only vehicle documents. A tired driver is a road hazard, and forcing drivers to work beyond safe limits is an institutional failure. Technology can strengthen road safety, but it cannot replace governance. Speed cameras, traffic surveillance, digital challans, emergency response systems and accident mapping can help identify dangerous behaviour and locations. Data should be used to determine where accidents are recurring, what times are most dangerous and which violations are most common. Road safety planning must be based on evidence rather than assumptions. Emergency response is another neglected area. The minutes immediately after a crash often determine whether an injured person survives or suffers permanent disability. Ambulances must be available near vulnerable routes, and emergency numbers must function reliably. Police personnel, highway workers and local volunteers should receive basic training in first aid and safe rescue practices. Hospitals along major routes should be linked to a coordinated trauma-response network. Yet infrastructure and enforcement alone will not solve the problem. Road safety is also a matter of social conduct. Drivers must learn to see pedestrians not as obstacles but as fellow citizens. People must stop parking at turns, blocking crossings or driving against traffic to save a few minutes. Shopkeepers and residents must recognise that encroaching on road space increases danger for everyone. Civic discipline is not an abstract virtue; on a road, it is a condition for survival. Educational institutions can play a major role in shaping this discipline. Road safety should be taught through practical awareness rather than occasional lectures. Children can learn how to cross roads safely, why helmets and seat belts matter and how to respond responsibly when adults violate rules. They can also influence family behaviour. A child who insists on wearing a seat belt or refuses to ride with an intoxicated driver may help prevent a tragedy. Religious leaders, community organisations, transport unions and civil society groups should also be involved. Messages about safe driving must reach people in familiar spaces and languages. Campaigns should focus on real consequences without becoming moralistic or repetitive. A photograph of a damaged vehicle may attract attention for a day; sustained local engagement is more likely to change behaviour. Accountability must remain at the heart of the road safety agenda. When a dangerous road remains unrepaired despite repeated complaints, responsibility must be fixed. When a school zone lacks a crossing or a known accident spot has no warning signs, the failure cannot be dismissed as unfortunate. When an unfit vehicle continues to operate, the question must extend beyond the driver to the officials and systems that allowed it. The government should publish a district-wise road safety action plan with clear responsibilities, timelines and measurable targets. Accident-prone locations should be identified publicly. Progress on black-spot treatment, signage, lighting, enforcement and emergency response should be reviewed at regular intervals. Citizens should have a simple mechanism to report hazards and track whether action has been taken. A safer road culture will not emerge from one campaign or one department. It requires coordination among the traffic police, road agencies, transport authorities, municipal bodies, schools, hospitals, elected representatives and the public. Each institution has a role, and each must be judged by outcomes rather than announcements. Every road accident is not preventable. But many deaths caused by overspeeding, reckless overtaking, poor visibility, unsafe design, weak enforcement and delayed medical help are preventable. Calling them unavoidable only protects the failures that produced them. Kashmirs roads must become spaces of movement, not corridors of fear. The measure of development is not only how quickly a road is built or how many vehicles it carries. It is whether people can travel on it safely and return home. Road safety measures must therefore move from paper to practice, from reaction to prevention and from scattered action to sustained public policy. Every journey deserves that commitment. (The author is a columnist and holds PhD in public administration)

Capitalism and the Cost of Progress

Capitalism has become the organising principle of much of the modern world. It shapes what is produced, how labour is valued, where investment flows and which ambitions are celebrated. Its defenders point to innovation, enterprise, competition and rising prosperity. Its critics point to widening inequality, insecure work, environmental destruction and the growing influence of wealth over public life. Both sides recognise a basic truth: capitalism has enormous productive power, but without social responsibility and democratic regulation, that power can serve a few while leaving many behind. The debate, therefore, should not be reduced to a choice between capitalism and no capitalism. The more important question is what kind of capitalism society is willing to accept. An economy must create wealth, but it must also decide how that wealth is distributed, whose labour produces it, who bears the risks and whether growth improves the lives of ordinary people. Economic success that leaves citizens insecure, indebted and excluded cannot be called complete progress. Capitalisms greatest strength lies in its ability to encourage initiative. Entrepreneurs invest money, take risks, develop new products and create employment. Competition can improve efficiency and bring better goods and services to consumers. Technological progress, medical advances, communication networks and modern industries have often expanded because people and institutions had incentives to experiment and innovate. But the same system can produce deep disparities when profit becomes its only measure. Wealth accumulates faster in the hands of those who already own property, capital and technology. Those who depend mainly on wages struggle to keep pace with rising costs. A society may become richer in aggregate while large sections of its population remain unable to afford decent housing, healthcare, education or secure retirement. This contradiction is visible across the world. National economies grow, stock markets rise and corporate profits expand, but workers may face temporary contracts, stagnant wages and uncertain futures. The language of opportunity often hides the reality that people do not begin from the same position. A child born into wealth has access to better schools, networks, nutrition and safety. Another child may possess equal ability but remain trapped by poverty. In such circumstances, competition does not begin on a level playing field. The celebration of individual success also tends to conceal the social foundations that make success possible. No entrepreneur builds alone. Roads, universities, public health systems, legal institutions, electricity networks and skilled workers all contribute to private enterprise. Businesses benefit from public investment, yet the gains are often privatised while the costs are shared by society. When a company succeeds, its owners claim the reward; when a community suffers pollution, displacement or unemployment, the public is expected to absorb the damage. Labour remains at the heart of every economy, but workers are frequently treated as costs to be reduced rather than people whose dignity must be protected. The growth of informal work, gig platforms and contract employment has created income opportunities, but it has also weakened job security. Many workers have no paid leave, health insurance, pension or protection against sudden dismissal. They are praised for flexibility while carrying the entire burden of economic uncertainty. A delivery worker may be called an independent partner even when an algorithm determines their schedule, route and performance rating. A contract employee may perform the same duties as a permanent worker without enjoying the same benefits. A young graduate may accept unpaid or poorly paid work because competition is intense and opportunities are scarce. Such arrangements may lower costs for firms, but they transfer risk from corporations to individuals. The language of merit often makes this inequality harder to challenge. Success is presented as proof of talent, while failure is treated as personal weakness. This ignores the role of inheritance, social connections, geography, health, gender and access to education. A humane society must value effort without pretending that effort alone determines outcomes. People can work hard and still remain poor when wages are low, prices are high and essential services are commercialised. The commodification of basic needs is one of capitalisms most serious consequences. Housing, healthcare, education and even clean water are increasingly treated as markets. Those with money receive quality and choice, while those without it are forced to accept inadequate alternatives. A home becomes an investment before it is a shelter. Medical treatment becomes a financial calculation. Education becomes a competition for access rather than a public right. Housing pressures illustrate the problem clearly. When land is treated chiefly as an asset, homes become unaffordable for ordinary families. Investors may profit from rising property prices, but young people delay marriage, families move into overcrowded spaces and workers travel long distances to find affordable accommodation. A city can appear prosperous while its residents struggle to remain in it. In developing regions, including Kashmir, the consequences of market-driven development are particularly complex. There is a need for investment, industry, employment and better infrastructure. At the same time, unchecked commercialisation can weaken agriculture, damage the environment and widen the gap between those who own land and those who depend on wages. Traditional livelihoods are disrupted without adequate alternatives. Local resources generate wealth, but communities often receive only a small share of the value. The growth of consumer culture has added another dimension. People are constantly encouraged to measure happiness through acquisition. Advertising turns insecurity into demand, persuading individuals that they need newer phones, larger homes, expensive brands and endless upgrades. Consumption may stimulate production, but when identity becomes tied to purchasing power, social life becomes more unequal and psychological pressure increases. Families compare lifestyles, young people face debt and basic dignity is confused with visible wealth. Capitalism also depends on continuous expansion, but nature has limits. Companies are encouraged to extract resources, increase production and expand markets. The resulting profits may be private, while environmental costs are widely distributed. Forests are cleared, rivers polluted, farmland consumed and the climate destabilised. Economic growth that destroys the ecological foundations of life is not sustainable prosperity. It is the postponement of crisis. The climate emergency has exposed the weakness of a system that often discounts long-term damage. A factory may calculate the cost of fuel and labour but ignore the health effects of pollution. A developer may profit from construction while communities bear the cost of flooding and water scarcity. A consumer may enjoy cheap goods without seeing the environmental and human exploitation embedded in their production. Regulation is necessary because markets do not automatically protect interests that have no purchasing power. The financial sector has also grown increasingly powerful. Money moves rapidly across borders in search of higher returns, often with little connection to local needs. Speculative investment can raise asset prices without creating productive employment. When financial institutions take excessive risks, ordinary citizens may suffer through inflation, unemployment or public spending cuts. The rescue of powerful institutions is often justified as necessary to protect the economy, while struggling households receive limited support. This double standard damages democracy. If people believe that rules apply strictly to the poor but flexibly to the wealthy, faith in institutions declines. Economic power can influence political decisions, public policy and media narratives. Campaign financing, lobbying and corporate concentration may allow private interests to shape laws that affect millions. Democracy becomes weaker when citizens have the vote but major decisions are effectively controlled by wealth. The answer is not to reject enterprise or private ownership. It is to establish a social compact that places economic activity within clear ethical and democratic limits. Markets can play an important role, but they cannot decide everything. Public institutions must guarantee essential services, protect labour rights, prevent monopolies and ensure that businesses pay the true social and environmental costs of their operations. Progressive taxation is one instrument for reducing extreme inequality. Those who benefit most from the economy should contribute more towards education, healthcare, public transport, housing and social protection. Tax policy must also prevent wealth from escaping through loopholes and opaque financial arrangements. A fair tax system is not punishment for success; it is the price of maintaining the infrastructure and stability from which success benefits. Strong labour protections are equally essential. Minimum wages must reflect the cost of living. Workers need the right to organise, safe workplaces, paid leave and protection against discrimination. New forms of employment should not become a way to avoid responsibility. Technology may change how work is performed, but it should not erase the basic rights of those who perform it. Small businesses and local producers also require support. An economy dominated by a few large corporations is vulnerable to monopolies and less responsive to community needs. Local enterprises create employment, preserve skills and keep wealth within communities. Access to affordable credit, training, digital tools and markets can help them compete without surrendering their independence. Economic policy must also recognise unpaid labour, much of which is performed by women. Household care, child-rearing and support for the elderly are essential to the functioning of the economy, yet they rarely appear in national accounts. A system that benefits from unpaid work while denying it value reinforces gender inequality. Public childcare, parental leave and social support can make both families and labour markets fairer. Education should prepare citizens not only for employment but also for participation in public life. A society cannot be governed responsibly if people are taught to compete without learning to cooperate. Students should understand economics, labour rights, environmental responsibility and the relationship between public policy and private wealth. Economic literacy can help citizens question promises that reduce every problem to personal effort or market choice. A humane capitalism must be judged by the lives of those at the bottom, not merely by the fortunes of those at the top. It should be possible for a person to work hard without living in fear of illness, eviction or hunger. It should be possible for children to receive quality education regardless of their parents income. It should be possible for the elderly to live with dignity and for workers to retire without anxiety. The challenge is not to prevent people from becoming prosperous. It is to ensure that prosperity does not depend on the exploitation of others or the destruction of nature. Wealth creation and social justice can coexist, but only when institutions are strong enough to distribute opportunity and restrain abuse. Capitalism will continue to shape the world, but its future legitimacy will depend on whether it can respond to the inequality and insecurity it has helped produce. Economic freedom cannot mean freedom for powerful actors to impose costs on everyone else. Competition cannot be fair when some begin with inherited wealth and others begin with debt. Growth cannot be celebrated when it leaves behind broken communities and a damaged planet. The real measure of an economy is not the size of its profits but the quality of life it makes possible. A system that rewards enterprise while protecting dignity, supports innovation while preserving nature and creates wealth while sharing opportunity can serve society. A system that places profit above people will eventually face not only economic resistance but also a crisis of moral legitimacy. Capitalism does not have to be abandoned, but it must be answerable. It must serve the public, not rule over it. ( The author is a research scholar and teacher by profession)

