Jayant Chaudhary Meets PM Modi with Family Amid Rising Political Activity in Uttar Pradesh
Jayant Chaudhary met PM Modi with his family, sparking discussions ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. Jayant Chaudhary Meets PM Modi with Family Amid Rising Political Activity in Uttar Pradesh
Prof DP Singh, who regularised LU academic session after 25 yrs, dies
Two sentenced to life imprisonment for killing 17-yr-old girl in Sultanpur
He was looking for work, says family of youth arrested for AQIS links
Delhi court remands foreign national to Tihar in immigration escape case
Barabanki teen dies by suicide over blackmail threats
This Durga Puja, Bengali Club to also celebrate 100 years of actor Uttam Kumar
Tagore Library reading room reopens today
74 candidates from govts free coaching centres clear UPSC mains exam
HC seeks LDA reply on wide gap in two-wheeler parking fees
Yogi, Bhupender Yadav moot strategy to curb air pollution in NCR
HC order forces fresh UP NEET UG round-1 counselling for MBBS, BDS
Workshop for heritage facilitators
BFs family pressuring me to settle case, claims woman in car drag case
IIT-K to impart AI training to teachers
NFHS-6: Child stunting declines to 31.5% in UP
Govt schools to hold alumni meets in Oct
Husband stabbed in sleep, body stuffed in box; wife, 2 aides held
Water supply to be hit in Aishbagh, Balaganj today
Samajwadi Party looks to expand base among non-Yadav OBCs and non-Jatav Dalits
The Samajwadi Party is preparing for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. It aims to expand support among non-Yadav OBCs and Dalits, particularly non-Jatavs. The party will release separate manifestos for each district, addressing local concerns. Prominent leaders are attending village meetings to gauge voter sentiment. Booth committees have been expanded to include seventeen members each.
Class V pass man held for posing as cop, promising liquor shop licence
Tawde meets Agarwal, discusses UP poll prep in late-night meet
Nishad invokes Phoolan Devi, says SP betrayed marginalised
CCTV to keep watch on Rs 2,161cr sewer, waterline works in Varanasi
Man axes mother, sister to death over property dispute in Jaunpur
BJP meet to focus on taking Modi-Yogi devpt agenda to every house: Ravi Kishan
Newborn girl found abandoned in Varanasi village
Jeweller, traders brave gunfire to catch looters in Azamgarh
Kanpur reels under sultry weather
458 students of school get free textbooks, uniforms and other educational material
Eight, including police constable held over Jhansi drug peddlers death
Speed up ongoing projects and address public grievances promptly: Minister
Grocery trader robbed of Rs 50,000 while travelling in auto rickshaw
Curators workshop concludes at Green Park
EVMs, VVPAT machines undergo technical checks
Woman found hanging; kin allege domestic violence
Man undergoing TB treatment for 5 years dies by suicide in Kanpur
Camps to identify disabled for govt schemes
Ganga recedes below warning level
FIR against govt docs driver for prescribing medicines to patients; hosp forms probe panel
2 minor cousins killed as speeding car hits tree in Kannauj
IIT-K, UP govt expand digital literacy programme for teachers
Minor girl electrocuted; father alleges foul play
Bizman sets 3 bikes ablaze after dispute with wife
Spiritual gifting drives surge in sales of silver Hanuman Chalisa and Sunderkand
Lakhpati Didis network expanding fast in Prayagraj dist
SP neither possesses a vision nor credible leadership: Maurya
2,297 candidates qualify for PCS-2025 interviews
Div commissioner orders immediate fixes for school sanitation gaps
Farrukhabad school video: CJP member moves Alld HC against FIR
HC adjourns Mathura case hearing till Oct 13
Experts discuss ways to revive toy designs, bring children back to outdoor games
Jayant Chaudhary meets PM Modi with family ahead of Muzaffarnagar rally
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by his family. Chaudhary shared details of the meeting through a post on his X handle, triggering speculation across political circles. The meeting assumes significance as Chaudhary is scheduled to address a massive rally in Muzaffarnagar on September 20. Political observers are interpreting the pre-rally interaction as an important signal of alignment within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). On Thursday, Chaudhary had extended birthday greetings to the Prime Minister on his X handle. He wrote that he had personally learnt a great deal from observing PM Modis work ethic closely. He praised the Prime Ministers commitment and creative disruption, which, he said, had earned him tremendous public support over many years of service. Chaudhary expressed confidence that the Seva Sankalp taken by citizens on the occasion would inspire greater efforts towards social responsibilities and stronger, inclusive and sustainable growth. Through the birthday message and the subsequent family meeting, Chaudhary has indicated his intent to contest elections in unity with the NDA. The interaction, coming just days before the Muzaffarnagar rally, has generated considerable discussion from Delhi to Lucknow. Chaudhary also shared a photograph of the meeting in which his wife and two daughters elder daughter Sahira and younger daughter Ilesha Singh are visible. Various political interpretations are being drawn from the family nature of the meeting. With preparations for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections gathering pace, both the NDA and the INDIA alliance are intensifying their activities. In this backdrop, Jayant Chaudharys meeting with Prime Minister Modi, along with his family, is being viewed as a clear message of solidarity within the NDA. The Muzaffarnagar rally on September 20 is now expected to further underline the RLDs position and its continued partnership with the ruling alliance.