Vanishing Farmlands: Kashmirs Agricultural Crisis

The disappearance of farmland in Kashmir is taking place quietly, almost routinely. A field is sold, divided, levelled and gradually covered with concrete. A new house rises where crops once grew. A commercial structure appears beside an orchard. A road cuts through agricultural land, and the loss is described as development. By the time the consequences become visible, another productive patch has already vanished. This is not merely a change in land use. It is a transformation of Kashmirs social, economic and ecological character. Farmlands are not empty spaces waiting for construction. They are sources of food, employment and rural stability. They absorb rainwater, support biodiversity, moderate local temperatures and preserve the open landscape that has long defined the Valley. When they disappear, society loses much more than a harvest. Kashmirs population is growing, and the need for housing, roads, schools, hospitals and commercial spaces is real. No serious policy can deny the importance of development. But development that consumes fertile land without planning is not progress. It is the transfer of todays convenience to tomorrows crisis. The most visible pressure comes from unplanned urban expansion. Towns are spreading into surrounding villages, often without a clear distinction between residential, commercial and agricultural zones. The areas closest to roads and urban centres are particularly vulnerable because landowners can obtain higher prices by selling plots than by cultivating them. Once one parcel is converted, neighbouring fields face similar pressure. Agriculture becomes fragmented, expensive and increasingly difficult to sustain. For many families, selling farmland is not an easy or careless decision. Farming incomes are uncertain. Input costs have risen, labour is difficult to find, and markets do not always reward the effort invested in cultivation. A farmer may receive an attractive offer for land within weeks, while the income from crops may take months and remain vulnerable to weather, disease and price fluctuations. Without a dependable agricultural support system, selling land can appear to be the only practical choice. This is where policy must look beyond the individual transaction. A landowner may have a right to seek financial security, but society has a collective interest in preserving productive farmland. Once converted, agricultural land is rarely restored. The decision may benefit one household in the short term while weakening the food system and rural economy for everyone. The problem is particularly serious in the case of orchards. Fruit cultivation is not only an agricultural activity; it is a long-term investment involving trees, water, soil and generations of knowledge. When orchards are replaced by buildings, the loss cannot be measured merely by counting the trees cut down. It includes reduced production, lost employment, diminished biodiversity and the weakening of a sector that sustains thousands of families. Kashmirs farm economy already faces multiple pressures. Climate variability has affected flowering, fruit development and crop cycles. Unseasonal rain, hailstorms, drought-like conditions and changing temperatures create uncertainty for farmers. Water availability is becoming a concern in several areas. At the same time, many young people are moving away from agriculture because they see little dignity or financial security in it. The conversion of farmland adds another burden to a sector that is already under stress. When farmland disappears, food security becomes more dependent on supplies from outside. Transport disruptions, extreme weather, market fluctuations or emergencies can expose the weakness of such dependence. A region that once produced a significant share of its food begins to rely increasingly on distant markets. Consumers then face higher prices, while farmers lose the opportunity to produce for local demand. The contradiction is stark: fertile land is lost even as food costs rise. The ecological cost is equally important. Open fields and orchards allow rainwater to seep into the ground. Concrete surfaces accelerate runoff, increase waterlogging and place additional pressure on drainage systems. In areas already vulnerable to flooding, the conversion of natural absorption zones can worsen the impact of heavy rainfall. The removal of trees and vegetation also contributes to heat, dust and poorer air quality. Unplanned construction changes the character of villages. Traditional settlement patterns, irrigation channels and common paths are disrupted. Buildings come up without adequate drainage, parking or waste-management arrangements. Agricultural roads are narrowed or blocked. Water sources are polluted by sewage and construction debris. A village loses the functions that made it liveable and becomes an overcrowded extension of the town. The absence of effective land-use planning has allowed this process to continue. Regulations may exist, but weak enforcement, unclear records and fragmented authority create space for violations. Different departments often deal with roads, housing, agriculture, environment and revenue matters separately, without a shared vision for the landscape. A permission granted in one context can undermine the purpose of another policy. There must be a clear and publicly available land-use map for the Valley. Agricultural land, orchards, wetlands, forests, water bodies, grazing areas and settlement zones should be identified and protected through enforceable plans. Such mapping should not remain a technical exercise confined to offices. Local communities, farmers, panchayats and urban planners must participate in deciding how land is used. Protection, however, cannot mean imposing restrictions on farmers while offering them no support. Farmers must receive better returns, access to modern technology, reliable irrigation, storage facilities, crop insurance, affordable credit and stronger market links. If agriculture remains financially unattractive, legal restrictions alone will not prevent land conversion. A farmer who cannot earn a stable livelihood from the land will continue to face pressure to sell it. The agricultural economy also needs diversification and value addition. Cold storage, grading, packaging and processing can reduce post-harvest losses and improve returns. Local products should be connected to larger markets without allowing intermediaries to capture most of the value. Young people can be encouraged to enter agriculture through support for nurseries, greenhouse cultivation, beekeeping, food processing and farm-based enterprises. The government must also examine the role of speculative real estate. Land prices rise rapidly when agricultural parcels are treated as future construction sites. This encourages distress sales and makes farming increasingly unaffordable for those who wish to continue. Transparent registration, strict scrutiny of land conversion and penalties for illegal construction are necessary to limit speculation. Development permissions should be based on a broader assessment of infrastructure and ecological impact, not merely ownership documents. Urban growth should be directed towards existing settlements and low-value land wherever possible. Vacant plots, underused buildings and degraded areas should be prioritised for construction before fertile fields. Town planning must encourage compact, serviced growth rather than uncontrolled outward expansion. Every new residential colony should have adequate roads, drainage, water supply, waste management, public transport and open space. Without such planning, development simply creates new civic problems while consuming productive land. The preservation of farmland is also connected to cultural memory. Fields and orchards are woven into Kashmirs seasons, festivals, food habits and village relationships. They provide more than income. They sustain knowledge about seeds, soil, water and weather. When agricultural landscapes disappear, younger generations lose contact with the work that produces their food. A society that knows only the market price of food but not the labour behind it becomes more vulnerable to indifference. There is also an important question of social justice. The benefits of construction often go to a limited number of landowners, builders and investors, while the costs are spread across the wider public. Everyone bears the consequences of traffic congestion, flooding, higher food prices, reduced green space and environmental degradation. Public policy must therefore prevent private gain from creating collective loss. Local bodies should be empowered to monitor land-use changes and report violations promptly. Community participation can make enforcement more effective because residents know where new construction is taking place and which fields are under threat. But local institutions must also have technical support and protection from political pressure. A rule that cannot be enforced against influential violators is not a rule; it is an invitation to selective compliance. The language used around farmland also needs to change. A field is often described as vacant land when it is temporarily uncultivated. This is misleading. Agricultural land may be left fallow for a season, awaiting planting, recovering its fertility or remaining part of an orchard cycle. Treating it as unused makes conversion easier to justify. Land must be valued for its ecological and productive function, not only for its current appearance. Public awareness can support policy, but awareness campaigns should not become a substitute for action. Citizens should understand that buying a house on converted farmland may appear beneficial at the individual level while contributing to a larger crisis. Builders and buyers must be held accountable for violating zoning rules. Authorities must publish information about approved land-use plans so that people are not misled into purchasing illegal plots. The preservation of farmland does not require freezing Kashmir in time. Villages need better homes, modern facilities and improved connectivity. Farmers need access to markets, technology and education. Young people need opportunities beyond subsistence cultivation. The challenge is to provide these while protecting the land that sustains the region. Conservation and development are not enemies when planning is intelligent, and the public interest is placed above short-term profit. Kashmirs agricultural landscape is being lost parcel by parcel, often without a public debate. The damage becomes visible only after fields have been divided, trees removed, and drainage systems overwhelmed. By then, the possibility of reversal is small. The Valley must decide what kind of development it wants. If every open field is treated as a construction opportunity, Kashmir will eventually face the consequences in the form of food insecurity, environmental stress, traffic congestion and weakened rural livelihoods. If farmland is treated as a protected public asset, development can proceed in a manner that respects both people and place. The disappearance of a field may not make headlines. But each lost field is part of a larger storythe erosion of food security, ecological balance and rural dignity. Saving Kashmirs farmlands is therefore not a sentimental demand. It is an economic necessity, an environmental obligation and a responsibility to the generations that will inherit the Valley after the last fields have been built over. (The Author is a lecturer in HED and a columnist)

Budgam water tank collapse disrupts supply

Budgam, Oct, 24: An Overhead Water Tank (OHT) collapsed in Mazhuma village of central Kashmirs Budgam district two days ago, disrupting drinking water supplies to several nearby villages and leaving residents without water for the past 48 hours. The collapse has disrupted daily life, forcing residents to fetch water from neighbouring areas to meet their basic household needs. Locals have urged the authorities to restore the water supply at the earliest and investigate the cause of the incident. Nazir Ahmad Malla, a resident of Mazhuma village, told Rising Kashmir that the water tank collapsed during the late evening hours, creating panic among people living in the vicinity. When the tank collapsed, we felt as if an earthquake had struck our house. People rushed to the spot and began helping those living in tents close to the site, Malla said. He said the overhead water tank was constructed by the government in 2006 to provide drinking water to several villages in Narbal tehsil. However, the structure collapsed after nearly two decades, raising concerns among locals about its structural integrity and maintenance. He added that all villages dependent on the tank for drinking water had been without supply for the past two days. We do not have even a single drop of water in our homes. People are facing considerable difficulties and are being forced to fetch water from other areas to cook food and meet their daily needs. We appeal to the authorities to restore the supply as soon as possible, Malla said. Assistant Engineer of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Sub-Division Beerwah said repair and restoration work had been initiated to resume the drinking water supply. We have started the work and are hopeful that the water supply will be restored within two days. However, the pressure may remain lower than it was before the collapse of the overhead tank, the Assistant Engineer said. He advised residents who continue to face low water pressure to temporarily collect water from neighbouring households until the situation is resolved. The Assistant Engineer confirmed that no casualties had been reported in the incident, although the fencing of a nearby house was damaged. He estimated that government property worth nearly Rs 2 crore had been damaged in the collapse. The department, he said, would also prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the construction of a new overhead water tank, which is expected to cost around Rs 3 crore.

Dual power bills burden seasonal families in Sonmarg

Ganderbal, Oct 24: Residents of Shutkadi village in Sonamarg have appealed to the Power Development Department (PDD) to review electricity billing arrangements for seasonal migrant families, saying it has become difficult for them to pay electricity bills for two houses when they live in each location for only six months a year. The residents said many families spend part of the year in Gagangir, Kullan, Gohipora, Rezan and Gund before migrating to Shutkadi for the remaining months. During their stay in Shutkadi, their houses in these areas often remain locked, yet they continue to receive electricity bills for both locations. Local resident Abdul Ahad said it was becoming difficult to bear the additional financial burden of paying electricity bills for a house that remains unoccupied. My house in Gagangir remains locked when I move to Shutkadi, but I still have to pay the electricity bill there. At the same time, I have to pay the bill for the house where I live in Shutkadi. It is difficult for an ordinary person to manage expenses at two places, he said. Another resident Riyaz Ahmad also expressed concern over the issue, saying seasonal migrant families should receive appropriate relief when they use their houses at different times of the year. We cannot afford to pay electricity bills for two houses when we live in one place for six months and in another place for the remaining six months, he said. An elderly resident, Zuna Begum appealed to the department to consider the difficulties faced by economically weaker families. We are poor people. How can we afford to pay electricity bills for two houses? We come to Shutkadi for a few months and pay the electricity bill here as well. Our difficulties should be understood, she said. Responding to the concerns AEE Kangan Farooq Ahmad Raina said that residents who own properties in two locations have separate electricity agreements and are required to clear their outstanding dues. If they have a house in Shutkadi, there is an electricity agreement for that property. Similarly, if they have a house in Sonamarg, there is a separate agreement for that as well, Raina said. He clarified that electricity connections in Shutkadi Village had been disconnected in certain cases due to pending arrears and appealed to consumers to clear their dues. He added that residents facing difficulties in paying large outstanding amounts could approach the department for payment in installments. Addressing the concerns of seasonal residents, Raina suggested that consumers install digital electricity meters in their houses in Gagangir and other areas where smart-meter installation under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) has not yet started. Bring a digital meter and get it installed in your house. We will provide technicians to assist with the installation. Once the meter is installed, the electricity charges can be reduced during the period when the house remains unused, with only the applicable demand charges being levied, he said. The residents have urged the department to examine their grievances and consider a practical billing arrangement for families that migrate seasonally and use their two houses at different times of the year.

Experts stress AI skills amid technological shift

Srinagar, Oct 24: Experts at the University of Kashmir have stressed the need for people to upgrade their skills and adapt to emerging technologies as Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes education, employment, creativity and communication. The observations were made during a two-day National Seminar-cum-Workshop titled Artificial Intelligence, Creativity and Content Generation: Opportunities and Challenges of a New Tomorrow, organised jointly by the Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC), New Delhi, and the Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC), University of Kashmir, on October 21 and 22. The deliberations focused on the growing role of AI, the need for responsible adoption of the technology, and the importance of critical thinking, effective communication and continuous skill development. Director EMRC, Prof Syeda Afshana, said AI imitates human intelligence and emphasised that its future should not be shaped by technologists alone. Educators, researchers and scholars also have an important role in determining how the technology develops and is used, she said. Registrar, University of Kashmir, Prof Naseer Iqbal, observed that challenges posed by AI could also create new opportunities, adding that the education system was responding to the emerging technological landscape. Delivering the keynote address, Director CEC, New Delhi, Prof Parikshat Singh Manhas, said AI should not be viewed merely as a threat to employment, but also as a technology capable of generating new opportunities. He stressed that people who learn to use AI effectively would be better positioned in the future job market. Effective prompting, clear thinking and strong communication skills, he said, would be essential to improving productivity and completing tasks with fewer resources. Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Prof Nilofer Khan, said AI had significance for humanity as a whole and could simplify complex educational concepts and help address everyday challenges. On the first day, Director EMRC, University of Calicut, Dr Damodar Prasad, described AI as a paradigm shift with significant implications for learning and professional development. Dr Asif Assad of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) introduced participants to locally developed AI tools and chatbots, including PashmNet and RiceNet, highlighting their potential to address local needs. Prof Umesh Arya of Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Haryana, said AI differed from earlier technologies because of its ability to perform tasks associated with human thinking. He noted that its impact on employment could vary across countries depending on workforce skills. On the second day, Dr Archana Kumari of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) discussed concerns about AI replacing human workers and cautioned against growing dependence on algorithms at the expense of human judgement. The legal implications of AI-generated content were discussed by Dr Mir Junaid Alam of the Department of Law, University of Kashmir, who highlighted complex questions concerning copyright, authorship and ownership. Dr Jatinder Jit Kour, Senior Producer at EMPC, IGNOU, stressed the judicious use of technology, noting that the quality of AI-generated responses depends significantly on the user's understanding and ability to frame prompts. Dr Bilal Ahmad Malik of the University of Kashmir discussed emerging regulatory concerns surrounding AI users and AI-generated products, underlining the need for appropriate legal frameworks. During the valedictory session, academicians, media professionals and researchers reflected on the implications of AI for education and creative practices. Shafqat Habib, Senior Producer, EMRC, University of Kashmir, spoke about AI's transformative impact on society, while Prof Tariq Ahmad Chisti, Dean, School of Open Learning, and Prof M Tariq Banday, Dean, School of Engineering, stressed the need for educational institutions to adapt to technological advancements. Delivering the valedictory address, Prof Sharief-ud-din Pirzada, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Kashmir, emphasised the importance of engaging with emerging technologies in higher education and equipping educators and learners to navigate an increasingly AI-enabled environment. The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates among participants and resource persons. The organisers reiterated their commitment to promoting capacity-building, innovation and technology-enabled learning.

Kashmiri farmer honoured for preserving Mushk Budji

Srinagar, Oct 24: Kashmiri farmer Zafar Ahmad Bhat was felicitated at the Bharat International Rice Conference in New Delhi for his efforts to preserve the indigenous Mushk Budji rice variety, known for its distinctive aroma and short grain. Sagam village in Anantnag district is a prominent centre for cultivating the high-altitude aromatic rice variety, which received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2023. Jammu and Kashmir featured at the international conference alongside agrarian states, including Odisha, Assam and Telangana, to showcase indigenous GI-tagged and speciality rice varieties. The initiative aims to strengthen market linkages and help niche regional rice varieties reach mainstream international retail markets. The Union Territory was represented by the Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department, with Director Agriculture Kashmir Sartaj Ahmad Shah attending the conference. During the event, the department is engaging with institutions such as the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to explore opportunities for promoting specialty rice varieties. The conference brought together global buyers, policymakers, researchers and exporters to showcase India's position in the global rice sector.