Bhupender Yadav, CM Yogi review UPs air pollution action plan for Delhi-NCR
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Sep 18 (IANS) Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Friday held a review meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to assess progress on measures to improve air quality in Delhi-NCR. Yadav emphasised the need for accelerated implementation, stronger inter-agency coordination and strict enforcement to ensure substantial reduction in air pollution levels before the onset of winter. Emphasising the urgency of timely action, the Union Minister said, The window before the winter season must be fully utilised to implement pollution control measures in mission mode. Timely execution, effective coordination and strict enforcement will be critical to achieving visible improvements in Delhi-NCR's air quality. Reviewing measures to curb Road Dust, Yadav said end-to-end paving and greening of roads with local-species shrubs/grasses during monsoons should be undertaken on priority, with focused attention on pothole identification and repair, construction of footpaths and pavements, roadside greening, and deep cleaning of roads. He urged that all gaps in the deployment of Mechanical Road Sweeping Machines (MRSMs) be bridged at the earliest, while suggesting that all MRSMs be geo-tagged to facilitate real-time monitoring of road-cleaning operations and improve accountability. Adityanath welcomed the government's measures to curb air pollution in Delhi NCR. He directed all state government officials to take timely action on different measures discussed during the meeting. He thanked the Union Minister for organising the review meeting and sharing his valuable guidance in this matter. Those present on the occasion included senior state officials; Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirtivardhan Singh; Uttar Pradesh Minister for Environment and Forest Arun Kumar; and State Minister of Transport (Independent charge) Dayashankar Singh, said an official statement. Earlier, underscoring the importance of Public Participation and coordinated institutional action, Yadav said that air pollution can be effectively tackled only through a 'Whole of Government' and 'Whole of Society' approach. The Union Minister stressed strict implementation of the government's advisories to curb air pollution. Reviewing the status of Electric Mobility, the Union Minister stressed that deployment of electric buses and installation of EV charging stations across the NCR municipal corporations in Uttar Pradesh should be expedited, noting significant gaps in the existing fleet. He congratulated the Uttar Pradesh Government on the rapidly increasing tree-covered area across the State. On the issue of End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles, Yadav requested that the authorities expedite issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for transfer of eligible EoL vehicles outside the NCR, while simultaneously encouraging scientific scrapping of old and unfit vehicles.
UP journalists visit Siej, interact with Padma Shri Hally War
Shillong, Sep 18: Journalists from Uttar Pradesh visited Siej village in East Khasi Hills and interacted with Padma Shri awardee Hally War, who guided them to the Umkhar Living Root Bridge. War explained how aerial roots of the rubber fig tree (Ficus elastica) are carefully guided and nurtured over several years to form functional bridges [] The post UP journalists visit Siej, interact with Padma Shri Hally War first appeared on Highland Post .
Watch: Delhi-NCR air pollution: Schools advised to suspend outdoor sports in November, December
The Commission for Air Quality Management has advised schools in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to suspend physical sports activities and competitions during November and December. While the advisory aims to protect children from winter air pollution, school administrators are seeking a more permanent solution.