Kashmir issue remains alive because of Pakistan: Farooq Abdullah sparks row

BJP calls remark seditious, anti-national, demands police action Srinagar, Oct 24: Pakistan has saved Kashmiris by keeping the issue alive at international forums, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah said on Saturday, sparking a row, with the BJP castigating the comment as seditious and anti-national. Abdullah said there is little hope for Kashmiris from the []

Diversity should be our strength: LG Sinha

Srinagar, Oct 24: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid rich tributes to eminent litterateur Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza on the occasion of his birth centenary celebration event and highlighted his immense contribution to Indian literature and cinema. In a message delivered for the commemorative programme organised in Ghazipur, the Lieutenant Governor noted that Rahi Sahabs writings []

IAS officer Sajjan Singh Yadav to be new Chief Secy

Srinagar, Oct 24: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday appointed Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav, a 1995batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir. In an order, the MHA posted him as new CS of J&K- the most prestigious bureaucratic position in the UT. With []

Make police nakas more dynamic, intelligence-driven: IGP Kashmir

Reviews crime disposal, winter preparedness; stresses time-bound investigation Srinagar, Oct 24: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone Sujit Kumar chaired a meeting in hybrid mode to review crime disposal, security preparedness and various policing measures across the Kashmir Zone, stressing the need for timely investigation and disposal of cases within the stipulated 60/90-day timelines []

RSS marks centenary with programme in Leh

Leh, Oct 24: A programme marking the completion of 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was organised in Leh on Saturday, focusing on character-building, social harmony, cultural heritage and the role of citizens in nation-building. Titled RSS @100: Vision and Mission Organising Society, Building Character, Serving Bharat, the programme brought together speakers to deliberate on Bharats civilisational heritage, national consciousness and the importance of collective responsibility. His Eminence Palga Rinpoche attended the programme as the chief guest, while Dr Manmohan Vaidya, National Executive Member of the RSS, delivered the keynote address. Padma Shri Dr Padma Gurmeet, Vibhag Sanghchalak, Ladakh Vibhag, delivered the introductory address. Dr Dawa Wangmo, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations at the University of Ladakh, moderated the programme. Addressing the gathering, Palga Rinpoche stressed the importance of understanding Bharats ancient civilisation, respecting cultural values and fostering a sense of national responsibility. He also highlighted the dedication and sacrifices of Indian Army personnel in safeguarding the country, particularly in challenging geographical and climatic conditions, and appreciated the RSSs contribution to social service and nation-building over the past century. In his keynote address, Vaidya elaborated on Panch Parivartan, or the Five Transformations, emphasising character-building, social harmony, collective responsibility and awareness of Bharats historical and civilisational legacy. He also spoke about the countrys historical economic strength, indigenous skills and the contributions of women to social, cultural and economic development. Stressing that national commitment should be reflected in everyday conduct, he called for translating values and ideals into meaningful action for society. The message Bharat ko maano, phir jaano underscored the importance of recognising the countrys civilisational significance and developing a deeper understanding of its history, cultural traditions and diversity. The address also stressed the need for citizens to actively contribute to the nations progress. The discussions highlighted the role of discipline, mutual respect, individual integrity and sustained community service in building a harmonious and self-reliant society. Participants also emphasised preserving cultural heritage, promoting indigenous knowledge, supporting education and encouraging community participation. The programme also highlighted the relevance of these themes to Ladakh, given its distinctive cultural heritage, geographical conditions and strategic importance, stressing social cooperation, intergenerational learning and responsible citizenship. The centenary programme concluded with a call for national unity, respect for the armed forces, cultural awareness and dedicated service, emphasising that nation-building requires sustained individual responsibility and collective effort.

Six held over alleged banned outfit links

Bandipora, Oct 24: Bandipora Police have arrested six persons in connection with an alleged clandestine module linked to the banned organisation Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen, which police claim was operating under the directions of a Pakistan-based handler. According to police, the investigation has revealed suspected links involving coordination from within prisons, covert meetings to propagate separatist ideology and financial transactions. A case, FIR No. 168/2026, has been registered at Police Station Bandipora under Sections 10 and 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, as amended. The arrested persons have been identified as Mubeena Bano, daughter of Gh Ahmad Dar, resident of Dachigam, Bandipora; Waheed Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohd Maqbool Bhat, resident of Bhat Mohallah, Kachloo Qazipora, Handwara; Kushboo Jan, daughter of Ab Rashid Sheikh, resident of Check Panzigam, Bandipora; Mehak Jan, daughter of Mohd Sultan Sheikh, resident of Check Panzigam; Aliya Jan, daughter of Ab Rashid Sheikh, resident of Check Panzigam; and Irfan Ahmed Reshi alias Rayees, son of Gh Nabi Reshi, resident of Ananwan, Handwara. Police said further investigation into the case was underway.

Omar Abdullah to flag off Kashmir Marathon today

2,000 runners participating; traffic restrictions announced Srinagar, Oct 24: Banners, hoardings and posters have transformed Srinagars streets ahead of the Kashmir International Marathon, with roads along the route set and barricading completed as around 2,000 runners, including 73 foreign athletes from 12 countries, prepare to hit the streets on Sunday. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will []

Man booked for impersonating govt official, duping Rs 28 lakh

Srinagar, Oct 24: A person has been booked in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama for allegedly impersonating a government official and duping a man and his son of Rs 28 lakh in a land compensation case, officials said on Saturday. Pulwama Police have registered a case under Sections 319 and 336(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita []

A 1986 Land Decree Under Scrutiny: Can Three Daughters Challenge A Father

A decades-old court decree raises difficult questions about inheritance, the rights of daughters, the status of a khana-nisheen daughter and the legal limits of reopening settled property disputes Mohd Amin Mir Land disputes in Jammu and Kashmir often survive longer than the people who first became parties to them. A decree passed by a civil []

Gurez residents intensify healthcare protest

Srinagar, Oct 24: With healthcare facilities falling short of their basic needs and the harsh winter approaching, residents of Gurez in north Kashmirs Bandipora district have begun an indefinite hunger strike, which entered its third consecutive day on Saturday, demanding urgent healthcare reforms and an end to what they describe as years of neglect. The protest has brought together people from different walks of life, united by a demand they say is fundamental: access to timely and reliable medical care in their remote valley, where even a medical emergency can turn into a desperate race against time. Arshad Ahmad, a resident of Gurez, said people had been gathering at the headquarters in Dawar to demand better healthcare facilities and round-the-clock availability of doctors at the centrally located hospital. There is no permanent gynaecologist, no blood bank, no radiologist and no functional operation theatre. How can people be expected to feel safe when even basic medical facilities are missing? he asked. For pregnant women, the lack of healthcare facilities becomes particularly distressing as winter approaches. With Gurez remaining cut off for nearly six months because of heavy snowfall, many women are forced to leave their homes as early as September and travel to Bandipora or Srinagar to ensure access to maternity care. They often remain away from their families until spring, enduring months of separation at a time when they need comfort, care and the support of their loved ones the most. Imagine the pain a pregnant woman has to go through when she is forced to leave her home for six months just to deliver her baby safely. Think about the emotional and financial burden on these families. This is not just about hospitals; it is about the dignity and safety of our people, Arshad said. Gurez, with a population of around 40,000 spread across 29 villages, depends on the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Dawar as its principal healthcare facility. However, residents say the hospital continues to face severe staff shortages, with several essential specialist services unavailable. The residents said there has been no creation of posts for a radiologist, and technicians. The shortage affects other facilities in the region, including PHCs at Sheikpora Tulail and Badugam, NTPHCs at Bagtoor, Barnal and Gujran, and the MAC at Badwan Gurez. The crisis is particularly severe for low-income families and daily-wage workers, who struggle to meet the additional expenses of staying in Bandipora or Srinagar for weeks or months to ensure safe deliveries. For families dependent on seasonal employment, arranging accommodation, food and travel adds to an already difficult financial situation. Although the district administration operates helicopter services to evacuate patients between Gurez and Bandipora during winter emergencies, residents say the service cannot offer a dependable solution in every situation. Patients can be airlifted only when the weather is favourable. What happens when someone is critically ill and the weather does not permit a flight? For people here, every delay can become a matter of life and death, Arshad said. The anger has intensified following the death of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby in Gurez around two weeks ago. The tragedy triggered a shutdown and protests, with residents alleging that a delay in shifting the woman to a hospital in Bandipora contributed to the deaths. The incident has renewed concerns over the consequences of inadequate specialist care and the difficulties of transporting critically ill patients from the remote region. A senior health official acknowledged that no new posts had been created for around a decade, despite an increase in population, and said the resulting gap between healthcare requirements and available manpower had become a concern. The situation reflects wider challenges in rural healthcare delivery across Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Union Health Ministrys Health Dynamics of India (Infrastructure and Human Resources) 202223 report, rural Community Health Centres in the Union Territory face shortages of specialist doctors and paramedical staff.

Fire breaks out at blanket shop in Srinagars Karan Nagar, F&ES on job

Srinagar, Oct 24 : A fire broke out at a blanket shop near in the Kaka Sarai area of Karan Nagar, Srinagar, late Saturday night, officials said. An official said that the fire broke out at a blanket factory near Medicare Hospital in Karan Nagar, Srinagar. He said Fire and Emergency Services personnel are on the job to douse the flames, while patients were evacuated from the nearby hospital as a precautionary measure. The official said that, as per preliminary information, no casualties or injuries had been reported and firefighting operations were underway when the report was filed.(KNO) Further Details Awaited.

Suspected drone-like object found in Kana Chak

Jammu Tawi, Oct 24: A drone-like object was found lying in a paddy field in the Kana Chak area of Jammu district on Saturday, officials said. An official told the news agency that the object was found lying in a paddy field in Makhyal village of Kana Chak. He said locals soon informed the police, [] The post Suspected drone-like object found in Kana Chak appeared first on Northlines .

65 charge-sheeted in cases involving illegal stay in Jammu by Pak nationals

Jammu Tawi, Oct 24: The Special Crime Wing (SCW) of Crime Branch Jammu has filed charge sheets in eight separate incidents involving the alleged illegal stay of Pakistani nationals in four districts of Jammu division, bringing the involvement of 65 persons on record, an official said on Saturday. The charge sheets were filed before competent [] The post 65 charge-sheeted in cases involving illegal stay in Jammu by Pak nationals appeared first on Northlines .

Police bust clandestine separatist module, 4 women among 6 held

Srinagar, Oct 24: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday said that it arrested six people, including four women, for their alleged involvement in a clandestine module linked to the banned organisation Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen in Bandipora district In a statement issued to the news agency, a police spokesman said that the investigations revealed suspected links of the [] The post Police bust clandestine separatist module, 4 women among 6 held appeared first on Northlines .

Tanvir urges CS to submit daily wagers

Srinagar, Oct 24: National Conference (NC) chief spokesperson and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq on Saturday urged Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to submit the pending report on daily wagers regularisation by October 31 and send the file to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah before the deadline. There is still time till the 31st. I request the Chief [] The post Tanvir urges CS to submit daily wagers regularization report by Oct 31 appeared first on Northlines .

Fresh snowfall on heights, dry weather likely till Oct 31

SRINAGAR, Oct 24: Higher reaches of J&K received fresh light snowfall on Saturday, with Sinthan Top and Peer Ki Gali among the areas witnessing snow, while the Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast generally dry weather across Jammu and Kashmir till October 31. The weather department has indicated the possibility of light rain in a few [] The post Fresh snowfall on heights, dry weather likely till Oct 31 appeared first on Northlines .

We are not enemies of country: Dr Farooq

Says J&K chose India in 1947 despite it being Muslim-majority region Baramulla, Oct 24: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that people of J&K have never said that they are not Indians and had chosen India in 1947 despite being a Muslim-majority region. Addressing a party workers convention, Dr Farooq, as [] The post We are not enemies of country: Dr Farooq appeared first on Northlines .

Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav is new Chief Secy of J

SRINAGAR, Oct 24: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir. According to the MHA order, Yadav has been transferred from Delhi and posted as Chief Secretary of J&K with effect from November [] The post Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav is new Chief Secy of J&K appeared first on Northlines .

Houthi Missile Debris Falls in Four Saudi Areas, Including Mecca

SRINAGAR: Saudi Arabias Civil Defence reported on Saturday that debris from two intercepted ballistic missiles had fallen in parts of Mecca, Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh, following a launch by Yemens Houthi rebels towards Mecca and Medina. No casualties were reported, the Civil Defence spokesperson said in a statement. The debris fell in Wadi Al-Maghammas in []

I Drop Ignorance Daily (I-DID): The Habit of Newspaper Reading

By: Dr. Neha Lohamaror, Founder & Director, Kosh Foundation The 19th century philosopher John Dewey believed that education should prepare individuals to participate thoughtfully in society, not merely accumulate information. This idea remains relevant in an age when children are surrounded by digital content but often lack the time to question what they read. [] The post I Drop Ignorance Daily (I-DID): The Habit of Newspaper Reading appeared first on Northlines .

India-U.S. Trade Deal draft is ready, but still there are few gaps

Only Trump and Modis intervention will lead to a final agreement By T N Ashok NEW YORK: The latest diplomatic signals from Washington and New Delhi suggest that a prolonged IndiaUS trade confrontation may finally be approaching a settlement. US President Donald Trump says a deal is close. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, [] The post India-U.S. Trade Deal draft is ready, but still there are few gaps appeared first on Northlines .

AI Enabled Statecraft for Global Dominance

Deploying Geopolitical Cards in the AI Era by Naagesh Padmanaban As Artificial Intelligence (AI) picks up pace scale, magnitude, frequency and the widespread use case innovations it has also got governments nervous. They are now investing in developing strategies to navigate, manage and contain the new and unprecedented level of real [] The post AI Enabled Statecraft for Global Dominance appeared first on Northlines .

Jammu Kashmir: School Education Department Orders Placement of Teachers as Lecturers

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has placed 10 Masters and teachers as lecturers in Philosophy on an officiating basis and ordered their transfers to different higher and higher secondary schools across the Union Territory. The placements were approved under Government Order No. 457-JK (Edu) of 2026, dated October 23, issued by the School Education []

Let directions deliver results

The actual effectiveness of any law, rule or government order rests upon its proper implementation. A direction issued by the government is meant to bring about positive change on the ground. If the directions issued are not effectively implemented on the ground, then the purpose of the directions would remain unfulfilled. It is therefore the [] The post Let directions deliver results appeared first on Northlines .

Srinagar-Based Trust Distributes Educational Kits Among Students in Hajin

SRINAGAR: The Shaheen Syndicate Social Trust distributed school bags, stationery and food items among students of Government Primary School Gadahanjipora in Mukdamyari zone of Hajin on Saturday. The initiative aimed to support students facing a shortage of essential educational supplies, including school bags, textbooks and stationery. The programme was attended by school staff, trust chairman []

Remain Patient: CM Omar Tells NC Colleagues Ahead of Cabinet Expansion

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday urged National Conference colleagues to stop seeking ministerial positions, saying the selection for the forthcoming cabinet reshuffle and expansion had already been completed in consultation with party president Farooq Abdullah. Omar made the remarks after meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar, where he sought []

CM Omar attends prize distribution ceremony of Labaika Invitational Golf Cup 2026

Srinagar, Oct 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today attended the prize distribution ceremony of the Labaika Invitational Golf Cup 2026 at the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC), Srinagar. The day-long tournament witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 100 golfers, including professionals, women and junior golfers from Jammu and Kashmir. Besides professional golfers from other parts of the country also participated, bringing together golf enthusiasts in a celebration of sportsmanship and camaraderie amid Kashmirs scenic surroundings. The main aim of the day-long tournament focused on local golfers and emerging talent and provide emerging players with opportunities to showcase their abilities. The Chief Minister highlighted the growing interest among golf enthusiasts from j&K and other parts of North India in visiting Srinagar for weekend golfing, noting that such sporting events contribute to the local tourism economy. He also underscored the importance of encouraging local golfers and nurturing young talent, observing that initiatives of this kind can help popularise the sport and provide emerging players with opportunities to showcase their abilities. The championship was organised by Labaika Haj & Umrah Services. Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Gurwinder Singh Oberoi, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, Secretary Royal Springs Golf Course Haris Ahmed Handoo, Director Tourism Kashmir Syed Qamar Sajjad,, and golfers, among others, were present on the occasion.

52-Year-Old Man Dies After Falling From Bike in Anantnag

SRINAGAR: A 52-year-old man died after falling from his bike in the Pahloo area of Shangus in Anantnag district this evening. The deceased has been identified as Mohd Ashraf Lone, son of Master Abdul Majeed Lone, a resident of Kotheir Lone Mohalla. Officials said that, according to preliminary information, Lone, who worked as a domestic []

Should Palestinian Citizens of Israel Vote When Their Political Rights Remain Contested?

by Tamir Sorek Palestinian citizens face a dilemma ahead of Israels October 27 election: voting could strengthen their representation and security, while abstention could protest exclusion and the limits of citizenship. Elections are typically framed as a choice for voters. For Palestinian citizens of Israel, however, the countrys national ballots pose more of a dilemma. []

Bear Attack Injures Youth in South Kashmir

SRINAGAR: A youth was injured after being attacked by a wild bear at an apple orchard in the Sallar area of south Kashmirs Anantnag district on Saturday. An official said that the youth was attacked by a wild bear at an orchard in Sallar. He was shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag for treatment []

Nursing, Allied Health Students Set November 10 Deadline for Internship Stipend Order

SRINAGAR: B.Sc. Nursing and allied health science students in Jammu and Kashmir have set November 10 as the deadline for the government to issue the pending internship stipend order, warning of a day-and-night protest from November 11 if their demand is not met. In a representation submitted to the Commissioner Secretary of the Health and []

KPDCL Announces Scheduled Power Cuts Across Kashmir From October 27

SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced scheduled power shutdowns across several areas of Kashmir between October 27 and November 5, 2026, to facilitate maintenance work on multiple 33 kV power lines. According to the Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL, the outages will generally be observed from 9 am to 3 pm on []

Farooq Abdullah says Pakistan protecting Kashmiris; BJP leaders accuse him of treason