Imran Masood Urges Swift Resolution on Seat Sharing Ahead of UP Elections
Congress MP Imran Masood calls for quick seat-sharing decisions with the Samajwadi Party ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections. Imran Masood Urges Swift Resolution on Seat Sharing Ahead of UP Elections
'Can become Prime Minister of Pakistan or Italy': Shehzad Poonawalla's swipe at Rahul Gandhi
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Political analyst and former BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Friday took a swipe at the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, saying that he can become the Prime Minister of Pakistan or of any of those countries where he goes on vacations. Speaking exclusively to IANS, Poonawalla said: Rahul Gandhi can become the Prime Minister but perhaps of Pakistan. If he prefers, of Italy, or whichever country he frequently visits, like Bangkokif he wishes to take citizenship there, he could become Prime Minister of that country, since he spends most of his time abroad anyway. In India, he only visits briefly between his vacations. He (Rahul Gandhi) could certainly become Prime Minister of those countries, but here, in 2029, Narendra Modi will be re-elected India's Prime Minister with an even bigger margin. In 2034, if he decides to contest, he will become Prime Minister then as well. In 2027, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will return with an even greater margin than the BJP received in 2017 Assembly polls, he asserted. He expressed optimism that under BJP President Nitin Nabin's leadership, the party will form governments in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, even in Punjab and emerge victorious in the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. The former BJP leader added: PM Modi will become the country's Prime Minister for the fourth time. Those who are unable to digest this fact can keep crying. Shehzad Poonawalla also shed light on his decision to resign from the BJP, saying that he had been considering a transition to the private sector after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Poonawalla added that he had always intended to return to the private sector after the 2024 elections, but decided to continue working with the BJP for some more time due to the political situation following the polls. After the 2024 elections, it was in my mind to transition to the private sector. The reason behind this was that when I joined politics in 2021 and became the national spokesperson of the BJP, I had previously been in the media. Before that, I drew a regular salary, he said.
From 2.6 Crore Toilets To Cleaner Villages: How Swachh Bharat Is Changing Rural UP
From community toilets and routine cleaning to better roads and waste management, rural Uttar Pradesh is moving beyond toilet construction.
Delhi Police arrest 2 for stealing money through ATM tampering
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) The Delhi Police have arrested two accused for tampering with the cash-dispensing mechanism of ATMs, officials said on Friday. The accused have been identified as Aman and Suraj. Both of them are in their twenties and hail from Uttar Pradesh. According to the investigators, the accused were previously employed at 'HITACHI' as custodians and were responsible for depositing and withdrawing the cash from the ATM machines of Axis Bank. While working at the company, they gained knowledge about the working of the ATMs and the loopholes in the machines An official statement said that on September 15, a team of Special Staff, Central District, received specific secret information that Aman and Suraj would arrive near Mirdard Wali Gali, Tagore Road, behind Civic Centre, Delhi, on a Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle. Upon receiving the tip, a dedicated team was constituted under the leadership of Inspector Sandeep Yadav, I/C Special Staff, Central District, comprising SI Vijay, SI Satish, SI Naresh, HC Manish, HC Munesh, HC Mohit, HC Vikas, HC Deepak, HC Inderjeet, HC Hariom, HC Heera Lal, Ct. Surajpal, Ct. Jayant, Ct. Sumit and Ct. Ajay, under the overall supervision of ACP Operations, Central District, Delhi, Padam Singh Rana. Acting on the information, the team laid a trap near the rear side of the MCD Building, in front of Reliance Building, Tagore Road, Kamla Market in Delhi. At about 11:20 p.m., two persons approached from the Gandhi Market side on a motorcycle. The secret informer identified them as the persons mentioned in the information. When the police team signaled them to stop, both attempted to flee. After a brief chase, both accused were apprehended along with the vehicle. Police recovered one illegal country-made pistol and two live cartridges while searching Suraj. During the frisking of Aman, three live cartridges were recovered. Accordingly, FIR No. 288/2026 dated 16.09.2026 under Sections 25/54/59 Arms Act, PS Kamla Market, Central District, Delhi, was registered. Officials said during sustained interrogation, the accused disclosed that they targeted ATMs during relatively less crowded hours and on Saturdays and Sundays, particularly when security guards were not present. According to investigators, the accused allegedly misused their familiarity with the functioning of ATMs. While working at the company, they had learnt the whole process of tampering with ATMs and withdrawing cash from machines illegally. The accused allegedly got the keys of the targeted ATM machines from their earlier associate to gain access, tamper with the cash-dispensing mechanism and place rubber rings to create an obstruction. Thereafter, they would close the machine and leave the spot, officials said. Subsequently, when a genuine customer entered the ATM, inserted or swiped their ATM card and entered the PIN and other required details for a cash withdrawal, the transaction would be processed. However, due to the obstruction created inside the cash-dispensing mechanism, the cash would not come out through the normal dispensing outlet and would instead remain trapped inside the ATM's internal dispensing area/tray. The customer, believing that the cash had not been dispensed, would leave the ATM booth. The accused would then return to the ATM, opened the machine with the help of the keys already available with them and retrieve the cash that had remained trapped inside the ATM. The accused disclosed during interrogation that they had adopted this modus operandi at multiple ATMs of Axis Bank in Sector 45, Gurugram, as well as at ICICI Bank ATMs in Kapashera and nearby areas of Delhi. Further investigation is underway where the investigators are contacting the concerned police stations in these areas to ascertain whether any FIRs have been registered in connection with similar incidents.