Baramulla , Oct 24 : National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday claimed that Pakistan was protecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir by repeatedly raising the Kashmir issue at international forums, while alleging that the Centre's intentions towards the region were not good. Addressing a workers' convention here, Abdullah questioned whether Kashmiris could expect justice from Delhi and said, Pakistan's continued efforts to raise the Kashmir issue internationally were putting pressure on India. What can you expect from Delhi? You must have the courage to stand up to them and fight. If you do not, you will be wiped out. Your name and identity will disappear, and no one will even remember you. Our neighbour is constantly after them. It goes everywhere, saying that the Kashmir issue has not been resolved. It is protecting us; otherwise, their intentions are not good. They say one thing but do something entirely different, Abdullah said. He further called on people to stand by the truth, warning that their future would remain insecure unless they spoke out and stood firm. You must have the courage to stand by the truth. Speaking the truth is not easy, but unless you speak the truth and stand firm by it, your future will never be secure, he said. Abdullah's remarks drew strong criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who accused him of echoing Pakistan's narrative and questioned his comments on the country's role in Jammu and Kashmir. The remarks triggered sharp reactions from leaders who accused him of making anti-national statements and demanded action against him. Uttar Pradesh Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna accused Abdullah of exploiting Kashmiris throughout his political career and said the region's integration into the national mainstream under the Modi government was in the best interests of its people. It is people like Farooq Abdullah who have exploited Kashmir throughout their lives. Farooq Abdullah is responsible for reducing Kashmiris to second-class citizens, and he ought not to be making such statements. It is precisely because of Indias diversity that Kashmir is now integrated into the nations mainstream, and every citizen of Kashmir enjoys the same rights as those in the rest of India. Therefore, the current situation in Kashmirbrought about by the Modi governmentis what is truly in the best interest of the Kashmiri people. Today, the people of Kashmir are at their happiest, thanks to the Modi government, Khanna said. BJP leader Ravinder Raina termed Abdullah's statement highly condemnable and unfortunate, accusing him of treason and alleging that Pakistan had supported terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir for decades. The statement made by Dr. Farooq Abdullah regarding Kashmir and Pakistan is highly condemnable and unfortunate; in fact, Dr. Farooq Abdullah has committed an act of treason. Pakistan is the killer of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Over the last 35 years, Pakistan has sought to turn Jammu and Kashmir into a graveyard and a cremation ground. This is the very same Pakistan that has fostered terrorism within Jammu and Kashmirproviding training, bombs, guns, pistols, ammunition, and grenades to terrorists. How could Pakistan ever be a well-wisher to the people of Jammu and Kashmir? Raina said. BJP leader Altaf Thakur also condemned Abdullah's remarks, calling them an attack on the country's unity and integrity and demanding action against the National Conference chief. This is an open rebellion against the country. His statement is against the unity and integrity of the country. The National Conference has always been anti-country. The statement made by Farooq Abdullah is completely an anti-country statement. Action should be taken against him, Thakur said. Janata Dal (United) state president G M Shaheen also criticised Abdullah, questioning why the National Conference chief continued to echo Pakistan's narrative despite having held several constitutional positions. When a leader like Farooq Abdullah makes such a statement and supports Pakistan, what else can I call it but a misfortune? He has served as a Chief Minister, a member of the Rajya Sabha, and a Member of Parliament; he has worked within the framework of the countrys Constitutionyet, he chooses to speak the language of Pakistan. It is truly shameful. If Jammu and Kashmir is safe, it is because of India. Why does he always echo Pakistans narrative? The militancy that has plagued Kashmir since the 1990s was, in part, a consequence of his government. Whenever these people have come to power, they have invariably begun to speak the language of Pakistan. This is nothing new for Farooq Abdullah, but the nation should hold him accountable, Shaheen said. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma also criticised Abdullah, questioning his allegations against India and asking whether he considered himself separate from the country. If we point out that they lack love for the country, they immediately start complaining that such things are being said about them. He himself served as Chief Minister, and now his son is Chief Minister. He has full access to all resourcesfrom across India and everywhere else. Yet, he still makes such accusations. If he claims that Indias intentions were not good, does that mean he views himself as separate from India? He should learn from his own sonOmar Abdullah, Sharma said. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vinod Bansal also condemned Abdullah's remarks, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir would always remain an integral part of India and questioning his reference to Pakistan. Kashmir was, is, and will always remain an integral part of India. They live in India and sing praises of Pakistan. Is Kashmir safe because of Pakistan, or is Kashmir safe by showing India's strength to Pakistan? If this is his statement, then there is no greater treason than this, Bansal said. Meanwhile, Congress leaders disagreed with Abdullah's remarks about Pakistan but also raised concerns over the political and administrative situation in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the continued denial of statehood. Congress leader Ravinder Sharma reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and accused Pakistan of spreading terrorism. He cited the Shimla Agreement while arguing that Pakistan had no right to raise the Kashmir issue, and also referred to concerns over the treatment of minorities and the delay in restoring statehood. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, and it will remain an integral part. Pakistan spreads terrorism. Pakistan has no right or claim to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmirespecially following the Shimla Agreement, in which it was agreed in writing that bilateral issues would be addressed through direct, bilateral engagement. Thirdly, regarding Farooq Abdullahs remarks: he pointed to the disenfranchisement of minority voters, the use of bulldozers against minorities, and other forms of oppression, noting that there is an elected government in Kashmir. The Congress party is also fighting for thisdemanding to know why, despite repeated promises, an undertaking given to the Supreme Court, and discussions in Parliament, statehood is still being denied to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. In that context, we also recognise that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are facing oppression, Sharma said. Congress leader Rashid Alvi also disagreed with Abdullah's position, while questioning Pakistan's handling of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). I do not agree with Farooq Abdullah on this. There is no doubt that the BJP government has committed excesses in Kashmir. But what is happening in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)? People there regularly protest against the Pakistani government. If the people in PoK are unhappy and dissatisfied with the Pakistani government, what can Pakistan do about our Kashmir? Alvi said. Apart from his remarks on Pakistan and Delhi, Abdullah raised concerns over the implementation of a mandatory two-year service requirement for doctors who pursue medical courses in Jammu and Kashmir. He alleged that a file related to the matter had been pending with the Lieutenant Governor for a year. Doctors who come from outside Jammu and Kashmir to pursue MBBS, MD, or MS courses, as well as students who study medicine here, are required to serve for two years in villages, hospitals, and other areas across the region. If they fail to fulfil this requirement, they must pay 50 Lakh to the administration. This is a region where a file has been pending with the Lieutenant Governor for a year, yet it has still not been approved. This is the state of affairs here. What can you expect from Delhi? Can you really expect them to deliver justice to you? Abdullah said. (ANI)

KPDCL Announces Power Shutdown in Multiple Areas of Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 24: Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL has informed that the Shutdown of 33 kV Panzan Tapline, 33 kV Budgam SIDCO Tapline, 33 kV Budgam line and 33 kV Ichgam line will be observed due to which power supply to Gudothoo, Panzan, Lalgam, Ranger, Kathairgund, Ichgam, Ichkoot, Choon, Budhbagh, Razwan, Kanir, Borwah, Hushroo, Zoohama, Hanjoora, Dadaompora, Ompora, SIDCO Housing Colony, Railway Station, NIFT, Budgam, Sebdan, Jawalapora, Ompora, SIDCO, Housing Colony, Railway Station Budgam, NIFT and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am 03 pm on 28 October 2026. Similarly, shutdown of 33 kV Kremshore line will be observed due to which power supply to Old Kremshore, Arigam, Nunner, Shamsabad, Dreygam, Parnewa, Branwar, Sursyar, Raithan, Khansahib, Shinipora, Yarikhah, essential and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 28 & 31 October 2026. Likewise, shutdown of 33 kV Khansahib Tapline will be observed due to which power supply to Branwar, Surisyar, Khansahib, Sheenipora, Yarikhah, Gurweth, Essential, Raithan, Watred and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 05 November 2026. Similarly, shutdown of 33 kV Branwar Tapline will be observed due to which power supply to Branwar, Sursyar, Raithan, Watred and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 03 November 2026. Further, shutdown of 33 kV Beerwah Tapline will be observed due to which power supply to Sail, Gonsipora, Old Beerwah, Arwah, Najan, Chewdara, Beerwah Town, Sonpah, Hospital, Zanigam, Arizal, Raiyar, Doodhpathri, Khag, Poshker, Suresh, Sugen and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 27 & 29 October 2026. Likewise, shutdown of 33 kV Khag Tapline will be observed due to which power supply to Khag, Poshkar, Suresh, Sujan and other adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 02 November 2026. Similarly, shutdown of 33 kV Arizal Tapline will be observed due to which power supply to Arizal, Doodhpathri, Raiyar and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 03 & 05 November 2026. Likewise, shutdown of 33 kV Ahmadpora Magam line will be observed due to which power supply to Mazhama, Old Sanoor, Aripanthan, Magam, Weriahama, Badren and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 27 & 29 October 2026. Similarly, shutdown of 33 kV Watrehail line will be observed due to which power supply to Samsan, Parthan, Watrehail, Watrewani, Charangam, PHE Substation and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 28, 31 October and 02 November 2026. Likewise, shutdown of 33 kV Chararisharief Tapline will be observed due to which power supply to Kakawring, Yousmarg, Charisharief, Tilsera, Chrawni, Kanidajan and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 29 October 2026. Similarly, shutdown of 33 kV Badampora-Lar Tulmulla line and 33 kV Badampora-Kurhama Dab line will be observed due to which power supply to Lar, Waliwar, Watlar, Repora, Tulmulla, Dangerpora, Theeru, Larsun, Kurhama, Youngoora, Barsoo, Old Dab, Checki Baba, Salun, Sainik School, Rabitar, Kondbal, GCET and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 27 & 31 October 2026. Furthermore, shutdown of 33 kV Badampora Wangipora Safapora line and 33 kV Badampora Army Hakbara line will be observed due to which power supply to Batwina, Nowgam, Wangipora, Waskura, Kharbagh, Sumbal, Nesbal, Hajin, Preng, Madwan, Banyar, Hakbara, Chendergeer and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 28 October & 02 November 2026. Similarly, shutdown of 33 kV Nehalpora Markundal line will be observed due to which power supply to Markundal, Naidkhai, Sumbal, Gund Boon and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 01 & 04 November 2026. Likewise, shutdown of 33 kV Shadipora HMT line will be observed due to which power supply to Shadipora, Trigam, Diver, Ganastan, Odina, Migrant Colony and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 31 October & 03 November 2026. Similarly, shutdown of 33 kV LJHP-Peernia Transmission Line will be observed due to which power supply to Peernia and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 am to 03 pm on 27, 29 & 31 October 2026. Meanwhile, the Chief Engineer informed that the Scheduled Shutdown of 132/33 kV Grid Station Lassipora (132 kV Yard, 33 kV Yard and Transformer Yard) on 27 October has been cancelled.