UPSSSC Pharmacist Exam Admit Cards Now Available for Download
The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission has released the admit cards for the upcoming Pharmacist recruitment examination. Scheduled for September 20, 2026, candidates can download their admit cards from the official UPSSSC website. The exam will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions, with a total duration of 2 hours. Ensure to carry your admit card and a valid ID to the exam center. Read on for detailed instructions on how to download your admit card and important exam information.
Bansgaon block of Gorakhpur: Wins laurels for NITI Aayogs Aspirational Blocks programme
Uttar Pradeshs startup revolution: From 120 to 24,000 in 9 years
Swachh Bharat Mission in Uttar Pradesh: Nine years of a comprehensive sanitation ecosystem
New Delhi, Delhi, India Business Wire India
UP PGT Recruitment 2026: 2,607 Lecturer Posts Announced, Check Dates, Eligibility and Salary
Candidates aspiring to build a career in teaching have a major recruitment opportunity in Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC) has announced the Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) Recruitment 2026 for lecturer positions in non-government aided secondary schools a...
Yatri Rahat Yojana in Uttar Pradesh
Yogi governments excise policy 202629: From revenue collection to export promotion
Jaunpur: A district moving towards better connectivity, livelihoods and modern infrastructure
UPs food processing revolution: From farm produce to value-added industry
UP govt steps up outreach to key voter groups ahead of 2027 Assembly polls
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths government has announced a series of measures benefiting Panchayat Sahayaks, farmers, ex-servicemen, former Agniveers, ration dealers, lawyers and fishermen ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls. The measures include higher honorariums, job-related benefits, concessional loans, reservation, healthcare support and other welfare measures.
UP X user booked for commenting on Kangana's post
Police in Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, have registered a case against an X user for allegedly making indecent and derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut online. The complaint was filed by the district police's social media in-charge, leading to charges under the BNS and IT Act. Authorities are examining evidence and will take further action.
UPs Transport : Building a modern, safe and sustainable mobility network
Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Scholarship Scheme: Reviving Sanskrit education
How Vidyut Sakhis are empowering rural women in Uttar Pradesh
UP Family ID: One family, one identity and welfare delivery
Highway Infrastructure bags Rs 220-cr toll collection contract on Gorakhpur Link Expressway
Highway Infrastructure has received a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) for toll collection and allied operations on the Gorakhpur Link Expressway.
Defence Minister, UP CM Launch Seva Sankalp Abhiyan on Modis 76th Birthday
On Prime Minister Narendra Modis 76th birthday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Varanasi, celebrating 25 years of Modis public service. The event included a bike rally with 500 youth embarking on a 20-day journey from Varanasi to Vadnagar, symbolizing Modis roots and leadership. This initiative aims to reflect the positive transformations in India under Modis governance, while also promoting unity through the Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat campaign.
Allahabad HC strict on recording statements of witnesses, directs DGP
Allahabad High Court directed the UP DGP to consider making audio-video recording of witness statements mandatory.Allahabad HC directs DGP to record statements of witnesses (file photo)The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) to consi...