BJPs Abhijeet Jasrotia Condemns Farooq Abdullahs Pakistan Remarks, Calls for Media Unity

Srinagar, Oct 24: Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Dr Abhijeet Jasrotia on Saturday strongly condemned the recent remarks made by National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah at a party workers' convention in Baramulla, demanding an unconditional public apology for statements he said undermine national unity and misrepresent the historical and political realities of Jammu and Kashmir. Dr Jasrotia also criticised Abdullah's reported remarks describing the media as sold out, calling them an unacceptable generalisation that undermines the credibility of journalists and media institutions. He urged media organisations to collectively defend the dignity, independence and professional integrity of the press. In a strongly worded statement, Dr Jasrotia said:Farooq Abdullah's latest remarks in Baramulla are deeply unfortunate and politically irresponsible. His assertion that Pakistan is 'saving' Kashmiris by raising the Kashmir issue internationally raises serious questions about his political priorities and his understanding of Pakistan's role in the region. Pakistan has repeatedly sponsored terrorism and violence that have cost countless innocent lives in Jammu and Kashmir. A responsible political leader should be highlighting the suffering caused by terrorism rather than lending credibility to Islamabad's narrative. Dr Farooq Abdullah credits Pakistan for 'saving' Kashmiris and questions India's intentions. A former Chief Minister openly thanking a neighbour accused of supporting terrorism, while portraying his own country as a threat, raises serious concerns. This is not constructive politics; it is deeply disappointing. Farooq Abdullah's statement is reckless, factually inverted and deeply corrosive to national integrity. Claiming that external Pakistani advocacy is what prevents harm to Kashmiris from India is not merely political debate; it raises serious questions about his perception of the Indian state and its intentions towards its own citizens. Such rhetoric risks emboldening those who reject India's sovereignty over the region. Freedom of speech protects robust criticism of the government, but political leaders must also recognise their responsibility to avoid statements that may legitimise the narrative of a neighbouring country accused of supporting terrorism. The Laxman Rekha of responsible political discourse must not be crossed. Dr Jasrotia also took strong exception to Farooq Abdullah's reported statement that the entire media is sold out. Farooq Abdullah's sweeping allegation that the entire media is 'sold out' is an insult to the countless journalists who work tirelessly to report facts, question those in power and uphold democratic accountability. If a political leader disagrees with a particular report or media outlet, he is entitled to express his disagreement and provide evidence. However, dismissing the entire media as compromised simply because its coverage may not suit his political interests is neither fair nor responsible. The media must stand united in defending its professional dignity and independence. I appeal to media organisations and journalists to collectively reject sweeping, unsubstantiated allegations against the press and consider a united response, including refusing to provide platforms for political attacks that undermine the credibility of journalism. Accountability must apply to political leaders as well as to the media. Dr Jasrotia further stated that Farooq Abdullah must remember the history of Jammu and Kashmir and the contribution of Maharaja Hari Singh. The Maharaja's support for the education of Sheikh Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah's father, is an important part of the historical record. It is therefore disappointing to see political rhetoric that appears to disregard the legacy and historical complexities associated with Jammu and Kashmir's accession to India. History should be approached with dignity, honesty and respect, not selectively invoked for political convenience. The National Conference must also answer for its own political legacy in Jammu and Kashmir. Instead of repeatedly cultivating a politics of grievance and victimhood, the party should explain how its policies have contributed to the challenges faced by the people of the region. Kashmir deserves constructive leadership, not political narratives that deepen divisions or encourage dependence on external validation. While the Modi government has emphasised development, infrastructure, tourism, investment and democratic participation in Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah continues to make statements that the BJP believes are contrary to the spirit of national integration. If Farooq Abdullah considers Islamabad's political position more sympathetic to Kashmiris than India's democratic framework, he owes the people of Jammu and Kashmir a clear explanation. He must stop confusing the public with statements that risk legitimising Pakistan's propaganda. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve peace, prosperity, dignity and opportunity. They do not deserve to be drawn into political narratives that blur the distinction between constructive criticism of the government and endorsement of the positions advanced by a neighbouring country. We demand that Farooq Abdullah withdraw his controversial remarks and issue an unconditional public apology to the people of India. The National Conference must recognise that the future of Jammu and Kashmir lies in peace, democratic participation and development, not in rhetoric that creates further uncertainty, he said. Dr Jasrotia further stated that the BJP would continue to challenge political statements it considers divisive and stand firmly for the unity, integrity and development of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Its future must be shaped by the aspirations of its people, not by narratives promoted from across the border, he added.

Kashmir issue remains alive because of Pakistan: Farooq Abdullah

Srinagar: Pakistan raising the Kashmir issue at international forums has saved us, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah said on Saturday, as he accused New Delhi of not doing justice to Jammu and Kashmir. He also said there is little hope for Kashmiris from the Centre. What hope will you (people of J&K) have from Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

CM Omar expresses concern over J&K Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia

Srinagar, Oct 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed concern over the Jammu and Kashmir pilgrims currently stranded in Saudi Arabia after undertaking Umrah, stating that the J&K Government is in active coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate their safe and early return. The Chief Minister reaffirmed the Governments commitment to taking all necessary measures in coordination with the concerned authorities to ensure the safe and expeditious return of the stranded pilgrims. He also assured the pilgrims and their families that the Government stands firmly with them and will continue to extend all possible support to facilitate their return home at the earliest.

4 Philippine Air Force pilots killed as 2 trainer aircraft crash during training flight

Manila , Oct 24 : Four Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots were killed when two SF-260 trainer aircraft crashed during a training flight at Fernando Air Base on Friday, prompting the temporary grounding of all SF-260 aircraft pending an investigation into the accident. In a post on X, the Philippine Air Force said it mourns the loss of four pilots in an aviation accident involving two SF-260 aircraft during a training flight at Fernando Air Base on October 23, 2026, at 3:51 PM. Both aircraft went down within the perimeter of the air base, with no other casualties reported, according to the PAF. The Philippine Air Force said an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the accident. It added that all SF-260 aircraft had been temporarily grounded as a precautionary safety measure. The PAF also paid tribute to the deceased pilots and said it was coordinating with their families to provide necessary assistance. The PAF honors the service and sacrifice of our fallen aviators and is coordinating with their bereaved families to provide necessary assistance, the statement said. At the request of the bereaved families, the Air Force appealed to the public to respect their privacy during this time. The incident comes amid other military aviation accidents involving fighter aircraft during training flights in different parts of the world. According to the Anadolu news agency, Russia's Defence Ministry said a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet crashed in the Kaliningrad region during a scheduled training flight on Wednesday. Both pilots ejected before the aircraft went down, the ministry said in a statement. The crew was evacuated by a ground search-and-rescue team, and their lives were not in danger, it added. Russian media reports, citing sources, said the aircraft crashed in the Chernyakhovsky district, between the settlements of Timofeyevka and Zelyony Bor. Both pilots sustained injuries and were taken to a military hospital, according to the reports. The cause of the crash was not officially announced. Meanwhile, two people were killed when a French Air Force Mirage 2000D fighter jet crashed during a training flight in northeastern France, broadcaster BFMTV reported on Thursday. The evidence discovered at the accident site confirms two deaths, the Metz prosecutors office told the broadcaster. However, this evidence must be corroborated by ongoing DNA analysis for identification purposes. Authorities had earlier confirmed the pilot's death, while search operations continued for the aircraft's navigator. The jet, operating from Nancy-Ochey air base, crashed late Tuesday in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department near Nancy, between the villages of Rogeville, Domevre-en-Haye and Tremblecourt. Henry Lemoine, mayor of nearby Pont-a-Mousson, said substantial police and firefighting resources had been deployed, with aircraft debris located by a drone. A crisis coordination centre was established in Rogeville, while local authorities warned of possible traffic disruptions in the surrounding area. A judicial investigation was opened to determine the circumstances and cause of the French aircraft crash. (ANI)

Imran Reza Ansari Backs Daily Wagers Demands for Regularisation, Job Security

Srinagar, Oct 24: All J&K Shia Association President and Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) General Secretary Imran Reza Ansari has expressed solidarity with daily wagers and casual labourers in Jammu & Kashmir, backing their long-pending demands for regularisation, a fair and revised wage structure, timely salary disbursement and job security. In a post on X, Ansari wrote, The decades of service rendered by Daily Wagers and Casual Labourers in Jammu & Kashmir cannot continue to be met with uncertainty and unfulfilled assurances. Their demands for regularisation, a fair and revised wage structure, timely salary disbursement, job security and a dignified future are genuine and long overdue. I stand firmly in solidarity with these hardworking employees and support their peaceful struggle for justice. Those who have dedicated the prime years of their lives to public service deserve more than promises. They deserve dignity, security and concrete action, the post reads. The government must rise to the occasion and address their long-pending grievances with sincerity, sensitivity and urgency. Justice delayed for these workers is justice denied to their families. He added.

Fire Breaks Out in Girls

Srinagar: A fire broke out in the girls wing of RP School in the Lawaypora area of Srinagar on Saturday, prompting the Fire and Emergency Services to rush to the spot. As per reports, fire tenders from Fire and Emergency Services Mujgund and other units were pressed into service. The blaze was reportedly brought under []