Mayawati Criticizes New UPI Fees and Calls for Basic Facilities in Schools
Mayawati raises concerns over new UPI fees impacting common citizens and emphasizes the need for basic school facilities in Uttar Pradesh. Mayawati Criticizes New UPI Fees and Calls for Basic Facilities in Schools
Mayawati opposes proposed UPI charges, says additional burden will hit common people
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday expressed concern over the proposed increase in UPI charges, saying that imposing an additional financial burden on the public would ultimately hurt common people and increase their expenses. This comes as, starting October 15, India will introduce a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select person-to-merchant UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, which is to be absorbed by businesses rather than everyday consumers. Mayawati took to social media platform X and said that although the proposed system may not be officially accepted as a 'tax', giving it any other name would not change its impact on the public. After initially promoting UPI digital transactions, the government's new system of charging fees on such transactions appears to people to be akin to a profiteering capitalist tax, which is understandable and likely to cause public unease and anger, she said. While this system of imposing additional financial burden on the public is not accepted as a ax, no matter what name is given to this system, which will be implemented on October 15th, it will ultimately be the common people who will be hit hard, and their expenses will increase, Mayawati said in her post. She further said that a large section of the country's population continues to face poverty and inflation, while their children struggle with illiteracy, unemployment and uncertainty. Furthermore, it is well known that the majority of the country's population is suffering from immense poverty and skyrocketing inflation, and their children are suffering from illiteracy, unemployment, and chaos. In such a situation, it would be appropriate if the government's policies and actions are less commercial and more welfare-oriented. If the government doesn't care about the hardships and suffering of the people, then who will? she said. Mayawati also welcomed the Uttar Pradesh government's announcement to convert around 14,500 schools in the state into 'smart schools' at a cost of around Rs 300 crore. Along with this, the announcement by the UP government to convert around 14,500 schools of the state into 'smart schools' at a cost of around Rs 300 crore is a good thing, but before imparting so-called 'smart education' to the children, their basic education needs, etc., should be fulfilled, i.e., proper arrangements for a roof over the heads of school children, benches, chairs, books, toilets, playgrounds, cleanliness etc. and the government should also sympathetically consider whether all this will be possible in around Rs 2 lakh per school, she said in the post.
Delhi-NCR likely to receive light to moderate rain; AQI remains in 'satisfactory' category
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Rain is expected in Delhi-NCR on Friday, with the Meteorological Department forecasting partly cloudy skies and the possibility of light to moderate showers. As the monsoon begins to withdraw, only minimal rain clouds are forming over the region. However, the weather department has not issued any warning of heavy rainfall or thunderstorms. The daytime temperature is expected to remain between 33 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to settle between 23 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius. Humidity is also expected to remain noticeable during the day. Over the next 24 hours, the weather is likely to remain partly cloudy, with occasional clear spells. With the monsoon weakening, weather conditions in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and the NCR continue to fluctuate. Several areas experienced heavy rain accompanied by strong winds on Thursday. However, the Meteorological Department has forecast moderate rain and partly cloudy skies for Friday. Morning temperatures are expected to remain between 25 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius, while the mercury could rise above 33 degrees Celsius as the day progresses. Humidity is likely to remain between 60 per cent and 80 per cent, adding to the discomfort. The sky is expected to remain generally clear with intermittent cloud cover. Light rain or drizzle may occur in some areas, with the probability of rainfall estimated at 5 to 12 per cent. No warning of storms or thunderstorms has been issued. According to the weather department's forecast, conditions are likely to remain largely clear over the next 24 hours, although isolated rainfall cannot be ruled out. While Delhi and surrounding areas received rain on Thursday, the hilly regions also witnessed snowfall, providing relief to tourists. Weather conditions in the hills are also expected to change on Friday. As the monsoon weakens across North India, rainfall activity is likely to remain negligible in the coming days. Meanwhile, Delhi-NCR's air quality remained in the 'satisfactory' category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) readings included CRRI Mathura Road (104), Burari Crossing (95), North Campus (121), Pusa (83), Aya Nagar (62), Shadipur (66), NSIT Dwarka (47), ITO (68), DTU (62), Sirifort (127), Mandir Marg (89), R.K. Puram (99), Ashok Vihar (70), Dwarka Sector 8 (88), and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (117).
Inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on September 7 at Srinagars SKICC, the maiden International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir brought world cinema to the valley. Organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the festival drew over 300 global delegates, screened 135 films from 40 countries, and offered Rs 96 lakh in prize money across nine categories. Yet, from a local perspective, the festival highlighted a glaring gap. Filmmaker Kapil Matoo urged the J&K government to draw inspiration from Uttar Pradesh to create a genuinely filmmaker-friendly environment. It served as a wake-up call and made evident that the regions infrastructure and policies are not yet fully equipped to ensure that Kashmirs indigenous artists reap the real benefits of such international platforms. Speaking on the sidelines of the festival, Kapil Matoo highlighted the way the UP government provides subsidies, allowing a local filmmaker or producer to take the money. If local filmmakers are shooting their films completely in Kashmir, what are they getting? he asked. He stressed that the administration must move beyond merely providing locations; it needs to actively handhold local filmmakers and empower them to tell their own stories. Kashmir has a lot of talent, but much of it remains directionless. To bridge this gap, Matoo emphasised the need for enablers who can provide three to four years of dedicated mentorship. He also urged local artists to unite, refine their craft, and scale up their storytelling to meet high standards. Renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali spoke optimistically of Kashmirs untold stories. He said that Kashmir possesses a treasure trove of untold stories, vibrant characters, and rich cultural traditions that could provide exceptional material for cinema. He expressed hope that Kashmirs growing engagement with the film industry would create greater opportunities for Kashmiri talent. However, the ground reality paints a completely different picture. Local artists and tourism stakeholders have expressed deep regret and concern over not being provided due representation. When I spoke with Waheed Jeelani, a renowned artist and founder-chairman of the Kashmir Music Club, he revealed that indigenous creators were not taken on board and were denied access to the main stage, instead being asked to perform on the periphery at the banks of Dal Lake. The event should have featured our traditional Kashmiri instruments and popular local artists to represent the real Kashmir, Waheed Jeelani stated. He pointed out that the event management and contractors were outsourced, leaving local professionals out of the loop. According to him, Kashmir was merely used as a beautiful backdrop for shooting rather than being authentically promoted. Highlighting a 15-year struggle for artists, he said that the government has spent crores of rupees on the international film festival but has remained completely unconcerned about investing in local artists who actually carry forward the true art, culture, and heritage of Kashmir. Prominent J&K film director and artist Mushtaq Ali Khan, who has organised six film festivals in the past, said that the government ignored indigenous talent. He stressed that the active participation of local film and tourism stakeholders was crucial for genuinely boosting the regional tourism and film industries in Kashmir. Aqib Chayia, President of the J&K Hoteliers Club in Gulmarg, said that local stakeholders should have been the primary invitees, not an afterthought. During my own visit to the SKICC for the event, I saw this disheartening reality with my own eyes. Instead of being celebrated on the main stage, local artists from Pamposh Folk Theatre, Bamrada Khag, were performing in a park far away from the spotlight. When I spoke to the groups head, Manzoor Ahmad, he expressed his dismay, noting that they were simply instructed to perform outside and were denied a dignified stage. This begs a critical question: how can we claim to revive local art and integrate it with cinema if our artists are not given the space, respect, and due recognition their craft demands? After more than a year of meticulous planning and heavy public investment, the curtains have fallen on the festival. Yet the scenes of empty shikaras facing the floating screen on Dal Lake pose a strong question regarding the scale of actual public participation. The relationship between Kashmir and Bollywood is not new. For decades, Bollywood capitalised on the valleys stunning mountains, beautiful lakes, and flowing rivers, branding Kashmir a Paradise on Earth and consequently boosting tourism. Historically, Kashmir was not just a backdrop; cinema halls ran to packed houses, and film releases were celebrated events. Even during periods of intense uncertainty, the magic of movies survived through VCRs in Kashmiri living rooms. Recent years have seen a shift. Films like Haider and Bajrangi Bhaijaan moved beyond the scenic backdrop to incorporate Kashmiri characters, settings, and hospitality into their core narratives. Kashmir possesses emerging filmmakers and profound stories that demand a strong supportive ecosystem. Showcasing traditional crafts through isolated documentaries is not the solution; our heritage, musicians, and artisans need to be mainstreamed into grand, commercial cinematic storytelling. The true test of IFFJK 2026 lies in its aftermath. If it successfully empowers local filmmakers and helps establish a self-sustaining film industry, it will be a historic leap forward. But if it remains limited to tourism promotion and image projection, it will go down as nothing more than a grand administrative spectacle. The ultimate challenge is no longer just shooting in Kashmir, but giving Kashmir its own authentic cinematic face.
Yogi Government to Recruit for 191 Positions in Civil Security Department
The Yogi government announces recruitment for 191 positions in the Civil Security Department, enhancing job opportunities for youth in Uttar Pradesh. Yogi Government to Recruit for 191 Positions in Civil Security Department
The crucial Uttar Pradesh test of the BJPs hegemony
The States changing electoral landscape, marked by the BJP losing ground in 2024, raises questions about how long the partys political dominance can endure
Ahead of polls, UP Cong opens dialogue with active, former workers
Yogi hails Modi as architect of New India, extends birthday wishes
Sandhu urges youth to read, think freely, learn from life