MLA Sajjad Shaheen Lays Foundation Stones for PHC, Two Eco-Parks in Gool

Gool, Oct 24: MLA Banihal-Gool, Sajjad Shaheen, today laid the foundation stones of two major eco-parks at Narsingha and Dungali in Gool at a combined cost of 70 Lakh and the building of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Sangaldan, being constructed at an estimated cost of 2.5 Crores marking significant steps towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure, promoting tourism and accelerating development across the constituency. He was accompanied by former DDC Chairperson Shamshada Shan, along with other local senior party functionaries and office bearers. Emphasising the importance of accessible healthcare, Sajjad Shaheen said that improving health infrastructure remains a key priority, particularly in the remote and far-flung areas of Banihal-Gool, where people often face difficulties accessing timely medical attention. He said that the construction of the PHC building at Sangaldan at an estimated cost of 2.5 Crore would be an important step towards strengthening local healthcare facilities and improving access to essential medical services. He reiterated that sustained efforts are being made to improve healthcare infrastructure across the constituency, alongside addressing staff shortages and the need for better medical facilities. He stressed that people in remote areas deserve accessible and quality healthcare, and that strengthening public health institutions is essential for improving the overall well-being of local communities. On tourism development, Shaheen said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the government is giving focused attention to developing tourism destinations across Jammu and Kashmir, with particular emphasis on areas possessing immense natural beauty and tourism potential. He said that Banihal-Gool, blessed with picturesque landscapes, lush green meadows, forests and scenic destinations, has enormous potential to emerge as an important tourism circuit. The development of eco-parks and recreational facilities is part of a broader initiative to bring these unexplored destinations onto the tourism map and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for local residents. Highlighting the initiatives undertaken during the past two years, the MLA said that work on Dubawn Park in Banihal has been taken up, while the tendering process for Tanji Maidan Park has been completed. A government park at Pogal, with an estimated cost of 50 lakh, has also been approved. He further informed that several other tourism-related projects are being pursued across the constituency. These include the proposed Tulip Garden at Nogam in Banihal, a park at Neel, a park at Rajbalan in Mahu, and another park at Supal Mando in Bangit. The beautification and upgradation of Goda Gali Park is also underway with an allocation of approximately 1.25 crore. Located at a historic site associated with the sixth century and the period of the Huns, the park is expected to become an important tourist attraction. The project aims to improve visitor facilities, preserve the area's historical significance and enhance its recreational appeal. Shaheen said that several more initiatives are in the pipeline and would be taken up in a phased manner to bring tourism-related areas across the constituency onto the tourism map. He said that focused efforts are being made to develop such destinations, improve basic facilities and ensure that the benefits of tourism reach local communities, thereby improving their socio-economic conditions. Referring to the development of Tatapani as a health and wellness destination, Shaheen said that construction of a bathing ghat, estimated to cost approximately 3.25 crore, is already underway. He added that a sarai is also being developed to facilitate visitors coming to benefit from the area's natural hot-water springs. These initiatives are aimed at strengthening Tatapani's identity as a prominent wellness destination and ensuring that its tourism potential translates into visible development and economic opportunities for local communities. The MLA emphasised that tourism development is being pursued alongside sustained efforts to improve road connectivity, electricity, drinking water, education and healthcare facilities across the constituency. He said that balanced development requires simultaneous attention to essential public services and economic opportunities, with healthcare and education remaining among the foremost priorities. Our objective is to ensure that the people of Banihal-Gool benefit from improved healthcare facilities, better infrastructure and sustainable economic opportunities. While tourism can generate employment for local youth, encourage homestays and promote local products, strengthening our health institutions is equally important to ensure accessible and quality medical care, especially for people living in remote and far-flung areas, he said. He added that the development of tourism infrastructure would help strengthen the local economy while showcasing the region's natural beauty, cultural heritage and hospitality to visitors from across the country. The foundation stone-laying ceremonies were attended by senior Forest Department officers, including the Chief Conservator of Forests, Chenab Circle, the Divisional Forest Officer, Ramban, and the Range Officer, Gool. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Gool, Tehsildar Gool, other officers, prominent party functionaries, public representatives and a large number of local residents were also present. Among those present were DFO Ramban, Executive Engineer R&B, BMO Gool ,Range Officer Gool and officers of various departments.

Amit Shah and Delhi CM Rekha Gupta meet Delhi Police on protests

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CRPF Constable Found Dead With Bullet Injury At HMT Srinagar; Suicide Suspected

Srinagar: A CRPF jawan allegedly died by suicide after shooting himself with his service rifle at HMT Zainakote area of Srinagar on Saturday. Officials said that one bullet-injured CRPF personnel of 44 Battalion located at HMT Zainakote was brought to hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The deceased has been identified as Ct. Gajendra []

Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 beats 2.0, Leo and Jailer to become fastest Tamil film to cross Rs 300 crore in India

Megastar Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 has reached the Rs 300-crore mark in India faster than any Tamil film before it. The Nelson Dilipkumar-directed sequel achieved the milestone in seven days, beating the previous records held by...

Marco Rubio Urges Cubans to Oust Regime as Trump Threatens Warships Off Havana Coast

Was Invited to Join BJP Many Times, Says Congress Veteran Sushilkumar Shinde

As a political organisation, the BJP had the right to expand its base, said former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde

Varvee Global reports Rs 6.78 crore profit in Q2, swings back to profitability

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], October 24: Varvee Global Limited, a vertically integrated textile manufacturing company formerly known as Aarvee Denims and Exports Limited, reported a net profit of Rs 6.78 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, marking a sharp turnaround from the net loss of Rs 6.56 crore in the preceding quarter. The results were approved by the company's Board of Directors at a meeting held today.

Madhya Pradesh Government to Enhance Ministerial Efficiency with Upcoming Workshop

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announces a workshop in December to improve the efficiency of ministers and legislators in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh Government to Enhance Ministerial Efficiency with Upcoming Workshop

One dead as fire engulfs six shops in Noida

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Former Andhra minister alleges Chandrababu Naidu controls SEC amid election violence

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KC Venugopal reviews mobilisation for November 1 INDIA bloc mega rally

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Iran Warns US Warships Will Never Enter Persian Gulf, Says Trump's Fleet Ambition 'Will Go to Grave'

CM Vijay gets rare praise from Centre over Tamil Nadu govt's decision to reduce VAT on aviation fuel

Centre has appreciated Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay over his government's decision to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) on aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Tamil Nadu reduced the rate from 29 per cent to 16 per cent at Chennai and one per cent at all airports in the state.In a gazette notification, the government said that the reduction of VAT on ATF will come into effect on the midnight of October 31/ November 1 and shall remain in force for a year upto the midnight of October 31, 2027.

Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy Blames BRS Regime For Telangana's El Nino Woes

Had the BRS government completed the Pranahita Chevella, SLBC and other projects, the impact of El Nino would have been much less severe. The previous BRS government is responsible for Telangana people suffering more due to El Nino and drought conditions. Had they used the loans secured properly, the adverse effects of El Nino would have been less on people, he told reporters

UP Tourism unveils 3-day special Deepotsav Ayodhya tour package

Following the immense enthusiasm from people for Deepotsav 2026, Uttar Pradesh Tourism has unveiled a special Deepotsav Ayodhya two-night, three-day tour package for travellers.

Special Voter Registration Drive Launched in Uttar Pradesh

A special campaign to register eligible voters in Uttar Pradesh was launched, ensuring no citizen is deprived of their voting rights. Special Voter Registration Drive Launched in Uttar Pradesh

Assistant Professor arrested on charges of sexually harassing 13-year-old girl

JK Cement Q2FY27 result: Profit rises 6.3% to 169 cr; revenue jumps 23.7%

JK Cement Ltd on Saturday reported a 6.31 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit to Rs 169.3 crore for the September quarter of FY2026-27, helped by volume gains.

Triple Earthquakes Up to Magnitude 7.2 Rock Vanuatu Islands

Schools to Remain Closed on Oct 28

With a looming tropical cyclone projected to make landfall near the North Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha coasts around October 28, the Odisha government has activated its full disaster management apparatus. Placing safety above all else, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered the complete closure of all schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centres in five [] The post Schools to Remain Closed on Oct 28 & 29 in Five Odisha Districts Due to Cyclone appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .

Arshdeep Singh sets India

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Modi, Putin Push For $100 Billion India-Russia Trade Target By 2030

Donald Trump Threatens Fresh 'Epic Fury' Strikes on Iran and Warns Cuba at Florida Rally

PM Modi To Inaugurate New Garment Manufacturing Facility In Varanasi, Witness IAF's 'Wings Over Ganges' Aerial Show On Sunday

PM Modi's Address To RBI Governor's Remark: NDTV World Summit Makes Headlines

The NDTV World Summit 2026, with theme 'A World Between Orders', was held in New Delhi on October 22 and 23, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, economists, business leaders, thinkers, innovators and cultural voices.

FICCI seeks Dutch investment in mfg, tech; calls for project-level follow-up

FICCI has called for enhanced Dutch investments in Indias manufacturing and technology sectors during Piyush Goyal's visit. The discussions may lead to manufacturing partnerships and technology collaborations which would strengthen bilateral trade. Greater emphasis is placed on supply chain integration to meet Dutch quality and sustainability standards. The upcoming India-EU free trade agreement is expected to facilitate deeper commercial ties.

Tragic Incident in Patna: Young Boy Murdered by His Brother at Temple Grounds

A shocking murder in Patna as a young boy is killed by his brother at a temple. Police have arrested the suspect. Tragic Incident in Patna: Young Boy Murdered by His Brother at Temple Grounds

Jamia Millia Islamia to announce elections after receiving draft constitution from students

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35 fire tenders control Mayapuri factory fire after 15 hours

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Swift Crackdown: Aligarh SSP Neeraj Jadon Lines Up SHO Over Ignored Rape Complaint

India 'A' Drawn With Pakistan 'A' In Mens Asia Cup Rising Stars, To Open Campaign Against Nepal

West End International Cricket Stadium: India 'A' have been drawn alongside arch-rivals Pakistan 'A' in Group B of the ACC Men's Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, to be held in Doha from November 19 to 29. Nepal and the United Arab Emirates complete the rest of the group, with India A. India 'A' will open their campaign against Nepal on November 20 at 1 pm local time before taking on the UAE on November 24 in a clash starting at 9 am local time. India A will play the marquee clash against Pakistan 'A' on November 22 at 1 pm local time. Pakistan 'A' will face the UAE on November 20 and take on Nepal on November 24. The UAE and Nepal will meet each other on November 22. Group A comprises Sri Lanka 'A', Bangladesh 'A', Afghanistan 'A' and Hong Kong, China. The tournament will be hosted by the Qatar Cricket Association (QCA), with matches to be played at the West End International Cricket Stadium and the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) ground. The eight teams have been split into two groups and will play a single round-robin format, with the top two from each group progressing to the semi-finals to be played on November 26 and 27, respectively, before the final happens on November 29. Nepal, Hong Kong, China and the UAE earned their places through the ACC Men's Premier Cup in Malaysia in July. All three Associate teams will field their senior national sides. All matches between Nepal or the UAE and any Full Member 'A' team will carry official List A status. This means India 'A' matches against Nepal and the UAE will both count as List A fixtures, while the game between Nepal and the UAE will be an official ODI. The eight teams have been split into two groups and will play a single round-robin format, with the top two from each group progressing to the semi-finals to be played on November 26 and 27, respectively, before the final happens on November 29. Nepal, Hong Kong, China and the UAE earned their places through the ACC Men's Premier Cup in Malaysia in July. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

No 'Office Office' Ordeal: CM Yogi Warns Babus Against Harassing Citizens

US contractor accused of leaking classified defence info to journalist girlfriend

15,000 aspirants, 284 home guard posts and one determined run

Vacancies Announced by WAPCOS Limited for 29 Positions, Applications Open Until November 7

WAPCOS Limited has announced 29 job openings, including project manager roles, with applications accepted until November 7. Vacancies Announced by WAPCOS Limited for 29 Positions, Applications Open Until November 7